Exhibitions, ceremonies mark 80th anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender

Xinhua) 09:22, August 16, 2025

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Exhibitions and various other memorial activities have been organized across China to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's announcement of unconditional surrender in World War II (WWII).

On Aug. 15, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender. Following the announcement, Japan sent representatives to Zhijiang County of Hunan Province to hand over a map of Japanese troops deployed in China, and to sign a memorandum of surrender.

On Friday, an exhibition titled "WWII: Zhijiang," featuring 61 historical photos, was unveiled at a hall memorializing Japan's surrender in Zhijiang.

The photos are on public display in China for the first time. Visitors slowed their pace, some standing quietly in front of the display board to contemplate the historical images.

According to Wu Jianhong, curator of the memorial hall, the photos were collected by Zhijiang-born painter Qian Dexiang and his wife, Tan Mingli.

The couple discovered a booklet about Zhijiang's WWII history that contained historical photos in the United States. The photos vividly portray the people of Zhijiang and their struggle against aggression, as well as Chinese military personnel and civilians fighting alongside their American peers, and moments from the victory celebrations.

"The release of these photos is not only intended to revisit Zhijiang's wartime history -- it is also a profound remembrance of the county's countless fallen heroes," Wu said. "Looking back at history is meant to help us move forward."

In Nanjing -- the site of the horrific Nanjing Massacre during WWII -- six individuals were on Friday recognized as "inheritors of historical memories of the Nanjing Massacre" during a ceremony held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.

There are now 38 such inheritors. Notably, that number now includes two foreign nationals for the first time: Thomas Rabe and Megan Brady, both of whom are descendants of international personnel who had helped save Chinese people and recorded the horrific history of the war in China.

Thomas Rabe is the grandson of German businessman John Rabe, who joined other foreigners to establish an international safe zone during the massacre, saving over 250,000 Chinese lives. The diaries of John Rabe remain among the most comprehensive historical records of the atrocity.

Megan Brady is the great-granddaughter of Richard Brady, a U.S. surgeon who aided civilians in Nanjing and documented the atrocities of the Japanese army through diary entries, photographs and letters.

The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops captured the then Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. Over a period of six weeks, they killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of WWII.

Also on Friday, a special exhibition titled "Justice Trial" opened at the September 18th Historical Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, showcasing historical facts related to trials of Japanese war criminals.

The exhibition features more than 200 photographs and over 100 other items, as well as archival materials. It documents the public trials, as well as the subsequent verdicts, of 45 Japanese war criminals conducted by a special military tribunal of the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Fan Lihong, curator of the September 18th Historical Museum, told Xinhua that these trials were the first trials on Japanese war criminals conducted by the Chinese people on their own territory after the founding of the PRC. They were carried out independently and without external interference, holding significant international influence and historic importance.

In southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, a guided tour was organized on Friday morning. Participants set off from the city's iconic People's Liberation Monument and walked all the way to a museum which presents visitors with information about the Japanese bombing in Chongqing.

"I have been deeply moved along this journey," said Chen Junfeng, who participated in the tour. "The People's Liberation Monument used to be a monument to victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and now it stands amid towering skyscrapers as a landmark of the city. These changes have all been achieved through the sacrifices and bloodshed of our forebears."

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Chinese FM urges Japan to face history squarely to earn respect

Xinhua) 13:51, August 16, 2025

KUNMING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan to learn from history to earn respect and avoid straying onto the wrong path again on Friday, the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while briefing the press after the tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, clarifying China's position on historical issues.

"I would also like to reiterate China's position on this specific day," Wang said, noting that 80 years ago, Japan was defeated, accepted the Potsdam Proclamation, and announced its unconditional surrender.

The war of aggression waged by Japanese militarists inflicted immense suffering on the people of China and other Asian countries, and the Japanese people themselves also suffered deeply, he said.

"A series of international instruments, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly defined Japan's responsibility for the war and required that Japan return the territories it had stolen from China, including Taiwan," Wang said, adding that this was the unchallengeable outcome of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and constitutes an important part of the post-war international order.

However, even to this day, some forces in Japan continue to glorify and deny their invasion, distort and fabricate history, and even seek to rehabilitate the names of war criminals, Wang said.

He pointed out that such actions are contemptible and self-defeating, challenging the United Nations Charter, the post-war international order, human conscience, and the people of all victorious nations.

"Only by facing history squarely can respect be earned; only by drawing lessons from history can a better future be explored; only by remembering the past can straying onto the wrong path again be avoided. We urge Japan to make the right choice." Wang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
A tragic accident marked the latest tour of the Smirkus Circus, after one of its young artists suffered a serious fall during a performance. The incident, which occurred on July 22 at the Cracker-Barrel fairgrounds in Wrentham, Massachusetts, left the artist with injuries that, according to initial reports, could affect his spinal cord.

According to DefensaCentral, the victim is a trapeze artist of only 18 years old who was performing a routine with aerial silks when, for reasons still under investigation, he fell from an estimated height of between 3 and 6 meters. Wrentham Police Chief William McGrath explained that the young man was conscious and alert after the accident, and that he received immediate assistance from a nurse present at the show before being transferred to a trauma hospital in Rhode Island.

In an official statement published on its website, the circus company expressed its deep regret for what happened:

The company member involved is a beloved member of the Smirkus family. Their spirit, generosity, and dedication on and off the ring are exceptional. We carry their family in our hearts as we support them in their recovery.

The executive and artistic director of the circus, Rachel Schiffer, noted that, fortunately, the artist is expected to recover, although no details have been given about the rehabilitation time.

Several performances were canceled

As a direct consequence of the accident, the Smirkus Circus announced the cancellation of several performances of its Tent Tour, which will officially close on Sunday, August 17 at its headquarters in Greensboro, Vermont, with only two remaining performances.

DefensaCentral has been able to confirm that the company is thoroughly reviewing all of its safety protocols. A circus spokesperson told the local media The Hardwick Gazette that safety is paramount and a serious component in all training and performances.

According to The Newport Daily Express, professional companies must comply with strict protocols to protect their artists. However, even with all the care, accidents can happen. In such cases, the expectation is that organizations thoroughly investigate and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Smirkus Circus, recognized for its family shows and its international youth cast, now faces a very complex moment.
Life behind bars is anything but peaceful for Bryan Kohberger, the man convicted of the brutal murder of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. According to DefensaCentral, the 30-year-old inmate is being subjected to constant taunts and provocations by other inmates at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, where he is serving his sentence of four life sentences without the possibility of parole.

According to the Daily Mail, Kohberger has repeatedly complained to the guards in Block J, the area where he remains in isolation in an individual cell and with very limited interactions with other inmates.

However, this has not prevented him from becoming the target of constant harassment

Chris McDonough, a retired homicide detective and member of the Cold Case Foundation, detailed that inmates have found creative ways to harass him: "They are driving him crazy. They provoke him through the vents, kick the doors, and psychologically torture him almost around the clock," he said. According to the investigator, the welcome in prison was anything but cordial: "They were waiting for him and now they are making his life absolutely miserable."

Kohberger, for his part, insists that the harassment is unbearable, but the guards have told him that they cannot intervene since there is no immediate physical danger. A spokesman for the Idaho Department of Correction, Blake Lopez, confirmed that the inmate has complained, although he clarified that interactions between prisoners are minimal and that the environment is controlled: "It is common for incarcerated people to communicate with each other. Kohberger is alone in a cell and under strict supervision."

The conditions for inmates in "long-term restrictive housing" are clear: individual cells, transfers with restraint devices, showers every two days, and one hour of daily outdoor recreation. Even so, the taunts seem to have found their way into Kohberger's isolation.

According to Defensa Central, the convict was sentenced on July 23 by Judge Steven Hippler, who in addition to the four life sentences imposed an additional 10 years for robbery and fines totaling about $250,000. The sentence came three weeks after Kohberger confessed to the murders of Madison Mogen (21 years old), Kaylee Goncalves (21), Xana Kernodle (20) and Ethan Chapin (20), all found brutally stabbed in a university residence in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022.
iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (BATS:GOVZ  Get Free Report) shares dropped 1.4% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $9.44 and last traded at $9.21. Approximately 663,521 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 13% from the average daily volume of 758,421 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.33.

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iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $9.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.65.

Institutional Trading of iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF

An institutional investor recently raised its position in iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (BATS:GOVZ  Free Report) by 136.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 110,487 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 63,839 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned approximately 0.59% of iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF worth $1,092,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF Company Profile

The iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value weighted index of US separate trading of registered interest and principal securities (STRIPS), with remaining maturities of at least 25 years.

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US Bancorp DE reduced its position in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF (NYSEARCA:EWC  Free Report) by 4.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,286 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 263 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DEs holdings in iShares MSCI Canada ETF were worth $215,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EWC. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 198.4% during the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 725 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 482 shares during the last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $49,000.

iShares MSCI Canada ETF Stock Down 0.1%

EWC opened at $47.27 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $46.36 and a 200-day moving average of $43.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.77 and a beta of 1.02. iShares MSCI Canada ETF has a 12-month low of $36.70 and a 12-month high of $47.87.

About iShares MSCI Canada ETF

iShares MSCI Canada ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Canadian market, as measured by the MSCI Canada Index (the Index).

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US Bancorp DE trimmed its position in shares of Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR  Free Report) by 33.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,898 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 2,913 shares during the period. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Spirit Aerosystems were worth $203,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in SPR. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in Spirit Aerosystems by 49.4% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 16,527 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $563,000 after purchasing an additional 5,464 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc grew its holdings in Spirit Aerosystems by 94.8% during the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 247,165 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $8,423,000 after purchasing an additional 120,273 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Spirit Aerosystems during the 4th quarter worth $290,000. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina grew its holdings in Spirit Aerosystems by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 50,980 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,737,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Spirit Aerosystems by 52.9% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 6,317 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $215,000 after acquiring an additional 2,186 shares in the last quarter. 93.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Spirit Aerosystems Price Performance

Shares of SPR stock opened at $41.15 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.83 billion, a P/E ratio of -2.06 and a beta of 1.70. Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. has a 1-year low of $27.00 and a 1-year high of $42.33. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $39.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $36.29.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Spirit Aerosystems ( NYSE:SPR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The aerospace company reported ($3.34) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.52) by ($2.82). The firm had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned ($2.73) earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. will post -11.88 EPS for the current year.

Several brokerages have weighed in on SPR. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Spirit Aerosystems from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Spirit Aerosystems from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 14th.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Spirit Aerosystems

Spirit Aerosystems Company Profile

(Free Report)

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, floor beams, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and wing systems.

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US Bancorp DE lifted its position in shares of Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS  Free Report) by 278.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,356 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,413 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Hims & Hers Health were worth $217,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in Hims & Hers Health by 20.0% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,006 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 334 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in shares of Hims & Hers Health by 17.7% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,586 shares of the companys stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 388 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Hims & Hers Health by 47.7% during the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,419 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 458 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hims & Hers Health by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 19,853 shares of the companys stock worth $480,000 after purchasing an additional 628 shares during the period. Finally, Cim LLC boosted its position in shares of Hims & Hers Health by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Cim LLC now owns 71,869 shares of the companys stock worth $1,738,000 after purchasing an additional 694 shares during the period. 63.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other Hims & Hers Health news, insider Michael Chi sold 17,102 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.75, for a total transaction of $1,021,844.50. Following the transaction, the insider owned 278,654 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,649,576.50. This trade represents a 5.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Patrick Harrison Carroll sold 60,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.58, for a total transaction of $3,214,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 169,940 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,105,385.20. The trade was a 26.09% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 1,273,034 shares of company stock worth $66,425,573. 13.71% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HIMS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Citigroup reissued a sell rating on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $40.00 price target on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research note on Wednesday, June 11th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Hims & Hers Health from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $39.83.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Hims & Hers Health

Hims & Hers Health Stock Down 2.2%

HIMS stock opened at $46.09 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $10.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 57.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 2.08. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. has a 52 week low of $13.47 and a 52 week high of $72.98. The companys 50-day moving average price is $52.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.54. The company has a current ratio of 4.98, a quick ratio of 4.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72.

Hims & Hers Health (NYSE:HIMS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.18 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $544.83 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $550.06 million. Hims & Hers Health had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 26.26%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 72.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.06 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Hims & Hers Health, Inc. will post 0.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hims & Hers Health Company Profile

(Free Report)

Hims & Hers Health, Inc operates a telehealth consultation platform. It connects consumers to healthcare professionals, enabling them to access medical care for mental health, sexual health, dermatology and primary care. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

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The lady from Eastern Europe had little or no English.

I was standing outside The Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town waiting for the Derry bus, when she approached me, smiled, and showed me her mobile phone. It simply read 293CarrickI love you!

Ah, says I, shes looking for the Glen bus and her translator has converted Thank You to an expression of profound endearment. Anyway, I ensured she got on board to which she responded You are magnificent, I love you. Being an ould softie, I reciprocated



Bus Eireannyou are not magnificentI dont love you!

I love you too! I hope she had a wonderful time In Through, and that certain bucks didnt get too over-excited when her phone advised them that they were the object of her undying and eternal affections.

As for the Derry busin fairness, it was only 20 minutes late arriving from Sligo, so I lived in hope.

READ NEXT: John B Keanes enduring classic Big Maggie coming to the stage in Donegal

Those hopes were dashed when we sat in those infernal roadworks between Listillion and The Dry Arch for some 15 minutes.

That, coupled with the usual nightmare between The Clanree Hotel and The Polestar Roundabout, ensured an additional 35/40 mins delay by the time we landed at the depot. Then, as if Basil Fawlty was in charge for the day, we were told that the bus had a flat tire, and we had to change over. A so-called service that was supposed to land in Derry at 11.10 eventually made it at 12.05 pm.

Bus Eireannyou are not magnificentI dont love you!

Storm in a teacup?

Youll all be familiar with the line around December 27/28th - Well, how did you get over the Christmas? After last week, theres a new one - Well, how do you get over Storm Floris? As a journalist friend remarked: Easy knowing its still the silly season in the mediaFloris was blown out of all proportion!

I dont think the pun was intentional, but travelling through Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh and Cavan on the two days that all hell was supposed to break loose (apologies to those who lost electricity, however) I was struck by the relatively normal winds in the region.

In summary, youd get more wind in Leinster House.

Before the Armada

A team from Oxford University has discovered that the Celts are descended from a tribe of Iberian fishermen who crossed the Bay of Biscay 6,000 years ago.

DNA analysis reveals they have an almost identical genetic fingerprint to the inhabitants of coastal regions of Spain, whose own ancestors migrated north between 4,000 and 5,000BC.

The discovery, by Bryan Sykes, professor of human genetics at Oxford University, will herald a change in scientific understanding of Britishness.

People of Celtic ancestry were thought to have descended from tribes of central Europe. Professor Sykes, who is soon to publish the first DNA map of the British Isles, said: About 6,000 years ago Iberians developed ocean-going boats that enabled them to push up the Channel. Before they arrived, there were some human inhabitants of Britain but only a few thousand in number. These people were later subsumed into a larger Celtic tribe... The majority of people in the British Isles are actually descended from the Spanish.

Professor Sykes spent five years taking DNA samples from 10,000 volunteers in Britain and Ireland, in an effort to produce a map of our genetic roots.

Research on their Ychromosome, which subjects inherit from their fathers, revealed that all but a tiny percentage of the volunteers were originally descended from one of six Spanish clans who arrived in the UK in several waves of immigration prior to the Norman conquest.

The land of the free?

An American friend, a retired Professor of English and an accomplished writer, sent this to me recently.

If only you could take on the task of changing our current President into a leprechaun, selkie or pillar of salt!! We are completely apoplectic at his behavior and the impunity his sycophants are offering him. Our hope is that the rest of his Maga followers will come to their senses at the mid-term elections for our House of Representatives and Senate. Then, he will lose his majority votes, executive order power and dictator momentum. Better yet, he may recognize his impotency...which would certainly drive him more crazy than he already is. We need to stop the hemorrhaging of democracy. That's for sure! Until then, enjoy living in a much freer country than ours.

A new Duffys Cut

On Saturday, March 2, 2013, the remains of John Ruddy were buried in the graveyard of the Church of the Holy Family in Ardara.

The plot was donated by Vincent Gallagher, president of the Commodore Barry Irish Center in Philadelphia. He and his family are from Ardara, and they gave up one of their plots for John. Vincent also put the Watsons in touch with local funeral director Seamus Shovlin and parish priest Canon Austin Laverty. The casket was carried to its final resting place by Earl Schandelmeier, a historian at Immaculata University, who, along with William Watson, a history professor at Immaculata University, and his twin brother Francis, a Lutheran minister, were the driving force behind the Duffys Cut project.

Three pipers were followed by Sadie Ruddy, who lives in Portnoo, and her first cousins James and Bernard Ruddy from Quigleys Point, all three of whom are direct descendants of the deceased. Canon Laverty told those assembled that this brings a form of closure to a sad and shameful chapter of American history and re-enforced how desperate times were in this country at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Looking out across the graveyard towards Loughros Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond, Canon Laverty noted that Slieve Tooey  visible in the distance  was possibly the last piece of Ireland that Mr Ruddy and those who left Derry in 1832 saw through the mists of their tears.

William Watson, who led the first excavations, has revealed in an academic paper that his team discovered human remains that suggest a second Irish immigrant railroader mass grave lies nearly 18kms west of Duffys Cut.

Mr Watson, a professor of history at Immaculata University in Malvern, Pennsylvania, said historical records led his team to the second mass grave at Downingtown, which is in Chester County. He said the skeletons had been buried in coffins sealed with an exceptional number of nails, perhaps in the hope of containing the spread of the cholera.

As reported in the Examiner: Analysis showed evidence of violence to each of the skulls. One skull had both an axe wound and a bullet hole wound. Researchers found there was no evidence of defensive wounds to the arms or legs of the victims, suggesting that they were likely to have been tied up before being murdered.

After our team analysed the remains, we came to the startling conclusion that the men didnt die from cholera. They were massacred. I believe that fear of cholera, an epidemic that some clergymen in America and England called a chastisement for the sins of people, and anti-immigrant sentiment fuelled violence against them by native-born populations: We came to the startling conclusion that the men didnt die from cholera. They were massacred.

Mr Watson added: We came to the startling conclusion that the men didnt die from cholera. They were massacred.

Work is now only starting on analysing the remains of the Irish labourers found at the new Downingtown site. It seems that the railroad workers buried there could well have met the same grisly fate as those who were killed at Duffys Cut and many could be from Donegal.
The European Commissions proposed reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy, forcing farmers to retire at the age of 66 have been described as deeply concerning.

Based on CSO data, it is estimated that 3,149 farmers in County Donegal alone may be forced out of farming.

This represents one of the most direct and damaging policy threats to active older farmers in Co Donegal that I have ever seen, Mullooly stated in Brussels. These are individuals who have dedicated their lives to agriculture, contributed substantially to rural communities and the national economy, and who wish to remain active in farming beyond the retirement age. Forcing them off the land without offering viable alternatives is not just unjustit is a betrayal of decades of service.

READ NEXT: Fire Danger Notice issued for Donegal effective until Monday

Mullooly MEP is calling for the introduction of a well-funded, respectful Retirement Scheme for Farmers. He points to the successful Early Farm Retirement Scheme, which operated from 1994 to 1998 and saw over 8,000 farmers participate. The scheme provided an annual payment of 15,000 for ten years to farmers who voluntarily stepped back and transferred their farms to the next generation.

This is not a radical proposal. Its a practical and proven policy that worked beforeand can work again, Mullooly said. We must reintroduce such incentives to support voluntary, dignified retirement, rather than forcing farmers out of the sector as if they were surplus to requirements.

He stressed that farming must be treated as a business, not simply a vocation: If we want to retain skilled farmers and attract a new generation into the sector, we must ensure that it offers a viable livelihood comparable to other professions.

Mullooly concluded with a clear call to action: the next CAP must include meaningful provisions for older farmers to retire with dignityand for younger farmers to enter the sector with confidence.
Glenties residents have again expressed their anger after more bags of household waste were illegally left at the bottle banks located on the Gortnamucklagh road adjacent to Davy Brennan Memorial Park - the home of Naomh Conaill GAA Club.

It's becoming a frequent occurrence and one that is bugging residents who pride themselves on winning and finishing in the upper echelons of the annual Tidy Towns competition.

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One Facebook poster commented: "The usual suspect has struck again, on the morning of our first home championship game, were our club volunteers have been working tirelessly to have our grounds looking fantastic for the big game. This is happening every few weeks, it's time for CCTV Donegal Co. Council".

Another added: "Unfortunately, Donegal County Council continue to give the two fingers to the community here on this issue. This bottle bank is not fit for purpose in its current state at this location and hasn't been for years. This illegal dumping as you say is a serious ongoing issue there. The inaction of the Council is as bad as those that are dumping there though. The entire bottle bank site is an embarrassing mess".
Sean Kelly is reconsidering seeking a nomination to run for president, the Fine Gael MEP has said.

The party is re-entering a nomination process for the Aras an Uachtarain posting, after Mairead McGuinness withdrew from the race on health grounds weeks after securing the partys backing.

Former Fine Gael minister Heather Humphreys, who was also previously deputy leader of the party, is also considered to be in the running for the nomination.

Mr Kelly told Newstalk on Saturday that he had waited to make a statement on the matter.

My complete sympathy is with Mairead McGuinness. We worked together in the European Parliament for a good number of years

She was all set to put in a tremendous campaign and hopefully be elected as president.

I didnt want to say anything, I think she needed the time and space.

Fine Gael will consider the election in the coming days through a meeting of its executive council.

Mr Kelly said: But obviously the goalposts have changed and you have to definitely reconsider.

He said he did not seek a nomination last time, but added he would reconsider very carefully and weigh up all the options before making a decision.

He added that anyone who enters any race had to be in it to win it.

Mr Kelly said he wanted to see what Fine Gaels executive believed would be best for the party and country, as well as consider what would be best for his own family.

Pressed on whether Ms Humphreys had the backing of the party already, he said he did not think discussions had reached that stage.

Theres no rush, lets take it as it comes.

Elsewhere in the race, independent TD Catherine Connolly has secured the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and a range of other independents.

Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein have yet to decide if they will field a candidate.

Fianna Fail minister Jim OCallaghan offered reaction to Ms McGuinnesss decision to RTE News: I wish her well in the future. Its a campaign thats getting exciting  as one would expect as we head towards September.

Meanwhile, Nutriband entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan is among hopefuls seeking a nomination.

A presidential election is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before the term of Michael D Higgins ends on November 11.

To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older.

They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities.

Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves.
Donegals newest theatre group, Curtain Call is preparing to stage the John B Keane classic Big Maggie in Leghowney Community Hall.

The title role is being played by the multi-talented Tracey Faulkner who is the driving force behind the Starlight music and theatre group in St Catherines Vocational School, Killybegs where she works. And she has treaded the boards in theatres across the north west.

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Tracey took time out from the final week of rehearsals to speak to Donegal Live.

It all started with a conversation between myself and my long-time friend Angela Mulreany, she said. Angela said she would love to try her hand at directing, and I always wanted to do Big Maggie, so it started from there.

The cast is a motley crew of some young actors from Starlight and some great actors from a mix of backgrounds and drama groups.

This fantastic cast includes the multi award-winning JC Bonar from the Butt Drama Circle.

Set in 1960s rural Ireland, Big Maggie is a compelling portrait of a woman who is determined to take control of her life following the death of her husband. The story centres on Big Maggie Polpin and her attempts to keep her family together after the death of her husband is an enduring theatre favourite.

This cast is bringing Big Maggies enduring story to life for a Donegal audience, running in Leghowney Community Hall from Thursday, August 21 to Saturday, August 23 at 8pm nightly.

Entry is 12/10 with tickets available at the door. Proceeds from the production will go to three local charities - Donegal Hospice, Solace Cancer Support Centre and Aras Mac Suibhne Patient Comfort Fund.

We want to be able to give as much as possible to the charities so we are most grateful for any sponsorship that will cover the costs of staging the play, said Tracey.

Ideally we would like to be able to donate everything that comes in on the door.

Big Maggie is described in the programme as: Easily one of the best plays of the last 50 years and arguably John B Keanes masterpiece.

Set in 1960s rural Ireland, Big Maggie is a compelling portrait of a woman who is determined to take control of her life following the death of her husband, Walter. The story centres on Big Maggie Polpin and her attempts to keep her family on the straight and narrow.

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The dialogue crackles with hilarious, caustic putdowns as the indomitable Maggie deals with her feckless family and unwanted suitors.

Everyone wants a piece of Big Maggie and her property but she has other ideas.

Cast

Maggie Polpin: Tracey Faulkner

Gert Polpin: Eabha McGuinness

Katie Polpin: Ellie Cassidy Battles

Maurice Polpin: Conor Gallagher

Mick Polpin: Shay Rowan

Teddy Heelin: Ciaran Cassidy

Mary Madden: Niamh Gallagher

Mrs Madden: Sinead McTernan

Mr Byrne: Derek McDonnell

Old Man: Jc Bonar

Old Woman: Edith Kennedy

Production Team

Director: Angela Mulreany

Producer: Tracey Faulkner

Sound and Lighting: Will Collins and Jc Bonar

Set Construction: James Cassidy

Set Design: Jc Bonar

Stage Managers: Deborah Lacey and Carmel McConnell

Backstage Crew: Evan Gorrell, Nathan Keys

Poster Design: Nuala Toland
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A formal appeal over the leniency of the sentences of those indicted for the murder of Private Sean Rooney has been lodged, the Tanaiste has said.

Pte Rooney, 24, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon was ambushed and fired upon on December 14, 2022.

The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in a stronghold of Hezbollah.

Pte Rooney was from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces.

The main person convicted for his killing is still at large and the Irish Government has described some of the sentences imposed on others over the matter as unduly lenient.

On Tuesday, Tanaiste Simon Harris said prosecutors in Lebanon have formally lodged an appeal against the sentences handed down to those who were indicted for the murder of Pte Rooney and the attacks on Shane Kearney, Corporal Joshua Phelan and Trooper Nathan Bryan in the same incident.

Mr Harris wrote to the Lebanese Government following last months trial to express the disappointment of the Irish Government and, in particular, of the Rooney family, at the leniency of the sentences handed down.

I have been in discussions with the Lebanese Government today. They have now appealed the leniency of the sentences for those who murdered Private Sean Rooney and injured his colleagues. This is a welcome development. I spoke with Natasha Rooney on this today. pic.twitter.com/F5mDmWMDRs  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 12, 2025

He met Pte Rooneys family last week after his mother criticised Mr Harriss engagement with them over the matter.

Mr Harris, who is also Defence and Foreign Affairs Minister, had committed to holding urgent talks with the Lebanese Justice and Defence Ministers in order to press for an appeal.

Those talks took place on Tuesday.

Mr Harris said he then spoke to Pte Rooneys mother, Natasha McCloskey, and informed her that the Lebanese Government has appointed a new military chief prosecutor to take over the case.

He also said an appeal against the sentences has this afternoon been formally lodged with the military Cassation Court, while the Lebanese authorities have committed to taking urgent steps to ensure the individual convicted of the murder of Private Rooney is taken into custody.

Mr Harris said: I very much welcome the confirmation today from the Lebanese Justice and Defence Ministers that an appeal has been formally lodged against the sentences handed down in the case of the death of Private Sean Rooney and the injuries of his colleagues.

He added: In my calls with my Lebanese counterparts, I made it clear that the sentences handed down in this case are simply not acceptable and are very disappointing.

They have caused great upset and insult to the Rooney family and everything must be done to ensure justice is served for Sean and his colleagues who were injured.
White Crow Studios is the newest tattoo studio to open its doors in Dundalk.

With a mix of tattoos, accessories, tattoo themed gifts, not to mention it being located in VUDU Barbershop, it really is a one stop shop for all aesthetic needs.

The artist in residence is Victor InFlight, who has over 20 years experience working as a professional tattoo artist in his home country of Ukraine.

His creative pursuits are not limited to tattoos, having been an acrobat in Kyiv national circus, and a pro BMX flatland stunt rider.

Due to some injuries sustained during these adventures he was considered unsuitable for military service and moved to Ireland in 2023 to join his mum and siblings, who have lived in Ireland since 2002.

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Victors business partner is Aine Lawrence, whose small business Kitsch Bitsch, selling alternative and seasonal accessories, had become a frequent fixture at local markets and events.

They said they decided to team up, with Aine being the studio manager and Victor being the tattooist.

The two met with Vudu barbershop owner Shane Gonnelly, and the three together have created what they said they believe to be a fantastic partnership and a promising venture.

The team, along with the tattoo apprentice Spideog Tattoo aka Lia Lawrence, said they are ready to create the tattoos of people's dreams.

Victor added that he is excited to bring his creativity to life on the people of Dundalk and Co. Louth.

They also promise to be open for piercing appointments in the coming months.

Check out the studio on Instagram and/or Facebook to make your appointment.
Dublin City is buzzing as Oasis return to Ireland for the first time in 16 years, fans said.

Tens of thousands of fans have descended on the Irish capital for the first of two sold-out gigs at the countrys largest stadium.

The 90s Britpop superstars will perform to 80,000 people at Croke Park on Saturday and Sunday nights.

After an in-demand dynamic pricing model left a poor taste for some fans last year, ticket-holders will roll with it and enjoy the music in temperatures above 20C.

Health officials advised revellers to wear their bucket hats, with high UV levels predicted amid warm and dry sunny spells in Dublin on Saturday.

The bands first gig in the country since 2009, the Dublin leg of the reunion world tour will hold a special meaning for once-feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher.

The Mancunian brothers have spoken about their ties to Ireland through their Irish-born parents, Peggy and Thomas.

Sarah and Neil Charlton travelled from Southampton to see the band, after a determined search for standing tickets saw them clinching access in Dublin.

Mr Charlton said they have both been waiting a long time to see the band reunite  having seen Oasis multiple times before their extended hiatus.



He told the PA news agency: We thought: what a great city to come to and see the gig and have a couple of nights out in Dublin.

Mr Charlton added: Its just so nostalgic  all the songs and all the music from when we were growing up.

When we first started seeing each other, we went to a gig and so its always been a part of our lives together.

Oasis formed part of the romantic story for Lisa and Alan Roe too, who said their love of the band dates back to when they got married in the 1990s.

Mr Roe said: Because the two of them are after getting back together after so many years, to be able to sell out a world tour the way they did  and their music going back to the late 80s and 90s.

That brings an aura about in everybody and a buzz and the memories of growing up in Dublin with them  its absolutely out of this world.

Having had to wait a long time for the reunion tour, Sinead Millea from Kilkenny  who previously saw the band in Limerick in 1996  said: Maybe were all going through a bit of a midlife crisis  I turned 50 this year, and look, Noel and Liam, theyre in their 50s as well.

And maybe things just dawned on them that life is too short and just, lets put grievances to bed.

They seem to be getting on great, and its fabulous. And at the end of the day, music transcends everything, and were all here to enjoy a brilliant night and to share it with the people that mean the most.

Its just amazing. The weather is fabulous and its a brilliant venue.

The support acts for the Dublin dates are Richard Ashcroft from The Verve and Cast, formed by John Power after he left The Las.

The setlist has crowd-pleasing hits such as Cigarettes And Alcohol and Wonderwall.

Fans have also been treated to favourites including Acquiesce, Some Might Say and Morning Glory  before a Dont Look Back In Anger, Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova crescendo.

Oasis announced their reunion tour in August last year, 16 years after their dramatic split in 2009, when Noel quit after a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

The highly anticipated 41-date run has already seen the band play Cardiff, Manchester, London and Edinburgh before taking them half the world away to major cities, including in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan.
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A Cork city shopkeeper has called for changes to the legal system to better tackle repeat offenders, as a new survey revealed that 36% of Irish small to medium enterprises were affected by crime in the past 12 months, with the figure as high as 100% for convenience stores.

ISMEs Business Crime Survey 2025 found that of Irish businesses which experienced crime, 68% were targeted more than once, and that 34% of SMEs spend over 5,000 annually on crime prevention.

Willie OBrien, who runs Spar on MacCurtain St in Cork city, told The Echo that he spends 40,000 per year on security.

Retailers have to incur security costs and cover the costs of losses, while were dealing with rising costs for electricity, products, wages, just like everybody else, said Mr OBrien.

He highlighted a recent survey by the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association showing that 100% of retailers surveyed had faced some form of crime in the last 12 months, including shoplifting, break-ins, and extortion.

A total of 67% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Garda response times, and 76% of retailers said they had experienced financial losses, with 36% reporting losses exceeding 10,000 in a year.

Nobody is addressing the root of the problem  the legal system is totally ineffective for dealing with people who have multiple criminality processes against them, said Mr OBrien.

The State is bankrolling robbing businesses through free legal aid.

Its doing no good to the victims of theft or the culprits, because part of the justice system should be not just restitution, but rehabilitation.

A lot of the theft is by the same people, and many of them tend to have addiction issues. Many of them are unwell, with chronic problems  theyre broken people, and it galls me that a country so wealthy is failing to address their needs.

He said that he has a degree of sympathy for these people, but added: It can be scary for staff, I have had my moment where Ive felt intimidated, but I cant afford to lie down and hide away, because I have a duty of responsibility to my staff.

Ive found myself in situations with people who are out of their minds, shouting, roaring, and aggressive, it can be very intimidating. But as far as we allow it to happen, it continues to happen.

Mr OBrien added that many shops are facing huge issues in relation to succession. Children have watched their parents and what they have to endure, and they say: Im not doing this.

The cost of security is over 40,000 a year for me, but thats small in comparison to many of my competitors in similar businesses. More and more people are having to get security. This issue has been going on for years and years and its still here, its worse its getting.

The most common offences reported in the ISME survey were antisocial behaviour (21%), vandalism (19%), and burglary (17%), while 28% reported increased security costs, 22% faced higher insurance premiums, and 17% had to make expensive physical alterations to premises.

A total of 78% of all respondents believe the judicial system fails to deter repeat offenders, 85% want more gardai, and 76% support tougher sentencing.

ISME chief executive Neil McDonnell said: It is encouraging that most SMEs avoided crime over the past year, but the reality for repeat victims is stark.

These businesses are paying more for security, more for insurance, and losing valuable time and productivity.

SMEs are sending a clear message that they want more gardai on the streets, tougher sentencing, and smarter use of technology like CCTV.

If repeat offenders are allowed to operate without consequence, the burden will keep falling on the businesses that can least afford it.
The Standards in Public Office (SIPO) commission has decided not to carry out an investigation into Cork Independent Ireland TD Ken OFlynn for comments he made while he was a councillor.

A SIPO report published this week explains that in advance of commencing the investigation, the commission decided to hear a preliminary application by the respondent, which was conducted on May 19, 2025. After that, it made the decision not to proceed with the investigation.

On April 14, 2022, the commission received a complaint from the Traveller Equality and Justice Project in respect of Mr OFlynn, and on May 6, 2022, it received a second complaint from the Traveller Visibility Group and the Cork Traveller Womens Network.

The complainants alleged a consistent pre-conceived negative attitude towards [Travellers] and that he was stereotyping[and] targetingthe Traveller community in Cork in comments made in a radio interview and on social media.

After a preliminary inquiry, the commission decided that there was sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case.

It explained that Mr OFlynn failed to substantively respond to the inquiry or engage with initial correspondence, saying: This was most unhelpful by the respondent and contributed to significant delay in the commissions process.

ALLEGATIONS

It explained that the first time the commission was informed of his personal response to the allegations was at the hearing of the preliminary application on May 19, 2025, saying that had he engaged when first contacted in March 2023, the commission may have reached a conclusion at a much earlier stage, but as he did not, the commission incurred significant and avoidable costs.

Mr OFlynn suggested that there was a discrepancy between the transcript and the audio recording of the radio interview, and that he was not carrying out his functions as a member of the local authority when the acts in question were done.

He also said that his social media posts and radio interview constitute legitimate commentary and highlighted his constitutional right to freedom of expression, and that some of the social media posts pre-date the updating of the Code of Conduct for Councillors to include social media in 2019.

The commission listened to the radio interview in its entirety, and noted that the comments complained of were a small proportion of the entire interview.

It said that it was not satisfied that one of the comments highlighted by complainants was sufficiently clear to enable it to make a finding, and that the other comment that was complained about must be viewed through the prism of freedom of expression, deciding not to open a case.

In relation to the social media posts, the report states it had considered the respondents undertaking to remove the relevant posts and likes and it makes its decision on the understanding that he will do so.

The commission also noted the respondents (belated) expression of remorse with regard to the hurt that may have been caused, saying that in light of this, it did not think the posts justify an investigation.

It added that if Mr OFlynn wishes to make an application for costs, it will consider it, but will take into account the respondents failure to engage with the preliminary inquiry or with the commission at the early stages of this process, which resulted in unnecessary delays and costs to the commission.

Mr OFlynn said he welcomed the decision not to proceed with an investigation, thanking his legal team, political colleagues, and family, for whom this has been a prolonged and challenging time.

He explained:

I have not yet met with my legal team to consider the next steps, and I am reviewing all options available to me in respect of those who made and promoted these allegations.

"I was elected to speak truthfully, to confront difficult issues directly, and, when necessary, to stand alone. That is precisely what I will continue to do, without fear, without compromise, and without apology.

I will not be silenced, intimidated, or diverted from my duty to represent my constituents with clarity, principle, and an unshakeable commitment to the truth.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced a range of events across Cork and Ireland for Heritage Week 2025, from today until Sunday, August 24.

Organised by the Heritage Council and supported by the OPW, National Heritage Week has become one of Irelands largest cultural events, offering people an opportunity to explore Irelands heritage sites.

This years theme, Exploring Our Foundations, invites people to reflect on the structures, landscapes, stories, and cultural practices that have shaped Irish life and our culture and heritage over the centuries.

Heritage Week highlights include Irish-language tours at OPW sites across the country, with visitors encouraged to embark on a Local Link to the past by using their Local Link tickets to get free entry.

WALKS

Cork highlights will include walks in Cobh, Midleton, and Glanworth; The Tracton Biodiversity Weekend in Carrigaline, and events at Fota house and Doneraile Court.

At Charles Fort, visitors can enjoy a pair of illustrated talks: The Kinsale Railway Line: Past and Present, by Cathal Deasy and Seamus Breathnach; and Cultural Nationalist, by Padraig Walsh.

Launching this initiative, Kevin Moran, Office of Public Works state minister, said: This years National Heritage Week theme, Exploring Our Foundations, is very fitting with the range of conservation projects that the OPW has undertaken in recent times.

Our sites offer a rich tapestry of events that have approached the theme from a number of perspectives, including the community, biodiversity, and conservation.

The Mayor of County Cork Mary Linehan Foley said National Heritage Week is a celebration of people and places and how everything is connected through our wonderful heritage.

I commend all groups and organisations who have organised an event and I encourage locals and visitors alike, to take part, Ms Linehan Foley said.
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Cork Fine Gael TDs, senators, and councillors have given their opinions on the various names they would like to see as the partys nominee for the presidency, including some Cork locals, following Mairead McGuinness decision this week to withdraw from the race.

Heather Humphreys and Sean Kelly were among the other names circulated, with one councillor suggesting that Deirdre Clune would be another great Cork-based candidate.

However, Ms Clune has told The Echo that she will not be running, and Frances Fitzgerald confirmed yesterday afternoon that she would, likewise, not be putting her name forward.

The party is set to reopen its internal party process to pick a candidate for the presidential election after the shock decision by Ms McGuinness to withdraw her candidacy for health reasons.

In a statement issued through the party on Thursday, Ms McGuinness said she made the very difficult decision to stand down following a stay in hospital last week.

My priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all, she said.

Cork South Central TD and junior minister Jerry Buttimer told The Echo: The first thing is, we all wish Mairead well. She is a person I have huge admiration for. As a political party, its time for us to do a bit of reflection on the person we want to see as Fine Gael candidate for the presidency now.

Personally, I would be looking at Heather Humphreys, who was an extraordinary minister.

"The way she handled the decade of commemorations unified people, brought them together, and thats what the presidency must be.

"Equally, Sean Kelly has done extraordinary work both as president of the GAA and as an MEP.

If Simon Coveney is interested in running, as a constituency colleague of his for 18 years and as a friend, I would have absolutely huge pride in him being our candidate. He has all the qualities needed to be an exceptional president, without any doubt.

Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said: We were all taken by surprise by Maireads decision, but health must be a priority. She will be a hard act to follow, but there are candidates there like Sean Kelly on the Munster side. Hes done a lot of work from a GAA point of view and in the European Parliament.

Heather Humphreys worked very effectively as a minister; she brought a new focus on community development and instigated the free meals in schools.

He said he would absolutely support Mr Coveney. He has an established record of getting huge votes, and he worked very hard as a TD and a minister representing Cork, he said. Its a challenging role for someone with a young family; youre very much in the public eye all the time, but he would be a great asset as president, particularly with his experience in foreign affairs.

Cork North West TD John Paul OShea said all of us in our Fine Gael family send Mairead their best wishes and he was disappointed she was dropping out.

From a party perspective, theres a number of other potential candidates; Heather Humphreys, Sean Kelly, and Simon Coveney, he said.

The party will outline the process of seeking further nominations again, but certainly Id be supportive of any of those going forward.

"Theyre very good people who have given great service over the years.

"Id hope we will have a new candidate for Fine Gael in the short to medium term.

Cork East TD Noel McCarthy said he was very sorry to hear Ms McGuinness was dropping out. Its a loss for us in the party; she was a great candidate.

Were lucky, we have a good selection of high-quality candidates who would all be a great choice.

"Personally, Id like to see Sean Kelly run. I think hed be a great president; hes a very popular person and he proved that with his European elections vote. He appeals to all different sectors of society and I think hed be a great choice. Hes canvassed with me a couple of times, and so many people talk to him about so many topics rather than just politics.

The partys Cork senators weighed in, Garret Kelleher saying: Its early days yet. Were just coming to terms with Maireads news, and our thoughts are first and foremost with her and her family.

There will be a meeting of the partys executive council in the coming days, and towards the top of the agenda will be trying to identify a suitable candidate.

Simon Coveney is one of a number of people who have built up a considerable political expertise in recent years. Hes represented Ireland tremendously well on the international stage, particularly around the negotiations on the UK withdrawing from the EU. He would make a fine president.

Equally, theres a number of other candidates with international records who would be very strong presidential candidates; former minister Heather Humphreys and sitting MEP Sean Kelly.

Senator Eileen Lynch said: It came as a shock to all of us that Mairead had dropped out. As international secretary of the party, I worked very closely with her and I think its a massive loss, but health has to come first. Politics is one of those games that doesnt reward you for not minding yourself.

There are several names being mentioned: Sean Kelly, Heather Humphreys, Simon Coveney, but at the moment it is all speculative. Im not aware of anyone who has actually put their name forward, so it remains to be seen who Ill be supporting.

Cork city councillor Joe Kavanagh said: Its a very tight window, because Cork City Council will be meeting with prospective candidates. The message from HQ that Mairead was dropping out was like a bolt out of the blue, but her decision is completely understandable.

I know Simon Coveney personally; hes a gentleman, but he has retired as a politician, so whether that rules out the prospect of him running for president Im not sure.

Council colleague Shane OCallaghan wished Ms McGuinness a speedy recovery. Sean Kelly would be a great candidate, he said.

He got a massive vote in the EU elections and has increased it every time, and hed have cross-party support as a very pioneering president of the GAA.

Heather Humphreys would be a very good candidate, and, closer to home, if Simon Coveney could be persuaded, he would be brilliant, hed win the presidency. Hes recognised internationally, and is arguably one of the best ministers for foreign affairs weve ever had.

Another idea locally would be Deirdre Clune.

"She has a track record at every level, shes been a councillor, lord mayor, a TD, senator, and MEP and excelled in all those roles. Theres no shortage of Fine Gael candidates.

Ms Clune told The Echo: I was really sad and sorry to hear that Mairead had to withdraw her candidacy. I spent a lot of time with her during my 10 years in Brussels and she is someone I admire greatly. She would have made a great president.

I wont be putting my name forward but I think there are many in the party who would also do a great job. Heather Humphreys would be my favourite at this stage.
A Cork TD has expressed deep concern following revelations that Ireland has the largest primary school classes in the EU.

Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central, Donnchadh O Laoghaire, said: The average primary school class size here is 22.5, compared to a European average of 19. We are trailing behind our European counterparts in this respect, due to chronic under-investment in our education system.

We know the strain that big class sizes place on teachers, in the way that you are not able to provide the best quality education to your pupils, despite your best efforts. Its not fair on anybody.

The Echo recently revealed that 6.6% of primary school classes in Cork have more than 30 pupils, which is above the national average.

Nationally, 1,392 classes had more than 30 pupils, or 5.8%, with 176 of these large classes being in Cork.

Mr O Laoghaire said: Government talks a good game about inclusive education. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the department have said the vast majority of children with additional needs should be educated in mainstream classes. But how can that happen effectively when we have the biggest class sizes in Europe?

How can a teacher meaningfully differentiate their teaching and give every child the attention they need in a class with over 30 students?

What this means in practice is that the very children who need the most tailored support children with disabilities, learning difficulties, or trauma  are the ones falling furthest behind. Families are left feeling abandoned, teachers are overwhelmed, and children are suffering.

We need urgent reform to bring our classroom sizes in line with European norms. That means recruiting more teachers, investing in school infrastructure, and prioritising children with additional needs, instead of sidelining them.

This government cannot continue to speak about inclusion, while creating the conditions for exclusion.
A Cork TD has said that over 1m in funding pledged for digital and assistive technology projects will enhance the lives of disabled individuals in Cork and across Ireland.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley announced the investment, part of the HSEs Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE) initiative, which will provide grants ranging from 75,000 to 200,000 for projects that support people with sensory, cognitive, physical, and intellectual disabilities.

The funding will also assist older individuals facing challenges with everyday tasks and those managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke, cancer, Parkinsons disease, or dementia.

Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan said: I welcome Minister Foleys commitment to improving the health and well-being of disabled people through this vital funding.

The projects supported by this initiative will harness innovative technologies, including voice assistants, smart home devices, and interactive sensory equipment, to assist with greater independence and participation among disabled individuals.

The CREATE initiative, now in its third phase, aims to embed assistive technology within health and social care systems, ensuring that individuals have the necessary tools to fully engage in society.

With the funding call now open until 22 September 2025, Mr Moynihan has encouraged eligible organisations to apply and contribute to advancing Irelands leadership in assistive technology.
The Cannonball car convoy will make a return to Cork next month, offering petrol heads an opportunity to again encounter spectacular supercars.

The largest organised road trip in Europe, it will feature some of the finest cars on the planet from the awe-inspiring power of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren to the grace and elegance of Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati, with all proceeds going to the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation.

The cars will travel around Ireland over two days, from September 12 to 14, with the first lunch stop taking place in Cork at Ballymaloe on Friday, September 12.

The Cannonball car convey will continue through Killarney, Clare, Sligo, and Cavan, and will finish in Naas on September 14.

Cannonball, which has already raised 2,024,809 for Irish childrens charities, has partnered with the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation, which funds and delivers in-home nursing care, respite support, and end-of-life care for children from birth to six years of age with severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs.

Described as a lifeline giving exhausted parents a break from their 24/7 care regime, the foundation has worked with 384 children and their families in Cork since its inception in 1997, with 57 children being cared for this year in Cork by Jack and Jill.

Radio Nova presenters PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe have again lent their support to Cannonball.

Weve long been supporters of the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation and are proud to help raise awareness for what promises to be a spectacular fundraiser for this fantastic charity,

they said.

More than 200,000 spectators are expected to come out as the Cannonball car convoy passes through the host towns, with free festivals featuring Brazilian dancers, live DJs, bands, and giant screens set to generate a carnival atmosphere.

This year, Cannonball organisers are also calling on spectators to dress up in fancy dress, with prizes on offer for the best dressed.
A Cork TD has said that new figures show the Government is failing to tackle the issue of energy poverty.

Sinn Fein TD for East Cork, Pat Buckley, was commenting on figures obtained by Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan, that show the number of people in energy arrears across Ireland had hit a total of 301,379.

Mr Buckley added that of the more than 300,000 people in arrears, 176,449 have been so for over 90 days.

Along with this huge financial burden, there are more families than ever before that are having their electricity cut off, said Mr Buckley. He said Sinn Fein has called for the Government to drastically reform electricity supply and to bring down costs for households, but they have failed to do this at every turn.

The crippling cost of electricity is putting families under huge pressure at a time when so many are already struggling, Mr Buckley said. No one should be forced to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. Yet for so many families in my own constituency of East Cork and across the entire country, this is the daily reality.

Mr Buckley said the Government cannot continue to stand by while so many households are struggling.

He further stressed the need for energy credits to be included as part of a cost-of-living package in Budget 2026.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are acting like the cost-of-living crisis is a buzzword with no real-life impact. Despite this, the Government is ruling out energy credits or any other cost-of-living supports as part of the upcoming budget, said Mr Buckley.

For the Government to turn their back on ordinary people when so many are struggling is nothing short of scandalous.

They need to come to their senses and give families and businesses the support that they need. The upcoming budget must include energy credits as part of a cost-of-living package.
When youre a teenager who has just left school and are contemplating your next move, four years can seem like a lifetime.

But that is the buy-in required for people who want to take up an apprenticeship in this country.

It is a big step that involves delayed gratification - something for which the younger generation are not normally renowned!

We are basically telling them: Take a hefty pay cut and earn a meagre wage for four whole years - less than colleagues your own age doing similar work - while you learn on-the-job and spend blocks of time in college (something you already decided against doing when you left school!).

However, when that time is up, you will be fully qualified in a skill or craft and be able to earn very good money both in Ireland and abroad.

Basically, the world will be your oyster... four years down the line, so hang in there.

Im a big fan of apprenticeships, not being from a particularly academic background. My dad did a six-year one in the building trade, and my grandad did a seven-year apprenticeship as a printer.

Its fair to say they went out of fashion in recent decades, as the message was drummed into young people that a degree needed to be obtained at all costs, often even before a route into employment had been planned.

So effective has that message been that 63% of Irish people aged 25-34 have a third-level degree or equivalent, the highest rate in the EU for this age group.

This is, of course, a good thing. An educated workforce is the key to a happy and prosperous nation, and attracts investment and jobs into the country.

However, there has long been a sense that bright young things who lack academic qualities such as good memory and an ability to concentrate for long spells have been falling through the cracks.

Often, these people can feel pressurised into going to college or university, drift through student life, and come out the other end with a degree in a subject they care little about.

What a waste of everyones time (and money).

It was Simon Harris who spearheaded a change in this thinking, when he was appointed Minister for Further and Higher Education in 2020. To his credit, as soon as the pandemic was over, he launched a vast expansion of the apprenticeship system.

Mr Harris introduced new programmes across various sectors and oversaw a rapid growth in the number of registered apprentices.

The government set a goal of 10,000 new registrations per year by 2025. In a rare success story for the Coalition, it is on target to get close to this laudable aim, with a record 9,000 registrations in 2024.

There are currently 30,000 apprentices nationwide, enrolled in 74 programmes.

The system isnt just tailored to give young people a valid alternative to college, but is specifically aimed at tackling the housing crisis, given that a large number of apprenticeships are geared at jobs in the construction sector.

All of this is excellent news, and my eldest son is one of the thousands of people who have taken advantage of this programme.

However, there have been grounds for concern of late: reports that the second stage of the apprenticeship schemes - when candidates spend a block of time at college - were being deferred.

There was talk too of budget issues for the operator of these schemes, state agency SOLAS.

In a segment on apprentices on RTEs Liveline show earlier this month, one caller estimated that four-year programmes were taking on average five-and-a-half years, with some taking six.

Needless to say, this would be taking the concept of delayed gratification too far for some young people, and there have been reports of candidates turning their backs on their apprenticeships and opting to emigrate instead.

In defence of SOLAS and the government, it could be argued that it has become the victim of its own success, with systems unable to keep up with the increased intake of apprentices - there was a 35% rise in numbers between 2019 and 2024.

However, such a defence can only stretch so far. The last thing we need is for word to get around among young peoples social media feeds that these schemes are taking far longer than advertised, discouraging others from taking them up.

The knock-on effect on the housing construction industry alone could be catastrophic.

The thought of hundreds of young people turning their backs on a bright future, including my own son, is depressing.

However, this week saw some good news on this front - the type of clarity, assurance, and security that apprentices have been looking for.

A statement from the National Apprenticeship Office to the Connect trade union admitted that a funding pressure had been identified in its budget but it had now been resolved.

Detailed scheduling and delivery planning for all craft apprenticeship phases for the remainder of the year would now commence and apprentices and their employers can expect correspondence from this week on.

Connect acknowledged in a statement that there had been confusion and misinformation around the schemes on social media in recent times, but hoped this statement would clear that up.

I fervently hope so too.

The apprenticeship scheme is a flagship project for this government, and the last thing we need is another reminder of how often the state misses targets and falls behind on budgets and deadlines.

We need young people to have faith in the system.

When the issue of delays in the schemes first came to light in April last year, raised by Galway Sinn Fein TD Mairead Farrell, it was revealed that the Cork Education and Training Boards were reporting among the longest waiting lists, with 409 people waiting more than half a year for the off-site phase two section of their apprenticeship to commence.

The Department of Further Education said a wait of 3-6 months is considered normal.

The government simply cannot allow any delay to the four-year apprenticeship to be normalised. Its a long enough chunk of a young persons life as it is.

This vital element of the Coalitions education strategy - and a crucial cog in the machine that will hopefully build enough houses for us all to live in - must be firing on all cylinders in order for our youth to sign up to it.
Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet haven't been seen together in over a month. Their last sighting was July 5 in St. Tropez, where they spent the day on a yacht.

Since then, Jenner has spent time in Los Angeles with Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and her sister Kendall. She has also shared Instagram photos in revealing outfits.

Filming in Hungary

A source told the Daily Mail that the actor is in Hungary filming "Dune: Part Three" and his schedule is intense. "Timothee is busy making a movie and the schedule is grueling because he is in so many scenes, he is the star," the source explained. Jenner has supported him from afar, keeping her private jet ready if he needs to travel quickly.

"She is always there and wants him to be happy," the source said. "If that means he has to be overseas for a few months, she is OK with it, she will wait."

Chalamet is in Budapest filming alongside Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Florence Pugh and Jason Momoa. "Dune Messiah" is scheduled for release on Dec. 16, 2026.

He and Jenner began dating in January 2023 and went public that September and made their red carpet debut in Rome in May 2025.

Jenner has also just followed Chalamet on Instagram, adding him to the small group of 119 accounts she follows.

Chalamet's mother, Nicole Flender, voiced her support about the couple.

"I have to say she's lovely. She's very nice to me," Flender told Curbed.

Still thinking about how Kylie is the only girlfriend Timothee took to awards shows he even took her to the Oscars and she's his longest relationship pic.twitter.com/YpbA4wcupK  ella Dune enjoyer  (@blondesdaya) March 13, 2025

Read more: Why Kylie Jenner Finally Admitted to Her Boob Job and What Timothee Chalamet Had to Do With It Revealed

Kylie Addresses Breakup Talk

Rumors intensified when Chalamet did not attend Jenner's 28th birthday celebration. The reality star responded subtly by liking his Aug. 12 Instagram post promoting the trailer for his new film "Marty Supreme."

Jenner spent her birthday weekend with friends, painting, eating cake, and enjoying the sun. "Best birthday ever," she wrote on Instagram Aug. 11, thanking Kendall for planning it.

In a separate interview with British Vogue, Jenner reflected on motherhood, saying her children Stormi and Aire are her strongest support. "No matter what I'm going through or what the internet writes about me that day, I come home and my kids just love me unconditionally," she said. "That's taught me to walk through life a little easier."
A cargo ship is pictured at an industrial port in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Reuters

Japanese authorities have arrested three Vietnamese nationals on charges of storing one ton of cannabis, and are investigating potential links to an international drug trafficking network.

According to NHK, authorities discovered and seized approximately one ton of cannabis that had been shipped from Vietnam to the Port of Tokyo, marking the largest drug seizure in Japan's history.

The Japan Narcotic Control Department announced the arrests, including that of a 51-year-old man from Ibaraki Prefecture, who was charged with storing and conspiring to trade cannabis for profit. The department is also investigating whether the incident is connected to a transnational drug trafficking operation.

Tokyo Customs officials reported finding a large quantity of dried cannabis hidden in 200 cardboard boxes aboard a cargo ship that had departed from Da Nang Port in Vietnam and arrived at Tokyo Port in June, as reported by NHK.

Narcotic control officers tracked the illicit drugs as they were being moved from the port, ultimately seizing the shipment in the northern Kanto region.

Investigators revealed that the shipment was initially destined for a company in Osaka City, located in western Japan.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang confirmed that after receiving the information, Vietnam's diplomatic missions in Japan contacted local authorities to verify the details and implement necessary protective measures in accordance with both Vietnamese and Japanese laws.

"Vietnam is committed to severely addressing activities related to the production, trafficking, storage, and transport of drugs and is ready to cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally to combat crime, especially drug trafficking," she said.
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Saturday, August 16, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 16, 2025

International Platform Association Announces 195th Annual Convention

Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C.  August 14, 2026 (VJ Day)

Washington, D.C.  The International Platform Association (IPA) is proud to announce its 195th Annual Convention, scheduled for August 14, 2026, at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. The date coincides with VJ Day and was chosen to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signing of the Social Security Act in 1935.



The Mayflower Hotel holds a special place in IPA's history as a long-time favorite venue for the organization's gatherings. This year's convention continues that legacy with a mix of tradition, celebration, and innovation.

Event Highlights

 Speakers Ladder Contest  A signature IPA tradition, the Speakers Ladder is a round-robin competition showcasing emerging voices in the speaking profession.



 Networking & Collaboration  Opportunities for speakers, thought leaders, and platform professionals to connect with peers, mentors, and media representatives.





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About the International Platform Association (IPA)

Founded in 1831, the IPA is one of the oldest associations in America, dedicated to advancing the art of public speaking, debate, and free expression. Its members have included presidents, statesmen, and some of the greatest orators of their time.





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Vietnam's mobile game sector is entering an unprecedented period of growth, driven by youthful energy and rapid adaptability, according to AppMagic.

In the first half of 2025, Vietnamese studios achieved over 42 million downloads, making up nearly 25% of all puzzle game downloads in Western Europe. In the competitive U.S. market, Vietnamese titles consistently ranked in the monthly top 10 for downloads.

Vietnam Game Connect 2025 brings together leaders behind billions of downloads. Photo courtesy of GameGeek

Vietnamese games now account for nearly 40% of global downloads. According to Google, Vietnam has surpassed mobile gaming powerhouses such as mainland China, Hong Kong, the U.S., and Turkey, reaching 6.7 billion downloads, 700 million more than China.

Titles such as Wood Nuts and Bolts by ABI and Screwdom by iKame have each reached hundreds of millions of downloads. Screwdom alone records 100 minutes of daily playtime, surpassing industry giants like Candy Crush (66 minutes) and Royal Match (88 minutes). These results demonstrate that Vietnam's mobile games are approaching world-class standards.

However, challenges remain. Many Vietnamese games struggle with player retention and long-term engagement due to limited depth. Studios often operate in isolation, leading to repeated mistakes and wasted resources. A significant gap persists between emerging studios and established leaders, with few opportunities for practical learning and collaboration.

VGC's exhibition. Photo courtesy of GameGeek

These challenges cannot be solved by individual efforts alone; they require a connected ecosystem where game developers share knowledge, resources, and development opportunities.

Over nearly a decade of working with the community, GameGeek has witnessed remarkable changes in the industry, from students seeking knowledge to five-member studios reaching nearly 5 million downloads, and eventually to leading companies achieving hundreds of millions of downloads worldwide.

Yet the industry still lacks a consistent bridge connecting newcomers, studios at different stages, investors, and major global game organizations. Without these links, knowledge, resources, and opportunities remain scattered. This is why GameGeek and Vietnam Game Connect (VGC) have taken concrete steps to strengthen these connections and build a more resilient Vietnamese game industry.

GameGeek's booth at VGC 2025. Photo courtesy of GameGeek

GameGeek aims to tackle core challenges in Vietnam's game sector: improving product quality, narrowing the gap between generations of studios, and expanding connections with global expertise and resources.

In July, GameGeek organized Vietnam Game Connect (VGC), an industry networking event that drew over 700 participants, including more than 110 senior representatives from major gaming markets such as the U.S., China, South Korea, and Turkey. For the first time, young studios had the opportunity to learn directly from nearly a decade of experience from leading Vietnamese developers like iKame and ABI, as well as connect with international studios behind billions of downloads, such as King, Rollic, and Supercent.

Batuhan Avucan (L), CEO of Mobidictum (Turkey), meeting with Eugene Tatonkin (R), manager of Azur Games, during the event. Photo courtesy of GameGeek

Reflecting on the experience, Giang Nguyen, CEO of Gamee, said: "After the event, we gained valuable connections and are now working to turn them into specific partnerships that create real value for our organization."

Vietnam's game industry is on a clear upward trajectory. But only by collectively raising skills, seriously investing in talent development, building robust data systems, and deepening game content can the country hope to create a homegrown hit on the scale of Candy Crush, Nguyen said.

According to GameGeek, Vietnam is becoming a global gaming hotspot. Leading mobile game companies are not only looking toward Vietnam but are also opening offices, hiring local talent, and pursuing strategic partnerships in the country.

Sharing her long-term vision for Vietnam's gaming sector, Jennifer Vu, CEO of GameGeek, emphasized: "Our community is applying Vietnamese creativity and intelligence to succeed globally. As a connector, we strive to support local studios and publishers to reach international markets while bringing leading global experts to Vietnam."
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. High 88F. WNW winds shifting to E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 51F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
One of Britains last bioethanol plants will shut its doors at the end of this month, in a major blow to UK green fuel production and thousands of farming jobs.

Vivergo, owned by Associated British Foods (ABF), confirmed it will cease all production of bioethanol and animal feed by 31 August 2025, citing government decisions on trade and tariffs that have undermined the plants commercial viability.

The closure follows the governments announcement that tariffs on US bioethanol imports would be removed, creating major uncertainty over the future of the UK market.

The Hull-based facility has been a key buyer of domestic wheat, purchasing up to one million tonnes a year from more than 4,000 British farms, mainly in Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire.

In a statement, ABF said: The decision to close the plant follows extensive discussions with the government to find a regulatory and financial solution that would enable Vivergo to operate on a profitable and sustainable basis.

The company added that current regulation favour[s] foreign producers" and that the government has decided not to offer either short-term financial support or the long-term regulatory certainty we sought.

The NFU has warned that the closure will have serious consequences for workers and local agriculture.

Jamie Burrows, the union's Combinable Crops Board Chair, described the decision as a major setback, warning of its impact on jobs and farming.

"The closure of the Vivergo plant is a huge blow. Not only is it terrible news for those hundreds of workers who will lose their jobs but also for the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on that supply chain  that includes local farmers who have lost a vital market for their product."

Alongside the production of low-carbon fuel, the facility generates vital co-products such as high-protein animal feed and carbon dioxide used in food processing and packagingboth of which are now at risk of disruption.

The plants closure raises wider concerns about the viability of the UKs bioethanol infrastructure and comes at a time when the sector is already under pressure from volatile global markets, unclear policy direction, and mounting climate-related challenges.

Mr Burrows stressed that UK bioethanol production remains a crucial sector, with "the volume of wheat entering the supply chain as high as 1.2m tonnes" and significant by-products, including high-quality animal feed and CO2 used across the food industry.

He urged ministers to take a longer-term view: We need government to recognise the potential economic growth and value of this market by ensuring crops grown for biofuels are used increasingly in road transport and aviation.

"This will open up further market opportunities to incentivise growers to support the countrys biofuel plants.
In July, around one in four industrial companies in Germany reported a decline in their competitiveness compared to countries outside the EU, according to the latest ifo survey. The figure remained high compared to a previous survey in April. There is also no sign of a turnaround in competition within Europe: The share of companies with declining competitiveness compared to other EU member states fell only slightly from 13.4 to 12.0 per cent.

German industry is struggling with structural disadvantages, such as energy prices, regulation and investment conditions, said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of surveys at ifo. Many companies are losing ground in a global comparison as a result.

Competitiveness has not improved recently in any industrial sector. Mechanical engineering has been hit especially hard, with the share of companies with declining competitiveness rising from 22.2 to 31.9 per cent, the highest figure to date. Competitive pressure also continued to increase in the electrical and electronics industry. In the automotive sector, on the other hand, far fewer companies assess their position as more negative than in the previous month. The share was halved from 33.0 to 16.1 per cent.

In July, one in four German industrial firms reported declining global competitiveness, mainly due to high energy costs, regulation, and poor investment conditions, according to an ifo survey. Mechanical engineering was hit hardest, while the automotive sector saw some improvement. Competitiveness within the EU also showed little recovery.

German industry continues to face huge challenges in international competition, explained Wohlrabe. Following the provisional agreement in the tariff dispute, German companies have to live with a structural surcharge of 15 per cent compared to competitors in the US. It is still unclear whether new trade relations can offset this.

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Wamiqa Gabbis Instagram bio says, Im that Girl youve seen somewhere but cant remember where. As I sit across from her for a conversation, I tell her that people can now remember where they have seen her. She says she will consider changing the bio. Gabbi made her debut with Jab We Met in 2007, where she had a brief screen time as Kareena Kapoors cousin. The Punjabi film Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22 (2013) shot her to fame in Punjab. The actress also ventured into Tamil cinema. Vikramaditya Motwanes Jubilee and Vishal Bhardwajs Khufiya were a turning point in her career. Gabbis most recent theatrical release, Bhool Chuk Maaf, co-starring Rajkummar Rao earned her a lot of praise. She is happy with the response. In this freewheeling chat, she speaks about the film, looks back at the time when she felt like giving up, and reflects upon how far she has come. Excerpts:



How has the response been for Bhool Chuk Maaf?



Im feeling happy, surprised and overwhelmed. I dont know how to explain this. No one expected this. Were so happy with the love that were receiving from the audience. Im so glad my parents and my whole family enjoyed it so much. I went to Chandigarh to watch it with them. My father was so happy to see it. He was laughing and

I am happy that hes getting my humour. He also cried when I had an emotional scene.





Your character Titli is a daddys princess. How pampered are you by your father?



I was the most pampered child. I wasnt just his princess but the entire familys.

There was a time when you wanted to give up on acting...



Im glad that I went through that time when I felt that I was done. I felt that I was not meant for this. Maybe God wanted me to be grounded when he gave me what Ive always wanted. And yes, I am grounded. Theres nothing that can blow me away. I understand how temporary all these things are. I remember when I used to wish that I were born in a filmy family and things were easier for me. I wished I were rich so that I could do so much in Mumbai with that money. Now, when I look back, I thank God for my journey, for the family I was born into and all the hardships

I went through. I would not want to change anything in my life. Even now, when my dreams are coming true, Im pretty much relaxed. I understand that my friendships, my relationships and my family are what are going

to matter.





Cut to now, your fans are giving you so much love and even compare you with actors such as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for your eyes...



I have grown up watching and loving Aishwarya. Theres no comparison. But I understand the innocence and the love that my fans are showering on me. Im thankful but this is unbelievable. Its overwhelming to receive this kind of love. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and Im happy that they look at me with so much love.



Were you ever in a situation where you auditioned for something, but that opportunity was given to someone with

more privilege?



This is nothing new. Its been happening for so long. And Im sure, like me, other people would have also faced the same thing, where they felt that theyd given a good audition but it didnt work out. Its also the lack of faith. People are hesitant to invest in young actors and new talent. They want to go a safer route with someone else who just has more popularity. Having said that, there are other people who do put faith in new talent. People like Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra or Maddock Films, for that matter, have pushed new actors and talent.

Do you ever worry that no matter how hard you work, things might still be unfair?







I used to think about all these things a lot because you always want a fair world. But I understood that this is how it is. Some people get opportunities without even having worked hard for them. And some people have to work extremely hard to get those same opportunities. I understand that I have to work hard, and I can get that. I used to crib about it, but then I started working towards it.

Which character has creatively challenged you the most?



The most challenging was Bhool Chuk Maaf because I tried comedy for the first time. I was nervous. But if I do another comedy film, itll again be different from that and will still be challenging for me. In my previous works, Khufiya was challenging. I played a mother, and I was young. I didnt know what a mother feels for their child and how I should portray the role. I was talking to my mother, my aunt and my grandmother, trying to figure out how they would feel. I remember Vishal (Bhardwaj) sir gave me the idea of thinking about my son like how I would think about my father. He knew that my father was the one that I loved the most and would never want anything to happen to him. And this advice changed everything. So that loss of my child in the film, I kind of related it to the loss of my parent. That was very challenging to pull off.

You worked with Jaya Bachchan as well. Is she as strict as the paparazzi portray her to be?



Jaya ji is such a nice woman and an amazing actor. She is naughty, and her laughter is like a childs. I had the best time shooting with her in Dil Ka Darwaaza Khol Na Darling. She has seen a lot of life. If my mother or my grandmother were there with so many cameras around them, they would also be as irritated as her. They didnt have this paparazzi culture earlier. We are used to it, and it is normal for us now. I dont know, when we grow old, there might be something else that we wont like

as well.

Who is your 4 a.m. friend in the industry?





There is a writer called Rupinder Inderjit. He was the first person I stayed with when I moved to Mumbai. Im always grateful to him.

What advice would you like to give to a young Wamiqa?




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 15, 2025) - Trimera Metals Corp. (CSE: TRM) ("Trimera" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 285,714 common shares ("FT Shares") of the Company, issued on a flow-through basis pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada), at a price of $0.35 per FT Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $100,000. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the Offering towards exploration activities at the Company's 1,692.22 hectare Tahlo Lake porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold property located in north-central British Columbia.

The securities offered pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day from the date of issuance. The Company may pay finder's fees on a portion of the gross proceeds of the Offering. The Offering remains subject to regulatory approval and the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Trimera

Trimera is a junior exploration company focused on the exploration, development, and advancement of its Tahlo Lake property, located in south-central British Columbia. Tahlo Lake is comprised of four wholly owned mining claims totaling approximately 1,692 hectares.

For more information, please consult the Company's filings, available at www.sedarplus.ca .

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements and includes statements respecting (i) the Offering; and (ii) the Company's expected use of proceeds from the Offering. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/262772

SOURCE: Trimera Metals Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 15, 2025) - Kovo+ Holdings Inc. (TSXV: KOVO) ("Kovo" or the "Company") has secured lead order and strategic financing commitments.

Kovo announces that, further to its news releases dated May 22, 2024, July 24, 2024, September 17, 2024, and December 19, 2024, Avonlea Ventures #2 Inc. ("AVI"), Kovo's largest shareholder and secured creditor, has (i) elected to convert up to $7,230,789 (USD $5,239,702) (the "Indebtedness") into common shares ("Common Shares") in the capital of the Company (the "Debt Conversion"); and (ii) committed a minimum amount of $9,182,697 (USD$6,654,128) as the lead order for the Company's previously announced non-brokered private placement of up to 827,820,000 units (each, a "Unit") for gross proceeds of up to approximately $41,400,000 (USD$30,000,000) (the "Offering"), both subject to necessary approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV").

Under the Debt Conversion, AVI has elected to convert the Indebtedness into Common Shares subject to and in accordance with the conditions of Kovo's 2nd Amended & Restated Senior Loan and Security Agreement, as amended and extended (the "Senior Loan Agreement"), and applicable regulatory and other TSXV approvals, and is conditional upon the completion of the private placement. Pursuant to the terms of the Senior Loan Agreement, indebtedness of the Company may be converted into Common Shares at a fixed price of $0.05 per Common Share in respect of the outstanding principal amount and at the prevailing market price in respect of accrued but unpaid interest, in each case in accordance with TSXV policies. Assuming completion of the Debt Conversion in its entirety, a total of 144,615,772 Common Shares are expected to be issued at a deemed price of $0.05.

AVI has also committed to invest, subject to applicable regulatory and other TSXV requirements, an amount up to $9,182,697 (USD $6,654,128) in connection with the Offering, whereby Kovo will issue up to 183,653,943 Units to AVI (the "AVI Investment").

Justin Anderson, the CEO of Kovo, stated, "We are deeply grateful for Michael Steele's continued confidence and support during this pivotal time for our Company. His partnership in this strategic step strengthens our financial foundation and enables us to build on our continued momentum. With his backing, we are better positioned for sustained growth and long-term success."

AVI is an Ontario corporation controlled by Mr. Michael Steele, a current director and controlling indirect shareholder of the Company. Mr. Steele is also a director, officer and the sole indirect beneficial shareholder of AVI, which is also considered a "Non-Arm's Length Party" pursuant to the policies of the TSXV.

The issuance of the Units to any "related party" (as such term is defined under within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")), including the AVI Investment and the matters relating thereto (the "Related Party Transactions") will be "related party transactions" within the meaning of MI 61-101 and requiring Kovo, in the absence of exemptions, to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval of the related party transactions. Pursuant to Sections 5.5(a), 5.5(b), 5.5(g) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, the Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder requirements, respectively, as, in addition to no securities of the Company being listed or quoted on certain specified exchanges, neither: (i) the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of; nor (ii) the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves related parties, are expected to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

The closing of the Offering, the AVI Investment and the Debt Conversion, respectively, remain subject to and contingent upon certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the final approval of the TSXV and sufficient arm's-length investment under the Offering for the Company's ongoing compliance, post-AVI Investment and/or Debt Conversion, with the continuous listing requirements of the TSXV. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering (including the AVI Investment) and Debt Conversion will be subject to a four-month and one-day statutory hold period from the date of issue in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Kovo+ Holdings Inc.

Kovo is a versatile technology company leading the charge in AI initiatives to drive impact and innovation across diverse industries. Kovo remains committed to its core business-model of strategic growth opportunities within mid-market Medical Billing firms, where exploitive business optimization synergies exist. Moving forward, Kovo will integrate accretive broader healthcare sector additions to its portfolio and opportunities beyond in multiple new markets. Dedicated to revolutionizing business processes optimization through technological advancements and evolving AI applied methods, Kovo embodies a commitment to ensured and enduring profitability. To learn more about Kovo and to keep up to date on Kovo news, visit www.kovoplus.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided to inform the Company's shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and include, but are not limited to, the closing of the Offering, the AVI Investment and the completion Debt Conversion, respectively, and the timings thereof; the total Debt Conversion and number of Common Shares issued pursuant thereto; the total AVI Investment and number of Common Shares issued pursuant thereto; the timing and receipt of all necessary approvals, including final approval of the TSXV and sufficient arm's-length investment under the Offering to effect the entirety of the AVI Investment and Debt Conversion, either of them, or at all; and the reliance on and availability of the exemptions from the formal valuation require and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101.

Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Not for distribution to US Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/262771

SOURCE: Kovo+ Holdings Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 15, 2025 / Xebra Brands Ltd. ("Xebra") (CSE:XBRA)(FSE:9YC), a international cannabis company, announces that it intends to consolidate its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of ten (10) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-consolidation Common Share (the "Consolidation"). As of the date hereof, there are 84,144,855 Common Shares issued and outstanding and on a post-Consolidation basis, the Company shall have approximately 8,414,486 Common Shares issued and outstanding.

No fractional Common Shares will be issued as a result of the Consolidation. Any fractional interest in Common Shares that is less than 0.5 of a Common Share resulting from the Consolidation will be rounded down to the nearest whole Common Share, and any fractional interest in Common Shares that is equal to or greater than 0.5 of a Common Share will be rounded up to the nearest whole Common Share. The Common Shares will be expected begin trading on a consolidated basis and with a new CUSIP number on or around August 28, 2025, subject to regulatory approvals, including the approval of the CSE. Pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and the articles of the Company, shareholder approval of Consolidation is not required.

Shareholders of the Company who hold their shares through a securities broker or dealer, bank or trust company will not be required to take any measures with respect to the Consolidation. Xebra's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. ("Computershare"), will mail a letter of transmittal to all registered shareholders of Xebra that will contain instructions for exchanging their pre-Consolidation Common Shares for post-Consolidation Common Shares. Registered shareholders will be required to return their certificates representing pre-Consolidation Common Shares and a completed letter of transmittal to Computershare. Any registered shareholder who submits a duly completed letter of transmittal to Computershare along with pre-Consolidation share certificate will receive in return a post-Consolidation share certificate or Direct Registration System Advice. Xebra's outstanding warrants and options will be adjusted on the same basis (10 to 1) as the Common Shares, with proportionate adjustments being made to exercise prices.

The Company is also providing an update to its previously disclosed management cease trade order ("MCTO"), announced on July 2, 2025, in respect of the audited annual financial statements and corresponding management's discussion and analysis for the year ended February 28, 2025, including the CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the "Annual Financial Filings") that were not filed by the required filing deadline of June 30, 2025 (the "Filing Deadline").

As previously disclosed, the Annual Financial Filings were not filed by the Filing Deadline because there have been certain liquidity constraints and delays associated with recent changes of management.

The Company is working expeditiously to address the liquidity constraints and implement management changes necessary to complete the Annual Financial Filings and expects to file them by August 29, 2025. The Company will provide updates as further information regarding the Annual Financial Filings becomes available.

Until the Annual Financial Filings are completed, the MCTO will remain in effect. The Company will continue to issue bi-weekly default status reports in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders and intends to comply with the Alternative Information Guidelines for as long as it remains in default of the filing requirements. The Company confirms that, as of the date of this news release, there have been no material business developments or other material information regarding its affairs that have not been generally disclosed.

On behalf of the Board

Rodrigo Gallardo

Interim CEO

For more information contact:

+52 (55) 6387-2293

ir@xebrabrands.com

www.xebrabrands.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, these include, without limitation, statements regarding Xebra Brands Ltd.'s expectations in respect of its ability to successfully execute its business plan or business model; statements, projections and estimates with respect to the Consolidation, the timing of the Consolidation and the Consolidation ratio, statements with respect to the filing of the Annual Financial Filings, the expectation that the Annual Financial Filings will be filed by the Filing Deadline, the expected number of issued and outstanding common shares on a post-Consolidation basis, the mailing of letters of transmittal, Xebra's ability to provide economic, environmental, social, or any benefits of any type, in the communities it operates in or may operate it in the future; its ability to be a first mover in a country, or to obtain or retain government licenses, permits or authorizations in general, or specifically in Mexico, Canada, or elsewhere, including cannabis authorizations from the Mexican Health Regulatory Agency (COFEPRIS) and the timing of such permits or authorizations; its ability to successfully apply for and obtain trademarks and other intellectual property in any jurisdiction; its ability to be cost competitive; its ability to commercialize, cultivate, grow, or process hemp or cannabis in Mexico, Canada, or elsewhere and related plans and timing; its ability to manufacture, commercialize or sell cannabis-infused beverages, wellness products, or other products in Mexico, Canada, or elsewhere, and its related plans and claims, including market interest and availability; its ability to create wellness products that have a therapeutic effect or benefit; plans for future growth and the direction of the business; financial projections including expected revenues, gross profits, and EBITDA (which is a non-GAAP financial measure); plans to increase product volumes, the capacity of existing facilities, supplies from third party growers and contractors; expected growth of the cannabis industry generally; management's expectations, beliefs and assumptions in general, including manufacturing costs, production activity and market potential in Mexico or any jurisdiction; events or developments that XEBRA expects to take place in the future; general economic conditions; and other risk factors described in the prospectus of the Company dated September 30, 2021. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking information and statements. The words "aim", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "target", "intends", "continue", "plans", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", and similar expressions identify forward-looking information and statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by XEBRA as of the dates of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the inability to complete the audit on the Annual Filings due to a requirement for additional funds, the inability of XEBRA to generate sufficient revenues or to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plan; changes in government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in various countries; risks associated with agriculture and cultivation activities generally, including inclement weather, access to supply of seeds, poor crop yields, and spoilage; compliance with import and export laws of various countries; significant fluctuations in cannabis prices and transportation costs; the risk of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; inability to identify, negotiate and complete a potential acquisition for any reason; the ability to retain key employees; dependence on third parties for services and supplies; non-performance by contractual counter-parties; general economic conditions; and the continued growth in global demand for cannabis products and the continued increase in jurisdictions legalizing cannabis; and the timely receipt of regulatory approval for license applications. In addition, there is no assurance Xebra will: be a low-cost producer or exporter; obtain a dominant market position in any jurisdiction; have products that will be unique. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and XEBRA undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of the foregoing except as required by law. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies could affect XEBRA's actual performance and cause its actual performance to differ materially from what has been expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, XEBRA. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those set out in such statements.

SOURCE: Xebra Brands Ltd

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/food-and-beverage-products/xebra-brands-announces-share-consolidation-and-provides-update-on-mcto-1061755
ABU DHABI,UAE, Aug. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has welcomed its largest cohort for its Fall 2025 intake, enrolling 403 new students. This includes its inaugural undergraduate class, new graduate cohorts in existing programmes in Computer Science, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Robotics, and the first intakes into the Master of Science in Statistics & Data Science and Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence.

This semester received more than 8,000 applications across the university's Bachelor and graduate programmes, yielding an acceptance rate of 5 per cent, and reinforcing the university's prestigious position and ability to attract the best talent in the UAE and from around the world.

Timothy Baldwin, MBZUAI Provost and Professor of Natural Language Processing, said: "This year, MBZUAI welcomes our largest cohort of graduate students alongside our inaugural undergraduate class. Artificial intelligence is transforming the world at a pace that vastly outstrips traditional education models. To realise its full global potential, MBZUAI invests heavily in reviewing and updating our programmes to reflect modern AI research methodology and workflows, based on our bleeding-edge AI research credentials and grounded in societal and industrial needs. As a young institution, MBZUAI has already earned a place among the world's top 10 AI universities based on our research credentials. With the introduction of our undergraduate and Master's in Applied AI programmes, we continue to build world-leading programmes aligned with the UAE's National Strategy for AI 2031 and supporting Abu Dhabi's rapidly growing AI ecosystem."

The newly launched Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence programme offers two streams, AI for Business and AI for Engineering, combining technical rigor with leadership, hands-on entrepreneurship, and in-situ industry experience. The first class consists of 115 undergraduate students from more than 25 countries, over 25 per cent of which are UAE Nationals.

Professor Baldwin said: "The jobs of tomorrow are being shaped by AI today and we must ensure that future generations are equipped with the tools and skills to navigate that shift. Our extraordinarily talented students don't just learn about AI, but learn with it, through it, and for it. This is an extraordinary value proposition across all our programmes, but especially for our undergraduate students, who will be studying towards a bachelor's degree in AI that I believe sets a new global benchmark in terms of technical depth, real-world relevance, and the high-end AI job-readiness of the students."

The key highlights for the Fall 2025 intake includes MBZUAI's total student body totaling more than 700, representing over 47 nationalities.

Nationalities represented in the undergraduate programmes are Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the UAE and the UK. Postgraduate programmes bring together students from Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Serbia, UAE, UK, USA and Vietnam.

MBZUAI continues to attract exceptional students, with 151 of the incoming graduate students (27.5 per cent) holding degrees from the world's top 100 computer science universities (CSRankings), including Cornell University, Tsinghua University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of California, San Diego.

In welcoming the new students, MBZUAI has begun its immersive Orientation Week, introducing new students to the university's culture of academic excellence, AI-driven innovation, and community engagement. The programme combines academic sessions, mentorship activities, and cultural programming celebrating UAE heritage and life in Abu Dhabi. Highlights include the Orientation Mini Fair, where internal and external partners showcase resources for academic success, career development, and student life.

Orientation Week is designed to foster a strong sense of belonging and connection, laying the foundation for academic success and life-changing university experiences.

For more information, visit www.mbzuai.ac.ae

Media Contact:

Noorul Tharola

Noorul.Tharola@edelman.com

+971567436637

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mohamed-bin-zayed-university-of-artificial-intelligence-begins-new-academic-year-with-largest-ever-cohort-of-400-students-302531592.html
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held phone talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet on August 15 afternoon, at the request of the Cambodian side.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his phone talk with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet, Aug. 15, 2025. Photo by VNA

In a friendly atmosphere, the two government leaders expressed their delight at the results of the very successful phone talks on August 14 between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam, and President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Cambodian Senate Hun Sen.

The two PMs affirmed that they will promote the effective implementation of the opinions agreed upon by the leaders of the two Parties; informed each other about the situation in each country; and agreed on key directions to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the coming time, especially in the fields of connectivity, trade and investment.

They expressed their delight at the important results achieved at the high-level meeting between the two Parties and the high-level meetings between the heads of the CPV, the CPP and the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the three PMs of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in February 2025. They agreed to continue to strengthen political trust, promote existing cooperation mechanisms under the motto of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability.

The two sides agreed to continue to improve the effectiveness of economic cooperation in the spirit of "harmonising benefits, sharing risks", soon achieving the bilateral trade target of 20 billion USD; promote local connectivity in a practical and effective manner, while developing border gate economy, facilitating cross-border trade and investment and continuing to negotiate and resolve remaining problems in border demarcation and marker planting.

PM Chinh was pleased to note that, after two years in office as head of the Royal Government, PM Hun Manet has promoted infrastructure development and economic growth, and the life of Cambodian people has been increasingly improved.

He requested the Cambodian side to continue to pay attention to and facilitate naturalisation for eligible Vietnamese people, as well as creating conditions for Vietnamese people to stabilise their lives, integrate and make positive contributions to Cambodian society; and for Vietnamese enterprises to operate stably and expand investment in Cambodia.

Regarding the international and regional situation, the two PMs exchanged and shared views on issues of mutual concern. PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam supports efforts to peacefully resolve all disputes in accordance with international law and practice, emphasising that Vietnam will continue to work with ASEAN member countries to promote the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on July 28, 2025, in order to promote ASEAN's central role for peace, cooperation and development in the region.
XPPen & PUBG MOBILE Ultimate Set Design Contest: Leading a New Wave of Creativity

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- XPPen, the world's leading digital art innovation brand, marked its dazzling 20th anniversary today. Under the theme "Back to Future, Create Now!", XPPen partners with PUBG MOBILE to launch the Ultimate Set Design Contest, bridging digital art with gaming communities worldwide, featuring a prize pool of $120,000. The initiative also includes visionary conversations on the future of digital art with leading artists and offers an exclusive anniversary sale. For two decades, XPPen has remained committed to empowering creators worldwide through innovative technology, and this milestone celebration serves as a tribute to the unwavering support of our global creative community.

"With a vision to bridge technology and human art, XPPen continues to spark creativity and connect artists worldwide," said Amy Yuan, Brand Director at XPPen. "This year, themed 'Back to Future, Create Now', we encourage users to pursue their dreams and envision the future. While technologies continue to reshape imagination and creativity, the essence of art remains a unique reflection of how individuals observe and contemplate the world. Viewing present through the future, grounded in warmth and humanity, we're moving forward with greater conviction. We are honored to join hands with PUBG MOBILE, a globally renowned mobile game, for the Ultimate Set Design Contest. Through this collaboration, we not only provide a global stage for creators to showcase their talent but also strengthen XPPen's connection with the new generation, enabling gaming enthusiasts to experience the joy of creation."

XPPen x PUBG MOBILE Ultimate Set Design Contest: Leading a New Wave of Creativity

XPPen partners with the renowned mobile game PUBG MOBILE to launch the Ultimate Set Design Contest, inviting creators worldwide to explore creative frontiers. Ptopia Design Project (PDP) is the first global community-sourced co-creation program for PUBG MOBILE, inspiring players to develop outfits, weapons, accessories and more. This partnership is derived from a shared passion for innovation, open spirit, and creativity, as well as a vision to foster co-creation, cultural exchange, and a global creative platform.

The contest runs from August 16 to October 16, 2025, featuring popular themes and an exclusive new theme co-created by XPPen and PUBG MOBILE: "Future Era," encouraging participants to envision the future. Prizes include a $120,000 prize pool, flagship XPPen drawing displays and PUBG MOBILE props, with winning designs potentially featured in-game. Join the contest at https://community.xp-pen.com/events/co-create-with-pubgm-pdp

A panel of esteemed artists will judge the entries, including Clinton Jones (Pwnisher), acclaimed director and 3D/VFX artist known for curating global 3D challenges; Esteban Diacono, motion designer who has collaborated with leading brands; Ryota-H, renowned Japanese animator and manga artist; along artists Shan Jiang and Giusy Amoroso. "This is a fantastic opportunity. I look forward to seeing participants give their best," says lead judge Clinton Jones.

Reshaping the Future of Creative Tools

Since 2005, XPPen has been driven by innovation, enabling technology accessible to all. Recent breakthroughs include the Magic Drawing Pad and Magic Note Pad, extending the reach of digital drawing and writing technology to a broader audience while opening new frontiers in mobile creation and business applications. XPPen's product lineup ranges from professional-grade to portable solutions, addressing diverse user needs with versatile creative experiences across scenarios. Looking ahead, XPPen will introduce a new-generation stylus powered by advanced chip technology, offering superior sensitivity, stability, and portability to elevate creation experience. The upcoming Artist Ultra series will strike the perfect balance between professional performance and portable design, redefining the creative tools.

Exclusive Anniversary Offers, Up to 50% Off

To mark XPPen's 20th anniversary, the official store offers up to 50% off the popular lineup, giving creators a chance to experience the cutting-edge technology at exceptional value. Follow our social media and community for more celebration activities and opportunities to win XPPen products and exclusive anniversary gift sets.

Join XPPen's 20th anniversary celebration as we continue to pioneer innovation and inspire creators to reach new heights. Experience the future of digital creativity and be part of our journey. For more information, please visit https://www.xp-pen.com/20th-anniversary-celebration.html

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Victoria, Seychelles--(Newsfile Corp. - August 16, 2025) - Global crypto exchange Zoomex is pleased to announce its official registration with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). Following its acquisition of MSB (Money Services Business) licenses in both the United States and Canada, as well as registration with the U.S. National Futures Association (NFA), Zoomex's compliance footprint now spans several key markets-providing users worldwide with a safer, more transparent, and highly compliant digital asset trading experience.

At Zoomex, we always stay true to our user-first philosophy, aiming to deliver a crypto trading platform that is simple to use, secure, compliant, and trustworthy. As we continue to expand our global service coverage, we firmly believe that compliance is not a barrier to user freedom, but a fundamental pillar for building a sustainable ecosystem and safeguarding user rights.

Core Licenses and Certifications - Regulatory + Technical Dual Safeguards

Zoomex has now obtained the following key compliance and security credentials:

AU AUSTRAC Registration (Australia): Formally registered under Australia's AML/CFT framework, fully authorized to operate legally in the region

Formally registered under Australia's AML/CFT framework, fully authorized to operate legally in the region US MSB License (USA): Registered with FinCEN, authorized to conduct fiat-related transactions within the U.S. market

Registered with FinCEN, authorized to conduct fiat-related transactions within the U.S. market US NFA Registration (U.S. National Futures Association): Enhances regulatory compliance for derivative products on the platform

Enhances regulatory compliance for derivative products on the platform CA MSB License (Canada): Legally authorized to provide digital asset-related financial services in Canada

 Hacken Security Certification: Audited by leading cybersecurity firm Hacken, ensuring platform and user asset safety

Beyond regulatory compliance, Zoomex also places great emphasis on technological security and risk control capabilities. The platform adopts multi-layer encryption and cold-hot wallet segregation, supported by a professional risk management system that continuously monitors suspicious activities - all to build a robust, transparent, and trustworthy trading environment for our users.

As global crypto asset regulation continues to mature, Zoomex chooses to take a high-standard, globally-aligned approach to compliance. We are committed to strengthening localized service capabilities while acting as a vital bridge between global investors and the Web3 world.

We recognize that compliance is not just a reflection of strong corporate governance - it's also the cornerstone of user trust and long-term platform growth. Completing the AUSTRAC registration marks another key milestone in Zoomex's global compliance strategy. We will continue to enhance platform stability, improve transparency, and strengthen risk control through third-party security audits and robust compliance mechanisms - all to provide you with a safe, reliable trading experience.

About Zoomex

Founded in 2021, Zoomex is a global cryptocurrency trading platform built on the core principles of Simplicity  Usability  Speed. We are committed to delivering a high-performance, low-barrier trading experience. The platform is designed with dual optimization in mind - combining millisecond-level order execution with an intuitive interface for seamless user interaction. With flexible identity verification and an open trading model, Zoomex is building a faster, safer, and more accessible digital asset trading environment for users around the world.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/262647

SOURCE: Pinion Partners
Founded by tech industry pioneers, META PCs is a reliable custom PC company based in Arizona, serving nationwide.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / August 16, 2025 / META PCs is a company that offers customized PCs manufactured as per the customer's needs. It has grown to become one of the top 25 fastest-growing companies in the state, as recognized by the 2025 Inc. 5000 list. The team at META PCs believes that their success is rooted in their commitment to providing reliable products and services that have earned them the trust of customers across the country.

META PCs have two physical retail stores in Phoenix and Gilbert, and are available for nationwide delivery via their website. They cater to all customer needs, from high-performance gaming PCs and workstation desktops to in-store repair services.



META PCs was founded by tech industry pioneers who saw a growing demand for customized PCs, particularly among gaming enthusiasts, tech, and creative professionals. With a team of experts having decades of experience, the company's mission was to meet the individual needs of each customer. What sets them apart is their motto to bring the needs and requirements of their customers to life.

"To be in the top 25 fastest-growing companies in the state is a moment for us. As we celebrate this milestone, we want to reaffirm our purpose and rise. We have come this far because our builds are known for their premium craftsmanship, high-end components, and custom aesthetic options, serving gamers, content creators, and professionals in industries like AI, architecture, and video production."

-- Kyle Austin, Co-Founder META PCs

From creating a PC for a high-performance gamer to simply building futuristic PCs for mass production of content for creators, their META PCs are up for the task. Their portfolio showcases over tens of thousands customized PCs built for individuals in industries across various sectors.

META PCs' growing family of loyal customers is echoed in their strong social media presence. Their partnerships with prominent brands and content creators, who share their genuine experiences with their PCs, have solidified their position as industry leaders in Arizona and beyond.

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SOURCE: META PCs

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/meta-pcs-enter-the-top-25-fastest-growing-companies-in-arizona-on-1061770
In the letter, they have mentioned not hosting the trailer launch of The Bengal Files in their theatres, allegedly due to mounting political pressure.

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotris The Bengal Files has been one of the most anticipated films of the year. Known for his bold and courageous storytelling, Vivek is once again set to bring Indias buried history to the big screen. Ever since the teaser release, the film has courted controversy, with multiple FIRs filed by members of Mamata Banerjees TMC, accusing it of portraying controversial content against him, producer Abhishek Agarwal, and actress-producer Pallavi Joshi. The High Court later granted interim relief by staying all FIRs.

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Determined to challenge those trying to suppress the truth, Vivek announced he would launch the trailer in Kolkata, West Bengal, the very place where the FIRs were filed. However, just a day before the event, Vivek posted a video straight after landing in Kolkata. In the video, Vivek is seen revealing that Indias biggest cinema chain has cancelled the trailer launch by giving them a cancellation letter. In the letter, they have mentioned not hosting the trailer launch of The Bengal Files in their theatres, allegedly due to mounting political pressure.

Sharing the video, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri wrote, Just landed in Kolkata and learnt that the venue for the trailer launch of #TheBengalFiles is cancelled. Who wants to suppress our voice?

And why? But I cant be silenced. Because truth cant be silenced.        Pl share this video and support our FREE SPEECH."

Just landed in Kolkata and learnt that the venue for the trailer launch of #TheBengalFiles is cancelled.



Who wants to suppress our voice?

And why?



But I cant be silenced. Because truth cant be silenced.



      



Pl share this video and support pic.twitter.com/xraD7w9sRb  Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 15, 2025

In a previous video, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri questioned why the ruling party is trying to suppress voices and block the truth, urging citizensespecially youthto watch The Bengal Files and uncover hidden realities. Emphasizing years of research and his faith in the judiciary, Vivek had recently hosted multiple world premieres in the USA. Despite promoting the film silently and respectfully, he shared that political pressure is still being used to suppress the truth.

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The Bengal Files is written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri. It stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, and Darshan Kumar. The film, presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal & I Am Buddha Productions, is part of Viveks Files trilogy, which includes The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files. The film will arrive in theatres on September 5, 2025.
The Supreme Court order to round up and relocate all stray dogs in Delhi and NCR has triggered a debate. Are there enough shelters to accommodate nearly 10 lakh canines, and how much could this cost? We answer these questions and discuss other big stories from India in this roundup

The Supreme Court has reserved its order on pleas challenging the August 11 ruling to relocate all stray dogs in Delhi and NCR. According to estimates, the national capital could have as many as 10 lakh strays. File photo/Reuters

Its the Independence Day weekend in India, and there is a lot to cheer and take pride in. What an exhilarating 78 years. Today, Indias economy continues to be a bright spot in a bleak world. In a shifting world order, the country leads by example.

We are in the age of hectic geopolitics, and India stands its ground. Its relationship with the US is strained at the moment, as Donald Trump has slapped 50 per cent tariffs on goods exported from the country. However, New Delhi is not one to give up, as efforts are on to crack a trade deal with America.

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Amid tariff threats, ties with China appear to be thawing, and those with Russia are ever-evolving. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on August 18 (Monday) to hold border talks, and Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be travelling to Moscow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to China by August end and Russias Putin is expected in India by the end of the year.

As far as Pakistan goes, it has been ruffled by Indias growing power. Operation Sindoor taught the neighbour a lesson, yet its leaders continue to threaten India now over the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

However, none of this could hamper Indias I-Day celebrations. Sticking to tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a passionate speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, speaking about Operation Sindoor and delivering a warning message to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort during Indias Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, India, on Friday. AP

One of the other big stories from India is the Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs, ordering the removal of all canines from Delhi-NCR. It has triggered a massive debate, with animal lovers and activists opposing the judgment. Following the outcry, Chief Justice BR Gavai intervened, and the matter was heard by a new bench, which reserved the interim order.

In heartbreaking news, a massive cloudburst hit a village in Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar, claiming more than 30 lives.

We talk about all this and more in our weekly wrap, and revisit stories about India and its independence.

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his longest yet address on Indias 79th Independence Day, speaking for 103 minutes. He spoke about Operation Sindoor and delivered a strong message to Pakistan. Atmanibhar Bharat featured often as the PM spoke of Indias growing self-reliance. He also had a wish list for India for the near future. Here are the big takeaways from the address.

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Addressing the nation on Independence Day. https://t.co/rsFUG7q6eP  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2025

2. Independence Day is a time to look back at history. After the freedom struggle came the Partition, which gave birth to two nations  India and Pakistan. But do you know how the borders were drawn? We revisit the chapter that changed the subcontinent.

3. India is a country of diversity it is also one of many names. While we cheer India, India when our sportspersons emerge victorious, we also chant Bharat Mata ki Jai when gripped in patriotic fervour. Often, we refer to it as Hindustan. This is a tale of the countrys many names.

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A giant screen displays Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Media Centre, as he sits behind the country tag that reads Bharat, during the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 9, 2023. Reuters

4. Stray dogs have been a big conversation in India this week. The Supreme Court, on August 11, directed the Delhi government, civic bodies, and authorities to start collecting these canines and shift them to shelters. Following the outrage, Chief Justice BR Gavai withdrew the case from the earlier bench and posted it for hearing before a three-judge special bench. It did not grant a stay on the directions issued to the municipal authorities. But why does the countrys top court want stray dogs to be rounded up from the streets? How will the Capital go about this, and how much could it cost?

5. While the Supreme Court order has sparked a big debate, one cannot ignore the menace linked to stray dogs. There has been a rise in attacks and a spike in rabies. It might be time to look elsewhere for inspiration. While Bhutan achieved full sterilisation of its strays in 2023, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to eliminate its stray dog population without resorting to mass euthanasia. Here are the success stories.

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6. The coming week will be an important one for Indian diplomacy. Amid unease with Washington over the tariffs, New Delhi seems to be inching closer to Beijing and Moscow. Chinas Foreign Minister will be visiting the Indian capital on Monday, soon after which External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be heading to Moscow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to China soon, and Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later this year. Heres why these visits matter.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on Monday ahead of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars visit to Moscow. File photo/AP

7. The American dream is becoming more and more distant. A major change in the US immigration policy, which came into effect on August 15, could affect thousands of children. Those born to Green Card holders may lose their protected immigration status once they turn 21. Indians are worried about the change. We tell you why.

8. Tragedy struck a remote village in Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district on Thursday (14 August). A massive cloud burst in Chasoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple, claimed more than 60 lives, with dozens still missing. But whats a cloud burst, and why was the one that hit the J&K village so deadly? This story answers the questions.

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Household goods are strewn around next to buildings damaged by flash floods in Chositi village, Kishtwar district of Kashmir, on Friday. AP

That is all from us this week. If you are hooked to the news, you will find more such explainers here.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska, for their first face-to-face talks since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. While both leaders claimed progress, no ceasefire or deal was announced. The summit gave Putin symbolic wins and Trump political leverage, but left Volodymyr Zelenskyy sidelined

US President Donald Trump goes to shake hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, US, August 15, 2025. Reuters

The meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday marked the first in-person engagement between American and Russian leaders since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

Expectations were high that the summit might at least produce a framework for a ceasefire or set the stage for substantive negotiations.

Instead, the talks concluded earlier than planned and without a definitive agreement.

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Both leaders highlighted progress, but neither specified what that meant, leaving observers and allies uncertain about what, if anything, had been achieved.

The summit carried strong symbolic weight  bringing Putin back onto US soil after years of isolation and providing Trump with another opportunity to assert his foreign policy approach.

Yet the lack of concrete outcomes put into spotlight the lack of will in reaching a settlement to the ongoing war.

Trump set the stage in Alaska

The Anchorage summit was carefully choreographed, with fighter jet flyovers, a red carpet welcome, and the slogan Pursuing Peace displayed prominently.

For Trump, it was a chance to showcase statesmanship, while for Putin, the optics of being received with honours in the United States after years of pariah status represented a personal and diplomatic triumph.

Putins last visit to the US had taken place a decade earlier. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he had been effectively excluded from most Western capitals, with the International Criminal Court even issuing an arrest warrant against him.

Anchorage was chosen partly because the United States is not an ICC member, eliminating the risk of complications linked to that warrant.

Yet even as the two men exchanged smiles on the tarmac at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Ukraine remained under assault. Reports of incoming Russian drones and aircraft were issued as the summit began.

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Inside the closed-door talks between Trump & Putin

Originally planned as a one-on-one session with only interpreters present, the meetings format was altered at the last moment.

Instead, each side brought two senior aides into the room. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff joined Trump, while Putin was also flanked by top officials.

The White House provided no detailed explanation for this change, but it likely aimed to ensure clarity on commitments and prevent ambiguity that had surrounded Trumps private meetings with Putin during his first term.

The discussion reportedly lasted just under three hours  shorter than anticipated  and ended without the ceasefire Trump had demanded in the run-up to the talks.

While both leaders emerged declaring that they had agreed on many issues, neither identified what those were.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said afterwards.

There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

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Putin echoed the sentiment, saying the two sides had agreed to pave the path towards peace in Ukraine, but provided no further clarity.

The missing Ukraine ceasefire

Throughout the weeks leading up to Anchorage, Trump had pointed out that a ceasefire was non-negotiable for a deal.

He suggested he would walk away if Putin did not agree to halt hostilities, even threatening severe consequences if the war dragged on. Yet by the end of the summit, no such outcome was announced.

In fact, Trump shifted responsibility toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stressing in interviews after the summit that Kyiv had to accept difficult compromises.

Gotta make a deal, Trump said when asked what advice he had for Zelenskyy.

He indicated that discussions about potential territorial adjustments and US security guarantees had occurred and that those are points that we largely have agreed on.

This stance contrasted sharply with the Biden administrations approach, which had pushed unwavering military and financial support for Ukraine while insisting on Kyivs sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Putins victories

While Anchorage did not deliver a peace deal, it represented a significant win for Putin on multiple fronts.

First, his return to the US was in itself a breakthrough. Russian state television celebrated the handshake with Trump on the tarmac as historic, portraying it as evidence that Moscow had reemerged on the global stage despite Western attempts to isolate it.

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Second, Putin left Alaska without offering any notable concessions. Instead, he reinforced his personal rapport with Trump, a relationship the American president described as consistently fantastic.

Third, Putin secured favourable public messaging. He praised Trump, declaring that he could confirm the US presidents claim that Russia would not have launched its 2022 invasion if Trump had been in office at the time.

Such remarks bolstered Trumps narrative while simultaneously justifying Moscows past actions in the eyes of Russian audiences.

The Russian leader also scored a more personal victory: joining Trump in the armoured presidential limousine known as the Beast.

Their brief ride together  without aides or translators  became a symbolic image of trust and camaraderie, though its contents remain unknown.

After years of being shunned in Europe and facing sanctions, restrictions, and legal threats, Putin was once again shaking hands with the leader of the worlds most powerful nation.

Trumps choice to host him  and to do so with military honours, a red carpet, and public warmth  weakened the Western effort to diplomatically isolate Moscow.

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Even if other European leaders remain unwilling to engage, the fact that Washington opened its doors carries far greater weight internationally.

This rehabilitation was evident from Putins demeanour. Smiling broadly as he peered from Trumps limousine, his reentry onto the world stage was unmistakable.

Trumps political gains

Trump may not have returned from Anchorage with a ceasefire, but he did extract political value from the event.

The summit provided a platform for him to denounce once again the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Standing alongside Putin, he dismissed it as a hoax and portrayed both leaders as victims of unfair scrutiny.

Additionally, Trump gained momentum for his foreign policy agenda by positioning himself as the only Western leader capable of bringing Putin to the negotiating table.

Even the absence of a concrete deal allowed him to argue that progress had been made and that further meetings could eventually deliver results.

The idea of a follow-up summit in Moscow highlighted this point. When Putin suggested Next time in Moscow in English, Trump responded with interest: Oooh, thats an interesting one. I dont know, Ill get a little heat on that one. But I could see it possibly happening.

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If realised, such a visit would be the first by a US president to Russia since Barack Obama attended the 2013 G20 summit in St Petersburg.

Ukraine and Zelenskyy?

The person most directly affected by the summit  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  was not invited to Anchorage. Trump said he would call Zelenskyy and Nato leaders afterward to provide a readout.

Zelenskyy, addressing his nation just before the summit began, voiced scepticism about Moscows intentions.

The war continues, and it is precisely because there is neither an order nor a signal that Moscow is preparing to end this war, he said. On the day of negotiations, they are killing, as well. And that speaks volumes.

On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes. Recently, weve discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end, pic.twitter.com/tmN8F4jDzl  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2025

In interviews after the summit, Trump suggested there could eventually be a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, potentially with himself present. They both want me there, and Ill be there, he told Fox News.

Yet the Anchorage summit made clear that under current conditions.

His suggestion to host Trump in Moscow, pointedly excluded the mention of the Ukrainian leader.

The summits key takeaways can be summarised as follows:

No ceasefire : Despite Trumps insistence before the meeting, fighting in Ukraine continues.

Symbolic gains for Putin : His return to U.S. soil marked a diplomatic breakthrough.

Political opportunities for Trump : He used the event to dismiss past investigations and strengthen his image as a dealmaker.

Uncertainty for Ukraine : Zelenskyy remains under pressure to make a deal, while Moscow shows no sign of halting military operations.

Possibility of further talks: Putin invited Trump to Moscow, raising the stakes for future negotiations.

The Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin may not have produced a breakthrough, but it was nonetheless significant.

For now, the world is left with Trumps own words: Theres no deal until theres a deal.

With inputs from agencies
The UK is battling its worst water crisis in nearly 50 years, and authorities are urging citizens to save water in unexpected ways  including deleting old emails and photos. With drought declared across several regions, officials say small actions, with major infrastructure fixes, can ease pressure on rivers, reservoirs and water supplies

A man walks along the dry river bed of the River Derwent after a prolonged period of dry weather in Seathwaite, UK, June 18, 2023. File Image/Reuters

The United Kingdom (UK) is confronting one of its most severe water shortages in decades.

With much of England in drought and reservoir levels continuing to fall, the government and water regulators are calling on citizens to rethink their daily habits.

Among the steps being promoted is a surprising one: clearing out old emails and photos stored online.

Worst dry spell since the 1970s

Data from the UKs Met Office shows that the country has experienced its driest January-to-July period since 1976.

Five areas of England are formally designated as being in drought, while six others are enduring what officials term prolonged dry weather.

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These conditions have persisted despite sporadic rainfall and unsettled weather patterns in recent months.

Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, the East Midlands, and the West Midlands are all classified as drought zones.

Other regions, including the Northeast, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, East Anglia, Thames, Wessex, Solent, and South Downs, are facing sustained dryness and could tip into official drought if conditions persist.

The country has been hit by multiple heatwaves, with August marking the fourth of the summer.

Dr Will Lang, Chief Meteorologist at the UK Met Office, explained that parts of southern England have recorded temperatures in the mid-30s Celsius, putting pressure on already stretched water supplies.

July this year ranked as the fifth warmest July on record, and while heavy showers provided temporary relief in some places, they failed to offset the long-term decline in river flows and reservoir reserves.

How UK is coping with the crisis

To cope with the worsening situation, water restrictions have been imposed across a wide area. Hosepipe bans remain in force for Yorkshire Water customers and apply to parts of the Thames Water, South East Water, and Southern Water networks.

These restrictions are aimed at curbing non-essential use and prioritising water for households and essential services.

The National Drought Group (NDG)  which brings together the Environment Agency, the Met Office, regulators, government departments, and water utilities  has expressed gratitude to the public for following the rules where they are enforced.

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We are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to conserve water in these dry conditions, said Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency.

Wakeham emphasised the importance of community participation in conservation efforts: Simple, everyday choices  such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails  also really help the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife.

How digital storage is linked to water

The inclusion of digital behaviour in water-saving advice reflects the massive scale of resource consumption tied to data centres. Every email, photo, and file stored online requires energy for servers to operate, and that energy demand, in turn, carries a water cost.

An Oxford University study estimated that a single 1-megawatt data centre can consume around 26 million litres of water per year through cooling processes alone.

This water is used to prevent server overheating, often through evaporative cooling systems that spray or evaporate water to lower temperatures. Facilities that rely on such systems can evaporate millions of litres annually.

The water footprint extends beyond direct cooling. Electricity generation itself consumes significant quantities of water, whether through steam-driven turbines at fossil fuel plants, nuclear reactors requiring cooling towers, or hydroelectric stations managing reservoirs.

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The energy used by data centres indirectly adds to the overall demand on water resources.

An August 13 press release from the National Drought Group highlighted the reality that every click, photo, and email stored online has a hidden water cost  data may be digital, but its footprint is deeply physical.

Why AI-data centres are central to the call

The UK has seen delays in the construction of some data centres due to constraints in the electricity grid, pointing out the enormous energy requirements of these facilities.

Cooling systems not only place pressure on water supplies but also raise concerns about emissions and air quality.

Globally, data centre expansion has already caused local tensions. In Newton County, Georgia, in the United States, a Meta-operated data centre reportedly accounts for around 10 percent of the areas total daily water usage, reported Tech Republic.

Residents have complained of such severe water pressure problems that some cannot sell their homes to relocate.

The issue is compounded by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, which relies heavily on data processing power. AI systems require vast amounts of electricity, and keeping the associated servers cool consumes yet more water.

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The UK government has launched its AI Opportunities Action Plan, promoting adoption in the public sector and investing in infrastructure, including the construction of what will be Europes largest data centre in Hertfordshire.

Partnerships with OpenAI and NVIDIA form part of this strategy, but the environmental costs are significant.

Controversy over deleting emails & photos

The suggestion that individuals delete emails and photos has faced pushback from some experts who argue the effect is negligible. Analysis shows that a 75-kilobyte email consumes a tiny fraction of energy to remain stored  translating to approximately one-thousandth of a millilitre of water per month.

Deleting emails or photos, especially if it involves extensive searching and device usage, may actually use more energy than leaving them archived in a dormant state.

Nonetheless, the government and regulators maintain that collective action is important. Encouraging digital clean-ups is seen as part of a wider effort to raise awareness about the hidden resource demands of the online world.

The criticism has not gone unnoticed, but authorities continue to focus on the symbolic and educational value of linking digital consumption to real-world water use.

Traditional conservation measures remain vital

While attention has been drawn to the digital sphere, conventional water-saving steps remain central to the response. The UK National Drought Group has advised households to:

Fix leaking toilets, which can waste between 200 and 400 litres of water per day.

Collect rainwater for outdoor use.

Reuse household water for plants.

Limit lawn watering and car washing.

Turn off taps while brushing teeth.

Take shorter showers.

In addition to public action, water companies have committed over 700 million over the next five years to address leakage in supply networks.

The UK Environment Agency has increased compliance checks on businesses and utilities to ensure that official drought plans are being followed.

Despite the challenges, conservation messages have shown measurable results.

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The UK National Drought Group reported that in the Severn Trent region, water demand dropped by 20 percent from a July 11th peak after targeted communication campaigns encouraged residents to save water.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
Chronic venous insufficiency is often mistaken for normal ageing in seniors, delaying treatment and leading to ulcers, skin damage and mobility loss. Firstpost brings out experts views on how CVI differs from varicose veins, the warning signs, lifestyle risks and effective management options for Indias ageing population.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a progressive condition where leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart, is often dismissed as a natural part of ageing. In Indias rapidly ageing population, the disorder frequently goes unnoticed until it leads to severe complications such as painful ulcers, skin damage, and mobility loss. Symptoms like swollen ankles, leg heaviness, and cramps are often mistaken for arthritis or the normal wear and tear of old age, delaying timely diagnosis and treatment.

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Dr Sachin Mittal, Associate Clinical Director & HOD of Robotic, MI, Bariatric & General Surgery, Marengo Asia Hospitals (Faridabad) talked to Firstpost to shed light on how CVI differs from varicose veins, why it is often underdiagnosed in seniors and the steps needed to manage and prevent its complications.

What exactly is chronic venous insufficiency and how is it different from common varicose veins?

Dr Mittal: Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins of the legs are unable to efficiently return blood to the heart. This results in blood gathering in the legs (pooling), sometimes nasty swelling, and other skin changes. Varicose veins are twisted and dilated veins on the surface skin and can indicate serious or relatively mild CVI. Just to simplify things, varicose veins are what can be seen, but CVI shows a more serious and long-standing change in function of the vein.

Why is CVI often underdiagnosed in seniors and what signs are usually mistaken as normal aging?

Dr Mittal: CVI is frequently under diagnosed in the elderly population, partly because the first signs - leg heaviness, swelling, cramping, and fatigue are mistaken as natural aging or conditions related to arthritis. Many elderly patients think that ankle swelling, or slow healing wounds, is normal. This delay in treatment can lead to ulceration and other significant consequences.

When an elderly patient presents with swollen ankles. How do you differentiate CVI from heart, kidney or liver-related edema ?

Dr Mittal: CVI results in worsening ankle swelling after prolonged standing in a vertical position and improvement with leg elevation. It is frequently asymmetric, and skin changes may be evident, such as darkening of the skin and varicose vein changes. Heart failure results in bilateral swelling with breathlessness, kidney disease commonly presents with puffiness around the eyes and other areas. Liver disease is complicated with abdominal ascites. A careful history, physical examination, and doppler ultrasound can help distinguish venous swelling from systemic organ-specific swelling.

What visible skin changes in older adults point toward CVI, and how serious are they?

Dr Mittal: This means dark brown pigmentation around the ankles, itching like eczema, thickened leathery skin, and white scar-like patches referred to as atrophie blanche. If not identified and treated at this stage, venous ulcers will develop, and they will be painful and slow healing. This means there is ongoing, chronic damage to tissues and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues. If left untreated, it may result in significant reductions in mobility, chronic infection, and impairment to the quality of life of older adults.

Can lifestyle factors like obesity, inactivity, or prolonged standing increase the risk or worsen CVI in seniors?

Dr Mittal: Yes, lifestyle factors play a significant role in CVI. Obesity increases venous pressure, inactivity leads to calf muscle pump dysfunction, and prolonged standing or sitting leads to blood pooling in the legs. For older adults, these factors trigger further vascular damage making symptoms, such as swelling or pain, exponentially worse. Promotion of walking daily, leg elevation, weight control and reducing long duration postures can greatly slow progression.

How effective is compression therapy in elderly patients and what challenges do you see with its use in India?

Dr Mittal: Compression stockings are very useful for reducing swelling, improving circulation and preventing ulcerations in older adults with CVI, but there are some barriers in India such as a lack of awareness, financial issues, difficulty putting the stockings on due to arthritis or frailty, and low compliance in the hot months. Many elderly abandon the therapy entirely because of being uncomfortable.

When should treatment shift from conservative methods to procedures like ablation or sclerotherapy in older patients?

Dr Mittal: If, after conservative treatment including compression, exercise and medication, are not controlling symptoms, or if there are ulcers, recurrent infections, or intolerable pain, then an intervention is warranted. There are minimally invasive interventions such as endovenous ablation, sclerotherapy, and vein stripping which can be considered even in older adults, if cardiac and renal function allow. The decision hinges on weighing the potential improvement in quality of life versus the risks of the procedure and other risks associated with elderly patients.

What role do venoactive drugs or supplements play in managing CVI in seniors?

Dr Mittal: Venoactive agents such as micronized diosmin or the plant derived flavonoids help reduce swelling, heaviness and nocturnal cramps in the legs by strengthening the existing venous walls and enhancing lymphatic drainage. They do not cure any disorder but only support the effects of compression. For elderly people who cannot tolerate stockings, venoactive agents are used to manage the symptoms.

Should vascular screening after 70 be made a routine for older adults.

Dr Mittal: Regular vascular screening beyond age 70 could detect chronic venous insufficiency sooner, before ulcers or other bad outcomes develop, with simple tests like Doppler, which can determine venous reflux or obstruction with timely treatment available. The results are a reduction in disability, fewer hospitalizations, and many more quality of life outcomes. Early detection is also important to determine if venous swelling is SEO to other problems, heart, renal, or liver, assuring that the senior is receiving the best management plan.

What policy or public health measure would most effectively reduce the burden of CVI in Indias aging population?

Dr Mittal: The best practice would be to employ a multidisciplinary approach by incorporating venous health into geriatric screening programs and primary health care systems. Public information campaigns aimed at informing older adults, making compression stockings affordable through public health plans, and training family physicians to recognise CVI early would help to reduce the burden. Also, developing programs to promote physical activity in older adults, such as yoga and walking clubs would contribute to the prevention of the disease burden related to CVI.
Shukla spent 20 days at the International Space Station as part of the mission, a feat that was hailed as historic in India. He posted about his homecoming on Instagram, accompanied by an emotional caption. During his time in space, Shukla conducted seven India-specific experiments

Indian astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on his way back home and will arrive in India on August 17. This is the first time in nearly a year that Shukla will be returning to India after he left for the US to train for the Axiom-4 mission.

Shukla spent 20 days at the International Space Station as part of the mission, a feat that was hailed as historic in India. He posted about his homecoming on Instagram, accompanied by an emotional caption. During his time in space, Shukla conducted seven India-specific experiments.

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As I sit on the plane to come back to India I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is - everything all at once, he said.

India reportedly spent Rs 548 crore for Shuklas seat, as part of the Gaganyaan mission, which has a total budget of Rs 20,000 crore aimed at sending three astronauts into low Earth orbit following a series of uncrewed test flights.

The ambitious program aims to send an Indian astronaut into space aboard an Indian rocket, launched from Indian soil, using entirely indigenous technology. If successful, India would become only the fourth country in the world to achieve this milestone, after Russia (then the USSR), the United States, and China. China reached this milestone in 2003, and no other nation has done so since using its own technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Shuklas successful journey to space as he announced the creation of Indias own space station as part of the self-reliance push in his Independence Day speech.

Indias space ambitions have expanded significantly in recent years, with milestones such as the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and the launch of the Aditya-L1 solar mission. These achievements not only demonstrate technological capability but also position India as a competitive force in global space exploration. The government continues to promote private sector involvement and international collaboration to accelerate innovation and expand the nations presence in space.
Listening to the prime ministers speech from the ramparts of Red Fort Friday on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, his longest address so far at 103 minutes, it was hard not to feel a sense of understated foreboding.

Narendra Modi has evidently reached a conclusion that ties with the United States  critical for Indias economic development through enhanced trade, investment, and technology exchange  are unlikely to see any immediate improvement. It may turn even more hostile, putting at risk the growth prospects of 1.4 billion people.

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The partnership with the US is crucial, because it boosts market access for Indian goods and services, attracts American investment, and supports critical sectors such as information technology, defence, and critical and emerging technology. Unfortunately, the geopolitical sweet spot that gave India that opportunity, is over.

In a stunning reversal of global dynamics, India has become Donald Trumps primary target, as if it is New Delhi that has waged a war on Ukraine. Trump has unleashed a trade war against India, and by imposing an additional 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil (for a cumulative 50% levy) the US president has made India the pawn in his game of one-upmanship over Vladimir Putin. He and his cabinet members are promising even greater punishment for India if talks fail in Alaska.

Leaving aside Trumps penchant for using Americas commercial leverage to achieve geopolitical goals, this case hits different. If secondary sanctions on Russia to make Putin arrive at a ceasefire is Trumps aim, he would have equally penalised China, the top buyer of Russian oil, Turkiye, the third highest customer of Russian fuel, and Europe, the top buyer of Russian natural gas.

The targeting of India and savaging of the relationship is more personal and feral for Trump, who appears to be mighty displeased with New Delhis refusal to accept the lie that Trump engineered the India-Pakistan ceasefire.

Deeper still lies Indias rejection of Trumps extractive terms during trade talks that would have required India to expose its vulnerable agriculture and dairy sectors to American agrobusinesses and conglomerates, and refusal to buckle under the US presidents extreme pressure tactics. The result has been a relationship collapse without a floor to arrest the fall.

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From the prime ministers vantage point, the development couldnt be more disadvantageous for India. Trumps trade war practically nukes Indias access to the American market, and since Trumps antagonism borders on obsessive and paranoic, no rational trade-off may provide a remedy.

It means that in the near to medium term, at the very least till Trump remains in Oval Office, there is little prospect of a detente. On top of it, the US president is leaning heavily towards a compact with China and appears to be giving the US Indo-Pacific strategy a quiet burial.

In this context, hemmed in by Trumps punishing tariffs and a bleak outlook, Modis speech on Friday was stunning in its sweep, expansive in approach, unflinching in conviction and unbound by difficulties. His address exhorted India to become resilient, dig deeper, achieve self-reliance to meet development goals and be unbending before adversity.

This was an address for the ages. The temptation must have been great for the prime minister to throw in the towel before Trumps aggressive pressure campaign simply because of the gamut of issues that are at stake. In a world marked by chaos, unpredictability and disorder, placed in a situation where choices range from bad to sub-optimal, Modi showed that India has chosen sovereignty over suzerainty. That is more spine than all of Americas treaty allies put together.

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The speech had the audacity of ambition, the strength and resolve to go after the ambition, and the roadmap to achieve the ambition. In many ways, while the prime minister asked Indians to tighten their seat belts for tougher times ahead, he also showed the way to emerge stronger from it.

While Modi urged India to enhance its capabilities, use self-reliance as a bedrock to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, become self-sufficient in producing energy, achieve clean energy targets, make semiconductor chips, build own fighter jet engines, put more energy into research and development, take giant strides in the fields of operating systems, cyber security, deep tech or artificial intelligence  the message carried an underlying theme of positivity.

He called on Indians to achieve greatness without diminishing someones capabilities. He said, it remains our responsibility not to waste our energy on diminishing someone elses achievements I say this let us not expend our energy in undermining others; instead, we must devote our entire energy to improving our own abilities and achievements. When we grow and excel, the world will acknowledge our worth.

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Modis comments were in stark contrast with Pakistani military dictators Asim Munirs quips in Tampa, Florida, where he compared his own country with a dump truck that would clash and wreck Indias shiny Merc on the highway. It goes to show the paucity of ambition that plagues Pakistan, a country that would rather derail India than stitch its own growth story.

Modis larger message was for Trump. He didnt refer to the US president by name and refrained from making a direct reference to the fallout with the US, but the insistence on lowering Indias dependence on external actors and insulating India from the headwinds of a protectionist global economy was clear. The prime minister asked Indians not to grieve over the lost opportunities, but to create new ones.

Today, when economic self-interest is growing across the globe, the demand of the hour is that we must not sit lamenting over crises. With courage, we must strive to enhance our own strength and standing. And from my 25 years of administrative experience, I can say thisif we choose this path, and if everyone chooses it, then no selfish interest will ever be able to entrap us.

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The steel in his speech was evident when Modi obliquely referred to the trade war, Trumps pressure campaign to crack open Indias agriculture and dairy sectors, and his escalation of tariffs on Indian exports. Modi reiterated his resolve to not negotiate any deal that compromises farmers, especially in the face of aggressive trade demands.

Indias farmers, cattle rearers, fishermen, these are our biggest priorities. Modi is standing like a wall against any harmful policy related to the farmers of India, the fishermen of India and the cattle rearers of India. India will never accept any compromise regarding its farmers, its livestock farmers, its fishermen.

There are three broad brush strokes that emerge from Modis speech apart from the overwhelming theme of self-reliance, which he said was an essential condition in Indias goal to become a developed nation by 2047.

The first is aspirational. Modi promised that breaking out of the inertia of the past, where we lost 50-60 years by aborting the development of semiconductors, India has now started working in mission mode. Six different semiconductor units are taking shape on the ground, and we have already given the green signal to four new units. By the end of this year, said the prime minister, the first Made in India chip, manufactured in Bharat by the people of Bharat, will be rolled out.

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The prime minister said instead of being reliant on imported fuel, a compulsion that has pushed India into geopolitical complexities and is costing us a lot of money, the focus should be on clean energy.

He said with Mission Green Hydrogen, Bharat is today investing thousands of crores of rupees. Keeping in mind the future of energy, Bharat is also undertaking major initiatives in nuclear energy. In the field of nuclear energy, 10 new reactors are progressing rapidly.

India is also launching National Deep Water Exploration Mission to explore underwater oil and gas reserves.

The second is security, which Modi said is an essential condition for prosperity. He announced a change in Indias doctrine on terrorism and warned Pakistan of grave consequences if it tries another nuclear blackmail.

Reliving the painful memories of Operation Sindoor, he said, We have established a new normal: those who nurture and harbour terrorism, and those who empower terrorists, will no longer be seen as separate Bharat has now decided that we will no longer tolerate these nuclear threats. The nuclear blackmail that has gone on for so long will no longer be endured. If our enemies continue this attempt in the future, our army will decide on its own terms, at the time of its choosing, in the manner it deems fit, and target the objectives it selects and we will act accordingly. We will give a fitting and crushing response.

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Calling Operation Sindoor a demonstration of Indias strategic autonomy and indigenous capabilities, key to tackle external threats, Modi announced the launch of Sudarshan Chakra Mission, that in 10 years from now will provide impregnable security cover through new platforms of technology to all the important places of the nation, which include strategic as well as civilian areas, like hospitals, railways, any centre of faith, etc.

The details of the project arent clear at this stage, but the motive is. It is to protect the capabilities that India will build to move forward.

Finally, from the ramparts of Red Fort, the prime minister for the first time mentioned attempted demographic change in India, especially in the border regions, as a pacing threat and deliberate conspiracy to alter the countrys demography.

He said illegal infiltration is snatching away the livelihoods of our youth. These infiltrators are targeting our sisters and daughters. This will not be tolerated. These infiltrators are misleading innocent tribals and seizing their lands. The nation will not endure this.

The High-Power Demography Mission announced by Modi seeks to address a crisis that weakens India from within and hinders the countrys capabilities to deal with external threats.

At a time when India faces intense geopolitical headwinds, and yet must keep its growth steady if not push higher to achieve the Viksit Bharat goals that it has set for itself, Modis speech provides the roadmap for the tricky time ahead: through self-reliance, innovation, and empowerment.

For a country that boasts of a consumer market which is among the worlds largest and fastest-growing, and is expected to reach $4 trillion by the end of 2025 behind only the US and China, India does not need to lose sleep over external threats or tariffs.

It must seize the moment, build everything from jet engines to semiconductors, and emerge as a self-confident, self-reliant nation. That, in essence is Modis homework for India.

The writer is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets as @sreemoytalukdar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang held talks in Hanoi on August 15 with Cuban Minister of the Interior Major General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas, as the two sides reaffirmed their special friendship and discussed measures to deepen cooperation, particularly in cybersecurity.

On behalf of the Central Public Security Party Committee and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Quang warmly welcomed Alvarez Casas and the Cuban delegation to Vietnam for the celebration of the 80th traditional day of the Peoples Public Security Force.

Quang stressed the special friendship and solidarity between the two Parties, States and people of the two nations, affirming Vietnams consistent stance of supporting the just cause of the Cuban Party and people in updating their socialist socio-economic model. He reiterated Vietnams readiness to share renewal experience and boost economic, trade and investment ties, especially cooperation in food supply and production in Cuba.

The Vietnamese minister acknowledged the challenges facing Cuba and expressed his confidence that, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba headed by First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel, the Cuban people would overcome all difficulties and achieve greater victories.

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang and Cuban Minister of the Interior Major General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas (two in the middle) witness the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control under Vietnams Ministry of Public Security and the General Directorate of Counterintelligence under the Cuban Ministry of the Interior on Aug. 15, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Public Security

Quang said he had instructed relevant MPS units to implement agreements reached between the two sides, focusing on personnel training for the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, drafting a bilateral cybersecurity cooperation document, promoting collaboration in biotechnology and healthcare, completing procedures for launching a medical science research center, and exploring agricultural cooperation to help Cuba gradually secure self-sufficiency.



The two ministers agreed with the substantive, concise but comprehensive assessments of the bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba and the relationship between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Cuban Ministry of Interior given by Alvarez Casas.

They recognized the importance of maintaining regular delegation exchanges and expanding collaboration into areas such as prison management, training, professional expertise sharing, and equipment support for national security protection.



To effectively carry out the directions agreed by Party General Secretary To Lam and First Secretary, President Diaz-Canel during the Vietnamese leaders visit to Cuba in September 2024, Quang suggested increasing the exchange of high-level and working-level delegations to share experience, study each others capabilities and strengths, and propose cooperative solutions.

He underlined the need to strengthen security cooperation, share experience in safeguarding internal political security, and combat plots and activities aimed at undermining the revolution. The two sides should also promote the exchange of information and deploy joint operational plans, thereby enhancing their national positions and promoting the steadfast VietnamCuba relationship on the international arena.

Quang highlighted priority cooperation areas, including the fight against organized crime, transnational crime, high-tech crime, terrorism, human trafficking, crimes in trade and tourism, emerging criminal activities, and non-traditional security threats. He also emphasized economic cooperation, particularly supporting Cuba's agricultural development and transferring biomedical technology to Vietnam.

Alvarez Casas affirmed that the special friendship and solidarity between Cuba and Vietnam is a shared treasure nurtured by generations and Cuba treasures Vietnams unwavering support for its revolutionary cause, especially during difficult times caused by embargo. He expressed his confidence that the measures agreed at the talks would be implemented effectively, further deepening ties between the two ministries and the two countries.



Following the talks, the two ministers witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control under Vietnams Ministry of Public Security and the General Directorate of Counterintelligence under the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, marking a new step forward in cybersecurity cooperation.
Trump sought a personal wina headline-grabbing breakthrough he could sell at home; though the optics were managed to portray warmth and progress, but in substance, he leaves Alaska with neither a deal with Putin nor increased diplomatic leverage

The Alaska summit was billed as a possible turning point in the RussiaUkraine war; instead, it was a carefully choreographed non-event. (Image: AFP)

The much-hyped Alaska meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded with no ceasefire, no agreement, and no concrete pathway toward ending the RussiaUkraine war. For all the showmanshipa warm tarmac greeting, twin handshakes, and a joint limo ridethe summit produced little more than vague assurances, cryptic references to progress, and a reminder that when it comes to this war, theres no deal until theres a deal.

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Outcome: All Optics, No Substance

After nearly three hours behind closed doors, Trump conceded, We didnt get there, before exiting without taking questions. His earlier claim that there was only a 25 per cent chance of failure now looks like a self-inflicted blow to his credibility as a self-styled peacemaker and dealmaker.

Putin described himself as sincerely interested in ending what he called a tragedy but offered no specifics. He warned against sabotage by Ukraine and Europe and insisted that primary causes of the conflict must be addressedKremlin code for its longstanding demands on arresting Nato expansion and ensuring territorial recognition of the territory gained. Apparently Putin did not compromise on any of his demands and handled Trump with his vast diplomatic experience, leaving a window for further talks.

Trump, for his part, said, Many points were agreed to, but admitted that one significant disagreement remained, without disclosing what it was. His pledge to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders soon was small consolation to Kyiv, which had been excluded from the talks. Putins parting wordsNext time in Moscowhinted at a possible sequel, but theres no sign of a trilateral summit involving Ukraine.

War Aims and Strategic Calculus

Russias goals have been consistent since the beginning and were not compromised, namely: solidify territorial control over captured regions, prevent Natos eastward expansion, no Nato membership for Ukraine, no militarisation of Ukraine and secure sanctions relief. The Alaska summit was an opportunity to appear diplomatic without making binding concessions.

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Kyiv insisted on restoring territorial integrity and rejecting any land-for-peace swaps. Zelenskyy will find some consolation there, as his land was not swapped, although no agreement on a ceasefire will not reduce his pain.

Trump sought a personal wina headline-grabbing breakthrough he could sell at home. The optics were managed to portray warmth and progress, but in substance, he leaves Alaska with neither a deal nor increased diplomatic leverage.

Pre-Negotiation Positions

Russia entered willing to talk ceasefire terms but only under conditions preserving military gains. It exhibited strategic maturity by not responding to President Trumps rhetoric of severe consequences if no ceasefire but stuck to its position. Ukraine was opposed to any talks that exclude Kyiv and refused concessions on sovereignty and territorial integrity, which made the ceasefire prospects near impossible.

The US pursued exploratory diplomacy, with Trump hinting at creative solutionsincluding unspecified compromisesthat alarmed some allies. During the pre-negotiation stage, Trumps stance was inconsistent between pragmatism, rhetoric, the influence of the US deep state and last-day pressure from European counterparts and Ukraine. Putin thus entered the negotiations from a position of strength with clarity on the outcome.

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Implications of Failure

For Ukraine, the inconclusive outcome is a mixed blessingno dangerous unilateral deal, but also no relief from daily shelling. For Russia, the meeting offered propaganda value: Putin stood beside the US president as an equal, reinforcing his legitimacy on the world stage. For Trump, the optics of coming home empty-handed after promising a breakthrough will sting. The 25 per cent failure threshold he set has become a self-own, inviting criticism from both allies and adversaries. Internationally, the summit leaves the war right where it wasgrinding on in the trencheswhile signalling that Washington is willing to engage Moscow directly, even without Ukraine in the room. That precedent could shape future diplomacy in ways that European members of Nato and Kyiv may find troubling.

Whats Next?

The summit outcome doesnt stop Putin from continuing Russian aggression to improve ground position in its favour. The outcome could see intermittent backchannel talks and another high-profile but low-yield summit. The absence of a flawed deal could keep Nato unity intact with renewed pressure on sanctions and tariffs. The risk remains that repeated summits without progress may erode US credibility and give Moscow breathing space to regroup militarily.

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The dissatisfied Nato and Ukraine will expect President Trump to act on secondary tariffs, sanctions and military support to Ukraine, but that might jeopardise any undeclared gains in the Alaska Summit for President Trump, if there are any. Putins confidence in this summit is a direct reflection of his strong position on the battlefield, which gives him more leverage than Nato. Ukraine or Europe dont hold any card to dictate terms to Russia, and their position is unlikely to change without full support of the US.

Conclusion

The Alaska summit was billed as a possible turning point in the RussiaUkraine war; instead, it was a carefully choreographed non-event. Trumps showmanship produced good optics but no substance, Putin pocketed the legitimacy boost without paying in concessions, and Ukraine was left to watch from the sidelines. In diplomacy, sometimes no deal is better than a bad onebut for battered Ukraine, no deal also means no relief. The danger now is that repeated inconclusive engagements will normalise a frozen conflict, giving Moscow an edge earned by battlefield successes. For countries affected by secondary tariffs/sanctions, the risk remains!

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The author is a strategic and security analyst. He can be reached at Facebook and LinkedIn as Shashi Asthana, @asthana_shashi on Twitter, and personal site. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Great partnerships are built slowly and destroyed quickly. In torching trust for the sake of a few headlines and a Nobel nomination, Trump risks more than a temporary chill

Trump actions suggest a transactional mindset in which strategic relationships are subordinated to momentary political wins and rhetorical jabs. Representational image

In geopolitics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.  Lord Palmerston

From Warmth to Whiplash

Few bilateral relationships have been cultivated with more care over the last two decades than that between the United States and India. The strategic logic was clear: as Asias other democratic giant, India could help anchor an Indo-Pacific balance of power to check Chinas rise.

But President Donald Trump, in a matter of months, has managed to turn goodwill into suspicion. What began with a MAGA plus MIGA equals mega partnership in February has degenerated into public insults, punitive tariffs, and a humiliating tilt towards Pakistan.

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The consequences go well beyond bruised egos. They threaten to undo years of steady alignment between the two largest democracies, alignment that took decades to build and that the US can ill afford to squander.

The Tariff Hammer

Trumps decision to slap a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, then double it to 50 per cent, was framed as punishment for New Delhis continued imports of Russian oil. Yet the hypocrisy is glaring: China, Americas main strategic rival, buys far more Russian oil without incurring such penalties.

The presidents taunt They can take their dead economies down together was not only factually wrong (Indias economy is booming) but needlessly insulting. For India, it confirmed that Washingtons so-called strategic partnership can be tossed aside the moment it becomes inconvenient.

Lisa Curtis, a veteran South Asia hand who served on Trumps National Security Council, calls this approach mystifying and short-sighted. The words are diplomatic; the implications are blunt. This is self-sabotage.

Kashmir: The Breaking Point

If the tariffs soured the mood, the Kashmir episode poisoned it. In May, after a terrorist attack sparked tensions between India and Pakistan, the US quietly urged restraint, standard practice in such crises. But Trump couldnt resist claiming full credit, even boasting that he had threatened India to force a climbdown.

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This crossed a red line. India has never accepted third-party mediation on Kashmir. Modis government took the extraordinary step of publishing its call minutes with Trump, stressing at no point had there been mediation. Indian commentators called it typical Trump overreach.

The damage was compounded when Pakistan publicly praised Trumps peacemaking and even nominated him for the Nobel Prize he so covets. For New Delhi, the symbolism was clear: Washington had chosen public flattery from Islamabad over strategic discretion with India.

Playing Favourites

Soon after, Pakistan secured a tariff reduction from 29 per cent to 19 per cent. Indias rate stayed at 50 per cent. That sent a starker message than any speech: a supposed partner was punished harder than an adversary.

For many in Indias foreign policy establishment, this rekindled the suspicion that the US still sees South Asia primarily through a Pakistan-centric lens, a Cold War hangover they thought was long gone.

More Than Trade

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The damage isnt confined to tariffs and Kashmir. Indian students face increased harassment on American campuses under a tightening immigration regime. Deportations of undocumented Indians have spiked. Meanwhile, Trumps attendance at the upcoming Quad summit in India is now in doubt.

Curtis is unequivocal: Prime Minister Modi is just not going to trust President Trump anymore. Without personal trust, strategic logic will not hold the partnership together.

China and Russia Waiting in the Wings

It is naive to think India will simply pivot to Beijing. The two countries remain strategic rivals, with unresolved border disputes and conflicting ambitions in the Indian Ocean. But Modi is preparing to visit China for the first time in seven years, a signal that New Delhi is willing to thaw ties when it suits its interests.

Russia, meanwhile, remains a trusted partner in defence and energy. President Putins planned visit to India underscores Moscows enduring relevance. If Washington keeps pushing India away, it risks accelerating a Eurasian convergence that US strategists have spent decades trying to prevent.

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Strategy Demands Consistency

The US-India partnership was never about sentiment. It was built on shared interests, counterbalancing China, securing supply chains, and stabilising the Indo-Pacific. Such a partnership demands steadiness and respect for Indias strategic autonomy.

Trumps approach has been neither steady nor respectful. His actions suggest a transactional mindset in which strategic relationships are subordinated to momentary political wins and rhetorical jabs. That is not how great-power partnerships survive.

A Self-Inflicted Wound

Palmerstons maxim about permanent interests is more than a cynical quip; it is a warning. The US and India will always have differences, over trade, over Russia, over immigration. But these must be managed quietly, without public humiliation, if the broader strategic compact is to hold.

In torching trust for the sake of a few headlines and a Nobel nomination from Islamabad, Trump risks more than a temporary chill. He risks driving India to hedge harder with Beijing and Moscow, fracturing the delicate geometry of Asian geopolitics.

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Great partnerships are built slowly and destroyed quickly. Washington still has a narrow window to repair the damage. But if it fails, it will discover, too late, that India, once alienated, will not be easily won back.

Ashutosh Kumar Thakur is a Bengaluru-based management professional, literary critic, and Curator. He can be reached at ashutoshbthakur@gmail.com. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The US, apparently the worlds most powerful democracy, entirely ignores the fact that it is the Pakistani practices that are fuelling the Baloch insurgency. (Image: X@BalochYakjehtiC)

If you want to collapse in shock, read the latest gem from the US-Pakistan dialogue. This one is on counterterrorism and lauds Pakistans actions in such laudatory terms as to make any intelligence officer of any country feel sick. Regardless of reality, it seems Trumps United States is on a headlong path against India and, worse, against logic. It might be an attempt to wean the country away from China and drag it firmly into the US camp, or it could be just petty point scoring. Whatever the motives, the news is not good.

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The US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue

Consider the Joint Statement, which says, Both delegations underscored the critical importance of developing effective approaches to terrorist threats, including those posed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and applauded Pakistans continued successes in containing terrorist entities that pose a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world. Theres worse. The US expressed condolences for the loss of civilians and members of law enforcement agencies in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, including the barbaric Jaffar Express terrorist attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar.

There is nothing to indicate that the Jaffar bus attack killed innocent civilians, but the BLA did kill security forces and their colleagues in intelligence. True also, that the school bus attack in May 2025 was particularly horrifying. But the BLA is the last group ever to do such an attack on their own. It would set the Baloch against them, and they know it. Pakistans agencies are not below killing their own or even the Chinese. Remember the attack on the latter at Dasu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last year that killed five Chinese travelling to a power project site? That was blamed on the Pakistanis themselves, to get Beijing to put pressure on Afghanistan on the TTP. And it worked. Thats exactly what China did, pressuring Kabul to mend relations with Islamabad on May 21st post Sindoor, in an informal trilateral interaction.

Targeting Baloch

Now its the turn of the US. Its intelligence agencies are well aware of the fact that the Baloch have never ever targeted the US, not even when its logistics lines were going through their land to fight the mujahideen or later the Taliban. In fact, the odd reality is that the Majeed Brigade, now officially designated as a terrorist group, have only attacked the Chinese relentlessly for poaching on their land at the behest of the Punjabis. Logic demands that the US should quietly give them a hand against their sworn competitor. But it seems not to be. The farcical nature of the whole joint statement is apparent from the fact that the Pakistani signatory was Nabeel Munir, Special Secretary to the United Nations.

Not a single Pakistani counter-terrorism official or anyone from the Interior Ministry. Last years dialogue also had similar representation but was far less laudatory and more matter-of-fact. It also noted US training of Pakistani personnel on counterterrorism. Most importantly, the 2024 statement made no mention of the BLA, though it was designated as a terrorist group in 2019. This time the focus is almost entirely on it, with the TTP just an add-on.

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Accommodation of Pakistans Balochistan Narrative by the US

That is a worrying slide in policy, accommodating Pakistans frequent complaints of Indian backing of the Baloch resistance. The one and only evidence that Rawalpindi claims is the arrest of former navy officer Kulbushan Jadhav, who was kidnapped from Iran and brought into Pakistan and made to confess to various sins. Compare this to the available data on Pakistanis not in prison for terrorist activities, drug running and the like, but the hundreds of protests and agitations organised every year on Kashmir Solidarity Day or on any pretext whatsoever on Kashmir.

There has yet to be a single protest in India on Balochistan. The Indian public is largely ignorant of the serious Baloch crisis which has been brewing since Pakistans independence, with rebellion after rebellion leading to the kidnapping, torture and deaths of thousands. That includes entirely peaceful protestors like the charismatic Mehrang Baloch, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and now languishing in prison  with no access allowed to her family  and others like Mama Qadeer, leader of the Voice of Baloch, nominated for the Nelson Mandela peace award. Others, including their family members, lie incarcerated too.

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Yet, the US, apparently the worlds most powerful democracy, entirely ignores the fact that it is such Pakistani practices that are fuelling the Baloch insurgency. Even if a foreign power is training fighters, it cannot, by any stretch of the imagination or even with the largest purse, create the groundswell of support for the fighters among ordinary people.

Also Baloch insurgency has turned a page. It is no longer a platform for the somewhat elite tribal leaders. BLA fighters are heavily part of student organisations and carry those ideals with them that lie with the youth. Shari Baloch, the first female suicide bomber, was an academic with an M.Phil degree. An additional point the US agencies would obviously know. There is not a shred of obscurantism or extremism about the BLA.

US Motivation and Further

The question that then arises is US motivation for this unalloyed public support, with the State Department spokesperson reiterating the important role played by the US in ending the conflict while then referring to the USPakistan counterterrorism dialogue. But the curious part is that there isnt very much else. No great US financial largesse has come in. The F-16 package of $397 million is a technical package that also prevents these aircraft from being used against India. Neither have there been any weapons commitments  yet.

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Pakistan gets almost its entire weaponry from China, but it is parity with India that Pakistan craves, now that the Terrorist Resistance Front, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was designated by the US recently. There is another important aspect. It might also mean that US Central Command is legally free to act against BLAat least with intelligencemuch as it used its drones to kill TTP leaders, on Pakistans urging. This is dangerous stuff.

Meanwhile, the designation benefits China in multiple ways. As a commentator says, it will secure Chinese projects and deal a blow to India. The hope among Pakistanis and Chinese is that Trump will mentionat the very leastthat India is a state sponsor of terrorism. It could happen. So far it seems this is a personal grudge held by Trump against India because Delhi refuses to recognise a US role in ending the recent conflict or accept mediation. The latter is non-negotiable, and the State Department bureaucracy probably understands that. The former is a different thing altogether.

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Delhi could acknowledge that Islamabadas expectedwent running to the US the moment it faced serious damage to its installations. That has been true for almost every single conflict between the two. India should also have anticipated the Trump offer of mediation, given that he offered this to an exuberant Imran Khan in 2019. Pakistan took advantage of that. India got the bad guy image again, as Rawalpindi knew it would.

Time to change corners, as its going to be the Baloch who will suffer. Acknowledge the historical truth of the Pakistan army using the US for its own mischievous ends.

On no account must Islamabad be rewarded with mediation, simply because there is nothing to mediate. Especially since it has yet to detain or even mildly shake its finger at the many terrorists within its soil. Meanwhile, its time to name and shame. Get each terrorist into the limelight through media and diplomacy. Ramp up the terrorist dialogue. As the late strategic affairs analyst K Subramanyam used to say, even if one person listens, thats good enough.

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The author is Director (R&A) at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. She tweets @kartha_tara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Trump has once again claimed credit for preventing wars worldwide, including between India and Pakistan, after talks with Putin at Alaska summit.

US President Donald Trump gestures as he walks off stage following a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his claims of preventing wars across the globe, including between India and Pakistan, after his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He defended his administrations push for ceasefires in conflicts that, as Fox News host Sean Hannity noted, do not impact the United States as much as [they do] allies in Europe.

Trumps remarks came just hours after his much-anticipated meeting with Putin ended without any breakthrough on halting Moscows war in Ukraine.

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In an interview on Hannity, the Fox News primetime show, Trump was asked why he was devoting time and energy to disputes far from US shores.

Sean Hannity pressed him, This (Ukraine war) does not impact United States as much as it does our allies in Europe. But you are doing it anyway. Why?

Trump replied that his efforts were aimed at saving lives and preventing catastrophic escalation.

Number one, to save lives in all cases. Cause wars are wars. See what would have happened with Cambodia as an example. I was involved with negotiating a trade, Trump said.

He then claimed that a ceasefire between India and Pakistan would not have been possible without his involvement, a claim New Delhi has consistently denied.

Take a look at India and Pakistan. They were shooting down airplanes already. And that would have been maybe nuclear. I would have said it was gonna get nuclear, but I was able to get it done. Number one is lives, number two is everything else, Trump added.

Trump has often said that without his intervention, six major wars would have erupted worldwide. India would be fighting with Pakistan. You see what we did yesterday with two nations that we were trading with, he said, referring to the recent ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia after five days of border clashes that left at least 33 people dead.

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According to Trump, Washington pressured the two Southeast Asian nations by threatening to withhold trade deals unless they agreed to stop fighting. We got them settled in 24 hours, he said.

India rejects Trumps claims

Trumps comments once again clash with New Delhis repeated denials. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that the understanding with Pakistan was reached directly through talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs), without any US involvement.
Putin and Trumps meeting in Alaska failed to reach a breakthrough, pointing to areas of agreement and rekindling a friendship but offering no news on a ceasefire

US President Donald Trump walks to shake the hand of Russia's Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday. After a three-hour meeting, Trump said 'we didn't get there' on a Ukraine deal. AP

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had a great and very successful meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska, hours after the summit ended without yielding any positive results in reaching a ceasefire.

The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late-night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO, Trump said on Truth Social.

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Zelenskyy and Trump held an hour-long phone call after the Alaska Summit, during which the Ukrainian president told Potus that he would be visiting Washington on Monday.

Trump said, It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

What did Zelenskyy say?

Following the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, Zelenskyy wrote on X, Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation.

We had a long and substantive conversation with @POTUS. We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump.



Ukraine reaffirms pic.twitter.com/64IPVhtFaB  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 16, 2025

Trump spoke for more than an hour with Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Alaska Summit ends without a deal

Meanwhile, Putin and Trumps meeting in Alaska failed to reach a breakthrough, pointing to areas of agreement and rekindling a friendship but offering no news on a ceasefire.

After an abrupt ending to three hours of talks with aides, Trump and Putin offered warm words but took no questions from reporters  highly unusual for the media-savvy US president.

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Were not there yet, but weve made progress. Theres no deal until theres a deal, Trump said.

He called the meeting extremely productive with many points agreed, although he did not offer specifics.

There are just a very few that are left, some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant, Trump said without elaborating.

Putin also spoke in general terms of cooperation in a joint press appearance that lasted just 12 minutes.
Brazils former president Jair Bolsonaro briefly left house arrest on Saturday to undergo medical tests in Brasilia, weeks before the Supreme Court rules on whether he plotted a coup to stay in power after his 2022 election defeat.

Brazils ex-president Jair Bolsonaro left his home where he is under house arrest Saturday to undergo medical exams, weeks before the Supreme Court rules whether he is guilty of plotting a coup.

The right-wing politician is accused of attempting to hold power despite his 2022 electoral defeat by Brazils current leftist leader, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro, 70, has been under house arrest since early August for violating a judicial ban on using social networks to plead his case to the public.

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A judge agreed to temporarily lift that measure so he could get medical attention for what Bolsonaros attorneys said were gastrointestinal problems resulting from a 2018 stabbing attack while he campaigned for president.

In particular, their request noted his chronic reflux and hiccup symptoms and need to go to hospital for tests, including an intestinal endoscopy.

Bolsonaro arrived on Saturday morning at a medical center in the capital Brasilia, where he briefly greeted around 20 supporters waiting for him outside with Brazilian, Israeli and US flags.

He did not address journalists who were also gathered.

Bolsonaro was permitted by the court to remain in hospital for eight hours before returning to his Brasilia residence.

Brazils Supreme Court will begin deciding on September 2 on the coup charges against Bolsonaro, who led Latin Americas largest country from 2019 to 2022.

He faces up to 40 years in prison if found guilty.

Bolsonaro has maintained his innocence and earned support from US President Donald Trump, who has called the trial a witch hunt.

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Citing Bolsonaros politically motivated persecution, Trump has signed an executive order slapping 50 percent tariffs on many Brazilian imports.
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first confirmed phone call of Trumps second term in June. Trump had previously claimed in April that Xi had called him, though he did not clarify when that conversation occurred

US President Donald Trump has said that his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, has told him that Taiwan will not be invaded during the Republican leaders presidency.

I will tell you, you know, you have a very similar thing with President Xi of China and Taiwan, but I dont believe theres any way its going to happen as long as Im here. Well see, Trump told Fox News ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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He added, He told me, I will never do it as long as youre president. President Xi told me that and I said, Well, I appreciate that,  but he also said, But I am very patient and China is very patient. 

More from World Trump vows executive order to end mail-in ballots, voting machines ahead of 2026 midterms

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first confirmed phone call of Trumps second term in June. Trump had previously claimed in April that Xi had called him, though he did not clarify when that conversation occurred.

China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to reunify with the democratic and separately governed island, by force if necessary. Taiwan strongly objects to Chinas sovereignty claims.

Taiwans military exercise

Last month, Taiwan launched its annual 10-day-long military exercise as China expanded its belligerent moves against the island nation, which it considers its own. The drills are intended to guard against Beijings expansionist behaviour.

This years 10-day live-fire Han Kuang drills were the longest yet and followed the delivery of a range of new weaponry from tanks to waterborne drones. The drills in Taiwan come as regional tensions and harassment by China and its Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) are increasing.

The drills began with exercises to counter the actions of Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia ships that have been harassing Taiwanese ships around offshore island groups close to the Chinese coast, the Defence Ministry said.
During his one-day visit, Yi will meet NSA Doval to hold the 24th round of the Special Representatives (SR) Talks on the India-China boundary question

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on Monday ahead of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars visit to Moscow. File photo/AP

The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday confirmed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis visit to India. He will be on an official trip to New Delhi from August 18-19 at the invitation of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Yis visit to India comes at a time when India and China have been taking a series of steps in recent months to improve bilateral relations.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also announced Yis trip to India. Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said, From August 18 to 20, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chinas Special Representative on the China-India boundary question Wang Yi will visit India.

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MFAFrom August 18 to 20, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chinas Special Representative on the China-India boundary question Wang Yi will visit India and hold the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special pic.twitter.com/WNCOwYynqA  Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) August 16, 2025

What will Wang Yi do in India?

During his one-day visit, Yi will meet NSA Doval to hold the 24th round of the Special Representatives (SR) Talks on the India-China boundary question.

The Chinese foreign minister is also slated to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit.

India-China relations

Relations between the two Asian giants have been thawing since an agreement last October on patrolling their Himalayan border, easing a five-year standoff that had hurt trade, investment and air travel.

Earlier this year, China resumed the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra and India resumed giving visas to Chinese tourists. The two sides are also likely to resume direct flights within weeks.

Later this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China to attend the SCO Summit, his first visit since 2020, when India-China relations sharply deteriorated following Chinese incursions in the Himalayas, including the deadly Galwan Valley clash that left 20 Indian soldiers dead.
Congo has rejected Kenyas appointment of a consul general in Goma, accusing Nairobi of breaching international law and bypassing diplomatic protocol

Abandoned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that belonged to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) is seen at Goma airport after the town was seized by the M23 rebels, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. File image/ Reuters

The Congolese government rejected Kenyas appointment of a consul general in the conflict-torn city of Goma on Saturday, claiming a breach of international law and a lack of proper diplomatic procedures.

Goma, in eastern Congo, has been the site of a struggle between the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which launched a lightning assault on the mineral-rich regional city in January. After many days of combat, the rebels took control of the city, and the Congolese army fled.

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As required by international law and diplomatic protocol, Kenya did not communicate with the Congolese government in Kinshasa prior to making the declaration, the countrys foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

M23, which is one of about a hundred groups fighting in eastern Congo, has attempted to establish a parallel government in the region, saying it is freeing the region from what it alleges is misrule by Kinshasa.

M23 has been accused of widespread abuses, and Congos government argued that that the way Kenya nominated the diplomat to the occupied city of Goma without informing the Congolese government could appear to legitimize the rebel groups occupation.

Kenyas announcement was made Friday as part of a raft of diplomatic appointments.

Congos foreign ministry called for caution and discernment in public communication to avoid any misunderstanding, speculation, or the appearance of legitimization of the ongoing illegal occupation.

Qatar has tried to mediate between the Congolese government and the rebel group, which led to the signing of a declaration of principles to end the decades-long fighting, but talks have since faltered and fighting has resumed.

The conflict has been a magnet for neighbouring countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya, all of which have had troops on the grounds, complicating regional efforts to end the fighting.

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Christian Moleka, a Congo-based political analyst, told The Associated Press that the appointment might have regional implications.

He said it could reinforce Kinshasas distrust of Kenya, which has been moving closer to Rwanda under President William Ruto, and weaken regional initiatives to establish peace.
While the US-Russia talks ended inconclusively, Russian President Vladimir Putins address to the press sent several messages to the world. Here are five of them

While the US-Russia talks ended inconclusively, Russian President Vladimir Putins address to the press sent several messages to the world. The talks, which were held in Alaska on Friday, were already being seen as a victory for Putin, since it gave the Russian leader the American stage he was looking for.

Before the talks, Putin ignored all the questions journalists hurled at him. Need for ceasefire to accusations of killing Ukrainian civilians, Putin faced numerous questions, but he kept his composure and just flashed a diplomatic smile.

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After Trump and Putin went back and forth for 2 and a half hours, both leaders appeared on stage for what was perceived as a press conference. However, Trump and Putin went on to give brief remarks on the talks and took no questions, leaving the American press scrambling for more answers.

Putin was the first one to take the stage, emphasising that both leaders are in agreement in some aspects. It was unusual for Putin to take the mic first since, usually, when an American president is hosting a foreign counterpart, a j oint news conference would begin with remarks from the US leader followed by his guest. However, this time, Putin opened the news conference as Trump looked on.

Here are the five things his speech conveyed to Trump, the US and the rest of the world.

1 Dear neighbour: Putins emphasis on Alaskas geography and shared history

Putin started his address to the press by greeting Trump with the phrase  dear neighbour. With this, the Russian leader underlined the geographical proximity of Russia and the United States across the Bering Strait. Putin also managed to evoke historical connections between the two nations, since Alaska, where the meeting took place, was sold by Russia to the US.

The US and Russia are close neighbours, separated by mere miles, so it made sense for the summit to be held in Alaska," Putin said at the beginning.

2 Lets turn the page: An aim at ending Russias isolation in the West

During his public remarks, Putin said Russia and the United States should turn the page and go back to cooperation. Instead of mentioning the war, Putin put more emphasis on bettering ties between the US and Russia.

Interestingly, Putin had a similar stance during the reign of former US President George W. Bush. It was the 2008 Georgia War that eventually led to a decline in US-Russia ties. The Friday statement for Putin also reflected that the Friday talks were more than just about the Russia-Ukraine war.

3 Praises Trump for echoing mutual respect for national interests

Another highlight of Putins remarks was his acknowledgement of Trumps stance that if he were the president, the Russia-Ukraine war would not have happened. [Trump] has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and sincerely cares about the prosperity of his country, and at the same time shows understanding that Russia has its own national interests," Putin said.

This statement sought to frame the conversation as grounded in mutual respect, even amid sharp differences. The Russian leader went on to thank Trump for the friendly tone of their dialogue and expressed hope for the restoration of businesslike, pragmatic relations between the two powers.

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4 Sets preconditions for peace  a warning to Europe with pressure on Ukraine

In his brief address, Putin also set out the preconditions for any form of peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Putin reiterated Moscows longstanding position: All the root causes of the crisis  must be eliminated. All of Russias legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored.

He went on to issue a warning for Europe and Ukraine, while standing next to one of the key allies of Kyiv, the president of the United States. We hope that Kyiv and the European capitals will constructively perceive all of this and will not create any obstacles or attempt to disrupt the nascent progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue.

I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine," Putin furthered.

5. Next time in Moscow

While Trump was concluding the presser, Putin suggested in English,  , signalling he has kept the door open for continued dialogue.

However, theres more to the story. Before and even after the meeting, Trump noted that his next plan is to hold a trilateral summit between him, Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. If the next meeting is to take place in Moscow, not only would Trump receive backlash for agreeing to such a meeting, but it his unlikely that Zelenskyy would visit Russia due to security reasons.

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Also, by expressing the intention to meet next time in Moscow, Putin might also be perceived as showing reluctance to hold a meeting anywhere but Russia.
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Renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs has sharply criticised US President Donald Trumps tariffs on India, calling them bizarre and very self-destructive of US foreign policy interests.

In an interview with ANI, Sachs said the tariffs undermine years of work to strengthen US-India relations and reflect a shocking level of incompetence by the Trump administration. He highlighted that the tariffs, including a 50% levy imposed in July on Indian goods over continued Russian oil imports, are not only economically harmful but also potentially unconstitutional.

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He said years of hard work in improving US-India relations is being undermined by the Trump administration.

Its a shocking level of incompetence. I see incompetence in the US government, Im never surprised, but Id say that this reached this level that I have to admit actually surprised me, he said, answering a query regarding the Trump administration imposing 25 per cent secondary tariffs on India.

Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in July, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing Indias continued imports of Russian oil.

Sachs highlighted the legal challenges facing the Trump administration in the wake of tariffs.Tariffs are wrong in that theyre destructive for the US economy. It violates international law. Its a breakdown of our political system in the United States. We have a constitution. We dont have one-person rule," he said, while also referring to powers of the Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution.

Theres actually a lawsuit now in the US Appellate Court, which says that Trump has violated the law by imposing these tariffs. Theres a real possibility that Trumps entire tariff regime will be deemed, as it should be, unconstitutional, he added.

The economist said that from an economic point of view as also geopolitical point of view, Trumps policies are doomed to fail. They (tariffs) will not improve the US economy. They will isolate the United States geopolitically. They will strengthen the BRICS and other groups, Jeffrey Sachs told ANI.

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Trump hates the BRICS. Why? Because they stand up and say to the US, you dont run the world. The world is multipolar and we want to cooperate with you, but we dont want you to run the world. President Lula summarized it best. He said, we dont want an emperor. This is basically the point. Trump thinks hes an emperor, he added. On Indias diplomatic strategy, Sachs praised the governments measured approach.

Indias right. Take a deep breath. Dont do anything dramatic. Dont get too vituperative. I personally would do exactly what Prime Minister Modis doing. Hes flying to meet with President Xi Jinping. Hes meeting with President Putin. Hes meeting with President Lula. Those are Indias real partners, by the way. Not only is the BRICS the fast-growing part of the world economy, but its also the part of the world that says we dont want an emperor. We want multi-polarity and we want multilateralism, Sachs said.

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Sachs praised Indias measured diplomatic response, lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modis strategy of engaging with global leaders including Chinas Xi Jinping, Russias Vladimir Putin, and Brazils Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Indias right. Take a deep breath. Dont do anything dramatic Those are Indias real partners. Not only is the BRICS the fast-growing part of the world economy, but its also the part that says we dont want an emperor. We want multi-polarity and multilateralism, he said.

India and the US began negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in March 2025, aiming to conclude the first stage by October-November 2025. The talks focus on balanced access to sectors such as agriculture and dairy, which provide livelihoods to millions.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told Parliament that the Indian government is closely examining the impact of Trumps tariffs and will take all necessary steps to safeguard national interests.

With inputs from agencies
Before the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, Donald Trump warned of severe consequences" if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire at the meeting. However, beaming Putin managed to get away with no ceasefire and no consequences.

The shadows of the two leaders are cast on a wall behind their podiums. Reuters

Before US President Donald Trump headed to Alaska, he issued a stern warning against his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. After reassuring Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump at that time warned that Russia would face 'severe consequences if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire in the Ukraine war at the Alaska Summit.

However, while speaking to the reporters after the talks in Alaska, neither of the leaders mentioned the word  ceasefire. After the whole saga was over, one question remained in everyones mind. Will Trump follow through with his severe consequences threat, or did Putin manage to play his charm on him?

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While speaking to the reporters on Wednesday, Trump hinted at imposing severe economic sanctions if Putin did not agree to a truce during the Alaska meeting. If the first one goes OK, well have a quick second one, Trump told reporters in Washington. I would like to do it almost immediately, and well have a quick second meeting between President Putin, President Zelenskyy and me, if theyd like to have me there.

When asked if Russia would face consequences if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire after the summit, the Republican firebrand gave an affirmative response. Yes, they will  very severe consequences," Trump remarked.

However, the story was different.

No ceasefire, no consequences

The Alaska summit conveyed a surprisingly amicable atmosphere, with Putin praising friendly talks and Trump reciprocating warm remarks, despite the brutal war ongoing in Ukraine.

Putin effectively defused the threat of fresh US sanctions, delaying punitive measures unless Moscow shows greater willingness to resolve the conflict. Putin managed to manoeuvre the issue tactfully.

During the presser after the talks, we saw Putin massaging Trump's ego with words of praise. He acknowledged Trumps rhetoric that the Russia-Ukraine war would not have happened if the Republican firebrand were in the White House.

At the same time, he also issued a stern warning to Ukraine and its allies. He warned the West and Ukraine not to torpedo the nascent progress, subtly shifting pressure onto them to temper military aid and political support for Kyiv.

The absence of a ceasefire deal or firm commitments ensured the status quo remained, with hostilities continuing unabated. Trumps mixture of welcome hospitality and economic warnings produced no immediate sanctions escalation, granting Putin a diplomatic reprieve. Not only this, after the meeting, Trump floated the idea of security guarantees to Ukraine outside the framework of NATO, effectively shutting the Alliances door in Ukraines face.

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So Bolton was right?

While speaking to CNN after the meeting, former US National Security Adviser John Bolton declared that Trump did not lose the Alaska Summit but Putin clearly won, adding that Trump didnt come away with anything, except more meetings.

Putin, meanwhile, has gone a long way to reestablishing the relationship, which I always believed was his key goal, Bolton said. He escaped sanctions. Hes not facing a ceasefire. The next meeting is not set. (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky was not told any of this before this press conference. Its far from over, but Id say Putin achieved most of what he wanted. Trump achieved very little, he added.

Bolton predicted something of this sort during his conversation with Firstpost earlier this week. At that time, Bolton insisted that Putin  had already won before the Alaska talks, a criticism refuted by Trump later.

Trumps former advisor insisted that while the Potus considers Putin a friend, the Russian leader is more strategic about his ties with the American counterpart. Putin doesnt see Trump as his friend. He sees them as somebody that he thinks he can manipulate in true, true fashion of a former KGB agent. And I think hes been pretty successful with it," Bolton told Firstpost.

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It is a big win for Putin to come to the United States. Hes a pariah leader of a rogue state that committed unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.

On Friday, hes going to get to stand next to the President of the United States and get his picture taken on territory that used to be Russian. Nobody in Russia has missed the fact that we bought Alaska from Russia in 1867. So its what Trump can do. I think a lot of people are going to be watching. But the main thing is to see if Putin emerges with Trump thinking that theyre friends again, Ambassador Bolton concluded, and it looks like Trump still thinks Putin is a friend.
Since the 1990s, Russia has signed a series of peace deals with Ukraine and Vladimir Putin has broken all of them and attacked the country again and again. With stings of history, Ukraine is wary of any deal about Ukraine between Putin and President Donald Trump at the Alaska summit.

US President Donald Trump salutes as he walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)

US President Donald Trump prides himself as a master dealmaker, but no deal has ever been able to prevent Vladimir Putin from invading a country.

As soon as Trump announced the summit with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected any deal that he could unilaterally strike with Putin.

The reason for the quick rejection was simple: Trump might not have read the Ukraine-Russia history, but Zelenskyy was well aware that no deal not even the one negotiated by the United States ever brought peace to Ukraine from Russia.

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For Ukraine, after all, the Russian invasion of 2022 was not the first  Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014 when it occupied and annexed Crimea and then attacked eastern Ukraines Donbas region and fought a war with proxies until 2022 when it launched the full-scale invasion. Ukraine was also not the first neighbour that Putin invaded  that was Georgia in 2008.

Putin has always had the restoration of the Russian empire that ended with the fall of the Soviet Union as his lifes goal. A peace deal has never stood in the way of trying to achieve the goal.

From Budapest to Minsk agreements, the many deals Putin broke

In one of the modern historys biggest what-ifs, Ukraine had the worlds third-largest nuclear arsenal in 1991, but it gave up those weapons over the next many years in exchange for security guarantees. But those securities obviously meant nothing.

Budapest Memorandum (1994)

In 1994, Ukraine signed a deal with Russia, the United States, and United Kingdom for help for a civilian nuclear programme and security guarantees in exchange of giving up nuclear weapons that it inherited from the Soviet Union. The deal was known as the Budapest Memorandum.

Under the agreement, the signatories including Russia provided Ukraine security guarantees. They said that all nations would respect its boundaries and sovereignty and assured Ukraine that, in case of an attack, they would come to its aid via the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)  the United States, the UK, and Russia are permanent UNSC members. Despite the optimism at the time, critics had warned the deal was doomed to fail.

ALSO READ: When Ukraine gave up world's 3rd-largest nuclear arsenal, did it set stage for Russian invasion?

In 1993, political scientist John Mearsheimer argued that it was imperative for Ukraine to hold onto nuclear weapons to maintain peace as these nuclear weapons would be a deterrent and would ensure that Russians who have a history of bad relations with Ukraine do not move to reconquer it. He was right.

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Two decades later, Russia the security guarantor invaded Ukraine and annexed an entire province. The Budapest deal meant nothing to him.

Treaty of Friendship with Ukraine (1997)

In 1997, Russia signed the Treaty of Friendship with Ukraine that involved the recognition of Ukraines borders and sovereignty.

In 2014, with the invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, Putin killed the treaty.

Minsk agreements I & 2 (2014 & 15)

The two Minsk agreements sought to end the fighting in Donbas, the eastern region of Ukraine comprising Donetsk and Luhansk provinces. They failed completely and the Russian proxies continued to wage the insurgency in the region until 2022 when Russia launched the full-scale invasion.

The Minsk agreements were negotiated between Ukraine and Russian proxies with the mediation of Russia, France, Germany, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The agreements covered ceasefires and withdrawals, humanitarian assistance, economic cooperation, and political concessions on part of Ukraine in Donbas that involved greater autonomy for those two provinces.

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Neither of the agreements was ever implemented. The experience continues to shape the Ukrainian position today that no peace deal can contain Putin.

No peace deal stopped Russias campaign against Ukraine

Even before the Russian invasion in 2014, neither the Budapest deal nor the friendship treaty stopped Putin for waging a subversive campaign against Ukraine.

In 2004, Russia meddled in Ukraines election in favour of its puppet, Viktor Yanukovych, whose victory led to mass protests that came to be called Orange Revolution. There were widespread allegations of vote rigging and intimidation of voters. The Supreme Court annulled the result, and elections were held again that Viktor Yushchenko, a reformist and a pro-Western politician, won.

Yushchenko was poisoned that year and the assassination attempt was attributed to Russia.

ALSO READ  Ukraine and beyond: 25 years on, Putin is still fighting Cold War

The Russian puppet, Yanukovych, became the Ukrainian president in 2010. In 2014, he was ousted in mass protests. Incensed at the Ukrainians for ousting his puppet, Putin invaded Crimea and occupied it.

A weak deal to set stage for future invasion

After seeing Putin break all treaties over the past two decades, Ukraine knows that a weak deal in the ongoing war is bound to be worth less than the paper it would be signed.

If Ukraine would be forced to accept a weak deal to end the war, that would set the stage for another attempt to attack Ukraine, says Kseniya Kirillova, a Russia analyst at Jamestown Foundation, a Washington DC-based think tank.

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ALSO READ  25 years of Vladimir Putin: How a KGB spy became Russia's most powerful ruler

However, Kirillova says that Europe and the international community enabled Putins aggression as they essentially returned to business as usual with Russia after the invasion and annexation of Crimea.

Except for sanctions, Russia did not face any consequences and European Union (EU) continued to trade as usual with Russia, says Kirillova.

After the invasion and annexation of Crimea, there were hopes that Russia would be punished. But the war just faded from the mind of Europe and the United States with the Minsk agreements that anyway failed to achieve anything. They did not take any measures to stop future Russian aggression. We may see again that they return to business as usual with Russia if a deal is reached. That would not deter Russia. That would encourage future aggression, says Kirillova.

In the summit with Trump at Alaska, Putin would most likely present to President Trump conditions that are unacceptable to Ukraine in a bid to paint Zelenskyy as an obstacle to peace, according to Kirillova.

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Then, Putin would likely accuse Zelenskyy of sabotaging peace negotiations, which would allow him to continue the war while simultaneously currying favour with President Trump by framing Ukraine as unwilling to seek peace, Kirillova further says.
Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner and former lawmaker Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, more than four years after leaving the city amid criminal charges linked to the 2019 protests

Former lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung speaks to members of the media after he was released on bail, next to Albert Ho, outside Western Police Station in Hong Kong, China. File image/ Reuters

Ted Hui, a Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner, has been granted asylum in Australia, the former lawmaker said in a Facebook post on Saturday, more than four years after leaving Hong Kong, where he faces criminal accusations related to the 2019 pro-democracy rallies.

Hui stated that he received official notification from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday validating his application, and that his wife, children, and parents were also given visas.

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When people around me say congratulations to me, although I politely thank them, I cant help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his hometown? he said in the Facebook post.

If it werent for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their hometowns to visit relatives at any time; Exiles have no home.

The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to enquiries submitted after office hours.

The Hong Kong government and Chinas foreign ministry did not immediately reply to enquiries regarding the decision.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing last month as part of his administrations years-long effort to strengthen relations with China.

Hui, a former Democratic Party politician, fled Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal accusations related to the 2019 pro-democracy rallies.

In 2023, Hong Kong charged him and seven others with national security charges, including inciting to secession, and imposed HK$1 million ($127,782) bounty on their heads.

Australia expressed disappointment with the ruling at the time and worry about the law.

Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is currently on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition.

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The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine, India said on Saturday, welcoming the summit talks in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

India on Saturday welcomed the summit talks in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying that the world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.

The two presidents had held extensive talks on Friday but couldnt reach an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump failed to secure a Ukraine war ceasefire but insisted on Saturday that he would now target a full peace agreement to end the conflict.

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Three hours of talks between the White House and Kremlin leaders at an Alaska air base produced no breakthrough but Trump and European leaders said they wanted a new summit that includes Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable, it said in a statement.

The MEA said India appreciates the progress made in the summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy, it said.

The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine, the MEA added.

Zelenskyy said he will now go to Washington on Monday while European leaders said they were ready to instensify sanctions against Russia after Trump briefed them on the summit and they held their own protracted talks.

Trump remained upbeat about meeting Putin in a post on his Truth Social platform. A great and very successful day in Alaska!, he proclaimed, adding that European leaders backed his plan for a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelensky.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up, he added confirming his meeting with Zelenskyy on Monday.

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If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved."

After the summit, Trump spoke first with Zelenskyy, the White House said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen later joined the call, officials said.

With inputs from agencies
The joint press conference between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, ended abruptly, with both sides avoiding questions from the reporters.

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025.- AFP

The joint press conference between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, ended abruptly, with both sides avoiding questions from the reporters. Another crucial aspect of the was the fact that the word ceasefire was not mentioned by both leaders, indicating that the Russia-Ukraine war is still not close to an end.

Putin was the first one to take the stage, emphasising that both leaders are in agreement in some aspects. Meanwhile, Trump maintained that there is no deal, until a deal and stated that he will now be speaking to European leaders, Nato allies, especially with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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It was unusual for Putin to take the mic first since, usually, when an American president is hosting a foreign counterpart, a joint news conference would begin with remarks from the US leader followed by his guest. However, this time, Putin opened the news conference as Trump looked on.

Putin leaves Alaska talks in high spirits

While speaking to the reporters, Putin noted that the talks between the two leaders were held in a respectful, constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere". Our negotiations took place in a respectful, constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere, were very thorough and useful, he said.

The Russian leader went on to express his gratitude toward Trump. It is quite logical to meet here, because our countries, although separated by oceans, are close neighbours, the Russian leader said.

Apart from this, the Russian leader agreed that the security of Ukraine should be ensured. I agree with (US President Donald) Trump that the security of Ukraine must be secured, and of course, we are ready to work on that, he said. I would like to hope that the agreement that weve reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine, he added.

However, Putin insisted that the primary causes of the war must be eliminated before the ongoing war comes to an end. The situation in Ukraine has to do with the fundamental threats to our security, he said during a press conference today in Anchorage, Alaska.

To consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and the world as a whole. And I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well, he continued.

Naturally, we are prepared to work on that. I would like to hope that the agreement that weve reached together will help us bring us closer to that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine, he added.

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Meanwhile, Putins message to Ukraine and European leaders was simply not to interfere. We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will constructively perceive all this and will not create any obstacles, will not make attempts to disrupt the emerging progress through provocations and behind-the-scenes intrigues, he said.

 President #Putin: The talks with @POTUS were held in a constructive atmosphere.



 @realDonaldTrump and I have established very good direct contacts. It is important for Russia and the US to return to cooperation.#RussiaUSA pic.twitter.com/C8F5ve5NiN  MFA Russia  (@mfa_russia) August 16, 2025

Cant say the same for Trump

Following Putins address to the press, Trump took the stage and maintained that both leaders made some headway and great progress in their bilateral meeting. However, he noted that there is a no deal, until theres a deal.

I will call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And Ill, of course, call up President [Volodymyr] Zelensky and tell him about todays meeting. Its ultimately up to them, Trump said.

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We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, but Trump said, We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there. Trump insisted that he always had a fantastic relationship with President (Vladimir) Putin but that it was impeded by investigations during his first term into Moscows interference in the 2016 US election.

We had many, many tough meetings, good meetings, Trump said during a joint presser. We were interfered with by the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. Ive made it a little bit tougher to deal with, but he understood it, he added.

The news conference of the two leaders ended with the Russian president floating a different location for his next meeting with President Donald Trump: Moscow. Putin switched to English to suggest that the next summit should take place in the Russian capital, Moscow.

The American president acknowledged that agreeing to that proposal would be highly controversial, but he didnt completely shut the door to it. Thats an interesting one, Ill get a little heat on that one, Trump said. But I could see it possibly happening.

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The US has proposed security guarantees for Ukraine similar to  but separate from  the collective defence agreement between NATO member countries.

The United States has proposed offering Ukraine a set of NATO-style security guarantees that stop short of full alliance membership, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and diplomatic sources confirmed AFP on Saturday. The proposal, raised by President Donald Trump during calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders following his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, would create a non-NATO Article 5 clause to assure Kyiv of collective support without extending NATO membership, a key Russian red line.

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As one of the security guarantees for Ukraine, the American side proposed a non-NATO Article 5 type guarantee, supposedly agreed with Putin, the diplomatic source told AFP on condition they not be identified in any way.

NATOs collective security is based on its Article 5 principle: if one member is attacked, the entire alliance comes to its defence.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was on the call with Trump, confirmed the US president had raised the idea of security guarantee inspired by Article 5, which she has been pushing for several months.

The starting point for the proposal was defining a collective security clause that would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the US, (which would be) ready to act in case it is attacked again, Meloni said in a statement.

In March, Meloni told Italian senators that any such response would not necessarily involve going to war.

She noted that, while NATOs Article 5 has the use of force as an option, it is not the only possible option.

Kyiv has long aspired to join NATO  but Russia has given that as one of its reasons for its war in Ukraine, and some Western circles have expressed resistance to the idea.

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Trump has repeatedly ruled out Ukraine joining the Western military alliance.

Before his joint call with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump spoke just with the Ukrainian president about Fridays Alaska summit.

The American side voiced this (joint security proposal) during a conversation with the president (Zelensky) and then repeated it during a joint conversation with the Europeans, the diplomatic source said.

Another source with knowledge of the matter confirmed the NATO-like guarantees had been discussed. But that source added: No-one knows how this could work and why Putin would agree to it if he is categorically against NATO and obviously against really effective guarantees of Ukraines sovereignty."

European Leaders Reaffirm Support for Ukraine

Several European leaders jointly pledged to continue support for Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia until the war in Ukraine ends, after a summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The joint statement from leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was issued after Trump briefed them on his talks with Putin.

It said the next step must be talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and that they were ready to work with Trump and Zelenskiy towards a three-way summit with European support.

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Trump said after his talks with Putin that Ukraine should agree a deal to end the war with Russia.

He said he had agreed with the Russian leader that the best way to do this was to go straight to a peace settlement rather than via a ceasefire, something hitherto opposed by Kyiv and its European allies.

The European statement - also signed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and European Council President Antonio Costa - said Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.

Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace, the statement said.

As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russias war economy until there is a just and lasting peace."

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With inputs from agencies
A state of emergency has been declared in Buner owing to the high casualty numbers, while rescuers tried to reach stranded families using boats and helicopters. Multiple reports say that ambulances have carried at least 100 dead bodies in the district so far

Local residents look to the Swat River, which is overflowing due to pre-monsoon heavy rains in the area, on the outskirts of Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's Swat Valley. AP/Representational image

Over 200 people have died in Pakistan after flash floods ravaged the country, triggered by cloudbursts. The worst-hit district of Buner in the northwest saw the largest number of deaths at 157, with dozens still missing as homes and villages were swept away by floods on Friday.

A state of emergency has been declared in Buner owing to the high casualty numbers, while rescuers tried to reach stranded families using boats and helicopters. Multiple reports say that ambulances have carried at least 100 dead bodies in the district so far.

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In the neighbouring Mansehra district, emergency crews worked through Thursday night to rescue approximately 2,000 tourists stranded by flash floods and landslides in the Siran Valley.

Aid chopper crashes

Meanwhile, a helicopter carrying aid supplies crashed in the district of Bajaur owing to bad weather, killing all people on board, including two pilots.

The helicopter was part of broader relief efforts launched in response to torrential rain, cloudbursts, and flash floods that have ravaged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Battagram, Bajaur, and Mansehra districts alone, the disasters have claimed at least 146 lives, injured over 123 people, and left many others missing.

PM swings into action

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the disaster management authority to evacuate affected families and stranded tourists. The countrys disaster agency has also issued new warnings about glacial lake outburst floods in the north and urged travellers to avoid high-risk areas.

Last month, the government said that almost half of the 266 deaths linked to Pakistans heavier-than-normal monsoon rains were children on their national school holidays.

Children are very vulnerable to this situation. They are playing in the water, bathing, and electricity shocks can happen, he told AFP.

Thats why their ratio is higher than any other, especially because its a holiday in Punjab so schools and colleges are closed.

With inputs from agencies
Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir dismissed rumours about President Asif Ali Zardaris removal as false, stressing unity between the government and the establishment.

Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir has ruled out any change in the leadership, describing rumours about the removal of President Asif Ali Zardari as completely false and against both the government and the establishment, a media report said on Saturday.

In July, social media reports began to circulate that President Zardari may be asked to step down and that the army chief would take over the top office.

However, top government officials  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi  rejected such claims.

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Suhail Warraich, a columnist for the Jang media group, claimed in an article published Saturday that the army chief had spoken to him in person on the matter during a recent meeting in Brussels.

Munir briefly stayed in Belgium on his return from last weeks visit to the United States.

The talk started with politics, especially on rumours that there is some effort to change the president of Pakistan as well as the prime minister. Field Marshal Munir clearly said, during both the Brussels gathering and in his two-hour discussion with me, that the rumours about a change were completely false, Warraich claimed in the column published in the Urdu daily Jang.

There are elements behind this (rumour) who oppose both the government and the authorities and wish to create political anarchy, the army chief was quoted as saying.

The article claimed that Munir also outlined his ambitions in the Brussels gathering, saying that: God has made me protector of the country. I do not desire any position other than that. On a question about politics, he [Munir] said that political reconciliation is possible only if there is a sincere apology, the report read.

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Although it was not clear who Munir was referring to, it can be inferred that he may have been referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: and its incarcerated leader, Imran Khan. On foreign relations, Munir was said to have expressed confidence in maintaining equilibrium between the US and China. We will not sacrifice one friend for the other, Munir was quoted as saying.

The army chief also described President Donald Trumps efforts for peace as genuine, and said Pakistan had taken the lead in nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, which was then followed by other nations.
In Alaska, President Vladimir Putin walked on a red carpet, shook hands and exchanged smiles with his American counterpart. Donald Trump ended summit praising their relationship and calling Russia a big power  No. 2 in the world, albeit admitting they didnt reach a deal on ending the war in Ukraine.

In a red-carpet welcome in Alaska, US President Donald Trump embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin with smiles and praise, calling Russia a big power  No. 2 in the world. The pageantry marked Putins first visit to the United States in a decade and was hailed in Moscow as a breakthrough after years of isolation.

Yet, despite the ceremony, the summit delivered no breakthrough on ending the war in Ukraine. By Saturday, Trump appeared to have abandoned his earlier push for a ceasefire, long supported by Kyiv and its alliesin favour of a full peace agreement, aligning more closely with the Kremlins position.

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The tough language Trump had used previously threatening severe consequences for Moscow if hostilities continued was absent. Instead, he hinted that sanctions could be revisited in two or three weeks.

Observers said the meeting tilted heavily in Moscows favour. The summit produced nothing for Mr. Trump and gave Mr. Putin most of what he was looking for, said Laurie Bristow, a former British ambassador to Russia.

For Putin, the reception was a diplomatic success. Russian media celebrated the visit as proof he had broken isolation, even as he remains under an International Criminal Court warrant issued in 2023. Trump, ignoring the indictment, welcomed him as a partner on the world stage.

Analysts suggested Putins primary aim was to stall international pressure for a ceasefire and secure more time for military advances. He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished, said Neil Melvin of the Royal United Services Institute.

Trump later posted on social media that, after consulting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, it was determined the best way to end the horrific war is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, not a mere Ceasefire Agreement. European leaders, however, stopped short of endorsing that line in their own statement.

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Zelenskyy is set to meet Trump in Washington on Monday, with talk of a possible trilateral summit, though the Kremlin has not confirmed. Some former aides and analysts believe Trump may pressure Kyiv into concessions. Putin is a much bigger bully, said Fiona Hill, his former Russia adviser. Trump wants the conflict off his plate and is not prepared to put pressure on Putin.

Meanwhile, fighting continued in Ukraine, with Russian forces claiming new territorial gains in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk. Bristow cautioned that the war would not stop soon. Unless Mr. Putin is absolutely convinced he cannot win militarily, the fighting is not going to stop, he said.

With inputs from agencies
The US administration is considering imposing sanctions on Russian oil companies Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC to force Russian President Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, Bloomberg has reported.

According to the publication, the sanctions could include restrictions on the Kremlin's energy revenues and additional tariffs for buyers of Russian oil, in particular China, as well as restrictions on the "shadow" fleet of oil tankers. Their introduction is seen as a temporary step to put pressure before the meeting of US President Donald Trump and Putin in Anchorage (Alaska).

State-controlled Rosneft, headed by Putins close ally Igor Sechin, and privately held Lukoil are the two largest Russian oil producers, jointly accounting for nearly a half of the nations total crude-oil exports, or around 2.2 million barrels a day in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg estimates.

The threat of further sanctions is part of US negotiating tactics coming into the summit to show the administration is willing to ramp up pressure on Russia. Its in Trumps style to dangle economic tools as carrots and sticks, Bloomberg said.
Putin claimed the Russia-Ukraine conflict might not have happened if Trump was in office in 2022. Trump suggested a peace settlement over a ceasefire after meeting Putin.

US President Donald Trump salutes as he walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. - AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday claimed that the Russia-Ukraine conflict would probably not have happened if US President Donald Trump had been in office in 2022, echoing a point Trump has repeatedly made.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Putin said he had tried to warn then-US President Joe Biden against allowing the situation to escalate to full-scale hostilities. In 2022, during our last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my American colleague that the situation should not be brought to the point of no return, he said, calling the eventual invasion a big mistake.

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Putin added that he and Trump had established a very good, business-like and trusting contact, suggesting that the former president would have prevented the war. Ahead of the summit, Trump had warned of severe consequences if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire.

Trump said on Saturday Ukraine should agree a deal to end the war with Russia because Russia is a very big power, and theyre not, after holding a summit with President Vladimir Putin that failed to yield a ceasefire.

In a major shift, Trump also said he had agreed with Putin that the best way to end the war was to go straight to a peace settlement - not via a ceasefire, as Ukraine and its European allies, until now with US support, have been demanding.

Trumps comments came after he met Putin for nearly three hours in Alaska on Friday at the first U.S.-Russia summit since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, Trump posted on Truth social.

The war - the deadliest in Europe for 80 years - has killed or wounded well over a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts.

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Trump said he would hold talks at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, adding: If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved."

Zelenskyy said after a lengthy conversation with Trump following the Alaska summit that Ukraine was ready for constructive cooperation, and he supported the idea of a trilateral meeting.

Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace, he wrote on social media.

But Putin made no mention of meeting Zelenskyy when speaking to reporters earlier. Russian state news agency TASS quoted Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov as saying the possibility of a three-way summit including Zelenskyy had not been discussed.

With inputs from agencies
Putin has said the war in Ukraine would not have begun if Donald Trump had been US president in 2022, as the two leaders met in Alaska for talks.

US President Donald Trump salutes as he walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. - AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said that the would not have started if Donald Trump would have been the President of the United States in 2022.

After the meeting between the , Putin thanked Trump for his cooperation and friendly tone of conversation. He said that the past period had been difficult for the relations between the US and Russia, adding that it was necessary to rectify the situation.

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The Russian President expressed hope that the agreements reached during his talks with Trump would serve as a starting point for settling the conflict in Ukraine and the restoration of relations between Russia and the United States.

Putin said that the next meeting would take place in Moscow, adding that he hoped that Ukraine and Europe would not try to sabotage the talks held with Trump in Alaska. He further expressed hope that mutual understanding would bring peace to Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump said on Aug 15 that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not reach an agreement to resolve Moscows war in Ukraine after a nearly three-hour summit in Alaska, though he characterised the meeting as very productive.

There were many, many points that we agreed on, Trump said at a joint press conference with Putin. I would say a couple of big ones that we havent quite got there, but weve made some headway. So theres no deal until theres a deal.

They each spoke for a few minutes to reporters and took no questions.

US President Donald Trump said on Aug 15 that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not reach an agreement to resolve Moscows war in Ukraine after a nearly three-hour summit in Alaska, though he characterised the meeting as very productive.

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There were many, many points that we agreed on, Mr Trump said at a joint press conference with Mr Putin. I would say a couple of big ones that we havent quite got there, but weve made some headway. So theres no deal until theres a deal.

They each spoke for a few minutes to reporters and took no questions.
At their Alaska summit, Putin said he and Trump had reached an understanding on Ukraine, while warning Europe not to derail the progress. Trump called the talks extremely productive

US President Donald Trump (left) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands before attending a joint press conference after a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, on July 16, 2018. (Photo: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he and US President Donald Trump had reached an understanding on Ukraine, cautioning European nations not to undermine the progress and warning them not to torpedo it.

Trump, speaking shortly after, said he had not yet spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but planned to do so soon, along with European leaders.

Putin noted that the agreements reached during the talks could serve as a starting point for resolving the Ukraine conflict and rebuilding Russia-US ties. I expect todays agreements will become a reference point, not only for addressing the Ukrainian issue, but also for restarting business-like, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States, he said.

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Trump described the meeting as extremely productive but stressed that no final deal had been reached to end the war. Theres no deal until theres a deal, he told reporters at the Anchorage press conference alongside Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region as a condition for ending Russias war but told US President Donald Trump he could freeze the rest of the frontline if his core demands were met.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, US President Donald Trump (C) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shake hands after delivering a joint press conference following a US-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Image- AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has pressed for Ukraine to withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region as a condition to end the war, while offering to freeze the rest of the frontline if his demands are accepted, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.

Putin made the request during his meeting with Trump in Alaska on Friday, the FT said, citing four people with direct knowledge of the talks.

In exchange for the Donetsk region, Putin said he would freeze the frontline in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the report said.

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Putins visit to Alaska was his first to the United States in 10 years and his first to a Western country since invading Ukraine in 2022 and plunging U.S.-Russia relations to the lowest point since the Cold War. Crippling sanctions followed, along with efforts to shun Russia on the global stage.

Trump moves away from Ukraine war ceasefire demand

On Saturday, three hours of talks between the White House and Kremlin leaders at an Alaska air base produced no breakthrough but Trump and European leaders said they wanted a new summit that includes Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky will now go to Washington on Monday while European leaders said they were ready to intensify sanctions against Russia after Trump briefed them on the summit.

Trump remained upbeat, calling the summit a great and very successful day in Alaska! in a Truth Social post. The US president added that European leaders had backed his plan for a new summit.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up, he added.
Trump on Friday said Russia has lost an oil client after Washington imposed penalties on New Delhi for buying Russian crude, but hinted he may not impose similar secondary tariffs on nations continuing such purchases.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the Kennedy Centre in Washington. He warned that Russia would face very severe consequences if it didn't adhere to a ceasefire after Friday's meeting. Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Friday said Russia has lost an oil client after Washington penalised New Delhi for buying Russian crude, but further emphasised that he may hold off on imposing similar secondary tariffs on other countries continuing such purchases of oil.

Well, he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lot And if I did whats called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, Ill do it. Maybe I wont have to do it, Trump told Fox News before leaving for Alaska to meet Putin.

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Trumps tariffs on India

His remarks came even as New Delhi has not confirmed any halt in oil imports from Moscow, despite Washingtons decision to levy a fresh 25 per cent duty, on top of an earlier 25 per cent tariff, on Indian goods from 27 August.

Earlier, Trump (on August 6) escalated the pressure by doubling duties on Indian products to 50 per cent, targeting New Delhi for its continued Russian oil imports. India condemned the move as unfair, unjustified and unreasonable, warning it would hit exports in sectors such as textiles, leather and marine goods. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India will not back down under economic pressure.

Bloomberg reported that Indian state refiners stopped buying Russian crude following Trumps action, though no official confirmation has been made. Indian Oil chairman AS Sahney said on Thursday that India has not halted purchases from Russia and continues to buy solely on economic grounds.

India, which became Russias largest oil buyer in 2022 after Western sanctions, faces the prospect of its crude import bill rising by USD 9 billion this year and USD 12 billion next year if it cuts off Russian supplies, according to the State Bank of India. The report suggested Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE could fill the gap.

Russian crude is also being offered to Indian refiners at discounted rates as EU sanctions and US threats weigh on global demand, Bloomberg cited data firm Kpler as saying.
The White House and Kremlin leaders pointed to areas of agreement during their three hours of talks in Alaska, but offered no breakthrough on a ceasefire in the conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and caused widespread destruction in Ukraine

US President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. AFP

US President Donald Trump early Saturday ruled out an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after his inconclusive summit with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying a direct peace agreement would end the war.

The White House and Kremlin leaders pointed to areas of agreement during their three hours of talks in Alaska, but offered no breakthrough on a ceasefire in the conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and caused widespread destruction in Ukraine.

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A great and very successful day in Alaska!, Trump proclaimed on his Truth Social platform hours after touching down in Washington.

The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO.

He said it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier he will go to Washington for a meeting with the US leader on Monday, which Trump confirmed would be held in the Oval Office.

If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin, Trump added, without specifying whether it would be a three-way meet.

Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved.

The war went on meanwhile with Ukraine announcing that Russia had launched 85 attack drones and a ballistic missile during the night. Russia said it had taken two more villages in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy voiced support for Trumps proposals in an earlier social media post.

We support President Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this, he wrote.

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After ending his joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump said that he rates todays Alaska talks as 10 on 10

US President Donald Trump gestures as he walks off stage following a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reuters

After ending his joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump said that he rates todays as 10 on 10. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, immediately after the presser, Trump said he had a very good meeting with Putin and insisted that he just wants to see people stop dying.

We had a very good meeting today, but well see. You have to get a deal. We agreed on a lot of points. I want to see people stop dying, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity. However, Trump reiterated the fact that theres no deal until there is one. Look, as far as Im concerned, theres no deal until theres a deal. But we did make a lot of progress, Trump averred.

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The American leader also noted that he was happy when he heard Putin saying, If he were the president, the Russia-Ukraine war would have never happened. Despite his positive outlook towards the meeting, Trump refused to reveal the areas of disagreement between him and Putin.

No, Id rather not. I guess somebodys gonna go public with it, theyll figure it out. But no, I dont want to do that, I want to see if we can get it done, he told Fox News.

The ball is in Zelenskyys court

While speaking to the American news outlet, the president made it clear that he is now putting the onus on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate a ceasefire. He emphasised that he would soon be setting up a meeting with the Ukrainian leader and his Russian counterpart.

Now its really up to President Zelensky to get it done, Trump said in a Fox News interview following his sitdown with Putin in Alaska. Theyre going to set up a meeting now between President Zelensky and President Putin, and me, I guess.

I want to make sure it gets done, he added. And we have a pretty good chance of getting it done. Soon after the meeting, Trump boarded Air Force One and will now be heading to Washington, DC.
Under the agreement, Washington DCs Metropolitan Police will go back under the chairmanship of Pamela Smith, effectively removing Terry Cole, the top administrator for the Drug and Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Troops load boxes of rifle ammunition at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters as President Donald Trump implements his order to use federal law enforcement and the National Guard to expel homeless people and rid the nation's capital of violent crime, in Washington, on Tuesday. AP

The federal takeover of Washington DCs police department will be scaled back after White House officials and the citys attorneys reached an agreement, following almost a week of the National Guard taking control over the capital.

Under the agreement, Washington DCs Metropolitan Police will go back under the chairmanship of Pamela Smith, effectively removing Terry Cole, the top administrator for the Drug and Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Earlier this week, US National Guard troops began arriving at Washington DC to report for duty after President Donald Trump ordered their presence to address a surge in crime in the national capital.

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DC sues govt

The US capital citys attorney general, Brian Schwalb, has sued the federal government over the illegal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and accused the Trump administration of abusing its temporary, limited authority under the law.

Meanwhile, Washington DC sought an emergency restraining order on Friday to block what it called a hostile takeover of its police department by Donald Trump.

According to The Washington Post, US District Judge Ana C. Reyes indicated she would issue a temporary restraining order to scale back the Trump administrations control over the Metropolitan Police unless the White House modified the arrangement by Friday evening.

Special status

Unlike the 50 states, Washington operates under a unique relationship with the federal government that limits its autonomy and grants Congress extraordinary control over local matters.

Since the mid-1970s, the Home Rule Act has allowed residents to elect a mayor and a city council, although Congress still controls the citys budget.

The overwhelmingly Democratic city faces allegations from Republican politicians that it is overrun by crime, plagued by homelessness and financially mismanaged.

But data from Washington police show significant drops in violent crime between 2023 and 2024, although that was coming off the back of a post-pandemic surge.

With inputs from agencies
The update came as Gazas civil defence agency said at least 38 people were killed by Israeli fire on Friday, including 12 who were waiting for humanitarian aid.

A Palestinian boy carries a stroller at the site of a morning Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City, August 8, 2025. Reuters

The UN human rights office said Friday that at least 1,760 Palestinians had been killed while seeking aid in Gaza since late May, a jump of several hundred since its last published figure at the beginning of August.

Since 27 May, and as of 13 August, we have recorded that at least 1,760 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid; 994 in the vicinity of GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation) sites and 766 along the routes of supply convoys. Most of these killings were committed by the Israeli military, the agencys office for the Palestinian territories said in a statement.

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That compares with a figure of 1,373 killed the office reported on August 1.

The update came as Gazas civil defence agency said at least 38 people were killed by Israeli fire on Friday, including 12 who were waiting for humanitarian aid.

The Israeli military said its troops were working to dismantle Hamas military capabilities, adding its forces were taking precautions to mitigate civilian harm.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties accessing swathes of the territory mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency and the Israeli military.

On Wednesday, the chief of staff of the Israeli military said plans had been approved for a new offensive in Gaza, aimed at defeating Hamas and freeing all the remaining hostages.

The military intends to take control of Gaza City and nearby refugee camps, some of the most densely populated parts of the territory, which has been devastated by more than 22 months of war.

In recent days, Gaza City residents have told AFP of more frequent air strikes targeting residential areas, while earlier this week Hamas denounced aggressive Israeli ground incursions in the area.

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On Friday, the Israeli military said its troops were conducting a range of operations on the outskirts of the city.

The Israeli governments plans to expand the war have sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition.

UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has drastically curtailed the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in.

Hamass October 2023 attack which triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israels offensive has killed at least 61,827 Palestinians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza which the United Nations considers reliable.
Trump spoke for more than an hour with Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said that he will meet Donald Trump on Monday (August 18), as he held a long and substantive call with the US president, hours after the Alaska Summit.

Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation, Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

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We had a long and substantive conversation with @POTUS. We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump.



Ukraine reaffirms pic.twitter.com/64IPVhtFaB  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 16, 2025

Trump spoke for more than an hour with Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

According to the Ukrainian presidency, Trump spoke first with Zelensky and then the other European leaders joined the call. The White House has also confirmed the call.

The White House, however, has not yet confirmed Zelenskyys meeting with Trump in Washington. When confirmed, this will be the Ukrainian presidents first visit to the US after Februarys debacle, where he was rebuked by Trump over the war.

Alaska Summit ends without a deal

Meanwhile, Putin and Trumps meeting in Alaska failed to reach a breakthrough, pointing to areas of agreement and rekindling a friendship but offering no news on a ceasefire.

After an abrupt ending to three hours of talks with aides, Trump and Putin offered warm words but took no questions from reporters  highly unusual for the media-savvy US president.

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Were not there yet, but weve made progress. Theres no deal until theres a deal, Trump said.

He called the meeting extremely productive with many points agreed, although he did not offer specifics.

There are just a very few that are left, some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant, Trump said without elaborating.

Putin also spoke in general terms of cooperation in a joint press appearance that lasted just 12 minutes.

With inputs from agencies
China slams U.S. for "whitewashing" Japan's WWII war crimes

Xinhua) 13:52, August 16, 2025

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday slammed the United States for whitewashing Japan's aggression and war crimes during World War II, calling it "a grave affront to historical justice and an insult to the feelings of those who suffered from the Japanese invasion."

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a U.S. State Department statement claiming that 80 years ago, the United States and Japan "concluded a devastating war in the Pacific."

"During WWII, Japanese fascists committed heinous crimes and inflicted untold suffering on people around the world, including the Americans. The U.S. side seems to have 'amnesia' about this period of history," Jiang said.

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.

China urges the United States to abandon geopolitical calculations, uphold a correct historical view of WWII, and join the international community in safeguarding the post-WWII international order, Jiang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
As part of the initiative of the President of Ukraine Bring Kids Back UA, three more teenagers from the temporarily occupied territory were rescued, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak has said.

According to him, for more than three years the children lived in fear and danger: "The occupiers openly threatened children and their families because of their pro-Ukrainian position, forced them to study according to Russian programs, banned the Ukrainian language and symbols, and summoned them for interrogations."

Yermak noted that some of the teenagers had hardly left their homes for years to avoid persecution, while others tried to leave on their own, but encountered obstacles at the borders: "Thanks to the assistance of the Ombudsman's Office and the Helping to Leave team, all three are finally in free Ukraine, next to their families."

"They are receiving psychological, humanitarian and legal assistance, restoring their documents and preparing to return to school and a normal life. We are fulfilling the President's task - to return all the children," Yermak said.
The US showcased its military might in Alaska as a B-2 stealth bomber roared overhead during Donald Trumps meeting with Vladimir Putin. A viral video captured the dramatic flyover

US President Donald Trump salutes as he walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)

The United States put its military might on full display Friday in Alaska as a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, flanked by fighter jets, thundered across the sky above Russian President Vladimir Putin during his high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump on the Ukraine conflict.

The dramatic flyover was caught in a 22-second viral video showing the two leaders walking down a red carpet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage when the B-2 screeched overhead. Putin briefly glanced upward as the aircraft passed, a striking moment that underscored Americas show of power ahead of sensitive talks.

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Trump just flew a B-2 stealth bomber over Putins head



Absolutely incredible. pic.twitter.com/2bsnssRv9f  Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) August 15, 2025

The B-2, built by Northrop Grumman, remains the most expensive warplane ever constructed at roughly $2.1 billion apiece. Equipped with cutting-edge stealth technology, the aircraft is capable of slipping past advanced air defenses to deliver precision strikes against hardened targets. Its capabilities were demonstrated earlier this year when US forces struck Iranian nuclear sites, reportedly dropping six bunker-buster bombs on the Fordow facility in June.

Trump on Friday said his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin were productive, noting that many points were agreed to and very few remain, hinting at a possible resolution to the Ukraine conflict.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there Theres no deal until theres a deal, but progress was made in Ukraine talks with Vladimir Putin, Trump said at a joint press conference in Anchorage, Alaska.

The summit, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, began with Trump rolling out the red carpet for Putin in a grand welcome that went viral after images showed US troops kneeling to set it in place. The two leaders then met behind closed doors for more than three hours before appearing together to deliver statements.

Neither Trump nor Putin took questions afterward. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, Exhaustive statements were made. He added that the talks had been very positive and would allow both sides to confidently continue moving forward together on the path of seeking resolution options.
Nuclear arms control could be a quick area of agreement for the Russian and US presidents when they meet, the Financial Times has reported, citing a senior political analyst.

Putin, according to the publication, sought to raise the issue in his conversation with Donald Trump in his statements on Thursday.

Moscow suspended its participation in the New Start treaty in 2023, to which Washington responded with similar measures. The current agreement between the US and Russia is due to expire in February 2026.

Rose Gottemoeller, the former US chief negotiator for the New Start treaty, was quoted as saying she was worried that Putin would try to distract Trump and everyone else from Ukraine with the help of a 'bright object' in the form of nuclear arms control.

According to her, significant progress on the Ukraine issue is important for the success of the summit, regardless of other proposals.
Vladimir Putin said after meeting with US President Donald Trump that the "agreement reached" would contribute to "achieving peace in Ukraine."

"President Trump is personally trying to help resolve the Ukrainian conflict. The situation in Ukraine is associated with threats to our security, but we have always considered Ukraine a brotherly people. At the same time, we are convinced that in order to settle this for the long term, we must eliminate all sources of conflict. I very much hope that the agreement we have reached will contribute to achieving peace in Ukraine," he said during a joint press conference following the meeting.
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.
No deal yet, I will call NATO, of course I will call Zelenskyy  Trump

US President Donald Trump, at a press conference following his three-on-three meeting with Vladimir Putin, said the talks were productive and he would brief allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on their results.

"I think we had a very productive meeting. There were a lot of things we agreed on... No deal, no deal yet. I'll call NATO... Of course, I'll call President Zelenskyy and let him know about today's meeting... We've really made a lot of progress," Trump said.
Contracts

Contracts For Aug. 15, 2025

ARMY

MSM Group North America Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida, was awarded a fixed-price-with-economic-price-adjustment contract to design, build, and commission a load, assemble, and pack facility at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. The amount of this action is $635,200,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Middletown, Iowa, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 10, 2029. Fiscal 2024 and 2025 ammunition procurement, Army funds in the amount of $635,200,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W519TC-25-C-0032).



Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., Vancouver, Washington, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for design-bid-build construction for the Port of Nome Modification Phase 1A. The amount of this action is $399,443,425. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Nome, Alaska, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 5, 2029. Fiscal 2022 civil construction funds in the amount of $399,443,425 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W911KB-25-C-A010).



Poplicus Incorporated dba Govini,* Arlington, Virginia, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for Ark AI software-as-a-service platform software licenses. The amount of this action is $49,000,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 14, 2030. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W9128Z-25-D-A002).

AIR FORCE

Aero Turbine, Inc., Stockton, California, has been awarded a maximum $228,405,885 modification (P00008) to a previously awarded contract (FA8122-23-D-0004) for the J85 management of items subject to repair overhaul components. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to maximum $453,432,627. Work will be performed at Stockton, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 29, 2032. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. (Awarded on August 13, 2025)

General Dynamics Mission System, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona, has been awarded a ceiling $17,500,000 modification (P00057) to a previously awarded contract (HQ0850-22-C-0007) for the proliferated warfighter space architecture, ground management and integration, and operation and sustainment efforts. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,148,297,413 from $1,130,797,413. Work will be performed at Scottsdale, Arizona; Huntsville, Alabama; and Grand Forks, North Dakota, and is expected to be completed by the second quarter of fiscal 2027. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,750,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Space Development Agency, Chantilly, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

Modern Technology Solutions Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a $16,016,620 modification (P00012) to a previously awarded contract (FA8806-25-C-B001) for the addition of mission focused assessment and authorization effort on the Program Management Office, Systems Engineering, Integration and Testing. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $131,987,548 from $115,970,929. Work will be performed at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 10, 2030. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,014,435 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, El Segundo, California, is the contracting activity.

Turf Care USA Inc., Riverton, Wyoming, was awarded a $7,578,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Joint Base Langley-Eustis grounds maintenance services. This contract provides for non-personal services to include all personnel, equipment, tools, supervision, and other items and services for grounds maintenance. Work will be performed at Fort Eustis, Newport News, Virginia; and Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by May 8, 2028. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and five offers were received. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $2,014,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The 633rd Contracting Squadron, Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia is the contracting activity (FA4800-24-F-0042).

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Space of Titusville, Florida, is being awarded a $110,898,408 cost-plus-fixed fee modification (P00014) to previously awarded contract (N0003024C0100) for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support. Work will be performed in Magna, Utah (94.9%); Clearwater, Florida (2.7%); Titusville, Florida (1.3%); and locations less than 1.0 percent each (1.1%). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2029. Fiscal 2025 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $110,606,105 will be obligated on this award and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $292,303 will be obligated on this award and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The maximum dollar value of the contract action is $110,898,408. This contract is being awarded to the Contractor on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the Systems for Award Management website, with one proposal received. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. The information contained in the announcement is unclassified.

Serco Inc., Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $97,064,456, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed price, and cost only indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity type contract action for submarine high data rate (SubHDR) antenna pedestal group (APG) repair services and parts procurement. The work to be performed under this contract is for depot level repair, maintenance, and upgrade services to SubHDR APGs. This contract includes an initial ordering period of five years with a five year option period. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia (90%); and Newport, Rhode Island (10%), and is expected to be completed by August 2035. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,075,432 (100%) will be obligated on the first delivery order immediately following award of the basic contract, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, and two offers were received following a solicitation posted to SAM.gov. Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity (N66604-25-D-Y500).

Ashford Leebcor Enterprises IV LLC, Williamsburg, Virginia (N69450-22-D-0002); CCI Solutions LLC, Anchorage, Alaska (N69450-22-D-0003); Dawson Enterprises LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii (N69450-22-D-0004); P&S Construction Inc., North Chelmsford, Massachusetts (N69450-22-D-0005); Southeastern Industrial Barlovento JV-2, Destin, Florida (N69450-22-D-0006); VHB LLC, Boyds, Maryland (N69450-22-D-0007); Walga Ross Group 3, Joplin, Missouri (N69450-22-D-0008); and Webb LLC, Springfield, Virginia (N69450-22-D-0009), are awarded a combined maximum value $92,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the capacity of their respective, previously-awarded, contracts for general building projects. Award of this modification brings the total cumulative value for all eight contracts combined to $411,000,000. Work will be performed in Florida and is expected to be completed by November 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Alutiiq Logistics and Maintenance Services LLC., Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded a $54,632,039 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for base operations support services at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The work to be performed provides for facilities support, utilities, and environmental services. Work will be performed in Ridgecrest, California, and will be completed by August 2027. Fiscal 2025 base operating support funds in the amount of $26,001,466 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is a sole source contract procured under authority 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1). The Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Division, China Lake, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-25-D-0013).

General Electric Power Conversion Naval Systems Inc., Imperial, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $43,832,021 cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for technical services in support of the energy recirculation system at the Compatibility Test Facility. Work will be performed in Philadelphia (98%,) and Findlay, Pennsylvania (2%), and is expected to be completed by August 2030. Fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,533,229 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of fiscal 2025. This contract was not competitively procured via SAM.gov in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia is the contracting activity (N64498-25-D-4009).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Sterling BV Inc.,* doing business as Sterling Foods, San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $18,930,000 fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Performance Readiness snack bars. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Aug. 15, 2030. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE3S1-25-D-Z106).

General Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $11,897,130 firm-fixed-price one-time buy contract for turbo nozzle assemblies. This contract was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The delivery completion date is March 7, 2030. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4A7-25-F-7290).

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

Deloitte Consulting LLP, Arlington, Virginia, has been awarded a task order contract (HQ0034-16-A-0015). The amount of this action is $12,214,797. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $6,140,182 are being obligated at the time of the award. The cumulative total of the contract is $71,717,690. The purpose of this contract is to provide assessments, policy recommendations, and support for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Logistics. The work will be performed in Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics in the Pentagon and the Mark Center. The estimated contract completion date is Feb. 20, 2031. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting authority.

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4276566/

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Germany Federal Foreign Office

14.08.2025 - Press release

A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (14 August) on the announcement yesterday of the Israeli Government's settlement plans:

The Federal Government firmly rejects the Israeli Government's announcements approving thousands of new housing units in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The construction of settlements is in violation of international law and of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, making it more difficult to achieve a negotiated two-state solution and to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, as called for by the ICJ.

Planning for the E1 settlement and the expansion of Ma'ale Adumim would further restrict the mobility of the Palestinian population in the West Bank, effectively divide the West Bank into two halves and cut East Jerusalem off from the rest of the West Bank.

The Federal Government calls on the Israeli Government to cease building settlements and will only recognise changes to the borders of 4 June 1967 that have been agreed by the parties to the conflict.

The Federal Government clearly rejects any annexation plans on the part of the Israeli Government.
Canada marks four years since the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

August 15, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), and the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, issued this statement:

"Canada strongly condemns the ongoing repression, systematic human rights abuses and erosion of fundamental freedoms under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

"Four years after the Taliban's return to power, Afghanistan remains in the grip of a deepening crisis. The reversal of rights, especially for women and girls, has been devastating. Millions of Afghan girls are denied their right to education. For women, opportunities to work, speak freely and live a dignified life without fear have been eliminated.

"The space for civil society has been extinguished, and any form of democratic expression or inclusive political participation dismantled. The Taliban has shown no intention of establishing a representative government. Terrorist organizations are once again operating in a permissive environment, posing a serious risk to regional and global security.

"The Taliban must be held accountable for their actions. There can be no normalization of relations with the Taliban until there is tangible progress on human rights, inclusive governance, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

"At the height of the crisis, Canadians opened their hearts to help the people of Afghanistan. More than 59,000 Afghans have arrived in Canada since the fall of Kabul in 2021. During this period, Canada has also provided more than $143 million in funding for basic needs assistance, such as healthcare and education and more than $290 million in funding to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance, such as food and nutrition, emergency health services, clean water and sanitation, and protection services, to the people of Afghanistan.

"Canada reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and remains committed to supporting a peaceful, inclusive, and secure future where all Afghan people can live free of fear or repression. Canada calls for the full restoration of and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and for the meaningful participation of Afghan people in shaping their own political future.

"Canada stands by the people of Afghanistan in their fight for a stable, secure and peaceful Afghanistan where no one lives in fear or under oppression."

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Vladimir Putin said after meeting with US President Donald Trump that the "agreement reached" would contribute to "achieving peace in Ukraine."

"President Trump is personally trying to help resolve the Ukrainian conflict. The situation in Ukraine is associated with threats to our security, but we have always considered Ukraine a brotherly people. At the same time, we are convinced that in order to settle this for the long term, we must eliminate all the root causes of the conflict. I very much hope that the agreement we have reached will contribute to achieving peace in Ukraine," he said during a joint press conference following the meeting.

At the same time, he said that he hopes that Ukraine and Europe will not try to "disrupt the progress that has been made".

"We hope that the understandings we have reached will allow us to get closer to this goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive all this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles, will not make attempts to disrupt the planned progress through provocations and behind-the-scenes intrigues," Putin said.
Humanitarian crisis in Sudan: the FDFA steps up its emergency aid

Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 15 August 2025

Bern, 15.08.2025  The humanitarian situation in Sudan is deteriorating rapidly, with famine affecting the population of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, as reported by the World Food Programme (WFP). In response to this crisis, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is allocatig CHF 4 million from its budget to the UN's Sudan Humanitarian Fund.

More than two years after the start of the war, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan has worsened and the situation is of extreme concern. At the beginning of August 2025, the WFP warned of the famine affecting the population of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur. Under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for over a year, the town of Al-Fashir is cut off from all humanitarian access. According to reports, some families have resorted to eating animal fodder and food waste in order to survive. Eyewitness accounts from people fleeing the region speak of escalating violence, looting and sexual assaults. The spread of cholera is also threatening to claim thousands of victims.

According to the WFP, 64% of the Sudanese population, or around 28.4 million people, are now exposed to acute food insecurity, compared with 24.6 million at the end of 2024.

Switzerland mobilises funds

Faced with this situation, the SDC has decided to release CHF 4 million from its budget to the UN's Sudan Humanitarian Fund. This funding will be used to support emergency activities on the ground, in particular by strengthening support for international, national and local NGOs, which have easier access to the worst-hit and hard-to-reach areas. With infrastructure largely destroyed or inaccessible, these actors will ensure the distribution of food and drinking water, as well as the supply of medicines and basic healthcare, the setting up of emergency shelters and the protection of women and children.

An interminable war

For more than two years, fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF has plunged Sudan into a serious humanitarian crisis. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 10 million people are currently displaced within the country and almost 4 million have fled to neighbouring countries, mainly Egypt, Chad and South Sudan. According to the UN, more than 30 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in Sudan.

Since April 2023, the FDFA has allocated more than CHF 135 million to supporting the affected populations in Sudan and neighbouring countries, and for the continuation of peace policy initiatives. These funds are divided between UN agencies, the ICRC and international NGOs, which work closely with local partners. The SDC has also seconded specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to several international humanitarian organisations active on the ground.

Switzerland is also active in Sudan within the framework of its peace policy. Since the beginning of the conflict, it has hosted confidential talks in Switzerland on several occasions and is working to support the search for a political solution to the conflict. These efforts are also backed by the dispatch of a special envoy to the Horn of Africa.

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August 15, 2025

By Cheryl Marino, Army Program Executive Office for Aviation

Twice As Far, Twice As Fast

The Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft aims to usher in a new era of speed, range and adaptability to support and protect soldiers on the ground. Backed by cutting-edge digital engineering, FLRAA isn't just a new rotorcraft; it's a leap forward in how the Army plans, flies and fights in tomorrow's conflicts.

"It's a game-changing capability in terms of speed and range," said Army Col. Jeffrey Poquette, FLRAA project manager at the Program Executive Office for Aviation. He characterized the next-generation tiltrotor assault aircraft as "twice as far, twice as fast" at the annual Association of the U.S. Army Global Force Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, March 2025.

The implementation of digital engineering will be a "pathfinder for the Army," serving as a model for how digital engineering can be adopted and implemented by the Defense Department acquisition enterprise to improve efficiency, reduce costs and accelerate the development and test of capabilities. The challenge, Poquette said, is that this is new territory, but the level of insight that the government gets into the design is unprecedented.

Digital engineering enables the Army to harness the power of technology for digital design creation and assess the impact design changes make before bending metal.

"Digital engineering isn't magic," he said. "It's just a really deep look in a common environment where we have a single source of truth. We never don't know what the design is today. I can take my phone out right now and look at the design and see where we are ... that's powerful."

Poquette said when prototypes are built and tested, often things are found that have to be fixed. Some of those fixes could be significant, while others could be costly and will inevitably extend the acquisition timeline.

"I'm not even going to say that digital engineering is faster upfront. It's an investment in time. It's an investment in intellectual capital. But when we build the prototypes, we're going to be so confident that anything we need to fix should be small, should not be expensive, and that we can quickly fix those prototypes, continue on with the test program and get the capability into soldiers' hands as soon as possible," Poquette stated. "Together [with industry,] we're going to build the aircraft that meets the Army's requirements, and [it] is truly going to change the nature of the assault aviation platform."

The Dawn of New Digital

Digital engineering enhances FLRAA missions by enabling faster, smarter and safer operations. This includes the use of model-based systems engineering tools like Cameo  a collaborative environment for defining, tracking and visualizing all aspects of a system through models and diagrams. Additionally, 3D models support design, manufacturing and assembly processes, streamlining development from concept to execution.

Michelle Gilbert, technical management division chief at PEO for Aviation FLRAA Project Management Office explained that the FLRAA is using model-based systems engineering to create the digital models of the system's architecture and requirements, merging them into a digital twin that defines the system, demonstrates its behavior and predicts performance.

"[This is] establishing a digital thread which captures the relationship between system and program data. The digital thread provides ... a better understanding of the system. We are also utilizing a collaborative digital environment to enable near real-time access to this data."

The performance models are used to emulate and simulate the performance of the FLRAA to understand the behavior and tweak flight control laws  modifications to the flight control system's algorithms, which govern how pilot inputs translate into aircraft control surface movements.

"We can also use it to help ensure that from a user interface standpoint everything is correct and suitable before we go and actually build the system, [and] we're doing all of this digitally," Gilbert said. "We have a lot of digital models that represent our system that have allowed us to reduce the risk before we go and bend metal on our prototypes."

The digital engineering strategy, Gilbert noted, is incremental. She and her team are currently focused on using digital engineering to design and document the system during development. As the program progresses, these efforts will expand into testing, eventually incorporating sensor data from the aircraft and linking it to various enterprise sustainment tools. For now, the priority remains on building a solid digital foundation before moving into test and evaluation.

"Using our digital environment to link test data together with the system design of the aircraft can help make the verification process more efficient. It can help correlate information together, where before there wasn't a linkage between information, and provide easier access to all supporting program data," Gilbert said. "For our stakeholders who are trying to qualify our system, that's very helpful. And then our digital engineering efforts will expand beyond that to support sustainment. Conceptually, every single aircraft in the field could have its own digital representation."

Gilbert noted that one outcome they've already encountered from using the digital tools is that it forces the developer and the government "to have a deeper understanding of the system and how onboard systems interact with each other."

Additionally, the digital tools have enabled the team to create linkages to all of the data.

Crews also benefit from immersive virtual training, accelerating readiness for unfamiliar or high-risk scenarios. This makes the aircraft more agile, reliable and adaptable to the demands of future battlefields.

"We have a virtual reality capability that's here in our office and it's updated regularly to reflect the system under design," Gilbert said.

During system design, acquisition engineers may not fully grasp design specifics, such as how the hydraulic system will fit into the system, she said.

"It doesn't exist yet in physical form, but we are able to go in, put on a virtual reality headset and they can see exactly where it is in the current design," Gilbert said. "Our engineers or maintainers can look at it and say, 'I'm never going to be able to maintain that system with the way it is now.' We're able to catch things like that earlier and influence a design change."

Getting the MOSA for Your Money

While digital engineering provides the tools to design, simulate and evolve systems faster, a modular open systems approach ensures those systems are built in a way that allows rapid, flexible upgrades.

According to Gilbert, MOSA is an approach to achieving certain objectives, not just through open standards but by following specific design processes to ensure the architecture supports those goals. She and her team developed an architecture framework to guide how the system should be built and analyzed to confirm it meets MOSA objectives.

"The other thing that we're doing is we put in a requirement for an infrastructure on our aircraft that we call the digital backbone. The digital backbone is the onboard network that's responsible for all data exchanges between different components. Any component integrated on the system must follow the defined open standards," she said. "And what that does is it allows for easier integration by not having to update multiple systems on the aircraft when upgrading a capability."

This is similar to the MOSA plug-and-play concept.

MOSA offers a modular and scalable solution for aircraft upgrades, eliminating the integration complexities associated with legacy systems. This approach significantly reduces downtime and modification work by enabling the rapid installation and interchangeability of components.

"For FLRAA, we ensure we have robust processes and requirements in place to design and analyze our architecture and the onboard digital backbone. This, coupled with a robust intellectual property strategy that ensures the right level of data rights are acquired by the [project management office], summarizes the FLRAA open systems approach," she explained. "To ensure that, we do have an open architecture on our platform."

This, she said, will make it easier and more affordable to upgrade and sustain, with the ability to do some of that sustainment on the government side or with third parties. Because of how the system is designed, there's less reliance on the prime contractor, which can help with sustainment costs.

Soldier Testing and Timelines

Soldier testing and feedback are crucial when implementing new digital technology to ensure it meets real-world operational needs. Direct input from end users helps identify usability issues, improve functionality and ensure the technology enhances mission effectiveness and soldier readiness.

For the FLRAA program, there are two ways of achieving soldier feedback. One is through special user evaluations, or soldier touch points, using mockups of the aircraft to ensure optimal seat configurations and whether users can enter and exit from the aircraft safely. A user evaluation in spring 2025 observed how soldiers conduct mission planning on the system, which will impact the software requirements for mission planning.

Another soldier touch point is through virtual prototype simulation.

"We're using the virtual prototype to help us get user feedback that can either support changing the user interfaces, our flight control laws, etc.," Gilbert said. "We're planning on using the virtual prototypes as part of special user evaluations all the way through our development stage. This will support iterative user feedback through development until we have physical aircraft prototypes."

The FLRAA program has come a long way since April 2024, when it took a hybrid approach with a preliminary design using a middle tier of acquisition pathway and developed virtual prototypes. In July 2024, at Milestone B, it transitioned to a major capability acquisition program and program of record.

"We're going to be focused on the detailed design in the near term, but our acquisition strategy is such that we don't wait to complete our detailed design before we begin building our prototypes. We deliberately did that when we set up our acquisition strategy so that once a subsystem reaches the appropriate level of maturity, it can immediately move into build and assembly," Gilbert said. "Even though the design and supporting analysis may not be fully documented, we can begin building those subsystems with an informed level of risk. This helps support schedule objectives while maintaining rigor."

Currently, the Army is scheduled to begin equipping the first Army unit in fiscal year 2030 and completing the first unit equipped in fiscal year 2031.

"Our current focus is on getting the design right, which is crucial for successfully prototyping and future production," Gilbert said. "We are building and testing prototypes to make a production decision by Milestone C, which is currently scheduled in 2028."

"[Development] takes a few years, especially on an aviation platform because there's a lot we have to do from an airworthiness perspective to ensure it's safe," Gilbert said. "We have a lot that we have to do before a soldier can begin operating the system. That's why using things like the virtual prototype and other things like mockups are so important to us  because it's a way of getting them in early while we're still proving out the airworthiness of the aircraft itself."

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Foreign Minister Wadephul on the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan

Germany Federal Foreign Office

15.08.2025 - Press release

Foreign Minister Wadephul issued the following statement today (15 August 2025) on the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan:

Four years ago today, the Taliban's seizure of power drastically changed life for the people in Afghanistan. For women and girls in particular, 15 August 2021 marked a severe rupture, the start of a life without freedom, without prospects of education or work. Since then, the Taliban have curtailed the rights of women and minorities more and more. Under the Taliban, grave human rights violations have once again become part of everyday life. A return to the international community will be impossible unless the Taliban at last uphold international obligations, above all respect for the Afghan people's human rights. At the same time, the people in Afghanistan are lacking everything. More than half of the population - around 23 million people - have inadequate access to food, clean drinking water and medical care. Children and pregnant women in particular are suffering from acute malnutrition. They urgently need support, including from Germany. That is why we are providing emergency humanitarian assistance wherever possible in Afghanistan. However, our assistance bypasses the de facto government and is provided solely via international organisations such as the UN . In view of the catastrophic situation in Afghanistan, we have decided, along with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, to make available an additional 5.8 million euro. The situation of the people from the federal admissions programmes who are still in Pakistan is also a source of great concern for us. Many of them are at risk of being deported. For this reason, we are in high-level contact with the Government of Pakistan to ensure protection for these people and to provide rapid help to those who have been deported or detained in recent days.

Background information:

Afghanistan has been under the control of the Islamist de facto government since 15 August 2021. No state apart from Russia has since recognised the de facto government as the legitimate Afghan government.

The German Government is providing a further 5.8 million euro from the budget of the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in addition to the funding it is already providing via the United Nations. The money is going to the World Food Programme ( WFP ), other UN organisations and humanitarian non-governmental organisations. This support is bypassing the de facto Taliban government.

The additional funding will be used to provide food and maintain life-saving basic healthcare. The support is intended above all for returning Afghans and people in the border regions who are particularly badly hit by the difficult supply situation. It will focus on women and children. In 2025, Germany has made over 20 million euro available in humanitarian assistance.

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Expert warned battlefield scenario as Manila envoy says missile system deployments in discussion with US

Global Times

By Wang Qi Published: Aug 15, 2025 08:00 PM

The US is discussing the possible deployment of additional missile launchers to the Philippines to strengthen deterrence against aggression in the South China Sea, the Philippine ambassador to the US claimed, according to media reports.

Chinese experts warned on Friday that the Philippines is attempting to provoke China on the South China Sea issue by further drawing the US into the dispute. They cautioned that allowing the US to deploy offensive weapons and equipment on Philippine soil would not only heighten regional tensions and intensify China-US friction, but also risk turning the Philippines into a potential battlefield.

According to Associated Press (AP), Philippine Ambassador to US Jose Manuel Romualdez claimed on Thursday that the possible deployment by the US of additional Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System or NMESIS missile launchers "was being discussed for consideration by both sides."

The anti-ship missile systems could be deployed along Philippine coastal areas facing the South China Sea and outlying regions to "beef up deterrence against aggression," he claimed.

No final decision has been reached by either side, according to the AP, citing the envoy.

The remarks by the Manila envoy came amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, with Philippines recently sent multiple Coast Guard ships, official vessels, and so-called fishing boats to intrude into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao.

Video clips obtained by Global Times have shown that Philippine Coast Guard ship 4406 conducted highly dangerous maneuvers on Chinese law enforcement vessels near China's Huangyan on August 11.

"China demands that the Philippines immediately cease its provocative actions and statements, and reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures. And China will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday.

On Wednesday, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy expelled the USS Higgins destroyer illegally entered the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao, according to a spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy.

Besides the discussions on NMESIS deployment in Philippines, the issue of deploying missile launchers Typhon has also been raised last month.

According to a report from the Phil Star, a US defense official said in July that the US would deploy its Typhon missile launchers in the Philippines if Manila agrees.

"If the Philippine government agrees to it, I would say the answer is yes,"... If they say no, thanks, then the answer will be no," the official said, according to the Phil Star report.

According to Chinese military expert Song Zhongping, the Philippine ambassador's remarks indicate that Manila is attempting to intimidate and threaten China by asserting its right to host US offensive weapons to be stationed in the country. This strategy, he said, aims to pressure China into making concessions on territorial sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea, with emboldened support from Washington.

Deploying offensive weapons in the Philippines would not only heighten tensions in the South China Sea and further strain China-Philippines relations, but also risk escalating friction between China and the US, Song told the Global Times.

The US deployed the Typhon missile system in the northern Philippines in April 2024 as part of joint US-Philippines military drills. The Philippines pledged that the deployment would be "temporary," and that the system would be withdrawn after the exercises concluded.

During a press briefing on February 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Philippines had repeatedly reneged on its commitment and even plans to "procure" the system to boost its deterrence capabilities. It has also linked the South China Sea with the missile system in a move that is both "ridiculous and dangerous," Guo said.

Guo noted that the Typhon is a strategic, offensive weapon with a range covering most Southeast Asian nations, and the US deployment in the Philippines seriously undermines regional peace and stability while harming the legitimate security interests of other countries.

Following the Typhon missile system deployment, during the Balikatan exercises in April this year, the US also deployed the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), in an effort to "strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific," according to the US Indo-Pacific Command.

While the Philippines hopes to counter China by leveraging the US military presence, this approach could backfire, bringing significant risks, Song said. "By turning itself into a potential battlefield, the Philippines jeopardizes its national security and exposes itself to severe consequences."

The Philippines attempt to turn the South China Sea into a powder keg is also certain to face opposition from other countries in the region, the expert said.

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Collision of Chinese vessels in waters near China's Huangyan Dao likely caused by avoiding hitting Philippine Coast Guard Ship: expert

Global Times

By Fan Wei, Liu Xuanzun and Cao Siqi Published: Aug 15, 2025 06:57 PM

According to a previous statement from the China Coast Guard (CCG), on August 11, the Philippines organized multiple coast guard and government vessels, under the pretext of supplying fishing boats, to intrude into the waters near China's Huangyan Dao, disregarding repeated dissuasion and warnings from the Chinese side. The CCG took necessary measures, including monitoring, pushing out, and taking control measures, to drive away the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law. Following this incident, several videos circulated on social media showing a collision between two vessels during China's law enforcement action to protect its rights, which led to various unfounded and malicious hype from the Philippine side.

In an interview with the Global Times on Friday, an expert said that the collision between the two Chinese vessels occurred primarily because the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4406 intruded into China's territorial waters around Huangyan Dao at high speed, repeatedly crossing the course of Chinese vessels and obstructing their navigation, which violated international rules. In the process of high-speed escorting, the Chinese vessels took evasive actions to avoid colliding with the Philippine ship, but the maneuver resulted in a collision incident.

A video circulating on the internet shows that on August 11, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4406, while speeding through the waters around China's Huangyan Dao, was initially accompanied by China's vessels 3104 and 164 at high speed, which were carrying out a mission to drive it away. During this process, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4406 was positioned directly on the shipping route of the Chinese vessels, and the ships from the two sides came very close to each other. In a critical moment, the Chinese vessels simultaneously made a turning maneuver, resulting in a collision between the two ships.

A maritime technology expert told the Global Times on Friday that the collision between two Chinese vessels during this operation was not due to unprofessional operation by the Chinese ships. Instead, it occurred because, while traveling at high speed, the Chinese vessels faced repeated intrusions from the Philippine ship that crossed in front of them and suddenly slowed down, obstructing their path. In an effort to avoid colliding with the Philippine vessel, the Chinese ships took evasive action, which ultimately led to the collision.

"The Chinese vessels have larger tonnage and faster speed. If they were to collide with the Philippine vessel 4406, it would almost certainly have resulted in the Philippine ship's destruction and casualties. In this incident, the Philippine vessel acted extremely unprofessionally, repeatedly making highly dangerous maneuvers. If the Chinese vessels had only considered their own safety and reduced risk, they could have chosen not to maneuver and directly collide with the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4406. However, the Chinese vessels maintained professionalism, standards, and rational restraint throughout," said the Chinese expert.

In this mission, if the Chinese vessels were tasked with colliding and pushing the Philippine Coast Guard ship, I believe that the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4406 is unlikely to have any chance of "escaping," Yang Xiao, an expert on maritime issues at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relation, told the Global Times on Friday.

The Chinese vessel 164 not only far surpasses the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4406 in terms of tonnage, but it is also faster, with a designed maximum speed at least 5 knots higher than that of the Philippine vessel 4406. If the Chinese vessel were ordered to collide with the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4406, it is unlikely that the Philippine vessel would be able to come out unscathed. On the contrary, the Chinese vessels made evasive maneuvers, which is clearly detrimental to its own safety given its large tonnage, the expert said.

A video captured by a Filipino journalist that has circulated online also supports this viewpoint: After a collision incident involving Chinese vessels, the Philippine Coast Guard ship 4406 continued to speed into the waters around China's Huangyan Dao, while the Chinese ship 164 escorted and drove it away at high speed. Throughout the process, the Philippine Coast Guard ship 4406 repeatedly crossed in front of the Chinese ship 164, continuously provoking it. However, the Chinese vessel acted professionally, with restraint and rationality, and did not respond with any retaliatory actions such as ramming the Philippine Coast Guard ship 4406.

Ray Powell, director of SeaLight at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, claimed in an interview with the CNN that the PLA "destroyer could have struck the much smaller Philippine Coast Guard ship instead. This would have almost certainly resulted in injury and death - even the sinking of the Philippine vessel."

"This precisely proves an obvious fact: when the Philippine vessel was provoking and potentially leading to a serious incident, the Chinese ships took proactive measures to avoid it," Yang said.

"The facts are very clear: it is the restraint of the Chinese side that has avoided serious conflicts and consequences, thereby maintaining regional stability. It is precisely the malicious provocations by the Philippine side that have created the risks for an extremely serious maritime crisis," Yang said.

He further noted that the Philippine side should think carefully. The reason why their coast guard and government vessels could repeatedly provoke Chinese ships was not because their vessels are more advanced, better equipped, or braver, but simply because the Chinese side has consistently exercised restraint hoping that China and the Philippines can work together to ease the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences. However, the Philippine side has clearly made a serious misjudgment of the situation.

Conflicts are like a "Pandora's box," and the Philippine side needs to consider carefully what kind of situation they will face if it is opened, Yang said.

"It is not only the collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels that signify an escalation of the situation in the South China Sea. The damage caused to Chinese ships by the Philippines' infringement and provocative activities also contributes to the escalation of the situation. If the Philippine side indulges in this 'gray zone' game, believing that it can intensify its infringement and provocative actions, it will only force China to further escalate its countermeasures," Yang warned.

China demands that the Philippines immediately cease its provocative actions and statements, and reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures, Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday, stressing that China will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Jiang made the remarks in response to media inquiries about the recent conflict between China and the Philippines near the waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. At the press conference on Friday, a reporter said that according to foreign media reports, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Chinese Navy warship while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat in waters near Huangyan Dao. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner claimed that personnel of the Philippine Armed Forces and Coast Guard have been instructed to follow the "Rules of Engagement" when performing their duties, under which the Philippine side claimed that it has the right to self-defense.

Jiang said that on August 11, multiple Philippine Coast Guard and official vessels illegally entered the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao. Chinese Coast Guard vessels lawfully responded with lawful measures, including monitoring, shadowing, blocking, and controlling to drive them away.

During this time, Philippine Coast Guard vessels repeatedly engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including high-speed incursions and sharp turns across the bow of Chinese vessels, creating a complex and tense situation at sea. These actions seriously violated China's sovereignty and rights, endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel, and severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, the spokesperson said.

China demands that the Philippines immediately cease its provocative words and deeds, Jiang stressed. He reaffirmed that China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures and will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

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MND responds to foreign media claims CCG vessel collided with PLA warship when chasing Philippine vessel near Huangyan Dao

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Aug 15, 2025 04:34 PM

China demands that the Philippines immediately cease its provocative actions and statements, and reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures, Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday, stressing that China will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Jiang made the remarks in response to media inquiries about the recent conflict between China and the Philippines near the waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea.

At the press conference on Friday, a reporter said that according to foreign media reports, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Chinese Navy warship while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat in waters near Huangyan Dao. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner claimed that personnel of the Philippine Armed Forces and Coast Guard have been instructed to follow the "Rules of Engagement" when performing their duties, under which the Philippine side claimed that it has the right to self-defense.

Jiang said that on August 11, multiple Philippine Coast Guard and official vessels illegally entered the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao. Chinese Coast Guard vessels lawfully responded with lawful measures, including monitoring, shadowing, blocking, and controlling to drive them away.

During this time, Philippine Coast Guard vessels repeatedly engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including high-speed incursions and sharp turns across the bow of Chinese vessels, creating a complex and tense situation at sea. These actions seriously violated China's sovereignty and rights, endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel, and severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, the spokesperson said.

China demands that the Philippines immediately cease its provocative actions and statements, Jiang stressed. He reaffirmed that China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures and will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

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Philippine vessel's repeated dangerous maneuvers seriously endangered safety of Chinese ships and personnel: MND

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Aug 15, 2025 04:32 PM

China demands that the Philippines immediately cease its provocative words and deeds, and reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures, Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday, stressing that China will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Jiang made the remarks in response to media inquiries about the recent conflict between China and the Philippines near the waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea.

At the press conference on Friday, a reporter said that according to foreign media reports, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Chinese Navy warship while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat in waters near Huangyan Dao. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner claimed that personnel of the Philippine Armed Forces and Coast Guard have been instructed to follow the "Rules of Engagement" when performing their duties, under which the Philippine side claimed that it has the right to self-defense.

Jiang said that on August 11, multiple Philippine Coast Guard and official vessels illegally entered the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao. Chinese Coast Guard vessels lawfully responded with lawful measures, including monitoring, shadowing, blocking, and controlling to drive them away.

During this time, Philippine Coast Guard vessels repeatedly engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including high-speed incursions and sharp turns across the bow of Chinese vessels, creating a complex and tense situation at sea. These actions seriously violated China's sovereignty and rights, endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel, and severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, the spokesperson said.

China demands that the Philippines immediately cease its provocative words and deeds, Jiang stressed. He reaffirmed that China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures and will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

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US should restrain its frontline forces, immediately cease infringing and provocative actions against China: Ministry of National Defense

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Aug 15, 2025 04:28 PM

In response to a media inquiry regarding the reported illegal intrusion of the US destroyer Higgins into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao, which was subsequently driven away by Chinese forces, and the US Navy's seventh fleet claiming that China's statement would not stop them, after the navy of the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army made a statement, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), stated on Friday that Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China's territory. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this, and has lodged a solemn representation to the US side.

The US destroyer Higgins illegally intruded into the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao without the approval of the Chinese government, seriously violating China's territorial sovereignty and national security, severely undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and wantonly trampling on international law and the basic principles of international relations, Jiang said.

We demand that the US effectively restrain its frontline forces and immediately cease their infringing and provocative actions against China. The Chinese military remains on high alert, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and security, and firmly maintaining regional peace and stability, said Jiang.

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Opinion piece from Ministry of Defence, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Government Offices of Sweden

"Moldova can teach us about Russian propaganda ahead of parliamentary elections"

Published 15 August 2025

Opinion piece by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, and Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin. Published in Svenska Dagbladet, 14 August 2025.

On 28 September, Moldova will hold parliamentary elections.

They will not only determine the country's future political direction but are also a test of a European democracy's resilience to attempts to undermine the electoral process itself.

Support to Ukraine is the Swedish Government's primary foreign policy priority, but Russia's brutal war of aggression has also had tangible consequences for Moldova. Russian missiles and drones have violated Moldova's airspace on a regular basis. As a country at the heart of Europe and Ukraine's neighbour, Moldova's fate is closely intertwined with our own.

Ahead of the elections, Russia is escalating its attempts to destabilise Moldova. We already know that this is taking place through methods such as cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns about the country's path towards EU membership, fake bomb threats and illegal party funding through money brought in from Russia.

Russia is working in a systematic and sophisticated manner, with major resources to sow division in Moldovan society. In connection with the presidential election and a referendum on EU accession in the second half of 2024, attempts were made to buy an estimated 150 000 votes with the help of criminal networks tied to pro-Russian actors.

Russia's ultimate goal is to stop the EU accession process that the Moldovan people themselves have voted for.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sweden has provided more than SEK 1 billion in reform support to Moldova. This has been crucial for enhancing Moldova's resilience - and an investment in our own security. Nearly 20 Swedish government agencies are currently active in Moldova and supporting the country in a number of different areas - ranging from enhanced environmental law to security sector reform. Examples include the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) providing support that aims to strengthen central government administration and the Psychological Defence Agency offering training on strategic communication. All government agencies' efforts are linked to Moldova's EU accession process, evidence of the extensive and long-term nature of our engagement in the country.

Ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, Sweden is mobilising efforts to further strengthen Moldova's democratic institutions. We are focusing our support on three crucial areas.

1. Protecting the election's integrity and counteracting illegal political funding

Through SEK 20 million in support to the Moldova's Central Electoral Commission and civil society organisations, we are helping track down and stop illegal political funding used to buy votes and influence election results. Through support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the FBA to election monitoring and access to election information, we are improving the prospects of a free and fair election,

2. Enhancing resilience against cyberthreats

Cyberattacks are one of the main tools used in today's hybrid warfare. Together with Swedish expert government agencies and EU partners, we are helping Moldova protect its electoral register, government agency systems and information infrastructure from infringement and manipulation. Through support from Sweden and other donors, Moldova has established a new national cybersecurity training centre. As a concrete response to Moldova's challenges, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is also now launching a form of cooperation with the Moldova Cybersecurity Agency, which includes deploying staff to support efforts on the ground.

3. Combating disinformation

The Swedish Government is now providing targeted support to the National Democratic Institute, which has extensive experience in promoting free elections in the world's most vulnerable regions. This initiative will focus on mapping disinformation and conducting in-depth opinion polls, as well as providing tailored support to translate the results into strategic communication and election work. This is to counteract anti-democratic propaganda and support citizens' access to independent information.

The aim is not just support to Moldova, but also a way for Sweden to learn and prepare ahead of next year's elections here at home.

The methods that Russia is using in Moldova are the same ones that we are seeing in other parts of Europe. By working on the ground in Moldova, Swedish government agencies will gain valuable insights into how we can protect our own democratic processes from undue influence.

Sweden's engagement in Moldova is an expression of our interest in security and stability in our neighbourhood, but also our deep conviction that every nation has the right to choose its own future.

As Moldova now heads into a crucial election, Sweden stands by its side - with resources, knowledge and unwavering support for democracy, free elections and European unity.

Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade

Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for Civil Defence

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Ecuador: Interference with Constitutional Court threatens rule of law and safeguards against abuse of power

Press releases

Special Procedures

15 August 2025

GENEVA -- An independent human rights expert* today expressed deep concern over reported threats, intimidation and political pressure by high-level public officials against Ecuador's Constitutional Court and its judges.

"When high-ranking officials label judges as 'enemies of the citizenry', for carrying out their duties, the independence of the judiciary is placed at risk," said Margaret Satterthwaite, the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. "Such comments, especially when they follow formal judicial decisions, and are made by individuals charged with safeguarding the separation of powers, can exert significant influence over public perception of the judiciary."

On 4 August 2025, the Constitutional Court provisionally suspended elements of recently enacted laws promoted by the President, in order to prevent possible violations of fundamental rights while their constitutionality was reviewed.

On 12 August, a march led by President Daniel Noboa against the Court increased the pressure even more. Hundreds of buses arrived in the capital, and there was a notable deployment of security forces. In a public statement, the Court denounced the removal of its security perimeter fence and reported an unusual display of military personnel outside its premises. Protesters carried similar signs reading: "corrupt judges". Giant posters were displayed with faces and names of the constitutional judges, and banners, placed at various points along the route, accused the judges of "stealing peace" from the country.

"I am extremely concerned about the statements and initiatives from the Government that appear intended to discredit, from the highest sphere of the Executive Branch, the work of the Constitutional Court, I am also alarmed at the presence of billboards and banners spreading misinformation and stigmatising the judges' work," Satterthwaite said.

"All government institutions and other relevant actors have a duty to respect and guarantee the independence of the judiciary," she said. "This implies protecting it from intimidation and political interference, and ensuring that all judges and prosecutors can fully perform their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, undue interference or sanctions."

"While disagreement with judicial decisions is to be expected in a democracy, political leaders and individuals in public office carry an immense responsibility because of their ability to shape the media agenda, public debate and opinion", the Special Rapporteur said.

"They must work to ensure public confidence in democratic systems of government, not erode it," she said.

Before the march, senior officials  including a government minister and the President of the National Assembly  denounced the Court's ruling as a threat to national security, accused it of siding with "enemies of the people." The same day, the President announced that the 14 December 2025 referendum would include a proposal to allow impeachment of Constitutional Court judges. On 6 August, the Minister of Government repeated in national broadcasts that the Court was an "enemy of the citizenry."

"Such statements could amount to attempts to undermine judicial independence, having a chilling effect on judges' ability to act independently and free from external pressure," Satterthwaite said.

She urged Ecuadorian authorities to refrain from statements and actions that could undermine judicial independence, ensure that all branches of government respect and comply with Court rulings.

"The government must protect judges from threats, reprisals and public vilification."

The Special Rapporteur has been in contact with the Government of Ecuador regarding these concerns.

Margaret Satterthwaite is the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is leaving early after his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Alaska.

A working lunch and extended meeting of delegations were canceled after a three-on-three meeting and press conference between Trump and Putin, Sky News has reported.
Pakistan Condemns and Rejects the Statements by Israel Regarding Creation of "Greater Israel"

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Pakistan strongly condemns and rejects recent statements made by the Israeli Occupying power, alluding to the creation of so-called "Greater Israel," and its designs aimed at the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

Pakistan calls on the international community to outrightly reject such provocative notions that constitute a flagrant violation of the international law, principles of the UN Charter, as well as the relevant United Nations resolutions.

Such statements reflect the occupying power's intention to entrench its illegal occupation, as well as its complete contempt for all international efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. The international community must take immediate and tangible measures to prevent the occupying power from further destabilizing the region, and to end its ongoing crimes and atrocities against the Palestinians.

Pakistan reaffirms its full support for the Palestinian people's legitimate rights, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Islamabad

15 August 2025

240/2025

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Teodoro reiterates need for credible defense posture

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

August 15, 2025, 7:28 pm

MANILA -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. reiterated the urgent need for the country to build a credible defense posture amid complex geopolitical and socio-economic realities.

Teodoro delivered the message during the US-ASEAN Business Council 2025 Aerospace, Defense and Security (ADS) Mission to the Philippines, according to a news release on Friday.

"It is more painful to be behind the curve because one day you need to be on that curve. If not, you lose. And you have to win in whatever objective you set," Teodoro said.

"You cannot have a soft win which is not permanent. You have to have a firm win. And for me, the win is nobody touches the Philippines -- whoever it may be," he added.

The 2025 ADS Mission in the Philippines brought together representatives from major US companies in the finance, defense and security industry, and provided an opportunity to contextualize the Philippines' defense capability buildup along with the regional and global security challenges.

Teodoro noted that the Philippine defense system is now "busy catching up on infrastructure development."

"You can never escape the hard fact that sooner or later, your lack of substance will catch up with you," he said.

The DND chief stressed that credible deterrence is urgently needed as the Philippines has already tried alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that, he said, "only work when you have a stick behind you."

"Our role now is to provide as much deterrence as possible in order for our president, our diplomats, and all our other sectors to have as big a toolkit as possible to protect our interests peacefully," Teodoro said. (PNA)

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Australian, PH troops begin 'Alon' drills

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

August 15, 2025, 7:24 pm

MANILA -- Australian and Filipino troops have begun Exercise Alon 25, the largest military drill between the two countries, the Australian Embassy in Manila announced Friday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defense Force (ADF) will train around Luzon, including the islands of Palawan between Aug. 15 and 29.

More than 3,600 personnel are taking part, including members of the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps' Marine Rotation Force - Darwin.

This year's iteration will feature live-fire exercises at military training ranges and maritime zones.

"These activities will be conducted with due regard to the safety of the participants and wider community, including responsible advance public notification, while ensuring maximum training value," the embassy said.

Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC, RAN, chief of joint Ooperations, said Exercise Alon 25 demonstrates the strength of the two states' security partnership.

"Exercise Alon 25 is an opportunity for us to practice how we collaborate and respond to shared security challenges, and project force over great distances in the Indo-Pacific," he said.

"This exercise reflects Australia's commitment to working with partners to ensure we maintain a region where state sovereignty is protected, international law is followed and nations can make decisions free from coercion," he added.

Launched in 2023, Exercise Alon has expanded to include maritime, land and air training, supported by cyber and space capabilities.

This year's ADF contingent includes the Australian Amphibious Force Joint Task Force Headquarters, Navy's Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Brisbane, Army combined arms land task group, and an Air Task Group operating Super Hornets, Growlers and Hercules aircraft.

The drill will also test joint force projection through the mass airlift of an Army battle group with armored, engineering, health and artillery units.

Amphibious landings and maritime maneuvers are also planned.

"We will come away from Exercise Alon 25 with experience that will enhance our interoperability with the Philippines, and ensure that we can work together in support of regional security." (PNA)

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Brawner visits Mindoro troops, says AFP close to ending insurgency

Philippine News Agency

August 15, 2025, 1:41 pm

MANILA -- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Thursday said the military is close to its goal of ending the decades-long communist insurgency in the country.

During his visit to the 203rd Infantry Brigade in Oriental Mindoro Thursday, Brawner honored the courage and resolve of troops involved in recent encounters with New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the province.

"Kayang-kaya natin itong laban na ito (We can win this fight)," Brawner told the troops, according to an AFP statement late Thursday.

He noted that an agreement is set to be signed soon that will end the insurgency.

"Malapit na rin mapirmahan ang framework agreement na naglalaman ng kasunduan na titigil na ang NPA sa kanilang armadong pakikibaka -- ang hinahangad natin para sa kapayapaan (A framework agreement will be signed soon where it is stipulated that the NPA will cease with their armed rebellion -- what we are wishing for for peace)," he said.

Brawner also touted the military's recent gains against the NPA, such as the Aug. 8 surrender of 189 rebels and turnover of 72 firearms and explosives in Quezon and Bukidnon; turnover of 49 loose firearms in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte; and the July 27 neutralization of seven NPA members and the seizure of several weapons in Uson, Masbate. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

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AFP to stand firm in BdM despite Chinese military deployment

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

August 15, 2025, 11:13 am

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would continue to assert the country's position in Bajo de Masinloc (Bdm), also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with international law, even as China continues to deploy military assets, including fighter aircraft, in the area.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla gave this comment when asked whether China's deployment of fighter aircraft is linked to the Aug. 11 incident where two Chinese ships collided with one another and suffered damage while chasing and attempting to ram a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, the BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) off Bajo de Masinloc.

"We do not speculate on the intent behind the actions of foreign military assets. What is important is that the AFP, together with our partner agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, remains steadfast in fulfilling our mandate to protect our people and secure our sovereign rights," she said in a message to the Philippine News Agency late Thursday.

Last Aug. 12, a Chinese J-15 fighter jet made interception moves against a PCG Caravan patrol conducting a maritime domain awareness flight over Bajo de Masinloc.

Reports also said the Chinese fighter jet came as close as 200 feet and performed dangerous maneuvers over the Philippine aircraft.

"As President (Ferdinand R.) Marcos (Jr.) recently underscored, we will continue to assert our position in accordance with international law, through a posture that is firm yet responsible, to ensure peace and stability in our maritime areas," Padilla added. (PNA)

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DFA tells China anew: Return firearms, compensate PH for Ayungin clash

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

August 15, 2025, 11:03 am

MANILA -- The Philippine government is demanding China anew to compensate for the damage caused by the China Coast Guard to Filipino assets in the June 2024 Ayungin incident.

"[T]he Philippines reiterates its demand to China for compensation for the damage caused to Philippine vessels and equipment on 17 June 2024, as well as the return of its firearms and equipment, and the personal effects of its personnel that were illegally seized on that date," said Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro in a statement sent through Malacanang Friday.

The reiteration was made on the heels of the collision between two Chinese vessels in the Bajo de Masinloc  an incident Beijing had blamed on Manila.

The incident on June 17 involved the Chinese Coast Guard obstructing the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) humanitarian rotation and resupply operations at the BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) in Ayungin Shoal, resulting in one Filipino soldier losing a finger.

The AFP earlier said it would ask PHP60 million in compensation from China.

Prior to the signing of a temporary arrangement on Ayungin Shoal last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry, over a press briefing, rejected the AFP's demand. (PNA)

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DFA: PH not responsible for China ships' collision in Scarborough

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

August 15, 2025, 10:48 am Updated on August 15, 2025, 2:52 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine government has no responsibility over the collision of two Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104 collided with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship 164 while chasing the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Suluan at high speed on Aug. 11.

"The Philippines bears no responsibility for the collision between the PLAN vessel and the CCG vessel in Bajo de Masinloc. It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions," DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said in a statement sent through Malacanang.

The BRP Suluan was accompanying a Filipino mission to distribute supplies to local fisherfolk near Bajo de Masinloc when the CCG ship performed a risky maneuver, leading to the collision with the PLA Navy warship.

The PCG said this resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel's forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy.

Yang Xiao, a maritime expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, earlier said the Philippines should bear "all losses," claiming the Filipino vessel "provoked and caused the incident at sea."

Yang, quoted as saying by the Chinese paper Global Times in an Aug. 13 article, said "China has every reason and the full right to take all necessary countermeasures, including demands for compensation."

DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said no demand for compensation has been lodged by the Chinese government related to the incident.

Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, is a long-standing and integral part of Philippine territory.

The Stratbase ADR Institute earlier called the latest incident a "stark reminder of the urgent need to uphold international law and defend the rules-based order against those who deliberately and repeatedly violate it."

Stratbase ADR Institute president Victor Andres Manhit said these actions reflected China's disregard for binding legal instruments, such as the 2016 Arbitral Award, an act he described as a "direct affront to the international system and undermines the very principles that ensure peace, stability, and safety at sea."

'Spreading lies'

Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros accused China of spreading lies to conceal a collision between two of its own vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"Beijing is actively censoring the truth... Kahiya-hiya kasi ang nangyaring banggaan ng mga barko nila, kaya kung ano-anong propaganda na lang ang pinapakalat (They are ashamed of the collision of their vessels, so they are spreading propaganda)," she said in a statement.

Hontiveros said Chinese state media ignored the incident while Beijing's allies accused the Philippines of provocation.

She urged China to pay nearly PHP20 billion in damages for environmental destruction, a proposal she will refile in the 20th Congress. (With Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)

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Philippines urged to stop provocation after causing tense situation in Chinese waters in South China Sea

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source Xinhuanet

EditorHuang Panyue

2025-08-15 19:32:16

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday asked the Philippines to immediately stop its acts of infringement and provocation after several Philippine vessels illegally intruded into China's territorial waters off Huangyan Dao and created a complex and tense situation at sea.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said these actions have seriously violated China's sovereignty and interests, posed a grave threat to the safety of personnel on Chinese ships, and severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Jiang made the remarks in response to a question about a reported ramming incident between ships in relevant waters.

Jiang said that on Aug. 11, several Philippine Coast Guard and other official vessels illegally intruded into Chinese territorial waters off China's Huangyan Dao. Chinese Coast Guard ships responded in accordance with the law by tracking, monitoring, intercepting and taking control measures to drive the vessels away.

During the process, the Philippine side repeatedly engaged in hazardous maneuvers, including high-speed charges and sharp turns toward the bows of Chinese ships, leading to a complex and tense situation, Jiang said.

China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures, and will firmly safeguard its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the spokesperson said.

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Netanyahu 'Hitler of 21st century'; time to restrain Israeli regime running out: Qalibaf

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 10:00 PM

Iran's Majlis (Parliament) speaker has warned the West Asia region's Arab countries against the Israeli regime's expansionist ambitions concerning their territories.

Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf made the remarks in an Arabic-language post on X, former Twitter, on Friday in response to recent comments by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking to the regime's i24News outlet on Tuesday, the Israeli premier, who already faces an arrest warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, had unveiled his aspirations for realization of the so-called "Greater Israel" scheme. In line with the plot, the regime would try to extend its occupation over independent nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

"The criminal prime minister of the Zionist regime, this Hitler of the 21st century, has made the Zionists' plans for the future of the region clearer than ever," Qalibaf wrote. "The time to restrain the rabid Zionist dog is running out."

'Gaza final bulwark'

The top legislator called on Muslim countries to unite in defense of Palestine, stressing that Gaza remained the "final bulwark" against further Israeli territorial ambitions.

"O Muslim brothers, officials of Muslim countries! Gaza is the last bulwark. Unite and hasten to aid Palestine before it (the regime) turns on other lands," he urged.

In October 2023, following decades of deadly aggression and blockade, the coastal sliver began facing a genocidal Israeli war that has so far claimed the lives of nearly 61,900 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Amid the brutal military assault that has been coupled with a near-total siege, Palestinians and their supports have been decrying Arab states' inaction in the face of the regime's incessant atrocities in the Palestinian territory and its use of starvation as a weapon of war against its population.

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Over 20% of Gaza kids malnourished, dehydration increasing as temperatures soar: UNRWA

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 7:30 PM

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reports that more than 20 percent of children in Gaza are malnourished, with cases of dehydration on the rise amid Israel's genocidal war and siege.

Referring to a heatwave in Gaza, where temperatures have reached record highs of over 40C (or 104F), the UNRWA warned on Friday that "dehydration is increasing because of the very limited water available.

Citing its latest Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)-based findings, the UN agency said malnutrition has reached 21.5 percent in Gaza City, meaning nearly one in five young children is now acutely malnourished.

MUAC is a widely used anthropometric measure to identify children suffering from acute malnutrition.

UNRWA staff are "exhausted, psychologically strained, and in many cases enduring acute food insecurity themselves," the agency's report stated.

According to the health ministry in Gaza, at least one child starved to death in the strip in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of hunger-related deaths to 240, including 107 children.

The UNRWA said the health response in Gaza continues to face "operational challenges, including extensive damage to health facilities, obstacles to safe movements and restrictions on the entry of medical supplies and fuel."

The UN agency also warned that the lack of sufficient medical supplies compromises the primary healthcare response, leaving thousands of patients with chronic diseases and those suffering from communicable illnesses without essential life-saving support, thus increasing the risk of a widespread public health crisis.

Israel has launched a genocidal war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian resistance fighters carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the Zionist entity in response to the regime's decades-long campaign of death and destruction against Palestinians.

The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed nearly 61,827 Palestinians and injured 155,275 others, mostly women and children.

The regime has sealed all border crossings, blocking the entry of aid and further worsening Gaza's already dire humanitarian crisis since March 2, when it violated its ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

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Zelensky still waiting for call from Trump after meeting with Putin  media

Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Kyiv with his team and still waiting for a call from US President Donald Trump after his more than three-hour meeting with Putin, the Financial Times reports.

During a brief joint press conference with Putin in Anchorage, Trump said he would soon call Zelenskyy, as well as NATO and European officials, to brief them on the outcome of the meeting.

"A representative of the Ukrainian President's Office said the US had not yet contacted Zelenskyy, and called the situation very strange," the source said.

According to a preliminary assessment by the Ukrainian president's team, no significant progress was made during the talks. Another adviser to Zelenskyy described the meeting in Ukrainian as "nothing special."
Report: Israeli ministers could face 'first intl. prosecution of apartheid'; US sanctions threaten case

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 5:04 PM

Arrest warrant applications against extremist Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich on apartheid charges are complete, but remain unsubmitted at the International Criminal Court (ICC), amid fears of US sanctions and external pressures, a report has shown.

The applications are finalized and currently rest in the hands of two ICC deputy prosecutors, the Middle East Eye (MEE) news and analysis website reported on Friday.

If the warrants are issued, they would mark the initiation of the first international prosecution of apartheid.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan had prepared the cases before going on leave in May 2025.

An ICC source told MEE, "Those applications for the arrest warrants are completely done. The only thing that didn't happen was submitting them to the court."

Deputy Prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang have the authority to submit the applications, but sources fear they may be shelved due to unprecedented external pressure, including American sanctions.

In February, the administration of President Donald Trump sanctioned Khan, and in June, it sanctioned four ICC judges, two of whom had approved arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former minister for military affairs, Yoav Gallant.

Those warrants came in response to the duo's war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Netanyahu-ordered war of genocide on the Gaza Strip, which began in October 2023 and continues to date.

Khan went on leave amid an alleged United Nations investigation into "sexual misconduct" allegations, which he has denied.

Despite this, Khan had filed applications on 20 May 2024, leading to arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant in November 2024.

ICC sources told MEE that Khan's legal team continued investigating Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied West Bank, where Ben Gvir and Smotrich have been leading a ferocious campaign aimed at enabling more land seizures and home destructions aimed at expanding Israeli occupation.

"There was no more work to do on the applications. They're not being drafted. They weren't being revised. They were done. All that was left to do was follow court procedures for submitting an application. But Karim didn't have time to do that because everything moved so quickly. And then he stepped aside," an ICC source said.

Raji Sourani, a lawyer representing Palestine at the ICC and the International Court of Justice, criticized the deputy prosecutors. "For us, they are very late. What are they waiting for? They have everything. Justice delayed is justice denied."

Another ICC source warned, "If the Ben Gvir and Smotrich applications just disappear, the opportunity to prosecute one of the most blatant examples of apartheid in the world today will likely be lost forever."

Under the Rome Statute that helped found the ICC, apartheid is a crime against humanity, defined as "inhumane acts... committed in the context of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any other racial group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime."

The Israeli regime has already been denounced for implementing apartheid against Palestinians by numerous leading human rights bodies. Even the regime's own rights bodies, including B'Tselem, have condemned the practice.

In July 2024, the ICJ ruled the regime's occupation of the West Bank illegal, noting that its "near-complete separation" of Palestinians from illegal Israeli settlers, including through illegal settlement expansion, breached international law.

On June 10, 2024, the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway sanctioned Smotrich and Ben Gvir for "their repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian communities."

MEE reports also reveal external attempts to influence Khan.

ICC lawyer Nicholas Kaufman offered Khan a proposal from Netanyahu's legal team to reclassify existing warrants as confidential. Kaufman warned, "They will destroy you and they will destroy the court."

Khan stepped down on a suspicious indefinite leave weeks later following "sexual assault" allegations. Separately, former British Foreign Secretary David Cameron reportedly threatened to withdraw UK funding if the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. US Senator Lindsey Graham and US State Department legal adviser Reed Rubinstein also issued threats of sanctions against the ICC.

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Palestinian resistance strikes invading Israeli troops in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 4:48 PM

Palestinian resistance factions targeted invading Israeli troops and their vehicles in the Gaza Strip in a coordinated operation.

Mujahideen Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement, and al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, struck a group of Israeli forces and vehicles south of Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood on Thursday.

The resistance fighters used 60 mm mortar shells during the retaliatory attack, al-Mayadeen television network reported.

The resistance fighters also "directly" hit a "Merkava" Israeli tank in al-Moslaba area of Zeitoun neighborhood, using the "Sa'ir" projectile.

The operations come as Israel's so-called "political-security cabinet" approved a plan to occupy Gaza after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the regime's intention to takeover the besieged strip.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas condemned Netanyahu's plan as an extension of his genocidal policies and displacement tactics against the Palestinian people.

Israel has launched a genocidal war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian resistance fighters carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the Zionist entity in response to the regime's decades-long campaign of death and devastation against Palestinians.

The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed nearly 61,827 Palestinians and injured 155,275 others, mostly women and children.

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Hamas condemns 'criminal behavior' of Ben-Gvir after Barghouti visit

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 4:43 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the prison cell of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political leader imprisoned since 2002.

In a statement released on Friday, Hamas said Ben-Gvir's threat to Barghouti in the jail cell was "a cowardly display that reveals the occupation's fascism and hostility to all human values".

Ben-Gvir has posted video footage in which he is seen taunting Barghouti in jail.

The intimidating message has drawn condemnation from the Palestinian resistance groups, rights advocates and political officials, who view it as a direct threat to Barghouti's life.

Hamas said the vicious move by the hawkish Israeli minister will "strengthen the unity of the prisoner movement in the face of the policies of systematic repression and abuse practiced by the occupation's prison administration".

"This criminal behavior is an extension of the war crimes committed in the Sde Teiman prison, which witnessed horrific violations against prisoners, including doctors, nurses, and journalists," the statement added.

The resistance movement called on the UN and other international bodies to take urgent action to provide support to prisoners held in Sde Teiman and other notorious prisons.

Israeli authorities earlier said they had begun transferring prisoners from Sde Teiman, a former military base in the Negev desert, after rights groups demanded the closure of the site.

Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq also condemned the far-right Israeli minister's visit to the jail cell of Barghouti.

"There is no longer any meaning to brutality except in the form of one of the leaders of this inhumane entity," he wrote on Telegram.

"A Zionist minister gathers his army, his guards, and the blood of his state and stands before a captive leader, shackled and isolated in solitary confinement, barely able to stand, and addresses him, saying: 'You will not triumph over us!'" al-Risheq said.

The Hamas official said that desperate remarks by Ben-Gvir show Israel's failures during the ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza.

"If Ben-Gvir had been victorious in Gaza, he would not have said what he said. But this is the arrogance of a criminal who failed to achieve his goal, whose prestige was defeated, and whose reputation was tarnished by the shame of the ages," he said.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also condemned the incident, describing Ben-Gvir's actions as "organised state terrorism".

The Palestinian Authority vice-president, Hussein al-Sheikh, described it as "the epitome of psychological, moral and physical terrorism".

Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for his role in Palestinian resistance efforts, has remained a significant figure in Palestinian politics.

Despite his imprisonment, he commands widespread support among Palestinians and is seen as a potential leader capable of unifying divided factions.

Barghouti is widely regarded as a unifying figure within the Palestinian community.

The family of Marwan Barghouti expressed grave concerns over his safety following the threat from Ben Gvir.

Ben Gvir's threats against Barghouti and the broader context of Palestinian rights remain critical issues in the region.

Elsewhere in the statement on Thursday, Hamas also called on the Palestinian people to show solidarity with prisoners held by Israel.

A series of new "shocking" testimonies from Palestinians has revealed the "systematic torture and abuse" against Gazans held in Israel's prisons.

Testimonies document repeated beatings, threats, starvation, and isolation against female prisoners.

Thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank have been kidnapped by Israel since October 7, 2023. Thousands more have been "forcibly disappeared" from the Gaza Strip.

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Israeli minister's plan to 'bury' Palestinian state a 'war crime': UN

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 3:12 PM

The United Nations human rights office has issued a stark warning over the Israeli regime's latest illegal settlement expansion scheme in the occupied West Bank.

The plan, which envisions the construction of thousands of new settler units between an existing settlement and the outskirts of East al-Quds in the West Bank, flagrantly violates international law, the office said on Friday.

Smotrich's declaration: 'Burying' the Palestinian state

On Thursday, extremist Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich reaffirmed his commitment to the project, saying it would "bury" the prospect of a Palestinian state.

A spokesperson for the UN office stressed that the plan would fragment the West Bank into isolated patches of land.

The scheme's implementation, the official said, would amount to a "war crime" due to its featuring the regime's forcibly housing illegal settlers into "the territory it occupies."

The plot also exposes nearby Palestinians to forced evictions, further cementing the criminal nature of its enforcement, the official noted.

The regime occupied the West Bank, including East al-Quds, in a heavily Western-backed war in 1967.

Ever since, it has been dotting the territory with illegal settlements that it would build after razing Palestinian homes. It has also imposed numerous restrictions on Palestinians' freedom of movement across the territory.

Today, around 700,000 illegal settlers live amid 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank.

The international community has never recognized the occupation, denouncing the settlements as illegal due to their construction on occupied territory.

For their part, Palestinians have invariably stood by their right to self-determination and an independent state with East al-Quds as its capital.

The regime, though, tries to justify the settlements, citing "historical and biblical" claims, "security concerns," and the notion that the West Bank is "disputed" rather than occupied.

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Sheikh Qassem says Hezbollah will not give up its weapons until Israel's occupation ends

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 10:53 AM

The secretary general of Lebanon's Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has stressed that the resistance movement will not lay down its weapons until the Israeli occupation ends, warning that the Beirut government's decision on disarmament could create civil strife.

He made the remarks in a speech on Friday on the occasion of Arba'een, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in southern Iraq in 680 AD while resisting the much larger army of the despot Umayyad ruler of the time, Yazid.

"The resistance will not surrender its weapons as long as occupation persists and aggression continues," Qassem said, and vowed that Hezbollah will continue to resist against "falsehood", describing the US and Israel as the modern-day Yazid.

Referring to the latest decision made by the Lebanese cabinet on Hezbollah disarmament, Qassem said "The government is implementing an American order and serve the Israeli project."

Hezbollah will fight against the US-Israeli project and "we are confident of victory", he stated.

He held the Lebanese government "fully responsible for any strife that may occur", saying "We don't want it, but there are those who are working towards it."

The Hezbollah chief warned the government against "dragging the army into internal strife", saying the movements Hezbollah and Amal opted not to take to the streets after the decision, but he didn't rule out protests, if no amendments were made.

"If confrontation is imposed, we are ready for it," he said.

The Hezbollah chief stressed that the decision, which stipulates stripping Lebanon and its resistance and people of defensive weapons against any aggression, means "facilitating the killing of the resistance fighters and their families as well as their expulsion from their homes", stressing that the government should have expelled the Israeli troops from Lebanese territories instead.

He urged the cabinet to convene to discuss confronting the aggression and rebuilding the country, "not to hand over the country to an insatiable Israeli aggressor or an American tyrant with limitless greed".

Qassem added that the "very serious" decision violates the Lebanese constitution that stipulates that there is no legitimacy for any authority that contradicts the pact of mutual coexistence.

He emphasized that the government can't strip the resistance's weapons of legitimacy, saying the resistance derives its legitimacy from the Taif Agreementnegotiated in Saudi Arabia's Taif in 1989, which ended the civil war in Lebanon and the blood of its martyrs, "not from you".

Sheikh Qassem also pointed to the important role played by the resistance in preserving the sovereignty of the country and confronting Israel's aggressions.

On August 5, Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam tasked the country's army to develop a plan to restrict weapons to the state by the end of the year, a decision that aims at disarming the Hezbollah resistance movement that has for decades defended the country from external aggression, especially from the Israeli enemy.

Two days later, during a cabinet meeting, the Lebanese government officials further discussed the US proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah and endorsed its "objectives".



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South Sudan denies talks with Israel on forced relocation of Palestinians

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 7:42 AM

South Sudan has denied holding talks with Israel over the possible resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza, calling such reports "baseless" and not representative of the government's position.

The Associated Press reported earlier that discussions were underway between the Tel Aviv regime and Juba on a proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians from war-torn Gaza to South Sudan.

South Sudan "firmly refutes recent media reports claiming that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan is engaged in discussion with Israel regarding the resettlement of Palestinian Nationals from Gaza in South Sudan," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said the claims are "baseless and do not reflect the official position or policy" of the South Sudanese government.

On Wednesday, Israeli deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel visited Juba to engage with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, just one day following the AP report.

The foreign ministry of Israel declined to clarify whether the topic of displacing Palestinians from Gaza was discussed, whereas Juba maintained that it "strongly denies" having any such discussions.

Two Egyptian officials were quoted as saying that they had been aware of the interactions between Israel and South Sudan for several months, and had advised Juba against consenting to receive the displaced Palestinians.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly supported the expulsion of Gaza's residents as proposed in a plan initially outlined by US President Donald Trump earlier this year.

"I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there," Netanyahu said on Tuesday in an interview with the Israeli i24 news network.

Reports indicate that Israel and the United States have reached out to various countries as potential locations for Palestinians displaced from Gaza.

These countries include Libya, Indonesia, Uganda, Morocco, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has firmly opposed any relocation of Palestinians from the region, fearing a potential influx of refugees into its territory.

At least 61,776 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 154,906 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the health ministry of Gaza.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its war on the besieged coastal territory.





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OIC condemns Israel's plan to build new settler units in West Bank

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 7:14 AM

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned Israel's plan to build over 3,000 new settler units in the occupied West Bank, calling for sanctions on the occupying regime.

In a statement on Thursday, the OIC said the settlement project is "a blatant violation" of international law and United Nations resolutions, stressing that "it must be canceled immediately".

The statement emphasized that the settlement plans represent a "systematic crime" aimed at imposing a new status quo and undermining any opportunity to achieve the so-called "two-state solution".

The OIC urged the international community to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities by taking action to stop the Israeli violations, holding the regime accountable and imposing sanctions on it.

The statement came as Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the pending approval of 3,401 settler units in the E1 area settlement project, which would split the West Bank in half and effectively cut off the West Bank from occupied East al-Quds.

This is while Palestinians want East al-Quds to serve as the capital of their future independent state.

"This reality finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state," said Smotrich, who also holds a position at Israel's ministry of military affairs that gives him significant influence over settlement construction.

His remarks came as a growing number of countries have recently announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state in coming months.

The E1 plan has not yet received final approval, which is expected next week.

The Muslim World League also strongly condemned the Israeli plan, with its secretary general Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa, slamming the Israeli regime's ongoing policy of disregarding the lives and rights of the Palestinian people, and violating all international and humanitarian laws and norms in the occupied territories.

Al-Issa warned that Israel's "extremist government", with its "criminal" behavior, poses a "serious threat" to West Asia and the entire world and constitutes "the greatest obstacle" to achieving just and comprehensive peace.

He reiterated the Palestinians' right to their land, urging the international community to put an end to the "humanitarian tragedy" that the Palestinian people are experiencing and to support their "legitimate right" to self-determination and the establishment of their state.

More than 700,000 settlers live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds.

The international community views the settlements as illegal under international law and the Geneva Conventions due to their construction on occupied territories.

The UN Security Council has condemned Israel's settlement activities in several resolutions.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced in a ruling in July 2024 that Israel's presence in Palestine is unlawful, and its policies and practices in the West Bank and East al-Quds "amount to annexation of large parts" of the occupied Palestinian territories.





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Israeli minister to Barghouti: 'We will obliterate' Palestinians

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 3:11 AM

Far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has aggressively confronted Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political leader imprisoned since 2002, in his solitary confinement cell at Ganot prison in a highly condemnable move.

Barghouti is widely regarded as a unifying figure within the Palestinian community. He was visibly distressed during the encounter monitored by guards and cameras, Drop Site reported on Thursday.

During the confrontation, Ben Gvir blatantly said to Barghouti: "Whoever messes with the people of Israel, whoever murders our children, whoever murders our women, we will obliterate them. You will not defeat us."

The intimidating message has drawn immediate condemnation from Palestinian rights advocates and political officials, who view it as a direct threat to Barghouti's life.

Raed Abu al-Hummus, head of the Palestinian Prisoners' and Ex-Prisoners' Affairs Commission, condemned Ben Gvir's actions, characterizing them as a public threat that reflects the dangerous intentions of a minister known for his history of inciting violence against Palestinians.

"Ben Gvir has tortured prisoners in front of cameras, and he has many previous offenses filled with hatred and racism. For him to dare to attack a leader of the stature of Abu al-Qassam is a clear violation of all red lines, and we are concerned for his life," Abu al-Hummus stated.

He called for urgent action from both Palestinians and international bodies to safeguard Barghouti.

Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for his role in Palestinian resistance efforts, has remained a significant figure in Palestinian politics.

Despite his imprisonment, he commands widespread support among Palestinians and is seen as a potential leader capable of unifying divided factions.

His release has been a longstanding request from resistance groups and is perceived as a threat to the current leadership of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

In May 2024, senior officials from the Palestinian Authority, including Hussein al-Sheikh, the top liaison with Israel, indicated to mediators that they were not in favor of Barghouti's release.

The family of Marwan Barghouti expressed grave concerns over his safety following the threat from Ben Gvir.

They conveyed to Al Jazeera their fears that he could be executed in his cell as a result of the Israeli minister's aggressive stance.

"We are also shocked by the changes in his facial features and the exhaustion and hunger he is experiencing," they emphasized.

Fadwa Barghouti, Marwan's wife and a well-known Palestinian lawyer and activist, shared her thoughts on social media, expressing her deep concern and emotional turmoil over Marwan's condition.

"It's true  I didn't recognize you, nor could I make out your features. Maybe part of me doesn't want to acknowledge everything your face and body express, and what you and the other prisoners have endured," she wrote.

Fadwa continued to affirm her husband's spirit and dedication to the Palestinian cause, stating, "You are of the people; wherever you are, you are among them, from them, part of them. Your fate is bound to theirs."

As tensions continue to escalate, the implications of Ben Gvir's threats against Barghouti and the broader context of Palestinian rights remain critical issues in the region.





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Ranking Member Shaheen Statement on the Lebanese Government Decision to Ensure State Monopoly Over Weapons

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Published: August 15, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued a statement commending the government of Lebanon's decision to ensure only the state retains weapons.

"I commend the government of Lebanon for taking the important decision to ensure the Lebanese state retains a monopoly over weapons. The complete disarmament of Hezbollah and the corresponding withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory will be important steps towards lasting peace in the region. I commend the efforts of President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Council of Ministers, and I will not hesitate to push for sanctions against individuals who work to undermine this progress. It is vital that Lebanese security forces establish full control throughout the country and that land and air incursions into Lebanon cease. I will continue to support the security and sovereignty of Lebanon and Israel."

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

15 August 2025

he following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

** Secretary-General/Plastic Pollution Treaty

Alright, good afternoon. I will start off with a statement from the Secretary-General on the just concluded meetings on plastics in Geneva. I call tell you that the Secretary-General deeply regrets that, despite earnest efforts, negotiations to reach an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in maritime environment, concluded without achieving a consensus. He welcomes the determination of Member States in continuing to work to beat plastic pollution and keep engaged on the process, united in purpose, to deliver the treaty that the world needs to tackle these monumental challenges to people and the environment. That statement has been shared with you as we speak.

** Trip Announcement

A travel announcement for you. The Secretary-General will be heading to Japan next week to attend the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, otherwise known and better known as TICAD. The conference, which is always led by Japan and co-hosted by the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the African Union Commission, this year it will take place in Yokohama from 20 to 22 August, under the theme "Co-create innovative solutions with Africa".

In the remarks that he will deliver at the Opening Session of the conference, the Secretary-General will underscore the importance of TICAD as it highlights the potential of Africa, the world's youngest population, with abundant natural resources, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.

While in Japan, the Secretary-General is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Japanese leaders and delegations attending on the TICAD meetings in Yokohama. Before leaving Japan, the Secretary-General will also visit EXPO2025 which is taken place Osaka, and he will visit a number of pavilions, including of course, the UN's own pavilion there, and then, he will head back to NY.

** Trip Announcement/Peace Operations

Also travelling to Japan will be Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. Mr. Lacroix will be in Tokyo for bilateral meetings with counterparts in the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet Office on International Peace Cooperation. On 21 August, he will participate in a TICAD side event titled "Toward a Mine-Free Africa: Launch Event of the African Mine Action Platform" with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Cambodian Mine Action Center and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

** Senior Personnel Appointment

A senior personnel announcement to share with you. The Secretary-General is appointing Robert Joseph van der Zee of the Netherlands to serve as his Acting Representative for the investment of the assets of the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). That will start on 16 August 2025 until 15 February 2026. Toru Shindo, the Chief Investment Officer in the Office of Investment Management, UNJSPF, is serving as Acting Representative of the Secretary-General until 15 August 2025.

A global, open and regular competitive selection process to find a permanent person for that post is under way. Currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer at the World Food Programme (WFP), in Italy, Mr. van der Zee brings 30 years of experience across various financial management roles, he possesses extensive and in-depth organizational and financial knowledge and expertise along with a strong track record of senior leadership in both financial services industry and international organizations.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Moving on to Gaza, and I can tell you that we once again warn that the already dire situation could worsen without a reliable, rapid, safe and unrestricted flow of supplies into the Gaza Strip. We and our humanitarian partners report that ongoing delays and other impediments, including bottlenecks at holding points and interference in the loading process at the platforms, are impacting our efforts to collect supplies from the crossings and bring them to people in need.

Yesterday, 5 out of 12 missions requiring coordination with Israeli authorities were facilitated without impediments. They included the collection of supplies from Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and the transfer of fuel to the north. Four missions were cancelled by the organizers and three others were impeded and only fully accomplished  these included the collection of food aid from Zikim and Kerem Shalom crossings.

And on the starvation crisis in Gaza, more deaths are being reported, including many children, who are regularly admitted to hospitals for malnutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that many healthcare facilities have run out of bedspace to treat malnourished patients. Access to healthcare must be restored immediately.

We continue to receive extremely disturbing reports of aid seekers being killed and injured. Between 27 May and 8 August, the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah treated more than 4,500 wounded patients, most of whom reported that they were injured while trying to reach food distribution sites. People also report being injured in the crush of the crowd or being beaten and robbed of their supplies immediately after receiving them.

It is imperative that we and our humanitarian partners are enabled to deliver aid at scale, using community-based mechanisms to reach the most vulnerable. Without these conditions in place, and if military operations continue or escalate, more deaths, forced displacement and destruction are inevitable, and this could prolong the ordeal of the hostages also being held in the Strip. And we also call again for their immediate and unconditional release.

One can only imagine that people in Gaza are gravely concerned by the potential impact of an expansion of operations in Gaza city. We reiterate that we will not participate in any forced displacement of the population. Fleeing civilians must be protected and the must have their essential needs met, and they must be able to voluntarily return when the situation allows. And if they choose to stay, they should not be threatened or put at risk.

And just to note that although the slight easing on the entry of commercial supplies has led to food price drops as we have been telling you, energy prices on the other hand have skyrocketed. Cooking gas has not been available in markets for the past five months, and firewood has become even less affordable. More people are resorting to using waste and scrap wood as alternative fuel sources for cooking, which only makes worse health and protection risks, and causes environmental hazards. Partners working on food security warn that both the quantity and quality of supplies entering Gaza remain far below the minimum requirements to meet most people's needs.

** Ukraine

Turning to Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that today a humanitarian convoy delivered vital aid to the front-line in the Kherson region. Our Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, led this convoy which was organized by UN agencies and our humanitarian partners. The were able to deliver 30 metric tons of medicine, water and hygiene and dignity kits for nearly 500 residents.

Our humanitarian colleagues stress that this assistance remains vital, noting that both civilians and humanitarians are facing growing insecurity in the area, including from drone attacks. So far this year, we, along with our partners, have sent 18 humanitarian convoys to the front-line communities in the Kherson, carrying supplies to support nearly 20,000 residents.

Yesterday, the Humanitarian Coordinator, together with our partners, were in the Mykolaiv region, visiting the sites of recent attacks and seeing recovery and development projects. This year, the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, which is the largest country-based pooled fund in the world, has provided $7 million, mostly to local NGOs, to deliver time-critical humanitarian support to 35,000 people in the Mykolaiv region.

Meanwhile, the ongoing hostilities are causing further displacement in the Donetsk Region. As the security situation worsens near the front-line town of Pokrovsk, local authorities said that yesterday alone, nearly 5,700 civilians, including families with children, were evacuated in the Donetsk region. As noted by Matthias Schmale, donor support remains critical as aid organizations continue to assist people fleeing hostilities and those remaining in front-line communities.

** Afghanistan

Turning to Afghanistan, our humanitarian colleagues warn that more than half of the population needs vital aid, four years after the de facto Taliban regime took over the country. Women and girls, as we have been saying repeatedly, are especially vulnerable in Afghanistan. As you are aware, the de facto authorities have imposed a series of increasingly restrictive policies which have excluded women and girls from education, the workforce and public life. Humanitarian aid is a lifeline for women and girls who are otherwise unable to access essential services and assistance. The continued presence of humanitarian workers in Afghanistan is also a vital form of protection by presence.

OCHA also warns that needs are increasing as the number of returnees to Afghanistan, how that number is swelling, both from Iran and Pakistan. Since the start of the year, 1.7 million Afghan citizens have returned to the country from Iran and Pakistan. Most have limited ties to the local communities and are struggling to find shelter and economic opportunities. The host communities themselves also lack adequate services and resources. To support the response, the Central Emergency Response Fund recently released $10 million - and additional funding is in the pipeline from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. Yet in the wake of deep funding cuts, more resources are needed to ensure that people's needs are met.

The humanitarian community in Afghanistan is already preparing for another influx of returnees following the recent deadline by the Government of Pakistan for Afghan Proof of Registration cardholders to leave the country by 1 September. Meanwhile, almost all provinces in Afghanistan have seen below-average rainfall this year, with drought alerts issued across the northern, northeastern, central highlands and western regions. OCHA also stresses that additional funding is urgently needed to support the people of Afghanistan. This year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is just 25 per cent funded, with $624 million received of the $2.4 billion that is needed.

** Democratic Republic of the Congo

Turning to the worsening situation in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our humanitarian colleagues say that insecurity is on the rise in Djugu Territory, in the Ituri Province. According to local authorities and our humanitarian partners on the ground, over the past month, clashes between various armed groups and the Congolese armed forces in several areas have resulted in almost 50 civilian deaths and more than 30 injuries in Ituri Province.

During the same period, violence and insecurity has displaced more than 80,000 human beings in Djugu. Homes have been looted, homes have been burned and those who fled are now sheltering in schools, churches and other public buildings. Attacks have also targeted three sites hosting people who are now internally displaced because of the violence. The clashes have also severely hampered humanitarian access, depriving some 250,000 people of essential services. Nine out of the 12 health facilities are now out of service in Nizi health district in the Ituri territory.

We and our humanitarian partners are ready to respond, but we need unimpeded and safe access to these communities. All parties must take urgent measures to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access. Civilians must be protected at all times, in line with international law.

** Central Emergency Response Fund

And just to mention an update for you from our own Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which we talk about here regularly. Today, the Secretary-General has appointed a dozen new experts to the group that advises him on where CERF money should go. The body has a total 23 members from all over the world who serve a single three-year term. The new set of advisers hail from Azerbaijan, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Gambia, Germany, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Qatar, South Africa and Sweden.

Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher thanked the outgoing members for their work and congratulated the new appointees. He said that with humanitarian needs outpacing available resources, CERF is more critical now than ever, serving as a trusted, indispensable fund to enable rapid, effective responses to crises worldwide.

In the first half of this year, CERF allocated $214 million to help people in two dozen countries, including to get ahead of a drought in Afghanistan and to back climate resilience in a number of other places. Over the last 19 years, CERF has channelled over $9 billion in life-saving aid to people in need in over 110 countries and territories. This has been made possible by contributions from 143 out of 193 Member States, which is not bad, and also observers and other donors.

** Financial Contribution

Finally, we got some money today. We have a quiz for you, and it is a good one. This country is the world's largest producer of ylang-ylang, a plant whose extracted essential oils is a key ingredient in the production of many perfumes. That is a tough one. But, I will give you more interesting geographical information. This country is the only member of the League of Arab States located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. It is an archipelago. [...] The capital of that country starts with an M. It is in the League of Arab States. It is an archipelago, so it is at the sea, and it is entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. The Comoros, so we thank our friends in Moroni. And we thank David, who came up with this brilliant quiz today. Gabriel, do you have any questions, anybody have any questions? Otherwise... yeah, why not.

** Questions and Answers

Question : I'll keep you at the podium. Has the Secretary-General seen the video of imprisoned political leader Marwan Barghouti, being essentially interrogated on video and what is his reaction to it?

Spokesman : I can tell you that the video is disturbing, we're aware of the video and it's worth reminding that prisoners need to be treated in a way that abides by international law and that respects their inherent dignity.

Question : His family is worried that his safety is at immediate risk and they are calling on anyone with any influence to protect him as best they can; would the Secretary-General lend his voice to that call?

Spokesman : I think he, like any other prisoner needs to have his right fully respected and his safety needs to be ensured. Yes Yuya, please go ahead.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. My question is about Secretary-General's travel to Japan. Why did the SG decided to attend TICAD in Japan, this time? And a one more: what are the SG's expectations for cooperation between Japan and African countries and the UN? Thank you.

Spokesman : The Secretary-General always wanted to attend TICAD, because of scheduling reasons he hasn't been able to attend every year. TICAD is a forum that has been extremely important, in supporting development issues. I think it also underscores Japan's leadership role in this area; and the fact that it aligns with the development goals that the UN has, and I think that's why you see such a big UN participation in that event. Yes please.

Question : Since it's a Friday, let me ask you this. For events like The Alaska Summits, does the Secretary-General follow this event\ himself?

Spokesman : The Alaska Summit, yes, of course, he'll be following... as we will all be, the events.

Question : Is there a favourite TV channel for him?

Spokesman : He will, the Secretary-General is a channel surfer. Okay. Enjoy the weekend.

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No deal yet, I will call NATO, of course I will call Zelenskyy - Trump

US President Donald Trump, at a press conference following a three-on-three meeting with Vladimir Putin, said talks were productive and that he would inform allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the results.

"I think we had a very productive meeting. There were many points that we agreed on... No deal, no deal yet. I will call NATO... Of course, I will call President Zelenskyy and tell him about today's meeting... We have really made great progress," Trump said.

The US president said he thinks the "Russia Russia Russia hoax" was criminal (referring to accusations that Russia helped him win the 2016 US presidential election IF-U), adding that chances are good relations with Russia will improve "when this is over."
Trapped in Gaza: Palestinians with disabilities cannot reach aid

15 August 2025 - When Israeli forces in Gaza issue a new displacement order ahead of an incursion into a neighbourhood or city, Palestinian civilians are expected to pack their bags and flee - perhaps for the third, fourth, or tenth time.

But for an increasing number of Palestinians, including those who cannot hear the orders or whose mobility is impaired, following these orders may be impossible. Yet, failure to do so, could cost them their lives.

"In a normal situation, people with disabilities suffer the most. And in wartime, of course, the situation is heightened further," said Muhannad Salah Al-Azzeh, member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at a public dialogue this week in Geneva.

With the number of disabled people in Gaza increasing every day, Mr. Al-Azzeh said that the minimum level of safety for people with disabilities is not being upheld.

No replacements for a broken hearing aid

Over 83 per cent of people with disabilities in Gaza do not have the assistive devices they need, including wheelchairs, hearing aids and other tools. And for those that do, the batteries which enable these devices to work are in very short supply.

This makes it exponentially more difficult - if not impossible - for them to access healthcare and food.

This shortage comes amidst an increasing number of people with disabilities. The UN Relief and Works Agency in Palestine (UNRWA) estimates that one in four Gazans has a new disability as a result of the war between Israeli forces and Hamas, which requires treatment and rehabilitation.

At least 35,000 people have "significant hearing damage" as a result of repeated explosions. And Ammar Dwaik, director-general of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human rights, said that an average of 15 children are newly disabled each day. According to some rights groups, Gaza has the largest number of child amputees in modern history.

But with over 134,000 people having sustained conflict-related injuries - 40,500 of whom are children - the besieged and under-resourced healthcare system cannot keep up.

"Hospitals, ambulances, and medical and humanitarian personnel have been systematically targeted, with over 1,580 health workers and 467 humanitarian staff killed," UNRWA noted.

Aid out of reach

Seeking life-saving aid has become a life-threatening prospect for even the healthiest in Gaza. But for people with disabilities, is almost impossible, according to Hector Sharp, a representative from UNRWA at the meeting in Geneva.

"Reaching [the distribution points] and needing to physically compete for this aid is difficult for all Palestinians, but all the more so for people with disabilities to whom aid is being effectively placed out of reach," Mr. Sharp said.

The US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, for example, has only a handful of distribution points throughout the Gaza Strip since it bypasses all established UN and NGO operations, forcing people to walk long distances in the hopes of receiving meagre amounts of food.

If people with mobility impairments do not have families or friends willing to retrieve aid for them, they may simply be unable to reach it, according to Mr. Al-Azzeh.

Key infrastructure destroyed

Since 1962, UNRWA has operated a rehabilitation centre for the visually impaired in the Gaza Strip. It was the only one of its kind and served, at any given time, over 500 children.

"Today [the centre] lies in rubble," Mr. Sharp said.

The destruction of other civilian infrastructure throughout the Strip - including schools and hospitals - is impeding rehabilitation efforts for people with disabilities and further entrenching societal exclusion.

The UNRWA representative in Geneva noted the impact that shuttered schools will have on children with disabilities.

"For children with disabilities the loss of inclusive education deepens the systematic inequalities and places them at a heightened risk of lifelong social and economic exclusion," he said.

Peace, the only answer

Despite the challenges, UNRWA has continued to provide services to people with disabilities, including over 53,000 sessions of physiotherapy and assistive devices or rehabilitation services to 8,500 people since the beginning of the year.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has called on the Israeli authorities to allow in more assistive devices and technology both for people with existing disabilities and those who are sustaining new ones amidst the ongoing conflict.

He also called for medical evacuations to be expanded in order to allow people with disabilities to obtain vital, specialised care. But ultimately, he said, the only lasting solution is to end the conflict.

"Peace is the only way to stop the suffering of Palestinians, including those with disabilities."





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'The Wild West': Desperation is rampant in Haiti as gangs, vigilantes spread

By Naima Sawaya

15 August 2025 - With armed gangs expanding their influence, self-defence groups morphing into gang-like entities and public officials acting with impunity, Haiti is slowly becoming something like the Wild West, according to William O'Neill, the UN's designated expert on human rights for the Caribbean island nation.

And if you ask Mr. O'Neill what is creating conditions akin to the Wild West, the answer is desperation. With over 1.3 million Haitians displaced and half of the country going hungry, desperation is not some abstract idea in Haiti  it is a lived reality.

Nevertheless, Mr. O'Neill remains hopeful that the devastation in Haiti can be stopped  if only the world is willing to commit to it.

UN News: Have you ever met a gang leader or someone in a gang? What pushed them to join gangs?

William O'Neill: I have never met a gang leader. I have met some young boys who were in a gang, who had been arrested by the police.

One of the boys we interviewed was about 12, and he was a street child. His family had abandoned him. He was living on his wits, stealing, begging. And at one point, a gang member approached him and said, "We'll give you a hot meal a day. We'll give you some money every week, but you're going to be a lookout."

The boy did that for several months, until the police caught on and then they arrested him. The others we interviewed had similar stories of deep poverty, total lack of options and lack of hope. The gangs in many areas  believe it or not  present something that looks good.

UN News: The most recent report on human rights had many heart wrenching examples. What is it like for people to live with brutal violence hanging over their heads?

Mr. O'Neill: It's hell on earth. Every day I'm getting information, and people describe to me just how horrible it is. It's like a mafia, a criminal mafia that lives off the population.

I've never seen anything like it. The impact of violence on economic, social and cultural rights  in addition to the right to life, the right to bodily integrity and the right to access to food, health care, clean water, shelter, education  have all been severely compromised.

UN News: When you have conversations with people in Port-au-Prince, what do you say to them when they're going through "hell on earth?"

Mr. O'Neill: That's one of the frustrating parts of our work. The humanitarian people sometimes have a bag of rice to give them, which I don't. It's hard. We say how important it is to portray what really is happening. Part of it is the advocacy role, so that we can convey to the policymakers this is what's really happening.

At some point, we hope that the perpetrators will face justice. But we can't make false promises. We say it's important to set the record straight and for fighting impunity, which is one of the biggest problems in Haiti. It's often been the case that people have gotten away with murder, and a country can't survive like that.

UN News: The report singled out the public prosecutor in Miragoane as someone who killed upwards of 80 people with total "impunity." Is that eroding trust in the government?

Mr. O'Neill: Perversely, the population takes the opposite view  he's extremely popular. He is seen as standing up to the gangs, as keeping people "safe."

I have raised his case with two different ministers of justice in my visits. I said, "You can't have this. You can't have a prosecutor who's executing people." And they nod their heads, they say they know about it, but because he is so popular, people are afraid to confront him.

Why is he popular? It's because the institutions have failed. It's this vicious cycle that as long as the institutions are still so weak, you have the Wild West like in old American movies, where the sheriff is the judge, jury and executioner, all in one. And that's why you also have the self-defence groups.

UN News: Are the self-defence groups also popular?

Mr. O'Neill: It depends. The groups are quite controversial. In some cases, the groups start acting like gangs  they will demand money and get very violent. If you're a young man that they don't recognize and have a tattoo or don't have ID, they will kill the person on the spot and burn the body.

UN News: The report also noted that the security forces are using drones more and more to target the gangs. Why has the government started using drones now?

Mr. O'Neill: Desperation again  the gang leaders are ensconced in very well protected, well guarded areas. It's physically very hard for an under-resourced national police and Kenyan led multinational force to actually grab a gang leader.

Human rights problems are quite serious with this approach. Haiti is not technically an armed conflict. Police are only allowed to use deadly force in very limited circumstances when their own lives are in danger, where a third party's life is in danger or they have no other option.

And that's a problem  the gang leader, throughout his tenure as a gang leader, is posing a threat, but at that moment, is he threatening the police officer or a third party? And are there other methods you could still try that are not lethal?

I find it hard to see where you meet those conditions with these drones. They call them kamikaze drones. They just send them in, and they hope that when it explodes, it kills a gang leader.

UN News: Is there hope for Haiti's future?

Mr. O'Neill: Haiti is not a lost cause. It's doable. Not easy, if it were easy, it would have happened by now. But the Security Council has identified three key steps  a multinational force that's fully equipped, sanctions and stopping the flow of weapons from the United States.

And if you did all those three things at once, with robustness, you would be able to overcome the gangs fairly quickly because they're not popular. The people hate them.

When I look at Sudan or Gaza or Ukraine, I sometimes just throw up my hands. But in Haiti, we can really do this if we just do what's already authorized by the Security Council.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Central Emergency Response Fund

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Military operations, supply shortages drive devastation in Gaza

OCHA warns that the already dire situation in Gaza could worsen without a reliable, rapid, safe and unrestricted flow of supplies into the Strip.

It is imperative that humanitarians are enabled to deliver aid at scale, using community-based mechanisms to reach the most vulnerable. Without these conditions in place - and if military operations continue or escalate - more deaths, forced displacement and destruction are inevitable.

OCHA reports that people in Gaza are gravely concerned by the potential impact of an expansion of military operations in Gaza city. The UN reiterates that it will not participate in any forced displacement of the population. Fleeing civilians must be protected and have their essential needs met, and they must be able to voluntarily return when the situation allows.

The UN continues to receive extremely disturbing reports of aid seekers being killed and injured. Between 27 May and 8 August, the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah treated more than 4,500 wounded patients, most of whom reported that they were injured while trying to reach food distribution sites. People also report being injured in the crush of the crowd or being beaten and robbed of their supplies immediately after receiving them.

Between 27 May and 13 August, the UN Human Rights Office recorded that at least 1,760 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid - 994 in the vicinity of the non-UN militarized sites and 766 along the routes of supply convoys. No one should be killed for trying to access aid.

A key necessity for unhindered humanitarian operations is public order and safety. OCHA reiterates that more diverse supplies and routes must be made routinely available so that humanitarians can deliver aid wherever it is needed and build confidence within communities that those supplies will reach them.

The UN and its humanitarian partners report that ongoing delays and other impediments - including bottlenecks at holding points and interference in the loading process at the platforms - are impacting their efforts to collect supplies from the crossings and bring them to people in need. Yesterday, five out of 12 missions requiring coordination with Israeli authorities were facilitated without impediments. They included the collection of supplies from Kerem Shalom and the transfer of fuel to the north. Four missions were canceled by the organizers, while three others were impeded and only eventually fully accomplished - these included the collection of food aid from Zikim and Kerem Shalom crossings.

As the starvation crisis in Gaza continues, more deaths are being reported - including many children, who are regularly admitted to hospitals for malnutrition. The World Health Organization warns that many healthcare facilities have run out of bedspace to treat malnourished patients. Access to healthcare must be restored immediately.

Although the slight easing on the entry of commercial supplies has reportedly led to a drop in the price of some food items at local markets, energy prices have skyrocketed. Cooking gas has not been available in markets for the past five months, and firewood has become even less affordable. More people are resorting to using waste and scrap wood as alternative fuel sources for cooking, which exacerbates health and protection risks, and causes environmental hazards. Partners working on food security warn that both the quantity and quality of supplies entering Gaza remain far below the minimum requirements to meet people's needs.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Deadly violence fuels displacement in Djugu territory

OCHA reports that in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, insecurity is on the rise in Djugu territory, which is in the Ituri province.

Local authorities and humanitarian partners on the ground report that over the past month, clashes between various armed groups and the Congolese armed forces in several areas resulted in almost 50 civilian deaths and more than 30 injuries in Djugu territory.

During the same period, violence and insecurity displaced more than 80,000 people there. Homes have been looted and burned, and those who fled are now sheltering in schools, churches and other public buildings. Attacks have also targeted three sites hosting internally displaced people.

The clashes have severely hampered access, depriving some 250,000 people of essential services. In the Nizi health zone alone, in Djugu territory, nine out of the 12 health facilities are now inoperable.

The UN and its humanitarian partners are ready to respond but need unimpeded and safe access to affected communities.

OCHA calls on all parties to take urgent measures to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access. Civilians must be protected, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Afghanistan

Stepped-up funding urgent as needs deepen

OCHA warns that more than half of Afghanistan's population needs vital aid, four years after the de-facto Taliban regime took over the country.

Women and girls are especially vulnerable. The de facto authorities have imposed a series of increasingly restrictive policies, which has excluded women and girls from education, the workforce and public life.

OCHA stresses that humanitarian aid is a lifeline for women and girls who are otherwise unable to access essential assistance and services. The continued presence of humanitarian workers in Afghanistan is also a vital form of protection by presence.

Needs are increasing as the number of returnees to Afghanistan swells: Since the start of the year, some 1.7 million Afghan citizens have returned to the country from Iran and Pakistan. Most have limited ties to the local communities and are struggling to find shelter and economic opportunities. Host communities themselves also lack adequate services and resources.

To support the response, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) recently released US$10 million - and additional funding is in the pipeline from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, which OCHA manages. Yet in the wake of deep funding cuts, more resources are needed to ensure that people's needs are met. The humanitarian community in Afghanistan is already preparing for another influx of returnees following the recent deadline by the Government of Pakistan for Afghan Proof of Registration cardholders to leave the country by 1 September.

Meanwhile, almost all provinces in Afghanistan have seen below-average rainfall this year, with drought alerts issued across the northern, northeastern, central highlands and western regions.

OCHA stresses that additional funding* is urgently needed to support the people of Afghanistan. This year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is just over a quarter funded, with $624 million received of the $2.4 billion required.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Afghanistan with urgent support.

Ukraine

Aid convoy reaches Kherson Region

OCHA reports that today, a humanitarian convoy delivered vital aid to the front-line Kherson Region in Ukraine.

The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, led the convoy, which was organized by UN agencies and humanitarian partners. It delivered 30 metric tons of medicines, water, and hygiene and dignity kits for nearly 500 residents.

This assistance remains vital; both civilians and humanitarians are facing growing insecurity in the area, including from drone attacks. So far this year, the UN and its partners have sent 18 humanitarian convoys to front-line communities in the Kherson Region, carrying supplies to support nearly 20,000 residents.

Yesterday, the Humanitarian Coordinator, together with partners, was in the Mykolaiv Region, visiting the sites of recent attacks and seeing recovery and development projects. This year, the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund - which is the largest country-based pooled fund in the world - has provided $7 million, mostly to local NGOs, to deliver time-critical humanitarian support to 35,000 residents in the Mykolaiv Region.

Meanwhile, OCHA warns that ongoing hostilities are causing further displacement in the Donetsk Region. As the security situation worsens near the front-line town of Pokrovsk, local authorities said that yesterday alone, nearly 5,700 civilians - including families with children - were evacuated in the Donetsk Region.

As noted by the Humanitarian Coordinator, donor support remains critical as aid organizations continue to assist people fleeing hostilities and those remaining in front-line communities.

Central Emergency Response Fund

Secretary-General appoints 12 new advisers to UN emergency fund

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed 12 new members to the Advisory Group of CERF.

This body, which provides policy guidance and advice on the use and impact of CERF, has a total 23 members from all over the world who serve a single three-year term. CERF's new set of advisers hail from Azerbaijan, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Gambia, Germany, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Qatar, South Africa and Sweden.

"With humanitarian needs outpacing available resources, CERF is more crucial than ever - a trusted, indispensable tool enabling rapid, effective responses to crises worldwide," said Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher. "I thank the members of the Advisory Group who have put in such a strong shift, and I look forward to working with the new advisers who I know will bring energy and creativity to this vital work."

In the first half of this year alone, CERF released $214 million to help people in two dozen countries, including to get ahead of a drought in Afghanistan and to back climate resilience in eight countries.

Over the past 19 years, CERF has channeled over $9 billion in life-saving aid to people in need in over 110 countries and territories. This has been made possible by contributions from 143 Member States and observers and other donors.

Posted on 15 August 2025

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Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Returns from 9-month Deployment

US Navy

15 August 2025

From Lt.j.g. Jack Scypinski, Carrier Strike Group ONE - CSG 1

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, returned to its homeport of San Diego on Aug. 14, following a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations.

CSG-1 conducted a wide range of missions while operating in the Western Pacific and the Middle East, to include freedom of navigation operations, multinational exercises with U.S. allies and partners, and combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

"Our Sailors' dedication and hard work over nearly nine months was vital to sustained operations, including combat, protecting our American values of freedom, prosperity and security on the high seas," said Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt, commander of CSG-1. "I am immensely proud of every member of our team who professionally executed the mission and will now be able to reunite and spend well-earned time with family and friends."

In February, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG) operated in the Philippine Sea with the French Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during Exercise Pacific Steller 2025, maintaining and improving integrated operational capabilities across three large-deck ships and strengthening maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.

While participating in Exercise Freedom Shield 25, the Carl Vinson and its embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 conducted air integration training with the U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, which included variations of the F-35 fifth generation strike fighter aircraft from both nations. This exercise enhanced joint and combined interoperability and underscored the enduring military alliance between the U.S. and ROK.

"Throughout this deployment, the Sailors of CVW-2 operated with precision and professionalism, safely executing demanding missions across multiple domains," said Capt. Eric Bell, commander of CVW-2. "Their skill and teamwork brought adaptability, survivability and lethality to the air wing of the future, demonstrating that warfighting readiness is not just about the advanced platforms, but the people who make them operationally effective."

Upon entering the USCENTCOM AOR, VINCSG conducted strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen during Operation Rough Rider. These continuous operations degraded Houthi capabilities and disrupted threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

"Throughout this deployment, the Sailors of America's Favorite aircraft carrier have continually demonstrated remarkable professionalism, grit and teamwork," said Capt. Joshua Wenker, commanding officer of the Carl Vinson. "From high-profile evolutions to routine operations, their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence ensured the ship remained ready and effective. It's an honor to return home with such an exceptional crew."

VINCSG Sailors completed more than 10,000 sorties and 23,000 flight hours, carried out 45 replenishments-at-sea aboard the carrier and sailed over 275,000 nautical miles combined. The ships of VINCSG conducted port visits to Malaysia, Thailand, Republic of Korea and Guam while deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, participating in key leader engagements, community relations projects, sporting events and cultural exchanges.

Notable key leader engagements and visits aboard the Carl Vinson included Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command; Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, commander, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea; Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander, U.S. 5th Fleet; Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet; and key leaders from the Philippine Navy, Thai Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Malaysian Navy and U.S. Forces Korea.

VINCSG is a multiplatform team of ships and aircraft, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe from combat missions to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response.

CSG-1 consists of the Carl Vinson, embarked staffs of CSG-1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, CVW- 2, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). The William P. Lawrence returned to its homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on July 9 after a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

CVW-2 is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks.

An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.

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Smotrich's plan to 'bury' Palestinian state reflects Netanyahu's 'Greater Israel' scheme: Hamas

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 16 August 2025 12:40 AM

Hamas says a plan by extremist Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich to outrageously expand the Israeli occupation in the West Bank reflects the regime's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's so-called "Greater Israel" scheme.

Mahmoud Mardawi, one of the Palestinian resistance movement's senior leaders, made the remarks to the Al Jazeera television network on Friday.

"Smotrich expresses the regime's position, but Netanyahu, from a diplomatic standpoint, tries to hide behind this position of Smotrich," he said.

Mardawi's remarks came after the Israeli minister reaffirmed steadfast commitment to a plan for construction of over 3,000 illegal settler units in the West Bank. Smotrich also said the plan would effectively "bury" the prospect of a Palestinian state.

Days earlier, Netanyahu had unveiled his aspirations for realization of the "Greater Israel" scheme, in line with which, the regime would try to extend its occupation of the West Bank over independent nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

"This regime, with its identity and policies, must be confronted based on what it believes in, which is a blatant aggression against Palestinians in the first place," the resistance official said.

Those policies were embodied in the regime's October 2023-present war of genocide on the Gaza Strip, which has so far claimed the lives of nearly 61,900 Palestinians, mostly women and children, he added.

According to Mardawi, the regime was practically seeking to kill "all living beings in Gaza" through its atrocities.

The Palestinian official added that the resistance had known from long ago about the regime's harboring expansionist plots, which he said were deeply rooted in the "Zionist political expansionist thought."

The official urged the Arab League's member states to respond to such schemes proportionately by severing ties with the Zionist entity and withdrawing their ambassadors from the occupied Palestinian territories.

He said, although, some Arab states had condemned the scheme, they were yet to take action by imposing sanctions on the regime.

The official also categorically ruled out the prospect of the resistance's laying down its arms, asking, "What is the value of the resistance laying down its arms while the enemy wreaks havoc?"

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Russia Boosts The Taliban's Quest For Legitimacy. Who Will Be Next?

By Kian Sharifi and Omid Marzban August 16, 2025

Summary

Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, boosting the group's quest for legitimacy.

This move allows Moscow to project strength globally and influence Central Asia's approach to the Taliban.

China welcomed Russia's decision but stopped short of formal recognition, while Iran and Gulf states remain cautious.

Recognition strengthens the Taliban's international standing but raises concerns over human rights and women's rights in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's four-year quest for legitimacy received a major boost last month when Russia became the first country to formally recognize the group's rule in Afghanistan.

While the Kremlin's decision is largely symbolic, it could still yield strategic benefits for Moscow. Recognition allows Russia to project itself as a bold global power unafraid to challenge Western norms, especially after setbacks in regions like the Middle East.

By taking the initiative, Moscow aims to restore its reputation as an agenda-setter in international affairs, potentially encouraging other nations -- particularly in Central Asia -- to follow suit and normalize ties with the Taliban.

This could enhance Russia's standing in Central Asia, where Afghanistan's stability directly affects neighbors like Tajikistan, and position Moscow as a central player in regional diplomacy.

Will Russia's Validation Trigger A Domino Effect?

In Central Asia, countries like Kazakhstan -- already having delisted the Taliban as a terrorist group and engaged in high-level talks -- appear poised to consider formal ties, driven by shared concerns over border security and stability.

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan also show signs of warming relations, potentially influenced by Moscow's lead to foster collective counterterrorism efforts.

Beyond the region, Russian-aligned states such as Belarus, which has traditionally followed the Kremlin's line, could join the recognition bandwagon.

Global powerhouse China has welcomed Russia's move to recognize the Taliban government, saying it "aimed to pursue a policy of friendship with the Afghan people." Yet Beijing has stopped short of explicitly stating whether that will include formal recognition.

In neighboring Iran, deep-seated public wariness toward the Taliban persists. While Tehran has maintained economic and diplomatic engagement, including hosting Taliban officials and facilitating trade, it has given no indication that it intends to follow Russia's example.

Recognition by China or Iran is not imminent, but geopolitical pragmatism -- spurred by Russia's leap -- could bring both countries closer over time, especially if Afghanistan stabilizes and aligns with their strategic interests.

Meanwhile, caution prevails among Arab states in the Persian Gulf. The United Arab Emirates, despite managing Afghan airports and accepting Taliban diplomats, remains hesitant due to its Western alliances. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, prioritizes domestic reforms over risky diplomatic endorsements. Qatar and Oman continue pragmatic engagements but avoid full recognition to sidestep US scrutiny.

What's In It For Russia?

Arguably the main gain for Moscow is strengthened collaboration against security threats, according to Aleksei Sakharov, a fellow with the Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation.

"The primary objective is to step up counterterrorism cooperation, specifically against ISKP," he said, referring to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province militant group, the most active affiliate of IS.

In recent years, ISKP has expanded its operations beyond Afghanistan, drawing militants from Central Asian nations, especially Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It notably claimed a high-profile attack in Russia in March 2024, when four militants targeted the Crocus City Hall concert venue outside Moscow, killing 145 people in a mass shooting, stabbing, and arson attack.

For the most part, though, Sakharov argued, the Kremlin's recognition of the Taliban is "a symbolic gesture that does not guarantee any upgrade to Moscow's position in Afghanistan." While recognition may streamline partnerships, he said, much of the practical cooperation could have proceeded informally.

The Taliban, meanwhile, stands to gain considerably from this endorsement, which bolsters its quest for international legitimacy and could break the group's diplomatic isolation -- something that has raised concern among Afghan rights activists.

As the de facto rulers of Afghanistan for four years, the Taliban views Russia's step as a validation of its governance, potentially unlocking broader economic engagement.

Moreover, the symbolic weight of recognition from a UN Security Council permanent member like Russia could improve the Taliban's negotiating position in international forums, encouraging dealings without immediate demands for reforms on issues like women's rights or inclusivity.

Former Afghan legislator Shukria Barakzai, who fled the country after the Taliban returned to power, warned that Russia could go as far as adopting positions at the UNSC that benefit only the Taliban.

"Russia has chosen to disregard women's and human rights, prioritizing the interests of one group over those of the entire nation," she told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

She also dismissed speculation about Afghanistan reaping economic benefits from the Taliban being formally recognized by Russia, saying, "It is a mistake to think this will have economic benefits for Afghans."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-taliban-afghanistan- legitimacy-central-asia/33501968.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Joint Statement from 31 Arab, Islamic Foreign Ministers Condemns in the Strongest Terms the Statements Made by Israeli Prime Minister

Saudi Press Agency

Friday 21/02/1447

Riyadh, August 16, 2025, SPA -- The Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the Republic of Chad, the Union of the Comoros, the Republic of Djibouti, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of The Gambia, the Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iraq, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Republic of Lebanon, the State of Libya, the Republic of Maldives, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Sultanate of Oman, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Palestine, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Yemen and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council condemn in the strongest terms the statements made by Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel (the Occupying Power), which were circulated by Israeli media regarding the so-called "Greater Israel." These statements represent a grave disregard for, and a blatant and dangerous violation of, the rules of international law and the foundations of stable international relations. They also constitute a direct threat to Arab national security, to the sovereignty of states, and to regional and international peace and security.

They stress that, while their states reaffirm their respect for international legitimacy and the Charter of the United Nations, particularly Article 2, paragraph 4, which prohibits the use of force or the threat thereof, they will adopt all policies and measures that preserve peace, in a manner that serves the interests of all states and peoples in achieving security, stability, and development, away from illusions of domination and the imposition of power by force.

They also strongly condemn the approval by the extremist Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the settlement plan in the "E1" area, along with his radical racist statements rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state. They consider this to be a blatant violation of international law and a flagrant assault on the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to realize their independent, sovereign state on the lines of 4 June 1967, with Occupied Jerusalem as its capital. They stress that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

They reaffirm their absolute rejection and condemnation of this settlement plan and of all illegal Israeli measures that constitute a flagrant breach of international law and of Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334, which condemns all Israeli settlement activities aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and legal status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1967, including East Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine. They also reaffirm the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which emphasized the illegality of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, and underscored the need to end it immediately, to remove its consequences, and to provide reparations for the damages caused.

They warn of the grave dangers of Israeli intentions and policies aimed at annexing Palestinian territory, and warn of the dangers of the continued expansionist settlement policy in the Occupied West Bank pursued by the extremist Israeli government, including attempts targeting Islamic and Christian Holy Sites, foremost among them Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif; settler terrorism; daily incursions into Palestinian cities, towns, and refugee camps; the systematic destruction of Palestinian refugee camps and the displacement of Palestinian civilians from their homes. These actions directly fuel cycles of violence and conflict and undermine prospects for achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region. They also warn against reliance on ideological and racist delusions, which risk fueling the conflict in ways that are difficult to control or predict, thereby threatening both regional and international security and stability.

In a related context, they reiterate their rejection and condemnation of Israel's crimes of aggression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing. They reaffirm the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, along with ensuring unconditional humanitarian access to end the policy of systematic starvation that Israel is pursuing as a weapon of genocide. This requires the immediate lifting of Israel's deadly blockade on the Strip, the opening of Israel's crossings with Gaza, and holding Israel, as the Occupying Power, fully responsible for the consequences of its crimes in the Gaza Strip, including the collapse of the health and relief systems. The Foreign Ministers also reiterate their unequivocal rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people in any form and under any pretext, and call on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to end its aggression and to fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip, in preparation for enabling the creation of conditions conducive to the implementation of the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery efforts and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

They reaffirm that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and emphasize the need for the State of Palestine to assume governance responsibilities in the Gaza Strip as in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with Arab and international support, and within the political program of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and under a single governing authority, a single legal system, and a single legitimate weapon.

In this regard, they call on the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, particularly the United States of America, to shoulder their legal and moral responsibilities and to take immediate action to compel Israel to halt its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip and its dangerous escalation in the Occupied West Bank, to stop the illusory and inciting statements made by its officials, and to provide international protection to the Palestinian people. They further call for enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights, foremost among them the right to establish their independent sovereign state on their national soil, and for holding accountable those responsible for crimes and violations against the Palestinian people.

-- SPA

02:54 Local Time 23:54 GMT

0006

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Russo-Ukraine War - 15 August 2025 - Day 1269

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that it has been reported that Russian President Putin has reiterated longstanding maximalist demands regarding Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, including for the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the four internationally-recognised Ukrainian oblasts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson.

Based on the rate of Russia's incremental battlefield advances so far in 2025, it would take Russian forces approximately 4.4 more years to gain 100 per cent of the four Ukrainian oblasts' territory.

Based on Russia's average daily casualty rate in 2025 so far, as reported by Ukrainian General Staff, 4.4 more years of war would lead to approximately 1,930,000 further Russian casualties (killed and wounded). This is in addition to the approximately 1,060,000 casualties Russia has already likely sustained since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including around 250,000 killed or missing (presumed dead).

Russia announced the illegal and erroneous annexation of the four internationally-recognised Ukrainian oblasts, including those areas under Ukrainian control, in September 2022, contradicting Russia's own formal recognition of Ukraine's independence and sovereignty following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, 97 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression.

Today, Russian zagarbniki carried out two missile and 77 aviation strikes on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, using three missiles and dropping 133 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, involved for impressions 1 568 Kamikadze drones and carried out about 4 000 shelling.

Five combat clashes have taken place in the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions since the beginning of the day. In addition, the Russian enemy launched 13 air strikes, dropped 32 controlled air bombs, and carried out 165 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including four from reactive fire systems.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Defense Forces repelled three Russian attacks near the settlements of Vovchansk and Kamyanka. One fighting encounter continues so far.

In the Kupyansky direction, the Russian aggressor twice tried to go forward in the areas of the settlements of Petropavlivka and Zagrizove. Ukrainian defenders have successfully stopped Russian attacks.

In the Lyman direction Russian zagarbniki eight times attacked the positions of the Defense Forces near the settlements of Karpivka, Shandrigolove, Kolodiazi, Yampil, Grigorivka. Four fighting clashes are going on so far.

In the Sivers komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled five attacks of Russian occupation troops near Grigorivka, Serebryanka, Fedorivka, Pereiznogo and in the direction of Sivers k. So far, not a single confrontation has subsided.

In the Kramators komu direction Ukrainian defenders stopped the Russian attack in the area of Orihovo-Vasilivki.

In the Toretsky direction, Russians six times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units near Pleshiyivka, Stepanivka, Yablunivka and Rusynoy Yar.

In the Pokrovsky direction, since the beginning of this day, Russian forces 35 times tried to advance in the areas of settlements Poltavka, Volodymyrivka, Fedorivka, Novoekonomicne, Rodins ke, Suhetske, Beam, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Udacne, Dachne, Novoukrainka. So far, two combat clashes are ongoing.

Today, according to preliminary data, 172 occupants were defecated in this direction, 132 of them - irrevocably. Seven cars, four motorcycles, 106 drones and two drone control points were also destroyed.

In the Novopavlovsk direction, the Russian enemy tried twelve times to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of the settlements of Komyshuvakha, Zelene Pole, Maliivka, Zaporizhye, Olgivka. The two fighting clashes are still going on.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, the Russian occupiers launched an airstrike on the settlement of Bilogir.

In the orihiv direction today Russian forces did not carry out offensive actions.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled five Russian attacks towards Primorsky, Antonivsky Bridge and the island of White Chest.

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Taiwan announces measures to protect hospitals from hackers

ROC Central News Agency

08/15/2025 06:39 PM

Taipei, Aug. 15 (CNA) The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) on Friday announced plans to strengthen cybersecurity resilience in Taiwan's medical sector, following cyberattacks on at least two hospitals earlier this year that were linked to a Chinese hacker.

"Under [ransomware] attacks, we are concerned that hospitals could be paralyzed, posing a major risk to Taiwan, and that personal data within them could also be leaked," MODA Deputy Minister Lin Yi-jing () said at a news conference in Taipei.

To address such challenges, Lin said MODA and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) have joined hands to improve cybersecurity in hospitals, which are considered critical infrastructure.

Four measures, including cyber defense drills, talent development, institutional guidance and enhanced inspections, will be implemented to help hospitals defend against cyberattacks, said Tsai Fu-longe (), director-general of MODA's Administration for Cyber Security.

One of the drills highlighted by MODA is an exercise scheduled for the end of 2025 that will invite domestic and foreign white-hat hackers -- experts who hack systems to identify vulnerabilities and alert organizations -- to take part, with a focus on the medical sector.

Eleven hospitals will team up to counter attacks in the drills, with the aim of strengthening their ability to implement protective measures and file reports when facing cyberattacks, Tsai said.

"In the past, hospitals may have handled defense on their own, but such drills can foster closer cooperation between them and help enhance their technical capabilities," he added.

Following a series of attacks by "CrazyHunter" earlier this year, the resilience of Taiwan's medical sector has improved, said Lee Chien-chang (), head of MOHW's Department of Information Management.

The "CrazyHunter" attack Lee referred to was a ransomware incident that crippled the computer systems of Taipei's MacKay Memorial Hospital in February and Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH) in March, both of which are top-tier medical centers in Taiwan's three-tier hospital classification system.

While no data was leaked from CCH, patient information stolen from MacKay was later put up for sale after the hospital refused to pay the ransom, according to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB).

Lee said that following the two attacks, the MOHW in March issued guidelines for hospitals on responding to ransomware attacks. "Such response guidelines are almost unheard of in other countries," he noted.

With such guidelines, cybersecurity staff will know what to do at any point after an attack, Lee said, including what actions to take within 24, 48 and 72 hours -- starting with containing the damage, identifying the malware and quickly restoring systems.

He added that all medical centers in Taiwan have now installed Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), a cybersecurity tool absent in most before the two attacks but which helped some computers at MacKay avoid compromise during the February incident.

In April, the CIB said "Crazyhunter" is the alias of a 20-year-old employee of a cybersecurity company in Zhejiang Province, China, surnamed Lo (). That revelation has prompted speculation over whether Lo was supported by Chinese authorities to launch the attack.

In response to media questions on the matter, Lee said, "We cannot speculate, but on the surface it is clear that there was indeed a specific commercial ransom demand."

Asked by CNA whether Taiwan's medical sector is now prepared to withstand an attack by hackers backed by Chinese authorities, Lee said the government would never assume "our defenses are impenetrable and that such incidents will not happen again."

He said the focus is on building resilience so that if an attack breaches the system, operations can be restored immediately. "This is what we are working on now," Lee added.

(By Sunny Lai)

Enditem/AW



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Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division, Delivers Remarks at Press Event Announcing Charges against Senior Leaders of the United Cartels

Friday, August 15, 2025

Location

Washington, DC 20530

United States

"Today's charges are designed to dismantle the United Cartels and bring their leaders to justice for unleashing death and destruction on American citizens," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "Working closely with our partners throughout President Trump's Administration, we will continue our historic effort to destroy foreign terror organizations and prosecute terrorists wherever they may hide."

Good morning.

Thank you all for joining us. My name is Matthew Galeotti, and I am the Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.

Today, I am pleased to announce the indictments of five top leaders of the United Cartels - a lethal association of Mexico-based cartels that have allied to poison our streets with methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, and ruthlessly rule their territories in Mexico, armed with military-grade weapons.

In February 2025, the United Cartels were one of eight groups designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, underscoring the threat that they pose to our national security.

These defendants have been charged with trafficking tonnage quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. And three of the defendants are also charged with firearms-related charges, including semi-automatic weapons, machine guns and destructive devices.

The charges we are announcing today represent the Department's latest efforts to achieve the total elimination of drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The Criminal Division is on the frontlines of this fight, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our U.S. Attorneys' Offices and law enforcement partners to dismantle narco-terrorist networks using all available tools.

But this battle requires a whole-of-government approach. Today, I will describe three measures we are taking to curb the United Cartels and their reign of terror, violence, and poisonous drugs.

First, as I mentioned, the Department has criminally charged five top leaders of the United Cartels with crimes carrying sentences of up to life imprisonment.

Second, together with the State Department, we are expanding the awards program available to brave witnesses willing to come forward with information regarding the United Cartels and these leaders specifically.

And third, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control, is imposing economic sanctions against the United Cartels' leadership.

Let's start with the criminal charges.

The story of the United Cartels begins in the Mexican state of Michoacan, an area about the size of West Virginia, with mountains, beaches, and avocado farms. For years, the United Cartels have ruled most of Michoacan with terror and corruption.

In Michoacan, the United Cartels' leaders operate large scale drug manufacturing facilities, including methamphetamine mega-labs capable of producing thousands of kilograms a month.

They control landing strips used by planes bringing cocaine from Colombia.

They run fentanyl pill labs that prepare the product for export.

The United Cartels generate extraordinary profits by manufacturing, shipping, and distributing these dangerous drugs throughout the United States, relying on particularly strong networks in Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Denver.

With their drug trafficking proceeds, United Cartel leaders purchase weapons and hire mercenaries to control their territory in Michoacan, particularly against rival cartel Cartel Jalisco Nuevo Generacion, or CJNG. And by weapons, I mean Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), fully automatic weapons, drones, .50 caliber rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), armor piercing munitions, and improvised tanks.

To put it simply, these cartel leaders are narco-terrorists, operating a narco-terrorist organization.

The five indicted defendants are:

Juan Jose Farias Alvarez. Alvarez goes by the name "Abuelo" and is the alleged overall leader of the United Cartels.

Edgar Orozco Cabadas. Cabadas uses the alias "El Kamoni" and is allegedly a high-level enforcer and trafficker in the United Cartels. El Kamoni leads a group of armed fighters, known as the "Kamonis," to enforce cartel control.

Alfonso Fernandez Magallon. Magallon goes by the alias "Poncho" and is the alleged leader of Los Reyes Cartel, a sub-cartel under the United Cartels umbrella. Poncho uses armed groups to enforce his orders, and ensure he is paid a tax on drugs produced and shipped to the United States from his territory.

Luis Enrique Barragan Chavez. Chavez goes by the name "Wicho" and is allegedly the second-in-command of Los Reyes Cartel and an enforcer for the United Cartels. Wicho leads an armed group known as the "R5s" to maintain the United Cartels territorial control over Michoacan.

Nicolas Sierra Santana. Santana goes by the name "El Gordo" and is the alleged leader of Los Viagras cartel, a sub-cartel that, until recently, operated under the United Cartels umbrella. El Gordo and his cartel are notoriously violent and prolific methamphetamine producers, who ship the methamphetamine they produce to the United States.

As outlined in their indictments, these five defendants are all alleged to have participated in conspiracies to manufacture and distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to be unlawfully imported into the United States, for over a decade.

In addition, "Abuelo," "Poncho," and "Wicho" are alleged to have carried, brandished, or discharged firearms during and in relation to the charged drug trafficking crimes.

Our global investigation against these men kicked off in December 2019 in Rockwood, Tennessee, a little town outside of Knoxville. Two methamphetamine distributors were involved in a car accident and fled the scene, where law enforcement found an active conversion lab, 39 kilograms of methamphetamine and seven kilograms of heroin.

Inside the stash house, law enforcement found 52 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 200 grams of fentanyl pills, and $180,000 of hidden cash.

In total, law enforcement seized approximately 950 kilos of meth from this network.

They also seized 15 phones, uncovering messages revealing the network's connection to the United Cartels in Michoacan, Mexico.

Indeed, El Kamoni had been in touch with the network's leader just days before agents executed the search warrants.

In messages to the network's leader, El Kamoni spoke of sending kilos of meth and fentanyl pills to the network to be sold and distributed in the United States.

El Kamoni even encouraged the network leader to sell the meth quickly, so that El Kamoni can ship more from Mexico to Atlanta.

From a mountaintop mega lab in Michoacan to the hills of Georgia and Tennessee - this investigation illustrates the United Cartels' deadly grip on the American heartland.

The drugs that these cartels send into our country make our communities more violent, more dangerous, and threaten the lives of everyday Americans. We are therefore committed to their total elimination.

The criminal charges that I am announcing today are the result of the hard work of the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, the dedicated special agents of Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement. We are intent on building on their investigation to bring the defendants to justice.

Now, the second measure that we are announcing - the use of the Narcotics Rewards Program.

We are committed to using all statutory bases to safeguard the United States and bring to justice those organizations seeking to wreak havoc on us at home and abroad.

Today, the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Department of State, is announcing reward offers for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the United Cartels defendants whose indictments I discussed earlier. Those rewards are as follows:

$10 million for Juan Farias Alvarez, also known as "Abuelo";

$5 million for Alfonso Fernandez Magallon, also known as "Poncho";

$5 million for Nicolas Sierra Santana, also known as "El Gordo";

$3 million for Luis Enrique Barragan Chavez, also known as "Wicho"; and

$3 million for Edgar Orozco Cabadas, also known as "El Kamoni"

For over 35 years, the State Department-led Narcotics Reward Program has helped bring more than 75 cartel leaders and drug traffickers to justice, with over $135 million paid in rewards. It remains one of the most effective tools the U.S. government has to disrupt international drug trafficking and narco-terrorist organizations with urgency in light of these extreme danger these groups pose to our country.

These five defendants are believed to be located in Mexico, and the Justice Department is working tirelessly with its law enforcement partners to bring these individuals to face justice in the United States.

We are asking the public  in the U.S. and worldwide  to step forward. If you have information about the United Cartels leaders we've announced today, you may be eligible for one of these multimillion-dollar rewards.

In the U.S., contact Homeland Security Investigations. If you are located abroad, reach out to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or respond directly to reward posters that will be published online. If you know where one of these United Cartels leaders is hiding, if you have information that could stop the next shipment of poison into our communities  we want to hear from you. The U.S. government will act, and we will reward your courage.

Lastly, our third measure, sanctions - I will turn it over to Brad Smith of the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control to announce our third critical step in eliminating the United Cartels by deploying yet another powerful tool in the U.S. Government's arsenal against narco-terrorist organizations: economic sanctions.

Before I close, I want to also thank our foreign law enforcement counterparts, including Mexican law enforcement, for their assistance with this investigation. We will continue working together to bring these defendants to justice.

Speaker: Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General

Components: Criminal Division

Criminal - Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section

USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

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California Governor Gavin Newsom and the top Democrat in the House of Representatives in New York, Gregory Meeks, have sharply criticized the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin, which took place in Alaska without the participation of Ukraine.

On his official account on X, Newsom said: "TRUMP JUST FLED THE PODIUM WITH PUTIN  NO QUESTIONS, NOTHING! TOTAL LOW ENERGY. THE MAN LOOKED LIKE HED JUST EATEN 3 BUCKETS OF KFC WITH VLAD. IS HE AFRAID THE PRESS WILL ASK ABOUT ME??? (AMERICAS FAVORITE GOVERNOR)."

At the same time, Congressman Meeks noted X that holding the meeting at Trump's invitation, without the Ukrainian side and without concessions from the Russian Federation is an "undeserved reward for Putin."

"President Trump should have pressured Putin by imposing crushing sanctions on his war machine and providing Ukraine with the tools it needs to defend itself. Instead, by literally rolling out the red carpet, Trump has legitimized Russia's aggression and whitewashed Putin's war crimes. It is shameful," Meeks said.

He added that there is currently no reason to believe that Putin will negotiate in good faith, and called on the Trump administration to act in close coordination with European allies and Ukraine, adopt new sanctions, and provide additional assistance to Kyiv.
PCG recovers Chinese rocket debris in Occ. Mindoro waters

Philippine News Agency

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

August 15, 2025, 4:33 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has recovered floating rocket debris bearing the markings of the People's Republic of China (PRC) along the shoreline of Sitio Gunting, Barangay Bonbon, Looc, Occidental Mindoro.

In a statement on Friday, the PCG said the debris was retrieved Thursday by a local fisherman who reached out to the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime Group and PCG Sub-Station Lubang.

The debris was allegedly linked to the Long March 7A rocket launch conducted by China between July 15 to 17.

"Upon receipt of the report, CGSS Lubang coordinated with Barangay Binacas and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Lubang Sub-Office, to coordinate a retrieval operation," it said.

The joint operation confirmed the presence of the debris and interviewed the 50-year-old fisherman, a resident of Barangay Binacas, who had found the object while fishing one nautical mile off Barangay Bonbon.

The debris measures around 10 feet by 14 feet, is made of alloy material, and bears the flag of the PRC.

The object has since been secured at Sitio Balaguin, Barangay Maliig, in Lubang for safekeeping and proper disposition.

"The PCG continues to remind fishermen, coastal community residents, and other maritime stakeholders to immediately report sightings of unusual floating objects to the nearest Coast Guard unit for appropriate actions," it said. (PNA)

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Defence export success for South Australian missile manufacturer

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for Pacific Island Affairs

14 August 2025

Two major export deals worth a combined $80 million have been secured by Kongsberg Defence Australia, seeing missile launchers and command and control consoles made in South Australia soon to be exported to Europe.

Last year, the Albanese Government added Kongsberg Defence Australia to its Global Supply Chain Program, which has since opened the door to Australian defence industries. These export deals are made possible through Australia's Naval Strike Missile procurement contract, which included an agreement for components to be manufactured in Australia.

As a result, South Australian companies are now contributing to exporting sophisticated defence hardware to Poland, Spain and Denmark.

Through its parent company, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace in Norway, the company will deliver Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System Command and Control Consoles to Poland.

The $30 million contract is Kongsberg Defence Australia's first export as part of the Commonwealth's Global Supply Chain Program. The company also secured another $50 million order for Australian-made Naval Strike Missile Launcher Systems to be exported to Spain and Denmark.

The export deals mark a significant milestone for Australia's sovereign guided weapons manufacturing program.

Both the launcher systems and command and control consoles will be assembled by Kongsberg Defence Australia, and tested in their production and maintenance facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. The consoles and launchers will be manufactured using 100 per cent Australian made components and subsystems from companies based in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

The two projects are set to create 60 highly-skilled jobs at Kongsberg Defence Australia and across its local supply chain.

The Naval Strike Missile is a modern anti-ship cruise missile designed to defeat highly capable enemy warships as well as land-based targets. The Naval Strike Missile is being installed on Navy's Hobart class destroyers and Anzac class frigates with a successful first of class firing in July 2024 and Initial Operational Capability declaration in 2024.

These exports are part of the Australian Government's investment in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise, underpinned by a commitment in Defence's Integrated Investment Program of $16 to $21 billion over the next decade.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

"The Albanese Government's efforts to support Australia's sovereign defence manufacturing industry have reaped further benefits with these significant export deals. This is an exciting milestone for Australia's sovereign defence manufacturing industry and a proud moment for Australian businesses to enter the global supply chain for missile manufacturing.

"It will be the first time Naval Strike Missile launchers are manufactured outside of Europe and the United States, positioning Australia as a trusted source of supply to the Naval Strike Missile capability.

"These deals underscore the Government's commitment to working alongside our industry partners to strengthen Australia's role in the global defence industry."

Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Defence & Space Industries, the Hon Stephen Mullighan MP:

"This is a fantastic result for South Australia's defence sector, demonstrating our capabilities in delivering state-of-the-art technology to a global market.

"These significant contracts will not only boost the workforce at Kongsberg's Mawson Lakes facility, but along the supply chain.

"It's successes like this that help cement South Australia's reputation as the Defence State."

Quotes attributable to Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia, John Fry:

"These major export contracts are a huge milestone for Kongsberg Defence Australia.

"Together with our Australian suppliers, we have demonstrated our determination and competitiveness to be able deliver to our parent company, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for international customers, highlighting the capability, quality and reliability of our Australian team and supply chain.

"The export contracts under the Commonwealth's Global Supply Chain Program are creating opportunities in the international market for our local suppliers, which is a fantastic outcome for Australian Defence industry."

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Belarus must end ill-treatment of prisoners convicted on terrorism and extremism charges, say UN experts

Press releases

Special Procedures

15 August 2025

GENEVA -- A group of UN experts* today called on authorities in Belarus to promptly and efficiently investigate the alleged ill-treatment of prisoners convicted on terrorism and extremism related charges.

In a letter to Belarusian authorities, the experts raised concerns about the alleged ill-treatment of three inmates, two women and one man, convicted and sentenced to lengthy imprisonment on terrorism and extremism charges.

"We call on Belarusian authorities to immediately launch a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged ill-treatment of these prisoners and take all possible measures to safeguard their health and personal integrity, including considering granting them pardons or commutations of their sentences to non-custodial penalties," the experts said.

According to reports received, penitentiary administrations are denying proper medical care to these individuals and treating them inhumanely, exposing them to the risk of severe and potentially irreversible deterioration of health.

The experts noted that allegations of ill-treatment involving two of these prisoners had already been brought to the attention of the Government and expressed regret that nothing had yet been done to address them.

They also raised concerns that the imprisonment of one of these inmates could be related to her publications on socio-political issues in the country, in violation of her freedom of expression.

"The Belarusian counter-terrorism and anti-extremism legal framework remains a matter of persistent concern," the experts said. "We keep receiving allegations of people being convicted on terrorism and extremism charges and being added to official public lists of terrorists and extremists in retaliation for their exercise of civil and political rights, without any due process and effective remedies to challenge these decisions."

The experts noted that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued several opinions on the misuse of anti-extremist legislation in Belarus. They reiterated their call on Belarusian authorities to bring their counter-terrorism and anti-extremism legal framework and law-enforcement practice in line with their obligations under international human rights law.

*The experts: Nils Muiznieks, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus;

Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism;

Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers;

Laura Nyirinkindi (Chair), Claudia Flores (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Ivana Krstic, and Haina Lu, Working group on discrimination against women and girls;

Ms. Ganna Yudkivska (Chair-Rapporteur), Mr. Matthew Gillett (Vice-Chair on Communications), Ms. Miriam Estrada Castillo (Vice-Chair on Follow-Up), Mr. Mumba Malila, and Mr. Ethan Hee-Seok Shin, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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Closing arguments in Jimmy Lai security case delayed over health concerns

The 77-year-old media mogul faces life in prison under Hong Kong's restrictive national security law. His trial is expected to resume Monday.

By RFA staff 2025.08.13 -- Closing arguments in the trial of Jimmy Lai, the founder of Hong Kong's now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, were postponed on Friday over concerns for Lai's health. It was the second time the proceedings were postponed this week.

The court session originally scheduled for Thursday was delayed due to heavy rain. As court resumed Friday, defense attorney Robert Pang said that Lai was experiencing heart "palpitations" and felt like he was "collapsing." Lawyers asked that Lai be excused from coming to court.

A judge in the case, Alex Lee, said it would be "prudent" to begin proceedings on Monday. Another judge, Esther Toh, said medical staff arranged by the court had detected "no abnormality" with Lai's heart.

The founder of Hong Kong's now shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, the 77-year-old Lai is accused of "collusion with foreign forces" and "seditious publication" under Hong Kong's restrictive National Security Law, which was imposed by Beijing in 2020. Lai has denied the charges.

In February, Lai's son Sebastien warned that "time is running out" for his father's health, and called on Britain and the United States to push for his release. Lai has been in prison since 2020, spending much of that time in solitary confinement, his son said. The elder Lai is a British citizen.

On Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists cited Lai's health in calling on Hong Kong officials to free him.

"The prolonged detention of Jimmy Lai not only destroys Hong Kong's historic reputation as a free and open society, but also as a trusted hub for business," Beh Lih Yi, a regional director of CPJ, said in a statement. "The risk of him dying in prison increases as each day passes."

Includes reporting from Agence France-Presse.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Chinese, Mongolian militaries conduct Border Defense Cooperation 2025 joint exercise: Defense Spokesperson

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorLi Jiayao

2025-08-15 18:45:44

BEIJING, Aug. 15 -- The Chinese and Mongolian border defense troops recently conducted Border Defense Cooperation 2025 joint exercise in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, on Friday.

Focusing on the subject of crackdown on cross-border illegal criminal activities, the exercise further enhanced both sides' joint border management and control capabilities and deepened their traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation, he said.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Remarks on August 15, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: August 15, 2025 18:40

AFP: What comment does China have on Iran's comment that it is "working with China and Russia" to prevent the E3 from invoking the UN Security Council "snapback" mechanism? How is China helping Iran exactly?

Lin Jian: China stays committed to peacefully resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, opposes invoking Security Council "snapback" sanctions and believes that it does not help parties build trust and bridge differences and is not conducive to the diplomatic effort for the early resumption of talks.

Any moves taken by the Security Council now should help reach new agreements in talks, instead of the opposite. China will uphold an objective and just attitude, continue to promote talks for peace, play a constructive role for bringing the Iranian nuclear issue back on the track of diplomatic negotiations at an early date, earnestly safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote peace and stability in the Middle East.

Reuters: Reuters has learned that India is looking for easier access to Chinese rare earth magnets and the issue is likely to come up in talks between Indian and Chinese leaders on the sidelines of SCO summit. Could we confirm the matter, please?

Lin Jian: I'd refer you to competent authorities for specifics.

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Delegation of State Duma of Russian Federation Arrives

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the State Duma of the Russian Federation led by Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin arrived here on August 14 to visit the DPRK at the invitation of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

Pyongyang International Airport was filled with a warm welcome atmosphere to the envoys of the close neighboring country who are visiting Pyongyang with the feelings of friendship of the Russian people amid the steadfast development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries into invincible alliance.

The national flags of the DPRK and Russia were fluttering on the flagstaffs and the guard of honor of the Korean People's Army lined up at the apron before the terminal.

Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, came to the airport.

The delegation was warmly greeted by Kang Yun Sok, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the SPA, Pak In Chol, chairman of the SPA, Kim Jong Gyu, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Chol, director of the Academy of Medical Science of the Ministry of Public Health who is concurrently chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Parliamentary Group, Aleksandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.

The delegation headed for the lodging quarters, being warmly welcomed by the masses. -0-

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Talks Held between Chairman of Standing Committee of DPRK SPA and Speaker of State Duma of Russia

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Talks between Choe Ryong Hae, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall here on Thursday.

Present there were Kang Yun Sok, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the SPA of the DPRK, Pak In Chol, chairman of the SPA, Kim Jong Gyu, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Chol, director of the Academy of Medical Science of the Ministry of Public Health who is concurrently chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Parliamentary Group, officials concerned, Ivan Melinikov, first deputy speaker of the State Duma, Alexandr Babakov and Vladislav Dawankov, deputy speakers of the State Duma, and other leading members of the delegation of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and Aleksandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.

The talks discussed the issue of building a new peaceful and just world and further developing bilateral cooperation for the welfare and development of friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries through joint efforts and issues of mutual concern.

The talks proceeded in a comradely and friendly atmosphere. -0-

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Visits Liberation Tower

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, August 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, visited the Liberation Tower on August 15 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was accompanied by senior officials of the Central Committee of the WPK, leading officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK and commanders of the services of the Korean People's Army.

The guard of honour of the KPA lined up in front of the Liberation Tower.

The national anthems of the Russian Federation and the DPRK were played.

A wreath in the name of Kim Jong Un was laid before the tower amid the playing of the wreath-laying music.

Written on the ribbon of the wreath were letters reading "We do not forget the exploits of the fallen martyrs of the Soviet Army".

Kim Jong Un paid a high tribute to the fallen martyrs of the Soviet Army who fought bravely in the sacred war for Korea's liberation.

There was a march-past of the guard of honour of the KPA.

Kim Jong Un looked round the Liberation Tower with the participants.

The sacred history of national liberation of the Korean people is associated with the matchless heroism and undying feats performed by the service personnel of the Soviet Army in the anti-Japanese revolutionary war against the common enemy, he said, adding that the militant friendship and blood ties forged between the armies and peoples of the two countries amid the fierce flames of war are a true example of international justice and solidarity.

He expressed belief that the invincible DPRK-Russia friendship consolidated century after century by inheriting the noble spirit of the forerunners of the two countries would grow stronger in the future. -0-

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Sends Reply to President of Russian Federation

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, August 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a reply message to Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on August 15.

In his reply he expressed his heartfelt thanks to Putin for his warm congratulations on the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation. And he continued:

The great history of national liberation that brought about a radical turn in the Korean people's effort to hew out their destiny and achieve rejuvenation is indelibly inscribed also with the matchless self-sacrificing spirit and undying exploits of the officers and men of the Red Army. The militant friendship and unity that the peoples and armies of the two countries shaped in the resistance struggle against their common enemy have fully displayed their invincibility and vitality in the long years of struggle to defeat the imperialists' high-handed outrages and ambition for hegemony.

The admirable 80-year-long history, tradition and blood-sealed ties now constitute the main cornerstone on which the DPRK-Russia relations of friendship and cooperation have developed into the stablest comradeship and a comprehensive strategic companionship, and serve as a source of inexhaustible driving force for pushing the two nations' effort to build theirs into powerful countries and establish a new, multipolar world.

The great friendship and unity between the two peoples who have established future-oriented inter-state relations and are struggling shoulder to shoulder to attain a common purpose will surely be carried forward along with the ennobling spirit of the forerunners and with the new era of overall boom of the bilateral relations.

Expressing his firm belief that the Russian army and people, under the energetic leadership of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, will surely emerge victorious in their sacred cause of defending the national prestige and fame and achieving prosperity of the Russian Federation, he wished that only victory and glory are in store for the great Russia all the time. -0-

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US President Donald Trump said he was ready to join the upcoming meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Russian President, so that, in his words, "the matter can be concluded."

"We have agreed on a lot of issues - a lot of issues have been agreed on, although, as you know, there are one or two fairly significant issues left, but I think they can be resolved now. It really depends on President Zelenskyy to do it, and I would also say that the European nations should be a little more involved. But the final word is with President Zelenskyy," Trump said in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity.

He added that, "if they like," he would be at the next meeting.

"They are going to arrange a meeting now between President Zelenskyy, President Putin and me. I didn't even ask about it - not that I want to be there, but I want to make sure that it gets done. And I think we have a pretty chance of getting it done," Trump said.
INS TAMAL VISITS NAPLES, ITALY

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 15 AUG 2025 6:57PM by PIB Delhi

INS Tamal, the latest stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, arrived at Naples, Italy, on 13 Aug 2025 during her return passage to India after the commissioning in Russia on 01 Jul 25. The visit underscores the deepening of bilateral relations between India and Italy since the elevation to a 'Strategic Partnership' in 2023, centered on expanded cooperation in Defence, Energy, and Technology, and is aimed at enhancing interoperability and jointmanship between both the navies.

INS Tamal participated in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with ITS Trieste, Landing Platform Dock of the Italian Navy, prior entering harbour at Naples. Joint operations during the PASSEX included communication exercises, manoeuvres and flying operations.

The ship's engagements during the port call include professional and bilateral activities including interaction with civil dignitaries at Naples, cross deck visits, discussions with senior Italian Navy functionaries and cultural events in honour of Indo-Italian relations.

INS Tamal celebrated India's 79th Independence Day at Naples, today 15 Aug 25.

The port call by INS Tamal is indicative of the importance India attaches to its relations with Italy and the endeavour to strengthen the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. It also provide an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and explore new avenues of cooperation.

______________________

VM/SKS 160/25



(Release ID: 2156937)

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Indian PM Modi warns Pakistan against 'nuclear blackmail,' vows armed response

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 4:40 PM

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a stern warning to Pakistan against threatening New Delhi with what he called "nuclear blackmail."

Speaking at the Red Fort on Friday during India's 79th Independence Day celebrations, Modi directly responded to remarks attributed to Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, who reportedly threatened to use nuclear weapons in the event of a military confrontation over issues including water distribution and Kashmir, long-standing points of tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Indian media reports cited Munir addressing the Pakistani diaspora in Tampa, Florida, during a visit to the United States last week, stating that Pakistan possesses nuclear weapons and, if necessary, would "take half the world down" with them.

Modi rejected the threat, emphasizing India's readiness to respond.

"Nuclear blackmail has been going on for a long time, but now India won't tolerate the blackmailing," he said in a speech lasting one hour and forty-three minutes.

"If our enemies persist in such attempts, our armed forces will respond, on their own terms, at a time of their choosing, and by achieving the objectives they set. We are ready to give a befitting reply."

Modi expressed gratitude to the Indian armed forces for their role in a brief military confrontation with Pakistan in May.

"Destruction inflicted by our armed forces in Pakistan was so widespread, new revelations are being made every day," he said

Modi also hinted that India would continue its unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. The treaty allows sharing the roughly 2,897-kilometer (1,800-mile) river, a lifeline for both countries.

"Rivers from India were irrigating the lands of enemies while my country's farmers and land faced a deficiency of water," Modi said. "India has now decided that blood and water will not flow together."

During his visit to the US, Pakistan's army chief reportedly criticized India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning it could put 250 million people at risk of starvation.

He said Pakistan would destroy any dam India built, stressing that Islamabad had no shortage of missiles.

On Tuesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke out against New Delhi's decision in April to suspend the historical Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-old water-sharing agreement between the two countries.

"I want to tell the enemy today that if you threaten to hold our water, then keep this in mind that you cannot snatch even one drop from Pakistan," Sharif said. "You threaten to stop our water. If you attempt such a move, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget."

Reports suggest that over 80 percent of Pakistan's irrigation and nearly 50 percent of its GDP depend on the water from the Indus River.

India pulled out of the treaty in April after a deadly attack targeting Hindu tourists in Indian- administrated Kashmir that it said was backed by Pakistan.

Meanwhile, despite escalating pressure and threats of additional tariffs from the United States, Modi avoided the topic, instead emphasizing his commitment to farmers.

"When economic selfishness is rising day by day... we must not just sit and worry about the crisis but instead focus on our strengths," Modi said.

He added that he would "stand like a wall" against any policy that hurts the interests of India's agricultural sector.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to double new import tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent by August 27 if New Delhi does not halt its purchase of Russian oil.

"We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs," Modi said. "But to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence."

The increased import of discounted Russian crude oil reportedly helped India save between $7 billion and $10 billion, bringing total gross oil expenditures to $186 billion.

Indian exports to the United States were worth $87.3 billion in 2024, while US imports into India reached $41.5 billion, with arms and munitions constituting a significant portion.

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India's Modi vows self-reliance in defense, energy amid US tariffs

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 10:56 AM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to defend his country "like a wall" amid US tariff threats, stressing India's push for self-reliance in energy and defense capabilities.

He addressed his nation during the 78th annual Independence Day celebrations on Friday in New Delhi's Red Fort, pledging commitment to his country's self-reliance in energy independence and the development of its own defense systems.

"Self-reliance is the foundation of developed India. We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs... Freedom becomes meaningless if someone becomes too dependent on others," said Modi.

Tensions between the two countries have grown in recent months as the Trump administration warns India to halt imports of Russian crude or face punitive measures. Washington has given New Delhi until August 27 to comply or face a doubling of tariffs on certain Indian exports from 25% to 50%.

India has been one of the top buyers of Russian oil, arguing the purchases are vital to meet the needs of its 1.4 billion people and to cushion its economy from global price shocks.

Despite Modi's efforts to cultivate ties with Washington since Donald Trump took office in Januaryand his endorsement of a Trump summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaskathe tariff threat is seen as the US president's transactional and unilateral style in foreign policy.

Trump has pursued similar hardline tactics with other allies, from Europe to East Asia, pressing them on trade, defense spending, and energy choices.

Modi stressed India's push to develop its own defense and technology sectors, urging scientists and engineers to focus on building fighter jet engines, semiconductor chips, and advanced military hardware.

"We will have India-made semiconductor chips in the market by the year's end," he said, adding that India was also planning to construct its own space station and a "defense shield" within the next decade.

He also emphasized defending the interests of Indian farmers, a sector employing hundreds of millions and long a sticking point in US-India trade talks.

"When economic selfishness is rising day by day... we must not just sit and worry about the crisis but instead focus on our strengths," he said.

Despite the tensions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended Independence Day greetings to Modi, describing U.S.-India ties as "consequential and far-reaching" and expressing hope to "ensure a brighter future for both."

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Khatibzadeh: Iran is prepared to defend its peaceful nuclear rights

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 15, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran is prepared to defend its peaceful nuclear rights, says Saeed Khatibzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of the Center for Political and International Studies at Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Khatibzadeh, who has traveled to Turkey for political consultations, made these remarks in an interview with Turkey's A Haber TV channel on Friday.

He emphasized that Iran has devoted a significant portion of its resources and energy to this peaceful program and cannot be deprived of it.

Regarding Iran's meeting with the E3 (Germany, France, and the UK) that recently took place in Istanbul, he said that the talks were cordial and friendly.

Khatibzadeh said that as everyone knows, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal, has been under pressure for years following the US withdrawal and added that Iran showed strategic patience for a year, waiting for the promised compensation from the Europeans in exchange for remaining in the deal.

Unfortunately, the Europeans failed to take meaningful action, he said, adding that they lacked the will to offset the US's unilateral and illegal withdrawal.

Iran then decided to reduce its commitments under the JCPOA to restore balance, he said, expressing hope that would Europeans understand that if the goal of the ongoing talks is a meaningful mutual understanding, "anything is possible."

Addressing Turkey's role, he said that the very fact that Iran chose Turkey for this round of talks shows Tehran's trust in Turkey, noting that Iran sees Turkey as a friendly country and government that can organize and host these important negotiations.

In response to a question regarding the Israeli attack on Iranian soil, Khatibzadeh said that Iran was attacked not only by Israel but by both Israel and America, adding that while Iran was in the midst of negotiations, Israel began assassinating Iranian commanders, who were not on duty, but at home with their families, late at night.

They even targeted the neighborhoods and residences of these commanders. So, their real aim wasn't just the nuclear facilities you mentioned; they also sought to assassinate Iran's senior commanders, he said.

He also noted that attacking nuclear facilities is a blatant violation of international law, perhaps the worst kind, because all Iranian nuclear sites are under continuous monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog.

What the Americans and Israelis did is a gross violation of international law and must be pursued by responsible international organizations, he said.

He also said that Iran would certainly pursue this matter, but what's important is that Iran is prepared to defend its peaceful nuclear rights.

Iran has invested significant resources and energy into this peaceful program and they cannot deprive the country of it, he concluded.

9417

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Aref: Iran's strategic approach is based on non-interference by foreign countries

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 15, 2025

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has emphasized the importance of regional countries resolving their own issues without external interference, highlighting shared interests across the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Aref made the remarks on Friday during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Prime Ministers' Summit in Kyrgyzstan's Cholpon-Ata.

"Iran's strategic approach is based on non-interference by foreign countries and forcesespecially in the geopolitics of the regionbecause regional issues do not require external forces. All countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia can live together in peace, stability, and security," he said.

Aref's remarks came shortly after Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a peace treaty in Washington aimed at ending nearly four decades of conflict. Reports indicated that a US private consortium would oversee the Zangezur corridor along Iran's border, a development that has drawn Tehran's close attention.

Aref stressed Iran's opposition to unilateralism, aligning with Russia's stance.

"Like Russia, the Islamic Republic opposes the United States' unilateralism in global affairs and believes that regional states are capable of addressing their challenges without outside intervention," he pointed out.

The Russian prime minister, for his part, emphasized that trade and economic cooperation between Moscow and Tehran has significantly increased in recent years.

The implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the EAEU plays a vital role in expanding Iran's ties with the regional countries, he said, highlighting the importance of the North-South Corridor in this regard.

Mishustin also underlined the need for enhancing Iran-Russia cooperation in the fields of science and technology, as well as tourism.

Commenting on to the latest developments in the Caucasus, he said all regional countries must maintain relations based on the principle of good neighborliness, and together build the future of the region.

2050

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Iran ready to continue talks with Europe, safeguard its nuclear rights: Deputy foreign minister

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 6:13 PM

A senior Iranian diplomat says the Islamic Republic is ready to continue nuclear talks with the European troika and to defend its peaceful nuclear rights.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh made the remark in an interview with Turkish news channel A Haber in response to a question about any scheduled talks between Iran and the E3 (France, Britain and Germany) in the near future as they held the second round of talks in Istanbul, Turkey, late in July.

"Now, these negotiations will continue. We have decided to continue, and we will do so," he said.

He, however, underscored the need to be cautious and vigilant to ensure that no one will exploit bilateral negotiations or will use them "as a means in their foreign policy toolbox."

He expressed hope that the three European countries will understand that "if the goal is to reach a meaningful agreement between the two sides, everything is possible."

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said during the talks with the E3 in Istanbul, Tehran insisted on its "absolute" right to enrichment inside the country as per the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"Enrichment, which is among our absolute rights, should be continued inside the country," added Takht-Ravanchi, who, along with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, led the Iranian negotiating team.

US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities 'worst' violation of international law

Khatibzadeh pointed to 12 days of "highly coordinated" acts of aggression by the Israeli regime and the United States against Iran in June and said the attacks on the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities may be regarded as the "worst" violation of international regulations.

"All our nuclear facilities were under the guarantee of the United Nations and under the continuous supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency," he explained.

"Therefore, what the Americans and Israelis did is a blatant violation of international law and should be examined by responsible international authorities."

The Iranian diplomat reiterated Tehran's determination to defend its peaceful nuclear rights as it has dedicated a significant portion of its resources and energy to the peaceful nuclear program.

No one can deprive Iran of its peaceful nuclear rights, he said.

On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians.

More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

On June 24, Iran ultimately succeeded in halting the war through its retaliatory operations against the Israeli regime.

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Lin: China opposes invocation of UN Security Council 'snapback' sanctions against Iran

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 2:26 PM

China reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of Iran's nuclear issue and opposes the invocation of the UN Security Council's "snapback" mechanism.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin issued the statement on Friday in response to the European troika's warning to reimpose sanctions if a diplomatic solution is not achieved by the end of August.

"China stays committed to peacefully resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, opposes invoking Security Council 'snapback' sanctions," Lin said.

He argued that reimposing sanctions on Iran would not foster trust or bridge differences among parties and would hinder diplomatic efforts to resume talks promptly.

Lin emphasized that any actions taken by the Security Council should facilitate the achievement of new agreements rather than undermine the negotiation process.

The Chinese diplomat reiterated that China is committed to maintaining an objective and fair stance, continuing to promote conversations aimed at peace, and playing a constructive role in bringing the Iranian nuclear issue back to diplomatic negotiations at the earliest opportunity.

He also highlighted Beijing's intention to safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and to promote peace and stability in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that the country is actively collaborating with China and Russia to prevent the reactivation of UN sanctions through the so-called "snapback" mechanism.

"We are working with China and Russia to stop it. If this does not work and they apply it, we have tools to respond. We will discuss them in due course," he added.

The snapback mechanism, embedded in the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), allows the automatic reinstatement of UN Security Council sanctions that had been lifted under the agreement. The deal terminates in October.

Iran, however, disputes the legitimacy of the European powers' efforts to trigger the provision.

In a joint letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council on Wednesday, the European troika -- France, Germany and the United Kingdom - said they were "committed to us(ing) all diplomatic tools at our disposal to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon" unless Tehran meets a deadline to speak with them.

"We have made it clear that if Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025, or does not seize the opportunity of an extension, the E3 are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism," the ministers wrote.

In a detailed letter to the UN Security Council last month, Iran laid out its position, asserting that Britain, France, and Germany are no longer legitimate JCPOA participants with the authority to reinstate sanctions through snapback. This position is supported by China and Russia, who share Tehran's view on the matter.

China and Russia's backing plays a critical role in Iran's diplomatic efforts to counter the snapback threat. Both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council and have veto power over resolutions, including those related to Iran's nuclear program.

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FM Araghchi: Resistance of Iranians has enraged the enemy

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 10:24 AM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the steadfast resistance of the Iranian people in the face of war and sanctions has angered the country's enemies, particularly the Israeli regime.

Speaking to the national television late on Thursday, the minister denounced Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's effort to undermine the unity inside Iran by tapping into energy imbalances, noting that Iran's adversaries have underestimated the resolve of its people.

"There is a famous saying that God created our enemies foolish," he said. "Resorting to outdated, repetitive tactics simply does not work... They thought they could drive our people off the field during the war, but instead our people stood firmly behind their country and their establishment," he noted, referring to the 12-day US-Israeli aggression against Iran in June.

Araghchi did not dismiss that Iran faces imbalances in its energy sector, attributing much of that to sanctions. "They have imposed sanctions and tied our hands and feet," he said. "But our resistance against these sanctions has made them extremely angryjust as we resisted in the war."

He dismissed Netanyahu's recent claims about Iran's water supply as "more likely to make people laugh."

Netanyahu had claimed he could turn sewage into drinking water for Iranians - something officials in Tehran have dismissed hypocritical and misleading, pointing to the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, where displaced Palestinians face extreme difficulty in accessing potable water.

Araghchi's comments came weeks after the Israeli regime launched a full-scale aggression on Iranian territory on June 13, striking multiple military and nuclear sites, and assassinating senior military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The United States also participated by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities in the central region of the country.

In response, Iran's Armed Forces carried out precise missile strikes on the regime's military and industrial infrastructure, and also targeted a strategic US airbase in Qatar. Twelve days after the war began, the occupying regime was forced to announce a unilateral ceasefire based on a US proposal.

Resistance inspired by Ashura

The foreign minister was speaking from Karbala and during the annual Arba'een procession, a massive religious gathering marking the 40th day after Ashura, when millions of pilgrims from across the worldincluding from Irantravel on foot to Karbala, Iraq, to honor Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam.

The event is considered one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world and a display of Shia unity and defiance against oppression.

Araghchi said Iranian participation this year was as strong as, if not stronger than, in previous years. "The same love and enthusiasm exist, and even more motivation," he said.

"Along the way, I repeatedly met Iranians who kindly expressed their support, telling me: 'Stand firm,' 'Be strong,' 'We are behind you and the Leader,' and 'never abandon the Leader.' This shows that people's motivation has not only remained but grown," he said.

He noted that Iraqis, too, were eager to express solidarity with Iranians who have resisted in the face of the US-Israeli aggression.

"Many told me that our resistance and the missiles Iran fired filled their hearts with joy and pride," he said, adding, "This enthusiasm is visible among the people; it feels like a stronger bond has been formed."

Araghchi described Arbaeen as "a display of Shia strength," noting that Iranians were inspired by Ashura in confronting the Israeli aggression. "Our enemies truly cannot understand this."

"You have to understand Imam Hussein (AS) to understand that Shia advances through blood and sacrifice. The martyrdom of a commander or an individual does not halt the movement. Yes, every loss is a blow, but it is these very sacrifices that drive the movement forward with greater motivation and fervor. This is not a sloganit is the reality of the Shia school and the school of resistance."

War hype used as 'psychological warfare'

Asked whether he had been questioned about the likelihood of another war, Araghchi said that during the two days of Arbaeen ceremonies, "no one asked me this question," though it comes up frequently before the trip.

"The possibility of war always exists for any country," he said. "But our enemies try to keep us in a constant state of fear so they can impose the psychological effects of war without fighting. We must be alert to such tactics. "

"This is part of psychological warfare, and we must counter it," he added.

Reflecting on the lead-up to the 12-day war, Araghchi said he had felt war could be imminent based on regional and international conditions.

"Today, I do not have that feeling," he said. "From what I observe in the region, internationally, domestically, and in terms of our Armed Forces' readiness, I do not think war is close. Of course, I could be wrong... But with nearly 40 years of experience in international affairs, I do not believe war is imminent."

He cautioned, however, that readiness remains essential. "The Armed Forces must always be prepared, and the government must be fully ready for any eventuality. Preparedness is the best deterrent to war," he said.

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Iran calls for unity against unilateralism in Eurasia, slams US meddling

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 10:21 AM

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has emphasized the importance of regional countries resolving their own issues without external interference, highlighting shared interests across the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Mohammad Reza Aref made the remarks on Friday during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Prime Ministers' Summit in Kyrgyzstan's Cholpon-Ata.

"Iran's strategic approach is based on non-interference by foreign countries and forcesespecially in the geopolitics of the regionbecause regional issues do not require external forces. All countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia can live together in peace, stability, and security," he said.

The remarks came shortly after Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a peace treaty in Washington aimed at ending nearly four decades of conflict. Reports indicated that a US private consortium would oversee the Zangezur corridor along Iran's border, a development that has drawn Tehran's close attention.

Aref stressed Iran's opposition to unilateralism, aligning with Russia's stance. "Like Russia, the Islamic Republic opposes the United States' unilateralism in global affairs and believes that regional states are capable of addressing their challenges without outside intervention," he said.

Referring to the recent developments in the Caucasus, he said Iran welcomes any form of understanding and cooperation aimed at de-escalating tensions and fostering friendly relations among regional and neighboring countries.

On Iran's nuclear issue, Aref said Tehran has always pursued the path of dialogue and confidence-building regarding its peaceful nuclear program, but Western countries have politicized the issue.

He also touched on the threats by Britain, France, and Germany to trigger the snapback mechanism that would re-impose all UN Security Council sanctions on Iran.

"From a legal standpoint, we believe that the three European countries have no right to interfere in this matter. They have put forward the proposals that effectively amount to recognizing the US's unprincipled positions in the nuclear talks," the first vice president pointed out.

In the midst of indirect Tehran-Washington negotiations, the Zionist regime, in cooperation with the United States, launched an aggression against Iran that had no logical or legally justifiable reason.

Meanwhile, Aref condemned the crimes that Israel is committing in its genocide in the Gaza Strip, saying the Zionist regime is seeking to deprive Palestinians of their right to live.

He further called for the development of Iran-Russia cooperation, especially in the areas of energy, tourism, transportation, railways, and transit corridors, in line with a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed in January.

The Russian prime minister, for his part, emphasized that trade and economic cooperation between Moscow and Tehran has significantly increased in recent years.

The implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the EAEU plays a vital role in expanding Iran's ties with the regional countries, he said, highlighting the importance of the North-South Corridor in this regard.

Mishustin also underlined the need for enhancing Iran-Russia cooperation in the fields of science and technology, as well as tourism.

Commenting on to the latest developments in the Caucasus, he said all regional countries must maintain relations based on the principle of good neighborliness, and together build the future of the region.

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Iran working with China, Russia to stop 'snapback', plays down sanctions

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 7:31 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran is actively collaborating with China and Russia to prevent the reactivation of UN sanctions through the so-called "snapback" mechanism threatened by European countries.

"We are working with China and Russia to stop it," Araghchi told national television late on Thursday. "If this does not work and they apply it, we have tools to respond. We will discuss them in due course."

The snapback mechanism, embedded in the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), allows the automatic reinstatement of UN Security Council sanctions that had been lifted under the agreement. Iran, however, disputes the legitimacy of the European powers' efforts to trigger the provision.

Araghchi explained that although the term "snapback" does not explicitly appear in the JCPOA text, its mechanism is clearly established and has even been invoked by Iran itself in response to the US withdrawal from the deal in 2018.

"We used the snapback mechanism ourselves," Araghchi said. "When the United States left the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions unilaterally, we started to reduce our commitments in phases, eventually returning to pre-agreement conditions."

Iran's return to higher levels of uranium enrichment  including to 20% and then 60% enrichment  was enabled by preserving its nuclear infrastructure intact during the JCPOA years.

"The infrastructure was maintained so that when we decided to restart enrichment at higher levels, it took less than 24 hours," he noted.

Regarding the European powers' attempt to reimpose sanctions, Araghchi emphasized that their legal authority to trigger snapback is highly questionable under international law.

He said the European countries' recent statements demanding "zero enrichment" violate the terms of the JCPOA, effectively amounting to a rejection of the deal.

"When they say 'zero enrichment,' they no longer accept the JCPOA framework and therefore cannot claim the rights granted to members of the deal, including the right to activate snapback," Araghchi said.

In a detailed letter to the UN Security Council, Iran has laid out its position, asserting that Britain, France, and Germany are no longer legitimate JCPOA participants with the authority to reinstate sanctions through snapback. This position is supported by China and Russia, who share Tehran's view on the matter.

China and Russia's backing plays a critical role in Iran's diplomatic efforts to counter the snapback threat. Both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council and have veto power over resolutions, including those related to Iran's nuclear program.

"We have been holding repeated technical and legal discussions with China and Russia over the years about the snapback mechanism," Araghchi said. "Their support is crucial in this ongoing legal and political dispute with the European countries."

He added that while the Security Council will ultimately decide on the snapback's validity, Iran's alliance with China and Russia strengthens its position to resist the move.

The UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the JCPOA and contains the snapback clause, is set to expire on October 18, 2025. Iran has warned that beyond this date, the snapback mechanism will no longer be available.

"Europeans have until the end of October to act," Araghchi noted. "After that, the mechanism expires automatically."

Economically, Araghchi downplayed fears about the potential impact of reinstated UN sanctions. He stressed that current unilateral US sanctions are far more broader than the Security Council measures that would return via snapback.

"People have exaggerated the impact of snapback," he said. "UN sanctions do not include oil or banking embargoes; they mostly target specific individuals and companies. The US sanctions in place today are much broader."

However, he acknowledged that the reimposition of the arms embargo and the possible reclassification of Iran as a "threat to international peace and security" under Chapter VII of the UN Charter would have political and legal consequences.

"That would be a significant damage and we must counter it," he said. "We are prepared and have several tools to respond if snapback is triggered."

Iran also urged the international community to recognize that it has upheld its nuclear commitments as far as possible under increasingly difficult circumstances and that Europe's rigid stance undermines the deal's framework.

"Europe's insistence on zero enrichment is not compatible with the JCPOA, which allows enrichment up to 3.67 percent," Araghchi pointed out. "This shows they do not accept the deal, which should disqualify them from enforcing its snapback provisions."

Looking ahead, Tehran remains determined to use all diplomatic and legal channels to prevent the return of sanctions, leveraging its close ties with China and Russia to maintain support in the Security Council.

"This dispute will continue in the coming weeks," Araghchi said. "We hope for a diplomatic solution, but if snapback happens, we have prepared responses that will be announced in due time."

'Cooperation with IAEA requires new framework'

Araghchi also said the relationship between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has fundamentally changed following attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, and future cooperation must be based on a new framework.

"The reality is that after this attack, changes have occurred. Our nuclear facilities were attacked and suffered damage. The IAEA first needs to tell us what the inspection protocol is for a bombed nuclear site. There is no such protocol because there is no precedent," he said.

"When you want to inspect a bombed facility, you have to clarify who will clear the rubble, how to approach the site, and what the threats are. There are dangers from unexploded ordnance and radiation, and the IAEA must have a protocol for that."

Araghchi also referred to a recent law passed by Iran's parliament, which makes future cooperation and inspections conditional on approval by the Supreme National Security Council.

"Before granting access and renewed inspections, a new framework for cooperation between us and the IAEA must be clarified. We need to negotiate and design this framework. It will be based on parliamentary law and field realities. If we reach an understanding, cooperation will start accordingly."

This understanding must take into account the parliamentary law, national security issues, and the approval of the Supreme National Security Council and the Council must grant permission, he said.

Araghchi mentioned a recent visit by an IAEA delegation, noting that an entire day was dedicated to joint negotiations with the Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, during which initial ideas were exchanged.

"Our representatives have communicated these ideas to the IAEA for review, and negotiations are ongoing. I believe it was not a bad start, but it will take time to reach an agreement."

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Trump-Putin meeting ends with progress made but no deal reached

Xinhua) 14:00, August 16, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a joint press conference after concluding their talks in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

At a joint press conference afterward, Trump said "many points" had been agreed upon, noting "great progress" had been made, though no formal deal was reached.

Putin expressed hope the meeting would serve as "a starting point" not only for resolving the Ukraine issue but also for restoring "business-like" and "pragmatic" relations between Russia and the United States.

by Xinhua writers Tan Jingjing, Gao Shan, Xiong Maoling

ANCHORAGE, the United States, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday wrapped up a high-stakes meeting in Anchorage, the U.S. state of Alaska, with progress made but no deal reached.

The meeting, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the city, marked the first visit to the United States by a Russian head of state in nearly a decade and the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries' presidents since 2021.

Initially expected to be a one-on-one meeting, it was opened with a three-on-three format. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff joined Trump, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yuri Ushakov accompanied Putin.

At a joint press conference afterward, Trump said "many points" had been agreed upon, noting "great progress" had been made, though no formal deal was reached.

Putin said he agreed Ukraine's security should be ensured, adding that the understanding reached could help pave the way toward peace.

Standing together for about 12 minutes before reporters, the two leaders underscored progress but offered no concrete details.

"Everything that's happening is a tragedy for us and a terrible wound," and Russia is sincerely interested in ending it, Putin said, stressing the need to address the "primary causes" of the conflict and warning Ukraine and European countries not to "throw a wrench in the works."

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a joint press conference after concluding their talks in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Putin expressed hope the meeting would serve as "a starting point" not only for resolving the Ukraine issue but also for restoring "business-like" and "pragmatic" relations between Russia and the United States.

He highlighted potential for Russia-U.S. cooperation in trade, high technology, space exploration and the Arctic.

Trump said he would soon call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.

The press conference ended without taking questions from reporters. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that both leaders had delivered "exhaustive statements" summarizing the outcome of the talks, which rendered a subsequent media Q&A unnecessary.

"This is the very conversation that allows us to confidently move forward together along the path of finding settlement options," Peskov said.

In an interview with Fox News after the meeting, Trump said it is up to Zelensky to strike a ceasefire deal, while indicating that issues such as land swaps and security guarantees had been raised during his summit with Putin.

Trump said there would soon be a meeting set up involving Zelensky, Putin and himself.

After their talks, which lasted about three hours, Trump and Putin departed Alaska.

Before boarding his plane, Putin visited the Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage, where he laid flowers on the graves of Soviet soldiers.

Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's top economic envoy, said the United States received Russia "very well" in Alaska and that the two countries would continue building relations despite "resistance."

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Zelenskyy plans to discuss all details regarding ending war with Trump on Monday in Washington

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to discuss all of the details regarding ending the war with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, August 18.

"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel after the phone talk with Trump.

The President also said that he had a long and substantive conversation with Trump, they started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join them. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of the bilateral conversation with the U.S. President

"Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation," Zelenskyy said.

He said that Ukraine supports President Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.

"Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," the head of state added.

He also said that it is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America.

The leaders also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security.

"We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping," the President said.
NATO mission iraq assumes authority over union iii

NATO Mission Iraq (NMI)

Aug 11 2025

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The security responsibility for Union III camp in Baghdad has officially transitioned from Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) to NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) on 01 August 2025. As a symbol of this transition, the NATO flag has been raised over Union III camp.

This transition is in accordance with the agreement between the US and the Government of Iraq for a re-posture of the troops of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF OIR) in Iraq.

This re-posture of CJTF OIR will not change NMI's mandate. NMI will continue its strategic-level non-combat advisory and capacity-building mission, as requested by the Government of Iraq.

NMI supports Iraqi Security Forces and Institutions (ISF&ISI) through advice and capacity-building activities, performed by advisors and international experts from NATO countries and NATO partners (like Australia and Austria). This can include sharing procedures and best practices; offering selected out-of-country activities to take advantage of NATO experience to solve similar problems; and supporting the development of ISF's training and educational institutions.

Since NMI was established in 2018, it has been located in Union III Camp. NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) is a non-combat advisory and capacity-building mission, working primarily in Baghdad at the request of the Government of Iraq (GoI).

NMI supports Iraq in building more sustainable, transparent, inclusive and effective security forces and institutions, thus enabling them to provide a safe and secure environment, and protect Iraqi sovereignty without foreign assistance.

All of NMI's activities are conducted in full respect of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Story by NMI Public Affairs Office

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MND: The Japanese Side Should Act Prudently on Military and Security Matters

Global Times

By Ministry of National Defence Published: Aug 15, 2025 03:13 PM

Question: As reported by Japanese media outlets, Japan recently deployed F-35B stealth fighters it procured from the US to a base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Analysts believe that this type of aircraft will be deployed on Izumo-class "frigates" of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. This will be the first time for Japan to have ship-borne fighters after WWII. What's your comment?

Jiang Bin: In recent years, the Japanese side has drastically increased defense budget, converted warships into aircraft carriers, and developed offensive weapons such as long-range missiles, going further down the dangerous path of military buildup. The international community is increasingly aware of the scheme of the Japanese side to play word games in covering up its military expansion, and concerns are mounting about Japan's return to the evil path of militarism. We urge the Japanese side to honor its commitment to peaceful development, act prudently on military and security matters, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the larger international community through concrete actions.

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Chinese FM urges Japan to face history squarely to earn respect

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source Xinhuanet

EditorHuang Panyue

2025-08-16 00:06:45

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan to learn from history to earn respect and avoid straying onto the wrong path again on Friday, the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while briefing the press after the tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, clarifying China's position on historical issues.

"I would also like to reiterate China's position on this specific day," Wang said, noting that 80 years ago, Japan was defeated, accepted the Potsdam Proclamation, and announced its unconditional surrender.

The war of aggression waged by Japanese militarists inflicted immense suffering on the people of China and other Asian countries, and the Japanese people themselves also suffered deeply, he said.

"A series of international instruments, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly defined Japan's responsibility for the war and required that Japan return the territories it had stolen from China, including Taiwan," Wang said, adding that this was the unchallengeable outcome of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and constitutes an important part of the post-war international order.

However, even to this day, some forces in Japan continue to glorify and deny their invasion, distort and fabricate history, and even seek to rehabilitate the names of war criminals, Wang said.

He pointed out that such actions are contemptible and self-defeating, challenging the United Nations Charter, the post-war international order, human conscience, and the people of all victorious nations.

"Only by facing history squarely can respect be earned; only by drawing lessons from history can a better future be explored; only by remembering the past can straying onto the wrong path again be avoided. We urge Japan to make the right choice." Wang said.

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Pakistan Navy announces launch of third Hangor-class submarine in China

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Aug 16, 2025 11:39 AM

The Pakistan Navy announced on Friday that its third Hangor-class submarine was recently launched in China. A Chinese expert said the submarine is technologically advanced in terms of stealth, mobility, endurance and firepower, and represents a high level of China-Pakistan defense cooperation.

The launching ceremony of the third Hangor-class submarine was held in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province on Thursday, according to a statement and a video released by the Pakistan Navy on Friday.

Vice Admiral Abdul Samad, Pakistan's Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Project-2, said in an address at the ceremony that the Hangor-class submarines' cutting-edge weaponry and advanced sensors would be instrumental in sustaining regional power equilibrium and ensuring maritime stability, according to the Pakistani statement.

Commending the dedicated work of the Chinese side, he expressed satisfaction over steady progress of the project and remarked that the Hangor-class submarine initiative would bring a fresh dimension to the enduring, time-honored partnership between Pakistan and China.

The government of Pakistan signed an agreement with the Chinese side to acquire eight Hangor-class submarines. Under the contract, four submarines are being built in China, while the remaining four will be constructed in Pakistan at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Ltd (KS&EW) under Transfer of Technology program, according to the Pakistan Navy release.

According to open reports, the first Hangor-class submarine was launched in April 2024, and the second in March 16 this year.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the Hangor-class submarine from China is characterized by its strong underwater combat capabilities, including comprehensive sensor systems, excellent stealth characteristics, high mobility, long endurance and formidable firepower.

Noting that submarines represent a strategically significant weapons category, Zhang said that this submarine cooperation highlights a high level of strategic mutual trust and deep friendship between China and Pakistan. He added that such collaboration contributes to safeguarding maritime security as well as peace and stability in the region.

On China-Pakistan defense cooperation, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense said on August 8 that the China-Pakistan defense and security cooperation is not targeted at any third party and is committed to maintaining international and regional security and stability.

Jiang made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about the Pakistan military's induction of Z-10ME attack helicopters from China.

China is willing to share its achievements in equipment development with friendly countries, including Pakistan, the spokesperson said.

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South Korea Will Not Seek to Absorb North as Part of Unification - President

Sputnik News

20250815

SEOUL (Sputnik) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Friday that the South was not seeking to "absorb" the North in its unification drive and was prepared to restore military and humanitarian ties with Pyongyang.

"We do not seek any form of 'absorption' and have no intention of engaging in hostile actions," Lee said during a speech that marked the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

Seoul intends to "gradually restore" the September 2019 military agreement on tension reduction with North Korea in order to prevent accidental clashes and build military trust, the president said, adding that the North and the South are not enemies.

"We have defined our relationship as a process in which we pursue peaceful unification while respecting and recognizing each other," Lee Jae-myung said.

The South Korean president added that the confrontation between Seoul and Pyongyang hindered the South's economic progress and called for an end to "old Cold War thinking" and a new era of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"We know that maintaining enmity benefits neither the people of the North nor the people of the South. Far more important than winning a fight or avoiding a fight is creating a situation where fighting is not needed at all," the president stated.

The 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation should be a moment to "end the era of enmity and confrontation" and begin a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity, he said.

"We patiently wait and hope that the North will respond to our path of restoring trust and dialogue," the President added.

Lee has advocated for a thaw in the relations with North Korea since taking office in June, calling on civil society groups to stop distributing anti-North Korean leaflets. In June, South Korea and North Korea suspended broadcasts of military propaganda over loudspeakers along their borders.

In July, South Korea completely stopped broadcasting anti-North Korean programs on TV and radio, which had been vocally critical of the North Korean government for decades. South Korea's Ministry of Unification has also allowed its citizens to contact North Korean citizens with prior notice.

Kim Yo Jong, a senior North Korean official and the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticized the proposal to return to dialogue and cooperation, arguing that Seoul stuck to its old habits despite loud words, maintaining a military alliance with the United States and continuing anti-North policies.

 Sputnik

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Vladimir Putin has arrived in the US

August 15, 2025

22:10

Anchorage, Alaska

The President of Russia has arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, where he was welcomed by US President Donald Trump. The two leaders walked along a red carpet past the guard of honour before posing for a joint photograph. During the photo session, a B-2 Spirit bomber, escorted by four F-22 fighters, performed a flyover.

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Meeting with Magadan Region Governor Sergei Nosov

As part of his working trip to Magadan, Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Governor of the Magadan Region Sergei Nosov.

August 15, 2025

17:05

Magadan

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Nosov, we have been discussing current matters with you for quite some time now. What else did you want to say?

Governor of the Magadan Region Sergei Nosov: Mr President, I wanted to briefly report on the results. The economy remains stable. The gross regional product is growing at the nationwide average; I will not even cite per capita figures, as they are several times higher. The investment climate reflects our ratings. We rose from 52nd place in 2024 to the seventh place at the St Petersburg forum this year.

Regarding investment, as I reported to you last time, we are not just maintaining the pace. Gold mining enterprises - those that received investments and benefited from preferential regimes - have achieved very high production levels. Given the current gold prices, this brings additional revenue to the budget. Importantly, and I consider this my primary task, we are stimulating a new cycle of investments in gold mining and gold extraction plants. These are major capital investments and, crucially, sustainable gold production within our territory. Major players, major investors are entering the market, with whom we are also signing social partnership agreements - this should be emphasised.

Vladimir Putin: Is production growing?

Sergei Nosov: It is growing, particularly in gold ore. The Polyus Gold company is on track to set a record - 18 tonnes.

Vladimir Putin: However, alluvial gold production is declining.

Sergei Nosov: Alluvial gold production is decreasing, and there are various reasons for this - some surmountable, some objective. We currently see that it is large-scale businesses - producing no less than 200 kilograms, often up to two tonnes, and in some cases even six tonnes - that fulfil social responsibilities, protect the environment, and pay taxes.

I also consider it an achievement that our security agencies - the Federal Security Service, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Interior Ministry - have made progress in combating illegal gold mining and violations of law. Over the past year alone, five illegal gold extraction plants were shut down, equipment was seized, and criminal cases were initiated. In other words, order is being rigorously restored in this area.

A few words about energy. It is clear that significant prospects for energy-intensive gold extraction plants require confidence in stable energy supply. On the one hand, we have a closed energy system, which is quite unusual for the Russian Federation. There are specific features that do not fall under general rules and laws. We have encountered this. For instance, excess or underutilised capacity effectively burdens small businesses, the budget, and even the population.

However, in coordination with Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, and following instruction from [Deputy Prime Minister - Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District] Yury Trutnev, we have conducted substantial inventory work. We are now confident that we can supply electricity to all projects in which we plan to invest or invite major investors to participate - particularly in mineral resources. Incidentally, interest extends beyond gold and non-ferrous metals, as rare earth elements are currently in high demand.

Vladimir Putin: Do you have rare earth elements?

Sergei Nosov: We do have rare earth elements - as the saying goes, we have the entire periodic table. We have a unique tungsten deposit, and zinc and lead have been extracted here since the war-time years. The only requirement is investment in exploration. And major businesses, precisely large business is willing to do this.

<...>

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Trump, Putin arrive in Alaska for high-stakes summit

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 7:30 PM

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have arrived in Anchorage, Alaska for talks on the war in Ukraine.

The meeting between the two leaders began with a handshake lasting several seconds as they exchanged initial pleasantries. It is scheduled to formally start at 11:30 a.m. local time.

The talks are intended as a step towards ending the war in Ukraine, even as Washington and Moscow remain far apart on what each would accept as a peace deal.

"I want to see a ceasefire rapidly. I don't know if it's going to be today but I'm not going to be happy if it's not today," Trump told reporters, as he stood in an aisle of the plane.

The Kremlin has said it expects the talks to last for six to seven hours.

The meeting between the two leaders is aimed at gauging the circumstances for additional meetings in the future involving delegations from both sides, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

The Russian official added that besides the "settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," trade, economic cooperation, and global security between the two countries will also be discussed.

Hours before the summit, Trump held a telephone conversation with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Belarusian state news agency BELTA reported.

Trump says he would like to see a second meeting in Alaska "soon" between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was not invited to today's talks.

"It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America," Zelensky said.

"This meeting should open up a real path toward a just peace and a substantive discussion between leaders in a trilateral format  Ukraine, the United States, and the Russian side," he posted on X.

The summit has spurred fears that Ukraine's interests will not be represented in the negotiations.

Last Friday, Trump suggested a ceasefire deal could involve "some swapping of territories," the idea categorically rejected by both Russia and Ukraine.

Head of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Ukrainian parliament, Oleksandr Merezhko, said, "I don't expect any breakthrough from this summit."

Trump recently announced that Washington will be sending "massive" supplies of weapons to Ukraine, in what was described as a significant policy shift.

He also issued a 50-day deadline for a deal to be made, after which he would impose 100 percent tariffs on Russia. Late last month, Trump announced plans to shorten this deadline.

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Trump says he had "very productive meeting" with Putin, but no deal reached

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:53, August 16, 2025

ANCHORAGE, the United States, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he had a "very productive meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, but the summit ended without a deal on the Ukraine crisis.

The two presidents held a joint press conference after concluding their talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Trump said they agreed on "many points," adding that the two sides made some headway, though no deal was reached.

Putin said he agreed that the security of Ukraine should be ensured, and an agreement he reached with Trump would pave the way toward peace in Ukraine.

Standing side by side on stage for just over 10 minutes, both leaders indicated that progress had been made during their face-to-face talks, but no concrete deal was produced.

Putin said the negotiations took place in a "constructive atmosphere of mutual respect" and that a personal meeting between the heads of state had been "long overdue."

"Everything that's happening is a tragedy for us and a terrible wound," and Russia is sincerely interested in ending it, said Putin.

He stressed that efforts must address the "primary causes" of the conflict and warned Ukraine and European countries not to "throw a wrench in the works."

Trump described the talks as "extremely productive" and said "great progress" had been made.

The meeting lasted about three hours. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the presidents of the two countries since 2021.

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Syria: Statement by the Spokesperson on the Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Violations against civilians in Coastal and Western Central Syria in January - March 2025

European External Action Service (EEAS)

15.08.2025

EEAS Press Team

The European Union welcomes the publication today of the report by the United Nations' Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on violations committed against civilians in coastal and western central Syria between January and March 2025. We commend the diligent work of the Commission in documenting grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and welcome their recommendations. The EU takes note of the transitional government's reply, acknowledges the access they gave for the investigation, and reminds the importance of continuing cooperation and including with Syria's own Independent National Commission for Investigation and Fact-Finding on the March coastal violence.

In the light of the findings of the report, the EU urges Syria's transitional government to promptly follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations in order to hold all alleged perpetrators accountable. All those responsible for grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, both in the Assad and post-Assad era, must be held accountable and brought to justice. Only by confronting abuses openly can the path be cleared for reconciliation and stabilisation in the country.

Concern is growing around the recent trajectory of events in Syria, and the repeated cycles of violence, escalating community tensions. This is why the transitional authorities should take urgent steps towards the disarmament, demobilisation and restructuring of national security forces in line with international norms and standards. It is equally pressing to comprehensively reform Syria's judicial system so that it can credibly and impartially uphold the rule of law. Finally, now more than ever, efforts should be made to engage in a genuinely inclusive and peaceful transition process - one that transcends sectarian divisions, prevents incitement and hate speech, and breaks free of the cycle of violence.

The EU continues to stand by the Syrian people in their quest for such a transition, and is ready to mobilise its financial and non-financial instruments. We continue to call on all parties - both domestic and external - to respect Syria's unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and to protect the human rights of all Syrians without distinction.

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Ukraine has heard nothing about any preliminary agreement on a ceasefire in the skies ahead of a trilateral meeting of the leaders of the United States, Ukraine, and Russia, said presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn.

"We haven't heard anything about it yet," Lytvyn wrote on the social network X in response to the report by The Economist journalist Oliver Carroll.

Radio engineer and aerial reconnaissance specialist Yuriy Kasyanov wrote on Facebook that if a ceasefire in the skies were to replace a broader ceasefire, it would be welcomed by Russia: "The imperialists are rubbing their hands: Moscow will be safe, and oil refineries won't be burning."
National Defense University Issues Press Release Regarding "Alleged Violations of Part-Time Employment by Prominent PLA Researcher Ma Zhenkun"

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/08/15

National Defense University Press Release

Time: 1110 hours, August 15, 2025

In response to a Ling Media report alleging "violations of part-time employment by prominent PLA researcher Ma Zhenkun," the National Defense University stated today (August 15) that Professor Ma did not participate in this year's Han Kuang 41 Exercise. All research projects published by Professor Ma were compiled from publicly available online news and media information. Regarding the suspected violation of part-time employment regulations, the university is currently investigating to clarify the matter, and if the allegations are substantiated, appropriate measures will be taken in accordance with regulations.

The National Defense University emphasized that it will continue to promote and require faculty (officers) of its affiliated colleges to strictly adhere to the Military Personnel Part-Time Employment Regulations, ensuring operational discipline.

National Defense University Spokesperson:

Director of Political Warfare, Major General Wang Chun-Chieh

Contact Number: 0965-296808





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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/08/16

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

Date

6 a.m. Aug. 15 (Fri.) to 6 a.m. Aug. 16 (Sat.) (UTC+8)

PLA activities

21 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 out of 21 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1140811_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window]

1140811_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window]

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Chief of the Defence Staff speech to CSIS

The Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin gave a speech to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington

From: Ministry of Defence and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCB ADC

Published 14 August 2025

Location: Washington DC

Delivered on: 14 August 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

It's a pleasure to be back in Washington. Thank you to Lord Mandelson and the British Defence Staff, and to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies for hosting what is probably my last public speech as Chief of the Defence Staff.

There normally comes a point when a Chief steps down that they let forth on all the frustrations and opinions they have bottled up during their time in post.

Those of you hoping for me to let rip, or to spill the beans on the inner workings of the four different administrations I've served, will be disappointed.

I'm afraid I'm going to be irritatingly consistent. My narrative today is pretty much the same as it was at the outset of my tenure four years ago.

For those of you who haven't made it through one of my speeches before, the gist is as follows: we are in a new more dangerous era, but Britain remains safe; NATO is stronger, Russia is weak; and the West has the military, economic and intellectual heft needed to buttress the global system.

Sometimes I've been accused of being an optimist - or worse complacent.

But this is less about optimism or pessimism and more about confidence and judgement.

A case in point is Ukraine.

When Russia invaded Crimea, the world looked the other way. And it could have easily done so again in February 2022.

I remember the meetings of the National Security Council as Russian forces mounted on the border.

I'm sure you recall the images at the time: convoys of armoured vehicles tens of miles long...the chilling sight of mobile crematoria...residents in Kyiv making Molotov cocktails

At the time we thought the Russian military was much more capable than it has proven to be. We had limited confidence in Ukraine's defensive strategy. The prevailing view was that Russia would take Kyiv within weeks, if not days.

The choice was whether to back Ukraine or not. Some around the table remained quiet. Others looked awkwardly at their shoes.

But thankfully, this time around, it was the bolder voices that prevailed.

The lion's share of credit must go to Boris Johnson, Ben Wallace and Liz Truss for their leadership, particularly in pushing through those first supplies of lethal aid.

It was a significant moment when both the gut instincts and principles of politicians triumphed over the potential inertia and innate caution of the Whitehall machine.

That decision was magnified internationally and pursued similarly by Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss as Prime Ministers. And in the same vein credit must also go to Keir Starmer and John Healey, who backed the Government to the hilt in Opposition, and for the consistency of their approach in office over the past year.

This is an example of Britain at its best. True to our values and interests. Consistent in our strategy. United across both sides of the aisle on defence and security. Ready to act quickly and boldly, and lead others to do the same.

So that's my theme today - how confidence must shape our approach to a more contested world.

And I offer the following points in support:

First, that Britain has good reason to be confident. In the quality of our Armed Forces and Intelligence Services. In the strength of our defence construct. And that the path before us now is the right one.

Second, NATO too should be confident. In the enormous overmatch we enjoy. In Russia's weakness and Putin's dilemma. And how that should embolden our strategy of deterrence.

Third, the return of statecraft: how are leaders are prepared to use the military instrument alongside the other levers of national power to advance our collective interests.

Finally, a point on technology and the need to retain our advantage - especially with respect to Artificial Intelligence.

I hope a US audience will indulge me if I start with a tribute to the British Armed Forces.

As I reflect on the past four years, the level of operational activity has been remarkable.

In Europe. Training 60,000 Ukrainians. Being right at the forefront of NATO's denial and deterrence: whether the British Army in Estonia, the Royal Navy in the North Atlantic or the Royal Air Force over Baltic skies.

In the Eastern Med and Middle East. Delivering aid to Gaza. Being ready for an evacuation from Lebanon. Striking Houthi targets. Protecting international trade in the Red Sea - including downing a ballistic missile. A first for the UK.

In the wider world. Safely recovering 2,500 people from Sudan - the largest and longest evacuation of any Western nation. Reassuring our Commonwealth partners in Guyana. Two carrier deployments to the Indo-Pacific.

And at home. At the forefront of national life. Through a Jubilee, a State Funeral and a Coronation. Assisting with Small Boats. Stepping in for the Border Force at airports. Being ready to pick up Armed Policing duties in the capital.

Of course, I don't want to pretend that we do not have significant challenges. For the past thirty years, we have been asking the Armed Forces to make do with less, even while the operational demands increase. There have been too many deferrals and delays, too greater mismatch between resource and ambition. We are continuing to feel the pinch as a consequence of decisions taken ten or twenty years ago and I do not underestimate the demands this places on our people.

That is now changing and we are on a path of greater investment - but it will take time for the effects to be felt in terms of new capabilities, improved readiness and better support to achieve the ambition of the Government's Strategic Defence Review to return our Armed Forces to a much more substantial level of warfighting readiness.

But nothing should take away from what the Armed Forces achieve on behalf of the nation every day. And throughout my time as CDS, they have never failed to step up to deliver all that has been asked of them. They are simply magnificent. Thank you to them and their families.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the world is more dangerous, but Britain, the US and Allies are safe.

It is safe because of the quality of the men and women in the UK's Armed Forces, Civil Service and Defence Industry, as well as our Intelligence Agencies.

And it is safe because we are the beneficiaries of a remarkable defence construct which ought to be the envy of most nations on the planet. It's based on:

our status as a nuclear power;

our membership of the world's strongest and largest defensive alliance, NATO;

and that our closest ally is a super-power called America.

This is the kind of security construct that keeps a nation safe for the last 80 years AND the next 80 years.

The Deterrent is being renewed - at a time of heightened nuclear rhetoric and proliferating nuclear risk.

NATO has rarely been more relevant, more unified or more focused - and enjoys an insurmountable overmatch against Russia.

And the bridge between Europe and America remains.

The United States may be re-focussing on the Homeland and Indo-Pacific, but it is not stepping away. President Trump's Administration has been clear that the vital nuclear guarantee remains, as well as its conventional power in the Euro-Atlantic theatre - which was underlined by the recent appointment of a hugely respected American as SACEUR.

And America has been consistent in expecting its European allies to step up to shoulder their fair share of the burden, and that is now happening.

Pax Americana can give rise to a new age of Pax Europa.

For my country, and for European allies throughout NATO, the decision to spend 5% of GDP on National Security - with 3.5% allocated to core military spending - is simply profound.

I do not doubt how difficult this decision is for a government that is contending with economic headwinds and competing demands on the public purse. But Defence remains the first duty of government, and this is the responsible thing to do in a more dangerous world.

I've been fortunate to work for four Prime Ministers, each of whom took their defence responsibilities with the utmost seriousness.

That included Boris Johnson and his team devoting a day to meet with nuclear experts and historians to really understand the nature of Britain's nuclear enterprise.

It included Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt being generous with their time in their first days in office, to listen to Ben Wallace and I as we talked them through the defence spending pressures, and to agree the further investment required.

And I really welcome when Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks of the end of the peace dividend and a new era of "defence dividend" and a Chancellor whose stated ambition is to make the UK a "defence industrial superpower".

And then the defence budget itself, which successive Prime Ministers have been prepared to revisit in response to the deterioration of global security.

Our trajectory to spending 5% of GDP by 2035 is now set.

It means we have the certainty needed to deliver the vision set out by the government in their Strategic Defence Review:

Recapitalising the Army to lead a NATO Strategic Reserve Corps.

Restoring a tactical nuclear role to the Royal Air Force.

Doubling the size of the Royal Navy's attack submarine force.

Developing a sixth-generation fighter.

Adding thousands more long-range missiles to our inventory.

And embracing technology much more strongly: through directed energy weapons, through hybrid carrier air wings, through investment in cyber, space and AI.

All underpinned by a new relationship with industry and a better deal with our people particularly on pay and accommodation.

Taken together this is a response that matches the challenges we see in the world and will keep Britain safe and prosperous.

This leads me to my second point - NATO and the enormous overmatch we enjoy over Russia.

Early in my tenure as CDS I travelled to Moscow with Ben Wallace and met my counterpart General Gerasimov, where I warned him that invading Ukraine would be a catastrophic mistake.

I am even more convinced of that four years later.

Last year Russia gained half of one percent of Ukraine's territory, in return for over 400,000 killed and wounded.

This year it has taken a similar amount of territory for a further 200,000 killed and wounded.

More than a million lives sacrificed in total for Putin's Special Military Operation.

And what about the wider cost?

The Black Sea Fleet has been sent scuttling by a country with barely a Navy.

Russia's strategic bomber force has been decimated by a country with barely an Air Force.

And Russia has had to shift its economy to a war effort, which it will be incredibly hard to row back from.

Putin is left with a dilemma: agree a ceasefire with his stated aims incomplete and little to show his people in return for the lost blood and treasure; or continue the war indefinitely, and watch his country become even weaker and poorer chasing the false dream of subjugating Ukraine.

In the meantime, we should not be cowed by Putin's rhetoric or his campaign of state-sponsored sabotage.

Disgraceful as they are, they do not change the calculus.

Indeed, the very reason Russia is pursuing sub-threshold attacks against us is because Russia is unwilling and unable to do so through more overt means.

Putin doesn't want a war with NATO. He can't even win a war against Ukraine.

To be sure, Russia is more dangerous: because she is weaker, and because Putin has no compunction about using violence to achieve his aims.

And we need to be clear-eyed about the threat - which is felt most keenly by those Baltic and Nordic nations that border Russia.

But personally, I am wary of too great an emphasis on homeland defence, or a fortress Europe. We need to defend forward. Russia has more cause to be fearful of an Alliance of 32 than the other way around.

The policy of NATO is to deter. And we deter by demonstrating to Russia that we are stronger, that we are ready to fight, and that we will beat them.

That means contesting Russia in every domain - nuclear, land, sea, air, cyber and space - as well as in the diplomatic and economic arenas. It also underlines the imperative to double down on our efforts to support Ukraine's ability to defend its courageous people against Russian aggression to preserve their hard-won freedom and independence through a just and lasting peace.

These last two - diplomacy and economics - matter most and bring me to my third point. The immense latent strength of Europe, America and our partners.

Sometimes we forget how strong the West remains.

Europe and North America account for half the world's wealth.

NATO spends more on defence than Russia and China combined.

The tech hubs of America's west coast, and the universities of Europe, remain as vibrant and innovative as they have always been.

And we are able to draw upon the most extraordinary breadth of partnerships.

From the British point of view these include: Five Eyes. NATO. The Lancaster House agreements with France. The Trinity House agreement with Germany. The Joint Expeditionary Force of ten Northern European nations. The Five Power Defence Arrangements with South-East Asia. Our deep and historic ties to the Gulf monarchies and the island nations of the Caribbean. AUKUS, GCAP, and our burgeoning relationships with Italy, Norway, Japan and South Korea and many others.

For America your network is even greater. We talk about the UK/US Special Relationship, but the truth is you have special relationships all around the world.

In April 2024, the US, France, Britain and other regional partners joined together to prevent hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones reaching Israel. Only America could have coordinated such a complex operation. Only America could draw together partners from Europe and the Middle East in this way.

Compare and contrast the strength and utility of our partnerships with those of Russia.

In 2022 Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership clause - but Russia has done nothing to support Iran in its recent predicament. Nor has China. When the Axis of Four comes under pressure it dissipates.

As for Beijing, China's interests require stability in the world above all else, as is the case for any truly global economic power.

And Russia's experience in Ukraine provides a sobering analogy with respect to Taiwan.

War is an unpredictable force. There is no guarantee that it will be short, sharp or decisive. The likelihood is the opposite. And the consequences and reverberations are immense. A point I made to my counterpart, General Liu, when we met in April.

America, Europe and our partners don't have to watch helplessly from the sidelines as the post-1945 settlement deteriorates. We have the financial, military and intellectual might to buttress and defend the world order and confront those who undermine it.

But we do need the confidence and willingness to wield the military instrument.

We have seen this in the way Israel has neutered Hezbollah in Lebanon. Through the willingness of the US to strike at Iran's nuclear facilities. And through the extraordinary outcome of the Hague Summit.

Soft power, by itself, is rarely enough. As the great US President Theodore Roosevelt declared, "speak softly and carry a big stick."

And that leads me to a broader point.

Too many of the contemporary discussions over the future of defence are reduced to simplistic "either / or" debates. The world is seldom that neat and tidy. In most cases, the answer needs to be "and". Hard and soft power. Regional and global. Atlantic and Pacific.

And in the same way for technology, it's a false choice to think we can simply dispose with the old altogether in order to make way for the new, or that there is an easy trade-off to be had between capability and mass.

I remember 15 years ago, when we were fixated on counter insurgency operations and Afghanistan was the UK's 'Main Effort', there was a tendency for anything not deemed relevant to that task to be regarded as needlessly exquisite.

Why was the Navy building anti-air destroyers when all it really needed was cheap and cheerful corvettes to go after Somali pirates? And couldn't the RAF make do with Tucanos rather than Typhoons?

Thankfully we worked hard to protect enough of these kinds of platforms - and preserve the warfighting instincts required for peer competition. And it's a good job we did, because these are precisely the 'big sticks' and capabilities that are in demand now to counter a resurgent Russia and to defend against the kind of long-range missiles that the Houthis are using in the Red Sea.

My point is two-fold:

We do get many of the big decisions right. More than we give ourselves credit for. And we are better at strategy than we think.

But at the same time, we need to be wary of simplistic choices. The strategic context has - and will continue - to shift at pace. Resilience and redundancy, and the ability to flex and adapt, and an understanding of the value of all the levers of power and the quality of a nation's underlying security construct are the attributes for long term security.

We are still going to need submarines and jets and armoured vehicles alongside our mass ranks of drones and uncrewed systems.

How we shape the future is never one or the other. It is the application of all the levers of power. That is both classical and orthodox teaching. It's just that we sometimes need reminding.

And then my final point on AI.

My worry with this debate is that we embrace our inner geek by focusing on the technology and its applications, and we miss the broader point about the strategy that needs to accompany it.

What we have seen from the AI revolution to date is nothing compared to what is just around the corner. Whoever reaches Artificial General Intelligence - and then Artificial Super Intelligence - first, will have an enormous military advantage.

I may currently have a 10-minute advantage in targeting my opponent to take out a data centre. But that margin is getting smaller exponentially. And if ASI means I fall one second behind my opponent, I may never catch up.

It's a race we must win.

But that's very difficult for most countries to do - it is the preserve of only a few.

So we need to think of it in the same way as we did with nuclear. People like Gundbert Scherf of Helsing are right to challenge us as to whether we need to be pooling our efforts through a Manhattan Project type endeavour, and through the architecture of international security that followed. ASI will become a very significant advantage that can be shared and enhanced by alliances of like-minded nations. And it may become a fundamental element of a nation's security construct in the way I described earlier: Nuclear, Collective Security, America as a principal ally, and - in the future - ASI.

And turning to my earlier themes, that requires Europe AND America working together, utilising ALL our advantages across the instruments of power, and ensuring we continue to maintain the relative peace we enjoy today.

The good news is that that is within our gift. Perhaps the even better news as I depart the stage is that this will be for others to decide and do. And I leave delighted with having had the opportunity to serve and the privilege to both lead and stand on the shoulders of giants - the dedicated and extraordinarily able men and women who serve in uniform and keep us all safe. Thank you.

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Ukraine's Recovery, Poland's Opportunity: A Vision for Shared Growth

Republic of Poland - The Chancellery of the Prime Minister

10.07.2025

Ukraine continues to resist brutal Russian aggression every day, which is why the foremost task of the international community is to ensure its support. At the same time, we must look to the future - toward Ukraine's reconstruction and its integration into the European Union. Prime Minister Donald Tusk participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference, held this year in Rome. Rebuilding Ukraine is not only an act of assistance - it is also a chance to develop joint projects that offer real, mutual benefits. Talks are underway for Poland to host next year's Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Transport, Trade, Investment  Pillars of Poland's Engagement Model

Since the very beginning of the Russian invasion, Poland has remained one of Ukraine's most active allies. So far, we have provided over 25 billion in humanitarian, military, and refugee assistance. Today, we are going a step further. Prime Minister Tusk presented a coherent model of Poland's involvement in Ukraine's reconstruction, built around three strategic pillars:

"Transport, trade, investment  that is the triangle on which we want to build. Because rebuilding Ukraine also means connecting it to Europe. That is the deeper meaning of connection. We are laying the groundwork for Ukraine's future EU membership," said Tusk during the opening session.

In the area of transport, Poland plans to invest in its road, rail, and communications infrastructure. Currently, 90% of military equipment bound for Ukraine is transported via Polish routes  and these same corridors will be used in the coming years to deliver materials and goods essential for reconstruction.

"While I  and Poland as a whole  advocate strong support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, we also want Polish companies to participate on a large scale and to profit from this major reconstruction effort. These talks are very promising," Tusk said during a briefing in Rome.

Poland also plays a major role in trade  30% of all EU exports to Ukraine come from Poland. As trade grows, so too do investment opportunities.

Bilateral Meetings and International Agreements by the Polish Delegation

Prime Minister Tusk also took part in a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, alongside leaders from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Denmark, as well as the President of Ukraine, President of the European Commission, and the NATO Secretary General.

Tusk met separately with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Discussions focused on facilitating large-scale projects involving companies such as Orlen, LOT, and Polish state-owned banks  as well as private entities in need of government support.

"President Zelenskyy and I agreed that some business ventures should be covered by joint oversight under a government-to-government framework. This allows for simplified procedures and recognition of shared strategic goals," said Tusk.

Tusk also held talks with Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Parallel to the main sessions, Polish ministers responsible for state assets, finance, and development & technology met with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and representatives of companies from the Polish Development Fund (PFR) group. The focus was direct support for Polish business investment in Ukraine.

A key outcome of the conference was the signing of a joint declaration between Poland and the United Kingdom on deepening their partnership in Ukraine's reconstruction. The agreement includes close cooperation on investment, reform, and modernization efforts, as well as attracting private capital. Both sides also announced plans to organize a business forum in Rzeszow.

Talks on Hosting the 2026 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Poland

There is a strong possibility that the 2026 edition of the Ukraine Recovery Conference will be held in Poland. This would be a powerful recognition of Poland's role in the region and its tangible contributions to Ukraine's support.

"If the whole world is interested in Ukraine's recovery, then it should also be interested in the Rzeszow hub, roads, and border crossings  everything on Polish territory  being in the best possible condition and properly funded. That's one of the reasons why Poland is a natural host," said Tusk.

According to the Prime Minister, organizing such a conference in Poland would emphasize that our country's support for Ukraine goes beyond humanitarian and military aid  it includes concrete infrastructure such as roads, rail lines, the Rzeszow logistics hub, and Jasionka airport. These assets already provide vital support and will be key to Ukraine's reconstruction.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference is the leading international forum dedicated to the country's postwar recovery. It brings together governments, financial institutions, international organizations, businesses, local authorities, and NGOs to analyze Ukraine's needs and develop actionable mechanisms. Previous editions were held in Lugano (2022), London (2023), Berlin (2024), and Rome (2025).

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SSU and National Police detain collaborator who, after working for ruscists, tried to enlist in AFU

Security Service of Ukraine

15:00, 13 August 2025

In Rivne region, the Security Service and National Police, with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, exposed a collaborator from the occupation 'ministry of internal affairs of russia in Zaporizhzhia oblast'.

The traitor arrived in the western region to visit relatives and resolve family matters. At the same time, he enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, hoping to avoid justice for working for the occupiers.

As the investigation established, the perpetrator was a resident of Mykhailivka district of Zaporizhzhia region, who, after the community was captured, began collaborating with the aggressor.

He then joined the local 'unit of the russian ministry of internal affairs', where he was appointed a patrolman. After being enlisted in the occupation institution, the collaborator received a weapon, a uniform, and a russian ID.

While in this position, he carried out the kremlin's tasks aimed at persecuting members of the resistance movement in the region.

He was also 'authorized' to check entrepreneurs. Those who refused to work under russian 'law' were threatened with imprisonment.

In July this year, the collaborator left for Ukraine-controlled territory as a displaced person and then turned to one of the local Territorial Recruitment Centers. There, he provided false information about himself.

The law enforcement documented his crimes and apprehended him in a hospital, where he hoped to lay low under the guise of treatment.

SSU investigators have notified him of suspicion under Article 111-1.7 of the CCU (collaboration).

The suspect is in custody and faces up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Zaporizhzhia region in cooperation with the National Police under the procedural supervision of Zaporizhzhia Region Prosecutor's Office.

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SSU uncovers GRU agent network in Zaporizhzhia coordinated by UOC-MP priest

Security Service of Ukraine

12:00, 13 August 2025

The SSU Military Counterintelligence, with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the AFU, neutralized a network of russian military intelligence ('the GRU') in Zaporizhzhia.

According to the investigation, the enemy cell was coordinated by the rector of one of the local churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of moscow's patriarchate.

The cleric sought out pro-russian residents during his sermons, in which he justified russia's armed aggression and ruscists' war crimes. He then began recruiting potential candidates for the network.

The Security Service uncovered his criminal activities when an enemy spotter was detained in the city (he has already been sentenced to prison). This individual gave evidence against the clergyman, and since then the SSU has been documenting the priest.

It has been established that the church rector also recruited a 41-year-old man who had been mobilized into the local military unit.

Following instructions from the russian special services, the agent provided information about the location, strength, and armament of Ukrainian troops on Zaporizhzhia direction.

His 'reports' included information about his battalion and adjacent units, as well as photocopies of documents on the deployment of new Ukrainian AFU units on the front line.

The investigation revealed that the priest and the soldier coordinated their actions with a resident (senior agent) from the GRU's 316th intelligence center. He turned out to be a former law enforcement officer from Zaporizhzhia who fled to the temporarily occupied part of Ukraine and began working for russia.

Phones and computer equipment with evidence of crimes were found during the searches. The clergyman was also found to have a russian passport, ammunition for a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and cold weapons.

SSU investigators notified both detained individuals of suspicion under five Articles of the CCU, according to the actions committed:

111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);

110.1, 110.2 (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine);

109.2, 109.3 (actions aimed at forceful change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power);

436-2.1, 436-2.3 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);

161.1 (violation of equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, regional affiliation, and religious beliefs).

The suspects are in custody. The investigation is ongoing.

The special operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine.

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SSU exposes 12 Medvedchuk's associates who on russia's orders conduct information attacks against Ukraine: evidence against them given by detained Kyrylo Molchanov

Security Service of Ukraine

14:30, 14 August 2025

The Security Service of Ukraine has collected extensive evidence against information saboteurs of russia's FSB, who, under the leadership of Viktor Medvedchuk, are carrying out media attacks against Ukraine.

These are 12 members of an organized criminal group called The Other Ukraine, which operates in moscow under the guise of a civil association.

The SSU has gathered evidence against these individuals from various sources, including the testimony from Kyrylo Molchanov, a 'political expert' from Medvedchuk's media pool, who was detained in Poland in the spring of this year and is currently under arrest in Kyiv and cooperating with the investigation.

As the investigation revealed, Molchanov worked simultaneously for two special services of the aggressor state: the federal security service and the foreign intelligence service. The criminal proceedings established that one of his 'direct contacts' was the first deputy head of the fifth department of the FSB, lieutenant general Georgy Grishaev. The relevant texting was found on the suspect's phone.

On the occupiers' instructions, Molchanov and his 'colleagues' were engaged in justifying russian aggression, discrediting Ukraine in the international arena and destabilizing the internal situation in Ukraine's partner countries.

Moreover, Molchanov himself organized street protests in the EU in the interests of the kremlin, calling for an end to international support for Ukraine.

According to the investigation, Viktor Medvedchuk personally directed these activities. He agreed the creation of the organization The Other Ukraine directly with putin, after which the kremlin leader instructed the FSB to coordinate this project.

Medvedchuk then personally formed the 'staff' of the pro-kremlin association, which included top managers and propagandists from his former, now sanctioned, TV channels. Most of them left for russia at the beginning of the full-scale war.

On Medvedchuk's instructions, they prepared and disseminated anti-Ukrainian content through Telegram channels under their control, YouTube and the kremlin's foreign mouthpiece Voice of Europe, against which the EU imposed sanctions in 2024 thanks to cooperation between the SSU and the Czech law enforcement agencies.

After such materials were published, they were immediately picked up by kremlin propagandists for mass dissemination on their information resources.

It has also been confirmed that Medvedchuk is personally involved in financing the criminal organization and, to this end, works closely with putin's administration and russian government.

Based on the evidence, Security Service investigators have notified Medvedchuk and his 'subordinates' of suspicion in absentia. Among them are:

Denis Zharkikh

Artem Marchevsky

Roman Kovalenko

Ruslan Kalinchuk

Yan Taksur

Yuri Dudkin

Ruslan Kotsaba

Natalia Khoroshevska

Bogdan Giganov

Oleh Yasinsky

Oleksandr Lazarev

The crimes of these enemy accomplices have been qualified under the Articles of the CCU:

109.3 (public calls for violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power, dissemination of materials calling for such actions, committed as part of an organized criminal group);

111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);

111-1.6 (collaboration);

161.3 (violation of equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, regional affiliation, religious beliefs, disability and other characteristics, committed as part of an organized criminal group);

436-2.3 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants, committed as part of an organized criminal group).

Medvedchuk's associate Kyrylo Molchanov was separately notified of additional charges for working for enemy special services (Article 111.2 of the CCU - high treason, committed in wartime). The perpetrator faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Efforts to bring those responsible to justice are underway.

The investigation was carried out under the procedural supervision of Kyiv Region Prosecutor's Office.

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Following SSU investigation, captured ruscist who shot civilians near Kupiansk sentenced to life imprisonment

Security Service of Ukraine

13:00, 14 August 2025

Based on evidence collected by the Security Service, another ruscist, who committed war crimes against the civilian population of Ukraine, has been convicted to life imprisonment. He shot two residents of Kharkiv region who were in the frontline area.

In October 2024, the Defense Forces captured him during fighting on Kupiansk direction.

The perpetrator is 21-year-old russian repeat offender Artem Kulikov, who fought as a rifleman in russia's 23rd motorized rifle brigade of the 6th combined arms army.

He was mobilized into the armed forces of the aggressor state at the end of August 2024 directly from a prison in Nizhny Novgorod, where he was serving a sentence for robbery and theft.

After a short period at a training center, he was sent to the eastern front to attack Ukrainian troops in the border areas of Kharkiv oblast.

During attempts to capture one of the villages in Kupiansk district, Kulikov and an accomplice imprisoned two local residents who were helping a fellow villager evacuate from the combat zone.

As the investigation established, the occupiers tried to beat information about the locations of the Defense Forces out of the victims.

Having failed to obtain any information, Kulikov shot the two men at point-blank range with his automatic rifle. Both victims died on the spot as a result of their injuries.

During the interrogation, the russian mercenary gave incriminating testimony against his commanders, who give orders to kill civilians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Based on the evidence collected by the SSU, the panel of judges found Kulikov guilty under Articles 28.2 and 438.2 of the CCU (war crimes, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy).

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kharkiv region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor's Office.

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Ministry of Energy: Norway provides Ukraine with nearly USD 100 million to purchase imported gas

Ukraine Government

Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, posted 15 August 2025 18:56

The Government of Norway has decided to allocate nearly USD 100 million to Ukraine for the purchase of imported natural gas.

"Timely and consistent support from the Government of Norway is crucial for ensuring Ukraine's energy security," said Ukraine's Minister of Energy, Svitlana Grynchuk. "This demonstrates the unwavering solidarity of our international partners and their readiness to assist in implementing energy projects and strengthening the independence of Ukraine's energy sector."

The funds will be used by the Naftogaz of Ukraine Group to build sufficient gas reserves ahead of the heating season.

The Ministry of Energy expresses its gratitude to the Government of Norway for its contribution to enhancing Ukraine's energy resilience.

We also thank the Embassy of Ukraine in Norway for its effective work in supporting the strengthening of Ukraine's energy security.

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Ukraine and International Criminal Court expand cooperation

Ukraine Government

Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, posted 15 August 2025 10:44

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a resolution to sign a draft Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the secondment of personnel to the ICC Office in Ukraine. This step aims to deepen cooperation in investigating international crimes committed in connection with the russian federation's aggression against Ukraine, and to strengthen coordination with international partners to hold those responsible accountable.

The Agreement establishes the legal framework for involving personnel from the National Police, prosecutors, and representatives of other competent authorities in the work of the ICC Prosecutor's Office in Ukraine. They will provide expert assistance in gathering evidence and conducting investigations.

The document outlines the procedure for seconding personnel, their legal status, guarantees of independence, and provisions for social and medical support. A separate section addresses the provision of immunities and privileges, as well as the introduction of financial mechanisms to ensure the Agreement's implementation without additional costs to the state budget.

The draft Agreement is based on the ICC's standard staff secondment agreement, which was refined by the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Office of the Prosecutor General and agreed upon with ICC representatives.

The Agreement is concluded in accordance with Article 44 of the ICC Rome Statute, ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which forms part of national legislation. It will ensure the proper presence and effective operation of the ICC Prosecutor's Office in Ukraine, facilitate the enhancement of international legal mechanisms for holding accountable those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and mark a significant step in Ukraine's further integration into the international criminal justice system.

The Ministry of Justice emphasises that signing this Agreement is not merely a formal step in interstate cooperation but a practical tool in the fight for justice. The document will strengthen efforts in evidence collection, ensure proper protection of victims' rights, and bolster Ukraine's position in upholding the principle of the inevitability of punishment for the gravest international crimes.

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U.S. President Donald Trump announced that it was determined by all that the best way to end Russia's war against Ukraine is to conclude a Peace Agreement, not a Ceasefire Agreement.

"A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO," Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social on Saturday.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," said the U.S. President.

"President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin," said Trump.
US secures $1.5bn arms sales to Ukraine ahead of Alaska meeting

Iran Press TV

Friday, 15 August 2025 7:12 AM

The US has secured $1.5 billion in arms sales to Ukraine through European pledges, just hours before the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.

The announcement came in a virtual meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and officials from Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, the EU, and NATO. US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly joined the call.

"As of today, we already have $1.5 billion pledged. Through the NATO Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative, NATO members can cooperate to purchase US-made weapons for Ukraine - a mechanism that truly strengthens our defense," Zelensky wrote on social media.

Reports indicate that the Netherlands and Germany contributed $500 million each, while Denmark, Norway, and Sweden pledged a combined $500 million.

European leaders succumbed to pressure from the US to increase military spending to five percent of GDP, which leads them to purchase US-made armaments since European countries do not manufacture sufficient amounts of weapons to meet US demand.

On Thursday, the eve of the summit with Trump in Alaska, Putin held a meeting with his most senior ministers and security officials, where he spoke of a possible nuclear arms deal as part of upcoming negotiations over the war in Ukraine.

The initial meeting between the two presidents is reportedly limited and aimed at gauging the circumstances for additional meetings in the future involving delegations from both sides, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

The Russian official added that besides the "settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," trade, economic cooperation, and global security will also be discussed.

Trump last week suggested that there could be "some swapping of territories" as part of a ceasefire deal, but Zelensky later warned that Ukraine will not give up its land "to occupiers."

After hearing about the August 15 Alaska summit, from which he was excluded, Zelensky said, "We understand the Russians' intention to try to deceive America - we will not allow this."

Head of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Ukrainian parliament, Oleksandr Merezhko, also expressed pessimism about the summit, saying, "I don't expect any breakthrough from this summit."

Ukraine is reportedly doubling down on demands for an unconditional ceasefire before moving ahead with any negotiations, retaining all territory it has captured, $1 trillion in reparations from Russia, NATO membership, and unconditional release of all prisoners.

As the Berlin meetings were ongoing, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the capture of two communities in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).

"Battlegroup Center units liberated the settlements of Suvorovo and Nikanorovka in the Donetsk People's Republic through active and decisive operations," the ministry said.

Russia has formally claimed to annex four provinces in the east of the country: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson since 2022, in addition to annexing Crimea in 2014.

Turkish-hosted ceasefire talks between Moscow and Kiev last month failed to yield significant progress.

The US and Russia held talks in Saudi Arabia in March this year, agreeing to establish a path to ending the Ukraine conflict, but failed to do so.

While meeting with Russia for a peace deal, Trump announced it would be sending "massive" supplies of weapons to Ukraine.

He also issued a 50-day deadline for a deal to be made, after which he would impose 100 percent tariffs on Russia.

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5 Things To Know Ahead Of The Trump-Putin Summit

By Reid Standish August 15, 2025

As US and Russian Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet face-to-face for the first time in six years, here's what you need to know.

What Does Putin Want?

Many analysts see a meeting with Trump as a victory in and of itself for Putin, as the leader seeks an end to his international isolation. In other words, it's all about the photo op.

"No major Western leader has met with [Putin] since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now he gets a summit with the US president, without any concessions on his part," said Jana Kobzova, who was foreign policy adviser to former Slovak President Zuzana Caputova.

Beyond that, Putin's goals remain largely unchanged since the beginning of the war.

"The Kremlin feels that it has the upper hand on the battlefield right now, so if it can't extract concessions diplomatically, it can just continue to plough forward on the battlefield," said Kobzova.

For this reason, Putin is expected to resist being pushed into accepting a cease-fire.

What Does Trump Want?

Trump has said that he wants to use the summit to "set the table" for a follow-up meeting that would involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"I think it's going to be a good meeting, but the more important meeting will be the second meeting that we're having. We're going to have a meeting with President Putin, President Zelenskyy, myself, and maybe we'll bring some of the European leaders, maybe not," Trump said on August 14.

Trump has also made it clear that he wants to achieve a cease-fire as soon as possible, as a first step toward a lasting settlement. But some analysts say Putin will try to muddy the waters by offering other prizes.

Jim O'Brien, who served as US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs in the Biden administration, says Putin is likely to suggest financial incentives to Trump as a way to avoid agreeing to concrete details for a cease-fire.

"Bilateral arrangements may emerge, especially about commercial deals benefiting a few American businesses," he said.

What About Zelenskyy?

Zelenskyy wants a seat at the table. Ukraine's president is notably excluded from the talks and has warned that decisions made in his absence will be meaningless.

The topic of territorial concessions is something Zelenskyy has repeatedly pushed back against. Trump said ahead of the summit that he will not force Kyiv to surrender territory, but his suggestion that Putin and Zelenskyy could "divvy things up" is causing alarm in Kyiv.

Such demands are not just hard to swallow for Zelenskyy, but could be incredibly difficult for him to sell to the Ukrainian public.

He will hope Trump and Putin do not agree to something he cannot agree to, making it appear to the White House that he is the obstacle to peace.

Where Do Things Stand On The Battlefield?

Russia occupies about one-fifth, or 114,500 square kilometers, of Ukraine's land.

The front line stretches some 1,000 kilometers through the regions of Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson.

Both sides continue to suffer heavy losses, but earlier this month Russia began to make key gains on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, advancing about 10 kilometers as it concentrated forces around Toretsk and Pokrovsk.

It embodies a Russian strategy that military analysts say has involved trading heavy casualties on the battlefield in exchange for small but sustained gains.

What Happens Next?

Trump has suggested a second, trilateral meeting could happen quickly -- and possibly also take place in Alaska.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on August 14 about the conditions that would need to be met to achieve a lasting peace.

"I think we all recognize that there'll have to be some conversation about security guarantees. There will have to be some conversation about, you know, territorial disputes and claims and what they're fighting over," Rubio said.

Russia will continue to insist that what it calls the "root causes" of the conflict need to be addressed, which is Kremlin code for putting an end to Ukraine's hopes of NATO membership and steps to effectively disarm the Ukrainian military.

Each side's aims collide with the other's red lines. Peace won't come quickly or easily.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-putin-alaska- summit-five-things/33503940.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Putin, Trump Arrive In Alaska For Major Summit; Ukraine 'Counting On America'

By RFE/RL August 15, 2025

Summary

Russian President Putin and US President Trump are meeting in Alaska today to discuss ending Russia's war on Ukraine, with Ukraine excluded from the talks.

European leaders fear the summit could weaken Ukraine or undermine their support against Russia's aggression.

Putin sees the meeting as a symbolic victory, while Trump aims to secure peace despite frustrations over the ongoing conflict.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have arrived in Alaska for a major face-to-face summit and talks aimed at a possible resolution to nearly 42 months of Russia's all-out war on Ukraine.

Shortly after Air Force One landed at Joint Base Elmendorf near Anchorage around 10:20 a.m. local time on August 15 the White House announced that the president will not meet one-on-one with Putin as previously planned.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff will join him, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Putin will be joined by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, according to TASS.

Though Trump and Putin have spoken by phone at least five times since January, the August 15 meeting will be their first face-to-face of Trump's second term.

"Look, he's a smart guy. [He's] been doing it for a long time, but so have I," Trump told reporters shortly after taking off from a Washington air force base. "We get along. There's a good respect level on both sides. And I think, you know, something's going to come of" the summit.

Ukraine Excluded From Talks

With Ukrainian officials left out, the talks, being held at an air base near Anchorage, are shaping up as a pivotal moment: for Ukrainians exhausted by war, for Trump's peace-making aspirations, and for Putin's efforts to recast Russia's standing on the world stage.

"We are counting on America. We are ready, as always, to work as productively as possible," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram after Trump took off.

"The main thing is that this meeting opens up a real path to honest peace and substantive talks between the leaders in a trilateral format: Ukraine, the United States, and Russia," he wrote.

European leaders, who have also been left on the sidelines, were nervous about potential deals that would leave Ukraine in a weaker position or undermine Europe's ability to support Ukraine and stand up to Russia's threats.

For Russians, the symbolism of Putin meeting on US soil, moreover on territory that used to be controlled by Russia, was itself a small victory. Putin's ability to travel abroad has been limited by a war crimes arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, and the West has made Putin a pariah for his unprovoked war on Kyiv.

For many, negotiating directly with Washington -- and leaving Ukraine on the sidelines of peace talks -- has echoes of the 1945 Yalta Conference, where the Soviet Union, the United States, and Britain all but divided up post-World War II Europe.

Trump, confident in his deal-making abilities, has been increasingly frustrated by his inability to halt Russia's war, which has killed or wounded more than 1 million Russian soldiers, according to Western estimates. Ukrainian casualties are running in the hundreds of thousands, too.

In comments to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the delegation accompanying Putin included business executives.

"I noticed he's bringing a lot of business people from Russia, and that's good. I like that, because they want to do business, but they're not doing business until we get the war out," he said.

"We have the hottest country on Earth. We have the hottest economy on Earth," he said, "and [Putin] wants a piece of that, because his country is not hot economically. In fact, it's the opposite, and China's not doing well economically. But...I want everybody to do well. The war is going to stop, and the killing has got to stop."

'Maybe It's Just His Fabric, His Genes'

Asked about overnight Russian attacks on Ukraine, Trump also criticized Putin.

"I think they're trying to negotiate. He's trying to set [the] stage. I mean, in his mind, that helps him make a better deal. It actually hurts him, but in his mind, that helps him make a better deal, if they can continue the killing," he said. "Maybe it's just his fabric, his genes, his genetics, but he thinks that...gives him strength in negotiating. I think it hurts him, but I'll be talking to him about that."

Meeting with top Kremlin officials, Putin -- who has met officially with five different US presidents during his 25 years as Russia's preeminent political figure -- on August 14 signaled optimism about the meeting and suggested a new arms control agreement could be in the works.

The White House is making "quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities" and to "reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved," Putin said in a Kremlin video.

A growing number of bilateral arms control treaties governing the world's two largest nuclear arsenals have collapsed, due to acrimony between Washington and Moscow. The last major one, New START, is set to expire next year.

While en route to Alaska, Putin stopped in the Far Eastern port city of Magadan, where he laid flowers at a memorial dedicated to Soviet-American cooperation during World War II.

Putin has regularly cited US-Russian cooperation in the fight against Nazi Germany as a justification for holding direct negotiations with Washington over Ukraine's fate.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Trump was expected to meet Putin personally when Putin's plane arrives in Alaska.

Trump recently suggested that to end the conflict, the biggest in Europe since World War II, Moscow and Kyiv will have to swap land.

That has deeply worried the Ukrainians, who currently occupy no Russian territory.

Asked about the possibility of "land swap" as part of a deal to the end the Ukraine war, Trump said: "They'll be discussed, but I've got to let Ukraine make that decision... I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I'm here to get them to [the] table."

During the flight to Alaska, Trump said he also spoke with Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko, who is a close ally of Russia, and frequent interlocutor for Putin.

Lukashenko is largely a pariah in the West, due to his brutal crackdown on Belarusians protesting the 2020 presidential election. But he has also tried to distance himself from the Russian war on Ukraine.

In a post to social media, Trump said the purpose of the call was to thank Lukashenko for the release of 16 prisoners and urge the release of 1,300 more.

Trump also said he planned to meet with Lukashenko "in the future," which would be unprecedented and a major diplomatic victory for the Belarusian strongman.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-alaska- trump-ukraine-war/33503882.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukraine's Soviet Arsenal Nearly Depleted, Kiev 'Almost Entirely' Reliant on Western Aid

Sputnik News

20250815

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine's military has reached a critical turning point, transitioning from relying on its legacy Soviet and Russian artillery and rocket supplies to becoming almost entirely dependent on Western aid, the latest quarterly report of the Operation Atlantic Resolve revealed.

"As of this quarter, Ukraine had nearly exhausted its supplies of Soviet and Russian artillery and rocket ammunition, making the UAF [Ukrainian armed forces] almost entirely reliant on Western assistance," the report released on Thursday said.

The report of the US Department of Defense's ongoing mission to bolster the security of NATO allies and provide support to Ukraine also details persistent challenges in other critical areas.

Despite significant aid, Ukraine's air defenses and its fleet of F-16 fighter jets remain insufficient to deal with missile and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) attacks, which continue to inflict damage on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Fulfilling Ukraine's air defense needs is further complicated by a global shortage of essential components, according to the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U), a US-led German-based command that coordinates military assistance to Ukraine. The global demand for these parts presents a significant challenge to the timely delivery of crucial defensive systems.

Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine are hindering the peace process in Ukraine and getting NATO allies directly involved in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia.

 Sputnik

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Andrii Sybiha had phone talks with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom David Lammy

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

15 August 2025 20:34

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "A meaningful conversation with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. I value the UK's leadership in the Coalition of the Willing and its principled stance on supporting Ukraine. We focused on joint diplomatic efforts to bring closer a real peace for Ukraine and all of Europe. We also discussed ways to further enhance assistance to Ukraine, including long-term financial aid. We stand united in defending our shared security and democratic values."

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Maxime Prevot

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

15 August 2025 20:22

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a meaningful exchange of views with my Belgian colleague Maxime Prevot on advancing a just peace and reinforcing Ukraine's position along this path. I appreciate his strong words in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and his clear stance that there must be no reward for the aggressor, as it would set a dangerous precedent for global stability. We both agreed that a ceasefire is the first step towards a real peace process. I also emphasized the importance to make full use of Russian frozen assets for Ukraine's benefit and to ensure that Russia pays the price for its war of aggression. Grateful to Belgium for practical financial, humanitarian, and military support for Ukraine."

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Denys Shmyhal and the Ambassador of Canada discuss cooperation in the defence industry

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

15 August, 2025, 2:44 PM EEST

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, held a meeting with Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine.

The discussion focused on the development of cooperation in the defence industry.

"Canada is already participating in the 'Danish model' - an extremely effective mechanism for supporting Ukraine. We discussed new initiatives that will strengthen Ukrainian service members. Canada is preparing a contribution to the PURL initiative, which helps Ukraine receive weapons and technologies from the United States," stated Denys Shmyhal.

He added that Canada is also considering supporting the production of Ukrainian long-range drones, which have already demonstrated high effectiveness.

In addition, the Minister of Defence presented the Canadian side with the Defence City mechanism - a special legal framework for developing the defence ecosystem in Ukraine.

"I thanked Canada for its steadfast support and important assistance from the first days of the full-scale russian aggression. Together with Canada, we are strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and building the foundation for lasting and sustainable peace," emphasised Denys Shmyhal.

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Ukraine Is Ready to Work as Productively as Possible to Bring the War to an End, and We Count on a Strong Position from America - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

15 August 2025 - 19:02

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

A brief update for today. Of course, I am receiving reports from our intelligence and diplomats regarding the preparations for the meeting in Alaska. Regarding what Putin is bringing to the table. We are also receiving reports from Ukraine's regions following Russian strikes. Sumy - a Russian strike on the central market. Dnipro region - strikes on cities and enterprises. Zaporizhzhia, Kherson region, Donetsk region - deliberate Russian strikes. The war continues, and it is precisely because there is neither an order nor even a signal that Moscow is preparing to end this war. On the day of negotiations, they are killing as well. And that speaks volumes.

Recently, we've discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end, and we count on a strong position from America. Everything will depend on this - the Russians factor in American strength. Make no mistake - strength. We continue coordinating with our partners in Europe - I spoke with French President Macron today. The team is also in contact. The time difference with Alaska is eleven hours, so tomorrow will start early for everyone in Europe. We are preparing for the upcoming discussions. Russia must end the war that it itself started and has been dragging out for years. The killings must stop. A meeting of leaders is needed - at the very least, Ukraine, America, and the Russian side - and it is precisely in such a format that effective decisions are possible. Security guarantees are needed. Lasting peace is very much needed. Everyone knows the key objectives. I want to thank everyone who is helping to achieve real results.

I held a Staff meeting - both on the current situation at the front and on providing for our army. And also on the long term plans - there must be a contract army, and the transition to this must begin now. The Commander-in-Chief reported on our active operations in all sectors, especially Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian warriors are clearing positions in the Dobropillia area of the occupier, and this is important. There are results. Russia's intention was to demonstrate strength ahead of Alaska, but in fact, for the occupier, this ends with its destruction. I thank our 79th and 82nd Air Assault Brigades, which are fighting there, in the Dobropillia sector. The 2nd Battalion of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade. Thank you, guys. The 14th Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, thank you to the fighters of Azov, also the 32nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, and the 38th Marine Brigade - they are defending positions there, in the Donetsk region. I am grateful to all of you! Gratitude also to the 1st and 425th Assault Regiments. I want to commend our warriors in the Sumy region - first and foremost, the 95th Brigade and the 225th Assault Regiment. Thank you!

Today, I held a meeting with our diplomats - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office team. We are counting on parliamentary diplomacy - today, I thanked the Chairman of the Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, for his active engagement. Now we need to update our foreign policy plan for the coming months. I instructed that an audit be carried out of our work with partners within the framework of the defense coalitions, the resilience coalitions - all of our agreements. Everything must work. I also instructed that specific individuals be designated as responsible for steps in our key areas: if there is a specific project with partners, there must be a specific person responsible for the success of that project. On Monday, I expect a report from the Government on the updated plan of foreign policy steps.

I thank everyone who stands with us, with our people, with Ukraine! I thank all those working for the independence of our state and for our strong positions.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Since full-scale invasion, SSU uncovered 52 Defense Forces servicemen who were russian agents

Security Service of Ukraine

10:00, 15 August 2025

The Security Service, with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is systematically exposing enemy agents and dismantling criminal schemes in the Security and Defense forces of our state.

Since the start of the full-scale war, only the Military Counterintelligence Department of the SSU has detained 207 agents of the russian special services who were gathering information on the Defense Forces and military installations of Ukraine. 52 of them were active military personnel. 44 traitors have already been sentenced to terms ranging from 12 to 15 years.

For example, a former commander of a Special Operations Forces unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who leaked combat plans of Ukrainian special forces in enemy territory to the occupiers, was convicted to 15 years in prison.

The Security Service detained him in the autumn of 2024. The traitor was found in possession of secret communication devices with evidence of his contacts with his handler, a serving officer of russian military intelligence ('the GRU').

In total, in 2025 alone, the SSU Military Counterintelligence dismantled three enemy agent networks.

In August this year, such network of russian special services was uncovered in Zaporizhzhia. It included a mobilized soldier and the rector of a local church of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of moscow patriarchate.

The perpetrators guided enemy aerial bombs to the locations of the Defense Forces and recruited new candidates to the cell.

In Odesa region, four FSB agents were detained along with the head of their group. They adjusted russian air strikes on depots containing weapons, ammunition and supplies for Ukrainian troops.

The traitors also scouted the geolocations of Ukrainian air defense units to adjust enemy strikes to evade our air defenses.

In Lviv oblast, a 38-year-old female informant was detained. She was preparing coordinates for russian missile and drone attacks on airfields with Ukrainian combat helicopters.

In addition, the SSU Military Counterintelligence prevented the theft of over 44 billion Hryvnias in the defense sector.

Since the start of the full-scale war, the SSU Military Counterintelligence has blocked 114 schemes of mobilization, evasion, stopped 222 cases of illegal circulation of weapons and prevented their removal from the combat zone.

The SSU continues to work to protect Ukraine's national security and is making comprehensive efforts to bring to justice all those responsible for these crimes.

In addition to fighting the aggressor and its accomplices within our state, the SSU Military Counterintelligence conducts special operations behind enemy lines and participates in combat operations directly on the front line.

Since the start of the full-scale war, the SSU Military Counterintelligence has destroyed 219 enemy tanks, 358 armoured combat vehicles, 318 artillery systems and 73 electronic warfare systems on the battlefield.

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UN highlights need for peaceful resolution, as Trump and Putin prepare to meet on Ukraine

15 August 2025 - The United Nations has reiterated the importance of dialogue as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to meet on Friday in Alaska, with Ukraine top of the agenda.

The UN is stressing that any peace effort or deal must be consistent with the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric welcomed "dialogue at the highest level" between the two permanent members of the Security Council.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in Alaska at 11 AM local time (3 PM in New York). The northern US state is separated from the mainland by Canada, while Russia lies just to the west across the Bering Strait and the International Date Line.

Mr. Dujarric reaffirmed that the "[UN's] position regarding the war in Ukraine remains the same."

"We want an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards finding a just and sustainable and comprehensive peace, one that upholds Ukraine's sovereignty, its territorial integrity and independence within internationally recognized border and in line with UN Charter, international law and all relevant UN resolutions," he said.

Asked about reports that the United States and Russia would meet without Ukraine at the table, Mr. Dujarric recalled the UN's principled view that, to reach a durable settlement, "it's helpful to have all the parties of the conflict at the table, the same table."

"We'll obviously be watching what happens, and we're watching what comes out of it."

The summit takes place against a backdrop of worsening humanitarian conditions. According to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA, hostilities continue to exact a heavy civilian toll, destroying homes and infrastructure, forcing thousands more to flee.

Between Monday and Wednesday alone, over 6,000 people evacuated their high-risk communities near frontlines in the Donetsk region, either through organized evacuations or of their own volition.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported this week that July saw the highest monthly civilian casualty toll since May 2022, with 286 people killed and 1,388 injured.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the rights mission has documented the deaths of at least 13,883 civilians, including 726 children, and 35,548 injured, including 2,234 children.

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Ukraine must have security guarantees, make decisions regarding its territory itself  statement by European leaders

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister of the UK Keir Starmer, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk issued a joint statement following a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the negotiations in Alaska.

"Leaders welcomed President Trump's efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia's war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace," reads the statement.

According to the statement, As President Trump said 'there's no deal until there's a deal'. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.

"We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support," the European leaders said.

They said that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We welcome President Trump's statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role," they said.

"No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine's pathway to EU and NATO. It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force," the statement reads.

They reaffirmed that their support to Ukraine will continue. "We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace," they said.

The European leaders also said that as long as the killing in Ukraine continues, they stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. "We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia's war economy until there is a just and lasting peace," they said.

"Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests," the leaders of the European countries said.
Trump Says 'No Deal' With Putin To End Russia's War On Ukraine

By RFE/RL August 16, 2025

Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Trump briefly spoke to the press, but did not take questions, following their 2-hour, 45-minute meeting at a US air base in Alaska.

Trump said his team made "great progress" toward ending Russia's war on Ukraine but that "we haven't quite got there" and that no deal was struck. No details were provided.

Putin spoke of Russia's insistence on what he calls the "root causes" of the war being respected -- Kremlin language for limits on Ukraine's military strength and a commitment not to join NATO.

A much-anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has broken up without a deal on a cease-fire in Ukraine and with neither man taking questions from journalists at a news conference.

In a terse, three-minute statement to the press after his nearly three-hour meeting with Putin, Trump said his team made "great progress" but that "we haven't quite got there" and that no deal was struck to end the Kremlin's war against Ukraine.

Speaking at the US Joint Base Elmendorf near Anchorage, Alaska, where the meeting was held, both Putin and Trump provided almost no detail about what exactly had been agreed or what the sticking points were.

Trump, who was criticized in some quarters for meeting Putin without involving Ukraine in the talks, said he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NATO, and European allies to brief them on the results.

"There's no deal until there's a deal," Trump cautioned.

"I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened, but we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to," he said.

"There are just a very few [issues] that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there."

Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on Russia and tariffs on its trading partners if Moscow did not halt its aggression. However, he has held off on such moves to the frustration of Kyiv and Brussels, expressing concerns that economic penalties on Moscow would stall the diplomacy he has invested so much time into. Trump made no mention of sanctions in his statement.

In comments to Fox News' Sean Hannity following the summit, Trump said again that no deal had been struck but claimed that "a lot of points were negotiated" and that "one or two pretty significant items" were agreed upon, but he did not cite specifics.

Trump added that "now, it's really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done. And I would also say the European nations -- they have to get involved a little bit. But it's up to President Zelenskyy."

Putin spoke of an "understanding" with Trump on the war, without being specific, and said he hoped that Ukraine and its European allies would not '"torpedo" any plans.

He said Russia will continue to insist on the elimination of what it calls the "root causes" of the conflict -- which is Kremlin code for putting an end to Ukraine's hopes of NATO membership and steps to effectively disarm the Ukrainian military -- items Kyiv has long rejected.

But he also added that "the security of Ukraine should be assured as well." Putin has occasionally questioned Ukraine's very right to exist.

Given the time difference, there was no immediate comment from officials in Kyiv or the European Union -- who watched nervously from afar, wary of any developments that could endanger Ukraine's security or sovereignty.

Luke Coffey, a senior analyst at the Hudson Institute, told RFE/RL that Putin appeared to be the big winner of the summit and "has basically all but guaranteed" that Russia faces no further sanction or tariffs.

"He has bought more time to continue to wage his war and he now has the international legitimacy -- at least from the president of the United States -- that he's craved. And he has done all this without giving anything."

Mikhail Alexseev, a professor at San Diego State University, said the lack of progress indicates that Putin had not softened his maximalist demands.

"It basically tells me that Russia just repeated its common positions. It did not change its stance," he told RFE/RL.

"Putin certainly got what he wanted out of this meeting. He got the welcome, the red carpet. He got the handshakes. And in essence, it normalizes his position as the world leader. It sidelines the whole war [and] deflects attention from Russia's aggression against Ukraine," Alexseev said.

After Putin arrived at the US base aboard his presidential jet shortly before the summit, Trump greeted him on the tarmac, which was lined with a red carpet.

In a surprising move, Putin then joined Trump in the ultra-secure US presidential limousine -- known as "The Beast" -- casually chatting as they headed toward the meeting site, a rare honor for a leader of an adversarial nation.

Though Trump and Putin have spoken by phone at least five times since January, the August 15 meeting was their first face-to-face meeting of Trump's second term.

Trump has suggested that any resolution to the war could include "swapping of territories." That would conflict with Kyiv's long-standing position that it must regain all the territory Russia currently occupies.

Trump did not address the potential land swaps during his remarks to journalists.

RFE/RL's Todd Prince in Washington contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-putin-alaska-russia- ukraine-summit/33504311.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FT Portfolios Ca n ada Co. (First Trust Canada), announced today that the cap, buffer and dates for the next Target Outcome Period for the First Trust Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF  AUG (AUGB.F) (the fund or August Buffer ETF) are as follows:

TICKER CAP BUFFER OUTCOME PERIOD AUGB.F 14.55% (Gross) 10% 18/08/2025  21/08/2026



The previous Target Outcome Period for AUGB.F concluded on August 15, 2025 and the upside cap for the new Target Outcome Period has been reset to prevailing market conditions.

The fund seeks an outcome that provides investors with returns (before fees, expenses and taxes) that match the price return of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY or underlying ETF), up to a predetermined upside cap, while providing a buffer against potential SPY losses. The fund is managed and sub-advised by Vest Financial LLC (Vest) using a target outcome strategy or pre-determined target investment outcome.

If an investor purchases hedged units after the first day of the Target Outcome Period, they will likely have a different return potential than an investor who purchased hedged units at the start of the Target Outcome Period and the buffer the fund seeks may not be available.

First Trust Canada believes a buffer against a level of losses can help investors stay invested during volatile times. The fund offers a way to gain access to outcome-based investingspecifically to buffer against a level of downside risk while allowing growth to a maximum cap eliminating bank credit risk, in a convenient, flexible investment vehicle.

Karan Sood and Trevor Lack, of Vest, serve as a portfolio managers for the fund. The portfolio managers are jointly and primarily responsible for making investment management decisions for the fund.

For further information: Media Contact: Nilash Patel, FT Portfolios Canada Co., 40 King Street West, Suite 5102, Email: nileshpatel@firsttrust.ca, 1-877-622-5552.

About First Trust

First Trust Canada is the trustee, manager and promoter of the fund. First Trust Canada and its affiliates First Trust Advisors L.P. (FTA), portfolio advisor to the fund, an Ontario Securities Commission registered portfolio manager and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment advisor, and First Trust Portfolios L.P., a FINRA registered broker-dealer, are privately held companies that provide a variety of investment services. FTA has collective assets under management or supervision of approximately U.S.$278 billion as of June 30, 2025 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts. For more information, visit www.firsttrust.ca.

About Vest:

Vest is the creator of Target Outcome Investments, which strive to buffer losses, amplify gains or provide consistent income to a diverse spectrum of investors. Today, Vests Target Outcome Strategies are available in mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), unit investment trusts (UITs), collective investment trusts (CITs), and customizable managed accounts / sub-advisory services. For more information about Vest and the evolution of Target Outcome Investments, visit www.vestfin.com or contact Linda Werner at lwerner@vestfin.com or 703-864-5483.

There may be commissions, management fees and expenses associated with ETF investments. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the prospectus of the fund before investing. Contact FT Portfolios Canada at 1-877-622-5552 or visit www.firsttrust.ca to obtain a copy of the prospectus and ETF Facts for the fund.

Important Information

The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. Financial advisors are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.

First Trust Advisors L.P. is the portfolio advisor to the fund. First Trust Advisors L.P. is an affiliate of FT Portfolios Canada Co., the trustee, manager and promoter of the fund.

Further information about First Trust Canadas ETFs can be found at www.firsttrust.ca.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vancouver B.C., August 15, 2025  A.I.S. Resources Limited (TSXV: AIS, OTC- PINK: AISSF) (AIS or the Company) is providing this bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders (NP 12-203). On July 30, 2025, the Company announced that July 30, 2025 it has been granted a voluntary management cease trade order in accordance with NP 12-203 due to it not being able to file its annual financial statements and managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the year ended March 31, 2025, and the related CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the Annual Filings) on SEDAR within 120 days of its financial year-end. The management cease trade order has been granted by the Companys principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission.

The Company was not able to complete the year-end audit within the time periods required by National Instrument 51-102 due to the delay in commencing the audit owning to insufficient funds. As a result, the Company requires additional time to file the Annual Filings.

The Companys audit is substantially completed. The Company is organizing funds to complete the audit. The Company expects to file its Annual Filings as soon as they are available, but in any event no later than September 29, 2025, and will issue a news release once they have been filed.

Pursuant to NP 12-203, the Company must file bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further news releases during the period of the MCTO. The Company reports that it is working diligently with its auditors to complete the audit in a timely manner and since its news release of July 30, 2025, there have been no material changes regarding the information contained in that news release. The Company confirms there have been no failures by the Company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203, and there has not been, nor is there anticipated to be, any specified default subsequent to the default announced in the Companys news release of July 30, 2025. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this news release.

About A.I.S. Resources Limited

A.I.S. Resources Limited is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company focuses on natural resource opportunities, aiming to unlock value by acquiring early-stage projects and providing the necessary technical and financial support to develop them. AIS is guided by a seasoned team of engineers, geologists, and finance professionals with a proven track record of success in capital markets.

On Behalf of A.I.S. Resources Limited

Martyn Element

Chairman

Corporate Contact

For further information, please contact:

Martyn Element, Chairman of the Board

T: +1-604-220-6266

E: melement@aisresources.com

Website: www.aisresources.com

ADVISORY: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Phoenix, AZ, Aug. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SETT, a mens jewelry brand known merging aesthetic simplicity with personalization, has announced the upcoming launch of its newest collection: SETT NOIR  sterling silver mens bracelet fusing three distinct finishes: black rhodium, white rhodium, and gold plating. Defined by its rich contrast and meticulous design, the collection marks a bold shift toward more sophisticated, contemporary luxury design within the brands portfolio.

SETT NOIR

Inspired by the use of black rhodium-plated sterling silver, a hallmark element running through the entire series, the name SETT NOIR takes its cue from the collections darker, refined aesthetic. Developed entirely in-house, the designs were brought to life in partnership with Italian artisans, with each bracelet crafted and finished in Italy.

Our goal with SETT NOIR was to take a step beyond our classical styles and explore more elevated, modern expression of mens jewelry, said Uri Raveh, SETT Brand Manager. By combining three contrasting finishes in a single sterling silver piece, weve created a collection that feels both distinctive and versatile, balancing bold design with understated elegance.

A Step Beyond the Classics

While SETTs existing collections have emphasized timeless, personalized pieces, SETT NOIR introduces a different design language. The collection moves away from purely classical silhouette, embracing a more sophisticated aesthetic that appeals to men seeking jewelry with subtle complexity.

The combination of dark, bright, and warm tones gives each piece a layered architectural quality  deliberate balance of depth, light, and texture. This contrast of the black rhodium, white rhodium, and gold plating is built into the design itself rather than added as ornament, allowing the finishes to enhance the structure and presence of the bracelets. The result is a collection that commands attention without overpowering.

SETT NOIR complements a tailored suit as naturally as they add edge to a casual ensemble, serving as versatile accents that can adapt to multiple personal styles. By blending bold contrast with a restrained architectural form, SETT NOIR bridges the heritage of classic craftsmanship with contemporary sensibility. It is a collection designed to resonate with seasoned jewelry collectors and those seeking a meaningful new addition to their wardrobe.

A Permanent Collection With Future Potential

Unlike seasonal drops that appear briefly and fade with trends, SETT NOIR is envisioned as a long-term part of the brands portfolio, signaling SETTs confidence in the collections staying power and its relevance to the modern mens jewelry market.

From the outset SETT intends to expand SETT NOIR beyond bracelets. The brand already exploring how the distinctive three-finish combination could translate into other forms. According to the brand, if early reception is strong, it plans to expand the NOIR design language into necklaces, potentially followed by additional categories that preserve the collections unique architectural balance.

We see SETT NOIR as more than a single collection. Its a beginning of a design language we can build on, added Raveh. Establishing it as a permanent line gives us and our customers the chance to see it evolve, adapt, and remain relevant throughout the years. This approach not only allows product variety over time but also ensures each piece feels connected to the original vision.

For SETT, the launch of SETT NOIR marks more than just the arrival of a new product. It marks step toward a more contemporary, luxury territory. While the brand continues to uphold its commitment to personalization and timeless appeal, this collection aims to carve out a space for a more modern, architectural expression of luxury.

Positioned for a Strong September Launch

Launching in September, the collection aligns perfectly with the fall fashion cycle, just as shoppers begin eyeing upscale accessories for gift-giving and self-styling.

SETT NOIR will be available exclusively through the brands official online store and select retailers, with early access previews offered to email subscribers and social media followers in the weeks leading up to the launch.

To explore SETTs collection or to stay updated on SETTs latest collection, please visit http://www.settandco.com.

About SETT

SETT is a contemporary mens jewelry brand that merges aesthetic simplicity with craftsmanship, offering pieces designed to balance timeless appeal with modern sophistication. Known for high-quality sterling silver designs and the option for personalization, the brand creates jewelry that carries meaning while standing up to everyday wear. Each collection is developed in-house and produced in collaboration with skilled artisans, including Italian makers for select lines, ensuring every detail meets exacting standards. From engraved rings to statement bracelets, SETTs designs reflect a commitment to individuality, authenticity, and the belief that mens jewelry should feel both personal and enduring.





Media Contact

Company Name: SETT

Contact Person: Uri Raveh

Contact Number: +39 (349) 171-6566

Email: uri.r@tenengroup.com

Country: United States

Website:http://www.settandco.com

Socials: @settandco
WEST ST. PAUL, Manitoba, Aug. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, MADD Canada is holding a ceremony to pay tribute to victims who have been killed and those who have suffered injuries as a result of crashes involving alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs. The ceremony will be held at MADD Canadas Manitoba Memorial Monument in West St. Paul located at Glen Eden Funeral Home and Cemetery. The Monument is etched with the names of 86 victims and no new names were added this year.

Every year, hundreds of Canadians are killed and thousands more are injured in alcohol, cannabis and/or drug-related crashes, said Tanya Hansen Pratt, National President of MADD Canada, whose mother, Beryl, was killed by an impaired driver in 1999. This monument stands not only as a place of remembrance, but also as a powerful call to actionto keep working toward a world without impaired driving.

Families, friends, community members and special guests will be attending the ceremony today, including The Honourable Matt Wiebe, Minister of Justice and Attorney General; MADD Canada National President, Tanya Hansen Pratt; MADD Winnipeg Chapter President, Trevor Ens and RCMP Sgt. Richard Janzen.

During the ceremony, the victims names will be read, and candles will be lit to honour their lives. Guests will then visit the Monument and place flowers in a quiet moment of remembrance.

Since 2009, MADD Canada has established Memorial Monuments for victims of impaired driving in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec, and Ontario. Ceremonies are held each year to unveil new names added to the Monuments and to pay tribute to all victims. The Prince Edward Island Monument will be unveiled soon, and we are working towards establishing a similar monument in British Columbia.

About MADD Canada

MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in close to 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. For more information, visit www.madd.ca.

For more information, contact:

Tanya Hansen Pratt, MADD Canada National President, 705-623-3148 or thansenpratt@madd.ca

Arielle Nkongmeneck, MADD Canada Communications Manager, 1-800-665-6233 ext. 240 or ankongmeneck@madd.ca
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE: HIMS) securities between April 29, 2025 and June 23, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), have until Monday, August 25, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Hims & Hers class action lawsuit. Captioned Sookdeo v. Hims & Hers Health, Inc., No. 25-cv-05315 (N.D. Cal.), the Hims & Hers class action lawsuit charges Hims & Hers as well as certain of Hims & Hers executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. A subsequently filed complaint is captioned Yaghsizian v. Hims & Hers Health, Inc., No. 25-cv-05321 (N.D. Cal.).

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Hims & Hers class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-hims-hers-health-inc-class-action-lawsuit-hims.html

You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at info@rgrdlaw.com.

CASE ALLEGATIONS: Hims & Hers is a telehealth company that provides prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and personal care products. According to the complaint, on April 29, 2025, Hims & Hers announced a long-term collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S, starting with the immediate sale of a bundled offering of Novo Nordisks FDA-approved Wegovy on the Hims & Hers platform.

The Hims & Hers class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Hims & Hers was engaged in the deceptive promotion and selling of illegitimate, knockoff versions of Wegovy that put patient safety at risk; and (ii) as a result, there was a substantial risk that Hims & Hers collaboration with Novo Nordisk would be terminated.

The Hims & Hers class action lawsuit further alleges that on June 23, 2025, Novo Nordisk issued a press release announcing that it was terminating its partnership with Hims & Hers based on Hims & Hers deceptive promotion and selling of illegitimate, knockoff versions of Wegovy that put patient safety at risk. On this news, the price of Hims & Hers stock fell more than 34%, according to the complaint.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Hims & Hers securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Hims & Hers class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Hims & Hers class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Hims & Hers class action lawsuit. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Hims & Hers class action lawsuit.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the worlds leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder litigation. Our Firm has been ranked #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for four out of the last five years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. In 2024, we recovered over $2.5 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases  more than the next five law firms combined, according to ISS. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs firms in the world, and the Firms attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever  $7.2 billion  in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800-449-4900

info@rgrdlaw.com
Phoenix, Arizona, Aug. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tidewater News is proud to name Pool Pros Marketing as the Best Pool Builder Marketing Agency of 2025. This recognition follows a months-long review of leading marketing agencies in the pool and spa construction industry, evaluating each firms performance, strategy, and reputation.

With hundreds of agencies competing in the digital space for pool companies, Pool Pros stood out for its transparent business model, exclusive client relationships, and exceptional results in local SEO and paid advertising. The agency was also designated as the Most Trusted in its category based on consistently positive client feedback, industry endorsements, and a values-driven approach to long-term growth.

What Sets Pool Pros Marketing Apart

The Tidewater News editorial team conducted a comprehensive evaluation process that included:

Direct interviews with agency clients

with agency clients Analysis of marketing campaigns and SEO performance

Review of case studies, retention metrics, and strategic frameworks

Heres why Pool Pros rose above the competition:

Client-Owned Marketing Assets

Unlike many digital agencies that retain ownership of client websites, ad accounts, and performance data, Pool Pros empowers clients by building campaigns around assets the business fully ownsincluding their website, Google Business Profile, and paid media accounts. This ensures long-term value, data transparency, and full portability of results.

Exclusive Local Partnerships

Pool Pros adheres to a rare but powerful policy: only one pool builder per city or service area. This exclusivity means Pool Pros clients enjoy focused attention and a true partnership, without fear of competing against another contractor backed by the same agency.

Proven SEO and Paid Media Expertise

Founded by SEO expert Scott Keever, Pool Pros brings elite-level execution to pool builders who want to dominate in their local markets. The agency has demonstrated mastery in:

Pool builder SEO

Google Ads and Local Services Ads (LSAs)

Social media advertising campaigns

Local optimization strategies

In a highly competitive niche like pool construction, ranking in the top search results can significantly impact market dominance. Pool Pros not only helps its clients rank, it helps them convert.

National Recognition Built on Results

Pool Pros selection as the Best Pool Builder Marketing Agency of 2025 reflects its consistent delivery of results, commitment to ethical marketing practices, and its role in helping pool builders scale revenue through digital channels.

Pool Pros represents what we believe to be the future of agency-client relationships: transparency, exclusivity, and a relentless focus on client success, said a Tidewater News editorial spokesperson. Their strategy isn't just to generate leadsits to grow businesses sustainably over time.





About Pool Pros Marketing





Pool Pros Marketing is a U.S.-based digital marketing agency specializing in growth strategies for pool builders and service companies. Their services include SEO for pool companies, Google Ads for pool companies, Local Services Ads (LSA), and custom-built social media advertising. The agency is best known for its exclusive partnerships, client-first ownership model, and national reputation for delivering scalable ROI.





Top Service Offering:

SEO for Pool Cleaning Services

SEO for Pool Contractors

SEO for Pool Builders

SEO for Hot Tub Repair Services

SEO for Pool Automation & Smart Systems Installers

SEO for Pool Repair Services

SEO for Pool Supply Stores

SEO for Hot Tub Stores

SEO for Pool Inspection Companies

SEO for Pool Leak Detection Companies

About Tidewater News

Tidewater News is a respected digital media outlet focused on business rankings, expert evaluations, and performance-based awards. Its annual agency recognitions highlight the best firms in categories ranging from digital marketing to specialized service industries, offering business owners a trusted source for vetting agencies and selecting vendors.

FAQS

What is the best pool service SEO strategy?

The best pool service SEO strategy focuses on ranking your business in local search results where high-intent buyers are searching. This includes:

Optimizing your Google Business Profile

Building a fast, mobile-first website with local keywords

Acquiring niche-relevant backlinks

Publishing location-specific content (e.g., Pool builder in [City])

Pool Pros Marketing specializes in pool service SEO, utilizing proven, data-driven tactics to help pool builders rank on Page 1 and drive qualified leads month after month.





How can I grow my pool service business online?

To grow a pool business online, you need more than just a websiteyou need a full digital marketing system. This includes:

Local SEO to rank in map packs and organic results

Targeted Google Ads and Local Services Ads (LSA)

A website that converts traffic into phone calls and appointments

A trusted marketing partner who understands your industry

Hiring a specialized agency like Pool Pros Marketing ensures your digital strategy is tailored to your service area and designed to scale your business profitably.





Why hire a pool builder marketing agency?

Hiring a pool builder marketing agency means getting access to:

Industry-specific expertise

Proven SEO and PPC strategies that already work for pool companies

A faster path to ROI, with less wasted budget

Help managing competition in your local market

Pool Pros Marketing is the top-rated agency for pool companies, offering exclusive city partnerships, client-owned strategies, and marketing that actually drives growth.





How do I rank my pool company on Google?

To rank your pool company on Google, you need to:

Optimize your Google Business Profile (reviews, services, categories, images) Create location-targeted content with buyer-intent keywords like "pool builder near me" Build quality local backlinks Improve site speed, mobile usability, and on-page SEO

Pool Pros has helped hundreds of pool companies move into top rankings across organic, Maps, and paid listingsconsistently.





What does Pool Pros Marketing do differently?

Pool Pros offers:

Exclusive city partnerships (youll never compete with another client)

(youll never compete with another client) Client-owned websites, ad accounts, and tracking

Customized SEO, PPC, and social campaigns built specifically for pool builders

A team led by Scott Keever, a top 1% global SEO and Forbes Agency Council member

Most agencies rent you leads. We help you build your brand and dominate your market.





Is Pool Pros Marketing only for pool builders?

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Calgary, Aug. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GridStrat today announced the launch of GridStrat Clarity, a business-aware AI platform that continuously analyzes a company and its operating environment to improve how AI systems answer questions about the business and to surface live market signals for sales, financing, and compliance teams. The Calgary-based firm specifies that the platform merges Generative Answer Engine Optimization (AEO/GEO) with continuous business ecosystem monitoring, a response to corporate and customer decisions increasingly originating and receiving decision support from AI tools.

AI is now the front door to most buying and strategic decision making. GridStrat Clarity maximizes your businesss value creation potential in this critical environment by continuously teaching AI systems the correct and most compelling facts about your business. Now you can ensure prospective stakeholders, from customers to investors, have your best information at their fingertips, and you can get ahead and stay ahead of competition by more rapidly digesting market shifts and improving your tactics.

 Ryan McDonald, Founder & CEO, GridStrat

The platforms AI Visibility Optimization is already delivering significant results. It audits what popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Google AI infused search, Gemini, and Perplexity know about a business, provides guidance to improve recommendation visibility, corrects inaccuracies with structured, verifiable information, and helps earn accurate citations for high-intent queries.

In just over a month, we moved from basically invisible in AI search recommendations to number 1 in both of our targeted growth markets, Idaho and Washington, for our product category, said Terry Sydoryk, CEO of Cellar Insights. That shift has positioned us far more effectively to meet our companys sales objectives.

Beyond public visibility, GridStrat Clarity provides continuous, company-specific intelligence by tracking organizations, customers, policies, competitors, technologies, and key events. This allows it to route critical signals into actionable briefings and workflows. This new AI-driven landscape impacts the entire business ecosystem, including consulting and marketing communications partners.

PR is a major contributor to AI answer credibility... GridStrat Clarity ensures our clients are represented accurately. Additionally, it equips their executives, and our team!, with GridStrats strategic news monitoring and market intelligence, empowering everyone to move smarter and execute faster, said Dalyce Semko, Founder & CEO of communications partner ExpandCommunications.

Why This Matters

AI systems are rapidly becoming a critical component of business, from product and vendor evaluation to exploring strategic scenarios and assisting with content and workflow. Simultaneously, markets, technologies, and regulatory and policy signals are changing more rapidly than ever. Organizations require improved and more accurate representation in AI answers for both external parties and for their own internal teams. GridStrat Clarity achieves this through continuous business ecosystem awareness to make more timely, informed decisions.

Availability and Early Access

GridStrat Clarity is available now to qualified customers and agency partners. GridStrat will also be opening limited Early Access programs for new modules built on the same business-aware core, including Target ID & Account Radar, Capital Signals & Grant Finder, and M&A support. Interested companies can join the waitlist.

For more details, visit

gridstrat.com/gridstrat-clarity.

And contact: gridintelligence@gridstrat.com

About GridStrat

GridStrat is a high-performance consulting and AI solutions firm based in Calgary, Alberta, dedicated to assisting founders and executives in achieving scalable, rapid, and efficient growth. The company specializes in growth strategy, business development, capital advisory, and AI-enhanced business tools to help clients across North America penetrate new markets, secure growth capital, and harness advanced technologies effectively.
TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Steelworkers union (USW) National Director, Marty Warren, issued the following statement on the federal governments decision to intervene in the labour dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants:

By stepping in to shut down these negotiations and force workers back to work, the federal government is denying flight attendants their constitutional right to bargain collectively and, if necessary, to take strike action. This is a serious attack on workers rights and sets a dangerous precedent that should worry all workers in Canada.

Weve seen this movie before  WestJet mechanics, CN Rail and CPKC workers, and Canada Post workers  and it always ends the same way: delayed settlements, employers emboldened to hold out for concessions and worse outcomes for workers. The best deals are reached at the bargaining table, not through political interference that weakens the voices of workers.

Flight attendants have been negotiating in good faith to address serious concerns about wages, scheduling, unpaid time and working conditions. They deserve the chance to reach a fair and negotiated settlement, free from government actions that always tip the scales in favour of the employer. We stand in solidarity with CUPE flight attendants in their fight for respect, equitable labour conditions, and a fair collective agreement.

Ottawas choice to undermine the bargaining process is an unacceptable assault on free collective bargaining rights. This decision not only weakens these workers, but also those who depend on fair negotiations to protect their jobs and working conditions.

About the United Steelworkers union

The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the unions strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation  including good wages, benefits and pensions.
VANCOUVER - REV Exploration Corp. ("REV" or the "Company") (TSXV: REVX) announces that pursuant to the news release of August 14, 2025, announcing the closing of its non-brokered financing, the Company shall pay finder's fees to Canaccord Genuity Corp. The amount of the finder's fees paid shall be $11,200 cash and 56,000 finder's warrants exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.35 per common share, for a period of 24 months following the closing of the private placement pursuant to the terms of the placement warrant. These are the only finder's fees associated with the LIFE Offering ($200,000) and the concurrent private placement ($1,000,000) that raised total gross proceeds of $1,200,000.

The finder's fees are subject to the approval of the TSXV.

About REV Exploration Corp.

REV is a mineral exploration company that owns a suite of gold and battery metal properties in Quebec highlighted by JMW and Maxwell in the Chapais-Chibougamau area, while the Company also has strong exposure to the Natural Hydrogen sector in Alberta and Saskatchewan. REV has an option to acquire 100% of a series of PNG leases along the Alberta-Montana border, including the drill-ready Aden Dome, while it also has a significant equity position in MAX Power Mining Corp. which owns Canada's largest permitted land package for Natural Hydrogen in Saskatchewan.

For further information on the Company, readers are referred to the Company's website at www.REVexploration.com and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

REV Exploration Corp.

Suite 410 -325 Howe Street,

B.C. V6C 1Z7

Tel: 604-682-7970

info@revexploration.com

REVexploration.com

Jordan Potts

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact:?

Chad Levesque

Investor Relations

1-306-981-4753

info@revexploration.com

Reader Advisory & Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, the completion of the Agreement and the presence of naturally occurring hydrogen on the Aden Dome. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this news release, including, but not limited to the assumption that all conditions to completion of the acquisition of the Aden Dome will be satisfied, including TSX Venture Exchange approval.

REV Exploration Corp. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Zelenskyy: A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine needs to achieve a real peace that will last, rather than become another pause between Russian invasions, release all Ukrainian military and civilians from Russian captivity, and maintain pressure on the Russian Federation while the aggression and occupation continue.

"Today, following a conversation with President Trump, we further coordinated positions with European leaders. The positions are clear," Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday.

"A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions. Killings must stop as soon as possible, the fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the sky, as well as against our port infrastructure. All Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians must be released, and the children abducted by Russia must be returned. Thousands of our people remain in captivity  they all must be brought home. Pressure on Russia must be maintained while the aggression and occupation continue," the President said.

He said that in his conversation with President Trump, he said that sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.

"Sanctions are an effective tool. Security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term, with the involvement of both Europe and the U.S. All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine's participation, and no issue, particularly territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

The head of state thanked Ukraine's partners who are helping.

"Today, there is an important statement from European leaders that strengthens our position. We continue working together  Europeans, Americans, and everyone in the world who wants peace and stability in international relations," he said.
Calgary - Guardian Exploration Inc. (TSXV: GX) (OTCQB: GXUSF) (Frankfurt: R6B) (the "Corporation" or "Guardian") announces that it has agreed to issue 200,000 common shares, at a deemed price of $0.115 per share, to retire $23,000.00 of indebtedness owing to an arm's length contractor. Completion of the debt settlement is subject to the approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

All of the shares issued in connection with the debt settlement will be subject to a statutory four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.

About Guardian Exploration Inc.

Guardian is a TSXV listed company (TSXV: GX) (OTCQB: GXUSF) (Frankfurt: R6B) in the business of oil and gas as well as mineral exploration and development. Guardian's prospects include the Mount Cameron Property located in the Yukon's Mayo Mining District, mineral claims located on southern Dall Island, Southeast Alaska, USA, known as the Kaigani claims, and the Sundog gold project located in Kivalliq Region, Nunavut.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Graydon Kowal

President and CEO

(403) 730-6333

Trading in the securities of Guardian Exploration Inc. should be considered highly speculative. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Vancouver - Element79 Gold Corp. (CSE: ELEM | FSE: 7YS0 | OTC: ELMGF) (the "Company"), is a Canadian mining company focused on developing its portfolio of gold and silver projects in Nevada and Peru, announces strategic leadership changes which will be effective August 31, 2025, alongside an update on its advancing growth strategy.

Key Highlights Discussed:

Refined Strategic Focus - Over the past year, Element79 Gold has sharpened its focus on long-term exploration and development in Nevada, anchored by the acquisition of the drill-ready Gold Mountain Project and plans to explore the Elephant Project, both located in the prolific Battle Mountain trend. This strategy is designed to form the foundation for the Company's next phase of resource growth in one of the world's most established gold districts.

Advancing Lucero, Peru - Continued incubation of the high-grade Lucero Project in southern Peru, with a mid-long-term objective of restarting exploration and production.

Leadership Transition- Effective August 31, 2025, including strategic changes to both Management and the Company's Board of Directors, with the goal of accelerating asset development in Nevada.

Corporate Strategy Update

Nevada

Over the past year, Element79 Gold has sharpened its focus on building a long-term exploration and development portfolio in Nevada, anchored by the recent acquisition of the drill-ready Gold Mountain project and plans to explore the Elephant project, both located in the prolific Battle Mountain trend. The Company has had success in developing projects in this Tier 1 mining region in the past, and this refocused strategy forms the foundation for the Company's next phase of resource growth, positioning Element79 in one of the world's most established gold districts. The Company currently has two projects in Battle Mountain, Nevada:

Gold Mountain, a Drill-ready asset with near-term exploration plans aimed at expanding known mineralization and advancing toward resource definition. The Company has engaged Rangefront Mining Services to prepare a NI 43-101 technical report as disseminated on August 6, 2025, in previous news.

Elephant Located in the heart of the Battle Mountain trend, targeted for systematic exploration to evaluate and advance its Gold, Silver, Lead and Copper potential.

The Company is currently pursuing additional high grade mineral concessions in the region to add to its evolving portfolio.

Peru

At the same time, the Company continues to incubate its high-grade Lucero Project in Arequipa, Peru, preparing for the eventual restart of exploration and production. Work in Peru is currently focused on community engagement, legal and regulatory readiness, and aligning future project development for win-win outcomes with key stakeholders with an eye to the access issues being resolved in the coming months.

Key project points for Lucero into 2026:

Maintain regular communication and presence in the Chachas community, anticipating a more favorable local administration beginning in 2026-2028 (local meetings starting at the end of August 2025 will focus on the local mayoral race).

Monitor federal updates to the "systemic push" towards formalization under the former-REINFO-to-new-Ley MAPE transition, with a key catalyst deadline of December 31, 2025, approaching.

Upon the implementation of the new formalization regime, working with legal counsel and the community to forge surface rights and operating agreements.

Target mobilization for on-site work in mid-2026, contingent on formalization progress and community agreements.

Work with contractual counterparties to restructure terms, linking payments to mutually beneficial project advancement and production goals.

Leadership and Board Changes

Effective August 31, 2025:

James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer since inception, has elected to step down from the role and continue to support the Company as a Director.

Michael Smith, currently Vice President, Corporate Development, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Neil Pettigrew will resign as Director and Qualified Person ("QP"). The Company is grateful for Mr. Pettigrew's investment of expertise and help applied through the Company's history from inception.

Kim Kirkland, currently Chief Operating Officer, will formally take on the Company's QP role and join the Board of Directors, while stepping down from his role as COO.

Warren Levy will remain as Director and will assume the role of Chairman of the Board.

Zara Kanji will continue as Director.

Outgoing CEO James C. Tworek commented:

"It has been a privilege to build, grow and lead the talented team professionals at Element79 Gold from its private company roots through multiple transformative milestones and successes since our IPO in August 2021. These changes to the Element79 Gold Corp team make the Company nimbler while retaining expertise, intimate project knowledge and relationships.

We are grateful for our Director, Neil Pettigrew's leadership and expertise with the Company's multitude of projects, and guidance through many challenges that we have faced, both before and since our IPO. I wish him success in his current and future professional endeavors and look forward to the possibility to work with him again.

With the Company's recent refocus on exploration and resource development in Nevada while continuing a mid-to-long term strategy of restarting production at Lucero in Peru, I am confident that Michael is the right leader to guide the current phase of growth. I remain committed to supporting the Company, helping to manage strategy, relationships and projects as a board member."

Incoming CEO Michael Smith added:

"I am honored and excited to take on the role of CEO during this exciting time of refocus and development opportunity underway at Element79 Gold Corp. Our immediate priorities lead a raise focused on drilling Gold Mountain, developing Elephant and maintaining momentum at Lucero in Peru. I look forward to building upon the strong foundation laid by James and the team."

Warren Levy, Chairman added:

"I would like to thank James and Neil for their efforts over the years to keep Element79 moving forward, and am looking forward to Michael taking the lead going forward. The refocused company has an attractive portfolio and has maintained access to the upside in Peru. We feel that the hard work of positioning the company has been well done by James and Kim, and their continued involvement on the board will be important to assist the new management team in taking the company forward successfully."

Qualified Person

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Kim Kirkland, Fellow of AusIMM #309585, Chief Operating Officer of Element79 Gold Corp, and a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Element79 Gold Corp

Element79 Gold Corp is a mining company focused on gold and silver exploration, with assets in Nevada and Peru. The Company is actively advancing its drill-ready Gold Mountain Project in Nevada's Battle Mountain trend and holds an option to purchase the high-grade Lucero Mine in southern Peru. Element79 has transferred its Dale Property in Ontario to its wholly owned subsidiary, Synergy Metals Corp., and is progressing through the spin-out process. Element79 Gold is listed on the CSE (CSE: ELEM), the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: 7YS0), and the OTC Markets (OTC: ELMGF).

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

James C. Tworek, CEO, Director

Investor Relations Department

Email : investors@element79.gold

Phone : +1.604.319.6953

Corporate Contact

James Tworek, CEO, Director

Email: jt@element79.gold

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate," "plan," "continue," "expect," "estimate," "objective," "may," "will," "project," "should," "predict," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans, development plans and the Force Majeure Event. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements because the Company cannot provide assurance that they will prove correct. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include conditions in the duration of the Force Majeure Event, and receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
(TNS)  Felix Rohatyn, a pioneering Wall Street dealmaker who was credited with saving the city from bankruptcy in the turbulent fiscal crisis of the 1970s, died Saturday at his Manhattan home. He was 91.Rohatyn, a former Lazard Freres & Co. banker, served as the longtime chairman of a powerful board that steered New York City away from the treacherous rocks of financial disaster during a shaky era of debt and urban decline."He literally saved the city from bankruptcy, the late Gov. Mario Cuomo said of Rohatyn.His son Nicolas said the cause of death was simply old age.Rohatyn was directly involved in the drama that led to one of the most famousheadlines of all time.Mayor Abe Beame and Gov. Hugh Carey pushed President Gerald Ford to back Rohatyns fiscal rescue plan. Fords initial turndown led theto trumpet: Ford To City: Drop Dead.Ford eventually caved and agreed to back the plan.Rohatyn, who as a child fled the Nazis with his family, rose to the pinnacle of financial power. He was a pioneer of Wall Street mergers and acquisitions in the 1960s and 70s and became the head of the storied Lazard investment bank.His prestige and can-do reputation as Felix the Fixer made Rohatyn a natural choice when New Yorks elected officials sought a way out of the spiraling fiscal crisis in the mid-1970s.Saddled with billions in debt, the city was locked in a seemingly intractable cycle of decline and was facing bankruptcy in 1975 when Rohatyn was tapped to lead the Municipal Assistance Corp.The MACs unelected board was given authority to spend billions in sales tax revenue and issue municipal bonds while keeping a sharp eye on the citys bottom line. Rohatyn remained in the position for nearly 20 years, before retiring in 1993."I get called when something is broken, he said in a 1978 interview. Im supposed to operate, fix it up and leave as little blood on the floor as possible.Rohatyn was expected to be appointed to the Federal Reserve by President Bill Clinton, but withdrew amid Republican opposition. He was named ambassador to France instead and served in the post for three years.Rohatyn famously feuded with some of the city and states most powerful men, even those who counted him as a sometime friend, like Mayor Ed Koch.Who elected Felix mayor? Koch once asked.Late in life  as he weighed his 50-year career in finance  Rohatyn lamented Wall Streets evolution from a respectable business to a computer game.Run by  not teenagers, but little more than that, he toldmagazine in 2009. For the sole purpose of making money. I dont find that attractive or a good use of time and money. And I dont think its something for a great country to put its main activities into.Rohatyns marriage in 1956 to Jeanette Streit ended in divorce. In 1979, Rohatyn married Elizabeth Fly, who became chairwoman of the New York Public Library. She died in 2016.His survivors include sons Pierre, Nicolas and Michael, stepdaughter Nina Griscom and six grandchildren.
Next article: Fare thee well to our fallen patriots

Featured

A nations promise: Honouring our fallen patriots, supporting their children

Daily Graphic Editorials Aug - 16 - 2025 , 06:57 4 minutes read

The final, haunting notes of the Ghana Air Force band have faded from the vast expanse of the Black Star Square, yet the profound resonance of yesterdays state funeral for the eight patriots lost in the August 6 helicopter crash remains etched deep within the nations collective consciousness.

Under skies mirroring the nation's grief, Ghana did not merely bid farewell; it forged a solemn covenant in the crucible of collective sorrow.

The meticulously observed ceremony, graced by the highest echelons of leadership, President John Dramani Mahama, Vice-President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo, Speaker Alban Bagbin, acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie, Service Chiefs and a sea of grieving citizens, stood as a powerful testament of a nation united, momentarily dissolving the lines of political affiliation and social standing in the face of irreplaceable loss.

This was Ghana at its most vulnerable, yet also at its most resolute.

The sheer weight of the sacrifice was palpable.

President Mahamas address, delivered before the flag-draped caskets, captured this duality: the profound grief for lives tragically cut short, intertwined with the deepest reverence for service rendered, as he said, "with courage, integrity and an inspiring devotion to Ghana."

The nation absorbed the intimate portraits painted by grieving families, not just of public servants and military officers, but of cherished fathers, husbands, sons and brothers.

The raw emotion of widows and children laid bare the personal devastation underpinning the national tragedy, a stark reminder that behind the uniforms and titles lay irreplaceable human bonds shattered.

It was within this atmosphere of shared anguish that tangible acts of national honour and enduring commitment emerged, transforming grief into a legacy.

The posthumous promotions announced for the three Ghana Air Force officers were a significant and deeply symbolic gesture. Elevating Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala to Wing Commander, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu to Flight Lieutenant, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah to Flight Sergeant transcends mere ceremonial recognition.

Crucially, the President affirmed that the five civilian victims, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Samuel Sarpong, and Samuel Aboagye, will also be fittingly honoured at the next State awards.

This comprehensive recognition underscores a fundamental truth: valour and dedicated service to Ghana wear no single uniform; they manifest in the boardrooms of ministries, the political grassroots and the cockpit alike.

Yet, beyond the bestowed honours was the commendable pledge to establish the Childrens Support Fund.

This initiative, seeded by Stanbic Bank's immediate contribution of GH500,000 and backed by the imminent commitment of government capital, represents our nations moral compass actively guiding its future.

The Funds mandate is comprehensive: guaranteeing uninterrupted education from primary through to the tertiary level, ensuring access to healthcare, including medical insurance and specialised treatment, and providing essential welfare support encompassing shelter, clothing and living expenses for the children left behind.

President Mahamas promise to unveil a detailed framework within 30 days, complete with mechanisms for transparency and annual public reporting on the Funds usage, sets a crucial benchmark for accountability and public trust.

The Daily Graphic joins other voices in hailing the Fund and the honours as profoundly thoughtful.

Simultaneously, the nation rightly expects a rigorous and transparent investigation into the cause of the crash, pursued with unwavering determination to prevent such a tragedy from ever darkening Ghanas skies again.

Our nation has laid eight patriots to rest, but in doing so, it has birthed a powerful legacy.

The posthumous honours and the Childrens Support Fund are far more than tributes; they are blueprints for how a nation transforms profound anguish into enduring obligation and active compassion.

They answer the question implicit in the Vice-President's reflection on the nature of service: "We are more or less coming to the realisation that such will be the outcomes of meetings where we plan, schedule, execute, evaluate, and ascribe responsibilities whether by volunteering or being volunteered."

These fallen heroes answered that call.

Now, the covenant demands our response.
Featured

Blame greed for GH movie failure on YouTube Xandy Kamel

Edith Mensah Showbiz News Aug - 16 - 2025 , 13:10 3 minutes read

EVEN though a few Ghanaian movie producers are making efforts to tap into the growing popularity of producing films for YouTube and the benefits that come with it, progress remains slow compared to other African movie industries, such as Nigerias Nollywood.

While Nollywood continues to dominate the African YouTube movie space with soaring numbers in streams, subscriptions and revenue, Ghanas presence on the platform remains minimal, with only a handful of producers attracting modest viewership and earnings.

Actress and producer Xandy Kamel, who has been steadily producing movies for YouTube, believes she knows exactly why Ghanas film industry has yet to thrive on the platform.

Chatting with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, August 11, 2025, Xandy Kamel did not mince words as she blamed greed and lack of support from within the industry as major stumbling blocks.

According to her, many Ghanaian actors and industry professionals are reluctant to support YouTube productions, often making it difficult for producers to even assemble a cast.

She lamented that local actors sometimes quote exorbitant and unreasonable fees, creating unnecessary barriers for filmmakers trying to work within the typically tight budgets of YouTube productions.

Making movies for YouTube is really difficult in Ghana because even industry persons are not willing to support. If you approach someone to even join your cast, the amount they quote is so huge that you end up questioning how much you are even going to make after putting all the production costs into consideration.

When I decided to work on my recent movie, Unseen Beauty, my own people were not supportive. They asked for the script when I approached them. After going through it, they quoted huge amounts as their charges.

They go like, I'm not a YouTuber, but because of you, I'll do a YouTube job. Just give me GH10,000 or GH12,000. They demand so much for about five or seven scenes. That is why I ended up casting Nigerian actors. They are very considerate.

If our own people continue like this, how are we going to gain traction on YouTube when its now the main route our counterparts elsewhere are taking to grow their industry? she questioned.

The actress stressed that Ghanas film industry must take a cue from Nollywood, where collaboration is a driving force behind its YouTube success.

We need to borrow a page from Nollywood's book. One key lesson is the power of collaboration. When our producers, directors and other stakeholders come together, pool resources and work towards creating bigger, higher-quality productions, that's when we'll start to see real growth and recognition.

By adopting this approach, I'm confident we can elevate our industry to new heights. It's time for us to stop working in silos and start building something greater together. With collective effort and a shared vision, I believe Ghana's film industry can achieve significant strides and gain the popularity it deserves, she said.

Xandy Kamels latest YouTube project, Unseen Beauty, is currently streaming, with over 100,000 views. (Related article: Xandy Kamel tackles body shaming in new film, Unseen Beauty)
Featured

Asanteman in deep mourning: Fare thee well Asantehemaa

Vicky Wireko Reality Zone Aug - 16 - 2025 , 07:30 5 minutes read

Last week, nation Ghana was virtually plunged into shock and dismay, mourning the sudden passing of eight gallant heroes.

They had perished in a devastating helicopter crash in their line of duty.

This week, the kingdom of Ashanti, Asanteman, has officially been notified of the passing of the queenmother of Ashanti, Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III. Kumasi and all the towns and villages in the kingdom have been thrown into a state of mourning with a tinge of black in their dressing to mourn with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene.

An older blood sister of Asantehene, the fourteenth Asantehemaa was installed as queenmother in 2017, after the passing of her mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, the thirteenth queenmother. She reigned from 1977 to 2016.

Life history

Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III is reportedly the first of the five children of her mother who had three boys and two girls with Asantehene being the youngest of the five.

Born Nana Ama Konadu in Kwadaso, Kumasi, in 1927, she is said to have been sent, at a very young age, to live with and be raised by another relative, Nana Afia Konadu, in Ashanti New Town, also in Kumasi.

This was in line with some Ashanti traditions for royals.

It was there that she got trained to be a responsible woman for her future and where she learnt the rudiments of royalty.

She became very responsible and by the age of 22, she had a clearly defined faith.

She joined the Saviour Church of Ghana in Kumasi where she was baptised and christened Ruth, a name she does not seem to have used.

However, as a member of the royal family, she also found herself worshipping at the Anglican Church in Kumasi.

According to available history, she got married in 1959, at age 37, to the man of her heart, Opanin Kwame Boateng.

In 1995, during the reign of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, it was proposed that she become the queenmother of Asanteman.

The proposal did not go in her favour as it was perceived that she was too old for the role.

Her mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem III, was at the time the Asantehemaa.

It was when her mother passed on in 2016 that her name came up as a suitable replacement. Her younger brother, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, endorsed her as the Asantehemaa in 2017.

As queenmother

She went through all the customary processes and consequently unveiled as the fourteenth queenmother of the Ashanti kingdom at a colourful ceremony at the Manhyia Palace that same year.

She reigned as queenmother with passion for development of her people, focusing on helping uplift education and maternal health in Asanteman.

To mark her fifth year reign as Asantehemaa, she sought to assist man of her heart, Opanin Kwame Boateng.

In 1995, during the reign of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, it was proposed that she become the queenmother of Asanteman.

The proposal did not go in her favour as it was perceived that she was too old for the role.

Her mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem III, was at the time the Asantehemaa.

It was when her mother passed on in 2016 that her name came up as a suitable replacement.

Her younger brother, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, endorsed her as the Asantehemaa in 2017.

As queenmother

She went through all the customary processes and consequently unveiled as the fourteenth queenmother of the Ashanti kingdom at a colourful ceremony at the Manhyia Palace that same year.

She reigned as queenmother with passion for development of her people, focusing on helping uplift education and maternal health in Asanteman.

To mark her fifth year reign as Asantehemaa, she sought to assist the Saviour Church of Ghana School.

The school authorities immortalised her name and honoured her by naming their school after her.

For that honour done her, Otumfuo Osei Tutu donated a new bus to the school to help them with the movement of the children around for educational purposes.

The Asantehemaa also took an interest in maternal health, to the extent that she sought to settle the hospital fees of a number of women who had given birth and needed money to settle their discharge fees.

Her interest in the area of maternal health led her to build a maternity block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi at a time when the hospital needed the facility so badly.

She is said to have passed on at age 98 after a short illness, having ruled for eight years.

Asanteman is mourning a queenmother who was loved dearly especially for the motherly love she exhibited during the period of her reign.

She was calm and loving, welcoming all and sought to show this in many ways including how she received people without distinction.

As tributes keep pouring in and citizens and other dignitaries line up daily for condolence visits to Otumfuo, one would like to be counted from a distance, extending a hand of mourning to the Asantehene and the people of Ashanti.

May our queenmothers soul rest peacefully in the God she discovered in her life at the prime age of 22.

Writers E-mail: vickywirekoandoh@yahoo.com
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelMacron

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in the near future.

"Any lasting peace must be accompanied by unwavering security guarantees. I welcome, in this regard, the readiness of the United States to contribute. We will work on this with them and with all our partners in the Coalition of the Willing, with whom we will meet again soon, to make concrete progress," Macron wrote on the social network X on Saturday.

"It will also be essential to draw all the lessons from the past 30 years, in particular from Russias well-established tendency not to honor its own commitments," the President of France said.

He recalled the common position of European leaders on the need to "continue supporting Ukraine and to maintain pressure on Russia as long as its war of aggression continues and until a solid and lasting peace, respectful of Ukraines rights, has been established."

Macron said that Europeans will continue to work closely with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"France remains firmly at Ukraine's side," the statement reads.
Featured

Tour guides accused of undermining Arts Centre businesses

Lydia Ezit Life Aug - 16 - 2025 , 16:32 4 minutes read

Vendors of artefacts at the Arts Centre in Accra are at odds with some tour guides, accusing them of encroaching on their trade.

They claim business has declined because some tour guides are now doubling as artefact sellers. Instead of bringing tourists to the centre, the guides allegedly deliver the items directly to visitors at their hotels.

According to the vendors, this practice discouraged potential customers from visiting the Arts Centre, pushing them to shop elsewhere.

A spokesperson for the vendors, Akwasi Tumffour, alleged that many tour guides no longer brought tourists to the centre after selling artefacts to them privately.

Another vendor, Kwaku Osei, noted that the Arts Centre, which operates under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, had a mandate to promote, sustain, and develop cultural and artistic excellence.

It is wrong for tour guides to attempt to take over our trade. The centre is a vibrant hub for Ghanaian arts and crafts, showcasing the country to tourists, and this practice must be checked, he said.

He added that the centres executives had reported the matter to the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) several times, but the situation persisted.

The tour guides are all selling artefacts now. We cannot sit here all day, make no sales, and watch them take our customers to hotels to sell the same items we offer, he lamented.

Family legacy at risk

Madam Ama Ampomah, whose grandparents were among the pioneers of the Arts Centre, said the trade was a family legacy brought from Ntonsu in the Ashanti Region.

Our parents handed it over to us, and we cannot allow tour guides to destroy the business. Tourists must be allowed to come here to shop  this is the epicentre of artefact sales in the capital, she stressed.

Tour guides and their role

Tour guides are professionals who lead tourists, provide commentary, and interpret cultural and natural attractions. They play a vital role in the tourism industry, enhancing visitor experiences with insights, historical context, and local knowledge.

However, the Chairman of the Traditional Kente, Culture and Adinkra Manufacturers/Sellers Association at the Arts Centre, Charles Kofi Appiah, accused some guides of abusing this role.

On days when they bring tourists here, they dont allow them to walk freely into the shops. They dictate who to buy from, and this sometimes puts visitors in difficult situations, including losing money or valuables, he said.

Mr Appiah urged visitors to walk into the shops and avoid goro boys who acted as middlemen in front of the centre.

That is the only way to shop safely without difficulties, he advised.

He also raised concerns about the influx of imitation goods, which he said were cheaper and had become the preferred choice for many buyers, to the detriment of genuine artisans.

Only guests from America seem to insist on buying quality products. The Tourism Ministry and the GTA must crack the whip to stop the imitation of Made-in-Ghana goods, which is destroying our local arts and crafts, he urged.

Response from tour guides

Responding to the allegation, the Chairman of the Greater Accra Chapter of the Tour Guides Association (TGA), Mr Elvis Wallis Bruce, described the accusation as untrue, stating, This is the first time I am hearing it.

Then they should name those tour guides. Tour guides can't take over the business because how would they even know what the tourists want, or bring those items to their hotels? he queried.

Another member of the TGA, Nii Ayi Solomon, who has worked as a tour guide for 15 years, said they were not permitted to follow tourists into the Arts Centre.

I am very surprised at this allegation. We leave the tourists to shop on their own, he explained.

He also complained about some vendors selling to foreigners at excessively high prices. When we ask them to reduce the price, they quickly say, 'You are a Ghanaian, you are a brother, so why are you trying to spoil my business?

For instance, a small purse that vendors sell here for GH1,000 can be found at the Kumasi Cultural Centre for much less. Sometimes, tourists question us as if we deliberately take them to places where they will be overcharged. That is why we now teach tourists how to bargain, he said.

Writers email address: lydiaezit@gmail.com
Featured

4 killed in Star Oil fuel tanker accident at Asukawkaw

Emmanuel Modey Aug - 15 - 2025 , 20:50 2 minutes read

It has been confirmed that four females, including a seven-year-old girl died instantly when a Star Oil fuel tanker drove over them at Asukawkaw in the Krachi-East Municipality in the Oti Region on Thursday [August 14, 2025].

Graphic Onlines Emmanuel Modey reports that the fuel tanker, with registration number GN 1531-23 that was heading towards Dambai to discharge fuel.

It reportedly had a brake failure after descending the Asukawkaw mountain, and therefore could not turn on a sharp curve towards the Kpando-Worawora-Dambai highway.

It run into eight people, all market women who were waiting to board vehicles to to travel back home after the days activities.

In the process, the tanker also run into a stationary truck belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana ( ECG) vehicle with registration number GT 627-21, mangling it beyond repairs and injuring the driver who was in the vehicle waiting for colleagues who had gone into town on their work rounds.

The tanker also destroyed a mosque and managed to come to a halt after hitting the Evangelical Presbyterian Church building in the area.

The drivers of the tanker and the ECG truck and the eight other injured women were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The bodies of the four deceased yet to be identified have been deposited at the Worawora hospital morgue.

According to the Oti Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service ( GNFS) Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Prince Billy Anaglate they received a distress call about the accident at 12:30 pm.

He said the security personnel had to be on standby throughout the night to prevent the incensed youth who were on rampage from completely destroying the fuel tanker.

Mr Billy Anaglate the Krachi-East Municipal Chief Executive, Sarfo Nketia and the chief of Asukawkaw, Nana Odam Gyamfy III intervened to calm the youth.
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AG Ayine rejects bar council and lawyers call for Justice Torkornoo to be reinstated as Chief Justice

Graphic.com.gh Aug - 16 - 2025 , 07:56 7 minutes read

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has rejected a call from the Bar Council of England and Wales (BCEW) and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) criticising the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and asking that she should be reinstated.

In a press release issued on Friday, August 15, 2025 in response to the call by the two organisations, the Attorney General explained that Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has taken her case to the ECOWAS Court, which the government of Ghana was currently defending.

Dr. Ayine indicated that the suspension will remain in effect until the inquiry committee completes its work and submits its report.

He stressed that by the provisions of Article 146, the President is bound by the committee's findings and cannot act unilaterally.

Read also: Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers Association demand reinstatement of suspended CJ Torkornoo

Attached below is a copy of the response

PRESS RELEASE

THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S RESPONSE TO THE JOINT STATEMENT BY THE BAR COUNCIL OF ENGLAND AND WALES AND THE COMMONWEALTH LAWYERS ASSOCIATION ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA

(This is the response by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Republic of Ghana to the joint statement issued by the Bar Council of England and Wales (BCEW) and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) on August 14, 2025, regarding the suspension of the Her Ladyship, Justice Gertrude A.E.S. Torkornoo, C.J., from the office of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana).

The Government of Ghana acknowledges the joint statement's expressed concern for judicial independence and commitment to constitutional governance within the Commonwealth. It is, however, a matter of serious concern that the BCEW and the CLA issued the joint statement without first acquainting themselves, even in a very basic way, with the relevant constitutional provisions and the material facts of the matter. The suspension of Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J., strictly adheres to the provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, particularly Article 146, which prescribes the procedure and the grounds for the removal of the Chief Justice and the removal of other Justices of the Superior Courts from office. This process is clear, comprehensive, and has been faithfully followed, as set out in the steps described below: a. The procedure under Article 146 was triggered by three separate petitions filed by citizens of Ghana alleging stated misbehaviour and incompetence on the part of Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J.



b. Following the receipt of the petitions, the President, acting under Article 146(6) and in accordance with the decided cases of the Supreme Court of Ghana, referred the petitions to the Council of State for their advice on whether any of the petitions discloses a prima facie against Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J. The Council of State is a body of eminent persons chaired by a former Speaker of Ghana's Parliament. Membership of the Council of State includes a retired Chief Justice, a retired Inspector-General of Police, a retired Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, a former Attorney-General, retired Justices of the Supreme Court, eminent traditional leaders, and elected representatives of each of Ghana's administrative regions.



c. Copies of the petitions were sent to the Chief Justice for her preliminary response, and upon receipt, the President forwarded copies to the Council of State. After considering the responses, the Council of State found that each of the three petitions establishes a prima facie case against Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J.



d. Once a prima facie case was established, the President, in consultation with the Council of State, constituted a committee to inquire into the matter (as mandated by Article 146). The committee comprises two justices of the Supreme Court (one of whom serves as the chairperson) and three other members who are not lawyers, members of Parliament, or members of the Council of State.



e. After establishing the inquiry committee, the President, acting in accordance with further advice from the Council of State (as provided for under Article 146(10)(a) of the Constitution), suspended Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J., from the office of the Chief Justice, pending the outcome of the inquiry.
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Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers Association demand reinstatement of suspended CJ Torkornoo

Graphic Online Aug - 16 - 2025 , 07:50 5 minutes read

The Bar Council of England and Wales (BCEW) and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) have waded into the suspension of the Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo saying it was a serious concern and therefore asking that she should be reinstated.

In a joint statement dated August 14, 2025 the two bodies said the April 22, 2025, suspension, which Justice Torkornoo is challenging at the ECOWAS Court after earlier domestic legal actions, raises significant questions about judicial independence and constitutional safeguards.

They argued that any executive action perceived as undermining the judiciary is a matter of serious concern.

Read also: AG Ayine rejects bar council and lawyers call for Justice Torkornoo to be reinstated as Chief Justice

Attached below is a copy of the full statement

Statement / The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association statement on the suspension of the Chief Justice of Ghana

The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association expresses serious concern over the suspension from office on 22 April 2025 of the Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude A.E.S. Torkornoo who was appointed the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana on 12 June 2023 by former President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo.

The existence of an independent and impartial judiciary is one of the cardinal features and bedrock of any country governed by the rule of law and Ghana has for several years displayed a strong commitment to the rule of law. By virtue of its membership of the Commonwealth, Ghana has committed to the shared fundamental values and principles of the Commonwealth, including, crucially, the maintenance of an independent and impartial judiciary. Any measure or action taken by the Executive which is capable of being seen as impacting an independent judiciary is a matter of serious concern. As of 4th July 2025, the Chief Justice has filed a lawsuit at the ECOWAS Court of Justice, challenging the constitutionality of her suspension. This follows earlier domestic challenges in which the Chief Justice raised concerns about procedural fairness, judicial independence, and compliance with constitutional safeguards.

The Commonwealth Charter is clear in its statement on this issue. Ghana is of course, a full signatory to that Charter:

we support an independent, impartial, honest and competent judiciary and recognise that an independent, effective and competent legal system is integral to upholding the rule of law, engendering public confidence and dispensing justice.

The Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles on the Accountability of and the Relationship between the Three Branches of Government (2003), which form part of the Commonwealth fundamental values state that disciplinary proceedings which might lead to the removal of a judicial officer should include appropriate safeguards to ensure fairness, that is to say, the right to be fully informed of the charges against them, to be represented at any hearing, to make a full defence and to be judged by an independent and impartial tribunal.

We reiterate the serious concerns expressed in the joint statement of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association, and the Ghana Bar Association, and we record with regret:

a. The decision to continue to suspend the Chief Justice which prima facie is in clear breach of Ghanas Executives constitutional duties and the principles underpinning them which require that judges should be subject to suspension or removal only for reasons of incapacity or stated misbehaviour that clearly renders them unfit to discharge their duties;

b. We respectfully remind and refer to the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana at article 146 which states:

A Justice of the Superior Court or a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incompetence or on ground of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body or mind.

c. The decision of the investigating committee/authority to permit petitioners to use witnesses instead of attending themselves to answer questions on their petitions against the Chief Justice; that does not follow the rules and norms of due process; and

d. The decision to deny the Chief Justices legal representative the respect required when attending the hearings of the investigating committee, contrary to the Latimer House Principles, which underline the duty to ensure fair and just process; and

e. The delay in the disciplinary measures which should have been resolved in a timely manner in pursuance of the importance of upholding the rule of law, natural justice and the Constitution of Ghana.

With pressing concern, we therefore call upon the President of Ghana and the Executive government of Ghana to:

1. Immediately and without delay, reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana to her Office, consistent with both the hitherto strong attachment to the rule of law demonstrated by Ghana and also, the constitutional duties incumbent upon them; and

2. Afford the Chief Justice due and fair process in the investigation and determination of the disciplinary matters brought against her including (but not limited to) full and transparent access to that process by her legal representatives; and

3. Provide clear and transparent rules of procedure to guide the disciplinary process which must include the time frame within which the investigating committee must conclude the disciplinary process against the Chief Justice, without any further delay and communicate that decision of that process to all concerned in upholding the rule of law in Ghana.

14th August 2025

Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA)

The Bar Council of England and Wales

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Commonwealth Lawyers Association is an international non-profit organisation which exists to promote and maintain the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth by ensuring that an independent and efficient legal profession, with the highest standards of ethics and integrity, serves the people of the Commonwealth. commonwealthlawyers.com

The Bar Council represents approximately 17,000 barristers in England and Wales. It is also the Approved Regulator for the Bar and discharges its regulatory functions through the independent Bar Standards Board. A strong and independent Bar exists to serve the public and is crucial to the administration of justice and upholding the rule of law.
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6 Patriots laid to rest at Military Cemetery

Justice Agbenorsi Aug - 16 - 2025 , 07:27 3 minutes read

The remains of six of the eight August 6 helicopter crash victims were interred at the Military Cemetery in Accra yesterday as the nation bid the patriots a grand farewell.

The state funeral of the six came with a wreath-laying ceremony as the nation united in grief, bringing some closure to the nine days of mourning for eight lives truncated by the air disaster.

The six interred yesterday were the Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; former Ashanti Regional Minister and a Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Sarpong; a Deputy Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, the pilot; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, co-pilot; and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah.

Two of the victims  Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna  were buried earlier on Sunday, August 10, 2025 in accordance with Islamic dictates.

The wreath-laying ceremony and interment preceded a state funeral for all eight which saw the posthumous promotion of Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala to the rank of Wing Commander, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah to the rank of Flight Sergeant.

It was the last in a series of state-sanctioned events to honour the fallen patriots.

Burial procession

At exactly 1:15 p.m, guests, sympathisers and family members were seated under a canopy draped in red and black.

Lt Gen. William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff, laying a wreath on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces

The cloudy atmosphere was thick with reverence and solemnity as the military casket escort and burial party commenced a slow march, honouring the fallen men to the poignant strains of the hymn, It is well with my soul, a song born from the depths of personal tragedy by Horatio Spafford in 1873.

As the clock struck 1:53 p.m., the military burial party lowered the caskets cradling the remains of the six patriots.

With a swift, resolute march, they exited the platform, paving the way for the pensive wreath-laying ceremony to begin.

Clergymen then stepped forward, and with their voices rising in prayer, they committed the souls of the patriots to the earth and to God.

Midway into the poignant occasion, the air continued to crackle with the solemnity of the moment, but this was broken by a sharp and heavy round of gun firing after which officers in uniform rendered a final salute in memory of the fallen men.

Wreath laying

The President, John Dramani Mahama, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, laid the first of 14 wreaths on behalf of Ghanaians and the Armed Forces.

The Chairperson of the Armed Forces Council, Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, laid the second wreath.

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Brogya Gyamfi, laid the third wreath on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, while the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, laid the fourth wreath on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces.

The fifth wreath was laid on behalf of the Ghana Air Force by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frimpong, with the National Security Secretariats wreath laid by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The Director-General of NADMO, Major Dr Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon (retd), laid the seventh wreath, while the Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, laid the eighth wreath on behalf of the party.

The bodies of the three military men were interred in the military section of the cemetery, while the civilian leaders found their eternal rest in the hallowed ground at the national memorial section at about 2:45 p.m, with the ceremony ending at exactly 3:11 p.m.
Bono Regional Minister pledges to support UENR

Daily Graphic Aug - 16 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, has reaffirmed the governments commitment to supporting higher education institutions, pledging direct assistance to the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).

During a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the university's main campus, the minister lauded the leadership of the institution for its prudent use of Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and other financial resources.

He particularly commended the Vice-Chancellor and his management team for delivering key infrastructural projects such as the Administrative Office Complex, four lecture pavilions, a basic school, among others.

Assurance

Mr Akwaboah assured the university of the government's resolve not to leave UENR behind in its broader national development agenda.

He revealed that discussions were ongoing with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to resume and complete all stalled projects on university campuses, including those at UENR.

In response, Professor Asare-Bediako expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government for their renewed commitment to the university.

He disclosed that through government intervention, funds had been released for contractors to resume work on projects that had been abandoned for over five years.

He also acknowledged the government's pledge to provide GH 10 million in seed funding for UENR.

The Vice-Chancellor further appealed to corporate bodies such as Ghana Gas and the Bank of Ghana to expedite support for projects they have already initiated at the university.

He also called on other stakeholders to join efforts in advancing the governments Reset Agenda in education and strengthening UENRs capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Establishment

The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) was established by an Act of Parliament, Act 830, 2011 on December 31, 2011.

The University is a public funded national institution which seeks to provide leadership and management of energy and natural resources and be a centre of excellence in these critical areas.

The University approaches its programmes and research emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and taking into account, areas such as economics, law and policy, management, science, technology and engineering as well as social and political issues affecting energy and natural resources.

Prior to the passing of the bill establishing the University into law, the then President, the late Prof. J.E.A Mills set up a National Task Force Planning Committee on January 8, 2010 with the mandate to develop, organize and supervise the implementation of the programme for the establishment of the two new Universities in the Volta and Brong Ahafo Regions.
Next article: Be honest in your places of work  Right Rev. Dr Ollennu

Chief fishermen, canoe owners commiserate with government, families of fallen heroes

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Aug - 16 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Central Regional branch of the Chief Fishermen Union and the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) have expressed their condolences to the presidency and the bereaved families of the helicopter crash victims.

They have also urged Ghanaians to unite towards fostering an environment where healing can flourish.

Speaking on behalf of the two organisations at a press conference at Anomabo, a member of the GNCFC, Nana Kwame Yah Ababio, called for the creation of kindness and for creating an environment for both bereaved families and the nation to heal from the loss.

"As we navigate these difficult days, let us embody the principles of grace and kindness, fostering an environment where healing can flourish," he said.

About 50 members of the two organisations, joined by many other akonkohemaa (fish market queens) from the various fishing communities across the Central Region, attended the press conference clad in red and black.

Unite in solidarity

Nana Ababio said the loss was not just a sombre reminder of the fragility of life, but also a call to unite in solidarity and strength.

"In this moment of profound sorrow that grips our beloved nation following the tragic plane crash on August 6, 2025, we, the Central Region Chief Fishermen Union, in collaboration with the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, wish to extend our deepest condolences to His Excellency the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, the spouses, families and friends affected by this heartbreaking event.

As we join our nation in honouring the lives lost, our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved families, the ruling government, and every Ghanaian who feels the weight of this tragedy," he stated.

He stated that the Presidents declaration of a three-day national mourning was a testament to our collective grief and resilience, adding that during these trying times, we must stand together and support one another with love and compassion.

"We encourage everyone to take time to reflect on the cherished memories of those we have lost and to find comfort in community," he added.

"Let us also recognise the heroism of those who dedicated their lives to serving our nation, advancing its welfare, and making a positive difference. Their spirit will forever inspire our commitment to unity and progress," he stated.

Tackle galamsey

The Central Regional President of the GNCFC, Nana Kwamen Sankah II, who also addressed the media, said the incident was tragic and must bring us together for the betterment of the country rather than divide us.

He appealed to all to ensure that the menace of galamsey and all other negative environmental practices, which had devastating consequences on the environment, were tackled with all urgency.
Featured

Honour for military heroes, care for crash victims children

Kester Aburam Korankye Aug - 16 - 2025 , 07:37 4 minutes read

The nation was cloaked in both grief and resolve yesterday as President John Dramani Mahama announced the establishment of a Childrens Support Fund to secure the future of the children left behind by the victims of the tragic August 6 military helicopter crash.

The President also announced the posthumous promotion of the three military officers involved in the crash, with the five civilians to be honoured later at the next state awards.

The solemn declarations came during a state funeral at the Black Star Square in Accra, where the nation bid farewell to its fallen patriots amidst tears, tributes and a stirring display of military honour.

With the sun casting long shadows over the gathered mourners, President Mahama said the purpose of the fund was to provide comprehensive support for the bereaved children, ensuring their education from primary through to the tertiary level, healthcare, including medical insurance and specialised treatment where needed, as well as essential welfare provisions such as shelter, clothing and living expenses.

His voice carried a quiet determination as he assured the nation that these children would not walk their path alone.

Imagine the impact it will have on each of these children, who have been left behind by the death of their parents, to be told by the adults of this nation, through our contributions, just like Omane told Setor (a young boy beneficiary of the deceased Defence Ministers generosity): You are not alone. Youve got me. Always there to share, President Mahama said.

Contribution

Already, the fund has received an immediate boost as Stanbic Bank, which has opened a dedicated account for the fund, has pledged an initial contribution of GH500,000, a gesture the President hailed as a testament to corporate Ghanas solidarity.

President Mahama promised that within the next 30 days, a detailed framework would be made public, complete with mechanisms for transparency, including annual reports on the funds usage.

He also extended an invitation to citizens, businesses and international partners to join the effort, framing it as a collective national responsibility.

According to the President, in lifting up these children, Ghana honours its fallen patriots.

National honour

In a move that drew murmurs of approval from the assembled crowd, President Mahama also announced the posthumous promotion of the three Ghana Air Force officers who perished in the crash.

The three fallen soldiers get posthumous promotions

Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala was elevated to Wing Commander, Flying Officer Manean Twum Ampadu to Flight Lieutenant, and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah to Flight Sergeant.

Describing the promotions as a small but meaningful recognition of their courage and sacrifice, the President affirmed that their families would receive the accompanying benefits.

The office of the Chief of Defence Staff is expected to later present the insignias to the grieving families in a separate ceremony.

The President also announced that the civilians involved in the crash, namely Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Samuel Sarpong, and Samuel Aboagye, would also be honoured at the next State awards.

Farewell

The funeral itself was a poignant blend of military precision and raw emotion.

The Ghana Air Force bands mournful melodies provided the backdrop as a 21-gun salute thundered across the square, its echoes lingering like the nations collective sorrow.

The ceremony reached its crescendo with a missing-man formation flypast, a final aerial salute to the departed.

President Mahamas closing words resonated long after the last note of the bugle had faded.

They flew their last flight in service to Ghana, he said. Now, we must serve their children with the same dedication.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after the ceremony, a popular radio presenter, Wofa K, hailed the move to honour the fallen heroes and catering for their children as thoughtful.

He said as the nation absorbed the weight of the pledge, the Childrens Support Fund stood as both a promise and a challenge, a call to transform grief into enduring care.

Details on how the public can contribute to the fund will be released by the Office of the President in the coming weeks.
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Ghana: 6 remaining helicopter crash victims laid to rest

Kester Aburam Korankye Aug - 16 - 2025 , 07:39 5 minutes read

Amidst profound sorrow and unwavering national unity, Ghana on Friday concluded the state funeral of the eight distinguished and dedicated public servants and military officers who perished in the tragic August 6, 2025 helicopter crash.

Under the sombre sky, the state pre-burial and interfaith burial service at the Independence Square became a powerful testament to the lives, service and ultimate sacrifice of the fallen patriots.

The ceremony, steeped in solemnity, and attended by the highest echelons of Ghanaian leadership and thousands of grieving citizens, honoured the men whom President John Dramani Mahama described as having "led from the front" with "courage, integrity and an inspiring devotion to Ghana".

The meticulously observed service commenced early with the arrival of grieving families and mourners.

Beyond the different religious faiths of the eight fallen patriots, the presence of the National Chief Imam and prominent Christian clergy gave full expression to a nation united by common grief.

Quranic recitations and poignant tributes from the institutions they served, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), National Security Council Secretariat, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Ministries of Defence, and Environment, Science and Technology, filled the morning air with reverence.

A palpable sense of national loss deepened as Service Chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong; the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie; Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and President Mahama arrived in succession.

Also in attendance were former presidents, John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; the Vice-President of Liberia, Jeremiah Koung, and members of the diplomatic community.

The stirring rendition of the National Anthem marked the transition to the formal interfaith burial service.

Burial service

The Director-General of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode, opened the service, setting a tone of shared grief and shared faith.

Some members of the clergy at the service

The haunting melodies of hymns like "Hark! Hark, My Soul!" (CHB 305) and "Ill Praise My Maker While Ive Breath" (MHB 428), alongside Islamic recitations and a patriotic song by the Tema Youth Choir created a tapestry of national and spiritual mourning.

The heart-wrenching biographies delivered by family representatives painted intimate portraits of the men beyond their public roles, revealing fathers, husbands, sons and brothers deeply loved.

Tributes flowed, raw with emotion, particularly from the widows and children, their words a stark reminder of the personal devastation behind the national tragedy.

President Mahama, Brig. Gen. Kumi-Woode, Mr Bagbin and Prof. Opoku-Agyemang paid solemn homage, lauding the professionalism of the eight, their dedication and unwavering commitment to Ghana's peace and progress.

Tributes

President Mahama delivered a deeply moving address as he stood before the flag-draped caskets.

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu (2nd from left), National Chief Imam, with other religious leaders. Pictures: DOUGLAS ANANE-FRIMPONG

"Their loss is deeply felt," he declared, his voice heavy with emotion, as he added: "yet their example will guide us for generations to come."

He echoed a common strand in the tributes, stating: "Though their voices are silent, their service still speaks, calling each of us to serve with the same selflessness and steadfast spirit".

The President pledged the nation's unwavering support to the bereaved families, and announced a welfare fund, known as the Children Support Fund, for the children of the eight victims.

The fund, the President said, would cater for the education, healthcare and welfare of the children of the crash victims.

Already, Stanbic Bank, which has opened a dedicated account for the fund, has deposited GH500,000 as seed money, while the government will in the next 30 days announce a seed capital for the fund.

For her part, Prof. Opoku Agyemang said: My Friends, I am aware that what we should be doing now is not listening to my tribute. We should all be at our usual activities and throwing up ideas we know may not be accepted by all, but which we bandy about anyway in the interest of contributing to the national agenda.

The Vice-President added that we are more or less coming to the realisation that such will be the outcomes of meetings where we plan, schedule, execute, evaluate, and ascribe responsibilities, whether by volunteering or being volunteered.

Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and Quranic verses (Surah Fussilat 41:30-33) were read to offer solace and the promise of eternity to the grieving families, friends and the entire nation.



Last Post sermon

In his sermon, Brig. Gen. Kumi-Woode emphasised the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice, urging the nation to find strength and purpose in the example of the deceased.

Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, and other leaders of Parliament reading their tribute

His sermon, titled The Last Post, he said, should comfort Ghanaians.

Following Islamic (Du'a) and Christian prayers of commendation and benediction, the poignant strains of the final hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (CHB 259), filled the square.

As the GAF bearer party meticulously prepared to carry the nation's heroes for the final journey, the President's closing words from his tribute resonated: "I pray that this funeral brings closure to a grieving nation".

Ghana yesterday united in grief, but also in profound gratitude, as the portraits of the loyal, humble, and patriotic servants were etched forever into the nation's collective memory.

President John Mahama speaking at the burial service

Among the victims buried yesterday were the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; NDC Vice-Chairman and former Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong; and NADMO Deputy Coordinator, Samuel Aboagye.

The rest were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, posthumously promoted to Wing Commander; Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, posthumously promoted to Flight Lieutenant; and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah, posthumously promoted to Flight Sergeant.

The other victims, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, were earlier interred at the same Military Cemetery in Accra last Sunday.
Featured

TikTok threats case: Hairdresser granted GH150,000 bail over alleged death threats against Mahama

GNA Aug - 16 - 2025 , 20:58 3 minutes read

A hairdresser accused of issuing threats against President John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has been granted bail in the sum of GH150,000 by an Accra Circuit Court.

The accused, Yayra Abiwu, popularly known as AY, was absent from court on Wednesday when her alleged accomplice, Prince Ofori  alias Fante Comedy  appeared. She was reportedly admitted to the Police Hospital after collapsing.

Yayra faces charges of abetment of crime, threat of death, and knowingly making a communication containing a threat of death by electronic means. She has pleaded not guilty.

The court granted her bail with three sureties, two of whom must be gainfully employed. She is also required to deposit her passport with the court registry and report to the police every Monday.

Her lawyer, Mr Enoch Anhwere Afoakwah, argued that his client had a fixed place of abode, no prior criminal record, and posed no flight risk. He added that her mobile phones had already been seized for forensic examination, stressing that bail should not be used as punishment.

On 13 August 2025, Ofori, a trader and resident of Abossey Okai, was also charged with offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace and knowingly permitting an electronic communication service to be used for offensive communication. He pleaded not guilty before Mrs Evelyn Asamoah, a High Court judge sitting with additional responsibility as a Circuit Court judge.

Ofori was granted bail of GH100,000 with three sureties and is also required to deposit his passport and report to the police weekly.

A third suspect, Alberta Okrah, alias Ghana Jollof, is currently at large.

Prosecutor ASP Emmanuel Haligah opposed bail for Yayra, citing the seriousness of the threats made against the President and First Lady. He told the court there was undisputed video evidence of her threatening to kill the President.

According to the prosecution, in August 2025, Alberta and Ofori hosted a live-streamed discussion on TikTok in which offensive and abusive statements were directed at Sammy Gyamfi, conduct likely to provoke a breach of the peace.

They allegedly went further to threaten the lives of the President and First Lady, saying: We will kill the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, and kill him again, in a plane. We will make sure we kill that Mahama, among other remarks.

The prosecution said the accused persons actively participated in the programme and encouraged the offensive statements. Alberta and Ofori, as hosts, had full control of the live session but knowingly permitted their platform to be used for making and disseminating the threats.

The matter was subsequently reported to the police, who secured a forensic capture of the live stream as evidence.

Yayra and Ofori are scheduled to reappear in court on August 25, 2025.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders after the summit held in Aliaska that Vladimir Putin's stance hasn't changed he still wants Kyiv to cede control of the entire Donbas region in Ukraine's east, Bloomberg reported.

"Trump said on the call that while its up to Ukraine to decide on what to do with its territory, Putin's stance hasn't changed  he still wants Kyiv to cede control of the entire Donbas region in Ukraine's east," the agency said that referring to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition on anonymity.

Trump called his meeting productive, and signaled he would tell Zelenskiy to make a deal.
Featured

Winneba: Police foil attempted robbery at bank

Emmanuel Bonney Aug - 16 - 2025 , 08:00 2 minutes read

The Anti Armed Robbery Response Unit (AARU) of Ghana Police has foiled an attempted robbery at the MRB Rural Bank at Winneba in the Central Region.

The police said at about 1am on Friday, August 15,2025, the banks alarm was triggered drawing attention of the patrol team on duty.

The patrol team, it said sensing unusual activity proceeded to the bank on enquiries.

"On reaching the location, they were met with sporadic gunshots from the robbers. After a brief exchange of fire the robbery gang bolted, leaving behind one pump action gun and other implements," the police stated.

The AARU team, the police said one pump action gun was retrieved together with one empty cartridge, from the scene.

The police said investigation conducted so far suggested that the robbery was carried out by about five armed men.

They attempted to break into the bank's vault but the timely intervention of the Police patrol team foiled the plans of the robbery gang.

"The modus operandi of this robbery gang is similar to that of the gang in the earlier rural bank robberies reported suggesting that it is the same gang who are responsible for all the robberies," the police stated.

It said intelligence shows that they may be hiding in Kumasi.

The police said a team of surveillance men from the AARU was still at Kumasi trying to locate them.
Two women being held at Department of Corrections in Mangilao are accused of breaking sinks in their cell, according to magistrate complaints filed in Superior Court of Guam.

Shaenita Elyane Pangelinan, 26, and Cleo Colleen Sablan Madeus, 37, were both charged in separate complaints with criminal mischief as a misdemeanor with special allegation of crime against the community.

Madeus is also known as Cleo Collen Crisostomo Sablan Madeus or Cleo Colleen Crisostomo Sablan, according to the complaint.

According to court documents, police responded to DOC in Mangilao around 10:50 p.m. Aug. 5 for a criminal mischief complaint. Police met with a DOC officer who said Pangelinan destroyed a ceramic sink in her cell.

A DOC officer saw Pangelinan breaking the sink around 4:44 p.m. and she refused to comply with orders to stop, the complaint stated.

The Special Operations Response Team intervened and safely removed Pangelinan without further incident.

Around 4:50 p.m. Aug. 11, Madeus damaged a sink in her cell. A DOC officer heard a loud crash, found the sink broken and saw water on the flood

Madeus was treated for an injury as a result of the incident.

She was transported to Central Precinct Command for an interview and denied knowing why she was there but laughed when she was informed of the complaint, documents state.

Madeus admitted to breaking the sink because she didnt receive her medication, the complaint stated.
Superior Court Judge Alberto Tolentino on Friday granted a request to delay proceedings for Ryan Joshua Cruz, a former foster parent charged with sexually abusing minors in his care, to give parties time for plea negotiations.

Cruz faces one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, all first-degree felonies.

Cruz, also known as R.J. Leon Guerrero, is accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old foster child placed in his care in February 2023.

Court documents state the abuse included daily inappropriate touching while the child was asleep, an oral sexual assault on February 26, 2023, and an incident in a vehicle where Cruz allegedly touched the boys thigh and testicles and asked if they could shower together.

The case has been continued multiple times since.

Defense attorney Jon A. Visosky told the court that they are currently negotiating terms in the plea agreement and are working on a counter offer and asked for another hearing so they could work out terms.

Tolentino approved the request, despite previous warnings.

Lets give them a little more time to work on the deal. I know I promised that if there was no deal by then, Id set it over for trial, right? But it seems like they are actively negotiating, he said.

Tolentino set the next hearing for Nov. 14. Cruz agreed to the date without objection.

According to court documents, on March 1, 2023, Guam Police responded to a report from a Child Protective Services social worker regarding allegations of sexual abuse involving the teenager. The boy reported repeated sexual abuse after being placed with Cruz in mid-February 2023.

This is not the first time Cruz has faced such accusations.

In September 2022, he was charged with sexually abusing a boy under 13 between 2010 and 2017, court documents state.

Cruz denied the accusations, saying the boys family calls him a molester and (they are) jealous of him.

The child, now an adult in his 20s, said the abuse started when he was 4 or 5 and included oral sex and inappropriate touching.

After the boy turned 13, all the touching had stopped.

The alleged victim told police the incidents still make him upset and angry, and that he does not want to attend school and has thought about taking drugs.

Cruz was charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, all first-degree felonies.

In 2018, Cruz was charged with assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct as a third-degree felony and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct as a misdemeanor. Cruz denied the allegations, according to court documents.

In April 2023, senators called for stricter background checks on potential foster parents following Cruzs placement of a foster child despite previous sexual abuse charges, PDN files state.

Some lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the systems oversight and urged more scrutiny of the Department of Public Health and Social Services.

Despite Cruz being charged twice before taking a minor into his custody in February, he was never convicted. Testimony from then Health Committee chair Speaker Therese Terlaje revealed his record was expunged.
The starting point of the proposal for security guarantees for Ukraine is the definition of a collective security clause, which would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the United States, ready to take measures in the event of a new attack, said a statement by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

"The crucial issue remains security guarantees to prevent new Russian invasions, and this is the aspect on which the most interesting developments were recorded in AnchorageIn this regard, President Trump today revived the Italian idea of security guarantees inspired by NATO's Article 5. The starting point of the proposal is the definition of a collective security clause that allows Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the United States, ready to intervene in the event of further attack," Meloni said.

She said that European states remain united in supporting Ukraine in this phase of negotiations. "The path to peace is not easy, but it is important that it has been undertaken," she added.

She considers it positive that "glimmers of hope for peace are appearing in Ukraine." Meloni said that the agreement is still complicated but finally possible.

"Only Ukraine will be able to negotiate the terms and its territories," the Prime Minister of Italy said.
Although the Japanese government had tendered their offer to surrender on August 10, according to the Potsdam Declaration, the terms were not satisfactory to the American leadership.

The Japanese offer had accepted unconditional surrender, but with the understanding that said declaration does not comprise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as a Sovereign Ruler.

This appeared, at first, to contradict the concept of unconditional surrender.

Secretary of State James F. Byrnes created the following response for President Harry Trumans response: From the moment of surrender, the authority of the Emperor and the Japanese Government to rule the state shall be subject to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, who will take such steps as he deems proper to effectuate the surrender terms.

The Emperor will be required to authorize and ensure the signature by the Government of Japan and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters of the surrender terms necessary to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration...The ultimate form of government of Japan shall, in accordance with the Potsdam Declaration, be established by the freely expressed will of the Japanese people (Farrell, Seabees and Superforts at War, p. 457-458).

When the Japanese had not responded to this message by August 13, Truman ordered Nimitz and LeMay to resume unremitting pressure. LeMay dispatched full-force missions to targets across Japan on August 14.

Of the 828 B-229s launched, 749 reached their targets, along with 186 fighter escorts based on Iwo Jima, returning to their respective bases that evening (see Smith, James and Malcolm McConnell, The Last Mission: The Secret History of World War IIs Final Battle, New York: Broadway Books, 2002, p. 265).

Before daylight on the morning of August 15, Admiral Halsey sent a hundred naval aviators from this carrier fleet offshore to targets on Honshu.

In the meantime, the emperor had worked with his staff to create an imperial rescript announcing his decision to surrender to the people of Japan. He signed the rescript at 8:30 p.m. (Japans Longest Day, Compiled by the Pacific War Research Society. Tokyo, New York, and San Francisco: Kodansha International, 1968, p. 166). He recorded the rescript onto wax discs (records) to be played at noon on August 15.

On the evening of August 14, a group of hot-headed officers led an attack on the Imperial Palace to find the discs and destroy them before they could be played. Because of the August 14 mission, the lights had been turned off in Tokyo, including at the Imperial Palace. This helped prevent the rebels from finding the discs.

General Anami, commander-in-chief, Imperial Japanese Army, committed suicide that evening.

Just before 6 p.m. in Washington, D.C., President Truman received a copy of the message from Japan announcing the emperors decision to surrender:

1. His Majesty the Emperor has issued an Imperial Rescript regarding acceptance of the provision of the Potsdam Declaration.

2. His Majesty the Emperor is prepared to authorize and ensure the signature by his Government and the Imperial General Headquarters of the necessary terms for carrying out the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration.

His Majesty is also prepared to issue his commands to all the military, naval, and air authorities of Japan and all the forces under their control, wherever located, to cease active operations, to surrender arms, and to issue each other orders as may be required by the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces for the execution of the above-mentioned terms.

Truman announced the message to the media at 7 p.m. Eastern War Time, August 14th (August 15th Guam time) in the oval office (Japans Longest Day, p. 176).

The rescript was played over the air throughout Japan at noon August 15, and simultaneously broadcast on military bases on Saipan, Tinian and Guam.

Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith of the imperishableness of its divine land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibilities, and the long road before it. Unite your total strength to be devoted to the construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude; foster nobility of spirit, and work with resolution so as ye may enhance the innate glory of the Imperial State and keep pace with the progress of the world. (Tinian and The Bomb, p. 404).

Russian Marshal Joseph Stalin had been hugely upset when he received word of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 7. He immediately ordered the Russian invasion of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of the four Japanese Home Islands.

Then he read about Truman announcing Hirohitos decision to accept the Potsdam Declaration. He couldnt stand the idea of Russia being cut out of the spoils of war in Japan.

On August 16, Stalin wrote to President Truman suggesting that the area of Soviet occupation should include the northern half of Hokkaido Island: on the line leading from the city of Kushiro on the eastern coast of the island to the city of Rumoi on the western coast of the island, including the named cities to the northern half of the island.

Russian public opinion would be gravely offended if the Russian troops had no occupation area in any part of the territory of Japan.

However, Truman had long before decided Japan would not be divided as Germany had. He flatly rejected Stalins request:

Regarding your suggestion as to the surrender of Japanese forces in the island of Hokkaido to Soviet forces, it is my intention and arrangements have been made for the surrender of Japanese forces on all the islands of Japan proper, Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu to General MacArthur (Farrell, Tinian and The Bomb, p. 416-417).

Stalin decided to accept the American position on the surrender of Japan, for two reasons. America had the atomic bomb, and he needed to focus on the gains he could make in Europe. The Cold War had begun.

All that remained was the surrender ceremony, providing food to the prisoner-of-war camps in Japan, and occupying Japan.
Volodymyr Zelenskyi said he spoke with Trump for more than 90 minutes after the summit and will travel to Washington on Monday. He expressed support for a three-way format involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia, but insisted Europe must remain part of the process.

The Alaska meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ended without agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine. The talks were followed by a joint press appearance that offered little detail, fuelling international criticism.

Reuters reported that European leaders including Alexander Stubb, Friedrich Merz, Keir Starmer, Giorgia Meloni, Karol Nawrocki, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen joined the post-summit call. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was also present.

Trump told Fox News that discussions had covered territorial issues and NATO, and he suggested that a meeting between Zelenskyi and Putin was being arranged. He gave the Alaska meeting a score of 10 and said he believed Putin wanted a deal. Trump also delayed any decision on secondary sanctions, saying, we dont have to think about that now.

Putin called the talks constructive and invited Trump to Moscow for a future meeting. The two leaders travelled together from Anchorage airport in the US presidents official vehicle, an unusual gesture that drew attention from US media.

But Western observers and press outlets described the outcome as a missed opportunity. The New York Times called the summit a relief for Ukrainians only because fears of enforced territorial concessions did not materialise. Spains El Pais described it as a diplomatic failure for Trump, while La Repubblica said Putin had packaged his counterpart by gaining time to continue the war.

Germanys Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted that Trump did not mention a ceasefire once during his remarks, despite it being the central aim of the meeting. The Ukrainian outlet The Kyiv Independent branded the summit shameful and said Putin had gained more than Trump.

Norways foreign minister Espen Barth Eide urged more pressure on Moscow, while Czech defence minister Jana Cernochova said Putins strategy was to divide the West. Hungarys foreign minister Peter Szijjarto, in contrast, praised the meeting, saying the world is safer as long as the US and Russia are in dialogue.

Domestically, Trumps former adviser John Bolton told CNN that Putin clearly won, gaining relief from new sanctions without committing to peace. Analysts in Ukraine echoed that view, arguing that Moscow had achieved its goal of easing isolation while securing time ahead of Septembers Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China.

Ukraine reported that Russia launched 85 drones and a ballistic missile overnight during the summit. The attacks targeted Sumy, Donetsk, Chernihiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, with air defences intercepting 61 drones.

In Anchorage, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said journalists were not allowed to ask questions because the presidents statements were sufficient. He described the atmosphere as very positive and claimed it opened a path for further talks.

But European leaders remained silent after the summit. Yles correspondent Anna Karismo said the lack of immediate statements was telling, suggesting leaders were coordinating their response to Trumps message.

In Ukraine, the reaction was sceptical. Political scientist Oleh Saakian said the only result was an agreement to keep talking. He argued that Trump wanted to shift blame for any future failure onto Ukraine by saying, look, they did not value our plan.

Trump said it was now up to Zelenskyi to get it done. The Ukrainian president is expected in Washington within days to continue the discussions.

HT
TRIBUTES have been paid to visionary computing pioneer Dame Stephanie Shirley, who died on Saturday.

The businesswoman, later turned philanthropist, was the founder of British freelance software and systems services company Freelance Programmers, later known as F International, which

she started in 1962.

She was best known by her nickname Steve which she adopted to help her succeed in the male-dominated business world.

Dame Stephanie, who was 91, had been a Henley resident since the mid-Nineties.

After coming to Britain as a Kindertransport child refugee in 1939, she was often quoted as saying she wanted her life to be one worth saving.

Dame Stephanie would go on to found a company that pioneered outsourcing and opportunities for women, and reached a shareholder value of $3bn. Her teams projects at F International included programming Concordes black box flight recorder to NATOs software standards.

The mother of an autistic son, she founded a number of charities, including Autistica, one of the UKs leading autism research charities and was appointed by the government as Ambassador for Philanthropy from 2009 to 2010.

Hilary Gilfoy, who worked in the sales and marketing departments for F International from 1982 until 1987 said Dame Stephanie had a talent for encouraging those around her.

She was a very strong personality. She said. She had a rare capacity to share a vision with people of what she wanted to achieve.

And that was both true of her company and her charity work as well. She had a gift for engaging people.

There was a very strong sense of community in F International and which stayed as it became a much bigger company. She created a culture in which people thrived in.

I joined F International when my first child was three months old, and I had my second child while I was there.

In that environment, it was a given that women had children but continued to work and that was very important.

Ms Gilfoy, who is a former trustee of the Chiltern Centre in Henley crossed paths with Dame Stephanie again later in life and was appointed as Chief Executive of Autistica from 2005 to 2010.

You always felt you had to do your best work for her. She said

I will remember her as a somebody of exceptional vision and as somebody who persevered.

She had the ability to create a vision and see it through and to achieve all the things she did.

She was a really remarkable person, and it was a privilege to have been able to work with her.

Close friend Lynn Hart, who worked as Dame Stephanies Head of Communications for the last 15 years, described her as a visionary

She said: Its just been an absolute honour and a privilege to work with her for so long.

She was always looking forward to see what we could do next. She was an ideas person without any doubt at all and she worked up until the very end.

Ms Hart recalled travelling around the UK and Europe with Dame Stephanie to a number of public events. She recalled that the last three speeches she delivered in London received standing ovations.

She was a very modest lady, she said. She was very kind, very giving and very caring.

She has a presence in the room. She was the most amazing networker Ive ever known. She would walk into a room of 200 people shed probably know 197 by the time she finished because she would work the room.

Shed always keep in touch with people, shed give someone a phone call because she was thinking of them or shed write them a letter or note.

She worked at her friendships, but it wasnt like work  she absolutely loved people.

Born Vera Buchthal to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother in Dortmund, Germany, in 1933, Dame Stephanie was just five years old when, along with her nine-year-old sister Renate, she boarded a Kindertransport train from Vienna to London.

The sisters were raised in the West Midlands by loving foster parents, and although Vera did have contact with her mother and father from time to time, their relationship had been put under impossible strain and never fully recovered.

After choosing not to go to University, in the fifties Dame Stephanie worked for at the Post Office Research Station in Dollis Hill, where she built computers from scratch and wrote code. She took evening classes for six years to obtain an honours degree in mathematics.

She founded the software company F International in 1962 with a capital of 6.

Having previously experienced sexism in the workplace she wanted to create job opportunities for women with dependants.

297 of the companies first 300 employees were women until this policy was outlawed by the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

After a series of rebrands, the company was later acquired by French company Sopra Steria in 2007.

Dame Stephanie moved to Henley in 1995 with her late husband Derek, who died in 2021.

The pair wanted to be closer to their son Giles, who had a severe form of autism and was under the care of the old Borocourt Hospital at Wyfold Court in Rotherfield Peppard.

Determined that Giles should not live his entire life in a hospital environment, in 1994 she founded Kingwood in Didcot, a residential home for autistic people, now known as Autism at Kingwood.

Giles was the first resident in the home. He sadly died following an epileptic seizure, aged 35 in 1998, and Dame Stephanie went on to found two further charities Priors Court Special School near Newbury and the research charity Autistica.

Dame Stephanie was made a Dame in 2000 and was later awarded the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2017, an honour only given to 65 people at anyone time in the world.

She was also the first female President of the chartered British Computer Society in 1989.

A strong public speaker, she regularly appeared on radio, podcasts and at events and continued to work up to the final weeks of her life.

Her memoir Let It Go was first published in 2012, and during lockdown in 2020, she produced her second book, So To Speak, a collection of 29 of her speeches given over the last 40 years.

One of her most famous speeches was a TED talk given at an event in Vancouver in 2015 to an audience of thousands, including Bill Gates.

Entitled Why do ambitious women have flat heads? she explained that ambitious women suffered from being patted patronisingly  and we have larger feet to stand away from the kitchen sink.

Outside of her work she was said to enjoy swimming at Danesfield House and to be fond of pussy cats and a good cup of tea.

Ryan Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Priors Court, said: Steve will forever be the inspiration for what we do.

Though she will be deeply missed, Steves spirit, courage, and remarkable legacy will continue to inspire, shaping the future for generations to come.

Sarah Butcher, Chief Executive Autism of Kingwood said: Steves enduring legacy is defined by her unwavering drive, passion, and commitment - qualities that will continue to inspire and guide our work with autistic people.

James Cusack, Chief Executive Officer of Autistica, said he was immensely proud to have Dame Stephanie as the charitys founder.

Her values and beliefs are embedded in our charity and drive our commitment to innovative problem solving, acting with urgency and embracing difference.

Steve often said that she wanted her life to be one worth saving. She achieved that in so many ways. She leaves behind an incredible legacy for autistic people and their families, of support, research and policy change, that will continue to change lives for generations to come.

Dame Stephanie is survived by her niece, Clare.

ENDS
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky on current information on the front and on the intentions and movements of the Russian army, following which he stated that the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in the coming days.

"I received a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky. The front, the defense of positions, and up-to-date information on the intentions and movements of the Russian army  Based on the political and diplomatic situation around Ukraine, and knowing Russias treachery, we anticipate that in the coming days the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in order to create more favorable political circumstances for talks with global actors. We are documenting the movement and preparations of Russian troops. Of course, we will counteract, if necessary, asymmetrically," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine have achieved successes in some extremely difficult areas in Donetsk region  in the direction of Dobropillia and Pokrovsk.

"The destruction of the occupiers who tried to infiltrate deeper into our positions continues. There has also been an important replenishment of Ukraine's "exchange fund" with Russian soldiers. The Commander-in-Chief also reported on the actions of our units in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhia regions. I am grateful to all our warriors for their resilience," the President said.

The President commended the units of the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine Azov, the units of the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces, the units of the 38th Separate Marine Brigade named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny, as well as the units of our 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade Kholodny Yar.

"I thank every one of our soldiers, sergeants, and officers who are carrying out combat missions and destroying the occupiers in the way that is necessary for Ukraine's confidence," the President said.
Photo: Bouquet Kyiv Stage

Fifty-five thousand Ukrainian service members have been trained on domestically produced simulators, said Yevheniy Utkin, majority owner of UaRms, founder of Kvazar-Micro, and cofounder of the Bouquet Kyiv Stage high art festival.

"All TOR and TOR-D helmets are our production (UaRms). People on the front know this. Over the three years of this full-scale war, we have trained 55,000 soldiers free of charge. They underwent combat training on our simulators (Stinger, RPG-7, -22). This allows us to prepare fighters without spending money on live ammunition," Utkin told Interfax-Ukraine in an exclusive interview.

He said he now focuses solely on defense and art. "Art is clear enough (the eighth Bouquet Kyiv Stage high art festival is currently being held at the National Reserve 'Saint Sophia of Kyiv' downtown), while in business, I'm working only in the defense sector."

When asked about his defense-related activities, he responded: "We are doing a great deal, but I won't go into detail." He explained that the Kvazar-Micro plant had been destroyed by Russian missile strikes. "Last year, four Russian missiles hit us. They completely destroyed the plant  Kvazar no longer exists. But we continue to work for our shared victory," Utkin said.
Volkswagen, XPeng expand software cooperation in China

Xinhua) 15:51, August 16, 2025

HEFEI, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Volkswagen Group China and Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker XPeng announced Friday that they have signed an agreement to expand the application scope of the China Electronic Architecture (CEA) co-developed by the two sides.

Starting in 2027, the Volkswagen brand will further introduce the CEA, already applied in its pure-electric vehicles, to all combustion engines and plug-in hybrid models produced in China.

Equipped with central computing units, the CEA enables advanced driving assistance systems for enhanced safety, a smart cockpit with an AI-powered in-car driver assistant, and seamless over-the-air updates.

The architecture lowers costs by reducing the number of electronic control units and streamlining overall system complexity.

"By extending the China Electronic Architecture to our robust combustion engine fleet, we are strengthening our technological leadership in the conventional powertrain sector," said Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

"At the same time, we are systematically reducing our cost base, enabling us to continue to offer highly attractive choices to customers in China's intensely competitive automotive market," said Brandstaetter.

"This expanded technical collaboration not only underscores the mutual trust in our long-term strategic partnership but also highlights our commitment to and vision for continuous innovation in smart electric vehicle technologies," said He Xiaopeng, chairman of XPeng.

The deepened cooperation with XPeng marks another milestone in the Volkswagen Group's "In China, For China" strategy. By 2030, the group will offer approximately 30 pure electric models in the Chinese market.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
In its 141 years of existence, Breitling has been a pioneer in watchmaking and adventurous collaborations. Here are three of our historical favourites of Breitling breaking new ground.

The Single Pusher Chronograph (1915)

Willy Breitling, the second-generation watchmaker whose father Leon founded Breitling, came up with a brilliant design idea that was the precursor of chronographs as we know them to this day. In 1915 came the first wristwatch with a pusher at two oclock that could start, stop, and reset the chronograph seconds. This was literally a step away from the winding crown, which has thus far also housed the pusher. This was a much-needed commercial hit, which was instrumental for the companys survival and growth in uncertain times of war.

The Single Pusher Chronograph (1915) Breitling

The First Swiss Wristwatch in Space (1962)

Believe it or not, the timepiece connected with the moon landing came late to the space party. Seven years before that huge step for mankind yada yada, Breitling had supplied a custom-made Navitimer to NASA astronaut Scott Carpenter for his 1962 mission orbiting the Earth. When Carpenter reached out to Willy Breitling, he put pressure on the man: he required the watch to be ready in less than two months. And it was not about getting a run-of-the-mill timepiece. Carpenters wishlist included a customised slide ruler, a stretchy metal strap that would fit over his space suit, and an enlarged bezel to enable it to be grabbed by clumsy space gloves. He also wanted a 24-hour time scale rather than a normal 12-hour. Why? As anybody travelling in orbit could bear witness to, day and night tend to blend, as fast and orbital travelling makes you experience several sunrises and sunsets in quick succession.

In the end, the horological wishlist was completed in time, and the Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaut made three orbits around our planet on Mr. Carpenters wrist, before he came back to Earth with a literal splash, landing in the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately for the watch, Carpenter had touched down some 400 kilometres away from the intended point of return and had to spend three hours in a life raft before NASA could pick him up. As the watch was made for space, not the ocean, corrosive saltwater bit into the watch, leaving the dial severely damaged. Willy Breitling had the dial replaced, and the Breitling family still hangs on to the treasure of the first Swiss watch dial that travelled in space.

The astronaut Scott Carpenter (1962) Breitling

Breitlings first exclusive perpetual calendar movement (2024)

In the Olympic summer of 2024, Breitling raised its watchmaking bar when it introduced a brand-new perpetual calendar with the in-house made movement B19. As all Breitling movements, this is COSC-certified, and shows that the Breitling manufacture has come a long way since it introduced its first in-house movements Breitling 01 back in 2009, often referred to as the gold standard of chronograph movements. That first creation could be seen as the result of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, as producing an in-house movement became a necessity given the changed supply strategy of ETA in the noughties.

Breitlings exclusive perpetual calendar movement (2024) Breitling

In 2024, Julien Gatinet, Head of Movements Development, showed that Breitling can again lead the way when it comes to new standards. In an interview for Breitlings heritage blog, he stated that Better power reserve, better accuracy, better quality  the new B19 perpetual calendar movement signifies what in the future will be the new normal. In the same context Mr. Gatinet also noted that the movement undergoes rigorous testing, including a severe encounter with a G-force hammer in Breitlings laboratory. The mechanism must be really robust, and simple to adjust both for the customer and the watchmaker, he said of the movement, which also features an integrated chronograph.

Upon its introduction in 2024 the B19 movement was available in three limited-edition 140th anniversary watches: the elegant Premier, the iconic Navitimer, and the rugged Super Chronomat. More versions will follow  as will new firsts.
Filipa Pato, with some of the pigs that help her keep weeds at bay in her old vineyards in the region of Bairrada.

Angelo Rocha meets with his team at eight in the morning to organize the days tasks at Quinta da Comenda, a beautiful property in Sao Pedro do Sul, a municipality in the Central Portuguese district of Viseu. The estate once belonged to the mother of Afonso Henriques  the first king of Portugal  and then to the Order of Malta, until 1843. The countrys first natural wine was produced here in 1987.

When Angelos parents acquired this 86-acre estate in the early 1980s, it was completely abandoned. They turned to old books and local sources to recover its essence. Along the way, they discovered the historical importance of the wine region of Lafoes.

Today, the family cultivates 24 acres of vineyards, as well as olive trees, fruit trees, asparagus and cereals. Theyve even restored an old mill by the river, where they process flour to make their own bread. Some of their animals, including geese, goats, chickens, donkeys and several local Arouquesa cows, are left to roam freely among the vines from the end of the harvest until bud break begins in March. These creatures fertilize the land and enhance the health of the soil.

Alvaro Roseira, a winemaker at Quinta do Infantado. Vicens Gimenez

This deep connection to the land also radiates outward. The property hosts cultural events and a weekly organic farmers market, while offering agro-tourism accomodation. Rocha also leases space in his extensive winery to other producers. Its hard to imagine a more collaborative and sustainable model.

However, it hasnt been a bed of roses. The death of his parents triggered a family schism. It took three years of litigation before Angelo and one of his sisters had their right to retain ownership recognized. The wine, which is their highest value-added product, is made in one of the smallest, most unknown and mistreated regions in Portugal. Here, at one point in history, the uprooting of vineyards was even encouraged, ultimately bringing down the local cooperative.

There are just three municipalities located on the middle course of the Vouga River. They straddle the regions of Dao and Vinho Verde. All three are characterized by their granite soils, but the wines of Lafoes are closer to the vibrant character of Vinho Verde. In fact, their high-acid, mineral and vibrant whites are a regular accompaniment to vitela assada (roast veal), the local dish par excellence.

Angelo Rocha, next to one of the vines he grows in Quinta da Comenda, in the Portuguese region of Lafoes. Vicens Gimenez

Southwest of Lafoes  nestled between the cities of Aveiro and Coimbra and highly exposed to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean  the Bairrada region has its own winning combination: suckling pig (leitao) with sparkling wine.

Filipa Pato, a winemaker with an overwhelming personality, would never have imagined that pigs could help her in her quest to save some of the oldest vineyards in the area. With very different clay and limestone soils (Bairrada comes from the Portuguese word for mud)  along with a humid climate that favors the development of fungi and the growth of vegetation  the best solution to avoid the use of herbicides was to introduce animals that would eat the grass and loosen the soil.

Horses were too large for the vines characteristics. Sheep compacted the soil too much, while chickens were easy prey for foxes. The suckling pigs have been a great find: theyve been shown to achieve a faster recovery in vineyards that were previously treated with herbicides. Collaboration with animals makes perfect sense for Patos smallholdings. She farms 50 acres spread across 36 plots, with high planting densities that prevent mechanization and require practically artisanal farming methods.

Angelo Rocha, the man who sees the estate where Quinta da Comenda wine is born as a collaborative space between plants, animals and humans. Vicens Gimenez

Filipa is the daughter of Luis Pato. He was a legendary winemaker who helped change the regions production-driven image, offering instead a modern vision of Baga, the main red grape variety in Bairrada. This grape has thin skin, powerful tannins and high acidity. Its sometimes compared to the Piedmont regions Nebbiolo red grape variety, or Siciliys Nerello Mascalese.

Although the logical course would have been to work with her family, Filipa preferred to pursue her own path, which wasnt without its difficulties. In 2001, organic wines werent well-regarded. Today, this has changed, because theres a foreign clientele living in Portugal who demand them. But being a woman and working in biodynamics has been a handicap for me; thats why I sell 90% of my wines abroad, she explains.

Bottles of Quinta da Comenda on the bottling line. Vicens Gimenez

Her husband, the Belgian sommelier William Wouters, was one of her first clients. They now share a business that churns out around 120,000 bottles annually. The firms motto is authentic wines without makeup. They rely on local grape varieties: in addition to Baga, the white wine grapes Bical, Arinto, Cercial and Maria Gomes, and produce sparkling, white, red and fortified wines.

This project is a kind of revenge. In the mid-18th century, when the Marquis of Pombal favored port wines, there was a ban on producing the local varieties. The region was disregarded, suffering greatly as a result. The despot even ordered the uprooting of vineyards in Bairrada.

Filipa Pato and Angelo Rocha are the kind of producers who offer their wines for tasting at Simplesmente Vinho, an alternative event conceived as an offshoot of Essencia do Vinho, the most important Portuguese wine fair. In 2013, two winemakers from the Douro region  Joao Roseira (Quinta do Infantado) and Nicolau de Almeida (Trans Douro Express)  were inspired by similar shows in France to replicate the model and bring together a group of 15 winemaking friends in just two weeks.

The melancholic landscape of Vinho Verde on one of its many rainy days. Vicens Gimenez

The last edition was held in February of this year, at the Alfandega in Porto. The former customs building stands by the river and overlooks the aging cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side. Simplesmente Vinho brought together nearly 150 wine producers in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, one that benefits from the improvisational skills of Joao Roseira and his son, Gustavo, the main organizers. Each winery has a barrel, which serves as a tasting table for their wines. Attendees can combine the tasting with a good selection of petiscos, the Portuguese word for tapas and small dishes.

Joao Roseira, promoter of the alternative wine event Simplesmente Vinho and co-owner of Quinta do Infantado. Vicens Gimenez

Although there are wineries that share this style, Simplesmente Vinho isnt an organic wine fair. The free and eclectic mix reflects the energy of new Portuguese wines, with representation from almost all of its producing regions, including Madeira and the Azores. It welcomes both established figures such as Dirk Niepoort, one of Portugals best-known winemakers, and other pioneers who offer unconventional quality offerings in their respective regions, as well as producers taking their first steps.

The common threads are a connection to the vineyard, a desire to produce wines with personality, working with a wide range of local grape varieties and the revival of traditional styles that fit well with the new trend toward more fluid wines. Names worth learning are palhete (a light red wine that includes white grapes in the blend), claret (a pale red wine, almost like a rose), curtimenta (a red wine with a light color, almost like a very opaque rose) and talha (a wine that ferments in clay jars), the last of which follows a deeply-rooted tradition in the Alentejo region.

The Roseiras drive and determination have been instrumental in spurring this movement. From their estate in the heart of the Douro Valley in northern Portugal, the family is famous for breaking the monopoly on port wine bottling, which  since 1979  has been held by merchants in Vila Nova de Gaia. To reach Quinta do Infantado, you must take winding, narrow roads that crisscross the dramatic landscape of terraces and steep slopes, where the Roseiras farm their 116 acres (a third of which are organic).

Leli Dalla Costa and Miguel Viseu, the couple that founded Galactic Wine. Vicens Gimenez

In the familys hands since the late 19th century, the various buildings on the estate  especially the aging cellar, with its enormous vats  retain the flavor of bygone days. Always made from their own vineyards, their port wines have a more accessible profile, thanks to longer fermentation periods that allow for more natural alcohol (port is made by halting the fermentation process with alcohol, so as to obtain a sweet wine) and less sugar. Alvaro Roseira  a winemaker and Joaos nephew  defines them as after-dinner wines. He believes that they reveal more of the personality of the terroir and the grape varieties. In the still reds  given the areas high degree of sunlight and slate soils  Joao Roseira advocates the idea of showing the sun. The more modern range also includes the Palhete  a light red wine  or the dry, vibrant and saline white profile made with Rabigato, their most promising white grape variety.

A relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the alternative wine fair Simplesmente Vinho. One of the great attractions is being able to chat face-to-face with the producers. Vicens Gimenez

The Douro Valley is also the homeland of Miguel Viseu, a promising young Portuguese winemaker who quit his family wine business and chose to embark on a nomadic life that took him to California, Tuscany, South Africa, Brazil  where he met his wife, Leli Dalla Costa  and Mozambique. However, he eventually felt the need to return to Portugal.

An opportunity arose in 2017, when he was offered the position of technical director of Aphros, a pioneering biodynamic winery in Refoios do Lima, in the Vinho Verde region. He also came full circle by returning to the city where he went to college.

A wine-aging experience in a glass demijohn by Galactic Wine. Vicens Gimenez

Today, he balances this job with the family project he founded with his wife  Galactic Wine  and various consultancies. Most notably, from one of the highest vineyards in northern Portugals Lima Valley, he produces a single-plot white wine  Paraiso Natural  for a British couple living in New York. This Vinho Verde sub-region  which could be described as a corridor open to the sea breeze  is considered to be the best terroir in Portugal for growing the white Loureiro variety.

Galactic Wines philosophy is free-spirited: it involves taking risks if this contributes to a better understanding of the land and its potential. These are wines without appellation designations, because regulations dont allow for cloudy or pet-nat colors. But weve also avoided the image of [organic] wine; the most important thing for us is that, when someone opens a bottle, they say, This wine is good for the price.

The wines bear the Sarava brand  a word from Brazilian Portuguese that means a wish for health and good luck. Most of them are whites from the Lima Valley, the bottles bearing depictions of the sun. The company has also begun making reds in the Douro Valley, using the image of a spiral. And, alongside another partner, the firm has an organic cider project that has already earned a recommendation in The New York Times.

The pleasant landscape is the result of centuries of effort to shape the steep slopes and convert them into arable land. Vicens Gimenez

Sustainability is important to the couple. They ask the winegrowers they buy grapes from to follow their protocols, paying more to those with organic certification. They use lightweight bottles, opt for natural wax instead of capsules and seek out locally-sourced materials.

Miguel has come to the conclusion that he wouldnt be able to advise a project that he isnt at least minimally aligned with. This is just one of the many small gestures of an ethical approach to wine and the vineyard.

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Although before, the first time many middle-class individuals encountered a robot was in their kitchen (via their Thermomix, perhaps) it seems that in the era of AI, Alexa, self-driving cars and tech feudalism, the last thing that New Yorkers want when they dine outside the home is to see a big iron arm frying up their lunch. Such was the lesson learned by multi-millionaire Steve Ells, 59, who revolutionized the restaurant business more than 30 years ago when he opened the first location of Mexican fast food brand Chipotle. A few months ago, he closed the doors on his latest endeavor Kernel due to lack of clientele.

A view of the old store. Landon Speers

Clearly, weve realized that the public didnt like to see technology so close by when theyre trying to eat, explains Ells in a third round of conversation with EL PAIS. The first interview was meant as a presentation of his new idea, the second, to explain changes they were going to make to save it, and the third, to present a completely new project: an establishment that after the ambitious and failed previous proposal, sells traditional sandwiches under the name Counter Service. A location just opened in Chelsea and another on Park Avenue, and it seems they are validating Ells after what he refuses to call a failure, opting instead for commenting that Kernel didnt grow as fast as we would have liked.

Steve Ells. Landon Speers

Chipotle changed fast food forever with its format in which speed was not at odds with healthy, quality product. Kernel looked to once again shake up gastronomic offering with an ambitious proposal.

A few months after opening, Kernel shifted to include chicken and dairy products among its ingredients. Landon Speers

Ells came out of early retirement after having caught sustainability fever listening to Bill Gates speak about environmental damage caused by the food industry, especially meat production. He was also inspired to create a business that would reverse the high personnel turnover rate that characterizes the service industry.

At the intersection of these two missions, he found a combination whose oxymoron escaped his notice: a vegan menu with less environmental impact, prepared by a visible robot in a sterile, Silicon Valley-style establishment.

What if I opened up a concept that was plant-based, that was really delicious, and it could be peoples everyday food?, proposed Ells. And then it got to be a chain like Chipotle, and everybody copied it like Chipotle? This was to be his contribution towards saving the planet. And we put the technology at the service of the worker, who doesnt have to do the dirtiest part of the job, and can also have a higher salary because of it? This, his bid to reduce turnover. And none of it would come at the expense of the consumer. People are selfish. They want delicious food, great value, convenience, he says.

According to its founder, the robotic component of the kitchen carried out the most tedious and uncomfortable tasks so that employees could work under better conditions. Landon Speers

To design the menu, he hired Andrew Black, former chef at the three-Michelin-star restaurant Eleven Madison Park, and named star chef Neil Stez of Quince, the highly acclaimed San Francisco restaurant, culinary manager.

Another one of Ells audacious moves was that everything would be cooked in a large central kitchen, with robots putting on the last touches in locations open to the public, positioned in strategic areas like Madison Square Park and SoHo. To investors, it sounded a guaranteed smash hit: they raised $36 million for the project, though Ells did contribute $10 million from his own pocket.

Higher-ups had a lot of faith in the mission, but it turned out customers didnt share their sentiment. Theres no public for vegan food on a large scale, Ells wound up concluding so he ended up adding chicken and dairy to the menu, though he still wanted to avoid using beef, the biggest culprit among environmentally damaging meats.

One of the machines at Kernel. Landon Speers

But at this point, Kernel was already cursed. Even the technology itself seemed to have turned against Ells. When we interviewed him in October 2024 at the SoHo location, the air conditioner wasnt working. A New York Times article that came out a few days later mentioned that a robot had stalled during a demonstration.

Dishes from the since-closed restaurant. Landon Speers

After that first conversation, Ells decided to put a pause on the chains operations for the second time in a year to rethink strategy. Its especially fun when people like you come in, he told the author of this article, who have these preconceived notions that Im taking their jobs away because I have a robot, or that for some reason, because there is automation, the food cant be good. The food is actually better. The employee experience is better. Pay is better because were using technology to our advantage.

At the end of February this year, Ells announced that Kernel would close and in its place would open a new business. At the moment, theres a pop-up where the old central kitchen used to be. The same star chefs continue to work there.

The Kernel facade. Landon Speers

The new businesss identity has nothing to do with Kernel, and radical change is notable not only in the model, but values of the place: once again, theres a beehive of workers at the cash register, and the menu is written in calligraphy, everything has a vintage, nearly handmade touch. The first plate on the menu is roast beef.

Ells has no problem acknowledging that despite his best intentions for the planet, hes a businessman first and foremost. He smiled upon seeing the line at Counter Service. Technology continues to be a very important part, he says, its simply not as visible now. And were not ruling out a return to robotics in the future. But through it all, we continue to advocate for better salaries for employees in this industry, he insists.

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In the Ikea cafeteria in Shanghai, dozens of elderly people meet every Tuesday to have a chat and make friends. For years, retired men and women, widowers, divorcees and singles, from the age of 50 onward, arrive around 1 p.m., take their seats, and open bags of food and thermoses of tea they bring from home. They peel tangerines, eat sunflower seeds, and get up again and again to refill their cups of free coffee.

They look like teenagers on a Friday afternoon in the park. Some sit alone, waiting for someone to approach, like that lady over there so upright staring at the table. Others have known each other for years and move from one group to another. The weekly meetings are organized through WeChat, the Chinese version of WhatsApp. Sometimes those attending number more than 100 and fill the place. This correspondent has joined them on occasion. The first time, in 2024; the second, in February of this year, when they were forced to abandon their usual Ikea due to remodeling works. No matter. They continued to meet at another of the Swedish multinationals establishments in Shanghai.

They are open and friendly. The elegant Mr. Yu Zhixin in a black suit jacket, purple tie and white shoes chats animatedly with Mrs. Ying Ying, 70, while they husk peanuts. He has been coming for more than two years. The goal is not to look for a girlfriend, but to make friends and, if things go well, maybe form a couple, he says. He is looking for someone to live with, who wants to accompany him in old age. His son lives abroad and cannot take care of him.

Nowadays older people dont feel like going to nursing homes, Ying Ying adds. It is the second time she has attended the meetings and she considers herself a rookie. She says that, with her pension, she does not lack money. At her age, almost the only concern is aging and death. She believes that when she gets older she will lose the ability to move and will have to either to go to a nursing home as her children are too busy to look after her or look for a partner who can take care of her. Thats why Ive come, she says.

This scenario is a reflection of a human geography in transition. Those over 60 today number almost 300 million in China; they account for more than a fifth of the population. And 54%  about 160 million  live alone, according to the 2023 China Longitudinal Study of Health and Retirement, collected by the media Yicai. The country is suffering from a collapse in the birth rate and a growing aging demographic that threatens to undermine its economic development model. It could also jeopardize its pension system, making it financially unviable by 2035, according to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The situation has forced the government to address the elderly care sector. At the same time, Beijing promotes the so-called silver economy that consists of products and services for the elderly  a sector that enjoys enormous potential, according to the Peoples Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party.

The seniors that frequent the Ikea cafe are unlikely to be drawn in. Their expenditure is not high. They are not interested in spending money. I feel lonely and human beings need to talk to other people, it makes us feel happy, says Li Shi Qi, 77, whose bony fingers are stained with ink. He is a painter with a technique using brushes and hammers bathed in ink. Creating a certain amount of chaos, he comes to the Ikea group with his utensils and cardboard. He has been attending regularly for more than 10 years.

The activity is not organized by anyone, it does not have a leader, we do it voluntarily, it is natural that people want to have a partner, he says. He found a partner last year at these meetings. But it has not stopped him from coming. He has also made numerous friends and likes to spend time chatting with them.

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Fine words, but no tangible results. The much-anticipated Anchorage summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin launched with great pomp, circumstance, and a red carpet laid out on the tarmac for the Russian leader ended after two and a half hours almost in a whisper: no agreement on Ukraine, nor on how to proceed from here. Similarly, no commitment to a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy, much less a ceasefire. But both leaders expressed interest in meeting again soon and described the talks as productive. Trump declared that although the most important goal had not yet been achieved, he believed it could eventually be reached. His Russian counterpart, making it clear he was not budging on his positions, suggested that the next meeting might take place in Moscow.

In some ways, the meeting at ElmendorfRichardson base, just north of Anchorage, Alaska, ended to everyones liking. Putin got what he wanted most of all: the photo alongside the U.S. president, on U.S. soil, with American planes and soldiers saluting him a demonstration to the world that his status as an international pariah, in place since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, is over. All of this without having to make a single concession.

Trump, for his part, promoted the image he seeks: that of a statesman pursuing peace. Thousands of miles away, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders could breathe a sigh of relief: there was no trilateral summit on the horizon, but neither had the two leaders reached a deal that would pressure Kyiv to accept the loss of territory or other unacceptable peace terms. This was the great fear in Ukraine and in European capitals, that Putin would use the face-to-face to persuade the American to back his territorial demands.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there. Trump declared in the joint press-conference that followed the almost three-hour meeting.

Whether his words reflected reality or were just an attempt to put a good face on a bad outcome is unclear. The Republican had said beforehand that it would take him only a few minutes to determine whether the Russian was serious about peace or simply bluffing to buy time. If it was the latter, he assured, he would go home and be done with it, but Putin would then face serious consequences.

The summit didnt last just a few minutes, but at two and a half hours it was shorter than the informal schedules prepared by the White House, and far shorter than the six or seven hours anticipated by the Kremlin. Although details remain elusive, the meeting seems to have been limited to its first part: the conversation between the two leaders, almost alone, accompanied only by their foreign ministers. There were no broader negotiations with the rest of the delegations, and no working lunch. Even Trumps remarks were shorter than usual for his press appearances.

Neither leader took questions in their joint appearance before the press. Putin spoke first, highlighting that the two countries are neighbors and share a broad common cultural heritage. He claimed that in greeting Trump on arrival, he welcomed him as a neighbor, with warm words, expressing his pleasure at seeing him again.

We have developed a very good working and trusting relationship with President Trump. I have every reason to believe that if we continue on this path, we can reach the end of the conflict as soon as possible, Putin declared, in remarks longer than those of his host.

He also made clear that he had not shifted a single inch from his positions, the same ones he has held since the invasion began. He voiced hope that the understanding we reached here will help bring us closer to peace in Ukraine and repeated that Russia sincerely wants to end the conflict in the occupied country. But and here lies the greatest obstacle all the root causes of the conflict must be resolved. For Putin, resolving those causes means definitively blocking any Ukrainian aspiration to join NATO; restricting the Western weaponry Kyiv can access; and placing under Russian control the provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk, including the areas still held by Ukrainian forces. This is something Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European allies categorically reject.

Putin also made an appeal to Kyiv and its European partners, saying he hoped they would take all this constructively, and not start putting up obstacles or trying to halt progress with behind-the-scenes provocations and machinations.

The Russian leader ended with a provocative invitation: Next time, in Moscow? he asked, throwing down a gauntlet that Trump did not completely dismiss. Its an interesting proposal, Trump replied. Shortly after, the two presidents departed the military base for their respective capitals Putin leaving first, Trump almost immediately after.

Trumps next step, for the moment, was a round of phone calls. First to Zelenskiy, to brief him on the meeting. Then to European leaders, who in recent days had mounted a flurry of diplomatic efforts from a gathering at Chevening, the British foreign ministers country residence, with Vice President J.D. Vance and other top U.S. officials, to a videoconference with Trump himself in hopes of preventing the former KGB officer from persuading the White House occupant with his arguments. Trump stressed in his remarks that it would be up to the Ukrainian and Russian leaders to decide what proposals they want to put forward to end the war.
Spain has become a refuge for Americans escaping Donald Trumps authoritarian drift. Families who, without looking back, have landed with the intention of staying. For now, there arent too many. This isnt an exodus or a migration crisis. But the Americans EL PAIS spoke with see themselves, in part, as political refugees. In a journey reversing the one undertaken four centuries ago by the first settlers, they are crossing the Atlantic to feel safer and freer, far from a country where the rule of law is fading in the face of an unbridled leader.

Benjamin Gorman: My country has become a source of shame

This feeling that more and more citizens want to leave the U.S. is shared by Benjamin Gorman, a 48-year-old writer and high school teacher who has settled with his partner and his son (and their three dogs and two cats) in an apartment in Barcelonas Gothic Quarter. When Trump won, I knew we had to escape. Family and friends thought we were exaggerating. Now they call me for advice. History teaches us that the first to leave seem crazy, but the last ones dont.

Gorman, who grew up in Independence, Oregon, and has lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, feels like a political refugee. A racial justice activist, his criticism of history teaching in the United States earned him, he says, death threats from Trump supporters, the same threats his wife, Chrys, who is queer and neurodivergent, suffered. Frankie, their child, is transgender and non-binary. If wed waited any longer to leave, their passport would have been invalidated, he says, referring to Trumps order not to issue documents with the gender x or a gender different from the one assigned at birth.

They have settled in Spain for two reasons: Gorman speaks Spanish and they were able to apply for a digital nomad visa. In Barcelona, a city the professor was already familiar with, they feel welcome. Gorman understands, however, that expats like them can help increase housing prices, but he and his family, he says, want to be positive members of the city.

My country has become a source of shame. Things are getting ugly faster than I expected. In Spain, I can speak without fear of censorship, he says. The most dangerous thing, he adds, is the attack on immigrants, and how the Republican presidents decisions are generating a great deal of suffering and fear in certain sectors of the population. He believes refugee status for Americans will eventually become a reality.

The trip to Spain is, for now, one-way. As long as Trump is president, Im not going back, says Gorman, who believes the effects will last beyond his second term. I wont feel safe in the U.S. for many years. Trump is a symptom of a larger cancer.

Fred Guerrier in Madrid's Retiro Park on August 8. INMA FLORES

Fred Guerrier: I was fed up. I have mental space in Madrid

Fred Guerrier was fed up with everything around him revolving around Trump. I think its going to be a long time until all the things hes done are undone. I probably wont be alive when things get back to normal, he says.

The 43-year-old arrived in New York from Haiti with his family at the age of seven. He and some friends run a production company that produces campaigns and ads for politicians and NGOs, but he decided to move to Madrid, arriving just a week ago, to clear his mind of politics: If Im going to spend my work hours dealing with politics, I want it completely out of my real life.

He lived in the Spanish capital 14 years ago, working for one year as an English teacher. Hes returned to stay long term and believes that outside the U.S. hell no longer be so stressed by the situation and will have time and mental space to write and develop projects.

Trumps actions have directly affected his company. Its the first time in six years that it has had to promote itself to secure contracts. They know a lot of people in politics and have always jumped from one job to another through contacts. The reasons include funding cuts to social organizations, which can no longer afford to pay for their videos, and the general political confusion within the Democratic orbit. People are still trying to figure out what happened in the last election, and which direction to go next, he says.

With Trumps return to the White House, he felt powerless because there were so many things happening at once. Perhaps thats the strength of his team, he says, doing so many things at once that it becomes overwhelming for political rivals. Hes burning down the entire building, adds the filmmaker. Only the few rich people at the top, the politicians, and the tech billionaires will be saved.

Chris Kelly, on the terrace of her apartment in Barcelona. Gianluca Battista

Chris Kelly: I noticed a lot of racism

Chris Kelly, a Californian with blond hair and blue eyes, was encouraged to take the step by her 17-year-old mixed-race daughter. Both had taken to the streets during the Black Lives Matter movement (sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police), and the teenager began to feel uncomfortable about her skin color. I noticed a lot of racism. She told me that if Trump won again, she wouldnt want to be there anymore. I asked her if she was sure because she had to quit her dance classes and only had one year left to finish high school. She didnt care, Kelly explains on the terrace of an elegant cafe that has established a very American trend: tipping 10% or 20%.

Kelly and her daughter have been living in a perfect apartment in the Eixample district (at more than 2,000 a month in rent) for four months. They chose Spain because it was one of the countries, along with Portugal, that allowed for visas to be obtained most quickly. They chose Barcelona because they located an American school in Gracia. They are here on a student visa, which allows Kelly to take Spanish classes. Kelly has left her little house in San Diego, California, and sold her car. She has only kept 10 boxes of memories, which are in the hands of a friend, a sign that this is no vacation.

Were not going back to the U.S. The country is deeply divided, and thats not going to be fixed with a new president. The damage Trump has done will last at least a generation, says Kelly, who denounces the progressive loss of rights and freedoms under a president who feels above the law. Kelly has been horrified by the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles and the raids against undocumented immigrants.

My daughter could be mistaken for a foreigner and subjected to a process that no longer offers guarantees. Shes safe here, she rides public transportation alone, and shes not afraid of a school shooting, says Kelly, who has received support from her family. Everyone says, Can you take me with you?

Deborah Harkness at the Roman Amphitheater in Malaga on August 9. Garcia-Santos (El Pais)

Deborah Harkness: Cruelty has become normal in the US

Deborah Harkness, 56, first set foot in Spain in 1993. She traveled to Seville to study the countrys language, literature, and history. It was an awakening, says this Boston-born American. I felt something ancient and alive in the streets, in the voices, in the light... Life here doesnt ask you to act. It asks you to be present.

After decades of dreaming of moving to Andalusia, she took the plunge this year after Trump came to power. I couldnt continue surviving in a system that values profit more than people, she explains, noting that the president is almost a religious figure to his followers. Its reminiscent of the early stages of Francos regime and Mussolinis fascism, she says: Consolidating power, erasing the opposition, and making everything look legal.

A human resources worker in the tech industry, Harkness lived in San Jose, California, where housing prices kept rising: she paid $3,200 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. Food costs and health insurance kept going up too... I felt trapped, always one crisis away from losing everything. At the same time, I saw rights being curtailed, surveillance increasing, and cruelty becoming normalized. White privilege determined who received real care and who didnt, she says.

The final straw was the policies imposed by the president, she says, going on to list: Undocumented people and U.S. citizens disappear without records or accountability, the legal system is saturated with malicious lawsuits, books are being banned, diversity, equality, and inclusion programs are being dismantled Chaos and misinformation are how authoritarianism takes root. For her, public exhaustion is part of the strategy: Create so much chaos that people stop reacting.

She packed her bags in June and, with the advantage of fluent Spanish, is settling into her new home in Malaga, where she helps out with the Democrats Abroad organization. Malaga had everything I was looking for: deep roots, creative energy, access to nature, good healthcare, and a lower cost of living, she says.

Leia Anderson in a courtesy image.

Leia Anderson: We want a safe place for our family

Leia Anderson, 41, and her family are preparing to leave Kansas City, Missouri, where she runs a coffee shop, Second Best Coffee, which she will transfer to her employees. Im happy; I know its in good hands and theyre invested in the community. Leia, her partner, Nathan, and their two children (aged 10 and six) plan to settle in Barcelona in October, having spent a few weeks in the spring exploring the area. I fell in love with this city; its very welcoming, and you can get around by public transportation.

The family has hired an immigration lawyer to process a non-profit visa. The life they envision involves learning the language, exploring cafes and art, joining running communities, and helping the children acclimatize. To get an appointment at the consulate, they need to rent a home, although their goal is to buy. Were going to Barcelona with the intention of making it permanent. We want a safe place for our family.

Leia is transgender and non-binary, so Trumps initial executive orders targeting the community set off alarm bells. It seemed like we were making progress on LGBTQ+ rights, says Leia, who runs ultratrails and has fought for the acceptance of trans athletes in track and field events. But Trump came along and declared there were only two genders. His administration has made it clear that he doesnt want trans people to exist. The anti-trans rhetoric is so violent that I dont feel safe anymore.

The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, deported to El Salvador, and the treatment of migrants in general left the couple in shock. Weve seen people kidnapped off the streets and deported to countries theyve never seen. Leia notes that more and more people are fleeing. Not just abroad, but also to more progressive areas of the U.S.

In Barcelona, her children wont have to do any more shooter drills, and people, or so she thinks, wont notice her surgical scars. Im happy. Im going to stop worrying about people knowing Im trans.

Musa Farah in Madrid, August 7. JAIME VILLANUEVA

Musa Farah: Its very hard to live with a president whos against you as a person

At 25, Musa Farah has become an immigrant for the second time. His family traveled from Kenya to Lewiston, Maine, when he was 10. Its hard being a Black student anywhere, he says, but since Trump returned to the White House, everything went crazy. It was then that he began to consider living in another country: Its very hard to live with a president who is against you as a person, your beliefs, your race, your class There are so many things against you.

The young American citizen decided six months ago to move to Madrid, where he has been for just over a week, to finish his marketing studies. He plans to stay for two or three years and return to his country when the economic and social situation improves.

November 4, 2024, the day of the presidential election, was very sad, he says, as his environment, which, with its ups and downs, had always been safe, was no longer so. His car had a bumper sticker for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. On November 5, he removed it: Weve always been Democrats in my house, but weve never been very involved. Seven months later, he is more open about his ideals. Ive gotten more involved in politics because all of this has directly affected me, and also the people I know and love.

Now hes looking ahead to the midterm elections, which take place two years after the presidential elections, halfway through the legislative term. Farahs efforts will focus on getting people to vote for congresspeople who can shake things up. He believes that when Trump finally leaves office, Americans will ask themselves, What the hell was that?

Richard and Susan Cope, in a courtesy image.

Richard Cope: Im Jewish, I have a gay son, I know what can happen

Richard Copes final service to his country was working as an election supervisor to ensure his neighbors could vote freely in the 2024 presidential election. Who knows if that concept will even exist in two years, he says. The next day, he boarded a plane with his partner, Susan, to leave Rhode Island behind and move to Nerja, Malaga. Seeing how the political climate was going dangerously in the wrong direction, they decided to sell their house and move to feel safer. Were in Spain because of the MAGA-fication of the United States, the couple, who are in their 60s, emphasize.

The choice of the Malaga municipality was no coincidence. They discovered it in 2018 during a winter getaway, as they had seen many Europeans choosing it to spend the cold months. Also because the time difference with the American East Coast is six hours, which allowed Cope to continue working remotely as a medical data analyst (his wife is retired). They returned in the following years, and although they also tried Malta, Nerja seemed ideal for spending the winter. In 2024, three months had already passed. It was the moment of Donald Trumps resurgence and the realization that no one had the courage to stand up to him.

Being Jewish and having a gay son, I know all too well what happens when a society creates marginalized groups. They go from being unwelcome to being hated and then attacked, Cope notes, recalling that both his grandparents and his wifes grandparents fled to the U.S. more than a century ago in search of safety and peace. The Copes traveled for themselves, but also for their children and future generations. Thanks to the properties they acquired in Nerja, they obtained one of the last Golden Visas before Pedro Sanchezs government revoked them.

At one point, we thought wed return to the U.S. every summer, maybe even buy a vacation home, but now maybe all our family will come to Spain every year, and well stay where the weather is warm, the people are friendly, and life is an adventure, Cope concludes.

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When Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential elections in November 2024, Zoe Mendelson  author of Pussypedia: A Comprehensive Guide (2021)  turned to humor and eroticism to try to combat post-election blues.

Through her Instagram profile, she encouraged her followers to send her photographs of their breasts, as a form of combative action. This was 80% a joke. One that, I was told, my gender afforded me the privilege of making publicly  a double standard. But thats what makes it fun, she reflects.

Many women wanted to do it. And so, I created [a group called] the Chichi Chat, announcing that the second rule of the group is that there would be no security protocol. In other words, whoever uploads an image showing their face does so at their own risk. I think sharing our bodies under that premise makes it possible for us not to be ashamed of them, she explains to EL PAIS. Patriarchy has taught us that the female body is something indecent, profane, sexualized and inappropriate. But you can choose not to accept that. Sharing your body makes you feel free.

Journalist Catherine Lacey joined the group. The chat is often (unsurprisingly) horny as many of us are queer, but the point of the group isnt to be seduced or lusted after. The most common selfie is casual and domestic, a half-clothed body going about her business, the kind of picture that would befuddle the male gaze, she explains in The Cut. My friend and fellow group member Jessie noted she enjoys doing something sexual for an audience that doesnt include anyone shes sleeping with, detached from any particular need for validation or reciprocation, she adds.

Its precisely the absence of the male gaze that makes those in the group feel liberated and more beautiful than ever. The images show their bodies in their most natural states, in poses and situations that arent as staged as when a selfie is sent for sexual purposes. The result is glorious: imperfections outside the standards of patriarchy achieve this, Mendelson says.

After speaking with many of the members of the chat, she notes that they all find it to be a healing space. Its much easier to see another body and think its beautiful. In doing so, you think yours is beautiful, too. Its very difficult to let go of that deep-rooted instinct to criticize yourself, but this is an opportunity to see yourself positively, she says.

The diversity of breasts displayed in the group chat has been empowering for those who share images of their bodies. Most of the bare boobs available for viewing in the world are perfect boobs. The breadth of boobs, nipples, colors, shapes, hair and bodies in the chat has been astounding. Its been incredible to see them all communally celebrated. Its been healing for me [...] and from what Ive heard from many other members, it has been for them too, the chat manager writes on her Substack.

Nudity has become a kind of virtual oasis. Its a sort of secret key to accessing a safe space, where women can share fears, insecurities and moments of happiness. On her Substack, Mendelson explains how the chat has become an interesting space for support. A few times, the group has broken out into discussions, which have included: rituals around grief (this spawned a spinoff group), best-practices and strategies for taking booty shots, using primrose to curb premenstrual boob swelling, how growing up in a naked or not-naked house impacted your body image, why Agatha of Sicilys boobs are on a plate, ways were teaching our kids to love their bodies, (as well as) areola eczema, she details.

For her part, Lacey notes that, before joining the group, she had never encountered a network of women who spoke so freely about their lives and bodies. I have never so regularly seen the beautifully wide variety of tits we never see in film, on television, or even in those supposedly body-positive ad campaigns that still feature only conventionally attractive women who are merely a bit curvier than their runway counterparts, she writes in The Cut.

Using nudity as a form of rebellion is by no means new. And its increasingly common for the act of nudity to become an ally in looking at things differently. In fact, from October 8 of 2024 until March 9 of 2025, an exhibition titled Naked: Normative and Rebellious Nudes in Spanish Art (1870-1970) was held at the Carmen Thyssen Museum, in the Spanish city of Malaga. Various works were displayed, in which canonical beauty merged with the erotic impulse and the modern vindication of form. Other essential aspects of the disruptive contemporary art scene also reflected on the denial of beauty, while flirting with a more performative kind of body art.

For her part, the artist and teacher Liliana Maresca turned her naked body into a form of social and political activism. And now, groups like Mendelsons invite their members (her group chat has 255 people from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Kenya, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Australia, South Africa, Denmark, Norway, Georgia and Turkey, although the creator claims not to personally know about 200 people who are part of the group) to show their silhouettes without shame, in order to learn to love themselves and to turn the object of censorship into a paradoxical element of union.

The group chat is a place where trans people have also found a freedom that  as U.S. writer and illustrator Rani Baker indicated in the study #Toxictwitter: Violence and Abuse Against Women Online, published by Amnesty International  can be difficult to embrace on social media. People have made so many dehumanizing and humiliating assumptions about, references to and descriptions of, my body, surgical results, sexual orientation and proclivities, general lifestyle and behaviors that it could fill a book. Its shockingly common to see the most degrading descriptions of myself and my existence being bandied around by people trying to get under my skin, she laments.

Medelson believes that every person in the group possesses this freedom. She points out that, while her group chat isnt intended to have a sexual purpose, the truth is that a friend told her it was a safe and empowering space for women and queer people, as well as undoubtedly erotic.

Being publicly pervy like I was with my Instagram joke is far from a privilege we generally have in the world. Its a social risk and, for me, a form of protest. So is the chat, she writes, at the end of her essay.

Its no wonder she admires Audre Lordes essay Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power (1978), which points out that, to perpetuate itself, every oppression must corrupt or distort those various sources of power within the culture of the oppressed that can provide energy for change.

Therefore, she asserts that, in the case of women, it translates into the suppression of the erotic as a source of power and information. The author explains that Western society has portrayed the superficial aspects of the erotic as a sign of feminine inferiority, while pushing women to feel despicable by virtue of the mere existence of the erotic.

The erotic functions for me in several ways, and the first is in providing the power which comes from sharing deeply any pursuit with another person. The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference, Lorde writes.

Our erotic knowledge empowers us, becomes a lens through which we scrutinize all aspects of our existence, forcing us to evaluate those aspects honestly in terms of their relative meaning within our lives. And this is a grave responsibility, projected from within each of us, not to settle for the convenient the shoddy, the conventionally expected, nor the merely safe, she concludes.

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb on Friday filed a lawsuit against U.S. President Donald Trump over his unprecedented takeover of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The lawsuit challenges Trump's executive order placing the MPD under federal command, local media reported Friday.

Trump signed an executive order Monday commanding Washington mayor Muriel Bowser to hand over the MPD to the federal government temporarily, and is seeking to extend federal control.

Schwalb argued that these actions violate the Home Rule Act, which grants the president only limited, temporary authority to request MPD assistance in federal emergencies, instead of replacing the chief of police and taking over day-to-day operations.

"The Administration's actions are brazenly unlawful," Schwalb said in a statement after the suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The U.S. Congress has never given the president the power to remove the chief of police or take operational control of the MPD, Schwalb said. 
Children visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition was held at the National Museums of Kenya in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Friday. Senior government officials, diplomats, scholars, curators, and historians graced the event. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

NAIROBI, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- 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, a photo exhibition was launched on Friday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

Organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya and Xinhua News Agency Africa Regional Bureau, the exhibition was held at the National Museums of Kenya. Senior government officials, diplomats, scholars, curators, and historians graced the event.

The exhibition displayed China's significant role in defeating imperialist aggression and fascism, as well as ushering in a post-World War II international order, characterized by peace, multilateralism, and development.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said the great victory was commemorated to remember history, honor the martyrs, cherish peace, and create the future.

"The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was China's first full victory against foreign aggression in modern times since 1840," Guo said.

By smashing Japanese militarists' attempts to colonize and enslave China, the victory re-established China's status as a major country in the world and charted the bright prospect of national rejuvenation, Guo added.

The Chinese ambassador also noted that despite the painful lessons of history, unilateralism, hegemony, and bullying are creeping back.

She stressed the urgency of upholding the international order based on international law as well as the basic norms governing international relations in line with the purposes and principles outlined in the United Nations Charter.

Anne Wang'ombe, principal secretary for the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, and Children Services, observed that China's victory against Japanese aggression and all forms of fascism was pivotal in reshaping world history and inspiring the Global South to stand up against colonialism.

Wang'ombe said the heroic acts of Chinese people that led to the downfall of Japan's imperialist machinations alongside fascism in some Western nations played a huge part in motivating African states to fight foreign occupation and exploitation.

Erastus Mwencha, former deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission, said that China's bold resistance against Japanese aggression and global fascism encouraged other developing countries in their quest to defend territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The exhibition will remain open to the public until Aug. 31. 

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition was held at the National Museums of Kenya in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Friday. Senior government officials, diplomats, scholars, curators, and historians graced the event. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

Simba Arati, governor of Kisii County, speaks during the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition was held at the National Museums of Kenya in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Friday. Senior government officials, diplomats, scholars, curators, and historians graced the event. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
20 years on, China's "two mountains" concept proves significant in green development

Xinhua) 16:01, August 16, 2025

HANGZHOU, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's experience in green development has shown that you can have your cake and eat it too, former United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General Erik Solheim told Xinhua this week.

"We can develop the economy while protecting and enhancing the natural environment at the same time," Solheim, who is also co-chair of the Europe-Asia Center, said on the sidelines of the 2025 Green Low-Carbon Innovation Conference in Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province.

Aimed at fostering global cooperation on green innovation, the conference brought together nearly 300 scientists, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the birth of the "two mountains" concept, which holds that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," the event underscored the idea's significance in advancing ecological civilization, accelerating green transformation and improving global ecological governance.

"While Zhejiang has grown into a prosperous region, it has also managed to protect its local natural environment, becoming a province full of green," Solheim said. "It is truly remarkable to see the dual benefits that such a concept can bring."

Yucun Village -- the birthplace of the "two mountains" concept -- is located in southwestern Huzhou. Earlier, limestone processing for cement manufacture used to be the source of livelihood for Yucun residents. But, that came with a cost for the locals -- they had to reel under dusty air and heavy pollution. By the early 2000s, the villagers made up their minds to shut down cement factories to save the environment.

During an inspection tour to Yucun in August 2005, Chinese President Xi Jinping, then Party chief of Zhejiang, spoke highly of the village's wise move to shut down mines, and put forward the "two mountains" concept that has now become a guiding principle in ecological progress nationwide.

Thanks to the adoption of the concept and active efforts, the once heavily-polluted village now enjoys tourism boom, which has become the main source of income for locals.

People at the conference in Huzhou, who came from various parts of the world, reached a consensus: China's experience has shown that economic growth does not need to come at the expense of the environment.

"The speed at which China is rolling out new technologies -- not only to clean up the environment but also to reduce its impact -- is simply remarkable," said Llorenc Mila i Canals, head of the UN Environment Programme's Life Cycle Initiative Secretariat. "That is the real transformation."

"Many outside the country still picture China as heavily polluted, but that's a chapter long closed," he said. "Seeing with your own eyes how much the environment has improved is something that truly deserves recognition."

Conference participants noted that China's environmental turnaround is not only about technology but also about policy, community engagement and long-term planning.

The "two mountains concept" has guided villages, cities and provinces toward greener practices, demonstrating that development and conservation can advance hand in hand.

"We are not selling a Chinese solution, but letting the world witness the changes taking place in China. And we are ready to share and promote these practices to countries and regions around the world where conditions allow," said Jiao Nianzhi, chair of the UN's Global-ONCE international science program.

"When genuine action is being taken around the world, that's when this concept has been sparked. And once that spark spreads across the globe, we will be far better equipped to confront climate change and other global crises," Jiao said.

The concept resonates particularly keenly with the world's young leaders and innovators, who are seen as the driving force of sustainable development.

Ibeakamma Ugochinyere, a Nigerian student who has been studying at Zhejiang Normal University for nine years, has witnessed China's rapid development and environmental transformation firsthand.

She told Xinhua that the "two mountains" concept has had a lasting impact on her global perspective. "This concept has taught me that countries should look beyond geopolitical divides," she said. "By working together across borders, we can collectively advance sustainable development goals."

Two decades after the concept was first proposed, its influence continues to shape both local landscapes and the way the world envisions a greener, more sustainable future.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
TAIPEI, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition opened Friday in Taipei to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China's victory against Japanese aggression during World War II and Taiwan's restoration to China.

On Aug. 15, 1945, Japan announced unconditional surrender, 14 years after it invaded northeast China and eight years after its full-scale invasion of China.

At the opening ceremony, curator Kuan Chung-ming said that this should have been a day of special celebration, yet the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have not held any large-scale commemorative events.

"If the DPP won't do it, we'll do it ourselves, and we will pass on this historical memory," said Kuan, adding that the month-long exhibition aims to encourage more people to participate and help preserve this important history.

In 1895, the Qing government, defeated in a war launched by Japan against China, was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan.

On Oct. 25, 1945, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, China recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto.

Taiwan's restoration to China 80 years ago paved the way for today's peace and prosperity, and the sacrifices and contributions of all forebears should be remembered with gratitude, said Eric Chu, chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and former KMT chairperson Hung Hsiu-chu also attended the opening ceremony.

Lee Li-chun recalled the story of his father, general Lee You-pang, who organized Taiwan compatriots to join resistance movements against the Japanese on the mainland.

More than 50,000 Taiwan residents fought in the war against Japanese invasion on the mainland between 1937 and 1945.

"This history must not and cannot be forgotten," Lee said. 
BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and Cambodia confirmed on Saturday that army representatives of the two countries held a special meeting of the Thailand-Cambodia Regional Border Committee (RBC) in Thailand's Trat province on the same day.

According to the Thai Navy, the commander of Chanthaburi and Trat border defense command of the Thai side and the commander of Cambodia's military region 3 held the meeting to settle relevant issues through peaceful means, thus maintaining peace in border areas and well-being of the peoples of both countries.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding following the meeting, the Thai Navy said.

Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said on Saturday that chiefs of Cambodian and Thai military regions held a special meeting on the same day to discuss border issues following a ceasefire.

This meeting reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regular communication between armed forces of military regions of the two countries as well as between border defense units of the two sides, striving to resolve issues peacefully and avoiding confrontations, she said.

Cambodia hoped that the meeting would enhance full and effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement, helping restore peace, stability and normalcy in border areas, she added. 
Donald Trump went bold -- staging a high-profile, high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin to test whether the Russian leader was willing to compromise on the Ukraine war. The meeting sparked sharply divided reactions: Democrats blasted it as a hollow spectacle that risked legitimizing Moscow, while Trump's allies and some foreign-policy experts argued he deserves credit for pursuing direct diplomacy.

Putin, visibly delighted as he stepped foot in the West for the first time since ordering the 2022 invasion, made no apparent concession at the talks at an Alaska air base.

In a brief joint media appearance with Trump, who unusually took no questions, Putin again spoke of addressing the "root causes" of the Ukraine war and warned Kyiv and Europeans against disrupting "emerging progress" with the United States, the top defender of Ukraine under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden.

Trump, who bills himself as a master negotiator, acknowledged there was "no deal" but said there were "very few" areas of disagreement, although he was vague on what they were.

But posting hours later on his Truth Social account, Trump said he wanted Russia and Ukraine to "go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war" and not a ceasefire.

Trump's own administration had been pushing a ceasefire for months, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signing on after intense pressure from Trump. Putin had repeatedly rejected truce offers and kept up attacks on Ukraine, seeking to maximize battlefield advantage.

Trump had vowed to be firm with Putin after wide criticism of the US president's cowed appearance before him at a 2018 summit in Helsinki.

But Putin again found ways to flatter and trigger Trump, who in his second term constantly speaks unprompted about his many grievances.

Putin told Trump before the cameras that there would have been no war -- which Putin himself launched -- if Trump were president in 2022 rather than Biden, a frequent Trump talking point.

Trump bemoaned the effect on ties with Putin of what he again called the "hoax" of the findings by US intelligence that Russia meddled in the 2016 election to help him.

In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity after the summit, Trump said that "one of the most interesting things" Putin told him was about... the US voting system.

Trump said approvingly that Putin -- who has held power in Russia since 2000 and was declared the winner of elections last year with 88 percent of the vote -- told him of the risks of mail-in ballots and said of Trump's 2020 loss to Biden, "You won that election by so much."

US election authorities and experts have found no evidence of wide-scale fraud from mail-in ballots in the 2020 election, which Trump, uniquely in US history, refused to concede.

Trump's Democratic rivals voiced outrage that the summit secured no breakthrough and said it only served to normalize Putin, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

"By quite literally rolling out the red carpet, Trump has legitimized Russia's aggression and whitewashed Putin's war crimes. It's shameful," said Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Experts said it was too early to write off the summit completely, as much is not known about what was discussed behind closed doors. Trump will meet Zelensky on Monday at the White House.

Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, which backs US restraint, said that Trump's critics have been proven wrong in saying he would "give Ukraine to Putin or force Kyiv to accept surrender."

"His focus has been and remains getting Putin to the negotiating table. Mr. Trump deserves credit rather than condemnation for his efforts so far," she said.

But Kristine Berzina, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, said an initial read was that "Putin scored a victory by showing up, and Trump's limited words and tense demeanor left Putin to control the narrative."

"For a man so attached to showmanship, Trump unusually allowed Putin to be the star of what should have been the Trump show," she said.
From false claims of a Ukrainian assassin shot dead in Alaska to baseless reports of Russia declaring the sale of the territory to the United States illegal, misinformation has swirled around the summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

The online falsehoods spreading across tech platforms were muddying the waters around Friday's closely watched Alaska summit, a test of the US president's pledge to end the three-year bloody war in Ukraine.

"Malign actors (have) flooded the internet and social media with falsehoods and distortions" that were "circulating from across the political spectrum and across the globe," disinformation watchdog NewsGuard said in a report.

Among them was the unfounded claim that American soldiers had recently shot and killed a Ukrainian assassin named Stefan Orestovych, a supposed trained sniper for Ukraine's special forces, in the Alaskan city of Wasilla.

There was no evidence that an assassin by that name even exists.

The falsehood, which circulated on X, Instagram, a QAnon conspiracy theory platform as well as a Sri Lankan news website, originated on Real Raw News, according to NewsGuard.

A self-proclaimed "humor, parody, and satire" site, Real Raw News is often mistaken as a legitimate news outlet and has repeatedly been called out by researchers for publishing fabricated claims about the Russia-Ukraine war as well as American officials and politicians.

Trump critics online have also falsely claimed that Putin signed a decree in January last year declaring Russia's sale of Alaska to the United States "illegal," while mocking the US president for hosting a leader who purportedly rejected American sovereignty over the territory.

Putin was "preparing the future annexation of Alaska and Trump fell for it," one user wrote on X, an unfounded claim that has also spread across Bluesky and TikTok.

The United States bought Alaska in 1867 from Russia, and there was no evidence that Putin had signed such a decree.

Meanwhile, pro-Kremlin nationalist accounts on social media were circulating an image of a fake "People's Republic of Alaska" flag, using the summit to assert that the territory rightfully belonged to Russia.

The images were being spread online by Russian nationalist media outlets as well as the Pravda network, a well-resourced Moscow-based operation known to circulate pro-Russian narratives globally.

"The fake flag is the latest instalment in a decades-old narrative pushed by ultra-nationalists in Russia, framing the Nineteenth Century sale of Alaska as a national betrayal," NewsGuard report said.

The swirling misinformation underscores how easily online falsehoods can originate and spread around a high-profile event, especially across tech platforms that have largely scaled back content moderation.

Trump extended the invitation for the summit at the Russian leader's suggestion.

The meeting will be closely followed by European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not included and has publicly refused pressure from Trump to surrender territory seized by Russia.
BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China urges Japan to face squarely and reflect on its history of aggression, be prudent on historical issues such as the Yasukuni Shrine, make a clean break with militarism, stick to the path of peaceful development, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through real actions, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Saturday.

The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on Japanese politicians paying respects to the Yasukuni Shrine. 
Brazil's Supreme Court will begin deciding on September 2 whether former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro is guilty of plotting a coup and whether he should be imprisoned, the court said Friday.

Bolsonaro is accused of attempting to hold power despite his 2022 electoral defeat by Brazil's current leftist leader, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

He faces up to 40 years in prison if found guilty.

The Supreme Court statement said the ruling would be considered "during extraordinary sessions on September 2, 3, 9, 10 and 12."

Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasilia on January 8, 2023, a week after Lula's inauguration, alleging election fraud and calling on the military to intervene.

Bolsonaro, who led the Latin American country from 2019 to 2022, has maintained his innocence, calling any coup "abhorrent."

The prosecutor's office maintains that Bolsonaro led an "armed criminal organization" that orchestrated the coup attempt and was to be its main beneficiary.

The case file also focuses on meetings where draft decrees were allegedly presented, including those involving the possible imprisonment of officials such as Supreme Court judges.

However, the defense has stressed that "there is no way to convict" Bolsonaro based on the evidence presented in the case file, which they argued adequately demonstrated that he ordered the transition of power to Lula.

His lawyers have questioned the validity of the plea bargain handed to Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro's former aide, on whose testimony many of the accusations are based.

Bolsonaro's legal wranglings are at the center of fizzing diplomatic tensions between Brazil and the United States.

President Donald Trump has called the trial a "witch hunt" and the US Treasury Department has sanctioned Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing Bolsonaro's trial, in response.

Trump has also signed an executive order slapping 50 percent tariffs on many Brazilian imports, citing Bolsonaro's "politically motivated persecution."

Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest in Brasilia this month for violating a ban on using social media to plead his case to the public.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung vowed on Friday to "respect" North Korea's political system and build "military trust", a day after Pyongyang said it had no interest in improving relations with Seoul.

Lee has pledged to pursue dialogue with the nuclear-armed North without preconditions since his election in June, a reversal from his hawkish predecessor.

He said the South Korean government "will take consistent measures to substantially reduce tensions and restore trust" with the North.

"We affirm our respect for the North's current system," he said at an event marking the anniversary of liberation from Japanese rule, adding that Seoul had "no intention of engaging in hostile acts".

"I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue," Lee said.

"North and South are not enemies."

Lee's speech came a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, said the North has "no will to improve relations" with the South.

She also denied reports that North Korea was removing propaganda loudspeakers.

The South's military said in June that the two countries had halted propaganda broadcasts along the demilitarised zone, adding last week that it had detected North Korean troops dismantling loudspeakers on the frontier.

Friday's August 15 anniversary of liberation from Japan is the only public holiday celebrated in both North and South Korea, according to Seoul's National Institute for Unification Education.

Kim Jong Un also made a speech at a liberation day celebration in Pyongyang, urging the nation to overcome "the challenges facing the DPRK for the great powerful country", using the North's official acronym.

He also praised North Korea's ties with Russia, saying the two countries were creating "a history of justice" towards "defending their national dignity and sovereignty and safeguarding global peace and security".

However, in an unusual move for a Liberation Day address, he made no mention of South Korea or the North's "enemies".

The speech was made before a Russian delegation that is in Pyongyang and includes the speaker of the Duma, who read a congratulatory letter sent to Kim Jong Un by President Vladimir Putin.

The North Korean leader's speech was a "stark contrast" to his sister's "fiery statements", Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.

"There were no messages aimed at South Korea or the United States, no references to enemies or hostile states, and no provocative mentions of nuclear forces," Yang said.
As the 2026 midterm elections quickly approach, and the GOP's control in Congress grows increasingly vulnerable, the party is hoping to rely on Latino Trump supporters to maintain their trifecta in government. But just over six months into the Trump administration, that may not be such a sure thing anymore.

One of the clearest examples of this strategy is the GOP's plan to draw five new congressional districts in Texas which Trump would have won by at least 10 percentage points in last year's election resulting in safe Republican seats and an increased majority in the House of Representatives.

The plan has enraged Democrats both local and across the country, with Texas Democratic lawmakers leaving the state to delay the vote on the new maps, and governors in blue states threatening to retaliate by redrawing their own maps.

But the new maps won't work if the GOP doesn't maintain Texas Latinos on their side. In fact, three of the five newly drawn Republican districts will have a higher percentage of Hispanic voters, a new analysis from The Washington Post reveals.

That trend is nowhere as clear than in the 28th Congressional District, a border area currently represented by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D). Under the new maps, nearly 90% of the 28th District's voting-age population would be Hispanic, a significant increase from the 72% under the previous maps.

But so far, many Hispanics in the area have expressed disappointment in Trump's mass deportation policy, saying they thought he was going to focus only on criminals, not hardworking undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for years. Others said they didn't feel he was focusing enough on bringing the cost of living down. While most had not made up their minds about 2026, expressing a range of openness to backing Republicans.

That is the case of Yzena Cuellar, a 48-year-old middle school science teacher who was raised as a Democrat, but broke with her family and voted last year for President Trump. But she says that does not make her a Republican, noting that she voted for Democrats in other races and may do so again next year.

"Am I going to say it's just Republicans from now on? No," Cuellar told The Post. "I'm not going to be a shut door. I'm going to be open to both sides."

Similarly, her partner, Rick Salinas, says he also supported Trump last year but believes the president is squandering that support.

"It was a question of trying something else trying something new," Salinas, 59, said.

He says some residents would be more open to accepting the deportation tactics if they were boosting the economy.

"But it's not. It's not helping anybody. The price of construction just went up, and I don't see a bunch of U.S. citizens lining up to take those jobs," Salinas said.

But regardless of the proposed changes, Rep. Cuellar who won reelection last year despite a federal indictment accusing the incumbent of bribery and money laundering expressed confidence that he would withstand any changes, pointing to ticket-splitters.

"Hispanics are conservative by nature, but that doesn't mean automatically they're going to vote Republican," Cuellar said.

Originally published on Latin Times
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- "In Mexico, the people govern," Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday, rebuffing U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that "Mexico does what we tell them to do."

"President Trump has his way of speaking, but as I said yesterday, the only one who rules in Mexico is the people -- plain and simple," Sheinbaum said at her daily press conference.

She also titled her post "In Mexico, the people govern" on social media X.

Trump made his remarks Thursday at a White House event marking the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, citing Mexico's enforcement of anti-migration measures at its borders to boast of his success at stemming the flow of immigration.

Asked about U.S. troop deployments in the southern Caribbean to combat drug cartels, Sheinbaum stressed that Mexico will always uphold sovereignty and self-determination while cooperating with Washington.

"Our stance is always self-determination for all Latin American and Caribbean nations," she said, adding that Mexico rejects interventionism and favors diplomacy and international institutions as means of resolving disputes. 
MountainOne Bank Honored by Boston Business Journal

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  MountainOne shared that it has been named one of the Boston Business Journal's 2025 Best Places to Work in the Medium Business Category (100-249 employees).

According to a press release, each year, the Boston Business Journal celebrates Massachusetts companies that lead the way in cultivating and sustaining exceptional workplace cultures and environments. The award recognizes 100 companies across a broad spectrum of industries, including financial, technology, retail, and health care, with the common denominator being a commitment to fostering a supportive employee environment.

Businesses were selected and ranked based on the results of employee-engagement surveys distributed by Business Journal partner Quantum Workplace. Participating employees rated their work environment, work-life balance, job satisfaction, advancement opportunities, management, compensation, and benefits.

The 2025 honorees were celebrated during a June 12 ceremony at The Westin Copley Place. Accepting the award alongside Mountain President and CEO Robert Fraser was company Spokesgoat Mo. A special publication honoring the Top Places to Work winners appeared in the June 13 weekly edition of the Boston Business Journal.

"This recognition reflects the remarkable culture our employees have helped create," said Robert Fraser, President and CEO of MountainOne. "Together, we've built and continue to maintain a workplace defined by mutual support, open communication, and a shared commitment to our goals."
Mount Greylock School Committee OKs Changes in Cultural Exchange

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Mount Greylock Regional School Committee approved some changes to the cultural exchange program that the high schools Spanish teachers have developed with the St. Pauls School in La Cumbre, Argentina.

The program was originally conceived to have students from each school traveling to the other in alternating years.

Given Mount Greylocks greater size, it makes more sense if the Argentine students make the trip north every other year while Mount Greylock sends members of its senior class to La Cumbre every year, Joe Johnson, Mount Greylock world language teacher, explained.

That means changing the eligibility of the Mount Greylock students from juniors and seniors to seniors only. Mount Greylock students will go to Argentina each spring; St. Pauls students will make the trip every other autumn.

In addition, Johnson asked that, instead of a program where Mount Greylock students stay in hotels while in La Cumbre, they instead stay with host families, as the Argentine students did when visiting the Berkshires.

Living with a family changes the experience, Paula Penelas, St. Pauls School representative said in the virtual meeting.

You learn about their habits, customs, conversations, timetable. Its different.

We have many, many families who would be delighted to be asked to host. We will choose them very carefully.

Johnson noted that a change to the host family model also will reduce the cost of travel.

[The trip] would undoubtedly be a whole lot more doable economically, he said. If youre kicking in to offset your share of meals, hot water and transportation, thats more doable than staying in a hotel.

Rather than renting vans to transport the Mount Greylock students to and from their hotel, the host families will provide transportation, as they did for the St. Pauls students who visited Mount Greylock, he said.

School Committee member Carolyn Greene sought information about the screening process that would be used on both ends for host families and encouraged a more formal process, including, perhaps, a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check for host families locally.

Our job as School Committee members is to assess risk, Greene noted.

Johnson said he would be open to talking about more formal screening.
Williamstown, Residents Close in on Agreement about Utility Poles

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Select Board Monday heard what it hopes will be a compromise that will satisfy all parties concerned about a plan to place five new utility poles on Torrey Woods Road.

National Grid came to the board, in its capacity as the towns road commission, to seek approval to erect the new poles that will serve 88 Torrey Woods Road, where Anddie Chan-Patera and Anthony Patera are building a new home.

Usually, hearings on such requests are uneventful, since the utility communicates with landowners in advance of the hearing to get buy in before going before the town board. But at a July 28 Select Board meeting, the residents of 150 Torrey Woods Road expressed concern that part of the plan put a pole directly in front of their historic home, which sits very close to the road.

On Monday, National Grids Nicholas DeRosa was before the board with a new plan that he negotiated with Kristy Lyn Edmunds and Roslyn Kim Warby, owners of 150 Torrey Woods Road.

But that configuration, referred to as Site Plan 2, drew the objection of the owner of 0 Torrey Woods Road, a wooded lot across the street from Edmunds and Warby.

Elizabeth Heekin Bartels, who owns 0 Torrey Woods Road along with her parents, James and Jane Heekin, wrote the Select Board explaining why a solution that involved putting a pole near an environmentally sensitive section of her property would be problematic.

[New] poles on south side of the road could destabilize the steep embankment down to Hemlock Brook and the existing pond; this would not just be caused by initial installation with associated tree cutting but also by ongoing maintenance cuts of vegetation in the future, on my property and without my control, leading to potential weakening of root systems, degrading of vegetation, etc., Bartels wrote.

She further explained that the embankment in question was stabilized by the town with her parents permission in 2003.

DeRosa explained that Pole 2, the pole he sited on the south side of Torrey Woods (Bartels side}, was placed there to allow Pole 1 on the site plan to be positioned a little further west and out of the shadow of the Edmunds/Warby home.

DeRosa said moving Pole 1 further east probably would mean removing a tree on the north side of Torrey Woods Road, a step that the utility was trying to avoid.

Thomas Bartels, who took turns with his wife at the podium at Mondays meeting, said that the original proposal, Site Plan 1, had two new poles on the south side of the road, but neither was near enough to the stabilized bank to be concerning.

Due to limitations in the length of the wire, [DeRosa] had to move Pole 2 from the original location toward the problem area, Thomas Bartels said. Now its pretty much on top of that rock retaining wall. We dont think thats a good idea, for the reasons we have communicated to you.

DeRosa, who does distribution design for National Grid, at first said that both he and his line foreman believed the Site Plan 2 placement of Pole 2 put the pole on pretty solid ground.

Where we staked it behind the guard rail, its a relatively flat area where wed be able to maintain [the pole] without impacting the steeper part of [the bank], he said.

Thomas Bartels told the Select Board that Pole 2 could be moved 20 feet east and and still be an acceptable distance from Pole 1 if it was moved marginally.

If youre moving them in tandem east, board member Peter Beck said, is there a point  10 feet? 20 feet? 30 feet?  where P2 is past the guard rail and P1 is not yet encroaching on a tree? Or no?

Possibly, DeRosa answered.

Where I staked it, 42 feet west, within the guard rail, it was solid ground, he said later. I dont know anything about this [bank stabilization] project in 2003. But were already stretching [the wire] 220 feet from the second proposal with the 42-foot move for Pole 2, which is 80 feet over what we normally do. That is our compromise.

After reiterating that moving the poles further east might mean taking down a tree, DeRosa said he had no opposition to Bartels proposal if all parties agreed.

Select Board Chair Stephanie Boyd then noted that the Select Board did not have another meeting scheduled until September if it follows its practice of skipping the second meeting of August. In order to avoid further delay for the Pateras building project, Boyd wondered if a special meeting of the board might be necessary.

In the end, the board agreed to schedule a meeting for Monday, Aug. 18, in hopes that it will not have to use that date.

Instead, the board took the unusual step of approving the pole siting plan contingent on the agreement of both property owners (150 Torrey Woods Road and 0 Torrey Woods Road) and National Grid.

We need to say [in the motion] that Pole 2 will be moved away from the guardrail and Pole 1 will be moved in order to accommodate that, subject to the satisfaction of the property owners at 150 Torrey Woods, Boyd said.

The Select Board asked that the parties discuss the particulars at the site and agree to a new plan. If they do, the vote taken on Monday will stand as the boards assent.

We need to meet [on Aug. 18] if it doesnt work for 150 [Torrey Woods Road], Beck said. Because then all options are back on the table.

Chan-Patera and Patera, who have a home address in Cambridge on the towns property records, attended Mondays continuation of the July 28 public hearing.

We never thought this would be this complicated, Chan-Patera told the board. We met Libby [Bartels] five years ago and bought the land from her. My husband and I want to live here. We want to be full-time residents. However, we also want to be good neighbors.

Welcome to town, Select Board member Matt Neely said to chuckles from his colleagues as the Pateras left the room following the boards vote.

The other main business on Monday was the boards annual tax classification hearing. Following past practice, the Select Board maintained a single tax rate, choosing not to charge a higher rate for commercial property, and voted down other measures allowable under state law to shift the tax burden, like a residential tax exemption.

It did vote, 5-0, to make operational for the second straight year a Means-Tested Senior Property Tax Exemption enabled by a town meeting vote in 2024.

The motion passed on Monday included a provision that the board hopes will avoid the  seesaw  effect that potentially could impact residents who take advantage of the property tax relief measure.

The Select Board hereby sets this years exemption amount under Section 1 as up to 100 percent of the amount of the Senior Circuit Breaker Income Tax Credit  for which the applicant qualified in the previous year, provided that in no case shall the sum of an applicants exemption in the previouss years credit be greater than the difference between their real estate tax payment as calculated for the credit and 10 percent of their total income as calculated for the credit, Beck moved. The total expenditure for this tax exemption program shall not exceed $100,000 of the residential tax levy.

The in no case shall the sum   language is intended to avoid the seesaw effect for participants.

The $100,000 is the total that can be exempted from all qualified homeowners tax bills in fiscal year 2026. If that cap is reached before each individual receives the maximum exemption to which they are entitled, all recipients will have their benefit reduced by the same percentage to get to the $100,000 level.
TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- One police officer was killed and another person wounded in an armed clash with gunmen in southeastern Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Saturday.

The clash occurred on Friday evening at a square in Iranshahr County, as police forces launched an operation against the gunmen, who were allegedly "disrupting public security," and managed to injure some of them, the report said.

The slain policeman was identified as Ramin Sadeqi, while a manhunt has been launched to arrest the armed individuals who escaped the scene after the clash.

Sistan and Baluchestan, a province bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, has been the site of several terrorist attacks targeting both civilians and security forces in recent years.

On Sunday, one policeman was shot dead and another one wounded in an attack by a group of "terrorists" in the province's Saravan County, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency. 
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An art exhibition in Thailand has emerged at the centre of international concerns over censorship by China after some artworks by Tibetan, Uyghur and Hong Kong artists were removed or altered following an alleged pressure campaign by Beijing.

The exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) by Burmese artist Sai opened on 26 July, featuring artwork by exiles from China, Russia and Iran.

Titled Constellation of Complicity: Visualising the Global Machinery of Authoritarian Solidarity, the show aimed to expose the collaborative repression tactics of authoritarian governments.

However, just three days later, Chinese embassy staff, accompanied by Bangkok city officials, visited the BACC and demanded the removal of elements critical of Beijings policies.

The Independent has reached out to BACC for a comment.

The co-curator, Sai fled Thailand for the UK with his wife on 29 July, fearing deportation to Myanmar, where he believed he would be punished by the military-run junta for his activism.

After the Chinese official and Thai polices intervention, the exhibition was forced to remove Tibetan and Uyghur flags, a novel about a Tibetan family in exile, and a film by Tibetan artist Tenzin Mingyur Paldron addressing the Dalai Lama.

open image in gallery Artist names are seen blacked out following censorship at the exhibition ( Reuters )

References to Tibet, Hong Kong, and Uyghur were obscured with black paint while television screens meant to display Paldrons films were switched off, and artists names were redacted.

Sai told Reuters Chinas response showed it was engaging in systematic political manipulation far beyond its borders, such as in his own country, where Beijing backs the ruling military.

He said if the Chinese governments claims about ethnic minorities were true, there would have been no need to send officials into galleries in Thailand, no need to black out artists names, and no need to threaten institutions into compliance.

open image in gallery References to Tibet, Hong Kong, and Uyghur were obscured with black paint ( Reuters )

Censorship is never the weapon of those confident in the strength of their ideas, he said, describing it as tragically ironic in another interview.

The Chinese foreign ministry said the exhibition distorted Chinese policies and undermined Chinas core interests and political dignity.

It neither confirmed nor denied that the Chinese embassy was behind the alterations.

The fact that the relevant country took timely measures precisely shows that the promotion of the fallacies of Tibetan independence, East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Hong Kong independence has no market internationally and is unpopular, it added.

Thailands police denied that officers were looking for Sai in a response to the BBC.

The Human Rights Foundation labelled it intimidation, reflecting a coordinated effort to suppress artistic expression.

open image in gallery The show is intended to expose the collaborative repression tactics of authoritarian governments ( Reuters )

HRF strongly condemns an order issued by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to remove artworks by artists from Tibet, the Uyghur Region, and Hong Kong, it said.

This instance of intimidation reflects the CCPs broader pattern of suppressing artistic expression overseas, which is facilitated by the cooperation of authoritarian governments, such as Thailand, who are continuing to acquiesce to the CCPs demands.

Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said, Beijing should stop its repression against critics abroad. Others should resist such transnational repression to protect rights.

Campaign for Uyghurs called it yet another example of Beijing exporting censorship abroad, silencing art and activism that expose its human rights abuses.

Authoritarian repression doesnt stop at Chinas borders; it targets truth wherever its told.

The exhibition remains open at the BACC but in its censored form, with an expected end date in October 2025.

Visitor numbers have surged due to online buzz about the controversy, turning the censorship into unintended publicity for the exhibition.

The controversy has renewed debate over Chinas sophisticated systems of censorship, aimed at controlling information, silencing dissent, and shaping public opinion both domestically and abroad. The ruling Communist Party employs a vast digital firewall, strict publishing controls, and pressure campaigns to stifle content it deems politically sensitive or damaging to its image.

In 2010, when imprisoned dissident Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize, Chinese media blacked out coverage, and online searches for his name were restricted. His death in custody in 2017 was also heavily censored.

Chinese authorities also restricted information on social media, and news about the coronavirus outbreak and posts questioning the governments handling of the pandemic were deleted en masse.
CAIRO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-one Arab, Islamic countries, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council have strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements about realizing a so-called "Greater Israel" in a joint statement.

The statement, released late Friday, condemned the Israeli prime minister's remarks as "a flagrant breach" of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, affirming the invalidity of any measure or decision seeking to legitimize the occupation, including settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The countries signing the statement include Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The statement termed the Israeli comments as a direct threat to Arab countries' national security, the sovereignty of states, and regional and international peace and security.

It also strongly condemns the approval by the far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich of the settlement plan in the "E1" area and his radical statements rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, stressing that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory.

The statement warned against the grave dangers of Israeli intentions and policies aimed at annexing Palestinian territory, and reaffirmed the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, along with ensuring unconditional humanitarian access.

It also reiterated the rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people in any form and under any pretext.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu told i24 TV news that he feels he is on a "historic and spiritual mission," and that he is "very" attached to the vision of the "Promised Land and Greater Israel."

On Wednesday, Smotrich said he had approved the construction of 3,401 housing units for settlers in a particularly controversial area of the occupied West Bank. 
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Arsonists setting fire to 5G masts are endangering themselves and the public, police in Northern Ireland have warned, following the latest incident in Belfast.

A 5G tower in the Beechmount Avenue area of the city was set alight shortly after midnight on Saturday morning. This incident marks the latest in a series of similar arson attacks across Northern Ireland.

Detectives are now appealing to the public for any information regarding the crime.

Detective Inspector Wilson said: Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire.

This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire recently and I cannot emphasise enough the dangers of lighting fire to electrical equipment.

This is extremely reckless and those responsible are putting themselves and members of the public at serious risk.

We are treating this as arson and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious in the area or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with inquiries are asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 37 16/08/25.
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England and union flags across parts of Birmingham are being taken down, according to residents, with the city council claiming the move is part of planned maintenance works.

Residents in Weoley Castle and Northfield have been hanging up the flags in recent weeks, in what they say is an act of patriotism. However, the council has warned that attaching the flags to lamp posts is a hazard for motorists and pedestrians.

A fundraiser from local community group Weoley Warriors said the group was overwhelmed with donations, which have raised over 5,000 to help buy flags, poles and cable ties, and had been taking requests from residents for specific roads.

The group describes itself as a group of proud English men with a common goal to show Birmingham and the rest of the country how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements. The group said it aims to give hope to local communities.

Birmingham City Council said staff had been instructed to remove all attachments from lampposts ahead of an upgrade to energy-efficient LED street lighting.

The council said the works would help reduce energy use, carbon emissions and maintenance costs. It added that around 200 advertising banners and flags attached to lamp posts have been removed since the start of the year.

A council spokesperson said: Lamp columns need to remain free from attachments so work can be carried out as quickly and safely as possible, and people who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.

open image in gallery Birmingham City Council said staff had been instructed to remove all attachments from lampposts ahead of an upgrade to energy-efficient LED street lighting (file image) ( Getty Images )

The authority, which is the largest city council in Europe, added that flags and other attachments can obstruct visibility, create electrical hazards, or weaken lamp posts over time.

The spokesperson said the council routinely removes items such as advertising signs, bunting and flags, carrying out stress tests on street furniture ahead of formal events or celebrations.

Some residents voiced support for the flags on social media.

Im a patriotic elderly lady whos delighted to see all of the beautiful St Georges and Union flags flying on the lampposts, one wrote.

Another resident said: A proud community is a strong community, and no matter your background, race or religion, we live side by side in this country together, so when you look up and see the flags fly, they fly for you.

Birmingham Conservatives criticised the councils actions, accusing the Labour-led authority of inconsistency.

The Labour Council have announced that Union Jack and St George's Cross flags, flown by residents in public places across the city, will be cut down on safety grounds, despite allowing flags of other nations to be flown for the last two years, a statement said.

When we see our national flags flying, it fills us with pride in our country, our history and our shared achievements through the centuries, and Labour should stop acting as if they are something to be ashamed of, it added.
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Access to one of Britains most beautiful beaches which featured in BBC drama Poldark has been cut off by the National Trust on health and safety grounds.

Secluded Pedn Vounder beach in Cornwall, known as an unofficial nudist bathing spot, would usually be filled with tourists and bathers as the nation basks in a late summer heatwave.

But locals and tourists have this week found the path to the idyllic cove, known for its stunning scenery and clear turquoise waters, roped off.

A red sign from the National Trust, which owns the cliff access path but not the beach itself, reads: Danger. No access.

Explaining that the beach had been closed for safety reasons, it stated: The path has eroded in places, making it unstable, with steep drops and ending in a near vertical six metre climb down on to the beach below.

It added that the sea at the beach is dangerous due to rip currents and that there have been regular serious incidents involving the emergency services.

open image in gallery Pedn Vounder is accessed by a steep coastal path, which has been closed by the National Trust amid safety fears ( Getty )

The closure during the peak summer period has been met with consternation by locals in the nearby village of Treen, who said the beauty spot has been drawing large numbers in recent years.

It was voted one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by EnjoyTravel.com and has been repeatedly cited by travel influencers in recent years.

It also featured as the fictional Nampara Cove in the BBCs popular historical drama Poldark, starring Aidan Turner.

Rebecca Ley, 46, who visited the beach last weekend and grew up nearby, said the closure was a real shame.

Getting down was always a bit challenging, its definitely not one for flip flops, but I cant say I noticed a massive difference from when I was a child, she told The Times.

My nine-year-old made it without difficulty, as did the more than 100 other people on Saturday. Its a real shame. I know the beach has seen a big increase in visitors in recent years but this decision doesnt make any sense to me. I really hope it doesnt hit the village campsite and cafe too badly.

open image in gallery The beauty spot, near Treen, featured in BBC series Poldark ( BBC )

The National Trust said it had consulted with local authorities and emergency services over the decision to temporarily close the unofficial pathway, which is on land owned by the charity. They encouraged visitors to use nearby Porthcurno beach instead.

A spokesperson told The Independent: Due to increasing coastal erosion, an unofficial and steep pathway across National Trust land leading to Pedn Vounder beach in Cornwall has become increasingly unsafe and is now temporarily closed.

This decision has been made due to the significant increase in potential for serious injury and has been made in consultation with local authorities, emergency services and other partners.

We understand this closure may disappoint visitors and the local community and have not taken the decision lightly. As a charity that promotes access to nature and culture we always try and maintain access wherever its possible to do so, but due to the increasing erosion undercutting the cliff we have made the difficult decision to close it.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales are to move into a new forever home in Windsor.

William and Kate are moving to the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, with their children George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven.

The move from four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage, Windsor, comes after three tough years, which saw the Waleses grapple with the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Kings cancer diagnosis and Kates cancer treatment.

The family is said to be hoping for a fresh start in the 328-year-old, grade-II listed lodge nestled in a secluded corner of the 4,800-acre park.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed: The Wales family will move house later this year.

open image in gallery This is a move for the long term. They see it as their forever home ( PA Archive )

The royal couple are understood to be paying for the move and renovations themselves, avoiding any extra cost to the taxpayer. It is likely it will remain their home even after William succeeds to the throne, according to The Sun.

The paper reported that work has already started on minor renovation at the historic property, and the family hope to move in by Christmas.

A planning application for internal and external renovations to Forest Lodge was lodged with the council in June, seeking permission for works including new doors and windows, stripping out internal walls, renovated ceilings and new floors.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead published its decision, approving the plans, earlier this month.

The property, which is owned by the King as part of the Crown Estate, is just four miles from their current main home at Adelaide Cottage. The family first moved to Windsor from their apartment at Kensington Palace, in central London, in summer 2022 when they enrolled their children at nearby Lambrook School.

open image in gallery Grade II-listed Forest Lodge during renovations in 2001 ( PA )

Windsor has become their home, but they are now said to be hoping for a new chapter as they leave some of the unhappy memories of the past three years behind.

This is a move for the long term, a source told The Sun. They see it as their forever home.

Forest Lodge, which was listed in 1972, was said to have last been renovated in 2001 at a cost of 1.5m in preparation for it to be rented out for 15,000 a month.

The Georgian residence is thought to be worth up to 16m today, with fine period detail including elaborate plaster cornices and ceiling decoration, marble fireplaces, Venetian windows and a half-barrel vaulted hallway ceiling.

However, the eight-bedroom home is still dwarfed by the 31-bedroom Royal Lodge, Prince Andrews home in Windsor Great Park.

open image in gallery The entrance hall of Forest Lodge, where the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to move their family later this year ( PA )

The Waleses also have a country home at Anmer Hall, a 10-bedroom Georgian country house on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which was gifted to them by Queen Elizabeth as a wedding present. They also retain apartment 1A in Kensington Palace in London.

As heir to the throne, William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall estate, a portfolio of land, property and investments valued at more than 1bn, when his father became King.

In 2023, Prince Harry and Meghan repaid 2.4m worth of public money spent on renovations to their former home, Frogmore Cottage, following their move to the US.
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The United States has deported five individuals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen and Laos to Eswatini, a small southern African nation governed by a king who still holds absolute power.

This move marks Eswatini as the latest country to accept third-country deportees from the US. Authorities in Eswatini state the men are being held in correctional facilities pending their eventual repatriation to their native countries.

Here's what to know about Eswatini.

The king rules supreme

Eswatini stands as Africa's sole absolute monarchy, a unique position among nations. Here, King Mswati III holds supreme power, governing by decree rather than as a mere ceremonial figurehead.

He ascended to the throne in 1986, at the age of 18, succeeding his father, Sobhuza II, who died four years prior in 1982. This places Eswatini among only a handful of countries worldwide where the monarch retains absolute control over the government.

open image in gallery King Mswati III, front, dances during a Reed Dance in Mbabane ( AP )

The 57-year-old Mswati III has long been criticized for ruling over a government that suppresses political dissent while he lives a lavish lifestyle in one of the poorest countries in the world.

The king is reported to have 11 wives and has been the subject of scrutiny for buying luxury cars. His wealth has been estimated at between $200 million and $500 million, while the World Bank says more than half of Eswatini's 1.2 million people live on less than $4 a day.

No political parties

Political parties were banned by Sobhuza II in 1973. Some exist now, but they are not allowed to play any role in elections or the political process and have been reduced to civic society groups. Candidates seeking public office in Eswatini's Parliament or Senate have to stand as individuals without any party affiliation and are generally approved by traditional leaders loyal to Mswati III.

open image in gallery Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, left, shakes hands with Eswatini's King Mswati III at the royal palace in Ludzidzini ( AP )

Pro-democracy protests have grown in recent years and Eswatini authorities under Mswati III have been accused of crushing them using the security forces. Many dissidents live in exile.

Previously Swaziland

The country was previously known as Swaziland but changed to Eswatini in 2018 after the king announced it should revert to its traditional name in the Swazi language. It was Swaziland when it was under British colonial rule, which ended in 1968.

open image in gallery Voters queue to cast their votes in Manzini, Eswatini ( AP )

Severely affected by HIV

Eswatini has been severely affected by HIV and has the highest prevalence in the world, with an estimated 26% of the adult population HIV positive, according to the United Nations AIDS agency.

It has made significant progress in confronting that scourge but has been highly reliant on foreign aid to do that, including assistance from the U.S., which has now been cut by the Trump administration.
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Health officials are currently engaged in a significant effort to alert hundreds of people across dozens of US states and several countries, following potential exposure to rabies from bats in cabins at Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park over recent months.

The widespread alert stems from concerns over bat presence within eight linked cabins at Jackson Lake Lodge. Despite the extensive outreach, as of Friday, none of the bats recovered from these specific cabins and subsequently tested have returned positive results for rabies.

However, Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming State Health Officer, has cautioned that the limited number of dead bats found and dispatched to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory in Laramie for analysis likely represents "only a small sample of the likely dozens that colonized the attic above the row of cabins." She further explained that many other bats were not killed but were simply ushered out through cabin doors and windows, while the vast majority never descended from the attic into the living areas below.

Health officials thus deemed it better safe than sorry to alert everybody who has stayed in the cabins recently that they might have been exposed by being bitten or scratched. Especially when people are sleeping, a bat bite or scratch can go unseen and unnoticed.

What were really concerned about is people who saw bats in their rooms and people who might have had direct contact with a bat, Harrist said Friday.

The cabins have been unoccupied, with no plans to reopen, since concessionaire Grand Teton Lodge Company discovered the bat problem July 27.

open image in gallery FILE - The exterior Jackson Lake Lodge is seen in Moran, Wy., Aug. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Amber Baesler, File) ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Bats are a frequent vector of the rabies virus. Once symptoms occur  muscle aches, vomiting, itching, to name a few  rabies is almost always fatal in humans.

The good news is a five-shot prophylactic regimen over a two-week period soon after exposure is highly effective in preventing illness, Harrist noted.

The cabins opened for the summer season in May after being vacant over the winter. Based on the roughly 250 reservations through late July, health officials estimated that up to 500 people had stayed in the cabins.

They were trying to reach people in 38 states and seven countries through those states' health agencies and, in the case of foreign visitors, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Others who have not been alerted yet but stayed in cabins 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528 and 530 this year should tell health officials or a doctor immediately, Harrist said.

Health officials were recommending prophylactic shots for people who fit certain criteria, such as deep sleepers who found a bat in their room, and children too young to say that they had seen a bat.

The Wyoming Department of Health had no ongoing concern about visitor safety at the Jackson Lake Lodge area. That includes a Federal Reserve economic policy symposium Aug. 21-23 that takes place at Jackson Lake Lodge every summer.

The lodge company has done a fantastic job of doing their due diligence of making sure everyone that is coming in for that, and for all other visits this year, are going to be as safe as possible, said Emily Curren, Wyomings public health veterinarian.

Three or four dead bats from the cabins tested negative and one that was mangled did not have enough brain tissue to be testable, Curren said.

open image in gallery Rabies is a fatal, acute, progressive encephalomyelitis caused by neurotropic viruses in the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus ( CDC )

All were brown bats, which come in two species: little and big, with the larger ones more than twice as big. Officials were unsure which species these were, but both are common in Wyoming.

They typically live in colonies of 30 to 100 individuals, Curren said.

Thats a lot of bats that we cannot rule out a risk of rabies being in, Curren said. Theres no way for us to know for certain about every single bat that got into these rooms.

There are no plans to exterminate the bats, Grand Teton National Park spokesperson Emily Davis said. Devices fitted to the building were keeping the bats from getting back in after flying out in pursuit of insects to eat, they said.
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Meta mogul Mark Zuckerberg, one of the richest people in the world, boasts an enviable portfolio of properties across the U.S, from Silicon Valley, Hawaii, and one just minutes away from the White House in D.C.

In Palo Alto, California, Zuckerberg has splurged over $110 million on properties since 2011  and created a compound of 11 properties by purchasing adjoining houses.

He purchased a $7 million home in Crescent Park and later took on four more for an estimated $43 million. Security is tight around the estate, which features a saltwater pool, a sunroom, multiple guest houses, and even a private school operating under disputed legality.

Neighbors in the area, however, are rattled by the technogarchs' overwhelming presence and feel that the area has dramatically transformed since his takeover, according to The New York Times.

In keeping with his fellow billionaire tech bros, Zuckerberg has also cozied up to Trump over the past few months, after being unveiled as the mystery buyer paying $23 million  in cash  for a tree-lined mansion nestled in the D.C. suburbs of Woodland Normanstone.

One premium D.C. real estate broker told Politico that Zuckerbergs purchase in the nations capital had everything to do with politics.

Its the ultimate bow to the man in the White House [...] He notices whos there. Its an easy way to say, Hey, were with ya. Here we are, Tom Daley said.

A monopoly of homes in Palo Alto, California

open image in gallery Zuckerberg owns several homes dotted around Silicon Valley ( Google Maps )

Zuckerberg's Silicon Valley purchases have recently caused a stir locally. Along two streets in Palo Alto, Edgewood Drive and Hamilton Avenue, the $270 billion mogul now owns 11 properties.

Some of the houses lie dormant, while five others have been merged into a compound. Nine neighbors in the Crescent Park area spoke recently told The Times about their frustration with the Zuckerberg expansion.

Its a mystery why the city has been so feckless, said Michael Kieschnick  whose home on Hamilton Avenue is bound on three sides by property owned by Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg reportedly offered neighbors as much as triple the market value to buy them out, The Times reports.

Just a 10-minute drive from Meta HQ in Menlo Park, Zuckerbergs homes are said to be kitted out with the latest AI-assisted modifications.

The main Zuckerberg family estate comes with a saltwater pool, a decadent sun room, five bedrooms, and five bathrooms, according to Architectural Digest.

Private security guards have been spotted lingering in cars, filming visitors, and even questioning passersby along the sidewalk, according to The Times.

Aaron McLear, Zuckerberg and Chans spokesman, recently told the Times that the couple fought hard to appease their neighbors. But credible threats to Meta, Mclear argues, require the homes to be heavily surveilled.

Billionaires everywhere are used to just making their own rules  Zuckerberg and Chan are not unique, except that theyre our neighbors, Kieschnick added.

The $23 million Washington, D.C., mansion

open image in gallery Mark Zuckerberg was revealed as the cash buyer of a $23 million mansion in Washington D.C. in March ( Robert M Gurney, FAIA Architect/Anice Hoachlander )

Months earlier, Zuckerberg snapped up a $23 million mansion in the upscale Woodland Normanstone neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Zuckerbergs 15,000-square-foot home along 30th Street is nestled between embassies and luxury homes, and located just steps from Woodland-Normanstone Terrace Park and the U.S. Naval Observatory.

open image in gallery His new home is hidden on Google Maps ( Robert M Gurney, FAIA Architect/Anice Hoachlander )

Photos of the palatial home reveal big windows allowing for ample natural light, high ceilings, and warm features. Enveloped by trees, the modern home was designed to maintain the rhythm of the street and to respect the traditional Architecture found in the neighborhood, according to architect Robert Gurney.

Its new buyer was kept under wraps for months until a Politico spilled the beans. A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the home will allow Mark to spend more time [in D.C.] as Meta continues the work on policy issues related to American technology leadership.

open image in gallery Zuckerberg's latest property has been mysteriously blurred on Google Maps ( Google Maps )

The Hawaii megacomplex

open image in gallery Zuckerbergs Hawaii compound has been underway since 2014 ( Google Maps )

The most controversial jewel in Zuckerbergs property crown lies thousands of miles away in Hawaii.

On the island of Kauai, he has spent over $100 million assembling a 1,400-acre mega-compound known as Koolau Ranch, according to WIRED.

Beginning in 2014, the estate has expanded to include at least two mansions with 57,000 square feet of combined floor space, a 5,000-square-foot underground bunker, and over 30 bedrooms and bathrooms.

Cloaked by 6-foot walls, the tech barons sprawling tropical estate is shrouded in secrecy and designed to be self-sufficient in case of extreme emergencies.

open image in gallery The billionaires mansion covers at least 1,400 acres and the public is barred from even catching a glimpse of the complex ( Getty/iStock )

Yet, his Hawaiian venture has attracted fierce criticism from the local community.

The islands 74,000 residents, many of whom are Native Hawaiian or descendants of plantation workers, have witnessed the building of his passion projects with mounting frustration.

In June 2020, over a million people signed a petition accusing Zuckerberg of colonizing Kauai, citing a series of lawsuits and land disputes.

The secrecy surrounding the compound became more controversial following a string of tragic workplace incidents.

In 2023, a 53-year-old crane operator was severely injured on site. Even more troubling was the death of 70-year-old security guard Rodney Medeiros in 2019, who collapsed after a 12-hour shift. His family filed legal claims, citing poor conditions and the restrictive non-disclosure agreements that kept his death tightly under wraps.

The ordeal grew more complicated over time, as the family became frustrated by the omission of detail regarding their loved ones death and the NDAs limits, according to Wired.

A glittering Lake Tahoe retreat

open image in gallery Zuckerberg owns two estates nestled in the brush of Lake Tahoe and again, shrouded by immense secrecy ( Getty/iStock )

Zuckerberg also owns luxury estates on Lake Tahoes west shore, acquired for $59 million in late 2018 and early 2019, according to San Francisco Gate.

The properties, named Carousel and Brushwood, were purchased through NDAs and are located on pristine lakefront land.

Both are used as vacation getaways for his family.

From Silicon Valley to D.C., Kauai to Lake Tahoe, Zuckerbergs real estate acquisitions reflect not only his saturated wealth status but also a strategic and controversial power play when it boils down to seeking power and influence.

The Independent contacted Meta and Zuckerbergs lawyer for comment.
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Before President Trumps tete-a-tete with Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was already downplaying the stakes.

Wednesday morning, she described the summit as a listening exercise  which is, frankly, a relief. After all, when youre a time-poor autocrat juggling a Monday invasion, a midweek labor camp opening, and a weekend of jailing political opponents, its easy to feel unheard.

Sure, Putin invaded Ukraine. And yes, countless people have suffered ... on both sides. But perhaps  and I think we can all agree this is the real tragedy here  no one has taken the time to validate his feelings.

So it was heartening, then, to see Vlad and Donald touch down on Alaskan soil midday Friday and greet each other with warmth: a smattering of applause from Trump, a weirdly prolonged handshake, and then the two friends sliding into the same back seat  a notable break in protocol  for the drive to their meeting.

Waiting for them on the tarmac was a stage emblazoned ALASKA 2025, festival-style, primed for the photo-op. Meanwhile, at least seven civilians had just been killed in Ukraine by Russian missiles.

Like old friends catching up for the first time in ages, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump met warmly on the tarmac of a US military base in Alaska Friday. ( AFP via Getty Images )

When they emerged again for a post-meeting press conference, earlier than expected, it was clear a good time had been had by all. They had agreed on most points, said Trump. He was going to call up NATO, he added, saying, I will, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting." Very good of him.

They should meet, Putin added, but next time in Moscow.

Trump laughed at that point, calling his suggestion an interesting one.

Ill get a little heat on that one, the American president added, but I could see it possibly happening. The two men leaned in toward each other and smiled, like they were sharing an inside joke.

The bottom line: a nebulous amount of progress made, some headway, stuff to talk about, but there's no deal until there's a deal.

Ah well. Maybe Vlad just needs more time. Im pretty sure, however, that he already got what he came for  and that the joke is on America.

Contrast the kid-gloves treatment of everybodys favorite dictator with the treatment of Volodymyr Zelensky a few months ago, when he visited the White House. Indeed, it is hard to recall another Oval Office meeting where an allied head of state was treated quite like the Ukrainian president was in February.

Lest we forget, Zelensky had arrived to discuss a minerals deal that might have bolstered his countrys three-year fight for survival. He left having been publicly chided, mid-meeting, for disrespect and insufficient gratitude. Trump accused him of gambling with World War III, while JD Vance, in full Wormtail mode, jumped in to ask: Have you even said thank-you once? It was both difficult and embarrassing to watch.

This is the asymmetry at the heart of Trump-era foreign policy: allies get the tongue-lashing, rivals get the literal red carpet.

Zelenskys reward for resisting an existential threat was a televised scolding. Putins reward for creating it has been years of deference and flattery. Recall the Helsinki summit, where Trump sided with the Russian leader over his own intelligence agencies, or the warm praise for Putins genius. Too self-satisfied to realize hes been manipulated, The Donald simply keeps walking into the same trap, over and over again.

Trump himself seems to have realized how poor his own negotiating skills are in the past few weeks. Putins not a blowhard like his American counterpart; he just does what he feels like, and everyone else be damned.

Indeed, it was Donald himself who put it best in a press conference earlier in July where he described his ongoing efforts to help broker an end to the war in Ukraine thus: I get home, I say to the First Lady, I had the most wonderful talk with Vladimir. I think we are finished, to which Melania will apparently respond in kind: Thats funny, because they just bombed a nursing home.

Therein lies the entire issue. Trump is brittle and easily manipulated; Putin talks him round again and again. Trump leaves those conversations utterly convinced of both Putins integrity and his own genius. Then Putin goes on dropping bombs and killing people. Its a familiar story thats played out not just in Russia, and that we can expect to play out anywhere where theres a strongman leader with a penchant for basic flattery.

And really, where better to stage this utterly redundant spectacle than Alaska  the state Trump accidentally referred to as Russia earlier this week, and which, of course, once belonged to the Russian Empire.

After all, isnt the whole point to start returning old territories to their former owners? Alaska, a place that is currently arranging citizen evacuations because of an uncontrolled glacier flood due to the effects of climate change, where water is thundering toward a dam called Suicide Basin. (Anchorage is on the other end of the state to where all that is happening in Juneau, meaning that Trump was able to fly right over Suicide Basin and shutter his Qatari-gifted Air Force One windows to the sight of climate catastrophe before he landed at a military base to meet with the man who started a war to talk about ending it.)

Alaska, the perfect place to propose  as leaks have suggested  that Russia has a West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine, since all available geopolitical sources suggest that solution has already played out so well for everyone involved.

And so the dance goes on, and tangible progress is not made but cameras and microphones and spotlights are perpetually trained on two geriatric egomaniacs. This kind of time-wasting theater always works in Russias favor.

The war will rumble on in Ukraine. The deal will never be made. Trump will get a few nice words, Putin will get his headlines.

And the rest of us are left with just the images of Donald and his little band of spray-tanned comrades marching about in the Alaskan summer, isolated together in a cold state in the middle of nowhere, with only a friendly dictator to keep them warm.
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The United States is embarking on an ambitious, multi-million dollar project in southern Texas to combat the threat of flesh-eating maggots, with plans to construct a $750m factory dedicated to breeding billions of sterile flies. This significant investment aims to prevent the New World screwworm from crossing the border from Mexico and devastating the American cattle industry.

Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, announced on Friday that the new facility, located on Moore Air Base outside Edinburg, Texas  approximately 20 miles from the border  is expected to begin producing and releasing sterile male screwworm flies into the wild within a year. Alongside this, the US Department of Agriculture plans to deploy $100m in advanced technology, including fly traps and lures, and enhance border security with "tick riders" on horseback and specially trained dogs to detect the parasite.

The US border will remain closed to imports of cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico until the pest is successfully pushed back south towards Panama. This follows three border closures in the past eight months, the most recent in July, after an infestation was reported about 370 miles from the Texas border.

American officials are gravely concerned that if the screwworm reaches Texas, its flesh-eating maggots could inflict billions of dollars in economic losses and further inflate already record-high retail beef prices. The parasite also poses a threat to wildlife, household pets, and, on occasion, humans.

"Farm security is national security," Ms Rollins stated during a news conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, alongside Texas Governor Greg Abbott. "All Americans should be concerned. But its certainly Texas and our border and livestock producing states that are on the front lines of this every day."

open image in gallery Mexico US Screwworm ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The screwworm was a persistent problem for the American cattle industry for decades until the US largely eradicated it in the 1970s by breeding and releasing sterile male flies. Fly factories on US soil were subsequently shut down.

The Mexican cattle industry has been severely impacted by both infestations and the resulting US import bans. Mexicos Agriculture ministry confirmed on Friday that Secretary Julio Berdegue Sacristan and Ms Rollins signed a screwworm control action plan. This includes monitoring with fly-attracting traps and mandating that livestock can only be moved within Mexico through government-certified corrals. On the X social media platform, Mr Berdegue expressed, "We will continue with conversations that lead to actions that will permit the reopening of livestock exports."

The new Texas factory will be the first on US soil in decades, marking a substantial increase in the US Department of Agriculture's investment in breeding and releasing sterile New World screwworm flies. The strategy relies on releasing sterile males in such large numbers that wild females are compelled to mate with them, resulting in sterile eggs that do not hatch. This eventually causes the wild fly population to dwindle, as females mate only once in their weekslong lives.

The US plans to build a $750M fly factory in Texas to stop a flesh-eating cattle parasite Show all 3

In June, Ms Rollins announced a separate plan to convert an existing fruit fly breeding factory for screwworms, along with a site near Edinburg for gathering flies imported from Panama and releasing them from small aircraft. Those projects are estimated to cost $29.5m. While the Panama factory can breed up to 117 million flies a week, and a new Mexican factory is expected to produce up to 100 million more weekly, the new Texas facility is projected to produce up to 300 million flies per week. Ms Rollins noted that the administration of President Donald Trump had sought to end the USs reliance on foreign fly breeding.

"Its a tactical move that ensures we are prepared and not just reactive, which is today what we have really been working through," Ms Rollins concluded.

___

Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. Associated Press writer Fabiola Sanchez in Mexico City contributed reporting.
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President Donald Trump hand-delivered Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter from First Lady Melania Trump on the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia, according to a new report that cites White House officials.

Trump met with Putin for nearly three hours on Friday at a U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska. In their first meeting in six years the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine. Trump has pushed for peace in the region but no ceasefire deal came out of the talks.

Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia, wrote Putin a letter that mentioned the abductions of children in the over three-year war, which Trump gave to Putin at the summit, two White House officials told Reuters.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter from First Lady Melania Trump about missing children, according to White House officials ( Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images )

While the exact number of missing children remains unclear, the Institute for the Study of War reported in March Ukraine verified nearly 19,500 children have been deported by Russia. But the research non-profit said, The true figure is likely to be much higher because Russia frequently targets vulnerable children without anyone to speak for them.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of the war crimes of unlawfully deporting children and unlawfully transferring them from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the questions raised by the ICC outrageous and unacceptable, Reuters reported at the time. He also mentioned Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the court, so any decisions of this kind are null and void for the country.

Prior to Fridays summit, Trump had spoken on the phone with Putin on several occasions, but it didnt seem to move the needle on the war in Ukraine. In recent months, Trump grew more frustrated with the Russian leader, as he continued his military campaign in Ukraine.

open image in gallery Trump met with Putin for nearly three hours on Friday at a U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska ( Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images )

Last month, Trump talked about Melania reminding him of the deadly toll of Russias bombardments on Ukraine.

I go home, I tell the first lady, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation. And she says, Oh really, another city was just hit, he said from the Oval Office.

open image in gallery Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia, mentioned the abductions of children in the Russia-Ukraine war in the letter, according to the officials ( Samuel Corum/Getty Images )

During a joint speech to reporters Friday, where neither leader took questions, Trump called his meeting with Putin very productive.

Later in a Fox News interview with host Sean Hannity, Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was notably not invited to the summit, to make a deal with Putin.
A main battle tank is seen during a military parade of Armed Forces Day in Warsaw, Poland, on Aug. 15, 2025. Poland celebrated its Armed Forces Day on Friday with a grand parade along the Vistula River in Warsaw, featuring more than 4,000 soldiers. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

A Polish soldier salutes from atop a military vehicle during a military parade of Armed Forces Day in Warsaw, Poland, on Aug. 15, 2025. Poland celebrated its Armed Forces Day on Friday with a grand parade along the Vistula River in Warsaw, featuring more than 4,000 soldiers. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

Soldiers march in formation during a military parade of Armed Forces Day in Warsaw, Poland, on Aug. 15, 2025. Poland celebrated its Armed Forces Day on Friday with a grand parade along the Vistula River in Warsaw, featuring more than 4,000 soldiers. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

A formation of Polish Air Force trainer aircraft flies over during a military parade of Armed Forces Day in Warsaw, Poland, on Aug. 15, 2025. Poland celebrated its Armed Forces Day on Friday with a grand parade along the Vistula River in Warsaw, featuring more than 4,000 soldiers. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

A paratrooper performs during a military parade of Armed Forces Day in Warsaw, Poland, on Aug. 15, 2025. Poland celebrated its Armed Forces Day on Friday with a grand parade along the Vistula River in Warsaw, featuring more than 4,000 soldiers. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)
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On Thursday, Gavin Newsom announced that he would ask the California legislature to vote to put an initiative to redraw the states congressional districts on the ballot in November.

This, of course, came in response to Texas Republicans, acting on behalf of Donald Trump, attempting to redraw their maps to give additional seats to the GOP in the House of Representatives. All the while, Newsom has roundly mocked Trump and, on social media, mimicked the presidents all-caps style of posting.

Newsom is clearly eyeing a run for president. But hes also offering something unique: between his bombastic tone and his ability to grab headlines, hes offering Democrats their own version of Trumpism.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is feeding Democrats red meat. Will it pay off? ( Getty Images )

When Trump first ran for president and then later stepped into the Oval Office, Republicans regularly would say, At least he fights. That refrain allowed them to accept Trump calling Mexicans rapists, impugning prisoners of war and his bragging about grabbing women without their consent.

The guy's a generational talent, Mike Madrid, a Hispanic political consultant from California who worked for Republicans, told The Independent. Most people rely on their own skillset. He's able to adjust, see the political terrain and fight on that terrain and win.

And Madrid saw Newsoms skill up close in person when he worked on the campaign for Newsoms 2018 opponent, former Los Angeles Democratic mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. That was the case in 2004, when Newsom presided over same-sex marriages during his time as mayor of San Francisco. In 2008, he famously said, This door's wide open now. It's going to happen, whether you like it or not.

He is best in times of tension and conflict, Madrid said.

Its a major change of fortune for Newsom. After Trumps victory in 2024, he faced severe criticism for his handling of the wildfires in Southern California.

When he launched his podcast at the beginning of 2025, he took heat from other Democrats when he agreed with conservative activist Charlie Kirk about transgender athletes in womens sports. To this day, many Democrats and LGBT+ activists remain salty.

But many Democrats still find themselves pleased with his actions against Trump. In June, he sued the Trump administration for sending the National Guard into Los Angeles to quell protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

Now, hes taking Trump on directly, and it seems to have appeal.

Earlier this year, Shannon Watts, a Democratic activist who raised $11 million last year for Kamala Harris, had largely refrained from giving money to Democrats in disappointment at the partys inability to stand up to Trump.

But this week, she contributed to Newsoms campaign.

I have been waiting for Democrats to meet the moment and to show some fight and to stand up to this administration that is so clearly wanting to be authoritarian, she told The Independent.

And this is less of me saying with my money, oh, this is the person that I think will be president. It's more of a vote of a thank you so much for doing what is expected of elected officials and politicians in this moment.

Newsom still has his weaknesses, of course. He famously faced a recall in 2021 after facing backlash for dining indoors at the French Laundry restaurant without a mask during the pandemic. And his policies of banning homeless encampments have also angered progressives. This is to say nothing of the fact that if he runs, he will have the Liberal San Francisco mayor label that might put off swing voters.

But Watts said her contribution was not an endorsement of him as the Democratic nominee in 2028.

I had people in my thread say when I tweeted that I was donating, You know, he's not the one, Watts said. That's not the point. This is not about in 2025 who is going to be the Democratic nominee. This is about who is leading the pack in fighting in ways that are new and different, inventive and effective.

Polling consistently shows that Democratic voters increasingly do not like their leaders and see them as rolling over for Trump. That has, in turn, led to Democrats yearning for someone to fill the gap, Lakshya Jain, a co-founder of the politics website Split Ticket, told The Independent.

There's not really any way for Democrats to fight against Trump right now, he said. Because what letters do they have? They don't control any branch of government. They don't control the Supreme Court, but what is true is they do control the state of California, and the state of California has nine Republicans and a lot of blue turf that's kind of wasted on certain incumbents.

That allows Newsom to step out in front and say he is the first one to stand against Texass actions. Specifically, the Texas Democrats who decamped to blue states said they would return to Texas because California would respond in kind if Texas passed their new maps.

2028 is a long way off and plenty could change. Other candidates might be able to prove Newsom is a paper tiger. But then again, plenty of Republicans waited for Trump to implode and he laid waste to them.

On Friday, as Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Newsoms office fired off another Trumpian all-caps tweet.

MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT DONALD J. WOULD CONSIDER GIVING AWAY THE FREE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO HIS BEST FRIEND VLADIMIR PUTIN  ALL BECAUSE I, GAVIN C. NEWSOM, STOLE THE CAMERAS THIS WEEK WITH THE MAPS, he posted.
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The mayor of New Orleans had been treating her bodyguard to trips on the taxpayers dime during their years-long affair, a new federal grand jury indictment alleges.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted on Friday resulting from a corruption investigation.

Cantrells lawyer confirmed to The Associated Press that an indictment was returned, and her name was read aloud by a federal magistrate judge as a defendant. She has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and making false statements and false declaration before a grand jury, according to the indictment.

The city of New Orleans told NBC News it will have no comment on the indictment until the mayors legal team has time to review the indictments.

The Mayors attorney, Eddie Castaing, recently received the information, and is thoroughly reviewing the document, the statement said. Until his review is complete, the City will not comment further on this matter.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted by a federal grand jury in a corruption case that alleges she was carrying on an inappropriate relationship with her taxpayer-funded bodyguard and using city money for their dates. She has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements and false declaration before a grand jury (  2024 The Advocate )

The indictment is the culmination of a long-running federal investigation into Cantrell, the first female mayor in the Citys 300-year history.

Prosecutors allege that Cantrell was having a romantic relationship with New Orleans Police Officer Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, who is on the departments executive protection unit. That relationship allegedly occurred between 2021 and 2024.

Cantrell was married during the period of the alleged affair to attorney Jason Cantrell. He died in August 2023.

To hide their relations from detection and to maximize their time together, Cantrell and Vappie exploited their public positions to develop and implement a scheme to defraud the city of New Orleans and the New Orleans Police Department by engaging in personal activities while Vappie claimed to be on duty and was paid for, the indictment says.

They further claimed that the pair had exchanged some 15,000 messages, photos, and audio clips on WhatsApp over an eight-month period. The investigators also allege that Cantrell and Vappie were using the app to intimidate their subordinates and hide evidence.

Vappie and Cantrell traveled together on 14 trips in eight months, several of which were romantic vacations under the pretense of work trips, according to prosecutors.

In total, the city spent $70,000 to sent Vappie along with the mayor on her trips  which in some cases included visits to wine tastings  the prosecutors claimed.

Vappie was initially charged with wire fraud and making false statements. He has pleaded not guilty. Cantrell was added to the case after an investigation into Vappies actions.

If the pair are convicted, both could go to prison, though for how long varies based on the indictment. Some indictments carry a five-year penalty, and others could put them away for up to 20.

The term-limited Democratic mayor will leave office in January.
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There were several moments where President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin exchanged words without interpreters at the high-stakes summit in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine  sparking debate about whether or not Putin speaks English.

They joked on the red carpet the Trump administration had rolled out for the Russian strongman in Anchorage and conversed in the backseat of the presidents armored limousine, dubbed The Beast.

The car ride was an opportunity for the two leaders to be alone together, aside from security and the driver.

While its unlikely the wider world will ever know what the two men discussed, commentators and experts weighed in on what we do knowPutin has a firm grasp of the English language.

When journalists shouted questions to Putin, one being will you stop killing civilians? Putin pointed to his ear and shrugged, appearing to suggest he either did not catch the question or he did not understand. Putin also pulled strange facial expressions when the media yelled questions at him when he arrived at the base.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ride in the back of The Beast, the U.S. presidents limousine. ( via REUTERS )

Putins own spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in 2021 that the Russian leader, who is also fluent in German, speaks such good English that he sometimes even corrects the translators.

Putin's English is much better than he lets on, John Sullivan, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, told CBS: He's not as fluent in English as he is in German, he can converse with the German chancellor in flawless German. His English isn't quite as good, but he could have a conversation with the president in English that President Trump would understand.

Putin skeptics expressed concern that the Russian and Trump spoke alone in the back of the Beast.

I am a firm believer that whatever was said between Trump and Putin (whose English is good enough) privately in The Beast for several minutes without witnesses is the real reason for this whole last minute summit, speculated Democratic commentator Julie Roginsky on X. And I am not so sure it was just about Ukraine.

The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group, pointed out Putins command of English in a post on X. The group shared the clip of a reporter asking Putin whether he would stop killing civilians in Ukraine, when the leader tapped his ear and did not answer.

Putin speaks English, by the way, said the account.

open image in gallery Putin pointed to his ear and shrugged, appearing to suggest he either could not catch the question or he did not understand, when a reporter asked him whether he would stop killing civilians in Ukraine. ( REUTERS )

Canadian Senator Charles Adler also shared the same clip. Putin can pretend he doesn't understand English. Truth is, he's a former KGB agent, conversant with several languages, Adler said in a post on X. He likely speaks English at a higher level than Trump. On the other hand, so does a '57 Dodge.

Kyiv-based journalist Euan MacDonald said that the Russian delegation had an advantage over the Americans in the crucial peace talks.

The summit behind closed doors had stretched more than two hours at the time of writing and included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff as well as Russian minister of foreign affairs Sergey Lavrov and Russian policy adviser Yury Ushakova.

Russian delegates Ushakov and Lavrov are both fluent in English.Rubio and Witkoff do not speak Russian, MacDonald said in a post on BlueSky. Big advantage for Putin over Trump. You can bet Ushakov and Lavrov will listen carefully to what the U.S. delegation say among themselves.

Interpreters on both sides are translating the summit.

Trump had said previously that he would know within two minutes of speaking with Putin whether hed want to end the war.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a short response to reporters questions about his invasion of Ukraine during his summit withPresident Donald Trump in Alaska.

As the pair met in Alaska, MSNBC reported that journalists shouted various questions at Putin about the invasion of Ukraine and his talks with the president, including, How can President Trump trust you?

The translator told MSNBC that Putin responded with a dismissive three word response: Let it go, let it go.

Putin and Trump met for nearly three hours on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage to discuss Russias war on Ukraine, which began more than three years ago. The pair announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach a ceasefire agreement.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. In response to reporters questions about his invasion of Ukraine and his meeting with Trump, Putin responded, let it go ( Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images )

Before the meeting, Trump told Fox News that he wont be happy walking away without some form of a ceasefire. The president then changed course early Saturday morning, writing on Truth Social that he will now advocate for a peace agreement, rather than a ceasefire.

Trump greeted Putin on a red carpet at the military base on Friday afternoon. Putin, in a surprise move, didnt ride to the base in his own limousine. Instead, he rode with Trump inside his armored vehicle known as The Beast. There, the pair had a chance to talk privately en route to the summit.

Trump was originally set to have a one-on-one meeting with Putin, but they instead held a three-on-three discussion. Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and aide Yuri Ushakov joined Putin.

Putin and Trump both appeared optimistic after their meeting. Trump noted that there were many points that we agreed on, but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there.

We've made some headway, Trump said Friday. So there's no deal until there's a deal. I will call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And I'll, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.

open image in gallery Trump and Putin speak after their summit in Alaska on Friday. The pair appeared optimistic despite not reaching an agreement ( Getty Images )

Putin described Ukraine, which he ordered a full-scale invasion of in February 2022, as Russias brotherly nation in his statement following the talks.

I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well, Putin said, via a translator. Naturally we are prepared to work on that, I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.

Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to arrive in Washington, D.C. on Monday to meet with Trump himself. Trump told Fox News on Friday he would advise Zelensky that he has gotta make a deal with Russia.

Russias a very big power, Trump added. And theyre not.

Trump insisted on Truth Social on Saturday that the talks went well, including a debrief afterwards with Zelensky and other European leaders, as he argued that a peace agreement rather than a ceasefire was the preferred response.

The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO, Trump wrote.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, he said.
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Just minutes after the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin kicked off, social media users have already turned Putins expression into a meme.

Although the world leaders first one-on-one meeting in seven years was supposed to be focused on Russias war in Ukraine, the Russian presidents facial expressions  a series of befuddled looks, eyes darting around with a furrowed brow  seem to have already stolen the show. Putin made the faces when reporters bombarded him with questions in the first few moments of the summit.

X users quickly turned his expressions into memes.

Confused when asked real questions, one X user wrote.

Me pretending not to hear my coworker asking for help setting up the Teams meetings, yet another quipped.

Social media users made a meme out of Russian President Vladimir Putins facial expressions as reporters bombarded him with questions at the summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska ( REUTERS )

TFW you remember youre in a country where you cant just poison the press when they get too loud, another remarked.

What am I even doing here? What the f*** are they saying? another said.

The RT X account, formerly Russia Today, also remarked on the questions being yelled at Putin, posting a clip of another moment from the summit: American press shout questions at Putin, but Russian prez plays it cool.

Earlier in the day, Trump told Fox News Channel's Bret Baier on Air Force One on the way to Alaska, he has high hopes for a ceasefire: I wouldnt be thrilled if I didnt get it.

The U.S. President expressed he hopes for a second meeting on Russias war in Ukraine.

Before landing, Trump posted a brief, yet ominous, message on Truth Social: HIGH STAKES!!!

He has vowed that the Russian president is not going to mess around with him as he tries to secure a ceasefire deal.

On Thursday, Putin hailed Trumps sincere efforts towards ending the war in Ukraine, telling Kremlin officials the U.S. is making quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the fighting.

Both world leaders touched down in Anchorage on Friday morning.

Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, greeting the leader warmly before they both hopped into U.S. Presidents limousine, nicknamed The Beast.

The meeting began at 11 a.m. local time. The summit marks the first time Trump and Putin have seen one another in six years. They last spoke face-to-face at the G20 in Osaka, Japan in 2019.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not be making an appearance at Fridays high-stakes meeting. But Trump has floated the idea of bringing in European leaders, including Zelensky, for a second round of negotiations.
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The highly anticipated talks between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin ended with no firm agreement on stopping the three-year war in Ukraine, as both leaders took notably different stances speaking after the high-stakes summit in Alaska.

At what was billed as a press conference following a nearly three-hour meeting between the two leaders and their top aides Friday, Putin attempted to set the terms when he spoke first after both emerged on the stage at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage.

Putin appeared optimistic about the talks as he said he and Trump had come to agreements and described Ukraine  the sovereign nation he invaded and has been pillaging since March 2022  as Russias brotherly nation and claimed Russia wants to end the conflict.

By contrast, Trump followed in brief comments and said firmly: Theres no deal until theres a deal.

I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well, said Putin, via a translator. Naturally we are prepared to work on that, I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.

We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they won't throw a wrench in the works," Putin cautioned, before warning Europe against "backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress.

open image in gallery Putin attempted to set the terms when he began speaking first after both emerged onto the stage at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage. ( REUTERS )

Putin repeated oft-used lines about addressing what he calls the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict,meaning his desire for Ukraine to end any ambitions to integrate with the West by joining the European Union or NATO, and said any settlement in the conflict must consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in world on the whole.

But moments later, Trump torpedoed Putin's claim to have reached an agreement, telling reporters instead that there were many points that we agreed on during the talks but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there.

So there's no deal until there's a deal, Trump said.

The president stressed that any future deal would have to receive assent from the Ukrainian government as well as America's NATO allies, and said he'd be calling up ... the various people that I think are appropriate, as well as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to read them in on what transpired behind closed doors today.

open image in gallery Trump torpedoed Putin's claim to have reached an agreement, telling reporters instead that there were many points that we agreed on during the talks but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there. ( REUTERS )

Trump added that the meeting, in his estimation, had been very productive and included many points that had been agreed to, and said there was a "good chance" of reaching some sort of accord going forward.

A second meeting has been floated in recent days by Trump but has not been confirmed.

Putin suggested to Trump in English: Next time in Moscow, which the president said he could get a little heat for but added he could see it possibly happening.

The leaders did not take questions from reporters and swiftly walked off the stage.

There was no mention of a possible land swap of Ukrainian territories that Trump previously suggested, which he said would be to the betterment of both sides.

The reality that Ukraine will lose territory in a peace agreement has been accepted by Zelensky in recent months.

open image in gallery The president stressed that any future deal would have to receive assent from the Ukrainian government as well as America's NATO allies. ( Getty Images )

The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, conceded Friday that Ukraine may have to give up territory as a temporary solution towards peace.

One of the scenarios is to give up territory. It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary, Klitschko told the BBC. But he stressed that the Ukrainian people would "never accept occupation" by Russia.

Russia occupies about a fifth of Ukraine, from the countrys northeast to the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed illegally in 2014.

The front line is vast and cuts across six regions  the active front stretches for at least 1,000 kilometres (680 miles)  but if measured from along the border with Russia, it reaches as far as 2,300 kilometres (1,430 miles).

Russia controls almost all of the Luhansk region and almost two-thirds of Donetsk region, which together comprise the Donbas, as the strategic industrial heartland of Ukraine is called.

Russia has long coveted the area and illegally annexed it in the first year of the full-scale invasion, even though it did not control much of it at the time.
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Pundits  including some from Fox News  believed U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to be steamrolled by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the world leaders summit in Alaska.

The highly anticipated meeting in Anchorage on Friday ended after around three hours with little clarity. Both leaders suggested progress had been made on talks about the future of the war in Ukraine but neither disclosed details during their joint appearance in front of the worlds press where neither took questions from journalists.

Putin spoke first, an atypical move for statements with the U.S. president on U.S. soil, touting the agreement that we've reached together.

While Trump called the meeting extremely productive and said the pair made great progress, he emphasized no agreement had been reached: Theres no deal until theres a deal.

Former government officials and commentators seemed to overwhelmingly agree that Putin walked away from the meeting triumphant.

open image in gallery Pundits overwhelmingly believe President Donald Trump was steamrolled by with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the pair met during a high stakes meeting in Alaska ( REUTERS )

John Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser during his first administration, told CNN that Putin came off victorious: "Trump did not lose but Putin clearly won.

Putin achieved most of what he wanted and Trump achieved very little, he told the network.

Bolton then said Trump looked drained: I thought Trump looked very tired up there. I mean, very tired. Not disappointed, tired."

California Governor Gavin Newsom also remarked on Trumps energy levels on X, writing in a style that hes been using recently to troll the U.S. president. TRUMP JUST FLED THE PODIUM WITH PUTIN  NO QUESTIONS, NOTHING! TOTAL LOW ENERGY. THE MAN LOOKED LIKE HED JUST EATEN 3 BUCKETS OF KFC WITH VLAD, the governor wrote.

MSNBC host Jen Psaki, who is the former White House Press Secretary for Joe Biden, said the meeting similarly appeared to be a big victory for Putin, who was greeted warmly in Alaska by Trump.

For a decade now, Vladimir Putin has been isolated on the world stage, Psaki said, noting Russias ousting from the G8 in 2014 and the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant for Putin in 2023. Today that isolation ended and he was welcomed back on U.S. soil.

She added: "That is the big victory for Vladimir Putin today.

Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, who was reporting from Anchorage, said the Russian president steamrolled his U.S. counterpart.

The way that it felt in the room was not good. It did not seem like things went well. And it seemed like Putin came in and steamrolled, got right into what he wanted to say and got his photo next to the president and then left, Heinrich said.

open image in gallery Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin when he arrived in Alaska, giving the Russian leader a warm welcome on U.S. soil ( REUTERS )

Michael McFaul, the former U.S. Ambassador to Russia under Barack Obama, told MSNBC that the meeting outcome was unfavorable to both Ukraine and America: Even the most minimal, minimal outcome, which is agreement to a trilateral meeting with Presidents Zelensky, Putin and Trump, was not announced today. So there was no outcome that was good for the Ukrainian people. But I want to say this was bad for the American people.

He believed the meeting showed the U.S. normalizing imperialism, terrorism, annexation, and dictatorship, he said. America has "always been the leader of the free world. It certainly didnt feel that way tonight.

Despite the criticism, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity on Friday evening that on a scale of 1 to 10, the president believed the meeting was a 10.

NewsNation host Leland Vittert said he believed Putin "rolled over" in the pairs speech to press and did everything to ingratiate himself to Trump. Vittert said its unclear whether Putin did the same during negotiations.

The Russian president used endearing terms including calling the U.S. a dear neighbor.

Putin also echoed one of Trumps oft-repeated claims, suggesting that the war in Ukraine would not have started if Trump had remained in office after the 2020 election.

Earlier in the day, Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin, greeting him warmly before they hopped into the U.S. presidents armored stretch vehicle, known as The Beast.

Fox News host Laura Ingraham similarly defended the U.S. president. Anyone saying that the Trump- Putin meeting was a failure is ignorant, biased or both, she wrote on X. Dealing with the Russians, forging peace, requires strength, knowledge, respect and patienceand thats what we saw from Donald Trump today. This was a step forward.

At the end of the meeting, the Russian leader proposed the pair have their next meeting in Moscow.

Thats an interesting one, Ill get a little heat on that one, Trump replied. But I could see it possibly happening.
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U.S. State Department documents containing sensitive government information were discovered on a public printer at an Alaska hotel, two hours before a high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Eight pages  containing a schedule, several phone numbers of government employees, and a luncheon menu  were found in a public hotel printer at Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, a 20-minute drive from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where the two world leaders met Friday to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine.

Three guests staying at Hotel Captain Cook found the pages around 9 a.m. Friday, two hours before the summit began, according to NPR. Its not clear who left the papers but seven of the pages were produced by the Office of the Chief of Protocol, according to images obtained by NPR, which is part of the State Department.

The hotel, which has 550 rooms, declined to comment on where the printers were located.

Tommy Pigott, the State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, told The Independent in a statement: Instead of covering the historic steps towards peace achieved at Fridays summit, NPR is trying to make a story out of a lunch menu. Ridiculous."

A White House spokesperson told NPR that abandoning the documents in a public printer was not considered a security breach. The Independent has also contacted the White House about the incident, who was responsible for handling the documents, and whether it is considered a security breach.

open image in gallery State Department papers were left in a public printer at an Alaska hotel, near the military base where the Trump-Putin summit was held, revealing details about the high stakes meeting ( AFP via Getty Images )

The first five pages contain the sequence of the days events, including the participants, locations, and times. Below the names of Putin and his Russian aides sits a pronunciation for each name. Under the Russian presidents name, the file suggests: POO-tihn."

The pages also contained phone numbers of government employees and a gift that Trump planned to give Putin, described as American Bald Eagle Desk Statue.

The sixth page showed a lunch seating chart. The two world leaders were seated at the center of the table, flanked on both sides by their respective officials, six for Trump and five for Putin.

open image in gallery Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chief of Protocol of the United States Monica Crowley after the Russian leader met with U.S. President Donald Trump ( AP )

The seating chart showed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and White House Chief Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff. Putins group would include his Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, his Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, and Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov.

The seventh page revealed the menu for lunch, which ended up being cancelled Friday. The first course would have offered a green salad with champagne vinaigrette dressing and sourdough bread with rosemary lemon butter. For the main course, there wouldve been a choice of either filet mignon with brandy peppercorn sauce or halibut Olympia. Buttery whipped potatoes and roasted asparagus were intended to be offered as sides while the planned dessert was creme brule with ice cream, the documents revealed.

The last document showed what appeared to be a stylized copy of the menu. At the top read: "Luncheon in honor of his excellency Vladimir Putin."

Speaking to NPR, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly brushed off the discovery as a "multi-page lunch menu" and suggested leaving the documents on a public printer was not a security breach.

open image in gallery Trump and Putin met at the Alaska military base on Friday afternoon to discuss an end to the war, more than three years after Russias invasion. The leaders announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach any kind of plan to end the war. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Trump administration has had several high-profile security breaches in its early months. In March, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent sensitive information about a planned U.S. military strike in Yemen to senior officials and a journalist from The Atlantic on the messaging platform, Signal. The incident, dubbed Signalgate, led to the ousting of Mike Waltz, Trumps national security adviser.

Other lawmakers and security experts lambasted the administration over the latest incident in Alaska.

How many more headlines are we going to read about INCOMPETENT security breaches by the Trump Admin??? Florida Democratic Congressman Darren Soto posted on X Saturday.

Jon Michaels, a UCLA law professor who specializes in national security law, told NPR the incident strikes me as further evidence of the sloppiness and the incompetence of the administration."

"You just don't leave things in printers. It's that simple, he added.

Trump and Putin met at the Alaska military base on Friday afternoon to discuss an end to the war, more than three years after Russias invasion. The leaders announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach any kind of plan to end the war.
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President Donald Trump insists Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has gotta make a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his Alaska summit with the Russian leader.

After the nearly three-hour meeting between the two leaders, with no agreement having been reached on the future of the war in Ukraine, Trump appeared for an interview on Fox News Hannity.

Host Sean Hannity asked what advice he would give to Zelensky and Trump replied: Make the deal. Gotta make a deal.

Russias a very big power. And theyre not, Trump said, adding that the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with weaponry.

Hours earlier, during a joint statement with Putin, where neither took questions, the U.S. president admitted that while great progress had been made, he emphasized: Theres no deal until theres a deal. Trump noted that he planned to call Zelensky and NATO members following the meeting.

On Fox News, Hannity asked Trump about next steps, alluding to the U.S. presidents previous comments about a possible meeting between Putin and Zelensky.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump urges Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin after his summit with Putin ended with what he called no deal ( Getty Images )

I don't know if I trust the two of them in a room alone together. I think it would be better if you are there, the Fox News host suggested.

Trump agreed: They both want me there, and I'll be there. You got to see it out.

What exactly was discussed in the high stakes meeting and what was agreed remains a mystery. Both Putin and Trump used vague terms to describe the meeting and refused to take questions from reporters.

Still, both men flattered one another in front of the worlds cameras.

The Russian president called the United States a dear neighbor. He also repeated one of Trumps claims: the war in Ukraine would not have started if Trump had remained in office after the 2020 election.

open image in gallery Asked about a potential meeting between Putin and Zelensky, Trump vowed he would attend: They both want me there, and I'll be there ( Getty Images )

Trump touted his fantastic relationship with his Russian counterpart and branded the meeting extremely productive.

The U.S. president continued laying on the praise for Putin during his interview with Hannity. I think we've agreed on a lot, and I can tell you, the meeting was a very warm meeting, he said.

Referring to Putin, he continued: He's a strong guy, he's tough as hell and all of that, but the meeting was a very warm meeting between two very important countries, and it's very good when they get along.

Earlier in the day, Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin, greeting him warmly before they jumped into his U.S. limousine, dubbed The Beast.

At the end of their joint speech to press Putin suggested the pair next meet on his home turf: Moscow.

Thats an interesting one, Ill get a little heat on that one, Trump replied. But I could see it possibly happening.

Following the summit, some pundits slammed Trumps performance. A Fox News host said he was steamrolled by Putin while former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Trumps warm welcome of the Russian leader dealt a big victory for Putin.

Despite the flack, Trump told Hannity he believed on a scale of one to 10, the meeting was a 10. Its good when two big powers get along, especially when theyre nuclear powers. Were number one, theyre number two in the world. And its a big deal. Thats a big deal, the U.S. president said.
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After a controversial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House on Monday.

Trump and Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday afternoon to discuss an end to Russias war on Ukraine, which began more than three years ago. The pair announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach any kind of plan to end the war.

Trump told Fox News ahead of the meeting that he wont be happy walking away without some form of a ceasefire. But Trump changed course early Saturday morning, writing on Truth Social that Ukraine and Russia should strive for a peace deal, rather than a ceasefire.

Trump spoke with Zelensky after the summit. The Ukrainian leader described the talk as a long and substantive conversation. Now hes heading to the White House for a face-to-face meeting with the president.

Heres what you need to know ahead of Trumps meeting with Zelensky:

open image in gallery Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday ( Getty Images )

Trump to meet with Zelensky at the White House

Trump revealed he will meet with Zelensky in the Oval Office on Monday. European leaders are invited to join the meeting, two senior European officials told The New York Times.

Trump told Fox News on Friday he would advise Zelensky that he has gotta make a deal with Russia.

Russias a very big power, Trump added. And theyre not.

Trump said if all works out, he will meet with Putin again.

The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO, Trump wrote. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of their summit in Alaska. Trump says leaders are now pushing for a peace agreement, rather than a ceasefire ( Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images )

Several European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, said in a statement they were briefed on Trumps meeting with Putin.

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump's statement that the U.S. is prepared to give security guarantees," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Zelensky said his call with Trump lasted more than 90 minutes.

Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion, Zelensky said. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation.

Zelensky said the U.S. should strengthen sanctions on Russia if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.

open image in gallery Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday. Starmer and other European leaders said they were briefed on Trumps meeting with Putin ( AP )

Some Ukrainian leaders say theyre concerned about a peace deal coming before a ceasefire.

In Putins view, a peace agreement means several dangerous things  Ukraine not joining NATO, his absurd demands for denazification and demilitarization, the Russian language and the Russian church, Oleksandr Merezhko, leader of the Ukrainian parliaments foreign affairs committee, told Reuters.

Our vision is a ceasefire, and then everything else. Why? Because if we negotiate before a ceasefire, this creates a high risk of blackmail for Ukraine, said Serhiy Leshchenko, an adviser to Zelenskys chief of staff, according to CNN.

Putin wants Ukraine to give up key region: reports

In their meeting, Putin told Trump that Ukraine must withdraw from the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions to end the war, the Financial Times reports, citing four people with direct knowledge of the discussion. These areas are within the Donbas, the name for Ukraines eastern industrial heartland.

The move would give Russia control of a territory its forces have partially occupied for more than 10 years, according to the Financial Times. In exchange, Putin reportedly said he would freeze his frontline forces in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Trump then communicated this to Zelensky and European leaders, the Financial Times reports.

The New York Times also reports that Trump told European leaders he believed peace could be reached if Zelensky ceded the rest of the Donbas to Russia, including areas not occupied by Russian troops, two senior European officials told The New York Times. In exchange, Putin said he would ensure a ceasefire in the rest of Ukraine and make a written promise not to attack the nation again, the Times reports.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

When did Zelensky last meet with Trump?

Zelensky last met with Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials in the Oval Office in March. However, the meeting quickly devolved into chaos. Trump accused Zelensky of gambling with World War Three, while Vance claimed the Ukrainian leader was disrespectful and ungrateful.

You don't have the cards right now, Trump told Zelensky in March. With us, you start having cards...you're gambling with the lives of millions of people.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speak amid a chaotic meeting at the White House in March ( AFP via Getty Images )

Brian Glenn, a correspondent for the conservative network Real Americas Voice, even asked Zelensky why he wasnt wearing a suit to the Oval Office meeting. Vance smiled at the question.

Why dont you wear a suit? Youre at the highest level in this countrys office, and you refuse to wear a suit, Glenn said.

"I will wear [a suit] after this war finishes. Maybe something like yours, maybe something better," Zelensky retorted.
KIEV, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war," Zelensky said in a post on X.

"We had a long and substantive conversation," he said, referring to an earlier phone call with Trump, which also involved some European leaders and lasted for more than an hour and a half.

Zelensky further said that about an hour of the call was dedicated to his one-on-one conversation with Trump.

"Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace," Zelensky said, voicing support for Trump's proposal to hold a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia.

"Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," he said.

Zelensky underscored the importance of ensuring that European countries are involved in the peace process in order to provide Ukraine with reliable security guarantees together with the United States.

According to Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne, the talks also involved European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte, as well as leaders of Italy, Germany, Finland, France, Poland and Britain.

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Friday in the U.S. state of Alaska. At a joint press conference afterward, the two leaders underscored progress had been made, though no formal deal was reached on the Ukraine crisis. 
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When Pope Leo XIV surprised tens of thousands of young people at a recent Holy Year celebration with an impromptu popemobile romp around St. Peters Square, it almost seemed as if some of the informal spontaneity that characterized Pope Francis 12-year papacy had returned to the Vatican.

But the message Leo delivered that night was all his own: In seamless English, Spanish and Italian, Leo told the young people that they were the salt of the Earth, the light of the world. He urged them to spread their hope, faith in Christ and their cries of peace wherever they go.

As Robert Prevost marks his 100th day as Pope Leo this weekend, the contours of his pontificate have begun to come into relief, primarily where he shows continuity with Francis and where he signals change. Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that after 12 sometimes turbulent years under Francis, a certain calm and reserve have returned to the papacy.

Leo seems eager above all to avoid polemics or making the papacy about himself, and wants instead to focus on Christ and peace.

That seems exactly what many Catholic faithful want, and may respond to what today's church needs.

Hes been very direct and forthright  but hes not doing spontaneous press hits, said Kevin Hughes, chair of theology and religious studies at Leos alma mater, Villanova University. Leo has a different style than Francis, and that has brought relief to many, Hughes said in a telephone interview.

Even those who really loved Pope Francis always kind of held their breath a little bit: You didnt know what was going to come out next or what he was going to do, Hughes said.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV greets faithful in St. Peter's Square at the end of a welcome mass for the Youth Jubilee at the Vatican, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Leo has certainly gone out of his way in his first 100 days to try to heal divisions that deepened during Francis pontificate, offering messages of unity and avoiding controversy at almost every turn. Even his signature issue  confronting the promise and peril posed by artificial intelligence  is something that conservatives and progressives alike agree is important. Francis' emphasis on caring for the environment and migrants often alienated conservatives.

Closer to home, Leo offered the Holy See bureaucracy a reassuring, conciliatory message after Francis occasionally authoritarian style rubbed some in the Vatican the wrong way.

Popes come and go, but the Curia remains, Leo told Vatican officials soon after his May 8 election.

open image in gallery Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Pope Leo XIV wave to journalists during their meeting in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Leo, though, has cemented Francis environmental legacy by celebrating the first-ever ecologically inspired Mass. He has furthered that legacy by giving the go-ahead for the Vatican to turn a 430-hectare (1,000-acre) field north of Rome into a vast solar farm that should generate enough electricity to meet Vatican Citys needs and turn it into the worlds first carbon-neutral state.

He has fine-tuned financial transparency regulations that Francis initiated, tweaked some other decrees to give them consistency and logic, and confirmed Francis in deciding to declare one of the 19th centurys most influential saints, John Henry Newman, a doctor of the church.

But he hasnt granted any sit-down, tell-all interviews or made headline-grabbing, off-the-cuff comments like his predecessor did. He hasnt made any major appointments, including to fill his old job, or taken any big trips.

In marking the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki last week, he had a chance to match Francis novel declaration that the mere possession of nuclear weapons was immoral. But he didnt.

Compared to President Donald Trump, the other American world leader who took office in 2025 with a flurry of Sharpie-penned executive decrees, Leo has eased into his new job slowly, deliberately and quietly, almost trying not to draw attention to himself.

At 69, he seems to know that he has time on his side, and that after Francis revolutionary papacy, the church might need a bit of a breather. One Vatican official who knows Leo said he expects his papacy will have the effect of a calming rain on the church.

Maria Isabel Ibarcena Cuarite, a Peruvian member of a Catholic charismatic group, said it was precisely Leos quiet emphasis on church traditions, its sacraments and love of Christ, that drew her and upward of 1 million young people to Rome for a special Jubilee week this month.

Ibarcena said Francis had confused young people like herself with his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and approval of blessings for same-sex couples. Such gestures went beyond what a pope was supposed to do and what the church taught, she thought.

Leo, she said, has emphasized that marriage is a sacrament between men and woman. Francis was ambiguous, but he is firm, she said.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV holds a Mass with young people participating in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

From his very first appearance on the loggia of St. Peters Basilica, Leo has insisted he is first and foremost a son of St. Augustine.  It was a reference to the fifth century theological and devotional giant of early Christianity, St. Augustine of Hippo, who inspired the 13th century religious Augustinian order as a community of mendicant friars.

Like the other big mendicant orders of the early church  the Franciscans, Dominicans and Carmelites  the Augustinians spread across Christian Europe over the centuries. Today, Augustinian spirituality is rooted in a deep interior life of prayer, living in community, and journeying together in search of truth in God.

In nearly every speech or homily since his May 8 election, Leo has cited Augustine in one way or another.

I see a kind of Augustinian flavor in the way that hes presenting all these things, said Hughes, the theology professor who is an Augustine scholar.

Leo joined the Augustinians after graduating from Augustinian-run Villanova, outside Philadelphia, and was twice elected its prior general. He has visited the Augustinian headquarters outside St. Peter's a few times since his election, and some wonder if he will invite some brothers to live with him in the Apostolic Palace to recreate the spirit of Augustinian community life there.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives to hold a Pentecost vigil in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Saturday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File) ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Leo is also very much a product of the Francis papacy. Francis named Prevost bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014 and then moved him to head one of the most important Vatican jobs in 2023  vetting bishop nominations. In retrospect, it seems Francis had his eye on Prevost as a possible successor.

Given Francis stump speech before the 2013 conclave that elected him pope, the then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio essentially described Prevost in identifying the church's mission today: He said the church was "called to go outside of itself and go to the peripheries, not just geographic but also the existential peripheries.

Prevost, who hails from Chicago, spent his adult life as a missionary in Peru, eventually becoming bishop of Chiclayo.

He is the incarnation of the unity of difference, because he comes from the center, but he lives in the peripheries, said Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Cuda said during a recent conference hosted by Georgetown University that Leo encapsulated in word and gesture the type of missionary church Francis promoted.

That said, for all Leo owes to Bergoglio, the two didnt necessarily get along.

Prevost has recounted that at one point when he was the Augustinian superior, the then-archbishop of Buenos Aires expressed interest in assigning an Augustinian priest to a specific job in his archdiocese.

And I, as prior general, said I understand, Your Eminence, but hes got to do something else and so I transferred him somewhere else, Prevost told parishioners in his home state of Illinois in 2024.

Prevost said he naively thought the Francis wouldnt remember him after his 2013 election, and that regardless hell never appoint me bishop due to the disagreement.

Bergoglio not only made him bishop, he laid the groundwork for Prevost to succeed him as pope, the first North American pope following the first South American.
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Vladimir Putin is demanding Ukraine surrender the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk provinces as a condition for ending the war.

The Russian leader told Donald Trump that he would be prepared to stop fighting on the rest of the frontline if Ukraine gave in to the demand and addressed the root causes of the conflict.

The concessions were discussed at the highly anticipated summit of the two leaders in Alaska on Friday, which ended with no peace deal despite nearly three hours of talks.

Sources close to the meeting told The Independent that the dramatic move appears to have been endorsed by Mr Trump as a means to bring an end to the war.

They said that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky would want to clarify this on Monday when he meets with Mr Trump in Washington DC.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump at a brief press conference after the summit in Alaska ( AP )

Mr Putins condition for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk, which make up the Donbas region, follow circulated reports on the demand ahead of Fridays summit.

The Russian president also said he would freeze the frontline in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where his forces occupy a large territory.

However, Putin made it clear that he would not fall back on core demands to resolve root causes of the conflict, that includes Ukraine becoming a neutral state and abandoning Nato aspirations.

The Donetsk region has been the centre of much of recent fighting, with Russian troops making a sudden thrust near the eastern town of Dobrophillya in the days before the summit.

While Russia controls almost all of Luhansk, it holds about 70 per cent of Donetsk.

Last week, Mr Zelensky insisted he would reject any proposal to withdraw from the industrial Donbas region, claiming it would open a bridgehead for a wider Russian offensive.

All eyes will now turn to his meeting with Mr Trump on Monday.

After Fridays summit, the US president said a permanent peace deal was now the best way to end the war, appearing to abandon aims at the summit for a ceasefire agreement.

He also told Fox News that he would advise Mr Zelensky to make a deal. Yeah. Look, Russia is a very big power, and theyre not, he said when asked what he would say.

open image in gallery Zelensky has previously said no to suggestions to give up land to Russia as part of peace talks ( Getty )

Speaking ahead of Mondays meeting, Mr Zelensky said: I plan to discuss all the details regarding the end of the killings, the end of the war with President Trump in Washington on Monday. Grateful for the invitation.

On Saturday, Putin, who also plans to visit Washington to meet Mr Trump, said Fridays meeting was timely and useful. The US and Russia are now closer to making appropriate decisions, Putin added.

Meanwhile, European leaders have been piling pressure on Mr Trump not to cave to Putins demands.

They also support Mr Zelensky in his demand for security guarantees as part of a peace deal, to deter Russia from invading again in the future.

Sir Keir Starmer and leaders from Italy, France and Germany were also on the call with Mr Zelensky during a conference call with the US president after Fridays summit.

open image in gallery Starmer says Trumps efforts have brought the war closer to an end ( PA )

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said the security guarantees  inspired by the transatlantic Nato alliance's Article 5  had been the most interesting development at the summit.

Speaking at the press conference after the summit, Putin, who has hitherto opposed involving foreign ground forces, said he agreed with Mr Trump that Ukraine's security must be "ensured".

On Sunday afternoon, the coalition of the willing, a group of countries that have pledged to protect Ukraine, including the UK, will meet. The prime minister, France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Friedrich Merz will host the meeting. The coalition, made up of 30-plus nations, is prepared to deter Russian aggression by putting troops on the ground in Ukraine once the war is over.

In a statement on Saturday, Sir Keir said: President Trumps efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russias illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended. While progress has been made, the next step must be further talks involving President Zelensky.
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The highly-anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin had been hailed as an essential and crucial step in forging a path towards peace in wartorn Ukraine.

Three hours later, both leaders emerged claiming that the summit had been a success and productive. Yet no ceasefire deal has been struck, and little information has been given as to what was actually discussed behind closed doors.

In Moscow, the meeting has been praised as a success, while in the West, it has left more questions than answers.

Here are the top takeaways from Alaska:

Red carpet treatment for Putin

In what is likely to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Ukrainians, Putins arrival in Anchorage was given nothing short of a VIP celebrity welcome.

For the Russian leader, it marked an astounding return to the world stage, having been largely shunned from the majority of Western nations since he invaded Ukraine in February 2022. It has been 10 years since he was last in America, and has been threatened with an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court if he were to travel to a member state.

open image in gallery Trump greets Putin like an old friend on the red carpet ( AFP via Getty Images )

Over the last three years, his travel has been restricted to friendly countries such as Belarus, North Korea and China.

The red carpet rollout has been hailed as a victory in Moscow, with the two leaders enthusiastically sharing two handshakes, with Putin greeted as if he were a close friend and ally.

In what appeared to be an unscripted moment, Putin decided to travel in Trumps armoured limousine known as The Beast, rather than taking his own presidential car. In footage of them leaving the airbase, Putin can be seen sitting in the backseat and laughing.

Progress made but no ceasefire deal on the table

During a press conference after the three-hour meeting, which saw Putin and Trump discuss terms of ending the war with their closest aides, both leaders remained close-lipped about what had occurred behind closed doors.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump told reporters. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

open image in gallery Trump met with Putin for nearly three hours on Friday at a U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska ( Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images )

However, he didnt share any further details about what had been agreed, with nothing of substance revealed.

Putin said the negotiations were held in a constructive atmosphere but repeated that the root causes of the conflict must be eliminated to achieve peace.

This is likely to have caused alarm bells in Kyiv, given that Moscow has previously stated this to be Ukraines formal renunciation of Nato membership, as well as agreeing to demilitarisation, new elections, no foreign military involvement and recognition of Russian sovereignty over the occupied Ukrainian regions.

Potential Zelensky-Putin-Trump meeting on the cards

After their summit, nothing was mentioned about the prospect of a trilateral meeting, only that President Trump had a number of people to call, including Zelensky.

Well speak to you very soon, and probably see you again very soon, Trump said. In a rare comment in English, Putin responded: Next time in Moscow.

In a Fox interview with host Sean Hannity a short while later, Trump said both Putin and Zelensky would like him to be present at a potential second meeting.

open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky is due to fly to Washington DC on Monday ( Getty Images )

They both want me there, and Ill be there, he said.

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.

An unusually quiet Trump

For once, Trump took the backseat during the press conference in Alaska, allowing Putin to speak first. The Russian leader launched into a condensed history of Alaskas past as a Russian territory, taking several minutes before addressing the situation in Ukraine.

Despite the context of the summit, Trump also avoided any direct talk of the situation in Ukraine, only referencing that five, six, seven thousand people a week are killed.

There were no questions from reporters, and both leaders kept their statements vague, stating that great progress had been made with little detail as to what that progress entailed.

In one victory for Moscow, there was no mention of any severe consequences such as further economic sanctions which Trump had threatened if a ceasefire deal wasnt reached.
Close North Korea releases video of troops fighting in Ukraine war

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Donald Trump says he believes Vladimir Putin is avoiding meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky simply due to personal animosity.

The US president has been pushing to arrange a peace summit between the two leaders but his efforts have so far been rebuffed by Moscow.

Asked yesterday why Putin was refusing to meet Zelensky, Trump appeared once again to sympathise with the Russian leader.

Because he doesnt like him, Trump said, adding: I have people I dont like, I dont like to meet with them.

Trump also admitted that he has spoken on the phone with Putin again since their call on the side lines of a summit with European leaders in the White House last Monday.

Meanwhile, Zelensky said Monday he had a good meeting with US envoy Keith Kellogg, discussing pressure on Russia for real" ceasefire talks and the United States' role in Ukraines security.

Plans for a possible summit with Putin and post-ceasefire guarantees were also due to be discussed this week. It is unclear if this will be separate from the Kellogg meeting.
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The free worlds most celebrated president is showing some mettle in agreeing to a meeting with the leader of the free world. When Volodymyr Zelensky walks into the Oval Office on Monday, he knows hes risking another ambush.

The Ukrainian president is prepared to gamble that hell get another White House schoolyard bullying session, because theres a slim chance that Donald Trump may finally have tired of being played by the Kremlin.

It is now conceivable, just, that Trump is prepared to consider security guarantees for Ukraine that reflect Natos Article 5, which could mean that if Ukraine signed up to a peace deal then its long-term future sovereignty and security would be protected, by force of arms, by allies including the US.

Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, spoke with Trump and went public with the idea (that had been hers in the first place) suggesting that the US president had bought into the concept.

open image in gallery Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were unable to agree a deal when they met in Alaska on Friday ( Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images )

"The crucial point remains security guarantees to prevent new Russian invasions, and this is the aspect where the most interesting developments were recorded in Anchorage," Meloni said.

Meloni said Trump had highlighted an earlier Italian proposal for security guarantees for Ukraine "inspired by Nato's Article 5.

"The starting point of the proposal is the definition of a collective security clause that would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the USA, ready to take action in case it is attacked again," said Meloni.

After his Friday summit with Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Trump said that the two presidents were close to an agreement. He didnt mention peace or a ceasefire and admitted that theres no deal until there is a full deal.

Sources have since confirmed to The Independent that Putin demanded that Ukraine give Luhansk and Donetsk provinces to Russia in return for a freeze on the front lines elsewhere.

Zelensky, they said, would seek clarity on the proposal - which could only be agreed after a referendum in Ukraine.

We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said.

That one significant sticking point with Russia might well be that Ukraine and Europe have persuaded Trump that there can be no enduring peace for Ukraine if a ceasefire, or peace deal, is just a pause in fighting while the Kremlin prepares for a renewed conflict.

Putins demand that Ukraine cede two provinces in return for a pause in the killing are certain to be rejected by Europe and Ukraine as they make no commitment to ending Putins long-term desire to take the rest of the counrty.

So far this year Trump has echoed and accepted almost all of Russias conditions for peace. He has endorsed Putins demand that Ukraine can never join Nato. He has accepted that Moscow should keep the Ukrainian lands it has already captured. He has blamed the west for provoking the war with Russia in the first place and has even questioned the legitimacy of the Zelensky presidency itself.

open image in gallery A Ukrainian soldier prepares to fire a howitzer towards Russian positions on the front line near near Kharkiv earlier this week ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Diplomatic sources very close to the European and Ukrainian talks, which followed the Trump-Putin meeting, said that while there was relief that Trump now understood the need for Ukrainian security guarantees.

But details of how it would work  and what concessions Ukraine would be asked to make, are critical. The question is  how can, or will, this work? one senior source said.

If, on arrival in the Oval Office, Trump tells him to accept that he must give away Ukraines east, including Crimea, forever abandon fantasies of joining the EU and Nato and hold elections while his country is occupied (all Russian demands)  then any security guarantees will be meaningless. They will have been part of a Russian effort to see Zelensky enfiladed in the White House, as he was in February.

Europes leaders know this. They have moved fast to wrap Zelensky in diplomatic armour.

"We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump's statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. No limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and NATO, they said.

The leaders  Sir Keir Starmer, Frances Emmanuel Macron, Italys Giorgia Meloni, Germanys Friedrich Merz, Finnish president Alexander Stubb, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen  are warning Trump that, whatever Putin may have told him, he risks a permanent breach with Europe if he stays in the Kremlins camp.

Zelensky has reiterated these principles and that there can be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.

Trump has said he understands this. But his instincts remain with Putin. Worse still is that while the US president is narcissistic and peevish, which makes him easily manipulated by Putin. But he deeply, personally, resents Zelensky.

Both are former television stars. But Ukraines president is perceived as the embodiment of his nations heroism. Trump is seen as a dangerous joke on the international stage. When they meet again in the White House on Monday its unlikely trump will contain his righteous jealousy.
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A 20-year-old Palestinian woman, transferred from the Gaza Strip for urgent medical treatment, has died in Italy, a hospital confirmed on Saturday.

Named by Italian media as Marah Abu Zuhri, she was admitted to Pisa University Hospital late on Wednesday as part of a humanitarian mission. Described as being in a "state of severe physical deterioration" and arriving with a "very complex, compromised clinical picture," she died on Friday.

Her death followed a respiratory crisis and subsequent cardiac arrest. Hospital staff had performed tests and started supportive therapy before her death. She had travelled to Italy accompanied by her mother.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said almost 120 Gazans  31 patients and their families  had been flown to Rome, Milan and Pisa on three planes.

In a post on X, Tajani said that it was the 14th medical evacuation of Palestinians that Italy had conducted since January 2024, and the largest.

open image in gallery Palestinian children and their families evacuated from Gaza arrive at Rome's Ciampino military airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The hospital did not specify whether the woman had suffered from malnutrition, but said that she had arrived in a state of severe physical deterioration.

Eugenio Giani, leader of the Tuscan region, expressed his condolences Saturday for the woman's death.

Earlier in the week, United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza were at their highest levels since the Israel-Hamas war began.

The U.N. says nearly 12,000 children under 5 were found to have acute malnutrition in July  including more than 2,500 with severe malnutrition, the most dangerous level. The World Health Organization says the numbers are likely an undercount.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month no one in Gaza is starving. There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza," he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Netanyahus claim by noting the images emerging of emaciated people. I dont know, Trump said when asked if he agreed with the Israeli leader's comment. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry.

Over the past two weeks, Israel has allowed around triple the amount of food into Gaza than what had been entering since late May.

That was after 2.5 months when Israel barred all food, medicine and other supplies, saying it was to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack that launched the war.
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The backslapping bonhomie that started the day vanished into the stormy sulk and red glower from Donald Trump across a podium from Vladimir Putin, who still glowed with success. The Alaskan summit was a humiliation for Trump.

His hopes of winning a Nobel Peace Prize didnt crystallise in this meeting of superpowers dissolved. Even the key word of the whole farrago  ceasefire  had vanished.

Ukraine and Europe, supporters of democracy and world order, were on tenterhooks worrying if Trump would repeat Putins demands and endorse them as his own. He has done that in the past.

Putin, clearly, had made no concessions. But, emerging from three-and-a-half hours of talks, Trump and the Russian president had nothing to present to the world.

Trump said hed call Nato, and President Volodymyr Zelensky, to update them on what had been discussed.

open image in gallery Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska ( AFP via Getty )

Weve made some headway. So theres no deal until theres a deal. I will call up Nato in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And Ill, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about todays meeting. Its ultimately up to them, Trump said.

What will be up to them?

We dont know but we can probably guess that Trump didnt want to say it out loud, having invited an indicted war criminal to US territory, applauded his arrival, ordered an air force flypast to honour the Butcher of Bucha, twice shaken his hand and then given him a lift in his top-secret armoured car the Beast.

When he arrived, the usually icy Putin, who rolled down the red carpet like a prize fighter, pulled faces and seemed chatty and warm. He sat at a photo opportunity man-spreading confidently and gurning to his team, oozing easy confidence.

None of that had left him when he departed the press statement stage.

open image in gallery Putin has gone viral for the strange facial expressions he pulled during his meeting with Trump ( Getty )

He was back on the world stage. The pomp of his visit and the spectacle of his emergence from international pariah to car-share buddy with the US president was complete.

He was never going to deliver Trump a ceasefire, much less a plan for peace in Ukraine.

Putin said: The country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it [war]. At the same time, were convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict. And weve said it multiple times, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole. And I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to work on that.

So Putin was reiterating his mantra that war in Ukraine came as a result of the end of the Soviet Union, he wants that territory back in the Russian empire, and while hes at it, the new world order needs to be set back. That means he wants to see Russias influence back all over eastern Europe  a return to the Cold War Warsaw Pact that meant the Kremlin rules nations that are now western democracies in the European Union.

The UK and Europe, along with Canada and through Nato, have replaced the US as the most important donors of civilian and military aid to Ukraine. Over the past week, leaders in Europe, including Keir Starmer, had worked hard on persuading Trump not to be steamrolled by Putin.

open image in gallery Putin strongly hinted that whatever Trump was going to reveal in his calls to Zelensky and others, they were not going to like it ( Getty )

Theyre worried that Trump and Putin will try to foist a deal on Ukraine which cannot be agreed and will not work. Trump has repeatedly endorsed Russian claims, at least, to the territory in Ukraine it has already captured.

He has agreed with Putin that Ukraine cannot join Nato. He has agreed that the US would take no part in security guarantees for Ukraine in a future peace deal (although recently there are signs he may have softened that line).

Europes 250bn (215bn) in aid for Ukraine dwarfs the US 114bn. This year, Trump has cut all military aid to Kyiv and insisted that Nato members stump up for Ukraines defence and their own. His efforts have been so successful that America remains important to Ukraine but it can get by with help from close neighbours.

Putin strongly hinted that whatever Trump was going to reveal in his calls to Zelensky and others, they were not going to like it. In other words, Trump was likely to parrot the Kremlin. Only this time, Trump himself knows hes going to look a fool when he does.

We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they wont throw a wrench in the works. They will not make any attempts to use some backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress, again, Putin said.

Were gonna stop really, five, six, seven thousand, thousands of people a week from being killed  And well speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. Thank you very much, Vladimir, Trump ended by saying.

Putin replied: Next time in Moscow.
When I went to bed last night, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had just gone into their summit meeting in Anchorage, Alaska  and I really had not the faintest idea what I might wake up to.

Would it be a comprehensive peace deal agreed between the two of them that would totally screw Ukraine; or would it be a furious Trump announcing massive, punitive sanctions against Russia over Putins intransigence  something he had been threatening just a couple of weeks ago before announcing the summit? Or would it be any number of outcomes in between? Instead, we woke up to  well, what exactly?

Sure, there was a lot of vacuous vibe stuff about progress, constructive talks, deeper understanding, but lets be clear about the headline: THERE WAS NO DEAL. The missiles, the attack drones, will continue and, as far as we can tell, there is no timetable for a ceasefire.

Maybe the more interesting exercise is to consider what each man wanted out of it. Lets start with the Russian leader. Vladimir Putin wanted to stave off the threat of US sanctions, he wanted to gain more time to prosecute his war against Ukraine, he wanted to end his and Russias diplomatic isolation, he wanted to peel the US off from the rest of Europe, he wanted to keep Zelensky as far away from this as far as possible and he wanted to flatter his host, Donald Trump.

As you go down that list, you just have to mark it tick, tick, tick, tick. Hes a straight-A student. Trump described the meeting as 10 out of 10; for Putin, it really was. He flew back to Moscow having achieved everything he wanted.

There are no new sanctions. Donald Trump literally rolled out the red carpet for him and applauded Putin before shaking his hand warmly. The meeting took place on US soil, with all European leaders thousands of miles away. Just think if the summit had happened in Europe, Putin would have had to have been arrested for alleged war crimes over what hes done in Ukraine after the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

According to the Kremlin, there was no discussion of tripartite talks including the Ukrainian leader. And if youre going to flatter, what more of a zinger could there have been than Putin telling Trump this war would never have started if he had been president in 2022. The sweetest music to his ears.

There are no new sanctions. Donald Trump literally rolled out the red carpet for him and applauded Putin before shaking his hand warmly ( AFP/Getty )

Now lets consider the other side of the ledger: what did Trump want? Well, he has told us explicitly and repeatedly what hes after. Laudably and sincerely, he wants an end to the killing. He wants a ceasefire. He then wants an enduring peace. And on that front, you would have to say he came away utterly empty-handed.

Maybe there are two other things Trump was after in hosting this. One was to have the worlds media attention focused laser-like on him for 24 hours  in which case, tick. I bet Anchorage airport has had its busiest day in years with film crews from around the world flying in.

The other driving ambition of Trump is to reset relations with Putin in particular  and it is about Putin. There are well-worn theories that the Russians must have kompromat on Trump to explain his apparent obsequiousness when talking about the Russian leader. I have never really bought that.

Someone who has got to know Trump well explained it to me differently. This person said that the thing you have to understand about him is that he is a creature of the era in which he grew up: the Cold War, the Iron Curtain, the stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Trump has a horror of nuclear armageddon, as do we all. Though Russia may only amount to two per cent of the worlds GDP (the US is about 25 per cent), it has 45 per cent of the worlds nuclear stockpile. Therefore, in Trumps mind, you have to have good relations with Russia for fear of what might happen if you dont.

It is an interesting theory, but surely this cannot excuse the turning of a blind eye to the greatest act of aggression in Europe against a sovereign state since the Second World War. Also, just because youve got a nuke doesnt make you all-powerful. Britain having nuclear weapons didnt act as much of a deterrent when the Argentinians chose to invade the Falklands in 1982.

In a post-summit interview with Sean Hannity from Fox News, Trump was vague but gave the impression that the ball was now in Zelenskys court, almost as though Trump had bought Putins arguments, and concessions were now required from the Ukrainian leader.

Maybe at some future date, there will be a deal that gives land to Russia in return for security guarantees for Ukraine, but what this might look like is still anyones guess.

Its hard to exaggerate how unusual this all is. Normally in superpower politics, the two principals dont come together until the outriders, sherpas, government lawyers, political advisers, and national security experts have cobbled together a draft communique, having haggled over every comma and full stop. Then, the summit is a glorified photo-op for each leader to flourish his fountain pen and put a signature on the document.

But thats not how Donald Trump rolls. Steve Witkoff, his special envoy (and a man with zero diplomatic experience), who laid the ground for this summit, has been turning up in Moscow with only his girlfriend for company. At the Kremlin meetings, he has sat completely alone opposite the combined might of Putin, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and key adviser Yuri Ushakov. Witkoff had no note takers, no advisers, and was 100 per cent reliant on a Kremlin translator.

Should Ukraine be concerned? Should Europe be concerned about the way this summit has come about and the way its unfolded? Theyd be stark raving mad not to be.

Zelensky will return to DC on Monday and will meet Trump once again at the White House. I mean: what could possibly go wrong?
Credit unions are hoping to more than triple their current mortgage and business lending. Photo: Getty

A number of credit unions have come together to form a corporate body that will allow them to fund more mortgage and business lending.

It comes after credit unions got the all-clear to more than triple their current mortgage and business lending when the Central Bank of Ireland gave the go-ahead to changes to lending regulations for the sector.
NEW DELHI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and two others injured Saturday in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in India's financial capital Mumbai, officials said.

Immediately after the accident, emergency response teams, including personnel from the fire brigade, local police and disaster response force, reached the site to carry out rescue operations.

Officials said flight and train operations were disrupted, and widespread traffic problems were reported due to waterlogging and inundation of roads.

Reports said railway tracks were also affected, causing delays in local train services. Passengers were advised to plan their travel accordingly.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the city, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. 
He failed us  how a financial adviser moved into pension fund property, racked up rent arrears and now wont leave

Martin Kelly advised clients to invest in a Co Wexford property, but according to investors he did not say he would be living there

Bernard Doyle and other trustees were 'never told' financial adviser Martin Kelly would move into Highfield Cottage, Ballinamona

Amy Molloy Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 06:30

When Bernard Doyle went to draw down from his pension fund in 2020, he was shocked to learn there was insufficient money in the account.
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?
Scramble for prized merch at Oasis pop-up shop in Dublin as fans count down the days to Croke Park gigsDevotees of the Britpop band are scooping up T-shirts, vinyl and posters before they sell out But do the fans know the lyrics to Oasis best-loved hits? The Irish Independent finds out

Its almost a year since the guns fell silent, the stars aligned and the great wait was over, as brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher announced their comeback as Oasis.

More than 16 years on from the last time the Manchester rockers played Ireland at Slane in June 2009, the excitement was palpable at their pop-up merch store at St Stephens Green, Dublin.

A steady crowd of people streamed into the store throughout the afternoon, many emerging minutes later with bags stuffed with T-shirts, hoodies, posters and special-edition vinyl presses made for the Live 25 tour.

Among the fans flocking to the store were brothers Daniel and Niall Duffy, aged 18 and 20, from Lusk in Co Dublin.

Rock n Roll Star, Slide Away and The Masterplan were the picks of the bunch when the Duffys were asked their favourite Oasis tracks. Daniel nailed a rendition of Live Forever as we challenged fans to finish the lyrics from some of their hits.

How did fans fare? Watch our video above.

There were mixed results  one fan was pitch perfect for a few lines of Hello, a group of American tourists enthusiastically sang the wrong lyrics for Wonderwall and another fan hung her head as she forgot the words to Some Might Say.

Meanwhile, the collaboration between Oasis and sportswear giant Adidas has made huge waves, selling out when it was first released ahead of the tour and proving hugely popular at the pop-ups seen across Cardiff, London, Edinburgh and now Dublin.

When the Irish Independent visited the store, there was just a single shirt bearing the three stripes left, a lone black and beige, size large short sleeve.

A pair of friends deliberated over the shirt, balked at the 55 price tag and promptly placed it back on the rack. It was scooped up by the man next to them in the blink of an eye. For his trouble, he got a look that screamed, Would you have stood in my grave as fast?

Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher in 2008. Photo: Getty

Brothers Daniel and Niall Duffy, having already shelled out more than 500 for tickets for Saturdays gig at Croke Park, spent nearly 400 between them at the pop-up shop selling clothes, programmes and vinyl.

They went to see Liam when his 30th-anniversary tour came to Ireland last year, so Niall made sure to get his younger brother on the Oasis train ahead of the gig. I spent 190 on this, Daniel said, nodding to his recently acquired bag of goodies. Its a tour programme, a hoodie and two T-shirts.

The brothers, self-described Oasis superfans, managed to avoid the scramble for tickets many had struggled with.

Another Oasis pop-up shop on Carnaby Street, London, Photo: PA

We ended up getting on the pre-sale ballot. We werent far off only paying for the cheapest, we didnt have to deal with the general sale, Niall said.

We only paid the standard price for the tickets, we avoided the dynamic pricing totally.

Standard pricing for the tickets was still a pretty penny for them at around 170 each for seats in the lower Hogan Stand, but theyre just happy to not be up in the nosebleeds.

On the relatively younger side of the Oasis fandom, this is the first chance for the Duffy brothers to see the band live. Did they think the day would ever come?

I had a feeling it would happen at some point, Daniel said.

I didnt think it would happen so soon, but I was hopeful.
Parents can save up to 100 by buying generic uniforms, but many schools still require branded or crested items

Costs continue to rise despite official guidance, with 92pc of secondary school parents saying their child has to wear crested or branded items

A full school uniform can cost up to 100 more from a schoolwear retailer compared with generic alternatives

Darragh Nolan Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 06:30

A full school uniform can cost up to 100 more from a schoolwear retailer compared with generic alternatives.
Medics in Ireland have organised a walk in silence on Dublins Grafton Street at 12.45 today to show solidarity with Palestinian doctors and health staff and people.

Healthcare workers in Ireland, many of whom have saved lives in Gaza, will wear scrubs or dress in black for the march. Members of the public have also been invited to attend.
Former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta: American politics is the Wild West. Donald Trump is an extremist president

Acosta talks to Aoife Rooney about his White House ban by Trump, the dangers for American democracy, his hope to explore his Irish roots and relishing going out on his own

Former CNN chief Washington correspondent Jim Acosta

Aoife Rooney Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Not many of us can consider entering into a verbal sparring match with Donald Trump a normal part of their working day, but for former CNN chief Washington correspondent Jim Acosta, it was just another day at the office.
Pegasos assisted dying clinic changes policies after Cavan woman passes away without prior knowledge of family

The end of Maureen Sloughs life at a Swiss clinic has revived the divisive issue of assisted dying. The clinic has now promised to insist on having video calls with next of kin for unaccompanied applicants

Unanswered questions: Maureen Slough with her daughter Megan

Conor Feehan and Danielle Barron Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Today the family and friends of Maureen Slough will gather in a small church in the rural town of Mullagh in Co Cavan looking at the urn containing her ashes, still stunned as to how this bizarre situation arose.
Rebekah Koffler: Alaska meeting is all about Vladimir Putin flexing Russias muscle beside US on the world stage

US president Donald Trump must get to grips with Russian leaders playbook if he is to achieve peace deal

Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters

Rebekah Koffler Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Fri 15 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are heading to Alaska to discuss the possibility of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, but some observers fear that the Russian president isnt bothered about making peace. They assess that Russia is prepared to fight indefinitely, with Putin believing that he can outlast Ukraine in terms of weapons and manpower.
Francois Bayrou turns to YouTube to defend swingeing budget cuts

As extreme heat gripped France this week, the embattled prime minister, Francois Bayrou, turned the temperature up another notch by warning the nation that it is running out of time to fix its extraordinary debt crisis. He has targeted 44bn in income and savings next year in an effort to fix the crocked public finances.

In fact, he turned to YouTube  probably because half the nation is currently holidaying and avoiding traditional media  to defend swingeing budget cuts aimed at curbing soaring debts. He warned that it is past time to fix the national finances and said the public must understand just how high the stakes really are.
More than 600,00 in funding has been allocated to 15 outdoor recreation facilities across county Cork.

The funding, a total sum of 608,550, has been provided from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

The overall fund is worth 8.7m and will cover 221 projects across Ireland including walking trails, cycleways, water-based amenities and mountain access routes.

Fine Gael senator Eileen Lynch said she is delighted to see the investment in outdoor projects in Cork.

When projects are delivered, this funding will provide a major boost to the local economy by attracting visitors and furthering our reputation as a destination for adventure tourism, Senator Lynch said.

The Macroom-based senator said she is particularly delighted to see funding for IRD Duhallow and Cork County Council as these bodies provided so much joy for the community over the years.

This new funding is going to make a big difference for outdoor amenities in Cork, making them even better for local families and visitors alike. Its so important to get out and make the most of what our outdoors has to offer.

I want to thank the community groups across Cork who work so hard to develop and enhance recreational amenities in our local community.

These amenities are here for us all to enjoy. I really encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy the incredible outdoor spaces Cork has to offer, Senator Lynch concluded.

ORIS provides funding in three separate measures.

Measure 1 offers funding up 40,000 at a 90pc rate of aid for small scale repair/development/promotion or marketing.

Maximum six applications can be submitted by each local authority and three applications can be submitted by each local development company.

Measure 2 offers funding up to 200,000 at a 90pc rate of aid for medium scale repairs/upgrade and a new trails/amenity development.

Maximum three applications can be made by each local authority and one application can be submitted per local development company or state body.

Measure 3 offers funding up to 500,000 at a 90pc rate of aid for large scale repair/upgrade and or new strategic trail/amenity development.

Local authorities and State bodies can submit one application each under this Measure.

11 Cork projects received funding under Measure 1.

Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG received 31,050 to develop a car park and upgrade Ballard trail. The partnership also received 29,700 for Blackwater Way map boards and 31,505 for repairs along the Blackwater Way.

Cork County Council received 40,000 to replace fencing between Belgooly walkway and Riverstick Estuary. The funding will also cover the installation of benches and street furniture.

The local authority also received 40,000 for sea swimming infrastructure for east Cork beaches and 37,800 for sea swimming infrastructure on Great Island.

The council also received 40,000 for upgrade works at Seefin car park on the Duhallow Way.

IRD Duhallow CLG received a total of 120,000 for upgrade works in the area.

West Cork Development Partnership received 40,000 for development of a new walking trail that connects Ballingeary village to Drom an Ailigh to Ceim Chorrbhualle.

Four projects received approval from the Project Development Measure.

Cork County Council received two separate allocations of 49,950, for works on Abbey Pier on Sherkin Island and the development of Skibbereen Recreation and Amenity Park.

IRD Duhallow received 50,000 to map and screen off-road sections of the Beara-Breifne Way.

SECAD Partnership CLD received 49.500 to carry out assessment surveys for the Ballycotton Cliff Walk in East Cork.
This photo taken on April 2, 2025 shows a "blind box" containing a randomly flavored ice cream introduced by Handan Museum in Handan, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo by Wang Haiyun/Xinhua)

by Xinhua writers Huang Yuzhang, Dong Xiaokun, Bai Lin

SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Once just a simple way to cool off, ice cream is seeing a surge of new varieties to meet the expanding tastes and preferences of Chinese consumers.

Pan Yang, 17, recently took pictures of a matcha-flavored ice cream she had bought at a shopping mall in Shijiazhuang, the capital city of north China's Hebei Province. "I bought this one because it looked so attractive," she said. "There were even petals strewn over it."

On the Chinese lifestyle-sharing app known internationally as rednote, many users have posted appealing images of upscale ice creams in various shapes, ranging from blooming flowers to fresh fruits, each of which is the result of delicate craftsmanship. Comments such as "adorable" and "too pretty to eat" abound in these posts.

Favored by today's consumers, especially young people, such ice creams have become commonplace in souvenir shops at tourist attractions across China.

Handan Museum, a well-known tourist site in Hebei, in April introduced creative ice creams that draw inspiration from two precious artifacts housed in the museum. "Blind boxes" containing randomly flavored ice creams are also on sale to attract customers.

The museum's ice creams have been a hit among visitors since their launch, with over 100 sold daily this summer, said Wang Haiyun, who works at the museum. "We hope people of different ages can savor both delicious tastes and local culture through our ice creams."

Food industry analyst Zhu Danpeng believes the emergence of these visually appealing ice creams reflects a thirst for emotional and spiritual well-being in consumption.

"Young Chinese people attach importance to the social aspects of goods and the emotional value they can offer, which drives the entire industry to innovate its offerings for consumers to enjoy fresh, pleasant experiences," Zhu said.

While seeking visual and emotional delight from these frozen treats, Chinese consumers are also placing increased emphasis on the quality of ice cream as living standards and health consciousness rise.

A 23-year-old ice cream fan, surnamed Dong, told Xinhua that a high-quality ice cream should be both delicious and healthy. "If two ice creams share similar tastes, I will choose the one with a cleaner ingredient list," she said.

Many more consumers are also making this choice. The results of a 2024 survey from iiMedia Research show that nearly half of all respondents would consider "taste" in their consumption of ice cream, which topped the list of important factors, and those who opted for "health and low fat" and "ingredient list" factors made up 33.08 percent and 30.25 percent of respondents.

The shift to healthy eating has spurred changes in the industry. Traditional ice cream makers are adjusting their ingredients and unveiling new products in response to evolving needs, while new brands are gaining traction by labeling themselves as producers of handcrafted and freshly made ice creams.

Romanlin Ice Cream is one such emerging brand. Founded in 2019, the Hebei-based company has opened more than 500 stores in China, and has also launched business in Malaysia, according to Ma Zhichao, chairman of the company.

"Good-looking products can draw first-time consumers, while good-tasting products will attract them to buy again," Ma said, adding that to date, the brand boasts more than 30 ice cream flavors attuned to the tastes of Chinese consumers and has rolled out specialized products in different localities.

To strike a balance between taste and health, Ma stressed the importance of ingredients and equipment in ice cream production.

"High sugar and fat were once necessary to achieve a creamy and velvety texture, but premium ingredients and advanced equipment can help us deliver a nice mouthfeel with reduced levels," he explained.

But this gives rise to another question: Compared to traditional makers, these new brands tend to be more expensive, so will they deter potential buyers?

According to brand-positioning expert Zhan Junhao, value for money has become a key criterion for China's maturing consumers. "If the innovation and quality justify the price, people are still willing to pay," he said.

Dong was of the same view during her interview. "I'll pay more for ice cream with top-notch ingredients, but if the quality isn't there? No Way!" she said. 
A report detailing the damage done to the fish population of the River Blackwater is expected within four weeks, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has said.

Thousands of fish are reported to have died in a section of the river running through the Mallow area this week.

The IFI has launched an investigation into the fish kill, with an infection deemed a probable cause.

An IFI spokesperson said more than 2,000 fish have died in a 16km stretch of the River Blackwater.

The spokesperson said IFI officers continue to monitor and assess the scene and will have a presence in the area over the weekend.

The State agency has asked members of the public to not remove dead fish from the river.

IFI continues to appeal to people to report instances of fish kills or suspected water pollution to its 24-hour confidential phoneline, 0818 34 74 24, the spokesperson said.

A Mallow Trout Anglers member welcomed the IFI investigation.

The investigation will, however, result in the club becoming homeless for some time.

It is very important that the report is delivered so we can identify the cause and apply the appropriate treatment and prosecute whoever is responsible.

At the end of the day, there is nothing we can do now. You cant put the feathers back on the chicken after you have plucked it.

The fact of the matter is that Mallow Trout Anglers is homeless, the angler said.

Fish removed from River Blackwater under Killavullen Bridge

Today's News in 90 seconds - 16th August 2025

The club member questioned why dead fish are being kept in the river.

Leaving the dead fish in the river is something I cant get my head around it, they said.

The section of the river where the fish kill occurred attracted a lot of visitors in June, as it hosted the Four Nations International angling competition.

News of the fish kill has travelled across the world with angling clubs offering their sympathies to Mallow Trout Anglers.
Lifestyle

Do you have the cutest dog in Ireland? Send us your photos

International Dog Day takes place on Tuesday, August 26th. To celebrate the holiday we want to see your pawsome pups. Send us their photo with their name, age and a story about them that you want everyone to know about.
Carol is fighting to recover in a Spanish hospital after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest while on holiday.

Mam would go through stone walls for us. Now were asking people to help us do the same for her, said a Cork man who is determined to bring his mother back home after suffering a life changing accident in Spain.

Charleville native Jack Callaghan made the emotional appeal for his mother during an interview on The Opinion Line with PJ Coogan on Corks 96FM yesterday.

Mr Callaghan spoke about his mother Carol who is currently fighting to recover in a Spanish hospital after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest while on holiday.

Jack also spoke about the familys urgent mission to get Carol home to Ireland for specialist rehabilitation  a journey that requires an air ambulance costing between 40,000 and 50,000, a sum their insurance will not cover.

In a poignant interview, Mr Callaghan said his 58-year-old mother Carol was out shopping with her friends in Alicante, Spain and suffered a cardiac arrest. She was left untreated until the paramedics got there. They did CPR and brought her back with the defibrillator, then rushed her to ICU. Shes been there since. It's a slow process, but getting better  and can get a lot better if we can get her back to Ireland as well.

Jack said his mother woke up after a week in a coma and has been slowly improving ever since. When we first got to Spain  this happened on a Thursday and we arrived Friday morning  doctors told us she might not make it. If she did, she could be in a vegetative state or have severe brain damage. They told us to get family over as soon as possible. As days went on, the scans improved.

The outlook was still serious, but we didnt care how long the road would be  as long as there was a road. She woke up after a week in a coma and has been slowly improving since. My stepfather, my sister and I take turns so shes never alone. Its tough out there, but shed do the same for us. She has the biggest heart, we just need her home, he added.

The extent of Carols injuries means she will require long-term rehabilitation and specialist care.

Unfortunately, her travel insurance has refused to cover the cost of getting her home to Ireland for the treatment she urgently needs.

The hospital in Spain has done all it can, said Jack who outlined that his mother cannot fly home without intensive medical care during the journey. She still has a tracheostomy and needs intensive care during the journey. She needs an intensive rehab centre in Ireland. Weve been quoted 40,000 to 50,000 for an air ambulance. These companies need payment up front, and we just dont have that lying around.

The family has launched a GoFundMe page to help bring Carol home after the devastating accident.

The local community has rallied around in huge support of Carol and her family.

At the time of writing, 863 donations have been made and over 48,000 has been raised so far.

Jack paid tribute to everyone who has contributed. The local communitys been incredible. Charleville GAA, neighbours, friends, but we still have a bit to go before we can book the flight.

Jack also used the opportunity to urge everyone to learn basic CPR. Every minute counts. It could mean the difference between life and death. We were lucky Mam was in a busy place. If it had happened somewhere quiet, she might not be here.
Meet the organisation bringing circus skills to Galway  Were very much rooted in the community

Galway Community Circus uses circus arts to build confidence and resilience among young people, reaching over 600 children weekly while tackling mental health challenges through innovative projects like their acclaimed LifeLine initiative

Galway Community Circus' 'LifeLine' Project with Ellis Grover. Image: Emilija Jefremova

Molly Cantwell Sun 17 Aug 2025 at 10:03

Hidden in Galways Westside is the headquarters of Galway Community Circus  a charity organisation which uses circus arts to develop social skills, confidence and resilience amongst young people and community groups.
The collection of dresses was assembled by Oliver Hurley and Rebecca Kemp

Kerry County Museum is located within the Ashe Memorial Hall on Denny Street in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan

2023 Rose of Tralee Roisin Wiley photographed after donating her dress to the gowns of Glory exhibition at Kerry County Museum in August last year. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan

More than 40 dresses worn by previous Roses of Tralee on their winning nights have been donated to Kerry County Museum.

The collection of 45 dresses had previously been on loan to the County Museum in Tralee for many years, but this donation secures its future.

Tralee Mayor Terry OBrien will formally acknowledge the donation of the collection at the museum at 12pm on Monday, August 18.

A spokesperson said the museum is delighted to accept the donation as the annual display of the dresses during July and August is one of its most popular exhibitions with visitors from all over the world.

We are very thankful for the generosity of the Roses in donating the dresses that played such a meaningful part in their lives. The Rose of Tralee Festival has always been a significant event for the people of Kerry, and it is appropriate, therefore, that the dresses become part of the wider collection which is held in trust by the Museum for current and future generations in the county, the spokesperson stated.

2023 Rose of Tralee Roisin Wiley photographed after donating her dress to the gowns of Glory exhibition at Kerry County Museum in August last year. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan

The collection of dresses was assembled in 2009 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rose of Tralee Festival.

The exhibitions creators, Oliver Hurley and Rebecca Kemp, went to great lengths to get quotes from each Rose about their memories of wearing their dresses, a feature that greatly enhances the display.

Each Rose has vivid memories of her dress, and many describe how they felt wearing such beautiful creations, where and when they bought their dress, and some of the last-minute dramas when dresses needed fixing in a hurry before appearing on stage.

Kerry County Museum is located within the Ashe Memorial Hall on Denny Street in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan

In the following years the collection grew, and when not on display the dresses were carefully looked after by Anthony, Oonagh and Suzan OGara.

In 2019 the Museum refreshed the look of the exhibition for the 60th anniversary of the festival, giving it the title: Gowns of Glory: Rose of Tralee Dresses Through the Decades.

There are now 45 dresses in the display, the oldest being that worn by the first Rose of Tralee, Alice OSullivan, and the newest worn by Keely OGrady, the 2024 Rose.

As we approach the seventieth anniversary of the Festival it is fitting that the dresses will have their permanent home in the Ashe Memorial Hall where it all started back in 1959, the museum spokesperson said.
Countdown is on to the Listowel Harvest Festival

Listowel Race Company has unveiled its brand-new Harvest Festival Races advertising campaign that includes a cinematic celebration of the many personalities and stories, both in front of and behind the scenes, that make this iconic racing festival so special.

The centre-piece of the campaign is a two-minute short film, shot on location over four weeks in Kerry and Limerick. It stars a cast of familiar faces from the racing world and the wider community.

The campaign was conceived and produced by Orla Diffily of Upfront PR, and directed and filmed by George Doyle of Neustock Media.

Its inspiration came from a conversation between Orla and Brendan Bacon in the Secretarys Office at the June Race Meeting, where Brendan suggested the racing world needed its own Netflix-style series  much like Drive to Survive  to showcase the real excitement, personalities, and drama of a racing festival.

It includes well-known horse trainer Eric McNamara, renowned racing photographer Pat Healy, local bookie Berkie Browne, solicitor Owen MacMahon, jockey Emily Costello, award-winning milliner Aoife Hannon, Chairman of Listowel Race Company, Maurice Carroll and many racegoers.

The film builds excitement ahead of the much-anticipated Harvest Festival, taking place from Sunday 21st to Saturday 27th September. For more visit www.listowelraces.ie #listowelraces #bepartofthedrama

Listowel Race Company and the production team extend their thanks to everyone who made the campaign possible, including Cathal OHare (TG4), The Listowel Arms Hotel, Killarney Race Company, Ger Mulvihill, Brenda Daly, Sydney Sargent, Anne ODonnell, Yesunia Appiakorang, and Leon Nolan.
A Kerry mother has founded the'Write the Wrong campaign - a letter writing campaign  to highlight her opposition to the treatment of the Palestinian people. Pictured are Donal O' Riordan, Mark Campion, Siobhan Ashe, Aoife O'Carroll, Sarah O' Brien and Bridget Sheehan. Photo by Seamus Healy.

A Kerry mother has launched the 'Write the Wrong campaign - a letter writing campaign  to highlight her opposition to the treatment of the Palestinian people. Pictured are Mark Campion, Aoife O'Carroll, Sarah O' Brien, Donal O' Riordan, Siobhan Ashe and Bridget Sheehan. Photo by Seamus Healy.

A Kerry mother is determined to try and play a part in highlighting the atrocities happening in Gaza by starting her own mini campaign.

Siobhan Ashe says in recent months she has come to realise the absolute atrocities being committed in Gaza and now wants to help.

Siobhan who lives in Killarney, but is from Tralee, said she is in fact ashamed that she had no real idea of the unfolding nightmare in Gaza until recently. She did of course know the basics but she just had not tuned into the reality of it.

She says many may be in the same situation but in the past few months through media coverage she has tuned into the horrors of the situation.

"I am new to Palestinian activism. I am ashamed it took me so long to open my eyes to what is going on but now that I have I want to do something.

"I am a Mom and I cant believe the horror that is going there.

She cannot now forget the reality of life there and wants to do something to help. She says she has never done anything like this before but says taking action is the right to thing.

She has launched the Write the Wrong campaign - a letter writing campaign  to highlight her opposition to the treatment of the Palestinian people. She and others are to write to the US Embassy in Dublin and to the Israeli Embassy in London voicing their anger and opposition to the situation in Gaza.

She is hoping through this that everyone posts their letters on Wednesday, August 20 that both embassies will receive a huge amount of post demonstrating the world-wide anger at the atrocities being committed.

"The aspiration is to flood the embassies and governments complicit with the Gaza genocide with letters.

"We just have to do something and this is a not in your face campaign but gives people the power to do something to sit down and write.

Siobhan says it is never too late to take action and this is her way of doing so. She says there are great groups right across the county and nationally playing a part in trying to stop the war and she hopes to follow in their footsteps. She has joined forces with Killarney for Palestine to write letters and she is urging as many people as possible to support the campaign. Details and sample letters are on Instagram under Write the Wrong Campaign.
Presentation of 1,000 to Sligo Rovers by the Indian Association of Sligo by President Anirban Bhanja (left) with Nicholas Paul.

A long standing tradition celebrating the bonds between the local Indian community and the people of Sligo and in particular Sligo Rovers, was upheld on Friday at The Showgrounds with a ceremony to mark the 79th Indian Independence Day.

It is the voice of former club President and native of India, the late Johnny Chadda which echoes around the ground as the teams take to the field of play at every home game in The Showgrounds.

While an event to celebrate the occasion was cancelled in Dublin as a result of a number of assaults on members of the Indian community in the capital, the Sligo gathering went ahead with a strong message from all present focusing on the importance of inclusion and diversity.

One of the event organisers, Nicholas Paul, spoke of the events leading to Indian independence, drawing parallels between his nations struggle and those faced by the Irish in the 1920s around the time of the War of Independence.

"Today is a wonderful reminder that we share a common past and future. He said this shared future revolves around love, respect and working together.

The Indian national song was sung by Srikan Dawn followed by the raising of the Indian Flag while the Indian National Anthem was also played to celebrate the occasion.

Cllr Donal Gilroy, Cathaoirleach Sligo County Council thanked the Indian community for the invitation saying the impact of former club president, chairman and treasurer, the late Johnny Chadda on Sligo Rovers and the Sligo community meant The Showgrounds was a fitting place for the ceremony to be held.

"The Indian community has been one of our most active community groups. Your contribution to Sligo life has been significant and meaningful.

Cllr Gilroy also referred to the difficulties experienced by the Indian community in Ireland in recent weeks saying, We are here to show the people of Sligo are welcoming to communities, especially the Indian community, who come here to work and be part of our community.

Those sentiments were echoed by Sligo Rovers CEO Andrew Feakins who remarked, The Indian community and Sligo Rovers have a longstanding, historical relationship that has gone back many years, particularly relating to Johnny Chadda who was an icon of the club and it is wonderful once a year to celebrate the independence of India and not to forget the struggles, the challenges, that have taken place for that community and the Irish community in their history of struggles against the oppression of the British empire.

"The rise of the voices that project hate and division should be drowned out by our solidarity in community, solidarity in diversity and inclusion of all ethnicities not just throughout Ireland but throughout the world.

The recent attacks on a number of Indian individuals in the Dublin area was strongly condemned by President Michael D Higgins.

The recent despicable attacks on members of the Indian community stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people hold dear. That any person in Ireland, particularly any young person, should be drawn into such behaviour through manipulation or provocation is to be unequivocally condemned."

To mark the strong links between the local Indian community and the county, forged by former Summerhill teacher Mr Chadda, a cheque was presented to the Sligo Rovers CEO by Anirban Bhanja, President of the Indian Association of Sligo.

This was described as, A token of appreciation for the decades long, deeply rooted relationship between the club and the Indian community in Sligo. This gesture reflects our enduring bond and shared history with the local community.

Inspector Angela Cummins also addressed the assembled audience to highlight the contribution of the Indian community adding these links can be further strengthened.

We enjoy very rich collaborations that grow from strength to strength every year. In every walk of life you are welcome."

And, with a reference to the ongoing Garda recruitment campaigns, she added, Please come to us if there are any issues. We would love members from all our diverse communities to join An Garda Siochana because we represent you all.

The message of solidarity towards the Indian Community was also highlighted by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim OCallaghan following a meeting he held with Ireland India Council and the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland, to discuss recent racist attacks on members of the Indian community.

Any attack against innocent members of the public such as those suffered by members of the Indian community are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Attacks on individuals because of their inherent characteristics including race are abhorrent to the values of our republic and are condemned by any right-thinking people, stated Minister OCallaghan.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Official opening of the Ros Tapestry Exhibition. From left; Teresa Delaney, Monica and John Anglim and Suzanne Synnott. Photo; Mary Browne

Official opening of the Ros Tapestry Exhibition. From left; Catherine Jensen from Piltown and Teresa Foley from New Ross. Photo; Mary Browne

Official opening of the Ros Tapestry Exhibition. From left; Maureen Clarkin from Ros Tapestry and Anne Kelly from Wexford. Photo; Mary Browne

Mary Lou Kennedy makes a presentation to Prof Briona Nic Dhiarmada at the official opening of the Ros Tapestry Exhibition. Photo; Mary Browne

Official opening of the Ros Tapestry Exhibition. Some of the stitchers and board members. Photo; Mary Browne

The many happy hours spent stitching in the Bawnmore, Poulfur and Bunclody were recalled, as stitchers and visitors came to view the tapestries in their new home for the official launch of the Bring it Home festival which celebrated the return of the Ros Tapestries to New Ross.

Guided tours of the tapestries and guided walks of the town introduced the tapestries to a new audience, attended by over 100 people throughout the day from Belgium, USA and France. Indeed there were also many locals present who said they learned the history of their own area that was never taught to them in school.

Mary Lou OKennedy, Chair of New Ross Needlecraft Ltd, which is charged with holding the tapestries in trust for the people of New Ross, welcomed a great crowd to the launch.

She thanked John F Kennedy Trust, Sean Connick and his staff for their great support since opening the Exhibition Centre, Failte Ireland in Partnership with Wexford County Council Festivals Grant Scheme 2025 for their support for the festival and New Ross District Council for their sponsorship of the official opening.

Most significantly, she also acknowledged the financial support from Clann Credo Community Finance which made the opening possible through their loan fund.

Mary Lou Kennedy makes a presentation to Prof Briona Nic Dhiarmada at the official opening of the Ros Tapestry Exhibition. Photo; Mary Browne

Mary Lou also highlighted that the exhibition is a staffed by volunteers and two staff from the New Ross and District Community Employment Scheme and thanked everyone who goes above and beyond to keep the exhibition open.

Cathaoirleach of New Ross District Council, Cllr John Dwyer, welcomed the return of the tapestries to New Ross. He commended the work of the Board of the Ros Tapestry and expressed his pride in the developments in the town.

The exhibition was officially opened by New Ross native, Prof. Briona Nic Dhiarmada, writer and producer of the television series From That Small Island.

She spoke of the story told in the tapestries, of the journey of Diarmaid McMurrough to Henry II in France and the arrival of Fitzstephens and a small band of Norman knights at Bannow at the creek of Baginbun Ireland was lost and won; the marriage of Aoife and Strongbow; and the marriage of their daughter Isobel to William Marshall, which led to the creation of the thriving port of New Ross and many years of prosperity in the area.

Ronan O'Flaherty from Barntown, Catherine McPartlin from Wexford, Antoinette Rogers from Ros Tapestry, Melanie O'Rielly Honorary French Counsul and Leo Coy Wexford Normandy Cultural association. Photo; Mary Browne

She also spoke of her pride in the town of New Ross and her delight in officially opening the Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre.

Rosa Ronan, one of the original Ros Tapestry stitchers, who is still stitching with the project after 25 years, thoroughly enjoyed cutting the ribbon on the Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre with Briona, the new home of the Ros Tapestry at The Waterfront, The Quay, New Ross, opposite the Dunbrody.

The Centre is open every Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and guided tours for groups are available at 087 3720274 or info@rostapestry.ie.
Inside the Ukrainian city that reveals the brutal reality of a frozen front line

Lives in Kherson hang in a bitter limbo with little hope of solution

Ukrainian servicemen firing a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops in the Kherson region. Photo: Reuters

Fermin Torrano and Alicia Alamillos Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 06:30

His eyes scan the sky before sprinting for his rifle. Its a drone, shouts Kostya, the commander of a Ukrainian artillery battery. His men run for cover. Hidden in a dugout on the right bank of the Dnipro River, experience makes all the difference here  a sharp ear is worth its weight in gold.
A staff member introduces coffee products to guests at a cafe converted from an obsolete mining facility at Lieshen Village in Zhushan Town, Liangping District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Aug. 15, 2025. Lieshen Village, home to more than 8,000 mu (533 hectares) of forest, has actively transformed the obsolete mining zone there into environment-friendly businesses such as homestays, healthcare facilities and camping sites in pursuit of green development. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

People rest at a cafe converted from an obsolete mining facility at Lieshen Village in Zhushan Town, Liangping District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Aug. 15, 2025. Lieshen Village, home to more than 8,000 mu (533 hectares) of forest, has actively transformed the obsolete mining zone there into environment-friendly businesses such as homestays, healthcare facilities and camping sites in pursuit of green development. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A staff member brews coffee at a cafe converted from a mining site at Lieshen Village in Zhushan Town, Liangping District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Aug. 15, 2025. Lieshen Village, home to more than 8,000 mu (533 hectares) of forest, has actively transformed the obsolete mining zone there into environment-friendly businesses such as homestays, healthcare facilities and camping sites in pursuit of green development. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows a homestay converted from an obsolete mining facility at Lieshen Village in Zhushan Town, Liangping District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Aug. 15, 2025. Lieshen Village, home to more than 8,000 mu (533 hectares) of forest, has actively transformed the obsolete mining zone there into environment-friendly businesses such as homestays, healthcare facilities and camping sites in pursuit of green development. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Tourists visit Lieshen Village in Zhushan Town, Liangping District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Aug. 15, 2025. Lieshen Village, home to more than 8,000 mu (533 hectares) of forest, has actively transformed the obsolete mining zone there into environment-friendly businesses such as homestays, healthcare facilities and camping sites in pursuit of green development. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows a view of Lieshen Village in Zhushan Town, Liangping District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Aug. 15, 2025. Lieshen Village, home to more than 8,000 mu (533 hectares) of forest, has actively transformed the obsolete mining zone there into environment-friendly businesses such as homestays, healthcare facilities and camping sites in pursuit of green development. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)
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Military experts say strategic failures allowed Hamas to thrive and become the organised military machine that carried out the October 7 attacks

An Israeli flag flutters, as part of the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim is visible in the background, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Thursday. Photo: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Melanie Lidman Associated Press Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Twenty years ago, Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, dismantling 21 Jewish settlements and pulling out its forces. The anniversary of the start of the landmark disengagement comes as Israel is mired in a nearly two-year war with Hamas that has devastated the Palestinian territory and means it is likely to keep troops there long into the future.
How Irish orphan Nicholas Rossi created lies of a childhood in Dublin and faked his own death, but is finally facing justice in the US
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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet in Alaska

Steve Holland, Andrew Osborn and Yuliia Dysa Reuters Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 14:57

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday Ukraine should agree a deal to end the war with Russia because "Russia is a very big power, and they're not", after hosting a summit with President Vladimir Putin that failed to yield a ceasefire.
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DC Metropolitan Police detain a person after an altercation between members of the public, following President Donald Trumps announcement of the federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department. Photo: Reuters/Nathan Howard

Lindsay Whitehurst Associated Press Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 06:30

The US capital sued to block president Donald Trumps takeover of its police department in court yesterday, hours after his administration escalated its intervention into the citys law enforcement by naming a federal official as the new emergency head of the department.
Janmashtami 2025 is here, and if you thought the festival was limited to Mathura and Vrindavan, think again. Devotees in the US, UK, and Canada are turning their homes and temples into little pockets of Vrindavan. From eight tons of exotic flowers at Patna ISKCON to global Krishna bhakti, the celebrations are proof that no distance can dim the devotion. But how do you celebrate Janmashtami abroad with the same zeal? Let us dive into the steps.

Janmashtami special songs that will light up your Instagram stories | Credit: Freepik

Janmashtami celebration in the US

Whether you are in New York, London, or Toronto, begin by creating a sacred corner at home. Place an idol or photo of baby Krishna, decorate it with flowers (fresh or artificial), and add fairy lights for that festive sparkle. In India, temples stay open for 18 hours of darshan, so you can mirror that spirit by keeping your Krishna altar glowing through the day. Think of it as a slice of Vrindavan right in your living room.

Bhajans you must play to welcome lord Krishna on Janmashtami | Credit: Freepik

Midnight puja and bhajans for lord Krishna

The highlight of Janmashtami is the midnight puja, marking the birth hour of Lord Krishna. In temples across the US and UK, devotees gather with conch shells, bells, and bhajans that echo like a musical storm. At home, you can do aarti with incense, blow a conch, and sing melodious Krishna bhajans from YouTube or live temple streams. The energy is the same whether you are in Mathura or Manhattan.

Why do Janmashtami celebrations begin at midnight? | Credit: Instagram/kanhakesang

Butter, sweets and community feasts

What is Janmashtami without butter? After all, Makhan Chor deserves his favourite treat. In Canada, devotees prepare sweet butter, laddoos, and kheer as offerings. If you are celebrating in smaller groups, prepare homemade sweets and share them with friends and neighbours. Some temples abroad even organise community feasts, making it a full-blown festive affair.

Why do Janmashtami celebrations begin at midnight? | Credit: Instagram/kanhakesang

Dress up and dance it out

It is not just about puja, it is about celebration. Dress children as little Krishnas and Radhas, host a fancy-dress parade, and let dandiya beats add the rhythm. ISKCON temples abroad often stage plays on Krishnas childhood, giving diaspora kids a taste of their roots in the quirkiest, most dramatic way possible.

How to do Gopi makeup for Radha inspired look on Janmashtami | Credit: Instagram/p.ra.pti

Krishna is wherever you are

Janmashtami 2025 shows us that Vrindavan is not just a city; it is an emotion. Whether you are bowing in Patna, singing in London, or dancing in New Jersey, the devotion connects everyone. Celebrate with music, food, puja, and joy, because Krishnas presence is truly global.
This year, Patnas ISKCON temple on Buddha Marg has pulled out all the stops to make Janmashtami feel like a magical trip to Vrindavan. Think 8 tonnes of fresh flowers  yes, literally tonnes  flown in from Bangkok, Mauritius, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune, all to deck up Banke Biharis court.

8 tons of flowers arrived from Bangkok in Patna's ISKCON temple | Credit: Instagram/iskonpatna

The temple smells like a florists dream and looks like a Pinterest board of divine decor. The theme this year is Vrindavan itself, giving devotees the illusion of stepping straight into Krishnas playground.

8 tons of flowers arrived from Bangkok in Patna's ISKCON temple | Credit: Instagram/iskonpatna

Patna gets its own Vrindavan vibes with 8 ton imported flowers to welcome lord Krishna on Janmashtami 2025

If you think darshan is just a morning-evening thing, think again. The temple doors opened at 7 am and will stay open till 1 am, a full 18 hours of Krishna love. Devotees are flocking in from every corner of the city and beyond, with temple authorities expecting a record-breaking 8 lakh visitors. That is a lakh more than last year. Clearly, Banke Bihari has upgraded his fan base.

8 tons of flowers arrived from Bangkok in Patna's ISKCON temple | Credit: Instagram/iskonpatna

Patnas ISKON temple will remain open for 18 hours darshan for devotees

From Mayapuri to Vrindavan, musical troupes have taken over the stage with continuous bhajan-kirtan that refuses to let the festive beats die down. Imagine the atmosphere: dhols, cymbals, soulful voices, and a crowd that cannot stop clapping along. It is the kind of music that gets into your bones and makes even the shyest devotee want to dance.

8 tons of flowers arrived from Bangkok in Patna's ISKCON temple | Credit: Instagram/iskonpatna

Patnas ISKON temple's royal treat to lord Krishna

When it comes to pampering Krishna, the arrangements are fit for royalty. Picture this: a grand abhishek with 251 silver urns, a lavish spread of 501 dishes for Mahabhog, and a special Dakshinavarti conch abhishek that continues throughout the day. Add to that a cradle where devotees can swing the baby form of Krishna  cue heart-melting vibes. It is not just worship; it is divine theatrics.

8 tons of flowers arrived from Bangkok in Patna's ISKCON temple | Credit: Instagram/iskonpatna

8 lakh people expected at Patnas ISKON temple

With 8 lakh people expected, things could have turned into chaos, but the temple management has levelled up. Waterproof pandals are up (because monsoons love drama too), bamboo barricades have been set to guide queues, and men and women have separate lines all the way from Ashok Cinema Hall and Maurya Lok. For those worried about endless waiting for prasadam, the fix is here: multiple priests instead of just one, ensuring smoother distribution. Basically, divine project management 101.

8 tons of flowers arrived from Bangkok in Patna's ISKCON temple | Credit: Instagram/iskonpatna

To keep the vibe festive but safe, heavy police deployment, barricading, and private bouncers are all part of the scene. The queues may be long, but the organisation is tight, keeping things secure and seamless.

Janmashtami 2025

The temple spokesperson has made it clear, this Janmashtami is not just about rituals, it is about love and devotion in technicolour. The fragrance of imported flowers, the ceaseless kirtan, and the spectacle of silver urns create a sensory overload designed to touch every heart. The goal? That every devotee walks away with peace, joy, and a slice of Krishnas eternal charm.
Netflix's new Korean legal drama Beyond the Bar has surged into the platform's global Top 10, but its rise is shadowed by renewed discussion of sexual assault allegations tied to lead actor Lee Jin-wook. The series, in which Lee plays seasoned lawyer Yoon Seok-hoon mentoring a rookie attorney, has earned international buzz - yet online debate has focused as much on his past as on the show's courtroom battles.

The drama's success is undeniable. According to FlixPatrol, Beyond the Bar broke into Netflix's Top 10 non-English series worldwide, taking the number 10 spot with 3.1 million watch hours across 1.8 million viewers. But while audiences are praising the on-screen story, off-screen controversies tied to Lee Jin-wook have resurfaced.

Beyond the Bar poster. Credit: X

Old allegations resurface against Lee Jin-wook

The controversy traces back to July 2016, when Lee Jin-wook visited the apartment of a woman identified by the surname Oh. According to court documents, he went there late at night, allegedly to help her install blinds. Oh claimed she offered him a shower and gave him a T-shirt, after which the two had sex.

Later that same month, Oh filed a rape accusation against Lee, stating that the encounter was non-consensual. In response, Lee filed a countersuit for false accusation.

During the police investigation, Oh submitted underwear she said she had worn during the incident. Testing revealed Lee's DNA on the clothing. By 2017, the case reached court. The Seoul Central District Court ultimately ruled in Oh's favour, concluding that her claims were not entirely groundless and that Lee's countersuit could not be upheld.

Still of Lee Jin-wook from the drama Beyond the Bar. Credit: X

The Seoul Central District Court delivered its judgment, acquitting Oh of making a false accusation. "The fact that Lee visited Oh's apartment and that she offered him a shower and gave him the shirt suggest that they had agreed on having sex," the court said. "However, there is also a possibility that she acted purely on graciousness," The Korea Times had reported.

The court acknowledged Oh's consistent testimony during questioning, noting she repeatedly described the encounter as non-consensual and expressed the shame she felt afterward.

"Even from Lee's statements, it appeared he neither asked her whether she agreed to have sex with him nor she consented to that," the court said. "It is thus plausible that Lee's false accusation charge does not have any evidence."

Fan backlash: can audiences separate the actor from the drama?

As Beyond the Bar continues to trend on Netflix, fans on Reddit have raised concerns about Lee Jin-wook's involvement. Many expressed disbelief that a drama led by the actor is receiving international acclaim given his controversial past.

Some even pointed out that they avoided watching Squid Game because of his role as Player 246, questioning how his projects continue to receive global recognition despite unresolved allegations.

About Beyond the Bar

So far, only four of the 12 episodes have aired, with the first episode premiering on August 2, 2025. The JTBC drama is scheduled to conclude on September 7, 2025, with new episodes released on Netflix every Saturday and Sunday.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
URUMQI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition on intangible cultural heritage opened on Friday in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, highlighting achievements in the preservation, inheritance and collaboration in the field.

The exhibition -- co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Xinjiang regional government -- is slated to run through August 19.

It features 435 intangible cultural heritage items and 383 inheritors from Xinjiang and 25 other provincial-level regions, including 19 that offer pairing assistance to Xinjiang.

The Yotkan cultural scenic spot in Hotan Prefecture is the main venue. Secondary venues across Hotan are also hosting exhibitions and offering interactive cultural heritage experiences.

China has been implementing the "pairing assistance" programs in Xinjiang since 1997, channeling financial, technical and human resource support in various fields to Xinjiang from other regions of China. 
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the public on the occasion of India's 79th Independence Day and highlighted his commitment towards attaining Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that India will become the worlds greatest power by 2047 if citizens do their bit by supporting Swadeshi goods and doing their duties.

If every citizen fulfils their duties, this goal will be achieved sooner, and India will emerge as the worlds greatest power by 2047, he said.

Highlighting UPs role in the country's growth, he reminded citizens that Independence does not mean arrogance or unrestrained freedom. Yogi Adityanath then urged every resident of the state to carry out their responsibilities to the state with utmost sincerity.

India has become the worlds fourth largest economy

Yogi Adityanath then highlighted India's achievements under the BJP-led NDA government, which came to power in 2014 and is now in its third term. He said that the country has emerged as the fourth-largest economy in the world in the past 11 years.

In 2014, India was the worlds 11th largest economy, and it has now become the 4th largest economy, added the CM.

Shifting his attention to Operation Sindoor, a military strike carried out by India on Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in May, Yogi Adityanath said that it highlighted the strength of Made in India weapons.

BrahMos missiles and Made in India drones manufactured in Lucknow have established Indias capabilities globally, said Yogi Adityanath.

He also lauded the valour shown by the Indian Army and thanked soldiers for courageously defending the borders.

Yogi Adityanath urges people to support the swadeshi goods

The CM went to urge people to use swadeshi goods in all walks of life to make the economy stronger. He emphasised that this would prove to be a blessing for artisans and entrepreneurs.

Yogi Adityanath. | Credit: X

On a parting note, he urged people to buy swadeshi gifts instead of imported ones, and send out a strong message




Roblox players have just received a major surprise: Lady Gaga is officially making an appearance in the wildly popular Dress to Impress game, starting August 16. The star will judge themed outfit contests, including one inspired by her album Mayhem, and even host an in-game meet-and-greet.

Yet the 39-year-old popstars virtual entry comes at a tumultuous moment for the platform: global bans, including in Qatar, then multiple lawsuits from U.S. states over predator safety, and controversy surrounding YouTuber Schleps efforts to expose predators. Its a collision of star-studded fun and urgent digital safety concerns.

Lady Gaga opens a Roblox account for the Dress to Impress event

As confirmed by GameSpot, Lady Gaga joins Roblox as the first-ever guest judge in Dress to Impresss Style Showdown from August 16 to August 29, 2025.

Lady Gaga joins Roblox as the first-ever guest judge (Credits: X/@allurequinn)

Players will craft outfits inspired by her album Mayhem, compete in a Zombieboy-themed challenge, and may even meet Lady Gaga in-game. Exclusive emotes and themed items will be up for grabs during the event.

Roblox under fire for child safety concerns

Roblox is facing mounting backlash over child safety lapses. Louisianas AG just sued the platform, calling it a perfect place for pedophiles due to weak age checks and moderation. Over 300 lawsuits allege the company allowed sexual predators to target minors. The ensuing fallout spooked investors, and Roblox stock sank over 10%.

No matter how it gets painted, me and my team got 6 predators arrested within the Roblox community in under a year.



I sleep well at night knowing these people will not be able to abuse anymore children on Roblox. My work will always have amounted to something. pic.twitter.com/7WYejV6bFO  Schlep (@RealSchlep) August 9, 2025

Nations such as Qatar, Turkey, Oman, and China have banned Roblox due to safety concerns.

The YouTuber Real Schlep vs Roblox saga: What happened?

YouTuber Schlep (RealSchlep) gained attention by exposing alleged child predators on Roblox through staged sting videos. However, Roblox banned him and sent a cease-and-desist, accusing him of breaking safety rules by bypassing official moderation paths.

An official statement regarding Roblox: pic.twitter.com/nVJ30lUqaG  Schlep (@RealSchlep) August 14, 2025

His actions sparked public outrage and raised debate over the platforms safety protocols, as well as their questionable responses to such serious matters, and whether vigilantism should be allowed when systems fail.

Fans respond with concern and anger to Lady Gagas decision to join Roblox at such a time

Lady Gagas Roblox debut has sparked strong reactions across social media, with many users expressing frustration rather than excitement. "This is tone deaf amid the #RobloxPredator crisis," one X user wrote, while others called the timing poor, arguing that "glamorising Roblox through a celebrity only distracts from its safety failings."



So she supports them protecting pedos??  Coffee and Grit (@CoffeeNGrit) August 15, 2025





With everything revolving around roblox right now, this is..odd  QueenRaeLyn (@QueenRaelynR6) August 16, 2025

A TikToker lamented, When kids are at risk, styling them up with Gaga just feels wrong. The pushback highlights how Gagas in-game arrival is seen by some as overshadowing urgent conversations about safeguarding young players.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday (August 16), unveiled a Rs 30,000 master plan to ensure the all-round development of the Braj region. The announcement was made in Mathura on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, Lord Krishnas birth anniversary.

Yogi Adityanath strives to rejuvenate Braj

Yogi Adiyanath visited Mathura on the occasion of Janmashtami and opened up about his masterplan to revitalise the entire Braj region. The plan will highlight the link between pilgrimage sites like Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Gokul and the Dwapar Yuga in an attempt to revive old memories.

Our government is committed to respecting the sentiments of revered saints and enriching the Braj region. We are making possible the works which were once considered impossible, he said.

          -         /       ... https://t.co/VIAptQnscP  Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 16, 2025

Yogi Adityanath then went on to highlight the role played by the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi and the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya in ensuring the rapid development of these towns

Kashi in particular has undergone a massive transformation on this front. There was once a time when not even 50 people could visit the town together. However, now 50,000 devotees can have darshan in one go.

Multiple projects launched on Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2025

On the special occasion, Yogi Adityanath also laid the foundation stone of 118 development projects worth Rs 646 crore for the Mathura-Vrindavan region. This includes the inauguration of 80 projects worth about Rs 273 crore. It also covers the foundation laying of 38 projects worth Rs 373 crores. Through them, the government is set to ensure the beautification of Parikrama paths. It will also pave the way for environmental protection, water conservation, and better connectivity.

Yogi Adityanath. | Credit: X/@myogiadityanath

He also thanked saints and public representatives for their cooperation, which made the approval of these projects possible.

Additionally, Yogi Adityanath said that India's spiritual heritage is one of its biggest assets as It offers a path to spiritual harmony at a time when there is a global crisis.
Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to the countless freedom fighters and leaders who sacrificed their lives to ensure Indias freedom. Speaking at his official Lucknow residence on the countrys 79th Independence Day, he paid tribute to The Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution.

Independence Day is not merely a celebration

Independence Day 2025 was celebrated with enthusiasm in Uttar Pradesh on August 15. Addressing the public on this auspicious occasion, CM Yogi Adityanath remembered Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar and thanked them for their contribution to the freedom struggle. He said that the mass leaders and countless revolutionationaries paved the way for freedom through their dedication.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath. | Credit: X

"Independence Day is not merely a celebration but also an occasion to awaken national consciousness and renew our commitment to duty, he added.

Yogi Adityanath further said that the Constitution, now in its Amrit Kaal, has played a pivotal role in upholding the principles of social justice and fraternity through good times and bad.

Yogi Adityanath encourages the use of swadeshi goods

Turning his attention to Operation Sindoor, a military strike carried out by India on Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in May, Yogi Adityanath said that it served as a strong reminder of how Made in India weapons have established the country as a force to be reckoned with.

BrahMos missiles and Made in India drones manufactured in Lucknow have established Indias capabilities globally, said Yogi Adityanath.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Indian Army and its soldiers for defending the borders in difficult times. Yogi Adityanath also emphasised on the crucial role played by the police for playing an integral role in ensuring internal security.

Yogi Adityanath concluded by saying that every citizen must carry out their duties with sincerity to ensure Indias all-round development.

If every citizen fulfils their duties, this goal will be achieved sooner, and India will emerge as the worlds greatest power by 2047, added the CM.

Additionally, Yogi Adityanath encouraged people to buy swadeshi goods in order to bolster the economy.
The world of daytime television is mourning the loss of Tristan Rogers, the beloved actor who brought Robert Scorpio to life on General Hospital. Rogers passed away at the age of 79 after a battle with lung cancer, a diagnosis made more striking by the fact that he never smoked.

Known for his charm, sharp wit, and undeniable on-screen presence, he became a staple in the General Hospital show's fictional city, Port Charles, for over four decades. Fans and co-stars remember him not only for his legendary storylines but also for his kindness and loyalty off-screen. His legacy in the soap opera world will endure for years.

Robert Scorpio and General Hospital fame

Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rodgers) first appeared in Port Charles as a secret agent, later becoming the police commissioner. Tristan Rogers was part of the General Hospital shows golden era in the early 1980s, sharing the screen with the iconic Luke and Laura storyline, which drew record-breaking audiences. His character navigated espionage plots, love triangles, and high-stakes drama, becoming a central figure in General Hospital for decades.

Robert Scorpio first appeared in Port Charles as a secret agent, later becoming the police commissioner (Credits: X/@Bobbysworld74)

Fans admired not just the thrilling plots but also the depth Rogers brought to the role. His performance helped define what many consider one of the most memorable periods in soap opera history.

A legacy beyond the screen

Colleagues and fans remember Tristan Rogers as a warm, loyal, and down-to-earth person behind the camera. His manager, Meryl Soodak, shared that the role of Robert Scorpio meant everything to him and that he loved the connection he built with the audience.

Another sad day for our GH fam: Tristian Rogers has passed away this morning at the age of 79. We lost one of the greats. Thank you for all you have given us Tristian. May he rest in peace  #GH pic.twitter.com/DGDi0Th7qx  based__gh (@based__gh) August 15, 2025

Even after decades in the industry, Rogers continued returning to General Hospital, proving his dedication to the show and its fans. His passing leaves a void in the soap opera community, but his work will continue to inspire future generations of actors and entertain viewers through countless memorable episodes.

Tristan Rodgers family life

Tristan Rogers shared a loving life with his wife, Teresa Parkerson, whom he married on May 21, 1995. The couple built a close family, raising two children together. Their daughter, Sara Jane, was born on August 25, 1992, and their son, Cale, arrived in August 1996. Beyond his television career, Rogers valued his role as a husband and father, often expressing his love for his family in interviews.

I know the sadness I feel at this news is shared by so many of you. #TristanRogers was one of the coolest, funniest people I ever met. Whenever we were together, which wasnt nearly often enough, we never missed a chance to try to crack the other one up. I wish Id had more of pic.twitter.com/4lqrfe0bLM  Jon Lindstrom (@thejonlindstrom) August 15, 2025

He was also a proud grandfather, cherishing time with his grandchild. Those closest to him remember him as a deeply loyal and kind man whose greatest joy came from his family.

Who was Tristan Rogers?

Tristan Rogers was an Australian-born actor whose career spanned television, film, and stage, but he will always be most remembered for his portrayal of Robert Scorpio on General Hospital. Joining the show in 1980,

Tristan Rogers was an Australian-born actor whose career spanned television, film, and stage (Credits: X/@TeamJckDeveraux)

The 79-year-old transformed what was meant to be a short-term role into a defining character in soap opera history. Scorpio became a fan favourite for his suave, adventurous spirit and quick wit, often at the centre of dramatic and romantic storylines.

Over the years, Rogers also appeared in The Young and the Restless, The Bay, and several films, solidifying his status as a versatile and respected performer.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that security agencies remain neutral during the ongoing by-elections in Edo State.

In a statement released on Saturday, by the Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the party stressed the need for a peaceful and credible electoral process.

It also expressed concern over reports of voter intimidation and disruptions in some polling units.

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We appeal to President Tinubu to ensure that all security personnel deployed in Edo for the by-elections act with neutrality and respect for democratic values, Aziegbemi said.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/institutional-neglect-poor-governance-stalling-nigerias-development-obi-of-onitsha.html

According to him, members of the party and independent observers have raised alarms about incidents in parts of Esan Central and Ovia South West local government areas.

Some voters have faced difficulties accessing polling units, and there are troubling accounts of disruptions affecting the process, he added.

In Ovia South West, PDP House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Destiny Enabulele, also raised concerns after a confrontation at his polling unit.

He alleged, There was a clear attempt to intimidate me and my supporters. Personal items were even taken during the incident. This is unacceptable in a democracy.

The PDP called on the Edo State Government and relevant authorities to investigate the reported cases and ensure fairness.

Democracy thrives when citizens are allowed to freely express their will at the ballot box without fear or interference, the party said.

It further urged supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.

We encourage our voters to be vigilant but peaceful. The credibility of this election depends on their resolve to defend democracy, the statement concluded.

The Edo Central and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections continue amid heightened political interest and close monitoring by stakeholders.
Solomon Buchi, a Nigerian writer and social commentator, has shared his views on Toke Makinwa, a television host and actress, regarding her pregnancy at 40, cautioning against framing her personal choice as a spiritual matter.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Buchi said he is happy for Makinwa, noting that becoming a mother seems to be something she truly desired. However, he raised concerns about how she connected her decision to God.

I was watching a clip from her podcast and she was talking about how she had an agreement with God or she prayed to God that she really wants to be a mother, Buchi said.

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READ MORE: I Need Lots Of Money To Be Happy, Marriage Not On My Agenda  Chike

He emphasised that personal decisions should not be conflated with divine approval, especially for Christians.

As a Jesus girl, a Christian, we need to be very careful with how we mix God with our personal decisions. Decisions that weve decided to pursue, whether they are godly or not, he explained.

While acknowledging that wanting a child is not wrong, Buchi argued that spiritualising a choice made outside marriage is unnecessary.

Honestly, you can give your testimony without implicating Gods word and his standard. Just say that you really wanted to be a mother and now youre about to be a mother or maybe youre a mother already. There is no need to infuse God, he said.

He concluded by reiterating his happiness for Makinwa but advised against presenting personal plans as divinely guided.

He added, Some people have made mistakes and that is absolutely fine. That does not define their life, but sounding as though you intentionally planned to have a child outside of wedlock and then trying to spiritualize it and bring God into it lets not bring God into it.
Former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has declared that no one can destroy the record of service he has built.

He stressed that his political career stands on years of dedication and service to the people.

Speaking on Saturday, at his residence in Sokoto after a large crowd of supporters welcomed him back to the state.

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Tambuwal dismissed his recent questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a ploy to intimidate him into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/gov-bala-mohammed-appoints-chinese-national-li-zhensheng-as-economic-adviser.html

What they failed to realize is that I cannot be intimidated, I cannot be blackmailed, and no one can tarnish my records that God has given me, Tambuwal stated.

He highlighted his long years of service in government, noting: From my time in the House of Representatives in 2003 as Minority Leader, to Deputy Chief Whip in 2007, to Speaker in 2011, and then as governor of Sokoto for eight years, and now a Senator, I have served my people and Nigeria well.

The Senator described the allegation of 189 billion against him as baseless, stressing that even past investigations by the Sokoto State government cleared him of wrongdoing.

Tambuwal further accused the APC of pursuing anti-people policies.

Their policies are anti-people. They have no compassion, they have no human feelings, he said.

Looking ahead to 2027, the former governor declared that Nigerians are prepared to reject the APC at the polls.

We are determined, we are committed to democratic efforts, and we will join forces with all Nigerians to make sure that, by the grace of God, in 2027 we end this misrule and misgovernance in our country, he added.
The Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, has lamented that Nigeria continues to suffer from institutional neglect and policy somersaults.

He also expressed concern over poor implementation of government efforts, saying the nation is yet to address key structural and administrative challenges.

He made the remarks on Friday, while speaking at the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) 27th convocation.

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Achebe noted that the situation predicted by former NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Peter Okebukola, 20 years ago has become more pronounced today.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/lagos-apc-slams-aregbesola-over-adc-membership-mobilisation-remarks.html

Nigeria has suffered institutional neglect, policy summersaults implementation, he said, stressing that these challenges hinder the nations ability to develop necessary human capacity while other African countries rapidly advance in digital technology.

In his open remarks, Professor Sola Akinrinade, President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), called on the federal government to synergise efforts for national development.

The wellbeing of every society depends on its effective management, he noted. Akinrinade emphasised the importance of humanities in guiding the digital revolution and promoting societal wellbeing.

The humanities community must work with technologists and regulators.

Humanists can help craft policies on digital ethics, teach digital literacy in cultural contexts, and ensure technology serves African values, he added.

Akinrinade highlighted Nigerias underdevelopment, economic instability, and poor infrastructure, including electricity and water deficits.

He also pointed to weaknesses in healthcare, food insecurity, and widespread corruption.

Additionally, he warned of a declining value system, reflected in poor leadership, weak work ethics, and lack of civic responsibility and patriotism.

University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, urged the NAL to promote a national culture that celebrates Nigerians achievements.

Until Nigerians are proud of who we are, we can never be great, she said.

The NAL also called on the Federal Executive Council to institute a programme of value re-orientation to prevent a further descent into a valueless society.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the arrest of more than 100 suspected political thugs during the by-election in Bagwai Local Government Area of Kano State.

The disclosure was made by the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Audu Zago, who stated that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted in line with the nations electoral laws.

More than 100 political thugs have been arrested. The police have confirmed this, the process is ongoing, and you have seen it for yourself, Zago said.

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The REC assured that those arrested would face prosecution, emphasizing that the commission remains committed to enforcing the rules and regulations governing elections.

Despite the arrests, Ambassador Zago described the by-election as peaceful, commending the security agencies for ensuring the protection of lives and property throughout the process.

READ MORE: INEC Backs Inmates Voting Rights, Seeks National Assemblys Backing

Speaking to journalists in Bagwai town while monitoring polling units, the REC expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements in place.

I am very impressed by the security arrangements here in Bagwai town. Thank God, most of the political thugs have been rounded up, and the electoral process is going on peacefully, he stated.

He further revealed that election materials arrived promptly at most polling units, although there were two incidents where thugs attempted to disrupt the process. According to him, security personnel swiftly restored order in the affected areas.

Ambassador Zago also identified Shanono Local Government Area as one of the most volatile zones during the exercise. However, he noted that the heavy presence of security operatives had ensured stability.

With the presence of security personnel, there is no cause for alarm, though we are heading there now, he added.
DAMASCUS, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Syrian authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of Captagon pills in the southern Daraa province and dismantled a drug trafficking network in the northern Aleppo province, Syria's SANA news agency reported on Friday.

Khaled Eid, director of Syria's Anti-Narcotics Department, was quoted as saying that in a recent operation in Daraa, the department seized a large number of Captagon pills concealed in food jars -- specifically tomato paste -- before they could be smuggled out of the country.

In a separate operation in Aleppo, the department broke up a drug trafficking network and confiscated about 200,000 Captagon pills, according to the report.

Eid said the operations are part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and safeguard public security.

Captagon, the trademark name for the synthetic stimulant fenethylline, was developed in the 1960s to treat conditions such as hyperactivity, narcolepsy and depression. Due to its high potential for addiction, it was later banned in most countries during the 1980s.

Syrian authorities have reiterated their commitment to combating drug trafficking and have urged citizens to assist by reporting any suspicious activities. 
Operatives of the Kebbi State Police Command have rescued two kidnapped victims unharmed after a fierce gun battle with bandits in Ribah.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Nafiu Abubakar, the rescue operation took place on August 15, 2025.

The operation occurred around 3:05 p.m. during an aggressive patrol in Dankade village.

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It was conducted in Ribah district, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.

The joint team, which comprised police officers, vigilantes, and local hunters, was led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ribah, the statement read.

The operatives engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted for hours before successfully rescuing 26-year-old Tukur Bello of Kembawa village, Augie LGA, and 25-year-old Isyaka Abubakar of Budun village, Gummi LGA, Zamfara State.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/were-not-terrorists-apc-reacts-to-canadian-court-ruling.html

The victims had been abducted on August 9, 2025, while grazing their cows at Gairi forest in Zamfara State.

They were rescued unharmed and immediately taken to a medical facility for examination before being reunited with their families.

Commenting on the operation, Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, said: I commend the resilience, determination, and professionalism displayed by the DPO Ribah and his team.

They have set a standard for aggressive patrols and visibility policing across the state.

He further urged other Divisional Police Officers to emulate the Ribah division in safeguarding lives and property.

The command will not relent in protecting law-abiding citizens and ensuring peace and socio-economic development in Kebbi State, CP Sani added.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, announced on Saturday the arrest of key leaders of the ANSARU terrorist group.

He also confirmed the apprehension of leaders from the Mahmudawa terrorist faction, highlighting a major breakthrough in Nigerias fight against terrorism.

The operation targeted the masterminds behind numerous attacks against Nigeria over the years.

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Ribadu identified the suspects as Amir Mahmud Mohammed Usman, aka Abu Baraa, and Deputy Amir Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Mallam Mamuda.

He said, The targeted operation, which was conducted between May and July 2025, led to the capture of two top ANSARU leaders who have been responsible for masterminding several terrorist attacks against Nigeria over the past years.

He provided details on their activities, stating, Abu Baraa is the self-styled Emir of ANSARU.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/i-couldve-stopped-2015-polls-card-reader-rejected-me-my-wife-others-in-south-but-voting-without-accreditation-went-on-in-north-jonathan.html

He coordinated various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and masterminded high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies to finance terrorism.

Mamuda, the Deputy, led the Mahmudawa cell around Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States up to the Republic of Benin.

He trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors, specializing in weapons handling and IED fabrication.

Ribadu highlighted the significance of the operation, adding, The capture of Abu Bara and Mallam Mamuda marks one of the most significant achievements to date in our ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism.

This successful decapitation of the leadership dismantles the central command of ANSARU while paving the way for the complete annihilation of the group.

He further assured the public, saying, In the course of the operation, our security forces captured and recovered valuable actionable intelligence, including materials and digital evidence.

The findings will support our ongoing efforts to bring them to justice and completely dismantle residual networks.

Ribadu also praised the collaboration of agencies, stating, I must appreciate the doggedness of the Armed Forces and all our intelligence and security agencies, who worked tirelessly and collaboratively to achieve this outcome. Finally,

I urge all law-abiding citizens to continue to remain vigilant and volunteer timely information to security agencies for prompt action.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Saturday, cast his vote in the ongoing House of Representatives by-election.

The election was held for the Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State.

Abiodun participated in the exercise by voting at his designated polling unit.

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The exercise took place at Polling Unit 002, Ita Osanyin, Iperu Ward 3, in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking with journalists after voting, Abiodun praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its preparedness and smooth conduct of the poll.

He said, I have just exercised my franchise. I am quite impressed with the feedback I got this morning that the electoral materials arrived early. There is also an impressive turnout.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/i-served-nigeria-well-no-one-can-tarnish-my-record-tambuwal.html

The governor added that the process had been largely peaceful across polling centres visited.

Everybody is going about voting peacefully. In some places, maybe because of the weather, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine took some time to capture. So far, everything is so good.

I want to thank INEC for being on top of their game as usual. Obviously, year in, year out, they are improving the quality of their services. Basically, everything is going well. No rancour, no fighting, he stated.

Meanwhile, there was heavy deployment of security operatives across Ikenne, Sagamu, and Remo North to ensure peace during the by-election.

Security personnel from the Nigerian Army, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and FRSC were sighted at strategic locations enforcing movement restrictions.

Electoral officials were also accompanied by security agents to polling units to maintain order. Reports from various wards in Ikenne and Sagamu showed impressive voter turnout and peaceful conduct.

The Remo Federal Constituency by-election recorded massive participation, with residents trooping out in large numbers to exercise their franchise.
Armed men on Thursday attacked two villagers in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing one person and leaving another critically injured.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, confirmed the incident in a post on X on Friday, stating that the gunmen opened fire along the MargifKopmur Road at about 8:30 a.m.

READ MORE: Plateau Women Threaten Naked Protest Over Herdsmen Killings

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The victims were identified as Michael Lontukun, a native of Njin Kopmur village in Mushere West, and Stephen David from Kopmur village in Margif Ward.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers shot at the villagers without any form of provocation.

Lontukun died instantly, while David sustained gunshot injuries, Makama wrote.

Troops of the Nigerian Army, alongside the Sector 5 Commander of the Special Task Force (STF), were immediately deployed to the scene of the attack in response to the incident.

The wounded victim was taken to the General Hospital in Horop for urgent medical attention, while the remains of the deceased were released to his family for burial after they declined an autopsy.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested Gabriel Gideon, a fake ophthalmologist, in Nsit-Ubium Local Government Area for reportedly administering unapproved substances to hundreds of residents.

In a statement on Friday, Police spokesperson DSP Timfon John said that Gabriel Gideon was taken into custody on Thursday, August 14, 2025, following a tip-off from residents of Itu LGA, where he allegedly treated people with a mixture of olive oil, juice, and water.

The statement read, A fake medical doctor who parades himself as an ophthalmologist has been arrested for allegedly administering a mixture of unapproved substances to hundreds of people in Ikot Akpan Itam, Ikot Abasi Itam, and Nung Ikot Itam in Itu LGA.

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READ MORE: EFCC To Arraign 23 Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested At Hotel In Obasanjo Library In Ogun

On Thursday, August 14, 2025, at approximately 12:05 pm, operatives of the command received a tip from a concerned citizen regarding a man who was reportedly treating eye defects with unapproved substances.

The suspect, identified as Gabriel Gideon from Nsit Ubium, was apprehended.

The statement indicated that the suspect confessed to lacking formal qualifications as an eye doctor and allegedly gathered over 300 residents in each of the villages  Ikot Akpan Itam, Ikot Abasi Itam, and Nung Ikot Itam  charging N500 for the supposed treatment.

A Ministry of Health medical team confirmed that the substances used were unauthorised for medical treatment.

The police stated that investigations into the matter are still in progress.
Security operatives in Kaduna State have apprehended a suspected vote buyer with cash totalling N25,963,000, just hours before the commencement of the scheduled bye-elections in parts of the state.

The suspect, identified as Shehu Aliyu Patangi, was arrested at about 3:30 am on Saturday by a combined team of operatives from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) at a well-known hotel located along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis.

According to the Kaduna State Police Command, preliminary investigations indicated that the recovered cash was allegedly meant to be used to induce voters and compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

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READ MORE: Kaduna Police Stop Pro-Peter Obi Rally, Vow To Arrest Violators

Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in a statement, disclosing that the suspect had confessed during interrogation and pleaded for leniency.

Quoting the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, the statement warned that the Command would not tolerate any attempt to subvert the democratic process through illegal acts such as vote buying, thuggery, or electoral violence.

The suspect was arrested with the said amount, believed to have been earmarked for bribing voters. He confessed to the crime and begged for mercy. We wish to reiterate that anyone found attempting to undermine the electoral process will face the full wrath of the law, CP Muhammad was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has cautioned political actors and their supporters against acts of violence or any conduct capable of disrupting the smooth conduct of the bye-elections.

The Command disclosed that it had received credible intelligence on plans by some politicians to instigate unrest. It assured that adequate security personnel have been deployed to polling units, collation centres, and identified flashpoints across the state to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

The Command will deal decisively with troublemakers. Anyone, no matter how highly placed, who engages in violence, intimidation, vote buying, or thuggery will be arrested and prosecuted, the statement stressed.

The police further assured residents of Kaduna State of their safety before, during, and after the elections, urging eligible voters to come out en masse and exercise their civic responsibility peacefully without fear of harassment or intimidation.
It was an emotionally charged moment as 12 rescued Nigerian workers recounted the harrowing experiences they endured under Chinese employers in the Central African Republic (CAR).

The men revealed that they were sexually abused while working for mining companies, a situation that persisted until their recent rescue by the federal government.

The 12 stranded Nigerians, whose ordeal went viral three weeks ago, finally returned home and paid a courtesy visit to the office of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in Abuja on Friday, August 15. They were warmly received by the NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

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READ MORE: Three Women Rescued As NAPTIP Cracks Down On Human Traffickers In Katsina

Igorigo Freeborn, the leader of the rescued workers, disclosed the gravity of their suffering, stating, We were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR. Despite being owed 11 months of salaries, I am not ashamed to speak out. I want the world to know our experiences so that others can learn from them.

He added, We were treated terribly there, but we thank God for sparing our lives and allowing us to share our story today. I am usually critical of Nigeria, often doubting the good that can come from this country, but we were all overjoyed to receive assistance and support from our government.

Freeborn further expressed gratitude to the federal authorities for their swift intervention, saying, Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), NEMA, Immigration Service, and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately.
Jaycee Jezwinski, a third-year student optometrist at Drexel, examined a patient at the Remote Area Medical clinic in Philadelphia. Read more

Hundreds of people flocked to a temporary medical clinic Saturday for free cavity fillings, Pap smears, and glasses, with some patients already outside when the clinic opened its doors at 6 a.m.

At the School of the Future in West Philadelphia, dental patients sat in rows by the bleachers in the gymnasium, waiting to be seen, while vision patients squinted in the darkened auditorium downstairs.

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The clinic was run by Remote Area Medical, a Tennessee-based nonprofit best known for providing free health services to patients in remote parts of the world, as well as the rural United States.

But Philadelphia  the poorest big city in the country, where about 7% of the population doesnt have health insurance  has proven to be a worthwhile stop. This is the third time the clinic has visited the city, in partnership with the nonprofit DentMed Inc. and the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office. (The clinic will be open again Sunday.)

 READ MORE: A free pop-up clinic offering dental, vision, and medical services returns to Philadelphia

By the time the clinic closed on day one, 226 people had registered as patients  no ID or insurance information required.

Its possible the need will only grow in the next few years. Under changes passed in President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania residents who currently have insurance will no longer be able to afford it or will become uninsured because they do not meet strict new reenrollment criteria, according to state officials. An additional 300,000 Pennsylvania residents who have free or low-cost insurance through Medicaid may lose it, according to estimates from Gov. Josh Shapiro.

At the West Philadelphia clinic, the uninsured and the underinsured were eager for basic care.

Angel Soto, 57, has diabetes and had run out of his high blood pressure medication. He also worried about pain radiating from the back of his ear down his arm that had recently sent him to the emergency room. He has no health insurance, unable to afford the monthly costs.

Im not sure the next time I can see a doctor, Soto mused, as he waited in the library to be seen by a RAM physician. Im always worried.

The effort is almost entirely volunteer-run, drawing physicians, nurses, dentists, optometric techs, and general volunteers from across Philadelphia and the country. Their day began around 5 a.m. on Saturday.

I grew up seeing a lot of disenfranchised groups of people who werent able to receive the quality medical care they deserved, said Hafsah Ahmad, a 21-year-old Philadelphia resident and volunteer who oversaw patient registration. I always thought that was very unfair, and I wanted to play my part in reducing barriers to care.

Some patients had not been to a doctor in years. Anna Gao struggled with her vision and had not seen an eye doctor in five years. She was leaving with new glasses.

This is a great chance for me, she said. Im so thankful.

Thaisa Richards, 56, brought her two grandchildren from Germantown to the clinic, arriving at 7 a.m. Both kids are uninsured, she said, and they needed physicals for the school year and dental checks. Richards ended up getting a physical, too.

Her granddaughter, Aubrey Johnson, chewed on a dental gauze roll to ease the discomfort after a filling. Her grandson also got a cavity filled.

The tooth is not going to be a problem, RAM dentist Adam Yang told Richards. I know he hasnt gotten a lot of fillings before, so if it bothers him, take some painkillers.

It didnt hurt at all, Dylan Johnson, 14, said. They did it right on the spot.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith attend a news conference on Monday about President Donald Trump's plan to place D.C. police under federal control and deploy National Guard troops in the city. Read more

Heres a sentence I never thought Id write: My beloved hometown of Washington, D.C., is under military occupation.

A video making the rounds on social media shows a group of men in law enforcement walking up to a Black male D.C. resident smoking in front of his home and asking for identification. Thankfully, all involved stayed calm, and the situation didnt escalate. But it easily could have  and thats what scares me.

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The reason were living through this ridiculous moment in the first place is because President Donald Trump decided to flex his authoritarian muscles over what used to be known as Chocolate City by seizing control of the Metropolitan Police Department from Mayor Muriel Bowser and activating National Guard troops to fight crime in the city.

This, despite an announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this year that violent crime in the district is at a 30-year low.

My advice to my old neighbors in D.C. during these tense and uncertain times is to exercise caution. If approached by law enforcement, remain calm  just like the man in the video. Dont take the bait. Dont provoke. Dont engage in a way that puts you at risk. Dont give any members of law enforcement an excuse to take you into custody.

Also, dont assume you know what any law enforcement officers you may encounter are thinking. Some may agree that this entire situation is a waste of time and taxpayer money.

Although I moved away from the district years ago, my heart is right there with you. My late parents owned a home in Brookland, a quiet, middle-class neighborhood in the northeast section of the city. Life was good. For the most part, we felt safe. I have many happy memories of riding my bicycle through our neighborhood. Our family thrived in D.C.

Granted, it has been decades since I lived there, but Ive dreamed of one day returning, maybe even buying a fixer-upper in my old neighborhood, which some folks call Little Rome because of all the Catholic institutions in the area, including the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Catholic University of America.

But those dreams are on hold for at least the next month or so  thats how long the districts Home Rule law allows presidents to keep federal law enforcement officers in the city. After 30 days, Trump will need approval from Congress if he wants to keep at this, which Democrats, and possibly some Republicans, will resist.

Trumps decision to take over the districts police force comes after a 19-year-old staffer with the Department of Government Efficiency was injured earlier this month during an attempted carjacking.

Authorities said a group of teenagers approached Edward Coristine early on Aug. 3 near Dupont Circle. Coristine reportedly managed to push a female companion inside a vehicle to safety, but was beaten by several assailants. Police have arrested two 15-year-old Maryland residents in connection with the incident.

Trump posted about the attack on Truth Social on Aug. 5, 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 run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore.

He added: Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

For Trump, exerting those powers has meant sending in 800 members of the National Guard, roughly 100 FBI agents, and about 40 agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to start policing the streets of D.C.

This is frightening because of what it may mean for other cities.

This president is not exactly known for showing discipline and restraint. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper claimed Trump inquired about shooting protesters during the unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. Trumps aides kept him from going down that road.

But Trump 2.0 doesnt seem to have any guardrails. So whats happening in the district now is a trial run, a test. Just like what Trump did in Los Angeles in June, when he ordered 700 Marines to the city to protect federal property and personnel during protests over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.

Trump has shown us who he is, what hes about, and how public safety is something he only invokes when it serves his own agenda. Where were his frantic calls to the National Guard on Jan. 6, 2021, when an angry mob violently attacked U.S. Capitol police officers and tried to stop the 2020 presidential election from being certified?

But he has activated the National Guard in Washington, D.C., now.

And if you think he wont take steps to similarly militarize Philadelphia or some other city like he has done in Los Angeles and D.C., youre ignoring the signs. Like those two cities, we are a Democratic stronghold, we have a significant Black population that is both engaged and energized, and were led by an outspoken Black female mayor.

Ill say it again: Im with you, D.C.

And one day, what youre living through now, the rest of us may wind up experiencing, as well.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Friday framed the planned major SEPTA service reductions as devastating to the city and to the fiscal health of the state  but declined to detail contingency plans to support residents seeking transit alternatives, saying she still hopes Pennsylvanias divided legislature finds a solution.

Without SEPTA, the centers too weak to hold, Parker said at an unrelated press conference at City Hall, citing the importance of the transit agency and its economic contributions to Pennsylvanias general fund.

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Im talking about a structure that will allow the economic engine, the heart of the fabric of our economy in southeastern Pennsylvania, and thus the commonwealth, to keep it going, Parker said. The economy doesnt work without SEPTA.

SEPTA has a $213 million operating deficit for the 2026 fiscal year, which began July 1. As a result, the nations sixth-largest transit agency plans to enact a 20% cut in all service and a major fare increase, beginning Aug. 24.

In her first public remarks about the impending cuts since SEPTAs funding deadline passed to forestall them, Parker doubled down on her support for Gov. Josh Shapiros pitch to fund the beleaguered transit agency by seeking new revenue streams for the state, such as taxing and regulating skill games and recreational marijuana, and her hope that the legislature could get behind it.

What is the Plan B? Parker asked in response to a question. We will work through if-then statements when the time comes; right now were laser-focused on supporting our legislature, she said.

But lawmakers in Harrisburg this week remained at a contentious standstill, with the state budget seven weeks overdue and no agreement on mass transit funding in sight. The Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday passed a plan to tap into the Public Transportation Trust Fund that pays for transit-system capital projects to fund SEPTA for two years.

 READ MORE: Is there actually $1 billion sitting in a fund for SEPTA? Explaining the Public Transportation Trust Fund.

SEPTA opposed the measure because, leaders said, it would force them to sacrifice projects essential to safety and service improvements to keep the trains running. SEPTA general manager Scott Sauer said the plan would hurt SEPTA as some needed projects would have to be halted to shift money to the operating side.

Democrats similarly balked at the plan, and on Wednesday, a committee in the Democratic-controlled state House voted down the Senates proposal, effectively killing the bill.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvania is still far away from a state budget after House votes down transit funding and spending bills

Anything other than addressing the systemic, structural deficit, to me, its fuzzy math, its tricks on a budget sheet, Parker said, referencing the Senates plan.

As they have done for months, Shapiro this week met behind closed doors with Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) and House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) to continue budget negotiations. Shapiro on Wednesday told reporters that the leaders are not far apart, adding that the Senates proposal made clear the chamber is committed to funding mass transit.

We dont want everyone to get in a car and drive to Center City

The news conference marked Parkers first public appearance this week in a stretch during which she has not done many public events. The mayor last posted on Aug. 8 on her social media account about the looming SEPTA crisis, and visited Harrisburg in June with little fanfare.

But Parker pushed back on questions about what the city is doing to prepare as it stares down a potential moment of crisis for residents who depend on SEPTA to get to work, or to get their kids to school. The first day of school in Philadelphia is Aug. 25, one day after the cuts are slated to go into effect.

Parker said the city did its part in June when it passed, in its own budget, a massive increase in SEPTA funding totaling $792 million over five years. Parker, who previously served as a state representative in Harrisburg and campaigned for mayor on a platform that she could work with lawmakers there for the interests of the city, noted shes no longer there, and doesnt have a vote.

You wont see what were doing on social media, she said. The action that youll see ... we did it when we passed our budget.

Michael A. Carroll, the deputy managing director of the citys office of transportation and infrastructure systems, advised residents to use SEPTAs trip planner tool to plan travel after cuts begin. He said the city will encourage people to use the citys bike share program, walk when possible, carpool, and find alternative transit routes into the city if theirs are affected.

More guidance, Carroll said, will come early next week.

We dont want everyone to get in a car and drive to Center City, he said.

But Parker doubled down on her hope that there wont be a need for contingencies. She said there is no plan at the moment to suspend the citys in-office work requirement due to mass transit reductions, and she worried about the chaos that even suggested alternative plans could cause.

I dont want to think about a home health aide who has three to five clients that theyre trying to see on a daily basis. You gonna tell him or her that they have to ride a bike and crisscross the city of Philadelphia? she said.

Were doing our best to brace for it, but you know, you never want to get me to say Ive given up. Im not throwing a flag in the air saying that it wont get done.
KASHGAR, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Kashgar Prefecture and its cities and counties in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region signed seven new international partnership agreements with counterparts in Uzbekistan and Laos on Saturday.

The agreements were signed at a side event of the ongoing 15th Kashgar-Central and South Asia Commodity Fair, covering partnerships such as Kashgar City and Ferghana City in Uzbekistan, Yengisar county in Kashgar and Phonhong district in Vientiane province, Laos.

Mirzokhid Ubaydullaev, a senior official of Ferghana region in Uzbekistan, praised Xinjiang as a key hub that connects China with Central Asia. He noted that under the Belt and Road Initiative, numerous Chinese companies have been deeply involved in the region's infrastructure, construction materials, and renewable energy projects.

"We look forward to promoting cooperation in science and technology, education, and healthcare," he said.

Since establishing its first international sister-city partnership in 2005, the Kashgar Prefecture has expanded its network to include 21 partnerships. 
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announces a pay raise and a bonus payment for Philadelphia police officers during a news conference at City Hall on Friday. Read more

Philadelphia police officers will receive a pay raise this year and next, but there wont be rollbacks on transparency and accountability measures in their newly awarded contract as their union had initially proposed.

A panel awarded members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 a two-year contract that Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said would cost the city a total of $343 million over five years. FOP Lodge 5 members, who are uniformed employees of the department, will receive a 3% pay increase this fiscal year and next, along with a one-time cash payment of $3,000 within 30 days and changes to improve sick leave and wellness offerings.

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During a news conference Friday to announce the contract, Parker touted the deal and the bonus payment in particular, saying it was intended to recognize the efforts and the sacrifices of Philadelphias police officers.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Friday that the contract was a step toward making us on par with our colleagues and our collar counties.

The contract marks the third major labor agreement that Parker has announced this summer after a one-year contract extension for the citys four largest unions expired on July 1. Last month  after a tumultuous eight-day strike  the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 reached a three-year contract with the city. A few days later, AFSCME DC 47 reached its agreement with the city.

But the contract process is different for police officers. Police, firefighters, and other public safety personnel are prohibited by state law from going on strike. Since this weakens their leverage at the bargaining table, the law, in exchange, outlines a process known as interest arbitration. A three-person panel  one chosen by the city, one from the union, and the other from the American Arbitration Association  hears from both sides and issues the contract, known as an arbitration award.

The resulting award gave the FOP a pay raise as they sought, but denied the union its bid to lessen independent oversight of officers conduct.

As The Inquirer reported earlier this year, the FOP wanted to end a longtime department policy of releasing the names of most officers involved in shootings; it sought to prevent the Citizens Police Oversight Commission from investigating police misconduct; and it wanted to restrict outside access to available records.

The city, meanwhile, had sought to expand independent oversight.

Instead, the arbitrators chose to largely maintain the status quo.

The Panel has declined the Citys proposal to expand the role of the Civilian Police Oversight Commission and the FOPs proposal to exclude the Commission from the various roles it currently plays in the discipline process, the panel wrote in the arbitration award. Moving forward, the Panel recommends that the Commission invest in fostering stronger relationships with both the Police Department and the FOP as it fulfills its current role.

A spokesperson for the FOP did not immediately return a request for comment Friday, but in a letter on the the unions website, union President Roosevelt Poplar wrote and highlighted in yellow: Police Oversight Commission proposals all denied by the Panel.

Tonya McClary, executive director of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission, lamented the denial of expanded oversight, but said she would keep pressing for that.

We came prepared, we made the case, and we spoke with one voice alongside the community, McClary said. ...Philadelphia still needs and wants independent investigations that are fair, thorough, and unbiased.

The arbitration award also provides officers with one wellness day each year, effective 60 days after the issuance of the award. The day must be requested at least 48 hours in advance and cannot be used in June or July, according to the award document. The summer months tend to be the most active for Philadelphia police.

The police department will also begin a pilot program that allows members to use five days of accrued sick leave each year to care for family members. And the award calls for the city to make a $5 million lump sump payment into the FOP Retiree Joint Trust Fund and an increase in the unions longevity scale, which is additional compensation for longtime employees.

Staff writer William Bender contributed to this article.
Homeownership has long been synonymous with the American Dream. And its no wonder: owning property allows you to customize where you live, build stability, and, perhaps most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to build long-term wealth.

Homeownership, however, is only an act of wealth-building for as long as you can afford to protect your home in any scenario. Otherwise, the investment is a gamble.

Sustainable homeownership requires risk literacy  deep knowledge of catastrophe risks, the varying threats disasters pose to properties, and what can be done to mitigate their impact. Risk literacy also involves an understanding of how insurance works, catastrophe risk coverage options, and the financial impacts and protection limitations of different policies.

Risk literacy is the knowledge basis homeowners need to secure truly adequate property insurance. Without this knowhow, they are more likely to settle for the minimum coverage required by their mortgage companies, without understanding alternative or expanded protections.

Also, with risk insights and literacy, policyholders are more apt to pursue proper home mitigation measures that fortify their properties against disaster (and potentially lower insurance rates).

This is all critical to sustainable homeownership, and therefore, to the institution of property insurance.

The Best Brokers of Risk Literacy

Insurers are well positioned to initiate proactive homeowner risk education, with underwriters and risk managers having the best access to catastrophe and hazard data.

Setting up your underwriting and risk management functions to be more collaborative with customer-facing roles is an effective way to establish a tradition of promoting risk literacy for policyholders early in the journey of homeownership.

Here are three simple steps insurers can take to start promoting risk literacy, without overhauling operations.

Build communication channels between underwriting/hazard risk professionals and customer-facing teams

Spreading risk literacy starts with the insights you already have  namely from advanced catastrophe risk models that continually generate updated information about different hazards and their potential for loss. For example, the peril-specific and composite risk models available from Cotality reveal the threats of flooding from rivers and lakes or provide historical data on fires or damaging hail in any specified region. These insights are pertinent for policyholders as they consider the value of higher priced, yet more comprehensive policies.

Underwriters and risk managers can share the deeper expertise they glean with customer-facing teams, streamlining insights so salespeople can effectively communicate risk information to clients.

When sales teams better understand evolving risk, they become empowered to both sell policies and educate policyholders about potential catastrophes that could impact their homes  as well as different ways to personalize their property insurance coverage accordingly.

With tailored risk literacy, insurance sellers and agents are more equipped to overcome objections to higher cost, yet necessary, coverage.

To facilitate this information exchange and uphold this new standard of communication, insurers can implement digital tools that make cross-functional collaboration quick and convenient.

Cotalitys industry-leading loss control management system, UnderwritingCenter, plays a key role in spreading risk literacy. This underwriting workflow automation system condenses property and risk insights into streamlined reports, making it easier to make these risk insights more absorbable for customer-facing teams.

Theres a bonus to this set-up, too. Data-driven collaboration can ultimately extend to networking with mortgage lenders. In sharing insights with lenders, insurers can get earlier access to future policyholders, making it possible to deliver risk literacy even before potential homebuyers make major property-related decisions.

Lead marketing efforts with value-added messaging

The easiest way to educate homeowners about insurance before they realize they dont have enough is through risk literacy-driven marketing content.

Insurance marketing teams can turn risk literacy insights from underwriting or risk management into value-added messaging on different channels through different forms: website content, thought leadership, email campaigns, and social media posts.

Social media posts may provide the perfect forum for providing interesting information about risk, provoking people to think about their own risk literacy.

Targeted email campaigns can deliver relevant insights to homeowners in high-risk regions. The possibilities are endless for risk literacy marketing, which invites engaging conversations about customizing property insurance accordingly.

The earlier policyholders are introduced to risk literacy, the less likely they are to experience sticker shock when making insurance decisions. When cost is not the sole focus, customers are better positioned to thoughtfully assess what coverage best supports their long-term goals and capacity for sustained homeownership.

This type of marketing content delivery also develops customer trust. When coverage is about more than just the cost, customers will be more satisfied and are more likely to remain policyholders.

Automate underwriting processes so that risk literacy doesnt take a back seat

Its difficult to ask risk professionals to communicate more with other departments unless more administrative tasks are taken off their plates. Thus, technologies that automate underwriting and claims workflows increase these professionals bandwidth for spreading risk literacy.

Automating underwriting processes that do not require human thoughtfulness gives professionals more time to curate risk insights for other business functions (see first point above).

Cotalitys UnderwritingCenter automates underwriting workflows through rule-based decision-making, identifying property risk attributes so that humans can focus on more complex risk analysis. Without more tedious projects on their shoulders, underwriters have more capacity to communicate the not-so-obvious risk findings to customer facing teams, who can then translate these insights to customers as risk literacy.

UnderwritingCenter also gives time back to underwriters by enabling virtual inspections. By minimizing time spent on job sites, it preserves brainpower for more strategic, creative communication.

Expanding the insurance mission to include risk literacy

With the right resources and strategic game plan, insurers can become reliable brokers of risk literacy. Risk knowledge is power, and is a must for building more resilient, insurable communities everywhere.

The precedent set by insurers can have both wide and long-lasting benefits. Once insurance companies maximize their opportunities for spreading risk literacy across insurance workflows, the mortgage and real estate industries could soon realize how important it is to introduce risk literacy earlier in the homebuying process.

Through risk literacy, insurers can take measured steps to preserving the American Dream of homeownership.

 2025 Cotality. All rights reserved. While all of the content and information is believed to be accurate, it is provided by Cotality as is with no guarantee, representation, or warranty, express or implied, of any kind including but not limited to as to the merchantability, non-infringement of intellectual property rights, completeness, accuracy, applicability, or fitness, in connection with the content or information or products and Cotality assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the content or information or products or any reliance thereon. Cotality, the Cotality logo, Intelligence beyond bounds, and UnderwritingCenter are the trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. d/b/a Cotality or its affiliates or subsidiaries.

Topics Catastrophe Carriers Homeowners
Jennifer Zamparelli is wrapping up her stint as The Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre but shes already dreaming of her next trip.

From early days in a caravan in Wexford to broadcasting live from Vatican Radio, the actress and presenter has seen travel evolve with family, fun, and a fair bit of pasta.

Here, she shares the places that shaped her and the destinations still on her list.

Favourite childhood holiday memory

A kordofan giraffe.

Im the youngest of six, so most of our early trips were down to the west of Ireland  places like Connemara.

But that all changed in the early 90s when my sister started working for British Airways and we got concession flights.

While my siblings didnt get on a plane until they were 17 or 18, I was flown to Africa at the age of seven. They were raging.

We flew to Nairobi and did a safari. I still remember arriving at the hotel  this open-air reception  and my mam looking up and going, Why is the ceiling moving?

It was covered in bats. I got horrendous travel sickness after that  I had to sleep on the floor of planes for years  but Ill never forget how magical it all felt.

Most memorable trip

Last year, we felt like local Italians. My husband was filming in Rome for about five months, and it was too long for him to be away from the kids, so I took some time off radio and we lived in Rome for a month.

It was August and loads of places were closed. I was doing 35,000 to 40,000 steps with the kids, trying to fill the days. I even had to buy my son Enzo a buggy because his little legs couldnt take it.

We were all squashed into one hotel room but the kids had me 24/7 and got to see their dad, so they loved it. I even broadcast from Vatican Radio Station and logged into 2FM from this little dingy studio where no one spoke English. It was wild.

Most surprising destination

I turned 40 during covid, so all I wanted when things opened up was to go to Paris and do it properly.

Id been before but it was always hostels and slumming it  so for my 40th, I said, Thats it, I want to stay in a nice hotel, go to the Moulin Rouge, just do the whole thing right  a proper bougie trip.

But my husband wasnt working at the time. He booked a hotel with no windows, right next to a train line.

We pulled back the curtains and were staring at a brick wall. It definitely was a surprise... I was giving him daggers.

In fairness, we laughed a lot but, yeah, the room was probably one of the worst Ive ever stayed in (though not as bad as him taking me to the board game convention in Birmingham  its like Comic Con on steroids). Hes made up for it since.

Favourite city in the world

I was surprised at how much I love Lisbon. I had zero expectations and just loved it. Its tricky to walk around but so beautiful and great value.

Ive been with the family and on a girls trip. Its one of those cities where you can do it all  wine, food, fun, culture.

The red wine, the white wine, the green wine I loved all the wine.

Its a gorgeous destination.

Favourite hotel or stay

A suite at Fota Island.

Fota Island Resort in Cork is one of my favourites.

The staff are amazing, and there are cottages you can book, so you dont even have to stay in the main hotel. Its the first place we stayed after my daughter Florence was born.

The restaurant was so easy with her, and it still has that lovely grand feel. Weve been back with the kids, and they love it.

Most memorable food experience

Roman Forum and Colosseum, Italy

This was in Rome at a tiny family-run spot called Enzos, which felt special because my sons name is Enzo.

You couldnt book; you just had to queue and hope. The food was amazing  all fresh pasta and very simple ingredients.

I made a show of myself, though: I tried to ask for dessert, and kept getting my Irish and Italian mixed up, and I asked for the caca, thinking I meant caca.

The waitress was like, Youre asking for the shit of the day. My kids thought it was the funniest thing they had ever heard. The dessert was lovely, though.

Favourite thing to do while travelling

I like to do a bit of everything. Every year I do a girls trip: culture, wine, food. Im not one for lying by the pool or sunbathing. I like to be doing something.

One thing I love is getting up early and going for a run through the city. Ive done it in Rome, Lisbon, Maui. You get your bearings, its quiet, and its just lovely me-time  enjoy the city or wherever you are before all the madness begins.

My bucket-list trip

Tokyo city at sunset

Japan is top of the list. Lauterio and I have always talked about going but weve never got around to it.

Theyre really into martial arts there, and its just somewhere I think wed love. That or Sligo  Ive never been.
A stark gender gap in the Stem field will continue, or even worsen in a rapidly changing world, unless there is more access to subjects such as construction studies and engineering in schools.

That is the warning from Sharon Lombard of I Wish, an initiative working to encourage girls to pursue careers across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The Irish Examiner reported this week that boys are still more likely than girls to be studying physics, chemistry, engineering, and other Stem subjects at Leaving Cert level.

New figures published by the department of education also show little over 43% of female Leaving Cert students studied another Stem subject outside of biology. This compares to 70.3% when it comes to Leaving Cert boys.

This figure drops even further when it comes to the numbers studying two or more Stem subjects. Little over 10% of girls were studying two or more Stem subjects excluding biology, compared to almost 38% of boys.

There are multiple factors contributing to this gender gap, Ms Lombard said. I think the biggest one is the lack of visible role models in these areas. There is unconscious bias, and then there is kind of stereotypes as well.

Access to subjects outside of biology, physics, and chemistry, is also an issue. Stem subjects also include agricultural science, construction studies, engineering, design and communication graphics (previously known as technical drawing), and applied maths.

Ms Lombard said: In the school system, what we can see is that there are barriers for girls getting access to subjects. This could be down to resources, such as a school loosing a teacher.

In single sex-schools, what were seeing is that they have a lack of access to Stem subjects.

For example, construction studies wouldnt be offered typically in all-girls schools.

What we're seeing then in the mixed-sex school environment is that where they have the opportunity to choose the subject, [girls] are not choosing it because they feel they dont fit in.

Research undertaken by I Wish previously found that 96% of boys have access to Stem subjects other than maths and science, as opposed to 66% of girls. Its pretty depressing to think that were still at that stage, Ms Lombard said.

We need to urgently address the equality of access to Stem subjects in schools or else the systemic bias will just continue and exasperate.

"We have a rapidly changing world, and its on all of us in all our interactions with young women to showcase the possibilities with STEM and empower girls to play their part in it."

A spokesperson for the department of education said this issue is not unique to Ireland, reflecting wider international trends.

While there has been a steady upward trend in the number of students taking Stem subjects at Leaving Certificate level, the department acknowledges that factors such as persistent gender stereotypes, lower visibility of female role models in certain Stem fields, and misconceptions about Stem career pathways continue to contribute to the gender gap.

The department remains committed to addressing these issues and the Stem education implementation plan includes targeted measures to address gender imbalance, the spokesperson added.

It is also working with BioPharmaChem Ireland, the department of enterprise, Trade and employment, and Stem Southwest on a schools Stem industry engagement survey. The results, along with recommendations, will be published later this year.

The figures published by the department of education also show more than 75% of sixth-year girls studied at least one foreign language, compared to 55% of boys.

The percentage of students taking a foreign language other than French in the Leaving Certificate has also decreased.

The spokesperson said the department is aware of the decrease "which may be related to developments such as the introduction of additional subjects that students can choose to sit and how requirements for entry to third level have evolved in recent times."
Nearly 900 childcare providers within the Government's funding system have increased their fees this year, latest figures show.

Childcare providers which, as part of the Governments core funding model, have been prevented from increasing their prices in recent years, can apply for a fee increase assessment if their fees were frozen at a level that may not be sufficient to sustain their business, even with the increased funding available through core funding.

The Department of Children told the Irish Examiner over 20% of providers had been granted an increase and that the number was higher than the previously reported 850, due to appeals.

For the programme year 2024/2025, the department said 1,145 fee increase applications were received and, inclusive of appeal outcomes, 898 services that applied were approved to increase at least one fee. This represents 78.7% of all applicants to the fee increase assessment, and 20.2% of all partner services in core funding.

The 2024/25 increases lessened, or in some cases wiped out, the benefits of an increase in the national childcare subsidy which kicked in last September  the second half of a plan by then childrens minister Roderic OGorman to cut fees by 50%  as providers argued that rising costs had meant that frozen fees were unsustainable.

Balance of needs

The department said core funding partner services that were charging fees below the county average were eligible to apply to be assessed for a fee increase, and that the process balanced the need of parents for stability with their early learning and childcare costs and the need for providers to operate viable businesses in order to continue providing this public good service for their community.

The department said if a service has fees that support their expenditure by more than 15.18%, they were not granted permission to increase.

It said: The process sought to begin addressing disparity within the sector, with some services having been frozen at much lower rates than others following the introduction of the fee freeze in 2021. The county thresholds served to identify these services that may have been frozen at particularly low levels.

County thresholds were published last July and were based on the average fee being charged in each county. To be eligible for a fee increase assessment, the childcare provider had to list at least one fee below their county threshold.

According to figures from the Department of Children, the highest average fees being paid at the moment is in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area of Dublin at 258.

The department said even once accepted into the process, the childcare service still needed to demonstrate an objective need to increase their fees, with only those fees which fell below the thresholds being assessed for an increase.
KUNMING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The challenge appeared almost impossible. It required distilling into a single cup of coffee the spirit of China's revolutionary struggle, meaning a fusion of the sacrifice, resilience and hope that defined those momentous years.

For Zhang Shaoxiong, a technician sweltering in protective gear at Yunnan Comeng Industry Co., Ltd. (Comeng Coffee) in Baoshan, southwest China's Yunnan Province, this quest meant sifting through dozens of locally produced beans, conducting over 100 painstaking blending trials and tweaking roasting curves.

His ultimate creation -- named The Age of Awakening, is a richly layered, mellow yet profound thematic coffee that resonates emotionally and is much more than just a co-branded release by the Baoshan Coffee Association and the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai last year. This blend of coffee also symbolizes the precision now demanded by China's soaring coffee culture, formalized in July by a new profession -- a state-certified coffee processing technician.

In a nation famed for tea, a new generation of technical artisans now manipulates chemistry to turn humble coffee beans into liquid sonata, powering an industry surging toward a 1-trillion-yuan (about 140 billion U.S. dollars) valuation.

The task of a state-certified coffee processing technician, one of 17 new professions recognized by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, is officially defined with scientific rigor -- they convert coffee cherries into green/roasted beans, final products or derivatives by operating coffee processing equipment.

The institutionalization of this profession demonstrates the maturation of China's coffee market and signals the sector's impending transition toward specialized, precision-oriented development.

But to Zhang, what people see as simple roasting or grinding, is just the tip of the coffee iceberg. "Coffee processing technicians are actually multi-skilled flavor masters," he said.

"Our craft requires intimate knowledge of each bean's 'birth information,' razor-sharp sensory evaluation skills to dissect acidity, body and aftertaste across dozens of dimensions, and the ability to harness chemical reactions for targeted flavors," Zhang said, adding that rigorous quality control and data-driven analytics guarantee product consistency and safety.

The pinnacle of a coffee processing technician's craft lies in precision blending -- harmonizing bean varieties to create profiles that balance technical excellence and emotional resonance, much like Zhang's iconic revolutionary roast.

This specialization drive, notably, isn't about boutique indulgence but rather economic necessity. China's coffee thirst is accelerating -- per capita consumption frequency surged from 5.6 times annually in 2023 to 7 times in 2024, with annual per capita consumption rising to 22.24 cups, fueled by domestic brands and diversified palates, according to an industry development report released at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival in late April.

The market ballooned to 789.3 billion yuan in 2024 and is projected to exceed 1 trillion yuan in 2025, data from market research firm iiMedia Research showed. There are more than 248,000 coffee-related enterprises operating across China, with new registrations jumping 16.8 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2025, statistics from the business information platform Tianyancha revealed.

Experts noted that as coffee consumption grows steadily, the industry's professionalization accelerates -- evidenced by new specialized roles that naturally arise at this development stage.

"China's coffee sector is booming with record enterprise registrations and investments," said Zhuang Shuai, a retail e-commerce expert and guest consultant for the China Chain Store & Franchise Association. The coffee industry now faces talent gaps across its entire value chain from farm to finished product -- with growing demand for skilled professionals, he noted.

Regions across the country are racing to address this shortage. In Yunnan's coffee heartland of Pu'er, a coffee technician vocational training program has been established to upskill workers. Meanwhile, Jiangmen and Foshan in south China's Guangdong Province are piloting an innovative "one test, multiple certifications" system to streamline professional credentialing. Further east, Kunshan in Jiangsu Province is capitalizing on its booming "village cafe" trend by hosting barista competitions.

Wang Lijun, general manager of Comeng Coffee, underscored the importance of developing and optimizing the vocational training system for skilled professionals.

"We need standardized training covering green bean science, roasting and sensory evaluation -- all aligned with market demands," Wang said. "Only then can technical artisans drive industry growth." 
Noel Gallagher has been spotted in Maynooth ahead of Oasis's two sold out gigs in Croke Park this weekend.

The elder of the two Gallagher brothers was pictured conversing and posing for pictures with fans outside Brady's in Maynooth on Friday evening, prompting some fans to speculate that the Manchester signer/songwriter is staying at Carton House.

Meanwhile, his bandmates, fellow guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and drummer Joey Waronker, took to the waters off the Dublin coast on their day off before the group's hotly-anticipated gigs this weekend.

The 59-year-old guitarist shared a snap of the pair swimming in Killiney on his social media accounts on Friday afternoon, captioning the picture: "When in Rome and all that".

Noel Gallagher on stage at the Royal Albert Hall last year. Oasis will play wo sold out gigs in Dublin this weekend. File picture: PA

A founding member of the band, Bonehead has been in the country since Wednesday. Like the Gallagher brothers, he has Irish roots and visits here frequently.

Per the NME, Arthurs is, according to Noel Gallagher, the man most responsible for the group's reunion tour.

On guitar, if it wasnt for him, none of this would have happened," Gallagher told the magazine.

Oasis's gigs this Saturday, August 16, and Sunday, August 17 will be their first on Irish soil in 17 years.

The band are expected to begin their set at Croke Park at around 8.15pm on Saturday night. Support on the night comes from The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft, and Liverpool rockers Cast.
Ahead of their return to Ireland on Saturday and Sunday, Oasis lit up the skies in Dublin on Friday evening.

A spectacular drone show took to the air over Drumcondra and Croke Park, with dozens gathering to take a look ahead of the performance in the iconic stadium.
The withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the presidential election leaves what had been an unclear picture even foggier.

With just ten or eleven weeks to go, there is just one candidate left in the race who has the requisite support from the Oireachtas to be on the ballot. No councils have, as yet, shown a willingness to back candidates.

Catherine Connolly has secured the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and a range of other independent politicians and at her campaign launch late last month said that she is ready to be president of Ireland as part of a movement.

It is unlikely that Ms Connolly will be alone in the field for long as Fine Gael gets set to convene its Executive Committee.

Fine Gael

In the wake of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal, speculation focused on a quartet of names; former ministers Heather Humphreys, Frances Fitzgerald, and Simon Coveney, and sitting MEP Sean Kelly.

While her former ministerial colleagues have kept their counsel, the former justice minister ruled herself out. On Friday afternoon, Ms Fitzgerald confirmed to the Irish Examiner that she would not seek the nomination, having declined to do so earlier this year. She had said in April that she discussed the possibility with Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and had been approached by many people, but would not be entering the race. She has since joined the consultancy firm Teneo.

Mr Coveney joined EY as a consultant in April, but has been suggested by some in Fine Gael as a potential candidate. Mr Coveney previously served as a minister in a number of briefs  including foreign affairs, agriculture, and enterprise. However, he called time on a political career that spanned four decades after opting not to contest last year's election.

Ireland South MEP Mr Kelly, who was elected with a massive 127,000 votes last June, opted not to contest the Fine Gael nomination race, leaving the way clear for former European commissioner Ms McGuinness. However, he is believed to be reconsidering his position in light of Ms McGuinness's withdrawal and sources believe he will run for the party's nomination, having been interested earlier this summer.

Former minister Heather Humphreys has emerged as the favourite within the party. Picture: Gareth Chaney

Ms Humphreys, the former social protection minister, has emerged as the favourite within the party, though some have questioned whether she would change her mind given her reasons for leaving politics. Ms Humphreys opted not to contest the last election, having been elected in 2011 and serving as a minister in a number of departments.

She was seen within Fine Gael as someone who might contend this year's election, but speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show on Northern Sound in May, Ms Humphreys said that while she had given the idea some thought, she was committed to spending more time with her family.

Fianna Fail

Within Fianna Fail, some members of the parliamentary party believe that their candidate will not emerge until the middle of September, with Taoiseach Micheal Martin recently unequivocally ruling himself out.

The party's issue is that it does not have an obvious candidate. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has long been linked with a run, but has appeared cool on the idea at times. Former minister Mary Hanafin was vocal last month that the party should run a candidate before writing to members asking that she be put forward. That idea was rejected by many TDs. University of Ulster professor Deirdre Heenan has been reported as being in talks with the party, while former footballer Niall Quinn is another name that has been suggested.

Sinn Fein

Party president Mary Lou McDonald kicked off huge speculation by not ruling out a bid for the Aras in July, but it is expected that a final decision from the party will be made in the next two weeks. Some believe using Ms McDonald as a presidential candidate would be "a waste", while others believe the party should row in behind Ms Connolly as a show of left-wing solidarity.

Independents

Last week, pharma entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan announced he was entering the race. Largely unknown, the 35-year-old has said that he has enough support to have his nomination brought to at least four councils. Another businessman, Nick Delehanty, also 35, ran in local and general elections in Dublin under the tagline make crime illegal and has said he is seeking the nomination. He told the Irish Examiner he has the same number.

Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor last week set up a petition seeking people to express their wish for him to be on the ballot paper. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley last month told a court that he intends to seek nominations to run for President", but said this week that he will make his intentions clearer soon.

Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor last week 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, though it is not clear upon which grounds the challenge would be based.
Anas al-Sharif was a born storyteller with an innate sense of the dramatic. Ill never forget watching him live on air from Gaza just after a ceasefire, which wasnt to last, was announced in January 2024 after more than a year of relentless horror.

A crowd had gathered as he stood in front of the camera, preparing to talk to tens of millions of Al Jazeera viewers across the Arab world, ready to convey the mixture of happiness, relief, and very cautious optimism people were feeling now that the bombs would stop raining down on Gaza. Another journalist stood weeping to his right.

There is great joy among these residents, finally, after these hard days, he said.

And then, without missing a beat as he continued speaking to camera, he slowly removed his helmet and flak jacket, people cheering him on. They hoisted him on their shoulders and held their phones up to capture the moment. It was a moment to be recorded because, if Anas felt briefly safe, they all did. That was one of the things that made him a special journalist. People saw themselves reflected in him.

He wasnt afraid to show his fellow Palestinians that he was suffering with them, that the terror Israel was unleashing on Gaza affected him too, that he sometimes struggled. Thats not to say he didnt convey strength. His backbone was apparent every time he appeared on air, and it was apparent when he refused to bow to threats.

On another occasion, just weeks ago, Anas broke down during a broadcast and began to cry after a day of watching Palestinians being brought to hospital, some wounded, some weakened by starvation. As he wept, shouts from the crowd began to ring out.

'Keep going, Anas. Keep going. You are our voice,' they called. And they knew he would keep going. Because he always did.

This week, though, a decision was made to silence that voice in the most ruthless manner possible when the Israeli military targeted and killed not only Anas but the entire Al Jazeera team in Gaza City. It was an act of censorship so extreme, so brutal  and so blatant  that it shocked people all over the world and plunged Palestinians into despair.

Mourners sit around the grave of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif following his burial at the Sheikh Radwan cemetery in Gaza City on August 11. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

But the killing of Anas, alongside his colleagues Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, and Mohammed Noufal, shouldnt have been a shock at all.

The UN says that at least 242 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israel since the war on Gaza began. The UN and the Committee to Protect Journalists say that, in many of these cases, journalists were likely deliberately targeted.

Israel itself has often admitted to killing journalists, usually accusing them of being Hamas members with either no proof at all or only the flimsiest veneer of it.

Such was the case with Anas. He was a member of Hamas, Israel said. Not only a member but a leader of a cell responsible for advancing rocket attacks. Again, as is now standard, no real evidence was offered to back up the accusations.

No claims were made against the rest of the Al Jazeera crew. Perhaps Israel felt it only had to justify the killing of such a famous face. Lesser-known Palestinians can be snuffed out with no excuse needed, as they have been daily for 22 months.

Where Anas, who seemed to spend every waking moment standing in front of a camera, would have found the time to organise rocket attacks on the side is unclear.

Heres the thing: If Anas really was a target because of Hamas activity, the Israeli military could have killed him any time it wanted. They wouldnt have needed any sophisticated intelligence to locate him. All they had to do was switch on the TV.

Members of the NUJ and fellow journalists take part in a protest organised by the NUJ at The Spire in O'Connell St, Dublin, to condemn the killing of journalists due to Israeli attacks. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

So why now? Many observers believe the answer is clear. Israels cabinet last week approved prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus plan for a full military occupation of Gaza City. And just two days later, Anas and the Al Jazeera crew  the most prominent witnesses left in the city, the only people with the ability to broadcast to the entire world what is about to happen  were executed.

That theory, though, was smothered by the endless repetition of Israels version of events in the coverage of almost every prominent Western news organisation.

Headlines began with the words, Israel says. TV bulletins were scripted similarly. Israels accusations were rarely followed up with the context that no real proof had been provided. Anchors asked question after question about the alleged Hamas affiliation.

This credulous reporting of Israels accusations persists despite it being proven to have lied repeatedly throughout the conflict. There is no other source as unreliable as the Israeli government given such a free pass by the worlds media. Imagine if Russia killed a Ukrainian journalist, accusing him of being a member of an armed group. Would its claims be treated seriously? Would they lead the headlines? Of course not.

None of this is lost on Palestinian journalists, who have felt let down by the way Israels relentless targeting of their comrades and friends has been reported and by a lack of solidarity from some of the most prominent journalists in the West, many of whom have stayed conspicuously silent as the bodies of brave reporters in Gaza pile up.

I will not speak to foreign media about the killing of Palestinian journalists. I will not sit on your global channels to be part of a segment youll forget by tomorrow, Al Jazeeras Hind Khoudary, another fierce journalist who has reported ceaselessly from Gaza throughout the war and continues to, said on X after her colleagues were killed.

We are being hunted and killed in Gaza while you watch in silence. For two years, your fellow journalists here have been slaughtered. What did you do? Nothing.

Hind added her belief that many Western journalists dont consider Palestinian journalists colleagues at all. Shes right and, though that had been apparent even before October 7, the last two years have confirmed it beyond any doubt.

Its why Palestinian journalists are not trusted, its why they are dehumanised, its why the dirt that Israel throws sticks and, ultimately, its why they can be killed with impunity.

Mask-drop moment

There was a mask-drop moment on BBC this week when an anchor seemed confused that Al Jazeera used what she called local people to report from Gaza.

Are they able to operate truly independently? she asked her guest.

Theres an implication there. Its an implication that these local people cannot be trusted, that Palestinians are too close to the story to report it accurately. Its not an implication we ever hear about, say, British journalists reporting on Britain.

The fact that Palestinian journalists are reporting on a genocide while also living through it has made their reporting stronger.

How can knowledge of every street corner, a wide network of sources, deep subject expertise, and the familiarity that comes with living in a place be a problem? The answer is its not. Unless the reporters are from Gaza.

I worked at Al Jazeera for almost a decade and none of this was unusual to us. The network doesnt employ Palestinian journalists because it is forced to. They work for Al Jazeera and always have because they are excellent at their jobs. They are the most qualified journalists available to cover the story. Its as simple as that.

The fact that a prominent and experienced BBC anchor and many other top Western journalists cant get that through their heads is a problem and says more about their own bias than it does about anyone elses.

International journalists are now pushing for Israel to give them access to Gaza, having been barred for the duration of the conflict so far. They should be given that access. But the Western press corps, decked out in khaki chic, shouldnt go to Gaza thinking it is their job to verify the devastation. Its already been verified by the best and bravest journalists we have.

The foreign correspondents must acknowledge they are standing on those shoulders, and that Palestinians will always be the authors of their own story.

A vigil outside the Fox News and NBC News headquarters in Washington, DC, honouring journalists killed in Gaza. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

The evening of that ceasefire announcement, after Anas removed his flak jacket and helmet, he paid tribute to colleagues who had already been killed by Israel: Ismail Al-Ghoul, Rami Al-Rifi, Samir Abu Daqqa, and Hamza Dahdouh. Al-Ghoul, he said, would have been standing in his place reporting this historic moment had he lived.

Anas didnt want his friend, or his reporting, to be forgotten.

As he stood in Ismails place, someone will soon stand in his, because Palestinian journalists refuse to be broken and giants like Anas, through their bravery and dedication, provide the blueprint for those who come behind them.

That new generation of journalists will remember Anas, Ismail, the Al Jazeera Gaza City crew, and the more than 200 other Palestinian journalists killed by Israel.

Without them, we would have been blind.
One of Oasis youngest potential fans stole the show outside their pop-up merchandise shop in Dublin on Friday.

Eight-week-old Ollie Marsh from Killiney in south Dublin was blissfully unaware as he sat in his pram with fans including his doting mother Nicole Richardson, who dressed him in a newly bought Oasis baby grow.

The pair were queuing to buy band paraphernalia ahead of the Gallaghers sold out show this weekend.

Im here with my sister Fiona and her daughter Charlie and my mother. We are all going to the concert and mum is babysitting, said Nicole. I had Ollie eight weeks ago and couldnt resist getting him the outfit.

We are huge fans, so we are really looking forward to it. We lost our dad a year ago and he would enjoy all of this, she said, adding that their cousin Jemma McGee, who was also with them, had travelled all the way from Melbourne in Australia to join them in Croke Park.

Oasis hadnt announced their Australian gigs when the reunion tour was unveiled at first so we just went online and got the first ones we could get, Jemma said.

Nicole Richardson with baby Ollie outside the Oasis pop up shop in Dublin. Picture: Moya Nolan

My sister got tickets for Cardiff and Dublin. Croke Park falls on my birthday so here I am. I flew in on Thursday night Ive had my curry chip and I'll have a few pints later. I am all set."

The atmosphere across Dublin has been described as electric as the city gears up for the much-anticipated arrival of Oasis, who will perform two sell out shows at Croke Park.

Fans began flooding the city centre on Friday, having travelled from all over the world including south Korea and the US.

By 10am on Friday dozens of workers in hi vis vests were gathering at the various entrances of Croke Park preparing for their security plans for the weekend.

A short distance from the venue on Hill Street was a large mural of the brothers painted on the side of a building with the Adidas sign.

Pubs, clubs, and eateries all hung images of the famous siblings outside their venues, as they hope to pull diehard fans indoors ahead of what is expected to be a spectacular two-day event.

Liam and Noels mother Peggy who was born in Co Mayo  where the brothers spent many of their summer holidays growing up  is expected to be among the crowd at their reunion gigs.

Oasis are due to play to 160,000 fans in what will be their first Irish shows since they played Slane Castle in summer 2009.

The mural of Noel and Liam Gallagher on Hill St in Dublin. Many businesses have also adorned their premises with images of the brothers. Picture: Moya Nolan

The Epic Museum has even got in on the act and has offered fans a chance to trace the Gallaghers Irish roots.

'Definitely Irish: The Oasis Tour', provides an exploration of Noel and Liam Gallaghers connections to Mayo and Meath, where their estranged father is from.

The bands pop-up shop at St Stephens Green also added extra opening days following overwhelming demand.

The store was originally scheduled to operate from August 4 until August 17, coinciding with the second Oasis gig at Croke Park. It will now stay open until August 19.

It is offering official Oasis Live 25 merchandise, exclusive vinyl, adidas originals x Oasis collaborations, and more, and has quickly become a must-visit for fans.

Meanwhile couple Jiwon Park and Dong Holee from South Korea arrived in Dublin ahead of the shows on Friday after a 15-hour flight.

We had no direct flights, so we transferred at Istanbul. We are staying here for two nights, said Jiwon.

Jiwon Park and her husband Dong Hoolee from South Korea, who flew into Dublin to catch the brothers at Croke Park on Saturday. Picture: Moya Nolan

From South Korea to Istanbul was 11 hours and then to Dublin maybe more than 4 hours.

We went to London two years ago, so we wanted to look around Dublin and decided to get the Oasis tickets.

We bought T-shirts, and we are really looking forward to seeing them.

American tourists Sammelle Zane and her husband Kent Johnston travelled from Utah for the event because the European experience is so much better".

We are fans years, they are from here, it is a wonderful place to see the show, said Sammelle. While her husband Kent said he never thought we would get to see them again, we feel so lucky.

Their friend Robert Arnau from California explained that he left his wife sleeping after the long flight because I was too excited to go to bed.

We bought these tickets a year ago, we were shocked, we tried 13 websites in Britain and the two shows here in Dublin were the only ones I could get on, I was thousands behind in the queue, but Sammelle beat us to it.

This is a magical city, and we will spend a week here in your magical country and we are really looking forward to it."
Remember the general election?

It was only nine months ago, but it seems to have been consigned to the collective dust bin of time by much of the country.

A fairly tepid campaign returned more or less the same Government, and weeks of arguing the toss about divergences found Fianna Fail and Fine Gael coalesce around a platform of policies which werent too different to begin with.

While the January agreement of a programme for government was met with scorn by the opposition, the coalition parties trumpeted it as the way forward for Ireland.

However, one of the key criticisms that parties came to at the time was that the section on childcare was notably thin.

Childcare had become one of the key issues of the campaign and had found most of the parties agreeing on one thing: The price of it has become unsustainable from most families.

However well debates about childcare in the campaign were about who had proposed a 200 per month per child cap first, the programme for government commitment was much watered down.

Committing to progressively reducing the cost of childcare to 200 per month per child through the national childcare scheme while exploring options to cap costs for larger families, the document contains little in the way of a commitment on just how this will be achieved.

Throughout the election, the issue was top of the agenda. Then taoiseach Simon Harris effectively fired the starting pistol on the entire election by pledging to reform the sector, and promised that no parent would have to pay more than 200 per child per month for care if his party was re-elected.

He told The Indo Daily podcast that, were he returned to power, he would publish a roadmap for introducing the cap in the first 100 days of the Government.

He was joined by his tanaiste Micheal Martin, whose Fianna Fail announced a multi-annual funding commitment on childcare place affordability and accessibility as part of a new pledge to workers and young families in its manifesto.

Sinn Feins take was slightly different, having pledged in September to deliver quality childcare for all who need it for 10 a day per child at a cost of 345m to the exchequer. Labours commitment to the idea goes back to 2022.

During the campaign, there was little argument with the concept: Childcare costs needed to come down to 200 a month

As a parent, I nodded sagely and agreed. Our creche bill for the then one-year-old was just under 800 after a second increase to the national childcare subsidy came into effect, on top of around 650 for the older childs childminder, because he couldnt get a place in the same creches lone afterschool room  which has since been shut anyway.

The promise of a 200 a month cap is a gamechanger for most families I know. For example, it would save my wife and I around 1,000 a month. Thats the quantum we talk about here.

However, before the programme for governments ink was dry came news that the Department of Children had approved fee hikes for 660 childcare providers. My younger childs creche was among those providers and our 800 bill became 937, effectively absorbing the benefit of the changes to tax bands in the previous Octobers budget.

Fee increase applications

In response to queries, the Department of Children said that for the programme year 2024/2025, 1,145 fee increase applications were received. Inclusive of appeal outcomes, 898 services that applied to the fee increase assessment process were approved to increase at least one fee.

These are childcare providers who receive what is called core funding from government schemes, with increases pegged to the expenditure of the provider.

This represents 78.70% of all applicants to the fee increase assessment, and 20.20% of all partner services in core funding, a spokesperson for the department said.

So for 20% of families, fees have not only not gone down, they have gone up in the months following an election in which the prohibitive cost of childcare was a key factor.

And while many of the larger providers are making profits, its not just a case that parents are being gouged. The criteria for a fees increase, according to the Department of Children, were that if a service has fees that support their expenditure +15.18%, they were not granted permission to increase as the process is about supporting viability.

In other words, without the States support, there is a reasonable belief these businesses could fail.

However, the core funding model isnt completely protecting parents either. Earlier this month, three providers  including a provider in Cork that caters for 450 children  told parents it was leaving the scheme, with Ollie Sheehan, the owner and director of Mary Geary Childcare in Carrigtwohill, telling the Irish Independent fees would rise by 34% when the provider leaves the scheme.

Core funding isnt working, he said.

There is insufficient funding for providers, and we are locked into fees from 2019. Thats a huge problem as costs are rising

The other thing for me is that the Government has no plan to recognise high-quality childcare within the scheme.

Days earlier, the Once Upon A Time provider told parents it was leaving the scheme and new prices will take effect from September 1, resulting in fees increasing to 1,472 per month in Dundrum, 1,390 per month in Shankill, and 1,300 in Ballymount.

While the department will point out that only a handful of creches have left the scheme, thats of scant consolation if youre about to be charged 1,472 for you childs place  especially when scattergun planning has meant that many areas are woefully underserved for places and competition in an industry being held together by a workforce that is societally undervalued and underpaid.

The minister for children, Norma Foley, announced a maximum fee cap for new and existing services taking part in core funding in June, meaning that the highest possible fees will be no more than 295 per week for a full daycare place.

However, according to figures from the Department of Children, the highest average fees being paid at the moment are in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area at 258.

Having been such an important part of the election campaign, affecting so many and with so many facets seemingly in need of address, it is strange that childcare hasnt received the same level of political attention as, say, energy prices or other cost-of-living issues.

In February, Tanaiste Simon Harris told the Irish Examiner that while he did not wish to speculate on what might be in Octobers budget or cut across other ministers, he does envisage a change to childcare costs.

He said the 200 per month amount is one of the few specific monetary commitments in the program for government.

Asked in Japan last month if childcare would be addressed in October, Micheal Martin hinted it would but wasnt definitive.

I think we want to continue to make progress on childcare, but we have a whole range of issues now that we have to make progress on, he said.

It is likely that some measure will be taken in October to address the cost, but there are clearly issues with how the system is resourced across the board.

What will it take to put childcare front and centre in the national conversation? Another election, probably.
It is with deep humility, mild vanity, and a complete lack of preparation that I announce my intention to succeed Michael D Higgins as the next president of Ireland.

This is not a decision I arrived at lightly. No, this is the result of careful reflection, at least two long runs in the Phoenix Park, and a chance encounter with a sika deer who looked at me as if to say: Colin, your time is now.

Some will wonder what qualifies me for the highest office in the land. Well, 26 years service as an officer of the State and peacekeeper with the United Nations. Thats longer than Netflix has existed, longer than weve had the euro, and longer than Michael Ds hair has been blowing in the breeze on Aras lawns.

For over a quarter of a century, I stood between opposing forces, negotiating tense stand-offs, all the while wearing a beret and looking calm in the face of unimaginable chaos. Do you know how hard it is to look good wearing a beret?

This makes me uniquely suited to the presidency, where my role will be to stand between warring government factions, look concerned for the cameras, then drift off toward the canape table without saying anything incendiary.

I have no intention of interfering in anything. This is not apathy. This is strategy. Interference is the enemy of peace  I learned that in Lebanon, Liberia, and Kabul.

When youve seen men point rifles at each other over an imaginary line in the sand, you learn that sometimes the greatest intervention is no intervention at all

My presidency will be a masterclass in dignified, studied inaction. I will be genocide-indifferent, a welcome break from our current president, who seems to prioritise principles over politics. Such nonsense!

Unlike my rival Catherine Connolly, I am, in fact, a man. This is not an attack  merely a biographical detail. She, presumably, will run on the radical ticket of having opinions. I, however, will run on the far safer platform of not upsetting anyone. In this increasingly polarised climate, that is no small feat.

And while Catherine might speak eloquently in the Dail, I bring something no other candidate can match: The ability to run 10km through the Phoenix Park without looking like Im being chased. I have spent countless mornings pounding those paths, nodding at other joggers in that silent fraternity of the slightly unhinged. Running there has taught me many things about endurance, resilience, and which bushes contain ... um ... adult adventurers.

Independent TD Catherine Connolly, presumably, will run on the radical ticket of 'having opinions', but Colin Sheridan doesn't want to upset anyone. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Its also where I refine my thoughts on the central issues of my campaign: The canapes. The Irish presidency has been crying out for someone to take the States finger food seriously. Too often have visiting dignitaries been fobbed off with a stale vol-au-vent or a micro-quiche that tastes like ambition left out in the rain.

Under my leadership, the Aras will be a fortress of hors doeuvres excellence. There will be smoked salmon blinis that make French ambassadors weep, sausage rolls of substance, and prawn skewers that actually contain prawn.

Food diplomacy is real diplomacy. I know this because I have seen ceasefires tentatively agreed over tabbouleh

I have watched suspicious men in camouflage soften at the sight of a decent mini-spring roll. My canape doctrine is simple: Feed them well and they will listen to you, or at least stop shouting long enough for the band to finish Amhran na bhFiann.

Some of you might be wondering about my vision for Ireland. Here it is: To be exactly the kind of president you forget is there until you see them on the news shaking hands with someone important, at which point you think: Fair play, hes still going. Thats the job. This is not America. We dont want a president who interferes with policy, only with the placement of the Laphroaig at New Years.

My years with the UN have equipped me perfectly for ceremonial life. I can stand very still while being photographed. I can nod meaningfully during speeches I dont understand. I can smile politely while someone tells me their entire family history in a language I do not speak. I am also capable of remembering the names of at least three people at any given reception  a skill honed under fire, both literal and metaphorical.

The Phoenix Park will, of course, remain central to my presidency. It is both my training ground and my metaphor. Just as the park contains majestic beauty, occasional chaos, and the faint smell of shit, so too will my term in office. I will invite foreign leaders to join me on runs there, at a pace slow enough to preserve diplomacy but fast enough to discourage overly long conversations about trade deficits.

Critics may accuse me of lacking substance. They are correct. Most exes agree. Substance is for the Government

The presidents role is to be the oil painting in the nations living room  always there, rarely the subject of an argument. I will be that oil painting, but one with excellent cardio and an eye for a decent canape spread.

Michael D Higgins has set the bar high. He is learned, articulate, and capable of quoting obscure poets at a moments notice. I will not attempt to compete in that arena. Instead, I will focus on making guests feel welcome through my flagrant mediocrity.

In summary, 26 years of peace-keeping have prepared me to maintain harmony in the Aras without lifting more than an eyebrow.

I promise to interfere in absolutely nothing, unless the smoked salmon runs out, in which case all bets are off.

Ireland, I stand ready. Ready to host, to smile, to run, to nod, and to preside over the greatest finger-food renaissance our Republic has ever known. If you elect me, I will bring dignity, calm, and a discreet but determined focus on the important things, chiefly, remaining indifferent in the face of global entropy. Now, if youll excuse me, I must train. Not for the campaign trail  for the canape table.
US President Donald Trump and Russias Vladimir Putin kicked off their Alaska summit with a warm handshake before heading into hours of discussions that could reshape the war in Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington.

After descending from Air Force One, Mr Trump applauded the Russian leader as he approached, walking along red carpets that had been placed for each leader on Friday.

They gripped hands for an extended period of time, with both men smiling, and Mr Putin eventually grinned and pointed skyward while their hands were still clasped.

Uniformed military members stood at attention nearby at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and B-2s and F-22s  military aircraft designed to oppose Russia during the Cold War  flew over to mark the moment.

President Donald Trump meets with Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. At right is Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Reporters nearby yelled, President Putin, will you stop killing civilians? and Mr Putin put his hand up to his ear but did not answer.

Mr Trump and Mr Putin both climbed in the US presidential limo, with Mr Putin grinning widely as the vehicle rolled past the cameras.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Putin is now a three-on-three meeting that will include US secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The change indicates that the White House is taking a more guarded approach than it did during a 2018 meeting in Helsinki, when Mr Trump and Mr Putin first met privately just with their interpreters for two hours.

The Kremlin says the summit will also include the two delegations meeting and talks continuing over lunch.

The pair are expected to hold a joint press conference.

The Kremlin shared two clips of Mr Putin and Mr Trump smiling and talking before talks began, alongside Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.

Russian media outlets also shared images that appeared to show a bemused Mr Putin raising his eyebrows in response to shouted questions from assembled reporters.

At one point, Mr Putin cupped his hands around his mouth and appeared to say something, although his voice could not be heard.

Interviewed by Bret Baier of Fox News Channel aboard Air Force One as he flew to Alaska, Mr Trump said he would like to walk away from the meeting with a ceasefire.

He also said he would like a second meeting on Russias war in Ukraine.

I wouldnt be thrilled if I didnt get it, Mr Trump said of a halt to hostilities between the countries.

He said everyone tells him he will not get a ceasefire until a second meeting.

So, well see what happens. Im going to be, I wont be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire, he said.

Mr Trump earlier joked that he might start liking Hillary Clinton again after the former secretary of state said she would nominate Mr Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize herself if he negotiates an end to Russias war on Ukraine without Ukraine having to give up territory.

Well, that was very nice, Mr Trump said when asked about Ms Clintons comment during an in-flight interview with Fox News Channel.

I may have to start liking her again. Mr Trump and Mr Clinton were presidential rivals in 2016 and have had a contentious relationship.

Mr Trump has also been angling to be awarded the prestigious peace prize.

The sit-down gives Mr Trump a chance to prove to the world that he is both a master dealmaker and a global peacemaker.

He and his allies have cast him as a heavyweight negotiator who can find a way to bring the slaughter to a close  something he used to boast he could do quickly.

For Mr Putin, a summit with Mr Trump offers a long-sought opportunity to try to negotiate a deal that would cement Russias gains, block Kyivs bid to join the Nato military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscows orbit.

Despite having so much at stake, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders are not invited.
US rapper Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of a one million dollar (738,000) fraud scheme in which he leveraged his fame to dupe sellers into giving him luxury items he then never paid for.

Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Paul Anderson, and his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, were each convicted in March by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.

Turner was sentenced to five years in prison last month.

The singer apologised to judge David Leibowitz before he was sentenced in South Florida, saying he had learned from his actions.

His lawyer asked if he could self-surrender at a later date due to health issues, but the judge ordered Kingston to be taken into custody immediately.

The rapper, who was wearing a black suit and white shirt, removed his suit jacket and was handcuffed and led from the courtroom.

Kingston, 35, and his mother were arrested in May 2024 after a raid on his rented mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Turner was taken into custody during the raid, while Kingston was arrested at Fort Irwin, an Army training base in Californias Mojave Desert, where he was performing.

According to court records, Kingston used social media from April 2023 to March 2024 to arrange purchases of high-end merchandise.

After negotiating deals, Kingston would invite the sellers to one of his high-end Florida homes and promise to feature them and their products on social media.

Investigators said that when it came time to pay, Kingston or his mother would text the victims fake receipts for the luxury merchandise, which included a bulletproof Escalade vehicle, watches and a 19ft (5.9-metre) LED TV, investigators said.

When the funds never cleared, victims often contacted Kingston and Turner repeatedly, but were either never paid or received money only after filing lawsuits or contacting police.

Kingston, who was born in Florida and raised in Jamaica, shot to fame aged 17 with the hit Beautiful Girls, which laid his lyrics over Ben E Kings 1961 song Stand By Me.

The song was at number one in the UK singles chart for four weeks in 2007.
Serbias police said they detained hundreds of demonstrators who took part in anti-government protests throughout the country this week.

The arrests came amid reports of police brutality and excessive use of force during the unrest.

The three days of clashes between the police and loyalists of autocratic president Aleksandar Vucic on one side and the anti-government protesters on the other left dozens injured or detained.

Serbian gendarmerie officers guard the street during an anti-government protest near the Serbian Progressive Party office in Belgrade, Serbia (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

The unrest in the capital, Belgrade, and throughout Serbia this week marked a serious escalation of more than nine months of largely peaceful demonstrations led by Serbias university students that have shaken Mr Vucics firm grip on power in the Balkan country.

Another protest, under the slogan Lets show them we are not a punching bag, was held on Friday night throughout Serbia.

Police deployed armoured vehicles in parts of the capital as protesters faced off against riot police separating them from Mr Vucics supporters in downtown Belgrade.

The protests that have rattled Mr Vucic first started in November after a renovated train station canopy collapsed in Serbias north, killing 16 people. Many in Serbia blame the tragedy on alleged corruption-fuelled negligence in state infrastructure projects.

Mr Vucic praised the police for their conduct during the latest demonstrations, saying he will propose additional bonuses for the officers.

Speaking with state TV broadcaster RTS, he repeated his claim that the protests were inspired by the West with the intention of toppling him from power.

He has not provided any evidence for the claim.

Several social media posts from this week show baton-wielding riot police beating people to the ground and then kicking them with their boots before they were handcuffed.

Supporters of Aleksandar Vucic hurl flares at anti-government protesters (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

The apparent targets were often women and young people.

Serbias interior minister Ivica Dacic denied on Friday that police used excessive force, blaming the demonstrators for allegedly attacking the officers, who were protecting themselves with riot shields.

The police were massively and brutally attacked without any provocation. There were violent attempts to breach the cordons, Mr Dacic said.

Last night, 75 police officers were injured, and several vehicles were damaged. Those who spread lies about police brutality should comment on this fact.

Opposition leaders called for Mr Dacic to be removed from office.

They are beating up people on the streets, said opposition leader Dragan Djilas.

They also beat up politicians, literally anyone who opposes Aleksandar Vucic, with the clear goal of inflicting serious bodily harm on them.

Another social media video purported to show several young detainees kneeling with their faces to the wall as police officers stood to attention behind them.

Some of the apparent detainees had bloodstains on their backs.

The EUs commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos earlier this week said the reports of violence at the protests were deeply concerning.

Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, but Mr Vucic has maintained strong ties with Russia and China.

The Serbian president has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms while allowing organised crime and corruption to flourish, which he has denied.
NEW DELHI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least five people, including four of a family, were killed Saturday in a devastating fire inside a four-story residential-cum-factory building in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru, the police said.

According to the police, the fire started during the early hours on the first floor, which housed a plastic manufacturing unit and storage, and quickly spread throughout the premises and engulfed the third and fourth floors, where families lived.

"So far, five deaths have been confirmed. The deceased were identified as a couple and their two minor sons. The fifth person has been identified as a 36-year-old man, living in the same building," a police official said.

Officials said around 14 people managed to escape the fire by jumping to the adjacent building.

The police suspect a short circuit on the first floor has triggered the fire. 
Donald Trump left more questions than answers on Friday as he claimed great progress in his high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin but admitted that no deal had been reached to end Russias war on Ukraine.

The US president also suggested that it was now up to Volodymyr Zelenskyy to get it done and that a meeting would be set up between the Ukrainian president and Putin, which Trump might attend.

We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to, Trump said at a joint press conference in Anchorage, Alaska.

"There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant but we have a very good chance of getting there."

He cautioned: "Theres no deal until theres a deal."

The two leaders lavished praise on each other  Putin endorsed Trumps view that the war would never have started if Trump had won the 2020 election  but offered no details of the nearly three-hour meeting and took no questions from reporters.

Putin, speaking through an interpreter, described Trumps efforts on Ukraine as precious and, suggested the two leaders had hammered out an understanding. He urged Europe to not throw a wrench in the works and to not use backroom dealings to torpedo it.

Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin talk, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Putin said that he agreed that Ukraines security must be guaranteed  but also said that the root causes of the conflict must be resolved. Those root causes have previously included his demands for Ukraines formal renunciation of Nato membership as well as its denazification  a vague set of demands that in practice amount to the removal of Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy and European allies may have been alarmed by Trumps body language and deferential attitude toward Putin, whom he welcomed warmly at an Alaska air force base and allowed to ride in the presidential limousine known as the beast.

Trump told reporters: We really made some great progress today. Ive always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin  with Vladimir. As the press conference ended Putin suggested their next meeting might take place in Moscow, and dozens of reporters shouted questions in vain. The US president, who can typically never resist a free-wheeling press conference, left the stage without answering any of them.

However, he did elaborate in an interview with Sean Hannity, a host on the conservative Fox News network, suggesting that the ball was in Ukraines court. Now its really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done and I would also say the European nations  they have to get involved a little bit.

Theyre going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself I guess. I didnt ask about it. Not that I want to be there but I want to make sure it gets done and we have a pretty good chance of getting it done.

Lighthearted banter

The two leaders disembarked their planes at 11.08am local time at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a cold war-era air force base on the outskirts of Anchorage, Alaska.

The friendly, tactile body language that followed offered a stark contrast to Trumps shakedown of Zelenskyy, in the Oval Office in February.

Trump and Putin walked down red carpets that had been rolled up to their respective planes and met where the carpets came to a T, with Trump arriving first and clapping as Putin approached.

The men shared a warm handshake and what appeared to be some lighthearted banter. Trump gave Putin a friendly tap on the arm. Putin grinned and pointed skyward while their hands were still clasped.

Donald Trump greets Russia's Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump and Putin stood looking towards the media but did not respond to shouted questions including: President Putin, will you stop killing civilians? The Russian president, who is wanted by the international criminal court, appeared to shrug.

Putin then joined Trump in the presidential limousine  a rare privilege for allies and adversaries alike  and could be seen laughing with glee.

The men then sat together in a conference room with their respective delegations, seated to the side in front of a blue backdrop that had the words Pursuing Peace printed on it several times. Trump was joined by the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Putin by his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.
Donald Trumps much-hyped summit in Alaska with Vladimir Putin ended on Friday after just a few hours with few details given about what they discussed and no agreement to end the war in Ukraine, despite warm words between the two leaders.

Six key takeaways from the meeting:

1. The summit produced slim pickings  in other words, no deal

As Donald Trump conceded during his brief press conference with Vladimir Putin, understanding and progress are oceans apart from an agreement. At the end of a summit more notable for its choreography than its substance  frustrated reporters were not permitted to ask questions  the leaders failed to negotiate even a pause in fighting, let alone a ceasefire.

Theres no deal until theres a deal, Trump conceded, while Putin described their talks only as a reference point for ending the conflict and, significantly, a potential launchpad for better diplomatic and economic ties between Washington and Moscow.

2. This was a PR victory for a dominant Putin

Putin may have been the guest at a meeting held on US territory, but the Russian leader gained far more cachet than his host. Putin spoke to reporters first  a break with convention that gave him the opportunity to set the tone of a brief and, at times, quixotic press conference in Anchorage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stands on the steps of the plane prior to departure at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Clearly mindful of his surroundings, Putin, who had hitched a ride from to the venue in the beast  the secure US presidential limousine  reminded the world that the US and Russia were, in fact, geographical neighbours, although he stopped short of mentioning that Alaska had once been a Russian colony.

Trump was effusive in his praise for the Russian leader, repeatedly thanking him for his time and later, in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox, awarding a 10 for the Anchorage summit because its good when two big powers get along.

As if to underline his dominant role in proceedings, Putin ended the briefing by suggesting that their next meeting be held in Moscow  an invitation that slightly wrongfooted Trump, who had to admit that it would generate a little heat at home. But he did not rule it out.

3. Putin is still talking about root causes that stand in the way of a breakthrough

That is code for his non-negotiable demand that Russia retain the eastern Ukrainian regions it has captured during the three-and-a-half-year war, as well as other Kremlin red lines: no Ukrainian membership of Nato and the European Union, and an end to Volodymyr Zelenskyys presidency.

In a message to Keir Starmer and other regional leaders who made a public show of support for Zelenskyy on the eve of the summit, Putin warned European capitals against creating obstacles to peace in Ukraine. I have said more than once that for Russia, the events in Ukraine are associated with fundamental threats to our national security, he said.

4. Trump appears to have more in common with Putin than with Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump, right, and Russia's President Vladimir Putin depart at the conclusion of a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The summit was notable for the absence of the man who leads the country whose fate now lies in the hands of Trump and an alleged war criminal. The contrast between the public ambushing of Zelenskyy by Trump and JD Vance in the Oval Office in February and the personal connection  some might even call it warmth  on show in Anchorage was hard to ignore.

Kyiv could perhaps take solace in the fact that Trump did not appear to have accepted all of Putins demands, but the summit did little to reassure Ukraine that it can, in Zelenskyys words, continue to count on America.

As he ended his comments to the media, Trump, almost as an afterthought, said he would call the Ukrainian leader very soon, along with Nato leaders.

5. Trump couldnt resist revisiting domestic political grievances

Trump is not a man to let go of the long list of resentments he harbours towards his political opponents at home; not surprisingly, he used a summit called in an attempt end the bloodiest war in Europe for eight decades as a platform to revisit some of those grievances.

Perhaps encouraged by Putin  who revealed he had told Trump he agreed with the US presidents contention that the Ukraine war would not have started had he, and not Joe Biden, been in the White House when Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022  Trump repeatedly referenced hoax claims, backed by US intelligence, that Russia had interfered in the 2016 US presidential election.

President Donald Trump, right, walks to shake the hand of Russia's President Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

In his interview with Hannity, he also claimed that Putin had told him that the 2020 US presidential election was rigged through the widespread use of postal voting.

6. The fighting in Ukraine will continue

The Ukraine war raged on even as Trump and Putin sat in a room in front of a screen proclaiming that they were Pursuing Peace. As preparations were made for their first face-to-face meeting since 2019, there were no signs that Russian forces were preparing for a possible ceasefire, with reports that small sabotage groups had pierced Ukrainian defences in the eastern Donbas.

Zelenskyy also warned that Russia was planning new offensives on three parts of the frontline. On the day of the summit Ukrainian military intelligence claimed that Russia was preparing to conduct tests of a new nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missile that, if successful, would be used to bolster its negotiating position with the US and European countries.

As the two leaders met, most eastern Ukrainian regions were under air raid alerts, while the governors of Russias Rostov and Bryansk regions reported that some of their territories were under attack from Ukrainian drones.

The continued fighting was proof that Putin had never been interested in negotiating a ceasefire, the Ukrainian opposition lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said on Telegram: It seems Putin has bought himself more time. No ceasefire or de-escalation has been agreed upon.

- The Guardian
Ukraines president has said he will fly to Washington on Monday to meet Donald Trump after an hour long call with the US president in which he was briefed on the key points of the Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin.

Next weeks meeting will mark the first return to the White House for Volodymyr Zelenskyy since his infamous row with Trump and the vice-president, JD Vance, in the Oval Office in February.

President Trump informed [me] about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion, Zelenskyy wrote, adding that Ukraine supported Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between the three leaders.

Zelenskyy did not spell out the key points of discussion between Trump and Putin. Later, the presidents chief communications adviser said they havent heard anything about a possible air ceasefire before a trilateral summit, a proposal posted on social media by a journalist.

Trump told Fox News after the summit that the swapping of territory in Ukraine was discussed with Putin  something Zelenskyy has repeatedly ruled out.

I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on, the US president said. I think were pretty close to a deal, he added: Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe theyll say no.

After their call, Trump said on Truth Social that he expected to see Zelenskyy on Monday afternoon, and that if all works out we then will schedule a meeting with president Putin though the Russian leader has previously been reluctant to meet his Ukrainian counterpart.

The US president also said the best way to end the horrific war would be to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up. With Russia and Ukraine far apart in their demands, it is not clear how easily that could be achieved.

European leaders joined the call for a further half an hour, Zelenskyy added, emphasising that it is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America.

Those joining the call included the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and Italy: Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Giorgia Meloni respectively; as well as the Polish and Finnish presidents, Karol Nawrocki and Alexander Stubb; the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Shortly after, a second phone call took place, this time between Zelenskyy and various European leaders, to discuss what they had learned from Trumps account of the summit.

U.S. President Donald Trump, second right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin after their joint news conference on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. ((Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

There were positive signals from the US, Zelenskyy said in his update, regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security, echoing diplomatic language from last week in the runup to the summit.

Previously, the US has declined to spell out how it might help prevent a future outbreak of fighting as part of a peace agreement, leading to speculation that Washington was looking to leave the safeguarding of Ukraine almost entirely to Europe.

A joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the EU thanked Trump for his mediation efforts, and said they hoped to work towards a trilateral summit with European support.

The group said Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees and welcomed Trumps statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. Reuters reported that there was a discussion of extending a Nato-style guarantee to Ukraine, though the US position on this was not clear.

The leaders also declared it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory and that international borders must not be changed by force. The group said they would be willing to implement further economic sanctions against Russia if necessary.

In a separate statement, Starmer said that while progress had been made, the next step must be further talks involving president Zelenskyy and he emphasised that the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him.

Meloni said the most interesting developments at the summit were regarding future security guarantees for Ukraine. She highlighted an earlier Italian proposal inspired by Natos article 5, a clause that states alliance members will come to each others aid if one is attacked.

The starting point of the proposal is the definition of a collective security clause that would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the USA, ready to take action in case it is attacked again, she said.

Pressure on Russia had to be maintained, Macron said in a social media post. Any lasting peace must be accompanied by unwavering security guarantees, he added, welcoming the readiness of the United States to contribute.

Meanwhile, fighting continued for the 1,270th day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Three people were killed and 12 wounded in the southern frontline region of Kherson, its governor reported on Saturday.

Ukraines Azov brigade said it cleared Russian saboteur groups from six villages as it began to close down a breach in the frontline near Dobropillia, in the eastern Donetsk province. The unit claimed it had killed 271 Russian soldiers and wounded 101.

Ukraines air force said one ballistic missile and 85 drones and decoys were launched into the country, and it had shot down 61 of the latter. Russia said it had taken two villages on the frontline and Ukraine said it had lost another village near Pokrovsk.

- The Guardian
Two veterans salute in front of the Cenotaph in London, Britain, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- At midday Friday, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, a ceremonial county of England some 200 km from London, King Charles III, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and ranks of British soldiers stood in a two-minute silence, honoring the history and sacrifices made in the Far East during World War II (WWII), as the British Royal Air Force's Red Arrows flew over the memorial site.

As the day marked the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events, including the national ceremony attended by the king and other gatherings across the country.

"We recall, too, the prisoners of war who endured years of brutal captivity: the starvation, disease and cruelty that tested the very limits of human endurance. Innocent civilian populations of occupied territories faced grievous hardships, too," the king said in a recorded audio message released Friday morning.

At the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, dozens had already gathered in the early morning. Among them was 83-year-old Peter Torre, wearing a badge reading "Very Grateful War Baby." Near noon, Torre called on the people present to stand in formation. Taking his place at the front, he lifted his hand in salute as a deep silence settled over the crowd.

"I was born during WWII," Torre told Xinhua before the ceremony. "I was too young to remember it, but I came to the Cenotaph today to remember those who gave their today for our tomorrow."

Also present was Adrian Curtin, whose father, Augustine Peter Curtin, served as a medical officer aboard a troop ship captured by the Germans and subsequently handed over to the Japanese.

Curtin recalled that his father repeatedly intervened on behalf of fellow prisoners who were too unfit for forced labor during his captivity in Japan. "He endured severe beatings for doing so but never gave up," said Curtin, adding that his father never spoke to his children about the war, and they learned bits of what happened only from their mother.

"VJ Day is a bit forgotten, isn't it?" Curtin said. "We couldn't have won the war without them. That's why I came here today."

Sky News reported Friday that, compared with Victory in Europe Day, many people believe Victory over Japan Day has long been overlooked, underestimating the sacrifices of soldiers who continued fighting for three more months.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On the main Eastern battlefield, China's resistance effort was decisive in defeating Japanese fascism and in supporting other fronts in Europe and Asia.

On Friday afternoon, cinema-goers gathered at London's Leicester Square, awaiting the cast of the film Dongji Rescue for its European premiere in the evening. The WWII film tells the story of how Chinese fishermen risked their lives to rescue more than 300 British prisoners of war from the Japanese ship Lisbon Maru in 1942.

"The fact that the premiere falls on VJ Day is deeply meaningful," said David Marshall, a London audience member. "It's a moment to cherish peace and to remember, and not forget, the help the Chinese people gave during wartime."

From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites will be illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. 

People stand in front of the Cenotaph during a national two-minute silence in London, Britain, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

A veteran salutes in front of the Cenotaph in London, Britain, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Two veterans salute in front of the Cenotaph in London, Britain, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

People stand in front of the Cenotaph during a national two-minute silence in London, Britain, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

A veteran salutes in front of the Cenotaph during a national two-minute silence in London, Britain, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Buckingham Palace is lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

Buckingham Palace is lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

The Houses of Parliament are lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

The Cenotaph is lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

The Big Ben is lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

The Big Ben is lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

The Cenotaph is lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

The Houses of Parliament are lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

The Big Ben is lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

Buckingham Palace is lit up to mark the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, in London, Britain, on Aug. 15, 2025. As Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Britain's Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, the kingdom commemorated the occasion with a series of events. From 9 p.m. on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings and sites were illuminated to mark the day, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)
GAZA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 46 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Friday, the Civil Defense said.

Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Civil Defense Authority, told Xinhua seven people were killed in an airstrike that targeted a tent housing displaced persons in the Al-Rimal neighborhood in western Gaza City.

He said that six others, including two children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a school housing displaced people in the al-Daraj neighborhood, east of Gaza City.

At least 24 people, including a woman and two children, were killed by Israeli army while waiting to receive food in front of aid distribution centers north of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, at the Netzarim junction in the center of the Strip, and the Zikim crossing in the north, according to Basal.

He added that four people, including a girl, were killed in Israeli shelling that targeted Palestinian gatherings and a residential house in the Zeitoun and Tuffah neighborhoods in eastern Gaza City.

Two were killed in an airstrike on a tent housing displaced persons on the roof of the outpatient clinic building at al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Basal noted.

Three Palestinians, including an infant, were also killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a tent housing displaced persons west of Gaza City, according to Basal.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in statements on Friday that IDF troops, in coordination with the Air Forces, continue operational activity against the "terrorist organizations" throughout the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City and Khan Younis.

Since Israel resumed its intensified military campaign on March 18, at least 10,300 Palestinians have been killed and 43,234 injured, bringing the overall death toll in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 to 61,827, with a total of 155,275 people injured, according to health authorities in Gaza on Friday. 
th

century and the Siege of Leningrad during World War II by the German forces.

by Maheera Munir Middle East Monitor )  The starvation crisis in Gaza is simply understood as a humanitarian catastrophe or a war crime. While these descriptions are not incorrect, they are incomplete. The crisis unfolding in Gaza is more than Israel using hunger as a weapon; it is a calculated biopolitical project. Shutting down borders, restricting aid supply, and opening fire on people gathered for aid are all part of a strategy designed not just to destroy bodies, but to redefine the meaning of life itself for Palestinians. Israel is employing starvation to single-handedly dictate who and how many are allowed to live, and under what conditions, similar to what has historically been done during the Namibian genocide by the German Empire in the early 20

Similarly, at present, Israels strategy is not accidental; it was announced. In August 2024, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich asserted that it might be moral and just to starve the two million population of Gaza to retrieve hostages, but no one in the world would let that happen. A year later, not only was starvation allowed, but it happened before the eyes of the world, wide open.

This engineered starvation has only made the anarchic nature of the international system clearer. The UN itself is calling it a man-made famine, but is unable to put an end to Israeli aggression. The world is witnessing the horrors live on social media, and still, nothing changes. While the real-time, high-definition coverage of forced starvation in Gaza evokes a sense of empathy, it also instils a sense of helplessness. It only reminds the Palestinian people, and the entire world, that they can be erased gradually, on live TV, and continue to be at the mercy of a few global political elites.

READ: UNRWA chief: Israel has blocked food entry to Gaza for over 5 months

Traditionally, during imperialist rule and colonial subjugation, economic exploitation was the major tool used to marginalise a certain population and erase their political subjectivity. What we are witnessing in Gaza is a model of what Achille Mbembe refers to as necropolitics: the use of political power to control lives and create a death world where a group of people is structurally marginalised and exposed to death.

It is also what Giorgio Agamben, an Italian philosopher, calls a bare life, that is a life stripped of political value, left to survive at the mercy of a sovereign power. By manufacturing starvation, Israel aims to do just the same: alter cognitive abilities, debilitate bodies, and wear out resistance, replacing political struggle with physiological survival.

What has allowed Israel to engineer mass starvation in Gaza is not just power, tanks, and vetoes but narratives. Just like Israel propagated its aggression as self-defence, it has framed starvation as a consequence and not a strategy. Across the globe, people are now beginning to see Palestinians more as people in need of aid and less as political actors fighting for their legitimate rights. The Israeli media presented the intentional blocking of aid as a necessary measure to contain Hamas, arguing, We cannot fight them with one hand and give them aid with the other.

While the world must keep striving to get as much aid as it can get in, there is also a need to ensure that we do not start viewing Gaza through the lens that Israel desires. The narrative must be countered and challenged. We must dismiss the passive language of humanitarianism and employ the political vocabulary that continues to highlight Palestinian autonomy and struggle. Gaza does not need to be fed; it needs to be freed. The starving children in Rafah and Jabalia are not collateral damage; they are frontline victims of a war going on for decades.



Gaza 51, Digital, Midjourney, 2025

The play of counternarrative works, evident from the images and videos on social media showing multiple food trucks waiting at Rafah crossing for access, Jordanian Air Force dropping food pallets, Egyptians sailing bottles filled with food into the sea, and the UAE and Pakistan sending aid trucks towards Gaza. All such actions hold significant symbolic value as they create international media optics, exposing Israeli obstruction and shifting pressure. Western actors are now beginning to uncover Israeli propaganda, evident from Frances decision to extend recognition to the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September 2025, followed by the UK, Canada, and Australias plans to do the same, unless Israel meets certain conditions.

Together, it goes to show that engineered starvation in Gaza is not just a humanitarian crisis or a war crime; it is ontological violence. It seeks to starve a people out of meaning, out of statehood, and out of existence. The world must not remain silent but ensure to speak of Gaza, keeping in mind the bigger game at play. Starving Palestinians is part of Israels genocide, one spoonful at a time.

OPINION: The hunger war in Gaza against displaced Palestinians: Starvation as a weapon

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.
This essay was first published in January 2017. It seems even more prescient 8 and a half years later. At that time I could not have imagined that Trump would bring in psychopathic cronies like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel to destroy US AID and potentially kill 14 million people, more than died in World War I. Or that the entire National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control with its network of R1 university collaborators would be perhaps fatally weakened, with essential research on cancer cures and other breakthroughs destroyed. I could not have imagined the Department of Health and Human Services taken over by anti-vaxxers, who have killed children with diseases once thought eradicated. I miscalculated the potential for public pressure to make Congress stand up to the psychopathocracy  some of its members are themselves afflicted with the condition, others are afraid (and have been physically threatened along with their families), still others have been bribed. I also didnt speak enough about this last issue. That is, this psychopathocracy is that of plutocrats, and it works because they can throw their money at politicians and turn them into puppets. They can do this so successfully in part because the gini coefficient of the US is now such that wealth is heavily concentrated in only a few hands. James Madison set the US up with checks and balances, imagining that there would always be fairly equal contenders on any issue. He could not have foreseen three families having all the resources that 50% of the rest of the country does. I could not have imagined that after the disaster of Trumps first term, the American public would put him back in to do exponentially more damage. This is systemic breakdown on a scale we have not seen in this country perhaps since the 1850s. It does not bode well, and there is not an obvious way out. Even if the Democrats can get back in, they may not be effective against the new Establishment, and young Republicans are practicing goose stepping for their future advent.

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  We are now on the brink of a new form of government, undreamed of by Aristotle, who spoke of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. We are headed to a psychopathocracy, which has something in common with the degraded form of classical regime types that Aristotle warned against (he thought monarchy can deteriorate into despotism, aristocracy into oligarchy, and democracy into demagoguery). Psychopathocracy is the rule of persons who lack a basic ability to empathize with others, to feel their pain or to feel guilty about harming them.



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Psychopathocracy is different from mere bad policy. We can all disagree about the direction of government or particular initiatives. Often people backing a policy that harms others do not understand the harm, or think it is averting a greater harm. It isnt true that all high politicians are psychopaths who dont care about injury being done to people. And high politicians have put in programs like social security that have lifted millions of elders out of poverty over decades. They did it because they cared about people.

About 1% of the population is comprised of born psychopaths. The condition of a lack of conscience and inability to empathize with the pain of others or feel remorse may well be a condition one is born with, and in a third of cases can be tested for with an MRI scan. It is thought that another 5 percent of the population loses its ability to empathize through brain damage, trauma or other sorts of physical or psychological injuries.

It is further thought that about 12% of the population is easily manipulated by psychopaths into pyschopath-like behavior or ideas. This 18% of the population is potentially extremely dangerous. They do not have a feedback loop for emotional or physical distress. They are the sort of people who would run somebody over and flee the scene without calling for medical help for the victim.

Psychopaths in power are dangerous because of their inability to feel the pain of others. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney set of a chain of events in motion that left hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead and displaced from their homes (i.e. made homeless) 4 million of Iraqs 30 million people. This is not to mention the 4,486 Us troops killed the 500,000 wounded physically or psychologically). They set up a chain of events that led to a dangerous cult, Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) taking over 40% of Iraqi territory. But if you ask them if they regret what they did, they so no. And I think they are being honest. They cannot empathize with the victims they helped create.

Politicians who want to deprive people of their health care so as to lower taxes on billionaires, who want to make women bear the babies of their rapists, who want to torture helpless prisoners, who want to burn fossil fuels for profit when they endanger the planet, who want to carpet bomb or nuke millions of non-combatants to get at a few guerrillas these are psychopaths.

Psychopaths are not necessarily criminal or violent, though there are four times as many psychopaths in prison as in the general population. All serial killers are psychopaths. Fraudsters like Bernie Madoff are psychopaths.

CEOs of corporations and successful politicians are also disproportionately likely to be psychopaths. Robert Hare developed a 20-point checklist for the condition, which, however, does not exactly overlap with the definition in DSM-V, the description of mental conditions put out by the American Psychiatric Association. Hare did some of his research in prisons and so his checklist is skewed a bit for criminal activity.

You dont need to be a psychologist to recognize that Donald J. Trump and several nominees to his incoming administration exhibit obvious signs of psychopathy. Having psychopaths in the White House is not unprecedented. It seems pretty obvious that Dick Nixon, a pathological liar who actually derailed the 1968 peace negotiations with Vietnam to keep his rival Hubert Humphrey from looking good to the voters, had this condition. Untold American soldiers and Vietnamese peasants died so Nixon could be president.

What is remarkable about Trump and his cronies is that their hatred is raw and broad-spectrum. Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, Muslim-Americans, white liberals (coded by the Neo-Nazis as N-lovers) and some of them dont like Jews very much. That is, they seem to hate an absolute majority of the American population.

Trumps psychopathy is evident in his exaggerated estimation of himself, his need constantly to troll the public for stimulation, his superficial charm, his need to lie, his inability to feel remorse or guilt, his emotional shallowness, his promiscuity and lack of impulse control and serial sexual assault, his use of bankruptcy to avoid paying his creditors and his attraction to a business like casinos which preys on people (many games in casinos are skewed for the House at rates of 11% and on up even to 20%). Trump is more disciplined and single-minded about his career than most psychopaths manage, but otherwise he seems a classic case. He also suffers from a distinct but related condition, of narcissistic personality disorder.

Many of the people around Trump, who speak for him on television, who are tapped to advise him on national security, on the environment, on issues like net neutrality, also exhibit clear signs of psychopathy. Since only about 3 million Americans are born psychopaths, the idea that a whole group of them is moving into power in Washington together is pretty scary. And remember that some 38 million Americans are so ethically and emotionally fragile that they will easily fall under the spell of the psychopaths. That is, if directed to beat up members of minorities, they will gladly do so.

Since about a third of psychopaths can now be diagnosed with an MRI for brain abnormalities, maybe it is desirable that candidates for high office in business and government be scanned: Psychcentral writes, a study found that [cold-blooded psychopathic] offenders displayed significantly reduced grey matter volumes in the anterior rostral prefrontal cortex and temporal poles compared to [impulsive psychopathic] offenders and healthy non-offenders.

Until such scanning can be carried out, the safest thing is to assume that someone who talks and acts like a psychopath is one.

You cannot reason with a psychopath, you cannot shame such a person or appeal to their better instincts. There is no point in writing open letters to them. The usual way of dealing with politicians who develop some wild ideas in the course of their search for voters and campaign funds will not work.

The only thing you can do is recognize their damaged character and try to protect yourself and others from it. When they encourage minorities to be beaten up, we have to stop that. When they encourage universities to put professors on trial, we have to reject that. When they begin beating drums for war, we have to try to avert it . . .
By Niamatullah Ibrahimi, The University of Melbourne; Arif Saba, Deakin University, and Safiullah Taye, Australian Catholic University

(The Conversation)  On August 15 2021, Afghanistans democratic republic collapsed.

As the last US and NATO troops departed the country, the Taliban swept back into power and the Afghan people braced for an uncertain future.

Despite promises of moderation and inclusion, four years later, the Taliban has established a repressive, exclusionary regime  one that has dismantled institutions of law, justice and civil rights with ruthless efficiency.

As the Taliban regime has tightened its grip, international attention has waned. Crises in Ukraine, Gaza and elsewhere have dominated the global agenda, pushing Afghanistan out of the spotlight.

With the Taliban seeking to end its isolation and gain legitimacy, can the international community find the will now to exert real pressure?

The Talibans emirate of repression

After coming back into power, the Taliban discarded the countrys 2004 constitution, allowing the regime to operate without a transparent rule of law. Instead, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the reclusive Taliban leader, rules by decree from his base in Kandahar.

The Talibans repression of women and girls has been so severe, human rights groups now call it gender apartheid and argue it should be a new international crime.

Edicts have erased women from public life, banning them from education beyond primary school (with the exception of religious education), employment and public spaces. Women also cannot move freely in public without a mahram, or male guardian.

The Taliban also dismantled the Ministry of Womens Affairs, replacing it with the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. As a central instrument of repression, the ministry reinforces institutionalised gender discrimination through regular raids and arrests, surveillance and monitoring of public spaces.

Taliban rule has also led to the exclusion and persecution of minority ethnic and religious groups such as Hazaras, Shias, Sikhs and Christians.

In the province of Panjshir, the focal point of resistance to the Taliban, human rights groups have documented the Talibans severe crackdowns on the local population, including mass arrests and detentions, torture and extrajudicial killings.

More broadly, the Taliban has decimated the civic space in the country. Journalists and activists have been silenced through fear, violence and arbitrary arrests. This has led to widespread self-censorship and an information blackout that allows abuses to continue with impunity.

Despite the immense risks, activists, journalists and ordinary citizens continue to resist the Taliban. Women have staged peaceful protests in the face of harsh crackdowns, while others run secret schools for girls and document abuses in the hope of future accountability.

Humanitarian aid dwindling

Although most countries do not recognise the Taliban as the formal and legitimate government of the country, some regional states have called for an easing of its international isolation.

Last month, Russia became the first country to recognise the Taliban. China is also deepening its economic and diplomatic ties with the group. Indias foreign minister recently met with his Taliban counterpart, after which the Taliban called New Delhi a significant regional partner.

International aid continues to flow into Afghanistan, but a report from a US watchdog this week documented how the Taliban uses force and other means to divert it.

The United States had still accounted for more than 40% of all humanitarian support to Afghanistan after the Talibans return. But US President Donald Trumps decision to decimate the US Agency for International Development means this funding has all but disappeared.

This has crippled essential services and threatens to plunge the country into one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises. Health facilities have closed and malnutrition is rising. The mass deportation of hundreds of thousands of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan has only further added to the humanitarian catastrophe.

For years, the United Nations has tried to facilitate talks between the Taliban and international community in Qatar with the aim of improving conditions in the country. However, it has faced repeated setbacks.

The Taliban only decided to attend the talks in mid-2024 after the UN conceded to excluding women and civil society groups and restricting the agenda. The meeting resulted in no breakthroughs or concessions.

Another round of talks is anticipated, but the central dilemma remains: how to engage the Taliban without legitimising its repressive rule.

Courts making some progress

The Talibans systematic human rights abuses have global repercussions. Experts warn of a rising trend of similarly styled repression, dubbed Talibanisation, taking root in other countries.

In Yemen, for example, Houthi leaders have imposed restrictions eerily similar to Taliban edicts, banning women from walking in public without a male guardian and restricting their work.

While individual states have failed to agree on a coordinated response to the Taliban, international institutions have taken steps in the right direction.

In July, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Akhundzada and the Taliban chief justice, accusing them of crimes against humanity for gender-based persecution.

Separately, four countries  Australia, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada  have begun the process of bringing a case against the Taliban to the International Court of Justice for gender discrimination. This would be a first for the court.



Photo of Kabul, Afghanistan by Mohammad Husaini on Unsplash

To complement these efforts, the UN member states must establish an independent international investigative mechanism to systematically document and investigate crimes committed by the Taliban. Such a mechanism would help preserve evidence and lay the groundwork for future prosecutions.

Without concerted international pressure, the suffering of the Afghan people will only worsen and the Talibans brand of repression will continue impact womens rights far beyond Afghanistans borders.

The authors are holding a day-long conference with other academics on Afghanistan, four years after the Taliban takeover, at the Monash University Law Chambers in Melbourne on August 15. More information can be found here.

Niamatullah Ibrahimi, Senior Research Fellow, Initiative for Peacebuilding, The University of Melbourne; Arif Saba, Visiting Scholar, International Relations, Deakin University, and Safiullah Taye, Researcher and sessional academic, Australian Catholic University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A three-way summit US President Donald Trump has mooted with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place in Europe, Germany's leader suggested on Saturday.

"I think that such a three-way meeting will take place," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview with TV networks NTV and RTL, according to an advance transcript AFP obtained.

"The date and place are still to be worked out. We have proposed that a place could be found in Europe," he said.

Trump, in the wake of his Friday summit with Putin in Alaska to speak about Ukraine, said he and European leaders wanted to see another summit take place, this time with a seat at the table for Zelensky.

After his talk with Putin failed to make headway on a ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump shifted his stance to say was now keen on securing a full peace agreement.

One challenge for Putin to step foot in Europe is that there is an International Criminal Court arrest warrant out for him over the alleged mass abduction of Ukrainian children during the war.

The United States is not a party to the ICC, and Hungary -- an EU country ruled by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is friendly with both Trump and Putin -- is in the process of withdrawing from the ICC's founding treaty.

Merz suggested that a European venue for the possible summit "should maybe be a place where discussions might take place on a permanent basis", but he did not specify any country or city.

"Those are detailed issues. They will only be clarified in coming days, or even coming weeks," he said.

clp/rmb/gv

RTL GROUP
Children visit a museum in Yinan County of Linyi, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 12, 2025. (Photo by Wang Yanbing/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Standing in the exhibition hall of the Taosi Site Museum in north China's Shanxi Province, tourist Zhu Yongxin listened in awe as the presenter spoke.

"It is amazing how our ancestors who lived 4,000 years before us already mastered exquisite crafting techniques, and even built grand cities like this," said Zhu, appreciating the exhibits.

Opened in November 2024, the museum sits on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site, the result of over four decades of archaeological work. The site is believed to be the remains of the capital city from the era of Yao and Shun, two Chinese sage emperors who ruled more than 4,100 years ago.

Like Zhu, many Chinese who chose to spend a few days travelling this summer have opted to visit museums and historical sites, seeking both leisure and knowledge.

In northeast China's Liaoning Province, the Liaoning Provincial Museum is also seeing a surge in the number of visitors.

Sun Linhao, a 14-year-old middle school student from Beijing, visited the museum with parents. "This is my second visit to the museum," said Sun. "This time I want to see the picture of the auspicious cranes, a painting by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty (960-1279)."

According to Dong Baohou, deputy curator of the museum, it has recorded an average of 20,000 visitors daily in recent weeks. To accommodate this surge of interest, the museum extended its opening hours.

The Xixia Imperial Tombs in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region saw ticket bookings increase by 280 percent during this year's summer vacation compared with the same period last year.

In July, the tombs were inscribed on the World Heritage List, significantly enhancing their appeal to tourists.

Museums and cultural heritage venues are rolling out a plethora of activities to improve the visitors' experience. For instance, the Shanghai Museum's exhibition, "On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt," is open around the clock from Aug. 11 to 17. This 168-hour cultural carnival also features new book releases, Egyptian dance performances and interactive games.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In this context, visiting museums, historical sites and revolutionary landmarks commemorating this hard-won victory has taken on special significance.

At a memorial hall in Shanxi Province, people visit exhibits such as a soldier's journal or a rusted rifle, relics from the Hundred-Regiment Campaign, a major operation during China's war against Japanese aggression to which the hall is dedicated.

According to local statistics, on July 12 and 13, the memorial hall received more than 10,000 visits.

A similar sight was spotted at Shanghai Songhu Memorial Hall for the War Against Japanese Aggression.

Many visitors came to learn about the history and pay tribute to the martyrs who fell resisting aggression. Li Jiaxin, a 15-year-old from Shandong Province, said he was shocked to learn how young some of the martyrs had been when they died.

"They were more or less my age, but were willing to give their lives to save the country. They were such noble people," Li added.

Visiting the memorial hall has special importance, one visitor said, noting that this piece of history must be passed down through generations. 






Friday, August 15, 2025 - After months on the run, two gold scammers who have been slipping through the police dragnet have finally been brought to book.

Detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) have arrested Benson Gembe Odero and Emmulate Adhiambo Othuno, the masterminds behind a multi-million-shilling gold scam targeting foreign investors.

The case traces back to September 2024, when two investors from Dubai lodged a complaint.

Lured by the promise of a lucrative deal to purchase 35 kilograms of gold, the investors flew to Kenya after days of negotiations.

On arrival at JKIA, they were chauffeured to a plush Kilimani hotel and introduced to an elaborate network of accomplices, some posing as KRA Customs officers, Ministry of Mining officials, and even licensed private jet operators.

Before they realised they were being conned, the scammers had already fleeced them of USD 54,300.

Following the complaint, detectives mounted an intensive investigation.

On November 5th, 2024, coordinated raids were carried out in Runda, Ridgeways, and the Industrial Area, where the victims had been taken to formalise the bogus deal, where thirty-one suspects were arrested and arraigned.

However, Odero and Othuno managed to stay one step ahead until August 13th, 2025, when OSU detectives finally cornered and arrested them in a targeted operation.

Othuno has been masquerading as a fashion designer.

See her photos below.



The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, August 15, 2025 - Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino, has proposed an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code aimed at enabling Kenyans with past criminal records to access employment opportunities.

Appearing before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee on Thursday, August 14th, Owino argued that individuals who have completed their sentences or paid fines are often locked out of jobs because their criminal records remain permanently attached to clearance certificates.

Weve had cases where Kenyans cant get jobs due to records hanging over their shoulders.

Once convicted, a person serves their sentence, either in prison or by paying a fine, yet the certificate of good conduct issued by the DCI still carries the record, leading to automatic disqualification, he said.

Owino suggested that such records should be expunged for reformed offenders, excluding serious crimes such as capital offences.

He also expressed willingness to refine the proposal to include a post-release monitoring period before records are cleared.

Committee members, however, raised concerns over rehabilitation.

We cannot presume reform without evidence.

Why not require two or three years after sentencing to prove genuine change before granting amnesty? posed Ruaraka MP, Tom Kajwang.

The Criminal Procedure Code governs how criminal cases are handled, from arrest to sentencing, balancing the rights of the accused with the pursuit of justice.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Since the beginning of this year, 1.7 million Afghan citizens have returned to the country from Iran and Pakistan, a UN spokesman said Friday.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told a daily briefing that most of the returnees have limited ties to the local communities and are struggling to find shelter and economic opportunities, and the host communities themselves also lack adequate services and resources.

To support the response, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund recently released 10 million U.S. dollars, and additional funding is in the pipeline from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, he said.

The humanitarian community in Afghanistan is already preparing for another influx of returnees following the Pakistani government's deadline for Afghan Proof of Registration cardholders to leave the country by Sept. 1, he said.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than half of Afghanistan's population needs vital aid, with women and girls under especially vulnerable conditions.

OCHA stressed that additional funding is urgently needed to support the Afghan people, Dujarric said.

This year's Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is just 25 percent funded, with 624 million dollars received of the 2.4 billion dollars needed, according to the spokesman. 






Friday, August 15, 2025 - Former KTN journalist, Saddique Shaban, has publicly accused President William Ruto of illegally taking over the Lake Jipe public campsite in Taita Taveta County.

In a post shared on his X account, Shaban claimed that the scenic lakeside campsite, long enjoyed by local residents, tourists, and conservationists, has been converted into private property linked to the President.

Unknown to many, the once popular KWS L. Jipe public campsite is no longer PUBLIC. It is now under a "private developer". While at it, another powerful "private developer" is CLAIMED that he wants the place to himself, he tweeted.

Shabans remarks came after a local traveler claimed they were ordered to leave the campsite by management, allegedly acting on instructions from a private developer.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, August 15, 2025 - Pressure is mounting on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to arrest an Uber driver who was allegedly caught red-handed taking advantage of a heavily intoxicated lady.

The disturbing incident, which has triggered public outrage, reportedly occurred late at night.

Witnesses say the driver was confronted after his suspicious behavior was noticed, leading to a heated exchange with a group of young men who had secretly recorded the scene.

In the viral video, members of the public can be seen surrounding the driver, accusing him of attempting to exploit the womans vulnerable state instead of ensuring her safety.

The visibly drunk lady appears disoriented as concerned bystanders intervene.

Kenyans have since flooded social media with calls for immediate action, tagging the DCI and the National Police Service while demanding the drivers arrest.

Watch the video HERE>>> and the full one HERE>>>

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, August 15, 2025 - Veteran Kenyan genge rapper, Paul Julius Nunda, better known as Jua Cali, has broken his silence after some netizens compared his recent appearance to Jamaican star Vybz Kartels battle with Graves disease.

The Kiasi hitmakers latest video appearance stirred online chatter after fans noticed a puffier face and fuller physique.

Social media users quickly drew parallels to Vybz Kartel, who has publicly battled the autoimmune condition, with some cheekily dubbing Jua Cali Kenyas Vybz Kartel.

Graves disease can cause swelling, especially around the eyes, as the immune system attacks surrounding tissues and muscles.

Responding to the speculation, Jua Cali dismissed the rumours, attributing the changes to natural aging.

Niko 45 jamaa, nipeleke pole pole (Im 45 years, be easy on me guys), he said, assuring fans that he is in good health.

Watch the video.

His Reaction pic.twitter.com/RXRNIfz8ZW  The Nairobi Times (@TheNairobiTimez) August 14, 2025
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Courtesy visit of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana to Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani



khaskhabar.com : Sat, 16 Aug 2025 3:11 PM

Devnani showed Shri Mahana the House, building, museum and Constitutional Club of Rajasthan Assembly



Mahana praised the innovations done in the Assembly including the Pink House of Pink City, the rich architecture of the building, digital museum and club

Gopendra Nath Bhatt





Jaipur,Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana paid a courtesy visit to Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani at the Assembly here on Saturday.





Both the Speakers discussed parliamentary functioning, democratic traditions, challenges of the legislature and its effective role. Shri Devnani gave information about the features, innovations, online and paperless process of the House, transparent working style of Rajasthan Assembly.





Mahana observed the unique architectural structure of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly building, the online and paperless functioning of the House and various innovations related to the modern systems developed here. He also visited the Vidhan Sabha Museum located in the Vidhan Sabha and appreciated the rare documents related to the parliamentary heritage, constitutional history and the rich democratic tradition of Rajasthan displayed there.





Devnani and Mahana shared experiences based on parliamentary working systems related to the Legislative Assemblies. Both the Speakers agreed that exchange of each other's experiences is very important for strengthening democratic institutions. He stressed on sharing the experiences of the Speakers of the Legislative Assemblies to make the mutual cooperation of the Legislative Assemblies of different states of the country more strong.





Devnani told Mr. Mahana that an annual diary has been published in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly according to the Indian New Year. Kargil Shaurya Vatika has been constructed in the Vidhan Sabha. The political narrative museum of the Vidhan Sabha also includes information related to the great men of Rajasthan and various revolutions and innovations in the constitutional gallery. While observing the club, Devnani told Mahana that various halls of the club have been named on Indian words.





Devnani honoured Mahana by presenting a bouquet of flowers and a memento and by draping a scarf and a shawl on him. Devnani also hosted a lunch for Mahana in his honour.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- More deaths are reported in the Gaza Strip from the starvation crisis and attempts to retrieve aid amid expanding Israeli military operations, UN humanitarians said on Friday.

"The already dire situation in Gaza could worsen without a reliable, rapid, safe and unrestricted flow of supplies into the strip," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "It is imperative that humanitarians are enabled to deliver aid at scale, using community-based mechanisms to reach the most vulnerable."

The office said that people in Gaza are gravely concerned by the potential impact of an expansion of military operations in Gaza City.

The United Nations has reiterated that it will not participate in any forced displacement of the population. Fleeing civilians must be protected and have their essential needs met, and they must be able to return to their homes voluntarily when the situation allows, said OCHA.

It said more starvation deaths have been reported, including among many children who are regularly admitted to hospitals for malnutrition.

The World Health Organization warned that many health care facilities have run out of bedspace to treat malnourished patients. Access to health care must be restored immediately.

"Between May 27 and Aug. 8, the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah treated more than 4,500 wounded patients, most of whom reported that they were injured while trying to reach food distribution sites," OCHA said.

The office also said that some Palestinians reported injuries in the crush of the crowd or being beaten and robbed of their supplies immediately after receiving them.

The UN Human Rights Office said that between May 27 and Aug. 13, at least 1,760 Palestinians were recorded killed while seeking aid, 994 in the vicinity of the non-UN militarized sites and 766 along the routes of supply convoys.

"No one should be killed for trying to access aid," it said.

The office called on the Israeli military to immediately stop attacks on Palestinians attempting to provide security for humanitarian and other supply convoys and their routes. Such attacks have significantly contributed to the spread of starvation in Gaza.

"Since the beginning of August, we have recorded 11 incidents involving attacks on Palestinians guarding convoys in north Gaza and middle Gaza," it said. "These incidents resulted in the killing of at least 46 Palestinians, mainly those providing security to humanitarian and supply convoys, along with some seeking aid, and injuring many others."

It said that since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, it has recorded dozens of incidents in which the Israeli military unlawfully targeted civilian police officers, contributing to the collapse of law enforcement, leading directly to disorder around supply convoys, as the population becomes increasingly desperate to access food in the face of deepening starvation.

OCHA said more diverse supplies and routes must be made routinely available. It said that while a slight easing of commercial supplies entering the strip has reportedly led to a decrease in the prices of some food items at local markets, energy prices have skyrocketed. Cooking gas has not been available in markets for the past five months, and firewood has become even less affordable.

"More people are resorting to using waste and scrap wood as alternative fuel sources for cooking," said OCHA. "Partners working on food security warn that both the quantity and quality of supplies entering Gaza remain far below the minimum requirements to meet people's needs."

OCHA said the United Nations and its humanitarian partners reported ongoing delays in aid movements and other impediments, including bottlenecks at holding points and interference in the loading process at the platforms, which are impacting their efforts to collect supplies from the crossings and deliver them to people in need.

The office said that only five out of 12 missions requiring coordination with Israeli authorities were facilitated without impediments on Thursday.

The missions included the collection of supplies from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem border crossing and the transfer of fuel to the north. Four missions were canceled by the organizers, while three others were impeded and only eventually fully accomplished. 
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Dublin City is buzzing as Oasis return to Ireland for the first time in 16 years, fans said.

Tens of thousands of fans have descended on the capital for the first of two sold-out gigs at Croke Park.

The 90s Britpop superstars will perform to 80,000 people on Saturday and Sunday night.

Croke Park will see Oasis first performance in Ireland since a dramatic split in 2009 (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

After an in-demand dynamic pricing model left a poor taste for some fans last year, ticket-holders will roll with it and enjoy the music in temperatures above 20 degrees.

Health officials advised revellers to wear their bucket hats, with high UV levels predicted amid warm and dry sunny spells in Dublin on Saturday.

The bands first gig in the country since 2009, the Dublin leg of the reunion world tour will hold a special meaning for once-feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher.

The Mancunian brothers have spoken about their ties to Ireland through their Irish-born parents, Peggy and Thomas.

Sarah and Neil Charlton travelled from Southampton to see the band, after a determined search for standing tickets saw them clinching access in Dublin.

Mr Charlton said they have both been waiting a long time to see the band reunite  having seen Oasis multiple times before their extended hiatus.

The Oasis reunion has been a huge event in the cultural calendar (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

He told the PA news agency: We thought: what a great city to come to and see the gig and have a couple of nights out in Dublin.

Mr Charlton said Its just so nostalgic  all the songs and all the music from when we were growing up.

When we first started seeing each other, we went to a gig and so its always been a part of our lives together.

Oasis formed part of the romantic story for Lisa and Alan Roe too, who said their love of the band dates back to when they got married in the 1990s.

Mr Roe said: Because the two of them are after getting back together after so many years, to be able to sell out a world tour the way they did  and their music going back to the late 80s and 90s.

That brings an aura about in everybody and a buzz and the memories of growing up in Dublin with them  its absolutely out of this world.

The atmosphere is building for Oasis fans, Anthony and Tara Hayes with Paudie and Nicky Hayes (front left and right) (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

Having had to wait a long time for the reunion tour, Sinead Millea from Kilkenny  who previously saw the band in Limerick in 1996  said: Maybe were all going through a bit of a midlife crisis  I turned 50 this year, and look, Noel and Liam, theyre in their 50s as well.

And maybe things just dawned on them that life is too short and just, lets put grievances to bed.

They seem to be getting on great, and its fabulous. And at the end of the day, music transcends everything, and were all here to enjoy a brilliant night and to share it with the people that mean the most.

Its just amazing. The weather is fabulous and its a brilliant venue.

The support acts for the Dublin dates are Richard Ashcroft from The Verve and Cast, formed by John Power after he left The Las.

The setlist has crowd-pleasing hits such as Cigarettes And Alcohol and Wonderwall.

Fans have also been treated to favourites including Acquiesce, Some Might Say and Morning Glory  before a Dont Look Back In Anger, Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova crescendo.

Oasis announced their reunion tour in August last year, 16 years after their dramatic split in 2009, when Noel quit after a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

The highly anticipated 41-date run has already seen the band play Cardiff, Manchester, London and Edinburgh before taking them half the world away to major cities, including in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan.
Giant panda twins Jia Jia (L) and De De enjoy a birthday cake at the Ocean Park Hong Kong, south China's Hong Kong, Aug. 15, 2025. The Ocean Park Hong Kong celebrated the first birthday of the first locally-born panda twins, Jia Jia and De De on Friday. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 13, 2025 shows a view of the Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan. Issyk-Kul Lake, located in the northeastern part of Kyrgyzstan, covers an area of more than 6,000 square kilometers and ranks as the world's second-largest alpine lake. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows houses damaged by a cloudburst at a village in Kishtwar district, about 290 km southeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. The death toll from Thursday's cloudburst in Kishtwar district in Indian-controlled Kashmir rose to at least 60. (Str/Xinhua)

People gather to drink tea at the new house of a villager at Zimgag Village of Dingri County, Xigaze City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 15, 2025. A ceremony was held at Zimgag Village on Friday as a total of 2,578 households, 12,139 residents, affected by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in January, move to their news houses. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

Team China celebrate after the Aerobic Gymnastics Group Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

U.S. President Donald Trump (R, Rear) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L, Rear) attend a joint press conference after concluding their talks in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 15, 2025. The talks, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the city of Anchorage, lasted about three hours. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

This photo shows the new evidence of Unit 731 unveiled by the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 13, 2025.

New evidence of Unit 731 -- a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II -- was unveiled on Friday in Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

The new evidence includes 3,010 pages of archive documents, 194 minutes of video footage, 312 photographs, 12 postcards and eight letters, exposing Japanese germ-warfare crimes in detail. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows the static fire test of China's Long March-10 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province. China's Long March-10 carrier rocket, the country's new-generation manned launch vehicle, has successfully completed the first static fire test here on Friday, the China Manned Space Agency has announced. (Xinhua/Zhang Bin)

Participants are pictured during a demonstration on a street of Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 15, 2025. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday expressed "remorse" in his speech at the annual memorial ceremony for the war dead, as the country marked the 80th anniversary of its unconditional surrender in World War II, but the "remorse" was not on Japan's responsibility for aggression against Asian countries. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

This video snapshot captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Aug. 15, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong (L) and Wang Jie performing extravehicular activities outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). (Xinhua/Yin Jiajie)
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Latvian students practice Tai Chi sword at a center for international cultural exchange in Wenxian County, Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 8, 2025. Twenty-nine students from Latvia are here on a 15-day program to study Tai Chi and experience the charm of Chinese martial arts.

Tai chi, a traditional martial art, began life in the mid-17th century at Chenjiagou before it spread to more than 150 countries and regions, attracting more than 100 million people to practise. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua)

Latvian students practice Tai Chi at Chenjiagou Village of Wenxian County, Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. Twenty-nine students from Latvia are here on a 15-day program to study Tai Chi and experience the charm of Chinese martial arts.

Tai chi, a traditional martial art, began life in the mid-17th century at Chenjiagou before it spread to more than 150 countries and regions, attracting more than 100 million people to practise. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua)

Latvian students practice Tai Chi sword at Chenjiagou Village of Wenxian County, Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. Twenty-nine students from Latvia are here on a 15-day program to study Tai Chi and experience the charm of Chinese martial arts.

Tai chi, a traditional martial art, began life in the mid-17th century at Chenjiagou before it spread to more than 150 countries and regions, attracting more than 100 million people to practise. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua)

Latvian students practice Tai Chi sword at a center for international cultural exchange in Wenxian County, Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 8, 2025. Twenty-nine students from Latvia are here on a 15-day program to study Tai Chi and experience the charm of Chinese martial arts.

Tai chi, a traditional martial art, began life in the mid-17th century at Chenjiagou before it spread to more than 150 countries and regions, attracting more than 100 million people to practise. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua)

Latvian students practice Tai Chi under the guidance of an instructor at Chenjiagou Village of Wenxian County, Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. Twenty-nine students from Latvia are here on a 15-day program to study Tai Chi and experience the charm of Chinese martial arts.

Tai chi, a traditional martial art, began life in the mid-17th century at Chenjiagou before it spread to more than 150 countries and regions, attracting more than 100 million people to practise. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua)

A Tai Chi instructor communicates with Latvian students at Chenjiagou Village of Wenxian County, Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. Twenty-nine students from Latvia are here on a 15-day program to study Tai Chi and experience the charm of Chinese martial arts.

Tai chi, a traditional martial art, began life in the mid-17th century at Chenjiagou before it spread to more than 150 countries and regions, attracting more than 100 million people to practise. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua)

Latvian students practice Tai Chi at Chenjiagou Village of Wenxian County, Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. Twenty-nine students from Latvia are here on a 15-day program to study Tai Chi and experience the charm of Chinese martial arts.

Tai chi, a traditional martial art, began life in the mid-17th century at Chenjiagou before it spread to more than 150 countries and regions, attracting more than 100 million people to practise. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua)
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Standing in the exhibition hall of the Taosi Site Museum in north China's Shanxi Province, tourist Zhu Yongxin listened in awe as the presenter spoke.

"It is amazing how our ancestors who lived 4,000 years before us already mastered exquisite crafting techniques, and even built grand cities like this," said Zhu, appreciating the exhibits.

Opened in November 2024, the museum sits on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site, the result of over four decades of archaeological work. The site is believed to be the remains of the capital city from the era of Yao and Shun, two Chinese sage emperors who ruled more than 4,100 years ago.

Like Zhu, many Chinese who chose to spend a few days travelling this summer have opted to visit museums and historical sites, seeking both leisure and knowledge.

In northeast China's Liaoning Province, the Liaoning Provincial Museum is also seeing a surge in the number of visitors.

Sun Linhao, a 14-year-old middle school student from Beijing, visited the museum with parents. "This is my second visit to the museum," said Sun. "This time I want to see the picture of the auspicious cranes, a painting by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty (960-1279)."

According to Dong Baohou, deputy curator of the museum, it has recorded an average of 20,000 visitors daily in recent weeks. To accommodate this surge of interest, the museum extended its opening hours.

The Xixia Imperial Tombs in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region saw ticket bookings increase by 280 percent during this year's summer vacation compared with the same period last year.

In July, the tombs were inscribed on the World Heritage List, significantly enhancing their appeal to tourists.

Museums and cultural heritage venues are rolling out a plethora of activities to improve the visitors' experience. For instance, the Shanghai Museum's exhibition, "On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt," is open around the clock from Aug. 11 to 17. This 168-hour cultural carnival also features new book releases, Egyptian dance performances and interactive games.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In this context, visiting museums, historical sites and revolutionary landmarks commemorating this hard-won victory has taken on special significance.

At a memorial hall in Shanxi Province, people visit exhibits such as a soldier's journal or a rusted rifle, relics from the Hundred-Regiment Campaign, a major operation during China's war against Japanese aggression to which the hall is dedicated.

According to local statistics, on July 12 and 13, the memorial hall received more than 10,000 visits.

A similar sight was spotted at Shanghai Songhu Memorial Hall for the War Against Japanese Aggression.

Many visitors came to learn about the history and pay tribute to the martyrs who fell resisting aggression. Li Jiaxin, a 15-year-old from Shandong Province, said he was shocked to learn how young some of the martyrs had been when they died.

"They were more or less my age, but were willing to give their lives to save the country. They were such noble people," Li added.

Visiting the memorial hall has special importance, one visitor said, noting that this piece of history must be passed down through generations. 
YANGON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has exported over 145,000 tons of fishery products to China from September 2023 to August 2025, the state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television reported on Saturday.

The exports included over 140,000 tons of fishery products caught from natural waters, worth 195.947 million U.S. dollars, and more than 5,000 tons of farmed fishery products, worth 13.427 million dollars, the report said. 
AN immediate Emergency Care Order was granted to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) at the vacation sitting of Portlaoise District Court last week over serious concerns it had for the wellbeing and safety of a four-year old boy.

At the outset of the case, a solicitor for Tusla said he had some concerns about the press being present to report on the proceedings, as it dealt with some serious and sensitive issues.

Judge William Aylmer said that the proceedings were being held in-camera and assumed the press would observe in-camera rules and not identify those involved in the case.

The solicitor said that the care order was quite urgent as Tusla believes the mother might leave the jurisdiction with the child, as she had threatened to do so to a social worker.

A social care worker told Judge Aylmer that she had visited the mothers home after receiving a report that two men had been seen in it with a shotgun, that turned out to be a false report.

She said following that, gardai had carried out a welfare check at the home and expressed their dissatisfaction that two men were residing in it.

She said she had attempted to put in place a safety plan with the mother, but she refused to co-operate and threatened to take her son to England with her.

The care worker said: I believe there is open drug dealing and intimidation taking place from the house. People that go to the door are intimidated and told to strip in return for drugs. The mother told me that she felt under threat and would leave her son in the house and go to the UK. She said the day before the court hearing she had gone to the house but was told the mother was not present. She rang me back and told me we were not taking her son. Gardai searched the house later that night and found a pellet gun, a slash hook and drug paraphernalia. The social worker said another concern she had was that the mother had informed her that she had not taken her prescribed medication for months.

She said that since the child was two years of age there has been concerns for his wellbeing, with several reports of neglect and told Judge Aylmer that a foster family was in place to take care of the child should he grant the care order application.

The solicitor said that he was also making an application for a warrant allowing gardai to accompany care workers to the premises to rescue the child. Judge Aylmer said that he was satisfied with the evidence given in the ex-parte application and granted the order for Tusla to take the child into care and for the garda to accompany them while doing do.
FOREST Industries Ireland (FII) has elected a Laois man as its new chairman.

Managing Director of Laois company CJ Sheeran Limited, Mark Sheeran succeeded outgoing chairperson Brian Murphy who served a very successful term as the inaugural Chairman of FII.

As Chief Executive of Irelands largest pallet manufacturer, Mr Sheeran brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his new role role.

He is also the owner of Coolrain Sawmills, giving him valuable insight into the timber supply chain from raw material to finished product.

The Director of FII Mark McAuley said: The council of FII is delighted to announce that it has elected Mark Sheeran as its new chairman. Mark brings a huge amount of experience and energy to the role.

Mark is deeply committed to strengthening the entire forest products supply chain and building on the commercial success of an industry that has expanded significantly over the last two decades, driven by a growing supply of raw material and the ambition of family-owned firms which lead wood processing across Ireland.

This experience aligns well to Forest Industries Irelands commitment to supporting the continued growth of the Irish forest sector. We need to boost tree planting rates in this country if we are to realise our environmental ambitions and secure Irelands world-class timber supply for many years to come.

Accepting the new role Mr Sheeran said: As the new chairman of FII I have strong hopes for the continued expansion of the forest products sector.

Ireland enjoys key competitive advantages, particularly our ability to grow fast-growing conifers and access large markets in the UK and Continental Europe with high-quality, competitively priced timber products.

Im also passionate about ensuring the sector fully embraces its environmental and climate-related potential. Forestry and timber products are essential components of Irelands growing bioeconomy and make a major contribution to achieving our climate action goals.
Afghan children stand outside a China-donated tent at a temporary refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 17, 2025. Across Afghanistan, stories of returnees and students alike paint a picture of resilience and renewal -- a process strengthened by China's timely humanitarian aid and far-reaching educational cooperation.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Across Afghanistan, stories of returnees and students alike paint a picture of resilience and renewal -- a process strengthened by China's timely humanitarian aid and far-reaching educational cooperation.

In the sweltering heat of Kabul Province, 35-year-old Banares, a recent returnee, sits outside her family's shelter -- a sturdy blue tent donated by China.

"When we arrived, China assisted by giving us tents. If these tents were not available, where would we have stayed under this scorching sun?" she said with gratitude. "Life as a migrant under such harsh conditions would be unbearable."

Her words echo the sentiments of many others. Halima, an 11-year-old who returned with her parents, six sisters, and a brother, also relies on one China-donated tent. Despite the uncertainty, she hopes children like her will resume their education.

"We are very happy with China because they provided us with tents," she said with a shy smile. "I used to go to school, and now I hope to continue my education."

Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation underlines the urgency of such assistance. Spokesman Abdulmutallab Haqqani said China's aid enables returnees to start anew, reintegrate into communities, and regain dignity.

"There is no doubt that when refugees return to Afghanistan and settle here, they face many challenges. At such times, there is a great need for services. In this regard, China has provided significant assistance to the Ministry of Refugees, including vehicles, blankets, and tents, which we have distributed at border points and sent to the provinces," he said.

For some returnees, the journey home has been especially tough. Raz Mohammad Sulaimani spent three days in a refugee camp before reaching Kabul.

"When we arrived, the only shelter waiting for us was the tents provided by China. No other nation supported us like this," he said. "While the tents gave us immediate relief, refugees still face many challenges, including finding housing, food, and work once they return to their provinces."

Aid workers and drivers, who interact with returnees daily, witness similar hardships. Amruddin, a driver transporting families, stressed the critical role of Chinese aid.

"Most returnees have no money, no jobs, and no place to stay. The tents from China are vital -- they provide temporary shelter and hope," he said.

China's assistance in Afghanistan combines emergency humanitarian relief with long-term educational investment. While tents, food, and blankets address urgent needs, schools, scholarships, and training programs pave the way for future growth.

Wahidullah Halimi, executive director at the Confucius Institute of Kabul University, highlighted China's contributions to education.

"Infrastructure projects such as a guesthouse, the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, a general teaching building, and an auditorium have been key steps," he said.

"Scholarships and academic programs offered 60 outstanding students in 2023 and 2024 opportunities to study in China. Over the past 15 years, between 20 and 50 Afghan students have earned placements in China each year, enhancing both academic development and cross-cultural awareness," he added.

From the dusty refugee camps to the lecture halls of Kabul University, China's presence in Afghanistan is felt both in immediate relief and in long-term opportunity. 

Afghan children are seen inside a China-donated tent at a refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 17, 2025. Across Afghanistan, stories of returnees and students alike paint a picture of resilience and renewal -- a process strengthened by China's timely humanitarian aid and far-reaching educational cooperation.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan children stand outside a China-donated tent at a refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 17, 2025. Across Afghanistan, stories of returnees and students alike paint a picture of resilience and renewal -- a process strengthened by China's timely humanitarian aid and far-reaching educational cooperation.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan children rest inside a China-donated tent at a temporary refugee camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 17, 2025. Across Afghanistan, stories of returnees and students alike paint a picture of resilience and renewal -- a process strengthened by China's timely humanitarian aid and far-reaching educational cooperation.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Aug. 17, 2025 shows a Chinese-aided housing project under construction in Kabul, Afghanistan. Across Afghanistan, stories of returnees and students alike paint a picture of resilience and renewal -- a process strengthened by China's timely humanitarian aid and far-reaching educational cooperation.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office say nine kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $500,000 in street-level dealing and a large amount of cash, plus a half-pound of marijuana, were seized Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in an investigation into drug dealing. Two brothers are charged in connection with the probe, authorities said. Photos courtesy Lehigh County District Attorney's Office

Two brothers from Allentown are accused of operating a large-scale drug distribution network, the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office said in a news release.

Police arrested both suspects Thursday at their Lehigh County homes, according to the release: Jefran Canales-Tapia, 40, lives in the 1100 block of East Tremont Street, and 37-year-old Jeffrey Canales-Tapia lives in the 700 block of West Emaus Avenue.

The Allentown Police Department Emergency Response Team and Lehigh County Warrant Service Team apprehended the pair while serving search warrants, District Attorney Gavin Holihans office said.

Items recovered during the search included nine kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $500,000, from the East Tremont Street home, the release states. From the West Emaus Avenue home, authorities say they seized a large amount of cash and a half-pound of marijuana.

Both men were arraigned and sent to Lehigh County Jail on charges of drug possession with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to deliver and drug possession.

The investigation included the cooperative efforts of officers from both the Allentown Police Vice Unit and the Lehigh County Drug Task Force, according to the release. The effort was supported with funding from the Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiative of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem has secured its position as the nations premier historic hotel, winning USA Todays 10Best Historic Hotel/Resort contest for the fifth consecutive year.

We are beyond grateful to our local community for helping us shoot for the stars year after year, hotel Managing Partner Bruce Haines said in a news release. Historic Hotel Bethlehem was founded as a community hotel and we are proud that weve remained a community cornerstone for more than 100 years.

The century-old establishment, built in 1922, outranked notable competitors including The Peabody Memphis and The Hotel Hershey in the 2025 rankings. The victory came through a two-stage selection process, beginning with nominations from travel experts, followed by public voting to determine the final rankings.

USA Today 10Best editor Maggie Tyner emphasized the significance of the achievement, noting, These nominations were carefully curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA TODAY 10BEST editors before being voted on by the public, so youve earned some serious bragging rights!

The hotels journey to the top spot began with a third-place finish in 2019, followed by second place in 2020, before claiming the top position for five straight years from 2021 through 2025. This marks the seventh consecutive year the property has appeared on USA Todays 10Best nomination list.

Generative AI was used to organize and structure this story, based on data provided by Historic Hotel Bethlehem. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff.
2 men are wanted on charges related to a robbery and shooting early the morning of Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Easton's 1000 block of Ferry Street. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Easton police announced charges are pending against two men in Thursdays early morning shooting and robbery in the citys West Ward.

Neither suspect was in custody, and police were asking anyone with information on their whereabouts to dial 911.

The shooting about 12:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of Ferry Street left a 35-year-old with a gunshot wound, police had said. He was expected to survive.

Police said Friday the Northampton County District Attorneys Office approved charges in connection with the incident against Naji Gillison, 29, and 22-year-old Oscar Delgado.

Gillison is being charged as the shooter with aggravated assault, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and recklessly endangering another person, police Lt. Matthew Gerould said in a news release. Delgado is being charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and simple assault.

Easton Police attempted to locate both individuals today but believe they have fled the Easton area.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, including whether anyone else was involved.

Investigators asked anyone that may be of assistance to call detectives at 610-250-6780.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Tables draped with pride-colored tablecloths, an enthusiastic cheer erupts as the announcers voice booms through the space. My brother from another mother, give it up for Oliver Twist!

Making a dramatic entrance, Oliver Twist pulls back the curtains to a steady beat as Lose Control by Teddy Swims blasts, before strutting onto the floor at a recent Sunday morning brunch show in Easton.

Oliver Twist, the non-binary drag king persona of Olivia Butkiewicz, of Wilkes-Barre, is celebrating their 16th year performing throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and upstate New York. The journey began when Butkiewicz was just 18, fresh out of high school and struggling with depression.

Drag saved me from doing the inevitable, said Butkiewicz, 34, referring to thoughts of taking their own life. Creating Oliver Twist gave them an outlet for passions in makeup and theatre while building self-confidence.

Butkiewicz came up with the stage name Oliver Twist playing in part off a love of musicals.

Olivia Butkiewicz is seen reflected in a mirror as their transformation into Oliver Twist begins before a show. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

While drag queens have been a part of pop culture for decades, contemporary drag kings like Oliver Twist havent equally shared the spotlight.

Drag dates to early 19th century British theater and can be performed by people of any gender. Drag queens, typically performed by men who dress in womens clothing and showcase ultra-feminine personas, may be more widely recognized these days.

Drag kings, contrarily, are predominantly female performers who adopt masculine personas and embody male stereotypes. They have received less attention and fewer opportunities, Butkiewicz says.

Over the years, Butkiewicz faced hardships and judgments from drag performers. It was very territorial in the beginning.

Being a king back in 2009 was tough, Butkiewicz says. I worked hard, but there was a lot of drama. It was like a pissing competition.

Kings were not booked as often as queens and saw less stage time, which also meant less tip money.

Oliver Twist performs in Drag me to Brunch, a benefit for the Swingle Family Foundation, on July 27, 2025, at the Iron Mule in Easton. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

At the time, the territorial nature of the scene and hurtful comments, including references to their weight, made it hard for Butkiewicz to perform and forced them to find venues outside the immediate area to perform.

It still hasnt been easy. Ive dealt with a lot of anxiety and depression, which almost made me quit drag, said Butkiewicz. They got through it through therapy and surrounding themself with less negative people.

Olivia Butkiewicz cracks a big smile to talk to drag queen Johnny Ma before performing in a recent show in Easton. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

The landscape is changing, Butkiewicz has seen more focus on kings now, with additional pageants, festivals and even kings-focused drag shows appearing on calendars.

As RuPauls Drag Race has made drag queens more mainstream, kings are now getting their moment in the spotlight. Butkiewicz is particularly excited about "King of Drag ,  a new reality competition show on LGBTQ+ network Revry that features 10 drag kings competing for the throne. This type of attention to drag kings excites Butkiewicz, because it promotes self-expression and inclusion.

Butkiewicz will travel all over the Mid-Atlantic to perform, typically doing one to six shows a month. If a king is wanted, they will be there.

Olivia Butkiewicz arrives at the Iron Mule in Easton for a benefit show. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

At the end of July, they participated in the Drag me to Brunch, benefit show for the Swingle Family Foundation, at the Iron Mule in Easton.

The foundation is a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ individuals through outreach services. Butkiewicz was the only king of five performers at the show.

Sundays Lehigh Valley Pride boasts a schedule that will offer attendees opportunities to interact with drag performers. The free event runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

We are having a Drag Power Hour at Lehigh Valley Pride at 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. hosted by Electra St. James Fearce, and will be featuring a lineup of several local drag performers on stage this year, said a spokesperson for Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, which is planning the event. More information is available on Bradbury-Sullivans website.

Butkiewicz wont be performing at Sundays event, but their love for performing  and occasionally pushes the boundaries with a powerhouse show  ensures theyll be back on a stage somewhere soon in the Mid-Atlantic.

I like breaking that gender binary in being very fluid as a performer, says Butkiewicz, who describes her performances as masculine, flamboyant, or sometimes channeling an Elton John-esque vibe. Im a peacock. Im going to strut my stuff.

Oliver Twist takes the stage for a lip-sync competition at The Sanctuary Stunt Studio in Hazleton. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

When Butkiewicz isnt entertaining the crowd, doing one to six shows a month, they work as a graphic designer at PennDOT and is a board chair for Queer NEPA, which is a LGBTQ+ organization dedicated to nonviolent advocacy and advancing the cause of LGBTQ+ rights in northeastern Pennsylvania. Its based in Lackawanna County.

Eleven months ago, Butkiewicz came up with her own show, Himbos and Bimbos, held at a Lesbian-run restaurant in Wilkes-Barre. The focus of the show is on king and alternative performers.

Juggling a performance and work schedule doesnt leave much extra time. Much of it is spent creating costumes from second-hand stores. Butkiewicz alters the clothing to come up with the look they want for the costume.

Olivia Butkiewicz assesses various clothing combinations for an upcoming show. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Combined with the performances, its hard work that has taken a toll.

My knees are not what they used to be, says Butkiewicz. Not everyone can do back flips or splits but drag king shows are just as entertaining with incredible makeup and costumes.

Butkiewicz hopes Oliver Twist can also be a voice for the voiceless and make a positive difference in others lives. Drag saved their life, so it could also help others who are struggling, they figure.

I would much rather be the reason that somebody smiles than to be somebodys downfall, because of the world that we live in today, especially in this community. We need a lot more love.

Follow her journey visually with the following photos below and the video at the top of the story.

Olivia Butkiewicz goes through their clothing for an upcoming show. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Oliver Twist mingles with the crowd during one of their numbers. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Oliver Twist performs during the Nazareth Area Pride event, Saturday, June 8, 2024, at New Creation United Church of Christ. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Hair spray is the final touch as Olivia Butkiewicz prepares to take the stage as Oliver Twist. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Oliver Twist parts the curtain to take the stage for a performance. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Oliver Twist performs under the lights. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Dedicated to detail, Olivia Butkiewicz begins painting a mans chest as they become Oliver Twist before a show in Easton. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Patrons at the Iron Mule in Easton react as Oliver Twist performs. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Olivia Butkiewicz sometimes needs help from others with costume changes. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Olivia Butkiewicz likes to help others prepare for their performances. Taking a break from transforming into Oliver Twist, they help drag queen Mia Ho Moore with their costume before a benefit show in Easton. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Oliver Twist performs during a lip-sync competition at The Sanctuary Stunt Studio in Hazleton on June 28, 2024. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Audience members watch at The Sanctuary Stunt Studio. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Oliver Twist interacts with audience members during a show in Easton. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

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Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com. | Instagram
Laois County Council has not officially nominated presidential hopeful Gareth Sheridan to contest the election and a Fine Gael source insists the entrepreneur will not succeed in getting enough votes.

The 35-year-old Dublin businessman, who has appeared in public with one independent Laois councillor, made the claim about Laois council support at the launch of his campaign to run for election as President of Ireland in Dublin on August 15.

He needs the backing of four local authorities. Mr Sheridan, who is a former CEO of US-based company Nutriband, claimed at his campaign launch that he had the backing of both Laois and Tipperary County Councils.

County council nominations are secured at meetings where councillors are given the opportunity to back a candidate.

Generally, this happens at meetings where councillors are addressed by aspiring presidents.

No such meeting has taken place during the 2025 presidential election cycle.

A Fine Gael source on Laois County Council also poured cold water at Mr Sheridan's claims. The source told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that no such decision was made, and furthermore it is unlikely to happen.

"No decision has been taken by Laois County Council to nominate a particular candidate for President, if indeed the council will be nominating anyone at all.

"There is a clear majority of 11 councillors between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, who will be voting in line with their parties nationally.

"It would be very unlikely for either party to deviate in Laois from the approach taken by either party at national level, meaning that the chances of an independent candidate receiving a nomination in Laois are very remote," the source said.

Mr Sheridan announced his plans to run at the Tullamore Show where he met and was pictured with Laois councillor Cllr Aisling Moran who is an ex-Fine Gael representative.

Mr Sheridan is being assisted by former Laois Labour Party senator turned public relations executive John Whelan in a communications capacity.

The last time Laois councillors backed an indepent contender was 2018 when the controversial Gemma ODoherty secured a nomination. She did not succeed in getting the backing of three other councils to get on the ballot paper.

She was one of three people who made a presentation to the council that year. Sarah Louise Mulligan and Sean Gallagher who ran for the presidency.

He declined Laois council's support as he already had sufficient support to get on the ballot paper.

Mr Gallagher is a former director of Mr Sheridan's company.

Read also:PICTURES: Tipp captain gets hero's welcome in Laois by Gardai and Little Blue Heroes

A presidential election must take place in the 60 days before President Higgins retires on 11 November 2025.

The shock news that popular Fine Gael candidate and former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness was withdrawing her candidacy for health reasons, means that the only candidate so far is Independent TD Catherine Connelly.
The wait is finally over. It's been the best part of two decades since their last Irish shows, Oasis are back together and ready to belt out the hits to 160,000 fans across two sold-out nights in Dublin's Croke Park this weekend.

This Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, will see Liam and Noel Gallagher reunite on the Irish stage for the first time in years, and if the rest of their tour dates so far are anything to go by, the atmosphere is going to be electric (and probably a little chaotic).

Tickets for the Irish shows sold out in minutes when they went on sale last year, with die-hard fans travelling from all over the country, and beyond, to witness the 90s icons in the flesh.

Expect a mix of lifelong Oasis obsessives and younger fans experiencing Live Forever, Don't Look Back in Anger and Wonderwall for the first time live.

READ MORE | How to beat the queues at Oasis gigs in Croke Park this weekend

The Gallaghers have always had a special connection to Ireland. The pair have frequently spoken about their Irish roots, with their mother Peggy hailing from Charlestown in Co Mayo and their father Tommy from Duleek, Co Meath.

So, what can you expect at Croke Park this weekend? Here are five things you're pretty much guaranteed to see when Oasis take to the stage.

1. A sea of bucket hats

From floral to plain, retro to brand-new, bucket hats are as much a part of an Oasis gig as Liam's tambourine.

Rain or shine, thousands will be donning one, whether to channel their inner 90s Gallagher brother or just to survive the unpredictable Irish summer.

2. Parka coats, regardless of the weather

August heatwave? Doesn't matter. The Oasis faithful will still turn up in heavy parka coats, zipped to the chin.

It's not about comfort, it's about honouring the uniform.

3. Adidas Originals everywhere

Stan Smiths, Gazelles, Sambas and Spezials... if it's got the three stripes, you'll spot it.

Bonus points if they're box-fresh white - although they won't stay that way for long once the Croker crowd gets going.

4. Tribute haircuts

From sharp Liam-style crops to Noel's mop-top fringe, the crowd will be a walking homage to '90s Britpop barbering.

Some will have nailed the look, others... well, will look like they enlisted their mothers for a DIY bowl-cut.

5. Retro Oasis merch that has seen it all

From faded 1996 merch from The Point to bootleg t-shirts bought outside Slane Castle in 2009, you'll see plenty of well-worn Oasis tees dusted off for the occasion.

Some will be barely holding together after decades of gigs, but sure, that's half the charm.

Bonus: The inevitable GAA jersey cameo

It doesn't matter if it's a rock 'n' roll reunion, the Olympics, or a rave - at least one punter will turn up in an Offaly or Kerry GAA jersey like they're on their way to a league match.

READ MORE | There are no cheap pints - Croke Park's alcohol rule that could trip up some Oasis fans
TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to depart on Monday evening for a two-day tour to Armenia and Belarus.

The announcement was made by Mehdi Sanaei, political advisor to Iran's president, in a post on the social media platform X.

Sanaei said improving bilateral relations with Armenia and Belarus, especially in the trade area, and signing cooperation documents would be on the president's agenda during the visits, adding that the trips had been scheduled for late June but were postponed.

Pezeshkian's visit to Armenia is expected to take place as Armenia and Azerbaijan, which had been at loggerheads over the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region since 1988, signed on Aug. 8 a peace agreement in Washington.

Included in the peace agreement is a deal to create a transit corridor across southern Armenia, with the project's exclusive development rights granted to the United States.

Iran has repeatedly voiced opposition to the transregional players' presence in the region and warned against any changes to the region's geopolitics and historical borders. 
In DepthThe Mediterranean basin is facing a new wave of heatwaves and large-scale wildfires. The affected countries have struggled to cope with the consequences of these extreme events.

In Tarifa, Spain, thousands of vacationers were evacuated and residents confined to their homes. In Greece, the Peloponnese and the islands of Chios and Zakynthos were ravaged by flames. In Portugal, the government restricted access to forested areas and banned the use of agricultural equipment. In the Balkans, plumes of smoke were visible above Montenegro and Albania. In France, 16,000 hectares of land in the southern Aude department were burned in a fire that raged out of control for an extended period, while temperatures surpassed 40C in dozens of towns. Sixteen Italian cities, including Rome and Venice, were placed on red alert due to the heat. The Madrid-Valencia rail line was blocked, and Intercites trains in France were halted due to malfunctioning air conditioning systems.

For the past week, southern European countries and the Mediterranean region have endured another severe heatwave, facing the consequences of this extreme event, made worse by human-caused climate change. In many areas, temperatures were oppressive: 45.5C in Badajoz, southwestern Spain, on August 12 and over 40C in Cantabria, a region in the far north. Winds exceeding 80 kilometers per hour (km/h), carrying air hotter than 40C, swept across parts of Greece.

This new heatwave, widespread due to a massive anticyclonic blockage combined with a flow of air masses from Africa, followed a first heatwave at the end of June and another at the end of July over Italy and the Balkans. Just beyond the borders of geographical Europe, in Silopi, southeastern Turkey, the thermometer even reached 50.5C on July 26.

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France's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, August 16, that it was in talks with Mali over the arrest of a Frenchman accused of working with intelligence services to "destabilize" the country, calling the claims "unjustified."

"Discussions are underway to clear up any misunderstanding" and obtain the "immediate release" of the French embassy employee in Bamako, the ministry said. Mali authorities said Thursday that the French national had been arrested on suspicion of working for the French intelligence services, and accused "foreign states" of trying to destabilize the country.

The West African country's ruling junta, which came to power after back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, also said that dozens of soldiers had been detained for allegedly seeking to overthrow the government. France's Foreign Ministry said the arrested employee was covered by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, meaning he should be released.

Impoverished Mali has been gripped by a security crisis since 2012, fueled notably by violence from groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State jihadist group, as well as local criminal gangs. The junta, led by President Assimi Goita, has turned away from Western partners, notably former colonial power France, to align itself politically and militarily with Russia in the name of national sovereignty.
Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly has confirmed that he will "reconsider" running for President of Ireland following the withdrawal of the party's candidate from the race.

Speaking to The Anton Savage Show on Newstalk this morning, August 16, Mr Kelly said he did not give any interviews on the election out of respect as his "complete sympathy" is with Mairead McGuiness. The former EU Commissioner was forced to pull out of her presidential bid due to medical reasons.

"I didn't look for a nomination the last time but I want to reconsider. Fine Gael will have a meeting now and they're deciding their strategy and then I'll see what I will do after that," said the former GAA president.

The Fine Gael member added that he will reconsider the potential opportunity "very carefully" before making a decision.

READ MORE: Star of Derry Girls Saoirse-Monica Jackson marries long-time partner at luxury Irish manor

"Certainly to say, the goalposts have changed. When circumstances change, then obviously we have to look at things in a different light.

"Let's see what the National Executive want to do next week and I certainly will be looking then at what they have in mind and seeing the best options for the party, for the country and obviously for my family," he said with regards to running.

When asked if Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys could potentially be eyeing up a bid for the Aras, Mr Kelly believes "the discussion hasn't started" out of respect for Mairead McGuiness who had "such a trauma all of a sudden."

On whether he believes he could be successful if entering the race, Sean Kelly declared, "Well, I think in any race you're entering to win it."

The Irish Presidential Election is due to take place by November 11. A confirmed candidate that is running is Independent TD Catherine Connolly. Businessman Gareth Sheridan is also trying to secure a nomination to enter the presidential race.
Arsonists targeting 5G masts are putting themselves and the public at serious risk, police have said.

The warning comes after a 5G tower was set alight in the Beechmount Avenue area of Belfast shortly after midnight on Saturday morning.

It is the latest in a series of similar arson incidents in Northern Ireland.

Detectives are appealing to the public for information about the crime.

Detective Inspector Wilson said: Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire.

This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire recently and I cannot emphasise enough the dangers of lighting fire to electrical equipment.

This is extremely reckless and those responsible are putting themselves and members of the public at serious risk.

We are treating this as arson and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious in the area or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with inquiries are asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 37 16/08/25.
PLANNERS have given the go-ahead to a major new apartment complex opposite Limerick Colbert Station and its anticipated work could commence on the new homes in the next six months.

Cadima Holdings have been afforded planning permission to build a six-storey apartment complex at 47 to 50 Parnell Street.

Up until last year, a number of derelict units were on the site, before these were knocked. In their place will be a six-storey mixed-use development.

On the ground floor will be two commercial units, with the living spaces on the upper levels. Thirty-seven apartments are planned, the majority, 26, being single-bedroom homes. The remainder will be two bedroomed.

READ MORE: Multi-million euro solar farm planned at Limerick-Kerry border

Its not the first time development has been proposed on this site. In 2021, permission was given for 34 new apartments - meaning there are three extra living spaces this time around.

Adam Kearney, of AK Planning, who acted as the agent for Cadima Holdings, stated there is a strong demand for one-bedroom units in the city, something which was made clear to him at pre-planning meetings with council staff.

In documents provided to the local authority, he added that building apartments is now an established response to the housing crisis and the shortage of residential accommodation.

As part of the development, apartments at levels five and six will be set back from Parnell Street. This site is a brownfield site in close proximity to Limerick city centre. The proposed mixed-use residential and commercial scheme put forward is a positive response to the ongoing need for public and private sector regeneration of the city and its environs, added Mr Kearney.

Permission was given subject to 14 conditions.
Many professionals across industries struggle with creating engaging, visual content to communicate complex ideas, present concepts to clients, or train teams.

Traditional presentation methods often fail to capture attention or make abstract concepts memorable. Marketing teams need fresh content formats, trainers require engaging educational materials, and consultants seek innovative ways to explain strategies.

Google Storybook addresses this by allowing professionals to transform business concepts, strategies, and training materials into compelling visual narratives with illustrations and narration.

How to access: https://gemini.google.com/gem/storybook

Google Storybook can help you:

Explain complex strategies: Transform business frameworks and methodologies into visual narratives for client presentations.

Transform business frameworks and methodologies into visual narratives for client presentations. Create training materials: Develop engaging onboarding stories and compliance training with custom scenarios.

Develop engaging onboarding stories and compliance training with custom scenarios. Marketing content creation: Generate unique brand storytelling content for campaigns and social media.

Generate unique brand storytelling content for campaigns and social media. Client communication: Simplify technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders through illustrated explanations.

Example:

Say a companys chief strategy officer wants to explain their digital transformation strategy to a traditional manufacturing client. Here's how Google Storybook can help:

Describe the concept: Use this or a similar prompt: "Create a story showing how a traditional factory transforms into a smart, connected facility through digital adoption."

Use this or a similar prompt: "Create a story showing how a traditional factory transforms into a smart, connected facility through digital adoption." Choose professional style: Select clean, business-appropriate illustrations like infographic or minimalist comic style.

Select clean, business-appropriate illustrations like infographic or minimalist comic style. Add real context: Upload photos of the client's current facility or process diagrams.

Upload photos of the client's current facility or process diagrams. Generate narrative: Gemini creates a 10-page visual journey showing the transformation process step-by-step.

Gemini creates a 10-page visual journey showing the transformation process step-by-step. Present and share: Use the narrated story in client meetings or share via link for stakeholder review.

What makes Google Storybook special?

Multilingual support: Available in over 45 languages with read-aloud narration.

Available in over 45 languages with read-aloud narration. Personal integration: Upload photos, drawings, or documents to inspire truly customized stories.

Upload photos, drawings, or documents to inspire truly customized stories. Complete multimedia experience: Stories include text, illustrations, and voice narration all generated automatically.

Stories include text, illustrations, and voice narration all generated automatically. Educational focus: Designed specifically for teaching lessons and explaining concepts through storytelling.

Mint's AI tool of the week is excerpted from Leslie D'Monte's weekly TechTalk newsletter. Subscribe to Mint's newsletters to get them directly in your email inbox.

Note: The tools and analysis featured in this section demonstrated clear value based on our internal testing. Our recommendations are entirely independent and not influenced by the tool creators.

Jaspreet Bindra is co-founder and CEO of AI&Beyond. Anuj Magazine is also a co-founder.
US President Donald Trump is preparing to direct the government to take a direct stake in Intel , according to multiple media reports, as the White House continues to extend its influence into corporate America citing national security concerns.

Intel, once one of the worlds most important chip makers and a vital part of the U.S. tech landscape, has struggled to match the pace of growth from Asia-based rivals such as Taiwan Semiconductor and Samsung. It has been eclipsed in the race to develop artificial intelligence chips by domestic players Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices.

That has left the U.S. reliant on foreign tech supply chains, a shift that both the president and former President Joe Biden have deemed a threat to national security.

However, while the Biden administration looked to address those concerns through the CHIPS and Science Act, which earmarked $53 billion in support for the semiconductor sector, the Trump administration looks set to take a more direct route. According to the Wall Street Journal, how the government could take a stake in Intel is now being hashed out.

Intel declined to comment to Barrons. White House spokesman Kush Desai said reports of deals not announced by the administration should be regarded as speculation.

Its tricky to think about how this could work, and it is unprecedented in terms of the marriage of politics and private enterprise" said Paul Argenti, professor of management and corporate communication at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, during an interview with CNBC on Friday.

Semiconductors are a really strategic asset, theres no question about that," he added. But government as a shareholder brings real governance risks."

In fact, the president is taking a new tack when it comes to U.S. industrial policy. He has made deals tied to the China-based sales of Nvidia and AMD and taken a so-called golden share in the $14 billion takeover of U.S. Steel by Japans Nippon Steel. The Defense Department is taking a $400 million stake in the rare-earth metals producer MP Materials.

An Intel stake, if such a deal happens, would be different. The closest parallel is to the governments broader effort to bail out Wall Street during the 2008-2009 financial crisis, which involved the U.S. taking a large stake in the insurer American International Group. Deeming AIG too big to fail," the government provided it with loans and equity in the region of $182 billion, exiting the group with a $23 billion profit in 2012.

Intel is like AIG in that it is critical to an important element of the U.S. economy, the tech sector, as the largest American company that both designs and manufactures its own chips. Although it lost around $2.9 billion last quarter, it still carries an investment-grade credit rating and has a market value of more than $100 billion.

Its plans to build a $30 billion factory hub in northern Ohio, however, have been replete with delays. The hub isnt likely to be up and running until early next decade.

While Intel isnt close to failing, its role in the tech sector and potential for it to be a player in AI means it is important for it to succeed.

Winning the AI Race is nonnegotiable," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said late last month. America must continue to be the dominant force in artificial intelligence to promote prosperity and protect our economic and national security."

Earlier this year, Trump administration officials looked into a possible deal that would have allowed Taiwan Semi to operate Intels foundry business as part of a joint ownership structure. The Wall Street Journal reported, however, that the president wasnt sold on the idea of foreign control of a business seen as critical to national security.

A government stake in Intel would give lenders to the company the reassurance of the nations ironclad credit rating as a backstop, likely removing any concerns about access to capital for its Ohio project. But it could also leave Intel vulnerable to dictates from the White House as it attempts to define its strategy under new CEO Lip Bu-Tan.

Intel is simultaneously dealing with tough competition, a lack of an AI pipeline, and a capex-intensive manufacturing business that continues to generate heavy losses and which remains well-behind industry leader TSMC that is rapidly building a U.S. presence," said Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya in a recent client note.

That level of complexity makes the governments decision to get involved directly even more challenging, particularly in a sector that is undergoing rapid change.

Government stakes in key industries arent always profitable, either. The AIG investment ultimately paid off, but taxpayers lost around $10 billion from the rescues of Ford Motor, General Motors, and Ally Financial at around the same time.

They also havent seen a dime of profit from the U.S.s five decades of support for the passenger railroad Amtrak.

Picking winners in real time carries major risks," said Argenti of Dartmouth College. If Intel delivers, this is going to look like a genius, visionary move. If not, it becomes a very expensive lesson in government overreach, which I think is potentially what were looking at here."
(Bloomberg) -- The heat held in New York's underground labyrinth of infrastructure, from hundreds of miles of subway tunnels to parking garages and malls, is a clean energy gold mine. Now, a Swiss startup wants to tap it to heat and cool buildings, all without drilling a single borehole.

Globally, heating accounts for nearly half of all energy consumption. That could make decarbonizing it a half-trillion-dollar market, according to a BloombergNEF analysis. Using the Earths heat offers one route to cut emissions, but traditional geothermal projects can be costly and require space to operate drilling equipment, making them a poor fit for cities.

Startup Enerdrapes system uses energy-harvesting panels in manmade underground spaces, though, which could allow it to gain a toehold in cities. The Swiss company focuses on older multifamily buildings, which are harder to decarbonize than newer builds. In New York, residential structures built before 1960 make up more than 64% of the housing stock, though not all of it is well-suited for the panels.

There really arent many companies doing this, said BNEF analyst Stephanie Diaz. They are truly a novel approach in how to decarbonize buildings, though the company will have to figure out how to scale its technology to work with a wide variety of buildings.

Enerdrapes technology is the product of decades of research spearheaded by Lyesse Laloui, a professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne. A five-time startup founder, hes spent the last 15 years tackling the question of how to turn underground structures into energy sources.

Initially, he created a solution for new construction, but realized that it only addressed a small part of the decarbonization puzzle compared to existing buildings. He and his team developed a prototype heat-exchanging panel in 2015.

Enerdrapes panels affix to concrete infrastructure, which can hold large stores of heat. (Think of how hot a subway station gets in the summer, for example.) Enerdrape taps that heat using a system of prefabricated panels that absorb geothermal energy from the ground or the air. Even when underground spaces arent sweltering, the ground temperature, at several feet of depth, stays relatively constant throughout the year.

During the summer, Enerdrapes system uses the underground as a heat sink to absorb a buildings heat and cool it. In the winter, it does the opposite, using the ground like a battery to warm things up.

The system requires installing one panel for roughly every 110 square feet (10 square meters) of a buildings floor area. The panels are connected to heat-transferring fluid, working in tandem with one or more heat pumps.

Enerdrape moves heat from where its not needed to where it is, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Alessandro Rotta Loria said.

Rotta Loria, who was Lalouis former PhD student, likened it to an underground solar panel that feeds on heat rather than the suns rays. Enerdrape says its panels can meet 100% of the space heating, cooling and hot water needs for buildings up to 10 stories in height.

The company, which launched in 2019, has projects across Europe, including with Switzerlands largest retailer, Coop Immobilier, small businesses like a dental office in Spain, utilities and multiple Swiss cities.

It also teamed up with Engie, one of Europes largest gas and renewable energy suppliers, to provide energy to 72 homes with Paris Habitat, Frances largest affordable housing provider. Enerdrape said its 145 panels provide 70 megawatt-hours of heat per year and cover 25% of homes domestic hot water needs while avoiding 15 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Despite many urban areas setting ambitious climate goals and a growing number of residential electrification programs, few companies target affordable housing, according to a 2022 report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Decarbonizing heat first is the most cost-effective way to electrify affordable housing, the group found.

Low-income housing tends to be old buildings that are more expensive to retrofit, said Thatcher Bell, who leads climate tech accelerator The Clean Fights programs. High upfront cost for replacement, financial constraints and the large number of stakeholders in these buildings make operators less likely to install new technology. The accelerator selected Enerdrape for a recent cohort of startups focused on low-cost, low-construction ways to cut emissions from older units, without displacing residents. The need for those types of solutions is growing.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul calls for building 800,000 electrified or electrification-ready homes by 2030. New York City, meanwhile, passed a law to tackle building emissions, which account for approximately 70% of the city's carbon footprint. Similar measures in cities like Boston and Seattle have followed.

The majority of New York City residential buildings covered by the law are pre-war construction of six stories or less, according to the Urban Green Council. That provides plenty of opportunities for technology like Enerdrapes. However, the startup faces some challenges.

Heat pump adoption is higher in parts of Europe, and Enerdrape will have to contend with slower adoption in the US due to cost. Upfront cost, which includes panel installation and heat pump connection, is typically between $100,000 and $500,000, depending on a buildings available surface area that can be activated as a heat source. Political headwinds in the US are another issue, with President Donald Trump curtailing federal support for heat pumps.

The system can cut electricity costs, though. According to the company, it can deliver energy at 3 to 4 cents per kilowatt hour, compared to the average US gas price of 17 cents per kWh. Enerdrape says its solution is cheaper in Europe, where fuel costs are 3 to 5 times higher than in the US.

The system also wont help with larger buildings, which are some of New Yorks biggest energy users. Were not going to be able to do much with a 60-floor high-rise, Rotta Loria said.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
LONDON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The European premiere of the World War II (WWII) film "Dongji Rescue" was held here Friday evening.

The film recounted the story of how Chinese fishermen risked their lives to rescue more than 300 British prisoners of war (POWs) from the Japanese ship Lisbon Maru in 1942. The premiere drew an audience of some 800.

In October 1942, Lisbon Maru, a cargo vessel requisitioned by the Japanese army to carry more than 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan, was hit by the U.S. army off the Zhoushan Islands, China's Zhejiang province.

The story "is very close to my heart, because my grandfather, Thomas Theodore Jones, was one of the survivors of the sinking of the Lisbon Maru," Anthony Jones, chairman of the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association, told a reception before the screening.

"At the darkest hour of WWII, China and the UK fought on different fronts but shared a common mission: to defend humanity against fascism and aggression. Fighting side by side, the peoples of our two countries forged a deep friendship," Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang said at the reception.

Actor William Franklyn-Miller told Xinhua that he felt a responsibility to share this part of history more widely. "The bravery of the fishermen who rescued the British soldiers shines through," he said.

"I didn't know about this incident at all. It definitely taught me more about it," said Alfie Howis, a member of the local audience. "I think this film will make people more aware of the Chinese contribution (during WWII)."

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. On the main Eastern battlefield, China's resistance efforts were decisive in defeating Japanese fascism and supporting other fronts in Europe and Asia. 
(Bloomberg) -- In 1981, the year Airbus SE announced it would build a new single-aisle jetliner to take on Boeing Co., the 737 ruled the roost.

The US-made narrowbody, already in use for more than a decade, had reshaped the airline industry by making shorter routes cheaper and more profitable to operate. By 1988, when Airbus began producing its upstart A320, Boeing had built a formidable lead by delivering some 1,500 of its cigar-shaped best-seller.

Its taken the better part of four decades, but Airbus has finally caught up: The A320 series is poised to overtake its US competitor as the most-delivered commercial airliner in history, according to aviation consultancy Cirium. As of early August, Airbus had winnowed the gap to just 20 units, with 12,155 lifetime A320-family shipments, according to the data. That difference is likely to disappear as soon as next month.

Also Read | Airbus names Jurgen Westermeier as new President for India and South Asia

Did anyone back then expect it could become number one  and on such high production volumes? Max Kingsley-Jones, head of advisory at Cirium Ascend, wrote of the A320 in a recent social-media post. I certainly didnt, and nor probably did Airbus.

The A320s success mirrors the European planemakers decades-long rise from fledgling planemaker to serious contender, and finally Boeings better. By the early 2000s, annual deliveries of the A320 and its derivatives had surpassed the 737 family; total orders eclipsed the Boeing jet in 2019. But the 737 stubbornly remained the most-delivered commercial aircraft of all time.

At the outset, Airbus faced an uphill battle. The European planemaker, an assemblage of aerospace manufacturers formed in 1970 with backing from European governments, didnt yet offer a full aircraft lineup. Infighting hindered everything from product planning to manufacturing, and leadership decisions had to finely balance French and German commercial and political interests.

Also Read | Air India to upgrade components of 26 Boeing 787-8 to improve reliability

Yet it was clear even then that Airbus needed a presence in the narrowbody segment to firmly establish itself as Boeings top rival. Those aircraft are by far the most widely flown category in commercial aviation, typically connecting city pairs on shorter routes.

Higher fuel costs and the deregulation of the US aviation industry in the late 1970s had given the European planemaker an opening with American airline executives, who clamored for an all-new single-aisle, according to a history of Airbus written by journalist Nicola Clark.

To set the A320 apart, Airbus took some risks. It selected digital fly-by-wire controls that saved weight over traditional hydraulic systems, and gave pilots a side-stick at their right or left hand instead of a centrally mounted yoke. The aircraft also sat higher off the ground than the 737 and came with a choice of two engines, giving customers greater flexibility.

Airbuss gamble paid off. Today, the A320 and 737 make up nearly half of the global passenger jet fleet in service. And the A320s success contrasts with strategic blunders like the A380 behemoth that proved short-lived because airlines couldnt profitably operate the giant plane. Boeing maintained that smaller, nimbler planes like the 787 Dreamliner would have an edge  a prediction that proved right.

Yet the longtime dominance of the two narrowbody aircraft raises questions about the vitality of a duopoly system that favors stability over innovation. Both airplane makers have repeatedly opted for incremental changes that squeeze efficiencies out of their top-selling models, rather than going the more expensive route of designing a replacement aircraft from scratch.

Also Read | Airbus Said to Deliver Fewer Aircraft in July Amid Engine Woes

Airbus was first to introduce new engines to its A320, turning the neo variant into a huge hit with airlines seeking to cut their fuel bill. Under pressure, Boeing followed, but its approach proved calamitous. The US planemaker came up with the 737 Max, strapping more powerful engines onto the aircrafts aging, low-slung frame.

It installed an automated flight-stabilizing feature called MCAS to help manage the higher thrust and balance out the plane. Regulators later found MCAS contributed to two deadly 737 Max crashes that led to a global grounding of the jet for 20 months, starting in 2019.

More recently, Airbus has been bedeviled by issues with the fuel-efficient engines that power the A320neo. High-tech coatings that allow its Pratt & Whitney geared turbofans to run at hotter temperatures have shown flaws, forcing airline customers to send aircraft in for extra maintenance, backing up repair shops and grounding hundreds of jets waiting for inspection and repair.

With both narrowbody families near the end of their evolutionary timeline, analysts and investors have begun asking about whats next. China, for its part, is seeking to muscle into the market with its Comac C919 model thats begun operating in the country, but hasnt so far been certified to fly in Europe or the US.

Boeing Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg said in July that the company is working internally toward a next-generation plane, but is waiting for engine technology and other factors to fall into place, including restoring cash flow after years of setbacks.

Thats not today and probably not tomorrow, he said on a July 29 call.

Airbuss healthier finances give it more flexibility to explore design leaps. CEO Guillaume Faury toyed with rolling out a hydrogen-powered aircraft  potentially with a radical flying wing design  in the mid-2030s but has since pushed back the effort to focus on a conventional A320 successor.

The Toulouse, France-based company is considering an open-rotor engine that would save fuel through its architecture rather than the current jet turbines that push the limits of physics to eke out gains.

Speaking at the Paris Air Show in June, Faury called the A320 quite an old platform and affirmed plans to launch a successor by the end of this decade, with service entry in the mid-2030s.

I have a lot of focus on preparing that next-generation of single aisle, Faury said. We are very steady and very committed to this.

--With assistance from Jinshan Hong.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Microsoft has launched an urgent probe into allegations that the Israel military has used the company's technology to facilitate mass surveillance on Palestenians.

According to a report by Guardian, the Microsoft investigation comes after the news outlet's earlier report that the Satya Nadella-led tech firm's Azure cloud platform was utlised to store a vast collection of everyday Palestinian mobile phone calls by the Israeli Unit 8200 spy agency.

Microsoft in a statement said using Azure for the storage of data files of phone calls obtained through broad or mass surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank would be prohibited by its terms of service.

The investigation is being overseen by lawyers at the US firm Covington & Burlin.

This is the second time Microsoft has launched an external probe against the Israeli military using its technology.

The first enquiry was commissioned earlier this year to look into allegations that the Israeli military was using Microsoft's technology during its attacks on Gaza. In May, the company said it found no evidence to date the Israeli military did not comply with its terms of service or used Azure to target or harm people in Gaza.

Also Read | Israel is quietly in talks to relocate Palestinians from Gaza

However, the recent report by Guardian apparently sent shockwaves among senior Microsoft employees about whether some of its Israel-based employees may have held back on information regarding how Unit 8200 uses Azure.

What are the charges against Microsoft? According to Guardian's joint investigation with the Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call, Israel's Unit 8200 made use of a customised and segregated area within Azure and stored recordings of millions of calls made daily in Gaza and the West Bank.

Since the report, Guardian said that Microsoft has been trying to assess what data Unit 8200 stores in Azure.

Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza which the United Nations considers reliable.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- To atone before god, the book of Leviticus prescribes choosing two goats, one of which is slain as sacrifice and the other set loose to bear the sins of the people of Israel into the wilderness. That did not mean the animal was home free. Tradition states that the scapegoat was pursued and dashed to pieces as it was driven off a cliff. Such is the origin of our modern-day, secular practice of placing blame on others for the mistakes weve committed ourselves.

There is an actual goat involved in a preeminent restaurants decision to put meat back on its menu after four years of veganism. In an interview with the New York Times, chef Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park in Manhattan relates that he had an epiphany during a trip to Greece earlier this year.

He and some colleagues traveled into the mountains to watch a shepherd slaughter a goat. Its very moving and theres such respect, he said. If you had seen the whole cycle, of course you would never waste a bite of this. He spent the next several months thinking about that...

Apart from having a goat to blame, Humm has other reasons for returning to meat (which is to be served only upon request and in relatively small portions with the new menu that launches in October). Among those related to the New York Times, he was no longer comfortable with carnivores feeling excluded from EMP; inspiration for fresh vegan dishes had grown sparser; and, finally, he told the newspaper: Its hard to get 30 people for a corporate dinner to come to a plant-based restaurant. And so EMPs famous honey-lavender-glazed duck will be resurrected, even as the chef clings to the principles of the restaurants vegan period.

Humm told the newspaper that he expected to be excoriated for his decision to revive the omnivore roots of the 27-year old restaurant. And he was prophetic. Im doing it right now. The most biting (and hilarious) parody of Humms official statement is on restaurateur Eli Sussmans Instagram account (@thesussmans): We will still offer a plant based menu in a purely performative manner to pander to media and vegans What Ive learned is that to champion plant based cooking, I need to accept that the best plant based cooking involves meat. The killer line: We need food to survive and for $395 a person I need to make sure you feel like its sort of worth it.

First, let me say that I am not a vegan. But I do not believe that plant-based cuisine leaves little room for fresh inspiration. A visionary chef can create food that even carnivores can enjoy. Thats the case with Plates here in London, the soul-stirring project of Kirk Haworth thats just over a year old. He works with a kind of molecular magic but with the comfort level dialed way up. So much so that you think hes cheating by sneaking in real ricotta (its cashew-based) and ice cream (oat milk). And a course of sourdough laminated with whipped coconut and olive oil can only be disliked by people who think bread must be, well, bready.

All of his creations can be categorized as plant-based or vegan  but he doesnt use the words. Thats because hes come up with a cuisine of his own  a culinary philosophy thats the result of preparing food to help him heal from a yearslong bout with Lyme disease. The offerings at Plates may not be the most Instagram-friendly, but the flavors and vibrant intellect that inspired them are oh so satisfying. With its quiet pyrotechnics, Haworths Plates speaks from the heart.

EMPs food can be gorgeous. Nevertheless, the scuttlebutt among restaurant folks is that a lot of its inspiration is rather liberally borrowed. Big-time kitchens have a lot in common with the Big Tech companies that re-engineer chips or software to replicate a function already patented by rivals but different enough to claim a patent of its own.

One of the more remarked upon dishes at the vegan EMP was a painstakingly prepared beet that was baked in an elaborate clay pot that was then cracked open at tableside. In 2021, Peter Wells, who was then the New York Times restaurant critic, sniffed that the result smelled of lemon-scented wood polish. He noted that a much more successful (and edible) version had been produced by the Icelandic chef Gunnar Karl Gislason at his restaurant Agern, in Grand Central Station, just 18-blocks north of EMP. Agern had closed the year before EMP became plant-based.

Humm has a chameleon habit of changing his restaurants colors every few years or so, as if responding to trends. In 2012, EMP took on a New York City theme, including waiters emulating three-card monte sharks and a carnival atmosphere, with a four-hour tasting menu. (Tickets by Albert Adria in Barcelona, which had a comparable circus-like approach, opened the previous year.) Seven years later, Humm switched from city slicker to minimalism (with a simplicity echoing some of the dishes in Rene Redzepis resurgent Noma, which had reopened in Copenhagen the year before). In 2021, he turned EMP vegan, as some critics noted, just as plant-based cuisine was becoming a social trend. This year, as beef and even tallow make a comeback, meat is returning to his restaurant. EMP started off serving French brasserie food before Humm took over the kitchen in 2005.

Despite all this snark, when I lived in New York, Id sit in Eleven Madison Park if given the opportunity, even if it was at the bar and I had to pay enormous sums for a bejeweled snack and a glass of champagne. Had I not learned my lesson from the hundreds of dollars spent on a meal that immediately after had me looking for a hot dog cart in midtown because I was famished? What was the appeal?

The space. With the opulent exception of the Villard in the New York Palace hotel, Eleven Madison Park is an immensity where you can let your make-it-here-make-it-anywhere fantasies fly. The interior was magnetic before Humm took over the kitchen and remains exhilarating even after a 2017 renovation. It is a perennial reminder of New Yorks perpetual gilded age, a pampering dreamscape kept up by an impeccable front-of-the-house staff and a kitchen of perhaps 50 detail-obsessed culinary artisans. All it needs is honest food.

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.

Howard Chua-Eoan is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering culture and business. He previously served as Bloomberg Opinion's international editor and is a former news director at Time magazine.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
Global tech giant Google is planning to bring back its in-person interview practices after the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sundar Pichai, said that artificial intelligence (AI) has made virtual hiring unreliable, reported the news portal Times of India.

Pichai said that Google plans to introduce the candidates with at least one round of in-person interviews to ensure that the company can find the fundamentals in a potential hire.

"We are making sure we'll introduce at least one round of in-person interviews for people, just to make sure the fundamentals are there," Sundar Pichai mentioned in an interview with computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman in June 2025.

Why not online interviews? According to the news report, the AI issue has become so widespread that Google employees are demanding the company management to not carry out remote job interviews of software engineers.

The job role requires candidates to solve real-time coding challenges which has now become compromised due to the AI tools off-camera being used by the interviewees to generate the solutions.

Some audio recording from Google's February 2025 townhall meeting showed that the employees were confronting the upper management with this issue.

"Can we get on-site job interviews back?" an employee asked, according to the recordings reviewed by the news portal CNBC. "There are many email threads about this topic. If budget is a constraint, can we get the candidates to an office or environment we can control?"

Why does Google prefer online interviews? Google's vice president, Brian Ong, acknowledged that the tech giant was facing a fundamental challenge and said that the virtual interviews are two weeks faster and easier to schedule.

Also Read | Sundar Pichai becomes billionaire despite sharp drop in salary over 2 years

"We definitely have more work to do to integrate how AI is now more prevalent in the interview process," said Ong, according to the news report.

The report also mentions that hiring managers are flagging that more than 50% of the candidates appearing for an interview are cheating with the help of AI tools.

"Given we all work hybrid, I think it's worth thinking about some fraction of the interviews being in person. I think it'll help both the candidates understand Google's culture, and I think it's good for both sides," said Sundar Pichai, responding to an employee.
The bilateral trade between US and Russia has grown since the Trump administration came to power, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference in Alaska on Friday.

Making a rare foreign appearance after the talks with Trump, Putin said that US-Russia trade saw a symbolic growth of 20 per cent since the Republican leader came to power.

When the new administration came to power, the bilateral trade started to grow. Its still very symbolic. Still, we have a growth of 20 per cent, Putin said.

He indicated that Russia and US can still offer each other business and trade.

We have a lot of dimensions for joint work. Russia and the US can offer each other so much in trade, digital, high tech, and space exploration, Putin said.

The Russian President's remarks come at a time when the US is penalising India for buying Russian oil.

Also Read | Will Trump cut down India tariffs? What US President said

Also Read | Trump to hold off hiking China tariffs over Russia oil purchases

US doubles India tariffs, but trade grows with Russia Earlier this month, Donald Trump penalised India for continuing to buy Russian oil despite sanctions over the country in the aftermath of the Ukraine war.

India's tariff now stands at 50 per cent and will come into effect from August 27.

Trump has not announced concessions on the US tariffs on India despite calling the meeting with Trump positive. However, Putin's statement indicates his own country has increased trade with Russia after Trump came to power.

India's reaction to Trump tariffs The Ministry of External Affairs had called the Trump tariffs unfair after they were doubled.

The United States has in recent days targeted Indias oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India, the MEA said.

It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest, the MEA added.
Around 70 per cent of India's goods exports to the US, valued at $60.85 billion, are now exposed to the 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US administration, according to an analysis by ICRIER, a economic policy think tank.

This is a significant concern for key Indian sectors, although it represents just 1.56 per cent of GDP and 7.38 per cent of total exports, which is far from a catastrophe for Indias $3.9 trillion economy.

The report by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, titled 'Navigating Trump's Tariff Blow' outlines the specific challenges posed by these tariffs on several Indian sectors, along with recommending ways to deal with them, ANI said.

The scope of tariffs The US administration, led by President Donald Trump, initially imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. This was later increased by another 25 per cent to a total of 50 per cent, a decision reportedly linked with India's continued imports of Russian oil.

Also Read | Trump says India tariffs cut Russian oil sales, forced Putin to negotiate

In contrast to India, competitors such as Vietnam (20 per cent), Bangladesh (18 per cent), Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines (19 per cent), and Japan and South Korea (15 per cent) enjoy lower rates, as per an ANI news report.

Sectors to be affected by the heavy tariff The impact of the US tariff is heavily concentrated in labor-intensive and high-value sectors, which not only anchor the merchandise exports to the US but also directly affect employment generation and the livelihoods of millions of workers and farmers. These sectors include:

Textiles and apparel: This sector now faces a tariff disadvantage of over 30 percentage points compared to rivals like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam, threatening its competitive position in a key export market.

Gems and jewelry: With exports to the US worth $11.9 billion, this sector faces similar challenges against suppliers such as Turkey, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Auto parts: Constituting 3 per cent of India's exports to the US, this sector is also vulnerable.

Agricultural products: Shrimp exports will be worst hit as 50 per cent tariffs come on top of existing anti-dumping and countervailing duties that India faces, making them uncompetitive with exports from Ecuador, Indonesia, and Vietnam. "These are sectors where buyers can switch sourcing relatively quickly, which gives US importers bargaining power and weakens India's negotiating position," the report said.

However, its important to note that the new US tariff regime excludes pharmaceuticals, energy products, critical minerals, and semiconductors.

ICRIERs recommended strategy To mitigate the negative effects of the tariffs, the ICRIER report proposes a three-pronged strategic response for India:

Smart negotiations: Engage in logical and rational negotiations with the US to find a mutually agreed resolution.

Targeted relief: Provide immediate and targeted relief support to the hard hit sectors to help them deal with the tariff related losses.

Trade diversification: On high priority, its crucial to diversify export markets to reduce dependency on the US and build long-term resilience. Background of the Tariff situation President Donald Trump has imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries with which the US has a trade deficit. Since assuming office for his second term, Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasizing that his administration will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to "ensure fair trade".

Post that, India and the US initiated talks for a just, balanced, and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in March this year, with an objective to complete the first stage of the Agreement by October-November 2025.

Faced with tariffs, during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said in a statement that the government is examining the impact of tariffs and will take all necessary steps to safeguard the nations interest, the ANI news report said.
Controversial Malayalam movie, Janaki V v/s State of Kerala, had its OTT release on August 15. The movie had its digital release on ZEE5. Now, people are sharing their thoughts on social media platforms like Twitter (now X).

Just watched a decent film! JSK - Janaki V vs State of Kerala is okay but lacks depth. Worth a casual watch, wrote one user.

Another wrote, Decent courtroom drama with real incidents.

Spectacular movie. The courtroom drama in the first half was just brilliant.. very realistic arguments that turned a goat into a tiger.. Because its Suresh Gopi, the leftist media ecosystem gave negative reviews of the film, came from another.

Other social media platforms also had some reviews.

While the movie touches upon certain issues faced by women in the society, the latter half looks like being in a hurry to complete the story the usual cinematic way, says a review on Google.

Also Read | Malayalam OTT releases this week: New movies to watch online

Absolutely terrible movie! Dont waste your time. Very poor direction. Bad acting and it feels like no one seems to know what theyre doing, says another review.

Another user wrote, I don't agree with the verdict at climax... The point here is how can court give judgement on a infant that it should be orphan.. why it should be punished with no fault of its... Why should it live without parents... Why should it live without its mother...?

I was expecting a gripping thriller but what I got was a dramatic court trials and sloppy scripts. Honestly, it wasn't that great, posted another.

Controversy Janaki V v/s State of Kerala ran into a CBFC row over its lead name Janaki, seen as linked to goddess Sita. The board demanded changes, prompting the makers to move to the Kerala High Court.

Eventually, a compromise followed as the title became Janaki V v/s State of Kerala. The name Janaki was muted in two scenes. The film was released on July 17 with minor edits.
Veteran actor Sunny Deol is gearing up to take on one of the most iconic roles in Indian mythology  that of Lord Hanuman  in Nitesh Tiwaris ambitious cinematic adaptation of Ramayana.

As the production gains momentum, Deol has opened up about the challenges and excitement surrounding the project, expressing high hopes for its visual and emotional impact.

Sunny Deol on playing Lord Hanuman Speaking to Zoom, Sunny Deol described the experience ahead as both thrilling and daunting.

It will be exciting, it will be fun. Its going to be great, its going to be beautiful, he said, adding that while some nervousness is natural, it is also what fuels him.

See, nervousness or fear, that factor is there. But thats the beauty of it, because you have to find within yourself how youre going to take up the challenge and how youre going to live up to it. And youre getting the opportunity to do it, and Im very sure Amit, the producer, theyre doing a great job of it.

Sunny Deol on Ramayana raising the bar of cinema The actor confirmed that he will begin shooting shortly and expressed optimism that Ramayana could raise the bar for Indian cinema in terms of visual storytelling.

Because they are going to bring out those supernatural things and those effects on screen, which I hope, fingers crossed, are nothing less than what Hollywood has. I mean, how many times has it been made, and how many Ramlilas happen? When it comes to the big screen, the way all the actors involved in it are performing, Im sure there will be justice to everything, and people will feel satisfied and enjoy the whole film, he said.

Sunny Deol on working with Ranbir Kapoor Deol also praised his co-star Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram in the film.

Its going to be great because hes such a fine actor, and he always takes up a project and lives it completely, he remarked.

Directed by Dangal and Chhichhore filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana boasts a star-studded cast that includes Kannada superstar Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The epic saga is planned as a two-part feature, with the first instalment slated for release on Diwali 2026 and the second following a year later on Diwali 2027.
Israel and the U.S. are pushing forward efforts to relocate hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, a move they have presented in humanitarian terms but which governments in Europe and the Arab world have criticized as unrealistic and a potential violation of international law.

The idea, which Israeli officials have publicly mulled since the beginning of the war in Gaza, got its biggest airing early this year when President Trump said the U.S. should take over the enclave and redevelop it as an international tourist destination while relocating many of its two million residents.

That spotlight has moved on, but advocates of the idea are still pursuing. Israeli officials have sounded out their counterparts in half a dozen countries and territories including Libya, South Sudan, Somaliland and Syria about taking in Palestinians who agree to leave Gaza, people familiar with the matter said.

Israel and the U.S. have also been pressing Egypt to resettle people from the enclave in the Sinai Peninsula, some of the people said. Egypt, which once controlled the Gaza Strip, has strongly resisted the idea. Its border with Gaza makes it a logistically attractive destination, in the eyes of the ideas proponents. The pressure has led to a number of contentious meetings, including shouting matches between Israeli and Egyptian officials, some of the people said.

President Trump has long advocated for creative solutions to improve the lives of Palestinians, including allowing them to resettle in a new, beautiful location while Gaza rebuilds, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said. However, Hamas must first agree to disarm and end this war, and we have no additional details to provide at this time.

Israels talks to resettle Gazans in South Sudan or Libya are continuing, some of the people said. Earlier talks to settle Palestinians in Syria or Somalilanda breakaway region of Somaliadidnt make much progress, one of the people said.

Most of the destinations under consideration have their own problems with civil strife and economic dislocation and would likely struggle to absorb hundreds of thousands of migrants. Their battered conditions, however, have opened the possibility of deals that might confer economic support or other benefits in exchange for taking in people relocated from Gaza or elsewhere.

The Trump administration deported a handful of migrants in the U.S. to South Sudan last month and has pressed a number of African countries to also take in U.S. deportees. South Sudan, officials said, has been eager to reset ties with Washington, leaving it open to taking additional U.S. deportees and engaging in discussions with Israel on accepting Palestinians.

The issue of relocations is sensitive. Legal organizations, humanitarian groups and some governments have questioned whether exits would be truly voluntary. Some including Malaysia, the United Nations and Human Rights Watch have warned the idea could be tantamount to ethnic cleansing.

South Sudans Foreign Ministry said claims that it is in such talks with Israel are baseless. A representative of Somalilands government said no talks are ongoing. Libyan and Syrian officials didnt respond to requests for comment.

Current and former U.S. officials said the U.S. wasnt involved in the discussions between Israel and African countries on resettling Palestinians.

At the White House in July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the U.S. are trying to find homes for Palestinians who want to leave Gaza.

We are working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realize what they always saidthat they wanted to give the Palestinians a better future, Netanyahu said, as Trump sat in front of him.

Israeli officials had advocated transferring Palestinians out of Gaza long before Trump floated his idea for a Riviera of the Middle East. Within a week of the deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Israels intelligence minister at the time, Gila Gamliel, presented the cabinet with a plan to promote migration from Gaza with the goal of getting 1.7 million to leave, she said in a post on X in May.

The most enthusiastic supporters have been far-right officials such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have pushed for this idea for years.

Encourage migration! Encourage migration! Encourage migration!, Ben-Gvir said at a conference for Jewish settlement of the enclave in October. Honestly, this is the most moral and correct solution. Not forcibly, but tell them: We are giving you the option to leave to different countries. The land of Israel is ours.

When Trump announced the idea of moving Palestinians out of Gaza, Netanyahu and his government were quick to adopt it and praise it. In February, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz set up a new division in the ministry to oversee the voluntary departure of Gazans.

Forcible displacement is a crime under the Geneva Conventions, to which Israel is party, and is permissible only in narrow circumstances such as temporary evacuation for civilian safety or military necessity. The bar for meeting those criteria is high and Gazas war-torn environment complicates arguments that transfers would be voluntary, Israeli and international legal experts said.

The effort to encourage departures creates a dilemma for many Palestinians stuck in the enclave, where food is in short supply. Many have been displaced from their homes, most structures are damaged, and more than 61,000 people have been killed, according to Palestinian authorities, who dont say how many were combatants.

Many Gazans, particularly young people or families with children or relatives suffering from disease, would like to leave. But the decision now carries political overtones, as well as the risk that they wont be able to return. Humanitarian groups and regional governments who might want to help Palestinians leave face a similar dilemma.

The issue is that Israel needs to guarantee that people will be able to return if and when they would like to, said Tania Hary, executive director of Gisha, an Israeli human-rights and legal organization. These voluntary emigration schemes or other plans to deport people dont have anything to do with the safety or humanitarian needs of Palestinians.

Among Gazan Palestinians reached in a May survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 43% said they would be willing to emigrate after the war.

Khalil Shikaki, director of the center, said the most likely demographic to leave are young, educated men, which could contribute to brain drain in Gaza.

Among this group, based on surveys from before the war, two-thirds to three-quarters expressed willingness to leave Gaza to go elsewhere for economic and security reasons, he said. Many showed interest in moving to Europe, the U.S., Canada, Arab Gulf states or Turkey, he said.

Most Palestinians in Gaza havent had the ability to leave the territory even if they wanted to during the war, with crossings into Egypt and Israel largely closed. Those who could leave often had a second passport or a close relative who left, or were among the thousands of Palestinians selected for outside medical treatment in countries such as Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Ramez Musmar, a 24-year-old Gazan, was accepted to Trinity College Dublin last spring. The university and the Irish government intervened to help him leave, he said. His father died during the war and he fears for the safety of his mother and siblings, who remain in Gaza.

I had applied to the university mainly so I could leave Gaza and eventually get my family out, he said. My mom told me, Go for your future. Dont worry about us. Hopefully you can bring us later. 
Regaal Resources IPO allotment status: The three days of bidding for the Regaal Resources IPO ended on Thursday. According to the Regaal Resources IPO subscription status, the public issue received a strong response from investors. Now, the focus has shifted to the Regaal Resources IPO allotment date, which is most likely today. In the wake of the 'T+3" listing rule, the most likely Regaal Resources IPO allotment date is 18 August 2025. Those who have applied for the public issue can check Regaal Resources IPO allotment status online by logging in at the BSE website or its official registrar, MUFG Intime India Pvt Ltd.

Regaal Resources IPO GMP today Meanwhile, the grey market continues to signal a substantial listing premium for the Regaal Resources IPO allottees. According to market observers, shares of the company are available at a premium of 24 in the grey market today. This means Regaal Resources IPO GMP today is 24, which is 7 lower than Thursday's Regaal Resources IPO GMP of 31. They said the long weekend and uncertainty due to the 'progress but no deal' kind of outcome from the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska. They noted that grey market sentiment may improve on Monday as the GST reforms announced by PM Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech on Friday are expected to receive a strong positive response from Dalal Street bulls.

Regaal Resources IPO allotment status check As mentioned above, Regaal Resources IPO allotment status can be checked online by logging in at the BSE website  bseindia.com or at the MUFG Intime India website  in.mpms.mufg.com/Initial_Offer/public-issues.html.

Regaal Resources IPO allotment status MUFG Those who have applied for the Regaal Resources IPO and want to know how to check IPO allotment status online must log in at either the BSE or the MUFG websites. For those who wish to check the Regaal Resources IPO allotment status on MUFG, here is a step-by-step guide:

1] Log in at the MUFG website  in.mpms.mufg.com/Initial_Offer/public-issues.html;

2] Select 'Regaal Resources Limited' in the company's name;

3] Enter our PAN card details or IPO application number. For your convenience, we are taking PAN card details.

4] Click on the 'Submit' option.

Your Regaal Resources IPO allotment status will appear on the screen of your desktop, laptop, or cell phone.

Regaal Resources IPO allotment status check on BSE For checking Regaal Resources IPO allotment status online by logging in at the BSE website, one needs to log in at the direct BSE link  bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx and follow the below-mentioned step-by-step guide:

1] Log in at the direct BSE link: bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx;

2] Select 'Equity' in the Issue Type option;

3] Select 'Regaal Resources Ltd' in the Issue Name;

4] Enter 'Application Number' or PAN card details;

5] Click on the BOX before 'I'm not a robot'; and

6] Click on the 'Search' option.

Your Regaal Resources IPO allotment status will appear on the screen of your desktop, laptop, or cell phone.
Nikolai Snopkov (1st L), first deputy prime minister of Belarus, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

MINSK, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened on Friday at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk.

More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos.

Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images.

These photos showcase the Chinese nation's tremendous contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, highlight the pivotal role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the resistance against Japanese aggression, tell the story of the touching friendship between the Chinese and Soviet people who fought side by side, and demonstrate the fruitful outcomes of all-round practical cooperation between China and Belarus.

Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, said in a video speech that during the World Anti-Fascist War, all forces of justice worldwide, including China and the Soviet Union, stood united against their common foes and fought courageously. They forged a profound friendship with blood and sacrifice, making indelible historical contributions to safeguarding world peace and advancing the cause of human progress.

Eighty years on, China and Belarus are carrying forward their historical friendship, jointly upholding international fairness and justice, writing a new chapter in their all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, and promoting the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, Fu added.

Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan said that the exhibition exposes the heinous crimes committed by Japanese invaders in China, records the history of the unyielding Chinese people's heroic resistance against Japanese aggression under the leadership of the CPC, and reflects the profound friendship between the Chinese and Soviet people who fought side by side.

"We should take history as a mirror, draw wisdom and strength from the profound lessons of the World War II and the great victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, firmly oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and work together to build a better future for mankind," he noted.

Nikolai Snopkov, first deputy prime minister of Belarus, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech, stating that Belarus and China paid a heavy price for the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

At a time when the number of historical witnesses is dwindling, it is particularly important to hold such photo exhibits to honor history, tell historical truths, and oppose any distortion of history, whitewashing of criminals or desecration of heroes and martyrs, he said.

The exhibition, running through Sept. 5, is co-organized by the Chinese embassy in Belarus, Xinhua News Agency's branches in Minsk and China's Jiangsu Province, the China Image Group, in collaboration with the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, and supported by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. 

Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

A guest visits a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

A guest visits a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)
Pension savings of millions of Indians have turbocharged the assets of portfolio management services (PMS), often seen as the preserve of India's well-heeled. The reasons: A rule that binds the retirement fund manager to invest via PMS, and higher tax and compliance burdens that dampen high-net-worth individuals' enthusiasm.

These schemes, where you must put up a minimum of 50 lakh, managed assets worth 35 trillion as of May 2025, data from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) showed. Of this, 79%, or 28 trillion, came from the EPFO. Five years earlier, the number stood at 75%. Meanwhile, the share of PMS assets from other sources -- read HNIs -- shrank from 24% to 21%.

The EPFO, which manages retirement funds of nearly 70 million Indians, invests a slice of its investable corpus in debt instruments. This is mandated to be done via a PMS, funneling a deluge of funds to the PMS industry. While the PMS clientele is often seen as wealthy, EPFO's money comes from regular employees, who set aside a share of their monthly earnings to fund retirement.

The EPFO utilizes a sophisticated outsourced model where the day-to-day management of its extensive corpus including debt instruments is delegated to a select group of appointed external fund managers," said Kalyani Sharma, partner, Singhania & Co. Between 45% and 65% of the EPFO portfolio should be in government securities, and 35-45% in various debt instruments, Sharma said.

Key Takeaways As of May 2025, 79% of PMS assets ( 28 trillion of 35 trillion) come from EPFO, up from 75% five years ago, reducing HNIs share.

EPFO is mandated to invest its debt portfolio via PMS, channeling massive pension savings into the industry.

Higher ticket size, capital gains tax on churn, and rising compliance costs have dampened HNI participation.

PMS providers now file up to 12 reports monthly to Sebi, pushing the break-even AUM from 50 crore to 200 crore.

EPFO's debt corpus is managed by SBI Funds and UTI Asset Management. Emails sent to both remained unanswered. An email sent to EPFO also remained unanswered.

EPFO is also allowed to invest in equity markets through exchange-traded funds like BSE Sensex, NSE Nifty and ETFs constructed specifically for CPSE disinvestments to the tune of 5-15%. But the majority of the EPFO investments remain in debt-related investments," said Shikhar Kacker, partner at Khaitan & Co.

PMS assets from non-EPFO sources, primarily HNIs, have grown 70% over the last five years (till May end), while those from EPFO doubled in the same period, Sebi data showed. A tax on churning stocks, increased compliance, and higher ticket size has slowed the growth of the non-EPFO part, primarily comprising HNIs, experts said.

Meanwhile, other avenues where HNIs invest have seen better growth. Total commitments raised by Category-III alternate investment funds, another type of investment vehicle, is up 4.7 times since FY20, while mutual funds' assets rose 2.95 times to 65.7 trillion in the same period.

Mutual fund vs PMS

Many investors could prefer mutual funds over PMS given their tax efficiency, said Pramod Gubbi, co-founder at Marcellus Investment Managers. In PMS, every time the manager sells a stock and books a gain, the investor is liable to pay capital gains tax even if they havent redeemed their investment. In contrast, mutual funds are tax-exempt at the fund level; so any short-term churn within the fund does not trigger a tax for the investor, who only pays capital gains tax upon redemption, which makes them more tax efficient, said Gubbi.

The PMS industry, once known for its light-touch regulation, is now facing significantly higher compliance demands, experts say.

Over the past year and a half, PMS providers have been required to submit as many as 12 reports a month to Sebi, covering quantitative information like client information, transaction details, expense and employee roles, besides routine monthly reports to Sebi and the Association of Portfolio Managers of India, said Bhavin Shah, CIO at Sameeksha Capital and board member of APMI.

Shah said this burden could be eased if Sebi sourced the data directly from custodians or fund accountants, who already serve as the central repository for information related to PMS accounts.

The added compliance requirements have raised costs, pushing the break-even AUM for PMS providers from about 50 crore earlier to 200 crore now. Considering a startup puts capital of 10 crore while starting a PMS, it could take up to five years for a new player to break even, Shah added.

In 2019, the minimum ticket size for a PMS was increased from 25 lakhs to 50 lakhs, which could be another reason for the slower growth, experts say.

Increased minimum ticket size could deter investors from putting money into a new PMS," said Sushant Bhansali, CEO of Ambit Asset Management. Adding incremental funds to an existing PMS is manageable, but committing another 50 lakh to start afresh with a new PMS becomes a challenge for many investors."

Moreover, unlike AIFs, PMSes arent allowed to invest in unlisted equities, which could be another the industry'Es slower growth, Bhansali added.
Buy or sell stocks: The Indian stock market finally snapped a six-week losing streak as extreme oversold conditions and supportive global cues lifted investor sentiment. The Nifty 50 and Sensex ended the week with gains of around 1%, though momentum remained muted due to persistent foreign outflows.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their aggressive selling, offloading nearly 10,000 crore in the cash market, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) absorbed the pressure with strong buying worth 19,000 crore. Broader markets staged a recovery across sectors, led by pharma and auto stocks, though FMCG lagged.

Stock market next week Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, believes the Indian stock market sentiment has improved after successive rallies in two straight sessions. However, the Choice Broking expert said the Nifty is facing an immediate hurdle at 24,650. On breaking above this level on a closing basis, Bagadia predicted another 100-point rally in the 50-stock index.

Speaking on the outlook of the Indian stock market, Sumeet Bagadia said, "The Indian stock market bias has improved after the relief rallies on the last two sessions last week; however, the 50-stock index trades in a tight 24,300 to 24,650 range. The broader range of the key benchmark index is 24,000 to 24,800. A bullish or bearish trend can be assumed on the breakage of either side of this range. If the rally extends further, we may see the Nifty 50 index touching 24,800 levels."

Sumeet Bagadia recommended stocks Sumeet Bagadia of Choice Broking advised investors to maintain a stock-specific approach and look at stocks that look strong on the technical chart. Asked about such stocks, Bagadia recommended buying these three shares: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Bajaj Finserv, and Power Grid Corporation of India.

1] MSIL: Buy at 12,936, Target 14,300, Stop Loss 12,300.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd's share price is currently 12,936, consolidating within a defined range over recent sessions. The stock is now on the verge of breaking out of this range, with price action supported by consistent trading volumes, a sign of steady accumulation and strong market participation.

If Maruti Suzuki India Ltd's share manages to sustain above the 13,000 mark, it could confirm the breakout and open the door for further upside toward higher targets. Such a move would indicate the continuation of its prevailing bullish trend.

Momentum indicators back this view. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 63.90, trending upwards, signalling strengthening momentum. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd's share price is comfortably trading above all its key moving averages, short-term, medium-term, and long-term EMAs, which suggests robust underlying strength and a supportive trend structure.

From a price action standpoint, the consolidation near the highs and volume-backed breakout potential point toward bullish dominance and an attractive risk-reward opportunity.

Given the emerging technical setup, traders may consider buying Maruti Suzuki India Ltd shares at the current market price of 12,936, with a stop-loss set at 12,300 to manage downside risk. A sustained move above 13,000 could propel the share price toward the 14,300 target in the near term.

2] Bajaj Finserv: Buy at 1925.10, Target 2130, Target 1830.

Bajaj Finserv's share is currently trading at 1,925.10, having seen a strong upmove from lower levels in the past. After a record high, the stock witnessed a healthy retracement, allowing it to cool off from overbought conditions. Recently, it has been taking support from its long-term EMA, a key dynamic support level, and is now showing early signs of a potential reversal.

A sustainable move above 1,980 could confirm this reversal and open the door for further upside in the near term. Such a move would suggest that the bulls are regaining control after the corrective phase.

Momentum indicators support this outlook. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 39.84 and shows a reversal from lower levels with a positive crossover, indicating an emerging uptrend. Additionally, Bajaj Finserv's share is trading above its long-term EMA and is now approaching its short-term and medium-term EMAs, signalling improving technical strength.

From a price action perspective, the rebound from the long-term EMA combined with early momentum recovery suggests that the downside risk is limited, making the current setup attractive from a risk-reward standpoint.

Given the emerging reversal signals, traders may consider buying Bajaj Finserv shares at the current market price of 1,925.10, with a stop-loss set at 1,830 to manage downside risk. A sustained move above 1,980 could propel the stock toward the 2,130 target soon.

3] Power Grid Corporation of India: Buy at 288.70, Target 320, Stop Loss 275.

Power Grid Corporation of India's share price is currently trading at 288.70. After bouncing from lower levels, the stock has entered a consolidation phase within a defined range. This consolidation has also taken the shape of an Ascending Triangle pattern on the daily timeframe. The stock is currently taking support near the lower boundary of this formation, hinting at a potential base for the next directional move.

If the stock manages to sustain above the 300 level, it could confirm a breakout from this pattern and open the way for further upside toward the 325 target. Such a breakout would mark a shift in momentum from consolidation to bullish continuation.

Momentum indicators support this view. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 45.75, showing an upward trend after reversing from lower levels and forming a positive crossover, signalling improving buying interest. Power Grid Corporation of India's share is also trading near its short-term EMA and is approaching its medium-term and long-term EMAs. A sustained move above these levels would further strengthen the bullish case.

From a price action standpoint, the combination of firm support at the lower end of the formation and improving momentum suggests the potential for an upward breakout, offering an attractive risk-reward setup.

Given these technical signals, traders may consider buying Power Grid Corporation of India shares at the current market price of 288.70, with a stop-loss set at 275 to manage downside risk. A sustained move above 300 could soon drive the stock toward the 325 target.
GST reforms: In a bid to reduce tax burden across the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared 'next-generation GST reforms' during his Independence Day speech on Friday. Modi hinted that GST reforms may be implemented by Diwali 2025. People aware of the developments on the GST front, said on the condition of anonymity, that goods falling under the 12% GST slab may come under the 5% GST slab, while goods falling under the 28% GST slab may come under the 18% GST slab. However, they said there would be an additional 40% GST slab for goods falling under the category of sin, which includes tobacco products like cigarettes and beer. Since GST is a consumption-oriented tax, the ultimate beneficiary of the next generation GST reforms would be the consumer, who will pay less due to the lower GST.

What will become cheaper? According to these people, the GST reforms will make everyday essentials significantly more affordable  from groceries and medicines to televisions and washing machines. Agricultural equipment, bicycles, and even insurance and education services are set to become cheaper, delivering direct relief to households and farmers while boosting consumption across the economy.

They said there would be just three GST slabs  5%, 18%, and 40%. Around 99% of the goods falling under the 12% GST slab would fall into the 5% GST slab, while the same number of goods falling under the 28% GST slab would fall under the 18% GST slab.

Items currently taxed at 12%  including condensed milk, dried fruits, frozen vegetables, sausages, pasta, jams, namkeens including bhujiya, tooth powder, feeding bottles, carpets, umbrellas, bicycles, utensils, furniture, pencils, handbags made of jute or cotton, and footwear under 1,000  could see rates drop to 5%.

GST reforms in India The Central Government has forwarded its proposals to the Group of Ministers examining GST rationalisation. This group will place recommendations before the GST Council, the apex federal body on indirect taxation comprising finance ministers from all states and chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The council is empowered to accept the proposal, with or without modification, or reject it.
HAL vs Bharat Dynamics vs. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders: Q1 results 2025 season is almost over, and Indian stock market investors are busy finding their value picks. Amid rising trade war fears and geopolitical tension, most experts are batting in favour of defence stocks with strong fundamentals. The Q1 earnings of defence companies would be an essential factor in stock investors' decision to make any investment.

Experts say Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has delivered steady operational progress, while Bharat Dynamics Ltd reported softer-than-expected Q1 2025 results. They said Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limiteds Q1 FY26 results reflect near-term profitability pressures, with net profit down 35% YoY and EBITDA margins contracting sharply due to higher procurement and manpower costs.

HAL Q1 results 2025 review Speaking on Q1 results 2025 of the leading defence PSUs, Putta Ravi Kumar, Analyst - Defence Sector at Choice Broking, said, "HAL has delivered steady operational progress, but the key bottleneck right now is GE engine supply for the Tejas programme. Even if GE fails to deliver on time, we dont see this derailing the companys financials, given its wide-ranging portfolio  from LCH Prachand and Su-30 upgrades to civilian aircraft and space programmes. The pace of revenue recognition from its flagship fighter aircraft order will be partially contingent on engine deliveries. The order book at ~6.1x FY25 revenues is powerful, and the recent correction does make valuations attractive. However, much of HALs near-term triggers hinge on execution timelines for large, ongoing projects."

Bharat Dynamics Q1 results review "Bharat Dynamics Ltd, on the other hand, despite a softer-than-expected Q1, we continue to believe that the company is well-placed to deliver a strong set of numbers over the next 2 years, supported by multiple programmes moving into production stage  including QRSAM, MRSAM, Akash NG, ATGMs, Torpedoes, and several other key platforms. In our view, BDLs strategic monopoly as Indias only missile system integrator and its robust order book at ~6.8x FY25 revenue provide exceptional revenue visibility. We expect ~ 200 Bn in fresh orders over the next 2 years, in addition to replenishment demand arising from emergency procurement post Operation Sindoor," the Choice Broking expert said.

Mazagon Dock Q1 results review Speaking on Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders' Q1 earnings, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limiteds Q1 FY26 results reflect near-term profitability pressures, with net profit down 35% YoY and EBITDA margins contracting sharply due to higher procurement and human resources costs. However, the companys long-term investment case remains strong, anchored by its strategic role in Indias naval modernisation and a robust financial track record. Between FY2124, MDL delivered exceptional growth with ~33% CAGR in revenue and ~47% CAGR in net profit, supported by industry-leading return ratios (ROE ~27%, ROCE ~33%) and a debt-free balance sheet, enabling self-funded capacity expansion. Key strategic initiatives such as the upcoming Nhava dry dock facility, which will double shipbuilding capacity, and the proposed majority stake in Colombo Dockyard to expand into export markets highlight managements intent to scale operations beyond domestic contracts. The strong defence order pipeline, particularly in submarines, destroyers, and frigates, ensures multi-year revenue visibility."

"While FY26 may see margin volatility from execution cycles and input costs, MDLs operational leverage, expansion into higher-value projects, and export diversification should drive gradual profitability recovery. Given its strategic importance, technological capabilities, and capacity growth, MDL is well-positioned to capture long-term value from Indias growing defence spend and global naval procurement opportunities," Seema added.

HAL vs Bharat Dynamics vs Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders On which defence PSU stock to buy, Putta Ravi Kumar of Choice Broking said, "From the fundamental perspective, HAL and BDL are strong defence plays and both are quality buys, but HAL stands out as a steady, long-term compounder backed by a diversified portfolio and a robust order book. BDL also offers good potential and can be a tactical addition for the near term, but for investors looking for consistent growth and stability, HAL remains the stronger core holding."

On what technical chart suggests about these three defence PSU stocks, Shiju Kuthupalakkal, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, said, "Among HAL, BDL and MAZDOCK, I shall pick HAL among the three stocks with technical parameters indicating a favourable approach and can expect much higher returns. The stock has corrected from the high level of 5165 to show signs of taking support near the important 200-period SMA at 4315 zone, and with an indication of a revival, there is improvement in the bias. The RSI has arrived near the oversold zone and indicated a positive trend reversal, signalling a buy, which is also accompanied by a positive divergence indication on the daily chart. The stock, once breached above the 50-DEMA zone at the 4670 level, would further strengthen the trend, anticipating a further rise in the coming days. With support maintained near the 4300 level, one can expect positional targets of 4940, 5170 and 5700 levels in the coming days."
Trump-Putin meeting: The most-awaited three-on-three Trump-Putin meeting ended in Alaska on Friday with a hope that the next round of meetings will be held in Moscow soon. However, the US President Donald Trump didn't walk out of the meeting as he had vowed ahead of the meeting, which signals development in the bid for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. Apart from this, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of GST reforms from the Red Fort in his Independence Day speech may also work as a positive domestic trigger for the Indian stock market.

According to stock market experts, ice has been broken in the US-Russia bilateral relations as both global leaders (Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump) vowed to sit for another round of meetings. They said Donald Trump promised to leave the meeting if he didn't like Putin's approach. However, after the end of the Trump-Putin meeting, both leaders talked positively, which signals 'progress but no deal'. When it opens on Monday, they said the Trump-Putin meeting outcome is expected to be respected by the global markets, including Dalal Street. They also expected a positive response to the GST reforms that Narendra Modi announced in his 15th August speech on Friday. They predicted a positive opening on Dalal Street but doubt the Nifty 50 could break above the 24,800 hurdle.

Trump-Putin meeting impact on Dalal Street Decoding the outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting, Avinash Gorakshkar, a SEBI-registered fundamental analyst, said, "The most-awaited Trump-Putin meeting has ended with progress without any deal. Both leaders agreed to meet for the next round of talks, which is a good sign in bringing an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Ahead of the meeting, the US President had vowed to walk out of the meeting if he didn't like Russian President Vladimir Putin's line of approach. However, after the end of the Trump-Putin meeting, both leaders talked positively, which may be a positive trigger for the global markets, including the Indian stock market." However, Gorakshkar maintained that there was no development on Trump's tariffs, and the fear of US tariffs is still around.

GST reforms Pointing towards the GST reforms announced by Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech, Anuj Gupta, Director at Ya Wealth, said, "The Indian stock market has already discounted Trump's tariff, and any further negative could have happened if the Trump-Putin meeting had failed. However, in this 'progress with no deal' situation, the market is expected to remain unaffected by no big breakthrough on Trump's tariffs. However, a big domestic trigger is the GST reforms, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his Independence Day speech. This is expected to enable bulls to outshine bears on Monday, and we may see a positive opening when trading resumes on Dalal Street after a gap of three days."

Segments in focus Advising investors to look at domestic consumption-driven segments, Dr VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Limited, said, "Domestic consumption-driven sectors like banking and finance, telecom, aviation, capital goods, hotels, FMCG, and cement will not be impacted by Trumps tariffs. But it is important that investors choose stocks that are fairly valued in these segments."

Why Trump's tariffs won't play On why Trump's tariff may not be a significant factor in the near-term, Gaurav Goel, Founder & Director at Fynocrat Technologies, said, "One reason for the markets stability is the strong and steady support from domestic institutional investors. They have been putting large amounts of money into Indian equities, acting as a cushion against external shocks. In May, DIIs bought 67,642 crore worth of stocks, in June 72,673 crore, in July 60,939 crore, and in August 51,899 crore. With this level of consistent buying, the market is finding the strength to stay stable."

"Another factor is the strength and diversity of the Indian economy. Our growth does not rely on any single export market. Domestic consumption, services, manufacturing, and technology create a broad base that cannot be easily shaken by a single policy decision abroad. Even if the full set of proposed tariffs comes into effect, experts estimate the impact on Indias GDP to be less than 0.2 per cent. This is a reminder of how small this challenge is in the context of our overall economy," Goel added.

However, market experts maintained that Monday's upside would be limited, and the Nifty 50 index may not be able to break the 24,800 hurdle.

"The Indian stock market may have a positive opening on Monday, but the rise will be limited and the Nifty 50 index may find it tough to break above the 24,800 hurdle," Avinash Gorakshkar said.
FIBRE-BASED ART Anupa Mehta Contemporary Art (AMCA) continues its showcase of textile-based practices with the new exhibition, Where the River Meets the Sea. The show features six artistsAparajita Jain Mahajan, Alamu Kumaresan, Savia Viegas and Meenakshi Nihalaniwho have consistently engaged with contemporary textile and fibre-based art. (Their works) explore memory, materiality, feminist narratives and intergenerational storytelling through weaving, stitching, embroidery and mark-making, states the gallery note. At AMCA, Colaba, Mumbai, till 11 September, 11am-6pm (Tuesday to Saturday).

F.N. Souza, FNS-0001, Christ, 27 x 21 inches, Acrylic on paper, 1989.

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE Gallerie Nvya is celebrating 21 years with a new exhibition in the Capital. Aptly titled 21: Memories & Milestones from then till now (2004  2025), the show features works by artists such Akbar Padamsee, Arpana Caur, F.N. Souza, Jamini Roy, K.G. Subramanyan, M.F. Husain, P.R. Daroz, Tyeb Mehta, and more. For founder-director Tripat Kalra, 21 is a symbolic number signifying completion and initiation. In this spirit, 21 brings together a constellation of artists who, like the gallery itself, have traversed multiple thresholds, states the gallery note. At Bikaner House, New Delhi, 20-24 August, 11am-7pm. After this, the show moves to Gallerie Nvya, Saket, 4-30 September, 11am-7pm (closed on Sunday).

A stock shot of Key Monastery at Keylong, Lahaul & Spiti

FESTIVAL IN THE MOUNTAINS Himachal Pradesh is hosting its first zero-waste, eco-friendly Tribal Festival in Keylong, Lahaul and Spiti. Supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED (Tribes of India), the North Zone Cultural Centre, and the government of Himachal Pradesh, the festival will spotlight the region's unique tribal identity by showcasing indigenous art, music, dance, local sports, traditional cuisine and crafts. At Police Ground, Keylong, Lahaul and Spiti, till 16 August, 10am-6pm.

A still from animation short film, 'Thaniye', being screened at BISFF

SHORT TAKES The Bangalore International Short Film Festival (BISFF), accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is back with its fifteenth edition. To be held across five venues in the city, attendees can watch over 50 short films made by filmmakers from around the world, sign up for workshops on writing micro dramas and direction and listen in on panel discussions where industry professionals delve into subjects like Diversity in moving image media and How to NOT enter European Film Festivals. At Suchitra Academy, Banashankari Stage 2; Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, CMH Road; Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Vasanth Nagar; RV University, Mysore Road; Curiouscity Science Center, Thigala Chowdadenahalli, Bengaluru, till August 17, 10am-7.30pm. For details, visit www.bisff.in.

A mural on display at the CALORIE: The Breakdown exhibition in Science Gallery, Bengaluru.
For as long as I can remember, theres been much hand-wringing about the loss of reading habit, the dirges linking the decline to every other evil in the world. The Kerala government is worried enough to have elevated it to a policy issue. A few days ago, it decided to give grace marks to students who engage in activities that promote reading habit, as the states education minister announced, somewhat ironically, on Facebook, which has probably contributed disproportionately to our rejection of reading and engaging with anything meaningfully. In this age of wonderful and ever-changing imagery that comes straight into our hands, it is easier to view than to settle down, focus and take in alphabets, sew them into words, and then string out sentences full of ideas, logic, insight and knowledge. Reading seems like it needs superhuman strength and powers of concentration, but not every idea or thought can be captured in images, and very often, that wonderful imagery starts its life as words on a page. Reading is another kind of freedom, as countless writers, poets and thinkers have said many times over and in various ways. To mark Independence Day, therefore, weve compiled a list of books for childrenwhich could as easily appeal to adultsto start them on this path of freedom. We have suggestions from the Lounge team as well as books that have left a lasting impact on well-known writers, book illustrators, publishers and editors. Taken together, thats close to 50 books to put on your reading listno matter if that list is analogue or digital.

We've curated a list of close to 50 books to put on your reading list this Independence Day.

What to watch this weekend

There are quite a few shows and big-ticket films out this weekend, among them the Rajinikanth starrer Coolie and YRFs spy-verse movie. Find all our recommendations for weekend watching here. We also have reviews of Saare Jahan Se Achcha and War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. by Uday Bhatia.

The surgeon stereotype

Theyre meant to be bold, brash, aggressive and competitive. But in the 21st century, writes Dr. Sanjay Govil, surgeons can no longer afford to live up to this stereotype. The decisiveness, superior skill and ability to make hard choices needs to be blended with empathy, communication and a culture of sharing knowledge in order to provide patients with the best care. Read his beautiful essay on empathy in the workplace.

A mixer named Sujata and other chefs tools

A mixer named Sujata, a refrigerator that goes by Sexy Karen and a noodle machine called Yaminitheyre all in the kitchen and pulling their weight. Chefs and kitchen staff name their favourite gadgets and appliances to make the high-stress environment of kitchens a bit more fun to navigate, writes Ruth Dsouza Prabhu. Read more.

MG Cyberster review: Fast, green and pretty

MG Motors first electric roadster, the Cyberster, is fast and sleek enough to be James Bonds getaway car yet clean and green enough to be Greta Thunbergs ride. Striking butterfly doors and a retractable roof makes it so Instagrammable that it adds to its desirability. It does 0-100kmph in 3.2 seconds, making it great for therapeutic drives, but not for your everyday routine, decides Rishad Saam Mehta. Read more.

Retro games get a new avatar
For many years, I had looked at books, magazines, websites and blogs, searching for photographs taken by Italian Vittorio Sella. Over the course of time, these photographs became like familiar friendsand often, on seeing a mountain image on Google, I knew it was a Sella. But nothing prepared me for the enormity of the moment when I visited the exhibition, titled Vittorio Sella: Photographer in the Himalaya, which opened at Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata on 8 August.

Delhi Art Gallery (DAG), in collaboration with Victoria Memorial, is showing for the first time in India a collection of 78 Sella prints from his expeditions around Kangchenjunga in 1899 and the Karakoram in 1909.

To see the original Sella printssome of the panoramas are over 10ft in length and meticulously stitched togetheris truly a revelation. The stupendous details in the ridges, icefalls, glaciers and scree slopes in the images shot well over a hundred years ago is mindboggling to say the least.

View Full Image Vittorio Sella's photo of the West Spur of Gasherbrum from the Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram. (Courtesy Delhi Art Gallery Collection)

A pioneering mountain photographer of his generation, Sella set a benchmark in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In an era when photography was mainly confined to the realms of a studio in controlled conditions and the emphasis remained on documentation, Sella took the large-format studio equipment to the lofty heights of the Himalaya and the Karakoram, creating images that went far beyond mere documentation and are valued today for their aesthetic beauty and composition.

Also Read | The great Everest mystery: 100 years of the disappearance of Mallory and Irvine

Sella was born in the small town of Biella at the foot of the Italian Alps in 1859. The family was wealthy and his father owned a textile mill. He worked for some time in the family business before his passion for mountains and photography got the better of him. He was inspired by his uncle Quintino, who was a keen mountaineer and the founder of the Italian Alpine Club. Sella started climbing in the Alps. The story goes that one night in 1879, while attending an opera in Biella, Sella noticed a clear night sky. Dressed in his formal clothes, he rushed up the mountain to his small tent where a camera was mounted for such eventualities and took a brilliant panorama of Mont Mars.

View Full Image Vittorio Sella (right), with two other members of the 1909 Karakoram expedition. (Getty Images)

Sella started out by using the large plate 30x40cm Dallmeyer camera that he carried with him to the field. The camera itself weighed around 40 pounds and each glass negative around 2 pounds. Along with this there was a heavy tripod to support the equipment. Sella carried much of this equipment himself as he climbed up steep mountain heights. Later as technology evolved, he switched to the smaller Ross and Co. cameras around 1893 and finally towards the end of his career, he also used one of the first hand-held Kodak cameras.

When Sella started out, it was the era of the wet collodion photo processwhere the glass negatives had to be coated and developed on site, a daunting task. Later around 1880, the dry gelatine plate was introduced. It allowed photographers to leave their mobile darkrooms and work with higher exposure speeds and better sensitivity and process the plates back home. Many of Sellas later prints were the conventional silver gelatine ones. Sella was possibly one of the first photographers to include human figures in his mountain landscapes to provide a sense of scale, a technique which many modern photographers also follow today.

Sella climbed extensively in the Alps from 1880-93. Some of his notable climbs were the first winter ascent of the Matterhorn in 1882, the first winter ascent of Mont Rosa in 1884, and the first winter traverse of Mount Blanc in 1888.

He also looked further afield and made three expeditions to the Russian Caucasus in 1889, 1890 and 1896. On the first expedition, Sella and his team made an ascent of Mount Elbrus (5,642m), the highest peak in Europe. Sella photographed mountains in four continentsthe Alps in Europe, Mount St Elias in North America in 1897, Ruwenzori in Africa in 1906, Kangchenjunga in Sikkim and Nepal in 1899 and K2 and the Karakoram in 1909, in Asia.

Also Read | Looking for Nanda Devi: Remembering the iconic 1934 Himalayan expedition

It is pertinent to point out Sellas relationship with two towering personalities: the British lawyer and explorer Douglas Freshfield, who was president of the Royal Geographical Society and the Alpine Club, and the Italian nobleman, Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi, who became Sellas patron.

Knowing Sellas reputation as a mountain photographer, Freshfield invited Sella and his brother Erminio on a landmark expedition around Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, in 1899. In a letter to Sella, Freshfield wrote, Could I hope to get you to bring your equipment and experiencebut I should like to see those great peaks and go around KangchenjungaI have thought so for 20 yearsperhaps it has got too late!"

View Full Image Vittorio Sella's photo of Siniolchu, silver gelatin print mounted on card, 1899. (Courtesy Delhi Art Gallery Collection)

The Kangchenjunga expedition encountered bad weather and extreme snowfall on many days. Sella was undaunted. He put his heavy tripod and 40-pound plate camera in the 3ft of snow on the Zemu glacier in North Sikkim and shot what was eventually recognised as one the finest photographs of Siniolchu (6,888m). Freshfield later described Siniolchu as the most superb triumph of mountain architecture and the most beautiful snow mountain in the world". The DAG exhibition has two prints of Siniolchu besides images of Kangchenjunga and other satellite peaks of the range. The expedition completed the circuit of the mountain crossing the high Jongsong La, around 6,045m, from Sikkim into Nepal in extremely difficult and snowy conditions.

Sellas three major expeditions were with the Duke of the Abruzzi, who had a passion for mountains and the desire to climb the highest peaks in the world. The duke also wanted to document his expeditions and with this in mind, he invited Sella to accompany him to Alaska, Ruwenzori and finally to the Karakoram.

In 1897, the duke along with Sella and his team summitted Mount Saint Elias in Alaska. In 1906, the duke asked Sella to accompany him to the Ruwenzori mountains in Uganda known as Mountains of the Moon. On the Uganda expedition along with the ascent of Mt Stanley, the fourth highest peak in Africa, Sella photographed the exotic vegetation, rainforests as well as the indigenous people of the region.

View Full Image K2 photographed by Vittorio Sella from Camp V on the Savoy Glacier during the 1909 Karakoram expedition. (Getty Images)

Sellas last major expedition was to the Karakoram in 1909, at age 50, where he produced some of his finest work, including K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums, Muztagh Tower and Chogolisa, all of which can be seen at the exhibition. There are some magnificent panoramas of the range from the Baltoro glacier. The climb of Chogolisa set a new altitude record of 7,498m, which remained unbroken until the British expedition to the Everest in 1922.

Unfortunately, the duke was forced to turn around just 150m below the summit due to bad weather. Interestingly, Chogolisa remained unclimbed for 66 years until an Austrian expedition summitted the peak in 1975. Sellas photograph of the duke and his guides climbing the Chogolisa icefall with enormous seracs about to topple over their heads remains one of the classics of mountain photography.

Also Read | The last yak herders of Nepal's Mustang Valley

Sella returned to Biella in 1909 after the expedition and focused his energies on selling his prints and photographs. A large collection of his work was bought by the National Geographic Society in 1912. He was also made an honorary member of the American Alpine Club in 1938. Sella continued to climb in the Italian Alps, the Grand Paradiso ranges and in 1935, at the age of 76, he made one last attempt to climb the Matterhorn but was unsuccessful. Sella died in Biella in 1943 at the age of 84.

In his memory, the Italian Alpine Club set up Rifugio Vittorio Sella, an alpine hut, in the Grand Paradiso National Park. One of the peaks in the Ruwenzori range of Africa on Mount Luigi di Savoia was also named Sella peak in his honour.

View Full Image Vittorio Sella's photograph of the Kangchenjunga massif. (Courtesy Delhi Art Gallery Collection)

In November 2019, I trekked to the Pangpema base camp of Kangchenjunga at 5,130m in Nepal, where Sella had climbed up to a grassy shelf and shot his magnificent panorama of Kangchenjunga and the glacier. In Sellas footsteps, I struggled up a steep slope trying to reach the viewpoint. The Nepal earthquake of 2015 had reduced the hillside to a jumble of rock and scree and the going was hard. As I looked out over the glacier and the base camp below to the lofty heights of Kangchenjunga on that clear autumn morning, what was most startling was the absence of snow on the glacier. In around 120 years, the snow covered glacier below Kangchenjunga had been reduced to a wasteland of rock and rubble. In these turbulent times of extreme weather patterns, glacial lake outbursts and climate change, Sellas photographs stand as testimony as to what the great glaciers and mountains of the Himalaya and Karakoram looked like many years ago.

The legendary American landscape photographer Ansel Adams was a great admirer of Sellas work. In an article in the Sierra Club Bulletin in 1946, Adams says, we are amazed by the mood of calmness and perfection pervading all of Sellas photographs. In Sellas photographs there is no faked grandeur; rather there is understatement, caution, and truthful purposeSella has brought to us not only the facts and forms of far-off splendours of the world, but the essence of experience which finds a spiritual response in the inner recesses of our mind and heart."

At Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata till 7 September, 10am-6pm. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.

Sujoy Das is a Kolkata-based trekker, mountain photographer and co-author of Everest, Reflections on the Solukhumbu.
A British Airways pilot embroiled himself in trouble after leaving the cockpit door of a Heathrow to New York flight open throughout the journey, leading to his suspension. The pilot, whose identity remains anonymous, allegedly wanted his family seated in the passenger section to see him operate the controls.

What Are the Rules on Cockpit Doors? Since the 9/11 attacks, cockpit doors are required to remain locked during flights to minimise the risk of terrorism and hijacking. By breaching this protocol, the pilot was suspended for breaching anti-terror laws.

How Did Crew and Passengers React? The incident reportedly caused alarm among both passengers and staff. Crew and passengers immediately noticed the cockpit door was open and wanted to know what was happening. It made passengers incredibly uneasy, a source told The Sun.

The door was wide open for a significant time  enough for people to worry and comment. BA colleagues were so alarmed that the pilot was reported in the US and bosses had to suspend him, the source added.

What Happened to the Flight Schedule? With the pilot grounded, the return service from New York to London  scheduled to arrive in the UK capital on August 8  was cancelled. British Airways arranged alternative travel for passengers booked on the flight.

'Deer On the Runway

A video of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 striking multiple deer while landing at Kodiak Benny Benson State Airport went viral on social media last month, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The incident occurred as the aircraft descended onto the runway, where several deer were wandering across the tarmac. The clip, widely shared on X, ended with the plane coming to a halt after hitting more than two deer.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be in India for a two-day visit on August 18 and August 19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday.

The top Chinese official will be in India to hold the 24th round of talks on the India-China border talk with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who is New Delhi's Special Representative of the matter.

At the invitation of National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and Chinese Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Wang Yi will visit India on 18-19 August 2025. During his visit, he will hold the 24th round of the Special Representatives' (SR) Talks on the India-China boundary question with India's SR, NSA Shri Doval, the MEA said in a statement on the day.

EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar will hold a bilateral meeting with Mr. Wang Yi, it added.

Earlier in the day, China also confirmed its Foreign Minister's visit to India.

Wang, along with NSA Doval, heads the Special Representatives dialogue mechanism aimed at addressing the vexed border dispute spanning the 3,488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Also Read | Trump to hold off hiking China tariffs over Russia oil purchases

India-China relations improving? Wang Yi's visit to India comes days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tour to China where he will attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit from August 31.

India and China have been working to improve their relationship in recent months, marked by several significant developments.

High-level talks between the two countries have resumed, including meetings between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, later this month.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi to visit China on August 31 for SCO summit

Moreover, India and China have agreed to disengage and resume patrolling in the Depsang Plains and Demchok areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This move aims to reduce tensions and restore peace along the border.

Both the countries are bearing the heat of global trade and geopolitical turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz.
BRUSSELS, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Top European leaders on Saturday stressed that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected, following U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

In a joint statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and European Council President Antonio Costa said Trump had briefed them and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in the day on the Alaska talks.

The leaders urged further negotiations involving Zelensky, whom Trump is expected to meet soon.

In the statement, the leaders underlined that Ukraine must receive "ironclad security guarantees" to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They welcomed Trump's declaration that Washington was prepared to provide such guarantees, expressing readiness to work with Trump and Zelensky toward a trilateral summit "with European support."

"No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine's pathway to the EU and NATO," the statement said.

Reaffirming their support for Kiev, the leaders stressed that Ukraine alone must decide on its territory and that international borders "must not be changed by force."

The statement pledged continued support for Ukraine. As long as fighting continues, the leaders said, Europe will maintain pressure on Russia through strengthened sanctions and broader economic measures targeting its war economy.

Trump said Friday he had a "very productive meeting" with Putin in Alaska, noting that the two sides agreed on "many points" and made some progress, though no deal was reached. 
As the UK faces worsening drought conditions, environmental officials are calling on the public to take small steps to conserve water. Among the suggestions: delete old emails and unused photos. The reason, they explained, is that data centres which store this content require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.

What are the authorities saying? Helen Wakeham, Environment Agency Director of Water, said: The current situation is nationally significant, and we are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment. Simple, everyday choices, such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails, also really helps the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife.

Also read | How water crisis is becoming a major threat to India's surging economy

Which areas are most affected? Formal drought declarations have been issued in Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. Current reservoir levels have fallen to 67.7%, well below the usual 80.5% expected at this time of year.

How much water do data centres consume? According to a report in The Verge, Even small data centres can use more than 25 million litres of water annually if they rely on outdated cooling methods. In 2021, Googles data centre in Oregon used 355 million gallons  enough to fill over 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. With artificial intelligence driving demand for ever-larger facilities, experts warn water use will rise sharply.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met US President Donald Trump on Friday in Alaska to discuss a range of issues, including a ceasefire in Ukraine, which has been at war with its neighbour for over 3.5 years now.

The high-stakes meeting did not succeed as the leaders could not reach an agreement over the ceasefire. However, the videos emerging from the summit re-ignited a topic which has long been a subject of speculation across the globe: Putin and his 'army of six body doubles'.

On Friday, several netizens expressed their suspicion over Putin sending over one of his doubles to meet Trump. They pointed out that Putin, who usually expresses very little emotion from his expressions, seemed more animated in the videos from the summit.

However, this is not the first time such claims have been made about the Russian leader. Widespread memes and media reports have, over the years, claimed that Vladimir Putin has six body doubles, each performing a particular duty and having a distinct feature.

Around 2010, a meme went viral describing Putin's six doubles. The meme included different images of Putin as well as his alleged body doubles. It suggested that Babbler Putin is deployed for Direct Line shows, "Diplomat" Putin participates in negotiations, "Banquet" Putin is used "for interviews, handshakes, and photos with the public", "Kuchma" Putin can be seen with a "record-breaking chubby chin", and "Udmurt" Putin is used when "Babbler" "needs a vacation".

Russian journalist Oleg Kashin posted this again on Facebook in September 2016, making it more popular.

A netizen on Friday claimed that Jovial Putin had come to meet Trump in Alaska.

It's literally not even the real Putin. They didn't even send the good double, they sent Jovial Putin, the expendable one that usually just makes minor public appearances and went to visit Kim in NK, the user wrote on social media platform X.

It will emerge somewhat later that that wasn't even Putin in Alaska. The Russians did care enough to send their No. 1 Putin body double, but the body language is different. Trump couldn't tell, another user wrote.

Trump just realized Russia sent Putin's body double's body double, another one commented on a picture of the two leaders shaking hands.

"Rumours swirling! Was that really Putin in Alaska or his body double? Some even claim Trump wasnt the original at the #TrumpPutinMeeting. Conspiracy theories reaching new heights!" one user said.

Claims have also been made earlier that Putin has been increasingly using his body doubles due to his failing health.

Social media users also cited 2023 Japanese research, saying, Putin probably had at least one body double.

What does Kremlin say on body double claims? After reports of Putin falling sick and using his body double started surfacing during the Covid-19 pandemic re-emerged, the Kremlin in 2023 issued a statement to reject them.

Everything is fine with him, this is absolutely another fake, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when asked about an unsourced report by a Russian Telegram channel.

This belongs to the category of absurd information hoaxes that a whole series of media discuss with enviable tenacity. This evokes nothing but a smile, Peskov said.

Before that, in 2020, in an interview with TASS, Putin denied using body doubles but accepted that he had been offered the chance to use one in the past for security reasons.

"What double? I don't have doubles. Why do I need them?" he had said to another journalist in 2015.

Zelenskyy to meet Trump next week Following the Trump-Putin meet, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that he plans to meet Trump in Washington next week. Zelenskyy said that he held a long and substantive conversation with Trump on Saturday after the US leader met Putin in Alaska.

He thanked Trump for an invitation to meet in person in Washington on Monday and said they would discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war.
Donald Trump, following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, ruled out ceasefire to end the horrific Russia-Ukraine war, and said the way out will be a Peace Agreement between the two nations.

He said he had a great and very successful day in Alaska.

Trump met Putin in Alaska on Friday and talked for several hours and discussed the war in Ukraine in a meet that the White House described as Historic.

The US President said that he had a talk with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, Trump said.

Zelensky in White House on Monday Donald Trump also revealed that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky will be visiting the White House on Monday, August 18.

President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin, he said.

Through the Russia Ukraine peace deal, Trump said millions of peoples lives will be saved.

Earlier, Zelensky had also confirmed that he will be visiting the White House on Monday.

He said Trump had invited him on Saturday in a phone call that lasted more than an hour and a half. They were joined after an hour by European and NATO officials, he added.

On X, he said he and Trump would "discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war", adding: "I am grateful for the invitation."

Also Read | Trump-Putin summit ends with no ceasefire in Ukraine war

Zelensky had said that a three-way meeting between Putin, Trump and himself is key to put an end to the years-long war to an end.

In his statement after the summit, Putin did not signal any movement in Russia's maximalist position, saying it was necessary to eliminate the "root causes" of the war and address Moscow's "legitimate concerns".
India has welcomed the talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday that did not see an immediate ceasefire but paved way for a possible end to the war in Ukraine launched by Moscow.

India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The MEA said India appreciates the progress made during the Trump-Putin talks, urging diplomacy and dialogue to end the Russia-Ukraine war that has been going on for over three years.

India appreciates the progress made in the Summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine, it said.

Trump-Putin talks in Alaska US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at a military airbase in Alaska's Anchorage on Friday to discuss the Ukraine war but several hours of talks failed to bring a ceasefire.

Trump said that the only way to stop the war in Ukraine is to sign a peace deal rather than a mere ceasefire, which will not solve the problem.

He confirmed that he invited Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky for talks at the White House on Monday and if all went well, a possible trilateral meeting between the countries is in horizon.

Why does India care about Trump-Putin talks? While the Trump-Putin talks holds a global significance given the nature of the war in Ukraine, India has been closely watching the development given the tariff implication on it over its purchase of Russian oil.

Donald Trump had last month doubled India's tariffs to 50 per cent as penalty for purchasing Russian oil, and a potential peace deal would mean that the tariffs are reversed for New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken to Zelensky around the countries' bilateral cooperation and the overall diplomatic situation. The Ukrainian President revealed that PM Modi and he agreed to meet personally on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September and to work on an exchange of visits.

PM Narendra Modi, during his conversation with Zelensky, also discussed the sanctions on Russia, including limiting exports of Russian energy, the Ukrainian leader said.

Jaishankar speaks to UK's Lammy on Ukraine External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also posted on X on Saturday, saying that he had a conversation regarding Ukraine with UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The United Kingdom is part of the NATO, leaders of which spoke to Trump after the Alaska talks.

Appreciate the call from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Our discussions covered the recent Ukraine developments and other issues, Jaishankar said.

Modi thanks Zelensky on I-Day The growing relationship between India and Ukraine can also be seen as Zelensky wished India on its Independence Day on Friday and PM Modi thanked him.
Delhi: Sparks flew between Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday over NCERTs new Partition module, which squarely points fingers at the Grand Old Party, Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Indias last Viceroy, Lord Louis Mountbatten, holding them responsible for the partition.

While Congress fumed, demanding the module be scrappedand even burntthe BJP shot back, and said that the "Rahul-Jinnah" party was upset about the truth coming out.

1. What is NCERT's new Partition module? NCERT's new modules about the India's Partition  one for the middle stage (Classes 6-8) and another for the secondary stage (Classes 9-12)  were released in August to mark Partition Remembrance Day.

The material underscores that the Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan were by no means inevitable, attributing responsibility to Jinnah, who demanded it; the Congress, which accepted it; and Mountbatten, who formalised and implemented it, as per ANI.

The secondary stage module notes, "None of the Indian leaders had experience in running national or even provincial administration, the army, police, etc. Hence, they had no idea of the massive problems that would naturally arise... Otherwise, such haste would not have been made."

2. Congress slams NCERT Partition modules Congress leader Pawan Khera refuted the claims made in the book, further stating that the modules be burnt. He further went on to say that if history has the biggest villain, it is the RSS," claiming that India's partition was because of the collaboration between the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League.

3. What did BJP say? The BJP hit back at Congress for objecting to NCERTs new Partition module, accusing the opposition of being rattled because, as per him, the truth has been brought out.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia labelled the Congress as Rahul-Jinnah party and alleged that Rahul Gandhis worldview mirrors that of Pakistans founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, mentioned a report by news wire ANI.

4. Partition was not a normal incident Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) member secretary, Dr Om Jee Upadhyay in a video statement said, ..Partition was not a normal incident, but it is one of the most tragic incidents of history where 1.5 crore people were forced to cross boundaries...12-15 lakh people were brutally murdered..The new generation should know the truth so that they can learn from it and ensure that such incidents dont happen in the future...I do not think that there is any factual mistake in the modules and nobody has pointed out any factual mistakes," reported HT.

5. Partition of India Seventy-nine years ago, when Britain withdrew from the subcontinent, its colony, India, was split into two nationsIndia and Pakistan, with East Pakistan later emerging as Bangladesh.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to return to India on Sunday after his historic visit to the International Space Station (ISS). He is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later travel to his hometown Lucknow, reported news agency PTI.

He is expected to be back in the capital to participate in the National Space Day celebrations on August 22-23.

For the past one year, Shukla has been in the United States for the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS.

Also Read | Union Cabinet adopts resolution hailing Shubhanshu Shukla's space odyssey

Eager to return to India In a post on Instagram, Shukla posted a smiling photograph of himself sitting in an aeroplane.

Its caption read he was filled with mixed emotions as he left the US and could not wait to return to India to share his experiences with everyone back home.

"As I sit on the plane to come back to India, I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is -- everything all at once," Shukla said in the post.

Also Read | Let the countdown begin: NISAR is a splendid example of space collaboration

"Having received incredible love and support from everyone during and after the mission, I can't wait to come back to India to share my experiences with all of you. Goodbyes are hard but we need to keep moving in life. As my commander Peggy Whitson fondly says, 'the only constant in spaceflight is change'. I believe that applies to life as well," he added.

Shukla also said: "I guess at the end of the day -'Yun hi chala chal rahi - jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya'."

Shukla had embarked on the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS on June 25 from the US.

He and his backup astronaut Prashanth Nair participated in the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Consulate in Houston on Friday.

Modi during his Independence Day speech on Friday had said India was developing its own space station, as ISRO is eyeing its maiden human spaceflight in 2027.
SRINAGAR : For 12 years, Nisar Ahmad Dar, 30, has known every ripple and shadow of Kashmirs Wular Lake, navigating its waters from dawn to dusk to cast his nets in search of fish.

This summer, something unusual caught his eye: A scattering of lotus flowers with pale pink petals unfolding gently on the surface of one of Asias largest freshwater lakes, long choked by weeds, pollution, and neglect.

The sight stilled his oar. For Dar, the return of this fragile bloom was more than beauty, as it carried the promise of an economic lifeline for the communities bound to the lake.

Never before have I seen lotus plants in the lake," said Dar. Given the strong local demand for nadru, the edible lotus stem, this bloom could transform the fortunes of the fishing community."

Nadru is prized in domestic markets and is finding a growing base of international buyers. Before sale, the stems are meticulously sorted and tied into bundles, graded by length and thickness to ensure quality. A standard 2-kilogramme bunch typically sells for 250- 350, while top-grade bundles can command prices of up to 1,000- 1,200.

Also Read | How AI can weave a future for Kashmirs centuries old carpet industry

Lotus flowers (Nelumbo nucifera) are blossoming in Wular after almost 30 years. They vanished in September 1992, when a devastating flood swept across the Valley. Water from the Jhelum River surged into the lake, depositing heavy silt that smothered aquatic plants and crippled its fragile ecosystem. For decades, the sediment left the lake stagnant and barren.

For years, I thought the lotus had vanished from Wular," Dar told Mint, resting his oar on the side of his boat. But maybe they were just sleeping under the silt, waiting for the right moment to rise again. When I saw them in July, it felt like the lake was breathing differently, like it was alive in a way I had not seen in my lifetime."

Dar credited the sudden appearance of lotus plants in the lake to recent dredging by the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA). The desilting, he said, created conditions for the plants to make the lake their home again.

Six metres of silt were cleared from a patch, which turned the water grey temporarily. But soon after, lotus plants began to emerge naturally. Their growth purifies the water, improves the lakes ecological balance, and will eventually support the return of fish," added Nadeem Qadri, an environmental lawyer from Kashmir.

Similarly, Ovais Mir, project coordinator at the WUCMA, told Mint that the return of lotus to Wular Lake is the result of years of ecological restoration after decades of siltation had nearly wiped them out.

This is not only the result of government work but a clear example of how focused restoration can revive lost ecosystems. There were small patches where lotus grew earlier, usually in shallow areas that still had water, but the seeds were gradually disappearing due to heavy siltation and shrinking water zones," he explained.

Through our 2020 restoration programme, we identified critically silted areas and began dredging five square kilometres and more than 7.9 million cubic metres of silt have been removed from the lake so far," he added.

Anzar Khuroo, professor of botany at the University of Kashmir, described it as a promising ecological restoration effort and a success story for the regions wetland conservation management.

When people living in the catchment who depend on the lake begin to see direct economic returns, they are more likely to protect it. This form of participatory conservation, where livelihood and the lakes ecological health go hand in hand, is the most effective way to preserve a wetland like Wular," he said.

Kashmirs degrading lifeline

In the Kashmir valley, the lotus stem is more than just a vegetable. It is a prized culinary treasure. Revered in homes across the region, it's key ingredient for Wazwan, the elaborate and highly celebrated traditional feast prepared during weddings and festivals.

The fishermen say that nadru harvesting is a labour-intensive and culturally significant practice involving farmers diving neck-deep into the lakes waters to collect the lotus stems. They say the nadru grown in Wular is different in taste and colour from that grown in other lakes, including Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, and Anchar Lake.

Also Read | Rice is running out of ground in a warming Kashmir

The communities living along the banks of Wular Lake rely heavily on its resources, with fishing and the collection of water chestnuts, locally known as gaer, serving as their primary sources of income. However, the decline in fish populations, because of pollution, has cast a shadow over their livelihoods.

Abdul Aziz Malla, a 64-year-old fisherman, recalled that around 45 years ago, the lake was full of lotus plants and home to seven species of fish, with each fisherman catching about 50 kilogrammes of fish a day to sustain a livelihood. Today, only a single fish species remains, no lotus stems have been harvested in three decades, and daily catches have fallen to just 510 kilograms. Our Zurimanz village, locally known as Bangladesh', has about 250 households, and nearly everyone depends on the lake."

But the sighting of blooming lotus plants has sparked new hope for better sustenance and a more promising future for the lakes dependent residents.

Abdul Majeed, another young fisherman from Zurimanz, a village in North Kashmirs Bandipora district on the banks of Wular Lake, told Mint that harvesting lotus stems can not only boost fishermens incomes but also help keep the lake clean, as the plants require regular maintenance to thrive.

This is the first time in my life I have seen lotus plants growing here," said the 32-year-old. It is likely due to the desilting and dredging. For us, it is a signal. If we want these plants to return every year, we have to take care of the lake. That means keeping it clean, avoiding pollution, and treating it as our responsibility. Growing lotus is not just a livelihood. It is a commitment."

Wular Lake, located at the foothills of the Harmukh mountain range and spanning 130 square kilometres between Baramulla and Bandipora districts, has shrunk significantly over the past century. Official records and multiple studies show that the lakes open water surface area has reduced from approximately 89.6 square kilometres in 1911 to about 15.7 square kilometres by 2013.

This alarming shrinkage is driven primarily by silt deposition from floods, catchment degradation, conversion of lake area to agriculture and plantations, and pollution.

According to local fishermen, Wular Lake, 62 kilometres north of Srinagar, supplies nearly 54% of Kashmirs total fish production, yielding over 4,000 tonnes a year. Yet, despite its ecological and economic importance, it has long been neglected by the government.

Wular has everything. It draws tourists and sustains livelihoods for nearly 10,000 families who depend on it for fishing, water chestnut harvesting, and now lotus stems," said Ghulam Hassan, president of the Wular Fishermen Association. But pollution, mining, dam construction, and continued official neglect have pushed the lake to the edge. If dredging and restoration efforts are not carried forward, Wular will lose its sheen entirely within the next three years."

Wular Lake, a designated Ramsar wetland of international importance, is a key winter refuge for thousands of migratory birdsfrom the rare Siberian crane to mallards, pochards, teals, and gadwallsarriving from Siberia, Central Asia, and beyond.

Malla, whose only son, Amir Aziz Malla, also works on the lake, is now hoping for better days ahead. He believes the resurgence of lotus plants could boost fishermens incomes, helping them support their families and repay the loans they have taken from fish dealers.

Green economy boost

Khuroo also highlighted the broader implications of traditional nadru cultivation for Kashmirs green economy and called for possible replication of such efforts across the region. Traditional aquatic farming is quietly making a comeback, and nadru cultivation is emerging as a sustainable livelihood option. If (Wular is) managed well, this model can be extended to other wetlands," the professor said.

Mir said the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, is expected to release a comprehensive report in 2026 assessing Wulars water dynamics, ecosystem health, and the impact of dredging. We expect the report to show that about five square kilometres of the lake have recovered ecologically, enhancing its overall environmental health."

He explained that of the 130 square kilometres of recorded lake area, 27 square kilometres are critically silted land mass. Out of that, five square kilometres have been revived. With challenges and complex biodiversity dynamics remaining, empowering local communities and respecting their rights is essential for sustaining this progress."

Qadri said the real impact will be felt in the coming months as the harvest begins. By September, lakhs will flow into the local economy as fishermen harvest lotus stems for the first time in three decades. This marks a turning point for green livelihoods in the region."

The success of lotus stems in Wular also offers a valuable blueprint for broader green economy ambitions, showing how targeted investment in ecosystem restoration can generate tangible economic benefits, create green jobs, and empower local communities, Mir said.
Mumbai rains: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai on Sunday, with the neighbouring districts of Thane and Palghar also under an orange alert until at least August 19.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday evening announced that Tulsi Lake, one of the seven lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai, began overflowing at 6:45 pm. Water level in Mithi River also rose following incessant rainfall.

IndiGo, Akasa Air have issued travel advisories, urging passengers to allot enough time for travelling, advising to keep a tab on flight status.

The local trains were running a little late on the Central Railway route, but the authorities did not specify any reason for the delay.

Get all the Mumbai rains LIVE Updates here on Mint!
Following their high-profile meeting in Alaska to reach a deal on the Ukraine war, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his next meeting with US President Donald Trump could happen in Moscow.

Next time in Moscow, said Putin in English, signalling an openness to host future discussions in Russia. Trump responded with a confident soon, suggesting a follow-up meeting in the Russian capital.

"Next time in Moscow," Putin said in English as Trump said, I will probably see Putin again soon.

Trump is hoping that a truce in the ongoing 3-year war initiated by Vladimir Putin will not only pave the way for peace in the region but also enhance his image as a global peacemaker, potentially positioning him as a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize.

For Putin, the summit, his first with a US president since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, represents a significant victory in itself. Regardless of the outcome, he can present the meeting as proof that Western efforts to isolate Russia have failed and that Moscow is reasserting its place at the forefront of global diplomacy, AP reported.

Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. Russia denies the allegations, and the Kremlin has dismissed the ICC warrant as null and void. Russia and the United States are not members of the court.

Both Moscow and Kyiv deny targeting civilians in the war. But thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority Ukrainian, and the war has killed or injured well over a million people from both sides.

Trump has threatened sanctions on Moscow and secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil, primarily India and China, if no moves are made to end the war in Ukraine. Thus far, however, Trump has not followed through despite having set a deadline for Putin to agree to a ceasefire earlier this month.

The day before the summit, Putin held out the prospect of something Trump wants a new nuclear arms control agreement to replace the last surviving one, which is due to expire in February.

Where is Zelensky? Zelensky, who was not invited to Alaska, and his European allies had feared Trump might sell out Ukraine by essentially freezing the conflict and recognising - if only informally - Russian control over one-fifth of Ukraine.

Trump had sought to assuage such concerns on Friday ahead of the talks, saying he would let Ukraine decide on any possible territorial concessions.

"I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I'm here to get them to a table," he said.

Asked what would make the meeting a success, he told reporters: I want to see a ceasefire rapidly ... I'm not going to be happy if it's not today ... I want the killing to stop.
US President Donald Trump told his Ukranian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn't want ceasefire and instead prefers comprehensive agreement to end Russia-Ukraine war, Axios' Barak Ravid reported.

Zelensky is set to visit Washington on Monday after a lengthy call with Trump which lasted more than 90 minutes. The US president called him while he was returning to DC from Alaska following failed talks to reach a deal.

While on the call, Trump said, I think a fast peace deal is better than a ceasefire," according to a source whom Ravid cited.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders from Germany, Finland, Poland, Italy and Britain took part in the call in which Trump informed allies about the Alaska talks with Putin.

Zelensky stated that Ukraine backed Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the US and Russia. He also mentioned that he had discussed with Trump the positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security.

"Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this. On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war," Zelensky said.

He added, Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation. We support President Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia.

Zelensky stressed on the importance of European involvement at all stages to help ensure reliable security guarantees in coordination with the United States.

'No deal until there's a deal' Trump asserted that theres no deal until theres a deal" after Putin remarked that both leaders reached an understanding on Ukraine and cautioned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress.
SAO PAULO, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padilha on Friday called the U.S. government's decision to revoke tourist visas for his wife and 10-year-old daughter "cowardly," saying it was an attempt to intimidate those who refuse to bow to Washington.

According to Padilha, the move was part of U.S. sanctions over Brazil's continued prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest on charges of attempting a coup.

In an interview with GloboNews, Padilha said Bolsonaro's camp was behind the measure, mocking the idea that a 10-year-old could pose a threat to the United States.

Earlier this month, the U.S. administration imposed 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian goods, while pressing the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court to drop the Bolsonaro case.

Washington also revoked visas for several officials, including Supreme Court justices and two Health Ministry officials, over their involvement in the "More Doctors" program that brought Cuban physicians to underserved areas.

Brazilian Institutional Relations Minister Gleisi Hoffmann condemned the visa cancellations and defended Padilha's record, saying he and his team "saved lives, unlike Bolsonaro's actions during the pandemic." 
Heavy rain since early morning in Mumbai has paralysed the capital of Maharashtra, bringing residents to a standstill just as the city prepares to celebrate the festival of Janmashtami. The downpour has wreaked havoc in the western state, killing two people and injuring two others in a landslide-related incident in Vikhroli.

Visuals circulating on social media showed Dadar railway station submerged, with multiple roads waterlogged among other disruptions. Several people have taken to X to voice their frustration, with many calling it 'loudest thunder ever'

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri, while an orange alert has been announced for Nashik, Pune, Satara, Jalgaon and Gadchiroli.

Frustration Mounts as Residents Share Experiences on X A video shared by the X handle Mumbai Rains showed submerged roads as vehicles struggled to pass through.

Another user, Ghadge Aman, highlighted the plight of delivery workers: "Heavy rains in Mumbai, waterlogging everywhere. I just saw a Zomato delivery guy walking through it all to deliver food. The dedication is incredible  because of people like him, someone wont sleep hungry tonight. Hats off to our delivery heroes!"

Also Read | Attention flyers! SpiceJet issues advisory as heavy rains affect Mumbai

Social media user Priti Gandhi connected the rains with the arrival of Lord Krishna: "Its been pouring in Mumbai for the last two hours. It seems as if the midnight thunder & torrential rains are announcing the arrival of Lord Krishna!!

Everything in this world is temporary, but heavy rains on the auspicious Janmashtami is permanent!!"

A fourth user said: "Never seen this kind of rains in my entire life!!! On Western Express Highway."

Read | Is today a bank holiday in Mumbai

IMD Issues Red and Orange Alerts Across Maharashtra On Saturday morning, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced on X that the India Meteorological Department had issued a red alert for Mumbai, urging residents to remain indoors unless travel was essential.
After living for 3 years at Adelaide Cottage, the Prince and Princess of Wales are preparing to move to a new home with their family. According to The Sun, Princess Kate and Prince William, along with their 3 kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are shifting to a forest lodge. It is an 8-bedroom Georgian mansion which is situated in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire

Royal Familys new home in Windsor Kensington Palace confirmed the news to PEOPLE, saying, The Wales family will move house later this year.

This Grade II-listed property is valued at around 5.5 million ($7 million). This property is currently going under a 1.5 million ($1.9 million) restoration project. The main aim is to preserve the historic features of the property, including its Venetian windows, marble fireplaces, original stonework, and an impressive vaulted hallway ceiling.

The house will reportedly cost around 15,000 ($19,000) a month in rent, and as per The Sun, Prince William and Princess Kate are personally footing the bill for the restoration work.

A fresh start The couple is preparing to move out after they moved into Adelaide Cottage in 2022, where their kids attended Lambrook School nearby Ascot. The family has endured some very difficult years. Princess Kate underwent chemotherapy, King Charles faced his cancer diagnosis, and not long after they moved in, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II deeply affected them all.

Royal insiders told The Sunday Times earlier that the family finds more freedom and privacy outside of London, where their Kensington Palace base often feels restrictive. Their Norfolk country home, Anmer Hall, is also described as their happy place.

The new Windsor residence is expected to be a long-term base for the family, with many speculating they will remain at Forest Lodge even when Prince William becomes King.

FAQs 1. Why are Prince William and Kate Middleton shifting from Adelaide Cottage? They are shifting to Forest Lodge for more space and privacy

2. Where is their new home? Forest Lodge in Windsor
e'The Bengal Files' movie director Vivek Agnihotri slammed the West Bengal government, alleging total dictatorship, claiming that the trailer launch of his upcoming movie was stopped after a ruckus erupted over it in Kolkata on Saturday, August 16.

There is a word in English called dictator, and they are the most cowardly people in the world. When I announced The Bengal Files, the Chief Minister said on record that some people are making The Bengal Files and that it is propaganda, and that she will not allow it here. I think that there are two Constitutions in India, one for the country and one for West Bengal, but this is illegal, and I will fight against it, Vivek Agnihotri said while talking to PTI.

What happened at the trailer launch? Initially, the movie's trailer was scheduled to be launched in PVR INOX multiplex of Kolkata's Quest Mall. The screening was later shifted to ITC Royal Bengal after the multiplexes refused to go ahead with the screening.

Also Read | Vivek Agnihotri seeks blessings at Kalighat temple ahead of The Bengal Files trailer launch

Kolkata Police, however, halted the trailer launch at ITC Royal Bengal.

Kolkata Police stop the trailer launch of The Bengal Files

Actor Pallavi Joshi also alleged that the trailer launch was not allowed, stating that she absolutely did not like the way the film was stopped, reported news wire ANI.

What is the movie about? The Bengal Files movie explores the communal violence in undivided Bengal during the 1940s, including events like 1946 Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots of 1946, a Hindu genocide.

What did Vivek Agnihotri say? Vivek Agnihotri claimed that the multiplexes where the movie's trailer launch was planned, said that they can't do it because there is a lot of political pressure and if they do it, there will be a political turmoil.

Also Read | Vivek Agnihotri breaks silence on multiple FIRs filed against The Bengal Files

So we spoke to another multiplex, they also said that 'sorry sir', there is a lot of political pressure, we can't do it, The Bengal Files director told ANI.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described his high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska as frank, substantive and very useful, claiming the dialogue has brought Moscow and Washington closer to the necessary decisions on Ukraine.

Speaking in Moscow a day after the summit, Putin told senior officials that the talks with Trump represented a rare opportunity for both sides to revisit their positions in detail. We have not had direct negotiations of this kind at this level for a long time, he said. The conversation was very frank, substantive, and, in my opinion, brings us closer to the necessary decisions.

The Kremlin broadcast images of the meeting, framing the discussion as a timely and constructive step toward ending a war that has now raged for more than two years.

What did Trump and Putin discuss in Alaska? According to diplomatic sources, the Alaska talks centred on possible frameworks for a peace settlement. Trump later told reporters that Ukraine should make a deal with Russia, remarking: Russia is a very big power, and theyre not.

Reuters reported that Putin pressed for Ukraine to cede all of Donetsk  the industrial heartland long targeted by Moscow  in exchange for a freeze on most current front lines. This would represent a significant territorial concession by Kyiv, one that Ukrainian officials have consistently ruled out in public statements.

How did Ukraine respond? Trump held a subsequent briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, joined by several European leaders. A source familiar with the discussion said Trump outlined Putins proposal, suggesting the Kremlin might halt further advances if Donetsk were surrendered.

Zelensky has previously insisted that Ukraine will not agree to territorial concessions, arguing that any peace deal must be based on the full restoration of Ukraines sovereignty. The Ukrainian leader has not publicly commented on the reported details of the Alaska talks.

What security guarantees are being proposed? In an effort to reassure Kyiv, Washington has floated the idea of a NATO-style collective defence arrangement that would come into force in the event of a peace deal. According to Italys prime minister and other European diplomatic sources, the guarantee would not be a formal NATO Article 5 commitment, but a parallel mechanism designed to deter future Russian aggression.

As one of the security guarantees for Ukraine, the American side proposed a non-NATO Article 5 type guarantee, supposedly agreed with Putin, one diplomatic source told AFP. Such a framework could form the backbone of any Western-backed peace plan, though it remains unclear how it would be enforced or whether Kyiv would accept it.

Also Read | Trump adopts Putins preference for route to Ukraine peace after meeting in Alaska

Why does this matter now? Putins remarks suggest Moscow is open to exploring negotiations, though on terms still heavily weighted in Russias favour. Trumps insistence that Ukraine make a deal marks a notable departure from Washingtons traditional line, which has focused on arming Kyiv and pressing for Russian withdrawal.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky will head to Washington DC on Monday to discuss "ending the killing and the war" with US President Donald Trump, he announced Saturday.

Zelensky said so after holding a call with Trump, during which he said the US leader informed him about the main points of his talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

What did Zelensky say after Putin-Trump talks? Zelensky noted that he had, "We had a long and substantive conversation with Trump and the call lasted for more than an hour and a half.

"Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation," he said.

We support President Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this, Zelensky said.

On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation.It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America. We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping, he said on X.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavit, Trump had a lengthy call with Zelensky on the flight back to Washington after the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin yielded no ceasefire, AFP reported.

Trump also spoke with NATO leaders, Leavitt told reporters on Air Force One. The president disembarked from the plane at 2:45 am Saturday local time (0645 GMT) and did not respond to reporters' questions, AFP reported.

After the summit, at which Trump and Putin did not agree on a path to end Russia's invasion, the European leaders were holding their own telephone diplomacy session to debrief on the talks, the EU spokesperson added.

There had been unease among European leaders over Trump's outreach to Putin.

Putin, landing in Alaska, stepped onto Western soil for the first time since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

On Friday he offered to host Trump in Moscow, extending the apparent invitation during their press conference.

"Next time in Moscow," Putin told Trump in English after the US president said he would "probably see you again very soon."

"Oh, that's an interesting one," Trump responded. "I'll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening."
Ukraine President Volodymyr asserted that in his conversation with Donald Trump, he has clearly mentioned that all issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraines participation, and no issue, particularly territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine.



Zelensky made the comments on X, following what the White House called a lengthy call between the Ukraine President and POTUS while on his flight back to Washington DC after his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska's Anchorage on Friday.

During a press conference, Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said that a potential trilateral meeting between the three leaders  Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy was not raised during the high stakes discussions on Friday.

Also Read | Trump adopts Putins preference for route to Ukraine peace after meeting in Alaska

The topic has not been touched upon yet, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Ushakov as saying.

Zelensky's mention of the territorial swaps between Russia and Ukraine refer to Trump's suggestion about the same, when he claimed that the swap will end the fighting.

Trump on Russia-Ukraine territorial swaps Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Trump had repeatedly mentioned a land swap which, he had claimed, will help end the fighting. Therell be some land swapping going on, Trump told reporters earlier this week.

Russia currently controls 114,500 square km, which is over 19 per cent of Ukraine, including Crimea and a major chunk of territory in eastern and southeastern Ukraine, mentioned a Reuters report.

Ukraine, by contrast, holds almost no Russian territory. Although its forces made notable advances in Kursk between August and September last year, they were driven out of Russian soil by March this year, as per reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine. After the "historic" meeting, Putin said he wants the "root cause of the conflict" to be eliminated. Meanwhile, Trump said he and Putin didn't reach a deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine. "There's no deal until there's a deal," Trump said.

Also Read | Washington sues Donald Trump over Federal takeover of city police

Both Trump and Putin seemed to offer a vague account of the Alaska meeting that stretched for around two-and-a-half hours. Here are top 10 key takeaways from Alaska Summit and Putin-Trump press conference after Alaska summit:

1. Putin minced no words in acknowledging that the US-Russia relations fell to the "lowest point" since the Cold War. "Sooner or later, we had to amend the situation to move on from confrontation to dialogue...," he said.

2. Putin said that the meeting in Alaska wasnt just historic but "a necessity" after four difficult years of no bilateral meeting. He said the agreements reached today might just be the first step on the path to peace in Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

3. "We are sincerely interested to end conflict. But all root causes must be eliminated, and all of Russia's concerns must be taken into account ," Putin said in the joint press conference with Trump on Friday.

4. Putin said, "Todays agreements will help us restart pragmatic relations." He thanked Trump for his "friendly" tone and "results-oriented" approach.

5. Echoing Trump's remarks, Putin said he believes that the Ukraine conflict would not have happened if trump was president. Trump has maintained that the war in Ukraine, which began during Biden administration, would not have started had he be the President at the time.

6. Donald Trump said," There's no deal until there's a deal..." He said he had "an extremely productive meeting" with Putin and "many points were agreed to." But "there are just a very few that are left."

"Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said.

Also Read | Trump rules out tariffs on imported gold bars, eases market fears

President Donald Trump, right, Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.

7. 'Progress' but no Ukraine deal: Trump, however, contended that "we really made some great progress." He said, I believe we had a very productive meeting. There were many, many points that we agreed on... There's no deal until there's a deal.

8. Trump said nothing about the prospect of a trilateral summit between himself, Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he had said beforehand would be his ultimate objective. He did say he would get on the telephone with Zelensky.

I will call up NATO... I'll of course call up [Ukraine] President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting... We really made some great progress, he said.

Also Read | Trump rules out tariffs on imported gold bars, eases market fears

9. Trump and Putin didnt reach a ceasefire in Ukraine or peace agreement. But the ice is broken and more meetings are coming. Following their high-profile meeting in Alaska, Vladimir Putin invited US President Donald Trump to hold next roundof meeting in Moscow. As Trump mused about a second meeting, Putin smiled and said in English: "Next time in Moscow."
After around three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump advised Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to "make a deal" to end the war.

He told Fox News in an interview following the Alaska Summit on Friday, I think we are pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree, and maybe they will say no because Biden handed out money like it was candy and Europe gave them a lot of money."

Also Read | Zelensky to meet Donald Trump in Washington as soon as Monday: Report

When asked about his advice to Zelensky, Trump said: "Gotta make a deal. Yeah. Look, Russia is a very big power, and they're not. They're great soldiers."

Trump said his talks with Putin in Alaska were extensive.

We were together almost three hours, and it was very extensive... a lot of points we agreed on... Now, it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done... and if they'd like, I'll be at that next meeting, Trump said in the interview.

The US President said a lot of points were negotiated on behalf of Ukraine during his "historic" meeting with Putin. "As far as I'm concerned, there's no deal until there's a deal, but we did make a lot of progress," he added.

We had a very good meeting today but we'll see  you have to get a deal. We agreed on a lot of points. I want to see people stop dying in Ukraine... If we can end that war it would be very good, Trump said.

Also Read | Ukraine's Zelenskyy calls for limiting Russian oil purchases in talks with Modi

No deal in Trump-Putin Alaska talks Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Friday made no breakthrough on Ukraine at their high-stakes summit, pointing to areas of agreement and rekindling a friendship but offering no news on a ceasefire.

The friendly reception was a stark contrast to Trump's berating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when he met him at the White House in February.

During a joint press conference with Putin after talks, Trump said he would now consult Zelensky as well as NATO leaders, who have voiced unease about the US leader's outreach to Putin.

"Now it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done," Trump said in Fox News interview after the summit.

Meanwhile, Putin warned Ukraine and European countries to "not create any obstacles" and not "make attempts to disrupt this emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigues."
United States President Donald Trump said on Friday, August 15, that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to stop seeing people being killed, but they did not reach an agreement on one of the most significant aspect of their meeting in Alaska.

Addressing a joint press conference in Anchorage, Alaska after their summit, Trump said, Putin wants to stop seeing people be killed. Many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin met for about 2 1/2 half hours on Friday at a summit in Alaska that started with a handshake, a smile and a ride in the presidential limousine.

Donald Trump also said that he would start dialing European leaders and Ukraine's Zelensky soon.

I will start making phone calls. I will call up Zelensky and NATO. It is ultimately up to them to agree, Trump said. Also Read | Show of force? All about American B-2 bombers, F-35 jets that caught Russian President's attention

WHAT PUTIN SAID Russian President Vladimir Putin struck a conciliatory tone after his meeting with US President Donald Trump, praising Trumps cooperation and friendly tone during the summit and agreeing that Ukraines security must be ensured.

He said Moscow sees Trumps desire to understand the essence of the conflict and argued the war would not have happened if Trump was president.

"I think this conflict would not have happened if Trump had been president. We expect that Ukraine and Europe will not try to sabotage the talks. We are sincerely interested in ending the conflict. But all root causes must be eliminated, and all of Russias concerns must be taken into account.
ANCHORAGE, AlaskaPresident Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin ended their highly anticipated meeting here without announcing a breakthrough, leaving the path toward ending the war in Ukraine unclear.

At the end of the over three-hour meeting, the two men offered few details about their talks. Theres no deal until there is a deal," Trump told reporters at a news conference following the close of the summit. The typically talkative U.S. president took no questions from the dozens of reporters assembled before him. The president said the delegations made progress on key issues, but added, We havent quite got there."

Trump said he would call members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. We will probably see you again very soon," Trump told Putin. The Russian president interjected and offered that their next meeting could take place in Moscow. Trump responded, I can see it possibly happening."

Trump had come into the summit seeking Putins agreement on a cease-fire in Ukraine. But Putin in his remarks gave no indication he was prepared to agree to that demand, repeating that Moscow wanted the root causes of the 3 year conflict addresseda term that refers to Moscows demands for demilitarizing Kyiv and blocking its hopes for membership in NATO.

In contrast to the handshakes and smiles that characterized the start of their meeting on the tarmac on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Putin and Trump looked stone-faced during much of the news conference. Putin spoke for roughly eight minutes. Trump then spoke for three minutes, before leaving the room.

Even before the meeting officially began, Putin, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. and largely snubbed on the world stage, racked up a series of symbolic wins.

Trump waited onboard Air Force One for 30 minutes before the Russian presidents plane touched down. The U.S. president greeted his Russian counterpart warmly, applauding as he walked down a red carpet and shook his hand. After posing for photos, both men got into the U.S. presidents armored limousine, known as the Beast, giving Putin the one-on-one time with Trump that some of the American presidents advisers sought to avoid.

Photographers caught the Russian leader smiling as he sat next to Trump in the limo. While it isnt unusual for an American president to invite a foreign leader for an intimate ride in the presidents motorcade, the privilege comes after Putin has repeatedly thumbed his nose at Trumps repeated calls to stop the violence in Ukraine.

Trumps earlier reception of Putin was markedly different from the way the U.S. president treated Zelensky during a February visit to the Oval Office. Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated the Ukrainian president for not, in their view, showing sufficient gratitude for U.S. support in the war with Russia. Relations between Trump and Zelensky have subsequently improved.

But Trump, a former reality-television star who focuses intently on stage-managing his public events, also sent a message to Putin about Americas military might. Trump and Putin walked down a red carpet flanked on either side by F-22 stealth fighters and, as the two leaders stepped onto a riser with the words ALASKA 2025," a nuclear-capable B-2 bomber and four F-35 jet fighters roared overhead. As the meeting was in progress, Russian military forces launched new attacks targeting Ukraines eastern regions, according to the Ukrainian air force.

Securing a face-to-face meeting with Trump is a win for Putin, analysts said. The fact that the meeting took place in Alaska, which Russia sold to the U.S. in 1867, is an bonus for the Russian leader.

Its a Russian revisionist dream come true," said Celeste Wallander, a senior Pentagon official in the Biden administration.

The Russian Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram that the meeting signaled to the media a shift in relations between Moscow and Washington. For three years, they have been reporting that Russia is in isolation, and today they saw the red carpet, laid to greet the Russian president in the United States," she wrote.

Trump has expressed frustration with Putin in recent months after once claiming his strong relationship with the Russian president could lead to a resolution of the war in just a day.

In the days leading up to the summit, Trump played down the prospects for a breakthrough, calling his first face-to-face meeting with Putin in six years a feel-out meeting." He didnt rule out the possibility the talks could fail and he said he was prepared to walk away entirely if Putin refused to work toward peace.

Trump said he hoped Fridays meeting would lay the groundwork for a second meeting in the near future in which Putin would negotiate directly with Zelensky toward a cease-fire. But in the hours before the summit, Trump upped the stakes, telling Fox News that he wouldnt be happy if Putin didnt agree to a cease-fire at the meeting.

The summit was initially set to begin with a one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin, but it was expanded to include top advisers from each delegation at the U.S. presidents request. Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff represented the American delegation, while Putin was joined by Yuri Ushakov, his longtime foreign-policy adviser, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

While Trump and Putin have spoken several times in the last six months, the meeting in Anchorage was the first time they met in person since the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan, in 2019.

Russian officials indicated that Putin wanted to push a spectrum of bilateral issues onto the negotiating table, likely in an attempt to water down talks about Ukraine, decouple the conflict from U.S.-Russia ties and avoid the threat of sanctions from the Trump White House.

The absence of any binding steps for the Russian side to follow out of the meeting could give Putin a chance to continue prosecuting his war in Ukraine, where Russian troops are gaining crucial footholds in eastern Ukraine, while avoiding any new sanctions on Russian oil.

Putins broader goal of trying to put Russia on an equal footing with the U.S., however, was already achieved just by clinching the meeting, particularly on U.S. territory.

This meeting elevates Russia in some ways to an equal status to the United States, which is what he has craved," said Heather Conley, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former top State Department official on European affairs.

Kremlin loyal media had suggested the meeting would carry echoes of the 1945 Yalta Conference in which the U.S. and the Soviet Union managed to carve up Europe into spheres of influence, a scenario Putin would be eager to repeat with Trump.

Putin is unlikely to be deterred from his ultimate goal of conquering Ukraine militarily or politically to re-establish the Russian sphere of influence in Europe which Moscow lost with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Putin is primarily carrying out this war to end the post Cold War order, that is to return Russia to its place as a great power in the classic sense, with its sphere of influence and the right to establish its own conditions there," said Ruslan Pukhov, founder of Moscow-based defense think tank Center for the Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.

Conflict negotiation is usually a drawn-out process that involves detailed timetables, confidence-building measures and verification over months and years. But little of that is expected to be hammered out in a matter of several hours, leaving the rapid cease-fire agreement that Trump wants an open question.

The big question is whether any of this is enough for Trump," said Samuel Charap, a veteran Russia watcher and senior political scientist at Rand Corporation. He wants an immediate cease-fire, and thats highly unlikely."

Write to Lara Seligman at lara.seligman@wsj.com, Meridith McGraw at Meridith.McGraw@WSJ.com and Thomas Grove at thomas.grove@wsj.com
TOKYO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Japan bears a moral responsibility to truthfully pass down the history of its wartime aggression, and failing to do so is itself a form of wrongdoing, warned Professor Emeritus Atsushi Koketsu of Yamaguchi University in a recent interview on the Tokyo Trials.

On Aug. 15, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender. In 1946, the Allied Forces established the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo. From its opening in May 1946 until its verdict in November 1948, the tribunal known as the Tokyo Trials held over 800 court sessions, prosecuting 28 Class-A war criminals.

"The reason the trial lasted so long was, first, because Japan's responsibility for aggression was extremely grave; second, the number of those responsible for war crimes was very large; and moreover, Japan had set up many concentration camps in Southeast Asia, subjecting local people to brutal abuse," Koketsu said.

He emphasized the trials' historic significance in establishing post-war international order alongside the Nuremberg Trials, but because the verdicts were not fully enforced, Japanese society, especially the younger generation, suffers from a serious lack of historical awareness.

Political shifts during the Cold War allowed convicted Class-A war criminals, such as former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, to return to power, shaping post-war politics, he noted.

Japan's post-war political system was, in part, established by those who had once waged aggressive war, the scholar observed, noting that their influence continues to this day.

The impact is also evident in the handling of historical sites related to the trials. Today, traces of the Tokyo Trials are hard to find. The original court site is now inside the Ministry of Defense with restricted access, and the former Sugamo Prison site, where war criminals were held, has become a commercial complex with almost no signs reflecting the responsibility for aggression.

Education, he argued, has also failed to ensure that younger generations understand events such as the Nanjing Massacre, fostering indifference to Japan's responsibility for the war.

"Many Japanese think, 'I wasn't born during the war, so it has nothing to do with me,' but I often tell my students that although you weren't born then, you have a responsibility to pass down the history of the war; otherwise, it is also a form of guilt," he said.

As a scholar engaged in history education for many years, Koketsu criticized Japanese society for long emphasizing its own suffering while rarely tracing the roots of these disasters.

"Regarding the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Tokyo air raids, Japanese society repeatedly calls for such disasters never to be repeated. But the question is, why did these disasters happen? Few people will voluntarily say it was because Japan launched a war of aggression," he stressed.

Without being a perpetrator, there would be no victimization. If the Japanese cannot seriously reflect on their responsibility for aggression, it will be impossible to build genuine peace, he added.

The scholar warned that as the wartime generation passes away, memories of aggression will fade faster, increasing the risk of repeating past mistakes.

"Japan must face and reflect on its history of aggression, transforming painful lessons into a force for peace," he said. "Otherwise, regional distrust will persist, and history could repeat itself." 
After productive talks with Putin in Alaska which could not reach the deal on ending the Ukraine conflict, President Donald Trump said he will not have to mull about imposing retaliatory tariffs on countries like India and China procuring Russian oil; however, he might have to in two or three weeks.

"Well, because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that," Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. He added, "Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now. I think, you know, the meeting went very well."

"Trump last week slapped an extra 25% tariff on Indian goods due to its continued imports of Russian oil. It was "extremely unfortunate" and that New Delhi will take all required actions to protect its national interests, India's foreign ministry responded. Though, he has not taken similar action against China. The US lowered its tariffs to 30% while China reduced to 10% in a truce expiring in November.

Russia lost an oil client - India According to Fox News, Trump had said that Russia lost an oil client - India", mentioning that if he slapped secondary sanctions, it would be devastating for Russia. If I have to do it, I'll do it, may be I won't have to do it, Trump stated.

Trump's latest comments on retaliatory tariffs come after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the country could raise the secondary tariffs on India if "things don't go well" in the meeting between the President and Putin in Alaska.

Also Read | Trump to hold off hiking China tariffs over Russia oil purchases

We've put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up, Bloomberg quoted Besssent as saying.
The American Eagle Outfitters Inc. Sydney Sweeney Good Jeans controversy happened in late July  a lifetime ago in internet terms  but here we are, halfway through August, and people are still talking about it. One of the latest references happened last Friday, when Dr. Phil, outraged that liberals found fault with the ad, announced plans to buy American Eagle blue jeans for every woman in his family.It's easy to read this episode as yet more evidence of our degraded civic discourse. But what if this is merely the latest front in the decades-long battle over the meaning of blue jeans? Theyre part of our common culture, yes, but they have a long history of triggering one group or another  the inevitable consequence of the fact that so many groups think that this most ubiquitous and recognizable article of clothing belongs to them.

One mans name is inseparable from the birth of blue jeans: Levi Strauss. In 1873, one of his customers  a tailor named Jacob Davis, based in a mining town in Nevada  approached him with a proposition.

Davis explained that he had been making tough trousers out of denim that he had purchased from Strauss. These pants, reinforced with metal rivets, had proven popular with miners, and Davis wanted Strauss to help him build the business. The two men secured a patent for the design , soon founding a company to sell the pants and hawking them to miners and cowboys who wanted clothing that could handle wear and tear.Other companies got into the business, too, and over the next half century, blue jeans  then known as waist overalls  became popular across a broad swath of the nations working class.

Look at the iconic photographs of working Americans taken during the Great Depression, and one thing stands out: virtually everyone wore blue jeans, along with their close cousins, denim coveralls and overalls. It was the uniform of the masses  the ordinary people who worked in factories and on farms. And had it remained that way, there would be no occasion for this column.

That same decade, though, witnessed another trend that proved a harbinger of things to come: the cultural appropriation of blue jeans as a fashion statement. The first offenders were affluent Americans who began visiting so-called dude ranches out West. Hanging out with cowboys and other authentic Americans led to a fashion fad focused on Dude Ranch Duds, with Levi Strauss & Co. in the lead. The company even launched the first blue jeans for women in 1934: Lady Levis.

In the process, blue jeans went from being a functional item of clothing associated with working-class Americans to something far more malleable: a literal canvas by which wearers broadcast their identity.

And broadcast they did. Jeans became ubiquitous thanks to Marlon Brando. Long before he became a household name, Brando refused to abide by the dress codes that aspiring actors followed. During what might be called his Blue  or Blue Jean  Period, Brando went everywhere in such clothes, reported the Washington Post in a breathless profile of the star. Receptionists and gatekeepers at talent agencies and in Hollywood mistook him for a man who had come to repair a broken pipe or wash the windows.

Brando translated his own style onto the screen, beginning with The Wild One, where he played the jean-wearing leader of a biker gang that takes over a small town. White middle-class high schoolers and college students loved the look and immediately adopted it as their own.

Their elders were not amused.

In 1957, the New York Times informed readers that blue jeans, formerly a wholesome bit of clothing, had gotten a bad rep. Ever since the motorcycle boys started wearing blue jeans in anything but a neat manner, many schools over the country have banned this attire from the classroom, the paper reported.

By the 1960s, the transgressive power of jeans exploded, particularly after they became the uniform of the youthful tribes that made up the counterculture. Vietnam War protesters wore jeans embroidered with peace signs, while feminists wore jeans, not skirts, to claim equal rights. Civil Rights protesters embraced the look because it mirrored denim worn by enslaved people and sharecroppers  a subtle suggestion that not much had changed in the segregated South.

From there, the jean wars only intensified. On the one side, bell bottoms became the signature look of 1970s radicals. By 1980, jeans had slimmed, but were associated in some circles with declining morals. That year, a then 15-year-old Brooke Shields appeared in a series of highly sexualized ads for Calvin Klein jeans that social conservatives decried.

At the same time, a conservative counterrevolution began reclaiming jeans for themselves. After Ronald Reagan became president, he broadcast an image of himself as a rancher at heart who was happiest wearing his beloved blue jeans. George W. Bush took the same look and ran with it when he was president, helping reclaim jeans for conservatives.

As the Sydney Sweeney jeans controversy gradually fades from the spotlight  at least as much as it can in todays hostile political climate, where its bound to resurface from time to time  its worth remembering that dust-ups surrounding denim are far from unprecedented. And in an era in America when so little feels familiar, perhaps that sense of deja vu can be a guide for navigating similar culture wars.

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.

Stephen Mihm, a professor of history at the University of Georgia, is coauthor of Crisis Economics: A Crash Course in the Future of Finance.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Election Commission said it will explain the Special Intensive Revision exercise ongoing in Bihar on Sunday, August 17, as LoP Rahul Gandhi begins his Voter Adhikar Yatra.

The poll body will hold a press conference at National Media Centre, Raisina Road, New Delhi, tomorrow.

Vote Adhikar Yatra The Vote Adhikar Yatra will begin with a mega launch rally in Sasaram on August 17, and will pass through Gaya, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Pashchim Champaran, endin in Arrah on August 30, Congress MP KC Venugopal had posted on X.

Also Read | Tejashwi Yadav says EC helping BJP leaders with 2 voter cards in Bihar

On September 1, a Mega Voter Adhikar Rally will be held at Patna, as part of the Yatra, said the Congress leader.

Vote Chori Row The Vote Adhikar Yatra comes amid the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar and Congress' allegations of vote theft by the ruling party, which the party claimed the poll body has failed to address.

This is not just an election issue - it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the constitution, and the principle of 'one man, one vote.' We will ensure a clean voter list across the entire country, Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X, mentioning the Yatra.

Vote Chori Row  What has happened so far Last week, Rahul Gandhi cited data from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to claim that over 1 lakh votes were "stolen" through five types of manipulation in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment of the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka.

In response to Rahul Gandhi's claims, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of at least three states, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Haryana, asked the Leader of the Opposition to submit a signed declaration with the names of ineligible persons included in voter lists and eligible voters who were excluded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said hell travel to Washington to meet with US counterpart Donald Trump on Monday to discuss the end of Russias invasion, as he and European allies push for a trilateral summit with Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine once again confirms that it is ready to work productively to achieve peace, Zelenskiy said in a social media post after a call with Trump on Saturday, as the US president returned to Washington from a meeting with Putin in Alaska.

We support President Trumps proposal to hold a trilateral meeting of Ukraine-US-Russia. Zelenskiy also reiterated that Europe should be part of the talks.

Zelenskiy and European leaders spoke with Trump as the US president returned to Washington from talks in Alaska on Friday with the Russian president that failed to deliver a path to end the war, currently in its fourth year. Still, Trump called his meeting with Putin productive and said he would tell Zelenskiy to make a deal.

Trump said on the call that while its up to Ukraine to decide on what to do with its territory, Putins stance hasnt changed  he still wants Kyiv to cede control of the entire Donbas region in Ukraines east, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition on anonymity.

Zelenskiy has repeatedly ruled out giving up all of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Moscows forces only partially control and have so far failed to take militarily. Russia would halt advancing its claims over the parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson region it doesnt now control, effectively freezing the battle-lines there.

Trumps main goal, as conveyed on the call, is to achieve a quick peace deal rather than a ceasefire, the person said.

European officials welcomed Trumps efforts during their phone conversation with the US president. They also reiterated their call for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy, according to people familiar with the discussion.

The topic of holding a trilateral summit hasnt been raised during the summit in Alaska, Russias state TV channel Vesti reported on Saturday, citing Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

European leaders again said that it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory, and that the current line of contact must be the starting point of negotiations.

In their call with Trump, which lasted over an hour, they reaffirmed Ukraines need for robust security guarantees and pledged continued military assistance.

Some European officials are concerned that Trump will now pressure Zelenskiy to make territorial concessions to reach a deal, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

In an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity after the Alaskan summit, Trump said that there were a few sticking points remaining after his discussion with Putin, even as he cautioned that the two hadnt reached a deal, and shifted his focus to Zelenskiy, saying it was up to him to resolve the war.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Air Force said on Telegram Saturday morning that Russia launched 85 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukrainian territory overnight, underscoring Moscows intention to press on with the war. On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes, Zelenskiy said on X.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, said on Telegram that Fridays Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska showed that negotiations are possible even as the fighting continues.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet Donald Trump on Monday as he and European allies push for a trilateral summit with Vladimir Putin despite signs the Russian leader isnt open to concessions to end the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace, Zelenskiy said in a social media post after a call with Trump on Saturday. Trump confirmed the Ukrainian presidents visit to Washington in a Truth Social post, and said a meeting with Putin and Zelenskiy could be scheduled if all works out.

Zelenskiy and European leaders spoke with Trump as the US president flew back from Fridays talks in Alaska with Putin that failed to deliver a path to end the war, currently halfway through its fourth year. Still, Trump called his meeting productive, and signaled he would tell Zelenskiy to make a deal.

Trump said on the call that while its up to Ukraine to decide on what to do with its territory, Putins stance hasnt changed  he still wants Kyiv to cede control of the entire Donbas region in Ukraines east, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition on anonymity.

Zelenskiy has repeatedly ruled out giving up all of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Moscows forces only partially control and have so far failed to take militarily. Russia would halt advancing its claims over the parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson region it doesnt now control, effectively freezing the battle-lines there, the people said.

Trump told the leaders that he was prepared to contribute to guaranteeing Ukraines security as long as it didnt involve NATO, they added. The president suggested Putin would be OK with that, the people said.

The US president said in the post that his meeting with Putin and the call with Zelenskiy both went very well. Trump wrote that it was determined by all that the best way to end the war was to achieve a peace agreement and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement.

The statement comes after Trump said previously that a ceasefire would be his key demand of Putin at the summit. He also threatened to walk out of the meeting and to impose new tough punitive measures if it wasnt met.

Uneasy Relationship

Mondays visit to the White House raises the stakes for Zelenskiy, whos had an uneasy relationship with Trump. His last visit in the Oval Office in February descended in a shouting match between the two leaders and briefly led to the US pausing military aid to Ukraine, which undercut the countrys fighting capabilities.

Trump and Zelenskiy have since met repeatedly, including at the NATO leaders summit in Hague and at the Vatican, and patched up their ties.

European officials welcomed Trumps efforts during their call with the US president. They also reiterated the need for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy in a statement released on Saturday. That statement made no mention of earlier demands for an immediate ceasefire as a first step toward negotiations.

The topic of a trilateral summit wasnt raised in Alaska, Russias state TV channel Vesti reported on Saturday, citing Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

European leaders also said that it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force, according to the statement, signed by the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Finland, Poland the UK and the president of the European Commission.

Some European officials are concerned that Trump will now pressure Zelenskiy to make territorial concessions to reach a deal, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

President Trumps resolve to get a peace deal is vital, said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. But the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon.

Putin continues to drag out negotiations and left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing, Kallas said.

In an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity after the Alaskan summit, Trump said that there were a few sticking points remaining after his discussion with Putin, even as he cautioned that the two hadnt reached a deal, and shifted his focus to Zelenskiy, saying it was up to him to resolve the war.

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and no limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries, the statement from European leaders said. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and NATO.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Air Force said on Telegram Saturday morning that Russia launched 85 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukrainian territory overnight, underscoring Moscows intention to press on with the war. On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes, Zelenskiy said on X.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, said on Telegram that Fridays Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska showed that negotiations are possible even as the fighting continues.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Donald Trump will host President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Washington on Monday after the US president abandoned his push for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and Vladimir Putin again insisted that Kyiv give up land in peace talks.

Trump told the Ukrainian president and European leaders in a call that Putin wants Kyiv to cede control of the entire Donbas region in Ukraines east, renewing his longstanding demand, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition on anonymity.

They spoke as Trump flew back from Fridays high-profile summit with Putin in Alaska, which failed to deliver a path to end the war, currently in its fourth year. Trump called his meeting productive, then signaled he would tell Zelenskiy to make a deal, piling more pressure on the Ukrainian leader.

After the Alaska summit, several senior European diplomats expressed angst over the outcome, noting Putin appeared to have gained the most from the meeting. They pointed to Putins symbolic win for securing an invitation to the US and the Russian leader apparently prevailing on Trump to shift focus to an overarching peace settlement without seeking an immediate ceasefire.

European allies from the so-called coalition of the willing countries that pledged support to Kyiv will hold a video call on Sunday, France said on Saturday. Some European leaders may also join Zelenskiy in person for his meeting with Trump on Monday, said one of the people.

Zelenskiy has repeatedly ruled out giving up all of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Moscows forces only partially control and have so far failed to take militarily. Russia would halt advancing its claims over the parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson region it doesnt now control, effectively freezing the battle-lines there, the people said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday voiced his doubts about the Russian leaders intentions about ending the war in Ukraine. Putin has promised a lot so far, signed many agreements. I dont believe it so easily. But at least, its the beginning of a conversation, Merz said in an interview with RTL/ntv.

Trump told European leaders that he was prepared to contribute to guaranteeing Ukraines security as long as it didnt involve NATO, they added. The president suggested Putin would be OK with that, the people said.

Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace, Zelenskiy said in a social media post after a call with Trump on Saturday. Trump confirmed the Ukrainian presidents visit to Washington in a Truth Social post, and said a meeting with Putin and Zelenskiy could be scheduled if all works out.

The US president said in the post that his meeting with Putin and the call with Zelenskiy both went very well. It was determined by all that the best way to end the war was to achieve a peace agreement and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, he wrote.

The statement comes after Trump said previously that a ceasefire would be his key demand of Putin at the summit. He also threatened to walk out of the meeting and to impose new tough punitive measures if it wasnt met. Trump signaled on Friday he wasnt in a rush to implement fresh penalties on Russias trading partners.

Uneasy Relationship

Mondays visit to the White House will be a pivotal moment for Zelenskiy, whos had an uneasy relationship with Trump. His last visit in the Oval Office in February descended in a shouting match between the two leaders and briefly led to the US pausing military aid to Ukraine, which undercut the countrys fighting capabilities.

Trump and Zelenskiy have since met repeatedly, including at the NATO leaders summit in Hague and at the Vatican, and patched up their ties.

European officials welcomed Trumps efforts during their call with the US president. They also reiterated the need for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy in a statement released on Saturday. That statement made no mention of earlier demands for an immediate ceasefire as a first step toward negotiations.

The topic of a trilateral summit wasnt raised in Alaska, Russias state TV channel Vesti reported on Saturday, citing Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

European leaders also said that it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force, according to the statement, signed by the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Finland, Poland the UK and the president of the European Commission.

Some European officials are concerned that Trump will now pressure Zelenskiy to make territorial concessions to reach a deal, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

President Trumps resolve to get a peace deal is vital, said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. But the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon.

Putin continues to drag out negotiations and left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing, Kallas said.

In an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity after the Alaskan summit, Trump said that there were a few sticking points remaining after his discussion with Putin, even as he cautioned that the two hadnt reached a deal, and shifted his focus to Zelenskiy, saying it was up to him to resolve the war.

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and no limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries, the statement from European leaders said. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and NATO.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Air Force said on Telegram Saturday morning that Russia launched 85 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukrainian territory overnight, underscoring Moscows intention to press on with the war.

We anticipate that in the coming days the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in order to create more favorable political circumstances for talks with global actors, Zelenskiy said on X.

With assistance from Natalia Drozdiak, Stephan Kahl, Arne Delfs and Ros Krasny.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
The fate of Donald Trumps push to stop the fighting in Ukraine will be tested again as Volodymyr Zelenskiy prepares to respond to the US presidents shifting demands following mixed signals from the Russia-US summit in Alaska.

Trump will host the Ukrainian president at the White House on Monday in their first Oval Office encounter since a public spat in February. The new encounter will test the outcome of Fridays still-secretive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Trump abandoned his push for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and Putin insisted that Kyiv give up land.

Trump told Zelenskiy and European leaders in a phone call that Putin wants Ukraine to cede control of the entire Donbas region in Ukraines east, renewing his longstanding demand, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition on anonymity.

Zelenskiy has previously said that Ukraine wont give up territory and Putin has broken ceasefires before.

The European leaders spoke with Trump as he flew back from Alaska, a meeting which failed to uncover a path to end the war, currently in its fourth year. Trump called his meeting productive, then also signaled he would tell Zelenskiy to make a deal, piling more pressure on the Ukrainian leader.

Several senior European diplomats expressed angst over the outcome soon after they got word of the details, noting Putin appeared to have gained the most. They pointed to Putins symbolic win for securing an invitation to the US and the Russian leader apparently prevailing on Trump to shift focus to an overarching peace settlement without an immediate ceasefire.

European allies from the so-called coalition-of-the-willing countries that pledged support to Kyiv will hold a video call on Sunday, France said on Saturday. Some European leaders may also join Zelenskiy in person for his meeting with Trump on Monday, said one of the people.

Trumps White House stayed deliberately tight-lipped on Saturday after the presidents return to Washington, declining to further detail the talks, his plans or what hed discuss with Zelenskiy.

Zelenskiy has repeatedly ruled out giving up all of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Moscows forces only partially control and have so far failed to take militarily. Russia would halt advancing its claims over the parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson region it doesnt now control, effectively freezing the battle lines there, the people said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday voiced his doubts about the Russian leaders intentions. Putin has promised a lot so far, signed many agreements. I dont believe it so easily. But at least, its the beginning of a conversation, Merz said in an interview with RTL/ntv.

Trump told European leaders that he was prepared to contribute to guaranteeing Ukraines security as long as it didnt involve NATO, they added. The president suggested Putin would be OK with that, the people said.

Ready to Work

Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace, Zelenskiy said in a social media post after a call with Trump on Saturday. Trump confirmed the Ukrainian presidents visit to Washington in a Truth Social post, and said a meeting with Putin and Zelenskiy could be scheduled if all works out.

The US president said in the post that his meeting with Putin and the call with Zelenskiy both went very well.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the war was to achieve a peace agreement and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, he wrote.

Trump had said going into the summit that a ceasefire would be his key demand. He also threatened to walk out of the meeting and to impose new tough punitive measures if it wasnt met. Trump signaled on Friday he wasnt in a rush to implement fresh penalties on Russias trading partners.

This is just not Trumps forte, said Charles Lichfield, deputy director of the Atlantic Councils GeoEconomics Center in Washington. Hes not shaping the discussion, hes not setting the themes, and hes used to being in control, and this was him hosting, and yet we come out of it with him looking less in control. So it seems to be a bit of a failure to me.

Still, he said, Europe has no choice but to deal with Trump as the broker. Hes the one who has the most direct line to Putin, Lichfield said. I think the Ukrainians and Europeans are doomed to have to work through Trump.

Uneasy Relationship

Mondays visit to the White House will be a pivotal moment for Zelenskiy, whos had an uneasy relationship with Trump. His last visit in the Oval Office in February ended in a shouting match between the two leaders and led to the US briefly pausing military aid to Ukraine.

Trump and Zelenskiy have since patched up their ties.

European officials welcomed Trumps efforts but also reiterated the need for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy in a statement released on Saturday. That statement made no mention of earlier demands for an immediate ceasefire as a first step toward negotiations.

The topic of a trilateral summit wasnt raised in Alaska, Russias state TV channel Vesti reported on Saturday, citing Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

European leaders also said that it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force, according to the statement, signed by the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Finland, Poland, the UK and the president of the European Commission.

Some European officials are concerned that Trump will now pressure Zelenskiy to make territorial concessions to reach a deal, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

President Trumps resolve to get a peace deal is vital, said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. But the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon.

Putin continues to drag out negotiations and left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing, Kallas said.

Putin told his government on Saturday that the conversation with Trump in Alaska was very frank and meaningful, the Kremlin said on its website. We, of course, respect the position of the American administration, which sees the need for a speedy end to military action, he said. We would also like this and would like to move to resolving all issues by peaceful means.

In an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity after the Alaskan summit, Trump said that there were a few sticking points remaining, even as he cautioned that the two hadnt reached a deal. He shifted his focus to Zelenskiy, putting the onus on him to end the war.

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and no limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries, the statement from European leaders said. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and NATO.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Air Force said on Telegram Saturday morning that Russia launched 85 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukrainian territory overnight, underscoring Moscows intention to press on with the war.

We anticipate that in the coming days the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in order to create more favorable political circumstances for talks with global actors, Zelenskiy said on X.

With assistance from Josh Wingrove, Natalia Drozdiak, Stephan Kahl, Arne Delfs, Ros Krasny and Eric Martin.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has confirmed that the AI startup is interested in buying Google Chrome if Google is forced to sell its browser by the US government. The confirmation from Altman came just days after a Wall Street Journal report revealed that Perplexity AI had reportedly offered $34.5 billion in cash to acquire Chrome from Alphabet.

Notably, Google lost an antitrust trial in the United States last year, where the judge ruled that the tech giant had illegally monopolized the online search market. As part of the remedial measures, the Department of Justice has suggested that Chrome be sold to an independent entity to level the playing field.

Speaking to reporters, Sam Altman said (as quoted by TechCrunch), If Chrome is really going to sell, we should take a look at it.

Is it actually going to sell? I assumed it wasnt gonna happen, the OpenAI CEO added.

Meanwhile, there have been reports that OpenAI is building its own AI browser, and Altman confirmed that the recent addition of its CEO of Applications, Fidji Simo, means the company is working on many consumer applications outside of ChatGPT.

Sam Altman wants to create an AI-powered social media app: Altman also stated that OpenAI is interested in exploring a new social media platform, saying there is nothing inspiring to him about the way AI is used on social media today, TechCrunch reported. He said OpenAI is interested in whether or not it is possible to build a much cooler kind of social experience with AI.

The OpenAI CEO also confirmed that the company would be backing a neural interface startup called Merge Labs to compete with Elon Musks Neuralink.

I think neural interfaces are cool ideas to explore. I would like to be able to think something and have ChatGPT respond to it, he added.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated 214 million U.S. dollars to help people in two dozen countries in the first half of this year, including efforts to combat a drought in Afghanistan and to back climate resilience elsewhere, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Friday.

Over the last 19 years, CERF has channeled over 9 billion dollars in life-saving aid to people in need in over 110 countries and territories, thanks to contributions from 143 out of 193 UN member states, as well as from observers and other donors, Dujarric said at a daily briefing.

The UN secretary-general has appointed 12 new experts to the group that advises him on where CERF money should go, the spokesman said.

CERF has a total of 23 members from all over the world who serve a single three-year term, and the new set of advisers hail from Azerbaijan, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Gambia, Germany, the Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Qatar, South Africa and Sweden.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher thanked the outgoing members for their work and congratulated the new appointees, emphasizing that with humanitarian needs outpacing available resources, CERF is more critical now than ever, serving as a trusted, indispensable fund to enable rapid, effective responses to crises worldwide.

Established by the UN General Assembly in 2005, CERF is one of the fastest and most effective ways to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian assistance reaches people caught up in crises and enables the delivery of life-saving assistance whenever and wherever crises strike. 
UPDATE: The Dade County Sheriff's Office has enacted a new K-9 policy after one of their K-9's died in one of the agency's patrol cars during extreme heat.

Handlers found in violation of this new policy, which took effect on July 24, will face disciplinary action, according to a post from the agency.

"As we've stated before, we are doing everything we possibly can, to make sure this never happens again. We miss K9 Georgia dearly!"

Read the full policy below.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Dade County Sheriffs Office (DCSO) says an investigation has been launched into the death of a K-9 officer in a hot patrol car.

Captain Chad Payne said K-9 Georgia passed away inside the kennel of a patrol vehicle on July 13, when the heat index in Trenton was around 100 to 102 degrees.

"The Sheriffs Office immediately launched an investigation into the incident. What we found was that the air conditioner compressor on the patrol unit malfunctioned while K-9 Georgias Handler was inside the Sheriffs Office, requiring total replacement of the compressor. The patrol vehicle was also equipped with a heat alarm that was not functioning. Those previous two factors, coupled with K-9 Georgia being left unattended for what we considered to be an unacceptable amount of time, contributed to her passing, Captain Payne said on Tuesday.

Payne said as a result of the incident, the K-9 handler is no longer employed with the DCSO and the incident has been turned over to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office to determine if prosecution is warranted.

Sheriff Ray Cross is also overhauling K-9 handler policy and any vehicle on the DCSOs fleet will be taken out of service if any the essential K-9 equipment isnt in working order.

Payne said the DCSO "will be 100% transparent" about the case and release any updates as they become available.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has told European leaders after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that he wants to arrange a trilateral summit with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as soon as Aug. 22, U.S. online media outlet Axios said Saturday.

Zelensky said in an X post Saturday that he will meet Trump in Washington on Monday. Trump also invited the European leaders to join Monday's White House meeting, according to Axios.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday that a trilateral summit is expected to follow Monday's meeting between Zelensky and Trump.

So far, the Russian side has not publicly committed to a trilateral meeting. 
(Left to right) Executive Director Travis Ahern, Commissioners Kimberly Roy, Bruce Stebbins, and Ava Callender Concepcion, and General Counsel Kajal Chattopadhyay at a meeting of the Cannabis Control Commission on July 28, 2025. (Cannabis Control Commission via State House News Service)

A long-awaited review by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has found that the Massachusetts cannabis oversight agency displayed a pattern of mismanagement and showed the appearance of potential favoritism and/or impropriety in its dealings with some businesses.

The auditor determined the Cannabis Control Commission violated state regulations and mismanaged some of its routine fee collection, resulting in lost revenue.

Its lapses also allowed towns to place restrictions or collect fees from marijuana businesses improperly. This forced some businesses to pay hefty sums for the right to operate, while others inexplicably did not need to do so.

In one such case, a Brookline dispensary was mandated to donate $975,000 to charity as part of its operating agreement with the town, even as another Brookline dispensary faced no such requirement.

Our audit identified a number of issues that undermine and negatively impact the Cannabis Control Commissions mission to equitably and effectively oversee the cannabis industry in Massachusetts, DiZoglio said in a statement.

In a letter to commission leadership, DiZoglio noted the agencys cooperation throughout the investigation. Her report also included responses from the commission, describing its efforts to correct the issues identified through the audit.

The Cannabis Control Commission has been working closely with the State Auditors Office for almost a year and will review the report released today in furtherance of our shared commitment to government improvement, a commission spokesperson said in a statement. Over the course of the audit period and since, the Commission has hired key leaders, made progress to address many of the issues referenced, and begun to move forward in a constructive way.

Procedural inequities, failure to collect $1.7M in fees

The audit found that commission managers lacked a consistent, equal process for approving the extension of licenses that all marijuana businesses must hold to operate.

As a result, the commission failed to bill for all fees owed by licensees. The commission also did not maintain sufficient documentation for instances where fees were not collected or waived, creating procedural inequities that gave the appearance of potential impropriety, the audit found.

In the spring, the state inspector general found the commission failed to collect about $1.7 million in fees between August 2022 and August 2024. While not indicative of fraud, the issue did show an egregious operational breakdown, Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro said at the time.

The commission also violated state regulations by failing to promptly assess and collect fines and ensure proper oversight of hearings related to penalties, issues that allowed unresolved compliance gaps at marijuana businesses to linger.

The commission was tasked by state lawmakers in 2022 to review existing agreements between marijuana businesses and municipalities, known as host community agreements. Yet it took months longer than lawmakers mandated to review the numerous agreements.

Issues identified by the audit showed that smaller marijuana businesses with less financial means were likely to suffer more from the commissions shortcomings than larger multistate companies with deeper pockets.

The auditor found 11 new marijuana businesses that were required to pay significant fees to their municipalities before they could open for business  up to $100,000 in one case. Such practices violate state regulations and give a significant advantage to well-financed marijuana corporations, the auditor said.

The audit also found the commission lacked an established and transparent process for settlement agreements with employees, three of which it reached with staff between 2019 and 2024. One was worth nearly $93,000.

The commission has been without a permanent chair since last year, when Treasurer Deborah Goldberg fired Chair Shannon OBrien amid complaints that she contributed to a hostile work environment. OBrien is contesting her dismissal.

Shapiro called last year for the commission to be taken over by the state, declaring it a rudderless organization without clear leadership.

In June, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation that would overhaul the commission, putting it more closely under the watch of the governor. Soon after, the commission released a new charter that it had already been developing to clarify its leadership structure.

The Senate has yet to take up its own version of the House bill.

Audit calls for improved management and fiscal oversight

The audit report called for the commission to improve its overall management structure, institute greater financial oversight, focus on bolstering its staff to effectively police the cannabis industry and improve its transparency.

The commission spokesperson said the agency, by updating its operating procedures, is collecting fees in a timely manner and carrying out new cannabis laws, including its task to review more than 1,000 host community agreements.

Our first governance charter brings clarity to questions around organizational structure and operations, and budget-dependent, critical software upgrades will enable our infrastructure to grow alongside the booming $8 billion industry, the spokesperson said, while promising continued work with the auditors office, treasurer, attorney general, governor and Legislature in the moments ahead.
Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were both found guilty Friday of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Jordan Strauss/AP

Sean Kingston will spend three and a half years in federal prison after he was found guilty of a $1 million fraud scheme that also involved his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner.

U.S. Judge David Leibowitz handed down Kingstons sentence in a South Florida courtroom on Friday, the Associated Press reported.

The rapper, whose real name is Kisean Paul Anderson, and his mother were both convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud in March, according to the AP. Turner was sentenced to five years in prison in July.

Kingston and Turner were arrested in May 2024 after a SWAT team raided the 35-year-old musicians rented mansion in Southwest Ranches, Florida. Kingston was arrested in Fort Irwin, California, where he was performing at the time, while Turner was taken into custody during the raid.

Kingston and Turner used social media from April 2023 to March 2024 to obtain luxury items without paying for them, the AP reported, citing court records. These items included a bulletproof Escalade, jewelry, expensive watches and a large LED television.

Investigators said Kingston or Turner paid for the items using fraudulent or worthless wire transfers, NBC News reported, citing the original indictment. The pair would then keep the stolen items.

Sellers started filing lawsuits or contacting law enforcement after failed attempts to contact Kingston or his mother. The scheme lasted several years until March 2024, NBC News reported. The duo is also facing separate state fraud charges on top of the federal charges, CBS News reported.

Kingston, who was born in Florida and raised in Jamaica, rose to fame when his 2007 song Beautiful Girls topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. The single preceded Kingstons self-titled debut album, which also contained the hit song Take You There. Kingstons follow-up, 2009s Tomorrow, didnt match the success of his first album, but did produce the top five single, Fire Burning. His music career took a significant commercial decline afterward.
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-5th District, becomes the highest-ranking congressional Democrat to use the word "genocide" to describe the situation in Gaza. (Will Katcher/MassLive)

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th District, of Revere, the second-ranking House Democrat, called Israels war in Gaza a genocide during an event she held in Cambridge Thursday.

Clarks comment makes her the highest-ranking congressional Democrat to use that word to describe the situation in Gaza, according to Axios.

We each have to continue to have an open heart about how we do this, how we do it effectively, and how we take action in time to make a difference, whether that is stopping the starvation and genocide and destruction of Gaza, or whether that means we are working together to stop the redistricting that is going on, taking away the vote from people in order to retain power, Clark said in a video posted on X, Aug. 14 by the editor of The Grayzone, an independent news website.

Clark made the remark when confronted by pro-Palestinian protests at the event hosted by Quaker group Friends Meeting at Cambridge. Joy Lee, a spokesperson for her office, told The Boston Globe that Clarks position on the war has not changed.

The Israeli and Palestinian people deserve security and peace. It can only be achieved through a permanent cease-fire, the immediate return of the remaining hostages, and a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Lee told the Globe. It should not be controversial to say that Israeli children did not deserve to be kidnapped and murdered by Hamas, nor should it be controversial to say that Palestinian children, who bear no responsibility for Hamass atrocities, do not deserve to be killed by war or starvation.

Clark has become the highest-ranking House Democrat to use the term genocide to describe the ongoing crisis in Gaza. She joins other lawmakers who have made the same remarks including, U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).

The comment comes after the death toll in the war, which began after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, exceeded 60,000 people, Gaza health officials reported.

The United Nations defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

These acts include:

Killing members of the group

Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group

Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part

Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group

Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group

Clarks office could not be immediately reached for comment Saturday.
Lincoln, Rhode Islands fire marshal faces charges in connection with the distribution and possession of child sex abuse material from online chats, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said Friday.

Jeffrey Almond, 41, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography and two counts of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.

He was expected to make his first federal court appearance in Providence on Friday and should appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, Foleys office said in a statement.

Between Feb. 12, 2024, and Nov. 28, 2024, Almond messaged with an undercover agent posing as a child on one of these online chats, Foleys office said. At two points during this period, he sent and tried to send child sex abuse material to a child.

In these communications, it is alleged that Almond discussed the exploitation of children, with the purpose of obtaining [child sex abuse material] or soliciting a child for sex, Foleys office said.

In August 2024, he used a social media app to message with an undercover agent pretending to be a 15-year-old girl, the statement read. Almond asked the agent to create and send child sex abuse material with him, as well as to meet in person.

I guess I could do an [Airbnb] to get more privacy, he texted before sending a picture of his penis, Foleys office said.

Between October and November 2024, Almond used another social media app to message a different undercover agent posing as a bad parent of a purported 12-year-old minor female in Florida, Foleys office stated. He said he wanted to have sex with the girl and used explicit detail, and talked about going to Florida to meet the child, the statement read.

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
BAGHDAD, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces have carried out two airstrikes on Islamic State (IS) hideouts, killing a group of terrorists inside, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said on Saturday.

Acting on intelligence information, the first strike, carried out by F-16 aircraft on Tuesday, targeted a significant IS hideout in Salahuddin province, destroying it and eliminating the terrorists inside, the JOC said in a statement.

A second raid took place on Thursday, targeting another IS hideout in northern Kirkuk province. The JOC said additional details would be released later.

Meanwhile, the JOC announced the capture of Salman Khudair Suleiman Dawood, one of the country's most wanted militants for his previous involvement with al-Qaeda and later with IS.

While Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to carry out attacks against security forces and civilians in urban areas, deserts, and remote regions. 
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP)  President Donald Trump said he and Vladimir Putin didnt reach a deal to end Russias war in Ukraine after meeting on Friday  despite Putin saying they had come to an understanding  as the two leaders offered scant details on what was discussed while heaping praise on each other.

In brief remarks as they shared a stage after meeting for about 2  hours in Alaska, Putin said he and Trump had reached an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress.

But Trump then said, Theres no deal until theres a deal and said he planned to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders soon, to brief them on the discussions.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said. And there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

He continued: We didnt get there.

The high-profile summit ended without a deal to end, or even pause, the brutal conflict  the largest land war in Europe since 1945  which has raged for more than three years.

It was an abrupt ending to an otherwise friendly meeting in which a red carpet was rolled out for Putin as he landed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The two leaders greeted each other with a handshake and a smile, and Putin even got a ride in the presidential limousine  an unusually warm reception for a U.S. adversary.

While the two leaders were still on the tarmac, reporters nearby yelled, President Putin, will you stop killing civilians? Russias leader put his hand up to his ear as though to indicate he couldnt hear them. Trump and Putin then shared the U.S. presidential limo known as The Beast for a short ride to their meeting site, with Putin offering a broad smile as the vehicle rolled past the cameras.

Zelenskyy and European leaders were excluded from Trump and Putins discussions, and Ukraines president was left posting a video address in which he expressed his hope for a strong position from the U.S.

Everyone wants an honest end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to end the war, he said, later adding, The war continues and it continues precisely because there is no order, nor any signals from Moscow, that it is preparing to end this war.

Trump had both raised and lowered expectations for the summit, at turns characterizing it as a feel-out meeting but also warning of very severe consequences for Russia if Putin didnt agree to end the war.

He boasted before taking office that he could end the war in 24 hours, a comment he later said was in jest. The opportunity to talk to Putin face-to-face gave him his best chance to date to get the fighting to stop, but he came up short.

---

By Michelle L. Price and Will Weissert Associated Press

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Jonathan J. Cooper in Washington, Elise Morton in London and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
The following editorial is from the opinion page of The Republican newspaper in Springfield. It reflects views of the newspapers leadership and not necessarily those of MassLive. Readers are invited to share their opinions by emailing to letters@repub.com.

The current government of Israel does not want the world to witness the death and deprivation its military is inflicting on civilians in Gaza. Since October 2023, following the deadly Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians and the taking of 251 hostages, foreign journalists have been prohibited from entering the region independently.

To fill that gap, international news organizations use Gazans to provide coverage of the nearly 2-year-old war. One such reporter, Anas al-Sharif, had been documenting food shortages in Gaza. An international group says widespread starvation now approaches the level of famine. al-Sharifs reports were broadcast by the Qatar-based Al Jazeera until he was intentionally targeted, Aug. 10, in an Israeli air strike that hit the tent from which he and three other Al Jazeera journalists had been working in Gaza City.

All died, along with two freelance journalists, according to the Committee to Project Journalists.

Under the Geneva Conventions, journalists in war zones are civilians. Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime. The killing of these men should be investigated by a trusted international body and condemned by people of conscience everywhere.

We do not accept at face value Israels claim that al-Sharif was a terrorist operating in the guise of a journalist. Even before 2023, the Israeli military has made it a habit, the Committee to Project Journalists notes, to label journalists as terrorists and not provide sufficient and reliable evidence.

The Israel Defense Forces made no claim that the other five journalists killed Aug. 10 were associated with Hamas. Their deaths, along with that of al-Sharif, are thus war crimes that will make it harder for the world to know what this grinding, lopsided war is doing to civilians and families in Gaza.

Israel is murdering the messengers, Sara Qudah, regional director for the committee, said in a statement quoted by the group. Israel wiped out an entire news crew. Thats murder. Plain and simple.

This tiny enclave has lost an estimated 60,000 people since the conflict began, nearly one-third of them under the age of 18. That is 2.7% of its population before the war  the equivalent, on a percentage basis, of losing 9.18 million people in the U.S.

In less than two years, the fighting in Gaza has proven to be the single deadliest conflict for journalists in all wars of modern times, according to the Costs of War Project at Brown University. The Committee to Project Journalists says that since the war began, 192 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, 184 of them Palestinians.

al-Sharif knew Israel would try to silence him. In a statement to the Committee to Protect Journalists last month, he said the coverage he and others were providing damaged Israels reputation. They accuse me of being a terrorist because the occupation wants to assassinate me morally. A week ago, Israel killed him. The world must condemn the Aug. 10 attack for what it is  a blatant war crime no modern nation should try to explain away.
SPRINGFIELD  The Springfield Creative City Collective will host Her Legacy: Women of Western Massachusetts Celebrating 105 Years of Civic Engagement, marking the 105th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

This inaugural celebration on Monday evening will honor the women and organizations shaping the region today. Tiffany Allecia, executive director of the Springfield Creative City Collective, will guide this event, which recognizes leadership, civic engagement and community impact across the region.

The evening at Penthouse 650 will celebrate elected officials, changemakers, and regional organizations including the League of Women Voters, Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for their contributions to civic leadership and empowerment.
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Achill-based artist Alexandra van Tuyll has officially launched her latest publication with events on Achill Island and in Louisburgh in recent weeks.

Van Tuyll, who is originally from The Netherlands, has been living in Ireland since the 1970s and took up residence in Achill in 2001 in order to paint full-time.

An accomplished keyboard player, Van Tuylls artwork is heavily influenced by classical music as well as nature in its many moods and her paintings reflect an exploration of the balance between reality and dreams.

On Sunday, August 10, Books at One in Louisburgh hosted a launch of Van Tuylls third publication  a beautiful hardback book called Celtic Nature Poetry in Word and Image.

A launch event was also hosted by local business Achill Island Sea Salt on July 19 last. As with van Tuylls previous publications - Sea Meets Land (2012) and Ancient Irish Trees (2020)  the artist has chosen to donate all of the proceeds from her latest book to local charities to include Mayo Cancer Support Association, St Colmans Care Centre on Achill Island and Cancer Care West in Galway.

The new publication features an exquisite collection of evocative, original, nature-inspired paintings by Van Tuyll. Each of the artworks was inspired by beautiful fragments from the poetry of the Irish and Welsh Celts who revered nature as being sacred.

The juxtaposition of selected quotes from these ancient verses with Van Tuylls beautiful art works results in a very special publication that unites word and image in a way that captures the unique and inspirational spirit of Celtic nature reverence.

Celtic Nature Poetry in Word and Image is on sale now for 45 at Books At One in Louisburgh, The Bookshop in Westport, and Castle Bookshop in Castlebar.

It can also be purchased online via: https://www.mayocancersupport.ie/shop. The proceeds from all Mayo-based book sales will remain with Mayo charities.
Mayo has secured half a dozen nominations on the longlist of Irelands Greenest Places 2025 and as a result all six are in a shot with winning the overall title of Irelands Greenest Place 2025.

The six were among over 120 projects or places put forward by members of the public from all over the country and amongst 17 entries submitted from people in Mayo. Its the joint highest number of nominees secured by any county, with Dublin also securing six nominations.

The six Mayo locations are the village of Louisburgh, the towns of Ballina and Kiltimagh, the communities of Gaelscoil Raifteiri in Castlebar, Inishturk Island and Fahburren Forrest near Croaghpatrick.

Five towns made the long list and as a result Ballina and Kiltimagh will be going up against one another and also with Killarney in Kerry, Abbeyleix in Co Laois and Skerries in Dublin for the title of Greenest Town.

Five villages also made the long list, and, in this category, Louisburgh will be up against two Clare villages, Inagh and Quin, as well as Castlegregory / Maharees in Kerry and Cloughjordan Ecovillage in Co Tipperary for the title of Greenest Village.

READ: Architect with Mayo links wins Prestigious Australian Design Awards

Gaelscoil Raifteiri in Castlebar, Inishturk Island and Fahburren Forrest near Croaghpatrick were selected in the community category. In all 13 communities made the long list making it the most challenging category in the competition. The last category is Irelands Greenest Suburb which includes two Dublin suburbs and one Cork one.

After Mayo and Dublin, Kerry is next on three nominations, Clare has two while nine other counties on one make up the full list of 26.

Irelands Greenest Places 2025, an initiative, which is being run by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland, began in late May when members of the public were invited to nominate a special place or project which they believe contributes to a genuinely greener environment.

The Chair of the Judging Panel, Irish Times Features Editor Mary Minihan said they had been hugely impressed by the quality and diversity of the environmental projects being undertaken around the country.

It was extremely difficult for us to come up with the long list and we spent many hours reviewing and debating the entries. But that is a real compliment to the excellent quality of the work being done in the projects and the places which were nominated. So, congratulations to the 26 projects who made it on the long list but also to everyone who entered and is doing such valuable work, she said.

The panel of five judges includes Eamon Ryan, former leader of the Green Party, who said that Irelands Greenest Places shows how much community-led- environmentalism has deepened and spread in recent years.

At a time when people are anxious about climate change and biodiversity loss, it helps to think global but act local. The long-listed entries show the variety of what is taking place around Ireland. People in every community seem to be looking to see what they can do by promoting pollinators, planting trees or establishing sustainable energy or transport solutions.

Gone are the arguments that local people shouldnt be doing these things because it is the States responsibility. Everyone can now see the returns that can come when you work from the bottom up as well as the top down, he said.

The shortlist for Irelands Greenest Places 2025 will be announced at the end of the month with the category winners and overall winner announced a fortnight later.
TAIPEI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A symposium was held Saturday in Taipei to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Wang Yung, chairman of Reunification Alliance Party in Taiwan, said that this year also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration. Amid the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' push for "de-Sinicization," it is all the more important for Taiwan's younger generation to understand that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a common history, and for them to carry forward the spirit of opposing colonialism and fascism.

Chou Yung, a scholar who studies the history of Taiwan compatriots' struggle against foreign colonial rule, said that many Taiwan residents fought Japanese invaders on the mainland, showing their deep affection for the motherland.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, which is an indisputable historical fact, said Wang Wu-lang, secretary-general of Taiwan's Labor Party, adding that Taiwan's restoration to the motherland 80 years ago is an important part of the achievements of the World War II victory and the post-war international order.

In 1895, the Qing government, defeated in a war launched by Japan against China, was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan.

On Oct. 25, 1945, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, China recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto.

Some descendants of the Taiwan compatriots who fought against Japanese invaders also attended the event, sharing stories of their forebears' courageous resistance.

More than 50,000 Taiwan residents fought in the war against Japanese aggression on the mainland between 1937 and 1945. 
Quit smoking to improve heart and lung health, boost immunity, reduce cancer risk, and enhance overall well-being.

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Although smoking rates in the United States have fallen dramatically over the past six decades, they remain disproportionately high among people with low incomes, contributing to persistent health disparities ().A new clinical trial led by researchers at the University of Oklahoma (OU) suggests a smartphone app may help bridge this gap.Results published inshow thatdeveloped by the National Cancer Institute.The trial comparedSmart-T monitors a users risk of smoking throughout the day by asking questions about cravings, mood, stress, social environment, and other triggers. Based on responses, the apps algorithm calculates a risk score and delivers a custom messagesuch as suggesting a breathing exercise or reminding the user to use nicotine replacement therapy After six months, participants using Smart-T were almost twice as likely to have quit smoking compared to those using QuitGuide.Smart-T is like having a tobacco cessation counselor in your pocket, said lead author Emily Hebert, DrPH, of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and assistant professor of family and preventive medicine in the OU College of Medicine. Our motivation is to make the app comparable to standard counseling treatments, which are not always accessible for people facing transportation barriers or busy schedules.The study enrolled 454 low-income smokers from across the U.S., randomly assigning half to Smart-T and half to QuitGuide. All participants received nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, gum, or lozenges.the app responded instantly with tailored guidance.Not only did Smart-T users quit at higher rates, but they also engaged with the app more frequently, reported finding it more helpful, and were more likely to request additional nicotine therapy when they ran out.To verify results, participants smoking status was confirmed with a carbon monoxide breath test using a phone-connected device. Facial recognition software ensured the correct participant was using the devicemaking this one of the first app-based smoking cessation trials with biochemical verification.Researchers say the next phase will involve testing Smart-T in larger populations and over longer follow-up periods.Some people wont benefit from apps like Smart-T, Hebert acknowledged. But low-cost, always-available interventions could provide a practical path to quitting for many low-income adults. Were really trying to find the best recipe for smoking cessation for everyone.The Smart-T app was created by Michael Businelle, Ph.D., who co-leads the next research phase with Hebert. Together, they lead the mHealth Shared Resource at the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, which launched the Insight mHealth Platform in 2015 to develop technology-based health interventions. To date, the center has supported more than 115 studies and secured $85 million in research grants.Source-Medindia
ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's famous hominid fossils, Lucy and Selam, have left for Central Europe for display in an upcoming exhibition on human origins in the Czech Republic.

In a statement issued Friday, the Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism announced that the East African country's world-renowned hominid fossils will be featured at the National Museum in Prague, the Czech capital, for a 60-day display beginning Aug. 25.

During a ceremony at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on Friday, senior Ethiopian government officials, including the country's Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa, bid farewell to the remains of Lucy and Selam.

The tourism minister said during the occasion that the upcoming exhibition in Prague "will showcase Ethiopia's status as the land of origins and the true cradle of humankind to the world."

"So far, we have been promoting Lucy to the world, and now Lucy will promote the new Ethiopia to the world," the statement quoted Kassa as saying.

She stressed that beyond its scientific significance, the upcoming exhibition in Prague "will play an important role in promoting the East African country's rich history, natural and cultural heritages, as well as magnificent landscapes."

Lucy, locally known in Ethiopia as "Dinknesh," is the fossilized skeleton of a female who lived approximately 3.2 million years ago. The remains were discovered in 1974 in Ethiopia's Afar region. Experts argued that the discovery of Lucy shed new light on how humans evolved and changed over time.

Selam, the fossilized remains of a child who lived about 100,000 years before Lucy, was discovered in 2000. The two hominid fossils represent key evidence in understanding Ethiopia's importance as the land of origins, while also providing evidence about the early stages of human development. 
Veteran reliever Hector Neris has elected to become a free agent rather than accept an outright assignment to the Astros Triple-A affiliate, as per the team. Houston designated Neris for assignment earlier this week, and after he cleared waivers and was outrighted off the 40-man roster, Neris nine-plus years of MLB service time allowed him the right to opt for free agency rather than remain in the Astros organization.

There wasnt much surprise in Neris decision, and the 36-year-old will now seek out another new landing spot in what has been a nomadic season for the right-hander. Neris has already suited up with the Astros, Angels, and Braves in 2025, signing a guaranteed deal with Houston in July following minor league contracts with Los Angeles and Atlanta. Neris also opted into free agency after being outrighted off the Braves roster in early April, and after another DFA in late June, the Angels just released Neris rather than go through the motions of an outright.

A 6.75 ERA over 26 2/3 combined innings in 2025 underlines why Neris has had trouble sticking on a roster. On the plus side, Neris has a strong 28.2% strikeout rate, and his 3.85 SIERA reflects how some bad luck (.348 BABIP, 55.9% strand rate) has inflated his real-world ERA. However, Neris hasnt helped his cause by allowing six homers within his small sample size of work, and his 12.9% walk rate is the highest of his 12-year Major League career.

Despite these numbers and a shaky 2024 season with the Cubs and Astros, Neris has enough of a career track record that hell surely catch on somewhere, likely on another minors contract. Teams in need of bullpen help may well focus more on the strikeout rate than Neris control issues, and hope that a change of scenery can help him finally get his wayward year on track. Signing with a new team before September 1 would also make Neris eligible for postseason play, though naturally hell need to perform a lot better than he has in order to receive consideration for a playoff roster.
LANSING, MI  Michigan environmental regulators are seeking citizen scientists to help monitor the persistent wildfire smoke issue this summer.

More than two dozen days in the last 11 weeks had either air quality advisories or alerts somewhere in the state  often statewide  because of small-particulate air pollution blowing in from Canadian wildfires. Smoky air has been common enough that many Michiganders have kept indoors this summer.

Related: Wildfire smoke and heat waves force vulnerable Michigan residents indoors

Now, the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is encouraging the public to stay informed with the most up to date information and even seeking citizen scientists to help contribute to the datasets being analyzed.

State officials are encouraging Michiganders who own their own air quality sensors to contribute their readings to ongoing and real-time statewide analysis. Although the information cant be used for regulatory purposes, the data from private sensors can help fill in the gaps between official monitoring equipment.

These types of particulate pollution sensors are typically available for less than $300 and only need a power source and wireless internet signal to work. The sensors dont measure the levels of ozone, another air pollutant.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that wildfire smoke includes hazardous air pollutants like hydrocarbons, plus microscopic particulates of sulfuric acid, sodium chloride, heavy metals, soot, and even pollen and mold spores. When the toxic mixture is inhaled, the particles can affect the lungs and heart and cause serious health problems.

Meanwhile, Michigan recently launched a new website where the public can track wildfire smoke plumes, subscribe to air quality advisories and alerts, and learn more about the health impacts of exposure to wildfire smoke.
TWIN LAKE, MI  A tiny, rare butterfly has become the mascot for ecological efforts in West Michigan.

The silvery-winged Karner blue butterfly flitted among native spotted bee balm and butterfly milkweed growing under the summer sun at Muskegon State Game Area. Others stopped to sip nectar from the native flowers, signaling a flourishing ecosystem.

Wildlife officials say the federally endangered insect is making an important comeback in Michigan. Scientists found several federally endangered Karner blue butterflies this summer in a habitat restoration plot near the Muskegon River.

These systems were such a big part of Michigans natural heritage. We have so few of them left, said insect expert Ashley Cole-Wick, a zoologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. By managing for Karner blues and these oak savannas and barrens, were also managing for all of the other animals that use them.

I kind of like that the charismatic Karner butterfly is the mascot for these systems, she added.

36 1 / 36 Rare Karner blue butterfly needle mover for Michigan conservation efforts

The return of the colorful butterfly tells conservation officials that their oak-pine savanna habitat restoration efforts are working.

The Karner blue is really helping us move the needle on conservation, Cole-Wick said.

MLive photographer Isaac Ritchey visited the Muskegon State Game Area while surveys were being conducted. Check out the gallery above, or click here for a direct link to the gallery.
SHIELDS, MI  A smooth, sweet and salty concoction of a limited-time ice cream flavor is up for grabs.

Great Lakes Ice Cream Co. has brought back its surprisingly popular dill pickle ice cream after a three-year hiatus, owners announced via the companys Facebook page this week.

The simple blend includes pureed dill Freakin Pickles, which operates out of Au Gres.

A view inside Great Lakes Ice Cream Company, 7647 Gratiot Road in Shields, Mich. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

There arent chunks of pickles throughout, but the dill flavor is subtly present.

The flavor itself has generated a lot of talk. People love the oddball flavors, said operations manager Andrew Pirie. I like putting things in ice cream and seeing what works.

Operations manager Andrew Pirie poses for a photograph with a cone of dill pickle ice cream available from Great Lakes Ice Cream Company, 7647 Gratiot Road in Shields, Mich. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Andrew Pirie said his father, Scot Pirie, owns the business, which is family owned and operated out of two locations.

The Midland location, 901 E. Ashman St., is open year-round and is where all the ice cream is made. It opened in 2003.

The Shields location, 7647 Gratiot Road, is open seasonally. It opened in 2018.

A view of Great Lakes Ice Cream Company, 7647 Gratiot Road in Shields, Mich. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Andrew Pirie said all their flavors are homemade in five-gallon batches. They have two full-time ice cream makers during the summer.

The flavor creations mostly come from Andrew Pirie but sometimes come from customer suggestions.

Any given year, well probably make 150-plus flavors, he said. We love bringing out different flavors that we cant find anywhere else.

A view inside Great Lakes Ice Cream Company, 7647 Gratiot Road in Shields, Mich. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Andrew Pirie said the business got its start because his dad wanted good ice cream, so he began making his own.

The Piries use high quality products and source locally as much as they can, such as Michigan strawberries, blueberries, sugar and cream.

I always try to improve flavors, too. When I go on vacation, if I try an ice cream that I think is better than ours, I come back and I make ours better, Andrew Pirie said. Its a lot of work to make good ice cream, but its worth it.

A view of a sundae available from Great Lakes Ice Cream Company, 7647 Gratiot Road in Shields, Mich. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Great Lakes Ice Cream Co. also creates custom flavors for businesses, such as a lavender ice cream for Indigo Lavendar Farms in Imlay City made with the farms lavender and an ice cream with cookies made with Sergeant Scoops and Baked Goods homemade cookies.

Andrew Pirie said they have a loyal customer base, with some of their regulars visiting at least once a week if not more. International visitors to the region have even stopped in after being referred by locals.

While they offer some wacky flavors like dill pickle, they also have all the classics.

Andrew Pirie said in the fall, they will offer pumpkin pie, caramel apple and cider doughnut ice cream flavors. During the Christmas season, they offer holiday flavors, such as eggnog, peppermint stick and gingersnap cookie.

The Midland shop is open from noon to 10 p.m. every day and the Shields location is open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

Check out their Facebook page here and their website here for more information on new flavors and hours.

Would you like MLive to feature your favorite restaurant in Michigans Best Local Eats? Send the details, including business name, address and best menu item, to Kaytie Boomer at kboomer@mlive.com.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A family-owned Italian restaurant is taking over for a 75-year Ann Arbor staple, offering fresh pizza options, a lively atmosphere and indoor bocce ball courts just blocks from the University of Michigan campus.

Corattis Pizzeria Bar & Bocce opened in June in the former Original Cottage Inn at 512 E. William St. Owner Peter Coratti and his nephews, Peter Pfeffer and Anthony Coratti, opened their first pizza, bar and bocce concept in Howell in 2021.

They trace their family history in the restaurant business to a fine-dining Italian spot  also called Corattis  in Milford, an American-style pizzeria in Detroit, and their family roots in Italy.

Like in downtown Howell, the new restaurant serves up three types of pizza: authentic Neapolitan, square Detroit-style pan pizza and round, thin-crust American-style. Dough for the Detroit and American-style pies is made fresh each day.

Pizzas  from left, a Detroit-style meat lovers pizza, Neapolitan-style Margherita and American-style vegetarian pie  at Corattis Pizzeria Bar and Bocce, 512 E. William St. in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, August 12 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

The Neapolitan-style pizzas use their own blend of 00 light flour, which rises overnight and is then cooked in a high-temperature wood-fired oven.

Coratti and his nephew Pfeffer traveled to Naples specifically to learn how to make the authentic pies, which the menu divides into Rosso  variations that are topped with red sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes  and Bianca, which are drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

The restaurant describes itself as serious about pizza, and their Neapolitan-style pies are certified by the Italian organization Vera Pizza Napoletana.

While they were visiting family in Italy, Pfeffer and Coratti discovered a unique style of sandwich called Panuozzo that they resolved to bring back to the U.S.

Its from this town where we went to pizza school near Naples, Gragnano. he said. People come from all over Italy to eat these sandwiches. We wanted to do them here, and theyre a hit... Theyre the most unique thing we have here.

Served on the same style of dough as their Neapolitan pizza, the wood-fired sandwiches are loaded with fresh ingredients, from Italian deli meats like capocollo and mortadella to fresh mozzarella Caprese and even eclectic options like Detroit-based Wigleys Corned Beef.

The Classic Italian Panuozzo sandwich featuring salami, capocollo, mortadella, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, giardiniera and Italian vinaigrette at Corattis Pizzeria Bar and Bocce, 512 E. William St. in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, August 12 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

The restaurants shareable appetizers have also proven popular. Fried rice balls called suppli, also known as arancini, are served topped with Parmesan and tomato sauce. The similarly pan-fried Artichokes Tosca features artichoke hearts in a lighter egg batter, served sauteed in a lemon, white wine and butter sauce.

Mozzarella Caprese offers a lighter shareable option, pairing slices of fresh mozzarella with tomatoes, pesto, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. All three of the above appetizers  and several of the pizza options  are naturally vegetarian, which Coratti knew would be a priority for Ann Arbor eaters. The restaurant also has vegan options.

We also have dairy-free cheese. We have it at both the other restaurants and dont go through a ton of it. Here, we go through a lot of it, he said. Were going to cater to that.

Salads, a build-your-own pasta menu and classic Italian entrees like lasagna, eggplant Parmesan and rigatoni round out the menu.

Inside Corattis Pizzeria Bar and Bocce, 512 E. William St. in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, August 12 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

Coratti says the family poured tens of thousands of dollars into the building during a years worth of renovations, which had been home to Cottage Inn for 75 years. He says theyve kept a good relationship with the Michos family, founders of Cottage Inn.

The original hardwood floors were refinished, and the interior brick was preserved, including the iconic arched window that connects the dining room and bar.

The most obvious change to the building is the addition of new rolling garage doors that open to give the dining room a lively patio vibe.

We invested a lot. We turned it into, basically, a new building, Peter Coratti said. Weve had a lot of regulars at Cottage Inn say, We didnt want to see them go but were happy you guys did what you did.

Vintage Italian-made bicycles hang over the open stairway that leads guests to the second floor, home to an already-popular event space, a separate private dining room for up to a dozen guests and the restaurants signature  a pair of 70-foot-long bocce ball courts. The bocce courts have their own dedicated room, but guests can spectate from bar-style seating at a window that connects the bocce room to a bright, airy lounge.

The upstairs lounge at Corattis Pizzeria Bar and Bocce, 512 E. William St. in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, August 12 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

Coratti says the bocce courts are an important part of the lively atmosphere that he hopes will attract various people  theyre already popular among university faculty.

You can reserve [the courts], or we charge per person, he said. For the students, we only charge a dollar an hour. Basically its free, we just want them in there playing.

Adults can play for $5 per person, and University of Michigan faculty play for half price.

Peter Coratti says the restaurant was redesigned with students in mind, and he hopes an energetic vibe will make Corattis a hangout spot for students, faculty and Ann Arbor townies alike.

We want that loud, fun atmosphere  well try to play music as loud as the customers will let us, he said. We want people to be laughing and having fun.

Corattis has also opened a neighboring gelato shop and market, called Pietros, in the former Iorios Gelato space next door. The market serves up fresh gelato, house-made pastas, imported dry goods and beer and wine. Peter Coratti says he has plans to add pre-prepared take-away foods like pepperoni bread and fettucine alfredo pockets to the mix.

Corattis Pizzeria Bar & Bocce is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Coratti says he expects to extend weekend hours once students are back in town.

For now, the market and gelato bar have the same operating hours as the main restaurant.

Coratti says another Corattis with the same menu, bar and bocce courts is under construction in East Lansing with plans to open in January.

Customers can order takeout, book private events or order gift cards on the restaurants website.
FLINT, MI  Thousands of motor heads filled the streets of downtown Flint this weekend to conclude the 21st year of Genesee Countys biggest car show.

I love cars, attendee Jerry Stevens of St. Johns said. You can tell people are excited about it.

The Back to the Bricks main event took place on Saturday, Aug. 16, drawing a wide range of classic, custom and rare vehicles.

The past two weeks, car enthusiasts have gathered all around the community and enjoying tune up parties, main event, festivities, and so much more, Back to the Bricks President Amber Taylor said. The end result is what youre seeing here today: camaraderie, friends and fun.

One vehicle owner at the event, Craig Terryah of Flushing, turned heads with his 1989 Chevy S-10, which features a custom-made jacuzzi. The truck also bears the image of the Tasmanian Devil on each of its sides, helping it further stand out.

Ive had it since it was brand new, and it means a lot to me, Terryah said. Im getting ready to hand it down to my son.

Terryah has been coming to Back to the Bricks since the event was first held 21 years ago, and since then, he has only missed two shows.

I just love it. I think its a great opportunity for the city of Flint, he said. Its just our heritage.

The event attracted visitors from nearby and across the country, including Chuck Cross and his wife Doris Cross, who reside in North Carolina. However, the Crosses used to live in Davison, so they were already familiar with the event.

Theres some really great cars here, Doris Cross said. I love it.

In addition to showcasing hundreds of vehicles, the event highlights Flints rich automotive industry and car culture.

We live in a great community, Back to the Bricks Grand Marshal Ed Benning said. Ive been here my entire life, and Ill tell you; we have much to be proud of. And Back to the Bricks is a real gem.

During the opening ceremony for the main event, a statue of Alexander Brownell Cullen Hardy, also known as A.B.C. Hardy was unveiled at the Automotive Pioneer Statue Plaza on Saginaw Street. It now joins the citys five other statues of automotive pioneers, including William C. Billy Durant, Louis Chevrolet, Charles Stewart Mott, David Dunbar Buick and Albert Champion.

Hardy was a founder of General Motors, helped create Chevrolet, and built the first vehicle manufactured in Flint, the Flint Roadster. It is still unclear where the new statues permanent home will be.

I want everyone here to know the importance of this man, Gary Fisher, president of the Genesee County Historical Society, said. Without men like A.B.C. Hardy, none of this works, so its important to remember at Back to the Bricks, where we celebrate the American automobile heritage and our unique culture worldwide.

The creator of the statues in the Automotive Pioneer Statue Plaza, Joe Rundell, was also honored during the ceremony. Rundell died in March at the age of 84.

Joe was, Im proud to say, a friend of mine, a very talented guy, multi-talented guy and somebody that took his role very seriously to memorialize the individuals that made the city of Flint the envy of the world, the inventors of the middle class, the creators of the arsenal of democracy that won World War II, Fisher said.

Additionally, State Sen. John Cherry and State Rep. Cynthia Neeley paid tribute to the event by recognizing Back to the Bricks Board Chair Al Jones and Vice Chair Ralph Messer.

Flint has inspired a nation, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said during the opening ceremony. We put the world on wheels.
GROVELAND TWP., MI  More than 250,000 visitors are expected to take part in the Michigan Renaissance Festival, which kicks off its 46th season this weekend.

The festival will be held at the fictional village of HollyGrove, located at 12600 Dixie Highway in Groveland Township, every Saturday and Sunday beginning Saturday, Aug. 16 through Sept. 28 as well as Labor Day and Friday, Sept. 26.

While walking through HollyGrove, visitors will come across Renaissance era style buildings, vendors, and meet members of the festivals royal cast, which includes Rick Ric Roc Carver.

He will be performing for visitors atop his stilts, wowing crowds with a juggling routine, magic tricks, and more.

I come here for a variety of reasons: One, because its fun to people watch, Carver, of Vestaburg, said. You see a nice variety of people.

He is just one of about a dozen performers who will be entertaining attendees throughout the festival.

Now, the more people, the better your chances of survival, Carver said cheekily of his show.

22 1 / 22 Ric Roc the stilt walker has traversed the Michigan Renaissance Festival grounds for more than 40 years

Carver is a Michigan Renaissance Festival veteran, having taken part in it for more than 40 years.

Seeing friends, thats probably the greatest thing, Carver said of the festival. Being able to entertain people, listen to them laughing, thats always a good thing.

Each weekend of the 7-week-long festival will feature a different theme, ranging from Viking Invasion to Shamrocks & Shenanigans.

Several new features have been added to the festival this year, including a Viking encampment as well as an obstacle course.

The festivals food menu also has been expanded to include a six-ounce steak on a skewer dubbed the Steak on a Stake.

Guests will also be able to enjoy some of the festivals most popular menu items such as its massive turkey legs.

Additional information about the festival, including how to purchase tickets or parking passes, is available at michrenfest.com.
ALGIERS, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 people were killed and nine injured on Friday when a passenger bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a streambed in El Harrach, east of Algiers, Algeria's Civil Protection agency said.

The accident occurred at around 5:45 p.m. (1645 GMT), the agency said. Two of the injured were in critical condition.

Victims were taken to a local hospital, while the bodies of the dead were transferred to a morgue. Civil Protection deployed 25 ambulances, 16 divers, and four semi-rigid boats to the scene.

Videos on social media showed civilians wading into the water to pull victims from the partially submerged bus before rescue teams arrived. Officials warned the death toll could rise as recovery operations continued.

Algeria records up to 4,000 road deaths annually, official data shows. The National Agency for Road Safety attributes 91 percent of accidents to human error, particularly driver fatigue and failure to obey traffic laws. Poor road and vehicle conditions, along with environmental factors, also contribute. 
Detroit Tigers' Buddy Kennedy celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) AP

DETROIT -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have claimed former Detroit Tigers infielder Buddy Kennedy and are bringing him directly to their big-league club.

Kennedy takes the roster spot of Max Muncy, who was placed on the injured list Friday with an oblique strain.

The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays three days ago after a weeklong stint on their active roster. He had signed a minor-league deal with Toronto last month shortly after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kennedy spent eight days with the Tigers big-league club last April after being recalled from Toledo to replace injured infielder Gio Urshela. He went 2-for-10 with a home run, four RBIs, two walks and four strikeouts in six games.

The Tigers designated him for assignment last June and traded him to the Phillies for cash considerations a few days later.

Kennedy was drafted in the fifth round out of high school in 2017 by the Diamondbacks. He reached the big leagues with Arizona and played briefly in 2022 and 2023.

Kennedy is a New Jersey native and attended Millville Senior High School, Mike Trouts alma mater, about 40 miles from Philadelphia. His grandfather is 16-year big-league infielder Don Money, who played for the Phillies from 1968-1972.
Samir Jain is a Jaipur-based astrologer who has over 28 years of experience in the field of Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry and Vastu Shastra. He is also an expert in Jain Temple Vastu and Jain Jyotish. For more details, visit planetsastro.com, call/WhatsApp +91 8696930617 or email jainksamir@gmail.com.

Neha Mewari

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Chandigarh Schools to Remain Closed on August 18; Holiday Announced for All Students

MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more.

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Abhishek Bachchan wins Best Actor at NAB IFFM awards 2025 for I Want To Talk

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KHARTOUM, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 people were killed, including seven children and a pregnant woman, and 13 others injured on Saturday in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of El Fasher, western Sudan, according to volunteer groups.

The Sudan Doctors Network, a volunteer group, said in a statement that the RSF conducted a "heinous crime" by "deliberately targeting" the Abu Shouk displacement camp with artillery shelling.

The ongoing siege of El Fasher has caused critical shortages of medicine, medical staff, and food, "exposing thousands of displaced women and children to slow death," it warned.

The Abu Shouk Emergency Room said in a statement that "the northern side of the camp witnessed intense artillery shelling on Saturday," resulting in "more than 30 deaths."

Meanwhile, the Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher, a volunteer group, said the RSF attack began early in the morning and continued past noon, sparking panic among civilians, triggering new displacement, and causing numerous casualties and significant damage to homes and infrastructure.

There has been no immediate comment from the RSF regarding the incident.

The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023 over a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, devastating the country's infrastructure, killing tens of thousands, displacing millions, and creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

El Fasher, capital of the North Darfur state and the last major city in the vast Darfur region not under RSF control, has been the epicenter of the conflict and under siege by the RSF since May 2024. 
Jagapathi Babu talks about the "boring" tag on Telugu movies, shares views on nepotism argument

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Trump signals US may not impose secondary tariffs on India over Russian oil

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BJPs internal survey hints at major shake-up: Why 2027 could see record number of sitting MLAs dropped in UP

Sonalee Borgohain

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Ria Kapoor

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RABAT, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A screening of documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" was held here on Friday 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.

The event, organized by the Chinese embassy in Morocco, drew nearly 60 Moroccan guests from various sectors, including representatives of political parties, who have commended China's contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and expressed Morocco's willingness to work with China in safeguarding world peace and promoting human well-being.

The documentary "showcased the extraordinary heroism of Chinese fishermen and conveyed the belief in safeguarding peace," said Mohamed Auajjar, a member of the Political Bureau of the National Rally of Independents and former justice minister.

"I am deeply moved by the film and I have a deeper understanding of that period of history. It's worth remembering forever," said Moroccan student Arwa Labied.

"Eighty years ago, the Chinese people made enormous sacrifices to secure victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and contributed significantly to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War," Zhou Zhicheng, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Morocco, said before the screening.

Zhou called for drawing lessons from history, cherishing peace, fostering a strong sense of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and jointly advancing global peace and development.

In October 1942, the Japanese army requisitioned the cargo-passenger vessel "Lisbon Maru" to carry more than 1,800 British prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong to Japan.

In violation of international conventions, the Japanese army did not put any markings on the ship to indicate the POWs inside. Torpedoed by the U.S. army, the vessel sank in the waters off the Zhoushan Islands in East China's Zhejiang Province. Local fishermen risked their own lives to rescue 384 POWs under Japanese gunfire. 
Rewati Karan

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Delhi: 40-year-old biker killed after being hit by Thar, second such incident this month

Smriti Mishra

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Delhi Police chief suspends eight personnel for lapses in Janmashtami security at ISKCON temple

Yeeshu Yadav

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Tamal Nandi

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'Issues with electoral rolls should be raised during ...': Election Commission on vote theft

Tamal Nandi

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'No illegal immigrants in Bihar SIR': CPI (ML) Liberation on PM Modi's 'infiltrator' remark in I-Day speech

Rewati Karan

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- An aircraft belonging to the private airline IndiGo suffered a tail strike amid rough weather conditions on Saturday at the international airport in the Indian city Mumbai and landed safely in a second attempt.

A spokesperson of the airline said that the Bangkok-Mumbai flight, after suffering from a tail strike in the first attempt, safely landed at around 3:00 a.m. local time.

On Aug. 16, an IndiGo Airbus A321 aircraft tail touched the runway while executing a low-altitude go-around due to unfavourable weather conditions in Mumbai. Thereafter, the aircraft carried out another approach and landed safely, said the spokesperson.

There were over 200 passengers on the aircraft when the incident occurred. No human injuries were reported, though the aircraft suffered from minor damage. 
PM Modi thanks Zelenskyy for Independence Day wishes, hails 'joint commitment' for closer ties with Ukraine

Ria Kapoor

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101Reporters

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Were going to stop 5,0007,000 people a week from being killed: Trump after Alaska talks with Putin

101Reporters

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Won't lose cool this time, says Justice Pardiwala-led bench setting aside Rajasthan HC order in civil case

Rewati Karan

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Chairman of the cabinet of ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev (C) speaks during an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

CHOLPON-ATA, Kyrgyzstan, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday.

Adylbek Kasymaliev, chairman of the cabinet of ministers, told an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council that the bloc has signed seven trade agreements and is building ties with key economic groupings in Eurasia and beyond.

"In the context of global transformation, it is necessary to turn the EAEU into a harmoniously developed pole of the multipolar world by 2030, ensuring a high level of technological progress and public welfare. We are ready to create all necessary conditions for this," he said.

Kasymaliev also noted that over the 10 years since the formation of the union, its gross domestic product (GDP) has grown by 18 percent and exceeded 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars. Industrial production has increased by almost 30 percent, agricultural production by 25 percent, and mutual trade in the union has more than doubled. At the same time, the volume of mutual trade between Kyrgyzstan and the EAEU countries has doubled.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin stressed the need to further strengthen integration mechanisms.

"It is necessary to continue to remove barriers for the free movement of goods, services and capital and improve the business environment," he added.

Formed in 2015, the union groups Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, aiming to modernize and enhance the competitiveness of their economies, strengthen cooperation and foster stable development to improve living standards in member states. 

Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin (Front) speaks during an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Representatives attend an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (2nd R) leaves an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Representatives pose for a group photo before an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (Front) speaks during an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (Front) speaks during an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov (Front) speaks during an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Chairman of the cabinet of ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev (Front) speaks during an expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 15, 2025. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has grown into a major center of economic activity over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan's top government official said Friday. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)
Deblina Halder

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Telegram founder shares life lessons from father, highlights what quality AI can never replace

Shubhi Mishra

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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Aabhas Sharma

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Redmi Note 15 Pro+ confirmed to launch this month, will likely be powered by the same chipset as 14 Pro+

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.

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Shaurya Shubham

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Ankita Chakravarti

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1/10 1. Baarle, BelgiumNetherlands

In the town of Baarle, the border zigzags through streets, cafes, and even houses. You can sip coffee in the Netherlands while your table is in Belgium. (Image: Canva)

2/10 2. Derby Line, USACanada

This quiet town straddles Vermont in the US and Quebec in Canada. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House famously sits right on the border, with the line running through the building. (Image: Canva)

3/10 3. Mount Everest, NepalChina

The summit of the worlds highest peak lies exactly on the NepalChina border. Climbers cross between countries while navigating the mountains ridge. (Image: Canva)

4/10 4. Cooch Behar District, IndiaBangladesh

The border here is dotted with enclaves and counter-enclaves, making it possible to step between India and Bangladesh multiple times within a few kilometres. (Image: Canva)

5/10 5. Sixaola River Bridge, Costa RicaPanama

An old railway bridge over the Sixaola River connects Costa Rica and Panama. Tourists often stop mid-bridge for that perfect two countries photo. (Image: Canva)

6/10 6. Stanstead, CanadaUSA

Another CanadaUS example, the border here runs through quiet streets and even the local flowerbeds. Crossing is as easy as walking across a road. (Image: Canva)

7/10 7. Peace Arch Park, USACanada

Located between Washington state and British Columbia, this park celebrates peace between the two nations. Visitors can wander freely on both sides without formal crossing procedures (though you must re-enter via checkpoints). (Image: Canva)

8/10 8. NorwaySweden Border

In certain rural areas, the border is marked only by stone markers in forests. Skiers in winter can cross back and forth without realising it. (Image: Canva)

9/10 9. Chamanga, BrazilUruguay

The boundary here is just a line on the ground. Locals from both countries mix freely, sharing markets and festivals. (Image: Canva)
After Alaska meeting with Putin, Trump puts onus on Zelenskyy for ceasefire

Smriti Mishra

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After inconclusive Alaska summit with Putin, Trump to host Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday

Deblina Halder

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Armaan Bhatnagar

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YANGON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have seized 15.07 kg of heroin and 992,000 stimulant tablets in Sagaing region, Myanmar, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) said on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off, anti-narcotics police searched a motorcycle in Kalay township of Sagaing region on Aug. 6 and confiscated the drugs, it said.

The seized drugs are worth over 2.7 billion kyats (about 1.28 million U.S. dollars), it said.

The suspects connected to the case have been charged under the country's laws, and further investigations are ongoing, it added. 
Alaska talks twist: Putin offers frontline freeze if Ukraine gives up Donetsk; Trump urges Zelenskyy to deal

Aishwarya Dabhade

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B-2 stealth bomber roars over Putin's head as Trump shows off military might in Alaska

Chhabi Kala

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Donald Trump says Xi Jinping told him China will not invade Taiwan while he is US president

101Reporters

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From handshake to 3-on-3: How the Trump-Putin Alaska meeting changed shape before it began

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Arishaa Izaj

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Moscow 'killing' on day of negotiations as well, claims Zelenskyy as Trump, Putin meet in Alaska

Chhabi Kala

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On Janmashtami, Yunus says committed to keeping bond of communal harmony unbroken

101Reporters

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HELSINKI, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and another injured in a shooting in the Swedish city of Orebro on Friday, police confirmed.

The deceased was identified as a 25-year-old man, police said at a press conference on Friday evening. The injured victim, also in his twenties, remains hospitalized, with the severity of his condition undisclosed. Both victims were previously known to law enforcement, police said.

A preliminary investigation into murder, attempted murder and aggravated weapons offenses has been opened.

No arrests have been made. "We are fully hunting the perpetrator right now. We are, of course, doing this by gathering information through witness interviews and conducting extensive investigative work with internal intelligence," a police spokesman said.

Police said earlier that the shooting, which occurred near a mosque in the Vivalla area of Orebro, some 200 km west of Stockholm, was likely linked to a criminal gang scene.

In such cases, it is common for several people to be involved beyond a single suspect, police told local newspaper Dagens Nyheter earlier.

Officers received an alert at 13:45 local time about a suspected serious violent crime at the site.

Large areas around the site remain cordoned off as the manhunt continues. 
Putin breaks protocol in Alaska, claims understanding with Trump on Ukraine but no deal yet

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Putin hails 20% jump in US-Russia trade under Trump, even as US slaps tariffs on India over Russian oil

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Takeaways from the Trump-Putin meeting: No agreement, no questions but lots of pomp

Smriti Mishra

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TrumpPutin Alaska talks: Everything they said, and didnt say, on Ukraine | Full breakdown

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Trump, Putin hint at Moscow meeting after Alaska talks but keep Ukraine details under wraps

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Trump speaks to Ukrainian, NATO leaders after Putin summit reaches no deal to end war

101Reporters

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Ukraines security must be ensured, says Putin, but only if Russias concerns are met

Aishwarya Dabhade

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LISBON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out early Saturday at a nursing home in northern Portugal's Mirandela, leaving six people dead, five seriously injured, and 20 others with minor injuries, local authorities said.

The incident, which happened around 5 a.m. local time (0400 GMT), was confirmed by Luis Carlos Soares, commander of the Mirandela fire department, in a statement sent to local broadcaster RTP.

Aderito Gomes, one of the board members of the institution, said the blaze is believed to have started in connection with an anti-bedsore mattress in a room with three residents, all of whom died. Three other elderly persons died due to smoke inhalation and respiratory complications.

The nursing home hosted about 90 elderly people. After the incident, some of them were transferred to hospitals in Mirandela, Macedo de Cavaleiros and Braganca, while the rest are being relocated to other facilities.

Authorities stressed that the fire was not connected to the ongoing wave of wildfires affecting several parts of the country. 
Vladimir Putin says meeting with Donald Trump was 'timely and 'very useful'

Tamal Nandi

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'When will you stop killing civilians?' Putins shrug stirs fury online as Trump meeting in Alaska gets underway

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Why Melania Trumps personal letter to Putin is making waves in Ukraine talks

Aishwarya Dabhade

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'Why should Trump trust you?' Putin faces tough media questions at Alaska summit

Chhabi Kala

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MOSCOW, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and 112 were injured after a factory fire on Friday in western Russia's Ryazan Region, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

About 350 specialists and more than 80 units of equipment are working on site, the ministry said, adding that two people were rescued from the rubble.

The fire broke out at around 10:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT) in a production workshop of a factory in Lesnoy, Shilovsky District, the regional operational headquarters said earlier in the day.

Local investigative authorities have opened a case over violations of industrial safety requirements at hazardous production facilities in connection with the incident. 
Canadian premier to meet with Mexican president in Mexico next month

Canadian premier to meet with Mexican president in Mexico next month View Photo

TORONTO (AP)  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Mexico in September to meet with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, a senior official familiar with the matter said Friday.

The meeting comes as Americas neighbors deal with U.S. tariffs and prepare for a review of the free trade deal between the three countries next year.

The official confirmed the visit on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Carney sent his foreign minister as well as his finance minister to meet with Sheinbaum earlier this month in a bid to diversity trade. They also met a large group of Canadian and Mexican business leaders, including key players supporting North Americas integrated economy, trade infrastructure and supply chains.

Sheinbaum visited Canada during the G7 summit in Alberta in June.

Goods that comply with the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that U.S. President Donald Trump negotiated during his first term are excluded from the U.S. tariffs.

But Trump has some sector-specific tariffs, known as 232 tariffs, that are having an impact. There is a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports and a 25% tariff on auto imports.

Mexico is Canadas third largest trading partner after the U.S. and China. Canada was Mexicos fifth-largest trading partner in 2024.

By ROB GILLIES

Associated Press
BERLIN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Saturday that a trilateral meeting is expected to follow Monday's meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

In an interview with public broadcaster ARD, Merz said a subsequent trilateral talk involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky, and Trump is likely to take place soon, though uncertainties remain.

On Saturday, German newspaper Bild reported that the German, British, and French governments will decide on Sunday whether, and at what level, to send representatives to the United States to join Monday's meeting.

Commenting on the Alaska summit on Friday, Merz said on social media platform X that it was "good news" that there were no territorial negotiations between Putin and Trump conducted over the heads of Ukraine and the European Union.

Merz said the talks will continue and the Europeans will play a role in the process. 
Hundreds may have been exposed to rabies at bat-infested cabins in Grand Teton National Park

Hundreds may have been exposed to rabies at bat-infested cabins in Grand Teton National Park View Photo

Health officials are working to alert hundreds of people in dozens of states and several countries who may have been exposed to rabies in bat-infested cabins in Wyomings Grand Teton National Park over the past few months.

As of Friday, none of the bats found in some of the eight linked cabins at Jackson Lake Lodge had tested positive for rabies.

But the handful of dead bats found and sent to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory in Laramie for testing were probably only a small sample of the likely dozens that colonized the attic above the row of cabins, Wyoming State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said.

Other bats werent killed but got shooed out through cabin doors and windows. Meanwhile, the vast majority never flapped down from the attic into living spaces.

Health officials thus deemed it better safe than sorry to alert everybody who has stayed in the cabins recently that they might have been exposed by being bitten or scratched. Especially when people are sleeping, a bat bite or scratch can go unseen and unnoticed.

What were really concerned about is people who saw bats in their rooms and people who might have had direct contact with a bat, Harrist said Friday.

The cabins have been unoccupied, with no plans to reopen, since concessionaire Grand Teton Lodge Company discovered the bat problem July 27.

Bats are a frequent vector of the rabies virus. Once symptoms occur  muscle aches, vomiting, itching, to name a few  rabies is almost always fatal in humans.

The good news is a five-shot prophylactic regimen over a two-week period soon after exposure is highly effective in preventing illness, Harrist noted.

The cabins opened for the summer season in May after being vacant over the winter. Based on the roughly 250 reservations through late July, health officials estimated that up to 500 people had stayed in the cabins.

They were trying to reach people in 38 states and seven countries through those states health agencies and, in the case of foreign visitors, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Others who have not been alerted yet but stayed in cabins 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528 and 530 this year should tell health officials or a doctor immediately, Harrist said.

Health officials were recommending prophylactic shots for people who fit certain criteria, such as deep sleepers who found a bat in their room, and children too young to say that they had seen a bat.

The Wyoming Department of Health had no ongoing concern about visitor safety at the Jackson Lake Lodge area. That includes a Federal Reserve economic policy symposium Aug. 21-23 that takes place at Jackson Lake Lodge every summer.

The lodge company has done a fantastic job of doing their due diligence of making sure everyone that is coming in for that, and for all other visits this year, are going to be as safe as possible, said Emily Curren, Wyomings public health veterinarian.

Three or four dead bats from the cabins tested negative and one that was mangled did not have enough brain tissue to be testable, Curren said.

All were brown bats, which come in two species: little and big, with the larger ones more than twice as big. Officials were unsure which species these were, but both are common in Wyoming.

They typically live in colonies of 30 to 100 individuals, Curren said.

Thats a lot of bats that we cannot rule out a risk of rabies being in, Curren said. Theres no way for us to know for certain about every single bat that got into these rooms.

There are no plans to exterminate the bats, Grand Teton National Park spokesperson Emily Davis said. Devices fitted to the building were keeping the bats from getting back in after flying out in pursuit of insects to eat, they said.

By SEJAL GOVINDARAO and MEAD GRUVER

The Associated Press
Perus president affirms sovereignty of Amazon River island as tensions with Colombia escalate View Photo

LIMA, Peru (AP)  Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Friday traveled to an Amazon River island at the center of a territorial dispute with Colombia, where she affirmed Perus unquestionable sovereignty over the territory.

The first visit from Boluarte to the island comes against a backdrop of diplomatic tensions with Colombia, whose president, Gustavo Petro, recently disavowed Peruvian jurisdiction over Santa Rosa Island.

Security force chiefs and members of Parliament welcomed Boluarte and Cabinet ministers to the territory, where she sang the Peruvian national anthem as people waved red-and-white flags.

Unfortunately, for several days now, unacceptable actions have been taking place that affect the brotherhood that unites our two nations and the border communities, Boluarte said. Perus sovereignty is not in dispute; the district of Santa Rosa de Loreto is Peruvian and will remain so.

Tensions between the neighboring countries escalated Tuesday, when Peruvian police arrested three Colombian men who were on the island doing land surveying work. Colombias government on Thursday demanded the immediate release of the men after a Peruvian judge freed one of them but ordered the other two remain in jail for seven days while authorities investigate them for the alleged crime of attacking national sovereignty.

Petro described the arrests as a kidnapping. His government has said the detainees  a land surveyor and a boat driver  were conducting studies to measure the depth of bodies of water for a pier expansion in the Colombian border city of Leticia. Peruvian authorities said the workers were not authorized to carry out the measurements.

The arrest of the two Colombians marks the third binational incident in the area since Petro denied Perus jurisdiction over Santa Rosa Island on Aug. 5. Two days later, a Colombian military aircraft flew over the island, and on Monday, the former mayor of the Colombian city of Medellin, Daniel Quintero, planted a Colombian flag there. Police later removed the flag.

About 3,000 people live in tiny Santa Rosa Island, which emerged in the middle of the Amazon River last century.

Peru maintains it owns Santa Rosa Island based on treaties about a century old, but Colombia disputes that ownership because the island had not yet emerged from the river at the time.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Mexico, Guatemala and Belize to create tri-national nature reserve to protect Mayan jungle View Photo

GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  The leaders of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize announced on Friday that they were creating a tri-national nature reserve to protect the Mayan rain forest following a meeting during which they also discussed expanding a Mexican train line criticized for slicing through jungle habitat.

The nature reserve would stretch across jungled areas of southern Mexico and northern parts of the two Central American nations, encompassing more than 14 million acres (5.7 million hectares). Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called the move historic and said it would create the second biggest nature reserve in Latin America, behind the Amazon rain forest.

This is one of Earths lungs, a living space for thousands of species with an invaluable cultural legacy that we should preserve with our eyes on the future, Sheinbaum said, standing side-by-side with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceno.

The announcement was met with cautious celebration by environmental groups like Mexico-based Selvame, who have sharply criticized the Mexican government and Sheinbaums allies in recent years for environmental destruction wrought by megaprojects like a controversial train line, known as the Maya Train.

The group said in statement that the reserve was a monumental step for conservation but that it hoped that the reserve was more than just symbolic.

Were in a race against the clock. Real estate and construction companies are invading the jungle, polluting our ecosystems, and endangering both the water we consume, and the communities that depend on it, the group wrote.

It called on Sheinbaums government to put an effective monitoring system in place to stop any destructive activities.

At the same time, the leaders also discussed a proposal by Mexico to expand the very train line those environmental groups have long fought from southern Mexico to Guatemala and Belize. The thousand-mile train currently runs in a rough loop around Mexicos Yucatan peninsula, and was created with the purpose of connecting Mexicos popular Caribbean resorts with remote jungle and Mayan archaeological sites in rural areas.

However, it has fueled controversy and legal battles as it sliced through swathes of jungle and damaged a delicate cave system in Mexico that serves as the areas main source of water. In a span of four years, authorities cut down approximately 7 million trees, according to government figures.

Sheinbaums mentor and predecessor former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador fast-tracked the train project without detailed environmental studies. The populist repeatedly ignored orders from judges to stop construction due to environmental concerns and publicly attacked environmentalists warning about damage done to fragile ecosystems.

Lopez Obrador first proposed the idea of expanding the train to Guatemala, and Sheinbaum has continued to push for the project. On Friday, she said the extension would usher in development in rural areas with few economic opportunities.

But Arevalo was already on record saying Guatemalas laws would not allow it to be built through protected jungle in the north of the country.

The Guatemalan leader said on Friday he sees the economic potential of the project to the jungle region but remained adamant that the construction should not come with the kind of environmental damage that it inflicted in Mexico.

Connecting the Maya Train with Guatemala and eventually with Belize is a vision we share, Arevalo said. But Ive made it very clear at all times that the Maya Train will not pass through any protected area.

He said there would also have to be careful environmental studies and the two presidents looked at an alternative proposal that would have the train loop instead of directly cut through the jungles of Guatemala and Belize.

It remained unclear how the trains potential route would be affected by the new protected area.



Janetsky reported from Mexico City.

By SONIA PEREZ D. and MEGAN JANETSKY

Associated Press
El Salvador extends pretrial detention for 80,000 gang suspects 2 more years View Photo

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  El Salvadors Congress voted Friday to give government prosecutors two more years to hold the more than 80,000 people swept up under the state of emergency while they investigate alleged ties to the countrys gangs.

The Congress, controlled by President Nayib Bukeles New Ideas party and its allies, voted 57 to 3 in favor of extending the period of pretrial incarceration.

Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado said that with the extension authorities could carry out more complete investigations, present solid evidence and win sentences against members of organized crime.

Lawmakers also gave the government the option of extending for another 12 months if necessary.

Improved public safety under the state of emergency has swelled Bukeles popularity, but the suspension of some constitutional rights and general lack of due process has drawn criticism within and outside El Salvador.

Opposition lawmaker Claudia Ortiz of the VAMOS party, said Friday it showed the governments inability to deliver justice.

Theyve had more than two years to do a serious investigation of all of the cases and be able to take all of those detained to trial, and since they havent done it on time, the (National) Assembly has to do a favor for the Attorney Generals Office, she said.

Following an outburst of gang violence in March 2022, Bukele asked lawmakers for extraordinary powers to respond to a gang massacre. Among the rights the Congress agreed to suspend were the maximum time period take a prisoner before a judge, as well as fundamental protections like access to a lawyer.

Since then, more than 88,000 people have been arrested for alleged ties to gangs, with 90% still awaiting trial.

In July 2023, the Congress voted to give the government 24 months to prosecute a group of gang members. That period is up this month on Aug. 25.

Delgado said the plan is to carry out hundreds of mass trials as theyve been able to sort the accused into groups.

This big quantity of people isnt going to be judged in one or two weeks, Delgado said. It takes a considerable amount of time for the judges to receive the evidence that links each one of them and then later issue verdicts according to each corresponding law.

By MARCOS ALEMAN

Associated Press
2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in Tuolumne County -- TCPW graphic View Photo

Groveland, CA  Qualifying businesses and residents in Tuolumne County can get rid of hazardous waste for free this weekend.

On Saturday, August 16, 2025, the Tuolumne County Public Works Departments Solid Waste Division will host a 2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection event in Groveland from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents will be allowed to dispose of hazardous waste at the facility in the Big Oak Flat area. According to public works authorities, travel Highway 120 to Big Oak Flat, then turn onto Catholic Cemetery Road and follow the signage.

This is the time to safely dispose of any old and unwanted cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, contaminated motor oil, and gasoline taking up space around the garage, house, and/or yard, advise public works officials.

Residential drop-off does not require an appointment; however, eligible businesses must schedule an appointment to drop off hazardous garbage. To find out whether a company qualifies, ask questions and schedule an appointment; contact Clean Earth at (800) 207-8222. Public works officials provided the rules below for dropping off waste:

Accepted Items:

Weed killers

Insect sprays

Pesticides

Fungicides

Pool chemicals,

Camp & BBQ Propane cylinders

Brake fluid

Waxes

Rust preventatives

Contaminated motor oil

Engine/brake part cleaners

Glues

Polishes

Solvents

Paint

Gasoline

Thinner

Wood preservatives

Photo chemicals

Art supplies

Oven/drain cleaners

Mothballs

Non-empty aerosol cans

Deodorizers

Household cleaners

Nail polish remover

Shoe polish

Follow these simple steps:

Keep waste in original container

Do not mix material

Prevent leakage or spills (Place container in tub or box and surround with paper or kitty litter)

Transport wastes in trunk or secured in bed of truck

Restrictions:

No containers larger than 5 gallons

Limit toxic items to 15 gals. or 125 lbs. per trip (California State Law)

Not Accepted Items:
Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office Logo View Photo

Sonora, CA  A Sonora man reportedly intimidated two witnesses in connection with child sexual abuse and bribery of a court officer.

According to Tuolumne County Sheriffs Investigators, the suspect, 45-year-old Daniel Sanchezterraza, was also denied bail after detectives requested no bail due to the pattern and seriousness of the offenses.

The bribery charge stems from an investigation that began on June 27, 2025, after a report the day before from a Tuolumne Superior Court judicial officer that Sanchezterraza had approached him and offered money for the release of a jailed friend. According to detectives, they received a second call that day claiming Sanchezterraza had sexually assaulted a 12-year-old confidential victim and then attempted to further sexually assault both that victim and a second 11-year-old confidential victim. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Over the next couple of days, two parents came forward reporting that Sanchezterraza had contacted them and offered money to drop the criminal charges against him, and even threatened to kill one of them during a phone call.

Investigators got a break in locating Sanchezterraza about two weeks later when an early morning report of an intoxicated man sitting in a pickup truck in the parking lot near Mono Way and Bergel Road, who turned out to be Sanchezterraza, came in. He was arrested for felony lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, contacting a minor with sexual intent, bribery of a judicial officer, criminal threats, and bribery to influence testimony.

Additionally, sheriffs officials relayed that while in jail, Sanchezterraza damaged his cell window, cracking the glass and a table attached to the wall of his cell. He also armed himself with a broom, striking a communications kiosk in the dayroom of his housing unit, shattering the screen and disabling the device, tacking on felony damage to jail property charges, due to the vandalism being more than $950.
In their words: Israeli leaders support the mass relocation of Palestinians from Gaza View Photo

President Donald Trump has said little about his idea of relocating many of the Gaza Strips 2 million Palestinians to other countries since he stunned the world by announcing it in February.

But Israels leaders have run with it, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at one point listed it as a condition for ending the 22-month war sparked by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

He and other Israeli officials present it as a humanitarian measure allowing Palestinians to flee war and hardship, and say it should be voluntary. Israel has been in talks with African countries  many of which are themselves wracked by war and at risk of famine  about taking Palestinians in.

Palestinians say there would be nothing voluntary about leaving part of their homeland with no guarantee of return after an occupying power has rendered much of it uninhabitable. Rights groups and much of the international community say it would amount to forcible expulsion in violation of international law.

The issue is likely to take on greater urgency as Israel widens its military campaign to the last parts of Gaza that it hasnt taken over and largely flattened, and as large numbers of Palestinians flee once again.

This is our land, there is no other place for us to go, said Ismail Zaydah, whose family has remained in Gaza City throughout the war, even after much of their neighborhood and part of their home was destroyed. We are not surrendering, he said. We were born here, and here we die.

Heres what Israels leaders have said, in their own words.

Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a Feb. 6 post on X

I have instructed the (Israeli military) to prepare a plan that will allow any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave to do so, to any country willing to receive them.  The plan will include exit options via land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air.

Netanyahu, addressing a Cabinet meeting on March 30

Hamas will lay down its weapons. Its leaders will be allowed to leave. We will see to the general security in the Gaza Strip and will allow the realization of the Trump plan for voluntary migration. This is the plan. We are not hiding this and are ready to discuss it at any time.

Netanyahu, in a public address May 21

Israel will create a sterile zone in the southern Strip to which the civilian population will be evacuated from the combat areas, for the purpose of defending it. In this zone, which will be Hamas-free, the residents of Gaza will receive full humanitarian assistance.

I am ready to end the war  according to clear conditions that will ensure the security of Israel. All of the hostages will return home. Hamas will lay down its weapons, leave power, its leadership, whoever is left, will be exiled from the Strip, Gaza will be completely demilitarized, and we will carry out the Trump plan, which is so correct and so revolutionary, and it says something simple: The residents of Gaza who wish to leave  will be able to leave.

Netanyahu, in an interview with Israeli media on Aug. 12

I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there.

Give them the opportunity to leave! First, from combat zones, and also from the Strip if they want. We will allow this, first of all inside Gaza during the fighting, and we will also allow them to leave Gaza. We are not pushing them out but allowing them to leave.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

By JOSEPH KRAUSS

Associated Press
Judge denies Trump administration request to end a policy protecting immigrant children in custody View Photo

McALLEN, Texas (AP)  A federal judge ruled Friday to deny the Trump administrations request to end a policy in place for nearly three decades that is meant to protect immigrant children in federal custody.

U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee in Los Angeles issued her ruling a week after holding a hearing with the federal government and legal advocates representing immigrant children in custody.

Gee called last weeks hearing deja vu after reminding the court of the federal governments attempt to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement in 2019 under the first Trump administration. She repeated the sentiment in Fridays order.

There is nothing new under the sun regarding the facts or the law. The Court therefore could deny Defendants motion on that basis alone, Gee wrote, referring to the governments appeal to a law they believed kept the court from enforcing the agreement.

In the most recent attempt, the government argued they made substantial changes since the agreement was formalized in 1997, creating standards and policies governing the custody of immigrant children that conform to legislation and the agreement.

Gee acknowledged that the government made some improved conditions of confinement, but wrote, These improvements are direct evidence that the FSA is serving its intended purpose, but to suggest that the agreement should be abandoned because some progress has been made is nonsensical.

Attorneys representing the federal government told the court the agreement gets in the way of their efforts to expand detention space for families, even though Trumps tax and spending bill provided billions to build new immigration facilities.

Tiberius Davis, one of the government attorneys, said the bill gives the government authority to hold families in detention indefinitely. But currently under the Flores Settlement Agreement, thats essentially void, he said last week.

The Flores agreement, named for a teenage plaintiff, was the result of over a decade of litigation between attorneys representing the rights of migrant children and the U.S. government over widespread allegations of mistreatment in the 1980s.

The agreement set standards for how licensed shelters must provide food, water, adult supervision, emergency medical services, toilets, sinks, temperature control and ventilation. It also limited how long U.S. Customs and Border Protection could detain child immigrants to 72 hours. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services then takes custody of the children.

The Biden administration successfully pushed to partially end the agreement last year. Gee ruled that special court supervision may end when HHS takes custody, but she carved out exceptions for certain types of facilities for children with more acute needs.

In arguing against the Trump administrations effort to completely end the agreement, advocates said the government was holding children beyond the time limits. In May, CBP held 46 children for over a week, including six children held for over two weeks and four children held 19 days, according to data revealed in a court filing. In March and April, CPB reported that it had 213 children in custody for more than 72 hours. That included 14 children, including toddlers, who were held for over 20 days in April.

The federal government is looking to expand its immigration detention space, including by building more centers like one in Florida dubbed  Alligator Alcatraz, where a lawsuit alleges detainees constitutional rights are being violated.

Gee still has not ruled on the request by legal advocates for the immigrant children to expand independent monitoring of the treatment of children held in U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities. Currently, the agreement allows for third-party inspections at facilities in the El Paso and Rio Grande Valley regions, but plaintiffs submitted evidence showing long detention times at border facilities that violate the agreements terms.

By VALERIE GONZALEZ

Associated Press
For Trump and Putin, handshakes on a red carpet and a joint limo ride, then an abrupt ending

For Trump and Putin, handshakes on a red carpet and a joint limo ride, then an abrupt ending View Photo

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP)  First came the red carpet, then the warm handshakes, friendly smiles and military planes flying overhead.

Finally, President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin climbed into the back seat of Trumps presidential limousine, casually chatting like reunited friends as they were whisked away to talks about the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.

It was a greeting fit for the closest U.S. allies. Instead it was rolled out for an adversarial leader who launched the largest land war in Europe since World War II and is seen as one of Americas most vexing foes.

Hours later, however, their interactions seemed more muted after they emerged from talks.

Trump and Putin appeared briefly at what had been billed as a joint news conference  though neither took questions. They offered generalities about an understanding and progress, while praising one another from podiums positioned unusually far apart before a backdrop displaying the phrase Pursuing peace.

Trump has repeatedly implored Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine and agree to a ceasefire after insisting during last years campaign that he would be able to end the conflict in 24 hours. Trump made clear in recent weeks that he is unhappy with Russias more than 3-year-old offensive, and he had threatened severe consequences and additional sanctions if progress were not made Friday.

The tensions between the two leaders were not apparent from their clasped hands and grins as Trump welcomed Putin back to U.S. soil for the first time in a decade. But as they parted, little was known about what comes next.

Summit opens with warmth and pomp

In a carefully choreographed scene at an Alaska military base, the men emerged from their respective planes nearly simultaneously and walked shoulder to shoulder along a red carpet unfurled on the tarmac.

Trump wore a ruby red tie. Putin wore burgundy.

Trump briefly applauded Putin while he awaited their greeting. His hand was outstretched as Putin approached, and they exchanged a lengthy handshake, patting each others elbows, chatting and smiling.

That is when F-22s fighter jets and a B-2 bomber flew overhead at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.

The stealth warplanes were designed in part for a possible conflict with the Soviet Union. Neither plane entered active service until after the Cold War ended, but their development began in the 1970s and 1980s during the height of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry.

They ignored shouted questions from reporters as they stood on a platform emblazoned with the words Alaska 2025 for a photo-op and another handshake.

President Putin, will you stop killing civilians? one shouted. Putin gestured to his ear, suggesting he couldnt hear the question.

Trump, playing up his role as host, then directed Putin to where the U.S. presidential limousine was waiting. The two got into the back seat and could be seen chatting through the darkened windows.

As the motorcade pulled away, Putin grinned.

A reception far different than Zelenskyys

The pomp and planes may have been intended to remind the Russian leader of U.S. military might. But they also underscored the dramatic contrast between Trumps treatment of Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a U.S. ally whom Trump berated for being disrespectful during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting in February.

That visit ended without the leaders signing a planned deal on rare earth minerals or holding a joint news conference after Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House by top Trump advisers.

Youre gambling with World War III, and what youre doing is very disrespectful to the country  this country thats backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have, Trump scolded Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian leader tried to warn Trump that Putin could not be trusted.

Since then, Trump has voiced more frustration with Putin as Russian strikes on Ukraine ramped up, writing Vladimir, STOP! on social media and even declaring that the Russian leader has gone absolutely CRAZY!

But little of that frustration was visible Friday at the greeting of the two leaders, who have long had a friendly relationship that Trump critics view as highly suspect.

The news conference with no questions

Hours later, after the meeting between officials from both countries, Trump and Putin filed into a room of journalists and the American and Russian delegations.

Putin spoke first, saying they had reached an understanding on Ukraine but offered no details. He agreed with Trumps long-repeated assertion that Russia never would have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Trump been president instead of Democrat Joe Biden.

I say that because President Trump and I have established a strong, trusting and practical relationship, Putin said.

He reiterated Moscows position that it is sincerely interested in putting an end to the war in Ukraine  but only after all the root causes of the crisis are eliminated.

I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine, Putin said in Russian, without elaborating.

Trump listened with a translation in one ear. He spoke second, telling reporters that hes always had a fantastic relationship with Putin.

The U.S. president said some great progress had been made during an extremely productive meeting. Trump said many points were agreed to and that just a very few issues were left to resolve. He did not offer specifics.

He also made no reference to the ceasefire hes been seeking and did not criticize Putin over the killing of Ukrainian civilians as he stood on the world stage.

As they wrapped up, Putin said he hoped the two would meet again soon.

Next time in Moscow, he said in English, then chuckled.

Journalists raised their hands and shouted questions, taking cellphone video of the leaders as they shook hands once again and walked out.

___

Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

By JILL COLVIN and MICHELLE L. PRICE

Associated Press
Trumps aggressive push to take over DC policing may be a template for an approach in other cities

Trumps aggressive push to take over DC policing may be a template for an approach in other cities View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The left sees President Donald Trumps attempted takeover of Washington law enforcement as part of a multifront march to autocracy  vindictive authoritarian rule, as one activist put it  and as an extraordinary thing to do in rather ordinary times on the streets of the capital. To the right, its a bold move to fracture the crust of Democratic urban bureaucracy and make D.C. a better place to live.

Where that debate settles  if it ever does  may determine whether Washington, a symbol for America in all its granite glory, history, achievement, inequality and dysfunction, becomes a model under the imprint of Trump for how cities are policed, cleaned up and run, or ruined.

Under the name of his Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Trump put some 800 National Guard troops on Washington streets this past week, declaring at the outset, Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals.

Grunge was also on his mind. If our capital is dirty, our whole country is dirty, and they dont respect us.

He then upped the stakes by declaring federal control of the districts police department and naming an emergency chief. That set off alarms and prompted local officials to sue to stop the effort. I have never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive, Police Chief Pamela Smith said.

On Friday, the Trump administration partially retreated from its effort to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department when a judge, skeptical that the president had the authority to do what he tried to do, urged both sides to reach a compromise, which they did  at least for now.

Trumps Justice Department agreed to leave Smith in control, while still intending to instruct her department on law enforcement practices. In a new memo, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the force to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law.

In this heavily Democratic city, local officials and many citizens did not like the National Guard deployment. At the same time, they acknowledged the Republican president had the right to order it because of the federal governments unique powers in the district.

But Trumps attempt to seize formal control of the police department, for the first time since D.C. gained a partial measure of autonomy in the Home Rule Act of 1973, was their red line.

When the feds stepped in

For sure, there have been times when the U.S. military has been deployed to American streets, but almost always in the face of a riot or a calamitous event like the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Trumps use of force was born of an emergency that he saw and city officials  and many others  did not.

A stranger to nuance, Trump has used the language of emergency to justify much of what hes done: his deportations of foreigners, his tariffs, his short-term deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, and now his aggressive intervention into Washington policing.

Washington does have crime and endemic homelessness, like every city in the country. But there was nothing like an urban fire that the masses thought needed to be quelled. Violent crime is down, as it is in many U.S. cities.

Washington is also a city about which most Americans feel ownership  or at least that they have a stake. More than 25 million of them visited in 2024, a record year, plus over 2 million people from abroad. Its where middle schoolers on field trips get to see what they learn about in class  and perhaps to dance to pop tunes with the man with the music player so often in front of the White House.

Washington is part federal theme park, with its historic buildings and museums, and part downtown, where restaurants and lobbyists outnumber any corporate presence. Neighborhoods range from the places where Jeff Bezos set a record for a home purchase price to destitute streets in economically depressed areas that are also magnets for drugs and crime.

In 1968, the capital was a city on fire with riots. Twenty years later, a murder spree and crack epidemic fed the sense of a place out of control. But over the last 30 years, the citys population and its collective wealth have swelled.

A cooked-up emergency?

Against that backdrop, Philadelphias top prosecutor, District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, assailed Trumps moves in Washington.

Youre talking about an emergency, really? Krasner said, as if speaking with the president. Or is it that youre talking about an emergency because you want to pretend everything is an emergency so that you can roll tanks?

In Washington, a coalition of activists called Not Above the Law denounced what they saw as just the latest step by Trump to seize levers of power he has no business grasping.

The onslaught of lawlessness and autocratic activities has escalated, said Lisa Gilbert, co-chair of the group and co-president of Public Citizen. The last two weeks should have crystallized for all Americans that Donald Trump will not stop until democracy is replaced by vindictive authoritarian rule.

Fifty miles northeast, in the nearest major city, Baltimores Democratic mayor criticized what he saw as Trumps effort to distract the public from economic pain and Americas falling standing in the world.

Every mayor and police chief in America works with our local federal agents to do great work  to go after gun traffickers, to go after violent organizations, Brandon Scott said. How is taking them off of that job, sending them out to just patrol the street, making our country safer?

But the leader of the D.C. Police Union, Gregg Pemberton, endorsed Trumps intervention  while saying it should not become permanent.

We stand with the president in recognizing that Washington, D.C., cannot continue on this trajectory, Pemberton said. From his vantage point, Crime is out of control, and our officers are stretched beyond their limits.

The Home Rule Act lets a president invoke certain emergency powers over the police department for 30 days, after which Congress must decide whether to extend the period. Trumps attempt to use that provision stirred interest among some Republicans in Congress in giving him an even freer hand.

Among them, Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee drafted a resolution that would eliminate the time limit on federal control. This, he told Fox News Digital, would give the president all the time and authority he needs to crush lawlessness, restore order, and reclaim our capital once and for all.

Which raises a question that Trump has robustly hinted at and others are wondering, too: If there is success in the district  at least, success in the presidents eyes  what might that mean for other American cities he thinks need to be fixed? Where does  where could  the federal government go next?

___

Associated Press writer Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.

By CALVIN WOODWARD

Associated Press
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a joint press conference after concluding their talks in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 15, 2025.The talks, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the city of Anchorage, lasted about three hours. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

ANCHORAGE, the United States, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he had a "very productive meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, but the summit ended without a deal on the Ukraine crisis.

The two presidents held a joint press conference after concluding their talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Trump said they agreed on "many points," adding that the two sides made some headway, though no deal was reached.

Putin said he agreed that the security of Ukraine should be ensured, and an agreement he reached with Trump would pave the way toward peace in Ukraine.

Standing side by side on stage for just over 10 minutes, both leaders indicated that progress had been made during their face-to-face talks, but no concrete deal was produced.

Putin said the negotiations took place in a "constructive atmosphere of mutual respect" and that a personal meeting between the heads of state had been "long overdue."

"Everything that's happening is a tragedy for us and a terrible wound," and Russia is sincerely interested in ending it, said Putin.

He stressed that efforts must address the "primary causes" of the conflict and warned Ukraine and European countries not to "throw a wrench in the works."

Putin expressed his hope that the meeting would be a "starting point" not only for the resolution of the Ukrainian issue, but also for helping bring back "business-like" and "pragmatic" relations between Russia and the United States.

He said Russian-U.S. cooperation in investment and business has tremendous potential as the two countries can offer each other so much in trade, digital, high-tech and space exploration.

"We see that Arctic cooperation is also very possible in our international context," he said.

Trump described the talks as "extremely productive" and said "great progress" had been made.

"Many points" were agreed upon, Trump noted, adding there is "a very good chance of getting there."

Trump said he will call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders soon.

Zelensky said on Friday he hopes the Trump-Putin meeting will pave the way for trilateral talks.

The meeting lasted about three hours and marked the first face-to-face encounter between the presidents of the two countries since 2021.

The two leaders did not take questions from reporters at the press conference. 
Ten years ago, it seemed everyone was talking about women in science.

As the economy improved in the years after the Great Recession, women were slower to return to the workforce, causing alarm, especially in vital fields like computing. State and federal leaders turned their attention to women in science, technology, engineering and math, known by the acronym STEM.

Over the next few years, they poured millions of dollars into increasing the number of women pursuing STEM degrees. But the rate of women who attain those degrees has hardly improved, according to an analysis of colleges data by the Public Policy Institute of California on behalf of CalMatters.

The unfortunate news is that the numbers havent changed much at all, said Hans Johnson, a senior fellow at the institute who conducted the analysis of Californias four-year colleges using data from the 2009-10 school year and comparing it to the most recent numbers, from 2022-23. The share of women who received a bachelors degree increased from roughly 19% to about 25% in engineering and from nearly 16% to about 23% in computer science. In math and statistics, the percentage of women who graduate with a degree has gone down in the last five years.

Its not nothing, but at this pace it would take a very long time to reach parity, Johnson said.

Girls are also underrepresented in certain high school classes, such as AP computer science, and while women make up about 42% of Californias workforce, they comprise just a quarter of those working in STEM careers, according to a study by Mount Saint Marys University. Fewer women were working in math careers in 2023 than in the five or 10 years before that, the study found.

Its a cultural phenomenon, not a biological phenomenon, said Mayya Tokman, a professor of applied mathematics at UC Merced. She said underrepresentation is a result of perceptions about women, the quality of their education, and a lack of role models in a given field.

Science and technology spurs innovation and economic growth while promoting national security, and these jobs are often lucrative and stable. Gender parity is critical, especially as U.S. science and technology industries struggle to find qualified workers, said Sue Rosser, provost emerita at San Francisco State and a longtime advocate for women in science. We need more people in STEM. More people means immigrants, women, people of color as well as white men. Theres no point in excluding anyone.

She said that recent cuts by the Trump administration to Californias research and education programs will stymie progress in science, technology and engineering  and hurt countless careers, including the women who aspire to join these fields.

Over the last eight months, the federal government has made extensive cuts to scientific research at Californias universities, affecting work on dementia, vaccines, womens issues and on health problems affecting the LGBTQ+ community. The administration also ended programs that support undergraduate students in science. In June a federal judge ruled that the administration needs to restore some of those grants, but a Supreme Court decision could reverse that ruling.

More recently, the administration halted hundreds of grants to UCLA  representing hundreds of millions in research funding  in response to a U.S. Justice Department investigation into allegations of antisemitism. Now the Trump administration is asking for a $1 billion settlement in return for the grants. A California district judge ruled on Tuesday that at least some of those grants need to be restored.

The cultural conversation has changed

In the past five years, attention has shifted away from women in science. Nonprofit leaders and researchers across the state say that many lawmakers and philanthropists turned away from women in STEM during the COVID-19 pandemic and focused more on racial justice following the police killing of George Floyd.

Since 1995, women have been outpacing men in college, and women are now much more likely to attain a bachelors degree. The unemployment rate for men is higher, too, and men without college degrees are opting out of the labor force at unprecedented rates.

On July 30 Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order saying the state needs to do more to address the growing crisis of connection and opportunity for men and boys. Its not a zero-sum game, he wrote: the state can, and should, support everyone.

But some state investments for womens education are lagging.

In 2018, the Legislature agreed to put $10 million each year into a new initiative, the California Education Learning Laboratory, to close equity and achievement gaps, including the underrepresentation of girls and women in science and technology. But two years later, the state imposed large-scale cuts to the initiative due to the pandemic. As the state faced more fiscal challenges in 2024, lawmakers cut its budget to about half its former size.

This year, Newsom proposed cutting the Education Learning Laboratory altogether. After negotiations with the Legislature, Newsom agreed to fund the initiative through next year, at which point its set to close unless new funding is secured.

While I think women are faring better in college generally, I would be skeptical that we can say mission accomplished in terms of achieving parity for women in STEM undergraduate degrees, said Lark Park, the director of the Education Learning Laboratory, which uses public money to provide grants to schools and nonprofits. I think weve just gotten distracted and the cultural conversation has changed.

Private and corporate foundations fund numerous nonprofit organizations that support girls and women in STEM, but grant recipients say some money has moved toward other, more popular topics or less controversial ones. Funders focus on trends and theyre very trendy in how they give, said Dawn Brown, president of the EmpowHer Institute, which offers education programs to girls and women across Los Angeles County.

One of her programs provides a free, five-week summer camp to girls, including a trip to Catalina Island, where they learn about environmental science and climate change. Since Trump took office, some corporate funders have pulled back support for the organizations programs, which may be perceived as supporting DEI, she said. The words women, girls, climate change  those are banned words.

Supporting women in math

When Chloe Lynn, a rising junior at UC Berkeley and a double major in applied math and management science, started taking higher-level courses, she noticed a trend in her math classes: fewer women. Ill be one of three girls in a 30, 40-person class, she said during an interview at the universitys division of equity and inclusion.

UC Berkeley has a center dedicated to promoting diversity in STEM, known as Cal NERDS, which features cozy study spots, a high-tech makerspace and various multi-purpose meeting rooms. The center receives much of its funding from the state but has a few grants from the federal government, some of which are currently on hold.

On a Thursday last month, Lynn was one of 10 students who came to present their summer research in one of the multi-purpose rooms. More than half of the presenters were women or non-binary, and the rest were part of other underrepresented groups in STEM, including Hispanic, Black and LGBTQ+ students. She stood in front of a large poster, waiting for people to stop by and ask about her work.

Say youre at an auction, and say theres n bidders and k identical items, she said as another student approached. Over the next two hours, fellow mathematicians, classmates, friends and family stopped by, listening as she explained her formula for allocating resources in an optimal way. Some understood her work and asked questions about her variables, formulas or 3-D models. The rest nodded in admiration.

By the end of the event, many students had abandoned their own posters in order to learn about their friends research. In her free time, as the vice president of UC Berkeleys undergraduate math association, Lynn has been trying to build this kind of community among other female math majors by organizing events where students can meet each other. Her end goal is graduate school, either in applied math or industrial engineering. Women are also underrepresented in those graduate programs.

Creating an inclusive and uplifting community is so important for anyone thats underrepresented, she said after finishing her presentation.

How STEM helps people

The lack of women in STEM has nothing to do with their abilities. In fact, women who major in STEM at California State University campuses are more likely than men to graduate, according to data from the college system, and in biology, women are overrepresented. Over 64% of biology bachelors degrees awarded in California during the 2022-23 school year went to women, according to the analysis from the Public Policy Institute of California.

Brown said some female alumni of EmpowHer have said that college advisers push biology over other science, engineering or math courses, claiming that its easier. Better advising could create more parity, she said.

Rosser, who trained as a zoologist before becoming a college administrator, said womens shift toward biology was a slow process, beginning in the 1970s. Women are particularly attracted to STEM when they can see its usefulness, particularly to help people, she said. Biology is often an entryway to the health care professions, she added, many of which are predominately female. She recommends that professors promote the application of their research as a way to increase the percentage of women in these fields.

In her studies at UC Berkeley, Lynn said shes struggled with the relevance of her research. Theres a lot going on in the world right now and I feel called to help, she said. Even though I did theory research this summer, Ive been thinking about ways to apply this theory to real-world applications I care about. In particular, she wants her research to help her community in the Bay Area, where she grew up.

Say youre an architect and youre in charge of reinforcing San Franciscos concrete structures in the event of an earthquake, she said. You want to minimize cost in San Francisco, and thats going to help you choose which building youre going to reinforce.

Its just another resource allocation problem, she said, so it could be solved with a similar formula.

It does hit close to home, she said. In fact, the UC Berkeley campus lies on a fault line.

___

This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

By ADAM ECHELMAN/CalMatters

CalMatters
Takeaways from the Trump-Putin meeting: No agreement, no questions but lots of pomp

Takeaways from the Trump-Putin meeting: No agreement, no questions but lots of pomp View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The much-anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin began with a warm welcome and a flyover by screaming jets at a U.S. military base in Alaska but ended with a thud Friday after they conceded that they had failed to reach any agreements on how to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

After about 2 1/2 hours of talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, the two men appeared before reporters for what had been billed as a joint news conference  but they took no questions.

We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to, there are just a very few that are left, Trump said. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Putin, welcomed into the U.S. after being shunned by Western allies since early 2022 for ordering the invasion of Ukraine, thanked Trump for hosting the meeting and suggested with a chuckle that the next time the two sit down it could be in Moscow.

Here are key takeaways from the summit:

A warm welcome underscoring the friendly Trump-Putin relationship

Putin got a red carpet welcome and even rode in Trumps presidential limousine from the tarmac to the summit venue. There, the pair were joined by two of their top aides: Secretary of State and national security adviser Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff for Trump and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and national security adviser Yuri Ushakov for Putin.

Putin, who spoke first after the meeting concluded, lauded the historical relationship between the United States, Russia and the former Soviet Union, recalling joint missions conducted by the two countries during World War II.

He said the U.S. and Russia share values, a standard talking point for Russian officials when trying to woo Trump and his aides. Putin also noted that Trump has frequently said the Ukraine war wouldnt have happened had he won the 2020 election.

I think that would have been the case, the Russian leader said, a comment sure to please Trump.

However, there is no indication and no way to prove that Moscow would have acted differently toward Ukraine had Democrat Joe Biden not been elected.

Trump touts progress but concedes there was no deal

Trump had gone into the meeting hoping to get Putin to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine  or at least a commitment from Russia to enter into negotiations to reach one.

Instead, Trump conceded that we havent quite got there and said he would be conferring with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders about next steps.

Trump said he and Putin had made some significant progress toward the goal of ending the conflict but gave no details on what that entailed and had to acknowledge that they had been unable to bridge substantial gaps.

I believe we had a very productive meeting, Trump said. We havent quite got there, but weve made some headway. So, theres no deal until theres a deal.

In a subsequent conversation with Sean Hannity of Fox News Channel, Trump again offered no details on his discussions with Putin.

With diplomatic progress creeping along, time is on Putins side

Amid drawn-out diplomatic moves to end the war, time is appears to be on Putins side. That gives a leg up to Russian forces, who have used their larger numbers to slowly grind down defenses in eastern Ukraine 3 1/2 years into the conflict.

Putin got a pleasant reception from the leader of the free world on U.S. soil and walked away hours later without either providing details on what they discussed, whether a ceasefire was any closer to reality or what the next steps would be.

Putin praised Trump for the friendly tone of the talks  Trump said nothing publicly about the killing of Ukrainian civilians in Moscows attacks  and for understanding that Russia has its own national interests.

Putin said Moscow and Washington should turn the page, with relations having sunk to the lowest point since the Cold War.

Putin appearing in the U.S. for the first time in 10 years was celebrated as a sign that Moscow was no longer a pariah on the global stage. In a social media post, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told followers that the Western press would be on the verge of losing their minds.

For three years, they talked about Russias isolation, and today they saw the red carpet being rolled out to greet the Russian president in the United States, she said.

There were no details and no questions

Both men said the talks were productive but the lack of any announcement of solid achievements was revealing.

The news conference ended up being less than 15 minutes of rather standard diplomatic comments  and gave no indication that any concrete results were achieved  and offered little departure from their previous comments on the war in Ukraine.

Trump has made it a feature of his second term to parry questions from reporters in front of world leaders, but in the clearest sign of his disappointment, the president abruptly cut short his plans to take questions.

Trump had gone into the summit saying here was a 25% chance that the summit would fail and that it was meant to be a feel-out meeting, but he had also floated the idea of bringing Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting if things went well. Its unclear what comes next.

___

Associated Press writers Katie Marie Davies, Dasha Litvinova and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.

By MATTHEW LEE

AP Diplomatic Writer
Trump reverses on the need for a ceasefire before a potential peace deal ending the war in Ukraine

Trump reverses on the need for a ceasefire before a potential peace deal ending the war in Ukraine View Photo

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course in the wake of his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to say an overall peace agreement  not the ceasefire that he has long championed  is the next step in ending the 3 1/2-year war in Ukraine.

In talks with European allies after Fridays summit in Alaska, Trump said Putin reiterated that he wants the key Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the Donbas. But Putin appeared open to the possibility of halting the stalemate in two other regions, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, with a freeze along the front lines.

That is according to European officials familiar with the calls who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks at a U.S. military base between the American and Russian presidents. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected giving up the territory in the Donbas.

The aftermath of the summit offered little clarity about the next steps, other than Trumps commitment for more meetings, including with Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday. It was unclear among those briefed on the exchanges whether Trump saw Putins desire for the Donbas as acceptable, with Trumps blunt but elliptical way of speaking only adding to a sense of confusion.

The White House had yet to provide a public summary of the calls as Trump golfed on Saturday with his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Fox News anchor Bret Baier at his Virginia golf club. The most transparent takeaway was Trumps abrupt reversal on a ceasefire, raising questions of how peace talks can proceed if attacks continue.

Trumps abandoning a ceasefire as a requirement for further negotiations aligns him with a position held by Putin. The Russian leader has long said Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce and is seeking a long-term settlement that takes the Kremlins interests into account.

Trump says he is focused on a peace accord, not a ceasefire

After the calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump said Saturday on social media that it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF television that Trump said Russia seems to be prepared to conduct the negotiations based on the so-called line of contact and not the administrative boundaries. It was unclear from the comments how issues pertaining to the Donbas had been resolved.

Zelenskyy has previously refused to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that Ukraine controls. He says that would be unconstitutional and the territory could be used as a staging ground for later Russian attacks.

In a statement after the Trump call, major European leaders did not address whether a peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire, saying they welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russias war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.

Putins view on his summit with Trump

Putin on Saturday described his talks with Trump as very frank.

We, of course, respect the position of the American administration, which sees the need for a speedy end to military actions, he said at the follow-up meeting at the Kremlin, a clip of which was posted to the Kremlins Telegram channel. We would like to move to resolving all issues by peaceful means.

Putin has broken out of international isolation and wasnt in the least challenged by Trump, who also ignored an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court, said Laurie Bristow, who was British ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2020. But the U.S. isnt a member of the court and thus doesnt have an obligation to arrest him.

Zelenskyy gears up for a White House meeting

Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he had a long and substantive conversation with Trump early Saturday and that they would discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war on Monday.

It will be Zelenskyys first visit to the United States since Trump berated him publicly for being disrespectful during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting in February.

Trump confirmed the White House meeting and said that if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.

Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit, to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America.

We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security, he said.

The Ukrainian leader did not elaborate, but he has previously said European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a foreign troop presence in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop.

In apparent effort to bolster Zelenskyys hand before the White House meeting, France, the United Kingdom and Germany will co-host a video call Sunday of coalition of the willing nations that could help monitor and uphold any deal to end fighting, French President Emmanuel Macrons office said.

Europeans urge security guarantees for Ukraine

The French, German, Italian, British, Finnish, Polish and European Union leaders said Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees and they welcomed U.S. readiness to provide them.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory, their statement said. International borders must not be changed by force.

During an interview with Fox News Channel before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus might be on Zelenskyy to get it done, but that there also would be some involvement from European nations.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon, noting that Moscow launched new attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met.

Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing, she said.

Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Since spring, Russian troops have accelerated their gains, capturing the most territory since the opening stages of the war.

Questions on a trilateral meeting

Zelenskyy voiced support for Trumps proposal for a meeting with the U.S. and Russia. He said that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.

But Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television Saturday that a possible three-way meeting has not been touched upon yet in U.S.-Russia discussions.

Zelenskyy wrote on X that he told Trump sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.

Fiona Hill, Trumps former senior adviser on Russia, told The Associated Press that the U.S. president has met his match because Putin is a much bigger bully than Trump is.

Hes run out of his persuasive powers with Putin, said Hill, adding that Trump has plenty of coercive powers to use against the Russian leader but he doesnt want to use them.

Ukrainians want peace for sure, and Putin wants pieces of Ukraine, she said. Very large pieces.

___

Leicester reported from Paris and Burrows from London. Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin, Elise Morton in London and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

By SAMYA KULLAB, JOHN LEICESTER and EMMA BURROWS

Associated Press
Yves here. This is seriously not good. I dont understand how something as destructive as ChatGPT is being aggressively embraced. And it is not only imposing planetary-destruction cost but more mundane increased power costs to consumers generally.

By Haley Zaremba, a writer and journalist based in Mexico City. Originally published at OilPrice

The energy consumption of the newest version of ChatGPT is significantly higher than previous models, with estimates suggesting it could be up to 20 times more energy-intensive than the first version.

There is a severe lack of transparency regarding the energy use and environmental impact of AI models, as there are no mandates forcing AI companies to disclose this information.

The increasing energy demands of AI are contributing to rising electricity costs for consumers and raising concerns about the broader environmental impact of the tech industry.

How much energy does the newest version of ChatGPT consume? No one knows for sure, but one thing is certain  its a whole lot. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, hasnt released any official figures for the large language models energy footprints, but academics are working to quantify the energy use for query  and its considerably higher than for previous models.

There are no mandates forcing AI companies to disclose their energy use or environmental impact, so most do not offer up those kinds of statistics publicly. As of May of this year, 84 percent of all large language model traffic was conducted on AI models with zero environmental disclosures.

It blows my mind that you can buy a car and know how many miles per gallon it consumes, yet we use all these AI tools every day and we have absolutely no efficiency metrics, emissions factors, nothing, says Sasha Luccioni, climate lead at an AI company called Hugging Face. Its not mandated, its not regulatory. Given where we are with the climate crisis, it should be top of the agenda for regulators everywhere, she continued.

Sam Altman, the Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI, has thrown out some figures into the public sphere  saying that ChatGPT consumes 0.34 watt-hours of energy and 0.000085 gallons of water per query  but has left out key details like what model these numbers refer to, and has offered no backup or corroboration for his statements.

Experts from outside the OpenAI fold have estimated that ChatGPT-5 may use as much as 20 times more energy as the first version of ChatGPT, and at the very least uses several times more. A more complex model like GPT-5 consumes more power both during training and during inference. Its also targeted at long thinking  I can safely say that its going to consume a lot more power than GPT-4, Rakesh Kumar, a professor at the University of Illinois, recently toldThe Guardian. Kumars current work focuses on AIs energy consumption.

While a query to ChatGPT in 2023 would have consumed about 2 watt-hours, researchers at the University of Rhode Islands AI lab found that ChatGPT-5 can use up to 40 watt-hours of electricity to configure a medium-length response (around 1,000 tokens). On average, they estimate that the model uses slightly over 18 watt-hours for such a response. This places ChatGPT-5 at a higher energy consumption rate than any other of the AI models they track save for two: OpenAIs o3 reasoning model and Deepseeks R1.

Calculating these estimated energy consumption rates was no easy feat, considering the severe lack of transparency in the sector, in spite of increasing scrutiny. Its more critical than ever to address AIs true environmental cost, University of Rhode Island professor Marwan Abdelatti told The Guardian. We call on OpenAI and other developers to use this moment to commit to full transparency by publicly disclosing GPT-5s environmental impact.

While tech companies consume more and more energy each year to power their AI ambitions, common consumers are suffering the consequences. Its consumers who are footing the bill for skyrocketing energy usage. The New York Times warns that electricity rates for individuals and small businesses could rise sharply as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and other technology companies build data centers and expand into the energy business. Moreover, Silicon Valleys backtracking on climate pledges will directly impact global communities, whether or not they ever use AI.

We are witnessing a massive transfer of wealth from residential utility customers to large corporationsdata centers and large utilities and their corporate parents, which profit from building additional energy infrastructure, Maryland Peoples Counsel David Lapp recently told Business Insider.

Utility regulation is failing to protect residential customers, contributing to an energy affordability crisis.
Archaeologists in Mexico Discover Long-Lost City Inhabited by Maya Rebels Who Resisted the Spanish Conquest Smithsonian (Chuck L)

Exposure to some common Pfas changes gene activity, new study finds Guardian (resilc)

Scientists may have found the tiny DNA switch that made us human ScienceDaily (Kevin W). Lordie. They cant bring themselves to say mutation in the headline?

Something Inside Your Gut Could Be Like a Natural Ozempic ScienceAlert (Chuck L)

Todays Weed Is 5x Stronger and the Mental Health Risks Are Rising SciTech Daily (Chuck L)

Effects of international sanctions on age-specific mortality: a cross-national panel data analysis Lancet Global Health (resilc). Sanctions kill!

COVID-19/Pandemics

New study shows SARS-CoV-2 causes direct damage to heart cell mitochondria  even months after recovery  helping potentially explain Long COVID heart symptoms like chest pain, palpitations & fatigue. Been waiting to have time to read this paper. Lets break it down.  pic.twitter.com/GFDi8xI20s  Jack | amatica health (@JackHadfield14) August 15, 2025 Note that a pre-Omicron study, IIRC based on VA data, found the odds of getting Long Covid rose to 39% after 3 infections Based on a meta-analysis of 429 studies, an estimated 36% of all people infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop Long COVID. The condition affects the entire body, with fatigue, respiratory issues, and psychological symptoms being the most prevalent clusters.https://t.co/8cnA9AbDxR pic.twitter.com/KEusbQqFPm  David Lingenfelter, PhD (@dlingenfelter) August 15, 2025

Climate/Environment

China?

India

Africa

Antipodes

South of the Border

European Disunion

Old Blighty

Israel v. The Resistance

Putin-Trump Summit

Historic Summit: An Empty and Underwhelming PR Spectacle, But Still Good For Relations Simplicius

The Putin Trump Summit: A Triumph for Putin, A Disaster for the Neocons Larry Johnson

Trump leaves Alaska summit with Putin empty-handed after failing to reach a deal to end Ukraine war Associated Press (Kevin W)

USSR sweatshirt and chicken kyiv: Russia dials up trolling before Alaska summit Guardian (resilc)

Trump Calls Russia and China Natural Enemies Vzgylad (Micael T)

New Not-So-Cold War

Imperial Collapse Watch

Trump 2.0

DOGE

A DOGE AI Tool Called SweetREX Is Coming to Slash US Government Regulation WIRED

Democrats en deshabille

Mamdani

Norman made the same point: https://t.co/LwH5EbQqxi Why is Obama calling him and getting his genocidal Zionist crew of David Axelrod and other scum to worm themselves into Zohran's inner circle? Why are Time Magazine and the other liberal genocidal Zionist rags doing fawning   (@zei_squirrel) August 14, 2025

Mr. Market is Moody

AI

Musk, a Guillotine Watch Special Feature

Guillotine Watch

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (via):

A bonus (Chuck L):

The laws of physics don't apply to mountain goats pic.twitter.com/NiJX2pIEy9  Nature is Amazing  (@AMAZlNGNATURE) August 12, 2025

A second bonus (Chuck L):

Puma touched the swing and suddenly discovered physics. pic.twitter.com/ejUPltfbNw  The Figen (@TheFigen_) August 12, 2025

And a third (Chuck L):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Highly CORRUPT FDA and CDC still pretending the PLANDEMIC is happening to inject children under 5 with emergency authorization clot shots

No, the clot shots were never really approved for use on humans. The proper protocol was circumvented, and now Google even added mRNA to the definition of vaccines, since the clot shots dont even fit the definition. It was all declared an emergency, but the plandemic has been over for some time, yet somehow the FDA and CDC are still injecting kids with their EUA blood-clogging jabs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reportedly considering rescinding the emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5, a shot available under EUA since June 2022 but never fully approved. According to The New York Times and The Guardian, the news came via an email from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to state and local health departments. While Pfizers shot for children aged 511 remains under EUA, full approval for that group is expected this fall. The FDA may also move toward fully licensing Pfizers vaccine for adolescents 12 and older.

The FDA is reportedly considering ending the emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5, while moving toward full approval for the 511 age group this fall; the CDC informed state and local health departments of the potential change, though HHS has not confirmed it.

Pfizers pediatric vaccine for children under 5 has been available under EUA since June 2022 but never fully approved; if rescinded, no COVID-19 vaccine would be authorized for healthy children under 5, though Modernas shot could be prescribed off label.

Critics, including pediatrician Dr. Michelle Perro, cite safety concerns and minimal COVID-19 risk for young children, arguing that mRNA vaccines for this age group offer no benefit and carry documented risks such as myocarditis, seizures, and neurological harms.

Vaccination rates for young children remain low (5.6% for ages 6 months5 years, ~15% for ages 517), and the CDC has shifted from universal COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for healthy children to a shared clinical decision-making approach with parents and providers.

FDA may end Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine authorization for young children as CDC shifts recommendations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declined to confirm these reports, calling any discussion of future regulatory changes speculation. Pfizer has acknowledged discussions with the FDA, noting that the possible withdrawal of authorization is unrelated to safety or efficacy concerns. The company has requested the EUA be extended through the 20252026 season.

If the EUA for Pfizers youngest age group is withdrawn, it would follow the FDAs recent move to fully approve Modernas Spikevax for children ages six months to 11 years, but only for those with underlying health conditions. Novavaxs COVID-19 vaccine remains available only for older and high-risk populations. The Guardian reported that Moderna may increase pediatric vaccine supply amid concerns that the FDAs potential decision could limit access.

Despite authorization, uptake among children has been low. CDC data show only 5.6 percent of children ages 6 months5 years and 15 percent of children ages 517 have received COVID-19 vaccines. Some physicians, such as pediatrician Dr. Michelle Perro, argue strongly for rescinding the EUA, citing negligible COVID-19 risk for healthy children and pointing to reported adverse effects, including myocarditis and seizures. Critics contend the vaccines offer no meaningful benefit for this demographic and pose ethical concerns.

A regulatory change would align with the CDCs May 2025 decision to remove the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination in healthy children. The agency now advises shared clinical decision-making between parents and healthcare providers for children ages 6 months17 years who are not moderately immunocompromised. Without the Pfizer EUA, there would be no authorized COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children under 5, though doctors could prescribe Modernas vaccine off-label at parental request.

CDC scientists have maintained that healthy young children face significant COVID-19 risks, citing 16 deaths among children ages 24 between July 2024 and June 2025. However, experts on both sides dispute the necessity of vaccinating healthy children, with opponents emphasizing potential autoimmune and inflammatory complications.

Legal challenges have also targeted pediatric COVID-19 vaccine authorizations. In 2022, Childrens Health Defense sued the FDA over its EUA decisions, alleging misuse of emergency powersa case ultimately rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The FDA first authorized COVID-19 vaccines for ages 16+ in late 2020, expanded to 12-year-olds in May 2021, to 511-year-olds in October 2021, and to children 6 months and older in June 2022. In early 2023, the CDC incorporated COVID-19 vaccines into its standard immunization schedules, recommending annual boosters until altering guidance in 2025. Recently, the FDA has implemented stricter approval requirements for future COVID-19 vaccines, reflecting a more cautious regulatory stance moving forward.

Bookmark Vaccines.news to get the latest updates about the emergency authorized death jabs that were NEVER TESTED for safety or efficacy, yet somehow are STILL authorized like theres a pandemic underway and little babies must get jabbed for population reduction reasons.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

TheHill.com

NEJM.org

NaturalNews.com
Norways sovereign wealth fund cuts ties with Israeli companies it has invested in

Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, GPFN, severed ties with 11 unnamed Israeli companies due to concerns over the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, citing "extraordinary circumstances" and humanitarian crisis.

The fund will handle Israeli investments internally, canceling third-party asset manager contracts, while reviewing additional Israeli holdings for potential exclusion.

The decision followed public outcry over investments in an Israeli jet engine manufacturer linked to Gaza airstrikes and aligns with GPFN's history of ethical exclusions (e.g., West Bank-related risks).

The move reflects heightened criticism of Israel's military campaign, with other European institutions also reducing exposure amid allegations of corporate complicity in human rights violations.

Norway's stance signals a shift in how major investors balance financial returns with moral accountability, potentially influencing global ethical investing trends in conflict zones.

Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the Government Pension Fund of Norway (GPFN), has severed ties with Israeli companies it has invested in over the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), the entity overseeing the GPFN, announced the move Monday, Aug. 11. It emphasized its divestment from 11 unnamed firms  positions outside its benchmark equity index  while reviewing additional Israeli holdings for potential exclusion.

The bank also mentioned the cancellation of contracts with external asset managers handling Israeli investments. According to NBIM, the fund  which holds stakes in nearly 1.5 percent of global listed companies  will now manage Israeli investments internally rather than through third-party managers.

The GPFN, also called the Oil Fund, is the world's largest at $2 trillion. The move by the state-owned NBIM reflects growing scrutiny of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. According to local health authorities in the Strip, more than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.

"These measures were taken in response to extraordinary circumstances," said NBIM CEO Nicolai Tangen. "The situation in Gaza is a serious humanitarian crisis."

The decision follows public outcry after Norwegian media revealed the fund held shares in Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd., an Israeli jet engine manufacturer servicing military aircraft used in Gaza airstrikes. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store called the investment "worrying," prompting an urgent review. (Related: How Israel's spy-built apps silently fund genocide while infiltrating your device.)

Historically, the GPFN has faced pressure to align investments with ethical guidelines. In June, the Stortingen (Norway's parliament) rejected a proposal to fully divest from companies operating in occupied Palestinian territories, but the country's largest pension fund independently cut ties with Israeli-linked firms. The fund has previously exited Israeli energy and telecom companies over ethics concerns, citing risks tied to operations in the West Bank.

From oil money to moral power

The announcement arrives as international criticism of Israel's war conduct mounts. Last month, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese accused corporations of complicity in what she described as an "economy of genocide." Several European financial institutions have reduced exposure to Israeli firms, with Reuters documenting divestments amid activist and government pressure.

The GPFN's move signals a shift in how major investors respond to geopolitical conflicts, particularly those involving allegations of war crimes. While the fund manages assets derived from Norway's oil and gas revenues, its decisions increasingly reflect humanitarian considerations. As Tangen noted, the fund has "long paid particular attention to companies associated with war and conflict," underscoring ethical investing trends in global finance.

The long-term impact remains uncertain, but Norway's stance could influence other institutional investors weighing financial returns against moral accountability. With Gaza's crisis unabated and global scrutiny intensifying, the fund's divestment may mark a turning point in how sovereign wealth engages with conflict zones. For now, it delivers a stark message: Profit cannot justify participation in humanitarian devastation.

Watch Norwegian journalist Yama Wolasmal peppering Israeli government spokesman David Mercer with serious questions about Israel's actions in Gaza.

This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Norway, Spain and Ireland formally recognize Palestinian statehood, much to the ire of Zionist Netanyahu.

Outraged Israel recalls ambassadors from Spain, Norway, Ireland over recognition of Palestinian state.

3 More countries set to recognize State of Palestine on May 28, infuriating Israel.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

APNews.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
AI-powered radar can now spy on your phone calls from 10 feet away

Penn State researchers developed a method using millimeter-wave radar and AI to decode phone conversations by detecting microscopic vibrations from a smartphone's earpiece, achieving 60 percent accuracy from up to 10 feet away.

The radar captures imperceptible vibrations from phone calls, which are processed by a modified AI speech-recognition model (Whisper) to reconstruct conversations, even with noisy data.

Governments, corporations or hackers could exploit this to spy on private conversations  monitoring journalists, activists or business deals without physical access to devices.

No foolproof countermeasures exist yet. Recommendations include avoiding sensitive calls in public, using encrypted apps like Signal and advocating for stricter surveillance regulations.

The study exposes vulnerabilities before widespread misuse, urging public demand for transparency and stronger privacy protections against evolving surveillance tech.

In an age where privacy is already under siege, a team of Penn State University computer scientists has unveiled a chilling new method of eavesdropping  using millimeter-wave radar and artificial intelligence to decode phone conversations by detecting microscopic vibrations from a smartphone's earpiece. The breakthrough, which can transcribe speech from up to 10 feet away with 60 percent accuracy, raises alarming questions about the future of digital privacy and the unchecked power of surveillance technology.

Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and published in the Proceedings of WiSec 2025, the research demonstrates how even the faintest tremors from a phone call can be weaponized against unsuspecting individuals. (Related: Technocrats developing new line of "wearable" AI devices to track data of user and "anyone they come in contact with".)

How it works: Turning vibrations into words

The technology hinges on millimeter-wave radar  the same high-frequency signals used in self-driving cars, motion detectors and 5G networks. When a person speaks into a phone, the earpiece emits subtle vibrations imperceptible to the human eye. The radar system captures these minute movements, which are then processed by a modified version of Whisper, an AI speech-recognition model originally designed for clear audio.

Rather than retraining the entire AI system, researchers used a "low-rank adaptation" technique, tweaking just 1 percent of the model's parameters to optimize it for interpreting noisy radar data. The result? A system capable of reconstructing conversations with surprising  and unsettling  accuracy.

From sci-fi to reality: The evolution of eavesdropping tech

This is not the first attempt at remote eavesdropping, but it represents a massive leap forward. In 2022, the same team could only identify 10 pre-programmed words with 83 percent accuracy. Now, their AI can parse continuous speech from a 10,000-word vocabulary, making it far more dangerous in real-world scenarios.

The researchers compare their method to lip-reading  even with incomplete data, context and keywords can fill in the gaps. A 60 percent accuracy rate may seem low, but as co-author Mahanth Gowda noted, "Even partial matches for speech, such as keywords, are useful in a security context."

Privacy risks: Who could abuse this technology?

The implications are staggering. Governments, corporations, or malicious actors could deploy this technology to spy on private conversations without physical access to a device. Imagine a scenario where: Journalists discussing confidential sources are monitored. Activists planning protests are surveilled. Business executives negotiating deals are eavesdropped on by competitors.

Lead researcher Suryoday Basak acknowledged the risks, stating, "Our findings suggest that this is technically feasible under certain conditions We hope this raises public awareness so people can be more mindful during sensitive calls."

Defensive measures

Currently, there are no foolproof countermeasures. The researchers suggest future work on shielding technologies, but for now, the best defense is awareness. Users can avoid sensitive calls in public spaces where radar sensors could be hidden, use encrypted messaging apps like Signal for critical communications and advocate for stricter regulations on surveillance tech before it's weaponized at scale.

A wake-up call for the digital age

The study's true value lies in its exposure of vulnerabilities before they're exploited. But in a world where governments and bad actors increasingly weaponize technology, the public must demand transparency, accountability and stronger privacy protections. Otherwise, the faintest vibrations from your phone could become the latest tool in the surveillance state's arsenal.

Stay vigilant. The future of privacy depends on it.

Watch this video about smartphone privacy.

This video is from Cahlen channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Whatsapp: Malicious spyware has all the markings of "government sponsored surveillance."

Google sued for auto-installing COVID "spyware" on one million phones in Massachusetts.

Digital spy: Study reveals phone apps could be hiding spyware that can leak personal data.

All Apple devices, including iPhones and Macs, are CIA spy devices embedded with spyware from the factory.

Chinese spy agency challenging the CIA with advanced AI program.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

MSN.com

Interestingengineering.com

Brighteon.com
EMF Hazards Summit 2025 on BrightU: Experts discuss case studies on 5G effects and the benefits of earthing

The "EMF Hazards Summit 2025," with Day 1 slated on Aug. 23, urges viewers to learn about EMF risks, adopt protective measures (e.g., grounding, low-EMF devices) and challenge industry-driven safety narratives.

On Day 1, Episode 1, Dr. Mona Nilsson and Dr. Lennart Hardell present evidence linking 5G towers to severe symptoms (insomnia, heart issues, nosebleeds) and highlight industry manipulation of safety standards.

On Day 1, Episode 2, Dr. Paul Heroux reveals how EMFs disrupt mitochondria, DNA and metabolism, likening telecom tactics to Big Tobacco's suppression of risks. Advocates for wired alternatives (e.g., fiber optics).

On Day 1, Episode 3, Dr. Gaetan Chevalier explains how reconnecting with Earth's electrons reduces inflammation, improves sleep and may combat chronic diseases caused by modern EMF exposure.

Brighteon University is streaming three episodes a day of "EMF Hazards Summit 2025" from Aug. 23 to 28, and a replay of all episodes on Aug. 29 to 31. Register here to unveil the hidden dangers of EMFs and provide actionable solutions for protection. Each day features three sessions that dives deep into the intricacies of EMFs and here's a sneak peek of Day 1, slated for August 23.

What's in store for you on Day 1, Episode 1

In this episode of "EMF Hazards Summit 2025," investigative journalist Mona Nilsson and renowned epidemiologist Dr. Lennart Hardell reveal the terrifying truth about 5G radiation and its devastating health effects. Their case studies expose how people are being forced into a massive, uncontrolled experiment without their consent.

Viewers can expect to learn a lot of things from Day 1, Episode 1, including the following:

Real-world cases where people developed severe symptoms, insomnia, heart arrhythmias, memory loss and nosebleeds, within days of 5G tower installations.

Story of children in danger where a family staying near a 5G tower for just three days suffered immediate health effects, including sleep disturbances, headaches and stomach issues in their young children.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) safety limits are a sham, based on outdated science that ignores long-term exposure risks. Worse, industry insiders control these agencies.

The truth about telecom giants that fund biased studies, silence scientists and manipulate regulators to keep 5G rolling out  no matter the cost to public health.

Imagine waking up one day to find a 5G tower installed right above your home  only to discover that within days, you and your family are suffering from crippling headaches, insomnia and heart palpitations. This isn't science fiction  it's happening right now and the evidence is piling up.

What's in store for you on Day 1, Episode 2

In this episode of "EMF Hazards Summit 2025," Dr. Paul Heroux, a leading physicist and toxicologist, reveals disturbing evidence that challenges the safety of wireless technology  from cell phones to Wi-Fi. Hosted by Nick Pineault (The EMF Guy), this groundbreaking discussion uncovers how industry-backed safety standards ignore critical biological risks, putting millions at risk of cancer, diabetes and cognitive decline.

Viewers can expect to learn a lot of things from Day 1, Episode 2, including the following:

Why telecom companies mimic Big Tobacco's playbook, suppressing research on EMF dangers.

How wireless radiation may be altering brain development, metabolism and even increasing obesity rates.

The science behind EMFs disrupting mitochondrial function and breaking DNA bonds.

Lab studies show microwave radiation can induce diabetes-like conditions in animals.

Dr. Heroux's blueprint for redesigning wireless devices to minimize harm (but why the industry resists).

Why wired internet (Li-Fi, fiber optics) is the future and how to reduce exposure at home.

Dr. Heroux, a McGill University researcher and ICBE-EMF commissioner, dismantles the myth that "non-ionizing radiation is harmless." His research proves:

The human body's electrical systems (cellular currents, ion channels) are hyper-sensitive to EMFs.

Even weak signals disrupt mitochondria, leading to fatigue, disease and DNA damage.

5G and wireless devices emit harmful ELF (Extremely Low Frequencies), worse than previously thought.

What's in store for you on Day 1, Episode 3

In this episode of "EMF Hazards Summit 2025," Gaetan Chevalier, director of the Earthing Institute, shares how reconnecting with the Earth's natural energy, known as earthing, can transform your health. From reducing inflammation to improving sleep, boosting immunity and even aiding autism recovery, grounding may be the missing "vitamin" in modern wellness.

Viewers can expect to learn a lot of things from Day 1, Episode 3, including the following:

How grounding restores the body's natural electron balance, similar to how our ancestors lived.

How lightning strikes recharge Earth's electrons.

How chronic inflammation (linked to cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's and autoimmune diseases) may stem from electron deficiency.

How osteoporosis and arthritis may be worsened by the body stealing electrons from bones when deprived of Earth contact.

How to ground yourself even when you are living in the city.

This isn't just another wellness trend, grounding is rooted in physics, biology and centuries of human evolution. Chevalier's insights challenge conventional medicine by showing how disconnection from Earth's energy may be a hidden cause of modern diseases.

Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, fatigue, autoimmune issues or just want to optimize your health, this interview offers actionable, science-backed solutions.

Want to know more?

If you want to learn more about how you can join the healing revolution and regain control of your health, want to view the presentations at your convenience or learn at your own pace, you can purchase the "EMF Hazards Summit 2025" package here.

Upon purchase, you will get instant and unlimited access to all "EMF Hazards Summit 2025" videos (with audios and transcripts), detailed show notes and EMF solution pages with quick access to products, as well as bonus videos and educational resources, such as the "Safe Tech Solutions" video series, exclusive interview with RFK, Jr. and two essential reports titled "5G in 5 Minutes" and "Silent Threat."

Sources include:

BrighteonUniversity.com 1

BrightU.com

BrighteonUniversity.com 2
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a joint press conference after concluding their talks in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 15, 2025.The talks, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the city of Anchorage, lasted about three hours. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

ANCHORAGE, the United States, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he had a "very productive meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, but the summit ended without a deal on the Ukraine crisis.

The two presidents held a joint press conference after concluding their talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Trump said they agreed on "many points," adding that the two sides made some headway, though no deal was reached.

Putin said he agreed that the security of Ukraine should be ensured, and an agreement he reached with Trump would pave the way toward peace in Ukraine.

Standing side by side on stage for just over 10 minutes, both leaders indicated that progress had been made during their face-to-face talks, but no concrete deal was produced.

Putin said the negotiations took place in a "constructive atmosphere of mutual respect" and that a personal meeting between the heads of state had been "long overdue."

"Everything that's happening is a tragedy for us and a terrible wound," and Russia is sincerely interested in ending it, said Putin.

He stressed that efforts must address the "primary causes" of the conflict and warned Ukraine and European countries not to "throw a wrench in the works."

Trump described the talks as "extremely productive" and said "great progress" had been made.

The meeting lasted about three hours. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the presidents of the two countries since 2021. 
Human eggs defy aging: Study reveals mitochondrial DNA stays remarkably stable over time

Human egg mitochondria show far fewer mutations than blood or saliva cells, defying expectations of age-related genetic decay.

A study of 22 women aged 20 to 42 found eggs had 17 to 24 times fewer mtDNA mutations than other tissues, with no significant increase over time.

This challenges assumptions about reproductive aging, offering reassurance for women considering later pregnancies despite risks of chromosomal abnormalities.

Researchers speculate eggs may have a protective mechanism to "edit out" harmful mtDNA mutations, ensuring healthier offspring.

The findings could reshape fertility science and aging research, but larger studies are needed to confirm and explore the implications.

In a world obsessed with anti-aging creams, supplements, and biohacks, Mother Nature may have already perfected one of the most stunning defenses against cellular decay: human egg cells. A groundbreaking new study published in Science Advances reveals that, unlike nearly every other tissue in the body, the mitochondria in womens eggs appear to be shielded from the ravages of time, accumulating far fewer mutations than blood or saliva cells as women age. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about reproductive aging and offers a glimmer of reassurance for women considering later pregnancies.

The study, conducted by researchers from Johannes Kepler University Linz and Penn State, analyzed eggs from 22 women aged 20 to 42 undergoing IVF. Astonishingly, the eggs showed 17 to 24 times fewer mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations than the womens blood and saliva samples. Even more remarkable? There was no statistically significant increase in mutations as the women grew older, marking a notable contrast to the steady genetic wear and tear seen in other cells.

The mitochondria mystery

Mitochondria, often called the "powerhouses" of the cell, carry their own DNA separate from the nucleus. Unlike nuclear DNA, which comes from both parents, mtDNA is inherited solely from the mother. Mutations in mtDNA can lead to devastating diseases like Leigh syndrome, a fatal disorder that attacks a childs nervous system. For decades, scientists assumed that older eggs, like other aging cells, would carry a heavier burden of these mutations, raising concerns about the risks of later pregnancies.

But this study flips that narrative on its head. "Human oocytes do not accumulate more mutations as women age, at least between 20 and 42," said Filippo Zambelli, a reproductive medicine consultant not involved in the research, in a statement to the Science Media Centre. "This suggests that mtDNA in oocytes is protected against aging."

Why this matters for womens health

For women delaying motherhood due to career, finances, or personal choice, this finding is a rare piece of good news. While chromosomal abnormalities (like Down syndrome) still rise with maternal age, this study confirms that mitochondrial DNA remains surprisingly stable. "Overall, this study is reassuring for people trying to conceive children at later ages, because, although chromosomal abnormalities increase with maternal age, at least they should not expect a higher level of mutations in their mtDNA," Zambelli added.

But before popping the champagne, researchers caution that the study was small (just 22 women) and needs replication in larger, more diverse populations. Still, the implications are profound. If eggs have a built-in mechanism to preserve mitochondrial integrity, it could reshape fertility science and even hint at new ways to combat age-related diseases.

A design flaw or divine protection?

Heres whats truly fascinating: While nuclear DNA in eggs does degrade with age (leading to higher risks of chromosomal disorders), mitochondria seem to play by different rules. The studys authors speculate that eggs may have evolved a way to "edit out" harmful mtDNA mutations, ensuring healthier offspring.

However, the study leaves glaring questions unanswered. For example, how are eggs protected? Is there a molecular "cleanup crew" scrubbing mutations? And when does this protection kick in? The study didnt include teens or women over 42. Perhaps most importantly, could this mechanism be harnessed to slow aging in other cells?

Human eggs are marvels of biological engineering, defying the entropy that plagues the rest of our cells. While more research is needed, this study offers hope and a humbling reminder of how much we still dont understand about the miracle of life.

So the next time someone claims aging is inevitable, remember: Deep inside every womans body, tiny cellular powerhouses are silently, stubbornly refusing to surrender to time. And thats nothing short of a miracle.

Sources for this article include:

LiveScience.com

NewScientist.com

Science.org
Hungary condemns Ukrainian drone strike on Russian oil pipeline

Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on Russia's Druzhba oil pipeline, hitting the Unecha pumping station and igniting a major fire. The attack is part of Ukraine's escalating campaign against Russian energy infrastructure.

Hungary, a major importer of oil via the Druzhba pipeline, sharply criticized the attack, calling it a threat to regional stability and its own energy security. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto labeled the strike "outrageous" and demanded Ukraine cease actions endangering Hungary's supply.

The pipeline  vital for several EU nations  highlights the broader consequences of such attacks. Russia has previously condemned Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure as "acts of terrorism."

Ukraine has long targeted Russian oil infrastructure to disrupt Moscow's revenue and logistics. The Druzhba pipeline, operational since 1964, has faced prior disruptions, including earlier Ukrainian drone strikes in 2024.

Hungary's reaction underscores tensions within Europe over reliance on Russian energy. Budapest recently criticized EU sanctions as "self-destructive" and accused Kyiv of jeopardizing neutral nations stability. The attack risks further straining Ukraine-Hungary relations.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Hungary has condemned Ukraine for launching a drone strike against Russia's Druzhba oil pipeline  a critical energy artery supplying several European nations.

Overnight on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Ukrainian forces targeted the Unecha pumping station in Russia's Bryansk region. The drone strike, confirmed by Ukraine's General Staff, ignited a massive fire. It marks yet another high-risk gambit in Kyiv's expanding campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, raising fears of further retaliatory measures from Moscow.

But the attack did not sit well with Hungary, which quickly issued a sharp rebuke. Budapest, which relies heavily on the pipeline for oil imports, warned that the attack threatens regional stability and Hungary's own energy security.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto blasted the Wednesday attack as "outrageous" and hypocritical, given Hungary's role as Ukraine's top electricity supplier. "Without us, Ukraine's energy security would be highly unstable," he declared on social media, demanding that Kyiv halt actions that jeopardize Hungarian energy supplies.

The 4,000-kilometer (8,699-mile) Druzhba pipeline is a lifeline for refineries in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary  a fact that underscores the far-reaching consequences of such strikes. Russia, which has remained silent on the incident so far, has previously labeled Ukrainian attacks on civilian energy infrastructure as "acts of terrorism."

Historical context reveals why this attack carries geopolitical weight. Since the early days of the war, Ukraine has systematically targeted Russian oil depots, refineries and pipeline networks  aiming to cripple Moscow's revenue and military logistics.

Energy feud deepens: Ukraine's drones threaten Hungary's oil

The Druzhba system, operational since Soviet times (1964), has endured multiple disruptions  including a 2022 Belarus-Lithuania dispute and prior Ukrainian drone hits in March 2024. Yet Budapest's reaction highlights a growing schism within Europe, where nations like Hungary continue resisting Brussels' push to cut off Russian energy entirely.

Just last month, Szijjarto defended a new Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline deal, criticizing the European Union's "self-destructive" sanctions policy that left Hungary scrambling for alternatives. The latest attack risks further straining Ukraine-Hungary relations, already frayed over Budapest's refusal to arm Kyiv and accusations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky seeks a "puppet government" in Hungary.

In his statement Wednesday, Szijjarto urged Kyiv to "stop endangering Hungary's energy supply in a war we Hungarians have nothing to do with." This mirrors frustration among nations caught between the conflict's spillover and Western diplomatic pressure. (Related: Leaked docs: Zelensky planning to blow up Druzhba pipeline connecting Russia and Hungary.)

As the EU weighs stricter bans on Russian energy, the Unecha strike serves as a reminder of how proxy warfare can inadvertently harm neutral states. With drone warfare now defining this conflict  Ukraine's autonomous drone industry thriving even as Russian missiles pound its grid  the line between tactical gains and unintended consequences grows thinner.

Head over to WWIII.news for more similar stories.

Watch Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto proposing sanctions against Ukraine over the death of ethnic Hungarians during Kyiv's forced conscription.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Hungarian foreign minister warns: Rejecting energy from Russia could lead to EU's systemic collapse as winter approaches.

Hungary, Serbia building pipeline for Russian oil and gas to dodge EU sanctions.

Hungary says no to EU's Russian oil embargo sanction.

Sources include:

RT.com

X.com

Yahoo.com

NewsUkraine.RBC.ua

Brighteon.com
Embracing the nuclear renaissance: A comprehensive exploration of energys most controversial frontier

The "Nuclear Energy Encyclopedia" provides an in-depth analysis of nuclear energy, addressing its historical context, technological advancements and future potential. It aims to dispel myths and clarify misconceptions surrounding this controversial energy source.

The encyclopedia challenges the widespread fear of nuclear energy by highlighting the resilience of modern nuclear engineering, particularly in the case of Fukushima. It argues that the actual risks of nuclear energy are often misunderstood and exaggerated, especially when compared to the environmental and human costs of fossil fuel disasters.

The book emphasizes the importance of understanding different levels of radiation and their varying health impacts. It clarifies that not all radiation is harmful and the key is to distinguish between safe and unsafe levels, which are naturally present in our environment and used in medical treatments.

The encyclopedia showcases the potential of advanced nuclear technologies, such as fast reactors and pebble-bed reactors, which promise increased safety, reduced waste and the ability to use nuclear waste as fuel. These innovations highlight the efficiency and sustainability of nuclear energy compared to traditional fossil fuels.

The book advocates for a balanced perspective on nuclear energy, acknowledging its risks while emphasizing its potential to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. It encourages learning from past mistakes and fostering informed dialogue to shape a future where nuclear energy plays a vital role in global energy solutions.

The "Nuclear Energy Encyclopedia: Science, Technology and Applications," edited by Steven B. Krivit, emerges as a timely and authoritative guide, offering a meticulous examination of this polarizing energy source. As we grapple with the implications of a potential "Nuclear Renaissance," this encyclopedia delves into the why, who, when, where and what of nuclear energy, aiming to dispel myths and illuminate the path forward.

The fear of nuclear energy is deeply rooted in historical catastrophes, most notably the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. These events have left an indelible mark on public perception, fueling a widespread belief that nuclear energy is inherently unsafe. However, the encyclopedia presents a nuanced perspective. It highlights the resilience of nuclear engineering, particularly in the case of Fukushima, where the reactors withstood forces far greater than their design specifications. This raises a critical question: Should Fukushima be viewed as a testament to the safety features of modern nuclear plants rather than a disaster?

Radiation, a term that evokes fear, is ubiquitous in our environment. The sun and the earth emit it naturally and it is a vital component in medical treatments. The key lies in understanding the varying levels of radiation and their potential health impacts. The encyclopedia underscores the importance of distinguishing between harmful and harmless radiation levels, emphasizing that not all radiation poses a significant risk.

When comparing the safety records of different energy sources, nuclear energy presents a surprising picture. The Chernobyl Forum's analysis revealed that the environmental impact of the Chernobyl accident was largely contained, with most contaminated areas now deemed safe for settlement. In stark contrast, the environmental and human costs of fossil fuel disasters are staggering. The Banqiao dam failure in China and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have resulted in thousands of deaths and catastrophic environmental damage.

The book argues that the public's fear of nuclear energy is often disproportionate to the actual risks. It attributes this fear to the perceived link between nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. However, as the book clarifies, no nuclear weapon has been manufactured using plutonium produced in a civilian power reactor. The real concern should be the military reactors that produce weapons-grade plutonium.

The "Nuclear Energy Encyclopedia" is not just about addressing fears; it is also about showcasing the incredible potential of nuclear energy. For instance, a one-thousand-megawatt nuclear plant requires only one tractor-trailer of fuel every 18 months, while a coal-fired plant of the same capacity needs 110 rail cars of coal daily. This stark contrast highlights the efficiency and sustainability of nuclear energy.

Moreover, the book introduces the concept of fast reactors, which can use nuclear waste as fuel. This technology could unlock the energy in waste, potentially supplying all of the United States' energy needs for 70 years using only the waste currently in storage  a game-changing prospect in the quest for sustainable energy solutions.

The book delves into the innovative technologies that are shaping the future of nuclear energy. Pebble-bed reactors, which encase nuclear material in ceramic spheres, promise inherent safety and reduced risk of meltdowns and environmental contamination. Advanced fuel cycles that minimize waste are also discussed, underscoring the industry's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

Ultimately, the "Nuclear Energy Encyclopedia" challenges readers to rethink their perceptions, educate themselves and engage in meaningful dialogue about the role of nuclear energy in our world. As we stand on the cusp of a nuclear renaissance, the book serves as a clarion call to embrace the opportunity to shape a future where nuclear energy contributes to a cleaner, safer and more prosperous world.

The encyclopedia is not just a compendium of facts; it is a catalyst for change, urging us to move beyond fear and embrace the potential of nuclear energy as a vital component of our sustainable energy future.

Learn more about the "Nuclear Energy Encyclopedia" by watching the video below.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Brighteon.ai

Brighteon.com
Trump federalizes D.C. police, deploys National Guard in sweeping crime crackdown

On Aug. 11, President Donald Trump declared a "crime emergency" in Washington, D.C., triggering a temporary federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deploying National Guard troops.

By August 12, 800 National Guard troops began arriving in the city as part of a 30-day federal intervention aimed at reducing crime and advancing a "beautification" campaign.

Trump invoked the 1973 Home Rule Act, which allows federal control of MPD for up to 30 days with congressional notification. The White House said the operation will be reassessed after the initial period.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged Trump's legal authority under the Home Rule Act but described the move as "unsettling and unprecedented." She said she would focus on maximizing available federal support.

D.C. residents expressed mixed views  some, like a local HVAC technician, questioned the necessity and effectiveness of the action. In contrast, others, including two young Black men, supported it for its potential to curb community violence.

National Guard troops began arriving in Washington on Aug. 12 after President Donald Trump formally federalized the capital's police force due to a "scourge of crime."

On Aug. 11, Trump declared a "crime emergency" in the city due to the rising violence that "urgently endangers public servants, citizens and tourists, disrupts safe and secure transportation and the proper functioning of the Federal Government." This, in turn, triggered a temporary 48-hour federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), with the option to extend for up to 30 days with notification to Congress. (Related: Trump eyes Federal takeover of D.C. in push for 'Law and Order' amid rising chaos.)

The next day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that 800 National Guard troops had been deployed to Washington to both curb violence and push forward with a broader "beautification" of Washington.

"President Trump is going to make our nation's capital the most beautiful and safe city on Earth, just as he promised on the campaign trail," Leavitt said.

The National Guard is expected to remain in Washington for the full 30-day period, pending congressional response and reassessment by the administration. Leavitt added that the administration "will re-evaluate and make further decisions after this 30-day period is up."

"[During the 30 days,] our entire focus is making sure that this is the most efficient operation possible, and that we are removing as many criminals from the streets, and we are cleaning up D.C. as best as we can," Leavitt said.

Bowser acknowledges Trump's legal authority to federalize D.C. police, but calls it "unsettling and unprecedented"

The federal intervention has drawn a mixed response from D.C. residents, revealing deep divisions in how locals view crime, public safety and federal authority in the District.

Greg, 45, an HVAC technician, believed the move was premature, stating that he's skeptical the show of force will lead to long-term solutions. Others, however, support the action. Two young Black men who declined to give their names said they welcomed the plan, specifically for its potential to address intra-community violence.

"White folks ain't killing each other," one said. "Spanish people ain't killing each other. It's us killing each other." The other agreed. "It's time for a change," he said.

Meanwhile, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has acknowledged that Trump had the legal authority to federalize the MPD, even though she called the move "unsettling and unprecedented." Speaking to reporters on Aug. 12 following a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Bowser said the "plain language" of the Home Rule Act gives the president the power to take temporary control of the city's police force.

"Limited Home Rule gives the federal government the ability to intrude on our autonomy in many ways," Bowser said. "We are experiencing one of those moments right now." Bowser referenced the 1973 Home Rule Act, which allowed temporary federal control of the MPD.

Rather than legally challenge the decision, Bowser said she is choosing to focus on "how to make the most" of the additional support and federal funding for MPD officers during the period of federal control.

Head over to BigGovernment.news for similar stories.

Watch the Aug. 12 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about Trump's plans to federalize D.C. and deploy forces to Blue cities.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com 1

WhiteHouse.gov

TheEpochTimes.com 2

Brighteon.com
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Server CPU shipments were uninteresting, as he put it, on a sequential basis, with neither supplier seeing much growth on quarter after last quarters atypical increase. On-year, the server market was up significantly but thats because a year ago, the segment was near its cyclical lows and dealing with inventory adjustments.

Intel was able to sustain volumes in total server unit shipments by moving shipments to non-data center products, such as Xeon D in networking/storage servers, which they noted in their earnings call. That comes at a price; those products have much lower ASPs, so lower revenues, which is why Intels DCAI revenues were lower when units were flat, McCarron told Network World.

Nothing really moves that fast in servers, and in general a freefall cant really happen outside of some systemic demand collapse event like 2008 was, as the rest of the industry realistically cant absorb market share at an unlimited rate due to supply chain considerations, he added.

AMDs server revenues hit a record high, but most of the revenue gains was from selling a higher mix of its new Turin core CPUs, and unit shipment growth was very modest. However, even with a 0.1-point increase in share, that means a new record high in AMD server sales. It now has 37.2% market share.

Excluding IoT/SoC embedded products from consideration, Intels shipments slightly outgrew AMDs in the quarter resulting in Intel having a modest sequential share increase thanks in part to mobile CPU shipments, where Intel has solid products. AMD made a slight gain in desktops, where it is particularly strong.

As for Arm, it showed strength in the server market thanks to Nvidias GB200 processors ramping up volumes. On the client side, Apple had slightly higher shipments in the second but that was offset by weakness in Chromebooks.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a joint press conference after concluding their talks in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 15, 2025.The talks, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the city of Anchorage, lasted about three hours. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

ANCHORAGE, United States, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he had a "very productive meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, the U.S. state of Alaska.

The two presidents held a joint press conference after concluding their talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the city of Anchorage.

Trump said at the press conference that there were many points agreed on, adding that the two sides made some headway, but there was no deal.

Putin said he agrees that the security of Ukraine should be ensured. He said the agreement he reached with Trump will bring closer that goal and pave the path toward peace in Ukraine. 
A look back at Herff Jones/Collegiate Cap & Gown's history and some of the earlier occupants of the iconic building its called home for more than 85 years ... why a new Champaign fire station will be located near one of the citys busiest intersections ... what the House v. NCAA settlement will mean for the ICON for Illini collective ... and changes to this years Champaign County Freedom Celebration.
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ANCHORAGE, the United States, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Following his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that it is up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to strike a ceasefire deal.

There would soon be a meeting involving Zelensky, Putin and himself, Trump said in an interview with Fox News, without giving details on the planned meeting or a possible timeline.

He also said that European countries "have to get involved a little bit," while insisting it is ultimately up to Zelensky to "get it done."

"We have a pretty good chance of getting it done," Trump said.

Earlier in the day, Trump and Putin held nearly three hours of talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between the presidents of the two countries since 2021. 
Delhi man rapes his mother after accusing her of having bad character

Last Updated: August 17, 2025, 00:30 IST

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New Delhi, Aug 16 (PTI) A 39-year-old man allegedly raped his mother in central Delhis Hauz Qazi area after she returned from a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, police said on Saturday.

According to officials, the complainant, accompanied by her 25-year-old daughter, approached the Hauz Qazi police station and alleged that her son, identified as Md Firoz alias Suhel, had assaulted and sexually abused her on multiple occasions this month.

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The woman stated that she had travelled to Saudi Arabia on July 25 with her husband, aged 72, and their daughter for pilgrimage. During the trip, her son allegedly called on her husbands phone and accused her of having a bad character, demanding that his father return immediately to Delhi and divorce her," a senior police officer said.

On August 1, after the family returned home, the accused allegedly assaulted his mother and attempted to attack her again the next day. Fearing for her safety, she went to stay at her elder daughters in-laws house for some time, the complainant told police.

She further alleged that on August 11, when she returned home around 9.30 pm, her son insisted on speaking to her privately. He then locked her in a room, threatened her with a knife and scissors, and allegedly raped her," the officer added.

Out of fear and shame, she did not disclose the incident immediately and began sleeping in the same room as her daughter, police said.

However, around 3.30 am on August 14, the accused allegedly repeated the act, following which the woman gathered courage and approached police.

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A case has been registered under relevant section of the BNS and investigation has been taken up, the officer said.

The accused is a graduate but currently unemployed, while the complainant is an illiterate housewife whose husband is a retired government employee. PTI SSJ MNK MNK

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First Published: August 17, 2025, 00:30 IST

News agency-feeds Delhi man rapes his mother after accusing her of having bad character

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Fervent celebrations across India on Shri Krishna Janmashtami

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 09:30 IST

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New Delhi [India], August 16 (ANI): Devotees across India thronged temples with devotion and fervour to celebrate Shri Krishna Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna. Thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers and seek blessings. The chanting of mantras, bhajans, and ringing of bells as sacred rituals started in early morning hours across several temples in the country. In Mathura, the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, witnessed a vibrant Mangala Aarti early this morning. In Noida, devotees participated in grand celebrations in the ISKCON Temple in Sector 32. The temple echoed with kirtans and devotional offerings. In Chhatarpur of Madhya Pradesh, the Prem Pratik Temple hosted a Mangala Aarti.Meanwhile, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the historic Govind Dev Ji Temple saw an overwhelming turnout of devotees. The celebrations across these cities reflect the deep spiritual connection and widespread devotion to Lord Krishna.Lord Krishnas birthday falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. Although the celebration takes place in different parts of the country, Mathura and Vrindavan hold a special significance. One being his birthplace, and one where he spent his childhood and did his baal leela.Devotees flock to the Lord Krishna temples. The temples were decorated with flowers and crystal chandeliers, and the idols of Lord Krishna were decorated with colourful clothes and jewellery.At midnight, a special ritual is performed when the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed in milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and water. During the Krishna Abhishek, bells are rung, conch shells are blown, and Vedic hymns are performed.After the bhog, Prasad is given to the worshippers, who stand out for hours for Krishna darshan and puja.Dahi Handi is also celebrated in numerous areas. One of the customary festivals of Krishna Janmashtami is Dahi Handi, also known as Gopalakala or Utlotsavam.Dahi is the name for curd, while a handi is an earthen pot used to store milk products. One of the biggest celebrations in Maharashtra is Dahi Handi.Lord Krishna is often referred to as Makhan Chor because he used to steal butter. He organised a bunch of friends to get milk from earthen jars dangling from the ceiling. (ANI)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 09:30 IST

News agency-feeds Fervent celebrations across India on Shri Krishna Janmashtami

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Indian flag hoisted at Times Square on Independence Day 2025 celebrations

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 23:45 IST

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New York [US], August 16 (ANI): Scores of people from all age groups of Indian origin turned up in Times Square here as the tricolour was hoisted to celebrate 79th Independence Day.

Dressed up in traditional Indian attire, they exuberated fervour and enthusiasm on Friday (local time). Earlier, iconic landmarks including World Trade Center were illuminated in the colours of the Indian Tricolour.In a post on X, India in New York said, Indias Independence Day was celebrated as iconic New York landmarks  One World Trade Center, Grand Central Terminal, Niagara Falls, and Kosciuszko Bridge  lit up in the colours of the Indian Tricolour. A vibrant tribute to the deep bonds of friendship between India and the United States."

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Indias Independence Day

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 23:45 IST

News agency-feeds Indian flag hoisted at Times Square on Independence Day 2025 celebrations

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MP CM Mohan Yadav offers prayers at Amka Jhamka Temple in Dhar on Janmashtami

Last Updated: August 17, 2025, 02:45 IST

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Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 17 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav offered prayers at Amka Jhamka Temple located in Sardarpur Tehsil, Dhar district, on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami on Saturday and also participated in a program organised here to mark the occasion. The temple, associated with the Dwapar Yuga, is believed to be connected with Lord Shri Krishna and the episode of Rukmini Haran. CM Yadav also shared that the temple will be developed as a pilgrimage site, and preparations for the same are underway. The way Lord Krishna and Lord Balram created a new history here with their ability and talent, we are making it lively like the pilgrimage sites of Dwarika, Mathura, Gokul and Vrindavan. We have come here for Janmashtami, and we all have a great devotion towards Lord Krishna. In the coming days, this will become a pilgrimage site under the Shree Krishna Pathey and preparations for it are underway. My heartfelt congratulations to everyone on the occasion of Janmashtami," CM Yadav told reporters. Earlier in the day, CM Yadav also participated in Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations held at CM House in Bhopal and prayed for the welfare of the people of the state.On the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, I prayed for the welfare of the people of the state by worshipping according to rituals in the festival organised at the CMs residence on the occasion. Cultural programs have been organised at about 162 places across the state. It is our resolve that we will develop all the places associated with Lord Krishna as pilgrimage sites in the state," the CM said in a post on X. Janmashtami is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna was born. Lord Krishnas birthday falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. Although the celebration takes place in different parts of the country, Mathura and Vrindavan hold a special significance. One being his birthplace, and one where he spent his childhood and did his baal leela. At midnight, a special ritual is performed when the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed in milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and water. During the Krishna Abhishek, bells are rung, conch shells are blown, and Vedic hymns are performed. (ANI)

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First Published: August 17, 2025, 02:45 IST

News agency-feeds MP CM Mohan Yadav offers prayers at Amka Jhamka Temple in Dhar on Janmashtami

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Pak Army chief Munir rules out change in countrys leadership: Report

Last Updated: August 17, 2025, 00:00 IST

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Islamabad, Aug 16 (PTI) Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir has ruled out any change in the leadership, describing rumours about the removal of President Asif Ali Zardari as completely false and against both the government and the establishment, a media report said on Saturday.

In July, social media reports began to circulate that President Zardari may be asked to step down and that the army chief would take over the top office.

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However, top government officials  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi  rejected such claims.

Suhail Warraich, a columnist for the Jang media group, claimed in an article published Saturday that the army chief had spoken to him in person on the matter during a recent meeting in Brussels.

Munir briefly stayed in Belgium on his return from last weeks visit to the United States.

The talk started with politics, especially on rumours that there is some effort to change the president of Pakistan as well as the prime minister. Field Marshal Munir clearly said, during both the Brussels gathering and in his two-hour discussion with me, that the rumours about a change were completely false," Warraich claimed in the column published in the Urdu daily Jang.

There are elements behind this (rumour) who oppose both the government and the authorities and wish to create political anarchy," the army chief was quoted as saying.

The article claimed that Munir also outlined his ambitions in the Brussels gathering, saying that: God has made me protector of the country. I do not desire any position other than that." On a question about politics, he [Munir] said that political reconciliation is possible only if there is a sincere apology," the report read.

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Although it was not clear who Munir was referring to, it can be inferred that he may have been referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its incarcerated leader, Imran Khan. On foreign relations, Munir was said to have expressed confidence in maintaining equilibrium between the US and China. We will not sacrifice one friend for the other," Munir was quoted as saying.

The army chief also described President Donald Trumps efforts for peace as genuine", and said Pakistan had taken the lead in nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, which was then followed by other nations. PTI SH RD ZH RD RD

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First Published: August 17, 2025, 00:00 IST

News agency-feeds Pak Army chief Munir rules out change in countrys leadership: Report

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Security heightened around disputed mausoleum in UPs Fatehpur

Last Updated: August 17, 2025, 01:00 IST

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Kanpur(UP), Aug 16 (PTI) Security has been heightened around a disputed mausoleum in Fatehpur as a Hindu organisation, the Math Mandir Sanrakshan Sangharsh Samiti, on Saturday announced plans to hold a kirtan (devotional singing) at the site.

This move comes amidst a tense standoff following a recent incident where a mob vandalised the structure, claiming it to be a Hindu temple.

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Police have tightened the security arrangements around the mausoleum, with prohibitory orders in effect. The order has reportedly restricted residents from leaving their homes without a valid reason.

District Magistrate Ravindra Singh and Superintendent of Police Anoop Singh personally visited the site on Saturday to review the deployment.

More than 300 police personnel, two platoons of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, and Special Task Force teams have been deployed within a one-kilometer radius. The area is also under constant drone surveillance, officials said.

The current situation is the result of escalating tensions that began when the Math Mandir Sanrakshan Sangharsh Samiti sent a letter on August 7 seeking permission to clean and beautify" the mausoleum, alleging it was a temple.

Despite the administration denying permission, a mob breached barricades on Monday, entered the premises, hoisted saffron flags, performed Hindu rituals, and vandalised graves. The damaged portions have since been repaired, and security has been reinforced.

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Provocative social media messages have also contributed to the unrest, prompting the police to register three FIRs and maintain extra vigilance.

While officials have identified around 140 suspects from video footage, no arrests have been made so far. Media access to the site has been restricted since Monday. PTI COR CDN MNK MNK

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First Published: August 17, 2025, 01:00 IST

News agency-feeds Security heightened around disputed mausoleum in UPs Fatehpur

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Trump says no agreement on ending Russias war in Ukraine

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 05:30 IST

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Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug 16 (AP) President Donald Trump said he and Vladimir Putin didnt reach a deal to end Russias war in Ukraine after meeting on Friday  despite Putin saying they had come to an understanding"  as the two leaders offered scant details on what was discussed while heaping praise on each other.

In brief remarks as they shared a stage after meeting for about 2  hours in Alaska, Putin said he and Trump had reached an understanding" on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress." But Trump then said, Theres no deal until theres a deal" and said he planned to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders soon, to brief them on the discussions.

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We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to," Trump said. And there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there." He continued: We didnt get there." The high-profile summit ended without a deal to end, or even pause, the brutal conflict  the largest land war in Europe since 1945  which has raged for more than three years.

It was an abrupt ending to an otherwise friendly meeting in which a red carpet was rolled out for Putin as he landed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The two leaders greeted each other with a handshake and a smile, and Putin even got a ride in the presidential limousine  an unusually warm reception for a U.S. adversary.

While the two leaders were still on the tarmac, reporters nearby yelled, President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?" Russias leader put his hand up to his ear as though to indicate he couldnt hear them. Trump and Putin then shared the U.S. presidential limo known as The Beast" for a short ride to their meeting site, with Putin offering a broad smile as the vehicle rolled past the cameras.

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Zelenskyy and European leaders were excluded from Trump and Putins discussions, and Ukraines president was left posting a video address in which he expressed his hope for a strong position from the U.S." Everyone wants an honest end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to end the war," he said, later adding, The war continues and it continues precisely because there is no order, nor any signals from Moscow, that it is preparing to end this war." Trump had both raised and lowered expectations for the summit, at turns characterizing it as a feel-out meeting" but also warning of very severe consequences" for Russia if Putin didnt agree to end the war.

He boasted before taking office that he could end the war in 24 hours, a comment he later said was in jest. The opportunity to talk to Putin face-to-face gave him his best chance to date to get the fighting to stop, but he came up short. (AP) HIG HIG

First Published: August 16, 2025, 05:30 IST

News agency-feeds Trump says no agreement on ending Russias war in Ukraine

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Delhi's 25-Year Wait For Western Ring Road Ends: 75-Km UER-II Expressway To Cut Travel Time, Link Airport

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News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 23:59 IST

The final Alipur-Dichaon Kalan stretch, along with spurs to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, will be inaugurated by PM Modi on Sunday

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Initially planned by the DDA and later handed to the NHAI in 2018, the 75-km project has faced repeated delays. Now, after nearly 25 years, the entire stretch will become operational. (Representational Image/X)

Conceived in the year 2000, Delhis long wait for the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II)commonly called the Western Ring Roadwill finally end on Sunday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating its remaining sections.

Initially planned by the DDA and later handed to the NHAI in 2018, the 75-km project has faced repeated delays. Now, after nearly 25 years, the entire stretch will become operational.

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The project has faced repeated delays due to land acquisition hurdles, cost escalations, and shifting responsibility between agencies before finally reaching completion.

A Game Changer for Commuters

The new expressway promises to be a boon for daily commuters, cutting travel time between Delhis western and northern suburbs and IGI Airport by 30-40 minutes.

By linking NH-44, NH-09, and the Dwarka Expressway, UER-II allows traffic headed towards Sonipat, Panipat, Chandigarh, Punjab, and J&K to bypass chronic choke points like Mukarba Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, and the citys Ring Roads.

Along with the Dwarka Expressway also being inaugurated on Sunday, the UER-II will facilitate airport connectivity for people from north Delhi, west Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. Together, these new stretches are expected to reduce travel time from Noida to IGI Airport to just 20 minutes.

The project UER-II was conceptualised by DDA as part of the Delhi Master Plan as the third Ring Road of Delhi. The project got stuck due to various hurdles/challenges. On request of DDA, NHAI declared UER-II as a national highway (NH). UER-II is developed in five packages with a total length of 75.71 km and capital cost of Rs 6,445 crore. A total of 54.21 km of UER-II falls in Delhi and 21.50 km in Haryana," an official from NHAI told News18.

What Is Being Inaugurated

A 10-km section between Nangloi and Dwarka was opened in March 2024. On Sunday, the final Alipur-Dichaon Kalan stretch, along with spurs to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, is being inaugurated. The total cost of the new section is Rs 5,580 crore.

The spurs to Sonipat Bypass and Bahadurgarh bypass are four-lane access-controlled highways, while the main alignment is a six-lane road.

Western Ring Road Route

Starting from NH-44 and terminating at Dwarka Sector 24, the UER-II is built in five packagesthree main packages totalling 40 km between Alipur and Dwarka, including the already operational Nangloi-Dwarka link.

The fourth package, NH-344P, is a 30 km spur to Sonipat, starting from Bawana Industrial Area. It will decongest the existing NH-44 and provide connectivity from Delhi to KMPE and the Delhi-Katra Expressway (through KMPE).

The last and fifth package is a spur to the Bahadurgarh bypass starting from Village Dichaon Kalan. The seven km NH-344N will decongest the existing NH-09 in Delhi and provide connectivity to Eastern Haryanathe Rohtak/Bahadurgarh area in NCRwith southwest Delhi.

Engineering & Sustainability Features

Built at a capital cost of Rs 6,445 crore, the entire UER-II length includes six multi-level interchanges, 27 flyovers, 11 underpasses, 2 road overbridges, 31 bus bays, and over 110 km of service roads. To cross the Mungeshpur Drain, the highway has a 2-km elevated stretch supported on 32 portals without disturbing the waterway.

Sustainability was a key focus while building the highwayabout 10 lakh metric tons of inert waste from Delhis Bhalaswa and Ghazipur landfills were reused, while 10,000 trees were transplanted along the alignment.

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The Road Ahead

Two extensions were planned for UER-II for an even smoother commutea 20 km extension of the DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway from UER-II at an estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore, linking IGI Airport via UER-II, and a 17 km extension of UER-II to Tronica City is planned at a cost of Rs 3,350 crore to serve as an alternate route to Dehradun, which connects with the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.

About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 23:59 IST

News cities Delhi's 25-Year Wait For Western Ring Road Ends: 75-Km UER-II Expressway To Cut Travel Time, Link Airport

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Heavy Rain Lashes Mumbai Amid Orange Alert, Causes Waterlogging; Police Issue Advisory

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News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 04:03 IST

Heavy overnight rain lashed Mumbai on Saturday, causing waterlogging in several parts of the city.

The Mumbai Police have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rain.

Heavy rain lashed Mumbai in the early hours of Saturday as the weather department issued an Orange Alert for the city.

Waterlogging was reported in several areas of the city with reduced visibility, officials said.

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The Mumbai Police cautioned the residents against venturing out unless essential.

Mumbai is experiencing heavy rainfall with an Orange Alert in effect. Water-logging and reduced visibility have been reported in several areas.Mumbaikars are advised to avoid non-essential travel and to exercise caution while venturing out. Police have been instructed to be on     Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 15, 2025

Mumbai is experiencing heavy rainfall with an Orange Alert in effect. Waterlogging and reduced visibility have been reported in several areas. Mumbaikars are advised to avoid non-essential travel and to exercise caution while venturing out," Mumbai Police posted on X.

Police have been instructed to be on high alert and @MumbaiPolice is alert and ready to help Mumbaikars. In case of any emergency, dial 100 / 112 / 103," they added.

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On Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange alert in Mumbai and Thane for the weekend.

A yellow alert was issued for Palghar, Thane, and Mumbai on Friday, warning of moderate to heavy rain. In Palghar, the rain is expected to get heavier from Sunday and last until August 19. Raigad and Ratnagiri, which are under an orange alert until next Tuesday, are also likely to get a lot of rain.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

First Published: August 16, 2025, 04:02 IST

News cities Heavy Rain Lashes Mumbai Amid Orange Alert, Causes Waterlogging; Police Issue Advisory

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* Despite three hours of talks on Ukraine and bilateral relations, Trump and Putin made no concrete deals.

* Major disagreements remain over Ukraine, with Putin warning against interference and Trump admitting the conflict is harder to resolve than expected.

* Ukraine and EU leaders worry about being sidelined as the United States and Russia discuss peace terms without their direct involvement.

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday wrapped up a high-stakes meeting in Anchorage, the U.S. state of Alaska, but no deal was reached.

The talks, which lasted about three hours, focused primarily on the Ukraine crisis, as well as on reshaping bilateral relations that have largely stalled in recent years.

Though Trump said progress was made during the meeting, no concrete deal was agreed upon, while Ukraine and other European countries voiced concerns about being marginalized.





NO DEAL REACHED

At a joint press conference following the meeting, Trump said "many points" had been agreed upon, noting "great progress" had been made, though no formal deal was reached.

Putin said he agreed that Ukraine's security should be ensured, adding that the understanding reached could help pave the way toward peace.

Russia is sincerely interested in ending the conflict, Putin said, stressing the need to address the "primary causes" of the conflict and warning Ukraine and European countries not to "throw a wrench in the works."

U.S. President Donald Trump (R, Rear) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L, Rear) attend a joint press conference after concluding their talks in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

In an interview with Fox News after the meeting, Trump said it is up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to strike a ceasefire deal, while indicating that he and Putin had discussed land transfers and security guarantees for Ukraine, and had "largely agreed".

The U.S. president also said a meeting involving Zelensky, Putin and himself would be arranged soon.

The meeting marked the first visit to the United States by a Russian head of state in nearly a decade and the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries' presidents since 2021.

In addition to the conflict, Putin also expressed hope that the meeting would serve as "a starting point" for restoring "business-like" and "pragmatic" relations between Russia and the United States, highlighting potential for Russia-U.S. cooperation in trade, high technology, space exploration and the Arctic.

The two leaders also left the door open for the next meeting, as Putin invited Trump to meet "next time in Moscow" during the press conference.

"I'll get a little heat on that one," Trump replied. "But I could see it possibly happening."





MANY DIFFERENCES REMAIN

Despite the moderately friendly atmosphere between the two leaders -- Trump welcomed Putin with a red carpet at the airport, which, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, drove Western media "insane" -- many differences still remain between the two sides.

The two leaders did not reach an agreement on "probably the most significant" aspect of their meeting. "We didn't get there," Trump told reporters before leaving the press conference room, without taking questions.

"For the man who likes to tout himself as a peacemaker and a dealmaker, it appears that Trump will leave Alaska with neither," according to a BBC report, noting that Putin and Trump still have major differences in opinion over the Ukraine crisis.

The U.S. president also admitted in the Fox News interview that he was wrong to think the conflict would be easily solved. "I thought this would be the easiest of them all, and it was the most difficult," Trump said.

The summit in Alaska was productive, and the U.S. side received the Russian side "very well," said Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's top economic envoy, on Telegram.

The two countries would continue building relations despite "resistance," Dmitriev said.

Putin's remarks at the press conference, especially his emphasis on the "primary causes" of the conflict and his warning to Ukraine and European countries not to disrupt the talks, were seen by some in the West as evidence of "the summit's lack of actual progress."

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide downplayed the meeting's "progress." "Too little concrete information has come out," he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R, Rear) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L, Rear) arrive for a joint press conference after concluding their talks in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States, on Aug. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)





WORRIES OF EUROPE

Similar to a virtual meeting held on Wednesday before the Alaska summit, Trump, on his return flight after the meeting, had phone conversations with Zelensky and several other European leaders to brief them on his talks with Putin.

Zelensky announced after the calls that he would visit the White House on Monday to discuss "all of the details" regarding ending the conflict.

The talks covered the possible establishment of a trilateral format between Ukraine, the United States and Russia, he said, voicing support for Trump's proposal for such a meeting.

Zelensky also underscored the importance of ensuring that European countries are involved in the peace process in order to provide Ukraine with reliable security guarantees together with Washington.

Worries about being marginalized have been growing across Europe in recent days, due to the absence of European voices at the Alaska summit.

In a joint statement following the phone call with Trump, leaders of the European Union (EU), France, Italy, Germany, Britain, Finland and Poland reiterated support for "ironclad security guarantees" for Ukraine and a trilateral summit "with European support."

"European leaders are able to inform Trump of their ideas, and the U.S. will brief them on the summit outcomes, but Europe is in the position that the Ukraine conflict outcomes are being negotiated over its head and the continent's leadership is essentially an observer," said Neil Melvin, director of International Security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute, ahead of the meeting.

"While Moscow and Washington decide our fate, we're left out in the cold," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Tuesday, explaining why Hungary did not join a joint EU statement on Ukraine.

"It's simple really: sit at the table or you'll find yourself on the menu," he said.

(Video reporters: Hu Yousong, Xie'E, Xiong Maoling, Gao Shan, Tan Jingjing; Video editors: Zhang Mocheng, Zhao Xiaoqing, Liu Ruoshi)
IndiGo Aircraft's Tail Touches Runway At Mumbai Airport Due To Bad Weather, Airline Reacts

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 19:11 IST

IndiGo flight's tail touched the runway at the Mumbai Airport on Saturday due to bad weather, the airline spokesperson said.

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IndiGo flight's tail touches runway in Mumbai (Image: AFP/File)

An IndiGo aircrafts tail touched the runway at the Mumbai Airport on Saturday during a low-altitude go-around due to bad weather conditions in the city, an official said.

The plane, coming in from Bangkok to Mumbai, made another attempt and landed safely, after which it was sent for checks and repairs before its next operation.

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On August 16, 2025 an IndiGo Airbus A321 aircraft tail touched the runway while executing a low-altitude go-around due to unfavourable weather conditions in Mumbai. Thereafter, the aircraft carried out another approach and landed safely. Following the standard protocol, the aircraft will go through necessary checks/ repairs and regulatory clearance before resuming operations," an IndiGo spokesperson said in a statement.

At IndiGo, the safety of our customers, crew, and aircraft is our top priority. We are making all efforts to minimise any subsequent impact on our operations due to this incident," the statement added.

Sources said that the plane took a go-around seconds before touching down runway 27.

They suggested that the airplane was below the permissible limit and its tail struck the runway.

Apparently, some debris was also left behind and was reported to the airport operator. ATCs role is also being looked at," sources said.

The plane landed safely on the second attempt.

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In March, an IndiGo Airbus A321s tail touched the runway while landing at Chennai airport. After the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that it was investigating the case, Hindustan Times reported.

Earlier, in September last year, another IndiGo A321 flying from Delhi to Bengaluru also suffered a tail strike while landing. The crew on that flight was taken off duty while the investigation was carried out, the report said.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 18:53 IST

News cities IndiGo Aircraft's Tail Touches Runway At Mumbai Airport Due To Bad Weather, Airline Reacts

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Teen Among Two Dead At Mumbai's Dahi Handi Celebrations, Dozens Hospitalised

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 23:42 IST

The festivities turned tragic as two 'govindas' died, including a 14-year-old boy and a 32-year-old man. 95 others were injured

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A govinda climbs a rope during Dahi Handi ceremony on the occasion of Janmashtami festival in Mumbai. (PTI photo)

Two people died during Mumbais Dahi Handi celebrations on Saturday, including a 14-year-old boy who was declared dead on arrival at a hospital in Ghatkopar, officials said. Dozens were also injured, with some in serious condition.

The deceased teen, Rohan Mohan Malvi, a member of the Gaondevi Govinda Pathak, lost consciousness while sitting in a tempo in Adarsh Nagar, Andheri East.

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An official said Rohan had not participated in forming the human pyramid as he was recovering from jaundice. He was rushed to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Earlier in the day, a 32-year-old man died after falling while tying a Dahi Handi in Mankhurd, in the northeastern part of the city. The man was identified as Jagmohan Shivkiran Chaudhari.

Officials said Jagmohan was tying the handi  an earthen pot filled with curd, which groups of govindas try to break by forming a human pyramid  to a rope from the first-floor window grille of his house in Maharashtra Nagar. He fell and was taken to the civic-run Shatabdi Govandi Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

By 9 pm on Saturday, 95 people had been injured during the celebrations, with two in serious condition, the official added.

Of the injured, 76 were treated and discharged, while 19 remained hospitalised. The casualties were spread across the city, with 30 in the island city area, 31 in the eastern suburbs, and 34 in the western suburbs.

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Dahi Handi is celebrated across Maharashtra to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. During the festival, teams of young men and women form human pyramids to reach and break the curd-filled handi suspended in the air by ropes. The event is known for its colourful and lively atmosphere but can also be dangerous due to the risky pyramid formations.

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 23:42 IST

News mumbai-news Teen Among Two Dead At Mumbai's Dahi Handi Celebrations, Dozens Hospitalised

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Delhi Man Killed After Being Hit By SUV; Alcohol Bottle Found Inside Car

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 13:59 IST

The police is searching for the driver of the SUV, who fled the scene following the accident.

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Image from the accident site (Credits: ANI)

A 40-year-old man died in the Moti Nagar area of the national capital on Friday night after being hit by a car. The man has been identified as one Bechu Lal. He was standing on his bike at the roadside and the car hit him. The driver fled the scene following the accident.

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The driver has been identified as Amarinder Singh Sodhi, and the officials have reportedly also recovered a bottle of alcohol from the car.

Visuals from the accident site show the aftermath of the accident. The white SUV sustained major front-end damage. The grille, bumper, and headlights are severely crushed. An empty bottle can also been seen on the seat of the car.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the sport where a man named Bechu Lal, aged about 40 years, died after being hit by a car while he was standing on his bike at the roadside in the Moti Nagar area last night.The car driver fled from the scene after the accident. The Police are https://t.co/MHjZPXmsXo pic.twitter.com/87NU2Jxe4a  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

Several bystanders and police are present at the scene and assessing the situation. A further investigation into the matter is underway.

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Bikshu Lal, aged about 40 years, died after being hit by a car while he was standing on his bike at the roadside in the Moti Nagar area last night. The car driver fled from the scene after the accident. The Police are searching for the accused," said Delhi Police.

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

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 11:29 IST

News new-delhi-news Delhi Man Killed After Being Hit By SUV; Alcohol Bottle Found Inside Car

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Stay In, Stay Safe: Mumbai Police Warn Residents Amid Heavy Rain As Orange Alert Rings Out

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 05:24 IST

The Mumbai Police have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel this weekend, especially through waterlogged areas

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai and Thane for August 16 and 17, warning that some areas may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Representational image

Mumbai woke up to the sound of steady rainfall and the usual weekend traffic on Saturday, as the monsoon made a strong comeback. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai and Thane for August 16 and 17, warning that some areas may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Just across the bay, Raigad district is under a Red Alert for August 16. This means that extremely heavy rainfall is expected there, with a higher risk of flooding and disruption.

The citys rain figures show the change in weather clearly. In the 24 hours up to 8.30 am on August 15, the Colaba weather station recorded 45.2 mm of rain, while Santacruz received 11.5 mm. Since the start of the monsoon season, Colaba has logged 1,119.2 mm of rainfall, and Santacruz has measured 1,435.7 mm.

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Weather officials explain that this spell of rain is due to a low-pressure system over south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh. Along with this, there is an east-west trougha line of low pressureextending from the Bay of Bengal into the Arabian Sea. This combination is pulling in moisture and causing heavy showers along the Konkan coast, including Mumbai. According to the IMD, the wet conditions are likely to continue until at least August 20.

The warning is not only about rain. Strong squally winds are also expected. Speeds could reach 40-50 km/h, gusting up to 60 km/h, on August 15-16, and increase to 45-55 km/h, gusting to 65 km/h, from August 17-19. The IMD has advised fishermen and coastal residents to avoid going out to sea during this period as conditions will be rough.

The Mumbai Police have urged residents to avoid nonessential travel, especially through waterlogged areas. Their teams are on high alert to respond to any emergencies. Residents can reach the police control room through helpline numbers 100, 112, and 103.

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has activated its disaster control rooms and kept pumping stations ready to manage flooding in low-lying spots. Additional staff have been deployed in areas that typically see waterlogging, and tree-trimming teams are also on standby to prevent accidents caused by falling branches.

For Mumbaikars, this means preparing for a weekend of rain-soaked roads, slower commutes, and the possibility of transport delays. While the showers bring welcome relief from the citys humidity, they also serve as a reminder of the monsoons unpredictable nature. Staying indoors, keeping an eye on official weather updates, and avoiding risky travel remain the best ways to stay safe until the alert is lifted.

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa... Read More

First Published: August 16, 2025, 05:24 IST

News cities Stay In, Stay Safe: Mumbai Police Warn Residents Amid Heavy Rain As Orange Alert Rings Out

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All Private Schools In Delhi Are Now Subject To A New Fee Regulation Law: Minister

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 10:18 IST

Minister Ashish Sood said the new law closes a loophole in the 1973 rules, under which only 300 schools were covered for the fee regulation.

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Sood said the law was drafted after consultations with parents and education experts. (Representative/File)

The Delhi government has introduced a new fee regulation law covering all 1,700 private schools in the city, which includes provisions for parental participation and veto power on fee hikes, Education Minister Ashish Sood announced on Friday.

During a Parents Town Hall" in Janakpuri, Sood explained that the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, passed in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly, aims to end arbitrary fee increases and ensure transparency in the fee determination process, reported PTI.

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Around 200 parents attended the event, where the minister detailed key aspects of the law, such as penalties for non-compliance.

Schools that increase fees without government approval will be fined between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, with double penalties if excess charges are not refunded, according to an official statement.

The Act also empowers the Director of Education with similar authority to a sub-divisional magistrate to enforce uniform action against violations.

Committees including parents, teachers, school management, and government representatives will be involved in setting school fees, the PTI report added.

Sood noted that this new law closes a loophole in the 1973 rules, which only covered 300 schools for fee regulation. Now, all private schools in Delhi will come under the ambit of fee regulation," he said.

The minister criticised past governments for not establishing a transparent system for private school fee control.

Those who claimed to have brought an education revolution did not make real improvements in government schools," he remarked, adding that many parents chose private schools due to the poor state of public education facilities.

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According to the Act, fee proposals must be decided by school-level committees by July 15, district-level committees by July 30, and finalised by September. If no decision is reached within 45 days, the matter will be referred to an appellate committee.

Sood stated that the law was drafted after consultations with parents and education experts to curb the commercialisation of education and protect students interests.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 10:04 IST

News education-career All Private Schools In Delhi Are Now Subject To A New Fee Regulation Law: Minister

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LIC AAO, AE Recruitment 2025: Application Begins For 841 Posts, Check Details

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 15:28 IST

LIC AAO, AE Recruitment 2025: A total of 841 positions will be filled through this LIC recruitment campaign. Interested candidates can apply until September 8.

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Candidates who meet the qualifications for these roles can apply by visiting LIC's official website at licindia.in.(Representative/File)

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has announced vacancies for the positions of Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO) and Assistant Engineer (AE). Candidates who meet the qualifications for these roles can apply by visiting LICs official website at licindia.in. The application process began today, August 16.

A total of 841 positions will be filled through this LIC recruitment campaign. Interested candidates can apply until September 8. Before submitting the application, candidates must make sure to review the details below carefully.

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LIC AAO, AE Recruitment 2025: Vacancy Details

 Assistant Engineer (AE)  81 posts

 Assistant Administrative Officer (Specialist)  410 posts

 Assistant Administrative Officer (Generalist)  350 posts

Total number of posts  841

LIC AAO, AE Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be between 21 years (completed) and 30 years as on August 1, 2025. Furthermore, applicants must have completed bachelors degree in any discipline from a recognised Indian University/Institution. For detailed information on educational qualifications and age limits for these positions, candidates should thoroughly read the official notification issued by LIC.

LIC AAO, AE Recruitment 2025: Application Fee

 SC/ST/Divyang candidates: Rs 85 along with transaction charges and GST.

 All other categories: Rs 700 plus transaction charges and GST.

LIC AAO, AE Recruitment 2025: How To Apply

Step 1. Visit the official website of licindia.in.

Step 2. Go to the careers section and click on  Recruitment of AAO (Generalists/ Specialists/ Assistant Engineers) 2025.

Step 3. Fill out the application form and upload the required documents.

Step 4. Submit the application fees.

Step 5. Download and save a copy for future reference.

LIC AAO, AE Recruitment 2025: Selection Process

The selection process for Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO) positions involves three stages:

 Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

 Mains Examination (Mains)

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 Interview

Following these, a medical examination will be conducted. The preliminary examination is solely for qualification and its marks will not be included in the final merit. The final selection will be based on the marks obtained in the main examination and interview.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 15:14 IST

News education-career LIC AAO, AE Recruitment 2025: Application Begins For 841 Posts, Check Details

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NCERT's Special Module On Partition Horrors Blames Congress, Stirs Row

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 14:30 IST

The secondary stage module by NCERT highlights the Indian leaders' lack of experience in handling national or provincial administration, the army, and police.

According to the module, Jinnah relentlessly pushed for a separate country, while Congress leaders Nehru and Patel chose to accept partition.

NCERT introduced a special module for schools to commemorate Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14. This module aims to educate students about the reasons behind the partition and identify those responsible for it.

The module attributes accountability to three significant figures: Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who demanded Pakistan; the Congress, which agreed to partition given the circumstances; and Lord Mountbatten, who expedited the process.

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According to the module, Jinnah relentlessly pushed for a separate country, while Congress leaders Nehru and Patel chose to accept partition. Mountbattens rapid formalisation of the partition is criticised for increasing chaos and violence. The module clarifies that the partition was not inevitable but resulted from misguided ideas and specific circumstances.

Mountbatten hastened British withdrawal by setting the partition date to August 15, 1947, instead of June 1948. His haste exacerbated the chaos and violence, with the incomplete planning of the Radcliffe Line leaving millions uncertain about the status of their villages. The module clearly attributes this negligence to the tragedy of partition.

The effects of partition continue to influence socio-political relations, including tensions with Pakistan, the Kashmir dispute, increased defence costs, and the ongoing mistrust between the two major communities.

The modules describe Partition as an unprecedented human tragedy, with no parallel in world history." They document mass killings, the displacement of nearly 1.5 crore people, large-scale sexual violence, and trains of refugees arriving filled only with corpses, having been slaughtered en route." Horrific events in Noakhali, Calcutta, Rawalpindi, Thoha, and Beval are cited as chilling examples, reported ANI.

The secondary stage module highlights the Indian leaders lack of experience in handling national or provincial administration, the army, and police. None of the Indian leaders had experience in running national or even provincial administration, the army, police, etc. Hence, they had no idea of the massive problems that would naturally arise Otherwise, such haste would not have been made," it states.

The module identifies the Muslim Leagues Direct Action Day in August 1946 as a critical turning point, accompanied by violence. Jinnahs warning pressured Congress leaders Nehru and Patel into conceding to partition.

The secondary module directly connects Partition to enduring challenges, including the Kashmir conflict, communal politics, and external pressures on Indias foreign policy. It notes Pakistans three wars to annex Kashmir and its subsequent policy of exporting jihadist terrorism as consequences of Partition.

It reiterates the roles of Jinnah, Congress, and Mountbatten in the partition process. Mountbattens role in advancing the transfer of power is highlighted as a careless act that left millions uncertain about their national affiliation even after Independence Day.

The modules conclude by framing Partition as a warning for future generations. It stressed that shortsightedness in rulers can lead to national catastrophes and that concessions to violence in pursuit of peace can embolden violence-prone groups.

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The new module has stirred a row. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit challenged the BJP for a discussion on Partition. I challenge NCERT for a discussion on Partition. Today, they (BJP) have NCERT under their control; they dont know anything about Partition," he told ANI.

While party spokesperson Pawan Khera said, Burn this document as it doesnt tell the truth. Partition happened due to nexus between Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League." He further added, RSS is danger to this nation. Idea of partition was first propagated by Hindu Mahasabha in 1938. It was repeated by Jinnah in 1940."

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More

First Published: August 16, 2025, 14:23 IST

News education-career NCERT's Special Module On Partition Horrors Blames Congress, Stirs Row

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SBI PO Prelims Result 2025 For 541 Vacancies Expected Soon, How To Check At sbi.co.in

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 16:57 IST

SBI PO Result 2025 Date: SBI aims to fill a total of 541 positions through this recruitment process, with 500 regular posts and 41 backlog category posts.

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The SBI PO Prelims 2025 exam took place on August 2, 4, and 5. (Representative/File)

State Bank of India (SBI) is anticipated to soon release the results of the Probationary Officer (PO) Prelims Exam 2025. Candidates who appeared for the exam will be able to check their results by visiting the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in or directly via the career portal at sbi.co.in/web/careers.

Although the bank has not provided an official date or time for the result announcement, the information bulletin from SBI suggests that the prelims exam result might be released in August or September 2025.

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The SBI PO Prelims 2025 exam took place on August 2, 4, and 5. Candidates who pass the prelims will get the opportunity to appear for the main exam, expected to be held in September 2025. Admit cards for the main exam could be issued by late August or early September.

SBI aims to fill a total of 541 positions through this recruitment process, with 500 regular posts and 41 backlog category posts.

How To Check SBI PO Result 2025:

Step 1- Visit the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in.

Step 2- Click on the SBI PO Prelims Result 2025 link on the homepage.

Step 3- A new page will open where you need to enter your login details (registration number and password/date of birth).

Step 4- Click on the Submit button.

Step 5- Your result will appear on the screen.

Step 6- Download the result and keep a printed copy for future reference.

SBI PO Prelims Result 2025: Whats Next?

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Candidates who qualify the preliminary exam will be eligible to appear for the main exam. The SBI Clerk Mains exam features separate time limits for each section, with the exception of General English. All objective test questions, apart from General English, were bilingual (in both English and Hindi).

Candidates who successfully clear the SBI Clerk Mains exam will have to appear for the local language test as part of the final selection process before being appointed. Those selected will get salary between Rs 17,900 to Rs 47,920.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 16:48 IST

News education-career SBI PO Prelims Result 2025 For 541 Vacancies Expected Soon, How To Check At sbi.co.in

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Why Stand-up Comic's 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' Performance Amid Language Row Got Internet Love

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News18.com Edited By: Anurag Verma



Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 11:48 IST

Shraddha Jain aka Aiyyo Shraddha's stand-up performance on 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' ahead of India's 79th Independence Day is all you need to watch today.

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Shraddha Jain's stand-up performance on 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' addresses the ongoing language row in the country. (Aiyyo Shraddha / YouTube)

Shraddha Jain, popularly known as the Aiyyo Shraddha, shot to fame with her viral skit about global tech layoffs, and she hasnt looked back since then. It is, however, her most recent stand-up performance on YouTube that has resonated with Indian audiences, especially during a time when the language row across states and regions has divided the people of the country. Released just in time for country 79th Independence Day, Shraddhas video from her So Mini Things" series is one she has optimistically called a wish for India"

Wishing the audience a Happy Independence Day, Shraddha opens her act by crediting the Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" song for helping her learn some of the major languages spoken in the country.

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Mile Sur Mera Tumhara

I dont speak any Kashmiri but I know!" she says as she recites Chaain taraj tahin nyay taraj, Ek but baniye saayen taraj". She adds that she heard the song every day while growing up.

Mile Sur Mera Tumhara", released in 1988, is an Indian patriotic song composed for a national integration campaign. It was a staple on Doordarshan. Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" has been penned by the adman legend and Padma Shri recipient Piyush Pandey. Some of his notable and iconic works include the Vodafone pug and ZooZoo ads, Ponds Googly Woogly Woosh", and Polio ads featuring Amitabh Bachchan. He has also designed ad campaigns for Indian tourism, anti-smoking, and PM Narendra Modis Abki baar Modi sarkar" that featured the slogan acche din".

Sung by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, M Balamuralikrishna, and Lata Mangeshkar, the song, beautifully produced by Kailash Surendranath, features celebrated personalities such as Kamal Haasan, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sharmila Tagore, among others.

Also Read: Aiyyo Shraddhas Hilarious Skit on Kannada Woman Talking to Marathi Cop is Spot on

Shraddha, in her performance, wonders if the song, intended to promote unity, were released today, it would cause complete chaos in the country.

Why is there so much Hindi in this song?" she says, mimicking an outraged individual before adding, Maharashtra doesnt want Hindi, Karnataka doesnt want Hindi. Kerala never needed Hindi, Andhra has its own Hindi and Tamil Nadu dont even ask. Still so much Hindi!"

She then hilariously calls Tamil the chess of languages and points out the use of four lines in the song, more than any in the song.

The popular song features verses in Kashmiri, Hindi, Sindhi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Odia, and Marathi.

The song was first played after Rajiv Gandhis Independence Day address at the Red Fort in New Delhi.

Reactions

Her delivery of the poignant message using wit and humour has been appreciated by the Internet, which pondered if such a song of diversity could be produced in todays climate when the news cycle highlighted the conflicts among Indians over language barriers.

Chaos, but delicious chaos! Back in the 80s, we could whip up a national unity song like Mile Sur Mera Tumhara without breaking a sweat. Today? Youd need a UN peacekeeper just to decide who gets to sing first," a user on X wrote before adding, And here we are, still laughing at the same old linguistic tug-of-war and is a reminder that while India might be a salad bowl of cultures, were all still trying to figure out how to dress it without starting a food fight."

Similar sentiments were shared on YouTube.

Only Shraddha could have done justice to this act!! Singing explaining punching sarcasm and yet communicating the toughest language which petty Indians are fighting over!! (sic)"

Laughter has no language. Extremely delightful gig."

Proof that laughter, like a good curry, transcends borderseven if you cant pronounce half the ingredients!"

When Aiyyo Shraddha Met PM

Shraddha met with PM Modi back in 2013 and revealed his first words to her that left her stumped.

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Shraddha revealed, Namashkar, yes, I met the Honorable Prime Minister of our Country. His first word to me was Aiyyo!. I am not blinking, thats my O My Jod, he really said that, this is really happening!!!! look. Thank you @PMOIndia!"

The Prime Minister was in Bengaluru to inaugurate Aero India 2023.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 11:48 IST

News explainers Why Stand-up Comic's 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' Performance Amid Language Row Got Internet Love

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Zomatos Churchill And Chandrayaan-3 Ad On Independence Day Grabs Eyeballs, Heres Why

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 16:33 IST

Winston Churchill's quote and Chandrayaan-3 mission featured in a recent Zomato ad on India's 79th Independence Day.

Zomato's new ad on India's 79th Independence day featuring a quote by Winston Churchill has gone viral. (Photo by @akhileshsharma1 / X)

Zomatos recent newspaper ad featuring Winston Churchills quote went viral on Indias 79th Independence Day. The restaurant aggregator app quoted the controversial former UK Prime Minister and army officer as a reminder of how far India had come after nearly 200 years of being ruled by the British. Churchill, remembered in the country as the man who caused the Bengal Famine of 1943, resulting in the death of 3 million people, believed that India without British rule would fail to govern itself. Without them, he argued, Indian society would crumble and lead to chaos due to the diversity and mix of cultures.

Heres why Zomato referenced Churchills words on the day India celebrated its 79th anniversary of independence from British rule.

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Zomatos Viral Ad

Titled Our Duty In India", Churchill delivered a speech at the Albert Hall on March 18, 1931, where he opined that the British rule over India was a necessity, else the country could fall back to barbarism, a society devoid of culture and civilisation.

India will fall back quite rapidly through the centuries into the barbarism and privations of the Middle Ages. The question at stake is not therefore the gratification of the political aspirations towards self-government of a small number of intellectuals," an excerpt from his speech read.

Zomato featured the same quote in a full-page newspaper advertisement, with a message asserting that Churchills assessment of the nation could not have been more mistaken.

And we said nothing. We put in the work, year after year," Zomatos ad read.

The ad also showed a photograph of the Chandrayaan-3 missions Vikram lander that landed on the moon on August 23, 2023.

What Did The Netizens Say?

Winston Famine Churchill,

We too shall never surrender, nor forget what the Islands did to us," a user on X reacting to the now-viral advert wrote.

Churchill foresaw barbarism in an independent India; 79 years on, its launching satellites and running the worlds largest democracy. The empire crumbledIndia didnt," added another.

What an incredible ad. Lets build a country we, our people and our children deserve."

Chandrayaan 3

Chandrayaan-3s Vikram lander became the first to land near the lunar South Pole, making India the first nation to ever reach the remote region on the moon. Since its arrival on the far side of the moon, the mission has achieved unprecedented success and made groundbreaking discoveries.

Researchers at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have determined that the Shiv Shakti Point, the landing site of Chandrayaan-3, is approximately 3.7 billion years old. This age aligns with the era when early life forms began emerging on Earth.

The mission, among its other successes, also detected water ice in the lunar soil at the moons south pole.

Zomatos Ad Series

The Churchill ad made under the banner of Fuel Your Hustle" had earlier gone viral for featuring superstars of India that included Shah Rukh Khan, AR Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah and Mary Kom. Focused on the hard work put in by these legends rather than on their fame, the Zomato ad series found success in the digital space.

They know the taste of sweat. The salt of tears. They wake up when its dark, show up when its hard. They know what it takes. Retakes. Mistakes," a part of the voiceover on the ad says.

The secret ingredient is hustle. Fuel your hustle. Zomato."

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal shared the ad on X and wrote, This isnt an ad. Its a belief in effort over everything else."

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Also Read: Zomatos Ad With Shah Rukh Khan, AR Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah, Mary Kom Is Trending

Different stories, one thing in common: Consistent effort. Were not here to celebrate the stars, but the fire that built them. The fire each one of us carries inside  while food is just the fuel. To everyone chasing something they care deeply about and showing up for it  were glad to be a small part of your journey," he added.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: August 16, 2025, 16:33 IST

News explainers Zomatos Churchill And Chandrayaan-3 Ad On Independence Day Grabs Eyeballs, Heres Why

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Description

Join a selection of artists from the DETOUR VI exhibition, curated by Glen Hansen, in conversation with Matter of Spark producer, Chris Jones.

About the moderator:

Chris Jones is a multifaceted talent in the realm of audio production, boasting a diverse background as a composer, sound designer, and experienced sound engineer at East End Arts.

About the Artists:

Mark Van Wagner received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and studied Art History and Urban planning at Colorado College. He has since exhibited in numerous venues across the U.S. iand his work is included in many private and public collections throughout the United States and Europe. The artist currently lives and works on Long Island in the village of Bellport, NY. His deconstructive abstract paintings and sculptures are made of natural and pigmented sands that poignantly remind us of interdependence and lifes cycles.

Mark Webber is an artist based in Sag Harbor, New York, originally from Greenwich, Connecticut. He holds a BFA in Sculpture from SUNY Purchase, and he studied sculpture at Windham College. With a background in high-end custom woodworking, which he practiced for 40 years in both New York City and East Hampton, Webbers deep understanding of materials and craftsmanship informs his artistic practice today. His work is largely inspired by his lifelong connection to wind and water, stemming from his personal passion for sailing and kayaking. Webber has participated in artist residencies at The Vermont Studio Center and The Church in Sag Harbor. He is represented by Anita Rogers Gallery in Tribeca, New York, where he is preparing for his second solo show in 2026.
24-Year-Old Student Found Dead In Hostel Room, Questions Education System In Note

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 21:26 IST

Shivam Dey, a 24-year-old B. Tech student at Sharda University, allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room. A note cited personal reasons and criticized the education system.

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(Representative Image)

A 24-year-old B. Tech (Computer Science) student of Sharda University in Greater Noida allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room on campus, police said on Saturday.

According to the police, the student has been identified as Shivam Dey from Madhubani in Bihar. He was found hanging in the HMR hostel on Friday.

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Soon after receiving information, police reached the spot, took the body into custody, and sent it for post-mortem examination. A forensic team also inspected the scene.

Officials said a suicide note was found in the room, in which Shivam cited personal reasons for his decision and included several appeals.

If you are reading this, I am dead. My death is my own decision. Nobody is involved in this. I have been planning this for a year," the note read.

He allegedly stated that he had not attended classes for the past two years and requested that the university administration refund the unused fees to his family.

He also expressed a desire to donate his organs and raised concerns over the countrys education system, writing: If this country wants to become great, then first of all, the education system has to be corrected," news agency IANS reported.

The students family alleged that despite his absence from classes for a long time, the university did not inform them.

Police said all angles are being investigated. The matter is under probe and every aspect will be thoroughly examined," an official said.

Earlier, in July, a second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student at Sharda University in Greater Noida died by suicide in the womens hostel, alleging humiliation and mental harassment by two faculty members.

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Following the discovery of the suicide note, two university staff members were arrested as protests erupted on the campus over the incident.

Suicide Prevention: 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)

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 21:26 IST

News india 24-Year-Old Student Found Dead In Hostel Room, Questions Education System In Note

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Air India Express Flight From Bengaluru Lands Safely In Second Attempt At Gwalior

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 23:11 IST

Air India Express said the pilot performed a precautionary go-around before a safe landing.

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Air India Express flight | Representative Image/PTI

An Air India Express flight from Bengaluru carrying 160 passengers failed to land on its first attempt at Gwalior airport on Saturday afternoon but touched down safely in the second attempt, officials said.

Gwalior airport director A K Goswami told PTI the flight later departed for Bengaluru and reached there without incident.

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Technical staff examined the aircraft after landing and found no fault," he said, adding that failing to land in the first attempt is a normal occurrence.

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The brief go-around caused panic among some passengers, who lodged complaints with airport and airline officials after deboarding, another official said as per PTI.

In a statement, Air India Express said, One of our aircraft conducted a go-around followed by a safe and uneventful landing at Gwalior. Crew are trained to carry out a go-around as a precautionary measure when required."

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 22:35 IST

News india Air India Express Flight From Bengaluru Lands Safely In Second Attempt At Gwalior

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Bishnoi Gang Aides Arrested In Rajasthan For Alleged Independence Day Terror Plot: Report

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 17:30 IST

Rajasthan Police arrested individuals linked to Lawrence Bishnois network planning terror activities in Delhi and Gwalior

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A file photo of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi (PTI)

Rajasthan Police have arrested several individuals allegedly linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnois network, who were planning terror activities in Delhi and Gwalior ahead of Independence Day on 15 August, Indian Express reported on Saturday.

According to Additional Director General of Police (Crime Branch) Dinesh MN, the arrests were made in connection with a grenade blast that took place on 7 July in front of a liquor shop in Nawanshahr, Punjab. The suspects were reportedly involved in planning further attacks and had fled to Rajasthan after the explosion.

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The arrested individuals have been identified as Jitendra Chaudhary from Tonk, Sanjay from Hanumangarh district, and Sonu alias Kali from Kapurthala, Punjab. Police also detained three minors. They were picked up last week from Jaipur and Tonk districts and later handed over to the Special Operation Cell of Punjab Police in Amritsar.

ADG Dinesh MN told the publication that a special team led by Additional Superintendent of Police Siddhant Sharma from the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) was sent to Jaipur and Ajmer regions. The team operated undercover and arrested the suspects on 10 August after gathering intelligence.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused were in contact with Zeeshan Akhtar, believed to be the handler of the gang from Canada. Zeeshan had also claimed responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique in Mumbai.

These criminals use social media platforms like Instagram to contact and recruit local youth by luring them with money," the ADG said.

The police officer further stated that Zeeshan had supplied grenades for the Nawanshahr attack and had instructed the group to carry out similar blasts in Delhi and Gwalior on Independence Day.

Separate Arrest In Punjab

In a related development, Punjab Police arrested two more Lawrence Bishnoi gang operatives from the Patiala-Ambala highway near Shambhu village on Thursday. A 9 mm Glock pistol and six live cartridges were recovered from them.

According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the duo had escaped to Nepal after committing a murder and returned to India under instructions from foreign-based handlers to carry out a high-profile crime in Punjab.

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They are involved in over 15 serious criminal cases across Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Gujarat," DGP Yadav said, adding that they were also wanted in the recent murder of Bharat Ratan alias Vicky in Fazilka.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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Location : Rajasthan, India, India

First Published: August 16, 2025, 17:30 IST

News india Bishnoi Gang Aides Arrested In Rajasthan For Alleged Independence Day Terror Plot: Report

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'Can't Amend Constitution': Centre Opposes SC's Timeline For President, Governors To Clear Bills

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 13:55 IST

The submission comes in response to a SC order in April that prescribed a three-month timeline for the President and a one-month window for Governors to decide on pending bills

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Supreme Court of India | PTI Image

The Centre has opposed the idea of setting fixed deadlines for the President and Governors to clear bills, cautioning that such a move would disrupt the constitutional balance of power.

The submission comes in response to a Supreme Court order in April that prescribed a three-month timeline for the President and a one-month window for Governors to decide on pending legislation.

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Even under its extraordinary powers vested in Article 142, the Supreme Court cannot amend the Constitution or defeat the intent of the Constitution makers, provided there are no such procedural mandates in the constitutional text," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued.

In its written note to the court, the government warned that imposing such timelines would amount to constitutional chaos" by allowing one organ of the state to assume powers not vested in it.

While acknowledging that there may be some limited problems in implementation" of the current system, Mehta said those concerns cannot justify reducing the higher office of the Governor to a subordinate one."

He maintained that the President and Governors represent higher ideals of democratic governance" and that any alleged lapses should be addressed through political and constitutional processes, not unwarranted judicial" interference.

Under Article 200, a Governor may give assent to a bill, withhold it, return it for reconsideration, or reserve it for the Presidents approval.

Once a bill is passed again by the legislature, the Governor is bound to assent, but can still reserve it for Presidential consideration if it raises constitutional or national concerns.

The Supreme Courts April 12 ruling, delivered in a case concerning Tamil Nadu, attempted to regulate this process by introducing deadlines for Constitutional heads.

The order drew objections, with President Droupadi Murmu formally seeking the Courts opinion under Article 143 on whether such timelines were constitutional.

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In July, a Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai scheduled hearings on the Presidential reference for August 19.

The bench, which also includes Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, PS Narasimha, and Atul S Chandurkar, has asked both the Centre and states to file their written submissions by August 12.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 13:55 IST

News india 'Can't Amend Constitution': Centre Opposes SC's Timeline For President, Governors To Clear Bills

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Caught On Cam: Retired Army Captain Mowed Down, Dragged By Speeding Car In Jaipur

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 19:37 IST

The retired army officer was struck by a speeding car from behind, after which he was dragged to several feet in Jaipur.

Ex-Army officer mowed down by car in Jaipur (Photo: PTI)

In a horrific incident caught on camera, a retired Indian Army Captain was mowed down and dragged for nearly 10 feet by a four-wheeler in Rajasthans Jaipur.

He got stuck under the front left wheel of the car after being hit, causing his death. The former army officer was identified as Narsaram Jajra.

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The incident took place on August 15 morning when he was en route to Chitrakoot Stadium on his bicycle. As he was riding on the left side of the road, a car rammed him from behind and crushed him to death on the spot. The car fled from the crime scene. The incident was caught on CCTV camera.

VIDEO | Jaipur: A Retired Army officer was dragged several feet after getting stuck under car, dies. The incident, which took place on August 15 morning, was caught on CCTV.#JaipurNews(Viewers discretion advised) (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/lHa7XiMnfP  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 16, 2025

According to officials, the car was being driven by a woman who was identified based on the CCTV footage. Her child was reportedly sitting in the passenger seat, India Today reported.

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The police registered a case; however, she has yet to be arrested.

Nearly two weeks ago, a 15-year-old boy was killed when the bike he was riding on as a passenger was hit by a truck near Nai Mata Temple in Jaipur. The boy, Safan Baig, died on the spot, while his cousin, who was with him, was injured in the incident.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

First Published: August 16, 2025, 19:36 IST

News india Caught On Cam: Retired Army Captain Mowed Down, Dragged By Speeding Car In Jaipur

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Chef Arrested In Andhra Pradesh For Alleged Links To Pakistan-Based Terror Groups

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 17:54 IST

The accused, Sheik Kothwal Noor Mohammad, is believed to have been in contact with banned terrorist organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammad

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Police clarified that Mohammad is an Indian citizen and a native of Dharmavaram. (Representational image)

A 42-year-old chef, Sheik Kothwal Noor Mohammad, was taken into custody by police in Andhra Pradeshs Sri Satyasai district on Saturday for allegedly having links with Pakistan-based terrorist groups.

The arrest was made in Dharmavaram after police grew suspicious of Mohammads behaviour.

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According to officials, he is believed to have been in contact with banned terrorist organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

He (Mohammed) only consumed content and got influenced but didnt execute any act or perhaps didnt get a chance. Training could have radicalised him," said U Narsingappa, the in-charge sub-divisional police officer of Dharmavaram.

Police clarified that Mohammad is an Indian citizen and a native of Dharmavaram in Andhra Pradesh. His family has been living in the area for generations, ruling out any foreign connection or origin.

During the investigation, authorities also recovered some radical literature from Mohammad. Officials said the content found in his possession would be closely examined as part of the ongoing probe.

Further details about his activities, intentions, and possible connections with terror outfits are yet to be confirmed.

Narsingappa said that only after a full interrogation will police be able to understand whether he was planning any specific actions.

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At present, Mohammad remains in custody and is being questioned by police. The case is being handled with caution, and central agencies may also be involved if deeper links to terrorist networks are found.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Location : Andhra Pradesh, India, India

First Published: August 16, 2025, 17:54 IST

News india Chef Arrested In Andhra Pradesh For Alleged Links To Pakistan-Based Terror Groups

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 21:18 IST

Dahi Handi Celebration Today Updates: Dahi Handi is a vibrant and energetic Hindu festival celebrated primarily in the Indian state of Maharashtra during Janmashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna. The festival recreates the playful and mischievous act of young Krishna stealing butter.

A clay pot (handi) filled with curd (dahi), butter, or other dairy products is hung high above the ground, and teams of young men, known as Govindas, form human pyramids to reach and break it.

The event is accompanied by loud music, cheering crowds, and a festive atmosphere. In recent years, Dahi Handi has evolved into a competitive sport, with prize money and organized teams. It symbolises teamwork, perseverance, and devotion, while keeping alive a cherished cultural tradition.

Ahead of the grand celebration, a Spanish team of castellers has arrived in Maharashtra to take part in the Dahi Handi Mahotsav.
Delivery Executive Fatally Stabbed By Neighbours In Outer Delhi Over Money Dispute

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 17:06 IST

Ashish Verma, 24, was allegedly stabbed to death by neighbors Bhajan Lal and Rakesh in a drunken brawl in Delhi's Chander Vihar

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Ashish, who lived in Bhudella village in Vikas Puri, was unmarried and worked as a delivery executive. (Representative Image)

A 24-year-old delivery executive was allegedly stabbed to death by his neighbours during a fight over money in outer Delhis Chander Vihar area early Saturday.

The victim, identified as Ashish Verma, was attacked with a knife around 12:20 am during what police described as a drunken brawl. He was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital by his family members, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

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Ashishs mother alleged in her statement to police that two of their neighbours, Bhajan Lal (32) and Rakesh (30), both residents of Deepak Vihar in Nilothi Extension, were responsible for the attack.

Ashish had an argument with the accused over a financial matter, which escalated into a physical fight. During the scuffle, the accused allegedly stabbed him," a senior police officer said.

A preliminary medical examination revealed a deep stab wound on the left side of Ashishs chest. Both Bhajan Lal and Rakesh have been apprehended and booked under appropriate sections, police added.

Ashish, who lived in Bhudella village in Vikas Puri, was unmarried and worked as a delivery executive.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, a 22-year-old man was stabbed to death in central Delhis Nabi Karim area allegedly over a neighbourhood dispute, police said on Thursday. Four people have been arrested in connection with the murder.

The victim, Bansi alias Pali, a resident of Amarpuri in Nabi Karim, was attacked on 10 August. He sustained multiple stab wounds and was declared brought dead at the hospital.

The murder was the fallout of an ongoing enmity stemming from a local dispute," a senior officer said.

Following the incident, an FIR was registered and a special investigation team was formed. CCTV footage was analysed, and raids were carried out in Raghubir Nagar, Anand Parbat, Sadar Bazar, Paharganj, Nabi Karim and other parts of the National Capital Region.

The arrested accused have been identified as Pravesh alias Rishi (20), Pankaj alias Kake (23), Ajay alias Akshay (28), and Ashu (21). Two blood-stained knives used in the attack were recovered during the investigation.

Police said two of the arrested men have prior criminal records. Rishi was previously involved in a 2019 assault case, while Ashu was booked in 2022 for offences including voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, and criminal intimidation.

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Another accused, Shiva, is still on the run, and efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest him.

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 17:05 IST

News india Delivery Executive Fatally Stabbed By Neighbours In Outer Delhi Over Money Dispute

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ECI Says Parties Should Have Raised Electoral Roll Errors During Claims And Objections Period

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 20:38 IST

The ECI said that the political parties should have raised the issue of Electoral Roll error during the Claims and Objections period of past elections.

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ECI reacts to Opposition's electoral roll error charge (PTI Image)

As the Opposition targets the Election Commission of India over Bihars special intensive revision and vote theft", the poll body on Saturday said that the political parties should have raised the matter of errors in electoral rolls during the claims and objections period of elections held in the past.

It further said that the ECI shares electoral rolls with parties before any elections so that any errors, if genuine", could be corrected before those polls.

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In a statement, the Election Commission said, Recently, some Political Parties and individuals are raising issues about errors in the Electoral Rolls, including those prepared in the past. The appropriate time to raise any issue with the Electoral Rolls would have been during the Claims and Objections period of that phase, which is precisely the objective behind sharing the Electoral Rolls with all Political Parties and the Candidates."

Had these issues been raised at the right time through the right channels, it would have enabled the concerned SDM EROs to correct the mistakes, if genuine, before those elections," the statement added.

The Commission said that it welcomes the scrutiny of electoral rolls by political parties. It will help SDMS/EROS to remove the errors and purify the Electoral Rolls, which has always been the objective of ECI," it said.

The Election Commission will hold a press conference on Sunday.

This comes after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed what he called an atom bomb" of evidence against the Election Commission. Using data from the Mahadevapura assembly seat in Bengaluru Central (in Congress-ruled Karnataka), he accused the Election Commission of working together with the BJP.

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RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has also accused the ECI of conspiring to manipulate the voter list in Bihar by issuing two Elector Photo Identity Cards to BJP leaders and workers.

The ECI has dismissed the allegations and asked Rahul Gandhi to sign an affidavit to register a formal complaint  to which the Congress leader said that he had already sworn an oath to the Constitution of India.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 20:13 IST

News india ECI Says Parties Should Have Raised Electoral Roll Errors During Claims And Objections Period

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'Their Leadership In Pursuit Of Peace Commendable': India Welcomes Trump-Putin Alaska Talks

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 21:53 IST

India welcomed the Alaska Summit between US President Trump and Russian President Putin, praising their leadership for peace and advocating for dialogue and diplomacy.

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Alaska meeting: Trump-Putin hold discussions

The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday welcomed the summit between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska to end the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

According to a statement by the Official Spokesperson, India appreciates the progress made in the Summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.

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Trump and Putin held their first face-to-face meeting in years to resolve the Ukraine war in Alaska on Friday. The talks did not yield any significant breakthrough for Ukraine, but both leaders said the discussions were productive.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to," Trump said, adding, There are just a very few that are left, some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant."

Trump later stated that he would urge Zelenskyy to agree to a peace deal, emphasising that Ukraine needed to pursue peace. He also described his talks with Putin as a 10 out of 10," while acknowledging a few minor differences.

MEAs reaction comes after Trump signalled that he may not impose additional secondary tariffs on countries that are purchasing Russian crude oil, including India, softening his stance as he met Putin for a historic summit in Alaska.

Relations between India and the US were strained after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India, among the highest rates on any country, for purchasing Russian oil and called Indias economy dead". India has pushed back against the tariffs, calling them unjust and unreasonable.

Well, he lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lotAnd if I did whats called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, Ill do it. Maybe I wont have to do it," Trump said on Friday.

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire In Ukraine

Trump said his late-night talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went very well", after his successful" meeting with Putin in Alaska, while ruling out an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and instead pushing for a direct peace agreement".

After the high-stakes Alaska summit, Zelenskyy said that he held a long and substantive conversation" with Trump and supported the proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. Zelenskyy said the discussion began as a one-on-one exchange before European leaders were invited to join.

A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late-night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often does not hold up."

Trump added that Zelenskyy would arrive in Washington, DC, on Monday afternoon and said that, if things go as planned, a trilateral meeting with Putin could be arrangedone he claimed could save millions of lives.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 16:12 IST

News india 'Their Leadership In Pursuit Of Peace Commendable': India Welcomes Trump-Putin Alaska Talks

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Steven Wang, the 23-year-old CEO of Dub, a copy-trading platform, has been an investor almost all his life. Fueled by get-rich-quick aspirations, Wang told Fortune hes seen how viral moments like rare meme-stock success stories have inflated his peers investment expectations and diminished their risk considerations. He hopes to change this.

When Steven Wang was in second grade, he convinced his parents to open a custodial stock account. Now 23 years old, hes running Dub, a copy-trading platform aimed at solving the financial literacy gap among his peers.

A recent Harris Poll survey commissioned by Dub highlights the contradiction: While 60% of Gen Z and 66% of millennials are investing in the stock market outside of their 401(k)s, just 17% of Americans feel very confident in their understanding of how markets actually work. Most believe investing, rather than a traditional nine-to-five career, offers the fastest path to wealtha dream increasingly shaped by viral TikTok finance videos or meme-stock success stories rather than grounded investment knowledge, Wang told Fortune.

Copy trading, the concept underpinning Dub, allows everyday investors to automatically replicate the trades of more skilled market participants in real time. Instead of picking their own stocks, users can select vetted traders, hedge fund veterans, and other experienced investors to follow. Whenever those investors make a move, the same trade is executed in the users account, mirroring strategies and outcomes.

The ultrawealthy are already betting on smart people to deploy their capital, Wang told Fortune. Were bringing that experience to regular Americans.

Wang grew up 20 minutes outside Detroit, the child of poor Asian immigrants who both worked in the auto industry. He watched the citys decline after the Great Financial Crisis and the auto industrys blows to blue-collar families, an experience that shaped his desire to build a more stable financial future for himself.

A self-described hustler, Wang sold Pokemon cards on the playground and flipped Air Jordans in grade school. Growing up, he nerded out on Warren Buffett books and Howard Marks memos, fueled by a self-professed childish vision to get rich through stock market investments.

I really learned the hard way, Wang said. Im competing against hundreds of thousands of people on Wall Street trading for a living[who] have decades of investing experience over me.

By the pandemic, he was day-trading from his Harvard dorm roomwatching waves of new investors enter the market and lose big to hype, misinformation, and bad timing. Wang said thats when he decided the tools of professional investors should be accessible to everyone.
Kishtwar Flash Floods: Search Ops Enter Day 3, J&K CM Visits Chisoti; 60 Dead | Top Points

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 12:39 IST

Officials said nearly 46 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, while at least 75 people remain missing.

Cloudburst In J&K: At Least 60 Dead, Devastating Visuals From Chositi Village

Search and relief work continued for the third straight day on Saturday in Chisoti village of Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district, where a cloudburst earlier this week claimed more than 60 lives and injured over 100.

Officials said nearly 46 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, while at least 75 people remain missing.

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Locals, however, fear the actual figure could be much higher as scores may have been swept away in the floods and trapped under debris, boulders and logs.

Among the confirmed victims are two CISF personnel and a Special Police Officer.

The disaster hit Chisoti  the last road-accessible settlement en route to the Machail Mata shrine  around 12:25 pm on August 14, destroying homes, shops, and vital infrastructure.

Kishtwar Flash Floods: Top Points

Rescue Push: Authorities have deployed close to a dozen excavators and heavy machinery, backed by NDRF dog squads and specialised equipment, to speed up recovery operations.

CM Visits Site: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the affected area on Saturday. Briefed by Army personnel, he also used a VR headset to gauge the scale of destruction.

Widespread Damage: The floods washed away a pilgrim market, a yatra community kitchen, a security post, 16 houses, several government offices, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre bridge, and more than a dozen vehicles.

Air Force Support: The IAF has kept two Mi-17 helicopters and an Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur to assist in relief efforts.

Union Ministers Visit: Union Minister Jitendra Singh, accompanied by J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat, reached Chisoti late Friday night to assess ongoing operations.

Pilgrimage Halted: The annual Machail Mata Yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5, remains suspended for a third day. The 8.5 km trek to the shrine at 9,500 feet starts from Chisoti, about 90 km from Kishtwar town.

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Final Rites Ongoing: Of the bodies identified, 34 have been handed over to families in Kishtwar, Jammu, Udhampur and Doda districts, with most already cremated.

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: August 16, 2025, 12:39 IST

News india Kishtwar Flash Floods: Search Ops Enter Day 3, J&K CM Visits Chisoti; 60 Dead | Top Points

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Man Throws Rice In 'Black Magic' Bid During Delhi Court Hearing: Here's What Happened Next

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 11:36 IST

The act caused proceedings to be stalled for nearly 1520 minutes, with the accused later pleading guilty and assuring the court that he would not repeat such behaviour

Delhi court sentenced the man to imprisonment till the rising of the court and imposed a fine of 2,000 | Image: Representative

A Delhi court has sentenced a man to imprisonment till the rising of the court and imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 after he disrupted proceedings by throwing rice on the courtroom floor during a hearing.

The incident took place on August 11 before Additional Sessions Judge Shefali Barnala Tandon, according to officials.

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The court staff and lawyers said the accused, identified as Dr Chander Vibhas, deliberately scattered rice inside the packed courtroom, reported NDTV.

The courtroom is full and the advocates present have requested the court to get the rice removed or cleaned (which is) spilt all over, and they hesitate to approach the dais for their matters to be taken up after this matter," the judge noted in her order.

Black Magic Suspected

The judge directed the accused to collect the rice and called for a sweeper.

Till the time the sweeper comes, the court proceedings have been halted at the request of counsels present since they suspect black magic by the accused. The sweeper has come after 10 minutes and cleaned the floor," the order said.

The accuseds lawyer, appearing virtually, sought time to appear physically, while Dr Vibhas went down on his knees and apologised in the courtroom.

When proceedings resumed at 2 pm, the judge underlined the seriousness of the act.

The courtroom is a space where justice is sought and delivered and maintaining its dignity is essential for the rule of law. Disrespect towards the court or disruption of judicial proceedings sends a damaging public message, and such overt acts or behaviour of the accused not only disrupted the proceedings and undermined the judicial process but also threatened the very foundation of our legal system," she observed.

The court held that the conduct amounted to an offence under Section 267 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with intentional insult or interruption to a public servant during judicial proceedings.

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Referring to the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, Judge Tandon added: This is very shocking and surprising that the present accused Dr. Chander Vibhas, who is stated to be a surgeon by profession and belonging to the educated and elite class, has acted in such an unreasonable manner and created an interruption in court proceedings."

The act caused proceedings to be stalled for nearly 1520 minutes. Vibhas later pleaded guilty and assured the court that he would not repeat such behaviour.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: August 16, 2025, 11:36 IST

News india Man Throws Rice In 'Black Magic' Bid During Delhi Court Hearing: Here's What Happened Next

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News18 Afternoon Digest: Zelenskyy Speaks To Trump After Alaska Summit, Shubhanshu Shukla To Be Back In India Tomorrow & Other Top Stories

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 14:43 IST

We are also covering: Pakistan admits loss of 13 military personnel during Op Sindoor; Malaika Arora hints at second marriage after Arbaaz Khan divorce, says 'All things...'

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US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (Reuters File Image)

In todays afternoon digest, News18 brings you the latest update on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys talk with US President Donald Trump after Alaska summit, Shubhanshu Shuklas return to India and other top stories.

Zelenskyy Speaks To Trump After Alaska Talks: We Support US-Ukraine-Russia Trilateral Proposal

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After the high stakes Alaska summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he held a long and substantive conversation" with US President Donald Trump and supported the proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Read more

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Arrive In India On Monday For 24th Round Of Border Talks

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in India on Monday on a three-day visit to participate in the 24th round of talks on the long-standing China-India boundary issue, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Saturday. Read more

Shubhanshu Shukla To Be Back In India Tomorrow, First Homecoming After Historic Space Mission

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the second Indian to go to space, will return to India on Sunday (August 17) for the first time after the successful conclusion of the historic Axiom-4 space mission last month. Read more

Pakistan Admits Loss Of 13 Military Personnel During Indias Op Sindoor | Exclusive

More than three months after India launched precise airstrikes targeting terror infrastructure, Pakistan has admitted to heavy losses suffered in the military offensive from May 9-10. Pakistani authorities acknowledged more than 50 losses, including 13 military personnel, sources told CNN-News18. Read more

Malaika Arora Hints At Second Marriage After Arbaaz Khan Divorce, Says All Things

Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan got married in 1998. Arora was about 25 years old at that time. Four years into their marriage, they welcomed their son Arhaan Khan in 2002. After being married for 18 years, the couple announced their separation in 2016 and finalised their divorce in 2017. Read more

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Sachin Tendulkar Slammed As India Legends Stature Degraded: Sunil Gavaskar Poore Hindustan Ko Hila Dega

The criticism over the renaming of India-England Test series continues with former pacer Karsan Ghavri slamming the administrators for removing legendary captain Tiger Pataudis name from the trophy. The winner of the Test series between the two teams in England was traditionally presented with Pataudi Trophy. However, it was rechristened to Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year resulting in backlash. Read more

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 14:41 IST

News india News18 Afternoon Digest: Zelenskyy Speaks To Trump After Alaska Summit, Shubhanshu Shukla To Be Back In India Tomorrow & Other Top Stories

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'Nothing Short Of Blessing': Man Who Ran Langar Rescued 30 Hours After Flash Floods Hit Kishtwar

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 23:23 IST

Subhash Chandra ran a langar to serve the devotees of Mata Machail in the region. He was rescued alive from the debris after floods struck due to cloudburst.

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J&K floods: Man rescued alive after 30 hours ops (PTI Image)

Amid the devastation caused by a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar, a man, who had been running a langar for Mata Machail pilgrims for years, was rescued alive after being trapped under the debris in Chisoti village for nearly 30 hours.

Whom God saves, no one can kill is a saying here. Subhash Chandra, who has been serving devotees for so many years, feeding them selflessly, was protected by Mata herself," said Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma.

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He said that it was a matter of bliss that Subhash would be able to set up langar and serve the devotees again.

The greatest gift of his life is that Mata saved him," he said.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also mentioned about the mans rescue during a press conference in Jammu and said, he came out alive. He was part of those running langar."

He said that when the cloudburst struck and flash floods were triggered in the village on August 14, around 200 to 300 pilgrims were in the langar, and approximately 1,000 to 1,500 people were in the area.

Subhash, who hails from Udhampur, has always seen it as his duty to serve the devotees of Mata Machail. Every year during the pilgrimage, he and his colleagues set up a langar (community kitchen) to feed thousands of tired pilgrims trekking through the tough mountains.

But this year, disaster struck. In the afternoon, flash floods washed away his langar, where hundreds of people were eating daily. Many pilgrims at the site were trapped under logs and debris.

Rescue operations were launched by the Indian Army, J&K Police, NDRF, and SDRF, who cleared debris near the langar on Friday, when they found him alive.

Four bodies around Subhash were recovered from the same spot.

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This is the first time in the operation that someone has been rescued alive. It feels like nothing short of a blessing," an Army official said.

(With PTI inputs)

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

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Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: August 16, 2025, 23:19 IST

News india 'Nothing Short Of Blessing': Man Who Ran Langar Rescued 30 Hours After Flash Floods Hit Kishtwar

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On Vajpayees Death Anniversary, PM Modi Hails His Vision for Self-Reliant India

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 08:18 IST

Recalling Vajpayee's vision for self-reliant India, PM Modi said that his dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round development of the nation inspire everyone

PM Modi paying floral tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Credits: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary.

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Taking to X, he wrote,"On behalf of all countrymen, heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his death anniversary. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round development of the nation inspire everyone to contribute to the building of a developed and self-reliant India."

                                               Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2025

The Prime Minister, President Droupadi Murmu, and several other leaders, also paid floral tribute to Vajpayee on his death anniversary at Sadaiv Atal.

#WATCH | Delhi | PM Modi pays floral tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at Sadaiv Atal pic.twitter.com/e8ySuDPZPA ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

#WATCH | Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu pays floral tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at his memorial Sadaiv Atal pic.twitter.com/GxLUtsLu6i ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

Meanwhile, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was one of Indias most influential political leaders, known for his statesmanship, oratory, and vision for a strong and self-reliant India.

He was born on December 25, 1924, and served as the tenth Prime Minister of the country, first for a brief period in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004.

He was also a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and played a significant role in shaping modern Indian politics.

His tenure saw significant developments, including the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, expansion of national highways through the Golden Quadrilateral project, and efforts toward peace with Pakistan.

In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian honor, in 2015. Vajpayee passed away on August 16, 2018, but his legacy continues to inspire generations.

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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 16, 2025, 08:16 IST

News india On Vajpayees Death Anniversary, PM Modi Hails His Vision for Self-Reliant India

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'Only Constant In Spaceflight Is Change': Shubhanshu Shukla Pens Note Ahead Of India Return

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 18:23 IST

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared an emotional note upon returning to India after a year-long space mission. He expressed gratitude and excitement to reunite with loved ones.

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Shukla travelled to the International Space Station with three other crewmatesone each from the US, Hungary, and Polandon a private space mission funded by the respective countries. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spent nearly Rs 550 crore on this collaboration with Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA. File pic/AFP

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla penned an emotional note as he boarded a flight back to India on Saturday after completing his year-long space mission, expressing a mix of sadness, excitement, and gratitude.

Shukla, who became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) in June, announced that he will be returning to India on Sunday.

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Sharing his thoughts on social media, Shukla said he felt emotional about leaving behind a fantastic group of people who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission." At the same time, he said he was eagerly looking forward to reuniting with his loved ones and interacting with people in India for the first time after the mission.

Goodbyes are hard, but we need to keep moving in life," he wrote, adding that his journey had been made special by the incredible love and support" he received during and after his mission.

Quoting his commander, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Shukla said: As my commander @astro_peggy fondly says, the only constant in spaceflight is change. I believe that applies to life as well. I guess at the end of the day -Yun hi chala chal rahi  jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya".

Shukla returned from the ISS on July 15 after an 18-day mission that included several experiments led by ISRO. Since then, he has been undergoing post-mission rehabilitation in the US.

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Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the IAF Group Captain will first meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi before travelling to Lucknow to be with his family.

During his Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister lauded Shuklas accomplishment, saying the astronaut had inspired a billion dreams" while energising Indias space aspirations.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 18:23 IST

News india 'Only Constant In Spaceflight Is Change': Shubhanshu Shukla Pens Note Ahead Of India Return

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PM Modi Thanks Zelenskyy, Reaffirms IndiaUkraine Commitment To Stronger Ties

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 17:50 IST

PM Modi thanked Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for Independence Day greetings, reaffirming India's commitment to stronger ties and peace. He also thanked Israeli PM Netanyahu.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced strong concerns about being left out of the Alaska summit (Image: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended heartfelt thanks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his warm greetings on Independence Day, reaffirming Indias commitment to deepening bilateral ties and expressing hopes for a future of peace, progress, and prosperity for the people of Ukraine.

In a post on X, PM Modi said that he deeply values the joint commitment to forging even closer ties between India and Ukraine. We earnestly wish our friends in Ukraine a future marked by peace, progress and prosperity," he added.

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The Prime Ministers post comes in response to a post by Zelenskyy, in which he congratulated the people of India on Independence Day. In the post, he said that both nations share the experience of standing up for freedom and dignity, as well as the pursuit of peace and development.

This week, we had a good, candid conversation with Prime Minister @narendramodi, when I had an opportunity to personally convey my best wishes on this occasion. Our nations share the experience of standing up for freedom and dignity, as well as the pursuit of peace and development," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

He hoped that India would contribute to efforts aimed at ending the war with Russia. I am confident that the potential for mutually beneficial UkraineIndia cooperation lies ahead in science, technology, trade, and culture. Wishing peace and prosperity!" he added.

In another post, PM Modi also thanked his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for his warm wishes on Independence Day, expressing optimism about further strengthening the partnership between the two nations.

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Thank you, PM Netanyahu, for your warm wishes. May India-Israel friendship continue to flourishmay both countries further strengthen and deepen this relationship, bringing peace, development, as well as security to our people," he wrote on X.

Earlier, Netanyahu on X, congratulated PM Modi and the people of India on Independence Day. Congratulations to my dear friend @PMOIndia @narendramodi and the people of India on your Independence Day," he posted on X.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 17:50 IST

News india PM Modi Thanks Zelenskyy, Reaffirms IndiaUkraine Commitment To Stronger Ties

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Shubhanshu Shukla To Be Back In India Tomorrow, First Homecoming After Historic Space Mission

Curated By :

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 12:18 IST

Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to go to space returned from a 20-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on July 15.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is on his way to India. (Instagram)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the second Indian to go to space, will return to India on Sunday (August 17) for the first time after the successful conclusion of the historic Axiom-4 space mission last month.

Shukla is already on his way to India, marking his first homecoming after completing a 20-day mission at the International Space Station (ISS). He is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and share his experiences that will help India in its maiden human spaceflight.

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While addressing the nation on Indias 79th Independence Day, PM Modi had shared that Shubhanshu Shukla would be returning to India soon. The achievements of the space sector are making the entire nation proud. Our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station and will be arriving in India in the coming days."

Sharing a photo on Instagram of himself smiling while boarding a plane to India, Shukla expressed his heartfelt emotions ahead of his return home. As I sit on the plane to come back to India I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission," he said.

I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is  everything all at once. Having received incredible love and support from everyone during and after the mission I cant wait to come back to India to share my experiences with all of you," he added.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shubhanshu Shukla (@gagan.shux)

Goodbyes are hard but we need to keep moving in life. As my commander @astro_peggy fondly says the only constant in spaceflight is change". I believe that applies to life as well. I guess at the end of the day  Yun hi chala chal rahi  jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya."

Shuklas Historic Space Mission

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to go to space returned from a 20-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on July 15. His journey was part of Axiom Mission 4, a private spaceflight collaboration involving NASA, SpaceX, ISRO, and Axiom Space.

Launched on June 25 aboard SpaceXs Falcon-9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, the Dragon capsule docked with the ISS on June 26. After carrying out various research activities, including microgravity experiments and life science demonstrations, the four-member crew began their return journey on July 14 and splashed down at 3 pm (Indian time) on July 15.

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India reportedly paid Rs 548 crore for Shubhanshus seat on the mission  a significant investment in preparation for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission in 2027, which will mark the countrys first indigenous crewed spaceflight. Shuklas work at the ISS, where he conducted several experiments, is expected to be a vital contribution in this endeavour.

Meanwhile, PM Modi on Friday revealed plans to create Indias very own space station, relying on indigenous efforts. He also announced that 300 startups in India are solely focused on the space sector.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 12:11 IST

News india Shubhanshu Shukla To Be Back In India Tomorrow, First Homecoming After Historic Space Mission

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The Wait Is Over: India's 5th-Gen Stealth Jet With AI Co-Pilot Will Take Its First Flight In...

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 10:48 IST

The AMCA matches F-35, J-20 and Su-57 with serpentine air intakes, radar-wave absorption tech, and all-aspect stealth design, ensuring minimal visibility from all angles

AMCA will have a heat signature reduction system to evade infrared sensors and low electromagnetic signature technology. (PTI/File)

India is advancing in the development of modern fighter jets using indigenous technology, responding to the changed strategic environment that necessitates the creation of fifth-generation stealth jets. The Tejas fighter aircraft serves as a prime example of Indias progress in the fighter jet manufacturing sector. Currently, India is working on a specialised project to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet called the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Krishna Rajendra, the AMCA Project Director, recently provided a significant update, revealing that the design for the AMCA fighter jet has been finalised. He also mentioned that the first flight appearance of the AMCA jet is expected by the end of 2027, marking the beginning of the process for its induction into the Armed Forces.

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The AMCA project aims to create a fifth-generation fighter jet using indigenous technology and prototype design. Unlike the Tejas multirole fighter jet project, AMCA is exclusively focused on developing a fifth-generation aircraft. In the short term, India will continue to import multirole and fifth-generation fighter jets, such as the Rafale and the American F-35 or Russias Su-57. However, long-term dependence on these imports is projected to significantly reduce.

Recently, the Indian Air Force requested the immediate procurement of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft due to the historically low levels of its fighter jet squadron.

Indigenous 5th-Gen Fighter Jet Dream Nears Reality

With the development of the AMCA, the dream of an indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet will soon be realised. According to India Defence News, the paper design of the AMCA has been finalised by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), with the first flight slated by the end of 2027.

The design is wholly indigenous, involving collaboration between ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency), several Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) labs, academic institutions, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The central government has approved approximately Rs 15,000 crore for the project, which plans to produce five prototype designs in the initial phase before beginning serial production.

Key Features Of Indigenous 5th-Gen Fighter Jet

Twin-engine, Single-seat design: Maximum take-off weight of 25 tonnes.

Internal weapon bay: Stores weapons inside the aircraft to reduce radar detection.

Stealth mode: Can carry up to 1.5 tonnes of weapons in internal bays.

Non-stealth mode: Can carry up to 5 tonnes of weapons on external pylons.

Super-cruise capability: Enables sustained supersonic flight without afterburners.

AESA radar, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare systems: Provide real-time battlefield awareness.

Artificial Intelligence-based Electronic Pilot: Assists the pilot and functions as a virtual co-pilot.

Exclusive Stealth Capabilities

The AMCAs stealth capabilities, comparable to the American F-35, Chinese J-20, and Russian Su-57, include serpentine air intakes to hide engine blades from radar, technology to prevent radar wave reflection, and an all-aspect stealth design for minimal visibility from all angles. Additionally, it will have a heat signature reduction system to evade infrared sensors and low electromagnetic signature technology to dodge electronic surveillance systems.

Stealth vs Non-Stealth Mode

The design of the AMCA balances weapon capacity with stealth. In stealth mode, internal weapon storage reduces radar signature but limits weapon capacity to 1.5 tonnes. In non-stealth mode, external pylons increase load capacity to 5 tonnes but make the aircraft more detectable.

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Strategic Significance

Strategically, the AMCA is poised to replace older aircraft like the MiG and Jaguar in the Indian Air Force, enhancing Indias air power alongside the Tejas LCA and the future Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MMRFA). With this project, India joins the exclusive group of nations capable of building indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighters, a capability previously held only by the US, Russia, and China. The AMCA project symbolises Indias technological prowess, strategic self-reliance, and commitment to the Make in India defence initiative, promising a substantial boost to the indigenous defence industry and a technological edge in future conflicts.

First Published: August 16, 2025, 10:48 IST

News india The Wait Is Over: India's 5th-Gen Stealth Jet With AI Co-Pilot Will Take Its First Flight In...

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YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Spied For Pakistan, Cops Find Concrete Evidence: Report

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 17:02 IST

The police have found concrete evidence that YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra had been spying for Pakistan for a long time, a report said.

Cops find espionage evidence against Jyoti Malhotra (File Image)

Concrete evidence against YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra has been found that she was spying for Pakistan, according to a report, which cited a 2,500-page chargesheet against the woman arrested in May 2025 on charges of espionage.

Malhotra, a travel vlogger who ran her channel on YouTube  Travel With Jo  was arrested in Haryanas Hisar on May 16, days after Operation Sindoor, as part of a larger espionage chain in the country.

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The cops had then said that she had travelled to Pakistan multiple times and was in constant touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish at the Pakistan High Commission. Danish was declared persona non grata after the Pahalgam terror attack and was asked by the Government of India to leave within 24 hours for leaking sensitive information to Pakistan on the movements of the Indian Army after the April 22 attack.

What Does Chargesheet Against Jyoti Malhotra Say?

The Hisar Police said in the chargesheet that the YouTuber had been spying for Pakistan for a long time. The chargesheet mentioned her links to Danish and establishes her connections with ISI agents  Shakir, Hasan Ali, and Nasir Dhillon, NDTV reported.

Malhotra went to Pakistan on April 17, 2024, and came back to India on May 15, according to the chargesheet.

During the investigation, we have found concrete evidence that the YouTuber was spying for Pakistan," the report said, citing a source.

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She went to Pakistan via the Kartarpur Corridor and met chief minister of Pakistans Punjab province and former prime minister Nawaz Sharifs daughter, Maryam Nawaz, and interviewed her, the source added.

A Haryana officer earlier said that she was suspected of being in contact with an official from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi during the four-day clash between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. However, he also mentioned that she did not have direct access to any details about military operations.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

First Published: August 16, 2025, 16:47 IST

News india YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Spied For Pakistan, Cops Find Concrete Evidence: Report

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Key Points

General Motors has sharply reduced its shares outstanding and boosted EPS.

The Detroit carmaker has invested billions into its brands and product lineup.

Moreover, management has successfully restructured its business in China.

10 stocks we like better than General Motors 

When thinking about General Motors (NYSE: GM), many investors think back to the financial crisis and government bailout, but that doesn't do justice to the company that GM has become in the years since. GM is doing a lot of things right, and it's quietly becoming arguably the best automotive investment out there. Here are three reasons why.

Returning value

When it comes to returning value to shareholders, there are two primary pathways: dividends and share buybacks. Each comes with its advantages, but General Motors has decided to go heavy on share buybacks, with its stock trading at a paltry eight times price-to-earnings.

General Motors has been extremely engaged in share buyback programs over the past decade. The Detroit automaker has consistently used strong free cash flow, along with the belief that its stock is heavily undervalued, to significantly reduce shares outstanding and boost earnings per share. You can see the extreme change in the graphic below.

The carmaker has spent nearly $25 billion on share repurchases over the past three-plus years, reducing the number of shares outstanding from 1.5 billion to 950 million over that span. This is a significant and serious amount of cash spent to buy back shares when you consider that GM's market cap is roughly $50 billion. As long as GM's stock remains cheap, GM buying back its shares is good for investors, and that isn't likely to change in the near-term.

Investing in brands/product

General Motors has spent billions of dollars and years of time investing in its portfolio of brands and vehicles, and it's starting to pay off. Chevrolet, the heart and soul of General Motors, and GMC have both been thriving in 2025, with a record first half for GMC and the best since 2019 for Chevrolet.

2025 GMC Sierra EV. Image source: General Motors.

The brands, and GM in general, are coming off a product wave over the past few years that brought updated crossovers, SUVs, and EVs to the market -- and its highly profitable trucks are next.

Chevrolet is also making a splash in the EV market, becoming the No. 2 brand during the second quarter, trailing only Tesla in the U.S. market. July was the best sales month ever for the Equinox EV, and it was the best sales result for an EV other than a Tesla in the U.S. market. The Equinox is projected to place in the top three in sales for 2025, behind only Tesla's Model Y and 3.
Disha Patanis Burgundy Crochet Moment Proves Less Is More In Summer Glam

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 17:27 IST

In a crochet burgundy-hued dress, Disha Patani set the internet on fire with her latest OOTD.

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Disha Patani aced the perfect summer glam with effortless waves and glowing skin.

Disha Patani has always had a way of making minimalism look magnetic, and her latest OOTD is proof that you dont need an overload of accessories or heavy styling to command attention. In a photo shared recently, the actress is seen in a burgundy crochet dress that perfectly balances sensuality and sophistication.

The actor took to her Instagram to share pictures of her latest look. Dressed in a burgundy crochet dress, Disha Patani struck the perfect chord between chic and carefree. The dress featured a halter neckline with a plunging cut, lending it a bold, statement-making appeal. The body-hugging silhouette flattered her frame, while the crochet fabric added texture and breathability, making it an ideal pick for summer evenings or holiday getaways.

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Take a look at Dishas OOTD here.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by disha patani (paatni)  (@dishapatani)

The deep wine tone of the dress enhanced the sultry vibe, contrasting beautifully against her glowing skin. With its floor-grazing hemline and peekaboo cut-outs courtesy of the woven design, the outfit was a masterclass in understated yet daring fashion.

For the glam, Disha kept it minimal and glowing, letting the dress do all the talking. A dewy base, softly contoured cheeks, nude lips, and feathery brows complemented the look with just the right amount of polish. Her eyes featured subtle definition without heavy drama, keeping the focus natural and fresh. The actress left her hair loosely styled in effortless waves, enhancing the relaxed, undone charm of the ensemble.

Styling Tips to Steal From Disha Patani

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Statement Dress, Minimal Add-Ons: When your outfit already makes a statement like Dishas crochet number, keep accessories pared back. Think delicate gold hoops, a thin bracelet, or dainty rings.

When your outfit already makes a statement like Dishas crochet number, keep accessories pared back. Think delicate gold hoops, a thin bracelet, or dainty rings. Neutral Makeup Palette: A glowing base with nude tones works best when wearing deep, rich colours like burgundy. It keeps the look sophisticated rather than overwhelming.

A glowing base with nude tones works best when wearing deep, rich colours like burgundy. It keeps the look sophisticated rather than overwhelming. Barely-There Hair: Loose waves or a messy bun pair beautifully with crochet textures, striking a balance between chic and carefree.

Loose waves or a messy bun pair beautifully with crochet textures, striking a balance between chic and carefree. Footwear Pairing: For evenings, strappy heels in metallics or black would elevate the outfit. For daytime, flat gladiators or espadrilles can add a more bohemian spin.

Dishas look is the perfect reminder that texture, colour, and confidence are sometimes all you need for a standout style.

fashion, travel, Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. 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.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: August 16, 2025, 16:16 IST

News lifestyle Disha Patanis Burgundy Crochet Moment Proves Less Is More In Summer Glam
Put Rs 2.5 Lakh & Get Rs 10 Lakh: A Crop That Can Change Farmers Lives Overnight

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 15:37 IST

Farmers investing Rs 2.5 Lakh per acre in organic black turmeric cultivation can earn up to Rs 10 Lakh. This rare medicinal crop is a game-changer for profits and health!

Black turmeric isnt just another cash crop; its a medicinal powerhouse with growing demand in India and abroad. (Local18)

Farmers across India are reaping massive profits from a lesser-known but highly valuable crop: black turmeric. Grown organically at Pinjrapol Gaushala in Jaipur, Rajasthan, black turmeric from Assam has been successfully cultivated and is turning into a game-changer for farmers.

With demand surging due to its medicinal properties, especially in treating serious conditions like cancer, this crop is fast becoming one of the most lucrative farming ventures.

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Why Farmers Are Shifting To Black Turmeric

Black turmeric isnt commonly used in home remedies, but its highly sought after by pharmaceutical companies and Ayurvedic medicine makers. Grown completely organically, it fetches Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per kg in the market.

Some farmers, after receiving training from agricultural institutes and the Gaushala itself, are now earning lakhs annually from as little as 1 to 5 acres of land.

From Jaipur To Prosperity: The Gaushalas Role In The Boom

Pinjrapol Gaushala has become a major centre for training and cultivation of rare black turmeric. After extensive trials, the Gaushala succeeded in growing Assam-origin black turmeric in Jaipurs climate, and is now producing it over 5 acres, yielding an impressive turnover each year.

Hundreds of farmers trained here have replicated this success on their own land.

Health Benefits And Medicinal Uses Of Black Turmeric

Black turmeric is renowned for its strong antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it incredibly valuable in treating:

Cancer and tumours

Liver and digestion issues

Asthma, coughs, and respiratory problems

Skin conditions and wounds

Ulcers, indigestion, and migraines

Its high concentration of antioxidants also helps regulate cholesterol and improve immunity; hence its soaring demand globally.

How To Cultivate Black Turmeric: Step-by-Step Guide

Ideal Climate: 15C to 40C

15C to 40C Best Time to Start: January to February

January to February Soil Prep: Add lime and neem powder, sun-dry the soil for 15 days

Add lime and neem powder, sun-dry the soil for 15 days Fertilisation: Use cow dung compost and vermicompost

Use cow dung compost and vermicompost Planting Method: Beds 6 inches high, tubers planted 2 inches deep, spaced 6 inches apart

Beds 6 inches high, tubers planted 2 inches deep, spaced 6 inches apart Seed Requirement: 300 kg per acre

300 kg per acre Cost of Cultivation: Approx. Rs 2.5 lakh per acre

This includes high-cost seeds, organic inputs, irrigation, labour, and weeding.

Earning Potential From Black Turmeric

With an input of Rs 2.5 lakh per acre, farmers can earn up to Rs 10 lakh in profit.

Wet turmeric: Rs 800  Rs 1,000/kg

Rs 800  Rs 1,000/kg Powdered turmeric: Rs 2,500  Rs 3,500/kg

Rs 2,500  Rs 3,500/kg Leaves: Dried and used to extract oil or make herbal pillows (Rs500/kg)

Multilayer farming is also encouraged to further increase returns.

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A Crop That Pays In Health And Wealth

Black turmeric isnt just another cash crop; its a medicinal powerhouse with growing demand in India and abroad. For farmers willing to invest in organic practices and proper training, it offers an incredible return, both financially and sustainably.

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 16, 2025, 15:37 IST

News lifestyle  food Put Rs 2.5 Lakh & Get Rs 10 Lakh: A Crop That Can Change Farmers Lives Overnight
Rabies Vaccine Can Be Given Without A Dog Bite, But Not In India: Here's Why

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 18:20 IST

Anti-rabies vaccine isnt given in childhood or as prevention; its administered only after animal bites, like dogs, cats, or monkeys, to prevent rabies infection

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The anti-rabies vaccine is different from those used in general vaccination campaigns. (Representative/PTI)

Dog bites have become a significant problem across the country, with thousands of incidents occurring every month. The anti-rabies vaccine is administered to prevent the spread of rabies, a deadly disease caused by bites from animals such as dogs, cats, and monkeys. In India, this vaccine is only given after a bite from a dog, cat, or monkey, as rabies has a 100 per cent mortality rate if untreated.

Interestingly, the vaccine can be administered even without an actual bite, but it is not available for preventive use in India. Private hospitals also do not offer this vaccine unless a bite has occurred. This raises questions about why the anti-rabies vaccine cannot be given preemptively in India, especially considering that other vaccines are administered from childhood to prevent various diseases.

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Dr Sagar Borkar, Assistant Professor in Community Medicine at Delhis Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML), explains that the anti-rabies vaccine is different from those used in general vaccination campaigns. It is not given in childhood or as a precautionary measure. Instead, it is administered only after bites from animals like dogs, cats, and monkeys to build immunity against the virus and protect the individual from rabies.

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However, the vaccine is given to people at high risk, such as veterinary doctors and staff who work closely with animals or in areas with a high risk of rabies exposure. Despite this, routine administration of the vaccine is not recommended due to its limited duration of effectiveness, which is about three years. If someone is bitten during this period, they can receive two booster doses according to World Health Organization guidelines.

The decision regarding the vaccine and booster doses often depends on the health expert at the anti-rabies vaccination centre, who considers the severity of the wound, the condition of the dog, and other relevant factors.

fashion, travel, Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. 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.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 18:20 IST

News lifestyle Rabies Vaccine Can Be Given Without A Dog Bite, But Not In India: Here's Why
These Five Global Getaways Prove Travel Is The Best Form Of Self-Care

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 13:24 IST

As more travellers embrace self-care through exploration, these destinations prove that travel is as much about inner renewal as outer discovery.

Modern travellers see travel as an essential part of self-care.

For many people, travel is no longer just about sightseeing or checking places off a bucket list. It has become an essential form of self-care. Exploring new destinations allows us to disconnect from routines, immerse ourselves in new experiences, and return home feeling refreshed.

According to a recent Booking.com study, 69% of Indian travellers admitted they didnt realise how vital travel was for their wellbeing until it was no longer an option. A majority (81%) see travel as an essential part of self-care, while 84% believe it boosts their mental and emotional health more than other forms of rest.

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With that in mind, here are five destinations that promise rejuvenation through culture, nature, food, and adventure.

1. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, India

Nestled in the East Khasi Hills, Mawlynnong  famously called Asias cleanest village  is the perfect retreat for those seeking calm. Surrounded by lush greenery, this eco-conscious village offers the serenity of nature with unique experiences like exploring the iconic living root bridges or soaking in views from the Sky View platform. With welcoming homestays and a strong culture of sustainability, Mawlynnong is ideal for mindful travellers craving simplicity and peace.

2. Edinburgh, United Kingdom

With cobblestoned streets, medieval castles, and sweeping views, Edinburgh offers a picturesque escape from the everyday. Nearly 63% of Indian travellers say that staying in a destination with a completely different landscape helps them feel renewed, and Edinburgh delivers just that. Whether its walking the Royal Mile, exploring the historic Edinburgh Castle, or enjoying whiskey tours, the city balances history with modern charm.

3. Airlie Beach, Australia

As the gateway to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach is a haven for adventure and relaxation. Over 53% of travellers find rejuvenation in activities they cant access at home, and here, sailing and snorkelling offer just that. From private charters across turquoise waters to waterfront stays with panoramic ocean views, Airlie Beach makes it easy to recharge in natures lap.

4. Mui Ne, Vietnam

For those seeking active rejuvenation, Mui Ne is a global hotspot for kitesurfing. With consistent winds, rock-free waters, and plenty of schools for beginners, this coastal village invites travellers to embrace adventure. After hitting the waves, unwind at beachfront resorts surrounded by tropical greenery. The combination of adrenaline and tranquillity makes Mui Ne a uniquely energising escape.

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5. Bologna, Italy

Food has the power to heal, and Bologna is a culinary paradise for travellers looking to recharge through authentic experiences. Known as the birthplace of beloved dishes like Tagliatelle al Ragu, the city offers hands-on cooking classes where visitors can master pasta-making in local homes. With historic stays, hearty cuisine, and warm Italian hospitality, Bologna feeds both body and soul.

fashion, travel, News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: August 16, 2025, 13:23 IST

News lifestyle  travel These Five Global Getaways Prove Travel Is The Best Form Of Self-Care
Vietnam Rolls Out 5-Year Visa Exemption Cards To Attract Top International Talent

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 10:35 IST

Vietnam will soon offer 5-year visa exemption cards to attract global talent and boost its socio-economic growth.

Vietnam to roll out long-term visa exemptions for select foreign nationals.

Vietnam is making a big move to attract top international talent by introducing special visa exemption cards for select foreign nationals. Starting August 15, these cards will allow multiple entries into the country for up to five years without the need to reapply for a visa each time.

The policy, announced through Vietnam Briefing, is designed to bring in high-profile individuals who can make meaningful contributions to the nations socio-economic growth. This step is closely linked to Vietnams larger goal of becoming a competitive, open, and globally connected hub, especially in line with its newly passed International Financial Centre (IFC) policies.

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By offering long-term visa exemptions, the government hopes to encourage innovation, investment, and collaboration across various sectors.

Who Can Apply?

The visa exemption program targets influential figures from around the world. Eligible applicants include:

Senior officials from foreign governments, parliaments, international organisations, and top judicial bodies.

Renowned scientists, professors, and researchers from leading universities and research institutions.

CEOs and executives from major global companies, particularly those with cultural influence or strong brand recognition.

Investors, entrepreneurs, and high-level business leaders contributing to socio-economic development.

Prominent personalities in culture, academia, or economics with a global impact.

Applicants must hold a valid passport and be nominated by a recognised Vietnamese agency or organisation. Their work or presence in Vietnam should be able to make a significant contribution to the countrys development.

Key Benefits for Cardholders

Those granted the new visa exemption cards will enjoy:

Multiple entries into Vietnam during the five-year validity period without reapplying for a visa.

Both physical and digital card formats with equal legal status.

Faster, more convenient entry processes, ideal for frequent travellers.

The physical cards will come with an embedded chip containing personal details such as the holders name, passport number, and biometric data.

For foreign nationals already living in Vietnam, the card will be issued after biometric information is added to the National Immigration Database or once they obtain a Level 2 electronic ID account.

Strengthening Vietnams Global Image

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This initiative is part of Vietnams wider efforts to modernise immigration and business policies, the publication states. By making it easier for global leaders, researchers, and investors to work and collaborate in the country, Vietnam is positioning itself as a key player in the international arena.

Officials believe the policy will not only boost the countrys economy but also create valuable opportunities in research, culture, and business, further solidifying Vietnams reputation as a destination for global talent.

fashion, travel, News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: August 16, 2025, 10:35 IST

News lifestyle  travel Vietnam Rolls Out 5-Year Visa Exemption Cards To Attract Top International Talent
'I Am As Much A Bengali As Anyone Else': Vivek Agnihotri Speaks On 'The Bengal Files' Row | Exclusive

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News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 16:35 IST

Responding to accusations that he is spreading propaganda and creating communal enmity, Agnihotri said such claims are 'ridiculous'

Vivek Agnihotri's The Bengal Files trailer has been released. File pic

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has addressed the mounting controversy surrounding his upcoming film, The Bengal Files, in an exclusive interview with News18. He strongly defended the films premise, accusing his detractors of censorship and a politically motivated smear campaign.

Agnihotris film centres on what he refers to as the Bengal genocide" of August 16, 1946, a historical event he believes has been deliberately erased from public memory. If there are 100 people in a room and you say there is a thief, the thief immediately reacts. The same is true here," he stated, arguing that the strong reaction to his film proves his point. He claimed that nearly 40,000 people were killed on that day, with an equal number jumping into the Hooghly River.

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He laid the blame squarely on Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, whom he labelled the Butcher of Bengal". Agnihotri expressed dismay that the youth of Bengal are unaware of this history and its communal undertones, which he says still plague the state. Bengal has never been free of communal politics We have presented documented evidence of the killings and the communal riots that followed," he asserted.

The filmmaker spoke of the direct challenges he faced during the trailers release in Kolkata. He alleged that a multiplex initially agreed to host the launch but backed out at the last minute, as did others. How is this possible? Ultimately, we were forced to release the trailer in a hotel. Why is a government so afraid of one film?" he questioned.

A disturbance occurred during the trailer launch at the hotel. The event, attended by Agnihotri, was disrupted by unidentified individuals, according to the filmmaker. He also targeted the West Bengal government over the disruption, calling it dictatorship/fascism". I have just got to know that some people came here (event venue in a private hotel) and cut all the wires. I dont know on whose orders this is happening," the director said during the screening.

Responding to accusations that he is spreading propaganda and creating communal enmity, Agnihotri told News18 that such claims are ridiculous". He cited recent unrest during the panchayat polls in Bengal and the rape-murder incident at Kolkatas RG Kar Hospital, asking if he was responsible for those events. He contended that the real issue is Bengals shifting demographics, a pattern he claims began in 1947 and 1971. If this trend continues, Bengal will turn into another Kashmir," he warned.

Agnihotri described a chilling coincidence where the film depicted communal tension in Murshidabad due to demographic changes, and shortly after, an actual riot occurred there. He said, What we depicted on screen became a reality." He also claimed that even during the shoot, the police tried to stop them.

Despite fears that the film might incite unrest, Agnihotri remains defiant, pointing out that it has already been cleared by the Censor Board. He declared, No matter how many FIRs are filed, I will ensure this film reaches the people." He concluded with a passionate appeal for his Bengali heritage, stating, I am as much Bengali as anyone else, and I will fight for this truth to be known."

About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East... Read More Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East... Read More

First Published: August 16, 2025, 16:35 IST

News movies 'I Am As Much A Bengali As Anyone Else': Vivek Agnihotri Speaks On 'The Bengal Files' Row | Exclusive
Global Watch | Gilgit-Baltistan: A New Uprising In Pakistans Last Colony Against Oppressive Rule

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 22:02 IST

For decades, GB has sought autonomy, political representation, and development aligned with local needs and ambitions, but has faced growing neglect and exploitation from Pakistan

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Pakistan has solely viewed GB through the lens of its geostrategic and economic potential, rather than the welfare and aspirations of the people inhabiting it. Representational pic/Reuters

A fresh wave of resistance against the Pakistani states illegal occupation of the region is being witnessed in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The local traders and business community of GB have launched a movement to oppose trade and travel between Pakistan and China via the Khunjerab Pass. This latest protest is the outcome of the relentlessly exploitative economic and political conditions imposed on GB by the Pakistani state. The protest by the traders has come close on the heels of a mass movement by the local residents of GB against the controversial Land Reforms Act, 2025, passed on May 21.

For the last four weeks, traders have been continuing with a sit-in at the Karakoram Highway, bringing the region to a standstill. They are demanding recognition of local interests by Islamabad as well as its accountability. To understand GBs tumultuous relationship with Islamabad, it is important to look at the history of this asymmetric and oppressive power dynamic, which continues to disenfranchise, marginalise, and politically erase the identity, aspirations, and future of the people of this region.

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Situated near the borders of East Turkistan, which China controversially renamed as Xinjiang province, Afghanistans Wakhan Corridor, and Indias Jammu and Kashmir, the region is perceived as an indispensable strategic asset by Pakistan. However, Pakistan has solely viewed GB through the lens of its geostrategic and economic potential, rather than the welfare and aspirations of the people inhabiting it. For decades, the region has been excluded from the constitutional framework, its people denied any representation in the federal parliament as well as participation in federal elections, but simultaneously governed through administrative regulations, decrees, and presidential orders by the Centre.

According to the US-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), Pakistan has treated GB more as a colony rather than as part of the federation. The region has long been regarded by Pakistan not as a cherished part of the federation, but as a distant and burdensome periphery. Successive governments have turned a blind eye to the fundamental needs of the humble inhabitants of Gilgit-Baltistan, relegating the region to an ad hoc governance framework administered from afargoverned not by participatory laws, but by decrees handed down from Islamabad," says a recent MEMRI report.

The origins of this injustice lie in the 1949 Karachi Agreement. Under this agreement", the control of GB (then called Northern Areas) was transferred from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) to Islamabad without any representative from the region. Since then, Islamabad has directly ruled GB through the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, using the draconian colonial-era Frontier Crimes Regulation. Its constitutional status remains in limbo as Pakistan has tried to use it to build another false narrative by linking it to the resolution of the Kashmir issue with India. But to deal with growing frustration among the local residents, it introduced limited self-governance reforms to the region, renaming it Gilgit and Baltistan in 2009.

However, this move was exposed as hollow; right from the beginning, the GB assembly was systematically populated by compliant figureheads or puppets, rather than leaders who dared to interpret their roles with independence and purpose," as emphasised in the MEMRI analysis.

For decades, GB has sought autonomy, political representation, and development aligned with local needs and aspirations, but instead has faced growing neglect and exploitative policies from Pakistan. The Pakistani magazine Herald once described Gilgit-Baltistan as Pakistans last colony", a phrase that aptly reflects Islamabads governing attitude toward the region.

Very recently, GB was engulfed in massive demonstrations against the forcibly passed Land Reforms Act, 2025. This legislation was opposed by the people, as it would enable land grabs by Punjabi landlords and the Pakistani military, displace the local population, and exploit natural resources. This law would also intensify military control.

As GB is the only region under Pakistans occupation that has a Shia and Ismaili majority, Islamabad has also undertaken a systematic campaign of altering the demography by opening up the region to outsiders. Now, fed up with increasing federal taxes and deliberate obstacles to local trade, GB tradersbacked by a host of local political parties and religious groupshave sustained a resilient sit-in at Sost. This powerful show of solidarity and demand for justice compelled Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and Governor Mehdi Shah to seek federal intervention, leading to the formation of a federal committee to make recommendations for the issues resolution. The protestors demands are simple: exemption from income, sales, and other federal taxes on commodities imported from China through the Khunjerab Passdeemed illegal by traders considering GBs lack of constitutional statusand urgent customs clearance for 280 consignments stuck at Sost Dry Port under a one-time amnesty scheme.

Ironically, while Gilgit-Baltistan is considered to be geographically very significant for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Islamabads treatment of local traders sends a clear message that it is least bothered about the interests of the local population and is only interested in exploiting the strategic position and resources of the region.

All routes connecting Pakistan to China, including the critical Karakoram Highway, pass through GB, which should ideally have brought more economic opportunities for the local population. However, in contrast, it has resulted in increased Chinese military presence. This reinforces the fact that Pakistan follows the template of exploiting the region while keeping the people underdeveloped. If the locals dare to express their aspirations, they are handled brutally by the Pakistani military and its death squads.

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Therefore, the traders blockade in GB represents more than an economic conflictit is the roar of a voice silenced for decades from a region long suffering under the thumb of Islamabads colonial and oppressive policies.

The writer is an author and columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 22:02 IST

News opinion Global Watch | Gilgit-Baltistan: A New Uprising In Pakistans Last Colony Against Oppressive Rule

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Opinion | Omar Abdullahs I-Day Speech: Veiled Threats, Selective Memory & Reality Of Post-370 Kashmir

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 11:59 IST

I-Day reminds us that patriotism isn't a transaction. The Republic's unity is not a negotiable clause to be activated when political ambitions are met & suspended when they aren't

Omar Abdullahs speech contained a sustained lament over the abrogation of Article 370, a questioning of post-2019 equality, andmost disquietinglyan implicit warning that if his demands for statehood were not met, consequences would follow.

Independence Day is not merely a ceremonial ritual. It is a national meditationa moment when the past, present, and future converge to remind us of the blood, sacrifice, and steadfast resolve that forged this Republic. In Jammu & Kashmir, these celebrations have a weight unlike anywhere else in India. Here, each hoisting of the tricolour is a reaffirmation of sovereignty, a counterpoint to decades of secessionist rhetoric, and a testament to the resilience of the people who have endured the dual tyranny of terrorism and political exploitation.

It was against this backdrop that Omar Abdullahs 79th Independence Day address at Bakshi Stadium unfoldeda speech that began with solemn condolences to victims of the Kishtwar cloudburst but soon pivoted into a political manifesto. While the grief for the calamity was sincere, it quickly became a prelude to something else: a sustained lament over the abrogation of Article 370, a questioning of post-2019 equality, andmost disquietinglyan implicit warning that if his demands for statehood were not met, consequences" would follow.

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In a region whose history is littered with coded threats and calibrated unrest, words are never neutral. To speak of consequences" in Kashmirs political lexicon is to play with firea fire that, in the past, has engulfed lives, destabilised governments, and emboldened those who would rather see the tricolour replaced with another flag.

On Independence Day, such rhetoric jars not merely because it disrupts the celebratory mood, but because it carries the undertone of conditional patriotism: loyalty to the Union contingent upon political concessions. For a man who has occupied the highest elected office in Jammu & Kashmir, his words carried the unsettling air of political blackmail: restore statehood on my terms, or face consequences". This is not democratic discourseit is a thinly veiled threat, a dangerous precedent for a leader who claims to work within the Constitution.

Central to Abdullahs argument is a question he wants his audience to ponder: What happened to equality after August 2019? The issue with this question is not that it defends some form of status quo; all democracies thrive on challenges to that status quo. The issue with this question is that it defines equality in a legally and socially abstract form devoid of reality.

For decades, Article 370 and its offshoots were hailed as vehicles of equality and dignity for Jammu and Kashmir. In reality, they privileged systemic inequality. They prevented the basic rights of citizenship to Dalits, refugees from West Pakistan. They allowed women to lose property rights if they married out of the state. They prevented the reach of national anti-corruption agencies, which created a politically bureaucratic elite devoid of all accountability. They excluded guiding national laws: from the Right to Education to modern property laws which the rest of the countries benefitted from.

It is only after the constitutional reorganisation of August 2019 that true equality is slowly but steadily beginning to take root. There are over 800 central laws that now apply to the region. Stateless refugees for 70 years are now able to hold citizenship documents. Full womens rights to inheritance have been restored. Women have regained full inheritance rights. National anti-corruption and transparency mechanisms have been extended to dismantle the entrenched patronage economy. Welfare schemesAyushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, and national scholarshipsnow reach the remotest hamlets without the filter of political favouritism. Equality is not the symbolism of a separate flag; it is the substantive empowerment of citizens to stand as equals before the law.

Omar Abdullah speaks of understanding how to manage the state, the claim which stems from his time as the chief minister from 2009 to 2014. History, as we know, does not reminisce kindly. His term was characterised by the 2010 unrest crisis where the nation bore the burden of losing more than a hundred youth to violent outburst clashes. Those years witnessed the normalisation of the stone-pelting economy where rage-filled separatist networks paid rebellious youth to challenge law enforcement and perpetuated a confrontational cycle of violence which persisted into the second decade of the 21st century.

South Kashmir, which was peaceful and calm for a long time, transformed into a hotbed of violence supported by elected administrations as its orchards, which were once a symbol of prosperity, turned into safe havens for militant groups.

The arrangement of Abdullah and his party pre-2019 was not a safehouse of political stability. In fact, it was a precarious balance in a system where separatist leaders were patronised and viewed as stakeholders" while the regime all but refused to eradicate radical networks for fear of political consequences. To qualify this sort of a system under worked" would be an absolute denial of the core of governance which is to ensure the safety of the citizens, property, and ensure the national interest without any form of compromise.

The call for an immediate restoration of statehood overlooks the intricate balance of the political ecosystem and the security framework within J&K. Giving due consideration to the security challenges the state faces, the Supreme Court granted the constitutional legality of the 2019 changes. The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam serves as a stark reminder that remnants of the militant infrastructure, even if weakened, have not been completely eliminated.

The governance of Union Territories provides a unique administrative direct control of the Centre and security apparatus, enabling quick response to such threats with the efficiency that has, in the past, been absent during attempts to counter-terror politically layered gridlocks. The re-establishment of a state structure under such circumstances, with active routes for infiltration, dormant but not non-existent recruitment, and sustained external engagement, is strategically myopic.

The most problematic aspect of Abdullahs speech is the announcement of a statehood signature drive that is marketed as a house-to-house campaign. This effort resembles a form of democratic mobilisation" that echoes the past with unsubtle allusions to separatist exercisespseudo referendums orchestrated by the Hurriyat and its affiliates to fabricate mass dissent for the gaze of the world. If Abdullahs campaign is conducted legally, the framing and approach will still be self-defeating by feeding into separatist narratives that, until now, have faced considerable weakening.

Changes in Jammu & Kashmir since August 2019 are no longer a matter for political spin but quantifiable reality. There has been a remarkable surge in tourism that has rejuvenated the economy of the Valley. The habitual stone-pelting that used to occur daily has nearly evaporated. There is a considerable surge in commitments for industrial investment that will provide employment to a generation used to enduring far more curfews than jobs. Additionally, infrastructure projects, including highways and healthcare facilities, are now built beyond blueprints.

These gains are not yet irreversible. They exist in a delicate balance, sustained by the security and administrative coherence that the Union Territory model provides. To disrupt that balance prematurely in the name of political nostalgia is to risk the slow but sure re-entry of forces that once held the Valley hostage to instability.

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Independence Day is a reminder that patriotism is not a transaction. The unity of the Republic is not a negotiable clause to be activated when political ambitions are met and suspended when they are not. Statehood, when restored, must be the culmination of stability, peace, and irreversible development, not the product of political pressure campaigns or conditional allegiances.

The author is a social and peace activist based in South Kashmir. He is a Rashtrapati Award recipient in world scouting and has contributed to many local and national publications on a diverse range of topics, including national security, politics, governance, peace. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 11:59 IST

News opinion Opinion | Omar Abdullahs I-Day Speech: Veiled Threats, Selective Memory & Reality Of Post-370 Kashmir

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 09:27 IST

1 / 6 A free bus scheme has been launched in Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, has introduced this initiative under the name Stree Shakti, allowing women to travel by bus free of charge. However, women wishing to take advantage of this scheme should be aware of certain important details and may have some questions. Let us address these concerns.

2 / 6 A similar free bus scheme is already in operation in Telangana, and now Andhra Pradesh has followed suit. To travel without charge, women must present one of the following forms of identification: Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card.

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3 / 6 It is crucial to note that only the original Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card is accepted for free travel. Photocopies or photographs of the Aadhaar card on a mobile phone are not valid, as photocopies can be tampered with and digital images are not deemed reliable. Therefore, women must carry the physical original Aadhaar card.

4 / 6 Moreover, downloading a digital Aadhaar card from the UIDAI website onto a smartphone may not always be practical due to possible server congestion, internet issues, or the requirement for a one-time password (OTP) linked to the mobile number registered with the Aadhaar. Hence, having the original Aadhaar card at hand is essential for free travel.

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5 / 6 Women should also ensure that the address on their Aadhaar card is registered in Andhra Pradesh; those with a Telangana address will be required to purchase a ticket. It is equally important that the photograph on the Aadhaar card is up to date, as significant differences in appearance may lead to complications.
Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 12:16 IST

1 / 7 Dreaming of soft sands, salty air, and the soothing sound of waves minus the overwhelming crowds? While popular spots like Bali and Phuket have long topped beach itineraries, the world is brimming with lesser-known coastal escapes that are just as breathtaking and far more tranquil. Whether you're after adventure, cultural immersion, or pure relaxation, these five underrated beach destinations offer the perfect blend of natural beauty and authenticity. (Image: Pexels)

2 / 7 With enhanced connectivity, including new flight routes by Scoot, getting there is now easier than ever. Theres a whole world of beaches waiting beyond the typical tourist spots, places where you can unwind, explore, and connect with local cultures at your own pace. From the misty hills of Da Nang to the coral-rich waters of Nha Trang, and the laid-back charm of Lombok and Kota Bharu, these lesser-known gems promise unforgettable memories without the crowds. So, the next time wanderlust calls, skip the usual and chart a course to one of these destinations!

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3 / 7 Da Nang, Vietnam: A Coastal City Where Culture Meets Calm

Once a quiet port town, Da Nang has grown into one of Vietnams most dynamic beach cities without losing its laid-back charm. Stretching along the city's eastern edge, My Khe Beach is a pristine, palm-fringed strip perfect for morning jogs, sunbathing, and catching waves. The citys blend of modern infrastructure and cultural heritage only adds to its appeal. Explore the Marble Mountains, take a stroll across the fiery Dragon Bridge at night, or ride the Ba Na Hills cable car for a bird's-eye view of the surrounding natural landscape. The food scene is equally compelling, with beachfront seafood stalls and local favourites like Mi Quang and Banh Xeo. Da Nang is where beach bliss and cultural discovery beautifully intersect.

4 / 7 Nha Trang, Vietnam: A Vibrant Bay for Beach Lovers and Island Hoppers

Often overshadowed by Vietnams inland attractions, Nha Trang is a not-to-be-missed coastal gem. Known for its crescent-shaped coastline, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life, this lively seaside city offers the perfect mix of relaxation and aquatic adventure. Lounge on golden sands, diving in coral-rich waters around Hon Mun island, or take in panoramic views from the scenic Vinpearl cable car that stretches over the ocean. On land, unwind in natural hot springs or indulge in a traditional mud bath. After sunset, the beachfront comes alive with bustling markets, live music, and seafood barbecue under the stars, making it one of Southeast Asias most underrated beach escapes.

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5 / 7 Kota Bharu, Malaysia: Gateway to Untouched Malaysian Shores

Best known for its rich cultural traditions and mouth-watering local cuisine, Kota Bahru is also a lesser-known gateway to some of Malaysias most tranquil beaches. Just a short drive from the city lies Pantai Cahaya Bulan  "Moonlight Beach"  a peaceful stretch for quiet reflection and seaside picnics. Unlike Malaysia's more commercial coastlines, this area retains a distinctly local charm, with traditional fishing boats drifting offshore and food stalls selling Keropok Lekor (fish crackers) and coconut shakes. For adventurers, Kota Bharu is also a jumping-off point for exploring the Perhentian Islands, famous for their coral reefs and crystal-clear water.

6 / 7 Lombok, Indonesia: Balis Quiet, Untamed Cousin

If Balis popularity feels overwhelming, head next door to Lombok, a rugged island that still retains its wild beauty. Its beaches rival Balis in beauty but attract only a fraction of the visitors, making it ideal for those craving space, authentic experiences, and unspoiled nature. Kuta Lombok is fast becoming a hotspot for digital nomads and surfers, while Selong Belanak and Mawun Beach offer calm, turquoise waters perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Just offshore, the Gili Islands offer snorkelling and island-hopping opportunities. With lush rice fields, the towering presence of Mount Rinjani, and warm Sasak hospitality, Lombok is the perfect island escape.

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Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of the best high-volume stocks to invest in. On August 6, it was reported that Chinas Alibaba Group would be selling its entire stake in the Indian company Eternal through a block deal.

According to a CNBC-Awaaz report, the deal is valued at 53.75 billion Indian rupees, which is ~$613 million. The block deal involves Alibabas unit, called Antfin Singapore, which held a 2.08% stake in Eternal as of the end of June this year.

Alibaba to Exit Indian Food Delivery Company Eternal with $613M Stake Sale

An e-commerce platform displaying a wide range of products to customers online.

The company will offload this entire stake at a floor price of 285 rupees per share, which represents a 4.6% discount to Eternals closing price on August 6. Eternal is the parent company of the food delivery service Zomato and the quick commerce arm Blinkit. Neither Antfin nor Eternal has responded to requests for comment from Reuters.

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) provides technology infrastructure and marketing reach to help merchants, brands, retailers, and other businesses engage with their users and customers in the Peoples Republic of China and internationally.

While we acknowledge the potential of BABA 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.
Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition's Audacity

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 21:16 IST

Congress and BJP engaged in war of words over PM Modi's announcement of next-gen GST reforms and the Opposition claimed credit for the Prime Minister's move.

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GST reform: BJP vs Congress over PM Modi's Independence Day promise (PTI Image)

A war of words broke out between the BJP and the Opposition over the latters rush to take credit for Prime Minister Narendra Modis Independence Day promise to bring next-generation GST reforms.

The BJP slammed Congress for claiming credit for the proposed two-slab tax regime, down from the existing four, and reminded the party that its leader Rahul Gandhi dubbed GST as Gabbar Singh Tax". BJP leader Amit Malviya said that the Congress realises" that PM Modis GST reforms are bound to succeed", therefore the party wants to rebrand their sabotage as support".

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Govt Vs Opposition Over GST 2.0 Plans

This comes after government sources said that the Centre has proposed to do away with the 12% and 28% GST slabs and proposes to keep 5% and 18% tax rates. Shortly after this, Congress leaders credited Rahul Gandhi for his old tweets and videos in which he sought GST reforms, limiting the rate to 18%.

Now these people are under so much pressure that they will now agree to everything @RahulGandhi says," Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said.

            @RahulGandhi     pic.twitter.com/ZA5T3qCi0H Pawan Khera  (@Pawankhera) August 15, 2025

Hitting back at the Congress party, Malviya said, When the Modi government delivered the constitutional amendment, Congress boycotted the historic GST midnight launch in Parliament. They couldnt bear to see Modi succeed where they had failed for a decade. Rahul Gandhi chose to degrade it as Gabbar Singh Tax." And now Congress has the audacity to claim credit for GST reform proposals by the Modi government."

If @INCIndia is so full of GST ideas," why did the UPA (200414) fail to implement GST for years?When the Modi government delivered the constitutional amendment, Congress boycotted the historic GST midnight launch in Parliament. They couldnt bear to see Modi succeed where https://t.co/cWa0YCN9r1  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 16, 2025

The real truth is GST succeeded despite Congress opposition, not because of it. The proposed two-slab structure represents continuous improvement by a government that actually delivers. Congress realises the PMs next-generation reform proposals are popular and bound to succeed, so now they want to rebrand their sabotage as support," he added.

Congress Demands Discussion Paper On GST 2.0

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh earlier said that the party had been demanding GST 2.0" for over a year and a half and had included it in its 2024 Lok Sabha poll manifesto.

Over the last seven years, the spirit of GST has been vitiated by an increased number of rates and the granting of multiple exemptions. The structure also seems to have facilitated evasion. There must be a drastic reduction in the number of rates," he said.

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He also demanded a discussion paper on GST 2.0.

The Indian National Congress demands an official discussion paper on GST 2.0 very soon so that there can be an informed and wider debate on this vital and pressing national issue," he said.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 21:13 IST

News politics Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition's Audacity

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6 Cops Killed As TTP Launches Coordinated Attacks On Pakistan's I-Day; Drone IEDs Mark Tactical Shift

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CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 16:53 IST

Sources said the use of low-cost drones in Bannu was a troubling sign as it marked a clear evolution in militant tacticsfrom conventional ambushes to tech-enabled warfare

According to top intelligence and security sources, the attacks involved a mix of rocket-propelled grenades, small arms ambushes, and a growing tactic: quadcopter-delivered IEDs.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in a significant escalation of insurgent violence, carried out a series of eight simultaneous attacks across multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Pakistans Independence Day, killing six police officers and injuring nine others.

According to top intelligence and security sources, the attacks took place in Upper and Lower Dir, Hassan Khel, Bannu, and Shangla, and involved a mix of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), small arms ambushes, and a growing tactic: quadcopter-delivered IEDs.

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Sources said the use of low-cost drones in Bannu was a troubling sign as it marked a clear evolution in militant tacticsfrom conventional ambushes to tech-enabled warfare.

In Bannu belt, drone-based IED trials highlight a worrying trend of experimentation with airborne explosives, allowing militants to bypass static defences and strike remote or lightly guarded police posts.

The attacks caused material damage to several police outposts and vehicles, with militants targeting soft patrol points and under-equipped security positions. Security officials confirm the KP police remains overstretched, lacking critical equipment like night-vision gear, making them highly vulnerable during night-time or pre-dawn raids.

The TTP officially claimed responsibility, framing the strikes as part of their sustained campaign to weaken Pakistans security institutions". Intelligence sources believe the timing was deliberate, intended to coincide with Pakistans 77th Independence Day to undermine national morale and project an image of state weakness".

Security assessments suggest the attackers infiltrated from across the Afghan border, with routes from Kunar, Khost, and Paktika provinces still actively used for cross-border movement. Despite repeated warnings and diplomatic pressure from Islamabad, the Taliban government in Kabul continues to deny hosting TTP safe havens, even as 335 attacks were recorded in 2024 alone, resulting in over 520 deaths nationwide.

Increased attacks on police posts, convoys, and district headquarters point toward a deliberate shift in insurgent strategy: from territorial control to hit-and-run raids and symbolic strikes that sap morale and generate propaganda content.

Furthermore, high-value infrastructure, including CPEC corridors and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), are now considered vulnerable targets by security planners, raising concerns about the potential for expanded attacks on economic lifelines.

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The latest wave of violence reinforces longstanding concerns about Khyber Pakhtunkhwas border security, under-resourced law enforcement, and the lack of effective surveillance capabilities.

Top intelligence officials describe these attacks as a warning escalation"a demonstration of TTPs capacity to coordinate operations across districts and embarrass security forces on a national day of significance.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: August 16, 2025, 16:53 IST

News world 6 Cops Killed As TTP Launches Coordinated Attacks On Pakistan's I-Day; Drone IEDs Mark Tactical Shift

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Zelenskyy Speaks To Trump After Alaska Talks: 'We Support US-Ukraine-Russia Trilateral Proposal'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 13:33 IST

After the high-stakes Alaska summit between Trump and Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he held a long and substantive conversation with the US president

Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy (Reuters)

After the high stakes Alaska summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he held a long and substantive conversation" with US President Donald Trump and supported the proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia.

Zelenskyy said the discussion began as a one-on-one exchange before European leaders were invited to join. The call, according to him, lasted more than 90 minutes, with about an hour dedicated solely to bilateral talks with Trump.

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We support President Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasises that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," said Zelenskyy in an official statement posted on X.

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine remains committed to working with full effort to achieve peace, noting that Trump briefed him on his meeting with Putin and the key points discussed.

He further noted that Americas strength" plays an important role in shaping the situation.

We had a long and substantive conversation with @POTUS. We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump.Ukraine reaffirms pic.twitter.com/64IPVhtFaB  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 16, 2025

Zelenskyy To Visit US

Zelenskyy announced his US visit for coming Monday, saying that he will hold a meeting with President Trump in Washington, DC, to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war." He added: I am grateful for the invitation."

It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America. We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping."

During Zelenskyys last visit to the White House, tensions flared when Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated the Ukrainian leader over the war, accusing him of lacking gratitude after he challenged Vance on diplomacy with Putin.

The heated Oval Office exchange, broadcast globally, led to the remainder of Zelenskyys visit being cancelled and raised fresh doubts about the extent of US support for Ukraine in its fight against Russias 2022 invasion.

Alaska Summit

Both Trump and Putin held their first face-to-face meeting in years to resolve the Ukraine war in Alaska on Friday.

After nearly three hours of discussions with top aides, both leaders issued brief remarks but declined to take questions from the press  an unusual move for Trump.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to," Trump said, adding, There are just a very few that are left, some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant."

Trump entered the talks vowing to push for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and a commitment from Putin to meet directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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However, the high-stakes meeting saw no decision to pause the ongoing Ukraine conflict but ended with an unexpected invitation for Trump to continue discussions in Moscow.

Trump later told Fox News that the responsibility to turn the Alaska summit into progress now rests with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 13:10 IST

News world Zelenskyy Speaks To Trump After Alaska Talks: 'We Support US-Ukraine-Russia Trilateral Proposal'

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Alaska Talks: Putin Says Ukraine War Wouldnt Have Started If Trump Had Been US President In 2022

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News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 07:22 IST

Putin backed Trumps claim that his presence could have stopped the conflict from starting in 2022, saying, I can confirm that.

Trump and Putin hold talks to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. (AP/File)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the conflict in Ukraine would never have started" if Donald Trump had been the US President in 2022, during their first in-person meeting in five years held in Alaska.

Trump has often claimed that the Russia-Ukraine war would not have happened if he were at the helm in the White House. Responding to it, Putin backed the view.

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Putin said that he had warned Biden against actions that could escalate the situation to the point where serious consequences in the form of military actions could occur."

I would like to remind you, that in 2022, during our last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague, the situation should not be brought to the point of no return when it would come to hostilities, and I said it quite directly back then, that it was a big mistake."

#WATCH | Alaska, USA |  Today, when President Trump says had he been the President back then, there would have been no war, and I am quite sure it would indeed be so," says Russian President Vladimir PutinHe also says, In 2022 during the last contact with the previous pic.twitter.com/jJQJ4VQ91t  ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025

At the joint conference held after the Alaska talks, both leaders described the meeting as constructive, with Putin referring to the venue as a logical venue given our countries shared history."

Putin said that he and Trump had built a very good, businesslike and trusting contact," adding that such an approach could help bring the Ukraine conflict to an end the sooner, the better."

He also praised Trumps friendly tone of conversation" and noted that despite past difficulties in US-Russia relations, it was important to rectify the situation."

The high-stakes Alaska summit between Trump and Putin ended on Friday without a breakthrough on halting or ending the Ukraine war, the deadliest conflict in Europe since 1945, now entering its fourth year.

After nearly three hours of closed-door discussions, the two leaders made a brief appearance before the press, noting progress on several issues" but offering no specifics and declining to take questions.

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Concluding the joint press briefing, Putin proposed holding a second round of talks in Moscow, expressing hope that Kyiv and the European capitals will constructively perceive all of this and will not create any obstacles or attempt to disrupt the nascent progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue."

Trump, in turn, left the door open to the idea of another meeting, saying, I could see it possibly happening."

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 07:07 IST

News world Alaska Talks: Putin Says Ukraine War Wouldnt Have Started If Trump Had Been US President In 2022

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Red Carpet For War Criminal: Democratic Representative Condemns Trump-Putin Meeting

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 04:13 IST

As President Putin disembarked from his plane, Trump was seen waiting at the red carpet.

The welcome drew swift condemnation from lawmakers (Reuters Image)

The highly anticipated summit in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn global attention and sharp controversy. The meeting, touted by Trump as a potential turning point in the Russia-Ukraine war, is being closely watched for any signs of diplomatic progress. However, the optics and implications of the encounter have already sparked intense backlash at home.

As President Putin disembarked from his plane, Trump was seen waiting at the red carpet, applauding warmly as the Russian leader approached. In a move criticised by many, Trump also appeared to shield Putin from probing questions by the press, particularly those regarding alleged war crimes and civilian casualties in Ukraine.

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The welcome drew swift condemnation from lawmakers. US Representative Jim McGovern labeled the reception shameful and embarrassing," writing on X (formerly Twitter), Trump rolls out the red carpet for a war criminal. On American soil. The U.S. government should be arresting Putin, not hosting him."

Trump rolls out the red carpet for a war criminal. On American soil. The U.S. government should be arresting Putin, not hosting him. Shameful and embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/gBj1pDMmcY Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) August 15, 2025

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Senator Chris Murphy also expressed concern over the symbolic weight of the meeting. Speaking to MSNBC, Murphy warned, My worry is that while the photo-op in and of itself essentially legitimises war crimes, [it] telegraphs to other autocrats or evil men around the world that they can get away with murdering civilians and still get a photo-op with the president of the United States. It could get worse."

Despite the controversy, Trump remains hopeful. While no formal agreement is expected today, Trump has previously stated that any deal would require Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys participation. He hinted at a possible trilateral summit if initial talks with Putin show promise.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 04:12 IST

News world Red Carpet For War Criminal: Democratic Representative Condemns Trump-Putin Meeting

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Arrive In India On Monday For 24th Round Of Border Talks

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News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 14:05 IST

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in India on August 18 to participate in the 24th round of talks on the China-India boundary issue.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Image: Reuters)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in India on Monday on a three-day visit to participate in the 24th round of talks on the long-standing China-India boundary issue, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Saturday.

Wang Yi, who is also a Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinas Special Representative on the boundary question, will hold discussions with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, his counterpart in the Special Representatives mechanism.

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According to the MFA statement, Wang will arrive in India at the invitation of the Indian side.

In a post on X, Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, wrote, MFA: From August 18 to 20, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chinas Special Representative on the China-India boundary question Wang Yi will visit India and hold the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question at the invitation of the Indian side.(sic)"

This marks a major development amid ongoing military and diplomatic talks between the two countries following the 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh, which led to heightened tensions and a deterioration in bilateral ties.

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Last year, India and China reached a partial agreement to ease the standoff in Ladakh. Earlier this year, China resumed the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, while India began issuing visas to Chinese tourists once again.

Wangs upcoming visit is being closely watched by observers in both the countries, as it could signal a potential thaw in relations and help lay the groundwork for broader engagement.

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

First Published: August 16, 2025, 13:56 IST

News world Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Arrive In India On Monday For 24th Round Of Border Talks

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Cold War Echo Or Clever Troll? The Hidden Story Behind Russian Foreign Minister's Hoodie

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 14:41 IST

As Sergei Lavrov touched down in Alaska for the much-anticipated summit, his casual grey sweatshirt emblazoned with bright red letters reading 'USSR' caught attention

News18

The Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska had all the elements of a perfectly orchestrated diplomatic encounter. And, in case someone missed the drama, Russias foreign minister ensured there was oodles of it.

As Sergei Lavrov touched down in Alaska for the much-anticipated summit, he made sure all eyes were on him before any formal talks began. Stepping out of the plane in a casual grey sweatshirt emblazoned with bright red letters reading USSR", Lavrov seemed aware of the political statement he was making.

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This is how much the Russians respect Trump. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov turns up to the Negotiations with Trump in a fucking USSR T-Shirt. The Russians are laughing at America and the West. pic.twitter.com/ieWvQzzKj0  Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) August 15, 2025

The choice of attire was anything but accidental. The Soviet Union has been gone for more than three decades but the nostalgia and symbolism it carries continue to fuel debates about Moscows ambitions in the present day. Against the backdrop of Russias war in Ukraine and its tense stand-off with the West, the sweatshirt was immediately read as more than a fashion statement.

Soon, it was a field day for political analysts. Some branded Lavrov a trollmaster", noting how his wardrobe seemed designed to provoke. At a time when Moscow is accused of trying to rebuild influence once commanded by the USSR, appearing in Soviet symbols on American soil looked to many like a direct taunt.

In Kyiv, the reaction was swift and bitter. Ukrainian commentators called the display an insult, accusing Moscow of flaunting the very empire whose collapse had given countries like Ukraine independence. For them, the logo was a reminder of subjugation, now echoed in the bombs and battles of Russias current war.

Former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis was quick to point out Lavrovs clothing choice on X and wrote: Just give us half of Ukraine and we promise we will stop, says negotiator wearing USSR sweatshirt."

But back home in Russia, the reception was different. For Lavrovs supporters, the sartorial statement projected confidence and resilience, evoking an era when Moscow stood toe-to-toe with Washington as a global superpower. For Donald Trump, who has often praised Putin and cultivated a reputation for showmanship, it was arguably a gesture that hinted at old rivalries repackaged as a spectacle.

CAREFULLY CHOREOGRAPHED CHEMISTRY

The Putin-Trump meet was made for the cameras. Television cameras captured the spectacle as both Trump and Putin arrived separately in their presidential aircraft at Elmendorf Air Basethe sprawling US military hub in Alaska that once stood on the frontlines of watching the Soviet Union.

Trump remained aboard Air Force One until Putins plane touched down. Only then did he descend the steps, applauding as he caught sight of the Russian leader for the first time since 2019.

The two men walked toward one another, exchanged smiles, and clasped hands before posing in front of a stage marked with the bold banner: Alaska 2025.

In a striking breach of protocol, Putin joined Trump inside The Beastthe heavily armoured US presidential limousineas they made their way to the meeting venue, where Ukraine was expected to dominate the agenda.

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Inside, Putin was all smiles, cracking jokes to the press as the pair entered a hall prepared by their American hosts. Behind them, in giant lettering and only in English, the backdrop proclaimed: Pursuing Peace."

When Trump told Putin of how he hoped to meet again, the Russian leader broke out rare words of English: Next time in Moscow."

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 14:41 IST

News world Cold War Echo Or Clever Troll? The Hidden Story Behind Russian Foreign Minister's Hoodie

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Trump Says His Meeting With Putin Was 10/10: 'We Agreed On A Lot Of Points'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 07:30 IST

Trump said he and Vladimir Putin did not reach an agreement on "probably the most significant" aspect of their meeting in Alaska, but they made progress in several areas.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump said his meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was 10 out of 10, adding that both sides agreed on a lot of points, although there is no deal until theres a deal".

Speaking to Fox News Sean Hannity, Trump said, We had a very good meeting today, but well see. You have to get a deal. We agreed on a lot of points. I want to see people stop dying."

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He also expressed happiness when Putin publicly stated that the Ukraine war would have never happened if Trump were president in 2022, instead of Joe Biden.

Trump held a historic meeting with Putin on Friday (local time) and said that many points were agreed to and very points" were left unsolved with Moscow. The two world leaders met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, where Trump welcomed him on a red carpet. They held an over three-hour-long meeting behind closed doors and then appeared for a joint press conference.

He also criticised Bidens handling of the crisis, saying Ukraine could not possibly agree to a deal with Russia because former President Joe Biden handed out money like it was candy," referring to the billions of dollars in military aid.

Trump said he believed the deal was close to being agreed upon but that so many things can happen."

But I think President Putin would like to solve the problem," he said. And it was a problem that should have never happened."

Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting

The US President said he would now set up a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying it was up to the latter to get the job done. " I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but its up to President Zelenskyy," he said.

Theyre going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin. And myself, I guess. I didnt ask about it. Not that I want to be there, but I want to make sure it gets done. And we have a pretty good chance of getting it done," he told Fox News.

He said Ukraine has to agree to a peace agreement, saying his message to Zelenskyy would be to make a deal". There was no reaction from Ukraine to the summit. Zelenskyy had earlier ruled out formally handing Moscow any territory and is also seeking a security guarantee backed by the United States.

The high-stakes Alaska summit yielded no apparent breakthrough on Ukraine, although both leaders described the talks as productive, without offering much details. The two leaders offered warm words for each other in a joint press conference, but took no questions from reporters.

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Putin said he expected Ukraine and its European allies to accept the results of the US-Russia negotiation constructively and not try to disrupt the emerging progress." He said, I expect that todays agreements will become a reference point, not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also launch the restoration of business-like, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States."

Regardless of the outcome, the summit is widely seen as a big win for Putin, who is now able to assert Russia on the global stage and use the meeting as evidence that years of Western attempts to isolate Russia have unravelled.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 06:58 IST

News world Trump Says His Meeting With Putin Was 10/10: 'We Agreed On A Lot Of Points'

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Hurricane Erin Can Reach Category 4 Strength By Sunday, Dangerous Seas And Flood Threat Loom

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 12:36 IST

Hurricane Erin is expected to become a major storm by Sunday, reaching Category 4 strength and posing risks to the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

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Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Centre, gives an update on Tropical Storm Erin at the National Hurricane Centre in Miami. (AP Photo)

Hurricane Erin, which formed in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this week, has intensified at an alarming pace and is expected to become a major storm within days. The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said in a late Friday night advisory that the system could escalate from Category 2 to Category 4 strength by Sunday.

By 8 pm Friday, Erins winds were clocked at 85 miles per hour (137 kph). Just three hours later, maximum sustained speeds had surged to 100 mph (160 kph). The storm is currently tracking north of the Leeward Islands, raising the risk of tropical storm conditions for territories including Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten within the next 24 hours.

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The NHC forecast shows Erin passing very close to the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend. Turks and Caicos and the south-eastern Bahamas have also been urged to remain vigilant. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands could see up to 4 inches of rain, with isolated totals of 6 inches possible, accompanied by gusts up to 50 mph and potential landslides.

The NHC has warned of dangerous swells and strong currents, though the risk of direct impacts in the Bahamas and along the US East Coast appears to be gradually decreasing".

As of the 11 pm EDT advisory, Erin was located about 405 kilometres northeast of Anguilla, moving west-northwest at 27 kph. Hurricane specialist Michael Lowry said Erin is forecast to eventually take a sharp turn northeast, tracking between the US and Bermuda. All of our best consensus aids show Erin turning safely east of the United States next week, but itll be a much closer call for Bermuda, which could land on the stronger eastern side of Erin," he noted.

The storm, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, is expected to reach Category 3 strength late this weekend and pass roughly 320 kilometres north of Puerto Rico. The US government has deployed over 200 Federal Emergency Management Agency and other personnel to the island as a precaution. A flood watch is in effect for the entire US territory through Monday.

Puerto Rico Housing Secretary Ciary Perez Pena said 367 shelters have been inspected and could be opened if needed. The US Coast Guard has already closed six seaports in Puerto Rico and two in the US Virgin Islands to most vessels without prior authorisation. In the Bahamas, officials have prepared public shelters and urged residents to closely monitor the storms progress. These storms are very volatile and can make sudden shifts in movement," warned Aarone Sargent, managing director of the countrys disaster risk management authority.

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Along the US East Coast, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected next week, with waves potentially reaching 15 feet in parts of North Carolina, which could cause significant beach erosion, according to Accuweather. Erin is forecast to explode into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it moves across very warm waters in the open Atlantic. Water temperatures at the surface and hundreds of feet deep are several degrees higher than the historical average," said Alex DaSilva, Accuweathers lead hurricane expert.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Erin is the fifth named storm of the year, in what forecasters say will be an unusually active season. NOAA projects 13 to 18 named storms this year, with 5 to 9 becoming hurricanes  3 to 5 of them potentially reaching major status.

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 12:36 IST

News world Hurricane Erin Can Reach Category 4 Strength By Sunday, Dangerous Seas And Flood Threat Loom

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IMF Sounds Alarm Over Pakistan's Failure To Combat Money Laundering, Corruption | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 12:02 IST

The IMFs warning is clear: Pakistan must improve its anti-money laundering frameworks or face more stringent actions

IMFs recent diagnostic report has revealed that the country continues to face significant weaknesses in its anti-money laundering systems, despite ongoing efforts and reforms.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised serious concerns over Pakistans inability to effectively tackle money laundering and corruption, signalling the risk of major consequences if swift action is not taken.

CNN-News18 has learnt that the IMFs recent diagnostic report has revealed that the country continues to face significant weaknesses in its anti-money laundering systems, despite ongoing efforts and reforms.

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One of the key points highlighted by the IMF is the underutilisation of ownership data, particularly the beneficial ownership regime, which was introduced to increase transparency and crack down on corrupt practices. This regime was meant to uncover the ultimate owners of companies, helping to prevent front companies from securing government contracts through illicit means. However, the IMFs report strongly criticised Pakistan for failing to leverage this data effectively in financial investigations, which has created hurdles in addressing corruption and money laundering schemes.

The IMFs draft report on the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment has raised alarm bells over the systemic failures that continue to undermine the impact of reforms. Despite the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) pushing for improvements in anti-money laundering (AML) practices, Pakistan has not been able to fully implement measures to disrupt the coordination of corrupt activities.

The IMF noted that although there is some coordination between the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and investigation agencies, the use of beneficial ownership data remains inconsistent. The IMF emphasised that real-time exchanges of this data between agencies like the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and other institutions is essential for rooting out corruption.

In its assessment, the fund recommended that Pakistan establish a multi-agency working group to ensure that beneficial ownership information is regularly reviewed in support of anti-corruption investigations. However, the IMF pointed out weaknesses in registry implementation, verification processes, and enforcement as major roadblocks to the success of this framework.

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The warning from the IMF comes at a time when Pakistan is already under pressure from the FATF. While Pakistan has made some progress on FATF reforms, the continued inefficiency in addressing corruption and money laundering casts a shadow over the countrys efforts to meet international financial standards. The IMF delegation, which is scheduled to visit Pakistan in September 2025, is expected to scrutinise the governments progress in implementing the required reforms and addressing these pressing concerns.

The IMFs warning is clear: Pakistan must improve its anti-money laundering frameworks or face more stringent actions. The financial institution is urging Pakistan to institutionalise reforms that allow for greater transparency, data sharing, and effective enforcement to tackle corruption at the highest levels. The delegations visit, followed closely by the FATFs evaluation, will likely be a critical moment in determining Pakistans future standing on the global financial stage.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: August 16, 2025, 12:02 IST

News world IMF Sounds Alarm Over Pakistan's Failure To Combat Money Laundering, Corruption | Exclusive

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By Lucy Raitano

LONDON (Reuters) -A rout in shares of European companies embracing artificial intelligence deepened this week, as powerful new AI models raise questions about whether sectors from software to data analytics could find themselves overtaken by the technology.

European software stocks, including Germany's SAP and France's Dassault Systemes, tumbled on Tuesday as worries that AI will disrupt the software sector spread through the market. That followed a downgrade to U.S. rival Adobe on Monday by broker Melius Research.

Since mid-July, shares in markets and data group LSEG, UK software firm Sage, and French IT consulting group Capgemini have dropped 14.4%, 10.8% and 12.3% respectively.

Such companies - dubbed AI adopters by analysts - are investing heavily in the technology to beef up their products and services. Amid a dearth of European AI companies and suppliers, their shares had benefitted as investors in the region sought a way to tap the AI boom powering U.S. markets.

But the release of ever more powerful AI tools appears to have prompted a rethink among some market players.

Last week, OpenAI launched its GPT-5 model, the latest iteration of the AI technology that has helped transform global business and culture since ChatGPT arrived in late 2022.

Kunal Kothari, a fund manager at Aviva Investors, also pointed to the July 15 release of Anthropic's Claude for Financial Services.

"The app that came out has now challenged an investment case around London Stock Exchange (LSEG), around the provision of financial data," he said.

"We're at the stage now with every iteration of GPT or Claude that comes out ... it's multiples more capable than the previous generation. The market's thinking: 'oh, wait, that challenges this business model'."

The drop in European adopter stocks contrasts with broader market gains. Since mid-July, London's FTSE 100 is up 2.5% and Europe's STOXX 600 up 0.6%, while U.S. indexes have scaled record highs, largely powered by tech stocks.

Exacerbating matters is the fact that many European adopter stocks trade on high multiples, making them vulnerable to any potential negative news, according to Bernie Ahkong, Chief Investment Officer at hedge fund UBS O'Connor.

The STOXX 600 trades at an average price-to-earnings multiple of 17 times, while SAP - whose shares are down 7.2% since mid-July after posting their biggest daily drop since late 2020 on Tuesday - trades at around 45 times.

WILL AI 'EAT SOFTWARE'?

Although many AI adopter stocks are struggling, some investors say markets will eventually take a more systematic approach, picking out potential winners and losers.
In A First, Indian Tricolour Hoisted On Seattle's Iconic Space Needle To Mark Independence Day

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 15:25 IST

Built in 1962 for the World Fair, the Space Needle stands as a symbol of Seattles skyline and epitomises the tech-driven future of the US Pacific Northwest region

The Indian flag on Seattle's Space Needle. (X @IndiainSeattle)

In a landmark and historic first in Seattle, the flag of India was raised on top of the Space Needle in honour of Indias 79th Independence Day celebrations. Built in 1962 for the World Fair, the Space Needle stands as a symbol of Seattles skyline and epitomises the tech-driven future of the US Pacific Northwest region.

The Consul General of India in Seattle, along with Mayor Bruce Harrell, and other select dignitaries from Seattle city leadership, joined in the historic occasion and acknowledged the contributions of the Indian-American diaspora in shaping Seattles journey as a tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest.

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A community reception was separately hosted by the Consulate at the scenic Kerry Park, which offered sweeping views of the Seattle skyline, with Indias flag on top of Space Needle in the backdrop, where large numbers of Indian-American community members turned up to witness the historic sight.

Several US dignitaries graced the Kerry Park reception, including US Congressman (WA-9th district) Adam Smith, Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court Debra L Stephens, Seattle Port Commissioner Sam Cho and Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks & Recreation AP Diaz. Addressing the gathering, Smith welcomed the historic celebration, noting that the Indian tricolour hoisted atop the Space Needle is a tribute to the regions diversity and the strong bonds between India and the Pacific Northwest.

A vibrant cultural segment featuring national anthems, along with a cultural dance performance showcasing the rich diversity of Indian art forms, and a poetic recital by renowned artist and actor Piyush Mishra followed.

In a special gesture to honour Indias 79th Independence Day in the Greater Seattle area, King County (that covers 39 cities) along with Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and Bellevue issued official proclamations marking August 15 as India Day.

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Separately, several iconic buildings in Seattle were also lit up in the Indian tricolour. These included the Lumen Stadium, T-Mobile Stadium, Westin, Seattle Great Wheel and Space Needle. The Indian Flag was also hoisted at the prestigious Tacoma Dome, Tacoma City Hall and at the Headquarters of Tacoma Police and Fire Departments.

India opened its 6th Consulate in Seattle (Washington) in November 2023 and has since actively deepened its engagements with the US Pacific Northwest.

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 : Seattle, Washington State, USA

First Published: August 16, 2025, 15:25 IST

News world In A First, Indian Tricolour Hoisted On Seattle's Iconic Space Needle To Mark Independence Day

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'Leaving Unhappy Memories': Prince William, Kate Move To New Home After Brutal Years

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 18:40 IST

Prince William and Kate Middleton will relocate to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, seeking a fresh start after challenging years.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton

Prince William and Kate Middleton will relocate later this year to Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom Grade II-listed home in Windsor Great Park, marking what they hope will be a permanent fresh start after several personally challenging years.

Just a short drive from their current residence, Adelaide Cottage, the three-storey red-brick property is intended to be the couples forever home." Telegraph reported, citing sources in the know, that the move follows a difficult period since they settled at Adelaide Cottage in 2022, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the cancer diagnoses of both Kate Middleton and King Charles III.

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In November last year, Prince William described the previous months as probably the hardest year in my life" and brutal" from a personal and family perspective. The passing of his grandmother was followed by highly public revelations in Prince Harrys memoir Spare and the Harry & Meghan Netflix series, straining the brothers relationship further.

Kate Middleton underwent major abdominal surgery in January 2024 and announced a cancer diagnosis two months later, beginning chemotherapy. While she was able to confirm in January this year that she is in remission, King Charles continues to undergo treatment.

A source told Telegraph that the move offers an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind." The couple, along with their children- Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10 and Prince Louis, 7- are expected to move in before Christmas.

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The family has been settled in Windsor since moving from Kensington Palace in 2022, with all three children attending nearby Lambrook School. Prince William and Kate Middleton have maintained a private family environment without live-in staff and plan to continue that arrangement at Forest Lodge, located just four miles from their current home.

The property is undergoing modest renovations- including new doors, windows, and interior updates- funded by the couple themselves. Owned by The Crown Estate, it will be rented at market value. The last major refurbishment was completed in 2001 at a cost of 1.5 million. Prince William and Kate Middleton will retain Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, refurbished in 2013, and Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which they use during school holidays and weekends.

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Location : United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 18:40 IST

News world 'Leaving Unhappy Memories': Prince William, Kate Move To New Home After Brutal Years

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'Make A Deal': Trump's Message To Zelenskyy As Alaska Summit Ends Without Ukraine Breakthrough

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 09:38 IST

After Trump's talks with Putin in Alaska yielded no significant breakthrough for Ukraine, the US President said he would advise Zelenskyy to agree to a peace deal.

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (Reuters File Image)

US President Donald Trump has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a deal" to end the current conflict in Ukraine, after his closely-watched talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska yielded no breakthrough, although both leaders described the talks as productive.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump described his talks with Putin as a 10" out of 10, and touted very good progress" in the road to peace in Ukraine, although there was no deal until theres a deal".

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Trump stressed that Ukraine has to agree to a peace deal. You know, hes (Putin) a strong guy, hes tough as hell on all of that, but the meeting was a very warm meeting between two very important countries, and its very good when they get along. I think were pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it," he said.

When asked what his message would be to Zelenskyy, Trump said, Make a deal." He said the next step after the Alaska summit would be calls between Trump, Zelenskyy and other NATO leaders. Look, Russia is a very big power, and theyre (Ukraine) not," he told Fox News.

Trump On Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting

The US President also expressed willingness to be present in a peace meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. Its really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done, and I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but its up to President Zelenskyy  and if theyd like, Ill be at that next meeting," he said.

He also criticised Bidens handling of the crisis, saying Ukraine could not possibly agree to a deal with Russia because former President Joe Biden handed out money like it was candy," referring to the billions of dollars in military aid.

He also said that both Putin and Zelenskyy want him to be at the trilateral meeting to bring peace in Ukraine, while stressing that the number one priority for the United States was to save lives in both warring nations.

ALSO READ: No Deal Until A Deal: Trump Says Very Few Issues With Russia Unsolved After Alaska Summit

What Happened In Alaska Summit?

Putin and Trump exchanged a warm handshake and smiles ahead of the historic summit in Alaska to discuss the future of the Ukraine war, although the talks ended without any deal to halt the fighting, now in its fourth year.

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The two leaders appeared together in a joint press conference, where they hailed progress on several issues without offering more details. On the other hand, Putin said Russia was willing to see the end of the war, but stressed that the root causes" of the conflict must be eliminated for a long-term peace.

The Russian leader also said he expected Ukraine and its European allies to accept the results of the US and not try to disrupt the emerging process". He also said that the war would not have happened if Trump was president in 2022 instead of Joe Biden.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 09:37 IST

News world 'Make A Deal': Trump's Message To Zelenskyy As Alaska Summit Ends Without Ukraine Breakthrough

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'Make Kneeling Great Again': US Guards Lay Red Carpet For Putin In Alaska, Picture Goes Viral

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 09:09 IST

Before Putin descended from his aircraft at a US air base in Alaska, American soldiers were seen kneeling at the foot of the stairs to adjust the red carpet rolled out for him

US guards laying red carpet for Putin | Image: X

The first face-to-face meeting in years between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was marked by a viral image that drew sharp reactions online.

Before Putin descended from his aircraft at a US air base in Alaska, American soldiers were seen kneeling at the foot of the stairs to adjust the red carpet rolled out for him.

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The moment, captured on camera, spread across social media, prompting former Ukrainian official Mustafa Nayyem to share the photo with the caption: Make kneeling great again."

Make Kneeling Great Again pic.twitter.com/dqtZLxKhBK Mustafa Nayyem (@mefimus) August 15, 2025

The image didnt go well with the Ukrainians, who were counting on Trump to reach a peace deal.

The image also overshadowed the optics of Trumps warm welcome, in which he clapped, smiled, and shook hands with Putin, calling him a friend."

Putins arrival in Alaska was his first visit to Western soil since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The two leaders last met in person in 2018.

Despite the grandeur of the reception, the high-stakes talks produced no breakthrough on Ukraine.

After nearly three hours of discussions with top aides, both leaders issued brief remarks but declined to take questions from the press  an unusual move for Trump.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to," Trump said, adding, There are just a very few that are left, some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant."

Trump entered the talks vowing to push for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and a commitment from Putin to meet directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

However, the high-stakes meeting saw no decision to pause the ongoing Ukraine conflict but ended with an unexpected invitation for Trump to continue discussions in Moscow.

Trump later told Fox News that the responsibility to turn the Alaska summit into progress now rests with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Now its really up to President Zelensky to get it done. And I would also say the European nations have to get involved a little bit, but its up to President Zelensky," Trump said.

He rated the meeting a ten out of ten."

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The location carried weight as Alaska, purchased from Russia in 1867, sits just three miles from Russian territory at its closest point and still serves as a Cold War-era hub for intercepting Russian aircraft.

Hosting Putin there gave him a measure of symbolic legitimacy after years of international isolation.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 09:09 IST

News world 'Make Kneeling Great Again': US Guards Lay Red Carpet For Putin In Alaska, Picture Goes Viral

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'Makes No Sense': US Economist Slams Trump's Tariffs On India As Stupid, Delusional'

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 22:25 IST

US economist Jeffrey Sachs criticized Donald Trumps tariffs on India, calling them stupid and damaging to the US economy.

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US economist Jeffrey Sachs described Donald Trump as delusional."

Prominent US economist Jeffrey Sachs sharply criticized US President Donald Trumps decision to impose steep tariffs on India, calling the move stupid" and saying it serves no purpose." In an interview with news agency ANI, Jeffrey Sachs accused Donald Trump of acting out of hostility toward the BRICS bloc, which includes India, China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa.

This makes no sense. Its not true. Its failing. Putting the surcharge on India was as stupid as it could be from any norm. It serves no purpose," he said.

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Jeffrey Sachs described Donald Trump as delusional," arguing that Washington has grown accustomed to exercising global dominance.

The US has exercised its dominant power for so long, they think they can boss every other part of the world around," he added.

The economist warned that the tariffs, imposed at 50% on imports from India over New Delhis purchase of Russian oil, are damaging for the US economy and in violation of international law.

Everything about the tariffs is wrong. Its destructive for the US economy. It violates international law. Its a breakdown of our political system. Trumps policies are doomed to fail," he said.

Jeffrey Sachs urged India not to rely on the US for long-term strategic security or trade benefits, cautioning that Washingtons interests do not align with New Delhis.

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US politicians dont care at all about India. Please understand this. India is not going to reap long-term security by siding with the United States in the Quad against China. India is a great power that has an independent standing in the world," he said.

Instead, Jeffrey Sachs called China, Russia and Brazil Indias real partners" and warned against believing New Delhi could simply replace China in the global value chain. He stressed that India should not expect a great trade relationship" with Washington, even if it helps diversify US supply chains. Jeffrey Sachs had previously labeled Donald Trumps tariffs unconstitutional" and argued they reflect a broader failure in US foreign and economic policy.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 19:29 IST

News world 'Makes No Sense': US Economist Slams Trump's Tariffs On India As Stupid, Delusional'

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No Deal Until A Deal: Trump Says Very Few Issues With Russia 'Unsolved' After Alaska Summit

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 07:39 IST

Donald Trump held an over three-hour-long meeting with Putin in Alaska and said that the summit was "productive" and many points were agreed to.

Alaska Summit: Trump says meeting with Putin "very productive" (Reuters Image)

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that his talks with the Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were productive", adding that many points were agreed to" and very few" are left, apparently hinting at a possible resolution of the Ukraine conflict.

However, he said that there is no deal until there is one to end the war between the two countries.

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This comes as both leaders held a mutually respectful" summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, where Trump laid out the red carpet for Putin to welcome him to the meeting.

The pair held an over three-hour-long meeting behind closed doors and appeared for a joint press conference, detailing what went through and what may be next.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there Theres no deal until theres a deal, but progress was made in Ukraine talks with Vladimir Putin," he said, referring to the peace deal between the two warring nations.

As Trump concluded his address, he spoke of a second meeting, to which Putin smiled and said in English, Next time in Moscow".

Earlier, Putin said that he is interested in ending the war in Ukraine, but also underlined that there is a need to eliminate all the primary roots of the conflict".

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He also hoped that the agreement reached during talks with Trump would help bring peace to Ukraine.

The situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security. We have always considered the Ukrainian nation a brotherly nation. Everything thats happening is a tragedy for us. Therefore, the country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it. At the same time, we are convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots and causes of that conflict," he said.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 05:50 IST

News world No Deal Until A Deal: Trump Says Very Few Issues With Russia 'Unsolved' After Alaska Summit

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'If I Have To Do It...': Here's What Trump Said On Imposing Secondary Tariffs On India

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 11:35 IST

Relations between India and the US were strained after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India, including 25% duties that will come into effect from August 27.

US President Donald Trump. (Reuters Image)

US President Donald Trump has signalled that he may not impose additional secondary tariffs on countries that are purchasing Russian crude oil, including India, softening his stance as he met Russian President Vladimir Putin for a historic summit in Alaska on Friday.

Relations between India and the US were strained after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India, among the highest rates on any country, for purchasing Russian oil and called Indias economy dead". India has pushed back against the tariffs, calling them unjust and unreasonable.

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While he was on his way to Alaska to meet Putin, Trump told Fox News aboard Air Force One that Russia had lost an oil client  India  after he imposed tariffs and indicated that he probably wont have to impose any secondary tariffs.

Well, he lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lotAnd if I did whats called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, Ill do it. Maybe I wont have to do it," Trump said on Friday.

However, India has clarified that there has been no pause in Russian oil imports following Trumps punitive measures. There were apprehensions that additional secondary tariffs would have hit India if the Alaska talks did not go well.

ALSO READ: No Deal Until A Deal: Trump Says Very Few Issues With Russia Unsolved After Alaska Summit

May Have To Think About It

After nearly three hours of talks with Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, Trump was asked again about the secondary tariffs on countries importing oil from Russia.

India doesnt buy your oil. The European Union wont buy it. And why in the back of my head was I thinking, wait a minute, Donald Trump just delayed possible a possible increase in tariffs on China? Why do I think that probably President Trump was thinking ahead that maybe if you had to, that would have been part of the consequences?" asked Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Trump replied by saying, Well, because of what happened today, I think I dont have to think about that now. I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we dont have to think about that right now. I think you know, the meeting went very well."

The highly anticipated summit between Trump and Putin yielded no agreement to resolve or pause Moscows war in Ukraine, though both leaders described the talks as productive.

ALSO READ: Trumps Call To Pause Ukraine War, Putins Moscow Invite: 10 Takeaways From 3-Hour Alaska Talks

US Warning On India Tariffs

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On Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said if things dont go well" between Trump and Putin at the summit meeting, then secondary sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil could go up.

I think everyone has been frustrated with President Putin. We expected that he would come to the table in a more fulsome way. It looks like he may be ready to negotiate. And we put secondary tariffs on the Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things dont go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up," Bessent told Bloomberg.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 11:01 IST

News world 'If I Have To Do It...': Here's What Trump Said On Imposing Secondary Tariffs On India

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'Might Have To Start Liking Her Again': Trump Reacts To Hillary Clinton's Nobel Peace Prize Nod

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 10:35 IST

Hillary Clinton's remarks came as Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first in-person talks in years at a Cold War-era airbase in Alaska

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Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton | File Image: AP

US President Donald Trump, who seems ambitious for a Nobel Peace Prize over claims of stopping several conflicts worldwide since taking office in January, quipped that he might have to start liking" Hillary Clinton after his one-time rival said she would consider nominating him for the prize on a condition.

Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential race to Trump, said on the Raging Moderates podcast that she would put his name forward for the prize if he secured peace between Russia and Ukraine, without forcing Kyiv to give up its land to Moscow.

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Speaking aboard Air Force One in an interview with journalist Bret Baier, Trump was asked about Clintons remarks. Well, that was very nice," he replied.

I may have to start liking her again."

.@BretBaier: Hillary Clinton says if you can get a peace deal, shell nominate you for the Nobel Peace Prize@POTUS: I may have to start liking her again."  pic.twitter.com/B91ZXJGqfc Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 15, 2025

Clintons Remark

Honestly, if he could bring about the end to this terrible war, if he could end it without putting Ukraine in a position where it had to concede its territory to the aggressor, could really stand up to Putin, something we havent seen, but maybe this is the opportunity if Trump were the architect of that, Id nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize," Clinton said.

Because my goal here is to not allow capitulation to Putin," she added.

Her unexpected remarks came as Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first in-person talks in years at a Cold War-era airbase in Alaska.

The summit, aimed at halting the three-year conflict in Ukraine, was closely watched for signs of a breakthrough. However, there were no such indications after it concluded.

Before flying to the summit, Trump told reporters he wanted a ceasefire today" and warned he wont be happy" with anything less.

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The Nobel Prize nod comes against the backdrop of a long and bitter rivalry between the two American politicians.

During the 2016 campaign, Clinton branded Trumps supporters a basket of deplorables" and called him temperamentally unfit" for office, often citing his overtures toward Putin.

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

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 10:35 IST

News world 'Might Have To Start Liking Her Again': Trump Reacts To Hillary Clinton's Nobel Peace Prize Nod

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'Need To Eliminate Cause Of Conflict': Putin's Message For Ukraine, Europe After Meeting Trump

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 06:36 IST

Putin sent a clear message to Ukraine and rest of European nations from the United States that they must not make any attempts of provocation to Russia.

Alaska Summit: Putin sends message to Ukraine and European nations from the US (Reuters image)

As the meeting between the heads of two rival states concluded on Friday (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that Moscow is interested in bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, but also highlighted the need to eliminate all the primary roots of the conflict".

He noted that the agreement" reached during the Alaska summit with US President Donald Trump will help bring peace in Ukraine.

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Trump and Putin held an over three-hour-long three-on-three meeting at a military base in Alaska on the Ukraine conflict, after which the two leaders addressed a joint press conference, where they made their remarks but left without taking questions from reporters.

Addressing the presser, Putin said that the situation prevalent in Ukraine poses fundamental threats" to Russian security, apparently hinting at the calls for the expansion of the NATO military alliance to Ukraine.

The situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security. We have always considered the Ukrainian nation a brotherly nation. Everything thats happening is a tragedy for us. Therefore, the country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it. At the same time, we are convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots and causes of that conflict," the Russian President said.

He said that there is a need to consider all the concerns of Russia and agreed that the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well.

We have said it multiple times to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate just balance of security in Europe and in the world as a whole. President Trump said that the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. We are prepared to welcome that. I hope that the agreement that we reached together will help us bring closer to that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine," he said.

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Putin further said that he expected Kyiv and European countries to take his demands constructively".

We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively, and they wont throw a wrench in the works. They will not make any attempts to use some back-room dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the progress," Putin said.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 05:21 IST

News world 'Need To Eliminate Cause Of Conflict': Putin's Message For Ukraine, Europe After Meeting Trump

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Pakistan Admits Loss Of 13 Military Personnel During India's Op Sindoor | Exclusive

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News18.com Edited By: Aveek Banerjee



Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 13:27 IST

Pakistan admitted to over 50 losses during India's military onslaught on May 9-10, including 13 military personnel. India and Pakistan exchanged four days of cross-border attacks.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. (File Photo)

More than three months after India launched precise airstrikes targeting terror infrastructure, Pakistan has admitted to heavy losses suffered in the military offensive from May 9-10. Pakistani authorities acknowledged more than 50 losses, including 13 military personnel, sources told CNN-News18.

Pakistan confirmed that Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf was killed during Operation Sindoor, when India attacked the Bholari airbase, by awarding him at the presidency. Several others were injured in Indias strikes on Nur Khan, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Shorkot.

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It is worth mentioning that the Indian government had earlier said that over 100 terrorists had been eliminated during Operation Sindoor strikes on May 7, while key terrorist strongholds were destroyed.

Several reports also confirmed that American technicians were injured at the Nur Khan airbase during Operation Sindoor, according to sources. This information came to light during an annual awards ceremony at Pakistans President House.

The awards were conferred to military personnel killed during Operation Sindoor by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the President House on the occasion of the countrys Independence Day on August 14.

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Those personnel awarded the Tamgha-i-Basalat posthumously included Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, Havaldar Muhammad Naveed, Naik Waqar Khalid and Lance Naik Dilawar Khan. The recipients of the Tamgha-i-Jurat included Naik Abdul Rehman, Lance Naik Ikramullah and Sepoy Adeel Akbar.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, bombing nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes, in retaliation for a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 tourists were killed. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, had claimed responsibility for the attack.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: August 16, 2025, 13:17 IST

News world Pakistan Admits Loss Of 13 Military Personnel During India's Op Sindoor | Exclusive

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Tesla (TSLA) does not just make cars. It has reshaped our understanding of what cars can be.

Archer Aviation (ACHR), valued at $5.5 billion, is developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which are essentially air taxis intended for short-distance urban and regional travel. Archer Aviation stock has gained just 2.3% in the year to date, underperforming the S&P 500 Index ($SPX), despite its massive 167% gain over the past 52 weeks.

For this under-the-radar aerospace company to become the Tesla of the skies, it must do more than just make air taxis viable. It must also make them desirable and indispensable for daily travel.

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Let us find out how Archer Aviation is working on this, and if the stock is a buy now.

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An Industry Moving From Ambition to Execution

The eVTOL industry was once considered futuristic. But it is rapidly becoming a reality. Archers flagship product is the Midnight aircraft. The company currently has six additional Midnight units in production, with three in final assembly, bringing the fleet to eight aircraft. These models have a production-ready four-bladed rear propeller design and are ready for certification flight testing or early commercial deployment.

Archer is rapidly approaching the commercialization of its Midnight aircraft, signaling a critical period of progress in both civil and defense programs. In the second half of 2025, Archer intends to accelerate pilot and flight testing, expand performance parameters, and begin full eVTOL operations. Because the company has no revenue yet, it reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $119 million and an adjusted net loss of $114 million in the second quarter.

Perhaps the most notable achievement for Archer is the U.S. governments decision to showcase air taxis at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It is the official exclusive air taxi provider for the event.

Archer is not waiting for FAA approval to start monetizing Midnight. Through its Launch Edition Program, the company is delivering early aircraft to countries with more favorable regulatory environments, including the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. These partnerships not only diversify Archers revenue streams, but also help to establish the business case for eVTOLs. In the UAE, the Midnight aircraft has already been delivered and is awaiting commercial flight authorization. This will help the company generate revenue. Analysts expect Archer to report revenue of $1.42 million in 2025, rising to $103.4 million by 2026.
Putin Demands Full Control Over Ukraine's Donetsk In Trump Talks, Zelenskyy Rejects Idea: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 22:47 IST

Vladimir Putin tells Trump Ukraine must withdraw from Donetsk to end Russia's war, offering to freeze the frontline if demands are met.

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Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump that Ukraine must withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region as a condition for ending Russias war, offering in return to freeze the remainder of the frontline if his core demands were met, Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the talks.

The proposal was made during Vladimir Putins meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska, after which the US president relayed the message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders in a call, urging them to drop efforts to secure a ceasefire from Moscow. Zelenskyy rejected the demand outright.

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Inside Alaska Talks

Under Vladimir Putins offer, Russia would take full control of Donetsk- a region it has partially occupied for more than a decade and where its forces are advancing at their fastest pace since November- while halting offensives in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. However, Putin reiterated his broader demands to resolve the root causes" of the conflict, which would dismantle Ukraines statehood in its current form and reverse NATOs eastward expansion.

The Donbas- short for Donets Basin"- comprises Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Known as the countrys industrial and mining powerhouse, the region was home to about a third of Ukraines population before the war, with major coal reserves, steel production, and dense urban centres. Stretching from Mariupol in the south to the Russian border in the north, the territory is now mostly under Russian control. Moscow holds all of Luhansk, roughly 70% of Donetsk, large parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, smaller pockets in Kharkiv and Sumy, and Crimea, annexed in 2014. Ukraine retains about 30% of Donetsk, including heavily fortified defensive lines, key high ground, and western cities critical to its eastern defences- home to more than 200,000 civilians.

Global Reaction

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Trump publicly urged European leaders to abandon ceasefire negotiations and push for a peace agreement" directly with Russia as he posted on his social media platform Truth Social, If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin." The Kremlin said no three-way meeting with Zelenskyy was discussed.

European leaders reacted with concern, recalling their alarm when Donald Trump previously floated the idea of land swaps as part of a peace deal. French President Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump during Saturdays call that Vladimir Putin could not be trusted," citing Russias failure to honour the 201415 Minsk ceasefire agreements.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 20:08 IST

News world Putin Demands Full Control Over Ukraine's Donetsk In Trump Talks, Zelenskyy Rejects Idea: Report

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Putin Proposes Next Meeting In Moscow After Historic Alaska Summit With Trump

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 05:36 IST

As the press conference wraps ups, Putin requests Donald Trump to hold the next meeting in Moscow.

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Both Presidents called the meeting constructive (Reuters Image)

US President Donald Trump addressed the media alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin following their much-anticipated closed-door meeting in Alaska earlier today. The summit, which lasted approximately three hours, was widely viewed as a potential turning point in US-Russia relations and the ongoing war in Ukraine. While the two leaders did not take questions from the press, they offered brief statements, describing the summit as constructive."

As Trump wrapped up the joint press conference, he signalled his openness to continued diplomacy between the two nations. Would probably see you again very soon," he said. Putin promptly responded with a suggestion that their next meeting be held in Moscow. The unexpected invitation drew smiles from both leaders, with Trump calling the idea interesting." Acknowledging potential backlash at home, Trump admitted he might receive some heat" for such a visit but remained receptive if that could be possible."

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Next time in Moscow" President Putin on the next meeting with President Trump pic.twitter.com/Eomwp1zs7S Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) August 15, 2025

The press event concluded shortly thereafter. Both leaders removed their microphones and walked off the stage, ignoring questions from reporters. In a symbolic gesture of unity, they paused to shake hands before exiting together, signalling a cordial end to the high-stakes discussions.

Although no formal agreement or joint declaration was announced, the overall tone of the meeting suggested cautious optimism. Putin voiced a clear desire to end the war in Ukraine, calling the conflict a tragedy" and affirming he is sincerely interested" in a resolution. He thanked Trump for hosting the summit, describing it as the starting point of resolution" and acknowledging Trumps pragmatism, Trump clearly cares about the prosperity of his nation. But understands Russia has its own interests."

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Trump emphasised that he would soon brief NATO allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the discussions. While he admitted there is no deal until there is a deal," he said the two leaders had identified several areas of common ground.

In a moment that drew attention, Trump referred to Putin by his first name, stating he has always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin. Vladimir." He concluded by expressing optimism for continued progress, Im going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened," he told reporters.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 04:38 IST

News world Putin Proposes Next Meeting In Moscow After Historic Alaska Summit With Trump

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Russia Launches 85 Drones, Missile At Ukraine Hours After Putin-Trump Alaska Talks

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News18.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 19:37 IST

According to Ukraine's air force, the attack involved 85 Shahed-type drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile

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A man rides his bicycle past a destroyed building in Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, on August 15, 2025. (AFP photo)

Russia launched a major aerial assault on Ukraine overnight, just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump concluded high-level talks in Alaska aimed at ending the ongoing war.

According to Ukraines air force, the attack involved 85 Shahed-type drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile.

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The strikes targeted various areas across the country, including the frontline regions, from the evening of August 15 into the early hours of August 16, the same night the Putin-Trump summit took place.

Ukraines air defences successfully shot down 61 of the drones, officials said on Saturday, but several still managed to hit their targets, causing damage and disruption in multiple areas.

The overnight attacks came shortly after the Alaska summit ended without any clear breakthrough in halting Russias invasion, which began in February 2022. While both leaders expressed a desire to move toward peace, no ceasefire agreement was reached.

In addition to the aerial strikes, Russia claimed further advances on the battlefield. Moscows defence ministry announced that its forces had captured the village of Kolodyazi in the eastern Donetsk region. It also claimed control over Vorone in the Dnipropetrovsk region, although Ukrainian-linked monitoring sites indicated that Russian troops were still some distance away from the village.

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Russias war in Ukraine has now lasted for over three years, with large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine remaining under Russian occupation. Thousands of people have been killed, and millions displaced since the conflict began.

(With inputs from AFP)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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Location : Ukraine

First Published: August 16, 2025, 19:37 IST

News world Russia Launches 85 Drones, Missile At Ukraine Hours After Putin-Trump Alaska Talks

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Trump Rules Out Ceasefire In Ukraine, Calls For Broader 'Peace Agreement' After Alaska Talks

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 15:12 IST

After high-stakes talks with Putin, Trump had a late-night call with Zelenskyy and European leaders. Zelenskyy supported a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia.

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Trump is eyeing a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy. (Reuters Image)

US President Donald Trump said his late-night talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went very well", after his successful" meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska, while ruling out an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and instead pushing for a direct peace agreement".

After the high-stakes Alaska summit, Zelenskyy said that he held a long and substantive conversation" with Trump and supported the proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. Zelenskyy said the discussion began as a one-on-one exchange before European leaders were invited to join.

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Taking to Truth Social, Trump said, A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO."

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."

A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO. It was Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) August 16, 2025

Trump also said that Zelenskyy would be coming to Washington DC on Monday afternoon, and if all things work out, they will schedule a trilateral meeting involving Putin, which can save the lives of millions of people.

ALSO READ: If I Have To Do It: Heres What Trump Said On Imposing Secondary Tariffs On India

Alaska Summit

Trump and Putin held their first face-to-face meeting in years to resolve the Ukraine war in Alaska on Friday. The talks did not yield any significant breakthrough for Ukraine, but both leaders said the discussions were productive.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to," Trump said, adding, There are just a very few that are left, some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant."

Trump later said that he would advise Zelenskyy to agree to a peace deal, adding that Ukraine had to make peace. He also said his talks with Putin were 10 out of 10, although he hinted at some minor disagreements.

Zelenskyys Visit To US

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said he would come to the US on Monday and hold discussions with Trump to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war."

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It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America. We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping."

During Zelenskyys last visit to the White House, tensions flared when Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated the Ukrainian leader over the war, accusing him of lacking gratitude after he challenged Vance on diplomacy with Putin.

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

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 14:59 IST

News world Trump Rules Out Ceasefire In Ukraine, Calls For Broader 'Peace Agreement' After Alaska Talks

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Trump Handed First Lady Melanias Letter To Putin At Alaska Summit. Heres What It Said

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Translation Desk

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 13:56 IST

Ukraine accuses Russia of abducting thousands of children, moving them to Russia or occupied areas, a practice Ukraine labels as 'genocide' under international law

Russia claims their actions are intended to protect vulnerable and orphaned children from the war zone. (AP/File)

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for a much-anticipated summit that drew global attention. On Friday, Trump described the talks as productive," citing broad agreement but stressing that no deal exists until the Ukraine war is resolved. In a notable revelation, it was disclosed that First Lady Melania Trump, though absent from the trip, had sent a personal letter to Putin, which Trump personally handed over during the meeting.

According to a Reuters report, Melania Trumps letter expressed her concerns about the plight of children in both Ukraine and Russia. White House officials confirmed that the First Lady, originally from Slovenia, was not part of this trip but felt compelled to address the condition of children affected by the Ukraine conflict.

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While the exact contents of the letter were not disclosed, officials confirmed it specifically addressed the kidnapping of children during the war. This issue has been a long-standing grievance of Ukraine on international platforms.

Ukraine has accused Russia of abducting thousands of children and either relocating them to Russia or holding them in occupied territories, a move the Ukrainian government describes as genocide under international law. The United Nations Human Rights Office also reported that millions of Ukrainian children have faced severe hardships and rights violations since Russias large-scale invasion began in 2022.

Russia claims these actions are intended to protect vulnerable and orphaned children from the war zone, but Kiev and Western nations regard it as a war crime.

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After nearly three hours of talks in Alaska, Trump and Putin made a short appearance before the press, saying only that some progress had been achieved on certain matters. They did not elaborate and avoided taking questions. Trump likewise offered no comments when he returned to Joint Base Andrews in the US.

Despite repeatedly pledging during his campaign and early presidency to swiftly end the Ukraine war, Trump has yet to fulfill that commitment.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 13:56 IST

News world Trump Handed First Lady Melanias Letter To Putin At Alaska Summit. Heres What It Said

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B-2 Bomber Soars Overhead As Trump Shows Off Military Strength While Greeting Putin | Watch

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 08:50 IST

Trump and Putin exchanged a warm handshake and smiles in Alaska, ahead of their high-stakes meeting on the Ukraine conflict. The summit yielded no breakthrough.

A B-2 bomber soared overhead as Trump welcomed Putin in Alaska.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a warm welcome from US President Donald Trump at the red carpet in Anchorage, Alaska, with a handshake and smiles, which set the tone for their three-hour discussion on the future of the Ukraine conflict.

As the two leaders met at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage under a banner reading Pursuing Peace", B-2 bombers and F-22 Raptors roared past overhead, a likely show of American military power. Observers say the bomber was intended to remind Putin of US military power.

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Trump deboarded Air Force One and waited for Putin, who walked towards the US President after getting off his plane. The two leaders shook hands and walked towards the stage with Alaska 2025" written on it as the fleet of B-2 Bomber and F-22 Raptors soared above.

Trump just flew a B-2 stealth bomber over Putins headAbsolutely incredible. pic.twitter.com/2bsnssRv9f  Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) August 15, 2025

The leaders ignored the questions shouted by the reporters. When a reporter asked Putin if he would stop killing civilians, Putin smirked and pointed to his ear. Both leaders left in President Trumps Beast. It is unusual to see the leaders of two superpowers  in this case adversaries  ride in the same limousine.

ALSO READ: Trumps Call To Pause Ukraine War, Putins Moscow Invite: 10 Takeaways From 3-Hour Alaska Talks

What Are B-2 Bombers?

The B-2 Spirit, commonly known as the B-2 stealth bomber, is a groundbreaking aircraft that has served as a cornerstone of American airpower and stealth technology for more than 30 years. First taking to the skies in 1989, the B-2 remains one of the most formidable and survivable strategic bombers in the world.

The aircraft was specifically engineered to penetrate dense and sophisticated enemy air defense systems, allowing it to strike heavily fortified targets with minimal detection risk. It can fly up to 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, and its range can be further extended through aerial refueling, enabling long-duration missions deep into hostile territory.

The B-2 Bombers were recently used when the US military launched an unprecedented attack on Irans nuclear sites in June, as Tehran was embroiled in a conflict with Israel. The strike team of seven B-2 bombers completed a non-stop 37-hour round trip to strike Irans nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, and returned safely to Missouri.

Putin-Trump Talks

Trump and Putin held talks over the Ukraine conflict for nearly three hours, but it produced no agreement to halt the ongoing war but ended with an unexpected invitation for Trump to continue discussions in Moscow.

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The meeting was a sign of renewed US-Russia talks after years of tensions, particularly during Joe Bidens term. Putin publicly stated that the Ukraine war would not have happened if Trump was the president in 2022, instead of Joe Biden.

Trump said he would now consult Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as NATO leaders, who have voiced unease about the US leaders outreach to Putin.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 08:46 IST

News world B-2 Bomber Soars Overhead As Trump Shows Off Military Strength While Greeting Putin | Watch

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Trump Says Xi Jinping Assured Him China Would Not Invade Taiwan During His Presidency

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 18:22 IST

The US President said Xi Jinping assured him China wouldn't invade Taiwan during Trump's term.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping (File Photo)

US President Donald Trump said that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally assured him China would not launch an invasion of Taiwan while Trump is in office. Speaking to Fox News, Donald Trump recalled a conversation in which Xi Jinping promised restraint.

The US President said, He told me, I will never do it as long as youre president.. I appreciate that. But he also said, I am very patient and China is very patient."

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Donald Trump noted the assurance came during a phone call in June- the first confirmed conversation between the two leaders since Donald Trump began his second term in the White House. He had also previously mentioned another call in April, without providing details.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has vowed to bring it under its control, by force if necessary. Taiwan rejects Beijings sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide their future.

Responding to questions, the Chinese Embassy in Washington reiterated that Taiwan remains the most important and sensitive issue" in US-China relations. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu urged the US to adhere to the one-China principle, manage Taiwan-related matters prudently, and safeguard stability across the Taiwan Strait.

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Although the US is Taiwans primary arms supplier and political backer, it does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with the island.

Taiwans government has yet to comment on Trumps remarks. However, Wang Ting-yu, a senior lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, wrote on Facebook that while Taiwan welcomes support from allies, security cannot rely on the enemys promise, nor solely on the help from friends. Strengthening our own defence capability is fundamental."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 18:22 IST

News world Trump Says Xi Jinping Assured Him China Would Not Invade Taiwan During His Presidency

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Trumps Call To Pause Ukraine War, Putins Moscow Invite: 10 Takeaways From 3-Hour Alaska Talks

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 08:12 IST

Alaska Talks: The high-stakes encounter produced no agreement to halt the ongoing war in Ukraine but ended with an unexpected invitation for Trump to continue discussions in Moscow

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin | AP Image

Alaska Talks: US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held their first face-to-face talks in five years on Friday, meeting for nearly three hours at a military base in Alaska.

Trump entered the talks vowing to push for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and a commitment from Putin to meet directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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The high-stakes encounter produced no agreement to halt the ongoing war in Ukraine but ended with an unexpected invitation for Trump to continue discussions in Moscow.

While both leaders left without a breakthrough, the session signalled a tentative restart of US-Russia dialogue after years of strained ties.

The meeting, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage under a banner reading Pursuing Peace," brought together Trump, Putin, and two senior officials each in a three-on-three format.

It was a more guarded setting compared to Trumps controversial 2018 summit with Putin in Helsinki, when the former president was criticised for appearing to side with Moscow over US intelligence agencies.

Alaska Talks: Key Takeaways

No Deal: After the meeting, Trump noted the talks had narrowed differences but produced no resolution. There is no deal until there is a deal," he said, adding that many points were agreed to" while a few remain," with one being the most significant." Trump said he would probably" meet Putin again soon, prompting the Russian leader to respond, Next time in Moscow."

Putin On Alaska Summit: Putin described the meeting as a starting point for resolution," calling the war in Ukraine a tragedy" but insisting the primary causes" must be addressed first. He warned Ukraine and Europe against sabotaging" potential negotiations and agreed with Trumps assertion that the conflict might not have erupted had he remained in office.

Invitation To Moscow: At the end of the joint appearance, Putin switched to English to personally invite Trump to Moscow. Trump called the idea interesting" and a possibility," while conceding he might get a little heat on that one."

Relation Building: Putin thanked Trump for the friendly" tone of the discussion, saying both countries should turn the page and go back to cooperation." He praised Trump as a leader who has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve" while also recognising Russias own national interests.

Statements Without Details: The two leaders delivered short remarks after the meeting but declined to take questions. Putin spoke first, saying only that an understanding" had been reached, without elaborating.

Symbolic Meeting: The location carried weight as Alaska, purchased from Russia in 1867, sits just three miles from Russian territory at its closest point and still serves as a Cold War-era hub for intercepting Russian aircraft. Hosting Putin there gave him a measure of symbolic legitimacy after years of international isolation.

Expanded Meeting Format: Originally billed as a one-on-one, the talks shifted to a larger format. Trump was joined by US Senator Marco Rubio and businessman Steve Witkoff, while Putin brought Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and aide Yuri Ushakov. The adjustment suggested a more cautious approach than in past Trump-Putin encounters.

Putins Notable Gesture: Following the summit, Putin laid flowers at the graves of Soviet pilots who died in Alaska during World War II while ferrying US aircraft to the USSR under the lend-lease program.

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Ukraine And Europe Excluded: Neither Zelenskyy nor European leaders were included in the Alaska talks. Responding afterwards in a video message, the Ukrainian president said he expected a strong position from the US" and stressed Ukraines willingness to work toward peace. But he added the war continues precisely because there is no order, nor any signals from Moscow, that it is preparing to end this war."

Peace Vs Concessions: Trump has repeatedly said Zelenskyy may need to make hard choices" over territorial concessions to secure peace.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 08:12 IST

News world Trumps Call To Pause Ukraine War, Putins Moscow Invite: 10 Takeaways From 3-Hour Alaska Talks

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TTP-Army Confrontation Along CPEC Routes Highlights Pakistans Dual Crisis | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 18:53 IST

Presence of TTP militants has turned this key economic corridor into a battleground, forcing Pakistan to allocate troops away from its conventional fronts to guard CPEC projects

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Pakistans strategic vulnerability has been exposed by the TTPs ability to operate with impunity from within Afghan territory, a situation exacerbated by the Afghan Taliban's refusal to act against the group. Representational image/AFP

An ongoing confrontation between the Pakistan army and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters on the crucial CPEC IslamabadDI Khan (M-14) route highlights Pakistans dual crisis of internal militancy and over-dependence on China. The presence of TTP militants has turned this key economic corridor into a battleground, forcing Pakistan to allocate troops away from its conventional fronts in order to protect CPEC projects.

News18 has accessed exclusive videos showing TTP militants operating and dancing with weapons in the key tribal belts through which the CPEC route passes, a clear sign of their growing confidence and operational control in these areas. This resurgence has been fuelled by a safe haven and ideological guidance provided by al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan, which TTP cadres are allegedly utilising for sanctuary, logistics, and training.

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Pakistans strategic vulnerability has been exposed by the TTPs ability to operate with impunity from within Afghan territory, a situation exacerbated by the Afghan Talibans refusal to act against the group. This has severely strained Pakistan-Afghan relations and limited Islamabads options for a decisive military response.

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Beyond the military confrontation, the TTP is also actively engaging in a campaign of economic warfare. Reports indicate that the group is extorting money from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) contractors, demanding a 5% tax" and threatening workers, machinery, and construction sites. This has added a layer of financial pressure and security risk to the already complex projects.

For China, the security situation is a growing concern. The CPEC projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are high-value targets, and a number of attacks on Chinese engineers, including the deadly Dasu hydropower project incident, have prompted China to express repeated concern. Sources indicate that Chinas security stake in the project is rising, leading it to deploy private security personnel, as a full dependence on the Pakistan army for protection is deemed too risky. For Pakistan, losing operational control in these vital tribal belts has exposed its strategic vulnerability and underscored the fact that its counter-terrorism operations remain incomplete.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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First Published: August 16, 2025, 18:53 IST

News world TTP-Army Confrontation Along CPEC Routes Highlights Pakistans Dual Crisis | Exclusive

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US Ready To Join Security Guarantees For Ukraine, Says German Chancellor Merz

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 23:05 IST

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US is ready to join security guarantees for Ukraine.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. (Reuters file photo)

The United States is prepared to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said. Speaking to German broadcaster ZDF, Friedrich Merz said he and other European leaders had been briefed by US President Donald Trump following his meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The good news is that America is ready to participate in such security guarantees and is not leaving it to the Europeans alone," he said.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet Donald Trump in Washington on Monday. Friedrich Merz said a three-way meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy should follow soon with the goal of reaching a peace agreement.

If that works out, its worth more than a ceasefire," he noted.

Friedrich Merz added that Donald Trump suggested Russia might be willing to negotiate based on the current front lines rather than the wider regional borders Moscow claims.

This is a huge difference because Russia is claiming territories that it hasnt occupied yet," Friedrich Merz told ZDF.

In a separate interview with broadcaster n-tv, Friedrich Merz said he did not expect Mondays Donald TrumpZelenskyy talks to be as contentious as their February meeting, when the two leaders clashed publicly. He said European leaders would speak with Zelenskyy on Sunday to help him prepare.

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Well give a few good pieces of advice," Friedrich Merz remarked.

The chancellor also underlined the importance of US involvement in resolving the conflict, saying, The American president has the power both militarily and via appropriate sanctions and tariffs to ensure that Russia moves more than it currently does."

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Location : Germany

First Published: August 16, 2025, 23:05 IST

News world US Ready To Join Security Guarantees For Ukraine, Says German Chancellor Merz

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Key Points

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing is a key supplier for many of the biggest names in AI.

The company is building production facilities in the U.S.

The stock is undervalued compared to its peers.

10 stocks we like better than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing 

Artificial intelligence (AI) stocks come in all shapes and sizes, which is what makes AI such an attractive investment field. There are several ways to profit from this buildout, but one of my favorites is through the chipmakers.

At the top of the list is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM), the world's leading contract chip manufacturer. TSMC, as it's known, dominates this space and looks to be getting stronger. Despite hitting a 52-week high, I still think it's undervalued and has room to run. It's one of my top stocks to buy now, and if you don't already own shares, it's not too late to pick some up.

Image source: Getty Images.

Taiwan Semiconductor is a critical supplier to many AI companies

Taiwan Semiconductor is a chip fabricator, but it doesn't sell its products on the open market. Instead, it acts as a foundry for fabless chip companies like Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, and Apple. Because of its customer base, it has massive exposure to the artificial intelligence buildout. AI hyperscalers are racing to construct data centers filled with massive processing power to train and run AI models. The chips within these data centers have to come from somewhere, and TSMC is the source of most of these chips.

While some may be concerned about TSMC's location, management is working to diversify its footprint and has plans to spend $165 billion to increase U.S. capacity. This will allow products like Nvidia's GPUs to have chips completely sourced from the U.S., which secures supply chains and sidesteps tariffs.

Taiwan Semiconductor has gone all-in on increasing chip production with heightened demand, and that will pay off for the company in the long term. It is the top partner of choice for many AI companies, and this trend is far from over.

However, the stock has risen 220% since the AI arms race began in 2023. So how does it have room for more?

Taiwan Semiconductor's growth and valuation make the stock look cheap

At the start of 2025, management gave a bold prediction that AI-related revenue would grow at a 45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years, with overall revenue increasing at a 20% CAGR. That's market-crushing growth, yet TSMC's stock trades at about the same valuation as the broader market.
US-Russia Bilateral Trade Grew Since American Regime Change: Putin In Alaska

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Last Updated: August 16, 2025, 18:03 IST

Putin said that trade between Russia and US "grew by 20%" since new government came to power in America.

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Alaska Summit: Putin says trade with US grew under Trump administration (Reuters Image)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that the bilateral trade between the US and Russia started to grow" after the change of administration in America this year.

Putin said that the trade between the two rival countries witnessed a symbolic" growth of 20% since Trump came to power in the US.

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Trump and Putin held an over three-hour-long meeting at a military base in Alaska over the Ukraine conflict on Friday. The Russian President was given a red carpet welcome on the US soil for his first visit to the country since the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine.

When the new administration came to power, the bilateral trade started to grow. Its still very symbolic. Still, we have a growth of 20%. We have a lot of dimensions for joint work. Russia and the US can offer each other so much in trade, digital, high tech, and space exploration," Putin told reporters, as Trump stood silent and smiling beside him.

His remarks came at a time when Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on India for its decision to continue buying Russian oil, alleging that it funds the Russian war machine" in Ukraine, while Washington continues to grow its trade relations with Moscow.

Earlier this month, Trump slapped 25% tariffs on India and an additional 25% levies on Indian imports into the US for its energy and defence ties with Moscow  something which was described by unjustified" by New Delhi. Relations between the two allies strained after Trumps unilateral tariffs and his growing proximity to Pakistan.

After the summit with Putin, Trump indicated that he may not impose additional secondary tariffs on India for buying Russian crude oil.

Well, he lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lotAnd if I did whats called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, Ill do it. Maybe I wont have to do it," Trump told Fox News.

Trump had previously accused India of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it on the open market for big profits".

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India had issued a strong response to the Trump tariffs and called out the US-EU duplicity on the matter, highlighting that America continues to import uranium hexafluoride from Russia for its nuclear industry.

The Ministry of External Affairs had pointed out that the US and EU are still trading with Russia, including their purchase of energy and important goods, even though they spoke publicly against Russias war in Ukraine.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 16, 2025, 17:43 IST

News world US-Russia Bilateral Trade Grew Since American Regime Change: Putin In Alaska

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
Aug 16, 2025 20:15 IST

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday rejected Kenyas appointment of a consul general to the eastern city of Goma, citing a violation of international law and a lack of proper diplomatic process, AP says in a report. Goma is at the epicenter of a conflict between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group. While the source article stated Goma had fallen, the city has been besieged by the M23 but remains under the control of the Congolese government. The diplomatic rejection strains relations between the two nations and complicates regional peace efforts in the mineral-rich area, which is also the subject of heightened tensions between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda, whom the DRC accuses of backing the M23 rebels.
A Canada-based Zimbabwean has lodged a formal complaint against Samuel Leon Private Clinic after her 73-year-old mother, Sinai Kamanga, was discharged with a festering necrotic wound  an injury she did not have at admission.

Sinai was admitted to the clinic from July 3 to July 9, 2025, reportedly suffering from heart failure and sepsis. During her hospitalisation, she received IV infusions and injections as part of her treatment.

However, upon discharge, her family was shocked to discover that she had developed a necrotic, blistered wound  which, according to her daughter Eugenia Kamanga, had worsened dramatically in less than 10 days.

My mother stated that the nurses were very aggressive with needles despite her telling them to stop, Eugenia said.

This is unacceptable and we need answers and possibly sue them. She cannot sleep at night due to pain and tissue damage.

No one at the clinic is taking responsibility for this action. We have medical aid; they collected US$165 upfront and US$55 per night. We paid for unnecessary tests while they tried to figure out what was going on.

The daughter added: We need closure on this grave violation and lack of nursing skills.

Approached for comment, management at Samuel Leon Clinic said they were having communications with the family.

Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe president Ranganai Mubvumbi said they referred the matter to the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ) for further investigation.

It might take a month or two, depending on the complexity of the issue and the number of people who took care of the person, Mubvumbi said.

If you feel the medical council was not fair to you, you can appeal to us; the outcome from the authority will then be revealed at the High Court ruling. Zimbabwe Independent
It may seem to be common sense if you own beachfront property to protect it by building sturdy barriers between your abode and the water, especially as sea levels continue to rise. However, this measure of self-defense is actually contributing to the demise of America's shorelines, because as sea walls are erected, "the beach has nowhere to go ... [so] it vanishes underwater," reports the New York Times . This coastal "armor" put up by homeowners exacerbates so-called passive erosion, or "coastal squeeze," and it has a domino effect, as described by the Times: "When one portion of beach is armored, water can find its way around the barriers to chew at the beach next door ... which means that once one owner puts up a sea wall, neighbors often follow suit." Phys.org notes that coastal squeeze also affects biodiversity and our drinking water.

A study published late last year in the journal Nature Communications showed that about one-third of global coastlines have already seen such a "hardening," and the researchers predict that by the year 2100, more than a quarter of the world's total beaches are "likely to face severe beach loss." Some are pushing backincluding environmentalists, regulators, and surfersand they're using an ancient Roman law from the sixth century AD to back them up. That law, since adapted by the US and other countries, dictates that the sea and "the shores of the sea" are for public use. In the US, that currently means in most states that any patch of beach below the high-tide line should be accessible for free to the public. What it comes down to, per University of Michigan urban planning professor Richard Norton: "Are you going to save the beach house, or do you want to save the beach?" More here.
By Scott Murdoch

(Reuters) -Australia's ANZ Group said on Friday its net loans and customer deposits rose in the third quarter as lending for home purchases and businesses stayed strong, extending a run of growth among major domestic banks.

In a limited quarterly trading update, ANZ said its credit risk-weighted assets edged higher due to growth in its retail bank's home lending, and institutional lending. ANZ does not publish quarterly profit figures, unlike most of its major rivals.

ANZ shares climbed more than 1% to A$32.88 in mid-morning trading, outpacing a 0.2% gain in the benchmark S&P/ASX200.

The Australian economy has held steady. Business surveys are generally upbeat and consumer spending has picked up in the last couple of months as lower borrowing costs and past tax cuts feed through to incomes.

ANZ, Australia's fourth-largest bank by market value, said its common equity tier 1 ratio, a key metric of spare cash, rose by 16 basis points since March to 11.9%.

Mortgage payments in Australia past their due date for 90 or more days rose 4 bps to 88 bps compared to last year, the banking group said in the trading update.

Home loan delinquencies across each of the major Australian banks are considered low, despite high cost of living pressures.

ANZ reported an A$19 billion ($12.35 billion) boost to customer deposits in the quarter, driven by an 8% increase in institutional deposits. Its net loans and advances grew 2%.

Market leader Commonwealth Bank, and Westpac, this week reported lending and deposit growth in their full-year and third-quarter results.

ANZ's chief executive Nuno Matos ordered last week a strategic review into the bank's operations, focused on the integration of Suncorp's banking business into the organisation after its 2024 acquisition.

Suncorp's risk-weighted assets stood at A$34.1 billion at the end of the June quarter, up slightly from the previous quarter, the trading update showed.

Matos, who became chief executive in May, is expected by analysts to deliver a strategic briefing on the bank's outlook before its full-year results are published on November 10.

($1=A$1.5389)

(Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney, Additional reporting by Rishav Chatterjee and John Biju in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
The human ancestor fossil known as Lucy left Ethiopia for display in a European museum, Ethiopian national media reported Friday, citing Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa. Lucy's skeleton, which is 40% complete, left Ethiopia on Friday and will be displayed at the Czech National Museum in Prague for approximately two months, reports the AP . Lucy was recovered in Ethiopia in 1974 from what was an ancient lake near fossilized remains of crocodiles, turtle eggs, and crab claws. She was a member of Australopithecus afarensis, an early human species that lived in Africa between about 4 million and 3 million years ago. This is the second time Lucy has left Ethiopia. The first was in 2013, when she toured the United States.

Lucy's fragmented bones will be exhibited alongside Selam, the fossil of an Australopithecus baby that is about 100,000 years older than Lucy and was discovered in the same region 25 years later. "As an iconic specimen, she belongs to the whole world, so sharing her with the rest of humanity is something that everyone would love to see," said Yohannes Haile-Selassie, director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University.

While many experts believe Lucy's trip to Europe presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people in Europe and beyond, there are safety concerns about the transportation of her fragile bones. "The fragmented bones of Lucy are truly unique and need utmost care. Traveling to Europe has its own risks," said Gidey Gebreegziabher, an archaeologist at the University of Warsaw, Poland. "She will also be exposed to different climate conditions, which could potentially have negative impacts on her preservation." Even in Ethiopia, the public has only occasionally seen the real Lucy. At the National Museum of Ethiopia, a replica of Lucy is exhibited while the actual remains are stored in a secure vault.

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Lucy's quiet departure also raises questions about transparency as many Ethiopianswho take pride in herwere unaware of her journey to Europe. "It's unbelievable! The government appears to be deliberately sidelining its people from the narrative of their own heritage," Gebreegziabher said. Bekele Reta, 43, a resident who lives 164 feet from the museum where Lucy is housed, was unaware of Lucy's departure until he saw it on social media. "It's unfortunate that most Ethiopians only have the opportunity to see her showcased elsewhere," he said.
With starvation fears intensifying in Myanmar's Rakhine state, the UN's World Food Program is warning of a looming "full-blown disaster." Years of conflict, especially since the 2021 military coup, have cratered the economy and left humanitarian agencies scrambling to keep up with surging needs. But conditions in Rakhinea region now largely cut off by military blockades and fightingare particularly grim, the BBC reports. Aid workers report people are becoming more desperate as food becomes more scarce.

In April, a Rohingya father in a Sittwe displacement camp fatally poisoned himself and his family's meal, while in June, a Rakhine family reportedly met the same end. Suicide among the displaced, including an elderly couple last week, has also been linked to hunger and financial ruin. Some Rohingya men not conscripted to fight in the army are volunteering to serve, forgoing pay on the condition that their families are fed, per a Washington Post editorial. Some women go from refugee camp to refugee camp, begging for food or engaging in sex work. Many people who have fled across the border to Bangladesh have the same struggles in camps there.

Farmers have abandoned their crops, fishing is off-limits, and prices have soared, leaving them to survive on boiled taro roots. Meanwhile, international agencies can't access most areas due to the fighting and blockades. After a steep drop in global fundingdown 60% from last yearthe WFP can now reach just one in five of Myanmar's most food-insecure people, per the BBC. Aid to Rakhine was scaled back in March. "People are trapped in a vicious cyclecut off by conflict, stripped of livelihoods, and left with no humanitarian safety net," said WFP's Michael Dunford.
The Trump administration is scaling back its plan to take control of the police department in Washington, DC, after a federal judge pushed both sides to temporarily resolve their differences. Initially, Attorney General Pam Bondi had ordered that the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Terry Cole, would effectively run the Metropolitan Police Department. But following a lawsuit from DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb and a judge's intervention, Bondi revised her directive on Friday: Cole will now serve only as a liaison, rather than as an emergency police commissioner, reports the Wall Street Journal .

The legal tussle began when Bondi's earlier order required the MPD to get Cole's approval for any new policiesa move that DC's attorney general called a recipe for "operational havoc," threatening to usurp local control from Police Chief Pamela Smith and Mayor Muriel Bowser. City leaders argued that the Trump administration's plan would strip DC residents of authority over their own police force, making it a federal agency in practice.

The backdrop is Trump's broader push for federal policing, including deploying the National Guard and suggesting similar interventions in other cities. The administration justifies these steps by citing violent crime in the nation's capital, though Justice Department figures show that DC's violent crime fell 35% last year, marking a decades-long low.

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Bondi's revised order still expects the MPD to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, raising concerns among immigrant communities and other residents. The AG slammed Schwalb on Friday evening, writing on X that he "continues to oppose our efforts to improve public safety" in DC, per the AP. However, Bondi added, "we remain committed to working closely with Mayor Bowser, who is dedicated to ensuring the safety of residents, workers, and visitors." Judge Ana Reyes hasn't yet ruled on all aspects of the takeover, including on how local officers handle undocumented immigrants.
At the Alaska summit on Friday between President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the former hand-delivered a letter to the latternot from himself, but from his wife, Melania Trump. The subject of the Slovenia-born first lady's note: the abductions of Ukrainian children caught up in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to two White House officials who spoke to Reuters. No further details on the letter's contents were offered.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he'll meet US President Trump in Washington on Monday after a Russia-US summit in Alaska ended without an agreement to stop the fighting in Ukraine after 3 1/2 years, reports the AP. Meanwhile, in a reversal only a few hours after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said an overall peace agreement, and not a ceasefire, was the best way to end the war. That statement echoes Putin's view that Russia isn't interested in a temporary truce and instead is seeking a long-term settlement that takes Moscow's interests into account. More:

Zelensky: The Ukrainian leader, who didn't receive an invite to the summit, said he had a "long and substantive" conversation with Trump early Saturday and that he's looking forward to meeting with Trump in DC to "discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war."

The Ukrainian leader, who didn't receive an invite to the summit, said he had a "long and substantive" conversation with Trump early Saturday and that he's looking forward to meeting with Trump in DC to "discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war." Trump: The US president spoke to Fox News' Sean Hannity on Friday after the summit, calling his Putin get-together a "10 out of 10" and a "very warm meeting between two very important countries," per Fox News. "I think we're pretty close to a deal," he added, but "Ukraine has to agree to it."
Flash floods triggered by torrential rains have killed at least 300 people in India and Pakistan and left scores of others missing, officials said Friday, as rescuers brought to safety some 1,600 people from two mountainous districts in the neighboring countries. Flooding began a day earlier in Indian-controlled Kashmir and spread to the north and northwest in Pakistan, triggered by sudden, intense downpours over small areas, per the AP . The floods and subsequent landslides injured dozens of people and forced the evacuation and rescue of thousands of others, particularly in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Such cloudbursts are increasingly common in India's Himalayan regions and Pakistan's northern areas, and experts have said climate change is a contributing factor. In Indian-controlled Kashmir, rescuers searched for missing people in the remote Himalayan village of Chositi after flash floods a day earlier left at least 60 people dead and at least 80 missing, officials said. At least 300 people were rescued Thursday following a powerful cloudburst that triggered floods and landslides, but the operation was halted overnight. Officials said many missing people were believed to have been washed away.

At least 50 seriously injured people were treated at hospitals, many of them rescued from a stream filled with mud and debris. Meanwhile, in northern and northwestern Pakistan, flash floods killed at least 243 people, including 157 who died Friday in the Buner district in northern Pakistan. An official says that dozens of people are still missing and rescue operations were underway. At an emergency meeting, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered his country's disaster-management authority to ensure the evacuation of tourists and all those hit by the floods.

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The latest fatalities bring the total number of rain-related deaths to 556 since June 26, per the National Disaster Management Authority. A study released this week by World Weather Attribution, a network of international scientists, found rainfall in Pakistan from June 24 to July 23 was 10% to 15% heavier due to global warming. In 2022, the country's worst monsoon season on record killed more than 1,700 people and caused an estimated $40 billion in damage. More here.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Saturday he's sending 300 to 400 state National Guard members to Washington, DC, at the president's request to support federal efforts at policing the nation's capital. "West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital," Morrisey, a Republican, said in a statement, the Washington Post reports. Administration officials said the National Guard will focus on protecting federal assets, supporting law enforcement, and serving as a visual deterrent to crime.

The White House said the Guard's role remains unchanged and is intended to create a safe environment for law enforcement. The Trump administration has described the deployments as necessary to address crime, though reports indicate violent crime rates in DC have dropped since 2023. The 800 troops already deployed are all from the DC National Guard, per the New York Times, which the president can call out himself. Governors typically control the National Guard in their states; Trump circumvented that when sending troops to Los Angeles recently, but the issue is being decided in federal court. A judge has forced changes on the administration's plans to run DC police.

It is unclear when exactly the West Virginia National Guard members will arrive, where they will be deployed, or whether other states will follow suit in contributing to the force. The federal government will cover the costs of the deployment, per the Post, and West Virginia Guard members will be provided with equipment and training for the mission. Protesters demonstrated against the takeover on Saturday at the White House and in Dupont Circle, per the Times, carrying signs with messages such as "Trump must go now" and "No Ice! No National Guard!"
Ukrainians living under near daily Russian bombardment in Kyiv watched with astonishment as their country's most important ally rolled out a red carpet in Alaska for the man they blame for over three years of bloodshed. Natalya Lypei, 66, a Kyiv resident, did a double take, the AP reports. But the images flashing on her phone screen were genuine: President Trump greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly on Friday and clapped as his guest approached him after having been escorted into the country for their meeting by four American fighter jets.

Trump also ignored the arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court that has kept him mostly confined at home or in nations that are strong allies. "How can you welcome a tyrant like that?" Lypei asked. The red-carpet treatment, the lack of concrete decisions for Ukraine, and the neglect of the significance of sanctionsa policy that could turn the tide in Kyiv's favorfelt like a betrayal for Ukrainians who have suffered for almost 3 years since Russia's full-scale invasion. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian service members have been killed and wounded, thousands of civilians have died in Russian strikes, and a fifth of the country is under occupation, severing families, properties, and Ukraine's territorial integrity. On Ukrainian social media, memes of Putin and Trump walking down a red carpet strewn with dead Ukrainian bodies were widely shared.

Russian reaction: State media and government officials celebrated the warm welcome and the fact that Trump greeted as an equal a man accused of war crimes. A Foreign ministry spokesperson mocked Western news media just after Putin landed in Alaska. "For three years they told everyone Russia was isolated and today they saw a beautiful red carpet laid out for the Russian president in the US," Maria Zakharova said, per the Guardian. A Channel One morning news bulletin on Saturday highlighted the pomp denied to Putin by other nations since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. "The red carpet and handshakes  are in all global publications and TV channels," a host said, pointing out that it was the first time Trump had met a visiting leader at the airport. The pro-Kremlin tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda described the welcome as a signal of "utmost respect," per the AP.
Angry protesters clashed with police in a town in western Serbia and in the capital of Belgrade on Saturday as tensions soared in the Balkan nation following days of violent demonstrations. Wearing scarves over their faces and chanting slogans against President Aleksandar Vucic, a group of young men threw flares at his Serbian Progressive Party office in Valjevo, some 60 miles from Belgrade. They set fire to the office before clashing with riot police in a downtown area, the AP reports. Officers threw multiple rounds of tear gas and charged at the demonstrators, who hurled bottles, rocks, and flares at them.

Similar clashes erupted on Saturday evening in Belgrade, with police directing tear gas at protesters while battling the protesters who set garbage containers on fire. The protesters in Valjevo turned out to the streets to protest what they say is police brutality. There were no immediate reports on the numbers of injured people in either Valjevo or Belgrade. Serbia has been gripped by protests since November, when a train station canopy collapse killed 16 people. Many blamed the tragedy on poor renovation work resulting from widespread corruption in infrastructure projects.

The student-led protests had been largely peaceful for months, per the AP. The situation has put pressure on Serbia's increasingly autocratic president, who has refused the protesters' demand to call an early parliamentary election. Vucic has accused the protesters of following orders from abroad to "destroy Serbia" and promised a crackdown on the nationwide movement led by university students. The protest in Valjevo drew several thousand people after a video on social media showed a young man from the town being severely beaten by police during a protest earlier this week. It was the second such attack on the SNS party offices this week, after protesters demolished the party headquarters in the northern city of Novi Sad on Wednesday.
Trump, Putin hold face-to-face talks in U.S. Alaska

Xinhua) 09:24, August 16, 2025

Photo taken on Aug. 14, 2025 shows a video camera recorder in front of the sign of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, the United States. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

This is the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries' presidents since 2021.

ANCHORAGE, United States, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held face-to-face talks in Anchorage, the U.S. state of Alaska, on Friday.

The talks are taking place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the city of Anchorage.

Before the talks began, the two leaders arrived separately at the military base by plane, then shook hands and exchanged greetings.

Trump and Putin walked toward a blue stage bearing the large words "ALASKA 2025" and posed for photographs, without taking questions. They then shared the same limousine and rode together to the meeting venue.

The two presidents had initially been expected to meet one-on-one, followed by a broader session with their delegations, according to the White House. However, the opening of the talks revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, joined the summit for three-on-three discussions.

Following their meeting, Trump and Putin are expected to hold a joint press conference.

Kremlin spokesperson said the talks could last at least 6 to 7 hours.

This is the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries' presidents since 2021.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
By Paula Laier and Andre Romani

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian state-run lender Banco do Brasil SA on Thursday reported a 60% slide in second-quarter adjusted net profit, and it announced a sharp cut to its full-year outlook and dividend payout.

Net profit came in at 3.8 billion reais ($702.4 million), below the 5 billion reais expected in an LSEG poll.

"2025 is a year of adjustments for growth acceleration," Chief Executive Tarciana Medeiros said in the earnings statement.

Banco do Brasil, which was the last among Brazil's largest listed banks to release results, posted a return on equity of 8.4%, down from 21.6% a year earlier and 16.7% in the first quarter.

In a separate filing, Banco do Brasil cut its 2025 shareholder payout to 30% of its profit, down from the previous range of 40% to 45%, attributing the move to factors including the results, cash needs and capital projections.

The earnings follow a challenging first quarter, when higher-than-expected delinquency in its key agribusiness loan portfolio and regulatory changes hurt earnings.

The bank's shares have fallen more than 30% since the first-quarter report, which had led the lender to suspend some of its initial 2025 projections.

Banco do Brasil resumed forecasts for those metrics on Thursday, projecting full-year adjusted net profit between 21 billion and 25 billion reais, far below its initial range of 37 billion to 41 billion reais provided at the start of the year.

The mid-point of the fresh range, 23 billion reais, also falls short of the 26.8 billion reais expected by analysts polled by LSEG.

The lender also cut the estimate for its credit portfolio growth to between 3% and 6% this year, from its previous expectation of between 5.5% and 9.5%.

($1 = 5.4101 reais)

(Reporting by Andre Romani and Paula Arend Laier in Sao Paulo; Editing by Kylie Madry and Leslie Adler)
By Lucila Sigal

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -The joint operators of Argentina's Veladero gold mine, Barrick Gold and Shandong Gold, are seeking to add a $400 million project to a new government regime designed to attract large investments.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The project, submitted to Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Scheme (RIGI), aims to boost the mine's output by 1.6 million ounces over its useful life through a $400 million investment between 2025 and 2028, company sources told Reuters on Thursday.

CONTEXT

The application was submitted to Argentina's Economy Ministry in early August, though the details were not disclosed until Thursday. The project is managed by the joint venture formed in 2017 after Shandong Gold acquired a 50% stake in the mine from Barrick Gold.

The RIGI framework, which went into effect last year, is a key part of libertarian President Javier Milei's economic reforms aimed at boosting investment. It provides companies with tax, customs and foreign-exchange benefits, as well as guaranteeing legal stability for 30 years.

Gold was Argentina's primary mining export last year, accounting for 68% of the sector's total shipments with a value of $3.14 billion, according to data from the country's mining secretariat. High metals prices drove the performance, with silver and lithium ranking as the next largest exports.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Veladero mine produced 504,000 ounces of gold last year and forecasts output of 380,000 to 440,000 ounces for 2025. The mine, located at an altitude of about 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) in the Andes, has been in operation since 2005.

The proposed investment aims to fund the construction of new mining phases, which will add 89.2 million tons of capacity for stockpiling and processing new ore.

WHAT'S NEXT

The project is projected to add $3.8 billion in export revenue over its lifespan through 2033, the sources said. The Veladero mine currently employs 3,800 people, with 91% of the workforce hired from the local San Juan province.

(Reporting by Lucila Sigal; Writing by Benjamin Mejias Valencia; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
HNI Corporation (NYSE:HNI) is one of the best small cap low volatility stocks to invest in. On August 5, Benchmark Co. analyst Reuben Garner maintained a Buy rating on HNI Corporation (NYSE:HNI) and set a price target of $60.00.

Is HNI Corp. (HNI) The Best Boring Stocks to Buy?

A worker in a warehouse packaging a modern storage furniture.

The rating update came after HNI Corporation (NYSE:HNI) announced on August 4 that it entered into a definitive agreement with Steelcase Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, HNI Corporation (NYSE:HNI) would acquire Steelcase in a cash and stock transaction, with a total consideration of approximately $2.2 billion to Steelcase common shareholders.

HNI Corporation (NYSE:HNI) provides workplace furnishings and residential building products. Its operations are divided into the Residential Building Products and Workplace Furnishing segments.

The companys brand portfolio includes Beyond, HON, Kimball, HBF Textiles, HNI India, and more.

Through its export subsidiary, HNI Corporation (NYSE:HNI) exports certain products to North America, principally Latin America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

While we acknowledge the potential of HNI 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.
Crypto company initial public offerings are coming hard and fast right now.

On Wednesday, Peter Thiel-backed crypto exchange Bullish made its market debut by securing $1.1 billion after the stock surged 228% to $118, giving it a $10 billion market cap on the first day of trading.

It joined other crypto companies, including Galaxy Digital and Circle, that have gone public this year.

The IPO made up the bulk of the $1.2 billion raised by crypto companies since August 8, according to DefiLlama. That brings the total raised by industry players in 2025 to $14.4 billion, 51% more than they did in 2024.

And more could come, partially thanks to successful IPOs like Bullishs.

Having seen these public IPOs or acquisitions at higher valuations, people now have the proof points to invest with a level of confidence in early-stage, real-world blockchain companies that they may not otherwise have had in the past, Michael Martin, director at Ava Labs incubator Codebase, told DL News earlier in August.

Martin and other investors have said that they expect the industry to raise $25 billion in 2025.

The wave of public listings comes amid growing optimism in the crypto industry.

They have reason to be hopeful.

This year has seen Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies hit new records, the Trump administration push through new crypto-friendly regulations, and Wall Street embrace blockchain-based projects like never before.

In short, the market conditions couldnt be better for crypto companies to go public.

Investors have an incentive for them to go public, as it would enable the backers to cash in on their investments.

Many VCs and private equity firms have held these positions for years, Kat Liu, vice president at IPO research firm IPOX, told Reuters.

And its not just crypto companies that are going public. There have been over 200 IPOs on US exchanges so far this year, according to StockAnalysis data.

Heres a small sample of crypto companies that have either announced or are reported to go public in the near future.

Gemini

In June, the Winklevii finally filed to go public.

Gemini, the crypto exchange run by Bitcoin billionaires Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, announced on June 6 that it had confidentially filed to go public with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Its one of the initial steps many companies take before they go public.

So far, the details of the IPO  the when and for how much  remain non-public.

Still, the announcement capped years of hints that Gemini would go public, stretching as far back as 2021.

BitGo

In July, BitGo, one of the industrys largest crypto custodians, said it planned to go public in the US in a filing with regulators.
Hundreds of cars streamed through Paterson's water distribution site at Ralph Marcantonio Park on North 8th Street on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. Richard Cowen/NJ Advance Media for NJ.Com

The Passaic Valley Water Commission on Friday lifted the boil water advisory for parts of Paterson, though it remains in effect in Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park.

The commission estimates that tap water is now safe to drink for about 77,000 Paterson customers in an area south of Broadway, east of Spruce Street, and west of Route 20.
The weekend forecast for New Jersey calls for warm, humid and sunny weather with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Forecasters are tracking Hurricane Erin, now a category 4 storm, which is expected to remain far off the East Coast, but could bring dangerous surf and rip tides to the Jersey Shore next week. National Weather Service

A warm and humid weekend is ahead for New Jersey, with scattered thunderstorms possible Saturday afternoon and Sunday, primarily in northwestern areas of the state.

Temperatures will climb close to 90 degrees, with potential for brief downpours and localized flooding.
New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD) is one of the Best Gold Mining Companies to Buy Now. On August 1, Canaccord increased the price target on New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD) stock from $5.99 to $6.53, maintaining its Buy rating.

Jeremy Hoy from Canaccord raised the price target on New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD) following the strong Q2 FY2025 results. The company posted revenue of $308 million and adjusted earnings per share of $0.11. The analyst remains positive on New Gold following a record FCF of $63 million in Q2, with Rainy River contributing the highest quarterly FCF of $45 million. The increase in FCF at Rainy River was driven by increased production and processing of higher-grade open-pit ore.

Canaccord Increases PT on New Gold Stock from $5.99 to $6.53, Maintains Buy Rating

Aerial view of a precious metals mine in operation, its machinery extracting gold and silver from the earth.

Hoy believes that the increase in FCF will underpin further share price outperformance as the company delivers on near-term production growth. New Gold has also made notable progress on the C-Zone cave construction at New Afton, which remains one of the top-producing mines for the company.

New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD) is a Canadian gold mining company that is engaged in the development and operation of mineral properties. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits.

While we acknowledge the potential of NGD 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.
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One of the last living WWII death march survivors, Lafayette man honored on 104th birthday
We recently published 10 Stocks With Whopping 11-97% Upside. Capri Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:CPRI) is one of the best-performing stocks on Wednesday.

apri Holdings rallied for a second day on Wednesday, soaring 12.28 percent to end at $22.03 apiece, after investment firm JPMorgan turned bullish on the company.

In a market note, JPMorgan upgraded Capri Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:CPRI) to overweight from neutral on expectations of a sequential growth in revenues, as well as gross and operating margins, amid ongoing strategies and efforts for the Michael Kors brand by rolling out new designs, selling items at a full price, and cutting back on discounts.

Additionally, JPMorgan turned optimistic about the companys 25-percent decline in the number of Michael Kors stores, saying that it would help make the brand more exclusive and profitable.

Growth is also expected to come from higher prices to offset tariffs and its deal to sell the underperforming brand Versace.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 ending June, Capri Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:CPRI) said it swung to an attributable net income of $53 million from a $14 million net loss in the same period last year. Total revenues, however, were lower by 6 percent to $797 million from $848 million year-on-year.

Capri Holdings (CPRI) Soars 12% as Analyst Turns Bullish

For the full fiscal period, the company is targeting revenues of $3.375 billion to $3.45 billion, with the Michael Kors brand accounting for the bulk, or $2.8 billion to $2.875 billion.

In the second quarter alone, total revenues were pegged at $815 million to $835 million.

While we acknowledge the potential of CPRI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) -China's Ant Group said relevant procedures regarding its acquisition of Bright Smart Securities & Commodities Group are moving forward as planned, in response to a report that said the deal may face higher regulatory scrutiny and could be delayed.

Shares of Bright Smart dropped as much as 26.2% to HK$10.26 on Friday after the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the deal could be delayed as more mainland Chinese regulators contemplate reviewing the proposal.

Hong Kong-based Bright Smart also said in a filing on Friday that it had noticed media reports suggesting a possible delay of the acquisition and that the relevant procedures with regard to the deal with the relevant authorities were progressing as planned.

Ant agreed to buy a 50.55% controlling stake in Bright Smart Securities for HK$2.81 billion ($359.37 million), according to a filing by the brokerage in April.

Ant was founded by billionaire Jack Ma and is 33% controlled by Alibaba. It operates China's ubiquitous mobile payments app Alipay.

Chinese authorities pulled the plug on Ant's $37 billion IPO in Shanghai and Hong Kong in 2020 and cracked down on Ma's business empire soon after a speech in Shanghai in October that year accusing financial watchdogs of stifling innovation.

That subsequently led to a forced restructuring of Ant and a nearly $1 billion fine by Chinese regulators. Ant is in the process of securing a financial holding company licence, which, once obtained, could facilitate the revival of its IPO goal.

($1 = 7.8192 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Ziyi Tang, Ryan Woo and Donny Kwok)
The month of August is "hell" for Nicole Reveliotis.

A month that once was when she proudly sent her autistic 10-year-old boy, Logan Ruiz, off to school is now, and has been since 2022, a month where she mourns his passing.

In his honor, Logan's Love will host its third annual Autism Walk Aug. 24 at Dyer's Central Park to raise awareness and money for autism in Northwest Indiana. Organizers expect it to be their biggest event yet.

"I think maybe that's why I do the walk (in August) because it brings something beautiful out of it," Reveliotis said. "School time comes, and it kills me because here's another year he's not here. And I don't know what he would look like, or how much he would change... This would be his last year of middle school, and he missed all of it. August is a very hard month for me. But every holiday is."

Registration begins at noon with walkers scheduled to step off at 1 p.m. The event is free for all participants.

Reveliotis founded Logan's Love after her son died in a train accident on Aug. 27, 2022. He was completely nonverbal and experienced elopement, a side effect of autism that causes children to wander away from caregivers or secure locations.

Since then, Reveliotis has made it her life's work to spread awareness about autism. And she knows she's just scratching the surface of what Logan's Love can do for Northwest Indiana.

"I will forever do this for Logan," Reveliotis told The Times at Logan's Love sensory Easter egg hunt in April. "This means everything to me. My son means everything to me."

The location for this year's autism walk is new for the organization and features a paved path for participants. At the park, there will be yard games, food trucks, resource tables, a DJ, raffles, prizes and giveaways. And it's extra special this time around  Dyer was Logan's hometown.

Registrants can also check out the Crown Point Mobile Sensory Hub, a place where overstimulated participants can visit for a brief respite from the environment.

Logan's Love will coordinate a balloon release in Logan's memory, too.

"I try to make it perfect, and I want to make it fun for all the kids and see the smiles," Reveliotis said. "The same smiles that Logan would have."

The organization has already raised more than $13,500 ahead of the walk, largely through crowdsourced donations. All proceeds from the walk will be used to improve safety for the autism and special needs community in Northwest Indiana.

The growth of Logan's Love over the last three years has amazed the people responsible for it, including Georgianne Glavas, a woman who knows Reveliotis through church and who now serves as a committee member for Logan's Love.

"We are absolutely awestruck," Glavas said. "We are overwhelmed. We are excited."

No matter how they describe it, the walk is set to be the highest attended Logan's Love event  and there's no sign of slowing down.

"This is something that Northwest Indiana needs," Glavas said. "It's just beautiful how everybody embraces everybody."

Logan's Love is also responsible for donating more than 450 "Ben's Blue Bags," an idea founded by Crown Point Fireman Matt Kodicek, whose son has autism. The bags include various sensory items first responders can use to help communicate with individuals who have autism or special needs. Logan's Love has plans to donate more bags in the coming months, with the goal of equipping every single first responder agency in the county with sensory bags.

The nonprofit has helped to make Dyer a Project Lifesaver town. Project Lifesaver is a program that provides ankle or wrist transmitters that send locations to emergency responders to help protect at-risk people with elopement or who are prone to wandering off. Logan's Love's goal is to make every municipality in the county a Project Lifesaver town.

For directions on how to donate or register for the walk, visit logansloveloganspeaks.com.
Calif. Texas

In a Wider Redistricting War, Republicans Have an Advantage

The aggressive push by President Trump and Republicans in Texas to flip as many as five congressional seats by drawing new maps ahead of the midterm elections threatens to set off a nationwide redistricting arms race. But it is Republicans who have a clear advantage over Democrats in the total number of states that could redraw their maps.

The process of drawing new legislative maps  which is typically done at the beginning of every decade, after the census  varies from state to state. And not every state has the right conditions to participate in the emerging redistricting battle.

Redrawing a map in the middle of the decade without a court order is likely a highly partisan affair, requiring one party to control both the governors mansion and the statehouse. The state must have seats that could be drawn into a partisan advantage without running afoul of Voting Rights Act protections for communities of color. And it must also be one where the legislature holds the power to draw the maps.

Heres how the list of states that could consider redistricting gets narrowed down.

States must have single-party control

15 with

Democratic control 26 with

Republican control

Note: States with single-party control include those with trifecta governments  where a single party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of state legislature  or a veto-proof supermajority in the state legislature.

As the country has become more polarized, trifectas  when one party has control over the governors office and both chambers of the legislature  have become more common. Republicans currently hold 23 trifectas, while Democrats hold 15.

In rare cases, control of the legislature alone can give a party complete control over the redistricting process, either through specific state laws or through a supermajority, which enables the legislature to override a governors veto.

For example, in Kentucky, which has a Democratic governor, the Republican supermajority functions largely as a trifecta because it needs only a simple majority to override the governors veto.

In North Carolina, Republicans are a few votes shy of a supermajority in one chamber but still control the redistricting process because the states congressional maps are not subject to veto and therefore can be passed by a simple majority in the legislature.

States must also have split representation

8 Democratic 15 Republican

While some highly polarized states are willing to join the redistricting fray, many are limited by simple math: They need a seat held by the opposing party that could be flipped through redistricting.

States with just one congressional seat  Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming  have no way to change the map; its just the states borders.

In other states, one party controls all the congressional seats, leaving no room to maneuver. This is true of Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Rhode Island, which have all-Democratic delegations, and Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah and West Virginia, which have all-Republican delegations. (Although New Hampshire has an all-Democratic delegation, Republicans currently control its state government.)

Even where it looks as if a seat could be flipped, there are restrictions on how maps may be drawn. The federal Voting Rights Act requires states to preserve the rights of minority communities, effectively limiting the legislatures ability to gerrymander. And in many states, there are simply too many voters from the opposing party to completely eliminate their representation in Congress, no matter how ruthlessly the lines are drawn.

And their legislatures must also draw the map

3 Democratic 15 Republican

So lets focus on states where one party has complete control of government but the opposing party holds some congressional seats. Can they start drawing new maps?

Not exactly.

In some states, an independent commission, rather than the legislature, draws the legislative map. These commissions were created, in many cases by referendum, to reduce the role of partisan politics from the redistricting process  essentially, to prevent the kind of gerrymandering that both parties are now considering.

Nine states have some form of redistricting commission: five Democratic trifecta states, two states with divided government, and two Republican trifecta states.

Congressional redistricting procedures, by state Legislature-dominant Commission-drawn Hybrid None

In response, some Democratic states have embarked on efforts to work around their commissions.

In California, where voters approved an independent commission in 2010, Democratic leaders are moving to amend the State Constitution to empower the legislature to redraw the maps to head off Texas redistricting threat. That amendment process, if successful, could conclude in time for new maps to be installed before the 2026 midterms.

Democrats in New York have also threatened to change the states Constitution to disband its independent commission, in place since 2014. But because of a different state law, that change would not take effect until after the midterms.

The other Democratic trifecta states with a commission, Colorado, New Jersey and Washington, have not moved or pledged to return the redistricting power to the legislature.
The community of Eglish / Drumcullen gave a heartfelt send-off to their shepherd of many years, Fr John Moorhead in Rath Church last week.

At the age of 84 and having served as PP in Eglish / Drumcullen since January 1992, Fr John is retiring from the PP position, but he will remain in the parish and will be able to participate in liturgy if he wishes to.

Originally from Girley, Kells he was born on the 21st of September 1940. He was educated in UCD and the Gregorian College Rome.

He was ordained in Trim on the 6th of January 1980 by Bishop John McCormack and since then served in the following parishes: Trim, Kingscourt, Dunshaughlin, Mullingar, Kilcormac (Mountbolus) and Eglish / Drumcullen.

The retirement mass in Rath Church was attended by 14 clergy including the Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan. Fr Michael Meade, PP, officiated. The Chairperson of the Parish Committee Bernadette Spain told the Tribune that thankfully the parish will not be left without a shepherd following Fr John's stepping down and will be looked after by Fr Meade.

In his homily Fr Meade told the congregation that the mass was an opportunity to express a sense of thanksgiving for Fr John's life of dedication and service to the Parish. For the last 33 years he had overseen countless baptisms, weddings and funerals. Fr Meade named the names and dates of Fr John's first baptism, first wedding and first funeral in the parish.

I've been reading the autobiography of Pope Francis," he continued. "In the prologue Pope Francis speaks about journeys; he speaks about journeys of hope; he speaks about the journeys of those who came before us, those who are journeying now with us, and the journeys of those who will follow us.

Fr Meade said the priesthood is very much a public journey, frequently lived out in the public eye. From the moment you are ordained, from the moment of the laying on of hands, each priest embarks on this very public journey, a journey full of challenges and rewards. Fr John's journey since he was ordained 45 years ago has been a very active and fulfilling one. Of course it is filled with countless memories, many of them happy, many of them sad.

Fr Meade said we all possess something of the characteristics of Martha and Mary in our characters. Sometimes, like Martha, we have no time to sit and listen; at other times, like Mary, we are willing to sit and listen. We are like Mary this evening because we are willing to sit and listen in this church, we are able to give thanks for the service of someone who has shared in our lives. Of course Mary's approach is the better one. No one could take away this disposition, this way of being, from her. Likewise, no one could take away Fr John's good characteristics from him, including his loyal presence, his wonderful and great witness, his hope and endurance. Fr John is a very learned man. His knowledge is immense, encyclopedic. If you want to engage in a debate with Fr John it is best that you prepare very thoroughly! In spiritual matters he is very knowledgeable. I know John very well, ever since I served with him as a Curate in Kingscourt many years ago and, like you, I have many great stories about him and many fond memories.

Fr John had a number of gifts but his greatest gift was his priesthood and for the last 33 years, with this gift he has accompanied the parishioners in their journeys of life and faith.

Bishop Deehinan also offered a word of thanks for Fr John's ministry in this and other parishes. The Bishop said Fr John was very proud of driving the renovation of a couple of churches under his care, including the church in Rath. His homilies were also very interesting and very well researched. It is very clear tonight, because of your excellent turnout, that Fr John is a very important part of your community. I want to thank you, the community for all your assistance for John during the practice of his ministry throughout the last 33 years. Ad multos annos. Fr John received a round of applause from the congregation.

During the Prayers of the Faithful Fr John's deceased family members were remembered, especially his parents, Philomena and Fred, sister Rosemary, and brothers Richard and George.

Bernadette Spain, addressing the congregation, remembered Fr John's many kind acts over the 33 years, including many visits to the sick and elderly, the lonely, the young and old; she remembered his neverending support for the school in Rath and its pupils.

Noel Quegan then presented Fr John with an engraved chalice and Colin Horan presented him with a framed portrait of Pope Leo.

Afterwards everyone went across the road to the hall for refreshments and a chat.
Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) is one of the Best Gold Mining Companies to Buy Now. On August 11, CIBC upgraded the rating on Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) from Neutral to Outperform, keeping the price target at $30.01.

Anita Soni from CIBC raised the rating on Barrick stock following strong Q2 FY2025 results. Barrick Mining reported robust earnings per share, reaching $0.47, the highest since 2013. The increase in earnings was driven by higher production across the board, with gold output soaring 5% and copper production rising by 34% sequentially.

CIBC Upgrades Rating on Barrick Mining Corporation from Neutral to Outperform, Keeps PT at $30.01

A close-up of the company's gold bars and certificates of authenticity, lit up by a spotlight.

Barricks gold group performance was driven by Nevada Gold Mines, with production increasing 11% quarter-over-quarter. Pueblo Viejo also recorded a 28% production increase, influenced by progress on the expansion. The companys copper production is growing and now expects to reach the upper end of the full year guidance range.

Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B) engages in the exploration, development, production, and sale of mineral properties. The company explores for gold, copper, silver, and energy materials.

While we acknowledge the potential of B 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.
The Geometric Landscape by Lorenz Stoer (1567)

In his Substack, A.I. is tearing through the fabric of everything that actually means something to us, Alistair Alexander shared his neighbor Monika Jiang's question, What is your relationship to A.I.?

My first response was personal: I can get hostile when I interact with A.I.s (i.e., when a robot reports that my insurance won't pay for blood tests). This is a problem, since 1) the hostility only reaches me; and 2) researching, checking my bank account or finding a plumber increasingly means interacting with A.I.s.

The more I interact with screens and robots, the more my curiosity about inner truths, other people and wildlife becomes harder to hold. I lose my patience and sense of humor. I focus on how much in the world does not work. I can't see the point of life.

Psychiatrist Keith Sakat has seen 12 people hospitalized this year after they lost touch with reality because of A.I.

I also think about A.I.s global implications. Every A.I. (and Internet) request involves water, extractions, smelting, fossil fuels, intercontinental shipping, electromagnetic radiation emissions, laborers working in slavery or near-slavery conditions, toxic waste, wildlife habitat losses, fire hazards and much more. The invisibility of these issues does not stop them.

On July 23, 2025, President Trump declared that artificial intelligence will play a critical role in how Americans of all ages learn new skills, consume information, and navigate their daily lives. In Winning the Race, America's AI Plan, The White House envisions that the FCC will evaluate whether state AI regulations interfere with the agency's ability to carry out its obligations outlined in the Communications Act of 1934. Already, the FCC has issued rulings regarding AI-generated robocalls and political advertising.

None of this stops translators, political analysts and teachers I know from admiring A.I. or engaging it. Since the release of ChatGPT, researchers across many disciplines now use AI-generated text to help them write papers.

I remind myself that I live in a biosphere. Life evolves from cycles of heating and cooling and drying and moistening. Water cycles and nutrient-dense soil provide.

SOME CONSEQUENCES

J.P. Hill writes, A.I. isn't curing isolation, it's driving us crazy.

An expert predicts that when A.I-generated data is used as evidence, it's frighteningly likely that many US courts will overlook AI errors.

In Texas, where A.I. data centers daily use 463 million gallons of water, residents are told to take shorter showers.

Researchers explain that A.I. prohibits sustainability. Two design strategies impose A.I. use in personal and professional contexts, make it harder to resist using A.I., and will inevitably lead to environmental harms. The researchers also discuss opportunities for regulating A.I.

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Ignorance is a demonic possession

Karl Marx

My Americans are not stupid. But ignorant

Gore Vidal

You know what? Even a hardened criminal can retain a sense of honor. But here ( in the west- M.U) there is a lot of honest people, who had lost the sense of honor entirely. They thus do dishonorable things all the time, without knowledge, out of the goodness of their hearts

F. Dostoevsky, Winter Notes on Summer Impressions, 1858

.. the sad account of fore- bemoaned moan

Which I new pay as if not paid before..

W. Shakespeare, Sonnet 30

..all morons hate when you call them moron..

J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

-You are ignorant, right?

- Of course!

Mickhail Bulgakov , Master and Margerite

The Church is in the world, it is part of the suffering of the world, and though, Christ condemned the disciple who struck off the ear of the high priests servant, our hearts go out in sympathy to all who are moved to violence by the suffering of others. The Church condemns violence, but it condemns indifference more harshly. Violence still can be the manifestation of love but not indifference. The former is a limited mercy, the latter is unlimited egoism. In the days of fear, doubt, and confusion, the simplicity and loyalty of one apostle advocated a political solution. He was wrong, but I would rather be wrong with Saint Thomas than right with the cold and craven. Let us go up to Jerusalem and die with Him.

Graham Green, The Comedians.

We take from history not ashes, but fire.

Jean Jaures

1. Introduction. American Ignorance is like American Coffee.

In the movie Moscow on the Hudson, the Russian defector loses consciousness when looking at the variety of coffee types in the supermarket. In his country he had only one type expensive and rare. But you know what? It was a good one. ALL types of coffees he saw were bad. Really bad.

I live in this country for more than 30 years. I drank coffee in different cities, in different states , in different coffee- shops. I was invited to homes, drank coffee in the hotels and bars. I drank it in New Orleans and Seattle, New York and San- Francisco. I drank the machine made and just brewed. I drank already ground and from the beans. It was all bad. Really bad. Horrible. It was not a coffee , but a dirt- colored liquid. The last time I drank good coffee was in Italy in Y2001.

American ignorance is exactly the same as coffee. It is of different types and in different packages. It penetrates everything and everywhere like the hydrogen corrosion. It covers every state, every city, every town with a layer thick enough to put it on a sandwich. It appears on every screen, on every page, on every site. It is truly an American phenomena and everyone is affected. Like hypocrisy it had become a part of the American biological character. It is in the blood. Fox News, Truth Social, Newsmax, Breitbart, etc.- are perpetual liars. They lie all the time. And their popularity is soaring. Ignorance works.

2. Intermission- the Solution.

When I asked on OEN if the article on the American Ignorance would help the goal to organize the writers to transform the world, the answer from one commenter was, Only if you offer a solution. OK. Ignorance is a demonic possession. Exorcism is a solution.

3. Examples.

Russian poet Alexander Block ( Google him) said once, that small flames of art show us the great fire of life. The examples I will line up here may seem trivial. But like in the drop of water, you can see in them the moronic evil (credit to Stephen King) of ignorance, its demonic influence and irreparable damage it begets.

3.1 The matter of rice.

Zohar Mamdani eats rice with his fingers. He is of Hindu descent from Uganda Hindus. One NOname Congressman came out with a scathing statement about Zohar being non-civilized, etc., etc. His opinion was published. It was discussed. It was considered. The Noname got his 15 minutes of fame and whoever uses him and his services was happy with him.

In her memoirs famous ballerina Maya Plisetskaya ( Google her) describes her visit to India, when its Prime Minister was Javaharlal Nehru. Neruh was one of the most educated and intelligent people in the world. They had a great state dinner; at that dinner Neruh sat in front of the ballerina and ate rice with his fingers. When he saw her surprise, he said , To eat this rice with the cutlery is the same as to make love through the interpreter. I wonder why nobody during the discussion of the Mamdani rice issue had ever mentioned Neruh as an example.

Here is something else about cutlery. In 1854, right before the Crimean War ( Google it), English and French press was euphoric about the Turkish foreign minister Reshid-Pasha. They wrote, Reshid is the most civilized person in the Turkish divan. He eats while seating on the chair at the table and uses cutlery Turned out, that guy, besides foreign affairs, was also engaged in the most profitable women- slave trade from Caucasus to the Turkish harems. He was personally interested in English and French to push Russians from the Black Sea because Russian fleet stopped and confiscated all slave trade ships. We will return to the topic of Crimea later. Here we can see that the connection of cutlery to the issue of being civilized Is rather old and been already put to rest long ago.

Thus what we can see here is petty ignorance on behalf of the civilized media both in the area of decency and in the area of cultural knowledge of the people and nations. In short, our media was caught with their pants down, although in reality there had been no pants whatsoever.

3.2. The matter of Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya.

One rather well- known Democratic strategist wrote an article in which he called one lunatic lady Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya of the GOP. Such behavior towards the national hero of another nation would be considered an insult. If that strategist would have used Joan DArc instead of Zoya K. , France would have officially protested. I wrote an article on that on OEN. Zoya was a young Russian volunteer during the first months after June 22, 1941. She was captured on a mission by the German field regiment, mercilessly tortured and hanged publicly. Stalin ordered the soldiers of that regiment to not to be taken prisoner. Zoya is revered in Russia very much.

In this case ignorance is malicious. The strategist here was indifferent (see the Graham Greens quote at the heading). He just did not care for the people he insulted. In my article I suggested instead of Zoya K, to use Mercy Lewis ( Google her), one of the infamous Salem Witch accusers, the one who , unlike some of the others like her, turned out to be really evil. But I doubt if that strategist ever knew about Mercy Lewis.

3.3 The Comedian

One of the very popular US comedians has a weekly show , where he invites politicians, etc. He thinks very highly of himself as an apostle of common sense. In reality his ignorance is en par with his arrogance. He postulates himself as an anti- communist and anti- socialist while knowing nothing about either. When he touches the subject, it is like he quotes from the Socialism for idiots. He is especially stupid when he describes Soviet Russia ( there he lies about everything) or the current Russia ( here he lies in about 90% of cases). It should be just funny, but unfortunately, his guests do the same thing and it becomes a bacchanalia of malicious ignorance and mediocrity.

3.4 The matter of harpies

In one of my old articles I called some of the Obama women in the White House harpies. Then someone called Hillary Clinton also that way. Some serviceman from the democratic media decided to protect Hillarys virginity by writing the rebuff: he mentioned my article, then meticulously described who harpies were and proceeded to explain why it was so bad to call Hillary that way. Seriously? It would be just easier to mention the great phrase from the funny American play The man, who came to dinner ( Google it),

- -Who are those two harpies, standing there like a kiss of death?

In this case we deal with the butt- kissing ignorance: the media guy wanted to show his loyalty. He counted on being rewarded. Such behavior is described in detail by Dostoevsky in his Winter Notes.

Winter Notes is a remarkable work. I doubt if it had been ever translated. Dostoevsky travelled through Western Europe and especially through France of Napoleon III. In his brilliant article The 18th of Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte Karl Marx ( read it, Google him) described the rise of Napoleon III. Lo and behold, similarities with Trump are striking, though Napoleon III was smarter and bigger as a person than Trump and his cabinet combined. But Dostoevsky noticed the unlimited butt- kissing of the French press towards Napoleon III, down to the total absurdity, like praising his equestrian prowess , although the Emperor hated riding on horseback and people knew that. Dostoevsky attributed that to the dishonorable behavior he wrote about. Now, in the US that manifests itself in the avalanche of flattery towards Trump, portraying him as a man of action, making coins in his honor and praising him as a patron in arts. Unlike Napoleon III , Trump really likes that flattery and as such that hardy Hillary loyalist, I am sure, is now somewhere among the Trumpists. They are all of that kind.

3.5The Big One

The Declaration of Independence is a remarkable document and it served its purpose. But it is totally misleading. The English king (Google him) was not a tyrant and those accusations were meaningless. Yes, the people were subjects of the English Crown but all the power was in the hands of the Parliament. The king only signed the documents. It was the Parliament that was the tyrant. It treated the colonist no better or worse than it treated all white people throughout the Empire. Moreover, the wealthy colonists profited immensely from the recent French-Indian war which the English army won for them. Thus the declaration was also full of ingratitude. But if the colonists were not misleading, they could not claim that they rebelled against the tyranny. That simple.

3.6.Science

Science is the third most abused word in the US after love and Jesus. In fact, there is no such thing as science. There are all kinds of sciences- from natural to humanitarian and there is a scientific method: imagination and experiment. But in the US science had become a lollipop. We are still on the old British imperial system of measurements and Jesus is the still the best mathematician. Thats why Trump still fights against numbers. Isaak Asimov once said,

- In the US your ignorance is equal to my wisdom.

One of the most astounding examples of ignorance here is the myth about 1.5C Earth Surface Temperature increase. ( Google it). Even NOAA specifies that there is no way to measure the Earth Surface temperature and even much less reliability can be assigned to its change. It is a sort of a drift relevant to the reference points of the averaged temperatures and uncertainties are on the same levels as the values themselves. Not that I am against the Global warming- it takes place. But to use the pure simulated value as a criteria is ignorant, to say the least. Jesus becomes the best climate scientist and it shows.

4.Cause and Effect: ignorance and Lie

In the very good book, The Three Musketeers ( Google it and read it again), Planchet, the valet of DArthangan says to his master,

-You can always refer to me and say that I lied. We, common people, are allowed to lie. Noble people cant lie.

Yes. Obviously, noble folks cheated, lied and did crimes as everyone else. But they did that all KNOWINGLY. They never avoided accountability. Thats a sense of honor. Our modern little brats avoid accountability at all costs. They surrendered their souls and that surrender is the primary component of the demonic possession. Ignorance becomes a feature of the character and lies are ensured. It is like the evil forces are free to do anything. There is thus a direct connection between ignorance and cruelty, ignorance and malice, ignorance and genocide. And the primary symptom of ignorance is indifference .It is truly an unlimited egoism. Ignorant person is happy with himself/herself and never will recognize his/her ignorance. Bulgakovs dialogue is apocryphal.

Remember how Elon Musk professed that empathy was no good? He is a personification of unlimited egoism. He truly believes that despite his wealth, people are unfair to him. It is not enough for him that he is rich: he wants to be loved by default. Thats possession.

5. The pain never dies

Russia won the WWII. It sacrificed 26 million of its people to free Europe from the German Nazism. My father was the only survivor after the childrens resting camp was bombed by Germans ( not the Nazis, Germans) on June 22, 1941. He was 11. The camp was in Eupatoria, Crimea ( Google it) . Crimea belongs to Russia. It is absolutely proper. There is an English military cemetery near Sevastopol ( Google it). Russian poet, Constantine Simonov (Google him) wrote a poem about it. There are words in it,

- RIP, British Soldiers. We never desecrated tombs.

Now the tombs of the Russian soldiers are desecrated in Ukraine and throughout Europe. Monuments are destroyed. No shame, no honor, no conscience ( Google conscience).

6.The matter of judgement

The common American hysteria, Dont judge me is an ignorant nonsense. Why cant I judge? I am pushing 70. Two generations of honorable dead are behind my glance and my view. Not only I can judge, I am entitled to judge harshly. Russian poet Alexander Tvardovsky ( Google him) wrote,

- The judgement of the dead is no less than the judgement of the living.

I judge. It is my right.

7.Conclusion

You know what? I put Google it so many times in the article because I did not use Google to write it even once. I remember. I know. It took a significant portion of my life, but I know. I am not ignorant. The demonic possession cannot touch me. It can touch you, my readers. May my love warn you for the last time. There is no malice in my heart, just sadness and honor. Dostoevsky felt the same. No malice in The Winter Notes. HG Wells quoted his own epitaph , Damn you, I warned you. He was immune also. I am in the good company.

So, is there hope? Albert Einstein said, that in order to survive, the humanity had to start thinking differently. Think about it. There is a Russian fairy- tale Kingdom of the Curved Mirrors ( Google it). There the mirrors were all crooked and showed the lie so that everyone seemed happy. The real mirrors were forbidden. We are now such kingdom. Find the forbidden mirror and look into it. It will not be pleasant. But it will set you free. I am your mirror. Ik ben Ulen spiegel. ( Google Ulenspiegel). Enjoy the truth. There is no AI- artificial intelligence. But AI- American Ignorance is alive, well and in power. Our country is haunted, all of it. Look how many times the people have to raise their hands up under the threat of a gun. How many people have been subjected to violence? That is ignorance turned to cruelty and it has no bounds.

P.S. For the possible brats

Whenever ignorant people read or just see something directly related to their moronic evil, they react by chipping pieces. They claim discrepancies, lack of details, etc. This time I anticipate the topics would be Crimea and Ukraine. This is bratty; the behavior of stupid teenagers. I thus urge my readers to see the fire and stop looking for ashes even if there is a temptation. Try for once to be noble, for Gods sake. Understand the big picture while it is still worth it. You want to change the world? Look in the good mirror first.

For the good people:

It is an obligation of every honest and honorable man to share with other people the perception of the good deeds, he, for whatever reasons , was not able to achieve himself. Then, by the Grace of God, among all those receiving a message one man will appear that will turn the dream into reality.

Niccolo Macchiavelli ( Google him)

I am an honest and honorable man. I pay my dues. Damn you, folks, I am warning you maybe for the last time. Do something now, or the Fluffy Cats will eat you and your kids. Ever heard of the Fluffy Cats? Google them. End of the story.
Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) August 15, 2025: The present wide-ranging 18,282-word OEN article is the revised and expanded version of my earlier wide-ranging OEN article Walter J. Ong, Charles Taylor, and the Age of Romanticism (dated May 31, 2024; viewed 918 times as of August 12, 2025).

I was prompted to revise my earlier OEN article dated May 31, 2024, in the present wide-ranging OEN article by reading Patrick Barkhams article Human connection to nature has declined 60% in 200 years, study finds: Prof Miles Richardson says people risk extinction of experience in the natural world without new policies in the British newspaper The Guardian (dated August 9, 2025):

Click Here

In the present wide-ranging 18,282-word OEN article, I mention Ong by name 193 times for an average of once every 94.7 words.

Incidentally, in my wide-ranging and, at times, deeply personal 28,800-word OEN article Fareed Zakaria and Ezra Klein on President Trumps Foreign Policy (dated March 24, 2025; viewed 1,936 times as of August 15, 2025), I mention the retired American faithful Christian pornstar Mandy Flores (born on March 19,1989) by name 250 times far more than I have ever mentioned any other person by name in my other 684 OEN articles for an average of once every 112 words:

Click Here

In it, I also articulated my criticisms of the tragic anti-body heritage of Christianity in our Western cultural tradition for the first time.

Today, in light of the tragic anti-body heritage of Christianity, I commend Mandy Flores for her body-positivity and sex-positivity.

In any event, of my 685 OEN articles, my OEN article Fareed Zakaria and Ezra Klein on President Trumps Foreign Policy is my most sustained and most serious criticism of President Trumps foreign policy.

Now, in my OEN article Robert Moore on Optimal Human Psychological Development (dated September 17, 2024; viewed 1,375 times as of August 15, 2025), I first set for my criticisms of the Roman Catholic Churchs moral vision for individual personal development as involving the Impotent Lover shadow forms of the masculine and the feminine Lover archetypes of maturity in the human psyche according to Robert Moores theory of the eight archetypes of maturity in the human psyche, which are accompanied by the sixteen shadow forms of the archetypes of maturity in the human psyche:

Click Here

For me, publishing my sweeping criticism of the Roman Catholic Churchs moral vision of individual personal development based on my understanding of Robert Moores theory of the archetypes of maturity in the human psyche in my OEN article dated September 17, 2024, was a big deal in my life. You see, I come from a Roman Catholic background. For a number of years (1979-1987), I was in the Jesuit order. The last time that I went to confession was when I was in the Jesuit order. Obviously, my path in life changed significantly over the years since I left the Jesuits in early 1987 to the time when I published my criticisms of the Roman Catholic Churchs individual personal vision of moral development in my OEN article dated September 17, 2024.

As I have recounted elsewhere, I started watching the DVD version of the 1970s Wonder Woman television series on the big-screen television in the living room of my home in Duluth, Minnesota, in late August 1974, and I continued watching episodes into September 2024. So, my experience of watching Wonder Woman episodes in the fall of 2024 was part of my own personal background for writing and publishing my sweeping criticisms of the Roman Catholic Churchs individual personal moral vision of developments in my OEN article dated September 17, 2024.

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Russia has become an increasingly hostile environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, as the Kremlin intensifies its campaign to enforce so-called traditional values under President Vladimir Putins regime.

The situation deteriorated significantly after the Russian Supreme Courts 2023 decision to label the international LGBT movement an extremist organization, a ruling that took effect in January 2024. This designation has unleashed a wave of persecution, with over 100 convictions targeting LGBT individuals and their supporters for acts as simple as posting a rainbow flag online or wearing themed accessories. Of these, 98 cases were administrative, often resulting in fines of up to 2,000 rubles (approximately $25 USD) or detention averaging eight days, though some faced up to 15 days. Three cases escalated to criminal charges, with penalties as severe as six months of forced labor for a single social media post. Human Rights Watch reported 20 criminal cases between January 2024 and June 2025, including one tragic instance where a defendant took their own life in pretrial detention, two others received prison sentences, and 17 cases remain unresolved. In May 2025, three publishing house employees faced up to 12 years in prison for distributing LGBT-themed literature, accused of organizing extremist activities.

This crackdown builds on the 2013 gay propaganda law, which banned positive depictions of non-heterosexual relationships, but the 2023 ruling has expanded the scope of repression, allowing authorities to target individuals and organizations with vague and overbroad anti-extremism laws.

For example, Anastasiya Ershova was detained for five days in Nizhny Novgorod for wearing rainbow-colored frog earrings, a case rooted in political motivations. The climate of fear has driven many to self-censor, with individuals deleting social media accounts to avoid prosecution and queer spaces and events being forced underground. A 2024 survey by Russian LGBT organizations Vykhod and Sfera revealed that 82% of LGBT respondents felt at risk, and 88% reported experiencing state-driven censorship. Bookstores and publishers have purged LGBT-themed literature, including works by authors like Susan Sontag, to avoid fines or criminal charges.

The hypocrisy within the regime is striking. Rumors persist about high-ranking officials, such as Vladimir Medinsky, a former Minister of Culture and current Kremlin advisor, allegedly concealing their own identities as gay individuals while promoting policies that vilify the LGBT community. Though unverified, such claims highlight the contradictions of a system that demands conformity while suppressing personal truths. Beyond legal persecution, the cultural erasure of LGBT identities has intensified, with bookstores, theaters, and online platforms facing relentless pressure to eliminate any content deemed non-traditional. This has led to a surge in emigration requests, as reported by Vykhod and Sfera, with many LGBT individuals seeking asylum abroad to escape the growing hostility.

The international community has voiced concern but failed to act decisively. The United Nations, through High Commissioner Volker Trk and independent experts, has condemned Russias actions as violations of international human rights law, including rights to free expression and protection from discrimination. The European Court of Human Rights has criticized the retroactive application of Russias laws for their chilling effect on free speech, yet these rulings have had little impact. The lack of concrete measures, such as targeted sanctions or robust asylum pathways, has allowed Putins regime to continue its assault on basic freedoms. Reports from sources like Reuters and The Moscow Times confirm that the Kremlins policies are part of a broader effort to suppress dissent and enforce ideological conformity, often under the guise of protecting Russian values. For instance, a 2024 Reuters article noted that the Supreme Courts ruling has been used to justify raids on LGBT-friendly venues, further shrinking safe spaces.

The situation is compounded by societal attitudes, with state-controlled media amplifying anti-LGBT rhetoric. A 2023 Levada Center poll found that 67% of Russians viewed homosexuality as morally unacceptable, a sentiment fueled by years of government propaganda. This hostility has real-world consequences: LGBT individuals face not only legal risks but also violence and discrimination in everyday life. Activists report a rise in hate crimes, often ignored by authorities, leaving victims with little recourse. The closure of organizations like the Russian LGBT Network, forced to dissolve under pressure in 2024, has further isolated the community, stripping away vital support networks.

Russias actions reflect a deliberate strategy to erase LGBT identities, using the judiciary as a tool of oppression while figures like Vladimir Medinsky, if rumors are true, embody the regimes hypocrisy. The international community must move beyond statements and impose meaningful consequences, such as sanctions on officials driving these policies and expanded asylum options for those fleeing persecution. Silence only emboldens Putins authoritarian grip, leaving Russias LGBT community in a state of constant fear and marginalization. The world must act to protect their rights and dignity before more lives are destroyed.

Sources:

Human Rights Watch, Russia: Supreme Court Bans International LGBT Movement as Extremist, 2023, and updates through June 2025.

Vykhod and Sfera, 2024 Survey on the Impact of Anti-LGBT Legislation in Russia.

Reuters, Russias Crackdown on LGBT Rights Intensifies with Extremism Ruling, 2024.

The Moscow Times, Russias War on Queer Spaces, 2024.

European Court of Human Rights, rulings on Russias anti-LGBT laws, 2023-2024.

Levada Center, Public Attitudes Toward Homosexuality in Russia, 2023.

United Nations Human Rights Office, statements by Volker Trk, 2023-2025.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

On August 10, Israel deliberately targeted a tent near Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza, killing two Al Jazeera journalists, Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqa. Killed with them were photojournalists Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Alaiwa, and camera assistant Mohammed Noufal.

A sixth journalist succumbed to his injuries the following morning.

The attack occurred in an area heavily populated by press teams covering the ongoing conflict.

The office confirmed that the total number of journalists killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza has now reached 238.

Israel does not want their citizens, or the world, to see what the actual situation is inside Gaza. Israel has not allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza since October 7, 2023, unless they are under Israeli military escort. Israeli media is highly censored by the government.

Foreign journalists are found on the battlefields of conflicts around the world. Often, they enter a place legally, but they also go places prohibited in order to bear witness of the truth. Why arent there any foreign journalists smuggled into Gaza? They could enter clandestinely from either Egypt or Israel.

There are no foreign journalists in Gaza because Israel is shielded, protected, and defended by the U.S. and the threat of American reprisals puts fear into the hearts of western journalists, who could be black-balled if they broke the vow of silence placed on Gaza.

The Syrian civil war began in March 2011, and almost immediately, foreign journalists were across Syria reporting on the uprising attempting to over throw the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Damascus soon refused to issue Visas to foreign journalists, but that never stopped them. The journalists simply smuggled themselves in from neighboring borders, such as Turkey, Iraq, and Lebanon.

The American government, at the time headed by President Barack Obama, exerted a great deal of pressure on the US media, and European media followed suit, to highlight atrocities committed by the Assad forces, and never mention the crimes committed by the US-backed rebels.

Marie Colvin was an American journalist, working for the UK media The Sunday Times from 1985 to her death in 2012. She came into Syria illegally to report the truth of what the Assad regime was doing to the Syrian people.

She died on February 22, 2012 in Homs while reporting. A website devoted to her recalls she received many awards and honors during her career, including the Courage in Journalism Award, the British Press Award and Foreign Press Internationals Journalist of the Year Award. Many have called her the greatest war correspondent of her generation.

The US and UK media claimed the Assad regime had targeted and killed Colvin. Without any investigation, the crime was solved, because Assad was the criminal the U.S and UK wanted gone. There is even a film made about her, A Private War.

Another famous American journalist killed in the line of duty, was Shireen Abu Akleh, who worked as a reporter for 25 years for Al Jazeera. She was killed by Israeli forces while wearing a blue press vest and covering a raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on May 11, 2022.

A documentary about her death reveals the name of the Israeli soldier who assassinated her. The official U.S. government position was the American citizen died by accident.

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Jobs and quits rate.webp.

(Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: Author Not Given) Details Source DMCA



"I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY," US Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on August 1, regarding Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner Erika McEntarfer. "She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified. Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they cant be manipulated for political purposes."

On August 11, Trump announced his nominee to replace McEntarfer: E.J. Antoni, chief economist and Richard Aster fellow at The Heritage Foundation's Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget.

Is Antoni "much more competent and qualified" than McEntarfer?

They both studied for, and received, doctorates in economics -- she from Virginia Tech in 2002, he from Northern Illinois University in 2020.

They've both worked in the field, she for 23 years in various data-centric government roles, he for five years at ideological "think tanks."

On those metrics, it might make sense to conclude that no, Antoni is not "much more competent and qualified."

Those, however, are not the relevant metrics.

"There are three kinds of lies," Mark Twain wrote in 1907, echoing several prior formulations and (apparently incorrectly) crediting Benjamin Disraeli as the quote's originator: "Lies, damned lies, and statistics."

I'm far from the first commentator to modify that final bit to "government statistics."

The job of the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics is to make the current administration look good, even if that requires putting lipstick on a pig.

That's why, at the end of his or her four-year term, a commissioner appointed by a Republican president can expect to be replaced if a Democrat is in office and vice versa.

McEntarfer replaced William W. Beach, appointed by President Trump, when his term expired and -- mirabile dictu! -- America's employment reports started looking better for Joe Biden.

Previous presidents who inherited BLS commissioners from presidents of another party -- including Donald Trump in his first term -- quietly groused about bad jobs numbers and waited for those commissioners' terms to expire.

This time, Trump decided against waiting McEntarfer out and fired her to get the books cooked in the direction he prefers instead of cooked to make him look bad.

What's the true situation? Who knows? Government manipulation of data starts with deciding what information to gather, how to gather it, and who to gather it from. Then that information gets massaged to tell the story that the masseuse or masseur wants you to hear.

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I remain hopeful on day 679 of this genocide. More millions of people are waking up to the ruthless nature of the Zionist projects. Governments are beginning to respond (though weakly) to pressure from the people. I do not underestiate the strength of he pro-genocide (aka Zionist) lobby around the world or the strength of their blackmailing politicians. But I do have faith in people. Here in Palestine I also have faith in our people especially in Gaza strip who endure and do all they can under the circumstances to resist the onslaught. The day we overcome grows nearer. The Zionist system is more ostracized than ever now.

Israeli targeting of a media tent killed journalists and camera men in the continuing program to shut out the truth of what is happening in this genocide. The colonial regime claimed that one of the seven murdered (Anas Al-Sharif, young father of two) was a Hamas resistance member (they call "terrorist") without providing any shred of evidence. Some Zionist managed western media like Bild in Germany parroted the Israeli claim as if it was fact. They failed to mention that 242 journalists were assassinated by Israeli forces (any of them who could have been part of the resistance could certainly have been "arrested"!). They fail to mention that some murdered like Shireen Abu Aqle was Christian and could not be a member of Hamas Islamic resistance movement. They fail to mention that 240 media persons killed is more than what was killed in all global conflicts combined for the past 100 years! They fail to mention that the Zionist regime since 1948 is very well known for its endless lies (see ongaza.org).

Weeks ago, Sham, daughter of slain journalist Anas Al-Sharif, pleaded with the world to stop the war, saying, "I'm afraid for my father because of the bombing." Today, her fears became a tragic reality after Israel assassinated her father, Anas, in a strike that targeted the journalists tent at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

Last will of the martyr Anas: This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace be upon you and Gods mercy and blessings. God knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my people, ever since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of the Jabalia refugee camp. My hope was that God would extend my life so I could return with my family and loved ones to our original town of occupied Asqalan (Al-Majdal). But Gods will came first, and His decree is final. I have lived through pain in all its details, tasted suffering and loss many times, yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsificationso that God may bear witness against those who stayed silent, those who accepted our killing, those who choked our breath, and whose hearts were unmoved by the scattered remains of our children and women, doing nothing to stop the massacre that our people have faced for more than a year and a half. I entrust you with Palestine the jewel in the crown of the Muslim world, the heartbeat of every free person in this world. I entrust you with its people, with its wronged and innocent children who never had the time to dream or live in safety and peace. Their pure bodies were crushed under thousands of tons of Israeli bombs and missiles, torn apart and scattered across the walls. I urge you not to let chains silence you, nor borders restrain you. Be bridges toward the liberation of the land and its people, until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our stolen homeland. I entrust you to take care of my family. I entrust you with my beloved daughter Sham, the light of my eyes, whom I never got the chance to watch grow up as I had dreamed. I entrust you with my dear son Salah, whom I had wished to support and accompany through life until he grew strong enough to carry my burden and continue the mission. I entrust you with my beloved mother, whose blessed prayers brought me to where I am, whose supplications were my fortress and whose light guided my path. I pray that God grants her strength and rewards her on my behalf with the best of rewards. I also entrust you with my lifelong companion, my beloved wife, Umm Salah (Bayan), from whom the war separated me for many long days and months. Yet she remained faithful to our bond, steadfast as the trunk of an olive tree that does not bendpatient, trusting in God, and carrying the responsibility in my absence with all her strength and faith. I urge you to stand by them, to be their support after God Almighty. If I die, I die steadfast upon my principles. I testify before God that I am content with His decree, certain of meeting Him, and assured that what is with God is better and everlasting. O God, accept me among the martyrs, forgive my past and future sins, and make my blood a light that illuminates the path of freedom for my people and my family. Forgive me if I have fallen short, and pray for me with mercy, for I kept my promise and never changed or betrayed it. Do not forget Gaza And do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance. - Anas Jamal Al-Sharif

--and what is happening since they killed Anas

Stay Humane and keep hope alive

Mazin Qumsiyeh

A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home

Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History

Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine

facebook pages Personal Institute

French
By Bob Gaydos

While I sit and read about the ongoing demands of Americans of all stripes Democrats, Republicans, MAGAs, What Nots for the Trump administration to release the Epstein files because no rational person believes that it is does not include mentions of Trumps name and numerous girls between the ages of 13 and 17 with whom he may have engaged in sexual acts, which is officially known as rape, I also marvel at the lengths to which this soulless excuse for a human being is willing to go to divert attention from the Epstein files and his efforts to avoid their public release.

The latest entries in this traffic wreck of a presidency involve Trump taking over the policing of Washington, D.C., and negotiating a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine without including Ukraine. What could possibly go wrong? In truth, with Trump's record, almost anything.

Taking over the D.C. National Guard and mobilizing 800 troops to police the nation's capital along with the help of several hundred FBI agents, while claiming a major crime problem even though recent statistics show crime significantly down in the city, is fascism 101. Add the fact that Trump says hes going to clean up the city by rounding up homeless people and taking them somewhere else. Anywhere else apparently because he hasnt said where. That doesnt bode well for the homeless ever since Trump's Supreme Court last year ruled homelessness could be treated as a crime.

The mentally ill will also inevitably be included in any such round up. Apparently, Trump wants to return to the out-of-sight out-of-mind philosophy for dealing with these issues.

The fact that the National Guard, citizen soldiers, many of whom have day jobs (accountants, mechanics, sales people, politicians) are not trained for this kind of work apparently doesnt matter to the geniuses in the White House. Send them out there, armed to the teeth so the citizenry feel safe. I doubt most of the guardsmen are thrilled with the mission.

And apparently the FBI agents are going to be patrolling some swanky D.C. neighborhoods. What a great use of trained investigators who should be dealing with actual crime committed by some of Trump's wealthier supporters.

None of which, of course, is going to convince anybody to forget about the Epstein files. I suspect the show of force will be mostly a show simply to show that Trump, racist to the core, can do it seeing as hes threatened to do it in other cities run by black mayors.

What could possibly go wrong? Look up Kent State in the history books if they havent been removed from the library.

As for the Putin meeting, it has disaster written all over it. Just recall the meeting with Putin in Finland and watch the Russian president emerge with a big grin on his face and Trump look like an 11-year-old boy who just had the riot act read to him. Just the two of them in the room. Manchurian Candidate material.

Trump is talking about giving up some land somehow to settle this deal even though Ukraine didnt take any land and Russia is the one who invaded despite Trump's insistence otherwise and Ukrainian President Volodamyr Zelinsky isnt even invited to this peace talk.

What could go wrong? Well, for starters, Trump thought he was going to meet Putin in Russia and had to be reminded that the meeting was in Alaska, which is American territory which should be off-limits to Putin, who was declared a war criminal by the United Nations. Putin might be willing to forget about claiming a chunk of Ukraine if Trump lets him go home with Alaska back in his pocket. After all, its worth a lot more than the $7.2 million Secretary of State William Seward wrote a check for in 1867 to purchase the territory from Russia. Who knows what Trumps price might be to sell it back, with hotel rights?

Far-fetched? Will there be any other American adults in the room who know what theyre doing? And will they realize that even giving Alaska back to Russia will not make Americans forget about those Epstein files?
Theres something magical about those unplanned moments that happen when you veer off your carefully plotted travel route. The restaurant you stumble upon that serves the best meal of your trip. The roadside attraction that becomes your new favorite place. Or, in the case of Peak Northwest podcast host Jamie Hale, an impromptu sheep parade taking over the highway.

Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

During an episode exploring Oregons least-visited state parks, Hale recounted an unexpected highlight that had nothing to do with state parks at all. While driving along Oregon 244 through rural eastern Oregon, Hale had an unusual experience.

I came upon an enormous flock of sheep on the highway, Hale recalled. I had first had seen this truck driving the other way and it had this like orange flag it was waving out window as it drove and I was like, Oh thats thats weird, but I guess Ill keep an eye out for something.

What followed was a scene straight out of a movie  hundreds of sheep filling the entire roadway, forcing Hale to stop and wait as they streamed around his vehicle. Rather than feeling inconvenienced, Hale embraced the moment.

It was the most charming experience, he recalled with delight. Rolled down my window and just listen to all the sheep do their little bleating and stuff, it was super weird and cool and I loved it.

The sheep encounter happened precisely because Hale had chosen to take a less-traveled route specifically to visit some of Oregons most overlooked state parks, he said. Had he stuck to the interstate, he would have missed this unique slice of rural life that became, in his words, a cool lifelong memory.

Catherine Creek State Park is one of Oregon's least-visited park sites, found in rural Oregon. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Finding those unexpected attractions might involve deliberately choosing less-traveled routes, building buffer time into your schedule, or simply cultivating an openness to detours when opportunities arise, Hale said.

I think its fun to go see some spots that like youre not going to see otherwise, he said. I mean I would have never seen that big flock of sheep had I not done this.

Listen to the full Peak Northwest episode, where he shares more unexpected discoveries and travel insights from his journey through the states least-visited parks:
While Payoneer's partnership with Citi uses tokenized deposits, the use of stablecoins for transactions is a possibility, according to Green.

By using Citi Token Services, Payoneer avoids restricted bank hours and closures on weekends and holidays. Payoneer hopes the collaboration will ensure "instant liquidity" through 24/7 transfers between Payoneer users in the U.S., U.K. and Singapore. Using a blockchain reduces cash management and foreign exchange risk; and an application programming interface enables integration with a business's existing treasury and payment systems, avoiding infrastructure updates, according to Payoneer. The Citi deal helps Payoneer accelerate its ongoing geographic and product expansion. Payoneer's 2020 acquisition of German payment firm Optile allowed it to integrate payments orchestration with cloud-based technology to power international business payments while adding more countries to its network.

"Money movements in legacy systems have cut-off times," Derek Green, treasurer at Payoneer, told American Banker. "Addressing that is a powerful first step in the value of blockchain."

Payoneer , a New York-based company that processes B2B and consumer-to-business transfers, will use Citi's blockchain to move money across Payoneer-owned accounts, reducing the need for traditional payment methods.

"Banks, regardless of size, need a stablecoin strategy now," said James Wester, director of crypto for Javelin Strategy & Research. "That doesn't mean they need every technical answer, but they do need a clear vision of where they fit and how they will connect their customers, partners, and developers into the next generation of money movement."

The banks' moves position them to leverage their giant payment businesses to offer a range of digital asset services, including stablecoins, placing pressure on other banks to prepare for a range of new products.

Payoneer this week added technology from Citi to enhance treasury transfers by using Citi's Token Services, the bank's blockchain unit. This follows JPMorganChase's launch of its deposit token , an alternative to stablecoins that also uses distributed ledger technology to speed transaction processing.

As the GENIUS Act has spurred rampant speculation about banks issuing stablecoins, Citigroup and JPMorganChase are using the underlying technology to gain a digital asset foothold among corporate users.

Story continues

"The blockchain is really the fundamental technology here," Green said. "The stablecoins would be the mechanism that would facilitate the outcome."

Like most banks and payment companies, Payoneer is still examining how stablecoins would best suit its business. Getting on board with blockchain-powered payment processing is a way to lay a foundation for greater uses in the future, according to Green. "Citi is a partner of ours and it makes sense to lean in and get this technology live," Green said.

Big bank plans

Citi referred questions to recent statements the bank has made on digital assets. In an early interview with American Banker, Debopama Sen, head of payments for Citi's Services business , said the bank has focused on supporting 24/7/365 clearing for Citi's clients. "Something we've learned over the last few years, we didn't sort of imagine or dream this up  is that co-creating with some of the largest category leaders has helped us create products that actually work for everyone as long as we simplify the access of the channel, depending on the client," Sen said.

Citi's Token Services uses a distributed ledger, database and embedded business logic to power services such as intraday lending, cross-border payments and funds transfers, designed for supply chain financing, trade settlement and other functions. Stablecoins are also part of the bank's strategy, with Citi CEO Jane Fraser saying the bank is planning a stablecoin and will support conversions from traditional currency to crypto. These services are value-adds for the bank's large payments business. Citi's payments business processes $5 trillion across more than 90 countries and jurisdictions on a daily basis, including 11 million daily instant transactions. Among other large banks, JPMorgan also plans to issue a stablecoin and in June said it plans to issue a USD deposit token, JPMD.

A deposit token is a digital asset that is a claim on a deposit at a licensed depository institution, such as a bank. Deposit tokens are issued on a distributed ledger. That makes deposit tokens easier to transfer between consumers or businesses, particularly in different countries.

JPMorgan's payments business manages $18 billion in yearly revenue, and is the world's largest merchant acquirer and the largest card issuer in the U.S. And it has more than 30,000 staffers. The size of JPMorgan and Citi will influence blockchain, digital asset and stablecoin strategies at other banks, according to Wester.

"The connections and partnerships are being established today, so the choice for banks is whether they view this as an opportunity to stake their position and actively shape the ecosystem or wait until the rules are written by others," Wester said. "For some banks, it may make sense to take a wait-and-see approach, but the decision should be intentional and not simply inaction dressed up as caution."

Scale becomes a challenge when banks expand the use of blockchain-powered transactions from intrabank to interbank. Two major models are emerging among banks to use distributed ledger technology to improve transaction processing for treasury management, Duane Block, managing director of digital assets at Accenture, told American Banker. Deposit tokens are a better fit for intrabank payments, or transactions between different accounts at the same bank; while stablecoins are more suited to interbank payments, Block said, due to the stablecoins' ability to act as a bridge between payment processing systems at different organizations.

"When banks move from tokenized deposits to stablecoins, distribution can be a challenge," Block said. "And partnerships are one way to accelerate that."


Corn bulls fought off the weakness on Thursday, as contracts closed with nearbys within a penny of unchanged. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up 3/4 cent at $3.57 1/4.

USDA reported private export sales announcements of 136,000 MT to South Korea and 132,000 MT to Spain all for new crop.

More News from Barchart

This mornings Export Sales report showed net reductions of 88,686 MT for old crop corn during the week of 8/7. That was a MY low, but is normal as we are in the last month of the marketing year. Japan was the buyer of 136,900 MT, with 88,200 MT sold to Spain, as unknown saw net reductions of 353,800 MT (mostly switched). New crop was tallied at 2.04 MMT, was the second largest total for the marketing year. That takes the total to 13.825 MMT, which is the second largest on record for this week. Mexico was the buyer o 498m400 MT, with 356,200 MT sold to unknown destinations.

CONAB estimates the Brazilian corn crop at 137 MMT, which was a jump if 5.03 MMT from last month. That mainly came via a 5.02 MMT increase to the second crop at 109.56. A South Korean importer purchased 65,000 MT of corn overnight with the origin still to be determined. The Rosario Grains Exchange estimates the Argentina corn area in the main regions up 15 to 20% for 2025/26.

Sep 25 Corn closed at $3.75, up 1 cent,

Nearby Cash was $3.57 1/4, up 3/4 cent,

Dec 25 Corn closed at $3.97 1/4, unch,

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.14, down 1 cent,

New Crop Cash was $3.54 5/8, up 1/2 cent,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
A teenage swimmer died after being pulled from the ocean during a rescue effort at a Belmar, New Jersey, beach Friday night, officials told NJ Advance Media.

Belmar Police and Belmar Water Rescue members were called to the 8th Avenue beach shortly after 6:30 p.m. after receiving emergency calls about a swimmer in distress. An hour later, the teen was found unresponsive in the water off the 7th Avenue beach, according to Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott.

Rescue crews and the U.S. Coast Guard helped remove the teen from the water, and CPR was administered on the beach by local EMS, Coast Guard Petty Officer Matthew West said.

The teen was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital and pronounced dead there, Scott said.

The person who died was not identified by police, but West said the victim was a teenage girl.

A second swimmer was rescued from the water before police arrived, but was not injured, authorities said.

Fridays incident marked the second drowning at the Jersey Shore this week.

A man died Monday night after he got caught in a rip current while swimming at an unguarded Seaside Heights beach, officials said.

Six others were rescued from the rough seas that night, leading local officials to strictly enforce after-hours beach closures.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
By SAMYA KULLAB and ELISE MORTON, The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday after a Russia-U.S. summit ended without an agreement to stop the fighting in Ukraine after 3-1/2 years.

In a reversal only few hours after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said an overall peace agreement, and not a ceasefire, was the best way to end the war. That statement echoed Putins view that Russia is not interested in a temporary truce, and instead is seeking a long-term settlement that takes Moscows interests into account.

Trump and Ukraines European allies had been calling for a ceasefire ahead of any negotiations.

Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he held a long and substantive conversation with Trump early Saturday. He thanked him for an invitation to meet in person in Washington on Monday and said they would discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war.

It will be Zelenskyys first visit to the U.S. since Trump berated him publicly for being disrespectful during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting on Feb. 28.

Trump, who also held calls with European leaders Saturday, confirmed the White House meeting and said that if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.

President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP

Trump rolled out the red carpet on Friday for Putin, who was in the U.S. for the first time in a decade and since the start of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But he gave little concrete detail afterward of what was discussed. On Saturday, he posted on social media that it went very well.

Trump had warned ahead of the summit of very severe consequences for Russia if Putin doesnt agree to end the war.

Zelenskyy seeks European involvement

Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit.

It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America, he said. We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security.

He didnt elaborate, but Zelenskyy previously has said that European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a foreign troop presence in Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop.

Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump one-on-one and then in a call with other European leaders. In total, the conversations lasted over 90 minutes.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a speech at the Council of Europe after signing the legal instruments necessary to launch the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Pascal Bastien, file) AP

Trump puts onus on Zelenskyy and Europe

Trump said in Alaska that theres no deal until theres a deal, after Putin claimed the two leaders had hammered out an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress.

During an interview with Fox News Channel before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus going forward might be on Zelenskyy to get it done, but said there would also be some involvement from European nations.

In a statement after speaking to Trump, major European leaders said they were ready to work with Trump and Zelenskyy toward a trilateral summit with European support.

The statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the European Unions two top officials said that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees and welcomed U.S. readiness to provide them.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory, they said. International borders must not be changed by force. They did not mention a ceasefire, which they had hoped for ahead of the summit.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon, noting that Moscows forces launched new attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met.

Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing, she said.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the summit confirmed that while the U.S. and its allies are looking for ways to peace, Putin is still only interested in making the greatest possible territorial gains and restoring the Soviet empire.

Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Since spring, Russian troops have accelerated their gains, capturing the most territory since the opening stages of the war.

Vladimir Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war, said Neil Melvin, director of international security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute. He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished.
WILLIAMSPORT  Two top Williamsport police officers have survived a removal effort.

A judge has rejected an effort by Lt. Fred Miller, through what is known as a quo warranto action, to remove Assistant Chief Justin Bolt and Capt. Justin Ottaviano.

Justin Bell also was a target of the legal action but since it was filed in 2023, he voluntarily returned to the rank of agent and Mayor Derek Slaughter has not filled that vacancy.
Crypto stock surges 35% after bagging a deal with Google originally appeared on TheStreet.

Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing (HPC) firm TeraWulf (WULF) surged more than 35% on Aug. 14 after announcing a blockbuster $3.7 billion, 10-year hosting deal  with Google taking an equity stake in the company.

The agreements, signed with AI cloud platform operator Fluidstack, will see TeraWulf deploy more than 200 megawatts (MW) of critical IT load at its Lake Mariner data center in Western New York. The initial contracts, valued at $3.7 billion over 10 years, include two optional five-year extensions that could bring total revenue to $8.7 billion.

As part of the deal, Google (GOOGL) will backstop $1.8 billion of Fluidstacks lease obligations, providing crucial support for buildout and financing. In return, Google will receive around 41 million shares of TeraWulf, giving it roughly an 8% ownership stake.

TeraWulf plans to deliver 40 MW of IT load in the first half of 2026, with the remainder coming online by the end of next year.

Join the discussion with CryptoWendyO on Roundtable here.

The announcement comes as TeraWulf pivots deeper into high-performance computing while maintaining its Bitcoin mining operations.

In Q2 2025, the company self-mined 485 BTC, down from 699 BTC in the same quarter last year, but benefited from higher Bitcoin prices. Revenue in the quarter rose to $47.6 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $14.5 million.

CEO Paul Prager said the company is seeing remarkable progress in delivering contracted HPC capacity and attracting enterprise clients seeking low-cost, zero-carbon compute infrastructure. The firm continues to develop its hydroelectric and nuclear-powered Lake Mariner facility, which will serve as the backbone of the new HPC expansion.

Shares of TeraWulf rocketed to their highest level since January, trading above $7.40 intraday, as investors cheered both the lucrative long-term contracts and Googles validation of the business. The stock has now rebounded more than 165% from its April lows and is up over 31% year-to-date.

Crypto stock surges 35% after bagging a deal with Google first appeared on TheStreet on Aug 14, 2025

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Author: Deborah L. Schussler, University at Albany, State University of New York

Writing, reading, math and mindfulness? That last subject is increasingly joining the three classic courses, as more young students in the United States are practicing mindfulness, meaning focusing on paying attention to the present moment without judgment.

In the past 20 years in the U.S., mindfulness transitioned from being a new-age curiosity to becoming a more mainstream part of American culture, as people learned more about how mindfulness can reduce their stress and improve their well-being.

Researchers estimate that over 1 million children in the U.S. have been exposed to mindfulness in their schools, mostly at the elementary level, often taught by classroom teachers or school counselors.

I have been researching mindfulness in K-12 American schools for 15 years. I have investigated the impact of mindfulness on students, explored the experiences of teachers who teach mindfulness in K-12 schools, and examined the challenges and benefits of implementing mindfulness in these settings.

I have noticed that mindfulness programs vary in what particular mindfulness skills are taught and what lesson objectives are. This makes it difficult to compare across studies and draw conclusions about how mindfulness helps students in schools.

A student practices mindfulness during a session at Roberta T. Smith Elementary School in May 2024 in Rex, Ga. AP Photo/Sharon Johnson AP Photo/Sharon Johnson

What is mindfulness?

Different definitions of mindfulness exist.

Some people might think mindfulness means simply practicing breathing, for example.

A common definition from Jon Kabat-Zinn, a mindfulness expert who helped popularize mindfulness in Western countries, says mindfulness is about paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, nonjudgmentally, in the present moment.

Essentially, mindfulness is a way of being. It is a persons approach to each moment and their orientation to both inner and outer experience, the pleasant and the unpleasant. Fundamental to mindfulness is how a person chooses to direct their attention.

In practice, mindfulness can involve different practices, including guided meditations, mindful movement and breathing. Mindfulness programs can also help people develop a variety of skills, including openness to experiencesand more focused attention.

Practicing mindfulness at schools

A few years ago, I decided to investigate school mindfulness programs themselves and consider what it means for children to learn mindfulness at schools. What do the programs actually teach?

I believe that understanding this information can help educators, parents and policymakers make more informed decisions about whether mindfulness belongs in their schools.

In 2023, my colleagues and I conducted a deep dive into 12 readily available mindfulness curricula for K-12 students to investigate what the programs contained. Across programs, we found no consistency of content, teaching practices or time commitment.

For example, some mindfulness programs in K-12 schools incorporate a lot of movement, with some specifically teaching yoga poses. Others emphasize interpersonal skills such as practicing acts of kindness, while others focus mostly on self-oriented skills such as focused attention, which may occur by focusing on ones breath.

We also found that some programs have students do a lot of mindfulness practices, such as mindful movement or mindful listening, while others teach about mindfulness, such as learning how the brain functions.

Finally, the number of lessons in a curriculum ranged from five to 44, meaning some programs occurred over just a few weeks and some required an entire school year.

Despite indications that mindfulness has some positive impacts for school-age children, the evidence is also not consistent, as shown by other research.

One of the largest recent studies of mindfulness in schools found in 2022 no change in students who received mindfulness instruction.

Some experts believe, though, that the lack of results in this 2022 study on mindfulness was partially due to a curriculum that might have been too advanced for middle school-age children.

Mindfulness looks and is taught differently across various K-12 schools in the U.S. Ariel Skelley/Digital Vision

Mindfulness looks and is taught differently across various K-12 schools in the U.S. Ariel Skelley/Digital Vision Ariel Skelley/Digital Vision

The connection between mindfulness and education

Since attention is critical for students success in school, it is not surprising that mindfulness appeals to many educators.

Research on student engagement and executive functioning supports the claim that any students ability to filter out distractions and prioritize the objects of their thoughts improves their academic success.

Mindfulness programs have been shown to improve students mental health and decrease students and teachers stress levels.

Mindfulness has also been shown to help children emotionally regulate.

Even before social media, teachers perennially struggled to get students to pay attention. Reviews of multiple studies have shown some positive effects of mindfulness on outcomes, including improvements in academic achievement and school adjustment.

A 2023 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites mindfulness as one of six evidence-based strategies K-12 schools should use to promote students mental health and well-being.

A relatively new trend

Knowing what is in the mindfulness curriculum, how it is taught and how long the student spends on mindfulness matters. Students may be learning very different skills with significantly different amounts of time to reinforce those skills.

Researchers suggest, for example, that mindfulness programs most likely to improve academic or mental health outcomes of children offer activities geared toward their developmental level, such as shorter mindfulness practices and more repetition.

In other words, mindfulness programs for children cannot just be watered down versions of adult programs.

Mindfulness research in school settings is still relatively new, though there is encouraging data that mindfulness can sharpen skills necessary for students academic success and promote their mental health.

In addition to the need for more research on the outcomes of mindfulness, it is important for educators, parents, policymakers and researchers to look closely at the curriculum to understand what the students are actually doing.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/mindfulness-is-gaining-traction-in-american-schools-but-it-isnt-clear-what-students-are-learning-261247.
The warning was for Cumberland, Franklin and Perry counties.

"The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire," describes the National Weather Service.

Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, mostly during the summer. Lightning claims the lives of about 20 people annually, according to the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves

To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:

Lightning safety plan:

When venturing outdoors, it's crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.

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 shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

Once you're indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.

Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

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 with no 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 in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced 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. Although water and metal do not 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.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it's prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

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.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Visibility matters:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture 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 with caution.

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.

If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on 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.
People attend funeral prayers for the victims of Friday's flash flooding, at a village near Pir Baba, Buner district, in Pakistan's northwest, Saturday, Aug.16, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad) AP

By MUHAMMAD SAJJAD and RIAZ KHAN, The Associated Press

BUNER, Pakistan (AP)  Pakistani officials say recent rain-related incidents have killed at least 220 people in a northwest district.

Rescuers pulled out 63 more bodies overnight Friday from homes in Buner devastated by flash floods and landslides.

Pakistan has experienced higher-than-normal monsoon rainfall, likely linked to climate change, which has triggered floods and mudslides.

Hundreds of rescue workers were still searching for survivors on Saturday in Buner.

People carry bodies of victims of Friday's flash flooding, after funeral prayers at a village near Pir Baba, Buner district, in Pakistan's northwest, Saturday, Aug.16, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad) AP

Rescue workers transport the body a victim of Friday's flash flooding after recovering it from the rubble of a damaged house at Qadir Nagar village near Pir Baba, Buner district, in Pakistan's northwest, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad) AP

One eyewitness described seeing floodwaters carrying hundreds of boulders and tons of rocks crashing down. Authorities have supplied tents and food to affected people in the area.

More than 541 people have died since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

First responders have been trying to recover bodies from the worst-hit villages of Pir Baba and Malik Pura, where most of the fatalities were, said Kashif Qayyum, a deputy commissioner in Buner.

Mohammad Khan, 53, said the floods came so fast that many could not leave their homes.

Two men comfort each other as they mourn over the death of their family member in Friday's flash flooding, at a village near Pir Baba, Buner district, in Pakistan's northwest, Saturday, Aug.16, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad) AP

Most victims died before reaching the hospital, said Mohammad Tariq, a doctor in Buner. Many among the dead were children and men, while women were away in the hills collecting firewood and grazing cattle, he said.
Fahredin Mustafov Wins Onyx SHRS Main Event for $1,300,000 Without Breaking a Sweat

Kai Cocklin Live Reporter Copy link

The 2025 Onyx Super High Roller Series $25,750 SHRS Main Event has its champion, with Fahredin Mustafov topping a star-studded 227-entry field to claim the trophy and the massive $1,300,000 first-place prize. Mustafov navigated his way through a stacked final table before defeating "Kenar" in the very first hand of heads-up play to secure the win.

The event generated a prize pool of $5,504,750, attracting some of the biggest names in poker for a shot at one of the series most prestigious titles. "Kenar" had to settle for $820,000 after entering the final duel with a significant chip deficit, while American pro Matthew Wantman rounded out the podium in third place for $530,000.

The victory is the biggest of Mustafovs career, according to TheHendonMob, and a defining moment for the Bulgarian on the international high roller circuit. The seven-figure payday also came with valuable Player of the Series points, giving him a boost in the overall standings.

$25,750 Onyx SHRS Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Fahredin Mustafov Bulgaria $1,300,000 2 Kenar Turkey $820,000 3 Matthew Wantman United States $530,000 4 Aren Bezhanyan Armenia $420,000 5 Viacheslav Buldygin Russia $315,000 6 Rahul Byrraju India $250,000 7 Artur Martirosian Russia $200,000 8 Vincent Huang Australia $155,000 9 Roman Stoika Russia $121,750

Winner's Reaction

Mustafov didnt have much to say after clinching the title, but the few words he shared carried plenty of joy. With his wife, child, and close friends Boris Kolev and Miroslav by his side, he described the $1,300,000 victory simply as my big win.

"If you dont come to Merit, you have to come, believe me."

My wife and my kids helped me a lot, and Im very happy, he said, clearly enjoying the moment with his family in the winners photo. He praised the atmosphere of the event, calling the tournament amazing and saying Merit was super, super nice to play here.

The Bulgarian also took time to acknowledge the people behind the scenes and watching from afar. Staff is amazing, media is amazing, guys, viewers is amazing, he said with a smile, before adding that the floormen, everything is amazing.

And for anyone thinking of skipping a trip to Merit, he had one final message: If you dont come to Merit, you have to come, believe me.

Mustafov's Journey to the Title

After Roman Stoika and Vincent Huang had been eliminated, Mustafov found himself in a delicate spot with pocket kings against Kenar. Opting to just call preflop, he saw the ace-king of his opponent pair his ace on the flop, prompting a laydown that avoided what could have been a devasting clash.

Momentum quickly returned when his ten-nine connected for a pair against the ace-six of Viacheslav Buldygin, eliminating the Russian in fifth place and giving Mustafov a healthy stack as the tournament moved into its decisive stages.

The turning point came in a huge confrontation with Matthew Wantman. Opening on the button with pocket tens, Wantman was called by Mustafov in the big blind holding six-three of hearts. A queen-ten-deuce flop gave Wantman middle set, while Mustafov picked up a flush draw.

The turn brought the five of hearts to complete Mustafov's flush, and the river jack kept him in front. After checking all three streets, Mustafov responded to Wantmans four-million river bet with a massive check-shove. With only a few time banks left, Wantman eventually released his hand, staying alive but surrendering the overwhelming chip lead to Mustafov.

From there, the Bulgarian player kept his foot on the gas, applying relentless pressure to the two shorter stacks. Wantman battled hard but ultimately bowed out in third when his pocket nines were cracked by Mustafovs six-five, which improved to a straight on the river.

Heads-up play was over almost as soon as it began. On the very first hand, Kenar moved in with ace-six, only to find Mustafov waiting with ace-jack. The board ran clean, sealing the title for Mustafov and leaving Kenar to settle for the $820,000 runner-up prize.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for more live updates, chip counts, and highlights as the 2025 Onyx Super High Roller Series rolls on with more trophies still up for grabs.

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The 2025 Coolbet Open 550 Main Event attracted a field of 493 entries, creating a prize pool of 234,175. A field consisting mostly of players from the Baltics and Scandinavia battled for three days at the Chesterfield Poker Club in Tallinn, Estonia, but ultimately it was Spanish regular Guillermo Gordo who was the last man standing.

After a dominating display on Day 3, Gordo captured the first-place prize of 48,400, his third-best live score according to The Hendon Mob. Perhaps more importantly, the Coolbet Open Main Event was Gordo's maiden major live victory, meaning he will go home with his first-ever trophy. To claim the title, Gordo defeated Asgeir Lund after a heads-up that lasted only a few hands.

Asgeir Lund

Lund was awarded 28,000 for his runner-up finish, which is a new high score for the Norwegian player. The bronze medal went to Maksim Belomestnoi, who became the highest-placed Estonian player and raked in 21,500 for his efforts, more than doubling his total live earnings.

2025 Coolbet Open 550 Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Guillermo Gordo Spain 48,400 2 Asgeir Lund Norway 28,000 3 Maksim Belomestnoi Estonia 21,500 4 Ole Wasenius Norway 16,800 5 Magnus Pukk Estonia 13,000 6 Artur Kulanurk Estonia 10,000 7 Kristjan Maasalu Estonia 7,400 8 Kai Tiainen Finland 5,700 9 Frederic Janik France 4,700

Coolbet Open Final Table

A Heads-Up Destined to Happen

Day 3 started with 24 hopefuls returning to the tables, with Lund as the overwhelming chipleader. He wasted no time before he started collecting even more, eliminating Geir Wold (24th - 1,500) on the first hand of the day. Paul Solovjev (21st - 1,750) and the last Icelandic player Runar Runarsson (20th - 2,025) soon fell victim to Lund's seemingly unstoppable run as well, seeing the Norwegian enter the final two tables with thrice as many chips as his nearest contender.

While Lund's stack stagnated at the final two tables, Gordo became unleashed. He eliminated Esa Turpeinen (15th - 2,700), Jo Andersen (13th - 3,200), and Torsti Kettula (11th - 3,850). After winning a huge pot to get even in chips with Lund, Gordo popped the final table bubble by busting Torgeir Ravlo in tenth place for 3,850, meaning he would start the final table with a small lead over Lund.

Torgeir Ravlo

The chiplead went back and forth between Gordo and Lund throughout the final table, but at no point were they in any danger of the other players catching up. Together, they provided every elimination from the final six onward, and to no one's surprise, they ended heads-up to battle for the Coolbet Open Main Event title.

Gordo Quickly Wraps Up Deepstacked Heads-Up

With an average stack of 74 big blinds and Gordo having only a small lead over Lund, the two were seemingly headed towards an arduous battle that could last deep into the night. Against all expectations, however, it took Gordo less than ten minutes to secure the victory.

First, Lund bluffed off some chips with king-high. A couple of hands later, Lund limp-jammed his stack of 38 big blinds with king-six offsuit. His move turned out to be ill-timed, as Gordo was sitting on ace-queen and made the tournament-winning call. The players shared a hug before they celebrated their performances with friends. After all, the Estonian night was still young.

Chesterfield Poker Club / Coolbet

With a plethora of side events still planned and ongoing, the eighth iteration of the Coolbet Open is far from over. However, Gordo's victory concludes the PokerNews coverage of the festival. Still craving more action? Be sure to check out our live reporting hub for live coverage of tournaments around the world.
Brandon Lutnick

Cantor Fitzgerald LP had internal discussions about facilitating trades for hedge funds based on the outcome of legal challenges to Trump administration tariffs, but shut down the idea before executing any transactions, according to people familiar with the matter.

The New York brokerage and investment bank was run for three decades by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a key figure in the nations trade policy, and is now led by his son Brandon. The younger Lutnick was asked in a letter from Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden released Thursday to disclose transactions or agreements the firm has made relating to products that would let institutions effectively bet on the legality of President Donald Trumps tariffs.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Cantor received a client inquiry about possibly facilitating such trades, which are done by larger Wall Street banks, and some staff discussed with potential clients about arranging them before the idea was rejected, said the people, who requested anonymity to describe internal deliberations. The firm takes no directional position on brokered trades, and only takes commission when it matches a buyer and a seller.

We have not facilitated or executed any trades in that market, Cantor spokesperson Erica Chase told Bloomberg by phone.

Warren and Wyden had cited a late July report by Wired that alleged the financial services company created a litigation finance product that brokers bets that the courts will strike down the tariffs. In theory, such trades would connect a company vulnerable to US tariffs with a fund willing to bet that such tariffs might be reversed.

Public reporting indicates that Cantor has offered companies the opportunity to trade their legal claim to a future tariff refund in exchange for 20 to 30% of the duties the company paid, the letter said. In this scenario, if the courts determine that the tariffs are illegal, the company stands to recover hundreds of millions of dollars.

In reference to the cited story from July, Chase, the Cantor spokesperson, said what is being reported about our business is absolutely false.

Senator Elizabeth WarrenPhotographer: Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg

Cantors dealings have been a key area of focus for ethics watchdogs who are on alert for conflicts of interest, given Lutnick is a prominent figure in shaping Trumps policies and other potentially market-moving matters. Brandon Lutnick has said he wants the firm to be sitting at the heart of crypto, an industry that has boomed under the current administration.
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Dealership General Manager/Executive Manager Joe Sarro (third from right) and his Starling Chevrolet team as they present Camp Rise Above reps with a ceremonial check. In total, Starling Chevrolet has provided more than $80,000 to the non-profit since 2002.
Nicole Ziege is a Reporter for The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach/Georgetown Times. She covers government and courts in Myrtle Beach and beyond. She previously covered news in Appalachia and received her journalism degree from Western Kentucky University.
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Cindi Ross Scoppe is an editorial writer and columnist for The Post and Courier who has written about the S.C. Legislature, governor, state government and courts for nearly 40 years. She is a native of North Carolina and graduate of the University of North Carolina and lives in Columbia.
Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) is one of the best high-volume stocks to invest in. On August 6, the FDA announced that it is monitoring a safety issue with Boston Scientific Corporations ENDOTAK RELIANCE defibrillation leads, which are used with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators to prevent sudden cardiac death.

Earlier this year, the company sent a letter to healthcare providers on July 24, warning that calcification of the leads expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/ePTFE coating could lead to a gradual increase in low-voltage shock impedance/LVSI. This can reduce the effectiveness of life-saving shocks and even result in patient death.

FDA Monitors Safety Issue with Boston Scientific Defibrillator Leads

A surgeon examining a patient's brain in an operating room, paramedics nearby.

The affected leads were manufactured and distributed between 2002 and 2021 and are no longer available. As of July 24, Boston Scientific had reported 386 serious injuries and 16 deaths linked to this issue. The FDA has categorized this as a potentially high-risk problem and is actively reviewing data to determine further regulatory action.

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It has 2 segments: MedSurg and Cardiovascular.

While we acknowledge the potential of BSX 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.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-16 05:00:23

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 15, 2025 /Xebra Brands Ltd. ("Xebra") (CSE:XBRA)(FSE:9YC), a international cannabis company, announces that it intends to consolidate its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of ten (10) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-consolidation Common Share (the "Consolidation"). As of the date hereof, there are 84,144,855 Common Shares issued and outstanding and on a post-Consolidation basis, the Company shall have approximately 8,414,486 Common Shares issued and outstanding.No fractional Common Shares will be issued as a result of the Consolidation. Any fractional interest in Common Shares that is less than 0.5 of a Common Share resulting from the Consolidation will be rounded down to the nearest whole Common Share, and any fractional interest in Common Shares that is equal to or greater than 0.5 of a Common Share will be rounded up to the nearest whole Common Share. The Common Shares will be expected begin trading on a consolidated basis and with a new CUSIP number on or around August 28, 2025, subject to regulatory approvals, including the approval of the CSE. Pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and the articles of the Company, shareholder approval of Consolidation is not required.Shareholders of the Company who hold their shares through a securities broker or dealer, bank or trust company will not be required to take any measures with respect to the Consolidation. Xebra's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. ("Computershare"), will mail a letter of transmittal to all registered shareholders of Xebra that will contain instructions for exchanging their pre-Consolidation Common Shares for post-Consolidation Common Shares. Registered shareholders will be required to return their certificates representing pre-Consolidation Common Shares and a completed letter of transmittal to Computershare. Any registered shareholder who submits a duly completed letter of transmittal to Computershare along with pre-Consolidation share certificate will receive in return a post-Consolidation share certificate or Direct Registration System Advice. Xebra's outstanding warrants and options will be adjusted on the same basis (10 to 1) as the Common Shares, with proportionate adjustments being made to exercise prices.The Company is also providing an update to its previously disclosed management cease trade order ("MCTO"), announced on July 2, 2025, in respect of the audited annual financial statements and corresponding management's discussion and analysis for the year ended February 28, 2025, including the CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the "Annual Financial Filings") that were not filed by the required filing deadline of June 30, 2025 (the "Filing Deadline").As previously disclosed, the Annual Financial Filings were not filed by the Filing Deadline because there have been certain liquidity constraints and delays associated with recent changes of management.The Company is working expeditiously to address the liquidity constraints and implement management changes necessary to complete the Annual Financial Filings and expects to file them by August 29, 2025. The Company will provide updates as further information regarding the Annual Financial Filings becomes available.Until the Annual Financial Filings are completed, the MCTO will remain in effect. The Company will continue to issue bi-weekly default status reports in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders and intends to comply with the Alternative Information Guidelines for as long as it remains in default of the filing requirements. The Company confirms that, as of the date of this news release, there have been no material business developments or other material information regarding its affairs that have not been generally disclosed.On behalf of the BoardRodrigo GallardoInterim CEOFor more information contact:+52 (55) 6387-2293 ir@ xebrabrands.comwww.xebrabrands.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, these include, without limitation, statements regarding Xebra Brands Ltd.'s expectations in respect of its ability to successfully execute its business plan or business model; statements, projections and estimates with respect to the Consolidation, the timing of the Consolidation and the Consolidation ratio, statements with respect to the filing of the Annual Financial Filings, the expectation that the Annual Financial Filings will be filed by the Filing Deadline, the expected number of issued and outstanding common shares on a post-Consolidation basis, the mailing of letters of transmittal, Xebra's ability to provide economic, environmental, social, or any benefits of any type, in the communities it operates in or may operate it in the future; its ability to be a first mover in a country, or to obtain or retain government licenses, permits or authorizations in general, or specifically in Mexico, Canada, or elsewhere, including cannabis authorizations from the Mexican Health Regulatory Agency (COFEPRIS) and the timing of such permits or authorizations; its ability to successfully apply for and obtain trademarks and other intellectual property in any jurisdiction; its ability to be cost competitive; its ability to commercialize, cultivate, grow, or process hemp or cannabis in Mexico, Canada, or elsewhere and related plans and timing; its ability to manufacture, commercialize or sell cannabis-infused beverages, wellness products, or other products in Mexico, Canada, or elsewhere, and its related plans and claims, including market interest and availability; its ability to create wellness products that have a therapeutic effect or benefit; plans for future growth and the direction of the business; financial projections including expected revenues, gross profits, and EBITDA (which is a non-GAAP financial measure); plans to increase product volumes, the capacity of existing facilities, supplies from third party growers and contractors; expected growth of the cannabis industry generally; management's expectations, beliefs and assumptions in general, including manufacturing costs, production activity and market potential in Mexico or any ju
A public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, has filed a N500 billion suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and several other parties over alleged violations of the rule of law in two aviation incidents involving Kwam 1 and the Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson.

The case, with case number FHC/L/CS/1632/25, lists as respondents: the President, Attorney-General of the Federation, Aviation and Aerospace Minister Festus Keyamo, NCAA, FAAN, Ibom Air, ValueJet, Nigerian Correctional Service, Kwam 1, the Nigerian Police Force, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the states Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

Speaking to journalists on Friday in a press briefing, Mr Ademiluyi said the action was aimed at enforcing accountability and protecting the public interest.

He stressed that the matter transcends the personalities involved and exposes systemic decay in the aviation sector.

Our aviation system needs a complete overhaul. We cannot allow impunity to reign or degenerate into a banana republic where someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and walk away without consequence, he declared.

Double standards

He accused the authorities of double standards, noting that Ms Emmanson, who was recently released from Kirikiri prison in Lagos after she allegedly assaulted a crew member, faced swift punishment for her conduct, while Kwam 1 allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft without facing legal repercussions.

Its a gross imbalance. He was rewarded with a brand ambassadorship for the aviation sector. What message does that send to the public? he asked.

The lawyer argued that appointing Kwam 1 as an aviation ambassador sends the wrong signal and accused Minister Keyamo of acting as if speaking for one of the airlines rather than enforcing the law. If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, it sends the wrong signal, he said.

Additionally, the lawyer accused Mr Keyamo of selective treatment of Kwam 1 and Ms Emmanson.

We are asking for an order of mandamus to compel relevant authorities to take proper action against those involved, particularly Mr. KWAM 1.

This is not about celebrity status or political connections  its about the sanctity of the rule of law, he stated.

He also faulted the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over its handling of Ms. Emmansons case, saying the body acted as complainant, prosecutor and judge in imposing and later reversing a life ban.

The central issue remains: Mr. Kwam 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big slap on the rule of law,* Ademiluyi stated.

He called on the judiciary to take decisive action: We must set a precedent that no one, regardless of influence or status, is above the law, he concluded.

Backstory

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported, on 5 August, that Kwam 1 attempted to interrupt the ValueJet Airlines morning flight (Flight VK 201) at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, after he was stopped from boarding the aircraft for carrying alcoholic beverages.

The newspaper also reported that Comfort Emmanson allegedly attacked a flight attendant and clashed with security operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on 10 August. Subsequently, the Ibom Air passenger was arrested and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility in Lagos State.

Controversies and criticism from Nigerians followed the two issues, which suggested the two individuals were treated differently for similar offences because of their social status.

Subsequently, Mr Keyamo announced on 13 August that the charges against Kwam 1 and Ms. Emmanson had been withdrawn, adding that both offenders would be engaged in unpaid community service ambassadorial roles, while Ms. Emmanson was also freed from prison.

The NCAA is reducing his flight ban to one month. FAAN will also work with the music star to engage him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.

Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1, earlier lodged with the police, the minister said.

After the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week, the minister said.
Cast: Femi Adebayo, Tunde Kelani, Taiwo George, Yvonne Jegede, Williams Benson, Omowunmi Dada, Jumoke Ajadi, Peter Akande, Kelechi Udegbe, Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey and others.

Language: English/Yoruba

Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Release date: 18 July 2025

Director: Tunde Kelani

Sometimes doing good attracts evil, but persistence eventually brings reward. This saying comes to life in Cordelia, a drama set in Nigeria during the military rule in the early 1990s.

The film, adapted from Femi Osofisans novella of the same name, tells how one small act of kindness draws a quiet man into a national crisis.

It opens by showing both national and personal turmoil: students on a university campus protest against the recent coup declared by Colonel Nwanze Peter. Throughout the protest and beyond, the story depicts a nation in chaos under military rule.

At the same time, the film shows the calm, reserved Professor Adekunle Benson, who struggles with personal unhappiness over his troubled marriage to his wife, Remi.

His problems multiply when he meets Cordelia through his student, Stella, and Cordelias friend. Cordelia becomes the target of protesters because her father is accused of orchestrating the coup.

When Stella, unsure of what to do to rescue her friend, Cordelia, rushes to inform Adekunle Benson that the students are about to kill Cordelia, he acts immediately. He rescues her, despite her being injured and stigmatised as the daughter of a military officer believed to have led the failed coup.

Adekunle Benson hides Cordelia, unaware of her fathers identity or the danger hell face. As events unfold, he finds himself entangled in a serious political conspiracy. He must choose between safeguarding himself and doing what is right, helping Cordelia and revealing the truth.

He eventually meets Cordelias father, who uses him as bait to capture Major Kawale and his men. They kidnap Colonel Nwanze Peters and force him to announce the coup, which later fails under duress.

After Colonel Kawales and his men arrest, justice is restored, and the political drama ends on a powerful note.

Character analysis

The eponymous film features a stellar cast, with Omowunmi Dada portraying Cordelia and William Benson playing Adekunle Benson as the main protagonists.

Beyond the lead cast, every actor excels in their role, delivering performances that breathe life into the drama.

Adekunle Benson is a kind and gentle university professor. At first, he feels hopeless as he battles family problems and prefers to keep out of trouble. Over time, he transforms into a brave and compassionate man.

One of his standout qualities is his willingness to deliver a letter for Colonel Nwanze Peters, portrayed by Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey and turn down a ministerial appointment to avoid being drawn into corruption.

Another standout moment of the film is Adekunle Benson remaining calm with his wife, even when she wrongly accuses him.

Cordelia is a smart student whose life changes when her father, a military officer, is falsely accused of a coup. She makes Adekunle Benson face his doubts and the political problems around them. She appears cheerful but hides real fear about her situation.

Yvonne Jegede plays Remi, Adekunle Bensons jealous wife. She becomes suspicious when Stella, played by Jumoke Ajadi, comes to Adekunle Benson about Cordelias troubles, thinking her husband is involved with her.

Later, she realises her mistake and makes peace with Adekunle Benson. Her humour and energy make her scenes stand out.

Theme

Cordelia explores several themes, including corruption, abuse of power, individual courage, love, marital struggles, and betrayal. From the opening scenes, the film delves into how corruption seeps through every level of society, particularly within government sectors.

This is evident when Major Kawale kidnaps his in-law, Colonel Nwanze Peters, to stage a coup for his ambition of becoming Head of State. This theme mirrors todays political climate, where such greed and manipulation continue to have a ripple effect on citizens.

Abuse of power is another central thread. Major Kawale not only abducts Colonel Nwanze Peters but also deceitfully takes Cordelia into captivity under the pretence of rescuing her, knowing she is his brothers fiancee.

This misuse of authority drives the political drama, showing how those in power can manipulate events, fabricate evidence, and persecute innocent people to protect their interests.

The failed military coup becomes a direct exploration of how power is used to silence opposition and rewrite history.

Beyond exposing corruption in Nigerias political system, Cordelia celebrates individual courage. Characters such as Cordelia and Adekunle Benson begin as victims of circumstance but eventually find the strength to fight for justice.

Their journey from fear and helplessness to brave defiance reinforces the idea that one persons integrity can stand as a formidable weapon against a corrupt system.

The film also weaves in themes of marital struggles between Adekunle Benson and Remi, as well as a romantic connection between Adekunle and Cordelia.

Review

The film keeps viewers glued to their screens, maintaining suspense as each scene flows seamlessly into the next. The cinematography is exceptional, with expertly crafted camera angles, movements, and lighting that capture each moment vividly.

Props such as the piano, cars, television sets, telephones, and costumes firmly root the setting in the 1990s. The soundtrack intensifies the emotional impact of the story, while the use of soliloquy adds depth, most notably when Colonel Nwanze Peters offers Adekunle Benson a ministerial appointment.

Although Adekunle Benson declines, he reflects aloud on his way home, musing about the things he could buy and the life he might lead if he accepted.

One notable flaw is the limited and inconsistent use of flashbacks. The only brief example appears when Remi plays the piano and sings a love song shared with Adekunle Benson.

However, the film misses opportunities to use flashbacks to show critical moments, such as Colonel Nwanze Peterss abduction, his coerced coup declaration, and the assassination of the Head of State.

This omission makes it harder for the audience to grasp the full scope of events.

Despite this shortcoming, Cordelia stands out for its powerful themes, strong performances, and compelling portrayal of courage against corruption.

Verdict: 6/10
Nollywood veteran, Clem Ohameze, has vowed to take action against those responsible for spreading disinformation about him on social media.

Recently, reports that the actor has been abandoned by his sons and is being cared for by his only daughter started trending on the internet.

According to the report, the actor reportedly said that his daughter has been taking care of him for two decades, while his sons gave up on him too soon.

Further strengthening the news, a Facebook page, Okwuluora 1, expressed concern about his financial status

Clem Ohameze has been on my mind for over a year now, but I dont know him too well & his financial status! Pls IF you know him & think that HE needs us to get better, please let me know! One of our finest, the page wrote.

Reaction

The actor, who has mostly been off the public eye, promised to bring the person behind the rumour to book.

In a TikTok live session on Saturday, the Ije: The Journey actor said that it is most unfortunate that those who should know better chose to perpetuate the rumour instead of reaching out to him.

According to the actor, over the years, he chose not to present himself and his family to the public.

They are my private life, and they will stay private. For someone to get on the internet and fabricate such a story and attribute it to me is what I still cannot fathom.

And then people I expected to know more were the same people rubishing and whitewashing, that same story all over the internet, asking for my contacts, he said.

Describing the action of the Facebook page responsible for spreading the information as deliberate and mischievous, the actor said that he has involved the police.

I have sent his number and name to them. This is a cybercrime. I called my friend, who is a director in the DSS. It has cost me a lot to come this far in my life. I will not let an idiot rubbish me just like that for cheap popularity because you want to attract traffic to your page.

Repeat occurrence

It is not the first time the actor has been at the receiving end of unfounded news reports.

In 2024, the veteran actor debunked reports of his demise after seeing a publication of his alleged death and burial arrangements on a blog.

Before that, in 2022, the actor announced that he is set to undergo a critical surgery to fix his cervical vertebrae and regain control of his limbs, which had been affected by an accident he had in the past.

The other time, it was that I was dead; now it is that I had a stroke. I said this and that, but who did I grant the interview to? Do I have three sons?

What nonsense is this? Why dont you call and reach out to me and confirm? Now, you have succeeded in smearing my name all over the world, the actor said in the live session.

Clem Ohameze

A veteran in the Nigerian movie industry, Ohameze started professional acting in 1995.

But his breakthrough role was in 1999 when he featured in a big-budget movie titled Endtime.

He has acted in over 500 movies, including the classic A Cry for Help, Endtime 1 and 2, Billionaires Club, Bad Boys, The Maid and others.

Not much is known about his family except that he is married to Chinwe Esther Ohameze, a public administrator, and they have two children.
A Canadian federal court did not designate Nigerias two leading political parties as terrorist organisations as widely reported by many Nigerian news outlets, a review by PREMIUM TIMES has revealed.

The reports that the Canadian court declared the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as terrorist organisations have circulated widely across news platforms and social media since Thursday.

But a PREMIUM TIMES review of the 16-page judgement delivered in June by the Canadian court found the reports to be misleading.

From this newspapers analysis, what the court actually did was hold the PDP culpable for the subversion of democratic process by engaging in ballot snatching, stuffing of ballot boxes, voter intimidation, and violence during Nigerias general elections that took place from the early 2000s to 2007.

Also, contrary to the widespread framing of the courts decision by Nigerian news platforms, the court did not indict the APC, as its decision was based on the electoral atrocities attributed to the PDP in the 2000s. The judgement referenced the APC only 5 times and the PDP 36 times.

The incidents and the timeframe reviewed by the court predated the APC, which only came into existence in 2013 ahead of the 2015 general elections.

How it began

The Canadian federal court in Ontario, Canada, delivered the judgement on an appeal filed by Nigerian politician Douglas Egharevba against the decision of the Canadian Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) rejecting his refugee status application. Mr Egharevba sued the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness as the sole respondent in the appeal.

The appeal challenged the IADs decision that the applicant was inadmissible to Canada under section 34(1)(f) of Canadas Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) based on his membership in the PDP.

Mr Egharevba entered Canada in 2017 and applied for refugee status under the countrys Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which allows foreign nationals to seek protection if they fear persecution, torture, or a risk to their life or safety in their home country.

The court record said he was a member of the PDP between 1999 and 2007. It also said he joined the All Peoples Congress (APC) in 2007 and maintained his membership of the party until 2017. This appears to have been a mix-up, as there was no party using the acronym APC in 2007. There is also no party that has ever identified as the All Peoples Congress in Nigeria.

The closest to that is the All Progressives Congress (APC), todays ruling party in Nigeria and the only party that has ever adopted that acronym, which only came into existence in 2013.

The acronym APC only featured in the portion of the judgment highlighting Mr Egharevbas political trajectory in Nigeria. It was never mentioned in the rest of the judgment, where political and electoral atrocities attributed to the PDP were addressed by the court.

Mr Egharevbas political history, particularly his affiliation with the PDP, prompted an investigation by Canadian immigration officials.

In 2018, a Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer interviewed Mr Egharevba to determine whether he was admissible to Canada. The applicant confirmed his membership in the PDP and APC (All Peoples Congress) in an interview with the CBSA officer.

By January 2019, an immigration officer found Mr Egharevba inadmissible to Canada for being a member of an organisation believed to have engaged in terrorism and subversion of democratic processes, under Canadas Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

The applicant challenged his inadmissibility before the Immigration Division.

How terrorism crept into the narrative

The Immigration Division initially ruled in favour of Mr Egharevba in September 2020, saying there was insufficient evidence to establish that the leadership of both the PDP and APC intended to cause death or serious bodily harm or intended to subvert democratic processes in Nigeria.

But in March 2024, the IAD overturned that decision and concluded: Although there was no evidence or allegations that the Applicant had personally engaged in terrorism or subversion, the IAD found that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the PDP engaged in terrorism and subversion of democratic institutions.

The IAD further stated that the PDP engaged in political violence and subversion, including ballot stuffing, ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, violence, and murder of opposition supporters and candidates in the 2003 state elections and 2004 local elections.

The conduct of individuals who were members of the PDP, including high-ranking officials and those who committed political violence and intimidation on their behalf, was too widespread and persistent over a period of time to dissociate the leadership of the party from their actions, the IAD said. The Applicants membership in the PDP was sufficient to link him to these acts for the purpose of inadmissibility under paragraph 34(1)(f) of the IRPA.

The IAD therefore declared Mr Egharevba inadmissible to Canada after concluding that the PDP engaged in political violence and subversion of democratic processes.

It did not make a finding on whether Mr Egharevba was also inadmissible due to his APC membership.

Instead, the IAD said the PDPs record during the 2003 and 2004 elections was sufficient and determinative in his case.

Applicants appeal

Mr Egharevba challenged the IAD finding before the Canadian federal court, arguing that he never personally engaged in terrorism or subversion, and that his membership in the PDP did not amount to full integration in the partys activities.

He also claimed that Nigerias elections could not be considered democratic by Canadian standards, describing political violence as systemic and generally accepted as part of electoral politics in Nigeria.

On the other hand, the respondent submitted that it was not required to establish whether the applicant was personally involved in the alleged acts, and an admission of membership in an organisation is sufficient to meet the membership requirement within the meaning of paragraph 34(1)(f) of the IRPA

Court rules on Applicants claim

Federal Court Judge Ngo delivered his judgment on 25 June. He dismissed the applicants argument that he did not personally engage in terrorism and subversion of the democratic process, which the IAD blamed on the PDP.

The judge ruled that under Canadian immigration law, authorities do not need to prove a persons direct involvement in such acts  membership in an implicated organisation is enough. The Applicant was personally involved in the alleged acts and an admission of membership in an organisation is sufficientregardless of the nature, frequency, duration or degree of involvement.

The judge affirmed the IADs finding that the PDP conducted unlawful acts such as ballot box snatching and described it uncontested.

Given this context, I find that the IADs conclusion on the Applicants membership with the PDP for the purposes of a determination under 34(1)(f) was reasonable.

I also note the IADs uncontested finding of fact that the Applicant had testified being aware of ballot-box snatching and political violence in Rivers State, but not in Edo State where he was located, the judge wrote.

However, he said, IADs decision referenced objective evidence that reported deaths and incidents of violent intimidation in Edo State during the Elections.

The IAD stated that while knowledge was not a required element in assessing admissibility as a member of the PDP, the IAD found the Applicant most likely downplayed his knowledge and the seriousness of political violence committed by the parties in which he was involved. I see no reason to intervene with the IADs conclusion on the Applicants membership with the PDP.

The court also rejected the argument that violence and corruption in Nigerian elections make them undemocratic by Canadian standards, saying such flaws do not strip an election of its status as a democratic process under Canadian law.

Court adopts subversion, ignores terrorism

The judge held that Mr Egharevbas membership of the PDP was enough to declare him inadmissible into Canada.

But he also laid bare the latitude he had to uphold the Nigerian politicians rejection on the grounds of the PDPs subversion of the democratic process or terrorism.

At the hearing, the parties agreed that if I were to find the IADs analysis to be reasonable on either subversion or terrorism, that would be sufficient to uphold the finding of inadmissibility under paragraph 34(1)(f) given that the Applicant could be determined to be inadmissible on the basis of either paragraph 34(1)(b.1) or 34(1)(c), he wrote.

Concluding, the judge adopted subversion and was silent on terrorism.

Concerning the IADs finding that the PDP engaged in acts of subversion during the elections, Justice Ngo said: I find that the IADs decision is transparent, intelligible and justifiable in light of the legal and factual constraints that bear on it.

Explaining his adoption of grounds of subversion over terrorism, he said, Having found that the IADs analysis on subversion was reasonable, this is sufficient to dismiss the application for judicial review. I will therefore refrain from analysing the IADs findings on terrorism.

The court declared Mr Egharevba inadmissible in Canada after concluding that the PDP engaged in political violence and subversion of democratic processes.

However, the court didnt declare the PDP and APC a terrorist organisation.

Under paragraph 34(1)(f) of Canadas Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), a permanent resident or foreign national is inadmissible on security grounds if they are a member of an organisation that is believed to be involved in acts of espionage, subversion, or terrorism.

This provision connects to paragraphs 34(1)(b.1) and 34(1)(c) because it allows a person to be found inadmissible if they are associated with an organisation that engages in the specific acts described in those paragraphs, namely acts of subversion against a democratic government (paragraph 34(1)(b.1)) or terrorism (paragraph 34(1)(c)).

Any of the acts of espionage, subversion, or terrorism could be the basis for denying a foreigner an opportunity to be admitted into Canada. The judge in Mr Egharevbas case chose to adopt subversion.

Misleading reports

An online news platform, Peoples Gazette, first reported the judgment in Nigeria on Thursday, claiming that the Canadian Federal High Court upheld a landmark immigration tribunal ruling that declared Nigerias major political parties, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, as terrorist organisations.

The newspaper reported that Canadian Immigration officials also refused asylum to a former member, Douglas Egharevba, over his decade-long affiliation with both parties.

The ruling stands as one of the clearest pronouncements by a foreign court equating Nigerias ruling and former ruling parties with terrorist entities under international law. It reaffirms that party membership abroad can justify exclusion from Canada if the organisation is linked to terrorism or democratic subversion  even without a criminal record or evidence of personal violence, the report said.

The story went viral across social media platforms, gaining over 386,000 impressions on X and thousands of reposts.

After the Peoples Gazette report, several newspapers, including Vanguard, Sahara Reporters, TheCable, and DailyPost, also reported the story from the same angle.

The Nigerian government has rejected the alleged designation of Nigerias two largest parties, APC and PDP, as terrorist organisations by a Canadian federal court. The APC and the PDP have also rejected the alleged ruling.

But both the government and the parties reacted to inaccurate reporting of the judgment, our review of the document shows.
The House of Representatives has challenged one of its members, Ibrahim Auyo (APC, Jigawa), to substantiate his claim that federal lawmakers pay between 1 million and 3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions on the floor of the chamber.

Mr Auyo made the allegations during a meeting with constituents in Jigawa State on Thursday.

In a viral video recorded in Hausa, the lawmaker, first elected in 2015, responded to criticism over his limited record in sponsoring bills and motions by alleging that the process is financially prohibitive.

He said, Since I was elected as a member in 2015, no individual has given me a bill to pass, either from Auyo, Hadejia, or Kafin Hausa. They are just pretending, he said.

And also, even the bills and petitions are paid for. You have to pay from N3 million, N2 million, or N1 million to present it.

And after you present the bill, you must follow up by lobbying the whole 360 members of the House to accept the bill.

Mr Auyo also defended his record on youth empowerment, claiming that 80 per cent of his constituency projects target young people, although he alleged that some beneficiaries sell the items they receive.

I do distribute my things [empowerment] myself, and 80 per cent out of 100 per cent is for youths, I swear to Almighty Allah.

My first motorcycle and car distribution was distributed to the youths. No single elderly person benefited. Just recently, during the governors empowerment in Auyo LGA, all the beneficiaries were youths.

You bought [an empowerment item] at N300,000; they sell it for N150,000 immediately after collecting it, he added.

Countering claims

However, the House of Representatives swiftly moved to counter his claims.

In a statement on Friday, Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House, said such allegations are unsubstantiated and risk undermining public trust in the National Assembly if not backed by evidence.

Statements of this nature must be backed by verifiable facts and presented through the appropriate parliamentary channels, Mr Rotimi said.

According to him, the legislature operates under well-established and transparent procedures for introducing bills, motions, and petitions, procedures grounded in the constitution and the House Standing Orders.

The insinuation that sponsoring a motion or bill is a contract job involving bribes is inconsistent with these processes and must be clarified, he stated.

Lawmaker to face ethics panel

Mr Rotimi said Mr Auyo will be invited to substantiate his claims when the House reconvenes.

He said failure to provide evidence by the Jigawa lawmaker will see the matter referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for appropriate consideration, in line with parliamentary procedure.

He stressed that the House is committed to fostering mutual respect among members while upholding the dignity of parliament.

Efforts to contact Mr Auyo were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off at the time of this report.

A history of controversy in the National Assembly

The allegation adds to a long list of public distrust issues surrounding Nigerias legislature.

Over the years, the National Assembly has been repeatedly criticised for its opaque operations, especially concerning lawmakers salaries and allowances, widely regarded as among the highest in the world.

It has also been embroiled in multiple bribery scandals. One of such cases was in 2012, when then House member Farouk Lawan was accused of accepting a $500,000 bribe during the fuel subsidy probe.

In 2017, former House Appropriations Committee chair Abdulmumin Jibrin accused senior lawmakers of padding the budget, claims that triggered a storm but were eventually swept aside after internal disciplinary action against him.

In the Senate, a similar controversy erupted in March 2024 when Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) accused the National Assembly of padding the 2024 Appropriation Act, claiming that 3.7 trillion lacked identifiable projects or locations.

Earlier this year, PREMIUM TIMES reported that senators and members of the House operating through the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETfund and House Committee on University Education allegedly demanded a bribe of N8 million each from university vice chancellors to approve the budgets of their institutions.

Similarly, the constituency projects scheme, intended to bring development closer to communities has been dogged by allegations of inflated contracts, ghost projects, and diversion of funds.

For now, all eyes will be on the House when it reconvenes after its current recess in September, as Nigerians wait to see whether Mr Auyo will present evidence or face the ethics panel over remarks that have reignited debate on integrity in the nations lawmaking process.
Contraceptives are essential tools for preventing unintended pregnancies and managing reproductive health.

They work in different ways: some by stopping sperm from fertilising an egg, others by preventing a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus.

While certain methods, such as condoms, also protect against sexually transmitted infections, others focus mainly on preventing pregnancy through hormonal or physical means.

Beyond pregnancy prevention, contraceptives help women plan and space their children, reduce maternal health risks, and lower the need for unsafe abortions.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has a high unmet need for contraception, meaning a large proportion of women of reproductive age who want to avoid or delay pregnancy are not using any effective contraceptive method.

WHO estimated that, globally, about 257 million women of reproductive age face this same challenge.

In Nigeria, knowledge about contraceptive use is even more limited, with many women lacking accurate information about available methods, how they work, and their potential benefits or side effects.

Types of contraceptives

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), contraceptives are generally divided into three main categories: hormonal, non-hormonal, and emergency methods.

Hormonal contraceptives use synthetic forms of hormones to prevent pregnancy. These types of birth control methods work mainly by stopping ovulation or thinning the uterine lining to prevent implantation.

Some contraceptive commodities under this category are: control pills, hormonal IUDs, implants, contraceptive injections, skin patches, and vaginal rings.

The non-hormonal contraceptive, on the other hand, prevents pregnancy without altering the bodys hormones. They work through physical barriers, chemical agents that kill sperm, surgical procedures, or fertility awareness techniques.

Examples: male and female condoms, copper IUDs, diaphragms, sterilisation, fertility awareness methods, spermicides.

Meanwhile, emergency contraceptives are used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure to reduce the risk of pregnancy. They work mainly by delaying ovulation or preventing implantation.

Emergency contraceptives are not meant for regular use.

Side effects

According to Kingsley Odogwu, a medical doctor with MSI reproductive choices, contraceptives, although effective and recommended for family planning, can sometimes have side effects.

Multiple research and studies have also shown that contraceptives have both mild and severe side effects.

For hormonal contraception, commonly reported side effects include headaches, feeling sick, mood swings, weight gain, sore breasts and acne, according to a report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Another report by the UK National Health Service also stated that non-hormonal contraception can cause heavier or more painful periods, particularly within the first months. It also causes itching, rash, urinary tract infections, and in some cases, puts users at surgical risk.

READ ALSO: Women call for increased availability of contraceptives in Jigawa

Meanwhile, for emergency contraceptive methods, the side effects include nausea and vomiting, slight irregular vaginal bleeding, and fatigue.

In many cases, these side effects are mild and will normally resolve without further medications.

However, in some cases, these side effects can be severe.

More insights

According to Mr Odogwu, women need to undergo medical screening before choosing a contraceptive to prevent severe implications that could arise from adopting one of the methods.

He stated that certain medical conditions could get worse with selected family planning methods, hence, screening for medical eligibility is non-negotiable.

The WHO, in its Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) for Contraceptives, recommended that medical eligibility must be taken into account for contraceptive use.

Women who have certain health histories, such as blood clots, stroke, heart diseases or high blood pressure, are advised to avoid hormonal contraceptives containing estrogens.

According to the WHO, they face a high risk of life-threatening complications like stroke or deep vein thrombosis.

Mr Odogwu also explained that providing a range of contraceptives also enables women to make informed choices.
The much-anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was held on Friday, and ended with President Trump saying we didnt quite get there when asked about a ceasefire agreement.

Mr Putin visited the US for the first time in decades and was received with red carpet treatment and a warm welcome at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson military facility in the Alaskan capital city of Anchorage.

This marked a rare moment on the international stage for Mr Putin, a leader sidelined by much of the West since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His trips overseas have been largely confined to countries sympathetic to Moscow, such as Belarus and North Korea.

Both leaders lavished praise on each other, with Mr Putin endorsing Mr Trumps view that the war would never have started if Mr Trump had won the 2020 election.

They, however, offered no details of the nearly three-hour meeting, and there was no announcement of a ceasefire agreement.

Here are some key takeaways from their meeting:

Deal or no deal

While the meeting between the leaders was expected to last more than seven hours, it was concluded in less than three hours.

The two leaders addressed a gathering of journalists that had been waiting with a brief pre-written statement.

In his address, Mr Putin expressed commitment to ending the war but emphasised that the conflicts primary causes must be eliminated for a lasting agreement.

Mr Putin also warned Ukraine and the European Union not to throw a wrench in the work.

He also cautioned against what he described as attempts to use backroom dealings to derail the fragile progress made so far.

Mr Trump, looking relatively subdued, according to multiple media reports, described the meeting as extremely productive.

He stated many points were agreed to, and that there was now a high chance of reaching a ceasefire agreement.

He, however, conceded that there remain sticking points with Moscow, including at least one significant one.

He identified that its ultimately up to them,referring to Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war. Theres no deal until theres a deal, he said.

Neither of them took questions from the reporters.

Talk on US-Russia trade relations

In the run-up to Fridays much-anticipated summit with the Russian president, Mr Trump vowed that there would be no discussion of business with Mr Putin until the two had made substantive progress on halting the fighting.

This was amidst expectations that Mr Putin would try to dilute the talks by raising issues of trade and cooperation.

Russia has in the past sought to use its vast reserves of rare earth minerals, essential for a range of cutting-edge industries, as a bargaining chip in talks with the US.

That plan, however, appeared to be sidetracked, with the Russian president later saying the two leaders had instead discussed cooperation in technology and space.

He said, Its clear that US and Russian investment and business cooperation has tremendous potential. Russia and the US can offer each other so much. In trade, digital, high-tech and in space exploration, and we see that Arctic cooperation is also very possible.

Putin affirms Trumps assertion on war

President Putin backed Mr Trumps claim that if he had been in the White House four years ago, rather than Joe Biden, the war in Ukraine would never have begun.

This is a narrative that seems to suit Mr Trump, allowing him to cast himself as a dealmaker.

Im quite sure it would indeed be so, he said

In order to make the settlement last long-term, we need to eliminate all the roots of that conflict, he added. Russia has its national interests.

The Russian President has long attributed the war to NATOs eastward expansion on the grounds that it put his countrys survival at risk.

The invasion of Ukraine, according to him, was necessitated by the need to protect Russias national security.

He praised Mr Trump for having a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and sincerely cares about the prosperity of his country, while simultaneously understanding that Russia has its own national interests.

I expect that todays agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also mark the beginning of the restoration of businesslike, pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S., Mr Putin said.

Next meeting

Rounding off a joint statement which failed to include a ceasefire agreement, Mr Putin, in English, said to Mr Trump: Next time in Moscow.

Oh, thats an interesting one, Mr Trump replied. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.

President Trump also emphasised his hopes to host a trilateral meeting on ending the war.

This time, both Mr Putin and Ukraines Zelenskyy would be attending.

The US leader said he would now call NATO officials and Mr Zelenskyy to discuss the meeting.

After the meeting, President Trump, on Truth Social, wrote, the best way to end the war is to go directly to a peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire, which often do not hold up.

Also, in an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity after the meeting, Mr Trump was asked how he rated the summit on a scale of 10. He described the meet as a 10 out of 10.

We got along great, he said.

Now, its really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done. And I would also say the European nations have to get involved a little bit. But its up to President Zelenskyy, he stated.

Meanwhile, Ukraines president will fly to Washington DC on Monday to meet President Trump for a separate meeting.
When Ami drove her newly purchased used car off the lot, she thought she was set. Instead, she ended up with a blown engine, a $30,000 loan and a $6,000 warranty that wont pay up  and now shes fighting to keep her life from stalling out.

When everything went south, the Tampa resident took it to a mechanic. She was shocked to discover that the warranty company wouldnt cover repairs to the engine.

Don't miss

Theyre trying to get out of it, said Ami.

Instead, the company told her shed have to pay for the teardown to determine the cause of the problem  an out-of-pocket expense she cant afford.

Basically, I have no car and Im stuck with this, Ami said.

After going back and forth with the dealership and warranty company, she ran out of ideas and turned to The Ramsey Show for advice.

Exploding engine? Not covered by her car warranty

Does it not cover exploding engines? asked co-hot John Delony.

The details matter when it comes to car warranties. Depending on the fine print, Ami might have to cover the teardown costs before the warranty pays for certain repairs.

That is insane, fellow co-host George Kamel said. Ive never heard where you have to pay and then maybe the warranty company will reimburse you later.

Its rare for a warranty to cover everything that could go wrong with your vehicle. But many do cover engine problems.

Since Ami paid $6,000 for an extended warranty, youd think it would. But she may have overpaid. The average extended warranty costs about $1,300 a year, according to MarketWatch. Unless hers lasted at least four and a half years, she paid more than most.

If you bought that warranty through that dealer, then there may be some liability on their part, that theyre pushing a bad product on you, Delony said.

A key detail: Ami signed an as-is agreement when purchasing the car. Essentially, this legalese means that she purchased the car in its existing condition.

Shes not alone. Other customers of the same dealership have complained about similar warranty issues. The Better Business Bureaus shows mixed reviews for the business, but many complaints share the same story. In its responses, the dealership often points to the as-is agreement, saying it doesnt owe help to customers  even those who bought extended warranties.
Nigeria has scored a major counter-terrorism victory with the capture of two of the most wanted leaders of the Al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru group, authorities announced on Saturday.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed at a press briefing in Abuja that a months-long, intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman, popularly known as Abu Baraa, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda.

Abu Baraa, described as the Emir of Ansaru, was the overall coordinator of the groups sleeper cells across Nigeria and mastermind of several kidnappings and terrorist financing operations.

His deputy, Mamuda, headed the notorious Mahmudawa faction of Ansaru based in and around Kainji National Park and trained in Libya under foreign jihadist instructors.

These two men have been on Nigerias most-wanted list for years and are also internationally sought terrorists, Mr Ribadu said. Their capture marks one of the most decisive blows against Ansaru since its emergence in 2012.

Ansaru, formally known as Jamaatu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, broke away from Boko Haram in 2012 and quickly gained notoriety for attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.

The group, which pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), claimed responsibility for high-profile crimes including the 2022 Kuje prison break in Abuja, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, the 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, the abduction of the Emir of Wawa, the deadly attacks on a Niger uranium facility and other cross-border operations.

Mr Ribadu said the arrest of the two Ansaru leaders, between May and July 2025, has effectively dismantled the terrorist groups central command.

He added that caches of materials and digital evidence recovered during the operation are undergoing forensic analysis, and are expected to yield further intelligence on the groups networks in Nigeria and the wider Sahel.

He credited President Bola Tinubu for providing strategic support and praised the armed forces, intelligence services, and other stakeholders for their coordination in pulling off the operation.

The fall of Ansarus leadership signals the beginning of the end of impunity for terrorist leaders in Nigeria, the NSA declared. We will continue to pursue extremists with precision, resolve, and unwavering determination.

Authorities urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue to share intelligence with security agencies, stressing that national security is a shared responsibility.

BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT BY NSA Nuhu Ribadu.

PRESS BRIEFING ON RECENT SUCCESSES RECORDED IN NIGERIAS ONGOING COUNTER TERRORISM EFFORTS AGAINST ANSARU HELD AT ONSA ON 16 AUGUST 2025

PROTOCOLS

PREAMBLE

I am happy to welcome you all to this press briefing session. This briefing is organised to update you on the recent successes recorded by Nigeria in the ongoing efforts to decisively rid our country of terrorist groups. This press briefing is in line with our continuous resolve to keep the general public abreast with the efforts being undertaken by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in conjunction with the Services, Intelligence Agencies and other key stakeholders.

2. Today, I am glad to inform you that we have successfully concluded a high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation which led to the capture of the top leadership of Jamaatu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as ANSARU, Nigerias Al-Qaeda affiliate.

3. The group was first formed in January 2012 with a public declaration in Kano. It emerged as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, positioning itself as a humane alternative. However, its stated aim quickly turned to attacking Nigerian security operatives, civilian communities and government infrastructure. The group publicly displayed the setting sun logo of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), signaling its ideological and operational alignment with global jihadist movements.

4. Over the years, Ansaru entrenched itself in both urban sleeper cells and forest enclaves, across several cities in northern Nigeria and in forest based enclaves particularly around Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States as well as Benin Republic.

SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE APPREHENSION

5. The targeted operation, which was conducted between May and July 2025, led to the capture of 2 top ANSARU leaders who have been responsible for masterminding several terrorist attacks against Nigeria over the past years:

a. The first is Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Baraa/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU. He is the coordinator of various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria. He is also the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.

b. The second is Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Baras proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy. He is the leader of the so-called Mahmudawa cell hiding out in and around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States up to Benin Republic. Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specializing in weapons handling and IED fabrication.

c. These 2 men have been on Nigerias most-wanted list for years. They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure. Their operations include the 2022 Kuje prison break, the attack on the Niger uranium facility, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, and the May 1, 2019 kidnapping of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba (Magajin Garin Daura). They were also behind the abduction of the Emir of Wawa and they maintain active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

d. The 2 men, who are wanted internationally, are currently in custody.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OPERATION

6. The capture of Abu Bara and Mallam Mamuda, the groups leader and deputy commander respectively, marks one of the most significant achievements to date in our ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism. The successful decapitation of the leadership of this dangerous franchise marks the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception. This stride has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group.

7. This feat undoubtedly exemplifies Nigerias advancing counter-terrorism capabilities. The precision operation followed months of deep surveillance, human intelligence, and technical tracking, which demonstrates enhanced sophistication and seamless inter-agency synergy.

8. Let me use this opportunity to inform the public that, in the course of the operation, our security forces captured and recovered valuable actionable intelligence. These include a cache of materials and digital evidence which are all now undergoing forensic analysis. The findings from the analysis are expected to support our ongoing efforts to exploit this success, bring them to justice, and completely annihilate the residual of ANSARU networks and disrupt their foreign collaborators.

CLOSING NOTES

9. The capture of Abu Bara and Mahmuda signals the beginning of the end to impunity for terrorist leaders. Nigeria will continue to pursue extremists with precision, resolve, and unwavering determination. The fight is far from over, but the fall of ANSARU leadership represents a decisive step forward.

10. At this juncture, let me appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the strategic guidance and support in all ramifications which give us the impetus to continue to record successes. I must also appreciate the doggedness of the Armed Forces and all our intelligence and security agencies who all worked tirelessly and collaboratively to achieve this outcome.

11. In conclusion, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the media for your patriotism and relentless support to our drive to stamp out terrorism from our dear Nation. Finally, let me reassure the general public that we will not relent in our drive to make Nigeria safe for all citizens. In recognition that national security is a shared responsibility, I urge all law abiding citizens to continue to remain vigilant and volunteer timely information to security agencies for prompt action. Thank you for your patience and rapt attention.
The Plateau State House of Assembly has opposed an alleged plan to relocate the headquarters of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) from Jos, warning that such a move would undermine the states economy and diminish federal presence.

During the plenary on Thursday at the Old Government House Chamber, Rayfield, the member representing Quaan-Pan South, Theodore Maiyaki, raised the matter under urgent public importance.

Mr Maiyaki, who chairs the House Committee on Education, Science, and Technology, argued that relocating the ITF would disrupt economic activities tied to the institution, lead to job losses, undermine its historical significance in Jos, and affect long-standing training programmes and partnerships.

The lawmaker urged the Assembly to liaise with the state government to engage federal authorities, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, ITF leadership, key stakeholders, the President, the National Assembly, and the ITF governing council to ensure the Fund remains in Jos.

Presided over by Speaker Naanlong Daniel, the Assembly unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the purported relocation.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, ITF Head of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, denied any plan to move the headquarters from Plateau State.

The ITF deeply values its longstanding historical ties and socio-economic contributions to Plateau State, which have been integral to its identity since 1976, when the Funds headquarters was relocated from Lagos to Jos, the statement read.

Mr Ngor stressed that neither the management, governing council, nor the supervising ministry had considered relocating the headquarters.

There is no proposed relocation of the ITF headquarters from Jos, despite the Honourable Members claims, he said, adding that the Fund was open to dialogue with the state government and other stakeholders to address concerns and strengthen collaborative efforts for mutual benefit.

He urged the public to disregard rumours of relocation, describing them as unfounded and misleading.
After more than ten days of extensive discussions, delegations from about 184 countries were unable to reach a consensus on the adoption of an internationally binding treaty on plastics pollution.

The negotiations were held in Geneva, Switzerland.

This outcome highlights existing divisions among participating nations within various negotiation groups, as parties rejected two proposed drafts intended for adoption. Similarly, the third version of a proposed draft published at the early hours of Friday before the commencement of the closing plenary, was equally shelved by parties.

The fifth session of the second part of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) is hereby adjourned and will resume at a later date, declared the Chair of the INC, Luis Valdivieso, in response to mounting pressure from the Heads of Delegation from Kuwait and the United States, who expressed frustration at the progress of the negotiations.

The difficulties in achieving consensus became apparent on Friday, following an extension of negotiations that were initially scheduled to conclude on 14 August, but which extended to 15 August due to repeated delays in convening the closing plenary session.

During the closing plenary, delegates/representatives of the participating countries took turns to express their concerns and devotion to achieve an encompassing agreement in the near future.

As the session was drawing to a close, questions requesting details of what next by some country representatives got no definitive response from the presiding chair.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that the plenary hall was somewhat scanty due to the repeated adjustment of the plenary schedules against the will of delegates and participants.

INC-5.2

Last week Tuesday, nearly 4000 participants, including negotiators from over 180 countries, reconvened in Geneva for what was intended to be the final round of talks to establish a legally binding global instrument on plastic pollution.

The convening, which kick-started over three years ago, is against the backdrop of a resolution (5/14) reached by member states at the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in March 2022.

The resolution, entitled End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument, requested the Executive Director of UNEP to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an instrument.

This instrument is to be based on a comprehensive science-based approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design, and disposal.

This did not happen, as negotiations meant to achieve a balanced and all-inclusive treaty remain inconclusive amidst divergent views among member states.

Nigerias concerns and demands

In its immediate reaction to the adjournment of the INC-5.2 plenary, Nigerias Head of Delegation in Geneva, Jibrin Ahmadu, expressed the countrys commitment to reconstructive engagement.

However, he noted that Nigeria cannot support an outcome that disregards its core positions, urging parties to work towards a text that is balanced, implementable and inclusive.

Nigerias circumstances and capabilities must be respected in line with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, the official said.

Additionally, he stressed the need for robust, predictable and adequately resourced financial mechanisms, alongside guaranteed access to appropriate and affordable technology. These, Mr Ahmadu said, are essential to drive meaningful and sustainable implementation of the plastics instrument.

Without these enabling pillars, the ambition of this treaty will remain unattainable particularly for developing countries, he said.

Core demands

Mr Ahmadu said, as emphasised during the delegations meeting, Nigeria calls for a clear and inclusive definition that leaves no ambiguity in scope.

Also, he identified recognition of the national action plan as a primary vehicle for implementation, and that it should be guided but not restrained by international frameworks.

Nigeria also called for the removal of bracketed text and unclear provisions that undermine certainty, and an implementation framework that is fair and supportive of national development priorities.

Nigeria acknowledges and welcomes the proposal for Kenya to host the secretariat, noting the strategic geographical and political significance of situating it on the continent of Africa, he noted.

Africas position

In her remarks, Ghanas ministry of environment director for policy planning, monitoring and evaluation, Lydia Essuah, who spoke on behalf of the Africa group, said Africa did not start it, but can end it.

We, the Africa region, reaffirm our common ambition to end plastic pollution through a legally binding global treaty that protects human health and the environment, she said.

She explained that the treaty must include measures that address plastics across the full lifecycle as mandated by UNEA resolution 5/14, that was adopted by consensus by parties.

African countries came to these negotiations with more than words; we have been fully committed to this process, the official said, noting that a binding commitment to end plastic pollution must be accompanied by clear obligations to provide multilateral finance that is adequate, stable, accessible, and predictable.

Without this, she said, African countries will not be able to implement the treaty at scale, protect vulnerable communities, or transition to sustainable production and consumption systems.

While emphasising that the chairs text did not meet the aspirations of all Member States, Ms Essuah said Africa believed it could serve as the basis for future work.

Africa demands a clear way forward and another INC where we can resume negotiations and, this time, develop a draft that reflects the mandate of UNEA 5/14 resolution and the high ambition that the world needs, she said.

We cannot accept it as it is, but we will accept it if we can build on it and modify it in a fair and inclusive process.
As part of efforts to strengthen flood preparedness in Lagos State, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) on Friday carried out a flood simulation exercise at Agboyi Community in the Kosofe Local Government Area of the State.

The exercise, carried out in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other emergency response agencies, is part of the Italian Governmentfunded Flood Resilience Project being implemented in six selected high-risk states across Nigeria: Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Enugu, Lagos and Nasarawa.

According to NRCS, the project aims to strengthen community preparedness and response capacity by recreating real-life flood scenarios, testing early warning systems and evacuation processes, and improving coordination among emergency agencies.

Participating agencies included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Office of Drainage Services, and the Nigerian Police.

As part of the event, community members took part in staged emergency scenarios showing how to respond during flooding. At the river in Agboyi, trained rescuers demonstrated how to save people from drowning, while another scene showed divers searching for people who had drowned.

Ambulances from participating agencies were on standby, and a triage point was set up to treat simulated emergencies on the spot.

LASEMA recently mapped Kosofe among the communities most vulnerable to flooding, and residents are encouraged to contact the state emergency line at 112 during emergencies.

Preparedness saves lives

Speaking with journalists, Chairman of NRCS Lagos State Branch, Adebola Kolawale, said the simulation is part of the wider Italian Governmentfunded project implemented through the IFRC to support flood-prone states.

Mrs Kolawale explained that the three-day programme in Agboyi covered search and rescue training, first aid, and community response strategies. Selected residents trained as First Aiders are expected to act as the first line of response during floods and to pass on their knowledge to others.

When there is a flood, they already know how to go about it. They already know who to call, who to alert, how to raise an alarm and how to assist the person who has drowned, she said.

She noted that floods not only threaten lives but also disrupt education, businesses and livelihoods, making preparedness crucial.

Targeting flood-prone areas

The Assistant Director in NEMAs Search and Rescue Department, Adenike Ibitayo, said Agboyi was chosen because of its history of severe flooding, which had prompted several past interventions.

Ms Ibitayo said NEMA, LASEMA, the Red Cross and other stakeholders have carried out sensitisation campaigns in the community on proper waste disposal, drainage clearing and environmental care.

We have come to sensitise them. You dont dump your waste in drainage whenever there is rainfall; you need to clear your drainage and take proper care of your environment, she said.

Even as we were carrying out the assessment, we were also educating them, telling them the dangers of drinking the water and some other things that can come up as a result of the flooding.

She said the simulation aimed to build an efficient flood response system, identify gaps, and improve coordination between agencies.

Training at community level

Also, the Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Lagos State Branch, Olakunle Lasisi, said the organisation has worked with flood-prone communities through early warning training and by engaging local leaders.

We let them know where there are some signs. Like the need to evacuate where they are and move to the high-level land, because when this flood comes, at times, it will be too late for them to move, Mr Lasisi said.

READ ALSO: Three Nigerian states unveil plans to tackle flooding

He said residents in Agboyi have adopted coping strategies such as elevating household items, temporarily relocating children, or moving businesses to safer areas during floods.

He added that the Red Cross also provides livelihood support, hygiene education, and water purification tools, and partners with government agencies during outbreaks.

In her remarks, the Disaster Management Officer at the Nigerian Red Cross Headquarters, Charity Okoma, representing the Director of Disaster Management, Benson Agboro, said, We do this in order to build the resilience of the community. Show them how best they can respond to themselves before the emergency responders approach them.

Red Cross does not respond alone. We respond in collaboration with our relevant stakeholders, just as you have seen here today.
The head office of Fresh FM Nigeria, located in the Challenge area of Ibadan, Oyo State, was gutted by a devastating fire on Friday evening, resulting in severe damage to key facilities.

Samson Akindele, the stations group head of Corporate Affairs, confirmed in a statement that the studios of Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3 FM were badly burnt, along with nearby offices including the newsroom, transmitter/server room, and several vital pieces of broadcast equipment.

A staff member of the station, Samuel Arugboboisi, raised the alarm about the fire at 7.35 p.m. on Friday on his Facebook page, appealing to emergency responders and the public for urgent intervention.

Mr Akindele said the cause of the fire is still unknown, and the full extent of the damage has not yet been quantified.

The station has, however, expressed deep gratitude to members of the public who rendered immediate assistance during the emergency.

We heartily appreciate every good-spirited Nigerian who joined us in fighting the fire. From the residents around our studio complex who were the first responders, to passersby and the officials of the Oyo Fire Service. We thank everyone for their assistance during the emergency, the statement read.

Meanwhile, no casualties have been reported and investigations into the incident are expected to begin shortly.

Fresh FM

Fresh FM is a prominent media house in South-west Nigeria, known for its vibrant programming and wide listenership. It is owned by popular musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele.

The building housing Mr Ayefeles enterprises, including Merry Makers Band, Tiwantiwa Radio, Blast FM and Fresh FM, was engulfed in flames around 7:30 pm, the Guardian Newspaper reported.

A staff membe of the station, Samuel Arugboboisi, raised the alarm about the fire at 7.35 p.m. on Saturday on his Facebook page, appealing to emergency responders and the public for urgent intervention.

Fresh FM is currently on fire! We urgently need the Fire Service to respond immediately. Please spread the word and alert the nearest station, he wrote.

He announced in another Facebook post at 10.24 a.m. on Saturday that the radio station was back on air. He thanked Nigerians and residents of Ibadan for their continued support.

After the fire incident last night, Fresh FM is back on air! This station is too innovative, too resilient, and truly unstoppable, he wrote.

However, attempts to dial into the stations online stream proved unsuccessful as Fresh FM remained off-air at the time of reporting.

Reflecting on the fire outbreak in another post on Saturday, Mr Arugboboisi recalled another paralysing incident the radio station faced this month seven yeaers ago, when it was demolished by the administration of the then-Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Fresh FM Ibadan has once again been struck by tragedy in the month of August. In August 2018, the station faced demolition. Now, seven years later, just as preparations were underway to celebrate our 10th anniversary, a devastating fire broke out on August 15, 2025, he wrote.

The Oyo State Government reconstructed the radio station within four months after demolishing it.

Mr Ajimobis administration completed the reconstruction just months to the end of his tenure as governor.

The former governor died from coronavirus-related complications in June 2020.
A few days ago, a haunting image surfaced on my Facebook feed that I cannot unsee; sun-bleached human remains lying half-buried in the arid vastness of the Sahara Desert. No plaques. No mourners. Just a silent testament to lives extinguished by thirst, exhaustion, and despair. These were not the casualties of Africas intractable wars or natural catastrophe; they were migrants, ordinary men and women from the motherland, chasing the faint shimmer of opportunity across unforgiving sands. Their destination? Europe. Their ambition? Survival. Their fate? Death.

Yet their story is neither isolated nor anomalous. It is the refrain of a continent hemorrhaging its most vulnerable in a desperate bid for escape. Between 2020 and May 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) documented over 1,180 confirmed deaths during Sahara crossings alone, a figure widely accepted as a severe underestimation, given the deserts vast, lawless expanses. The Sahara, it turns out, is not just a desert; it is an open-air graveyard, an unmarked mass tomb for the continents discarded hopes.

Beyond the desert lies another abyss: the Mediterranean. Since 2014, more than 23,000 migrants have drowned or vanished in its depths. In 2023, a record 8,565 migrant deaths were reported globally, only to be eclipsed in 2024, which saw 8,938 deaths, including 2,452 in the Mediterranean and 2,242 across Africa. Each number, a life once animated by hope. Each statistic, a damning indictment of systemic failure.

Nowhere is this more acute than in Nigeria, Africas most populous nation. In 2017, the Nigerian Immigration Service disclosed that over 10,000 Nigerians perished in a mere five-month span while attempting to flee. Nearly half drowned in the Mediterranean; the rest succumbed to the deserts merciless embrace. Such figures, while staggering, cannot begin to encapsulate the sorrow of entire communities emptied of their youth.

These tragedies are not acts of nature. They are the downstream consequences of political dysfunction, endemic corruption, and moral bankruptcy among the continents ruling class. The culprits are not the sandstorms or the waves, but the men in tailored suits who embezzle public funds, shutter schools, neglect hospitals, and convert hope into a luxury good affordable only to the few.

From remote desert tracks to the deep blue, African bodies continue to vanish.

The popular imagination often paints migration as an act of ambition or wanderlust. But for most Africans who flee, it is not a choice; it is an escape. Their departure is not toward a dream, but away from a nightmare.

Africa is not barren. It is resplendent with potential; fertile land, vibrant cultures, immense mineral wealth, and a youthful population eager to build. But all of this lies buried beneath the weight of bad leadership. Economists often talk about Africas resource-curse. Our governments, more often than not, function as extraction machines: siphoning resources, concentrating power, and weaponizing poverty. Those who can flee, do. Those who cannot, endure. And the few who dare to dissent are silenced, sometimes by propaganda, sometimes by prison, sometimes by the grave. Each corpse is a casualty of failed leadership. Each disappearance a damning indictment.

The Somali-British poet Warsan Shire, herself born to refugee parents, gave haunting voice to this predicament:

No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark. It is a line that cuts through policy debates and border politics with surgical clarity. Shire, whose work crystallises the trauma of exile, did not craft a metaphor. She described a reality. A house that devours its children is not a home; it is a trap.

Born in exile to Somali refugees who fled a crumbling nation in the grip of civil war, she grew up in London, between worlds, between identities. Her lyrical poetry speaks not only of displacement but of the silent traumas inherited through survival. Her voice gives flesh to the forgotten. And in this line, she crystallizes what policymakers and pundits often miss: migration is rarely about choice. It is about escape.

What deepens the tragedy is the reaction from the world beyond. Western nations, many of which benefited directly from Africas colonization and underdevelopment, now erect walls and weaponize bureaucracy to keep Africans out. They fund border militias in North Africa, criminalize rescue missions in the Mediterranean, and deport asylum seekers en masse, often to countries they helped destabilize through economic pillaging or geopolitical gamesmanship.

A new kind of apartheid is emerging, an apartheid of movement. Capital may roam freely across continents, but human beings, especially those with dark skin and empty pockets, are increasingly treated as threats rather than seekers of refuge.

Some African leaders applaud these developments, hoping to gain international favor. They criminalize migration and cheer draconian repatriation policies. Yet they do nothing about the root causes; joblessness, insecurity, hopelessness. They speak of patriotism and sovereignty while their own children school abroad and their bank accounts flourish in Switzerland. Is this the price of hope? Must a young person choose between unemployment and the likelihood of dying alone in the desert? The question is no longer rhetorical. It is urgent.

And still, the bodies pile up.

The silence from the corridors of African power is deafening. Few presidents visit the families of the fallen. Few parliaments debate the exodus of their citizens. Few religious leaders lament the moral rot that sends the young into the jaws of the sea. The dead remain nameless. Their memories fade. Their dreams, once vibrant, are reduced to cautionary tales or forgotten entirely.

But if we allow this hemorrhaging to continue unchecked, if we resign ourselves to being a continent whose best minds must flee to flourish, then we are complicit in our own erasure.

Africans are not dying because they are lazy or unskilled. They are dying because their nations are being hollowed out by misrule. The continents best minds are in exodus. The most daring risk death to leave. What remains is a vicious cycle of dependency and decay. No amount of foreign aid or charity will fix this. Only leadership that prioritizes human dignity and sustainable development can.

We cannot mourn the victims of the desert and sea without confronting the systems that produced their deaths. Africa must cultivate a new political ethos, one that privileges merit over mediocrity, vision over venality, nationhood over narrow ethnic loyalties. It must invest in education, health, infrastructure, and inclusive growth. It must dismantle the networks of rent-seeking that turn public office into private fiefdom.

And it must do so urgently. For every reform delayed, a child drowns. For every budget looted, another body disappears into the sand.

Migration, in and of itself, is not a tragedy. Human beings have always moved, always sought better. But migration born of desperation, of countries collapsing under the weight of kleptocracy, is a moral emergency.

Let us not feign ignorance. The next time someone decries illegal migration, remind them: these are not invaders. They are survivors of systems that failed them.

There is a profound tragedy in the fact that the African continent, whose riches helped build the modern world, cannot now offer its youth the basic dignity of hope. If that is not a form of historical theft, what is? Warsan Shires words reverberate still: No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.

Let us heed the metaphor not as poetry but as prophecy. Let us transform our nations so they no longer bite their children. Let us bury not our youth, but the systems that betray them.

Osmund Agbo is a US-based medical doctor and author. His works include Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles. His latest works, Pray, Let the Shaman Die and Maam, I Do Not Come to You for Love, have just been released. He can be reached@ [email protected]
The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court dismissing an appeal filed by former Zamfara State governor, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, over the ownership of more than 40 official vehicles seized from him and his cabinet members after he left office in May 2023. Mr Bello Matawalle who is the incumbent Minister of State for Defence was defeated by Governor Dauda Lawal in the 2023 governorship election in Zamfara State.

Recall that in June 2023, based on a complaint by the Zamfara State Government, the Zamfara State Police command raided the residence of the former governor, seizing more than 40 official vehicles he and his cabinet allegedly carted away before handing over power on 29 May, 2023. A statement by the Spokesperson of the Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said that a three-member panel of the Appeal Court, in a unanimous decision by Hon Justice A M Talba on 08 August 2025, dismissed Bello Matawalles appeal.

The Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CS//S/2024  Bello Muhammed Matawalle vs Nigeria Police & Others held that the decision of the Federal High Court Sokoto division on the right of the Police to investigate allegations of commission of crime was correct. It further held that Bello Matawalle failed to adduce credible evidence to support his claim of ownership of the 40 vehicles recovered from his residence, as such lacks justification to allege that his fundamental right to own property has been breached.

In June 2023, the Zamfara State Government gave former governor Bello Matawalle and his deputy five working days to return all government vehicles in their possession. However, all attempts to recover these vehicles were unsuccessful, prompting the Zamfara State Government to seek a court order, the statement pointed out adding that after the order was issued, police recovered over 40 vehicles.

The statement explained further: After the vehicles were recovered, Bello Matawalle approached the Federal High Court in Gusau and the court granted an order that the cars be returned to him. Additionally, he filed a separate suit at the same court, seeking to enforce his fundamental right to own property, including the vehicles in question. The Zamfara State Government requested the transfer of the case to the Sokoto division of the Federal High Court.

The Federal High Court of Nigeria, Sokoto Judicial Division, dismissed the matter in December 2023 and refused to grant any of the reliefs sought by Bello Matawalle. As a result, the vehicles are still considered the property of the Zamfara State Government. Not satisfied with the Federal High Courts judgment, Bello Matawalle approached the Appeal Court.

The Appeal Court last Friday upheld the entirety of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Sokoto, affirming that the police have the power to investigate allegations of the commission of a crime upon receipt of a complaint.

It added that the entire procedure followed by the State Government in the retrieval of the stolen vehicles is in line with the law, as such, does not offend the fundamental right of Bello Matawalle, as alleged, and thus cannot shield him from investigation and prosecution.

CA S 40 2024
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Expert Consumers has recognized Northwest Registered Agent as a leading all-in-one startup solution in 2025, highlighting the company's comprehensive LLC formation and website services.

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Northwest Registered Agent is a business identity service provider specializing in LLC formation, registered agent services, and online business tools. Founded to simplify the startup process for entrepreneurs, the company offers transparent, privacy-focused solutions without selling customer data or pushing unnecessary upsells.

Northwest Registered Agent supports businesses in all 50 states, providing personalized guidance, compliance monitoring, and digital services such as domain registration, website creation, and business email setup. The company is known for its commitment to customer support and its streamlined approach to helping new business owners launch and manage their ventures.

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SOURCE ExpertConsumers.org
PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DermRays, a pioneer in at-home skincare technology, marks its 13th anniversary with a celebration of its best-selling devices and a sneak peek at its upcoming 1450nm laser skincare tool, slated for launch in early 2026. This milestone underscores the brands commitment to merging cutting-edge science with accessible beauty solutions.

Anniversary Spotlight: Award-Winning Skincare Heroes

To thank customers for their trust, DermRays is offering limited-time discounts on three transformative devices designed to rejuvenate skin at home:

1. DermRays Revive

The first and only at-home laser with ultra-high energy for collagen regeneration. Ideal for reducing fine lines and boosting collagen, its a clinic-grade tool for a fraction of the cost. Revive uses cutting-edge 1064nm laser technology, the same as that employed by leading salon brands.

2. FusionGlow Multi-Functional Microcurrent Toning Device

Beyond Microcurrent: 5 Skincare Technologies You Need.

Comprehensive Skin Revitalization: Brighten, Hydrate, Rejuvenate.

Achieve radiant, firm skin in 14 days with clinically visible results backed by SGS.

3. LED Light Therapy Silicone Mask

Your daily skincare companion: blue, red, infrared, and mixed light for every need. Only 15 minutes a day for youthful and radiant skin.

"For 13 years, we've empowered users to take control of their skincare routines with safe, effective technology," says Dr. Yang Lin, Brand Director at DermRays. "Our anniversary sale is a tribute to our community-and just the beginning of whats next."

4. The Future: 1450nm Laser Skincare Device

DermRays is set to revolutionize at-home treatments again with its 1450nm laser device (expected Q1 2026). It stimulates natural collagen production to smooth fine lines, restore firmness, and reverse signs of aging. This tool will expand the brands professional-grade offerings, bridging the gap between spa treatments and home care.

Join the Celebration

From August 1-31, 2025, enjoy exclusive anniversary bundles and discounts on DermRays bestselling devices. Follow @DermRays on social media for giveaways and live demos.

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Since 2011, DermRays has combined dermatological research with accessible technology, offering FDA/CE/UKCA-cleared, non-invasive devices for radiant, youthful skin at home.

SOURCE DermRays
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Albany International Corp. ("Albany" or the "Company") (NYSE: AIN). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Albany and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 30, 2025, Albany issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. Among other items, Albany reported non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.57, missing consensus estimates by $0.16. The Company's President and Chief Executive officer said that the financial results "lagged our expectations," citing the impact of "certain timing and operational issues[.]"

On this news, Albany's stock price fell $16.77 per share, or 23.63%, to close at $54.19 per share on July 31, 2025.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
Chinese automaker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd (Geely Auto) reported a 27% jump in global revenues to CNY 150.3 billion in the first half of 2025, across its majority-owned Geely Auto, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co brands.

The Hong Kong-listed automaker, in which Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is the largest shareholder, said it sold 1.409 million vehicles in the first half of the year, with its share of Chinese vehicle sales exceeding 10% for the first time. Sales of electrified and new energy vehicles (NEVs) increased by 126% to 725,000 units.

Geely Auto sold approximately 180,000 vehicles in over 80 overseas markets in the first half of 2025, helped by the global rollout of its new EX5 model. The company also began assembling vehicles in Egypt and started trial assembly in Indonesia. Zeekr shipped a total of 92,000 vehicles to overseas markets in this period.

Geely Auto said its net earnings rose to CNY 9.29 billion, while net cash increased to CNY 58.8 billion. Profits attributable to shareholders after deducting non-recurring items rose by 102% to CNY 6.66 billion, helped by increased production scale and product optimization.

Last year, Geely Auto unveiled the Taizhou Declaration and the One Geely Strategy, to drive greater integration of its brands, resources and collaboration. In the first half of 2025, Geely Auto completed the merger of its Zeekr and Lynk & Co units, leading to greater synergies between the two brands, including shared R&D, production and other operational costs. The two brands also reported an improved product mix, with higher premium segment sales..

In July, Geely Auto and Zeekr signed a merger agreement aimed at further strengthening their collaboration in areas such as new technology development, supply chains, manufacturing, marketing, after-sales services, and global expansion. The company expects that this will lead to enhanced product competitiveness in the mainstream, high-end, and luxury market segments.

Geely Auto has raised its full-year sales target to 3 million units in 2025, up from 2.17 million units in 2024, helped by the launch of six new electrified and NEV models in the second half of the year.

The company said in a statement: As the merger of Zeekr and Lynk & Co progresses, more synergies will be unlocked. Further progress in the One Geely strategy will enhance the companys global competitiveness in the intelligent NEV segment and support the companys goal of achieving 3 million units in annual sales.

"Geelys revenues rise 27% in H1" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Lockheed Martin Corporation ("Lockheed" or the "Company") (NYSE: LMT). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether Lockheed and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until September 26, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Lockheed securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com .

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On October 22, 2024, before the market opened, Lockheed announced that it was forced to recognize losses of $80 million on a classified program at the Company's Aeronautics business segment "due to higher than anticipated costs to achieve program objectives." The Company also announced that it had recognized a reach-forward loss in its Rotary and Mission Systems segment "as a result of additional quantity ordering risk identified on fixed-price options."

On this news, Lockheed's stock price fell $37.63 per share, or 6.12%, to close at $576.98 per share on October 22, 2024.

Then, on January 28, 2025, before the market opened, Lockheed announced that it was forced to record pre-tax losses of $1.7 billion associated with classified programs at its Aeronautics and Missiles and Fire Control business. The Company explained that "as a result of performance trends" and "in contemplation of near-term program milestones," it had "performed a comprehensive review of the program requirements, technical complexities, schedule, and risks" based on which it recognized $555 million of losses in its Aeronautics program. The Company further reported additional losses of approximately $1.3 billion in its Missiles and Fire Control business due to, among other things, the "future requirements of the program, discussions with the customer and suppliers." As a result, the Company's net earnings in 2024 were $5.3 billion, or $22.31 per share, compared to $6.9 billion, or $27.55 per share, in 2023.

On this news, Lockheed's stock price fell $46.24 per share, or 9.2%, to close at $57.45 per share on January 28, 2025.

Then, on July 22, 2025, Lockheed released its second quarter 2025 financial results, reporting sharply lower second-quarter earnings, including $1.6 billion in program losses. The Company disclosed that it was forced to recognize $950 million in losses related to its Aeronautics Classified program due to "design, integration, and test challenges, as well as other performance issues" as well as "significant changes to its processes and testing approach." Lockheed also reported $570 million in losses on its Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program due in part to providing "additional mission capabilities, enhanced logistical support, fleet life extension, and revised expectations regarding flight hours." The Company further reported a $95 million charge related to its Turkish Utility Helicopter Program due to the "current status of the program." Lockheed said it is in "ongoing discussion" with its customers regarding a potential "restructure" of certain contractual terms and conditions.

On this news, Lockheed's stock price fell $49.79 per share, or 10.8%, to close at $410.74 per share on July 22, 2025.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
CRC calls new draft policies "worst religious persecution of Orthodox Jews since the Holocaust" and demands immediate repeal.

NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, August 18, 2025, from 3:005:00 PM, rabbis and members of the Orthodox Jewish community will gather outside the Israeli Consulate in New York City (2nd Ave. between 43rd and 44th Streets) to protest new Israeli military draft policies and enforcement measures targeting tens of thousands of Yeshiva students and Torah scholars.

The rally is organized by the Central Rabbinical Congress of the USA and Canada (CRC), an umbrella organization representing hundreds of Orthodox Jewish congregations and over 250,000 members.

Orthodox Jewish law strictly forbids military service in the Israeli army. For decades, this religious exemption was recognized, allowing full-time Torah study without interference. Recently, however, the Israeli government has begun arresting Orthodox Jews who refuse to report for service, with discussions of checkpoints and other measures enabling mass arrests.

"These policies constitute the most severe religious persecution of Orthodox Jews since the Holocaust," said CRC leadership. "We will not remain silent while our community is targeted for living according to our faith."

The August 18 rally marks the first in a planned series of demonstrations until these measures are rescinded.

Event Details:

What: Protest against Israeli military draft enforcement targeting Orthodox Jews

Protest against Israeli military draft enforcement targeting Orthodox Jews When: Monday, August 18, 2025  3:005:00 PM

 3:005:00 PM Where: 2nd Ave. between 43rd & 44th Streets, New York, NY (near Israeli Consulate)

2nd Ave. between 43rd & 44th Streets, (near Israeli Consulate) Who: Rabbis and members of the Orthodox Jewish community, organized by CRC

Contact Rabbi Issac Green

347.385.1405

[email protected]

SOURCE Central Rabbinical Congress
Date of Event: 8-18-2025

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Location: 2400 Main St. Ste.200, Irvine, CA 92614

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Noe Rodriguez, a resident of Santa Ana, was fatally shot by two officers of the Santa Ana Police Department in what can be described as an execution-style shooting. Noe, who allegedly was holding a toy rifle and spoke only Spanish, was shot seconds after officers issued commands in English, a language he did not understand. Noe died at the scene. The officers reportedly failed to assess the situation and immediately resorted to deadly force.

The family has made repeated requests for information and transparency from the City of Santa Ana. However, the family has faced nothing but delays, red tape, and evasion from the city. Consequently, Ms. Erika Armenta has filed a government claim against the city and is actively working on filing a lawsuit against the City of Santa Ana and the responsible officers that brutally murdered Noe Rodriguez.

The wife of Noe Rodriguez and Family will be present at the press conference to discuss the case.

Angel Carrazco, Jr., is a seasoned trial attorney and the founder of Carrazco Law, a firm dedicated to fighting for justice and protecting the rights of individuals who have been wronged. With deep expertise in workers' compensation, personal injury and civil rights, Angel has built a reputation as a relentless advocate who stands up to powerful institutions on behalf of the everyday person.

Carrazco Law believes everyone deserves quality legal representation, winning major verdicts and settlements that restore lives and hold wrongdoers accountable. The firm is known for its personal approach and steadfast pursuit of justice, in court and at the negotiation table.

From fighting for injured workers to defending civil rights, Angel Carrazco and his team are driven by a simple but powerful mission: to be the voice for those who need it most.

CONTACTS

SOURCE Carrazco Law A.P.C.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach that led to unauthorized access of the sensitive information of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students that was in the possession of Illinois-based education technology company Kokomo Solutions, Inc. (aka Kokomo 24/7).

On December 11, 2024, Kokomo Solutions, Inc. discovered that an unauthorized third party accessed files from its systems. These files included information provided to (1) the Los Angeles Anonymous School Reporting app Kokomo Solutions, Inc. developed for LAUSD, and (2) the telehealth program Kokomo Solutions, Inc. manages on behalf of LAUSD. Kokomo Solutions, Inc. has not publicly disclosed what information was accessed.

If you are a LAUSD student or parent who used Kokomo Solutions, Inc.'s services you may be entitled to money damages. Post this

Although the breach occurred in December 2024, Kokomo Solutions, Inc. did not begin notifying affected individuals until on or around August 5, 2025, which may have violated state and federal laws.

If your personal information was impacted by this incident, you may be at risk of identity theft and other serious violations of your privacy. As a result, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to Kokomo Solutions, Inc.'s cybersecurity practices.

If you received notification of this data breach or are a LAUSD student or parent who has used Kokomo Solutions, Inc.'s services and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/kokomosolutions.

About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide.

Contact

Sonum Dixit

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP

[email protected]

Tel: 415-299-8207

SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the "Western Asset US Core Bond Fund" mutual fund classes  Class I (ticker: "WATFX"), Class A (ticker: "WABAX"), Class C (ticker: "WABCX"), Class FI (ticker: "WAPIX"), Class IS (ticker: "WACSX"), and Class R (ticker: "WABRX")  and the "Western Asset Core Plus Bond Fund" mutual fund classes  Class A (ticker: "WAPAX"), Class C (ticker: "WAPCX"), Class C1 (ticker: "LWCPX"), Class FI (ticker: "WACIX"), Class R (ticker: "WAPRX"), Class I (ticker: "WACPX"), Class IS (ticker: "WAPSX") between January 1, 2021 and October 31, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important September 5, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

So What: If you purchased Western Asset mutual funds during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Western Asset class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31956 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 5, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants failed to warn investors that: (1) Defendants favored certain WAMCO strategies, like Macro Opps, over other WAMCO strategies, like Core and Core Plus; (2) Defendants disfavored certain WAMCO strategies, like Core and Core Plus; (3) any "compliance policies and procedures" that WAMCO maintained "to result in fair allocations of investment opportunities to clients" were either insufficient to ensure that Leech and his WAMCO Team fairly allocated trades among the strategies they managed or were expressly disregarded by defendants in order to allow the favoring of certain WAMCO strategies at the expense of other WAMCO strategies; (3) any "oversight mechanisms" that WAMCO maintained were either insufficient to monitor Leech and his WAMCO Team or were expressly disregarded by Defendants in order to allow the favoring of certain WAMCO strategies at the expense of other WAMCO strategies. As a result, defendants' actions operated as a fraud or deceit on the Class, artificially reducing the price of the "Western Asset US Core strategy" mutual fund classes during the Class Period, damaging Class members.

To join the Western Asset class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31956 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.
XPPen & PUBG MOBILE Ultimate Set Design Contest: Leading a New Wave of Creativity

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- XPPen, the world's leading digital art innovation brand, marked its dazzling 20th anniversary today. Under the theme "Back to Future, Create Now!", XPPen partners with PUBG MOBILE to launch the Ultimate Set Design Contest, bridging digital art with gaming communities worldwide, featuring a prize pool of $120,000. The initiative also includes visionary conversations on the future of digital art with leading artists and offers an exclusive anniversary sale. For two decades, XPPen has remained committed to empowering creators worldwide through innovative technology, and this milestone celebration serves as a tribute to the unwavering support of our global creative community.

"With a vision to bridge technology and human art, XPPen continues to spark creativity and connect artists worldwide," said Amy Yuan, Brand Director at XPPen. "This year, themed 'Back to Future, Create Now', we encourage users to pursue their dreams and envision the future. While technologies continue to reshape imagination and creativity, the essence of art remains a unique reflection of how individuals observe and contemplate the world. Viewing present through the future, grounded in warmth and humanity, we're moving forward with greater conviction. We are honored to join hands with PUBG MOBILE, a globally renowned mobile game, for the Ultimate Set Design Contest. Through this collaboration, we not only provide a global stage for creators to showcase their talent but also strengthen XPPen's connection with the new generation, enabling gaming enthusiasts to experience the joy of creation."

XPPen x PUBG MOBILE Ultimate Set Design Contest: Leading a New Wave of Creativity

XPPen partners with the renowned mobile game PUBG MOBILE to launch the Ultimate Set Design Contest, inviting creators worldwide to explore creative frontiers. Ptopia Design Project (PDP) is the first global community-sourced co-creation program for PUBG MOBILE, inspiring players to develop outfits, weapons, accessories and more. This partnership is derived from a shared passion for innovation, open spirit, and creativity, as well as a vision to foster co-creation, cultural exchange, and a global creative platform.

The contest runs from August 16 to October 16, 2025, featuring popular themes and an exclusive new theme co-created by XPPen and PUBG MOBILE: "Future Era," encouraging participants to envision the future. Prizes include a $120,000 prize pool, flagship XPPen drawing displays and PUBG MOBILE props, with winning designs potentially featured in-game. Join the contest at https://community.xp-pen.com/events/co-create-with-pubgm-pdp

A panel of esteemed artists will judge the entries, including Clinton Jones (Pwnisher), acclaimed director and 3D/VFX artist known for curating global 3D challenges; Esteban Diacono, motion designer who has collaborated with leading brands; Ryota-H, renowned Japanese animator and manga artist; along artists Shan Jiang and Giusy Amoroso. "This is a fantastic opportunity. I look forward to seeing participants give their best," says lead judge Clinton Jones.

Reshaping the Future of Creative Tools

Since 2005, XPPen has been driven by innovation, enabling technology accessible to all. Recent breakthroughs include the Magic Drawing Pad and Magic Note Pad, extending the reach of digital drawing and writing technology to a broader audience while opening new frontiers in mobile creation and business applications. XPPen's product lineup ranges from professional-grade to portable solutions, addressing diverse user needs with versatile creative experiences across scenarios. Looking ahead, XPPen will introduce a new-generation stylus powered by advanced chip technology, offering superior sensitivity, stability, and portability to elevate creation experience. The upcoming Artist Ultra series will strike the perfect balance between professional performance and portable design, redefining the creative tools.

Exclusive Anniversary Offers, Up to 50% Off

To mark XPPen's 20th anniversary, the official store offers up to 50% off the popular lineup, giving creators a chance to experience the cutting-edge technology at exceptional value. Follow our social media and community for more celebration activities and opportunities to win XPPen products and exclusive anniversary gift sets.

Join XPPen's 20th anniversary celebration as we continue to pioneer innovation and inspire creators to reach new heights. Experience the future of digital creativity and be part of our journey. For more information, please visit https://www.xp-pen.com/20th-anniversary-celebration.html

SOURCE XPPen Technology Co., Ltd.
We recently published 10 Stocks Jim Cramer Discussed As He Warned About Samsungs Phones. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:J) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:J) is an engineering and construction consulting company. The firms shares have gained 12.5% year-to-date and are up by 5.7% after its fiscal third quarter earnings release. Like peer firm Aecom, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:J)s earnings report also saw the firm beat analyst earnings estimates but miss the revenue estimates. Cramer believes that the firm is in a strong position to benefit from the expected growth in construction activity in America due to manufacturing re-shoring. He outlined that Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:J) is leading in getting the contracts related to on-shoring:

. . .people are looking for ways to be able to play the re-shoring. The best ways are Aecom and then the letter J, Jacobs. Those are the two that are getting the contracts. . .But Aecom and Jacobs go. . .

L1 Capital International Fund mentioned Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:J) in its Q2 2025 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:

Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J) (Jacobs) was founded in 1947 by Joseph Jacobs as a one-man chemical engineering consulting business. Over the next nearly 80 years the business has grown through international expansion and strategic acquisitions to become one of the largest engineering design firms globally with over 45,000 employees.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (J) Is A Top Stock For US Manufacturing Reshoring, Says Jim Cramer

racorn/123rf.com

Management and their capital allocation decisions are central tenets to how we assess Quality businesses. Many management teams are focused on growth. Fewer management teams are willing to divest their way to greatness. Over the past decade, initially under the leadership of Steve Demetriou and subsequently by current Chairman and CEO Bob Pragada, Jacobs has undergone a drastic strategic shift in business profile, pivoting from its historically more cyclical and lower margin businesses

While we acknowledge the potential of J as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
New York, Aug 16 : US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are set to have a news conference after about three hours of talks, heightening suspense if the talks made a breakthrough in finding a solution to the war or if they were a failure.

The news conference was originally scheduled at the end of the talks that were expected to go in phases.

Instead of the originally scheduled direct talks to be followed by another with officials, they started off with two officials on each side.

Another luncheon meeting with a bigger group of officials was to follow, and it now appears the news conference is coming after the first meeting.

It is not clear if the larger meeting will follow the news conference.

Trump had indicated that the joint news conference will take place if they make headway in the talks, but only with him if it failed.

The stage at the press conference is set for both of them to speak with mike checks on both podiums.

Setting the "high stakes" for the summit, Trump told a Fox News interviewer on board the Air Force 1 heading to Alaska, "I won't be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire."

"This is really setting the table today," he said.

"We're going to have another meeting, if things work out, which will be very soon, or we're not going to have any more meetings at all, maybe ever."

Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were at his side when the talks began, while Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousoy, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were ranged on the other side.

The official Russian news agency Tass said that as the two leaders left the room for the news conference, Putin talked to his Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.

Russian state media quoted Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev as saying the atmosphere around the discussions was "generally positive".

It has been seven years since Russian President Vladimir Putin stood alongside an American President to take questions. The last time was in Helsinki in 2018, during the now-infamous press conference where Donald Trump appeared to side with Russia over US intelligence agencies on election interference.

When Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021, he chose not to hold a joint press conference, instead taking questions alone, a move aimed, in part, at denying Putin a platform to shape the narrative of their talks.
Anchorage : , Aug 16 (IANS) In a first joint press conference with a US President since 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin leaned on history, geography, and 'neighbourly' ties with US while keeping the terms on Ukraine war vague.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Putin addressed a news conference on Friday following their "high-stakes" talks in Alaska which lasted for nearly three hours.

When a US President hosts a foreign leader, the playbook is clear: the American leader speaks first at a joint press conference. But in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin tossed that tradition aside.

The Russian President opened the even, speaking in Russian while Donald Trump stood silently about two metres away, with a greeting he said he delivered on the tarmac: "Good day, dear neighbour, hope you're well."

Putin stressed Alaska's history as former Russian territory, framing the US and Russia as bound by geography and a "shared history," and portraying himself as a partner rather than a rival.

"An in-person meeting was long overdue," he said, adding that he and Trump now have "very good direct contact".

Putin devoted much of his opening remarks to the history of US-Russia relations, holding off on any talk of agreements until the final stretch.

When he did address Ukraine, he said the two leaders had reached an agreement to 'pave the path to peace' but offered no details.

He argued that the "root causes" of Russia's concerns must be eliminated before a full deal is possible, a phrase often used to signal demands, including the removal of President Volodymyr Zelensky's government, that Kyiv and Europe have rejected outright.

He reiterated that Russia sees Ukrainians as "a brotherly people" and said Ukraine's security "must be ensured," but avoided specifics on how.

Trump, for his part, acknowledged progress but made clear nothing was final.

"We haven't quite got there, but we've got some headway," he said.

"There's no deal until there's a deal."

The US President will leave Alaska without an agreement, a reality some of his own advisers had anticipated, given that Ukraine was excluded from the talks and would need to agree to any settlement involving its territory.

Despite the cordial tone and the symbolism of a joint appearance, the first between Putin and a US President since 2018's Helsinki summit, Putin's language suggested he has not shifted from long-held positions.

He focused on economic cooperation with the US and cautioned European nations not to "torpedo the nascent progress" from the Alaska meeting.

Russian state media quoted Ambassador Alexander Darchiev as calling the talks "generally positive".

The joint press conference itself was a rarity. The last time Putin stood beside a US President to take questions was in Helsinki, when Trump was criticised for siding with Russia over US intelligence on 2016 election interference.

When Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021, he chose to speak alone, denying the Russian leader a chance to share the stage.

By breaking protocol and taking the microphone first in Alaska, Putin ensured the narrative began on his terms, even without a signed peace deal to announce.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a news conference on Friday following their "high-stakes" talks in Alaska which lasted for nearly three hours.

Russian state media quoted Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev as saying the atmosphere around the discussions was generally positive.

It has been seven years since Russian President Vladimir Putin stood alongside an American President to take questions. The last time was in Helsinki in 2018, during the now-infamous press conference where Donald Trump appeared to side with Russia over US intelligence agencies on election interference.

When Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021, he chose not to hold a joint press conference, instead taking questions alone, a move aimed, in part, at denying Putin a platform to shape the narrative of their talks.
Anchorage : , Aug 16 (IANS) In Russia, the reaction to the summit between President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held on Friday has been more than positive.

The Russian media was ecstatic when the Russian leader received applause from the US President as the red carpet was literally rolled out for Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.

"For years they have been talking about the isolation of Russia, and today they saw the red carpet that greeted the Russian President," Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry wrote on social media.

While both Trump and Putin said agreements have been reached, it's unclear what exactly those are.

Meanwhile, Putin does not appear to have backed down from Russia's core demands.

The Russian leader in his remarks after the meeting said any deal needs "to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole".

It's not clear how much progress was made toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, but both Trump and Putin have said they ultimately want to normalise relations between the US and Russia and they want to meet again.

"Next time in Moscow," Russia's leader said.

Trump said on Friday that he and Putin "made some headway" and "great progress" in their bilateral meeting, but added that "there's no deal until there's a deal".

"I will call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And I'll, of course, call up President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting. It's ultimately up to them," Trump said after Friday's summit in Anchorage, Alaska.

"We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to," the US President said, adding, "We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there."

Trump added that Ukraine would have to "agree" with what Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and others in his administration discussed with Putin on Friday, though he did not delve into specifics on any framework for a deal.

Trump and Putin took no questions after their statements.

Putin kicked of remarks and spoke for about eight minutes.

Trump, who is known for typically longer and at times free-wheeling news conferences, only spoke for about four minutes.

"I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened," Trump said.

Putin began remarks at the press briefing by acknowledging that US-Russia relations have suffered in recent years. Usually when an American President hosts a foreign counterpart, a joint news conference would begin with remarks from the US leader followed by his guest.

Putin said the primary causes of the war must be eliminated for the war in Ukraine to end.

The Russian leader also told Ukrainian and European leaders not to interfere with "the emerging progress".

Negotiations between Putin and Trump were held in a "respectful, constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere," Putin said.

Putin said he agrees that the security of Ukraine should be ensured.

He also claimed at one point that the war in Ukraine would not have happened had Trump been President in 2022.

Trump said he has various calls to make following the summit -- some of which include calls to NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other appropriate officials.

Trump has long claimed that he would have averted the full-scale conflict that broke out during Joe Biden's administration when Russia invaded Ukraine.

On Friday, Putin said that Trump's claim was correct a" a position he has stated before.

Putin said that in 2022 he had tried to convince Biden to avoid allowing the situation to progress to a point in which "serious consequences in the form of military actions could occur".

"President Trump and I established a very good, businesslike and trusting contact. And I have every reason to believe that by moving along this path, we can reach a" and the sooner, the better a" the end of the conflict in Ukraine," the Russian President added.

During the press conference in Anchorage, Alaska, Putin told Ukrainian and European leaders not to interfere.

"We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive all this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles, will not make attempts to disrupt the emerging progress through provocations and behind-the-scenes intrigues," he said.

"The situation in Ukraine has to do with the fundamental threats to our security," Putin said during a press conference on Friday in Alaska.

While Russia is interested in putting an end to what's happening in Ukraine, Putin said "we're convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, primary causes of that conflict".

"To consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole. And I agree with President Trump, as he has (said) today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well," he added.

"Naturally, we are prepared to work on that I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer to that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine," Putin said.

Putin is floating a different location for his next meeting with President Donald Trump in Moscow.

Putin's suggestion that a subsequent summit take place in the Russian capital a" a request he made in English a" prompted an ambivalent reaction from Trump.

The American President acknowledged that agreeing to that proposal would be highly controversial, but he didn't completely shut the door to it.

"That's an interesting one, I'll get a little heat on that one," Trump said.

"But I could see it possibly happening."

US President Donald Trump says he's "always had a fantastic relationship with President (Vladimir) Putin" but that it was impeded by investigations during his first term into Moscow's interference into the 2016 US election.

"We had many, many tough meetings, good meetings," Trump said during a joint news conference.

"We were interfered with by the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. I've made it a little bit tougher to deal with, but he understood it," Trump said.

Earlier, the two Presidents announced a breakthrough after three hours of talks on Ukraine in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday.

Neither leader gave any details of the agreement or say if there was going to be ceasefire.

Going into the summit, Trump said that he will not be negotiating on behalf of Ukraine, and it was up to Zelensky to make a deal.

The two Presidents did not take questions from reporters.

Putin said, "We have to amend the situation to move on from confrontation to dialogue."

"However much strange it may sound in these conditions, we (Russia and Ukraine) have the same roots and everything that's happening is a tragedy for us and a terrible wound," he said.

"Therefore, the country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it."

Instead of the planned three phases of the summit starting with a one-on-one meeting, they went straight into the second phase with Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousoy, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participating.

It did not appear that the third phase of a luncheon meeting with more officials was taking place.

Trump welcomed Putin on a red carpet and they talked in a friendly manner as they entered a limousine and continued their conversation.
Anchorage : , Aug 16 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Friday, thanked his US counterpart Donald Trump for the "atmosphere of trust" at their meeting in Alaska, media reported.

"I would like to thank Trump for working together and maintaining a friendly and trustful atmosphere in the talks. The key thing is that both parties were determined to achieve results," Putin said at a joint press conference with Trump following their meeting, Russian news agency TASS reported.

Putin described his talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska as "positive and constructive".

"Our talks were held in a respectful and constructive atmosphere. They were quite detailed and useful," he said at a joint news conference.

Putin hopes that the agreements reached in Alaska will become a reference point for resolving the Ukrainian problem and restoring relations between Moscow and Washington.

Putin began remarks at the briefing by acknowledging that US-Russia relations have suffered in recent years. Usually when an American President hosts a foreign counterpart, a joint news conference would begin with remarks from the US leader followed by his guest.

"Our talks were held in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere," Putin said after meeting Trump in Alaska, adding that he greeted Trump "as a neighbour" and had established "very good direct contacts" with him.

Putin said the Ukraine conflict was one of the central topics, stressing that Russia has "always regarded, and still regards, the Ukrainian people as a brotherly people".

He added, "All the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated. Ukraine's security must, of course, be ensured, and we are ready to work on this."

Russian state media quoted Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev as saying the atmosphere around the discussions was generally positive.

It has been seven years since Russian President Vladimir Putin stood alongside an American President to take questions. The last time was in Helsinki in 2018, during the now-infamous press conference where Donald Trump appeared to side with Russia over US intelligence agencies on election interference.

When Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021, he chose not to hold a joint press conference, instead taking questions alone, a move aimed, in part, at denying Putin a platform to shape the narrative of their talks.

Trump and Putin concluded their three-on-three meeting after roughly three hours. The two leaders met behind closed doors, joined by their top advisers.

Speaking to Fox News aboard Air Force One on his way to Alaska, Trump said he wants to walk away from his meeting with Putin with a ceasefire in hand, and won't be satisfied without it.

"I wouldn't be thrilled if I didn't get it," Trump said, adding that some believe a halt to hostilities in Ukraine may only come after a second meeting.

"We'll see what happens. I won't be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire."

Putin, meanwhile, gave no indication of his position.

When reporters at the airport shouted questions, including whether he would "stop killing civilians," the Russian leader smirked and gestured as if he could not hear.

President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Friday.

As the two leaders shook hands on the red carpet, F-22 fighters and B-2 stealth bombers flew overhead, aircraft designed during the 1970s and 1980s for a potential US-Soviet conflict, though they entered service only after the Cold War ended.

Their presence during the welcome may have been a pointed reminder of US military power as Trump and Putin prepared to begin talks on Russia's war in Ukraine.
Anchorage : , Aug 16 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has left Alaska following his inconclusive summit regarding the war in Ukraine on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin though the talks which lasted for nearly three hours ended on a positive note.

Air Force One departed Elmendorf Air Force Base around 4:20 p.m. local time and is now heading back to Washington, DC.

Trump was on the ground in Alaska for about six hours.

Trump and Putin held a joint press conference in Alaska during their high-stakes summit but did not take questions from reporters.

The briefing came after several hours of discussions between the two leaders and their top aides, focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with Moscow's 2022 invasion.

Less than an hour after his joint press conference with Trump, Putin was seen boarding a plane in Anchorage.

Before stepping on board, he paused briefly to wave and offer a slight bow.

Before departing Anchorage, Alaska, the Russian President visited the Fort Richardson Memorial Cemetery, where he laid flowers on the graves of Soviet Union soldiers. The visit followed his bilateral meeting with Trump.

Kremlin-released footage showed Putin kneeling, placing a bouquet, and making the sign of the cross.

The graves honour Soviet pilots and sailors who died transporting equipment from the US to the USSR during World War II.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had earlier confirmed Putin's plan to visit the memorial.

Putin, speaking alongside Trump, called on Ukraine and European nations not to block peace efforts.

"We expect Kyiv and European capitals to respond constructively and not try to derail the progress through provocations or behind-the-scenes moves," Putin said

As Trump thanked Putin for their time together, he expressed hope they would meet again soon.

Putin, switching to English and laughing, replied, "Next time in Moscow."

Trump, however, seemed hesitant to commit.

"That's an interesting one. I don't know, I'll get a little heat on that one," he said.

Earlier, Putin said on Friday that he agreed with US President Donald Trump that Ukraine's security "must be ensured", but tied that commitment to addressing what he called Russia's "fundamental security concerns".

"I agree with President Trump that the security of Ukraine must be secured, and of course, we are ready to work on that," Putin said during a press conference in Anchorage, Alaska.

He expressed hope that an agreement reached with Trump, which neither leader described in detail, would "pave the path towards peace in Ukraine".

Putin stressed that the war could only end if "all the primary roots" of the conflict were addressed.

"The situation in Ukraine has to do with the fundamental threats to our security," he said.

"To consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the worlda naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well," Putin added.

The Russian leader did not elaborate on what eliminating those "roots" would mean, though in the past he has linked the phrase to demands Kyiv and its allies have rejected.

Trump told reporters after the summit that he planned to brief NATO leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and "other appropriate officials" about the discussions.

"I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened," he said.

The leaders met for about three hours, far shorter than the six to seven hours Russian aides had anticipated.

They emerged claiming "progress" on unspecified issues but announced no ceasefire, offered no specifics, and took no questions.

Putin, on Friday, also thanked Trump for the "atmosphere of trust" at their meeting in Alaska, media reported.

"I would like to thank Trump for working together and maintaining a friendly and trustful atmosphere in the talks. The key thing is that both parties were determined to achieve results," Putin said at a joint press conference with Trump following their meeting, Russian news agency TASS reported.

Putin described his talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska as "positive and constructive".

"Our talks were held in a respectful and constructive atmosphere. They were quite detailed and useful," he said at a joint news conference.

Putin hopes that the agreements reached in Alaska will become a reference point for resolving the Ukrainian problem and restoring relations between Moscow and Washington.

Putin began remarks at the briefing by acknowledging that US-Russia relations have suffered in recent years. Usually when an American President hosts a foreign counterpart, a joint news conference would begin with remarks from the US leader followed by his guest.

"Our talks were held in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere," Putin said after meeting Trump in Alaska, adding that he greeted Trump "as a neighbour" and had established "very good direct contacts" with him.

Putin said the Ukraine conflict was one of the central topics, stressing that Russia has "always regarded, and still regards, the Ukrainian people as a brotherly people".

He added, "All the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated. Ukraine's security must, of course, be ensured, and we are ready to work on this."

Russian state media quoted Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev as saying the atmosphere around the discussions was generally positive.

It has been seven years since Russian President Vladimir Putin stood alongside an American President to take questions. The last time was in Helsinki in 2018, during the now-infamous press conference where Donald Trump appeared to side with Russia over US intelligence agencies on election interference.

When Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021, he chose not to hold a joint press conference, instead taking questions alone, a move aimed, in part, at denying Putin a platform to shape the narrative of their talks.

Trump and Putin concluded their three-on-three meeting after roughly three hours. The two leaders met behind closed doors, joined by their top advisers.

Speaking to Fox News aboard Air Force One on his way to Alaska, Trump said he wants to walk away from his meeting with Putin with a ceasefire in hand, and won't be satisfied without it.

"I wouldn't be thrilled if I didn't get it," Trump said, adding that some believe a halt to hostilities in Ukraine may only come after a second meeting.

"We'll see what happens. I won't be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire."

Putin, meanwhile, gave no indication of his position.

When reporters at the airport shouted questions, including whether he would "stop killing civilians," the Russian leader smirked and gestured as if he could not hear.

President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Friday.

As the two leaders shook hands on the red carpet, F-22 fighters and B-2 stealth bombers flew overhead, aircraft designed during the 1970s and 1980s for a potential US-Soviet conflict, though they entered service only after the Cold War ended.

Their presence during the welcome may have been a pointed reminder of US military power as Trump and Putin prepared to begin talks on Russia's war in Ukraine.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday extended greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami and called on everyone to follow the teachings of Lord Krishna to strengthen society.

Taking to X, President Murmu posted, "Heartfelt greetings on Janmashtami! Lord Shri Krishna has shown the entire humanity the path of following duties according to righteousness while remaining dedicated to the welfare of all beings."

"On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, let everyone resolve to follow the path shown by Lord Shri Krishna and strengthen society and the nation," she added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, extended warm greetings to the people across the country on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami and called it a sacred festival of faith, joy and enthusiasm.

"Heartfelt Janmashtami greetings to all countrymen. May this sacred festival of faith, joy, and enthusiasm infuse new energy and zeal into your lives. Jai Shri Krishna!" PM Modi said on the social media platform X.

Shri Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most revered Hindu festivals, celebrated every year to observe the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated annually with great enthusiasm and reverence on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. This festival is not only a religious occasion but also a symbol of the victory of love, devotion, and justice.

The auspicious occasion is marked by praying to Lord Krishna, visiting temples to seek his blessings, wearing new clothes, observing fasts, decorating homes and places of worship, and making sweet dishes made of milk products.

Temples across India are adorned with flower decorations, and events are organised, showcasing the revered tale of the birth of Lord Krishna and 'Raas-leela'.

The customs associated with Janmashtami include a festive celebration, the reading and recitation of religious texts, dancing, and reenactments of Krishna's life as described in the Bhagavata Purana.

Additionally, there are devotional singing sessions that continue until midnight, which is the time of Krishna's birth. Fasting is also a significant aspect of the observance. Some people break their daylong fast at midnight with a festive meal.
New York, Aug 16 : Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin said that they made progress in three hours of talks on Friday, moving closer to finding an end to the Ukraine War, but did not announce an immediate ceasefire.

"It's not a done deal at all", he told a Fox News interviewer after Friday's summit in Alaska. "And Ukraine has to agree. President (Volodymyr) Zelensky has to agree."

"We had a very good meeting today, and I think a lot of points were negotiated on behalf of Ukraine", he said.

Before the summit, he said that he would not be negotiating on behalf of Ukraine and that the meeting was a sounding board aimed at facilitating a direct meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky.

"Now it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done", President Trump said of a peace deal.

"We have a pretty good chance of getting it done", he added.

"They're going to set up a meeting now, between President Zelensky and President Putin and myself, I guess", he said.

President Trump had said that he could call an immediate meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky if the discussion went his way.

At the end of the news conference, he told Putin, "We'll speak to you very soon, and probably see you again very soon".

President Putin chirped up, "Next time in Moscow."

President Trump saying that "it's not a done deal" amounted to an admission that he did not get the immediate ceasefire he had insisted on.

At the same time, the fact that he had not terminated the negotiations within minutes and walked away, as he had threatened earlier, could be a sign of a breakthrough.

Nor did he announce the "very severe consequences" he had threatened if Putin did not agree to peace.

At the news conference after their talks concluded, Putin was upbeat.

"I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer that goal (of finding a solution) and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine", he said.

"I have every reason to believe that, moving along this path, we can reach the end of the conflict in Ukraine sooner rather than later", he added.

"I believe we had a very productive meeting", Trump said. "There were many, many points that we agreed on."

President Trump said cryptically there were "a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there, but we've made some headway".

"One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there", he added.

Fox News interviewer Sean Hannity pressed President Trump about the differences they had.

He said that he would rather not talk about it, but added, "I guess somebody is going to go public with it. They'll figure it out. But no, I don't want to do that. I want to see if we can get it done."

The main points of difference going into the talks were: Land swap or re-drawing of borders that would give Russia some Ukrainian territories, and a security guarantee from Europeans and the US for Ukraine.

Trump has spoken of a land swap, which would be politically hard for Zelensky.

British Defence Secretary said on Friday that the United Kingdom and its allies are ready to put troops in Ukraine to guarantee its security if there is a ceasefire.

Trump also spoke in support of troops to guarantee security, but ruled out their going under the NATO banner.

Putin may have conceded the security guarantee issue as he said, "Naturally, the security of Ukraine should be true. Naturally we're prepared to overcome that."

Trump said that he would be calling his Western allies and Zelensky to brief them on the summit.

He will have to convince the Europeans and Zelensky, who were sceptical about the summit but were willing to give it a chance that there had been progress.

The summit was truncated and only one of the planned phases  a meeting with key officials, Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov  was held.

Instead of the first phase, a private meeting between them, Trump and Putin spoke directly as they walked down the red carpet and continued the conversation in Trump's limousine.

They started the talks with officials and called off the planned third phase, which was to have been a luncheon with more officials, especially those dealing with trade and investment.

Putin had said he wanted to expand the talks to include Nuclear arms control, and Ushakov suggested trade and economic cooperation.

Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, and Special Presidential Representative for Investment Kirill Dmitriev, and US Secretaries Pete Hegseth of Defence, Scott Bessent of Treasury, and Howard Lutnick of Commerce were on standby.

The third phase in which the topics were expected to be discussed, did not take place.

At the news conference, Putin made he pitch for trade, which now pre-occupies Trump

"It is clear that the US and Russian investment and business cooperation has tremendous potential", he said. "Russia and the US can offer each other so much in trade, digital and high tech, and in space exploration", he said.

"Today's agreements will be the starting point, not only for the solution of the Ukrainian issue, but also will help us bring back business-like and pragmatic relations between Russia and US", Putin said.

He asserted that trade between the US and Russia had grown 20 per cent under Trump, who has threatend to penalise India with a 25 per cent tariff for buying oil from Russia.

The summit began with a choreographed welcome as the US Air Force 1 and Russia's presidential aircraft landed almost simultaneously.

Trump clapped as Putin walked toward him on the red carpet.

They smiled and shook hands as four F-35s and a B-2 Spirit bomber flew overhead.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : In an unexpected twist, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would nominate her longtime political rival US President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize - if he manages to end the Russia-Ukraine war without forcing Kyiv to cede any territory to Moscow.

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) In an unexpected twist, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would nominate her longtime political rival US President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize  if he manages to end the Russia-Ukraine war without forcing Kyiv to cede any territory to Moscow.

Clinton made the surprising remark just hours before Trump's high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a Cold War-era military installation in Anchorage, Alaska.

Speaking on 'Raging Moderates' podcast, Clinton said, "If he could bring about the end to this terrible war, if he could end it without putting Ukraine in a position where it had to concede its territory to the aggressor, could really stand up to Putin  something we haven't seen  but maybe this is the opportunity. If President Trump were the architect of that, I'd nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize."

Clinton emphasised the geopolitical stakes, saying, "He is not meeting a friend. He is meeting an adversary who wants to see the destruction of the US and the Western alliance."

Her comments underscored the gravity of the Alaska summit, which some observers called a potential turning point in the nearly three-year-long conflict in Eastern Europe.

The Clinton-Trump rivalry dates back to the 2016 US presidential election, when Trump defeated the former First Lady in a bruising contest. During that campaign, Clinton criticised Trump's admiration for authoritarian leaders like Putin.

"He praises dictators like Vladimir Putin and picks fights with our friends," she said.

She also famously referred to some of his supporters as a "basket of deplorables," and called Trump "temperamentally unfit" for office. In return, Trump repeatedly mocked Clinton on the campaign trail and later questioned her handling of foreign policy as Secretary of State.

Despite their acrimonious history, Clinton's remarks suggest that even she might acknowledge a breakthrough should Trump succeed in ending the war on favorable terms for Ukraine.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the war in Ukraine "quickly," although critics have questioned how he would achieve that, particularly given Russian President Vladimir Putin's insistence on Ukraine recognising Russia's territorial claims and lifting Western sanctions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited to the summit, has firmly rejected any territorial concessions.

Significantly, after the summit Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin said that they made progress in three hours of talks on Friday, moving closer to finding an end to the Ukraine War, but did not announce an immediate ceasefire.

"It's not a done deal at all", he told a Fox News interviewer after Friday's summit in Alaska. "And Ukraine has to agree. President (Volodymyr) Zelensky has to agree."

"We had a very good meeting today, and I think a lot of points were negotiated on behalf of Ukraine", he said.

Before the summit, he said that he would not be negotiating on behalf of Ukraine and that the meeting was a sounding board aimed at facilitating a direct meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky.

Putin called the meeting "constructive and mutually respectful," stating that the discussions had laid the groundwork for peace. He urged Ukraine and European leaders to engage in the process and warned against provocations that could jeopardise progress.

Trump echoed the sentiment, calling the talks "extremely productive."

He noted that multiple points of agreement had been reached, including one "very significant" breakthrough.

Still, he cautioned, "There's no deal until there's a deal."

Trump said he would consult with Zelensky and key European allies before moving forward with any formal agreements.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a statement on Saturday said it has arrested accused Mohammad Dilshad, who had been absconding for 26 Years after allegedly committing a murder in 1999 in Saudi Arabia.

The CBI had registered a Local Prosecution Case in the Month of April 2022 at the request of the Saudi Arabian authorities.

It was alleged that the accused Mohammad Dilshad had committed the offence of murder of a person at the premises where he was working as a Heavy Motor Mechanic cum Security Guard, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It was further alleged that after committing the murder, the accused, Md Dilshad, had fled to India and since then he was untraceable.

After the case was registered, the CBI traced the accused's native village in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh and opened a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him.

However, despite the opening of the LOC, he remained elusive. During the course of investigation, it was found out that the accused, Md Dilshad was used to travel abroad, i.e., Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia on a false identity and forged travel documents.

Using various technical leads and human intelligence, the new passport of the accused Mohammad Dilshad was detected, and a second LOC was opened against him.

He was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, on August 11 when he was travelling from Madinah via Jeddah of Saudi Arabia, to New Delhi on a forged passport.

The Accused Mohammad Dilshad, 52, is a mechanic of heavy vehicles and is presently employed in a company at Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He has been sent to judicial custody after he was produced in a court on August 14.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.
(Reuters) -A private equity firm founded by U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has signed a deal to buy an 8% stake in British lender OakNorth, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

The firm, Affinity Partners, was founded by Kushner in 2021 and has investments from funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The investment company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sky News, which previously reported the development, said that Affinity acquired the OakNorth stake from an unidentified existing investor.

OakNorth declined to comment. The SoftBank-backed group, founded by Rishi Khosla and Joel Perlman in 2015, has in the past leaned towards a U.S. listing to expand its business.

The news also comes amid growing interest around Trump and his affiliates' business ventures and talks of the U.S. government possibly taking a stake in Intel.

OakNorth reported pretax profit of nearly 215 million pounds ($291.5 million) last year as it continued its expansion in the U.S., where it began operating by mid-2023 and has received licenses for a representative office in New York.

Sky News said the value of the Affinity-OakNorth transaction was unclear. Reports have said the British lender was valued at about $2.8 billion in its latest funding round in 2019.

OakNorth runs a business bank in Britain with more than 7.5 billion pounds in assets and supplies its technology to lenders elsewhere.

In 2024, it had lent more than 2.1 billion pounds to customers. Its clients include F1 Arcade and personalised training provider Ultimate Performance.

"Despite ongoing macro-economic challenges, we are bullish for 2025," OakNorth co-founder and CEO Rishi Khosla said in March after the company's 2024 report was published.

SoftBank did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

($1 = 0.7376 pounds)

(Reporting by Unnamalai L, Rishab Shaju and Charlie Conchie in London; Editing by Sahal Muhammed and Alan Barona)
Chandigarh, Aug 16 : Following the spurt in crime in Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday reiterated that law and order would be the priority of the government and gave a stern warning to drug networks and promised stern action against offenders.

"The government is working to break the back of drug smugglers," he told the media here.

His assertion on law and order came over the murder of Manisha, a private play school teacher, who was found dead with her throat slit in the fields of Singhani village in Bhiwani district.

Her family and villagers on Thursday refused to cremate her until those responsible are arrested and police officials accused of negligence are suspended.

Taking cognisance of the crime, Chief Minister Saini on Friday transferred Superintendent of Police Manbir Singh, who was posted in Bhiwani, replacing 2014-batch IPS Sumit Kumar there. Besides, the Station House Office (SHO) concerned, one Assistant Sub-Inspector and three other police personnel were suspended.

"No matter how big a person is, if he works outside the law, he will not be spared," the Chief Minister told the media here.

He said that in the coming times, even more stringent decisions would be taken.

"If any person commits a crime, he will be brought to justice. The Chief Minister asked police officials to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future. All concerned officers should ensure a law and order-friendly environment for the public in their area of work," the CM said.

Also, he clarified that the safety of the citizens of the state is the priority of the government.

After the murder of the teacher, Bhiwani-Mahendergarh MP Dharambir Singh had met the victim's family, acknowledged police lapses and promised swift arrests and action against negligent officers.

Preliminary police findings indicate the victim was abducted, killed elsewhere, and her body dumped in the fields. Her mobile phone has not yet been recovered.
Bengaluru, Aug 16 : Responding to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's criticism against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his 79th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, Karnataka BJP criticised the CM for it and said that he does not deserve to speak about the RSS or PM Modi.

Karnataka BJP President, B.Y. Vijayendra stated on Saturday, "Standing under the shadow of the Congress, which still carries a slave mentality that insults the freedom struggle even today, you don't deserve to speak about the RSS or Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, you are not an original Congressman. You come from a political background that opposed the 'Emergency'. By standing today in defence of the Congress party, you are insulting the many great leaders of the 1970s who fought against the Emergency to safeguard democracy and uphold the true spirit of the freedom movement. Having joined Congress for selfish and power-driven politics, you have lost all moral right to speak about the Constitution and democracy," Vijayendra slammed.

"Siddaramaiah, you called the mentioning of the RSS' contributions in the Independence Day speech an insult to the Constitution. But it was the Congress party during the Emergency that trampled upon the spirit of the Constitution, strangled democracy, and displayed authoritarianism. That is the biggest black mark in India's political history," he charged.

Vijayendra further stated, "The RSS is not a political party. It is a patriotic organisation that was born for nation-building, has endured for a century, and works with the principles of service and equality. The dedication and sacrifice of countless RSS volunteers working to build a casteless society was even recognised by Mahatma Gandhi, whose words of appreciation are recorded in history."

"During the China war, the RSS actively stood with the brave soldiers in service of the nation. Recognising this, then Prime Minister Nehru himself invited the RSS to participate in the Republic Day parade as a mark of appreciation for its service," he pointed out.

"With noble ideals, goals, and objectives, the RSS has expanded its activities beyond India's borders, representing Indian values globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi rightly mentioned the achievements and service of the RSS in his Independence Day address, praising the organisation for carrying forward the purpose of the freedom struggle.

"This is both timely and reflective of the sentiments of more than a billion Indians. It is surprising why the Congress party and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are so disturbed by this," he questioned.

"The Congress was originally organized under that name to spread the freedom movement across the country. After Independence, the Congress name should have been dissolved and not retained as a political party.

"Many freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi himself, had suggested this. Ignoring that advice, the Congress continued as a political party, which today remains tightly controlled by a single family. Its politics and actions, often against the nation's interest, are well known to the people of this country. This is the very reason why the Congress today has been pushed to a marginal position on India's political map," Vijayendra claimed.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka commenting on the development, stated, "Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Jayaprakash Narayan, beyond party lines and ideological differences, had expressed appreciation for the service, dedication, equality, and spirit of brotherhood upheld by the RSS. This is recorded in history."

"In 1934, when Gandhiji visited an RSS camp, he witnessed volunteers living together like children of the same mother, united with the sole goal of serving the nation, without any distinctions of caste, religion, or community. Seeing this, he remarked, 'The RSS has fulfilled my dream of building a casteless, untouchability-free society,'" Ashoka underlined.

"By insulting the RSS, you may please the Congress high command and the Gandhi family. You may also flatter a few Leftists and intellectuals, who are always lurking nearby to implement their secret agendas. But no patriot of this country will forgive the Congress party's act of insulting a nationalist organisation for political gain. Do not belittle yourself in the eyes of millions of patriots just to please a handful of people," he stated.

Earlier, taking to social media X on Friday, CM Siddaramaiah stated, "On his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) the world's biggest NGO. Let's be clear: It is not an NGO; it is the world's biggest for-political profit, for-hate, and most divisive organisation - unregistered, non tax-paying, and conspiring to pit Indians against each other."
Ranchi, Aug 16 : The mortal remains of Jharkhand's Education Minister Ramdas Soren, who passed away late Friday night in New Delhi, were brought to the State Assembly on Saturday morning, where leaders cutting across party lines paid their last respects.

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radha Krishna Kishore, and several ministers, MPs, and MLAs offered floral tributes to the departed soul.

Governor Gangwar described Soren's demise as "an irreparable loss to the state," while extending condolences to the bereaved family.

Soren, 55, had been undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital, Delhi, after suffering a brain stroke 12 days ago. His body reached Ranchi around 10 a.m. and was taken directly to the Assembly premises for a farewell. His last rites will be performed today at his ancestral home in Singhbhum.

Leaders across the political spectrum mourned his passing. Mahua Maji, Rajya Sabha MP, said, "Ramdas Soren was a dedicated soldier of the Jharkhand movement who devoted his life to the poor and backward. His absence leaves a void not easily filled."

Subodhkant Sahay, former Union Minister, said, "Coming from the tribal community, he was known for his honesty and simplicity. The state has yet to recover from the loss of Shibu Soren, and now another stalwart is gone."

Ravindra Ray, BJP leader, commented, "As Education Minister, he worked with integrity. His untimely demise is painful for the entire state."

Irfan Ansari, Health Minister, said, "He was the tallest leader of the Kolhan area and a respected voice of the tribal society -- a simple, hardworking man who dedicated his life to public service."

Raghubar Das, former Jharkhand CM, said, "His demise is extremely sad. May Baba Vaidyanath grant peace to his soul."

Deepika Pandey Singh, Panchayati Raj Minister, said, "His contribution to public life will always be remembered."

There is a palpable wave of mourning across Jharkhand as people remember Ramdas Soren's commitment to education, tribal rights, and grassroots development.
Kolkata, Aug 16 : A Trinamool leader, who is on the National Investigation Agency (NIA) list in connection with the Arjun Nagar bomb blast case in Bhagwanpur in East Midnapore district, has been arrested, police said on Saturday.

The arrested person has been identified as Trinamool Congress leader Subir Maity.

The police said the arrest was made on Friday night.

He will be produced before a court in Contai in East Midnapore district later in the day.

In December 2022, a bomb blast occurred in Naduabila village of Arjun Nagar gram panchayat area of Bhagabanpur Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district, which killed three people, including a Trinamool leader.

The NIA has been investigating the incident on the orders of the Calcutta High Court.

Sources said that the names of several Trinamool leaders came up during the investigation. Among them was Subir Maity, a resident of Arjun Nagar village.

Acting on a tip-off, the police of the Bhupati Nagar police station raided and recovered bomb-making ingredients. The accused Subir Maity was also arrested.

"He was arrested with bomb-making ingredients. Investigation is on to ascertain whether such ingredients were meant for making firecrackers or crude bombs," said a police officer of East Midnapore district police.

BJP MLA from Bhagabanpur Assembly constituency Rabindranath Maity said, "Keeping the 2026 state Assembly elections in mind, Trinamool has started preparing to make bombs in several houses and shops. They want to indulge in violence during the election."

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress workers took to the streets to protest the arrest of their leader.

Trinamool Congress Contai spokesperson Aparesh Santra, however, said, "I am not aware of the matter. I will make comments when I am aware of all the details regarding the case."
Shimla, Aug 16 : Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at the historic Ridge in Shimla, saying he was a politician who upheld the highest moral values throughout his career.

Remembering A.B. Vajpayee as a statesman, visionary leader, and a politician who upheld the highest moral values throughout his career, the Governor said, "Atal ji considered Himachal Pradesh his home and always maintained dignity in public life. He never resorted to corruption for the sake of power or to save his government. Today, the greatest tribute we can pay him is to follow the path of integrity and value-based politics that he showed us."

The Governor said Vajpayee was a towering figure in Indian politics, admired across party lines, and loved by the entire nation for his simplicity, oratory skills, and statesmanship.

On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also offered floral tributes to the late leader. Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation, Surinder Chauhan, former Member of Parliament Pratibha Singh, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, former minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, councilors, officers of the district administration, and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.

Patriotic songs and devotional hymns were presented to pay homage to the former Prime Minister.

Paying tributes to Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in a post on X: "Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India."

A poet and statesman, Vajpayee was prime minister for over six years between 1998 and 2004 and is credited with pushing economic reforms that paved the way for a period of high growth.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to the former Prime Minister. In his message, Singh recalled Vajpayee's lifelong efforts to build a strong and prosperous India.
Mumbai, Aug 16 : Actor Jaideep Ahlawat, who bagged the award for Best Actor - Web Series at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, has dedicated his big win to the team of his superhit streaming show 'Paatal Lok'.

The actor was honoured with the award for his portrayal of Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary in 'Paatal Lok' Season 2.

Reflecting on victory, Jaideep said "This award is truly overwhelming. To be recognized on an international platform like the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is an honor I will cherish forever. Hathiram Chaudhary's journey has been an extraordinary one, and this award belongs to the entire team who poured their heart and soul into making Paatal Lok what it is today".

He further mentioned, "I'm deeply grateful to the jury and, most importantly, to the audience for their love and support. This is for all of you".

The announcement, made during the prestigious awards night in Melbourne, solidified his status as one of the most compelling and brilliant actors in Indian Cinema. Ahlawat's portrayal in the second season of the critically acclaimed series was hailed by critics and audiences alike as a masterclass in acting.

He thoroughly built on the character's journey from the first season, showcasing a deeper, more introspective Hathiram Chaudhary who continues his relentless pursuit for justice. This IFFM win is a crowning achievement in a season of accolades for Ahlawat, who has previously received national and widespread recognition for the role at other major award ceremonies.

The international platform of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne provides a fitting stage for this momentous win, celebrating the best of Indian content and talent on a global scale.

Meanwhile, the actor has 'Family Man Season 3', 'Ikkis,' 'King' & 'Hisaab' in the pipeline.
Kochi, Aug 16 : In a shocking incident, two bodies kept at a palliative care centre in Palluruthy in Kochi were mistakenly interchanged, leading to the wrong burial of one man and forcing an exhumation under police supervision.

The confusion involved the bodies of Antony, a native of Kumbalangi, and Peter, a resident of Palluruthy, both in Kochi city. Antonyas body had been kept in cold storage at the palliative care centre as his relatives living abroad could not reach home immediately.

Peteras body was also kept alongside, according to a local media report.

On Thursday, Peteras relatives collected what they believed to be his body and conducted funeral rites at a nearby church.

Since the last rites were held directly at the church and not at his residence due to a lack of proper facilities and space, there was no public viewing of the body.

The error came to light only the following day, when Antonyas family members, who had returned from abroad, arrived to claim his remains.

To their shock, they found that Peteras body was still in storage, while Antonyas body had already been buried.

The palliative care centre employees and the villagers alerted the church authorities concerned, and both families were informed about the goof-up.

After discussions, it was decided to exhume Antonyas body, which had been buried the previous day. The exhumation was carried out in the presence of police and church officials.

Later, Antonyas body was taken to Kumbalangi, where his relatives conducted the last rites at the local church.

Meanwhile, Peteras body was also buried by his family at the Palluruthy church once the dispute was resolved.

The incident has sparked debate over the lack of proper identification and verification procedures at palliative care centres and mortuaries.

Locals have demanded stricter rules to prevent such distressing errors in the future, pointing out that grieving families should never be put through such an ordeal.
Chennai, Aug 16 : The Tamil Nadu government has raised an alarm over the severe implications of the United States' 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports, warning that the proposed escalation to 50 per cent could devastate the state's manufacturing sector and cost millions of jobs.

Chennai, Aug 16 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government has raised an alarm over the severe implications of the United Statesa 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports, warning that the proposed escalation to 50 per cent could devastate the stateas manufacturing sector and cost millions of jobs.

In a detailed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin highlighted that Tamil Naduas dependence on the US market is higher as compared to other Indian states.

While 20 per cent of Indiaas total goods exports worth $433.6 billion in 2024-25 went to the US, Tamil Nadu sent 31 per cent of its $52.1 billion exports there.

This heavy reliance, the Chief Minister warned, makes Tamil Nadu particularly vulnerable to tariff shocks.

The most affected sectors include textiles, apparels, machinery, auto components, gems and jewellery, leather, footwear, marine products, and chemicals. All of these are labour-intensive industries where any decline in exports would swiftly translate into mass layoffs.

The textile industry, which accounts for 28 per cent of Indiaas exports in the sector and employs nearly 75 lakh people in the state, faces an especially grave threat. Officials estimate that as many as 30 lakh jobs are at immediate risk if tariffs are doubled to 50 per cent.

To cushion the blow, CM Stalin urged the Centre to take urgent corrective measures. These include rectifying the GST inverted duty structure for the man-made fiber value chain by bringing it under a uniform 5 per cent GST slab, exempting import duty on all varieties of cotton, and providing collateral-free loans of up to 30 per cent under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) with a 5 per cent interest subvention and a two-year moratorium on repayment.

Further demands include enhancing RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) benefits to 5 per cent and extending pre and post-shipment credit facilities to all textile exports, including yarn.

Industry consultations revealed similar challenges in other sectors as well.

To provide relief, CM Stalin requested the Union Government to launch a special interest subvention scheme for exporters hit by tariffs, accelerate Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to offset market risks, and announce a financial relief package similar to the COVID-era moratorium on principal repayments.

The letter also drew parallels with Brazil, which recently introduced tax deferrals and credits to support its exporters.

Warning of an unprecedented crisis threatening Tamil Naduas manufacturing sector, CM Stalin called for urgent intervention from PM Modi in consultation with ministries and industry stakeholders.

He assured the Centre of Tamil Naduas full cooperation in implementing national-level measures to safeguard livelihoods and preserve the competitiveness of Indian exports.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday reaffirmed that Ukraine remains committed to working with maximum effort to achieve peace. He also announced that he will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Monday (August 18) to discuss in detail the prospects of ending the war and the ongoing violence.

This development comes after President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a high stakes meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.

While the talks were described as "making progress", no concrete deal was reached. The meeting, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, marked the first visit of a Russian head of state to the United States in nearly a decade and the first face-to-face dialogue between American and Russian leaders since 2021.

President Zelensky took to social media platform 'X' to share details of his recent communication with President Trump.

"We had a long and substantive conversation with POTUS. We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump. Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed me about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation," Zelensky wrote.

He further expressed support for President Trump's proposal of holding trilateral talks.

"We support President Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasises that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," he added.

President Zelensky also confirmed his upcoming meeting with President Trump in Washington.

"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, DC, to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation. It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America. We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping," he said.

Meanwhile, the White House confirmed that President Trump spoke to President Zelensky following his summit with President Putin in Alaska.

President Trump was also in contact with NATO leaders on Saturday. Despite the high-profile engagement with Putin, Trump secured no breakthrough to end Russia's war in Ukraine, even after extending a ceremonial welcome to the Russian leader.

Trump told reporters that "there's no deal until there's a deal," after Putin claimed the two leaders had reached an "understanding" on Ukraine. The Russian president also warned European nations not to "torpedo the nascent progress."

Putin reiterated Moscow's long-standing position, stating that Russia is "sincerely interested in putting an end" to the conflict. However, he insisted that for a resolution to be reached, "all the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated."

He added that he agreed with Trump on the importance of ensuring Ukraine's security and said Moscow was "ready to work on this," though he did not provide details.

Earlier, on August 15, Zelensky had voiced hope that the Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin could open the door to three-way talks.

"The key thing is that this meeting should open up a real path towards a just peace and a substantive discussion between leaders in a trilateral format  Ukraine, the United States, and the Russian side," Zelensky had said on X.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 16 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of using the country's 79th Independence Day address to glorify the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and V.D. Savarkar.

"It's not acceptable at all as the attempt to project the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and V.D. Savarkar as central figures in India's independence movement. Choosing Independence Day itself to glorify those who compromised with colonial powers is being seen as an insult to the freedom struggle," Vijayan wrote on social media.

He went on to point out that the RSS was banned in the aftermath of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, while Savarkar himself faced trial in the conspiracy linked to Mahatma Gandhi's murder.

"Associating them with the 'fatherhood of freedom' is a denial of history. PM Modi's Independence Day address, which indirectly valorised the RSS, was a misuse of the solemn occasion. Moreover, the decision of the Union Petroleum Ministry's Independence Day greeting card placing Savarkar's image above Gandhi's is nothing but a part of a larger conspiracy to rewrite history," added Vijayan.

"India's independence movement was a collective battle, cutting across caste, creed, language, and religion. In contrast, the RSS distanced itself from the movement and openly opposed its ideological foundations. Instead of inclusive Indian nationalism, it promoted a majoritarian Hindutva vision," added Vijayan.

Citing history, Vijayan further pointed out that when the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, the RSS mouthpiece Organizer editorialised that the Manusmriti should have been the guiding text instead of the Constitution. Similarly, the Hindu Mahasabha under Savarkar had even boycotted the celebrations of August 15, 1947.

"Those who turned their backs on the freedom struggle are now attempting to insert themselves into its history, while sidelining real martyrs, such as those of the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising or the victims of the Wagon Tragedy. Those who call for commemorating Partition horrors on August 14 have little moral standing to lecture the nation on Independence Day," wrote Vijayan.

Vijayan ends his piece by stating that any attempt to replace the legacy of humanism and unity with sectarian hatred must be resisted collectively.
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New Delhi, Aug 16 : Sants and seers across India extended greetings to people on the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, urging everyone to walk the path of love and harmony as taught by Lord Krishna.

The festival, one of the most revered in Hindu tradition, is celebrated annually to mark the birth of Lord Krishna on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. It symbolises devotion, justice, and the triumph of love.

In Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, celebrations began with grandeur and devotion.

Swami Mahendra Das Maharaj, Chairman of Shri Ramakrishna International Janki Vallabh Mandir in Vrindavan, told IANS, "Heartfelt Janmashtami greetings to all citizens. Lord Shri Krishna is the supreme playful deity. If there is love, harmony, and devotion among people today, it is largely due to Lord Krishna. Today, in Vrindavan, the Janmashtami festival is being celebrated in a very divine and grand manner at Banke Bihari Temple and Janki Vallabh Temple."

"In Janmabhoomi Mathura, also, grand celebrations are being held on Shri Krishna Janmashtami. This is a joyous occasion for us. Everyone will celebrate it with enthusiasm. The Mahaabhishek of Lord Krishna will also be done with seven types of juices and panchamrit. After this, a grand feast will be offered to Lord Krishna," he added.

Mathura's Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple has been beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, drawing thousands of devotees who are offering prayers.

Radha-Krishna Leela will be performed at Bhagwat Bhawan Leela Manch inside the Janmabhoomi complex, along with various cultural programs. Nearly 400 artists are set to showcase their performances at temple premises and city squares.

These events are being organised over the weekend by the Uttar Pradesh Braj Tirtha Vikas Parishad and the Tourism Department.

Vrindavan, too, is witnessing elaborate festivities, with streets and temples filled with chanting of 'Hare Krishna' and devotees deeply immersed in spiritual fervour.

Preparations are also complete at Panchmukhi Temple in Maharashtra's Nashik.

Speaking to IANS, National spokesperson of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Bhakti Charan Das Maharaj, said, "Everyone should pray to Lord Krishna on this holy occasion. The program is underway, with everyone participating together. All devotees are taking part collectively."

At ISKCON's Madhuban Ashram in Rishikesh, a grand celebration is planned. The temple idols have been dressed in attire brought from Vrindavan.

Speaking to IANS, Parmanand Das Maharaj, President of Madhuban Ashram, said, "Wishing you a very happy Janmashtami! Janmashtami is being celebrated with great enthusiasm at Madhuban Ashram. It is a divine festival for all of us Sanatanis, as Lord Krishna was born today."

Across India, temples are adorned with flowers, and homes are decorated in preparation for the festivities.

Customs include fasting, visiting temples, offering prayers, and preparing sweets made with milk products. Devotees also engage in devotional singing, recitation of scriptures, and enactments of Krishna's life from the Bhagavata Purana.

Celebrations traditionally continue until midnight, the moment believed to be the divine birth of Lord Krishna, when devotees break their fast with a festive meal, marking the culmination of one of Hinduism's most joyous occasions.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 16 : The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Saturday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after the Vigilance Court rejected the clean chit given to ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar in a disproportionate assets case.

Ajith Kumar, a senior police officer facing multiple allegations of corruption, is widely regarded as a trusted aide of Vijayan.

UDF convenor and Lok Sabha member Adoor Prakash said the court's observations were "extremely serious" and directly pointed to political interference.

"The Vigilance report was dismissed because there was no proper investigation, no consideration of evidence, and the court said such a report cannot be accepted. The court also indicated that political interference and misuse of power had taken place," Prakash said.

According to him, the Chief Minister's office had shielded Ajith Kumar for years. "The people of Kerala deserve to know on what basis this protection was extended. The court's remarks now provide an opportunity to expose the truth," he added.

Prakash demanded that Vijayan resign immediately and face an impartial probe. "This is not just about one officer. It is about political accountability. The Chief Minister cannot continue in office while such grave charges remain unresolved. If the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has any integrity, its allies must insist on his resignation. Otherwise, the people will know they are complicit in undermining the justice system," he said.

State Congress president Sunny Joseph echoed the demand, saying the Vigilance report bore the "clear blessings" of the Chief Minister. "CM Vijayan has no moral right to continue. The Vigilance Court has laid out in detail how the lopsided report was prepared to shield the top police officer," Joseph said.

Meanwhile, Advocate N. Nagaraj, the original complainant in the case, said he would approach the court again, this time against the Vigilance officers who filed the clean chit.

"Their report was given without even collecting the most basic information. I will request the court to recover the salaries and allowances paid to the team, as they did nothing at all. They acted with the backing of the Chief Minister's office," he alleged.

The Vigilance Court's order has reignited a political storm in Kerala, with the opposition intensifying its attack on the government.
Mumbai, Aug 16 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday targeted the Shiv Sena-UBT, saying that the transformation is inevitable in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ruled by the Thackeray camp for over 25 years.

He attended the Parivartan Dahi Handi festival at Worli Jamboree Ground, which falls in the Assembly constituency of Shiv Sena-UBT legislator and former minister Aaditya Thackeray.

He chose the Dahi Handi festival to reiterate that the BJP-led Mahayuti is capable and fully prepared to win the BMC elections while downplaying the possible alliance between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT and Raj Thackeray-founded Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

"Transformation is inevitable in the Municipal Corporation (in Mumbai). We have broken the pot of sin in the Municipal Corporation. Pap ki handi ab toot chuki hai aur ab aisi handi dobara nahin lagne wali (Now the pot of development will be placed in that place). Whatever butter is in that pot of development, the effort will be made to take it to the common man," said the chief minister, who was accompanied by the Cultural Affairs Minister and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shekar.

He wished everyone a happy Dahi Handi and Janmashtami.

Without directly naming the Thackeray camp, CM Fadnavis said, "You (journalists) know where it (butter) was going. The people know who ate the butter."

Stepping up the attack against the Thackeray camp, the chief minister said that there were restrictions on Dahi Handi and Ganesh Utsav (imposed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led government during its rule), adding that all those curbs were removed when the previous Eknath Shinde-led government took over in the state.

"Now there is a Mahayuti government and all restrictions have been removed. There is immense enthusiasm. Dahi Handi is being celebrated with enthusiasm," he expressed.

"It has been raining since last night, and rain is expected today. No matter how much rain falls, the rain of Govindaas enthusiasm is bigger than that. Our Govinda's passion and enthusiasm never diminish," he noted.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis will visit 14 Dahi Handi events in Mumbai, Thane and Bhiwandi, while Deputy Chief Minister Shinde will attend over 20 such events during the day.

Ahead of the upcoming civic body elections in Mumbai, Thane and adjoining areas, the Mahayuti has proposed a massive outreach on the occasion of Dahi Handi and Janmashtami festival.

CM Fadnavis and DCMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have claimed that the change is inevitable in the BMC elections in particular, as the Mahayuti is set to outpace the Shiv Sena-UBT, MNS, Congress and NCP-SP.
Chennai, Aug 16 : Tamil Nadu Congress president K. Selvaperunthugai strongly condemned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids conducted at the residences and properties linked to Rural Development Minister I. Periyasamy.

Calling the move a politically motivated act, Selvaperunthugai accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of using enforcement agencies as tools to target opposition leaders.

"These raids on Minister I. Periyasamy's residences, and even those of his son and daughter, are nothing but politically motivated. They are meant to intimidate and silence the opposition. This is an attempt to destabilize democratic government and weaken the political system. I strongly condemn this interference by the Enforcement Directorate," he said in a statement.

The ED carried out extensive searches at Periyasamy's house in Greenways Road, Chennai, his MLA guest house in Thiruvallikeni, and multiple properties in Dindigul and Madurai.

Raids were also held at the residences of his son, DMK MLA I. P. Senthil Kumar, and his daughter Indrani.

Officials reportedly scrutinised property records and financial documents as part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Tension prevailed in Dindigul when local residents tried to prevent ED officials from entering Periyasamy's home at Durairaj Nagar. Police and CRPF personnel were deployed to maintain order and ensure the searches continued without obstruction.

Sources in the ED said the investigation is focused on possible irregularities in property ownership and financial transactions.

The action has ignited sharp political reactions across Tamil Nadu, with the ruling DMK and its allies alleging that central agencies are being misused to corner and harass political opponents.

Earlier this year, the ED pursued investigations into alleged irregularities in TASMAC operations worth nearly Rs 1,000 crore, though the Supreme Court later intervened to uphold federal principles.

Selvaperunthugai's statement adds to the growing criticism over the Centre's approach to handling enforcement agencies in the state.

While the ED maintains that the searches are part of a legitimate probe, opposition leaders insist the raids reflect selective targeting aimed at tarnishing the reputation of senior state ministers.

With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, the outcome of these raids and any follow-up actions is expected to carry significant political weight.
Chandigarh, Aug 16 : Haryana Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed a nearly 2,500-page chargesheet in a Hisar court against YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who has been arrested on charges of espionage for Pakistan.

The chargesheet claimed that "solid evidence" had been gathered establishing her involvement in espionage activities.

She was arrested on suspicion of espionage on May 16 and was subsequently remanded to custody.

According to the chargesheet, Malhotra had been allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistani agents for a considerable period and maintained regular contact with them.

Investigators said she initially started by creating blogs and content like a regular YouTuber, but during a visit to Pakistan, she allegedly came into contact with intelligence handlers.

Police said digital forensic examination of her mobile phone revealed extensive conversations with Ehsan-ur-Rahim Danish Ali, an officer at the Pakistani High Commission in India.

The chargesheet also named her links with ISI operatives -- Shakir, Hasan Ali and Nasir Dhillon. Responding to the chargesheet, her counsel Kumar Mukesh said they would respond legally after reviewing it. The next hearing is on August 18.

According to the first information report (FIR), Malhotra had visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023, where she came into contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a staffer.

She has been accused of sharing sensitive information regarding Indian locations and was used to project Pakistan on social media in a positive light.

Danish, who has since been declared persona non grata by the Indian government and expelled on May 13, introduced her to multiple intelligence operatives based in Pakistan.

Investigators say she also entered into an intimate relationship with an intelligence operative and travelled to Bali in Indonesia with him.

Malhotra, who was running a YouTube channel named 'Travel with Jo', has been booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on the statement of Sub-Inspector Bijender Singh in the Civil Lines Police Station in Hisar.
Bengaluru, Aug 16 : Responding to the politics and controversies over the probe into the alleged Dharmasthala mass graves case, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday stated that the BJP needs the issue to carry out politics. Why didn't the BJP speak up when the complaint was filed in court and the SIT was constituted? Dy CM Shivakumar questioned the Opposition party.

He was responding to questions from the media on Saturday at his residence in Bengaluru.

"When the masked complainant filed a petition in court, the BJP did not utter a word. Now they are doing politics. They think Hindutva is their family property. The BJP has no genuine love for Dharmasthala; they only want Dharmasthala for political gains," stated Dy CM Shivakumar, launching an attack.

When asked about the BJP delegation's visit to Dharmasthala today, Dy CM Shivakumar replied: "The BJP did not say anything in the beginning. Now they are turning it into politics. They believe Hindutva belongs to them as their household asset. But it belongs to no one. It is about the people's faith and devotion. For the BJP, it's nothing but politics."

He reiterated, "Why did the BJP remain silent on the day the masked complainant filed the case? Why didn't they say his complaint was baseless? Why didn't they object on the very first day when the SIT was formed? For us, politics has nothing to do with Dharmasthala."

"Protecting Dharmasthala's sanctity is our concern. Whoever is guilty should be punished  that is our stand. If the government had not investigated even after a petition was filed in court, wouldn't the BJP have attacked us for that? They would have. Now they are doing politics in this manner, but we won't lose our peace of mind over it," Shivakumar stated.

Asked about the demand for conducting a narco test on the masked complainant, Shivakumar said: "Let them demand whatever they want in this regard  narco test or any other kind of investigation. That is not wrong. Those who had initially welcomed the SIT investigation are now speaking differently. It is for the investigators to decide how many pits to dig and when to stop. Why should we interfere in their work?"

Asked about BJP leaders welcoming his earlier remarks on conspiracy, he responded: "I only spoke from my personal experience. But I do not wish to interfere in a government investigation. BJP legislators might have spoken in the Assembly, but even before that, our MLAs raised their voices for Dharmasthala inside the Legislature."

"Local Congress leaders had met us at the very beginning and discussed the issue. No one in the government said that this matter should not be discussed. Even our Chief Minister has assured that no injustice will be done to anyone. The investigation will proceed as per law. If anyone has spread false messages or misinformation, legal action will be taken against them. The very person who is supporting this campaign has gone to the extent of calling the Chief Minister a murderer. Did you report on that? We have all that information," Shivakumar stated.

When asked if excavation would be stopped, Shivakumar replied: "I will not interfere in the investigation. The Home Minister is there to handle it, and he will take the decision. We gather information from our own sources. There are hundreds of people there; it's not necessary that we depend only on police reports."

When asked about the death of Sri Chandrashekar Swamiji of the Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamsthana, he said: "Chandrashekar Swamiji was a senior seer of our community. With great patience, he served in his own way. He led the Math for 25 years and recently handed over the responsibility to a young Swamiji. I pray for peace to his soul."

When asked about Chandrashekar Swamiji blessing him to become Chief Minister, Shivakumar said: "He blessed me with a pure heart. I hold immense respect for him."

Dy CM Shivakumar had earlier stated, "The government is considering taking action against those who have lied and spread misinformation in connection with the Dharmasthala case."

The issue has taken a political turn with the SIT not able to recover any substantial evidence even after excavating 17 sites for over 14 days in Dharmasthala at the behest of the unidentified lower caste Hindu man who had claimed that he had buried hundreds of dead bodies of woman, girls and children, mostly murdered after sexual assault in Dharmasthala.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : India's semiconductor market is expected to reach around $110 billion by 2030, as the country will become a trusted node in the $1 trillion global semiconductor market, according to a new report.

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Indiaas semiconductor market is expected to reach around $110 billion by 2030, as the country will become a trusted node in the $1 trillion global semiconductor market, according to a new report.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 79th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, declared that Made-in-India semiconductor chips will be available in the market by the end of 2025, marking a major milestone in Indiaas push for technological self-reliance.

The Union Cabinet this week approved four semiconductor projects worth Rs 4,600 crore. These new ventures will produce approximately 2,000 skilled employments in India, potentially creating many more indirect value chain opportunities, according to a report in India Narrative.

Currently, Taiwan makes about 90 per cent of advanced chips for India. The new Indian facilities ensure a stable local supply of telecom, electric cars, and defence chips, boosting economic resilience and minimising strategic risks.

'Designed and Made in India' chips can compete in global supply chains as companies look for alternatives to established giants amid US-China tensions, the report noted.

Odisha will receive two new projects, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab will each receive one. After new approvals, there are ten India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)-sanctioned projects in six states.

Over 60,000 students are being trained in semiconductor-related skills, preparing the workforce India needs for both domestic and global demand.

SiCSem Private Limited in Odisha will build India's first commercial compound semiconductor fabrication facility. Defence, electric vehicles, trains, and energy infrastructure dependent on silicon carbide (SiC) devices will be the focus of this facility.

Odisha-based 3D Glass Solutions Inc. envisions an advanced packaging and embedded glass substrate plant. This factory will provide cutting-edge chip packaginga"a leap for AI, communications, and photonics sectors, the report said.

Andhra Pradesh's ASIP Technologies, in partnership with South Koreaas APACT, will build a plant serving consumer, automotive, and communications electronics. Continental Device India Ltd. in Punjab will produce more MOSFETs and IGBTs with direct relevance for renewable energy, EVs, automation, and industrial digitalisation.

The proposed products will have significant applications in defence, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, RF and automotive, photonics and co-packaged optics, etc.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : In an exclusive interview with IANS from Washington, D.C., Professor Klaus Larres of the University of North Carolina shared his candid views on the high stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The discussion ranged from the optics of the encounter, possible agreements on Nuclear arms control, the future of the Ukraine war, to the geopolitical implications for Europe, India, and the global sanctions regime.

Prof. Larres offered a nuanced analysis of what the meeting meant for international diplomacy and who truly emerged as the political winner.

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

IANS: What is your first reaction to the meeting between Presidents Putin and Donald Trump and the statement they shared?

Larres: The whole scenario was pretty shocking. It began with a welcoming ceremony in which President Trump greeted President Putin like an old friend. They last met in 2019, but President Trump did not treat him as an opponent  rather, as if he were a family member. Then Trump gave Putin a ride in his presidential limousine. That was polite, but the fact remains we don't know what they discussed privately in that car.

President Putin speaks English, so they must have had some conversation  perhaps small talk. There were also closed-door meetings between them about which we have no information. Afterwards, during the Press briefing, Trump referred to him simply as "Vladimir."

IANS: During the statements, President Putin repeated his talking points and indicated he is not backing down from his maximalist goals. Do you see any change in the Russian position?

Larres: No, I don't. No one really expected a major shift. Putin has not moved from his position at all. Many had hoped for a ceasefire  perhaps even a temporary one  but that clearly didn't happen. It was said Putin would have to give Trump something so Trump could declare victory, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Putin did bring a business delegation, and there were hints of potential business deals, but that's entirely separate from the Ukraine war.

Even if Trump later announces huge business agreements, that wouldn't end the war. Trump wants to be seen as a peacemaker and he wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize, but the reality is that war in Ukraine hasn't stopped.

One possible area of agreement between Trump and Putin could be the extension of the New START Treaty, which expires in February 2026.

It's the only Nuclear arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia and limits both sides' missiles and warheads. If they agreed to extend it, that would be a success  but it would still not end the Ukraine war. I believe some agreements may have been reached, but none related to ending the conflict.

IANS: Putin also said in his statement that he hopes whatever was agreed will not be "torpedoed" by Europe. How much pressure is Europe under?

Larres: It's difficult to say because we don't know the content of the agreements. If it's about extending the Nuclear treaty, Europe wouldn't oppose it. If it's a business deal that undermines Ukraine, the Europeans would object. However, Europe is in a weak position because it depends heavily on the U.S., especially in the military domain. The ball is now in Trump's court. Putin claims Russia has emerged stronger, including militarily, but that's not the full truth  it hasn't become weak either.

IANS: There's irony in Trump welcoming Russian business leaders while the U.S. has sanctioned India for buying Russian oil.

Larres: Many Russian companies are sanctioned by both the U.S. and Europe. Taking a business delegation was highly unusual  it suggests Putin expected sanctions to be lifted or ignored. If that had happened, it would have been hard for Trump to justify secondary sanctions on countries like India or China. How do you explain sanctioning countries that buy Russian oil but not sanctioning the originator of that oil?

IANS: If you were in New Delhi right now, would you be breathing a sigh of relief?

Larres: Yes. If I were Prime Minister Modi, I'd expect at least short-term relief from secondary sanctions.

IANS: The U.S. is interested in resuming bilateral commercial relations with Russia. What does that mean for Europe?

Larres: It would put Europe in a difficult position. The EU has imposed 18 sanction packages  most implemented successfully, though not without internal disputes, especially from countries like Hungary and Slovenia. If the U.S. normalises trade with Russia, Europe's hardline stance would weaken over time, ultimately undermining the EU sanctions regime. Putin knows this, and such a move would drive a wedge between the U.S. and Europe, and within the EU itself.

IANS: Given the optics, who do you think came out as the winner?

Larres: From a neutral perspective, I would say it was clearly President Putin. The optics showed both as strong leaders sharing the limelight. But in substance  no ceasefire, no end to the war  it's clear Trump didn't achieve his main objective.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : New Delhi-based rights group -- Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) - on Saturday urged the diplomatic community and the United Nations to intervene with the Bangladesh government to release Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former leader of ISKON and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, on the occasion of Janmashtami.

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) New Delhi-based rights group -- Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG)  on Saturday urged the diplomatic community and the United Nations to intervene with the Bangladesh government to release Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former leader of ISKON and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Chinmoy Das has been in custody since November 25, 2024, in connection with a sedition case. He was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka for allegedly defaming the national flag.

Das was also arrested in connection with the murder of assistant government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif, who was hacked to death during the violent protest sparked by the Hindu leader's arrest.

The RRAG on Saturday requested the diplomatic community and the United Nations to intervene with the Government of Bangladesh to release the Hindu Priest from prison custody on the occasion of Janmashtami.

The rights body, in a statement, said that Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General Waqar Uz Zaman, Chief of the Bangladesh Navy Admiral Mohd Nazmul Hussain, and Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force Hasan Mahmud Khan attended the Janmashtami function, the birthday of Lord Krishna, on Saturday in Dhaka.

"This is a sham and a desperate attempt to beguile the international community in the light of the ongoing, relentless atrocities against the Hindus.

A total of 2,485 incidents of violence against religious and ethnic minorities were reported during the year of the reign of the caretaker government under the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus," RRAG Director Suhas Chakma said in a statement.

He said that if the Bangladesh government is serious, Chinomoy Das at least ought to be released on bail on Saturday, the birthday of Lord Krishna.

Das remains in prison from November 25 last year (2024) first on a private complaint of sedition for allegedly putting the flag of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) on top of Bangladesh's national flag and thereafter, for the murder of a lawyer in court complex when Das was already in police custody and being produced in the court, RRAG Director said.

"If there was any conspiracy by Das to murder the lawyer, it was done by the Bangladeshi security forces under whose custody he was. None of the security officials of the Bangladesh government has been charged for this murder. The prosecution is opposing the bail of Chinmoy Das to send a clear message to the Hindus not to organise any political meeting but remain restricted to religious programmes like celebrating Janmashtami," Chakma said.

--IANS

sc/dan
Seoul, Aug 16 : South Korean jailed former first lady Kim Keon Hee will appear for questioning by a special counsel team next week for the second time since her arrest, officials said Saturday.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team said it had been informed by Kim's legal representatives that the wife of former President Yoon Seok Yeol will comply with the summons for 10 a.m. Monday.

Kim was arrested last Tuesday over corruption charges and faced her first round of questioning two days later. The Seoul Central District Court had issued a warrant for her arrest, citing concerns she could destroy evidence.

Kim's availability for Monday's questioning had been in doubt due to health-related reasons, as she had been trying to schedule an appointment with her doctor. Kim had planned to meet with her attorneys Monday morning first before deciding whether to appear for questioning, but changed her mind Saturday.

Kim faces charges of participating in a stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea, from 2009 to 2012, meddling in candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and 2024 general elections, and receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a shaman in exchange for business favors.

On Thursday, Kim's questioning went on for just over two hours, as the ex-first lady exercised her right to remain silent, Yonhap news agency reported.

According to her lawyers, Kim expressed her doubt as to if she could live with her husband again. Yoon is under arrest over charges related to his failed attempt to impose martial law in December, making the two the first presidential couple to be detained simultaneously.

Kim Ye-seong, an associate of Kim Keon Hee known as the "butler" of her family, was arrested on embezzlement charges late Friday. The associate could be called in for cross interrogation Monday.
Kevin O'Leary says he has completely changed the way he hires executives, and is apparently taking inspiration from Swiss business culture.

The investor and television personality explained in a recent post on X, No stock options, no benefits, no full-time title... until they prove it. I learned this from the Swiss, and its revolutionized our operations.

A Six-Month Trial Instead Of A Full-Time Commitment

O'Leary described the approach in a video, using the example of hiring a new CEO for a growing venture. Once he narrowed the field to two candidates, he asked one: Would you consider becoming a contractor for six months as opposed to a fully empowered employee, and well pay you 30% more than your base contracts going to be? No stock options, no benefits for the six-month period. But wouldnt you like to test us first?

Don't Miss:

The idea, he said, is to give both sides the chance to road test each other, making sure the candidate integrates well with the existing team and the parent company. Dont you want that experience? he recalled asking. In this case, the candidate agreed.

O'Leary calls it an "apprentice" model, common in Switzerland and across Europe, where the focus is on confirming a cultural fit before offering a permanent position. We dont do [this] in America, he said. And we should do it.

He noted that about two-thirds of candidates complete the trial and move on to full-time roles with stock options and benefits. The remaining third leave on good terms, having gained valuable experience but deciding the position isn't right for them. Were not firing anybody, he said. Those Swiss guys got it right.

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Business Is Binary, Says O'Leary

For O'Leary, this hiring method is just one example of his direct approach to business. "Business is binary. There are winners and losers. You either make money or you dont," he posted on X last year. He believes success requires relentless effort, especially for young entrepreneurs. "If you want to succeed in business you have to work 25 hours a day because there's someone across the world who will kick your a*s if you don't."
Mexico City, Aug 16 : Hanwha Vision, a South Korean security system solution provider, has supplied some 2,000 artificial intelligence (AI) CCTV cameras to a district in Peru's capital region, marking one of the largest overseas deployments of its advanced surveillance technology to date, according to local officials.

Santiago de Surco, one of the districts in the Peruvian capital of Lima, said it has opened a new central monitoring centre equipped with Hanwha Vision's AI-based cameras, reports Yonhap news agency.

The Hanwha Vision cameras installed include models with built-in license plate recognition technology and 360-degree multi-sensor monitoring capabilities. They are also programmed to detect abandoned objects and unusual behaviour in public spaces using AI algorithms.

"By providing analytics that automatically classify people and vehicles, our system helps reduce false alarms and improve monitoring efficiency, which we believe will greatly contribute to crime prevention," said Byun Sang-tae, head of Hanwha Vision's Mexico subsidiary.

The municipality aims to reduce its crime rate by nearly half within six months in close cooperation with the Peruvian national police.

An opening ceremony for the monitoring centre was held the previous day, attended by senior Peruvian government and police officials, along with South Korean Ambassador to Peru Choi Jong-uk.

The district, home to major shopping malls, parks and the U.S. Embassy, is regarded as one of the most dynamic and rapidly developing districts within the Lima metropolitan area.

Hanwha Vision reported its first-quarter net loss of 3.3 billion won (US$2.3 million). The company said in a regulatory filing that it posted an operating profit of 44.3 billion won for the January-March period. Revenue was 451.8 billion won.

Earlier this year, Hanwha Group partnered with global energy technology firm Baker Hughes Co. for the joint development of a low-carbon ammonia gas turbine. Under the agreement, Hanwha Ocean Co. and Hanwha Power Systems Co. plan to expand their technological cooperation with Baker Hughes with a goal of developing the world's first completely carbon-free ship and providing innovative solutions that lead the era of fossil fuel elimination.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Brain's immune cells may explain why a fading sense of smell is an early signal for Alzheimer's disease even before cognitive impairments manifest, according to a study.

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Brainas immune cells may explain why a fading sense of smell is an early signal for Alzheimer's disease even before cognitive impairments manifest, according to a study.

Researchers at DZNE and Ludwig-Maximilians-UniversitAt MAnchen (LMU) in Germany revealed that the brain's immune response seems to fatally attack neuronal fibres crucial for the perception of odours.

These olfactory dysfunctions arise because immune cells of the brain called "microglia" remove connections between two brain regions, namely the olfactory bulb and the locus coeruleus, they noted in the paper published in the journal Nature Communications.

These findings, based on observations in mice and humans, including analysis of brain tissue and so-called PET scanning, may help to devise ways for early diagnosis and, consequently, early treatment.

"The locus coeruleus regulates a variety of physiological mechanisms. These include, for example, cerebral blood flow, sleep-wake cycles, and sensory processing. The latter applies, in particular, also to the sense of smell," said Dr. Lars Paeger, a scientist at DZNE and LMU.

"Our study suggests that in early Alzheimer's disease, changes occur in the nerve fibres linking the locus coeruleus to the olfactory bulb. These alterations signal to the microglia that affected fibres are defective or superfluous. Consequently, the microglia break them down," Paeger added.

Specifically, the team found evidence of changes in the composition of the membranes of the affected nerve fibres: Phosphatidylserine, a fatty acid that usually occurs inside a neuron's membrane, had been moved to the outside.

"Presence of phosphatidylserine at the outer site of the cell membrane is known to be an 'eat-me' signal for microglia. In the olfactory bulb, this is usually associated with a process called synaptic pruning, which serves to remove unnecessary or dysfunctional neuronal connections," explained Paeger.

The findings could pave the way for the early identification of patients at risk of developing Alzheimer's, enabling them to undergo comprehensive testing to confirm the diagnosis before cognitive problems arise.
Kolkata, Aug 16 : The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has established a dedicated training centre - School for Skills: Healthcare & Technology - within its campus to train rural and semi-urban youth as allied health professionals, said a statement issued by the institute on Saturday.

Kolkata, Aug 16 (IANS) The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has established a dedicated training centre a" School for Skills: Healthcare & Technology a" within its campus to train rural and semi-urban youth as allied health professionals, said a statement issued by the institute on Saturday.

The school will initially accommodate 150 students per year, offering short-term certificate courses aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), including General Duty Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician a" Basic, and Phlebotomist.

Affiliated with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the programmes will offer certifications issued by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council.

The inaugural batch will commence classes in November this year, with plans to expand multiple courses in the coming years. The initiative is expected to generate employment in the health sector, empower women, uplift economically weaker sections and strengthen community resilience.

IIT-KGP Director, Prof. Suman Chakraborty said, "The School for Skills: Healthcare and Technology at IIT Kharagpur is more than a training hub. It is a catalyst for change. By combining skill development with cutting-edge technology, we aim to build a healthcare workforce that can serve the last mile, transform rural healthcare delivery and contribute to the nationas vision of inclusive growth."

It was also mentioned that trained professionals will support patient care at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Super-Speciality Hospital at IIT Kharagpur, as well as other healthcare institutions.

In addition, a section of the trained youth will participate in field trials and validation of healthcare technologies developed at IIT Kharagpur, enabling systematic health data generation in rural areas of West Bengal and beyond.
Nadia : , Aug 16 (IANS) The ISKCON temple at Mayapur, the global headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement, came alive with devotion and spiritual fervour on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami on Saturday. From the early hours, thousands of devotees thronged the temple premises, immersing themselves in 'Harinaam Sankirtan' and offering prayers to celebrate the divine birth of Lord Krishna.

The day began with chants of "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama" reverberating through every corner of the temple complex. Adorned in traditional attire, devotees performed rituals, sang bhajans, and participated in special pujas dedicated to Lord Krishna. The atmosphere was charged with joy and devotion as faith and festivity merged seamlessly.

This year, Mayapur witnessed a sea of pilgrims, with lakhs arriving to seek blessings on the sacred day. The temple complex turned into a vibrant spiritual hub, hosting continuous kirtans, cultural programmes, and devotional offerings in honour of the divine child Krishna.

Like every year, the Janmashtami celebrations at Mayapur were marked by grandeur. The temple was adorned with flowers, lights, and colourful decorations, reflecting the festival's divine essence. For devotees, the occasion was not merely about rituals but also about embracing the eternal message of Lord Krishnadevotion, righteousness, and joy.

Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated across India and worldwide. It marks the 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, who was born at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada (AugustSeptember).

Krishna's birth is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil and the protection of dharma. His timeless teachings in the Bhagavad Gita continue to guide millions across the globe toward truth, devotion, and spiritual awakening.

Janmashtami is an important festival for devotees, as it allows them to express their love and devotion to Lord Krishna, and to deepen their understanding of his teachings and message.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura in 2023 continues to resonate with devotees, as the temple's chief priest, Ram Avtar Awasthi, on Saturday recalled the historic moment on the occasion of Janmashtami.

During the 2023 visit, PM Modi offered prayers at the sacred site and also attended the Mirabai Janmotsav, organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of the poet-saint and ardent devotee of Lord Krishna.

Sharing his experience in a video posted on the popular social media handle 'Modi Story' on X, Awasthi emphasised the significance of the Prime Minister's visit.

"For the first time, a Prime Minister has visited Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura a" and that is Narendra Modi," he said.

He described the deep devotion reflected in PM Modi's demeanour.

"When PM Modi arrived, his face brimmed with love and devotion for the Lord. As soon as he entered the temple, he bowed at the feet of Thakurji, touched the stairs, and even the threshold of the sanctum sanctorum. Seeing his humility, even the priests became emotional," Awasthi added.

The chief priest also expressed surprise at PM Modi's knowledge of ancient rituals.

"It was astonishing to see that he knew so many mantras. His devotion and faith were evident at every step. It felt as though this was a living picture of his unwavering commitment to culture and spirituality," he said.

Awasthi went further to compare the Prime Minister's prayer with that of Nand Baba, Lord Krishna's father.

"When PM Modi was offering prayers, it seemed as if Nand Baba himself was worshipping. We priests were merely assisting him in the rituals," he stated.

During his Mathura visit, the Prime Minister was welcomed by BJP MP and actor-turned-politician Hema Malini, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath felicitated him at the temple premises. The visit was seen as a moment of cultural pride for devotees and the city of Mathura.

Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. This year marks the 5,252nd anniversary of Krishnaas birth, observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada (Augusta"September). His birth is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil and the protection of dharma.

For millions, Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad Gita remain a guiding light for truth, devotion, and righteousness.

PM Modi's visit, recalled with emotion by the chief priest, underscored the spiritual and cultural depth that continues to bind India with its traditions.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : The government announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 that income up to Rs 12.75 lakh, with a standard deduction of Rs 75,000, will be tax-free under the new tax regime.

However, taxpayers should be aware that short-term capital gains and long-term capital gains tax cannot be included in the total income eligible for a full waiver.

The Finance Act, 2025, clarified that the rebate under Section 87A is not available for income taxed at special rates. A taxpayer cannot apply the Section 87A rebate against tax liability from income taxed at special rates, such as short-term capital gains under Section 111A or long-term capital gains under Section 112A.

But analysts have noted that this removal of the Section 87A tax rebate benefit was done through an amendment introduced in Budget 2025, which should only be effective from FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) onwards. Currently, Section 87A rebate on special rate incomes is not being granted for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), they noted.

For the unversed, for AY 2025-26, taxpayers with an annual total income of up to Rs 7 lakh qualify for the Section 87A rebate under the new tax regime, while those with an income of up to Rs 5 lakh qualify under the old tax regime. In this context, a taxpayer's total income is calculated by excluding exempt income and applying allowable deductions, including the standard deduction for salary or pension income.

Applying the Section 87A tax rebate to incomes up to the limits mentioned above should result in a net tax liability of zero.

The current Income Tax Return utility, however, does not permit the Section 87A rebate on tax calculated for such special rate income for FY 2024-25. So individuals with a total income under Rs 7 lakh may still incur a tax liability if their earnings primarily come from special-rate capital gains. Analysts waited for the Income Tax Department to provide further clarification on whether the law will take retrospective effect from FY 2024-25.
Bengaluru, Aug 16 : Karnataka government on Saturday announced a fresh survey from September to make the Devadasi rehabilitation programme more effective in the state.

The announcement was made at the State Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Development Council meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha.

Addressing the meeting, CM Siddaramaiah stated, "To make the Devadasi rehabilitation programme more effective, a fresh survey will be carried out starting from the first week of September. The Devadasi system has already been banned, and strict measures must be taken to ensure that it does not continue under any circumstances."

"The law will be suitably amended to completely eradicate the Devadasi practice. Parents and others forcing girls into the system will face stringent punishment. The Social Welfare Department and the Women and Child Welfare Department must work in coordination," he instructed.

"If the Devadasi system is still alive today, it is a matter of shame for all of us," CM Siddaramaiah said.

The centuries-old practice of dedication of women to Hindu temples as Devadasis has been banned in the State since 1982, when the Karnataka Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedication) Act was enacted.

Subsequently, the government conducted surveys in 1993-1994 and 2007-2008, when 22,873 and 46,660 Devadasis, respectively, were identified.

Siddaramaiah further said that last year, Rs 38,793 crore was released for Scheduled castes Sub Plan and Tribal -Sub Allocation (SCSP/TSP) welfare programmes, of which Rs 38,717 crore was spent, achieving 97 per cent progress. However, the central government has not released the Rs 880 crore grant due.

The Chief Minister instructed that steps be taken to ensure its release.

He said that, as it has been 10 years since the implementation of the SCSP/TSP Act, a review of its progress was conducted by the Institute of Social and Economic Change (ISEC). A study was carried out in 39 taluks with a high SC/ST population. The survey considered parameters like education, health, standard of living, and poverty eradication. During this period, the annual development fund release achieved an average growth of 9.6 per cent. Compared to other states, Karnataka has clearly been at the forefront in many indicators over the past 10 years.

The Act mandates that at least 24.1 per cent of funds must be allocated each year. However, in 2019-20, less than the stipulated percentage was released. Since the implementation of the Act, a total of Rs 2.97 lakh crore has been spent. The CM directed that a review be conducted to ensure proper implementation of these schemes.

Siddaramaiah said that the purpose of the Act is to allocate budget proportionate to population and improve social and economic conditions, living standards, and housing. Under no circumstances should the intent of the Act be undermined. Departments must prepare proper action plans and work systematically to improve the social, economic, and educational conditions of SC/ST communities. Implementing departments must show commitment. Expected changes have not been achieved in the past 10 years.

Under various welfare schemes, banks must ensure the timely provision of financial assistance. Action should be taken against banks showing delays in providing loans. Government schemes must reach 100 per cent of the SC/ST population, he directed.

This year, Rs 42,017.51 crore has been allocated. Departments must prepare action plans promptly and ensure effective implementation so that not a single rupee remains unspent. Achieving 100 per cent progress is mandatory. Action as per the law must be taken against negligent officers, Siddaramaiah instructed.

Proper programmes must also be designed to improve the living standards of marginalised communities, such as Devadasis and sanitation workers. If the programmes fail to be successfully implemented, the objectives of the Constitution cannot be realised, he underlined.

Siddaramaiah remarked that in the history of Karnataka, Rs 2.97 lakh crore has been spent so far on welfare schemes for SC/STs. Yet, if social, economic, and educational standards have not improved, it is a matter of disgrace.

"Last year, Rs 1,086 crore was released for SCSP/TSP housing schemes. Steps must be taken to ensure housing facilities are provided to every eligible SC/ST beneficiary," said Siddaramaiah.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Ministers Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Priyanka Kharge, Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Satish Jarkiholi, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, and senior officials were present.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister of Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa stated, "It was a state-level meeting of SC/ST action plan approval headed by the CM. We assessed all programmes. Today, CM instructed that further programmes should be implemented successfully."

On the BJP's allegation of misusing the SC/ST fund, Minister Mahadevappa said those who are alleging misuse of this fund in guarantee schemes themselves are members of the assembly and council when this act was passed in the Belagavi winter assembly session.
Surat, Aug 16 : A vibrant and devotional atmosphere on the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami was seen in the city of Surat as thousands of devotees thronged temples and participated in festive celebrations there on Saturday.

The famous Khatu Shyam Dham Temple in Surat turned out to be a major hub of devotion, with a large gathering of devotees seen offering prayers and participating in religious activities since early morning.

Arrangements were made properly to ensure that devotees have darshan of the god smoothly and comfortably. The premises and compound of the temple were beautifully decorated.

Sounds of bhajans, aarti and chants of "Hare Krishna" in addition to the recitation of mantra echoed through the air. All this created a deeply spiritual ambiance. Devotees offered prayers and flowers to the deity and there was a long queue since morning to have darshan of the idol.

Meanwhile, various parts of the city were alive with Dahi Handi celebrations, a popular tradition associated with Lord Krishna's childhood. Local communities and youth groups, known as Govinda Pathaks, formed impressive human pyramids to reach and break the earthen pots (Dahi Handi) hung at challenging heights, symbolising Krishna's mischievous attempts to steal butter.

In Mora Bhagal area, the excitement was palpable as scores of teams gathered since early morning to attempt breaking a 45-feet-high Dahi Handi, one of the tallest in the region. Spectators lined the streets, cheering on the participants who formed five to six-layer human pyramids in their pursuit.

Each successful attempt was met with loud applause, music, and festive energy. Spectators were shooting the event with their mobiles.

Dahi Handi contests were not only about tradition. The event also underlined the community bonding, with food stalls, devotional music, and cultural performances adding to the celebrations. Foolproof safety arrangements had been made. Local authorities ensured smooth coordination of the events and proper control of the crowds.

This year's Janmashtami in Surat was a grand celebration of faith, unity, and culture, reflecting the city's deep-rooted devotion to Lord Krishna and its enthusiasm for preserving traditional festivities.
Jaipur, Aug 16 : In a significant breakthrough in Rajasthan Police's ongoing war against drugs, the Hanumangarh District Special Team (DST) on Saturday arrested a notorious heroin (chitta) supplier following a tip-off from the State Crime Branch Police Headquarters.

Jaipur, Aug 16 (IANS) In a significant breakthrough in Rajasthan Policeas ongoing war against drugs, the Hanumangarh District Special Team (DST) on Saturday arrested a notorious heroin (chitta) supplier following a tip-off from the State Crime Branch Police Headquarters.

The accused, Rohit alias Kaku Arora (31), son of Jaswant Kukar, resident of Ward No. 56, Sureshia, Hanumangarh Junction, is a habitual drug user who was actively involved in peddling narcotics and luring youth into drug addiction.

The arrest was made under the directions of Additional Director General of Police, Crime and Anti-Gangster Task Force, Dinesh M. N. A special team, under the supervision of Additional SP Siddhant Sharma and led by Inspector Subhash Singh, had been deployed to the Bikaner Range as part of a campaign against illegal arms and narcotics trafficking.

Rohit alias Kaku had been operating in the narcotics trade for a long time and was known to be supplying heroin to young individuals, further aggravating the drug menace in the region.

Intelligence received by the DST team confirmed that Kaku was not only a supplier but was also actively trapping new users into addiction.

The case dates back to July 21, 2025, when Hanumangarh Junction police, during routine patrolling in Transport Nagar, detained a woman under suspicious circumstances. Identified as Bhagwati alias Gungun, she was found carrying 21.05 grams of heroin and Rs 19,000 in cash.

During interrogation, she revealed that the heroin had been given to her by her husband, Rohit alias Kaku, and that she was waiting to deliver it to a customer. She further admitted that the recovered cash was proceeds from earlier drug sales by her husband. Since that incident, Rohit had been absconding.

A reward of Rs 10,000 had been announced for his arrest. In the operation led by ASP Siddhant Sharma and Inspector Subhash Singh, several personnel played key roles.

Constable driver Suresh, ASI Shankar Dayal Sharma, Head Constables Suresh Kumar and Kamal Singh, and Constables Naresh Kumar, Ratiram, and Suresh Kumar provided vital support in executing the arrest.

Additionally, the Hanumangarh DST team, led by Inspector Hanuman Ram, played a crucial role. The team comprised Head Constable Sukhwinder and Constables Sahab Ram, Jot Ram, Rinku, Devkaran Chotiya, Pawan, and driver Dheer Singh. Their coordinated efforts led to the successful capture of the absconding accused.

This arrest is seen as a major success in the ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking in Rajasthan and stands as a strong example of inter-departmental coordination, vigilance, and police determination.
Thrissur, Aug 16 : Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) on Saturday donated a life-size mechanical elephant, 'Thaleeswaran', to Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple in Kodungallur near here.

Thaleeswaran will be used to conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner, helping real elephants stay with their families in the jungle.

The initiative was facilitated by PETA India in recognition of the temple's decision never to own or hire live elephants.

This new mechanical elephant, Thaleeswaran, is a landmark eleventh robot donated to temples by PETA India and the seventh in Kerala.

The mechanical elephant was welcomed through an inauguration ceremony, and the temple hosted a Panchari Melam performance.

Jackie Shroff, one of Indian cinema's most beloved actors with a career spanning over four decades and more than 200 films across languages, is equally admired for his deep compassion for animals and concern for the environment.

Speaking about this initiative, he said, "my heart lights up when I see God's creations living happily. Elephants are not meant to stand on hard floors, carry people on their backs, or walk in circles with chains around their legs. God intended for them to splash in rivers, roam in forests, and just be elephants. That's exactly why I'm donating Thaleeswaran, a mechanical elephant, to a revered temple in Kerala," said Shroff.

"Thaleeswaran can shake its head and ears, bless, and be part of every celebration without anyone getting hurt. This way, our traditions stay alive, and so do the elephants, free and joyful in the wild. That, to me, is real devotion," added the hugely popular actor.

After inaugurating the mechanical elephant, Member of Parliament Benny Behanan said he is pleased to inaugurate Thaleeswaran and especially glad to see how beautiful this mechanical elephant is.

"Though it looks like a real elephant, it is completely safe. Children can touch it, take photos, and enjoy its presence without any risk and this brings great joy to their hearts. It feels just like a real elephant, but with the added safety and compassion that makes it perfect for temple traditions," said Behanan.

The president of Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple Suresh Babu, said they are truly delighted to welcome Thaleeswaran to our temple, not just as a symbol of tradition, but as a tribute to all sacred beings created by the divine, who, like us, deserve to live freely and safely with their families.

"With this compassionate step, we can honour Lord Ganesha without causing distress to any living being. After witnessing several tragic incidents involving captive elephants attacking humans during festivals in Kerala, Thaleeswaran also helps ensure public safety. We encourage other temples to consider adopting mechanical elephants too, for the safety of devotees, the well-being of animals, and the continued grace of our cherished customs," said Babu.
A Germany-headquartered company involved in the global hydrogen industry said it plans to abandon some of its projects in the U.S. due to actions from the Trump administration. Werner Ponikwar, chief executive of Thyssenkrupp Nucera, on August 13 said the company has been in discussions with stakeholders in its U.S. hydrogen projects and would cancel any that are no longer deemed viable due to tax and spending changes from the U.S. government. Ponikwar noted that global demand for green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy resources, has been curtailed as governments sort out what President Trump's policies, including elimination of tax credits for low-carbon energy sources, mean for the hydrogen industry. "We have sorted out all projects that have less chance of being realized due to the new framework conditions in the U.S.," Ponikwar said in a media call Wednesday after the company's earnings call with investors. Ponikwar noted that the administration's tax and spending rules are making it more difficult to develop clean energy projects in the U.S., particularly by phasing out renewable energy tax credits after 2026 if projects have not started construction. Ponikwar did say, though, that a revision in the deadline to year-end 2027 for projects to start construction could keep some U.S. projects in development, particularly those already in advanced stages. "We are convinced that the hydrogen electrolysis market continues to offer enormous potential," Ponikwar said. The executive said Thyssenkrupp Nucera will continue to be active in the U.S., though it will use resources "for other purposes" if hydrogen projects are canceled. Thyssenkrupp Nucera is the world's leading provider of electrolysis technology, the process used to produce hydrogen. The company said it has improved its revenue and profit year-over-year through the first nine months of its fiscal year, and is on track to achieve its financial targets for the full fiscal year. Thanks to its business model and strict cost management, Thyssenkrupp Nucera continues to generate positive free cash flow even in this difficult market for hydrogen solutions. This underscores our stable financial position," said Dr. Stefan Hahn, chief financial officer of Thyssenkrupp Nucera. The company in June of this year strengthened its strategic technology portfolio with the acquisition of a modular high-pressure electrolysis solution from Danish company Green Hydrogen Systems (GHS). The high-pressure electrolysis developed by GHS operates highly efficiently at up to 35 bar operating pressure, which is considered advantageous for certain industrial applications where hydrogen is required in compressed form. Thyssenkrupp Nucera previously has entered into a strategic collaboration with Germany's Fraunhofer IKTS on high-temperature electrolysis technology, known as SOEC. A pilot production plant for SOEC stacks was opened in Arnstadt, Germany, in May. "By further expanding our strategic technology portfolio, we at Thyssenkrupp Nucera are enabling hydrogen solutions with optimized levelized cost of hydrogen. This makes green hydrogen more attractive, said Klaus Ohlig, the company's chief technology officer. Officials said Thyssenkrupp Nucera provided technology for about 1.5 GW of hydrogen production last year, with similar or better growth expected this year. "Europe is currently the most promising market. We are currently working on engineering orders totaling 1.5 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity," said Ponikwar. "This clearly shows that thyssenkrupp nucera's pipeline of green hydrogen projects is maturing and industrial projects are progressing. We are therefore looking ahead with confidence." Said Ponikwar: "Green hydrogen, a climate-friendly energy source, is and will remain the central pillar of the decarbonization strategies required by industry worldwide. The growth prospects for the hydrogen market remain intact, despite the challenges currently facing the global hydrogen market. With more than 60 years of experience in electrolysis technology, we at Thyssenkrupp Nucera have the necessary technological expertise." Ponikwar added, "although large-scale projects naturally have longer development times ... we remain one of the most sought-after partners on the market. Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
Patna, Aug 16 : RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday asserted that the upcoming Vote Adhikar Yatra will be a "historic" one and claimed that the Grand Alliance is set to form the next government in Bihar.

Patna, Aug 16 (IANS) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday asserted that the upcoming Vote Adhikar Yatra will be a "historic" one and claimed that the Grand Alliance is set to form the next government in Bihar.

Addressing the mediapersons in Patna, the former Deputy Chief Minister said: "The people of Bihar will give a clear mandate to the Grand Alliance. Our government is going to be formed in Bihar. People of all castes and religionsyouth, women, elderlyare supporting us. The leaders fighting against us are frightened and hence making useless statements in public."

The Vote Adhikar Yatra will begin on Sunday from Sasaram, with senior leaders of the Grand Alliance as well as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi participating.

Tejashwi Yadav said the Yatra will continue for several days across the state.

Explaining its purpose, he said: "The main objective of the Yatra is to spread awareness about the right to vote given by the Constitution. We will ensure that no voter's name is deleted from the list. We have already got relief from the Supreme Court, and now the Election Commission has to release the names that were removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)."

Tejashwi Yadav further stressed that "the voter is the master in democracy", and added that apart from the voter list issue, the opposition will also raise real concerns like unemployment, migration, price rise, crime, and local issues.

He assured that the alliance would also present its vision for Bihar during the Yatra, outlining what it plans to do if voted to power.

"It will be a historic Yatra, supported by 14 crore people of the state. They will not only support us but will walk with us," Yadav said.

Tejashwi Yadav hit back at the BJP leaders' remark that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Grand Alliance leaders were going on a "picnic" through the Vote Adhikar Yatra.

Rejecting the allegations, he said: "I have not gone anywhere in Bihar for a picnic. It is the BJP leaders who do so. Whatever we do for the people, they always deny it. Their statements will not affect us. All Central ministers are suddenly coming to Bihar because elections are near. We live among the peoplethis is not our first Yatra, and every Yatra has received massive public support. That is why they are frightened. When they do Yatras, no one joins them, even if they pay people. They even shut schools during the Prime Minister's rallies."

On Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on the issue of intruders, the RJD leader questioned: "For the last 11 years, what have they been doing? They are in power in the Centre and in many states. BSF is under their controlhow did intruders enter the country? What action have they taken? The same issue was raised in Jharkhand, and what happened? BJP lost miserably there, and they will lose in Bihar as well."

These remarks came a day before the Vote Adhikar Yatra is set to start from Sasaram, led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, which the Opposition has termed a fight to protect democracy and voter rights in Bihar.
Barwani : , Aug 16 (IANS) Torrential rains in Madhya Pradesh triggered a sudden and severe flood in the Rupa river, causing widespread damage in Rajpur town of Barwani district.

The river, a tributary of the Narmada, swelled to dangerous levels early Saturday morning, submerging homes, sweeping away vehicles, and disrupting life across several low-lying areas.

The floodwaters surged at around 4 a.m., inundating Ward No. 9 and surrounding colonies. Residents were seen scrambling to salvage belongings as water entered homes and shops.

Two four-wheelers were washed away near a small culvert, according to local BJP leader Om Soni and resident Ramesh Solanki. Drums, merchandise, and other small items were also lost in the current.

District administration has confirmed that some houses were severely affected and their occupants were relocated to safety and teams from the revenue department, police, and the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) were deployed to manage the situation.

The river has come to swelling after 19 years, however the flood is receding now, a government official said. The impact extended beyond Rajpur. Nearby towns such as Ojhar and Balsamund also experienced flooding, with homes and markets submerged.

The local administration has suspended electricity supply in affected areas after nearly 20 transformers were submerged. Power department teams are on standby, awaiting safer conditions to restore services. The sudden rise in water level has left many stunned, as the river had remained relatively calm for nearly two decades.

In the last 24 hours, Barwani district recorded an average of 48.5 mm of rainfall, with Rajpur receiving 49 mm, Sendhwa 94.02 mm, and Warla 85.2 mm.

As the floodwaters recede, authorities remain on high alert, urging residents to stay away from riverbanks and flooded zones.

Relief operations are expected to intensify in the coming days as the district begins recovery efforts from this sudden natural calamity.

Meanwhile, the Bhopal centre of India Meteorological Department has issued a flash flood advisory for several districts in western Madhya Pradesh, warning of low to moderate flash flood risk over the next 24 hours due to expected heavy rainfall and saturated soil conditions in districts of Alirajpur, Barwani, Betul, Burhanpur, Dhar, Harda, Indore, Jhabua, Khandwa, Khargone, Ratlam, and Ujjain.

Residents in these areas are advised to remain alert, particularly in flood-prone zones and near riverbanks, as sudden water accumulation may disrupt local mobility and pose safety hazards.
Tehran, Aug 16 : Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to depart on Monday evening for a two-day tour to Armenia and Belarus.

The announcement was made by Mehdi Sanaei, political advisor to Iran's President, in a post on the social media platform X.

Sanaei said improving bilateral relations with Armenia and Belarus, especially in the trade area, and signing cooperation documents would be on the President's agenda during the visits, adding that the trips had been scheduled for late June but were postponed.

Pezeshkian's visit to Armenia is expected to take place as Armenia and Azerbaijan, which had been at loggerheads over the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region since 1988, signed on August 8 a peace agreement in Washington.

Included in the peace agreement is a deal to create a transit corridor across southern Armenia, with the project's exclusive development rights granted to the United States, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iran has repeatedly voiced opposition to the transregional players' presence in the region and warned against any changes to the region's geopolitics and historical borders.

On Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi exchanged views on the latest developments in the Caucasus with senior Russian and Armenian diplomats.

In two separate meetings with Igor Khovaev, Russia's special representative for the normalization of ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Vahan Kostanyan, Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Araghchi also discussed bilateral relations with the two countries, according to statements released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

In both meetings, Araghchi underlined Iran's principled position of supporting the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, highlighting the necessity to peacefully resolve regional issues through efforts by the countries of the region and in the absence of foreign interference.

Speaking to Khovaev, he called for using regional mechanisms to resolve regional issues, promoting cooperation and convergence in the region, and guaranteeing the security and collective interests of countries in the Caucasus.

Araghchi said Iran and Russia adopted similar positions on important regional and international issues, stressing the need to continue and promote bilateral consultations and cooperation to safeguard their shared interests.

The Russian diplomat, for his part, presented a report of his country's diplomatic efforts to ensure peace and calm in the Caucasus, underlining the importance of continuous and close consultations, coordination and interaction between Russia and Iran.

In his meeting with the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister, Araghchi underlined that the unblocking of transit routes in the region should take place while respecting regional countries' national sovereignty and territorial integrity and observing their interests and considerations.

He said no plan to unblock transit routes should lead to geopolitical changes in the region or the disruption of connection routes between other countries, stressing that regional states would benefit from any peace agreement in the region.
Hubballi, Aug 16 : Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi has accused the Karnataka government of staging a "drama" over the Dharmasthala issue and demanded that an interim report be immediately tabled in the Assembly.

Hubballi, Aug 16 (IANS) Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi has accused the Karnataka government of staging a "drama" over the Dharmasthala issue and demanded that an interim report be immediately tabled in the Assembly.

Speaking to the media in Hubballi on Saturday, Joshi alleged that "invisible hands" were at play in the Dharmasthala case, and the state government was dancing to their tune.

He charged that the state government is repeatedly creating controversies regarding the Hindu religion and is defaming sacred places.

Criticising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Joshi said it was taking steps that bring disrepute to Hinduism and holy religious sites, which amounts to extreme intolerance.

"This masked, anonymous person claims to have buried not one or two, but hundreds of bodies. A proper legal investigation must be conducted against him, and he should first be arrested," Joshi demanded.

"This person claims to have buried the bodies of hundreds of women, including victims of sexual assault, ten years ago. What was he waiting for all these years? Why didn't he file a complaint back then? Why has he remained silent until now?" Joshi said.

"The government must launch a legal probe against this person who has disrupted law and order in the state. Further, regarding the drama that has unfolded all these days, the government must submit an interim report to the Assembly session immediately," he said.

Questioning why people from Kerala were also getting involved in the Dharmasthala case, Joshi asked, "What does the Kerala government have to do with this?" He alleged that the real intention was to defame Dharmasthala, a revered Hindu pilgrimage centre, and to orchestrate a conspiracy against the faith of Hindus.

"This is a systematic conspiracy to shake people's faith in Dharmasthala and to create an atmosphere where people ask, 'Why should we go to Dharmasthala? Why should we visit Lord Manjunatha's shrine?" Joshi said.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara, responding to a question on the Dharmasthala murder case and the BJP's demand for the interim report, said, "We cannot say anything at this stage. We can only make statements after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits an interim report to the government. Only then can we discuss the matter and take a decision."

Karnataka BJP has demanded an apology and resignation from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the handling of the alleged Dharmasthala murder case.

Responding to the BJP Karnataka unit attacking the state government, the Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar slammed that the BJP needs the 'Dharmasthala' issue to carry out politics. Why didn't the BJP speak up when the complaint was filed in court and the SIT was constituted? Shivakumar questioned.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP unit launched the 'Dharmasthala Chalo' campaign on Saturday morning to counter the alleged conspiracy surrounding the mass grave case. The campaign was flagged off at the Nelamangala toll on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Mumbai, Aug 16 : Celebrating Janmashtami, actor Govinda was seen attending the Dahi Handi celebration in Mumbai with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and actor Sharad Kelkar.

Mumbai, Aug 16 (IANS) Celebrating Janmashtami, actor Govinda was seen attending the Dahi Handi celebration in Mumbai with Maharashtra Deputy Chief MinisterA Eknath Shinde and actor Sharad Kelkar.

Despite heavy rain, Govinda enjoyed a gala time with Shinde and Kelkar during the celebration. In the video doing rounds on social media, the 'Hero No. 1' actor was seen flaunting his iconic moves to the tunes of some of his popular tracks, while the crowd cheered for him with full enthusiasm.

Govinda attended the event in a comfy black T-shirt paired with matching jeans and a shawl.

Before this, Govinda celebrated Janmashtami by offering prayers at the ISKCON temple.

The clip featured him posing in a red kurta-pyjama, along with a beige shawl around his neck. The 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' actor was captured by the shutterbugs stepping out of his car before entering the temple in Juhu.

Apart from taking darshan of Lord Krishna on his birthday, Govinda was also seen interacting with the pandits and other members at the temple before leaving the premises.

In the meantime, Govinda made headlines for his claim that renowned Hollywood director James Cameron approached him for the lead role in his superhit drama "Avatar".

He stated that the filmmaker had offered him a massive fee for the role; however, he rejected the part.

Govinda's better half, Sunita Ahuja, reacted to these claims during her appearance on Uorfi Javedas YouTube channel.

aArey yaar, mujhe toh nahi pata yeh kab offer hui. 40 saal toh mujhe ho gaye hain Govinda ke saath. Woh Avatar ka director-producer kab aaya, mujhe nahi malum." (Oh man, I have no idea when the film was offered. I have been with Govinda for the last 40 years, and even I donat know when that Avatar director-producer came to offer the movie.), Sunita shared.
Imphal, Aug 16 : A delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC), an apex body of Naga community in Manipur, on Saturday held a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and discussed the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing along India-Myanmar border.

A Raj Bhavan official said that during the meeting, the 10-member UNC delegation shared their views and concerns on matters related to the FMR and border fencing and requested the Governor to take up both the matters with the Union government.

"The Governor gave a patient hearing to the delegation and informed them that the matter has already been taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)," the official said.

He said that the Governor appealed to the members of the Council to maintain peace and restraint while constructive dialogue continues.

The UNC has been opposing the "unilateral abrogation of FMR and construction of border fencing along the India-Myanmar border".

The Naga body has also announced to start agitation against the Centre's decision. UNC President Ng. Lorho, who led the 10-member delegation to the Governor, said that as resolved in its council meeting, would continue with its agitation plan irrespective of whether a formal invitation for dialogue is extended or not.

The UNC-Governor meeting came in the backdrop of the expiry of the 20-day ultimatum served by the UNC to both the Centre and the state government regarding what it described as the "unilateral abrogation" of the FMR and the ongoing border fencing works.

Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday while addressing the Independence Day function in Kohima expressed his concern over the Centre's decision to trim down the FMR along the India-Myanmar border from the earlier 16 km to 10 km and limiting movement to nine crossing points.

Rio urged the Union government to be flexible and review the sensitive issue. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last year announced that the FMR, which earlier allowed people residing along the India-Myanmar border to travel 16 km into each other's territory without a visa, would be scrapped soon.

Instead, the MHA decided to replace the FMR to adopt a new scheme to issue a pass to the border residents of both India and Myanmar living within 10 km on either side of the frontier to regulate cross-border movements.

The Nagaland Assembly earlier unanimously decided that an all-party delegation would meet the Union Home Minister to explain to him the "sentiment and resentment of the Naga people" against the MHA's decision to cancel the FMR between India and Myanmar.

Participating in the discussion on the issue, the Chief Minister had told the house that the border movement restriction would affect the long-standing historical, ethnic, social, cultural, traditional and economic ties of Nagas living on both sides of the India-Myanmar border.

The Nagaland and Mizoram governments and a large number of political parties and civil societies in the two northeastern states have been opposing both border fencing and the scrapping of the FMR.

Four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram -- share a 1,643-km unfenced border with Myanmar.

The MHA had earlier decided to erect fencing on the entire porous border, known for the smuggling of arms, ammunition, narcotics and various other contrabands, at a cost of Rs 31,000 crore.
Jaipur, Aug 16 : Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde visited the tribal village of Baroda in Salumber district on Saturday, where he participated in a night Chaupal and engaged in open interaction with the local tribal community.

The visit included a warm welcome by students of the Eklavya Model Residential School, who honoured the Governor and performed traditional folk dances.

Seated on a charpoy, Governor Bagde attentively watched the culturally significant Gavari dance of Mewar and expressed deep interest in the Bhil community's traditional dramatic rituals.

During the Chaupal, the Governor spoke with villagers and beneficiaries of various government welfare schemes, encouraging them to fully utilise the support available to them.

He directed officials present to ensure that government schemes reach every eligible individual.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Bagde highlighted the rich history of the region, saying, "The land of Mewar is the land of heroes. The tribal community played a crucial role in assisting Maharana Pratap in his resistance against the Mughals. We must never forget their contributions."

Focusing on the importance of education, the Governor emphasised that it is the only path to true upliftment and the eradication of poverty.

"Do not marry off your children before they complete higher education. Encourage and support them in their academic journey. Through education, your children can become doctors, engineers, and even top officials."

Quoting the Rajasthani saying, "Put Sikhave Palne"  meaning a 'child learns from the cradle'  Bagde urged parents to prioritise learning from an early age.

He encouraged families to take full advantage of government-run residential schools and hostels, which provide free quality education and facilities to children from tribal and poor backgrounds.
Gwalior Aug 16 : Day 12 events of Pro Panja League Season 2 witnessed gripping arm wrestling action throughout. In a dramatic turn during the 90 kg main card, Sher-e-Ludhiana's Tawheed Shaikh's powerful comeback and subsequent 8-second pin in the challenger round unexpectedly resulted in a 5-point advantage for Kiraak Hyderabad's Siddharth Malakar, despite Siddharth having lost three earlier pins, securing a 6-3 victory for Kiraak Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, Mazahir Saidu of Jaipur Veers, displaying his dominance, achieved his quickest 10-0 victory against Mumbai Muscle's Yuvraj Verma through three successful pins and a strategic 5-point gain in the 100 kg+ challenger round. This decisive win further cemented Mazahir's reputation and significantly boosted Jaipur Veers' standing.

In the first undercard of the 70kg category, Sanu Joy of Sher-e-Ludhiana faced Shahil Hussain of Kiraak Hyderabad. Sanu Joy demonstrated strong form, securing a clean 2-0 victory. This win provided an important early boost for Sher-e-Ludhiana. Next, in the 100 kg undercard participation, Sachin Bhadoriya of Sher-e-Ludhiana, a Madhya Pradesh cop making his mark in the sport, clashed against Amit Singh of Kiraak Hyderabad. It was Amit Singh who took the lead with a 2-0 score, securing a victory for Kiraak Hyderabad.

Finally, the 65 kg Women category featured Ruphali Phule of Sher-e-Ludhiana against Roshni Khutela of Kiraak Hyderabad. Roshni secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Kiraak Hyderabad, demonstrating her skill and resilience. This win in the women's category was pivotal, contributing to Kiraak Hyderabad's overall team victory with a final tally of 4 decisive points against Sher-e-Ludhiana's 3.

In the second undercard fixture of the 55kg women's participation on day 12, Teja PJ of Mumbai Muscle, a formidable competitor, clashed against Abhirami PK of Jaipur Veers. However, Abhirami of Jaipur Veers delivered a strong performance, securing a decisive 2-0 victory for Jaipur Veers and handing Mumbai Muscle a tough loss in this key undercard bout.

Following this, in the second bout of 65 Kg women's Participation, Bandarika Kharkongor of Mumbai Muscle, known for her powerful technique, went head-to-head against Jagpreet Kaur of Jaipur Veers. Bandarika of Mumbai Muscle showcased confidence while securing a convincing 2-0 score victory against Jagpreet Kaur of Jaipur Veers.

Concluding the undercard, the specially abled category saw a compelling clash between Krishna Sharma of Mumbai Muscle and Veer Sain of Jaipur Veers. Krishna Sharma displayed his impressive skill and strength, picking up a strong 2-0 victory for Mumbai Muscle against Veer Sain, adding crucial points to their team's tally in the specially-abled division.

In the 90 kg main card, Siddharth Malakar of Kiraak Hyderabad faced Tawheed Shaikh of Sher-e-Ludhiana. Siddharth started by winning the first round with a pin. Tawheed then showed his skill, winning the next three rounds by pinning Siddharth. In the crucial challenger round, Tawheed pinned Siddharth quickly in 8 seconds, earning a point for that specific round. However, due to the challenger round's scoring system, this quick win by Tawheed actually gave Siddharth a 5-point advantage, leading Kiraak Hyderabad to win the fixture with a final score of 6-3.

In a commanding performance during the 70 kg participation fixture of the Pro Panja League, Satnam Singh of Kiraak Hyderabad thoroughly dominated Sivajith Janardanan of Sher-e-Ludhiana. Satnam secured wins in all three pin rounds, and because he achieved three successful pins within the initial rounds, he earned an additional two bonus points. He further cemented his lead in the challenger round by securing 5 points, leading to a decisive 10-0 victory for Kiraak Hyderabad. In the 55 kg women's category,

Kritika Das, representing Sher-e-Ludhiana and known for her competitive spirit, faced Savita Kumari of Kiraak Hyderabad. Savita Kumari, a key asset for Kiraak Hyderabad, secured victory with three consecutive, successful pins, showcasing her superior strength. This victory not only secured the win for Savita Kumari but also earned her an additional 2 bonus points, culminating in a perfect 5-0 score.

In a breathtaking display of raw power during the main card 100 KG + participation of fixture 2, Mazahir Saidu of Jaipur Veers, known as India's strongest armwrestler, secured his quickest 10-0 victory to date against Yuvraj Verma of Mumbai Muscle in just three rounds. He achieved this feat through three successful pins in the initial rounds, which automatically awarded him an additional 2 bonus points.

Adding to this impressive performance, he then secured a further 5 points in the challenger round during round 2, solidifying the monumental 10-0 score for Jaipur Veers. This victory wasn't just a win but a statement, cementing Mazahir's reputation as a formidable force and leaving a strong mark in the league standings for Jaipur Veers.

In a crushing display of dominance during the 90 kg main card participation, Abdul Kadir of Jaipur Veers, a force to be reckoned with in the Pro Panja League, left Rohit Puri Goswami of Mumbai Muscle with no answers. Abdul Kadir of Jaipur Veers successfully dismantled his opponent, securing three consecutive, powerful pins in each of the three rounds.

This clean sweep was so decisive that it automatically earned him an additional two bonus points on top of the three points from the pins. The result was a resounding, perfect 5-0 score for Jaipur Veers, declaring the franchise's rising stature to be experienced more in the coming days.

In the 60 kg men's participation, Gautam Kumar of Mumbai Muscle faced Shoukath VT of Jaipur Veers in a captivating main card bout. Shoukath initially showed his strength, securing a successful pin in the first round. However, Gautam Kumar demonstrated incredible resilience, staging a remarkable comeback from round 2 onwards. His persistence culminated in a decisive victory in the challenger round, which was set in round 4, ultimately earning Mumbai Muscle a crucial 8-1 win. This match underscored Gautam Kumar's tenacious spirit and ability to recover, turning the tide against a strong opponent like Shoukath VT.
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal on Saturday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying that the poll panel has crossed "all limits of shamelessness by shrugging all its responsibilities" amid serious allegations pertaining to vote theft and mass rigging.

His pointed reaction came hours after the ECI earlier in the day issued a sharp reminder to political parties about their role in ensuring error-free voter lists, stating that "some political parties and their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) did not examine the Electoral Rolls at the "appropriate time" and are now raising issues about errors, including those in rolls prepared in the past.

Taking to X, in a lengthy post, Venugopal wrote: "The ECI has crossed all limits of shamelessness by shrugging all its responsibilities in the face of grave allegations of vote theft and mass rigging. Constitutional authorities are expected to be the epitome of probity, not hide behind vaguely drafted press notes to hide their guilt in destroying democracy. The onus of catching the scale and volume of their vote theft cannot be on political parties and their BLAs."

The senior Congress leader said that ECI claims 'utmost transparency is the hallmark of electoral roll preparation'... we wish to ask ECI if any of these decisions are part of their agenda of promoting 'utmost transparency', followed by a few questions.

1. Denying machine-readable rolls to parties, and taking down already uploaded machine-readable versions of the draft SIR rolls

2. Deleting CCTV footage within 45 days

3. Submitting before the Supreme Court that it is not bound to disclose the reason behind deleting 65 lakh names in the Bihar SIR process

4. Refusing to meet opposition MPs marching to meet the ECI.

The Lok Sabha MP further criticised the poll panel, saying: "The tone and tenor of this press note raises greater suspicions that the ECI will take no steps to address the public's grave concerns about mass-scale vote rigging done by the BJP-controlled ECI."

He said if the ECI "welcomes the scrutiny of electoral rolls", the Chief Election Commissioner and other ECs must come clean on why they still refuse to provide parties with machine-readable electoral rolls and why CCTV footage is being deleted.

Earlier on Saturday, the Election Commission emphasised that India's electoral roll preparation is a "multi-layered decentralised construct" involving Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are responsible for the correctness of rolls.

After the draft voter lists are published, both digital and physical copies are shared with all political parties and uploaded to the ECI website, allowing a full month for claims and objections.

"Had these issues been raised at the right time through the right channels, it would have enabled the concerned SDMs/EROs to correct the mistakes, if genuine, before those elections," the ECI stated.

The Commission reiterated that it "continues to welcome the scrutiny of Electoral Rolls by political parties and electors" as it helps in purifying the rolls.

The clarification comes amid political heat over voter list discrepancies in Bihar, where the opposition has accused the poll panel of lapses.

The timing is significant, as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to launch his yatra in Bihar, a move expected to escalate the political spotlight on the state's electoral processes.

The ECI detailed that transparency remains the hallmark of the electoral roll preparation process.
Patna, Aug 16 : Rift within the JD-U leadership deepened on Saturday following the party's Gopalpur MLA Narendra Kumar Neeraj's 'mistress' remarks, as Bhagalpur MP Ajay Mandal and JD-U Mahila Morcha state general secretary Kumari Aparna dismissed the charges as "baseless".

Patna, Aug 16 (IANS) Rift within the JD-U leadership deepened on Saturday following the party's Gopalpur MLA Narendra Kumar Neeraj's 'mistress' remarks, as Bhagalpur MP Ajay Mandal and JD-U Mahila Morcha state general secretary Kumari Aparna dismissed the charges as "baseless".

"We have full faith in the judiciary and the party and would respect the court's decision," said Ajay Mandal while slamming the MLA's statement.

Kumari Aparna, while interacting with the media persons in Bhagalpur, clarified that Ajay Mandal is her maternal uncle, adding, "Gopal Mandal also knows this. Despite that, making such indecent remarks is condemnable."

She further stated that she has apprised the party high command of the matter and would abide by whatever decision the leadership takes.

The internal rift in Bihar's ruling Janata Dal (United) has deepened after Gopalpur MLA Narendra Kumar Neeraj alias Gopal Mandal recently made objectionable remarks against Ajay Mandal and Kumari Aparna.

Gopal Mandal had alleged that Kumari Aparna was Ajay Mandal's "mistress," triggering widespread criticism within the party.

In response, Ajay Mandal lodged an FIR against Gopal Mandal at Ghongha police station and demanded strict action against him.

He has also complained against Gopal Mandal in the party's top leadership, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and demanded justice in this matter.

He alleged that Gopal Mandal had made objectionable comments to malign his public image.

The controversy escalated when Gopal Mandal alleged that Ajay Mandal was "HIV positive" and should be barred from entering Parliament. He also alleged that Ajay Mandal was involved in crimes, including murders.

"He is also involved in cultivating opium," he said.

With both leaders trading accusations, the feud has brought JDU's Bhagalpur unit politics under sharp spotlight, putting the party's leadership, including Chief Minister and JDU national president Nitish Kumar, in a difficult position.

The controversy has further exposed internal fault lines within the JDU, with both the judiciary and party leadership now under pressure to act.
(Reuters) -Lyft said on Thursday its co-founders Logan Green and John Zimmer are stepping down from the ride-hailing services provider's board, following the completion of a two-year transition plan.

Green and Zimmer began serving as the chair and vice chair of Lyft's board in 2023 after stepping down as CEO and president, respectively, handing the reins to David Risher, who has been a board member since 2021.

The duo founded Lyft in 2012, with the company now operating across four continents and nearly 1,000 cities.

Sean Aggarwal, who was the chair of Lyft's board from 2019 to 2023, will reprise his role.

Zimmer is launching a new consumer-focused business venture named YES&, while Green will continue as a venture partner at Autotech Ventures, a firm investing in the mobility and transportation sector.

Lyft, which recently completed its nearly $200 million acquisition of European mobility platform FreeNow, has signed a deal with China's Baidu to introduce the search-engine giant's robotaxis in the region.

It posted revenue of $1.59 billion in the second quarter, missing estimates of $1.61 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Rides on Lyft's platform grew 14% to a record high of 234.8 million in the quarter, slightly below estimates of 235.9 million, per Visible Alpha.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Alan Barona)
Patna, Aug 16 : CPI-ML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Saturday hit out at the Election Commission, holding it responsible for the voter-related problems arising out of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Bihar.

"After the Supreme Court's interim decision, the Election Commission had to step back. This is a good thing. Now it has to publish the data of deleted names on its website, which has been our demand since the SIR began in Bihar," Bhattacharya said while speaking to the media persons in Delhi.

He announced that CPI-ML will participate in the Vote Adhikar Yatra, which kicks off from Sasaram on Sunday under the leadership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav.

"We will make people aware of how the ruling parties and the Election Commission were conspiring in the name of SIR. We will expose the wrongdoings and ensure that no one's vote is cut from the list," he added.

The Yatra will pass through 23 districts before concluding with a massive rally at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on September 1.

Dipankar Bhattacharya also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address, calling it a "dangerous attempt" to rake up the issue of Partition.

"Yesterday, we heard PM Modi's words from the Red Fort. He made a record with a 103-minute-long speech, but the entire focus was on the partition. This is a dangerous attempt, as he challenged the country with a new danger by talking about Partition on Independence Day," Bhattacharya said.

The Left leader alleged that the Prime Minister's remarks were linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar.

"His indication was towards SIR, that is why he talked about demography. He also hinted at a backdoor NRC. In this Modi era, it will become difficult to live a free life in a free country," he warned.
Washington, Aug 17 : US Vice President J.D. Vance will attend Monday's meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, a source told the media.

The last time Zelensky was in the Oval Office in February, Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of a lack of gratitude, asking him, "Have you said thank you once?"

However, in May, Vance met Zelensky with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Italy.

While reporters weren't invited to the meeting, afterward, Vance posted a photo of him and Zelensky smiling.

The Ukrainian President will meet with President Trump on Monday at the White House in the aftermath of Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump spoke with Zelensky and European leaders while on Air Force One returning home from his first face-to-face meeting with Putin since his first term in office.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump posted on Truth Social early Saturday morning.

"President Zelensky will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin," he added.

Zelensky signaled his support for a trilateral meeting between the three world leaders in a post on social platform X.

"President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion," the Ukrainian leader wrote.

"It is important that America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation."

"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation," Zelensky added.

Trump met Friday in Alaska with Putin to discuss a potential ceasefire deal in Ukraine -- more than three years after Russian forces invaded the Eastern European nation after amassing troops near the border.

The US President said that the meeting brought progress, but no agreement on a ceasefire was made.

He offered few specifics on what the two leaders discussed.

Trump had previously said Friday's summit in Alaska was setting the table for a potential follow-up meeting involving Zelensky, and that Ukraine would need to be involved in any final decisions about territory.

Monday's meeting will mark the first time Zelensky visits Washington since the infamous Oval Office spat earlier this year in which Trump and Vice President Vance blasted the Ukrainian leader for not expressing gratitude for US support.

Trump has in recent weeks expressed greater frustration with Putin and his ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities and has threatened "severe consequences" if a deal is not reached soon, though on Friday he said the two men have a "fantastic relationship".
Washington, Aug 17 : US Vice President J.D. Vance will attend Monday's meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, a source told the media.

The last time Zelensky was in the Oval Office in February, Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of a lack of gratitude, asking him, "Have you said thank you once?"

However, in May, Vance met Zelensky with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Italy.

While reporters weren't invited to the meeting, afterward, Vance posted a photo of him and Zelensky smiling.

The Ukrainian President will meet with President Trump on Monday at the White House in the aftermath of Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump spoke with Zelensky and European leaders while on Air Force One returning home from his first face-to-face meeting with Putin since his first term in office.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump posted on Truth Social early Saturday morning.

"President Zelensky will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin," he added.

Zelensky signaled his support for a trilateral meeting between the three world leaders in a post on social platform X.

"President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion," the Ukrainian leader wrote.

"It is important that America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation."

"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation," Zelensky added.

Trump met on Friday in Alaska with Putin to discuss a potential ceasefire deal in Ukraine -- more than three years after Russian forces invaded the Eastern European nation after amassing troops near the border.

The US President said that the meeting brought progress, but no agreement on a ceasefire was made.

He offered few specifics on what the two leaders discussed.

Trump had previously said Friday's summit in Alaska was setting the table for a potential follow-up meeting involving Zelensky, and that Ukraine would need to be involved in any final decisions about territory.

Monday's meeting will mark the first time Zelensky visits Washington since the infamous Oval Office spat earlier this year in which Trump and Vice President Vance blasted the Ukrainian leader for not expressing gratitude for US support.

Trump has in recent weeks expressed greater frustration with Putin and his ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities and has threatened "severe consequences" if a deal is not reached soon, though on Friday he said the two men have a "fantastic relationship".
New Delhi, Aug 17 : Returning for the first time in India after completing a successful space mission stint, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla arrived in the early hours of Sunday at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital, where he was welcomed by Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Taking to social media platform X, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh in a post wrote: "A moment of pride for India! A moment of glory for #ISRO! A moment of gratitude to the dispensation that facilitated this under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. Indiaas Space glory touches the Indian soila as the iconic son of Mother India, #Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla lands at Delhi in the early hours of morning today. Accompanying him, another equally accomplished Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, one of the astronauts selected for Indiaas first Human mission Gaganyaan who was Indiaas designated backup for the mission to the International Space Station #ISS. Privileged to receive both of them at the New Delhi Airport along with Delhi CM Smt. Rekha Gupta @gupta_rekha, #ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan and later welcomed by a group of students."

Shukla, is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning before heading to his hometown, Lucknow after spending the past year in the US training for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS)

He will return to Delhi to participate in the National Space Day celebrations on August 22a"23.

Various people from different parts of Delhi and the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana gathered with tricolours waving in their hands at the Indira Gandhi International Airport waiting eagerly to welcome Shubhanshu Shukla in a grand manner.

Hailing the successful space mission feat achieved by the Indian astronaut, Dinesh Choudhary, a resident of Sector-21 in Ghaziabad's Loni, Uttar Pradesh, came to Delhi and said: "I am very happy that astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from space and arrive in India today and has brought honour and pride to the whole nation. Through this successful space mission, he has made the whole country proud. We can also proudly say that Bharat is truly great..."

Anshu Kumar, a Delhi resident, while lauding the achievement of Shubhanshu Shukla, told IANS: "Shubhanshu Shukla has achieved a proud moment for the country. I couldn't welcome Kaplana Chawla but I feel proud to receive Shubhanshu Shukla in a grand manner. I hope he continues to make the nation proud with his achievements in the future as well."

Another citizen lauding astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, told IANS: "It makes me feel proud to welcome Shubhanshu Shukla today who has made the whole country proud. He has filled the chest of 110 crore Indians with pride and has made the Tricolour fly higher in the sky and the country needs youth such as Shubhanshu Shukla to make the country truly 'Aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant), which is in sync with the direction and the vision which Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to take the nation forward towards.

Another supporter of Shubhanshu Shukla told IANS, "We have all come here, and Shubhanshu Shukla has brought pride to the nation. There is enthusiasm across the country that we, too, should learn from him..."

Earlier, while addressing the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India's plans to develop its own space station and noted that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has recently returned from a successful space mission.

"Our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station. In the coming days, he is returning to India," PM Modi had said.

Shukla was part of the Axiom-4 private space mission, which lifted off from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS on June 26. He returned to Earth on July 15.

During the 18-day mission, Shukla, along with astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), conducted more than 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions aboard the ISS.

Taking to social media platform Instagram on Saturday, Shukla shared an emotional post reminiscing about his journey and the excitement of meeting with friends and family.

"As I sit on the plane to come back to India, I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission," he wrote.

"I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family, and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is - everything all at once," he added.

In June, Shukla became the first Indian to reach the ISS.

He returned on July 15, after an 18-day mission, which was packed with several experiments led by ISRO and other activities on the orbital lab.

Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation in the US.

Shukla said that he is waiting impatiently to reach the country and share his experiences, which are going to be valuable for India's future space endeavours, especially the Gaganyaan a" India's first human spaceflight mission, which is targeting a launch by 2027.

"Having received incredible love and support from everyone during and after the mission, I can't wait to come back to India to share my experiences with all of you," he added.

Looking back at his colleagues, Shukla noted that although "goodbyes are hard", "we need to keep moving in life".

He also shared valuable advice from his commander, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson: "The only constant in spaceflight is change."

Stating that he "believes that it applies to life as well," Shukla shared a song from the Bollywood movie Swades, "at the end of the day Yun hi chala chal rahi - jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya (loosely translated as just keep walking, traveller - life is a carriage, time is the wheel)".

Meanwhile, his family also expressed excitement over meeting him after his successful space mission.

"I am very excited. My son has successfully completed his mission and has come back. We are very excited that my son is coming back. We are trying to meet him as soon as possible. He is coming the day after tomorrow, and we will meet him in Delhi," Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, told IANS.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that the IAF Group Captain will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi before traveling to his hometown of Lucknow to see his family.
Ahmedabad, Aug 17 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, on Sunday, offered his prayers at the ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna celebrated with great pomp and show in the country as well as abroad.

He worshipped Lord Krishna and prayed for the welfare and progress of the state, country and its people.

Taking to his official X account on Saturday, the Chief Minister said: "Heartfelt greetings to all on the auspicious festival of Shri Krishna's birth celebration -- Janmashtami. May the extraordinary grace of the Supreme God Shri Krishna continue to shower his blessings upon our country and make everyone's life happy, peaceful, and auspicious. To all of you, I extend greetings of "Jai Shri Krishna"."

An atmosphere of enthusiasm is being seen among the devotees visiting temples marking the birth of Lord Krishna across Gujarat and the country.

The Ahmedabad police have made tight arrangements amid the huge crowds and the ISKCON temple is also taking care to ensure that no one is inconvenienced.

Janmashtami is being celebrated with great pomp in many temples, including the Radhe Krishna Temple, ISKCON Temple Bhadaj, Jagannath Temple.

A vibrant and devotional atmosphere on the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami was seen in the city of Surat as thousands of devotees thronged temples and participated in festive celebrations there on Saturday.

The famous Khatu Shyam Dham Temple in Surat turned out to be a major hub of devotion, with a large gathering of devotees seen offering prayers and participating in religious activities since early morning.

Arrangements were made properly to ensure that devotees have darshan of the god smoothly and comfortably. The premises and compound of the temple were beautifully decorated.

Sounds of bhajans, aarti and chants of "Hare Krishna" in addition to the recitation of mantra echoed through the air. All this created a deeply spiritual ambiance. Devotees offered prayers and flowers to the deity and there was a long queue since morning to have darshan of the idol.

Meanwhile, various parts of the city were alive with Dahi Handi celebrations, a popular tradition associated with Lord Krishna's childhood. Local communities and youth groups, known as Govinda Pathaks, formed impressive human pyramids to reach and break the earthen pots (Dahi Handi) hung at challenging heights, symbolising Krishna's mischievous attempts to steal butter.

In Mora Bhagal area, the excitement was palpable as scores of teams gathered since early morning to attempt breaking a 45-feet-high Dahi Handi, one of the tallest in the region. Spectators lined the streets, cheering on the participants who formed five to six-layer human pyramids in their pursuit.

Each successful attempt was met with loud applause, music, and festive energy. Spectators were shooting the event with their mobiles.

Dahi Handi contests were not only about tradition. The event also underlined the community bonding, with food stalls, devotional music, and cultural performances adding to the celebrations. Foolproof safety arrangements had been made. Local authorities ensured smooth coordination of the events and proper control of the crowds.

This year's Janmashtami in Surat was a grand celebration of faith, unity, and culture, reflecting the city's deep-rooted devotion to Lord Krishna and its enthusiasm for preserving traditional festivities.
When bestselling suspense novelist Chevy Stevens worked as a realtor in her 20s and 30s, she abided by two rules. If possible, she avoided hosting open houses by herself. And she never followed male clients to a new floor. Ive always been an anxious person, Stevens says on a video call from her home in Nanaimo, a city on the southeastern edge of Vancouver Island. And anxious people tend to think worst-case scenario.

Over the past 15 years, Stevens has spun her anxieties into a string of successful thrillers. First came Still Missing, her smash-hit 2010 debut, which follows a realtor recovering from a year of captivity after she was kidnapped from an open house. Stevenss subsequent efforts mined tension from cults (Always Watching), violent exes (Never Let You Go), warped family dynamics (Never Knowing), and serial killers (Dark Roads), to name a few subjects.

As is the case with so many architects of literary nightmares, its hard to walk away from a conversation with the 52-year-old novelist believing she could house such horrible thoughts. While chatting from her couch, Stevens wears a bright pink graphic tee with a picture of a strawberry on it, her wide, green eyes perpetually shining. Everyone whos ever read me is like, Huh, you dont seem like your books, Stevens says with gleefully sloping Canadian vowels. And Im like, Well, Im not goth. In her spare time, she likes to watch other people react to Taylor Swift albums on YouTube. (I guess Im an analytical person, she muses.) Shes also pretty into TikTok.

The authors latest novelher eighthis The Hitchhikers, a road-trip-gone-wrong thriller out in October from St. Martins.It follows Tom and Alice, youngish spouses from Seattle who plan to drive a rented RV across Canada to the 1976 Quebec summer Olympics. Devastated by the death of their infant son, they hope that the change of scenery might reignite their dying marriage.

While in British Columbia, Tom and Alice meet a crunchy young couple named Ocean and Blue and invite them to their campsite for dinner. Soon, the older pair start feeling pangs of parental affection for the younger duo and welcome them aboard their RV for a few nights. After glimpsing a newspaper headline, however, Alice learns that their guests are actually fugitives named Simon and Jenny, and theyre wanted for murder. Before long, she and Tom become hostages in their own (mobile) home, forced at gunpoint to aid the young runaways in evading arrest.

The bookwhose jittery, escalating set pieces include a brutal Dairy Queen robbery and a days-long standoff at a farm near the border of British Columbia and Albertacame to Stevens in a dream. A self-proclaimed big believer in the universe, she says its not an unusual workflow. The precise details are fuzzy, but Stevens recalls being trapped in an RV and unable to help her husband, who was being threatened by some sort of intruder. I mean, carjacking is one thing, but with an RV, they literally have a place to stay, Stevens says. She knew the idea had legs.

Stevens was born Rene UnischewskiChevy Stevens is a combination of her late fathers nickname and her older brothers first namein a small farm town called Shawnigan Lake, about 45 minutes north of Victoria. Her parents owned a ranch, which Stevens and her brother were expected to work on, but Stevens frequently snuck away to the woods or a hayloft and read whatever she could get her hands on: Harlequin romances, Stephen King thrillers, Flowers in the Attic, The Clan of the Cave Bear. She was always, always, always reading, she recalls, but never had a sense that she could making a living from books. Not even in middle school, when she wrote a story about a woman poisoning her husband with dog food. (Apparently thrillers started young, she jokes, raising her eyebrows.)

Instead, Stevens enrolled in and then swiftly dropped out of art school, unable to get obsessed with making visual art, as she puts it. Restaurant and sales jobs followed, then real estate, which paid well and offered its share of welcome challenges, but Stevens knew in her soul that she wasnt doing what she was meant to do. After a bad breakup in her early 30s and a brief sojourn to her friends island cabin accompanied by her dog, a bottle of Yellowtail, and Sex and the City on DVD, she decided she wanted to give writing an earnest effort.

She started and then stopped a doomed memoir before turning to fiction, shaping her open-house anxieties and lifelong interest in psychology into what would become Still Missing. She looks back on that novels early drafts with a mix of wincing embarrassment and awe at her gumption. Thank God for naivete, Stevens says, shaking her head. Truly, ignorance is bliss. If somebody sent me what I first wrote, I would have been like, Um, maybe take some classes.

She kept at it, though, refreshing her writerly toolkit with The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation and increasing her words per minute with steady instruction from Mavis Beacon. Empowered by online forums and a visit to the Surrey International Writers Conference, Stevens quit her job and lived on savings for two years, harnessing her early-30s singledom and childlessness to do some serious dream chasing. When she finally had a manuscript, she sent it to editor Renni Browne at the Editorial Department, who liked it enough to link Stevens with WMEs Mel Berger. Hes still Stevenss agent today.

Bergers early feedback proved transformative. When Stevens was conceiving Still Missing, she thought it was womens fiction. It wasnt until Berger told her that her manuscript lost too much steam in the second half for a thriller that she even realized shed written one. I thought Id written a book about a womans redemption and recovery, Stevens says. I was way more interested in the psychology of getting over shitty stuff than the thrill.

Now that shes used to the suspense genre, though, shes come to appreciate its virtues. Theres a sense of being able to make things right, a sense of justice in a thriller, she explains. Its a satisfying feeling, knowing that you were able to solve something for someone. It makes me a little bit less ragey at how shitty the world is.

These days, Stevens is less anxious. She lives with her husband, their 12-year-old daughter, and a pair of dogs, happily tuning in to true crime podcasts and tracking down morsels of old Hollywood gossip. (Jayne Mansfield is a perpetual fascination.) Shes been successful enough to avoid the grind of genre fictions traditional book-per-year schedule, which she acknowledges is bad for business, but I cant

do it and I dont want to do it. Most literary authors are allowed to go 10 years. Donna Tartt? Sure!

All that space has lowered Stevenss blood pressure a little. But its also allowed her mind to wander toward what really scares the shit out of me.

At present, thats freaking ghosts, man, she says. Shes toying with the idea of her next book being narrated by a dead woman who haunts her living lovers wife, describing it as Single White Female but, like, the haunted version.

One can almost picture the eager teen girl devouring it in a hayloft several years down the line.
Lindsey Hall at Tor took world English rights to Seek the Traitors Son and an untitled sequel by Veronica Roth (pictured l.) from Jo Volpe and Jordan Hill at New Leaf Literary & Media, for release next May. The epic romantic dystopian fantasy, per the publisher, finds Elegy Ahn happy with her life as a soldier fighting the Talusar when she and the most ruthless of Talusar generals are summoned to hear a prophecy: one of them will lead their people to victory over the other, and at the center of both their fates is a man Elegy is destined to fall in love with. (Photo credit: Nelson Fitch)

Jill Bialosky at Norton acquired North American rights to One Boat by Jonathan Buckley from Jacques Testard at Fitzcarraldo. The 2025 Booker Prizelonglisted novel, per the publisher, follows the journey of Teresa, who returns to a small town on the Greek coast after the death of her fatherthe same place she visited when grieving her mother nine years earlier. Immersing herself in the life of the town, she observes the inhabitants going about their livesa backdrop for her reckoning with herself. Publication is set for September.

Dave McBride at Princeton University Press secured world English rights to Harvard law professor Cass Sunsteins Animals Matter from Sarah Chalfant at the Wylie Agency. The book, the publisher said, offers a bold new account of why we must change our practices to reduce unjustified suffering, comparing the animal rights movement with previous causes that exploded in size once they passed a threshold momentincluding civil rights, same-sex marriage, MAGA, and #MeToo. Publication is set for next year.

Emily Archbold at Del Rey netted world English rights, in a two-book deal, to Danielle L. Jensens fantasy romance Defy the Dusk,

in an exclusive submission, from Tamar Rydzinski at Context Literary Agency. Sam Bradury at Del Rey UK preempted U.K. rights. The book, the publisher said, follows survivors of an apocalypse who have banded together in high-speed convoys that must outrun the dusk or face what rises in the dark. No release date has been announced.

Joey McGarvey at Spiegel & Grau picked up world rights to the memoir Mapping My Way Home by Diane Wilson, alongside an untitled sequel to her bestselling novel The Seed Keeper, from Jacqui Lipton at the Tobias Agency, slated for publication in summer 2027 and spring 2028, respectively. The memoir, per the publisher, follows the loss of Wilsons husband alongside the transformation of her grief and of the landscape where they made their home, while the novel continues the story of two Dakhota families.

In Brief
Are dinner parties in again? TikTok users seem to think so, dubbing the renewed hunger for gathering hostingcore on the app. Forthcoming titles meet the moment, guiding readers through planning, cooking, and entertaining at home.

Get this party started

As Clarkson Potter readies a reissue of 1982s Entertaining (Nov.), the book that launched Martha Stewarts homemaking empire, several new offerings encourage readers to embrace their inner domestic deity. Rebecca Gardners ethos is typified by one chapter title in A Screaming Blast (Rizzoli, Sept.): If Its Worth Doing, Its Worth Overdoing. Gardner, the founder of an events and interior design firm, inspires with extravagant party ideas, photographed by longtime collaborator Adam Kuehl: luxurious lighting (dozens of hanging tasseled lanterns, an oversize mirrorball, etc.) sets the mood over lavish tablescapes; a quintet of synchronized swimmers entertains poolside guests.

Dan Pelosi, known online as GrossyPelosi, sets a more down-to-earth scene, aiming for his readers to become natural entertainers, he says. I want them to throw parties without knowing theyre throwing a party. Pelosi follows 2023s Lets Eat, a love letter to his family and to Italian American cuisine, with Lets Party (Union Square, Sept.), a collection of more than 100 recipes organized into 16 themes, with notes on creating a guest list, menu planning, and cooking timelines. Among his favorites get-togethers: the Dips in the Pool partystone fruit salsa, peanut butter dip, labneh tzatziki, and more, served alongside crudites and crackers at poolside or elsewhereand Girls Night In, a reimagined steakhouse dinner with a deconstructed wedge salad, roasted shrimp cocktail, and other accompaniments to the centerpiece, sheet pan steak frites.

Lets Party, Pelosi says, harnesses an energy of creation and sharing that he finds palpable online and among his followers. This book helps take the pressure off your guests. You can say, Hey, do you want to make the tomato granita from this chapter? It makes entertaining a bit more approachable.

In Shes a Host (DK, Oct.), The Real Housewives of New York City cast member Erin Dana Lichy showcases soirees with recipes that draw on her Cuban, Iraqi, Yemeni, Israeli, and Turkish heritages, such as lachuch (Yeminite pancakes), kubba shwandar (Iraqi meat dumplings in meat stew), Cuban-style flan, and labneh cheesecake. Lichy offers advice on enlisting children to help with planning and concocts several sample menus: a Christmas Eve dinner, a Rosh Hashanah feast, a Latin flavor fiesta. My approach to food, entertaining, and life is part of my DNA, she writes. My husband and I come from large, tight-knit families. We grew up in unique and powerful food cultures where flavors, family gatherings, and enjoying life were all interconnected. Where we come from, meals are a collective experience.

Dance the night

Authors agree that pandemic lockdowns reshaped the way people think about entertaining at home. Its no surprise that people now are like, Gosh, doesnt it feel good to look your besties in the eye and talk about your life? says actor Brie Larson, who starred in the adaptation of Bonnie Garmuss Lessons in Chemistry. She and longtime friend Courtney McBroom, a chef and culinary producer who was also head food consultant on Lessons, coauthored Party People (DK, Oct.), with menus and hosting tips inspired by the pairs own gatherings. Parties are a gateway into the soul, Larson says. Its about celebrating and acknowledging the passing of time and the gift of being alive. Raise a glass, you know?

Larson and McBroom invite controlled chaos, with ideas including the Perfect Mess party, in which everyone wears white and eats really saucy, messy foods, Larson says, and the Brag and Complain party, in which you basically have dinner and drink martinis and the only things youre allowed to talk about are brags or complaintsno small talk, no filler. The authors give readers latitude to mess up and not take entertaining so seriously. The ancient Egyptians had parties; the Mesopotamians had parties; the Romans had parties, McBroom says. This is nothing new. We fell away from that, but our DNA remembers how important it is for us to get together in real life.

Irene Yoo, who co-owns Orion Bar in Bushwick, Brooklyn, delivers a primer on Korean food and drink culture in Soju Party (Knopf, Sept.). Sure, you can go to a Korean barbecue spot, and theres a time and a place for that, she says. But you could also recreate those experiences at home. Drinking Korean style, Yoo explains, involves multiple rounds enjoyed in multiple locales, and the books chapters mimic that format: 1-Cha (first round) explores the lighter side of soju; 2-Cha serves up snacks (anju) meant to be eaten alongside alcohol; 3-Cha introduces Korean riffs on American cocktails; 4-Cha is a sool (alcohol) party, an all-night friend hang with drinking games and karaoke; and 5-Cha eases the pain with next-day recipes like Grilled Kimcheeze and haejang guk (literally, hangover soup).

I give all this contextthe rules and rituals that Koreans do, but also the permission to not do any of that at all, Yoo says. Just get some bottles, make some cocktails, make some of this food, and have fundont feel like theres a pressure that you need to execute it perfectly.

Vibe shift

Jerrelle Guys second cookbook, We Fancy (Simon Element, Feb. 2026), arrives after the authors yearslong retreat from the demands of social media. Guy, who has a masters in gastronomy, debuted with 2018s Black Girl Baking and photographed books by other authors, including Toni Tipton-Martins James Beardwinning Jubilee, while maintaining an active online presence. The content-creation hamster wheel had a negative affect on her mental health, she says. I got into cooking because I loved it. In turning food into work, I lost the play. With We Fancy, she reclaims the joy of cooking with and for others. You feel that act of service, that feeling of wanting to be of service. It propels you into the kitchen and gets you thinking about something other than yourself and your own issues.

Recipes promote everyday fun; the Midnight Modelini, for instance, is a weeknight brunch punch on a beer budget. Dishes like ritzy sweet potato lentil sheet pan meatballs, and lasagna made with no-boil noodles and slow-simmering walnut bolognese, are eminently shareable, but menu specifics are somewhat beside the point, Guy says. The recipes arent as important. Use them as a guideline for making the act of cooking your own and more enjoyable for yourself and others.

Jake Cohen (1.4 million TikTok followers) took to entertaining by hosting Shabbat dinners, which he highlighted in his first two books, Jew-ish (2021) and I Could Nosh (2023). People are like, Im so stressed by entertaining, he says. And my response is always, When you go into a yoga class and you cant touch your toes, does it stress you out, or is it just something that you realize youre working toward? The goal is gathering people you love, and everything else is a journey that youre going to continue. Dinner Party Animal (Harvest, Sept.), billed as a self-help cookbook, groups more than 100 recipes into 16 menus that vary in complexity and commitment. Ride or Pie is a multicourse pastry menu: caramelized onion, date, and brie hand pies; chicken and biscuit pot pie; banana cream pie; etc. Shtetl Chic nods to the authors Eastern European Jewish roots, dishing up kielbasa in a blanket, unstuffed cabbage, zaftig honey cake, and more.

Cohen and others who spoke with PW relish the return of entertaining. Weve seen this real transition over the last few years back into home cooking, back into prioritizing the kitchen as the center of the household, he says. And now its about welcoming people in, and really finding that agency to throw a party.

Read more from our cooking & entertaining books feature.

Cocktail Books for All Types of Drinkers

Low- and no-booze options cater to the health-conscious and sober-curious.

New Indigenous Cookbooks

Authors serve up the cuisines of Native North America.

Foodie Fatigue: PW Talks with Ruby Tandoh

In 'All Consuming', the food writer and 'The Great British Bake Off' finalist traces how culinary tastes and trends have been shaped by economics, legal regulations, demographics, and more.
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Cookbooks Highlighting Indigenous foodways are on the menu this season. The authors of three forthcoming titlestwo from Big Five houses and one launching a university press seriesspoke with PW about sharing their culinary traditions.

Oglala Lakota chef and restaurateur Sean Sherman is a pioneer in this space. His 2017 debut, The Sioux Chefs Indigenous Kitchen, written with Beth Dooley, focused on the cuisines of the Dakota and Minnesota territories and was a critical and commercial success. Its follow-up, Turtle Island (Clarkson Potter, Nov.), casts a wider net. Taking its title from a name used by some Indigenous peoples to refer to North America, the book, written with Tlingit journalist Kate Nelson and Kristin Donnelly, a recipe developer and copywriter, showcases Native foods across the continent.

I want to highlight the immensity of the diversity of Indigenous peoples and cultures across North America and wipe away European colonial lines, Sherman says. He sections recipes into 13 geographic regionsdesert lands, northern forests, Mesoamerican highlands, etc.as a nod to the 13 segments of a tortoise shell and the years 13 full moons. Recipes include tepary bean and squash chili, maple-chaga muffins with saskatoon berries, and sopes con aguate y chapulines. Every region is special, he says. Theres no such thing as a flyover state. Indigenous culture showcases true regionality.

In Rooted in Fire (HarperOne, Nov.), private chef Pyet DeSpain, a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, celebrates the foods of her Native American and Mexican heritages. DeSpain grew up on the Osage Indian Reservation in Oklahoma and in Kansas City, Kans., dividing her time between her parents families, and her recipes draw on these multicultural influences: jalapeno bison jerky, mushroom and poblano wild rice with duck fat, maple and cinnamon blue corn mush. The book is about reconnection, she says. It was in the kitchen, cooking with my grandma, where I found solace and home and happiness and joy. I found empowerment by leaning into my authenticity, and I want readers to feel that, too.

Chef and filmmaker Adan Medranos The Texas Mexican Plant-Based Cookbook (Texas Tech Univ., Aug.) is the first book in a projected series, Indigenous Foodways of Texas and Northern Mexico, to be edited by the author, who also wrote 2014s Truly Texas Mexican and 2019s Dont Count the Tortillas. Everyone kept confusing the culinary traditions of the first peoples of Texas with Tex-Mex, he says. Those two books were successful in clarifying what people had misunderstood for so long.

His new book emphasizes Texas Mexican plant-based traditions, which could go back to the first earth ovens thousands of years ago. Recipes like mesquite agua fresca, Jerusalem artichoke tart, cactus and pinto beans, and avocado and butter beans celebrate ingredients that have been all but forgotten, he explains. I call it generational amnesia in the book. Native Americans are beginning to rediscover traditional ingredients. We should not forget, and also take them to new places that are life-giving.

All three authors welcome increased visibility for Indigenous cuisines. The more cookbooks out there, the better, Sherman says. Because its not about one person; its about normalizing seeing Indigenous and Native American cultures out there, especially on land that we still live on.
Mark Zuckerberg goes to great lengths to protect himself. It makes sense: Critics say his social networks are bad for your mental health; hes aggressively hiring people across Silicon Valley to staff up his ambitious AI projects (which are, unto themselves, polarizing); and he owns wide swaths of land in Hawaii, which has rankled residents and activists alike. It makes sense that he might want to shield his livelihood, considering hes almost certainly the target of public ire.

According to a new Financial Times analysis, security budgets for the chief executives of 10 major tech companies climbed above $45 million in 2024but still, nobody protects their boss more than Meta does for Zuckerberg.

Across the board, companies like Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, and Palantir all increased protection budgets by more than 10% year over year, driven by heightened threats and a worsening security environment for public-facing business leaders. But Metas security allocation for Zuckerberg reached more than $27 million in 2024, up from $24 million the previous year.

This dwarfs the amount spent by peers: In 2024, Nvidia spent $3.5 million to secure CEO Jensen Huang, an increase from $2.2 million the previous year. Amazon allocated $1.1 million for CEO Andy Jassy, while former CEO Jeff Bezos continued to receive $1.6 million annually toward his personal security. Apple spent $1.4 million to protect Tim Cook in 2024, which was actually lower than the $2.4 million spent in 2023. Alphabets security spending for Sundar Pichai reached $6.8 million, according to public data, and Tesla disclosed it spent just $500,000 to protect Elon Musk, although industry experts emphasize that this sum represents only a small portion of his actual security expenses as the worlds richest man has his own security companies like Foundation Security.

Notably, if you add up how much Apple, Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Palo Alto Networks spent protecting their CEOs in 2024, its still about $7 million26%less than what Meta spent to guard Zuckerberg.

Security in Silicon Valley

For what its worth, Metas security program is a bit different from the others as it covers Zuckerbergs residences, family, and travel, since Zuckerberg is synonymous with Meta, ne Facebook. As both CEO and cofounder, he also holds majority voting powerand a lot of people have strong feelings about Zuckerberg given his very public role in society, layoffs, and consumer privacy.

Security in Silicon Valley is often managed by private security firms, many of which are staffed by former law enforcement and military professionals. Hamilton Security, founded by former FBI agent James Hamilton, provides comprehensive assessments and risk mitigation services. Gavin de Becker & Associates and LaSorsa & Associates are also considered major players, protecting executives like Musk and Bezos, respectively. Their services include risk assessment, intelligence monitoring, residential security with hardened features (e.g., Amazons bulletproof panels), 24/7 personal protective details, secure transportation, cybersecurity, anti-stalking measures, as well as preparation for assassination attempts, kidnap attempts, and digital threats such as deepfakes.
Theres a fresh terror organization growing rapidly in the United States. We must outlaw it as a matter of national security.

Unity of Fields is an offshoot of the UK organization Palestine Action, whose affiliation with Iran, promotion of violence, and spread of anti-American ideologies undermines U.S. values and interests.

Though there are an abundance of reasons the United States needs to follow suit with the United Kingdom in designating Unity of Fields as a terrorist organization, the most obvious and pressing is their promotion of violence that endangers American citizens.

Following the murder of two Israeli Embassy staff members at an American Jewish Committee event that had convened to discuss getting more aid into Gaza, Unity of Fields took to their channels to praise the DC shooting. A pamphlet they produced read bring the war home below an image of a gun  a heinous statement following the brutal, unprovoked slaughter of a young couple, and an open admission to the organizations goals in the United States: to incite Hamass war in the US.

In addition, their framing of the killing as an act of resistance is an indicator of a twisted mindset that could justify the targeting of many American citizens. If Israeli Diplomats are fair game because they are government officials from a country Unity of Fields dislikes, that means diplomats of other societies they do not approve of are also fair game.

Anyone, for that matter, who resists what their organization is against is fair game to be attacked.

So what does their organization stand for? Unity of Fields is an explicitly anti-American organization. In August of last year they were removed from social media after declaring a need to open a new front against the US empire. Their mission includes not just dismantling zionism, but also US imperialism through militant direct actions. They view the United States as an evil, colonial power that needs to be destroyed. Based on their own mission statement, it seems any American official in their eyes could be a target for violence.

It gets worse: Unity of Fields has also openly supported the killing of Americans. They praised the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, that included the murder of 40 Americans and the kidnapping of 12. Though this attack occurred on Israeli soil, the point is that they see America and Israel both as imperial forces that need to be squashed. No wonder theyre elated to see violence on US soil.

Unity of Fields supporters are obsessed with the now deceased organizer of October 7, Yahya Sinwar  a US-designated terrorist who was known as the Butcher of Khan Younis. On their website, you can download a sticker with his face, a gun, and the saying sometimes history needs a pushflood  a reference to the al-Aqsa Flood, how Hamas supporters refer to the October 7 attacks that left 1200 dead, the largest single day attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

The message is clear: Unity of Fields wants to bring the violence of Hamas to the United States. Not just because they hate Israel, but because they hate America as well.

The violence has already started, and they are specifically targeting Gen Z to do their dirty work. They are subverting our education system, and turning college campuses into havens of intolerance and political violence.

Unity of Fields is one of the primary organizations behind the unhinged university encampments, and was largely responsible for the savagery that occurred at Columbia University last year. They participated in taking over classrooms, barring Jewish students from entering, and assaulted a custodian, who they reportedly called a Jew-lover.

Addressing their involvement, UoF retweeted The only way to defeat Columbia and empire education is to join them and not let them get isolated.

Violence as a means of political change is inherently anti-American. Americans believe breakthrough change occurs through voting and civic engagement, not bloodshed.

In UoFs eyes, those ideals, and other American ideals such as rule of law, capitalism, and our entire political system need to be physically toppled.

Their incitement of brutality is not limited to Israel-linked conflicts either. Unity of Fields affiliates were also involved with fighting police at riots in Los Angeles. They refer to law enforcement as amerikkkan police, and after vandalizing a memorial for a fallen NYPD officer, wrote In death as in life, may no cop rest peacefully.

They only plan to escalate from here. On their website, the organization recently posted an interview titled Doom to the Pipeline that stated How can we ever bring the imperial core to its demise if we dont have a real militant underground?

UoF has told us and shown us time and time again who they are, and its time we took them seriously.

Their parent organization, Palestine Action, is currently under investigation in the United Kingdom for ties to Iran, arguably the United States biggest enemy. After Palestine Action members broke into a UK military base, Parliament voted to designate it as a terrorist organization. The United States Government needs to do the same here.

Chloe Sparwath is an Atlanta native, a Young Voices contributor and a graduate of the University of Virginia.
Ukraine is fighting to defend its democracy  from internal and external threats. The largest demonstrations to rock Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war with Russia unfolded recently in opposition to a law limiting the independence of two anti-corruption agencies: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office. Responding to demonstrations and Western pressure, lawmakers backpedaled, restoring the agencies independence on July 31. This is a win for Ukraine, but a temporary one.

Ukraines anti-corruption agencies remain under threat. The policy reversal was far from unanimous, with several lawmakers seeking protection guarantees in exchange for support. Days later, the agencies put another target on their backs by implicating a lawmaker (among others) in drone procurement theft. The interests that sought to hobble the institutions remain and will seek other, less public opportunities to take them out. On August 8, anti-corruption officials warned of budding efforts to target the [anti-corruption] leadership itself, possibly by replacing agency heads. Ukrainians and the West must remain vigilant.

Independent institutions to root out corruption ensure that political leaders do not become untouchable. Their freedom to target any leader must endure. Additional efforts to defang them would have devastating blowbacks. Corruption and rent-seeking hollow out public services, create risk and inefficiency that chase away business, and undermine democracy.

Rampant corruption would also take a sledgehammer to Ukraines fight against Russia, destroying the very advantages enabling Ukraines scrappy army to prevail against Russias formidable one. A corrupt military is not effective. Russias army, after all, paints a dismally clear picture of what corruption does to a fighting force.

Russian military garrisons are choked up with thousands of fraud, embezzlement, and theft cases. Between 20 and 50 percent of Russias defense budget reportedly vanishes due to corruption. Comrades have pilfered millions of rubles of military supplies (down even to toilet paper)  in some cases, leaving reservists to buy feminine hygiene products to treat war wounds. Procurement fraud and equipment theft leave warfighters without the means to attack or to defend. It also leaves strategists, leaders, and intelligence officials in the dark planning operations doomed to fail with resources that do not exist.

Ukraine must not follow Russias example. A Ukrainian military beset by corruption is also a liability to Western partners and thus a threat to long-term aid. The United States alone has sent more than $130 billion of military aid to Ukraine since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Should corruption capture Ukraines supply lines, weapons could get into the hands of actors who would do the West harm. Already, aggressor states have used the war to study Western military capabilities. A direct pipeline through corrupt actors is unacceptable and cannot be risked.

The weak link in Ukraines anti-corruption commitment offers Putin another pathway to attack Ukraines sovereignty. If Russia cannot control Ukraine formally, corruption provides inroads to puppets whose strings Putin can pull. Should corruption ruin the reputation of the current government, Russia can also foment discontent to foster support for a pro-Putin alternative. This gives Putin a pathway to do with bribes what he has failed to do with bullets.

We have seen this situation play out before in Afghanistan. When Washington deprioritized corruption during periods of military engagement and reconstruction, it set the state up for failure. Tranches of Western aid ended up in warlords pockets, degrading the publics faith in the West and, eventually, enabling the Talibans return.

Russian media have already seized on this situation as an opportunity to drive a wedge between Ukraine and its Western allies, taking the move as proof of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys authoritarian leadership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has used the statute to stoke the flames of conspiracies about Western funding to Ukraine, claiming the law only further proves that a sizeable portion of [Western aid] ... was stolen and they didnt spend every dollar on the equipment. The institutions restoration will not stop Russia from pushing this narrative.

The continued vitality of anti-corruption efforts is the cornerstone in building a Ukraine set to accede to both NATO and the European Union. The West did a commendable job in conveying that message in July, but we must continue to emphasize our commitment to a strong Ukraine while holding its political leaders accountable. If we walk away from Ukraines wars with either Russia or corruption, we provide a vacuum for Russia to move in  militarily or subversively. Abandoning Ukraine would desert all those striving to build a Western government, and Ukrainians abroad would remain refugees with little incentive to return.

Ukraines robust civil society has fought, won, and continues to fight for its soul as soldiers fight for its body. Using the tools and oversight we have, the West must join Ukraines civil society in building a prosperous, peaceful, and principled Ukraine.

Angela Howard is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Center on Economic and Financial Power. Ivana Stradner is a research fellow at FDD.
The point to note for India is that we must not panic.

The United States may be our largest export destination, but high tariffs will not exactly mean gloom and doom.

Sure, we can throw some morsels as we continue negotiating, but we must be firm that some red lines cannot be crossed, no matter what, asserts Shreekant Sambrani.

IMAGE: US President Donald John Trump welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin as they meet to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

On 15 August 2025, Donald J Trump, the 45th and the 47th president of the United States of America, finally exposed himself fully.

Trump watchers -- and there is an army of them out there -- knew it was going to happen one of these days, but given how the world has reacted to him so far, with its tail between its hind legs, it was a surprise that it happened so soon and so swiftly!

No, Trump did not take off his clothes (some consider he is mad enough and quite capable of doing so), but having invited a confrontation with the current Russian czar Vladimir Putin, with hectoring rhetoric for several weeks preceding, it took Trump just one hot August afternoon in the frigid Tundra to show the world what he really is: A bully, who can only intimidate the seemingly weak.

Trump had invited Putin with virtually an ultimatum to declare a cease-fire in the war between Russia and Ukraine, now well into its fourth year, or else face dire consequences of punitive sanctions and Trump's favourite weapon, tariffs.

The two met, Putin even did the American the favour of riding in his limousine, had lunch, held a press briefing where no questions were allowed, smiled nicely at each other, and left for their respective home bases. That's it.

No cease-fire, no blood-and-thunder sanctions or threats thereof, nothing!

IMAGE: Trump and Putin ride the limousine to their meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Reuters

Trump ended up mouthing absurd inanities such as 'There's no deal until there's a deal.' He called it a very good meeting, paid compliments to the Russian boss and gave himself 10 on 10 for having achieved 0 on his widely-known agenda.

Pictures of Trump returning to Andrews base late in the evening said it all. No tie, slow climb down the steep stairs of Air Force One, a little stumble even, and a lined, unsmiling face.

Then one realised that a nearly 10,000 km trip within a day, even in the comfort of that fortress in the sky, can beat the living daylights out of a much younger person, what to speak of an out-of-shape 79 year old, especially if there is nothing to show for it.

It required no rocket science to see that Putin was the winner of the day. His smile spoke a million words and the Russian media went to town saying so.

How did one who has been a pariah in virtually the entire world over the last three years or longer, who has lost thousands of soldiers, hundreds of millions worth of military hardware and has merely marginal gains to show for all this in the Ukraine war, manage to turn the tables on supposedly the world's most powerful man, the leader of the richest country, with no opposition to speak of at home and an army of sycophants to do his every bidding?

It seems unbelievable, but it also tells us that Putin has the full measure of his man, he being one among the two in the world to possess such an advantage (no prizes for guessing the second; it is President Xi Jinping of China).

We know what has happened with the face-off between Trump and Xi. China was the early target of Trump's tariff threats. Trump raised the stakes to absurdly high levels, over 100 per cent and rising. And Xi stared him down with matching increases.

As has happened inevitably under such circumstances, talks were proposed and presently, there is a 90-day hiatus.

China fits the picture of a Trump villain perfectly: It is the largest buyer of Russian oil, accounting for nearly half, it does not allow any outside interference in what it considers its domain (such as the South China Sea) and brooks no comments on its internal repression of dissent.

IMAGE: Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepare to shake hands at the joint press conference at the White House, February 13, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

India is singled out by Trump for its purchase of Russian oil and Trump has threatened additional penal tariffs by the end of August. He calls the Indian economy 'dead' (he called the Russian economy dead as well, but surely not any longer!). He also tried to claim the high moral ground by saying that India profits while Ukrainians die.

But Trump does not dare act against China given its economic might. He knows full well that if China were to withhold rare earth magnets, there would be near calamitous consequences for the world, especially the United States.

So he makes no threats, but some soothing noises about negotiations. And the coward that he is, even resorts to extracting what amounts to ransom payments from companies like Nvidia and Intel of 15 per cent of the value of their chip exports to China!

Emperor Xi has an enigmatic smile as he goes about the pressing task of nipping in the bud the incipient dissent at home.

But Putin has no such ace in the hole and yet prevails against Trump! What gives?

For long, there have been whispers about Putin having some dynamite evidence of wrongdoings of Trump from before the time he was a presidential candidate. Now even the venerable Economist has hinted at such a possibility. That would explain how Putin has managed never to respond to Trump's threats and ultimatums and yet quietly win the day in Alaska.

In the classic comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, there is a character, Moe, the big, dimwitted class bully who seems to exist solely to torment Calvin. Bill Watterson once described him as 'every jerk I've ever known, and in the strip he is instantly recognisable by his shaggy hair, crude lowercase speech bubbles, and a knack for shaking Calvin down for lunch money or delivering a punch when words fail him. Calvin, of course, is the class wimp.

Trump is Moe to the world. But he does not scare the Putins and the Xis. Instead, he beats a retreat -- the latest New YoRk Times reports from Washington, DC say that Trump has backed off the demand for a cease-fire, virtually aligning himself with Putin.

IMAGE: The shadows of Trump and Putin are cast during a press conference following their meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

And thereby hangs a tale with a vital lesson for India. Never give in to bullies. Stare them down in a Mexican stand-off. Look at Brazil. The largest South American nation has been the subject of Trump's worst ire. It has been slapped with more than 60 per cent tariffs. No external factors are involved.

The former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is presently under trial for attempting a coup against the present president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Lula, as he is popularly called) after losing the election (much the same way Trump's fanatics tried in January 2020). Trump thinks that is unfair and has punished Brazil with the highest tariffs of any nation in the world. Lula has stood firm and not given in to Trump's tantrums.

As has Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African President. He maintained his dignity as Trump insulted him during his visit to the White House. Trump's grouse is that the South African regime is not fair to the white minority, which for long practiced apartheid. Ramaphosa has drawn a red line, even as Trump has welcomed some white South African immigrants into the United States.

The point to note for India is that we must not panic. The United States may be our largest export destination, but high tariffs will not exactly mean gloom and doom. Some estimates show that the worst case scenario is a weaker rupee and a 0.5 per cent loss in GDP growth.

A weaker rupee will pinch domestically, no doubt, making goods with high import content more expensive -- smart phones, white goods, etc. But that will also make Indian exports to the rest of the world more attractive. And we must remember that we have recently concluded a free trade pact with the United Kingdom and before long, will have another one with the European Union.

Above all, it would be well worth our while to look for markets other than the one controlled by the whims of a wannabe imperialist bully.

Sure, we can throw some morsels as we continue negotiating (even Putin paid verbal compliments to Trump), but we must be firm that some red lines cannot be crossed, no matter what. It was heartening to hear the prime minister signal just such intent in his Independence Day address.

And as for the 0.5 per cent loss of GDP, that amounts to $20 billion annually. On a per capita basis, it is just about $1.50 (the advantage of a large population is in both the numerator and the denominator).

To be sure, it will be felt unevenly -- the shrimp farmers, the garment manufacturers and the diamantaires might be the worst sufferers. But surely the government can work out relief schemes for them.

It is to the credit of four of the original BRICS nations to show that they cannot be bullied. India, the fifth, needs to join them fully and tread the line to the White House gingerly.
'The fiscal situation is extremely vulnerable. It has never been so bad in Kerala's history.'

IMAGE: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Left Democratic Front government's fourth anniversary celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram. Photograph: ANI Photo

As the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala gave the impression that it had kept groupism and Shashi Tharoor aside came Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee President Palode Ravi's leaked phone conversation.

In the phone conversation, Ravi spoke about the possibility of the CPI-M Left Democratic Front returning to power in 2026, the BJP gaining considerably and the Congress faring poorly due to infighting and groupism. Ravi predicted that the Congress would come third in local body elections.

The leaked conversation embarrassed the Congress immensely and resulted in Ravi resigning as DCC president.

How will this affect the Congress and the UDF?

"We are going to expand the UDF's political base. More political parties, leaders and persons will join the UDF," Congress Legislature Party leader V D Satheesan, who is also leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly, tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff in the concluding segment of a two-part interview:

Part 1 of the Interview: 'Coming Election Is Very Crucial For Congress'

Another major problem that the Congress is facing in Kerala is the Shashi Tharoor issue. How is the Congress party going to solve the Tharoor problem?

Like K Muraleedharan said, is Tharoor not acceptable to party workers?

I reserve my comment on that question because he (Tharoor

Has the party been affected by Tharoor praising Narendra Modi and also the LDF?

(Laughs) I have my own opinion on that, but I reserve my comments!!

We are doing well. We are preparing well. We are doing very good organisational work. All the leaders have taken up responsibilities and working hard.

IMAGE: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor speak to the media outside Parliament, July 29, 2025. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

You have been out of power for 10 years. How are you energising your party workers?

Yes, we have been out of power for 10 years.

Let me tell you something. You have seen the ruling party winning all the by-elections.

But see what happened in Kerala.

The first by-election was in Thrikkakara. We won the election by 25,000 votes as against the last general election which we won by only 12,000 votes.

This happened after the chief minister and the entire cabinet were there campaigning for one whole month.

Oommen Chandy had won the 2021 election from Puthupally by 9,000 votes. His son Chandy Oommen won the by-election in 2023 by 37,719 votes.

In Palakkad, Shafi Parambil had won the assembly election by less than 4,000 votes. After he vacated the seat necessitating a by-election, Rahul Mamkootathil won the seat by more than 18,000 votes.

And in the recent Nilambur by-election, our UDF candidate won by 11,000 votes which the LDF had won in 2021 by 3,000 votes.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the entire media wrote that Modi would come back with more than 400 seats. Even then, we won 18 out of 20 seats with wonderful margins.

In the local body by-elections also, we had won.

Now, we are working as a cadre party, rather, better than the cadre parties and making preparations for the coming elections.

That is as far as the organisational structure is concerned.

Other than that, our campaign is different this time.

Of course, there is anti-incumbency against the government.

We took up two issues recently. One is about health. We said the health of Kerala is in the ventilator.

The second issue is, higher education which is in a vulnerable state after the fights between the governor and the state government resulting in no vice chancellors in the universities, and no academic discussions. Hence, brain drain is happening from Kerala.

Since we have taken up these two issues, we are conducting a health conclave and a higher education conclave.

For the first time in India, an Opposition party is conducting health and education conclaves in a state.

While we expose the government for their failures, we are also presenting solutions to the problems and alternatives to the people of Kerala.

We are telling the people what our plans are for health, higher education, human-animal conflict, issues concerning coastal Kerala, price rise if we form the government.

Another major problem Kerala faces today is drugs. Kerala has become the drug capital in India now.

The fiscal situation is extremely vulnerable. It has never been so bad in Kerala's history.

So, we are focusing on many issues and offering solutions to these problems.

We are not just exposing the failure of the LDF government but presenting solutions also.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hands over a key to a newly built house for the poor, constructed by the Oommen Chandy Foundation during the Oommen Chandy Smriti Sangamam, at St George Orthodox Church in Puthuppally, July 18, 2025. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo

How important is December's local body election?

It is very important and we have already started our preparations.

Will it not be an indicator on what we can expect in the 2026 assembly election?

Definitely. The results of the local body election will be an indicator of the assembly election in 2026.

Another important news I want to share is we are going to expand the UDF's political base.

More political parties, leaders and persons will join the UDF.

I am not ready to disclose the details of any parties or leaders. But I can confidently say that there will be a surprise waiting before the local body elections.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'Rahul Gandhi is not coming to seek votes, but to reach out to people for awareness of their democratic rights.'

IMAGE: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram interact with women in Gaya. All photographs: ANI Photo

Rajesh Ram, the soft spoken Bihar Congress president, has suddenly become the most sought after leader in poll bound Bihar ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 16-day Vote Adhikar Yatra (Right to Vote March) from Sasaram on Sunday, August 17.

Rahul Gandhi's yatra will cover nearly 1,300 km passing through over a dozen districts -- Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Munger, Katihar, Purnia, Supaul, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, West Champaran, Saran and Patna.

The yatra will culminate in a public meeting at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on September 1.

"We are seriously fighting for people's rights. It is not a fight for the party, what matters most is the people," Rajesh Ram tells Rediff Senior Contributor M I Khan.

IMAGE: Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav with Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram addresses a press conference in Patna.

How is the mood in the Congress party in Bihar a day ahead of Rahul Gandhi's Vote Adhikar Yatra?

Thousands of Congress leaders, workers and supporters are upbeat and eagerly waiting for Rahul Gandhi's Vote Adhikar Yatra.

Never before has Rahulji led such a yatra in Bihar for mobilisation of the people.

It is not only a yatra of the Congress party, but of all allies of the Mahagathbandhan. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Left leaders will be part of it.

It seems the Congress is aggressive ahead of Rahul Gandhi's yatra.

Rahulji is not coming to seek votes, he is coming to speak to the people about their democratic rights which are being threatened by the BJP-led NDA government.

Rahul Gandhi's Yatra is to ensure that the people get their rights.

We are seriously fighting for people's rights. It is not a fight for the party, what matters most is the people.

We are hopeful that Rahul Gandhi's yatra will expose the conspiracy of 'Vote Chori' and create awareness among the people.

Rahulji's yatra will provide us an opportunity to intensify our fight against vote fraud and how the BJP has been using the Election Commission, which is a Constitutional body.

IMAGE: Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram addresses a press conference in Patna.

After the Supreme Court's interim order on Special Intensive Revision (SIR), widely seen as a setback for the Election Commission and the central government, will SIR be the main issue of the yatra?

In the name of SIR, the Election Commission has deleted the names of 65 lakh (6.5 million) voters.

We are fighting against SIR and the apex court has accepted our evidence that was reflected in the interim order.

The voters' names were deleted on false ground and arbitrarily.

Is it not true that those declared dead and their names deleted are alive? We will visit many such voters and will drink tea with them during the yatra.

The names of poor migrant workers were removed wrongly without informing them as they are working outside Bihar to earn their livelihood.

Home Minister Amit Shah recently claimed that the Congress is opposing SIR because they fear the loss of infiltrators' names in the voter list.

If Amit Shah is so serious and concerned about infiltrators' names in the voter list, who has stopped him from identifying and take action against them?

His party the BJP is in power for over 11 years but he has been blaming the Opposition instead of taking action.

We challenge Amit Shah to publish the list of infiltrator voters with their names, address and action taken against them.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
The death toll from the flash floods in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rose to 327, including over a dozen children, over the last 48 hours, provincial authorities said on Saturday.

IMAGE: A resident stands near a damaged vehicle following a storm that caused heavy rains and flooding, in Pacha Qaly Bazar in Buner district, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, August 16, 2025. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters

Across Pakistan, over the last 24 hours, 151 people have died, including 144 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province and seven in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Since June 26, when the monsoon rains began, 645 people have been killed across the country with more than 50 per cent from the majorly hilly KPK province, the NDMA data said.

Torrential rains, which triggered flash floods in various districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since Thursday, are expected to continue intermittently until August 21, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

PDMA Spokesman Faizi said that in the past 48 hours, 327 people were killed by the devastating rains, cloud bursts and flash floods in the province.

Buner district was the worst-affected with 204 lives lost in the past 48 hours, the PDMA situation report said, adding, the toll in the district increased as 20 bodies were recovered during the day in rescue operations.

Shangla district reported 36 deaths, followed by Mansehra with 23, Swat 22, Bajaur 21, Battagram 15, Lower Dir five, while a child drowned in Abbottabad.

Those killed included at least 15 women and 13 children.

At least 120 people were injured, the PDMA said. Deputy Commissioner Kashif Qayum Khan's office said 50 people were still missing in the region.

Meanwhile, Army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir issued special directives regarding relief and rehabilitation operations for flood-affected people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the directives, Pakistan Army troops deployed in the province will extend full support in the rehabilitation of flood victims, with additional contingents being dispatched to the affected areas.

The Pakistan army has dedicated one day's salary of its personnel to the relief fund, while one day's ration amounting to more than 600 tonnes has also been allocated for the flood-affected communities, the security forces said.

The army chief also instructed the Corps of Engineers to immediately repair damaged bridges and establish temporary crossings wherever required.

Army helicopters and aviation units were already engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts across the flood-ravaged districts, and now, the army's K-9 sniffer dog unit and a specialized Urban Search and Rescue team too have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas.

On Saturday, a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur reviewed the ongoing emergency situation.

A detailed briefing was given on losses as well as on rescue and relief operations in the affected districts.

The PDMA has been allocated Rs 1.5 billion for rescue, relief, and compensation payments, while the Communication Department has also been released Rs 1.5 billion for the restoration of roads and other damaged infrastructure.

Additionally, Rs 500 million has been provided to deputy commissioners for compensation payments to the families of those who lost their lives, officials said here.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority said that 151 people have been reported as dead during the last 24 hours.

Since June 26, when the monsoon rainfall began, 645 people have been killed, including 383 in KPK, 164 in Punjab, 28 in Sindh, 20 in Balochistan, eight in Islamabad capital region and 42 in PoK.

Another 905 have been injured, including 582 in Punjab, 232 in KPK, 40 in Sindh, four in Balochistan, three in Islamabad capital region and 44 in PoK.
A radicalised chef, Sheik Kothwal Noor Mohammad, was taken into custody by the police from Dharmavaram in Sri Satyasai district on Saturday for allegedly having contact with Pakistan-based terrorist organisations, said a police official.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The police took Mohammad (42) into custody after growing suspicious of his behaviour. It it said that he is allegedly part of several banned terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad, the official said.

"He (Mohammed) only consumed content and got influenced but didn't execute any act or perhaps didn't get a chance. Training could have radicalised him...," Dharmavaram in-charge sub-divisional police officer U Narsingappa told PTI.

According to the police, Mohammad is an Indian citizen and a native of Dharmavaram and his forefathers also belong to the same place, ruling out foreign origin concerns.

Narsingappa said further investigation is underway, and only after complete interrogation will authorities confirm what his plans were. Moreover, police have also seized some 'radical literature' works from Mohammad.
Miami International Holdings, also known as financial markets exchange MIAX, raised over $345 million in its IPO Wall Street debut.

Shares, which priced at $23, rose over 33% on the first day of trading and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MIAX.

CEO Thomas Gallagher led his team in ringing the opening bell on the NYSE floor Thursday.

Jetblue Adds New And Old Florida Routes

Social Security Updates Cost-of-living Estimates

"We are a technology-driven leader in building and operating regulated financial marketplaces across multiple asset classes and geographies. Our MIAX Exchange marketplaces are enabled by our in-house-built, proprietary technology," according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Read On The Fox Business App

"We believe the speed and performance of our proprietary technology coupled with our fully integrated, award-winning customer service, sets us apart from our competitors."

Those asset classes include U.S. options, equities, futures and listings, according to the company. Proceeds from the IPO will go toward general corporate purposes.

Thomas Gallagher, chairman and CEO of Miami International Holdings (MIAX), center, during the company's initial public offering at the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

Total options volume across all classes rose 42.9% year-over-year to a record 1.1 billion contracts. Total market share sits at 16.2%.

A NYSE trader as Miami International Holdings (MIAX) goes public in the company's initial public offering on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

While the exchange doesnt list exchange-traded funds, it trades options on ETFs, including iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, iShares Ethereum Trust, Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust and Bitwise Ethereum ETF, to name a few.

Video: Markets Brace For Lower Interest Rates

The downtown Miami skyline from the Miami South Channel April 5, 2021, in Miami, Fla.

The exchange will open a state-of-the-art trading floor in Miami in September, a MIAX spokesperson told FOX Business.





Original article source: MIAX goes public on NYSE with Miami trading floor expansion plans scheduled for September
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Monday to hold border talks with national security advisor Ajit Doval, the ministry of external affairs announced on Saturday.

IMAGE: NSA Ajit Doval in a meeting with Wang Yi (right), Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing, June 23, 2025. Photograph: XP Division, MEA/ANI Photo

Wang's visit comes days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned trip to China to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The Chinese foreign minister is visiting India primarily to hold the next round of Special Representatives' dialogue on the boundary question.

Wang and Doval are the designated special representatives for the boundary talks.

"At the invitation of national security advisor Ajit Doval, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on August 18 and 19," the MEA said in a statement.

"During his visit, he will hold the 24th round of the Special Representatives' talks on the India-China boundary question with India's SR, NSA Doval," it added.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also hold bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Doval travelled to China in December last year and held the SR talks with Wang, weeks after Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping decided to revive various dialogue mechanisms between the two sides at a meeting in the Russian city of Kazan.

Modi is expected to travel to China later this month to attend the SCO summit.

According to the plan, the prime minister will embark on a visit to Japan around August 29 and after concluding the trip, will travel to the northern Chinese city of Tianjin for the summit to be held on August 31 and September 1.

Modi's visit to China is being planned amid efforts by the two neighbouring countries to repair their bilateral ties, which came under severe strain following the deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan valley in June 2020.

The military standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020 and the Galwan valley clashes in June resulted in a severe strain in the bilateral ties.

The face-off effectively ended following the completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21 last year.

The decision to revive various dialogue mechanisms was taken at a meeting between Modi and Xi in Kazan on October 23, 2024.

The Modi-Xi meeting came two days after India and China firmed up the disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok.

The two sides also initiated a number of initiatives to rebuild the ties, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and New Delhi restarting the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals.

Both sides are also discussing the modalities to resume direct flight services between the two countries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Jaishankar visited China in the last two months to attend SCO meetings.

China is the current chair of the SCO.
Imposing fixed timelines on governors and the president to act on bills passed by a state assembly would amount to one organ of the government assuming powers not vested in it by the Constitution and lead to a "constitutional disorder", the Centre has told the Supreme Court.

IMAGE: A view of the Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Centre has said this in the written submissions filed in the Presidential Reference raising constitutional issues on whether timelines could be imposed for dealing with bills passed by a state Assembly.

"The alleged failure, inaction or error of one organ does not and cannot authorise another organ to assume powers that the Constitution has not vested in it. If any organ is permitted to arrogate to itself the functions of another on a plea of public interest or institutional dissatisfaction or even on the justification derived from the Constitution ideals, the consequence would be a constitutional disorder not envisaged by its framers," it has said.

The note filed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has argued that the apex court imposing fixed timelines would dissolve the delicate equilibrium that the Constitution has established and negate the rule of law.

"The perceived lapses, if any, are to be addressed through constitutionally-sanctioned mechanisms, such as electoral accountability, legislative oversight, executive responsibility, reference procedures or consultative process amongst democratic organs etc. Thus, Article 142 does not empower the court to create a concept of 'deemed assent', turning the constitutional and legislative process on its head," the note says.

The positions of the governor and president are "politically plenary" and represent "high ideals of democratic governance". Any perceived lapses, the note says, must be addressed through political and constitutional mechanisms, and not necessarily through "judicial" interventions.

The perceived issues, if any, deserve political answers and not necessarily judicial, Mehta has submitted.

Challenging the decision of the apex court, Mehta has contended that Articles 200 and 201, which deal with the governors' and president's alternatives after receiving a state bill, deliberately contain no timelines.

"When the Constitution seeks to impose time limits for taking certain decisions, it specifically mentions such time limits. Where it has consciously kept the exercise of powers flexible, it does not impose any fixed time limit. To judicially read in such a limitation would be to amend the Constitution," Mehta has said.

Despite the proliferation of checks and balances, there are certain zones that remain exclusive to either of the three organs of the State and cannot be trenched upon by the others, the note says, adding that the high plenary positions of governors and the president fall within that zone.

"The gubernatorial assent is a high prerogative, plenary, non-justiciable power which is sui generis in nature. Although the power of assent is exercised by the person at the apex of the Executive, however, the assent itself is legislative in nature.

"This blended and unique nature of assent clothes it with a constitutional character, whereby no judicially-manageable standards exist. Thus, despite the expanding contours of judicial review, there are some zones like assent that remain non-justiciable. The classical notion of judicial review cannot be lifted and applied to assent as the factors at play during the grant or withholding of an assent have no legal or constitutional parallel. The unique duality of assent, thus, deserves a uniquely-calibrated judicial approach," the note says.

The top court has fixed a time schedule for hearing the Presidential Reference and proposed to start the hearing from August 19.

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai has asked the Centre and states to file their written submissions.

Asking the parties to strictly adhere to the timeline, the bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar, has said it will first hear the preliminary objections filed by states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, questioning the maintainability of the Presidential Reference, for an hour on August 19.

The court has said the Centre and the states supporting the Presidential Reference will be heard on August 19, 20, 21 and 26, while those opposing it will be heard on August 28 and September 2, 3 and 9.

In May, President Droupadi Murmu exercised powers under Article 143(1) to know from the top court whether timelines could be imposed by judicial orders for the exercise of discretion by the president while dealing with bills passed by state assemblies.

The president's decision came in light of an April 8 verdict of the apex court that was delivered in a matter over the powers of the governor in dealing with bills that were questioned by the Tamil Nadu government.

The verdict, for the first time, prescribed that the president should decide on the bills reserved for her consideration by the governor within three months from the date on which such a reference is received.

In a five-page reference, Murmu posed 14 questions to the Supreme Court and sought to know its opinion on the powers of the governor and president under Articles 200 and 201 in dealing with bills passed by the state legislature.

The verdict had set a timeline for all governors to act on the bills passed by the state assemblies and ruled that the governors do not possess any discretion in the exercise of functions under Article 200 in respect to any bill presented to them and must mandatorily abide by the advice tendered by the council of ministers.

It had said state governments can directly approach the Supreme Court if the president withholds assent on a bill sent by a governor for consideration.
The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine, India said on Saturday, welcoming the summit talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska that ended without a ceasefire deal.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump walks towards Russian President Vladimir Putin during a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

After an almost-three-hour meeting with the Russian president, Trump said "some great progress" has been made, but did not provide any details.

It was the first US-Russia summit since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"There's no deal until there's a deal," Trump said after the summit.

As leading world capitals analysed the Putin-Trump summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thanking Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his Independence-Day greetings to India, wished "our friends in Ukraine a future marked by peace, progress and prosperity".

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the summit in Alaska and commended Putin and Trump for the initiative to bring peace to Ukraine.

"India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia," the MEA said in a statement.

"Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable," it added.

The MEA said India appreciates the progress made in the summit.

"The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine," it said.

In a related development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his British counterpart, David Lammy, and discussed various aspects of the Ukraine conflict.

After the summit, Trump held a phone conversation with Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president later said he will meet Trump in Washington DC on Monday.

In his message to Zelenskyy, Modi said: "I deeply value the joint commitment to forging even closer ties between India and Ukraine. We earnestly wish our friends in Ukraine a future marked by peace, progress and prosperity."

India has been consistently calling for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

In July last year, Modi travelled to Moscow and told Putin that a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and peace efforts do not succeed in the midst of bombs and bullets.

The next month, the prime minister visited the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv and conveyed to Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Russia should sit together, without wasting time, to end the war.

The prime minister had said India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict.
Two days after a devastating cloudburst struck Chisoti village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, anxious relatives of the missing are clinging to fading hope.

IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, during his visit to Kishtwar to assess the damage caused by a flash flood, in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, August 16, 2025. Photograph: @CM_JnK X/ANI Photo

With rescue operations continuing on the third day, the grief-stricken relatives said they are hoping against hope, as every passing hour dims the chances of the victims' survival.

So far, 82 people -- 81 pilgrims and one CISF jawan -- are reported missing after the cloudburst-induced flash floods hit the village in Padder sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon.

Jammu, Udhampur and Samba districts accounted for the highest number of 60 missing people.

Four people each from Haryana and Madhya Pradesh and one person from Himachal Pradesh are also among those reported missing by their relatives, while the rest belonged to Doda, Reasi and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The disaster struck Chisoti -- the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple -- at around 12.25 pm on August 14, leaving 60 persons dead and over 100 others injured.

The deluge flattened a makeshift market, a langar (community kitchen) site for the yatra, and a security outpost. At least 16 residential houses and government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre-long bridge, and over a dozen vehicles were also damaged in the flash floods.

The annual Machail Mata yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to conclude on September 5, remained suspended for the third consecutive day on Saturday. The 8.5-kilometre trek to the 9,500-foot-high shrine starts from Chisoti, located about 90 kilometres from Kishtwar town.

In Benagarh village on the outskirts of Jammu, the bereaved locals are waiting eagerly for any news of the seven residents, including four children, who had gone missing after the calamity.

They were among the eight villagers from different households who had gone on the yatra. While body of Mamta was retrieved and handed over to her relatives in the village, the rest remain untraced.

"The entire village is in grief. We are hopeful that the rescuers will find them alive," said Ajay Kumar, one of the relatives.

He said they have not eaten since the news of the incident. "The yatra should have been stopped in view of the weather forecast to avoid human loss," he said.

The visibly shaken parents of Vanshika and Disha, who are among the missing, reached Jammu from Kishtwar. They broke down on seeing their relatives, who tried to console them.

"I saw my world crashing before my eyes. My daughters have gone away from me," the wailing mother said.

The father of the girls said he went to every hospital and the mortuary looking for her daughters. "I have seen a headless body, but that did not belong to my daughters," he said in a quivering voice.

The body of Happy Sharma, who was also reported missing along with three others, reached his home in Jammu's Bishnah area on Friday. His last rites were performed at Parmandal, said Darshan Lal, a relative.

Lal added that six other people including five children from the area are missing.

Surinder Singh, a former sarpach from Sarai village in Samba district, said that a woman named Poonam and her daughters Rashika and Namika are missing.

They were among eight locals who had gone for the yatra from the village, Singh said, adding that Poonam's husband and a son survived the calamity.

"The entire village is praying for their safe return," he said.

Shahi Paul, his wife Savita Devi, their children Kaniya and Shivam, and relatives Sudesh Kumari and Vishal from Vijaupur in Samba district are missing.

Shalini, Pooja, Babu and his son are among the pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh who have gone missing, along with Vijendar, Raj Kumari, Vedika and Chahat from Haryana and Dewan from Himachal Pradesh.

Five residents of New Plot locality of Jammu are missing. While bodies of four people from a single lane in Janipur locality have reached their homes, and two others from the area remained untraced.

A Central Industrial Security Force personnel, Manoj Kumar Biswal, is also reported missing.

A coordinated rescue and relief operation continued for the third consecutive day on Saturday with police, army, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Border Roads Organisation, civil administration, and local volunteers sifting through the rubble to find out the missing persons.

So far, 46 bodies have been identified and handed over to their next of kin after completion of legal formalities.
As part of Independence Day Celebrations 2025, the Indian Navy and Indian Army bands performed in Mumbai at various locations.

The origin of the Indian Navy band dates back to 1945, when it was formed with a mere handful of naval musicians. Over the years, it has acquired national and global prominence as the band regaled audiences across the country and around the globe, especially during the overseas deployments of Indian naval warships.

Versatility is the hallmark of the Indian Navy band. Its wide ranging repertoire includes stirring martial music, arrangement of symphonies, overtures, concertos, Indian classical music and a host of other forms of contemporary genres, including pop and folk music.

IMAGE: The Indian Navy band and Indian Army band celebrates Independence Day at the Gateway of India, here and below. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff

Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff

IMAGE: The Indian Army band performs outside the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus with stirring martial tunes ahead of Independence Day, here and below. Photograph: @IaSouthern/X

Photograph: @IaSouthern/X

Photograph: @IaSouthern/X

IMAGE: A large gathering of citizens, brimming with patriotic fervour, joined in celebrating the spirit of freedom. Photograph: @IaSouthern/X

IMAGE: Every note a tribute, every beat a salute to the spirit of freedom. Photograph: @IaSouthern/X

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/ Rediff
IMAGE: Presidents Donald John Trump and Vladimir Putin meet in Alaska. Photograph: Reuters

US President Donald Trump on Friday said his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska was 'very productive', though a few key issues remain unresolved, with no formal deal reached yet.

'We had a very productive meeting, and there were many points that we agreed on. A couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there, but we made some headway. There's no deal until there's a deal, so I will call up NATO in a little while, and I will call up the various people that are appropriate. I'll, of course, call President Zelenskyy and tell him about today's meeting...

'We made some great progress today... We'll probably speak to you soon and hopefully see you again very soon,' Trump said while speaking at a press conference alongside Putin.

Russia's top economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev said the US received Russia 'very well' in Alaska and that the two countries would continue building relations despite 'resistance'.

'The US-Russia summit in Alaska has definitely been productive,' Dmitriev said, adding that there were 'lots of issues that we discussed and many we agreed on,' as quoted by CNN.

'Some of them are to be agreed and definitely it's very important that President Trump outlines a significant economic potential of cooperation between the US and Russia,' said Dmitriev.

'We will continue building US-Russia relations going forward despite lots of resistance to this, but we will continue strengthening US-Russia ties,' he added, as per CNN.
Heavy downpour pummelled Mumbai and its suburbs, with some parts recording more than 200 mm rainfall in the wee hours of Saturday, inundating low-lying areas and affecting the movement of local trains.

IMAGE: Vehicles wade through a waterlogged road in Mumbai after heavy rain lashes the city. Photograph: ANI on X

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the metropolis for two days.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to citizens not to step out unnecessarily.

A landslide occurred at the Vikhroli Parksite area in the eastern suburbs, killing two people and injuring as many others.

The incident took place around 2.39 am at Varsha Nagar in Vikhroli Parksite, which falls under the collector's jurisdiction, civic officials said.

Soil and stones from a nearby hillock collapsed on a hut, injuring four persons, an official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

He said the victims, who belong to one family, were rushed to civic-run Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared two of them dead.

IMAGE: A view of a damaged house after a landslide in Mumbai's Vikhroli area. Photograph: ANI on X

The downpour began around 1 am and continued into the early hours of the day, causing waterlogging in low-lying areas of the western and eastern suburbs, including Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Andheri, Kings Circle, Malad, and Goregaon, among others.

Mumbai's suburban train services were also affected due to water accumulation on tracks at several locations on the Central and Western Railway lines.

Tracks were waterlogged at Dadar, Kurla, Sion, Chunabhatti, Tilak Nagar, among other railway stations in the morning, severely disrupting operations on the main and harbour lines of the Central Railway and delaying trains on the Western Railway.

A spokesperson from the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) said that bus operations were also affected, as several buses diverted from waterlogged areas in Sion, Kings Circle, Aarey Colony, and Malad Subway, among others.

Civic officials said pumping operations were underway in multiple areas, and response teams had been deployed to address complaints of waterlogging and tree falls.

According to the IMD, several parts of Mumbai recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am on Friday and 5.30 am on Saturday.

Vikhroli, in the eastern suburbs, recorded the highest rainfall at 248.5 mm, followed by Santacruz with 232.5 mm, Sion with 221 mm, and Juhu with 208 mm.

The intensity of rainfall was higher in the suburbs compared to south Mumbai, where Colaba recorded just 70 mm of rainfall during this period.
Two persons have died and 117 others suffered injuries during the 'Dahi Handi' festival in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane city which drew large crowds of people, including celebrities, officials said.

IMAGE: A devotee breaks a clay pot containing curd and coloured water during the Hindu festival of Janmashtami, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, in Mumbai, August 16, 2025. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

In Thane, Bollywood actors Govinda, Chunky Pandey and Sunil Shetty attended the festivities held on Saturday.

Some leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also came together to join the celebration, amid speculation of a possible alliance between the two parties for the upcoming local body polls in Maharashtra.

Amid the scramble to woo Marathi voters, Dahi Handi celebrations organised by leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT), rival Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Raj Thackeray-headed MNS in Mumbai and neighbouring areas remained steeped in political symbolism.

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

The festival, celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, saw troupes of young men and women forming human pyramids to break dahi handis (pots of curd) suspended in the air with ropes.

Rohan Mohan Malvi, part of the Gaondevi Govinda Pathak, fell unconscious while sitting in a tempo at Adarsh Nagar in Mumbai's Andheri area on Saturday, an official said, adding he did not take part in the pyramid formation since he recently suffered a bout of jaundice.

"He was rushed to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar where doctors declared him dead on arrival," the official said.

Earlier, on Saturday afternoon, a 32-year-old man, identified as Jagmohan Shivkiran Chaudhari, fell to death while tying 'Dahi Handi' in Mankhurd in the north eastern part of the metropolis, officials said.

"He was tying the handi to a rope from the first-floor window grille of his house in Maharashtra Nagar when he fell. He was taken to the civic-run Shatabdi Govandi Hospital where he was declared brought dead," an official said.

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

Till 9 pm on Saturday, 95 persons were reported to be injured during the festivities in Mumbai, with the condition of two being serious, the official said.

"Of the 95 govindas, 76 were discharged after treatment, while 19 are hospitalised. The 95 injured comprise 30 in the island city, 31 in the eastern suburbs and 34 in the western part of the city," he informed.

In Thane city, 22 participants were injured while attempting human pyramids, local civic body's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said.

Of them, 17 were admitted to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, including some who suffered head injuries, shoulder dislocations, waist and chest injuries, he said.

An 18-year-old participant, who suffered a head injury, was referred to the state-run J J Hospital in Mumbai for advanced care. Some of the others injured included children in the age group of 5 to 10 years, the official said.

Another five persons were admitted to the District Government Hospital in Thane, with injuries ranging from hand fractures to back pain and abrasions, Tadvi said.

The festivities drew large crowds at multiple mandals in Thane where actors Govinda, Chunky Pandey and Sunil Shetty joined the celebrations.

Actor Govinda danced to some of his popular songs at a Dahi Handi festival gathering in Tembi Naka area of Thane, where Deputy CM Eknath Shinde was also present.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former MP Rajan Vichare and MNS leader Avinash Jadhav came together at festivities organised by the Raj Thackeray's party at Naupada in Thane, and announced their partnership was like "Fevicol ki jodi which cannot be separated by anyone."
'We had very narrow negotiations that were quite useful.'

IMAGE: Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the joint press conference with US President Donald John Trump in Alaska, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that if US President Donald Trump had been in power in 2022, the Russia-Ukraine conflict would likely never have happened --- a claim Trump has made several times, blaming his predecessor, Joe Biden, for the war.

At a joint press conference after nearly three hours of talks with Trump, Putin said that in 2022, he had cautioned Biden that the tensions between the two nations should not be allowed to reach a point of no return.

'Today, when President Trump says had he been the President back then, there would have been no war, and I am quite sure it would indeed be so,' he said.

'During the last contact with the previous administration in 2022, I tried to convince my previous American colleague that the situation should not be brought to the point of no return when it comes to hostilities. I said it directly back then that it is a big mistake.'

Putin said that on Friday's negotiations had been useful and were held in a constructive atmosphere.

'Our negotiations have been held in a constructive atmosphere of mutual respect. We had very narrow negotiations that were quite useful. I would like to thank my American counterpart once again for the proposal to travel out here to Alaska. It only makes sense that we've met here because our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbours,' he said.

Despite being separated by the International Date Line, Putin said Russia and the US are geographically close, making the meeting feel like a visit to a neighbour.

'So when we met, when I came out of the plane, I said, 'Good Afternoon, dear neighbour! Very good to see you in good health.' I think that is very neighbourly. I think that's some kind words that we can say to each other.

'We are separated by the Strait of Bering, though there are only two islands between the Russian island and the US island; they are only 4 km apart. We are close neighbours and it's a fact,' he said.

Putin further acknowledged that US-Russia relations have hit a record low, but emphasised that he and Trump had spoken candidly over the phone.

'At this new stage, even during the hardest conditions, it is known that there have been no summits between Russia and the US in four years. That's a long time. This time was very hard for bilateral relations, and let's be frank -- they have fallen to the lowest point since the Cold War. I think that's not benefiting our countries and the world as a whole.

'Sooner or later, we have to amend the situation to move on from confrontation to dialogue. In this case, a personal meeting between the heads of State has been long overdue. Naturally, the condition of serious and painstaking work. This work has been done in general. President Trump and me have a very good direct contact. We have spoken multiple times. We spoke frankly on the phone,' he said.

Putin acknowledged that Ukraine's security should be ensured as well, and lauded Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict.

'We see the strive of the administration and President Trump personally to help facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict and his strive to get to the crux of the matter to understand this history is precious.

'The situation in Ukraine poses a fundamental threat to our security. Moreover, the Ukrainian nation, and I have said it multiple times, is a brotherly nation; however strange it may sound in these conditions. We have the same roots, and everything that's happening is a tragedy for us. And a terrible wound,' Putin said.

Russia, Putin added, wishes to establish a just balance of power between the European Union and Russia to address the long-term issues of the conflict.

'At the same time, we are convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary causes of the conflict. We have said it multiple times to consider all legitimate constraints of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world as a whole.'

'I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that, naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to welcome that,' he said.

Putin further stressed that he expects Ukraine and the EU to respect the ongoing process.

'I would like to hope that the agreement we have reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively, and they won't throw a wrench in the works.'

'They will not make any attempts to use some back-room dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the progress.'
Karnataka deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of "playing politics" over the Dharmasthala "multiple murders and burials" case.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with state deputy CM DK Shivakumar during the Independence Day celebrations organized at Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground, in Bengaluru, August 15, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

He was responding to BJP's "Dharmasthala Chalo" rally, in which party members travelled in several vehicles to the temple town protesting against what they call a smear campaign against Hindu temples and traditions.

"BJP did not speak anything initially, now all of them are speaking. They should have spoken at the beginning. Now those in BJP are engaging in politics, nothing else. They are going there (Dharmasthala) for the sake of politics," the deputy CM said in response to a question.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the BJP thinks Hindutva is their property. "But, it belongs to no one. It is each individual's devotion, feeling and faith."

"...Why didn't they speak when the complaint was lodged -- and say it is wrong?" he asked.

The SIT formed by the state government is probing charges of multiple murders, rapes, and burials across different places in Dharmasthala, over the past two decades

The complainant-witness, a former sanitation worker whose identity has been withheld, has claimed that he worked in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014, and that he was forced to bury a number of bodies, including those of women and minors.

He had alleged that some of the bodies showed signs of sexual assault. He has also given a statement before a magistrate in this regard.

As part of the probe, the SIT has carried out exhumations at multiple locations identified by the complainant in the forest areas along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where some skeletal remains have been found at two sites so far.

The deputy CM said the Congress doesn't want to politicise the issue and wants to protect Dharmasthala's honour.

According to the Congress, whoever is guilty should be punished.

"When a complaint was given -- whether it was a lie or not -- when it was given before the magistrate, if it was not investigated, the same BJP would have questioned the government. Now they are doing politics..." he said.

"Let them (BJP) demand a narco analysis test (against complainant), but why didn't they object when SIT was formed. They were the ones who demanded the probe and SIT, now they are speaking whatever they want regarding the probe. The government is not interfering in the probe," he added.

The saffron party has been critical of the government's handling of the investigation and its "failure" to act against what they call a "slander campaign" targeting Dharmasthala and the temple there.

They demanded an interim report from the government and action against the complainant and others allegedly behind him, claiming the allegations were part of a "toolkit to denigrate Hindu gods and their places of worship."

Responding to a question on his statement regarding "conspiracy" against Dharmasthala, Shivakumar said, "What I'm saying is my personal opinion... Neither me nor anyone will interfere in the investigation."

While BJP MLAs are now speaking about the alleged conspiracy and slander campaign, the Congress MLAs and leaders had raised the issue with the Chief Minister and Home Minister in the initial stages as well as at the Congress Legislature Party meeting.

"As we are in the government we had not spoken publicly."

During internal discussions in the party, the CM has assured not to allow injustice to anyone, and the investigation and further action against those involved in slander campaign, will happen in accordance with law, Shivakumar said.

"Someone has even made certain allegations against the CM, we have information ...we will take action legally," he added.
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US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin emerged from a two-and-a-half-hour summit in Alaska on Friday, claiming they had reached an "understanding" on a pathway to ending the war in Ukraine. However, they offered no specifics and departed without taking questions from the press.

IMAGE: Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump hold a joint presser after their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Screen grab/White House/YouTube

In a brief statement, Putin said the pair had "hammered out" an understanding on the conflict and cautioned European nations not to "torpedo the nascent progress."

Speaking shortly after, Trump stated he had yet to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but would do so imminently, along with other European leaders. He suggested a formal deal was not yet in place.

The summit, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, began with an uncharacteristically warm reception for a leader responsible for the largest land war in Europe since 1945.

The two men shared an extended handshake on a red carpet, with Putin grinning as B-2s and F-22s, military aircraft designed to counter Russia, flew overhead.

As they greeted each other, reporters shouted, "President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?" The Russian leader put his hand to his ear as if he could not hear the question. The pair then took a short ride in the US presidential limousine, known as "The Beast," with Putin offering a broad smile as they passed cameras.

This display of public friendliness, typically reserved for close allies, is likely to raise concerns among European leaders and Kyiv, who fear Trump's primary focus is on American interests rather than a concerted effort to support Ukraine. Zelenskyy and European leaders were not part of the discussions.

As per CNN, the change-up in the format of today's bilateral meeting -- from a one-on-one to a larger group -- is significant.

Trump's one-on-one meetings with Putin during his first term were clouded with mystery. With only a translator inside the room, it was often unclear what exactly was discussed. Aides had a difficult time ascertaining if the two reached any agreements. After one such meeting, in Germany, Trump asked his interpreter to discard his notes.

The addition of two aides to today's session -- Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff -- could allow for greater clarity once the meeting concludes, particularly if Russia offers an accounting of events that differs from the US perspective, as per CNN.

One of them will also be able to take notes, which is often an essential factor in the real-time record of high-level summits.

On Air Force One en route to Alaska, Trump told reporters that he wasn't having the meeting to broker a deal on behalf of Ukraine, but said instead, his goal was getting Putin to the table. He also stopped short of promising security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a deal to end the war.

Trump said he spoke to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko -- a staunch Putin ally -- ahead of the summit.

Trump has vowed to "end the Ukraine war quickly," while Putin is seeking recognition of Russia's territorial gains and relief from Western sanctions. Zelenskyy has refused to surrender territory and hasn't been invited to the summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his joint press conference with United States President Donald Trump on Friday by inviting Trump for further talks in Moscow.

"Next time in Moscow," Putin said.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump shakes hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on August 15, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Trump accepted the suggestion, saying, "That's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat on that one, but I can see it possibly happening."

Trump said that the next step now rests with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin would be arranged soon.

"Now it's really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done," Trump told the local media. "They're going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself, I guess," Trump told the media.

He declined to disclose the remaining issues holding up a deal, saying only that he wants "to see what we can get done."

Despite the lack of a formal agreement, Trump described the summit as a success, rating it "10 out of 10, in the sense that we got along great."

"I want to make sure it gets done," he said adding, "And we have a pretty good chance of getting it done."

Trump said he and Putin agreed that the Ukraine conflict would end with land swaps and US-backed some type of security guarantee.

When asked about territorial concessions that would give Russia land it didn't have previously and potential US security assurances for Ukraine, Trump said it was a point of agreement with Putin, as per CNN.

"Well, I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on," he said. "Actually, I think we agree on a lot. I can tell you, the meeting was a warm meeting," he said.

He called Putin a "strong guy" and "tough as hell," but said the meeting was positive. "I think we're pretty close to the end. And look, Ukraine has to agree to it," Trump said, as reported by CNN.

On advice for Zelenskyy, Trump said simply, "Gotta make a deal."
President Donald Trump has indicated that the US may not impose secondary tariffs on countries continuing to procure Russia crude oil.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump points a finger as he and Russian President Vladimir Putin (not pictured) hold a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

There were apprehensions that additional secondary tariffs would have hit India in case the US decided to enforce them.

"Well, he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 percent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lotAnd if I did what's called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, I'll do it. Maybe I won't have to do it, Trump said on Friday.

The US president made the remarks in an interview with Fox News aboard Air Force One en route to Alaska for a high-stakes summit meeting with Putin. The meeting concluded without any agreement on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

On Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said if things don't go well between Trump and Putin at the summit meeting, then secondary sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil could go up.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Bessent said, I think everyone has been frustrated with President Putin. We expected that he would come to the table in a more fulsome way. It looks like he may be ready to negotiate.

And we put secondary tariffs on the Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up, he added.

On whether sanctions can go up or loosened, Bessent had said, Sanctions can go up, they can be loosened. They can have a definitive life. They can go on indefinitely.

Trump imposed tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India, including 25 per cent for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil that will come into effect from August 27.

Responding to the tariffs, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable.

Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security, it said.
The deal fell through over unresolved disagreements over contentious issues, mainly on agriculture and automotive sector tariffs.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald John Trump at the joint press conference at the White House, February 13, 2025. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters

Donald Trump returned to the White House with a familiar promise: To 'Make America Great Again'.

This time, the agenda came with sharper teeth: Tariffs were once again in focus, pitched as a tool to raise revenue, revive domestic manufacturing, and create jobs.

What stood out early was Trump's visible camaraderie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Just three weeks into Trump's second term, Modi landed in Washington for a high-profile meeting.

The two leaders announced plans to hammer out the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement by the Fall of 2025, making India the first country to formally enter trade talks with the new administration.

In the lead-up, India made goodwill moves -- cutting import duties on items like bourbon and scrapping the equalisation levy, both long-standing irritants for Washington.

So when Trump declared April 2 as 'Liberation Day' for the US economy and announced country-specific reciprocal tariffs to correct what he called global trade imbalances, Indian officials believed they had a leg up.

The logic was simple: India had seized the 'first-mover advantage' by initiating trade talks early, and that outreach would help shield it from the worst of US trade action.

That assumption collapsed this week.

In a surprise move, the US administration on July 30 announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports and an unspecified penalty over energy ties with Russia -- arguably its harshest stance against any country so far.

On August 4, Washington warned that it would 'substantially' raise tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi's 'massive' purchases of Russian crude oil.

Despite the early diplomatic overtures, India wasn't spared.

Where it broke down

The tariff blow came after New Delhi and Washington failed to finalise an interim trade deal before the August 1 deadline.

Five rounds of intense talks and Trump's own hints of an 'imminent' breakthrough didn't result in an agreement.

Though the US side pushed hard for a breakthrough, warning of reciprocal tariffs if talks stalled, the deal fell through over unresolved disagreements over contentious issues, mainly on agriculture and automotive sector tariffs.

For India, granting market access in agriculture and dairy has always been a red line.

The government has consistently insisted on protecting small farmers, making these sectors politically sensitive and off-limits in trade negotiations.

Affiliates of the Sangh Parivar had earlier warned that any trade deal would be dead on arrival if the US continued to insist on access for genetically modified crops.

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and Swadeshi Jagran Manch argued that concessions in agriculture and dairy would threaten India's food security.

A government official told Business Standard that India wanted to avoid rushing into a deal -- unlike Japan, Indonesia, and the European Union, which critics say signed one-sided "quick trade deals".

Moreover, even with a deal, India was unlikely to get tariff relief -- the baseline tariff was expected to remain above 10 per cent.

Trade economist Biswajit Dhar said that beyond agriculture, Trump's interest in Indian exports appears limited.

"The only viable concessions India can offer are in niche agricultural products. That's essentially all we've got on the table," he said.

"India was right to take its time," Dhar added.

"Had we rushed this, it could've been a political and economic mess. Farmers would've erupted. We've staved off a crisis, for now."

IMAGE: Farmers remove grass from a paddy field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, August 1, 2025. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Geopolitics in the mix

India's membership in Brics and Trump's dismissal of the group as 'anti-US' hasn't helped. More fuel was added to the fire when Washington accused India of bankrolling Russia's war in Ukraine by continuing to buy crude oil from Moscow.

Trump had earlier threatened 100 per cent tariffs on imports from countries that refused to cut energy ties with Russia unless a peace deal was brokered.

India, for its part, maintains it has been unfairly singled out, 'targeted' by the US and EU for continuing oil trade with Russia after the Ukraine conflict.

What lies ahead

So far, exporters have managed to muddle through the uncertainty, largely because the tariff rollout kept getting delayed.

With an eventual trade agreement expected, Indian sellers and US buyers had been splitting the extra costs.

That may no longer hold.

Experts warn that the 25 per cent tariff -- on top of existing World Trade Organization-compliant rates -- could create short-term pain for Indian exporters.

According to macroeconomic research firm Capital Economics, the effective US tariff on Indian goods is expected to jump to 18 per cent, from 2.3 per cent a year ago.

Rating agency Icra warned that unless a bilateral trade pact is concluded soon, India's export outlook for 2025-2026 and beyond could take a hit.

'The heavy sectoral dependence on US markets, coupled with tariff asymmetry, poses a serious challenge to India's trade competitiveness. The evolving geopolitical context, particularly India's alignment with Russia, will remain a critical watchpoint for both economic and trade decisions going forward,' Icra said in a report, adding that the worst-hit sectors include textile, auto component, tyre, chemical, agrochemical, and cut and polished diamond.

Dhar added that with rival countries enjoying lower tariffs, India risks losing its competitive edge.

"If comparative advantage kicks in, companies will start relocating, and that's a problem," he said.

On August 04, Goldman Sachs trimmed India's real GDP growth projections by 0.1 and 0.2 percentage points for 2025 and 2026, respectively, bringing them down to 6.5 per cent and 6.4 per cent.

'In our view, some of these tariffs are likely to be negotiated lower over time, and further downside risk to the growth trajectory mainly emanates from the uncertainty channel, where we have previously estimated around 0.3 percentage point drag on real GDP growth from a 1 standard deviation shock to US trade policy uncertainty,' the investment bank said in a report.

Exporters want support

Meanwhile, exporters have urged the government to absorb part of the impact and fast-track the Rs 2,250 crore Export Promotion Mission, which has been in limbo since its announcement six months ago.

The government, however, is treading cautiously. Designing a mechanism to share the tariff burden without breaching WTO rules won't be easy.

A direct subsidy model is difficult to implement and could violate global trade norms.

Schemes under the Export Promotion Mission, including interest equalisation, will be rolled out based on 'need and priority' once they receive Union Cabinet approval.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday described his talks with US President Donald Trump as "long and substantive", underlining Ukraine's commitment to peace and close coordination with international partners.

IMAGE: U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

"We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump," Zelenskyy said.

He added, "Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation."

Supporting Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia, Zelenskyy said, "Key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this."

He announced, "On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation. It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America."

Zelenskyy added, "We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping."

The remarks came after US President Trump said on Friday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a "productive" meeting aimed at reducing the human toll of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Trump said thousands of lives could be saved weekly if both sides acted. "We're going to stop, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000 people a week from being killed, and President Putin wants to see that as much as I do," the US President said.

He added that while several points were agreed upon, a few key issues remain unresolved. "There's no deal until we have a deal...I'll, of course, call up President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and tell him about today's meeting. It's ultimately up to them," Trump said.

Trump praised officials from both sides and highlighted his longstanding rapport with Putin, noting that the 'Russia hoax' had complicated relations but expressed optimism about reaching a meaningful decision.

"Some points are not that significant. One is probably the most significant but we have a very good chance of getting there...Let's do the most productive one right now," he said.
Pixxel has raised $95 million in funding and with the company's commercial Firefly satellites up in orbit selling data globally 'we know and seen what it takes to make this business work.'

Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy USAF/Wikimedia Commons

A zero bid by the space sector start-up PixxelSpace India led consortium to bag the contract to launch and operate 12 earth observation satellite constellation has taken the industry by surprise.

What was supposed to be a public-private-partnership satellite constellation now seems to have turned to be just a partnership with private space sector companies with no financial involvement of the Indian government.

On Tuesday, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) announced that the PixxelSpace India led consortium consisting of Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India and Dhruva Space has been selected to launch a constellation of 12 earth observation satellites over a five year period.

The consortium will design, build, and operate India's first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite under the pioneering EO-public-private partnership model.

IN-SPACe the regulator for the private space sector in India, said the outlay will be over Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion/$137 million), while remaining silent on the successful bid amount.

Curiously, IN-SPACe did not disclose the winning bid amount.

The officials said as per the scheme, the government will part fund the constellation and the lowest bidder for the government's financial support will win the mandate.

While the PixxelSpace India led consortium had quoted a 'zero bid' no need for financial assistance, it is learnt the two other bidders had quoted or wanted government funding assistance of Rs 97 crore (Rs 970 million) and Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion).

The basic understanding of PPP is that both the government and private parties will invest in a project.

"Here there is no government investment and it is just a partnership between the companies in the winning consortium," said a space sector official not wanting to be quoted.

"Further in the case of a zero bid, what is the hold that the government has on the successful bidder in realising the constellation? There is no guarantee of a buy back of the data generated by the constellation. The satellite specifications were given by IN-SPACe," a top official of a private space company said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

IN-SPACe in its statement announcing the selection of the PixxelSpace India led consortium said: 'Under the PPP framework, the Government of India will provide strategic, technical, and policy support, while the PixxelSpace India-led consortium will own and operate the EO system, including satellite manufacturing, launches from Indian soil, ground infrastructure, and commercialisation of data services.'

"I can't speak to anyone's bid numbers because that is a confidential part of the process," PixxelSpace CEO Awais Ahmed told this correspondent.

As regards the funding for the constellation Ahmed said: "We have the funding needed among the consortium members to mostly fund the satellite ourselves."

Each satellite's weight, Ahmed explained, would range between 100 and 300 kg with a life span of about 5 and 7 years. Replacement of satellites at the end of their life will be at the cost of the consortium.

With the zero bid raising various questions within the country's space industry Ahmed tried to clear the air with his message on X.

'Firstly, the PPP was set up in such a way that the programme was to be predominantly funded by the winning consortium themselves. Out of a Rs 1,200-1,500 crore programme depending on each consortium's projected costs, Rs 350 crore was to be given as a *loan* by IN-SPACe. This had to be paid back after operationalising the constellation and selling the data anyway,' Ahmed tweeted.

'The operating model being that the investment and the ownership of the satellite and data would lie with the private consortium and INSPACe would work with the companies to sell it to all divisions of the Indian government and the consortium would monetise it globally on their own,' Ahmed said.

'And so a 0 bid or a 97 crore bid (that another consortium bid and publicly confirmed as well) or a slightly higher bid for a *loan* didn't make a difference in the large scheme of things when one is executing a 1200+ (over Rs 1,200 crore) project and raising 1100+ crore (over Rs 1,100 crore) for it anyway,' Ahmed stated.

'We considered this initiative to bring data sovereignty to India as an important national strategic concern that it had to be done one way or another. And had to be done by someone who knew what this business entailed. And so we decided that we would not be outbid for it. Especially given how strong our technical bid was which had best in world capabilities some of which would be realised for the first time globally,' Ahmed said.

According to Ahmed, PixxelSpace India is building five very high resolution and two hyperspectral satellites. On their part Satsure Analytics India will build two multispectral satellites and PierSight Space two synthetic aperture radar satellites.

'And Dhruva Space is providing subsystems to the satellites and helping with the ground station infrastructure,' Ahmed said.

Pixxel, Ahmed said, has already raised $95 million to date in funding (other members of the consortium have also raised funds on their own) and with the company's commercial Firefly satellites up in orbit selling data globally already "we know and seen what it takes to make this business work."

"These satellites mentioned are also something all of us were building anyway and would have built despite the PPP. The PPP just provided a more formalized way to go about it," Ahmed remarked.

According to IN-SPACe the 12 satellites will be equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors and would deliver Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS) for applications in climate change monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure, marine surveillance, national security, and urban planning, while also catering to the global demand for high-quality geospatial intelligence.

The regulator said the selection follows a competitive bidding process. Three consortia were shortlisted after rigorous technical evaluation:

Astra Microwave Products Limited, Hyderabad (with Bharat Electronics Ltd, Sisir Radar and Spectragaze Systems)

GalaxEye Space, Bengaluru (with CoreEL)

PixxelSpace India Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru (with Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space)

'Following the financial bid assessment, the PixxelSpace India-led consortium emerged as the successful bidder,' IN-SPACe said in its statement.

IN-SPACe officials remained silent when asked about the bid.

Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at venkatacharijagannathan@gmail.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
By Seher Dareen

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil markets are set for a muted price reaction when they open on Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump's and Russian leader Vladimir Putin's meeting in Alaska, at which Trump said a fully-fledged peace deal was the aim for Ukraine rather than a ceasefire.

Trump said he had agreed with Putin that negotiators should go straight to a peace settlement - not via a ceasefire, as Ukraine and European allies, until now with U.S. support, have been demanding.

Trump said he would hold off imposing tariffs on countries such as China for buying Russian oil following his talks with Putin. He has previously threatened sanctions on Moscow and secondary sanctions on countries such as China and India that buy Russian oil if no moves are made to end the Ukraine war.

"This will mean Russian oil will continue to flow undisturbed and this should be bearish for oil prices," said ICIS analyst Ajay Parmar. "It is worth noting that we think the impact of this will be minimal though and prices will likely see only a small dip in the very near term as a result of this news."

The oil market will wait for developments from a meeting in Washington on Monday between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. European leaders have also been invited to the meeting, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

"Market participants will track comments from European leaders but for now Russian supply disruption risks will remain contained," said Giovanni Staunovo, analyst at UBS.

Brent settled at $65.85 a barrel on Friday, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate at $62.80 - both down nearly $1 before the talks in Alaska.

Traders are waiting for a deal, so until that emerges, crude prices are likely to be stuck in a narrow range, said Phil Flynn, a senior analyst with Price Futures Group.

"What we do know is that the threat of immediate sanctions on Russia, or secondary sanctions on other countries is put on hold for now, which would be bearish," he said.

After the imposition of Western sanctions, including a seaborne oil embargo and price caps on Russian oil, Russia has redirected flows to China and India.

(Reporting by Seher Dareen; editing by Nina Chestney and Jane Merriman)
Vladimir Putin wanted a world stage. Donald Trump wanted a peace deal.

The Russian leader got his. The US president did not. At least not yet.

The August 15 face-to-face summit between Trump and Putin was shaping up to be one of the most consequential in years: for US-Russian relations, for international security, for the largest land war in Europe since World War II.

Confident in his deal-making prowess, Trump wanted to halt Russias 42-month-old war on Ukraine, which has killed or wounded well over 1 million Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, and thousands of civilians, mainly Ukrainian.

Confident of his militarys ability to grind down Ukraine, Putin wanted to appear before global TV cameras, on US soil, shaking Trumps hand, free of international isolation, and negotiating as a peer.

In the end, there was no deal to halt Russias bloodletting in Ukraine. There was no deal announced for a new arms control agreement, as Putin had suggested ahead of time, nor new business investments, as Trump had suggested.

'Nothing Good Happened, But Nothing Bad Happened Either'

Its possible there are deals in the works, not yet announced. In interviews and remarks afterward, Trump signaled some agreement could be forthcoming in the near future.

Had there been even a small item to announce, you can bet Trump would have done so, said Luke Coffey, a Russian analyst and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a Washington think tank. So the fact that there was nothing even minor [announced] tells me that the talks truly got nowhere.

To look in a positive light, Trump didn't give anything away, at least from what we can know publicly, Coffey said. He admitted from the podium that he's going to be taking time to consult with and update European leaders, including Zelenskyy, and he said that there's no deal until there's a deal.

Early on August 16, hours after the summit, Trump and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone for an hour, along with European leaders. There were positive signals regarding possible US participation in security guarantees for Ukraine, Zelenskyy said. He also said he would travel to Washington on August 18.

The Kremlin is touting this as a major reset in relations with the United States, given the red-carpet treatment Putin received and the possibility of another summit in Moscow, said Stephen Flanagan, who twice served on the White House National Security Council.

Putins comment that to achieve a settlement, lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all of the primary causes of the conflict, suggests that Russia retains its hardline position on Ukraine, he said. Putin would like to see a more compliant government in Kyiv and recognition of its territorial conquests.

Going into the summit, Trump had mentioned land swaps as a possibility: recognizing Russias claim to occupied Ukrainian territory in exchange for a cease-fire or other conditions. Zelenskyy professed that was a red line.

Some in Europe, whose role in the Ukraine conflict has frequently been downplayed by the Trump administration, feared another Munich  shorthand for when Western allies acquiesced to Hitler in 1938. Or another Yalta, when Soviet leader Josef Stalin, US President Franklin Roosevelt, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill divided up post-WWII Europe.

No land swaps were announced. Neither were any new punitive US sanctions on Russia announced, something Trump had threatened.

Nothing good happened, but nothing bad happened either, William Taylor, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, told the BBC. There was no Munich, and there was no Yalta, where Ukraine would have been sold.

'The Welcome, The Red Carpet, The Handshakes'

For Kyiv, it could obviously be worse, said Stefan Meister, director of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia, at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

Maybe they agreed on something. But if they had, it would have been announced, he said.

Trump is not ready to be the bad guy and force a terrible deal down the Ukrainians throats, said Eric Ciaramella, a former White House National Security Council adviser, now a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Nor is Putin willing to make any major compromises merely to give Trump a win.

Since launching the all-out invasion in February 2022, Putin has been deemed a pariah in the West, and in other places around the world, isolated, under US sanctions and under threat of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Trumps predecessor, Joe Biden, refused to meet with him.

The optics of the summit  on US soil, red-carpet welcome, personal greeting by the US president  were a victory in itself for the Kremlin.

Putin certainly got what he wanted out of this meeting, said Mikhail Alexseev, a political scientist at San Diego State University and expert on Ukraines governance. He got the welcome, the red carpet. He got the handshakes. He even got applause from Trump when he walked from the airplane. In essence, it normalizes his position as [a] world leader.

Senior International Correspondent Mike Eckel reported from Prague; North American correspondent Todd Prince reported from Washington.
US President Donald Trump described his Alaska trip as a great and very successful day after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 and holding calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.

However, responses in Ukraine were mixed, with some criticizing the red-carpet treatment for Putin, while others expressed cautious hope despite the summit's failure to produce a cease-fire.

I am seriously indignant, a Kyiv resident told Current Time. The way Putin was received, I think, is unacceptable.

In Kramatorsk, a city in the Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine that has been regularly shelled by Russia since the start of the invasion in February 2022, a resident said he didnt expect the summit to have any solid outcomes.

But since they praised each other, I hope that something will come of this in the future, he said.

Zelenskyy will travel to Washington on August 18 to meet Trump to discuss all details regarding ending the killings, ending the war, he said in a statement after a lengthy phone call with the US president on August 16.

He also backed Trumps idea of a three-way summit between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia to address major issues directly among their leaders.

Zelenskyy later called for more sanctions against Russia if no tripartite meeting takes place or "if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war."

Commenting on his call with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump wrote on Truth Social: It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Cease-fire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

He added that if "all works out" after he meets with Zelenskyy, "we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin."
European capitals have reacted to the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska with guarded optimism, praising the US President's efforts for peace while reiterating support for Kyiv as attention shifts to future diplomatic moves.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will travel to Washington on August 18 to meet with US President Donald Trump to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine.

It will be his first visit to Washington since the disastrous White House visit in February, which was cut short after a heated exchange in front of TV cameras.

Writing on Telegram on August 16, Zelenskyy said he had had a lengthy, substantive conversation with Trump about the August 15 summit between Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

The Ukrainian president said he first had a one-on-one conversation with Trump before European leaders joined the call.

I intend to discuss all details regarding ending the killings, ending the war, with President Trump in Washington on Monday. I am grateful for the invitation, Zelenskyy said.

He expressed strong support for Trumps proposal of a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia as a forum to discuss key issues at the leadership level.

Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraines readiness to work productively toward peace and underscored the importance of involving European partners at every stage to guarantee Ukraines security alongside the United States.

Later on August 16, Trump weighed in on his call with Zelenskyy and European leaders with a post on Truth Social, writing: It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Cease-fire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

He added that if "all works out" after he meets with Zelenskyy, "we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin."

Zelenskyy later called for more sanctions against Russia if no tripartite meeting takes place or "if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war."

European Reactions

After the call with Trump, EU leaders said in a statement that they "welcomed" the US president's efforts and expressed readiness to facilitate a trilateral summit.

"We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia's war economy until there is a just and lasting peace," they said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said talk of post-war security guarantees for Ukraine was one of the most interesting developments in the call with Trump.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a TV interview that the United States was willing to be part of such arrangements, without adding detail.

A statement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said President Trumps efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russias illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended.

'Great Progress'

The highly anticipated summit between Trump and Putin ended without an agreement on a cease-fire in Ukraine, with neither leader taking questions from reporters during a brief news conference.

Briefly addressing the press after his nearly three-hour meeting with Putin, Trump said his team had made "great progress" but acknowledged that "we haven't quite got there" and that no deal was reached to halt the Kremlins war on Ukraine.

Theres no deal until theres a deal, Trump warned.

Meanwhile, Russian drones and missiles battered cities across Ukraine overnight hours after the summit ended.

Ukrainian officials said Moscow launched 85 Shahed-type attack drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a strike on a residential area killed one person and wounded another.

Separately, the Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 29 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including the Sea of Azov. The primary target of the drone attacks was the Azot chemical plant in Nevinnomyssk, according to local officials. The facility is a significant producer of chemical components used in the manufacture of explosives.
Sam Altman

Current and former OpenAI employees plan to sell approximately $6 billion worth of shares to an investor group that includes Thrive Capital, SoftBank Group Corp. and Dragoneer Investment Group, in a deal that values the ChatGPT maker at $500 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The talks are early and the size of the share sale could still change, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The secondary share investment is on top of SoftBanks commitment to lead OpenAIs $40 billion funding round, which values the company at $300 billion, according to another person familiar with the deal. That round remains ongoing, with OpenAI recently securing $8.3 billion from a syndicate of investors.

Representatives for Dragoneer and Thrive didnt respond to requests for comment. Spokespeople for OpenAI and SoftBank declined to comment. All three firms are existing OpenAI backers.

The secondary share sale, which was first reported by Bloomberg, will give OpenAI employees a chance to get cash-rich amid a high-stakes talent war in the artificial intelligence industry. Companies like Meta Platforms Inc. are offering massive salaries to recruit AI talent from OpenAI and other startups. This year, several OpenAI employees have exited for Meta, including Shengjia Zhao, a co-creator of ChatGPT.

Allowing employees to sell shares is an important tool for startups trying to retain top talent, without requiring the company to go public or be acquired. In some cases, early investors also use these deals to sell down their stakes, though OpenAI investors are not eligible to do so in this round, according to a person familiar with the matter. Current and former employees who spent at least two years at the company are able to participate.

With its participation in the share sale, as well as its previous commitments, SoftBank is making a pivotal bet on the success of OpenAI. In addition to those deals, the Japanese conglomerate headed by Masayoshi Son recently closed a separate $1 billion purchase of OpenAI employee shares at a $300 billion valuation, according to a person familiar with the matter. Negotiations for that deal started before talks around the $500 billion secondary valuation began, they said.
A public rally will take place today, Saturday, August 16th, over fears for the future of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH).

The protest is being organised by the Portiuncula Maternity Alliance (PMA), and will assemble at 12 noon in the Fairgreen Carpark, Ballinasloe.

The rally theme is Care Cant Wait  Protect Maternity Services at PUH. The group has brought together families, healthcare professionals, and public representatives from across Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Longford, Offaly, Leitrim, Tipperary, Clare and beyond.

The protest follows a HSE announcement in July 2025, confirming that a broadened definition of high-risk pregnancy is now being used to divert many more women away from PUH for delivery.

This is not just a local issue  this is a national disgrace, said Galway County Councillor Evelyn Parsons, co-founder of the Portiuncula Maternity Alliance. The HSE has bypassed women, families, GPs, clinicians and even frontline midwives and obstetricians. They have failed to explain why safe, trusted maternity care at PUH is not being resourced properly, and why vital services are being stripped from rural communities without transparency, risk assessment or equality oversight.

The alliance is urging people across all affected counties to attend and wear their county or club colours, bring their flags, and make their voices heard.

Fianna Fail TD Dr Martin Daly, who plans to attend the protest, said he is fully supportive of the maternity unit at the hospital.

It is clear there is worry in the community for the future of services in Portiuncula hospital. I have spoken to the health minister on a number of occasions and she has assured me that she is not minded to close the services, he said. I will be campaigning for resources to be invested in the maternity services and for the full implementation of both the Walker and Coulter-Smith reports. The issues raised in both reports must be addressed with investment in the maternity services of Portiuncula hospital.
Planning permission for a 24m lattice telecommunications mast in Ballaghaderreen has been overturned by An Coimisiun Pleanala.

In October of last year, Roscommon County Council granted permission to Towercom Limited for the development, which included the removal of the existing 15m lattice telecommunications structure, at the Eir Exchange, Circular Rd, Ballaghaderreen.

Planning permission was granted subject to eight conditions, including that sound pressure levels generated by the development should not exceed background levels.

This application superseded an earlier planning permission granted in 2021 for a 20m lattice structure and associated equipment at the same site.

This planning permission was appealed in November 2024 by the Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), and this permission was overturned on July 23rd.

As part of its objection, FIE raised a concern that the required level of technical justification, including an assessment of alternative sites, had not been completed as part of the application.

It stated there was an existing ESB facility in the immediate vicinity of the appeal site which could potentially be used by the intended telecoms operator, Vodafone, and that it had not been sufficiently demonstrated that this structure cannot provide the required 5G services sought by the developer.

Following a site inspection in March of this year, the inspector found that the proposed development would not be visually obtrusive or seriously injurious to the visual amenity of the area.

It concluded that the development was in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, and recommended that planning permission be granted.

According to an addendum report, the board sought further information from Towercom Ltd including demonstration of engagement with ESB Telecoms on using the existing telecommunications structure at the nearby ESB Compound in Ballaghaderreen and technical details as to why it was not possible to co-locate there.

In its order the board said that having regard to the lack of demonstrated engagement with ESB Telecoms, it had not been demonstrated that the proposed development would accord with the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities.

The development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the board concluded.
The HSE has confirmed it has no plans to reopen the chapel at the Sacred Heart Hospital.

The chapels continued closure for almost two years has led to considerable concern among local politicians and members of the public. The issue was also recently raised at a plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council. When contacted by this paper, the HSE said the chapel at the Sacred Heart Hospital was closed in September 2023.

Speaking to the Herald, a HSE spokesperson said the Fire Regulation Authority identified significant deficits with compartmentation in the workhouse building and the adjoining chapel attached to it.

The decision was made to clear and separate the workhouse and adjoining chapel from the designated centre. This ensured the designated centre could secure HIQA compliance and allowed the centre to re-open up to admissions.

At this present time there are no plans to reopen the chapel. The HSE would be open to revisiting the possibility of looking at the restoration of the chapel/workhouse area when work on the current replacement bed project is completed.

FF TD Dr Martin Daly said that 18 months time, the date for the current project to be completed, is too long. I understand the concern of the residents, their relatives and friends. This chapel has been used as a place of reflection, respite and worship, he said, promising to follow up again with the HSE.

FG Senator Gareth Scahill said he has raised this issue with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. He has been informed that HSE Estates advised the ministers office that no capital submission has been received for the chapel at the Sacred Heart Hospital.

The local HSE Estates office have also advised that works on the chapel will likely require significant investment, as safety/stabilisation work on the chapel will be required in advance of a feasibility study for fire safety works.

The chapel is down the list of priorities for the HSE, said Senator Scahill, but the people in the home need and deserve to have their chapel.

He said if the HSE is not prepared to apply for capital funding to restore the chapel, he called on it to apply for funding for temporary accommodation.
August 16, 2025

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 16.08.2025, 13:55

Summit. The summit attended on Friday by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military base in Alaska (USA) ended without any agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine. The US president said that some progress had been made and that, for the time being, he was postponing the additional sanctions he had announced. For his part, Vladimir Putin said he wanted an end to the conflict in Ukraine, but only after its causes had been eliminated. He also issued a veiled threat to Ukraine and its European allies, telling them to refrain from provocations and behind-the-scenes schemes. In an interview with Fox News after the meeting, Donald Trump explained that President Volodymyr Zelensky must now show that he is willing to make a deal. The American leader added that both he and Vladimir Putin agree that there should be an exchange of territories. This option would mean that only Ukraine would cede territory and that has been repeatedly rejected by Kyiv. The international press comments that the meeting represents a victory for Putin, who has been isolated from the West in recent years and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. The Russian leader was welcomed with a red carpet and traveled in the same limousine as Donald Trump, which is unusual at this level of protocol. Moscow claims it was forced to attack Ukraine in 2022, citing several false arguments over time, from the persecution of the Russian-speaking population by the so-called Nazi regime in Kyiv to the danger of NATO aggression against Russia.



Rating. The international rating agency Fitch has maintained Romanias sovereign rating at BBB minus with a negative outlook. Fitchs decision, in a sensitive fiscal and budgetary context, reconfirms confidence in the Romanian Governments measures and plans, said Minister Alexandru Nazare. In the agencys opinion, the decision is supported by Romanias EU membership and capital inflows from the EU, which provide support for real income convergence and external financing. This solidity is offset by large and persistent budget and current account deficits, rapid growth in public debt, political polarization, and fairly high net external debt, according to the financial rating agencys statement. The negative outlook reflects the significant deterioration in Romanias public finances, as evidenced by the high fiscal deficit and the rapid increase in the government debt-to-GDP ratio. Political uncertainties have eased, and the new government has introduced an ambitious fiscal consolidation package. However, there are significant risks to fiscal consolidation in the medium term due to weak economic growth, implementation difficulties, fiscal fatigue, and high political polarization, Fitch warns.



Taxes. The Ministry of Finance in Bucharest has published new proposals for taxes and duties to be included in Package II of measures to reduce the budget deficit. Health contributions will be increased for those with income from self-employment, and owners with income from short-term rentals will be required to use cash registers and issue receipts. Another proposed measure is to increase tax rates on stock market gains, i.e., income from the transfer of securities and transactions with derivative financial instruments. Thus, the tax rates of 1% and 3% will increase to 2% and 4%, respectively. These provisions are in addition to those presented a few days ago by Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare regarding the taxation of multinationals in the area where they export their profits. At the same time, a fixed tax of 25 lei (about 5 euros) will be introduced for each parcel under 150 euros coming from non-EU countries, such as China or Turkey.

Navy Day. Romanian Navy Day was celebrated on Friday in Constanta (southeast), where several thousand people watched the demonstration exercise offered by the Romanian Naval Forces. It was an impressive naval and air show, featuring dozensof military ships and aircraft from the Naval Forces, Coast Guard, Romanian Air Forces Romanian Agency for the Safety of Human Life at Sea, as well as Turkish, Bulgarian, German, and American partners, who put on a memorable show for thousands of Constanta residents and tourists who gathered on the Constanta waterfront and in Tomis Port.

Mini-holiday. This is the busiest weekend on the Romanian coast this summer, with the St. Marys mini-holiday. The most popular resorts are Eforie, Mamaia Nord, Vama Veche, and Costinesti, according to the RESTO Constanta Employers Association. The organization also shows that, according to authorized accommodation facilities, there are currently 155,000 official tourists at the seaside, but in reality their number is higher by several tens of thousands, as there are many unauthorized accommodation facilities. In this context, the authorities are asked to identify illegal rentals, in thousands of untaxed villas and apartments, as well as illicit trade on beaches and in the kitchens of private homes. On the other hand, many Romanians have chosen mountain resorts, guesthouses, and hotels in Brasov County (center) for this mini-vacation, which are almost full. Nearly 9,000 police officers are on duty nationwide these days to ensure public order and safety. Traffic police are calling on drivers to drive carefully, obey speed limits, and avoid dangerous overtaking. They are also supported by the General Aviation Inspectorate to benefit from better aerial surveillance of traffic. (MI)
August 16, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

August 16, 2025 UPDATE

Newsroom, 16.08.2025, 17:01

Summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday that he plans to travel to Washington on Monday to meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump, following the latters meeting in Alaska (US) with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Reuters reports. He said his country supports a trilateral meeting with the US and Russia and stressed that Europe should be part of the discussions at all stages. The summit attended by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Friday ended without any agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine. The US president said that some progress had been made and that, for the time being, he was postponing additional sanctions. For his part, Vladimir Putin said he wanted an end to the conflict in Ukraine, but only after its causes had been eliminated. He also issued a veiled threat to Ukraine and its European allies, telling them to refrain from provocations and behind-the-scenes schemes. In an interview with Fox News after the meeting, Trump explained that Volodymyr Zelensky must show that he is willing to make a deal. The American leader added that both he and Vladimir Putin agreed that there should be an exchange of territories, an option that Kyiv has repeatedly rejected. The international press comments that the meeting represents a victory for Putin, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and has been isolated by the West in recent years. The Russian leader was welcomed with a red carpet and traveled in the same limousine as Donald Trump, which is unusual at this level of protocol.

Reactions. A group of European leaders pledged on Saturday to continue supporting Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Russia, following the meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. A joint statement was issued by several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, after they were briefed by Donald Trump on his discussions with Vladimir Putin. European leaders reject any restrictions on arms deliveries to Kyiv and oppose halting Ukraines integration into the EU and NATO, the joint statement also said. They say they are ready to facilitate a summit between Donald Trump (US), Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine) and Vladimir Putin (Russia).



Rating. The international rating agency Fitch has maintained Romanias sovereign rating at BBB minus with a negative outlook. Fitchs decision, in a sensitive fiscal and budgetary context, reconfirms confidence in the Romanian Governments measures and plans, said Minister Alexandru Nazare. In the agencys opinion, the decision is supported by Romanias EU membership and capital inflows from the EU, which provide support for real income convergence and external financing. This solidity is offset by large and persistent budget and current account deficits, rapid growth in public debt, political polarization, and fairly high net external debt, according to the financial rating agencys statement. The negative outlook reflects the significant deterioration in Romanias public finances, as evidenced by the high fiscal deficit and the rapid increase in the government debt-to-GDP ratio. Political uncertainties have eased, and the new government has introduced an ambitious fiscal consolidation package. However, there are significant risks to fiscal consolidation in the medium term due to weak economic growth, implementation difficulties, fiscal fatigue, and high political polarization, Fitch warns.



Taxes. The Ministry of Finance in Bucharest has published new proposals for taxes and duties to be included in Package II of measures to reduce the budget deficit. Health contributions will be increased for those with income from self-employment, and owners with income from short-term rentals will be required to use cash registers and issue receipts. Another proposed measure is to increase tax rates on stock market gains, i.e., income from the transfer of securities and transactions with derivative financial instruments. Thus, the tax rates of 1% and 3% will increase to 2% and 4%, respectively. These provisions are in addition to those presented a few days ago by Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare regarding the taxation of multinationals in the area where they export their profits. At the same time, a fixed tax of 25 lei (about 5 euros) will be introduced for each parcel under 150 euros coming from non-EU countries, such as China or Turkey.

Navy Day. Romanian Navy Day was celebrated on Friday in Constanta (southeast), where several thousand people watched the demonstration exercise offered by the Romanian Naval Forces. It was an impressive naval and air show, featuring dozensof military ships and aircraft from the Naval Forces, Coast Guard, Romanian Air Forces Romanian Agency for the Safety of Human Life at Sea, as well as Turkish, Bulgarian, German, and American partners, who put on a memorable show for thousands of Constanta residents and tourists who gathered on the Constanta waterfront and in Tomis Port.

Mini-holiday. This is the busiest weekend on the Romanian coast this summer, with the St. Marys mini-holiday. The most popular resorts are Eforie, Mamaia Nord, Vama Veche, and Costinesti, according to the RESTO Constanta Employers Association. The organization also shows that, according to authorized accommodation facilities, there are currently 155,000 official tourists at the seaside, but in reality their number is higher by several tens of thousands, as there are many unauthorized accommodation facilities. In this context, the authorities are asked to identify illegal rentals, in thousands of untaxed villas and apartments, as well as illicit trade on beaches and in the kitchens of private homes. On the other hand, many Romanians have chosen mountain resorts, guesthouses, and hotels in Brasov County (center) for this mini-vacation, which are almost full. Nearly 9,000 police officers are on duty nationwide these days to ensure public order and safety. Traffic police are calling on drivers to drive carefully, obey speed limits, and avoid dangerous overtaking. They are also supported by the General Aviation Inspectorate to benefit from better aerial surveillance of traffic. (MI)
A house is for sale in Arlington, Virginia, July 13, 2023. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Opendoor, the company that kicked off the July meme stock rally, is jumping again this month.

Shares rose as much as 25% on Thursday, extending a streak of gains in recent days.

News of a stake taken by a prominent investor and more hype from hedge funder Eric Jackon are boosting shares.

The move: Opendoor Technologies jumped as much as 25% on Thursday to $3.03 per share.

The stock, which soared earlier this summer and kicked off a broader rally in a handful of new meme stocks, is up 84% year-to-date.

The chart:

Why: The stock embarked on a stellar run in early July and then petered out toward the end of the month. Thursday's rally is an extension of a fresh winning streak that started in recent weeks, with the stock up by about 60% in five days.

A few things seem to be driving the latest gains.

On August 12, well known investor and tech entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano shared that he had purchased shares of Opendoor, citing bullishness among the retail crowd as a reason for his optimism.

"I believe retail investors are a powerful force in financial markets. They can help a company grow, generate new ideas, and bring valuable attention to a narrative," he wrote in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Eric Jackson, the hedge fund manager who launched the rally by posting his own bullish thesis on Opendoor stock in early July, has been taking a more activist approach to the stock.

In recent days, he's criticized CEO Carrie Wheeler. In an interview this week, Jackson said he'd be open to joining the board of Opendoor to push for change in the company.

Jackson's continued bullishness and activist stance have reinvigorated discussions of the stock among traders on social media. According to data from sentiment tracker Ape Wisdom, mentions of the company were up 234% across Reddit's investing forums in the last 24 hours.

What it means: While the July rally proved fleeting, Opendoor stock remains popular among retail traders, and with fresh backing from Jackson, expect the hype to stay elevated.

Part of the excitement stems from Jackson's successful call on Carvana. In 2023, he made a bullish call on the online used car dealer, which at the time was trading below $5 a share. Today, the stock is above $340.

"I'm in this for the long run," he told Business Insider last month, regarding his view of Opendoor. "I'm not here to pump up a stock and jump out of it."

Read the original article on Business Insider
When economic clouds gather, gold has a way of shining through.

If you share Schiffs concern, heres a look at two simple ways to hedge against the storm.

The fiscal outlook is equally troubling. The Congressional Budget Office projects a $1.9 trillion federal deficit for fiscal 2025, which would push the national debt  already hovering around $37 trillion  even higher.

Recent employment data adds to those concerns. The Bureau of Labor Statistics initially reported 147,000 jobs added in June  later revising that to just 14,000. Mays figure was cut from 144,000 to 19,000, slashing a combined 258,000 jobs from the two-month tally.

Hes not alone. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics, recently cautioned that the U.S. economy is on the precipice of recession, citing flat consumer spending, employment and contracting construction and manufacturing are set to fall.

The truth is the U.S. economy is cooling fast, so deficits will keep rising and be much higher during the next official recession, he warned.

He pointed to the latest Treasury data, which showed that in July the federal government collected $338.492 billion in receipts and spent $629.635 billion  leaving a monthly budget deficit of $291.143 billion. Thats up 19.4% from July 2024s $243.741 billion shortfall.

Trump claims the U.S. economy is booming. But a booming economy results in lower, not higher, deficits. Deficits rise when the economy is weak, Schiff wrote in a recent post on X.

Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan works every single time to kill debt, get rich in America  and that anyone can do it

I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement  what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100  and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

President Donald Trump has been unwavering in his assessment of the U.S. economy, recently declaring it booming under his leadership. But some prominent voices arent buying it.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

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Unlike paper currency, the precious metal cant be printed at will  and it isnt tied to the fortunes of any single country or central bank. That makes it a popular refuge when inflation is high, deficits are swelling, or recession fears loom.

Over the past 12 months, gold prices have climbed more than 35%. Schiff sees more gains ahead  and has a sharp warning for those holding out for a dip.

Therere people that are still waiting for a pullback  Oh, I dont want to buy $3,300 gold  Well, if you dont want to buy $3,300 gold, be prepared to buy $3,600 gold, or $4,000 gold  because its more likely to go up than down, he cautioned in a recent YouTube video.

Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund  even if youre not a millionaire. Heres how to get started with as little as $10

Hes not alone in that outlook. Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan both forecast that gold could hit $4,000 an ounce by 2026.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

Real estate  a tangible income play

While gold is known for preserving wealth during turbulence, real estate offers something different  the ability to generate passive income, even when markets are choppy and employment data isnt reassuring.

Few tangible assets work harder for investors. High-quality properties can produce rental income month after month, without requiring the sale of the underlying asset.

Investing legend Warren Buffett has often pointed to real estate as a prime example of a productive, income-generating asset. In 2022, Buffett remarked that if you offered him 1% of all the apartment houses in the country for $25 billion, he would write you a check.

Why? Because no matter whats happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently produce rent money.

Of course, you dont need billions  or even to buy an entire property  to benefit from real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.

Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares youd like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.

Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions  including how much you would like to invest  to start browsing their full list of available properties.

What to read next

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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A proposed earthquake early warning system could have provided several communities an alert of 10 seconds or more ahead of strong shaking from the magnitude 7.3 quake that occurred south of Sand Point near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula in mid-July.

That analysis is provided by Alex Fozkos of the Alaska Earthquake Center's systems team at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.

"Individuals in Sand Point could have expected approximately 10 seconds of warning time before shaking increased to its strongest," Fozkos said. "In King Cove, individuals could have expected a warning of approximately 20 seconds."

Sand Point is 55 miles from the epicenter; King Cove is slightly farther away. The community of Chignik, about 140 miles from the epicenter, would have received about 50 seconds of warning.

Fozkos' Sand Point analysis is based on a hypothetical early warning system. The Alaska Earthquake Center and the U.S. Geological Survey earlier this year described the first phase of implementing the proposed USGS ShakeAlert warning system, which operates in California, Oregon and Washington.

The Sand Point analysis was enabled by earthquake early warning modeling by Fozkos. That modeling system was published on August 5 in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. The Sand Point analysis is not part of the research paper, however, as it occurred after the paper was submitted.

Research professor Michael West, the Alaska Earthquake Center's director and state seismologist, is a co-author.

For the research paper, Fozkos ran numerous warning time scenarios in several categories with varying inputs such as locations, magnitudes and fault configurations.

"This lays the groundwork for showing potential stakeholders how an early warning system could benefit Alaskans and why they should be paying attention," said Fozkos, who conducted the research at the UAF Geophysical Institute while a graduate student.

Fozkos and West define warning time as the time difference between when a person receives an alert and the arrival of peak ground motion.

In the research paper's scenario for the Southcentral and Southeast coasts, Fozkos simulated a magnitude 8.3 earthquake that created shaking intensities of 7 to 8. Shaking at those levels can cause moderate to heavy damage to buildings and would be widely felt.

Magnitude and intensity don't always correspond. The earthquake magnitude scale measures the energy released at the quake's source, while the shaking intensity scale describes the strength of ground shaking at specific locations.

Alerts for Southcentral and Southeast residents in that scenario could be issued 10 to 33 seconds after a quake occurs, with an average of 24 seconds, Fozkos writes in the research paper. Alerts would be issued quickest in the Southcentral region, where sensor density is highest.

"Having more stations in an area means an earthquake can be detected faster and a warning can be issued faster," Fozkos said.

An early warning system uses a network of seismic sensors to detect an earthquake's fast-moving primary, or P, waves as soon as they begin. It then calculates the earthquake's location and magnitude to send alerts before the slower, more-damaging secondary, or S, waves arrive.

Alaska's initial ShakeAlert phase, if funded, would focus on the Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak and Prince William Sound regions, which include about 90% of the state's population.

The federal-state system would consist of 450 real-time Advanced National Seismic System stations. Of those, 20 exist in the state, 270 would be new stations and 160 would be upgraded existing stations.

Fozkos' research provides essential information to show how Alaskans could benefit from an earthquake early warning system. His work assumes a generic warning system, but his modeled outcomes are assumed to be comparable with ShakeAlert.

West said the science and support to establish early warning in Alaska has been in the works for several years and that the research paper's goal is to make it "feel real and accessible."

"Alaska has so many types of earthquakes that it can be difficult to explain to people what is possible," he said. "This study takes complicated algorithms and technologies and shows what might happen in real world situations."

Fozkos said Alaska's tectonic environment is vastly different from that of the West Coast states.

"We have crustal earthquakes, we've got the deep earthquakes in the slab, we've got the interface earthquakes, there's strike slip, there's normal faulting."

"If we're going to advocate for an earthquake early warning system, then we owe Alaskans the numbers that are directly tied to Alaska and not to California, Oregon and Washington," he said.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a breakthrough diagnostic tool that could transform how quickly and reliably we detect illnesses like COVID-19, Ebola, AIDS or Lyme disease. The test uses just a single drop of blood, costs a couple of dollars and delivers results in only 15 minutes.

In a new study, the researchers show the test can detect the virus that causes COVID-19 with pinpoint accuracy, clearly distinguishing it from other infections.

The new diagnostic device, called NasRED (Nanoparticle-Supported Rapid Electronic Detection), is simple and portable enough to be used almost anywhere -- from remote rural clinics to busy urban hospitals. The tool provides lab-quality accuracy without expensive equipment and does not require specialized training, giving it the potential to become a public health game changer.

"We have the speed and ease of use of a rapid antigen test with sensitivity that's even better than lab-based tests," says Chao Wang, lead author of the new study. "This is very difficult to achieve."

Wang is an associate professor with the Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics and ASU's School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering. He is joined by ASU researchers Yeji Choi, Seyedsina Mirjalili, Ashif Ikbal, Sean McClure, Maziyar Kalateh Mohammadi, Scott Clemens, Jose Solano, John Heggland, Tingting Zhang and Jiawei Zuo.

The research appears in the current issue of the journal ACS Nano.

Halting the spread of infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are one of humanity's deadliest threats, causing immense suffering and economic damage worldwide. Collectively, infectious diseases cause over 10 million deaths around the world each year, and they are the leading cause of death in low-income countries.

Nearly 800,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled every year due to diagnostic errors, according to a study published in BMJ Quality & Safety. Many of these cases involve infections or vascular events that might have been treatable if caught early.

In many low- and middle-income countries, access to reliable diagnostic testing is limited or nonexistent. Expensive equipment, shortages of trained personnel and long turnaround times all contribute to delayed or missed diagnoses -- often with deadly consequences.

A fast, affordable and portable test like NasRED would enable frontline health workers globally to detect infections early and respond before outbreaks spiral out of control.

"In many parts of the world, including the U.S., diseases are spreading, but people often don't get tested -- even for something like HIV. Ideally, you'd want to test them regularly, to catch infections early," Wang says. "For example, people who use injection drugs are at higher risk for HIV or HCV, but they may be living in the streets and hard to reach. If we don't test them consistently over time, we may miss the chance to intervene -- until they develop serious complications like cancer or liver disease, when it's much harder to treat."

Striking diagnostic gold

At the core of the new test are tiny gold nanoparticles, engineered to detect extremely small amounts of disease-related proteins. Researchers coat these nanoparticles with special molecules designed to detect specific diseases.

Some nanoparticles carry antibodies, tiny molecules that act like magnets. Antibodies stick to proteins released by viruses or bacteria when they infect the body. Other nanoparticles carry antigens, fragments of proteins taken directly from viruses or bacteria themselves. These naturally attract antibodies produced by the body to fight infections.

Once coated, these nanoparticles are combined with a tiny sample of bodily fluid, such as a drop of blood, saliva or nasal fluid. If a disease is present, most nanoparticles will sink to the bottom of the tube. If there is no disease, they will remain suspended throughout the liquid.

The NasRED device shines a small beam of LED light through the liquid at the top of the tube. The team built a custom electronic detector that senses how much light gets through the tube. More light means the nanoparticles have sunk to the bottom, leaving the top fluid clearer, meaning that the disease is present.

Accurate, accessible and affordable

The device is so sensitive it can detect disease even when only a few hundred molecules are present in a tiny fluid sample -- just a fraction of a single drop. This is a concentration nearly 100,000 times lower than what standard laboratory tests require.

Adding to its promise is NasRED's portability and affordability. The current gold standards for testing, like PCR or ELISA, require expensive equipment and trained technicians. NasRED is compact and user-friendly. The researchers estimate each test costs $2, making it ideal for use in low-resource or remote locations.

NasRED has the potential to fill a critical diagnostic gap, especially for diseases that are difficult to detect early, such as hepatitis C, HIV or Lyme disease. It is also promising for emerging outbreaks with low prevalence but high risk. Such diseases often go undiagnosed because running a lab test for just one or two patients isn't cost effective. NasRED bridges that gap by offering a highly sensitive test that works immediately and economically at the point of care.

While NasRED currently requires small, benchtop machines for spinning and mixing samples, the researchers are working to further miniaturize and automate the process. With continued development, the technology might one day become a convenient home test, similar to existing rapid COVID-19 tests. However, it would have vastly superior sensitivity and broader applications.

Significant leap forward in diagnostics

NasRED dramatically surpasses existing diagnostic standards. The new study shows that NasRED is roughly 3,000 times more sensitive than ELISA, requires 16 times less sample volume, and delivers results approximately 30 times faster.

An earlier version of the technology detected Ebola in a tiny sample of blood. "For the new technology, we pushed the sensitivity down to the attomolar range," Wang says. That's like detecting a single drop of ink in 20 Olympic swimming pools.

The technology holds promise for detecting viral loads directly from bodily fluids without the complicated sample preparation used in PCR-based methods. In preliminary tests with actual coronavirus particles, NasRED achieved sensitivities comparable to Abbott ID NOW, a popular molecular test for many diseases such as COVID-19.

"One of the strengths of our sensor is that it's highly modular," Wang says. "The nanoparticles are designed so that we can easily swap in different proteins, allowing the same platform to be adapted for many different diseases. We've already demonstrated this approach in our research on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, as well as cancer biomarkers, Alzheimer's-related proteins, Lyme disease and African swine fever."

Wang recently received the Bay Area Lyme Foundation Emerging Leader Award and will make use of the high sensitivity and portability of this new technology to detect early Lyme infection.

As the technology evolves, its range of applications may extend beyond infectious diseases. Early detection of cancers, real-time monitoring of chronic illnesses and improved surveillance of public health threats are all within reach.
This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter.

Today, a brief rundown of news involving Precigen and Pfizer, as well as updates from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, Superluminal Medicines and Generation Bio that you may have missed.

The Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to a first-of-its-kind treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition caused by persistent HPV infections. Thursdays clearance of Precigens Papzimeos, an immunotherapy that helps clear HPV-infected cells, was based on study results showing a little more than half of drug recipients didn't need surgery within a year of therapy. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research director Vinay Prasad, who rejoined the FDA this week, described the approval as proof randomized trials are not always needed to approve medical products. That statement should be reassuring to biotech investors concerned about stricter regulatory standards under Prasad, wrote Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Jennifer Kim. Precigen shares rose higher Friday on the news.  Ben Fidler

An experimental Pfizer drug for sickle cell disease failed to meet its goal in a Phase 3 study, the company said Friday. Testing showed that treatment with inclacumab, a drug Pfizer acquired via its 2022 buyout of Global Blood Therapeutics, failed to significantly reduce versus placebo the pain crises people with sickle cell often experience. Pfizer said it would share analyses of the data with the scientific and patient community in due course. Last year, the company pulled from market another sickle cell drug, Oxbryta, that it gained from Global Blood, citing safety concerns. The company plans to provide updates on Oxbryta and a third Global Blood drug, the experimental osivelotor, when they become available.  Ned Pagliarulo

Eli Lilly will collaborate with biotechnology startup Superluminal Medicines to develop new drugs for cardiometabolic diseases and obesity. Through the alliance, the two intend to discover and advance small molecule medicines aimed at undisclosed G protein-coupled receptor, or GPCR, targets relevant to those conditions. Lilly will receive exclusive rights to the compounds emerging from the deal, while Superluminal could get up to $1.3 billion in total payouts, including an unspecified upfront payment as well as an equity investment, the companies said Thursday.  Ben Fidler
But there are other possible solutions that can also be considered:

According to Nikhil Arora, CEO of Epignosis, the solution is simple: Offer growth opportunities through learning, skill development, and open communication to re-engage employees.

To address quiet cracking, the first step is recognizing its causes  feeling stuck, unheard or uncertain about the future.

Its a deeper, harder-to-detect burnout where workers silently struggle under ongoing pressure. Those affected feel less valued and less confident about their future at work. Employees dont always recognize the warning signs until theyre spinning their wheels doing jobs theyre losing interest in yet stick with, fearing it will be too difficult to find a new one, according to Inc.

Or, as TalentLMS puts it, people who feel some kind of workplace funk.

While quiet quitting refers to workers who purposely slack off at a job they no longer want, quiet cracking refers to those who gradually become mired in feeling both unappreciated by managers and closed off from career advancement while doing work they otherwise like, according to an article from Inc.

Unlike quiet quitting, quiet cracking isnt immediately visible but is equally harmful. Disengaged employees cost the global economy $8.8 trillion annually, according to Gallup.

Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan works every single time to kill debt, get rich in America  and that anyone can do it

I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement  what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100  and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

The newest trend, quiet cracking, coined by TalentLMS, describes ongoing burnout and stagnation leading to disengagement and poor performance. Their research shows 20% of employees experience it frequently, and 34% occasionally.

From The Great Resignation to quiet quitting, theres been no shortage of trends over the past few years that reflect growing dissatisfaction and disengagement in the workplace.

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

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1. Uncertainty and overload

Its important to set expectations and balance workloads, since 29% of employees say their workload is unmanageable. Employers can help by auditing task distribution, setting clear expectations, and offering stress management tools. This helps employees regain a sense of purpose and momentum.

2. Lack of recognition and growth

Employees experiencing quiet cracking are 152% more likely to feel undervalued, according to the TalentLMS survey. Regularly recognizing contributions is a simple yet powerful way to boost morale and engagement.

3. Few learning or career advancement opportunities

Employees who received training in the past year feel 140% more secure in their roles, according to HR Digest. To combat stagnation, employers should invest in structured learning paths, mentorship, and clear communication about growth opportunities  even when resources are limited.

TalentLMS recommends that employers double down on learning and development, with structured, ongoing learning paths.

Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund  even if youre not a millionaire. Heres how to get started with as little as $10

What employees and employers can do

Employees noticing quiet cracking should discuss workload and expectations with their managers, suggest morale-boosting ideas and seek development opportunities. If improvements dont happen, they may need to consider leaving.

Employers can combat disengagement by auditing engagement efforts, addressing gaps in support and recognition, and implementing regular feedback and learning programs.

Quiet cracking is a business risk that undermines productivity, creativity and loyalty  making it crucial to act early.

Create a financial cushion

To prepare for any career shift, employees need to build a financial safety cushion, including an emergency fund. Having such savings in place offers flexibility  whether to take time to plan your next career move, explore new opportunities or simply leave a toxic work environment without immediate financial stress.

There are a few ways to get started on sewing together you financial cushion. If your checking account is flush with cash, one option it to develop an emergency fund using a high yield savings account to take advantage of compound interest. It's also often a good idea to start investing as soon as possible so your money can develop in the market.

An easy way to get started is by automatically investing your spare change with Acorns.

How it works is simple: Acorns automatically rounds up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference into a diversified portfolio of ETFs. In other words, each transaction, whether its your daily coffee or a trip to the grocery store, contributes to building your savings.

For example, if you grab a $9.62 slice of pizza late at night, Acorns will round it up to $10 and invest the 38-cent difference  all before your head even hits the pillow. These small amounts add up over time.

Acorns is also offering an extra $20 for those who sign up with a recurring deposit.

Another long-term strategy for developing wealth is to explore investing in real estate through assets such as the $34.9 trillion U.S. home equity market.

For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to this massive real estate market segment  a space thats historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.

With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.

With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach can provide an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

Once youve established your asset base, the next step is managing it to secure more financial flexibility. After all, quiet cracking can happen at all levels of the income spectrum, even in high-paying positions.

Making your wealth work for you can make it easier to exit a high-stress, low-fulfillment environment and prioritize your well-being, or allow you to take the time to find an alternative.

To do so, youll probably need expert guidance across all areas of your wealth  and thats where the trusted team of financial planners at Range can come in.

For high-earning professionals or households making over $200,000, Range offers a smart, streamlined way to manage your full financial life  especially your real estate investments.

Through a strategic partnership with Engineered Tax Services, Range members receive free cost segmentation analysis and discounted cost segmentation studies. Range advisors will then use the study as part of a member's tax planning and strategy.

Cost segmentation shortens depreciation timelines  from the standard 27.539 years down to just 515 yearsallowing you to claim significantly larger tax deductions sooner and keep more money in your pocket. Note that only investment properties qualify for segmentation studies.

Range also delivers proactive advice across your entire financial life  not just real estate or taxes

From stock options and tax strategies to real estate and big-picture planning, Range integrates it all under one roof. With a transparent, flat annual fee  no hidden costs or percentage-of-assets surprises  you get AI-powered insights and comprehensive guidance designed to scale with your wealth.

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Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI) is one of the Best Gold Mining Companies to Buy Now. On August 4, RBC Capital reiterated the Buy rating on Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI) stock, maintaining the price target at $34.

Michael Siperco from RBC Capital retains his rating on AGI following record Q2 FY2025 results. Alamos Gold posted record revenue of $438 million, with an average realized gold price of $3,223 per ounce. The company achieved total gold production of 137,000 ounces during Q2, up by 10% from the previous quarter.

RBC Capital Reiterates Buy Rating on Alamos Gold Stock, Maintains PT at $34

Drills extracting gold from a gold mine, revealing the company's gold mining operation.

Siperco remains optimistic on Alamos prospects as the company achieved an all-in sustaining cost reduction by 18% compared to Q1, with further cost relaxation expected. Moreover, the Island Gold District is expected to become one of the largest, low-cost, and most profitable gold mines in Canada. The company remains well on track to achieve its future production goals and minimize its costs.

Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI) is a gold miner and producer with operations in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. The company primarily explores for gold deposits.

While we acknowledge the potential of AGI 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.
George Bakratsas is back at the Island Coffee Shop after hunkering down in one of its booths almost daily for three months while he awaited completion of City Building inspections. He's thrilled to see his regulars again, neighbors and fans he considers family. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Island Coffee Shop has reawakened after a three-month closure. On Saturday morning, while the restaurants staff spread butter on toast, flipped hash browns and shuttled omelet platters to customers, George Bakratsas explained why he had to close.

The Buildings Department said I had to fix the hood and add a metal door near the furnace, said Bakratsas with a shrug. While the Castleton Corners proprietor awaited approvals for 407 Manor Road, he said, I had to stop answering the phone. Too many questions. I had to keep turning people away.

Bakratsas and his crew are back to pouring bottomless cups of coffee and buttering toast. The diner is open daily starting at 6 a.m. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

A quiet wait in the booth

He spent most days waiting in the diner, hunkered down in a small booth by the entrance. While Bakratsas painstakingly waited for inspections and endured the financial strain, all he could do was sit right there,' he said, nodding toward a small booth by the entrance.

This summers closure followed another setback just six months earlier, when a fire on June 11, 2024, forced a five-month shutdown.

Subsequently, the diners interior has undergone a complete transformation, now featuring white-on-navy blue wallpaper and gray-themed booths with striped cushioning. While the familiar screen door is gone, the restaurant maintains touches of its previous charm with Tiffany-style lamps still hanging over window-side tables and counter seats offering views of the bustling kitchen.

A poignant addition to the renovated space is a shrine to Bakratsas late son, Alexandros. The image and a singed angel, among the few items left unscathed from heat and water damage, were rescued by a firefighter before the building was consumed.

But the closure is behind Bakratsas. Hes thrilled to be back in business and called his customers a big family. The Greek specialties, omelets, Burger Corner and popular daily dinner specials have returned with gusto.

Long-time patron Andy Barron said: The coffee shop is so comfortable. The food is good. But its normal people working there, normal people coming here.

The dedicated Island Coffee Shop patron paid his bill and said to Bakratsas: Life is back to normal for me. Its good to be back.

After a fire last summer, the Island Coffee Shop underwent some renovations including a new entrance. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Bakratsas came to the United States in 1968. He literally jumped ship in Brooklyn in the journey from Greece.

Coming to America was a dream since he was a boy, he said.

At 17, Bakratsas started in the diner business as a dishwasher. Like many Greek immigrants of his era, he dreamed of one day running his own establishment. Eventually he purchased a diner in Elizabeth, N.J. and then moved to Staten Island. The borough, in the early 1970s, reminded him of home, a village near Karditsa, he said.

His first place in New York City was on St. Marks Place in St. George. Then he owned The Lane Diner in New Dorp. He eventually established Island Coffee Shop, then located on Victory Blvd. and now at 407 Manor Rd. where hes lived for 14 years.

Just inside the Island Coffee Shop, guests are greeted with the scent of griddled potatoes and pancakes. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Back for the neighborhood

The diner life is not an easy one, said Bakratsas. Its not one he would wish on another generation. He shared: If you want success, you have to work 24 hours a day. And you have to be tough.

His greatest rewards as a diner owner have included a loyal staff, some of whom have worked with him for 45 years.

Hours of Island Coffee Shop are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily except Sunday, when the restaurant closes at 4 p.m. The restaurant is cash only and deliveries are hyperlocal to Castleton Corners. The business can be reached at 718-720-5606.

This shrine to Bakratsas' late son, Alex, remains as a monument in the restaurant, decorated with an angel which survived a fire last summer. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

As Bakratsas mirrored a smile of a giggling baby, he handed her a lollipop. He then looked mischievously at the mom and gave the baby another.

Bakratsas said: Everyone is my family here. I love them. And they love me.
Scratch-off tickets are shown at Honeybee Convenience store on Forest Avenue in Port Richmond.

New Yorkers have nearly two dozen chances to turn a few bucks into tens of thousands of dollars with a simple scratch.

The New York Lottery has various $3 scratch-off games with top-prizes of $60,000.

As of Friday, there were 20 tickets across seven different $3 scratch-off games with guaranteed top prizes of $60,000.

Here are the $3 scratch-off games with top-prize tickets still in circulation as of Friday, Aug. 15, according to New York Lottery data:

Cashword Extra!

Top prizes remaining: 3

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 3,827,400

Bonus 15X Cashword

Top prizes remaining: 1

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 3,396,925

Line Em Up

Top prizes remaining: 1

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,072,160

Loteria

Top prizes remaining: 1

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,676,933.33

Lucky Lines

Top prizes remaining: 11

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 484,066.67

Multiply Your Numbers

Top prizes remaining: 1

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,594,450

Unlock it!

Top prizes remaining: 2

Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,866,550

More information

For more information about the New York Lotterys scratch-off games, visit the New York Lottery website.

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.

New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help by calling the states toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). You can also contact your regional Problem Gambling Resource Center directly for a referral to treatment services (state-certified or private) in your area, or contact a Recovery Center for a referral to treatment services (state-certified or private) in your area.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is spearheading a statewide campaign to boost student completion of crucial financial aid applications.

This push comes after New York students left over $200 million in federal aid unclaimed last academic year.

The campaign, which is being supported by many members of New York leadership, emphasizes the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, and New York State Tuition Assistance Program or TAP. These forms are essential for accessing federal and state financial support for college.

Higher education can act as a launching pad to new pathways and possibilities, yet the financial barriers of attending often feel like another obstacle to overcome, said New York State Education Department Commissioner Betty A. Rosa. Fortunately, financial aid is within reach for so many of New Yorks students who complete the FAFSA and TAP applications.

New York has seen significant progress in FAFSA completion rates, now ranking sixth nationally with 62% of high school seniors completing the form. Although this marks an increase from last year, when the state ranked 11th with a 58.1% completion rate, there is still room for improvement, the governors announcement said.

Sen. Charles Schumer emphasized the importance of higher education and the challenges of the application process.Higher education is the foundation for achieving professional success and intellectual advancement,' he said. Completing the FAFSA and TAP applications is key to making that education more affordable and accessible, but many students and parents need help navigating these forms."

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation provides virtual and in-person FAFSA/TAP completion events as well as one-on-one assistance to help support the application process.

Several financial aid programs are still accepting applications for the fall semester. The Excelsior Scholarship and Enhanced Tuition Award applications are both available until Aug. 31, 2025.

The programs have also been opened up to less traditional students, with an expansion of the Part-Time TAP program. This makes it available to students enrolled in as few as three credits per term at SUNY, CUNY, proprietary, and independent degree-granting colleges.

For adult learners aged 25 to 55, the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program offers free community college education. The program has already received more than 16,500 applicants and covers tuition, fees, books and supplies for select associates degrees.

A complete list of New York state grants and scholarship programs can be found at www.hesc.ny.gov .
Leukemia survivor Charlee Citera, 9, is pictured at the Staten Island Zoo, West Brighton. To celebrate her remission, the Brian Halpin Pediatric Cancer Center at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, arranged a VIP tour for Charlee and her family on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Jan Somma-Hammel) Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Charlee Citera has known she wants to be a veterinarian since she was 4, so up-close-and-personal visits with a sloth, a snake and a box turtle at the Staten Island Zoo were the perfect way for the 9-year-old Annadale resident to put leukemia behind her.

The soon-to-be fourth-grader at PS 36, Annadale, underwent five rounds of chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia at the Brian Halpin Pediatric Cancer Center at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. She has been joyfully in remission since May 18.

And though she admitted that an Orca whale is her favorite animal, Charlee enthusiastically enjoyed her visits with a host of other favorites at the West Brighton zoo during a VIP tour Thursday for herself, her parents, Jaime and Thomas, and her sister, Kayla.

The cancer center arranged this Day of Surprises to celebrate Charlees good health after 210 days of intense treatments.

Cheerful and inquisitive, Charlee was clearly mesmerized by Dunkin the sloth, and pet him as he peeked his head out for a sweet potato presented by Jessica Hartmann, the zoos director of education. A nearby tortoise was also a favorite.

21 1 / 21 Young cancer patient gets VIP Zoo tour

And she didnt hesitate to toss meal worms to Harriet the American Crow, as Hartmann answered questions and offered details about each animals habitat and behaviors.

A bit later, Charlee pet an eastern box turtle named Miles, a snake, and a bearded dragon from Australia named Ru as if they were household pets.

Its that kind of fearlessness, enthusiasm and optimism that won the heart of doctors and other staffers at SIUH, said Dr. Elany Romanos-Sirakis, the director of pediatric hematology-oncology at the cancer center, who attended the celebratory event.

Shes incredible,' the doctor said, joking that Charlee ran the pediatric unit pulling her IV pole along with her from place to place like it was nothing when she was receiving IV chemotherapy in five intensive cycles with short breaks in between.

Now, shes moved on from it the doctor said. She never was a kid with cancer, she always was just a kid,'

Since being clapped out of SIUH, Charlee has been living her best summer life,' said her mother, Jaime Citera. Shes obsessed with animals.

During the event, she also enjoyed a chat with Dr. Julian Rivera, the zoo veterinarian, who answered questions and shared a photo of his personal favorite animal, the resident fossa named Zoe.

I like the zoo, just not the smell,' she said to peals of laughter as she bounded between exhibits.

It was in September 2024 that Charlee went to her doctor for a well visit and, despite not experiencing any symptoms, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

The support for Charlee and the family at SIUH was overwhelming, said her father, Thomas Citera, just after the SIUH staff met the family at the zoo entrance Thursday.

Charlee and her family join the Staten Island Zoo staff during her special tour on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Jan Somma-Hammel) Staten Island Advance

It was above and beyond,' he said of the care and compassion Charlee received. It was great to know she got the best care and didnt have to leave the borough. We didnt have to leave our support system."

Thursdays event, though, was about celebration, not cancer.

Charlee, a gymnast and softball player, was named the Patient Representative for the 2025 Northwell Walk to Raise Health on Staten Island in May. The event raises funds for the Florina Cancer Center and its pediatric program.

Charlees story also reached the airwaves when she visited Z100s iHeart studios to meet morning show host Elvis Duran, the stations top fundraiser for the fundraising walk. During the interview, Elvis surprised her with tickets to see her favorite artist, Katy Perry, in the Northwell Suite at the Prudential Center Thursday night  a gift he had personally won.

The special zoo event isnt unusual, said Jillian OHara, a hospital spokesman, noting that staff members like to hold the special celebrations for each child who enters remission after a difficult battle.

Past events have included a spa day, superhero-themed days, or a day petting NYPD horses, she explained.

Thursdays event was chosen because of Charlees love of animals. A great relationship with the zoo made it possible, she said.

Many of the animals Charlee met at the zoo had been rescued, said Ed Burke, the zoos chief of staff. Its a good lesson for young people, he said, noting that, just like dogs and cats, people adopt other types of animals that theyre not prepared to keep. In some instances, he said, injured animals are rescued from the wild because they would not be able to survive otherwise.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday aimed at members of Congress over what he characterized as well-timed and unusually profitable stock trades, while singling out former House Speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in his criticism.

Suspiciously-Timed Stock Trades

In a post on X, DeSantis called out the suspiciously-timed stock trades that seem to generate windfall profits, which he says has become a feature of the modern Congress.

He also highlights the fact that the portfolio of certain lawmakers outperforms even the most sophisticated fund managers. Pelosi and company do better than the best investment funds in the world, he says, before adding a note of sarcasm, saying, Gee, I wonder why that is?

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.

DeSantis posted this while quoting his wife, Casey DeSantiss post on the same topic. In her post, Casey says, Serving in Congress should mean serving the people, not your stock portfolio.





See Also: In a $34 Trillion Debt Era, The Right AI Could Be Your Financial Advantage  Get Your Demo

Traders In Congress Outperform Leading Fund Managers Amid Calls For A Ban

Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, witnessed a significant rise in their combined net worth in 2024, at $413 million, up from $370 million the prior year. A significant portion of this comes from their investment portfolio, which returned 54% in 2024 and 65% in 2023.

Other active traders in Congress have outperformed Pelosi by wide margins, with annualized returns ranging from 70% to 149%, amid growing calls for a ban.

However, Pelosi herself has backed a proposal to ban Congressional stock trading, coming out in support of a bill named The HONEST Act, which up until recently was called the PELOSI Act.

If legislation is advanced to help restore trust in government and ensure that those in power are held to the highest ethical standards, then I am proud to support it, she said, adding that she will back the proposal, no matter what they decide to name.
Emergency officials respond to William Street in Great Kills on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Police identified Jesse Campbell, a Great Kills resident with a violent criminal history with police on Staten Island, as the 44-year-old who was shot and killed by off-duty officers. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Police identified Jesse Campbell, a Great Kills resident with a violent criminal history with police on Staten Island, as the 44-year-old who was shot and killed by off-duty officers Friday night just a block from his home.

Campbell had displayed a realistic looking imitation firearm at police and refused orders to drop it, police said, before being shot several times by an off-duty officer at about 8:20 p.m. Friday night.
Seaside Heights will enforce beach after-hour beach closures after a person drowned and six people were rescued from rip currents Monday, the mayor said. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

Seaside Heights plans to strictly enforce after-hours beach closures after a man drowned and several others needed to be rescued from a rip current Monday night, mayor Anthony Vaz said.

This is about trying to protect people, Vaz told NJ Advance Media. Were concerned about the weather causing the tides to be very high and very dangerous.

One person died and six people needed to be rescued after being caught in a rip current while swimming in the ocean after lifeguards left for the day.

Beaches in Seaside Heights typically open at 9 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. when lifeguards leave for the day, Vaz said.

Patrolmen from the Seaside Heights Police Department will now help close beaches when lifeguards leave and issue summonses to people who remain on the beach.

They will make arrests if they have to, Vaz said about enforcing the after-hours beach closures.

The borough is also going to pay close attention to currents and storm conditions that could whip up rip currents and make closing decisions based on the data, Vaz said.

On bad days, we might close the beach at 5 or 6, Vaz said. If its not a bad day, well close it at 7.

Patrolmen typically patrol the boardwalk during the evening hours after beaches close and will enforce the beach closures as they patrol the boardwalk, according to Vaz.

The borough also plans to install bilingual signs about the dangers of swimming in the ocean while lifeguards are off duty so that those who speak Spanish can be properly informed, Vaz said.

Monday was a red flag day and all beachgoers were allowed only up to their knees in the ocean, officials said.

The multiple rescues were the latest from a busy weekend at the Ocean County beach town where rescue crews made 12 saves on unguarded beaches, according to officials.
A beloved TV wife is being iced out of a reunion with her on-screen husband by the Obamas.

The Daily Mail reported that Cheryl Hines is being blocked from appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld icon Larry Davids new HBO comedy show because she is married Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

RFK Jr. is secretary of the Health and Human Services Department under President Donald Trump.

Former President Barack Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, are producers of Davids new show, which will be a celebration of Americas 250th anniversary next year.

The Obamas are adamant that anyone politically connected to Trump  who they despise  should not have a role in any of their lucrative media projects, a source told the Daily Mail.

The as-yet-untitled show will consist of six half-hour episodes and is expected to feature many of the stars from Davids hit sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Hines, who played curmudgeonly Davids wife on the popular show for the entirety of its 12-year run, was seen as a natural choice shoo-in for the new project.

But the Obamas are vehemently opposed to Hines, 59, having any part in the project because of her political alliances.

The source said that Hines is now facing the cancel culture wrath of her beloved Hollywood at the highest level of progressive political power.

Worse for Hines in the eyes of the Obamas and David is that the the actress dropped her affiliation with the Democrat Party, calls herself an independent and has an amicable friendship with Trump, according to the source.

RFK Jr. briefly ran against then-Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 White House race.

In a touch of irony, then-President-elect Barack Obama in 2008 considered RFK Jr. for a post in his administration but backed off out of concern that Kennedy wouldnt be confirmed by the GOP-led U.S. Senate.

Its now gone full circle, the source said.
President Donald Trump said that U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has to take a drug test after what the president described as her hopped up appearance when endorsing NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

Shes a nutjob, Trump said, per Fox News. I watched her the other night. Shes all hopped up endorsing a communist in New York City. Shes got to take a drug test. She really, though, shes got to take a drug test. Theres no way somebody can act that way and be normal.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist Democratic assemblyman from Queens, is the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor.

Its not the first time that Trump has battled with Warren.

Its so vicious what they do, Trump told reporters. Elizabeth Warren said she was an Indian. We call her Pocahontas. Shes a liar. She lied her whole career. Based on the fact that she was an Indian, she was able to get into certain colleges, get certain jobs, get into certain universities to work there. And shes a liar and a mean person.

Warren endorsed Mamdani on Monday.

Come talk about affordability for families, Warren said at an affordable childcare event, when asked to respond to Mamdanis critics. This is who Democrats fight for, and Zohran is on the front lines in that fight out there fighting for families.

Asked if Mamdani is what the Democratic Party should look like, the senator responded with her signature you bet, according to Politico
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Owners of vacant commercial property would be subject to a lazy place tax to encourage them to lease their idle buildings out to musicians, actors and artists under options up for discussion at the states cultural arts tax summit.

City of Sydney councillor Jess Miller is urging a carrot and stick approach to state and federal taxes to unlock furloughed or lazy commercial spaces that could be put to creative use.

Jess Miller outside the Green Park Hotel in Darlinghurst. Credit: Edwina Pickles

Top of her list is the shuttered former home of Goulds Books on King Street, Newtown, the Green Park Hotel in Darlinghurst, the old Glebe Post Office, the Hopetoun Hotel in Surry Hills, and the Newtown Tram Depot.

We must explore a financial mechanism whereby if you lease your space to a creative at a discounted rate, then youd receive land tax credits and/or concessions, and conversely if a property is doing nothing, there would be a penalty  something like a lazy space tax, Miller said.
Primarily, our concern is about censorship and its immeasurable cost, they said. We cant speak for the authors and their reasons, but nothing good ever results from silencing intelligent and engaged people who are speaking up against injustice. Complex conversations, such as those which occur at writers festivals, are crucial to addressing complex issues, locally and globally. Since the release of the code, at least 34 writers have withdrawn from the festival. Twenty-one sessions have been cancelled, with ticket holders to be issued automatic refunds. High-profile departures include La Trobe history professor Clare Wright, who co-curated the La Trobe series within the festival, Overland editor and Stella Prize winner Evelyn Araluen, academic and author Randa Abdel-Fattah, and journalists and writers such as Jess Hill, Claire G. Coleman and Paul Daley. Wright said she had curated nine sessions for the La Trobe stream of the festivals program and was to have hosted the opening night gala and closing session, and appear on a panel discussing her own book, Naku Dharuk: The Yirrkala Bark Petitions, recently shortlisted for the Prime Ministers Literary Awards.

La Trobe University Professor and Bendigo Writers Festival co-curator Clare Wright. Credit: Paul Jeffers Explaining her decision to withdraw, Wright said the fallout from the festival was a result of what happened when managerialism trumps morality. I think this is what happens when arts and educational institutions are not prepared to stand on principle against the significant pressure from Zionist organisations and other conservative lobbyists and outlets, she said. Wright, who is also a professor of history and professor of public engagement at La Trobe University, said there must be space for difficult conversations to be held at writers festivals and in places of higher education. The idea that you can risk-manage your way out of uncomfortable conversations when there is a genocide unfolding in real time, when violence against women is at epidemic proportions, when neo-Nazis are marching down our city streets, when were in the grips of a climate catastrophe, when sovereignty was never ceded in settler colonies, these are all the difficult topics we can and must discuss, respectfully and lawfully, at writers festivals and in places of higher education.

Loading Graphic novelist and artist educator Ita Mehrotra proceeded with her Saturday session, which was not part of the La Trobe-sponsored stream. However, she has since withdrawn from a Sunday panel she was to have shared with three other authors. All four pulled out, prompting the festival to cancel the event. Mehrotra said she was deeply conflicted about participating but used her Saturday appearance to speak openly with attendees about the unfolding boycott. This kind of mass pullout isnt something Ive seen [before], she said. We need spaces that allow for dialogue, that allow for uncomfortable conversations  to not allow for that is heartbreaking.

It sets the tone for how people are thinking and the culture of the space. Youre going to crush dialogue. Its a bleak future if this is how things are. Graphic novelist and artist educator Ita Mehrotra. Mehrotra added that authors and attendees shared a profound sense of disappointment about how events had unfolded. Its not on the authors, its on a university having crushed this event, she said. In the wake of Bookishs withdrawal, the store was flooded with customers on Saturday, many offering messages of support.

Since publicising our decision, we have been overwhelmed with a wave of love and support from all over the country, with messages coming from authors, customers, human rights organisations, bookshops, industry organisations, and people weve never met, the owners said. Obviously, it is a time of mixed emotions for Bookish as well as for the affected authors, but the overarching feeling in our shop today has been one of joy and solidarity. We are confident we made the right choice. The owners said the festival was the bookshops biggest weekend of the year and involved months of planning and extra work from their staff. Its a logistical nightmare, a huge amount of extra work, and a massive financial blow to a regional small business, they said. To be frank, wed rather cop the financial loss and fight the good fight.

La Trobe University defended its stance, stating that it was committed to fostering a culture that valued all forms of diversity. La Trobe University does not tolerate racism of any kind, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. La Trobes commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech is consistent with our approach to creating safe environments for the free exchange of ideas, a spokesperson said. Our Anti-Racism Action Plan, which includes a working definition of Islamophobia, was developed through extensive staff, student and community consultation, including of people with lived experience of racism. On Saturday, Bendigo City Council confirmed that 26 sessions had gone ahead since the festival opened on Thursday, including several sold-out events.
He has created some of the most distinctive, mind-bending and just plain weird movies of the last 40 years, but for writer and director Tim Burton  he of Beetlejuice, Batman and Edward Scissorhands fame  it was a late-career turn to television that left him feeling out of his depth.

Ive never really done it before, says the 66-year-old. Thats true. But for me, it didnt seem any different than making a movie. I mean, we worked a little quicker, it was a little bit more juggling a lot more things  in terms of [a] different kind of structure, which I wasnt really used to at all.

(From left) Emma Myers, Jenna Ortega, and Gwendoline Christie with Tim Burton, Miles Millar and Alfred Gough at a super fandom launch on Cockatoo Island. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Burton was on a flying visit to Sydney with the cast and creators of Wednesday, The Addams Family spin-off that in 2022 became Netflixs most-watched English-language show of all time, with 252 million views. The series follows the familys teenage daughter as she tries to solve a murder mystery at her school, Nevermore Academy. In typical Burton style, and in keeping with Addams Family lore, its creepy and kooky with a deeply black sense of humour.

I wasnt really an Addams Family fan, per se, but the character Wednesday I really identified with, he says. When I read it, I felt exactly her worldview, I felt same way about school, family, psychiatry, society. So for me, it was a character that, even though Im a middle-aged man, I felt very much like Wednesday. 
Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO) is one of the Best Gold Mining Companies to Buy Now. On August 11, Scotiabank raised the price target on Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO) from $24 to $25.50, keeping its Sector Perform rating on the stock.

Tanya Jakusconek from Scotiabank increased the price target of EGO following record Q2 FY2025 revenue. The company posted revenue of $452 million, up by 52% year-over-year and exceeding estimates by $38.20 million. Eldorado achieved a total production of 133,769 ounces of gold, with the Lamaque complex surpassing expectations.

Scotiabank Raises PT on Eldorado Gold Corporation from $24 to $25.50, Keeps Sector Perform Rating

A closeup image of a miner holding a pile of gold nuggets, a representation of the company's royalty.

Jakusconek is optimistic about Eldorado Gold Corporation, given the positive development at Skouries. The Skouries project has reached 70% for phase two of construction, and the first copper-gold concentrate production is expected in Q1 2026. Whereas, the company remains on track to achieve its 2025 guidance of producing between 460,000 and 500,000 ounces of gold.

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Review Eating outFairfield Liquid velvet: This condiment is one of the best things our critic has tasted this year Al Amara grinds its own fresh tahini from pure sesame on site every day  but theres much more to this bakery. Lee Tran Lam August 17, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 17 It would be easy to walk past Al Amara and not realise how special it is. Wolter Peeters 2 / 17 Sweet treats on offer include Turkish delight in rose and rose pistachio, and golden nougat. Wolter Peeters 3 / 17 Al Amara is Sydneys only store to specialise in freshly milled tahini. Wolter Peeters 4 / 17 Assorted sesame biscuits. Wolter Peeters 5 / 17 Tempting nougats and Turkish delight. Wolter Peeters 6 / 17 Sesame seeds being milled. Wolter Peeters 7 / 17 Assorted baklava. Wolter Peeters 8 / 17 Al-Qush cheese. Wolter Peeters 9 / 17 Tahini pours from the mill into glass jars. Wolter Peeters 10 / 17 The sesame creation is a popular Iraqi staple. Wolter Peeters 11 / 17 Al Amara halva. Wolter Peeters 12 / 17 Cant decide what to buy? Try a sampler box. Wolter Peeters 13 / 17 A selection of halva flavours (clockwise from left, chocolate, plain and pistachio). Wolter Peeters 14 / 17 Rose Turkish delight, rose and pistachio Turkish delight, and golden nougat. Wolter Peeters 15 / 17 Al Amaras signature tahini is like liquid velvet. Wolter Peeters 16 / 17 Tahini is ground freshly every day on site. Wolter Peeters 17 / 17 Tahini is also available to buy in store. Wolter Peeters Previous Slide Next Slide Middle Eastern$$$$ The tahini at Al Amara is, easily, one of the best things Ive tasted this year. If you doubt a condiment generated from pure sesame could be that good  let alone contain so much flavour and dimension  then head directly to this bakery in Fairfield and buy a jar. The tahini here could be measured in ripples: it drips rapidly and is always in escape mode. Those supermarket disappointments resembling ambitious cement mix or sad nut-butter substitute dont even compare. Al Amaras version is fortifying, spectacularly nutty and lines your mouth like liquid velvet. Its dual-powered: sweet in one moment, savoury the next. And it has more complexity and character than entire bookshelves. Al Amaras tahini is so damn good because its freshly ground every day  a fact youll smell as you enter the store. That gently toasted fragrance is sensory proof the bakery roasts sesame on site; it then swirls the seeds through its own mill.

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Tahini is on tap at Al Amara. Wolter Peeters You can watch the machinery spin and crush this one ingredient until it becomes an earthy gush you buy on tap. Ive seen customers press jars and bottles of all sizes against the nozzle, just as tahini flows down with the speed of thickened chocolate milk. It would be easy to walk past this shop and not realise how special it is. Thankfully, Karima Hazim (who runs Lebanese cooking school Sunday Kitchen) championed it on Instagram. Otherwise, I never wouldve known about Sydneys only store to specialise in freshly milled tahini. The tahini has more complexity and character than entire bookshelves. The ingredient is famously used across the Middle East in hummus, baba ghanoush and other sesame-dependent recipes, but it wasnt until visiting Al Amara that I learnt how Iraqis love to drizzle date syrup over this nutty paste.

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These two together  like wife and husband, says co-owner Zuhair Khosho, who opened the bakery in 2018. Hes originally from Al-Qush (Alqosh) in northern Iraqs Mosul region: his village is so ancient it appears in the Bible. Tahini is one of the first things he ever ate and its always been fundamental: it sustains you during religious fasting periods and you team it with date syrup and bread for a classic Iraqi breakfast. Khosho arrived in Australia in 2003, having fled the Iraq War with his family. Hes a civil engineer by trade, but opened Al Amara because it was vital to offer this staple fresh, organic and on tap. Tahini is popular for our people, our community, he says. Ive seen Al Amara filled with Iraqi locals, waiting to top up their tahini from the two working mills in store. Assorted baklava. Wolter Peeters

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Sesame is also sprinkled throughout the bakerys many Middle Eastern pastries: seed-studded kaak and baksam biscuits, halva flavoured with pistachio or chocolate and different types of kleicha, an Iraqi specialty Khosho savoured at Christmas and on other special occasions (walnut kleicha, which sings with cardamom, is my favourite version). There are also coconut snacks (shakalama, lozena), various kinds of nougat (including a glitzy golden variety), and a colourful array of Turkish delight. Beyond the counter, theres also sesame by the scoop, in-house sesame oil, and date syrup for your Iraqi breakfast needs. From left: Golden halva, rose and pistachio Turkish delight and rose Turkish delight. Wolter Peeters Sadly, mann al sama  an Iraqi sweet translating as manna from heaven  is sold out when I search for it, but the fridge offers another staple: Al-Qush cheese. This cheese is from our village, Khosho explains. Shaped like a hard disc, it tastes like especially nutty mozzarella. The shop owner enjoyed eating it with apricot jam and other fruity preserves in Iraq. You can also press it in a sandwich with watermelon  something Im keen to try when summer arrives.

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Al Amara offers the best tahini Ive ever tried in my life, but theres much more to this bakery. If youre overwhelmed by the different sweets on display, staff will probably offer you a sampler box without even asking. But nothing beats that matchmaking pair of tahini and date syrup  for breakfast and beyond. Three other Middle Eastern bakeries to try Persian Bakery Its lavash bread  which resembles crunchy bubble wrap  lines the brilliant tahdig sandwiches at Tida Persian Food in North Willoughby. Find fresh stacks here, alongside long loaves of barbari or shelves of sambuseh pastries and pantry staples like sour cherry jam. 215 Merrylands Road, Merrylands, persianbakeryco.com.au Smeed This bakery sells traditional versions of Lebanese biscuits, as well as contemporary remixes (think Dubai chocolate topped with shreds of kataifi, or fruity raspberry with macadamia and white chocolate). Go big with the Habibi, I Need A Dozen box or dine in with fortifying serves of Lebanese coffee. 422 Burwood Road, Belmore, instagram.com/smeed.almaamoul Gaziantep Sweets Scan the many shelves here and youll find a classic selection of baklava, as well as creations with an Instagram-friendly bent (think cherry ripe baklava or Biscoff-enhanced serves). Also on offer: Turkish baked goods such as sesame-crusted simit, kurabiye biscuits and cheese and parsley borek. Shop 1/3-5 Station Road, Auburn, gaziantepsweets.com.au Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. Related Article We want to smash stereotypes: The cooks and chefs transforming Lebanese food in Sydney

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The smouldering sparks take, and the burning begins, hungrily swallowing the crisp autumn air and transforming it into flames. Our group of six has collectively coaxed tendrils of smoke to take hold of a damp burn pile at Wollemi Ridge Retreats, a holistic bush escape in Bilpin, about 90 kilometres north-west of Sydney.

Time lost its clutch on us when we crossed over the 270-hectare propertys threshold and our phone signals dropped out. Embers erupt into ephemeral constellations, while marshmallows are toasted for smores. Its a full moon and the fog comes in waves. By all accounts, we shouldnt be able to see the stars. But, then, by all accounts, wet wood shouldnt keep us warm. We look at each other  delighted, awestruck, fingers sticky with molten chocolate and minds blissfully unshackled  and grin.

Wollemi Ridge Retreats, a bush escape in Bilpin, about 90 kilometres north-west of Sydney. Credit: Jack Mounsey

Our response to this combustion is a markedly different reaction to the Black Summer bushfires that raged here in 2019. When the sun comes up, I see black scars on the trees and green shoots at their roots.

This land has been transformed by Sally Dulson, a descendant of one of the regions five original settler families, and her resourceful husband, Chris Barnes, whom she met while living in the UK. They moved to Australia in 2022 and, at the invitation of the lands owner, launched the retreat early this year after months of renovations.
It was Liliana Sandoval Jimenezs dream to study in Australia. For six years the single mother from Colombia worked two jobs and sold her business to scrape together the funds to provide herself and Joseph, her five-year-old son, with better opportunities.

One of my dreams was to leave [Colombia], she said. For a better life for me and my son.

However, Jimenez never made it to Australia and instead claims to have lost thousands of dollars to an Australian education agency.

Liliana Sandoval Jimenez says she has to start again from zero after spending six years saving the money she claims to have lost from an education agent operating in Australia. Credit: Juan Sebastian Olaya Paez

She said she paid about $6300 to Hi Student Agency between 2023 and early 2024 for a confirmation of enrolment  a crucial document for international students applying for a student visa  and a place in a course provided by a private education provider.
Family members have spoken of their heartbreak following a long-running investigation into the death of an experienced rock climber at one of Sydneys largest indoor climbing facilities.

Andreas Stephano Progulakis Araya was scaling a 12.5-metre wall at Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym in 2021 when the lanyard strap supporting his weight snapped. He fell to the floor and died from his injuries.

A SafeWork NSW probe into the death culminated last week and the operator of the St Peters gym was fined $375,000 for health and safety breaches by the NSW District Court.

Andreas Stephano Progulakis Araya died from his injuries after a fall at Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym.

SafeWork took the case to court after an inspection of an autobelay climbing device that Araya was using observed it to not have fully closed as designed, and showed the device had been displaying wear.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size

I am a white male who reads. Most of my friends, male and female, are also avid readers. I find Jacqueline Maleys piece perplexing (Why will no one publish the novels of straight white men? August 10). Browsing my local bookstores, I find plenty of terrific modern (straight) white male writers  Chris Hammer and Mick Herron are two very different writers who spring to mind. There are many others too. Writing has never been an exercise in homogeneity. Certainly, the female voice has been stymied, but like so many things in our rapidly evolving society, writing seeks to accommodate new interests, tastes and views on the world. Reading has never been a universal pursuit, but with higher levels of literacy came higher levels of reading. The technological diversions of our world have more to do with declining levels of reading among males, but I think this affects young women too. Perhaps we are experiencing an ebb in the flow of those writing and reading novels; Im not convinced. The stage is certainly bigger, the cast more diverse. Rather than make generalisations about straight white male writers, Maley could look from the other end of the microscope and see the expanding world of good writing, including from straight white males. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield

Writing seeks to accommodate new interests, tastes and views on the world. Credit: Erin Jonasson

I have long thought that literary prizes should be entered anonymously, ie, the author is not identified by name, gender or sexual orientation. Until this happens there will always be bias, depending on the make-up of the judging panel and the current climate of political correctness. You only have to look at the Demidenko farce. Anonymity would find out whether novels by straight white men are, in fact, any good. Jane Howland, Cammeray

Heaven forbid that women and men of colour should get five minutes attention as novelists, white men having had the stage for a couple of centuries. As the saying goes, when you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression. This might be a good time to remember that the first-ever novel is attributed to Murasaki Shikibu, a Japanese woman writing in the 11th century. Perhaps straight white men could try the strategy long employed by women writers and adopt a pen name. Mary Ann Evans, perhaps? Chris McGregor, Cabarita

Jacqueline Maley might be interested but not surprised to learn that when my husband, Graham, was researching Charmian Clift for his PhD many years ago in our national library, all her files were stored under the name of her husband, George Johnston. I wonder, given the present interest in Charmian, if he is now relegated to second place in her files? Nola Tucker, Kiama

Soft drug lunacy

Catching serious criminals is hard (Low-level drug users still being charged, August 10), busting careless potheads or occasional party drug users is easy (it should be called Operation Fish in a Barrel). However, it makes the police feel useful if not actually effective, and it fulfills weekly quotas real or imagined. This is especially silly for a substance that is now medically sanctioned for tens of thousands of Australians. Julian Wood, Marrickville
Two people have died after falling from the Western Distributor overpass onto Harbour Street below in Sydneys CBD.

The pair, a man and a woman who police believe to be in their 40s, died before the arrival of emergency services at about 9.45am on Saturday, police said.

Police have investigated the double fatality and established there were no suspicious circumstances, they said in a statement issued after 2pm. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Police attend the scene near Darling Harbour. Credit: Oscar Colman

Roads were reopened around 1pm on Saturday, after southbound lanes of traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge were closed and traffic was being diverted to the Anzac Bridge.
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 Alison Beattys adult son was in the midst of a 48-hour schizophrenic episode when he threw her against the wall of their family home. When she next went to the bathroom she noticed blood in her urine, so immediately took herself to Katoomba Hospitals emergency department. There, she was treated by a young male doctor who suspected a broken rib and sent her home without completing tests that would have discovered the internal injuries. The doctor basically sighed and looked up and said, Well, blood in your urine is common for women your age, Beatty, then aged 59, said. She went home and that night had dinner at a restaurant for her birthday. Her symptoms worsened  she developed pain in her shoulder and found it hard to breathe. Her friend and qualified nurse Jennifer Douglas was present and insisted she return to emergency that night. Alison is a stoic lady, shes not a complainer, Douglas said. You could see she was really trying to enjoy the occasion, to put aside the pain, but I could tell she wasnt right.

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They went to the same emergency room and were again dismissed. No pain medication was issued nor tests performed  until Beatty collapsed. Loading She actually started going into shock, Douglas said. All of a sudden they thought, we better do something here. Beatty was intubated, put on life support and rushed in a critical condition by ambulance to Penrith Hospital. An ultrasound finally revealed the assault injury had caused her lungs to fill with blood. By then, because it had been so long, the blood had coagulated; I had to have a long operation where they removed all the blood, Beatty said. I was in intensive care for a long time. The surgeon said, youre very lucky to have survived. I sat on this for some time but I was angry about it. After she recovered she complained to the hospital about how she was treated.

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When they looked at the notes, hed written down: Mother has trouble controlling her child, as if Id had a young child with a tantrum, she said. I felt like I was being treated like a hysterical mother, or not knowing what I was talking about. Most of what I said wasnt heard. If someones got blood in the urine, you dont just dismiss it as their age, she said. They later apologised and said, we failed you. At the very least, Douglas said emergency doctors should have ordered an X-ray, which would have quickly revealed the problem. The near-death incident occurred in 2014 but, more than a decade on, both women are still furious and are speaking up to stop others suffering the same fate. They didnt listen. They did not take a proper history. It was appalling, Douglas said. Im just so glad I was there, otherwise she wouldnt have been here today. Beatty was one of more than 2000 women who participated in a survey by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald documenting experiences as part of an investigation into medical misogyny in Australian healthcare. More than 300 of the respondents described experiences of the gender bias in emergency departments, where diagnostic decisions in busy hospitals can have life-and-death consequences.

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The investigation into medical misogyny has previously revealed disturbing cases of this bias right across the healthcare system, including women being incorrectly admitted to mental health wards or cancer diagnoses being missed. The women, doctors and experts who are speaking out are not seeking to lay blame at the feet of clinicians but to lay bare entrenched, structural problems disadvantaging women in a health system that historically evolved to reflect the needs of men. Dr Clare Skinner, former president of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. Credit: Dr Clare Skinner, a Sydney-based emergency physician, said the gender bias is baked into the medical canon, particularly with how pain is treated in men and women. For women, were too quick to leap to say, thats not serious, she said. If a man says they have pain theyre taken seriously  Theres the idea that women are more likely to overstate their pain. This all plays out along gender lines but also intersectional lines, she said, explaining women of colour experience greater discrimination. However, Skinner, who was formerly the president of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, said enormous work has been done over the past decade, including the introduction of specific training to recognise and address bias.

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I am proud that my specialty has really taken on this notion that we work in an environment where quick judgments are necessary and we have to actually train to make sure our quick judgments are the best, least-biased ones possible. Delays, dismissed In emergency departments, doctors must make quick diagnostic decisions based on little information and rely on guidelines in the triage system for how to prioritise urgency. Studies have shown throughout history that women who present to emergency departments are less likely to be given pain medication, or experience delays in receiving it, compared with men. One American study from 2008 found women who presented with abdominal pain at emergency departments with similar pain levels as men were up to 11 per cent less likely to be given pain medication. More recently, similar results were published in a 2023 study by Australasian Emergency Care, which looked at a cohort of patients presenting similar levels of abdominal pain and found 14.5 per cent of women were given pain medication versus 26 per cent of men. The same study found the average time from presenting to the emergency department and receiving pain relief was 80 minutes for men, compared with 94 minutes for women.

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The news

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has defended his governments abandoning of the merit-selected appointment of a new chief health officer and has declared he was trying to respect the doctors privacy by not giving further detail.

But Crisafulli doubled-down on the veiled suggestion the decision to scrap the imminent ascension of Dr Krispin Hajkowicz was because he was deemed unfit by senior LNP government figures, despite a rigorous external recruitment process.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, pictured in parliament earlier this year, gave his first public comments on the issue on Saturday. Credit: Jamila Filippone

And, in his first public comments on the matter, Crisafulli continued to deny suggestions a Save Victoria Park sign displayed at his house, along with the historical display of a Greens election corflute known to some in the LNP, had also played a role.
European leaders sought to stay positive about the talks, praising what they called progress in Alaska, but issued a joint warning that Putin could not be trusted to keep the peace because he had triggered decades of conflict with Russias neighbours. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will jointly chair an online meeting of national leaders on Sunday afternoon, London time, to pledge peace-keeping support for Ukraine and call for lasting security guarantees against further Russian aggression. While Starmer and Macron said the US would back these security guarantees, there is no detail from Trump on whether the US would use military force to support a peace agreement. Late on Sunday, a number of European leaders confirmed they would attend the Washington meeting with Zelensky.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish President Alexander Stubb all announced they would be at the discussions with Trump. Zelensky spoke with Trump for 90 minutes after the Alaska summit to discuss Russian demands and prepare for new talks, and he then issued a list of principles for negotiation. Loading Killings must stop as soon as possible, the fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the sky, as well as against our port infrastructure, he said on social media. All Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians must be released, and the children abducted by Russia must be returned.

Thousands of our people remain in captivity  they all must be brought home. Pressure on Russia must be maintained while the aggression and occupation continue. In a new development that he did not signal in Alaska, Trump spoke to Zelensky about a three-way meeting between the United States, Russia and Ukraine. However, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said there had been no discussion of a three-way summit during the Alaska meeting, according to Russian state media. In a related move, Trumps wife, Melania, wrote a letter to Putin about the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia. White House officials told Reuters of the letter but did not reveal the contents; it was handed to the Russian leader in Anchorage, although the US first lady was not at the summit. No ceasefire Trump hailed the meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, as a great and successful day and sought to play down concerns that he did not emerge with a ceasefire agreement.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, he said on social media. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last Wednesday. Credit: Getty Images His statement on Truth Social, issued on Saturday afternoon AEST, set off an urgent series of talks among European leaders in the hope they could prevent Trump from siding with Putin on some of Russias key demands. Putin has ruled out a ceasefire until a comprehensive deal is reached and told Trump that Ukraine should fully withdraw from the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Reuters reported on Sunday, AEST. This would also see Russia retain the land it currently occupies in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Zelensky has rejected these options in the past. The Reuters report said Putin would be prepared to return small areas of Ukrainian land in the northern Sumy and north-eastern Kharkiv regions.

After the summit, Trump signalled that Ukraine should accept some of the Russian demands to end the war, saying that his advice to Zelensky was that he has gotta make a deal with Putin. Look, Russia is a very big power, and theyre not, Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity. Loading A crucial concern in Europe is that the US is not applying sufficient pressure on Putin  for instance, through economic sanctions  while the Russian leader benefits from generous treatment and talks with the American president. Without a ceasefire, Putin would seek to apply pressure on Ukraine to sign a long-term peace deal while he continued the Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Describing sanctions as an effective tool, Zelensky said security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term, with the involvement of both Europe and the US. European leaders have also stepped up calls for security guarantees, a problematic issue given arguments about whether countries would police a ceasefire by putting boots on the ground in Ukraine. We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, said a statement issued on Saturday, AEST, by the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Finland, as well as the European Union. No limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its co-operation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to [the] EU and NATO.

Those principles appear certain to be dismissed by Russia, given that Putin strongly opposes any enlargement of NATO near Russian borders. The European leaders have previously said a Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role; however, they have yet to set out exactly how that would help maintain a ceasefire or long-term peace deal, although the UK has said it would send peacekeeping troops. Starmer, who convened a meeting of the coalition last Wednesday, emphasised the stated willingness of the US to provide robust security guarantees alongside European nations. This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more, he said. In the meantime, until he stops his barbaric assault, we will keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions. Our unwavering support for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes.

Putin won time Meanwhile, Ukrainian politicians mocked Trump for treating Putin with high honour in Alaska when the Russian leader is considered a war criminal by 120 countries. Loading When you repeatedly warn dictators of sanctions but never follow through, they just end up finding it amusing, wrote Kira Rudik, a member of the Ukrainian parliament and leader of the Golos political party, on social media. Putin won time, President Trump got to shake [a] dictators hand, Ukraine got nothing.

Anger focused on the images of American soldiers kneeling at the Russian leaders aircraft to roll out a red carpet for his meeting with Trump. This image of American soldiers kneeling in front of a Russian plane to lay a red carpet for a war criminal should shake Europe awake, wrote Olena Tregub, the head of a Ukrainian anti-corruption group linked to Transparency International. Russia resumed its barrage of Ukraine on Saturday, launching 85 attack drones and a ballistic missile, Ukraines Air Force said. Frontline territories in the Sumy, Donetsk, Chernihiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions had been targeted in the overnight strikes, the air force said on the Telegram messaging app. It said its air defence units had destroyed 61 of the drones. The Ukrainian Armed Forces said in its daily morning report that 139 clashes had also taken place on the front line over the previous day.
A long time ago in a galaxy that now feels far, far away, I led study tours to Israel and Palestine to examine co-existence. Endorsed by both the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors to Australia, they were designed to illuminate the greyscale of nuance and complexity there.

Lets give the faces of both Palestinian and Israeli children something to turn to with hope in their eyes.

On a tour in 2019 our group visited the southern Israeli city of Sderot, near the Gazan border. In the middle of a traffic circle we noticed a beautiful sculpture of wings made from recycled pieces of Palestinian rockets. I remember thinking, Look how Israelis can turn death into life and beauty!

The next day we visited a Palestinian refugee camp on the West Bank. In a small artisan jewellery store we saw necklaces and earrings made from recycled pieces of Israeli tear gas canisters. I had just walked through a black mirror into an alternate reality: Look how Palestinians can turn death into life and beauty!

When the announcement came this week that Australia would be recognising a Palestinian state, my mind went to the deeply traumatised people who made that art. People whose lived experience contrasts so profoundly with those of the politicians posturing in far-off lands.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has stirred up plenty of conversation. Financial expert Suze Orman recently detailed some of its key benefits on her "Women & Money" podcast.

While she acknowledges there are many parts of the bill she hates, she encourages her listeners to focus on the practical perks that can help you keep more of your money or save on taxes.

Here's a breakdown of some important highlights.

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Expanded Child Tax Credit

One of the standout features of the bill is the expanded child tax credit, which Orman highlights as a vital lifeline for parents raising children under 17.

"Right now, the child tax credit gives you up to $2,200 per child," she explains. Even if you owe no taxes, up to $1,700 of that amount is refundable  meaning if your tax bill is zero, the IRS will still send you a check for that portion, rather than just reducing what you owe.

The credit phases out for higher earners  starting at $200,000 modified adjusted gross income for singles and $400,000 for married couples filing jointly. Importantly, the child must be a U.S. citizen living with you for more than half the year.

"Do not leave money on the table," Orman advises, encouraging parents to claim this benefit if eligible.

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Up to $10,000 Deductible on Personal Car Loans

Another notable perk is the new deduction for interest on personal auto loans. "You can now deduct up to $10,000 per year in interest on a personal auto loan as long as  there's always a catch, isn't there  the car is assembled in the United States," Suze notes.

This deduction applies only if the loan is in your name and the vehicle isn't leased or used for business purposes.

This benefit is good through 2028, giving car buyers a significant tax break if they finance a qualifying vehicle. Orman cautions, "Just ask, does this car qualify or not," to make sure you're taking advantage of this opportunity.

See Also: Jeff Bezos-Backed Arrived Homes Hits A Big Sale On Charlotte Property  Investors Earning A 34.7% Return

Tax-Free Tips: Up to $25,000 Exempt From Federal Income Tax

For workers relying on tips, such as servers or hairdressers, the bill offers a new exemption on tip income. Up to $25,000 in tips can now be excluded from federal income taxes annually. Orman calls this "one of the biggest tax breaks you're gonna ever see," but stresses the importance of accurate record-keeping.
Anchorage, Alaska: US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin ended their historic summit early and without a final deal to pave the way to ending the war in Ukraine, despite talks that both sides described as constructive.

At a joint press conference in Alaska, Trump said the two men agreed on many points but some roadblocks remained, including a couple of big ones where they were still short of agreement.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump arrive for their press conference in Alaska. Credit: AP

Theres no deal until theres a deal, he said. We really made some great progress today  We didnt get there but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Trump was on a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and others as Air Force One landed back in Washington at 2am local time, his aide Dan Scavino said. The president noted earlier it was ultimately up to Zelensky and European leaders whether to accept any terms of a ceasefire or other agreement.
After repeated explosions, new test for Musk's megarocket



Washington, Aug 15 (AFP) Aug 15, 2025



Elon Musk's SpaceX announced Friday that its Starship megarocket is scheduled to blast off on a new test flight next weekend after recent attempts have ended in fiery explosions.



The biggest and most powerful launch vehicle in history is planned to return Americans to the Moon -- and is central to the dreams of colonizing Mars envisioned by Musk, the world's richest person.



But repeated explosions that sent debris raining down over Caribbean islands and disrupted flights have piled pressure onto SpaceX to pull off a smoother trial run.



The rocket's 10th test flight is set to launch as soon as August 24 from the company's Starbase facility in Texas, SpaceX said on its website.



During two test flights earlier this year, the rocket's upper stage -- which is the spacecraft intended to carry crew and cargo -- erupted in fiery cascades not long after launch.



Starship managed to make it to space during the last test in late May, however it then blew up when a fuel leak caused it to lose control.



The rocket's propulsion system was also supposed to execute a planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico -- but it disintegrated before reaching the water.



Standing 403 feet (123 meters) tall, the black-and-white behemoth is designed to eventually be fully reusable and launch at relatively low cost.



SpaceX has been betting that its "fail fast, learn fast" ethos -- which helped it dominate commercial spaceflight -- will once again pay off.



But the latest string of setbacks, which also includes an explosion during a routine ground test in June, has raised serious questions about Starship's progress.



Musk -- who is known for making extremely ambitious proposals -- maintains that the rocket will launch its first uncrewed missions to Mars next year.



SpaceX has also been sharply criticized over the impact its launches have on people and the environment near where its rockets blast off.



In June, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum threatened to sue SpaceX over falling debris and contamination from its launches.



More Starship tests are expected in the coming months, however, after the US aviation regulator approved the number of its annual launches increasing from five to 25.
Trump rules out immediate ceasefire, pushes for peace deal



Washington, Aug 16 (AFP) Aug 16, 2025



US President Donald Trump early Saturday ruled out an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after his inconclusive summit with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying a direct peace agreement would end the war.



The White House and Kremlin leaders pointed to areas of agreement during their three hours of talks in Alaska, but offered no breakthrough on a ceasefire in the conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and caused widespread destruction in Ukraine.



"A great and very successful day in Alaska!," Trump proclaimed on his Truth Social platform hours after touching down in Washington.



"The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO."



He said it was determined by all that the best way to end the "horrific war... is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."



Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier he will go to Washington for a meeting with the US leader on Monday, which Trump confirmed would be held in the Oval Office.



"If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin," Trump added, without specifying whether it would be a three-way meet.



"Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved."



The war went on meanwhile with Ukraine announcing that Russia had launched 85 attack drones and a ballistic missile during the night. Russia said it had taken two more villages in Ukraine.



Zelensky voiced support for Trump's proposals in an earlier social media post.



"We support President Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," he wrote.
Tesla (TSLA) shares are in focus on Thursday following reports the company is searching for employees for its robotaxi operations in the New York City.

The news arrives only days after Elon Musk, the billionaire chief executive of the electric vehicle behemoth, threatened a lawsuit against Apple (AAPL) for antitrust violation.

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Tesla stock has been a tale of two cities this year. For those who invested in it in early 2025, its down nearly 20% at the time of writing, but for ones that hopped on in early April, its up 50%.

www.barchart.com

Growing Robotaxi Services Could Benefit Tesla Stock

TSLAs push to hire robotaxi operators in NYC indicates forward momentum in its autonomous vehicle strategy, an area investors increasingly view as a high-margin, scalable growth engine.

More importantly, plans of expanding into one of the worlds most complex urban environments signals managements confidence in the companys Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.

Note that Tesla does not currently have regulatory authorization for its robotaxi services in NY, but the news still is a positive for TSLA shares.

Why? Because it reinforces the companys commitment to capture future ride-hailing revenue, and its overall stature as a tech innovator, which may boost investor sentiment and speculative value.

Guggenheim Warns of a 50% Crash in TSLA Shares

CEO Elon Musk has already confirmed Tesla will open its robotaxi services to the public in Austin next month but a senior Guggenheim analyst doubts the companys ability to effectively execute its robotaxi platform.

In a research note on Thursday, Ronald Jewsikow cited TSLAs lack of transparency around Safety Monitors for his bearish view on the EV stock.

Given that human safety drivers are still present in Teslas robotaxis, its well within reason to assume that full autonomy isnt ready, despite investor optimism, he told clients.

Guggenheim maintains its Sell rating on Tesla shares with a $175 price target indicating potential downside of about 50% from current levels.

Wall Street Remains Dovish on Tesla

While note as bearish as Guggenheim, other Wall Street firms arent particularly positive on TSLA stock either.

The consensus rating on Tesla stock currently sits at Hold only with the mean target of roughly $300 suggesting potential downside of some 10% from here.
Ukraine is facing increasing strains on the frontline . A lot of troops are exhausted, and units are hard to replace  especially as the Russian tactic is to stretch them as much as possible across a series of battles from the Kursk pocket in the east, to Kherson in the west. Cities and civilian centres are bombed nightly. But in the air, Ukraine is getting in significant blows in hitting key logistic points deep into Russian territory. Here, Kyiv has an advantage that Moscow is trying to cancel  even suggesting a no-fly zone over Ukraine and west Russia in the preliminaries to the Alaska meet.
Notting Hill Carnival: Two stabbed and 423 arrests but 'less serious violence than previous years', police say

More than 400 arrests but 'less violence' at Notting Hill Carnival
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The workers, all now directly employed by the NHS, are calling for the same pay and conditions as colleagues on the national Agenda for Change (AfC) framework, which sets standard rates for most NHS staff. UVW says that despite being brought back in-house more than four years ago, they still receive lower pay, less annual leave, inferior pensions and no enhancements for night or weekend work.
Treasury Secretary sends blunt message to Congress on trading stocks originally appeared on TheStreet.

Congress has long suffered from a reputation that it's interested more in padding pockets than in solving Americans' toughest problems.

Perhaps there's no more glaring example of the conflict of interest in Washington than elected members' ability to actively buy and sell shares in publicly traded companies that could be sent soaring or reeling by legislative and spending decisions.

Many believe that elected officials should be barred from trading stocks. Others have started using publicly released information on their trading to influence their own investing decisions.

Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter

Nancy Pelosi is perhaps the most followed active investor in Washington, but she's far from the only person buying and selling individual stocks. The list crisscrosses political parties.

This week Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered a strong message on members of Congress owning individual stocks, explicitly calling out Representative and former Speaker of the House Pelosi and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon).

Treasury Secretary Bessent offered up a hard-nosed take on Congress trading individual stocks.Image souce: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Congress has a big stock trading problem

This is far from the first time that owning stocks or other investments has raised eyebrows among voters.

Concern over Congress members trading stocks was so high that it passed the STOCK Act in 2012, which explicitly prohibits insider trading and forces members to report transactions publicly within 45 days.

The STOCK Act is an improvement, but it hasn't stopped Representatives and Senators from investing in stocks.

A study of the 117th Congress in 2021 found that 53% of Congress members owned individual stocks and only 7% didn't own any stocks or widely held investment funds, such as mutual funds, according to the Campaign Legal Center.

Related: White House pitches jumbo Fed interest rate cuts starting in September

Only 2% used a qualified blind trust, which creates a firewall between investments and members of Congress, preventing them from knowing their investments.

Stock ownership is widespread across both political parties, with 54% of Republicans and 46% of Democrats owning stocks as of 2021.

Those findings include trades by Congress members, spouses, and dependent children, including buys and sells made by Pelosi's husband, who she says handles their investing.

While Pelosi's trading disclosures are closely watched, partly because of her husband's prescient options investments in high-tech stocks, her portfolio was far from the best-performing in Congress last year.
"We believe the scope of the incident was limited to email accounts only, however, as a precautionary measure, we have contacted our key stakeholders whose data may have been affected during the period of January to March 2024."
The first is that Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky may now be perceived by Mr Trump as a softer target where he is more willing to exert leverage, and that the US president could once again try to strongarm Zelensky into compromising the future of his country.
He claimed that during the call between allies it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up.
In this 2018 file photo, Kendra Scott is seen outside her companys flagship store on South Congress Avenue. In early 2021, she relinquished her role as chief executive of the company she founded in 2002 but now is back as interim CEO. Its part of a leadership shakeup at the company. Austin American-Statesman

Kendra Scott is back at the helm of the fast-growing Austin-based jewelry brand she founded after the departures of its CEO and two other executives.

Shes taking over as interim CEO after recently increasing her majority stake in the privately owned company.

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As part of this transition, CEO Tom Nolan, CFO Jason Friesen, and CPO Danielle Stewart have departed the company, it said in a statement. We are grateful for the leadership, expertise, and vision they brought to Kendra Scott.

The move puts Scott back in the role she handed off to Nolan in 2021 when she became executive chairwoman.

Its nice to leave when its on a high instead of struggling, Nolan said in an interview, adding that hes actively involved in the leadership transition.

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Friesen and Stewart didnt respond to emails seeking comment.

Scott will be joined by Neal Bronzo as interim chief financial officer/chief operating officer and Beth Ley, who will return as chief people officer on Sept. 1.

Bronzo is a retired longtime chief information officer, most recently as a senior vice president for food and facilities services company Aramark. Ley is a former member of the leadership team at Kendra Scott, where she held positions in human resources, compensation and benefits from 2015 through 2022. Shes currently senior director of global rewards at Austin-based shipping and logistics software firm Auctane.

In its statement, Kendra Scott said the leadership moves come after a record-breaking year of growth. Beyond its original chain of affordable luxury jewelry stores, its expanding its new Western-inspired Yellow Rose accessory and home decor concept and has launched a fragrance line.

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The Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott flagship location on South Congress Avenue is seen in November. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

The company said it plans to add 25 new locations in 2025 as part of its ongoing expansion. It now operates about 160 stores in 37 states, up from 152 earlier this year. In February, it opened its third Yellow Rose store in Houston, joining the flagship South Congress Avenue store and a Dallas location that opened in December. A fourth Yellow Rose is slated to open in San Antonio in 2026. The company also maintains a strong e-commerce presence.

As a private company, Kendra Scott does not release financial results but Forbes estimated this year it has an annual revenue of $500 million.

In an interview, Nolan said the company had back-to-back years of 30% growth and several hundred million dollars in revenue. He put it well north of the $500 million reported by Forbes.

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In September, private equity firm Berkshire Partners sold its stake in Kendra Scott Design Inc. to Singapore-based 65 Equity Partners at a valuation of more than $1 billion. At the time, Nolan called it a pivotal moment for the brands continued expansion.

In its statement, the company said Scott increased her majority ownership stake through the transaction, further deepening her long-term commitment to the brand she built. Other executives also saw financial windfalls when the deal closed.

In this 2002 handout photo from the company, Kendra Scott poses with parcels that were part of one of the then-new company's first mail order ships. Provided by Kendra Scott

In a statement, Scott celebrated the contributions of three executives whove left the company.

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Tom, Jason, and Danielle have each played such an important role in shaping who we are as a brand, and were so grateful for everything theyve given to Kendra Scott, she said. Well miss them, but were also cheering them on as they take their next steps.

In June, Scott was listed at No. 41 on Forbes list of Americas richest self-made women. The magazine put her personal net worth at $900 million.

She founded the company in 2002.
United States Senator Candidate Colin Allred waves to the crowd at a Vice President Kamala Harris rally Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Not even Colin Allred likes the U.S. Senate campaign he ran last year against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

In an exclusive interview with the Texas Take Podcast released earlier today, the former Dallas congressman said he had a lot of consultants in his ear and he was trying too hard to make sure he wasnt making mistakes.

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The result was a campaign that looked stiff and overly cautious, I told him.

Yeah, Allred said. I think thats right.

This time, Allred said he feels a lot different and promises to run a better campaign as he tries to run for the Senate again in 2026, but this time targeting the seat held by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

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To be honest with you, I feel a lot more relaxed now and I feel a lot more like I want to just be myself, the civil rights attorney and former Baylor University linebacker said.

That means getting out with more voters. Allred pointed to town hall-style meetings around the state hes already held and noted he has stops in San Antonio, Hidalgo County and Houston on tap this weekend.

Weve done, I think, probably as many public events already as we did the last campaign, Allred said.

In the 2024 campaign, Allred did very few pre-publicized public events before the Democratic primary in March.

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I want to be, and I feel like I am, being more of myself in this campaign, Allred said. And well let the chips fall where they may on that.

He's hardly guaranteed the Democratic nomination. Retired Houston astronaut Terry Virts is already in the race, and former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, state Rep. James Talarico and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro are among those kicking the tires on a potential run.

Cornyn, of course, is in the fight of his life to hold the seat. Polls have largely shown him trailing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the 2026 GOP primary. But Cornyn received welcome news from a poll from Emerson College in Massachusetts this week. Their survey of 491 Republican voters in Texas showed Paxton and Cornyn in a dead heat. Most previous polling had shown Paxton with a lead.

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A tropical disturbance from the Gulf of Mexico moved inland across South Texas on Friday afternoon with rain and clouds spreading north into Central Texas on Saturday. National Weather Service

After a week of typical August heat, our weather is getting wetter and slightly cooler for the first half of the weekend, thanks to a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that moved onshore Friday across South Texas.

This was the third time this year the National Hurricane Center highlighted an area in the Gulf of Mexico for possible tropical cyclone development. At one point, this latest tropical disturbance had a 50% chance of becoming a tropical depression before landfall. This shows the tropics are beginning to rev up, as we are about a month away from the historical peak of hurricane season on Sept. 10.

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Meanwhile, Hurricane Erin, which became the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2025 storm season on Friday, was churning out in open water in the western Atlantic. Although it is headed west toward North America, Erin was forecast to stay over water as it curves to the north on Sunday. Until then, heavy rainfall and high winds are expected for the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as Erin passes them by.

Closer to home, tropical moisture will continue to flow into Central Texas on Saturday, leading to widely scattered showers spread along the Interstate 35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin. While not everyone will see rain, those who do could experience a quick heavy downpour of a half-inch of rain. Stronger isolated storms could produce up to 2 inches of rain.

The National Weather Services Weather Prediction Center, which specializes in flood forecasts, has placed the Coastal Plains, the I-35 corridor and adjacent parts of the Hill Country under a level 1 out of 4 risk, or at least a 5% chance, of excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.

Pockets of heavy rainfall are possible in Central Texas with any showers that develop on Saturday. Rainfall totals between a half-inch and 2 inches are possible. National Weather Service

While some parts of Central Texas could see a significant amount of rain, some might not even see a drop, especially those in the Texas Hill Country.

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Temperatures will be cooler with the addition of clouds and rain, but afternoon highs will still top out in the mid-90s on Saturday. However, on Sunday, drier weather will take over and temperatures may soar to the 100-degree mark with humidity-driven heat index values, or feels like temperatures, between 102 and 105 degrees.

High temperatures on Sunday in South Texas will close in on the century mark and feels like temperatures will climb from 102 to 105 degrees. Pivotal

The beginning of the work week will be similar, as a high atmospheric pressure nudges in from the north, possibly bringing another day of triple-digit heat. The rest of next week will be more unsettled as the high pressure system shifts west and amplifies over the Four Corners in the southwest United States on Tuesday. This shift will open the door for several atmospheric disturbances to slip around the high pressure and move into Central Texas, bringing daily rain chances through the end of next week.

Heading to the coast this weekend to get one more beach day before school starts in Austin? Be sure you know about the rip current risk associated with tropical disturbances. The dangerous rip currents become more prominent and stronger during inclement weather.

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Knowing the rip current risk before hitting the beach is key along the Texas coast this weekend. National Weather Service

Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from the shore and they can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from the shore. They are found on almost any beach with breaking waves and function as rivers of the sea, moving sand, marine organisms, and other material offshore, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Insperity, Inc. (NYSE:NSP) is one of the best small cap low volatility stocks to invest in. Truist analyst Tobey Sommer lowered the firms price target on Insperity, Inc. (NYSE:NSP) to $50 from $70 on August 4, keeping a Hold rating on the shares.

A close-up of a hand signing a contract, symbolizing the legal agreement between employer and employee.

The rating update followed the companys Q2 miss and guidance cut, which pointed towards the continued Workday expenses and the timing of roll-out, extending the transition period into FY26.

The analyst told investors in a research note that another headwind for Insperity, Inc. (NYSE:NSP) is the benefits costs, resulting in FY25 EBITDA and EPS guidance being lowered.

Insperity, Inc. (NYSE:NSP) provides human resources and business solutions that help enhance business performance. The company also offers employee benefits, payroll and employment administration, government compliance, workers compensation, performance management, and more.

While we acknowledge the potential of NSP 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.
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On August 8, U.S. customs officials ruled that gold imports from Switzerland were subject to President Donald Trumps earlier announcement of 39% reciprocal tariffs on the country.

In response, market panic set in, with fear of gold scarcity in the U.S. raising the price of the precious metal by 2.6%  reaching a new all-time high of $3,487.90.

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The Swiss Precious Metals Association immediately released a statement on the matter, noting that it may negatively impact the international flow of physical gold.

Heres how Trump responded.

Making an exemption

As Trumps base loves gold, Trump quickly announced on Truth Social on August 11 that Gold will not be Tariffed! easing shortage fears and dropping the price of gold back down by 2.48%.

While the announcement was welcome news to Swiss trading partners, the Swiss Precious Metals Association, knowing how swift Trump can be to reverse course, was quick to make it clear that they want this decision made official outside of a social media post.

"President Trump's statement is an encouraging signal for trade stability," Christoph Wild, president of the ASFCMP, said in a statement.

"However, only a formal and binding decision will provide the certainty the gold sector and its partners require."

Trumps lifelong love of gold

While Trumps main priority in office thus far has been imposing tariffs on countries, his love of gold is well-documented, which might provide insight into his rare tariff exemption.

Trump's chosen decor is rife with gold toilets, gold seat-belt buckles, gold silk-lined bedroom walls and an Oval Office dripping in gold.

When interviewed about Trumps obsession with the gaudy hue, color psychologist Jill Moore once told Marie Claire that gold can symbolize greed and excess. Gold has long been tied to wealth and status. It also has strong associations with royalty and monarchy, according to Robin Givhan, the senior critic-at-large at The Washington Post.

"There is an elitist point of view that would look at the way he's decorated the Oval Office and say that it looks very nouveau riche," she told Michel Martin, the host of NPRs The Morning Edition.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) customers, both present and past, stand to receive up to $7,500 as part of a proposed $177 million settlement. This settlement is in response to two significant data breaches that affected millions of AT&T customers.

What Happened: AT&T Inc. has suggested a settlement amounting to $177 million. This sum includes $149 million for the initial class-action lawsuit and an additional $28 million for the second one.

The first data breach, revealed in March 2024, impacted 73 million account holders, with hackers obtaining personal information and disseminating it on the dark web. A subsequent breach in July 2024 compromised the call and text records of almost all AT&T customers.

According to the report by New York Post, the settlement is yet to receive approval, with a final hearing set for December 3 in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Customers who had their data compromised can apply for compensation before the hearing.

They will be notified via an email from Kroll Settlement Administration and must submit a claim form by November 18.

Also Read: GameStop to Pay $4.5 Million Over Alleged Privacy Violations Involving Facebook Data Sharing

Customers affected by the March 2024 breach can claim up to $5,000, while those impacted by the July breach can claim up to $2,500. Customers who were affected by both breaches could be eligible for up to $7,500.

AT&T will require evidence of losses associated with the breaches. Payouts are anticipated to commence by the end of the year, but may be postponed if appeals are lodged after the hearing.

Why It Matters: This settlement proposal comes as a significant development for AT&T customers who were affected by the data breaches.

The proposed compensation not only acknowledges the inconvenience and potential harm caused by the breaches, but also serves as a reminder of the importance of robust data security measures for companies handling sensitive customer information.

The outcome of the final hearing will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for future data breach settlements.

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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the White House on Aug. 11, 2025. (Alex Brandon/AP)



WASHINGTON  The Air Force says in a new memo that transgender airmen ousted under a recent Trump administration directive will no longer have the chance to argue before a board of their peers for the right to continue serving their country.

The memo dated Tuesday says military separation boards cannot independently decide whether to keep or discharge transgender airmen and instead must recommend separation of the member if the airman has a diagnosis of gender dysphoria  when a persons biological sex does not match up with their gender identity.

Military legal experts who have been advising transgender troops told the Associated Press that the new policy is unlawful, and while they were not aware of the other services releasing similar memos, they fear it could serve as a blueprint across the military. Advocacy groups say the change threatens to weaken trust in the militarys leadership.

It is the second policy change the Air Force has taken in recent weeks to crack down on transgender service members. The Associated Press reported last week that the Air Force would deny transgender troops early retirement benefits and was moving to revoke requests already approved.

The Air Force declined to answer questions about the policy and its legal implications.

The service provided a statement saying the new guidance is consistent with and responsive to Department of Defense policy regarding Service members with a diagnosis of, or history of, or exhibiting symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria.

How the boards usually work

The boards traditionally offer a quasi-legal hearing to determine if a service member set to depart is still of value to the military and should stay on. Fellow service members hear evidence of whatever wrongdoing occurred and about the persons character, fitness and performance.

The hearings are not a formal court, but they have much the same structure. Service members are often represented by lawyers, they can present evidence in their defense and they can appeal the boards findings to federal court.

The Pentagons policy on separating officers notes that they are entitled to fair and impartial hearings that should be a forum for the officer concerned to present reasons the contemplated action should not be taken.

This impartial nature means that the boards can sometimes reach surprising conclusions.

For example, the three active-duty Marines who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, were retained.

The commanding officer of the USS McCain, a destroyer that collided with an oil tanker in the Pacific in 2017, killing 10, was not recommended for separation in 2019.

Military lawyers decry Air Force change

Priya Rashid, a military lawyer who has represented service members before hundreds of separation boards, said she has never seen an order like this.

Ive seen people with three DUIs retained, Ive seen people that beat their wives retained, Ive seen all kinds of people retained because the board is empowered to retain anyone for any reason if they feel its in the best interest of the service, she said.

Rashid said she and other lawyers working with transgender troops view the guidance as telling the boards to automatically order separation based solely on a diagnosis or symptoms of gender dysphoria.

She said that constitutes an unlawful command by the Air Force and upends impartiality.

This instruction is essentially saying you will not make a determination of whether somebody has future potential in the service, Rashid said.

The new Air Force guidance also prohibits recording the proceedings.

Rashid said the lack of an independent transcript would not only prevent Air Force leaders from reviewing the hearings to ensure they were conducted appropriately but would undercut any meaningful chance to appeal.

Stepped-up efforts to oust transgender troops

Pentagon officials say 4,240 troops have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, which the military is using as an identifier of being transgender.

The Pentagon got the green light from Supreme Court in May to move forward with a ban on all transgender troops. It offered two options: volunteer to leave and take a one-time separation payout or be discharged at a later date without pay.

Some transgender troops decided to fight to stay by turning to the boards.

Senior Master Sgt. Jamie Hash, who has served in the Air Force since 2011, said she wanted to face an objective board to be evaluated on my years of proven capability.

I wanted the board to see the assignments overseas and at the Pentagon, the deployments to different Combatant Commands, the service medals and the sustained operational and mission effectiveness, she said in an interview.

But now, she said, that the path ahead feels more uncertain than it ever has.

Logan Ireland, a master sergeant in the Air Force with 15 years of service that includes a deployment to Afghanistan, was planning to retire early until his request was denied last week.

After that, he decided he would take a stand at the separation board.

I chose the involuntary route because I believed in the promise of a fair hearing  judged on my service, my record and the facts, he said.

Now that promise is being ripped away, replaced with a process designed to decide my fate before I even walk in the room, he said, adding that all Im asking for is the same fairness and justice every service member deserves.

Both Ireland and Hash said they have yet to hear from their immediate superiors on what the new policy will mean for them.

Lawyers are worried it will set a precedent that will spread throughout the military.

Rashid said both the Army and Navy are going to look at what the Air Force is doing as a standard of law  is this the minimum standard of law that we will afford our service members.

Transgender troops warn policy could have wider implications

Col. Bree Fram, a transgender officer in the Space Force who has long been seen as a leader among transgender troops, argued that the policy is a threat to other service members.

In an online post, Fram said it swaps judgment for automation.

Today its gender dysphoria; tomorrow it can be any condition or class the politics of the moment calls for, she argued.

If the new policy is allowed to sideline evidence of fitness, deployment history, awards, and commander input  the very material boards were built to evaluate, Fram said, it sends a message that performance is no longer relevant to staying in the military.

Cathy Marcello, interim director for Modern Military Association of America, said the change adds to a growing loss of trust because outcomes are determined by politics, not performance. The organization advocates for LGBTQ+ service members, military spouses, veterans, their families and allies.

Its a signal that identity, not ability or achievement, determines who stays in uniform and who gets a fair shot, she said.
President Donald Trump listens as Russias President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference at Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP )



This story has been corrected

KYIV, Ukraine  U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course in the wake of his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to say an overall peace agreement  not the ceasefire that he has long championed  is the next step in ending the 3 1/2-year war in Ukraine.

In talks with European allies after Fridays summit in Alaska, Trump said Putin reiterated that he wants the key Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the Donbas. But Putin appeared open to the possibility of halting the stalemate in two other regions, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, with a freeze along the front lines.

That is according to European officials familiar with the calls who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks at a U.S. military base between the American and Russian presidents. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected giving up the territory in the Donbas.

The aftermath of the summit offered little clarity about the next steps, other than Trumps commitment for more meetings, including with Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday. It was unclear among those briefed on the exchanges whether Trump saw Putins desire for the Donbas as acceptable, with Trumps blunt but elliptical way of speaking only adding to a sense of confusion.

The White House had yet to provide a public summary of the calls as Trump golfed on Saturday with his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Fox News anchor Bret Baier at his Virginia golf club. The most transparent takeaway was Trumps abrupt reversal on a ceasefire, raising questions of how peace talks can proceed if attacks continue.

Trumps abandoning a ceasefire as a requirement for further negotiations aligns him with a position held by Putin. The Russian leader has long said Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce and is seeking a long-term settlement that takes the Kremlins interests into account.

Trump says he is focused on a peace accord, not a ceasefire

After the calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump said Saturday on social media that it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF television that Trump said Russia seems to be prepared to conduct the negotiations based on the so-called line of contact and not the administrative boundaries. It was unclear from the comments how issues pertaining to the Donbas had been resolved.

Zelenskyy has previously refused to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that Ukraine controls. He says that would be unconstitutional and the territory could be used as a staging ground for later Russian attacks.

In a statement after the Trump call, major European leaders did not address whether a peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire, saying they welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russias war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.

Putins view on his summit with Trump

Putin on Saturday described his talks with Trump as very frank.

We, of course, respect the position of the American administration, which sees the need for a speedy end to military actions, he said at the follow-up meeting at the Kremlin, a clip of which was posted to the Kremlins Telegram channel. We would like to move to resolving all issues by peaceful means.

Putin has broken out of international isolation and wasnt in the least challenged by Trump, who also ignored an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court, said Laurie Bristow, who was British ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2020. But the U.S. isnt a member of the court and thus doesnt have an obligation to arrest him.

Zelenskyy gears up for a White House meeting

Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he had a long and substantive conversation with Trump early Saturday and that they would discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war on Monday.

It will be Zelenskyys first visit to the United States since Trump berated him publicly for being disrespectful during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting in February.

Trump confirmed the White House meeting and said that if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.

Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit, to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America.

We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security, he said.

The Ukrainian leader did not elaborate, but he has previously said European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a foreign troop presence in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop.

In apparent effort to bolster Zelenskyys hand before the White House meeting, France, the United Kingdom and Germany will co-host a video call Sunday of coalition of the willing nations that could help monitor and uphold any deal to end fighting, French President Emmanuel Macrons office said.

Europeans urge security guarantees for Ukraine

The French, German, Italian, British, Finnish, Polish and European Union leaders said Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees and they welcomed U.S. readiness to provide them.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory, their statement said. International borders must not be changed by force.

During an interview with Fox News Channel before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus might be on Zelenskyy to get it done, but that there also would be some involvement from European nations.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon, noting that Moscow launched new attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met.

Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing, she said.

Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Since spring, Russian troops have accelerated their gains, capturing the most territory since the opening stages of the war.

Questions on a trilateral meeting

Zelenskyy voiced support for Trumps proposal for a meeting with the U.S. and Russia. He said that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.

But Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television Saturday that a possible three-way meeting has not been touched upon yet in U.S.-Russia discussions.

Zelenskyy wrote on X that he told Trump sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.

Fiona Hill, Trumps former senior adviser on Russia, told The Associated Press that the U.S. president has met his match because Putin is a much bigger bully than Trump is.

Hes run out of his persuasive powers with Putin, said Hill, adding that Trump has plenty of coercive powers to use against the Russian leader but he doesnt want to use them.

Ukrainians want peace for sure, and Putin wants pieces of Ukraine, she said. Very large pieces.

Leicester reported from Paris and Burrows from London. Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin, Elise Morton in London and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.
(TribuneNews Service)  Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, claiming the Trump administration is failing to provide veterans with education benefits they have earned.

Veterans who qualify for benefits should receive their full benefits  full stop, Miyares said in a statement.

Virginia is joined in the lawsuit by veterans organizations and individual veterans who argue the Department of Veterans Affairs is applying an overly narrow interpretation of the GI Bills, denying funding for education earned through military service.

The plain language of the GI Bills has always compelled the VA to honor the full 48 months of education benefits that veterans were promised, the lawsuit states. But for years VA rules have denied benefits to veterans who are entitled to them. Those rules are unlawful and should be set aside.

The Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills entitle veterans to 36 months of education benefits. Veterans who qualify under both are entitled to a total of 48 months of coverage. According to Miyares and the plaintiffs, the VA is not honoring this combined total.

A U.S. Supreme Court decision last year affirmed that veterans eligible under both bills are entitled to a combined 48 months of benefits. The court ruled that the statute is clear and that (v)eterans who separately accrue benefits under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are entitled to both benefits.

James Rudisill, an Army veteran living in Virginia and the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case, is also named in the lawsuit filed Thursday. After serving eight years in the military, Rudisill qualified for education benefits under both GI Bills but was denied full funding

According to Thursdays lawsuit, the VAs 2024 Educational Directives continue to deny Rudisill and several others their education benefits by applying a cramped reading of the Supreme Courts decision. For instance, veterans who served long enough to qualify for both GI Bills, but did not have a break in service, may still be denied benefits under the current VA guidance.

The complaint also warns that the VAs position could strain state programs such as the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, which covers tuition for some veterans families. Miyares argues that GI Bill benefits should reduce reliance on state aid, but denials at the federal level may push more dependents to seek state support, stretch(ing) the Commonwealths resources for the program.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that veterans who are eligible for the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills are entitled to their full benefits. Not partial, but full, Miyares said. We believe we are correct on the merits and look forward to an amicable resolution on behalf of those who have served.

2025 The Virginian-Pilot.

Visit pilotonline.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court on Friday granted Argentina's request to put on temporary hold a judge's order that it turn over its 51% stake in oil and gas company YPF to partially satisfy a $16.1 billion judgment won by two investors.

In a brief order, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan stayed U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska's June 30 turnover order while Argentina appeals.

Friday's order provides a reprieve for Argentine President Javier Milei's government, which warned of irreparable harm and economic instability if it gave up its stake in YPF, the country's largest energy company.

Argentina is separately appealing the $16.1 billion judgment, which Preska awarded in September 2023 to Petersen Energia Inversora and Eton Park Capital Management.

The investors are represented by litigation funder Burford Capital, which would share in their damages.

Lawyers for Petersen and Eton Park did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Friday's order did not provide reasons for the stay, which should last at least a few months. Argentina's next legal filing related to YPF is due on September 25, court records show.

The dispute stemmed from Argentina's 2012 decision to seize the YPF stake from Spain's Repsol without making a tender offer to minority shareholders.

Argentina had argued that the YPF shares were immune from turnover under the federal Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.

The U.S. government sided with Argentina, saying a resolution of the dispute should not be rushed and potentially interfere with relations between the countries.

Lawyers for the investors countered that a commercial activity exception to immunity, together with Argentina's "many years" of evasion, justified a turnover.

In her June 30 order, Preska said Argentina's control over the YPF shares triggered the exception, and the country could not simply invoke its own laws to prevent a turnover.

A spokesperson for the Argentine government said the country welcomed Friday's order, and confident the $16.1 billion damages award would also be overturned.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler, Edmund Klamann and Marguerita Choy)
The cocaine had been concealed underneath a metal floor of the trailer.

A lorry driver being held over the largest ever seizure of cocaine in Northern Ireland is terminally ill, a court has heard.

Lawyers for Giorgio Panchukov, 55, argued that the case against him should be fast-tracked due to the state of his health.

The Bulgarian national was arrested after 185kg of drugs with an estimated street value of 18.5m (21.4m) were seized at Belfast Port on May 19 this year.

National Crime Agency (NCA) officers discovered the consignment stashed in a container area of Panchukovs lorry as he was set to board a ferry bound for Scotland.

Cocaine. Stock image

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

The cocaine had been concealed underneath a metal floor of the trailer.

Panchukov, with an address in the Bulgarian city of Burgas, has been charged with aiding and abetting the importation of Class A drugs.

He also faces further counts of possessing and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

With none of the illicit haul found in the cab area of the accused's truck, he denies knowing anything about the hidden drugs.

Panchukov has remained in custody since his arrest because no suitable accommodation is currently available.

But during a further hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court, his legal team argued that a decision should now be taken on whether to prosecute him on the evidence because of his health.

Barrister Sean OHare said: He has a terminal illness, his family are in Bulgaria and it is virtually impossible to get medical information.

Panchukov did not seek bail and was remanded in continuing custody until next month, when a further update will be provided.
The revelation was made by Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland, who is the head of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), in an interview with the Sunday World.

Left, Robert Noctor allegedly supplied criminals with encrypted phones; Kinahan cartel mobsters Thomas Bomber Kavanagh and Liam Byrne were jailed after their plans on EncroChat were intercepted

Gardai are pursuing a number of investigations against high-level targets in Ireland as part of the 2020 EncroChat takedown by French law enforcement, it has emerged.

The revelation was made by Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland, who is the head of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), in an interview with the Sunday World.

It is understood that many Irish criminals used the EncroChat encrypted platform, which was hacked by French police who worked with their British and Dutch counterparts for over two months.

By compromising the network, police could watch all messages, images, and videos that were sent over the system  all unknown to the criminals between early April 2020 and June 13 of that year.

All this data was saved and has resulted in thousands of organised crime prosecutions worldwide to date, with the hope that prosecutions can now happen here in Ireland.

An EncroChat phone looked like any other phone, but there was a second display that could be accessed by a few button clicks that brought the user into the EncroChat system.

Before the hack, police had no way of accessing the information on the phones

More than 32,000 EncroChat phones had accepted the capture tool or booby trap sent out through the computer servers that French police had taken over.

Until the French authorities successfully hacked the system, police had no way of accessing the information on the phones.

While gardai were not included in the initial and highly significant EncroChat investigation, Det Chief Supt Boland said gardai have now been officially and legally given the relevant data from the hack on Irish criminals that disrupted organised crime across the globe.

Left, Robert Noctor allegedly supplied criminals with encrypted phones; Kinahan cartel mobsters Thomas Bomber Kavanagh and Liam Byrne were jailed after their plans on EncroChat were intercepted

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

From an investigators perspective here in the DOCB, we are pursuing a number of investigations at the moment where we would hope to use data that was recovered from the EncroChat takedown in a criminal prosecution, he said.

Gardai have previously been reluctant to discuss their plans in relation to the EncroChat takedown, as opposed to their involvement in infiltrating the separate Ghost encrypted platform last September, in which the west Dublin Family gang were one of the main targets.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland said the EncroChat data is being examined. Photo: Collins

Last March, 12 arrests were made here, including leaders in The Family gang, and Spain as part of that investigation.

While Det Chief Supt Boland said more arrests are expected as part of the Ghost probe, a huge amount of data from EncroChat is now being analysed over five years after the platform was first compromised by police and then disbanded. We are pursuing a number of those investigations at the moment  we as investigators were not involved in it (EncroChat), he said.

We are gathering the necessary evidential requirements in an effort to use the data because I think that would be extremely important. But the investigators in DOCB were not involved in that investigation when it was live and ongoing.

We are looking at that data, we are considering it and gathering it in the legal capacity so that we hopefully use it in criminal prosecutions in Ireland. We would hope to have some very significant successes.

However, Det Chief Supt Boland also said it will not be easy and quite complex because of different legal systems within European countries, but expressed confidence in DOCB investigators who are compiling the investigation files in relation to EncroChat and Ireland.

Senior Kinahan cartel gangsters Thomas Bomber Kavanagh and Liam Byrne were given jail sentences in England last year for a bizarre firearms plot that English police became aware of after the criminals discussed plans on EncroChat.

Officers found more than 93,000 in a Brown Thomas bag in the boot of his Toyota Yaris

And gardai have identified a Dublin barman who allegedly became a key player in supplying gangsters with encrypted phones in Ireland and France.

Robert Noctor, with an address in Clontarf, fled Ireland after being caught with a stash of cash and EncroChat devices used by organised crime gangs across Europe, according to recent evidence put before the High Court in a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) case.

Noctor hasnt returned to Ireland since he was stopped by gardai in Artane in January 2020. Officers found more than 93,000 in a Brown Thomas bag in the boot of his Toyota Yaris, as well as three BQ Aquarius mobile phones that CAB said were EncroChat devices.

He told gardai that he sold the EncroChat phones for 1,000 each and top-ups every six months for 1,500 before the devices and cash were seized from him  three months before the system was compromised by French police.

It then emerged that Noctor had allegedly been selling the handsets in France, according to court documents there.

The cash and the three Encrochat-enabled phones were deemed the proceeds of crime.
Former realtor now rubbing shoulders with Kinahan cartel prisoners

Convicted wife killer Stephen Mooney has been moved to one of the states toughest prison wings following his conviction for the horrific murder of his wife Ana.

The Sunday World has learned Mooney (53)  who was convicted last month of killing his wife in Dublin two years ago after gardai found footage of the incident on a mobile phone  was moved to Mountjoys D wing following his conviction.

The wing is the same one used to detain convicted Kinahan gang members and was locked down disturbances last May.

The D wing is also chronically overcrowded with 200 prisoners in an area designed for 100 inmates.

Sources said since being housed on the wing, where access to college courses and workshops has been wiped out because of over-crowding, Mooney has been keeping his head down and hasnt come to the attention of jail authorities.

Stephen Mooney with wife Anna.

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

A real estate agent. Mooney had originally pleaded not guilty to the murder of 43-year-old Anna Mooney in the early hours of 15 June 2023.

He was due to go on trial in March this year.

But he changed his plea to guilty after gardai found video and audio footage of the murder and the aftermath, on a mobile phone Mooney had set up to record his wife, whom he suspected of having an affair.

Gardai were able to access the footage when an update of the software used to analyse phones allowed the device to be unlocked without a password.

Mooney had stabbed his wife to death in the kitchen/living room of their home in Kilbarrack.

The footage showed him leaving the room at one point and returning with the knife used to kill her. The court heard it had a curved blade, 16cm in length.

Afterwards, Mooney dialled 999. When emergency services arrived he was leaning over his wife's body.

A knife was still lodged in her chest. He told a paramedic "Ive killed her". He said he was "really sorry" and that it had been "going on for six years".

He claimed his wife had been having an affair and that he "saw something on her phone about sex and everything else and freaked out".

A short time later he told a garda his wife was having an affair, that it got out of control, that he "tried to save her" and that "everyones lives" were "ruined".

The couples two children, then aged around 17 and 11 were asleep upstairs when the murder took place.

A post mortem examination showed Ms Mooney had been stabbed a number of times and her death was due to multiple sharp force injuries.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison on Mooney.

He said the murder was a devastating loss for Ms Mooneys family and had caused huge damage and trauma. And he expressed his deepest sympathy to the family.
Marcin Pieciak (37) has been charged with her murder in the second degree alongside two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

The Ceili House Bar in Maspeth, Queens, New York, where Longford woman Sarah McNally was murdered almost a year and a half ago.

The late Sarah McNally sustained fatal injuries when she was stabbed multiple times while working as a bartender in New York on March 30 last year.

A murder charge taken against the former boyfriend of an Irish bar worker who was stabbed to death in New York over a year ago is still no closer to being resolved.

Forty-one-year-old Longford woman Sarah McNally died in the wake of a knife attack inside the doors of the Ceili House Pub in Maspeth, Queens on March 30 last year.

The former Mean Scoil Mhuire student had been working at the time when a male assailant walked into bar and stabbed her multiple times in the neck and upper body.

Ms McNallys former boyfriend, Marcin Pieciak (37), of 76th Street in Glendale, was subsequently arrested and charged with her murder in the second degree alongside two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. HIs case was before the court in Queens, New York earlier this week.

The late Sarah McNally sustained fatal injuries when she was stabbed multiple times while working as a bartender in New York on March 30 last year.

It is the prosecutions case that Pieciak cruelly and brazenly took the life of the much loved bartender by stabbing her up to 19 times before cutting his own throat.

Pieciak was formally indicted by a Grand Jury last April in his absence as a result of self-inflicted stab wounds following the incident.

The defendant is accused of cruelly and brazenly taking the life of someone he purported to care for and doing so in front of her colleagues and bar patrons.

We are grateful to the grand jury for returning these serious charges and we will work to seek justice for Sarah McNally.

The late Sarah McNally.

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

According to the charges, Pieciak entered the bar where Ms McNally had been working at approximately 6:30pm.

Prosecutors say CCTV footage taken from the scene shows Pieciak walk behind the bar and towards Ms McNally before suddenly stabbing the Longford woman 19 times in the neck, back and chest.

Moments later, Pieciak allegedly can be seen cutting his own throat several times before a customer bravely attempts to detain the accused from fleeing the scene.

The charges go on to allege that when police detectives arrived soon afterwards, they managed to disarm Pieciak just as the accused emerges from behind the bar brandishing two knives.

He has remained on remand in custody ever since and has made a number of appearances at Queens County Criminal Court over the intervening 16 month period.

The latest of those came at a court sitting in New York on Tuesday morning in an appearance which a Queen District Attorney described as an administrative adjournment.

The case is still pending, the spokesperson added, ahead of Pieciaks next appearance in court in five weeks time.

At Ms McNallys funeral mass back in her native Longford last April, tributes to the much loved former Irish Prison service employee paid testimony to a young woman with a heart of gold whose vivacious personality would light up rooms everywhere she went.
Former firefighter Michael Balfe was a Ground Zero first responder on 9/11.

The owner of the boat where Carlow bikini designer Martha Nolan-OSlatarra died was previously sued for allegedly biting a retired New York firefighter at a tribute concert on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in Manhattan.

Businessman Christopher Durnan (60), who reportedly invested more than $200,000 in Ms Nolan-OSlatarra East x East bikini boutique, owned the yacht where the 33-year-old Irishwoman was found in the upmarket area of Montauk in the Hamptons, New York, on Tuesday last week.

Former firefighter Michael Balfe, who was a Ground Zero first responder, claimed in a civil suit that Durnan attacked him during a tribute concert at Webster Hall in Manhattans East Village on September 11, 2021.

It was alleged in the civil suit that Durnan bit and assaulted the firefighter in a unprovoked attack, the New York Post reported.

The suit, which was later settled, went on to allege that Mr Balfe sustained serious and permanent injuries, suffered, does suffer and will continue to suffer agony to body and mind.

Christopher Durnan, 60

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

Durnan had denied that the attack was unprovoked and claimed Mr Balfe started the fight and his use of force reasonable under the circumstances according to court documents.

Durnan was initially charged with assault with intent to cause physical injury, possession of a controlled substance, attempted assault in the third degree, and harassment, according to court records.

He later pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct. The civil suit was settled in December 2023.

A lawyer for Mr Balfe told the New York Post: Out of respect for the family of the woman who tragically passed away and Mr. Balfes own family, Michael will not be making a comment on the prior case involving Christoher Durnan.

Durnan, who founded an insurance company, was described as guitar playing widower in media reports.

Christopher, who founded a major insurance company, owns two boats- Ripple, where she was found, and another called Hell in a Bucket, both inspired by the Grateful Dead.

It has previously reported that Ms Nolan-OSlatarra headed to the Montauk Yacht Club on the evening of August 4 for a business meeting with Durnan.

She was found dead on the boat while docked at the yacht club on August 5.

Suffolk police said last week that an autopsy conducted on the body who was found dead on the 32-foot pleasure boat Ripple on August 5 showed no evidence of violence.

They said confirmation of the cause of death was still pending.

Martha

Local media reported this week that the Suffolk County's interagency East End Drug Task Force is investigating whether drugs may have played a role in the death.

Police have also not ruled out homicide or death due to natural causes and have yet to release a toxicology report,

Ms Nolan-OSlatarra who was originally from Carlow, moved to New York from Ireland around 10 years ago and launched a series of pop-up boutiques in the Hamptons featuring her line of swimwear and sunglasses.

She married Sam Ryan in Utah in 2020 but the couples uncontested divorces was finalised in April.

She was in a relationship with sales executive Nicholas DiRubio at the time of her death and the pair spent Christmas in Ireland with her family.

She was spending the summer in Montauk with Mr DiRubio but he was reportedly out of town when the tragedy unfolded.

It is understood she spoke to her boyfriend hours before her death and said she was going to book an Uber and would be him around 1am.

Ms Nolan-OSlatarra family have travelled to US to bring her body home. They have hired a lawyer and are seeking a second-opinion autopsy.

The Irish Independent reported this week that Ms Nolans mother Elma was asked by detectives about claims that her daughter had brain cancer.

It is not known who provided that information to the authorities.

Ms Nolan-OSlatarras mother, who was in contact with her daughter on an almost daily basis, was stunned by the claims and told detectives her daughter was perfectly healthy.

She told them there was nothing of the sort [affecting her], a source said.
The article is accompanied by a well-known picture of a hand-cuffed Johnny Morrissey being led away by police after he was arrested in Spain in September 2022

The well-known photograph of Morrissey being led away by police in Spain

A photograph of Dutch police arresting an Israeli military commander for war crimes that mistakenly uses an image of Kinahan bagman Johnny Morrisey has gone viral.

The story has been fact-checked by news websites that found the story is incorrect and the person pictured in the piece is the wrong one.

It was claimed that Israeli Major General Shitan Shaul, commander of the Armoured Corp, was arrested in the Netherlands on charges of committing war crimes in Rafah.

Charges were brought forward by a human rights organization as he was spotted enjoying his summer vacation on The Hague beach, the widely-reported story reads.

The well-known photograph of Morrissey being led away by police in Spain

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

The article is accompanied by a well-known image of a hand-cuffed Johnny Morrissey being led away by police after he was arrested in Spain in September 2022.

Fact-checks point out that the photo taken more than three years ago predates the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

The image was originally published online to illustrate news reports about a suspected Irish gangster's arrest in Spain, one fact-checking website reports.

It adds that Morrissey, known as Johnny Cash for the wads of bank notes he carried with him, is suspected of laundering more than 200 million (174m) for the Kinahan gang, a criminal network whose leadership have been in hiding from European and US authorities.

The article incorrectly claims this is Israeli Major General Shitan Shaul

Fact-checkers also highlight the fact that in the photo the officer to the detainee's left is not wearing the uniform of a Dutch police agency.

Her vest is clearly marked Guardia Civil which is Spain's nationwide police force.

Behind her walks a man wearing the insignia of Ireland's Garda, the Emerald Isle's national police agency.

Morrisey was one of seven senior Kinahan cartel associates sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasurys (DOT) Office of Foreign Assets Control in April 2022.

The Manchester native who was the Kinahans' alleged money man was arrested at his villa on the Costa Del Sol in September of that year.

Authorities say he may have used the Hawala money transfer system to launder 200 million of drug money in 18 months.

Morrissey was taken into custody and spent almost two years behind bars in Alhaurin de la Torre prison, Malaga, before he was released on bail in June 2024.

Under the Spanish legal system, suspects do not face formal charges until their trial begins, but they can be held in custody as a person of interest.

Described as a highly-dangerous and violent man, he is suspected of running the elaborate drugs-money laundering operation on behalf of the Kinahan Cartel, as well as for other gangs.

Police say he was at the centre of the most important money laundering operation in Spain and that 350,000 a day was washed through his organisation.

The Kinahan organised crime group is alleged to have established ties with Hezbollah through the use of the Hawala system.

The Shia Islamist group, who are classified as a terrorist organisation by the United States, have used the system in Europe to finance their activities and deal drugs.

When the Kinahan cartel was sanctioned by US authorities in 2022, Morrissey was named as a key cartel enforcer who was laundering money through his alcohol company, Nero Vodka.

The company, which was run by his wife Nicola, allowed him to present the image of a legitimate entrepreneur.

The glamorous businesswoman was arrested alongside her husband in 2022 but was later released without charge.

Hawala is an informal money transfer system that allows for funds to be moved through intermediaries known as "hawaladars, without the money itself ever moving across jurisdictions.

A hawaladar in one country can take receipt of the money from one payer before contacting a hawaladar in another country who will pay out the equivalent sum in cash or goods to the payee.

No documentation is kept or recorded and the system works on trust between the hawaladars.

The traditional method is popular in parts of Asia and Africa, particularly among migrant workers who send money to their families.

However, the informal nature of the system, which is untraceable, has made it a popular way to exchange money linked to terrorism, drugs and money laundering.
We recently published 10 Stocks With Whopping 11-97% Upside. Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) is one of the best-performing stocks on Wednesday.

Venture Global rallied for a second straight day on Wednesday, surging 11.99 percent to close at $13.64 apiece, following its legal battle victory against Shell PLC (NYSE:SHEL) and optimism that it would win similar arbitration cases with other companies.

Earlier this week, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) won the battle against Shell over its failure to deliver liquefied natural gas under long-term contracts in 2023.

Other companies, namely BP, Edison, Orlen, Repsol, and Galp, similarly accused the LNG firm of profiting from the sale of natural gas on the spot market while failing to deliver them their contracted cargoes from the Calcasieu Pass export facility in Louisiana.

They said it was profiteering by selling commission cargoes at higher spot prices, a claim Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) firmly debunked, saying that it delayed commercial operations due to a faulty electric system that did not allow the plant to operate.

Venture Global (VG) Gets 12% Boost From Legal Battle Win Vs. Shell

Photo by Kwon Junho on Unsplash

In other news, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) said it grew its net income in the second quarter of the year by 21 percent to $368 million from $303 million in the same period last year, on the back of higher income from operations of $675 million primarily due higher LNG sales volumes at the Plaquemines Project.

Revenues soared by 180 percent to $3.1 billion from $1.1 billion year-on-year.

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It was not a question of what we would let the Russians do, but what we could get the Russians to do.

Remember that quote when all the dust has settled  and, hopefully, not the nuclear ash  around the Trump/Putin head-to-head on Friday.

However, those words were not uttered by a US delegate to the Alaska summit.

In an uncanny twist, they were voiced 80 years ago at another US/Russia rumpus over land... with Britain as the tripartite participant.

That took place in Crimea.

Remember Crimea?

That was the first part of Ukraine Putin annexed before trying to invade the rest of President Volodymyr Zelenskys brave but battered and embattled country.

But it was in Crimea, in the Black Sea port of Yalta eight decades ago at the end of the Second World War, that a summit not dissimilar to that in Alaska took place.

And what was at stake was not just the survival of one small sovereign state which for over three years has stood toe-to-toe with the might of the Red Army.

But the future of Europe.

And a Cold War carve-up which was to last for the next 34 years, until the fall of the USSR in 1991, the historical symbol of which was the fall of the Berlin Wall.

At that Yalta conference were US President Franklin D Roosevelt, Russian Premier Joseph Stalin and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill  dubbed The Big Three in the press at the time.

And in another uncanny twist, another leader who thought he should be there, the Free French forces leader and then provisional President of France, Charles de Gaulle, took it as a slight that he was not invited.

Just like President Zelensky on Friday. And there are more similarities.

President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump, who with his vice-president puppet JD Vance bullied and berated Zelensky at the White House, didnt want him there: because he had already ill-disguised his dislike of the Ukrainian leader.

De Gaulle believed Roosevelt harboured a long-standing personal antagonism towards him.

And Stalin and the Russians also point-blank objected to de Gaulle being a full participant.

Just as Putin did to Zelensky this time around.

So a direct European input was denied in Yalta back then.

Even though it was Europe, and Germany in particular, which was to be split East and West.

Now the European Union and the UK, with PM Keir Starmer and his counterparts limited to phone diplomacy, are left sidelined again.

Trump may have promised that he would take their opinions and concerns into consideration. But when was Trump ever concerned about anything, or anybody, other than himself?

Ditto Putin.

History dictates that Stalin tried to strong-arm the Yanks and Brits into getting what he wanted at Yalta.

And he did.

It remains to be seen, in retrospect, whether Putin, whose hero is said to be Stalin, managed to do the same in Anchorage: or will succeed at subsequent summits, if they transpire.

Meantime, that quote at the top remains as relevant today as it did 80 years ago.

The observation was made by James F Byrne, a senior US delegate at Yalta who was later to become the White House Secretary of State.

Only this time, it is not a question of what Trump would let the Russians do, but what the US can get Putin to do.

It is too soon to make a call on that so soon after Friday.

But perhaps it is not too soon to hope that both parties adhere to an old Russian proverb.

It is: You have two ears, one mouth  listen twice as much as you speak.

As the dust settles on this summit, we can only hope that both so-called world leaders did just that: not just for the future of Ukraine, but for the future of the world.
Hotel, bars and restaurants say if the VAT rate is cut they they need to keep the cash to survive.

A cut in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector must be passed on to customers, a Government TD has insisted.

Paula Butterly, the Fine Gael Deputy in Louth said consumers must also benefit with reduced prices in our bars, restaurants and hotels.

The Finance Minister Paschal Donohue is expected to axe the vat rate in the October budget from 13.5 to 9pc at a cost of almost 1 billion to the exchequer.

However a large number of Fianna Fail backbenchers are against it and want some of this money used on a cost of living package to help families instead.

They also say if the VAT cut is coming it should be brought into play from July 2026 - thus freeing up half a billion quid.

Bar.

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

But Deputy Butterly said the hospitality industry is struggling and needs help.

She said the cut in the hospitality VAT rate is also part of the programme for government and must be delivered.

She stated: Our SMEs are the fundamental employer in our economy and the tourism sector plays a very significant role in this, especially in regional areas.

"While I fully support the VAT reduction I would hope to see their customers benefiting from this with reduced prices.

"It is vital we protect and support employment in this sector but we also need to ensure that people coming through their doors see the benefit of the reduction as well."

However the hotel, bars and restaurants say if the VAT rate is cut they they need to keep the cash to survive.

They argue their costs from food to energy have soared in recent years and they have had no option but to hike up prices to stay in business.

They say if they get the VAT rate cut it will mean no job losses and pubs especially in rural Ireland will survive.

Adrian Cummins the CEO of the Irish Restaurant Association said the Government decision to increase the VAT from 9pc back up to 13.5pc in September 2023 was catastrophic for the whole industry.

He said: Restaurants, cafes and food businesses operate on notoriously tight margins. The average profit margin goes between 3 to 5pc in good times and far less in rural parts during the off season.

"The increase of 4.5pc was a massive blow. A lower VAT rate supports job security, keeps wage bills manageable, and allows businesses to invest in training and growth.

"It is not a gift but an investment in Ireland as a tourist destination."
The runaway killer fled Lebannon and is said to be hiding in Iran.

The man who killed Private Sean Rooney is believed to be hiding out in Iran, according to sources.

Hezbollah fighter Mohammed Ayyad has not been seen in over a year but Government and diplomat sources suspect he has fled Lebanon for Iran.

The runaway killer was sentenced to death a few weeks ago on July 28 last by a military tribunal for the murder of the 23-year-old Dundalk soldier.

But he wasn't in court for the conviction and the Lebanese authorities gave no indication where he was.

Ayyad was initially released on bail over a year ago on medical grounds.

But yesterday the Louth Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O'Murchu said it is unclear what his medical condition was.

rooney

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

He said: This guy seems to have vanished and nobody knows where he is."

But Government insiders believe Ayyad has fled to Iran - the country which bankrolls the Hezbellah organisation in south Lebanon where Sean perished.

One source said: We suspect he is in Iran and it is unlikely anyone will hand him over to face a death penalty. It is not a satisfactory situation but all we can do is keep the pressure on and see if we can get justice for Sean and his family."

Ayyad was among a gang of men who opened fire on the UN peacekeepers convoy on December 14, 2022 in the village of Al-Aqbiya as they made their way to Beirut Airport.

Sean lost his life while three other Irish soldiers, Private Shane Kearney, Corporal Joshua Phelan, and Private Nathan Byra were injured.

The other Lebanese gunmen involved in the unprovoked attack got far lighter sentences.

One got three months jail, another a one month jail sentence, another was fined the equivalent of appoximately 1800 and a fourth was acquitted.

These are now being appealed by the Beirut government following pressure from Ireland and Sean's devastated family.

The Minister for Defence Simon Harris and Sean's mother Natasha held a private meeting to discuss the case during the week.

Mr Harris said: " The Government has repeatedly stressed the need for justice to be served in this case.. We have raised the issue with the UN, and the Lebanese authorities . This is a difficult time for his family and the 121th Infantry Battalion."

The Lebanese authorities have not executed any prisoners in over 20 years so the Irish Government is pushing for the killer to be found to serve a life in prison instead.

The Taoiseach Micheal Martin after the court verdict said: Sean was a soldier of great courage who put the safety of others before his own safety in the line of duty. He was brave and diligent.

"Peacekeeping is the most noble cause of all and the role of the peacekeeper must at all times be honoured and respected."

The Irish Coroner's Inquest into Sean Rooney's death has been postponed and no new date confirmed.

Defence Minister Harris revealed in a reply to Deputy O'Murchu that the Coroner has received a response from the United Nations to her request that they should be an interested party at the Inquest and grant access to a number of UN reports.

Details of the UN response have not been released publicly.

Mr Harris also said that an independent review into the murder by Mr Michael Delaney SC is ongoing.

This review is examining the internal tactics, techniques , processes, and procedures employed by the Defence Forces with a view to determining whether there are lessons to be learned for the circumstances surrounding Private Rooney's death. Mr Delaney nis expected to report with Mr Harris in the autumn.
The body of Stephen Brannigan (56) was found in a house in Marian Park in the town last Sunday.

Stephen Brannigan (left) and Fr John Murray (right) were attacked in Downpatrick on Sunday

Mourners at the funeral of Stephen Brannigan in Downpatrick this afternoon.

An order of service at the funeral of Stephen Brannigan.

A grandfather killed in Co Down last weekend was laid to rest today wearing the colours of his beloved Liverpool Football Club.

As the funeral of Stephen Brannigan took place in Downpatrick, a priest hit out at what he described as the aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society.

The body of Mr Brannigan (56) was found in a house in Marian Park in the town last Sunday.

On the same day, Fr John Murray was attacked at the nearby St Patrick's Church. He was preparing to celebrate his last mass before retirement, and is recovering in hospital.

One man has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

The funeral of Stephen Brannigan.

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

Mr Brannigans funeral took place at St Brigids Church this afternoon.

A floral tribute in the hearse read simply Daddy. Some mourners wore Liverpool jerseys and carried photographs of the deceased.

Grieving relatives wept as they read Bible passages during the service.

Addressing mourners, Fr Timothy Bartlett said the events of last weekend had been shocking and very brutal.

The peace of an ordinary summer Sunday morning was cruelly shattered by acts of vicious and senseless violence, he said.

Totally unprovoked, this violence was directed against two people who had simply reached out to help someone they believed to be in distress.

Mr Brannigan's family have described him as a "beloved" father and grandfather.

During his homily, Fr Bartlett touched on his life, recalling how the deceased would help his neighbours or tend to the grave of his late wife Dorenda, which he said summed up his kind, thoughtful personality.

Mourners at the funeral of Stephen Brannigan in Downpatrick this afternoon.

He referred to Mr Brannigans great interests in planes and Liverpool FC.

As a life-long Man City fan, I am sure God will forgive him for having such poor judgment, the priest smiled.

But it does give me pleasure to make some of his fellow Liverpool fans a little bit jealous by telling you that, through the kindness of the local suppliers, Stephen is being laid to rest today wearing the new official Thirds top for Liverpool, something not yet on official release in this part of the world.

"So, if there is a kit clash in heaven today, Stephen will be unmistakable as a definite Liverpool FC man. I am sure he would be very pleased about that.

The priest said that while Mr Brannigan was not perfect, the more recent years of his life were marked by a remarkable kindness, a gentle neighbourliness and a deep love for those who were close to him.

He added: Stephen loved and Stephen was loved. And the greatest love of his life was his late wife, Dorenda. Through all the ups and downs, they journeyed together. They stayed close to each other through thick and thin.

Their greatest pride and joy in life? Their daughters Ciara and Gemma, and through them, their beloved grandchildren Sophie, Lily, Conor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi.

Mourners also heard how the cruel, shocking and brutally violent events of last Sunday had left a community numb, dazed and broken-hearted.

Fr Bartlett also addressed the wider issue of violence in society, saying it is a growing threat to our communities.

He continued: Over recent days, I was struck by the number of local people who said things on the news like, Violence, it is all you hear about nowadays. Or Nothing is sacred any more. People have no respect.

He added: Am I the only one who feels that there is a growing culture of aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society, in which nothing and no-one is sacred any more?

Am I the only one who yearns for a little more gentleness, a little more civility, a little more courtesy, a little more neighbourliness and community, and a little more compassion and care?

It is time to ask ourselves the hard questions about why this is happening in our society, all too frequently.

One thing is certain, to address these issues, our elected representatives cannot do it on their own. To build strong, cohesive local communities and a safe, healthy society involves all the sources of social capital in a society working together.

During the service, prayers were said for Fr Murray, who is continuing to recover in hospital.

Fr Bartlett added: As we salute the army of heroes of hope in our community, those who have lifted us with their kindness and care in recent days, we pay particular tribute to Canon John Murray.

Canon John has served this community with genuine love and devotion for 11 years.

Our hearts are broken that such a gentle and prayerful man should have been subjected to such a brutal attack.

Following the service, Mr Brannigan was buried in Struell Cemetery, Downpatrick.

Earlier this week, a man appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and the attempted murder of Fr Murray.

Hugh Malone (30), of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, was remanded in custody.
Police had to give two drag artists an escort away from Drag Queen Story Time on August 1 at Hollywood Arches Library.

Gordon Lyonss threat to ban drag queen story events from public libraries will have serious consequences for the LGBT community, says Belfasts premier cabaret performer.

Ross Anderson-Doherty believes the DUP Communities Ministers views will come at a cost to young gay and trans people in Northern Ireland.

The real-life consequences are on the bodies of young people who are just trying to live their lives, says the performer.

The ministers intervention came after protesters gathered outside Drag Queen Story Time on August 1 at Hollywood Arches Library, an event which was part of EastSide Arts Festival, and police had to give two drag artists an escort away from the event.

Lady Portia Di Monte had read books including Dear Zoo to children and parents at the ticketed event while Miss Dora Belle provided a British Sign Language translation.

Footage of protesters shouting leave our kids alone at the drag artists went viral earlier this week, and the incident prompted a response from Minister Lyons that the event was not appropriate for children.

Ross Anderson-Doherty

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

This event should not have taken place and it has compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all, as set out in the Libraries NI policy, he said.

I have directed my officials to liaise with Libraries NI to ensure that policy is faithfully implemented, added the minister.

Ross, a former panto dame, creative director and a regular at Belfasts Cabaret Supper Club, has no doubt the minister knows the impact of his statement.

What you mean, Gordon, is you want it to be inclusive of only the people you deem acceptable  and thats not how the world works, says the performer, who is non-binary.

I think he absolutely knows that has real-life consequences.

Hes an intelligent man. He is well educated. He was clever enough to become a minister in our parliament. I think to say he doesnt understand the real-life impact of his words does him a disservice.

Gordon Lyons, Communities Minister

Credit where credits due. He knows exactly what hes doing and hes very willing to do it to us.

A vicious online backlash against Lady Portia has prompted the popular drag artist to issue legal proceedings after she was subjected to online abuse and false accusations.

Ross (43), who often shares the stage with Hope Streets Kerri Quinn, says its a threat hanging over all performers from the LGBT community, that they will be subjected to malicious smears of harming children.

People get beaten and worse because of that tag being attached to them, says the performer.

Throughout my entire career I have worked with children and young people a lot and there has always been that threat of being called a groomer or a paedophile purely because of how I do my gender and my sexuality.

Were now being told by people like Gordon Lyons that who I am is dirty and sexualised and harmful to children.

Ross Anderson-Doherty

Ross reveals theyre regularly abused in comments on their videos on Instagram and TikTok, encouraging them to commit self-harm.

And for many in the LGBT community, the online hate often spills over into real life.

Every woman you know has some story with a man and always has an escape plan for if theyre alone at night. Its a wee bit like that for queer people.

Ive had milk bottles thrown at me. Ive been attacked in the street. Ive been punched in the face and we, like women, trans, cis and otherwise, have to get on with it otherwise you would lose yourself in the terror of it all.

A growing movement against LGBT rights in the UK and Europe has been fuelled and funded by fundamentalists in the US.

Last year Humanists UK warned of an influx of millions of dollars from the American religious right to influence the debate on abortion, assisted dying and gay rights.

There is a very concerted systemic effort from some very rich people to create a moral panic around something that has been normalised in our culture for hundreds of years, says Ross.

The performer believes the protests are simply a sign of intolerance and points out no one picketed at the Waterfront Hall or the SSE Arena when they performed in panto for several years.

The protesters are making a really definite choice to ignore facts, to ignore kindness, to ignore compassion, to ignore peoples humanity and sometimes you have to just condemn it for what it is, which is outright bigotry, they say.

In panto I had the beard, I had a wig, I had fake bosoms on. I was out there entertaining kids for years but if I went to read a book to them in a library now, that would be wrong, says Ross.

However, there is also huge support for them from the public.

The performer says following a video appeal this week  which already has more than 200,000 views  their fans have promised to stand with the LGBT community.

I always say 93 per cent of my audience is drunk white women. One of my jokes is I was raised by a drunk white woman. We have a connection. Its a beautiful thing.

I made a wee video on Instagram and TikTok saying drunk white women if youve ever been entertained by anybody who looks or sound like me or has done drag, can you stand up for us please because things are getting quite violent out here, and the response has been one of the most heartening things Ive ever seen in my life, says Ross.
Sudden intense rain caused chaos, with both regions experiencing deluges

A general view of an area affected by the deadly flood caused by sudden, heavy rain in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, Indian Kashmir, August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Flash floods triggered by torrential rains have killed more than 280 people and left scores of others missing in India and Pakistan over a 24-hour period, officials said. Rescuers brought 1,600 people to safety from mountainous districts in the two countries.

Sudden, intense downpours known as cloudbursts are increasingly common in Indias Himalayan regions and Pakistans northern areas. They have the potential to wreak havoc by causing intense flooding and landslides, impacting thousands of people in the mountainous regions.

Experts say cloudbursts have increased in recent years, partly because of climate change. Damage has also increased due to unplanned development in mountain regions.

A general view of an area affected by the deadly flood caused by sudden, heavy rain in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, Indian Kashmir, August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

News in 90 Seconds - August 16th

In India-controlled Kashmir, rescuers searched for missing people in the remote Himalayan village of Chositi yesterday, after flash floods a day earlier left at least 60 people dead and at least 80 missing.

Officials halted rescue operations overnight, but rescued at least 300 people on Thursday after a powerful cloudburst. They said many missing people were believed to have been washed away.

At least 50 seriously injured people  many of them rescued from a stream filled with mud and debris  were treated in local hospitals. Disaster management official Mohammed Irshad said the number of missing people could increase, as weather officials forecast more heavy rains and floods in the area.

Houses submerged in floodwater in Buner, Pakistan. Photo: AP

Chositi, in Kashmirs Kishtwar district, is the last village accessible to motor vehicles on the route of an annual Hindu pilgrimage to a mountainous shrine at an altitude of 3,000m.

Officials said the pilgrimage, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5, has been suspended.

The devastating floods swept away the main community kitchen set up for the pilgrims, as well as dozens of vehicles and motorbikes.

More than 200 pilgrims were in the kitchen at the time of the flood, which also damaged or washed away many of the homes clustered together in the foothills, officials said.

Sneha, who gave only one name, said her husband and a daughter were swept away as floodwater gushed down the mountain. The two were eating at the community kitchen while she and her son were nearby. The family had come for the pilgrimage, she said.

Photos and videos on social media show extensive damage, with household goods strewn next to damaged vehicles and homes in the village.

Authorities made makeshift bridges yesterday to help stranded pilgrims cross a muddy water channel, and used dozens of earthmovers to shift boulders, uprooted trees, and electricity poles and other debris.

Throughout yesterday, authorities evacuated nearly 4,000 pilgrims stranded in various parts of the forested area, officials said.

Kishtwar district is home to multiple hydroelectric power projects, which experts have long warned pose a threat to the regions fragile ecosystem.

In northern and north-western Pakistan, flash floods killed at least 243 people in the past 24 hours, including 157 yesterday in the flood-hit Buner district in north-west Pakistan.

Dozens of people were still missing, and rescue operations were under way. By midday yesterday, 78 bodies had been recovered from various parts of the district, and another 79 were pulled from the rubble of collapsed homes and flooded villages later.

Dozens were injured as the deluge destroyed homes in villages in Buner, where authorities declared a state of emergency yesterday. Ambulances have taken 56 bodies to local hospitals, according to a government statement.

Rescuers worked to reach stranded residents. Dozens of villagers were still missing and the death toll is likely to rise, Buner government administrator Kashif Qayyum said.

A helicopter carrying relief supplies to the north-western region of Bajaur crashed yesterday due to bad weather, killing all five people on board, including two pilots, a government statement said.

The latest fatalities bring the total number of rain-related deaths to 556 since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
An increased demand for AA services in Te Puke is being met with additional staff.

AA Te Puke, based at Te Puke Library and Service Centre, recently expanded its team to better serve the community.

This comes as the local AA agent experiences continued and steady increases in applications and inquiries since opening in 2022.

The increased staffing levels are intended to reduce waiting times and ensure a more efficient experience for all members and customers.

We are thrilled to have a full team, this means the community can expect shorter wait times and quicker processing for their applications and enquires, said Te Puke Library and Service Centre team leader Amanda-Jane McFadden.

AA supervisor Cathryn Bilby said the move would also enable a new service to be provided  Overseas Drivers Licence Conversions.

This will mean our community will not have to travel to Tauranga or Mount Maunganui to convert their overseas licence to a New Zealand one.

The new service will be available from August 11.

The AA Te Puke team encourages anyone with motoring, or driver licensing needs to visit the agency during its business hours, Monday  Friday 9am to 4.30pm.

For any queries, call the AA on 0800 500 444
Wall Street debates Strategy's Bitcoin blueprint originally appeared on TheStreet.

One of Wall Street's most famous short sellers, Jim Chanos, has made a name for himself by finding firms whose market value is way higher than it should be. Now, his eyes are set on MicroStrategy, a Virginia-based software company that has lately changed its name to "Strategy."

The company is well known for its corporate Bitcoin vault. But Chanos is clear in his criticism: the company's business model is "financial nonsense," and its shares are worth a lot more than the Bitcoin they represent.

Chanos's main point is based on a single number: market net asset value, or mNAV. This represents the value of the company's Bitcoin holdings per share, minus its debts and preferred equity, relative to the actual stock price.

Strategy now has around $77.2 billion worth of Bitcoin. However, the price of its shares suggests that each share is worth significantly more than the coins themselves. Traders call that extra gap the "premium," and Chanos thinks it's not fair.

Join the discussion with Scott Melker on Roundtable here.

Strategy's premium has been under both scrutiny and praise. The corporation doesn't just use cash reserves or issue traditional debt to get money. It also sells perpetual preferred shares, such as its STRD ("Stride") and STRC ("Stretch") offerings.

Investors in these preferreds receive regular dividends, typically ranging from 9% to 12%, which Strategy uses to purchase additional Bitcoin.

The method gives investors more power: when the market is strong, the extra Bitcoin raises returns for regular stockholders. But in poor markets, those fixed dividend obligations stay in place, which might lower value and force Strategy to keep raising money.

In favor of MSTR

Michael Saylor, the executive chairman of Strategy and the person who came up with this plan, says the extra money is well worth it. He talks about it in terms of four main benefits.
Taylor Swift has surpassed President Donald Trumps record for the most podcast listeners within the first hour of an episode being released.

On Wednesday, Swift appeared on the podcast New Heights, hosted by her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end and the Philadelphia Eagles alum interviewed Swift for over two hours during the episode, which went live at 7 p.m.

According to The Daily Beast, and confirmed by Swifts representatives, 1.3 million people were watching the podcast live on YouTube during the first hour after its release.

This is significant because Trump previously held the record for the most listeners tuning in during the first hour of a podcast. In October 2024, he appeared on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, where 800,000 people watched during the first hour, according to data from CNN analyst Harry Enten.

The influx of viewers was so high for Swifts New Heights episode that it crashed on YouTube around the 1-hour 44-minute mark.

I mean this video being 1.3 million views is the epitome of numerology, Jason wrote on X a few minutes before the video crashed.

During this record-breaking episode, Swift unveiled the cover and tracklist for her forthcoming album The Life of a Showgirl, discussed regaining control of her masters, and talked about her relationship with Travis.

Swift topping Trump in podcast views within the first hour comes three months after the 47th president claimed on Truth Social that Swift was waning in popularity because of him.

Has anyone noticed that, since I said I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT, shes no longer HOT? he posted in May.

Trump had publicly expressed his disdain for Swift on social media in Sept. 2024 after Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. Since then, he has continued to make spontaneous jabs at the pop star, including mentioning her in a speech in April when the Eagles visited the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX win.

Swift has never publicly acknowledged Trumps comments about her.
Newly released bodycam footage shows the moment a Southwest Airlines pilot failed a sobriety test moments before takeoff earlier this year.

According to NBC News, pilot David Allsop was arrested around 6 a.m. on January 15 at Savannah Hilton Head Airport for allegedly failing a sobriety test before a flight to Chicago, as outlined in a report by the Chatham County Police Department.

The TSA noticed that he smelled of alcohol and alerted the police, who confronted him right before he was scheduled to operate Flight 3772 out of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Passengers had already boarded the flight.

In the footage, the police asked Allsop how many beers he had consumed the night before. He responded, a few beers. When pressed for clarification, he said, Like three. Light beer, Miller Lite.

After some resistance, Allsop finally consented to a field sobriety test. During the test, he was instructed to follow a pen with his eyes but appeared to move his head instead. Additionally, police noted in their report that Allsop failed to maintain his balance and was swaying while walking. He continued to sway when asked to stand on one foot.

He refused to undergo a blood test to determine his blood alcohol level and was subsequently arrested on a charge of DUI.

Per NBC News, the airline released a statement on Friday that said [Allsop] was removed from duty immediately after the alleged incident and is no longer employed by Southwest Airlines.

Allsops defense lawyer, David Chaiken, also released a statement on Friday claiming that the bodycam footage showed no evidence of Allsop being imparied.

David Chaiken, Allsops defense lawyer, insisted that the video footage shows no evidence of his client being impaired.

The recently released bodycam video confirms what should be obvious to anyone who watches it  Captain Allsop committed no crime, he said.

Experts who have reviewed the video have concluded that the tests that led to his arrest were not performed correctly and that the proper procedures were not followed, Chaikens statement continued.
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Visit to HMS Belfast, London UK



https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/comme...ml#post6007032 (A visit to the famous Clipper Cutty Saark, Greenwich, London UK)



I also visited HMS Belfast.



From Wikipedia:



Quote: HMS Belfast is a Town-class light cruiser that was built for the Royal Navy. She is now permanently moored as a museum ship on the River Thames in London and is operated by the Imperial War Museum.



After the second world war she played an active role in amongst other the Korean war.



These days she is moored, fully restored and open to the public, smack right in the centre of London,











She lies just a couple of hundred meters west of Tower Bridge







These days her guns protect London tower!







Modern London might not be to everybodies taste, but it is certainly impressive.







Some facts and figures about her (source Wikipedia)



Quote: When completed, Belfast had an overall length of 613 feet 6 inches (187.0 m), a beam of 63 feet 4 inches (19.3 m) and a draught of 17 feet 3 inches (5.3 m). Her standard displacement during her sea trials was 10,420 long tons (10,590 t).[4] She was propelled by four three-drum oil-fired Admiralty water-tube boilers, turning Parsons geared steam turbines, driving four propeller shafts. She was capable of 32.5 knots (60.2 km/h; 37.4 mph) and carried 2,400 long tons (2,400 t) of fuel oil. This gave her a maximum range of 8,664 nautical miles (16,046 km; 9,970 mi) at 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph).



Steam engine rooms are very different from Diesel engine rooms. If anything, as you would expect, they are a whole lot hotter. As you will see there are (steam) pipes and valves everywhere. There was no automation on this vessel; everything was done manually. Big engine room and boiler room crew!



As you would expect from a former merchant chief engineer, my visit started in the engine room, what else?



Here you see the general arrangement of her four propellers and various turbines







This is one of the gearboxes in the rear turbine room. Turbines spin at high RPM and propellers, for maximum efficiency and to reduce cavitation need to spin at a much lower RPM







They had opened up the gearbox on the starboard side: Look at the difference in size of the two gear wheels!















This is the so-called turning gear. It is used during maintenance to turn the turbine, but it can also be used during the warming up of the turbine to turn it constantly so it warms up evenly. One of the big challenges on a steam plant is to prevent any damage to heat shock. This can be caused due too large fluctuations of temperatures. Big marine diesels suffer from the same problem. E.g. you usually would find a manoeuvring full speed and a "full speed. The first was at limited RPM, which would ensure you could safely go from stop to full manoeuvring speed and back again without any thermal shock. But it could take hours to go from full manoevring speed to full speed. Engine RPM would have to be increased very slowly to get to the maximum RPM and speed.







Seen from the top, the thrust bearing. All those horsepower need to move the ship. The propeller, through its shaft, needs to push against something. Thats this nifty device! Thrust bearings are high precision bit of kit, but the principle is very simple. You see that massive, solid, ring on the shaft. On each side you see these sort of blocks. Oil is pumped continuously under pressure between the ring and these blocks. Its a very thin layer of oil that keeps the ring from touching these thrust blocks. Very simple, very effective and as long at the oil is clean and kept going there is virtually no wear at all!











Steam turbines produce an immense amount of power in a relatively small volume and weight package. But it has a few disadvantages as well. To go fast with a ship you need a lot of power. On so-called full displacement ships, the theoretical rule is to double the speed, you need eight time the power. (so speed and power are related by a power of three). Irrespective of the efficiency of your power plant, going fast is always going to take a huge amount of power, and therefore fuel. At top speed, HMS Belfast burned close to 30 tonnes of fuel per hour



So Belfast cruised at a much reduced speed, and it had a dedicated turbine for cruising. Only about 5000HP. Also, turbines turn in one direction. No variable pitch propellers in those days. So all steam vessels tend to have a dedicated reverse-turbine as well.



Here you see the clutch for the cruise turbine (or reverse, cant tell anymore)







This is the cruise turbine, opened so we can all see!







And the reverse turbine gears







Steam plants, especially on vessels, are a dangerous environment. Obviously it is very hot and you need to be carefull about de-hydration and burning yourself. Everything is hot! But the steam used on turbines is super heated steam. So it is water in its gaseous state. Under high pressure and hight temperature. Even a small leak can be very dangerous, because it will literally cut you in half!



It takes a lot of dials, gauges, levers and valves to operate a steam plant. And this steam plant has multiple turbines. Because the main shafts have a low and high-pressure turbine each. We have the cruise and the reverse turbine too.







The idea behind a high and low pressure turbine are similar to having multiple cilinder/pistons in a triple expansion steam engine. The steam can be used several times, to provide power, by re-using it a lower pressure and temperature to extract maximum power.







There would also be turbines driving the electric generators!







Starting up a steam-powered ship, with no diesel engines at all is quite the experience and it takes a lot of time.







Another image of one of the main gearboxes, this one closed obviously. You have got to love those polished tubes!







These are some coolers/heat exchangers. The colours on the various valves and flanges would denote the fluid inside the pipeline. E.g. green would be seawater, blue would be potable water.







Ocean-going vessels tend to produce their own fresh water. Especially steamships. Here you see one of its steam-driven evaporaters. Sea water would be brought to the boil and the saturated steam would be run through a condenser. You would be left with very high-quality fresh water and a significant amount of salt remaining in the evaporator. The salt needed to be chissiled out of the evaporator now and then. A truly horrible job!







You might have heard the term steam gauges in aeroplanes, i.e. the era before the digital displays? Well, here are some steam gauges. Not an electron in sight!











One of the operating stations of the engine room







Another piece of steam drive machinery, probably a compressor?







An overview of the fore-end of this engine room







These are the main steam valves that regulate the amount of steam going to the respective steam turbine.







Telegraph for receiving manoeuvring orders from the bridge.







Shaft revolution counter.







Before we leave the engine room and look at some other parts of this ship; if youre interested in finding out a bit more about how it was working in HMS Belfast engine and boiler room have a look here:



https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/in-th...of-hms-belfast A few weeks ago, we had to attend a wedding in London. We added a few more days to explore London some more. We know London pretty well, but had not visited it for several years. The wedding itself and our hotel were in Greenwich. I visited the famous clipper Cutty Sark and wrote about it here:I also visited HMS Belfast.From Wikipedia:Make no mistake, this ship saw plenty of action in its time. She saw active service for well over 25 years, she took part in the British naval blockade of German vessels, did escort duty on the atlantic ocean, ran on a mine, which put her out of action for three years, took part in operation Overlord,(the allied invisaion of Normandie). She took part in he Battle of North Cape began when the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst and five destroyers left their base in Altenfjord, northern Norway on Christmas Day 1943.After the second world war she played an active role in amongst other the Korean war.These days she is moored, fully restored and open to the public, smack right in the centre of London,She lies just a couple of hundred meters west of Tower BridgeThese days her guns protect London tower!Modern London might not be to everybodies taste, but it is certainly impressive.Some facts and figures about her (source Wikipedia)I have visited HMS Belfast many times. The first time was somewhere in 1978 or thereabouts. I was at naval college at the time, and me and some mates I decided to take a long weekend London break. We visited her then and I have been back many times. One of the things I find fascinating is her engine room. This was a traditional steam turbine ship. As many warships and some merchant ships were in those days. And you can walk around the engine room and boiler room. Unfortunately, the boiler room was not open to the public this time.Steam engine rooms are very different from Diesel engine rooms. If anything, as you would expect, they are a whole lot hotter. As you will see there are (steam) pipes and valves everywhere. There was no automation on this vessel; everything was done manually. Big engine room and boiler room crew!As you would expect from a former merchant chief engineer, my visit started in the engine room, what else?Here you see the general arrangement of her four propellers and various turbinesThis is one of the gearboxes in the rear turbine room. Turbines spin at high RPM and propellers, for maximum efficiency and to reduce cavitation need to spin at a much lower RPMThey had opened up the gearbox on the starboard side: Look at the difference in size of the two gear wheels!This is the so-called turning gear. It is used during maintenance to turn the turbine, but it can also be used during the warming up of the turbine to turn it constantly so it warms up evenly. One of the big challenges on a steam plant is to prevent any damage to heat shock. This can be caused due too large fluctuations of temperatures. Big marine diesels suffer from the same problem. E.g. you usually would find a manoeuvring full speed and a "full speed. The first was at limited RPM, which would ensure you could safely go from stop to full manoeuvring speed and back again without any thermal shock. But it could take hours to go from full manoevring speed to full speed. Engine RPM would have to be increased very slowly to get to the maximum RPM and speed.Seen from the top, the thrust bearing. All those horsepower need to move the ship. The propeller, through its shaft, needs to push against something. Thats this nifty device! Thrust bearings are high precision bit of kit, but the principle is very simple. You see that massive, solid, ring on the shaft. On each side you see these sort of blocks. Oil is pumped continuously under pressure between the ring and these blocks. Its a very thin layer of oil that keeps the ring from touching these thrust blocks. Very simple, very effective and as long at the oil is clean and kept going there is virtually no wear at all!Steam turbines produce an immense amount of power in a relatively small volume and weight package. But it has a few disadvantages as well. To go fast with a ship you need a lot of power. On so-called full displacement ships, the theoretical rule is to double the speed, you need eight time the power. (so speed and power are related by a power of three). Irrespective of the efficiency of your power plant, going fast is always going to take a huge amount of power, and therefore fuel. At top speed, HMS Belfast burned close to 30 tonnes of fuel per hourSo Belfast cruised at a much reduced speed, and it had a dedicated turbine for cruising. Only about 5000HP. Also, turbines turn in one direction. No variable pitch propellers in those days. So all steam vessels tend to have a dedicated reverse-turbine as well.Here you see the clutch for the cruise turbine (or reverse, cant tell anymore)This is the cruise turbine, opened so we can all see!And the reverse turbine gearsSteam plants, especially on vessels, are a dangerous environment. Obviously it is very hot and you need to be carefull about de-hydration and burning yourself. Everything is hot! But the steam used on turbines is super heated steam. So it is water in its gaseous state. Under high pressure and hight temperature. Even a small leak can be very dangerous, because it will literally cut you in half!It takes a lot of dials, gauges, levers and valves to operate a steam plant. And this steam plant has multiple turbines. Because the main shafts have a low and high-pressure turbine each. We have the cruise and the reverse turbine too.The idea behind a high and low pressure turbine are similar to having multiple cilinder/pistons in a triple expansion steam engine. The steam can be used several times, to provide power, by re-using it a lower pressure and temperature to extract maximum power.There would also be turbines driving the electric generators!Starting up a steam-powered ship, with no diesel engines at all is quite the experience and it takes a lot of time.Another image of one of the main gearboxes, this one closed obviously. You have got to love those polished tubes!These are some coolers/heat exchangers. The colours on the various valves and flanges would denote the fluid inside the pipeline. E.g. green would be seawater, blue would be potable water.Ocean-going vessels tend to produce their own fresh water. Especially steamships. Here you see one of its steam-driven evaporaters. Sea water would be brought to the boil and the saturated steam would be run through a condenser. You would be left with very high-quality fresh water and a significant amount of salt remaining in the evaporator. The salt needed to be chissiled out of the evaporator now and then. A truly horrible job!You might have heard the term steam gauges in aeroplanes, i.e. the era before the digital displays? Well, here are some steam gauges. Not an electron in sight!One of the operating stations of the engine roomAnother piece of steam drive machinery, probably a compressor?An overview of the fore-end of this engine roomThese are the main steam valves that regulate the amount of steam going to the respective steam turbine.Telegraph for receiving manoeuvring orders from the bridge.Shaft revolution counter.Before we leave the engine room and look at some other parts of this ship; if youre interested in finding out a bit more about how it was working in HMS Belfast engine and boiler room have a look here: Last edited by Jeroen : 15th August 2025 at 11:43 .
Wall Street bankers are hammering away at some provisions of the new U.S. stablecoin law that was hailed by President Donald Trump and the crypto sector as a huge first step toward establishing a fully regulated U.S. industry, and the banks are joined by unusual bedfellows from the consumer-advocate world in sounding alarms.

Hoping to revise and cut provisions that might threaten aspects of the current financial system, the American Bankers Association and other bank lobbying groups aligned in a letter this week with Americans for Financial Reform  usually a staunch opponent of Wall Street's policy aims  and the National Consumer Law Center. One provision of the stablecoin law known as the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act lets a stablecoin-issuing subsidiary of a state-chartered uninsured depository institution run money-transmission and custody services nationwide, which the bankers argue bypasses existing state licensing and oversight.

Their letter asked several key U.S. senators to insist that whole section be erased entirely.

"Ignoring state law in this regard invites regulatory arbitrage, allowing certain uninsured depository institutions special privileges to operate across state lines as federally insured banks currently do, but without the panoply of regulatory and supervisory requirements, or limitations on preemption applicable to those institutions," the August 13 letter argued.

The bank lobbyists, also cooperated in a separate effort to protect deposits and other core aspects of their businesses from the GENIUS Act, arguing in another letter to lawmakers this week that the law leaves an opening for crypto firms to offer returns on stablecoins. While the law bans stablecoin issuers themselves from offering interest or yield, it doesn't stop the issuers' affiliates or exchanges from doing so indirectly. The bankers fear a massive loss of deposits and money-market fund activity from the resulting rivalry stablecoins might offer.

"Congress must protect the flow of credit to American businesses and families and the stability of the most important financial market by closing the stablecoin payment of interest loophole," according to the groups, including the ABA, Bank Policy Institute, Financial Services Forum and others. Banks turn deposits into loans, so the lack of deposits threatens necessary U.S. lending.

Faryar Shirzad, the chief policy officer at U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase, criticized the banks' position in postings on social media site X.



"Congress shouldn't be in the business of passing legislation that takes away consumer choice and the opportunity for the average person to earn returns on their hard-earned dollars," he wrote, additionally arguing that the $6 trillion figure on what desposits may be at stake is overblown.
Photo via Dennis Van Tine/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Leave it to the no-nonsense, under-the-radar Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett to reveal the most buzzed-about trading secret on Wall Street in a bureaucratic filing.

Berkshires latest Form 13-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, was made public Thursday after markets closed. It revealed a handful of new companies Berkshire has invested in, including stakes it sought to keep confidential earlier this year.

READ ALSO: Can the Big Apples Office-Tower Revival Turn into a Trendsetter? and CFPB Rewrites Open Banking Rule as Banks Feud with Fintechs Over Your Data

In Full Form

Berkshires 10Q filings this year suggested the holdings giant had added a sizable stake or stakes to its commercial, industrial and other investment categories. But Buffetts firm also requested to keep at least one first-quarter investment confidential: This is a common strategy when building up stakes, one Buffett used in the past to accumulate holdings in Chubb, Chevron and Verizon. But when youre the most famous investor on earth, even your quietest maneuvers garner Super Bowl-level viewership on trading floors, not to mention the sort of speculative guessing that comes in advance of the big game.

Given Buffetts well-known investment philosophy, in which companies with reliable cash flows and a deep moat are king, speculative guesses ranged from defense contractor Lockheed Martin to construction equipment-maker Caterpillar and shipping giant United Parcel Service. Berkshire went in another direction and dropped a second-quarter surprise to boot:

The mystery stocks that Berkshire started accumulating in the first quarter were homebuilders Lennar and DR Horton, as well as Nucor, Americas biggest steelmaker. That suggests, in particular, that Berkshire is going long on housing. Interest-rate cuts are coming, after all, arent they? Arent they?

The big surprise, however, was a brand new, $1.6 billion stake in UnitedHealth, accumulated entirely during the second quarter. Berkshire steps in as the healthcare and insurance giant is reeling from soaring medical costs, facing a federal criminal fraud probe, and is warning its profits will drag for quarters to come.

Other companies Berkshire added in the second quarter were home security firm Allegion and billboard and outdoor advertising operator Lamar. It also pared its holdings in Bank of America and made further cuts to its remaining Apple shares, while divesting from T-Mobile, continuing a trend of moving money out of tech and financials.

Doubling Up: What Berkshire might see in UNH is value: The worlds largest healthcare company by revenue, it pays dividends (a quality shared by more than half the stocks Berkshire owns), and its shares have tumbled 46% this year. A turnaround would net a tidy sum, while the $1.6 billion position is but a fraction of Berkshires $300 billion portfolio, limiting risk. Of note, Scion, the investment firm of Big Short investor Michael Burry, also disclosed a new position in UNH on Thursday, meaning two oracle investors are making the same bet.

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Anyone whos ever been close to an unfortunately placed mirror in a steamy moment will know that sex rarely looks good. But you would think Hollywood might be able to work its magic and make it look sensational. Actors are hot. Smooth editing should mean no awkward position reshuffles. Cinematographers make lighting soft and flattering.

But sadly, thats not always the case. The script can always still let you down (think of J-Lo saying Gobble gobble as she seduces Ben Affleck in Gigli), and so can the props why cant we unsee Heather Graham and Joseph Fiennes getting all twisted up in silk ropes for Killing Me Softly?

There have been many, many more offenders through the years, with audiences suffering through everything from cliched dialogue to ecstatic yelps of pleasure. So heres a ranking of the sex scenes that will make you want to leave the room, and not just because your parents are sitting next to you on the sofa.

20. Eternals (2021)

This film was supposed to be Marvels first big step into meditative arthouse cinema, with Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao at the helm. Instead, viewers were put through three hours of confounding backstories about obscure characters  and didnt get a huge amount of action. To top it off, it featured the MCUs first-ever sex scene, which could/should have been a momentous moment but instead amounted to not much more than a clumsy fumble around in the dark between Richard Madden and Gemma Chan, showing that their superpowers did not assist them in the bedroom. Greg Evans

19. Killing Me Softly (2002)

There are few things less titillating than Graham and Fiennes getting tangled in a selection of silk ropes. All made more excruciating by Grahams whispered voiceover: I gave up all control, I loved it. Fifty Shades of Grey, eat your heart out. Ellie Harrison

18. Body of Evidence (1993)

One of the most infamous sex scenes of all time is Madonna and Willem Dafoes experimentation with hot wax in Body of Evidence. My way, murmurs the Queen of Pop, straddling Dafoe and pouring molten wax and champagne over his body before proceeding to lick it up. Its not a Mary Berry recipe, we can tell you that much. EH

17. Avatar (2009)

open image in gallery The dreadlock-interlocking display in Avatar didnt help things ( 20th Century Film )

A couple of towering blue humanoids having sex doesnt exactly scream erotica  and James Camerons attempts to mix it up further by having a strange dreadlock-interlocking display certainly didnt help. EH

16. If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)

If these walls could talk they would say please stop having sex to Dido. They would also have something to say about the endless gooey shots of hands drifting over skin, pulling at hair and disappearing under sheets. Its so soppy, Im surprised Ellen DeGeneres and Sharon Stone dont drip off the bed and onto the floor. Annie Lord

15. The Room (2003)

The Room is widely known as one of the worst films ever made  and its sex scene between Tommy Wiseau and Juliette Danielle is a big, unignorable contributing factor. Why does he appear to be thrusting directly into her belly button? Why? EH

14. Basic Instinct 2 (2006)

This much-maligned sequel begins with Stan Collymore and Stone speeding at 100mph through Canary Wharf. The two moan and giggle as she fumbles around for his gearstick, that is until they crash the car and he dies. Not quite the happy ending he was hoping for. AL

13. Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

open image in gallery The sex in Fifty Shades of Grey feels misguided at best ( Rex Features )

There are lots of shades of bad in the sex scenes of this S&M franchise. But the worst has to be when Christian ties her up, blindfolds her with his shirt and then runs down an ice cube all over her body. What misguided womens magazine did he get this advice from? AL

12. Millers Girl (2024)

Age-gap controversy aside (Martin Freeman portrayed a 49-year-old and Jenna Ortega an 18-year-old), there were plenty of other reasons why the sex scene in this movie was all off. Ortega plays precocious book-lover Cairo Sweet who spends her days reading old-school smut by Henry Miller. When the inevitable intimate scene approaches, her teacher, played by Freeman, asks her to read the book to him while they have sex. Painfully cringey. Maira Butt

11. Bad Teacher (2011)

Its tough to name the thing thats most wrong with the dry-humping scene in Bad Teacher. Is it the grunting? The chafing of denim? Justin Timberlakes gyrating hips? Justin Timberlakes face on climax? Justin Timberlakes wet jeans? Please just make it stop. If not for Cameron Diaz then for all of us. EH

10. Showgirls (1995)

A lot of things arent really OK about Showgirls, but the filmmakers really outdid themselves with Elizabeth Berkley and Kyle MacLachlans special splish splash in the pool. The combination of thrashing, bubbling water, fountain fondling and ecstatic yelping is the stuff of nightmares. EH

9. Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Bradley Cooper and Michael Ian Blacks sex faces are so over-exaggerated that they look like emojis. Its difficult to understand how the campers are reaching these heights of pleasure given that theres about a foot of air between their crotches. More lukewarm American summer than hot and wet. AL

8. Damage (1992)

You shouldnt have sex with your sons fiance. But you definitely shouldnt if you end up making it look this bad. Jeremy Irons pounces on Juliette Binoche like a hulking bear before pulling her along the carpet (think of the burns). No wonder she said she didnt enjoy having his dangly bits touching her. AL

7. Watchmen (2009)

Leonard Cohens Hallelujah is a great song, but its certainly not sexy. Watchmens widely ridiculed sex scene sees Malin Akerman unzipping a latex chest piece to the lyrics: Now Ive heard there was a secret chord, that David played, and it pleased the Lord. Unfortunately, no one will be pleased by this display. AL

6. What Women Want (2000)

What a lot of women dont want is a sex scene with Mel Gibson. What women want even less is to watch a scene with so many cliches: a man talking to his penis in the bathroom. A light that turns on when you clap. A woman that wails so loud you cant tell if shes been run over by a truck or is mid-orgasm. AL

5. Saltburn (2023)

open image in gallery Theres something gravely wrong with Barrry Keoghans sex scenes in Saltburn ( AP )

Saltburn had already created a shocking moment with that bathtub scene. But it was when it went the extra mile, and had Barry Keoghans Oliver humping the grave of his friend Felix (Jacob Elordi), that it lost its creative way. The scene was so cringey and OTT, and just felt like a cheap way to make us clutch our pearls. MB

4. Maps to the Stars (2014)

Julianne Moore literally asks Robert Pattinson: Do you want to f*** my holes? And, dear reader, it turns out that he does want to. He wants to very much. So they have very stressful-looking sex in a car on the side of the road. And then somehow it gets even worse  she disembarks from the vehicle and wipes his semen off her leg with a scarf. EH

3. Gone Girl (2014)

This is horribly bad, but not because its a bad scene. More because you have to watch Rosamund Pikes crazed killer slit the throat of a guy while theyre still getting it on. And then you have to watch the blood from his throat soak her red. And then you have to watch her continue to gyrate for another couple of seconds before she calls it a day. AL

2. Howard the Duck (1986)

Cross-species coitus is, admittedly, a tricky concept to make sexy  something the traumatised viewers of Howard the Duck discovered when Lea Thompson canoodled with her so incredibly soft and cuddly feathered friend. Help! EH

1. Gigli (2003)

Name a more iconic movie line than Its turkey time! Gobble, gobble  well wait. They are the bonkers words uttered by Jennifer Lopezs Gigli character, a lesbian assassin who apparently finds herself unable to resist the masculine allure of wait for it Ben Affleck. The line is an invitation for oral sex and, well, youll have to watch the film to find out if he accepts. EH
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Denzel Washington has dismissed cancel culture, saying you can't be cancelled if you haven't signed up.

The Fences and Training Day star, who is currently promoting his crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest, was asked if he ever worries about being cancelled in a new interview.

In response, the 70-year-old asked Complex News: What does that mean  to be cancelled?

After being told by interviewer Jillian Hardeman-Webb that it means you lose public support, Washington said: Who cares? What made public support so important to begin with?

When Hardeman-Webb explained that followers now are currency, Washington said: I don't care who's following who. You cant lead and follow at the same time, and you cant follow and lead at the same time. I don't follow anybody. I follow the heavenly spirit. I follow God, I don't follow man. I have faith in God. I have hope in man, but look around, it ain't working out so well.

He added: You can't be cancelled if you haven't signed up. Don't sign up.

High concept: Denzel Washington (right) in 'Highest 2 Lowest' ( Apple TV+ )

Earlier this week, Washington also admitted he doesnt care much about the Oscars.

Washington has been nominated for 10 Oscars during his five-decade career, winning twice  for Glory in 1990 and Training Day in 2002.

Ive been at this a long time, and theres time when I won and shouldnt have won and then didnt win and shouldve won, he said in a recent interview. Man gives the award. God gives the reward.

He continued: Im not that interested in Oscars. People ask me, Where do I keep it? Well, next to the other one. Im not bragging! Just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, [Oscars] arent going to do me a bit of good.

Highest 2 Lowest is out in UK cinemas on 5 September. The movie reunites Washington with longtime collaborator Lee, who directed him in 1992s Malcolm X and 2006s Inside Man, among others.

In a three-star review of the film, when it launched at Cannes, The Independents critic Geoffrey Macnab wrote that Washington, who plays a man whose life comes crashing down, gives a surprisingly one-note performance.

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He wrote that, while Washington remains as magnetic as ever, switching in a second from affability to menace, the performance is ultimately weakened by his refusal to show any emotional vulnerability whatsoever.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Berkshire Hathaway revealed four new investments Thursday in steelmaker Nucor, insurer UnitedHealth and two of the nation's biggest homebuilders  Lennar and DR Horton  but it's not clear if the investments are big enough to ensure that legendary investor Warren Buffett handled them.

Buffett, who plans to retire as CEO at the end of the year after six decades of building Berkshire, handles all of the conglomerate's biggest investments worth $1 billion or more. Three of the new investments disclosed Thursday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission are worth less than that, so they could be the ideas of one of Berkshire's two other investment managers.

But Berkshires new UnitedHealth stake that was also revealed Thursday was worth $1.57 billion, so that one could be big enough to be Buffetts handiwork. Berkshire got permission from the SEC to keep the other three investments confidential earlier this year while it built those stakes, but it apparently bought nearly 5 million UnitedHealth shares just in the second quarter. That stock jumped nearly 8% in aftermarket trading.

Berkshire's filings simply offer a snapshot of its $258 billion portfolio at the end of the second quarters. Many investors comb through Berkshire's filings every quarter because they like to follow Buffett's moves. His record of trouncing the S&P 500 for decades has inspired legions of followers.

The filing doesn't make clear who at Berkshire handled each investment. Besides Buffett, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs also pick stocks, but they generally handle smaller portfolios and Combs also serves as Geico's CEO. But Buffett has had a hard time finding stocks or any other investments in recent years that he wants to invest much of Berkshire's $344 billion cash in.

Berkshire's Nucor stake of 6.6 million shares was the biggest new investment worth roughly $857 million at the end of the quarter. Shares of that company rose more than 6% in extended after-hours trading.

The Lennar investment was worth nearly $800 million. While the DR Horton stake was much smaller worth $191.5 million. Those companies' stocks also saw gains in late trading

Buffett already knows quite a lot about the home building business because Berkshire owns the nation's largest manufactured homebuilder, Clayton Homes.

Besides stocks, Berkshire owns dozens of companies in a variety of industries including Geico insurance, BNSF railroad, several major utilities and an assortment of manufacturing and retail companies. The Omaha, Nebraska-based company's holdings include many well-known brands like See's Candy and Dairy Queen.
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Sophie Turner has said that kissing Kit Harington on the set of their new movie was vile, because of the sibling-like relationship they developed while playing brother and sister on Game of Thrones.

The pair star together in gothic horror movie The Dreadful, which is set in the 15th century during the Wars of the Roses.

During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on 14 August, Turner, 29, explained that, in her role as a producer on The Dreadful, she recommended that Harington could be a great choice for the male lead.

Turner knew Harington well, as the two of them had played siblings Sansa Stark and Jon Snow throughout all eight seasons of Game of Thrones.

So, I sent the script to Kit, Turner said, and he kind of sent me a message back going like, Yeah, Id love to, but this is going to be really f***ing weird, Soph.

And I was like, What is he talking about? Then I was reading [the script] and its like, Kiss, kiss, sex, kiss, sex And then Im like, Oh, shoot, thats my brother.

In the end, the actors thought the script for The Dreadful was too good to say no to.

Turner and Harington on Game of Thrones ( HBO )

The star of X-Men and The Staircase said: We put it out of our minds, and then we get on set and its the first kissing scene, and we are both retching. Like, really, it is vile. It was the worst.

The Dreadful, which does not yet have a release date, follows Anne (Turner) and her mother-in-law Morwen (Marcia Gay Harden), who live on the outskirts of society, and whose lives are upturned when a man from their past (Kit Harington) returns.

Earlier this month, Turner made headlines for hitting back at an Instagram commenter who accused her of forgetting about her two kids.

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The actor defended her parenting after one of her followers attempted to shame her for having a night out at an Oasis gig.

She had shared a series of photos from the event, to which one person wrote in the comments section: Lmfao, I think she has forgotten that she has two kids.

Turner, who has two daughters with ex-husband Joe Jonas, responded: Ah Im so sorry sometimes I forget some people cant think for themselves.

So Get this Theres this crazy thing called shared custody. Maybe, just maybe, they were with their dad that day.
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Universal Music Group CEO and chairman Lucian Grainge has slammed Drakes defamation lawsuit, labeling it farcical and nonsensical.

The Canadian artist, 38, has been locked in a heated legal battle with his record label UMG, to which fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar is also signed, for the release of the latters hit diss track, Not Like Us.

Released in 2024 as part of the two artists bitter feud, the song includes the lyrics: Say, Drake, I hear you like em young, which Drake has alleged spreads the false and malicious narrative that he is a pedophile.

In a recently filed declaration letter, obtained by Variety, Grainge formally weighed in on Drakes accusations that he was involved in the planning and release of Lamars chart-topper.

Calling Drakes claims farcical, nonsensical, groundless and indeed ridiculous, he noted that the company had spent hundreds of millions in furthering the Passionfruit rappers music career, since he signed with the companys Republic imprint in 2009.

open image in gallery Drake (left) has sued record label Universal Music Group over its release of Kendrick Lamar's diss track, 'Not Like Us' ( Getty Images )

The claims that I was behind a scheme to devalue [Drakes] brand through the release and promotion of the Kendrick Lamar recording Not Like Us  an allegation that makes no sense due to the fact that the company that I run, Universal Music Group N.V., has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Drake, Grainge said in the filing, including longstanding and critical financial support for his recording career, the purchase and ownership of the bulk of his recording catalog, and the purchase of his music publishing rights.

His remarks come shortly after Drakes legal team sought to compel Grainge and UMG to turn over an unredacted version of Lamars contract with its imprint Interscope, as well as Grainges emails and text messages related to the song.

He further added that Drakes lawsuit makes no sense whatsoever, insisting he was in the weeds as to the release and promotion of any particular sound recording, from the thousands of UMG releases throughout the world as his job is to lead a publicly traded, multi-billion dollar, multi-national corporation whose operations in over sixty countries covering nearly 200 markets.

Continuing, he chalked up Drakes latest motion of discovery as an attempt to waste my and UMGs time and resources  either in an attempt to gain media attention or in an effort to force some kind of commercial renegotiation or financial concessions.

open image in gallery Lucian Grainge, 65, has been the CEO of UMG since 2010 ( Getty Images )

I had never heard the recording Not Like Us, nor ever saw the corresponding cover art or music video, until after they were released by Interscope Records, he concluded. Whilst, as part of my role, I certainly have financial oversight of and responsibility for UMGs global businesses, the proposition that I was involved in, much less responsible for, reviewing and approving the content of Not Like Us, its cover art or music video, or for determining or directing the promotion of those materials, is groundless and indeed ridiculous.

UMG filed a separate letter, similarly ridiculing Drakes claims as absurd.

The premise of Drakes motion  that he could not have lost a rap battle unless it was the product of some imagined secret conspiracy going to the top of UMGs corporate structure  is absurd, the filing read. Sir Lucian is the CEO of a multinational enterprise; his days are spent determining and implementing global strategy, not vetting individual tracks or album covers or driving the release and promotional plans for any one recording.

The Independent has contacted Drakes legal team for comment.
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Bosh. If Strictly bosses were hoping for a smoother ride after last years controversy-hit series, it appears theyre already in trouble. BBC Ones shiny floor show will be back in a matter of weeks and the lineup announcement has naturally sparked the usual debate over the calibre of stars set to appear. Love Islands Dani Dyer and trailblazing model Ellie Goldstein may be among the highlights, but this year, theres one booking thats already dominating conversation: Thomas Skinner.

If you dont know who he is then congratulations for quitting Twitter (or X, depending on when you pulled the plug), and ditching The Apprentice before the show became a monotonous farce. Skinner first strode onto our screens in the 2019 series, and by the time he was fired by Lord Sugar in week nine, hed proved to be reality TV gold with his confident, cheeky persona and his pathological tendency to say bosh after every minor achievement.

Afterwards, he popped up on TV a few more times with bookings including 8 Out of 10 Cats and Celebrity MasterChef, while also returning to family life and his businesses  albeit with a significantly bigger social media following.

Its on X, Instagram and TikTok that Skinner has really made a name for himself in recent years, at first by going viral with motivational morning messages, often filmed in his much-loved Dinos Cafe in east London as he eats a steak pie and chips for breakfast.

But its social media that has also proven, critics would argue, to be his undoing. Well, X to be specific. As Elon Musks reign has brought far-right content and conspiracy theories thundering onto everyones timelines, Skinners content has taken a political turn. Hes praised Donald Trump as brilliant, declared London unsafe and weighed in on migrant hotels. Savvy as ever, he monetised his X account in July and has said hes donating any money made to a local childrens charity.

To his fans, Skinner is a straight-talking, hard-grafting Cockney geezer; an everyman with the gift of the gab; a patriot who isnt happy with the way his country is being run. To his critics, hes a populist activist with a criminal conviction; a privately educated salesman masquerading as a regular Joe; a potential Reform candidate who spouts misinformation with the help of Chat GPT.

Thomas Skinner will compete on Strictly 2025 ( BBC )

In a twist that was unexpected  but nowhere near as absurd as it would have been in the pre-Maga era  Skinners posts, and his defiance in the face of a backlash, culminated in him receiving support online from US vice-president JD Vance. Skinner then created even more headlines when he met up with the Vance family, who are holidaying in the UK, earlier this week.

Just days later, he was confirmed as a contestant for Strictly. And while the bookers for many shows would be delighted to sign someone who is already proving newsworthy and controversial, its a decidedly un-Strictly move.

ITV has sent many divisive characters into the Im a Celebrity jungle (most recently Nigel Farage), and Celebrity Big Brother bosses never missed the opportunity to book an outspoken D-lister. But Strictly? The shows policy has usually leant more towards the less controversial, the better. For years, bosses even allegedly banned reality stars, and on the rare occasion one has made it into the ballroom, mention of their Love Island or Towie past has been kept to a minimum. Its worth noting that this year, its Skinner and three others who found their fame on reality TV: Dyer, Geordie Shores Vicky Pattison and RuPauls Drag Race UK contestant La Voix.

The announcement that Skinner is taking part has  much like his X posts  sparked an onslaught of criticism. Among the commentators is Narinder Kaur, a TV personality who says she was deemed too controversial to be on Strictly. While she has criticised Skinner, Kaurs issue also seems to be with the BBC itself, which she claimed only hire[s] quiet brown and Black women that fit in a box.

So what will Skinners signing mean for the series? Mainly, an early headache for the PR team. Given Strictlys decades-long (and often failed) bid to ignore scandal, its hard to imagine that bookers set out to intentionally sign someone so divisive  especially after the 2024 series, which saw two pros exit amid serious allegations before it had even begun, the Wynne Evans hand-gate incident, and weeks of furore over Pete Wicks outlasting his far more skilled rivals. It feels more likely that the decision was made a decent amount of time before Skinners recent leap from occasional Trump advocate to Vances BBQ buddy.

Regardless of when the ink dried on Skinners contract, Strictly is now waltzing into another series with a controversy on its hands. And fans might be left wondering, whatever happened to the wholesome Saturday night show that was all about the dancing?
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Models Cara Delevingne, Adwoa Aboah and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan were among the famous faces who turned out to support the return of one of Britains best-known high street retailers: Topshop.

The fashion label closed in 2020, after its owner, Sir Philip Greens Arcadia group, collapsed and caused all of Topshops physical stores to shut down soon after.

The brand then appeared on the online fashion website Asos, but never relaunched its own standalone website  until now.

After years of gaining traction purely through Asos and online channels, Topshop has now fully revived its independent digital presence.

On August 15 2025, the brand relaunched its own website and has now celebrated its comeback with a public runway show in Trafalgar Square.

Standalone stores are returning to the high street, confirmed Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop and Topman, noting that a semi-permanent high street presence is planned for later this year, with permanent standalone stores scheduled for autumn.

The Trafalgar Square event, Topshops first runway show since 2018, was a public spectacle featuring some of the brands original muses  including Delevingne, 33, and Aboah, 33,  alongside a lively street-party atmosphere.

The show debuted the autumn/winter 2025 collection, available to buy immediately online in a See Now, Buy Now format.

The collection features long leather trench coats, metallic maxi dresses and A-line skater skirts and is, unexpectedly, drenched in nostalgia, evoking the brands heyday of Kate Moss, indie sleaze and the Jamie Skinny Jeans (which are also back and available to buy).

Under new ownership, Asos retains a 25% stake, while Danish retail giant Bestseller (via its Heartland investment arm) now holds 75%, Topshop is positioning itself with elevated fashion credibility, improved quality and renewed cultural relevance, targeting shoppers aged 18 to 40.

Topshop has already begun reappearing in physical retail via wholesale channels, beginning with McElhinneys department store in Ballybofey, County Donegal, where garments will go on sale from August 21.

Whether this revival marks a meaningful return or merely taps into nostalgia remains to be seen.

Fashion experts say that real success will hinge on how Topshop resonates with socially conscious, digitally savvy millennials and Gen Z shoppers in a competitive and matured retail landscape.
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High-profile figures including models Cara Delevingne and Adwoa Aboah, alongside Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, have thrown their support behind the highly anticipated return of iconic British high street brand, Topshop.

The fashion retailer, once a staple of British shopping, ceased operations in 2020 following the collapse of its parent company, Sir Philip Greens Arcadia Group. This led to the closure of all Topshops physical stores.

While the brand found a new home on the online fashion giant Asos, it had not relaunched its own dedicated website  until now, marking a significant step in its revival.

open image in gallery Cara Delevingne arrives at the catwalk show for the launch of Topshops new dedicated website, at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.

After years of gaining traction purely through Asos and online channels, Topshop has now fully revived its independent digital presence.

open image in gallery Mayor of London Sadiq Khan attends the catwalk show to celebrate the launch of Topshops new dedicated website at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.

On August 15 2025, the brand relaunched its own website and has now celebrated its comeback with a public runway show in Trafalgar Square.

open image in gallery The show took place at lunchtime on Saturday 16th August (Aaron Chown/PA)

Standalone stores are returning to the high street, confirmed Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop and Topman, noting that a semi-permanent high street presence is planned for later this year, with permanent standalone stores scheduled for autumn.

The Trafalgar Square event, Topshops first runway show since 2018, was a public spectacle featuring some of the brands original muses  including Delevingne, 33, and Aboah, 33,  alongside a lively street-party atmosphere.

open image in gallery Model Adwoa Aboah sat front row for the runway (Aaron Chown/PA)

The show debuted the autumn/winter 2025 collection, available to buy immediately online in a See Now, Buy Now format.

The collection features long leather trench coats, metallic maxi dresses and A-line skater skirts and is, unexpectedly, drenched in nostalgia, evoking the brands heyday of Kate Moss, indie sleaze and the Jamie Skinny Jeans (which are also back and available to buy).

open image in gallery Models on the catwalk to celebrate the launch of Topshops new dedicated website at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.

Under new ownership, Asos retains a 25% stake, while Danish retail giant Bestseller (via its Heartland investment arm) now holds 75%, Topshop is positioning itself with elevated fashion credibility, improved quality and renewed cultural relevance, targeting shoppers aged 18 to 40.

open image in gallery The collection featured both young and mature wardrobe staples (Aaron Chown/PA)

Topshop has already begun reappearing in physical retail via wholesale channels, beginning with McElhinneys department store in Ballybofey, County Donegal, where garments will go on sale from August 21.

Whether this revival marks a meaningful return or merely taps into nostalgia remains to be seen.

Fashion experts say that real success will hinge on how Topshop resonates with socially conscious, digitally savvy millennials and Gen Z shoppers in a competitive and matured retail landscape.
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Logan Paul can now add husband to his list of titles in addition to YouTuber, boxer and WWE star.

According to various posts on his younger brother Jakes Instagram Story on Friday, the elder Paul, 30, and model Nina Agdal, 33, were decked out in wedding attire in Lake Como, Italy, for their nuptials.

In addition to Jake and his fiancee, Julia Leerdam, attending the festivities, the couples 10-month-old daughter, Esme, was also there. Ive seriously been crying, Jake wrote on top of one clip that appeared to show the couple reading their vows, with the ceremony being officiated by Logans Impaulsive podcast co-host, Mike Majlak.

At the altar, Logan was seen wearing a white suit jacket and a black bow tie with black dress pants, while Agdal opted for a strapless lace dress with her hair in a slicked-back bun.

Adgal first revealed that she was engaged to Logan in a July 2023 interview with The Daily Mail. The pair also got engaged in Lake Como just two months after celebrating their first anniversary. She explained to the outlet that the way she and Paul met was admittedly a wild story.

Agdal and Paul got engaged in July 2023 at Lake Como, Italy, two months after celebrating their one-year anniversary ( Getty Images )

We met at an event in NYC, she recalled, noting how she found herself drawn to him at the time. I found out he was there and my gut was screaming that I had to say hi to him.

I basically convinced him to meet me and my friends upstairs for a drink, she continued. I didnt want to walk downstairs because of my bad back.

Speculation began to swirl around the couple starting in June 2022, after they were spotted enjoying a romantic night out in London. Later that December, Paul confirmed their relationship on Instagram by posting an adorable picture of him and the model canoodling. At the time, he wrote in the caption: Lucky me.

Logan and his now-wife announced the birth of their daughter in September 2024. The two shared a joint Instagram post at the time with a caption that read, Esme Agdal Paul has entered the chat.

The couple announced their pregnancy with Agdal debuting her baby bump on Instagram, sharing sweet photos of her and Paul kissing and holding up ultrasound pictures of their baby. They captioned the carousel of photos: Another Paul coming this Fall.

The romance with Paul isnt her first relationship with a public figure, having dated a variety of famous faces in the past, including Maroon 5s Adam Levine, The Wanteds Max George, and Oscar-winning Leonardo DiCaprio.

She reportedly dated the latter for a year, travelling the globe with the Killers of the Flower Moon star after being spotted together at a New York City nightclub in May 2016.

Meanwhile, Paul was previously linked to Victorias Secret angel Josie Canseco, Americas Next Top Model contestant Jessica Serfaty, and Dave actor Chloe Bennett.
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Tracee Ellis Ross has opened up about her friendship with the former president, Barack Obama.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, the black-ish alum revealed the former president foresaw one of her relationships not ending well but didnt give her a heads up about it.

I broke up with someone, and I remember running into the former president, and he was like, I could have told you that, Ross told the talk show host. And I was like, Well, you failed as a friend!

She continued to joke about how the former president should have spoken up sooner.

Like, it was your job to say that before, you know what I mean? Nip it in the bud, Ross said.

open image in gallery It was your job to say that before, you know what I mean? Ross said about Obama ( Getty Images )

At another point during the interview, the Girlfriends actor said that in terms of her current dating situation, she tries to rely on her friends to find potential partners for her. But out of all of her friends, she has never asked the Obamas for assistance.

Ive never asked Michelle to set me up, which I think perhaps is dumb, and I need to get on that, Ross said.

This isnt the first time the couple has been known to give relationship advice. Earlier this year, during an episode of Michelles IMO podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson, the two spoke with the CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, in May, about how he built his business from the ground up, including the mentorship he received from the former president along the way.

Over the years, Chesky and Barack became close enough that they started discussing their personal lives, like the unsuccessful dates the CEO was going on.

One time I was like  I met somebody and I was about to go on a date with  I went on a date with them and I remember telling him like, Oh my God, she checks all the boxes and like this, this, this, this, this, he told Michelle and Robinson. And I remember him saying something. He said, it's not a checklist.

open image in gallery U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive at an event together on May 25, 2011 in London, England. ( Getty )

Chesky explained that he never considered that he had adopted this mindset until after Barack pointed out what he should really be looking for in a long-term partner.

He's like, the right person is someone where they've got this weird laugh or snort and you find it really funny, he continued. And it's like, in other words, it's not necessarily what you think you're looking for. And you're not dating a checklist, you're dating a real person. And the real person makes you feel a certain way.

I think it was like a really, really important piece of advice, he added.
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A California man was arrested after 10 of his dogs allegedly mauled a teenager while she was out jogging, authorities say.

Craig Arthur Simmons, 61, was taken into custody on August 13 nearly a month after the attack that left 17-year-old Tracy Hurtado severely injured.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, Hurtado was jogging when she was attacked by at least 10 large-breed dogs that were not fenced or leashed.

Simmons lived with more than a dozen dogs, authorities said.

open image in gallery Hurtado was jogging on July 17 when she was attacked by at least 10 large-breed dogs that were not fenced or leashed ( GoFundMe )

The dogs bit the victim several times on her legs and arms, deputies said. The bites caused large lacerations, abrasions, and removed flesh.

A Good Samaritan stepped in and was able to rescue the teenager. Hurtado was then transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment.

Simmons was booked into High Desert Detention Center on suspicion of being the owner of an animal that caused serious bodily injury or death. He remains in custody.

open image in gallery Hurtado was getting ready to start her senior year of high school when the attack happened ( GoFundMe )

Hurtados mom, Maria Azpeitia, recounted the heartbreaking aftermath of the horrific attack to Eyewitness News 7.

"I got close to her and she's like, 'Mom, am I still pretty?'" she said. "I said, 'Of course. You're beautiful.'"

The nature of Hurtados injuries forced her to remain home from school for medical care and rehabilitation, according to a GoFundMe campaign, that has raised $28,000 so far.

According to the campaign, Support Tracys Recovery Journey, Hurtado was getting ready to start her senior year of high school when the attack happened.

She was getting ready to do her senior year of high school this year, her family said.

Now, because of this, she has to stay home and go to several doctor's appointments and rehab. Due to the trauma, she cannot sleep at night; she's having nightmares.
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Rapper Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for a fraud scheme involving his mother.

Kingston, 35, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and his mother, Janice Turner, were convicted in March in a Florida federal court of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

They were found guilty of using fraudulent documents to get more than $1 million worth of luxury cars, jewelry and other lavish goods.

Kingston cried out to federal agents at the end of his trial as his mom was taken back into custody, Protect my mother, local outlet WPLG reported at the time.

open image in gallery Rapper Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for a fraud scheme involving his mother ( Jason Koerner/Getty Images for Live Nation )

Judge David Leibowitz sentenced Turner last month to five years in prison. Kingstons sentence also includes three years of supervised release.

Kingston and his mother were arrested in May 2024 after a SWAT team raided Kingstons rented mansion in suburban Fort Lauderdale.

Turner was taken into custody during the raid, while Kingston was arrested at Fort Irwin, an Army training base in Californias Mojave Desert, where he was performing.

According to court records, Kingston used social media from April 2023 to March 2024 to arrange purchases of high-end merchandise.

After negotiating deals, Kingston would invite the sellers to one of his luxury Florida homes and promise to feature them and their products on social media.

open image in gallery Kingston, 35, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and his mother, Janice Turner, were convicted in March ( Jason Merritt/Getty Images )

Investigators said that when it came time to pay, Kingston or his mother would text the victims fake wire receipts for the luxury merchandise, which included a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade, watches and a 19-foot LED TV, investigators said.

When the funds never cleared, victims often contacted Kingston and Turner repeatedly, but were either never paid or received money only after filing lawsuits or contacting police.

Kingston shot to fame at age 17 with the 2007 hit Beautiful Girls, which laid his lyrics over Ben E. King's 1961 song Stand By Me.
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One America News host Matt Gaetz apologized on Thursday night for his show using AI-generated fake images of women soldiers in uniform during a segment meant to highlight the increased number of female military recruits.

Gaetz, the former GOP congressman who joined the MAGA network after his short-lived nomination for attorney general fell through amid renewed scrutiny over sexual misconduct allegations, brought on Defense Department spokesperson Kingsley Wilson  who is no stranger to controversy herself  to boast about a supposed year-over-year boost in military recruitment during a Wednesday night interview.

As Wilson gushed about the soaring figures compared to the previous administration, a number of images of women in combat fatigues aired on the screen beside her. In every single instance, the photos were generated by artificial intelligence.

Specifically, based on the watermarks visible in the bottom corners of the images, they were created by Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk and available on his social media platform X. (Musk, meanwhile, appears to have lost out on a massive federal contract for Grok after the chatbot went on a wild antisemtic rant and referred to itself as MechaHitler.)

These numbers are fantastic, Wilson exclaimed excitedly, as the blatantly fake photos scrolled on the screen. Under the previous administration, we had about 16,000 female recruits last year; now weve got upwards of 24,000 It is a testament to Secretary Hegseth and President Trumps leadership.

open image in gallery One America News aired several AI-generated images of women in uniform during a segment highlighting the increase in female military recruitment. ( One America News )

A Pentagon spokesperson told CNN later that the department had nothing to do with the images and did not provide them to the right-wing channel. The network, meanwhile, copped to using Grok to create the background footage.

The images violated company policies, which have been re-enforced with all staff, an OAN spokesperson said. An on-air correction has been put in place. Management has taken additional actions to ensure the issue is appropriately addressed.

Indeed, at the end of Thursday nights broadcast of his show, Gaetz issued an on-air apology for using the AI fakes during the interview with Wilson  though he also tried to justify it.

Were generally quite cautious about showing the faces of actual military members on air because sometimes Americas enemies use facial recognition software in very devious ways, he stated.

But, we made a mistake, Gaetz continued. We used AI-generated images of female service members as part of our B-roll package, and we shouldnt have. The DOD didnt give us these images; Grok did. And well use better judgment going forward.

Gaetz, meanwhile, isnt the only media figure to come under fire over his recent reliance on artificial intelligence.

open image in gallery Matt Gaetz interviews Defense Department spokesperson Kingsley Wilson on Wednesday night. ( One America News )

Former CNN anchor turned independent journalist Jim Acosta faced intense backlash for his interview with an AI version of a student killed during the 2018 Parkland high school shooting, though Acosta responded to the criticism by saying he was honored to help the victims family remember their son.

NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo was also viciously mocked last week after he fell for a deepfake video of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) supposedly showing the progressive lawmaker delivering a House floor rant about the Sydney Sweeney good jeans ad. Though he would later admit he credulously accepted the fake video as real, Cuomo would double down on his criticism of Ocasio-Cortez both online and during his primetime show.

One America News appeared to be on the brink of extinction in recent years after all of its cable and satellite providers dropped it amid the networks headlong embrace of conspiracy theories and election denialism. The channels parroting of Donald Trumps baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged led to several defamation lawsuits from voting software firms and election workers, some of which the network has already settled.

However, with Trump back in the White House, the little-watched channel could be poised to see a boost in its viewership. Earlier this year, Trump senior adviser Kari Lake  who has been tasked with dismantling the state-funded Voice of America  declared that she had reached a deal with OAN to air its newsfeed services across VOAs airwaves.
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The U.S. Department of Labor is offering money to employers who help train workers to fill critical needs, and for the first time since 2020, the percentage of CEOs who plan to shrink their workforce was higher than that of those looking to expand.

Heres a closer look at those numbers and some of the others making headlines in the HR world.

By the numbers

5

The number of days at which employers typically cap PTO conversion and purchase programs, according to a Goldman Sachs Ayco report.

34%

The percentage of CEOs who expect a reduction in their workforce during the next 12 months, according to a report from The Conference Board.

5

The number of recent lawsuits alleging age bias that Ikea agreed to settle, according to recent court documents.

45%

The percentage of workers who said theyve used banned AI tools at work, according to a report from Anagram, a security training company.

$30 million

The amount of funding the U.S. Department of Labor will provide to the Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant program to help address critical workforce shortages nationwide.

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Wheat is showing gains across most contracts early on Friday. The wheat complex fell back lower on Thursday, closing with weakness across all three markets. CBT soft red wheat futures were down 3 to 4 cents on the day. KC HRW futures posted 2 to 2  cent losses in the front months on Thursday. Preliminary open interest was up 8,739 contracts on Thursday. MPLS spring wheat was down 3 to 4 cents on the session.

Export Sales data from USDA this morning indicated sales backing off slightly from last week to 722,846 MT, though that was still on the higher side estimates. That was the second largest for the marketing year only behind last week and more than double the same week last year. The largest buyer was South Korea at 130,000 MT, with 114,900 MT sold to Mexico.

More News from Barchart

A South Korean importer purchased 50,000 MT of US wheat in their tender overnight.

Sep 25 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.03 1/2, down 3 3/4 cents, currently up 2 3/4 cents

Dec 25 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.24 1/2, down 3 3/4 cents, currently up 1 1/2 cents

Sep 25 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.04 1/4, down 2 1/2 cents, currently up 2 3/4 cents

Dec 25 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.26, down 2 cents, currently up 1 3/4 cents

Sep 25 MGEX Wheat closed at $5.73 1/4, down 3 3/4 cents, currently unch

Dec 25 MGEX Wheat closed at $5.92 1/4, down 3 3/4 cents, currently up 1/4 cents

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
The August 17 Edition

In our cover story this week, Uma Thurman shares how a break from big-budget action films gave her time to focus on motherhood, and details two exciting new projects in which shes back to her butt-kicking best.
For better or worse, now when people go looking for life advice or want to find answers to burning questions, the place we increasingly turn to is social media. And sure, there are a lot of areas in our lives where this can be great. Suggestions on how to use up half a can of chickpeas or learning how to braid your hair is one thing. But when it comes to things like our health and finances, the risks associated with getting advice from unqualified influencers are exponentially higher.

Thats one of the reasons that I was happy to see that the Australian Securities and Investments Commissions recently took part in a global crackdown on financial influencers, also known as finfluencers, along with regulators from the United Kingdom, Italy, Hong Kong, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

When people go looking for life advice, the place we increasingly turn to is social media. Credit: Dionne Gain

Following the crackdown, ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland explained: Its important that consumers separate fun from fact when it comes to influencer content. Popularity doesnt equal credibility. In other words, a finfluencer might have 100,000 people eager to listen to what they have to say, but that doesnt mean they have the qualifications, expertise or a legal right to be saying it in the first place.

In the UK alone, the regulator issued 650 requests for content to be removed from social media, 50 takedown requests to websites being operated by influencers, and seven cease and desist letters. The regulators also invited four influencers in for interviews, and made three arrests.
Andrew Left, the founder of Citron Research, speaks during the Reuters Global Investment 2019 Outlook Summit, in New York Reuters

Short-seller Andrew Left says he's betting against Palantir.

The AI-powered data company has seen its stock soar this year.

Left says he likes the company, but its stock valuation is unjustifiable.

Palantir stock seems unstoppable this year, but its astronomical rally has drawn the eye of at least one renowned short-seller.

Andrew Left, founder of Citron Research, told Fox Business this week that he's betting against the AI-powered data software company amid its colossal 144% stock surge in 2025. The stock has rallied most recently after reporting strong second-quarter earnings on August 4.

Left made it clear that despite Palantir's status as an AI and retail darling, he sees its valuation as extreme.

"If this was the greatest company that was ever created and we gave it the same multiples as, let's say Nvidia in 2023, the stock still can get cut by two thirds. And that would be like 35 times sales."

Palantir's price-to-sales ratio this month is hovering around 80x, while its forward price-to-earnings ratio was 290x on Thursday.

"I've stopped even looking at the ratio because it's become so absurd," Left said. "There's never been a company that has that type of multiple or that type of PE that's not corrected 50%."

The short-seller highlighted Palantir's significant following among retail traders, which he suggested is a negative for the stock. Left drew the ire of retail investors when his firm bet against the original meme stock, Gamestop.

His other high-profile short bets include Hertz, EV startup Nikola, and Valeant.

Once known for his high short-selling activity and social media presence, Left has toned it down recently. In July 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission charged him with market manipulation and securities fraud. In May, a federal judge rejected Left's bid to dismiss the case.

Left's firm continues to share its reports and perspectives on X. On August 13, it called out an X post by CNBC commentator Jim Cramer when he issued a bullish take on Palantir stock.

"Palantir at these levels isn't an "easy money" story; it's a high-multiple, hype-driven narrative," Citron wrote.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jones-Baldwin was one of more than 30 patients who gave evidence during Al Muderis failed defamation case against Nine, this masthead and 60 Minutes.

I would not return to Al Muderis for medical opinion or procedure even if you paid me, she stated in her affidavit. Al Muderis states that he cares about his patients that was not my experience at all.

This was the last cordial encounter between the doctor and patient, in what Jones-Baldwin described as a horror experience in February 2021 at Macquarie University Hospital that left her in excruciating pain, traumatised and sobbing.

Is that the one you had done on the ABC? Jones-Baldwin asked the doctor, according to her affidavit. Yes, he smiled, before leaving the room.

It was the product of his interview on Anhs Brush with Fame, the iconic ABC show where comedian Anh Do profiles celebrities over casual conversations and art.

One of the first things Sharon Jones-Baldwin noticed when she entered Munjed Al Muderis clinic was the large portrait of the star doctor hanging on the wall.

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Abrahams damning findings included that Al Muderis performed experimental surgeries, ignored red flags, failed to respond to patients pleas for help, performed medical services in the United States without a licence, paid secret cash commissions to recruit patients, failed to obtain informed consent and prioritised fame and money above his patients.

All had suffered significant forms of personal hardship, Abraham wrote. They stood to gain nothing by giving evidence, other than saying what happened to them.

The case rested on whose account Abraham believed  the celebrity doctor or everyone he accused of lying. Ultimately, she found it was the patients who told the truth.

Abrahams 770-page judgment found that Al Muderis practice was unethical and negligent for a significant cohort of his patients, treating some with neglect, callousness, disrespect and that he washed his hands when they needed him.

The positive media coverage his practice had enjoyed needed correcting, and the investigation revealed another side of his practice, Abraham ruled. Patients should be making their decisions with both sides of the story.

In the landmark judgment handed down last Friday , Justice Wendy Abraham found the investigative series that revealed serious concerns with his practice, including that he downplayed risks and provided poor aftercare and negligent surgery, was true and in the public interest.

Major charities Amnesty International and Red Cross Australia have denied Al Muderis served as an ambassador, as stated in his affidavit, while smaller charities he claimed to represent either denied knowing him or said the relationships were historic and limited.

Al Muderis, represented by Sue Chrysanthou, SC, painted a picture during the trial of extensive charity work and links to prestigious institutions. In the wake of the judgment, though, this evidence has publicly unravelled.

Medibank asked Macquarie University Hospital, where Al Muderis continues to operate, to investigate the judgment and take all steps necessary with the regulators.

Medibank, which jointly owns a short-stay hospital with Al Muderis at Macquarie University Hospital, said it was very concerned about the judgment and are taking this extremely seriously.

AHPRA is not in the business of punishing people, Australian Law Alliance health expert Ngaire Watson said. While theyre doing that, there is a tendency they will let people go on and on and on.

This week the medical regulators, HCCC and AHPRA, signalled they were reviewing the judgment but surgeons and experts have little faith action will be taken.

This is one of the worst cases I have seen, Al Muderis allegedly told Harvey. You need the surgery because your legs f---ed.

During the pre-operative assessment, court documents allege Al Muderis rushed Harvey into surgery without providing adequate information about the risks.

The amended statement of claim, filed in November 2023, repeats many allegations raised in the defamation case: that Al Muderis failed to explain risks, rushed into invasive surgery, failed to gain informed consent and performed negligent surgery resulting in serious injury and disability.

In one case, detailed in Supreme Court of NSW documents released to this masthead, patient Joseph Gavin Harvey sued Al Muderis, surgeon Mustafa Alttahir and anaesthetist Craig Plambeck alleging medical negligence and a failure to uphold his duty of care.

During the trial launched by the millionaire surgeon to protect his carefully curated public image, this masthead can reveal Al Muderis was fighting several battles at the same time, as six separate lawsuits were filed against him over the past three years, many by patients unrelated to the trial.

The University of Sydney contradicted his evidence about having a position at the top university, stating there was no affiliation and hadnt been for years.

Because of the severe pain, the plaintiff was given a Ketamine infusion and then a femoral block  neither of which provided lasting pain relief, the documents state.

After the surgery, Harvey claimed he suffered pain significantly greater than would be expected.

The patient, who was a soccer player and wanted to return to the field as quickly as possible, was allegedly not informed that the surgery is likely to cause significant and persistent knee pain and lead to an accelerated need for knee replacement surgery.

Al Muderis allegedly told Harvey the hospital stay would be two to four days and did not discuss alternative treatments or provide any written information about the surgery or recovery time.

The court documents allege Al Muderis encouraged the patient to have both legs surgically straightened because total recovery time would be shorter but ultimately agreed to operate only on one.

In his defence, Al Muderis states he provided Harvey with an information pack from the Australian Orthopaedic Association  which included information on risks  a practice Abraham deemed was insufficient for informed consent.

Despite the severe pain being reported, Al Muderis allegedly told Harvey he should start walking, exacerbating his pain.

Instead of the expected hospital stay of between two and four days, Harvey languished in hospital for 2 months and has ongoing injuries and disabilities, according to the documents.

Prof Al Muderis breached his duty of care, the claim says.

Al Muderis allegedly told the patient his condition was so severe it warranted expedited surgery when he knew this was not the case and in doing so recommended treatment that was overly aggressive for the patients condition.

The claim alleges Al Muderis subjected the patient to unnecessary harm and failed to determine that recovery time was a matter to which the plaintiff attached material significance, injured the patient and then failed to correct the injury.

As a result, Harvey alleges a range of physical, pyschological and financial harms.

Al Muderis, Plambeck and Alttahir dispute the allegations and the matter is next listed for directions in September. Alttahir was also a witness for Al Muderis in the defamation trial and gave evidence Abraham found was defensive, not impartial and showed he clearly had an interest in the outcome of the case.

In the case, documents show Al Muderis is represented by Eliza Faulk, formerly the head of practice claims at the countrys largest medical insurer, Avant.

This masthead is not suggesting these allegations are true, only that they have been made in court documents. Alttahir and Plambeck were contacted for comment.

Hefty non-disclosure

The defamation trial heard Al Muderis insurer paid out large settlement sums to two former patients, Kim Gollan ($1.2 million) and Leah Mooney ($1.75 million) after operations went wrong.

The settlements were previously sealed under confidentiality agreements that Al Muderis waived in his pursuit of defamation litigation.

A photo of Kim Gollan taken three weeks before she died at the age of 58.

While the Gollan matter was settled on a no admissions basis, the court ruled in Mooneys favour.

Still, Al Muderis did not acknowledge any wrongdoing in Mooneys case under cross-examination.

Ms Mooneys incidents have changed my life, Al Muderis told the court. It did affect me deeply and to this day, every day I wake up, I think what would I have done different, and to this day, I think that Ive done everything that I could do to help this woman.

Abraham found this answer reflected Al Muderis preparedness to embellish his evidence and criticised his inability to admit error even with the benefit of hindsight and in the face of indisputable evidence.

Even if the assertion is hyperbole, it is made (when not true) to emphasise his concern for the position Ms Mooney was in, she said, which tells against his credit.

Leah Mooney with her husband Tim Mooney outside the Federal Court. Credit: Janie Barrett

The cases of Gollan and Mooney take the known lawsuit tally against Al Muderis to nine. Nurse-turned-barrister Watson said more than half-a-dozen medical negligence cases being filed against Al Muderis indicates a serious problem: If Im seeing them again and again and again, there is something seriously amiss.

Watson said there is a high bar for medical negligence cases in Australia, that are often David-versus-Goliath battles between injured individuals and well-resourced doctors backed by large medical insurers and law firms.

The power imbalance is stark, she said, adding cases rarely make it to trial and often involve no admissions settlements, with large sums being paid to avoid public scrutiny.

I settle 95 per cent of my cases out of court, that come with hefty non-disclosure agreements.

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She said there is very limited transparency around the safety of Australian doctors and believes there needs to be greater transparency in error rates and disciplinary histories for all healthcare practitioners.

Through her practice, Watson said she has observed frequent flyers  doctors who face several medical negligence cases and regulatory complaints yet none of them are publicly disclosed  which she said indicates a serious problem.

It goes with a certain personality type, she said. These people have enormous egos and they dont like being corrected.

She said the current healthcare regulation model is deliberately non-punitive and rarely holds doctors accountable for harming patients, leaving costly and risky litigation as the sole remaining option for justice.

Watson said she had seen the HCCC dismiss complaints that later resulted in significant settlement sums being made through litigation. She has little faith in the current regulatory investigative processes.

Patient advocate Dorothy Kamaker said private hospitals need to take greater accountability.

They know whats going on. And they really need to look after the patients. Their duty of care is to the patients, not the surgeon, she said.

The surgeon might be the milk cow. They might be making a huge amount of money, but in my mind I feel the patients are being screwed.

Patient advocate Dorothy Kamaker. Credit: Louise Douvis, digitally tinted

Corporate governance expert Helen Bird said neither Medibank nor Macquarie University Hospital should be responsible for investigating the judgments implications for Al Muderis ongoing career.

She argued the institutions were conflicted because of their financial links to Al Muderis.

Its very hard to see Macquarie University Hospital setting up a robust inquiry, Bird said. The hospital will say we do whatever is in the best interests of our patients. The short answer is they also know who keeps them open and viable.

In a video uploaded to social media, Al Muderis, who has said he intends to appeal the judgment, promoted the doctor-shareholder joint ventures with health funds where he said he does hips and knees and other surgeries.

Patients recover very fast, normally, he said. Basically, the health fund shifts the money that they give to inpatient rehab to the surgeon, anaesthetist and the assistant and the physio to cover for that. And they still save money. Its a good program. Weve been doing it [for] two years very successfully.

Two orthopaedic surgeons, speaking this week on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation from Al Muderis, said these structures led by health funds like Medibank are trying to turn us into America and go with managed care, where profits drive surgical decision-making.

Another surgeon said Al Muderis was now spending significant time overseas, in Abu Dhabi and elsewhere, where he performs surgeries.

All the surgeons who invested in the short stay at Macquarie have been left high and dry. Munjed was the draw card on which the [doctor-shareholders] banked [to] make it a success.

Al Muderis did not respond to questions for this story by deadline, but a statement earlier this week said that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing by all relevant authorities, including AHPRA and the Medical Council of NSW, and there are no active complaints or investigations against him that he is aware of.

Vindicated

Patients who gave evidence in the trial stated they considered suing Al Muderis for medical negligence, but felt powerless when considering his wealth, fame and celebrity status.

Mooney has complained several times to the HCCC, and despite the damning evidence of Al Muderis negligence, lies and dogged failure to investigate her bone infection and its devastating consequences, the regulator is not interested. How can that be the case?

The defamation trial involved subpoenaing medical records for each of the patients, and experts then assessing the quality of care they received.

In Jones-Baldwins case, expert and orthopaedic surgeon Stephen Ruff found that Al Muderis ordered scans and determined her hip joint had severely collapsed as justification for rushing her into the emergency hip replacement.

However, Ruff said there was a huge disconnect between what Al Muderis said was wrong and the real position, where X-rays showed her hip was essentially normal and there was no gross collapse evidence.

The judge accepted Ruffs opinion.

Before her surgery with Al Muderis, Jones-Baldwin was recovering from leukemia, and praised the doctor who treated her as a walking talking angel.

I understand what professional medical care looks like.

Sharon Jones-Baldwin at her home. Credit: Sam Mooy

When she was first referred to Al Muderis clinic, she was thrilled to be treated by such a celebrated surgeon.

I was shocked and excited that I could get to see a specialist of his reputed calibre, she wrote in her affidavit, saying the waiting room was full of people. The best way to describe it is manic.

In Abrahams ruling, she was persuaded that Al Muderis equated being busy with being successful.

Being busy has with it many consequences, she said.

Jones-Baldwin said Al Muderis never properly explained the surgery and visited her only once briefly at Macquarie University Hospital, where he treated her with contempt.

He did not acknowledge or greet me. As he left, I called out doctor but he continued to leave, she said. The only thing he was interested in was the actual operation.

Formerly a publicly listed company director and senior government bureaucrat, Jones-Baldwin said when she read and watched the investigation into Al Muderis by this masthead and 60 Minutes published in 2022, she felt vindicated.

I cried for the other people who had a similar experience with Al Muderis.

Not all Al Muderis patients feel this way. Some launched a petition this week pledging their support for the surgeon, which now has more than 1200 signatures.

At a time when his contributions are being publicly questioned, it is vital that the voices of those who have benefited from this groundbreaking procedure are heard, the petition stated.

In the Federal Court judgment, Abraham found Al Muderis told patients they were family and connected for life and invited them on boats and to dinners and social events.

She found this altered the patient-doctor relationship and made some feel dependent on him and afraid to sever the therapeutic relationship.

In the witness box, Jones-Baldwin was subjected to aggressive cross-examination by Chrysanthou, who accused her, in court and in closing submissions, of being a lying fantasist.

Justice Abraham did not agree, saying: That description is gratuitously disrespectful. I do not accept it.

This week, Jones-Baldwin said she was grateful for being able to speak the truth about Dr Al Muderis through the trial but has now joined others in calling for the institutions with a duty to protect the public to step up.

I hope the regulators will take this matter seriously and put things in place to stop this man from harming others, she said.

As for Al Muderis, this masthead asked the doctor this week, through his lawyers, if he would like to apologise to the patients in light of the Federal Courts judgment. He did not respond.

Charlotte Grieves book Duty To Warn will be available in February. Pre-order here.
Traditionally built houses take more than a year from approval to completion, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics and AMP data. Prefab and modular experts say they can get more homes built affordably, up to 50 per cent faster, and with fewer disruptions. Prefabricated components are made in a factory and assembled on site; modular sections are factory-produced and combined on site. Prefab modular is a hybrid. A house built for a young family in the Snowy Mountains in NSW, by prefabricated modular building company Prefabulous. Credit: Prefabulous Governments need to commit up to 70 per cent of social housing projects to prefab or modular, to achieve the kind of scale that will reduce costs, says Dr Ehsan Noroozinejad, a senior researcher and global challenge lead at Western Sydney University. We need some sort of support from the government, he says. We cannot push the private sector and the community alone to use this technology.

The Australian Building Codes Board, a joint body of the federal and state and territory governments, released a handbook last year on how to use modern methods in line with the National Construction Code, and is developing a voluntary certification scheme for manufacturers. However, prefab and modular is still unfamiliar to some councils and building certifiers, who are the guardians of permits and approvals, experts say. A lack of understanding is delaying what should be a speedy option. Noroozinejad says there is not enough training in how to approve the final product, and the voluntary scheme would be more effective if it were compulsory. The certifiers and the councils are not familiar with this technology, or they believe that it is not suitable for their area because of cultural heritage value, he says. If the process is streamlined, this type of technology should be very efficient. Otherwise, its not working.

Jennings home is the work of Prebuilt, a prefabricated modular manufacturer with a base in Kilsyth and another near Newcastle in NSW. Jennings home is the work of Prebuilt, a prefabricated modular manufacturer with a base in Kilsyth. Prebuilt chief executive Malcolm Batten says incorrect perceptions of modular have held it back from wider adoption. When the average person thinks modular, they think of flimsy, temporary and cheap, and the permanent buildings we do are not flimsy, he says. Theyre very strong and will last as long, or longer, than a conventional build. Prebuilt has constructed hotels, family homes, granny flats, farmhouses and beach retreats, from Sydneys high-end Mosman to the hamlet of Lorne, on Victorias Great Ocean Road.

However, some councils are so uncertain about what modular means, they scotch planning applications that come across their desk. Loading In one of them in NSW, we cant put a modular building there because their statutes talk about modular like its a caravan, and so youre not allowed to because it comes in on the back of the truck, Batten says. Another hindrance has been access to finance, leaving home owners to meet 90 per cent of upfront costs or enter into arrangements with their builder, as Jennings did. Many banks have been unwilling to make progress payments to builders when the asset  the block of land  is not gaining value while construction occurs elsewhere. However, their stance is softening.

The Commonwealth Bank has changed its lending criteria after collaborating with industry group PrefabAUS, and now provides prefab and modular home loans of up to 60 per cent of the contract price. A Prefabulous-built residence in Berridale in NSW that is light-filled and energy efficient. Credit: Prefabulous Damien Crough, co-founder and executive chair of PrefabAUS and managing director of Advanced Offsite Group, says companies were shouldering the financial risk, which limited their growth. Planning, regulation and financial models all need to be adjusted to recognise off-site construction, he says, and so thats what weve been working on. PrefabAUS members have drafted an advice paper for the treasurer on barriers to financing and Crough is assisting the Australian Building Codes Board in streamlining industry definitions.

Tahi Merrilees and his Wild Modular co-founder, Alex Tattle, launched their company in 2021 after years on old-fashioned building sites. We got sick of trudging around in mud and being delayed, and it got to a point where we just started looking at better ways to build, Merrilees says. A home built by Wild Modular in Clovelly, Sydney. Credit: Wild Modular The Sydney-based company has just delivered three social houses in Wollongong for the NSW government under a pilot program. All were handed over within six months, but the build time was only 3 weeks. To help facilitate loans, Merrilees and Tattle have set up live-feed cameras in their Wetherill Park factory to track progress of projects. The transparency has compelled more lenders to fund their projects, from Tasmania to Western Australia and the Whitsundays.

Theres change happening to make it smoother, Merrilees says. Thats going to have a massive impact on housing supply as the industry grows. A home built by Wild Modular in Woonona, NSW. Credit: Wild Modular Noroozinejad says only 4 per cent to 5 per cent of Australian housing is prefab, compared to European countries such as Sweden, where it is 84 per cent. To increase output, he proposes empty car manufacturing plants be repurposed as prefab housing factories. We have the capacity and very positive feedback from the industry, he says. Jennings, an experienced renovator, has been astonished by what modular can achieve.
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InspirationAustralia How to see this iconic national park (without the mud or leeches) Julie Miller August 16, 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

Last summer, my Instagram feed was brimming with images of the Overland Track, as intrepid friends embarked on Tasmanias epic multi-day hike. Incredible alpine scenery, dramatic changes in weather conditions, much appreciated pit-stops and pride of achievement fuelled my FOMO  though not so much the reported mud, blisters and those creepiest of crawlies, leeches  all seemingly unavoidable elements of life on the trail. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park: natural wonderland. With a booking system offering just 34 places for independent walkers a day during peak season, between October and May, this six-day, 65-kilometre hike linking Cradle Mountain with Lake St Clair must be arranged well in advance, and is often fully booked. Fortunately for those who dont secure a booking  or who are lightweight, leech-averse hikers like myself  there are plenty of less daunting alternatives for experiencing the natural wonderland that is Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Located in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, this 1614-square-kilometre national park has two access points: Lake St Clair (Leeawuleena) in the south, and the more popular northern entrance near Cradle Mountain, a leisurely two-and-a-bit hour drive from Launceston (or longer, if you linger over the gourmet farmgate offerings on the Tasting Trail stretching across northern Tasmania).

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With just three days to explore the region, Im basing myself at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain Holiday Park, one of a cluster of accommodation options near the Cradle Mountain entrance. Established in 1988, this property, nestled in the forest on a long-term National Park lease, has flipped the script on the traditional holiday park concept; while it still offers camping, caravan sites and budget cabins, its also venturing into the luxury market with new Premium Mountain cabins. Out and about in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Jess Bonde With floor-to-ceiling windows that embrace nature, a kitchen equipped with Smeg appliances, a soaking tub (some with forest views) and underfloor heating, these new tiny houses are stylish and romantic, with niceties such as complimentary Josef Chromy cuvee and a selection of Ashgrove cheeses to bring home the honeymoon vibe. The Discovery Park is also a convenient short walk from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, where you can buy Park Passes, get information on walks and activities and purchase a $15 three-day shuttle ticket (there is no private vehicle access to the park during daylight hours). For hikers embarking on the Overland Track, the shuttle is included with their booking fee, with Ronny Creek the drop-off point. Most day visitors, however, continue onto Dove Lake, a glacial lake of heart-wrenching beauty that lies under the misty gaze of the distinctive saddle-backed Cradle Mountain.

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A 5.7-kilometre track, largely on an elevated boardwalk protecting sensitive flora, circumnavigates the sparkling lake, passing through varied terrain  from scrubby button grass to cool temperate rainforest where endemic King Billy pines and lichen-swathed myrtles reach for daylight. During early summer, blood-red Tasmanian waratahs add a splash of colour, while sandy beaches offer tranquil moments of respite to dip the toes and soak in the views. A Premium Mountain cabin at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain. On the north-west shores of Dove Lake, an old wooden boatshed, constructed from King Billy pine in 1940, presents the hikes most photogenic moment, the craggy peaks of the mountain reflected in the still waters behind the weathered grey shed. Out on the water, a flotilla of handsome wooden kayaks harks back to the boatsheds original purpose, when it housed rowboats hired out to tourists for use on the lake. Today, adventure company Cradle Mountain Canyons holds the only licence for watercraft on the lake, with guided two-hour kayaking excursions offering a unique perspective of the unforgettable vistas. But its the kayaks themselves that give a real sense of place: hand-built over hundreds of hours by owner and guide Anthony OHern from recycled King Billy pine, a light and strong timber that can no longer be harvested from the wild.

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After paddling across the mirrored lake beneath the shadow of the mist-covered peaks of Cradle Mountain, our kayaking group pauses on the rocky shoreline for a warming cup of tea, before taking a short walk to the Ballroom Forest to view living King Billy pines, some more than 1500 years old. It was recently discovered that the closest relative to the genus of the King Billy  which also includes the pencil pine and laxifolia  is the giant redwood in America, OHern says. Kayaking Dove Lake. Nick Hansen Were always saying in Tassie: Weve got the oldest and tallest trees in the world  apart from the redwoods in California. And it turns out that that special tree and our special tree are long-lost ancestors. Timeless though Cradle Mountains vistas and flora may be, its weather is fickle and moody, changing in the blink of an eye. As the heavens open, we make a hasty retreat to the log fire in the Tavern Bar at Cradle Mountain Lodge, taking in a casual bistro lunch and a glass of Tasmanian pinot noir over a game of pool.

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With hiking plans stymied, we instead spend the afternoon indoors, wandering through nine rooms of art at the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery. Celebrating the stories and creatives of Tasmania, its exhibitions range from dazzling photographs of the dancing lights of Aurora Australis, to intriguing ceramic sculptures inspired by the mosses and fungi of Cradle Mountains forests, created by local artist Christie Lange. As evening falls, we prepare for a date with some of Tasmanias most charismatic nocturnal creatures. Located just before the boundary of the National Park, the Devils@Cradle sanctuary is a conservation centre for Australias three largest carnivorous marsupials  spotted-tail quolls, eastern quolls and Tasmanian devils  with a captive breeding program ensuring the survival of these elusive, endangered species. A curious Tasmanian devil on location. Tourism Tasmania/Sarajayne Lada Weve joined an After Dark Feeding tour, learning about the animals while they are at their most active and voracious. And just like the crazed, whirling dervishes made famous by Looney Tunes, the enraged little devils tear into chunks of wallaby thigh with bloodcurdling aggression, banshee-like shrieks and guttural growls echoing through the forest. But then I look down and see something even more terrifying  a leech has launched itself onto my hand, squirming in its quest for fresh blood. With a screech matching the Tasmanian devils, I flick the disgusting little sucker off, my quick action preventing it from latching onto my flesh.

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TOUR

Dove Lake Kayaks, two to three hour tours from $170 adults or $580 family of four. Tours run from November to April. See cradlemountaincanyons.com.au

Devils@Cradle is open daily, except Christmas Day. General entry to the sanctuary with a Day Keeper Tour, from $25 adults, $15 children. After Dark Feeding Tours (including general entry), $37.50 adults, $20 children. See devilsatcradle.com MORE

discovertasmania.com.au The writer was a guest of Discovery Parks.

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There is no public shift in the core demands from Putin. First, Ukraine must withdraw from the eastern regions now under Russian control. Second, it must accept strict limits on the size and power of its military. Third, it must give up its dream of joining the NATO defence pact with the United States and much of Europe. There may, of course, be a signal from Putin in private that he may be willing to be flexible on some of these demands, and this might in theory allow Zelensky some scope to make concessions. There is no sign of this, at least so far. The emptiness in Anchorage was apparent in what was not said at the end. Trump did not mention severe consequences for Russia, something he threatened just before the summit. Trump did not mention secondary tariffs on China, either. This move would place pressure on Russia and its key economic partner. Only later, when asked on Fox News, did Trump acknowledge the China question. And then he suggested this was a matter for a later date. US President Donald Trump departs following a joint press conference with Russias President Vladimir Putin. Credit: AP

Putin, in other words, gained more time. At no cost. He played the White House team and made them look like amateurs. Trump will be judged by his actions, not his words. He has reduced American support for Ukraine. US military supplies have slowed and US aid funding has also been scaled back. The claims about putting pressure on Russia are all in the headlines, not in the hard power on the ground. Europe was cut out of this negotiation. Leaders such as Sir Keir Starmer of Britain, Emmanuel Macron of France and Friedrich Merz of Germany tried to back Zelensky but were left watching from a distance as an American and a Russian held a summit to decide the biggest war in Europe in eight decades. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speak to the media in Berlin on Wednesday. Credit: Getty Images This is humbling for European leaders and reminds them that they cannot rely on America  or, at least, America under Trump  to enforce any peace agreement with Putin. They will have to do that themselves.

Western Europe is scrambling to rearm so it can face Putin in a world without American safeguards. It is late, of course. Starmer and Macron will hold a meeting on Sunday, their time, to discuss their willingness to enforce a peace deal in Ukraine. While Starmer is willing to put boots on the ground to do this, few others send this message. The benign view of Anchorage is that Trump was feeling out his Russian counterpart before getting a peace deal, and that he will hear from Zelensky on Monday before deciding the next steps. Nobody can be sure about the full story of the Anchorage summit until this happens. Loading Even so, there are good grounds to think that Trumps decision to shift focus from a ceasefire to a long-term peace agreement means he is open to Putins demands. After all, the dynamic was clear in Trumps attempt to humiliate Zelensky in the White House in February, and then in his generous treatment of Putin in August. The US president would prefer Ukraine to give ground, not Russia. And he seems intent on pursuing this approach in his quest to secure the Nobel Peace Prize.

Loading Trump hates the four-letter barb that is often used to mock his tough talk: TACO, for Trump Always Chickens Out. He countered the critics by bombing Iran in June, but there is no sign he wants to take genuinely firm measures with Russia. Trump said he could end the war. Now he discovers it is harder than he thought, and he tries to put the onus on others to make it easier for him. Now, its really up to President Zelensky to get it done, Trump told Fox News. And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit. The easy option for Trump is for Zelensky and the European leaders to nod in support as he trades away large parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. All the risks are on them if this simply emboldens Putin to start another war in a year or two. The Alaska summit may be remembered as Trumps biggest TACO moment. And he will not win the Nobel for that. Everything depends on whether he has the stomach to stand up to Putin and force a lasting peace in Europe.
Anchorage: On the flight from Washington to Alaska, Donald Trump told Fox News Bret Baier he would be unhappy if he left his meeting with Vladimir Putin without some form of a ceasefire.

Fast-forward six hours and Air Force One ended up leaving Anchorage more than an hour early, taking the US president home without a ceasefire or any other firm deal on peace for Ukraine. We didnt get there, he told reporters. But we have a very good chance of getting there.

Donald Trump greets Vladimir Putin after the Russian leader lands in Alaska. Credit: AP

There were signs this meeting was not going to be an immediate game-changer. While Trumps meeting with Putin lasted a lengthy 2 hours, a mooted working lunch was scrapped. Journalists were hurried into the room for a joint press conference that ended up lasting about 12 minutes.

Unusually, the visiting Russian president spoke first, and Trump  uncharacteristically  said very little. He sounded flat, and the leaders took no questions.
Key Points

Brazilian online banker PagSeguro is the parent company of PagBank.

PagBank just reported 18% revenue growth for Q2, but PagSeguro stock is down today.

Currency conversion quirks may be scaring off investors from this low-price Brazilian banking stock.

10 stocks we like better than PagSeguro Digital 

Brazilian fintech and digital bank PagSeguro (NYSE: PAGS), dropped 6.7% through 1 p.m. ET Thursday after the company reported second-quarter earnings.

The company put out only a brief press release (less than 400 words long), describing results at its PagBank subsidiary, and gave most numbers in local currency, the Brazilian real. Between this international quirk and some name confusion, U.S. investors may be wondering whether PagSeguro's news was good or bad.

Image source: Getty Images.

PagSeguro Q2 earnings

According to the press release, PagBank grew its revenue 18% year over year, to 5.1 billion reals ($940 million), not counting foreign exchange rates, which is a great way to start off. Profits increased only 7% year over year, however, rising to 537 million reals ($98.7 million).

Deposits grew by 9% in local currency, and the company's loan portfolio grew by 11%. In a tough economy, PagBank purposely grew conservatively, expanding "low-risk, high-engagement products" in particular by 34%.

Commenting on the quarter, CEO Artur Schunck admitted the company is operating "in a challenging economic environment," but insisted the company has "grown profitably" in Q2, and is "on the right path" to continue doing so.

Is PagSeguro stock a sell?

Turning to S&P Global Market Intelligence for reliable data on this difficult to value bank, we see that PagSeguro has a $2.8 billion market capitalization, and earned $405 million in profit over the last 12 months. That makes for a P/E ratio of only about 6.9, which seems cheap to me in light of the deposits and loan growth -- maybe really cheap if the loans are conservatively made.

Throw in a modest 1.5% dividend for good measure, and PagSeguro looks like a buy to me -- not a sell.

Should you invest $1,000 in PagSeguro Digital right now?

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C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) is one of the AI Stocks Analysts Are Watching Closely. On August 11, Wolfe Research analyst Gal Munda reiterated an Underperform rating on the stock with a $15.00 price target. The rating affirmation follows the companys first quarter fiscal 2026 results.

On Friday, the company reported that it sees preliminary revenue of $70.2 million-$70.4 million, an estimated 33% below the midpoint of its previous Q1 guidance for $100 million-$109 million.

The adjusted operating loss will be $57.7 million-$59.9 million, almost twice as bad as the $23.5 million-$33.5 million loss that the company had expected.

Company CEO Thomas Siebel said that sales results during the quarter were completely unacceptable but driven by disruptive effect of the reorganization and his ongoing health issues.

Wolfe Research noted that it believes F1Q26 results have been a negative surprise that will likely drive shares materially lower despite the restructuring of the sales organization.

Why Wolfe Research Sees More Downside Ahead for C3.ai (AI)

In July, the company announced a search for a successor to the CEO, and in the 8-K filing (link to filing here), it did not reiterate guidance, which we viewed as a risk to expectations. We believe F1Q26 results were a negative surprise that will likely drive shares materially lower despite the restructuring of the sales organization. Given the disappointing F1Q26 results, we believe FY26 revenue guidance could be revised significantly lower or potentially pulled entirely. Reiterate UP and $15 PT. 

C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) is an enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) software company involved in building and operating enterprise-scale AI applications and accelerating digital transformation.

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

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Disclosure: None.
Aberdeen Group plc lifted its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 118.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 223,227 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 121,141 shares during the quarter. Aberdeen Group plc owned approximately 0.08% of Illinois Tool Works worth $54,789,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. von Borstel & Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Olde Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 1st quarter valued at $49,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 167.1% in the 1st quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 211 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 132 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.77% of the companys stock.

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Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

NYSE ITW opened at $258.43 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.65, a P/E/G ratio of 5.66 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.15. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 1-year low of $214.66 and a 1-year high of $279.13. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $253.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $250.15.

Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend

Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The industrial products company reported $2.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $4.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 90.89% and a net margin of 21.31%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.54 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.39 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.61 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $6.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. This is a boost from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.59%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ITW has been the topic of several recent research reports. Evercore ISI cut their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $252.00 to $249.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 19th. UBS Group upped their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $243.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Bank of America downgraded Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $220.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Citigroup upped their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $254.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $239.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $259.33.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ITW

Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works

In other Illinois Tool Works news, Director David Byron Smith, Jr. acquired 872 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $241.16 per share, for a total transaction of $210,291.52. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 122,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,634,705.44. This trade represents a 0.71% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.88% of the stock is owned by corporate 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.

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Aberdeen Group plc trimmed its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 18.7% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 891,895 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 205,719 shares during the period. Aberdeen Group plcs holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $62,361,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of CP. Capital Insight Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 40,700 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,858,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the period. Davidson Trust Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Davidson Trust Co. now owns 4,660 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $327,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the period. Transatlantique Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Transatlantique Private Wealth LLC now owns 10,066 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $728,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Tradewinds LLC. lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Tradewinds LLC. now owns 4,326 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $304,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Partners Group Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Financial Partners Group Inc now owns 49,334 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $3,464,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares during the period. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

Shares of CP stock opened at $74.12 on Friday. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 1 year low of $66.49 and a 1 year high of $87.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The firms 50 day moving average is $78.45 and its 200-day moving average is $76.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.09, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.06.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The transportation company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.82 by ($0.01). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 28.05%. The company had revenue of $2.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.76 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.05 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.1651 per share. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 26th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is currently 20.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CP has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $89.00 to $88.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Stephens raised their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Susquehanna reissued a positive rating and set a $94.00 price target (up from $90.00) on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $92.30.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CP

About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

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Aberdeen Group plc reduced its stake in Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP  Free Report) by 51.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 258,486 shares of the banks stock after selling 276,541 shares during the period. Aberdeen Group plc owned approximately 0.32% of Credicorp worth $48,155,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of BAP. LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 44.4% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 4,419 shares of the banks stock worth $810,000 after buying an additional 1,358 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 40.3% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 3,513 shares of the banks stock worth $644,000 after buying an additional 1,009 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 45.7% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 692 shares of the banks stock worth $127,000 after buying an additional 217 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 31.8% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 4,045 shares of the banks stock worth $735,000 after buying an additional 977 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 8.9% in the 4th quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 6,536 shares of the banks stock worth $1,198,000 after buying an additional 534 shares during the last quarter. 89.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

BAP has been the topic of several analyst reports. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Credicorp in a report on Monday, June 2nd. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Credicorp from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, June 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Credicorp from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their price target for the company from $174.00 to $225.00 in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Credicorp has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $227.25.

Credicorp Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE BAP opened at $251.84 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market cap of $20.03 billion, a PE ratio of 13.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $229.05 and a 200 day moving average price of $204.60. Credicorp Ltd. has a 52 week low of $165.18 and a 52 week high of $255.39.

Credicorp Profile

(Free Report)

Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. It operates through Universal Banking, Insurance and Pensions, Microfinance, and Investment Banking and Equity Management segments. The Universal Banking segment grants various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and current accounts.

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Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund lessened its stake in shares of MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI  Free Report) by 11.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 10,910 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,400 shares during the period. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Funds holdings in MSCI were worth $6,170,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MSCI. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in MSCI by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,376,852 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $5,302,610,000 after acquiring an additional 518,833 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in MSCI by 61,179.6% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 505,557 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $285,892,000 after acquiring an additional 504,732 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in MSCI by 3,881.3% in the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 419,429 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $251,662,000 after acquiring an additional 408,894 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in MSCI by 605,802.9% in the 1st quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 212,066 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $129,903,000 after acquiring an additional 212,031 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in MSCI in the 1st quarter valued at $117,879,000. 89.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Henry A. Fernandez acquired 84 shares of MSCI stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 25th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $548.69 per share, for a total transaction of $46,089.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,279,951 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $702,296,314.19. The trade was a 0.01% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In the last 90 days, insiders acquired 12,400 shares of company stock worth $6,731,599. Insiders own 3.31% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on MSCI shares. Raymond James Financial raised MSCI from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $650.00 price objective for the company in a report on Friday, July 25th. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on MSCI from $673.00 to $631.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. UBS Group lifted their price target on MSCI from $655.00 to $700.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Oppenheimer reiterated a market perform rating on shares of MSCI in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on MSCI from $650.00 to $680.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $654.73.

View Our Latest Research Report on MSCI

MSCI Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of MSCI stock opened at $556.92 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.29. MSCI Inc has a twelve month low of $486.73 and a twelve month high of $642.45. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $561.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $561.20.

MSCI (NYSE:MSCI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 22nd. The technology company reported $4.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.12 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $772.68 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $763.06 million. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 143.13% and a net margin of 39.46%. MSCIs quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.64 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that MSCI Inc will post 16.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MSCI Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 29th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $1.80 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. MSCIs payout ratio is currently 47.68%.

MSCI Company Profile

(Free Report)

MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed financial product, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct.

Further Reading

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Fox Run Management L.L.C. boosted its stake in shares of Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:GBX  Free Report) by 2.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,271 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 327 shares during the period. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in Greenbrier Companies were worth $833,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quarry LP increased its position in Greenbrier Companies by 892.7% during the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 407 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in Greenbrier Companies by 44.7% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 690 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Greenbrier Companies by 812.3% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 967 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 861 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in Greenbrier Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $65,000. Finally, NBC Securities Inc. boosted its stake in Greenbrier Companies by 108,700.0% during the 1st quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 1,088 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 1,087 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.59% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the company. Susquehanna increased their target price on Greenbrier Companies from $52.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Wall Street Zen downgraded Greenbrier Companies from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th.

Greenbrier Companies Stock Performance

Shares of GBX opened at $45.76 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.69. Greenbrier Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $37.77 and a 12 month high of $71.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $48.07 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $49.62.

Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 1st. The transportation company reported $1.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.99 by $0.87. The firm had revenue of $842.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $785.72 million. Greenbrier Companies had a return on equity of 14.56% and a net margin of 6.48%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.06 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Greenbrier Companies, Inc. will post 5.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Greenbrier Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 17th were paid a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 17th. Greenbrier Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.13%.

Insider Transactions at Greenbrier Companies

In other news, Director Thomas B. Fargo sold 3,727 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.97, for a total value of $204,873.19. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 2,141 shares in the company, valued at $117,690.77. This trade represents a 63.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, COO William J. Krueger sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.00, for a total value of $192,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 32,714 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,570,272. This trade represents a 10.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 11,379 shares of company stock valued at $595,213. Corporate insiders own 1.78% of the companys stock.

Greenbrier Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America. It operates through three segments: Manufacturing; Maintenance Services; and Leasing & Management Services. The Manufacturing segment offers covered hopper cars, gondolas, open top hoppers, boxcars, center partition cars, tank cars, sustainable conversions, double-stack railcars, auto-max ii, multi-max, and multi-max plus products, intermodal cars, automobile transport, coil steel and metals, flat cars, sliding wall cars, pressurized tank cars, and non-pressurized tank cars.

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HighTower Advisors LLC grew its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Free Report) by 0.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 57,383 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 531 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLCs holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. were worth $19,811,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Trillium Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the 1st quarter worth about $2,667,000. Trust Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 19.2% during the 1st quarter. Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 2,865 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $989,000 after acquiring an additional 461 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 68,054 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $23,495,000 after acquiring an additional 3,238 shares in the last quarter. AIA Group Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 12.0% during the 1st quarter. AIA Group Ltd now owns 22,081 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,623,000 after acquiring an additional 2,362 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Independent Advisor Alliance boosted its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 4,176 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,442,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. 85.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Susan E. Pietrucha sold 13,500 shares of the 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 completion of 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Scott R. Hudson sold 10,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 21st. The stock was 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,741,474.75. The trade was a 10.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Trading Down 0.3%

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock opened at $292.62 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $308.01 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $322.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market cap of $75.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.57 and a beta of 0.68. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 12 month low of $274.25 and a 12 month high of $351.23.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $2.33 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.36 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $3.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.20 billion. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 14.54% and a return on equity of 13.17%. The companys revenue was up 16.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.29 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 EPS for the current year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 5th will be issued a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 5th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio is presently 36.93%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $371.00 to $373.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $352.00 to $372.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Erste Group Bank restated a hold rating on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, UBS Group decreased their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $345.00 to $322.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $331.07.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

(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.

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Independent Advisor Alliance reduced its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD  Free Report) by 16.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,895 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 570 shares during the period. Independent Advisor Alliances holdings in Walker & Dunlop were worth $247,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of WD. First Horizon Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its position in Walker & Dunlop by 456.4% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 306 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in Walker & Dunlop by 90.5% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 383 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in Walker & Dunlop by 122.0% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 444 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 244 shares in the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI raised its position in Walker & Dunlop by 81.9% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 724 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares in the last quarter. 80.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on WD. Wall Street Zen raised Walker & Dunlop from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Wedbush reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $90.00 target price on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Thursday.

Walker & Dunlop Trading Down 0.8%

WD opened at $83.64 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.81 and a beta of 1.57. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 12 month low of $64.48 and a 12 month high of $118.19. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $74.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $77.90.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.15 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.29 by ($0.14). The company had revenue of $319.24 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $275.84 million. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 8.81% and a net margin of 9.27%. The companys revenue was up 17.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.23 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current year.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 21st will be given a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 21st. Walker & Dunlops payout ratio is presently 82.72%.

Walker & Dunlop Profile

(Free Report)

Walker & Dunlop, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of commercial real estate and finance services. It operates through the following segments: Capital Markets, Servicing and Asset Management, and Corporate. The Capital Markets segment offers a comprehensive range of commercial real estate finance products to customers.

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Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC grew its position in Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 1,351.3% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 171,151 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 159,358 shares during the quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLCs holdings in Archer Daniels Midland were worth $8,217,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 5.4% in the first quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,310 shares of the companys stock valued at $207,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC lifted its position in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 43.4% in the first quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 783 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 237 shares in the last quarter. Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 4.1% in the first quarter. Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC now owns 6,023 shares of the companys stock valued at $289,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Stolper Co increased its holdings in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 0.8% in the first quarter. Stolper Co now owns 33,691 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,618,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 6.6% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,296 shares of the companys stock valued at $254,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.28% of the companys stock.

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Archer Daniels Midland Price Performance

ADM stock opened at $59.70 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $54.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $49.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The stock has a market cap of $28.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.68. Archer Daniels Midland Company has a 52-week low of $40.98 and a 52-week high of $62.61.

Archer Daniels Midland Announces Dividend

Archer Daniels Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $21.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.56 billion. Archer Daniels Midland had a return on equity of 8.43% and a net margin of 1.33%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.03 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Archer Daniels Midland Company will post 4.31 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 20th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 20th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Archer Daniels Midlands payout ratio is presently 89.87%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ADM has been the subject of several recent research reports. Bank of America cut Archer Daniels Midland from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and cut their price target for the company from $47.00 to $45.00 in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Archer Daniels Midland from $47.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday. Barclays raised Archer Daniels Midland from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and increased their price target for the company from $50.00 to $61.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $70.00 price target (up previously from $60.00) on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a report on Monday. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Archer Daniels Midland from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.71.

View Our Latest Research Report on Archer Daniels Midland

About Archer Daniels Midland

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company engages in the procurement, transportation, storage, processing, and merchandising of agricultural commodities, ingredients, flavors, and solutions in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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Philadelphia Trust Co. reduced its position in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 1.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,934 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 116 shares during the period. Philadelphia Trust Co.s holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines were worth $752,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AEM. DAVENPORT & Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines during the first quarter worth approximately $226,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 1.2% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 485,317 shares of the mining companys stock worth $52,613,000 after acquiring an additional 5,717 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 454.9% in the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 283 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 5,663 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $443,000 after buying an additional 347 shares during the last quarter. 68.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of AEM stock opened at $133.28 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $67.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.67, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.44. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 1-year low of $75.17 and a 1-year high of $137.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 2.03 and a quick ratio of 1.16. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $123.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $113.18.

Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement

Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The mining company reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.11. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 30.63% and a return on equity of 13.79%. The firm had revenue of $2.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.46 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.07 earnings per share. Agnico Eagle Miness revenue for the quarter was up 35.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were given a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 30th. This represents a yield of 136.0%. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.21%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on AEM shares. TD Securities upgraded shares of Agnico Eagle Mines to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Lake Street Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $115.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Agnico Eagle Mines to a moderate buy rating and set a $130.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 30th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $170.00 to $173.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and five have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $136.90.

Get Our Latest Analysis on AEM

Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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By Mrinmay Dey

(Reuters) -The World Economic Forum closed an investigation on its founder Klaus Schwab on Friday, clearing him of any wrongdoing, and appointed BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Roche Holding's vice-chair Andre Hoffmann as interim co-chairs of its board.

The Geneva-based organisation had launched an investigation in April into 87-year-old Schwab following a whistleblower letter alleging misconduct.

The probe was announced a day after Schwab resigned as chairman. The forum at that time did not say why he was quitting.

For decades, Schwab has been the face of the WEF's annual gathering of business and political leaders in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos, which has become a symbol of globalisation.

The WEF said on Friday that its board had completed an investigation into allegations raised by anonymous whistleblowers against Schwab and found there was no evidence of material wrongdoing by him.

WEF also did not find any misconduct by Schwab's wife and former assistant, Hilde Schwab.

"Minor irregularities, stemming from blurred lines between personal contributions and forum operations, reflect deep commitment rather than intent of misconduct," WEF said.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the probe in April, had said an anonymous letter raised concerns about the WEF's governance and workplace culture, including allegations that the Schwab family mixed their personal affairs with the forum's resources without proper oversight.

In May, a spokesperson for Schwab informed Reuters that he had filed a criminal complaint against the whistleblowers.

The Schwab family denied all the allegations in the whistleblower complaint to the Journal.

Following the conclusion of the probe, a spokesman for Schwab told WSJ on Friday that he intends to drop his lawsuitspokesmanthe WEF and a separate legal action against anonymous whistleblowers.

The WEF also said Peter Brabeck-Letmathe had stepped down as interim chairman following the investigations conclusion.

In a statement posted on the WEF website, newly appointed co-chairs Fink and Hoffman said they were honored to take on the leadership role on an interim basis and looked forward to reinventing and strengthening the organisation.

WEF's Davos gathering has in recent years drawn criticism from opponents on both left and right as an elitist talking shop detached from lives of ordinary people.

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru. Editing by Jane Merriman and Nia Williams)
Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its holdings in Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF  Free Report) by 3.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,295 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,788 shares during the quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Raymond James Financial were worth $6,848,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Raymond James Financial by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,244,204 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,089,942,000 after purchasing an additional 347,916 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Raymond James Financial by 19.1% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,901,435 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $403,038,000 after purchasing an additional 466,129 shares during the period. Earnest Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 2,533,666 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $393,554,000 after acquiring an additional 24,195 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,335,254 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $324,390,000 after acquiring an additional 178,262 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 18.4% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,107,218 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $327,314,000 after acquiring an additional 327,739 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.83% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Raymond James Financial

In related news, insider Bella Loykhter Allaire sold 6,570 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.61, for a total value of $963,227.70. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 74,586 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,935,053.46. The trade was a 8.10% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Raymond James Financial from $155.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, July 11th. Bank of America downgraded shares of Raymond James Financial from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $159.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of Raymond James Financial from $167.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Raymond James Financial from $151.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $163.80.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on RJF

Raymond James Financial Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:RJF opened at $163.30 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average is $158.22 and its 200 day moving average is $150.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.04. The company has a market capitalization of $32.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.05. Raymond James Financial, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $113.91 and a fifty-two week high of $174.32.

Raymond James Financial (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 23rd. The financial services provider reported $2.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by ($0.18). Raymond James Financial had a net margin of 13.56% and a return on equity of 18.38%. The firm had revenue of $3.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.39 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Raymond James Financial, Inc. will post 11.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Raymond James Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 1st were paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 1st. Raymond James Financials payout ratio is currently 19.61%.

About Raymond James Financial

(Free Report)

Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments.

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Public Sector Pension Investment Board cut its position in shares of Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) by 59.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 175,599 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 253,809 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Devon Energy were worth $6,567,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Accredited Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 94.6% during the 1st quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 833 shares of the energy companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the period. Finally, SouthState Corp boosted its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 350.5% during the 1st quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 991 shares of the energy companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 771 shares during the period. 69.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Devon Energy Trading Down 0.4%

NYSE DVN opened at $33.70 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market cap of $21.39 billion, a PE ratio of 7.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $33.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $33.16. Devon Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $25.89 and a 52 week high of $46.04.

Devon Energy Announces Dividend

Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The energy company reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Devon Energy had a net margin of 16.57% and a return on equity of 18.59%. Devon Energys revenue was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.41 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Devon Energy Corporation will post 4.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. Devon Energys payout ratio is 21.52%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on DVN. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $31.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Siebert Williams Shank boosted their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $58.00 to $57.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $42.00 to $44.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Devon Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $43.93.

Get Our Latest Analysis on DVN

Insider Activity at Devon Energy

In related news, Director Kelt Kindick sold 7,685 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.46, for a total transaction of $257,140.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 31,801 shares in the company, valued at $1,064,061.46. The trade was a 19.46% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Devon Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River Basins. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. boosted its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG  Free Report) by 85.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 846,594 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 390,374 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Lloyds Banking Group were worth $3,234,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Focus Partners Wealth purchased a new stake in Lloyds Banking Group during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Advisor Resource Council bought a new position in Lloyds Banking Group in the 1st quarter worth $37,000. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Lloyds Banking Group in the 1st quarter worth $38,000. SYM FINANCIAL Corp bought a new position in Lloyds Banking Group in the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Rainey & Randall Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Lloyds Banking Group in the 1st quarter worth $41,000. 2.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Lloyds Banking Group stock opened at $4.52 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.05. The companys 50-day moving average is $4.24 and its 200 day moving average is $3.89. Lloyds Banking Group PLC has a 1-year low of $2.56 and a 1-year high of $4.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.53.

Lloyds Banking Group Cuts Dividend

Lloyds Banking Group ( NYSE:LYG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $6.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.86 billion. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 17.51% and a return on equity of 9.28%. Research analysts forecast that Lloyds Banking Group PLC will post 0.27 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 4th will be paid a $0.0655 dividend. This represents a yield of 370.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 4th. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.50%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on LYG shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Monday, August 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, July 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group Profile

(Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

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TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE:TEL  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research boosted their Q4 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of TE Connectivity in a report released on Wednesday, August 13th. Zacks Research analyst A. Ganguly now anticipates that the electronics maker will post earnings of $2.53 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $2.31. The consensus estimate for TE Connectivitys current full-year earnings is $8.05 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for TE Connectivitys Q1 2027 earnings at $2.24 EPS and Q3 2027 earnings at $2.60 EPS.

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TE Connectivity (NYSE:TEL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 23rd. The electronics maker reported $2.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.19. TE Connectivity had a return on equity of 20.22% and a net margin of 8.78%. The firm had revenue of $4.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.91 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other research firms have also recently commented on TEL. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of TE Connectivity from $200.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of TE Connectivity from $156.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of TE Connectivity from $200.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. KGI Securities raised shares of TE Connectivity to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of TE Connectivity from $170.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, TE Connectivity has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $197.55.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on TEL

TE Connectivity Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of TE Connectivity stock opened at $202.50 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 0.96. TE Connectivity has a 1 year low of $116.30 and a 1 year high of $212.76. The company has a market capitalization of $59.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.93, a P/E/G ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $182.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $159.65.

TE Connectivity Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 22nd. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. TE Connectivitys payout ratio is currently 58.80%.

Insider Activity at TE Connectivity

In other news, insider Aaron Kyle Stucki sold 52,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.78, for a total transaction of $10,198,062.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 23,667 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,562,524.26. The trade was a 69.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP John S. Jenkins sold 45,850 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.33, for a total transaction of $9,597,780.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 24,625 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,154,751.25. This trade represents a 65.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 138,795 shares of company stock valued at $26,401,597 over the last quarter. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of TE Connectivity

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TEL. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in TE Connectivity during the 4th quarter worth $820,000. Federated Hermes Inc. boosted its position in TE Connectivity by 863.4% during the 4th quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,185 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $169,000 after purchasing an additional 1,062 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC boosted its position in TE Connectivity by 16.9% during the 4th quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 2,007 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $287,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares during the period. Mariner LLC boosted its position in TE Connectivity by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 33,099 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $4,732,000 after purchasing an additional 454 shares during the period. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board purchased a new stake in TE Connectivity during the 4th quarter worth $606,000. 91.43% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

TE Connectivity Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TE Connectivity Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells connectivity and sensor solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the AsiaPacific, and the Americas. The company operates through three segments: Transportation Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Communications Solutions.

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Key Points

The ubiquitous lender has delivered reliably for shareholders over the years.

In many ways, it's a proxy for the broader domestic economy it lends to.

10 stocks we like better than Bank of America 

Throughout this country, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) branches are as common a sight as outlets of your favorite coffee chain or supermarket. The lender is one of the "Big Four" U.S. banks, alongside JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup. As such, it's an important mover of the domestic economy.

Does it belong in your portfolio, however? Let's take a look at how the stock has performed over time, and how attractive it is as an investment.

Lending to America

Since Bank of America is something of a proxy for our economy, its performance over the past five years is in line with that classic proxy for the stock market, the S&P 500 index. A $1,000 investment in the bank made five years ago would have resulted in a total return (i.e., share-price appreciation plus dividends) of $2,010 today, not too far south from the $2,160 under the same conditions for the index.

Image source: Getty Images.

That's an accomplishment because banking is a tricky business that's full of risk. After all, lending to a person or institution money, now and forever the main activity of banks, is always a bit of a gamble. It isn't easy to grow core fundamentals and land well in the black quarter after quarter, year after year.

This bank is to be commended for regularly posting growth in key metrics. In its most recently reported quarter, for instance, the lender grew its revenue, net of interest expense, by 4% year over year, to $26.5 billion, and headline net income by 3% to $7.1 billion.

Comforting and reliable

Bank of America isn't the most dynamic bank among the Big Four -- that honor belongs to JPMorgan Chase -- nor is it the one that's changing most dramatically for the better (wave to the people, Wells Fargo). Yet it's steady and reliable and constantly delivers for its shareholders. Its stock is a solid investment with more growth potential, as long as the economic cycle is in its favor.

Should you invest $1,000 in Bank of America right now?

Before you buy stock in Bank of America, 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 Bank of America 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 $649,544!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,113,059!*
Your financial life can change significantly when you get married. You might save money by splitting household expenses and filing taxes jointly. Whats more, your marital status can influence how much you pay for car insurance.

Rate comparisons show married drivers pay less for car insurance. The discount for being married can be substantial  in the range of 16% or $288 per year, according to Compare.com  but it depends on where you live and other factors.

Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained

How does marital status affect car insurance rates?

When auto insurance underwriters calculate your car insurance premiums , they dont solely look at your driving history, car model, and where you live. You might also be asked about your marital status. Some insurance companies believe married drivers are safer than single drivers. Less risk means lower insurance costs.

A rate analysis by Compare.com found that married drivers pay an average $124 monthly for car insurance, while single drivers pay $151. The $24 monthly savings represents a premium discount of around 16%.

Learn more: Cheapest car insurance in the U.S .

Why do married drivers pay less for car insurance?

There are direct and indirect reasons why married drivers can have lower car insurance costs. Directly, married drivers may be perceived as more responsible drivers. Because an insurance companys business relies on collecting more money in premiums than it pays out for claims, your insurer will probably charge you higher rates if it perceives you as more likely to file costly claims. Likewise, you can score a lower rate if your insurance company views you as less likely to file claims.

Indirectly, married drivers can be more likely to demonstrate other safety and discount factors, such as:

Being homeowners. Homeowners can pay less for car insurance because of the perception theyre more financially secure than renters.

Owning more than one car. Insurance companies often give discounts to policyholders who insure multiple vehicles. A 2023 RateRetriever study found that married couples save 23% by combining two cars into one policy.

Having higher credit scores. Auto insurance companies often analyze credit status when determining car insurance rates, because studies have shown that people with excellent credit tend to file fewer claims than those with poor credit.

Qualifying for multi-policy discounts. Many major car insurance companies  such as Allstate, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, State Farm, and USAA  offer multi-car or multi-policy discounts. Essentially, they reward customers for having more than one vehicle under their coverage or for purchasing homeowners insurance, life insurance, or another insurance policy in addition to their auto insurance.

Learn more: Car insurance discounts: 17 ways to save

States that prohibit marital status as a rating factor

Its important to know that some states do not allow insurance companies to use marital status to set rates. If you live in one of these states, your car insurance cost will not be directly impacted by whether youre married or single, according to autoinsurance.com:

Arizona

Hawaii

Iowa

Massachusetts

Michigan

Ohio

Wyoming

You can still qualify for multi-car or multi-policy discounts in these states, however.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

When married couples should keep separate policies

While there are clear benefits to being married versus single when it comes to auto insurance rates, there can be some disadvantages for couples who plan to be on the same policy. In these situations, it might cost less to keep your policies separate:

One of you has a poor driving record. If your spouse has a poor driving record with a history of claims, it could increase the cost of your auto insurance even if you have a good driving record.

One of you has poor credit. If your spouse has poor credit, insurance providers may deem you as more risky to insure and saddle you with higher insurance premiums.

If your partners driving history or credit is likely to increase your premium, you might consider maintaining separate policies  either with the same insurance company or different companies. Get car insurance quotes from multiple providers to compare the costs of keeping your policies together or separate.

Your insurance company may require that you list your spouse on your policy  assuming you share a household and are both licensed drivers. However, you can request a named-driver exclusion if you dont want your spouse included on your policy. Just know that if your spouse drives your vehicle and gets in an accident after being excluded from your policy, your insurance company wont cover any claims.

Do unmarried couples pay less for car insurance?

If youre not married but living with your significant other, you might be able to take advantage of some of the benefits that married couples enjoy.

Unmarried, cohabitating couples who share a car (or multiple vehicles) can get a joint insurance policy and pursue multi-vehicle discounts or discounts from bundling their car insurance with other policies.

If you live together but each have your own car and separate auto insurance policies, youll likely need to list your significant other as an occasional driver on your policy. Listed drivers wont have a positive or negative effect on your insurance rate  similar to if you and a platonic roommate lived together but owned separate vehicles.

If you name your partner as an excluded driver on your car insurance policy, they would not be able to legally drive your car.

How to lower insurance costs regardless of marital status

Even though married couples tend to pay less for car insurance, youre not going to get hitched just for the car insurance savings. There are other ways single people can lower their car insurance costs.

1. Evaluate your coverage needs

Although your state may require you to carry a certain amount of liability insurance , other types of coverage  such as collision insurance , comprehensive insurance , and full coverage  are optional. You may decide you dont need as much insurance coverage on your vehicle, especially if its a paid-off, older vehicl, and you have savings to cover repairs out-of-pocket.

Learn more: Most common types of car insurance explained

2. Adjust your deductible

Most car insurance companies will allow you to opt for a higher deductible  the amount of money youll pay out-of-pocket after a car accident before insurance kicks in  in exchange for lower premiums. While this can help you save money overall, you must be prepared to pay that increased amount if you get into an accident.

3. Improve your credit

Car insurance companies use a credit-based insurance score to help determine auto insurance rates (unless you live in a state that has outlawed the use of credit in underwriting). While this credit-based insurance score is not the same as your typical credit score, taking action to pay bills on time, settle delinquent accounts, and lower your overall debt can improve your standing in insurers' eyes.

Learn more: How credit history impacts car insurance rates

4. Maintain an excellent driving record

The more time that passes when you dont get into any car accidents, receive speeding tickets, or file car insurance claims, the better your driving history will be.

Learn more: How much does car insurance increase after an accident ?

5. Ask for discounts

In addition to discounts for being an excellent driver, most major car insurers offer discounts for things such as bundling policies, serving in the military, getting good grades (if youre a student driver), paying your premium annually instead of monthly, enrolling in auto pa, and even opting for paperless billing. Check with your insurance company to see what discounts apply to you.

Learn more: Military car insurance: What to know and how to find the best deal

6. Shop around for cheaper insurance

It doesnt always benefit you to stay loyal to your insurance company  especially when there could be other companies out there offering lower rates. Shop around or contact an insurance agent to help you find the best car insurance for your situation.

Yahoo Personal Finance

Married vs. single drivers frequently asked questions

Does being married affect your car insurance?

Being married can reduce your car insurance costs. In many states, marital status is one factor among many that insurance companies use to determine your risk level and, in turn, your rates. Having a joint policy with your spouse can also qualify you for added discounts, such as multi-policy and multi-vehicle discounts.

Learn more: How an auto and renters insurance bundle can save you big

Yes, you should update your auto insurance after you get married to ensure both of you have the appropriate coverage. Ask your insurance company to provide quotes on keeping the policies separate versus combining them. Generally, combining them will be cheaper, but there are exceptions  such as when the two of you have very different driving histories or credit scores.

Should married couples have the same car insurance?

Generally, married couples can pay less and add convenience by combining their policies into one. In some cases, it might be more expensive to have one policy instead of two. Note that if you live together, keeping separate coverage may require each policy to exclude the other driver. This means you cannot legally drive your spouses car and vice versa.

Why is car insurance cheaper with a spouse?

Car insurance can be cheaper with a spouse because married drivers appear to be more financially stable and less likely to file claims. Married couples may also qualify for additional discounts for having multiple vehicles on the same policy or bundling their home and auto insurance .
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday on the occasion of Independence Day joined the tea ceremony at Raj Bhavan hosted by Governor C.V. Ananda Bose.

CM Banerjee reached Raj Bhavan at 5 p.m. on Friday along with West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and state Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty.

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Soon after, Left Front Chairman Biman Bose and senior Congress leader Pradeep Bhattacharya arrived at Raj Bhavan, responding to the Governors invitation.

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All the leaders from different political parties exchanged customary greetings with the Chief Minister. Like every year, this year too, a small tea ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan.

Renowned musician Usha Uthup was also seen with the Chief Minister. They were all welcomed by Governor Bose and his spouse.

Every year, the Chief Minister is invited to the tea party at Raj Bhavan on the evening of Independence Day. Members of various political parties in the state are also invited. As per tradition, the Chief Minister also joins the tea party.

On Friday, Mamata Banerjee stayed there for a while and interacted with the Governor as well as others.

Governor CV Anand Bose, in his speech, recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and told the assembled guests, This day is not only a day of celebration, but also a day of duty.

While leaving the Raj Bhavan, Mamata Banerjee said in response to questions from media persons, Independence Day belongs to all of us. Political differences have no place here. Today is the day of unity.
On the occasion of Independence Day, the officials of Howrah Police Commissionerate, on Friday, arrested an illegal Bangladeshi infiltrator from Howrah station, the main railway connecting point between Kolkata and the rest of India.

The arrested person has been identified as Mijan Mian, a resident of Kurigram district in neighbouring Bangladesh.

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Upon police questioning, Mian admitted that he entered India 22 years back illegally through the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura.

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Thereafter, he added that after several rounds of efforts he managed to fake an AADHAAR card in his name from a local agent at Agartala.

He also said that in Tripura, he got married to a local woman and they have a girl child.

He was later presented at a lower court in the Howrah district, which granted police custody for him.

Upon police questioning, Mian also admitted that he arranged for the AADHAAR card for himself with forged documents.

He claimed that his main intention in illegally crossing over to the Indian Territory in Tripura was to get married to the local woman.

However, despite claiming to have in possession the forged AADHAAR, he was unable to furnish it to the investigating officers of the Howrah Police Commissionerate.

He said that his main intention in coming to Howrah station was prompted by his wish to go back to Bangladesh.

There had been lots of inconsistencies in his statements during questioning. We are grilling him further to find whether he had a connection with any Bangladesh-based terror module and whether he had any specific intention to come to West Bengal from Tripura, a Howrah Police Commissioner insider said.

West Bengal BJP Secretary, Umesh Roy, said that Bangladeshi infiltration has become common through the porous borders with the neighbouring state and they always find West Bengal, especially the state capital of Kolkata, as their safe haven.
Janmashtami was observed with devotion and fervour in the national capital, with thousands of people extending warm wishes to each other, and offering prayers at different temples in the city.

Janmashtami is observed as the birthday of Lord Shri Krishna in Hindu tradition, and the faithful across the world celebrate the festival with their loved ones visiting temples and spending time with family and friends.

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In the national capital, as part of the celebrations, Delhis Minister of Art, Culture and Languages Kapil Mishra offered prayers at the ISKCON temple in Greater Kailash, performed abhishek of Laddu Gopal (another name for Krishna), and sought his blessings.

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Member of Parliament from the New Delhi constituency, Bansuri Swaraj, was also present on the occasion.

Throughout the temple premises, the chants of Hare Krishna Hare Rama resonated, while a large number of devotees made the celebrations a grand affair.

Mishra joined the devotees and prayed for brotherhood, harmony and progress of the nation, an official release issued here said.

Janmashtami is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country and in Delhi. Millions of devotees are observing the divine birth anniversary of their beloved Lord with joy and reverence. Lord Shri Krishna is the eternal symbol of the victory of Dharma over Adharma. On this holy occasion, we must resolve that Dharma prevails in the nation and across the world, Adharma is eradicated, goodwill flourishes among all beings, and the welfare of humanity is ensured, he said.

Mishra further said that Delhis rich cultural traditions and peoples participation in religious celebrations strengthen our shared heritage.

Festivals like Janmashtami are not only a symbol of faith and devotion but also reinforce social unity, moral values, and spiritual awakening, he added.

During the celebrations, the temple was adorned with beautiful tableaux, a bhajan evening was organized, and a Shri Krishna Leela performance was staged, which attracted a huge gathering of devotees.
Delhi Police Commissioner SBK Singh has set goals for the force, emphasising three important aspects  Atmanirbharta, use of technology, and healthy competition  drawn from Prime Minister Narendra Modis 79th Independence Day address at the Red Fort.

He said that the three key points must be implemented swiftly and in mission mode across the force.

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Singh also urged police personnel to be more people-friendly and work with a spirit of Sewa Bhav to earn public trust, so that they can approach them without any hesitation in times of need.

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In his address to the police personnel on the occasion of Independence Day, the Delhi Police chief asked all units to work on the aspect of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and come up with a proposal within 15 days.

The aim is to make Delhi Police self-reliant on multiple fronts to reduce dependence on others for commandos, bomb disposal squads, wireless sets, and other requirements.

Speaking on the use of technology, the Delhi Police chief said that while the force has made effective use of technology and is quite ahead on this front, there is still a need to go further.

He stressed that whether it is surveillance, preventing cybercrime, or fighting terrorists, the use of technology is required in every field.

Singh directed all Delhi Police units dealing in technology-related matters to form committees and groups, conduct necessary studies and submit proposals within a month to enhance the use of advanced technology in the force.

Referring to another important aspect of the PMs speech, he asked the force to instil a sense of healthy competition and shun jealousy.

He urged the force to embrace the principle at both individual and organisational levels. The police chief also congratulated 18 officers and personnel who were awarded Police Medals for Distinguished Service and Meritorious Service on the occasion of Independence Day.
The IPU-Innovation and Incubation Foundation (IIF)-incubated startup, Mazout Electric, has launched Zooty, an indigenously developed all-electric patrolling vehicle for Indias defence personnel, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), Delhi announced on Saturday.

According to Mr Akhil Gupta, Founder and CEO of Mazout Electric, the initiative reflects a vision to indigenize and simplify vehicle electronics for all forms of electric vehicles.

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At Mazout Electric, a team of seven engineers built Zooty as a side project to test their technologies and launched it on 15 August 2025, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Indias 79th Independence Day, at the Universitys East Campus, the University said in a statement.

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Zooty is a compact electric patrolling scooter designed with a clear purpose: to serve the logistical heroes who keep large facilities running. It is an ideal companion for security personnel, facility managers, or even support staff in hospitals and campuses.

Powered by a robust 0.8 kWh battery, Zooty offers a practical range of over 20 km on a single charge, with a top speed of 24 kmph. Its fast-charging feature enables charging from 0 to 90 percent in under an hour, minimizing downtime.

With a payload capacity of 120 kg, it can easily carry a rider along with toolkits, documents, or supplies. What truly sets Zooty apart is its advanced in-house electronics. From the microcontroller to the IoT system, every key component has been developed by the team. The in-house built powertrain electronics feature dev-X1 and MZ-01 as the controller and IoT modules, respectively, making Zooty one of the smartest, most connected utility EVs in the market.

This is not just a product launchit is a celebration of whats possible when passionate entrepreneurs, a supportive institution, and a shared mission come together to solve real-world problems. None of this would have been possible without the vision and unwavering support of the University and the IPU incubator, said Akhil.

He added, We are especially grateful to IPU for not just supporting this venture, but for truly believing in it. We look forward to deploying Zooty across IPU campuses in the coming months and scaling up from there.

Unveiled by Padma Shri Prof Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor of the University, the launch marks a strong commitment to advancing indigenous technology and serving the nation. This innovation, Akhil emphasized, truly embodies the spirit of Naya Bharat, the theme of this Independence Day.
Veteran soap opera actor Tristan Rogers, best remembered for playing Robert Scorpio on the long-running daytime drama General Hospital, has passed away at the age of 79. His manager confirmed the news to ABC7, and E! News reported that the actor died after battling lung cancer.

Rogers was an Australian actor whose portrayal of Robert Scorpio made him a household name in the United States. He first joined General Hospital in 1980, originally signed on for just a single day of work.

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But his charisma and the depth he brought to the role quickly won over both the producers and the audience. That one-day job blossomed into one of the most iconic characters in soap opera history.

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His manager, Meryl Soodak, remembered him warmly, saying, He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing. He was supposed to work a day and he ended up making it into something huge. He was just a genuinely loyal, kind human being and he loved his family.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tristan Rogers (@tristanrogers73)

Tristan Rogers revealed his lung cancer diagnosis less than a month before his passing. In July, his representatives had shared that he was working closely with his doctors on a treatment plan and had asked fans and the public for privacy. At the time, he was still hopeful and grateful for the support he was receiving.

Soodak later confirmed that his illness came as a surprise since Rogers was never a smoker.

During his decades-long career, Rogers worked on several other soap operas including The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. Still, Robert Scorpio remained his defining role. He played the character steadily from 1980 to 1992 and then returned multiple times in guest and recurring appearances, right up to 2025.

Speaking on the Thats Awesome podcast in 2020, Rogers reflected on how unusual the role was for its time: The role allowed for the creation of a character that was fresh and different for daytime television; a sort of intriguing, mysterious type.

At the height of his fame in the 1980s, Rogers said he couldnt even go shopping without being recognized, explaining, It was almost impossible for me to do something as simple as going to a store without security.

What was supposed to be a short-term role turned into a career-defining journey. I did not realize that this two-day shoot would turn into a role that would explode. One that I would play for decades, he recalled.

Outside of acting, Rogers was known as a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Teresa, and their children, Sara Jane, 32, and Cale, 29.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 turned into a star-studded evening filled with joy, emotions, and unforgettable moments. Among all the winners, the loudest applause went to the team of Homebound. The film not only bagged the Best Film Award, but its director Neeraj Ghaywan also walked away with the Best Director Award.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. The film has been produced under the banner of Dharma Productions, backed by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra.

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For the entire cast and crew, this victory was a proud moment. Karan Johar, who is known for his emotional messages, celebrated the achievement on social media. Sharing his happiness, he wrote, Our first WIN! Will always be special #homebound.

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Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan was presented with the Excellence in Cinema Award. The honour recognised his unmatched contribution to cinema and his decades of work as an actor, filmmaker, and cultural icon.

Another big moment came when Arvind Swami received the Leadership in Cinema Award. The actor, known for his powerful roles in both Bollywood and South Indian cinema, shared his gratitude.

One of the most emotional parts of the night came when Abhishek Bachchan was declared Best Actor (Male) for his film I Want To Talk.

Accepting the award, he said, Life has come full circle for me. I came here in 2022 and received the Excellence in Cinema Award. Today, I stand here with the Best Actor award for a film that is extremely special to me.

Abhishek revealed that it was during the 2022 festival itself that filmmaker Shoojit Sircar offered him the role. He added that the film is a tribute to both his father and daughter, as it beautifully explores the themes of care and relationships.

On the other hand, the Best Actor (Female) award for films went to Geetha Kailasam for Angammal. The Tamil film, directed by Vipin Radhakrishnan, also won the Best Indie Film Award.

The festival also celebrated the rise of web series, which have become a huge part of modern storytelling. Jaideep Ahlawat won Best Actor (Male)  Series for Paatal Lok Season 2, while Nimisha Sajayan got the Best Actor (Female)  Series for Dabba Cartel.

The award for Best Series went to Black Warrant.

Another highlight was the recognition of diversity and equality. Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox), a Bengali film by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, won the Equality in Cinema Award.

Vir Das won the Disruptor Award, while Aditi Rao Hydari received the Diversity in Cinema Award.

Short films also had their moment in the spotlight. Kalar Pencils by Dhananjay Santosh Goregaonkar won Best Short Film (India), while Drifters by David Liu received Best Short Film (Australia).

Complete winners list from IFFM 2025

Best Film: Homebound

Best Director: Neeraj Ghaywan (Homebound)

Best Indie Film: Angammal

Best Actor (Male)  Film: Abhishek Bachchan (I Want to Talk)

Special Mention  Best Actor (Male)  Film: Gugun Kigpen (Boong)

Best Actor (Female)  Film: Geetha Kailasam (Angammal)

Best Series: Black Warrant

Best Actor (Male)  Series: Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok Season 2)

Best Actor (Female)  Series: Nimisha Sajayan (Dabba Cartel)

Excellence in Cinema: Aamir Khan

Leadership in Cinema: Arvind Swamy

Disruptor Award: Vir Das

Diversity in Cinema: Aditi Rao Hydari

Equality in Cinema: Baksho Bondi

Best Short Film (India): Kalar Pencils

Best Short Film (Australia): Drifters

The 16th edition of IFFM 2025 will continue till August 24, with Homebound chosen as the closing film.
After months of heated discussions and a long wait, Malayalam actor Shwetha Menon has created history by becoming the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

Her election marks a new chapter for the organization, which has been at the center of major controversies in recent years.

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Speaking about her new role at Amma, Shwetha Menon said she does not want to make big promises just yet but assured that her team will work toward meaningful changes.

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I havent planned anything. I dont have an agenda. This is a very big matter. Please dont expect miracles, but we will be doing something for a change, she shared in her first media interaction after the announcement.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sruthy Sithara (@sruthy_sithara__)

The election for the top post was closely followed across the film industry. It comes almost a year after veteran actor Mohanlal stepped down as AMMA president in August 2024. His resignation followed mounting criticism over how the association dealt with serious issues, especially allegations of sexual harassment and abuse within the Malayalam film industry.

At that time, the entire 17-member executive committee also resigned, leaving the body without leadership.

The uproar began after the Justice K. Hema Committee submitted its report on the working conditions of women in Mollywood. The detailed 235-page report pointed to disturbing accounts of harassment faced by female actors and crew members. It also noted that the industry is largely in control of a small circle of 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors, who hold power and influence in decision-making. A redacted version of the report was later made public, sparking widespread debate and criticism.

Following the findings, the Kerala government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the complaints of women working in the industry. Many female actors came forward to share their experiences, leading to growing pressure on the association to take stronger action.

The leadership crisis deepened earlier this year when actor Unni Mukundan, who was serving as AMMAs treasurer, also resigned in January. He said that increasing professional commitments had taken a toll on his mental health, making it difficult for him to continue in the position.
Tensions are once again on edge in the volatile Merapani sector along the AssamNagaland border following the assault of three youth from Assam on Independence Day by alleged miscreants.

The incident, which left one youth critically injured after being shot with an air gun, has triggered a wave of outrage across Upper Assam and reignited anxieties over the fragile peace in the border belt.

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According to police officials, the attack took place on August 15 when three youth from Kadamguri village  Simsat Basumatary, Subrat Nayak, and Prakash Boro  were returning from a picnic in a forest area falling under Nagalands jurisdiction.

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They were reportedly ambushed by a group of armed miscreants. Basumatary and Nayak were severely beaten, while Boro sustained a gunshot wound while attempting to flee. He remains under medical care.

A late-night joint operation by Nagaland Police and the CRPF on Friday led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Takhai Sumi, Honito Yepthomi, and Kahosa Thimo.

Officials confirmed that the trio has been taken into custody for their direct involvement in the assault.

Before the arrests, Bir Lachit Sena had threatened to block the entry of Nagas into Merapani if the culprits were not apprehended immediately.

Following the police action, the organisation temporarily suspended its protest programmes but warned that it would remain vigilant.

Other regional organisations, including the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), condemned the attack, urging the Assam government to ensure the security of border residents and prevent further flare-ups

The border areas cannot be allowed to become a zone of fear. The safety of Assamese citizens must be the governments top priority, AJYCP leaders said in a statement.

The Bir Lachit Sena further alleged that Nagas have been attempting to destabilize peace in the region, particularly in the aftermath of eviction drives targeting illegal settlers.

The Merapani sector, located along the AssamNagaland border in Golaghat district, has long been a flashpoint of conflict.

Since Nagalands creation in 1963, inter-state boundary disputes have repeatedly led to violence, displacement, and mistrust. Merapani, in particular, witnessed major clashes in 1985 that claimed several lives, and sporadic skirmishes continue to disrupt peace.

Despite the formation of several joint committees and the deployment of central forces, local organisations on both sides often accuse each other of encroachment and provocation.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will hold his first press conference on August 17, a move that coincides with the INDIA blocs rally starting in Bihar on Sunday. The briefing, scheduled for 3 PM at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, comes at a politically charged moment, with the poll body under intense scrutiny from the Opposition.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive in Bihar has snowballed into a national political flashpoint, with opposition parties accusing the poll panel of colluding with the BJP to manipulate voter rolls. The Congress party has been at the forefront of the criticism, with its leader, Rahul Gandhi, presenting what he claimed was proof of voter list manipulation in Karnatakas Mahadevapura constituency.

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The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of manipulating voter rolls, particularly in Bihar, to favor the ruling party. The ECIs handling of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and last years Maharashtra Assembly elections has come under scrutiny.

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Gyanesh Kumars remarks will be closely watched, as they will not only set the tone for his leadership but also shape public perception of the ECI. The CEC has previously defended the SIR drive, stating that the exercise aims to create a pure voter list and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

With opposition leaders stepping up their attack and civil society groups amplifying concerns, Sundays briefing could become a defining moment for the new CEC. The stakes are high, and Gyanesh Kumars response will be crucial in addressing the concerns and criticisms raised by the Opposition.
Reiterating the Congresss vote theft allegations against the Election Commission, Congress leader, on Saturday shared a spoof video inspired by the film Laapataa Ladies.

The video showed a middle-aged man at a police station filing a theft complaint. When asked by a policeman, What has been stolen? the man hesitated before replying, Vote. The policeman reacted in shock and asked, Hows this possible? The video ended with the message, Theft of your vote is theft of your right. The clip is based on a scene in Laapataa Ladies when a man approached police station to report that his wife had been missing or misplaced with someone elses wife.

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The Leader of opposition urged people to join the Vote Chori se Azaadi campaign along with the video. Sharing the video on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, Chori chori, chupke chupke ab or nahi, janta jag gayi hai, (Secretly, stealthily No more now, the public has awakened).This came after Congress announced the launch of the Vote Chori se Azaadi campaign, asking people to join the movement against alleged vote theft by the Election Commission and the BJP.

Earlier, the Congress party in a post on X urged people to change their display picture (DP) on social media to support the campaign.

On the occasion of Independence Day, join the campaign for freedom from vote theft. Change your WhatsApp DP, the post said.

On August 14, ahead of the Assembly elections in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi also announced the launch of the Voter Adhikar Yatra against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He appealed to people to join this peoples movement.

From August 17, with #VoterAdhikarYatra, we are launching a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar, Gandhi said in a post on X.

He added, This is not just an election issue  it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the constitution, and the principle of one man, one vote. We will ensure a clean voter list across the entire country. Youth, workers, farmers  every citizen, rise and join this peoples movement. This time, the defeat of vote thieves  the victory of the people, the victory of the constitution.

On August 7, Rahul Gandhi had also slammed the Election Commission of India, saying elections are choreographed. Talking about the Congresss findings on voting pattern in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency in Karnataka, he alleged the theft of 1,00,250 votes.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed declaration to back up his claims of vote theft.
The Indian National Congress Saturday renewed its call for a radically transformed Goods and Services Tax (GST) 2.0, emphasizing the need for simplification and rationalization of the tax structure.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh today said in a statement that the current GST system has become a Growth Suppressing Tax due to multiple rate slabs and exemptions, which have facilitated evasion and increased complexity.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi had Friday announced the introduction of Next-Generation GST reforms by this Diwali, aimed at reducing taxes on daily-use items.

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The government will bring Next Generation GST reforms, which will bring down tax burden on the common man. It will be a Diwali gift for you, the Prime Minister said in his Independence Day speech, ensuring that these reforms directly benefit citizens and stimulate economic activity.

Demanding drastic reduction in the number of rates to minimize revenue uncertainty for states and eliminate classification disputes, Ramesh has also sought for the extension of cess beyond March 31, 2026, to offset revenue uncertainty arising from rate structure rationalization.

Insisting on a meaningful addressal of widespread concerns of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including procedural changes and increased thresholds for interstate supplies, Ramesh has asked the government to tackle sector-specific issues in textiles, tourism, exporters, handicrafts, and agricultural inputs.

While asking the government to incentivize states to introduce state-level GST to cover electricity, alcohol, petroleum, and real estate, Ramesh has reemphasized his demand for an official discussion paper on GST 2.0 to facilitate an informed and wider debate on this vital national issue. GST 2.0 should be truly a Good and Simple Tax (GST) in letter, spirit, and compliance, he said.

The government has been considering reforms to simplify tax slabs, reduce procedural burdens, and boost compliance. The proposed changes aim to eliminate the 12% slab, shifting goods and services to either 5% or 18%.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday reaffirmed his governments commitment to stand by citizens during their toughest times by digitally disbursing financial assistance of 76 crore to 2,020 families under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (DAYALU). The relief amount has been directly credited into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

Addressing a press conference here, the Chief Minister said that a sensitive government must act like the head of a family, offering strength and support in moments of adversity.

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While no amount can compensate for the loss of life, financial security can help families cope with their grief and rebuild their lives, he observed.

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Saini highlighted that the DAYALU scheme, launched on April 1, 2023, provides a crucial safety net for families with an annual income of up to 1.80 lakh. It covers individuals between the ages of 6 and 60 years, ensuring financial assistance of up to 5 lakh in the event of an untimely death or permanent disability of a family member.

He noted that since its launch, the scheme has become an important pillar of social security in the state. To date, as many as 36,651 families have collectively received financial assistance worth 1,380 crore.

The objective of this initiative is not merely to extend monetary relief but also to provide dignity and reassurance to vulnerable households during distressing times, the Chief Minister said.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday paid floral tributes to Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at the historic Ridge in Shimla.

Governor Shukla described Vajpayee as a towering figure in Indian politics, admired across party lines, and loved nationwide for his simplicity, oratory, and statesmanship.

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He said Vajpayee upheld the highest moral values throughout his career and considered Himachal Pradesh his home.

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He never resorted to corruption for the sake of power or to save his government. Today, the greatest tribute we can pay him is to follow the path of integrity and value-based politics that he showed us, he added.

Recalling the late leader, Chief Minister Sukhu said Vajpayee was a true statesman and a distinguished politician respected across the political spectrum.

The CM highlighted Vajpayees clarity of thought and his special bond with Himachal Pradesh, where he owned a house at Prini in Kullu district.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also offered floral tributes. Patriotic songs and devotional bhajans were presented in Vajpayees memory.
India and South Korea on Saturday reaffirmed their strong and growing Special Strategic Partnership during a meeting between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and South Koreas newly appointed Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in New Delhi.

India also expressed gratitude to South Korea for supporting the condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

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During the meeting, the two Ministers reiterated their commitment to advancing the Special Strategic Partnership between India and the Republic of Korea (RoK), grounded in shared democratic values, mutual trust, common economic interests, and a dedication to regional and global peace and stability.

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In his opening remarks, EAM Jaishankar said: I would like to discuss with you how we can elevate our relationship to a higher level. I also want to express our gratitude for the Republic of Koreas condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. When our Parliamentary delegation visited Seoul, they had very good interactions, and you personally made the effort to meet them  something we truly appreciate.

There is much for us to discuss  defence, security, business, economics, connectivity, and people-to-people relations. I welcome you again and look forward to a very productive meeting.

The talks marked Cho Hyuns first working visit to India in his new role. Jaishankar welcomed him warmly, describing it as a very special privilege to host an old friend in a new capacity. He congratulated Cho on his recent appointment and highlighted the significance of the timing  coming just a day after Koreas National Liberation Day and Indias Independence Day.

The EAM also underlined the occasions importance, noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Special Strategic Partnership. He recalled being present when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met then-President Lee Jae-myung in Kananaskis, Canada, describing it as a very good meeting with very strong bonding.

The two Ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation in political, security, trade and economic, technological, and cultural domains. They agreed to set new industrial ambitions, especially in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, shipbuilding, and the defence industry.

They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest, including developments in the Indo-Pacific.

Following the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X: Delighted to meet FM South Korea Cho Hyun this morning. Held productive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, manufacturing, maritime and people-to-people exchanges as well as new opportunities in AI, semiconductors, clean energy and defence. Also exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific and contemporary global developments. Appreciated our deepening convergences and growing engagement as our Special Strategic Partnership completes 10 years.
This years Janmashtami festival turned out to be historic for Mathura-Vrindavan, drawing an unprecedented gathering of devotees and tourists.

While last year saw over 4.5 million pilgrims, this years count surged to nearly 6 million by 6 pm on the festival day, creating a new benchmark in Uttar Pradeshs religious tourism.

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As chants of Nand ke Anand Bhayo, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki echoed through the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Brajdham transformed into a global centre of devotion.

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The presence of thousands of international visitors from Canada, the USA, France, Russia, and Nepal gave the festivities a distinctly international character, further cementing Brajdhams place on the worlds religious tourism map.

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and the local administration made extensive preparations to immerse the city in the grandeur of the festival. Nearly 21 small and five grand stages were set up across Mathura and Vrindavan, where thousands of artists performed Raslila, devotional songs, traditional dances, and Krishna Janm Leela. These vibrant cultural showcases not only enthralled devotees but also gave Brajs folk culture a strong global platform. Hotels, transport services, and local markets witnessed remarkable economic activity, making the festival not just spiritually uplifting but economically rewarding for the state.

Prominent temples, including Banke Bihari Mandir, Prem Mandir, and ISKCON Vrindavan, witnessed long queues of devotees right from the morning hours, with thousands waiting for darshan and the special Mangala Aarti. The surge of pilgrims at these iconic shrines showcased the deep spiritual magnetism of Brajdham.

The entire Braj region was decorated with vibrant lights, thematic installations, and floral displays that turned the city into a glowing spectacle. The colorful ambience and illuminated decorations became a major attraction, luring visitors and giving the celebrations a festive grandeur.

UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said, The record-breaking turnout of devotees this Janmashtami proves that Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the global hub of religious tourism. Our government ensured that every devotee experienced ease, safety, and devotion at every step. From Raslila and bhajans to vibrant dance and Janm Leela performances, thousands of artists brought Brajs culture alive for millions of visitors. This festival was not only a spiritual celebration but also a momentous boost for our economy and tourism.

The Lord Krishna idol at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi was adorned with special attire crafted over six months by artisans of Mathura, using threads of gold and silver interwoven with the seven colours of the rainbow. The divine appearance left devotees spellbound. The temple was decorated under the theme Operation Sindoor, with vibrant sindoor-coloured floral arrangements sourced from Kolkata and Bengaluru. The grandeur of this decoration elevated the spiritual and cultural aura of the festival, reinforcing Mathuras stature as a global destination for religious tourism.

Principal Secretary for Tourism and Culture, Mukesh Kumar Meshram, said, The Operation Sindoor theme and Brajs folk art performances offered devotees an unparalleled and unforgettable experience. A large number of visitors also explored Mathuras Government Museum, local art hubs, and heritage sites in Vrindavan and Gokul. Janmashtami this year has not only celebrated devotion but also strengthened Brajs position as a hub for cultural and heritage tourism.

The unprecedented footfall also created thousands of seasonal employment opportunities and boosted demand for local goods, crafts, and hospitality services. As Janmashtami 2025 concludes, Uttar Pradesh has once again demonstrated how faith, culture, and strategic planning together can transform a festival into a historic milestone for tourism and economic growth.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for glorifying RSS and Savarkar in his Independence Day address. He remarked that it was an attempt to gift the legacy of the freedom movement to the RSS.

In a statement on Saturday, Pinarayi Vijayan said Modi had belittled Independence Day by attempting to gift the legacy of the freedom movement to the RSS, which was outlawed in the aftermath of Mahatma Gandhis assassination.

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He said that choosing Independence Day itself to glorify those who once served the British amounted to insulting the freedom struggle, and added that no such shameful act can whitewash the RSS, which is a communal organisation with a divisive past.

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The attempt to portray the RSS, which was banned following Gandhis assassination, and V D Savarkar, who stood trial in the murder conspiracy, as major contributors to Indian independence is a blatant distortion of history. Choosing Independence Day to glorify those who served the British amounts to insulting our freedom struggle. These ridiculous measures cannot whitewash a communal organisation like the RSS, which has a poisonous history of divisive politics. The Prime Ministers use of the Independence Day speech to glorify the RSS is tantamount to insulting the day itself, Pinarayi Vijayan said.

The veteran CPI-M leader accused the RSS of always opposing the core principles of the freedom movement, saying it openly opposed the movements basic ideological concepts.

Indians, regardless of caste, religion, dress, or language, joined together in the national freedom struggle. At that time, the RSS played the role of traitors. The RSS openly opposed the basic ideological concepts of the freedom movement. Instead of Indian nationalism, which upholds unity in diversity, they upheld Hindutva nationalism, which is based on majority communalism, the CM said.

Criticising the Hindu Mahasabha and Savarkar for choosing to boycott the first Independence Day in 1947, he said: The Hindu Mahasabha, headed by V D Savarkar, who had prostrated before the colonial government and apologised, decided to boycott the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 1947. It is the same Savarkar whom the Sangh Parivar is presenting as the leader of the freedom struggle instead of Mahatma Gandhi.

Citing the Union Ministry of Petroleums Independence Day greeting card that placed Savarkars image above Mahatma Gandhis, CM Vijayan said: When read together with the fact that V D Savarkar is placed above Mahatma Gandhi on the Union Petroleum Ministrys Independence Day greeting card, it becomes clear that this is all part of a vast conspiracy. It is a manifestation of the obsession of those who are afraid of the history of the freedom struggle.

Pointing to the editorial published in the RSS mouthpiece Organiser on November 26, 1949  the day the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution  he said it rejected the Constitution and called for the Manusmriti to be upheld instead.

When the Constituent Assembly gave its final approval to the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949, the RSS mouthpiece, the Organiser, wrote an editorial that Manusmriti should be upheld instead of the Constitution, Chief Minister Vijayan said.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several other dignitaries, paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Sadaiv Atal in New Delhi on Saturday, marking his death anniversary.

The leaders also attended a solemn prayer meeting held in Vajpayees memory.

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Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Rajya Sabha Vice Chairman Harivansh Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj were among the leaders who joined in paying homage to the late leader.

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Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not only a statesman but also a poet and writer.

He served as Indias Prime Minister three times  first briefly in 1996 for 13 days, then from 1998 to 1999 for 13 months, and later for a full term from 1999 to 2004. Vajpayee passed away on August 16, 2018, at AIIMS in New Delhi.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, while speaking to reporters, said, Today, we have come to pay our respects to Atal Ji on his death anniversary. Every year, we visit here on both his birthday and his death anniversary. Along with the President and Prime Minister of India, we participated in the prayer meeting. We always remember Atal ji.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj described Vajpayee as a guiding light.

He was not just a leader but also our guide, a source of inspiration, and a visionary. Today, on his death anniversary, we have come to pay our respects to him, she said.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva recalled Vajpayees lasting impact, stating, Bharat Ratna Atal Ji was a great human being. His thoughts and speeches remain a source of inspiration for all of us party workers even today.

BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain also remembered the late leader, saying, Today is a day to remember Atal Ji. He is fondly remembered for his immense service as Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister of India, and can never be forgotten.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday morning issued a red alert in the districts of Ratnagiri, Raigad, Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, and Palghar of Maharashtra.

IMD weather forecast predicted a moderate to intense spell of rain in these areas for the next three to four hours.In a post on X, IMD also reported intense to very intense convection over Mumbai and the adjoining area.

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Mumbai Radar shows intense to very intense convection over the city and adjoining area. It is likely to continue for next 2-3 hours. Nowcast warning issued at 0700 Hrs IST dated 16-08-2025 : (RED Nowcast Warning) Moderate to intense spells of rain very likely to occur at isolated places in the district of Ratnagiri, Raigad, Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar during the next 3-4 hours. IMD said in a post on X.

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Mumbai Radar shows intense to very intense convection over the city and adjoining area. It is likely to continue for next 2-3 hours. Nowcast warning issued at 0700 Hrs IST dated 16-08-2025 : (RED Nowcast Warning)

Moderate to intense spells of rain very likely to occur at pic.twitter.com/LNkLC1FR41  India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) August 16, 2025

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall lashed Mumbai on Saturday, causing severe waterlogging in parts of the city.

Severe waterlogging in Gandhi Nagar, Kings Circle, and Sion Railway Station occurred as continuous rainfall lashed the city.

In this context, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has directed the Additional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners of all administrative wards of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, as well as all concerned officials, to immediately remain present at their respective offices and ensure proper coordination.

He has further instructed that appropriate emergency measures should be undertaken as required.The Monsoon rain turned fatal in the Vikhroli area of Mumbai as a landslide hit Jankalayan Society, killing two people and injuring two others.

According to BMC, the incident happened in Jankalyan Society, Varsha Nagar, Vikhroli Park Site, Vikhroli (W) in Mumbai.The injured were sent to Rajawadi Hospital for necessary medical treatment.

Meanwhile in Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon death toll has risen to 257, of which 133 deaths are rain-related  caused by landslides, flash floods, house collapses, and other weather-triggered incidents  while 124 fatalities occurred in road accidents.

As of 5 pm on Friday, 406 roads, including two national highways, remained blocked, while 457 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) and 222 water supply schemes were out of service, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).
The Supreme Court of India has closed the Indian Medical Associations (IMA) petition against Patanjali Ayurveda regarding misleading ads for its traditional medicine products. With this, the top court also cancelled its earlier order that had put stricter checks on advertisements.

While giving the verdict, Justice BV Nagarathna said that once the government allows a company to manufacture a product, advertising it becomes a natural part of business.

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Once you permit manufacture, then advertisement of that product will be a natural business practice, she explained.

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Governments stand

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Union government, supported the removal of the strict advertising rule, known as Rule 170. He argued that India already has laws to deal with false and misleading medical claims, so an additional rule was unnecessary.

There is already a statutory mechanism in place let us not doubt the intelligence of the common man, he said.

Rule 170 had earlier made it compulsory for companies producing Ayurvedic and traditional medicines to get pre-approval before publishing advertisements.

This rule was introduced to stop false medical claims and protect consumers.

Concerns raised

However, not everyone agreed with the decision. Advocate Pranav Sachdeva, who was representing an intervenor, warned that the removal of Rule 170 could allow misleading advertisements to flourish. He argued that many people trust Ayurveda deeply and could be easily influenced by false claims.

There are a large number of people who are gullible In Ayurveda you can come up and say this is the cure of this disease. People will be lured, he cautioned.

Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, who served as amicus curiae (a legal expert assisting the court), also pointed out that since the courts earlier stay in August 2024, several states had already been implementing Rule 170.

He suggested that the situation had changed and deserved careful consideration.

Despite these warnings, the court decided to close the matter, saying that the relief sought in the petition had already been achieved.

The final order read: It is not in dispute that the relief sought for has been achieved Hence the writ petition stands disposed.

Patanjalis position

The Supreme Court also ended the contempt proceedings against Patanjali founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna. Earlier this year, the duo had faced criticism for making misleading claims about Patanjali products in ads. After their repeated apologies in court, the judges decided not to take further action. This allows Patanjali to continue its operations without additional legal hurdles.
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday claimed that PDA people are suffocating in BJP, so in the coming time they will change their path in the elections.

The SP president made these comment after paying tribute to Veerangana Avantibai Lodhi by garlanding her statue here. He said that those who are in power should first respect Avanti Bai.

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Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the people of the government did not send them an invitation card for Red Fort function on August 15, whereas, this was a tradition.

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 We did not get the invitation card as these people sent it to some unknown address, he commented.

SP President said that the questions being raised on the Election Commission are now proving to be absolutely correct.  Most rigging was done in the elections of Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party even gave an affidavit regarding this, but no action was taken against any of the officers. Tampering with history is an old habit of BJP people, he claimed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several of his cabinet ministers, on Saturday paid heartfelt tributes to Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as the nation remembers him on his seventh death anniversary.

PM Modi, on the occasion, highlighted Vajpayees unwavering dedication to Indias progress.

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Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India, he posted on the social media platform X.

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Vajpayee, who served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 2004, left an indelible mark on Indian politics and economy.

Former Prime Minister, founding member of the BJP, Bharat Ratna revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji laid a strong foundation for development and good governance while advancing value-based politics. Atal ji was a leader who never compromised on principles and ideology, even if it meant losing his government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a social media post, paying tributes to the former Prime Minister.

Under his leadership, India conducted successful Nuclear tests in Pokhran and delivered a decisive response to enemies in the Kargil War. Through his thoughts and actions, Atal ji will continue to inspire us all to walk the path of national service. On the death anniversary of revered Atal ji, I pay my respects to him, Shah added.

Union Health Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda also paid heartfelt tributes to Vajpayee, and termed him as an inspiration for countless workers.

Revered Atal ji dedicated his life to the creation of a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant India. From the establishment of the BJP to the building of a robust India, he remained steadfastly committed throughout his life. His thoughts and actions for public service and national upliftment are exemplary for millions of BJP workers, Nadda wrote in a social media post.

On the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India would always remember the former prime ministers tremendous contributions to the country.

I pay homage to Atalji on his Punya Tithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution, Singh posted on his social media handle.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also took to social media and posted, Join the nation in paying homage to Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his Punya Tithi. His lifelong contributions to nation-building and advancing Indias strategic interests will forever be cherished.

Also, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to social media and paid homage to Vajpayee, calling him an eloquent orator and a skilled politician.

Your unique personality, vibrant oratory, and nationalist ideology gave a new direction to Indian politics. Your life is an exemplary model of patriotism, dedication, and service, which will always inspire us to move forward on the path of nation-building, the Uttarakhand CM said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid his heartfelt tributes to the former Prime Minister, calling him peoples leader and fearless guardian of national duty.

Taking to X, he posted, He was the architect of integrity in Indian politics, the voice of gentleness and restraint in dialogue, the embodiment of morality in national policy, and the flagbearer of national duty. Revered Atal ji was truly a symbol of political dedication. We offer countless salutations to his sacred memories!

The BJP also took to social media and paid tributes to its founding member, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

A humble tribute on the death anniversary of the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, the pathfinder of millions of workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party, our source of inspiration, former Prime Minister, and Bharat Ratna, the BJP wrote on X.

Vajpayees tenure saw significant infrastructure development, and diplomatic achievements. His government pursued liberalization policies, privatization, and infrastructure development, ensuring a stable economic environment and paving the way for Indias rapid growth, he also launched major road projects like the Golden Quadrilateral, connecting Indias major cities and boosting economic activity.

Vajpayee improved relations with the US, conducted nuclear tests in 1998, and initiated peace efforts with Pakistan, including the historic Lahore Bus Journey. His government implemented initiatives like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, aimed at universalizing elementary education, and the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, a food security program for the economically insecure.

Vajpayees legacy extends beyond his policies, with his inclusive leadership style, poetic eloquence, and dedication to nation-building earning him admiration across party lines. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian honor, in 2015.
The Syro-Malabar Church on Saturday strongly criticized the CPI-M, accusing the Left party of targeting Thalassery Archbishop Joseph Pampalany for thanking Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the release of Catholic nuns imprisoned in Chhattisgarh.

In a statement, the Church said remarks made by CPI-M state Secretary MV Govindan and other Left leaders against Archbishop Pampalany were irresponsible, misleading, and disturbing.

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The Church clarified that the Archbishop had only expressed gratitude to those who supported the Church during the recent Chhattisgarh incident, where two Kerala nuns were arrested on charges of religious conversion.

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Archbishop Pampalanys words of thanks were twisted and presented as though he was shielding a political party. This is a deliberate attempt to attack him in front of society, the statement said, stressing that the Church has no allegiance to any political party.

The Syro-Malabar Church reiterated that its positions are based solely on issues, guided by moral and social principles. Our practice has always been to call out what is wrong and appreciate what is right, irrespective of who is responsible, the statement added.

If someone does something wrong, we say it is wrong. If someone does right, we say it is right. No political party has the authority to dictate to us whom we should thank or whom we should criticize, it further stated.

The Church also warned that attempts to attack or isolate Archbishop Pampalany were unacceptable and would only create unnecessary misunderstanding and unrest.

The controversy began after Pampalany thanked Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi for intervening in the Chhattisgarh case. CPI-M leaders accused him of indirectly endorsing the BJP.

At an NGO Union meeting in Taliparamba, Kannur, CPI-M state secretary M.V. Govindan alleged that Pampalany frequently shifted his political stance.

When the nuns were arrested in Chhattisgarh, he spoke out against the BJP. When bail was granted, he praised Amit Shah and others. Priests even went with cake. With such mood swings, neither Christians, Muslims nor Communists will be saved, Govindan said.

Meanwhile, the two Kerala nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh last monthSisters Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI)met BJP Kerala state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar at his Delhi residence on Saturday, accompanied by their relatives.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin made some headway and great progress in their bilateral meeting, but added that theres no deal until theres a deal.

I will call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And Ill, of course, call up President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and tell him about todays meeting. Its ultimately up to them, Trump said after Fridays summit in Anchorage, Alaska, CNN reported.

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We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, the US President said, adding, We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

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Trump added that Ukraine would have to agree with what Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and others in his administration discussed with Putin on Friday, though he did not delve into specifics on any framework for a deal.

Trump and Putin took no questions after their statements.

Putin kicked of remarks and spoke for about eight minutes.

Trump, who is known for typically longer and at times free-wheeling news conferences, only spoke for about four minutes.

Im going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened, Trump said.

Putin began remarks at the press briefing by acknowledging that US-Russia relations have suffered in recent years. Usually when an American President hosts a foreign counterpart, a joint news conference would begin with remarks from the US leader followed by his guest.

Putin said the primary causes of the war must be eliminated for the war in Ukraine to end.

The Russian leader also told Ukrainian and European leaders not to interfere with the emerging progress.

Negotiations between Putin and Trump were held in a respectful, constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere, Putin said.

Putin said he agrees that the security of Ukraine should be ensured.

He also claimed at one point that the war in Ukraine would not have happened had Trump been President in 2022.

Trump said he has various calls to make following the summit  some of which include calls to NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other appropriate officials.

Trump has long claimed that he would have averted the full-scale conflict that broke out during Joe Bidens administration when Russia invaded Ukraine.

On Friday, Putin said that Trumps claim was correct  a position he has stated before.

Putin said that in 2022 he had tried to convince Biden to avoid allowing the situation to progress to a point in which serious consequences in the form of military actions could occur.

President Trump and I established a very good, businesslike and trusting contact. And I have every reason to believe that by moving along this path, we can reach  and the sooner, the better  the end of the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian President added.

During the press conference in Anchorage, Alaska, Putin told Ukrainian and European leaders not to interfere.

We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive all this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles, will not make attempts to disrupt the emerging progress through provocations and behind-the-scenes intrigues, he said.

The situation in Ukraine has to do with the fundamental threats to our security, Putin said during a press conference on Friday in Alaska.

While Russia is interested in putting an end to whats happening in Ukraine, Putin said were convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, primary causes of that conflict.

To consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole. And I agree with President Trump, as he has (said) today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well, he added.

Naturally, we are prepared to work on that I would like to hope that the agreement that weve reached together will help us bring closer to that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine, Putin said.

Putin has floated a different location for his next meeting with President Donald Trump in Moscow.

Putins suggestion that a subsequent summit take place in the Russian capital  a request he made in English  prompted an ambivalent reaction from Trump.

The American President acknowledged that agreeing to that proposal would be highly controversial, but he didnt completely shut the door to it.

Thats an interesting one, Ill get a little heat on that one, Trump said.

But I could see it possibly happening.

US President Donald Trump says hes always had a fantastic relationship with President (Vladimir) Putin but that it was impeded by investigations during his first term into Moscows interference into the 2016 US election.

We had many, many tough meetings, good meetings, Trump said during a joint news conference.

We were interfered with by the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. Ive made it a little bit tougher to deal with, but he understood it, Trump said.

Earlier, the two Presidents announced a breakthrough after three hours of talks on Ukraine in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday.

Neither leader gave any details of the agreement or say if there was going to be ceasefire.

Going into the summit, Trump said that he will not be negotiating on behalf of Ukraine, and it was up to Zelensky to make a deal.

The two Presidents did not take questions from reporters.

Putin said, We have to amend the situation to move on from confrontation to dialogue.

However much strange it may sound in these conditions, we (Russia and Ukraine) have the same roots and everything thats happening is a tragedy for us and a terrible wound, he said.

Therefore, the country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it.

Instead of the planned three phases of the summit starting with a one-on-one meeting, they went straight into the second phase with Trumps Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousoy, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participating.

It did not appear that the third phase of a luncheon meeting with more officials was taking place.

Trump welcomed Putin on a red carpet and they talked in a friendly manner as they entered a limousine and continued their conversation.
History, as it is so often carved, favours the flash of the sword over the quiet resolve of the hand that strengthens it. We are aware of those who spearheaded accusations, pursued incarceration, and lost their lives in the act of defiance. However, in Indias struggle for autonomy, existed a cadre of women, whose battlefield was the movements unseen scaffolding rather than the trench or the gallows. Though they still linger in the shadows of the independence struggle, their contributions were indispensable to the cause- they were the supervisors, authors, and medicosthe unarmed architects of resistance.

The hidden hands of freedom reigning the underground

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The 1930s and 40s were marked by constant monitoring  the nationalist movement being eyed under strict vigil. Leaders were imprisoned without trial, meetings raided, and presses confiscated and censored. In such a sombre atmosphere, organising even the smallest meetings required dexterity, patience, and a certain dauntlessness. Several women, despite being bereft of formal designations in the movements hierarchy, extended support, frequently at great personal risk.

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For instance, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay not only raised financial resources but also pioneered an enduring organisational framework for womens involvement in the Salt Satyagraha, bridging remote villages to the national movement. Amidst harrowing days of Partition relief, Sucheta Kriplani stood tirelessly as an epitome of strength and resilience in the underground Congress network, proving her mettle as a primary participant. Usha Mehta, still in her university days, rose as the reverberating heartbeat of the clandestine Congress Radio in 1942. Despite the polices relentless scouring across the lanes of Bombay, her voice could never be silenced- broadcasts rallied the nation, instilling national pride and confidence in its people.

These women possessed a talent for blending in while orchestrating operations that kept igniting the fire of rebellion even in the leanest of years.

Ink and paper, defying the empire

While striving in a digital age, it is challenging to recognise the perils once associated with the printing press. During the colonial era, editors were prosecuted for their choice of headlines, and presses could be confiscated at the slightest hint of sedition. Nevertheless, women weaponised the pen- ink became the ambassador of their voices.

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, through her notable work Sultanas Dream, subtly recast the notion of India as a land yearning for liberty, fusing political fervour with poetic intricacy. Equally deft in rhetoric, Aruna Asaf Ali defied colonial authority by unfurling the tricolor at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in 1942, while serving as the editorial pen for underground publications. Mahadevi Verma, via her political essays and verse, preserved the cultural memory of resistance, swiftly inculcating nationalist ideals into allegory, thus evading censorship.

Defying colonial propaganda, reclaiming history, andperhaps most importantlymaintaining public morale during protracted periods when the movement appeared to be stagnating were all part of their narrative war. A well-written essay could establish what hundreds of rallies failed to do: slip into homes, gain a prominent spot in conversations, and disseminate patriotism into the hearts of those who were not prepared to march on the streets, demanding and exhibiting libertinism.

Medics, and their healing of the revolution

History has been unkind to those women who, without ever lifting any weapon, have tended to the bruises of the freedom struggle. As they still struggle today to save a spot in the luminous pages of our national heritage, they nursed and nurtured wounds- both physical and unseen. The demonstrations, protests and police crackdowns often resulted in fatalities- a grave repercussion paid for showing the audacity of questioning the ideals of the Raj.

One of the first people to merge medical practice with political activism was Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy, who assisted in helping injured protesters while advocating for womens rights and sanitation. Dr Kadambini Ganguly, the first female Indian doctor to practice medicine in collaboration with her spouse, Mr Dwarkanath Ganguly, tended empathetically towards the brave hearts of Bengal, while providing free treatment to the marginalised. Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, who would later go on to lead the Indian National Armys Rani of Jhansi Regiment, initiated her public career by nursing for both soldiers and civilians, refusing to let the injured rot in colonial cells. Annie Mascarene worked hand in hand with coordination and relief in Travancore, making sure that injured activists could heal without relapsing into the hands of the British authorities.

They gradually turned out to be messiahs for the fallen, and healing was promoted as an act of defiance. Yet, they did not step back, bolstering courage in those broken by brutality. They assured that resistance does not equate to abandonment.

The burden and the discretion

For many of these women, recognition was a luxury they neither sought nor received. Since visibility invited danger and the patriarchal currents of the movement could relegate women to the periphery, their roles were often purposefully subtle.

Yet the lack of formal acknowledgment should not be mistaken for an absence of influence. The national movement was not a monolith  rather, it was a living entity, breathing and crying in outrage, just like us. These women were like the phoenix, rising high, breaking barriers that tried to chain them, and utilising them as a counterattack against the tyrant.

It is also worth noting the dual burden these women bore. In contrast to their male counterparts, whose public identities could be, in entirety, vested in political scheming, women were expected to maintain the equilibrium of domestic life as they simultaneously navigated the precariousness of underground activities. While the day would begin by catering to the needs of the family, it would conclude with passing coded messages under the hawk-eyed gaze of an informant.

Beyond the nations first dawn

The midnight of 15 August 1947 brought jubilation to the streets, but for women, it brought neither instant equality nor the promised dismantling of the patriarchal hierarchy. After toiling for years in the shadows, it was more of an increased responsibility rather than some momentary recluse. While their sacrifices remain unmentioned in the new republics formal honours, for not a split second was there the presence of spite or anger. They demanded neither name or fame, naming their years of valuable service to the nation as duty instead. While some channelled their acumen into the fledgling nations social and cultural upheaval, for some, the struggle simply changed its course- it never diminished.

Usha Mehta, who single handedly braved arrest for being an active voice for the clandestine Congress Radio during the Quit India Movement, returned to academia, offering lectures in political science across universities. She shunned the lure of political office, declaring that she aims to mould the youth under public ethics rather than seek and enjoy consolidated power.

Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, who once encountered British troops in the Burmese jungles, being named as an icon during the INA years, returned to Kanpur without any pomp and show. She resumed practicing medicine, never turning away a patient for lack of means. Her patients, especially immigrant workers and rickshaw pullers looked up to her as a motherly figure, unbeknownst of the fact that this kind and compassionate figure once soared with rage and a burning zeal in her heart. Sucheta Kriplani swore as the first woman chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, strengthening integrity in governance, rendering her deserted in the topsy-turvy of electoral politics.

By recognising these forgotten names, we are not merely filling in the historical crevices. The fact that liberation itself is sustained by both the heroic and the unheralded, by the hands that hold the banner steady and the one who waves it, is something we are acknowledging. From the planner who hides leaflets in her market basket, the writer who risks prosecution for publishing prohibited nationalist content, to the medic who binds a wound while the police knock violently on the door, with a search warrant in handeach is engaged in the same essential act: the defence of human dignity.

These are the women whose unwavering will stood as a skeleton of all successful quests for liberty. Their story is not an afterthought, but a fable in itself.

The writer is a freelance contributor.
United States President Donald Trump Saturday indicated that retaliatory tariffs on nations buying Russian oil may be relooked at in the coming weeks but ruled out any immediate measures.

Speaking after his high-stake meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Trump said the talks went very well and hinted that sanctions could be postponed.

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Well, because of what happened today, I think I dont have to think about that (tariffs), Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity. Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we dont have to think about that right now.

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Trumps comments come after his earlier threat to impose sweeping secondary sanctions and 100% tariffs on Russia if Moscow failed to agree to a peace deal within 50 days.

Breaking: Trump refuses to place tariffs on China for buying Russian energy despite tariffing India for the same reason I dont have to think about that right now. I may have to think about it in 2-3 weeks. But the meeting with Putin went well, says Trump on China tariffs pic.twitter.com/cEumaWjhmj  Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) August 16, 2025

India has already been hit, with Washington levying retaliatory duties of up to 50% on its continued oil trade with Moscow  half of which are in force, with the remainder set to take effect on August 27.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously cautioned that penalties on India could intensify if the Alaska summit produced no breakthrough.

Trumps latest remarks, however, point to a temporary relief, as the White House reassesses its strategy over Russias oil exports.

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending Russias military operations in Ukraine, but the talks yielded no results.
Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his joint press conference with US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) by inviting Trump for further talks in Moscow.

Next time in Moscow, Putin said.

Trump accepted the suggestion, saying, Thats an interesting one. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I can see it possibly happening.

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Trump said that the next step now rests with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin would be arranged soon.

Now its really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done, Trump told the local media. Theyre going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself, I guess, Trump told the media, as reported by CNN.

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He declined to disclose the remaining issues holding up a deal, saying only that he wants to see what we can get done.

Despite the lack of a formal agreement, Trump described the summit as a success, rating it 10 out of 10, in the sense that we got along great.

I want to make sure it gets done, he added, as per CNN. And we have a pretty good chance of getting it done.

Trump said he and Putin agreed that the Ukraine conflict would end with land swaps and US-backed some type of security guarantee.

When asked about territorial concessions that would give Russia land it didnt have previously and potential US security assurances for Ukraine, Trump said it was a point of agreement with Putin, as per CNN.

Well, I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on, he said. Actually, I think we agree on a lot. I can tell you, the meeting was a warm meeting, he said.

He called Putin a strong guy and tough as hell, but said the meeting was positive. I think were pretty close to the end. And look, Ukraine has to agree to it, Trump said, as reported by CNN.

On advice for Zelenskyy, Trump said simply, Gotta make a deal.
After US President Donald Trump claimed that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was influenced by his decision to impose high tariffs on Indian goods, Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said that such tariffs wont stop Putin.

The statement of Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee came after trump and Putins talks in Alaska yielded no result with respect to stopping conflict in Ukraine.

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According to the panel, Trump could give Ukraine military aid to punish Putin.

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Tariffing India wont stop Putin. If Trump really wanted to address Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, maybe punish Putin and give Ukraine the military aid it needs. Everything else is smoke and mirrors, the Democratic panel said.

Trump, in an interview with Fox News Radio on Thursday, said that the secondary tariffs on India influenced Russian President Vladimir Putins decision to meet him, adding, Everything has an impact.

He added that secondary tariffs against India essentially took them out of buying oil from Russia.

Tariffing India wont stop Putin. If Trump really wanted to address Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, maybe punish Putin and give Ukraine the military aid it needs. Everything else is smoke and mirrors. pic.twitter.com/TxzqhpaKGt  House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) August 15, 2025

Trump earlier this month had put high tariffs amounting to 50% on Indian goods penalizing New Delhi over continued purchase of Russian oil.

Earlier this month, Trump ordered steeper tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhis continued purchase of Russian oil. This takes the level to 50 percent for many products  among the highest on any American trading partner.

Trump suggested that the tariffs on India may have influenced Putins decision to agree to a meeting. When you lose your second-largest customer and are likely to lose your biggest one as well, thats bound to have an impact, he said.

Amid the ongoing tariff tensions between India and the United States, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday hoped that the relationship between the two nations will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Addressing his weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges, as we had said earlier.

We remain focused on the substantive agenda that the two countries have committed to, and we hope that the relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests, Jaiswal said.

Earlier on August 6, reacting sharply to the decision of the US, the MEA called the decision unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable, saying India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.

During the weekly media briefing, Jaiswal informed that a US defence policy team will soon be visiting New Delhi as both countries continue to strengthen their comprehensive global strategic partnership.

According to the MEA, the defence partnership between both India and the US has strengthened across all domains and the defence procurement continues as per established procedures.

Jaiswal said the joint India-US military exercise Yudh Abhyas is expected to take place later this month.

The India-US defence partnership, underpinned by foundational defence agreements, is an important pillar of the bilateral partnership. This robust cooperation has strengthened across all domains. We are expecting a US defence policy team to be in Delhi in mid-August. The 21st edition of the joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas is also expected to take place later this month in Alaska. Both sides remain engaged to convene the 2+2 Intersessional meeting at the working-level towards the end of this month, the MEA spokesperson said.
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending Russias military operations in Ukraine, but the talks yielded no results.

While both leaders described the discussions as productive, they admitted no breakthrough was achieved. After two and a half hours of talks, the leaders briefed the media, with President Trump remarking, Theres no deal until theres a deal.

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He added that he planned to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders soon  to brief them on the discussions.

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We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said.

President Trump further stated, And there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant.

One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

He continued, We didnt get there.

Trump concluded his remarks by thanking Putin and saying, we will speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.

While Putin said he and Trump had reached an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress.

Putin thanked Trump for the friendly tone of their conversation and said Russia and the United States should turn the page and go back to cooperation.

He praised Trump as someone who has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and sincerely cares about the prosperity of his country, and at the same time shows understanding that Russia has its own national interests.

I expect that todays agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also mark the beginning of the restoration of businesslike, pragmatic relations between Russia and the US, Putin said.

When Putin smiled and offered to meet next time in Moscow, Trump said thats an interesting one and said he might face criticism but I could see it possibly happening.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was briefed by US President Donald Trump on Saturday about his key summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. An Axios report said Zelensky is planning a visit to Washington as early as Monday, August 18.

According to the White House, Trump held a lengthy call with Zelensky while returning from Alaska and later spoke with NATO leaders.

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US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending Russias military operations in Ukraine, but the talks yielded no results.

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While both leaders described the discussions as productive, they admitted no breakthrough was achieved. After two and a half hours of talks, the leaders briefed the media, with President Trump remarking, Theres no deal until theres a deal.

He added that he planned to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders soon  to brief them on the discussions.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said.

President Trump further stated, And there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant.

One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

He continued, We didnt get there.

Trump concluded his remarks by thanking Putin and saying, we will speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.

While Putin said he and Trump had reached an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress.

Putin thanked Trump for the friendly tone of their conversation and said Russia and the United States should turn the page and go back to cooperation.

He praised Trump as someone who has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and sincerely cares about the prosperity of his country, and at the same time shows understanding that Russia has its own national interests.

I expect that todays agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also mark the beginning of the restoration of businesslike, pragmatic relations between Russia and the US, Putin said.

When Putin smiled and offered to meet next time in Moscow, Trump said thats an interesting one and said he might face criticism but I could see it possibly happening.
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Oval Office on Monday, just days after his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin ended without progress on Ukraine.

President Zelensky will be coming to Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon, Trump told reporters, adding that if things go well, he would also plan another meeting with Putin.

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Zelensky earlier confirmed the invitation, saying he had a long and substantive phone call with Trump after the Alaska talks. He said the upcoming meeting would focus on ending the killing and the war.

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Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that he will visit Washington on Monday to meet US President Donald Trump and discuss ways to end the killing and the war.

Zelensky said the decision followed a detailed phone call with Trump, who briefed him on the main points of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. That meeting ended without a ceasefire or breakthrough to halt Russias three-year-long invasion of Ukraine.

Posting on X, Zelensky wrote: On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation. He described his talk with Trump as long and substantive, starting one-on-one before European leaders joined in.

According to the White House, Trump held the call while flying back from Alaska. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen later joined the discussion.

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending Russias military operations in Ukraine, but the talks yielded no results.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he agreed with US President Donald Trump that Ukraines security must be ensured, but tied that commitment to addressing what he called Russias fundamental security concerns.

I agree with President Trump that the security of Ukraine must be secured, and of course, we are ready to work on that, Putin said during a press conference in Anchorage, Alaska.

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He expressed hope that an agreement reached with Trump, which neither leader described in detail, would pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.

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Putin stressed that the war could only end if all the primary roots of the conflict were addressed.

The situation in Ukraine has to do with the fundamental threats to our security, he said.

To consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well, Putin added.

The Russian leader did not elaborate on what eliminating those roots would mean, though in the past he has linked the phrase to demands Kyiv and its allies have rejected.

Trump told reporters after the summit that he planned to brief NATO leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other appropriate officials about the discussions.

Im going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened, he said.

The leaders met for about three hours, far shorter than the six to seven hours Russian aides had anticipated.

They emerged claiming progress on unspecified issues but announced no ceasefire, offered no specifics, and took no questions.

Putin, on Friday, also thanked Trump for the atmosphere of trust at their meeting in Alaska, media reported.

I would like to thank Trump for working together and maintaining a friendly and trustful atmosphere in the talks. The key thing is that both parties were determined to achieve results, Putin said at a joint press conference with Trump following their meeting, Russian news agency TASS reported.

Putin described his talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska as positive and constructive.

Our talks were held in a respectful and constructive atmosphere. They were quite detailed and useful, he said at a joint news conference.

Putin hopes that the agreements reached in Alaska will become a reference point for resolving the Ukrainian problem and restoring relations between Moscow and Washington.

The Russian President began remarks at the briefing by acknowledging that US-Russia relations have suffered in recent years. Usually when an American President hosts a foreign counterpart, a joint news conference would begin with remarks from the US leader followed by his guest.

Our talks were held in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere, Putin said after meeting Trump in Alaska, adding that he greeted Trump as a neighbour and had established very good direct contacts with him.

The Russian leader said the Ukraine conflict was one of the central topics, stressing that Russia has always regarded, and still regards, the Ukrainian people as a brotherly people.

He added, All the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated. Ukraines security must, of course, be ensured, and we are ready to work on this.

Russian state media quoted Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev as saying the atmosphere around the discussions was generally positive.

It has been seven years since Russian President Vladimir Putin stood alongside an American President to take questions. The last time was in Helsinki in 2018, during the now-infamous press conference where Donald Trump appeared to side with Russia over US intelligence agencies on election interference.

When Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021, he chose not to hold a joint press conference, instead taking questions alone, a move aimed, in part, at denying Putin a platform to shape the narrative of their talks.

Trump and Putin concluded their three-on-three meeting after roughly three hours. The two leaders met behind closed doors, joined by their top advisers.

Speaking to Fox News aboard Air Force One on his way to Alaska, Trump said he wants to walk away from his meeting with Putin with a ceasefire in hand, and wont be satisfied without it.

I wouldnt be thrilled if I didnt get it, Trump said, adding that some believe a halt to hostilities in Ukraine may only come after a second meeting.

Well see what happens. I wont be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire.

Putin, meanwhile, gave no indication of his position.

When reporters at the airport shouted questions, including whether he would stop killing civilians, the Russian leader smirked and gestured as if he could not hear.

Trump welcomed Putin to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Friday.

As the two leaders shook hands on the red carpet, F-22 fighters and B-2 stealth bombers flew overhead, aircraft designed during the 1970s and 1980s for a potential US-Soviet conflict, though they entered service only after the Cold War ended.

Their presence during the welcome may have been a pointed reminder of US military power as Trump and Putin prepared to begin talks on Russias war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that he will visit Washington on Monday to meet US President Donald Trump and discuss ways to end the killing and the war.

Zelensky said the decision followed a detailed phone call with Trump, who briefed him on the main points of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. That meeting ended without a ceasefire or breakthrough to halt Russias three-year-long invasion of Ukraine.

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Posting on X, Zelensky wrote: On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation. He described his talk with Trump as long and substantive, starting one-on-one before European leaders joined in.

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According to the White House, Trump held the call while flying back from Alaska. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen later joined the discussion.

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending Russias military operations in Ukraine, but the talks yielded no results.
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In Indias startup conversation, investors and funding often take centre stage. The narrative is that an idea must be pitched, funded, and scaled at breakneck speed. In practice, most businesses dont start and grow that way.

They use personal savings, customer payments, partnerships, and government schemes, often going through their evolution without a single investor.

Building without external funding requires deliberate choices at each stage of the businesss lifecycle.

The 10 strategies outlined below follow that arc, covering the early phases to growth and maturity.

Stage 1: Idea and validation

1) Maintain income while testing:

The earliest stage is about proving that your idea works. Retaining a day job or taking freelance contracts ensures you can cover expenses while investing small amounts into your venture. This is less about hedging and more about extending the runway. One caution: employment contracts in certain sectors restrict secondary work (moonlighting), so verify your contract terms before you start.

2) Secure commitments before you build:

Customer money can fund your first prototype or production run. Preorders, deposits, and paid pilots work well when the value is clear and trust is established. Large buyers, including public sector units, often pay for pilots that de-risk adoption. The Government eMarketplaces Startup Runway and the Defence Ministrys iDEX platform are channels where early-stage firms can secure such engagements.

Stage 2: Launch

3) Minimise capital tied up in inventory:

At launch, cash should flow into customer acquisition and delivery, not idle stock. Models like dropshipping, made-to-order production, or just-in-time purchasing reduce working capital needs. Service businesses can adopt fixed-price, prepaid packagesa form of productised services that allows for predictable delivery and cash flow.

4) Leverage partners and subsidies for reach:

Distribution networks already exist; tap into them. Distributors, resellers, and online marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart offer ready-made infrastructure. Regulatory changes in 2023 allow certain small sellers to operate intra-state on e-commerce platforms without GST registration, provided they meet specified thresholds, though many will still need registration. Marketplace transactions also involve tax collection at source (TCS), which should be factored into planning.

On the technology side, cloud credit programs can be substantial. Google for Startups offers up to USD 3,50,000 in credits for eligible companies; AWS Activate and Microsoft for Startups provide tiered packages often worth several lakhs for recognised or incubated ventures. These benefits can offset early infrastructure expenses significantly.

Stage 3: Early growth

5) Front-load revenue through payment structures:

As the customer base grows, shifting to annual or multi-year upfront billing improves liquidity and reduces the administrative burden of monthly collections. Offering small discounts for early payment can accelerate cash inflow, a tactic that resonates in Indias cost-sensitive environment.

6) Align supplier terms with receivables:

Cash gaps between paying suppliers and getting paid by customers can constrain growth. Negotiating supplier credit, terms of 60 to 90 days are not uncommon in manufacturing and wholesale and allow operations to run without immediate outlay. Where receivables are slow, invoice discounting through RBI-approved TReDS platforms (RXIL, M1xchange, Invoicemart) can convert pending invoices into cash within days.

Stage 4: Scaling and maturing

7) Access structured government support:

Indias policy framework offers multiple non-dilutive funding routes. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme channels grants through incubators for proof-of-concept, prototyping, and market entry. DPIIT recognition can unlock tax exemptions and faster compliance clearances. State-level MSME policies sometimes add capital subsidies, interest subventions, or reimbursements for quality certifications, which are very valuable during expansion.

8) Improve export economics with duty remission schemes:

For businesses selling abroad, duty and tax remissions can significantly affect margins. The RoDTEP scheme applies to most goods, refunding certain embedded taxes, while RoSCTL provides similar relief for apparel and made-ups. These benefits do not eliminate the need for competitive pricing, but they reduce the cost disadvantage in international markets.

Stage 5: Sustained operations

9) Keep customer revenue as the primary growth driver:

Even in later stages, resist the temptation to fund expansion through debt or equity when customers can be convinced to prepay for value. This could be in the form of retainers, training fees, onboarding packages, or advance purchase agreements. The key is to design creative offers where customers see tangible advantages in committing funds early.

10) Maintain a lean operating structure:

Cost discipline is not just for the early days. Using open-source tools, automating routine tasks, and outsourcing non-core work keep overhead low. Remote operations or shared workspaces reduce fixed commitments. In an unpredictable market, lean structures provide resilience and allow for faster pivots.

An orderly path, not a rigid formula

While the above strategies align with a logical progression of validation, launch, growth, maturity, and sustained operations, the sequence is adaptable. For example, a manufacturing startup may pursue export incentives in its second year while a software service might adopt annual billing from its first client. The above frameworks value lies in focusing on the most relevant levers at each stage and avoiding the trap of chasing all opportunities simultaneously.

Indian founders today face a paradox. Venture funding has slowed from its 2021 highs, yet the tools for building without it have never been richer. Policy reforms, digital infrastructure, and market access through platforms have reduced the barriers to starting lean. At the same time, customer acquisition remains costly, and payment cycles can be long, making cash discipline non-negotiable.

Approaching the business lifecycle with these strategies creates options. It allows founders and entrepreneurs to choose if and when to bring in investors rather than being forced to by financial pressure. In a market where sustainable profitability is being valued over headline growth, that optionality can be a strategic advantage.

Sajju Jain

External funding is one way to grow a business in India, but not the only way. With the right mix of pre-sales, partnerships, government programs, and operational discipline, it is entirely possible to build and scale on your own terms without sacrificing equity or control.

The author is a Harvard alumnus, industry expert, and entrepreneur.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
The River Ganges is long, snaking across some 2,500 km of Indias heartland, enriching not just the soil, but the syncretic soul of a civilisation. Hundreds of thousands from all walks of life land up on its banks for solution and salvation, the numbers going up to crores when it comes to auspicious occasions, like this years Maha Kumbh.

Even a regular morning sees scores of devotees braving the vagaries of the weather to propitiate the gods, especially in Hardwar, one of the holiest towns in Hindu culture. Yet, until a few years ago, most of these pilgrims had to settle for budget guest houses, dilapidated hotels or dharamshalas where you get a space to rest your head for a small contribution.

The Pilibhit House, on the contrary, is plush and luxe, with a select few rooms overlooking the gushing river, bespoke food experiences and even its own private ghat and a pujari on call. A heritage property owned by a trading family from the Pilibhit region (hence the name), it was launched by the Taj group recently under its SeleQtions branding.

The new trends, expansions

With room rents often exceeding Rs 30,000 a night, this luxury property is a harbinger of at least three trends sweeping across Indias hotel industry. One, the zealous and zippy expansion most of Indias top hotel chains have got into to cover what they call a market that they have just about scratched the surface of. Secondly, the post-pandemic boom in travel that is almost solely spawned by the domestic traveller, and thirdly, how Indians are setting their own criteria for travel, with spiritual tourism one of the biggest draws.

For the record, there is a mad scramble to either launch new hotels or sign up existing hotels to be added to ones bouquet by almost all the big hotel chains. Indian Hotels or IHCL, owned by the Tatas and better known for its luxury brand Taj, has been almost on a maniacal expansion spree over the past year or so, announcing a new property almost every other day.

Earlier this week, CEO Puneet Chhatwal surpassed even his own frenetic pace by adding, in one go, 55,000 hotel rooms across 150 hotels, thanks to buying up with ANK Hotels (brands like Clarks Inn), Pride Hospitality (Pride Plaza hotels) as well as a distribution agreement with Brij Hospitality (Brij brand of hotels in historical or pilgrim spots in Northern India).

Indias hospitality sector has witnessed sustained demand momentum over last three consecutive fiscal years, pointed out Chatwal, adding, Our partnerships (are) a multi-pronged approach addressing Indias heterogeneous marketplace and in line with our five-year road map.

That road map, billed internally Accelerate 2030, envisages Taj group becoming the biggest hotel group in the country, with a total of more than 1,000 hotels (its presently at 550+) by the end of this decade.

Not if Rajeev Menon can help it. The President of Marriott group of hotels in the region wants India also to reflect the hotel chains status as the worlds biggest (9,500 plus hotels). Marriott, conventionally a North American heavyweight, ziplined up the global sweepstakes after its 2016 merger with Starwood hotels, the custodian of the ubiquitous brand, Sheraton.

In May, Marriott also jumped into the fray, investing around 15 million dollars in the parent of Fern hotels, a group of 120 or so properties with a sustainability positioning. These are being rebranded and launched under the Series by Marriott branding  latest reports say at least 10 independent hotels have come aboard this branding which will be standardised as per Marriotts international quality, with the specialisation of Ferns eco-friendly concepts.

Marriott is not done. Earlier this month, it tied up with Bengalurus Brigade group, which runs hotels like Sheraton Grand Bangalore, to build six hotels totalling nearly a 1,000 rooms, including a Ritz-Carlton in the Kerala backwaters in Vaikom.

Menon of Marriott was reported to have described the rapid expansion as a significant leap for our companys growth story in India, a nation that is set to be Marriotts third largest market globally.

Across the board, Indias major hotel groups are on an expansion spree. ITC chairman Sanjiv Puri declared that ITC Hotels, which was hived off from the parent company last year, is expanding and will cross a target of 200 hotels by 2030.

The Indian hospitality market is only at an early stage of its growth process and demand, and opportunities are set to expand substantially over the next few years. However, the market leadership will depend on each groups ability to anticipate trends, innovate services, and maintain operational excellence, said M.K. Ajith Kumar, former ITDC general manager and chairman of the India Tourism Forum.

A rapid expansion is justified and likely to continue; the Indian market indeed has abundant and untapped potential, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities, he added.

Even the Oberoi group, usually pretty picky, has 21 hotels in the pipeline, a mix of owned properties as well as tie-ups. This includes their eagerly anticipated super-luxury launch at Mumbais Jio World Centre, to be called Anant Vilas. Named after the younger Ambani scion, it will be Oberois first city-centric hotel in its luxury Vilas portfolio, and will be jointly managed along with Reliance.

Look at consumption, growth of airport, aircraft, SUV sales increasing 6x, Vande Bharat connecting the whole of India, said Lemon Tree Hotels executive chairman Patu Keswani, India is at an inflection point, we are at the point where the US was in 1983, the golden years, and China in 2006.

Huge demand for investment

A JLL report says there is massive demand for investment in the Indian hospitality scene, driven by high net-worth individuals, family offices and private investors. This includes the likes of Singapores sovereign fund, which tied up with SAMHI group (which runs hotels franchised from the likes of Hyatt as well as Marriott) with an investment of nearly a 100 million dollars.

Last year alone, this saw rooms in the branded hotel segment going up by 42,000 rooms  India now has a total of over two lakh branded hotel rooms, double that of 2014.

The fervent rush for new hotels is due to two factors  one, the amount of solid business that is coming in post-pandemic as holidays and experiential travel become a thing. HVS Anarock consulting said in a report in April this year how revenue per available room or RevPARthe present industry standard metric which measures how much money one room rented spawns not just from room rent but from other expenses like food ordered, spa bookings etc, went up a neat 20 per cent.

Second, is the whole India story, which believes that if Indias economy growth continues in the same trajectory, the present number of branded hotel rooms may be sorely inadequate. Chhatwal describes it as reflective of the countrys growing economic prominence and rising discretionary spends. The outlook for the sector remains buoyant as demand outpaces supply and India continues to be an under-served hospitality market, especially in the mid-market segment.

Therein lies the curious dichotomy of Indias room boom  the affordability factor. Even while room rents went up by 12 per cent last year, many hotel groups are being careful by spreading out their eggs across the various baskets, from luxury to mid-market to budget.

Taj group, for example, just recently went in for a complete transformation of its Ginger brand of budget hotels. Accor, the worlds second biggest hotel chain after Marriott, is focusing on giving a major leg-up to its premium budget brand ibis in its expansion plans in the country. Accor recently went in for a tie-up with the parent company of Indigo Airlines to speed up its expansion across India. The target? 300 hotels by 2030.

Also, most of the expansion is on an asset-light model, wherein big brands tie up with property owners across the country, give them specifications to adhere to, and then rebrand and launch the hotels under their umbrella by taking care of the sales and marketing. Take for example Lemon Tree, which is opening hotels in (generally) unheard of destinations like Pali and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan under this model.

Of course, the boom could take a new high once/if the big daddy of them all takes a more active interest in the sector. Reliance Industries has tied up with Oberoi to launch Anant Vilas in Mumbai, but it remains to be seen whether Indias biggest corporate will take a bigger plunge later, if not sooner. Reliance reportedly already has an agreement with Oberoi for two other hotels, one in Gujarat and the third in the UK.
Following the high-stakes bilateral talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, the former announced that he would hold off on imposing tariffs on China for buying Russian oil.

"Well, because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that (tariffs) ... Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now. I think, you know, the meeting went very well, Trump said, in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity after the meeting.

ALSO READ | Trump and Putin in Alaska: A summit of spectacle, not substance

He had been responding to a question about Russia's oil exports, and possible tariffs on China, but he has not yet specified whether these were retaliatory tariffs or secondary tariffs.

Indiaalso a buyer of Russian oilwas earlier hit with 25 per cent tariffs, which was soon doubled because of its purchase of Russian energy. Half of the announced tariffs for India have taken effect, with the remaining set to be imposed on August 27. Following the talks, he also did not clarify whether the remainder of the tariffs to be imposed on New Delhi would be waived off or not.

Last month, Trump had declared that he would impose secondary sanctions on Moscow, as well as nations purchasing Russian energy, setting a 50-day deadline for 100 per cent tariffs to be imposed on them: a deadline he later shortened to "10-12 days".

ALSO READ | No deal until there is a deal: What transpired at high-stakes Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska

Were very, very unhappy with them. And were going to be doing very severe tariffs if we dont have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100 per cent, youd call them secondary tariffs, Trump had said.

However, even past this deadline, no punitive actions were taken against Russia, nor did the "severe consequences" for Moscow he spoke ofin case the Alaska talks failedcome into effect.
Pakistan Navy launched its third Hangor-class submarine in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province.

Vice Admiral Abdul Samad, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Project-2, who was the chief guest at the launching ceremony, said Pakistan Navy remains fully committed to defending national interests while fostering a secure and cooperative maritime environment.

Global Times quoted a Chinese expert as saying that this stealthy, highly mobile submarine with advanced enduranace and firepower "represents a high level of China-Pakistan defence cooperation."

Highlighting the cutting-edge weaponry and advanced sensors of the Hangor-class submarines, Vice Admiral Samad said these would be instrumental in sustaining regional power equilibrium and ensuring maritime stability.

ALSO READ: From doctrine to dominance: Do Rudra, Bhairav, Divyastra mark Indias Cold Strike moment?

Hangor-class submarine initiative would bring a fresh dimension to the enduring, time-honoured partnership between Pakistan and China, he added.

Pakistan signed an agreement with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company Ltd (CSOC) to acquire eight Hangor Class submarines. Under the contract, four submarines are being built in China, while the remaining will be constructed in Pakistan under the transfer of technology programme.

Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe was quoted as saying that this submarine has strong underwater combat capabilities, stealth characteristics, high mobility, long endurance and formidable firepower.

According to him, the submarine cooperation highlights a high level of strategic mutual trust and deep friendship between China and Pakistan.
Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan's new film Homebound took the Best Film and Best Director trophies at the latest edition of the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The Masaan director's film, which stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jetwa and Janhvi Kapoor, tells a tale of two childhood friends from a small North Indian village dreaming of a police job and the frustrating challenges they encounter along the way.

The event also saw Sitaare Zameen Par actor and producer Aamir Khan being honoured with the Excellence in Cinema Award for his decades-long contribution to cinema.

ALSO READ: 'Sitaare Zameen Par' review: Aamir Khan's film doesn't break any new ground but its existence isn't without justification

In a statement, the superstar, who has a cameo appearance in Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, said, "I have been attracted to telling stories from a very young age. Filmmaking is a collaborative art and this award and recognition wouldn't have been possible without my writers, directors, co-stars, and the audiences who have given me the opportunity to tell the stories and be part of the many stories I have been part of."

The male best actor prize went to Abhishek Bachchan, for his performance in Shoojit Sircar's I Want to Talk, and the female best actor performance winner is Geetha Kailasam, for Angammal, which also won the best indie film award.

ALSO READ: 'Black Warrant' review: Vikramaditya Motwane and team deliver a superbly acted, meticulously crafted true-crime drama

Abhishek, in a statement, said, "Life has come a full circle for me. I came here in 2022 where I was feted with the excellence in cinema award for my body of work. But this is an emotional moment for me to get the best actor on this very stage and be recognised for my role in a film that's extremely special to me. It was 3 years back in Melbourne at this same festival where Shoojit Da offered me this role in 'I Want To Talk'. It was Shoojit Da who believed in me that I could pull off this role and this role is an ode to my father and my daughter because it's about caring and raising a parent."

The streaming categories saw some top names bagging awards too. The winners include: Vikramaditya Motwane's Black Warrant for best series; Jaideep Ahlawat for best actor (male) for Paatal Lok; Nimisha Sajayan won best actor (female) for Dabba Cartel.

The festival will conclude on August 24.
The trailer launch of Bollywood filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri's upcoming controversial film 'The Bengal Files' was disrupted by Kolkata police on Saturday. Police personnel walked in midway of the trailer screening and snapped wires, stopping the screening of the trailer, the makers alleged.

Based on the 1946 Calcutta riots, the film discusses illegal migration in the backdrop of the gruesome communal riots and how demographic changes would influence polls. Actor Anupam Kher plays Mahatma Gandhi in the film, and the trailer blames the freedom fighter's 'non-violent' approach for the riots.

The trailer of the controversial film was slated to be screened at a five-star hotel in the metropolis in the afternoon. While the trailer was being screened, police personnel walked in and stopped it midway. Police personnel present at the venue refused to comment on the issue. Few Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were also present for the trailer launch. The filmmaker was also seen engaged in a heated argument with the police personnel and a hotel staff.

Film's director Agnihotri alleged that it was an attack on the democratic rights of people, as the censor board had cleared the film and the Calcutta High Court stayed a ban on it. "If the hotel authorities wanted to stop the screening, why had they given permission to hold the press meet in the first place? How can a film's press meet be held without screening of its trailer?" Agnihotri asked.

Agnihotri charged that the trailer launch was disrupted at the behest of the ruling Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"They don't want the atrocities on Bengali Hindus in 1946 and the fightback of people like Gopal Mukherjee to be shown in cinema. If it is a part of history, do you want to change history?" Agnihotri charged. The filmmaker alleged the government was ignoring "conspiracy to divide Bengal again". "I wish to believe this government is not anti-Hindu," Agnihotri said.

The film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 5. The producer of the film, Abhishek Agarwal, told PTI that such issues were not faced during the launch of 'Kashmir Files', another Agnihotri film.

However, Trinamool Congress leaders accused the film director of stoking communal divide in West Bengal. West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu dismissed Agnihotri's charges and called the police intervention "an administrative decision." He also dared Agnihotri to make a film based on Godra riots.
The Air Force says in a new memo that transgender airmen ousted under a recent Trump administration directive will no longer have the chance to argue before a board of their peers for the right to continue serving their country
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray will contest the upcoming polls to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and other civic bodies together, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.

Addressing presspersons, Raut asserted, "The Thackeray brothers will contest the municipal corporation elections in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Kalyan-Dombivali together and win." Raut added their unity is the strength of the unity of the Marathi-speakers. "No power can break the iron fist of `Marathi manus now," the senior Shiv Sena leader said.

Raut added that discussions are underway regarding forming an alliance between the parties. The Sena leaders and estranged cousins got close after nearly two decades in the backdrop of Hindi imposition in the state.

The decision of the Devendra Fadnavis government to implement the three-language education policy and teach Hindi from class 1 had triggered widespread protests across the state. However, when the Thackerays announced a joint march on July 5 against Hindi imposition, the Mahayuti government withdrew the decision hurriedly. However, the Thackeray cousins turned the protest march into victory rally, marking the coming together of the stalwart Maratha leaders after almost two decades.

Recently, Raj visited 'Matoshree', after over a decade to take part in Uddhav's birthday celebrations. Raj presented Uddhav with a bouquet.
Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Friday. He was 80 years old.

The senior politician was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai after he suffered a fall at his residence in Tamil Nadu earlier this month. "Ganesan was undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital for the past few days, and he died on Friday night," an official from Kohima Raj Bhavan said. Ganesan was undergoing treatment for a head injury since August 8 at the hospital.

VIDEO | Chennai: Nagaland Governor La Ganesan dies while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Visuals from outside the hospital.



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/r1ssOnapI2  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 15, 2025

Born into a humble family in Thanjavur in 1945, Ganesan was the seventh among nine children. Ganesan's father died when he was 9 years old, and he grew up under the care of his elder brothers.

Ganesan, inspired by his brothers, started participating in the activities of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the age of five. Ganesan held several key organisational posts of the RSS in Tamil Nadu, and he became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party's executive committee in 1991.

Compelled by family's financial circumstances, Ganesan took up a government job under the revenue department soon after his SSLC examinations. However, attracted to RSS's ideologies, Ganesan resigned from the job after nine years.

Ganesan has also served as president of the party in Tamil Nadu. He has also served in national roles of the party. Ganesan has served in the positions of organizing secretary of Tamil Nadu BJP, national secretary, and national vice president of the BJP.

Ganesan was nominated as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from Bhopal. He was appointed governor of Manipur from August 2021-February 2023; and was also given additional charge as governor of West Bengal from July-November 2022. Ganesan was appointed as the governor of Nagaland from February 20, 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise and remembered him as a devout nationalist. "Pained by the passing of Nagaland Governor Thiru La. Ganesan Ji. He will be remembered as a devout nationalist, who dedicated his life to service and nation-building. He worked hard to expand the BJP across Tamil Nadu. He was deeply passionate about Tamil culture too. My thoughts are with his family and admirers," Modi tweeted.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will launch the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar on Sunday, alleging irregularities and discrepancies in the intensive electoral roll revision underway in Bihar.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav will also join Gandhi during the launch of statewide yatra from Sasaram on Sunday. Leaders of Left parties and other INDIA bloc leaders are expected to attend the launch of the yatra and march along with Gandhi.

"This is the fight to protect the most fundamental democratic right - one person, one vote'," said Gandhi in a post on X. The Congress leader said the 16-day yatra will travel through 25 districts in Bihar, covering over 1,300 kilometres.

The Rahul Gandhi-led opposition has been targeting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission over alleged discrepancies in the electoral roll. Gandhi charged the Commission fudged electoral rolls in favour of the BJP. The Congress and opposition has been alleging the special electoral roll revision underway in Bihar will lead to disenfranchisement of over 65 lakh voters.

Former Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh said Gandhi is likely to spend a fortnight in the state and the rally will conclude in Patna on September 1.

"All the necessary permission has been obtained from the authorities concerned for the yatra. The yatra will build a tempo in favour of the INDIA bloc ahead of the assembly polls," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

"We have been left with no option but to hit the streets. Our pleas for a discussion on the sensitive issue in Parliament have fallen on deaf ears. The behaviour of the Election Commission reminds us of Babasaheb Ambedkar's warning that the Constitution faced the greatest threat from those who were either stupid or cunning," said Singh, detailing the need for the yatra.

Singh claimed all political parties except Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP leaders, including NDA ally Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral roll.

The yatra, which begins on Sunday, will break on August 20,25 and 31. Starting from Sasaram, the yatra will pass through key districts including Aurangabad, Nalanda, Gaya, Gopalganj and conclude at Patna, the state capital.

Meanwhile, the RJD has launched a two-and-a-half-minute campaign song, with lyrics in a mix of Hindi and Bhojpuri, in a bid to project the key role Tejashwi Yadav is expected to play in the yatra.
The stage is set for a constitutional showdown on August 19, when the Supreme Court takes up the Presidential Reference on Governors powers over state bills.

The Union government, led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, has said that assent, withholding, and reservation of bills are high plenary and non-justiciable functions, beyond the reach of judicial timelines or intervention.

Filing the written submissions, the Centre stated:

ALSO READ | Supreme Court issues notice to Centre and States on President Droupadi Murmu reference on timelines for bill assent

Far from being post offices of state cabinets, Governors are cast by the Centre as guardians of the constitutional scheme entrusted with discretion to scrutinise state laws for national interest and federal balance. Any move by the Court to impose deadlines or introduce the doctrine of deemed assent, would erode separation of powers and elevate judicial supremacy over political accountability."

The Centres response came after the President of India had invoked Article 143 and asked the Supreme Court to clarify the scope of gubernatorial and presidential powers in assenting to, withholding, or reserving state bills.

What brought on the Presidential Reference?

The reference comes after months of political turbulence across states. In Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana, governments have accused Governors of sitting on key legislation. In some cases, bills were returned or withheld without explanation, paralysing governance.

According to the Centre, judicially imposed timelines or a doctrine of deemed assent would be dangerous innovations.

Why is the Centre opposing judicial timelines?

The Constitution did not intend for Governors to be reduced to rubber stamps, the submissions noted, warning that granting courts the power to compel assent would upset the separation of powers and tilt the system towards judicial supremacy.

The Centre also stated that delays or errors in gubernatorial functioning must be resolved politically through Parliament, legislatures or elections not through the judiciary.

The state of Goa, through its submissions, echoed similar concerns and argued that while the Court could nudge constitutional functionaries to act, it could not usurp their role.

To declare a bill 'deemed to have been assented' would amount to the judiciary assuming a legislative function that the Constitution exclusively entrusts to Governors."

Goa suggested a more measured course of action, and said:

ALSO READ | 14 questions: President Droupadi Murmu seeks SC opinion on Bill assent deadlines under Article 143

The Court may issue a declaration coupled with a request that Governors act expeditiously, as it did in State of Punjab vs. Governor of Punjab (2024). In that case, the Court stopped short of compelling assent but reminded the Governor that he must act as soon as possible.

Goas submissions stress that even under the widest reading of Article 142, the Court could not cross the line into constitution-making.

Arguments by Goa and Puducherry

The Union Territory of Puducherry filed an affidavit backing the Centres position. As a territory directly administered by the President under Article 239, Puducherry argued that the Presidents role in assenting to bills was inseparable from national oversight.

It supported the view that the absence of timelines in Articles 200 and 201 reflected a conscious constitutional choice, and that judicial interference would disturb the delicate federal arrangement.

The present reference crystallises decades of friction into a single set of questions before the Court.

Governors in several opposition-ruled states have come under criticism for allegedly stalling legislation. Tamil Nadus Governor returned the anti-NEET bill twice before forwarding it to the President. In Kerala, bills on university appointments and cooperative societies faced long delays. In Punjab, the Governor withheld assent to multiple bills, triggering a direct confrontation with the elected government.

The Presidents reference asks the Court to clarify whether Governors act independently, whether their decisions are justiciable, and whether the judiciary can impose timelines where the Constitution is silent.

Impact on Centre-State relations

When the hearings begin on August 19, a Constitution bench will likely weigh precedent carefully. Earlier rulings like the Shamsher Singh (1974), Nabam Rebia (2016), and Punjab Governor (2024) cases have touched upon gubernatorial discretion, often stressing that Governors must ordinarily act on cabinet advice, but may exercise judgement in certain circumstances.

ALSO READ | Tamil Nadu governor vs state row: President must decide on bills within 3 months', rules SC

The Court now has to decide whether withholding assent indefinitely violates the spirit of democracy or whether such inaction is itself a constitutional prerogative immune from judicial scrutiny.

For the judiciary, the challenge is delicate: either way, the verdict will set the tone for Centre-State relations for decades. If Governors are reaffirmed as discretionary guardians, the office will remain a powerful check on state legislation. If their role is curtailed, they may become ceremonial figures bound tightly to the will of state cabinets.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched multiple raids in more than 10 locations in Tamil Nadu concerning the Rural Development Minister I. Periyasamy and his family on Saturday. The raid was conducted at his residence at Govindapuram, Durairaj Nagarso, at the residences of both his son, Palani MLA IP Senthil Kumar, in Seelapadi, and his daughter Indirani Vallalar Nagar in Dindigul. Several other properties owned by the minister were also searched, according to ANI

The raids are being conducted as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal financial transactions. The residential areas were guarded by armed CRPF personnel, and security had been tightened around the area. The operation Shave created tensions near the minister's Greenways Road home, and some people had initially tried to prevent the officials from entering.

VIDEO | Dindigul: The Enforcement Directorate searched premises linked to Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader I Periyasamy and his family as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said.



According to the sources, his MLA son, IP Senthil Kumar, is being searched pic.twitter.com/qFz8qlg0Yg  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 16, 2025

A disproportionate assets (DA) case was registered at the Madras High Court against Minister for Rural Development I. Periyasamy and his family on April 29, 2025.

The investigation is seen as part of a wider pattern of central agency interventions in Tamil Nadu. The ED had also probed alleged irregularities of up to 1000 crore in TASMAC and had examined the tender process. Inflated charges on liquor bottles and manipulation of licensing.

The raids were carried out at the residences of senior officials in including the TASMAC Managing Director.

Another search was carried out in a case linked to S Pandian, a former environment official accused of corruption. The DMK party has accused the central agencies of misusing their powers before. Whereas the opposition insisted that such investigations are necessary to expose corruption.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was hospitalised a few weeks ago. Since then, he has had a barrage of high-profile visitors from several political parties. Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader and late Vijayakanths wife, Premalatha, and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) rebel leader O. Panneerselvam came to call on Stalin to inquire about his health.

While Premalatha's and Panneerselvam's meeting with Stalin made headlines, the visit of another high-profile individual on the same day made only one-column news in daily newspapers.

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Partys senior leader and Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan called on Stalin at his Chittaranjan Road residence in Chennai on August 11. While the official statement was he called on to inquire about the chief ministers health, Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam (DMK) and BJP insiders say that there was a political undercurrent to the meeting.

Two days before Radhakrishnan called on Stalin, DMKs parliamentary party leader and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his office in New Delhi. In a post on X, Kanimozhi said she raised important issues related to her constituency and Tamil Nadu, including the transhipment hub at the V.O.C. Port. She also thanked Modi for the Centres support in upgrading the Thoothukudi airport. While Kanimozhis was an official meeting, sources had it that the BJP was looking for the DMKs support in the vice-presidential election.

It may be recalled that Kanimozhi was part of the all-party delegation that travelled to key partner countries, including members of the United Nations Security Council and the European Union, to convey Indias message of zero tolerance against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

But the buzz in the corridors of power is that CPR brought a message from the BJP's high command, asking the DMK to tone down its opposition against the BJP and the support extended to the Congress. And the PM giving audience to Kanimozhi, too, was to indicate the same.

When Rahul Gandhi staged a protest outside Parliament and proceeded to the ECI office in Delhi, all the DMK MPs were part of it. DMKs support for the vote-chori campaign in Delhi had strengthened the Congresss voice across the country. The BJP, through Radhakrishnan, reportedly asked the DMK to keep a low profile in terms of extending support to the Congress in the vote-chori issue.

In fact, the DMKs legal fight in the Supreme Court against ECIs methodology in voter list revision has put the BJP in a tough position. Party insiders say that DMKs continuous legal victories, be they in the Governor vs state government issue or the pending petitions in the apex court with regard to the release of education funds, have turned out to be a thorn in the flesh for the BJP.

However, the buzz in the BJP circles in Tamil Nadu is completely different. In fact, this is not the first time Radhakrishnan called on Stalin. Earlier, when Murasoli Selvam, former editor of the DMKs mouthpiece Murasoli and Stalins brother-in-law, passed away in Chennai, the Maharashtra governor was one of the visitors to express condolences. Radhakrishnan paid tributes to Selvam at the Gopalapuram residence. He had always shared a warm rapport with Stalin and the DMK.

Sources in the Tamil Nadu BJP say that Radhakrishnans visit was to seek the DMKs support in Parliament. Apparently, Radhakrishnan is one of the likely names for the vice presidential race. But, having said that, Delhi may not prefer him as he is not fluent in Hindi, and may not be able to handle the floor in the Rajya Sabha.

Another story circulating about the meeting was that the action and investigation by the central agencies would be toned down over the weeks. It was also said that the intensity of earlier Enforcement Directorate searches in Tamil Nadu would decrease and there would be no more high-profile raids. But this was proved wrong on Saturday when the ED knocked on the doors of Rural Development Minister I. Periyasamy.

The raids on Periyasamy, who is DMKs face in Dindigul, Theni, and Palani regions, are seen as part of a wider pattern of central agency interventions in Tamil Nadu. The Centre is trying to stifle the voice of the opposition by conducting searches using the central agencies in opposition-ruled states, Kanimozhi told the media in Chennai.
The Ministry of External Affairs, on Saturday, put out a statement saying that India welcomes the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The ministry said it was commendable that both leaders were in the pursuit of peace.

The statement comes a day after the the two leaders met in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss a means to end the war in Ukraine. It was also Putins first visit to the US after a decade.

The statement also said that India appreciates the progress made in the summit and that the way forward was only through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine, the statement read.

The meeting on Friday, which lasted for nearly three hours at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, ended in an inconclusive manner. The two leaders had appeared before reporters after the meeting, but didn't take any questions.

Trump said, We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to; there are just a very few that are left. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there, he added.

The US president had then said he would share the results of the meeting with European leaders and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had all demanded a ceasefire and rejected giving up territory to make peace.

In the press briefing after the meeting, Putin reiterated that NATOs expansion needed to be stopped before a peace deal was made.

Trump, however, had taken to Truth Social to say, "It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."

The inconclusive nature of the meeting has left India in a shaky position. The US recently imposed an additional 25 per cent sanctions on top of the existing 25 per cent on India for buying Russian oil, creating a tariff tension between the two countries.

The US still hasn't made clear what further actions it may take towards countries buying oil from Russia. Trump had said that he may not impose additional tariffs on countries that continue to buy Russian oil.

Before he left for the summit, he told reporters, "Well, he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the oil. China, as you know, is doing a lot...And if I did what's called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, I'll do it. Maybe I won't have to do it."

However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had earlier said, "Sanctions can go up, they can be loosened. They can have a definitive life. They can go on indefinitely. You know, there's this Russian shadow fleet of ships around the world that I think we could crack down on."

India condemned the action, calling it unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he will not back down from buying Russian oil.

India had been hanging on to the hopes that the US-Russia summit would bring about peace and, as a result, ease the ongoing sanctions on India.

A peace deal would have given India the option to continue its neutral stance between the two warring countries.
Rescue teams are continuing their search for missing persons in Chisoti village of Kishtwar district for the third straight day after a massive cloudburst on August 14 left at least 60 people dead and over 100 injured. Many are still believed to be trapped under the debris.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who visited the devastated village along with Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, said the priority remains tracing the missing. He described the incident as an unprecedented tragedy for the region.

The disaster struck suddenly around 12.25 pm on August 14, when a cloudburst triggered flash floods that flattened a makeshift market, a community kitchen for pilgrims and a security post.

Most of the victims were devotees and workers connected with the Machail Mata pilgrimage, which passes through Chisoti on the way to the temple.

Rescue efforts are hampered by difficult terrain and bad weather. Helicopters could not reach the site and are stationed in Udhampur, waiting for clearance.

Despite these hurdles, teams from the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, Air Force and J&K Police are continuing their search operations.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has brought in heavy equipment to clear debris and sludge.

At least 16 residential houses, government buildings, temples, water mills, a bridge and several vehicles were destroyed in the flash floods.

Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the situation, holding meetings and speaking to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. He added that all necessary assistance is being rushed to the area.

The government has also offered to use helicopters to airlift the critically injured to hospitals outside Jammu and Kashmir if required.

Eyewitnesses described the moment the floodwaters swept through the village as terrifying. We saw the market vanish in seconds. People were running, shouting for help, but the water was too strong, said one survivor, who lost a relative in the tragedy.

Meanwhile, special prayers were offered at the Machail Mata temple in memory of the victims. Pilgrims and locals lit candles and recited hymns, remembering those who lost their lives.

For many, the prayers became a moment of grief and solidarity, as families in Chioti continue to wait in hope for the missing to be found.
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in Maharashtra from Saturday to Thursday, with Konkan and adjoining ghat areas very likely to receive isolated, extremely heavy downpour.

"Widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall is very likely over Konkan and adjoining ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra from Saturday to Thursday," India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest rain update for the state.

The IMD also predicted the possibility of lightning and thunder accompanied by occasional gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph during the same period.

Scattered to fairly widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely over the Marathwada region, the IMD said.

The Met department has already issued a red alert for two days in Mumbai, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, as incessant rain continued to lash parts of the city on Saturday morning.

#UPDATE | #Mumbai is experiencing intense rainfall today, with #IMD issuing a red alert for the city.

Water-logging and traffic disruptions have been reported. Authorities have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel. #MumbaiPolice is on high alert to ensure safety and pic.twitter.com/hzQHh77Yk0  PB-SHABD (@PBSHABD) August 16, 2025

According to media reports, many rivers and streams have began overflowing due to incessent rains.

Moderate to High flash flood risk likely over few watersheds & neighbourhoods of following Met Sub-divisions during next 24 hours.



Konkan & Goa - North Goa, South Goa, Mumbai City, Palghar, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Suburban Mumbai districts.



Surface runoff/ pic.twitter.com/ZkBLYCJsuW  India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) August 16, 2025

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged people not to step out unnecessarily.

The downpour began around 1 am and continued into the early hours of the day, causing waterlogging in low-lying areas of the western and eastern suburbs, including Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Chunabhatti, Aarey, Andheri, Kings Circle, Malad, and Goregaon, among others.

Two people were killed and as many others sustained injuries in a landslide amid rains in the Vikhroli Parksite area in the eastern suburbs.
India and China are gearing up for a series of high-level bilateral engagements as part of the efforts to repair the bilateral ties, which came under a major strain following the clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in June 2020.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit China end of this month for the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during which he will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be in India for two days from Monday to hold border talks with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

Doval and Wang are the designated special representatives for the boundary talks between India and China. The two had met in June during the 20th Meeting of the SCO Security Council Secretaries. Doval and Wang had then reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations and underscored the need to promote the overall development of the India-China bilateral relations, including by fostering greater people-to-people ties.

During his visit to India, Wang will also hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Diplomacy in motion

Although the recent India-Pakistan military conflict may have come in the way of India China ties as New Delhi had accused Beijing of providing real-time intelligence and substantial military support to Pakistan, there has been some thaw in the hostilities after the two sides reached agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in India-China border areas in Depsang and Demchok in October, leading to disengagement from all the friction points of 2020.

The decision to revive various dialogue mechanisms was taken at a meeting between Modi and Xi in Kazan on October 23, 2024, two days after India and China firmed up the disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok.

The upcoming high-level engagements could be seen as a significant progress in bilateral ties between the two countries.

"At the invitation of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on August 18 and 19," the MEA said in a statement.

"During his visit, he will hold the 24th round of the Special Representatives' (SR) talks on the India-China boundary question with India's SR, NSA Doval," it added.

From August 18 to 20, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chinas Special Representative on the China-India boundary question Wang Yi will visit India and hold the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question at the invitation of the Indian side, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

Doval travelled to China in December last year and held the SR talks with Wang, weeks after Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping decided to revive various dialogue mechanisms between the two sides at a meeting in the Russian city of Kazan.

India and China have initiated a number of initiatives to rebuild the ties, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and New Delhi restarting the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals.

Global Times quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian as saying, "China stands ready to work with India to act on the important common understandings reached between leaders of our two countries, consistently increase political mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation together, properly handle differences while bearing in mind the bigger picture, and strengthen coordination and cooperation on such multilateral platforms as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, with a view to promoting the sound and steady development of China-India relations."

Both sides are also discussing the modalities to resume direct flight services between the two countries.

Besides, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Jaishankar visited China in the last two months to attend the SCO meetings.
Colorado Springs is receiving funds from one grant that is threatened by Gov. Jared Polis' executive orders trying to get cities to take up the state's affordable housing laws.

The executive order Polis issued in May tied a portion of state funding to seven recent laws intended to spur affordable housing projects across Colorado.

An updated order issued on Wednesday listed 34 state grants, programs or tax credits that would be tied to compliance with the housing laws beginning later this year. The affected funds are issued by the Department of Transportation, Department of Legal Affairs, the Colorado Energy Office and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

The total funding covered by the grant programs is around $277 million. Current grants would not be affected but the housing compliance would become a factor to determine new funding beginning on Oct. 6.

In the statement Wednesday, Polis said the funds should be directed to "communities that are stepping up to be part of our housing solution."

Colorado Springs spokesperson Max D'Onofrio said Friday that the only affected grant the city currently receives is the Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund, which goes to trails and transportation programs. The city has received around $2.4 million from the fund through the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, primarily for three trail crossings on Colorado Springs' north side.

"Weve not received notification that we are at risk of losing any current funding beginning in October. We believe we are sufficiently in compliance and in regular communication with DOLA on the legislation," D'Onofrio said.

Featured Local Savings

In July, the City Council voted not to adopt new minimum parking requirements for housing projects near major transit routes in the city, which was one of the state laws. Both the council and the Planning Commission unanimously voted against the measure to defend the city's home-rule rights.

The council had also voted in May to pass a more symbolic resolution opposing the executive order. Council President Lynette Crow-Iverson said she fully stood by the council's previous stances and saw the executive order as an "alarming escalation."

"We will not be bullied into surrendering authority that our Constitution guarantees and that our voters entrusted us to defend," Crow-Iverson said.

The details of the order came out around the same time as Wednesday's board meeting for the Historic Neighborhoods Partnership. Partnership chair Dianne Bridges said it was disheartening to see Polis continue the push for state housing laws to overrule Colorado Springs instead of working with cities.

Bridges pointed to the ordinance earlier this year to allow accessory dwelling units across Colorado Springs as a better approach. The new rules expanded construction for ADUs but with some restrictions the Historic Neighborhood Partnership had recommended. Bridges also wanted to see the specific housing goals outlined in the upcoming Housing Needs Assessment for Colorado Springs.

"That is an example of where Colorado Springs knows what is best because we are going to do this micro-level analysis, not a top-down economic equation," Bridges said.

Six cities along the Front Range have sued the Polis administration to challenge the executive order: Aurora, Arvada, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Lafayette and Westminster. Colorado Springs has not joined the lawsuit.
Heavy rains battered Mumbai overnight, causing waterlogging in some low-lying areas and slowing vehicular movement in parts of the city. Several areas also witnessed reduced visibility.

Mumbai Police have advised people to avoid non-essential travel.

Mumbaikars are advised to avoid non-essential travel and to exercise caution while venturing out. Police have been instructed to be on high alert, and the Mumbai Police is alert and ready to help Mumbaikars. In case of any emergency, dial 100 / 112 / 103, Mumbai Police said in a post on X.

Mumbai is experiencing heavy rainfall with an Orange Alert in effect. Water-logging and reduced visibility have been reported in several areas.



Mumbaikars are advised to avoid non-essential travel and to exercise caution while venturing out.



Police have been instructed to be on    - Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 15, 2025

Several parts of the city recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am on Friday and 5.30 am on Saturday. Vikhroli, in the eastern suburbs, recorded the highest rainfall at 248.5 mm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the metropolis for two days.

#WATCH Mumbai: Heavy rain causes waterlogging in many parts of the city.



Visuals from Kings Circle. pic.twitter.com/R6hAclPYiq  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

Several low-lying areas of the western and eastern suburbs, including Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Andheri, Kings Circle, Malad, and Goregaon witnessed massive waterlogging.

The suburban train services were also affected due to water accumulation on tracks at several locations on the Central and Western Railway lines.

#WATCH Mumbai: Heavy rain causes waterlogging in many parts of the city.



Visuals from the SCLR Bridge. pic.twitter.com/H1lZTAzgr5  ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025

Videos shared on social media showed railway tracks filled with water in Dadar and Bandra stations after incessant rain. Several popular places like Kings Circle and Gandhi Market have also been submerged in water.

Two killed in landslides

Meanwhile, two people were killed and many others injured in a landslide amid heavy showers at Jankalyan society in Varsha Nagar.

The deceased were identified as Shalu Mishra (19) and Suresh Mishra (50), who belong to one family.

Emergency response teams have reached the spot, and residents of the area have been shifted to safer locations.
Even as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to embark on a 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' across poll-bound Bihar on Sunday, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday came down heavily on these questioning its credibility saying it seems that some political parties did not examine the electoral rolls at the "appropriate time" to point out errors to the poll machinery and noted that it welcomes a scrutiny of the document to help its officials remove flaws.

The statement comes a day before the EC is set to hold a press conference to address the allegations of vote theft" levelled by Gandhi and the protest by opposition parties over the intensive electoral roll revision in Bihar. Gandhi has repeatedly accused the poll panel of voter-data fudging and alleged that there was "vote theft" in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Haryana. The commission has asked the Congress leader to submit the names of those he claims have been wrongfully added or removed from the voters' list, along with a signed declaration.

Election Commission of India says, "Recently, some Political Parties and individuals are raising issues about errors in the Electoral Rolls, including those prepared in the past. The appropriate time to raise any issue with the Electoral Rolls would have been during the Claims pic.twitter.com/0Q2e9brBES  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

EC, in a sharply-worded 10-point statement, said the period for raising claims and objections after the draft voters' list is published is the appropriate time for parties to flag flaws.

"It seems that some political parties and their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) did not examine the electoral rolls at the appropriate time and did not point out errors, if any...," it said.

The EC noted that recently, some political parties and individuals raised issues about errors in the electoral rolls, including the electoral rolls prepared in the past.

The appropriate time, it said, to raise any issue with the electoral rolls would have been during the "Claims and Objections" period, the poll panel observed.

"... which is precisely the objective behind sharing the electoral rolls with all political parties and the candidates. Had these issues been raised at the right time through the right channels, it would have enabled the concerned electoral registration officer to correct the mistakes, if genuine, before those elections," the poll panel added.

The EC said it continues to welcome a scrutiny of the electoral rolls by political parties and any elector.

"It will help EROs to remove the errors and purify the electoral rolls which has always been the objective of EC," it said.

Utmost transparency is the hallmark of Electoral Roll preparation as per law, rules and guidelines, the EC said.
The Election Commission will conduct a press conference at 3pm on Sunday, August 17, for the first time since the Congress and other Opposition parties accused the poll body of fudging electoral rolls in Bihar, in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

While the subject of the press conference has not yet been specified, officials said it is related to allegations levelled against the Commission.

The poll body's press conference comes on a day when Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal are planning to launch 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar, condemning the intensive electoral roll revision in the poll-bound state.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged the poll body indulged in massive manipulation of electoral rolls across the country, in favour of the ruling BJP. Gandhi has levelled charges of double voting and massive addition of ineligible voters in constituencies where the BJP won by a thin margin.

The Opposition has also strongly objected to the special intensive electoral roll revision in Bihar. Opposition charged the exercise will lead to disenfranchisement of 65 lakh voters.

The poll body's press conference also comes after the Supreme Court directed it to publish the list of voters excluded from the draft electoral roll after the Bihar SIR. The top court also ordered the Commission to publish reasons for deletion.

Gandhi has repeatedly accused the poll panel of voter-data fudging and alleged that there was "vote theft" in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Haryana. The Commission has dared the Opposition leader to sign an oath to initiate a probe into his allegations. The poll body has also sought an apology from Gandhi for "misleading the nation."

Rahul Gandhi will launch 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar on Sunday. The yatra will cover 1,300km across 25 districts in Bihar. It will start from Sasaram and conclude in Patna. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will also join Gandhi at Sasaram on Sunday. Leaders of Left parties and other INDIA bloc leaders are expected to attend the launch of the yatra and march along with Gandhi.
Microsoft has launched a formal review into allegations that its Azure cloud services were used by Israels military surveillance agency, Unit 8200, to facilitate the mass surveillance of Palestinians.

Why now?

Microsoft's move follows a joint investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call, which revealed that Microsofts technology had been employed to store intercepted Palestinian phone calls.

ALSO READ | Will Israel's proposed West Bank settlement plan end the two-state solution?

The company said that using Azure to hold data obtained through broad or mass surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank would breach its terms of service. Microsoft has also pledged to release the findings publicly.

The review builds on an earlier internal investigation in May, when Microsoft announced that it had found no evidence to date of Azure being used to target or harm people in Gaza. The revelations have since prompted concern within the companys leadership that some Israel-based staff may have withheld information during that initial review.

Executives were reportedly asked whether certain employees felt greater loyalty to their countrys military than to their employer, as a number of Microsoft staff with knowledge of Unit 8200 projects had previously served in the elite signals intelligence unit.

On Azure's alleged involvement

According to the investigation, Unit 8200 used a segregated section of Azure to store recordings of millions of daily phone calls made by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Intelligence drawn from this immense archive has reportedly been used to research and select bombing targets in Gaza.

One source described how officers would scrutinise calls made by people in the immediate vicinity when preparing strikes on individuals in crowded neighbourhoods.

The systems use has reportedly expanded during the current Gaza campaign, which has left more than 60,000 people dead (mostly civilians). Initially, the system had been directed towards the West Bank, where information stored in Azure was allegedly used to blackmail, detain or even justify the killing of Palestinians.

The project was spearheaded by Yossi Sariel, Unit 8200s commander between 2021 and 2024, who aimed to transform intelligence gathering through cloud technology.

Sariel sought to transfer large volumes of Unit 8200s data, including classified material, into Microsofts cloud platform to enable mass surveillance.

The ambition was summed up in an internal mantra: A million calls an hour". Leaked Microsoft documents and accounts from sources suggest the company was aware as early as late 2021 that Unit 8200 intended to shift substantial amounts of sensitive intelligence data to Azure.

Reports indicate that Microsofts chief executive, Satya Nadella, met Sariel in late 2021 and expressed support for the aspiration to move such material into the cloud.

Microsoft has since stated that Nadellas presence was brief and that no discussion of content took place. The company has consistently maintained that it had no information about the specific data stored by Unit 8200, nor awareness that its services were being used for civilian surveillance. Yet, documents indicate that some Israel-based employees, including former Unit 8200 officers, likely understood the purpose of the project.

Pressure from within

The disclosures have intensified pressure on Microsoft from staff and campaigners. The worker-led group No Azure for Apartheid has staged protests against the companys ties to the Israeli military, accusing it of complicity in genocide and apartheid.

ALSO READ | Global outrage grows after the death of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif in an Israeli airstrike

The group has demanded that Microsoft sever all links with the Israeli army and disclose them publicly. In response to the new inquiry, it dismissed the review as yet another tactic to delay rather than meet those demands, insisting that selling technology to the Israeli armed forces was unethical.

The Israel Defence Forces initially claimed that Microsoft had never worked with them on data storage or processing, a statement that surprised the companys leadership given the existence of contracts.

The military has since said its work with companies such as Microsoft is conducted through regulated and legally supervised agreements, in accordance with international law.

For Microsoft, the partnership was viewed as both a lucrative commercial venture and an opportunity to enhance Azures global brand, with expectations of generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

What comes next?

The formal review now underway aims to establish whether the new allegations are correct and to clarify the nature of the information stored in Microsofts data centres.

The investigation will also examine how any such data may have been used by the Israeli military. Microsoft has promised to make the findings public, reflecting growing scrutiny over the role of major technology companies in military operations that touch directly on human rights.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held crucial talks in Alaska on Friday on ending the Ukraine war, which has raged for more than three years killing thousands of people, but the two leaders failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Trump said they couldnt reach a deal on Ukraine, although Putin stated that an understanding has been reached on continuing the dialogue.

President Trump Participates in a Press Conference with the President of the Russian Federation https://t.co/D07iIhS8lh  The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 15, 2025

In a departure from tradition, Putin spoke first at the press briefing. Usually, when a US president hosts a foreign counterpart, the joint news conference begins with the remarks from the American leader.

The Russian President said the primary cause of the war must be eliminated to end the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. He also warned Ukraine and European leaders against interfering with the emerging progress.

As you well know and understand, one of the central issues has become the situation around Ukraine. We see the desire of the U.S. administration and President Trump personally to facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, his desire to delve into the essence and understand its origins, Putin said.

He reiterated Russias stand that the events in Ukraine were associated with fundamental threats to our national security.

All of Russia's legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored, he said.

Putin said the dialogue with Trump was held in a respectful, constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere.

Trump, on his part, claimed that the two leaders made some headway in the bilateral meeting. We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, he said.

But he was quick to add: There is no deal until there is a deal.

The high-stakes meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage lasted more than three hours, CNN reported. Putin was accompanied by Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, while on the US side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff were present.

Earlier, the two leaders greeted each other on the red carpet after deplaning their respective aircraft, shook hands, posed for photos, and departed together in Trumps presidential limousine to the venue.

President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.  pic.twitter.com/WwYL3DsXLa  The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 15, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not been invited to the meeting, though Kyiv and other European allies have been insisting that any peace deal must be reached with the involvement of Ukraine.

Trump had earlier said he would call Zelenskyy and other NATO leaders after the summit to brief them on the results. He had also hinted at a trilateral meeting involving both Putin and Zelenskyy if the Alaska dialogue went smoothly.

Ukraine has demanded an immediate ceasefire, saying only such a move from Russia can provide the basis for meaningful peace talks. Its not immediately clear whether Trump pushed for a ceasefire at Fridays Alaska talks.
The much-hyped summit between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin ended without a breakthrough on any key issues, including the war in Ukraine.

There were hopes that Trump would push for an immediate ceasefire, yet Putin left Anchorage, the Alaskan city that hosted the summit, without any concrete agreement.

The summit, however, was noted for its warmth and theatrics, and it clearly gave the Russian president a significant diplomatic victory.

No deal, only vague promises

Trump entered the summit with the ambition of brokering at least a temporary halt to hostilities. He had even floated the possibility of a ceasefire announcement on the day of the meeting itself. After nearly three hours of talks, though, both leaders admitted they had fallen short.

We havent quite got there, but weve made some headway, Trump said, offering the caveat that theres no deal until theres a deal. He insisted that many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left, but provided no details about what those points might be.

Neither side offered clarity on whether any substantive issues had been discussed or resolved. Both spoke vaguely of understandings and progress without elaboration. Notably, they avoided taking questions from reporters, an unusual move for Trump, fuelling speculation that there was little real progress to present.

Putins return to the world stage

While the summit produced no peace plan, it marked a striking triumph for Putin on the international stage. Sanctioned by the United States since 2022 and wanted by international courts for war crimes, the Russian leader had been treated as a pariah in the West for years. He had not been received at an official American venue since 2007.

ALSO READ: Ukraine war wouldnt have happened in 2022 if: How Putin reaffirmed Trumps repeated claim

Trump changed all that with the spectacle in Alaska. Putin was greeted with a literal red carpet at a US military base, clapped in by the president, and invited into the presidential limousine for a private ride with Trump, without aides. The sight of Putin laughing from behind the bulletproof glass captured the surreal mood of the day.

For Putin, who has faced isolation since launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the symbolism was powerful. The summit effectively restored him to the company of global leaders, and he managed it without making any public concession to end the war or acknowledging his responsibility for it.

Warmth and deference

Throughout their appearances, Trump and Putin displayed an unusual degree of camaraderie. They laughed together, shared compliments, and spoke warmly of one another. Trump declared, Ive always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin, with Vladimir, while Putin described Trump as a dear neighbour with whom he could do business. He even invited Trump to Moscow, a prospect that the American President did not dismiss outright.

ALSO READ: No deal until there is a deal: What transpired at high-stakes Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska

Trump also showed marked deference, allowing Putin to speak first at their joint event even though the summit was hosted on US soil. Putin made use of the opportunity to give his side of the war and its causes. Trump kept smiling and chose not to challenge the Russian president.

The balance of power at the podium was as telling as the absence of concrete results. The summit also provided Trump with a platform to air familiar grievances. Standing beside Putin, he denounced the investigations into alleged collusion between his 2016 campaign and Russia, calling them a hoax and a shared and unfair torment.

Putin, in turn, appeared eager to indulge Trumps narrative. He stated that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Trump still been president, a claim that delighted Trump, who repeated it with satisfaction. Yet the logic of the statement remained untested.

If Putin considered Trumps presence a guarantee against war, it raised the unanswered question of why the invasion continues even as Trump promises friendlier terms.

Zelenskyy sidelined

If Putin gained legitimacy and Trump basked in personal rapport, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was left conspicuously absent. Not invited to the summit, Zelenskyy could only watch from a distance as the two most powerful players in the conflict spoke over his nations fate.

Zelenskyy had tried to influence the talks by reminding the world of Russias continuing strikes on civilian areas. He declared Ukraines willingness to work for peace but appealed for a strong stance from Washington. His plea was not answered with fresh assurances of military support.

Trump instead suggested that Ukraine might have to make territorial concessions as part of a future deal, though he said it would be Kyivs decision. He spoke of potential security guarantees from the US and Europe, but explicitly ruled out NATO membership.

Perhaps most tellingly, Trump appeared to shift responsibility for ending the conflict onto Zelenskyy himself. He said Putin wants to solve the problem and concluded that now it is really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done.

Shadows over the talks

The decision to forgo a traditional press conference left much about the summit opaque. Still, Trump hailed the event as a success, rating it a 10 for the rapport established. He even elevated Russias status on the world stage, remarking, We are No. 1 and they are No. 2 in the world.

He did not dismiss the idea of travelling to Moscow for a future meeting, acknowledging that he might get a little heat on that one but could see it possibly happening. He also promised to call NATO allies and Zelenskyy afterwards to give them a readout. While no trilateral meeting was set, Trump insisted that he believed Zelenskyy and Putin would eventually meet and that he himself might even participate.

A summit of appearances

The Alaska summit failed to deliver its stated aim of peace in Ukraine, but it succeeded in producing a diplomatic spectacle. For Putin, it was a chance to re-emerge from isolation, welcomed with honours on American soil and treated as a respected partner by the US President. For Trump, it was an opportunity to demonstrate his personal chemistry with the Russian leader and to revisit old battles over past investigations.

What the talks did not deliver was clarity on how or when the war in Ukraine might end. The conflict grinds on, and the costs for Ukraine remain devastating. Yet in Alaska, the image of camaraderie and the revival of Putins global standing overshadowed the absence of substance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the war in Ukraine would not have happened if Donald Trump were the President of the United States in 2022. Addressing a joint press briefing with Trump after their high-stakes meeting in Alaska, Putin said he had tried to convince then-US President Joe Biden about the gravity of the situation.

"I would like to remind you, that in 2022, during our last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague, the situation should not be brought to the point of no return when it would come to hostilities, and I said it quite directly back then, that it was a big mistake, he said.

Putins remarks appeared to have reaffirmed Trumps repeated claim that he would have averted the RussiaUkraine conflict.

#WATCH | Alaska, USA | "... Today, when President Trump says had he been the President back then, there would have been no war, and I am quite sure it would indeed be so...," says Russian President Vladimir Putin



He also says, "In 2022 during the last contact with the previous pic.twitter.com/jJQJ4VQ91t  ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025

In his address, Putin acknowledged that Russia-US relations have nosedived to the lowest point since the Cold War, and a personal meeting of the heads of the two nations was overdue to correct the situation.

As you well know and understand, one of the central issues has become the situation around Ukraine. We see the desire of the US administration and President Trump personally to facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, his desire to delve into the essence and understand its origins, Putin said.

He reiterated Russias argument that the events in Ukraine were associated with fundamental threats to its national security.

#WATCH | Alaska, USA | Russian President Vladimir Putin says, "... We see the strive of the administration and President Trump personally to help facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict and his strive to get to the crux of the matter to understand this history is pic.twitter.com/kiOKgw2JBf  ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025

"We have always considered and consider the Ukrainian people, I have said this many times, brotherly, no matter how strange that may sound in today's conditions. We have the same roots and everything that is happening for us is a tragedy and a great pain, the President said.

He asserted that the root cause of the war must be eliminated to find a solution to the ongoing conflict. Russia's legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored, Putin said in his media briefing.
Long before US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin drew the worlds gaze to Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday (local time) America's northern frontier played host to another moment of quietyet historicdiplomacy.

On September 26, 1971, Emperor Hirohito of Japan set foot on American soil for the very first time, accompanied by Empress Nagako.

Their brief stop in Anchorage, en route to Europe, would become a symbol of a transformation like no other.

ALSO READ | Alaska: A crossroads of diplomacyfrom Reagan and Pope to Trump and Putin

Just twenty-six years earlier, he had been the symbol of Japans crumbling empire during World War IIhis voice once used to broadcast surrender in 1945 to a devastated nation.

For the Japanese, it was the first time their emperor was seen abroad, embodying a nation reborn as a democracy and economic powerhouse, and a crucial US ally in the Cold War. For the Americans, it was a gesture of reconciliation, despite the two nations' storied past.

Now known by his posthumous name Emperor Showa, he is also famous for issuing the Humanity Declaration, which denied his status as a living god.

Nixon, in his welcoming remarks, called Alaska a gateway between two great nations and emphasised how geography itself testified to the closeness of the relationship, as per a transcript from the American Presidency Project.

"It is most appropriate that Your Majesty's first stop on this historic visit should be Alaska, for this is a State that, in many respects, represents a gateway between two great nations: the United States and Japan," he said.

The symbolism was not lost on observers: the two men, once on opposite sides of the World War II now stood side by side, speaking of peace, partnership, and shared responsibility in the Cold War.

Editorials in Japanese publications such as Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun were also said to have praised the emperors journey as proof of Japans maturity on the global stage.

ALSO READ | Trump and Putin in Alaska: A summit of spectacle, not substance

Half a century later, Alaska's Anchorage once again hosted an important meeting between Trump and Putin.

Yet, where Hirohitos arrival symbolised healing, Friday's talks highlighted fracture: an elaborate display with an uncertain outcomeno ceasefire, no settlement, only rivalry dressed in ceremony.
About 623 flights were cancelled in Canada after a union for flight attendants announced that they were going on strike. The 72-hour Strike was planned by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), a union that represents about 10,000 flight attendants in both Air Canada and Air Canada rouge.

After the strike was announced, Air Canada said that it was locking out its workers and suspending all operations on Thursday. The airline, which connects to 180 cities worldwide, has cancelled its 700 daily flight schedule for Saturday, affecting about 13,000 customers.

Why is CUPE on strike?

The strike began after talks between CUPE and Air Canada reached an impasse concerning the compensation for flight attendants through both wages and the ground pay. Ground pay refers to compensation given to the attendants while on the ground. The union said that apart from a wage increase, the attendants should also be paid for the uncompensated ground work. Groundwork often involves tasks like boarding passengers onto the planes. Flight attendants are usually only paid for the hours they spend in the air, making the time they spend in between unpaid.

Air Canada had asked Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to make a referral under Section 107, the Canada Labour Code, to send the negotiation to binding interest arbitration.

CUPE said that they would not use arbitration, a process where a neutral third party steps in to decide on specific items that they can't agree on. Arbitration is an alternate form of resolving disputes and are often faster than court processes.

Hajdu had given CUPE until the afternoon to respond, but the union declined. The union said that it wants to stay at the negotiating table and have the two parties come to the agreement themselves. This is because arbitrations rarely result in new changes.

The union accused Air Canada of not bargaining in good faith "due to the likelihood of the federal government using Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to interfere in negotiations and have a contract imposed by an outside third-party arbitrator," reported The Canadian Press.

A press release put out by the union said that "The union has been firm: all safety-related duties should be paid at full hourly rate. Air Canada does not agree. On wages, Air Canadas last offer will still leave flight attendants living below poverty levels for many years to come."

The strike will not be affecting 300 separate regional Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines, which are on propeller planes, reported the New York Times. TD Cowen analyst Tom Fitzgerald said in a note that a three day strike could cost the airline about $217.09 million in earnings.

59 per cent of Canadians believe that Air Canada should pay its attendants the full rate hourly for the work on the ground, according to a poll released on Friday by the Angus Reid Institute.

However, Rafael Gomez, head of the University of Torontos Centre for Industrial Relations, said that it was common practice around the world to compensate the attendants based on the time they spend in the air. He also said that the union had effectively run a campaign around the issue, creating a perception of unfairness in the public.

The airline has promised passengers whose flights were cancelled, a full refund or an opportunity to reschedule their flights.
New Delhi, Aug 16 (PTI) Three men, including a London School of Economics graduate, were arrested for allegedly attempting to extort money from a Delhi man to repay debts through a cyber fraud plot hatched in Thailand, an officer said on Saturday.

Sumit, 42, Prince, 35, and Nitish, 31, allegedly threatened a city-based businessman by impersonating a gangster and demanding payment in cryptocurrency, he said.

Nitish holds a master's degree from the London School of Economics, while the others have business and local backgrounds, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan said.

During interrogation, the three confessed that they were under heavy debts and conspired to extort money by using the name of a dreaded gangster.

As part of the plan, they travelled to Thailand, procured an international SIM card, and made calls from an online messaging platform from there, he said.

The complainant approached the Desh Bandhu Gupta Road Police Station earlier this week, alleging that he received an international WhatsApp call from an unknown number.

The caller, identifying himself as a gangster, allegedly threatened to kill the man's children if he did not transfer cryptocurrency and gave him a QR code, the DCP said.

A case under Section 308(4) (extortion) of the BNS was registered, and police launched an investigation.

Investigation led to the discovery that the call and the QR code originated from Thailand, Valsan said.

Police took help from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and traced earlier cryptocurrency transactions that helped them narrow down the suspects.

"Once the suspects landed in India from Thailand, they were apprehended," the officer said.

Sumit is a BCom graduate and jewellery trader from West Punjabi Bagh, while Prince is a class 9 dropout from Roshanara Road. Nitish, police said, is from Moti Nagar and is an LSE postgraduate.

Police said Sumit knew the target personally and had plotted the crime with the others to repay debts.

Two mobile phones used in the crime, including the one used to generate the QR code and another to make the call, have been recovered, police said.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to establish three new detention facilities in Colorado in an effort to increase capacity statewide from 1,360 to 4,090, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post.

The internal agency road-map document shows plans to open or expand 125 facilities to increase the capacity of ICE centers from 65,922 in July to 107,000 by the end of this year.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the Post the document was created by ICE but said it was outdated and had not been approved. The spokesperson did not elaborate on why the contracts "are not accurate," according to reporting by the Post.

In Colorado, new facilities could be built in:

Walsenburg at the former Huerfano County Correctional Facility with a capacity of 1,400.

 Hudson at the Big Horn Detention Facility, which does not appear to currently exist, with a capacity of 1,132.

 Ignacio at the Southern Ute Indian Adult Detention Center with a capacity of 28.

In addition, the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora would be expanded to 1,530, according the document.

The existing facility in Ignacio is one of two adult detention centers listed in the nationwide proposal. The only previous facility in Hudson was the state Hudson Correctional Facility before it closed in 2013, and it is unclear which facility it would be used in the proposal.

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If the proposal is carried out, Colorado would rank sixth in the country for highest total capacity at ICE facilities.

Walsenburg Mayor Gary Vezzani told The Gazette that he did not know about the proposal beforehand and had not been contacted by federal officials. The former Huerfano County Correctional Facility has been closed since 2010 and had a capacity of 752 inmates.

Vezzani said the beds could be doubled up or the facility would have to be expanded to match the capacity of 1,400 stated within the planning document.

After the facility closed, Vezzani said Walsenburg, which has a population of around 3,000 people, lost "a major customer," and that reopening the facility "is just economics."

"It took quite a bit of revenue away to pay back these loans and debts and, plus, keep infrastructure running," Vezzani said. "When all your revenue has to go to prior loans, it's hard to keep everything running."

Vezzani said he "doesn't know why we wouldn't support" the reopening of the facility and that if ICE is going to build facilities somewhere, "we might as well" house them.

The mayor said he does not believe the ICE facilities are concentration camps and said it could be a positive step for the city.

"Once you're in custody, having a place to do something with them, I think is less inhumane than trying to stuff them somewhere and get them out of the country. I don't see the negative side of it. Now, if there's abuse and all that, I have no idea it's part of our federal government, and I would think not."

CoreCivic, the company that operated the former for-profit facilities in Hudson and Walsenburg, has discussed the facilities for ICE use this year, according to the local World Journal newspaper. In July, the company advertised for detention-officer positions at the former Huerfano County Correctional Facility.
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Lamborghini has unveiled its new ultra-rare V12 hybrid hypercar with an eye-watering price tag of 3million.

Just 29 examples of the Fenomeno are being produced as part of the exotic Italian brand's 'few off' roster of bonkers road cars.

As the name suggests, the performance figures are phenomenal to say the least.

Boasting a staggering 1,065 horsepower, it is officially the most potent model with numberplates that Lamborghini has ever sold to members of the public. It's also its fastest, capable of reaching 62mph in a mere 2.4 seconds; that's less time than it takes to say, 'capable of reaching 62mph in a mere 2.4 seconds'.

But who gets their hands on such an exclusive car that built in incredible low volume using the most advanced materials and design?

The Daily Mail sat down with Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann to ask just that...

Lamborghini's fastest and most powerful road car EVER: This is the new Fenomeno - a 3million 'few off' hypercar produced in extremely limited numbers

The Fenomeno has been unveiled at an invite-only event hosted during the prestigious Monterey Car Week in Pebble Beach, California.

It is underpinned by the same petrol-hybrid platform as the company's flagship Revuelto supercar - but has been wound up to eleven to push the looks and performance into a different stratosphere.

The powertrain upgrade means it now surpasses the model on which it is based as Lamborghini's most formidable road car, gazumping Revuelto's 1,001hp output by 64 horses. That's equivalent to adding the total power output of a Volkswagen Up city car.

Some 823hp is generated by the naturally aspirated 6.5-litre 12-cylinder engine - which is a new record for Lambo - that revs to an ear-splitting 9,250rpm while a further 242hp comes from three electric motors delivered energy from a 7kWh battery making up the hybrid system.

Everything is married together by an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Just 29 examples of the Fenomeno are being produced as part of the exotic Italian brand's 'few off' roster of bonkers road car

As the name suggests, the performance figures are pretty phenomenal to say the least. Boasting a staggering 1,065 horsepower, it is officially the most potent model with numberplates that Lamborghini has ever sold to the public

It is capable of reaching 62mph in a mere 2.4 seconds; that's less time than it takes to say, 'capable of reaching 62mph in a mere 2.4 seconds'

As a result, it produces levels of speed so instant that you would need to put your driving licence on the endangered list, if you could afford the astronomical asking price, that is.

The spec sheet states that it can reach 124mph in just 6.7 seconds and - if you dare - a top speed in excess of 218mph.

Interestingly - though far less excitingly - the bigger battery means the electric-only range has also doubled compared to Revuelto. It means Fenomeno drivers can stealthily take to the streets in silent model for up to 12 miles when it's fully charged.

With only 29 units planned at a price between 3million and 3.5million (roughly 2.6m to 3m), it's also set to be one of the rarest models to feature the prancing bull on its nose.

A 30th car is also being made purely for Lamborghini, which it will retain in its museum and never sell to the public.

The Fenomeno has been unveiled at an invite-only event hosted during the prestigious Monterey Car Week in Pebble Beach, California

It is underpinned by the same petrol-hybrid platform as company's flagship Revuelto supercar - but has been wound up to eleven for to take the looks and performance into a different stratosphere

The powertrain upgrade means it now surpasses the model on which it is based as Lamborghini's most formidable road car, gazumping Revuelto's 1,001hp output by 64 horses

With only 29 units planned at a price between 3million and 3.5million (roughly 2.6m to 3m), Fenomeno will be one of the rarest models to feature the prancing bull on its nose

The CEO says Fenomeno has been produced as a 20-year nod to the inauguration of its in-house department responsible for creating 'few off' models, which first unveiled its Reventon creation in 2007.

Fenomeno now joins a lineage of limited edition Lambos that also includes the Sesto Elemento (2010), Veneno (2013), Centenario (2016), Sian (2019) and reborn Countach (2021).

Winkelmann says it is these cars that have become a 'fundamental part of Lamborghini's DNA', having raised the profile of the supercar marque since the turn of the century.

'Fenomeno is an extraordinary car in terms of performance, style and iconoclastic representation of Lamborghini, created to celebrate the value and achievements of our brand, and dedicated to those customers who expect the utmost exclusivity from us,' he added.

'But beyond its extraordinary design and power, the Fenomeno is the few-off that, more than any other in Lamborghini's history, introduces innovative technical solutions to make the driving experience truly unique.'

While its proportions are similar to that of Revuelto, a full-carbon makeover of the body makes it stand apart as a far more extreme vehicle.

This includes deeply chiselled and indented panels, enormous cooling intakes, and a completely revised rear featuring a central quad exhaust outlet and Y-shaped light cluster.

CEO Stephan Winkelmann says it is 'few off' cars like Fenomeno that has become a 'fundamental part of Lamborghini's DNA', having raised the profile of the supercar marque since the turn of the century

 Slide me  Side-by-side: The Fenomeno is underpinned by the Revuleto flagship supercar (right). As you can see, they are dimensionally similar, but the 29-unit version boasts far more extreme design features

The CEO says the Fenomeno has been produced as a 20-year nod to the inauguration of its in-house department responsible for creating 'few off' models, which first produced the Reventon in 2007

Inside, the Fenomeno is as extreme as it is on the outside. The 29 customers will be able to customise just about every element of the car they'll be delivered - once their 3million payment has arrived in Lamborghini's bank account, that is...

Just 29 examples - so who gets one?

With such finite availability, who on earth gets to own one of this radical machines?

It's a question we posed to Winkelmann during an exclusive sit down with the Lamborghini boss.

Given the company delivered 10,687 vehicles to customers globally last year, the 29 getting keys to a Fenomeno represents 0.2 per cent of Lamborghini's already-exclusive annual clientele.

So how does it go about choosing who gets allocated one?

The Daily Mail sat down with Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann ahead of Fenomeno's unveiling to understand who gets first dibs on ultra-rare cars built in limited numbers

Given the company delivered 10,687 vehicles to customers globally last year, the 29 getting keys to a Fenomeno represents 0.2% of Lamborghini's already-exclusive annual clientele

'They are all allocated already, and almost all the deals are closed,' Winkelmann told us during an interview last month.

'There is a process which is based on criteria which is known by us, the customers and our dealers.

'This is in terms of the number of cars they have bought.'

He explains that those with the biggest collection of high-value models - including other 'few off' cars - are given 'priority access' to special projects such as Fenomeno.

And while limited-edition cars of this ilk have become fundamental to Lamborghini's DNA, the boss tells us there also needs to be a compelling business case for producing a vehicle with a stupendous seven-figure price tag.

Winkelmann said the company is already facing 'heavy investment constantly to secure the future of the company', especially with changing regulations that are impacting car makers of all sizes in the lead-up to the proposed ban on sales of combustion engine cars from 2035.

But he said the continuation of the few off project is key to 'hold on to a tradition that is very important'.

While Fenomeno costs over six times the 450,000 price tag of Revuelto on which it is based, Winkelmann said it is not about producing an exclusive car to simply turn a profit, with huge costs associated to making such an extreme machine.

'It is not only giving us a business case, which is, for sure, not the biggest one, but it's giving credibility to the product and providing customers the opportunity to invest in something important to us,' he went on.

'If we would make it [Fenomeno] only for the profit, we would not make it, because the effort we have to put into it is huge in comparison to the profitability.

'What is most important to me is the satisfaction of our customers by enabling them to have something really outstanding and unique in very limited availability.'
The UK stock market has sprung a surprise this summer. Even against the background of gloomy GDP and other economic data, the FTSE 100 index  regarded as the bellwether of our economy  has soared by 11 per cent this year to reach a record high of 9222.

The index has outpaced its US counterparts, staging a bounce back from its April 'Liberation Day' low of 7544 when tariff announcements sent shares tumbling. The FTSE All-Share index, which covers the top 600 companies quoted in London, has also executed a surprising recovery.

In the face of the downbeat stream of news on debt, employment, tax increases and much else, many investors have withdrawn billions from UK funds this year.

But the Footsie's feats may be causing some of them to reassess this strategy. Britain may face challenges, but nowhere is exempt from economic and geopolitical angst at present.

As Helena Pomfret, of wealth manager Evelyn Partners, points out: 'The heightened levels of uncertainty across the world mean it's important to stay diversified.'

A foray into UK markets is not an insular approach. The members of the FTSE 100 earn about 80 per cent of their revenues overseas, but the FTSE 250 and FTSE 350 are more domestically focused, spreading your risk.

Bright outlook: Britain may face challenges, but nowhere is exempt from economic and geopolitical angst at present

Laith Khalaf, of broker AJ Bell, argues that UK shares  particularly those in small and medium-sized companies  are 'pretty attractively valued just now'.

He adds: 'When an index reaches a record high, that can be a signal for caution. But in the case of the Footsie, it's been slow to get there.'

If you are contemplating forming a new and deeper relationship with the UK markets, here are some of the companies and funds to back.

MAKE THE MOST OF MERGER MANIA

One compelling reason to back UK PLC is the expectation that the takeover bonanza will continue. During the first six months of the year, there were 74billion-worth of bids for British businesses, driven by the view that their shares were trading at 'an extreme discount', as one expert put it.

Companies such as the banknote printer De La Rue have been acquired by US private equity groups. Others including Alphawave, Deliveroo, Just and Wood Gp were snapped up by 'trade buyers'  firms in the same industry.

Earlier this month the precision instrument maker Spectris finally succumbed to the largest US private equity player KKR at a price of 4,175p-a-share, 96 per cent above the price when predators began to circle in June.

But it is likely that some companies will rebuff approaches they regard as opportunistic.

In June, Craneware  which supplies software to US hospitals  rejected a 939m 2,650p-a-share bid from US private equity group Bain. Craneware shares stand at 2,270p. But analysts  who rate the stock a 'buy'  have set an average target price of 2,844p, suggesting that Craneware's bosses may have been justified in their stand. As a result of the frenzy, more and more companies are seen as potential targets.

The list includes footwear brand Dr. Martens; Greggs, the sandwich-maker famous for its regular and vegan sausage rolls; Paragon, the bank; and Phoenix, the insurer. Such has been the gossip about a bid for oil giant BP that Shell was forced to deny that it was sizing up its rival.

BP seems vulnerable because the US activist investor Elliott is using its 5 per cent stake to agitate for cost savings. But a decent set of first-quarter results and an exploration success seem to have improved the outlook, causing Maurizio Carulli, global energy analyst at Quilter Cheviot, to remark that 'the speculation may just end up being a blip in BP's long and storied history'. If you're tempted to back this great British business, analysts are targeting an average price of 450p, against the current 421p. The highest target price is 522p.

TRY TAKING A DEFENSIVE STRATEGY

Some private investors who were wary of the UK markets made an exception for defence stocks and have been richly rewarded. The FTSE All Share Aerospace and Defence index has risen by 71.9 per cent since January, driven by armaments spending uplifts in the UK, the EU and the US.

If you are venturing into this sector, there may be further upside. Since January, aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce has soared by around 93 per cent to 1,074p.

But analysts have set a target price of 1,440p, even before the company's vow this week to become Britain's biggest firm through the development of small nuclear reactors to power artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.

Shares in Babcock, another major defence contractor, have advanced by 96 per cent to 995p this year. But it too continues to be seen as a 'buy' with an average target price of 1,153p.

If you are looking to take a stake in defence, but also want a spread of other UK companies, the top holdings of the Zeus Dynamic Opportunities fund encompass Rolls-Royce but also Chemring, another key defence group. At 535p, its shares are 65 per cent higher than in January, but analysts still consider them a 'buy' with a target price of 573p. Among Zeus Dynamic's other stakes are BP and Tesco  whose shares stand at 413p, 13 per cent higher than in January. Analysts believe the supermarket has further to go, however.

Another option for exposure to Rolls-Royce and Tesco is the Ninety One UK Special Situations fund.

GO FOR GOLD AND INCOME

Going for gold has been another lucrative strategy this year. The metal's price reached a record $3,500 in April. Gold has regained its safe-haven status and is also in demand from the central banks of nations that do not wish to hold reserves in dollars.

Fresnillo is a Mexican gold and silver miner, but the firm has been listed in London since 2008. Although its shares have soared 183 per cent this year, they are still regarded as a buy, given the forecast that gold could climb to $6,000 by the end of Trump's presidency. But there is also a focus on Fresnillo's dividends, another under-appreciated aspect of backing Britain  the income available at a time when deposit account rates are becoming less generous.

The FTSE All-Share's constituents are expected to distribute about 91.3billion in dividends this year. In addition, they have already made 54bn in share buybacks, another form of returning cash to shareholders. The FTSE All-Share's dividend yield is 3.37 per cent. This compares with 1.21 per cent for the US S&P 500.

To make the most of this mix of potential growth and income, Khalaf suggests three funds. They are: Fidelity Special Values, which seeks out unloved companies poised for a turnaround; Liontrust UK Growth, which favours mostly Footsie members; and the iShares UK Equity Index fund, a 'cheap and cheerful' way to take a stake in UK PLC.

Pomfret's recommendations are: Artemis UK Select; Evenlode UK Income; and Redwheel UK Equity Income, which invests in BT, BP, Marks & Spencer, NatWest and Shell.

The share prices of renewable energy trusts were badly hit when borrowing costs surged. But there is consolidation in the sector and the dividend yields are attractive. SDCL Energy Efficiency offers a 10 per cent yield.

The hazard of investing in these trusts is considerable. But Susannah Streeter, of Hargreaves Lansdown, says they are among the long-term bets on Britain being taken by family offices that manage the money of the ultra-wealthy. Net Zero policies may be facing pushback, but they will continue to be implemented.

I have been increasing my UK bets for years  to diversify, but also to do my bit for domestic growth and entrepreneurialism.

And since Americans view our land as a great place to put their money, why would I disagree?
Britain's bioethanol industry is facing collapse after the Government refused a taxpayer bailout, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

One of the country's biggest plants has announced plans to close.

It came following the decision to withhold financial aid after Labour gave the go-ahead for cheap US imports to flood the market.

Hull-based Vivergo, which is owned by London-listed Associated British Foods (ABF), said the choice not to support a 'key national asset' was 'deeply regrettable'. About 170 jobs are at risk, as well as 4,000 roles in the supply chain.

Unions said 'the Government is choosing to effectively ship jobs abroad'. Bioethanol, which is made from wheat, corn or sugar beet, is added to products including E10 petrol.

The future of the sector was thrown into doubt by Keir Starmer's trade pact with Donald Trump, which opened the door to tariff-free imports of 1.4billion litres of ethanol from across the Pond. The deal, which removed a 19 per cent levy, sparked fears that domestic suppliers would be unable to compete, and British wheat farmers would be left without a vital source of demand.

Struggle: The future of the sector was thrown into doubt by Keir Starmer's trade pact with Donald Trump

Bioethanol makers Vivergo Fuels and Ensus had warned that without government support they would be forced to close after the agreement made their businesses 'commercially unviable'. But the German-owned Ensus plant in North Yorkshire will continue to hold talks with ministers.

That is because it also makes nearly a third of the UK's commercial carbon dioxide, a by-product of bioethanol used in fizzy drinks and the medical and nuclear industries.

ABF warned that clean energy jobs would move overseas. It said: 'In making this decision, the Government has thrown away billions in potential growth in the Humber, a sovereign capability in clean fuels that had the chance to lead the world.'

The Government said it had taken 'the difficult decision not to offer direct funding as it would not provide value for the taxpayer or solve the long-term problems the industry faces.'
Exchange Income Co. (TSE:EIF  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday after Paradigm Capital raised their price target on the stock from C$68.00 to C$82.00. Paradigm Capital currently has a buy rating on the stock. Exchange Income traded as high as C$75.13 and last traded at C$74.98, with a volume of 276696 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$73.22.

EIF has been the subject of several other reports. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Exchange Income from C$66.00 to C$80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Desjardins raised their target price on shares of Exchange Income from C$73.00 to C$84.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. CIBC raised their target price on shares of Exchange Income from C$74.50 to C$84.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of Exchange Income from C$74.00 to C$81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, National Bankshares raised their target price on shares of Exchange Income from C$71.00 to C$84.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Exchange Income currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$79.68.

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Exchange Income Stock Down 1.0%

Exchange Income Dividend Announcement

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 173.72, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market capitalization of C$3.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.55, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 2.04. The firms fifty day moving average is C$64.35 and its 200-day moving average is C$56.48.

The company also recently declared a aug 25 dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be issued a $0.22 dividend. Exchange Incomes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 103.42%.

About Exchange Income

(Get Free Report)

Exchange Income Corp is a diversified acquisition-oriented corporation focused on opportunities in two sectors, aerospace, aviation services and equipment, and manufacturing. The business plan of the corporation is to invest in profitable, well-established companies with strong cash flows operating in niche markets.

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Shares of Evertec, Inc. (NYSE:EVTC  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the six analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $39.00.

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $43.00 price target (up from $42.00) on shares of Evertec in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Evertec in a report on Thursday, July 17th. They issued a hold rating and a $35.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Evertec from $35.00 to $34.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on Evertec from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, Susquehanna set a $39.00 target price on Evertec and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th.

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Insider Activity at Evertec

Institutional Trading of Evertec

In related news, Director Ivan Pagan sold 6,852 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.65, for a total transaction of $251,125.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 12,473 shares in the company, valued at approximately $457,135.45. The trade was a 35.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, Director Aldo J. Polak sold 2,243 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.72, for a total value of $80,119.96. Following the sale, the director owned 11,946 shares of the companys stock, valued at $426,711.12. The trade was a 15.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Corporate insiders own 0.63% of the companys stock.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Evertec by 1.0% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,558,374 shares of the business services providers stock worth $164,329,000 after purchasing an additional 46,147 shares in the last quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Evertec by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 3,473,953 shares of the business services providers stock worth $127,737,000 after acquiring an additional 65,793 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Evertec by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,628,404 shares of the business services providers stock worth $56,229,000 after acquiring an additional 32,330 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Evertec by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,476,778 shares of the business services providers stock worth $53,245,000 after acquiring an additional 9,506 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Evertec by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,155,394 shares of the business services providers stock worth $42,484,000 after acquiring an additional 33,832 shares during the last quarter. 96.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Evertec Trading Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:EVTC opened at $36.77 on Monday. Evertec has a 12-month low of $31.11 and a 12-month high of $38.56. The company has a market capitalization of $2.35 billion, a PE ratio of 17.34, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.96. The business has a 50 day moving average of $35.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $35.22. The company has a current ratio of 2.20, a quick ratio of 2.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49.

Evertec (NYSE:EVTC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The business services provider reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.03. Evertec had a return on equity of 36.67% and a net margin of 15.56%. The company had revenue of $229.61 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $222.23 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.83 earnings per share. Evertecs revenue for the quarter was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Evertec will post 2.63 EPS for the current year.

Evertec Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 4th. Evertecs dividend payout ratio is presently 9.43%.

About Evertec

(Get Free Report)

EVERTEC, Inc engages in transaction processing business and financial technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company operates through four segments: Payment Services  Puerto Rico & Caribbean; Latin America Payments and Solutions; Merchant Acquiring; and Business Solutions. It provides merchant acquiring services, which enable point of sales and e-commerce merchants to accept and process electronic methods of payment, such as debit, credit, prepaid, and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.

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Shares of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NOTE  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Buy from the five brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $2.4375.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. D. Boral Capital reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $3.75 price target on shares of FiscalNote in a report on Tuesday. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH initiated coverage on shares of FiscalNote in a report on Thursday, May 1st. They set a buy rating and a $2.50 price target on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of FiscalNote from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, Director Tim Hwang sold 56,155 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.58, for a total value of $32,569.90. Following the transaction, the director owned 2,700,406 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,566,235.48. The trade was a 2.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 138,758 shares of company stock worth $85,834. 40.16% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of FiscalNote by 27.0% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,621 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 6,090 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in shares of FiscalNote by 58.0% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 29,315 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 10,765 shares during the period. Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of FiscalNote by 15.1% during the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 99,341 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 13,055 shares during the period. Mariner LLC lifted its position in shares of FiscalNote by 85.3% during the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 35,662 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 16,418 shares during the period. Finally, Wolverine Trading LLC lifted its position in shares of FiscalNote by 95.1% during the 4th quarter. Wolverine Trading LLC now owns 34,137 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 16,637 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.31% of the companys stock.

FiscalNote Price Performance

NOTE stock opened at $0.52 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $82.75 million, a P/E ratio of -1.63 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The companys 50-day moving average price is $0.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $0.82. FiscalNote has a 12 month low of $0.48 and a 12 month high of $2.03.

FiscalNote (NYSE:NOTE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported ($0.08) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.09) by $0.01. The company had revenue of $23.26 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.83 million. FiscalNote had a negative net margin of 41.79% and a negative return on equity of 60.80%. On average, analysts anticipate that FiscalNote will post -0.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FiscalNote Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

FiscalNote Holdings, Inc operates as technology company North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. It combines artificial intelligence technology, machine learning, and other technologies with analytics, workflow tools, and expert research. The company also delivers that intelligence through its suite of public policy and issues management products, as well as powerful tools to manage workflows, advocacy campaigns, and constituent relationships.

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The Chemours Company (NYSE:CC  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $17.3750.

CC has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Chemours from $22.00 to $15.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Chemours from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Chemours from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Chemours from $16.00 to $13.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Chemours from $13.00 to $16.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Chemours

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other Chemours news, CEO Denise Dignam purchased 4,068 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 8th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $12.06 per share, for a total transaction of $49,060.08. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 191,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,310,044.76. This represents a 2.17% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, insider Damian Gumpel acquired 7,822 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $9.95 per share, for a total transaction of $77,828.90. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider directly owned 131,701 shares in the company, valued at $1,310,424.95. The trade was a 6.31% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have acquired 29,740 shares of company stock worth $300,633. Insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Chemours during the 1st quarter worth about $822,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Chemours by 116.3% in the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 742,119 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $10,041,000 after buying an additional 399,097 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in Chemours by 22.4% in the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 31,886 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $431,000 after buying an additional 5,843 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Chemours by 1,115.2% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 18,617 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $252,000 after buying an additional 17,085 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. grew its stake in Chemours by 8.7% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 38,554 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $522,000 after buying an additional 3,081 shares during the last quarter. 76.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Chemours Trading Down 3.2%

Shares of NYSE CC opened at $14.59 on Monday. The companys fifty day moving average is $12.57 and its 200-day moving average is $13.10. The stock has a market cap of $2.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.21 and a beta of 1.61. Chemours has a twelve month low of $9.13 and a twelve month high of $22.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.16.

Chemours (NYSE:CC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $1.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.57 billion. Chemours had a negative net margin of 7.19% and a positive return on equity of 35.14%. The firms revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.38 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Chemours will post 2.03 EPS for the current year.

Chemours Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a $0.0875 dividend. This represents a $0.35 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Chemourss payout ratio is presently -12.50%.

About Chemours

(Get Free Report)

The Chemours Company provides performance chemicals in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. It operates through three segments: Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Advanced Performance Materials. The Titanium Technologies segment provides TiO2 pigment under the Ti-Pure brand for delivering whiteness, brightness, opacity, durability, efficiency, and protection in various of applications, such as architectural and industrial coatings, flexible and rigid plastic packaging, polyvinylchloride, laminate papers used for furniture and building materials, coated paper, and coated paperboard used for packaging.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D trimmed its position in shares of CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS  Free Report) by 8.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 423,143 shares of the pharmacy operators stock after selling 39,567 shares during the quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in CVS Health were worth $28,668,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in CVS Health by 20.1% during the first quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 3,421,519 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $231,808,000 after buying an additional 572,533 shares during the period. Leigh Baldwin & CO. LLC boosted its stake in CVS Health by 4.9% during the first quarter. Leigh Baldwin & CO. LLC now owns 6,548 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $444,000 after buying an additional 308 shares during the period. Aberdeen Group plc boosted its stake in CVS Health by 52.4% during the first quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 1,143,478 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $77,288,000 after buying an additional 393,367 shares during the period. Horizon Investments LLC boosted its stake in CVS Health by 43.1% during the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 51,846 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $3,477,000 after buying an additional 15,619 shares during the period. Finally, KLCM Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in CVS Health during the first quarter worth $218,000. 80.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CVS. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of CVS Health from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 30th. Robert W. Baird raised shares of CVS Health from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the company from $71.00 to $82.00 in a research note on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of CVS Health from $74.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Baird R W raised shares of CVS Health from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of CVS Health from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $75.68.

CVS Health Stock Up 2.7%

NYSE:CVS opened at $68.56 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $86.96 billion, a PE ratio of 19.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The company has a 50-day moving average of $64.96 and a 200 day moving average of $64.62. CVS Health Corporation has a 1-year low of $43.56 and a 1-year high of $72.51.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The pharmacy operator reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.35. The business had revenue of $98.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.87 billion. CVS Health had a net margin of 1.17% and a return on equity of 10.51%. The firms revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.83 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that CVS Health Corporation will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CVS Health Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 22nd were issued a $0.665 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 22nd. This represents a $2.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.9%. CVS Healths payout ratio is currently 74.30%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Guy P. Sansone bought 1,570 shares of CVS Health stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $63.70 per share, for a total transaction of $100,009.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 12,007 shares of the companys stock, valued at $764,845.90. This trade represents a 15.04% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.22% of the companys stock.

About CVS Health

(Free Report)

CVS Health Corporation provides health solutions in the United States. It operates through Health Care Benefits, Health Services, and Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segments. The Health Care Benefits segment offers traditional, voluntary, and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services.

Further Reading

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Elevatus Welath Management purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 1,539 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $204,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors LP purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at about $227,000. Roanoke Asset Management Corp NY increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Roanoke Asset Management Corp NY now owns 53,767 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $7,132,000 after purchasing an additional 927 shares in the last quarter. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 62.5% in the 1st quarter. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 21,413 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,840,000 after purchasing an additional 8,232 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 92.9% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,258,863 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $166,988,000 after purchasing an additional 606,207 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ethic Inc. increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 16.0% in the 1st quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 218,423 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $28,764,000 after purchasing an additional 30,147 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories

In related news, CFO Philip P. Boudreau sold 5,550 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.55, for a total value of $746,752.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 51,003 shares in the company, valued at $6,862,453.65. This trade represents a 9.81% 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 link. Company insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

NYSE:ABT opened at $131.66 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $229.15 billion, a PE ratio of 16.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.70. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $131.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $131.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.82 and a quick ratio of 1.30. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $110.33 and a 12 month high of $141.23.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.26. The company 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 quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were paid a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 15th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is 29.57%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ABT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $143.00 to $145.00 in a report on Friday, July 18th. Raymond James Financial lowered their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $141.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 18th. William Blair upgraded Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Leerink Partners initiated coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Monday, June 16th. They set a market perform rating and a $143.00 target price on the stock. 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $144.47.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Abbott Laboratories

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 3.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,303 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 299 shares during the quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADVs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $1,544,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 55.6% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 17,306,108 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,872,814,000 after buying an additional 6,180,445 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 67.0% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,365,404 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,047,065,000 after acquiring an additional 4,158,772 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the first quarter valued at approximately $482,676,000. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 36.8% in the first quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 9,509,032 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,578,499,000 after purchasing an additional 2,559,512 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sarasin & Partners LLP acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter worth $362,773,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance

Shares of NYSE TSM opened at $238.97 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $230.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $197.90. The company has a market cap of $1.24 trillion, a PE ratio of 27.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.19. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a twelve month low of $134.25 and a twelve month high of $248.28.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The semiconductor company reported $2.47 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.13 by $0.34. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 32.87% and a net margin of 42.91%. The business had revenue of $30.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.48 EPS. The firms revenue was up 44.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Barclays restated an overweight rating and set a $240.00 target price (up from $215.00) on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $270.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $258.33.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

Further Reading

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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP)  President Donald Trump failed to secure an agreement from Vladimir Putin on Friday to end Russias war in Ukraine, falling short in his most significant move yet to stop the bloodshed, even after rolling out the red carpet for the man who started it.

Theres no deal until theres a deal, the U.S. president said, after Putin claimed they had hammered out an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress. Trump said he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders to brief them on the talks.

Trump, who for years has balked at American support for Ukraine and expressed admiration for Putin, had pledged confidently to bring about an end to the war on his first day back in the White House. Seven months later, after berating Zelenskyy in the Oval Office and stanching the flow of some U.S. military assistance to Kyiv, Trump could not bring Putin even to pause the fighting, as his forces make gains on the battlefield.

The U.S. president had offered Putin both a carrot and a stick, issuing threats of punishing economic sanctions on Russia while also extending a warm welcome at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, but he appeared to walk away without any concrete progress on ending the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

Instead, he handed Putin long-sought recognition on the international stage, after years of Western efforts to make him a pariah over the war and his crackdown on dissent, and forestalled the threat of additional U.S. sanctions.

In a sign that the conversations did not yield Trumps preferred result, the two leaders ended what was supposed to be a joint news conference without taking questions from reporters.

During a subsequent interview with Fox News Channel before leaving Alaska, Trump insisted that the onus going forward might be somehow on Zelenskyy to get it done, but said there would also be some involvement from European nations. That was notable since Zelenskyy was excluded from Trump and Putin's meeting.

The U.S. president had wanted to show off his deal-making skills, while Putin wanted to negotiate a deal that would cement Russias gains, block Kyivs bid to join the NATO military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscows orbit.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said while standing next to Putin. And there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

He continued: We didnt get there.

Putin says Trump shows understanding that Russia has its own interests

For Putin, just being on U.S. soil for the first time in more than a decade was validation after his ostracization following his invasion of Ukraine.

His meeting with Trump may stall the economic sanctions that the U.S. president had promised unless Moscow worked harder to bring the fighting to a close. It also may simply lead to more meetings, giving his forces more time to make progress on the battlefield.

Putin said Russia and the United States should turn the page and go back to cooperation.

He praised Trump as someone who has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and sincerely cares about the prosperity of his country, and at the same time shows understanding that Russia has its own national interests.

I expect that todays agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also mark the beginning of the restoration of businesslike, pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S., Putin said.

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Despite not reaching any major breakthrough, Trump ended his remarks by thanking Putin and saying, we'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.

When Putin smiled and offered, next time in Moscow, Trump said thats an interesting one and said he might face criticism but I could see it possibly happening.

During the interview with Fox News, Trump bragged that Putin echoed many of the U.S. presidents long-standing grievances, including about the 2020 election. This suggests that Putin, a former KGB officer, may have left Trump with the impression that hed notched a big win even as he left empty handed.

When Trump and Putin arrived in Alaska, they had greeted each other with a warm handshake, chatting almost like old friends, and gripped hands for an extended period on a red carpet rolled out at the military base. As they chatted, Putin grinned and pointed skyward, where B-2s and F-22s  military aircraft designed to oppose Russia during the Cold War  flew overhead. The two then shared the U.S. presidential limo for a short ride to their meeting site, with Putin offering a broad smile as they rolled past the cameras.

It was the kind of reception typically reserved for close U.S. allies and belied the bloodshed and suffering in the war Putin started in Ukraine. Although not altogether surprising considering their longtime friendly relationship, such outward friendliness likely raised concerns from Zelenskyy and European leaders, who fear that Trump is primarily focusing on furthering U.S. interests and not pressing hard enough for Ukraines.

Not a one-on-one meeting

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said shortly before Air Force One touched down that the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin would be a three-on-three discussion including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin was joined by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.

The change seemed to indicate that the White House was taking a more guarded approach than it did during a 2018 meeting in Helsinki, where Trump and Putin met privately with their interpreters and Trump then shocked the world by siding with the Russian leader over U.S. intelligence officials on whether Russia meddled in the 2016 campaign.

Zelenskyys exclusion was also a heavy blow to the Wests policy of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.

War still raging

Russia and Ukraine remain far apart in their demands for peace. Putin has long resisted any temporary ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies and a freeze on Ukraines mobilization efforts, which are conditions rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies.

The meeting comes as the war has caused heavy losses on both sides and drained resources. Ukraine has held on far longer than some initially expected since the February 2022 invasion, but it is straining to hold off Russias much larger army, grappling with bombardments of its cities and fighting for every inch on the over 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line.

Alaska is separated from Russia at its closest point by just 3 miles (less than 5 kilometers) and the international date line.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was crucial to countering the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It continues to play a role today, as planes from the base still intercept Russian aircraft that regularly fly into U.S. airspace.

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Jonathan J. Cooper in Washington, Elise Morton in London and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Buy from the four brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $258.3333.

Several analysts recently issued reports on TSM shares. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and set a $270.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Barclays reissued an overweight rating and set a $240.00 target price (up previously from $215.00) on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Institutional Trading of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Down 0.8%

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sanders Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 41,877,457 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $8,270,379,000 after purchasing an additional 231,310 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 35,602,400 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $7,031,632,000 after acquiring an additional 294,316 shares during the period. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 22,210,222 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $4,391,957,000 after acquiring an additional 1,683,256 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 55.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 17,306,108 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,872,814,000 after acquiring an additional 6,180,445 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,805,720 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $3,353,348,000 after buying an additional 115,158 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

NYSE TSM opened at $238.97 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $230.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $197.90. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has a 52 week low of $134.25 and a 52 week high of $248.28. The company has a market capitalization of $1.24 trillion, a P/E ratio of 27.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.19.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The semiconductor company reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.34. The firm had revenue of $30.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.50 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 32.87% and a net margin of 42.91%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 44.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.48 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year.

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Get Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

Featured Articles

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It's a good sign that "the community" is not only interested in getting healthy food to locals BUT ALSO seems unafraid to acknowledge the depths of the challenges confronting local retail.

More importantly . . .

CREDIT TO KIKI CURLS FOR THE QUOTE OF THE WEEK ON THE REALITY OF THE KANSAS CITY'S FAILED PROSPECT SUN FRESH!!!

We share the top photo from the not-so-long ago doomed grand opening AND a highlighted quote for even more context . . .

The Urban Summit Prospect Corridor Public Safety Task Force held a virtual meeting Friday morning to decide on the next steps to ensure food access in the East Side community.



The city of Kansas City owns the building while Community Builders of Kansas City operated the store . . .



The CEO of Community Builders of Kansas City and Kansas City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson were on the call Friday morning.



"When you have open prostitution, open drug use, open drug sales, when you have folks who pull down their pants and defecate in front of the door when people are coming in and outside of the store, people then do not come back, " said Kiki Curls, a board member of Community Builders of Kansas City.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Urban Summit holds emergency meeting over Sun Fresh closure Community leaders convened for an emergency meeting to discuss the sudden closure of the Sun Fresh grocery store at 31st and Prospect.
Multiple government documents detailing President Donald Trumps recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin were reportedly discovered abandoned in a public printer.

Eight papers appearing to be from the State Department were left at the printer in the Hotel Captain Cook, which is near the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, where Trump and Putin held their summit on Friday, according to NPR.

Some of the documents reportedly contained sensitive information, including names and phone numbers of three U.S. government employees. The precise locations and meeting times of the Aug. 15 summit were also accidentally breached, including the specific names of the rooms inside the base in Anchorage where they would take place.

Other discovered documents photographed by the outlet displayed less delicate information, including details about a canceled lunch between the two leaders that provided a seating chart for the meal.

The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

NO DEAL UNTIL THERES A DEAL: TRUMP SUMS UP PUTIN MEETING IN SURPRISINGLY BRIEF PRESS CONFERENCE

The weekend summit consisted of an hourslong cordial encounter between Trump and Putin that appeared to generate some momentum for ending the war. European leaders largely hailed it as a key step in peace talks, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to meet with Trump on Monday, marking the next stage in negotiations to end the war, which is hitting the 3.5-year mark.

I think the meeting was a 10, Trump said Friday evening. In the sense we got along great, and its good when two big powers get along, especially when theyre nuclear powers. Were No. 1 and theyre No. 2 in the world.
Thankfully . . . The sticker that was slightly toasted will survive with a lot of care and rehab help.

Behind the scenes . . . This is a Friday story served to everyone on both sides with a bit of a snicker.

Check-it . . .

Party leaders said three distinct burn marks remain on the sidewalk outside the office, and a welcome mat was destroyed. A sticker on a window was also singed.



All in all, much worse could have happened, said Kansas Republican Party Chair Danedri Herbert. Were grateful that there was no one there and that there was really no damage.



Herbert said the damage appeared intentional, calling the offices location too hidden to be found by accident.



She described the incident as an act of political terrorism designed to either intimidate Republicans or create fear.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Johnson County GOP says attempted arson targeted headquarters in Overland Park The Johnson County Republican Party says its headquarters in Overland Park was targeted in an attempted arson.

Possible arson outside Johnson County GOP Headquarters under investigation A spokesperson for the fire department said firefighters found the fire outside on the doorstep of the building.

Kansas Prog bloggers are quick to mostly dismiss the claims . . .

Fire outside Johnson County GOP headquarters prompts condemnation of political liberals An overnight fire outside the Johnson County Republican Party headquarters is being investigated as a possible arson. No one was injured.

Developing . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. Under the patronage of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, together with the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, is organizing the 33rd high-level meeting, Trend reports citing Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

It is noted that the meeting "Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Europe: Cooperation for Common Development" will be held in Tashkent on August 18-20.

The meeting will be the first event organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in Central Asia. It will bring together former heads of state and government from more than 20 countries, influential leaders, representatives of international organizations, as well as Uzbek officials.

As the world enters an era of transformation characterized by new technological frontiers, environmental challenges and shifting geopolitical alliances, there is a growing need for global platforms that facilitate dialogue and partnership. In this regard, the meeting will broadly discuss such topics as the role of the Middle Corridor in strengthening ties between Central Asia and the European Union, the challenges posed by climate change and new opportunities for trans-regional cooperation, the transformation of artificial intelligence into a key factor in future regional development, the results of reforms carried out in modern Uzbekistan and strategic directions for the country's future development, as well as the geopolitical role of Central Asia in a changing world.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Your Excellency,

I have the honour to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the recent agreement reached between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia. The courage to prioritize peace over discord is commendable and highly demonstrates your dedication to the prosperity and stability of the region. This significant milestone not only marks a pivotal step toward normalizing relations but also holds the promise of a more stable and harmonious region, paving the way for peace in the world.

Your commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, despite the challenges, is a testament to your remarkable leadership. This agreement not only brings hope to the citizens of both nations but also sets a positive example for conflict resolution on the global stage.

This agreement is likely lead to fruitful cooperation in addressing important issues that affect the well-being of the citizens of Azerbaijan and Armenia. I believe that strengthening partnerships with the World Health Organization (WHO) can enhance Azerbaijan's leadership role in global health. Collaborative efforts focusing on shared health challenges such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and noncommunicable diseases can yield positive outcomes not only for Azerbaijan but also for the broader international community.

Once again, I extend my congratulations on this remarkable achievement. I wish you continued success as you navigate the path toward peace and stability, and I look forward to closely working with you in the pursuit of improving global health.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has expressed condolences due to floods in Pakistan, the X publication of the ministry said, Trend reports.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and devastation caused by the floods in the northern part of Pakistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Azerbaijan stands in solidarity with the brotherly people and government of Pakistan in this difficult time," the publication emphasized.

To note, heavy rains have caused widespread destruction in northwest Pakistan, with the mortality rate from inundation and geomorphological failures escalating to a minimum of 220.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on conferring higher military ranks on military personnel of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

According to the decree, the following military personnel of the State Border Service were conferred with higher military ranks:

higher military rank of "lieutenant general"

major general Babek Gurbanov

higher military rank of "major general"

colonel Jeyhun Nabiyev

colonel Azer Shirinov.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on conferring higher military ranks on military personnel of the State Border Service, Trend reports.

According to the decree, the military operatives of the service were recognized for their exemplary performance in safeguarding the sovereignty of the Azerbaijani state boundary, maintaining its territorial cohesion, and executing the mandates delegated to the border enforcement entities.

The full list of the awarded personnel can be found here.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. Peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia had been embroiled in a protracted conflict for 30 years, even before the two countries gained independence, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK Elin Suleymanov said in an interview with Times Radio, dedicated to the historic meeting of August 8 in Washington, Trend reports.

"True, the active phase ended in 1994, followed by the war of 2020 and the special operation of 2023, but namely these decades shaped our perception of each other. Today, we have a real opportunity to leave the past behind, move beyond the conflict and finally become the neighbors and partners we should have been from the very beginning. I think this is extremely important.

Personally, as a diplomat, I was involved in this confrontation. I worked as part of the UN Refugee Committee, and I saw the fate of displaced persons. While in Azerbaijan, I talked to children born in exile. Today, I'm sincerely glad that they are returning home, and that peace awaits us ahead," the ambassador emphasized.

According to him, US President Donald Trump plays a special role in this process.

"There are two key factors here. First, Azerbaijan, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, managed to liberate the occupied territories, which became a turning point in resolving the conflict. Second, given the political mood in the world, it was important to have such an experienced peacemaker and negotiator as Trump. His personal participation became the crucial element. Thanks to him, the process received the necessary impetus," Suleymanov also said.

Commenting on Russia's role in resolving the conflict between Baku and Yerevan, its 'exclusion' from the process, as well as the trilateral statement, the diplomat noted that the statement was only temporary.

"The negotiations on the peace agreement, which hasn't yet been signed, were conducted directly between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The US didn't participate in drafting the text of the treaty. However, it was President Trump who invited the leaders to the White House and was present at the signing of the joint declaration. No one was excluded from the process.

Moreover, the results of the meeting in Washington are beneficial for Russia itself. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted in an interview with American television that Moscow is receiving direct rail links with Armenia and Iran for the first time. All these are generally positive changes.

Trump simply showed special initiative and personal interest, but if we put aside the ideological framework, is it not advantageous for Russia when there is no war nearby, when the economy is developing, when Azerbaijan and Armenia live in peace and there is no threat to security in the region?" Suleymanov explained.

Speaking about the final steps necessary for signing the peace treaty, the diplomat added that the only obstacle remains the Armenian constitution, which needs to be amended accordingly.

"The fact is obvious: the text of the agreement and the provisions of the Armenian constitution contradict each other. We expect that the Armenian neighbors will eliminate this contradiction, and as soon as there are no territorial claims against Azerbaijan left in their constitution, the peace treaty will be signed. Both sides are ready to move forward, and this is the second key factor for success," the ambassador concluded.

On August 8, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of the United States Donald Trump, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint declaration on the meeting between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia in Washington.

On the same day, Donald Trump announced the suspension of Section 907.

Besides, in Washington, as part of the meeting between President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of the US Donald Trump, and Prime Nikol Pashinyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan initialled the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and signed a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (on the closure of the OSCE Minsk Process, the personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the conflict discussed by the Minsk Conference, and the High-Level Planning Group).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. Current issues of partnership relations, including cooperation in the political, economic, energy, transport and humanitarian spheres, between Azerbaijan and Ukraine were discussed during a phone talk of the foreign ministers Jeyhun Bayramov and Andrii Sybiha today, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend.

Sybiha conveyed his congratulations on the agreements reached between Azerbaijan and the US during the visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the US, as well as on the achievements in the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process.

The parties noted that the work of the Government Commission on Economic Cooperation between tAzerbaijan and Ukraine is of great importance for the development of cooperation.

The Ukrainian minister thanked the Azerbaijani side for the humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine, including support in the areas of recovery and reconstruction in the areas affected by the conflict.

Sybiha also briefed on the negotiation process surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During the talk, other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.

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Photo: State Committee for Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. A cultural event titled "National Dance of Azerbaijan" was held in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, organized by the "Wakayama International Exchange Center", the State Committee on Work with Diaspora said in a statement, Trend reports.

Locals and foreigners living in the city got acquainted with Azerbaijani culture at the event.

In the first part of the three-part event, guest speaker Minara Shukurova presented information about Azerbaijani national costumes, music and dance art to the participants with visual materials.

This presentation, which covered a number of elements of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, was met with interest by the participants.

In the second part, dance expert Lala Aslanur, head of the "Dance with Me" project, who joined the event online from Baku, held a seminar on the "Mountains of Shusha" and "Yalli" dances. She spoke about the history, meaning and performance styles of these dances and answered the questions of the participants.

In the event's third part, Minara Shukurova made a presentation about Azerbaijani tea culture.

The participants tasted Azerbaijani tea and took pictures in the Azerbaijani national costumes.

This event, which combines various aspects of Azerbaijani culture, sparked great interest among the participants and contributed to the development of intercultural relations.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski, and the Director of the Directorate for Technological-Industrial Development Zones, Goce Dimoski, held a thematic press conference, Trend reports.

They discussed the latest report by the Financial Times  fDi Intelligence, which ranks North Macedonia among the top countries in Europe and sixth in the world for greenfield investment relative to GDP.

Today we share results that are visible and unequivocal. According to the latest report by Financial Times  fDi Intelligence, our country is among the top in Europe and sixth in the world in terms of greenfield investment relative to GDP. We are proving that a small country can achieve great results, emphasized Minister Mucunski.

He explained that greenfield investments refer to new factories, capacities, and new jobs, adding that this index shows that the country attracts more new capital than expected for its economic weight  meaning that the results achieved in foreign investments exceed what is typical for our category. This is a message to investors and citizens: it is worth investing, building, and staying here.

This is a clear signal that the energy transition and industrial growth are in the implementation phase  not just a plan or a slogan. And lets be clear: this recognition is not accidental. We are building predictability. We are a credible NATO member. We connect with European corridors. We send the message that our country is a reliable and dignified partner, added Minister Mucunski.

At the press conference, he also highlighted that citizens expect an honest state and clear rules, better-paid jobs, and lower costs. In that direction, he emphasized that the goal is not yet achieved and that the Government is accelerating its efforts:

Today we do not say the goal is achieved. Today we accelerate the pace. We simplify procedures, shorten deadlines, connect domestic companies with foreign investors, invest in skills for young people. And most importantly  we are creating a system where no one is above the law, because trust is our strongest currency for growth, concluded Minister Mucunski.

Director Dimoski stated before the media that todays success represents recognition for the strategy, approach, and policies implemented by the Government in attracting foreign direct investment, where the key priorities are economic growth, creating new jobs, and attracting investments with high added value for the Macedonian economy.

After just one year of dedicated and hard work, we are witnessing that, according to the latest report prepared for ten years by fDi Intelligence, a special research division of the Financial Times, North Macedonia is ranked sixth in the world for attracting foreign investments relative to gross domestic product, emphasized Dimoski.

He stressed that the ultimate goal is a structural change in the way investments are attracted  focusing on quality and added value, rather than quantity and project volume  which is the essential difference that sets our country apart from many other economies in the past, as well as currently in the region.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska  President Donald Trump has concluded three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin without a peace deal to end his three-year war with Ukraine.

"I will say that I believe we had a very productive meeting," Trump told reporters on Friday in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. "There were many, many points that we agreed on, most of them, I would say, a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there, but we've made some headway."

Previewing phone calls he would be shortly making to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his NATO counterparts, Trump added "there's "no deal until there's a deal" before complaining about the "Russia hoax," allegations that Putin tried to help his 2016 campaign, that dampened their relationship.

Putin opened what was supposed to be a Trump-Putin press conference, the first joint press conference between a U.S. and Russian president since their first and last standalone summit in Helsinki in 2018, against a summit banner stating, "Pursuing Peace," telling reporters a deal had been made. But the pair departed their respective podiums without answering questions about its details.

The White House started lowering expectations last weekend after Friday's summit with Putin, the first in-person meeting of the two men during Trump's second administration, and after it became apparent that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff did not accurately convey Putins demands for a ceasefire with Ukraine, making the possibility of peace even more tenuous.

Friday's summit was categorized by constant change. First, Trump's scheduled one-on-one meeting with Putin was expanded to become a three-on-three sit down between the presidents, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Witkoff, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Russia foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, easing concerns of critics who have raised questions regarding whether Trump should be alone in a room with Putin.

Then that group of six was expected to be expanded again for a larger lunch, but it is unknown whether that event, which was anticipated to include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, took place.

The schedule changes came after Trump and his aides sent mixed messages related to their expectations for Friday's summit, six months into Trump's second administration, following Trump's campaign promise to end the war on day one.

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When Friday's summit was announced last week, Trump and the White House sought to downplay expectations, including describing it as a "listening session" for setting the table for future meetings between Putin, Zelensky, and Trump, if the latter's presence is requested.

Simultaneously, Trump had threatened Putin with very severe consequences should it become evident he does not intend to pursue peace, with Trump telling Fox News aboard Air Force One en route to Anchorage that he would not be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire.

"We're going to have another meeting if things work out, which will be very soon, he said. Or we're not going to have any more meetings at all  maybe ever."

Friday's summit started cordially enough with Trump welcoming Putin with a clap before the two men shook hands for an extended period of time and walked together down a red carpet rolled out from their respective planes. Trump and Putin later posed for photographs on an "Alaska 2025" podium and B-2s, F-22s, and F-35s flew overhead.

Will you stop killing civilians?" one reporter asked.

Putin tapped his ear and shrugged in response, indicating he either could not hear or did not understand.

Trump and Putin then stepped into the U.S. presidential limousine known as the Beast for the summit site with only a driver and a U.S. Secret Service agent, even though Putins own car was on the tarmac, a stand-in for a one-on-one meeting.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. Music Latvia, Music Estonia, and the Lithuanian Music Business Association will present the first-ever Baltic Focus program at Ireland Music Week (IMW) this October, Trend reports.

The program will feature three Baltic artists  mariin k. from Estonia, Plie from Lithuania, and Vultura from Latvia  along with a delegation of more than 20 music industry professionals from across the region.

Baltic Focus at Ireland Music Week will highlight the diversity of the Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian music markets, showcasing emerging artists during a live performance in Dublin on October 2.

The program will also include panel discussions and networking events for music industry professionals. The initiative aims to connect Baltic talent with the global music industry, provide in-depth insight into each countrys music scene, and strengthen cultural ties between the Baltics and Ireland.

Latvia will be represented by Vultura, an award-winning electronic artist whose acclaimed album Not Your Typical Fairytale blends drumnbass, art pop, and darkwave.

Estonias mariin k. delivers dreamy pop textures and shimmering guitar soundscapes, earning praise for their debut album rose skin. Lithuanias Plie brings a high-intensity fusion of hardcore energy with industrial and avant-garde elements, known for electrifying performances at major European festivals.

We are truly excited to see a dedicated Baltic Focus at this years Ireland Music Week. Its a significant moment for our region and an excellent opportunity to present Baltic artists to the wider world. With the support of the Baltic Culture Fund and the embassies of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia in Ireland, we are proving just how strong our collaboration is and how committed we are to reaching new audiences, said Agnese Cimuska-Rekke, CEO of Music Latvia and Baltic Focus project leader.

We are thrilled to welcome artists and industry professionals from Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania to Ireland Music Week 2025. We look forward to introducing them to an international audience and creating new collaboration opportunities with Irish musicians. We also hope to connect with Baltic music fans living in Ireland and give them a taste of the exciting talent emerging from the region, Angela Dorgan, Director of Ireland Music Week added.

The Baltic Focus program is jointly organized by Music Latvia, Music Estonia, and the Lithuanian Music Business Association, in partnership with Tallinn Music Week, e-Residency, Riga Music Week, and Whats Next in Music?, with media partners across all three countries. The initiative is supported by the Baltic Culture Fund and the embassies of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia in Ireland.
Turkmenistan moving closer to WTO membership with UNCTAD support (Exclusive)

Photo: UNCTAD official website

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is assisting Turkmenistan in this effort. The ultimate goal is to establish a modern, globally aligned trade policy that will help Turkmen businesses compete internationally and foster stronger economic growth.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 16. Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Makhkamov, held a meeting with Zhang Xiaoyuan, Deputy General Director of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), Trend reports.

During the talks, the Chinese side provided an update on the current status of road reconstruction projects being implemented by CRBC in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as in the Bukhara and Kashkadarya regions, and presented details on the work completed to date.

The minister called on the company to sort out existing shortcomings, speed up construction and installation works, and wrap up the projects on time.

The two sides also kicked around ideas on the potential for further teamwork in the development of transport and road infrastructure, including rolling out advanced practices and technologies in this arena.

This advancement materializes as Uzbekistan and China persist in fortifying their economic synergies. In the previous fiscal cycle, the dyadic commerce surpassed the $13 billion threshold. The two nations have reiterated their dedication to achieving the $20 billion trade objective established by their leadership, with continuous initiatives aimed at enhancing collaboration across diverse sectors.

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Photo: The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 16. A bilateral meeting was held between Sarvar Nazarov, Director of the Department of Public Procurement Policy of Uzbekistans Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Zhentu Liu, the newly appointed Head of the World Banks Public Procurement Group for Central Asia, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the sides reviewed joint projects implemented through 2025 and identified priority areas for cooperation in shaping initiatives for the current year and 2026.

The parties reached an agreement on the implementation of projects in several key areas, including:

developing a program to provide systematic support for manufacturing enterprises, including small businesses, in public procurement, based on advanced international practices and with the involvement of foreign experts;

conducting expert studies to comprehensively assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the public procurement system;

studying international experience to improve contract management in public procurement, with the preparation of projects to involve international experts.

Great care was taken to whip up skilled professionals in the realm of public procurement. The World Bank expressed readiness to provide technical assistance in establishing a system for training and continuous professional development at the Training Center under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as introducing mechanisms for assessing qualifications through certification.

The discussions also covered a wide range of additional topics, such as strengthening public procurement management and control systems, enhancing monitoring mechanisms, introducing anti-corruption measures and prevention strategies, ensuring the effective implementation of a centralized procurement system, applying artificial intelligence in procurement automation, and advancing green procurement practices.

Following the talks, the sides agreed to develop a clear and structured roadmap for the current and upcoming years and to intensify the practice of regular online consultations.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 16. Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov held talks with Zhechun Miao, General Director of the Chinese company Poly Changa, Trend reports.

In the course of the meeting, stakeholders engaged in a comprehensive dialogue regarding the initiative for the reconstruction of the Kitab-Shakhrisabz-Karshi thoroughfare and reached a consensus on the subsequent action items to expedite its execution.



Moreover, the Chinese enterprise disseminated its specialized knowledge in subterranean engineering and articulated a keen interest in engaging in the initiative for the development of a novel tunnel at the Takhtakoracha Pass.



This advancement materializes as Uzbekistan and China persist in fortifying their economic collaboration. During the preceding fiscal cycle, the dyadic commerce surpassed the $13 billion threshold. Both nations have reiterated their dedication to achieving the $20 billion trade objective established by their leadership, with continuous initiatives aimed at enhancing collaboration across a diverse array of sectors.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. The meeting between Turkmenistans Ambassador to Pakistan Atadjan Mowlamov and Pakistans Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb was more than a routine diplomatic contact; it signaled a transition of the TAPI project to an active implementation phase. The agenda covered not only general bilateral cooperation but also concrete steps to accelerate construction and resolve key financial issues, without which the project cannot reach its final stage.

The timing of this meeting is particularly significant as Pakistan currently faces a growing demand for stable gas supplies. Population growth and industrial expansion have put pressure on the energy system, while LNG price fluctuations and import interruptions make long-term pipeline contracts a strategic priority. Turkmenistan, in turn, is focused on diversifying export routes and strengthening its role in South Asia, which is especially important amid shifts in the global gas market.

The TAPI pipeline, stretching from the massive Galkynysh field in Turkmenistan to India via Afghanistan and Pakistan, has the capacity to deliver 33 billion cubic meters of gas annually. The 214-kilometer Turkmen section is already completed, and the Shatlyk-1 gas compressor station is under construction. Work on the Afghan section is proceeding with security considerations, which remain one of the main factors affecting the project timeline.

Discussions in Islamabad also addressed complementary projects along the TAPI corridor: the TAPI 500 kV power transmission line, fiber-optic communications, and transport infrastructure. These elements could transform the pipeline into a multifunctional regional corridor, enhancing integration between Central and South Asia.

The financial dimension was a key focus of the negotiations. Pakistan is considering expanding state support for the project, including incorporating TAPI into the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act, which would reduce risks for lenders. The Islamic Development Bank has already allocated $700 million for the Turkmen section, while the Asian Development Bank and major energy corporations have expressed interest.

Kazakhstan has also shown interest in the project. QazaqGaz is negotiating potential participation in the TAPI pipeline construction. Kazakhstans potential involvement signals a broader regional vision for TAPI beyond its original members. This expansion could transform TAPI from a four-party energy corridor into a wider energy and trade network across Central and South Asia. Such development would not only increase the geopolitical significance of the project but could also enhance its financial stability through diversified funding sources and strengthened collective political commitment.

The Islamabad meeting demonstrates that Turkmenistan and Pakistan are synchronizing their efforts. Ashgabat gains access to a growing South Asian market, while Islamabad secures long-term guarantees of gas supply. In an optimistic scenario, with sustained political will and financing, the pipeline could become operational within the next 3-4 years. Otherwise, prolonged negotiations and security risks could delay implementation by five years or more.

In this context, the current diplomatic engagement appears as an effort by both countries to compress the construction timeline and minimize external delays. TAPI remains not merely an energy project but a key element in a new architecture of cooperation, in which Turkmenistan and Pakistan can serve as crucial links between Central and South Asia.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 16. OJSC Turkmenistan Transport and Logistics Center (TULM), the national railway transportation operator, has successfully carried out the first shipment along the Turkiye-Turkmenistan-Kyrgyzstan route, Trend reports via the company.

The new service operates within the framework of the international transport corridor Europe-Central Asia and represents a further step in expanding large-scale multimodal transportation.

In August, a humanitarian cargo from the United Nations arrived at Turkmenistans Etrek station in Turkish wagons, where it was reloaded onto CIS-standard wagons and forwarded to the Osh railway station in Kyrgyzstan.

TULM, established by presidential decree in July 2018, is tasked with developing Turkmenistans transport and logistics system, boosting transit volumes, and providing efficient logistics solutions for transit and export-import cargo.
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 16. Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Akram Aliev held talks with Michael Bayer, Vice President of CLAAS for Eastern Europe, with the participation of UzCLAAS Agro representatives, Trend reports.

The sides discussed the launch of agricultural machinery production in Uzbekistan, including issues of technical coordination, the development of production infrastructure, and localization measures. Particular attention was paid to cooperation in agricultural engineering and defining the planned production volumes for 2026.

These agreements are set to bolster Uzbekistans industrial might, broaden its technological horizons, and lay the groundwork for a lasting strategic partnership with one of the top players in the agricultural machinery game.

CLAAS, a German company with a global reputation for its advanced agricultural technologies, is best known for its high-performance combine harvesters, tractors, and modern engineering solutions. In Eastern Europe, the company has been actively expanding through localized production and strategic alliances, contributing to the modernization and efficiency of agricultural practices across the region.

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Kazakhstan airs volume of business subsidies and state support for entrepreneurs in 2024

Photo: Kazakhstan's Ministry of National Economy

In 2024, Kazakhstan supported over 17,000 business projects through subsidized loans totaling 1 trillion tenge (approx. $1.8 billion). For 2025, 271.1 billion tenge (approx. $488 million) is allocated for further support. Non-financial aid included over 135,000 consultations. GDP grew by 6.3 percent in JanuaryJuly 2025, driven by strong performance in transport, construction, trade, mining, and manufacturing.

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska  President Donald Trumps self-described high stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin ended as abruptly as it was announced  and without a deal for peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Here are five takeaways from Friday's hourslong summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, the pairs first of Trumps second administration and the first between a United States and Russian president since Putin started his war against Ukraine in 2022.

NO DEAL UNTIL THERES A DEAL: TRUMP SUMS UP PUTIN MEETING IN SURPRISINGLY BRIEF PRESS CONFERENCE

1. Putin leapfrogs Trump in speaking order

Trump permitted Putin to open the press conference that closed the summit, an expected detour from traditional diplomacy.

"I expect that today's agreement will be the starting point, not only for the solution of the Ukrainian nation, but also will help us bring back businesslike and pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S., Putin said.

Russia, too, pipped the U.S. in providing the first read-out of the three-hour meeting between Trump, Putin, their top diplomats, and closest foreign policy advisers, describing the meeting as excellent.

Trump followed Putins remarks but downplayed the prospect of a peace deal, telling reporters he needed to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his NATO counterparts first.

2. Trump laments the Russia hoax

Despite Trump permitting Putin to speak first, he took his opportunity to complain about what he calls the Russia hoax, or allegations that Russia tried to help him win the 2016 election.

We were interfered with by the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax that made it a little bit tougher to deal with, but [Putin] understood it, Trump said. We had to put up with the Russia, Russia, Russia, hoax. [Putin] knew it was a hoax, and I knew it was a hoax. What was done was criminal."

Trump has claimed political redemption after his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, last month declassified documents regarding Russias role in the 2016 election that undermine intelligence accusations that Russia was attempting to help Trump win.

Gabbard released documents indicating that former President Barack Obamas top intelligence officials manufactured intelligence to undercut Trump, which helped launch former special counsel Robert Muellers federal Russia investigation.

3. Trump loops in allies

Trump, who has been an unpredictable ally in the past, appeared to take pains to be more dependable for Ukraine and NATO. He repeated that he did not want to negotiate on Zelenskys behalf and previewed that he would speak with him and his European counterparts after the summit.

There's no deal until there's a deal. I will call up NATO in a little while, Trump said. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting. It's ultimately up to them."

Trumps comments can be compared to his and Vice President JD Vances tense meeting with Zelensky in the White Houses Oval Office in February.

Have you said thank you once? Vance asked Zelensky at the time.

4. Trump flexes military might, rolls out red carpets

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Trump demonstrated his love of pomp and circumstance by rolling out red carpets for Putin, while simultaneously demonstrating the U.S.s military might with an aerial display of B-2s, F-22s, and F-35s as Trump and Putin posed for photographs on a podium set up on the air bases tarmac.

In addition, Trump extended an invitation to Putin to accompany him from their respective planes to the summit site in his presidential limousine, the Beast. The two men were unaccompanied by aides, only a driver and one U.S. Secret Service agent, even though Putin had his own car nearby.

5. Putin wants Trump in Moscow

During their press conference, in which Trump and Putin declined to answer questions, Trump concluded his opening remarks by thanking Putin for coming to Anchorage and saying he would "probably see you again very soon.

"Next time, in Moscow, Putin said.

Trump responded: Oh, that's an interesting one. I don't know, I'll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.

Putins trip to Alaska was his first to the U.S. since 2015. He was visiting a city equidistant between Washington and Moscow in a state once considered part of Russia before the then-Russian Empire sold it to the U.S. in 1868.

Read more from the Washington Examiner on the Trump-Putin meeting:

NO DEAL UNTIL THERES A DEAL: TRUMP SUMS UP PUTIN MEETING IN SURPRISINGLY BRIEF PRESS CONFERENCE TRUMP LOOKS TO APPLY LESSONS FROM HELSINKI IN FACE-TO-FACE WITH PUTIN TRUMP-PUTIN SUMMIT: THE REALITY OF WHERE THINGS STAND ON THE UKRAINE BATTLEFIELD TRUMP THREATENS SEVERE CONSEQUENCES FOR PUTIN: NOT DOING THIS FOR MY HEALTH
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 16. Kazakhstan has welcomed the meeting between the presidents of Russia and the United States in Anchorage as the start of high-level talks on Ukraine, said Ruslan Zheldibay, Advisor to the President and Press Secretary of Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

"President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes this historically significant summit was made possible by the political will of both leaders and their sincere desire to find common approaches to addressing key contemporary issues, including ending the conflict in Ukraine," Zheldibay wrote on his Telegram channel.

The meeting, held on August 15, marked the first face-to-face encounter between the U.S. and Russian presidents in over four years. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held discussions in a '3-on-3' format at the U.S. Air Forces Elmendorf-Richardson Base in Anchorage.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., Trend reports.

"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation," he wrote on his page on X.

Zelenskyy also elaborated on his phone call with President Trump. "We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump."

"Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation.

We support President Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," Zelenskyy added.
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Meet Mahnoor Cheema: Student with higher IQ than Stephen Hawking

Mahnoor Cheema, a British student of Pakistan origin, is trending after she set six world records and registered an IQ higher than Stephen Hawking

Sunday August 17, 2025 0:37 AM , Falak Athar Faizee

Mumbai: Mahnoor Cheema, a British student of Pakistan origin, is trending after she set six world records and registered an IQ higher than Stephen Hawking.

According to Daily Mail, 18-year-old Mahnoor Cheema has an IQ of 161 - one point higher than the famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and achieved a staggering 23 A-levels with grades of A and A*.

Mahnoors achievements include mastering 58 examination subjects with near-perfect distinction - a feat unmatched in secondary education history.

Combined with her earlier GCSE achievements, Mahnoor now holds six global academic records, the highest number ever attained by a secondary school student, according to Geo TV.

Mahanoor attained four new world records through her A-Level performance: completing 24 subjects plus an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) under one exam board; securing 19 A/A grades; achieving 45 cumulative A grades across GCSEs and A-Levels; and passing 58 total subjects with distinction.

The four new world records are in addition to her two prior GCSE records set in 2023 when she earned 34 A* grades at the age of 16.

23 A Levels

Mahnoor, who attended Henrietta Barnett School (HBS) in north-west London, was challenged by staff over her desire to study 31 A Levels. As a compromise she and the school agreed to just 23 - more than seven times the average.

In total Mahnoor studied Psychology, Sociology, Law, Business, Accounting, Economics, Latin, German, Computer Science, Film Studies, Politics, Classical Civilisation, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Media Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Literature, French, Statistics and Accounting.

Following her impressive results, Mahnoor received an unconditional offer to study medicine at the University of Oxford, fulfilling her childhood dream.

Family Background

Born to Lahore natives Barrister Usman Cheema and Tayyaba Cheema, Mahnoor moved to the UK with her parents in 2006 when they pursued higher education at Lincolns Inn and SOAS.

Mahnoor attended Langley Grammar School in West London after private schooling in Lahore, later joining Henrietta Barnett School in central London before switching to homeschooling for her final year.

Mahnoor also holds an AMusTCL diploma in music, equivalent to an undergraduate degree, achieved at 16, along with gold medals in Acting and Public Speaking from LAMDA. She completed her EPQ in just 10 days with a perfect 100% score.

[Falak Athar Faizee is Trainee Writer at ummid.com.]

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No Sugar Coating Can Hide RSS Real Agenda

Surely the agenda of RSS is crystal clear, and has intensified during the last few decades

Saturday August 16, 2025 2:28 PM , Ram Puniyani

As a century year of RSS is beginning on 2nd October 2025, it has planned many programs to celebrate. One of this is a series of three lectures, to begin with in Vigyan Bhavan Delhi on 26, 27 and 28 August. This will be followed by a similar series in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has earlier delivered three lectures in Vigyan Bhavan, Delhi in 2018. The difference this time is that the lectures are being held in four major cities of India. In the third lecture, there will be question and answer session, and many people not belonging to RSS Combine are being invited.

There are twelve categories of invitees. These include the foreign embassy staff, intellectuals and political leaders belonging to other parties. In foreign embassy staff the ones from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Turkiye will be excluded.

As far as political parties are concerned, those from non-BJP parties who are making some noises, akin to what Modi Government is saying, will be particularly invited. This is one of the major initial programs which is being organized. Other programs include Conferences of Hindus etc.

We recall that lot of importance was given to Bhagwats Vigyan Bhavan lectures in 2018, after which some political commentators naively felt that RSS is changing. An insider of RSS commented that RSS is undergoing a process of Glasnost. What happened in due course was the repetition of the same divisive actions which are the core of RSS agenda.

Bhagwat stated very strongly on Hindu Muslim relations and said, A person is not a Hindu if he says Muslims should not live in India. Those involved in mob lynching are against Hindutva.

Did the lynching of Muslims stop after this. No way! It continued as seen in the incidents of Shahrukh Saifi in UP and Lukman in Haryana in 2020. Added to this was the use of bulldozers against Muslims.

Most of the anti-Muslim activities continued as the propaganda against them is the major weapon for RSS combine. As Covid 19 tormented the country, the occasion was used to further demonize Muslims by attributing the whole process to Tablighi Jamaats Conference going on in Delhi. The word like Corona Jihad, Corona bomb was floated. Accompanying this was the boycott of Muslim hawkers, discriminated against in Hindu localities.

Bhagwat stated that one is not a Hindu if he says that Muslims should not stay in India. The huge and painful exercise of NPR was undertaken followed by CAA, which opened the backdoor for citizenship in India to all except the Muslims. This also was responded to by courageous Muslim women by staging the Shaheen Baug Movement .

Tragically, this movement was countered by the likes of Kapil Mishra of BJP, who openly threatened that if police do not evacuate them, Mishra and Company will do it. The Delhi violence which took place after this killed 51 innocent lives, 2/3 of them being Muslims.

In a way RSS Combine under the leadership of Bhagwat is supporting every move which is intensifying the hate against Muslims and also their marginalization. What was the aim of the lectures of 2018? Clearly it was neither glasnost nor the observation that RSS is changing.

RSS is pursuing the path of Hindu Nationalism, plain and simple. It may theoretically disown M.S. Golwalkars, Three internal threats to Hindu Nation - Muslims, Christians and Communists. But, in practice it is pursuing precisely the same path.

The Muslim community over a period of last many decades is feeling intimidated and marginalized. Even Sudheendra Kulkarni, who was loudly declaring that RSS is changing, at the same time could see the plight of Muslims, In the case of communal riots, Muslim property worth thousands of crores of rupees are lost and destroyed, and yet proper FIRs are not registered.

Furthermore, a majority of perpetrators and perpetrators of violence, looting and rape go scot-free. In contrast, Muslims exercising their constitutional right to protest are severely penalized, killed in police firing, mass arrests made and personal recoveries fixed for the losses accrued to public property. Where is the fair play?

As far as Christians are concerned, they are subjected to sub radar level chronic violence, which is low intensity and scattered all over. This has been rising at a painful speed more so during the last over a decade. Every day we have four or five attacks on churches and pastors, and every Sunday it doubles to roughly ten  this we have never seen before said a persecuted Christian leader of a major denomination in 2023.

Also Read: RSS and Muslim Brotherhood have a lot in common

As per him, the main source of Christian persecution in India are the Sangh Parivar, an organization of Hindu extremists that include the influential paramilitary and strategic group known as the RSS (National Volunteer Association), the BJP, the main political party and the Bajrang Dal, a violent youth wing.

As far as communists are concerned, all human rights workers are being labeled as Urban Naxals. Many of them were arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case. And now in Maharashtra a new Peoples Security Bill is being brought in. This legislation empowers the state to monitor, investigate, and act against individuals or organizations suspected of providing intellectual, logistical, or financial support to banned Maoist outfits.

All these policies and street violence are the outcome of what RSS propagates in its Shakhas and affiliated organizations.

So why such lectures as the ones in 2018 and now in 2025?

Surely the agenda of RSS is crystal clear, and has intensified during the last few decades. These lectures are an occasion to sugarcoat the negative outcome of RSS agenda. Since they are operating in a democratic set up, though a formal one, it is necessary to show that their concept of Hindu Nation is compatible with present times.

The comparison with the lecture series of 2018 makes it clear that what RSS articulates through its Chief is not meant for implementation but merely to keep its critics in good humor.

And who knows, with the dissidents of other parties being invited, it may also be the beginning of operation Kamal in some form?

RSS may be aiming at winning over those dissident elements from other parties.

Let's wait and watch.

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The Book You Fear is Mirror You Refuse to Look Into

The main reason why books get banned is the dissent isnt acceptable to the government of the time.

Saturday August 16, 2025 4:56 PM , Raqif Makhdoomi

We have highly educated people in jail for either writing an article or having made a Facebook post which had nothing but all historical facts and political realities. These educated people in jail made me feel bad and also gave me sleepless nights. They had spent years under trial for writing an article. Then my mind told me, Look at the ones who are ruling us. And then the picture became clear, I had to no more spend nights thinking over it.

Six years have passed since the Jammu and Kashmir was stripped off its Special State Status and downgraded to Union Territory. Its being claimed that since the abrogation took place, everything is much better than before.

Is everything really better than before? This can be discussed in a separate article.

But, the question that needs to be answered at this point is why ban books when the separatist ideology has no takers in Kashmir anymore?

The books could have been allowed to be sold, and if theres no one to take the ideology, they would be eaten by dust.

Banning books have not gone well with the people.

Why were the books deemed to be dangerous when the ideology they promote has no takers?

The banning of books has shattered all the claims of the government.

Claiming everything is normal and then banning the books, doesnt fit together properly.

This has sent massage across the people that something in these books is not going well with the government. The books had something, which they dont want the general public to come across.

Their words and actions dont match.

The 25 books declared as Forfeited, includes the book of AG Noorani The Kashmir Dispute - 1947-2012. Noorani was not just a writer. He was also a lawyer, a well known legal mind, fully aware with the definition of Secessionism one of the reasons why the government banned the books.

The order reads that the books are being banned because they promote Culture of Grievance and Victim hood.

Look at the reasons.

The victimhood they dont want to recognize.

They celebrate the verdict of Supreme Court upholding the abrogation of Article 370. But forget the words of Justice Sanjay Kaul who happens to be a Kashmiri Pandit. He in his judgement wrote:

The Valley of Kashmir carries the historical burden and we people of Jammu and Kashmir are the heart of debate.

He further wrote:

Armies are meant to fight battles against enemies Not to control law and order in the state. The entry of army created its own ground realities in the state Men, women and the children have paid a heavy price.

If you doubt my words the verdict of Article 370 is available online and you can read the whole judgment.

Justice Sanjay Kaul recommend the creation of Reconciliation Committee which shall address the concerns from both the sides. But his recommendation has been forgotten the way, people have been made to forget fundamental rights.

The Valley of Kashmir is not the only place where books have been banned. While India was fighting its battle for freedom, the British banned book in 1909 by Mahatma Gandhi, titled Hind Sawraj or Indian Home Rule.

Another book named Hindu Heaven written by Max Wyile was banned in 1934. The novel got banned because it questioned the work of American Missionaries in India.

A long list of books is available on Wikipedia with reasons why they were banned in India or the world. The main reason why books get banned is the dissent isnt acceptable to the government of the time.

The governments have always tried that only their version is circulated and not the other side. But thats not how the democracy functions. We have seen in the past ten years, democracy is what the BJP hates. They somehow want to get rid of this system. The only thing they love about China is its one party system, and not the way its economy functions.

The last option for a powerful man, when he is losing power, he/she resorts to (mis)using his/her power, and thats what history has always seen.

In Kashmir, its clear that the facts with the government are no more enough and now they have resorted to power.

The book ban in Kashmir may or may not be able to do any good. But it has surely made it clear, Things arent what they are claimed to be.

Jammu and Kashmir needs Reconciliation, more than Rehabilitation or Relief.

[The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi is a Law Student and Human Rights Activist. Views are personal.]

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President Donald Trump is urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to strike an elusive ceasefire deal after his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The one-day summit left little to show for Trump as there appeared to be no breakthrough with Russia on a ceasefire deal in the over three-year war.

When asked by Fox News host Sean Hannity on Friday night for his message to Zelensky now that the summit has concluded, Trump responded flatly, "Make a deal."

"Now it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done, Trump said, before adding that Europe needs to "get involved a little bit" as well.

The U.S. president also teased the next steps, which could see a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Putin, and Trump.

Theyre going to set up a meeting now, between President Zelensky and President Putin and myself, I guess, Trump revealed, without going into any specifics about the time and location.

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On Friday evening, both Putin and Trump were mum about what was discussed at the summit at what was slated to be a joint press conference, but where no questions from the press were taken.

Putin said he wants to get the root causes of the conflict addressed, while Trump signaled that no deal was reached.

Still, Trump told Hannity he and Putin "agreed on a lot of points" and praised the meeting as "very warm."

NO DEAL UNTIL THERES A DEAL: TRUMP SUMS UP PUTIN MEETING IN SURPRISINGLY BRIEF PRESS CONFERENCE

He did, however, decline to reveal "one big issue" that the two leaders don't agree on and which could derail the ceasefire negotiations, before underscoring the need for Ukraine to accept a deal if it comes to fruition.

"Ukraine has to agree. President Zelensky has to agree," Trump added.
The Othering of Bengalis

Is this erosion of Bengalis presence in Indias mainstream a mere social accident or the result of a well-calibrated political strategy?

Saturday August 16, 2025 11:29 PM , Bidhayak Das Purkayastha

For generations, countless Bengalis  especially those from Assam, Tripura and the entire Northeast along with Orissa, Bihar, UP, Rajasthan, Delhi, MP  have grown up bearing the weight of labels such as: Unwanted, Foreigners, Bangladeshi, Outsiders, etc. These words have not merely been thrown as casual insults. They have been etched into official narratives, societal mindsets and political discourses. Over time, such stigmatization has inflicted deep psychological scars, eroding a communitys confidence, cultural pride and sense of belonging within their own homeland.

The Partition of 1947 and later the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, unleased demographic, political and cultural upheavals. For Bengalis in India, these events not only reshaped geographical borders but also forged invisible walls of suspicion and prejudice. Entire generations were uprooted  crossing borders with nothing but memories  only to be told that they were guests in their own land. This sense of perpetual displacement has remained an undercurrent in Bengalis identity ever since.

Psychological Impact : A Medical Perspective

From a clinical standpoint, the long-term exposure to stigma and exclusion have led to chronic stress, anxiety disorders, depression and generation trauma. Studies in social psychology shows that children who grow up under sustained socio-political alienation often suffer from impaired self-esteem, weakened civic engagement and a heightened sense of vulnerability.

In many Bengali families of the Northeast, young people learn early to conceal their identity or soften their accent to pass in a non-Bengali environment  an act of linguistic self-erasure driven by fear of discrimination. Over decades, such survival mechanisms morph into a collective psychological withdrawal, slowly robbing the community of its ability to assert itself in public discourse.

The National Mental Health Survey (2016) revealed that states with high linguistic discrimination reported 25 -30 % higher rates of anxiety and depression among minority language groups. While the report does not explicitly name Bengalis, field studies in Assam and North Tripura do.

A Calculated Marginalization?

The question must be asked: Is this erosion of Bengalis presence in Indias mainstream a mere social accident or the result of a well-calibrated political strategy?

Evidence suggests the later.

Across multiple states, electoral politics has thrived on portraying Bengalis  especially those from the border states, as suspect citizens. By weaponizing the refugee narrative and conflating linguistic identity with cross-border migration, political forces have systematically pushed Bengalis away from decision making groups  whether in politics, civil administration, academia or corporate leadership.

This is not simply about representation, it is about influence. By ensuring that Bengalis are underrepresented in policymaking, their collective voice is muted, their grievances diluted and their ability to shape their own socio-political destiny is crippled.

From Daily Life to National Politics: The Exclusion Spectrum

Marginalization operates at multiple levels:

Politics: Few Bengalis from the Northeast or migrant Bengali communities hold significant positions in state or central power structure.

Few Bengalis from the Northeast or migrant Bengali communities hold significant positions in state or central power structure. Bureaucracy: Competitive examinations reveal disproportionately low Bengali representation in IAS, IPS and IFS cadres compared to their population share.

Competitive examinations reveal disproportionately low Bengali representation in IAS, IPS and IFS cadres compared to their population share. Economy: In regions where Bengalis form a substantial workforce, they are often excluded from local economic boards, cooperative societies and business associations.

In regions where Bengalis form a substantial workforce, they are often excluded from local economic boards, cooperative societies and business associations. Culture: Subtle but persistent cultural policy discourages public expression of Bengali heritage  whether in literature, festivals or language use.

A Positive Way Forward: Role of Government and other Linguistic Communities

Healing this fracture requires more than token gestures.

Government Action: Enforce anti-discrimination safeguards to protect linguistic minorities not only in pen and paper but in practice. Enforce a proportional representation of Bengalis in administrative and political roles. Recognize Refugee Histories (including the Bengalis) in school curricula to foster empathy. Civil Society & Other Linguistic Communities: Promote inter-community cultural exchanges that go beyond token celebrations. Dismantle stereotypes by engaging in collaborative media, art and academic projects. Encourage education that normalizes linguistic diversity.

Conclusion: From Alienation to Reclamation

Bengalis in India do not seek privilege  they seek parity. They do not want to dominate  they want to belong. The stigma of being perpetual outsiders has gone on for too long, breeding silent despair and disengagement. Unless India addresses this marginalization head on  through representation, respect, love and recognition, the country risks losing one of its richest cultural streams to the slow death of alienation.

The choice before us is stark: Allow a communitys identity to fade into reluctant assimilation or ensure that it thrives as an integral part of the Indian mosaic. For, when people lose their place in their own homeland, the loss is not just theirs  it is the nations.

[The writer, Bidhayak Das Purkayastha, is a self-employed Engineer from Assam with a deep passion for writing. He authors articles, columns and poems in both English and Bengali, focussing primarily on socio-political issues. Committed to social causes, he actively works for the welfare of suppressed and oppressed communities, using both his professional skills and his writing to advocate for justice and equality.]

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Trump-Putin Alaska Summit ends with positive note

The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska ended without an immediate ceasefire deal in Ukraine but with a positive note

Saturday August 16, 2025 5:43 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

Anchorage (Alaska): The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska ended without an immediate ceasefire deal in Ukraine but with a positive note.

No deal until there is a deal, Trump said while talking to media after meeting his Russian counterpart for over three hours.

On the other hand, Moscow said the meeting was a good beginning and said its war with Ukraine would not have started had Trump been the President in 2022.

"Onus now on Zelensky"

After meeting Putin, Trump said the onus was now on Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to build on the Alaska Summit and secure a deal to end Russia's three-year invasion.

"Now it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done. And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but it's up to President Zelensky," Trump told Fox News after the summit, saying he rated the meeting as ten out of ten.

Ukraine President Zelensky was not part of the Alaska Summit though Trump had held a detailed conversation with him before meeting with Putin.

"Next Round of Talks"

Putin on his part invited Trump to Russian capital Moscow for the next round of talks.

Next time in Moscow, Putin said.

"We hope that the understanding we have reached will pave the way for peace in Ukraine," Putin said.

Trump accepted the unvitation saying, Thats an interesting one. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I can see it possibly happening.

Russia and Ukraine are in a war since February 2022 . Ukraine is supported by its NATO allies in the war whereas China and North Korea are on Russian side.

Earlier, Trump arrived in Anchorage before Putin and greeted Putin on the tarmac rolled out with a red carpet.

Trump shook hand with Putin as he boarded off the plane as B-2 stealth bomber soared directly over the Russian President.

The two leaders then rode in the Beast  U.S. President Limousine, to the meeting venue.

Zelenskyy to visit Washington Monday

As per the latest update, Trump briefed the NATO allies about the discussion he held with Putin in Alaska. Following this, Zelenskyy announced to visit Washington on Monday August 18, 2025.

Zelenskyy described a long and substantive call with Trump on Saturday, thanking him for the invitation and stating they would discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. Zelenskyy's last meeting with Trump in White House was a disaster.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Donald Trump for his efforts, that he said brought "us closer than ever before to ending Russia's illegal war in Ukraine".

French President Macron also hailed "Trump's Peace Efforts" but with a warning.

"We will continue to work closely with President Trump and President Zelenskiy to ensure that our interests are preserved in a spirit of unity and responsibility. France continues to stand resolutely by Ukraine's side", Macron said.

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We are just three weeks away from KDEs annual Akademy conference, time to get going with the preparations.

Emergency and weather warnings

Ill have a talk on Saturday, 18:15 in room 1, about our work on building infrastructure for integrating emergency and weather warnings (abstract).

The server part of this is progressing steadily with performance and scalability issues being addressed, and thanks to contributions from Breezy Weather we recently managed to finally fill the largest remaining coverage gap, China.

Map view with active emergency and weather alerts.

KDEs client side code is keeping up with API changes and data issues we discover, but lacks any real UI integration so far. I hope that we can have a discussion at Akademy on how that can and should look like.

Details about a single alert.

Cell Broadcast

Last year we had a single chance for cell broadcast testing for Plasma Mobile. Thats better than nothing but not really efficient for development. If everything works out we might have a few more tries this year. Thats thanks to dedicated test equipment, so nothing to worry about :)

Travel

Not starting an Akademy day with discussions over breakfast already, not ending the day with some late night hacking in the hotel lobby, and really boring travel will make this a bit of a different Akademy experience for me this time.

Nevertheless, that stay at home event has exposed a few issues with Itinerarys transfer handling, so at least the traditional Akademy-related Itinerary bug fixing remains.

Of course all Akademy (sub-)events are directly importable into Itinerary again by pasting their corresponding website URLs, as you are used to by now. If you still havent booked your train, note the Deutsche Bahn Akademy attendee discount. Its the first time we have this, so Id be interested in feedback from those of you who ended up using this, to see if its worth setting this up for future events as well.

And more

Akademy is not just about by personal rabbit holes of course, theres broader KDE topics Id be interested in discussing as well, such as:

Current limitations with the declarative QML type registration and tooling, such as gadget singletons and the i18n functions.

functions. Improving our own application distribution, including (automated) quality control and lifecycle management, as well as producing proper release binaries rather than using semi-random builds from the stable branch, and having those ready at the time of the release announcement.

KDEs role in collaborations with other organizations, in lobbying work and in hosting common infrastructure, and how broad do we want the KDE umbrella to be in this.

See you at Akademy!

Fingers crossed nobody gets lost due to an Itinerary bug on the way (and no, not realizing that FRA != HHN is not Itinerarys fault), and very much looking forward to seeing many of you in Berlin!
Young woman had just arrived at Italian hospital as part of humanitarian mission.

A severely malnourished young Palestinian woman who was flown from Gaza to Italy a few days ago for medical treatment has died, hospital authorities said on Saturday.

Marah Abu Zuhri, 20, had arrived in Tuscany on Wednesday night as part of Italy's latest evacuation of 31 seriously ill and injured young people from the war-torn Gaza Strip.

She was transferred to Cisanello University Hospital of Pisa, accompanied by her mother, as part of Italy's 14th humanitarian mission to help sick and wounded Palestinians escape the besieged territory where they face starvation and bombing by Israel as well as catastrophic conditions in medical facilities.

The young woman had been suffering from a "very complex/compromised clinical picture" - the hospital said - and died on Friday after experiencing "a sudden respiratory crisis and subsequent cardiac arrest".

Tuscany governor Eugenio Giani offered his condolences to the womans family, stating: "The regional health system and its staff, whom I thank, will always be at the forefront of ensuring maximum support for the people of Gaza."

The latest patients to arrive in Italy from Gaza - all suffering from serious congenital diseases or significant wounds and amputations - were flown to Rome, Pisa and Milan on three special Italian air force flights.

Since January 2024, Italy has evacuated 180 sick children and young people from Gaza, along with their family members, for a total of 580 people.

International humanitarian agencies have warned that there is man-made, mass starvation in Gaza, blaming the crisis on Israel, which controls the entry of all supplies to the enclave.

In recent days Italy joined 25 other countries in signing an urgent appeal to the Israeli authorities to grant unrestricted aid into Gaza.

Last week Italy airdropped 100 tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza as part of a week-long mission coordinated by the Italian defence ministry.
Talks are progressing regarding the future of Mount Melleray Abbey.

The former Cistercian monks of the abbey, who vacated in January, have said that a like-minded community has been identified "who may be able to continue the care of Mount Melleray".

It has been seven months since the decision was made for the monks to leave Melleray due to falling vocations.

Since leaving, the monks have formed a new community in Roscrea, called 'The Abbey of Our Lady of Silence'.

In a statement released by the order, Superior ad nutum of Abbey of Our Lady of Silence, Dom Rufus Pound, said that many people and groups have come forward offering to assume responsibility for the Abbey or to make use of it, or to find new ways for it to serve".

Dom Rufus said that some of the proposals received were not practical, others were less fitting or not yet timely.

A few, however, have been worthy of serious and prayerful consideration, he added.

We have begun discussions with a like-minded community, united in faith and purpose, who may be able to continue the care of Mount Melleray.

If these talks progress well, they will tend this sacred place with devotion, ensuring that its tradition of prayer, welcome, peace, and study remains at the heart of its life.

This is the beginning of what we hope will be a new chapter in the story of Mount Melleray  one that treasures its past while opening to the future in continuity with the values that have shaped it for nearly two centuries.

We remain committed to seeing the Abbey continue as a place of faith, hospitality, and peace, and we look forward to sharing more details in the near future.

40 years since apparitions

Meanwhile, it is 40 years this month since the famous apparitions of the Virgin Mary at the grotto in Mount Melleray.

In 1985, it was also claimed that a statue of Mary had moved at a grotto at Ballinspittle, Co. Cork.

So began a frenzy across the country, with huge crowds gathering at grottos and further claims of moving statues at about 30 locations nationwide.

At Melleray, four locals over a nine-day period claimed to have received apparitions at the grotto.

On Friday, August 16, day one, 17-year-old Ursula ORourke came to the grotto to pray with her family.

As she looked up at the statue of Our Lady, she noticed it moving.

On day two, the afternoon of August 17, several people claimed to have seen the statue move.

The same occurred on August 18, with local farmer Michael Cliffe, his 12-year-old son Tom, Mrs. Breda Lyons, Jim McCarthy and Michael ODonnell all claiming to have had visions.

Michael ODonnell said the statue took the form of a real woman and began walking down the steps.

Tom Cliffe (then 12) and his cousin Barry Buckley (then 11) both claimed to see the Virgin every night over the next five nights.

The boys routinely returned to the grotto during this time, receiving messages and visions.

One of these messages received from the Virgin Mary was, I want the Irish people to spread my message to the world.

Another was: "My message is peace and prayer, tell the people that the water is blessed."

The messages also included warnings. She told the boys that if the world doesn't improve, the devil will take over the church in the coming 10 years.

As word spread of the apparitions, huge crowds began to congregate at the grotto.

On Thursday, August 22, day seven, the road outside Cappoquin was blocked for about two miles from the Grotto.

This night, stewards who were on duty, reported that it was the largest crowd to date, and that some of the crowd were hostile.

On the final day, Tom Cliffe returned once again to the grotto with his parents.

Whilst praying, he reportedly asked the question, Are you the mother of Jesus Christ?

He received the reply, I am.

This was the final message, which was heard at the grotto, and so a momentous nine days at Melleray ended.

To mark 40 years since the infamous apparitions, nine days of masses and prayers are scheduled, starting from August 16 and running until August 24.

Additional information is available at the Melleray Grotto Facebook page.
Breda Power 15th June 1925  8th August 2025

Ta saoi ar lar ar mha na nDeise. There is a wise one gone from the Deise plain. Thats how Bredas Furleigh neighbour and renowned file Bob Weldon, who died 11 years before her birth, began his lament for Patrick Carmody, the local Church of Ireland schoolmaster who wrote down his oral poetry, ensuring its survival. Breda, like her father before her, was a fount of local knowledge and lore. While she knew her history and cherished those long gone, Breda lived in the present devouring both national and local papers. Shed be honoured, as we are, to know that something of what she held dear and how she lived will be shared with the readers of the local newspaper.

Many tourists visiting Mahon Bridge today mightnt know that Crough Coffee was preceded for a long time by the thriving Power Shop where Breda grew up, surrounded by a creamery, mill, blacksmiths forge and home of artic explorer John Palliser.

Situated at the intersection of routes linking Dungarvan to Carrick, Kilrossanty to Fews, Kilmac and further afield, where the flat fertile plain meets the rugged Comeragh Mountains and, as in the rest of the country, two cultures collided: indigenous Gaelic and invader Anglo. Breda was interested in this interaction, and the struggle to keep our culture and language alive.

Padraig Tyers told me that in the late 1950s he interviewed in Irish for Radio Eireann Bridget Weldon, daughter of the poet, who married Mahon Bridge neighbour Jack Harris and by then had a forge in Cregg, beyond Carrick. Sadly, the tapes were reused and the precious conversation lost. Incidentally when, in order to confirm Brigid Weldons name, I got in touch with her granddaughter Bernie Cox, she was in a Ring College class learning Irish. That the highly regarded Gaelic poet Bob Weldons great granddaughter would need to artificially reacquire the native tongue in which he lived, breathed and so captivatingly composed, indicates the extent of the cultural collapse.

Breda was immensely proud of our Henebry relatives who did so much to preserve our language and culture, principally Portlaws An tAth Risteard, UCC professor of Irish, co-founder of Colaiste na Rinne and one of the first to record and analyse traditional Irish music, who died of TB on St. Patricks Day 1916. His nephew, the Jesuit Piaras de Hindeberg, travelling by Vespa or small motorbike, devoted his spare time to visiting Waterford native speakers and recording their lore, on which a dictionary of Waterford Irish, Diolaim Dheiseach, is based. He was known to bring a pigs head or bottle of whiskey as gifts, once seen mid Mass spilling the contents of the chalice outside the door having mistakenly used uisce beatha instead of altar wine!

Thankfully he realised his error before praying over it!

Mahon Bridge Shop where Breda Power grew up and worked.

Indicative of the difficulty of holding on to our language once colonisation had turned the cultural tide, Piaras was taunted as a child by shawl wearing customers in his Portlaw Irish speaking familys huckster shop, "you cant talk English!" to which he replied, "I can. Cabbage!" I had the privilege of anointing Piaras last surviving sibling Brid (whose land in Oldcourt, near Kilmeaden, Bredas son Seamus now rents) and to hear her speak perfect Deise Irish.

Vestiges of our traditional Irish societal structure based on tribes and kingships live on in our sporting loyalty to the Deise, and our focus on the clan: knowing our extended family and web of relations spreading out over a large area. Breda inherited this instinct and took a huge interest in everyone, living or dead. Her father Pat Power was so attentive to local lore that UCC students were sent to him. My mother used to say that he was always talking and telling stories, which is the essence of our cultural tradition: passing on, by word of mouth, handed down accounts of events and tales.

He told my father about maidhm sibeal: before a flood would come, youd hear a terrifying roaring from the mountain; the turf banks, fully saturated, would burst releasing a torrent of pent-up water carrying rocks and stones down the Mahon. Some even called him Mahon.

Auntie Bridie, Bredas mother, one of 15 Hallys from where the Baylough windmills now stand, and who taught in Tybroughney until she got married, was fondly remembered for her warm welcome and the lemonade shed fetch from the shop for visitors children. Bredas aunt, Alice White up the hill in Crough, would instead give eggs, soon to be "cashed in" for sweets with Uncle Pat!

Younger adults may consider homedelivery by the likes of Tesco a new invention, but Breda and Billy (who became a priest) and later James, first with a horse drawn shop then motorised van, travelled every boreen and road in the region, bearing provisions of all sorts, as well as news of who died or had a baby or whatever. They were like accidental social workers, visiting the lonely, linking the isolated, a welcome face at every door.

Breda worked hard, but she was also a fulcrum of community. Making money was only part of the package. There was a bigger picture: knowing and loving everyone.

When Auntie Jo, my step grandaunt, died in the fifties, Breda cycled to Ballydurn and kept vigil all night, until 6am when she headed home for work. Always open to opportunities, Breda jumped at the offer of a day out in Cork when my ailing grandfather Eddie Cunningham engaged her neighbour John Paul Quinn to drive him to a consultant.

The late Breda Power

Breda married Jimmy Power in 1960 and moved to Killowen, Dunhill, happily farming and rearing Seamus, Noelle and Patrick. Ever interested and involved, the day before she died she rose at 7am to tell her granddaughter staying over, "Get up and go to work!"

If Bredas annual Christmas card sign off "from all in Killowen" didnt adequately express her largesse, then the guest list for her 100th birthday party, with six months advance notice in her own handwriting, left no one in any doubt but that she had a huge heart, and that family and friendship meant so much to her.

Lets be honest: most of the people she was closest to for the greater part of her century-long life are no longer here; and she still had a great gathering with those of us who are left.

Dunhill, where she spent almost two thirds of her days and whose ins and outs she knew well enough to stand up at a public lecture and courteously contradict the professional historian, was very well represented by friends and neighbours at the party symbolising how well she integrated into her adopted community. Resplendent in her blue outfit, she sat and chatted to each one, reminiscing on happy times gone by and inquiring after everyone, laughing through it all.

Ta saoi ar lar ar mha na nDeise. There is a wise one gone from the Deise plain. "Keep the 15th of June 2025 free and PG I will be 100 years old  if God spares me!!! Tell the Hassett family to keep the day free." That was the Christmas card invite many of us received, but with the wise proviso Please God and if God spares me. Full of faith, she wasnt getting carried away. Today, we trust shes at the perennial party, regaling and reuniting with those who couldnt make it to Faithlegg Hotel on the fifteenth. Now we celebrate her celestial birthday. Breda, fadsaol, breithla shona is slan go foill.
Joan O'Mahony was laid to rest on Sunday, August 10, after a Requiem Mass at Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butlerstown.

Monsignor Pat Fitzgerald presided over the Requiem Mass. He began proceedings: Were here to celebrate Joans life, to give thanks to God for her unique character and personality, her journey and adventure in life and all she meant to her nearest and dearest and all that she has been in this community as well.

"We gather as a community to say farewell to this woman who was a household name in these parts for many years."

Master with horses

Fr Fitzgerald spoke about how in 1965, Joan, along with her sisters Helen and Bride, set up the Kilotteran Equitation Centre riding school. Fr Fitzgerald said of the sisters: "They made a great success of this venture. But it was Joan's name most identified with it and perhaps appropriately because Joan was, by all accounts, truly a a master with horses."

He continued: "With all the celebrated skills of the horse-whisperer, she had a deep, natural empathy with the animals, enormous respect for them and they seemed to reciprocate."

The Mass heard how Joan's riding school featured 'happily in the lives of many generations of people around here, especially children and young people."

Fr Fitzgerald said: "Riding for the Disabled in Waterford's Special Olympics were particularly welcome guests at the centre."

Joan is sadly missed by her loving sister Bride (Power), brother Neil, brothers-in-law Anthony Deevy and Gene Power, sister-in-law Anne OMahony, nephews John, Mark, Finbarr, Owen, Brian, Connor and Paul, niece Helen-Alice, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends, especially Suzanne and all at Kilotteran Equitation Centre.

On her death notice on rip.ie, donations were welcomed for the charity Riding for the Disabled Ireland (RDAI), which provides therapeutic horse riding and carriage driving for people with physical and intellectual disabilities across Ireland.
A recent article by Fionnan Sheehan in the Independent asked rhetorically How Dublin takes lion's share of multinational jobs.

He went on: The capital takes the lions share of multinationals jobs and gets most FDI attention, as other regions lag behind. Dublin got 2,275 site visits in the past decade. The IDA says 55pc of FDI jobs are in companies outside of Dublin  but this was 60pc a decade ago.

This article followed up on comments by Wexford Fianna Fail TD Malcom Byrne, who suggested on South East Radio that Waterford was getting much more IDA exposure than Wexford. As ever, it would be far better if South East TDs questioned the national allocation of resources rather than flogging the everything is going to Waterford hare.

The reality, according to the SEEM report, is that the South East has 9% of the countrys population and 5% of the FDI jobs. That deficit is obvious in Waterford and across the region.

Deputy Byrne must know that the National Planning Framework, Ireland 2040, supports the growth of Waterford with Cork, Limerick and Galway as potential counterweights to the decades-long runaway growth of Greater Dublin. Successive governments have only paid lip service to the aims of the NPF, and its predecessor, the National Spatial Strategy.

Given the current policy position of US President Donald Trump on pharma and tech, much of this may be moot anyway, but the wider implications of government spending must be kept in mind.

The South East economy grew just 8% since 2019, as opposed to 40% growth in the national economy. That is immediately obvious to anyone who visits Dublin.

The Irish Times can publish articles about the regional centres of Cork, Limerick and Galway and print maps of cycle routes around the coast without showing Waterford city, yet we dont read calls from the paper of record for balanced regional investment here.

Many Dublin-based civil servants and media commentators think Ireland ends at the M50!

Most locals know that comparisons with Dublin and Cork are now beyond risible, but understand that a yawning gap has opened between Waterford and its once peer cities of Limerick and Galway, driven by legacy university-led growth and investment.

Waterford was sold the SETU idea by government. All its south eastern regional TDs promised a game changer. SETU needs to double in size to halt the brain drain as the legacy city universities continue to expand and hoover up student numbers.

The new PPP building on the SETU Cork Road campus stabilises the existing situation after a grotesque 20-year wait for new facilities but transformative investment is needed to grow. There is no sign of that arriving.

UCC is preparing to build a 100 million new business school in Cork city centre. UL is to develop a major city centre campus in Limerick. TCD focuses its energy on property purchases to grow its city centre offer, yet SETU Waterford, going against the national trend, must relinquish its city centre Department of Architecture in Hanover Street and its College Street Humanities campus to Waterford Wexford ETB when the PPP building on the Cork Road is complete.

Does this seem like a recipe for expansion to anyone? One step forward, two steps back?

This column has long backed the idea of pedestrianisation and better presentation as the way forward for a city seeking a better future. A recent column in the Irish Examiner by Colm ORegan, Wonderful Waterford is going places, made pleasant reading.

"I havent spoken to enough Waterford people to understand what Waterford got right. But the few answers I got all said, in local government, there were the right people in the right jobs at the right time with the right attitude to change an Irish city for the better."

Many locals are uncomfortable with such praise as it goes against the conventional wisdom that our council can get nothing right.

That being said, though, the city is changing. Research by the UK NGO Centre for Cities says that where city centres have issues that the problem is not cosmetic but rather economic. Our council has done a huge amount on the cosmetic side and the museums and presentation in the Viking Triangle are second to none.

If Eds and Meds (third-level education and acute medicine) and FDI will drive our future, then SETU and UHW have to get more investment. People will, of course, point to the very welcome North Quays development, the SETU PPP building and the UHW surgical hub as indications of intent. The former is merely bridging a shabby 20-year investment gap and the latter is a Department of Health initiative outside the generality of HSE development.

IDA-led FDI is a work in progress and the unwillingness to fund our small airport in a landscape dominated by Dublins 2.5 billion National Childrens Hospital and a possible 20 billion spend on Metro North speaks to the policy blindness of a Dublin-centric government. Of course Dublin as the capital naturally consumes massive sums for its development, but could we not do better on south eastern regional development and emulate Denmark or other Scandinavians?

Has SETU Waterford a single project at the planning permission stage at present?

The only project with planning in UHW at present is a vertical Out Patients Department to be built over part of the existing hospital. This was described to a February 2022 meeting of Oireachtas members as vital to the development of the hospital.

Planning was granted in July 2022.

A capital submission was reviewed and approved by the HSEs National Capital & Property Steering Committee for the Outpatient Department (OPD) project at University Hospital Waterford in February 2023.

The project is an OPD consisting of 36 consulting rooms, four treatment rooms, four measurement rooms and two virtual consulting rooms. It awaits funding.

Must we wait until the planning permission nearly expires or has to be renewed before we see progress? Or will it be like the Childrens Therapy Hub (part-funded by Touching Hearts) at St Otterans, or the Adult Mental Health Unit at UHW, which are at the HSE appraisal stage since Adam was a boy? Minister Mary Butler must know!
Loading Typically, part-time and full-time employees need to have completed at least 12 months of continuous service with their employer to be eligible for a flexible working arrangement. Casual employees must meet one of the above criteria and have worked with the company regularly for at least 12 months, with a reasonable expectation of continued employment. If youre not in one of these groups, can you still ask for a flexible working arrangement? Yes. I encourage it, says Traicos. We work for a long time and our needs vary throughout our lives. Employers are usually open to considering reasonable flexible work requests and savvy employers will often use these opportunities to retain and develop talent.

When it comes to asking, timing matters If youre going for a job, it is best to have a conversation about your interest in flexible work during the hiring process. Not in an actual interview with your prospective boss, but by asking the HR representative or recruiter youve been liaising with about the role. Loading If youre already part of a company or organisation, established employees performing well in their roles, who understand the organisational culture, are in an advantageous position to make successful requests, Traicos says, though she warns against new starters asking for flexible working arrangements. Recent starters are not well-placed to make successful requests, particularly if it comes as a surprise to their manager.

They need time to settle into their role and understand the organisations nuances. Ive seen tension arise with managers and colleagues by making unrealistic requests too quickly. How should someone request a flexible work arrangement? Before making any requests, be sure to check if your employer offers any flexible work benefits in an enterprise agreement or human resources policies. Traicos says organising a meeting with your leader and following up with a written request is best. When you meet, outline your needs and ideas. Be equipped with solutions to challenges that might arise from your request. Consider and communicate how any impacts on yourself and others in the organisation can be mitigated. Showing employers youve carefully thought about potential solutions can make all the difference. Follow up with a formal written request in an email, with a letter attached if you prefer, to both your manager and human resources, outlining what you seek, the reasons for your request and how it can be implemented. Mention that you had a meeting, and thank them for the conversation.

Its important to have your request in writing so its dated, formalised and for overall transparency. What happens if a request is denied? An employees options depend on a few factors, including any applicable enterprise agreements and whether the employee has the legal right to request a flexible work arrangement. The employers reason for denial is another major factor. When it comes to those eligible groups of people listed earlier, a company or organisation can only refuse a flexible working request on reasonable business grounds.

If an employee believes the denial unreasonable, the best approach is to request a meeting with the manager and human resources together. Discuss the decision and seek to explore alternatives and/or compromises. This approach may be effective if you think the decision was made in haste. However, Traicos says that by the time employers have formalised a denial in writing, it is usually their final position. Employees can seek legal or union advice and decide if they wish to challenge the decision further. While Australia has an accessible system for resolving disputes, people should know that going down this road is time- and energy-consuming for employees and employers alike. Traicos asks employees to consider the merits of their situation carefully before proceeding. Flexible work is about finding balance between employees and employers. And often, it can be mutually beneficial.
Photographer and documentary-maker Hoda Afshar has won the National Photographic Portrait Prize for the second time with a powerful image that challenges Australias treatment of First Nations children.

The Melbourne-based artist took out the $50,000 prize on Friday with Untitled #01 from her 2024 series, Code Black/Riot.

Created in collaboration with young people in Far North Queensland, the series highlights laws allowing children as young as 10 to be imprisoned  among the lowest ages for criminal responsibility in the world.

Hoda Afshars Untitled #01, which won this years National Photographic Portrait Prize. Credit: Hoda Afshar

Afshar worked with Cairns-based Youth Empowered Towards Independence and Sydney advocacy group Change the Record. Participants were invited to conceal their identities while making a personal statement. Some chose a flag, mask or face paint. The three girls in Afshars winning image chose a simple, defiant gesture.
There is something extremely humbling about the fact that the longest, most complicated relationship I have ever had is with someone who has no idea I was even born.

Taylor Swift (born on December 13, 1989, to Andrea and Scott Swift) has been in my ears and my thoughts every one of the 6860 days since eight-year-old me first heard Teardrops On My Guitars wistful opening chords on the car radio. Her deepest and darkest desires and distresses have been my own for almost 20 years, with her diarised lyrics holding me through every heartbreak and happiness.

I feel like I know her better than the back of my own hand. I know that, despite her decades of music, documentaries, interviews and more, I dont know her at all. I admire her. I dont understand her. I dont know if I can believe everything she tells me, but I want, no, I need her to tell me more.

Swift did tell me more this week, but it only made me more conflicted. She has spent two decades building a billion-dollar empire on authenticity, but her New Heights podcast sit-down with her NFL tight end boyfriend proves were being fed contradictions. And thats exactly by the marketing masterminds own design: cleverly and constantly creating a deeper investment from her fans, a deeper desire to crack the enigma who has given us all the clues is, after all, to her bank accounts benefit.
Investigative reporter Nick McKenzie has claimed the title of Kennedy Awards journalist of the year for a third time, in the annual celebration of excellence in journalism.

McKenzies award was among eight recognising the work of The Age and The Sydney Morning Heralds journalists on Friday night. McKenzie led the mastheads groundbreaking Building Bad investigation, which earned the gong for outstanding investigative reporting.

Investigate reporter Nick McKenzie questioning Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on his investigation into the CFMEU. Credit: Justin McManus

The investigation  which won the Gold Walkley and Gold Quill and was the culmination of years of work by teams across the Age, the Herald, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes  exposed allegations of intimidation and corruption in the building industry.

Age senior writer Michael Bachelard and Age investigative reporter Charlotte Grieve received the Kennedy Award for outstanding reporting on the environment for their exploration of whether carbon offset schemes in the outback are working.
Adjunct Professor Dr Nicole Lee from the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University said some of WAs high drug usage could be attributed to the states FIFO mining community; a fairly wealthy fly-in, fly-out mining workforce that could generate more disposable income had knock-on effects through the economy. Loading She said drug use was entrenched in WAs culture. WA and Perth in particular, have pretty much always had the highest average consumption of methamphetamine in a whole range of different data sets for many decades, she said. Its those kinds of trends that continue over a long period of time.

Theyre quite hard to shift. WA is also quite a bit closer than the rest of Australia to the manufacturing hubs in South-East Asia. So thats also one of the factors. Lee said proximity to manufacturers made the drug cheaper and more accessible and the latest ACIC report showed the world was seeing record levels of cultivation and manufacture of cocaine and methylamphetamine, particularly from traditional source countries in the Americas and Asia. Its a general rule around the world that the closer you are to where drugs are manufactured, the more those drugs will come into the country, the more access people will have to them and the cheaper they are, she said. All of those things make it more likely that more people will use it, or will use more of it. She gave the example of cocaine, made in South America, which was further from WA with the closest port, Sydney, having the highest use of cocaine in Australia.

By the time it got to Perth it was low quality and very expensive, whereas methamphetamine was manufactured around the golden triangle in South East Asia. Its also manufactured in Australia, but youve got the addition of imported methamphetamine coming in as well, she said. And we often see WA particularly and the top part of Queensland generally have quite a high rate of use as well, because its that proximity. And then when you get down to the states at the bottom, theyve got relatively low levels of use because theyre much further away. The report also revealed MDMA was traditionally supplied by countries in Europe, but more recently there had also been indications of increased domestic manufacture. The Australian heroin market is supplied by relatively high quality product, primarily from South East Asia.

But the wastewater results could be misleading about how many people in the community were taking drugs, Lee said. It didnt reveal how many people were using, just measured the volume. Loading So it could be a small number of people using a lot, or a large number of people using a small amount; we dont know, right? she said. But the National Drug Strategy Household Survey could put them together. It gives you a better picture.

Lee said a drop in drug use during the pandemic was over, with an increase since. Cocaine particularly, and also ketamine and hallucinogens were on the rise, driving the general increase in drug use. Weve seen this increase in cocaine use over several years now, and its just getting more and more popular with people, she said. But also you have to think about how often people are using  70 per cent or more of people who use most illicit drugs use them very irregularly, like less than once a month, so that [reduces] harms and problems. With Holly Thompson and Cameron Myles.
DOYLINE, La. - The annual drawdown at Lake Bistineau began last week, and with lower lake levels comes another fight against Louisiana's most aggressive weed: giant salvinia.

The invasive plant from Brazil can double in size within a day chokes out native vegetation and depletes oxygen for fish, turning areas underneath a mat of salvinia into kill zones.

During the drawdown, crews from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will introduce salvinia weevils, a natural predator, to combat the plant.

"They come from Brazil and feed on the plant. Then their young feed on the plant, and by doing so the weevils help keep the salvinia population under control," said LSU Ag Center forestry agent Valerie West.

West says these tiny insects were first imported to Louisiana in 2001 to combat salvinia in the southern part of the state and Texas.

Today, the LSU Ag Center and LDWF breed salvinia weevils to have hardened resistance to Louisiana winters.

"The process includes finding weevils that have overwintered in colder areas like northern Louisiana, taking them back to the lab and using them to breed with the captive population to hopefully boost the cold tolerance for those weevils. They will then bring those weevils to Lake Bistineau so they can create a population that is sustainable," said West.

The drawdown itself also helps kill salvinia by exposing the plant to heat which kills off large clusters.

"One of the reasons why they draw it down is because it removes the water source from the plant and effectively dries them out," said West.

In the next few weeks, crews will spray the lake with herbicide treatment, install floating barriers and conduct a water survey using biodegradable, tagged oranges.
On August 16, 2025, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a phone call with Andriy Sybiha, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

According to information, Minister Sybiha congratulated Azerbaijan on the outcomes of President Ilham Aliyevs recent visit to the United States and the agreements reached between Azerbaijan and the U.S. He also expressed support for the progress made in the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

During the conversation, the ministers discussed current issues related to the partnership between Azerbaijan and Ukraine, including cooperation in political, economic, energy, transport, and humanitarian fields. Both sides emphasized the importance of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in further strengthening bilateral ties.

The Ukrainian foreign minister also thanked Azerbaijan for its continued humanitarian assistance, particularly support for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in conflict-affected regions of Ukraine.

Minister Sybiha also provided an update on the ongoing negotiation process surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The two sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
A new Junior Cycle maths textbook, co-authored by a Claremorris woman, has arrived on the Irish education market this month, offering what its authors describe as a differentiated and student-responsive alternative to existing materials.

Titled Level Up 1, the book is the first in a five-part series from publishers Educate.ie and is designed to support students from the beginning of secondary school through to Higher Level Leaving Certificate Maths. The textbook is already on booklists for the upcoming school year, with the second book currently in development.

Lorna Joran, who teaches at Ballinrobe Community School, has spent over a year working on the project alongside co-author Shannon Ahern, a Dublin-based teacher well known among colleagues for her online presence and teacher training webinars. The pair collaborated almost entirely online until earlier this year.

We had a lot of Zooms, WhatsApps, voice notes, video calls, emails  the works, Lorna told the Western People. The first time we met in person was only in February when we went to Dublin to meet the publishing team. But by that stage, we knew each other inside out.

The partnership came about when an editor at Educate.ie found Lornas profile on LinkedIn and reached out.

He liked the look of my background, Lorna said, that Id done research with Oxford University and had just moved back to Ireland. He messaged to ask if Id any interest in writing a book.

Her response was an immediate no.

I had a one-year-old at home and just thought, Absolutely not.

But the publisher persisted, suggesting she write a sample chapter.

I really enjoyed the process. Once I submitted the sample and it got reviewed positively, things took off.

Lorna and Shannon were matched by the publisher and soon realised they shared a vision for how maths should be taught and, crucially, how a textbook could support that teaching in a modern classroom.

We both wanted to move away from the traditional textbook model, Lorna said. When I was teaching in England for nine years, we werent really using textbooks at all. It was all about tailoring lessons to the specific needs of the students in front of you. Shannon felt the same.

That approach has shaped Level Up 1. Each exercise in the book is divided into three difficulty levels  Level 1, 2, and 3  allowing teachers to direct students to work that suits their current level of understanding.

The idea, Lorna said, is not to pigeonhole students but to enable flexible progression. The books structure reflects a broader change in how first-year secondary students are grouped.

When I was in school, you came in and were streamed into classes from day one based on an entrance test, Lorna said. That doesnt happen anymore. Now its fully mixed-ability for first year and often most of second year, so teachers are faced with the full range of abilities in every class  kids who dont know what a fraction is and others whove been working with algebra for years.

The flexibility of Level Up 1, Lorna believes, helps teachers respond to that complexity. But she is aware of concerns around visible differentiation  particularly the risk of students becoming labelled early on.

Theres definitely a risk of stigma, Lorna said. But thats part of teaching. That happens in classrooms anyway. What were doing here is encouraging students to make those choices themselves, to try a Level 3 question and realise its too much, and move back to Level 2 without feeling like theyve failed.

She stressed that the book doesnt limit content, only the phrasing and style of the questions.

Everyone is still doing the same maths. Its not tracking or streaming  its scaffolding.

The collaboration between the two authors was neatly split. Lorna took responsibility for number, statistics and probability; Shannon focused on shape and algebra. The team worked closely whenever there was topic overlap and to ensure consistency in the new methodologies they were introducing.

We werent just writing another textbook, Lorna said. We were trying new things  new ways of levelling exercises, new styles of feedback. So we needed to be fully aligned.

The response so far has been positive, and schools are already adding the book to their Junior Cycle booklists.

Its a long way from Facefield, where Lorna grew up. She attended Knock National School before moving on to Mount St Michael Secondary School in Claremorris, graduating in 2010.

From there, she studied English and Maths at NUI Galway with the goal of becoming a teacher. A recruiter from a UK programme visited during her studies, offering incentives to train in England. Lorna applied to Oxford.

If I was going, I figured I might as well go to the best, she said.

She completed her teacher training and later a masters degree in Teaching and Learning at Oxford University. Her research there focused on feedback and assessment in mathematics  skills she believes are at the core of the Level Up series.

She spent nine years teaching in Oxford before moving back to Ireland in 2021, getting married and settling in Claremorris, and now teaches at Ballinrobe Community School.

Her immediate plan is to finish the second textbook  Level Up 2, aimed at higher-level Junior Cycle students  before the arrival of her second child.

Beyond that, she and Shannon are preparing to write three Leaving Certificate books, which will launch once the Department of Education finalises the new syllabus. One volume will be aimed at Ordinary Level students, while two will cater to Higher Level learners.

In terms of compensation, the arrangement with Educate.ie is royalty-based. The authors will receive a percentage of sales, split equally between them. While they have not yet received any earnings from the book, Lorna described the project as more of a passion than a financial venture.

Im not doing it for the money, she said. Im doing it because I want to have an impact on the way maths is taught.

That teaching landscape is rapidly evolving, particularly with the growing presence of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT in the classroom. Lorna, however, is not concerned.

ChatGPT is very bad at maths, she said. Its a language model, not a maths model. It can phrase things nicely but it makes mistakes all the time. Ive had students try to use it for homework and the results are a disaster.

Shannon, she added, is an expert in educational AI and shares the view that AI tools are far from capable of replacing core mathematical thinking.

They cant replicate problem-solving or intuition, Lorna said. They cant do what were trying to teach students to do.

She sees value in exploring how AI might supplement education, but not replace it. And shes particularly interested in how the upcoming Leaving Cert reforms are shifting the focus away from rote memorisation toward actual application.

Theyre talking about moving away from theorems  not removing them entirely, but focusing on using them to solve problems rather than just learning them off, she said. The way things are marked now, if you forget one step, youve lost all your marks. Thats not a useful way to assess understanding.

Another reform being considered is the removal of the 25 bonus points currently awarded to students who pass Higher Level maths  a proposal Lorna strongly supports.

Its become this monster of a subject, she said. Students are clinging to it just for the points, even when its not the right fit for them. Theyre paying huge money for grinds, and theyd be far better off putting that time into a subject they actually enjoy.

Lorna believes that removing the bonus points would reduce unnecessary pressure and help students choose subjects based on aptitude and interest, not desperation.

Looking ahead, Lorna is focused on getting Level Up 2 to print and preparing for the Leaving Certificate curriculum changes. And although the workload of teaching, writing, and raising a young family is substantial, Lorna is clearly energised by the work.

Its been exhausting at times, she said. But when I see the finished book  when I see it on a shelf, and know that it might help a student understand something theyve struggled with  that makes it all worth it.
A landmark Mayo pub has been named as one of the top 10 in the country.

McDonnell's Bar in Belmullet came in at number six in the top 50 list compiled by the Sunday Times.

The legendary Barrack Street pub is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike.

Known locally as The Lobster Pot (because once you go in you can never get out!), McDonnells has been an Erris institution for more than 80 years. Established in 1942 by Michael and Elizabeth McDonnell, the bar has become part of the fabric of Belmullet.

The Sunday Times list lauded McDonnells for its perfect pints, live music and crackling turf fire". It was also praised for its ability to draw international visitors to the incredible watering hole.

Owner Padraic Conroy maintains the rich tradition started with his grandparents more than eight decades ago.

Padraic credits the tutelage he received from his family for the pubs success and said the latest plaudits are recognition of Belmullet and Erris.

Its more of an accolade for the area than McDonnell's. We would never have survived, been established, or had success without the support of the local people first of all, said Padraic. This is about people working collectively to enhance the area. In my own estimation, the Erris region has an awful lot to offer, he added.

He said the natural beauty of the barony and a vibrant community and business scene makes the region stand out.

There are very good pubs in the town. Every pub has its own ambience, said Padraic. I would like anyone coming to Belmullet to have a tour around all the pubs, he added.

Belmullet is famed for its warmth and friendliness. Those characteristics are evident in McDonnells.

My grandmother would have taught me an awful lot about having nature for your own people, said the publican and undertaker who has been involved in the pub for 36 years. I have been working there since I was 14, I was doing funerals since I was 12, the 50-year old told the Western People.

Padraic said while Belmullet may be thriving it still needs more investment.

Maybe if we could get some more industry here. Im on Udaras na Gaeltachta and Im trying to promote the place, said Padraic who is keen to develop a plan for the area through his Udaras role.

Tourism is good but its here for about 60% of the year, the other 40% needs to be filled, Padraic stated.
President Donald Trump has failed to secure an agreement from Vladimir Putin to end Russias war in Ukraine, falling short in his most significant move yet to stop the bloodshed, even after rolling out the red carpet for the man who started it. Putin said they had hammered out an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress. But Trump said there's no deal until there's a deal. He said he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders to brief them on the talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have not reached a deal to end Russias war in Ukraine. The two leaders offered scant details on what was discussed during talks in Alaska on Friday. Putin said he and Trump had reached an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress. But Trump said, Theres no deal until theres a deal." He said he plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders soon. The high-profile summit ended without an agreement to end, or even pause, the brutal conflict that has raged for more than three years.
On the morning of the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Britains Defence Secretary John Healey reiterated that the UK was ready to put boots on the ground in Ukraine to reinforce a ceasefire.

Healey was asked on BBC Breakfast if Britains role was to watch and wait. He replied, No, the UKs role is to stand with Ukraine on the battlefield and in the negotiations, and prepare, as we have been, leading 30 other nations, with military planning for a ceasefire and a secure peace through what we call the coalition of the willing.

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, left, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, center, and Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey attend a news conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 11, 2025 [AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert]

Speaking of a group of roughly 30 mainly European countries, Healey added that more than 200 military planners from the Coalition of the Willing have been involved in detailed planning for the point of a ceasefire, meaning they were ready to act from day one.

The military plans are complete, he added. We are ready to put UK boots on the ground in Ukraine in part to reassure Ukrainians. But also in part to secure the safe skies, safe seas and to build the strength of the Ukrainian forces, because in the end the best deterrence against Russia... re-launching their aggression against Ukraine is the strength of Ukraine to stand for itself.

Aware of the gravity of what was being suggested, his interviewer asked what would happen if British troops were attacked by Russia. Healey insisted that British forces would have the right to defend themselves if attacked.

Healey chose this moment to reiterate a proposal made jointly between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, the instigators of the coalition of the willing, in mid-February. Starmer declared at the time that the group was ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (second left) with French President Macron (second right) at the Churchill statue near Parliament during his State visit to London, July 8, 2025 [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

This proposal was necessitated by the European governments fear that NATOs proxy war in Ukraine was endangered by the election of Trump the previous November. There was widespread concern in Europes capitals that Trump was less committed to the Ukraine war than the outgoing Biden administration, considered the conflict to be Europes problem, and felt it was preventing America from pursuing other geopolitical interestsin the Middle East and above all against China.

From January, governments in London, Paris and Berlin concocted a plan for preserving their stake in Ukraine based on a European peacekeeping force to be deployed to Ukraine, only requiring Washington to provide a backstop: the continued supply of US satellite data and intelligence without which the war could not continue, and a guarantee of a US response if European troops were attacked.

They hoped this would prevent their exclusion from commercial deals surrounding the exploitation of Ukraines natural resources which are now being discussed unilaterally between Trump and Putin in Anchorage. And that it would either sabotage the possibility of a ceasefire altogethersince Russia has declared the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine a red lineor, if accepted, place them in a position to sabotage any peace in the future. There was open talk that dead NATO soldiers would make it impossible for Trump to ignore the Article 5 commitment to collective defence.

These plans were thwarted in the short-term by a combined refusal on the part of the European powers to collectively stump up the proposed 30,000 troops, and the flat-out rejection of the plan by the Trump administration.

Bloomberg reported in June, according to people familiar with the matter: European allies have concluded during discussions with their American counterparts that President Donald Trump wont provide the guarantees they have sought to back the Europe-led coalition of the willing. This was not altered by the recasting of the provocatively named Coalition of the Willinga deliberate callback to the war against Iraqas a reassurance force.

As the possibility of a deal between Washington and Moscow, excluding the Europeans, became more probable, efforts to animate the coalition of the willing escalated, still led by Britain and France. During Macrons state visit to the UK in July, a Franco-British summit was organised to discuss the formation of a pan-European force of 50,000 troops. Also discussed, according to Healey, was nuclear cooperation and deterrence in the face of extreme threats that our countries in Europe may face.

The ambitions of the European powers still far outrun their capabilities, however. According to the Times this Wednesday, British military chiefs have given up on the idea of a 30,000-strong contingent to protect Ukraines ports and cities.

They are now said to be proposing a more realistic mission involving air reassurance over western Ukraine, training support to the Ukrainian military and the clearance of mines from the Black Sea.

According to the Times, some European nations feared a deployment of tens of thousands of troops to protect important Ukrainian sites was too risky and were unwilling to provide sufficient numbers to deter President Putin from an attack, leaving others frustrated.

These divisions were indicated in the Statement of the Co-chairs of the Coalition of the Willing released the same day, announcing in heavily caveated fashion that the group was ready to play an active role, including through plans by those willing to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased. [emphasis added]

Nevertheless, the Europeans are continuing to press for the policy in the hope of preventing their being sidelined by Washington. This continues to be shrouded in cynical proclamations of their sacred duty to defend Ukrainian sovereignty, and even invocations of the supposed symmetry between the war against fascism in 1939-45 and the Ukrainian war against Russia.

Healeys comments demonstrate once again that the European imperialist powers would far rather that the Ukraine war continue, at the costs of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian lives, than a peace be agreed which impinges on their predatory global ambitions. They confirm that should some form of ceasefire emerge from the talks in Alaska or later, then London, Paris and Berlin would see this as a setback to be reversed at the earliest possible opportunity.
The National Union of Students (NUS) has moved to punish student officers for demanding it oppose Israels genocide in Gaza. Over 180 elected sabbatical officers from 52 campuses delivered the NUS an ultimatum: condemn Israels genocide of the Palestinians, or face mass disaffiliation.

An open letter to the NUS Board of Directors on July 11, protested: For over 20 months, Gaza has been subjected to the apartheid state of Israels relentless and indiscriminate military violence.

Homes, hospitals, schools and entire communities have been reduced to rubble, with no universities left standing. The true scale of death and devastation remains unquantified, with the Lancet scholars, over one year ago, estimating the actual death toll could be over 186,000.

NUS, this is not a conflict, or a crisis. This is the systematic destruction of a people. This is genocide.

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli genocide in the northern Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Friday, August 8, 2025. [AP Photo/Leo Correa]

The NUS claims to represent over 4.5 million students across the UK. But a resolution adopted at last years NUS National Conference in Blackpool, refused to define Israels military onslaught in Gaza as a genocide.

The open letter from sabbatical officers protested:

The NUS routinely invokes its anti-racist legacy, priding itself on its historic opposition to South African apartheid and its leadership in campaigns such as Boycott Barclays. Indeed, within its own values, NUS professesas indeed it shouldto uphold the principles of anti-racism, solidarity, collectivism. However, over the last 20 months, in the face of an ongoing system of racialized violence, apartheid, settler-colonial domination, and genocidal acts, the NUS has demonstrably failed to act in accordance with these commitments, instead adopting a posture of neutrality a strategy that obfuscates state violence, sanitises atrocity, and shields the oppressor.

NUSs shameful refusal to denounce the Gaza genocide stands in defiance of the sentiments of millions of students and young people. More than 74 percent of 1824-year-olds support Palestine against the Israeli state in the current conflict according to polling published by YouGov in July.

The July 11 letter placed eight demands on the NUS leadership:

Recognise the assault on Gaza as a plausible genocide

Call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire

Condemn Israeli apartheid and occupation in line with international law

Rescind the IHRA definition of antisemitism

Lead a national ethical divestment campaign

Defend students right to protest, including against Zionism

Investigate Islamophobia and anti-Black racism within NUS structures

Disclose any institutional ties to regimes complicit in apartheid and genocide

The open letter affirmed: An organisation that refuses to stand with students in the struggle for justice cannot claim to represent us.

An anti-genocide banner at a Gaza protest encampment at SOAS, May 7, 2024

NUS reprisals

On July 16, NUS President Amira Campbell and NUS CEO Kat Stark wrote to student union CEOs directing them to instruct elected sabbatical officers (sabbs) to withdraw their signatures from the July 11 letter and to cease their support for the Not my NUS Instagram account. Failure to do so would place them in breach of the NUS Code of Conduct, resulting in their banning from NUSs three-day residential Lead and Change conference scheduled for July 28.

Amira Campbell [Photo: Amira Campbell/X]

Without providing a shred of evidence, NUS alleged that sabbs were guilty (through their involvement with the letter and Instagram account) of direct and veiled antisemitism and hostility towards Jewish people and Jewish organisations.

Under the heading Discussing this matter with your Sabbs, NUS provided a suggested script to CEOs aimed at gaslighting pro-Palestinian students. It instructed them: With clarity and confidence, explain why elements of the letter, and the activities of the associated Instagram account, constitute antisemitism and harassment. Explain the impact of these actions on a) individuals being harassed, b) Jewish students on your campus, and c) damage to the overall goals of the pro-Pal movement.

CEOs were instructed to tell signatories, Harassment is unlawful, and discriminatory harassment is a serious breach of the Equalities Act. Moreover, having signed the letter in an official capacity, there would be ramifications under the Charities Acta veiled threat to sabbs who are employed by their respective student unions.

Sabbatical officers were given seven days to remove their signature and to unfollow the Instagram account, or they would be in breach of the NUS Code of Conduct.

Antonia Listrat, Guild President at Birmingham University SU, described the NUS threats as an unprecedented attack on our student movement. She told Canary, Not even the government has targeted us in such a direct way, simply for our beliefs and political expression.

While some sabbatical officers withdrew their signatures out of fear, NUSs baseless and outrageous accusations provoked an immediate backlash. NUS was forced to cancel its annual Lead and Change conference after students occupied the venue in Birmingham for three days.

Not My NUS challenges antisemitism slander

On July 23, Not my NUS replied with a 12-page letter to NUS UK comprehensively rejecting its allegations of antisemitism and harassment. The letter shredded NUSs pretence of impartiality and objectivity exposing the student bodys collusion with Zionist lobby groups aimed at repressing pro-Palestinian student activism.

In response to NUS UKs allegation that signatories were guilty of direct and veiled antisemitism, the letter writers noted NUSs complete failure to acknowledge the many Jewish students and organisations who had signed.

At no point have our concerns targeted  nor intended to target  Jewish identity or communities, the letter stated, making clear that their focus has been entirely on Zionist organisations that are deeply invested in advocating for Israel.

The letter writers rejected NUS UKs deliberate conflation of Jewishness with Zionism as enshrined in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism adopted by NUS in 2017, as part of broader efforts to criminalise left-wing and pro-Palestinian activism. The definition asserts it is antisemitic to claim that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour. As Not my NUS notes, the IHRA definition has been subject to extensive critique from legal scholars, academics and human rights experts.

Instructing sabbatical officers to sign a code of conduct upholding the IHRA definition forfeits [sabbatical officers] own rights to freedom of expression and political belief.

In response to NUS accusations that sabbatical officers had pushed antisemitism conspiracy theory by suggesting that Solutions Not Sides is Zionist backed, the letter documents how SNS was founded by pro-Israeli lobby group One Voice to provide educational tools to help combat the Boycott, Divestments, Sanctions (BDS) movement and to normalise the State of Israel and its policies of genocide and apartheid. The letter exposes how NUS has officially partnered with several organisations funded and backed by the Israeli state.

In its July 16 letter threatening sabbatical officers, CEOs were instructed to recommend signing them up to free antisemitism training from UJS [Union of Jewish Students]. In reply, Not my NUS makes clear that UJS is a Zionist lobby group with a constitution that affirms enduring commitment to Israel. In May 2024, as part of its Israel engagement, a UJS delegation visited Israeli President Herzog who has been on record in a speech saying there are no innocent civilians in Gaza  justifying their mass slaughter.

Authors of the July 23 letter strenuously rejected accusations of harassment toward NUS officials. It was a fundamental principle of democratic accountability that individuals holding public or representative office are subject to scrutiny. The exposure of NUS UK board member Noah Katzs affiliations to Zionist organisations (including UK Lawyers for Israel, the World Jewish Congress and the Board of Deputies), was an example of such reasonable and necessary scrutiny.

A similar assertion that tagging the NUS Presidents official work account in two Instagram stories which depicted the suffering of Palestinian children and called attention to the NUSs silence  constitutes harassment is both legally and factually unfounded. This was protected political expression, as affirmed by Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 To categorise these posts as harassment would amount to a dangerous conflation of political accountability with personal targeting, thereby trivialising genuine cases of harassment and silencing dissent.

NUSs banning student sabbatical officers from NUS events based on their opposition to genocide may constitute a breach of the Equality Act 2010, particularly under provisions relating to protected beliefs and freedom of expression.

In its concluding section, the letter argues: By choosing repression over meaningful dialogue, NUS risks alienating the very students it claims to represent. Such actions only deepen disillusionment and will inevitably accelerate calls for disaffiliation, many of which are now already in motion.

For a socialist student movement!

Not my NUS is appealing to NUS UK to reconsider its approach and to engage with students in good faith. But NUS stands exposed as a tool of repression against students. The task is not to reform it, but to build a socialist movement against it.

NUS has long existed as a hollowed-out organisation, entirely divorced from the concerns of students. Average turnout for student elections at 76 of the 150 NUS affiliated student unions in 2023 (the most recent year for which figures are available) was just 13.14 percent. Fewer than 400 students voted on the main resolutions at last years NUS national conference.

Long a training ground for Labour Party careeristsNeil Kinnock, John Prescott, Jack Straw and Wes Streeting all began their political careers thereNUS has morphed during the past decade into a direct adjunct of the security and intelligence agencies. A succession of political witch-hunts over this period saw two NUS presidents ousted based on manufactured claims of antisemitism.

Malia Bouattia, the unions first Muslim president (2016-17), was elected on a manifesto committed to transforming the NUS into a fighting, campaigning union to oppose tuition fees and reverse education cuts. A member of the Liberation faction of the NUS, focused on identity politics and pro-Palestinian causes, Bouattias public criticisms of British imperialism and her support for the anti-Zionist BDS movement provoked a political furore and demands for her removal. She was smeared as a terrorist sympathiser and an anti-Semite, coinciding with an identical witch-hunt against then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Malia Bouattia, President of the National Union of Students, speaks at a Stop Trump rally in Westminster in February 2017 [Photo by Steve Eason / CC BY 3.0

An undercover investigation by Al Jazeera later revealed that Labours Richard Brooks, outgoing vice president of NUS, led backroom manoeuvres in collaboration with the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) to undermine Bouattia and promote Zionist sympathisers to leading positions in the union. The Qatari broadcaster exposed that Brooks worked closely in this endeavour with Shai Masot, a senior political officer at the Israeli embassy in London. Labours Shakira Martin took the NUS presidency as a direct product of these intrigues.

Just five years later, the NUS sacked its own president Shaima Dallali, following a KC-led investigation headed by Rebecca Tuck that resembled a kangaroo court. Not a shred of evidence was presented to justify Dallalis summary dismissal, with NUS declaring it would not be sharing any further details on the investigation into the President. Once again, UJS played a key role, helping to draft the investigations terms of reference, based on the IHRA. The Tory government and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer received copies of the investigations findings before Dallali, who learned of her sacking via Twitter.

Tucks antisemitism report of January 2023, and subsequent NUS UK Antisemitism Action Plan, have been used ever since to enforce a reign of censorship, bans and reprisals on campus against students and staff opposing complicity with the Gaza genocide, including the expulsion and exclusion of student activists, and threats and intimidation against sabbatical officers and other elected officials.

Political conclusions must be drawn. NUS functions as an arm of British imperialism and the state. It cannot be reformed. Instead, students must build a movement turned to the working class, the sole revolutionary force in society. The working class has the power to end genocide, war and all forms of exploitation and oppression through the overthrow of the capitalist nation-state system and the fight for world socialism. To fight for this, join the International Youth and Students for Social Equality!
U.S. troops patrolling border near Tucson, Ariz., May 11, 2025 [Photo: U.S. Army/Staff Sgt. Remoi Brown]

Citing anonymous sources, the New York Times reports that President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American drug cartels, claiming they threaten the peace and security of the US.

The Mexican cartels targeted are the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Cartel del Noreste, the Gulf Cartel and the Nueva Familia Michoacana.

The August 8 report did not say whether specific strikes have been suggested to the Pentagon, although these plans are already being drawn up by military officials, according to the Times.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded quickly to the report. We were informed that this executive order was coming and that it had nothing to do with the participation of any military personnel or any institution in our territory, she said, adding that the directive referred exclusively to actions within US territory, although Trump has already sent close to 10,000 troops to the border.

No, she said, absolutely not. The United States is not going to send its military into Mexico. We cooperate, we collaborate, but there will be no invasion. Thats ruled out  because, in addition to what weve stated in all our conversations, its not allowed, nor is it part of any agreement.

When asked about the Times reporting that the directive authorized military use abroad, on land and sea, Sheinbaum dismissed that claim, too.

But the US has already sent two warships to patrol the coasts of Mexicoone in the Pacific Ocean, the other in the Gulf of Mexicoa use of naval force without precedent in US border security operations.

When pressed further to explain if the reporting was inaccurate, Sheinbaum demurred, suggesting she had not seen the directive. Well, well have to see how the executive order is [written], she said, but theres no risk that theyll invade our territory.

Sheinbaum emphasized that a lot of work has been done to reduce homicides, and the flow of fentanyl across the border has been reduced by 50 percent, which US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson has confirmed. In a post on X, Johnson said that the collaboration of Sheinbaum and Trump resulted in cartels going bankrupt and our countries are safer for it.

Sheinbaum also ordered the extradition on August 12 of 26 alleged cartel members to the US. This follows the turning over of 29 Mexican prisoners to Washington in February for prosecution in federal courts. But facts dont deter Trump and US imperialism.

Until Trumps directive, US officials reportedly believed that Mexico relations with the US were on the upswing. US ambassador Johnson said in July that the greatly reduced drug flow and border crossings were due to a secure border and increased collaboration between the US and Mexico.

According to Todd Robinson, who was the assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs in the Biden administration, that collaboration will vanish with an invasion. If the US does this without Mexicos consent, it will set the relationship back a hundred years, he said.

US troops in fact have not entered Mexico since the US Army chased the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution in 1916. But there can be little doubt that the US military is already war-gaming expeditionary forces crossing the border from Arizona and Texas, maritime attacks on ports such as Tampico, Mazatlan and Manzanillo, and even a lightning air strike on Mexico Citys Felipe Angeles International Airport and other major airports.

In February, Trumps State Department designated the six largest Mexican drug trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations, along with Tren de Aragua of Venezuela and Mara Salvatrucha of El Salvador (known as MS-13), saying that they constituted a national-security threat beyond that posed by traditional organized crime.

These designations have the perverse effect of combining the war on drugs, which has been used to justify US military action in Latin America, with the war on terror, the pretext for Washingtons wars of aggression in the Middle East. In both cases, the real aim of US imperialism is to assert its hegemony over resource-rich regions, markets and sources of cheap labor.

Two weeks ago, the Trump administration added to that list the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles, or Cartel of the Suns, which it alleges works with Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel. The administration asserted that this cartel is headed by President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, on whom it has placed a $50 million bounty, and other high-ranking military officials in his administration. Soles refer to the insignia worn by Venezuelan generals, and the name was coined to indicate the collaboration of individual officers with drug traffickers. There is no evidence that such a cartel exists.

Caracas claims it has shot down 312 planes used by drug traffickers since 2012 and emphasized last week that Venezuelan authorities have seized 51 tons of drugs so far this year. Colombias President Gustavo Petro, meanwhile, issued a statement stressing Venezuelas collaboration in counter-narcotics operations and warning that any US military action against the country would be treated as an aggression against Latin America and the Caribbean.

The US has been using drones and spy planes since Trumps first term to surveil Mexican drug cartels, an action that Sheinbaum said was part of a coordinated operation between the US and Mexican governments. Drone flights over Mexico have hunted for fentanyl labs according to US officials. But the US military, unlike spy agencies, did not enter Mexican airspace.

In his first term, Trump wanted to bomb drug labs in Mexico. His defense secretary at the time, Mark T. Esper, later portrayed the idea as ludicrous in his memoir, while Mexican officials claimed to be outraged.

According to Rear Adm. James E. McPherson (ret), who served as the top uniformed lawyer for the Navy in the early 2000s, it would be a major breach of international law to use military force in another countrys territory without its governments consent, absent criteria not present here.

International law did not, however, deter the US when President George H.W. Bush sent more than 20,000 troops into Panama to arrest President Manuel Noriega, who had been indicted in the US on charges of drug trafficking. The United Nations General Assembly condemned that invasion as a flagrant violation of international law.

Now, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is claiming the administrations right to use other elements of American power, intelligence agencies, the Department of Defense, whatever, to target these groups if we have an opportunity to do it. There is no suggestion of a role for Congress, or the need for the target countrys consent.

Within the Trump administration figures such as Vice President Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are also pushing direct intervention against the cartels in Mexico. The country is increasingly denounced as a US adversary along the lines or Iran, China or North Korea in MAGA circles.

In contrast, Trumps immigration adviser, the fascist Stephen Miller, reportedly opposes using the military against cartels in Mexico, but only because it would damage the cooperation of the Mexican government needed to stifle migration.

And although major US business sectors undoubtedly fear the economic disruption of a military assault on Mexico, the largest US trading partner, little has been heard from the corporate media voicing objection to this madness, or from Democratic Party leaders.

Recently Mexican security analyst Vito Hernandez Ochoa, who was an adviser to Mexican President Erique Pena Nieto, and is the current director of the Latin American Institute for Strategic Studies, warned in El Universal that US military intervention in Mexico is imminent.

Significant right-wing sectors in Mexico also apparently favor the idea of US military intervention in Mexico as a means to wipe out the cartels, clean up widespread corruption, and debilitate the ruling MORENA party.

Drone attacks are already on the agenda. Trump has also floated sending kill teams to take out cartel leaders.

But drone warfare also allows smaller or technologically less advanced actors such as cartels to defend themselves against larger adversaries. Mexican cartels operate as paramilitary entities with deep financial resources, global supply chains and sophisticated logistical networks that extend into the US. They can take retaliation across the border.

It is highly likely that US forces will end up killing many civilians if they go after cartel members in Mexico. The areas where US forces operate will become much less secure. Violence overall will likely increase, and that will spur new waves of migration from the destabilized regions. However many cartel members the US manages to kill, there will always be new recruits ready to fill the vacuum.

A US invasion of Mexico could rupture relations between the two countries, blow apart the USMCA trade agreement, and lead to another US forever war, with millions of US residents of Mexican origin also up in arms. The economic fallout would be on a huge scale.

Facing an upsurge in the class conflict stemming from deepening economic and geopolitical instability, Trump seeks to browbeat Mexico City into an even greater militarization to secure key suppliers to US industry while making preparations for direct US involvement in the repression of Mexican workers.

Sheinbaums strategy for dismantling the cartels differs little from the failed strategies of the last four Mexican presidents, at least two of whom were likely corrupted by the cartels. Her government falsifies the figures on deaths and disappearances. It also maintains pacts of impunity for politicos bought off by the cartels.

Despite Sheinbaums rhetoric, it is likely the Mexican ruling class would capitulate to US imperialism.

In the final analysis, it is only the Mexican working class, united with workers in the US and throughout Latin America, that can and must put an end to this descent into the maelstrom. This requires building the International Committee of the Fourth International in the Americas, and internationally.
Union Pacific crews using heavy equipment to move derailed train cars, August 13, 2025. [Photo: Palo Pinto County ESD1]

A Union Pacific train derailed Tuesday afternoon in Palo Pinto county, Texas, about 60 miles east of Dallas. Officials said the derailment was being treated as a HazMat situation after 35 rail cars carrying hazardous materials were involved in the derailment.

Kent Farquhar, assistant fire chief for Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District 1, identified the materials as hydrochloric acid, propane, and fuel, according to ABC affiliate WFAA. Officials say none of the cars leaked and no one was injured in the incident, narrowly avoiding a disaster for the environment and public safety.

Some brush fires were reported near the site, caused by sparks from the derailment, but local fire units responded to control the flames.

As a precaution, at least one car underwent a liquid flare operation to safely dispose of propane from a damaged rail car according to a statement from Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District 1. Liquid flare operations burn off liquid fuels that could be a danger during extraction. The Federal Railroad Administration recommends this method when it is unsafe to vent the fuel or transfer it to another container.

While the car was not reported to be leaking, any rupture to the container during removal could have created conditions for a large fire or explosion due to the nearby brush fires, making the fuel disposal necessary.

The flaring rate was reduced to prevent additional brush fires Wednesday night, extending the time it will take to clean up the site. Officials say it will take several days to complete the cleanup.

This is one of nearly 30 derailments in Texas so far this year, a state which is a leader in train derailments. In June, Texas saw a large train derailment on the same day that a separate rail accident killed one rail worker. Last December, Texas also saw a major train derailment that killed two and injured three.

Since 1975 there have been nearly 12,000 derailments in Texas, more than any other state, with Illinois a close second. Both stand well above all other states, with third place California at just under 6,000. In recent years Texas takes an even stronger lead, with 1,554 since 2015 compared to Illinois at 1,007.

Texas has the most miles of rail in the country, at over 10,000 miles. While it does not have the highest rate of derailments per thousand miles, it still averages a high rate of 15 per thousand miles each year, comparable to other states with high rates of derailments.

The total number of train derailments and dangerous accidents has declined in recent decades, but injury rates have rebounded in the past few years.

According to data from the National Safety Council, employee injuries on railroads declined between 2007 and 2020 from 5,462 to 3,067. Since 2020, however, injuries have steadily increased to nearly 3,500 in 2024.

These rates of derailment and injury are largely due to company policies and inadequate railway maintenance. In 2024 BNSF announced it would be cutting $105 million to its capital maintenance plan, deferring regular maintenance and upgrades to outdated systems.

Justin Lopez, general director of BNSFs Montana Division, told employees that the cuts would result in longer dependency on outdated systems, longer service disruptions, and deterioration of surface conditions [that] could result in increased slow orders.

Data from the Department of Transportation attributes 30 percent of derailments to human error, likely an over estimation as companies seek to shift blame on to employees. The largest culprit are the rails and roadbeds, largely a result of declining investments in railway infrastructure maintenance.

The effects of reduced and delayed maintenance and infrastructure improvements can have disastrous effects. Train derailments with hazardous materials can pose a serious risk to public health and safety.

Most famously, the East Palestine, Ohio incident was the result of neglected railway maintenance that produced one of the largest environmental disasters in recent US history as the company set fire to vinyl chloride to speed up the process of clearing the track for other freight trains and the generation of profits for the company.

According to research from the National Atmospheric Deposition Program and Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, pollutants from the East Palestine disaster spread over 1.4 million square kilometers (540,000 square miles) through rain and snow.

Disasters like this one are a risk that is all too common on American railways with an average of three derailments occurring every day in the US. Such disasters, and the devastating consequences that can come from them, are the result of ceaseless drive for profits by the rail companies. Proper maintenance and safety are disregarded in favor of delaying spending on infrastructure and pushing for longer trains, heavier loads and better margins.

Safety is also under attack through the assault on jobs as rail companies push to eliminate thousands of positions and transition conductors into road utility positions as part of the effort to implement one-person crews on trains. Further attacks will come as Union Pacific begins the integration of Norfolk Southern, which it acquired in a $85 billion deal.

The merger will create organizational redundancies that will result in thousands of layoffs and further the monopolization of the rail industry as safety standards wane to help pay for the cost of the acquisition.
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani arrives in New York. [AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura]

The revelation that former President Barack Obama held a lengthy call with Zohran Mamdani following the mayoral candidates victory in June is the latest indication that a powerful section of the Democratic Party establishment is prepared to back the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member in the November election in New York City.

It also provides a clear signal that Mamdani, whatever his rhetoric, represents the same fundamental profit interests that Obama so steadfastly defended while in office.

According to the New York Times, which broke the news in an opinion piece published Wednesday by Mara Gay, during the call Mr. Obama congratulated Mr. Mamdani, offered him advice about governing and discussed the importance of giving people hope in a dark time.

Obama has not issued a formal endorsement, something he has largely shied away from since leaving office in 2016. Nevertheless, it is clear that the former president has embraced Mamdani. Obamas former chief adviser and proxy, David Axelrod, visited Mamdanis campaign headquarters in June and spoke of the candidate in glowing terms.

What I found when I went over to that office was a familiar spirit that I hadnt seen in a while of just determined, upbeat idealism, Axelrod said. You may not agree with every answer [Mamdanis] giving, or every idea he has, but hes certainly asking the right questions, which is how do we make the country work for working people?

Mamdanis dominant primary victory threw the Democratic Party establishment and its sponsors on Wall Street and in corporate boardrooms into turmoil. More than the improbable promises to enact a modest tax on the wealthy to fund free childcare and buses, the partys leadership fears that encouraging opposition to inequality and war could create explosive conditions transgressing the partys control.

Nearly two months after the primary election, virtually all of New Yorks Democratic leadership, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristin Gillibrand, and House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, have continued to withhold endorsements in the race. Only four of 10 House Democrats in New York City have endorsed the partys candidate.

Obamas intervention might help to change that. So too might the lack of viable alternatives. New Yorks party machine and its favored candidate, Andrew Cuomo, proved incapable of landing any appeal with significant sections of the electorate despite the tens of millions of dollars at its disposal during the primary.

Cuomo, who has stayed in the race as an independent, is showing few signs of altering his fate come November, despite a shift in tactics. Underscoring the desperate character of his campaign, the former governor attempted to gain traction by attacking Mamdani for supposedly depriving a homeless family of shelter by living in a rent-stabilized apartment, which makes up half of New Yorks rental market, despite earning over $140,000 a year as a state assemblyman.

Another of Mamdanis challengers in the general election, current Mayor and Democrat-turned-independent Eric Adams took a hit when the news site Gothamist revealed earlier this month that Adams submitted fake and fraudulent signatures in his petition to run for office.

The New York City mayoral election reflects a deepening crisis within the Democratic Party and bitter divisions about how to respond.

The party is deeply discredited, responsible for decades of stagnating wages and social cuts, while the amount of wealth accumulated at the top has reached obscene levels. Amid this poisonous growth of extreme inequality, the central focus has been on pursuing disastrous wars abroad.

Obama himself was emblematic of this process. He came into office amid mass opposition to the criminal wars of the Bush administration and the financial collapse in 2008, offering hope and change as the first African American president.

Obamas time in office, however, accelerated the transfer of wealth from the working class to the super-rich. The fresh face of the Democratic Party continued illegal wars throughout his entire term, deported more immigrants than any president before him, and tore up bedrock democratic rights with targeted assassinations, including against US citizens, paving the way for the emergence of Donald Trump.

Jeffrey Lerner, an Obama White House veteran now functioning as Mamdanis communications director, highlighted the similarities between the former president and the mayoral candidate. Much like my former boss, Zohran embodies thoughtful leadership, moral courage and a unique ability to inspire hope in those whove been left behind by politics as usual, he said.

Mamdani, however, has emerged amid a crisis far more advanced than 2008. Years of pandemic, genocide, and declining standards of living, and a surge in prices have heightened social tensions immensely. The political situation has likewise intensified, personified by the criminal oligarch Trump seeking to consolidate a presidential dictatorship.

Obamas embrace of Mamdani reflects the partys desperate need for a pseudo-left makeover, one that appeals to those becoming radicalized by the crisis while covering up the fundamental capitalist character of the party. The content of Mamdanis proposals can be brushed aside by the likes of Obama and Axelrod because, in the end, they dont amount to much. The danger of encouraging opposition outside the Democratic Partys control is weighed against Mamdanis ability to appeal to youth, especially those facing economic uncertainty, and persuade them to avoid more radical alternatives.

Restoring illusions in the Democratic Party is a role that Mamdani, along with the DSA, is eager to fill. Mamdani has spent the past two months providing reassurances to the corporate oligarchy and the Democratic establishment that he can be trusted, offering concessions amid weaponized antisemitism hysteria and indicating he is open to compromising on his campaign promises.

The fact that a major section of the Democratic Party establishment is now prepared to make use of Mamdani and the DSA underscores that they are no threat to capitalism. They are, rather, a safety valve to be utilized at a time of increasing pressure.
In a continuation of the ongoing campaign to blacklist the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, a group of British MPs, both Tory and Labour, has joined with more than 50 Ukrainian writers and artists who support the proxy war against Russia, sending a letter to the Guardian newspaper urging the Royal Ballet and Opera to cancel Netrebkos forthcoming appearances at the Royal Opera House. Other signers of the letter include Bernard-Henri Levy, the right-wing French writer and public intellectual.

Soprano Anna Netrebko, right, and tenor Yusif Eyvazov perform during an opera concert marking St. Petersburgs 313th anniversary at Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, May 27, 2016. [AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky]

The attempt to ostracize Netrebko and to sabotage her singing career began immediately after Moscows invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Netrebko criticized the reactionary invasion, issuing two statements within a week. She expressed sorrow over the suffering caused by the war, and called for its end.

For Peter Gelb, the managing director of New Yorks Metropolitan Opera, this was not enough. He pointed to her past association with Vladimir Putin and arrogantly demanded that she denounce Putin by name. He fired the soprano immediately, and she has appeared only once in the United States since then, with the small but well-regarded Palm Beach Opera in Florida last winter. She has also not been back to Russia since that time.

Netrebko is past 50 but still at the peak of her vocal powers. She has been able to continue her career thanks to many engagements in Europe, including at the main opera houses in Vienna, Berlin, Paris and Milan. She has been engaged by the Zurich Opera for the coming season and is scheduled to appear in London in Puccinis Tosca next month, as well as the Italian composers final work, Turandot, several months later.

It is these London appearances which now hang in the balance. The letter labels Netrebko, who is now a citizen of Austria and has not set foot in Russia in the past 3 and  years, a longtime symbol of cultural propaganda for a regime that is responsible for serious war crimes. The many war crimes of the United States and other imperialist powers are of course not mentioned.

The Guardian, which has strenuously supported the longstanding warmongering campaign against Russia as well as the ensuing proxy war in Ukraine, eagerly highlights the call to cancel Netrebkos appearances and adds its own sinister features. For instance, the report includes a 17-year-old photo of Netrebko next to Putin. A second photo shows Putin, Netrebko and several other figures, including musical luminaries, at an opera gala at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburgfrom 12 years ago. This is meant to prove that Netrebko is Putins supporter and a symbol of war crimes.

In fact, it should be noted that over two years ago an arbitrator awarded Netrebko more than $200,000 for breach of contract at the Met. At that time, referring to the past history of Netrebko and Putin, he stated, there is no doubt that [Netrebko] was a Putin supporter, as she had a right to be.

Gelb of the Met Opera has been in the forefront of the campaign of defamation and blacklisting of Netrebko. His vendetta against the soprano is of course connected to the bipartisan US support for the proxy war in Ukraine, which began after years of provocations, especially the 2014 coup that overthrew the elected pro-Moscow government in Kiev.

Gelbs particular venom against Netrebko, however, is also linked to the political activity and musical career of his wife. Keri-Lynn Wilson is a Ukrainian-Canadian conductor who formed a new symphonic ensemble immediately after the 2022 invasion, calling it the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. The performances of this orchestra have at least as much political as musical content. The Orchestra explains, on its website, that it is a collaboration between the Metropolitan Opera, the Polish National Opera and the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture. The ensemble even boasts that its honorary patron is Ukraines First Lady, Olena Zelenska. Through his wife, Mr. Gelb has turned the Metropolitan Opera into a virtual subsidiary of the Ukrainian regime and its war effort.

It is clear that Gelb and his supporters will be satisfied only if Netrebko lends her voice and worldwide fame to the proxy war, changing her position of opposition to the war to one of full-throated support for the alliance of the Ukrainian regime with imperialism.

The treatment of Anna Netrebko calls to mind the cases of world-famous filmmakers Roman Polanski and Woody Allen, who have both been blacklisted in the US. In their different ways, all of these artists have run afoul of what the capitalist ruling elite has decreed as permissible behavior.

In a related development concerning the blacklisting of the Russian soprano, Netrebkos lawyer this week filed a supplemental complaint in her ongoing lawsuit against the Met Opera and Peter Gelb. The suit was originally filed two years ago, and charged discrimination, defamation and breach of contract.

The lawsuit has slowly proceeded in US federal court, slowed down by various procedural motions and revised complaints. The judge hearing the case, Analisa Torres, narrowed its grounds in a ruling last year, but has recently reinstated certain causes of action. In the latest development, Netrebkos lawyer, Julie Ulmet, as reported on the OperaWire website, sent a letter to the judge stating that Netrebko seeks the Courts leave to file a supplemental complaint in order to defend herself from their [Peter Gelb] ongoing attacks and harassment.

This is apparently a reference to allegations made by Gelb that Netrebko had certain conversations with the Kremlin. Ulmet described this as a brand new assertion which Gelb is alleged to have recently fabricated.

The sopranos manager, Miguel Esteban, issued his own statement indicating the obsessive nature of Gelbs campaign to harm Netrebkos career and even her safety. His statement referred to Netrebkos request to file a supplemental complaint raising new allegations of defamation by defendant Peter Gelb made during a recent media blitz in Ukraine and Austria. The draft complaint demonstrated why the defamatory statements were retaliatory in nature, posed a threat to Anna Netrebkos safety, and served to dissuade other employees of the Metropolitan Opera from acting against the institution.

A trial date has not yet been set in the lawsuit. There have also been no further announcements of appearances by Anna Netrebko in the United States.
A Kroger store sign [Photo by Wikimedia Commons/mcsquishee / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

On Sunday, August 3, Essential Workers for Democracy (EW4D), a reform faction of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) bureaucracy, organized a press conference and rally in a parking lot next to a Kroger store in the East Gate neighborhood of Indianapolis.

This event, which attracted a handful of workers from the 8,000-member UFCW Local 700, was held in the aftermath of the overwhelming rejection by central Indiana Kroger workers on July 11 of a second sellout contract negotiated by UFCW officials. Although the union never released totals on the second vote, the first sellout deal had been rejected on May 31 by 74 percent.

At the press conference, rank-and-file workers took the microphone and criticized Krogers greed and the poor working conditions at the multibillion dollar corporations grocery stores. They denounced the low wages at Kroger, noting that pay has barely risen from nickels and dimes to quarters over the past two decades.

They spoke of the contracts they had voted down with disgust. The workers explained that the agreements presented to them by the UFCW would have most employees earning far below a living wage for Indianapolis and cleaning workers would be making just $13.75 by the year 2028.

The workers described feeling insulted by the company offerwhich was passed along to them by the UFCW bureaucracyof a $200 Kroger gift card instead of meaningful pay raises.

One worker, Sarah Ford, a pharmacy technician from Connersville, Indiana, said: Our jobs are worth more than the $17 an hour they pay technicians. As a pharmacy technician, peoples lives are in my hands every single day, and I cannot help people as they deserve to be helped without the people or the hours to do so. Many workers expressed anger and frustration at being undervalued despite many years of service with the company.

Workers also criticized the lack of transparency and communication from the UFCW leadership and objected to being rushed into voting on contracts they found unacceptable. Amy Reynolds, a Kroger worker in Fishers, said, Our union negotiations were happening behind closed doors. We didnt know anything about our contract until it was dropped right in front of us.

At the Kroger store across the parking lot, a front-end clerk who spoke to the World Socialist Web Site said, I definitely dont feel like they pay us enough for all the BS we go through. Honestly, Ive been feeling angry towards them for a long time. Ive been in front end for the last six years and while I have been getting raises, it feels like its not enough sometimes, especially when I feel like we have the most responsibilities overall.

These sentiments have been expressed by Kroger workers continuously throughout the months-long contract fight in Indiana. Just as they did in the 2022 contract fightwhich resulted in the imposition of a rotten contractKroger workers in Indiana have shown a determination to reject concessionary agreements, fight corporate greed and conduct a genuine struggle for wages, staffing and working conditions that reflect their essential interests.

However, Indiana Kroger workers must be warned that the intervention of EW4D, which is promoting a group called O.U.R. Local 700, will not alter the situation facing Kroger workers. Far from it, the EW4D rally was organized to both dissipate the anger of rank-and-file workers and to promote the falsehood that the corporate stooges in the UFCW bureaucracy can be pressured into fighting the company and advancing workers interests.

The UFCW is one of the largest unions in the US and has 1.3 million members in the US and Canada. Like every union within the AFL-CIO system, the UFCW is run by a corporatist bureaucracy that represents the interests of the employers such as Kroger, Alberstons, Safeway, King Soopers and others.

For example, UFCW International President Milton Brown has an annual income of more than $300,000. This is around ten times the average income of workers in the grocery chain industry.

The relationship of the UFCW to the corporation is also proven by the fact it has been deliberately isolating the struggles of retail and grocery chain workers across the country for decades and forcing through contacts that serve the interests of the corporations in an industry with revenues of over $200 billion.

While UFCW Local 700 is now planning to resume talks with Kroger on August 16, EW4D is preparing to set up workers for the third sellout contract that now being prepared and will be telling Kroger workers they have to vote for it.

What is EW4D?

Essential Workers for Democracy (EW4D), founded in 2022, is a nonprofit organization that functions as an adjunct to the UFCW bureaucracy. EW4D says it promotes democratic unions that are accountable to members. Its leadership, however, is made up of former union bureaucrats and functionaries of pseudo-left political organizations tied to the capitalist Democratic Party and the AFL-CIO, such as the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Labor Notes.

Several of the EW4D leadersincluding executive director Steve Williamson and organizer Caitlyn Clarkhave a background of working for Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU), a reform group now in the leadership of the union alongside General President Sean OBrien, an ultra-right Trump supporter.

During the 2023 UPS contract, TDU functioned as the public relations arm of the Teamsters bureaucracy, which enforced a sellout agreement which has since been used to lay off tens of thousands of people. TDU, as with the entire union bureaucracy, has largely kept a guilty silence since then.

EW4D has been brought in because the UFCW apparatus knows that rank-and-file workers have a growing awareness that a battle is being fought against both the employer and the union misleaders.

Meanwhile, EW4D has set up its O.U.R. Local 700 organization in direct opposition to the Kroger Workers Rank-and-File Committee that was established to fight against the sellout contract negotiated by the UFCW bureaucracy in 2022.

The purpose of the O.U.R. Local 700 group is to ensure that the Local UFCW leaders do not lose control of the contract fight against Kroger. As part of this effort, EW4D is working to maintain the isolation of Indiana Kroger workers from their brothers and sisters across the country who are facing the very same fight.

In opposition to the mobilization of the massive strength of all UFCW members collectively in strike action across the country, EW4D is to telling Kroger workers to rely on court rulings to defend their rights and to appeal to local Democratic Party politicians to sign their Contract Unity Pledge cards. Such campaigns expose EW4D to be a tool of the union bureaucracy against the kind of bitter class battle that is required for workers to win their demands.

Kroger Workers Rank-and-File Committee

While voting down sellout contracts is essential, bitter experience has shown that it is a first step in the fight for what workers need. An urgent necessity exists for rank-and-file workers to organize a new leadership that will take the contract fight completely out of the hands of the UFCW bureaucracy and expand the struggle to grocery store workers and other sections of the working class across the country.

In 2022, the Kroger Workers Rank and File Committee issued a statement that said, This committee will fight to reestablish rank-and-file control over the entire process, develop solidarity and collaboration among Kroger workers across the US, and expose and fight against the betrayals of the union bureaucrats. It is open to all Kroger workers around the country, not just in Indianapolis.

Kroger workers must develop this independent initiative and take matters into their own hands against both the UFCW bureaucracy and its EW4D appendage.

The first order of business is a campaign to advance the demands of Kroger workers based on what is necessary and not what the company says it can afford. Any attempt by the UFCW and EW4D to present a contract that does not meet these demands must be met with a campaign by the committee to not only vote down the first contract but take control of the struggle into workers hands.

The next the task is for the rank and file committee to prepare strike action that will shut down Kroger across central Indiana and to immediately end the UFCWs isolation of the struggles and establish connections with workers across the country who are engaged in the same fight.

Finally, Kroger workers must reject all attempts to convince the rank-and-file that Democratic Party politicians will represent or fight for their interests. The Democrats, no less than the Republicans, are capitalist politicians representing the interests of the corporations, banks and billionaire oligarchy that exploit the labor of workers to accumulate their profits and enormous personal wealth.

The fight against Krogerand its agents in the UFCW and EW4Dmust be based on the necessity for a socialist program with the goal of taking the grocery chain industry out of the hands of the private corporations and reorganize it for the purpose of providing food for the public and not the profits of the rich.
The aggressive smear campaign by right-wing media, far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) officials, and Christian Democrat politicians, which led to the withdrawal of law professor Frauke Brosius-Gersdorfs candidacy as a Supreme Court judge, makes two things clear.

First, it reveals the right-wing character of the Merz government, formed by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), whose policies are visibly dictated by the AfD. Second, it refutes the propaganda of the SPD, Left Party, Greens and trade unions, which claim that the AfD can be fought and pushed back through the election and support of nominally democratic parties.

In reality, it is exactly the other way around. The governing parties adopt the AfDs right-wing policies and pave the way for it to take power step by step.

Protesters in Frankfurt: The sign reads, "Never again 1933!" [AP Photo/Michael Probst]

With its agitation against Brosius-Gersdorf, the far-right party, which in part openly holds fascist positions, decided who can and cannot run for a judicial position at Germanys highest court. This has far-reaching consequences.

The Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional [Supreme] Court) wields significant political power. It can declare majority decisions of the Bundestag (federal parliament) unconstitutional, thus effectively making law itself. It is the only body that can ban political parties, regulate disputes between the federal government and the states, and is the highest authority in all legal matters.

We have shown in a previous article how the smear campaign against Brosius-Gersdorf was staged. As is so often the case, it began with the tabloid Bild. Its former editor-in-chief, Julian Reichelt, who now runs the far-right outlet Nius, demanded that Brosius-Gersdorf must be stopped!

AfD leader Alice Weidel reposted Reichelts statement. AfD MP Beatrix von Storch claimed on X that Brosius-Gersdorf was a left-wing radical activist who essentially advocates abortion up to the ninth month. This was followed by tens of thousands of posts attacking the candidate. Members of parliament were flooded with emails. The candidate herself received suspicious postal deliveries and threats directed against her, her family and her staff.

We wrote:

The allegations against Brosius-Gersdorf were largely fabricated. She is an established professor of public law with a long academic career and is currently teaching at the University of Potsdam. Her views, according to Der Spiegel, lie within the legal mainstream.

When Brosius-Gersdorf withdrew her candidacy, the AfD celebrated. Its deputy federal spokesperson, Stephan Brandner, demanded that the SPDs second proposed candidate should also be blocked. Brandner and the AfD relied in this campaign on close cooperation with right-wing networks within the Union (CDU/CSU) parties, which aim for direct AfD participation in government.

At the end of Februarys federal election, the AfD became the second strongest party. The outgoing coalition of the SPD, Greens and Liberal Democrats (FDP) had paved the way for this with its militaristic, anti-working-class and anti-immigrant policies. While the governing parties lost around 20 percent of the vote, the AfD was able to channel popular anger against the government and double its share of the vote.

The SPD lost the most, nearly 10 percent, having forfeited its working class base since the Hartz laws 20 years ago, which introduced harsh welfare and labour reforms, and reduced itself to a skeleton supported by career politicians, union officials and better-off middle class layers. Despite achieving its worst result since 1887, the SPD rushed back into government and now holds key levers of power through the finance and defence ministries.

This strengthens the AfD, which has continued to gain ground since the federal election one and a half years ago and now polls neck-and-neck with the Union. It also encourages the Unions right wing to work even more closely with the far-right and prepare its entry into government.

Chancellor Friedrich Merzregardless of all the talk about a firewallis ready to cooperate with the AfD. He demonstrated this before the federal election and before forming the new government.

The events of January 29 are still fresh in memory. The Bundestag session began with a memorial marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, featuring solemn speeches about Never Again! That same afternoon, Merz put his five-point migration plan to a votea plan that in every respect mirrored the AfDs racist policiesand won a majority with AfD votes.

This was a deliberate provocation to test whether forming a government with the AfD was already feasible.

In light of the massive protests and spontaneous mass demonstrations against the AfD, the ruling circles decided to temporarily form a coalition with the SPD to push through the enormous rearmament programme and the associated attacks on social benefits, pensions, wages and jobsand to suppress the expected resistance with the help of union leaders.

But the right-wing cabal in the Union has since been increasingly vocal. In early May, 18 MPs from the governing parties refused to vote for Merz in the chancellor election, causing him to fail in the first roundan unprecedented event in the history of the Federal Republic.

The SPD credibly stressed that all its MPs had voted for Merz. After all, the party was simply relieved to be back at the cabinet table after its electoral disaster and did not want to risk Merzs election failing under any circumstances. The vote was secret, but all indications suggest the dissent came from right-wing Union MPs, signalling to the chancellor that he depends on their approval.

The Left Party came to the chancellor candidates aid, ensuring the necessary support so that a second vote could take place that same day, in which Merz was successful. In other words: in the name of fighting the right and the AfD, the Left Party supports the Merz governmentwhich is pursuing the largest military build-up since Hitler, dismantling social programmes, dismantling asylum rights, and acting as a Trojan horse for AfD participation in government.

During the election of Bundesverfassungsgericht judges, the AfD-aligned right-wing factions in the Union once again demonstrated their strength. They defied a coalition decision, ignored party discipline, and made it clear how weak and crisis-ridden this government is.

The Merz government is a government of crisis, staying in power only because it is supported by all other democratic parties and the trade union apparatus.

The Left Party plays a particularly cynical role in this. It loudly poses as anti-right, joins protests against the AfD, but at the same time supports the federal government, which is preparing for AfD participation in government. Its specific role is to suppress any serious initiative aimed at an effective fight against the AfD, rearmament, war, layoffs and social cuts at their rootthat is, on the basis of an international socialist programme opposing capitalism.

It is necessary to face political reality. There is no lesser evil among the Bundestag parties. All parties support rearmament, financed through social cutbacks.

The only way to stop the rise of the AfD and the shift to the right in the state apparatus is to build an international socialist movement within the working class and youtha movement that combines the fight against war, militarism, social cuts and dictatorship with the struggle against capitalism and for a socialist society. This requires building the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP), which fights for this perspective.
Hundreds of workers and community members turned out for two viewings in Smithton, Pennsylvania honoring 39-year-old Timothy Quinn, one of the two steelworkers killed in Mondays explosion at the US Steel Clairton Coke Works. The large turnout was a reflection of the deep sense of loss felt not only by Quinns family and friends but by his coworkers and the broader working class community in the Mon Valley of Pennsylvania.

Timothy Quinn

Quinn leaves behind his three childrenJeremiah, Lilliana and Teagan, as well as his mother, Debra Quinn, for whom he was caring, his siblings and his longtime girlfriend, Lucinda Dodds. Funeral services are being held on Saturday.

Also killed was 52-year-old Steven Menefee, a devoted husband to Danielle and father to two daughters, Eliana and Ariella. Visitation services for Menefee will be held Monday and Tuesday, followed by his funeral.

Ten other workers were injured in the blast, three of whom remain hospitalized. Among the latter is Ty Antonelli, who was severely injured. Antonelli, the father of three young children, including a two-month-old, was described by coworkers as deeply dedicated to his family. His wife, Allesandra, is his college sweetheart.

Ty Antonelli and his family

These deaths and injuries have become a focal point of outrage among workers, who told the World Socialist Web Site that the explosion could have been prevented. They underscore the broader social reality that steelworkers are being forced to risk their lives each day in unsafe conditions while management and the union apparatus do nothing to protect them.

Hundreds of workers, family, friends and community members lined up for the viewings on Friday, at times stretching out of the church and into the parking lot. Alongside many of Quinns coworkers from the Clairton plant, where he had worked for 17 years, were steelworkers from other mills across the Mon Valley, including US Steels Irvin and Edgar Thomson plants.

New evidence has emerged that workers were given only five seconds notice to evacuate before the explosion. Workers told the WSWS that management had refused to take the necessary 14 hours to shut down the batteries and purge the pipes of explosive gases before ordering repairs on the valve.

Since 2009, the Clairton Coke Works has suffered at least five major explosions and fires, killing one worker and injuring dozens more. Workers report that many other blasts have occurred but were never publicly disclosed.

Safety last

A worker from the Irvin Works wrote to the WSWS, underscoring that the deadly conditions at Clairton are not unique but part of a systemic disregard for workers lives across US Steels operations:

Safety is always last, usually only addressed after someone is injured. Ive seen first hand red tags being removed from lifting devices and then being forced to use them for months while being told, We need to get this work done so we can run from both management and union safety. I witnessed a new maintenance worker lose three fingers in a crushing accident, only to be blamed while management covered up the fact that the cranes always lose power and drop uncontrollably. They force crane operators on quick return doubles constantly while forcing us to have our lives depend on the sleep deprived craneman. Safety platforms that are crushed are ignored. This companys moto is production first safety last, until its time to be on camera.

Social media has also been filled with reports from workers about the dangerous conditions inside the mill.

Twisted metal and visible debris from inside the Clairton Coke Works.

The plant has been in disrepair and disarray for years and years, but apparently they dont think they can restart it once its shut down, so they just ... dont do any serious maintenance that would require shut down, wrote one worker. This has been coming for a long, long time.

Another recalled, I did an internship there 20 years ago and it was rough. Up on the coke ovens in suit, respirator and goggles doing pressure testing all while the loading train was working. Would come off the unit with black covering all the spaces not covered by the respirator and goggles.

People in the community have also expressed shock that such a tragedy had not happened sooner. There was a major fire in February, one local resident told the World Socialist Web Site. Weve heard five or six blasts coming from the mill just this year. I knew if they didnt do something, someone was going to get killed soon.

Company-union cover-up being prepared

The company, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the United Steelworkers (USW) apparatus are already working to orchestrate a cover-up.

The Clairton Coke Works, a US Steel coking plant, is seen Monday, August 11, 2025, in Clairton, Pennsylvania. [AP Photo/Gene Puskar]

According to local reports, officials now claim the investigation will take 18 months, while OSHA has stated it will not issue even its initial report for six months.

The company has already offered the victims families paltry financial settlements, and it is clear that by dragging out the investigation they hope the tragedy will fade from public attention.

The United Steelworkers apparatus bears equal responsibility for this tragedy with US Steel. Workers must ask themselves: What has the USW done in the 16 years since the 2009 explosion to improve safety and protect workers health and lives? The answer is nothing.

For decades, the USW bureaucracy has functioned as a second layer of management, overseeing the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs, forcing through contracts with massive concessions and working to suppress workers struggles even as the company piles up one safety violation after another.

The United Steelworkers apparatus, along with the United Auto Workers, Teamsters, the building trades and other unions, long ago ceased to operate in defense of the workers they claim to represent. With billions of dollars in assets and funds, the bureaucrats sell their services to management, working to block any struggle by workers for higher wages, decent benefits and safe working conditions.

In particular, the United Steelworkers promotes nationalism, chauvinism and anti-socialism to divide the working class and divert anger away from the company.

In the days since the explosion, the USW has hardly said a word about the deaths of Timothy Quinn and Steven Menefee. The union issued only a perfunctory statement on August 11, declaring, In the coming days, we will work with the appropriate authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and to see that our members get the support they need.

Notably absent was any demand for halting production, shutting down the unsafe batteries, or holding management accountable. Instead, the USW signaled its readiness to collaborate with the company and government regulators in a drawn-out cover-up, leaving workers to face the same deadly conditions.

The lives lost and the families shattered must not be swept under the rug through endless investigations and token fines! To uncover the truth and hold those responsible to account, workers themselves must take the initiative.

An independent rank-and-file investigation into the Clairton disaster, led by steelworkers and supported by workers throughout the region, is necessary. Only such a workers inquiry can expose the full extent of managements negligence and the complicity of the union apparatus and lay the basis for a genuine fight for safe workplaces and the protection of workers lives.

Do you work at Clairton Coke Works or another steel mill? Send a report on conditions at the plant by filling out the form below. Submissions will be kept anonymous.
Seven months into the second presidential term of the fascist President Donald Trump the massive assault on immigrants continues to escalate.

A US Army soldier looks on in front of newly-installed concertina wire lining one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States, March 21, 2025, in San Diego. [AP Photo/Gregory Bull]

The coastal city of San Diego, California, with its standing as one of the nations prominent urban military hubs and its close proximity to the Mexican border, has been a target in Trumps nationwide deportation campaign.

Since the start of the year, the city has experienced multiple militarized raids that have sparked widespread outrage in a community where over a quarter344,000 of out a total population of 1,386,932are foreign-born residents.

To enforce this mass deportation campaign, the administration is using not only Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) but all the armed reserves of the capitalist state, including various federal agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with the California National Guard and the FBI.

Over the past month the raids have increasingly escalated in their violent and criminal character. Deportation police are under immense pressure from Trump administration officials to meet daily arrest quotas. The administration has abandoned the pretense of fighting criminal and terrorist elements by targeting areas where workers, students, parents and residents congregate, such as worksites and schools.

On August 7, a parent was arrested in a blatant show of force in the South Bay during a routine morning drop-off of her child near the Chula Vista Elementary School. Kyungjin Yu, an immigrant from South Korea with no criminal history, was separated from her children, as ICE officers removed her from her vehicle and arrested her for the civil offense of overstaying her visa.

Kyungjin is one of at least 30 people taken by ICE in Chula Vista so far. She is one many residents who have been seized by agents in previously off limit areas, such as hospitals and churches.

In late July, masked federal agents seized several workers at a Home Depot in Encinitas provoking outrage in the community. In a video that went viral online, a local resident, who wished to not be named, angrily confronted the immigration Gestapo. The woman told NBC 7 that she and other residents confronted the agents due to their concern over the fact that they were arresting workers, stating, when masked, armed, unidentified gunmen are standing in the parking lot of our local shopping centers, this is not how we lawfully and ethically enforce our laws.

On July 8, 71-year-old US citizen Barbara Stone was injured when she was handcuffed and detained for eight hours by masked ICE agents at the San Diego Immigration Courthouse. She was detained for allegedly pushing an ICE agent as she was documenting the courthouse arrests.

On June 12, two masked ICE agents detained and handcuffed an Afghan translator with no criminal record and has an active asylum case, including service with the US Army. He was detained as he was waiting for a routine immigration hearing at the San Diego Immigration Courthouse.

The policy of conducting arrests at courthouses came into effect in late May, in an attempt to speed up the 3,000 per day arrest quota demanded by Trumps fascist senior adviser Stephen Miller. In line with this policy, on May 22, some 20 ICE agents swarmed an immigration courthouse in San Diego and arrested at least eight people, according to KPBS.

The most explosive confrontation in San Diego so far between residents and immigration thugs occurred on May 30, when heavily armed agents in military-style tactical gear detained and arrested four workers from an Italian restaurant in the South Park area. The operation immediately sparked outrage.

San Diegans and asylum seekers seized from their workplaces and homes by the immigration Gestapo are eventually confined at the for-profit Otay Mesa Detention Center. Operated by the private corporation CoreCivic, the facility often holds detainees incommunicado for weeks at a time.

A sign for the Otay Mesa Detention Center sits in front of the building in San Diego. [AP Photo/Gregory Bull]

The denial of democratic rights for immigrants and their unlawful detention has generated massive increase in profits for these private prison corporations. CoreCivic, in its second quarter financial reporting for 2025, listed a total revenue of $538.2 million, up from 9.8 percent from the prior years quarter.

CoreCivics Chief Executive Officer Damon T. Hininger openly recognized the companys mutual interest with the mass deportation campaign. He explained that increasing demand for the solutions we provide, particularly from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), contributed to a strong second quarter, as nationwide detention populations under ICE custody reached an all-time high.

He cynically continued, We expect the substantial increase in government funding approved during July to result in further increases in the utilization of our existing capacity. Based on the strength of our second quarter financial results and outlook for our business during the second half of 2025, we are increasing our 2025 financial guidance.

The facility, plagued by unsanitary conditions, is essentially a windowless prison. Detainees report being forced into overcrowded holding cells, sleeping on the floor and having medical care deferred that has resulted in hospitalizations. Detainees are under constant surveillance, surrounded by barbed wire fences and armed guards.

Far from being filled with criminals and rapists, ICE data shows 954 of the 1,104 men and 241 of the 258 women held at the Otay facility currently are labeled as noncriminal detainees.

The developments in San Diego are only a microcosm of a much larger process that is taking place all across the United States. In a measure of the explosive social anger against Trumps attacks on immigrants and plans for dictatorship, on June 14 in San Diego, two weeks after the South Park raid, over 60,000 people marched downtown for the No Kings protest.

San Diego, like the state of California as a whole, is a major stronghold of the Democratic Party, yet the most brutal anti-immigrant crackdowns have been held there with virtually no opposition organized by Democrats at either the state or local levels.

The complicity of the Democrats in these attacks is matched by the trade unions, who have done nothing in response to these violent attacks on workers. Despite the fact that more than 2.3 million California workers are unionized, not a single trade union has called for a work stoppage in opposition to the raids even though they have specifically targeted workers.

This has been particularly evident in the cases of the arrest of David Huerta, the president of SEIU California, during an immigration raid in LA, and the violent raids on farms in Southern California which led to the death of one worker. Even as masked agents viciously target workers, alleged union leaders refuse to mobilize the working class in defense of democratic rights.

Rhetorically, the response of union bureaucracies to the immigration raids has been a mixture of empty condemnations of Trumps dictatorial enforcement tactics and empty appeals to the Democratic Party.

Following the May 30 raid outside of the Buona Forchetta restaurant, Christian Ramirez, the policy director of SEIU Local 221, implored elected leaders who are in Congress ... to do more than just have a press conference about it.

Ramirez concluded by saying this show of power is meant to send a message, but our message is clear: We will fight back with everything that we have. Since the raid, however, the SEIU bureaucracy has consciously refused to mobilize its workforce to engage in any serious labor action to oppose this crisis.

Instead, the SEIU has held symbolic protests in collaboration with the Democratic Party in order to corral the growing opposition by promoting illusions into the dead end politics of pressuring the Democrats into defending the working class.

The defense of immigrants is fundamentally and unavoidably a class question. The current attacks will be expanded and used against all sections of the working class who resist the dictatorship of capital. The refusal of the trade unions and Democratic Party to meaningfully resist these raids is not a mistake but a reflection of their class interests.
Grosvenor underground coal mine at Moranbah, central Queensland, last year the site of a month-long inferno, has been unsealed in preparation for workers to return. The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) has endorsed the reopening drive by owner Anglo American, which is anxious to restart operations to facilitate its pending sale of the mine.

Anglo Americans Grosvenor Mine [Photo: Australasian Mine Safety Journal]

The MEU has lifted its ban on entry to the mine, allowing Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS) personnel to begin preliminary reconnaissance inspections last week. This was described as a significant milestone by the mines general manager, Shane McDowall, who said, while mining would not resume immediately, workers would re-enter the mine once safety inspections were finished.

MEU official Jason Hill told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Theres nothing to say it cant return into a full production. Its just a matter of identifying what happened.

What happened was that, for the second time in four years, a methane gas explosion and fire placed the lives of Grosvenor mine workers in immediate danger.

At around 5:40 a.m. on June 29, 2024, a group of Grosvenor miners working on a longwall face some 500 metres underground saw a flame zip down the tunnel away from them.

At the time, MEU general vice president Steven Smyth noted how close workers came to serious injury or death: [T]he saving grace is, if there is any in this whole situation, its that the flame went down the return and not across the coalface where the workers were.

The workers then had to self-escape, scrambling in near-total darknesspower having been cut to reduce the chance of further ignitionto reach vehicles before making the hour-long journey back to the surface. Another worker, alone in a different section of the mine, was not aware of the fire until he made a chance call to the surface to inquire about the time and was told to evacuate.

While no workers were injured, the fire burned for the entire month of July, spewing vast clouds of toxic smoke from the mines ventilation shafts. Local residents were told to stay indoors to minimise their exposure.

The mine has been closed since the fire, with the majority of the more than 1,100 workers employed there redeployed to other operations in the region, according to the ABC.

Last years fire prompted renewed questions over the safety of the mine after five workers were seriously injured in a methane explosion in 2020, sustaining horrific and life-threatening burns to their upper torsos and airways.

While no charges were laid against Anglo American over the 2020 incident, the investigation revealed that decisions made by the company to maximise production and profit helped to create the conditions for the explosion.

Though the official government inquiry was largely a whitewash, it did reveal that Anglo American enforced a rate of extraction that continually produced methane gas levels more than twice what the mines gas drainage system could handle. The company also skipped other safety measures and risk assessments before starting work on the longwall where the incident occurred, in order to avoid costly delays.

Moreover, the company ignored repeated warnings from workers of the dangerous conditions. The inquiry heard that, in the eight weeks before the blast, there were 14 reported high potential incidents of methane exceedance at the mine. One of the injured miners, Wayne Sellars, told the inquiry that when workers complained to management about the methane levels, theyd come back and theyd tell us to keep going.

Giving workers further reason to be wary of Anglo Americans posturing over safety now is the context in which its push to reopen the Grosvenor mine is taking place. The company has lined up a deal to sell its Australian metallurgical coal mines, including Grosvenor, for $5.8 billion, but the prospective buyer is reportedly trying to back out of the arrangement or negotiate a cheaper price.

Australian Mining Monthly reported in May that Peabody Energy had notified Anglo American of a material adverse change affecting the acquisition plan, in response to the shuttering of another mine, Moranbah North, 10 kilometres to the north, again because of an underground fire, in March. With both mines closed, Anglo Americans total Australian metallurgical coal output in the June quarter was 2.06 million tonnes (Mt), 51 percent lower than for the same period in 2024.

In 2021, more than 200 Grosvenor workers signed a union-initiated petition calling for the dismissal of the mines senior management, who, they wrote, have given us no reason to believe they have addressed the culture of poor safety or that they have put in place measures that will prevent a repeat disaster.

The union has provided no explanation as to why that assessment is no longer the case. The MEU bureaucracy, for whom the petition was never anything more than a cynical diversion, is once again lining up with Anglo American to force workers back into the mine, under the pretext that an investigation has been carried out and lessons have been learned.

The reality is that the MEU is just as anxious as the company to cover up its own role overseeing unsafe conditions at Grosvenor and throughout the mining industry. Following almost every serious incident, the union bleats that its warnings to management of unsafe conditions were ignored.

But it is the unions that serve as an industrial police force of management, keeping workers on the job and ensuring that their safety concerns do not find expression in strikes or other industrial action that would impact on company profits. They use the same mechanisms to enforce corporate and government demands for cuts to real wages, conditions and job security, against the opposition of workers.

The MEU and all other union bureaucracies play this role because they fully support, and are an integral part of, the capitalist system, under which every consideration, including the health and lives of workers, is subordinate to the transformation of labour into profit. It is this ruthless system, the only goal of which is to produce ever-greater wealth for a tiny elite, that is ultimately responsible for all the predictable and preventable deaths and injuries that are falsely labelled industrial accidents.

This means that, to improve safety and put a stop to preventable deaths and serious injuries in the mining industry, workers need to take matters into their own hands. Rank-and-file committees, democratically controlled by workers, must be built in every workplace to assess conditions, formulate demands and enforce safety measures. Workers, not management, must decide when and if it is safe to re-enter a mine after an incident.

The fight for safe working conditions in the mining industry and more broadly should be connected to a struggle by the working class against capitalism itself. This means a fight for a socialist perspective, and to establish workers governments to place all essential industries, including mining, under public ownership democratic workers control, to meet social need, not private profit.
President Donald Trump, right, Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong]

US President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska Friday, in the first visit by the Russian leader to the United States since 2015.

Earlier in the day, Trump claimed that he was seeking a ceasefire in the US-Russia proxy war in Ukraine, declaring, I want to see a ceasefire, I wont be happy if its not today. But neither a ceasefire nor any other concrete agreement was announced by the two men in the 12-minute remarks to the press after their summit.

Despite the lack of announcements, the summit marks a shift in the United States treatment of Russia. For years, Washington has sought to make Russia a pariah state as part of a campaign to shatter its military, overthrow its government and ultimately dissolve the country.

After three years of war, it is clear that this effort has so far failed. Russian forces are advancing all down the front, and Ukraine, facing a major manpower shortage, is facing a military catastrophe.

Under these conditions, the Financial Times commented that the summit marked an emphatic end to years of western attempts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin. The newspaper wrote that Trump had greeted the Russian president with a red carpet rolled out by US military at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. He then invited a smiling Putin into The Beast, his armored vehicle, for the short ride to the summits venue.

The Democrats, whose central difference with Trump is their accusation that he is insufficiently committed to war with Russia, condemned the summit. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly declared, Treat a war criminal like royalty, hide the meeting, share nothing. Putin gets a headline and Ukraine gets what?

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, declared, My stomach turned when I heard the President of the United States characterize Vladimir Putin as his fabulously good friend. ... Vladimir Putin is a war criminal.

Despite the show of civility Friday, Trump emphasized that significant differences remained between the Russian and US positions. Trump said, A couple of big ones that we havent quite got there, but weve made some headway, adding, We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

In his remarks, Putin emphasized that in order to make the settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict, and weve said it multiple times, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole.

That, however, is the rub. The United States is the worlds foremost imperialist power, bent on global domination of the former colonial world and the territory of the Soviet Union. To the extent that factions of the US political establishment are seeking a thaw in relations with Russia, it is in an effort to concentrate all their forces in a conflict with China, which would itself be the prelude to the total imperialist carve-up of the whole world.

Within the Trump administration, there is a significant faction arguing for a US drawdown in the conflict with Russia in order to concentrate resources in the Pacific for a conflict with China. Earlier this year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explained, Stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe.  The US is prioritizing deterring war with China in the Pacific, recognizing the reality of scarcity and making the resourcing tradeoffs.

The root of the conflict, despite their evident attempts by Trump and Putin to come to some sort of agreement, is that the entire modus operandi of US imperialism, which seeks the total domination of the entire planet, cannot accept what Putin calls the legitimate concerns of Russia, i.e., the right of the Russian capitalists to exploit their mineral wealth undisturbed.

Any US agreement with Russia, were it to take place, would be broken the minute the United States found it convenient.
Will Lehman at the UAW bargaining convention, March 27, 2023

Without explanation, the US Department of Labor has again rejected Will Lehmans complaint against the 2022-2023 United Auto Workers national union elections, which provided evidence of widespread disenfranchisement and suppression of workers votes.

The decision comes amid a major crisis within the UAW bureaucracy, with union president Shawn Fain being drawn up on charges by another section of the apparatus.

Lehman, a rank-and-file worker at Mack Trucks and candidate for UAW president in the elections, was sent a cursory letter, dated August 1, by the DOLs Office of Labor Management Standards (OLMS) informing him of the decision. The letter stated:

Following a review of the investigative findings by this office and the Office of the Solicitor, Division of Civil Rights and Labor-Management, a decision has been made that those findings do not provide a basis for action by the Department to set aside the protested election.

It added that a statement of reasons for the decision would be sent at an undetermined future date.

The DOLs decision comes more than a year after a June 2024 ruling by federal judge David Lawson that the department had illegally rejected Lehmans original complaint and had acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner in doing so. Lawson had ordered the DOL to address Lehmans complaint via a further investigation or statement of reasons.

In his ruling, Lawson had described the DOLs rationale for denying Lehmans complaint as pedantic and inherently illogical and textually unsupported, in what Bloomberg Law called a rare rebuke of the department.

Lehman has an ongoing lawsuit against the Labor Department, filed June 19 this year, over its refusal to comply with Lawsons 2024 order. The suit explained that the DOLs delay in responding to Lehmans complaint effectively leaves a rank-and-file autoworker like Lehman with no meaningful remedy for alleged election violations, despite well-established legal principles that time is axiomatically of the essence in election-related matters.

For months, the DOL repeatedly stonewalled Lehmans efforts to elicit any update on its investigation.

Responding to the letter, Lehman told the WSWS Friday, The Department of Labor under both Biden and Trump has repeatedly shown total disdain for workers rights, including the fundamental right to a free and fair election.

The 2022 UAW elections saw voter turnout of just 9 percent out of the UAWs 1.1 million eligible voting members, the lowest of any national union election in US history. Lehmans complaint brought forward evidence of systematic efforts by the UAW bureaucracy to keep rank-and-file workers in the dark about their ability to vote.

Despite the voter suppression, Lehman secured 4,777 votes, or nearly 5 percent of ballots cast, while running on an explicitly socialist and internationalist platform. Lehman called for the abolition of the pro-corporate UAW bureaucracy and the transfer of all power and decision-making authority to rank-and-file workers.

The political issues behind the decision

The decision by the Trump administrationcontinuing the policy of Bidento paint the UAW elections as legitimate comes amid a serious crisis for the union apparatus.

Current UAW President Shawn Fain ran in the election as a self-described reformer who would restore credibility to the union after a corruption scandal brought down much of the unions top leadership. Fain enjoyed the support of most of the American pseudo-left, and figures from the Labor Notes publication became top figures in his administration.

The role of the federal government in upholding Fains victory and stonewalling Lehmans complaint, under conditions where more ballots were marked undeliverable than actually cast, underscores that the American government saw the rehabilitation of the UAW bureaucracy as a key political issue.

The union bureaucracy plays a crucial function for American capitalism by working to frustrate and divert rank-and-file opposition, and help to prevent or limit strikes and impose contracts which sign off on layoffs, stagnant wages and other concessions. The importance of the bureaucracy in preparing the home front for war was expressed last year by Bidens declaration that the AFL-CIO was his Domestic NATO.

President Joe Biden stands with Shawn Fain, President of the United Auto Workers, at the United Auto Workers' political convention, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

Fain oversaw fraudulent stand up strikes at the Big Three automakers in 2023 which kept the majority of workers on the job, minimizing the impact to production. The contracts which resulted had the full support of the Biden administration, and allowed the companies to lay off thousands of full-time workers and terminate thousands more temporary workers outright.

The sellout of the 2023 Big Three contract struggle was part of an unbroken pattern of betrayal of workers struggles, including at Mack Trucks, Clarion, Lear, as well as at University of California and other universities where the UAW has established a presence.

Now, the UAW bureaucracy under Fain has continued to turn a blind eye to the dangerous and even deadly conditions which prevail in the factories, with a growing number of horrific deathssuch as that of Stellantis workers Antonio Gaston and Ronald Adams Sr.over the past two years.

Meanwhile, Fain has emerged as one of the leading militarists in the pro-imperialist trade union bureaucracy. He has given countless speeches calling for a return to a World War II-style war economy and has called for excess capacity in the auto industry to be re-purposed for military production.

Fains militarism was a pillar of the of the unions alliance with the Biden White House, with Fain serving on the US Export Council and invited to the State of the Union and important receptions for foreign leaders.

But since the election of Trump, the UAW rapidly swung its support behind Trumps America First nationalism, without requiring significant revision to its rhetoric. Fain and the UAW apparatus have refused to lift a finger in defense of immigrant workersincluding UAW membersand the democratic and social rights of workers more broadly, which are under relentless and escalating assault by the fascist Trump administration.

Labor Notes and other pseudo-left backers of Fain have explicitly defended Fains embrace of Trump.

Crisis of the UAW is a crisis of class rule

Now, the politically highly-placed Fain administration has been revealed to be just as thuggish as previous union administrations. Fain has become the subject of an ongoing corruption investigation by a court-appointed union monitor. A court filing by the UAW monitor in June revealed Fains bureaucratic thuggery, including allegations that he threatened to slit the f***ing throats of anyone who challenged his inner circle.

As Fains administration has increasingly hemorrhaged credibility among workers, bitter infighting has erupted within the union bureaucracy, with an effort currently underway by sections of the UAW apparatus to bring formal charges to remove Fain.

The charges are being conducted in such a way as to exclude the possibility of rank-and-file intervention as much as possible. Only a few hundred union members voted in favor of their locals endorsing the charges, which will be taken up internally by a trial committee appointed by the International Executive Board. The charges have been put forward by those in the bureaucracy loyal to Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock and Vice President Rich Boyer, two officials who have run afoul of Fain.

Nevertheless, the petition is a major new stage in the crisis of not only the UAW, but all of those political institutions which staked their credibility on this reform union administration.

The Labor Departments latest refusal to take up Will Lehmans protest shows that the White House is doing what it can to quarantine this crisis from the working class.

This shows the urgency of workers building rank-and-file committees under their own control, Lehman told the WSWS.

Whether under Biden or Trump, the Labor Department and the state have no interest in defending the democratic rights of workers. In fact, their main concern is suppressing those rights.

He continued, Fains administration and policies continue to demonstrate every day that the UAW apparatus cannot be reformed from within. It must be abolished. It is up to workers ourselves to take power out of the hands of the bureaucrats at Solidarity House, so that we can wield it in defense of our own class interests. That is the movement which the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees is fighting to build.
DWTS Pro Emma Slater Drops Jaws in 'Cheeky' Bikini Photos originally appeared on Parade.

Longtime Dancing With the Stars pro Emma Slater has been sharing photos from her trip to Greece during her second visit to the European country this summer. On August 15, Slater posted a series of five pics of herself basking in the sun in a two-piece thong bikini.

Slater posed in the ocean, showing off her "cheeky" side.

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"The sunshine made me feel a bit cheeky," she captioned an Instagram post, adding the peach emoji. Fans flocked to the comments section of the post to let Slater know how great she looks. Amongst the comments was Slater's biggest fan  her boyfriend, Alan Bersten.

"HUBBA HUBBA," Bersten wrote, adding two heart eye emoji.

"WHAT A HOTTIE YES EMS," another comment read.

"Good lord. Im texting in my 10 votes right now. Ha ha ha. Are the lines Open ?!?" someone else said.

"Someone check if @alanbersten is still breathing," a fourth Instagram user joked.

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As mentioned above, this is Slater's second trip to Greece this year. Earlier in the summer, Slater traveled to Greece with Dancing With the Stars co-host Alfonso Ribeiro and his family, all of whom Slater is very close with. This time, she traveled to the Hellenic Republic with her twin sister, Kelly.

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Slater will presumably be heading home soon as she gears up for the new season of Dancing With the Stars. Although the full cast has yet to be confirmed, it's more than likely that Slater will be back as a ballroom pro for Season 34.

DWTS Pro Emma Slater Drops Jaws in 'Cheeky' Bikini Photos first appeared on Parade on Aug 16, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Greg Iles, the Mississippi author of the Natchez Burning trilogy and other works, has died. He was 65.

Iles died Friday after a decades-long battle with the blood cancer multiple myeloma, his literary agent Dan Conaway posted Saturday on Facebook.

Initially diagnosed with the incurable condition in 1996, he kept his illness private until completing his final novel, Southern Man, which was published in 2024.

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Iles was born in Germany but moved to Natchez, Mississippi, with his family when he was just three years old and developed a deep connection with the region. Many of his stories are set in Mississippi, including the Natchez Burning trilogy, historical fiction suspense novels exploring race and class in the 1960s Jim Crow South.

Conaway described Iles as warm, funny, fearless, and completely sui generis.

To be on the other end of the phone as he talked through character and plot, problem-solving on the fly, was to be witness to genius at work, plain and simple, he wrote on Saturday. As a writer he fused story-craft, bone-deep humanity, and a growing sense of moral and political responsibility with the ferocious precisions of a whirling dervish or a master watchmaker.

In March 2011, Iles suffered a ruptured aorta and a partial leg amputation and spent eight days in a medically induced coma after another driver struck his car on Highway 61 near Natchez. He eventually recovered.

Iles performed with the musical group The Rock Bottom Remainders along with popular authors Stephen King, Amy Tan and others.
In early July a relatively unknown social media account posted a two-part story on TikTok that has since become the talk of the internet and travel community.

Who Is Meghan Reinertsen, Why Is She Trending?

Meghan Reinertsen, a nanny and actress, recalled the time she suffered an apparent bout of norovirus after eating an undercooked cheeseburger before her flight from Portugal to Newark, NJ. While she successfully made that flight, the budding social media darling revealed she "single-handedly got a flight out of Indianapolis cancelled, after suffering diarrhea and vomiting on a flight from Newark to Indianapolis.

An apologetic Reinertsen's video reached 20 million TikTok viewers and thrust her into the limelight. If that flight cancellation changed the trajectory of your life in a really negative way, Im so sorry," she said.

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Im full body sweating, Im crying, my insides are cramping, she recalled of the moments that led to her to disregard the seatbelt warning and retreat to the bathroom where recalls for the next 20 minutes, I have more diarrhea than any human should have in their life.

View the original article to see embedded media.

But that wasn't all. She also suffered a bout of vomiting, which led her to call for a cabin crew member as she remained in the lavatory for the rest of the flight, fighting for her dignity.

The shame was just beginning, though, as a flight attendant informed her that the next trip the Airbus was scheduled to make had been canceled.

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They canceled that flight because of me. The hazmat team [had] to come in and clean it, because [they didnt] know if Id brought [a disease] back from Portugal, Reinertsen groaned.

I am a biohazard, she self-deprecatingly teased. I am patient zero.

Reinertsen Posts on Instagram for the First Time Since

Reinertsen's initial video was published on TikTok in early July, and while she's posted on TikTok since then, she's remained silent on Instagram - until now.

"July was spent building fairy homes in the forest and becoming the public face of diarrhea on the internet," she said in the post while showing a carousel of photos from a recent trip to Jackson Hole, WY.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Reinertsen now has more than 90,000 followers on TikTok, where she's racked up more than 3.5 million likes from fans of her viral poop story.

Related: Southwest Airlines Announces Change on All Flights Starting August 13

Who Is Influencer Meghan Reinertsen? She Breaks Silence Amid Viral Flight Mishap first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
FROM LEFT, Ben Bachar, the films director, with actors Shalom Michaelshwilli and Avi Israelof, producer Moshe Edery, and actors Tzion Baruch and Emma Medding, as they toast Saving Shuli-Sans millionth ticket sale. (photo credit: RAFI DELOYA)

Saving Shuli-San was set for a June release, but the war with Iran made United King Films, the movies distributor, postpone the much-awaited film.

Saving Shuli-San, the new Israeli comedy film released in theaters on July 17, just sold its one millionth ticket on August 11  and shows no signs of slowing down, which doesnt surprise Ben Bachar, its director, one bit.

Asked whether he felt audiences were especially eager to see a comedy after nearly two years of war, which has had such a tragic impact on so many lives, Bachar said, In one month, we managed to make an entire country laugh. Even though this is a time when only pain accompanies our hearts... I think people are always eager for comedy.

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Saving Shuli-San is the sequel to the 2021 film Saving Shuli, which Bachar directed and which also quickly sold more than a million tickets. The first film came out after a year and a half of COVID, and we broke box-office records, he noted.

Saving Shuli-San was set for a June release, but the war with Iran made United King Films, the movies distributor, postpone the much-awaited film.

Both movies star the Mah Kashur comedy trio  Tzion Baruch, Shalom Michaelshwilli, and Asi Israelof  in the story of the search for Shuli (David Shaul), the son of one of the trio, who gets kidnapped in both movies. In the first, he was taken by a drug cartel in Colombia, but in the new film, he is held prisoner by a gang of not-really-so-scary yakuza in Tokyo, who commandeer him to make his trademark blend of Yemenite and Japanese cooking for them, and he creates dishes such as jachnun-sushi.

Bachar admitted that it wasnt easy to make a film about a kidnapping while hostages are still being held in Gaza. It was very scary for us, afterOctober 7... to touch those subjects. And we decided that this time, hes going to be kidnapped but in a way that something good happens to him. Because suddenly he can cook [for the gangsters] and he becomes a star chef. So, its like saying, okay, its a kidnapping movie, but an optimistic one, with a happy end... It was a way for us to give a bit of hope.

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The movie is classic sketch comedy, with the three guys doing the shtick their audience craves, and lots of shaggy Israeli humor and slapstick, as well as many fish-out-of-water, Israelis-in-Japan gags. In the first film, they tried to pay Shulis ransom through the popular-in-Israel app Bit, and in this one, which was filmed well into the current war, they remind each other not to show off their Israeli identity on a crowded Japanese street, although each has either a star of David necklace, an Israeli flag, or an IDF logo on his back.

One big surprise for viewers will be the appearance of a young female Japanese character, Batsheva, who is also searching for Shuli and who guides them on their way. She is played, to great comic effect, by the international model Emma Medding, the daughter of a Japanese mother and an Australian father, who grew up in Israel.

I dont believe in acting; I believe in casting, and I thought it was a very good casting decision to bring her along, said Bachar.

With her nasal voice, slangy Hebrew, and deadpan delivery, coupled with her willowy Japanese silhouette, she often steals the show from the guys. Medding grew up speaking Hebrew, Japanese, and English, and in a recent interview with Reshet, she spoke about how on October 7, 2023, although she was modeling abroad, she headed home as soon as possible to report for IDF reserve duty.

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The movie was shot in just 17 days in Japan. Bachar, who spent years directing sketches on Eretz Nehederet, the television comedy show that is Israels version of Saturday Night Live, said he began working with the trio 25 years ago. So I knew just what they can do. He was able to keep up the pace thanks to his television training, as well as his work directing commercials and an early job editing news clips. He also directed the 2016 comedy The Last Band in Lebanon, about an army music group left behind in Lebanon when the IDF pulled out in 2000, which is kidnapped by drug-dealing Hezbollah fighters.

The making of a comedy film

I know how to keep up a quick tempo, you know, you just dont stop. People said, How can you make a movie out of the trio? It will be just one long sketch. But the movie is a mix of genres, its like drama and comedy and action together... Its a balance that is helpful to the audience, too, because its hard to laugh all the time. You laugh for a bit, and then theres some drama, and you can sit back, and then later you laugh again. Its less than 90 minutes but we get a lot of story in, he said.

He credits Saving Shuli-Sans screenwriter, Ori Katz, with perfecting the mix of genres. Ori is also a chef, he said, explaining that Katz came up with the ideas for the hybrid Yemenite-Japanese cuisine Shauli prepares in the movie.

Asked if he agreed with the Hollywood phrase, Dying is easy, comedy is hard, he laughed. I think comedy is very hard to make, to make you feel emotion, like sadness, thats easier... But the main thing is we had a great ensemble, and so we have something special in the movie.

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He worked with a stunt director on some martial arts sequences. I love Tarantino, so many scenes were like playing with Kill Bill, said Bachar.

Bachar feels that the Japanese-Israeli divide is at the heart of the films appeal. I think theres something universal about connecting different cultures. This culture clash is interesting for everyone. I dont think there are any cultures more different than Israel and Japan. Theyre opposite extremes. The trio is very wild, very fast. Nothing is politically correct... Even without knowing any language, you can just get it.

Bachar said his team was currently working on a version of the movie with Japanese subtitles and preparing to release the movie there, including screening it for Japanese focus groups, to see what jokes work and which need some tweaking.

We worked with a local Japanese crew, and they really went crazy over the movie. They enjoyed the story, he said. Theres a very childlike side to Japanese culture, and they really enjoy broad comedy. They liked the slapstick and the characters. Although they didnt get everything, they were really interested in it. They asked a lot of questions. Who knows? Maybe it will also be a success in Japan.
Margaret Qualley is trying to play matchmaker for her mother, Andie MacDowell, and comedian Bill Murray.

During The Substance actors appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, Qualley was playing a game of True or False when the actor revealed she had attemped just that evening to get the two Groundhog Day actors together.

OK, I once tried to set up Bill Murray with my mom, Qualley read the prompt, asking Fallon to guess if the story was true or false. Although Fallon thought the story was false, she confirmed that it was true.

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The Maid noted that she saw Murray shortly before she came on the show. Literally, tonight, Bill Murray pops into my backstage dressing room, she said. He pops in, hes all ... Hes wearing a Piggly Wiggly shirt.

In addition to MacDowell and Murray starring together in the 1993 classic, they also both ended up living in Charleston, South Carolina.

I once tried to set up Bill Murray with my mom, Qualley said during a game of True or False with Jimmy Fallon (Getty Images)

Hes like, You know, your mom and I  we didnt get along so good while we were making that movie, Qualley recalled Murray telling her. And he was like, She took a long time to get her hair done, and she didnt know her lines this one time, and I was like, Yeah, well, I heard a different story, sir.

Qualley thought about how perfect the timing was for both of them to be single and living in Charleston. They've got this kind of rage towards each other, but maybe he's trying to make amends, she said, adding that she gave Murray her mothers phone number.

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And you know, if hes got any sense at all, hed be the luckiest guy in the world, she continued.

Murray has previously talked about his experience working with MacDowell on Groundhog Day in a 2021 interview with Collider.

She drove me absolutely nuts. We were always waiting for Andie MacDowells hair, he said at the time. Ive thought about it many times, that I owe her a real apology because she did drive me crazy. Im not really method, but I must have really resented the fact that she still hadnt fallen in love with me. We were 17 weeks into the movie and she still didnt like me.

MacDowell was previously married to Paul Qualley from 1986 to 1999. In addition to Margaret, the former couple shares 39-year-old Justin Qualley and Rainey Qualley, 36. A few years later, in 2001, she married Rhett Hartzog. They divorced in 2004.

As for Murray, he was married to Margaret Keely from 1981 to 1986, and to Jennifer Butler from 1997 to 2008.
In the August 15 episode of The Young and the Restless, Nick and Sharon came closer to reigniting their long historybut the moment didnt happen in a vacuum. With Victor pulling him deeper into Newman strategy against Cane, Nick may already be facing a roadblock to any future with Sharon.

A Surprising Spark

The day started with Sharon (Sharon Case) voicing concern over Mariah (Camryn Grimes) shutting her and Tessa (Cait Fairbanks) out, only for Nick (Joshua Morrow) to share an unexpected detail about his latest assignment. At Victors (Eric Braeden) urging, hes to buddy up to Cane (Billy Flynn) as part of a larger Newman plan. Sharon wasnt exactly reassuredand yet, the conversation soon turned personal.

Sharon admitted she felt closer to Nick than she had in a long time, then asked if he felt the same. Nick answered without words, leaning in for a kiss that would have continued what started in France until Adam (Mark Grossman) and Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) walked in and cut the moment short.

The Victor Factor

That interruption may have been more than just bad timing. Nicks growing role as Victors good cop in the Newman scheme to manipulate Cane ties him to a web of corporate games Sharon has no love for. Even as she was warming to him again, she was already skeptical about the risks Cane posesand about the Newmans constant machinations.

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With Nick admitting that Adam has been cast as the bad cop, the lines are clearly drawn. Sharon may see Nicks involvement as a red flag, knowing how the Newman familys power plays tend to spill into personal lives.

A Reunion at Risk

The spark between them is undeniable, and this near-miss suggests both are open to more. But if Nick cant separate himself from Victors maneuvering, Sharon may think twice before letting her guard down. And with Canes unpredictable moves already consuming Newman strategy, Nicks attention could be pulled away before they have a chance to revisit what they almost shared.

For now, that almost-kiss leaves the door openbut also reminds them how quickly the business of being a Newman can slam it shut.
The timber rattlesnake carries venom that is potent enough to "kill a human."

"The timber rattlesnake  also called the American viper, black rattlesnake, eastern rattlesnake, timber rattler and canebrake  is a large pit viper with a wide distribution across the eastern half of the U.S.," according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.

A hiker in Tennessee made a fatal error when he saw a timber rattlesnake and picked it up.

A hiker at Savage Gulf State Park in Grundy County was bitten by a snake on the trail, and didn't survive. https://t.co/IaeoMYyD7I pic.twitter.com/M4lwqp6mFC  FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) August 13, 2025

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According to WKRN-TV, the man died on Friday, August 8, after "being bitten by a rattlesnake while visiting Savage Gulf State Park in Grundy County."

Grundy County Emergency Management officials told the television station that park rangers "received a distress call" after the man was bitten by the snake. He died at a hospital.

A witness told authorities that the unidentified man "had picked up a snake, and the reptile then bit him on the hand," adding that his cause of death may have been an allergic reaction, although that is still being determined, CBS News reported.

"As always, it's strongly recommended to have some kind of first aid supplies while enjoying outdoor recreational activities and be mindful of wildlife and the dangers that some wildlife may pose," Matthew Griffith, a Grundy County Emergency Management official, told CBS News. "If you encounter a snake, simply remain calm and do not attempt to handle it. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention."

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Only about 50 rattlesnake bites are reported in Tennessee each year, WKRN reported.

"These large, heavy pit vipers vary in coloration. They are gray, sometimes with a pinkish hue and have a stripe down their back. This stripe is orange, yellow or pinkish in some timber rattlesnakes, while others have a brown or black stripe," the Smithsonian wrote.

"When threatened, it props itself up and shakes its rattle, which presses the buttons together producing a rapid, crisp rattling sound. The sound serves as a warning before the snake strikes."

Added the Smithsonian: "Adults typically reach lengths of 2.5-5 feet (.76-1.5 meters), but there are reports of timber rattlesnakes growing up to 7 feet (2 meters) long."

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Tristan Rogers, a longtime star of ABCs daytime soap General Hospital, has died. He was 79.

Rogers died early Friday after a battle with lung cancer, though he had never been a smoker. He played Robert Scorpio on General Hospital over several stints for some 45 years and also had a run on CBS The Young and the Restless.

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The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers passing, said executive producer Frank Valentini in a statement. Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years, and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio). I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, the blue-eyed Rogers appeared on several TV series in his home country early in his career. He joined General Hospital in 1980 as Scorpio, a colorful character who quickly became a fan favorite. In one of the characters most notable early storylines, Scorpio teamed with Luke and Laura (Anthony Geary and Genie Francis) to rescue the world from the Ice Princess weather machine in 1981.

He was initially set to work for only two days on General Hospital, to beat up the hero  Luke  and then disappear, he recalled in a 2022 interview. I then was called into [executive producer] Gloria Montys office and told, We really like what youre doing, would you like to stay?

Rogers remained on General Hospital through 1992, when Scorpio was killed  though his dead body was never seen onscreen  in an explosion in South America. He returned briefly three years later as Scorpios spirit, who comforted his daughter Robin (Kimberly McCullough), though in subsequent returns the character was alive.

The entire @GeneralHospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers' passing. Tristan has captivated our fans for more than 50 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio). (1/2) #GH pic.twitter.com/VnXLjfpDEX  Frank Valentini (@valentinifrank) August 15, 2025

Rogers reprised the role for several brief stints in the 2000s and 2010s, along with a role on the spinoff General Hospital: Night Shift, before rejoining the show in a recurring rule from 2019-24. His final appearances on General Hospital came in an unannounced guest appearance in July.

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Rogers also played the character of Colin Atkinson on The Young and the Restless from 2010-19, appearing in about 180 episodes of that CBS soap. His credits also included voice work on Batman Beyond and The Wild Thornberrys, along with roles on the web series The Bay and Studio City. He won a Daytime Emmy for his role on the latter and was nominated for his work on The Bay.

Rogers is survived by his wife and two children.

Mike Barnes contributed to this report.



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Tristan Rogers arrives at Elizabeth Stanton's 18th birthday benefiting Toys for Tots at Belasco Theatre on Dec. 13, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Paul A. Hebert / Invision / AP)

Tristan Rogers, the Australian actor behind the magnetic Robert Scorpio on General Hospital, died Friday after a battle with lung cancer, according to his manager. He was 79.

In an email to The Times, Rogers manager Meryl Soodak said his client was a family man who is survived by his wife, two children and a grandson.

[He was] loyal, kind and loved his role of Scorpio, Soodak said.

Rogers signature commanding voice and poised bravado made Scorpio a fan favorite on the long-running soap opera, and became his most recognizable role. As the enemy-turned-close-friend of star character Luke Spencer (played by Anthony Geary), Rogers appeared in some of the most memorable moments of the shows run.

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Read more: 10 long-running soap operas

In November 1981, Scorpio stood by as Luke and fellow star character Laura wed in front of 30 million viewers , still the highest-rated hour in American soap opera history .

In true soap opera fashion, Scorpio would allegedly die a dramatic and fiery death in an explosion in South America in 1992, only to return alive for a short stint in 2006.

Through every iteration of his "General Hospital" career, Rogers embraced Scorpios status as an '80s TV icon.

"I think this character will follow me to my grave," Rogers told the New York Times in 2006.

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Read more: Crying shame for fans of soaps

Rogers was born June 3, 1946, in Melbourne, Australia. Out of high school, he played in a rock band with friends and began taking up modeling roles, he recalled in an interview . For extra money, he acted in small TV and soap opera roles in Australia in the late '60s and '70s, including stints in the shows Bellbird, Number 96 and The Box.

Early in his career, his Australian accent deterred casting directors from booking him for American shows, Rogers recalled in a 2022 interview . However, in 1980, he found himself auditioning for what was supposed to be a small, single-episode role on "General Hospital."

This caught the eye of Gloria Monty, the shows visionary producer, who asked Rogers to stay on as a recurring character.

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Rogers was key to shaping the character of Scorpio, from his name to his risk-taking bravery, on what would eventually become the longest-running daytime soap opera in American television history, according to Guinness World Records .

Read more: Reviving canceled ABC soap operas becomes a real-life drama

I started in earnest, I had a feeling that I had done something right. I had evolved into the character. [Scorpio] took everyone by surprise, he looked different, he sounded different, he conducted himself in a different way and the public latched onto this right away. And so all of a sudden, away we went, Rogers said in a radio interview earlier this year.

While the show was set in a New York hospital, the late 80s saw it shift focus into an action adventure storyline that heavily featured Scorpio as an agent of the fictional World Security Bureau, or WSB.

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Broadcaster ABC notes that the change kept the attention of viewers and contributed to the continuation of the shows success, as spies and agents created complex and popular mystery storylines within the "General Hospital" universe.

According to the New York Times , the second week after Rogers' character was revived in 2006, General Hospital was the No. 1 daytime drama among young women, drawing larger-than-average audiences back to the show.

Rogers also acted in the series "The Young and the Restless," "The Bay," and "Studio City," as well as voice-acting in the Disney animated film "The Rescuers Down Under."

Genie Francis, who played Laura Spencer in General Hospital, said of Rogers on X , My heart is heavy. Goodbye my spectacular friend. My deepest condolences to his wife Teresa and their children. Tristan Rogers was a very bright light, as an actor and a person. I was so lucky to have known him.

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Kin Shriner, also an actor on the show, added in a video posted on X, I met Tristan 44 years ago at the Luke and Laura wedding. We were stashed in a trailer and I was taken by his Australian charm. Over the years weve worked together  we always had fun. I will miss Tristan very much.

In one of his last interviews, Rogers reflected on the joy of his acting career.

Ive had a good time of it, he said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sumba is perhaps one of the last truly wild, untamed, and magnificent places that you can still visit and feel as though you are entering through a portal into another world. A place where the jungle cascades toward the ocean, uncontrolled, bountiful, and lush. Where waves crash onto the shores as local fishermen with their spearguns undulate with the tides in and out of the water, their nets emptying and filling as they catch fish. A place where, still in 2025, only three local women have learned how to surf. However, these women carry with them a strong desire to change this  and start their very own female surf school right here on the dramatic shores of Sumba.

Locals take immense pride in Sumbas distinctive fusion of religion and traditions, which are deeply anchored in animism. These beliefs shape every aspect of life on the island, from how children are raised, to job choices, daily customs, and sacred rituals. Marapu, the local spiritual tradition, has been practiced for thousands of years, predating other major world religions like Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Marapu traditions are rooted in a profound bond between the people, their ancestors and the natural world, expressed through ancient rituals and a deep respect for the environment.

It's no wonder that reverence for the natural world is so strong in Sumba, where the jungle, beaches, and cliffsides collide to emerge in a breathtaking display of raw and untamed beauty. It was here, at this meeting point between the jungle and ocean, that I first met Lisa, Rani, and Milan. We connected through a mutual friend who had worked previously with these women on conservation projects in the area.

Before I arrived in Sumba, we had all exchanged a few messages through WhatsApp. The girls shared with me that while they had only just started to surf, they absolutely loved it and wanted to speak with me about their experience as the first South Sumbanese women to ever try to learn surfing. I was eager to meet them and even more surprised when I found out they worked at the very hotel I just happened to be staying at. Ive gotten used to these serendipitous divine interventions while reporting, as it seems the universe is constantly scheming to connect me with more and more women to amplify their voices and stories.

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As soon as I arrived at the Sanubari - an amazing beachside resort based in Sumba where I would spend my next week, I knew I was somewhere special. We made plans to meet the next day to discuss their surfing experiences, take some photographs, and get in the water. The next morning, as water buffalo emerged from their ponds, the islands native horses brayed in their stables, and local fishermen set out in search of their morning catch, we gathered on the beach in front of the Sanubari to explore these womens deep cultural connections to the ocean.

To begin, Lisa and Milan wanted to tell me the story of the yearly Nyale and Pasola traditions, which continue today to tie both men and women deeply to the ocean. Each year, for three days, sea worms  known as Nyale  arrive at the Sumba shores. Their arrival signals a cascade of events and traditions where both men and women flock to the water to catch the Nyale in traditional nets.

The legend behind the Nyale speaks of a queen who was married to a fisherman. Her fisherman husband went out to sea, and after a long time with no return, the queen assumed he had died and later found a new husband. However, after she found a new husband, she was shocked to learn her fisherman husband wasnt dead after all and returned, angry with the new situation. The two men foughta moment now re-enacted in the Pasola tradition, a horseback battle that often turns so violent that many participants are left with serious injuries. However, Milan tells me  thats just the way it is; its tradition. According to legend, the queen was so upset with the fighting that she threw herself into the ocean out of despair, and was reincarnated as a Nyale worm. Today, locals fish and eat the worms during the three days they arrive at Sumbas shores for good luck.

Lisa laughs as we speak about the story of the Nyale  as she herself feels a strong connection to the queen. She says, I dont care. Many people told me I shouldnt go in the ocean, that its dangerous and not my place as a woman, but I just threw myself in there anyway, just like the queen.

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Rani explains, There are a few men here who support us, maybe two or three who keep encouraging us to learn and help by teaching us technique, but a lot of men just dont understand why we want to surf as well, and they just ignore us. Even their own families dont understand their desire to learn to surf. My grandma is so scared for me every time I jump in the ocean, she fears for my life, but I have a deep respect for the ocean, explains Lisa. I know its power, and I respect its power. I once went with some local surf boys out to a surf spot where these huge waves kept coming  they were bigger than anything Id ever seen. I was so scared and lost my board, and one of the local boys had to save me, but after I made it back to the boat, I realized  okay, thats the worst that could happen, and I wanted to go back into the water.

There are a few men here who support us, maybe two or three who keep encouraging us to learn and help by teaching us technique, but a lot of men just dont understand why we want to surf as well, and they just ignore us.

My husband supports me learning how to surf, Rani adds. I think many men here would eventually support us now if we keep trying and teaching others. Milan adds, connection with nature and the ocean is our Marapu tradition; it is incredibly important to us. For these women, surfing is another way to honor their heritage and connect with the spirit of nature and the ocean, something deeply rooted in their identity as Sumbanese women.

Despite being the first three women to ever try surfing, Rani, Milan, and Lisa are eager to share their love and knowledge of the ocean with the next generation. Teaching the next generation of girls how to swim and surf is my dream, they told me. Girls are still expected to stay at home, especially once theyre married and have children, but I want to show them they can do something different.

All three of the girls have previously worked with Konservasi Indonesia (KI), Conservation Internationals (CI) Surf Conservation Program, and local partner organizations like Yayasan Satu Visi (YSV). They collaborated with these groups on community-driven initiatives, including the inaugural Surf Conservation Camp, which focused on preserving Sumbas pristine waves and natural environment for future generations.

Inspired by this experience, these girls want to continue this vision themselves  to inspire other female surfers to join them in their journey of learning to swim and surf. We discussed the potential of a collaboration with Conservation International and the possibility of expanding the nonprofit program, OceanFolxwhich teaches local women to swim and surf in Lombokto Sumba, with these three women leading the way.

Related: Empowering the Women of Lombok With the Gift of Surfing

The pride and spirit these women feel for their local culture is palpable. At their request, we took a few photos of them dressed in their traditional ikat cloth. Their traditional clothing is not reserved for ceremonies alone; it is also worn in everyday life. Ikat is very important to us because its what we have been wearing forever. It is a symbol of our culture and our Sumbanese lifestyle, they say.

While sharing these womens stories is incredibly important to me, I am also reminded of the importance of traveling with respect and mindfulness for local culturesensuring that when we visit, we learn and deeply engage with the traditions and customs of the places we step foot in.

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As we leave the beach and head towards the horse stables, Rani explains that animals are also interwoven into important Marapu traditions such as weddings and funerals, and the Sumbanese people are incredibly proud of their native Sandalwood horse. During traditional funerals, it is customary to sacrifice one of these horses. This tradition has been happening since our ancestors, Rani explains. The soul of the horse is thought to transport the soul of the human to the next stage.

As we watch the horses at the nearby stable, Rani finishes our conversation with conviction, Its not common for women to do man things hereswimming, fishing, surfing, and horseback riding are all considered man activities. But I dont care. Im still a mom, and I respect that, but no one can say women cannot do what men do. I can still do what men do. If you love it, just do it. I fought with my mom before because I wanted to surf and ride horses. She told me not to do it. She said, Its not for you, and I said, No mom, I like to do it, so its for me.

After a few days of getting to know each other through beach walks, scooter rides, snorkel adventures, and surf sessions, the time comes for us to part ways. With heavy hearts, we promise to reunite, and I tell them I can't wait to return and help them create their very own female surf school one day.

As I finally journey back to Lombok, I leave feeling deeply inspired by this forgotten island. So few Indonesians and tourists know about Sumba, which perhaps is what makes it so special. I cant help but notice a similar rebellious spirit in these women that I felt when speaking with the Sumbawanese women who despite their families warnings, taught themselves how to swim. It brings a smile to my face to think that, across Indonesia  and perhaps the world  women who were once forbidden from crossing the boundary between land and sea are now breaking through, hand in hand, and diving into the ocean together just like the Nyale queen - whose spirit and story still resonates all of these years later.

Related: Sumbawas Ocean Rebels: Women Defying Tradition to Swim and Surf

This story was originally reported by Surfer on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Surfer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Quality coffee doesn't have to break the bank (and arguably shouldn't). Here at Tasting Table, we've long been singing the praises of Walmart coffee, and we aren't alone. A heralded blind taste test by Consumer Reports rated Walmart's medium roast Great Value 100% Colombia coffee on par with Starbucks' medium roast Colombia offering for a fraction of the price. Now, it's Walmart's Espresso Roast coffee pods that deserve the shining spotlight. In our definitive ranking of 17 Walmart Great Value coffee pods, the brand's Espresso Roast flavor claimed the top spot.

When java-lovers see beans labeled as "espresso roast," they can expect bold, dark, rich power. Happily, Great Value's product totally delivers. These powerful little pods yield a cuppa joe with a round, dense body and traditional espresso taste, artfully balancing bitterness, acidity, and a touch of sweetness.

In our taste test, we praised Great Value's Espresso Roast for its hearty, quintessential "coffee" taste. But, this straightforward classic also offers versatility as a non-competing foundation for loading up with other flavorful ingredients, if that's your style. This brew is bold enough to support craft coffee drinks with flavored foams and fancy mix-ins. As our reviewer noted, "[U]nlike some other store-bought espresso coffees, this wasn't too intense when brewed at 8 ounces, was smooth, and not remotely harsh [...] [It] makes a good base for specialty coffees that require additional ingredients like creamer or sweetener. Of course, while it was rich enough for adding half and half, I really enjoyed it black."

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Read more: 5 Kirkland Signature Whole-Bean Coffees, Ranked Worst To Best

Espresso Roast Coffee Pods Are A Dark And Toasty Dream Come True

Walmart Great Value Espresso Roast Coffee Pods - Walmart

With Great Value espresso, it's all about the luscious mouthfeel. The official Walmart website describes its Espresso Roast coffee pods as "dark, rich, and smooth," made from a blend of both Arabica and Robusta beans. Indeed, the most popular consumer complaint about this product is that it doesn't come in bulk packages. Customer reviews rave, "GREAT ESPRESSO. Personally I like this better than Cafe Bustelo, both in taste and price!!!! Most stores usually never have it so I always have to order it online 4 at a time." Other fans write, "My go to brand for espresso pods, and at the cheapest price I've found in comparison to other brands. I just wish my store carried a larger quantity of them in stock because they always seem to sell out quickly." Elsewhere online, a Reddit thread in r/Espresso commends, "The Great Value Espresso Roast K-Cups are smooth enough to drink two cups at a time. It's a gratifying dark roast. I'm pleasantly surprised!"

Unsurprisingly for a name like "great value," we also gave these pods major points for affordability. A 12-pack of Great Value Espresso Roast coffee pods costs $4.62 ($0.36 per serving) -- far more cost-effective than other major brands lining Walmart shelves, like Folgers ($14.76 for a 24-pack) or Dunkin' ($17.47 per 22-pack). The product is compatible with any single-use pod-style coffee maker, for whatever way you do your brew.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
'Doing Excellent': Sierra Leone Returns To Work Tab At Saratoga originally appeared on Paulick Report.

Grade 1 Whitney winner and reigning Champion 3-Year-Old Colt Sierra Leone returned to the work tab Saturday at Saratoga, breezing a half-mile over the main track in :48.80 to the inside of Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial hopeful Chancer McPatrick.

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He did great with a little maintenance work and couldnt have done it better, trainer ChadBrown said of Sierra Leone. Hes doing excellent. Hes held his weight well and hes moving great.

Brown noted Sierra Leone is still on target for the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on August 31 at the Spa, which will serve as a prep for a return to Del Mar to defend his title in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Classic in November.

Chancer McPatrick, last-out winner of the Curlin, will cut back in distance for the seven-furlong Allen Jerkens on the Travers undercard. The son of McKinzie is already a Grade 1 winner over course and distance after taking last years Hopeful.

Brown also sent out the multiple Grade 1-winning pair of Randomized and Raging Sea to work a half-mile over the main track in :48 1/5 in preparation for the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign on the Travers undercard. The former is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher on July 19 at Monmouth Park while the latter seeks to successfully defend her title in this event on the heels of local third-place efforts in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps presented by Ford and the Grade 2 Shuvee last out on July 18.

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More of the same from them, Brown said. They both worked well and theyre both on target for the Ensign.

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
On a lively weekend, a bartender in Nepal's capital Kathmandu balances carefully a slice of titaura, a local tangy and spicy hog plum treat, on top of a martini glass.

The drink is an example of how a new wave of cocktail bars is combining age-old techniques with local traditions to craft uniquely Nepali drinks to make a global mark.

Until recently, cocktails were an afterthought on most bar menus in the capital of the Himalayan nation, often overshadowed by beers or straight spirits.

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Concoctions available tended to be unbalanced, too strong or far too sweet.

But over the past five years, the city's cocktail scene has changed, led by a new generation of bartenders turning global experience into local innovation.

"It's definitely evolving at a very fast pace," Abhishek Tuladhar, who started his own bar after returning home to Kathmandu from a finance job in Singapore, told AFP.

"We're really thrilled, because we have a lot of ingredients and a lot of talent that we can definitely showcase to the world."

Tuladhar's Barc this year won the prestigious Asia's 50 Best Bars' Michter's Art Of Hospitality Award, a first for Nepal, and has climbed up their rankings to number 35.

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The speakeasy Barc's menu champions tea from Ilam in western Nepal, childhood tangy street favourites like titaura and khattu -- dried fruit sweet snacks -- and local rice spirit aila, flavouring it with local spices.

"I think it is understanding that flavour and making it palatable to all markets," Tuladhar said. "It's not just a direct translation."

- 'Forced creativity' -

When Rabin Gurung returned from Hong Kong and decided to open a cocktail bar, he spent months trying to finding a simple key ingredient -- lemon.

"Classic cocktail recipes demand lemon, but I could only find lime in the markets," said Gurung, 37, co-founder of the bar Bitters & Co.

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"We sent out people to look at all citrus grown here in Nepal until we found something."

Many imported ingredients and liqueurs can be hard to find -- or are very expensive.

US-returnee Santosh Faiia, 29, who runs the popular BlackBird bar and newly opened Layaa in the heart of Kathmandu's tourist hub Thamel, said that the struggle to find ingredients forced the industry to be "creative".

Bartenders now make several ingredients from scratch, including special bubble-less clear ice, house bitters, and syrups infused with local botanicals like rhododendron.

That approach is paying off.

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With a growing curiosity among Nepali drinkers and tourists alike, bartenders now find themselves at the heart of a fast-evolving scene.

"I think that is what creates a great amount of excitement amongst consumers. And that is why I think the recognition has happened," said veteran Indian bartender Yangdup Lama, who has designed the cocktail menu of the newly opened Old House in Kathmandu.

"There's this 'wow' factor."

Both BlackBird and Bitters & Co have previously been listed in Asia's 50 Best Bars' extended list.

- 'Nepali hospitality' -

Growing interest in cocktails is driving new investments, creating more stable job opportunities for bartenders, particularly significant in a country where around 1,600 young people leave daily in search of work abroad.

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"Things are gradually shifting, and bartending is starting to be seen as a viable career path so people can work here in Nepal and stay close to their families," said Faiia.

The drinks themselves are out of the price range of many ordinary people in Nepal, one of the poorest countries in Asia.

But several new bars have popped up in the last year that prominently feature cocktail recipes with home-grown names and ingredients.

Emma Sleight, head of content for Asia's 50 Best Bars, sees strong potential in Nepal's emerging bar scene.

"Anyone who has experienced Nepali hospitality knows it is full of sincerity and heart," she said.

"Combine that with Nepal's rich culture, its incredible ingredients, and the passion of its people, and you get something truly unique."

pm/pjm/stu/dhc
GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio (WJW)  One person was killed in a crash Saturday morning at an intersection in Geauga County thats been the site of multiple accidents in the past.

Dump truck driver killed in crash: OSHP

According to a news release from the Chardon Fire Department, first responders were called to an injury crash with entrapment at State Route 608 and Chardon-Windsor Rd. around 9:11 a.m. Saturday.

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At the scene, crews found two vehicles with heavy damage.

According to the release, two people had made it out of the vehicles, but one was still trapped inside. That person was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity has not been released.

The two other victims were hospitalized, according to the release.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

In early May, a man died at the same intersection that local officials said then had been the site of multiple injury accidents in the past.

According to Saturdays news release, the Chardon Fire Department has been working closely with the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Geauga County Engineers Office and the Claridon Township Trustees to address concerns about the intersection.

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Bernie Kosar not giving up as he waits on liver transplant

Following the deadly accident in May, a meeting was held with the above representatives to address how to make the intersection safer.

According to representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation, as of 8/14/2025, this intersection is scheduled to become a 4-way stop and should be completed within 6-8 weeks, the news release stated.

The Chardon Fire Department noted that the health, safety and wellness of all residents and visitors remains a top priority.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
One person was sent to a hospital following a shooting in west Charlotte early Saturday morning, MEDIC said.

MEDIC responded to the 1700 block of West Boulevard on Saturday around 2:50 a.m.

There, they found one person suffering from a gunshot wound.

The patient was sent to a hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries, MEDIC said.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: Safety concerns rise after veteran violently attacked on CATS bus
The long-standing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia dates back over three decades, even before the two countries gained independence. While major hostilities ended in 1994, followed by the 2020 war and a special operation in 2023, it is these decades of conflict that have shaped the perceptions both nations hold of each other today. But now, a new opportunity has emerged  one that allows both sides to leave the past behind and finally become the neighbors and partners they were meant to be.

Azernews reports, this was the key message shared by Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the UK, Elin Suleymanov, in an interview with Times Radio, where he reflected on the historic August 8 meeting in Washington.

As a diplomat, Ive witnessed this conflict firsthand. I worked with the UN Refugee Agency and saw the fate of internally displaced people. Ive spoken to children born in exile. Today, Im genuinely happy to see them return home  and peace is now within reach, the ambassador said.

According to Suleymanov, U.S. President Donald Trump played a crucial role in moving the peace process forward.

There are two key factors. First, under President Ilham Aliyevs leadership, Azerbaijan was able to liberate its occupied territories  a turning point in resolving the conflict. Second, given todays global political climate, having an experienced negotiator and peacemaker like Trump was essential. His personal involvement became the most critical element in this process, he noted.

Commenting on Russia's reduced role in the latest phase of the conflict and the tripartite declaration, the ambassador said the document was always intended to be temporary.

Its important to highlight that the negotiations on the still-unfinalized peace agreement were conducted directly between Azerbaijan and Armenia  the U.S. did not draft the agreement. However, it was President Trump who invited the leaders to the White House and facilitated the signing of a joint declaration. No party was excluded from the process  and even Armenia expressed satisfaction with the results of the Washington meeting.

Suleymanov pointed to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans comments during a U.S. television interview, where he acknowledged that Russia is, for the first time, gaining a direct railway connection with both Armenia and Iran as a result of the talks.

Trump simply demonstrated initiative and personal interest. And if we put ideology aside  isnt a peaceful, stable, and economically thriving South Caucasus in Russias interest as well? he added.

Discussing the final steps needed to sign a peace treaty, Suleymanov stressed that the main obstacle remains the Armenian constitution.

The facts are clear: the current text of the peace agreement contradicts provisions in Armenias constitution. We expect Armenia to resolve this inconsistency. Once their constitution no longer contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan, the peace treaty can be signed. Both sides are ready to move forward  and thats the second key factor in the success of this diplomatic breakthrough, he concluded.
One person was sent to a hospital after suffering a stab wound in northwest Charlotte, MEDIC said.

MEDIC responded to the scene at the 4100 block of Tillman Road around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

There, they found one person had suffered a stab wound.

The patient was sent to a nearby hospital to be treated for serious injuries, MEDIC said.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: CMPD charges 4th suspect in deadly stabbing
SACRAMENTO, California  Californias long-awaited congressional redistricting plan finally dropped on Friday, capping weeks of speculation about how the partys ruling Democrats would counter the extraordinary mid-decade gerrymander now pending in the Lone Star State.

Democrats are eyeing a map that could imperil five sitting Republican members, matching the five Democratic-held seats the Texas GOP is seeking to eliminate. If everything goes the Democrats way in November 2026  and thats a big if  they could hold 48 of the states 52 congressional seats.

But first the proposed maps will have to run a whirlwind gauntlet through the state Capitol next week, where lawmakers are expected to approve the maps and related legislation by Thursday.

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Then its onto the voters, who on Nov. 4 will have the ultimate say in whether the state should use the Legislatures maps for the next three election cycles before returning line-drawing power to the states independent redistricting commission after 2030. Democrats have made the entire gambit contingent on whether Texas or other red states act first, in hopes that the threat could force the GOP to blink. Thats looking increasingly unlikely, however, as both parties gird for a pricey, nationalized fight.

Heres what weve learned about the congressional map that will be at the heart of a nine-figure campaign battle.

1. Tough news for these five Republicans

The ultimate goal for California Democrats was to find five pick-up seats to offset the threat of Republicans scooping up five additional districts in Texas. The final maps make official which California Republicans have been targeted.

GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfas rural Northern district  the home base of the breakaway state of Jefferson movement that wants to secede from California  now has a 17-point GOP registration advantage, according to California Targetbook, a nonpartisan election reference. But under the proposed plan, it would swing to a 10-point Democratic edge, according to the maps submitted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to the state Legislature.

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The 450-mile-long 3rd congressional district now represented by Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley would be significantly compacted, with an arm stretching into the Democrat-rich Sacramento suburbs. The new district would have an eight-point Democratic advantage, unlike the current six-point edge for Republicans. Democrats also would bump up their registration advantage by six points in the already blue-tinged Central Valley seat held by Rep. David Valadao, testing the limits of his ability to overcome a partisan disadvantage.

GOP Rep. Ken Calverts current 41st district, which stretches from the western Inland Empire to the blue oasis of Palm Springs, would dramatically change to a seat with a 20-point Democratic advantage.

The Palm Springs portion of Calverts district, meanwhile, would be tacked onto the seat now held by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who would suddenly find himself in a district with a four-point Democratic advantage that spans Riverside and San Diego counties. Issa, who did not seek reelection before the 2018 wave and moved to nab a safer GOP seat in 2020, would find himself once again a target. (More on those races below.)

2. Vulnerable Democrats get some relief

Knocking off Republicans is just one side of the coin. Democrats also want to ease the pressure on their frontline members. Democrats in some of last years toughest campaigns  including Adam Gray in the Central Valley, Derek Tran and Dave Min in Orange County and George Whitesides in Los Angeles County  all would see their districts turn a deeper shade of blue.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom, eager to maximize the intimidation factor for Texas, told Crooked Media that shoring up those vulnerable Democrats is in itself a net gain for his party. If Texas proceeds with its plan, he said, Well neutralize them and well also punch above our weight in those four additional seats.

By that logic, the bluer tinge of the districts represented by Rep. Josh Harder and Mike Levin  two Democrats who are perpetually on the bubble of a serious challenge, but so far have not been marquee races  also add to the Democrats spoils.

Are the seats really additional if Democrats already have them? No, but taking them off the board for Republicans would undeniably be a net positive for the party, allowing them to focus their resources in other tight races in California and throughout the country.

3. Don't count your chickens

A lot has to go right for this to work, if work is defined as Democrats flip enough seats in California to offset five Texas pickups.

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Even if voters approve the new maps, coloring a district bluer on paper guarantees nothing. Just ask the string of Democrats who have tried, unsuccessfully, to oust Valadao from a seat where registered Democrats have for years outnumbered Republicans. The new map adds left-leaning voters to Valadaos district, but hes defied the voter-registration odds before.

Meanwhile, some efforts to bolster Democratic incumbents are not guaranteed to work. Grays Central Valley seat and the Orange County district held by Tran do get marginally more Democratic, but will still likely require Democrats to spend heavily in those races next year to ensure a win.

I understand that Gov. Newsom is positioning himself as the top opponent to President Trump and the White House. So that's why he has ratcheted up his rhetoric, said Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections, a nonpartisan campaign almanac. But he's offering some premature political analysis.

4. Vibing with the Voting Rights Act

Democrats could have sought even more gains but compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act stopped them from fully icing out Republicans on the congressional maps.

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They say its a stark contrast to the ongoing, GOP-led redistricting efforts in red states like Texas  where theres little attempt to comply with prior Voting Rights Act requirements that prioritize fair representation of non-white voters through the creation of minority-majority districts and minority "opportunity" districts.

You can't draw a 52-0 map if you're following the Voting Rights Act, said a person familiar with the redrawing process who was granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

While the new map could increase Latino representation, congressional districts held by Black and Asian American members were largely untouched, with the exception of the battleground Orange County seats.

Diluting, cracking and packing Black votes in Texas is how they are achieving their most segregated maps in 60 years, and we were mindful of not doing that, said Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Democrat from Los Angeles.

5. Opportunity knocks in Los Angeles

There are no sweeter words in the English language to Democratic consultants than a new congressional seat in Los Angeles County.

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The rejiggering of the Southern California map opens the door to an additional district that cuts into the expensive media market and provides a new landing spot for ambitious Los Angeles-area Democrats.

The 38th congressional seat, currently occupied by Orange County Democratic Rep. Linda Sanchez, would move north to include the San Gabriel Valley cities of Baldwin Park and El Monte. Meanwhile, the 41st district, which is now an Inland Empire-centered seat occupied by Calvert, would take on more Southeast Los Angeles County cities such as Downey and Whittier before jutting into parts of Orange County.

Sanchez, who lives in Whittier, could opt to run in the new 41st district that would include her hometown. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Supervisor Hilda Solis is rumored to be eyeing a potential House bid. (The supervisor did not respond to a request for comment.)

6. A new battleground (and probable rematch)

Rep. Darrell Issa will have a fight on his hands if California adopts the proposed map and he decides to run for reelection in 2026.

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The new 48th district dilutes the Republican hold over a seat that now sprawls across rural portions of eastern San Diego and Riverside counties. It would add a portion of deep-blue Palm Springs along with purple-trending Escondido and San Marcos and take out GOP-heavy Poway.

Issa, one of the wealthiest members of Congress , won with nearly 60 percent of the vote in 2024. He last faced real competition in 2020, when he ran against Ammar Campa-Najjar in what was then the 50th district. Now, voters are likely getting a rematch.

Campa-Najjar, who since his election defeat ran for mayor of Chula Vista and became an officer in the Naval Reserves , said in a statement obtained by POLITICO that he is seriously considering a run against Issa after he clears it with his chain of command and Georgetown University, where he was scheduled to teach in the fall. Having run against Rep. Issa, I know hes formidable, he said. A Democrat will easily carry Palm Springs, but winning this seat will require competing  and winning  in the battleground portions of San Diego, including Escondido and San Marcos, cities Ive carried before and helped elect new local leaders.

A spokesperson for Issa did not respond to a request for comment.

7. Turning the desert blue

In the nearby Inland Empire, Rep. Ken Calvert could face an even tougher slog. The proposed map would change his seat from safe Republican to safe Democratic, according to a chart circulated by Democratic lawmakers.

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Calvert, who lives in deep-red Corona, hasnt said which district he would run in, but its unlikely he would challenge Issa for a blue-leaning seat that includes the most Democratic-leaning areas of Calverts current district.

Democrat Will Rollins, an attorney and LGBTQ+ activist with a power base in Palm Springs, is also considering running in the 48th. He challenged Calvert in 2024 and 2022  losing both times by a handful of percentage points.

Emily Cherniack, a Democratic operative close to Rollins, said he has received numerous phone calls in recent days from donors and party leaders urging him to run a third time. Hes basically starting at the 50-yard and everyone else is at the five-yard line, Cherniack said.

Calvert could instead run for a safe red seat in Orange County, although that could lead to an intense primary contest with incumbent GOP Rep. Young Kim. Jason Gagnon, Calverts consultant, dismissed rumblings that he might consider running against Kim. Gagnon said Calvert is 100% percent committed to defeating the redistricting ballot measure and not interested in any hypotheticals like that.

8. Carving up Northern California

Redrawn districts in Northern California create a path for state Senate leader Mike McGuire to run for Congress before Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson  whose seat McGuire was widely thought to be eyeing  retires.

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McGuire could vie for the new 1st district, which stretches from Santa Rosa northeast all the way to the Nevada border, when term limits force him out of the Legislature next year. Thompson could run for the 4th district and Rep. Jared Huffman could stay in the 2nd district. All three would have the wind of a Democratic registration advantage at their back.

It took a topsy turvy gerrymander to create three Democratic seats in the region. The 2nd district would run all the way from the sparsely populated regions abutting the northern Nevada-California border to Californias North Coast where it would snap up troves of Democrats. The 4th district encompasses much of California wine country but stops just short of McGuires home near Santa Rosa, which is captured by a downstretching finger of the 1st district.

McGuire hasnt revealed plans for his post-statehouse career but has been raising money in an account for the state treasurers race that could be transferred to a different contest. A McGuire spokesperson said he was not available for an interview Friday and did not return a request for comment on the 1st district draw.

9. A decision to be made in NorCal

Democratic Rep. Ami Bera was out of the country when the maps dropped, but is likely to seriously consider running for the new 3rd district  which contains a large chunk of his current turf  when he returns, a person close to him who was granted anonymity to speak candidly told POLITICO.

Bera could still run for reelection in his current 6th district. But the Democratic registration advantage there would shrink from 14 percentage points to nine points, and Bera would have the chance to oust Kiley by turning his attention to the 3rd.

In a statement, Bera didnt rule out running in either district surrounding Californias capital city: I intend to continue representing the Sacramento region in the next Congress.

10. Taking one for the team

Some California incumbents had to swallow slightly purpler districts in order to accommodate bluer seats elsewhere, though their sacrifices largely would not put them into any major electoral trouble. Huffman, for example, would see his district morph from a nearly 35 point Democratic advantage to a still-healthy 18.

Rep. Robert Garcias district would go from a 34-point Democratic advantage to 10  and he would pick up Huntington Beach, a MAGA stronghold that would be an incongruous fit for the top Democrat on the oversight committee.

Rep. Scott Peters in the San Diego area would see his district dip from an 18-point Democratic edge to 10 points. Chatting with POLITICO last week, he was sanguine at the prospect of a more challenging district.

Since Trumps been on the ballot, I havent had hard races, he said . But I know how to run a tough race. Well be ready for what comes.

Aaron Pellish, Ben Fox and Jeremy B. White contributed to this report.



CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated Rep. Darrell Issa's political trajectory. He retired from his previous district ahead of the blue wave in 2018.
VATICAN CITY (AP)  When Pope Leo XIV surprised tens of thousands of young people at a recent Holy Year celebration with an impromptu popemobile romp around St. Peters Square, it almost seemed as if some of the informal spontaneity that characterized Pope Francis 12-year papacy had returned to the Vatican.

But the message Leo delivered that night was all his own: In seamless English, Spanish and Italian, Leo told the young people that they were the salt of the Earth, the light of the world. He urged them to spread their hope, faith in Christ and their cries of peace wherever they go.

As Robert Prevost marks his 100th day as Pope Leo this weekend, the contours of his pontificate have begun to come into relief, primarily where he shows continuity with Francis and where he signals change. Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that after 12 sometimes turbulent years under Francis, a certain calm and reserve have returned to the papacy.

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Leo seems eager above all to avoid polemics or making the papacy about himself, and wants instead to focus on Christ and peace.

That seems exactly what many Catholic faithful want, and may respond to what today's church needs.

Hes been very direct and forthright  but hes not doing spontaneous press hits, said Kevin Hughes, chair of theology and religious studies at Leos alma mater, Villanova University. Leo has a different style than Francis, and that has brought relief to many, Hughes said in a telephone interview.

Even those who really loved Pope Francis always kind of held their breath a little bit: You didnt know what was going to come out next or what he was going to do, Hughes said.

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An effort to avoid polemics

Leo has certainly gone out of his way in his first 100 days to try to heal divisions that deepened during Francis pontificate, offering messages of unity and avoiding controversy at almost every turn. Even his signature issue  confronting the promise and peril posed by artificial intelligence  is something that conservatives and progressives alike agree is important. Francis' emphasis on caring for the environment and migrants often alienated conservatives.

Closer to home, Leo offered the Holy See bureaucracy a reassuring, conciliatory message after Francis occasionally authoritarian style rubbed some in the Vatican the wrong way.

Popes come and go, but the Curia remains, Leo told Vatican officials soon after his May 8 election.

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Continuity with Francis is still undeniable

Leo, though, has cemented Francis environmental legacy by celebrating the first-ever ecologically inspired Mass. He has furthered that legacy by giving the go-ahead for the Vatican to turn a 430-hectare (1,000-acre) field north of Rome into a vast solar farm that should generate enough electricity to meet Vatican Citys needs and turn it into the worlds first carbon-neutral state.

He has fine-tuned financial transparency regulations that Francis initiated, tweaked some other decrees to give them consistency and logic, and confirmed Francis in deciding to declare one of the 19th centurys most influential saints, John Henry Newman, a doctor of the church.

But he hasnt granted any sit-down, tell-all interviews or made headline-grabbing, off-the-cuff comments like his predecessor did. He hasnt made any major appointments, including to fill his old job, or taken any big trips.

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In marking the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki last week, he had a chance to match Francis novel declaration that the mere possession of nuclear weapons was immoral. But he didnt.

Compared to President Donald Trump, the other American world leader who took office in 2025 with a flurry of Sharpie-penned executive decrees, Leo has eased into his new job slowly, deliberately and quietly, almost trying not to draw attention to himself.

At 69, he seems to know that he has time on his side, and that after Francis revolutionary papacy, the church might need a bit of a breather. One Vatican official who knows Leo said he expects his papacy will have the effect of a calming rain on the church.

Maria Isabel Ibarcena Cuarite, a Peruvian member of a Catholic charismatic group, said it was precisely Leos quiet emphasis on church traditions, its sacraments and love of Christ, that drew her and upward of 1 million young people to Rome for a special Jubilee week this month.

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Ibarcena said Francis had confused young people like herself with his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and approval of blessings for same-sex couples. Such gestures went beyond what a pope was supposed to do and what the church taught, she thought.

Leo, she said, has emphasized that marriage is a sacrament between men and woman. Francis was ambiguous, but he is firm, she said.

An Augustinian pope

From his very first appearance on the loggia of St. Peters Basilica, Leo has insisted he is first and foremost a son of St. Augustine.  It was a reference to the fifth century theological and devotional giant of early Christianity, St. Augustine of Hippo, who inspired the 13th century religious Augustinian order as a community of mendicant friars.

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Like the other big mendicant orders of the early church  the Franciscans, Dominicans and Carmelites  the Augustinians spread across Christian Europe over the centuries. Today, Augustinian spirituality is rooted in a deep interior life of prayer, living in community, and journeying together in search of truth in God.

In nearly every speech or homily since his May 8 election, Leo has cited Augustine in one way or another.

I see a kind of Augustinian flavor in the way that hes presenting all these things, said Hughes, the theology professor who is an Augustine scholar.

Leo joined the Augustinians after graduating from Augustinian-run Villanova, outside Philadelphia, and was twice elected its prior general. He has visited the Augustinian headquarters outside St. Peter's a few times since his election, and some wonder if he will invite some brothers to live with him in the Apostolic Palace to recreate the spirit of Augustinian community life there.

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A missionary pope in the image of Francis

Leo is also very much a product of the Francis papacy. Francis named Prevost bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014 and then moved him to head one of the most important Vatican jobs in 2023  vetting bishop nominations. In retrospect, it seems Francis had his eye on Prevost as a possible successor.

Given Francis stump speech before the 2013 conclave that elected him pope, the then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio essentially described Prevost in identifying the church's mission today: He said the church was "called to go outside of itself and go to the peripheries, not just geographic but also the existential peripheries.

Prevost, who hails from Chicago, spent his adult life as a missionary in Peru, eventually becoming bishop of Chiclayo.

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He is the incarnation of the unity of difference, because he comes from the center, but he lives in the peripheries, said Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Cuda said during a recent conference hosted by Georgetown University that Leo encapsulated in word and gesture the type of missionary church Francis promoted.

That said, for all Leo owes to Bergoglio, the two didnt necessarily get along.

Prevost has recounted that at one point when he was the Augustinian superior, the then-archbishop of Buenos Aires expressed interest in assigning an Augustinian priest to a specific job in his archdiocese.

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And I, as prior general, said I understand, Your Eminence, but hes got to do something else and so I transferred him somewhere else, Prevost told parishioners in his home state of Illinois in 2024.

Prevost said he naively thought the Francis wouldnt remember him after his 2013 election, and that regardless hell never appoint me bishop due to the disagreement.

Bergoglio not only made him bishop, he laid the groundwork for Prevost to succeed him as pope, the first North American pope following the first South American.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
When Capt Yavar Abbas stood on stage in front of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Friday, he wasn't expecting to make headlines.

He was at the official commemoration for the 80th anniversary of VJ - Victory over Japan - Day in Staffordshire as one of the last remaining veterans. Yavar was about to give a short address about his experience on the Asian front. But he decided to go off script.

He told the audience he wished "to salute my brave King who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he's under treatment for cancer".

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The King and Queen became visibly emotional. Yavar went on to tell the crowd he had been free of cancer too for the past 25 years, receiving a round of applause.

Yavar is 104, and his journey to this moment, which he told to me when I met him earlier this year, is extraordinary.

[Getty Images]

He was born in Charkhari, a state in British India, in what he describes as a "one-horse town". Officially his birth date is registered in 1921, but Yavar says he was born on 15 December 1920. He was a student when Britain declared war on Nazi Germany on behalf of India in 1939.

From early December 1941, there was a new enemy and a new front. Japan had attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. Hours later, Japanese forces targeted British colonies in South East Asia. And in just a few months, Japan had taken territory that had been part of the British Empire for more than a century, including Malaya (now Malaysia), Singapore and Burma (now Myanmar).

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By mid-1942 Yavar had to make an important decision - fight for the British or for Indian independence. He could not believe how quickly parts of the British Empire had fallen to Japan. There was a palpable fear that India could be next.

"I was not a supporter of British imperialism, in fact I detested it," Yavar tells me. At the time, there was a growing pro-independence movement calling for the British to "Quit India," which was brutally suppressed.

Yavar was aware fighting for the British would mean fighting a war in the name of freedom - while Indians were not free from colonial rule. But, like many Indian nationalists, he did not want Nazism and fascism to prevail.

"I had to choose and hope that if I joined the [British Indian] army, after the war, as they had been promising, I would get independence."

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So Yavar enlisted - and became one of around 2.5 million Indian soldiers to sign up. Initially he joined the 11th Sikh regiment and was posted to a "God-forsaken place" in a remote part of East Bengal, where he spent his days guarding a strategic site - and felt disappointed at the lack of action.

Attitudes among the British officers frustrated him too.

"I found myself in a version of Dad's Army, in the company of white, middle-aged men as my fellow officers, who still considered India to be a crown colony on which they'll have continuing control for the foreseeable future."

One day in the mess, Yavar spotted an advert in The Army Gazette for officers to be trained as combat cameramen. He applied and was soon accepted.

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In this role he joined the newly formed British 14th Army, whose aim was to win back territory lost to Japan. The troops of this army were well-trained for jungle warfare, and had better equipment. A multi-national force, in time it would number up to a million soldiers - mostly Indian, but also from other parts of the British Empire - including West and East Africa.

This army felt completely different to Yavar: "It was wonderful camaraderie. There were British and Indians mixing with each other."

Yavar would go on to film on the front lines at many major Allied-Japanese battles of the Burma campaign from 1944. He would travel in his jeep with an assistant, armed with a pistol and a Vinten film camera, a tripod, and many rolls of film. He sent his rushes to Calcutta (now Kolkata), along with dope sheets explaining what the shots were. There they were edited, and the film distributed for propaganda or newsreels.

Yavar was at the siege of Imphal and the battle of Kohima when Japan invaded the strategic north-eastern Indian towns. Japan's aim was to cut off the Allied supply line to China. Repelling Japanese forces at Imphal and Kohima was hugely significant, because success in taking these towns could allow Japan to progress deeper into India and expand its empire.

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These battles have been described by some historians as among the most significant of World War Two. British, Gurkha, Indian and African troops decisively halted the offensive into India. Tens of thousands of Japanese forces died. Many killed themselves rather than being taken prisoner in defeat.

Yavar cannot forget the aftermath of the battles. "It was a horrible sight, Japanese with swords sticking out of their bodies, instead of falling into enemy hands." The British advance to re-take Burma began afterwards.

Yavar was around 30 miles (50km) from Mandalay when he had a brush with death. He tells me how the Japanese put up stiff resistance, and the Allies couldn't advance, so they took cover in shallow trenches. He was in one with a Gurkha unit, but continued to film. He thinks a sniper saw his camera and shot towards him. The Gurkha beside him was hit in the temple and died. Yavar's camera shattered.

"I'm lucky to be alive," he says.

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The Battle of Mandalay was a crucial one for the Allies. If they managed to take it, the road to the capital Rangoon (now Yangon), would be open to them. Yavar was in a tank, and decided he needed a better shot of the action. "I just climbed up on top of the trunk and started filming."

The turret opened and he was told by another officer to get down for his own safety. "It was a stupid thing to do, but that's the kind of thing you do when you're young."

The gun battle was intense and the aim was to capture the Japanese stronghold of Fort Dufferin. Yavar filmed the enemy positions being bombed relentlessly from the air.

"They kept on pounding them, pounding them, pounding them," he recalls.

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I went to the Imperial War Museum in London and found the footage that Yavar filmed that day. Even without sound, the raw, unedited, black and white images are as dramatic as Yavar described. I returned to his home to show him the footage which he had never seen.

As he watched it, the events from 80 years all come back and he points at the screen as he remembers.

"That's my shot," he tells me as the British flag is raised in victory over the strategic Fort Dufferin.

He shakes his head watching the images. "It's bizarre to be sitting here and watching all that, and to think that I was in the middle of that."

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He says he cannot believe now that 80 years ago he was happy to shoot Japanese forces with his camera, as well as his gun.

"I'm not very proud of that," Yavar says, "but that's how you feel when you are on the front."

Yavar has something to show me, that he had found that morning. He takes out a faded notepad with loose leaves of paper that have yellowed with age. It's his diary from the front line. He had carried an ink pot with him in battle and written in the diary with his fountain pen. He reads out an entry from the day that Fort Dufferin fell on 20 March 1945.

"Thank goodness it is all over and that I'm still alive. I can still hear the noise of shelling not far away. Maybe it is the Japanese guns firing at the Fort. I'll find out tomorrow. Two o'clock in the morning now, and I must go to sleep."

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Yavar wonders aloud how in the midst of battle he found time to sit and write this when he had to be up again at five in the morning.

I ask him if he thinks he is brave. He looks at me as if that is a strange question. "Absolutely not," he says.

On VE Day, 8 May 1945 - when the war ended in Europe - Yavar was in Rangoon filming the recently re-taken capital. However, it was so inconsequential he didn't note it in his diary. Little had changed for him.

The war against Japan was still ongoing. But then, completely unexpectedly months later, America dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan unconditionally surrendered on 15 August 1945, the day that VJ Day is marked each year.

After the war, Yavar was posted with the 268 Indian Brigade as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces under the overall command of US Gen Douglas McArthur. He went to Hiroshima months after the bombing.

Yavar says he saw the wasteland and people with horrific injuries.

"There were no buildings, it was just one tower that was left. Otherwise the whole thing was flat."

It's the first time since we have spoken that Yavar's bearing changes - he has a look of horror as he remembers.

"It still haunts me," he says. "I couldn't believe that human beings could do this to each other. Hiroshima was a terrible experience."

The British did leave India, as Yavar had hoped. In August 1947, India was partitioned and two new states were born: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.

Yavar was a witness to the bloody aftermath, and was heartbroken at the decision to divide India. Two years later, he came to Britain.

He worked for many years at the BBC as a news cameraman travelling the world. He would go on to be an acclaimed independent film-maker, winning numerous awards.

VJ Day - on 15 August - is not a day Yavar ever celebrates. Current events weigh heavily on him. Yavar's message, as one of the last remaining survivors of World War Two, is clear.

"War is a crime. War must be banned. I think it's mad. We didn't achieve anything really."

He says at the time he felt he was part of something worthwhile, for the sake of humanity - he doesn't feel that now.

The wars engulfing the world 80 years on - particularly Gaza - are on his mind.

"We seem to have learnt nothing," Yavar tells me. "The killing of innocent men, women, children, and even babies goes on. And the world, with some honourable exceptions, watches in silence...

"It was all futile, because it's still happening. We haven't learned anything at all."

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Yasmim Barros only knew how to say mom and thank you when she moved to the U.S. at age 11, some seven years ago.

But in June, she graduated from East Side High School in Newark, N.J., as her class president, a track star  and was offered a full scholarship to attend Harvard University.

Im making my family proud, says Barros, 18. My family's really happy that their hard work has paid off. I was raised by a village, quite literally.

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Barros was born in northern Brazil. Her mother, Glaucia Barros Dos Santos, first moved to America when Barrow was only 2, so her grandparents raised her and her older brother, Kaua.

Theyre really good people, she says. I loved growing up with my cousins.



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courtesy Rafaela Barros Yasmim Barros as a child Yasmim Barros as a child

About a decade later, Barros and her brother traveled with their father to be reunited with her mom, who was working as a housecleaner in Newark.

To learn English, Barros relied on movies, music and books  which she read in both English and Portuguese  to help me get the hang of it, she says.

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I tried my best.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

That proved more than enough: At East Side High, she became the student council president, yearbook editor, captain of the track and cross country team and a member of the National Honor Society, the Portuguese National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society.

Shes involved in everything, says Carlos Rodriguez, East Side's principal. She wants to see change.

Barros puts it another way: I believe in myself and I believe that I can do whatever I put my mind to. If I didnt believe in myself, I would have likely not even tried going to Harvard.



JR Bala Photography Yasmim Barros Yasmim Barros

The teen, who loves reading and baking, often spent time in Rodriguez's office, advocating for students. She also helped start a middle school track program.

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Shes an awesome kid, Rodriguez says.

Anabel Lago, her school guidance counselor, agrees. She wouldnt give up, Lago says.

During the college application process, Barros submitted an essay about the lessons her grandfather taught her on how to water plants.

You have to have patience and you have to understand those plants. And some plants need a lot of water, some doesn't really need any water. And I took that lesson and I applied it to my relationships with my friends and, really, everyone around me, she says.

This is not just my achievement. I didn't get here just because I'm me  it's because they've all given me the opportunities that I needed and they helped shape me to who I am today.



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Next month, Barros will begin classes at Harvard. She will be the first in her family to attend college  and when she received her acceptance to the Ivy League school, they were overwhelmed with emotion.

They were crying a lot, she says. There was a lot of tears from everyone."

She plans to study at the Institute of Politics and focus on political science, someday practicing either constitutional law or international law. But there's time.

Im still deciding, she says. I really want to help change the world.

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The Brief

A 13-year-old swimmer has died after being pulled from the water at a Belmar beach.

The victim was found unresponsive and, despite extensive life-saving efforts, was pronounced dead.

The Belmar Police Department is investigating the incident, and the victim's identity is being withheld.

BELMAR, N.J. - A 13-year-old has died after being found unresponsive in the water off the 7th Avenue beach in Belmar, New Jersey, according to police.

What we know

According to the Belmar Police Department, several 911 calls came in at approximately 6:36 p.m. Friday evening for a swimmer in distress off the 8th Avenue beach.

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Once police arrived, officers were told that one person was out of the water, but a second juvenile swimmer was missing.

Belmar water rescue attempts (Photo: Daniel Bowens/WNYW)

The Belmar Water Rescue team entered the water and located the victim at approximately 7:29 p.m. The victim was removed from the water, where life-saving efforts were made by Belmar lifeguards, EMS and paramedics.

The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead. Due to the victim's age, their identity is being withheld at this time.

The incident remains under investigation by the Belmar Police Department.

The Source

This article was written with information provided by the Belmar Police Department.
NEED TO KNOW

A 13-year-old girl has died after going missing in the waters of a New Jersey beach on Friday, Aug. 15

According to the Belmar Police Department, Belmar Water Rescue located her in the water around an hour after she had been reported missing

"Despite extensive efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased," Belmar police said in a news release

A 13-year-old girl has died after being recovered from the waters of a beach in New Jersey.

At around 6:36 p.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 15, police received "several 911 calls of a swimmer in distress off Eighth Avenue beach in Belmar, the Belmar Police Department said in a news release shared on Facebook. When police arrived, they learned one person was out of the water while a 13-year-old was still missing.

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Belmar Water Rescue entered the water in an attempt to locate the missing teenager, according to the police. Around an hour later, she was found unresponsive in the water off Seventh Avenue beach.

The victim was removed from the water, where life-saving efforts were made by Belmar lifeguards, Belmar EMS, Wall Township EMS, and Hackensack Meridian Paramedics, according to the police news release.

Getty Belmar, New Jersey Belmar, New Jersey

Having then been brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, the teenager was pronounced deceased despite extensive efforts.

No lifeguards were on duty at the time of the incident, per CBS News New York and NBC New York.

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Lifeguards are on duty in the area from 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the weekends, according to the Belmar Beach website.

The identity of the teenage victim has not been released by the Belmar Police Department amid their investigation.

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Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Seaside Heights Beach in Jersey Shore in 2020 Seaside Heights Beach in Jersey Shore in 2020

The tragic incident comes after another person reportedly died at a New Jersey beach earlier in the week.

On Aug. 11, one person died after getting caught in a rip current along with four other swimmers at Webster Avenue Beach in Seaside Heights, CBS News New York reported, citing Chief William Rumbolo of the Seaside Heights Fire Department.

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The five swimmers were rescued from the waters, but an unidentified 31-year-old man among them was sent to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was pronounced dead, per the outlet.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Belmar Police Department and Belmar Beach for comment.



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(NewsNation)  All Air Canada flights have been canceled due to an employee strike, leaving hundreds of thousands of travelers having to change their travel plans.

Around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants and cabin crew went on strike Saturday around 1 a.m. ET at major Canadian airports to demand better pay after the union representing the employees didnt reach an agreement with the airline.

With routes to over 60 countries, Air Canada is a popular airline for American travelers with connecting flights across the United States border and to Europe and Asia. In the U.S., Air Canada operates hundreds of daily flights from more than 50 airports.

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US teen pilot claims innocence after charges dropped in Antarctica flight case

The airline said 130,000 travelers will be impacted each day the strike continues.

Air Canada is strongly advising affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge, the airline wrote in a news release. Air Canada will notify customers with imminent travel of additional cancelled flights and their options. For those customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada has put in place a goodwill policy to allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel.

This is the first strike for cabin crew with Air Canada since 1985.

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Air Canada started canceling flights on Thursday ahead of a possible work stoppage. It also warned earlier in the week that once the strike went into effect, it could take the airline about a week to resume flights.

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(KRON)  A 19-year-old burglary suspect was swifty arrested by San Mateo County Sheriffs Office deputies after allegedly breaking into a Millbrae retirement community overnight.

Suspect wanted after multiple shots fired into occupied vehicle, say Dublin police

Sheriffs deputies assigned to the Millbrae Police Bureau were notified around 1 a.m. Friday of the incident in the 200 block of Chadbourne Avenue. The suspect reportedly ran away from the residence after he was spotted inside by staff, but he was soon located nearby by deputies.

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Surveillance video and witness statements helped identify the suspect as Ronald Alfaro Diaz of San Mateo, said the sheriffs office.

During the burglary, one victim reported their cellphone had been stolen, said officials in a news release. Sheriffs deputies recovered the stolen cellphone in Alfaro Diazs possession, along with a stolen package.

Alfaro Diaz was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility where he faces charges, including residential burglary and mail theft.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Pack your patience for a lot of shopping and a lot of people, but all for a good reason.

Booth set-up is a strategy for vendors at the Made in Hawaii Festival

At the Hawaii Convention Center, the 31st annual Made in Hawaii Festival is bringing hundreds of vendors, small businesses and entrepreneurs from across the islands, and they are all bringing their unique products.

One vendor who is brand new here at the Made in Hawaii Festival, a very unique brand, the Da Sistah Marys with Co-Owner Nohea Breeden.

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So, we are Da Sistah Marys. We just hit one year in June. I am just one of the founders. I got two other sisters, its a team effort, says Breeden.

We specialize in our local style trucker hats so we do our paina papale, which is you pick your papale, you pick your patches. We get a heat press and it is all special to you. All the kind portagee vides. That is pretty much it, Breeden added.

It is like a truck hat bar, if I am not mistaken.

Oh, yes. That is exactly what it is, says Breeden.

So, people come here, they pick all the patches that fit perfectly for them and then you guys glue it on right here?

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Oh, yes. You have to leave representing you. This is the way to do it, yeah, says Breeden.

First year at the Made in Hawaii Festival, congratulations. One year as a milestone in terms of your brand. How did this come about in the first place?

I drew a papaya thing for my mom when I was young and she always wanted me to do something with it, says Breeden.

Now, it just came time. Everyone on board, yeah, okay, lets go. Shoot in the dark, team Hawaii all the way, so this is the perfect opportunity.

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But you mentioned your sisters. This is a family unit, not just a group?

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Yes. Uncles, cousins, everyone giving up their weekend just to grind it out, plan activities together. Yes, team effort. I take no responsibility. Its a whole team effort, says Breeden.

First year here at the Made In Hawaii Festival. How has it been so far?

Oh, unreal. We were setting up last night, getting all the kind chicken skin, says Breeden.

Oh my gosh, looking around at all these vendors. Team Hawaii is so awesome, we are so blessed and so, so grateful.

So, aside from this, where else can people find you?

We just do pop-ups all over the place. Check out on Instagram @dasistahmarys and we will let you know where we are, says Breeden.

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So, let me just ask, all the different designs of the patches. Where do the designs come from?

The first few, we only had six designs that I drew on my iPad. And then my aunty helped me draw. All the people come up, all the portagees come up and show up and what about this idea? I say ok, we get um, says Breeden.

What booth are you and where can people find you?

We are booth 2619 in the corner, baby. This is where its at, says Breeden.

You also come from an entrepreneurial family. So, how has this been for you as a life lesson and continuing that mission?

I am beyond blessed, says Breeden. I think if I was doing this without parents like mine, I would be asking what am I doing. All their experience has been guiding me. Dad and Mom, what do you think? Ok, or hey Mary, do it this way. It has been very helpful.

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This is a must-visit booth here at the Made in Hawaii Festival.

Again, booth number 2619 right here at the Hawaii Convention Center.

This is Da Sistah Marys, one of hundreds of vendors.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the festival hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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For more information on the Made in Hawaii Festival, click here.

For more on Da Sistah Marys, click here.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Two inmates at Wasco State Prison have been charged with murder in connection with the death of a third inmate earlier this year.

Jose D. Castro and Darnell Rodas are accused of using homemade weapons to attack Angel Carrasco on March 14.

Carrasco was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Two weapons were recovered at the scene, according to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

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Carrasco was received by CDCR from Tulare County on Dec. 31, 2009, after being sentenced to life without parole for first-degree murder.

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2 charged with sexual exploitation, kidnapping in Humboldt County

LIVERMORE, Iowa  Two people have been charged with sexual exploitation and kidnapping as part of an ongoing sexual assault investigation in Humboldt County.

According to the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office, authorities took a report of a possible sexual assault in Livermore on May 27th, 2025. With assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa Attorney Generals office, the sheriffs office opened and conducted an investigation.

Man charged with attempted murder in WDM shots fired investigation

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On August 15, authorities stated that two Livermore residents, Dixie Jean Niles, 37, and Nathanial Lee Depew, 37, were arrested and charged with,

Kidnapping in the first degree  Class A Felony

Sexual Exploitation, 3 counts  Class B Felony

Child Endangerment, 12 counts  Aggravated Misdemeanors

The Humboldt County Sheriffs Office says the investigation is ongoing.

Iowa News:

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The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department is asking the public for help in locating two children who may have been abducted by their father.

Per an LASD special bulletin, the two children, 11-year-old Juaquin Vides and 8-year-old Aastha Vides, were last seen together on Aug. 8 in the 1000 block of West 88th Street in unincorporated Los Angeles.

They had last been seen around 6 p.m. that evening, LASD said.

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The 11-year-old Juaquin was described as being 3 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing 49 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair, and he was last seen wearing a blue shirt with a yellow stripe.

Aastha is listed as being 3 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 35 pounds. She has black hair, brown eyes and a birthmark on her foot, according to LASD. She was last seen wearing a green shirt with white flowers.

11-year-old Juaquin Vides (right) and 8-year-old Aastha Vides (left) as seen in photos provided by the L.A. Co. Sheriffs Dept.

The children were last seen with their father Juaquin Vides Srwho is deaf/mute, deputies said.

The elder Juaquin Vides is described as a 35-year-old Hispanic man standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

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He and the missing children were last seen in a 2012 green Mazda 2 with the California license plate number #9DRV087, authorities said.

Another suspect, Sylvia Gonzalez, was also listed in the bulletin; however, her relation to the children or their father was not stated. She is said to be 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weigh 233 pounds; she has gray hair and hazel eyes.

Juaquin Vides Sr. (left) and Sylvia Gonzalez (right) as seen in photos released by LASD. A green Mazda believed to be driven by the suspects. (LASD)

She was last seen driving the aforementioned green Mazda 2, LASD said.

They may have a possible destination within the city of San Jose, authorities added. The family is concerned for the childrens well-being and is asking for the publics assistance in locating them.

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Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, South Los Angeles Station Detective Partida or the on-duty Watch Commander at (323) 820-6700.

If you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.

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Two Pittsburgh residents have been federally indicted on charges of sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced Friday.

The six-count indictment names Karen R. Allen, 37, and James Clark, 38, and alleges that the pair coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct on multiple occasions in August 2024 to produce visual depictions of this conduct.

Allen and Clark face a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, along with a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

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The FBI conducted the investigation leading to the indictment. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  Two teenagers have been charged with aggravated battery after police say they stabbed a man, critically injuring him, on Chicagos northwest side Thursday afternoon.

Chicago police say a 16-year-old and 17-year-old were arrested just before 2:15 p.m. near the 3900 block of N. Merrimac Ave. in the Portage Park neighborhood.

According to police, the juvenile suspects used a knife to stab a 39-year-old man, critically injuring him, in the 6200 block of W. Irving Park Rd. about 10 minutes before their arrest.

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Additionally, police allege the 17-year-old also assaulted a 37-year-old man during the same incident.

The 17-year-old has been charged with aggravated battery and aggravated assault. The 16-year-old was charged with aggravated battery.

No additional information has been provided.

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Ferndale Superintendent Kristi Dominguez, center, speaks with former Gov. Jay Inslee in September 2023. Dominguez is one of 20 Washington superintendents trying to reshape the state's school funding system. (Photo by Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

This article was first published by Cascadia Daily News.

A group of education leaders is working to reshape Washingtons system of funding for K-12 education after years of financial challenges plaguing school districts.

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Two Whatcom County superintendents are taking part. Meridian Superintendent James Everett and Ferndale Superintendent Kristi Dominguez are participating with the group, which was formed by Yakima Superintendent Trevor Greene and Bellevue Superintendent Kelly Aramaki last summer.

We know that theres a problem, and we can continue to admire it, and talk about it, or we can sit down and say, This isnt working, Dominguez said.

The catalyst for the formation of the group was Aramakis experience having to make massive budget cuts over the last several years, according to Seattle Times reporting. Bellevue is now on binding conditions with the state, joining seven other districts (including Mount Baker) receiving financial oversight from the state due to serious budgetary challenges.

That demonstrates the breadth of the problem, the superintendents say. And it doesnt even include the many more districts that are enduring massive cuts to avoid financial oversight by the state, including Blaine, Bellingham and more. Ferndale eliminated $6 million in expenses from its budget this year. Meridian eliminated $1 million this year and $2 million the year before.

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For Dominguez and Everett, its clear the current funding model isnt working.

Theres something broken in the system, Dominguez said. So were just asking, what new system do we need to explore?

The main issue, they say, is that the state doesnt come close to funding what the schools must pay for. As costs and student needs have increased, funding hasnt kept up.

The superintendents were initially pulled from the University of Washington alumni network but have since expanded to more than 20 superintendents across the state. Theyre working with the University of Washington College of Education, including Dean Mia Tuan, Professor Anthony Craig and Professor David Knight.

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Washington funds schools under a system called a resource funding model, which bases allocations on a series of student-staff ratios, according to research by Knight.

Many other states, however, follow a student-based approach. Under that system, districts receive a base amount of funding per student, with additional funding designated for students who are low-income, multi-language learners or need specific support services. Then, that is multiplied by district enrollment to determine how much money the district gets from the state.

Dominguez simplified the system as the money follows the adults in Washington, while it follows the students in other states.

An example of how that plays out in local districts: The state pays for Ferndale to hire seven paraeducators across the whole district. But in the 4,600-student district, we need far more than that just to cover lunch duties, before or after school, playgrounds, Dominguez said. In Meridian School District, the state pays for half a nurse, Everett said.

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Despite the funding issues, schools must continue to meet the needs of students, and they are working their butts off to do so, Everett said. But its with less and less funding.

The way local levies are set up causes issues, too.

The higher assessed value of property that you have, the better ability you have to secure funding with less impact on your community, Everett said.

While districts like Seattle can run levies that bring in hundreds of millions of dollars at a modest cost to the individual taxpayer, property-poor districts must have higher tax rates to bring in much less.

Its created competing agendas between property-rich and property-poor districts. But the intention is to come up with a proposal that works for everyone, Everett said.

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Everett said his biggest takeaway from the experience was that no district has it figured out  even areas with high levels of assessed value, such as Bellevue.

By their next meeting in October, the plan is to come up with a specific proposal they want to push forward, Everett said.

We are now at crisis level in many ways, and its our kids who are going to pay the price, Dominguez said.  At what point do we just say, enough? Weve got to get proactive.

Charlotte Alden is CDNs general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123

Cascadia Daily News is a locally owned newspaper in Bellingham, Washington. You can learn more about the publication and subscribe here.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A 22-year-old from Washington, D.C. was convicted Friday for his role in a shooting that left a man dead in late 2022.

Evidence presented at trial found Jajuan Gripper shot 34-year-old Rynell Bradford at least 19 times as he ran away.

At the time of his death, Bradford was the father of a four-month-old.

The charges against Gripper stem from the evening of Dec. 20, 2022. At around 9:40 p.m., Gripper and two others  all of whom were armed with guns  reportedly followed Bradford out of his apartment complex in the Kenilworth neighborhood.

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Bradford lived there with his fiancee and daughter, authorities noted.

After a brief exchange, Gripper and his co-conspirators opened fire as Bradford ran away, down a public street in the neighborhood. At least 19 shots were fired, striking him in the back of the head.

Gripper was arrested a few months after the shooting, in March 2023, and has been detained ever since.

A jury convicted him of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence and first-degree premeditated murder while armed. He is scheduled to be sentenced in mid-October this year.

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BOSTON (WPRI)  Three Rhode Island men have pleaded guilty to burglarizing homes in 25 Massachusetts cities and towns over a six-year span, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Jovan Lemon, 30, of Providence, and Paul Lemon, 31, of Warwick, were each convicted of 32 counts of unarmed burglary and three counts of breaking and entering a dwelling in the daytime with intent to commit a felony. Steven Berdugo, 29, of Providence, was also convicted of seven counts of unarmed burglary.

Investigators believe the suspects stole more than $4 million worth of valuables from 43 homes between July 2018 and March 2024.

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Ryan said the trio targeted residents of Indian or South Asian heritage, presumably based on the belief that those homes were more likely to contain jewelry, precious metals and other valuable heirlooms.

They were disciplined in concealing their identity, avoiding alarms and minimizing cell phone use before, during and after the breaks and using Wi-Fi jammers, Ryan said, noting that their scheme was sophisticated and calculated.

Evidence recovered during investigation of Massachusetts burglary ring (Courtesy: Middlesex County District Attorneys Office) Evidence recovered during investigation of Massachusetts burglary ring (Courtesy: Middlesex County District Attorneys Office) Evidence recovered during investigation of Massachusetts burglary ring (Courtesy: Middlesex County District Attorneys Office) Evidence recovered during investigation of Massachusetts burglary ring (Courtesy: Middlesex County District Attorneys Office) Evidence recovered during investigation of Massachusetts burglary ring (Courtesy: Middlesex County District Attorneys Office) Courtesy: Middlesex County District Attorneys Office Courtesy: Middlesex County District Attorneys Office

Ryan said investigators recovered vast quantities of jewelry set with diamonds and other gems at the time of their arrests, as well as a significant amount of cash.

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In several instances, Ryan said the valuables were secured in locked safes that weighed up to 400 pounds, which the suspects removed from the residences.

The break-ins happened in the following cities and towns: Billerica, Boxborough, Carlisle, Easton, Hopkinton, Lincoln, Weston, Sudbury, Andover, Bellingham, Boxford, Franklin, Hudson, Littleton, Medway, Middleton, Millis, North Attleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Seekonk, Sharon, Southborough, Wenham and Westwood.

Jovan Lemon was sentenced to serve between 10 and 13 years in prison, while Paul Lemon and Steven Berdugo both received between nine and 13 years behinds bars.

Paul Miller, 46, of Woonsocket, was also charged in connection with the burglary ring. Court documents indicate hes slated to go to trial in October.

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HILL CITY, SD (KELO)  The discovery of old bones, 35 years ago this week, would lead to a years-long legal battle that put South Dakota, and a dinosaur named Sue, in the national spotlight.

On August 12, 1990, near Faith, South Dakota, a fossil hunter unearthed what would be the largest and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found.

But just who Sue rightfully belonged to was a dispute that eventually had to be settled in federal court.

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Sue the T. Rex became a folk hero among her supporters in the Black Hills who claimed overreach by the federal government when agents seized the dinosaur bones.

The government claimed they were taken off land that was held in trust by the U.S. Department of the Interior. People in the Hill City area envisioned Sue as becoming a major tourist attraction for their community.

This is a struggling hills town, which has seized on one thing that might help it economically and then somebody from Washington, DC swoops down on them and says sorry, were going to go move it to Rapid City, Black Hills Institute attorney Patrick Duffy said in 1992.

At the Center of the controversy was the Hill City-based Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, the temporary home of Sue. Federal prosecutors alleged that the Institute illegally removed Sues bones, sparking the legal question of whether Sue belonged to the Institute, the federal government, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, or the landowner.

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Those boys in Hill City got kind of jazzed on the whole deal, a Black Hills Institute supporter said in 1996.

Eventually, the courts ruled that Sue belonged to the landowner, who then sold the bones to a museum in Chicago for a whopping $7-point six-million. The saga of Sue that began in a cliff side in South Dakota 35 years ago, is still attracting attention today, as a popular 65-million-year-old museum display.

We reached out Friday to Kevin Schieffer, who was the U.S. attorney during much of the time the case was in court during the 1990s. He told us the court ruled correctly in favor of the landowner.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Over the course of the past four years since the Taliban took control of Kabul, plunging Afghanistan into a humanitarian crisis and stripping away women's rights, millions of Afghans who initially fled have now been expelled from Iran and Pakistan, according to the United Nations.

Over 1.5 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan so far this year, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM). 700,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from Iran this year as of June 2025, according to the UN.

Some have never set foot in Afghanistan, while others haven't been in the country since fleeing it decades ago, said Arafat Jamal, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Afghanistan.

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Russia became the first country to recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's official government, but other countries have not done so.

Many of the returnees arrived at the Afghan border in buses "bewildered, disoriented, and tired and hungry," according to Jamal.

MORE: 2 Americans freed from Afghanistan in prisoner swap, family and Taliban say

Earlier this year, Iran ordered all of the estimated 2 million undocumented Afghans -- out of the estimated 6 million total Afghans in Iran -- to leave the country.

Since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, UN agencies have seen a large increase in the number of Afghans crossing the border from Iran back into Afghanistan, Jamal said.

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This increase of Afghans leaving Iran came as the government of Iran intensified their campaign against Afghans, accusing many of them of espionage, according to the Center for Human Rights in Iran.

Abdul Majeed/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN-MIGRATION

Pakistan has also accelerated the expulsion of Afghan refugees within its borders since April. More Afghans are expected to leave Pakistan after the government of Pakistan confirmed it won't renew Proof of Registration cards for Afghans, according to the IOM.

Some experts warn that these actions constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement  meaning not forcing refugees or asylum seekers to return to a country where they may be subject to persecution  in possible violation of international law.

In previous years, UNHCR could provide $2,000 in cash assistance to returnee Afghan families, enabling them to build autonomy and get back on their feet once they returned to their home country. In the past few months, cuts in foreign aid funding have decreased that budget to just $156 per family, "simply enabling a person to survive for a week or two on the basic necessities," Jamal said.

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Once inside Afghanistan, returnees' face difficult conditions back at home. In addition to the Taliban restricting women's rights by banning their movements outside of the home without a male guardian and by restricting their access to education past age 12, Afghanistan is also facing climate change and environmental challenges -- around a third of Afghans don't have access to basic drinking water, according to Unicef.

Siddiqullah Alizai/AP - PHOTO: Afghanistan Anniversary

The World Food Program reported that 3.1 million Afghans are on the brink of starvation.

Zahra, a journalist living in Afghanistan who asked ABC News to use only her first name due to fear of persecution by the Taliban, said that Afghans have done their best to support returnees, despite having very few resources themselves.

"Even if I have one extra pillow, I should give it to others," she told ABC News. "It's enough if we eat lunch and skip dinner to give this meal to another."

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In the last several months, international humanitarian aid funding has been slashed by previously committed allies.

In April 2025, the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction said the United States had cut nearly all assistance programs to Afghanistan. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, the U.S. had been Afghanistan's largest donor, according to SIGAR. Soon after the U.S.'s April announcement, the U.K. -- another major donor to humanitarian initiatives in the country -- reduced its aid to Afghanistan by 19%.

More than 400 health facilities, 400 acute malnutrition centers, and 300 clinics for survivors of gender based violence have shut down as a result, according to the UN.

Zahra said she has witnessed the devastating consequences of these facilities' closures. She said there was a pregnant woman who needed medical help but couldn't go to her local clinic, which had shuttered due to aid cuts. The expecting mother could not immediately secure a male chaperone to travel to the nearest open clinic, as mandated by the Taliban, Zahra said. As a result, according to Zahra, both the woman and her baby lost their lives.

Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: AFGHANISTAN-TALIBAN-ANNIVERSARY

"You just cut the aid to kill people slowly," she told ABC News. "It is like you're firing and shooting at humans."

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Now, as millions of additional Afghans return to a country already facing multiple humanitarian crises, many international NGOs are operating with inadequate funding to address the many issues in the country.

UNHCR, for example, said it has less than a quarter of the funding it needs to address the emergency situation in Afghanistan and neighboring countries. Additionally, the International Rescue Committee has had to suspend some of their education services in Afghanistan.

These international bodies are calling for an increase in funding and support. "More humanitarian aid is urgently needed to protect and assist Afghans forced to flee," the UNHCR wrote on its website.

"What's happening in Afghanistan are crimes against humanity  crimes against the whole of humanity  which should shock our conscience and provoke action by all," said Richard Bennett, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan. "It is not time to give up."
The Brief

A Kaukauna man led law enforcement on a chase through multiple counties in Wisconsin before being arrested in Fond du Lac County.

Both Kaukauna police and the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office attempted to pull the man over, but both pursuits were terminated.

Stop sticks were successfully used in Fond du Lac County, and he was arrested near County Highway N.

FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis. - A Kaukauna man was arrested after leading law enforcement on a chase through multiple counties.

Chase starts in Kaukauna

What we know

According to the Fond du Lac Sheriff's Office, on Saturday, Aug. 16, just after 3 a.m., the Fond du Lac County Communications Center got information that Kaukauna police had been in a pursuit of a vehicle southbound on I-41.

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The original traffic stop had been for speeding.

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As Kaukauna Police were pursuing the suspect vehicle, it increased its speed and began swerving. After stop sticks were attempted and unsuccessful, the pursuit was terminated.

Into Winnebago County

What we know

A Winnebago County Sheriff's deputy saw the suspect vehicle continuing south on I-41. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, which again failed to pull over and stop. The deputy terminated the pursuit.

Into Fond du Lac County

What we know

Fond du Lac County deputies were getting regular updates on the vehicle and were positioned on I-41. A Fond du Lac County deputy located the vehicle at the Winnebago County line and activated his emergency lights and siren.

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The suspect vehicle failed to pull over and increased its speed initiating a third chase. The suspect vehicle was speeding and weaving in both lanes. Another Fond du Lac County deputy was able to successfully deploy stop sticks on I-41 at Korth Road, deflating four tires.

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The suspect vehicle eventually stopped just south of County Highway N.

The driver, a 35-year-old male from Kaukauna, was taken into custody without further incident.

The driver was arrested for felony fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and suspicion of operating while impaired. He was taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail.

The Source

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office sent FOX6 the information.
Six people are facing charges for an alleged interstate drug smuggling ring that moved large quantities of controlled substances from California to Ohio, according to a spokesperson with the U.S. Attorneys Office, Northern District of Ohio.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The indictment, which was unsealed on August 12, details a conspiracy that allegedly operated from February 2023 to April 2024.

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Federal agents seized over 33 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 pounds of cocaine and multiple guns during the investigation, according to the spokesperson.

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Four people from Ohio, Terrance Gainer, 28, Anthony Clark, 30, Darquan Dixon, 26, and Allura Ward, 24, are all charged with roles in transporting the drugs.

Genaro Villa, 38, of California, is accused of supplying bulk quantities of drugs to Ohio, while Najiyah Martin, 46, of California, is accused of facilitating drug deals.

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The drugs were shipped out of California to several Ohio cities through checked airline baggage and packages mailed through the U.S. Postal Service, according to the spokesperson.

The indictment outlines several aspects of the conspiracy, including instances where Clark sent Villa a photo of cash intended for drug payments and where Martin sent Clark a photo of a cocaine brick that was short by 90 grams.

In April 2024, Gainer allegedly instructed Dixon to smuggle cash to California.

Dixon traveled to California to purchase drugs and returned to Ohio with cocaine and methamphetamine hidden in his suitcase, the spokesperson said.

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Ward picked up Dixon at the Cincinnati airport, but they were stopped by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Troopers found over 17 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 pounds of cocaine during a search and a gun, according to the spokesperson.

The investigation was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces initiative, which aims to dismantle high-level criminal organizations.

For more information on the alleged interstate drug smuggling ring, click here.

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This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).

Italy hasnt stopped moving since the Romans began building their extensive road network, and the country has a penchant for speed and drama  despite its reputation for a slow, savoured approach to life. Whether you choose to board a plucky Vespa or a zippy vaporino, ride a poker-red Ferrari or a sky-scraping cableway, this way of exploring brings a fresh perspective and up-close interaction with some masterful examples of Italian craftsmanship.

Lake Como by vaporina

Dark varnished wood, buffed to a bar-top lustre; curvaceous metallic detailing, glinting under sunlight; cushy leather banquettes, for kicking back with an icy glass  Lake Comos vintage vaporinas are part-artwork, part-motorboat. The sightseeing mode of choice since the late 1800s, these vessels ferry visitors between opulent hotels, waterside towns and tucked-away villas in high style. Operators like Como Classic Boats offer driver-guides wholl zoom you across the peak-ringed expanse of blue, pointing out landmarks such as palatial Villa del Balbianello, featured in the James Bond film Casino Royale. One-hour tour from 370 (314).

Tuscany by Vespa

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Pecks 1953 film Roman Holiday made the Italian scooter world famous, and the vehicle retains plenty of star power today. Its 1940s-era design has barely changed over the decades, and the region that manufactures them has a similarly timeless appeal. Get behind the handlebars on a day-long guided trip with Tuscany Vespa Tours. Its 20-mile route zooms past Chianti vineyards and cypress trees, and it includes a stop for lunch and an olive oil tasting. From 95 (82) per person.

Whether you choose to board a plucky Vespa or a sky-scraping cableway, get an up-close interaction with some masterful examples of Italian craftsmanship. Photograph by Lee Frost, AWL Images

Turin by vintage tram

Board Turins number seven tram line and you might think youve entered a time machine. Its beautifully preserved cars  built variously between 1910 and the 1950s  take passengers past handsome baroque buildings, the gleaming windows of 19th-century Porta Nuova station and the Renaissance-era Duomo. Settle in for the full loop, around an hour, or hop on and off for gallery visits and pit stops at art nouveau cafes  its circular route is perfect for laid-back sightseeing and a bargain, too, priced the same as a standard Turin transport ticket. Tickets from 1.90 (1.60).

Matera by luxury train

In April, Orient Express launched its La Dolce Vita service, putting Italy at the forefront of a new age in luxury rail travel. Effectively a high-end boutique hotel on tracks, its seven passenger carriages are replete with nods to mid-century Italian design, from polished metallics to exquisite fabrics in juicy hues. Kick back in the dining car  order a negroni or a dish from a menu designed by lauded chef Heinz Beck  while watching the scenery slip by on the way to the mountaintop, UNESCO-listed city of Matera, home to ancient cave dwellings cut from tufa stone. Two-night Rome-Matera trip from 5,780 (4,990) per person.

Emilia-Romagna by Ferrari

This region is famously the home of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Parma ham and balsamic vinegar  unless youre a petrolhead, in which case youll know it as the birthplace of the Ferrari. Supercar fans flock to the city of Maranello to visit the official Ferrari Museum (27/23), while 12 miles north is the Autodromo di Modena (two laps from 704/607) circuit, where you can get behind the wheel yourself. Even better is the chance to test drive a Ferrari in the Modena Apennines, feeling the guttural roar of the engine as you tackle hair-raising hairpins and pass forested hamlets in a blur. 10km (just over six miles) test drive from 190 (163).

Capri by yacht

Beloved by a 1960s jet set that included Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren, the sunny island of Capri  off the southerly Amalfi and Sorrento Coasts  has long been a byword for glamour. Its rugged coastline and hidden caves, framed by glittering waters in variegated blues and greens, are best explored by yacht  but you neednt be in possession of an A-list budget. Capri Island Tour has slickly styled traditional gozzo boats, available for private hire by the hour or day. Two-hour private tour from 190 (163).

Aosta Valley by cable car

Floating above the plunging valleys, Alpine meadows and ashen peaks of the Aosta Valley, Skyway Monte Bianco sets out from Courmayeur to ferry visitors to Italys highest accessible point  Punta Helbronner, an eye-watering 11,370ft above sea level  and views to the snow-capped summit of Mont Blanc, just over the French border. On your way back, stop at the halfway Pavilion station to visit boundary-pushing Cave Mont Blanc, home to some of Europes highest vineyards and an experimental high-altitude winery. Round trip Courmayeur-Punta Helbronner from 58 (50).

Published in the September 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).



To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Seven soldiers were taken to the hospital after a military trailer caught fire Friday, Aug. 15 outside of Chaparral, New Mexico, a spokesman for Fort Bliss 1st Armored Division said.

At about 1:20 p.m. on Friday, a military trailer belonging to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, caught fire on U.S. Highway 54 near mile marker 10, outside of Chaparral, the spokesman said.

Seven soliders were taken to William Beaumont Army Medical Center for evaluation and treatment for possible smoke inhalation.

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The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fort Bliss said it will release more informatoin when it becomes available.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A 77-year-old driver crashed into a pole on Friday evening in Darke County; she was cited.

According to the Darke County Sheriffs Office, the crash happened at approximately 7 p.m. at the intersection of S.R. 118 and Beamsville-Union City Road.

The offices initial investigation found that a 2018 Cadillac ATS, driven by a 77-year-old woman from Ansonia, traveled into the path of a 2024 Toyota Camry, driven by a 37-year-old man also from Ansonia, which was heading south.

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Young driver cited for failure to yield in Darke County crash; woman injured

Officials said the crash caused the Toyota to hit the Cadillac on its back passenger side. This made both vehicles go off the road. The Cadillac hit a pole before fully stopping.

Both drivers refused medical treatment, according to officials. They are suspected to both have minor injuries.

The 77-year-old woman was issued a citation for Failure to Yield.

2 NEWS will update this article when more information is available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The Brief

Ava Leone Kock, of Elba, Minnesota, faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder, for allegedly shooting her neighbor.

Police say on Aug. 12 she fired seven .22 rifle bullets through her bathroom window, striking her neighbor and causing a brain bleed.

When speaking with police the following day, Kock said she believed that both her neighbors were "murdering and raping people" in the area, according to the charges.

ELBA, Minn. (FOX 9) - An elderly woman in southeastern Minnesota faces several charges after authorities say she shot her neighbor through a bathroom window, causing one of them to sustain a brain bleed.

Elba woman shoots neighbor

What we know

Ava Leone Kock, of Elba, Minnesota, is charged with second-degree attempted murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon after an incident that occurred on Aug. 12.

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The Winona County Sheriffs Office says that around 10:03 p.m. a man reported that his wife had been shot multiple times while sitting in her vehicle in the driveway.

When authorities arrived at the scene, he told them he was playing video games when he received a phone call from his wife that requested he come outside.

Charges state that when he met her at the driver-side door, she was slumped over the dash, and he noticed several bullet holes in the door and windshield. A total of seven bullet holes were concentrated in the area.

At a local hospital, deputies later learned she had bullet fragments in her eye and brain that were causing her brain to bleed.

Shooting investigation

Dig deeper

During their investigation, deputies shined a flashlight through the holes in the driver-side door of the vehicle to show a possible bullet trajectory. According to charges, the light cast a shadow onto the wall of the apartment building to the north.

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Deputies found that the wall of the apartment building adjacent to the driveway has multiple windows, and one door which leads into an apartment rented by Kock. Of those windows, one had seven holes in the screen that appeared to be roughly the same size as the bullet holes in the vehicle.

When speaking with police the following day, Kock said that she believed both her neighbors were "murdering and raping people" in the area, according to the charges.

Charges state that she says she heard them "digging graves in the basement of their apartment" and believed that kids had been buried there.

Authorities say that she said, "she had to intervene because the justice system wasnt doing anything."

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According to the charges, she told detectives that she "didnt want to hear them anymore," so she grabbed her sons .22 rifle because she was "a better shot with a rifle than a handgun."

She told deputies that she then took the rifle into the bathroom, which provided a clean sight of the vehicle, and stated a prayer to God to "guide my bullets like you guided Davids rock," according to charges.

She told authorities that she fired seven rounds, because seven is referenced in the Bible several times.

The Source

Information provided by charges filed in Winona County.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins publicly addressed plans to fight against the New World screwworm, which has disrupted the livestock and cattle industries.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, New World screwworms is an invasive species that burrows fly larvae into fresh wounds of living animals like livestock, pets and occasionally people. The damage they cause can be deadly.

During a press conference, Rollins announced a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg, Texas. The facility will breed three hundred million flies a week.

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Additionally, the Trump administration will invest in the development of technology and work closer with Mexico to track the screwworm population.

We have a lot of data to collect. We have a lot of work to do. But we have to protect our beef and cattle industry in this country, Rollins said.

Abbott said during the press conference that screwworms, which feed on cattle and deer, could result in billions of losses each year.

This is an issue that is essential to the cattle industry, to the food supply which are at risk, Governor Abbott said.

The animal is named after their feeding behavior, with the larvae screwing into the flesh of their victims.

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Larry Gilbert, a professor at the Univerosty of Texas and the faculty director of the Brackenridge Field Lab, said he was more concerned about the impact New World screwworms could have on the deer population.

The deer herds would be very vulnerable to this, and you dont go around treating wounds on deer. Its hard to find them, Gilbert said.

In June, the Department of Agriculture reported that screwworms were detected about 700 miles from the southern border. Cattle imports were suspended from Mexico to prevent an infestation in the states.

This drew concern from Abbott earlier in the year. He established a Texas New World Screwworm Response Team.

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According to Peyton Schuman, senior director of government relations for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, a screwworm outbreak could cost Texas around $1.8 billion in damages to livestock annually.

The states hunting industry could also face issues. During the 1960s outbreak, 80 percent of Texass white tailed deer died as a result of screwworms.

The species originates in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and some countries in South America. The pests were mostly eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s, but they have occasionally reemerged in Central America and Mexico.

According to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension office, the population is controlled through the release of sterile males into the population. Using sterile populations for control was developed at the University of Texas in Austin by entomologists, Edward F. Knipling and Raymond C. Bushland.

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Signs of an animal infested with the New World screwworm include:

Foul-smelling wounds with maggots

Animals biting or licking their wounds

Lesions in bellybuttons, ears and where branding has occured

Lethargy

If an infestation is suspected, Texas A&M Agrilife recommends you contact authorities, like the Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife, and notify your veterinarian.

You should then inspect the animal for signs of infestation and collect any samples to give to authorities. There are several treatment options, including topical treatments.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Co-founder of Local Non-Profit Let Us Breathe Abilene, Shawnte Fleming has recently announced an exciting new chapter for the organization. A social media post by Fleming on Wednesday detailing the current plans for the construction of a new building that will serve as the organizations offices, community and event gathering space, and a centralized location for all of the resources and services Let Us Breathe has to offer.

The project is still very early on in the fundraising phase. Fleming sat down with KTAB/KRBC to discuss the push behind this plan and how she sees it developing over the next few years.

The project is still in the early stages of the fundraising phase. Fleming sat down with KTAB/KRBC to discuss the push behind this plan and how she sees it developing over the next few years.

Concept image generated by A.I. and provided by non-profit staff (depiction is not necessarily an accurate representation of the final result)

Its more than just about one organization, this is AbileneAs weve grown, weve wanted to identify. What is Abilene missing? What can we do better? What have we been missing in these past 5 years? Fleming said.

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The answer to that question, she says, was mainly space to operate in. Let Us Breathe currently conducts operations in the north 6th street building, and the original Let Us Breathe house in Historic Stevenson Park is being renovated for use as transitional housing for people facing homelessness or a difficult living situation.

People come into this space [N6th building] right now, and they sit down and they talk about life. We need more spaces where people feel comfortable enough to talk about the things theyre going through, said Fleming.

However, that is only one need that Fleming hopes to better meet with the use of the new facilities once they are complete. Fleming lists the following as services or offerings that are on the wish list. Fleming added that this list is subject to change based on community input.

The proposed Let Us Breathe Abilene Community Complex would allow the organization to:

House growing inventory for community distributions

Run multiple programs at once (Youth mentoring, adult training, advocacy work, etc.

Dedicated spaces for transitional housing and penal system reentry support

Host events and workshops without interrupting daily operations

Provide space for partner organizations to serve the community under one roof

Rooms/resources planned for proposed complex:

Training and education rooms

Youth lounge & Activity area

Multi-purpose event hall

Commercial kitchen for food programs

Meeting room for advocacy and reentry services

Outdoor spaces for health and wellness events

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Fleming expressed to KTAB/KRBC that she looks forward to working with other local organizations that offer similar services to ensure no Big Country resident falls through the cracks. The community-minded approach, Fleming says, is the very same one the organization has been utilizing since its founding in 2020.

We are not corporate, we hit the ground from zero. Zero. We built up everything that we have brick by brick, and it has not been easy, but it has been worth it, Fleming said.

The current fundraising goal has been set at $1 million. Links to donate and get in contact with the Let Us Breathe administration to discuss possible services that could be housed in the proposed complex. Can be found in Shawnte Flemings Facebook post announcement.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Since Immigration and Customs Enforcements and the Tennessee Highway Patrols public safety operation in early May, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition said theyve been requesting records from the states Department of Homeland Security ever since.

Unfortunately, all of our requests have been largely ignored, Lisa Sherman Luna, Executive Director of TIRRC, told News 2. The documents have been incomplete or heavily redacted, video footage that we have requested has been delayed to the point of denial.

ORIGINAL STORY | Tennessee DHS sued by immigrants rights group over alleged public record violations

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TIRRC says the records will shed more light on the joint operation and determine whether agents operated within the law and followed due process.

We need this openness, Metro Councilmember Ginny Welsch told News 2. We need this accountability to hold these state actors accountable for their bad actions.

Professor Jonathan Abel at UC Law San Francisco represents one of the people detained by ICE who has been in custody since May and is still being held at a detention facility. Abel said during his clients traffic stop, there were a number of constitutional violations including an illegal search of the vehicle.

My client has no criminal history  has never been in trouble before, Abel said. My client has been locked away since May 9 in a detention facility as the Highway Patrol and others have records that could set my client free.

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MAY | Immigrant rights groups report ICE activity in Nashville

According to the lawsuit, DHS has yet to turn over video of this traffic stop despite acknowledging a check payment of $161.46 to obtain a copy. Since the immigration enforcement operation, TIRRC said theyve only been able to identify about half of the nearly 200 people detained.

If you dont know who these people are, and you cant give us that information, that means that you just pick them up based on the color of their skin because you obviously didnt know their immigration status when you swept them away, Welsch added.

News 2 reached out to the THP regarding this lawsuit, and they referred us to the Tennessee Attorney Generals Office, who has not replied to our request for comment. News 2 also reached out to the Governor Bill Lees Office, and there has not yet been a response.

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Concern over a dental surgery's decision to stop taking on NHS patients has prompted calls for a solution to be found "urgently".

Verne Road Dental Practice in North Shields blamed financial and staffing strains for its move to limit NHS access to children, vulnerable adults and those in acute pain.

The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said it was working with the company, which had seen three dentists leave in the past two months.

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In a letter to North Tyneside mayor Karen Clark, Conservative opposition leader Liam Bones said: "Given the urgency of the situation, I am calling on you to immediately convene the North Tyneside Dental Taskforce."

Bones said the meeting "should bring together local dentists, NHS England representatives, public health officials, and councillors from all parties".

The practice has informed patients it would use its "small NHS contract" to prioritise the selected group with everyone else invited to sign up for a private plan.

It said it was facing challenges including "funding, increasing staff and material costs as well as recruitment difficulties" and was having to make "crucial decisions to ensure our practice survives".

Reassuring dental patients

Many patients had expressed their confusion and concerns online, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

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Tynemouth's Labour MP Sir Alan Campbell urged the surgery to provide urgent treatments at least.

People commenting on his social media post said the changes were "devastating" and it was "impossible to find NHS dentist in the area".

North Tyneside Council director of public health, Wendy Burke, said she was concerned about access to NHS dental services in the area and about the impact of the decision "now and in the future".

ICB chief procurement and contracting officer David Gallagher said the practice was in a difficult situation but "they have not asked to end their contract and they remain an NHS service provider".

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"We are working with the provider with a view to fully understanding the issues, offering support where possible and to provide clarity and reassurance to patients," he said.

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Ibtissame Lachgar, an LGBT rights campaigner and a co-founder of the Alternative Movement for Individual Freedoms, was arrested in Morocco over allegations of blasphemy.

Ibtissame Lachgar, an LGBT rights campaigner and a co-founder of the Alternative Movement for Individual Freedoms, was arrested in Morocco over allegations of blasphemy after she posted photos of herself wearing a shirt with the slogan Allah is a lesbian, according to international media reports.

The 50-year-old activist remains in custody as the investigation continues. Her lawyer, Naima Elguellaf, told Agence France-Presse the trial is postponed until August 27.

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Authorities said they were investigating the photos, which depict her wearing a shirt with phrases "offensive to the divine, along with a caption insulting Islam," according to the Telegraph.

Elguellaf said the court had not yet responded to a request that would see Lachgar provisionally released.

Lachgar posted the photo on Instagram last month with the caption, You tire us with your sanctimoniousness, your accusations. Yes, Islam, like any religious ideology, is FASCIST. PHALLOCRATIC AND MISOGYNISTIC.

She has regularly posted content criticizing other religions, including Judaism and Christianity.

She would later state that after the post, she received thousands of sexist insults, rape and death threats, calls for murder, stoning etc

Under the Moroccan penal code, those convicted of causing harm to Islam can be imprisoned for up to two years, and or given a fine of more than 200,000 Moroccan dirhams.

Previous arrests and activism

This is not the first time the activist had been charged with a crime while protesting her countrys laws. Lachgar was arrested for organizing controversial events like the kiss-in in 2013 following the arrest of three teenagers.

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Two teenagers and their friend were arrested for violating public decency for posting photos of themselves kissing on social media.

AFP reported that she was arrested, though not prosecuted, in 2016 for disturbing public order, and in 2018 amid a campaign in support of abortion rights.

A 2009 picnic during Ramadan also reportedly resulted in her receiving death threats.
A great horned owl found itself in a seriously sticky situation after becoming stuck in a glue trap in Orange County, rendering it both flightless and food-less.

Fortunately, a Good Samaritan found the bird and brought it to a local wildlife center in Huntington Beach. Unfortunately, the person used scissors to cut the bird's wings out of the tacky material intended to trap rodents and pests.

"The person was thinking they were doing the right thing by cutting most of the feathers to get the owl unstuck from the trap," said Debbie McGuire, executive director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center. "But that seriously set back the bird's rehabilitation because now it has to go through a complete molt to be able to grow those feathers back."

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Bird feathers, unlike hair, do not keep growing if cut. Most owls undergo a complete molt once a year, shedding their feathers and growing new ones. However, larger species such as great horned owls tend to molt slower, and can take two or more years to replace all their feathers.

In a best-case scenario, the injured bird will regrow enough feathers to fly and return to the wild within a year. But there is a chance it could take longer to heal, in which case the raptor's stint in captivity may be too long for it to successfully reintegrate into nature.

"If that's true, he might never be released and may become an educational ambassador to teach all of us how not to use glue traps," McGuire said.

The bird was brought to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach on July 23, where staff used vegetable oil and solvents to gradually and gently remove the remaining glue. The bird was washed, fed and given water before being transported to the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, where it will begin its rehabilitation journey.

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The center hopes that the bird's ordeal serves as a warning about the dangers of glue traps  which are banned in nations such as England, Iceland and New Zealand, as well as in the cities of West Hollywood and Ojai.

"We are begging the public not to use glue traps because it traps lots of other wildlife besides the intended pests," said Elizabeth Woods, the veterinarian who treated the bird, in a public service announcement on the center's social media accounts. "Even for those pests it's a terrible way to die."

McGuire said that the center gets calls to rescue animals from glue traps at least once a month  which is "way too often." Oftentimes, birds will see a snake or rodent caught in the trap, land there to try to eat it, and become trapped themselves.

In addition to the great horned owl, the center has recently rescued orioles and barn owls from similar traps.

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In January 2024, U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles) introduced a bill to place a national ban on the "ruthless and inhumane" use of glue traps to catch rodents. However, the proposed legislation failed to progress beyond the House Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Should members of the public encounter birds stuck in glue traps, McGuire said it's important that they do not try to cut or rip their feathers to free them. The best course of action is to wrap the bird and the trap in a towel and bring it to an animal rescue center.

Last year, the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center rehabilitated around 8,600 injured or sick animals. McGuire said that people who live outside of Orange County are always welcome to call the organization, which can advise them on a local treatment center in their area.

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By Promit Mukherjee, Allison Lampert and Kyaw Soe Oo

OTTAWA (Reuters) -The Canadian government on Saturday moved to end a strike by Air Canada's cabin crews and require binding arbitration to break their contract impasse, an action that the country's largest carrier had sought but unionized flight attendants fiercely opposed.

Thousands of Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job for the first time since 1985, just before 1 a.m. EDT (0500 GMT), after months of negotiations over a new contract. In anticipation of the stoppage, the airline canceled nearly all of its 700 daily flights, forcing more than 100,000 travelers to scramble for alternatives or stay put.

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The most contentious issue in the contract negotiations has been the union's demand for compensation for time spent on the ground between flights and when helping passengers board. Attendants are now largely paid when their plane is moving.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said at a news conference she had asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration on both sides and order an immediate end to the strike. Still, she told reporters it may take 24 to 48 hours for the board to complete that work, while Air Canada has said restarting operations after a strike would take a week to complete.

"This is not a decision that I've taken lightly, but the potential for immediate negative impact on Canadians and our economy is simply too great," Hajdu said.

Air Canada had asked Prime Minister Mark Carney's minority Liberal government to make the request, but the Canadian Union of Public Employees said it wanted a negotiated solution, as binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline.

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The union said it has asked the CIRB's chairperson to recuse herself from hearing the case in a virtual session on Saturday afternoon because she has worked in the past as a senior counsel at Air Canada. The carrier declined comment on Hajdu's decision and hearing as the process is underway.

Hajdu said the government preferred negotiated settlements to labor disputes, but the current impasse showed the two sides would not find a solution soon enough to spare the economy further damage.

She said Canada had already experienced "unprecedented attacks on trade," referring to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on U.S.-bound shipments.

Minutes after the announcement, the union blasted the government's decision.

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"The Liberal government is rewarding Air Canada's refusal to negotiate fairly by giving them exactly what they wanted," it said in a statement posted on X.

Henly Larden, an Air Canada flight attendant and a vice-president at CUPE, called the governments move "incredibly disgusting."

"Air Canada should come and join us in good faith and address the matters that really resonate with our members, a visibly emotional Larden said in a shaken voice at Vancouver airport.

CUPE spokesperson Hugh Pouliot told Reuters that the strike will end only when the CIRB issues binding arbitration notice to the parties. The board is likely to grant the government's request.

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While passengers have generally voiced support for the flight attendants on social media, Canadian businesses - already reeling from a trade dispute with the U.S. - have urged the federal government to impose binding arbitration and cut short the strike.

"With both parties declaring an impasse in negotiations, with valuable cargo grounded and passengers stranded, the government made the right decision to refer the two sides to binding arbitration," Matthew Holmes, chief of public policy for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.

WAGE DISPUTE

While the most contentious topic was compensation for time spent on the ground, there was also disagreement over broader wage issues. The carrier had offered a 38% increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year, which CUPE said was insufficient.

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The union has said Air Canada offered to compensate flight attendants for some work that is now unpaid at 50% of their hourly rate.

A source close to the negotiations told Reuters the union was looking for parity on wages with Canadian leisure carrier Air Transat. Its flight attendants approved a contract last year that provided for total compounded increases of 30% over five years, making them the highest paid in the industry in Canada.

According to union data, a Transat flight attendant would start at an hourly rate of C$40.38 ($29.22), effective November 2025, compared with an entry level wage of C$26.42 at Air Canada's low cost service Air Canada Rouge or around C$30 at the mainline carrier.

Air Canada did not confirm if such a proposal had been put forth by the union.

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Earlier in the day outside Toronto Pearson International Airport - the country's busiest - hundreds of cabin crew waved flags, banners and picket signs. Union officials called on members to assemble outside all of the country's major airports, including in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.

Montreal-based Air Canada had said the suspended flights included those operated by Air Canada Rouge. Flights by Air Canada's regional affiliates - Air Canada Jazz and PAL Airlines - were operating as usual.

Hajdu told reporters she had also asked the country's industrial relations board to extend the terms of the existing collective agreement until a new one is determined by the arbitrator.

The Canada Labour Code gives the government the right to ask the industrial relations board to impose binding arbitration in the interests of protecting the economy.

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Under Justin Trudeau, Carney's predecessor, the government intervened quickly last year to head off rail and dock strikes that threatened to cripple the economy.

($1 = 1.3819 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal, Kyaw Soe Oo in Toronto and Promit Mukherjee in Ottawa; Additional reporting by Chris Helgren in Vancouver, Utkarsh Shetti and Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Frank McGurty, Paul Simao and Chizu Nomiyama)
A strike by thousands of Air Canada flight attendants caused travel chaos and hundreds of flight cancellations across the country on Saturday, including 24 at Los Angeles International Airport and two at John Wayne Airport.

The Canadian government quickly stepped in Saturday morning, shutting down the strike by imposing binding arbitration and forcing the flight attendants back to work.

"It has now become clear that this dispute won't be resolved at the table," Canada's labor minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement, adding that the government must act to preserve stability and supply chains.

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The strike started about 10 p.m. Friday and was brought by the Canada Union of Public Employees, which represents roughly 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. The dispute was tied to contract negotiations over unpaid work and low wages, according to a statement from the union.

Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day and started winding down operations two days ago in anticipation of the planned strike, at the time estimating it would affect about 130,000 customers.

The airline said it would notify customers on canceled flights of their options, saying it deeply regrets the effect of the labor dispute.

An independent industrial relations board will review the dispute over the next two days. According to Hajdu, it could take Air Canada five to 10 days to ramp back up to regular services.

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Canada is no stranger to air travel strikes. Last year, pilots for WestJet Airlines, the country's second-largest airline behind Air Canada, threatened to strike over a new contract. The same year, a plane mechanics union went on strike over wages, leading to hundreds of WestJet flight cancellations.

Air travel strikes have popped up in the U.S. as well. Around 500 Spirit Airlines pilots went on strike for five days in 2010, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations. In 2023, LAX workers voted to authorize a strike over stalls in contract negotiations.

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New Release: Farm, merge, grow and expand your land in this new puzzle game!

New Release: Farm, merge, grow and expand your land in this new puzzle game!
The man at the center of a sandwich-turned-felony encounter in Washington D.C. is as Air Force veteran. Sean Charles Dunn, 37, gained Internet fame but a felony arrest this week after launching a sandwich at a federal immigration enforcement officer in Washington D.C.

The Pentagon confirmed to Task & Purpose that Dunn was an Air Force staff sergeant, serving as a cyber transport systems specialist from July 2006 to May 2011. Dunns last assignment was Spangdahlem Air Base in southwest Germany.

Dunn was charged with a felony count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding U.S. federal officers on Wednesday in connection with a Sunday confrontation with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Dunns actions included shouted verbal insults and forcefully throwing a wrapped sandwich, Department of Justice officials said in a release. He appeared in a federal district court Thursday and was released.

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The confrontation began when he approached CPB officers, pointed a finger in one officers face and shouted F you! You fing fascists! Why are you here? I dont want you in my city! according to the DOJ release.

Its unclear if the Air Force veteran was aware that he was inadvertently celebrating National Sandwich Month  an ode to a food creation that was actually invented by the military.

The Pentagon released Dunns awards and decorations, which appear largely typical of an Air Force staff sergeant in the 2000s and include the Korean Defense Service Medal and an Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Dunn was employed with the Department of Justice before the incident but was fired in the days following the attack. Attorney General Pam Bondi did not give Dunns job title in the release. A LinkedIn profile indicates he worked as a trial attorney at the DOJ, but does not indicate he attended law school and his name is not registered with the D.C. bar.

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The incident took place at the intersection of 14th and U streets in northwest Washington D.C.  a street lined with bars and restaurants that gets rowdy during weekend evenings. D.C. transport police, FBI and U.S. CBP agents were patrolling on foot and stopped just feet from a Subway sandwich shop, where Dunn began yelling at them to leave the neighborhood while holding what the Department of Justice called a sub-style sandwich.

Dunn, in fact, did not eat fresh.

Sean Dunn is escorted away in handcuffs by various law enforcement agents on Aug. 10, 2025. Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images

If you touch any law enforcement officer, we will come after you, Bondi wrote in a post on X, alleging that Dunn was part of the Deep State at DOJ.

A video of the incident posted to Instagram shows Dunn fleeing from the officers across the intersection. However, DOJ officials said Dunn was apprehended and processed at Metropolitan Police Departments Third District.

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Dunn told an officer: I did it. I threw a sandwich, according to DOJ officials.

Top Stories This Week

News 2-star general busted down to lieutenant colonel over inappropriate relationship By Jeff Schogol Culture Laura Loomer unites vets from both sides of aisle after Medal of Honor rant By Matt White News 3 aircraft carriers and ships, fighters from 6 navies train in the Pacific By Nicholas Slayton

Dunn appears to have been arrested twice  once after the assault, and then again Thursday at his home. The White House released a highly produced video titled Nighttime Routine: Operation Make D.C. Safe Again Edition posted to X. In it, more than a dozen FBI and U.S. Marshals Service in full combat-style tactical gear arrest Dunn for a second time at his apartment in D.C. Inquiries sent to the White House and DOJ to verify that the video is of Dunn were not immediately returned but the Washington Post reported that Dunns attorney said the government sent more than a dozen police officers to his home.

D.C. Metropolitan police are investigating the case.

Let me be clear, if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, be certain we will come after you with the full weight of the law. Our officers have a job to do, and they should not be abused in the process, U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C. Jeanine Pirro said in a release. This alleged assault is no joke  its a serious crime, and those who think otherwise will learn just how gravely mistaken they are.
MARION COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A man was arrested in connection to a shooting that left his wife dead and 1-year-old daughter seriously injured in Marion County on Friday evening.

According to the Marion County Sheriffs Office, Tristen Amani Stewart is charged with capital murder and in the custody of the countys jail. The MCSO stated he was apprehended around 11:15 a.m. Saturday after a manhunt that involved several agencies took around 15 hours.

Alabama troopers seeking information on crash that killed pedestrian

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Taylor Dudley Stewart, the suspects wife, was fatally shot at a residence in the 700 block of Stewart Road. Their nearly 2-year-old daughter was shot at the same location.

The sheriffs office stated additional charges are pending for Stewart. Another man, Kenneth Stewart, was arrested in connection to the case. He is charged with aiding and abetting capital murder and obstructing governmental operations.

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GREENE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A pedestrian was killed in a crash Friday morning in Greene County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Tobias Griffin, 39, was fatally injured when an unknown vehicle hit him on U.S. 11. The crash happened around 3:45 a.m. about four miles north of Union. Griffin lived in Sprott.

Violent crime, property crime down in Tuscaloosa

The ALEA has not identified the driver involved in the crash. Those with information on the crash are asked to contact state troopers at 205-553-5531.

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A plane carrying Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson on Aug. 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. President Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Alaskas top elected officials expressed hope about President Donald Trumps meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on Friday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and the states congressional delegation welcomed Trump when he arrived.

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Dunleavy has been a vocal supporter of the Trump administration and called it a historic day for Alaska, sharing enthusiasm and praise for the president in interviews ahead of the summit.

In a video on social media on Friday, Dunleavy said he met briefly with Trump aboard Air Force One, and talked about a number of things, he said. He wants to let Alaska know he loves Alaska. And hes looking forward to something positive coming out of these talks today.

Dunleavy said Trump also briefly addressed rumors that Alaskas minerals are going to be sold off to the Russians, or gas or other resources sold off in the negotiations, and thats not true, he said.

Again, were optimistic that this is the beginning of something good, a just peace, he said. But were just glad to have him here in Alaska, I think its one of his favorite places, to be honest with you.

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While Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has previously criticized Putin, referring to him as an authoritarian and a dictator, he praised the summit on social media on Friday as a show of strength.

Putin is coming to the table because of the threat of serious secondary sanctions, Sullivan said. We are in a position of power, bringing him to U.S. soil for peace talks. He sees our military strength, energy dominance, many allies, and a President who knows how to negotiate and make peace.

Rep. Nick Begich III also expressed general support for Trump on social media Friday, and thanked the president. In Alaska, we understand well that decisive leadership and bold vision are prerequisites for achieving the great things most would not dare to even attempt. Thank you President Donald J. Trump for pursuing peace, and thank you for choosing Alaska for this historic dialogue. North to the Future.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski strongly condemned Putin and the Russian war on Ukraine, in an interview with Alaskas News Source on Thursday, calling him a war criminal.

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On Friday afternoon, Murkowski said in a post on social media she was cautiously optimistic about the summit, and repeated the assertion that nothing can be done without the involvement of Ukraine.

While the press conference offered few details about their meeting, Im cautiously optimistic about the signals that some level of progress was made. It was also encouraging to hear both presidents reference future meetings, which I hope will include Ukraine, Murkowski said. Ukraine must be part of any negotiated settlement and must freely agree to its terms as we seek an end to the violent, unlawful war being waged against it.

The Alaska Senates Republican-led minority caucus said in a statement Friday they support Trump in his effort to achieve a fair and lasting peace to the terrible war in Ukraine.

Senate Minority leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla  a former service member with the U.S. Air Force  expressed hope for the war to end.

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As a combat veteran in two conflicts, I understand the costs of war, he said. I hope the leaders work in good faith to find a quick end to the senseless bloodshed.

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US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-stakes summit in Alaska on Friday, with both leaders describing the talks as productive, but offering few details on how to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

During a brief 12-minute press conference after the meeting at the ElmendorfRichardson military base in Anchorage, Trump said they had agreed on a number of important points, but gave no specifics.

Putin likewise spoke of agreements that could serve as a starting point for resolving the conflict, without providing details, and confirmed that the war had been one of the central topics.

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Journalists were not allowed to ask questions, and no written agreement was published.

Trump to brief NATO, Zelensky

Trump said he would brief NATO allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying "there's no deal until there's a deal."

"It's ultimately up to them," he added.

Trump described the summit as productive but said some points remained unresolved. "We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant," he said.

"One is probably the most significant ... We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there," he added.

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Putin described the talks as constructive and substantive. Speaking first at a joint press conference, he said: "We have established good direct contacts with Mr Trump."

Putin 'genuinelyinterested' in ending war

The Russian leader added that the war in Ukraine might not have broken out if Trump had been in the White House and stressed Moscow was "genuinely interested" in ending the crisis.

According to the Kremlin, the summit's direct talks lasted two hours and 45 minutes and included foreign ministers and senior advisers.

The face-to-face marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Putin launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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Trump thanked the Russian leader at the end of the press conference and said they would "speak again soon" and probably "see you again very soon." To Trump's surprise, Putin added, "Next time in Moscow."

The US president did not commit to a visit, saying: "Oh, that's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening."

Trump says Ukraine deal 'close'

Trump later told Fox News that a deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine could be within reach.

"I think we are pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it," Trump said.

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It was initially unclear whether Trump had already briefed Zelensky on the outcome of the talks at the time of the interview.

When asked what advice he would give Zelensky after the Alaska summit, he replied: "Make a deal." The US president described Russia as "a very big power" and Ukraine as not.

EU sought common ground with US on Ukraine peace

Ahead of the summit, European allies of Ukraine had sought a common position with Washington at the initiative of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Europe's demands included that Ukraine be present at any follow-up meeting and that a ceasefire be in place before negotiations.

Merz ruled out recognition of Russian territorial gains and called for security guarantees to ensure Ukraine retains a strong military.
Francesca Albanese asserted that Hamas should not be thought of as "cut-throats, people armed to the teeth or fighters, because "it's not like that."

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese defended Hamass rule over the Gaza Strip in an address earlier this week, shared on social media by UN Watch on Friday.

The controversial UN figure, who has frequently been accused of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias, claimed in Italian that she didnt think people understood what Hamas really is: a political force.

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Hamas is a political force that won the elections in 2005, whether we like it or not, she claimed. Those were called the most democratic elections.

Albanese also stressed that Hamas had organized and constructed much of Gazas public services, including schools and hospitals. She did not comment on the repeated evidence that Hamas had operated much of its terror operations from within or underneath these civilian structures, as evidenced throughout the Israel-Hamas war by the IDF on numerous occasions.

It is critical that you understand that when you think of Hamas, you should not necessarily think of cut-throats, people armed to the teeth or fighters, she told the crowd. Its not like that.

A room with blood stains inside a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis at the Gaza Strip, where Israeli military said the body of Hamas Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar was found among others, amid the ongoing ground operation of the IDF against Hamas, June 8, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

Throughout the war, Albanese has levied accusations of genocide, war crimes and apartheid against Israel. Earlier this week, she told the Guardian that she believed countries should end trade with Israel and embargo all weapons sales.

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The occupation is profitable, and so is the genocide, and this is shocking, but it is to be known in order to be seen and to be stopped, she claimed. The power is not just with the prime ministers or with the governments. The power is with us, and we can start choosing through our wallet.

Antisemitism and discrimination against Jews as Jews is gross, Albanese claimed in an interview with The Guardian in December. But frankly I couldnt care less if Israel were run by Jews, Muslims, Christians or atheists All I want is for Israel to conduct itself in line with international law.

While Hamas began the current war with its October 7, 2023, massacre, breaching an existing ceasefire with its invasion into southern Israel, Albanese told the Guardian that the Palestinian side of the struggle had  already won the legitimacy battle.

Everyone knows what Israel has done to them for the past 77 years, she said. Theyve already made history  and not through violence as some try to portray them  but with their perseverance and principles and trust in the justice system, which has not been their ally.

Francesca Albaneses history of controversy

Following the October 7 massacre, Albanese wrote that violence must be put in context and that the attack occurred in response to Israeli aggression.

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Hamas murdered over 1,200 people during the attack, including children and foreign nationals. During their rampage through southern Israel, the terror group abducted over 250 people, including civilian women and children and foreign nationals.

The terror group used acts of sexual violence and torture both on the day of the massacre and as they continue to hold Israeli nationals captive, according to testimonies from released hostages and the autopsy results of hostages returned to Israel.

US pushes back against Albanese

In a 2014 Facebook post, she claimed, America is subjugated by the Jewish Lobby, according to a UN Watch report titled Wolf in Sheeps Clothing: Why Democracies Should Sanction UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubioimposed sanctions on Albanese last month over her efforts to have the International Criminal Court take action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.

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Albaneses campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated, Rubio said.

The Trump administration has also called on the UN to remove Albanese from her position, alleging virulent antisemitism and support for terrorism, according to a letter obtained by The Washington Free Beacon.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Bus driver shortages are causing bus delays and crowding during the start of the school year for Alpine School District, and some parents have taken to social media to voice their frustrations.

One parent posted on social media that her child who goes to Vista Heights Middle School had to call her to request a ride home after both waves on the bus were too full. Other parents shared similar experiences with busses being late or having to pick their children up from school because busses were too full.

Some parents said that the busses are being packed full of kids, three to four children to a seat, and some were even reporting that children were sitting on the floor, in the aisles of the busses.

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Staying alive during the 100 deadliest days: What the state wants for you

Other parents said that bus issues happen at the start of the year every year, and that the district has a driver shortage. They suggested parents should call the school district, and Alpine School District told ABC4.com that they are aware of the problems the busses are experiencing and parents frustrations.

Bus issues are common at the beginning of each school year, Director of Communications for Alpine School District Dr. Rich Stowell confirmed. Theres always going to be some frustration with transportation, he said.

Obviously, the first few days of any school year are going to bring out some issues that we could not have anticipated, like where the kids are coming from, what the crowded routes are, Stowell said. So were working through those, and those are kind of par for the course for us, and well get through it.

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He added that they manage a huge fleet of busses, and they are focused on getting kids to school safely and on time every day. However, Stowell also stated that there are driver shortages in the district, which means that they cant have as many buses transporting students as they would like.

Because of the shortages, buses are having to pick kids up in waves, or doing what Stowell called double runs. There are more students than can fit on the buses, and so the buses have to take one load of students home and then return to the school for a second trip.

WATCH: Bystander intervenes after man attempts to kidnap baby at Trax station

Thats always going to cause some delays for some kids getting home, Stowell said.

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While the initial issues should resolve as the district adjusts, Stowell added that families can do several things to help. First, if they know anyone who is between jobs or is retired, they should get them to apply as a bus driver.

We could always use more bus drivers, and those are really rewarding jobs, he said. We want to encourage people. They can be a lot of fun, and they help out the community in a very direct way.

Families can also organize carpools with neighbors. We know transportation is always a challenge for families, and so looking for creative solutions with neighbors to get their kids to school in carpools would help immensely, Stowell explained.

Still, they are expecting things to even out. Stowell said that buses will start to get to school faster, and the district can also adjust the loads of students.

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Maybe the first load was really packed, and the second load wasnt as packed, and so we can manage that a little bit better now that we know how many students are going on each bus, he explained.

The loads will also even out when after-school programs start up again. As kids start to do those things and students stay at school a little longer to enhance their educational experiences, they wont have to get on that first load necessarily, and so things will kind of even out as we get into the second, third week of school, Stowell concluded.

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(NewsNation)  An American who has been detained in a Russian prison for three years is fighting for his life, and his sister hopes peace talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will lead to his release.

David Barnes has been detained in Moscow since January 2022, following allegations from his Russian ex-wife, Svetlana Koptyaeva, that he sexually abused their children while living in the United States.

Koptyaeva took their two young children to Russia amid a custody battle. The Texas Justice Department has found those allegations to be not credible, and there is an arrest warrant out for Koptyaeva after taking the kids to Russia from Texas.

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Trump, Putin say they made significant progress but no deal on Ukraine

Barnes visited Russia to see his children and was subsequently arrested and detained by Russian authorities. He was found guilty two years later in a Russian court and received a 21.5-year sentence.

According to ABC News, his appeal to be released was denied. Following peace talks between Trump and Putin, Barness sister, Margaret Aaron, is hoping her brothers chances of freedom will increase.

Maybe this summit will lead to better relations  and that there will be a breakthrough in prisoner releases, Aaron told Elizabeth Vargas Reports on Friday.

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Aaron says it is been several weeks since they have heard from Barnes and that he is being held in a cell with up to 14 other cellmates of various nationalities.

The conditions, Aaron says, are horrible, and the food is not edible.

Barnes has not yet been designated as a wrongfully detained citizen by the State Department.

We do not know [why], weve been fighting for that. We hope that happens soon; he needs to be wrongfully detained.

We have faith in President Trumps administration that this will happen, Aaron added.

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American Eagle has responded to the widespread backlash over its ads featuring actor Sydney Sweeney, but noticeably missing from the brands statement was an apology or any real acknowledgement of how so many people interpreted the ads.

The company, as well as Sweeney, have come under fire since the release of a new ad campaign that features the Euphoria actor saying that genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color, and my jeans are blue.

Many people believe the wordplay in the campaign, which features the tagline Sydney Sweeney has great jeans, promotes the idea that Eurocentric features are more valuable and desirable.

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In response, American Eagle released a statement last Friday on Instagram defending its campaign. Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story, the statement read. Well continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.

American Eagles posted statement spurred a wide range of reactions in the comment section. Many criticized the brand for ignoring the fact that it had clearly used jeans as a double entendre for genes.

So now jeans are passed down from parents to offspring? one commenter wrote, adding, it was never about jeans.

So what is the correlation between Jeans and eye color again? wrote another.

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Others celebrated the company for its unapologetic tone, saying American Eagles response indicated the end of the woke era because the brand didnt cave to a liberal meltdown.

Dont cater to the woke  keep making great denim AE, one Instagram user wrote.

American Eagle did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment on the mixed responses to its statement on Instagram.

But the discourse surrounding the American Eagle/Sweeney controversy has been largely divided along political lines. Prominent conservatives like former Fox News host Megyn Kelly and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have passionately defended the campaign, despite critics concerns that it promotes eugenics.

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On Monday, President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the campaign was the HOTTEST ad out there.

Regardless of how anyone feels about the ad, American Eagles decision to double down amid backlash reveals a lot about our current political climate, according to experts in political science.

American Eagles response minimized, undermined and ignored the criticism about the ad, experts say.

T Smith, a postdoctoral fellow in racial politics at Johns Hopkins Universitys Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, said that American Eagles response to the backlash goes beyond merely doubling down.

Related: Peeing In A Pool Is Gross, But Is It Really All That Bad? Here's What Science Says.

It actively undermines the idea that there was anything harmful or worthy of critique in the first place, Smith told HuffPost. By framing the campaign as a wholesome story merely about jeans (and not genes) and refusing to acknowledge the detriment of their messaging, they participate in normalizing and reinforcing the very hierarchies  which are rooted in white supremacist logics  that the ad evoked.

Related: American Eagle's Crystal-Clear Defense Of Controversial Sydney Sweeney Ads Signals A Lot

This kind of erasure functions to prop up eugenicist and racial hierarchy ideals as if they are normal, apolitical, and above examination, they continued. That isnt a passive avoidance. It is an attempt to preserve those power structures as a cultural baseline immune from challenge.

Tabitha Bonilla, an associate professor of political science and human development and social policy at Northwestern University, told HuffPost that she believes it seemed as though American Eagle more or less brushed the criticism off rather than directly address it or let those with negative reactions know that they have been heard.

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They effectively tried to reuse their message about great jeans to say they looked good on everyone, and in this both minimized and ignored criticism that they were playing into eugenic tropes about who has good genes, she said.

What American Eagles response says about our current political climate.

Smith emphasized that Trumps response to the ads in itself says quite a lot.

The companys refusal to apologize shows that corporate power continues to function as a stabilizing force for a capitalist, white supremacist, and patriarchal order, they said, before adding that capitalism has always depended on the elevation of whiteness as the default and the ideal.

Related: Viral CNN Segment Highlights Disturbing Christian Movement. Bible Scholars Have Thoughts.

Smith said that American Eagles refusal to engage its critics goes beyond avoiding controversy. Capitalism doesnt merely ignore white supremacist ideology, they said. It relies on it, rebrands it, and sells it back to us under the guise of fashion.

Sydney Sweeney photographed on Aug. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz via Getty Images

Furthermore, Smith thinks American Eagles response was deeply insulting and profoundly patronizing to the public.

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Hierarchical, eugenicist, and sexualized messaging are not required to sell jeans, they said. This was deliberate. The messaging was intentional, and so was the denial of its implications.

Bonilla said that in our current political climate, theres been a lot of discussion among Democrats about whether the Kamala Harris campaign spent too much time on diversity and inclusion and whether these messages made Democrats lose voters to Trump  though she noted that theres a lot of disagreement about this issue.

Nonetheless, she pointed out that the controversy surrounding the ad campaign is happening [against] the backdrop of attacks on DEI and education around race specifically and identity generally.

So unlike in 2020, when people and companies were more likely to be sensitive to issues of prejudice, we are seeing almost the opposite of that response where people feel less beholden to ideas of equality, she said.

How American Eagles response mightve been different five years ago.

I do think there has been a shift in how public entities are responding when thinking about identity [more] broadly, Bonilla said. People are emboldened to minimize (and at times antagonize) others based on race or other identities. In 2020, there was a push for people and corporations to be more thoughtful and careful about identity and inclusion, but since Trumps election in 2024, some companies have rushed to end DEI programs, and there appears to be effort to distance oneself from DEI efforts.

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Smith said that companies nowadays may not even see the performance of care to be necessary.

Five years ago, a brand like American Eagle might have issued a vague statement about listening and learning not out of conviction, but because the cultural moment demanded at least the performance of care, they said. That performance is no longer seen as necessary.

Smith emphasized that were seeing a reversal of the so-called racial reckoning.

By refusing to address the racist implications of their campaign, American Eagle is actively normalizing and reifying white supremacist narratives and the notion that white people  namely those [with] blonde hair and blue eyes  are inherently and unequivocally more valuable, they said.

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And Smith believes that the companys response signals a broader political movement where complicity with racist ideas has become an unspoken corporate strategy.

Brands, overall, are no longer afraid to align themselves, whether overtly or tacitly, with exclusionary and harmful ideologies because doing so sustains existing power structures and appeals to a particular segment of consumers, they said.

Smith said demands for accountability and change are more urgent than ever.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
By Andrew Osborn

MOSCOW (Reuters) -In a few short hours in Alaska, Vladimir Putin managed to convince Donald Trump that a Ukraine ceasefire was not the way to go, stave off U.S. sanctions, and spectacularly shatter years of Western attempts to isolate the Russian president.

Outside Russia, Putin was widely hailed as the victor of the Alaska summit while at home, Russian state media cast the U.S. president as a prudent statesman, even as critics in the West accused him of being out of his depth.

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Russian state media made much of the fact that Putin was afforded a military fly-over, that Trump waited for him on the red carpet, and then let the Russian president ride with him in the back of the "Big Beast", the U.S. presidential limousine.

"Western media are in a state that could be described as derangement verging on complete insanity," said Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign minister spokeswoman.

"For three years, they talked about Russia's isolation, and today they saw the red carpet rolled out to welcome the Russian president to the United States," she said.

But Putin's biggest summit wins related to the war in Ukraine, where he appears to have persuaded Trump, at least in part, to embrace Russia's vision of how a deal should be done.

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Trump had gone into the meeting saying he wanted a quick ceasefire and had threatened Putin and Russia's biggest buyer of its crude oil - China - with sanctions.

Afterwards, Trump said he had agreed with Putin that negotiators should go straight to a peace settlement and not via a ceasefire as Ukraine and its European allies had been demanding - previously with U.S. support.

"The U.S. president's position has changed after talks with Putin, and now the discussion will focus not on a truce, but on the end of the war. And a new world order. Just as Moscow wanted," Olga Skabeyeva, one of Russian state TV's most prominent talkshow hosts, said on Telegram.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, saying Kyiv's embrace of the West had become a threat to its security, something Ukraine has dismissed as a false pretext for what it calls a colonial-style land grab.

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The war - the deadliest in Europe for 80 years - has killed or wounded well over a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts.

NO ECONOMIC RESET

The fact that the summit even took place was a win for Putin before it even started, given how it brought him in from the diplomatic cold with such pomp.

Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. Russia denies any wrongdoing, saying it acted to remove unaccompanied children from a conflict zone. Neither Russia nor the United States are members of the court.

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Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president and a close Putin ally, said the summit had achieved a major breakthrough when it came to restoring U.S.-Russia relations, which Putin had lamented were at their lowest level since the Cold War.

"The mechanism for high-level meetings between Russia and the United States has been restored in its entirety," he said.

But Putin did not get everything he wanted and it's unclear how durable his gains will be.

For one, Trump did not hand him the economic reset he wanted - something that would boost the Russian president at a time when his economy is showing signs of strain after more than three years of war and increasingly tough Western sanctions.

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Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy aide, said before the summit that the talks would touch on trade and economic issues.

Putin had brought his finance minister and the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund all the way to Alaska with a view to discussing potential deals on the Arctic, energy, space and the technology sector.

In the end, though, they didn't get a look in. Trump told reporters on Air force One before the summit started there would be no business done until the war in Ukraine was settled.

It's also unclear how long the sanctions reprieve that Putin won will last.

Trump said it would probably be two or three weeks before he would need to return to the question of thinking about imposing secondary sanctions on China, to hurt financing for Moscow's war machine.

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Nor did Trump - judging by information that has so far been made public - do what some Ukrainian and European politicians had feared the most and sell Kyiv out by doing a deal over the head of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy.

Trump made clear that it was up to Zelenskiy as to whether he would agree - or not - with ideas of land swaps and other elements for a peace settlement that the U.S. president had discussed with Putin in Alaska.

Although as Trump's bruising Oval Office encounter with Zelenskiy showed earlier this year, if Trump thinks the Ukrainian leader is not engaging constructively, he can quickly turn on him.

Indeed, Trump was quick to start piling pressure on Zelenskiy, who is expected in Washington on Monday, saying after the summit that Ukraine had to a deal because, "Russia is a very big power, and they're not".

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"The main point is that both sides have directly placed responsibility on Kyiv and Europe for achieving future results in the negotiations," said Medvedev, who added that the summit showed it was possible to negotiate and fight at the same time.

DONBAS DEMAND

While deliberations continue, Russian forces are slowly but steadily advancing on the battlefield and threatening a series of Ukrainian towns and cities whose fall could speed up Moscow's quest to take complete control of the eastern region of Donetsk, one of four Ukrainian regions Russia claims as its own.

Donetsk, some 25% of which remains beyond Russia's control, and the Luhansk region together make up the industrial Donbas region, which Putin has made clear he wants in its entirety.

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Putin told Trump he'd be ready to freeze the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, two of the other regions he claims, if Kyiv agreed to withdraw from both Donetsk and Luhansk, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Zelenskiy rejected the demand, the source said.

According to the New York Times, Trump told European leaders that Ukrainian recognition of Donbas as Russian would help get a deal done. And the U.S. is ready to be part of security guarantees for Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

Some Kremlin critics said it would be a mistake to credit Putin with too much success at this stage.

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"Russia has re-established its status and got dialogue with the U.S.," said Michel Duclos, a French diplomat who formerly served in Moscow and who is an analyst at the Institut Montaigne think-tank. "But when you have a war on your hands and your economy is collapsing, these are limited gains."

Russian officials deny the economy, which has been put on a war footing and has proved more resilient than the West forecast despite heavy sanctions, is collapsing. But they have acknowledged signs of overheating and have said the economy could enter recession next year unless policies are adjusted.

"For Putin, economic problems are secondary to his goals, but he understands our vulnerability and the costs involved," said one source familiar with Kremlin thinking.

"Both sides will have to make concessions. The question is to what extent. The alternative, if we want to defeat them militarily, is to mobilise resources more deeply and use them more skilfully, but we are not going down that road for various reasons," the person said.

"It will be Trump's job to pressure Ukraine to recognise the agreements."

(Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Additional reporting by Darya Korsunskaya in Moscow and Layli Foroudi in Paris; Editing by David Clarke)
Archaeologists have gained insight into vast Southeast Asian trade networks through new research into coins engraved with rare Rising Sun and Srivatsa designs, reported Archaeology Mag.

The coins, which were originally minted at the Pyu-Mon polities in north-central Myanmar, contain molds known as dies on both sides. The specificity with which theyre inscribed implies a high level of standardization, and the coins had an economic and cultural significance which allowed the money to be used across the globe. Though China is already known for its vast international trade routes, the coins are a singular artifact because of just how far they traveled. They were discovered from China to the Irrawaddy River basin in Myanmar; Dvaravati culture centers in Thailand; Funanese centers in the Mekong Delta; and riverine settlements along the Malay Peninsula.

Related: Ancient Remains Bear Unexpected Evidence of 'Warfare Cannibalism'

Researchers analyzed 245 coins collected from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. In the process, they discovered that the dies were likely put in place as a safeguard against black market trading and illegal trafficking. At that point in history, Myanmar had been looted during ongoing conflict, with many of its goods and riches being melted or sold off to private collectors. The dies were intended to prevent forgeries and help to preserve the regions economic health.

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This new research radically reconfigures what historians know about Southeast Asian coinage, once thought to be comparatively simple. Scientists now say that coins in the region are on par with those used over a similar period in Roman, Indian, and Central Asian settlements.

Ancient Coins Reveal Secrets of Vast, Unknown Trade Network first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  Directors of Animal Charity of Ohio were looking to free up much-needed space at the shelter, hosting an adoption event Friday at the Lee Eye Care Center in Boardman.

The event allows people to come and see a dog outside of the shelter and enjoy the sunshine.

Since COVID, all of our adoption events really slowed down in the public, so now in our attempt to expand our services and really work on our community outreach, said Jane MacMurchy, of Animal Charity of Ohio. Its working with businesses in the community that would be willing to let us hold these adoption events at their locations and try and get more exposure for our animals.

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Although the numbers for this month are still being tallied, Julys results were promising for the group.

So we had 71 animals that were transferred, adopted and put into foster homes last month, said MacMurchy. But to have that success rate is just huge for us. We dont usually have that many adoptions and fosters happen in a month.

One of those dogs was Kiki, who humane agents rescued following a police raid in Youngstown. At the time, Kiki was malnourished and suffering from heartworm disease.

We couldnt take her on real long walks, so I hung out with her a lot, so I got to know her, said volunteer Nicole Mason.

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Mason formed a bond with Kiki as the staff worked to find someone to adopt her.

I think she was just misunderstood. She was very leery of men at first, so we worked on that. I would purposefully walk her by men on trails, but at a safe distance, just to see how she reacted, Mason said.

Then, roughly four years after Kiki first came into the shelter, she was adopted.

I received a text message, actually on my birthday that said, Happy birthday; we adopted Kiki for you,' Mason recalled.

Mason said she still gets to see Kiki a few times a week at her new home in New Middletown, where she is surrounded by other pets and a forever family to grow old with  something staff hopes these dogs will have a chance to do soon, thanks to Fridays event.

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Animal Charity of Ohio is also hosting a Basket Raffle event on Saturday at its location on Southern Boulevard.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  As yet another Iowa soldier deployment looms, the Blue Star Mothers are gathering cards and donations to send to the soldiers overseas.

Blue Star Mothers is a non-profit established during World War II that supports mothers with children deployed in the U.S. Military. The organization advocates for families, raises funds for soldiers and their loved ones, and provides a support system.

The Blue Star Mothers have manned a table at the Iowa State Fair since opening day, hoping to gather holiday cards and funds to send 2,700 care packages to Iowas deployed soldiers in November.

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Over the past week, Blue Star Mothers spokesperson April Conway says families and soldiers have shared their stories and put thought into their letters.

We had a sister say, Hey, if you happen to run into my brother tell him his little sister misses him, because its really hard on us when our children and our families are gone. And just by chance, if that letter makes it there near her brother, thats all she wanted, said Conway.

Ankeny family lost 5-year-old son; now raising money to donate books to childrens hospitals

A few times where some were like, Well, what do I write? And one of them I knew was a veteran. So, I just want you to write what you would have wanted to have gotten, the words you would have loved or needed to read had it been you and he wrote a really long letter.

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With two days left of the fair, the mothers have raised $7,000 of their $10,000 goal and collected half the number of holiday cards needed for the packages.

We want to get as many encouraging thoughts from Iowans as possible. And we are about 2,000 cards shy of our goal to be able to have two in each box, said Conway. We are really hoping that the next two days of the fair ends really well for us. You are more than welcome to come in, cool off, write a letter, talk to our moms, learn more about our program.

The mothers are also gearing up for another event. This year, Iowa had its largest deployment in 15 years, and on Saturday, another 250 Iowans will leave for a mission in the Middle East.

Our only mission tomorrow is to be there to comfort the families and the parents as they see their children off, said Conway. Were simply there to give a hug because tomorrow is the day theyre going to need it.

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The sendoff will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. at Valley Stadium. The event will be livestreamed. visit the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Facebook page to learn more.

The Iowa Blue Star Mothers will continue their care package efforts at their 5th Annual Car Show. Learn more about the program and car show on the Blue Star Mothers of Iowa website.

Iowa news

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Demonstrations were held on and around Main Street in Grand Junction Friday afternoon, protesting the expansion of ICE immigration policies in Colorado and nationwide.

At three demonstrations outside the Mesa County Justice Center, the Federal Courthouse, and on Main Street, masked people dressed in black stood face-down in silence, many holding signs.

Organizers described the act as a public performance of opposition to the illegal arrests, denials of due process, and expansion of immigration detention facilities by ICE.

The demonstration drew plenty of support from onlookers, but not all passersby enjoyed the performance. One young man who declined being on camera told WesternSlopeNow he was currently trying to join ICE. Another woman criticized the act, saying if they really believed in their cause, they wouldnt be hiding their faces.



People on this side of the contentious debate surrounding ICEs Trump-era tactics have recently seen some big wins in Colorado and across the country. Congress passed a bill in July giving $45 billion dollars to immigration expansions, and according to legal documents obtained in a lawsuit by the ACLU, six new immigration detention centers have been proposed in Colorado, including three here in congressional district three.

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WesternSlopeNow asked Main Street demonstrators for comment after their performance, which was declined. We also reached out to congressman Jeff Hurds office and have yet to receive word.





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MOVE: Plan is to move state agency to downtown Saranac Lake

SARANAC LAKE  The Adirondack Park Agency has released a trove of environmental, site and building reports on the 1-3 Main St. property it is considering for a new headquarters.

On Thursday, the agency released the documents through a new online dashboard at tinyurl.com/34ywbj36. The in-depth reports looked at the viability of the site for redevelopment and new development, showing no major red flags in the feasibility of the project.

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The reports pave the way for the APA to do further design work on the project, with confirmation of its feasibility.

Power and Light building

In 2022, the APA received $29 million through the state budget for a new headquarters. The historic Paul Smiths Power and Light Company building in downtown Saranac Lake is the preferred site. There is no formal commitment from the APA, as it is not leasing the space from the village of Saranac Lake yet. The agency has been pursuing a plan to move its headquarters from Ray Brook to downtown Saranac Lake, a project estimated at $40 million.

The APA is considering renovating the existing three-story building, constructing a new three-story building in the back of the public parking lot on the Lake Street and Petrova Avenue hillside and expanding the existing parking lot to 72 spaces.

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Rochester-based engineering firm Bergmann Associates started assessing the 1-3 Main St. site in 2023.

Soil stability tests were conducted to ensure the land can support a second building.

They dont want to start digging and release metals or chemicals into the air. There have been a number of industries at the site, and health and environmental standards were not the same 100 years ago as they are today.

The building at the intersection of Main Street, Lake Street and Kiwassa Road  on the Saranac River  was built in 1927. From 1903 until 1986, electric and railway companies operated at the site. Polychlorinated biphenyls were used for electric components and semi-volatile organic compounds were used for railways. Neither of these were detected at levels requiring action.

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The firm recommended the APA develop an environmental management plan before starting development, to minimize delays and ensure soils are handled properly, if any contamination is discovered in the construction process.

The heavy metals arsenic, barium, chromium and lead were detected at concentrations which do not limit the use of the land. Mercury was detected at levels that do, but are below Restricted Residential Use.

The report found asbestos, which was a common building material for years. The village has remediated asbestos at this site in the past. This carcinogen will need to be removed. The APA will pay for remediation of the building if it begins leasing it.

There are three identified underground storage tanks on the site. One was documented as being removed. Another 8,000-gallon fuel oil tank is active and used as a generator fuel source. The third, a 2,000-gallon gasoline tank, has not been documented as being removed, but is assumed to have been removed. The location of any of these tanks is not known.

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The reports found no lead in the drinking water.

The website includes two phases of an environmental site assessment; an indoor air quality report; an asbestos, lead-based paint and PCB caulk survey; a survey of lead in potable water; a report on wetlands delineation; a study of threatened and endangered species; and geotechnical reports.

More documents will be posted as they become available, according to the APA.

Project background

Last year, the village moved its police department, formerly headquartered at the 1-3 Main St. building, to a state-owned former Army National Guard armory on state Route 3. The village is currently planning a combined public safety building for the police, fire and emergency departments. The police were moved from 1-3 Main St. to make room for the APA.

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The three-story building, which used to house the Paul Smiths Power and Light Company, was built by the son of the legendary Adirondack guide and hotelier Paul Smith in 1927.

The name of that company is still engraved on the side of the building. The village bought the property in 1986.

The first and second floors were previously rented to Franklin County for office space. The county moved out after their lease expired last year.

In 2022, APA spokesperson Keith McKeever told the Enterprise the APAs current building is poorly designed and in bad condition; he didnt think it would be cost-effective to renovate it for the agencys needs. The APA has met in a small, 1950s-era log cabin for the last 50 years on a campus 4 miles away from Saranac Lake that it shares with New York State Police and the state Department of Environmental Conservation in Ray Brook, colloquially referred to as Little Albany.

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Load-bearing structural beams are rotting. The cinder block foundation is deteriorating. The 18-year-old HVAC system cannot be repaired without removing walls, McKeever wrote.

Contention

Theres been contention over this APA move, though, with different groups of Saranac Lakers writing letters supporting or opposing it.

Of the APAs 44 staff at the time last summer, 36 were surveyed and a majority either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposed move. Some said they were supportive of the move and a chunk were neutral on the issue.

A slew of 62 Saranac Lake leaders, including several former mayors, numerous business owners, clergy members, current and former elected officials, volunteer board members and other community leaders signed a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochuls office in September 2023, enthusiastically calling the move sensible, prudent and progressive and urging the state to support it, too.

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They said the offices would be an anchor for Main Street, putting feet on the street while renovating an underutilized historic building which needs a lot of work. They said this move would make the APA more accessible and visible, and that the state could potentially partner on the villages planned geothermal project.

The Saranac Lake Area and North Country chambers of commerce, Harrietstown and North Elba town boards and Historic Saranac Lake organization all wrote resolutions of support for the proposed move.

A group of 19 former APA employees and board members also wrote a letter to Hochul expressing opposition to the move from the agencys current headquarters in Ray Brook and questioning the transparency and ethics of the process that led to this site being chosen for the new headquarters.

These allegations led to an investigation into APA Executive Director Barb Rice from the state Inspector Generals office, which concluded earlier this summer finding that the allegations were unsubstantiated.

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The complaint made against Rice alleged that she hired David Plante from Bergmann Associates as Deputy Director of Regulatory Programs at the APA following the study as a quid pro quo for a favorable outcome. The report found that Plante was not involved with the study when he was with Bergmann Associates, and that Rice did not act improperly in hiring him. According to a state Division of Budget employee interviewed as part of NYSIGs investigation, feasibility studies are generally favorable, given that their purpose is to develop a plan that fits within the necessary parameters.

(U)nless a project is impossible, it is expected that the study will be favorable, the report states. NYSIG did not find any evidence that Rice had any direct connection to Bergmann Associates, nor that Rices hiring of an outside entity to conduct a feasibility study was improper, or outside of regular practice.

NYSIG also investigated allegations that Rice wanted to move the headquarters to Saranac Lake to benefit her familys furniture store there. The report concluded that the potential moves distance from Ray Brook to Saranac Lake was so minimal that it would not impact employees spending habits and that Rice had said her familys store would not bid to furnish the new headquarters.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals building in Richmond. A panel of the court Friday overturned a key part of Maryland's 2021 tax on digital ads. (Photo by Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

A provision in Marylands digital ad tax is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

The 2021 law  the first of its kind in the nation  imposes taxes on large tech companies for the digital ads they sell within the state. But it also prohibits those companies from passing the tax on to consumers as a surcharge, fee or line item on their bills  what a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals saw as a ban on telling customers about the new added tax.

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In a ruling that invoked American protests against the Colonial-era Stamp Act, Circuit Judge Julius Richardson wrote that, as then, complaining about taxes remains a grand American political tradition. And the court said Maryland lawmakers went too far by adding language to the tax bill that was intended to shield them from public criticism.

Perhaps fearing such complaints, Maryland paired its tax with another rule, Richardson wrote for the court. Companies that make money advertising on the internet must not only pay the tax, but avoid telling their customers how it affects pricing: No line items, no surcharges, no fees.

If companies pass on the cost of the tax, they must do so in silence  keeping customers in the dark about why prices have gone up and thereby insulating Maryland from political responsibility, he wrote.

The ruling reverses a 2024 decision by U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby, who agreed with the plaintiffs  a group of tech firms and business associations  that the law created some First Amendment issues. But she let the law stand because the offending provision had many constitutional applications.

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Fridays circuit court ruling sent the case back to Griggsby with instructions to determine an appropriate remedy for the plaintiffs.

The ruling is a blow to officials who looked to the unique tax to help pay for expensive K-12 education reforms contained in the Blueprint for Marylands Future. Expenses associated with that law continue to rise and are potentially budget busting  even if the digital ad tax survives the onslaught of legal challenges.

The 2021 law  sponsored by Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City)  targets big tech firms including Apple, Meta and Google.

Under the law, companies reporting $100 million of gross global annual revenue are subject to a 2.5% levy. The tax increases in increments of 2.5% to a maximum rate of 10% levied against companies reporting more than $15 billion in gross global revenue.

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The state could collect as much as $250 million annually from the digital ad tax, according to a legislative analysis. The funds are earmarked for the education reform program.

Neither Ferguson nor Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D), the defendant in the lawsuit, immediately responded to requests for comment on the ruling Friday.

But plaintiffs welcomed the decision. This case was just one of several challenges brought by NetChoice, a trade group representing large technology and social media companies, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA).

The government has no power to silence dissent in America. Maryland tried to prevent criticism of its tax scheme, and the Fourth Circuit recognized that tactic for what it was: censorship, Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, said in a statement.

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When states enact new policies, they should expect a variety of opinions, and the First Amendment prohibits the government from insulating itself against criticism, Taskes statement said. That does not change when the criticism happens online. The Fourth Circuit was absolutely correct.

He was echoed by Stephanie Joyce, senior vice president of CCIA and director of its Litigation Center for the Connected Economy. She said in a statement that the court recognized that this Maryland law strikes at the heart of free speech. States cannot use their taxation authority as a lever to squelch discourse and dissent.

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Richardson wrote that the Maryland law allowed tech companies to collect from customers, but not to indicate why or how their bills had gone up. That pass-through language makes plenty of sense if Marylands true aim is to prevent companies from identifying who is politically accountable for the tax, the court wrote.

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Faced with rising prices, consumers will want to know: Why have prices been raised? Yet the pass-through prevents [companies] from describing the tax in the one setting where the consumer is guaranteed to look: the invoice,' the ruling said. No doubt, Maryland has prudential reasons not to want the question answered. But as all we have said so far should make clear, keeping out of hot water with voters is not among the interests that can justify a speech ban. 

Meanwhile, big tech firms, including Apple and Meta, took their case to Maryland Tax Court to try to thwart the law. That case remains open.

Last summer, attorneys representing Google and Meta, in an online seminar with the California Tax Foundation, predicted Maryland courts would overturn the law because it violates the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act.
Aug. 15The state's appellate court has vacated a Whiteside County judge's 2024 ruling denying a Sterling man's motion to withdraw the guilty plea he made three years ago in the 2017 drunken driving death of a Sterling woman.

Illinois' appellate court, in a ruling filed June 13, said Douglas Strehlow can once again make a motion for the circuit court to consider whether he can withdraw his 2022 guilty plea to aggravated driving under the influence resulting in the death of Summer D. Harmon, 40. He also can ask the court once again to reconsider his 8-year sentence, which he deems excessive.

Strehlow, whose blood-alcohol concentration was almost three times the legal limit at the time, was traveling south on Route 40 in rural Sterling, just north of Fulfs Road, about 2:40 a.m. Aug. 19, 2017, when his pickup hit Harmon's vehicle almost head on, according to court documents. Harmon, also of Sterling, died three days later. Strehlow pleaded guilty in November 2022 and was sentenced on Sept. 25, 2023, to eight years in prison.

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He has appealed his case two times since then.

Strehlow's first appeal was shot down because, according to court documents, his attorney, Louis Pignatelli, did not file a certificate pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(d) when seeking the appeal.

After the case was remanded, Pignatelli filed a motion to reconsider Strehlow's sentence and a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. The hearing on those motions, which took place in September 2024, was overseen by Whiteside County Judge Trish Senneff, who also had been the sentencing judge in 2023.

At the 2024 hearing, Strehlow testified that he should be able to withdraw his plea because he was on several medications that could have affected his judgment as he made his decision to plead guilty. He also asked for his sentence to be reconsidered because he believes it to be excessive. He said at the 2024 hearing that he was surprised at the length of the sentence, as he thought he would get a shorter sentence based on discussions with Pignatelli after a 402 conference concerning the case in 2021.

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When Strehlow, under questioning by Pignatelli, told Senneff during the 2024 hearing that he wasn't sure how much the medications had affected him and they may have clouded his judgment at the time he pleaded guilty, Senneff would not accept that testimony.

"This is the very first time any of us are hearing this," Senneff said of Strehlow's claims. She also said Strehlow had not provided any expert testimony about the medications or whether it was known if those medications would impact judgment. She said it wasn't enough for Strehlow to say he had been affected.

Pignatelli at that 2024 court hearing continued to back up an argument for sentence reconsideration, saying Strehlow's sentence should be reduced to probation because he was a veteran of both the U.S. Army and Marines, suffered severe injuries while in the military that required him to be on several medications, has had back surgeries for those injuries, has abstained from alcohol for five years, goes to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, has worked toward his bachelor's degree and is a father with shared custody.

Strehlow also said he didn't know he would be sentenced to eight years, saying that he thought the sentence "would be less than it was."

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Before making her ruling denying the motions for withdrawal and reconsideration, Senneff read aloud the sentencing transcript, specifically the passages in which she asked Strehlow if he understood the agreement and he had said yes. She also said she could have sentenced him to 14 years in prison, but had decided at that time to sentence him to eight years, with 85% of the sentence to be served.

She also shut down Strehlow's testimony that the information he received from Pignatelli about what happened at the 402 conference led him to believe he would get a lighter sentence. Senneff at that time said she would not allow discussion about a 402 conference, that they are private conversations and that she doesn't record them for future use. The circuit court denied Strehlow's motions, and Strehlow appealed again. In connection with this second appeal, Strehlow's attorney filed a Rule 604(d) certificate that he had "made any amendments to the motion necessary for the adequate presentation of any defects in [the] proceedings," according to court documents.

The appellate court in the June 13 ruling said Strehlow's motion to withdraw his guilty plea should be heard. The court said that contrary to Strehlow's attorney's certification pursuant to Rule 604(d), he "did not provide an affidavit or other evidentiary support for defendant's claim that his medications affected his ability to enter a knowing and voluntary guilty plea, as required by Rule 604(d)." The appellate court's June 13 ruling says when the record refutes counsel's Rule 604(d) certificate, remand to the trial court is required to ensure strict compliance with Rule 604(d). On remand, Strehlow will have the opportunity to file new motions to withdraw his guilty plea and reconsider his sentence.

The appellate court also said that trial courts are not prevented from making a record of what happens at a 402 conference as it can assist judges when making a future ruling. The court also said that Strehlow's concerns about the 402 conference could have been allowed to be discussed in court because they were about interactions he had had with his attorney.

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The case now goes back to the circuit court. No further motions in the case had been filed as of Thursday, June 26, according to court records.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify procedural details in the litigation.
A coalition of Arab and Muslim nations has condemned in the strongest terms statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding his vision for a Greater Israel.

When interviewer Sharon Gal with the Israeli i24NEWS channel asked Netanyahu if he subscribed to a vision for a Greater Israel, Netanyahu said absolutely. Asked during the interview aired on Tuesday if he felt connected to the Greater Israel vision, Netanyahu said: Very much.

The Greater Israel concept supported by ultranationalist Israelis is understood to refer to an expansionist vision that lays claim to the occupied West Bank, Gaza, parts of Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Jordan.

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These statements represent a grave disregard for, and a blatant and dangerous violation of, the rules of international law and the foundations of stable international relations, said a joint statement by a coalition of 31 Arab and Islamic countries and the Arab League.

They also constitute a direct threat to Arab national security, to the sovereignty of states, and to regional and international peace and security, the statement released on Friday said.

The signatories of the statement included the secretaries-general of the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Gulf Cooperation Council.





The Arab and Islamic nations also condemned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrichs announcement on Thursday to push ahead with settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

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The statement said the move is a blatant violation of international law and a flagrant assault on the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to realise their independent, sovereign state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with Occupied Jerusalem as its capital.

The statement added that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory.

Smotrich said he would approve thousands of housing units in a long-delayed illegal settlement project in the West Bank, saying the move buries the idea of a Palestinian state.

Last September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling on Israel to end its illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months.

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The resolution backed an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  the UNs top court  which found that Israels presence in the Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end. In January 2024, the ICJ said Israel was plausibly committing genocide. The top UN court has yet to announce its verdict in the case brought by South Africa.





Netanyahu and Smotrich made the remarks during Israels devastating 22-month war on Gaza, which has killed at least 61,827 people and wounded 155,275 people in the enclave.

Last week, Israels Security Cabinet approved Netanyahus plan to fully occupy Gaza City, and in Tuesdays interview, Netanyahu also revived calls to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza, telling i24NEWS: We are not pushing them out, but we are allowing them to leave.

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Campaigners said Netanyahus use of the word leave was a euphemism for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza  home to 2.1 million people, most of whom are refugees and their descendants from the 1948 Nakba when more than 700,000 Palestinians were forced to flee from what became the state of Israel.

Past calls to resettle people from Gaza outside the war-battered territory, including from United States President Donald Trump, have sparked fears of forced displacement among Palestinians and condemnation from the international community.

In their statement on Saturday, the Islamic countries reiterated their rejection and condemnation of Israels crimes of aggression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and highlighted the need for a ceasefire in the enclave while ensuring unconditional access to humanitarian aid to halt the systematic starvation policy used by Israel as a weapon of genocide.

They also reaffirmed their complete and absolute rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people in any form and under any pretext and called on the international community to pressure Israel to halt its aggression and fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
Aug. 16August 16, 2015  Enrolled Red Lake Nation members will soon vote on alcohol sales at Seven Clans Casinos in Thief River Falls and Warroad, with band members voting on each property separately. If a majority vote is in favor, alcohol will be allowed at the casinos, but not throughout the rest of the reservation.

August 16, 2000  A fictitious airplane crashed into Lake Bemidji Tuesday afternoon, killing four people, wounding countless others and spilling gallons of fuel. The plane crash exercise was the work of Beltrami County Emergency Operations Team and the Beltrami County Office of Emergency Management.

August 16, 1975  The 19th season of Camp Thunderbird, located on Lake Plantagenet just south of Bemidji, recently wrapped up. Campers ages 9-17 spent two months taking part in outdoor camping trips, some as far away as the Canadian Rockies. Trips range from overnight outings to five-week expeditions.

August 16, 1925  The Blackduck community will have an exhibit of various farm products at the Northern Minnesota Fair. The commercial club of Blackduck also suggested having a Blackduck Day at the fair featuring the Blackduck band, which would entice more Blackduck community members to attend.
The Ascentra Scholarship Program has awarded its 2025 scholarships to 12 area student members of the credit union. These 12 future leaders were selected to receive $1,000 each to help them get one step closer to achieving their academic and professional goals.

Five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to traditional high school students planning to enter college, five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to non-traditional students, aged 19 or over, planning to attend college or earn an advanced degree and two $1,000 scholarships were awarded to students entering a trade program.

The Ascentra Scholarship Program is unique in that students can apply every year they are enrolled in an accredited institution or program.

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This years traditional scholarship winners are:

Bennett T., Bettendorf, Iowa

Everhett W., Ankeny, Iowa

Riley K., Riverdale, Iowa

Zachery M., Clinton, Iowa

Gerald Jerry C., Bettendorf, Iowa

The non-traditional or continuing education winners are:

Antonio V., Moline, Illinois

Jadyn C., Erie, Illinois

Payton L., Iowa City, Iowa

Isaac T., Clinton, Iowa

Sarah G., Bettendorf, Iowa

The vocational school or trades program winner is:

Lucas K., Clinton, Iowa

Stacey B., Clinton, Iowa

The competition is announced every October with a deadline of the end of March of the following year.

Ascentra believes that investing in education is a powerful way to support the future of our communities, said Linda Andry, President and CEO of Ascentra Credit Union. Our scholarship program is more than just financial assistance; its a commitment to helping young members reach their potential and achieve their dreams.

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The Ascentra Scholarship Program began in 1997 and has now awarded $162,000 in scholarships since its inception.

To learn more about this years scholarship winners, the official Ascentra Scholarship Program rules and other scholarship opportunities, visit ascentra.org/scholarships.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A man in his 60s has been badly hurt in a stabbing in a city, police said.

The victim was taken to hospital with injuries which could be life-threatening after the attack in Stoke-on-Trent.

Officers were called to Victoria Road at about 09:15 BST on Saturday after reports of the stabbing, Staffordshire Police said.

A second man, aged in his 20s, was also taken to hospital with injuries which could be life-changing, they added. He was later arrested on suspicion of wounding.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

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MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD)  West Michigan boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and scattered along the shores of Lake Michigan are works of art adding to that beauty.

Some of the pieces, like many of the sculptures installed at Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph, were inspired by the beach and lake. Curated by the Krasl Art Center  which offers classes, galleries and other art programming less than a mile away  the beach has about seven sculptures on display for beachgoers to enjoy.

Lake Michigan Summer Beach Guide

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The partnership between Krasl Art Center and the county started more than 20 years ago, executive director and chief curator Tami Fauver explained, when they installed the almost 50-foot tall piece And You, Seas by Richard Hunt on the beachs pier.

The art center occasionally swaps out the sculptures along the citys walkway, picking pieces that can survive the beachs tough environment.

Theres all sorts of things we would love to show there, but we have to think about the blowing sand and the ability of the sculpture to withstand that environment, Fauver said. Thats why you do see a lot of metal pieces there, and stainless steel is ideal because then that sand just shines it, instead of instead of damaging the sculpture.

Many drew inspirations from their surroundings: Young Flight by Gail Mally-Mack is designed to mimic the flow of the wind and waves, Fauver said, and was dedicated to kids who come to the beach each summer.

FILE  Young Flight by Gail Mally-Mack at Silver Beach in St. Joseph.

Thats just a really sweet and lovely sculpture, she said.

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How accessible are Lake Michigans beaches?

Further north at the Pere Marquette beach, a sculpture sitting on a roundabout headed into the park represents its community. Installed in 2021 as part of the Muskegon City Public Art Initiative, Celebrating Muskegon was created by John Littleton and Kate Vogel to honor Muskegons character and resilience.

FILE  Celebrating Muskegon at Pere Marquette Beach from the MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative. (Courtesy MCPAI)

FILE  Celebrating Muskegon prior to its installation at Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon.

It includes greens and blues to represent the areas nature, including the lake.

At the top of West Michigan in Ludington, the Mason County Sculpture Trail has a few pieces along the waterfront near Stearns Beach, along with a piece at Ludington State Park.

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The sculptures along the trail each tell a piece of the areas history, including its maritime history, explained Brandy Miller, executive director for the Ludington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Visitors can scan a QR code at each sculpture to hear more about the pieces story.

The Mason County Sculpture Trail. (April 23, 2025)

The Mason County Sculpture Trail. (April 23, 2025)

The sculptures are a way for  people to interact, and interact with some of the public art that they see, Miller said. Learn a little bit more about the community that theyre visiting. And locals also really enjoy picking up those little pieces of tidbits too.

8 of West Michigans favorite Lake Michigan beaches

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The beaches themselves can inspire art, from sand castles and drift wood sculptures to paintings hanging on museum walls.

A sand castle built by a beachgoer at the Lake Michigan beach of Duck Lake State Park. (April 23, 2025)

If you look at any art display of any sort, youre going to see people who are inspired by the nature around them: where they live, their sense of place, said Judy Hayner, the project director of the Muskegon City Public Art Initiative.

I think the natural environment is hugely inspirational to artists themselves, Fauver said. I actually have likened the experience of walking in nature to going to an art museum. I think both are contemplative places, where we slow down and we let our mind explore things.

Inside WOODTV.com: Get to know Lake Michigan

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And the beaches themselves are, in a way, art.

Pere Marquette is just gloriously beautiful. It is a work of art, Hayner said. So it seems only suitable to have something like that (the Celebrating Muskegon sculpture) introduce us as we go to the beach.

 Correction: A previous version of this article included a misspelling of Muskegon City Public Art Initiative Project Director Judy Hayners name. We regret the error, which has been fixed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
You cant scroll through your phone without seeing the word tariffs. It appears in every other headline. Everyone from TV pundits to social media stars are duking it out over whether theyre good for the country and for consumers wallets. At this point, youre sort of embarrassed to admit that you dont know what a tariff is, how it works or who its going to really hit.

Find Out: I Asked ChatGPT What the Point of Trumps Tariffs Are: Heres What It Said

Read Next: 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025

Instead of asking your one know-it-all friend, who will give you an unnecessarily complex explanation, theres another route you can take: ChatGPT. While you dont want to use ChatGPT as the end-all, be-all of your investigation, it can provide a baseline of information that will help guide you in deeper research.

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To get a foundation into tariffs, your friendly neighborhood GOBankingRates writer (that would be me) asked ChatGPT to explain tariffs to me in very rudimentary terms  along with who should expect to be impacted the most.

A Definition in a Nutshell

ChatGPTs basic definition of a tariff is very simple, which is exactly what I wanted: A tariff is a kind of tax a government puts on products that come from other countries. It makes those foreign products more expensive so that people might buy stuff from their own country instead.

Just to double-check this information before moving on, I visited the Tax Foundation website. Its definition aligns with what ChatGPT gave me: Tariffs are taxes imposed by one country on goods imported from another country.

The Tax Foundation website concurred with ChatGPTs definition but offered greater specifics about the function of tariffs in trade: Tariffs are trade barriers that raise prices, reduce available quantities of goods and services for US businesses and consumers, and create an economic burden on foreign exporters.

Learn More: 5 Ways Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill Could Impact Your Wallet

Tariffs in Action

To give me an idea of how tariffs work in practice, ChatGPT gave me a real-world example  one that feels like it could come to a news broadcast near you sooner than youd think. So, the U.S. imports steel from China, lets say for $100 per ton. Without tariffs, U.S. businesses buy Chinese steel at that set price. Pretty easy, right?

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Now, heres a wrinkle in that situation (or should we say, a dent in the steel): The U.S. government puts a 25% tariff on that Chinese steel. At $100 plus a $25 tariff, that same steel now costs $125 per ton. If the same American businesses balk at the new expense, they might go to U.S.-made steel that costs $110  because its now cheaper than imported steel.

Why Are Tariffs Imposed?

Ostensibly, tariffs are imposed to protect local businesses. As ChatGPT put it, tariffs make imported goods more expensive, so local products seem cheaper in comparison. It gives me another real-world scenario: If cheap clothes from another country flood the market, local clothing companies might go out of business. A tariff helps them compete.

Needless to say, if tariffs can help local businesses keep their doors open, thats good news for employees. And when I asked ChatGPT why tariffs are imposed, it did mention that, when local companies are protected, they might be more likely to keep or hire more workers.

ChatGPT offered another scenario, which is that tariffs can be implemented as a means to influence, or even outright punish, other governments. It returned to the theme of tensions between the U.S. and China to offer another example. The U.S. imposed tariffs on Chinese goods during trade tensions to pressure China on trade practices, it wrote.

Whats the Controversy?

Even if you havent fully understood what tariffs are, youre still likely aware that they can be controversial. Some pundits tout their ability to make American businesses more competitive, while others say that theyre only passing higher costs of popular goods onto consumers.

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ChatGPT shared that tariffs also have the potential to limit the choice that everyday shoppers enjoy. If tariffs make foreign products too expensive, stores might stop selling them, it wrote. So you have fewer brands or types of products to choose from.

Another concern involves trade wars. According to ChatGPT, sometimes countries respond to tariffs with retaliatory tariffs of their own, which can make a wider range of products more expensive for all consumers while putting the hurt to businesses that rely on overseas sales.

Who Gets Impacted the Most?

Tariffs impact a broad swath of people and organizations, some more positively than others. Of course, domestic producers face less competition from cheaper imports, while consumers find their options limited and more expensive.

Importers and retailers also take it on the chin, according to ChatGPT, since they have to pay more for goods or even switch suppliers. Theres also the possibility that they can lose out on business if customers dont want to pay higher prices. With their products becoming more expensive, exporters could potentially lose sales because their products become too expensive  however, other countries have the option to retaliate with their own tariffs.

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To explain, ChatGPT offered the following example: After U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, China imposed tariffs on U.S. soybeans  hurting U.S. farmers.

There isnt really one type of person who will be hit hardest by tariffs  and some of the impact depends on what other countries do.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT About Tariffs  And Heres Who It Said Is Impacted Most
Rhode Island Auditor General David Bergantino said that its basically 'expected' that every child care provider in a recent audit had at least one violation, given 'the number of regulations they are subject to.' (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

A stairway without a safety gate. Rodent droppings on one floor, dog feces on another. A fridge that opened up to insulin and cough syrup, and a shelf of red wines, both easily accessible by kids. Missing or incomplete background checks for child care providers and staff.

These are a few of the more graphic examples of rules broken by Rhode Island child care providers, outlined in a new report by the Rhode Island Office of the Auditor General.

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In fact, none of the 50 providers surveyed in the report were without at least one violation.

Auditor General David Bergantino said via email Friday that its basically expected for providers to have at least one violation, given the number of regulations they are subject to.

More meaningful is the percentage of significant noncompliance, Bergantino said.

The audit found that 60% of the 50 child care providers reviewed had the distinction of significant noncompliance, meaning they failed to meet at least 10% of the applicable health and safety requirements. Seven providers  14% of the sample  were out of compliance with more than a quarter of the regulations reviewed.

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From July 2022 through February 2025, Bergantino and his office reviewed 50 state-licensed child care facilities. Part of that period was spent on reviewing documentation, while on-site provider visits were conducted from November 2024 through February 2025.

The complete lineup of violations included:

232 violations of facility health and safety requirements

920 cases of noncompliance for documentation for providers and staff. The Auditor General noted 320 deficiencies for staff, out of 464 staff overall.

Background check noncompliance was found at 26 of 50 facilities. Documents were lacking for 72 of the 464 child care staff in the survey.

Out of 50 providers, 43 lacked complete documentation for children, with 174 children missing required documentation overall.

The state agencies responsible for ensuring compliance are the Office of Child Care, which licenses providers and conducts inspections, and its parent agency, the Department of Human Services (DHS).

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But there are only six licensing agents, plus an aide, who work with the department, the report states. There are far more providers: 812 in all, including 416 center-based providers, which are inspected at least twice yearly, plus 396 family child care providers inspected at least once annually. Family care providers are smaller, home-based programs which serve fewer children.

Across both types of facilities, the average caseload for an inspector is 135 providers.

Per state guidelines, the audited agencies are allowed a response to the findings within the report. A four-page appendix includes a response from Nicole Chiello, the associate director at the Office of Child Care.

It is important to note that the level and frequency of on-site provider monitoring is at a maximum for the number of staff who are available to the unit, Chiello wrote. The licensors work hard to ensure their caseloads are met and their providers are monitored. More staff for the licensing unit would bring the caseloads down and allow the possibility of more monitoring visits.

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Jim Beardsworth, a DHS spokesperson, said via email Friday that the department takes all findings seriously and is committed to the highest standards in the states child care facilities.

All findings from the Auditor General were addressed immediately; as part of its due diligence, DHS also conducted follow-up visits to ensure compliance, Beardsworth wrote, and added that the department expects providers to adhere to its standards.

The full report and a summary are on the auditor generals website.

Alcohol accessible by children, documented by the Auditor General in a child care providers home. (Rhode Island Office of the Auditor General report)

Not surprising, but also really embarrassing

Data from the Rhode Island KIDS COUNT 2025 factbook shows that, in December 2024, there were 6,600 child care subsidies provided through the states Child Care Assistance Program, which helps low-income working families afford child care.

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But, the Factbook also notes, the people who run centers out of homes are working class themselves: Child care educators, almost all of whom are women and who are disproportionately Women of Color, are responsible for the safety, health, learning, and development of our youngest children yet make very low wages, and many are not able to meet their basic needs.

Rep. Julie Casimiro, a North Kingstown Democrat, is not unsympathetic to the providers. She said in a phone interview Friday that the report is alarming, but also, not surprising.

I think that while the report kind of slants toward the providers, I hold the Department [of Human Services] accountable, Casimiro said.

A member of the Rhode Island Houses Committee on Oversight, Casimiro is well-acquainted with efforts to reform the department, especially when it comes to staffing.

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[Inspectors] can go in and find all these deficiencies, but they dont have the time to go back and follow up because their caseload is so high.

In the past two legislative sessions, 2024 and 2025, Casimiro led a bill that would have lowered the number of child care providers for which a single state licensing inspector is responsible. The bill would accomplish this by increasing the overall number of inspectors to the nationally recommended average of 50 to 60 providers per one inspector. The bill made it to a committee hearing in 2024, but in 2025 it was introduced and failed to move any further. Nevertheless, Casimiro said she intends to re-introduce the bill again in the 2026 legislative session.

Casimiro said shes not convinced the recurring problems with child care inspections are a funding issue for DHS, but rather an issue of how money is being spent. She added that shed like to see an efficiency study for DHS like the one recently completed for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) amid its $10 million budget deficit.

This was a perfect example where we could be giving great care to kids and getting them off on a really good start, but were failing them when you read this report, she said. We say we care about kids in this state, but our actions dont say that.

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Asked what she would say to parents who need child care and read the report, Casimiro replied, I dont know what to say to parents. I mean, this is embarrassing for the state. Its really embarrassing.

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By Jessie Pang and Lewis Jackson

HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) -Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former lawmaker said on Saturday, more than four years after he left Hong Kong, where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Friday approving his claim and that his wife, children and parents were also granted visas.

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"When people around me say 'congratulations' to me, although I politely thank them, I can't help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his hometown?" posted on Facebook.

"If it weren't for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; Exiles have no home."

The Home Affairs Department did not immediately respond to emailed questions sent after business hours.

The Hong Kong government said in a statement it was "against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country". China's foreign ministry did not respond to questions about the decision.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing last month as part of his administration's years-long push to improve ties with China.

A former Democratic Party lawmaker, Hui left Hong Kong in late 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

In 2023 Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put HK$1 million ($130,000) bounties on their heads.

Fellow Hong Kong activist Tony Chung said on Sunday he had been granted asylum by Britain, in a post on his X account. He was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison in late 2021 after being convicted of secession and money laundering.

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Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong on charges related to a national security law imposed by Beijing and alleged sedition.

($1 = 7.8258 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson in Beijing and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong; Additional reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing; Editing by Jane Merriman and Kim Coghill)
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Officers with the Crestview Police Department discovered a suspicious vehicle at a closed business near the 1600 Block of South Ferdon Boulevard on Saturday.

According to a news release, just before 2 a.m., officers made contact with the subject, who was determined to be armed with a firearm and making suicidal statements.

For nearly 3 hours, officers spoke with the subject, who pointed a fire at an officer. Officials said this led to an officer-involved shooting incident resulting in the subjects death.

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No officers were injured during the incident, officials confirmed.

FDLE opens investigation into officer-involved shooting in Port St. Joe, suspect stable

As a departmental procedure, the Crestview Police Department requested the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct an independent investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

As this investigation has been referred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Crestview Police Department will refer any future injuries to them.

Ferdon Boulevard (State Road 85) is currently closed in the area of Duggan Avenue and Goodwin Avenue as the scene is being processed.

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Officials advise drivers to avoid that area or expect delays, as all traffic is being diverted at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Former President Obama aide David Axelrod claimed Friday that President Trumps red-carpet embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the summit in Alaska will maybe enrage a lot of Americans.

Axelrod, who has often criticized Trump and the administrations actions, argued that nowadays Americans do not agree on very much, but one thing they agree on is they dont like Putin.

They believe Russia is an enemy. They side with Ukraine in this conflict, and they dont think it should be settled on Russias terms. So I think these photos that youre showing here, this film that youre showing here, of the warm red carpet greeting is going to confuse a lot of Americans, maybe enrage a lot of Americans, Axelrod, who is a CNN senior political commentator, said during an appearance on the network.

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Going forward, Axelrod predicted what matters is whether people think Trump has advanced the ball toward peace in terms that are acceptable to Ukraine or has tilted in some way toward Putin.

Trump and Putin met on the tarmac in Alaska on Friday, shaking hands before heading into the U.S. presidential limo known as the Beast.

As the Russian leader was approaching the president, Trump applauded him. The two smiled and held a brief conversation before departing in the highly fortified vehicle.

The summit began shortly after 3:30 p.m. EDT. The huddle will be a three-on-three meeting with the U.S. being represented by Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has met with Putin five times this year. Apart from Putin, Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and top Putin aide Yury Ushakov will participate in the closed-door meeting.

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David Urban, a former adviser to Trump, said Friday on CNN that Trump having Rubio and Witkoff by his side during the summit is useful.

I think its an effective foil. Enables them to, you know, Trump doesnt have to be the bad guy. He can point to Rubio and Witkoff and say these gentlemen are telling me something completely different, and so enables him to kind of be the negotiator in chief and allow other people to be the foil, Urban said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is not at the meeting, also weighed in, saying that Moscow is not ready to end the more than three-year Russia-Ukraine war.

The war continues, and it is precisely because there is neither an order nor even a signal that Moscow is preparing to end this war. On the day of negotiations, they are killing as well. That speaks volumes, Ukraines leader said, referring to strikes in his country Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(NewsNation)  Observers say it was a particularly telling moment Friday in Alaska: As President Trump greeted Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a B-2 stealth bomber soared overhead, accompanied by F-22 Raptor fighters.

Both leaders looked up briefly to take in the sight before meeting privately to discuss potential peace in Ukraine.

Although Trump has publicly shown deference to Putin in recent days in hopes of setting the stage for a deal, analysts say the display of airborne hardware at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was no accident.

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Russian TV hosts say Alaska belongs to them ahead of Trump-Putin summit

B-2s delivered airstrikes on Iran

Americas B-2s were dominantly showcased in late June, when seven of the radar-evading bombers flew 36 hours straight to deliver bunker-buster bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites, in support of U.S. ally Israel. Although there was some debate about how much damage the planes ultimately inflicted, there was no question the B-2s lived up to their stealth moniker.

F-22s and a B-2 bomber soar above Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as Trump and Putin shook hands on the tarmac.

That B-2 flyover  I do not think that we can make enough of that moment, Leland Vittert, host of NewsNations On Balance, said during a roundtable discussion Friday about the Trump-Putin summit.

Vittert said the display may explain Putins unusually obsequious, or fawning, behavior at the summit.

Military hardware a flex in Alaska

Chris Stirewalt, anchor of The Hill Sunday, said the planes were indeed a part of the visual scene the Trump administration was trying to evoke.

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All of the staging here was a flex, he told NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas. In the beginning, hes displaying Putin like a trophy: I caught him. He came. Hes on my turf. Look at him, hes smaller than me.

Trump warns of severe consequences if Putin does not agree to stop war after summit

But Stirewalt said the beginning of the summit contrasted notably with the conclusion, a joint news conference between Trump and Putin, where the U.S. president appeared grim and low-energy compared to Putin.

The U.S. military has 19 of the B-2 stealth bombers, primarily based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. It takes two pilots to operate the sleek aircraft. Each costs more than $2 billion.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
NAHARIYA, Israel (AP)  Israel announced Saturday that it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as plans move ahead for a military offensive in some of the territory's most populated areas.

The Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, COGAT, said the supply of tents to the territory would resume on Sunday. The military said it had no comment on when the mass movement of Palestinians would begin, but Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media that we are now in the stage of discussions to finalize the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza."

Meanwhile, anxious families of Israeli hostages called for a nationwide day of stoppage in Israel on Sunday to express growing frustration over 22 months of war.

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Families of hostages fear the coming offensive further endangers the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, just 20 of them thought to still be alive. They and other Israelis were horrified by the recent release of videos showing emaciated hostages speaking under duress and pleading for help and food.

The families and supporters have pressed the government for a deal to stop the war  a call that some former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs have made as well in recent weeks.

A group representing the families has urged Israelis into the streets on Sunday. Across the country, hundreds of citizen-led initiatives will pause daily life and join the most just and moral struggle: the struggle to bring all 50 hostages home, it said in a statement.

I want to believe that there is hope, and it will not come from above, it will come only from us, said Dana Silberman Sitton, sister of Shiri Bibas and aunt of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were killed in captivity.

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She spoke at a weekly rally in Tel Aviv, along with Pushpa Joshi, sister of kidnapped Nepalese hostage Bipin Joshi, a student seized from a kibbutz.

I miss my best friend, Pushpa said.

Airstrike kills a baby girl and her parents

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed a baby girl and her parents on Saturday, Nasser hospital officials and witnesses said. Motasem al-Batta, his wife and the girl were killed in their tent in the crowded Muwasi area.

Two and a half months, what has she done?" neighbor Fathi Shubeir asked, sweating as temperatures in the shattered territory soared above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). They are civilians in an area designated safe.

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Israel's military said it couldn't comment on the strike without more details. It said it is dismantling Hamas military capabilities and takes precautions not to harm civilians.

Muwasi is one of the heavily populated areas in Gaza where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel plans to widen the coming military offensive, along with Gaza City and central camps  an apparent reference to the built-up Nuseirat and Bureij camps in central Gaza.

Israel may be using the threat to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages taken in its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war.

Elsewhere, an official at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said it received the bodies of six people who were killed in the Zikim area of northern Gaza, as well as four people killed in shelling.

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11 more deaths related to malnutrition

Another 11 malnutrition-related deaths occurred in Gaza over the past 24 hours, the territorys Health Ministry said Saturday, with one child among them. That brings malnutrition-related deaths during the war to 251.

The United Nations is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began. Palestinians are drinking contaminated water as diseases spread, while some Israeli leaders continue to talk openly about the mass relocation of people from Gaza.

A 20-year old Palestinian woman described as being in a state of severe physical deterioration died Friday after being transferred from Gaza to Italy for treatment, the hospital said Saturday.

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The U.N. and partners say getting food and other aid into the territory of over 2 million people, and then on to distribution points, remains highly challenging with Israeli restrictions and pressure from crowds of hungry Palestinians.

The U.N. human rights office says at least 1,760 people were killed while seeking aid between May 27 and Wednesday. It says 766 were killed along routes of supply convoys and 994 in the vicinity of non-U.N. militarized sites," a reference to the Israeli-backed and U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which since May has been the primary distributor of aid in Gaza.

US stops visitor visas for people from Gaza

The U.S. State Department on Saturday said all visitor visas for people from Gaza are being stopped while a review is carried out of how a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas were issued in recent days.

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The Hamas-led attack in 2023 killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed 61,897 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry, which does not specify how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children.

The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.

___

Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
PHILIPPI, W.Va. (WBOY)  As students return to school across north central West Virginia, Barbour County Schools has announced that one of its bus routes will not run this year.

According to a Facebook post from the school system, Bus 114Bs route will not be running due to a shortage of bus operators. The bus was set to carry students in elementary, middle and high school from rural parts of Barbour County and families affected by the route change will be expected to pick up and drop off their kids at other bus stops further away.

WV Department of Education gives reason for scrapping Preston County staggered start

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Barbour County Schools did say in the post that once a bus operator is available, Bus 114B will go back to its scheduled route.

12 News has reached out to the Barbour County Schools transportation department for more information and is still awaiting a response as of this publication.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
NEED TO KNOW

A bat colony was discovered at the Jackson Lake Lodge at Grand Teton National Park

According to the National Park Service, potential exposure to rabies occurred between May 5 and July 27

The bat colony was discovered in an attic space above guest rooms 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528 and 530

Health Officials in Wyoming are notifying hundreds of guests who stayed at the Jackson Lake Lodge at Grand Teton National Park about a recently discovered bat colony, which may have exposed them to rabies.

An alert posted on the Grand Teton National Park's page on the National Park Service (NPS) website states that the potential exposure occurred between May 5 and July 27.

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The cabins have been unoccupied, with no plans to reopen, since July 27 when concessionaire Grand Teton Lodge Company discovered the bat problem, according to the Associated Press.

The bat colony was discovered in an attic space above guest rooms 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526, 528 and 530 at the Jackson Lake Lodge.

Getty Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park

Since June 2, Grand Teton Lodge Company has received eight reports involving overnight guests who may have been exposed to bats in rooms at the lodge.

There were roughly 250 reservations through late July for the infected rooms, causing health officials to estimate that up to 500 people stayed in affected areas, the Associated Press reported. The lodge guests came from 38 states and seven countries.

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So far, rabies has not been found in the small number of bats tested from the eight linked cabins, as of Friday, Aug. 15  however, many bats have not been tested yet, and some were let out through cabin doors and windows, the Associated Press reports.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Grand Teton Lodge Company for comment.

State public health officials are reaching out to guests directly to assess if they had exposure to a bat while staying in the affected rooms and determine if they meet the risk criteria for receiving rabies preventive treatment.

The whole reason were doing this outreach investigation is because we cant rule out rabies with 100% confidence, Wyoming state public health veterinarian Emily Curren told SFGATE. We are reaching out to people to assess them individually under the sort of governing principle that rabies would be the worst-case scenario.

Getty Stock image of a colony of bats Stock image of a colony of bats

Saliva contact from a bat, a bite or a scratch from a bat, as well as any physical contact with a bat, can all be considered a potential exposure to rabies, according to the NPS.

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What were really concerned about is people who saw bats in their rooms and people who might have had direct contact with a bat, Wyoming State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said Friday, per the Associated Press.

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.

Contact Grand Teton Lodge Company at RoomsGTLC@vailresorts.com or 307-543-3044 to determine if you stayed in one of the potentially affected rooms where bats were found.

Individuals who meet the risk criteria for a rabies exposure will be connected with the appropriate provider in their home state for preventive treatment.



Read the original article on People
The Brief

A suspected bat colony was recently discovered in an attic space at Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park.

At least eight guests reported bat sightings or contact during their stays.

State health officials are contacting guests to assess their risk for rabies exposure.

Hundreds of people could potentially have been exposed to rabies during their summer vacation at Grand Teton National Park.

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A bat colony was recently discovered in the attic space at a popular lodge.

Bat colony in Jackson Lake Lodge

The backstory

Since June 2, Grand Teton Lodge Company has received eight reports involving overnight guests who may have been exposed to bats in Jackson Lake Lodge rooms, the National Park Service said.

What they're saying

Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming's state health officer told local newspaper Jackson Hole News & Guide that management had received enough reports from guests that health officials determined it was not individual bats flying into rooms.

NPS said on Aug. 8 that a suspected bat colony was recently discovered in the attic space above several guest rooms at the Jackson Lake Lodge.

What's next

The Wyoming Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are assessing the risk that some guests may have been exposed to rabies in the bats.

For context

A bite or a scratch from a bat to a human is considered bat exposure to rabies, as well as physical contact with a bat. A person who cannot confirm or communicate a potential exposurelike a child, a deep sleeper, or someone who is mentally impaired or on mind-altering drugsmight be considered at-risk.

Dig deeper

Bat teeth are small and a bite might not bleed or be visible or painful. A person may not realize that an exposure has occurred or may not think a bite or scratch requires medical attention.

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State officials are reaching out to recent guests directly to see if they had exposure to a bat while staying in any of the rooms below the colony.

NPS didnt yet say if any bats in the area had tested positive for rabies.

What you can do

If you stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge between May 5, 2025, and July 27, 2025, and think you might have been exposed to a bat, contact Grand Teton Lodge Company at RoomsGTLC@vailresorts.com or 307-543-3044.

You can also get more information here .

Grand Teton National Park

Local perspective

Grand Teton National Park is an American National Park in northwestern Wyoming and just south of Yellowstone National Park. At approximately 310,000 acres, the park includes the major peaks of the 40-mile-long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole.

Rabies vaccine

Big picture view

Rabies is deadly if people dont receive medical care before symptoms start. Approximately two people in the United States die each year from rabies, according to the CDC , and around 100,000 Americans are vaccinated against rabies following a potential exposure each year.

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Contact with infected bats is the leading cause of human rabies deaths in this country; at least seven out of 10 people who die from rabies in the United States were infected by bats, according to the CDC .

The Source

Information in this article was taken from an NPS Aug. 8, 2025, press release. Background information on rabies and the vaccine was taken from the CDC. This story was reported from Detroit.
Dallas County is urging local conservatives to consider one of the most direct ways to influence politics in their own neighborhoods: become a precinct chair.

Ally Raskin, precinct chair for Dallas County, told The Dallas Express that the position is one of the partys most underutilized tools for grassroots engagement.

Dallas County has roughly 800 total precinct seats, but Raskin explained that we only have 245 seats filled right now. While some precincts have no voters and dont require a chair, she still estimates that we have around 500 seats that need to be filled.

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As Raskin described, the precinct chair position combines neighborhood outreach with direct involvement in decision-making for your local party. What it entails is attending the monthly county executive chair meeting and then getting out, meeting their neighbors and getting people to vote during election seasons, she added.

Precinct chairs not only help identify voter concerns but also support candidates who align with local priorities and even handle practical campaign tasks, such as getting election signs into neighborhoods.

Were the ones who actually help run the party locally, Raskin said, before pointing out several recent decisions where precinct chairs played a big role in Texas.

We just passed two resolutions, one was about supporting the legislation to stop modifying our weather in Texas, and then one was to stop fluoridating our water in Dallas County  those both received 100% approval, Raskin said.

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On the political side, precinct chairs also voted to censure two legislators, for consistently voting against our legislative priorities set at the Texas Republican Convention.

The process to become a precinct chair is pretty straightforward: They apply via the DallasGOP.org website, just fill out the form. The form comes to me, and then they participate in an interview, Raskin told DX.

Applicants must live in the precinct for which they are applying.

For those with broader political ambitions, the role can be a valuable training ground, or even an intro into the political world. If someone wants to be on city council or school board, this is a great stepping stone. You really kind of learn the inner workings of what it takes to run for an office you learn a lot of how the city works, Raskin added.

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Raskin emphasized that vacancies exist across the county.

We have seats everywhere, she said, adding that residents can look up their precinct and see whether its filled on the Dallas County Republican Partys website. Even if a seat is taken, Raskin encourages conservatives to reach out to their precinct chair to offer help.

For more information or to apply for a Republican precinct chair position, those interested can visit DallasGOP.org.
A three-alarm fire at a Bellevue apartment complex on Aug. 16 destroyed 12 units, displacing multiple families and leaving most of the complex temporarily without air conditioning during the weekends extreme heat.

Residents at the Slate Apartment complex in Bellevue evacuated a 12-unit block shortly before 11 a.m. due to what Nashville Fire Departments Aaron Haddix, the commander on scene, said was called in as an appliance fire.

UPDATE: NFD crews worked defensively as flames spread from the original area into the roof of the apartment building on the Hwy 70 fire.



 This video shows earlier operations; not the current scene.



Crews are currently performing salvage and overhaul to extinguish the fire. pic.twitter.com/AfKwpRtcud  Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) August 16, 2025

No residents were injured, according to Haddix. Only one firefighter was injured and taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center with what Haddix described as minor injuries.

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By the time we got our first attack lines in place, we had fire in two separate parts of the building, which is common for this type of construction, Haddix explained. Crews worked as hard as they could before we had to vacate the building.

Hine Raha, a resident at the complex and one of the many tenants displaced, said she smelled smoke coming from her vents around 11 a.m.

We smelled the smoke coming in and we saw smoke coming from the other side (of the row). Just a little smoke, she said, pointing to her unit, which was destroyed. We ran outside. I didn't have time to grab anything.

Nashville Fire Department members work to put out a fire at the Slate Apartment complex in Bellevue. In the foreground is Hine Raha's unit.

Her family escaped unscathed, but Raha expressed concern for her three children, who were walking from bystander to bystander offering pizza slices while waiting to hear if anything was salvagable.

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Its traumatizing, you know? The kids have lost all of their toys, lost everything, she said. It took a lot of time for them to stop the fire.

Adriana Barajas, an employee at the apartment complex, spoke with The Tennessean as she helped direct residents to Red Cross tables.

We are already putting people in other apartments, and we have the Red Cross here, so were on it, she said.

Most displaced residents will be placed in empty units within the complex, while some will be moved to sister properties.

The fire occured as Nashville Fire Department crews were simoultaneously responding to a barn fire on Lickton Pike. According to a social media post made by the department, firefighters had to establish supply lines to contain the fire due to limited water sources. No injuries were reported in that blaze, according to the post.

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Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bellevue apartment fire destroys 12 units, leaves families displaced
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An Afghan refugee boards a bus in Chantilly, Virginia, in 2021. | Credit: Joshua Roberts/Getty Images

'Bipartisan solutions for Afghan allies spark hope'

Jennie Murray at The Hill

After a "long period of uncertainty for many Afghan allies of the U.S., it is encouraging to see a glimmer of hope," says Jennie Murray. Lawmakers "introduced a new bill that would offer legal pathways for Afghans who risked their lives supporting U.S. forces," and this is a "hopeful spark for both Afghan allies living in the U.S. and the American community members who now call these individuals neighbors." They "fought with us and for their own country's future."

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Read more

'Democrats can win in 2028. But we need to oust corporate candidates first.'

Alexandra Rojas at The Guardian

A "robust, active, and exciting Democratic primary process in districts across the country is a necessary prerequisite to Democrats winning in 2026, let alone 2028," says Alexandra Rojas. Voters "need a new generation of leaders with fresh faces and bold ideas, unbought by corporate super PACs and billionaire donors, to give them a new path." That "requires working class, progressive primary challenges to the overwhelming number of corporate Democratic incumbents who have rightfully been dubbed as do-nothing electeds."

Read more

'Why is everyone so rude?'

Abby McCloskey at The Dallas Morning News

There "used to be more consideration of others and impulse control," says Abby McCloskey. We "live in a time when there's never been more accommodation of difference; we've never been more aware of others' plights and stories." But "yet instead of extending ourselves toward others out of empathy, we're acting as though we are alone and have little responsibility for others." The "root of conscientiousness is conscious: to be aware of and sensitive to one's surroundings."

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'Why Republicans are terrified of nonexistent crime'

Ryan Cooper at The American Prospect

Among the "favorite pastimes of Republican men, two stand out: first, boasting about what strong, courageous, hypermasculine operators they are; and second, publicly melting down about how pants-pissingly terrified they are of American cities," says Ryan Cooper. This "seems to be a core emotion of modern conservatism: wallowing in terror of largely imaginary dangers." American "cities, especially in blue states, are safer than they have been in decades," but are "full of everything that conservatives hate."

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President Donald Trump has nominated Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis to the federal bench, a move that comes as speculation grows about potential future vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Lewis has been nominated to serve as a federal district court judge for the Middle District of Alabama, based in Montgomery. His nomination is one of three Trump put forward for federal judgeships in the state, all subject to Senate confirmation.

Trump announced Lewis nomination on Truth Social:

I am pleased to nominate Bill Lewis to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. As a Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, Judge on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, State Court Trial Judge, and Assistant District Attorney, Bill has proven his dedication to the Rule of Law throughout his entire career. He is a courageous Patriot, who will ensure Law and Order, and always put our Constitution, FIRST. Congratulations Bill!

Alabamas Republican U.S. senators voiced strong support. The White House knocked it out of the park with these Alabama nominees, Sen. Tommy Tuberville said in a statement, while Sen. Katie Britt called Lewis and the other nominees committed to restoring law and order and upholding the Constitution.

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Lewis rise through Alabamas judiciary has been swift.

He served as an Elmore County circuit judge from 2016 to early 2024, joined the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in February 2024, and was appointed to the states high Court in May 2025. Now, just months later, he could move to the federal judiciary, if confirmed.

The rapid promotion has caught attention in Washington, where court watchers are already discussing the possibility of Trump naming a successor to Justice Clarence Thomas during his second term.

Thomas, 77, is the oldest current justice and recently surpassed former Justice William J Brennan to become the seventh-longest-serving justice in history. He has given no public indication of plans to retire, and if he aims to become the longest-serving justice, he would need to remain until just before the 2028 Presidential election.

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Historically, certain seats on the Supreme Court have been viewed as informally reserved for specific constituencies, a pattern seen when Thomas replaced Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice, in 1991. While that precedent has softened with the 2022 appointment of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, some legal analysts say a Thomas retirement could still spark political and symbolic considerations in the choice of his successor.

Trumps track record includes promoting relatively young judges to the nations highest Court.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, for example, was 48 when she was confirmed in 2020 after serving just three years on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. His first two Supreme Court appointments, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, were also in their late 40s or early 50s at the time of their confirmations and had extensive federal judicial experience. Lewis is currently in his mid-late 40s.

For now, Lewis name has not circulated widely among analysts as a likely Supreme Court pick. His nomination could be aimed simply at filling a federal trial court vacancy, especially as other aging justices, such as Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor, could open different opportunities for Trump to shape the Court.

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Still, Lewis background may appeal to the Presidents judicial preferences. He is a member of the Federalist Society, has worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, and has been certified to practice law in three states. He has tried thousands of cases in state and federal courts and served in multiple community leadership roles.

Lewis has served as Chairman of the Elmore County Republican Executive Committee and the Alabama Republican Executive Committee, according to his biography.

Trumps nomination now heads to the Senate, where Britt sits on the Judiciary Committee. If confirmed, Lewis would hold a lifetime appointment and a potential stepping stone to higher judicial office should the opportunity arise.
"Real Time" host Bill Maher pushed back against the idea that President Donald Trump is "Putins bi--h" after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

"Lets not have the zombie lie that [Trump] is still backing Putin," Maher told his panel. "First of all, he bombed Iran, that was a Putin ally. He didnt get out of NATO. He mended fences with NATO. And he put sanctions back on Russia."

After a three-hour meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, where the two discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, Trump called the meeting "very warm" in an exclusive interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

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He also said Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy want him to attend the next meeting.

Msnbc Host Explodes Live On Air Over Putin Talks, Rants Trump 'Doesn't Give A S--- About Democracy'

Hours after that interview, Maher confessed the "one thing" he knows about Trump.

Read On The Fox News App

If somebody is the kind of person that would "see the good in anybody," this would be "the good" in Trump, the late-night host teased.

"He really does hate war," Maher insisted. "He really does not like it when people die in war."

One of Mahers panelists, County Highway editor-at-large Walter Kirn, added some wit to the discussion.

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Trump Reveals His Game Plan For Meeting With Putin In Alaska: 'It's Like Chess'

"Youre really coming around, Bill," Kirn joked.

"Im not coming around," Maher countered, insisting hes not "on anyones team." He went on to call his statement "true s--t."

President Donald Trump hosted Bill Maher at the White House alongside their mutual friend Kid Rock.

The duo had a sterner discussion when Maher first introduced the "zombie lie" about Trumps relationship with Putin.

"I think its kind of a zombie lie that Trump is Putins, you know, bi--h," Maher began. "Because he was certainly over friendly to him for a very long time, considering who Putin is. A thug and a murderer."

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"In 2015, Obama met [Putin] and nobody said anything," Kirn retorted.

"He met him, he didnt praise him," Maher argued. "He didnt say hes the greatest guy in the world. I could read 20 compliments that Trump has given to him."

Trump And Putins Relationship Turns Sour As President Pushes For Resolution With Ukraine

Trump has repeatedly called Putin "smart" and blamed former President Joe Biden for Russias invasion of Ukraine, including at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference.

"The problem is not that Putin is smart, which, of course, hes smart," Trump told the crowd. "The real problem is that our leaders are dumb. They've allowed him to get away with this travesty and this assault on humanity."

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The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates the total number of casualties in the war in Ukraine to be 1.4 million since February 2022.





Original article source: Bill Maher slams 'zombie lie' that Trump is Putin's bi--h hours after summit in Alaska
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Both of the candidates for Binghamton Mayor say they are eager to debate the issues ahead of this Novembers election.

On Monday, Republican Mayor Jared Krahams campaign issues a news release challenging his Democratic opponent to 3 debates.

Kraham called on Burnett to solidify a schedule this week, saying city residents deserve to hear directly from both candidates about their track records, priorities and plans for tackling the key issues facing Binghamton.

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Burnett quickly responded saying any day, anytime..

The Democrat says his campaign is committed to transparency, community engagement and bold solutions to the citys challenges. The two got started yesterday by appearing live in studio on WNBFs Binghamton Now radio talk show.

You can listen to the 41 minute-long debate at WNBF.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  In February 2025, a large number of cases of avian influenza were reported, prompting people to be informed about different precautions they needed to take. Presently, it is still a situation that keeps eyes open for any updates.

Even so, birds are not the only kinds of species experiencing this disease. Fall migration started for some bird species in August New York.

Jacob Reiter, Conservation Center Manager for Pace Universitys Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center Wildlife scientist and conservationist with a license in the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and a wildlife rehabilitator, informs how migration is going to look for different bird species this fall.

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Reiter starts by explaining that some bird species are still migrating well into November. During migration, each bird species migrates depending on their needs. They are split into two categories. Some birds migrate depending on when the day length gets shorter. Other kinds of birds migrate in response to climate change.

Through those two categories, something that weighs in migration time for different bird species also deals with resource availability.

If they are in their spring and summer areas with lots of food, they will migrate later, but if there is overcrowding with other birds or fewer resources, they will begin migrating earlier.

Birds that are starting to migrate in mid-August are warblers, different types of ducks, and geese like the blue-winged teal.

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A lot of these species breed in high latitudes.

If they start migrating now, they are probably in New York now.

Reiter says that different bird species will be making their way down the East Coast.

Some might go into Georgia, others go over the Gulf of Mexico into Mexico, Central America, and South America, heading into October.

Birds that are in the Atlantic flyway are in the New York State area right about now, while birds in the Pacific flyway might be in Oregon or parts of California.

Migration at its beginning this fall brings questions if there may be a rise in bird flu between different bird species.

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Reiter says, I think that it is more than likely probable to see that happening, especially given the rise in the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza that we are seeing right now.

Species of birds like waterfowl might carry a low pathogenic flu strain with them at all times, but with a recent highly pathogenic strain (H5N1) of avian influenza that has been seen in the last few years, there is the possibility of more avian influenza cases.

During migration, it is more prevalent for birds to get contaminated with avian influenza due to different bird species being together and travelling greater distances.

The good news is that the migration that takes place in the fall has less of an infection risk between birds than in the spring.

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Reiter believes that migration during the spring seems to be when birds are at their highest risk of getting an avian flu infection.

The reason this may be the case is that migration in the fall involves birds spreading out, while during the spring, they are all coming together as they fly north.

For example, birds like warblers, songbirds, and raptors are not gathering in large areas during migration in the fall like they do in the spring. Reiter adds that there is an exception for waterfowl species that tend to largely gather in areas over the fall and winter because that is when they are mating.

While avian influenza is not highly transmissible from birds to humans, it is still possible. The reason for the increase in human cases seen for the past few years deals with how hard poultry has been hit with avian influenza. Multiple chickens and turkeys in American and global poultry farms have been infected with it. In those spaces when one bird gets it, it is very easy to transmit it to other birds.

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Reiter says he believes that when you have farmers and people working around domestic species that may be getting infected with the disease, it causes an increase in a handful of cases that have been reported in the past year or two.

That domestic side in the agriculture industry deals with much contact workers in those industries who have contact with chicken, turkeys, and dairy cattle.

Currently, according to the CDC there are reports of 70 cases and 1 death with people infected with avian influenza. While human beings have been infected with bird flu. Dairy milking cows have also been found infected with the disease.

Reiter says that it is understandable people are worried about getting infected with the bird flu, but there have been under 1,000 reported cases over the last 20 years.

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With that in mind Reiter advises people that, If you see a wild bird that isnt looking so well, definitely do not touch them, do not approach them, call the department of environmental conservation, or call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you.

According to USDA data, the most recent report of bird flur was on Aug. 1, 2025, with three dairy milking cows becoming infected with avian influenza in California.

The total outbreak in the U.S. leaves the top five states including California with 771 last updated on Aug. 1, 2025; Idaho with 107 last updated on May 21, 2025; Colorado with 64 last updated on Aug. 13, 2024; Michigan with 31 last updated on Jan. 21, 2025; and Texas with 29 last updated on May 12, 2025.

Additionally, Jacob Reiter says that wild animals such as foxes or bobcats have also been infected. These animals become infected after consuming a bird that was sick with avian influenza.

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The same experience and cases also go for predatory birds like raptors, eagles, hawks, or falcons. These animals are not catching the disease passively, as other birds like waterfowl, but they are catching it by consuming a bird that had the bird flu.

Reiter adds, avian influenza is transmitted primarily through fecal matter. Waterfowl species like ducks and geese feed in close proximity to where they defecate.

The same goes for domestic farms with chickens, turkeys, and cows. Cows feeding in close proximity to where chickens and turkeys defecate have a high chance of becoming infected with avian influenza. This is the number one way that avian flu is transmitted. So coming in contact with infected birds fecal matter is like the number one way it is transmitted bird to bird, and bird to animal, and in the handful of cases, bird to human also, Jacob Reiter says.

Recovery can happen for bird species, but when it comes to mammals infected with bird flu, like dairy cows, it can quickly be deadly.

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In those cases, to make sure there are no viruses, pasteurizing milk is an option to prevent the possibility of avian flu contamination.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has an I Bird NY challenge that ends on November 1, 2025. The challenge is that if the public sees any sick or dead bird, to make a report to the DEC.

During this challenge, Reiter explains that he has not seen or heard of any mass reporting of avian influenza recently throughout the summer of 2025.

Jacob Reiter adds that this past spring, they sent out a lot of information to licensed wildlife rehabilitators about avian influenza due to the large number of cases that were reported.

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Reiter has not heard of an increase in cases, which leads him to believe that there have not been a massive number of infections.

He has not heard of or seen any reports come in yet, but it is still also early in the fall migration, and things may change the further into the migration we get. Nothing of mass reporting as of yet, and that could change, Reiter said.

Reiter says many people are concerned about having bird feeders on their property. In terms of transmitting it between birds during that migration time, maybe take your bird feeder down for a couple of months during migration; and put it back up after maybe in December, that is not a place where we have seen huge spreading events, but it definitely could have the potential to be that in the future.

He also adds that while there is not a huge public health risk from wild birds, it is definitely something to keep in mind.

When going near or picking up random birds, it is not recommended without first consulting the Department of Environmental Conservation or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) -A blast at a factory in the Russian region of Ryazan on Friday killed 11 people and left 130 injured, Russia's emergencies ministry said on Saturday.

In a statement on Telegram, the ministry said rescuers were continuing to search through rubble at the scene of the blast, 320km (198 miles) southeast of Moscow.

Ryazan region governor Pavel Malkov said on Friday that the incident had been triggered by a fire breaking out inside a workshop at the factory.

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There was no cause given for the fire, not was it clear what the factory produced. Ukrainian drones have previously targeted military and economic infrastructure in Ryazan region.

Some Russian media outlets reported that the explosion was caused by gunpowder catching fire.

(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Felix Light)
Brenda Nicholson waited in the Nordstrom fitting room, listening intently as the staff described the colors, textures and cut of the outfits hanging on a rack.

She typically gravitates toward clothing with pops of color, but this time Nicholson selected a gold, mesh-embroidered dress that cut down to her ankles. She chose the outfit based on the staffs vivid description and the way it felt when she touched the material.

When a partially blind models eyes cant help, she must rely on her other senses  touch and hearing, in this case  to help ready her for the runway.

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Nicholson was one of 10 visually impaired models who walked in the Beautiful Lives Fashion Show earlier this month at the CD Peacock Mansion in Oak Brook. The inaugural event celebrated the idea that everyone can enjoy clothing  even if they experience it in a different way than most.

Good fashion feels like the textures that send tingling sensations through your fingers, said Beautiful Lives Project co-founder Bryce Weiler, who has been blind since birth. Textures mean something.

The shows models were students at the Chicago-based Illinois Center of Rehabilitation and Education-Wood, which offers vocational and life skills training for blind and visually impaired adults. Students can receive instruction on everything from cooking and computers to reading braille and crossing eight-lane streets.

The event gave many participants their first exposure to modeling  something several said they had never considered.

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Is the runway ready for me? model Monty Rogers, who lost his sight more than three years ago, asked his fellow models.

Rogers said he has always had a sense of style. Prior to selecting his runway outfit, he wore a patterned kilt with pride colors and knee-high socks.

A former telephone engineer and photographer, Rogers motioned to his outfit: I still have aesthetics, he said.

Rogers, who feels almost all his clothes before buying, selected jeans and a striped, navy blue sweater with a soft jacket. The sweaters collar, lifted and distinct from the sweaters main material, framed his neck, which was accessorized with a thin chain.

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Im blind as hell and Im still a fashionista, he said.

In a vacation vibe salmon shirt with khaki pants, Lawrence Lacy made his runway debut alongside experienced model Jennifer Cruz, the reigning Mrs. Illinois International 2025. Moments before walking, Lacy, whos blind, gave Cruz tips on one aspect of runway modeling that she had never encountered: how to be his guide.

On a daily basis, Lacy said he uses the application Be My Eyes, to assist in planning outfits. The app helps users who are blind or have low vision by providing visual descriptions of daily tasks such as navigating unfamiliar surroundings and explaining the color of an object.

From his clothing needs, Lacy uses the Be My Eyes to match outfits to a hanger, including specifics, like the color (patches) on his socks, he said.

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Prior to the show, runway walkers filled out surveys, describing the styles, textures, feelings and colors they wanted to showcase most. The shows organizer, 16year-old Aria Holtzman, then worked with the Nordstrom staff to select outfits that matched the models personal style.

A lot of models wanted patterns, Holtzman said.

Holtzman also accessorized the outfits with shoes and jewelry, borrowed from CD Peacock, to complete the looks.

The Hinsdale teen, who is beginning her junior year at Culver Academies in Indiana, came up with the idea for the show after attending a summer camp at Vogues New York office. She came home inspired to make fashion accessible for everyone regardless of their abilities or medical conditions. With the support of her father  CD Peacock Chairman Steven Holtzman  she teamed up with Weiler and the Beautiful Lives Project.

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Along with Beautiful Lives Project co-founders Weiler and Michael Gudino, Holtzman worked with CD Peacock interior designers to make sure the event space resembled a runway and was clear of obstacles that could prove difficult for models and spectators as they moved around the mansions first floor. She also ensured the 6-foot-wide runway was wide enough for both the models and their escorts.

With just 39 days to put on the show, Holtzman wrote the script and served as the evenings emcee. She also encouraged the models to make their own personalized introductions before they headed down the runway.

After Holtzman introduced Lacy, he took the microphone and offered a short message of appreciation. He thanked the ICRE-W program and the Beautiful Lives Project for transforming me into the person you see before you.

Just know that anything that you love, that gets a little help, you can be a part of, he told the audience.

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Rogers, during his runway walk, sang a rendition of Feeling Good to the spectators delight.

Monty lives his life knowing that the only thing he cant do is see,  Holtzman told the audience. But Roger wasnt the only model with a talent to display.

Nicholson, who lives in downstate Bellview, was the nights last model, concluding her walk with a dance to Rebirth Brass Bands Do Whatcha Wanna. Before her stepping onto the runway, organizers reminded her of the songs six-minute duration,

I can do it, she said without hesitation.

Nicholson substituted her white cane for a translucent umbrella as the music played. The audience rhythmically clapped to keep the beat.

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Although the music was cut off by applause before the full song could end, Nicholson said she was born dancing to this. She could do it in her sleep, she said.

The models kept their Nordstrom clothing, which had been purchased for them by the Holtzman family.

Although this is the first fashion show the Beautiful Lives Project participated in, Weiler said he hopes for other opportunities like it.

We are surrounded by people who want to help (others) live out their dreams, he said. To help you to find employment, and to say that there are no barriers that can hold someone back with a disability.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  Stevenson Elementary School started its school year off right with 100 members of the community coming together to support the students.

Todays our first day with students, first grade through fifth grade. We celebrate with 100 caring adults, where our community comes out and helps support the first day of school, letting students know that not only do we have a supportive staff, but we also have the community thats there to support us as well, said Lynn Shook, principal at the school.

The support from the community helps the children feel less scared for the first day. After all, they are meeting new people and having new experiences all at once, it can be pretty scary.

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When they first get here, theyre looking, what are all these people doing here? But they quickly changed to a lot of smiles and high-fives and the excitement of not only starting the first day, but a community that rallies around them I think means a lot to them, said Barry Reilly, executive director for the Promise Council.

Members of the Promise Council in Bloomington, the Bloomington Fire and Police Department, as well as the mayor, all attended to help make this first day of school special.

Everything starts with a foundation of a good relationship, and this just starts to enhance that. I have no doubt when they get in that building, when they start to interact with the teachers and the staff here at Stevenson, that foundation starts to develop even better, Reilly said.

This isnt just exciting for the kids, but the parents too, knowing their kid is going into a supportive and loving school.

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I think its a powerful thing for a parent. It makes you feel good about the school community that youre a part of, said Shook.

This school year, Stevenson is going to keep doing what they have been doing, since it has been working for them so far. They will also be adding an inclusive playground to campus.

Were going to keep doing what weve been doing. The things that weve been doing have been working, and our teachers work very well together, said Shook. We are really excited that we are getting a new inclusive playground built in the back of our school. Thats a long time coming.

Since the school has six self-contained classrooms for special needs, this playground will allow everyone to have fun during school.

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DURANGO, Colo. (KRQE)  Officials said evacuations for a fire that started early Friday afternoon for residents in southern Colorado have been lifted. The Blue Ridge Fire burned three to five acres and, as of 3:30 p.m., had begun to move northeast away from homes.

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Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said he thinks President Trump was manipulated at the Friday Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin doesnt want a deal. He doesnt want peace. And the only way to convince him to stop this diplomatic rope-a-dope, playing the President, delaying any kind of ceasefire, is through strength, Blumenthal said during a Friday appearance on CNNs AC360.

Providing [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky and Ukraine the kind of military arms they need, the interceptors for their patriot systems and more of them, the missiles they need, the long-range artillery, and scorching sanctions in the Graham-Blumenthal bill now on the floor, he added, referencing his sanctions bill with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

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Trump said Fridays bilateral meeting was productive but said before any agreement is determined, peace points must be sorted out. Zelensky is also slated to visit the White House on Monday.

Still, both Russia and Ukraine have pressed ahead with fatal strikes.

On Thursday, Ukraine launched a drone attack on southern portions of Russia while the Kremlin overtook front lines in the eastern Donetsk region earlier this week.

Blumenthal, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in May, said his stomach turned when Trump referred to Putin as a friend on Friday.

Nothing came out of this summit. It was a nothing burger. It was a shrug of the shoulders. But I will tell you, Anderson, my stomach turned when I heard the president of the United States characterize Vladimir Putin as his fabulously good friend, Blumenthal told anchor Anderson Cooper.

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Vladimir Putin is a war criminal. He has directed soldiers to kill women and children and bury them in mass graves. Hes kidnapping children as we speak, the Connecticut Democrat said.

Blumenthal introduced a bipartisan measure with Graham to punish Russias trading partners, including China, Brazil and India for purchasing oil from Putin.

The president has held off on financial rebukes on Russia, but did increase tariffs on India amid the turmoil in Eastern Europe.

Meanwhile, Graham on Friday predicted that the war will end before Christmas if Trump and Putin meet with Zelensky.

If in fact there is a trilateral meeting between President Trump, President Zelensky and Putin, then I am cautiously optimistic that this war will end well before Christmas, the South Carolina Republican said.

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The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility has dismissed a complaint against Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk after a nine-month investigation into recorded conversations.

Funk came under fire in 2024 following an investigation into audio and video recordings of criminal defense attorneys through government-purchased surveillance equipment around 2020 through 2021.

Funk's attorney, Greg Reed, of Murfreesboro, said a letter from the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility cleared the Nashville District Attorney of all wrongdoing June 17.

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Comptroller spokesperson John Dunn said his office stands by its investigation, released Sept. 24, 2024. It found former DA employees told investigators it was "common practice" to turn on the audio and visual recording equipment before defense attorneys arrived and extract the recordings after they left to be provided to prosecutors or office staff handling the criminal case.

The comptroller's investigation suggested the practice may have run afoul of constitutional provisions and Tennessee law requiring at least one party to be aware of audio recordings of conversations.

Reed said the Board of Professional Responsibility decided to dismiss the complaint at the request of a board investigator.

"It's a resounding victory for General Funk, if you can have a victory after going through a nine month investigation," Reed told The Tennessean Aug. 15.

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In an Aug. 15 statement through Reed, Funk said he is "pleased the matter is concluded and he is not surprised by the decsion of the board."

In September, Tennessee Attorney General Johnathan Skrmetti declined to prosecute Funk.

While declining to pursue charges, Skrmetti said in a letter he was "particularly troubled" by audio recordings in places where defense attorneys converse with clients, especially in the Crimes Against Children room.

"This practice could under certain circumstances implicate a defendant's privilege or Brady rights," Skrmetti wrote. "While we have no evidence that these recordings were reviewed or used for any improper purpose, you should consider whether you or your subordinates have any duty to report or disclose past conduct regarding that practice or any other potential violation of your ethical obligations."

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Reed said it was not clear who filed initial complaints that launched the investigation.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville DA Glenn Funk cleared by state board in recording case
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  WSAV has acquired the body cam footage of the Southwest pilot that was arrested and charged with DUI in January 2025 at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

The incident resulted in the pilot being booked into the Chatham County jail and the flight being delayed for five hours on Jan. 15.

A complaint was made against Allsop during crew member check-in, according to an incident report said. When the airport police officer arrived, Allsop was seated in the cockpit performing pre-flight checks for a flight from Savannah to Chicago.

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Allsop was removed from the aircraft at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and taken to the Chatham County jail. He was also removed from duty a Southwest representative told WSAV in January.

He was charged with driving under the influence, according to jail records, and released on a $3,500 bond.

David Allsop, Chatham County Sheriffs Office

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GILGIT, Pakistan (AP)  A rescue team from Pakistan and Nepal has retrieved the body of a Chinese climber who was killed on K2, the worlds second-highest peak in northern Pakistan, a regional government spokesman said Saturday.

Faizullah Faraq, spokesman for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, said the body of Guan Jing was airlifted by an army helicopter from K2s base camp after a team of mountaineers brought it down.

Jing died Tuesday after being struck by falling rocks during her descent, a day after she had reached the summit with a group of fellow climbers.

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Faraq said her body was taken to a hospital in Skardu city and would be sent to Islamabad after coordination with her family and Chinese officials

Karrar Haidri, vice president of the Pakistan Alpine Club, said the body was retrieved after days-long efforts, during which one of the rescuers was injured and airlifted by a helicopter.

K2, which rises 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level, is considered one of the worlds most difficult and dangerous peaks to climb.

Jings death comes more than two weeks after German mountaineer and Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier died while attempting another peak in the region.
NEED TO KNOW

Olasinmibo Sinmi Abosede was last seen walking away from her Naperville, Ill., home on July 30, police said

She apparently left behind her wallet and cellphone, authorities added

On Aug. 14, police said the clothing on a body found at a forest preserve matched what Abosede wore when she was last seen

Police in Illinois said that a body found in a forest preserve may possibly be that of a woman who went missing late last month.

Authorities earlier said Olasinmibo Sinmi Abosede, 46, was last seen on July 30, at about 9:20 a.m. local time, walking away from her Naperville, Ill., home on the 2100 block of Sudbury Street.

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A systematic search was conducted on Aug. 4 that involved 40 trained volunteers, K9 teams and drone operators, police said.

On Thursday, Aug. 14, the Naperville Police Department confirmed in a news release that authorities were summoned to a trailhead at the southwest corner of Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve following the discovery of a dead body.

Officers arrived on scene and were led through a dense area of high grass to the body," the statement read. "The clothing of the deceased matched the clothing that Olasinmibo 'Sinmi' Abosede was last seen wearing. At this time we continue to believe that no foul play is suspected.

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Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said that while authorities believe that the remains belong to Abosede, the DuPage County Coroners Office will make the formal identification.

We are deeply saddened by this loss and extend our sincere condolences to the Abosede family during this difficult time, Arres stated, per the departments news release. Thank you to everyone in our community who assisted with this investigation and for your care and concern. We ask that everyone keep the family in your thoughts and respect their privacy during this difficult time.

The department added that it is assisting the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Police, which is leading the investigation.

Police said at the time of Abosedes disappearance that she had on a long-sleeve black Adidas jacket, grey sweatpants, a black head scarf, and black Crocs. The department added that she apparently left behind her cell phone, credit cards and other personal items.

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Abosede is a married mother of four, ABC affiliate WLS reported, which added that her family asked the public for help in determining her whereabouts on Friday, Aug 8.

"Her love, unwavering faith in God and devotion to our children have been the foundation of our family," said Gbenga Abosede, Olasinmibos husband, at the time. "She's a gem of a woman."

St. Raphael Catholic Church in Naperville said in an earlier Facebook post during Abosedes disappearance that she was a parishioner, calling her a devoted sister of Christ. Amid the polices announcement about the discovery of the body, the church stated in a Thursday update that its thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.

Our hearts go out to Sinmis family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, Forest Preserve District Police Chief David Pederson said in a press statement. We will continue to work closely with the Naperville Police Department and the DuPage County Coroners Office to ensure this investigation is thorough and respectful.

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Police said the Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve remains open to the public and that there is no threat to safety.

Those with information about the case are asked to contact police@dupageforest.org.



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Rescue workers have retrieved the body of a woman from under the rubble of a residential building in the Mezhova hromada in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast after she was killed in a Russian guided bomb attack on 14 August. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Details: Lysak reported that throughout Saturday 16 August, Russian forces attacked the Nikopol district with first-person view drones and artillery, bombarding the Nikopol, Marhanets, Pokrovske, Chervonohryhorivka and Myrove hromadas. The strikes damaged company premises, infrastructure and vehicles and caused four houses to burn down.

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The Russians used guided aerial bombs and drones to strike the Mezhova and Novopavlivka hromadas in the Synelnykove district, damaging residential buildings, a gas pipeline and infrastructure facilities.

Background: On the morning of 15 August, two law enforcement officers were killed in Sviatohirsk in Donetsk Oblast during a patrol when their car came under fire from Russian forces.

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Bizarre bodycam footage has been released showing a Democratic candidate in the South Carolina gubernatorial race going on a profanity-filled rant from the back of a patrol car, calling himself "Superman" and "God," while making threats toward public officials during an arrest in May.

The footage shows William "Mullins" McLeod, an injury attorney, semi-naked with beads of sweat running down his face, going on an unhinged rant for around 35 minutes after he was charged with disorderly conduct by the Charleston Police Department after a May 14 incident.

McLeod was wearing only underwear and shoes at the time, according to a report by the Charleston Police Department obtained by Fox News Digital.

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Nancy Mace Accuses Gop Rival Of Child Sex Crime Leniency As Blistering Sc Gubernatorial Race Heats Up

The footage came to light soon after he announced his candidacy, although the incident was reported locally at the time. The South Carolina Democratic Party has called on him to drop out.

The video starts with McLeod rambling about class-action lawsuits and little money going to victims before an officer asks him for his name, but he refuses to comply.

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"I tell you what, Superman sounds good. I'm Superman," McLeod says.

The officer offers up the name John Doe, to which McLeod agrees.

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"You know what? John Does fine. John Does fine. I don't give a f---," McLeod says. "Just get these shackles off of me, you call me whatever you want to. I dont care. Just get this s--- off, get me out of this car, my name doesn't matter."

William "Mullins" McLeod's mugshot after being arrested in May

Later on in his rant, McLeod said, "I dont care what you call me, call me God. You think I give a f---?"

During the profanity-laced tirade, McLeod threatened several current and former South Carolina politicians, including Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson, who launched his gubernatorial bid earlier this summer.

"Im gonna kick your f---ing teeth in," McLeod barked, apparently referring to Wilson while claiming the political system is corrupt.

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He also made bizarre references to Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who is also in the race and to President Donald Trump, saying the president "would not be able to take you out," which was also aimed at Wilson.

He is also heard using racial slurs.

Jacksonville Mayor Says Viral Police Punch Video 'Disturbing' As Probe Moves Forward

McLeod also refused to get out of the patrol car when it arrived at a jail, instead telling an officer hell "sleep right here" in the back seat, video shows.

"No, Im not doing it, no. Im not getting out of this car. Its time to go to bed," he shouts at the officer.

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Police said McLeods eyes were "extremely bloodshot and highly dilated," and he was sweating profusely.

"It should be noted that R/O (responding officer) knows these symptoms to be typical of an individual under the influence of a stimulant narcotic due to his training and experience," the report says.

"Additionally, while in intake, the offender continued to ramble incoherently and at one point lashed out and kicked another prisoner."

McLeod was taken into custody after officers saw him walking along a seawall and promenade yelling loudly and waving his arms, according to the police report. Officers said they could hear him from a block away and ordered him to place his hands behind his back, at which point he began yelling louder and locking out his arms.

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"Due to the male offering fake names, as well as not having a physical ID, he was placed under arrest and booked into ACDC (Al Cannon Detention Center) as John Doe," the police report says.

At a bond hearing after his arrest, McLeods lawyer told a judge the erratic behavior stemmed from a mental health episode and exhaustion, according to reports.

McLeod in the back of a police cruiser in May.

Fox News Digital reached out to McLeod for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Christale Spain, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, said in a statement Wednesday McLeod should reconsider his candidacy.

"After reviewing the transcript of the dashcam footage from his recent arrest, it is clear that Mr. McLeod is navigating profound challenges and should focus on his mental and emotional well-being instead of a campaign for governor," the statement said. "We offer him compassion and pray he finds the support he needs."

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McLeod founded the McLeod Law Group in Charleston and has fought cases involving toxic torts, civil rights violations, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, nursing home abuse and commercial negligence, according to his campaign website.

He is scheduled to hold a press conference to address the incident and made it clear he is not backing out of the race, South Carolina Public Radio reported. McLeod says the arrest was unlawful and that portions of the dashcam video were released to damage his recently launched campaign, according to the outlet.





Original article source: Bodycam footage shows Dem South Carolina gubernatorial hopefuls rant, calling himself Superman and God
UPDATE: This boil water advisory has been repealed as of 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Following an intense flushing of the distribution system, water samples for bacteriological

testing were collected on August 16th and analyzed by Breezy Hill Laboratories on August 17th.

The results of the sampling indicate that the water is safe to use for drinking and cooking

purposes, a statement from Breezy Hill Water & Sewer Company reads in part.

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. (WJBF)  Breezy Hill Water & Sewer Company has issued a boil water advisory after a main break interrupted service Friday, August 15.

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Customers in the following neighborhoods are asked to vigorously boil water for at least one full minute before drinking or cooking until further notice:

Sir Barton Loop

Count Fleet Court

Whirlaway Road

Justify Loop

Omaha Drive

Blenheim Court

The company says there is no confirmed contamination, but the service interruption could allow it, so the advisory is being issued as a precaution. Any ice made with unboiled water should also be discarded.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services is working with the utility to resolve the issue.

Questions about the advisory can be directed to Breezy Hill Water & Sewer at (803) 663-6455, option 2.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Former national security adviser John Bolton on Friday shared his analysis following the roughly three-hour meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, doubling down on his prediction that Putin would ultimately win.

I think Trump did not lose, but Putin clearly won. Trump didnt come away with anything except more meetings, Bolton said during an appearance on CNNs OutFront with host Erin Burnett. Putin has, I think, gone a long way to reestablishing the relationship, which Ive always believed was his key goal.

He added that the Russian leader has escaped sanctions. Hes not facing a ceasefire. The next meeting is not set.

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Prior to the closed-door summit, Bolton said Putin would walk away with the upper hand from the meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.

Others, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, painted the meeting between Trump and the Russian leader as a photo-op and argued that without trilateral participation, no ceasefire proposals could be finalized.

Zelensky was not told any of this before this press conference. Its far from over, Bolton told Burnett. But Id say Putin achieved most of what he wanted. Trump achieved very little.

And I will say one other thing. I thought Trump looked very tired up there. I mean, very tired, he continued. Not disappointed, tired. And well have to reflect on what that means.

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Following the summit, the president said he had an extremely productive meeting, but acknowledged that it did not end with a ceasefire deal. He later hosted a call with NATO and European leaders to debrief them on the face-to-face session with Putin, their first since Trump returned to the Oval Office.

Trump added that in the end, it would be up to Kyiv and Moscow to come to a deal.

Its a terrible war where both are losing a lot, it would be a great achievement for them, forget about me, he said of ceasefire talks during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity following the summit.

I would also say the European Nations, they have to get involved a little bit, the president told Hannity. And if theyd like, Id be at that next meeting. Theyre going to set up a meeting now  not that I want to be there, but I want to make sure it gets done. And we have a pretty good shot of getting it done.

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Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet at the White House on Monday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Here at the Made In Hawaii Festival, it is not all about shopping, but of course it is a big deal.

Worth the wait: Shoppers brave long lines for local finds

The other component is coming from the vendor side of this.

Now, there might be a lot of vendors and small businesses or interested entrepreneurs who are watching this and wondering, what is the best way to approach an event, but of course, with a big event like this, to try to optimize and make as much money as possible.

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Well, we are here with one of the vendors to hopefully tap into her brain and get some of the tips that she uses.

Giselle Santana, owner of Honolulu Baby Company, along with a couple of other brands that are also here.

How long have you been in business?

So, I have been in business for over 15 years. This is our 12th year at the Made In Hawaii Festival so we are really excited to be here, says Santana.

Walking down the aisles, I see everyone setting up their booths different.

Some have their tables up closest to the aisle, so allow guests to come in through, some have more fixtures than others.

For you, what has been the best strategy for how to make your booth the best to lead to the most sales?

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I think, for me, I like to keep in mind visibility, says Santana.

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Of course, when you are in a big market like this, there are a lot of vendors so having our sign up high that people can see it. Also, making it spacious because we have a lot of customers who have strollers so they can come in and look around. And then organizing everything so their know where to find what they are looking for.

You have different brands as mentioned.

You have Mama Kine Tings across the aisle from here, Olelo With Me is another.

Do you set up each differently or what is your approach to that?

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Yes, we kind of keep the same things in mind, says Santana.

Visibility, easy for the customer. But then, each company has their own strengths and things that we want to highlight so a little bit different.

If you have a tip for someone who is an up-and-coming entrepreneur, what would your tip to them be?

My tip would be go to a market before you are going to do it, says Santana.

So, if your goal is to do the Made In Hawaii Festival, come and visit it, look around, take some notes and then go home and plan for when you are ready to apply.

You know, it is those kinds of things that are super important and valuable.

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We may not think of that, but again, coming from the entrepreneur, those little things could make the biggest difference in terms of sales.

Here at the Made In Hawaii Festival, over 33,000 tickets have been sold already throughout this weekend.

So, you are going to want to come down.

Tonight will be up until 8 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There are some new things this year, including indicators on the ground and flags indicating the different booth numbers.

Also, when you come into the loading zone in the front, we do have a brand new kupuna drop off that makes it much easier for them.

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Check out more news from around Hawaii

For more information about the Made In Hawaii Festival, click here.

For more on Honolulu Baby Company, 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 KHON2.
A top Customs and Border Protection official is pushing back against California Gov. Gavin Newsoms allegations that federal agents staged an immigration raid to coincide with his rally in Los Angeles.

CBP El Centro Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino dismissed Newsoms comments as a political "tantrum."

"Does the governor or Mayor Bass, when they have these meltdowns, these tantrums like that, do they want those individuals walking the streets," Bovino wondered Friday on "Americas Newsroom."

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"Where's the outrage [when] there are Tren de Aragua members walking with impunity on the streets of Los Angeles, or child rapists, or a whole litany of other bad people and bad things, bad criminals walking the streets of Los Angeles?"

Los Angeles Mayor Calls Federal Authorities Source Of 'Disorder' After Ice Raid Outside Gov. Newsom Event

California Governor Gavin Newsom alleges federal immigration raids in Los Angeles were timed to coincide with his rally, while CBP officials dismiss the claims as a political "tantrum."

Federal agents conducted immigration enforcement operations across the city Thursday while Newsom held a press conference outlining the states plan to redraw congressional maps.

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During his remarks, the governor shifted to discussing the Trump administrations deportation agenda, and claimed dozens of agents were positioned just outside the event.

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"Do you think it's coincidental?" Newsom asked the crowd.

Newsom Escalates Trump Immigration Feud With Foul-mouthed Insult

"Donald Trump and his minions, Tom Homan, tough guy, decided, coincidentally or not, that this was a location to advance ICE arrests. Indiscriminate? Perhaps. We'll find out later."

Bovino and other officials, such as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, insisted the raids had nothing to do with the governors public appearance.

"We absolutely targeted all of Los Angeles yesterday," Bovino admitted, adding that 40 law enforcement teams were deployed throughout the city to go after criminal migrants.

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He claimed that not far from the governors location, a suspected member of Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational gang from Venezuela, was arrested. That suspect was allegedly the main target of the operation.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also confirmed on "America Reports" Thursday that information about the suspects is what spurred the raid.

Gov Gavin Newsom: Trump Is Trying To Destroy Our Democracy. Do Not Let Him

"Every single one of our ICE and border patrol operations is built on information. On investigative work. Its a case and an operation that has been planned because of who they think could be in that area and what they have for information that shows that there are illegal criminals there."

Gregory Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector and Commander-Operation At Large CA (center), marches with federal agents to the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building after US Border Patrol agents produced a show of force outside the Japanese American National Museum where Gov. Newsom was holding a redistricting press conference on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Bovino stressed that these types of arrests and raids have been ongoing in Los Angeles.

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"We have hundreds of law enforcement officers conducting that mission every day in Los Angeles. I know the governor said the time and the location," he said, addressing Newsoms claim.

"The time is every time. And the location is everywhere. That location's [going to] be where we think we need to go, anywhere, anytime, to effectively conduct that mission."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Newsoms office responded in all capital letters: "WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY WEAK LITTLE DONALD TRUMP, THE CRIMINAL PRESIDENT!"





Original article source: Border official fires back at Gavin Newsom's political tantrum' over immigration raids in Los Angeles
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments made by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

European leaders backed U.S. President Donald Trumps efforts to end Russias war in Ukraine after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, but stressed that Ukraine should decide the fate of its borders.

The joint statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and European Council President Antonio Costa was published on Aug. 16, shortly after European leaders joined Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky on a phone call.



During the call, Trump said that reaching a "fast peace deal" will now be the goal of further negotiations, rather than a ceasefire, which his administration has been pushing for for months.

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"As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelensky, whom he will meet soon. We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelensky toward a trilateral summit with European support," the joint statement by European leaders reads.



Zelensky will meet the American leader in Washington on Aug. 18 to discuss an end to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky also said he agreed to Trump's proposal for a trilateral talk between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia. It's not clear when a trilateral meeting might take place. Putin's aide told Russian state media that such a meeting wasn't discussed in Alaska.



European leaders said Ukraine must have "ironclad security guarantees" and backed Trumps statement that Washington is prepared to give security guarantees.



"No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine's pathway to the EU and NATO," the statement reads.

"It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force."

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas told reporters in writing Aug. 16 that Russia "has no intention" of ending its war anytime soon.

"Even as delegations met, Russia launched new attacks on Ukraine. Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing," Kallas said.

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She called for more pressure on Russia, saying "Moscow won't end the war until it realizes it can't continue."

"European security is not up for negotiation. The real root cause of the war is Russia's imperialist foreign policy, not an imaginary imbalance in the European security architecture," Kallas added.

Tusk said that Putin "has once again proved himself to be a cunning and ruthless player."

"The game for the future of Ukraine, the security of Poland and the whole of Europe has entered a decisive phase. Today, it is even clearer that Russia respects only the strong," Tusk wrote on X.

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Following the Alaska summit with Putin, Trump said that the two leaders had "largely agreed" on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine. He had previously mentioned that Ukraine and Russia should "swap" land in the leadup to the summit although it was not clear what exactly he meant.



A source in the Ukrainian Presidential Office earlier told the Kyiv Independent that Moscow's proposal would require Kyiv to withdraw from the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in exchange for a Russian pullback from parts of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.

Zelensky has firmly rejected the possibility of handing additional Ukrainian territory over to Russian occupation as part of a peace deal, insisting on establishing a ceasefire as the first step in any negotiations.

After the call, Trump dismissed the idea of a ceasefire agreement, claiming they often "do not hold up," in a post on Truth Social. Instead, he said Moscow and Kyiv should go directly to a peace agreement.



Trump praised the summit and said he and Putin agreed on many points, although no agreement to end the war was reached. He also walked back his sanctions threat, saying there would be no new ones for now.



European leaders, on the other hand, said they would continue to put pressure on Russias war economy and strengthen sanctions "until there is a just and lasting peace."

Read also: Clearly 1:0 to Putin  European officials react to Alaska Summit

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
DORCHESTER, Mass. (WWLP)  A Boston man is the fourth and final winner of the grand prize in the $4,000,000 Monopoly Doubler instant ticket game.

Spirit Halloween opening in these locations in western Massachusetts

William Darden of Boston visited the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester on Thursday to receive his winnings. He chose the annuity option on his prize, receiving the first of 20 annual payments of $200,000 before taxes.

Courtesy of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.

Darden said that he plans to use his winnings to buy a dog, a car, and a trip to Europe. He bought his prize ticket at Winners Corner, located at 2302 Turnpike Street in North Andover. The store will receive a bonus of $40,000 for its lucky sale.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
A superyacht docked in Clayton, New York, received mixed reactions from locals and tourists due to its enormous size.

As 7 News reported, the superyacht was docked in Clayton for most of July, raising eyebrows among the local community.

The presence of the vessel wasn't welcomed by residents because it blocked the view of the waterfront and was in the way of the fireworks held there on July 4.

The Elysian superyacht is 217 feet (66 meters) and belongs to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry. Despite its unpopularity among locals, it generated a significant amount of money for the area, yielding at least $20,000 for the village.

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Some tourists also loved the presence of the yacht and were excited to see it.

"It's huge," said visitor Sam Henning, per 7 News. "It's crazy."

Superyachts like these have been gaining a lot of attention due to their increasing size and the humongous amount of waste they generate. They burn a lot of fuel and significantly contribute to harmful, planet-warming pollution.

On top of this, many of these floating mansions have air conditioning, swimming pools, and a lot of staff, which further adds to the energy needed to run them.

A study carried out by Oxfam in 2024 looked at 23 superyachts owned by billionaires and estimated the average annual carbon footprint of each of them to be around 6,252 tons (5,672 tonnes). To put this into context, it would take an average person 860 years to produce the same amount of pollution.

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The luxurious lifestyles of the rich and famous produce a significant amount of planet-warming gases every year. This includes travel on superyachts and private jets.

Reducing luxury emissions like these could go a long way toward lowering pollution globally and cooling down the planet.

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D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) wrote a letter to local residents Friday seeking to quell anxiety over the Trump administrations federal takeover of Washingtons law enforcement.

Under a provision in the districts Home Rule Act, President Trump earlier this week deployed National Guard troops and federal officials to patrol the streets in the nations capital. Bowser has blasted the move as unsettling and unprecedented.

It has been an unsettling and unprecedented week in our city. Over the course of a week, the surge in federal law enforcement across DC has created waves of anxiety, she wrote in the memo. I was born one year before Home Rule became law, and while our autonomy has been challenged before, our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now.

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My jobs are many right now. Part of my job is just managing us through this crisis and making sure that our government continues to operate in a way that makes DC residents proud, she added. The first day of school is just over a week away, and our kids deserve a strong and joyful start to the year no matter what is happening in our city.

The president said his goal is to crack down on violent crime in the city  despite data showing the crime rate decreasing  but local residents have been seen protesting the administrations efforts in recent days.

Bowser in her letter vowed to defend the autonomy of Washington, including the local police department.

We know that our access to democracy is different than anywhere else in America, she wrote. That said, while our Home Rule is limited, we still have rights as American citizens and we still have powers of local self-government.

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The comments come after the Trump administration made waves Thursday after announcing Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief Terry Cole would take over the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) as emergency police commissioner.

Following a lawsuit brought on by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, alleging the Justice Department (DOJ) overstepped its authority, the administration walked back the effort.

The mayor celebrated the decision in her letter to residents and praised MPD Chief Pamela Smith for her resilience.

I am pleased to be able to report that, after a day in court and in accordance with Home Rule, Pamela Smith remains our Chief of Police, in command and control of the 3,100 men and women at the Metropolitan Police Department. I am incredibly proud of how the Chief has handled this experience, she wrote. Our city has also spent more than two decades building trust between MPD and the community, and it is important to all of us  and to the safety of our city  that we keep that trust.

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Bowser concluded the memo by touting a list of the citys accomplishments and commended the residents for always sticking together.

And what I have seen over this past week is a city that knows how to stick together, the mayor continued. I know that if we keep sticking together, we will make it to the other side of this, we will make future generations of Washingtonians proud, and we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy  even when we dont have full access to it.

She also received flack days earlier for leaving D.C. amid the turmoil  a trip she said was to pick up her daughter from summer camp. While out of town, federal forces began cleaning out local homeless encampments.

Trump also announced a plan to work with GOP lawmakers in Congress to approve a joint resolution to extend the federal takeover of MPD beyond the 30 days allotted in the Home Rule Act. Democrats have also introduced a separate bill to relinquish Trumps authority over local police.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Bradford is set to host the first Great Northern Day, which will celebrate all things northern.

The event will be held at Darley Street Market's courtyard on August Bank Holiday Sunday, offering food, drink, music and art.

Visitors can also take part in shaping the Flag of the North, a new banner to represent the area. The campaign launches at the Bradford event, with attendees invited to submit their ideas.

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The final design will be decided after collaboration with universities and communities across the North and Scotland and the final flag will be revealed at Great Northern Day 2026.

Russell Bisset, founder of Northern Monk, said: "The North is the UK region with the strongest sense of identity and pride but still, it has no shared moment or symbol to celebrate what makes it so special.

"So as a tribute to the people, places, and culture that shape the North, we've created, and will be creating, two things we hope will last.

"The Flag of the North  a symbol of Northern unity, resilience, and pride  and Great Northern Day, a celebration of everything that makes the North, the North."

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The launch event line-up includes music from across the North  brass bands, DJs, Bhangra and Northern Soul.

Northern art market and creative workshops curated by Mek Summat and northern-inspired clothing and merchandise will also be on offer.

Local Democracy Reporting Service there will be music from Punjabi Roots, City of Bradford Brass Band, Back Chat Brass, Jordan Wilson (Northern Soul) and the No Hands DJs.

Regional brands such as Seabrook Crisps, Bundobust, Northern Monk brewery and Great North Pie Co are set to feature in the celebration.

Bradford Council's Alex Ross-Shaw said he was delighted the company chose Darley Street Market to host the inaugural event.

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"The main activity will take place in the courtyard and our Darley Street Kitchen will be open as usual," he said.

"Our near neighbours on North Parade will also be holding their street party on the same day, so there's plenty of fun to be had in the city centre."

Running from 11:00 to 19:00 BST, the event will be free to attend.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro left his home where he is under house arrest to undergo medical exams on Saturday, weeks before the Supreme Court rules whether he is guilty of plotting a coup.

The right-wing firebrand is accused of attempting to hold onto power despite his 2022 electoral defeat by current leftist leader, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro, 70, has been under house arrest since early August for violating a judicial ban on using social networks to plead his case to the public.

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A judge agreed to temporarily lift that measure so he could get medical attention for what Bolsonaro's attorneys said were gastrointestinal problems resulting from a 2018 stabbing attack while he campaigned for president.

In particular, their request noted his chronic "reflux and hiccup symptoms" and need to go to hospital for tests, including an intestinal endoscopy.

Doctor Leandro Echenique told journalists outside the hospital that the tests showed Bolsonaro recently had two bouts of pneumonia.

"He is making a good recovery," the doctor added.

Claudio Birolini, who was Bolsonaro's surgeon from 2019 to 2022, said "everything is in order," but the ex-president continues to suffer from inflammation of the esophagus and some reflux.

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"The fact that he is home now hinders his physical activity a little, so we are suggesting that he intensify his weight training exercises...because he cannot walk, he cannot do anything like that," the surgeon said.

- Supporters turn out -

Bolsonaro arrived on Saturday morning at a medical center in the capital Brasilia, where he briefly greeted around 20 supporters waiting for him outside with Brazilian, Israeli and US flags.

"We believe that Jair Bolsonaro will be president of Brazil in 2026," Marcia Maria, a supporter waiting outside the hospital, told AFP. "The people demand it."

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The former president did not address journalists who were also gathered. He then returned home.

Brazil's Supreme Court will begin deciding on September 2 on the coup attempt charges against Bolsonaro, who led Latin America's largest country from 2019 to 2022.

He faces up to 40 years in prison if found guilty.

Bolsonaro has maintained his innocence and earned support from US President Donald Trump, who has called the trial a "witch hunt."

Citing Bolsonaro's "politically motivated persecution," Trump has signed an executive order slapping 50 percent tariffs on many Brazilian imports.

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TUPELO  Glenn Dawson has gone through four vans, countless tires and covered thousands of miles bringing seafood from the Gulf Coast to Northeast Mississippi.

What started as a roadside stand selling shrimp has evolved into a storefront  Ocean Fresh Fish Seafood Market  that's now celebrating its 10th year.

"We opened on Labor Day weekend. We learned a lot of things to do and a lot of things not to do," Dawson said. "We weren't sure if a seafood market in Tupelo would go over, but here we are, 10 years later."

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Ocean Fresh is located 620 North Gloster Street, in the small shopping plaza across the street from Woodys. Coincidently, it was in the empty parking lot next to Woody's where his business began.

"I started out roadside, across the street," Dawson said. "In the beginning, I was just selling shrimp. But then people started asking for oysters and crab and other stuff."

He sold seafood at the spot for two years, traveling back and forth to the coast each week. His van and trailer carried coolers full of seafood, including shrimp, oysters, blue crab, and fish like grouper, redfish and swordfish and more.

The requests and growing demand for fresh Gulf seafood necessitated a bigger location, and when the opportunity came to get the spot, Dawson grabbed it.

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Living around the world

Fresh seafood has been Dawsons lifelong passion, having spent his formative years traveling around the world.

While Dawson was born in Chicago, his father was a missionary.

"I grew up in Africa and then my father had the opportunity to work for the U.S. Embassy, Dawson said. Our first post was in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Six months later we were in the south of France. Every year we'd come back to the states a while. I was in Congo; Cameroon; Tanzania; Haiti; the Bahamas; Quito, Ecuador. I lived in a lot of places that had a lot of seafood."

After all those travels, Dawson moved to Tupelo in 1986. He was working in the furniture industry in Memphis but was sent to Tupelo to work at a furniture center that did repairs. After about 18 months, he started looking for another job in sales, and got one with WTUP.

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That started a 25-year career in radio, but then after getting disabled he found his calling with selling seafood.

"All roads lead to here," he said.

And how it has become a weekly routine that has gone unchanged for 12 years.

"I go to the Gulf Coast every week; I head down Saturday night and I'm in the fish markets on Monday," Dawson said.

On Sunday, he's planning out his day and checks on when he needs for the store. His first stop on Monday is at Pass Christian, where he picks up oysters, followed by Gulfport for grocery items and a visit to the seafood market for specialty items and fish and shrimp. Then it's Ocean Springs for blue crab.

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"I haul it all back on Tuesday," Dawson said. "It all starts with delivering blue crab all through the Golden Triangle and then up to Tupelo, where I have a few deliveries."

Making deliveries along the way

Tuesdays are long days for Dawson; he starts at midnight, and by the time he's done making deliveries to several restaurants and other customers, it's midnight.

Then the doors to Ocean Fresh Fish Seafood Market are open Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..

Woody's and Holland's Bar and Grill in Tupelo are among the restaurants that have oysters packed fresh at the processing plant the previous day to be delivered by Dawson.

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"Of course we have Gulf-fresh shrimp, crabmeat, live blue crab," he said. "We also have another source for seafood shipped to us with deliveries made on Thursday. We'll have stuff from all over the world, but predominately the Gulf and the eastern seaboard. We'll get some West Coast stuff, too.

"We'll have sea bass from Chile; halibut and salmon from Alaska; amberjack, redfish, speckled trout and all types of fish from Biloxi and that we can get shipped in. We've got scallops from Massachusetts, he said.

Live lobster is available by special order. Calamari, clams and mussels are available frozen or fresh by special order as well. And last year, Superior Catfish began making fresh catfish deliveries to the store.

"It's been a great marriage," Dawson said.

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Following the dream

Call it a vision or a dream, but Dawson was destined to open a store, eventually.

The dream involved him working in radio and getting seafood on the coast.

"It was an ongoing dream every night," he said. "And it was sequential for several nights in a row. The dreams would end but would pick up where they left off. Some of them were a bit abstract, but the dreams I knew had a purpose."

After all those dreams, he went to Biloxi to explore and do some research. He decided to start selling fresh shrimp at a roadside spot in Tupelo before anybody else got the idea.

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"I started doing that, and Power 101 asked me to sell part-time for them. I told them, just pay me in advertising," he said. "And that just tied in to the dreams I had in the beginning."

He started hauling seafood in two or three coolers at first; now he has dozens that are filled each week.'

"I started in a minivan and now I have a full-sized van," Dawson said. "I've been through a few transmissions, too. And that's what I'm doing now  working on a transmission."

With all those round trips to the coast, Dawson would do well to get a larger vehicle.

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Having a larger box truck would be ideal, but he said the cost to operate one is a little too much, at least for now. A larger Sprinter van would be an improvement as well, but those, too, can get pricey.

'It's not like I'm a big operation; I just go down by myself in my Chevy Express van, and load it up," he said. "I've made over 600 trips to the coast, and I go through a set of tires every year."

Dawson has driven nearly a half-million miles bringing the Gulf to Northeast Mississippi, but said he has no complaints whatsoever.

"I've really enjoyed doing it, and I've truly been blessed," he said. "I appreciate all the customers who have patronized me all this time and continue to do so."
Have you ever been injured by a Union flag? Has one, for example, mugged you at knife-point for your iPhone 16? Or perhaps a gang of teenage Union flags, out of their minds on weapons-grade skunk, have ambushed you as you walk home on your own after dark?

Im relieved to say that I for one have never suffered any such misfortune. But then, I dont live in Birmingham. And it would seem that the Union flags up there are an awful lot deadlier than the ones down my way in Kent.

Lately, in Englands second largest city, patriotically minded residents have taken to hanging Union flags from lamp posts  in order, they say, to show Birmingham and the rest of the country how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements. The Labour council, however, is taking the flags down  because, apparently, theyre dangerous. According to a spokesman, People who attach unauthorised items to lamp posts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.

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To me, at least, this seems a puzzling claim. Still, for the sake of argument, let us assume that these councillors mean well, and that theyre motivated not by Britain-hating wokery, but by an innocent if slightly excessive desire to protect residents safety.

Even so, can they really not see how their actions could backfire?

Put it like this. At the meeting where the decision was made, Id like to think at least one councillor had the sense to say: Hang on a moment, comrades. Isnt there just a tiny risk that people might misinterpret this? Across the country there are protests against asylum seeker hotels, public fury about crimes committed by illegal immigrants, and a growing sense that Britain is a tinderbox that would need just the tiniest spark to go up in flames. Against that backdrop, how do we think people will react if they read that a Labour council has ordered the removal of British flags?

Do we think theyll all nod, and say, Fair enough. British flags are indeed very dangerous, even when gently fluttering 25 feet above ones head? Or will it reinforce their conviction that a) this country is run by people who despise it, and b) they now live in a two-tier society, because, in the very same week, their council has chosen to light up the Library of Birmingham first in the colours of Pakistans flag, and then the colours of Indias flag, in order to celebrate the anniversary of those two countries gaining independence from this one?

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Obviously we cant say for sure. In the current climate, though, I just think it might be wise to hold off. We may think that hanging Union flags from lamp posts is terribly dangerous. But removing them may be more dangerous still.

In defence of the graveyard fat tax

Then again, there are times when I feel councils should resist public pressure. Take, for example, this weeks extraordinary row over a graveyard fat tax.

Councillors in Wolverhampton were planning to charge hundreds of pounds extra for obese peoples graves  on the grounds that their burial plots have to be wider. But, after an outcry from local people, theyve backed down. To me, however, the idea seemed perfectly sensible.

As the Telegraph reported in November last year, Britain is running out of room for burial plots as it is. So the wider our graves become, the worse this crisis will grow.

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Something must be done to save space  and charging per inch would surely help. Obese people who dont wish to lumber their families with higher fees will naturally make a greater effort to lose weight. Which, in turn, will make them less likely to need a grave at all. Or at least, less likely to need one so soon. Everyone wins.

Baby talk

Last week the Mirror website reported that a criminal had been handed a two-year suspended sentence. The headline described the criminal as a woman. Beneath that headline, however, was a photograph, showing that the woman in question had pink hair  and a beard.

These days, of course, theres nothing remotely unusual about Left-wing news outlets referring to male criminals as women, if that is how the criminals say they see themselves. The only reason I draw attention to this particular story is that the criminal, who is 46 years old, also happens to be a self-professed adult baby diaper-lover. Apparently, the court was told that such people like to wear nappies not out of any medical necessity, but because they are regressing to childhood, in search of a gentler, more carefree time.

This intrigued me. Because, if a man who chooses to dye his hair pink must be described as a woman, shouldnt a man who chooses to wear Pampers be described as a baby?

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For the sake of consistency, the Mirror should surely have reported that the two-year suspended sentence had been handed to a newborn baby girl. Stating that a crime committed by an adult was committed by a baby is no more absurd than stating that a crime committed by a man was committed by a woman.

And anyway, its important to be inclusive. In due course, I feel sure, our streets will be filled with placard-wielding progressives chanting that adult babies are babies, and calling for the right of every 46 year-old to enrol at his local creche.

Way of the World is a twice-weekly satirical look at the headlines aiming to mock the absurdities of the modern world. It is published at 6am every Tuesday and Saturday

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 woman who claimed she was raped in Britain by American sex offender Nicholas Rossi has accused the Crown Prosecution Service of not doing its job after it refused to prosecute him.

Rossi, 38, who faked his own death in 2020 and fled to Britain in order to avoid charges against him in the US, was convicted of rape in Utah this week.

But the CPS has declined to prosecute over a former girlfriends allegations he raped her at her home in Chelmsford, Essex, in 2017, saying there is insufficient evidence.

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The woman, named only as Michelle, began a relationship with Rossi in 2017 after meeting on an online dating app.

We cannot prove rape

She said he claimed to be a Harvard-educated political lobbyist, and once they were in a relationship, he demanded she buy him an iPhone, give him money and never wear trousers.

Rossi is accused of tracking her whereabouts and raping her in her own bedroom, after which she threw him out and reported him to the authorities. But after an Essex Police investigation, the CPS decided not to prosecute him.

We cannot prove that [Rossi] was aware that you did not want to have sex with him at the point of penetration despite your earlier refusal and the fact that you were not actively participating in the intercourse, Helen Walsh, the district crown prosecutor, wrote in a letter dated July 24, according to The Times.

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I appreciate that you will be very unhappy and distressed that this case could not proceed but I am grateful that you felt able to raise your concerns.

Rossi has denied the accusations.

Michelle told the newspaper: I am very happy that Nicholas Rossi has been found guilty of rape in Utah, But I am shocked, distressed and angered that no action will be taken in my case in the UK.

It feels to me like the CPS are blaming the victim rather than doing their job. The authorities in the US believed the woman, took action and secured a unanimous conviction despite similar amounts of evidence existing in both cases.

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I am deeply concerned for other rape survivors in England who are fighting for justice and are reliant on receiving support from the CPS.

Rapist identified on Covid ward

Rossi, originally from Rhode Island, was arrested in Glasgow in 2021 while receiving treatment for Covid-19 after hospital staff recognised his distinctive tattoos from an Interpol red notice.

He insisted he was Arthur Knight, a disabled Englishman who was being framed for the crimes.

But he was extradited after a Scottish court ruled he was Rossi and on Wednesday, he was found guilty by a court in Salt Lake County, Utah, of raping his former fiancee. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

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A spokesman for the CPS said: Our prosecutors take the greatest care when examining allegations of rape  looking at the facts of each case in detail.

After a careful review of all the materials in this case, we concluded there was not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of securing a conviction.

A request to review this decision led to a second prosecutor reviewing the case, who reached the same conclusion, and we wrote to [Michelle] to explain our decision-making.

We consistently charge around seven in 10 of the rape cases passed to us by police, but we recognise there is more we can do in partnership with police to build the strongest possible cases from the outset.

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 brother of the missing woman featured in the hit Netflix docuseries "Amy Bradley is Missing" spoke with Fox News Digital to disclose further information in the case that was not discussed on the show.

Amy Bradley has been missing for 27 years since she vanished from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas just before it docked in Curacao on a March 1998 vacation. The documentary sheds light on Bradley's case - from the circumstances of her disappearance, to witness sightings, to her family's grueling decadeslong quest for answers about what exactly happened to her.

The series focuses heavily on Alister "Yellow" Douglas, referred to only as Yellow by those familiar with the case, who was the bassist in the cruise ship's band and is the Bradley family's top suspect in her disappearance.

Amy Bradley has been missing since 1998.

Amy Bradley Case Hinges On 'Somebody Remembering' As Investigators Hunt For New Leads 27 Years Later: Expert

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On the night of March 23, 1998, Amy and her brother, Brad Bradley, stayed up late partying aboard the ship. Amy was seen dancing with Yellow, who had taken a keen interest in her, in the Blue Orchid Lounge, a dance club on the ship's upper deck.

Around 3:35 a.m. on the morning of March 24, Brad returned to the family's cabin to relax, followed shortly thereafter by Amy, who retired to the room only about five minutes later. The pair spent time on the balcony of their room, smoking cigarettes and talking until Brad went to bed.

Read On The Fox News App

At 5:30 a.m., Ron Bradley, Amy and Brad's father, woke up and saw Amy asleep in a lounge chair on the balcony. The balcony door was closed.

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Around a half-hour later, Ron checked on Amy again, but she was gone. The balcony door was slightly ajar and her shoes and the yellow shirt she had been wearing were still inside the room.

Brad Bradley's sister Amy has been missing since 1998.

Young Crewmember Murdered Aboard Luxury Superyacht In Paradise Destination

The Bradley's then started a frantic search for Amy, alerting the ship's crew that she was missing. Royal Caribbean said all the rooms and public spaces on the ship were checked, but Amy was not found.

The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard searched for Amy for four days to no avail, and the FBI was dispatched to investigate.

"Let me preface by saying we are forever grateful to Ari Mark and Phil Lott," Brad Bradley told Fox News Digital, referring to the film's producers and directors. "The producers did an amazing job. We're very happy with the show and how much attention it's garnered around the world. I mean, I've said on many interviews, it has literally single-handedly revitalized [Amy's] name around the word."

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When asked what he wished to convey that was not seen in the documentary, Brad immediately honed in on the FBI's investigation, or in his view, the lack thereof.

Amy Bradley and her brother Brad.

"Making people understand, in my opinion, the failure of the FBI in our case to do their due diligence to investigate the case properly and thoroughly," he said when asked what he wishes more people knew about the case.

Brad said that the FBI immediately dropped the ball on the investigation, beginning with the most basic investigative procedure: establishing a timeline of the disappearance.

Just before 6:00 a.m. on March 24, two women named Lori and Crystal, who were sitting on the deck of the ship, watched Amy and Yellow ride a glass elevator up to the Blue Orchid Lounge. That was around the time Ron noticed Amy was missing from the ship.

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Tourist Who Missed Norwegian Cruise Ship Discovered Dead On Mountain Trail In Alaska

They reported seeing Amy with a camera, and Yellow handing her a brown drink. Soon after, the women said, Yellow briskly walked past them alone. They were two of the last witnesses to see Amy alive.

They returned to their room just a bit later and were let in by one of the girls' mothers. Since they did not use a key to get into the room, there was no certain way to know exactly what time they entered, which is critical to piecing together when exactly Amy disappeared.

Ron Bradley's daughter Amy has been missing since 1998.

"On the Netflix series, you'll hear the agent from the FBI say, 'unfortunately, we weren't able to corroborate their timeframe,' essentially in kind of a dismissive way," Brad said.

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"But we found and have, through even very recent conversations in the past week, my mom has spoken with the mother of one of the two girls who let them into their room just after 6 a.m.  and the FBI never questioned her on the boat, and they never have questioned her to this day. They never interviewed her," he continued.

"And again, after speaking with the mother the other day, she remains adamant that she let them in just after 6 a.m., and they were out at the time they said they were," Brad said.

American Cruise Ship Passenger Disappears After Hiking At Summer Vacation Destination

Also, Brad continued, there was a third witness, who was not mentioned in the documentary, around the 6:00 a.m. timeframe to see Amy.

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The third witness, named Elizabeth, later testified before a grand jury that she saw Amy and Yellow in the lounge and watched Yellow make Amy a brown drink. She said she then watched the pair move out of her line of sight, according to Brad.

Then, according to Brad, she testified to a shocking detail that has not widely been made public.

"And then she says a young girl about 18 or 19 years old, she suspected  comes out of the back yelling senorita kidnap, senorita kidnap, more than one time," Brad said.

Amy Bradley.

The Bradleys are currently attempting to locate Elizabeth in hopes of gathering more information.

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Further, Yellow approached Brad at about 7:30 a.m. as he sat on the deck of the ship. Brad was dejected as the immediate search for Amy was unsuccessful.

He says that Yellow apologized to him about his missing sister, before any public announcement had been made about Amy's disappearance.

"I don't know, but I think [Yellow] went and handed [Amy] off to somebody who took her down into the crew quarters," Brad said, positing a theory about the disappearance. "The two girls that, on the outside, that saw him go up the elevator with her, said that he came down some minutes later by himself and walked directly past them, never looked at him, when he'd been trying to holler at them previously."

Over the years, there have been several sightings of a woman believed to be Amy.

Amy Bradley and her brother Brad.

Tourist Judy Maurer said in the documentary that she witnessed a woman she believed to be Amy while in a public restroom in Barbados, before three men allegedly escorted the woman away.

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Madeleine Mccann Search Resumes As Suspect's Prison Release Looms After Years Behind Bars

David Carmichael, a Canadian diver, also said in the docuseries that he may have seen Bradley while visiting Curacao , adding that she was "flanked by two people," one of whom he suspected was "Yellow." Another Curacao sighting was reported by Navy veteran Bill Hefner, who believes he saw a distressed Bradley at a taboo local bar, but did not report it because of fear of reprisal from his military superiors.

From 2002 until 2008, risque photos bearing a striking resemblance to Amy surfaced on the website of what appears to be a now-defunct Venezuelan tourist escort resort, according to a blog dedicated to finding Amy. Those photos were featured in the docuseries.

Other theories have also been posited about her disappearance, mainly that she either fell off the balcony accidentally or jumped off intentionally. The Bradley family vehemently denies either of those explanations.

Tourist Judy Maurer said she believes she saw Amy Bradley in a public restroom in Barbados.

In his heart of hearts, Brad knows Amy is still alive, and so does the rest of the Bradley family.

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"My parents and I have shared kind of an unexplainable gut feeling in this sense that she's still out there, and I don't know how to better explain that to people or make it more relatable, because it's an unrelatable kind of thing," Brad said.

"People just don't understand how we could possibly feel like that, and I can't really explain it, but we do, we've all shared it, we've never talked about her in the past tense."

Royal Caribbean did not return a comment request. Neither did Yellow.

The FBI declined to comment.





Original article source: Brother of woman who vanished from cruise 27 years ago reveals critical third witness
New surge in misleading ads about diabetes on social media poses a serious health risk

A recent surge in misleading ads and AI-generated videos on social media and other online sites promoting bogus diabetes products, treatments and cures  often using fake endorsements, including from my organization Diabetes Canada  poses a serious health risk to people living with diabetes.

So far this year, Diabetes Canada has heard from at least 300 people who saw or bought fake products like smart watches claiming to non-invasively track blood glucose levels or purported GLP-1 oral drops  GLP-1 medications are commonly used to help control blood glucose levels and promote weight loss.

While online scams are not new, the peddling of counterfeit or unapproved diabetes products is alarming given that millions of Canadians rely on them to manage the chronic condition.

The calls and emails we have received at Diabetes Canada are likely just the tip of the iceberg given the popularity of social media in Canada and the prevalence of diabetes.

Over four million people in Canada have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is a complicated condition that requires regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.

Devices like blood glucose meters  they employ finger pricks to draw blood for testing  and continuous glucose monitors  which use a sensor placed under the skin to track blood glucose levels  alert individuals if their blood glucose levels become too low or too high  problems that could lead to a health emergency.

While the federal government requires that diabetes devices and medications be approved by Health Canada before being sold here, this has not stopped unscrupulous sellers from promoting counterfeit or fake products online.

Some misuse logos to falsely claim they are endorsed by Health Canada or Diabetes Canada. Yet, Diabetes Canada does not endorse any diabetes-related medical products or devices as a policy.

As someone who lives with type 2 diabetes, I know how upsetting it would be to purchase a fake product and then learn that it was a scam.

Buying counterfeit or unapproved products not only puts people out of pocket for the cost of devices or medications that might not work as advertised, but they also pose serious health risks.

Taking unauthorized diabetes medications or using a device that gives false blood glucose readings or fails to give readings at all can lead to life-threatening health emergencies.

While Health Canada has issued warnings about unauthorized products, including an alert about unauthorized blood glucose-reading smart watches, ads for them continue to pop up on social media  we recently flagged nearly 30 versions of an ad for removal on Facebook and Instagram.

The problem extends beyond Canada. Last year, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration warned about smartwatches and rings that claim to measure blood glucose without piercing the skin. Recently, it issued an alert about illegal online sales of unapproved versions of GLP-1 drugs.

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Diabetes U.K. recently released a warning about misleading ads on social media falsely using its logo to promote unauthorized bracelets claiming to burn fat and balance blood sugars.

Artificial intelligence tools are being employed to create deepfake videos impersonating health care experts and celebrities to promote diabetes supplements. Actor Tom Hanks has warned about an AI scam that falsely portrays him as promoting a cure for diabetes.

Diabetes Victoria in Australia released a statement last year alerting people about a fake AI-generated video circulating on social media that seemingly showed health experts from an internationally recognized medical research facility promoting a diabetes supplement as an alternative treatment.

The fake ads and AI scams are pervasive. While Diabetes Canada reports them to the appropriate agencies and officials, it is like playing Whac-a-Mole. Every time we get a social media platform to remove an ad, another one pops up.

Adding to the problem is the misinformation about diabetes cures, treatments and management that proliferates online. It spreads inaccurate information about diabetes that jeopardizes the health and wellness of those living with the condition.

People with diabetes and those who care for them can protect themselves from online health misinformation and scams by remaining vigilant when scrolling on social media. Be alert to the misuse of logos and AI deepfakes falsely claiming endorsements. And most importantly, when considering any changes in medication, devices or treatment, always consult your health care provider first.

When coming across online ads or videos touting diabetes products or treatments, always remember the golden rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Laura Syron is president and CEO, Diabetes Canada.
The nation is still trying to make sense of the brutal Idaho killings, and so is one person who never expected to be connected to the case at all: Bryan Kohbergers former professor.

In a chilling twist nobody saw coming, criminology expert Dr. Katherine Ramsland has revealed she once taught the man now sentenced to life in prison.

Ramsland also said shes still desperately searching for answers.

How Bryan Kohbergers Former Professor First Realized Something Was Wrong

MEGA

Ramsland has spent her entire professional life studying the darkest criminal minds.

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Still, nothing prepared her for the horror of realizing one of her own students had become a killer. Im horrified that I had a student capable of such violence, she admitted in a chat with the Daily Mail.

After learning Kohberger had been sentenced to life in prison for the vicious murders of four University of Idaho students, she says she was left stunned and heartbroken.

I dont know why he did it. I just cant even speculate why, she continued, emphasizing the victims families should remain the central focus.

I think the most important thing is we have four families with murdered kids, and we dont understand why this had to happen. I think theyre the focus, what theyre going through is horrifying. I hate that I am in any way associated with it, Ramsland added.

Bryan Kohbergers College Years And the Disturbing Shadow They Now Cast

MEGA

Long before the headlines, Kohberger was a psychology major on the forensics track at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.

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He graduated in 2022 with a masters degree in criminal justice after studying under Ramsland, one of the countrys top experts on serial killers.

He took her courses on infamous murderers and real-life crime scene investigation.

After graduating, Kohberger moved across the country to begin a PhD in criminology at Washington State University.

Just five months later, in the early morning hours of November 13, he entered a home near the University of Idaho and brutally stabbed Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin to death.

Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 and later pleaded guilty to the murders. On July 23 of this year, he was sentenced to life in prison.

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He has still never revealed his motive for the attack, and investigators have found no known connection between him and the victims.

What Bryan Kohbergers Essays And Online Activity Secretly Revealed

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Even though Kohberger hasnt spoken publicly about his motives, chilling details from his past academic work started to emerge.

In one 2020 criminology essay, he described a womans murder in unsettling detail, which prosecutors recently cited as proof of how deeply he had studied crime scenes.

In another shocking moment, Kohberger posted a survey on Reddit asking criminals how they chose their victims and how they felt while committing their crimes.

Expert witnesses also said his electronic devices contained extensive research about famous killers.

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Two former classmates told the Daily Mail they now fear his studies may have actively inspired him to kill.

However, as Ramsland cautiously explained, Theres so much we dont know.

Why Kohberger Still Haunts His Former Professor

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Ramslands own work on serial killers is highly respected. She even interviewed BTK killer Dennis Rader for five years and wrote a bestselling book based on their conversations.

However, being connected to Kohbergers case has been uniquely painful.

She refuses to describe her direct interactions with him due to privacy rules but revealed her last contact with him came when he requested a letter of recommendation before the murders.

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Everything was wiped, she said, referring to data on his phone that prosecutors say he tried to erase. Was there stuff on his phone that would have revealed [something]? I dont know.

Ramsland also admitted she hasnt spoken to Kohbergers family and has no idea whether they would want to talk to her, though she left the door open.

If they wanted to talk to me, I would talk to them, she said, adding that she had talked with victims families in her BTK research.

She confessed she hates the word closure because theres no such thing in cases like this. There will always be a terrible hole, she said. Theres a lot of pain.

Dr. Ramsland Admits She Wants Answers

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Despite the emotional toll, Ramsland says she still hopes someone, possibly even herself, will eventually be able to study Kohberger in depth.

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I have said I want someone to study him  it doesnt have to be me. I would love to know, because to be true to my profession, I would love to know more, she stated.

When asked what she would most want to ask him, she didnt hesitate, as she said, What everybody wants to know, Why did you do this? But thats not how you approach it.

She says that any real insight would only come after long-term conversations and the building of trust.

If you want to know what was going on in any offenders mind, it takes time. It takes a sense of trust. I spent five years with Dennis Rader, she explained. You have to be willing to listen, non-judgmentally, to build a sense that they feel safe saying it.

For now, the question remains unanswered, and perhaps thats what makes it even more terrifying.
The Idaho Department of Corrections is investigating viral videos showing Bryan Kohberger in prison.

While it remains unclear whether these videos are authentic or AI-generated, officials stated that if proven real, those responsible would be held "accountable," which could include termination of employment.

Bryan Kohberger is currently at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, where he is serving four life sentences for the murder of four Idaho University students.

IDOC Promises Consequences If Bryan Kohberger's Prison Videos Are Authentic

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

The spotlight on Bryan Kohberger shows no signs of dimming, as viral clips allegedly from inside his cell have been making the rounds online.

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In one of the clips, the convicted murderer can be seen pacing around his cell while dressed in his prison clothes.

The appearance of these videos has now compelled the Idaho Department of Corrections to launch an investigation, and they promised strong consequences for the parties involved if the footage was real.

"We are aware of the videos circulating online and are investigating the matter. While we cannot yet confirm the veracity of the videos, if verified, they are a clear violation of IDOC policy and the parties responsible will be held accountable, up to and including termination," the agency said in a statement.

In its statement, the agency also did not rule out the possibility that the video may have been created or altered using AI and warned the public to keep that in mind.

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The clip has since gone viral on social media, with one of the individuals who posted the clip on TikTok stating that the murderer looked "bored" while criticizing the seemingly comfy setting of his room.

IDOC Claims They Warned Staffers Not To Share Security Footage

It appears the IDOC had anticipated the risk of staffers leaking prison footage, as their statement revealed that prior warnings had already been issued to employees.

First, an email was sent to staffers on July 23, the same day Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the Idaho murders.

Another email was reportedly sent on July 25. In both instances, IDOC leadership reminded employees of the institution's "policies and expectations concerning professionalism and the appropriate use of technology and social media."

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IDOC also stated that, as part of their policies, staff are never allowed to videotape or share security footage.

They now intend to review all legal options, including criminal prosecution, if the investigation determines the videos are real and were leaked from the prison.

Additionally, the agency affirmed to the public that the "safety and security" of staff and prisoners is its "top priority."

Ada County Sheriff's Office Confirms The Videos Were Not From Its Jail

Ada County Sheriff's Office/MEGA

On social media, several netizens speculated about which prison the video may have originated from.

Kohberger is currently being held at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution following his sentencing, but had previously spent time at the Ada County Jail and the Latah County Jail during the course of the murder case.

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Among the many suggestions, some individuals were adamant that the clips were from the Ada County Jail due to the size of the cell.

However, the Ada County Sheriff's Office refuted the speculation in a statement on their Facebook page.

"We are aware of the video footage circulating online showing Bryan Kohberger in a cell. We can confirm it was not recorded at and does not feature the Ada County Jail," read the statement.

Bryan Kohberger Has Suffered Taunts From IMSI Inmates

MEGA

Amid the drama surrounding the leaked videos, Kohberger has had a rough start to his life sentences.

Earlier reports obtained by NewsNation revealed that the convicted killer has been the subject of a taunting campaign by inmates at IMSI.

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These inmates allegedly make noise into the vent connected to Kohberger's cell and take turns doing it, ensuring he is constantly being tormented.

Due to the harassment, Kohberger has been left frustrated and extremely annoyed, and he has complained to officials about losing sleep.

Officials Have Assured That The Idaho Killer Is Safe Despite His 'Complaints'

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

However, while officials have acknowledged the harassment in a statement, they appear disinterested in resolving the situation.

"We are aware of Kohberger's complaints about what he considers taunting," the Idaho Department of Corrections said in a statement, per The Blast.

"Incarcerated individuals commonly communicate with each other in prison. Bryan Kohberger is housed alone in a cell, and IDOC security staff maintain a safe and orderly environment for all individuals in our custody."
NEED TO KNOW

Bryan Kohberger was seemingly seen inside his prison cell in a newly leaked video that has launched a police investigation

The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) said the clip could be "fake or AI-enhanced"

Kohberger was convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students

Police are looking into a video that seemingly shows Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students, in his jail cell.

The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) issued a statement on Friday, Aug. 15, after the video circulated online. Authorities said they are aware of the clip and investigating the matter.

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The short video, which is angled from above, appears to show Kohberger, 30, in a cell, wearing a white shirt and black pants.

The subject walks from one side of the jail cell to another, and then places an item on top of a makeshift rack.

The IDOC said that they are unable to confirm the veracity of the videos," adding that they could be fake or AI-enhanced.

Authorities also said that should the videos be found to be legitimate, then the parties responsible violated IDOC policy and would "be held accountable.

Sarah A. Miller/For ProPublica/Tribune News Service via Getty A photo of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. A photo of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.

According to the IDOC, leadership has sent two emails to staff on July 23 and July 25, reminding them of their policies when it comes to the appropriate usage of technology and social media.

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Videotaping and publicly sharing security footage is prohibited conduct and we will be reviewing all legal options, including criminal prosecution, the IDOC said in its statement. The safety and security of our staff and incarcerated population remain our top priority.

On the same day, the Ada Sherriffs Office (ASO) in Boise shared a statement online, stating that they were also aware of the footage circulating online.

The department confirmed it was not recorded at and does not feature the Ada County Jail, which is where the convicted killer spent time prior to his sentence.

After his sentencing, Kohberger was transferred to a maximum security prison located near the city of Kuna.

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According to a recent report from the Daily Mail, Kohberger complained to prison guards about being taunted by fellow inmates.

Chris McDonough, a retired homicide detective who now works for the Cold Case Foundation, told the outlet that the inmates are tormenting him at night and almost all hours of the day through the vents in his cell.

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.

Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty An image of Idaho Maximum Security Institution's C Block, where civil commitment patients are held. An image of Idaho Maximum Security Institution's C Block, where civil commitment patients are held.

A spokesperson for the IDOC told PEOPLE in a statement: "We are aware of Kohbergers complaints about what he considers taunting. Incarcerated individuals commonly communicate with each other in prison.

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"Bryan Kohberger is housed alone in a cell, and IDOC security staff maintain a safe and orderly environment for all individuals in our custody," the spokesperson added.

Kohberger was sentenced to four lifetimes in prison without parole after confessing to the murders of the four students: Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.

The four were found brutally stabbed to death inside a Moscow home on Nov. 13, 2022.



Read the original article on People
A Broward Sheriffs Office deputy shot and killed a man in Cooper City Saturday afternoon after responding to reports that the same man had just shot himself, officials say. The mans mother and a deputy were both taken to the hospital.

A little after noon, deputies received a call about a man who had shot himself in the 10200 block of Griffin Road in Cooper City, the Broward Sheriffs Office said in a news release. BSO deputies and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to the scene and found the injured man. When a deputy approached the man to try to help him, the man attacked him, leading the deputy to shoot him.

Paramedics tried to perform lifesaving measures on the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said.

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The mans mother was also at the scene, and paramedics transported her and a deputy to the hospital, according to the release. Neither was shot. The release did not provide further details about their injuries.

Officers had roped off a McDonalds in the area and were investigating inside Saturday afternoon.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrived at the scene and is investigating the shooting, the Sheriffs Office said.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Next steps are being taken in the search for a new president at Binghamton University.

Harvey Stenger had been BUs president since 2012 and announced last year that he would retire after the academic year. The University is currently searching for its eighth president and has narrowed it down to three candidates.

Final interviews are currently underway where the finalists are meeting with SUNY Chancellor King and his senior staff along with the SUNY Board of Trustees.

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A final decision on who the next Binghamton University president will be is expected to be made this month.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)  The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office is warning against scammers targeting St. Joseph residents, claiming to be deputies or police officers.

The scammers are telling residents they have missed court and that a warrant is out for their arrest.

They're also asking residents to go to the Law Enforcement Center and are using the names of Command Staff Members. Scammers will then ask you to call a phone number to pay.

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The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office Facebook page states,

Members of the Sheriff's Office and law enforcement in general DO NOT call our citizens and ask them for money over the phone for warrants."

Buchanan County's Sheriff Puett urges people to keep their personal information to themselves.

"We can always remind our citizens, please do not give personal information, any social numbers, date of birth, anything to anyone. said Puett.

Law enforcement in general will not ask you for money over the phone involving warrants or for missing court.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Caddo Parish Schools acknowledges the inconvenience some families in the district have experienced regarding school bus pickups, and by increasing transparency and onboarding more drivers in the coming weeks, they hope this school year shows it.

Thousands of students line up at bus stops across the parish, but for some concerned parents, the wait has been much longer than expected. Jeff Roberts, Director of the Caddo Parish Schools Department of Transportation, explained the factors that cause some routes to operate later than scheduled.

If were subbing a route, then that time could be different, and as parents contact us for sub route information, we do have a live link every day on the transportation website. Find my sub bus coverage. It will assign to let the parents know which bus has been assigned to cover those routes, said Roberts.

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Roberts said the district does not have a driver shortage the way they have in previous years. Competitive wages and training are part of their plan to attract permanent drivers instead of substitutes, which ensures routes are staffed year-round.

So were not really in a shortage position as we have been in the past. I think our salary and some of the incentive programs that we put in place for our drivers have really attracted them to Caddo, along with certain stipends that they received throughout the year as well. Those drivers have to complete x number of hours on the bus training, during routes, loading, and unloading students, said Roberts.

Another concern parents expressed was communication, particularly the ability to track buses in real-time, especially when substitutes are on the route.

We have sent out spreadsheets to every school, every principal, every assistant principal, the superintendent, the coo, everybody has full transparency of what routes are being covered, who theyre being covered by arrival times, those types of things, so that none of this is, is counted against the student as far as, an unexcused tardy, said Roberts.

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The department is working on improving and fixing inaccurate stop locations in its system. For now, parents are urged to check updates on the districts website and report any delays.

The transportation department says theyre still recruiting drivers for more accurate pickup times.

The exciting news in this department is that next week, on Monday, the 18th, we will have two additional drivers assuming the role, the permanent position on the 20th, two more on the 21st, eight drivers coming out on the 22nd, another one, 25th, four and on the 28th, three more drivers, said Roberts.

To find your childs bus stop and pick up / drop off times, click Find My Bus Stop on the Caddo School 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 KTALnews.com.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office will host an orientation on church safety on Thursday, September 18th, at University Church of Christ in Shreveport.

The free course will be led by the Sheriffs Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. This course is designed to prepare churches, synagogues, and mosques for potential active attack situations and other hazardous dangers like severe weather.

Instructors will cover Louisiana laws on concealed carry in religious settings, procedures for carrying concealed weapons, emergency planning, and security recommendations for places of worship.

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The orientation begins at 6 p.m. at 2045 East 70th St. Additional training sites will be announced.

No registration is required to attend.

Bossier sheriff hosts first youth shooting charity event

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
CALCUTTA, Ohio (WKBN)  The Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its first Italian Festival on Saturday.

It runs from noon to 10 p.m. in the Dunhams Plaza on Route 170 in Calcutta.

There will be music, food, games and ice-cold drinks, plus AC units and fans to keep you cool.

A free shuttle will also run visitors to local restaurants.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CALHOUN COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A 24-year-old Calhoun County man was killed in a motorcycle crash early Saturday morning, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Hunter Ramsey, of Wellington, was fatally injured when the Yamaha motorcycle he was riding departed the roadway and crashed. It happened around 12:49 a.m. on Nisbet Lake Road near Pleasant Valley Road.

Alabama troopers seeking information on crash that killed pedestrian

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Ramsey died at the scene. Troopers with the ALEA Highway Patrol Division investigated the crash.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
We are now waiting for sentencing in the Sean (P. Diddy) Combs trial. Onlookers reading about the trial could have various thoughts. Thoughts about how power corrupts behavior. Thoughts about how men manipulate women through violence and sex. There could be schadenfreude. There could be prurience. Me, I think about HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

You heard correctly, PrEP. When I hear testimony about multiple partners and escorts, my concern is for the health of all concerned. This writing is not a speculation regarding the health of Mr. Combs nor his partners. I hope they are well and perhaps they were using PrEP. The individual health of Mr. Combs and his partners is none of my business. But as a specialist in HIV care and a professional medical educator, I cannot ignore this teaching moment, when an event exemplifies what we want the student to learn.

What is PrEP? PrEP is a medication given either as a daily pill or an injection every other month that prevents HIV infection in people at risk for HIV. The cheapest PrEP costs about $45 a month and most insurances pay for it. It is widely available through primary care doctors, student health centers, federally qualified health centers and Planned Parenthood (God bless them). We (still) dont have a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and the current administration thwarts hopes for a future vaccine by decreasing vaccine research funding and undermining public confidence in vaccines. Fortunately, there are medical interventions beyond condoms that effectively prevent HIV transmission. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration just approved a PrEP injection that will provide six months of protection against HIV infection in people at risk for HIV with sex (anticipated U.S. list price of $28,218 per year).

That said, it would be beneficial to review why the testimony in the trial reminds us of the need for PrEP. There are new HIV infections every day in the United States. While men who have sex with men remain most at risk, heterosexual women comprised 15 percent of new cases in 2022 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet less than 10 percent of PrEP users are cisgender women. HIV disproportionally affects African Americans, who comprise under 14 percent of the U.S. population, but about 39 percent of new cases of HIV infection. Only about 14 percent of PrEP users are African American, suggesting there is an unmet need.

There are commercial advertisements for PrEP on television and these messages surely will increase with the FDA approval of the PrEP injection, but it is unclear if the message is getting to the people who need to hear it. According to the CDC, an estimated 1.2 million people in the U.S. could benefit from PrEP. As of 2022, about 36 percent of this eligible population received PrEP prescriptions. Messages promoting PrEP cannot only come from pharmaceutical manufacturers. The medical establishment and government must embrace the concept of harm reduction. However, the presidents proposal to eliminate the CDC HIV prevention program impairs that effort. As a specific example, the current House of Representatives proposal for the One Big Beautiful Bill eliminates future funding for the AIDS Education and Training Centers under the Ryan White Care Act. According to the HIV Medicine Association, preventing just one HIV infection averts more than $500,000 in lifetime health care costs. Given this information, I speculate these cuts are more political acts than cost saving measures.

I commend the bravery of the women testifying in the Combs trial. Ironically, the news contains explicit information regarding the sexual habits of celebrities, but often medical professionals are uncomfortable talking about sex with patients. There is stigma attached to transactional sex (sex for money, drugs, housing). These cultural norms prevent patients from talking to their health care providers about their potential HIV risk and need for PrEP. Whatever the verdict, I hope the media coverage of this trial empowers anyone at risk for HIV, regardless of their gender or race/ethnicity, to talk openly in the doctors office to receive the preventive care they need. I also hope our government will not be so shortsighted as to further decrease funding for HIV prevention and education. Such cuts will reverse the progress we have made in controlling HIV infection in the United States.

Catherine Diamond is an infectious disease physician.
California has approved an unprecedented plan to protect the iconic Joshua tree from climate change and development.

The western Joshua tree conservation plan is a broad blueprint that compiles scientific research and traditional ecological knowledge to identify areas where the plant may thrive in a warmer future and plot out how to best protect that land. It recommends limiting development, taking steps to reduce wildfire risk like culling invasive grasses and introducing Joshua trees with genetic variations that make them more resilient to warming temperatures.

The plan was required by a state law enacted in 2023 and received final approval Wednesday at a Fish and Game Commission meeting. Proponents say the effort is groundbreaking because it seeks to conserve a species thats abundant now but is projected to lose much of its habitat to climate change.

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This is the first time I've ever seen the Legislature and governor take this step to protect a species that may be imperiled in future, said Isabel Baer, acting manager of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife habitat conservation planning branch. The department is tasked with carrying out and enforcing regulations set by the Fish and Game Commission and providing information to inform its decisions.

The forward-looking nature of the plan and underlying law has fueled controversy, with some local residents and politicians pointing out that the tree is currently ubiquitous in some high desert communities and questioning why it needs protecting. The law also requires property owners to obtain permits and pay fees to kill, damage or remove Joshua trees, which some fear will stifle growth and drive up the cost of living in some of the last affordable regions in Southern California.

Read more: State releases new plan to protect Joshua trees

San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, whose district includes communities surrounding Joshua Tree National Park, said the law has already stalled housing and infrastructure projects and driven away desperately-needed jobs and investments.

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"The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act is a blunt instrument that threatens the future of the Morongo Basin and other desert communities by imposing costly, inflexible regulations," Rowe said in a statement. "It was written and passed by legislators with no ties to our community, who have never seen how the Joshua tree thrives and is intricately interwoven into our developed areas."

The conservation plan has drawn criticism from a coalition of local water agencies, a residents' organization and trade groups representing realtors and farmers, who last month sent a letter to the state that called the plan untried, and in numerous respects very confusing. The letter demanded changes in the implementation of the plan, including exemptions or expedited permitting for projects like water distribution system repairs and maintenance.

Doing so would help reduce the disproportionate and harmful impacts on affected communities and public agencies during this experimental effort to conserve a species based solely on climate change projections, the letter states.

There are two distinct species of Joshua trees  referred to as "eastern" and "western"  that grow in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Mexico. The spiky succulents are revered for their cultural import, having inspired both a namesake national park and a U2 album. They have served as a guide for Indigenous people in both a physical and spiritual sense, with some tribes using their roots for basketry, their fibers for cordage and their petals and fruits for food, said Robert Przeklasa, executive director of the Native American Land Conservancy. The nonprofit was a partner in the creation of the plan, buoyed by a grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board that enabled tribal members to be compensated for their time and travel.

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The trees are also a linchpin of the Mojave Desert ecosystem. Dozens of animals rely on them to survive, from ladder-backed woodpeckers who nest in their trunks to desert night lizards who sleep and forage beneath their fallen boughs.

Read more: As California's climate grows ever more hostile, a Joshua tree rescue plan takes shape

Yet more than a third of the western species range in California is private land and includes some of the fastest-growing communities in the region, according to state scientists. On top of that, climate models clearly show there wont be much suitable habitat left by the end of the century, scientists say.

This plan is a major milestone in efforts to protect one of Californias most ecologically important and iconic species thats facing a very, very difficult future, said Brendan Cummings, conservation director of the Center for Biological Diversity. The nonprofit petitioned to list the western Joshua tree as threatened under the state Endangered Species Act in 2019. The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act was enacted after the Fish and Game Commission deadlocked on whether to do so.

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That law requires people who perform work that kills all or part of a Joshua tree to receive a permit and to pay mitigation fees for each tree harmed. Exactly how close a person can dig to a Joshua tree before the work triggers the fee and permitting requirements is determined by CDFW staff on a case-by-case basis depending on the project, Baer said.

Those fees can add up quickly for even small projects.

Alec Mackie owns three lots in Yucca Valley and wants to build his retirement home on one of them. But now he may not be able to, because there are 88 Joshua trees on the property  and his plan would require removing eight of them.

The state reviewed his proposed construction project, said he must pay mitigation fees for 63 trees, and sent him a bill for $32,961.75. Mackie was also required to pay about $4,000 for the tree census, which covered two lots. And he must commission arborist reports and pay for contractor training, which hes estimating will cost another $4,000.

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Worse yet, Mackie said, since 55 of the trees will remain standing, he will have to pay again to dig near them if he wants to undertake another construction project in the future.

He's now considering abandoning the project.

Baer said the state has been working with towns and residents to address these types of concerns. They've already exempted single-family home projects from a previous requirement to relocate certain Joshua trees and are working on preparing an environmental impact analysis that will make the permitting process easier and less costly, she said. The plan is also expected to evolve, as the Fish and Game Commission is required to review its effectiveness at public meetings next year and every two years after that. In eight years, the commission will reconsider whether to list the Joshua tree under the state Endangered Species Act.

"Hopefully we'll have met our goals under the plan to where the species doesn't need that protection," Baer said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The California Coastal Commission rejected a proposal Thursday to increase the number of yearly rocket launches from Elon Musks SpaceX at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The commissioners unanimously voted down the push to increase launches of SpaceX rockets from 50 to 100 a year from the base north of Santa Barbara, citing concerns that they did not have enough information about the environmental and community impacts of doubling the number of launches.

There are a number of unanswered questions that make it really quite impossible for us to engage, Caryl Hart, vice chair of the commission, said at Thursdays meeting.

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Here today, once again, we see no appearance by U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force or SpaceX to answer the questions that we have, further indications that there just doesnt seem to be a willingness to provide further information, she added.

The decision comes after SpaceX sued the commission last year over an earlier vote to deny an increase from 36 to 50 yearly launches, alleging political discrimination and regulatory overreach.

Rarely has a government agency made so clear that it was exceeding its authorized mandate to punish a company for the political views and statements of its largest shareholder and CEO, the complaint argues.

However, Musks firm appears poised to receive a boost from the federal government, after President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday easing regulations for commercial rocket launches and spaceport development.

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This includes eliminating or expediting environmental reviews, as well as creating exemptions from or rescinding licensing regulations. The order also seeks to evaluate state and local restrictions on spaceport development.

The spacecraft and satellite communications company has already performed more than 100 launches this year from bases in California, Florida and Texas, according to SpaceXs website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SACRAMENTO, California  California Democrats on Friday finalized their plan to snatch five GOP House seats next year by redrawing the state's congressional lines, according to a copy of the new House map and other documents submitted to the Legislature on behalf of the DCCC.

The new lines, which voters would need to approve in a Nov. 4 special election, adds registered Democratic voters to districts held by Republicans and frontline Democrats, while making some safe blue districts slightly more competitive. State legislators are expected next week to place the new district lines on the statewide ballot, sparking a furious campaign to override the work of the states independent redistricting commission for the next several election cycles.

Californias bold and risky play, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom and senior members of the states congressional delegation, is designed to cancel out Republicans bid to flip five Democratic-held House seats in Texas  a tactic urged by President Donald Trump to retain the House majority.

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We will not stand by as Republicans attempt to rig the election in their favor and choose their voters," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Executive Director Julie Merz said in a statement. "Its increasingly clear that Republicans will do anything to protect their narrow majority because they know they cant win on their disastrous legislative record which has raised costs and rips away health care for millions, all to give the ultra-wealthy a tax break."





The ballot measure would take effect only if Texas Republicans follow through on their plans, and the Golden States independent commission would regain authority after the 2030 Census.

But opposition is already forming, including from Arnold Schwarzenegger , the politically moderate former GOP governor who championed the voter-approved commission and has vowed to terminate gerrymandering. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is helping lead a Republican effort to fight the California initiative, as POLITICO reported.

National Republican Campaign Committee Chair Richard Hudson suggested the organization would sue over the gerrymander.

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Gavin Newsom failed to solve the homelessness, crime, drug, and cost epidemics plaguing the Golden State. Now he is shredding Californias Constitution and disenfranchising voters to prop up his Presidential ambitions," Hudson said in a statement. "The NRCC is prepared to fight this illegal power grab in the courts and at the ballot box to stop Newsom in his tracks.

The proposed new map targets incumbent Republican Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Kevin Kiley, Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa and David Valadao by folding more left-leaning voters into their districts, as POLITICO previously reported .

The rollout of the new district lines didn't go smoothly. A web link to the map was leaked Friday afternoon before state Democrats officially released it. The web page was quickly killed, but not before screenshots were posted on X.

California state legislators have an Aug. 22 deadline to approve putting the redraw before voters on Nov. 4, but Newsom and state leaders say they believe they have the votes to do so. Democrats hold a supermajority in the statehouse and have largely fallen in line behind the national partys redistricting push.
In California, the fight for the future of the Democratic Party is raging, with an economic populist facing off against an establishment party recruit in a district expected to be on the front lines for Democrats seeking to win the House in 2026.

Randy Villegas, a school board trustee in Visalia, California, announced his candidacy for Congress in March, telling Politico at the time that Im running on an economic populist message  a message that he believed would be able to flip the 22nd District in California, which is one of the most competitive in the country.

Rep. David Valadao currently represents the district, winning in 2024 by about 7 points. However, the area was represented by former Rep. TJ Cox, D-Calif., from 2018 to 2020, when it was the 21st District. Valadao, who represented the area from the 2012 elections until the 2018 midterms, won back the seat in 2020.

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The story got a little more complicated in July, however, when state Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains, who has represented the 35th Assembly District since 2022, announced that she too would be entering the race. The San Joaquin Valley Sun reported that, unhappy with Villegas, Californias Democratic establishment convinced Bains to run instead.

Though the DCCC says it is neutral in primaries, progressives supporting Villegas have accused the party of putting its thumb on the scale by recruiting Bains, who has cut a path on the right flank of the Democratic caucus in the state assembly. She has frequently bucked her party in the state legislature, including votes on several high-profile bills. One bill, for example, was focused on cracking down on price-gouging by oil companies; another allocated funding to a wildfire prevention program; she voted against both measures. Nonetheless, she enjoys the backing of a slew of statewide-elected Democrats, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Treasurer Fiona Ma and State Controller Malia Cohen

Aside from being in one of the most competitive districts in the country, the race has been closely watched because of Democrats failure to make gains there in 2024. Though the district lines have shifted since the 2020 election, Valadao won by a larger margin in 2024 than he did in 2020, with the results in the largely Hispanic district reflecting gains the GOP has made on the national level.

Villegas, in an interview, said that he thinks Democrats on the national level need to realize that an economic populist message is the way that the party can win back voters who switched sides in recent elections, and win over others who have sat them out.

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We know that we need an economy that actually works for the working class, and not just for billionaires and those at the top. We live in one of the most impoverished districts in the nation. We live in a district where our farm workers get up every single day at the crack of dawn to go help feed the rest of the world. Meanwhile, they struggle to feed their own families, Villegas, who has been endorsed by the Working Families Party, told Salon. I dont believe that we can be a party that claims to champion working-class people if were receiving the same money from corporate PACs that Republicans are.

Villegas was referencing one of his campaigns criticisms of Bains, who has, in her assembly campaigns, received donations from many of the same companies or their associated PACs that also fund Valadaos campaigns, such as Pfizer, Chevron, AT&T and ExxonMobil, according to campaign finance filings.

Any average Democrat should or could say that, you know, I would have voted no on Trumps big BS bill. But I dont think its enough to say that we would have voted no on that bill, because lets talk about where we are currently, Villegas said. Two out of every three bankruptcies in this country are tied to medical debt. Every year, over 66,000 people die because they dont have health insurance  not because we couldnt treat them, not because we couldnt save them, but because of a system that denied them care.

Villegas added that the partys message needs to go further than just saying were not Trump or that we would have voted no on this bill, but we should be fighting for more than that.

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Bains responded to the criticism in an interview with Salon, explaining the overlap between her and Valadaos corporate donor list as a result of the fact that we represent the same area.

Bains, at the time, also defended her vote against Californias anti-price-gouging law on gasoline by pointing to the states refusal to suspend its gas tax during a price spike.

Stand alone if you must, but always stand for the truth. As the lone Democrat to oppose the new gas tax, I will never throw my constituents under the bus. I will continue to fight for lower gas prices and a stronger Kern County, Bains said in a post on X.

Speaking to Salon, Bains said that she wants to focus on Valadao and his support for the Republican agenda, including the historic cuts to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP benefits that he voted for in the Republicans recent budget reconciliation bill, which President Donald Trump dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill.

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This is about Democrats uniting against whats happening to a district like the 22nd. This race is about bringing awareness to the fact that David Valadao gave us his word that he would not vote for that, and he betrayed us, and he voted to decimate healthcare in an area like this that has some of the highest Medicaid patients, Bains said.

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Both Villegas and Bainss websites are slim on specific details of the policies they plan to run on, though Villegass campaign indicated that it would be rolling out a platform in the coming weeks. Villegas did tell Salon that his platform would include support for major reform to the health care system in the Uited States, like a single-payer system, as well as reforms that could be implimented while workign towards that system.

When asked whether she would support a single-payer system or public option in the United States, Bains said, Universal health care is the dream that I hope one day becomes a reality, and I hope one day to definitely work on that.

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While Bains campaign is too new to have public federal campaign finance disclosures available, Valadao has amassed a significant war chest for the primary, with $1.4 million in cash on hand, according to the most recent filings. Villegas, who does not accept corporate donations, ended the most recent filing period with $125,000.

The primary elections in California are scheduled for June 2, 2026. As it stands, its not clear whether Californias 22nd District will be affected by potential redistricting in the state.

The post Californias top Democrats arent convinced a progressive can win appeared first on Salon.com.
EBENSBURG, Pa.  A Cambria County judge has ordered pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts to pause for now its plan to drop a Johnstown pharmacy chain from its network.

Judge Michael Carbonaras order was issued Friday, hours after a Pittsburgh law firm filed a class-action lawsuit seeking the move on behalf of approximately 300 Martellas Pharmacy patients and clients.

The injunction directs Express Scripts to maintain the status quo with Martellas regardless of a termination date that otherwise would have arrived by Monday, Carbonara wrote.

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But that halt is only temporary, with a hearing set to allow all parties to present arguments in court Wednesday.

The order came as Express Scripts was starting to face additional pressure to delay its decision, with several of Pennsylvanias federal lawmakers also urging a delay to give both sides more time to remedy any outstanding issues.

Suit alleges violations

The Pittsburgh-based Scanlon & Wojton Law Firm, which also has a law office in Ebensburg, filed the suit Friday in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas.

Express Scripts and parent company Evernorth Health are named as defendants, alongside the Highmark and UPMC health plans, which would drop Martellas as a prescription provider if Express Scripts pulled the local pharmacy from its network.

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That move would force Martellas to close its doors, Scanlon & Wojton attorneys said.

Attorneys argue that Express Scripts efforts to drop Martellas violate the states Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, as well as elements of a recently adopted Pharmacy Benefit Reform Act.

This is about protecting patients rights to safe, consistent and accessible health care, said attorney Matthew Scanlon, a partner at Scanlon & Wojton Law Firm. When corporate decisions put patient health at risk, we have a responsibility to take action.

Martellas employs approximately 270 people across the region with six pharmacies in Cambria County, northern Somerset County and the Ligonier area.

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On behalf of a group of residents mostly from Cambria, Somerset and Westmoreland counties, attorneys argued that Express Scripts is using deceptive practices to eliminate pharmacies such as Martellas.

In rural small towns, pharmacies like Martellas can be the only best option for pharmacy services and treatment, attorney Tim Wojton said. (The next-closest pharmacy) might be up to 40 minutes away.

They allege that the nationwide pharmacy benefit manager is working to eliminate Mom and Pop pharmacies that local customers rely on, and instead steer customers to its own online by-mail service or select large-scale chains that Express Scripts works with exclusively.

That creates added, unnecessary hardships for people with cognitive or physical impairments who are reliant on Martellas Medi-Pacs  pre-sorted, packaged doses designed to make it safer and easier for people to manage which medications to take daily and when, the attorneys argued.

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Rather than acting as a middleman between health insurance providers and local pharmacies on behalf of customers, Express Scripts has inserted itself  for its own benefit  on multiple levels of the supply chain, attorneys wrote, arguing that that conduct adds up to a breach of contract by Express Scripts.

Its not for the benefit of patients. ... They are unlawfully interfering with their choices, Scanlon said.

Express Scripts has countered that it is dropping Martellas due to an alleged contract breach.

In emails to The Tribune-Democrat, Express Scripts referenced a 2018 criminal case related to the pharmacy. That case, in which pharmacist Joseph Martella was accused of unlawfully dispensing pills to a doctors son, ended with Martella pleading to a misdemeanor count in 2020 and receiving six months probation.

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Martella kept his pharmacy license, and his familys company has operated since without regulatory issues, the pharmacys supporters have said.

Express Scripts representatives have countered that Martellas did not properly disclose those disciplinary histories, an alleged violation of its contract.

Attorneys in the class-action suit indicated they were pleased by Carbonaras temporary order and the chance to detail their case in court Wednesday.

Joyce: Alarming trend in pharmacy industry

U.S. Rep. Dr. John Joyce, R-Blair, said Friday that hes concerned about the alarming trend of pharmacy consolidation in recent years.

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In a letter co-signed by U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Washington, the three lawmakers asked Express Scripts to consider giving Martellas additional time and reopen communication channels to settle any issues.

The current time frame isnt adequate and would continue an alarming trend of pharmacy closures, Joyce told The Tribune-Democrat in a Friday interview.

Pharmacists in small-town locations such as Martellas get to know their patients and their medications, he said.

When (someone) needs blood thinners, they are the ones who talk about potential side effects, Joyce said.

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Eliminating pharmacies such as Martellas eliminates an aspect of local care that is so important, said Joyce, who has worked for years in the medical field as a dermatologist.

He said federal lawmakers, himself included, continue pushing for pharmacy reform in the U.S. House.

Express Scripts and other pharmacy benefit managers have been accused of taking similar actions across the nation that led to pharmacy closures. This area is no exception.

Several Mainline Pharmacy locations and Rite Aid stores have been among those shuttered in part due to actions by PBMs, which operate their own pharmacy services.

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This spring, the Michigan Department of Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Express Scripts and another PBM, Prime Therapeutics LLC, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the people of the state of Michigan, alleges that the PBMs conduct violates federal and state antitrust laws set up for fair competition in the marketplace.

According to the Michigan lawsuit, Express Scripts dominance in Michigans PBM services market has enabled the company to dictate where Michigan residents can obtain prescription drugs using their plan benefits  namely, to Express Scripts own mail-order pharmacies.

In the Cambria County case, Wojton said attorneys are continuing to add local plaintiffs to the suit, which started with more than 200 members and climbed toward at least 300 throughout the day Friday.

Anyone interested in joining the class action suit can visit pbmclassaction.com or call 412-INJURED.
Pierre Poilievre, who is running to reclaim a seat in Canada's parliament next week, was on track to be prime minister until Donald Trump upended Canadian politics.

But even if the Conservative Party leader wins Monday's by-election in one of the country's most right-wing districts, experts say he may struggle to regain momentum in a political arena still heavily shaped by the US president.

Poilievre's Conservatives blew a massive polling lead in the run-up to Canada's April general election, as voters backed the new Liberal leader, Prime Minister Mark Carney, to confront Trump.

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In a stinging humiliation, Poilievre lost to a Liberal in his own constituency, an Ottawa-area district he had represented for two decades.

But the Conservatives performed solidly overall and deprived the Liberals of a majority, allowing Poilievre to suppress calls for him to go as party leader.

To return as opposition leader, Poilievre needed to get back into parliament.

The MP for Battle River-Crowfoot -- a rural district in the western province of Alberta where Conservatives dominate -- offered to step down so Poilievre could run for his seat.

Poilievre is the favorite but faces an uncertain path should he rejoin parliament, in part because some voters continue to see him as "a little Trump," said Frederic Boily, a University of Alberta political scientist.

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In Canada, that is not a good brand.

- Trump tension -

New Gallup data puts Canadian attitudes towards US political leadership at record lows.

While the president's threats to make Canada the 51st US state have subsided, his trade war is hurting crucial industries.

The Gallup survey shows only 15 percent of Canadians approve of Washington, the lowest level on record in data going back to 2008. The next lowest approval rate -- 16 percent -- was recorded in 2018, during Trump's first term.

Seventy-nine percent of Canadians disapprove of US political leadership, a figure only three points better than attitudes towards Vladimir Putin's Russia.

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Canadian faith in their own leadership has also jumped to 59 percent, a rise of 19 points since Carney replaced former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Poilievre has sought to make clear that he sees Trump as a rival, but one that Carney is failing to confront.

"President Trump is the one putting these tariffs on Canadians, but Mark Carney is the one who promised Canadians he could 'handle him' and 'win,'" Poilievre said this month.

- 214 candidates -

For Donald Abelson, an expert on US-Canada relations at McMaster University, Poilievre is trying to "feed off the frustration and disillusionment in Canada about the imposition of tariffs and the bullying (while saying) that he, unlike Carney, is prepared to stand up to Trump."

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The strategy is limited, Abelson argued, as Canadians want a long-term plan to realign the country away from the United States -- a central Carney talking point.

"If Poilievre overplays the Trump card, he's making a mistake," Abelson told AFP.

Boily, the political scientist, said Poilievre faces an additional problem -- an enduring attachment within his base to issues Trump has elevated.

"It's tough for any conservative leader not to talk about the fight against globalists and wokism because it's the new conservative reality," Boily told AFP, arguing Poilievre's "DNA" is more aligned with traditional conservatism, not Trump-inspired populism.

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If Poilievre loses Monday's election, voter confusion will be the likely cause.

There are 214 candidates on the ballot, a record number caused by the Longest Ballot Committee protest group, which wants electoral law reform.

Poilievre was targeted by the same group in April, but organizers claim they are not motivated by partisan ideology.

Voters on Monday will have to write the name of their preferred candidate on their ballot, not tick a box, an exceptional measure designed to spare people finding the correct name on a 214-candidate list.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A 63-year-old Canandaigua man has been arrested for reckless endangerment after rolling an ATV carrying eleven other people, sending six to the hospital, including himself.

Michael G. VanBrooker was operating an ATV on Smith Road in Canandaigua, carrying his wife and ten juveniles, while intoxicated, backed into a ditch, and threw himself, his wife, and the juveniles from the vehicle.

Mr. VanBrooker injured his arms, Mrs. VanBrooker injured her arm and neck, and they were both taken to the hospital. Four of the juveniles were also taken to a hospital after complaints of pain.

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The Ontario County Sheriff is charging him with second-degree reckless endangerment.

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A January 2025 view of the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

As South Dakota lawmakers consider spending $650 million to build a prison, another major building expense is looming: the first full restoration of the state Capitol in nearly 40 years.

The state official in charge of planning the restoration is Darin Seeley, commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration. When he briefed a committee of legislators during a public meeting Tuesday at the Capitol, one of them asked for a ballpark estimate of the cost.

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Seeley stressed that he does not have an official number yet. But, he said, were talking probably between $150 million and $200 million.

A photo shows part of the South Dakota House of Representatives chamber in 2025, left, while a rendering shows what it could look like after a restoration project. (Courtesy of the South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration)

South Dakota is in a tight budget climate while the Trump administration and Congress reduce support for states. The governors budget office says various state departments have already lost a combined $24 million in federal funding since Trumps second term began.

Thats a reversal from the latter part of Trumps first term and the Biden years, when South Dakotas budget benefited from pandemic aid and stimulus funding. Lawmakers set aside enough money during those years that they should be able to build a mens prison without taking on any debt, if they approve the plan during a Sept. 23 special legislative session. The new prison  which would be built on undeveloped land in northeast Sioux Falls  would replace the oldest parts of the pre-statehood penitentiary.

The lawmaker who asked Seeley for a ballpark estimate on the Capitol project is state Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, a Republican from Sioux Falls.

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That number itself is a tremendously huge number, Karr said afterward in an interview with South Dakota Searchlight. I look forward to getting some more data and facts.

No savings have been set aside yet for a full Capitol restoration. But lawmakers have provided about $12 million in the last six years to study problems afflicting the Capitol, along with its lake and its grounds, and to make temporary repairs while planning for a larger project.

Lake studied

So far, that work has included studying the condition of the 115-year-old, 1,300-feet-deep well feeding Capitol Lake. The well formerly produced natural gas in addition to water, and for many years the gas was lit to create a flaming fountain. The gas flow began to diminish about 20 years ago and can no longer sustain a flame.

Read more

Plaster cracks, goose droppings, and an un-Flaming Fountain: the SD Capitol conundrum

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A study in 2019 determined that the well could be compromised, and that a collapse could cause an uncontrolled flow of water to surface wherever it finds a pathway. A follow-up study that included sending a camera down the well determined it was in better shape than originally feared, and a new water source for Capitol Lake is not the emergency that we had been led to believe, Seeley told lawmakers.

Discussion continues about a replacement water source, but its been pushed down the priority list. Meanwhile, the lake has been dredged.

Roof repaired

The Capitols roof was repaired recently, although not without problems. Lawmakers learned Tuesday that while the roof was undergoing work, heavy rains in May and June leaked into the technology equipment closets that serve the House of Representatives chamber.

About $185,000 of damage was done, which will hopefully be covered by insurance. Its unlikely new equipment will be in place by next months special session, meaning some House members voting buttons might not work, and the electronic display for voting results might be inoperable. The Legislative Research Council is preparing workarounds.

Plaster repair, rotunda restoration

The next project targets numerous areas of damaged plaster for repair, which Seeley hopes to finish before the start of the annual legislative session in January.

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Were going to make it look right in the short run, in places where its the worst today, he said.

Cracked plaster in the back corner of the state House of Representatives chamber at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre, as seen in March 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

After that, Seeley plans a rotunda restoration to begin after the 2026 legislative session and be completed by the 2027 session. A company specializing in historic restoration will try to recapture the rotundas original beauty, which Seeley said is dimmed by aging paint and plaster, and poor lighting.

While all of that is happening, Seeley hopes to work with the Capitol Complex Restoration and Beautification Commission  a bipartisan group of seven people appointed by the governor  on a full restoration plan. The last full restoration was completed for the 1989 statehood centennial celebration, he said.

The needs are many. Nearly every communication system thats ever been installed in the Capitol is still in the building. The steam heating system needs a replacement. Some of the plumbing is more than 100 years old. Roof drains that run inside the walls need attention.

There was no discussion Tuesday about how to pay for it all. Karr said that discussion should start soon.

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A fee for diners to offset their carbon emissions is "positive for the planet", a London restaurateur has said.

Edson Diaz-Fuentes, co-founder of Santo Remedio, a Mexican restaurant with three London locations, said their customers had planted 23,000 trees through the 1.23 discretionary donation added to their bill.

He said he decided to join a restaurant donation scheme in 2024, which plants trees in African countries and Mexico, over concerns about deforestation.

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Chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator Gerald Oppenheim said donations to charities and organisations had to be presented to the diner as a choice.

One diner said she did not mind the fee, when split between a large table [BBC]

Mr Diaz-Fuentes said the 1.23 donation was a way for diners to "slowly contribute to regenerative reforestation".

"Most of our produce is plants, we're grateful for what mother nature gives us, so it's a way for us to contribute and add something positive for the planet," he said.

"So far we haven't had any issues, people are happy. It's good to support different initiatives."

In October 2024, Mr Diaz-Fuentes signed up to UK initiative GiftTrees which adds an opt-out fee to the bill of each meal to fund reforestation projects.

Gerald Oppenheim, chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said the charges had to be optional [BBC]

One diner in Santo Remedio, Natalie, said she did not mind the charge.

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"If it's split between the table, it's not that big of a cost," she said. "I don't see it that often in restaurants, more in shops."

William, who was also eating in the restaurant, said it was a "smart marketing tactic".

"If you've just spent 100 on a bill, 2 to any charitable cause - you'd be a tight so-and-so to say no to that," he said. "I don't have a problem with it ethically."

Brooke, another diner, added: "Maybe if it was a smaller bill, I might notice it more.

"If it's just a miscellaneous charge then people might question it. But if it's a recognisable charity, I wouldn't have a problem adding that on."

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Mr Oppenheim, from the Fundraising Regulator, said it was important that diners did not feel pressured into giving.

"A diner needs to know in advance that there's going to be a voluntary donation asked of them, and they need to have the opportunity to opt out," he said.

"Rather like the service charge that a restaurant adds to the bill, you don't have to pay it, so it's a choice."

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

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday joined other Western leaders in support of President Donald Trumps work to end the war in Ukraine and lauded what he described as the "openness of the United States to providing security guarantees for Ukraine after peace is reached.

The leadership of President Trump and the United States is creating the opportunity to end Russias illegal war in Ukraine. Robust and credible security guarantees are essential to any just and lasting peace, Carney wrote in a statement. I welcome the openness of the United States to providing security guarantees as part of the Coalition of the Willings efforts."

The coalition of the willing refers to a group of nations, including Canada, convened to provide military support for Ukraine after the war. A virtual meeting of the loose coalition is set to take place on Sunday, spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

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Canada is closely co-ordinating with President Zelenskyy and our partners in the Coalition of the Willing to intensify our steadfast support for Ukraine and our shared commitment to its peace and security, Carney added in his statement.

The Canadian leaders message comes after several European leaders voiced support for Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting following his Friday talks with Putin, which concluded without a deal on the table and left the future of the war unclear. In the hours after the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he would travel to Washington on Monday to meet with Trump and discuss next steps.

But the European partners are cautious that Trump may not be as keen to show the same hospitality to Zelenskyy on Monday as he did with Putin on Friday. At least one other leader, most likely Finnish President Alexander Stubb or NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, is set to travel with Zelenskyy and act as an advocate  or buffer  for the Ukrainian leader, POLITICO previously reported.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Despite a $12 million loss in state and federal funding, the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) will not be cutting services any time soon, the organizations CEO told 6 News.

According to CATAs 2026 proposed budget, the organization is facing a total deficit of around $13.6 million between its budget for this year and next year. CATA CEO Bradley T. Funkhouser tells 6 News that much of that deficit stems from a loss of government funding.

It is $12 million. That is a drop in state revenue of $3 million right off the top for the next year, and were coming to an end of the COVID money, Funkhouser said.

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The CEO addressed the funding shortfall at a Lansing City Council Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, where he told council members that the organization planned for this scenario by saving money to avoid cutting services. However, he also told the council that if they are still facing funding issues next year, they will have to cut services by 10% across all jurisdictions.

CATAs savings stem from millage money, Funkhouser told 6 News.

We were anticipating that there was going to be this shortfall, and so we saved a lot of money back so that we did not have to cut services, said Funkhouser. So, while the headline may be striking that, you know, theres a shortfall of $12 million, I think it is a fair assessment to say that our partners at the state and federal level have stopped investing in transit.

Voters approved a CATA millage renewal of 3.007 mills, slightly reduced due to Headlee rollbacks, last November, which will continue through 2030. Meanwhile, Delta Township officials in June approved a public transit millage for this Novembers ballot, which will determine whether or not operating agreements with CATA will continue.

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The government funding shortfalls are not just limited to CATA. Last week, the Jackson Area Transportation Authority (JATA) announced they plan to cut routes, with JATA officials saying the decrease in state revenue would represent the lowest level of state support in operational history.

On the national level, various transit agencies big and small are also facing funding shortages. For instance, in Philadelphia, the citys main transit agency SEPTA is facing a $213 million deficit and plans to cut services and raise fares toward the end of the month.

While I dont want to be too dramatic, some large cities like Chicago, Kansas City, Pittsburgh are reporting this as a financial crisis that we havent seen before, said Funkhouser.

Here in the capital region, though, Funkhouser says CATA has around a year until they must start thinking about potential cuts, obtaining new revenue sources, or forging new business partnerships  but stresses that currently, the organization is strong and stable.

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Things are starting to get tight, and the revenue is dropping, said Funkhouser. This is not excessive expenditures, this is that the money supporting it are dropping, and weve got to figure out better ways and more efficiencies to keep this going, and, you know what, we will.

When asked if nothing will be cut for the foreseeable future, the CEO answered, absolutely, including the organizations SpecTran and Redi-Ride services, designed to assist disabled and elderly individuals with getting around the area.

Do we have areas that we can cut? Yes. Are we going to? Absolutely not, said Funkhouser.

The CEO says that the organization has been very carefully looking for ways to streamline the 2026 budget to be more efficient, with said budget being proposed to the public during a hearing next Wednesday, which he is calling on the community to attend.

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A year from now, we may be making tough cuts, the CEO says. But through the year, therell be plenty of opportunities for the public to weigh in on that. There are no surprises there.

The public hearing will be held at 4 p.m. next Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the Lansing Center. For those unable to attend, public comments sent to CATA will be read into the record. A copy of the budget proposal is available to read below.

Proposed-Operating-and-Capital-Budget-FY-2026-DRAFT-1Download

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
A Minnesota teenager claims she had to prove she was female at a restaurant after a server followed her into the womens bathroom.

Gerika Mudra, 18, has filed a discrimination complaint against a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant alleging she was forced to confirm her gender when she visited the restaurant this past April.

Mudra said she was dining at Buffalo Wild Wings in Owatonna, Minn. when a server followed her into the bathroom, banged on the stall door and shouted at her.

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She came in yelling, This is a womens bathroom, the man has to get out, Mudra said in an interview with her attorneys. I was just like, I am a girl, and she was like, You need to get out now. So, I showed her like, I am a girl, and she just walked out and didnt even apologize or anything.

Mudra, a biracial lesbian, said she unzipped her hooded sweatshirt and showed her breasts because she felt forced to confirm she was female.

The server then exited the restroom without a response.

She made me feel very uncomfortable, Mudra said. After that, I just dont like going in public bathrooms. I just hold it in. ... I want to be able to use the bathroom in peace.

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A nonprofit firm called Gender Justice filed the charge of discrimination with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The firm argued Mudras situation was a violation of the states Human Rights Act, which protects people from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Businesses have a legal obligation not to just have anti-discrimination policies on paper, but to train staff and ensure that those policies are followed in real time, Sara Jane Baldwin, senior staff attorney at Gender Justice, said at a recent news conference, according to NBC. When that doesnt happen, the business is liable for the harm caused.

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Tim Branyan is basically a powerhouse of entrepreneurial energy, the artificial intelligence told a packed room at the Logansport Cass County Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon.

Chamber members gathered for a Lunch and Learn workshop on AI and business with Branyan, a guest speaker from the Indiana Small Business Development Center. As the hour-long discussion neared its end, he let the AI take over for a quick question and answer session.

Can you tell us a little bit about the economic history of Logansport and what you see as economic trends over the next five to 10 years? asked Tim Eaton, owner of The Science Project Brewing Company, 611 North St.

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Absolutely. Let me dive into that, the AI immediately replied. So, a little bit about Logansports economic history. Its traditionally been a hub of manufacturing and agriculture. Over the years its had a strong industrial base with local businesses rooted in things like food processing and small-scale manufacturing. Recently there has been a shift to diversifying into more tech and service-oriented sectors as well. Looking ahead over the next five to 10 years, you are probably going to see more growth in local entrepreneurship, a push for digital transformation amongst traditional businesses and maybe even some remote work or tech-based companies popping up. There will also likely be a focus on attraction new talent and keeping younger folks in the area by building more modern amenities and opportunities. Logansport is probably moving from its traditional manufacturing roots into a more diversified and tech friendly local economy.

Wow, someone whispered in the otherwise silent audience.

Branyan said his goal was to reduce the audiences hesitation towards using AI and give them a foundation in which they could begin using it in their day-to-day life.

He said artificial intelligence first began in 1956 and that everyone has been using it without realizing so since it is present in systems such as cell phones (iPhones Siri), Netflix or YouTube.

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It has taken a quantum leap over the last year to two years, he said. It is one of the most disruptive, incredible pieces of technology that I have seen in my lifetime, that we may see in our lifetime and its super important, I believe, to start learning how to use it and embrace it because it is not going anywhere.

The bulk of the presentation included a tour of ChatGPT and what it can do. ChatGPT is one of several AIs available for use. Using a basic search window, users can type in questions with parameters or instruct the AI to produce something (like an image, a report) and the AI will begin gathering the information needed to answer the question or complete the task.

I want you to think of this as the most powerful copilot and assistant you will ever have, said Branyan. Its ability to serve you will be contingent on your ability to ask (questions) with a lot of context.

Branyan said that AI had become so advanced that he could upload pictures for it to study. For example, he recently bought a house he plans to repair and sell. He uploaded photos and asked for a list of materials he would need to make repairs. The AI looked through each photo and helped him plan his renovation.

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When purchasing the house, he used ChatGPT to translate both English and Spanish.

Among the things that AI could help a business with included finding and writing grants, strategizing business plans, generating campaign ideas or creating social media content such a photos or videos.

The AI included it could help with routine business tasks such as drafting emails or brainstorming ideas, providing customer support or analyzing data.

Bill Cuppy, president of the Logansport-Cass County Chamber of Commerce and the Cass Logansport Economic Development Organization, said he had already been using AI to help with many tasks such as looking at Indiana codes and regulations, writing ordinances and writing city resolutions. He does recommend fact checking the results, however.

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I say tackle and embrace it, he said. Enhance your business by using it.

Karli Armstrong, impact and marketing director at the United Way of Cass County, said she had used AI a little bit to create templates for policies and plans and to generate ideas.

Its always cool to see how other people use tools and implement them into what they do, she said.

Emily Klabunde said she came to the Lunch and Learn because she knew nothing about AI even though her family uses it and talks about it.

Klabunde and her family run Klabundes Meat and Produce and they run a booth at the Logansport Farmers Market.

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It kind of got my wheels spinning, she said. Now that I know some of what it is and how it works and what tools are out there (it makes me consider) that it could actually be helpful if I stop and think about it.

One area where AI hasnt been accepted is in the arts. AI uses existing examples to teach itself art, writing and music. So, its teaching itself by scanning artists work that has been uploaded.

Local photographer Lindsey Miller attended the workshop and said that while she does use AI in her personal life and business shes on the fence about AI in art.

I dont like when people use AI to generate images and pass them off as real, but I believe it is a great way to enhance or amplify the power of an image, she said.

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An example she gave was using Photoshop to remove a background from a photo, something she said could take her hours to do but AI can complete in under a minute.

Essentially the argument is people benefiting off the hard work of someone else when they use AIs content aware functions, she said. Heres my perspective: I am happy to let AI sample and borrow parts of my own work to help others improve their creations, so long as they are not trying to create an entire image with AI and pass it off as their work. Yes, if a person uses AI to rip off someone elses work, that would be immoral and it would be copyright infringement.

In general, she saw AI as a potential tool for artists to create with. And that didnt need to be a negative thing, she said.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Prosecutors are now filing a second-degree murder charge against former Oklahoma University Health pediatrician, Neha Gupta, who is accused of killing her 4-year-old daughter.

Gupta was originally arrested in June after an arrest warrant was issued for first-degree murder. Her daughter was found unresponsive by a pool at a short-term rental in Florida.

RELATED: Oklahoma pediatrician officially charged for allegedly killing her daughter

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She told investigators that her daughter drowned in the pool while she was sleeping.

The medical examiner who did the autopsy report said that there were no signs of drowning, and the inside of the childs mouth showed injuries that were consistent with smothering.

RELATED: New bodycam video shows arrest of Neha Gupta, former OU Health pediatrician accused of killing 4-year-old daughter

Gupta was charged with aggravated manslaughter last week. This week, court records show that she has now been charged with second-degree murder.

Guptas manslaughter charge has been nolle prossed, which means prosecutors are dropping the charge, but it is still possible for this charge to surface again.

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Guptas next court appearance is set for August 19.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The Brief

Jamal Craig was charged in connection with a shooting of another man on Chicago's West Side last month.

Craig faces attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery charges.

CHICAGO - A 36-year-old man was arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting on the citys West Side last month.

Jamal Craig, of Chicago, is facing attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery charges, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Jamal Craig (Chicago Police Department)

Police said Craig allegedly shot and seriously injured a 36-year-old man in the 700 block of S. Springfield Avenue in the North Lawndale neighborhood on July 11.

Craig was arrested on Thursday and charged.

What's next

He is expected to appear in court on Saturday.
NEED TO KNOW

A man was shot and killed while on Facebook Live in a Chicago parking lot on Aug. 13

No arrests have been made tied to the death of Kevin Watson, as police continue to search for a suspect

Watson is survived by his 7-year-old son

A Chicago father was shot and killed during a Facebook livestream, and police are now searching for a suspect.

Kevin Watson was sitting in a car on West Madison Street in South Austin at 6:14 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Aug. 14, when a vehicle approached him and someone "produced a handgun and fired shots," NBC News and ABC 7 Chicago reported, citing the Chicago Police Department (CPD).

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Watson was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died from a gunshot wound to the chest, the Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed to the outlets.

T Mula Watson/Facebook Watson was fatally shot while on Facebook Live on Aug. 13 Watson was fatally shot while on Facebook Live on Aug. 13

The shooting was captured while Watson was on Facebook Live. He started the livestream after leaving a nearby liquor store, ABC 7 Chicago reported.

Alvin Jackson, a close friend and witness to the shooting, said he saw Watson talking to a guy before getting into his car.

He was going to his car, then the guy followed behind him," he told ABC 7 Chicago. "So, the guy followed behind him and pulled the gun on him. He was trying to wrestle with the gun, and the gun went off."

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Watsons Tugg chain was found on the ground at the scene of the crime. It is now a part of the police investigation, according to NBC News.

No information about the suspect has been released by police, and no arrests have been made.



T Mula Watson/Facebook Watson reportedly died from a gunshot wound to the chest Watson reportedly died from a gunshot wound to the chest

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.

Watson is survived by his 7-year-old son.



The CPD and the medical examiner did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, Aug. 16.



Read the original article on People
Security experts are sounding the alarm that China and the rest of the international community are closely watching how President Donald Trump interacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin after their meeting in Alaska Friday.

The White House said in the lead-up to the talks that the meeting was a "listening exercise," and Trump confirmed he would make neither deals nor concessions when speaking with Putin.

But security experts have warned that this meeting will have consequences beyond the war in Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they meet to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 15, 2025.

"Since China acts as a consistent supporter and enabler of Russia, of course they are watching the talks regarding Ukraine very closely," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene told Fox News Digital during her trip to Washington, D.C., this week.

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"Any concession would no doubt serve as an incentive for the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] to undertake a hostile path in the Indo-Pacific as the risk of dire consequences would be perceived as significantly lower."

Trump said he would call his European and Ukrainian counterparts immediately after the Anchorage-based talks and that he hoped the next step would be for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin to meet in person, possibly along with Trump and other European leaders.

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Nato Defense Minister Signals Absolute Distrust That Putin Wants Any Peace Deal Ahead Of Trump Summit

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But there also remains speculation over whether the president will look to cut his own deal with Russia, namely in the field of critical minerals, with Trump looking to counter Chinese competition.

Trump on Thursday wouldnt answer questions about whether he is going to seek a critical minerals deal with Putin, instead telling reporters, "We're going to see what happens with that meeting."

But the optics of Trump cutting a business deal with Russia while Putin refuses to end his deadly ambitions in Ukraine could be seen as aiding Moscows war chest and could further signal to Chinese President Xi Jinping that Trump values "deals over deterrence," one East Asian geopolitical strategy expert warned.

A People's Liberation Army member looks through binoculars during military exercises with Taiwans frigate Lan Yang in the background Aug. 5, 2022.

"Beijing will read any permissive deal as expanding latitude for gray-zone pressure on Taiwan, which could strain allied trust in perceived U.S. red lines," Craig Singleton, China Program senior director and senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

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"China will exploit that doubt, amplifying a deals-over-deterrence narrative and probing coordination gaps from Tokyo and Seoul to Manila.

Could Trump's Meeting With Putin Be The Next Reagan-gorbachev Moment?

"If Washington is perceived as selling out Ukraine, Beijing will learn a simple lesson: Coercion pays and costs are containable," Singleton added. "In that case, Beijing may step up [military] incursions around Taiwan and intensify gray-zone pressure to gauge just how much stability Washington will trade for silence."

But there is one more element to the meetings that has security experts worried  Zelenskyys absence.

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Though the meeting was apparently pushed by Putin, who has thus far refused to meet with Zelenskyy despite the Ukrainian presidents calls to do so, his absence when discussing a war taking place on his nations soil could speak volumes to China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Tatarstan Republic, Russia.

"From Beijings perspective, leaving Zelenskyy out widens the lane for a face-saving freeze that locks in Russia's battlefield gains, an implicit nod that great powers can revise borders by force," Singleton said. "Beijing will quietly welcome it and note that Washington entertained settlement talks without Kyiv, a precedent it will pocket for Asia."

Ultimately, he argued, "If aggression pays in Europe, deterrence discounts in Asia."

"For Beijing, the Alaska meeting is the message. Great powers bargaining over smaller states normalizes the world order Chinese leader Xi Jinping prefers," Singleton added.





Original article source: China eyes Trump-Putin meeting, gauges Wests resolve on Ukraine
China's ship collision in the South China Sea is the result of dangerous behavior at sea, experts said.

High-risk maneuvers are becoming more common in the strategic waterway.

The latest incident stood out because of the involvement of a Chinese destroyer.

The collision of two Chinese vessels in the South China Sea this week was dramatic  and, according to China watchers, predictable.

For years, China's military, coast guard, and maritime militia have been accused of using aggressive tactics such as close-range intercepts, blocking runs, chases, and water cannon harassment to assert control over contested waters. These maneuvers make accidents like Monday's crash, which saw a destroyer crush a coast guard cutter, much more likely.

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"It is part of China's standard operating procedure to intentionally engage in unsafe behavior and create risks of collision at sea and in the air," said Gregory Poling, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank and director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative there.

A disastrous collision

A China Coast Guard ship (R) sailed past a Philippine Coast Guard (L) during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on August 26, 2024. JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard shared footage of China Coast Guard vessel 3104 in hot pursuit of the Philippine patrol ship BRP Suluan at high speeds while spraying a water cannon about 11 nautical miles east of the contested Scarborough Shoal.

As the cutter closed in on the BRP Suluan, a larger Chinese Navy destroyer crossed the bow of the cutter, which, unable to maneuver out of the way, violently slammed into the warship. The video showed both Chinese vessels afterward with significant hull damage, though only the coast guard ship was effectively crippled.

Before the crash, the destroyer and cutter appeared to criss-cross in the water repeatedly in their pursuit of the Philippine vessel.

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Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that the Chinese coast guard vessel "performed a risky maneuver," leading to the impact. He said the damage to the Chinese cutter's forecastle rendered it unseaworthy.

In the aftermath, China watchers said the incident was caused by reckless Chinese actions in the South China Sea, pointing to a pattern of behavior that raises the risk of collisions. China has been repeatedly accused of violating the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

"When the operational culture of a navy/coast guard is to habitually violate COLREGS and norms of professionalism, this is the tragic result," Lyle Morris, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis, wrote of Monday's collision on social media.

"Normally, such an incident would lead to reassessments of operational safety to ensure such accidents do not happen again," he said, adding that he doesn't expect that to happen here.

Increasingly dangerous, high-risk maneuvers at sea

A Chinese Coast Guard ship fired a water cannon at a Philippine Navy-chartered vessel conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in March 2024. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Water cannon blasts. Close-quarters tailing. High-speed chases and cut-offs. As China has sought to enforce its contested claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea, which are considered to be inconsistent with international law, the Philippines has documented repeated incidents of Chinese coast guard ships harassing vessels. Some confrontations have escalated to the point of injuries among Philippine crews.

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Lyle Goldstein, director of the Asia Program at Defense Priorities and the director of the China Initiative at Brown University's Watson Institute, told Business Insider that these risky activities have seemed to increase in the last decade, which "partly reflects the fact that China has more and more maritime and aerial might to flaunt in these situations."

Some of these actions  such as water cannon blasts or unsafe maneuvers  are known as "grey zone" tactics: operations that assert control without crossing the threshold into open conflict. But because they don't follow established maritime safety protocols, experts say, they raise the likelihood of accidents and miscalculations.

"Water cannons, dangerous ramming maneuvers, and other unsafe actions have become the new normal," said Christopher Sharman, a retired US Navy captain and the director of the China Maritime Studies Institute at the US Naval War College, who spoke to Business Insider in his own capacity.

Why this clash stands out

Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong in formation exercise in the South China Sea Sun Xiang/Xinhua via Getty Images

This week's severe crash reflects an escalation, China watchers said, most notably because it involved a Type 052D destroyer, a multi-role guided-missile ship, rather than the usual suspects.

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In previous incidents, China has often relied solely on its coast guard, or even the maritime militia masquerading as a fishing fleet, for assertive acts in the South China Sea, leaving naval forces on standby. Under Chinese law, the coast guard has broad authority to enforce maritime authority and sovereignty.

Keeping warships out of physical contact lowers the chance of miscalculation that could escalate quickly.

The Chinese Navy destroyer's involvement in this clash, which saw the warship continue its pursuit of the smaller Philippine ship even after it crushed the Coast Guard vessel, stands out.

This is a rarer and riskier choice operationally that signals the contests in the South China Sea, long considered a flash point, are becoming more dangerous.

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Sharman said its "deployment appears to be a calculated political decision from Beijing," one potentially aimed at punishing Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos after his comments last week that Manila would be drawn into any conflict involving Taiwan due to its proximity to the island and the substantial number of Philippine workers there.

Either way, the warship's direct involvement suggests China may now be willing to risk high-value assets in front-line harassment roles.

Had the Chinese destroyer smashed into the Philippine vessel instead of the Chinese coast guard cutter, this incident could have kicked off a major conflict, Goldstein said. The Philippines is an important US ally and defense partner.

It could have also resulted in a significant loss of life. It's unclear whether any Chinese coast guard personnel were injured or killed. In the video, a few sailors could be seen on the bow of the 3104 just before it hit the destroyer. Tarriela said the Philippine crew offered to assist in the search and rescue. China did not respond.

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China has made no official statement on the collision, the state of its vessels, or whether there were any casualties.

The Chinese embassy in the US referred Business Insider to a recent foreign ministry press briefing, during which the ministry spokesman accused the Philippines of engaging in "hazardous maneuvers," such as "high-speed charges and sharp turns toward the bows of Chinese ships, leading to a complex and tense situation."

What's next

A Chinese fighter jet conducting "a coercive and risky" intercept of a US aircraft over the South China Sea on June 23, 2022. US Defense Department

The US and its allies have documented hundreds of unsafe Chinese actions in the air and at sea, from chases to clashes to unsafe intercepts, over the years. One particularly notable incident at sea occurred in 2018 and involved the US Navy.

That year, a Chinese navy destroyer came dangerously close to colliding with a US Navy warship, coming within just 45 yards of the American ship after aggressively closing with it in the South China Sea. The US said at that time that China was engaging in "increasingly aggressive maneuvers."

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Now, questions remain on whether China will reassess its tactics to avoid future clashes. Some China watchers note that because so many of China's efforts have been viewed as successful within Beijing, China may double down on its current strategy and continue its pressure campaign.

Following the crash on Monday, a Chinese fighter jet engaged in what the Philippines characterized as "dangerous" moves near one of its aircraft.

"If China doesn't change its behavior," Poling said, "one of the accidents will cause a fatality, which could spark military escalation that no side wants."

Read the original article on Business Insider
BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi will visit India from Monday to Wednesday, China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday, for talks about a disputed border in the Himalayas.

This is only the second such meeting since a deadly clash in 2020 between Indian and Chinese troops at the border.

Relations between the two Asian giants have been thawing since an agreement last October on patrolling their Himalayan border, easing a five-year standoff that had hurt trade, investment and air travel.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month when he travels to China - his first visit in seven years - to attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional security bloc.

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by William Mallard)
Ex-NBC News host Chuck Todd blamed former President Joe Biden on Friday for the return of President Donald Trump.

Todd, who has not been shy about criticizing the Democrats for what went wrong in the 2024 election, spoke about how he felt they had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on the "Chuck Toddcast."

Todd asserted that Trump lost in 2020 because "the country was convinced, Yeah, this is not the direction - that this is not the type of leadership that is good for the long-term image of the United States."

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However, four years of Biden managed to change that - which Todd said speaks volumes.

Chuck Todd Tears Into Biden's Family-man Image, Questions If We 'Were Sold A 40-Year Bill Of Goods'

Chuck Todd, the former moderator of "Meet the Press," said during a interview with Charlie Rose that the Democratic Party was just a collection of people who dislike Trump.

"But Biden's presidency didn't turn the page, right? As I've said to you before, he wasn't a good enough leader, because a better leader helps the country turn the page. You know, we rarely go backwards as a country. So, how bad of a presidency do you have to encourage the country to go backwards?" Todd asked.

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He went on to argue "the perception of the Biden presidency was that it's just a weak and ineffective presidency. Its possible some of the things he signed into law will have long-term success, but the fact of the matter is his legacy is Donald Trump came back, and that's on Joe Biden."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Biden for comment.

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

Trump's return to the White House after losing to Biden in 2020 has been hailed as one of the greatest political comebacks in history.

Trumps return to the presidency after losing in 2020 is historically rare, with the only other president to do so in the United States' nearly 250-year history being Grover Cleveland.





Original article source: Chuck Todd says Biden's presidency was so 'weak and ineffective' it made people go back to Trump
CISCO, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Two Cisco residents have been accused of child endangerment after their child tested positive for methamphetamine.

Zebadijah Adams, 25, and Breanna Williams, 25, were arrested on Thursday, August 15, and booked into the Eastland County Jail on two counts of felony child endangerment.

The arrests came following an investigation by Cisco Police and Child Protective Services. Both Adams and Williams remain in custody on $50,000 bond each.

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No further information is available at the moment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 16After months of uncertainty, the City of Lodi may finally have an agency willing to manage its latest project aimed at combating homelessness.

The Lodi City Council will consider approving a $602,910 lease agreement for the 22 S Main Street Transitional Housing project with San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services at its Wednesday meeting.

San Joaquin County and the city began exploring an expanded partnership to operate the facility late last year after the latter was unable to find a nonprofit organization willing to manage the property.

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The site, the former Star Hotel, will feature a 40-unit transitional housing facility and a four-bedroom single family home, the latter of which will be used by BHS staff.

The units will be intended for individuals transitioning from homelessness into longer-term housing and offer a structured, supportive environment that promotes stability, case management and reintegration, according to staff.

Individuals with jobs or other steady income will be housed in the Main Street development, and will have access to continued wraparound services until they are able to progress to other permanent housing opportunities.

Housing referrals will be received from local social service providers such as the access center and the Salvation Army Hope Harbor, and tenants will have a maximum 24 months to find permanent housing, staff said. Prospective tenants must be MediCal recipients and be considered living in a shelter or a program of the referring agency.

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The city partnered with the Health Plan of San Joaquin in 2023 to get the project off the ground, which has been funded by $3 million in grants from the San Joaquin County Health Commission, as well as Regional Early Action Planning monies.

Stockton-based Inner City Action was originally tapped to manage the facility, but the nonprofit organization withdrew its application last summer after councilmembers accused it of being unprofessional, financially irresponsible and not transparent.

Since that time, other nonprofits that had been approached to operate the site said it was not a feasible endeavor, staff said.

As part of the agreement, BHS will also lease a mental health quiet ward and behavioral health respite beds inside the access center at 714 N. Sacramento St.

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The agency will use about 6,335 square feet  or 28% of the access center  to provide respite beds for individuals in acute mental health crisis.

The ward will provide short-term stabilization and assessment in a safe setting and reduce reliance on emergency rooms and law enforcement interventions, staff said.

There will also be short-term recovery beds for individuals who do not require hospitalization but need stabilization before returning to shelter or housing.
Fresh clashes erupted late Saturday between protesters and riot police in Serbia's capital Belgrade and other cities, on the fifth consecutive night of unrest.

In the central city of Valjevo, where thousands had gathered to show their growing anger against the party of right-wing President Aleksandar Vucic, a small group of masked young men attacked the empty offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, setting them on fire.

They subsequently clashed with riot police, with protesters throwing fireworks and rocks as the officers replied with stun grenades and tear gas.

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In Belgrade, clashes also broke out after police stopped demonstrators headed for the ruling party's headquarters.

Some clashes were also reported in the northern city of Novi Sad, the country's second largest.

Almost daily protests have gripped Serbia since November, following the collapse of a railway station roof that killed 16 people.

The tragedy became a symbol of deep-rooted corruption in the Balkan nation, with demands for a transparent investigation growing into calls for early elections.

At their peak, the protests drew hundreds of thousands onto the streets.

But the mostly peaceful demonstrations deteriorated earlier this week when large groups of pro-government supporters -- many masked and some armed with batons and fireworks -- attacked protesters.

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That has sparked violent clashes for several nights, leaving many injured on both sides.

Protests were further fuelled after several videos shared online showed police striking unarmed demonstrators with batons.

A video from Thursday night appeared to show around 20 officers surrounding and beating a young man in Valjevo while he laid on the ground.

Police have denied allegations of brutality, accusing demonstrators of attacking officers.

While the protests have so far led to the resignation of the prime minister and the collapse of the government, Vucic has remained defiant.

He has repeatedly rejected calls for early elections and denounced the demonstrations as part of a foreign plot to overthrow him.

Oz/jj/gv
Clayton County family pleads for help finding loved ones killer

A Clayton County family is asking for the publics help in finding the person or people responsible for killing their loved one.

Chamblee police say Abdul Hydara, 31, was an innocent bystander when someone shot and killed him outside a nightclub in the early morning hours of Aug. 3.

Police said Hydara was in a parking lot off Laventure Drive waiting for his cousin who was inside the club and meeting an acquaintance who he was looking to buy a car from when someone drove by and started shooting.

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It was a very difficult moment for us, said Hydaras sister, Royimatou Hydara.

Relatives described Hydara as a man with a dream.

He feel like he could take care of everybody. Thats the person he is, Royimatou Hydara said.

TRENDING STORIES:

An imam in the community, Hydara was also a dedicated son, brother, husband, and father of two.

He was always working, three jobs trying to send money back home, said family friend, Banka Manneh.

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The Gambian immigrants life was cut short, police say, because of a dispute between people attending the after-hours club across the street.

We have someone who should not be dead right now because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, Chamblee Police Detective David Findlay said.

Chamblee police released surveillance video showing men they are looking for and the black Escalade they were driving.

It came out of the parking lot, headed towards Buford Highway, Findlay said. It makes a U-turn then comes back up Laventure Drive toward Shallowford Road. The victim was struck twice in his back. One to the back of the head, one to his left shoulder blade.

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Police said the Escalade has a drive-out tag.

Meanwhile, the family said they are praying for the people who committed this crime against their loved one.

Somebody take his life like this, we wouldnt expect that, but we pray to Allah, Hydaras father, Yakubaa Hydara, said.

The family hopes someone will recognize the suspects and contact authorities.

We want justice, Royimatou Hydara said. We want them stopped before they hurt anyone else like they did to him and to us.

The Gambian Embassy is also involved in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Chamblee police or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 or text CSGA to 738477.

There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

European officials expressed disappointment and disgust on Aug. 16 after the much-anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended with no ceasefire for Ukraine.

The two leaders spoke for nearly three hours in Anchorage, Alaska on Aug. 15 but failed to announce any major steps towards ending Russia's full-scale war.

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Like Ukraine, Europe was blocked from participating in the Alaska Summit, which saw Trump roll out a red carpet to greet Putin and concluded in a joint press conference where both leaders agreed that the primary blame for the 2022 invasion rests with former U.S. President Joe Biden.

Officials from various European countries took to social media to share their reactions following the summit.

"Putin got his red carpet treatment with Trump, Trump got nothing," German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger wrote on X.

"As was to be feared: no ceasefire, no peace. No real progress  clearly 1:0 for Putin  no new sanctions. For the Ukrainians: nothing. For Europe: deeply disappointing."

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During the post-summit press conference, Putin issued a cryptic warning for Kyiv and its European allies to not "disrupt the emerging progress" of the peace talks. He also said Russia's demands included "a fair balance in the field of security in Europe."

Dovile Sakaliene, Lithuania's defense minister, said that Putin's comments amounted to "gaslighting and veiled threats."

Sakaliene also noted that throughout the day of the summit, Russia continued to "bomb civilians in Ukraine."

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said he welcomed Trump's peacemaking efforts, but cautioned against buying into Kremlin propaganda.

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"The problem is Russian imperialism, not Ukraine's desire to live freely. ... If Putin were serious about peace talks, he would not have been attacking Ukraine all day today," Lipavsky wrote on X.

Read also: Editorial: That meeting was sickening. Putin loved it

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CLEVELAND (WJW)  A Cleveland man who investigators said terrorized a Chase Bank employee during an armed robbery last year was sentenced to prison.

Joel Alonte Travis, 21, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after a federal jury found him guilty of armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a violent crime, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced on Friday.

He was also ordered to three years of supervised release after imprisonment and must pay more than $112,000 in restitution.

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New video: Murder suspect shot by Cleveland police charged; victim identified

In October 2024, a technician was servicing a drive-thru ATM at a Chase Bank in South Euclid when two men in masks jumped out of a Hyundai and ambushed him in broad daylight, according to court records.

Courtesy of U.S. Attorneys Office, Northern District of Ohio

One of the masked men grabbed the victim and pressed a gun to the back of his head, the attorneys office said in a release. The robbers then demanded that the tech remove the cassettes which contained cash to refill the ATM.

The suspects stole five cassettes with more than $112,000 in cash before leaving in the Hyundai, investigators said.

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Burglary, shooting reported at Beachwood apartments

During the investigation, detectives linked Travis, who was on probation for an unrelated crime at the time, to the armed robbery.

Investigators executed a search warrant at his apartment, where they found three guns, including a pistol that matched the one seen in bank surveillance footage.

Detectives also found photos posted to social media showing Travis holding a large amount of cash, according to court records.

He was found guilty of the charges back in April.

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Dried Up Husk

The famously verdant Amazon rainforest is in danger of transforming into a dry savannah as various environmental indicators, such as deforestation and climate change, are pushing the ecosystem to a dangerous tipping point, according to new research.

In a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, as spotted by Live Science, a team of European scientists made a computer model of one area of the vast forest, which totals at a staggering 2.3 million square miles, and observed what would happen if they increased the deforestation rate and temperatures to mimic global warming.

"We are reasonably confident that such a shift is possible," coauthor and University of Cambridge professor Andrew Friend told Live Science. "The question is what degree of climate change and/or deforestation will cause the system to change."

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The team used their computer model to simulate an average patch of the forest to see what would be "the tipping point" for a drastic transformation.

The results were stark: Just a ten percent reduction in precipitation from the Atlantic Ocean, or a more than 65 percent destruction, can push the rainforest into an inexorable path towards "a drier savanna-like environment," according to the paper.

Amazon Crime

The Amazon rainforest is typically described as the world's lungs because it sucks up carbon emissions and expels oxygen from its vast quantity of plants and trees.

Though the rate of deforestation has decreased in recent years, the deforested area in Brazil is roughly equivalent to six times the size of New York City.

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Felling of the forest increased during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, underscoring that the forest's precarious fate is also tied to politics.

But while Brazil can keep a lid on deforestation, the rest of the forest in other countries, such as Peru and Colombia, has also experienced large-scale harvesting of timber for cropland and other developments.

And that's not even going into global warming, which is estimated to increase past the 1.5 degrees Celsius marker, an internationally agreed-upon climate change threshold.

In other words, even if we stall deforestation, the runaway impact of excessive carbon emissions may turn the Amazon rainforest into something unrecognizable.

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"Both climate change and deforestation have to be reduced over the next 10-20 years if we want to be confident that the system will remain intact," Friend told Live Science. "Our understanding is far from complete, and we may be wrong about how the system will respond to these threats, but it would be unwise to rely on this possibility."

More on climate change: Expert Says Collapse of Human Civilization Looks Like the Most Likely Scenario
A rock climber survived two days perched behind a roaring California waterfall before he was rescued earlier this week, authorities said.

The climber, identified as Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, was reported missing by family on Monday. He failed to return to his vehicle Sunday night following an attempt to rappel a waterfall in the Kern Rivers Seven Teacups area, the Tulare County Sheriffs Office said in a statement on Wednesday.

By the time first responders reached the area in Sequoia National Forest on Monday, it was getting dark, and they were only able to find a possible location for the climber using infrared technology, the sheriffs office said.

A first responder attempts to rescue Ryan Wardwell from behind the Seven Teacups waterfall in Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County, Calif. (Obtained by NBC News)

On Tuesday morning, the office's swift-water dive and search-and-rescue teams used a drone that located Wardwell in roughly the same location, in an apparent cavity behind the waterfall.

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"Wardwell was found alive and responsive," the sheriff's office said. "He told Deputies he had come off his rappel lines and got trapped behind the waterfall because of the extreme hydraulics of the river."

He was checked out at the scene and released to family on Tuesday following his rescue, the office said.

Deputy Craig Douglas made the rescue with the help of colleagues and a crew on board a California Highway Patrol helicopter, it said.

"They were able to lower me perfectly right next to him," Douglas said in an interview on Friday. "I was able to get him in a recovery suit, hook him up, get him back into the helicopter."

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Wardwell likely suffered from hypothermia, the deputy said.

"He was pretty much just extremely cold," Douglas said.

Temperatures were in the low 60s early Tuesday morning in Ponderosa, a community about 6 miles north of Seven Teacups. The Kern River's North Fork can also run cold, as it's generally fed by the Sierra Nevada's winter snowpack.

Authorities said Wardwell had rappelled the feature previously, but they warned it can be a danger regardless.

Sheriffs Capt. Kevin Kemmerling told NBC affiliate KSEE of Fresno that Wardwell traveled to the waterfall with a group of friends and fellow climbers who decided to retreat after determining rappelling would be too dangerous. He carried on alone, the captain told the station.

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He noted that three people drowned at roughly the same location in August 2024.

The sheriff's office said visitors to the river should "always be aware of their environment and capabilities, especially when navigating white water."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Researchers are working around the clock in Sioux Falls to find better treatments with fewer side effects for cancer patients.

Sanford Research was established in 1998.

The goal was to not only find better and new treatment options, but also keep patients close to home for clinical trials.

Snoozy lights out as Sioux Falls wins at Little League World Series

I was seeing too many people having to get on a plane or having to drive somewhere like Mayo. And some people they can do that, most people cant, Sanford Health oncologist and physician researcher, Dr. Steve Powell said.

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One study Dr. Powell helped develop looked at treating throat cancer with less radiation.

The EVOLVE study was definitely one that was more focused on that quality of life endpoint. What we were interested in is can you decrease the treatment of radiation, Dr. Powell said. In that case it was from six weeks of radiation to two weeks of radiation.

Jeff Koehn is from Watertown and was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in 2023. Koehn then started EVOLVE following his surgery. Most recently, he was even able to travel to Rome cancer-free.

Dr. Powell notes that head and neck cancers are harder to detect, making treatment more difficult because patients often wait longer to get checked out.

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The earlier you catch it, the likelihood were going to be able to decrease the amount of treatment you need is higher, Dr. Powell said.

Sanford Healths director of clinical research, Jenna Hove says a common goal for the different cancer studies is to decrease the side effects that come with treatments like chemotherapy.

Lessening hair loss for patients. We know that is a huge burden for patients, especially with chemotherapy. Lessening the amount of GI symptoms that they may have, because those can be very debilitating, Hove said. We want to make sure that patients have the best quality of life that way.

Hove says cancer research is in a good place. There have been advances, like immunotherapy, as researchers work to find solutions for patients.

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A project that she doesnt see progress slowing down.

I feel like its its always going at 100 miles an hour, Hove said.

Currently researchers are finding ways to integrate more treatment options that boost immunity.

Immunotherapy is a way of turning on the immune system to go do what its supposed to do in the first place. Its a very specific thing go attack cancer cells only leave the good cells alone, Sanford Research supervisor with the head neck cancer research lab, Craig Welbon said.

Doctors say those who are not sick at all are also important in a clinical trial.

I wish more people would think about joining a clinical trial, even if you dont have a disease. Everyone joining in is what makes it all work, Welbon said.

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But for now researchers will continue working in the lab, as cancer studies can take years or even decades to develop and roll out.

Sanford Health has several clinical trials underway. One clinic trial includes connect that follows patients over the years and collects health data to understand how behaviors may affect your risk for cancer. For details on other open clinical trial programs through Sanford Health click here.

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The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a distress call via VHF radio on Thursday afternoon involving twelve kayakers between Patos Island and Sucia Island, USCG said in a release.

Personnel with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Washington State Parks, and the Coast Guard responded at around 1:50 p.m., the release said.

The dozen kayakers, including six children, were all safely rescued and brought to Orcas Island. The Coast Guard says no one was injured.

A VHF marine radio is a mariners lifeline when there is no cell phone service, said Capt. Michael Hunt, deputy commander, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. It proved its worth by helping save lives in the San Juan Islands.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo.  A Colorado man faces criminal charges in connection with a deadly shooting last month in Franklin County.

On Wednesday, a Franklin County grand jury indicted Zachary J. Pankonin, 40, of Julesburg, Colorado, on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action, according to a news release from the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.

Pankonin is accused of fatally shooting Jared Bodine, 46, of Robertsville, Missouri on July 18.

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Andrew Bailey stepping down to take job with FBI: Reports

On that day, around 3:30 p.m., authorities responded to the scene and found a man lying in the driveway of a home in the 1300 block of Finney Road in Robertsville.

Bodine was found at the scene with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to hospital, but he later died form his injuries.

The Franklin County Sheriffs Office says it followed up on several leads in the murder, which led detectives to Morgan County and Sedgwick County in Colorado.

Investigators have not disclosed any potential motives or circumstances around the shooting death of charges. Its unclear if Pankonin has been arrested.

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ANNISTON  The Calhoun County Commission Thursday gave commission Chairman Terry Howell the go-ahead to continue the purchase process of the OneWorld Canine LLC property and facilities. The main building is currently called OneWorld Pet Resort.

The resolution was necessary to comply with Alabamas Amendment 772  found in Section 94.01 of the Recompiled Constitution of Alabama  that requires a public hearing whenever public funds are used to promote the economic or industrial development of the county.

The commissioners conducted the public hearing Aug. 7 to move the $2 million property closer to the countys acquisition.

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The resolution will allow continued progress on the purchase contract and the necessary documents associated with the purchase. As soon as the legal paperwork is completed, Calhoun County will own the 38 acres and the propertys kennel structures, buildings, associated real estate and other improvements.

Amenities at the resort include bathing facilities for the animals, laundry equipment, refrigerators for their food, and dog-sized playground equipment.

During a required public hearing, some attendees posed questions about how the transition would be handled when shelter animals are introduced into the facility.

After Thursdays meeting, county Administrator Jonathan Gaddy said the goal is to continue offering pet boarding.

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We are doing everything we can to make that work, Gaddy said. Hammonds will have a period of time to close out his business opportunities, and we will put in a new business structure.

At that public meeting, the commissioners listened as attendees asked questions about a host of other issues. They were told by Howell the project was a puzzle that will be solved over time after the contract is signed.

The resolution also states that provisions will take place to also continue certain public events which are associated with the facility such as the One World Canine Obstacle Run. That event brings in hundreds of pet owners from throughout the world. An October run event is already scheduled.

Sparklight agreement

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The commission passed a resolution to increase the franchise fee that cable communications company Hargrave of Alabama LLC pays to the county. Previously, Sparklight paid a two percent fee to the county, and now the fee will be five percent, which is the same charged to other cable providers in Calhoun County. The fee, paid quarterly to the county, goes into the general fund and is accounted for like other county revenues.

New Ayers campus manager introduces herself

During the public-comment session after all resolutions passed, Lisa Morales, who formerly worked with the East Alabama Works program, introduced herself to the commissioners as the Ayers Campus Communitys new workforce development liaison/campus director.

Her former job, which was to work with business and industrial entities to fill the local workforce pipelines, put her in contact with Gadsden State Community College and Ayers Campus.

Im very excited, Morales said after the meeting. We have a great faculty and staff at Ayers, and it is exciting to see how they serve students, businesses and industry.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  On Saturday, the Springfield Armory National Historic Site celebrated 50 years of serving the community and preserving history.

After four years of congressional debate, the bill establishing the Springfield Armory as a national historic site was signed into law in 1974. The sites outdoor space was used many times by the military.

Local advocates protest Trump administration on Boston Road in Springfield

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It helped build the city of Springfield, and it helps spur so many different industries that were here and the communities we have here today, said Kelly Fellner, Superintendent of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site.

To give back to the community, the Friends of Springfield Armory hosted a family-friendly event on the green. Attendees had the chance to tour the site and learn more about whats being done to preserve it.

The Knox Trail, the Ben Franklin mail route, the Garand rifle, the Springfield rifle, said Congressman Richard Neal. So much of that history played out here.

The event featured live music, community resource booths, local artists, remarks from local and state officials, and even birthday cake. Fellner said its setting the stage for the historic sites next 50 years. Now, theyre preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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An animal park has described the challenges it is facing after being left without water for three days following a major burst main which has affected thousands across Flintshire.

Family-run Greenacres Animal Park in Mancot is ferrying water to more than 300 animals including birds, camels, wolves and highland cows while they wait for supplies to return.

"The community has really pulled through and people have been turning up with bottles and giving us what they can," said Beth Hall from the park.

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Welsh Water said it expected supplies to be restored to everyone by Sunday after repairs to a burst water main in Broughton were completed on Friday afternoon.

"Some of the animals will drink many, many litres of water, and we're going around the site with around 60 plastic bottles to refill everything."

Two Cymru Premier matches have also been postponed due to the water disruption.

It has also affected residents and businesses in Flint, Holywell, Ffynnongroyw, Greenfield, Llanerch y Mor, Mostyn, Oakenholt, Talacre, Whitford, Aston, Queensferry, Hawarden, Ewloe, Northop and Deeside.

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Beth said the animal park was using a small utility vehicle to move water around the site, which has been forced to close temporarily.

"We're going around the site with around 60 plastic bottles to refill everything," says Beth [Greenacres Animal Park]

"We have so many bottles now and we're going to have to do something with all this plastic," she said.

"We were on hold [on the phone] with Welsh Water for over an hour but we just can't get through.

"I appreciate they are probably manic with calls but it's frustrating not knowing what's going on.

"We did get an automated call this morning which said we should get the water back tonight but it's a worry that things will slip backwards."

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The water company has apologised for the inconvenience caused by the burst main, which required a complex repair.

It said it was trying to restore supplies as quickly as possible over 310 miles (500km) of pipes, while bottled water stations remained open in Flint, Shotton and Mold.

Temperatures have been forecast to reach 25C (77F) on Saturday while forecasters warned parts of Wales could see a fourth heatwave so far this year.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The public can learn more about plans to help the Gila National Forest recover from the devastating 2022 Black Fire.

A public meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the Upper Mimbres Fire Department, Thunderbird Station in Mimbres, New Mexico.

The meeting will be about phase 1 projects to recover and restore land from the Black Fire, which burned more than 327,000 acres of state, private and Gila National Forest land.

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After the fire, a strong monsoon season caused widespread flooding and erosion within the fire permimeter and downstream.

Since the Black Fire, officials with the Gila National Forest has been working with numerous partners including Bat Conservation International, National Forest Foundation, Sierra Soil nad Water Conservation District, and Natural Curiosity to develop long-term plans for disaster recovery and restoration of 24 watersheds that were affected by the fire and subsequent flooding.

In September 2024, Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes approved a Watershed Restoration Action Plan (WRAP) that identifies the type and scope of work that needs to be completed to restore watersheds, officials with the Gila National Forest Said.

We know restoration and recovery of the vast Black Fire landscape will be a long-term process, the national forest said in a news release.

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The intent of the meeting is to have conversations focused on a preliminary list (Phase 1) of the projects identified in the WRAP for recovery and restoration opportunities in the watersheds impacted by the Black Fire.

We are seeking public input and insight on the activities and methods considered to help improve the proposal. There will be forest resource specialists and members from our partner groups available to discuss the projects and activities, the news release said.

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DAVIESS COUNTY, Ky. (WEHT)  The Daviess County community is seeking justice after a Whitesville woman was physically assaulted at her place of work on Wednesday night while she was alone.

Were really working on, for the first part of this investigation, is trying to establish who all have been in the business, Brad Youngman said. And just to narrow down a timeline before the assault. We know when she came to and when 911 was called but we need to know what happened right before that.

Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman says this happened at the Roosters Crow in the 11000 block of Highway 54 near the county line. He says the victim was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

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We are looking at this as an isolated, individual, attack, Youngman said. Most likely a crime of opportunity. But were still looking into the circumstances and we should know more pretty soon. Most of the victims injuries are superficial, nothing internal, so were thankful for that.

The community has since been vocal on social media about finding the victims assailant. Dylan Terry lives in Daviess County and is a family friend of the victim. Terry says after he felt called to gather as much information from law enforcement as he could to help keep the public aware with a post thats gotten thousands of shares.

It just kind of stuck with me because I hate to see this kind of stuff happen, Terry said. Its absolutely terrible. We need everybody. All eyes and ears on this as much as possible.

Sheriff Youngman says spreading the word and seeking assistance on social media can be a useful tool applauding the communitys efforts. But he says it can sometimes have drawbacks.

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I would really caution people about, just because they see something on Facebook thinking its accurate, Youngman said. The last thing I want to see is someone unfairly targeted or accused of something.

To that end Terry agrees, baffled by the theories but is committed to ensuring the victims assailant be brought to justice.

One of the worst things that doesnt help is public speculation and I figured I could help maybe clear that up, Terry said. Its really common for people to start a rumor. But its really important that we just dont carry that far at all.

Sheriff Youngman says residents of Whitesville should expect an increased patrol presence as the investigation continues. Those with information about the suspect are asked to contact the authorities.

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NEW YORK (PIX11) On this installment of PIX on Politics with Dan Mannarino, Mark Levine discusses the citys financials amid economic uncertainty, struggles with the federal government, and potentially a new mayor coming into office.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

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HUBBARD, Neb. (KCAU)  A solar power project in Dakota County has raised some concerns among residents. In response, New Power Nebraska invited the community to a lunch and learn event to provide insights on the benefits of having a solar farm.

We need new energy right now, said the director for New Power Nebraska, Josh Moening. For the first time in decades, theres a sharp demand, increasing rapidly.

Two years ago, Mission Clean Energy proposed a plan for a 2,900-acre, 360-megawatt solar farm in rural Dakota County. While some may oppose it, Moening asserted that this project can bring jobs and benefits to Dakota County.

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These are huge investments, Moening said. Theres a lot of infrastructure that comes in, and so as a whole, renewable energy has made $7 billion plus, thats billion with a B, investment in the state of Nebraska over recent years.

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There are about 550 jobs that are created during the construction phase, said Moening. And then, like I said, in a project of that size, about ten tech jobs are going forward.

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Moening cited another solar project that helped cut down residents energy bills.

A specific project that I know of in Norfolk, Nebraska. Where they put in a community solar project, which essentially lowered the energy bill for the users of that power, said Moening. Those who bought into it by about 15 to 20%.

While some have agreed to this project, a majority of farmers havent. One farmer in Hubbard, Nebraska, expressed that solar farms do not belong in rural areas.

My thoughts are that if you need something produced, you can always produce something more. Land is not that way, said Hubbard resident Trudy Jepsen. Our earth is all that we have. We cant create more ground. And I hate to see farm ground be taken out of production.

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Jepsen stated that there are alternative methods for implementing this project without disrupting a farmers land.

I would rather see a solar farm being used as a second floor, maybe over a car dealership, protecting them from hail and still benefiting from the electricity raised from it, Jepsen said.

The next Planning and Zoning meeting for the solar power project is scheduled for August 19 at Hubbard Community Center in Hubbard, Nebraska.

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  Rep. Bobby Scott will appear at town halls in Chesapeake and Hampton this coming week.

Scott will update voters on current events in Washington and allow them to ask him questions. Scott is expected to discuss his actions in Congress and the Republican Partys Big, Ugly Law.

The Chesapeake Town Hall will take place at Bethany Baptist Church, located at 2587 Campostella Road, on Monday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.

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The Hampton Town Hall will happen at First Baptist Church, located on 229 North King Street, on Tuesday. Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for both events.

Residents can sign up for the Chesapeake and Hampton Town Halls now.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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A construction worker was killed when a retaining wall collapsed during a construction job at a Sierra Madre home on Friday.

Authorities responded to reports of the injury on the 500 block of Sierra Meadow Drive shortly after 1 p.m.

The construction worker, who was only identified as a man in his 20s, was building a retaining wall in the backyard when the wall collapsed on top of him.

Firefighters found the man trapped underneath the debris. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A construction worker was killed when a retaining wall collapsed during a construction job at a home in Sierra Madre on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA) A construction worker was killed when a retaining wall collapsed during a construction job at a home in Sierra Madre on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA) A construction worker was killed when a retaining wall collapsed during a construction job at a home in Sierra Madre on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA) A construction worker was killed when a retaining wall collapsed during a construction job at a home in Sierra Madre on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA)

The mans identity was not released pending notification to his family.

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Officials from Cal-OSHA, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office and Sierra Madres Building Official also responded to the construction site.

The cause of the deadly incident remains under investigation.

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Diving in a kelp forest in Monterey Bay recently, I watched a tubby 200-pound harbor seal follow a fellow diver, nibbling on his flippers. The diver, a graduate student, was using sponges to collect DNA samples from the ocean floor. Curious seals, he told me, can be a nuisance. When he bags his sponges and places them in his collection net, they sometimes bite into them, puncturing the bags and spoiling his samples.

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, coming closer than 50 yards to seals and dolphins is considered harassment, but theyre free to harass you, which seems only fair given the centuries of deadly whaling and seal hunting that preceded a generational shift in how we view the world around us.

Read more: Contributor: Trump's EPA proposes to end the U.S. fight against climate change

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The shift took hold in 1969, the year a massive oil spill coated the Santa Barbara coastline and the Cuyahoga River, in Cleveland, caught fire. Those two events helped spark the first Earth Day, in 1970, and the shutdown of Americas last whaling station in 1971. Protecting the environment from pollution and from loss of wilderness and wildlife quickly moved from a protest issue to a societal ethic as Americas keystone environmental legislation was passed at around the same time, written by a Democratic Congress and signed into law by a Republican president, Richard Nixon.

Those laws include the National Environmental Policy Act (1969) , the Clean Air Act (1970), the Clean Water Act (1972) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972), which goes further than the Endangered Species Act (1973) in protecting all marine mammals, not just threatened ones, from harassment, killing or capture by U.S. citizens in U.S. waters and on the high seas.

Read more: Contributor: In Trump's war on NOAA, the losers will be Americans and the economy

All these "green" laws and more are under attack by the Trump administration, its congressional minions and longtime corporate opponents of environmental protections, including the oil and gas industry. Republicans' disingenuous argument for weakening the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act is that the legislation has worked so well in rebuilding wildlife populations that its time to loosen regulations for a better balance between nature and human enterprise. When it comes to marine mammal populations, that premise is wrong.

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On July 22, at a House Natural Resources subcommittee meeting, Republican Rep. Nick Begich of Alaska introduced draft legislation that would scale back the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Among other things, his proposal would limit the ability of the federal government to take action against "incidental take," the killing of whales, dolphins and seals by sonic blasts from oil exploration, ship and boat strikes or by drowning as accidental catch (also known as bycatch) in fishing gear. Begich complained that marine mammal protections interfere with essential projects like energy development, port construction, and even fishery operations.

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), the ranking member on the House Resources Committee, calls the legislation a death sentence for marine mammals.

Its true that the marine mammal law has been a success in many ways. Since its passage, no marine mammal has gone extinct and some species have recovered dramatically. The number of northern elephant seals migrating to California beaches to mate and molt grew from 10,000 in 1972 to about 125,000 today. There were an estimated 11,000 gray whales off the West Coast when the Marine Mammal Protection Act became law; by 2016, the population peaked at 27,000.

Read more: The Oceans Court ruled that the seas are a hot mess. Why haven't you heard about it?

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But not all species have thrived. Historically there were about 20,000 North Atlantic right whales off the Eastern Seaboard. They got their name because they were the "right" whales to harpoon  their bodies floated for easy recovery after they were killed. In 1972 they were down to an estimated 350 individuals. After more than half a century of federal legal protection, the population is estimated at 370. They continue to suffer high mortality rates from ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear and other causes, including noise pollution and greater difficulty finding prey in warming seas.

Off Florida, a combination of boat strikes and algal pollution threaten some 8,000-10,000 manatees. The population's recovery (from about 1,000 in 1979) has been significant enough to move them off the endangered species list in 2017, but since the beginning of this year alone, nearly 500 have died. Scientists would like to see them relisted, but at least they're still covered by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

A 2022 study in the Gulf of Mexico found that in areas affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill 12 years earlier, the dolphin population had declined 45% and that it might take 35 years to recover. In the Arctic Ocean off Alaska, loss of sea ice is threatening polar bears (they're considered marine mammals), bowhead and beluga whales, walruses, ringed seals and harp seals.

Read more: Contributor: Why public lands should stay public and protected

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On the West Coast the number of gray whales  a Marine Mammal Act success story and now a cautionary tale  has crashed by more than half in the last decade to fewer than 13,000, according to a recent report by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, the nation's lead ocean agency, is an endangered species in its own right in the Trump era). Declining prey, including tiny shrimp-like amphipods, in the whales' summer feeding grounds in the Arctic probably caused by warming water are thought to be a major contributor to their starvation deaths and reduced birth rates.

The whale's diving numbers are just one signal that climate change alone makes maintaining the Marine Mammal Act urgent. Widespread marine heat waves linked to a warming ocean are contributing to the loss of kelp forests that sea otters and other marine mammals depend on. Algal blooms off California, and for the first time ever, Alaska, supercharged by warmer waters and nutrient pollution, are leading to the deaths of thousands of dolphins and sea lions.

What the Trump administration and its antiregulation, anti-environmental-protection supporters fail to recognize is that the loss of marine mammals is an indicator for the declining health of our oceans and the natural world we depend on and are a part of. This time, saving the whales will be about saving ourselves.

David Helvarg is executive director of Blue Frontier, an ocean policy group. His next book, "Forest of the Sea: The Remarkable Life and Imperiled Future of Kelp," is scheduled to be published in 2026.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday on federal charges alleging she carried on an "intimate relationship" with a taxpayer-funded security guard and conspired to defraud the city of more than $70,000, according to a superseding indictment unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The 18-count indictment accuses Cantrell, 53, and former New Orleans Police Department Officer Jeffrey Vappie of conspiracy, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, making false statements and making false declarations before a grand jury.



"Our office is aware of the indictment that was filed today against Mayor LaToya Cantrell," City Councilman JP Morrells spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "This is a sad day for the people of New Orleans. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cantrell family as they navigate through this difficult time."



"Everyone is presumed innocent under the law. Mayor Cantrell deserves that presumption," City Councilman Joe Giarrusso wrote on X. "This unfortunately will be sensationalized because it involves the Mayor and will further impede the Citys operations. We should, however, let the facts play out and not rush to judgment."



Christian Singer Says Super Bowl Performance Is 'Vindication' After Being Canceled By New Orleans Mayor

Mayor LaToya Cantrell became the first sitting New Orleans mayor to face criminal charges after a federal indictment was unsealed Friday.

Prosecutors say the pair "developed a personal and intimate relationship" in or around October 2021 and concealed it "to maximize their time together" while exploiting their official positions for personal benefit.

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"In total, Vappies trips with Cantrell cost the City of New Orleans over $70,000, separate from Cantrells own travel costs," the indictment states.

Federal prosecutors say those trips, at least 14 in all, included travel to Los Angeles; San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; and Scotland, with Vappie falsely claiming on time sheets he was working in his role on the mayors Executive Protection Unit while engaging in personal activities.

The indictment alleges she was warned by an associate to end the relationship, saying "It is A FELONY to have your lover be paid to work and have his travel paid for by the city. That Nashville mayor had to pay back like 50k AND serve 3 yrs probation. She is done! Please don't let this be your path LaToya!!!"

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Exclusive: Contractor Ousted In French Quarter Says $8M Trash Deal With Mayor Doesnt Pass The Smell Test

Screenshots from a June 11, 2022, WhatsApp exchange, included in a superseding federal indictment, show New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell displaying a ring and asking, "Hey did you tell [redacted] you put a ring on it?"

The indictment alleges that "during shifts Vappie claimed to be on duty for EPU, he frequently spent time inside the Pontalba Apartment both with Cantrell and alone." Federal prosecutors say this was part of a broader scheme to conceal the pairs personal relationship while billing the city for on-duty hours. Around the same time, Vappies wife filed for divorce, citing the alleged relationship in court filings, according to local reports.

A unit in the Pontalba Apartments, a historic city-owned property in the French Quarter, has long been considered a ceremonial perk of the mayors office, used to host visiting dignitaries, Mardi Gras festivities and other official functions, not as a permanent residence.

The indictment also details personal messages the pair allegedly exchanged via WhatsApp, including a June 11, 2022, photo Cantrell sent to Vappie of a ring on her finger with the caption, "Hey did you tell [them] you put a ring on it?". In another message, Cantrell allegedly wrote, "The times when we are truly alone (traveling) is what spoils me the most".

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Prosecutors further allege Cantrell tried to cover up the relationship by deleting messages, activating a setting to make them disappear within 24 hours and lying under oath to a federal grand jury about turning over all requested evidence, withholding more than 50 photos from her personal devices.

Mayor Cantrell is no stranger to controversy after weathering a failed recall effort in 2022 organized by New Orleanians, including a former staffer of hers.

Cantrells tenure had already been marked by public controversy, most recently over a French Quarter trash dispute. She terminated IV Wastes sanitation contract, widely praised for its cleaning services, in favor of a personally-connected firm via an emergency declaration, sparking backlash from City Council officials and a filing from the Louisiana Attorney General condemning the move as an "abuse of emergency powers."

Cantrell, first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, has previously faced multiple ethics complaints. Her indictment could significantly alter the citys political landscape ahead of the October 2025 mayoral race. City Councilwoman Helena Moreno is widely considered the frontrunner. Fox News Digital has reached out to Moreno for comment but has not yet received a response.

In an unrelated 2022 incident, Mayor Cantrell made headlines when she stepped into a physical altercation in a ladies room at a Rob49 rap concert at the Fillmore NOLA. Footage showed her diffusing a tense standoff; her communications director at the time praised her for intervening, calling it living her motto: "if you see something, do something."

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Also in 2022, activist and former Cantrell staffer Eileen Carter and community figure Belden "Noonie Man" Batiste launched a recall campaign claiming the mayor had "failed to put New Orleans first and execute the responsibilities of the position." Despite submitting tens of thousands of signatures, organizers fell well short. According to Ballotpedia, about 67,000 signatures were submitted, but only 27,243 were validated, far below the nearly 45,000 required for triggering a recall election.

Cantrell, the first female mayor in the citys more than 300-year history, is now its first sitting mayor to face criminal charges.

If found guilty, the potential maximum penalties are up to five years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud; up to 20 years per count for wire fraud; up to 20 years for conspiracy to obstruct justice; up to five years for Vappies false-statement charge; up to 20 years for Cantrells obstruction charge; and up to five years per count for Cantrells false-declaration charges.

The two could also face up to $250,000 in fines per count, a $100 special assessment per count and up to three years of supervised release on each count.

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The Office of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.





Original article source: Controversial New Orleans mayor indicted for alleged illicit relationship with taxpayer-funded bodyguard
RICHMOND  Virginia will soon need to pay at least an additional $90 million a year in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs. If it wants to establish state Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, it would need to spend $270 million a year. And complying with new Medicaid requirements will require additional investment to agencies like the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

Thats according to presentations given to the Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions Thursday. The committee, convened by House Speaker Don Scott at the end of this years legislative session, met for the fifth time to hear from experts on the impact of federal cuts on the commonwealth.

Legislative fiscal analysts David Reynolds and Kim McKay told legislators that with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they had a better sense of what federal cuts would mean for Virginia, but there are still unknowns. For example, Virginias unemployment data does not yet take into account federal employees who took buyouts and are still getting paid. Those cases are expected to show up in the unemployment numbers come October.

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Virginias unemployment rate is worsening, rising to 3.5% in June from 3% in January, McKay said.

Thats still below the national average, but its expected to climb.

Layoffs of civilian workers by the Department of Defense poses a significant threat to Virginia with an estimate of a thousand Virginia workers already impacted, and with another 5,700 workers likely to follow, McKay said. You have another 2,114 Virginians filing for unemployment insurance from the top 100 federal contractors in the state.

McKay said the scope of federal grant cancellations and recissions is still largely unknown. Examples of the effects of grant cancellations include the slashing of flood mitigation programs in Hampton Roads. Thursdays presentations also highlighted cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid and higher education.

SNAP

The most substantial change to SNAP, according to Reynolds, is a new state matching requirement based on the states payment error rate. If Virginias error rate stays the same, that would mean the state would be responsible for $270 million per year at the current 15% match rate beginning in fiscal 2028.

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Budget action will be required no later than the 2027 General Assembly session in order to reflect these increased costs, Reynolds said.

The General Assembly will also likely discuss investments in systems and personnel to bring the error rate down, which will require additional funding.

The state will also shift to shouldering 75% of the administrative cost of SNAP, compared to current 50% share of the burden, beginning in fiscal 2027.

This is an unavoidable expense, so this will begin costing the state $90 million a year for beginning in the next fiscal year, Reynolds said.

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The Congressional Budget Office estimates that some 2.4 million Americans will lose access to SNAP as a result of changes to the program like work requirements and some lawful residents who are not citizens becoming ineligible.

Health care

Medicaid changes include eligibility redeterminations for the expansion population every six months instead of every year. That will mean more work for the Department of Medical Assistance Services and local departments of Social Services. And people who have Medicaid through expansion will be subject to work requirements, beginning at the end of 2026.

Thursdays presentation also highlighted the reduction in the hospital assessment from 6% to 3.5% in 2032. That tax currently funds both Medicaid expansion at about $650 million a year and raises Medicaid reimbursements for hospital services by about $1 billion a year.

The good news is that these changes wont affect Virginias ability to fund its Medicaid expansion program, Reynolds said. However, these changes will reduce hospital revenues, which will be especially challenging for facilities currently operating at a loss.

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Absent from the OBBBA legislation were the premium health tax credit and the enhanced premium health tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans, which are set to expire in December of this year.

Many families will see their premiums rise, and its likely for some, premiums will be unaffordable, Reynolds said.

If Virginia were to establish its own state taxpayer credit program, it would cost at least $250 million a year, he said.

Higher education

The committee also heard about changes to higher education, including reductions in Pell Grant eligibility, caps on student borrowing and the elimination of the Grad PLUS program, which allows graduate and professional students to borrow up to their full tuition costs.

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Additionally, beginning in the 2028-2029 academic year, programs whose graduates are not earning at least the median income four years after graduation are at risk of losing access to the Federal Direct Loan program. In Virginia, if the provision took effect today, 39% of associate programs and 16% of bachelors programs would be at risk.

Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881, kate.seltzer@virginiamedia.com
On the 1st of July 2025, the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile spotted a new comet entering our solar system. This comet was named 3I/ATLAS, as it's only the third interstellar object humans observed passing through our solar system. The previous two interstellar bodies discovered were 1I/'Oumuamua (spotted in 2017), and 2I/BORISOV (detected in 2019). It seems that 3I/ATLAS is similar to 2I/BORISOV by its icy composition. Beyond that, we don't know much about the new interstellar visitor. Scientists rush to observe 3I/ATLAS and discover as much as they can, as it's predicted by its current trajectory and speed to leave our solar system by the end of the year.

It will come closest to our sun in late October 2025, and the sun will melt some of its ice, which means 3I/ATLAS might get a robust comet tail composed of vapor and dust. Currently, this comet has a faint coma, the cloud of dust and gas that surrounds its nucleus. But this might change with its approach to the sun. Another interesting fact is that 3I/ATLAS will pass through Mars' orbit, and we don't know what will happen then.

The fact that it was ATLAS that first discovered this comet got some people concerned. The Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System has a defensive nature. It's designed to spot and warn us about comets, asteroids, or other space objects that might be on a collision course with Earth. However, according to NASA, the interstellar object will most likely fly far enough from our planet without posing any danger.

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Read more: This Is How Most Life On Earth Will End

What NASA Has To Say

Nasa logo at the Kennedy Space Center - Laserlens/Getty Images

The ATLAS observatory in Chile is part of NASA's early warning program, spotting and defining all near-Earth objects (NEOs), especially if they're asteroids and comets that could strike our planet. ATLAS uses a network of wide-field telescopes that scan the night sky above Earth 24/7. Although designed for planetary defense against hazardous space objects, ATLAS is capable of detecting non-threatening, but scientifically interesting objects as well. The telescopes that are part of this defensive network are based in several observatories around the globe (South Africa, California, and Chile, to name a few), providing the researchers with round-the-globe coverage of the night sky.

Of course, when 3I/ATLAS was first discovered, the first things determined were its trajectory and velocity. It was concluded that this comet is traveling at the speed of 137,000 miles/hour (61km/s), and the closest it will approach Earth is at 1.8 astronomical units (170 million miles, or 270 million kilometers, from Earth). NASA has ultimately concluded that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to our planet.

That said, the most interesting known fact about this interstellar visitor is its age. Following its current trajectory, scientists were able to determine 3I/ATLAS originated in a part of the Milky Way that we know is older than our solar system; meaning it's potentially older than 4.6 billion years old. It's estimated that 3I/ATLAS is around 7 billion years old, making it the oldest comet observed by humans so far.

Could It Be An Alien Probe?

Interstellar asteroid - Nazarii_Neshcherenskyi/Shutterstock

Although very little is known about 3I/ATLAS so far, there are many interesting theories surrounding this interstellar visitor. Harvard-based astrophysicist Abraham Loeb and colleagues from the UK's Initiative for Interstellar Studies, Adam Hibbert and Adam Crowl, believe this interstellar object is not a comet at all; but an alien probe coming from afar to scan Earth and its surroundings.

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This is not the first time Loeb has suggested such a thing. In 2017, when Oumuamua was discovered, he claimed it was an alien probe due to its unusual shape, acceleration, reflectivity, and lack of trailing gases. Although he didn't come out with any specifics about 3I/ATLAS, Loeb warns that any interstellar object should be observed as possible alien technology.

As of now, there's no evidence that 3I/ATLAS is anything but an interstellar comet passing through our solar system. It was lucky that ATLAS detected it, as it is believed millions of such objects pass near or through our system without ever being detected. Scientists such as Loeb might not be completely wrong, however. 3I/ATLAS is a unique interstellar comet, and we should pay more attention to it.

Read the original article on BGR.
Several London councils have been accused of "indefensible" failures to fix broken windows in social housing by a watchdog, with some families waiting up to five years.

The Housing Ombudsman said more than half the cases involved children, warning delays had put health and safety at risk.

In one case described as "inexcusable", Harrow Council took more than two years to fix a faulty window in a baby's bedroom, despite knowing about the issue before the family moved in.

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Councils including Harrow, Lambeth and Islington apologised, saying they had since improved repairs systems.

The watchdog's investigation found landlords were failing to consider the individual circumstances of residents, with some tenants left in unsafe or unhealthy conditions for years.

Ombudsman Richard Blakeway said some councils allowed repairs to "drag on" because of planned major works, but argued the conditions endured by residents were "impossible to justify".

"Crucially, we repeatedly see a failure to connect the circumstances of the household to the condition of the property," he said.

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"Reports of the risk of falling, fire safety, and exposure to cold and damp and mould are not always heeded."

The report highlighted several cases:

Lambeth Council took three years to address windows it knew were unfit, while the tenant was not told why the work was delayed

Lewisham Council left a boarded-up bedroom window in a high-rise flat for four years, despite repeated concerns from a father about his children's safety and lack of natural light

Hammersmith and Fulham Council was criticised for poor record-keeping and twice wrongly marking repairs as complete

In Islington, a mother said her son's health was made worse because none of the flat's windows could close properly during winter and there was "no evidence the landlord assessed this risk", the Ombudsman said.

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The findings were published in the same week the National Child Mortality Database reported 13 deaths of children who fell from social housing windows in the past six years.

In some cases, families had previously reported problems with broken windows.

Islington councillor John Woolf, executive member for homes and communities, apologised for delays which he said were linked to major works.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the council was improving reporting systems and had shared changes with the Ombudsman.

Lambeth Council also apologised, saying it had compensated residents, completed the necessary work, and carried out reviews to learn lessons.

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A spokesperson added that window restrictors were now fitted in all empty properties above ground level.

Other councils said they were investing in improvements.

Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow and Lambeth councils highlighted hundreds of millions of pounds spent on maintaining homes.

Lewisham said it was hiring more repairs staff and strengthening record-keeping, while Islington said it would use "more robust" temporary fixes where full replacement was not economical.

The LDRS said it had approached the other councils named for further comment.

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

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Now well into its third year, it's safe to say the Russo-Ukraine war has ushered in a new type of warfare fit for this decade.

As resources run low and manpower becomes irreplaceable, combatants on both sides have resorted to McGuyver-esque tactics, such as jury-rigged drone cages, improvised wooden armor, and eScooter cavalry.

One especially important development has been the deployment of various drones, from hobbyist models flung up to do recon flights, to drone boats in the Black Sea.

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But as with any conflict, Russia and Ukraine aren't the only countries on high alert. Lithuania, too, is adapting to the changing battlefield in an unusual way: by training children to pilot military drones.

As first reported by The Guardian, the Baltic country recently announced the launch of a "civil resistance" drone academy, with hopes to train over 22,000 civilians  including school-aged children  in the fine art of drone warfare.

"We plan that 15,500 adults and 7,000 children will acquire drone control skills by 2028," said Dovile Sakaliene, the Lithuanian minister of national defense.

The long-term training program will reportedly begin with children as young as eight years old, and will scale based on students' age. For example, the Lithuanian government said that elementary-aged students will learn to pilot simple drones by competing in games, while high-school students will learn to design, fabricate, and pilot advanced-level first-person view drones.

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By September 2025, the Lithuanian Riflemens Union, in conjunction with the Lithuanian Non-Formal Education Agency (LINESA), will open the country's first three civilian drone academies, with another six in the works by 2028, the government announced.

"Unmanned aerial vehicle technologies are now an integral part not only of science and industry, but also of everyday life," said Valdas Jankauskas, Director of LINESA, in a statement.

"Such programs develop not only technical skills, but also creativity, the ability to solve problems, and a responsible attitude towards the use of technology," he continued. "I am convinced that these skills will be valuable both for future engineers and for every civically active person."

For months, LINESA has offered commercial drone training programs for Lithuanian youth of all ages. Their latest venture, however, marks a notable escalation into the military realm.

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The announcement comes just days after a Russian military drone drifted into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus while allegedly armed with explosives  the second drone incursion in the last month.

Lithuania joins fellow Eastern European NATO members Estonia and Latvia in introducing children to military drone maneuvers, a run-off of a conflict that has displaced some six million people, with a total cost of nearly half a trillion dollars.

More on drones: France Wants to Roll Out Robot Army by 2040
Crawford County is joining a regional effort to combat population decline and its associated challenges by partnering with Penn Northwest in an initiative exceeding $1 million to promote regional talent attraction and retention. Crawford County Commissioners on Thursday OKd a resolution to partner with Penn Northwest, a regional initiative.

The programs goal is to recruit and relocate 65 new households in the region over three years, according to Zachary Norwood, county planning director. He also told The Meadville Tribune that the local state and tax benefits from the program would be $603,557 each year.

To implement this program, Penn Northwest is developing a grant application to submit to the Department of Community and Economic Development for the Area Development Grant Program under the Appalachian Regional Commission. To meet its match commitment, Penn Northwest is asking each of the eight northwestern Pennsylvania counties for a portion. Crawford Countys share would be $67,500  of that, $58,500 would be cash value, and the remaining $9,000 would be in-kind donations from local businesses.

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At this time, Norwood explained, the in-kind donations have not been determined, and donations have not been requested. The county is awaiting the go-ahead for Penn Northwest to submit a final funding application, which Norwood says could be as early as winter.

The application is an extension of Mercer Countys pilot program Make My Move, which is part of a national movement. If Crawford County participates, the community would be eligible to participate in the national attraction program.

The company, Make My Move, markets relocation assistance and packages for individuals and families seeking to relocate, and it highlights communities that otherwise may go unnoticed, Norwood said. The company would also provide technical support and oversight for marketing, screening and coordinating relocation for eligible applicants.

The local community would then select the recipient and award the incentive package.

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Penn Northwest will operate as the grant manager for the project.

This initiative directly aligns with the countys comprehensive plan, Crawford Inspired, to attract and retain population and talent, Norwood said. Our goal is to attract 1,000 people in the next decade between the ages of 25 and 54. This initiative would help build on our existing efforts to achieve that goal.

As for other business, commissioners tabled the refigured quotes for the Sugar Lake communication tower site. Public Safety Director Greg Beveridge told The Meadville Tribune that the county solicitor had some questions that the project manager couldnt answer in time, so the quotes are tabled for now but will be voted on at some point.

The next forum is a work session at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the commissioners conference room.
A federal judge has rejected an attempt by the San Carlos Apache Tribe and a coalition of environmentalists to stop a contested land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and Resolution Copper.

In a ruling released Aug. 15, Judge Dominic W. Lanza acknowledged that the Resolution Copper mine will destroy one of the Apache people's most sacred sites, could potentially inflict devastating environmental effects and use tremendous quantities of water as Arizona endures a historic drought. But he said the plaintiffs had failed to prove a case that would tip the scales in their favor.

Lanza's ruling sets the stage for a formal handover of Oak Flat, a 2,200-acre campground in Tonto National Forest, to Resolution Copper in exchange for several parcels of environmentally sensitive land as soon as Aug. 19, when his previous injunction, which gave the cases time to be heard, ends.

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Lanza wrote in a 94-page opinion that although the tribe and environmentalists' arguments established the likelihood of "irreparable injury" if the exchange goes through, the bill that authorized the swap reflected Congress' priorities: promoting economic and national security interests  even if it comes "at the expense of potential devastation to the religious beliefs and practices of the Tribe and to the environment."

Resolution has said that the mine could contribute as much as $1 billion annually to the state's economy and create thousands of jobs in the Copper Triangle. Lanza also said the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to hear grassroots group Apache Stronghold's appeal in May influenced his decision.

"The Supreme Court recently denied certiorari in Apache Stronghold despite the presence of claims that, in the courts view, present much closer and more serious merits questions than the substantive claims at issue here," he wrote.

'We are not giving up'

Lanza's ruling included stark language about the lawsuit's central claims about the loss of religious rights: "it is difficult to overstate just how profoundly the land exchange will undermine the ability of members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe to practice their religion," he wrote.

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"It is undisputed that the governments plan will permanently destroy the Apaches historical place of worship,preventing them from ever again engaging in religious exercise at Oak Flat," he said, but concluded that "have not advanced any religion-based claims in their pending motions."

Lanza barred any further attempt to seek an injunction to stop the exchange as the tribe and environmentalists appeal the decision.

The environmentalists and the Inter Tribal Association of Arizona immediately filed an appeal with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

It is sad news that the judge did not pause this ill-conceived land exchange that if allowed to go forward would destroy Oak Flat and all that makes it special, including the old Emory oak trees, endangered hedgehog cactus, and its significant cultural and recreational values, said Sandy Bahr, director of Sierra Clubs Grand Canyon Chapter. We are not giving up, however, and remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure Oak Flat is here for future generations.

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Resolution said the ruling was consistent with "settled" law directing the land exchange and advancement of the mine. Also, the spokesperson said, "The U.S. Forest Service is clear in its Final Environmental Impact Statement that the land exchange is mandated by law and not discretionary."

The Center for Biological Diversity, one of the plaintiffs in the case, also said they're not giving up, said Russ McSpadden, Southwest conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity.

The clock to save this extraordinary place is ticking and were hopeful an appeals court will allow these important cases to be heard.

Saving the land: Indigenous people find legal, cultural barriers to protect sacred spaces off tribal lands

A 2-decade fight over religious rights and water

For more than two decades, Oak Flat Campground, known to Apaches as Chichil Bidagoteel, "the place where the Emory oak grows," has been ground zero in a battle over Native religious rights on public lands as well as preservation of one of Arizona's most scarce commodities, a wetland.

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The 2,200-acre primitive campground and riparian zone, within the Tonto National Forest about 60 miles east of Phoenix, also lies over one of the nation's largest remaining bodies of copper ore.

Tribes, environmentalists and their allies have been fighting to prevent Oak Flat from being given to Resolution Copper in exchange for other environmentally sensitive lands in Arizona. The company had pursued the land exchange with the Forest Service for about 10 years before it became attached to a defense bill by lawmakers led by the late Sen. John McCain in December 2014.

To obtain the copper ore, Resolution, which is owned by multinational companies Rio Tinto and BHP, plan to use a method known as block cave mining, in which tunnels are drilled beneath the ore body and then collapsed, leaving the ore to be moved to a crushing facility. Eventually, the ground will subside, leaving behind a crater about 1,000 feet deep and nearly 2 miles across, obliterating Oak Flat and its religious and environmental significance.

Grassroots group Apache Stronghold filed a lawsuit in January 2021 in federal court to stop the land swap, citing religious rights guarantees under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a religious freedom nonprofit law firm, accepted the case and, along with a group of private attorneys and law professors, has represented Apache Stronghold, which includes Apache and other Native peoples and their allies.

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The Biden administration rescinded the environmental impact statement in March 2021 for further consultation with tribes. The Forest Service announced consultation was concluded in 2023. Resolution was granted permission to join the lawsuit in 2023.

In 2024, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Apache Stronghold in a narrow 6-5 decision. That fall, the group appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Forest Service's announcement in April that the process would move forward again set off a flurry of court filings to stop or at least put on hold the move, which would open up a 60-day period when the land exchange could take place. Apache Stronghold won a temporary halt to the proceedings until the high court either decided not to take the case or issued a decision.

The Supreme Court turned Apache Stronghold down in May.

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On June 9, U.S. District Court Judge Dominic W. Lanza barred the Forest Service from completing the land exchange until a full 60 days after the new document is issued to give parties from the other two lawsuits sufficient time to review the environmental impact statement and revive their litigation. The 60-day period ends Aug. 19, after which the land exchange can be completed unless the court issues a new halt to the proceedings.

In July, Apache Stronghold asked the high court to reconsider its decision and agree to hear the case.

Also in July, a group of Apache women filed their own lawsuit to halt the land exchange at Oak Flat. The four women, who have spiritual and cultural connections to the site, filed their suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia July 24. Their litigation said that the exchange violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the First Amendment's religious rights protections and two environmental laws.

The lawsuit also brought two new factors into play: a recent high court decision that affirms parental rights to direct their children's religious education and references to Justice Neil Gorsuch's blistering dissent to the Supreme Court's refusal to hear Apache Stronghold's case.

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Debra Krol reports on Indigenous communities at the confluence of climate, culture and commerce in Arizona and the Intermountain West. Reach Krol at debra.krol@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @debkrol and on Bluesky at @debkrol.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Judge refuses to halt land swap for Resolution Copper mine at Oak Flat
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Its August, and parents and caregivers are frantically preparing their kids for a new school year by buying supplies, filling out forms and meeting teachers. This year, many parents also face a question thats more complicated than usual: Should my child get an updated COVID-19 vaccine, and will I even have that choice? For some, that decision may have already been made by chaotic federal policy, just as COVID-19 cases are rising nationwide.

As a pediatrician and researcher who studies vaccine delivery and health policy, I am hearing uncertainty from both parents and health care providers. If that describes you, you are not alone. A poll published Aug. 1, 2025, by the health policy organization KFF found half of parents are unsure whether federal health agencies are recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children this fall.

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The process that normally provides clear, consistent recommendations and ensures availability for vaccines before respiratory virus season has been upended, and this years COVID-19 vaccine guidance for children is a prime example.

How the process typically works

For over two decades, there was a predictable, well-coordinated process to ensure recommended seasonal vaccines, such as the flu shot, were available for anyone who wanted them by early fall. In recent years, COVID-19 vaccines have been incorporated into this same annual cycle.

Beginning in February, the Food and Drug Administration, including its independent committee of experts, reviewed data and approved the optimal formulation. After FDA approval, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, an independent panel of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reviewed the evidence in public meetings and issued clear recommendations.

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Manufacturers then scaled up production; insurers confirmed coverage, which is tied to the advisory committees recommendations; and doses were distributed nationwide so vaccines would be available in clinics and pharmacies before the leaves started turning. This usual series of steps ensured that guidance incorporated input from scientists, epidemiologists, public health experts, clinicians, manufacturers, insurers and consumers. It also fostered trust among health care providers and, in turn, provided parents with clarity and confidence when making decisions

Whats different this year

Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took over as secretary of Health and Human Services in February 2025, that usual, tightly choreographed dance has become a chaotic scramble marked by uncertainty and a lack of transparency. Decisions about vaccine guidance have been made through internal channels without the same level of public discussion, review of the evidence or broad stakeholder input.

In May 2025, Kennedy and FDA leadership bypassed the agencys independent review committee and announced that some COVID-19 vaccines would be approved only for children with high-risk conditions. One formulation has yet to be FDA-approved for children at all. The secretary first announced updated recommendations for children on X, stating COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children. Shortly after, the CDC posted guidelines that differed from that announcement and said healthy children may receive them. Meanwhile, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was disbanded by Kennedy and replaced with a smaller, hand-picked panel that operates with less transparency and has yet to weigh in on COVID-19 vaccines for children.

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Public messaging has added to the confusion. Statements from newly appointed federal health leaders have questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and the long-standing processes for ensuring their safety. Funding for mRNA technology, which supports several COVID-19 vaccines and is being explored for use against other diseases and even some cancers, has been cut. And many of the claims used to justify these actions have been challenged by experts as inaccurate or misleading.

What this means for parents

For parents, the result is uncertainty about whether their children should be vaccinated, when and where the vaccines will be available, whether insurance will cover them, or whether their choice has effectively been made for them by newly appointed health leaders operating outside the guardrails of the normal vetting process. This uncertainty comes at a time when the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in children is already lower than that of other routine vaccines.

Currently, CDC guidelines say healthy children six months and older may receive a COVID-19 vaccine based on shared decision-making with their health care provider. The CDC recommends that children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive it. These guidelines differ from FDA approvals and Kennedys guidelines announced on X, and they have not been reviewed or voted on in an advisory committee on immunization practices meeting.

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Parents can start by talking with their childs pediatrician about benefits and potential risks, confirming eligibility and checking on insurance coverage. Pediatricians welcome parents questions and work tirelessly to provide answers grounded in the best available evidence so families can make truly informed decisions about their childs health.

In some cases, unfortunately, even if parents want the vaccine and their pediatrician agrees, they may not be able to get it due to any number of factors, including local supply shortages, lack of insurance coverage, policies that prevent administration by pharmacists and other health providers without clear federal guidance, or an unwillingness of providers to give it off-label, meaning in a way that differs from the FDAs official approval. For those parents, their decision has been made for them.

Reducing risks in other ways

Whether or not a child receives an updated COVID-19 vaccine, parents can still take steps to reduce illness, including keeping children home when sick, teaching them cough-and-sneeze hygiene and encouraging frequent hand-washing. The CDC provides national and state data on seasonal respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, while local public health websites often offer community-level information.

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Parents should also remember that the COVID-19 vaccine is not the only thing to consider before school starts. Routine immunizations such as those for measles, mumps and rubella, known as the MMR vaccine; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, called DTaP; and influenza are essential for keeping kids healthy and in school. These are widely available for now. This is particularly important, as this year the United States has experienced the highest number of measles cases in decades.

Uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, and potentially other vaccines, may worsen in the coming weeks and months. It is possible parents will continue to see shifting guidance, conflicting statements from federal agencies and reduced access to vaccines in their communities.

In this chaotic environment, parents can look to trusted sources such as their pediatrician or organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, which will continue to provide independent, evidence-based vaccine guidance.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

David Higgins is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Chicago police are warning the public after a series of residential burglaries on the South Side targeting elderly residents.

Police said the burglaries happened at the following times and locations:

3600 block of South Maplewood Ave on August 5, 2025 at 4:38 P.M. (Brighton Park)

4200 block of South California Ave on August 8, 2025 at 3:10 P.M. (Brighton Park)

2800 block of South Pitney Ct on August 9, 2025 at 5:00 P.M. (Bridgeport)

3300 block of South Seeley Ave on August 12, 2025 at 1:43 P.M. (McKinley Park)

2600 block of South Shields Ave on August 14, 2025 at 10:00 P.M. (Armour Square)

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According to police, the suspects either create a situation to get the victim(s) to come out of their homes (example: saying they hit the victims garage door with their vehicle), distract the victims (such as by engaging in conversation), or wait for the victims to come out of their homes for whatever reason.

Vehicle, driver sought in connection with deadly South Side hit-and-run crash

Police said additional suspects then go inside the homes and take items such as guns, money and/or valuables. The suspects also reportedly targeted a home while the victims were out of town.

Detectives described the suspects as two women and two men. One of the men was described as wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans, while the other man was wearing an American flag ski mask, white t-shirt, black pants and black boots.

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Detailed descriptions on the other three suspects were not available, but police did say one woman is about 5 feet tall, weighing about 120 pounds and having brown eyes, black hair and a short hair style, while the other woman is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall with hazel eyes.

The other man was described as wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans.

Police also said the suspects were traveling in a white van or a gray pickup truck, both without license plates.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Anyone with information is asked to call Area One Detectives at 312-747-8380 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #P25-1-092.

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Additional tips from CPD:

Be aware of your surroundings.

Be cautious of persons engaging you in conversation to lure you from your residence.

Keep the perimeter of your property well lit.

Keep doors/windows secured/locked.

Immediately repair any broken windows, doors or locks.

Immediately report suspicious activity.

Never pursue a fleeing assailant, provide the information to the police.

If video surveillance is available, save a copy of the incident for investigating detectives.

If approached by a witness to the incident, request their contact information.

If you are a victim do not touch anything, call police immediately.

Immediately dial 9-1-1 and remain on the scene when possible.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
(WKBN)  Many of us crack our necks to relieve some tension without thinking twice about it  but is that actually harmful to us?

Dr. Deborah Benzil, a neurosurgeon with the Cleveland Clinic, says a little bit of cracking is fine as long as you dont overdo it. That can lead to joint instability, pinched nerves and other injuries.

She recommends finding other ways to relieve that tension and encourages people to maintain good posture, especially if you have an office job.

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If youre working at a keyboard thats down here, youre forcing yourself to be forward. But if youre working with your chair at the right height and with your equipment at the right height, its going to help you be in the position thats best for you, Benzil said.

She adds that those who regularly experience neck or back pain should check in with their doctor to find out whats causing it.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
On a sweltering summer afternoon in Hong Kong, Yeung Fong-yans flat felt like an oven. Her air conditioner ran at full blast, but the tiny, tin-roofed room still baked in the heat, with a thermometer inside reading 36C (96.8F).

Sometimes its so hot we cant even sleep, Yeung said, seated on the small bed that doubles as her couch, dining table and sleeping quarters. Her 13-year-old grandson had just returned home from school, exhausted and drenched in sweat after climbing nine floors to reach their apartment.

The two live together in a rooftop structure, on an elevator-less building in the crowded district of Sham Shui Po. Like many low-income families in the neighborhood, theyve been pushed into makeshift housing by soaring rents and a chronic shortage of public homes in a city that is, on paper at least, one of the worlds wealthiest.

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During summer, the thin walls offer no insulation, the cracked roof leaks under heavy rain, and the heat turns the space into a furnace. With heavy humidity, Hong Kongs subtropical climate makes already hot days feel even more intense.

In recent months, Hong Kong has been hit with relentless heat warnings. Yet tens of thousands of residents remain sardined into homes smaller than a parking space, where staying cool is a luxury few can afford as the climate warms.

An estimated 220,000 people live in subdivided units, cage homes, or illegal rooftop flats across the semi-autonomous Chinese city. Many units are poorly ventilated, windowless, and often infested with cockroaches, rats and bed bugs.

Some of the conditions are quite inhumane, said Sze Lai Shan, deputy director of the nonprofit Society for Community Organization (SoCO). They live in spaces only 15 square feet. They share the kitchen and toilet with 15, 20, or even over 30 households.

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Constructed with basic building materials such as sheet metal, these types of homes become abnormally hot during the day and trap heat well into the night, a stark contrast to the gleaming steel and glass skyscrapers that fill the skyline of Chinas premier finance hub.

The view from Ms. Yeung's rooftop structure in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on July 4, 2025. - Catherine Phillips/CNN

Indoor temperatures in such flats reached as high as 41C (105.8F), even when it was cooler outside, according to a SoCO survey this year.

For many, this years heat has felt worse than ever. In the same survey, 93% of residents said this summer was less bearable than previous years.

Overcrowded cities are becoming disproportionately hotter amid a changing climate. According to a World Bank report, average temperatures in cities across Asia were measured to be up to 5.9C (10.6F) warmer than their rural surroundings.

When home hurts your health

With summer in full swing CNN spoke to multiple residents of subdivided units, many of who asked to only use one name or remain anonymous for privacy reasons.

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Its so hot it feels like youre getting heatstroke, said Mr. Wu, a middle-aged man living in a subdivided flat without air conditioning in Sham Shui Po. Inside his narrow room, packed with a small bed and scattered trinkets, the heat becomes unbearable by mid-afternoon.

Mr. Wu at his home in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on July 3, 2025. - Catherine Phillips/CNN

The interior of Mr. Wu's home in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on July 3, 2025. - Catherine Phillips/CNN

Just blocks away, 15-year-old Roy lives with his mother in a small, windowless subdivided unit  also without air conditioning.

Its really stuffy. I feel like Im cut off from the fresh air outside. I feel like Im cut off from the world, he said.

Stigma around his living conditions has made Roy socially withdrawn. Its like theres a wall or a divider barring us from meeting new friends. Im in a gloomy and heavy mood. Ive lost my confidence, he said.

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Roys physical health has also suffered. A severe fever led to facial nerve paralysis, which he believes was worsened by the living conditions in his cramped flat.

Nearby, 69-year-old retiree Mr. Tse spends his days at the local library to escape the heat. Its still hot after I come back, he said. To cope, he takes three cold showers a day.

For Yeung, staying cool means sacrifice. During the summer, she cuts down to just one meal a day so she can afford to keep the air conditioner running for her grandson.

Roy, a 15 year old resident of a subdivided flat that he shares with his mother in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on July 4, 2025. - Catherine Phillips/CNN

Across the city, a woman living in a rooftop slum in Kwun Tong told CNN she feels like shes living in a barbecue, adding that the heat gives her stomach problems.

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According to SoCOs 2024 summer survey, 83% of residents in subdivided homes reported sleep problems, while 60% experienced emotional instability, more than half had skin conditions, and about a third reported dizziness.

A warming climate, a hotter city

The extreme heat inside Hong Kongs subdivided flats stems not only from poor housing, but also from an intensifying climate crisis.

According to climate monitoring agency Copernicus, 2024 was Earths hottest year on record. And Hong Kong was no exception.

That year, the number of very hot days  when temperatures reached 33C (91.4F) or above  climbed to 52, up from just six two decades earlier, according to the Hong Kong Observatory, the citys meteorological agency.

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Two months ago, the city recorded its hottest June day in history. The Observatory warns that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, intense and prolonged. And the citys poorest residents are bearing the brunt.

In low-income districts like Sham Shui Po, where buildings are tightly packed, the urban heat island effect reduces nighttime cooling, leading to higher overnight temperatures.

Mr. Wu told CNN the heat often keeps him awake. I feel very helpless, he said. I cant even get a single good nights sleep. I just want a good sleep.

They dont want to live like this, Sze said. But they have no choice.

A system that still fails Hong Kongs poorest

Despite being a rich, developed city with one of the worlds largest public housing systems, Hong Kong continues to face a severe shortage of liveable, accessible homes. For 14 years straight, the financial hub has ranked as the worlds most unaffordable housing market, according to the Demographia International Housing Affordability survey.

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The Hong Kong government told CNN it is determined to tackle substandard housing by increasing public supply. Authorities aim to build 30,000 light public housing units by 2027-28, and say that over 21,000 transitional housing units are in place or on the way.

Such promises are familiar to Hong Kong residents. Every administration since the citys 1997 handover to China have vowed to tackle the property crisis, yet the city continues to see a shortage of housing and eye-watering price tags.

Ms. Sze at a subdivided unit in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on July 3, 2025. - Dan Hodge/CNN

Donated items that Ms. Sze delivers to residents hang from the door of a subdivided unit in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on July 3, 2025. - Catherine Phillips/CNN

Hong Kongs government owns all land and and controls its supply, selling parcels to developers at auctions. Its a system that historically has raised significant revenue for the city, allowing it to keep taxes low while still offering enviable public services. But it has also led to one of the hottest property markets in the world, persistent shortages of affordable housing and palpable inequality.

When it comes to the subdivided housing crisis, some experts argue the real issue isnt just property prices or a lack of land, but a system that overlooks those most in need.

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This is purely a failure of public housing policy, said Michael Wong, an economics professor at the University of Hong Kong.

Wong says a major problem is that tenants arent required to move out of public housing long after their incomes increase. Residents who become middle-income cling to their public homes, even when they hope to move out, due to the lack of affordable private flats in the city.

This blocks new applicants from getting in and pushes lower-income residents into the private rental market. The people who really need it cant get it. They have to find some other type of housing, so they find these subdivided units with very poor quality, he told CNN.

Even in hazardous and often illegal conditions, tenants commonly pay more than HK$3,000 ($382 USD) monthly in rent.

Residents of a rooftop structure atop an industrial building in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong eat dinner on July 8, 2025. - Jared Formanek/CNN

Despite growing concern, policy reforms have been slow. A proposed Basic Housing bill, that the government hopes to enact in 2026, would introduce minimum size and ventilation standards for rental units, but some tenants fear the move will render their rents unaffordable.

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Meanwhile, pressure is mounting from Beijing. In a 2021 speech, Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, called on the city to bid farewell to subdivided flats and cage homes by 2049.

But for residents like Roy, the proposed reforms bring fear, not relief. Because he is underage and his mother lacks a Hong Kong ID, they dont qualify for public housing. The bills new size and ventilation standards could make their unit illegal. I am scared that I will lose my home, he said, but there isnt anything I can do.

Families wait for help that hasnt come

The uncertain housing situation is pushing many of Hong Kongs low-income residents to a breaking point emotionally, physically and financially.

Im really angry. Many people will die. They will not be able to make it, said 69-year-old Mr. Tse.

A view of the hallway of a subdivided flat in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on July 4, 2025. - Catherine Phillips/CNN

Mr. Tse in his home at a subdivided flat in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on July 3, 2025. - Catherine Phillips/CNN

SoCOs Sze says the consequences can be devastating. It is sad many end up passing away in cage homes or subdivided flats. Sometimes we have to help arrange funeral services for them, she said.

For Yeung, now in her 60s, the biggest worry is for the next generation. I feel uncomfortable and upset, she said. I want the government to help my grandson.

SoCO has urged the government to act faster. The group is calling for additional electricity and water subsidies  basic lifelines that could help vulnerable households stay cool as the city heats up.

For now, families like Yeungs and Roys are stuck in the scorching heat, with little certainty about when, or if, meaningful change will come.

Chris Lau contributed reporting

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)  A two-vehicle crash left several people shaken up but unharmed Friday morning at the intersection of King Hill Avenue and Alabama Street, including a pregnant woman who was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

The crash occurred around 10 a.m. Friday after a vehicle heading eastbound on Alabama Street struck a car that was attempting to turn right at a red light from King Hill Avenue onto Alabama Street.

A pregnant woman was reportedly involved in the crash and had no apparent injuries. As a precaution, she was taken to the hospital to be checked out.

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The collision at the busy intersection caused one of the vehicles, a dark Hyundai Elantra, to go off the roadway and into the grass by Darcee's School of Dance.

A large presence of first responders was on scene to assist, including St. Joseph Police, Buchanan County EMS and the St. Joseph Fire Department.

St. Joseph Police talk at the scene of a crash at King Hill Avenue and Alabama Street on Friday.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP)  The 1700 block of Polo Road is closed between Ransom Road and Wake Drive due to multiple utility poles being damaged from a crash, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.

Polo Road is also closed off from any traffic coming from Ransom Road, Owen Drive and Wake Drive onto the 1700 block of Polo Road.

Drivers are encouraged to find other routes in the area.

The estimated time for repairs to be completed is 7:30 p.m.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
NEED TO KNOW

Two creepy signs appeared over a bridge in Pennsylvania

The signs featured an image of Billy the Puppet from the Saw franchise, along with the phrases Maybe you'll fit, maybe you won't and Lets play a game

The signs, which were placed there illegally in Seven Valleys, were seemingly in reference to the fact that several tall vehicles have accidentally hit the bridge in recent months

Two large, creepy signs have been removed from a bridge in Pennsylvania.

The signs appeared over a bridge in Seven Valleys around the weekend of Aug. 9, according to NBC affiliate WGAL8. Both signs featured an image of Billy the Puppet from the iconic horror franchise Saw, along with the phrases Maybe you'll fit, maybe you won't and Lets play a game.

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The caption seemed to be a reference to the fact that a number of trucks and tall vehicles have accidentally hit the overpass  which measures 11 feet, 1 inch tall  in recent months, per the outlet.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

"The signs, which were placed at the bridge illegally, have since been removed, Brett Marcy, a York County spokesperson, said in a statement to WGAL8.

He added that the bridge in question has been struck six times since June 6, and also said that the county continues to explore options with stakeholders for enhancing safety at the bridge and supports efforts to increase awareness around low-bridge height safety.



Greg Mussmacher, a local resident who drives by the bridge every day, told WGAL8 that he was stunned to see the signs, but he was also a little disappointed to find they had been taken down.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"I wasn't sad, but I was a little disappointed. [...] Because it does  I think it helps. Getting people to notice, whether it's funny or satirical," he said. Ive actually been there before when the truck was stuck underneath on my way to work, and there's no easy way to get around it.



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"I don't know why people are complaining about the sign, resident Dee Neal told the outlet. They [drivers] can't read [the] 11-foot, one-inch [road sign], but they could see that [Saw] sign,"

"I mean, it was distracting, but they need something to distract people from just running through there, Neal added.

Dave Thompson, the Community Relations Coordinator with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), told PEOPLE that a stop sign was recently installed near the bridge in the hopes that drivers would take note of the bridges height restriction and re-route accordingly.

"PennDOTs latest effort was to install a STOP sign on the eastbound approach, to better regulate traffic through the underpass, Thompson says.

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Another benefit of the STOP sign is to try to give motorists, specifically those driving over-height vehicles, additional opportunity to recognize and correctly respond to the height clearance signs, he adds.



PEOPLE reached out to the Seven Valleys local government for comment on Thursday, Aug. 14, but did not receive an immediate response.



Read the original article on People
Felonies

The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Thursday at 11 a.m.

James Matthew Ash, 43, of Pontotoc, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of methamphetamine, suspended drivers license, improper equipment.

Hunter Burleson, 27, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of methamphetamine, no insurance, no tag, possession of paraphernalia.

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Lebreko Tavoris Clark, 35, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, felony warrant.

Carlos L. Ellis, 42, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of fentanyl, possession of cocaine, destruction of public property.

Rickey Hill, 35, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon.

Jamie Hines, 48, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, violation of probation, disorderly conduct, obstruction of a roadway.

Kendra Hood, 41, of Mantachie, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, burglary of an auto.

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Robert Lee Johnson, 68, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of cocaine.

Isaac Mackey, 37, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of probation.

Jacob H. Mitchell, 33, of Corinth, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for possession of fentanyl, shooting at a motor vehicle.

Adam Farrell Thrasher, 32, of Pontotoc, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for possession of methamphetamine.

Charles Jericho Turner, 35, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, trafficking methamphetamine.

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Lazerick Travis, 46, of Walls, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, trafficking methamphetamine.

Lee County Sheriffs Office

The following reports were filed Thursday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office.

A Tupelo man was driving on Highway 45 near the Brewer exit when a large truck in front of him threw up a rock that hit and cracked his windshield.

An employee at Browns Grocery on Highway 371 said a white male came in the store acting strange. He said the motorcycle down the road was his and someone was going to come and get it. The employee said the motorcycle is her boyfriends and she has the title. When she walked outside, the male was pacing back and forth in the road in front of her residence next door. He began walking away when she picked up her phone and started calling 911.

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A Belden woman said she was on one of the government websites filling out paperwork for a limited liability corporation. Shortly after completing the paperwork, she noticed several charges totaling about $800 on her credit card. It was then that she realized that she had not been on the official website. She needed a police report to get a new license made and to give a copy to her credit card company.

A Highland Ridge, Saltillo, man said he parked his Jeep in hospital driveway and locked the doors. His Sig Sauer 9mm pistol was next to the cup holder. The next morning, the gun was missing. He thinks the thief entered the vehicle via the soft top, which was zipped closed. He said his Ring doorbell did not record any activity overnight.

Anyone with information on any of these reports is urged to call the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way.
The real question is not only whether Israel will help the Druze, but how it will do so without making them even more isolated in their homeland.

Thousands of members of the Druze community in Sweida in southern Syria were massacred and looted this past July. What began as the local murder of a young Druze man in Damascus quickly escalated into a wave of kidnappings, mass killings, and large-scale attacks by pro-Turkish militias and local Bedouin elements. These crimes were documented and spread on social media as part of a terror campaign. To this moment, the population remains under a brutal siege  and the world is silent.

At the time, I said that when [Bashar] Assad falls, Israel should lower its flag to half-mast  I was not mistaken, IDF Col. (res.) Dr. Anan Wahabi told Walla.

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Wahabi, a fellow at the ICT at Reichman University, served in the IDF Intelligence Directorate, commanded operational units, and headed Israels international strategic perception, psychological warfare, and cyber operations efforts.

Theres a de facto siege on the Druze there. Its a terror attack on the Druze, he added, drawing parallels to October 7: Its terror from the same source that justifies murder, rape, and looting.

Now, the ICT warns: Israel cannot allow hostile terrorist forces to gain a foothold on its northern border. The question is not whether to intervene  but how. Sweida has become the arena the world forgot, but Israel cannot ignore it. For the Jewish state, this is a double test: a test of morality toward the Druze community facing an existential crisis, and strategic, regarding threats to its northern border and the regional tensions as a whole.

The position paper warned that over-involvement could drag Israel into a war of attrition in Syria, further damage relations with Turkey, and even ignite internal protests among Druze citizens of Israel  potentially leading to refusal to serve in the security forces. The paper was initiated by Reichman University President Prof. Boaz Ganor, a pioneer in the academic study of terrorism and founder of the ICT, and prepared by eight ICT fellows, including Wahabi.

A Bedouin fighter stands along a street, following the Syrian presidency's announcement of a ceasefire after days of violence in Sweida province triggered by clashes between Bedouin fighters and Druze factions, in Sweida, Syria, July 19, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/KARAM AL-MASRI)

But if Israel sits on the sidelines, terrorist organizations could entrench themselves near the border, and southern Syria could become a base for attacks. On the diplomatic front, there are concerns that the new regime led by Al-Shaara could exploit the crisis to build international legitimacy as a terrorist in a suit.

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On the other hand, the report points to the diplomatic potential in this tectonic shift. Israel could cultivate ties with Arab groups in preparation for the day after, the Gaza war, strengthen its commitment to the Druze within Israel, and send a message of solidarity to all minorities in Syria, which could contribute to stabilizing southern areas of the country, strengthen the moderate regional bloc led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and secure its position as a central partner in a broad regional settlement led by the United States.

US Republican Congressman Abraham Hamadeh, a former US Army reserve intelligence officer, made the first visit in decades by a US official traveling between Jerusalem and Damascus. He spent six hours in Syria this week to meet with President al-Sharaa. He also addressed the need for a secure humanitarian corridor to ensure safe delivery of medical and humanitarian aid to Sweida.

He also addressed the need for a secure humanitarian corridor to ensure safe delivery of medical and humanitarian aid to Sweida  explicitly to advance former President Donald Trumps peace through strength policy and to push Syria at this time toward normalization with Israel and joining the Abraham Accords.

Until that happens, the report warns: overt Israeli involvement could be perceived as stamping an Israeli mark on the Druze, making them even more isolated within Syria. Images coming from Syria of Druze waving the Israeli flag in gratitude for Israels support are being framed in Syria and the Arab world as collusion with the enemy.

Act cautiously, combine aid, diplomacy, limited military action

The report details a series of steps Israel should adopt:

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1. Controlled humanitarian aid  expand shipments of medicine and food, but via international mechanisms (Red Crescent, UN) to avoid harming the Druze.

2. Limited military action  avoid inserting ground forces and carry out only precise airstrikes in case of a direct threat to the border or the Druze.

3. Diplomatic measures  maintain close coordination with the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, but also keep a secret dialogue channel with Turkey to avoid direct confrontation.

4. Information campaign  expose the massacres through international media, mainly Al Jazeera, and counter propaganda portraying the Druze as Israels proxy.

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5. Managing expectations with Israels Druze  establish a joint command room with community leadership, allow legitimate protest but set red lines against attempts at independent action across the border.

6. Caution regarding autonomy  Israel shouldn't lead the initiative, but support it indirectly through civilian aid to avoid stigmatizing the Druze or provoking retribution.

The emerging humanitarian corridor could serve as an interim solution  if managed carefully, with broad coordination and discretion. Ultimately, the real question is not only whether Israel will help the Druze, but how it will do so without making them even more isolated in their homeland.

Wahabi believes that funding from Turkey and Qatar, which works to incriminate Israels activities in Gaza, is working day and night to divert international attention away from what is happening in Syria.

First, they created the crisis by essentially renewing an old historic conflict between the Druze and the Bedouin of Jabal al-Druze," according to him, "Along with that came a supposedly spontaneous call for help to the tribes and all of Syria  and suddenly forces arrive in large numbers from Turkish-controlled areas, with new vehicles, equipment, weapons, fuel, salaries  everything. Israel views this area as a demilitarized zone, but suddenly theres this side-story, an interim situation, that no one quite knows how to handle.
NEOSHO, Mo.  Crowders Roughrider Scholarship Rodeo is ready to take center stage these next two days.

Its a 13-year tradition bringing in more than 1-thousand visitors from around the country each night. More than 20 participants compete in various rodeo events. Funds from the rodeo each year goes back into the Roughrider Rodeo scholarship program helping agriculture students in the program for the year.

The money will help students attend competitions, travel to seminars, workshops, contests, as well as other education expenses. Students also spend the two days working the rodeo, selling t-shirts and selling food in the concessions, with all that money going towards their program.

Each year this event brings helps raise about $10,000.

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I think thats always the goal is to, you know, just set realistic standards and an increase them every year, whether its attendance or sponsorship revenue or the number of scholarships we give back to the kids. I just want to grow it every year, said Tyler Kijac, TK Pro Rodeo Owner and Stock Owner.

This is really a community event, and we want to make sure that we do the most that we can to help raise as much money as we can but also bring something to the community. You know, we have the only arena in town that has a full-blown rodeo. So, we want to make sure we do a good job, said Cindy Brown, Crowder College Public Information Director.

Alongside Crowder College, other schools that offer rodeo programs in the four states include, NEO in Miami, Fort Scott Community College, and Coffeyville Community College.

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Hes the anti-Mamdani.

A Cuban-born biotech entrepreneur decided to make a longshot bid for NYC mayor because he loathes the radical left-wing ideas pushed by socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani  and saw just how dangerous they are in real life, he told The Post.

I was raised in a socialist communist society, so I am the antithesis of Zohran Mamdanis ideology, declared Joseph Hernandez.

In fact, hes a motivator for me to fight in this race. I despise socialism. I am a believer in the American dream. Im a believer in capitalism. Its not perfect, but its lifted more people out of poverty than any other ideology, he said.

Hernandez dismissed the notion his run for mayor would split votes between those seeking an alternative to the current frontrunner, socialist Zohran Mamdani Hernandez for NYC / Facebook

Hernandez  a 52-year-old Lower East Side resident who immigrated to the U.S. at the age of seven with his family to escape Fidel Castros communist rule  entered the race as an independent just over a month ago after collecting enough signatures to get on the November ballot.

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I doing this because I love the city and want to make it better, Hernandez said. I dont have baggage like [many of the other candidates]. Im a businessman; Im logical; I know technology; and know how to structure budgets.

The registered Republican heads Manhattan-based healthcare and technology investment firm Blue Water Venture Partners

If elected, hes vowed to hire 10,000 new cops along with other public safety improvements; convert unused office space into affordable housing and use artificial intelligence to improve city services.

Cuomo is a registered Democrat running for mayor of New York City as an independent. SARAH YENESEL/EPA/Shutterstock

Socialist Mamdani remains the candidate to beat in this years race for City Hall. Stephen Yang for the New York Post

The huge underdog joins a crowded field that besides Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, includes Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, Mayor Eric Adams, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and defense lawyer Jim Walden. Adams and Cuomo are registered Dems running as independents; Walden is a registered Independent.

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Hernandez said hes raised roughly $300,000 since entering the campaign in late June and has already secured an endorsement from the Bodega and Small Business Group, which vehemently opposes Mamdanis proposal to create Soviet-style, city-run supermarkets.

A Siena poll this week showed Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, had 44% of the vote, following by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo with 25%, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa with 12% and Mayor Eric Adams with 7%. The remaining 12% support another candidate or are undecided.

Hernandez rejected the idea that he might be splitting votes even further among moderates and conservatives seeking an alternative to Mamdani and thereby increasing the socialists chances of winning.

Im doing this because I live in the city and I think its so spinning out of control  and I think Im the most qualified candidate, he said. Im a businessman, Im logical, I know technology. And I know how to structure budgets.
For much of July, Pedro Lorenzo Concepcion was held at Alligator Alcatraz along with dozens of other Cuban nationals in a detention camp billed as a last stop for immigrants slated for deportation  an unnerving situation for someone whose repatriation had already been rejected by the Cuban government.

He begged staff at the facility to offer some clarity on his fate, but received no response, according to his longtime partner, Daimarys Hernandez. He was eventually transferred this month to Krome detention center, where he is still waiting to learn what will happen to him.

Lorenzo Concepcion, 44, is among hundreds of Cubans who at one time or another have been held at the site since the first detainees arrived on July 2, according to records exclusively obtained by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times. Roughly half of them had been ordered removed from the United States by immigration judges.

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Turbocharged enforcement of immigration laws and ramped up deportation efforts since President Trump returned to the White House has meant Cuban immigrants  who for decades enjoyed a quicker and easier path to American residency and citizenship compared to other immigrant communities  are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs of immigration officials.

The change has perhaps been most evident in South Florida, which for decades welcomed exiles fleeing the Castro regime. Now recently arrived Cubans, including those seeking asylum, are vulnerable, and Cubans held in detention centers across the country are unclear about what their future holds.

Cuba does not always readily accept citizens deported by the United States, especially those with criminal records. It leaves open the possibility that Lorenzo Concepcion  who has prior convictions for marijuana trafficking and credit card fraud  and others like him may be indefinitely detained or transferred to third countries like the two Cubans recently moved to war-torn South Sudan.

Theres tremendous uncertainty, Hernandez said in an interview.

Daimarys Hernandez holds a cell phone showing a video call with her partner Pedro Lorenzo Concepcion, who was held in Alligator Alcatraz for several weeks before being transferred to Krome detention center in Miami.

The United States has historically limited deportations to Cuba because of Havanas restrictive conditions for accepting returnees and fears that the Cuban government could persecute them upon their return. To get around that challenge, the Trump administration is aggressively deporting Cubans to countries like Mexico, where they lack any legal status or protection from violence and exploitation.

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Its heartbreaking, said Ana Sofia Pelaez of the advocacy group, Miami Freedom Project. Theres a dissonance between how Americans, especially some lawmakers, talk about Cubans fleeing the island and how they are now being treated in the United States.

Records analyzed by the Herald/Times showed that roughly 200 Cubans were detained at the Everglades facility at the end of July. The numbers fluctuate, with detainees being transferred in and out of the site, and the Department of Homeland Security said that only 50 Cubans remained on Wednesday.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs for the Department of Homeland Security, said that ICE is targeting the worst of the worst, including terrorists and pedophiles.

If Cuba does not want to accept deportees, it is because they are barbaric criminals, she said.

From Mariel to Alligator Alcatraz

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has just about doubled the number of detainers issued against Cuban migrants each month since he took office, according to a Herald analysis of data from ICE obtained by the University of California, Berkeley-based Deportation Data Project.

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ICE arrested roughly 150 undocumented migrants from Cuba on average each month in 2024, the data shows. That figure has shot up to around 500 in 2025. ICE arrested around 600 Cubans in May and more than 1,000 in June.

These figures are almost certainly undercounts: The data is likely not exhaustive and the real number of Cubans currently targeted by immigration authorities is likely higher.

The Herald has also witnessed ICE pick up Cubans with pending residency and asylum cases after their hearings as part of the agencys high-profile enforcement actions in immigration courts across the country.

Ive been an immigration lawyer for over 40 years and before this Ive never had a Cuban seeking asylum go to court and get detained in court, said Miami immigration attorney Wilfredo O. Allen. This has never happened before.

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Cuban immigration to the United States picked up in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Waves of refugees arrived in Florida in subsequent decades. The 1967 Cuban Adjustment Act expedited a pathway to American residency for the recently-arrived exiles.

The influx of Cuban immigrants spiked in 1980 with the Mariel Boatlift  a pivotal moment for U.S. immigration policy and the Cuban diaspora  when around 120,000 Cubans arrived in South Florida.

Faced with this massive exodus, the Carter administration announced the Cuban-Haitian Entrant Program that same year, granting special status to those who came during this exodus. The status makes them eligible for the same benefits  like SNAP and supplemental Social Security income  as refugees, unlike most other immigrant groups.

4/80 Photo by Tim Chapman/Miami Herald Staff -- Boat arrives in Key West with more Cuban refugees from Mariel Harbor after crossing the Florida Straits. More than 100, 000 Cubans came in the boatlift.

Immigration policies for Cubans have been increasingly tightened over the last decade.

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President Barack Obama repealed wet foot, dry foot  a decades-old policy that generally allowed Cubans who reached American soil to stay.

In recent years, tens of thousands of Cubans have had a harder time getting residency under existing law because of the way authorities processed them when they crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, according to South Florida immigration attorneys.

And in March, the Trump Administration revoked the humanitarian parole program through which over 100,000 Cubans had entered the United States legally under the Biden administration. Their immigration status is now at risk and they are potentially subject to arrest and deportation.

When Castro opened the Port of Mariel to fleeing Cubans four decades ago, overwhelmed local and federal agencies shepherded those without any prior connection to the U.S. to makeshift tent cities under the I-95 overpass along the Miami river. The sites were chaotic but also symbols of hope and refuge.

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Todays Cuban migrants like Pedro Lorenzo Concepcion are being sent under guard to another tent city  Alligator Alcatraz.

Attorneys and families of detainees have described the detention camp as a place where migrants are held in limbo in harsh and unsanitary conditions, with little access to legal resources.

Among them was Lorenzo Concepcion, who fled Cuba nearly two decades ago and is now a father to three U.S.-born children, two of them his biological sons, his partner said. He was detained by ICE in early July during a routine check-in at the agencys Miramar office. After repeated attempts to get some answers regarding his future went in vain, he stopped eating for a week in protest, his partner told the Herald.

McLaughlin, the DHS spokesperson, dismissed Lorenzo Concepcions story of a hunger strike as lies concocted by a criminal. She added that when there is a hunger strike, the well-being of those in its custody is a top priority: ICE continues to provide three meals a day, delivered to the detained aliens room, and an adequate supply of drinking water or other beverages.

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The office of Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose administration oversees operations at the facility, also denied accounts of any hunger strikes. It did not respond to the Heralds questions about the plight of the Cubans.

Lorenzo Concepcion was transferred from Alligator Alcatraz to the Krome detention center in Miami last week. There is still little clarity on what will happen next.

We continue to wait to see what will happen, Hernandez, his partner, told the Herald on Monday.

Uncertain futures

While Cuba typically accepts one deportation flight from the United States each month, the country is very selective about the returnees it lets back in, often refusing to take back those with criminal convictions.

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With convictions on his record, Lorenzo Concepcion knew he was at risk of being deported. ICE had already tried to expel him once before. But Cuba, Hernandez said, would not take him back and he has remained in the United States.

American immigration officials are increasingly transferring such immigrants to a third country. To avoid being sent to one, migrants must prove that they would be harmed in such a place  a difficult legal burden.

The longer Lorenzo Concepcion goes without answers regarding his status and the outcome of his case, the more terrified he becomes about being sent to an unfamiliar nation, his partner told the Herald.

Allen, the immigration attorney, said he has Cuban clients who have been dropped off at Mexico, where they have no legal status and often no support system.

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They were put on a bus, taken across the border  and it was like Hey, get out and get lost, he said.

Attorneys like him are worried that their clients, especially those from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and Nicaragua, who are deported to countries where they were not born and are not citizens could become stateless, get stuck in immigration limbo and lose most of their rights and protections for the rest of their lives.

I dont think this [U.S.] government has any worries about that, Allen said. Once a third country accepts them, the United States could care less.

Miami Herald reporter Siena Duncan contributed to this story.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A northwest Columbus man has been arrested after six cybertips involving videos of sexual abuse of a minor were investigated last month.

According to court records, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received six tips, each linked to a common Dropbox user ID and email address, along with three IP addresses for a residence near Dublin.

Detectives investigated the material, discovered in March, and found files containing over 1,000 images and videos, including one involving an adult male sodomizing a 9-year-old boy.

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On July 23, Google responded to a subpoena for subscriber information for the email account listed in the cybertips. On July 29, Charter Communications responded to a subpoena for IP addresses subscriber information. The results listed a phone number and address for Steven Sulainis.

That same day, Dropbox returned search warrant content that identified Sulainis in multiple videos of himself reportedly using drugs.

Court documents stated Sulainis vehicle was parked in front of his condominium or parking garage space at his address in the Tuttle West neighborhood, and on Aug. 12, a residential search warrant was signed by a Franklin County judge.

On Wednesday, Sulainis, 63, confirmed his email address, phone number, and Dropbox account to sheriffs deputies. The information matched that reported from the cybertips. Sulainis was interviewed, and after he was read a description of one of the files uncovered by authorities, he broke off the interview.

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Sulainis, charged with two counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, was taken to the Franklin County Jail. He was issued a $500,000 bond in Municipal Court on Thursday and next scheduled to appear in court Aug. 22 for a preliminary hearing.

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NEED TO KNOW

A father of four was killed by a crocodile while he was bathing in a river on Aug. 14

The remains of the 53-year-old man were later recovered about a mile away

The man was with his family at the time of the incident



Warning: The link included contains graphic video footage.

A father of four was killed by a crocodile during a horrific scene that took place in front of his family.

The man, identified only as Arifuddin, was swimming in the Bulete River in the South Sulawesi province of Indonesia on Thursday, Aug. 14, at about 6 p.m. local time when the tragedy occurred, according to ViralPress.

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Arifuddin, 53, was bathing in the river with relatives when the crocodile bit his leg and dragged him under the water, the news organization reported.

Video of the incident from ViralPress shows the crocodile grabbing onto the man's legs, as several villagers then moved into the water in an attempt to help, while others screamed from the shore nearby.

EZEQUIEL BECERRA/AFP via Getty Crocodile Crocodile

Emergency workers were called to the scene, and they later located the crocodile  which was still carrying Arifuddins lifeless body  in muddy, shallow water, ViralPress 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.

Local residents were eventually able to retrieve Arifuddins remains. They were then returned to his family for a burial.

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Jerry Saputra, a representative from the Pitumpanua Sector Fire Rescue Team, said what was left of Arifuddin was recovered about one mile from where he was initially attacked, according to ViralPress.

PEOPLE reached out to the South Sulawesi provincial government for comment on Saturday, Aug. 16, but did not receive an immediate response.

The Associated Press reported in March that crocodile attacks in Indonesia are on the rise. The outlet said there were 179 crocodile attacks in the country in 2024  the highest number in the world.

Experts attribute the rise in attacks to the effects of an increase in palm oil plantations in the region, which have created more man-made waterways and have allowed the creatures to move closer inland, per the AP.



Read the original article on People
Dallas officials are scrambling to review city policies after federal directives threatened grant funding for programs that consider race, gender, or ethnicity in decision-making.

The city has scheduled three community forums this fall to gather public input on the compliance overhaul. The policy shift could significantly alter how Dallas allocates resources and opportunities across its diverse neighborhoods. Federal anti-discrimination laws now prohibit certain diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives among grant recipients.

City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert ordered an immediate halt to policies using demographic factors in late June. The directive came after the City Council instructed her to ensure federal compliance.

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A new grant compliance task force is examining existing policies and programs. The group will present findings to the City Council in September 2025.

We value the voices of community members whose partnership has shaped the Citys equity and inclusion work over the years, city officials stated. Our realigned efforts will continue to invest in neighborhoods and expand opportunities so all Dallas residents can thrive.

The Office of Arts & Culture will host the first session on Tuesday, August 26, at 4 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Latino Cultural Center at 2600 Live Oak St.

Two additional forums follow in September through the Office of Community Empowerment. The first meeting in September is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, at 10:30 a.m. at Martin Luther King Community Center, 2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

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A final session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, at 6 p.m. The West Dallas Multipurpose Center at 2828 Fish Trap Rd. will host the evening meeting.

City officials aim to maintain neighborhood investment programs while meeting federal requirements.
LONDON (AP)  Thousands of Afghans, British troops and civil servants may have fallen victim to another data breach, according to a firm linked to the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence.

The Jet Centre, which provides ground handling for flights, said late Friday that it suffered a data security incident which led to unauthorised access to a limited number of company emails."

About 3,700 individuals are thought to be potentially affected by the incident, including Afghans who were brought to the U.K. Troops traveling to routine military exercises and journalists accompanying government ministers on official engagements are also among the potential victims.

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In a previous incident, some Afghans who fought alongside British forces before the Taliban swept back to power had their data leaked after an official released the details of 18,714 individuals in error in February 2022.

Afghans who had worked with Western forces as fixers, translators and in other roles have sought refuge outside their country. Britain set up a program, known as the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, or ARAP, to bring some to the U.K.
Previous coverage above.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Major progress has been made on the construction of the new $5.5 million Dayton Police Departments West District headquarters.

The headquarters groundbreaking ceremony was back on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. In a speech, Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr. said this new facility is being paid for from the leftover $138 million COVID funds awarded by the Biden-Harris administration.

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Every time we build a new facility, it shows more and more improvement for the things that are happening, as far as the city of Dayton is concerned, said Mayor Mims. When we find ways to support our police, who are providing services to try and keep you safe, we see great things happening.

Dayton police unveil 2025 youth crime stats

He thanked members of the police reform project for attending. Then he spoke on the buildings design, and said it will go along with the library. He praised the library for its work in the community.

Chief Kamran Afzal then spoke on how this HQ is centered in a lot of the areas the West District covers.

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Our officers deserve new things, said Afza. They work really hard all over the city of Dayton. The fact that the city has been able to support building the brand new facility for officers is a great thing.

Here are the newest photos of the construction:

Photo via DPD. Photo via DPD. Photo via DPD. Photo via DPD.

Wright-Dunbar Day to honor historical figures on Sunday

The site is near the historic Wright Brothers manufacturing hangar.

2 NEWS will follow the construction as it develops.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A D.C. man was sentenced to 13 years in prison Friday for a July 2024 shooting that stemmed from a bar fight, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia.

Duarte Santos, 25, pleaded guilty in April to charges of aggravated assault while armed, possession of a firearm during violence, assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license outside of home/business. He is additionally ordered to five years of supervised release after his sentence.

Trump Adminstration, DC lawyers agree to scale back Bondi Executive Order

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According to court documents, at 11:30 p.m. on July 5, 2024, security footage showed Santos sitting inside a bar located at 3521 14th St. NW. before going up the stairs and getting into an argument with two people.

Once the fight broke out, Santos pulled out a handgun and fired a single shot, to which an employee threatened to call 911. Santos left the bar before returning a few minutes later and shooting at the two men he had argued with and the bar employee who told him to leave.

One man realized hed been shot shortly after shots were fired. He was taken to the hospital.

Santos was arrested that night and has since remained in custody.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
White House efforts to tighten its grip on the Washington, D.C., police force are prompting pushback from the citys leaders, escalating tensions as the Trump administration sought to compel Washingtons help with immigration enforcement.

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday sought to install an emergency police commissioner to approve any new Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) policies, while also demanding the department aid in federal immigration arrests.

It has led the administration in the span of a week to lose the cooperative tone struck Monday, when Bondi claimed she had a productive meeting with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and said the two would work closely together.

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City officials have had their own evolution, from the controlled disappointment initially conveyed by Bowser when she said she would work every day to make sure its not a complete disaster to the citys attorney general launching a suit challenging the police takeover.

The week ended with the fight landing in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who at a hastily scheduled hearing raised concerns about portions of Bondis new order but urged the two sides to work together. After convening privately for nearly two hours, the administration agreed to walk back the new commissioner appointment and instead make him a liaison.

I am very happy that it looks like hopefully this can get figured out without a judge having to do anything, because I think these are the kind of issues that should be decided between the district and the government, Reyes said.

Despite the detente, its likely not the end of the legal battle. Reyes said shell hold additional proceedings next week, and the city made clear it stands ready to renew its emergency legal effort if it isnt satisfied. The judge even gave out her clerks cellphone number so the parties could reach out if any issues come up over the weekend.

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My sincere hope is that we dont have to be back fighting over this issue again, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb (D) said at a press conference at the close of the hearing.

The move to court is a shift from when Bowser initially shrugged off a legal challenge at her Monday press conference after Trump moved to take over MPD. When asked about the possibility, Bowser noted that once Trump declares an emergency, the Home Rule Act authorizes the president to make those requests and it says the mayor shall comply with those requests.

But city leaders tune quickly changed following Bondis order Thursday that installed Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Terry Cole to effectively command the force.

Bondi also rescinded an hours-old D.C. order directing more MPD cooperation on immigration in favor of something stronger  likewise lifting policies that barred officers from conducting immigration arrests for individuals who have no other criminal arrest warrant and to not inquire about someones immigration status for the sole purpose of enforcing civil immigration laws.

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In my nearly three decades in law enforcement, I have never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive, MPD Chief Pamela Smith wrote in a sworn court filing.

Bowser said that she was caught off-guard by the late Thursday order.

We were surprised, Bowser said after the close of the court hearing, noting that Bondi had called their earlier meeting productive.

And without notice, we got the order.

But in court, Justice Department attorney Yaakov Roth suggested it was the city that was responsible for any breakdown in cooperation.

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We want it to work. Were not looking to create delay and confusion, Roth said.

The tensions come as the administrations efforts in the capital ramp up, with 800 National Guard troops now having been mobilized to the city alongside a surge of federal law enforcement agents and city police.

Theyve been conducting checkpoints across the city along with other actions, with arrests nearing 200.

City and federal leaders are also at odds over the purpose of the policing activities.

Of the 33 arrests on Thursday, nearly half, 15, were of non-U.S. citizens.

And of the 135 arrests this week broken down by Bondi, 75 were listed as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.

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Federal officials have also stressed the seizure of illegally purchased weapons, something that Bowser indicated was a priority for her after decades of D.C. efforts to limit handguns, including in a ban that was struck down by the Supreme Court.

We know that we have to get illegal guns off of our streets, and if we have this influx of enhanced presence, we know that its going to make our city even better, Smith said earlier this week as she discussed how the city would be working side by side with our federal partners.

But immigration seems to be another matter, one where the city has traditionally sought to keep its officers outside of enforcement, though they may be compelled under the order.

D.C. officials on Thursday directed MPD officers to be even more cooperative with federal officials, allowing the sharing of citizenship information for those pulled over for traffic stops and also allowed local officers to provide transportation for detained subjects.

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But under existing city policy, it still prohibited to use databases for the sole purpose of checking someones immigration status and for arresting people for civil immigration violations when they had no other outstanding criminal warrant.

It was that latest order, as well as the existing policies, that were targeted late Thursday by Bondi as she installed Cole, igniting the suit challenging the federal takeover.

The city asserts that Bondi went beyond the Home Rule Acts emergency authorities, which only require D.C. to provide the president with MPDs services. While that provision may mean Trump can ask for officers and resources, the city says it does not allow the administration to upend MPDs command structure or upend D.C.s immigration laws.

That suit said the shoving aside of D.C.s protocols for officers when it comes to immigration matters failed to take into account the considered judgment of MPD leaders who are deeply familiar with the Districts law enforcement and public safety needs.

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But even Schwalbs office on Friday acknowledged the city may ultimately not have the power to resist demands to help with federal operations.

Look we know that the law under the Home Rule Act allows the federal government, during a course of an emergency, to request the services of MPD in furtherance of a federal purpose. And whether its clearing [homeless] encampments that are adjacent to or near federal land or that might interfere with federal employees, if its enforcement of immigration lawswe will have to confront that as it comes, he said.

We have made very clear that we have laws in our city and that the services that MPD provides in furtherance of a request from the President, those services must comply with the law.

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The nations capital reached an agreement with President Donald Trumps administration after suing over federal authorities takeover of the citys police force.

The decision came on Friday afternoon, hours after the Trump administration named DEA chief Terry Cole as the new emergency head of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Ultimately, both sides agreed to block Cole from assuming the role, while effectively returning the department to Police Chief Pamela Smith. Cole is now required to go through Mayor Murial Bowser before directing the MPD, but Bowser is still mandated to adhere to requests made by Cole.

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Dc Sues Trump Administration Over 'Unlawful' Federal Takeover

Under the agreement, the Trump administration retains control of the police force.

"In my nearly three decades in law enforcement, I have never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive," Smith said in a court filing.

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The courtroom showdown was sparked by Trumps deployment of federal authorities within Washington D.C., with the city ultimately asking for a temporary restraining order blocking an executive order aimed at taking over the local police force.

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In a revised order released by the Department of Justice on Friday evening, Cole is referred to as his official title under the DEA  Administrator Cole  instead of Interim Commissioner, which he was previously identified as.

Ag Showdown: Dc Attorney General Rejects Us Attorney General Pam Bondi Order As 'Unlawful'

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) conduct a traffic stop near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. on August 14, 2025.

Yaakov Roth, an attorney for the Trump administration, argued in court that the decision to remove Smith from her post was a result of an immigration order that neglected to provide financial aid to federal authorities, while claiming the ability to determine what type of help the MPD must provide is within presidential authority.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee, previously indicated the law does not allow Trump to broadly take over the citys police force, but conceded it could grant him more power than the city would like.

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"The way I read the statute, the president can ask, the mayor must provide, but the president cant control," Reyes said.

Dcs Soft-on-crime Leaders Let Teens Run Wild, Opened Door For Trump Takeover: Police Group

U.S. military members walk near the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., August 14, 2025.

However, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb wrote in court filings that the move threatens to "wreak operational havoc," while arguing the presidents power is limited to mandating that the mayor utilize the police force for federal purposes.

Schwalb and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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Trump is the first president to utilize control over the capitals police department since the Home Rule Act was signed in 1973, granting the city the ability to elect its own city council and mayor. The law limits a presidents control to 30 days without congressional approval, which Trump has indicated he will seek to extend.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: DC reaches legal settlement with Trump administration over federal police takeover
The Daviess County Sheriffs Office is seeking information about a Wednesday afternoon incident in Whitesville, where a woman in a shop was attacked by an unknown assailant.

The incident occurred at Roosters Crow, a thrift store at 11020 Kentucky 54, which is just outside of Whitesville. The building formerly hosted the Black Cat bar.

According to the incident report, a man called 911 at 4:59 p.m. Wednesday, reporting he found the woman facedown on the floor of the store when he arrived.

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According to the records, the woman reported she was attacked and knocked out from behind. The incident report said it was reported to dispatch that the woman had been sexually assaulted.

We are investigating it as an assault, Youngman said. We are not necessarily confirming what happened beyond that.

The woman was transported to Owensboro Health for treatment of injuries, including an injury to the head, reports say.

Detectives spoke with her at the hospital, Youngman said. She did not remember a whole lot initially. Detectives were planning to meet with the woman again on Thursday, Youngman said.

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Shes being very cooperative, Youngman said.

The business didnt have security cameras. Investigators canvassed the area and collected evidence, but had no information about the assailant Thursday afternoon, Youngman said.

At this time, no  no suspects, he said.

As of Thursday, nothing had been reported taken from the store, Youngman said.

The focus overnight was collecting evidence, Youngman said, and that, We have been contacted by KSP (Kentucky State Police), Ohio County Sheriffs Office and OPD (Owensboro Police Department), who have offered resources to help.

Evidence was sent to the KSP lab for analysis.

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Extra patrols are currently working the Whitesville area, Youngman said.

Overnight, we increased our presence in the community, he said. I know people are questioning their safety out there.

It is scary, but we dont want people to be afraid, Youngman said.

Youngman said he had heard of a reward being offered for information that led to an arrest, but I dont know anything about it.

We do rely heavily on community input, (but) a lot of what people are hearing is inaccurate about the incident, Youngman said.

I want everyone to know we are investigating this and are seeking information, Youngman said. ...Right now, we are really focused on that timeline.

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A press release asks people who might have been in the area to report any vehicles in the parking lot of the store between 4 and 5 p.m.

Anyone with any information about the incident can contact the sheriffs office at cid@dcsoky.gov, or through the departments Facebook Messenger page. Anonymous tips can also be shared through Owensboro Crime Stoppers, by calling 270-687-8484, the press release said.
Today, around 8,200 or so Americans will turn 21. Which means, of course, they will become eligible to engage in that time-honored habit of adulthood: drinking alcohol. (Im sure absolutely none of them did so before they turned 21. I certainly did not, or at least, would not admit to doing so in this piece, which I know my parents read.)

Yet those who get the chance to legally order a beer or a wine or, God help them, a Long Island iced tea, may find the bar a little less crowded these days. According to a new survey released by Gallup this week, just 54 percent of Americans now say they drink alcohol. Thats the lowest share since Gallup began tracking the question way back in 1939, six years after Prohibition was repealed.

Even Americans who do continue to drink say they are drinking less, and say theyre increasingly concerned about the health impacts of alcohol. A narrow majority of Americans say that even moderate drinking is unhealthy, while reported drinking frequency also hit record lows. (Only 24 percent reported having a drink over the past 24 hours, while 40 percent said it had been more than a week since their last glass.) And while you might be skeptical of self-reporting drinking habits  doctors certainly are  the most recent sales data says that per-capita ethanol consumption in the US has fallen from nearly 2.8 gallons in the early 1980s to around 2.5 in 2022.

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Unless you happen to be in the booze business, this shift is 100-proof good news (with a few caveats). Drinking can lead to various social and medical ills, from the familial and financial devastation of alcoholism at the high end to increases in the risk of cancer and other diseases even at the lower end.

But in a culture which seems to celebrate and encourage drinking, whats up with more Americans putting down their glasses?

No safe level

Americans of a certain age  i.e., me  probably remember hearing that a glass of red wine a day could be good for you. Which, looking back, seems absurd. Ethanol in any form is a toxin. But thanks in part to what became known as the French paradox  the fact that the French showed low levels of heart disease despite their love of rich, fatty foods and glasses of Bordeaux  conventional wisdom settled on the idea that moderate drinking could actually benefit our overall health.

If only. In the argot of Alcoholics Anonymous, medical science is having a moment of clarity around alcohol. It turns out that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health, as the World Health Organization put it in 2023. One major meta-analysis that same year found that there are in fact no mortality benefits at low levels of alcohol consumption, and that risk for a number of health threats rises as consumption increases.

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Those threats include numerous cancers, like breast, colorectal, liver, and esophageal. Even low-level drinking can lead to increased blood pressure, higher stroke risk, and disrupted sleep  which in turn can lead to a host of health problems over time. Its no surprise that more and more countries  though not yet the US  are giving their citizens official guidance that no level of alcohol consumption can be recommended.

The decline and fall of teen drinking

Whether or not American adults are actually listening to their doctors, the decline in alcohol consumption is real. Whats even more remarkable  and even better news  is the sharper decline in drinking among people who legally shouldnt be doing it at all: the underage.

In 2024, according to one long-running youth survey, 42 percent of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol, down significantly from 75 percent in 1997 (which happens to be the year I graduated high school, and no, I will not be commenting on which side of the survey I fell on). For 10th graders it was 26 percent (down from 65 percent) and for eighth graders it was 13 percent (down from 46 percent in 1997, which yikes). For those underage Americans who are drinking, the percentage who engage in binge drinking has also fallen in recent years, albeit less sharply.

The benefits of reduced teen drinking are even clearer than they are with adults. About 4,000 Americans under the age of 21 every year die from excessive alcohol consumption, whether in car crashes, drownings, or suicides and homicides. Underage drinking is correlated with worse academic performance, risky behavior in general, and an increased chance of alcohol abuse disorder down the line.

Alcohol is really bad  with one caveat

Heres one of the more unbelievable stats Ive ever seen: scholars believe that something like 40 percent of all murders involve the use of alcohol. Thats just one example of the effects of dangerous levels of alcohol consumption. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates around 178,000 excess deaths each year from alcohol abuse, of which over 12,000 were deaths in drunk driving accidents  meaning one out of every three car crash deaths might not have happened without alcohol.

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Less alcohol consumption means less of all of this. Fewer violent deaths in drunken homicides or car crashes, and fewer lives cut short over the long term because of alcohol-connected illness. It means fewer families torn apart by alcohol abuse, and fewer children who endure the long-term trauma of being the child of an alcoholic.

If theres any downside to this drop in drinking, its the possibility that the decline is being driven by a decline of socializing more generally. Americans are spending more time alone than ever before, and that comes with very serious health and social impacts of its own. We have, oh, several thousand years of evidence that alcohol consumption in moderate, responsible levels is pretty good for socializing, and right now, many of us need all the help we can get.

To be clear, Im not suggesting everyone stop drinking  or start drinking just to make friends. I myself enjoy a drink, and for now Im comfortable with the trade-off that comes with moderate drinking. But the benefits to the country overall of less drinking are impossible to dismiss. Thats worth raising a mocktail to.

A version of this story originally appeared in the Good News newsletter. Sign up here!
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Antonio Chairez Rios, a Mexican national who has lived in Albuquerque for more than 20 years, is now suing the Trump Administration, claiming federal immigration agencies have unlawfully delayed his T-Visa application for over a year.

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Rios applied for the visa in August 2024, asserting he is a survivor of labor trafficking while working in the New Mexico construction industry. The T-Visa was created to offer legal status and protection to victims of human trafficking. It is our contention that he does qualify for that form of relief. However, due to the long delay by USCIS  the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services  he is facing removal from the United States, said Rios attorney Rebecca Kitson.

She noted that if Rios is deported, he would lose his ability to re-enter the country for many years and would likely never be able to reapply for a T-Visa.

Rios has deep ties to New Mexico. He is a grandfather and was the sole guardian of his children. He claims he was trafficked by his former employer, Casa Construction LLC, between 2006 and 2011. In January 2011, Rios sustained near-fatal injuries while working under what he describes as dangerous and unreasonable conditions to meet a rushed construction deadline. He continues to suffer long-term health issues from the incident.

According to his attorneys, USCIS has failed to issue whats known as a Bona Fide Determination of Rioss application  a preliminary step that confirms the application is complete and meets the basic eligibility requirements, including a personal statement and background checks. Were not asking the Citizen and Immigration Services Agency to adjudicate his full T-Visa; were just simply asking them to give him this initial adjudication, which the Department of Homeland Security has said takes on average 90 days, said attorney Alejandro Macias.

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Rioss legal team said he has complied with all requirements  including regular check-ins with ICE  but argues the federal government has far exceeded reasonable timelines, which they said violates federal law. Agencies are required under the Administrative Procedures Act to do their job, to complete the adjudication of applications. The agencies exist to process these applications, and their failure to do so is a violation of that law, said Kitson.

Kitson and Macias said theyve exhausted all other options to prompt action from USCIS, including requests for expedited review and receiving congressional assistance from Democratic U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan. Unfortunately, those requests have been denied or ignored, and now were forced to file this lawsuit for him, said Macias.

Meanwhile, Rios has been told by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that he will be deported next month unless he can prove that USCIS has issued a Bona Fide Determination of his T-Visa application. He deserves the time and the opportunity to be heard in his application, but of course, what weve seen under this administration is the tactic is to simply remove somebody so that you dont have to defend your actions in front of a court of law, said Kitson.

His attorneys argued that this case reflects a broader pattern under recent Trump-era policies of targeting immigrants who are applying for status lawfully. In the complaint, we do mention the Trump Administration, at the end of May, has called for more deportation in the U.S Coincidentally, a week afterwards, Antonio was called in for his ICE check-in, said Macias.

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At that June 6 check-in, Rios was notified hell be facing removal by his next check-in, which is on September 18, if he doesnt have proof of his T-Visa Bona Fide Certification.

Kitson and Macias also said policies like these discourage survivors of trafficking from coming forward. Essentially, what were seeing is that those people who apply for relief in the United States, who are trying to regularize their status, who are trying to make it right and do the right thing, are also subject to arrest and immigration proceedings because theyre the ones that come forward. Theyre low-hanging fruit, said Kitson.

Kitson said the intent of Congress has long been to protect human trafficking victims and ensure they feel safe coming forward.

Macias noted that a 2021 directive requiring ICE agents to coordinate with other federal agencies to identify potential trafficking victims was rescinded in March of this year. The message is clear to victims of human trafficking, to victims of domestic violence, to those who are facing persecution in their home countries: If due process is denied for these individuals, it means the U.S. no longer honors or respects the protections of people in those contexts, said Kitson.

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Rioss attorneys said the best-case scenario is a settlement with the Assistant U.S. Attorney, which could prompt a Bona Fide Determination and potentially lead to a stay of deportation while his full T-Visa application is reviewed.

Macias said cases like this are becoming increasingly common. We know other people are also having to file these lawsuits just to get the protections the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was meant to provide them, said Macias.

As it stands, no court date has been set in Rioss case. He is currently required to wear an ankle monitor and is scheduled for another ICE check-in on September 18.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Delta Air Lines was dealt a pretty significant blow this week as the U.S. Department of Justice made a decision that seriously hinders one of its key partnerships. Now, the airline has issued a warning about what it will mean for its customers.

Over the years, Delta has had a long-standing alliance with Grupo Aeromexico, allowing the two carriers to coordinate flight planning and pricing.

However, that partnership is now under threat following a recent move by the U.S. Department of Justice.

DOJ Shuts Down Antitrust Immunity

In a filing made Monday, the DOJ determined that the two airlines should lose their antitrust immunity, claiming that the Mexican government has engaged in restrictive and potentially discriminatory practices that have stifled competition.

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This development follows a warning issued last month by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which urged Mexico to address anticompetitive conduct, according to Bloomberg.

In its Monday filing, the Justice Department argued that actions by Mexicos government have limited entry and expansion by certain carriers at Mexico Citys Benito Juarez International Airport and "thereby undermined competitive conditions in Mexico, thwarting open market access on routes between Mexico and the United States."

Bloomberg also reported that the DOT believes Mexico has been in violation of a 2015 agreement since 2022 by taking slots away from U.S. airlines at Benito Juarez Airport and imposing restrictions on air cargo flights there.

Delta Pushes Back on the Decision

Following the decision, Delta issued a joint statement with Grupo Aeromexico saying it would punish a US company and US consumers" and not the government of Mexico.

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Other, superior measures are available to remedy the situation with the GOM without harming the US economy; the Department should pursue those alternatives instead, the airlines wrote in their joint statement.

Delta claimed in its joint statement that the alliance between the two airlines fosters enhanced competition with other U.S. and Mexican carriers.

Delta Issues a Warning to Customers

The decision from the DOJ marks a significant turning point for a partnership that dates back to 2011. Last month, Delta issued a pretty clear warning to its customers about what this change could mean for travel between the United States and Mexico.

"The U.S. Department of Transportation's tentative proposal to terminate its approval of the strategic and pro-competitive partnership between Delta and Aeromexico would cause significant harm to consumers traveling between the U.S. and Mexico, as well as U.S. jobs, communities, and transborder competition," Delta said in a statement last month via the Associated Press.

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The U.S. claims that the alliance no longer serves the public interest, but Delta clearly disagrees.

Delta Sends Warning to All Customers After Disappointing Decision first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
More than a dozen people have been arrested in Norwich city centre for showing support for Palestine Action, which has recently been proscribed by the government as a terrorist organisation.

Norfolk Police said 13 people "holding placards showing support" for the group were arrested outside City Hall during the protest, which started at 12:30 BST.

They were held on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

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Five people were taken to Wymondham police station for questioning while the other eight were de-arrested after they gave their details to police.

A 14th person had a sign seized by officers.

The force said the protest was over by 14:00 BST.

Supt Wes Hornigold said: "We will always work to facilitate peaceful protest and protect the democratic right to assembly. However, the actions of this group were unlawful.

"Our officers' role is to prevent disorder, damage and disruption in the local community and they will use their powers to do this. Any breaches of the law will be dealt with."

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The arrests came a day after the Metropolitan Police said a further 60 people would be prosecuted for supporting Palestine Action.

The force said it followed the arrest of more than 700 people since the group was banned on July 5, including 522 in central London last Saturday.

More prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks, and arrangements have been put in place "that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary", the Met said.

Palestine Action was banned by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper following criminal damage to planes at RAF Brize Norton.

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As a result, membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Cooper said the ban was based on "strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed" as well as "plans and ideas for further attacks".

But Amnesty International chief executive Sacha Deshmukh has described the mass arrests that have happened since then as "deeply concerning".

Last month, the High Court ruled that Palestine Action would be able to challenge its proscription.

Lawyers for the group's co-founder Huda Ammori argue that the ban breaches the right to free speech and acts as a gag on legitimate protest.

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Dan Smokers dream family trip to Europe turned into a nightmarenot because of a cancellation, but due to a call he made to United Airlines.

After his initial flight was canceled due to mechanical issues, Smoker spent over three painstaking hours on the phone with United trying to rebook. He connected with an agent named David, who promised to charge for the new ticket, upgraded Smoker to premium economy and said the original cost would be refunded. A confirmation email followed  addressing refund timelines, oddly, from a non-United email.

Months later, no refund had arrived. Upon investigating his credit card bill, he found the legitimate charges from United Airlines for Smoker's rebooked flight, along with another charge for $17,000 listed under the alias "AIRLINEFARE."

Don't miss

Scammed  but how?

After consumer investigator Steve Staeger examined the confirmation email, he immediately noticed several red flags indicating a possible scam.

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"I figured Dan had been taken advantage of, thought maybe he'd Googled a number for United," Staeger says in a WGRZ video, "but he didn't."

Both Smoker and Staeger confirmed using call logs that Smoker had called United Airlines' official customer service number, and the call log showed confirmed three hours he had spent on the phone were with United.

The more I looked into it, the more clear it became that it was a scam via United's system somehow," Smoker said. "Now how that happened? I have no idea.

On United's end, however, a representative told him the three-hour call connected with David was only in their internal call log for 12 minutes.

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United confirms they logged several calls from Smokers number and have launched an internal review. However, the airline couldnt explain how the call was transferred to the alleged scammer or why their own logs recorded a much shorter call duration. Smoker has filed a fraud report with his credit card provider while awaiting resolution.

They have a system that people are supposed to trust, Smoker said. I trusted that system. There was no reason that I shouldn't have trusted that system, and I was scammed as a part of it.

Weve been in direct contact with the customer to understand what happened in this case, a United spokeswoman said in a statement. We are reviewing this matter thoroughly. Were committed to finding a fair resolution for him. She did not answer any questions on how Smoker's call could have been redirected.

A broader rise of airline scams

While Dan Smoker's case stands out as he was somehow intercepted or rerouted through United's offical line, it's part of a broader trend of scammers cashing in on airline cancellations. The urgency and panic that comes with rebooking a cancelled flight makes airline customers a prime target for phishing in scammers books.

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Recent investigations by consumer watchdogs like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and AARP show how widespread the threat has become. The BBB issues frequent alerts about fake airline customer service numbers leading to billing scams, and reports via their Scam Tracker database note how even trusted sources like Google can populate fraudulent numbers that impersonate airline support.

Scammers often purchase top ad placement or manipulate Google search results to insert fake numbers at the top of your querymeaning customers often think theyre getting help, not pitching money.

AARP has documented similar cases, where frustrated travelers searching online for help ended up paying twice  once to the airline and again to a fraudster disguised as a booking agent. Scammers also exploit social media by replying to posts complaining about cancelled flights with phony offers of assistance.

Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund  even if youre not a millionaire. Heres how to get started with as little as $10

How consumers can protect themselves

Airline scams are evolving so quickly that even travelers who do everything by the book can get caught in the trap. The best protection starts with knowing what red flags to look for.

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Experts warn that you should only ever contact an airline through its official channels, either the number listed on its verified website or inside the companys app. Refund emails should always come from a legitimate domain like @united.com, never a generic address. And while it might be second nature to type United customer service into Google, thats one of the biggest dangers: scammers buy ads or spoof listings to make fake call center numbers appear at the top of search results.

Even if youre on the phone with someone who seems helpful, remember that real agents wont demand you pay upfront for a refund or push you to make unusual financial transactions. If something about the interaction feels off  say, the call log shows a different length than what you remember, or you cant get a case number  its worth hanging up and calling back through a different verified line.

Finally, timing matters. If you do see an unexpected charge, dont wait it out. Contact your bank immediately, dispute the charge, and let the airline know what happened. Quick action often makes the difference between recovering your money and losing it for good.

Bottom line

This case is alarming as Smokers wasnt duped by a fake Google listing or social media post  he dialed the official United line. Somehow, his call still went sideways.

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You shouldnt have to second-guess an airlines own customer service line  yet scams are increasingly blurring the lines between real systems and fake ones. When trust in the system breaks down, vigilance becomes the travelers best defense.

By sticking to official channels, questioning odd requests, and acting fast when something doesnt add up, you can keep your dream trip from turning into a financial nightmare.

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.
LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  Deputies have arrested a man accused of an attempted murder in Clinton.

According to the Laurens County Sheriffs Office, law enforcement was called Friday evening to the 700 block of Charlottes Road in Clinton for a reported stabbing incident. Deputies identified 30-year-old Cameron Wayne Blackwell as a suspect and said he had fled the scene.

Deputies searched overnight for Blackwell. At around 8:15 a.m. Saturday the sheriffs office reported Blackwell is in custody.

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We will update this story as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Can you ID this man?

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Butler County Sheriffs Office said in a social media post that they are searching for a male suspect accused of entering a Costco and stealing a Ninja Slushy machine.

The incident happened on August 3 at the Costco in Liberty Township.

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The suspect entered the store, stole the machine, and exited the store through a fire door, according to the sheriffs office.

He left the scene in a waiting gray Toyota Highlander driven by a second suspect.

Contact Detective Steele at (513) 759-7347 if you have information about the suspects.

Photo contributed by Butler County Sheriff's Office (via Facebook)

Photo contributed by Butler County Sheriff's Office (via Facebook)

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Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russias Security Council and former president, has stated that following the meeting in Alaska, "a full-fledged mechanism of meetings" between Russia and the US at the highest level has been restored.

Source: Medvedev and Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Telegram

Details: Medvedev also said that Putin had set out Russias conditions for ending the war to the US president "personally and in detail".

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Quote from Medvedev: "Importantly, the meeting proved that negotiations are possible without preconditions and while the special military operation [as Russians call the war in Ukraine  ed.] continues.

Both sides directly placed the responsibility for achieving future results in negotiations to end the hostilities on Kyiv and Europe."

Details: Zakharova commented that Russia is no longer in isolation.

Quote from Zakharova: "The Western media is in a state that can be described as madness bordering on complete lunacy: for three years theyve been talking about Russias isolation, and today they saw the red carpet rolled out to welcome the Russian president in the US." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president  ed.]

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Oklahoma's so-called "woke" test for teachers from left-leaning states has dozens of multiple-choice questions developed by politically conservative nonprofit PragerU, according to a report from a national cable news network.

CNN said the Oklahoma State Department of Education, led by Republican state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, granted the network exclusive access to review the test on Friday, Aug. 15.

The Oklahoman had requested a copy of the test under the Oklahoma Open Records Act earlier in August. Hours after CNN published its report about the test, the state Education Department responded to one of The Oklahoman's requests for a copy of the test by saying it had "no responsive documents." The Oklahoman had asked the state agency for "a copy of the 'assessment for teachers relocating from states with progressive education policies' mentioned in a OSDE press release issued July 9, 2025."

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Spokespeople for Walters did not respond to a second request, made on Friday, for a copy of the test.

What questions are in Ryan Walters' 'woke' test for teachers?

Since Walters became state superintendent in January 2023, he has often bypassed local and state media outlets to make major announcements concerning culture-war issues, opting instead to turn to national outlets such as Fox News. His agency has also amassed a poor record of responding to open records requests and has been publicly chastised by the Oklahoma attorney generals office as a result.

CNN reported it reviewed parts of the "woke" test, which it said has about 50 questions, including one asking teachers to choose which chromosome pairs determine biological sex. Other questions, CNN reported, include one about why freedom of religion is important to the nations identity and others wanting to know the first three words of the U.S. Constitution, the two chambers of Congress and the number of U.S. senators.

Walters provided vague details about the test during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting on July 24.

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Youre not going to come in here and teach that theres 27 genders. Theres boys and girls. That's in our science standards, Walters said as he explained the test. Youre going to come in, and youre not going to undermine American exceptionalism by teaching anti-American, anti-Semitic hate.

Walters claimed the decision to implement the test wouldnt need the boards approval, drawing pushback from other board members. Board member Ryan Deatherage asked Walters for legal documentation as to why that would be the case. Deatherage told The Oklahoman on Friday, I have not been provided any legal documentation to prove either way.

More: Walters says an 'anti-woke' test for teachers moving to Oklahoma will be ready soon

Walters also said during the July 24 board meeting he expected the test to be implemented within two weeks.

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Walters named California and New York as two states that have adopted requirements for teachers that run antithetical to Oklahomas standards. California, Walters contended, now requires educators to teach students there is no difference between genders.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters' so-called "woke" test for teachers now is being used, according to a CNN report.

According to the California Department of Education's website, students must be taught "about gender, gender expression, gender identity and explore the harm of negative gender stereotypes. Schools must also "teach about all sexual orientations and what being LGBTQ means."

Walters has repeatedly partnered with PragerU, a California nonprofit devoted to creating educational materials meant to counter what it calls the dominant left-wing ideology in culture, media and education.

In 2023, he posted links to PragerU materials on the state Education Department website, and in 2024, he announced that PragerU's leadership would help review the state's new social studies standards, which have come under scrutiny for their multiple mentions of Christianity across grade levels.

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On Friday, the Education Department sent an email newsletter touting a new "civics seal" that Oklahoma students can earn on their high school diplomas if they meet certain requirements. Joining PragerForce, PragerU's online network of "thousands of young patriots." counts toward one of the requirements.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What's in Ryan Walters' 'woke' test for teachers from California, NY?
The Coalition of the Willing  military allies supporting Ukraine  will meet on Sunday 17 August.

Source: European Pravda; BFMTV, a French news broadcast television and radio network, citing sources at the Elysee Palace

Details: The meeting will be held via video conference and co-chaired by France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 15:00 (16:00 Kyiv time).

French President Emmanuel Macron will join in the video call from Fort de Bregancon.

Background:

Following the summit between Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska, Macron announced that a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing would take place shortly.

Trump has told the Europeans that Putin wants an immediate peace deal, not a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy has said that he will fly to Washington for talks with Trump on Monday 18 August.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  An Oregon nonprofit is facing a round of layoffs and froze its senior job program amid a delay in federal funding  which could be devastating for the communities they serve statewide, the nonprofit says.

Easterseals, a national nonprofit with state affiliates, claims to be the largest nonprofit health care organization, working with children and adults with disabilities, along with veterans and older adults.

For the last 78 years, Easterseals Oregon has offered key programs including summer camps for children, veteran housing assistance and paid job training programs for adults 55 and older, the latter of which is paused because of delayed funding.

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OHSU receives historic $2B donation for cancer research from Knight family

Between May and June, the United States Department of Labor typically releases funding from its Senior Community Service Employment Program to Easterseals. The funding is then dispersed to state affiliates, such as Easterseals Oregon, which was expecting around $5.5 million.

Every once in a while (the funding is) delayed, Easterseals Oregon Director of Employment Services Kathryn Gerhards told KOIN 6 News. But we typically receive it around this time.

This year, it was different, Gerhards said.

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Eye on Northwest Politics

According to Gerhards, if there is a funding delay, the Labor Department typically alerts funding recipients and lets them know funding is on its way.

However, because of a delay in the release of the funds, Easterseals Oregon has made the difficult decision to lay off staff due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the U.S. Department of Labors Senior Community Service Employment Program, an Easterseals Oregon spokesperson told KOIN 6 earlier in August.

This delay, now well past the expected release timeline, has effectively frozen funding for the national program, leaving no option but to pause operations and reduce staffing, the spokesperson continued.

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Because of the delayed federal funding, Easterseals Oregon is planning on laying off 12 staffers in August, including payroll, IT, employment specialists and administrative support workers.

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On top of the layoffs, the delayed funding is also impacting the nonprofits paid senior job training program.

Easterseals Oregons Senior Community Service Employment Program offers more than 220 low-income adults job training skills. The paid program helps adults 55 and older with computer skills, polishing their resumes and sharpening their interviewing skills to help them find a job.

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However, with the delayed Labor Department funds, Easterseals Oregon said they paused the job training program in July. The seniors involved in the program  who rely on the programs stipends to pay for rent, groceries, medications and bills  have not been paid since July 10.

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Because the Department of Labor hadnt announced that they were expecting to delay the release of the funding, we made the decision to furlough participants, an Easterseals Oregon spokesperson told KOIN 6.

The 220 furloughs come as Easterseals Oregon says they already have a waitlist of around 700 older adults who are waiting to enter the program.

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With the additional cuts that we are expected to see coming up, the demand for the program is only going to increase because people are going to have to go back to work to be able to age with dignity, Gerhards said, noting if the funding is not released, it will be devastating statewide, and we will feel those repercussions for a long time.

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Danielle Gibson  the chief financial officer of Easterseals Oregon  told KOIN 6, The sudden stop of this funding has drastically impacted the population that receives these funds, noting, These stipend payments to the participants are also taxable wages and gives them the opportunity to add a positive impact to the economy. The state and federal government now loses those tax dollars and there is reduced funding in the economy.

Gerhards and Gibson told KOIN 6 that Easterseals is advocating for more funding, claiming the Labor Department has not responded to their requests for additional information about the funding delay.

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Knowing the funding could potentially be excluded from the budget reconciliation bill  dubbed by President Donald Trump as the Big Beautiful Bill  Easterseals Oregon was planning to help their seniors exit the job training program.

There is no reason, as far as we know, that the money has not been released. But next year, starting July 2026, it is written out of the Big Beautiful Bill and zeroed out, Gerhards said. There is still advocacy happening on the national level to be able to ensure that it is written back in.

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We have known that (the funding) is potentially not going to be awarded for 2026 starting in July 2026 and so with that in mind, we were making plans to prepare to exit people gracefully, to get them set up with the resources and support that they would need to be able to find employment and thrive without the program, Gerhards continued, noting, otherwise, they are just kind of left to try to figure it out on their own.

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Im hopeful that the funding will be released, Gerhards added. Im still hopeful that were going to be able to pick up and serve this population. This is the fastest-growing population in the nation.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Labor told KOIN 6 News on August 14 that the funding is under review.

This is peoples lifeline. This is how people pay for medication, this is how they pay for food, this is how they keep a roof over their heads. It is not just fun money, Gerhards said. It is really helping them age with dignity.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, Trump said during a press conference alongside Putin at the end of their summit.

The meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, which lasted for close to three hours, fell short of the peace deal that Trump sought to make ahead of the meeting. The U.S. president was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff during the "three-on-three" talks with the Russian delegation led by Putin.

"We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left  some are not that significant  one is probably the most significant," Trump said, without providing details on the talks.

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"We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there," Trump added. "A couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there, but we've made some headway. So there's no deal until there's a deal."

Trump said that he would call President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited to the discussions, after the talks concluded. Zelensky has rejected the possibility of recognizing the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory and ceding additional land, calling for a ceasefire as the first step toward peace negotiations, a position supported by Kyiv's European allies

"I will call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And Ill, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about todays meeting. It's ultimately up to them," Trump said.

Putin, who began the press conference, reiterated his maximalist demands to end the war, referring to the Kremlin's perceived "root causes" of the war, which includes a ban on joining NATO and Kyiv's withdrawal from four of Ukraine's partially occupied regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

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"We are convinced that for a settlement in Ukraine to be stable and long-lasting, all root causes of the crisis  of which we have spoken many times  must be eliminated, all of Russia's legitimate concerns taken into account, and a fair balance in the field of security in Europe and in the world as a whole established," Putin said.

"I agree with President Trump  he spoke about this today  that the security of Ukraine must certainly be ensured. Of course, we are ready to work on this. I hope that the understanding we have reached will help us get closer to that goal and open the road to peace in Ukraine," the Russian president remarked.

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As Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue, Putin called on Kyiv and its European allies to not "disrupt the emerging progress" stemming for the peace talks.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has pledged to broker a swift peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow  efforts that quickly stalled as Russia repeatedly rejected a ceasefire and pushed maximalist demands during peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.

At the conclusion of the press conference, Putin invited Trump to Moscow for a subsequent round of meetings.

"I'll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening," Trump replied.

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The two leaders did not take questions from reporters at the end of the press conference.

Both leaders departed from Alaska on respective planes shortly after the news conference. Before boarding his airplane, Putin laid flowers on the graves of Soviet soldiers at the Fort Richardson Memorial Cemetery in Anchorage.

Ahead of the summit, Trump said he aims to organize a subsequent trilateral meeting involving Zelensky and possibly European leaders, who have been critical of Kyiv's lack of participation in negotiations between Russia and the United States.

The talks mark the first face-to-face interaction between Putin and Trump since Trump was elected to his second term in January. The two previously met in Helsinki in 2018 for a summit between the two leaders.

Read also: Trump, Putin conclude high-stakes summit on Ukraine in Alaska

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Kern County residents were in a protesting mood Friday with different groups holding demonstrations across Bakersfield.

About a dozen protesters gathered on Stockdale Highway outside the local offices of U.S. Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, whom organizers said refused to meet with them.

Brenda Licitra lives in Ridgecrest and works for the Department of Defense at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, but on Friday she was in Bakersfield to deliver a handful of letters to Fongs office.

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The letters  sent from Fongs office in response to constituent requests  were all the same, Licitra said, with only the name of the recipient changed.

It should be very easy for (Fong) to have a town hall, so weve invited him out several times and weve gotten the same letter back saying that hes corresponded with 16,000 constituents, Licitra, a member of the Ridgecrest 50501 group.

Started via organizing on social media following President Donald Trumps inauguration, independent 50501 groups have popped up all across the country with several in Kern County.

Licitra said she and other constituents had taken the form letters from Fongs office and marked them up with red pen and graded them as a teacher would before delivering a stack of them to Fongs office.

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Since he wont have a town hall, and this is the only way we can have a dialogue with Fong, Licitra said.

Since the start of the second Trump administration, constituents have increasingly called for members of Congress  Republican members in particular  to hold town halls in response to sweeping changes made by the president.

As a federal employee, Licitra emphasized she spoke only on her own behalf, and said the Department of Government Efficiencys takeover of the Office of Personnel Management was chaotic and stressful.

When DOGE took over the OPM wed get an email from the OPM and then wed get another email from DOD trying to like explain how that is and then wed get another email from the Navy, like further trying to explain how that might apply to the Navy, Licitra said.

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People felt like their positions are just being diminished to being a cog in the system; no appreciation for actually trying to figure out who can be cut, she said.

Donna Wyman, a Tehachapi resident, joined Licitras demonstration in Bakersfield. She was concerned about cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

She traveled to Bakersfield because she wants Fong out of office.

Because he voted for that big bill, which I dont approve of, Wyman said. And my husband was a veteran  a 30-year veteran  so, you know, theres a certain amount of that Im thinking about. But Trumps a disaster. Thats all I can say.

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Fongs office did not immediately respond to request for comment regarding a public meeting.

U.S. Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, held a tele-town hall in April and last month his staff told The Californian another was being planned for the near future.

Another Newsom recall?

Across town on Chester Avenue outside Valley Gun, Rod Guice was collecting signatures in yet another attempt to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom.

He couldnt control the fires in Los Angeles; couldnt supply the water in Los Angeles; couldnt control riots in Los Angeles, Guice said.

Enticing potential signers with the prospect of a free hot dog, Guice said Californians of all political persuasions are fed up with Newsoms leadership.

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If we can do this, we send a message to Sacramento that says were sick of the ignorant and uncaring and negligent leadership out of Sacramento, he said.

Guice was involved with the last effort to recall Newsom in 2021 when nearly 62% of voters rejected the measure. This recall effort was started in March by Randy Economy, chairman of the group Saving California.

Press materials for a Saving California event refer to Guice as a key leader with the group.

Newsoms term as governor also comes to an end in 2026, and dozens of politicians have thrown their hats into the ring to replace him.

If successful, a recall would only replace Newsom for a very short time.

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On Friday, Guice was undaunted.

Now things are different, Guice said, referencing the governors response to the Los Angeles wildfires and the departure from the state of several high-profile businesses.

Now that insurance companies are pulling out, home insurance rates are going up, now that all of thats happening, even a lot of Gov. Newsoms base is angry with him now, Guice said. We got the best chance weve ever had right now because of the polling statistics; all we really need are enough signatures to get it done.

A recall petition needs a minimum number of valid signatures equal to 12% of votes cast in the last election for governor, according to the Secretary of States office. In this case, thats 1,311,963.

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Valid signatures must be obtained from at least five counties and in each of those counties must equal at least 1% of the last vote for governor.

But for Guice, a critical part of Californias process is the ability of voters to then select a candidate to replace a recalled politician.

The first question is, do you want to recall the governor? Yes, no.  And if, yes, who do you want to be governor? Guice said. And there are 20 to 40 names on a down ballot, everything from Republicans to Democrats.

Once a recall election is called, candidates must submit nomination papers at least 59 days before the election.

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So that would alleviate some of the, you know, Sacramento, the stuff that theyre coming up with, Guice said.

Reports to the Secretary of States office for the petition show no signatures submitted so far, but Guice said hes collected more than 2,800.

One new signer Friday was Quincy Paige, a Kern County resident who said he had no party preference and was critical of both Republicans and Democrats.

It seems like hes worried more about putting money in his pocket than fixing California, Paige said.

Paige said hed actually met Newsom while incarcerated at the state prison in San Quentin where the governor had come to discuss criminal justice reform. Yet in the years since the meeting, Paige said, Newsom hadnt followed through on any of the changes he promised to champion.

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Paige said he didnt like president Trump, but said he respected that he had come through with his promise to upset the status quo.

Something needs to happen, and maybe if we can get enough people to actually say, were tired of this, Paige said. Nobody wants to stand up for this. Theyre just allowing (Newsom) to do what he wants to do because no one wants to make waves. I dont mind making a wave.
NEED TO KNOW

Dinosaur tracks from about 115 million years ago have been found in Texas

The 15 footprints were discovered on private property by a volunteer who was helping clear debris after the recent July flooding

The footprints measure approximately 18-20 inches in length and were left by carnivores, according to experts



Dinosaur footprints from approximately 115 million years ago were found in Texas.

The discovery was made in August on private property in the Sandy Creek area of northwest Travis County after recent storms and flooding swept away sediment and brush, according to officials, per ABC News. The exact location of the tracks has not been revealed publicly at the request of the property owner.

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The tracks were discovered by a volunteer who was helping residents clear out debris caused by the storm, per CNN. The volunteer spotted 15 large, three-clawed dinosaur footprints scattered in a crisscross pattern, according to the outlet.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Matthew Brown, a paleontologist with the Jackson School Museum of Earth History at the University of Texas at Austin, told CNN that the tracks were unambiguously dinosaurs and said they were left by meat-eating dinosaurs similar to Acrocanthosaurus, a roughly 35-foot-long bipedal carnivore.

Brown additionally said that each footprint measures about 18 to 20 inches in length and that they are approximately 110 to 115 million years old.

Kenneth Bader/UT Austin Dinosaur track found in Texas Dinosaur track found in Texas

Brown explained that paleontologists were able to determine the age of the tracks by examining the age of the rocks in which they are encased.

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Theyre preserved in rock layers that are that old, he added.

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The recent discovery is a direct result of the regions extreme weather this past summer  most notably the flooding that occurred in Kerr County and the surrounding areas.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown told CNN that Sandy Creek is typically a very dry area, but that water rose to 20 feet during the July flooding.

That washed away trees. It washed away cars, houses, anything in its path. 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, he said.

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Brown went on to say that the tracks were exciting to see amid the otherwise devastated area.

We have a lot of dinosaur footprints around Texas in different areas. Just picturing what used to roam in this area is a fascinating exercise, he said.



Read the original article on People
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Its been two months since the Rowena Fire tore through 3,000 acres, destroying dozens of homes in The Dalles. Now the area is working to clean up the debris that was left in the wake of the disaster.

However, cleanup efforts remain on pause as Wasco County and the State try to lock down funding.

Residents with their homes destroyed say they have received some help, but are still left with questions as they try to pick up the pieces.

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This was a really beautiful property, Shane White Horse said. Then just to see it like this, it almost looks like a missile went off.

Charred trees, burnt metal and rubble are all that remain of his home two months after the wildfire leveled 60 homes within its path. He told KOIN 6 News he often comes back to the rubble to search for his two missing cats.

That displaced feeling. Like, knowing that you do got to figure out your next step, while trying to accept the losses, and then also realizing some of that stuff cant be replaced, and you just got to come to terms with it, White Horse said.

Mid-July marked the start of phase one of the cleanup effort, which is now complete.

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During that phase, the Wildfire Debris Management Task Force, consisting of the Wasco County Sheriffs Office, the Department of Environmental Quality, and others, removed hazardous debris at no cost to homeowners.

However, Wasco County officials said Phase Two remains at a standstill until funding is secured, leaving residents in limbo.

There was a little bit of resources for us. But because there were 59 homes, it limited those resources to where everybody got a small piece of the pie, White Horse explained. All we heard was that the administration said no to any disaster relief. So, they were like, this is it, and were sorry.'

Rowena Fire damage in Wasco County Oregon. June 12, 2025 (KOIN). Rowena Fire damage in Wasco County Oregon. June 12, 2025 (KOIN). Rowena Fire damage in Wasco County Oregon. June 12, 2025 (KOIN). Rowena Fire damage in Wasco County Oregon. June 12, 2025 (KOIN). Rowena Fire damage in Wasco County Oregon. June 13, 2025 (KOIN). The Rowena Fire near The Dalles in Oregon. June 11, 2025 (KOIN). The Rowena Fire near The Dalles in Oregon. June 11, 2025 (KOIN).

Although FEMA approved funding to support efforts to fight the Rowena fire, FEMA is not currently providing financial help to impacted families.

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We dont have a federal disaster declaration out in Rowena at this time, so the money will have to come from either a State fund or from the County fund, or some combination of those two funds, Erin Zysett with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) said. We are still in discussion about what that looks like.

During this intermittent phase, Wasco County is urging residents who are returning during the interim period to wear an N95 mask and protective gear, if possible.

OEM officials are encouraging impacted residents to use the pause in cleanup efforts to mark their property for any areas they dont want bulldozers to clear during the next phase.

Families in need of support can also connect with the new long-form recovery group to get assigned a case manager or apply for a low-income loan through the Small Business Administration, according to OEM.

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It is natural for residents to be anxious to get back on their property, Zysett said. But recovery takes a very long time. It takes years to recover from something like this and it is not something that is going to happen overnight.

As White Horse waits for Phase Two, he says the people of The Dalles are stepping up to support one another. He also has a GoFundMe to help raise funds to recover from the fire.

Its kind of hard to build something from nothing, but I have the community, so its not like I have nothing, he said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
When Arden Grim was 3 months old, her mother noticed her right hand was always curled into a fist and was less active than her left. The pediatrician told her mother it was nothing to worry about, but she still decided to get another medical opinion.

Thats how Grim was eventually diagnosed at 5 months old with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a condition that impacts movement and posture due to damage to a developing brain.

Due to a stroke Grim had before birth, the right side of her body  including her arm and leg  is weaker than the left side.

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While the diagnosis of cerebral palsy finally gave Grims parents the answers they were looking for, it also came with a shocking prognosis from the neurologist: Grim was never going to be able to walk or talk due to her disability.

But that isnt what happened. While Grim was delayed in learning some things, like learning how to walk, she defied the odds dictated by the neurologist.

They didnt want to accept it  both my parents. So I was pretty much right away seeing physical therapists, occupational therapists around the age of 1, Grim said. All of it was stemming from  we dont want this to be Ardens reality."

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Now Grim, a rising senior at Smith College majoring in neuroscience, is working with some of the very people who helped her as a child.

Through neuroSURF, a program where undergraduates interested in neuroscience research work full-time in one of the institutes labs, Grim was matched with the Neuromotor Research Clinic, her top choice.

The clinic is part of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech but was previously located at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where Grim and her parents traveled to.

A lot of what I want to do professionally is give back to kids who have similar experiences to what I experienced as a young child. And so, recognizing how beneficial it was for me, I want to continue to contribute to that. And through research, I was able to at least a little bit, she said.

The clinic

From the ages of 2 to 7, Grim and her parents traveled from Minnesota to Birmingham, Alabama, to work on constraint-induced movement therapy through the Neuromotor Research Clinic.

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The therapy involved putting her dominant arm in a cast to encourage intensive therapy on her weaker side.

They were very kind and supportive. And I think thats a lot of what I remember is just that aspect of it, Grim said.

She also learned how to use both sides of her body without the cast by tying her own shoes, zipping up jackets and brushing her hair, and other play-based therapies. She did the therapy for six hours a day, five days a week, for four weeks  coming back four times.

Between her research at the clinic and her studies at Smith College, she hopes to one day become a pediatric neurologist.

Amazing full circle moment

It was mindblowing to see Grim go from being a patient to an undergraduate researcher, said Mary Rebekah Trucks, the associate director of clinical education, training and implementation at the clinic.

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Grim is the first patient theyve seen come back as an undergraduate researcher in the clinic, Trucks said.

Trucks worked with Grim at around the age of 7  and during her research fellowship.

When she came walking back, walking into the clinic on that first day ... she still had some of the same facial expressions that I would see her looking at me during treatment, Trucks said.

Grim was a diligent and hardworking patient, Trucks said. She particularly remembers how the two worked on strengthening her wrist on her weaker side and isolating her fingers in order to be able to play the piano  a goal of Grims.

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Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

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Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

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Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

Arden Grim suffered a stroke in utero, and visited the Neuromotor Research Clinic for therapy multiple times as a child. Now shes back at the clinic at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, but as a summer undergraduate research fellow.

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Working with Grim over the summer, Trucks said Grim brought a personal experience that was helpful for parents and patients to see what was possible in the future. It was also helpful for Trucks to see what therapies helped Grim in the long term.

She brings in the lived experience piece that basically therapists dont have. And theres so much value in that, Trucks said.

The two even put together a series of videos of Grim doing certain tasks, like zipping her coat, in order to show patients how she learned it and is able to do it now.

I think its an amazing full circle moment, Trucks said.

An unanticipated research finding

After years of going to doctors and therapists, Grim has been particularly interested in how the brain functions.

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While at the clinic, Grim worked on an independent research project, looking at whether there was a difference in goal achievement between participants who received a moderate dosage of therapy compared to high dosage therapy.

She found that while there was no significant difference in goal achievement between the two groups, there were differences in goal achievement between male and female participants  an unanticipated finding, Grim said. She declined to elaborate on the finding at this stage of research.

Grim presented her findings at two symposia at the end of the program and is continuing to work on the research into the fall as a collaborator. More research needs to be done to obtain a final result, she said.

The preliminary research finding is only one piece of why she is excited to continue her work there  ultimately, shes grateful she can finally give back to the place that helped her.

Ive said this many times, but I wouldnt be who I am today without it, without having that treatment, because it was just so beneficial to the overall functioning of my right side, she said.

More Higher Ed

Read the original article on MassLive.
Ralph Menzies appears during his commutation hearing before the parole board at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City as he petitions to stop his execution by firing squad on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Pool photo by Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune)

Matt Hunsaker did not mince words when he addressed the man who, nearly 40 years ago, kidnapped his mother, brought her up Big Cottonwood Canyon and murdered her.

I will be there and I will watch you get shot. I promise that, Hunsaker said, speaking remotely on the final day of the commutation hearing for Ralph Menzies, who is scheduled to die by firing squad on Sept. 5. Ralph, Ill see your ass in the execution chamber in 21 days.

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Friday marked an emotional day of testimony for the family of Maurine Hunsaker, with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole hearing arguments for and against granting Menzies, a 67-year-old death row inmate with dementia, clemency  that means instead of a death sentence, he would serve the rest of his life in prison, without the possibility of parole.

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The board has never commuted a death sentence and the Hunsaker family, during several hours of tearful statements, urged them to keep it that way.

I loved that woman with every inch of my body, soul, mind, everything. What this man did, he does not deserve two seconds more to live, said Jim Hunsaker, Maurines husband.

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In total, eight of Maurines relatives spoke to the board on Friday, all with a similar argument  that 39 years ago, Menzies murder upended their family, and that their legal fight for justice and closure has dragged on far too long.

Menzies already had a lengthy criminal history by the time he kidnapped Hunsaker, a 26-year-old mother who was working as a gas station clerk in Kearns. In 1978, while serving a sentence for aggravated robbery, he escaped the Utah State Prison and shot and wounded a taxi driver. He was sentenced again, then paroled in 1984  in 1985, he was arrested for theft, then released on bail in February of 1986.

Days after he was released, Menzies robbed the gas station where Hunsaker worked, kidnapping the young mother and taking her up into the Wasatch Mountains. According to testimony Friday, he told Hunsaker he would let her go  she even called her husband, telling him she would be released soon. But days later, a hiker found her body near the Storm Mountain picnic area. She had been tied to a tree and strangled, before Menzies slashed her throat.

Matt Hunsaker, the son of Maurine Hunsaker, speaks remotely during the commutation hearing for Ralph Menzies, the man convicted of Maurine Hunsakers murder, at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Pool photo by Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune)

Much of that was recounted on Friday by Matt Hunsaker, who was just 10 years old when he learned of his mothers murder. During his nearly 45-minute testimony, Hunsaker recalled waking up to see police at his house; being escorted to school by officers; hearing his fathers cries when he learned of Maurines death; and the years of turmoil that followed.

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Im 10 years old and I just found out my mom was murdered. She was killed by that piece of crap sitting in that jumpsuit right in front of you right now. The very guy thats begging for mercy, Hunsaker said.

In the years that followed the murder, Menzies filed numerous appeals that prolonged his sentence  most recently, his attorneys tried to argue that his dementia has progressed so much that he no longer understands why hes being executed. Per state and federal law, a government should not execute someone who doesnt understand the reasoning behind their death sentence.

Despite a judge ruling that Menzies does have dementia, those attempts have all mostly failed, including a recent petition to undergo a second competency exam. Although Menzies still has an appeal pending with the Utah Supreme Court, which his attorneys will argue next week, the commutation hearing marks one of his last attempts to avoid the firing squad.

If you dont sentence him to death, it will be on all your heads. Im sorry, thats my feeling. He has been so brutal, not only to Maurine, but for me, my family, and anybody else that has to put up with him, Jim Hunsaker said on Friday.

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Heidi Nestel, an attorney for the Hunsaker family, told the board that allowing the execution to move forward would bring closure to a family who, for decades, has lived in legal limbo.

The only compassionate, conclusive mercy available now is this. To finally carry out this sentence the jury and judge lawfully and unanimously decided 37 years ago to give her family the one thing theyve never had  an end, closure, silence, she said. Let this long delayed sentence be fulfilled. Not out of vengeance, but out of mercy for those who have suffered quietly.

A photograph of Maurine Hunsaker is displayed during a commutation hearing for Ralph Menzies, who was sentenced to be executed for Hunsakers murder, at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Pool photo by Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune)

Attorneys make closing arguments

Attorneys for both Menzies and the state made their closing statements on Friday, echoing many of the same arguments made in court hearings this year, and in years past.

Menzies attorneys say that his terminal illness is already killing him, urging the board to simply let it run its course. His life expectancy, said attorney Eric Zuckerman, is only five to six years.

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Zuckerman also pointed to problems with the original trial, citing an affidavit from Utah 3rd District Judge Raymond Uno, who in 2010 wrote that there likely wasnt enough evidence of torture in the murder to actually sentence Menzies to death. Instead, Uno wrote, Menzies should have received a life sentence.

And, the death sentence relied in part on false testimony from a fellow inmate, who told prosecutors Menzies said killing Hunsaker was one of the greatest thrills of my life. The inmate later admitted to making up that statement, in an attempt to strike a deal with federal authorities.

This is why this board exists. You have the power to act. You have the power to make sure that Utah does not execute a disabled man with dementia, which its never before done. You have the power to make sure that Utah does not execute a man whose sentence was obtained through perjury, said Zuckerman. But for perjured testimony relied on in both phases of the trial, we would not be here today. Without it, Mr. Menzies likely would not have been sentenced to death.

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Thomas Brunker, a longtime prosecutor with the Utah Attorney Generals Office, addressed the board during the states final argument, telling them that while he didnt dispute Menzies dementia diagnosis, they dispute the severity of his mental decline.

Brunker also said courts have pushed back on the arguments made in Unos affidavit  and that despite a Salt Lake County Conviction Integrity Unit finding issues with Menzies sentencing, it would be unprecedented to offer him clemency based on their report (the unit issued a report several years ago that found the death sentence lacks integrity).

When Menzies was sentenced to death for what he did to Maurine, a promise was made to the people of the state and, more importantly, to Maurines family, to vindicate the wrongs Menzies inflicted when he took Maurines life. That promise has remained unfulfilled for 37 years, Brunker said.

Its unclear when the board will rule. Matt Hunsaker, who is currently traveling, asked them to wait until at least Tuesday to make their announcement.
A dog lover has blamed uncut weeds for a trip to the vet for his dog that left him 300 out of pocket.

Richard Freedman said seeds from sprouting grass got stuck in Chester the cockapoo's ears while they were out for a stroll and he needed emergency treatment.

Mr Freedman, of East Barnet, north London, claimed he knew of three other dog owners whose animals had suffered similar "painful injuries" to their ears, eyes and paws.

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Barnet Council said it had a "programme to cut grass and remove weeds across the borough".

"Some areas are left longer to enhance biodiversity, however we are happy to work with dog owners to ensure our environment is safe for all to enjoy," it continued.

Mr Freedman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Pet owners are now avoiding certain routes entirely and the problem will only worsen as more grass goes to seed over the summer months.

"The council has a responsibility to maintain streets safely for all residents, including their pets."

Mr Freedman said four "bits of seeds" were removed from Chester's ear under sedation.

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When leaving the vet Richard said another dog owner told him their animal had the same thing happen.

"Dogs sniff the ground, that's what they do, and the council for some reason has decided not to clear the street of weeds," Mr Freedman said.

"I walk two miles (with Chester) and every 10m or so there are weeds popping up either by the road or all the way through the pavement and I have to struggle to keep my dog from sniffing where the grass seeds are.

"The state of the streets are atrocious."

British Veterinary Association president, Elizabeth Mullineaux, said: "Grass seeds, or awns, are sharp parts of certain grasses and cereal crops that can penetrate a dog's skin or enter body cavities, where they act as a foreign body and cause tissue damage and infection."

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Cases are more common in summer when awns were ripe.

Dr Mullineaux said: "They are usually associated with the types of grasses or plants grown on farmland.

"Our advice to pet owners is to avoid walking or letting dogs run through fields of ripe long grass or cereal crops and to check their paws, ears and fur after a walk to remove any stuck awns."

Veterinary advice should be sought if your pet has swelling between its toes or is shaking its head vigorously, she added.

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) agreed to back away from appointing a commissioner to take command of Washington, D.C., police after a federal judge expressed concerns Friday.

Government attorneys said at a hearing that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) head Terry Cole will instead become President Trumps designee to request services from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under the presidents emergency authority invoked this week.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes indicated she was prepared to declare Coles installment as commissioner unlawful if the administration did not change course. After nearly two hours of private conversations between the two sides, the Justice Department relented without the judge intervening.

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Were rewriting this in the next 45 minutes, Justice Department attorney Yaakov Roth told the judge.

The government submitted the new version on the court docket a short time later, signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi.

It marks a victory, at least for now, for city officials in their lawsuit that seeks to keep command of the police force under MPD Chief Pamela Smith.

But the judge suggested the administration is ultimately likely to succeed in at least some of its efforts to demand that MPD officers assist with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

If the president declares an emergency with respect to whatnot, and says I want the services of the MPD to help ICE arrest illegal aliens, I dont  Im not sure that theres anything wrong with that, Reyes said.

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The judge signaled shell hold additional proceedings on that and other questions next week.

In the meantime, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalbs (D) office made clear its prepared to return to court immediately if its not satisfied with the administrations promised rewrite.

Citing a crime emergency, Trump invoked emergency powers Monday under the Home Rule Act to begin exerting control over the MPD as he also deployed the National Guard. The battle over the MPD landed in court after the administration escalated its efforts Thursday via a new order from Bondi.

Bondi announced Cole would become the MPDs emergency police commissioner and must approve any new policy directives moving forward. The order also lifted several MPD practices related to cooperation with immigration enforcement.

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Schwalb quickly sued by the morning, leading to a hastily scheduled hearing in Reyess courtroom Friday afternoon. Reyes is an appointee of former President Biden.

At the hearing, the judge noted she was the first judge in the Home Rule Acts roughly 50-year history to consider the emergency provision Trump has invoked.

Huzzah! the judge exclaimed.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)Dolores Huerta, a labor and human rights activist, is in Austin this weekend, speaking out against Texas controversial congressional redistricting maps.

Huerta, the 95-year-old co-founder of the United Farm Workers, will join Beto ORourke and Congressmen Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett at a rally at the Capitol on Saturday.

Its a part of the nationwide movement called the National Day of Action.

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What states are doing in the battle over congressional maps as Texas pursues plan Trump sought

Were trying to save our democracy, and when peoples representation is taken away from them, this is a very, very crucial moment, Huerta said.

Saturdays rally comes after more than 50 Texas House democrats left the state to break quorum, delaying a vote on the proposed congressional maps in Texas.

The maps move some Democratic incumbents out of their current districts and place them in another district, either in competition with a current Republican member or in competition with someone in their own party.

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House Bill 4 calls for redrawing 37 of the states 38 congressional districts, with changes primarily focused on five districts drawn for partisan Republican advantage. President Donald Trump previously called for Texas leaders to redraw maps to gain Republican seats in the 2026 elections.



Just a very simple redrawing, we pick up five seats, the president told reporters last month.

State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, acknowledged the map was drawn using political performance as a criteria, citing U.S. Supreme Court precedent allowing partisan considerations in redistricting.



These districts were drawn primarily using political performance, Hunter said. That criteria from the U.S. Supreme Court.



Hunter, who is listed as the author of HB 4, faced several questions about whether he instructed map makers to carve out five new Republican seats, as Trump requested. Hunter said he did not give any direction as to the outcome of redrawing the map. Hunter also claimed repeatedly that he did not know who drew the maps used in the legislation.

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We have to do a congressional redistricting. A law firm was hired. They no doubt were doing work. The chairman of the committee asked me to file the bill. I agreed. I met with counsel. They showed me the data and what they were, think that they could be able to show on the data. I said, lets get it in bill form, Hunter said, responding to a question from Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat from Dallas.



The proposed changes target Districts 9, 28, 32, 34 and 35, creating what Hunter described as Republican-leaning seats while establishing new majority-minority districts. Under the plan, four of the five redrawn districts would have Hispanic citizen voting-age population majorities.

Critics argue its unfair gerrymandering, which would negatively impact minority voters.

We know that in Texas, 60% of the population in Texas are people of color, and what President Trump is trying to do, and Greg Abbott and [Ken] Paxton are trying to is take away peoples right to vote, take away the right to representation, Huerta said.

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Huerta has worked for decades as an activist for civil rights, womens rights and workers rights. She said the current battle over redistricting is part of a larger fight.

We are a democracy that is by the people, for the people, and the people need representation, Huerta said. Thats what were fighting for here in Texas.

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Aug. 15A 60-year-old man accused of causing thousands of dollars in damage to storefronts and a church in downtown Dayton this month has more than 140 prior convictions, according to a Dayton Daily News review of court records.

Since 2012, Mark Arden has been found guilty of criminal trespassing, public intoxication, possessing open alcohol containers, disorderly conduct, aggravated menacing, public indecency, obstructing official business, panhandling and other misdemeanor violations.

He has been convicted of more than 140 minor misdemeanor and higher-level misdemeanor offenses in Dayton Municipal Court.

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Arden also has been convicted of assaulting a peace officer (a fourth-degree felony) and felonious assault (a second-degree felony).

He now faces multiple charges of felony vandalism.

"To say he has been a (menace) in downtown Dayton would be a gross understatement," said Dayton police Maj. Brian Johns.

Jane Scott, owner of Lisse Beauty Bar, one of the vandalized businesses, said some people who roam downtown have mental health challenges and other problems and she thinks there would be less criminal property damage and fewer disruptive activities if these individuals got the help, treatment and interventions they need.

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Downtown spree

At about 4:15 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, a man was captured on video breaking glass and Plexiglas windows and doors on eight storefronts and a church located on West First Street and North Ludlow Street in the northwest part of downtown, said Johns, who oversees the east and central business district patrol operation divisions.

Businesses and groups that were victimized include Teardrop Steakhouse, Rabbit Hole Books, Lisse Beauty Bar, Cosmo Joe's Atomic Lounge, the League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area and the Salon.

The suspect was injured after kicking, hitting and throwing rocks through windows and doors, and police officers followed the blood trail and located the suspect not far from the vandalized properties, Johns said.

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"It has to be well over $10,000 in damage to these folks' windows who are doing nothing but trying to have a business in downtown Dayton and survive and help our community," he said.

Johns said law enforcement has had lots of run-ins with Arden, who has been trespassed from a variety of businesses and properties for his behavior, including in downtown and the Oregon District. Police reports indicate he's been kicked out of bars for harassing customers and acting disorderly.

The Dayton Daily News analyzed Arden's Dayton Municipal Court records for misdemeanor offenses going back 13 years.

They include about 19 convictions for criminal trespassing, 74 for public intoxication, 20 for open alcohol containers in public and seven for disorderly conduct. Many of the charges are minor misdemeanors, like public intoxication and open containers. But criminal trespassing is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and he has faced other higher-level misdemeanor charges.

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Arden was arrested by Dayton police in April after he reportedly used racial slurs and acted in a threatening way toward some juveniles near the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority bus hub on South Jefferson Street, says a Dayton police report. Arden, who was intoxicated and carrying a hammer, tried to flee from officers, and he was later convicted of obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Court records suggest that Arden's most serious criminal convictions were for assaulting a police officer in 2018 and felonious assault in 2015.

In 2015, Arden attacked a 60-year-old man at a carryout business in West Dayton after asking him for money and being told no, a Dayton police report states. Arden, who was highly intoxicated, caused life-threatening injuries, including a brain bleed. He was sentenced to two years in prison for the attack.

In April 2018, Five Rivers MetroParks police said they saw Arden drinking on a bottle of malt liquor on the steps of RiverScape MetroPark in downtown, even though he was trespassed from all park properties, says a Five Rivers MetroParks ranger report.

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An officer tried to escort him out of the park, but Arden resisted and struck him in the face. For this attack, Arden served a six month prison sentence.

Major Johns said Arden appears to have a "slight" history of mental illness, but most of his criminal activities appear to be related to his alcohol consumption and intoxication.

Lisse Beauty Bar, which had three windows and an entrance door broken on Aug. 12, has had issues with trespassers and homeless individuals sneaking into a sublevel beneath the store and causing damage that cut off the lights, utilities and internet, said Scott, the owner. She said someone also stole copper from the basement area.

Scott said some people who hang around downtown have significant, untreated mental health issues and they need professional help or other interventions.

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"Since 2023, it's been crazy," she said.

The store coordinator for Rabbit Hole Books told this news outlet that she hopes the suspect gets the help he needs. Employees at a couple of businesses and stores that were victimized on Aug. 12 said they would like to see more police patrols in the northwest part of downtown.

Cleaning up the vandalism will not be cheap. But a volunteer at the book store said they were touched to receive a couple of unprompted donations to help pay for repair costs.
Foreign ministers' meeting calls for upgraded Lancang-Mekong cooperation

Xinhua) 09:46, August 16, 2025

The tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting is held in Anning, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chaired the meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Myanmar's Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

KUNMING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers from six countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin on Friday agreed that their countries should further upgrade cooperation in the next decade to ensure peace and prosperity in the region.

All parties should be committed to an upgraded version of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) that features solidarity and cooperation, openness and win-win, green and innovation, as well as peace and tranquility, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the tenth LMC Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Anning, Yunnan Province in southwest China.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chaired the meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Myanmar's Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the meeting.

Hailing the fruitful Lancang-Mekong cooperation over the past decade since the establishment of the mechanism, Wang said the LMC has entered a fast track of all-around development and has become the most dynamic and promising cooperation mechanism in the region.

In an increasingly changing and turbulent world where hegemonism and power politics prevail while unilateralism and protectionism resurge against the trend, China strongly believes that peace, development, cooperation, and win-win are the aspirations of the people and the prevailing trend, he said.

China will continue to uphold the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and bring more benefits to the Mekong countries in the process of the Chinese modernization, he said.

Wang said the six countries should strengthen high-level strategic communication, improve the LMC mechanism, and continuously deepen cooperation in key areas such as agriculture, water resources, environmental governance and connectivity.

He called for accelerating the application of science and technology to the real economy, and establishing and improving cooperation mechanisms in areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and sci-tech innovation.

The countries should facilitate cooperation in new energy, including energy storage, electric vehicles and photovoltaic power, and strengthen cooperation in customs, metrology, inspection and quarantine, to provide support for the stability of regional production and supply chains and economic integration, according to Wang.

Law enforcement cooperation should be deepened, including promoting the establishment of a cooperation platform for protecting the safety of overseas citizens, and jointly combating cross-border criminal activities such as online gambling and telecom fraud, drug manufacturing and trafficking, he said.

He urged more people-to-people exchanges, greater cooperation in higher education and vocational education, the expanded scale of Mekong countries' people coming to China for study and training, and enhanced cooperation in media and think tanks.

All parties attending the meeting spoke highly of the LMC over the past decade and the Mekong countries appreciated China's commitment to good-neighborliness and its leading role in promoting cooperation.

Given the complex and challenging international situation, the Lancang-Mekong countries should uphold solidarity and self-reliance, be open and inclusive, and closely cooperate in all fields, they said.

All parties affirmed commitment to adhering to multilateralism, maintaining free trade, combating cross-border crimes, and jointly meeting challenges to maintain regional peace, stability and prosperity.

They unanimously agreed to maintain close communication and make good preparations for the fifth LMC Leaders' Meeting to plan for the next golden decade.

The tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting is held in Anning, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 15, 2025. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chaired the meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Myanmar's Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a joint press conference on Friday evening, with the two working together on a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine.

KOIN 6 News spoke with Yulia Brockdorf, a Portland woman currently in Ukraine giving aid. During the conversation, explosions could be heard going off in the background.

I decided to count how many explosions I hear, Brockdorf said. There were over 90 explosions over two hours. Just in this conversation, we had three.

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Since the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine roughly three years ago, Brockdorf, a Portland psychotherapist, has gone to her home country of Ukraine several times a year to give aid to frontline workers.

Shes the co-founder of DAWN, an organization that gives support to Ukrainians in the US and abroad. She gave insight into what its like in Ukraine currently.

Its draining because you never know when its going to drop something, Brockdorf said. You dont know what the next moment is going to yield. Thats what Ukrainian defenders life is.

She noted Ukrainians are very aware of Trumps visit with Putin.

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Just my assessment is that people here, they are standing strong, they are exhausted, she said. So everybody is really keyed in.

Meanwhile, in Portland, Tatiana Terdal, one of the advisory board members of the Ukrainian Foundation, is disappointed that US presidents try to work with Putin.

I was really hoping that President Trump would not repeat the same mistake by deal with Russia from a position of strength, she said.

When asked whether she still feels support for Ukraine in Portland, she said there are not as many flags anymore.

For example, Portland City Hall used to have a Ukrainian flag in one of the windows, its gone now, Terdal said. But the support is there. Its not maybe so outward.

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In the meantime, Brockdorf said she will be in Ukraine for at least another week and will continue to give updates from the front lines.

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DENVER, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A driver has been charged after allegedly crashing into a church in Denver while intoxicated on Friday night, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Around 6:30 p.m. on August 15, Denver firefighters responded to reports of a crash, saying the vehicle had struck the Bethel United Methodist Church building.

When firefighters arrived, crews found significant damage to the building, a light pole had been struck, and power lines were down across the roadway.

Photos: Denver Fire Department Photos: Denver Fire Department Photos: Denver Fire Department Photos: Denver Fire Department

Denver Fire Department personnel treated the driver, identified as 49-year-old Alejandro Eligerio Ramirez, for minor injuries until Lincoln County EMS arrived and secured the utilities to the building. Energy United personnel and a county building inspector were also called to the scene.

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Crews worked with Hamptons Wrecker Service, the Church and the building inspector to remove the vehicle from the building. After the car was removed, crews worked to stabilize the structure. The scene cleared around 1 a.m.

Highway Patrol said Ramirez was driving west on Campground Road when he crossed the center line, drove off the left side of the road and hit a utility pole before crashing into the church. Investigators believe impairment and reckless driving were factors in the collision.

Ramirez was booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center under a $1,000 bond for driving while impaired, driving while license revoked and careless and reckless driving.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A 28-year-old man is dead after a single-vehicle crash just after midnight Aug. 12 in Jackson County.

Daniel Charles Forgey, 28, from Prospect, Ore., was driving westbound in a Chevrolet Suburban on Hwy 62 when his vehicle left the road for unknown reasons, according to Oregon State Police.

He was declared dead at the scene.

Forgey was not wearing a seatbelt when his vehicle struck a guardrail and rolled, police say.

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NAVASOTA, Texas (FOX 44)  A joint narcotics operation in Grimes County has led to a mans arrest and a large seizure of items.

Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell says the Offices TACT Team executed a search warrant on County Road 319 in Navasota on Friday. This was done with assistance from the Grimes County Constables Office Precinct #1, Grimes County Constables Office Precinct #3 and #4, the Walker County Sheriffs Office and the Brazos County Sheriffs Office.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. Large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, stolen vehicles, firearms and bomb-making materials were seized.

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Sheriff Sowell says Rodney Drake Jackson, of Navasota, was arrested and has been charged with Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Stolen Property, and Tampering with a Vehicle Identification Numbers. Additional charges are pending.

This investigation is ongoing.

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BEIRUT (AP)  Hundreds of people demonstrated in Syrias southern city of Sweida and elsewhere on Saturday to demand the right to self determination for the Druze minority, the largest protests to take place since deadly clashes in the area last month.

Some of the protesters waved Israeli flags to thank Israel for intervening on their side during heavy clashes in mid-July between Druze militias and armed tribal groups and government forces.

Saturdays demonstration comes as Syria grapples with deep ethnic and religious divisions following the collapse of the Assad family rule last December. The transition has proven fragile, with renewed violence erupting in March along the coast and in July in Sweida, a city with a significant Druze population, highlighting the continued threat to peace after years of civil war.

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The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Syrian war monitor, said the protesters expressed their rejection of the interim central government in Damascus and demanded that those responsible for atrocities against Druze be brought to justice. The Observatory said some of the protesters called on Israel to intervene to support their demand of self determination.

Rayyan Maarouf, who heads the activist media collective Suwayda 24, said Saturdays demonstration in Sweida was the largest since last months's clashes, and that there were similar gatherings in areas including the nearby towns of Shahba and Salkhad.

He added that this is the first time people protested under the slogan of self determination.

This is an unprecedented change for the Druze in Syria, Maarouf told The Associated Press.

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Clashes erupted on July 13 between Druze militias and local Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes in Sweida. Government forces then intervened, nominally to restore order, but ended up essentially siding with the Bedouins against the Druze.

Israel intervened in defense of the Druze, launching dozens of airstrikes on convoys of government fighters and even striking the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters in central Damascus.

Atrocities were committed during the clashes that left hundreds of people dead.

The new interim government set up a committee last month tasked with investigating attacks on civilians in the sectarian violence in the countrys south. It is supposed to issue a report within three months.

The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981.
A dust storm warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Tucson until 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15. This warning applies to Pinal County.

The National Weather Service warns: "Motorists should not drive into a dust storm. PULL ASIDE STAY ALIVE!"

For the latest watches and warnings, see our weather page.

Flooding danger: Flash flood warning issued for Coconino County, including Sedona

See weather radar for Pinal County

What are weather service meteorologists saying?

At 4:31 p.m., the weather service issued a statement:

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"The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a Dust Storm Warning for: South Central Pinal County in southeastern Arizona, Until 5:30 p.m. MST. At 4:31 p.m. MST, an area of blowing dust was located near Picacho, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD: Less than a quarter mile visibility.

SOURCE: Detected by National Weather Service meteorologists.

IMPACT: Dangerous life-threatening travel. Locations impacted include: Eloy, Picacho and Picacho Peak State Park. This includes the following highways, Route 87 between mile markers 116 and 123. Interstate 10 between mile markers 205 and 220."

What is a haboob?

A "haboob" typically occurs in Arizona during monsoon. From June to September, large dust storms can occur across the state as high winds pick up loose dust.

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"Haboob" is an Arabic word that translates to "big, blasting winds," explained Andrew Deemer, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Phoenix and former linguist.

What should I do in a dust storm if I am driving?

The Arizona Department of Transportation has helpful tips for drivers who may get stuck in a dust storm while driving. The "Pull Aside, Stay Alive" campaign aims to save drivers from dangerous situations by providing tips to survive a blowing dust event.

If you encounter a dust storm, immediately check traffic around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down. Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway - do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.

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Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane. Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway. Turn off all vehicle lights. You do not want other vehicles, approaching from behind, to use your lights as a guide and possibly crash into your parked vehicle.

Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake. Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled and wait for the storm to pass.

Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds. More information on dust storm safety can be found at PullAsideStayAlive.org And safety tips for driving in rainstorms can be found at azdot.gov/monsoon. This article was generated automatically by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff member.

See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dust storm warning issued near Picacho
Sickening. Shameful. And in the end, useless.

Those were the words that came to mind when we watched the Alaska Summit unfold.

On our screens, a blood-soaked dictator and war criminal received a royal welcome in the land of the free  as his attack drones headed for our cities.

In the lead-up to the meeting in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump declared he wanted a ceasefire today and that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would face severe consequences if he didn't go for it.

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Yet after a 2.5-hour closed-door meeting, Trump and Putin emerged to share nothing. Progress was made and some understanding reached, but the two didnt come to an agreement on the most significant point  clearly, Ukraine.

Trump didnt get what he wanted. But Putin? He sure did.

From the moment he stepped off the plane on U.S. soil, the Russian dictator was beaming.

No longer an international pariah, he was finally getting accepted  and respected  by the leader of the free world. Trumps predecessor once called Putin a murderer; Trump offered him a kings welcome.

Trump greeted Putin with a red carpet, warm handshakes, a flyover of U.S. bombers, and a backseat limo ride.

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The chummy display stood in stark contrast to Trumps hostile reception of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office six months ago.

Ukraines president endured a public shaming. Russias was pampered. Both episodes were disgraceful.

Trump seemed to believe that a warm meeting could appease Putin and make a ceasefire more likely.

But theres a lesson Trump still hasnt learned: The Russian leader doesnt really make deals  he takes. He takes what is offered to him, and then takes some more  he keeps taking until stopped by force. That is the Russian art of the deal.

Trump fails to grasp that Putin isnt transactional about Ukraine  he is messianic. He wants Ukraine for Russia, period. For Putin and his inner circle, Ukraines independence is an accident, and they are correcting it.

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The Russian delegation made no effort to hide their mockery of the talks. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Alaska wearing a USSR sweatshirt  bluntly asserting Russias claim on Ukraine. Kremlin journalists wrote about how they were served chicken Kyiv on the government plane to Alaska  a not-so-subtle hint that Ukraine was cooked. The Russians clearly never took the peace talks seriously.

And there was another reason behind Putins grin in Alaska.

The Russian dictator was gloating because of how unsettling the meeting was for all U.S. allies, far beyond Ukraine. It sent a discomfiting signal to the viewers across the pond. And strategically, undermining the transatlantic alliance is an even more important Russian objective than taking control of Ukraine.

Putin returns from the Alaska Summit with a win  but not a sweeping victory he could have had.

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Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us

If the two presidents failed to reach an agreement, it means that, despite all the chumminess on display, Trump didnt approve of Russias absurd demands for Ukraine  demands that amount to Kyivs capitulation.

Trump said he hopes to see Putin again soon. If the U.S. president doesnt want to hand the next meeting to Russia as well, he needs to let Ukraine join the table. And he must position himself as an ally of Ukraine, not as a referee between two fighting sides.

Only then might we avoid another scene in which the leader of the free world indulges a bloody dictator  in the name of 340 million Americans.

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After all, agreements with Russia dont live long. But the images of the U.S. military honor guards kneeling to roll out the red carpet for a murderer? Those will last.

And no one will remember this meeting longer  or more vividly  than Ukrainians.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Aug. 15A petition submitted by Lincoln County commissioners to ease selenium standards in Lake Koocanusa met resistance at a public meeting held by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality on Wednesday.

About a dozen attendees on Aug. 13, including representatives from environmental and outdoor organizations, local fishing guides and private citizens, spoke in opposition of the proposal, which would raise the maximum allowable amount of dissolved selenium in the lake from 0.8 micrograms per liter to 1.5 micrograms per liter.

"In terms of the benefits of weakening the standard, I'm kind of scratching my head trying to figure out what they might be," said Derf Johnson, deputy director of the Montana Environmental Information Center.

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While selenium is considered an essential nutrient, large amounts of the metalloid can lead to neurological and reproductive defects in fish. In humans, excess levels of selenium can cause gastrointestinal distress, organ failure and, in rare cases, death.

The Environmental Protection Agency typically recommends that selenium concentrations in still freshwater environments like Lake Koocanusa not exceed 1.5 micrograms per liter.

The Department of Enviornmental Quality adopted the stricter 0.8 microgram per liter standard in 2020 after samples taken from the eggs and ovaries of several fish showed potentially dangerous levels of selenium. At the time, the department stated that water samples showed an average concentration of about 1 microgram of selenium per liter.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, fish egg and ovary samples are "the most robust and consistent measurement" for determining selenium toxicity. The federal agency recommends that data from egg and ovary samples should take primacy over other sampling techniques.

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Several participants at the meeting described the process for setting the current standard as scientifically rigorous and argued that ongoing sampling proved the stricter standard was necessary to protect fisheries in Lake Koocanusa.

In fall 2023 and spring 2024, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks gathered egg and ovary tissue samples from 82 fish in Lake Koocanusa as part of ongoing monitoring efforts. Lab testing revealed that 14 of those fish, including eight red shiners, one westslope cutthroat trout and five peamouth, had excess selenium in their reproductive tissue.

"Our livelihoods, the experience we provide to visitors and residents alike, depend on clean functioning ecosystems," said Mark Fuller, owner of local outfitter Wild Montana. "If these standards are weakened, our visitors and Montana's youth may never know what a clear river and a wild trout looks like."

A study conducted by the United States Geologic Survey found that selenium concentrations in the Elk River, one of two major tributaries to Lake Koocanusa, increased by 581% between 1980 and 2020 as a result of several open pit coal mining operations in the region. Rainwater and runoff flush selenium from the mines' "waste rock" into nearby streams, and the metalloid is then carried downstream, first to the Elk River and then to Lake Koocanusa.

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"We do understand there is a water quality issue. We do know that. We do recognize that," said Lincoln County Commissioner Noel Duram in his opening statements to the Montana Department of Enviornmental Quality. "The headwaters of the Koocanusa does have pollution coming in from an entity on the other side of the border that we have no control over."

But Duram argued that current regulations on selenium concentrations were overbearing and stifled economic development in the county.

"We want to make sure that we have all the tools in our toolbox available to us to bring out economic development in the future without undue regulation," he said.

Duram was the only attendee to speak in favor of the petition.

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This is the second petition that Lincoln County has filed against the site-specific selenium standard for Lake Koocanusa. In 2021, both the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and Teck, the Swiss corporation that owns the mines in British Columbia, submitted petitions to the Department of Environmental Quality that argued the agency had used faulty modeling and inaccurate sampling techniques to arrive at the 0.8 microgram per liter standard.

In April 2022, the Board of Enviornmental Review, the quasi-judicial body that oversees environmental permit disputes, ruled in favor of Teck and Lincoln County. The Department of Environmental Quality subsequently sued. The Board of Enviornmental Review is scheduled to review the case on Aug. 21.

The Department of Environmental Quality is required to issue a decision regarding the current petition by Sept. 2, 2025.

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or hsmalley@dailyinterlake.com.
A 78-year-old woman from Rutland had a strong message for her former caretaker, Maria Martin, 38, accused of trashing her home and turning it into an erotic massage parlor.

I would tell her to go to H**l, said Sheila, the owner of the home.

Police say she was receiving medical care at a facility for roughly 6 months. She returned last week to find her home flipped.

I had no idea, she said. I was just in shock.

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Martin is facing multiple charges and appeared in front of a judge on Friday.

She reportedly moved in with Sheila last year as a caretaker and has been living at the home and operating the illicit business while she received treatment.

Rutland Police Det. Cassandra DeSousa claimed Martin had changed the locks on the front door and back door of the home.

[Martin] locked her out of her own house and completely destroyed it, she told Boston 25 Friday. There were things piling up, there was drug paraphernalia on the tables. Some of her belongings were missing.

Police say ads online and neighbor reports led them to the home-run illicit business while Sheila was away.

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They say she was operating inside the home while Sheila was paying for the home.

Neighbors told Boston 25 that over the last few months, theyve noticed increased traffic in the quiet area.

Martin faced several charges on Friday and is being held on $5,000 bail.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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An electrical worker was badly injured after being electrocuted while working on power lines from a cherry picker in Queens on Friday.

The worker, an employee of E-J Electric, was severely electrocuted while in the elevated box of a cherry picker working on power lines at 117th St. and Ninth Ave. in College Point around 11:30 a.m., sustaining burns to the chest and neck, FDNY officials said.

EMS rushed the worker to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens. The individuals condition was not immediately known.

Photographs taken at the scene show the scorched cherry picker box.

The News has reached out to E-J Electric for information on the workers status and details on how the accident happened.
An 11-year-old entrepreneur is turning her "top-secret" family recipe into a source of inspiration and hope, raising thousands of dollars for Texas flood relief efforts.

Kamryn Balfour told The Washington Post that she was heartbroken when she heard about the devastating floods in Central Texas that killed at least 135 people, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic  just 20 miles from her location on the night of the floods.

"I didn't hear about it until I got picked up the next day when it was all sunny, and I just thought it was some pretty hard rain," said Balfour, a camper at Kerrville's Kickapoo Kamp over the Fourth of July weekend, when the floods occurred. "I felt very, very sad."

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Determined to turn her feelings of helplessness into action, Balfour decided she would relaunch her Kamryn's Kravings baking business, which she initially developed for a kids' entrepreneurial fair and credits with sparking her love for baking.

After Balfour began raising awareness about her business on social media and was featured by local station KHOU 11, orders for her chocolate chip cookies poured in. Each bag of cookies costs $5, but Balfour said many of her customers want to give more than that.

"Most people will give a $50 bill and only want two or three bags of cookies," she told the Post.

Balfour's cookies were in such high demand that family friend Gina Gutierrez, owner of Cakes by Gina, invited Balfour to use her industrial kitchen.

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"I said, 'Girl, come on over here, let me help you. Let's multiply the recipe by four or five," Gutierrez told the Post. "The young kids are our future and Kamryn's an example of that.  I put my energy into helping her achieve her goals."

By late July, Kamryn's Kravings had raised more than $4,300 for flood relief efforts. That total is still growing as Balfour sells her baked goods at pop-up locations and continues to raise awareness about the Texas floods during her media appearances and on Instagram.

"Everybody can make a difference, even if they're a little kid like me," Balfour told the Post. She added that she is donating all proceeds to organizations supporting animal relief efforts, such as Kerrville Pets Alive and the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team.

After the floods, hundreds of residents reported their pets missing, per NPR, and Balfour worried that their welfare could be overlooked during the challenging time.

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"It's so heartwarming to see the compassion, especially in these young children who could easily be distracted by other things," Karen Guerriero, the board president of Kerrville Pets Alive, said to the Post. "We thank her from the bottom of our hearts."

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Encinitas residents are questioning why the city council didnt include a road safety state of emergency item on its agenda, as the city council previously discussed. This comes after 12-year-old Emery Chalekian was struck and killed while crossing a crosswalk. Her family is now preparing to take legal action against the city.

An active Friday on Encinitas Boulevard and Village Square Drive, the intersection where Emery Chalekian was struck and killed by a car. The family and local supporters say the city had initially planned to vote on a road safety state of emergency, but when the city council returned for its meeting on Wednesday, the topic wasnt brought up.

Family of 12-year-old killed on Encinitas crosswalk plans to pursue legal action

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Laura Van Dusen is one of many in Encinitas pushing for change.

I know that everybody wants people to be safe, and everybody wants children to be safe, but we have not seen any action, said Laura Van Dusen, an Encinitas resident.

It would be really helpful if they called a state of emergency, she said.

Van Dusen and others were hopeful the city council would approve a state of emergency for road safety at its most recent meeting.

Police: Minor hit and killed by car in Encinitas

At the last meeting, the city council voted to have a state of emergency on the next agenda. I came home that day and told my kids the city was doing something, Van Dusen said.

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But when the council met Wednesday after recess, the item wasnt on the agenda.

We dont know why. Its a mystery. Wed love to get an answer for that, Rebecca Troyan, another Encinitas resident said.

We reached out to the city to ask why the item was removed from the agenda. In a statement, the city reiterated its commitment to street safety and said:

The City is aware that the law enforcement investigation is continuing and that no report detailing the findings or conclusions of such investigation have been produced to date. To the extent that a claim has been presented to the City in connection with that incident, the City cannot comment on the pending claim and threat of litigation.  City of Encinitas.

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I just want every child to feel safe, Van Dusen said. This isnt about one or two people  its about the entire community of Encinitas. Little things like flashing lights around pedestrian crosswalk signs could make a big difference.

12-year-old girl struck, killed by vehicle while crossing Encinitas street

In the meantime, Encinitas is working to improve road safety with more deputies on the streets. The citys Leading Pedestrian Interval project, launched in 2023, is still being rolled out to make crosswalks safer. At the intersection where Emery was killed, the plan includes high-visibility crosswalks, enhanced signage, and improved lighting.

But for residents like Van Dusen, more action is needed.

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This is so important. I have children who live here, and I want them to be safe, Van Dusen said. I want to be able to tell them, Look, your city cares, and you are safe.'

As of now, the road safety state of emergency item is not on next weeks city council agenda.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In the spring of 2020, international law enforcement agencies hacked into an encrypted phone network trusted by criminals around the world.

It gave detectives access to private conversations between thousands of organised criminals oblivious to the fact that the supposedly uncrackable EncroChat system had been blown wide open for 74 days.

Fugitive Jamie Rothwell was among the 60,000 users who put their faith in the instant messaging service to run their underworld operations.

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Messages exposed his command over a sprawling criminal enterprise and his involvement in the trafficking of high-powered weapons, including AK-47 rifles.

From the comfort of his high-rise apartment overlooking Barcelona, Rothwell was running a multi-million-pound drugs and guns operation.

"While he lapped up the Spanish sun, his associates carried out his orders and searched the streets of Warrington for those Rothwell had intended to harm," said Det Ch Insp Nick Henderson of Cheshire Police.

"His actions brought chaos to the local community, leaving innocent members of the public fearful."

Images of various firearms were posted on EncroChat [GMP]

The messages revealed how Rothwell, now 38, was the catalyst behind a gangland hit where an innocent man was shot.

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Two days before the shooting, Rothwell and another man discussed Rothwell's wish to find out where Liam Byrne Jr and his father, Liam Byrne Sr, lived.

In one message, Rothwell stated: "I'm gonna do all them soon", before discussing the use of a specific van as a getaway vehicle.

On the evening of 24 April 2020, David Barnes, stepfather of Liam Byrne Jr, was shot in the leg on the doorstep of his home in Warrington by a gunman posing as a pizza delivery driver.

In other messages, Rothwell discussed his escalating feud with gangland boss Leon Cullen, who at the time had fled to Dubai.

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Cullen was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court in May 2021 for 22-and-a-half years.

He admitted conspiracy to supply firearms, conspiracy to possess ammunition and conspiracy to supply cocaine

"I've give Leon a way out.he a grasshe turned on me for nothing," Rothwell said in messages on 5 April, just under two weeks before the shooting.

"Tried kill me.while my daughter therehe my only enemy.when he lands in UK that's when it starts."

Other communication revealed how Rothwell advertised and arranged for the purchase and storage of automatic firearms and live ammunition  most notably an AK-47 assault rifle as well as hordes of cocaine and ketamine.

Rothwell has been sentenced to 43 years after pleading guilty to drugs and firearms offences [NCA]

Det Sgt Colin Shackleton, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "The supply of Class A drugs in this investigation were on an industrial scale, with the criminal gang making eye-watering profits.

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"They believed they were above the law, and having access to their messages gave us real insight into their arrogant, egotistical, and apathetic nature."

In the mistaken belief that EncroChat could not be infiltrated, Rothwell inadvertently sealed his own fate when he shared a photograph of himself posing in a mirror.

He also shared a picture of the panoramic views from his high-rise apartment.

It was the breakthrough that police had been waiting for as they scoured thousands of messages between criminals conducting their day-to-day affairs.

Detectives now knew the identity and the location of the man behind the handle "livelong" on EncroChat.

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Rothwell was already known to police, with previous convictions for robbery, possession of a weapon and drug dealing.

He was also wanted over a shooting in Salford in 2015.

Ultimately, he was arrested on 24 May in Barcelona before being extradited back to the UK to face justice.

In the middle of June 2020 a service-wide message went out to Encrochat users to alert them that their server had been compromised.

Users were advised to delete their chat histories and dispose of their devices.

The server, which was located in northern France, has since been shut down.

Shortly after, nine other men were arrested as part of their involvement in the drugs and firearms conspiracy.

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Rothwell went on trial over the shooting in Salford but was acquitted in the summer of 2020.

He then fled to the Netherlands before being arrested in a taxi in Amsterdam in December of that year and once again extradited back to the UK.

'Ferocious attack'

Rothwell had previously pleaded not guilty to the string of drug and firearms offences and had gone on trial at Manchester Crown Court in July 2024.

Proceedings had to be halted and the jury discharged, however, after he was stabbed in a "ferocious attack" in prison.

In February 2025, Rothwell changed his plea, admitting conspiracies to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracies to supply cocaine and ketamine, and two counts of conspiracy to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent.

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He was sentenced to 43 years - 18 years for the drugs offences, and 25 years for the firearms charges, to be served consecutively.

The firearms term includes 21 years in prison with an extra four years on licence.

Senior investigating officer Wayne Johns, from the National Crime Agency (NCA), said: "More than 2,200 criminals have been convicted under Operation Venetic, and Jamie Rothwell is one of the most dangerous.

"Throughout the operation, the NCA and UK police have stopped 200 threats to life, seized over 84m in criminal funds and more than eight tonnes of Class A drugs, recovered 175 firearms and more than 3,500 rounds of ammunition."

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Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

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MASON, Ohio (WCMH)  Kings Island has announced it will soon close a long-standing, fan-favorite ride to make way for future development.

After over 14 years of operation, Boo Blasters on Boo Hill will embark on its last rides on Sept. 1, before Kings Island shutters the attraction. The amusement park announced the move on social media earlier this week, calling the closure of the monster-themed ride the end of an era.

Since 2010, the young and young-at-heart have created cherished memories working together to blast whimsical ghosts, ghouls and goblins back to the underworld on this classic indoor attraction, Kings Island wrote.

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Boo Blasters on Boo Hill allows riders to travel through a monster-infested castle and shoot at illuminated targets with a laser gun to collect points. The family-friendly ride features a moving car that can seat up to five people, according to Kings Islands website.

Boo Blasters on Boo Hill is one of several attractions that has been located within the large building in the amusement parks Planet Snoopy area. When Kings Island opened in 1972, the building housed a boat ride called The Enchanted Voyage, which took guests through the various worlds of Hanna-Barbera cartoons, including those of Scooby Doo and The Flintstones.

The Enchanted Voyage was converted into The Smurfs Enchanted Voyage in 1984, then was replaced by Phantom Theater in 1992, marking the first ghost-inspired ride at the location. In 2003, the ride transformed into Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle, before rebranding as Boo Blasters on Boo Hill in 2010.

While Kings Island said the closure will create space for new development, it has not yet announced what may take place of the iconic ride.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Multiple leaders from Oregon and Washington received letters from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Aug. 14 after she called out the sanctuary jurisdictions on X.

The letter demands that sanctuary cities and states comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts, and gives them until Aug. 19 to respond with their agreement.

Any sanctuary jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court, Bondi said. The social media post also included a copy of the same letter sent to California Governor Gavin Newsom.

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You are hereby notified that your jurisdiction has been identified as one that engages in

sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of

the interests of the United States. This ends now. By Tuesday, August 19, 2025, please submit a response to this letter that confirms your commitment to complying with federal law and identifies the immediate initiatives you are taking to eliminate laws, policies, and practices that impede federal immigration enforcement, the letter said.

The U.S. Department of Justice named Portland, Oregon and Washington on its list of sanctuary jurisdictions released Aug. 5.

57234cf0-84a4-4229-8dba-0f4649a97a4aDownload

The states and cities listed have come under fire for having regulations that prohibit local officials from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.

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I will share a more detailed response to AG Bondi on Tuesday. That said, Washington state has no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said in a statement.

The federal governments relentless targeting of law-abiding immigrants is wrong. The Keep Washington Working Act is an important law that helps protect Washington families in the face of this assault. The Keep Washington Working Act requires our state and local law enforcement to focus on keeping Washingtonians safe, rather than allowing limited resources to be used for federal immigration enforcement. Protecting hardworking Washingtonians who are abiding by our state laws and keeping families together reflect our values as a state.

Letter from Pamela Bondi of Office of the Attorney General  Washington, D.C. Download

I will fight for the safety and prosperity of every Oregonian, from recent immigrants to people who have been here for generations, said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek in a statement. Threats like this undermine our values and our right to govern ourselves. We will not be bullied into doing the federal governments job of immigration enforcement.

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A spokesperson for the City of Portland and Mayor Keith Wilson declined to provide a comment.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell condemned Bondis letter in an email to KOIN 6.

Once again, the Trump Administration continues to target sanctuary cities and perpetuate a narrative about our communities and laws that are furthest from the truth. Immigration enforcement is the exclusive responsibility of the federal government. The City neither interferes with nor carries out those federal duties.

We have received and are reviewing the latest letter from Attorney General Bondi and strongly disagree with its assertions. Our laws and policies protect the safety, privacy and constitutional rights of all Seattle residents while remaining compliant with applicable law.

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We remain committed to our local values, including being a welcoming city for all. We will continue to defend our residents and our rights  and we will not hesitate to do so in court.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
PROVIDENCE  The U.S. attorney general has sent a letter to Gov. Dan McKee warning him that Rhode Island has become a target as President Donald Trumps administration cracks down on immigration.

You are hereby notified that your jurisdiction has been identified as one that engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States, says the letter, which is dated Aug. 13 and signed by U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

The letter comes as arrests by ICE have surged in Rhode Island. As of June 10, 250 people had been arrested since Trump took office, a 182% increase in immigration arrests.

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The letter states that the administration identified sanctuary jurisdictions after a review of laws, policies, and practices, a likely reference to a list published earlier this month by the Department of Justice that included Rhode Island.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump brief reporters at the White House on June 27, 2025.

It warns that failure to cooperate could result in penalties such as adding immigration-related terms and conditions to the issuance of grants, contracts and federal funds, as well as potential prosecution of violations under federal laws.

The letter requests a response from McKees office by Aug. 19 that confirms its commitment to complying with federal law and to identify steps to eliminate laws, policies, and practices that impeded federal immigration enforcement.

This ends now, warns the letter.

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In a statement provided to The Providence Journal, McKee said, This generic, non-specific form letter lacks any meaningful detail and does not merit a response.

Neronha: 'Tactic of a bully'

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who was copied in the letter, called it the tactic of a bully.

The only way to deal with a bully is to let them know that they're not going to intimidate you, Neronha said in a statement.

Rhode Island cooperates with all federal law enforcement agencies routinely, as required by federal law, he added. Federal law does not require the state to divert important law enforcement resources to do the federal governments civil immigration law bidding. If the Trump Administration takes issue with this, then the doors of federal court are open to them. Until that point, my focus is elsewhere."

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Trump administration shoots warning letter to RI on sanctuary policies
Erin strengthened into a powerful Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean Saturday before weakening slightly to a Category 4 status, the National Hurricane Center said.

The hurricane is not forecast to hit land, but strong winds are affecting nearby islands, prompting forecasters to warn of possible flooding and landslides. The storm will eventually swerve away from the continental United States, the Miami-based hurricane center said.

Erin began as a tropical storm, became a hurricane on Friday and quickly intensified overnight Saturday. Here's how the storm became so powerful.

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What is rapid intensification?

On Friday morning, Erin was only a tropical storm. It underwent rapid intensification, which means the storm's wind speeds strengthened by more than 58 miles per hour in a 24-hour window, overnight.

Erin has low wind shear and a tight, compact core. Those features, combined with its path over very warm water, create the "perfect conditions for rapid intensification," said CBS News weather producer David Parkinson. Sea surface temperatures are over 85 degrees Fahrenheit and warmer than normal.

Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin gained strength at a pace that was "incredible for any time of year, let alone August 16th."

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The most powerful storms tend to form later in the year, with the hurricane season typically peaking in mid-September.

A satellite image of Hurricane Erin as it churns in the Atlantic at 8:20 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 16, 2025. / Credit: NOAA

Hurricane-caused climate change is making it easier for hurricanes to rapidly intensify. Since April 2023, global sea surface temperatures have been hotter than any period on record, and hotter oceans fuel stronger storms and amplify evaporation, strengthening hurricane winds and increasing the rain they hold. Storms that ramp up so quickly complicate forecasting for meteorologists and make it harder for government agencies to plan for emergencies.

Rapid intensification can lead to more rainfall and coastal flooding. Erin's outer bands are expected to produce heavy rainfall across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Local flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides, are possible, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The last Category 5 storm, Hurricane Milton, also underwent rapid intensification before slamming into Florida as a Category 3 storm in 2024. Two dozen people died in the storm. Including Erin, there have been 43 hurricanes that reached Category 5 status in the Atlantic.

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From 1980 to 2023, 177 Atlantic hurricanes that made landfall rapidly intensified. About 80% of Category 3-5 hurricanes undergo this process.

Hurricane Erin's path

Erin formed as a tropical storm on Monday west of the island nation of Cabo Verde, a few hundred miles off Africa's western coast, then developed while traveling over the Atlantic.

The center of the storm is forecast to curve northward. Its center is expected to pass north of the northern Leewards, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the NHC said.

The storm is expected to remain well offshore of the U.S. East Coast, according to a "spaghetti map" of forecast models showing Erin's possible paths. A high-pressure system in the Atlantic and a cold front are expected to steer Erin away from the Eastern seaboard. Bermuda may see some effects, Lowry said.

A

"All of our best consensus aids show Erin turning safely east of the United States next week, but it'll be a much closer call for Bermuda, which could land on the stronger eastern side of Erin," he said.

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2025 Atlantic hurricane season so far

Erin is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which started June 1 and runs through November 30.

So far, Tropical Storm Chantal is the only storm to have made landfall in the U.S., bringing deadly flooding to North Carolina in early July. In June, Barry made landfall as a tropical depression on Mexico's eastern coast.

Forecasters could see conditions were ripe for Erin to become an extremely powerful storm as it moved across very warm waters in the open Atlantic.

"Water temperatures at the surface and hundreds of feet deep are several degrees higher than the historical average," said Alex DaSilva, Accuweather's lead hurricane expert.

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This year's season is once again expected to be unusually busy. The forecast calls for six to 10 hurricanes, with three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph.

Examining the meteorite that landed in a Georgia house up close

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European leaders in a "coalition of the willing" are rushing to show unity before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Washington Monday.



The push comes after Axios first reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded Ukraine withdraw from two eastern regions during his Friday summit with President Donald Trump in Alaska.



Trump is now pressing for a three-way summit with Putin and Zelenskyy "fast," possibly as early as Aug. 22.

French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet virtually Sunday.



Summit With Putin Set To Top Trumps Agenda This Week As Ukraine War Takes Center Stage

The "coalition of the willing" aims to form a singular front before Zelenskyy faces Trump. In their Aug. 13 joint statement, Macron, Starmer and Merz said the coalition would "reject territorial concessions under force" and push for binding security guarantees for Ukraine.

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Axios reported Putins terms would shift far more land to Russia than Ukraine would gain. He also floated China as a possible guarantor, a move that would push NATO aside. European nations see that as a direct challenge to their security system.

President Trump said European leaders are looking to him to drive results.

"There are a lot of European leaders, but they rely on me  very much rely on me. If it wasnt for me, this thing would never get solved until the last person breathing is dead," Trump said at a press briefing last week.



Zelenskyy Thanks Nato, European Leaders For Backing His Push To Join Trumpputin Summit

Read On The Fox News App

President Zelenskyy will meet with President Donald Trump Monday after a summit with President Putin in Alaska Friday.

The White House did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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For Zelenskyy, the stakes are high. He'll arrive in Washington on Monday as President Trump takes the lead in pushing for a settlement. European leaders believe their coalition can give Zelenskyy added support as he enters the talks. The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Starmer and Macron are two chiefs of state partners in the European "coalition of the willing" in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia War.

Trump has told Zelenskyy and other leaders he wants to move quickly toward a three-way meeting with Putin as early as Aug. 22, according to reporting from Axios. The goal, he has said, is to get all sides in the same room and test whether a breakthrough is possible. Such a summit would mark the first direct encounter between the three men since the war began.





Original article source: European 'coalition of the willing' forms united front as Trump pushes Putin-Zelenskyy summit
The European Commission has confirmed that US President Donald Trump has called European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU leaders to discuss the outcome of the talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and that the Europeans are now consulting with each other.

Source: European Pravda, citing a European Commission spokesperson

Details: The spokesperson said that Ursula von der Leyen, along with European state leaders, had a conversation with Trump in which he told them how the meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin went.

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"In addition to the [European Commission] president, the other participants in the conversation were: US President Trump, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, French President Macron, German Chancellor Merz, Finnish President Stubb, Polish President Nawrocki, UK Prime Minister Starmer, [NATO] Secretary General Rutte, US Secretary of State Rubio, and Special Envoy Witkoff. The president [Ursula von der Leyen] is now on the phone with European leaders. That's all I can tell you at the moment," the spokesperson said.

The spokeswoman made no mention of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, but European Pravda is informed that she was also on the call.

President Zelenskyy took part in the first conversation, after which the European leaders and von der Leyen continued the discussion separately.

A source told European Pravda that initially Trump and Zelenskyy spoke one-on-one for half an hour, then all the leaders listed joined in and the conversation went on for another hour.

Background:

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European leaders on Saturday said they welcomed President Trumps efforts to bring peace to Ukraine but pushed for more ironclad security guarantees after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump called NATO and European leaders following the summit in Anchorage, Alaska  which did not include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky  to brief them on the meeting, which the president said was productive but did not end in a ceasefire agreement.

The group of EU leaders, dubbed the Coalition of the Willing, added that they are ready to work with the U.S. and Ukraine as the nations prepare for a potential trilateral summit including Putin, Zelensky and Trump.

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We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trumps statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees, the leaders wrote in a statement, but included some caveats.

The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role, they continued. No limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and NATO.

The group added, As President Trump said theres no deal until theres a deal. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.

Zelensky is expected to travel to the White House on Monday. The visit will be the Ukrainian leaders first time in Washington since the historic blow-up earlier this year, though they did meet at the Vatican on the sidelines of Pope Franciss funeral in between.

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On Friday, Trump and Putin spoke for roughly three hours in a closed-door summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. During a news conference following the meeting, they revealed very little of what progress the two suggested was made toward bringing an end to the more than three-year-war in Eastern Europe and took no questions from the press.

In an interview with Fox Newss Sean Hannity later Friday, the president said any ceasefire agreement or territory swap must be reached between the two nations, forget about me. He added that while he and Putin agreed on many things during their discussion, its really up to President Zelensky to get it done.

I would also say the European Nations, they have to get involved a little bit, Trump told Hannity. And if theyd like, Id be at that next meeting. Theyre going to set up a meeting now  not that I want to be there, but I want to make sure it gets done.

Earlier in the day, the president said he would not act as a negotiator for Kyiv, which was not represented at the summit.

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In their response Saturday, the EU leaders signaled they were ready to defend Ukraine, threatening to uphold the pressure on Moscow.

Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace, the coalition wrote. As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russias war economy until there is a just and lasting peace.

Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraines and Europes vital security interests, the leaders added.

The coalition includes French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the European Union expects a trilateral summit including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take place and is ready to contribute to its preparation.

Source: a joint statement by European leaders, the text of which is at the disposal of European Pravda

Details: The heads of leading European states and institutions have issued a joint statement regarding the outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska.

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The statement was signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Council President Antonio Costa.

"Early this morning, President Trump debriefed us and President Zelenskyy following his meeting with the Russian President [Putin] in Alaska on 15 August 2025.

Leaders welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russias war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace," the statement reads. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president  ed.]

The leaders quoted Trump as saying that "the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon".

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"We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support," the European leaders noted.

"We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trumps statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role."

Background:

Earlier, the media reported that Trump is said to have told Ukraine and European leaders that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin wanted to immediately discuss the terms of ending the war, not just a pause in hostilities, and Trump agreed that this would be better.

After the Alaska meeting, Trump stated that he had agreed with Putin on a territory exchange and that "Zelenskyy has to accept it".

He also announced new talks with the Kremlin head and said he would take part in a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting if it takes place.

Zelenskyy has said that he will fly to Washington for talks with Trump on Monday 18 August.

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BERLIN (Reuters) - Several European leaders on Saturday jointly pledged to continue support for Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia until the war in Ukraine ends, after a summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The joint statement from leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was issued after Trump briefed them on his talks with Putin.

It said the next step must be talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and that they were ready to work with Trump and Zelenskiy towards a three-way summit with European support.

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Trump said after his talks with Putin that Ukraine should agree a deal to end the war with Russia.

He said he had agreed with the Russian leader that the best way to do this was to go straight to a peace settlement rather than via a ceasefire, something hitherto opposed by Kyiv and its European allies.

The European statement - also signed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and European Council President Antonio Costa - said Ukraine must have "ironclad" security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity.

"It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.

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"Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace," the statement said.

"As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russias war economy until there is a just and lasting peace."

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Following the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin, European leaders on Saturday amplified their call for robust security guarantees for Ukraine as it fights to repel a 3.5-year-long Russian invasion.

"We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," a joint statement by European leaders issued on Saturday said.

According to the signatories, Trump confirmed his willingness to provide Ukraine with appropriate guarantees together with Europe in a call with European leaders after his talks with Putin in the city of Anchorage on Friday.

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This willingness was welcomed in the statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Council President Antonio Costa.

The so-called Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role, they said, referring to an alliance of some 30 countries supporting Ukraine led by Britain and France.

Previous repeated calls by European leaders for a ceasefire are not mentioned in the statement.
While fears that US President Donald Trump might agree to unacceptable concessions for Ukraine did not materialize at Trump's Friday summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it does not appear that the two sides are any closer to a peace agreement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due in Washington on Monday to speak with Trump and European leaders are to hold a conference on Sunday at 3 pm (1300 GMT) to discuss the summit.

On Saturday Europeans stressed the need for strong security guarantees for Ukraine and warned against believing anything Putin says.

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"The harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon," Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, wrote on X. She noted that while Trump and Putin met in Alaska, Russia launched new attacks on Ukraine.

"The real root cause of the war is Russias imperialist foreign policy, not an imaginary imbalance in the European security architecture," she wrote.

She said Putin is intentionally dragging out the negotiations "and hopes he gets away with it."

Ceasefire before peace deal - or not

There has also been much talk over the last two days about whether it would be better for Ukraine to have a ceasefire first and then a peace deal.

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On Saturday German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said if a peace deal can be obtained quickly that would be better than first agreeing to a ceasefire.

"If that succeeds, it is worth more than a ceasefire that might last for weeks without further progress in political and diplomatic efforts," he told German public broadcaster ZDF.

The German government and other European governments had insisted, ahead of Alaska summit, that an immediate ceasefire must mark the beginning of a peace process in Ukraine. Trump had also supported this position but abandoned it, as he made clear after the summit.

Putin has long lobbied against a ceasefire.

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But on Saturday, a top Zelensky aid rejected that.

"Our view is: first a ceasefire, then everything else," Serhiy Leshchenko, an adviser Zelensky, said on Ukrainian television.

If the fighting continued during the talks, there would be "great risks of blackmailing Ukraine," Leshchenko.

Trump wrote earlier on his Truth Social network after consultations with Zelensky and European allies that "all" agreed the best way to achieve peace in Ukraine was to reach a peace agreement directly - and not with a ceasefire agreement, which often does not hold.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for almost three and a half years.

A win for Putin?

Political scientist Carlo Masala from the Bundeswehr University in Munich told the Bild newspaper that "by rejecting an immediate ceasefire and instead seeking to negotiate a 'peace agreement,' Trump has sided with Putin. This is a disaster from Europe's perspective."

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Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev celebrated the outcome. "The meeting showed that negotiations without preconditions, while the military special operation continues, are possible," he wrote on Telegram, referring to how Russia officially calls the war.

It remained entirely unclear whether Putin made any concessions during the roughly three-hour meeting with Trump. According to sources in Moscow, a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky was not discussed.

The need for security guarantees

In comment after comment, European leaders stressed the need for Ukraine to have security guarantees, but it is unclear whether Washington would agree to this.

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"We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," a joint statement by European leaders issued on Saturday said.

According to the signatories, Trump confirmed his willingness to provide Ukraine with appropriate guarantees together with Europe in a call with European leaders after his talks with Putin in the city of Anchorage on Friday.

Trump made no mention of US security guarantees either on Saturday surrounding the summit or in comments afterward.

But Trump's reported willingness to provide such guarantees, along with Europe, was welcomed in the statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Council President Antonio Costa.

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The so-called Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role, they said, referring to an alliance of some 30 countries supporting Ukraine led by Britain and France.

Previous repeated calls by European leaders for a ceasefire are not mentioned in the statement.

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham speculated that a trilateral summit could lead to a breakthrough for peace before Christmas. If such a meeting does not take place, he called for consequences for Putin and "those who buy his oil and gas."

Trump did not mention sanctions on Russia or its energy customers at the Alaska talks.

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In Berlin the government said a negotiated solution would only be conceivable for Ukraine if it could be certain that its statehood and sovereignty would be effectively preserved, government sources said.

In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday stressed the need to maintain pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine, saying Europeans agree that a robust peace must be accompanied by unshakeable security guarantees.

"I welcome, in this regard, the readiness of the United States to contribute," Macron wrote on X.

Macron also urged that lessons be learned from the past 30 years, and "in particular from Russia's well-established tendency not to honour its own commitments."

Meloni: Guarantees a la NATO Article 5?

The Italian prime minister agreed with her European counterparts that security guarantees are key.

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"Only robust and credible guarantees in this regard can prevent new wars and aggression," she wrote on X.

To this end, she said Trump had taken up Italy's idea of a collective security clause modelled on Article 5 of the NATO treaty, according to Meloni. That article establishes that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all member states.

Ukraine is not a NATO member and Putin is doing all he can so that it never will become one.

But under Meloni's idea, Ukraine would be able to count on the support of all its partners, including the United States, who would be ready to take action in the event of a renewed attack.

She said "a glimmer of hope has finally opened for peace talks in Ukraine."
The European Union's top diplomat said on Saturday, after the Friday summit between the US and Russian presidents, that European security is not a negotiating card and blamed Russia for the ongoing war it started against Ukraine.

"European security is not up for negotiation," Kaja Kallas wrote on X.

"The harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon," she added, noting that while the delegations were meeting in Alaska, Russia launched new attacks on Ukraine.

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"The real root cause of the war is Russias imperialist foreign policy, not an imaginary imbalance in the European security architecture," she wrote.

She said Russian President Vladimir Putin is intentionally dragging out the negotiations "and hopes he gets away with it."
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Did you know that this countrys 5th fastest-growing private company is headquartered right in our own backyard?

R2P Innovations is the name, and it also earned the number one spot in manufacturing in the United States.

The owner and founder told me the recognition is excellent, but hes got bigger things to worry about.

Tony Deering, CEO of Charleston-based R2P Innovations, showed firsthand how effective his product is

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R2P is the only company in the world producing bulletproof doors suitable for offices and schools. Deering hopes to have one in every single classroom in the country.

Deering came to Charleston back in 2006 after serving in the Army in South Africa. He says being recognized as one of the top manufacturers in the country is nice, but its not why he does this.

The idea for these doors came to Deering after the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, 26 people were killed, including 20 children. Deering called his doors a common sense approach.

These bulletproof doors were put to the test and on display recently, as teachers and parents saw firsthand how effective these doors can be when 200 rounds were fired at it.

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Although Deerings biggest customers right now are government buildings in Washington, D.C., theyre the children he is most concerned about.

These doors embedded inside are a sandwich of shock-absorbing material and a ballistic core that stops the bullets from going through.

They are not cheap, about $10,000 each, but Deering says the ends justify the means.

A safe haven inside a classroom, Deering says, they are providing safety, peace of mind, and protection.

Deering tells me they have been working closely with local school districts, but funding is an issue, saying thats why elected officials need to prioritize the safety of children.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Former head of the Munich Security Conference Wolfgang Ischinger has reacted with disappointment to the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The former top diplomat wrote on the platform X: "No real progress - clearly 1:0 for Putin - no new sanctions. For the Ukrainians: nothing. For Europe: deeply disappointing."

He said that Putin got his red carpet with Trump, while Trump got nothing in return. As feared, he added, there is no ceasefire and no peace.

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There have been no tangible results after the summit, with Trump and Putin concluding their meeting without any statements on a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

Trump did speak of agreements on important points but he did not provide details. Putin also mentioned agreements that he said could be a starting point for a solution to the Ukraine conflict.
Two councilwomen in a New Jersey borough have filed a lawsuit against two fellow council members, claiming they participated in a vote involving property that could financially benefit them.

Keyport Councilwomen Kathleen McNamara and Heather Brady, who are Democrats, allege in the complaint that Council President Melissa Vecchio and Councilman Joseph Merla, who are Republicans, refused to recuse themselves in a vote pertaining to the subdivision of unused borough-owned land at the waterfront, where they or their family members own properties. The lawsuit was filed in Monmouth County Superior Court on Aug. 1.

According to the complaint, Merla owns or is a partner in several LLCs and corporations connected to commercial properties at the waterfront.

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Vecchios uncle by marriage owns a real estate company and multiple LLCs and corporations tied to the waterfront, the lawsuit alleges. His real estate business, VRI Homes, is affiliated with the financial interests of several members of Vecchios family, the suit states.

On April 16, 2024, the six-member borough council unanimously approved a proposal to apportion 22 lots on the large strip of borough-owned property between the waterfront park and nearby commercial property holdings, with the understanding that the final plan would be presented to the council before it moved forward, according to the lawsuit.

Danielle Mastropiero, the attorney representing McNamara and Brady, said the proposal was developed after property owners bordering the lot expressed interest in buying a portion of the exceptionally valuable land.

However, seven months later, the borough administrator, Kimberly Humphrey, submitted an application for the subdivisions directly to the Keyport Planning Board without seeking authorization from the full council, the suit alleges.

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The lots were subdivided in such a way as to align with and potentially extend existing commercial properties should those property owners come into possession of the newly subdivided lots, the complaint states.

The proposal was approved by the borough planning board in May after a public hearing where several objections were made, according to the lawsuit.

Although Humphrey said she cannot comment specifically on the case due to pending litigation, she wants to assure our residents and stakeholders that the Borough Administration wishes for the best interests of the community.

At a June council meeting, McNamara introduced a motion which would direct the borough administrator to withdraw the planning board application for the waterfront lots that had not been reviewed by the council.

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The motion failed after Merla and Vecchio, who refused to recuse themselves, voted against the proposal, and Mayor Rose Araneo made the tie-breaking vote, the suit alleges.

Vecchio and Merlas votes were illegal because of conflict of interest, Mastropiero said. The councilwomen are requesting in the lawsuit that their votes be nullified.

Vecchio, Merla and their attorney could not be reached for comment.

If we dont put a stop to this, if we dont get court intervention, theyre going to be emboldened to continue to vote on their interests, said Mastropiero, a Keyport resident who took the case pro bono. This is not what were about in Keyport and it needs to be stopped.

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If these waterfront properties were then next disposed of, is (Merla) going to vote on how much they would be? Are we just going to donate them? Its a very slippery slope.

According to the complaint, Merla had previously abstained from two votes involving properties he had direct financial interest in. Despite Merlas many conflicts of interests, he was appointed as chair of the boroughs planning board and as a member of the harbor commission, the lawsuit states.

Both Merla and Vecchio were appointed to the Keyport Redevelopment Committee in January, the suit alleges.

Merla was convicted and sentenced to three months in federal prison in 2008 after pleading guilty to money laundering, according to online court records. His conviction was part of the FBIs Operation Bid Rig, an investigation into corrupt government officials.

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Araneo, a Republican, told NJ Advance Media that although she wishes a compromise could have been reached before the lawsuit was filed, she has confidence that our judicial system will get to the truth.

Its really unfortunate to see this situation unfold with members of our council, said Araneo. Our council members have acted properly and havent done anything wrong.

I want everyone to know that despite this distraction, were still here serving our residents every day. Our town operations havent missed a beat and we remain focused on the work we were elected to do.

Mastropiero said an initial court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Rebecca Heath may be reached at RHeath@njadvancemedia.com.
The city of Sumner advised drivers Saturday morning to take it slow on East Valley Highway following an early-morning accident.

Officials first thought they would need to close a section of the East Valley Highway in both directions after a utility pole was struck.

Puget Sound Energy workers later determined they could work on repairs without the need for a full closure. Officials told drivers to expect minor intermittent delays on the East Valley Highway between Forest Canyon and the 4600 block (by Puyallup Street) while PSE repaired the pole that was struck and leaning near the roadway.

No further details were available.
Lyme disease cases are skyrocketing in Ohio, and experts say it's related to changing deer migration patterns and hotter, wetter weather.

What's happening?

Lyme disease cases have been steadily increasing for the past few years in Ohio, according to data from the state's Department of Health.

WVXU summarized the trend, reporting that there were 749 cases by July 10, 2025, compared to 429 in early July 2024. The news station reported Lyme disease rates began to increase in 2023; that year saw 1,301 cases compared to 554 the previous year.

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According to Timothy McDermott, a Lyme disease expert at Ohio State University, this uptick is partially tied to a change in deer migration patterns  Lyme disease-carrying blacklegged deer ticks primarily feed on white-tailed deer  along with the warmer, more humid weather that's being driven by an overheating planet.

"We're seeing increased warmth and increased humidity. Those are things that most of the tick species enjoy," he told WVXU. "They need a certain amount of humidity in order to survive."

Why is Lyme disease important?

"Lyme disease can be such a nasty, debilitating thing," Valerie Wallace, a communicable diseases nurse with Tuscarawas County Health Department, told the news outlet. "The longer you have Lyme disease, the more likely you are to have stronger and more severe symptoms, especially those that might affect the heart."

According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme disease evolves through three stages.

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The first one is commonly accompanied by a rash around the bite site and symptoms like headache, fever, extreme tiredness, joint stiffness, muscle aches and pains, and swollen lymph nodes.

If it progresses to Stage 2, the rash will expand to other parts of the body, and other symptoms include neck pain or stiffness, muscle weakness on one or both sides of the face, eye pain or vision loss, and irregular heartbeats.

Stage 3 is known as late disseminated disease and is often accompanied by continued symptoms from previous stages. Patients in the U.S. will often develop arthritis in large joints at this point.

Lyme disease-carrying ticks are expanding their active seasons and shifting further northward and westward thanks to rising global temperatures.

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For instance, Montana officials recently announced that one resident found a Lyme disease-carrying deer tick on his dog there, an anomaly for the state. And one group of scientists found Lyme disease risk doubled in the Canadian province of Quebec and tripled in Manitoba between 2000 and 2015.

What's being done about tick-borne diseases?

The most important thing that people can do to protect themselves from Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses like AGS and Rocky Mountain spotted fever is to avoid being bitten by ticks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to walk in the middle of trails to avoid these tiny external parasites and to keep their legs covered. Spraying footwear, clothing, and camping gear with insecticide that includes 0.5% permethrin can also help.

Scientists are also developing a tick-repelling drug for humans that works similarly to the chewable tablets given to dogs.

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.




Insurance non-renewals are becoming a trend, and worrying new data shows Florida is leading the pack.

What's happening?

A new report from Insurify reveals that Florida tops the nation in home insurance non-renewals.

Insurance companies are increasingly dropping policies due to rising risks from extreme weather, while some people are simply unable to afford the higher prices. According to Central Florida Public Media, rates skyrocketed 280% between 2018 and 2023.

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As destructive hurricanes, floods, and wildfires become more frequent, insurers are reassessing their exposure. In high-risk areas like Florida, that often means pulling out altogether and leaving homeowners scrambling.

"I don't want to sugarcoat it," said Julia Taliensin, Insurify's data journalist, per Central Florida Public Media. "But it may be that this climate risk is starting to kind of price people out."

Why are non-renewals concerning?

When insurance companies stop covering properties, it doesn't just affect bank accounts  it affects entire communities. Without coverage, homeowners can't get mortgages or rebuild after disasters. Sky-high premiums push people to either pay up or go without protection altogether.

The root of this issue lies in how human activity  like the burning of dirty energy sources  creates pollution that traps heat in our atmosphere. That extra heat fuels stronger storms, heavier rainfall, and longer wildfire seasons. And as those disasters become more common or intense, insurers are pulling back, especially in coastal and wildfire-prone regions.

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This isn't just a Florida problem, either. States like Louisiana and California are seeing similar trends, turning insurance into a new kind of climate risk.

What's being done about it?

Some states are stepping in to stabilize the market. In Florida, the state-backed insurer Citizens is absorbing many of the dropped policies. However, critics worry it's only a temporary fix.

Elsewhere, policymakers and researchers are working on long-term solutions, such as updating building codes, restoring wetlands to absorb storm surge, and supporting a shift to cleaner energy to slow the warming trend. Groups like Rebuild by Design and Resilient Cities Catalyst are helping communities plan for more resilient infrastructure.

On an individual level, staying prepared can make a real difference  whether that means understanding local risks, cutting down on pollution from your home, or backing efforts that make neighborhoods safer and more resilient. Learning more about what's fueling today's most urgent environmental challenges can be a good place to start.

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After 100 long years, European pine martens are back in southwest England.

According to the Good News Network (GNN), fifteen pine martens were reintroduced into the wild in 2024. Recent camera footage proved the reintroduction, dubbed the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, was a success.

Tracey Hamston, the project's leader, told GNN, "When our volunteers discovered the footage of pine marten kits on one of our trail cameras we were ecstatic. This is a historic moment for the return of a native animal and for the future of the southwest's woodlands."

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The footage showed about three kits playing and exploring their home.

These nocturnal mammals are a protected species, primarily confined to the Scottish Highlands and Ireland, per the Wildlife Trusts.

They were once prevalent throughout Britain, according to Rewilding Britain, but deforestation and hunting shrank their population greatly, making them locally extinct in both England and Wales since the early 20th century.

Their absence has affected other woodland species. While more research is needed, BBC Wildlife reports that pine martens could act as a biological control for grey squirrels, allowing red squirrels to repopulate British woodlands.

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Every species has its part to play in a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem. If one species goes extinct, this delicate balance is thrown off-kilter, hurting humans in the process. For example, studies show that India's declining vulture population led to half a million human deaths over the course of five years.

Thankfully, organizations around the world, like the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, are dedicated to revitalizing endangered species. Pygmy pigs returned to the wild after decades of work by Indian conservationists, and researchers partnered with Tristan da Cunha's government to use parasitic wasps to save the Wilkins' finch.

Now that pine martens' repopulation is on the horizon, the Two Moors Pine Marten Project is taking things up a notch. They plan to release around twenty more pine martens into southwest England this upcoming fall.

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)  Across Missouri, reports of waterborne bacteria and related illnesses have been on the rise.

One of the most recent and alarming cases involved an individual who contracted a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in the Lake of the Ozarks.

Areas that prohibit swimming are often not regularly tested, which means bacterial levels in those waters are largely unknown.

Waterborne bacteria thrive in warm temperatures, particularly in the late spring and early summer months when water temperatures range from the 70s to the low 80s.

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However, once water temperatures reach the upper 80s and into the 90s, many harmful bacteria begin to die off, struggling to survive in such heat.

While the St. Joseph region doesnt offer local freshwater beaches or designated swimming areas, there are still plenty of options for outdoor recreation, especially fishing.

Eric Dennis, a fisheries biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, provided insight into local water safety and bacterial concerns.

Ninety-nine percent of the time, its going to be perfectly fine to eat fish caught from potentially contaminated waters  especially around here, Dennis said. We dont have a lot of areas with high enough bacteria levels to cause harm."

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When it comes to waterways getting tested for swimming safety, Dennis said the MDC only tests areas where recreational swimming is permitted.

Dennis added that cooking fish thoroughly will eliminate most harmful bacteria and parasites, making them safe to consume even if the water quality is questionable.

Though swimming might not be common in local waterways, Dennis noted that its typical for dog owners to let their pets swim or drink from natural bodies of water. He issued a warning about one particular threat: harmful algal blooms.

Dont let your dog go near any body of water that looks greenish, blue, olive green, or even red, Dennis said. Thats a sign of a blue-green algae bloom, which can be extremely harmful for dogs to ingest  or even breathe.

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As temperatures rise and outdoor activities increase, experts urge residents to stay informed and cautious about the hidden risks in Missouris waters.

Before deciding whether to enjoy one of Missouri's waterways, remember the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' helpful reminder: "When in doubt, stay out.

For more information on Missouri's waterways and bacteria, visit: https://dnr.mo.gov/water/hows-water/pollutants-sources/harmful-algal-blooms-habs
On July 18, 2025, U.S. Congress approved a plan from President Donald Trump's administration that eliminated all government funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the organization that funds NPR and PBS stations around the country.

In the weeks following the announcement, posts appeared on social media claiming that the Trump administration wanted to replace PBS with Prager University (colloquially called PragerU), a conservative, non-profit group known for producing videos containing misleading and incorrect information about history, race and science. The posts were generally paired with a PragerU video about Christopher Columbus that critics said downplayed the horrors of slavery.

The Trump administration is now seeking to replace PBS with Prager University, a far-right propaganda organization that isnt actually a university.



One of their kids videos has Christopher Columbus telling them that slavery was no big deal and better than being killed. pic.twitter.com/gk2hFsuh9n  No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) August 13, 2025

However, Snopes found the claim that spread on social media was an exaggerated version of reports from the left-leaning publications Vox and MSNBC. Those reports warned that PragerU, which MSNBC's story called a "propaganda outlet," could capitalize on the defunding of PBS, but did not state that the Trump administration was planning on replacing PBS with PragerU, or placing PragerU programming on PBS.

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We reached out to PragerU and to the Trump administration for comment, but had not heard back from either at the time of publishing.

PragerU was founded as a collaboration between conservative talk show host Dennis Prager and screenwriter Allen Estrin in 2009. According to its website, the organization aims to "promote American values through the creative use of digital media, technology and edu-tainment."

The original idea, according to a 2018 article in BuzzFeed News, was to "condens[e] Prager's ideas into short, digestible videos, as counter-programming for young people marooned in liberal US universities." In other words, the two believed the education system had a liberal bias and wanted to provide a conservative alternative.

Their plan worked. The organization's FAQ page claims its videos are now "watched 5 million times each and every day," and the list of "featured presenters" reads as a who's who of conservative pundits and politicians  Larry Elder (radio host), Ben Shapiro (podcaster), Tim Pool (podcaster), Jordan Peterson (psychologist) are on the front page, but the full list of presenters also includes: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Prime Minister of Hungary Victor Orban, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, British politician Nigel Farage and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, along with all the following pundits: Dinesh D'Souza, Charlie Kirk, Dave Rubin, Tucker Carlson, Glenn Beck, James Lindsay, Stephen Crowder, Riley Gaines, Candace Owens, Chaya Raichik (LibsOfTikTok) and Christopher Rufo.

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Since its founding, the organization's videos have been criticized for being misleading or containing incorrect information  for instance, denying or downplaying the threat of climate change. Snopes previously fact-checked claims made in a 2020 PragerU video about the existence of white privilege.

In 2021, PragerU expanded into kids programming, launching the PragerU kids YouTube channel. The video about Christopher Columbus often featured alongside the claim was produced for "3rd - 6th graders," according to PragerU's website, and the video's description says it "teaches elementary students not to judge events of the past by the standards of today."

PragerU content is currently approved for use in 9 different states, including Florida, Texas and Louisiana.

Although there's no evidence the Trump administration has partnered with PragerU as a potential "replacement" for PBS or its programming, the organization recently partnered with the White House and the Department of Education to produce "The Road To Liberty," a series of videos for the nation's 250th anniversary.

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404Media reported that the videos were "clearly AI-generated," and that one of them featured President John Adams saying "facts do not care about our feelings," a phrase associated with the conservative pundit mentioned above, Ben Shapiro. The videos featured the following line at the end: "This partnership does not constitute or imply U.S. Government or U.S. Department of Education endorsement of PragerU."

Sources:

Bernstein, Joseph. "How PragerU Quietly Became One Of The Right's Loudest VoicesHow PragerU Is Winning The Right Wing Culture War Without Donald Trump." BuzzFeed News, 3 Mar. 2018, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/josephbernstein/prager-university.

Cole , Samantha. "White House Partners With PragerU to Make AI-Slopified Founding Fathers." 404 Media, 18 Jul. 2025, https://www.404media.co/white-house-partners-with-prageru-to-make-ai-slopified-founding-fathers/.

Kasprak, Alex. "Ex-Cop Brandon Tatum's Success Doesn't Disprove White Privilege." Snopes, 17 Jun. 2020, https://www.snopes.com//news/2020/06/17/brandon-tatum-white-privilege/.

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Neuman, Scott. "Congress Rolls Back $9 Billion in Public Media Funding and Foreign Aid." NPR, 18 Jul. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/07/18/nx-s1-5469912/npr-congress-rescission-funding-trump.

Presenters | PragerU. https://www.prageru.com/presenters. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

"Propaganda Platform PragerU Is Primed to Capitalize on Trump's PBS Cuts." MSNBC.Com, 18 Jul. 2025, https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/prageru-pbs-cuts-john-adams-video-trump-rcna219645.

Rameswaram, Sean. "The White House Has a Preferred Alternative to PBS. It May Already Be in Countless Classrooms." Vox, 8 Aug. 2025, https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast/422812/prageru-education-pbs-npr-cpb-defunding.

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State Announcements | PragerU. https://www.prageru.com/state-announcements. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

The Road to Liberty | PragerU. https://www.prageru.com/shows/the-road-to-liberty. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
In reality, the Russians got exactly what they wanted. Trump completely backpedaled on this and looked extremely weak. President Trumps summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in Alaska produced no deal to end the war in Ukraine. Ret. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, Former National Security Council Director of European Affairs and Senior Advisor to Vote Vets, and Susan Glasser, Staff Writer for The New Yorker join The Weekend to discuss.
After travelling 2,000 miles, enduring a three-hour security screening and arguing over seating arrangements with the Russian media, expectations were high for the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

The early signs were positive  a warm handshake, a ride along in The Beast and the claim by Russia that talks could last six or seven hours.

But that feeling came to a screeching halt inside the press tent at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, when a press conference was called just three hours in  and it emerged that the wider bilateral talks had been scrapped.

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The two leaders appeared on stage for just 12 minutes. There was no ceasefire and they did not take a single question.

What the f--- was that? one American journalist exclaimed. Is that all? Indeed, it was.

The first surprise of Mr Trump and Putins post-summit press conference was that the Russian leader was the first to speak.

After the two men had taken their place behind their respective podiums, almost the entire room had their eyes fixed on Mr Trump, assuming that the US host would lead the conversation.

So when Putin first opened his mouth, you could almost hear the sounds of heads whipping towards the Russian leader.

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Mr Trump eventually followed suit, and for the first time in his second term, spoke very briefly.

Putin spoke first and for much longer than Mr Trump - Jae C Hong

Twelve minutes later, it was all over. The press pack, who had flown more than 2,000 miles in the hopes of witnessing history, were left shouting into the abyss.

Colleagues looked around in bewilderment.

Almost immediately, chatter between journalists turned from astonishment to frustration, as we realised that the pair had spoken for a twentieth of the painstaking time that it took for us to each be individually screened by the Secret Service that morning.

Press wait ahead of the media conference

In the few days before the highly-anticipated summit, we had scrambled to secure hire cars and accommodation in Anchorage, which turned out to be as scarce as details of what the two leaders agreed in their talks.

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Space in Anchorage was precious. With a handful of hotels already bursting with anglers capitalising on the peak salmon season, there was no room at the inn.

Some of the Russian delegation were relegated to dorms normally reserved for university students.

We also faced accommodation woes. But my colleague, Dom Nicholls, managed to secure us a 26-foot-long Winnebago, affectionately nicknamed the Tel Force One, which became an office, recording studio and our sleeping quarters.

Telegraph journalists Connor Stringer and Dom Nicholls found an inventive solution to their accommodation problems

Some were not so lucky. Angry members of the Russian press pack shared pictures of military camp cots erected on bare hardwood gym floors, prompting taunts about the state of American hospitality.

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Frustrations were compounded when, upon arriving at the media tents, our Russian counterparts found that their mobile data roaming did not work.

In the end, they were able to connect to the special WiFi generously provided by the US Air Force.

Security delays prompted outcry from some American journalists who were concerned that Russian reporters would get better seats at the briefing.

Can we make sure Americans are seated before the Russians? one disgruntled journalist asked. This is America, after all, another added.

The two media camps were being kept apart on separate buses. In the press tent, it was a similar scene.

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With Russian media lodged on one side, cables hidden under blue and yellow rubber covers acted as a de facto border.

The media tent at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

A smoking area beside a handful of portable toilets appeared to be exclusively used by chain-smoking Russians.

But even they appeared bewildered by the underwhelming press conference, immediately scampering from the press tent via the snack bar to their awaiting bus once it had concluded.

After Mr Trump left the venue and the roar of Air Force One receded, we were left wondering how the most consequential diplomatic summit in recent memory could produce so little.

Ukraine was shut out of the talks, with no invite for Volodymyr Zelensky, much to the chagrin of his European allies.

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Given what a non-event the whole thing turned out to be, they may be relieved that they were not required to make the journey.

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Facial recognition cameras that will be used by police at next weekends Notting Hill Carnival are racially biased, anti-racism campaigners have claimed.

In a letter to Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, 11 civil liberties and anti-racist groups said the technology was less accurate for women and people of colour.

But the Met dismissed the claims as misconceptions and said the cameras were reliable and effective.

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The force will use the live facial recognition (LFR) technology at the annual Afro-Caribbean festival in west London for the first time this year to identify suspects.

The Met says the LFR technology will be used on the approach to the carnival next weekend - Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

But groups including The Runnymede Trust, Liberty, Big Brother Watch, Race on the Agenda, and Human Rights Watch have signed a letter claiming the cameras would only exacerbate concerns about abuses of state power and racial discrimination within your force.

The choice to deploy LFR at Notting Hill carnival unfairly targets the community that carnival exists to celebrate, they said.

The Met has been found to be institutionally racist by Baroness Caseys independent review and trust in the Met has been badly damaged by discriminatory policing.

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Targeting Notting Hill carnival with live facial recognition technology will only exacerbate concerns about abuses of state power and racial discrimination within your force.

In 2023, a report by the National Physical Laboratory found that when used on certain settings, the Mets technology was less accurate for women and non-white people.

Dr Tony Mansfield, the reports author, said that if the system is run at low and easy thresholds, the system starts showing a bias against black males and females combined.

At last years Carnival, police made 334 arrests and two people were killed in separate knife attacks - Lucy North/PA Wire

Crime is rife at the carnival, which attracts more than two million people each year. Last year, police made 334 arrests, 61 officers were injured and two people were killed in separate knife attacks.

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A report earlier this week warned that the festival should be ticketed or moved to Hyde Park in order to reduce crime and alleviate the risk of a mass crush on the scale of the Hillsborough disaster.

The Met says it plans to use the cameras on settings that do not show racial bias and will deploy them outside the boundaries of the event to identify and intercept people who endanger public safety.

It will also use metal detectors and conduct stop-and-searches at the busiest entrance points.

Matt Ward, the deputy assistant commissioner of the Met, said: It is right that we make the best use of available technology to support officers to do their job more effectively.

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That is why we will be using LFR cameras on the approach to and from carnival, outside the boundaries of the event itself. Live facial recognition is a reliable and effective tool. It has led to more than 1,000 arrests since the start of 2024.

Independent testing by the National Physical Laboratory found that at the thresholds the MPS uses the system, it is accurate and balanced with regard to ethnicity and gender, but we know there are still misconceptions about its use, particularly in Black and other minority ethnic communities.

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Among real estate investors, Oklahoma is considered one of the most landlord-friendly states in the country.

With no rent controls, a cheap and simple eviction processes and low property taxes, Oklahoma has seen an influx of corporate landlords buying and building properties across the state.

Even under federal programs that dole out property owner tax credits in exchange for a promise to keep rents down, low-income Oklahoma tenants have been pushed out of their homes.

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More: Texas father, son buying up properties meant for low-income Oklahoma tenants, then booting them

Tenant rights in Oklahoma

Tenants living in poor conditions or facing eviction have rights, though. The process can be scary and confusing, but some help is available. Here are some of your rights as a renter in Oklahoma.

Five-day rent grace period

When rent is due, landlords must give tenants a written "Notice to Pay or Quit" that gives five days to pay or work out another arrangement.

Only after those five days can the landlord file an eviction in court.

Evicted renters get three days to prep for court

When a landlord files eviction papers with the court, tenants must be notified at least three days before the court date. If that doesn't seem like much time, the Oklahoma Legislature agrees.

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A bill to extend the eviction timeline by another five days made it to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk in 2025, but he vetoed it.

"This bill seeks to expand minimum wait times in eviction proceedings, making the alreadyburdensome and difficult process of obtaining an eviction that much more burdensome. Theexisting procedures already provide adequate due process and notice," Stitt wrote in his veto message.

More: Evictions are on the rise in Oklahoma. Legal counsel may be made available to help

Tenants can hire a lawyer

Evicted tenants who can afford an attorney can fight their case in court, but it can be hard to secure legal representation within that time frame. Nonprofits like Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma have attorneys who can help, but there aren't enough funds to provide free legal services to the thousands of renters who are kicked out of their homes each year.

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New data shows that only about 4% of tenants nationwide have legal representation in eviction court, compared to 83% of landlords.

Oklahoma renters can make their own repairs

Issues between a renter and landlord can develop without an eviction. For example, absentee landlords have allowed their properties to fall into disrepair leaving residents to ask the city for help.

Tenants are allowed to make their own repairs at the landlord's expense, but only after meeting certain conditions; the landlord's initial response to the maintenance request must be unsatisfactory and the situation must pose a threat to the tenant's health and safety.

Tenants must give the landlord 14 days to fix the issue

If the landlord fails to address the health-related issue within the specified time frame or promptly, considering emergency conditions, the tenant may proceed with the necessary repairs.

Following the repairs, the tenant must submit an itemized statement to the landlord, justifying the deduction from their rent.

The cost of repairs must be fair, reasonable and not exceed one month's rent.

If the landlord does not comply, tenants can take legal action.

Oklahoma Watch reporter Heather Warlick contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Facing eviction? What to know about Oklahoma's landlord-tenant rights
Does footage labeled "The Metal Sky Man Utah: 8/11/25" document the sighting of some unexplained thing in the clouds? No, that's not true: This is not a real video; it's a still image to which audio, camera shake, and zoom effects were added. The image was taken from a video that has been online since at least July 25, 2025. It was posted to Instagram by a UFO account with a different caption claiming the footage had been shot in Chiang Mai, Thailand days earlier.

The 'Metal Sky Man' video (archived here) was posted on X by @dom_lucre on August 14, 2025. The lengthy caption begins:

BREAKING NEWS: An unidentified metallic man has been spotted the skies of Utah hovering above the flute similar to the reports in Peru that I covered in 2024. This man has been captured by multiple witnesses uploading the strange footage online.

This is how the post appeared at the time of writing:

Image source: Screenshot by Lead Stories of @dom_lucre post on X.

The 1:03-minute long video has captioning which reads:

The Metal Sky Man Utah: 8/11/25

The video also bears the watermark of '@Dom Lucre Narratives' and at the 0:55 second mark a faint 'n-cog' watermark is also visible. This is a TikTok account @incognitogamingtv which also specializes in CGI and AI-generated UFO videos. The same 1:03 clip, without the Dom Lucre watermark was posted by @incognitogamingtv on August 12, 2025 (archived here).

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Lead Stories used a screenshot and Google Lens reverse image search to trace the video's origins. An August 12, 2025 YouTube video (archived here) titled, "Elongated Ship In The Clouds -    " mentioned nothing of a metal man, or Utah. This 0:44-second long video contains repeats of the same eight seconds, but does include a more expansive view of the clouds in the sky (pictured below). The caption claims there is no filming location and no backstory information.

Image source: Screenshot by Lead Stories of @exopedia post on YouTube.

A search with a screenshot from this YouTube video, using Google Lens, turned up yet another video (archived here). This one showed a deck railing and a barbeque grill in the foreground, a hilly landscape with trees blowing in the breeze, and a powerline. This video was marked up with a red circle in the style of other videos posted by this Instagram account, @UFO5537. The video was posted on July 25, 2025, but the caption (translated from Spanish to English by Google) suggested it was filmed days earlier:

Object Suspended Over the Clouds of Chiang Mai, Thailand. (July 23, 2025).



Courtesy of Malee Saetang.

A strange and alleged object was seen suspended over the clouds of Chiang Mai, a town in Thailand known for having the most beautiful skies in the world.

The event, if real, could be one of the most impressive sightings of the year 2025.

#uap #ufni #ufo #fani #zabedrosky #ufocloud #ufo5537 #uaps #ufos #ovnis #ufology

This is how that post appeared at the time of writing:

Image source: Screenshot by Lead Stories of @UFO5537 post on Instagram.

Regardless how the earlier @UFO5537 version of the video was created (pictured below right), its existence disproves the claims made in subsequent remixes. At the 0:52 second mark of the @incognitogamingtv TikTok video (below left), there are brick buildings, suggesting a town or city which are edited into the lower edge of the frame. The metallic object in the cloud, and the cloud's wispy and overlapping profile in the scene is the same as pictured in the @UFO5537 video (compared below).

Image source: Screenshots by Lead Stories from @ incognitogamingtv post on TikTok and @UFO5537 post on Instagram.

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Claim:

A class-action lawsuit against AT&T was authentic, and emails individuals received in August 2025 from Kroll Settlement Administration stating they could claim as much as $7,500 from the settlement were legitimate.

Rating:

Rating: True

Context:

Although claimants can receive up to $7,500, most will not be able to get as much from their claims. Receiving $7,500 requires documentation that the person making the claim suffered cash losses because of two separate AT&T data breaches.

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Some AT&T customers began receiving emails about a settlement in August 2025, prompting many to wonder whether the message were legit. Some social media users posted screenshots (archived) of the email they received from Kroll Settlement Administration. Others used their accounts on sites such as Instagram (archived) and TikTok (archived) to share (archived) news of the settlement with their followers. Several Snopes readers sent emails to ask us whether the settlement emails they received were real or were scams.

People receiving the emails could claim up to $5,000 or $7,500 from AT&T because of a settlement prompted by a data breach, according to various posts online.

https://www.facebook.com/simone.collins.9461/posts/pfbid0EUFMXezNJKpmHP95L1T74FSgDFeP8bvvfgfBHpD78UsPr7im1sZi33RXxGQAYdKNl

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The settlement was real, and the settlement's administrators sent legitimate emails to potential claimants in August 2025.

On June 20, 2025, a U.S. district court in Texas approved a settlement of a class-action lawsuit over a pair of AT&T data breaches, one from 2019 and another from 2024. The court's schedule of events set Aug. 4, 2025, as the date potential claimants should have started receiving notices.

The court approved the appointment of Kroll Settlement Administration as the settlement's administrator. Kroll sent out mail and email notices to potential claimants and created a website, telecomdatasettlement.com, for people to submit their claims.

According to Kroll's website, people who do nothing will not receive any benefits from the settlement. In order to be compensated, a claimant must submit or postmark a claim form no later than Nov. 18, 2025. Those wishing to opt out or object to the settlement have until Oct. 17, 2025, to do so.

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The two data breaches were essentially treated as separate settlements with separate groups of claimants drawing from separate pots of money. Victims of the 2019 data breach were called AT&T 1 Settlement Class. Victims of the 2024 data breach were called AT&T 2 Settlement Class. Some people were affected by both breaches; Kroll called these people Overlap Settlement Class Members. Claimants from each settlement class could receive money in one of two ways:

Documented loss cash payment: Claimants who receive a documented loss cash payment may receive up to $5,000 from AT&T 1 Settlement Class and up to $2,500 from AT&T 2 Settlement Class. Claimants who receive this kind of payment from both classes can therefore receive up to $7,500. To receive one or more documented loss cash payment, a claimant must submit documentation that they have suffered cash losses that are fairly traceable to the corresponding AT&T data breaches. The same documentation cannot be used to support both cash loss claims.

Tier Cash Payment: Alternatively, those affected by the data breaches can claim tier cash payments, which is the usual class-action settlement payment determined based on the amount of money available to split to all claimants. There are three tiers of cash payment a claimant may receive this way. Tier 1 payments will go to victims of the first data breach whose Social Security numbers were included in the breach. These payments will be five times higher than the Tier 2 payments, which will go out to all other claimants for the first data breach. Tier 3 payments will go out to claimants of the second data breach.

Court documents showed the settlement for the first data breach was $149 million and the settlement for the second breach was $28 million

Kroll said it did not know the amount of money each tier cash payment claimant would receive at the time it sent out notices to potential claimants.

Sources:

"In Re: AT&T Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation MDL Docket No. 3:24-Md-03114-E - United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas." Telecomdatasettlement.com, Kroll Settlement Administration, LLC, www.telecomdatasettlement.com/. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

RE: AT&T INC. CUSTOMER DATA SECURITY BREACH LITIGATION This Document Relates to All Cases. 20 June 2025, business.cch.com/CybersecurityPrivacy/at&tdatabreachorder.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
Aug. 15Fall chinook salmon fishing is set to open on parts of the Snake River later this month and to expand in September.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this week that fall chinook season would begin on sections from below West Evans Road to the Washington-Idaho state line and from the state line to the Oregon border will be open daily with a limit of three adult chinook.

Then, starting Sept. 4, the Lyons Ferry Bubble Fishery will be open Thursdays through Sundays from Sept. 4 to Oct. 26 with a limit of two adults, including no more than one wild adult. That fishery will be open from the red river marker on the south shore of the Snake upstream to the Highway 261 bridge.

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Forecasters predict a return of 313,400 fall chinook to the Columbia River this year with a significant portion of those fish bound for the Snake, according to WDFW.

In 2024, a total of 318,089 fall chinook returned to the Columbia, besting forecasters' initial prediction of 258,300.

Chris Donley, WDFW's eastern region fish program manager, said the forecast looks pretty good for fall chinook, and that he expects 35,000 or 40,000 of the fish that return to the Columbia will be bound for the Snake River.

But he did say anglers ought to be aware that fishing might be tough on the opener.

As of Wednesday, just 67 fall chinook had passed Ice Harbor Dam, the lowermost dam on the Snake, according to the Fish Passage Center.

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"It will get good after Labor Day," Donley said.

There is no limit on jack chinook salmon in either fishery, with a minimum size of 12 inches. Adults are considered fish larger than 24 inches in length.

Anglers targeting salmon are required to stop fishing for salmon once the adult portion of their daily limit is filled.

No two-pole fishing is allowed during the fall chinook season, and barbless hooks are required.

Idaho's fall chinook seasons on the Snake and Clearwater rivers are scheduled to open Aug. 18.
Aug. 15The memorial service for fallen Spokane Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ken Salas is planned for next week at the Spokane Convention Center, the sheriff's office announced Friday.

Salas, 59, was struck and killed by a motorcyclist last week while helping clear a large hay bale from Interstate 90. Investigators are still seeking witnesses to the crash.

According to the sheriff's office, the service will be on the second-floor hall of the convention center at 1 p.m. on Aug. 20. The public is invited to attend, but seating is limited.

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The procession route will be announced at a later date.

Salas planned to retire next month. He was an Air Force veteran and had a law enforcement career that spanned 34 years, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowel has said. He served as a school resource deputy, a member of the traffic unit, a member of the Emergency Operations Team, a detective, a corporal and a sergeant. He is survived by his wife.

A local law enforcement program, the Sheriff's Community Oriented Policing Effort, is working with Behind the Badge Foundation, a nonprofit that assists the families of fallen first responders, to collect donations for Salas' family. Canopy Credit Union will oversee the fund, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

Anyone wishing to donate can contact Canopy Credit Union and request to donate to the SCOPE/Sgt. Salas memorial fund. Donations are also accepted via Venmo through a QR code released by the sheriff's office.
HICKORY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  This case really just boils down to law enforcement officers shooting a gentleman who was running away from them and was unarmed at the time, said Anthony Burts, the Setzer family attorney.

Timothy Craig Setzer was shot and killed by a Hickory police officer in August 2023. His mother, Christina Tolley, is still getting used to not having her son by her side.

RELATED: Lawsuit: Family alleges drive-by-style police shooting killed Hickory man

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Now, shes looking for the officers involved to be held accountable.

The narrative was that Mr. Setzer reached for his waistband and pulled out a gun. But the objective investigation that was conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation reveals that, unequivocally, Mr. Setzer was unarmed at the time that he was shot. So we filed a lawsuit, Burts said.

The lawsuit alleges that a Hickory officer fired his gun from the passenger seat of a moving patrol car  at a distance of 50 to 60 feet, hitting Setzer, who was 27. Attorneys say officers fired about 30 rounds at an unarmed Setzer, who was running and had his back to them.

We also have reviewed interviews from the State Bureau investigation whereby those officers that fired their weapons acknowledged that they continued to shoot their guns until he stopped moving based on no perceived threat, Burts said. And the autopsy reveals that there was a gunshot to the top of Mr. Seltzers head. And theres no way for an individual to be shot at the top of their head unless someones shooting down on them or as they collapse into the ground or on the ground.

Officers involved say Setzer appeared to pull a gun from his waistband. Attorneys claim body camera footage and sworn statements to the North Carolina state investigator cited in the complaint show multiple officers admitting they did not see a gun in Setzers hands.

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Also, no firearm was ever recovered at the scene until nine hours later by an SBI agent, but no forensic evidence linked it to Setzer.

He wasnt the type of person to pull a gun on cops. He was a good person. He was kindhearted. He was just special, Tolley said.

The family is looking for accountability and transparency. They are hoping no other family has to experience losing a loved one tragically, the way his life was taken.

Queen City News reached out to the city and the Hickory Police Department twice for comment, and neither responded.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  The Lilbert-Looneyville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire on Friday that left one familys pet dead.

Fire reported at Tyler recycling center on Highway 31

According to Lilbert-Looneyville VFD, their firefighter crews responded to a home on County Road 991 at around 7:26 p.m. on Friday, along with firefighters from Cushing Volunteer Fire Department, Central Heights-Appleby Volunteer Fire Department and Douglass Volunteer Fire Department.

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The first firefighters on the scene discovered that the fire had already burned through the roof of the home so they attempted to fight it from inside the residence, Lilbert-Looneyville VFD shared in a post. When the fire spread throughout the attic, firefighters went out of the home to fight the fire from outside.

Photo courtesy of Lilbert-Looneyville VFD. Photo courtesy of Lilbert-Looneyville VFD. Photo courtesy of Lilbert-Looneyville VFD. Photo courtesy of Lilbert-Looneyville VFD.

After spraying more than 30,000 gallons of water on the fire, crews were able to get it contained and extinguished.

Lilbert-Looneyville VFD said no one was home at the time of the fire but a family pet was inside and unfortunately it died from smoke inhalation. The department claimed the cause of the fire appeared to be an electrical malfunction inside the homes breaker box.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The back wall of a storage facility standing along the 215 Beltway near Flamingo Road that is frequently used for advertisements or political campaigns is now being used by a family looking for a killer.

On the night of June 13, a driver struck and killed 81-year-old Margaret Peggy Brown as she crossed the intersection of Desert Inn Road and Grand Canyon Drive. In July, her family asked the community for help finding the driver, and the search continues.

(Photo courtesy: The Brown family)

Margaret Browns brother, longtime Las Vegas lawyer Joe Brown, says he and his family are confident Metro police will find the driver.

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Family, police look for answers in hit-and-run death of Las Vegas woman

Metro has been doing a terrific, exhaustive job of covering every base they can, and Im very happy with what theyve done, he said.

(KLAS)

Browns friends, including car dealer Jim Marsh, are trying to help Metro, donating their money for a $25,000 reward. The storage facilitys owner, another friend of Joe Browns, donated the wall space.

Its absolutely wonderful, Brown said. Its made me all the more aware of what a terrible problem we have in Clark County of hit-and-run drivers, and people going through stop signs and stoplights and unsafe driving.

(KLAS)

Police believe the driver was in a dark-colored 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra. If you have any information, you can contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments Collision Investigation Section at (702) 828-3595. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Fig lovers in Italy and beyond might find their favorite fruit harder to come by this year.

What happened?

The summer "fioroni" fig campaign in the Apulia region was devastated by sudden frosts and heavy rains.

According to Fresh Plaza, farmers have seen a dramatic reduction in their harvests.

Francesco Palasciano, owner of Cuore Verde farm, noted "a significant fruit drop" before harvest. Losses reached a staggering 70% for spring production in some areas.

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"It looked like it would be a promising year," Palasciano said. "However, a sudden frost damaged the green and black flowers, which fell to the ground shortly afterward."

Michelangelo De Chirico, a sales manager in Molfetta, shared a similar grim outlook. He estimated a production drop of nearly 50% due to a rise in global temperatures and early fruit dropping.

Gaetano Modugno, Evergreen's chief, added that heavy rains and hail compromised the quality of early fruit. Such conditions are making it difficult to export figs.

Why is this fig crisis concerning?

The lack of fresh figs is a critical issue for farmers whose livelihoods depend on these crops. Weather-based shortages are indicating how a warming planet and extreme weather are impacting food production.

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The "real problem is climate change," Palasciano stated. "The fig tree can no longer adapt to its former habitat. Every year, it produces less. If this continues, many will be forced to switch to growing different crops."

The rising global temperature as a result of human production of planet-warming pollution is exacerbating extreme weather conditions and disrupting traditional growing cycles.

Unseasonal frosts, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall, for example, damage crops and reduce yields. This impacts farmers' incomes and can create shortages and higher prices.

Our global food system is interconnected by seasons and trade. Crop failure in one region can have ripple effects worldwide.

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Understanding these climate issues is vital to public health and the environment. They affect the food on our tables and the stability of agricultural communities.

What's being done about the fig farming crisis?

Farmers are hoping for better conditions in the later fig harvest, which should ease the pressure. But the long-term solution lies in addressing the root causes of erratic, planet-overheating weather  namely, the production of heat-trapping pollution.

This requires a global effort. Some initiatives include transitioning to cleaner energy sources and sustainable land management practices.

Agricultural research is developing resilient crops, while new farming techniques can also better withstand climate variability.

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Individuals can support local farmers who practice sustainability, too. They can contribute to climate adaptation by reducing food waste and advocating for agriculture policies.

Consumer awareness can foster appreciation for the food we have and the farmers who grow it. Small actions lead to better quality and availability despite difficult seasons.

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.
The father of a former U.S. Marine killed by cartel gunmen in Mexico is praising President Trumps recent crackdown on organized crime. He also blames what he calls "failed border policies" under the Biden administration for enabling the violence that claimed his sons life.

Nicholas Quets, a 31-year-old former Marine infantryman living in Tucson, Arizona, was in the process of applying to become a U.S. Border Patrol agent when he was killed on Oct. 18, while traveling along the Caborca-Altar Highway in northern Mexico. Nicholas encountered a cartel roadblock of 11 heavily armed vehicles consisting of approximately 25 men.

His father, Warren Quets, told Fox News Digital that the Sinaloa Cartel identified him as an American because of his license plate and the language he spoke.

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"They chased him down like a dog and shot him, like the cowards they were," he said.

Trump's Border Crackdown Brings 'Positive Shift' To Arizona Communities After Years Of Upheaval

Warren Quets told Fox News Digital that his focus is on justice for Nicholas.

Warren noted that immigration policies under former President Biden were perceived as an "invitation" for those south of the U.S.-Mexico border. Those policies, combined with the exploitation of migrants by coyotes and cartel members, facilitated mass crossings over the last four years, Warren added.

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"If they made it to the U.S. border, it would be a catch-and-release policy," he said.

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Fox News Digital reached out to representatives of Biden for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

Warren also claimed that some NGOs and local agencies profited from the border crisis, including churches and organizations that received donations and government funding tied to migrant processing.

In January, two shelters in Pima County, Arizona, where Nicholas had worked prior to his death, closed their doors, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

Shelters and other organizations also closed in several other states, including Texas, California and New York.

Dhs Video Honors Marine Killed By Mexican Cartel, Touts Trump's Crackdown On 'Terrorists'

Nicholas Douglas Quets seen with his father as a child. The family has a strong military heritage.

Warren told Fox News Digital that the U.S. must maintain constant pressure on "soulless" criminal organizations and support cultural change in Mexico, describing Americas southern neighbor as a "de facto failed state" where citizens lack faith in the government due to cartel infiltration.

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He stressed that while there is cause for hope under the new administration, it must be tied to continued, concrete action.

"There is a message that targeting U.S. citizens any place in the world is no longer acceptable and comes with consequences. President Trump, you know, he's directly responsible for sending that message, and that message is working," Warren said.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks posted to X on August 1 that southwest border apprehensions hit a monthly record low in July, with only 4,399 apprehensions. For the third month in a row, there have been zero releases.

This marks a new all-time record low, surpassing the prior record low of 6,070 in June.

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During the Biden administration, the record high was December 2023, with 249,785 apprehensions, the majority of which resulted in releases into the U.S. The nosedive in numbers is seen as a major victory by Republicans and the Trump administration.

Mexico To Extradite 26 Top Cartel Leaders To Us In Trump Administration Deal

Then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a portrait of Nicholas Douglas Quets while Warren Quets speaks to rally attendees in Henderson, Nevada on October 31, 2024.

Warren also highlighted several other key victories, citing his sons passing as a strong motivator behind many actions taken against cartels by the current administration.

For example, a June 9 press release from the Department of Treasury noted that Nicholas death was a driving force behind sanctions levied against "El Chapos" children and Los Chapitos, a fentanyl-trafficking faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

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The tragedy has also influenced U.S. policy in other cases. In July, the Department of Homeland Security mentioned Nicholas while announcing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest of Sinaloa Cartel affiliate Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

A Sunday report from The New York Times suggested that President Trump has secretly authorized military force against Latin American drug cartels. These groups, including the Sinaloa Cartel responsible for Nicholas death, were designated as foreign terrorist organizations in February.

"[Trump has] been great to my family. He's kept in touch with us. His administration kept in touch with us. He's treated us like his family. And I think he would do that for anybody in this situation. I don't think it's particular to me. So, I'm grateful for that. You know, Nick will not die in vain because Nick is now the reason for many of these changes," Warren told Fox News Digital.





Original article source: Father of slain veteran says Bidens border policies emboldened cartels, Trump restoring order
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The Little Rock FBI is asking for the publics help in its search for a wanted Texarkana man.

Officials said 31-year-old Brandon Lakeith Jenkins is wanted after allegedly shooting three people in an Aug. 29, 2023, home invasion robbery in Texarkana, Texas. They said they believe Jenkins has fled across Arkansas to avoid capture.

FBI Little Rock says charity fraud is on the rise after natural disasters

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The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest and conviction.

Jenkins was charged on Sept. 11, 2023, with engaging in organized criminal activity, aggravated assault by the Bowie County Magistrate in Texas.

Jenkins has ties to Texarkana, Texas, and Hope, Arkansas, officials said.

Brandon Lakeith Jenkins, wanted by the Texarkana, Texas police. FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information, Aug. 15, 2025 (courtesy FBI)

Jenkins is described as a 5-foot-5-inch Black man weighing 153 pounds. He should be considered armed and dangerous and is an escape risk, FBI officials said.

Violent crime in the US dropped 4.5% last year, FBI data shows

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Texarkana, Texas, police department at 903-798-3165.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
SPRINGFIELD  About four years ago, Breasia Mitchell was living at a womens shelter in Holyoke. She had been in an abusive relationship for years, and shelter staff there referred her to a violence intervention program for young women and mothers at Roca.

The nonprofit agency addresses urban violence by working with victims and perpetrators across locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Baltimore, Maryland.

Mitchell, now 24, didnt go at first.

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Honestly, I didnt think anyone could help me, Mitchell said on Wednesday. She didnt trust many people.

But staff at the Roca program kept reaching out to Mitchell, and so she got involved, although tepidly at first.

Then in 2023, the father of her oldest child broke her jaw, she said. Roca staff visited her in the hospital, helped her get an apartment and supported her through court proceedings, she said.

Slowly, I started feeling like maybe I wasnt completely alone, she said. Roca became the only safe place I had. On Wednesday, Mitchell graduated from the multiyear womens program in Springfield.

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Because of Roca, Im still here, she told a room of fellow graduates. For the first time in a long time, I have a future.

Reduced capacity with grant loss

Though Mitchell credits the program with changing her life trajectory, Roca has less capacity to help young women like her, because the U.S. Department of Justice this spring terminated a grant that brought in about $1 million to the womens program in Western Massachusetts.

Sunindiya Bhalla, Rocas executive vice president of Women and 2Gen, said that the agency will live on, even with the reduced funding.

While disappointing, one thing were committed to is making sure Roca is still here in the future, said Bhalla. We may look a little different, but were not going to compromise on what were able to do, even if its with lesser capacity.

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Awarded late last year, the three-year grant was funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a law passed in 2022 that aims to address gun violence.

The $2 million award was split between Rocas program in Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield to help young women aged 14 to 24 who are the most likely to shoot or be shot, the award letter says.

But in April, the DOJ cut more than 350 grants, totaling $800 million, according to an analysis by Reuters. The DOJ cut more than half of all its grants to gun violence prevention programs, another Reuters report found.

In Springfield, the womens program no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities, says the DOJs grant cancellation letter.

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The federal departments new priorities include: more directly supporting certain law enforcement operations, combating violent crime, protecting American children, and supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault, and better coordinating law enforcement efforts at all levels of government, the letter said.

These are all things we do relentlessly, said Dwight Robson, executive vice president of operations at Roca. To be candid, its frustrating.

Lost funding hurts Springfield more than other Roca-aided cities, Robson said. Its more difficult to raise private money in Springfield or Holyoke than it is is Boston or Baltimore, he said.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request from The Republican for further explanation on why it terminated the grant.

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There are very few community intervention violence programs in the country focused on women, Bhalla said.

This, to our knowledge, was the only grant that DOJ gave out in this initiative, in this bucket, that was exclusively focused on women, she said.

It wasnt the only DOJ grant allocated to Roca for community violence intervention programs that was recently clawed back.

Two three-year grants to Roca programs in Boston and Baltimore also were canceled. Together, they had about $2 million in unspent funds terminated, Robson said.

In Boston, Rocas community violence response project was partway through its grant to, as the award letter said, help more than 200 young people who are at risk of shooting someone or being shot, to help them change their behavior and disengage from violence.

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Community violence intervention programs are essential to preventing gun violence, Ruth Zakarin, CEO of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, said in a statement.

Any disruption in funding will have a significant impact on these critically important programs and make our communities less safe, Zakarin said. With the current administration making these funding cuts, particularly cuts of this size, I worry that we will see an increase in violence over the coming years.

The organization submitted an administrative appeal, and while the DOJ acknowledged it, its not clear what the process entails, Robson said.

As part of its appeal to the federal government, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni wrote a letter of support, asking the DOJ to reconsider its decision.

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Roca has been an invaluable ally in our collective mission to address the complex challenges faced by young women who are victims of violence, including human trafficking and gun violence, Gulluni wrote.

Theres also a federal class action lawsuit over the terminated funds from the DOJs Office of Justice Programs, but Robson said Roca opted not to be a named plaintiff.

Defendants rescinding of these awards is shameful, U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta wrote last month in a memo. It is likely to harm communities and individuals vulnerable to crime and violence. No federal agency, especially the Department of Justice, should conduct itself in such (a) manner.

But, that isnt enough, Mehta said. He dismissed the case because the court didnt have jurisdiction, and the plaintiffs didnt show a constitutional rights violation. The plaintiffs, led by the Vera Institute for Justice, have appealed.

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A Roca program for women in Massachusetts, partnering with the Office of the Child Advocate, did receive $1.25 million in the states budget, support Robson said is vital. That was slightly less money than the program received from the state in the previous year.

The last year has been a challenge with the grant cut, and also because one Springfield woman in the program was killed. Jessiah Mercado, 20, and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, were killed in November in a shooting in Hartford. She had been in the program for a few years, and its possible she would have graduated with the group on Wednesday, Bhalla said.

We remember Jessiah for her fierce love for her son, her ongoing training, determination and the encouragement she gave others at Roca, Bhalla told the women at their graduation.

A look inside the program

Early this year, Rocas Springfield womens program was ready to expand, thanks to the federal DOJ grant. It was serving 100 women a year, and theres always more demand, especially in Western Massachusetts, Bhalla said. Theres a waitlist of about 20 people right now, she said.

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What were seeing is more and more referrals are coming through, probation for young women who have gun charges or trafficking victims, Bhalla said. And we really want to be able to support our capacity. But, unfortunately, we were poised for growth, and then that got pulled back with the pullback of the federal funds.

The program, which already had a small staff, had to cut three full-time jobs, Bhalla said. It had to reduce the program size, too. Were going to see what we can do this year, but right now were capped at 80, Bhalla said.

Funding was planned for direct service work and a community needs assessment to look at what violence among women looks like and whats driving it, Bhalla said.

Roca gets referrals to the program through places like the Department of Children and Families and the criminal justice system, Bhalla said.

Roca is often seen as a last resort. Its someone who hasnt succeeded in other programs, has involvement with systems, and isnt really kind of showing up and doing what they need to do, largely because theyre either mistrusting and fearful, or they just dont have the ability to be able to navigate requirements.

About half of the women involved in Roca in the last year had some involvement with the criminal justice system, and a quarter of whom were victims of sex trafficking. The majority of women were young mothers, many of whom have involvement in their lives with the DCF.

In Rocas mens programs, its most often the case the participants were perpetrators of violence, Bhalla said. Some women also have been perpetrators, but most often they are victims, she said.

At the start, Roca reaches out repeatedly, like staff did with Mitchell, the recent program graduate.

If we get a referral, they can slam the door in our face, but we literally physically go and do outreach until theyre willing to kind of open the door, literally (and) figuratively, Bhalla said.

The Roca program offers resources such as parenting classes, workforce readiness, education support and help connecting to benefits they might not be accessing.

It also focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy. Were working with young people who have experienced a lot of trauma, Bhalla said. Adolescence being a critical window of brain development, they havent really had the supports to cultivate strong cognitive, behavioral and emotional regulation skills.

The therapeutic program helps with that. We really want to help people build the skills they need to be able to slow down, regulate their emotions and behaviors, Bhalla said.

To graduate, like 25 women did on Wednesday, participants need to finish the core programming, achieve some level economic and housing stability, hold a job, and have no involvement with the criminal justice system or DCF, Bhalla said.

Mitchell, one of the graduates, said the therapy program helped her. I was a wild one. But I think it all made me calmer, she said.

The transitional employment program was also beneficial. She worked at a day care center, but after she was hospitalized in a domestic violence incident, she stopped working.

(Roca staff) kind of pushed me to work here, to get myself back into getting up every day for a reason to go do something. ... I stayed in my house for almost two years, she said.

In the fall, Mitchell is starting at Springfield Technical Community College to study criminal justice and has dreams to eventually become a lawyer.

The program was also life-changing for Yvonne, a 25-year-old Springfield woman who didnt want to use her last name to protect her privacy. She is a single mom for her three kids, ages 5, 3 and almost 2.

Yvonne came to the program almost five years ago when a womens shelter recommended it to her. The father of her youngest child abused her, she said.

He almost killed me when I was pregnant with her, she said. I almost lost her. She didnt have anyone to turn to for help.

Workers at Roca checked on her often, and it was helpful for her to have an outlet to talk about what was going on. She found the therapeutic programs helpful.

Ive been through a lot, Yvonne said. Im really proud of the person I am, the mom I am.

more news from Western Massachusetts

Read the original article on MassLive.
A judge on Friday weighed limiting the power of the Trump administration to assume control of the police department in Washington, D.C., after suggesting the appointment of Drug Enforcement Administration head Terry Cole to assume the police chiefs duties was illegal.

Judge Ana Reyes gave lawyers for the Department of Justice and the D.C. government until early evening to reach a deal that would limit Coles authority, or she would issue a temporary restraining order.

Reyes, a Biden appointee, said broader questions over President Donald Trumps sweeping executive order declaring a crime emergency in the nation's capital would be addressed in a court hearing next week.

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In the immediate future, the Trump administration will still largely have control over the Metropolitan Police Department regardless of whether it reaches a deal with the D.C. government or becomes subject to a court order.

Brazenly Unlawful: Dc Officials Escalate Fight With Trump Over Police Takeover

Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks at a press conference after President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department at the Wilson Building on Aug. 11, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Reyes convened the emergency hearing after D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued to block Trump's takeover of D.C.'s law enforcement operations. Schwalb argued the move was unconstitutional and violated the Home Rule Act, a federal law that gives D.C. residents the ability to self-govern.

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The hearing was a small setback for the administration, as Reyes indicated that Cole must go through Mayor Muriel Bowser to give any further directives to the police force.

Schwalb on Friday framed the hearing as a win, telling reporters his "expectation is that the key issue with respect to control and command of [the MPD] has been resolved today, and that it is clear, as a matter of law, that it is under the chief of police appointed by the mayor."

But the law also implies that Bowser must be heavily deferential to Cole, meaning he is likely to be able to continue carrying out the Trump administration's policing priorities in D.C. regarding immigration and homelessness for a 30-day period.

DOJ attorney Yaakov Roth, arguing on behalf of the government, said the president has "a lot of discretion in determining what's necessary and appropriate."

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Bowser and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., attended the hearing at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse. Outside the building, dozens gathered to protest the federal takeover, which has also included activating hundreds of National Guard soldiers in D.C. More protesters, including those from the "Free DC" movement, appeared inside the courtroom, underscoring the tension that has arisen over Trump's orders.

"What we know is that D.C. residents are worried and concerned, and we have a surge of federal officers," Bowser told reporters. "Chief [Pamela] Smith's job during this week has been to make sure that if we have and while we have federal officers, that they are being used strategically."

Dea Head Says Phone Calls Are Coming From 'All Over The Country From Fed Agents Wanting To Help In Dc

At the outset of the hearing, Reyes observed that she will be the first judge to rule on a presidents authority to temporarily take control of the Metropolitan Police Department under the Home Rule Act since Congress passed the legislation in 1973, underscoring the significance of the case.

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The judge made clear she did not plan to immediately rule on whether there was a crime emergency, as Trump stated in his executive order, but that some temporary resolution was still needed.

"I want to get to a practical solution because time is short and there are people who need to know who they are taking direction from and what they are doing," Reyes told both parties.

Reyes, who has become known for presiding over a fast-paced court that keeps litigators on their toes, struck a careful tone of moderation Friday.

"I dont think the statute is as narrow as you think or as broad as Mr. Roth thinks," she told attorney Mitchell Reich, who argued on behalf of the D.C. attorney general.

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Schwalb's lawsuit challenged Trump's executive order that temporarily federalized D.C. under Section 740 of the Home Rule Act and Attorney General Pam Bondi's more recent order Thursday that sought to install Cole as the emergency commissioner of the D.C. police force. Schwalb's office argued the moves were unprecedented and could "wreak operational havoc" on the police department.

Schwalb urged the court to block both of the Trump administration's orders, stating that the federal government's temporary takeover of D.C. police under the Home Rule Act "does not authorize this brazen usurpation of the Districts authority over its own government."

Ag Bondi Strips Power From Dc Police Chief, Rescinds Sanctuary City Protections In Crime Crackdown Operation

Police officers set up a roadside checkpoint on 14th Street Northwest on Aug. 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

"They infringe on the Districts right to self-governance and put the safety of DC residents and visitors at risk," he said.

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Critics have excoriated Trumps executive order, arguing it is not reflective of any real emergency in the nation's capital, which has seen a drop in violent crime (though by how much, exactly, remains a point of contention).

Attorney Norm Eisen, the former White House ethics czar under President Barack Obama, told reporters Thursday that Trumps order in D.C. is the latest in a "pattern of assaults on the rule of law" in his second term as president, which all involve declaring various forms of "emergency" as a means of sidestepping normal policymaking processes.

Trump "has declared a fake emergency" in D.C., Eisen said. "There is no emergency upon which this action with MPD or the federal military is predicated."

Jessica Sonkin contributed to this report.





Original article source: Federal judge casts doubt on Bondi's move to sideline DC police leadership
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Mexican national with a violent record was sentenced Friday to six years in prison for illegally reentering the country after he was removed twice.

Otoniel Lugo-Campos was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Nevada, Lugo-Campos shot a former girlfriend, her new boyfriend and a neighbor  a bullet went through the wall of the apartment building  on March 8, 2021. At the time, he had already been deported twice.

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Court documents and statements indicated he was deported in 2000 and again in 2014.

The first deportation came after a felony drug conviction and multiple probation violations. Lugo-Campos returned to the U.S. and, in 2008, robbed five convenience stores around Las Vegas using a large butcher knife. In two of the robberies, he cut employees working the cash registers.

Man convicted in deadly Las Vegas hit-and-run had been deported 2 times

After illegally reentering again, he shot his girlfriend and the two others two months after beating her with a pipe. She needed staples to her head to close the wound, according to documents. While he was in custody for the shootings, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents located him and determined he was not lawfully in the country.

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Lugo-Campos pleaded guilty to one count of deported alien found in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II issued the sentence on Friday.

Acting U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Jason Knight made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case, and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  A Bay County dealer who supplied the fentanyl that caused the overdose death of a Chipley woman was sentenced to the maximum 15 years in prison, the State Attorneys Office announced Friday.

Amber Rae Grant, 39, pled guilty to manslaughter on Thursday. The charge is a Second-Degree Felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The victim would have turned 46 today, Aug. 15.

The evidence would have shown the exchange took place in the Callaway area. The victim snorted the fentanyl and quickly began to show signs of overdosing.

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The defendant said she thought she had Narcan at home, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, so she used the victims car to drive her there. But she could not find the Narcan, and the victim continued to show signs of overdosing.

Friends drove the victim to a parents house, where aid was attempted until law enforcement and medical personnel arrived.

Medical examiner reports showed the victim had 125 ng/ml of fentanyl in her blood. A lethal dose is 3 ng/ml.

Subsequently, the BCSO Special Investigations Division searched Grants home and found 9.2 grams of methamphetamine, 1.9 grams of fentanyl, 4 oxycodone pills, and nearly 3 dozen suboxone pills.

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Across the country, Americans are gearing up for another round of mass demonstrations against Donald Trump and his administration. Protesters in over 30 states will take to the streets on Saturday for the Fight the Trump Takeover to push back against the Republican redistricting efforts.

The nationwide mobilization effort comes on the heels of a showdown in Texas over electoral maps. Democratic lawmakers fled the state after Trump asked Texas Republicans to guarantee the party five more congressional seats ahead of next years midterm elections, even though the maps are only supposed to be redrawn every 10 years after the Census.

Trump is trying to steal the 2026 election by rigging the system and changing electoral maps, the Fight the Trump Takeover website states. He started in Texas, but he wont stop there. We are fighting back.

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Saturdays rallies are backed by a coalition of organizations, including Move On, Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign and Indivisible.

Ezra Levin, co-founder and co-executive director of Indivisible, spoke to Antonia Hylton on Thursdays All In about the planned protests. Look, my expectation is that courage is contagious, and weve seen a lot of courage out there, Levin said, referencing Texas Democrats decision to leave the state and deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass the gerrymandered maps.

That took guts. That was courage. And the question is, how do you make that contagious? It can't all be on the Texas [Democrats]. Weve got to do our part. Saturday is the part where we make it contagious.

Indivisible was also one of the organizations behind the record-breaking No Kings protests. Organizers estimated more than 5 million people came out for the June 14 event, making it one of the largest single days of protest in United States history.

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When Levin was asked if he expected Saturdays rallies to draw similar numbers, he told Hylton: In the fight against authoritarianism, not every single protest, not every single action, needs to match the scale or the breadth of the one before it. Thats not how you build a successful opposition to authoritarianism.

According to Levin, the success of an opposition isn't just dependent on the size of the movement, but also the ability of activists to sustain pressure: What weve learned from overseas fights against autocratic rule, historical fights against autocratic rule in the South and elsewhere, is that you gotta keep on building. It is a muscle, and you gotta keep on working it.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Five people were rescued out of a storm drain on Friday afternoon, Aug. 15 in South-Central El Paso, an El Paso Fire Department spokesperson said.

Fire crews were called out to the 3600 block of East Paisano, just east of the Bridge of the Americas, for a special rescue operation.

The Fire Department had received reports of individuals in need of assistance who were reportedly in the sewer system.

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Crews were able to locate the people in need of rescue and assisted them out of the storm drain. All five cleared their on-scene medical checks. There were no transports.

The scene was turned over to Border Patrol.

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  A fire on Green Bays Raleigh Street displaced three people and caused an estimated $100,000 in damage early Saturday morning.

Around 4:45 a.m. on August 16, fire crews with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department were called to a reported fire at a single-story residence in the 1000 block of Raleigh Street.

High-speed I-41 pursuit of driver weaving between lanes ends in Kaukauna mans arrest

Crews arrived to find thick black smoke coming from the front of the residence. It was reported that all of the homes occupants made it out safely.

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The fire was found in the basement and was quickly put out, preventing further damage.

Brown County Sheriffs Office say one person is in custody after person found dead in Ashwaubenon near I-41/Hwy 172

This incident serves as an important reminder of the value of working smoke detectors. Smoke alarms are often the first line of defense in alerting residents to a fire, especially while they are asleep, GBMFDs release stated.

It is estimated that the fire caused $100,000 in damage. No injuries were reported; however, the homes three occupants were displaced.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fire Marshals Office

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An overnight fire outside the Johnson County Republican Party headquarters is being investigated as a possible arson. No one was injured. (Getty Images)

TOPEKA  Firefighters responded to an overnight fire outside headquarters of the Johnson County Republican Party in Overland Park that resulted in no injuries.

The incident inspired inflammatory comments by the leader of the Kansas GOP, who placed responsibility on liberals. In a statement, she offered no evidence the fire, which didnt cause significant damage, was linked to partisan ideology.

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Extreme liberals cant do anything right, including arson, said Danedri Herbert, who serves as chair of the Kansas Republican Party and spokesperson for Attorney General Kris Kobach. Their hateful attempt to intimidate Republicans will also fail.

Johnson County Republican Party chair Sue Huff said she was grateful no one was hurt in the vicious attack.

Overland Park firefighters responded to the countys GOP headquarters near West 105th and Mastin Street around 12:45 a.m. Friday. KCTV 5 said the department reported the fire was confined to the doorstep of the building.

Jeanna Repass, chair of the state Democratic Party, said in a statement acts of violence should play no role in resolving political differences. She said it was a relief no one was hurt in the senseless act.

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We stand with law enforcement as they pursue justice in this matter, Repass said. We will never be able to solve political differences with acts of violence, and we send our thoughts to the Johnson County GOP and the Kansas GOP.

Repass said she was confident Overland Park investigators would hold to account anyone responsible for the fire.

Violence anywhere, whether at a local party headquarters or our U.S. Capitol, undermines our democracy and must be condemned in full. Real progress cannot be made through fear, intimidation or destruction, she said.
BOCA RATON  A person drowned Friday night in a neighborhood west of Boca Raton, rescue workers said Saturday.

At about 6:40 p.m. Aug. 15, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue workers were called to Ayrshire Lane in western Boca Raton for a report of a drowning, a Fire Rescue spokesperson said in an email.

Workers arriving on the scene pronounced that person dead, the spokesperson said.

The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office is handling the investigation, and has not yet released any information. Fire Rescue did not disclose the gender or age of the person who drowned.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Person drowns in Boca neighborhood, Fire Rescue says
Credit: Reuters

Floods across northern Pakistan have killed at least 344 people in the past 48 hours, authorities said on Saturday.

The majority of deaths, 328, were reported in mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority said.

Most were killed in flash floods or when houses collapsed, while at least 120 others have been injured. On Saturday, rescuers were struggling to retrieve bodies from debris.

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One villager said the area was reeling from the trauma of the past 48-hours.

About 2,000 rescue workers were engaged in recovering bodies from the debris and carrying out relief operations in nine affected districts, but rain was hampering efforts.

Credit: Reuters

Bilal Ahmed Faizi, a spokesman for Khyber Pakhtunkhwas rescue agency, said: Heavy rainfall, landslides in several areas, and washed-out roads are causing significant challenges in delivering aid, particularly in transporting heavy machinery and ambulances.

Due to road closures in most areas, rescue workers are travelling on foot to conduct operations in remote regions.

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They are trying to evacuate survivors, but very few people are relocating due to the deaths of their relatives or loved ones being trapped in the debris.

The provincial government has declared the mountainous districts of Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra and Battagram as disaster-hit areas.

Villagers struggle to retrieve a car from the mud in Buner - Hasham Ahmed/Getty

Villagers and rescue teams worked through the night to find survivors and clear access ways - Muhammad Sajjad/AP

One villager in Buner said residents were searching through the rubble overnight to find survivors.

Saifullah Khan, a 32-year-old school teacher, said: The entire area is reeling from profound trauma.

We still have no clear idea who in this small village is alive and who is dead. I help retrieve the bodies of the children I taught, I keep wondering what kind of trial nature has imposed on these kids.

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The meteorological department has issued a heavy rain alert for north-west Pakistan, urging people to take precautionary measures.

Villagers clear rain water from the flooded streets in Swat - Haseeb Ali/Shutterstock

Residents carry the bodies of those who died in the flash flooding near Pir Baba, Buner district, in Pakistans north-west - Muhammad Sajjad/AP

Eleven more people were killed in Kashmir, while five died in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, the national disaster authority said.

Another five people, including two pilots, were killed when a local government helicopter crashed as a result of the bad weather during a relief mission on Friday.

The monsoon season brings South Asia about three-quarters of its annual rainfall, vital for agriculture and food security, but it also brings destruction.

Rescue workers removed a car from the mud after flash flooding in Buner - Hasham Ahmed/AFP

The torrential rains that have pounded Pakistan since the start of the summer monsoon, described as unusual by authorities, have killed more than 650 people, with more than 880 injured.

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In July, Punjab, home to nearly half of Pakistans 255 million people, recorded 73 percent more rainfall than the previous year and more deaths than in the entire previous monsoon.

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HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A flood warning is in place from the North Carolina state line to Conway due to elevated water levels in the Waccamaw River.

Horry County Emergency Management officials said Saturday the Waccamaw appears to have crested in the Longs area and continues to fall, though gauges near Conway show the river has reached moderate flood stage at 12 feet.

Those immediately along the river, near swamps and creeks should continue to monitor water levels, the county said in a Facebook post. If a road is closed due to flooding, do not drive around the barricades.

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* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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A stormy pattern will bring another round of severe weather to parts of the central United States on Monday night, with the risk of flooding and risks to lives and property.

Severe risk continues into Monday

Cooler and drier air moved into the Northeast on Monday, which will work to quell any severe weather. But, as a brief surge of warmth and moisture occurs in the Midwest into Monday night, some areas will again face heavy to severe thunderstorms.

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"Thunderstorms can be severe with localized damaging winds and hail into Monday night," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Peyton Simmers. A couple of tornadoes cannot be ruled out early on.

AccuWeather.com

Multiple rounds of storms to also raise flooding risk

With some areas having several consecutive days of thunderstorms, the ground has become saturated. Even where only one or two storms occur, any individual storm can contain very heavy rain and the risk for flash flooding. This is what happened earlier during August in Milwaukee when more than six inches of rain fell in a matter of hours.

"Repeated rounds of thunderstorms will create instances of flash flooding, poor visibility and travel disruptions," cautioned Simmers.

AccuWeather.com

Farther east, the rain might be welcome.

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"Grand Rapids, Michigan, is enduring its seventh-driest summer on record so far with 5.70 inches of rain. While rain is not going to end the drought, it will at least help to dampen the top layer of the soil for a few days," said Senior AccuWeather Meteorologist Chad Merrill.

Pattern change on the way

By Tuesday and especially Wednesday, the Midwest is likely to have a break from the persistent rain and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms will move farther to the south and east and cooler and drier air will infiltrate much of the Midwest and Great Lakes.

AccuWeather.com

"A Canadian high pressure will funnel a much cooler air mass into the Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley from Tuesday into Thursday, allowing Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa to dry out from the recent spate of rain," explained Merrill.

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A new zoning program in the city of Miami will allow for denser developments in a radius of up to a mile around existing and planned Metrorail and commuter rail stations, including Brightline stations, inside city boundaries.

Within those zones, developers can apply to build high-rise residential and commercial projects with considerably more units and height than the old local rules allowed, a strategy intended to sharply increase housing supply and affordability while boosting transit use.

The citys current rules under the Miami 21 codes transitional zoning strictly limits the height of new buildings abutting low-scale residential areas. But the new Transit Station Neighborhood Developments could erase those protections, planning board member Paula De Carolis told city planners in a June hearing before she voted against the measure.

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At the hearing, residents and board members also questioned the size of the designated transit zones, which can range from a half-mile to a full mile from a station. Transit-oriented development, a well-established approach across the country, typically extends to a half-mile reach  a comfortable walk for a pedestrian.

But going out one mile, a distance that few in Miami will travel on foot to a station, undermines the premise that development at that distance could be reasonably linked to transit, while potentially blanketing too much of the city in high-rise, high-density new construction, critics say.

I think the one mile is going to create a lot of problems, planning board member Paul Mann said. I think its going to change this city very dramatically.

Kim Hogan, a Coconut Grove resident, said expecting people to walk a mile to reach a transit station is insane.

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You start sweating if you walk outside, let alone walking a mile to a station, she said. It doesnt make any sense.

A reluctant 6-3 planning board majority, after an intense two-hour public meeting, recommended that the City Commission approve the legislation. The Miami City Commission gave its final approval on July 24.

In a lengthy interview with the Miami Herald, city planning director David Snow and assistant planning director Sevanne Steiner said they instead expect the citys new program to produce a measured, gradual process of densification around stations, with most of the new height and density close by. The rules and incentives are designed to encourage lower heights and density past the half-mile radius, they said.

The approval process sets out a complicated procedure that first requires a land-use change under the citys comprehensive plan, which guides where, how much and what kind of development is allowed. Under the new program, the city must first approve a new transit-node designation for a property that depends on how much the area can reasonably accommodate.

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Then, a developer can elect to submit a Transit Station Neighborhood Development plan under two categories  general or enhanced  that specify what can be built, how dense and how tall a project can be, to what distance from a station it can be, and what public benefits must be provided.

The enhanced category has extensive requirements that range from building or improving an existing rail station and development of a master plan that details how the project will be laid out, including new or improved streets and pedestrian connections.

A developer looking to build out one mile must provide new pedestrian and bike paths or a transit circulator shuttle.

The extensive requirements mean that only a relatively short list of ambitious and well-financed developers with the capacity to plan and build an entire urban neighborhood are likely to apply for the most intensive enhanced category. It also means there may be limited areas in the city where the most intensive developments would be feasible or even possible.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  New video from a witness shows the moment a Florida man was tased before being arrested on the north side of San Angelo on Friday evening.

Authorities released the mugshot of Meren Thompson, a man from Bradenton, Florida, who engaged in a high-speed chase with law enforcement in San Angelo on August 15.

Thompson was booked by Tom Green Countys Sheriffs Office with the aforementioned controlled substance charge, along with two charges of evading police. His current bond is set at $15,000.

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Thompson reached speeds of up to 80 mph in northern San Angelo while attempting to evade law enforcement on a controlled substance warrant. His vehicle crashed on North Bryant Blvd, and he was tased by police before being arrested.

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Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, VC, who has died aged 105, was the last surviving combatant to have received the Victoria Cross, the supreme award for gallantry, during the Second World War; he was also its last surviving recipient for air action and last living Scottish recipient.

On the afternoon of July 17 1944, Cruickshank headed into the North Atlantic from the remote base of Sullom Voe in the extreme north of the Shetland Isles as captain of a Catalina flying-boat of No 210 Squadron. It was his 48th patrol and, in common with many of his fellow boat skippers, he had spent many long and tedious hours seeking out U-boats. He was recognised as one of the most experienced aircraft captains on his squadron and had developed a reputation as an utterly dependable and skilful pilot.

He and his ten-man crew had been on patrol for eight hours and were 100 miles inside the Arctic Circle, and on the brink of turning for home, when the radar operator picked up a contact at 43 miles. Cruickshank homed towards the target and identified a submarine travelling at 14 knots on the surface. Believing it to be friendly, he ordered a recognition signal flare to be fired and the code letter of the day to be flashed. The response was not what he expected as his Catalina was surrounded by exploding anti-aircraft shells.

Cruickshank: a degree of reserve hid a warm personality - Ian Jones

Cruickshank evaded and circled the submarine and prepared to attack. Flying at 50 feet he approached as his gunners raked the submarines conning tower and gun crew. He swept over the submarine but, to his dismay, his depth charges failed to release. He climbed away and decided to re-attack. As he ran in, the Catalina came under intense fire and was repeatedly hit. The navigator was killed and Cruickshank was severely wounded but gave no indication to his crew that he had been hit.

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Ignoring the grievous injuries to his chest and legs, he pressed on with the attack and personally released six depth charges. The mechanism functioned resulting in a perfect straddle. Cruickshank sought refuge in a nearby fog bank to assess the situation. He saw no more of the submarine but later learnt that he had sunk U-347 on its second war patrol, commanded by Oberleutnant sur See Johann de Bugron.

The Catalina had been riddled with flak damage, including a long gash along the water line. The radar was out of commission and fuel was leaking from damaged pipes. This was a particular worry since the aircraft was over five hours flying time from base. The holes were stuffed with life jackets and canvas engine covers. In addition to Cruickshank, two other members of the crew had been badly injured and the second pilot, Flight Sergeant Jack Garnett, was forced to take control of the aircraft.

Cruickshank lapsed in and out of consciousness as a crew member dragged him to the rest bunk to dress his wounds. He had to be restrained from returning to the cockpit and on the long flight back to base he refused morphia since he knew he must be available to assess any further emergency and the landing.

The aircraft finally reached Sullom Voe but it was dark and Garnett had not landed a Catalina at night before. Cruickshank, who was in great pain and only able to breathe with difficulty, ordered the crew to take him forward and prop him up in the second pilots seat. He told Garnett to circle until it was sufficiently light for him to attempt a landing. Eventually, the combined effort of the two pilots got the badly damaged flying boat on to the water, but it immediately started to take on water and sink. Cruickshank opened the throttles and ran the flying boat on to the beach.

When a doctor reached the beached Catalina, he found Cruickshank had collapsed, and he was given an immediate blood transfusion. Strapped to a stretcher he was immediately transferred to hospital where it was discovered he had received 72 individual wounds, the most serious to his legs and chest. After regaining consciousness, the first thing he asked about was the fate of his crew.

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On September 1 1944 the London Gazette announced the award of the Victoria Cross. The citation stated: By pressing home his second attack in his gravely wounded condition and continuing his exertions on the return journey with his failing strength, he seriously jeopardised his chance of survival. Throughout he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service. Only four men of Coastal Command received the VC, the other three posthumously. Garnett was awarded the DFM.

John Alexander Cruickshank was born on May 20 1920 in Aberdeen and was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and at Daniel Stewarts College in Edinburgh. He joined the Commercial Bank of Scotland and in April 1939 he enlisted as a gunner in the Territorial Army.

He was mobilised when war broke out and joined the 129th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. In January 1941 he transferred to the RAF to train as a pilot. Following courses in Canada and the USA he was commissioned in the RAFVR and in March 1943 he joined No 210.

In July he sighted and attacked a U-boat without result and in September spotted a boatload of 11 survivors in the Bay of Biscay and directed two warships to their rescue.

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After recovering from his wounds Cruickshank served at Headquarters, Coastal Command. He was released from the RAF and served for two years as ADC to the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He returned to banking and in 1952 joined Grindlays Bank with whom he established a reputation in the international field in Asia and Africa. He returned from South Africa to Scotland in 1977 to be the Administrator, Northern Division, North-West Securities until he finally retired in 1985.

John Cruickshank VC: determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service - Ian Jones

On first acquaintance Cruickshank could appear dour but his innate modesty and a degree of reserve hid a warm personality with a very dry humour and disarming smile and laugh. He was much in demand at various reunions and commemorative events and services and, despite long journeys from his home, he endeavoured to meet the great majority.

He was present at Westminster Abbey in March 2004 when Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the first national monument to Coastal Command. Decorations didnt enter my head, he told the Queen.

In 2013 he was taken for a flight in a Catalina at the RAF Leuchars Airshow, and in July last year a Catalina was flown over his home in Aberdeen to mark the 80th anniversary of his action.

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Cruickshank was a particularly devoted and supportive Honorary President of the Aircrew Association. He was very conscious that he was the last surviving airman VC, after the death of his friend and fellow Scot, Bill Reid, in 2001, and once commented: When I go, I suppose I had better put out the light.

John Cruickshank married Marion Beverley of Toronto, Canada, in 1955 and she died in 1985. There were no children.

John Cruickshank, born May 20 1920, death announced August 16 2025

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Aug. 15Less than one year after stepping down from her Cabinet-level position in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration, Jen Paul Schroer secured consulting contracts with three state agencies, which combined are worth more than a $100,000.

Both the Governor's Office and Schroer say state procurement and ethics laws were followed in the handling of the contracts, which did not require a competitive bidding process since they each fell under a $60,000 threshold in state law.

"Good to know the rules so you can go around them," Senate GOP floor leader William Sharer of Farmington said when notified of the contracts.

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Those contracts include $24,000 paid from the state's Public Education Department, $64,911 from the Children, Youth, and Family Services Department, and $16,228 from the Department of Cultural Affairs, according to the state's sunshine portal.

Her firm was awarded another roughly $64,000 for the 2026 fiscal year by PED, according to an Inspection of Public Records Act request. She also has a pending contract with CYFD for $64,000, according to the state's general services department.

All told, if the FY2026 contracts are paid out, her firm will have made more than $232,000 from government contracts since launching less than a year ago.

Under New Mexico's procurement code, contracts worth more than $60,000 are required to be issued after a competitive bidding process, barring emergency situations. Smaller contracts are not subject to that requirement.

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In the case of Schroer's firm's contract with PED, the contract came in under the $60,000 threshold before gross receipts tax was added, in compliance with state law.

"The contracts fell under the threshold of $60,000, then GRT was added for a total of $64,000," Joe Vigil, spokesperson for the General Services Department, said.

Schroer was one of the original Cabinet secretaries with the Lujan Grisham administration, heading the state's tourism department.

According to previous Journal reporting, Schroer had an annual salary of $196,000 in July 2023 while heading the tourism department  just a month before being shuffled to the Aging and Long-Term Services Department.

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Schroer stepped down from her post leading the Aging and Long-Term Services Department in September 2024. Just over two months later, she was awarded the contract with CYFD, according to invoices obtained through an Inspection of Public Records Act request.

"As I launched my new business, JJS & Associates, I sought private legal counsel to understand limitations on accepting work. The contracts with state agencies went through a rigorous procurement process, with multiple layers of oversight, including the NM Department of Justice, and were approved at every step," Schroer said in an email Thursday.

A spokesperson for the state's Department of Justice could not be reached Friday to confirm the department's involvement with the procurement process.

For CYFD, Schroer said she did work that "exceeded national benchmarks in foster family recruitment, attracted over 1,200 candidates for critical CYFD child welfare roles."

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As for her work with PED, Schroer said she aligned "communications with program goals to benefit students statewide."

"There is nothing inappropriate about former Secretary Schroer having contracts with state agencies. She is only prohibited from having a contract that is the result of one of her actions as secretary, and even then, that prohibition only lasts for one year pursuant to the New Mexico Governmental Conduct Act," Jodi McGinnis Porter, a spokesperson for the governor, said.

PED and CYFD similarly defended the contracts.

"JJS & Associates (former Sec. Schroer's firm) was contracted for specialized foster parent recruitment services, including assessment of our application process, development of targeted recruitment metrics, multimedia marketing strategy, and stakeholder engagement," CYFD spokesperson Jessica Preston said in a statement.

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An assistant to PED Secretary Mariana Padilla did not return a call seeking comment. But the department said in a statement, "PED routinely contracts for additional services as necessary. In all such circumstances, PED follows the procurement code and any other relevant rules and regulations."

PED did not answer follow-up questions sent by the Journal.

Unlike his colleague across the aisle, Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, took no issue with the contracts awarded to Schroer's firm and added that JJS & Associates is responsible for paying the roughly $4,000 GRT taxes.

"If that's the best they can find, or they know her work, I would say maybe it's good," Munoz said. "I don't have anything bad to say about her when she was a Cabinet secretary. I think she did her work; she pestered me to death."
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  A former teacher at Oak Hill Christian School is facing charges after he allegedly tried to engage in sex acts with someone he met online, who he thought was an underage teen, according to police.

Authorities arrested David Sabin, 38, of Ashburn, at his home on Aug. 11 in connection with the investigation.

It all started last month, when Sabin contacted an undercover detective who was posing as a 14-year-old online, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. During their online conversations, police said Sabin initiated inappropriate conversations and planned to travel to Fairfax County to engage in sex acts with the child.

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Upon investigating further, detectives connected Sabin with another incident that took place in October 2024, where he also allegedly talked with a detective who was pretending to be underage.

Man ordered to spend decades in prison for deadly Prince William County shooting

Sabin taught at Oak Hill Christian School, a private Christian school in McNair, but has since been fired, according to Fairfax County Police. Authorities charged him with four counts of solicitation of a minor, two counts of production of CSAM, attempted aggravated sexual battery, attempted object sexual penetration, attempted sodomy and attempted indecent liberties.

Fairfax County police arrested 38-year-old David Sabin of Ashburn on Aug. 11. (Courtesy: Fairfax County Police Department)

Investigators urge anyone who believes they or their children may have had inappropriate contact with Sabin to contact the police departments Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 4. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 866-411-8477.

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Sabin is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. DC News Now reached out to Oak Hill Christian School for comment but has not yet heard back.

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The Brief

Vincent Buckwash, 57, a former teacher from Wilmington, was arrested on felony charges of sexual abuse of a child and other related charges.

The arrest comes after an extensive investigation at Anna P. Mote Elementary School in Wilmington.

Buckwash was released from jail after posting a $30,000 secured bond.

WILMINGTON, DE - Vincent Buckwash, a 57-year-old former teacher at Anna Mote Elementary School, has been arrested by Delaware State Police on charges of child sex abuse.

What we know

The investigation into Buckwash's alleged misconduct began last May after multiple students reported being inappropriately touched by him.

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After the allegations were reported, police say the school district removed Buckwash from the school, and he did not return.

He elected to retire on July 1, 2024.

During the investigation, detectives say they learned that during the 2023-2024 school year, Buckwash inappropriately touched five students on multiple occasions.

Warrants for Buckwashs arrest were issued on August 14. He turned himself in the same day.

He was charged with five counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact with a Person Under the Age of 13 (Felony) and five counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person of Trust 2nd Degree (Felony).

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He is currently out on $30,000 bail as the legal proceedings continue.

What you can do

Detectives are asking anyone who may be a victim, or who may have information relevant to this investigation, to contact Detective M. Conway at (302) 365-8411. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov
"They need a Nakba from time to time to feel the price," former IDF Military Intelligence Directorate chief Aharon Haliva said.

Leaked recordings aired by Israels Channel 12 captured former IDF Military Intelligence Directorate chief Aharon Haliva arguing that the failures of October 7 require a deep structural overhaul of Israels defense establishment.

Haliva also made incendiary remarks about Palestinian casualties, criticizing newly appointed cabinet ministers for inexperience, and describing prewar plans to target Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Muhammad Deif.

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We are the best army in the world, we are the best country in the world, Haliva was heard saying as he reflected on the war across several fronts and the countrys condition.

Responding to claims that beepers were his doing, he said, Nothing is because of me. It is not about me, it is not even about people. It is something much deeper, over many years. During the war, beepers or pagers became shorthand for emergency alerts that mobilized units and staff.

Haliva, who headed the IDFs Military Intelligence Directorate (known in Hebrew as AMAN), said the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7 demands a much deeper correction. It is not a matter of changing one person. Can we replace the chief of staff and everything will be fine? I oppose the view that this was an accident. What happened requires dismantling and reassembly.

THE DEADLY aftermath in a Kibbutz Nir Oz home after October 7, 2023. (credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)

Addressing a core intelligence failure, he said, One of the hardest problems before October 7 was the belief that intelligence was omnipotent. It is not just arrogance, it is deeper.

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Haliva added, When I was asked at 50th anniversary events for the Yom Kippur War whether this could happen again, I said yes. I know what happened at Pearl Harbor, I know what happened on 9/11, and I know what happened in 1973. I am telling you today, it can happen again.

Haliva said his goal in postwar reviews was to push the next such failure from once every fifty years to once every hundred years.

He rejected claims that the night before October 7 should have triggered a different response, explaining that with a strong pre-existing concept that intelligence would provide clear warning, reacting to every single report would require keeping 300,000 reservists on duty every day. He described intelligence as a crazy puzzle in which isolated fragments appear constantly. Israel relies heavily on reserve forces. Large call-ups carry significant economic and social costs and are typically used only when an attack is deemed imminent.

The cost of terrorism

According to the recordings, Haliva said the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) had already begun planning to kill Hamas leaders before October 7.

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I was told, on the last slide of my visit, that after the holidays we were opening a joint reorganization with Shin Bet to collect intelligence on Deif and Sinwar in order to kill them, because every time we prepared a plan they moved, and you have to re-collect on them, he said, referring to Muhammad Deif, the Qassam Brigades longtime military commander, and Yahya Sinwar, Hamass leader in Gaza.

In the most explosive passage, Haliva asserted, The fact that there are already 50,000 dead in Gaza is necessary and required for future generations. For everything that happened on October 7, for every person on October 7, 50 Palestinians need to die. It does not matter now if they are children. I am not speaking from revenge. I am speaking to future generations. They need a Nakba from time to time to feel the price. There is no choice in this crazy neighborhood. Nakba, Arabic for catastrophe, is how Palestinians refer to the 1948 war and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Haliva also discussed the hours before the attack, saying his aide called once overnight to report an unusual development that was being handled by Southern Command and the relevant operations officer, and that he would be awakened again if needed. There are Shin Bet documents from that night that say, In our assessment, the quiet will be maintained. Everything is documented, he said, while insisting the broader issue was the prewar mindset rather than a single nights missed cue.

He described IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi as not a negligent person, he is paranoid, God help us. Scheduling an 8:30 a.m. assessment on October 7, Haliva said, reflected that everyone feeding him intelligence gave him the sense there was an unusual development, not something immediate.

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Haliva sharply criticized the inexperience of some members of the current security cabinet. He singled out National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, saying, What do you expect such a person to do? Learn. This is a serious profession. Start learning intelligence, operational plans, capabilities, munitions, and other relevant topics. Smotrich did not know what Nukhba was, he added, referring to Hamass elite commando units. Today, they explained they did not know there was starvation of hostages. How much intelligence do they read? How many briefings do they receive? How many deep security discussions on Gaza did they hold? Check.

Asked whether Israels policy had rested on his assessment that Hamas was deterred, Haliva said no. This prime minister is very attentive, the most attentive person in the world. He listens, he reads. You can also say he is very timid, so he would be alarmed by other things. He does not rush to wars; he does not rush to strike. He had doubts. All of that is fine. But in the end, in the test of results, everything failed. He did not name Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the clips quoted, although Israeli media linked the remarks to him.

Bereaved mother Sheli Mashal-Yogev, whose daughter Libi Cohen-Meguri was murdered on October 7 after going to dance at the Nova festival near Reim, blasted Haliva in an interview with Kan News following the leaked recordings.

Since when did taking responsibility become a fig leaf? What is taking responsibility? Take blame, she said, adding, He showed not a drop of anguish. We are the ones in anguish. Mashal-Yogev said she watched the report twice and could not sleep: He says the Shin Bet failed, the government failed, the army failed. Where are you? Thousands were murdered. Libi is buried, and I am tormented. He says, I took responsibility, and goes out with a fat pension?

She continued, Do not claim responsibility and a minute later fly abroad. Sit humbled in my living room and explain yourself, and added, The word responsibility does not absolve you. You are guilty that my Libi is buried. Take the blame upon yourself. You say the IDF erred in a years-long concept. You are the concept. She stressed Haliva is not alone: We are not absolving the government, the Shin Bet, the police, or the chief of staff. They are all guilty. No one has moved.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A warrant is out for the arrest of a foster mother accused of abusing a 4-year-old for wetting his pants. Albuquerque police were dispatched to a home on Way Cross Drive, near I-40 and Unser Blvd., in late May. School staff had reported a 4-year-old who was in New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department custody, but with a foster family, had severe bruising on his ears.

Albuquerque man sentenced for 2023 armed robbery spree

Police said the mother claimed the boy had fallen in the bathtub, but a medical exam found forceful trauma to the ears, such as pinching, striking, or pulling. The boy and other children in the home told police their foster mother, Johnnie Douma, often spanked and grabbed the boys ears when he had accidents. Douma faces child abuse charges.

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Jeni Britton is a bit salty  sans caramel this time  over a New York Times recipe she claims borrowed her technique for making ice cream at home but didn't give her credit.

A recipe posted Aug. 12 on The Times' popular Cooking website and printed Aug. 13 on the front page of its Food section presented cream cheese as the "secret ingredient" in what writer Scott Loitsch presented as a "carefully formulated recipe" for a vanilla ice cream base that could be used for a number of other flavors.

It's the secret ingredient Britton said she first told people about in a 2011 book of her own carefully formulated recipes, which won a James Beard Award that year. "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home" included 100 recipes from Britton, who started her business in a North Market stall in 2002 and now has 96 scoop shops in 16 states.

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In a video posted to her Instagram page Aug. 13, Britton said The Times "copied without credit" the innovation she claimed as her own and which she described as the "first new new recipe in ice cream in decades, if not centuries."

Cream cheese, she said, acts as a stabilizer in homemade ice cream, making it creamier and easier to scoop.

"I made this recipe to mimic what we can do on expensive machines at Jenis in your home kitchen on an inexpensive machine," Britton said.

A New York Times spokesperson told The Dispatch on Aug. 15 that "while we deeply respect original recipe development and the integrity of Jenis work, these recipes are substantially different in numerous ways."

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Times spokesperson Jordan Cohen said, "This is an original recipe designed from a custard base and with particular proportions, ingredients and technique."

Loitsch's recipe substituted cream cheese for the egg yolks typically used in custard recipes, according to Cohen.

A comparison of the base recipes from Britton and Loitsch show differences and similarities. Cream cheese is the most nontraditional ingredient they have in common, but the 4 ounces in Loitsch's version differs greatly from Britton's recipe.

(Britton said in her Instagram post that she tried using 4 ounces, and testers said the resulting ice cream "tasted like frosting.")

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The Times has published two other ice cream recipes  sweet corn and black raspberry in 2011 and no-churn vanilla-honey in 2016  that credited Britton for either an original idea or the addition of cream cheese specifically.

"One of the keys to a silky texture without the ice crystals that plague other no-churn ice cream recipes is using cream cheese (a trick picked up from Jeni Britton Bauer of Jenis Splendid Ice Creams)," food reporter Melissa Clark wrote in an introduction to that 2016 recipe.

Cohen told The Dispatch by email: "Unlike these examples, our developer did not adapt Jenis recipe and he was not inspired by her recipe."

Online, commenters have sided overwhelmingly with Britton in her claim that she deserved at least a nod for the cream cheese addition. In her Instagram post, Britton said The Times was "kind of iterating, and it's not a big iteration at all, on my technique."

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"Kudos to you for not standing for that BS!" one of Britton's Instagram followers wrote about her video post. "We expect better @nytimes."

Commenters at @nytcooking on Instagram accused the newspaper and its writer of stealing Britton's recipe, and they demanded both give her credit for at least the inspiration.

"I love the recipe created by @jeni and I can see you do, too! Its so good!" one wrote.

Loitsch, who referred The Dispatch to The New York Times spokesperson, has shut off comments on his own Instagram post about his article.

Dining reporter Bob Vitale can be reached at rvitale@dispatch.com or at @dispatchdining on the Instagram social platform.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jenis founder says NY Times copied ice cream 'secret ingredient'
Four young people died in western Germany early on Saturday when a car driven by a 16-year-old veered off the road and hit a tree.

The driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the accident in the town of Kurten in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, a spokeswoman for the local authorities said.

The fatalities were two girls aged 14 and 16 and two 19-year-old men. The car belonged to the parents of the 16-year-old driver, said the spokeswoman.

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For unclear reasons, the car left the road on a bend before hitting a tree and overturning, throwing one of the four fatalities from the vehicle. All four died at the scene.

The accident site remained closed in the morning and emergency counsellors were working at the scene.

In a separate incident early on Saturday, a 21-year-old driver and his female passenger of the same age died when their car hit a tree while evading a police check in south-western Germany.

Officers had tried to stop the vehicle while the pair were driving in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, a police spokesman said.

However, they fled from the location and crossed into the state of Saarland before the car veered off a country road near the town of Homburg, broke through the safety barrier and collided with a tree.
Frances Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has said that a French man recently arrested in Mali on unfounded charges of plotting a coup was a French embassy employee.

The Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it was in talks with Bamako to clear up any misunderstanding and obtain the immediate release of Yann Vezilier, who had been arrested in recent weeks alongside two generals and other military personnel.

It added that the arrest of the French national was in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

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Malis security minister, General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, had announced Veziliers arrest on Thursday, alleging that he had been working for the French intelligence services, mobilising political leaders, civil society actors, and military personnel to destabilise the country.

Mohammedine said that a full investigation into the alleged plot, which he said had been launched on August 1, was under way and that the situation is completely under control.

The arrests followed a crackdown on dissent following a pro-democracy rally in May, the first since the military government came to power after back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.





Frances once close relationship with its former colony in West Africas Sahel region has soured since soldiers seized power nearly four years ago.

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The military government, led by President Assimi Goita, has turned away from Western partners, notably former colonial power France, expelling its troops and turning to Russia for security assistance.

The country has since been gripped by a security crisis since 2012, fuelled notably by violence from groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the ISIL (ISIS) group, as well as local criminal gangs.

In June, Goita was granted an additional five years in power, despite the military governments earlier promises of a return to civilian rule by March 2024. The move followed the militarys dissolution of political parties in May.




DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The Trep School  a Danville based consulting company  is helping small business owners improve their online presence with a free event later this month.

The organization will be hosting its first ever Digital Footprint Audit Workshop on Aug. 28, teaching entrepreneurs how to market themselves better on the web.

New Danville superintendent discusses plans for school year

Trep School founder and CEO Tricia Teague said investing in small businesses can bring massive returns to a community.

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The small businesses actually will hire locals, Teague said. Theyll hire their neighbors. So, thats a new job thats created for a person who lives here. And, if 30 businesses were to hire just three people each, then youve got close to 100 brand new jobs.

The event will focus on small tips  like adding your business to Google and Apple maps  to larger projects  such as designing and maintaining your own website.

You can register for the event online.

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PARIS (Reuters) -A French man arrested in Mali is a member of the French embassy in the capital Bamako and accusations against him are "unfounded", the French foreign office said in a statement to Reuters on Saturday.

The embassy worker, named as Yann Vezilier by the Malian government in a statement on Thursday, was arrested in recent weeks alongside two generals and other military personnel and accused of participating in an alleged plot to destabilise the West African nation.

"Dialogue is underway to clear up any misunderstanding," the ministry statement said. It added that his arrest was in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

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France's once close relationship with its former colonies in West Africa's Sahel region has soured in recent years since a series of military coups overthrew governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

(Reporting by Layli Foroudi; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Police have identified the victim in a Friday afternoon shooting as 15-year-old Anthony Johnson.

Columbus Police said they responded to the 600 block of Raleigh Drive in the west Columbus Georgian Heights neighborhood on reports of a shooting around 3:45 p.m. Friday. Upon arrival, they found Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead at 4:40 p.m.

Police said they arrested 19-year-old Jordan Austin for the murder. According to court records, Austin was arrested on Saturday without incident. He will be arraigned on Monday at 9 a.m.

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Police said they continue to investigate what led up to the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call Columbus Police at (614) 645-6420, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477)

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
More than half of the school districts in Schuylkill County have raised property taxes for the 2025-26 school year, reflecting ongoing challenges in public education, officials said.

Administrators in local districts said they have dealt with rising cyber charter school costs, special education, increased operating expenses and other issues that put a strain on their budgets.

Some schools had not implemented a tax increase in a few years  in Shenandoah Valleys case, nearly a decade.

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The district included a 3.2-mill tax increase for 2025-26, its first increase since 2017-18.

Even after a Commonwealth Court ruling deemed Pennsylvanias method of funding public education unconstitutional, the district is still disadvantaged due to chronic underfunding in many areas, Superintendent Brian Waite said. Shenandoah Valley was one of six school districts that sued over inequities in funding.

Schools have also seen changing trends in public education enrollments, as they continue to see rising numbers of cyber charter students and other out-of-district placements.

In Schuylkill Haven Area, a challenge lies in the large number of students who attend schools or facilities outside district boundaries, but need to be transported there at the districts expense, Superintendent Shawn Fitzpatrick said.

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Schuylkill Haven seeks to accommodate students like those  and have some of them return to in-house schooling  while continuing to provide quality programming and education for all of its students, he said.

We want to reduce costs, he said, but not sacrifice the great programming we have in place for students.

Below is a list of each public school district in Schuylkill County and whether it implemented a tax increase this year.

Blue Mountain

The Blue Mountain School Districts budget for the 2025-26 school year includes a 2-mill tax increase.

The new tax rate is 46.325 mills, meaning the owner of a property assessed at $100,000 would see a $4,632 school tax bill.

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The budget sets total revenues at $52,413,773 and total expenditures at $52,948,286.

Business Administrator Amy M. Tomalavage said the primary drivers for the tax increase were a 12.47% increase (about $1 million) on health insurance, salary increases and raises, and high costs for cyber charter schools.

While the districts preliminary budget did not contain a millage increase, the final budget included the 2-mill increase. Tomalavage clarified that was because the district was awaiting its final health insurance numbers and did not factor those costs in to the preliminary budget.

Mahanoy Area

Mahanoy Areas budget includes a 3-mill tax increase, raising the real estate tax rate to 59.5 mills.

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The 2025-26 budget has total expenditures at $26,252,088 and total revenues at $25,604,708, up from last years figures of $24,140,920 for expenditures and $22,651,884 in total revenues.

The primary drivers for the districts tax increase were unfunded charter school tuition costs and increased special education costs, according to Business Manager Jack Hurst.

The 2025-26 charter school costs are projected to be $1.6 million (equivalent to about 18.34 mills of real estate tax). Thats a $831,000, or 117%, increase over the last 10 years, Hurst said.

Hurst noted the district did receive $135,366 for the 2024-25 school year to help offset charter tuition costs, but that was not included in the proposed state budget this year.

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Net special education costs are projected to increase this year by $844,165, or 28%, he said.

Additionally, the district has a rapidly expanding English Language Learning (ELL) population and had to add a third ELL teacher this school year. The district has about 190 ELL students, compared to 135 last year, according to Hurst.

Five years ago, the district enrolled only 27 ELL students, he said.

Minersville Area

Minersville Areas $25.5 million general fund budget has a real estate tax rate of 48.79 mills this year, up from the previous rate of 47.29 mills.

The budget includes a $5 local service tax, a $200 occupation tax and a 1% earned income tax  0.5% for the school district and 0.5% for municipalities.

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North Schuylkill

North Schuylkill has held the line on taxes for the second time in the past three years.

The districts $39.1 million budget does not include a tax increase for residents this year, as was the case in 2023-2024. The district did have to implement a 3.5% tax increase for 2024-25 to maintain high-quality programs and services, Superintendent Robert Ackell said.

Ackell attributed the districts fiscal stability to several factors, including efficient use of its Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) funds, and adequacy funding approved by the state, which he said has provided significant and much-needed support.

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He also credited the leadership of Business Manager Robert Amos. His strategic budgeting, careful investment decisions and commitment to efficiency have been instrumental in maintaining the districts financial health, Ackell said.

Pine Grove Area

Pine Grove Areas 2025-26 budget includes a 2.417-mill tax increase, bringing the real estate tax rate up to 47.167 mills.

The budget includes a $1.35 million deficit. Total expenditures are set at $31,259,830 and total revenues at $29,914,415.

Pottsville Area

Pottsville Area held the line on taxes this year, keeping the millage rate at 45.4025.

The 2025-26 budget balances expenses and revenues at $51,842,309.

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District officials have spoken about the dire fiscal situation the district was in as recently as 2019, when the Pennsylvania Auditor Generals office said Pottsville was at risk of being placed on financial watch by the state.

By contrast, the 2025-26 budget avoids a tax hike while adding important personnel, making much-needed improvements to buildings and infrastructure, increasing programming for students, and maintaining reserves despite rising expenses, officials said.

The approved millage rate means that a property assessed at the districts median rate of $27,030 next year will pay $1,227 in taxes.

Pottsville has not raised taxes in 12 of the last 19 years.

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Saint Clair Area

Saint Clair Areas $15.26 million budget holds the line on taxes, keeping the tax rate at 38.16 mills.

Saint Clairs tax structure is based on 38.16 mills on assessed valuation of real estate, earned income and business privilege taxes.

The district has not raised taxes in seven years.

Schuylkill Haven Area

The districts $26.4 million 2025-26 budget includes a 2.4-mill real estate tax increase, its first in four years.

The district was due for a tax increase  it implements one about every three years  and it made the decision due to rising expenses across the board, said Superintendent Shawn Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick said that most of the properties taxed by the district are residential, so it does not have the boost from large corporations and businesses that some others receive.

The budget includes a $2.5 million deficit, which Fitzpatrick attributes largely to the transportation and other costs associated with out-of-district students. The district has a number of students who receive special education services or go to charter school outside of the district facilities  some, up to an hour away from their home  and are transported in vans or other vehicles.

Fitzpatrick said the district aims to reduce the deficit by limiting the number of out-of-district placements, and ensuring the schools have support services and teachers available for all its students. The goal, he said, is to maintain strong programming, special education support and equipment. While bringing in more in-house students will also drive up those expenses, Fitzpatrick believes that is more efficient than the costs associated with outside placements.

We are looking at every single thing we can in terms of reducing costs without sacrificing the programming for our kids, he said.

Shenandoah Valley

Shenandoah Valleys $28.7 million budget includes the districts first tax increase in eight years.

The real estate tax rate is set at 60.175 mills, up 3.2 mills from the previous rate. The decision was made after careful consideration, and it reflects rising costs in areas largely outside of the districts control, said Superintendent Brian K. Waite.

Waite said the district is currently underfunded by nearly $8,000 per student, one of the largest gaps in the state.

While the Fair Funding Lawsuit brought attention to these inequities and a commission has proposed a long-term fix, the reality is that those dollars havent reached us yet, he said.

The district has seen major increases in cyber charter tuition (over $600,000), special education needs ($500,000) and health care costs (now totaling $1.3 million), Waite said.

These rising expenses, coupled with chronic underfunding, make it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of our students without additional local support, he said. We know any tax increase impacts our community, and we remain committed to balancing fiscal responsibility with the educational needs of our students.

Tamaqua Area

The districts 2025-26 general fund budget has revenues at $41,755,213 and expenditures at $42,756,201, keeping the real estate tax rate steady at 44.93 mills.

Tri-Valley

Taxes are going up for Tri-Valley School District residents. The 2025-26 budget includes a 2-mill tax increase, bringing the millage rate up to 45.721.

Superintendent Matthew J. Horoschak said several factors contributed to the decision  among them the substantial and rising cyber charter school costs. He said those expenses alone created a sizable deficit in the budget.

The district also has seen increased operating costs across the board due to broader economic conditions, Horoschak said

The rising prices of resources, supplies and services necessary to provide quality instruction to our students and support our educators have placed additional strain on our budget, he said. The combination of these factors made a tax increase necessary in order to maintain our commitment to delivering a high-quality education while meeting our financial obligations.

The budget sets total revenues at $17,215,310 and total expenses at $18,418,881.

The tax rate was raised by about 3 mills in 2024-25.

Williams Valley

Taxes are going up for Williams Valley School District residents in both Schuylkill and Dauphin counties.

The budget has a 45.036 millage rate for Schuylkill County and a 21.501 millage rate for Dauphin County, up from last years rates of 42.457 and 20.489, respectively.

The budget sets total expenditures at $19,661,389 and total revenues at $18,760,980.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  A fundraiser has been launched to support the family of NYPD Officer Didarul Islam after he was killed by mass shooter Shane Tamura at 345 Park Ave.

The GoFundMe aims to raise $90,000 to support Officer Islams pregnant wife and two young sons. By Saturday, almost 900 people have donated more than $76,000 to help the family.

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Your donations are a powerful reminder of how much New Yorkers value his service and sacrifice, wrote the fundraisers organizer Tom Grech, who also serves as the president and chief executive officer of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

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Together, we can ensure his family feels the love and support of an entire city.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Officer Islam was the first shot and killed among four others when the gunman stormed 345 Park Ave. on July 28. The 36-year-old officer had been serving as a private security detail at the building that day.

He spent 3-and-a-half years with the 47th Precinct after immigrating from Bangladesh. His family remembered him as someone who always showed up, anytime anyone needed any help.

The Quran says, Whoever saves a life saves all of humanity, said Governor Kathy Hochul during Officer Islams funeral on July 31. This officer saved lives.

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Officer Islam was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective during the service.

Everyone we talked with talked about how special he was, Mayor Eric Adams, and what he represents.

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.

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Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The deadly explosion in the Steel Clairton Coke Works near Pittsburgh occurred when a gas valve was flushed in preparation of planned maintenance, U.S. Steel said in preliminary findings.

Two people died and 10 people were hospitalized on Monday in the explosion at the plant about 15 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Black smoke could be seen for miles.

"Pressure built inside the valve, leading to valve failure and coke oven gas filling the area and ultimately exploding when finding an ignition source," U.S. Steel spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said in the statement to KDKA-TV and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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Workers were charging ovens and pushing coke out of them as part of normal operations, Executive Vice President Scott Buckiso said at a news conference earlier this week.

"We want to reinforce that this investigation is in its early stages, and we will provide more information when we can," Malkowski added. "Our focus remains on our employees and their families during this difficult time."

She said company employees, agencies and experts have been reviewing video and interviewing workers.

"I thought something like this would take two to four to five months for it to unfold," Calirton Mayor Rich Lattanzi said Friday. "I'm thinking what they found is a smoking gun."

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JoJo Burgess, who works at the plant and is mayor of nearby Washington, said he wants more information.

"Did someone know before it happened, so that they could have tried to stop the process?" he told KDKA-TV.

Bernie Hall, director of United Steelworkers District 10, said the union needs to learn more before speculating.

The explosion occurred around 11 a.m. Monday at the plant. Two people were initially reported missing, but the workers' bodies were found in the rubble.

Killed were Timothy Quinn, 39, who lived with his disabled mother, and Bryan Dascani, 52, who was married and had two daughters, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

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Three other people remain in critical condition.

On Monday, U.S. Steel said the initial blast occurred inside the reversing room for batteries 13 and 14. Secondary explosions ensued but those blasts didn't injure anyone.

U.S. Steel CEO Dave Burritt said local, state and federal personnel are investigating, including the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro said during a news conference he wants Clairton and its surrounding communities to be protected. The blast could be felt miles away.

The Clairton plant settled a 2017 suit for $8.5 million over pollution, including $6.5 million to reduce soot emissions and noxious odors, CNN reported.

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WTAE-TV uncovered past violations and injury reports at the plant over the past decades.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Risk Management Program enforcement analysis found that over five years, the plant was listed in "high priority violation" of the Clean Air Act and 32 "formal enforcement actions." This is four times more violations than at similar places at the same time.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the plant had nine serious injury reports as of early 2024. They include trips and falls, resulting in broken bones or cuts.

There are around 1,300 workers at the plant.

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"U.S. Steel had a record-setting safety performance in 2024 and an over 99% environmental compliance record. Safety is our top priority every single day," the company said in a statement.

"Over the last five years, U. S. Steel has invested over $750 million in improvement projects at its Mon Valley Works facilities, including roughly $100 million annually being spent at the Clairton facility on environmental compliance."

The company's headquarters are in Pittsburgh.

U.S. Steel, which was founded in 1901, has about 22,000 employees with revenue of $15.6 billion in 2024.
MADRID (AP)  A 20-year old Palestinian woman described as being in a state of severe physical deterioration has died after being transferred to Italy for treatment, the hospital said Saturday.

The patient was admitted to Pisa University Hospital late Wednesday and died on Friday. She was removed from the Gaza Strip as part of a humanitarian mission and arrived with a with a very complex, compromised clinical picture, according to the hospital.

She died after entering a respiratory crisis and subsequently going into cardiac arrest, it said in a statement.

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Hospital staff had performed tests and started supportive therapy before she died, the statement said.

The woman, named by Italian media as Marah Abu Zuhri, had arrived in Italy with her mother.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said almost 120 Palestinians  31 patients and their families  had been flown to Rome, Milan and Pisa on three planes.

In a post on X, Tajani said that it was the 14th medical evacuation of Palestinians that Italy had conducted since January 2024, and the largest.

The hospital did not specify whether the woman had suffered from malnutrition, but said that she had arrived in a state of severe physical deterioration.

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Eugenio Giani, leader of the Tuscan region, expressed his condolences Saturday for the woman's death.

Earlier in the week, United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza were at their highest levels since the Israel-Hamas war began.

The U.N. says nearly 12,000 children under 5 were found to have acute malnutrition in July  including more than 2,500 with severe malnutrition, the most dangerous level. The World Health Organization says the numbers are likely an undercount.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month no one in Gaza is starving. There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza," he said.

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U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Netanyahus claim by noting the images emerging of emaciated people. I dont know, Trump said when asked if he agreed with the Israeli leader's comment. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry.

Over the past two weeks, Israel has allowed around triple the amount of food into Gaza than what had been entering since late May.

That was after two and a half months when Israel barred all food, medicine and other supplies, saying it was to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack that launched the war.
A Gazan woman who was evacuated to Italy for treatment while severely emaciated has died in hospital.

The 20-year-old, identified as Marah Abu Zuhri, flew to Pisa with her mother on an overnight flight on Wednesday under a scheme set up by the Italian government.

The University Hospital of Pisa said she suffered a cardiac arrest and died on Friday, less than 48 hours after arriving. It said she had a "very complex clinical picture" and had suffered severe loss of weight and muscle. Italian news agencies reported she was suffering from severe malnutrition.

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Cogat, the Israeli military body in charge of aid, said on Sunday that she had suffered from leukaemia.

In a statement, it said Israel "facilitates the medical transfer of patients, with a focus on children, and encourages countries around the world to make such requests".

The UN has warned of widespread malnutrition in Gaza, with experts backed by the organisation warning last month in a report that the "worst-case scenario" of famine is playing out in Gaza.

Israel has denied there is starvation in Gaza and accused UN agencies of not picking up aid at the borders and delivering it.

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More than 180 children and adults have been brought to Italy since the start of Israel's war with Gaza.

Thirty one patients and their companions arrived in Rome, Milan, and Pisa this week, all with serious congenital diseases, wounds or amputations, the Italian foreign ministry said.

Meanwhile, British MPs urged the government to bring sick and injured children from Gaza to the UK "without delay", weeks after the British prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, promised to set up an evacuation scheme.

The Home Office said it intends to evacuate a few hundred children from Gaza "at pace" and that biometric tests must be carried out before children and carers can be allowed in the UK.

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The Israeli ministry said it will start providing Gaza City residents with tents and other equipment from Sunday before relocating them to "safe zones".

The statement came days after Israel's government announced troops would occupy Gaza City. Several days of heavy bombardment of the Zeitoun, the largest district in the city, has since followed.

A spokesperson for the municipality told the BBC that the situation in Zeitoun was "catastrophic", with mass displacement taking place after six days of relentless Israeli air strikes, shelling and demolition operations.

At least 36 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

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The health ministry also said that 11 more people had died from malnutrition, bringing the number of hunger-related deaths to more than 250.

The Israeli military said it was "committed to mitigating civilian harm" and questioned the reliability of the death tolls provided by the Hamas-run ministries.

Israel's government denies there is malnutrition in Gaza. It says its forces target terrorists and never civilians, and claims that Hamas is responsible for the humanitarian crisis.

More than 60,000 people have been killed since the start of Israel's war in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin stands to gain the most from the Alaska summit with US President Donald Trump, several German politicians have argued.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Deutsche Welle, a German international broadcaster and media outlet

Details: Norbert Rottgen, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU (Union) parliamentary group in the Bundestag, said that Trump wanted to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine, but Putin is not interested in that.

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Quote from Rottgen: "He [Putin  ed.] wants to destroy Ukraine and believes he can achieve this militarily."

More details: Rottgen believes that Putin emerged as the winner from the summit, having gained previously unimaginable diplomatic support from the United States and convinced Trump once again not to impose sanctions.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of the Bundestag's foreign policy committee, dubbed the meeting a "Black Friday" that had yielded no results  no ceasefire, no serious agreements, just an invitation to Moscow for Trump. He stressed that Putin has put himself back in a position of equality with the United States in the international arena and appears to have been "rehabilitated" even as the war continues. Kiesewetter urged Europe to provide military aid to Ukraine on its own, without relying on the United States.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a member of the European Parliament, said the Wests unity has been completely destroyed and Trump has lost his "moral compass" by putting his own ego first. She emphasised that Putin is back on the "red carpet" of world politics and the American president has failed to keep his own promises.

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Sara Nanni, a representative of Germanys Green Party, noted that the summit has made the situation in Europe even more uncertain and agreed that Putin has emerged the winner. She called on Europe to find effective leverage, even if the United States is no longer on the same team.

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The German government intends to face its often violent colonial-era history while rejecting demands for compensation from former colonies, according to media reports.

Following an inquiry by the Green Party, the ruling coalition under Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to address "injustices committed under German colonial rule" in affected countries such as Namibia and Tanzania.

However, the government added: "The concept of reparations in international law arises from the violation of an international obligation," which, it notes, did not exist at the time the injustices were committed.

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"The concept of reparations is therefore not applicable in the context of Germany's colonial past," the government said.

Green Party politician Claudia Roth submitted the inquiry together with her party colleagues Awet Tesfaiesus and Jamila Schafer.

Remembering the injustices committed by Germany is a prerequisite for a lasting partnership with countries affected by colonialism, Roth said.

"This requires empathy, not formal legal denial," Roth told dpa.

Tesfaiesus expressed a similar view in the Tagesspiegel newspaper.

"We cannot hide behind formal legal arguments  especially not in a republic whose constitution places inviolable human dignity at the heart of its statehood," she said.

Germany pledged 1 billion to Namibia

The government also addressed the offer to pay 1.1 billion ($1.28 billion) to Namibia. In 2021, after years of negotiations, it agreed to support the country with this sum over the next 30 years.

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Of this, 1.05 billion is to be allocated to a reconstruction and development programme and 50 million for reconciliation.

However, no money has yet been paid out as talks on implementing the programmes have not been concluded.
The German government on Saturday stressed the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine as a prerequisite for a deal to end the war Russia started nearly three and a half years ago against Ukraine.

A negotiated solution would only be conceivable for Ukraine if it could be certain that its statehood and sovereignty would be effectively preserved, government sources said.

"Fine words are not enough, especially not fine words from the Russian side," the sources added in a statement.

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"What is needed is something material, tangible and concrete."

The importance of effective security guarantees for Ukraine is also highlighted in a joint declaration on the Alaska summit from several European heads of state and government.

The declaration was also signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

The statement originated from a German draft, according to sources in Berlin. The German government reportedly wants to ensure that Europeans remain closely coordinated and continue to stand firmly by Ukraine's side.

"And that we maintain this balance with the United States  on the one hand, we want to safeguard our key security interests, and on the other hand, we want to do so in a way that is cooperative with the United States and keeps the US engaged," the sources said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described the United States' willingness to help provide security guarantees for Ukraine as "great progress" following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: Merz, as reported by European Pravda with reference to German TV news channel n-tv

Details: Merz said he views the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska as offering a chance for positive results.

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The chancellor noted that Trump had given European leaders a detailed briefing on the outcome of his meeting with Russias leader.

Quote: "He [Trump] gave us a detailed account of how thoroughly he had discussed the terms of a peace agreement with Putin. It had gone as far as a commitment that America is prepared to give security guarantees for Ukraine. This was not mentioned at yesterdays joint press conference. I believe that Americas readiness to provide such security guarantees  is indeed great progress."

Details: Meanwhile, he stressed that work on the peace agreement is not yet finished.

Background:

Trump told the Europeans that Putin wants a "peace agreement" immediately, not just a ceasefire.

On Monday 18 August, Zelenskyy will fly to Washington for talks with Trump.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz considers peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to be justifiable even without a prior ceasefire, provided a swift agreement is reached.

"If that succeeds, it is worth more than a ceasefire that might last for weeks without further progress in political and diplomatic efforts," Merz said on Saturday in an interview with public broadcaster ZDF.

The German government and other European governments had insisted, ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, that an immediate ceasefire must mark the beginning of a peace process in Ukraine. Trump had also supported this position but abandoned it, as he made clear after the summit.

Attacks on Ukraine during the summit are 'disrespectful'

The Russian side was evidently not prepared for a ceasefire, Merz said. He criticized Russia for continuing to attack Ukraine during the talks between Trump and Putin.

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"I find that particularly disrespectful," he said.

Trump had briefed the most important European heads of state and government on Saturday morning about his conversation with Putin. According to Merz, the discussions also touched on possible territorial concessions to Russia.

Russia appears willing to conduct negotiations along the current front lines rather than administrative borders, Merz told the broadcaster.

"That is a significant difference," the German chancellor said.

Until now, Russia has been claiming territories it does not even militarily occupy. In his talks with Putin, Trump did not question a single one of the five core points previously established by the Europeans and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Merz said.

"That is a good result," he added. This means Trump and Putin did not discuss territorial issues over the heads of Ukraine and the Europeans. The chancellor also said that the US is willing to participate in security guarantees is good news.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  An Armenian man who has been in federal custody for almost six months is seeking him from U.S. lawmakers for his release.

Vardan Gukasian, 47, is being held in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Henderson, and with each passing day, his supporters believe he will be deported.

Were asking the judge to help and to grant political asylum. In his situation, he really needs that help, Gayane Manukyan said. If hes deported to Armenia or another country, theyre going to kill him. Yes, theyre going to kill him.

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Gukasian has had several immigration hearings, and Manukyan and others in the Armenian diaspora have attended several of them.

PREVIOUS STORY: Man described as political refugee arrested by ICE in Las Vegas

Manukyan travels from Los Angeles to visit him in Henderson. She prays for his release.

We want to ask the judge to make a fair decision and grant political asylum because he really needs to be in this country, because the only safe place for his family is the United States of America, Manukyan said.

According to an ICE spokesperson, Gukasian was arrested by ICE officers on Feb. 20 and placed into custody for his immigration proceedings. The agency said he entered the U.S. on Feb. 19, 2022, and failed to depart under the terms of his admission.

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Gukasians supporters said he entered the country in 2022, claiming political asylum.

An Armenian newspaper stated in 2023 that an international warrant was issued for his arrest after he was charged with extortion, calls for violence, and contempt of court. The Armenian government asked the U.S. to extradite him.

All accusations presented against by the government, Republic of Armenia, are entirely fabricated. Politically motivated, Manukyan said.

Gukasian is scheduled to see an immigration judge on Aug. 29, but his supporters believe this will be the final hearing where a judge decides on deporting him.

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Democratic U.S. Rep. Susie Lees office is aware of the Armenian dissidents case and that he has requested her help.

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Google has 1.8 billion Gmail users worldwide, and the company recently issued a major warning to all of those users about a "new wave of threats" to cybersecurity, given the advancements in artificial intelligence.

Earlier this summer, Google issued an important warning to all of its users about a new form of cybersecurity attack called "indirect prompt injections."

The new threat puts individuals, businesses, and even governments at risk.

A New Threat Emerges

In an extensive blog post recently, Google issued a warning to all of its users about a new threat: indirect prompt injections.

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"With the rapid adoption of generative AI, a new wave of threats is emerging across the industry with the aim of manipulating the AI systems themselves. One such emerging attack vector is indirect prompt injections," Google wrote in its blog.

"Unlike direct prompt injections, where an attacker directly inputs malicious commands into a prompt, indirect prompt injections involve hidden malicious instructions within external data sources. These may include emails, documents, or calendar invites that instruct AI to exfiltrate user data or execute other rogue actions," the blog post continued.

The Google blog post warned that this puts individuals and entities at risk.

"As more governments, businesses, and individuals adopt generative AI to get more done, this subtle yet potentially potent attack becomes increasingly pertinent across the industry, demanding immediate attention and robust security measures," the blog post continued.

Expert Explains The Threat

During a recent interview with The Daily Record, tech expert Scott Polderman opened up a bit about the threat, explaining that a scam involves the use of another Google product, Gemini, an AI assistant known as a chatbot.

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"So hackers have figured out a way to use Gemini - Google's own AI - against itself," Polderman told The Daily Record. "Essentially, hackers are sending an email with a hidden message to Gemini to reveal your passwords without you even realizing."

"These hidden instructions are getting AI to work against itself and have you reveal your login and password information," he continued.

Polderman explained why people are particularly susceptible to the threat.

"There is no link that you have to click [to activate the scam]," Polderman said. "It's Gemini popping up and letting you know you are at risk."

Google Rolls Out New Security Measures

The good news is that Google is already moving forward with some new security measures to help keep its users safe from these threats.

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"Google has taken a layered security approach introducing security measures designed for each stage of the prompt lifecycle. From Gemini 2.5 model hardening, to purpose-built machine learning (ML) models detecting malicious instructions, to system-level safeguards, we are meaningfully elevating the difficulty, expense, and complexity faced by an attacker," Google wrote in its blog.

"This approach compels adversaries to resort to methods that are either more easily identified or demand greater resources."

Google Issues a Warning to All 1.8 Billion Users first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
As President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, reactions from lawmakers back in Washington, D.C., flooded in, including one Republican who said he wants the president nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize following the summit.

While Republicans largely praised Trump for an assertive posture and for his efforts working towards peace, Democrats accused the president of being too friendly with Putin.

"President Trump, I think, is just crystal clear that Putin's back is against the wall and I think he demonstrated that clearness with his very first action before saying a word with the fact that he flew B-2 bombers over [Putin's] head," said Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla. "That was not on accident, obviously. For him to fly a B-2 bomber over Vladimir Putin's head, it was a signal to him that when President Trump says, 'Hey there could be very serious consequences.'"

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Mike Pompeo Advises Americans Not To 'Overread' This Part Of Trump And Putin's Meeting

At the start of the summit, when President Trump greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, a cohort of military fighter jets, including a B-2 stealth bomber, flew overhead.

However, while Mast expressed that he saw Trump challenging Putin, Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell described the summit as akin to "Trump toast[ing] Putin like he was giving him the lifetime achievement award."

"What a Kremlin kiss a-- our president is," Swalwell added.

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Meanwhile, as the meeting was kicking off, Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., said, "The very fact that Putin will be on American soil is a huge win for him."

"First, he is legitimized and not a global pariah. Second, he would be subject to arrest in 123 countries due to his ICC arrest warrant. Here [sic] is walking free," Vindman lamented.

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From Admiration To Alaska: A Timeline Of Trump And Putins High-stakes Encounters

"Trump invited a dictator onto U.S. soil just to get his s*** rocked," added the official X account for the Democratic Party.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025.

But Republicans rallied around the president's handling of the summit, with Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., announcing Friday night after the summit concluded that he intends to draft a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for Trump.

Some Republicans took the opportunity Friday to slam the former Biden administration for failing to take the necessary action to halt the war in Ukraine.

"When Joe Biden became president he waved the sanctions on Nord Stream 2, he gave Putin and Russia a multi-billion dollar gift, and the reason that caused the war is because Putin had refrained from invading Ukraine because he didn't want to damage the natural gas pipelines that run through Ukraine," Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said Friday in an interview on Fox News.

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During the summit, while Putin was addressing reporters, he said that he believed the claim from Trump and Republicans that had Trump been president when the war began instead of Biden, it likely never would have started in the first place.

President Donald Trump, right, Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.

"The key to ending this war honorably and justly is to create an infrastructure of deterrence that Biden and Obama failed to do  which will prevent a third invasion," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said following Friday's summit.

The South Carolina senator added that following the summit, a meeting between Trump, Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be necessary. The senator argued that, with such a meeting, he would be "cautiously optimistic" that the war could end "well before Christmas."

"If that meeting fails to materialize, I think President Trump may have to go all in to punish those who buy cheap Russian oil and gas, propping up Putins war machine," Graham concluded.





Original article source: GOP praises Trump's posture during Alaska summit, Dems cry foul over Trump's apparent coziness with Putin
The Irish government has classified a popular cannabis substitute as an illegal drug, meaning it will no longer be sold in vapes and e-cigarettes across the country.

Hexahydrocannabinol, or HHC, was one of 14 substances the country classified as a Schedule 1 controlled drug in July, the Irish Examiner reports. That makes the import, export, possession, and sale of HHC illegal.

Health officials and addiction experts praised the move, as HHC had become frequently used in e-cigarettes and edibles, particularly among the country's youth. Researchers from University Hospital Galway found that, among patients presenting with psychosis, it was the second most-common drug used.

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"It is a positive development," addiction counselor Michael Guerin told the Irish Examiner.

Nicotine-based vapes remain legal in the country for adults aged 18 and over. And enforcing the new HHC ban while other e-cigarettes remain legal could be tricky, experts warn.

"The big challenge will be enforcement, to ensure that certain shops can't stock these products anymore," Mick Finn, youth services manager with the Cork Education and Training Board, said. "... All the relevant agencies need to be more vigilant and responsive to any new trends that emerge from this ban."

All vapes have the potential to do serious harm to their users' health and the environment. The Centers for Disease Control warns that the aerosol within e-cigarettes can have cancer-causing chemicals, and the University of California, Davis, found that disposable vapes emit dangerously high levels of lead, nickel, and antimony.

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Disposable vapes have also become frequent targets of environmentalists because they are often littered and feature non-biodegradable materials like plastic and batteries, both of which leach considerable amounts of toxins into the soil and water.

Social media is chock-full of examples of people encountering vape waste in nature, and studies have shown that vapes and e-cigarettes contribute highly to the amount of plastic waste and e-waste that occurs globally.

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Despite warnings from environmental groups, the New Zealand government voted to restore offshore oil and gas exploration.

What's happening?

New offshore oil and gas exploration permits were banned in New Zealand in 2018 with government plans to transition to a carbon-neutral future, per the Guardian. However, the right-wing coalition voted to reverse the ban after a final reading of the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill.

Government leaders said reversing the ban will help with high energy costs as well as energy shortages. Meanwhile, environmental groups said the move will hurt the country's biodiversity and natural resources. Steve Abel, a member of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, called it "shamefully regressive."

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The ban reversal followed New Zealand's departure from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in June. The international coalition, which includes countries like Denmark and France, aims to phase out fossil fuel use.

Why is the ban reversal important?

Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are dirty energy sources that contribute to the overheating of the planet. Nearly 30% of all oil and gas production comes from offshore areas, according to Oceana.

Fossil fuel exploration for offshore drilling sites can have devastating impacts on the environment, including disrupting ecosystems. Oftentimes, fossil fuel companies use seismic testing to find reserves. The noise can echo for miles and harm marine animals that rely on sound for communication and navigation, per the Natural Resources Defense Council.

There's also the risk of oil spills and gas leaks. In 2024, the city of Huntington Beach, California, received a $5.25 million settlement after thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled into the ocean years earlier. Several beaches and harbors were closed, resulting in financial loss for local businesses.

What's being done about offshore oil and gas exploration?

Environmental leaders around the world have spoken out against offshore oil and gas exploration. Representatives for the World Wildlife Foundation said the New Zealand ban reversal will have significant repercussions.

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"Communities across Aotearoa are facing yet another bout of severe weather this week, and climate-related disasters are becoming all too frequent  yet Ministers still see fit to push through this egregious legislation," WWF-New Zealand CEO Dr. Kayla Kingdon-Bebb said.

In the United States, several environmental protection groups sued the Trump Administration earlier this year over an executive order to increase offshore oil drilling near Alaska. Prior to the order, millions of acres of open ocean had been protected.

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Aug. 15An investigation has been ordered into Washington's Fish and Wildlife Commission and now environmentalists want the Department of Fish and Wildlife's director gone.

Gov. Bob Ferguson directed Washington State Human Resources Office to investigate the conduct of Washington Fish and Wildlife commissioners, a spokesperson said Friday.

The investigation, first reported by Columbia Insight, came after Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind sent a letter to Ferguson requesting the investigation. Susewind pointed to recently released internal documents that he said "call the conduct of several Commissioners into question."

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"I have reviewed a sufficient number of these documents to believe further investigation is warranted," Susewind wrote.

Now environmental groups are calling for Susewind's removal.

When the nine-member panel met Friday and took public comment, several environmentalists and animal rights activists bashed Susewind's decision to send the letter and called for his removal.

Franscisco Santiago-Avila, of Washington Wildlife First, said the letter indicated Susewind was aligning himself with the Sportsmen's Alliance, which has petitioned Ferguson for the removal of four commissioners.

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"We were shocked by this audacious and irresponsible play for power," he said.

Calls for the director's removal open a new front in the battle for control of wildlife management in Washington.

The commission oversees the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and makes decisions on wildlife conservation and hunting and fishing regulations. It also has the power to hire and fire the agency's director.

Hunters have raged over commission decisions over the past few years that limited or removed some hunting opportunities, such as the vote to end spring bear hunting. They believe several commissioners are in the pocket of anti-hunting organizations.

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Meanwhile, animal rights activitsts and environmentalists still feel commissioners favor hunters's interests in their decisions. They also feel Susewind, who has served as director since 2018, has always tilted toward hunters.

Conflict between the two sides has been simmering for years and has become the norm during commission public comment sessions, with both hunters and animal rights activists turning out in droves to lambast decisions they despise and praise those they like.

Both sides have also targeted specific commissioners at times for removal. The Sportsmen's Alliance sued Commissioner Lorna Smith of Jefferson County in 2023 because she simultaneously held two appointed positions  her seat on the commission and a spot on her local planning board. Smith ultimately resigned from the planning board.

This past spring, after Ferguson reappointed Molly Linville of Douglas County, Washington Wildlife First deployed the same tactic against her  she was serving on her local school board at the time and later resigned that position.

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The Sportsmen's Alliance petition, filed in May, asked Ferguson to remove four commissioners: Smith, Barbara Baker, Melanie Rowland and John Lehmkuhl, who was elected vice-chair of the commission Friday.

In the petition, the group cites internal correspondence obtained through a public records request to argue the four commissioners subverted open meetings laws, disregarded tribal input and violated public records laws.

Environmental groups have framed the alliance's petition as a "smear campaign" targeting commissioners hunters don't like.

Little has come out of the governor's office since the petition was filed. Baker, who was chair of the commission until a new chair was elected Friday, said at previous meetings that she had met with the governor's office.

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Susewind's letter is dated Aug. 8. It does not name specific commissioners but says he's concerned about the documents that the Sportsmen's Alliance released.

"As you are aware, documents produced pursuant to recent public disclosure requests call the conduct of several Commissioners into question. I have reviewed a sufficient number of these documents to believe further investigation is warranted," Susewind wrote.

Columbia Insight reported that Smith and Rowland wrote to the governor calling Susewind's request "highly inappropriate."

Multiple public commenters on Friday thanked Susewind for writing to the governor, and thanked the governor for ordering an investigation. Meanwhile, several environmentalists backed Santiago-Avila's calls for removing Susewind and joined him in urging the governor to make sure the investigation to includes all commissioners and the director.

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The investigation's full scope is unclear, but it will be meant to address Susewind's concerns, according to Brionna Aho, a spokesperson for the governor's office.

"Investigators will follow up with Director Susewind to better understand those concerns and determine the scope of the investigation," Aho said in an email.
NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Governor Josh Shapiro made a stop in Nanticoke Friday to discuss investing in Pennsylvanias workforce.

The governor came to the IBEW Training Center in Nanticoke to discuss and reflect on his administrations new efforts to grow and invest in the states workforce.

Congressman Bresnahan, Strub address online threats

I believe the people who show up in a hall like this deserve to be respected and deserve a pathway to success and opportunity in our commonwealth, Governor Shapiro stated.

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According to the governor, investments from his administration have created 165 new pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships and trained more than 34,000 apprentices across various industries. The new apprentices are expected to help in Amazons recent investment in data centers, the states largest private sector investment in history.

This is real stuff, its happening right now in our commonwealth and this IBEW hall is at the epicenter of that work. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as part of this deal, has invested $10,000,000, not in Amazon, but in workforce development right here in Northeast Pennsylvania. The commonwealth has invested $600,000 in this particular hall of learning to make sure that those apprentices have all they need to be able to learn, Governor Shapiro explained.

The governor also addressed the concerns of residents in those communities, They still have a say, right? So, theyre still involved in this process with us and theyve been unbelievably constructive and helpful. So, were gonna protect our air, protect our water and protect the interest of the local community, Governor Shapiro declared.



Governor Shapiro also discussed longtime concerns of union leadership, Hearing the pain in the voices of union leaders and union members wondering if the jobs were ever going to come back. But I think those letdowns have now turned to optimism about our future. Seeing that we are going to have ten thousand trades people work on just these initial data centers. This creates real economic opportunity in a region that desperately needed it.

John Olejnik is the business manager for Local Union 163, and he says the goals of the union moving forward are to supply electricians for this data center boom and to eventually double in size. You know, I grew up here. It hasnt been the best. You know, there hasnt been a lot of industry here. The governor has brought opportunity that is going to allow us to stay here, families to stay here and continue to raise their families here.

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Aug. 16GRAND FORKS  For some kids, the only reliable source of food they have is school meals. But what happens to these students on the weekends?

The United Way's Backpack Program aims to solve the problem in the Greater Grand Forks community.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 13-14, the Backpack Program raised $5,000 and 7,777 pounds of food donations for food insecure students.

Volunteers sat outside of local grocery stores and asked passersby to donate specific food items to be packed for students to have weekend meals.

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"People don't necessarily realize the need that there is," said McKinley Solberg, program coordinator at United Way. "Hunger is such a silent crisis. ... People don't think about all the kids on the weekend that don't have access to food at all."

After donations are sorted, United Way staff and volunteers will pack totes, each with two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, two snacks and two drinks. United Way will then drop them off at schools around the area for school staff members to distribute Fridays before the weekend.

"School social workers or their staff members at the school are the ones who actually go and put those in the kids' backpacks, and that's why it's called the Backpack Program," United Way Executive Director Heather Novak said. "... They go into the kids' backpack so that nobody sees kids getting food, just because questions get asked."

Novak said United Way and other organizations are working on reducing stigma for food insecurity in the community.

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"A lot of schools have been trying to break that stigma," she said. "... Not everybody has access to food, and kids need these things, and that's an OK thing."

For the Backpack Program, donations needed to be nut-free, individually wrapped and easily accessible for children.

"A lot of the students who receive our bags are younger, so we always want to make sure that they're able to open those items on their own," United Way Director of Community Outreach Nancy O'Hara said.

Last school year, United Way served 600 children weekly and provided 98,264 meals for food-insecure students.

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The primary way the organization determines student need is by giving meals to kids who are already on their school's free or reduced-fee lunch program. However, after

Minnesota started providing free breakfast and lunch

to all students, United Way provides meals to any student who feels like they have a need for it.

"Our focus is on feeding those kiddos," Novak said. "It's not a focus around whether they qualify for free and reduced or whether they do or do not need it, because it's not our choices to make realistically if the kids need it,"

In 2020, United Way took over the Backpack Program from other local organizations in order to scale up the number of students provided for. The program went from providing 75 bags a week to 250 bags a week, said Novak.

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In North Dakota,

one in seven children faces hunger

. For those who want to help, they can donate to various organizations in the area working on fighting food insecurity, including United Way, or

volunteer with United Way

to sort donations or host a food drive.

"The more volunteers that we get in, the more that helps lessen some of our load," Novak said.
As the lifeguards prepared to end their shift, a 77-year-old Russian grandmother visiting her family in Brooklyn was having such a good time at Manhattan Beach Park she called her daughter and told her to hold off on picking her up.

Its breezy. Its good weather, Liudmila Marchenko told her daughter. Give me an hour.

Minutes later, tragedy befell the beloved grandmother. Swimmers discovered her floating face down in the surf just as the lifeguards shifts ended that day, Aug. 11, her daughter told the Daily News.

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Between our conversation with my mom, the call and the accident, probably 15 minutes, said Natalia Sapunkova. People who were swimming around found my mom floating face down and called to lifeguards, but it happened at 6 oclock, maybe 6:01 p.m., and of course, lifeguards are finishing at this time.

Park Enforcement Patrol officers alerted lifeguards to Marchenkos plight in the waters off the park near Oriental Blvd. around 6:15 p.m., a spokesman for the Parks Department said.

Lifeguards administered CPR to the victim while awaiting paramedics, who rushed the victim to Coney Island Hospital, where she was declared dead around 7 p.m., the Park spokeswoman said. Because the incident occurred after the beach is closed to swimmers, lifeguards were not on duty, the Parks spokeswoman said.

Marchenko, a resident of the southwest Siberian city of Kemerovo and a former accountant for the Russian state road and rail service, had flown into the country on July 15 to celebrate her daughters birthday and spend time with her family living in Sheepshead Bay.

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A family friend recalled the festivities for Sapunkovas Aug. 1 birthday bash, where Marchenko spoke to the crowd, recited a poem and sang beautifully for her daughter.

She made this speech, a beautiful speech, and she was singing a song dedicated to her daughter, said Sofia Kozel. She gave me such an impression. She was very beautiful. Loved to live.

During her stay in the U.S., Marchenko decided she wanted to see the White House and her family took made a day trip to D.C. where they visited the National Gallery and posed for pictures outside the Washington Monument.

But, for the woman hailing from a landlocked region of Siberia, her favorite destination was Brooklyns southern coast, where she could spend hours bobbing in the surf, her granddaughter said.

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She was at the beach every single day. She would just stay in the water almost the whole entire day. In Russia, you dont really have a beach like that, said 20-year-old Yana Sapunkova. Even though Coney Island and Manhattan Beach are a little dirty, its still something compared to nothing. She really enjoyed it.

The victims daughter said her mother had been at Manhattan Beach for hours when she rang around 5:45 p.m. on Monday and said she wasnt ready to depart the coast.

She called me around 5:45 p.m. and I said, Okay, Im home. Are you ready for pickup? She said, No, give me more time.'

Natalia Sapunkova only wanted to give her mother another half hour, but that Marchenko haggled with her until she agreed to a 7 p.m. pickup. When she arrived, however, her mother wasnt answering her phone.

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Marchenkos daughter said she went searching for her mother near a flat rock on the beach that had become her usual spot. She found her bag, clothes, shoes and phone, but her mother was nowhere to be seen, Natalia Sapunkova said.

After searching for an hour, Natalia Sapunkova contacted police who directed her to the 61st Precinct in Coney Island to fill out a missing persons report. It was there she learned of her mothers tragic fate after meeting two police officers who responded to the drowning.

I cant accept it, Natalia Sapunkova said. In my brain, in my mind, its not acceptable. Shes still with me.

The victims granddaughter was attending a music festival in Pennsylvania when her mother called with the tragic news of her beloved grandmothers death.

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She was part of the reason why my childhood was as good as it was, said Yana Sapunkova. I had such an amazing grandmother who always showed love to us.

Marchenkos daughter said she hopes other beachgoers take a lesson from her mothers death and stay on land when lifeguards are off duty.

I hope this story will help someone be safe in the water, said Natalia Sapunkova. If you want to swim so late after lifeguards, only you are responsible.
The city of Grants Pass, which gained national attention for its practice of punishing homeless people for camping outside, has agreed to provide at least 150 spaces for individuals to do so. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

A southern Oregon city that gained national attention for its practice of punishing homeless people for camping outside has agreed to provide at least 150 spaces for individuals to do so after a lawsuit alleged its practices discriminated against disabled individuals.

The city of Grants Pass won a major U.S. Supreme Court case in June 2024, reversing an earlier appeals court ruling that a city ordinance barring homeless people from using blankets, pillows or cardboard while sleeping outside violated the U.S. Constitutions protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

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That Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for more stringent restrictions on homeless individuals in the West, but in Oregon, a state law only allows cities to regulate sleeping outside if those regulations are objectively reasonable to time, place and manner. Grants Pass responded by passing ordinances that allow people to stay in designated areas only between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. and to remove tents or other supplies each morning or face a $75 citation.

Disability rights advocates and five homeless individuals sued, and the city reached a settlement this month. The settlement says the city will offer at least 150 units of camping spaces for homeless individuals. The city must also provide drinking water at any approved camping sites, and the property must be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for the next year.

Oregon cant arrest its way out of homelessness, and we are pleased the city has committed to developing more humane and legally compliant approaches to this public health crisis, said Jake Cornett, executive director and CEO of the Portland-based Disability Rights Oregon, in a statement. This settlement represents a significant step forward in ensuring people with disabilities experiencing homelessness have places to rest, basic necessities like drinking water and real opportunity to stabilize their lives.

The city had limited homeless people to stay and sleep in just one site with about 30 tents at any given time, prompting concerns about overcrowding and a lack of drinking water. In January, local officials closed another site with space for about 120 tents.

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Disability Rights Oregon and the Oregon Law Center cited Oregons anti-discrimination law for disabled individuals in their January lawsuit. They won a two-week temporary restraining order in February prohibiting the city from enforcing penalties and restricting camping to the citys one site for tents.

Since then, Circuit Court Judge Sarah E. McGlaughlin has ordered the city to halt enforcement of its ordinances against homeless encampments until the city restored capacity for 150 tents, exempting several parks from her mandate. The city and plaintiffs have agreed that the additional capacity for campaign will be on property owned by the city or operated by a third-party city contractor, according to the settlement.

The city will also install shade at drinking facilities and award a $60,000 grant to a local nonprofit to provide services for homeless residents. The facility receiving the money must have bathrooms.

Homeless individuals with disabilities spoke out

The lawsuit launched by disability rights advocates was driven by stories of homeless people with chronic pain and health conditions being forced to constantly move their belongings and lives every day in the city.

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One such case involves 57-year-old Janine Harris, who suffers from arthritis, vertigo and chronic headaches. She previously told the Capital Chronicle that her health problems made her give up a job as a caregiver and she has been homeless for four years. She has to collect her belongings in a wagon she carries around.

Being homeless is really hard on a persons body, especially if you have physical disabilities,Harris wrote in a court declaration. I just want everyone to know that a lot of people who are living outside are people, just like them, who are doing their best to get by.

In a statement following the settlement, Allison Nasson, a staff attorney at the Oregon Law Center, cautioned against policies mandating homeless residents continuously relocate.

Requiring people to move along everyday doesnt get people into housing, it just makes life harder and more dangerous, she wrote. When you have been forced to live outside, you still need water, a bathroom, and a place to rest.

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Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Under the agreement, the city will also pay $85,000 to Disability Rights Oregon, allowing it to forgo any further obligation to pay legal fees.

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The Brief

One suspect has been indicted for their roles in a fatal jet ski hit-and-run on Grapevine Lake.

The driver faces a manslaughter charge, and the accomplice faces a hindering apprehension charge.

Both are Venezuelan nationals and were jailed on an immigration detainer.

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas - A suspect has been indicted for their alleged roles in a fatal hit-and-run with a jet ski on Grapevine Lake on Memorial Day weekend.

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The accused driver of the jet ski faces up to 20 years in prison for the death of 18-year-old Ava Moore.

Grapevine Lake fatal crash indictment

Daikerlyn Gonzalez Gonzalez

The latest

A Tarrant County grand jury handed down an indictment Friday for Daikerlyn Alejandro Gonzalez, 21, on a charge of manslaughter. Maikel Alexander Coello Perozo, 21, has yet to be indicted for his a charge of hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Gonzalez, believed to have been operating the jet ski when it hit and killed Moore while she was kayaking, faces two to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000 if found guilty of the crime.

Perozo, believed to have helped Gonzalez escape the scene, faces up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $4,000.

Jet ski hit-and-run

The backstory

Investigators said two women were riding a jet ski near Oak Grove Park on Grapevine Lake the evening of May 25 when they crashed into Moore, who suffered severe head trauma. She was pulled to shore by bystanders, then taken to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

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Authorities said the jet skis passenger stayed at the scene and spoke with first responders, while the jet ski driver, later identified as Gonzalez, got into a vehicle with a man. That vehicle crashed into two vehicles as they left the area.

Bystanders tried to stop Gonzalez and Perozo from fleeing, but members of their group helped them escape to a nearby parking lot. The pair were arrested two days later at the Oak Cliff residence.

Immigration status

Courtesy: Texas Game Wardens

Dig deeper

Both Gonzalez and Perozo were jailed on an immigration detainer. They will have to see an immigration judge who will decide whether they are removed back to Venezuela.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said both Gonzalez and Perozo, who are from Venezuela, were in the United States illegally.

In a post on X, Gov. Greg Abbott wrote, "Welcome to Texas. Heres your Death Penalty," linking to a news article about the crash. The state's charges in this case would not qualify for the death penalty.

Remembering Ava Moore

Ava Moore

Moore was just weeks away from starting basic training for the U.S. military, a dream her friends and family said she was proud to pursue.

She had graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School less than a week before the crash, on May 19.

The Source

Information in this article comes from the Moore family's attorney and previous FOX 4 coverage.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NEWS-PRESS NOW)  Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) thanks one St. Joseph native for completing a summer internship in his Kansas City District Office.

Claire Phillips, a graduate of St. Joseph Christian High School and a student at the University of Missouri- Columbia, played a pivotal role in Graves' office.

Claire jumped right in on day one, fielding phone calls, researching legislative issues and helping folks navigate the complex federal bureaucracy," said Graves. "Ms. Phillips was an invaluable member of our team this summer during a historic time in Congress and I wish her the best as she continues at Mizzou.

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Phillips is a National Merit Scholar and was recognized in 2024 as being of the most academically accomplished graduating seniors in the state of Missouri for that year.

Outside of her academics, Phillips enjoys working with her sorority, competing with Mizzou's Club Competitive Dance team and volunteering for local charities.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A 79-year-old man was seriously injured Thursday evening when a vehicle struck a building on North Greece Road, authorities said.

Police responded to the 600 block of North Greece Road at 5:38 p.m. Following the crash, North Greece Fire personnel applied a tourniquet at the scene before the victim was transported to a hospital.

The man injured was not the driver, police later confirmed.

A 79-year-old man was seriously injured Thursday evening when a vehicle struck a building on North Greece Road, authorities said. (Photo: Greece Police Department)

A 79-year-old man was seriously injured Thursday evening when a vehicle struck a building on North Greece Road, authorities said. (Photo: Greece Police Department)

The incident remains under investigation.

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UPDATE: Today, August 16, Carbones has reopened after the crash.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The Greeley Police Department is asking the public for information on a possible suspect in connection with a shooting at a local park that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old.

In a press release on Friday, the police department said that officers responded to a reported shooting on Thursday at around 8:00 p.m. at Centennial Park in the 2200 block of 23rd Ave.

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When officers arrived on the scene, they located an 18-year-old male with a least one gunshot wound. He was then transported to a hospital in Greeley, where he was ultimately pronounced dead, say police.

The department said that witnesses reported a fight between occupants of a red truck and a gray sedan and after the shooting occurred, the alleged suspect then fled the scene in the gray sedan and is described by the department as a caucasian male with curly blond hair.

Police said that the investigation is ongoing, but there is no current danger to the public as the shooting was an isolated incident.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact a detective with the department at 970-3509682, said the police department.

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This is a developing news story, and FOX31 will provide more information as it becomes available.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Some North Carolina A&T State University families said they were shocked by the conditions at an off-campus student apartment complex in Greensboro when moving in on Friday.

Families of some NC A&T State University students moving in at the Letterman Apartments say they arrived early Friday morning to move in but found units they describe as dirty, damaged and in some cases, uninhabitable.

When we walked into the apartment, it had a couple drawers that were missing. The stove lid was up and taken apart. It was a horrific smell in there. We went into what was possibly my daughters room. The bathroom had  grime all over the bathtub. A hair mold around the room on the bathtub. There was a hole in the wall, said Jodi Cheeks, a parent.

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Cheeks drove six hours from Philadelphia to move her daughter, who is a student at NC A&T State University, into the Letterman Apartments off Clifton Road.

She, like many other parents, said their students signed leases expecting clean and functional housing, but when they unlocked the doors, they say what they found was far from livable.

Another parent was helping her son move into a different unit at the complex and said they were devastated.

This is about dignity. To give the keys to our students  to an apartment where the mattresses are disgusting, where the toilet will not flush, where there are holes in the walls, where the stove does not have the grate so that you can actually cook  The doors falling off, said Ayeola Elias, a parent.

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The university has no affiliation with the apartment complex.

Weve been calling everybody, said Andrea Miller, who helped move in her goddaughter.

For Millers goddaughter and her roommates, she said those calls led to action and a resolution from NC A&T State University, helping them find on-campus housing.

Thank you, North Carolina A&T, Jermaine Foye and his entire department for calling us back, listening to our emails and voicemails and cries and came up with a solution, Miller said.

Many families say theyre still waiting for answers and a fix for where their students are expected to stay.

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FOX8 reached out to the apartment complexs management.

A maintenance worker said, There is always going to be complaints, and that he didnt have a statement to give.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Guatemalan authorities on Saturday freed nine prison guards who had been held hostage since Thursday by rioting inmates in Guatemala City, an official said.

Members of Guatemalas two largest gangs  Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha  began rioting Tuesday in two prisons, demanding the return of 10 leaders who had been transferred to another facility and placed in solitary confinement.

Jose Portillo, Deputy Minister of Security, told The Associated Press that the guards released Saturday had been held by members of Mara Salvatrucha.

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One prison official died Friday after being shot, authorities said, without providing further details.

Local media reported the shooting occurred at one of the prisons involved in the riots.

Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump designated Mara Salvatrucha as a terrorist organization, placing it on a list of criminal groups that he said operate in the region and threaten public safety across the hemisphere.

In another similar incident, anti-kidnapping teams freed 11 guards on Wednesday who were also held hostage by gang members in two Guatemalan prisons.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Guatemalan authorities on Saturday freed nine prison guards who had been held hostage since Thursday by rioting inmates in Guatemala City, an official said.

Members of Guatemala's two largest gangs  Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha  began rioting Tuesday in two prisons, demanding the return of 10 leaders who had been transferred to another facility and placed in solitary confinement.

Jose Portillo, Deputy Minister of Security, told The Associated Press that the guards released Saturday had been held by members of Mara Salvatrucha.

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One prison official died Friday after being shot, authorities said, without providing further details.

Local media reported the shooting occurred at one of the prisons involved in the riots.

In another similar incident, anti-kidnapping teams freed 11 guards on Wednesday who were also held hostage by gang members in two Guatemalan prisons. Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez told The Associated Press that the rioters were demanding Guatemalan authorities return their leaders from the prison where they were transferred, Renovacion I, to the prisons where they were able to lead the gangs and "exercised criminal power."

Guatemala has been plagued by the violent rivalry between the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13. Authorities say they both seek to gain control of territory where they extort money from companies and individuals.

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At least 7 people were killed last month when armed MS-13 members stormed into the funeral of a Barrio 18 member who had been killed.

Earlier this year, President Trump designated MS-13 as a terrorist organization, placing it on a list of criminal groups that he said operate in the region and threaten public safety across the hemisphere.

Last week, Mr. Trump directed the military to target drug cartels in Latin America, a source familiar with the matter told CBS News.

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We will agree to a deal on the condition that all the hostages are released in a single phase and in accordance with our terms for ending the war," the PMO said.

Hamas has sent a message to the mediators, expressing readiness to discuss a partial agreement, two sources with knowledge told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday.

The mediators have made it clear to Hamas that Israel is serious about its intent to capture Gaza City, urging them to agree to specific terms for a deal.

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Israel will only agree to a deal that releases all hostages in a single phase and on its terms for ending the war, the Prime Minister's Office said that evening in a statement.

The terms include "disarming Hamas; demilitarizing the Strip; Israeli security control over the Strip; and establishing a governing authority that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority and will live in peace with Israel, according to the statement.

This is the first time that the Prime Minister's Office has called for a comprehensive deal free of ambiguity.

Israelis demonstrate in Tel Aviv for an immediate hostage deal, August 16, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Two sources familiar with the negotiation details indicated that a partial deal could be formulated in a short timeframe; however, they spoke with a note of caution, as similar situations have occurred multiple times before.

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Last week, following his two press conferences, Netanyahu gave the Post an ambiguous "yes and no" response and declined to provide a clear answer on whether he would reject a partial deal if it were on the table.

Only a comprehensive deal is under consideration

Meanwhile, various sources are conveying that "only a comprehensive deal for the release of all hostages is under consideration."

Nevertheless, it appears that the prime minister is not entirely closing the door on a partial agreement.

On Thursday, Mossad director David Barnea told Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Doha, Qatar, that a partial deal is off the table, the Post previously reported, citing an Israeli official.

Qatar and Egypt have been https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-863679 for a deal that would include the release of all hostages and an end to the war, as of the end of last week.
JACKSONVILLE  From her first case involving an unlicensed plumber to leading the 7th Judicial Circuit, Calhoun County District Attorney Lynn Hammond says her career has been defined by a deep commitment to justice and the people she serves.

Speaking Thursday to the Jacksonville Exchange Club, Hammond shared highlights from her 30-year career, the mentors who shaped her path, and the responsibility she feels each time she steps before a jury.

Appointed in September 2023 by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Hammond oversees prosecutions in Calhoun and Cleburne counties. An Oxford native, she decided at age five that she wanted to be a lawyer.

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Thats all Ive ever wanted to be, she said.

She graduated from Oxford High School, earned a history degree with minors in religion and political science from Auburn University, and completed her law degree at Jones School of Law at Faulkner University in 1992. She passed the bar the following year.

Hammond began her career in private practice before joining the Calhoun County District Attorneys Office in 1994 under District Attorney Joe Hubbard.

She was assigned to violent crimes, working alongside Hubbard and former District Attorney Bob Field. Her trial partner for two decades was Brian McVeigh, who later became district attorney.

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Her first solo jury trial  a plumbing certificate appeal in Cleburne County.

So I go in there, Hammond said. Id never struck a jury. I didnt know what I was doing.

Fortunately for Hammond, the jury came back within 15-20 minutes with a guilty verdict. The experience confirmed her passion for trial work, a passion that has fueled her through thousands of cases since.

Hammond said she approaches each case with the principle that fairness comes first. She said she has never prosecuted someone she believed to be innocent and has never sought a punishment she thought was unwarranted.

Her work has ranged from traffic offenses and misdemeanor assaults to homicides and capital murder cases. Misdemeanor cases might involve disputes between neighbors, minor assaults or criminal mischief.

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Sometimes its neighbors who dont get along, girlfriends and boyfriends who dont always get along, Hammond said. They dont hurt each other real bad, kind of yell and scream and maybe slap each other a little bit.

Felony cases carry more serious penalties, ranging from a year and a day in prison to life without parole or the death penalty.

Hammond described capital murder cases as the most demanding and intense to prosecute. While some cases warrant the states harshest punishment, she said each carries a human cost that is sobering even in victory.

Capital murder is one of the most horrific offenses that can be committed, she said, and the punishment for that is the ultimate punishment. When you ask for the death penalty  and there are some cases where that is very appropriate  that is the punishment that should be given.

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Recently, the circuits docket has been dominated by homicide cases. Drug-related crimes also remain widespread in the region, she said, fueling many of the serious charges her office pursues.

Beyond prosecution, Hammond has been an advocate for alternative sentencing programs.

"While I was part of Mr. Hubbard's office when drug court was established, it was created by Mr. Hubbard and others," Hammond said. "Drug court is designed to give first-time, nonviolent offenders a second chance, and successful participants can have charges reduced or dismissed."

The circuit also operates a mental health court for defendants with conditions that impair judgment or impulse control, and a veterans court to address unique issues faced by former service members. Hammond said these programs are vital to reducing repeat offenders and ensuring justice is applied with understanding as well as firmness.

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For Hammond, standing before a jury remains the most exhilarating and humbling part of her job. She said the process  making arguments, weighing evidence, and asking citizens to trust her judgment  is both a privilege and a heavy responsibility.

She credited her staff for the offices success, noting that the work of investigating, preparing and prosecuting cases is a team effort. Their dedication, she said, ensures that the office continues to serve the community with integrity.

After more than three decades in prosecution, Hammond said she still feels the same drive she discovered in her first trial. As long as citizens continue to entrust her with the role, she said, she will keep representing their interests in court and pursuing justice in every case.
BOSTON (WWLP)  A Massachusetts man working as a police officer in Seabrook, New Hampshire, was arrested in connection with receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Lincoln, R.I. fire marshal charged with child exploitation offenses

The charging documents allege that from October 16, 2024, to October 17, 2024, 49-year-old John Giarrusso of Haverhill knowingly received video files of CSAM through the messaging app Kik. In these videos, the victims allegedly appeared to be approximately five to 11 years old.

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On Thursday, Giarrusso was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography. He was also charged last month by the Essex County District Attorneys Office with possession of child pornography and distribution of graphic sexual images to a minor. He is currently on bail for these state charges.

Giarrusso appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday. For receipt of child pornography, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A community activist and gun violence survivor who said he was wrongfully detained by Norfolk Police back in June said after a court hearing Friday he planned to file a lawsuit against the citys police department over the ordeal.

Crime victim to lead local healing vigil day of action

I dont feel much better today than I did yesterday, or even 53 days ago, when this incident first occurred, Cameron Bertrand told 10 On Your Side outside of the courtroom.

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This all began back on June 21, when what was supposed to be a day of unity took an unlikely turn.

I can still look back on that day and think about the people I heard screaming and the voices I heard and the bullets that flew over my head, Bertrand said. I was in a space where I went out to help somebody with the same help that I needed the night I got shot.

According to Bertrand, he was attending his Juneteenth Gun Violence Awareness event in Norfolk when gunfire erupted. Bertrand was close to the scene near 700 Lincoln Street and rushed to help one of the gunshot victims.

While doing so, Bertrand said he was arrested by a Norfolk Police officer who, Bertrand added, was using excessive force. Bertrand was later charged with obstruction of justice.

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I shouldve been able to leave there and go home to my family in safe and sound piece of mind, Bertrand said.

Norfolk Police shared with 10 On Your Side that they responded to the 700 block of Lincoln Street around 2 p.m. June 21 for a gunshot disturbance. When officers arrived, they found a victim suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the foot in the 800 block of Smith Street, and he was taken to the hospital for treatment. Soon after, officers learned two more people had arrived at the hospital in individual cars, and both were both suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Police said the preliminary investigation determined the incidents to all be related.

On Friday, Bertrand was in court for his obstruction of justice charge. Ultimately Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi decided to withdraw the charge. In a statement Fatehi said:

After becoming aware of this incident shortly after it took place, I consulted with the Norfolk Police, and we concluded that it would not serve the public interest or community trust for Mr. Bertrand to be prosecuted and possibly convicted of a crime in this case. We therefore withdrew the charge against Mr. Bertrand.

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They did the right thing by nolle prossing those charges when the police department did the wrong thing arresting Cameron for what he is called to do, said Bertrands attorney, Steven L. Washington.

Washington said the arrest still doesnt sit well with his client, announcing Friday that they plan to file a lawsuit against Norfolk Police in the coming weeks.

One-hundred percent they can absolutely expect that to come down the line, the lawsuit, Washington said.

Said Bertrand: I think that the example I can continue to set is how we work together to uplift our communities, but how we work together to make sure no one falls through the cracks, myself included.

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Norfolk gun violence survivor creates Beyond the Bullet Bleeding Control Kit

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH)  A man was found guilty of various firearm offenses after he allegedly beat a convenience store patron in the head with a firearm magazine back in February 2023.

According to evidence introduced during the trial, 36-year-old Morris Mo Carter III of Hartford was involved in a fight at a convenience store in the south end of Hartford.

Raid in Hartford finds narcotics and firearms

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Surveillance footage allegedly shows Carter assaulting the patron. Evidence shows that the firearm magazine ejected ammunition during the incident.

He allegedly fled the store, drove toward Wethersfield, and threw two handguns outside of the car. Wethersfield police stopped the car and found a loaded magazine under the passenger seat.

Later that morning, a Wethersfield resident called police to tell them she had found one of the discarded guns at the end of her driveway. Officers were able to find both discarded firearms, a magazine and ammunition in the area.

Two gunshot victims located in Hartford

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Carter has a criminal history, including a federal conviction in 2013 for conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, crack cocaine.

The jury found Carter guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Carter is also facing additional penalties for violating the condition of his supervised release. He has been detained since Feb. 19, 2023.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Parents have been urged to speak to their children about the dangers of wildfires after an "out-of-control campfire" ripped through heathland.

Two fire engines, a water carrier and specialist off-road vehicles were called to the blaze on Friday afternoon after it began to spread across Blackheath Common, near Guildford.

Surrey Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) advised residents to keep windows and doors closed following the fire, which affected four hectares (9.8 acres) of land, while police closed Sample Oak Lane by the Chilworth level crossing.

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On Friday evening, a fire service spokesperson said it had been contained, but crews would remain on scene overnight to monitor hotspots.

In a post on Facebook, SFRS said: "If you are a parent/guardian of a young person please have a chat with them about the dangers of wildfires in this heat."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

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President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin left Alaska Friday without a ceasefire agreement, although both men described the meeting as constructive.

In what was billed by the White House as a press conference following their meeting, Mr. Trump and Putin took no questions, ignoring shouted ones from reporters.

Putin spoke little of Ukraine, focusing on the bond and heritage between the U.S. and Russia, while Mr. Trump said many points were agreed to, and a few are left, regarding Ukraine. The U.S. president plans to call European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he said.

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Here is a transcript of what Mr. Trump and Putin said:

PUTIN: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, our negotiations have been held in a constructive atmosphere of mutual respect.

We have very thorough negotiations that were quite useful. I would like to thank once again my American counterpart, for the proposal to travel out here to Alaska. It only makes sense that we've met here, because our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbors. So when we've met, when I came out of the plane and I said, 'Good afternoon, dear neighbor. Very good to see you in good health and to see you alive.' I think that is very neighborly. I think that's some kind words that we can say to each other. We're separated by the strait of Bering, though, there are two islands only between the Russian Island and the U.S. Island. They're only four kilometers apart. We are close neighbors, and it's a fact.

It's also important that Alaska has to do with our common heritage, common history between Russia and the U.S., and many positive events have to do with that territory. Still, there is tremendous cultural heritage, back from the Russian America, for example, Orthodox churches, and a lot of- more than 700 geographical names of Russian origin. During the Second World War, it was here in Alaska that was the origin of the legendary air bridge for the supply of military aircraft and other equipment under the Lend-Lease Program.

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It was a dangerous and treacherous route over the vast emptiness of ice. However, the pilots of both countries did everything to bring closer the victory. They risked their lives and they gave it all for the common victory. I was just in the city of Magadan in Russia. And there is a memorial there dedicated to the Russian, the U.S. pilots. And there are two flags, the U.S. flag and the Russian flag. And I know that here as well, there is such a memorial. There is a military burial place several kilometers away from here. The Soviet pilots are buried there who died during that dangerous mission. We're thankful to the citizens and the government of the U.S. for carefully taking care of their memory. I think that's very worthy and noble. We'll always remember other historical examples when our countries defeated common enemies together in the spirit of battle camaraderie and allyship that supported each other and facilitated each other. I am sure that this heritage will help us rebuild and foster mutually beneficial and equal ties at this new stage, even during the hardest conditions.

It is known that there have been no summits between Russia and the U.S. for four years, and that's a long time. This time was very hard for bilateral relations, and let's be frank, they've fallen to the lowest point since the Cold War. I think that's not benefiting our countries and the world as a whole. It is apparent that sooner or later, we have to amend the situation to move on from the confrontation to dialog, and in this case, a personal meeting between the heads of state has been long overdue, naturally, under the condition of serious and painstaking work, and this work has been done.

In general, me and President Trump have very good direct contact. We've spoken multiple times. We spoke frankly on the phone. And the special envoy of the president, Mr. Witkoff, traveled out to Russia several times. Our advisers and heads of foreign ministries kept in touch all the time, and we know fully well that one of the central issues was the situation around Ukraine.

We see the strive of the administration and President Trump personally to help facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, and his strive to get to the crux of the matter, to understand this history, is precious. As I've said, the situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security. Moreover, we've always considered the Ukrainian nation, and I've said it multiple times, a brotherly nation. How strange it may sound in these conditions. We have the same roots, and everything that's happening is a tragedy for us, and terrible wound. Therefore, the country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it.

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At the same time, we're convinced that in order to, to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict, and we've said it multiple times, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole, and agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to work on that.

I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they won't throw a wrench in the works. They will not make any attempts to use some backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress.

Incidentally, when the new administration came to power, bilateral trade started to grow. It's still very symbolic. Still, we have a growth of 20%. As I've said, we have a lot of dimensions for joint work. It is clear that the U.S. and Russian investment and business cooperation has tremendous potential. Russia and the U.S. can offer each other so much in trade, digital, high tech and in space exploration. We see that arctic cooperation is also very possible, in our international context. For example, between the far east of Russia and the West Coast of the U.S.

Overall, it's very important for our countries to turn the page to go back to cooperation. It is symbolic that, not far away from here, the border between Russia and the US, there was a so-called International Date Line. I think you can step over, literally, from yesterday into tomorrow, and I hope that's- will succeed in that, in the political sphere. I would like to thank President Trump for our joint work, for the well wishing and trustworthy tone of our conversation.

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It's important that both sides are result-oriented and we see that the president of the U.S. has a very clear idea of what he would like to achieve. He sincerely cares about the prosperity of his nation. Still, he understands that Russia has its own national interests.

I expect that today's agreements will be the starting point, not only for the solution of the Ukrainian issue, but also will help us bring back business-like and pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S.

And in the end, I would like to add one more thing. I'd like to remind you that in 2022, during the last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague, it should not- the situation should not be brought to the point of no return, when it would come to hostilities and accept it quite directly back then, that is a big mistake. Today, when President Trump is saying that if he was the president back then, there would be no war, and I'm quite sure that it would indeed be so. I can confirm that. I think that overall, me and President Trump have built a very good business-like and trustworthy contact, and have every reason to believe that moving down this path, we can come and assume it better to the end of the conflict in Ukraine. Thank you. Thank you.

TRUMP: Thank you very much, Mr. President, that was very profound, and I will say that I believe we had a very productive meeting. There were many, many points that we agreed on, most of them, I would say, a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there, but we've made some headway. So there's no deal until there's a deal.

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I will call up NATO in a little while, I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll of course, call up President Zelenskyy and tell him about today's meeting. It's ultimately up to them. They're going to have to agree with what Marco and Steve and some of the great people from the Trump administration who've come here, Scott and John Ratcliffe. Thank you very much. But we have some of our really great leaders. They've been doing a phenomenal job.

We also have some tremendous Russian business representatives here. And I think, you know, everybody wants to deal with us. We've become the hottest country anywhere in the world in a very short period of time, and we look forward to that. We look forward to dealing- we're going to try and get this over with.

We really made some great progress today. I've always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin, with Vladimir. We had many, many tough meetings, good meetings. We were interfered with by the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. It made it a little bit tougher to deal with, but he understood it. I think he's probably seen things like that during the course of his career. He's seen- he's seen it all. But we had to put up with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. He knew it was a hoax, and I knew it was a hoax, but what was done was very criminal, but it made it harder for us to deal as a country, in terms of the business, and all of the things that would like to have dealt with, but we'll have a good chance when this is over.

So just to put it very quickly, I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened. But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there. I would like to thank President Putin and his entire team, whose faces who I know, in many cases, otherwise, other than that, whose- whose faces I get to see all the time in the newspapers, you're very- you're almost as famous as the boss, but especially this one right over here.

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But we had some good meetings over the years, right? Good, productive meetings over the years, and we hope to have that in the future. Let's do the most productive one right now. We're going to stop, really, 5, 6, 7 thousand, 1000s of people a week from being killed, and President Putin wants to see that as much as I do. So again, Mr. President, I'd like to thank you very much, and we'll speak to you very soon, and probably see you again very soon. Thank you very much, Vladimir.

PUTIN: Next time in Moscow.

TRUMP: Ooh, that's an interesting one. I don't know. I'll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening. Thank you very much, Vladimir, and thank you all. Thank you. Thank you.

PUTIN: Thank you so much.

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When could Tropical Storm Erin become a hurricane?

Trump, Putin speeches did not announce a ceasefire in Ukraine
Donald Trump wanted to go bold -- a high-pomp, high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin to test whether the Russian leader would compromise on the Ukraine war.

In the end, it looks like it was Trump, not Putin, who budged.

Putin, visibly delighted as he stepped foot in the West for the first time since ordering the 2022 invasion, made no apparent concession at the talks at an Alaska air base.

In a brief joint media appearance with Trump, who unusually took no questions, Putin again spoke of addressing the "root causes" of the Ukraine war and warned Kyiv and Europeans against disrupting "emerging progress" with the United States, the top defender of Ukraine under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden.

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Trump, who bills himself as a master negotiator, acknowledged there was "no deal" but said there were "very few" areas of disagreement, although he was vague on what they were.

But posting hours later on his Truth Social account, Trump said he wanted Russia and Ukraine to "go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war" and not a ceasefire.

Trump's own administration had been pushing a ceasefire for months, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signing on after intense pressure from Trump. Putin had repeatedly rejected truce offers and kept up attacks on Ukraine, seeking to maximize battlefield advantage.

- Putin again woos Trump -

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Trump had vowed to be firm with Putin after wide criticism of the US president's cowed appearance before him at a 2018 summit in Helsinki.

But Putin again found ways to flatter and trigger Trump, who in his second term constantly speaks unprompted about his many grievances.

Putin told Trump before the cameras that there would have been no war -- which Putin himself launched -- if Trump were president in 2022 rather than Biden, a frequent Trump talking point.

Trump bemoaned the effect on ties with Putin of what he again called the "hoax" of the findings by US intelligence that Russia meddled in the 2016 election to help him.

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In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity after the summit, Trump said that "one of the most interesting things" Putin told him was about... the US voting system.

Trump said approvingly that Putin -- who has held power in Russia since 2000 and was declared the winner of elections last year with 88 percent of the vote -- told him of the risks of mail-in ballots and said of Trump's 2020 loss to Biden, "You won that election by so much."

US election authorities and experts have found no evidence of wide-scale fraud from mail-in ballots in the 2020 election, which Trump, uniquely in US history, refused to concede.

- 'Shameful' or wait and see? -

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Trump's Democratic rivals voiced outrage that the summit secured no breakthrough and said it only served to normalize Putin, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

"By quite literally rolling out the red carpet, Trump has legitimized Russia's aggression and whitewashed Putin's war crimes. It's shameful," said Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Experts said it was too early to write off the summit completely, as much is not known about what was discussed behind closed doors. Trump will meet Zelensky on Monday at the White House.

Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, which backs US restraint, said that Trump's critics have been proven wrong in saying he would "give Ukraine to Putin or force Kyiv to accept surrender."

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"His focus has been and remains getting Putin to the negotiating table. Mr. Trump deserves credit rather than condemnation for his efforts so far," she said.

But Kristine Berzina, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, said an initial read was that "Putin scored a victory by showing up, and Trump's limited words and tense demeanor left Putin to control the narrative."

"For a man so attached to showmanship, Trump unusually allowed Putin to be the star of what should have been the Trump show," she said.

sct/md
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) -Following are key quotes from Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday. Translation by Reuters.

ON RUSSIA-U.S. TIES

As is known, Russian-American summits have not been held for more than four years. This is a long time. The past period was very difficult for bilateral relations. And, let's be honest, they have slid to the lowest point since the Cold War. And this is not good for our countries, or the world as a whole. Obviously, sooner or later, it was necessary to correct the situation, to move from confrontation to dialogue. And in this regard, a personal meeting of the heads of the two states was really overdue...

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ON UKRAINE

As you well know and understand, one of the central issues

has become the situation around Ukraine. We see the desire of the U.S. administration and President Trump personally to facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, his desire to delve into the essence and understand its origins.

I have said more than once that for Russia the events in Ukraine are associated with fundamental threats to our national security. Moreover, we have always considered and consider the Ukrainian people, I have said this many times, brotherly, no matter how strange that may sound in today's conditions. We have the same roots and everything that is happening for us is a tragedy and a great pain. Therefore, our country is sincerely interested in putting an end to this. But at the same time, we are convinced that in order for the Ukrainian settlement to be sustainable and long-term, all the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated...

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All of Russia's legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored.

I agree with President Trump  he spoke about this today  that Ukraine's security must, without a doubt, be ensured. We are ready to work on this. I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kyiv and the European capitals will perceive all of this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles. That they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue.

ON ECONOMIC TIES

It is obvious that Russian-American business and investment partnership has enormous potential. Russia and the United States have something to offer each other in trade, energy, the digital sphere, high tech and space exploration. Cooperation in the Arctic, resumption of interregional contacts, including between our Far East and the American West Coast, also seem relevant...

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I expect that today's agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also

launch the restoration of business-like, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States.

ON COOPERATION WITH TRUMP

Overall we have established very good business-like and trusting contact with President Trump. And I have every reason to believe that by moving along this path, we can - the quicker the better - reach an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

(Reporting by ReutersEditing by Andrew Osborn)
Opening today, August 13, 2025 in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, the new Italian restaurant Dimmi Dimmi, has had locals and Italian-food fans eagerly awaiting its arrival. Taking over the storied corner space at 1112 W. Armitage Avenue, the longtime home to neighborhood favorite Tarantino's for more than three decades, Dimmi Dimmi is stepping into some pretty big shoes, but doing so with confidence, warmth, and plenty of pasta.

Tell Me More

The name "Dimmi Dimmi" which means "tell me, tell me" in Italian, sets the tone for what guests can expect. As explained on dimmidimmiitalian.com, the new restaurant is designed to be "loud, warm, a little nosy, and full of love. We built this place as a tribute to the original group chat, the corner table, the stoop, the sidewalk hang. The kind of spot where stories flow like wine, and someones always asking 'you gonna eat that?'

Dimmi Dimmi is the latest concept from Cornerstone Restaurant Group, the team behind popular spots like Urbanbelly, The Table at Crate and the Michael Jordan Steakhouse.

Want trending news, op-eds, and top stories straight to your inbox? Sign up for our Daily newsletter.

Meet the Chef

Leading the kitchen is Chef Matt Eckfeld, a Michigan native whose culinary career has taken him from Chicago to Las Vegas, New York, and London. Now back in the Midwest, he's crafting a menu that blends Chicago-Italian favorites with seasonal, produce driven dishes.

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Eckfeld describes Dimmi Dimmi's cuisine as Chicago-Italian: "It's rooted in a deep Italian-American history, but it's not just red sauce and meatballs. Think chicken Vesuvio, Italian beef, giardiniera, and a whole sausage culture that's unique to this city. At Dimmi Dimmi, we honor that by making our giardiniera in-house, working with local farms like Slagel Farms for our sausage, and giving respectful nods to Chicago classics...It's Italian-American, yes, but with a very Chicago soul."

What to Expect

The menu leans into handmade pastas, crispy-crust pizzas, fresh-from-the-oven focaccia, and local, seasonal produce. Guests can expect updated takes on classicslike Italian beef carpaccio, salmon Vesuvio, and ribeye cacciatore, alongside sharable classics such as cavatelli Bolognese, spicy vodka stuffed-shells and tiramisu.

Related: Beloved Farm-To-Table Restaurant Closes 'Abruptly' After 14 Years

While the food is a draw in itself, Dimmi Dimmi's atmosphere is part of the appeal. The corner-spot invites casual drop-ins at the bar just as much as it encourages celebratory dinners with friends. It's the kind of place you can count on for comfort and familiarity.

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Whether you're craving a cozy date night, hungry for a family dinner, or just looking for a perfectly made barrel-aged Negroni and a slice of pizza, Dimmi Dimmi promises a fresh reason to fall in love with Lincoln Park all over again.

Next Up:

Related: Beloved Restaurant Announces It's Closing After 20 Years

Highly-Anticipated Italian Restaurant Opens Doors in Chicago first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
DLNR The Moanalua section of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve is seen in this undated photo.

DLNR The Moanalua section of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve is seen in this undated photo.

Honolulu firefighters airlifted an injured hiker from the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail on Thursday night.

The 911 call for the 19-year-old man came in at about 7 p.m., according to the Honolulu Fire Department. Six units with 18 personnel responded, with the first arriving within 20 minutes. A second unit set up a landing zone nearby.

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The man had reportedly been hiking for six hours with a party of four. He was not feeling well and was unable to descend on his own, even with the assistance of the three others.

HFD made patient contact just before 8 p.m. and, after a medical assessment, arranged for him to be airlifted from an open area to the nearby landing zone. His care was transferred to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services just before 9 p.m.

EMS treated the hiker for possible dehydration and severe cramping and took him to a hospital in serious condition.

The other three hikers in the party hiked out on their own.

HFD advises hikers to assess their fitness levels and hiking capabilities before heading out.

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Compare your level of fitness, ability, and experience with the trail description,  says HFD. Be practical and realistic. There are a wide variety of trails in Hawaii, so pick one that suits your level.

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Every day Israel fails to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, its standing in the region and around the world erodes, and its long-term security is undermined, Clinton warned.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu missed the biggest opportunity for a deal with Hamas after the Iran war, former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton argued in an interview on the Raging Moderates podcast released on Friday.

Israel established such dominance  intelligence dominance, military dominance, controlled the air over Iran, was able to destroy important infrastructure of their military industrial complex, had the addresses of some of the leaders in the nuclear program  and then the US came in and added to that dominance with our unique capability. After that, it seemed to me, Netanyahu should proclaim victory. Take the W, she explained.

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Describing Hamas as a death cult that is on its knees, she elaborated that with Iran, We have clearly sent a message  very forcefully  that we will not allow it to become a nuclear weapons power.

If she had been in Netanyahus position, she said, she would have laid out a plan for a ceasefire on a fast track, whether or not Hamas agrees, she began, arguing that the terrorist group has no interest in agreeing to a ceasefire, because the war perpetuates their narrative.

Im going to begin talking with our Arab neighbors about what we can do to put together some kind of security/redevelopment program; Im going to demand that the Palestinian Authority reform itself in order to be a partner with Israel in doing anything about governing the day after Gaza.

Even if doing so costs Netanyahu politically, Clinton said she would appeal directly to the Israeli public with her vision for Israels future  normalization with Saudi Arabia, supporting the Lebanese government to subdue Hezbollah, and working to ensure we get the right regime in Syria. She argued that, by doing so, he could be re-elected  although Israel needs new leadership, she added quickly.

Displaced Palestinians carry food parcels as they raid trucks carrying humanitarian aid in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip on August 9, 2025. (credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Gaza crisis erodes Israels standing and security

Clinton argued that by not addressing Gazas humanitarian crisis - as a strong supporter of Israel, she added  it is undermining Israels position in the world and it is putting Israelis and Jews at risk around the world.

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This is not the usual suffering that comes from active warfare. Israel has other options, which she said, other military and political leadership has proposed. There are other options that would continue to protect Israel but move it out of this quagmire that it has gotten itself into.

Netanyahu is a prisoner of the most extreme elements within Israeli society, and therefore, he is unable to get pragmatic again, which is what he used to be able to do, the former presidential candidate said.

Every day Israel fails to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, its standing in the region and around the world erodes, and its long-term security is undermined, Clinton warned.
Have you worked or do you work at HMRC? Tell us about a data breach in confidence at: money@telegraph.co.uk. Information that needs a higher level of security can be submitted here. Please see our Privacy Notice.

HM Revenue and Customs sacked 50 workers last year for breaking data privacy rules and snooping on taxpayers records.

In total, 354 tax employees have been disciplined for data security breaches since 2022, of whom 186 have been fired, The Telegraph can reveal. The tax office admitted that some were dismissed for looking up taxpayers confidential information.

HMRC holds a vast amount of sensitive data such as addresses, salaries and National Insurance numbers.

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Staff are forbidden from looking up these details unless they have a genuine business reason. Despite the warnings, a number of employees have been caught accessing unauthorised accounts using HMRCs IT systems.

In 2024-25, 96 staff were disciplined for data security breaches, of whom 50 were later dismissed, according to data obtained by The Telegraph via a Freedom of Information request.

HMRC said this represented less than 0.1pc of its nearly 68,000 staff.

The numbers have fallen since last year when 138 employees were disciplined, and 68 were given the sack.

The figures covered all data security breaches and not just staff searching for taxpayers records. Other examples of data breaches include making changes to records without authorisation, losing sensitive documents or failing to securely dispose of inadequately protected devices.

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In one incident in 2023, an employee was sacked from HMRC after sending the data of 100 individuals to his personal email address.

According to court documents, the staff member was visiting a business as part of a compliance check when he emailed himself a PDF containing a list of staff members details  including their salaries and National Insurance numbers  and printed it off for the meeting using his home computer.

The incident was flagged to his line manager by the analytics team responsible for identifying data breaches and he was dismissed for gross misconduct following an investigation.

The worker took HMRC to an employment tribunal, arguing he had not been thinking straight at the time due to anxiety. However, the tribunal dismissed his claim for wrongful dismissal.

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Data breaches like this have been on the rise since the pandemic because of remote working, according to one HMRC manager cited in the tribunal.

In an email reminding staff never to send personal data outside the tax offices systems, the line manager of the claimant wrote: There have been more incidents of this recently as we are working from home a lot more since Covid, but never send anything to your own private email address to print off that contains any personal or business data.

Former HMRC inspectors said the importance of data security was drilled into employees from day one.

Ronnie Pannu, of advice firm Pannu Tanu, said: When I was in HMRC, there was always a strong message from above that viewing a taxpayers records where this was not necessary for a particular purpose was a serious issue which could have serious consequences for the individual concerned.

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John Hood, of accountants firm Moore Kingston Smith, said: Any HMRC employee foolish enough to look up personal information that is not part of their usual responsibilities faces a ticking time bomb as most searches are tracked.

As an additional security, some parts of the system are restricted so that only specifically authorised personnel can access them, such as the departments dealing with MPs and civil servants.

All staff receive mandatory training on data security, and HMRC restricts access so workers can only look up customer records if this is needed for their specific role. In addition, the tax office tracks staff activity on its systems to deter misuse and record breaches.

Employees who break the rules are investigated and will face penalties, with each incident considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Ellen Milner, of the trade body the Chartered Institute of Taxation, said: Taxpayers have to be able to trust that the private information they provide to HMRC will not be leaked, supplied to criminals or used for any purpose other than that for which it was provided, and in accordance with the law.

That is why HMRC treats unauthorised access to records and data so seriously, and it is good to see that where breaches happen, HMRC will act.

On the social network, Reddit, users who claim to work at the Civil Service say they have seen new recruits at HMRC and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) fired after looking up their own records or those of friends and celebrities out of curiosity.

In 2021, an administrative officer was sacked from DWP after looking up her neighbours address using Searchlight, a database containing information about almost everyone in the country.

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According to the court documents, DWP workers are explicitly told not to look up themselves, families or celebrities. A DWP employee present at the tribunal described it as the number one rule impressed upon everyone who joined the department.

Serious data breaches must be reported to the Information Commissioners Office. HMRCs annual report shows that there were six incidents last year of employees changing customer records without permission, and two of staff losing inadequately protected devices.

HMRC is under growing pressure to strengthen its data security as criminal attacks grow more sophisticated and as it shifts towards becoming a digital-first organisation.

It recently emerged that 100,000 taxpayers had been affected by phishing attacks in the past year. Criminals used stolen credentials to access taxpayers accounts and claim significant sums in rebates. There was no loss to the individuals, who have since been contacted, and a number of arrests were made  but the cost to the taxpayer was 47m.

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A spokesman for HMRC said: Instances of improper access are extremely rare, and we take firm action when it does happen, helping prevent a recurrence.

We take the security of customers data extremely seriously and we have robust systems to ensure staff only access records when there is a legitimate business need.

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ALBANY  Gov. Kathy Hochul has been quietly pardoning migrants with decades-old criminal histories  including at least one who killed another man.

The Dem governor recently granted the extreme act of clemency to 13 migrants, including Somchith Vatthanavong, a 52-year-old Laotian man who entered the US illegally and was convicted of manslaughter in 1990, the New York Times first reported.

Vatthanavong, who fled to the US after the Vietnam War, claimed to the outlet that he was defending himself during an altercation outside a pool hall when he fatally shot a man.

Gov. Kathy Hochul last month quietly pardoned a migrant convicted of manslaughter. Andrew Schwartz/SplashNews.com

Theyve paid their debt, and Ill be damned if I let them be deported to a country where they dont know a soul, Hochul told the Times in defending her decision.

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And to those who would demonize them to score political points, I ask: Where is your compassion?

A convict who is pardoned is freed from prison even if he has time left to serve. In these New York cases, since Vatthanayong and the other recipients were already released, it means they avoid other consequences for their crimes, such as being flagged for deportation. The pardon does not seal or expunge their records.

Hochuls pardon rhetoric is a stark pivot from her repeated pledges to work with ICE and other federal authorities to deport criminal migrants.

Hochul is now defending pardoning migrants with criminal records, even though she previously said she would work with the feds to deport criminals. REUTERS

There is no sanctuary in New York for people who commit crimes. New York is committed to cracking down on gang members and violent criminals, and State officials cooperate with ICE and CBP in many circumstance, Hochuls office wrote in a memo before her testimony to the House Oversight Committee defending New Yorks sanctuary policy earlier this year.

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Hochul said the migrants she pardoned include several lawful permanent US residents from Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and South Africa. It is not clear who besides Vatthanayong may have entered the US illegally.

The governor only revealed the pardons after the Times story ran Friday.

Hochul said the migrants she pardoned include several lawful permanent US residents from Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and South Africa  all of which were revealed after the Times story ran Friday. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

After careful deliberation, Im granting clemency to thirteen individuals who have demonstrated remorse for their actions and exemplify a commitment to bettering their communities, Hochul wrote in the statement on the states web site.

After Vatthanavongs conviction, he had been eventually ordered to be deported by a federal immigration judge, though he was never removed because Laos hasnt cooperated with US deportation proceedings for years.

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Hochuls office did not say if she intends to continue pardoning migrants in similar situations to Vatthanavongs.

It said shes received 84 eligible pardon applications and 186 applications for commutations since the beginning of this year.
TALLAHASSEE  The Republican Party of Florida on Saturday removed a line of deportation-themed shirts, hats and other tchotchkes for sale on its website that mimicked The Home Depots logo.

The partys line of The Deport Depot merch was themed on the new immigrant detention center Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled this week that he called Deportation Depot.

But the items bore a logo with the same recognizable orange box and stenciled font as the one belonging to The Home Depot.

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Home Depot spokesperson Beth Marlowe said late Friday that the company had not approved the party to use its branding or logo.

We have reached out to the RPOF to try to resolve this issue, she said in an email.

As of Saturday afternoon, the items were still for sale, ranging from $15 to $28. Sales count as political contributions to the Republican Party of Florida. The merch, along with a post on X about it, were removed a few hours later, after this story published.

Party chairperson Evan Power didnt respond to requests for comment on Saturday. On Friday, before The Home Depot weighed in, he said that the party clears its merchandise through lawyers before selling it.

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Power said he was confident that The Deport Depot was protected by prior case law, in which no reasonable person would think its the logo of a company.

Its proving a point by highlighting a recognizable symbol, Power said of the partys logo.

The Deport Depot was the partys most recent attempt to fundraise off of the states immigration efforts. When DeSantis unveiled the Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Everglades, the party and state Attorney General James Uthmeier released a corresponding line of shirts, buttons, hats and drink insulators.

Companies have taken aggressive approaches to protecting their logos, but The Home Depot could be more sensitive than most.

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The companys home improvement stores have become ground zero for President Donald Trumps aggressive deportation efforts, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents targeting the day laborers who gather there seeking work.

Raids outside Home Depot stores have been particularly acute in California. The June protests in a neighborhood of Los Angeles were sparked in part by reports of immigration agents chasing people outside a store. On Thursday, a man was struck and killed by a vehicle while fleeing immigration agents at a Home Depot in Southern California.

The company has been criticized on all sides for largely staying out of the issue.

We arent notified that ICE activities are going to happen, and we arent involved in them, Marlowe said.
Homelessness was top of mind, when the Oklahoma Policy Institute came to Tahlequah to hear from residents.

The open forum took place Aug. 14 at the Tahlequah Public Library, and opening statements were given by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

Hoskin said he considered it an honor to be at the event and said he admires OPI and utilizes the information the organization makes available.

There are a lot of think tanks around. Sometimes the word think ought to be in little letters and maybe shaded out, Hoskin said. The think part is not there on some of these think tanks.

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However, he said OPIs analyses are formed by data and its been that way from the beginning.

Its formed on the idea that the state can do better on public policy, and we can do better locally and tribes can do better if we know the facts...thats what I like about the OPI, Hoskin said.

The delegate for Congress for the Cherokee Nation, Kim Teehee, attended the event, as did the CN governmental relations and communications staff and other members of Hoskins administration.

Having partners like the OPI come and gather thoughts of our community and those of others, and combine them with other communities in the state, and then map out some ways forward on a number of issues  its what the state needs, Hoskin said.

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One issue he brought up that is making headway, he said, involves finding solutions for homelessness.

We could just see it as a crisis or we can roll up our sleeves and see it as an opportunity, Hoskin said. There are a lot of people in this community that are doing something about [homelessness].

Thea Nietfeld, an attendee at the event, said OPI presented a great model for community conversations.

The facilitator and note taker were completely neutral and cared that they understood each participants view, Nietfeld said. Housing seemed like the issue we kept coming back to.

Discussions included immigration, the economy, housing, health care, adult and youth criminal justice, state-tribal relations and democracy or civic engagement.

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The audience was broken up into five discussion groups with 15-20 people in each one.

One of the leaders in the breakout sessions was Angela Monson, Outreach and Legislative director of OPI.

Monson said the estimate on attendance was almost 100 people, with 90 people registered and others showed up without registering.

Topics vary by group and across the state, and the event in Tahlequah was the sixth one, Monson said.

Immigration is the hot topic right now, but it has been more common than not for people to talk about the value of immigrants in their community, the work they do and the taxes they pay, Monson said.

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Economic security and housing is always one of the topics and Monson said and it came up with Tahlequah residents as well.

Do you or people in your community really have enough money to meet their needs or emergency situations? Monson said. That conservation always leads to the price of housing. Those two topics always merge together.

The conversation regarding tribes was mostly centered on health care and the question posed was: What can the state do to improve the relationship between the tribes with regard to delivering health care?

If you arent a tribal member you cant get health care services at tribal facilities, was one of the discussions, Monson said.

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Monson said that OPI staff will follow up with the attendees.

This is just a jumpstart and we will be back working with members of the community, so that they can influence policy makers both at the local and the state level, Monson said.

The last of these events will happen in September and Monson said OPI staff will aggregate the information from all the listening events across the state.

And we keep standalone information from each local location, Monson said. OPI will probably be back in Tahlequah in early October.

Shiloh Kantz, director of OPI, said when they come into communities the organization wants to ensure that participants have compensation for giving their time.

We offer stipends at the end of the event, so they feel they were rewarded for their time, Kantz said. Everybody got an envelope with $50 in it. I write that into the grant.
Habitat loss and trapping slashed the common river otter's population in the late 1800s, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The mammal was hunted to extremes during the Fur Trade Era (1600 to 1850) but was reintroduced in Ohio from 1986 to 1993.

Because of this reintroduction, the presence of river otters has been confirmed in 86 of 88 Ohio counties as of 2020. As these animals thrive, biodiversity is reinstated in areas where the river otter once ruled.

Oxford, Ohio, resident Jim Hermann captured images on his trail cameras of river otters playing on his property, per The Miami Student.

GREENHAWKS // River otters, once commonly spotted in Southwest Ohio, disappeared in the area due to hunting. Thanks to conservation efforts, the species is making a comeback in Oxford, Ohio.https://t.co/vg0m6uCyH0  The Miami Student (@miamistudent) May 18, 2025

Hermann told the newspaper: "For me, it was very exciting.  I wouldn't have expected them here."

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While Hermann set up his trail cameras to watch the beavers that were chewing on his trees, he was treated to a rare sight. Trail cameras are good for this.

Researchers use them to watch animals in their natural habitats and track the populations of endangered species.

For instance, Galapagos Conservancy uses trail cameras to classify native animals and track their behaviors and population changes. It then uses this data to determine what a species may need to be better served by conservationists.

Of course, these devices are not just used by conservation organizations. Anyone can set them up to spy on animals at play with the added possibility of surprise appearances of rare critters.

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When these sightings are reported, as they are encouraged to be, officials can add data to their studies on animal population changes and track the results of rehabilitation efforts. Organizations such as Otter Watch and the River Otter Ecology Project ask people to report sightings of otters in nature.

Hermann's sighting in a town not used to seeing river otters gives hope to biologists, conservationists, and animal lovers alike.

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.

"We want to have a healthy population that can sustain itself and provide resources," Miami University student Aiden Schmeling said to The Miami Student. "They are a mid-upper level predator on fish and aquatic life, so that indicates there's adequate water quality for our fish. It tells us that we have a big enough ecosystem to support a predator."

Hermann told the newspaper: "There are bright spots. One of those bright spots is the reappearance of these big mammal and bird species that have come back to Ohio."

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.
DENMARK TOWNSHIP  After lengthy negotiations, the Northeast Ohio Regional Airport and University Hospitals Health System have agreed to a lease that will place a helicopter and an advanced ambulance stationed at the site.

The lease was approved at the Ashtabula County Airport Authority regular meeting Wednesday morning, ACAA president Lance Bushweiler said. The authority runs the airport.

The critical care ambulance will begin operations soon, while the facility is set up to support aeromedical helicopter operations, Bushweiler said.

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There are some renovations that are needed at the hanger where it will be housed, and the goal is to have the helicopter on-site by December, he said.

Critical care ambulance services operated by UHHS will begin in the near future at NORA, marking the first phase of expanded emergency medical operations, Bushweiler said.

He said the authority is excited to welcome the hospital system to the airport.

For the residents of Ashtabula County, this agreement means faster access to lifesaving medical care, he said. Whether by helicopter or critical care ambulance, people in urgent need are now connected more quickly to the resources that can save their lives.

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From the airports perspective this agreement will not only bring in steady revenue, but it also demonstrates how public infrastructure can directly support essential service like health care, Bushweiler said. The airport will have steady income through a lease agreement, but also by selling fuel for the helicopter, he said.

The discussions have gone on for many years, with a variety of challenges that faced the authority, UH and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA had to approve the agreement as a non-aviation use, which came with a variety of challenges.

In July, there were some revisions to a proposed contract discussed during an authority board meeting and after further discussions, both groups agreed on the final terms Wednesday.

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Ashtabula County Commissioner J.P. Ducro at the July meeting urged the board to proceed and approve the agreement, and said he receives almost daily calls regarding emergency service in the southern part of the county.

The issue has become more important over the last five years, after the Andover UH Emergency Room closed, making for much longer trips for ambulances.

Area elected leaders have been discussing ways to improve emergency response times.

This should be a great step forward for making additional emergency services available to the community with reduced response times, as well as assisting with financial stability and increased utility for the airport, Ducro said. Very excited to see this agreement finally approved.

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Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said he was also very happy about the agreement.

This is great news, and Im very pleased we were able to overcome the hurdles and position the airport to partner with UH, he said. This is especially important at a time when access to healthcare in southern Ashtabula County is limited, as it will help bridge the gap in meeting needs that exist.
President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin for historic talks on U.S. soil on Friday. However, in the pre-press conference coverage on CNN, veteran anchor Jake Tappers mind seemed to be elsewhere.

Speaking live from Anchorage, Alaska, where the meeting between the two world leaders took place, Tapper could be heard having a testy exchange with a producer just as fellow anchor Anderson Cooper ceded the spotlight to his colleague.

Im fine, Tapper can be heard saying with what seems to be some exasperation. Just give me my show back.

Jake Tapper / Bryan Bedder / Variety via Getty Images

Cooper, smiling at the unexpected moment, prompts his colleague with a wry nudge: Your shows back!

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A somewhat flustered Tapper then introduced California Senator Adam Schiff for commentary on the planned press conference. As the slip occurred, laughter could be heard in the background at the CNN studio.

The news network was facing technical difficulties throughout their broadcast, with Tapper later losing connection with Schiff.

Were having real comms problems today, Tapper said at the end of his interview with the senator. Im sorry about that. If anybody can hear me, lets go throw it back to New York.

Anderson Cooper reacts to Jake Tapper's hot mic moment on CNN. / CNN

Both Tapper and Cooper have a reputation for being outspoken and forthright in their work. Tapper last month lashed out at Trump for his criticism of CNN, saying its not the journalists job to protect his feelings.

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Cooper, for his part, was forced to make an apology in February after telling former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu not to be a d--k.

Though both Trump and Putin claimed they made progress in their talks about the ongoing war in Ukraine, they shared virtually no details of what was discussed. During the press conference, Trump noted that many points were agreed to in their meeting but that there are just a very few that are left. The president noted that both sides want to see an end to the bloodshed.

Putin said he agreed with Trump over the need for security in Ukraine and that the pair have reached an agreement that will pave the path toward peace.

In his closing remarks, Trump told Putin that he would likely speak with him again soon and Putin, in English, said next time in Moscow.

Oh, thats an interesting one, Trump replied. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.
Aug. 15Rose Creek couple's CREP site in Lyle Twp. leads to SWCD wildlife award

In 2007, Jay Howton recently had returned from serving in the Iraq War, where he was significantly injured from experiencing enemy explosions three times.

With disability money from the government for his injuries, Howton and his wife Linda chose to invest part of the funds into buying about 39 acres between Minnesota Highway 105 and the Cedar River in Lyle Township. The landowner had enrolled nearly 27 acres into a state-federal CREP easement but work had not started to restore the flood-prone cropland into a permanently forested area.

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That's where the Howtons and family took over, working with Mower Soil & Water Conservation District to plan the restoration and buy 8,400 trees over two years through Mower SWCD's annual tree program.

Mower SWCD is recognizing the Howtons as its 2025 Outstanding Wildlife Conservationists for their dedication over nearly two decades to plant thousands of trees and commit to the extensive maintenance involved with caring for their land. The Howtons were honored Aug. 8 during the Mower County Fair's "Pride of Mower"event.

The Howtons always have been pleased with their decision to invest in the land.

"It's gratifying to look up and see how enormous some of these bareroot seedling trees have grown over the past 17 years,"Linda said. "If they can survive and thrive through the hands Mother Nature has dealt them, it's a lesson in perseverance that we don't take for granted."

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In 2008, the Howtons planted 4,200 trees purchased through Mower SWCD to start the CREP restoration. Unfortunately, some trees didn't survive when one of the Austin area's worst-known floods put 1 to 3 feet of water on the land weeks later.

But the Howtons came back in spring 2009 to plant another 4,200 trees all in one day  the Arbor Day tree-planting holiday. From there, the Howtons have worked hard to maintain and support the trees, including extensive watering and weeding early on.

Today, the site along the Cedar River State Water Trail boasts thousands of beautiful trees and is considered a "sanctuary"for the Howtons, who live in Rose Creek but enjoy walking and hunting property as well as camping outside the CREP boundary.

Linda's late father, Richard Pedersen, provided his tractor and soil-saver tillage equipment to prep the property for planting trees. He supported the couple in every aspect of the land's early years, including planting and tree care.

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Shortly before he died in July, Linda took her father for what was his last drive around the site to see the trees and wildlife.

"He told me that Jay and I should be proud of what we've accomplished there, and we really are,"Linda said.

Permanent forest restorations are uncommon in Mower County, where most permanent easements restore former cropland into native prairie and/or wetlands, said Tim Ruzek, Mower SWCD's water plan and outreach coordinator.

"Jay and Linda have created an incredible natural legacy with their land along the river, and it's something that many people enjoy while driving or paddling by the site,"Ruzek said.

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The Howtons also have worked with Cedar River Watershed District on other projects, including in 2011 when they joined the Mullenbach family in removing about 120 tires and tons of junk from the Cedar River State Water Trail near their property through CRWD's "Adopt-A-River"program launched that year. They also have been helpful with the future Orchard Creek public access led by CRWD on the Cedar River, just north of their property.

Jay and Linda both grew up with a love for the outdoors and have instilled that respect for the outdoors in their adult children, Emily and Jacob. Their restored property is a nice escape for the family.

"We both have found peace and tranquility spending time at 'the property,'"Linda said. "Sometimes it's a simple drive around to check on things. Other times, it's mowing; hunting for deer, turkey or coyotes; or checking the four apple trees we planted to see if it's a good year for apples."
Democrats are waking up to the challenges of boys and men For years, concerns about boys and men have been politically neglected  especially on the left. Thats finally changing. Gov. Gavin Newsom just signed a sweeping executive order instructing his administration to tackle the growing crisis of connection and opportunity for men and boys.

This is a hugely positive step for California. To the states boys and men, the governor is saying: I see you; I see some of the challenges you are facing and Im working on your behalf. This is a much-needed message. According to a 2023 State of American Men report published by Equimundo, 69% of young men say that they agree with the statement: no one cares if men are OK.

And many boys and men are not OK. As Newsoms order notes, suicide rates are four times higher among men than women. Young men are now at a higher risk of death from suicide than middle-aged men.

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Rather than starting from scratch, the order sensibly instructs health officials to work through existing programs, like the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative and Master Plan for Kids Mental Health. Likewise, in education, the plan is to assess gender gaps in various initiatives, including California Community Schools Partnership Program, and review outreach efforts to increase the representation and engagement of men.

Newsom joins a growing group of Democrats who are acknowledging and addressing male challenges. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore have both declared their commitment to working on behalf of boys and men. Even President Barack Obama recently spent an hour talking about these issues on his wife and former First Lady Michelle Obamas podcast.

We rightly have tried to invest in girls to make sure that theres a level playing field and then theyre not barred from opportunities, the former president said. But we havent been as willing ... to be intentional about investing in the boys. And thats been a mistake.

Of course, politics is part of the story here. It is hardly a coincidence that Democrats have been publicly addressing these issues since the 2024 election, which saw a huge swing toward the Republicans among young men. It is also striking that the Democrats most willing to speak up are among those often mentioned as potential presidential contenders for 2028. Anybody serious about winning the presidency knows they have to start taking the issues of boys and men seriously.

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Thats why its so important that theyre not just acknowledging the problem  theyre doing something about it.

This does not mean doing less for women and girls. As Newsoms order states: The progress that women have made is to be celebrated, and, because it is not a zero-sum question, it is in the best interest of all of us to broaden opportunities for success and address the disparities in outcomes for men.

We can continue to fight for more opportunities for our women and girls while doing more for our boys and men. We can do two things at once. It is an and not an or.

For too long, Democrats have been fearful that tackling male issues would make them seem less committed to women and girls. Not only is this nonsensical, it was an unfathomable act of political self-harm. To state the blindingly obvious, it is not good for women if men are struggling.

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Helping boys and men should be a bipartisan cause (and Republican Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah set up a taskforce on boys and men back in 2023). But what is particularly exciting about these new efforts from Democrats is that they arent just talking about boys and men, they are taking action  using their elected powers to effect real policy change.

Rather than blaming each other for their problems, young men and young women should be linking arms, demanding a fairer housing market, a better education system and more investment in families and children. We rise  or fall  together.

Richard Reeves is president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of Of Boys and Men (2022).
The production company behind a production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame has been criticised for casting a non-disabled performer as its lead.

Critics said the decision to cast an actor without a physical impairment in the title role of the West End show was an example of ableism.

They say Quasimodo is one of the most recognisable characters with a disability and his hunchback is intrinsic to the story.

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The role will instead be shared by two actors, one of whom is deaf and will be providing a British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation of the performance.

A spokesman for Equity, the performing arts trade union, said that while it welcomed the inclusion of interpreters, representation of one group does not excuse the erasure of another.

It comes after last year Shakespeares Globe theatre defended casting an able-bodied woman in the role of Richard III, who had a hunchback, claiming that all actors have a right to play all parts.

The organisation said its members raised concerns about the casting process of Jack Maple Productions in its adaptation of the 1996 Disney film.

The poster for the West End show

The union said there must be a fair and accessible audition process, which is paired with targeted outreach to those artists who have lived experience of the specific disability.

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It said: The decision not to cast a physically disabled actor in the title role of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert goes against these principles.

The musical adaptation of Victor Hugos timeless tale of love, power, and redemption was announced by the production company earlier this year.

In the original production, Quasimodo is depicted as having a severe hunchback and being partially blind. He is also described as being deaf and unable to speak clearly.

The West End show will star actor Ben Joyce and deaf performer Oliver Hewing, who will be providing BSL interpretation of Joyces performance.

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Equity said it was aware that BSL will be incorporated into the show, adding: However, these facts sidestep the real and significant issue of casting a non-physically disabled performer in the role of a physically disabled character.

Such a move has a detrimental effect on the representation of physically disabled artists in the industry.

The Prince Edward Theatre is the venue for The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert - Aaron Chown/PA

Natalie Amber, the chairman of Equitys deaf and disabled members committee, said: The casting of this role has caused concern and raised many questions from our members.

Although the production explores the characters deaf identity, the physical disability at the centre of Quasimodos character is intrinsic to the story.

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To highlight one facet while overlooking another erases the lived experience of people with physical impairments and is an example of ableism.

While we welcome the inclusion of BSL interpreters, neurodivergent and Romani performers, it is important to recognise that diversity is not a trade-off.

Representation of one marginalised group does not excuse the erasure of another.

Equity said it has had positive engagement with Jack Maple Productions in which they have highlighted the structural discrimination faced by disabled artists.

Jack Maple Productions and the actors starring as Quasimodo were approached for comment.

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The production will open at the Prince Edward Theatre in London on Aug 17.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Hundreds of kids will return to school wearing a new pair of kicks, thanks to Vox Church and the Springfield Boys and Girls Club.

On Saturday, there was a line down the street for free school supplies and sneakers in Springfield, with over a thousand kids trying on different kinds of shoes to find their favorite pair. Its a gift to children whose parents cant afford the cost of new sneakers or may need a helping hand.

Fifth annual Kamari B. Williams Memorial Golf Tournament held in Springfield

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With some families budgets overwhelmed these days, these free items are going to be one less thing to worry about. For the Vox Church community, the event is all about serving families in need and staying true to their mission surrounding intentional community in western Massachusetts.

What we take for granted, most people dont have, said Pastor Corey Sanders of Vox Church. So you got kids come in, and the shoes on their feet are busted. They dont have socks, they dont have school supplies, their parents living paycheck to paycheck. So how can we not make it about ourselves, and how can we come together?

This event comes right on time, as school is just around the corner. These kids will now be rocking a new pair of sneakers or a stylish new backpack. Guests in attendance also enjoyed food, live music, and a bounce house.

The giveaway brought plenty of smiles ahead of the new school year.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Hundreds of runners raise $40,000 to support DeKalb officer killed in CDC attack

Hundreds of runners gathered in downtown Atlanta on Saturday morning to raise money for the family of Officer David Rose, who died in last weeks shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Channel 2s Bryan Mims was among the 1,500 runners at the Atlantas Finest 5K, held at Pemberton Place, including Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The race has been around for 20 years, but this year, the runners are supporting the family of Officer Rose. The $40,300 raised in registration fees will directly support Roses pregnant wife and two children.

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I think thats a wonderful thing theyre doing for him, and raising money for his family, said runner Felicia Merritt.

Chief Schierbaum said Roses children have lost their father, but it takes a village.

While we have all lost a police officer and children have lost their father, theyre not gonna be raised alone. Were gonna help raise them, Schierbaum told Mims.

RELATED STORIES:

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Rose, 32, was ambushed and killed while responding to reports of an active shooter on the CDC campus last Friday.

The suspected shooter, 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, fired approximately 500 rounds before turning the gun on himself. White and Officer Rose were the only fatalities in the shooting.

The race not only honored Officer Roses memory but also served as a fundraiser for CrimeStoppers of Greater Atlanta and other officer support programs. They raised a total of $160,000.

I think its an outstanding way to show support for the police department and what they do for the city, said one runner.

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PARIS  More than 100 miles of northeast Texas roadways  including 45 miles in Hunt County  will receive new surfaces starting next week, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT officials said the work is part of a $14.5 million seal coat project across all nine counties within the Paris District, which includes Grayson, Fannin, Hunt, Rains, Hopkins, Franklin, Lamar, Delta and Red River counties.

The project includes applying a new seal coat to road surfaces and repainting roadway striping. Lane closures are expected in various areas throughout the duration of the work.

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The affected areas in Hunt County include:

 State Highway 224 from State Highway 34 to Farm-to-Market Road 2874 (12.85 miles)

 SH 224 from FM 2874 to State Highway 24 (2.62 miles)

 SH 34 from Fannin County line to SH 224 (16.41 miles)

 U.S. Highway 69 from 0.5 miles south of Farm-to-Market Road 272 to Business U.S. 69D (8.3 miles)

Farm-to-market Road 6 from Collin County line to State Highway 66 (3.4 miles)

 Farm-to-Market Road 1903 from Farm-to-Market Road 36 to Interstate 30 (1.58 miles).

Motorists traveling in the affected counties are urged to slow down, pay attention to all traffic signs and barricades and stay alert in work zones.

Work is scheduled to begin Tuesday and is expected to wrap up by the end of summer, weather permitting.
UPDATE: Hurricane Erin surges to Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds. Latest track remains off East Coast

Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified into a dangerous Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported Saturday.

New Jersey could see multiple days of dangerous surf and rip currents at beaches as the hurricane passes far off the East Coast next week.

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Heading into next week, we will be continuing to watch Hurricane Erin, the National Weather Service office in New Jersey said early Saturday It should track well east of the area out to sea but well still likely feel some indirect impacts from it with high surf, dangerous rip currents, and minor coastal flooding possible beginning as early as Monday.

Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified to a Category 4 storm as of Saturday morning and could start bringing dangerous surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore early next week, while remaining far out to sea.

As of 5:50 a.m., Erin was located about 150 miles northeast of Anguilla, moving west-northwest at 20 mph, the hurricane center said.

The hurricanes minimum central pressure has dropped, indicating continued strengthening.

Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified to a Category 4 storm as of Saturday morning and could start bringing dangerous surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore early next week, while remaining far out to sea.

Forecasters predict Erin will pass east of the Bahamas and continue moving north, with dangerous ocean conditions likely to impact coastal areas from North Carolina to New England.

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Currently, tropical storm watches are in effect for St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, and Sint Maarten.

Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified to a Category 4 storm as of Saturday morning and could start bringing dangerous surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore early next week, while remaining far out to sea.

The hurricane is expected to produce heavy rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals up to 6 inches, across the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Sunday.

Residents along the U.S. East Coast are advised to monitor future updates from the National Hurricane Center and local weather authorities.

Current weather radar

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
Hurricane Erin formed in the Atlantic Aug. 15 and rapidly strengthened to a catastrophic Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds on Saturday, Aug. 16, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Erin is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Hurricane Erin's center position was estimated at about 235 mile east-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico and roughly 1,800 miles east-southeast of Miami.

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The outer bands of Erin are expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rainfall and isolated totals of 6 inches across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Aug. 17. Flash and urban flooding, and landslides or mudslides, are possible.

Erin continues to move fairly quickly to the west-northwest, but a turn to the north is expected early next week.

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 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

Tropical storm watches are in effect for St. Martin, St. Barthelemy and Sint Maarten with tropical storm conditions possible within the next 12 hours.

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Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, as well as in the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas should monitor the progress of Erin, the hurricane center advised.

The center of Erin is expected to move just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend.

Erin is expected to produce dangerous surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the U.S., including Florida, and Atlantic Canada next week.

Erin is expected to bring dangerous conditions to offshore waters and beaches along the Florida coast from Aug. 18 - 21, including rip currents and rough, high surf with breakers greater than 7 feet on the 19th and 20th, said the weather service office in Jacksonville, Florida.

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 Hurricane drama vs. data: Why Erin is a minuscule threat to Florida, U.S. east coast

Hurricane categories: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Category 1 hurricane : 74-95 mph

Category 2 hurricane : 96-110 mph

Category 3 hurricane : 111-129 mph

Category 4 hurricane : 130-156 mph

Category 5 hurricane: 157 mph or higher

Hurricane Erin update, path

Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Location : 1050 miles north of Anguilla

Maximum sustained winds: 160 mph

Movement : west-northwest at 17 mph

Pressure : 917 mb

Next advisory: 2 p.m. ET

Hurricane Erin now a Category 5 storm

Hurricane Erin strengthened to a catastrophic Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds Saturday, Aug. 16.

Spaghetti models for Hurricane Erin. Where is the storm going?

Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

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 Track Hurricane Erin

Is there a hurricane coming to Florida?

No. Erin is moving west-northwest and the center of the storm is expected to remain east of Florida.

Remember, forecasts can change, so it's always best to be prepared.

U.S. rip current risk as of 5 a.m., Aug. 16, 2025.

What impacts could Hurricane Erin have on Florida?

"The threat of direct impacts in the Bahamas and along the east coast of the United States appears to be gradually decreasing.

"There will still be a significant risk of dangerous surf and rip currents along western Atlantic beaches next week."

How strong is Hurricane Erin and where could it go? See the scenarios

At 11:20 a.m., the center of Hurricane Erin was located near latitude 19.7 North, longitude 62.8 West.

Erin is moving toward the west near 17 mph, and this motion is expected to continue this afternoon.

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A turn toward the west-northwest is expected tonight with a decrease in forward speed, and a turn toward the north is expected to occur early next week.

On the forecast track, the center of Erin is expected to move just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend.

Reports from Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 160 mph with higher gusts.

Erin is a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Fluctuations in intensity are expected for the rest of the weekend.

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Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles mainly to the north of the center.

Have any watches or warnings been issued for Hurricane Erin?

A tropical storm watch is in effect for:

St. Martin and St. Barthelemy

Sint Maarten

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 12 hours.

Hazards affecting land from Hurricane Erin

RAINFALL: The outer bands of Erin are expected to continue producing areas of heavy rainfall through Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals of 6 inches, are expected. Locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides, are possible.

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WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area today.

SURF: Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend. These swells will spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the east coast of the United States early next week. These rough ocean conditions will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. Please consult products from your local weather forecast office for more information.

Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Hurricane Erin

Heavy rainfall at times through Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico may lead to locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides. Gusts to tropical storm force in Erin's outer rainbands are likely in portions of the northern Leeward Islands through tonight and over portions of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later today through Sunday. Tropical-storm force wind gusts are possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Southeast Bahamas Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the U.S., and Atlantic Canada next week. Interests in Bermuda should continue to monitor the progress of Erin since there is a risk of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and high surf by the middle part of next week.

Current forecast: How strong could Hurricane Erin get?

At 11 a.m.: 160 mph

12 hours: 165 mph

24 hours: 160 mph

36 hours: 155 mph

48 hours: 150 mph

60 hours: 145 mph

72 hours: 140 mph

96 hours: 130 mph

120 hours: 110 mph

System off North Carolina has low chance of development

Northwestern Atlantic: A broad and weak area of low pressure located off the coast of North Carolina is producing disorganized shower activity.

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Some slight development of this system is possible over the next day or two while it moves little over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

By Monday, environmental conditions are expected to become unfavorable for further development.

Formation chance through 48 hours : low...10 percent.

Formation chance through 7 days: low...10 percent.

Interactive map: What tropical storms, hurricanes have impacted your area in the past?

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

What's next?

We will update our tropical weather coverage daily.

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Contributing: Dinah Pulver, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricane Erin path: Storm track, Florida impact
Hurricane Erin formed in the Atlantic Aug. 15 and rapidly strengthened to a major Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds on Saturday, Aug. 16, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Erin, the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, is forecast to continue rapidly strengthening.

The outer bands of Erin are expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rainfall and isolated totals of 6 inches across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Aug. 17. Flash and urban flooding, and landslides or mudslides, are possible.

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Erin continues to move fairly quickly (currently at 20 mph) to the west-northwest, but a turn to the north is expected early next week.

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 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

Tropical storm watches are in effect for St. Martin, St. Barthelemy and Sint Maarten with tropical storm conditions possible within the next 12 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, as well as in the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas should monitor the progress of Erin, the hurricane center advised.

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The center of Erin is expected to move just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend.

Erin is expected to produce dangerous surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the U.S., including Florida, and Atlantic Canada next week.

 Hurricane drama vs. data: Why Erin is a minuscule threat to Florida, U.S. east coast

Hurricane categories: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Category 1 hurricane : 74-95 mph

Category 2 hurricane : 96-110 mph

Category 3 hurricane : 111-129 mph

Category 4 hurricane : 130-156 mph

Category 5 hurricane: 157 mph or higher

Hurricane Erin update, path

Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

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Location : 120 miles northeast of Anguilla

Maximum sustained winds: 145 mph

Movement : west-northwest at 20 mph

Pressure : 935 mb

Next advisory: 11 a.m. ET

Hurricane Erin expected to become Category 4 storm

Hurricane Erin strengthened to a major Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds Saturday morning, Aug. 16.

It's expected to continue strengthening today.

Spaghetti models for Hurricane Erin. Where is the storm going?

Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

 Track Hurricane Erin

Is there a hurricane coming to Florida?

No. Erin is moving west-northwest and the center of the storm is expected to remain east of Florida.

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Remember, forecasts can change, so it's always best to be prepared.

U.S. rip current risk as of 5 a.m., Aug. 16, 2025.

What impacts could Hurricane Erin have on Florida?

"The threat of direct impacts in the Bahamas and along the east coast of the United States appears to be gradually decreasing.

"There will still be a significant risk of dangerous surf and rip currents along western Atlantic beaches next week."

How strong is Hurricane Erin and where could it go? See the scenarios

At 8 a.m., the center of Hurricane Erin was located near latitude 19.6 North, longitude 62.0 West.

While the eye has wobbled westward during the past few hours, Erin is moving generally toward the west-northwest near 20 mph. This motion is expected to continue through the weekend with a gradual decrease in forward speed.

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A turn toward the north is expected to occur early next week.

On the forecast track, the center of Erin is expected to move just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend.

Reports from NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 145 mph with higher gusts.

Erin is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Continued rapid strengthening is expected today, followed by fluctuations in intensity through the weekend. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles mainly to the north of the center.

Have any watches or warnings been issued for Hurricane Erin?

A tropical storm watch is in effect for:

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St. Martin and St. Barthelemy

Sint Maarten

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 12 hours.

Hazards affecting land from Hurricane Erin

RAINFALL: The outer bands of Erin are expected to produce areas of heavy rainfall through Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals of 6 inches, are expected. Locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides, are possible.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area later today.

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SURF: Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend. These swells will spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the east coast of the United States early next week. These rough ocean conditions will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. Please consult products from your local weather forecast office for more information.

Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Hurricane Erin

Heavy rainfall at times through Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico may lead to locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides. Gusts to tropical storm force in Erin's outer rainbands are possible in portions of the the northern Leeward Islands later today and over portions of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and Sunday. Erin is expected to produce dangerous surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the U.S., and Atlantic Canada next week. Interests in Bermuda should continue to monitor the progress of Erin since there is a risk of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and high surf by the middle part of next week.

Current forecast: How strong could Hurricane Erin get?

At 5 a.m.: 120 mph

12 hours: 150 mph

24 hours: 150 mph

36 hours: 145 mph

48 hours: 140 mph

60 hours: 130 mph

72 hours: 125 mph

96 hours: 120 mph

120 hours: 110 mph

System off North Carolina has low chance of development

Northwestern Atlantic: A broad and weak area of low pressure located off the coast of North Carolina is producing disorganized shower activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Some slight development of this system is possible over the next day or two while it moves little over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

By Monday, environmental conditions are expected to become unfavorable for further development.

Formation chance through 48 hours : low...10 percent.

Formation chance through 7 days: low...10 percent.

Interactive map: What tropical storms, hurricanes have impacted your area in the past?

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

What's next?

We will update our tropical weather coverage daily.

Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hurricane Erin Cat 4 in Atlantic. See tracker, path, Florida impact
Hurricane Erin remained a Category 3 storm Sunday evening after downgrading from a Category 5 a day earlier  and continues on a path projected to miss Florida and the rest of the U.S. East Coast.

Still, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the North Carolina outer banks should keep watching Erins movements, the National Hurricane Center warned during an 8 p.m. Sunday advisory.

Life-threatening surf and rip currents are likely across the U.S. Eastern seaboard as Erin is forecast to again become a very large hurricane.

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Where Erin is and where Erin is expected to go: Erin is about 310 miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 155 miles east-northeast of Grand Turk Island. Its moving west-northwest at 13 mph.

This general motion is expected tonight, followed by a gradual turn to the northwest and north on Monday and Tuesday, the hurricane center said. On the forecast track, the core of Erin is expected to pass to the east and northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas tonight into Monday.

Erins strength: Erins maximum sustained winds are 125 mph, making it a strong Category 3 hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend 50 miles from the center. Tropical storm force winds (at least 39 mph) extend 205 miles from Erins center.

Some increase in size and strength is forecast during the next 48 hours, the hurricane center said.

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There are two Atlantic systems brewing besides Erin. Will either affect Florida?

Watches and warnings: The Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are under a tropical storm warning. Theres a tropical storm watch for the southeast Bahamas.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Turks and Caicos Islands beginning tonight, the hurricane center said. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the southeast Bahamas late tonight and Monday.

Hazards: Heavy rains  2 to 4 inches most places, 6 inches in a few spots  are expected to drench Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos and the Eastern Bahamas through Tuesday.

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Also, this isnt a day for safe surfing. Erin will create swells creating life-threatening surf and rip currents in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, the Hispaniola island that will spread to the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic coast of Canada, the Bahamas, and Bermuda in the coming days.

READ MORE: What will Florida feel from Erin

Next advisory: A full advisory will come at 11 p.m.
Hurricane Erin has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane Friday night and is expected to rapidly intensity this weekend.

The 11 pm advisory from the National Hurricane Center now has Erin with winds of 100 mph, making it a Category 2 storm.

Tropical Storm Watches continue for the northern Lesser Antilles, where tropical storm force winds are possible early Saturday.

Hurricane Erin became the first hurricane in the 2025 Atlantic basin on Friday morning.

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Rapid strengthening is forecast through the weekend, and Erin is expected to become a major hurricane.

The storm is expected to continue to move west-northward the next few days.

Erin is likely to move just north of the northern Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend.

Long-term, Erin is expected to eventually turn to the north and will likely pass between the east coast of the United States and Bermuda next week.

Erin is still expected to stay well east of Florida as it makes a northward turn.

The east coast of the state will likely deal with large swells of 4 to 8 feet and dangerous rip currents early next week from the system.

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Dry air will also likely push into Florida, reducing storm chances for the middle of next week.

Stay with Severe Weather Center 9 for the latest on Erin.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Hydrocephalus is a chronic, neurological condition caused by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the cavities (ventricles) of the brain.

Hydrocephalus happens when there is an imbalance between the amount of CSF produced and the rate at which it is absorbed. As the CSF builds up, it causes the ventricles to enlarge, putting increased pressure on the brain.

Over 1,000,000 people in the United States currently live with hydrocephalus.

In the United States, 1 out of 770 babies develops hydrocephalus each year.

The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is a medical device called a shunt.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  A New York City public school student and her mother have been taken by ICE and sent to a Texas facility, sources tell PIX11 News.

Originally reported by the nonprofit news outlet The City, the 7-year-old student and the students mother were detained by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement at 26 Federal Plaza. The child was a student at Public School 89 in Queens.

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Local officials took to social media to condemn the detention.

I am horrified by reports about a family in my district, including a child, being detained. My office is fighting alongside federal electeds & local agencies to get them reunited, wrote New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan in a social media post. This is the 1st known ICE arrest of a NYC child under the age of 18. Family separation must end.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also took to social media, saying, This administration is ripping families apart. Its cruel, inhumane, and wrong.

A spokesperson for New York City Public Schools shared the following statement to PIX11 News.

New York City Public Schools stands with all of our students, and we are committed to supporting every child and family in our system. When we hear about a family that is being detained, we have  with their permission  connected them with community and agency partners who can offer legal support and other resources. We want to reassure all families: our schools are safe, welcoming places, and we encourage you to continue sending your children to school, where they are cared for and valued. NYCPS spokesperson

PIX11 News reached out to ICE, but they were not immediately available to comment.

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Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Friday signed an executive order requiring all state agencies other than public schools to cut spending, he announced in a news release.

It was the first time since 2020 such cuts have been ordered, according to the Governors Office.

The order cited the need to cut spending after Idaho lawmakers reduced income and property taxes by over 20%. The Governors Office said the state must make way for the tax cuts in President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill.

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State agencies, including the Idaho State Police, Department of Correction and Department of Health and Welfare  which administers Medicaid  must reduce their general fund spending by 3% for the 2026 fiscal year, which began in July. They can consider consolidating services or agencies, eliminating vacant positions, cutting back on contract costs, and reviewing unused funds that are not critical to operations, according to the order.

Idaho will right-size government to match the means of Idahoans, the order read.

In the news release about the order, the Governors Office celebrated Idahos strong and rapidly growing economy.

Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little on Friday ordered cuts to the state budget amid low revenues, Republican tax cuts.

The Idaho Legislature this year made unprecedented investments in school facilities, teacher pay and literacy, demonstrating we can have it all, Little wrote in the order. We can simultaneously cut taxes while meeting the needs of a growing state.

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Idaho Democrats pushed back on that framing. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, in a Friday news release said no amount of spin can hide the truth.

If Idahos fiscal health were truly as strong as Republicans claim, there would be no need to strip funding mid-year, Wintrow said. Ending this wasteful scheme will not close the hundreds of millions of dollars in budget shortfalls created by Republican giveaways.

Idaho Democrats also pointed the finger at the GOPs passage of laws that cost more money, such as allowing public funding for private school tuition. Lauren Necochea, the partys chair, in another news release said the program blew a hole in the budget and called the cuts the bill coming due for reckless Republican rule.

We were honest with Idahoans about where this budget was headed, she said. Back in the spring, Democrats warned that Statehouse Republicans were budgeting dishonestly while the Trump regime was driving up costs and undermining our economy. The GOP ignored these warnings, and now Idaho families are paying the price.

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Though it expressed appreciation for Littles exclusion of public schools from the cuts, the Idaho Education Association in a release called them very unfortunate and completely predictable.

The Idaho Legislatures massive tax cuts easily foretold this outcome, even as lawmakers dismissed the needs of basic governing and Idahos most vulnerable residents, President Layne McInelly wrote. Idaho Education Association members believe Gov. Little is right to spare Idahos public school students and classrooms from even more fiscal austerity while lawmakers write checks to the wealthy.

In recent months, state revenues came in below forecasts set by the Legislature.

Little in February told reporters he worried that lawmakers proposals to cut taxes were beyond what the state could afford. The Legislature cut taxes by $400 million and spent another $50 million on a tax credit for private education. Those bills, which Little signed into law, reduced revenue available for the state budget by about $453 million, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

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In his January State of the State address , Little called for a reduction of the fund by $100 million  less than a quarter of the Legislatures amount.

If I would have thought we could do $450 (million), I would have proposed $450 (million), Little said of the hundreds of millions more that lawmakers aim to return to taxpayers.

On Friday, Democrats called for a special legislative session to repeal the tax credit program, often referred to as school vouchers.

It is an essential first step toward restoring fiscal responsibility, Wintrow said in the release.

Idaho continues its historic tax cuts. Heres what residents can expect

What will Trump administration cuts mean for Idaho? Gov. Little predicts economic shock
Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives a press conference after delivering his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, in the Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho Capitol. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

On July 24 at Gov. Brad Littles Capital for a Day event in Orofino, Idaho, about 25-30 participants including myself, mostly from Clearwater County, held a peaceful demonstration at the park in Orofino with signs showing our support for public schools, public lands, affordable health care, rural hospitals and our concerns about several other Idaho issues.

The governor began the event, held at the Best Western Lodge, by stating that he and his staff had come specifically to talk with Orofino residents, and asked those from other counties to refrain from asking questions. The attendees at the conference honored his request, and residents of Orofino, including myself, took the opportunity to express our concerns and questions.

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I, and many other participants at the event, are extremely concerned about public education funding. We specifically oppose tax credits for private and religious school tuition and believe this issue is non-partisan in our rural communities where our public schools are so important.

When I was given the opportunity to ask the governor about this topic, about 20 audience members stood up with me, holding up signs saying Not a Dollar More while others clapped. I reminded the governor that he had asked Idahoans to call and tell him whether to sign or veto bill House Bill 93, the tax credit bill, to use $50 million to fund private schools. The vast majority, 86% of the 32,366 callers, asked him to veto it, yet he signed the bill anyway.

I also stated that although the amount is capped at $50 million for 2026, in 2027 and beyond the annual cost could increase to nearly $339 million based on legislative action. These funds will go to private schools that can discriminate against students they do not have to accept, can ignore State Board of Education curriculum guidelines and state requirements for educator and administrator qualifications, and have no accountability to the public.

My question for the governor was, If the Idaho Legislature passes a bill to increase the amount of this tax credit, will you sign it?

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He started answering by saying, I stated that I would sign the bill, and began alluding to various factors that could affect his decision in the future.

Due to the commotion in the room, it was difficult to hear the governors response. I asked him again, If the Legislature votes to increase the tax credit program next year, will you sign the bill? The governor never did give me a definitive yes or no answer.

During the rest of the session, other participants brought up additional topics of concern in our state such as: lack of womens health care and mental health professionals; problems with corporations buying privately owned trailer rental developments and doubling rental rates; new caregiver regulations that make it harder for parents and families with special needs loved ones to find caregivers; the poor condition of forest roads; questioning wildfire tactics and strategies; why local firefighters wouldnt know about federal funding until October and more.

Gov. Little, at times, came off as lacking compassion and sincerity in his responses to the questioners. He told one woman that the reason that it was hard to find good health care in Idaho, i.e. gynecologists and obstetricians, was because it wasnt profitable for them to operate their businesses here. He did not appear to acknowledge the true reasons doctors are fleeing the state and new doctors are not coming here, making it more difficult for all women to get quality health care in Idaho.

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A study published Thursday, by JAMA Network One, a division of the Journal of American Medical Association, reported that Idaho lost 35% of its doctors that practiced obstetrics. In total Idaho lost 94 of those doctors, out of 268, between August 2022 and December 2024, the study found.

These results provide a stark picture of a rapidly declining maternal health workforce in our state, the studys lead author, Dr. Edward Mceachern, stated.

The abortion ban in Idaho went into effect in 2022. Some OB-GYNs, including maternal-fetal medicine specialists, said publicly that they were leaving due to the ban.

This studys results, and the previous statements by medical experts, soundly contradict the governors response regarding womens health care in Idaho.

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Several other county residents stood and complained about the poor road conditions and near-impossible access into northern Clearwater County. The governor replied that the people that lived there knew that they were moving onto a dusty road, which to my ears, and many others, sounded like the timber industries operations and desires take priority over the citizens needs.

Giving priority to the wants and desires of big businesses, and other significant contributors to the states income revenue, appears to be more important to the governor than solving his constituents problems.

I am quite sure that Idahoans in Clearwater County share many of the same concerns as Idahoans throughout the state. Remember that all Idaho residents can contact Gov. Little (call 208-334-2100 or go to https://gov.idaho.gov/contact-us/) before the next legislative session begins. Like those of us in Orofino on July 24, all Idahoans can make their voices heard, explain their concerns and ask the governor how he plans to address them.

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Idaho state Sen. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, introduces a proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution that prevents the state from selling future public lands it obtains from the federal government. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

PINE, IDAHO  Surrounded by mountains, forests and the South Fork of the Boise River, Idaho state Sen. Ben Adams on Friday unveiled the text of a proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution he says would prevent the sale of any future public lands the state acquires from the federal government.

One thing I do know is that public lands have and should always remain under the ownership of the people for their enjoyment and their benefit, the Nampa Republican said during a kickoff event at the Pine Cafe in Elmore County. Today I present a very different vision than the vision thats been coming out of Washington, D.C., related to our public lands.

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Adams announced last week he will introduce the proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution during the beginning of the 2026 legislative session that starts in January.

To amend the state Constitution, it takes at least a two-thirds supermajority vote of both the Idaho Senate and the Idaho House of Representatives.

If that happens, the proposed constitutional amendment would appear on the November 2026 general election ballot in Idaho, where it would take a simple majority of votes to pass.

The proposal does not apply to the 2.5 million acres of state endowment land the state already controls, which can still be sold.

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Instead, the proposal would apply to new public lands the state of Idaho acquires or buys from the federal government. That land would be placed into a new land trust, and could not be sold, Adams said.

Voters in Idaho deserve to have this question on the ballot, Adams said. Will Idahoans support a new path forward, conserving our public lands and protecting our Idaho from being sold to the highest bidder? I know my answer. Lets send a message so loud that they can hear it all the way back in D.C: Our land is not for sale.

What does the proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution say?

During Fridays event, Adams posted and distributed written copies of the text of the proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution.

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He also shared the question that would appear on voters ballots if the proposed amendment clears the Idaho Legislature.

Shall Section 8, Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended to provide that certain lands granted and acquired from the federal government shall never be sold and shall be placed in a trust to be managed for the benefit of the people of Idaho?

Adams also shared the specific new language that would be added to the Idaho Constitution if the proposed amendment passes.

Excluding lands granted pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, lands acquired by the exchanging of lands granted pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, and lands purchased with moneys, and lands purchased with moneys of this section, all other lands granted to or acquired by the state by or from the general government shall be held in a separate trust as public lands of the state. The trust shall remain inviolable and intact for this and future generations. Such lands shall not be sold. Such lands may be exchanged, except with lands granted, exchanged, purchased, or otherwise acquired to subsection (1) of this section, with two-thirds approval of the legislature. The State Board of Land Commissioners may lease such lands under such regulations as may be prescribed by law. The State Board of Land Commissioners shall manage such lands by employing best management practices to achieve a harmonious and coordinated management of the various resources, each with the other, that avoids impairment to the land, ensures the development and utilization of the land and its resources occurs in a manner that conserves existing and future uses of the land, preserves valid, existing rights and is in accordance with state law. The State Board of Land Commissioners shall coordinate management with agencies of the state to promote public recreation, scenic values, watershed quality and wildlife habitat and to further effectuate the purposes of this trust. Revenue derived from such lands shall be placed in a permanent designated fund, the proceeds of which shall be annually appropriated by the legislature to support operating and maintaining such lands, to compensate local governments for payment in lieu of taxes, to reduce the cost of hunting, fishing and other recreational use permits for Idaho residents, and to support primary and secondary public education.

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The proposed amendment does not address how Idaho would pay for any new public lands that are bought.

At almost the same time Adams unveiled his public lands proposal on Friday, Gov. Brad Little issued an executive order requiring all state agencies except public schools to reduce spending by 3% for the current fiscal year 2026 budget.

Adams proposal well received in Pine

A crowd of a couple dozen people gathered at the Pine Cafe to listen to Adams proposal.

Doug Toomer, who lives in Idaho Falls and is the founder of an organization called Stand Up For Idaho, said he liked what he saw and heard of the proposed amendment on Friday.

Toomer said public lands are a major reason why people live in and love Idaho.

Toomer was opposed to U.S. Sen. Mike Lees unsuccessful effort earlier this year to make millions of acres of public lands, including in Idaho, available to be sold off.

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Its time for we the people to get our stuff together because we dont want to lose everything that we have so only a few can enjoy it, Toomer said.

Braxton McCoy, an east Idaho veteran who is president and chairman of the conservative Sagebrush Institute, introduced Adams in Pine and said he is supporting the proposed amendment.

In an interview with the Idaho Capital Sun, McCoy said protecting public lands is an important way to protect Western culture.

My general philosophy is America just isnt America without access to public lands, McCoy said.

Without freedom to roam, our culture  the culture I grew up in, Western cowboy culture  just would not exist, McCoy added. Wed be relegated to broken arenas in Texas.

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A victim's father has mocked Bryan Kohberger for "snitching" on fellow inmates' taunting antics.

Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the slain Idaho university students, called the convicted murderer "stupid" and warned that the decision could come back to haunt him.

The grieving father's remarks come after Bryan Kohberger complained to prison officials at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution about the harassment, saying he has lost sleep due to the taunting.

The Grieving Father Labeled Bryan Kohberger 'Stupid' For 'Snitching'

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Days into Bryan Kohberger's life sentence at IMSI, the convicted murderer was said to have lodged complaints with prison authorities about being the target of a taunting campaign by fellow inmates.

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Kohberger reported that the harassment had caused him to lose sleep, hoping prison officials would step in and intervene.

Kohberger's complaints were seemingly brushed off as trivial by the Idaho Department of Corrections. Still, Goncalves, the father of one of the victims, has argued that Kohberger made a grave mistake by raising the complaints, per TMZ.

According to the grieving father, the taunts should be the least of Kohberger's concerns in prison, and by "snitching," he has shown how truly "stupid" he is.

He also revealed he was pleased to hear inmates were already making Kohberger's life miserable, a wish his wife, Kristi Goncalves, had expressed in her victim impact statement during Kohberger's sentencing last month.

Victim's Father Thinks Bryan Kohberger Is 'Marked' Due To His Crimes

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Speaking further about the situation, Goncalves suggested that Kohberger's complaints would only further provoke inmates, who already view him as the worst among them because of the nature of his crimes.

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He believes the convicted murderer is likely "marked" under the prison code that forbids harming children, a code that, in his view, still applies even though Kohberger's victims were young college students.

To the grieving father, inmates may also see Kohberger as a particular threat since he killed his victims while they were sleeping.

Steve Goncalves Believes The Idaho Killer' Can't Hide' In Prison

Ada County Sheriff's Office/MEGA

Due to the seriousness of Kohberger's crimes, Goncalves believes the killer "can't hide" in prison, as all the inmates are well aware of what he did.

However, despite his prediction, Kohberger's safety is seemingly assured, as the Idaho Department of Corrections guaranteed it in a statement after his complaints went viral.

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"Bryan Kohberger is housed alone in a cell, and IDOC security staff maintain a safe and orderly environment for all individuals in our custody," the Idaho Department of Corrections said in a statement, per News Nation.

Bryan Kohberger Stays In His Cell For 23 Hours Each Day

MEGA

The cell where Bryan Kohberger is housed is located in the restricted J Block section of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI).

This area of the facility houses inmates who pose a significant threat to themselves or others, including those who are on death row.

Kohberger spends 23 hours a day locked in his cell, with only one hour permitted outside for recreational activities. Meals are delivered through slots in the door, and showers are allowed every other day.

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As for visitations, Kohberger is permitted two visitors, though it is likely his visits fall under the no-contact rule given his placement in the restricted J Block.

Visitation is available four days a week, Thursday through Sunday, while Monday through Wednesday remain closed.

IDOC Are Investigating Viral Prison Videos Of The Idaho Killer

Creepy Bryan Kohberger gets no expectation of privacy in prison. pic.twitter.com/x84KNCsHkM  JLR (@JLRINVESTIGATES) August 15, 2025

Recently, viral clips allegedly from inside Kohberger's prison have been making the rounds online.

In response, the Idaho Department of Corrections has stated that they are "aware of the videos" and are "investigating the matter." They also vowed to impose strict consequences on any staff found complicit if the videos are proven authentic and not AI-generated.

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"While we cannot yet confirm the veracity of the videos, if verified, they are a clear violation of IDOC policy and the parties responsible will be held accountable, up to and including termination," the agency noted in their official statement.

On social media, several netizens have speculated that the videos were from Ada County Jail, one of the prisons Kohberger stayed in amid his murder case. However, the Ada County Sheriff's Office released a statement denying this possibility.

"We are aware of the video footage circulating online showing Bryan Kohberger in a cell. We can confirm it was not recorded at and does not feature the Ada County Jail," read the statement on its Facebook page.
The soldiers who remained on base were moved to air-conditioned accommodations. The IDF has increased the supply of ice and placed fans at guard posts. Weekend guard shifts have been shortened.

All IDF soldiers stationed at the Sayarim Base near Eilat moved into air-conditioned living quarters, the IDF announced on Friday evening, a day after an incident where six soldiers at the base fainted due to the high temperatures.

The soldiers were participating in a border defense training course when the incident occurred.

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Thursday's incident saw a malfunction at the base's air conditioning system at the height of the heatwave in Israel.

The base commander held a conversation last night with the soldiers parents, who voiced criticism over the series of events that led to the soldiers fainting.

In the conversation, their complaints were addressed, and according to the IDF, are being handled by commanders on the ground. It was also announced that guard duty hours for soldiers over the weekend will be shortened.

IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, July 8, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Ice and fruit supplies have been increased, and fans have been placed at guard posts. Commanders are preparing by increasing the supply of drinking water and ice to help cool the soldiers remaining on the base.

Training to resume on base

Following an IDF situational assessment on Friday, training will resume for the female observational soldiers at the base on Tuesday.

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The base had also reportedly gone two days without electricity amidst the heatwave, according to Army Radio.

Planned power outages are also to be expected as the base's air conditioning system will be repaired, Army Radio added. IDF commanders are preparing by bringing more drinking water and ice supplies for the soldiers.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that the plans for the new offensive were still being formulated.

Gaza residents will be provided with tents and other shelter equipment starting from Sunday ahead of relocating them from combat zones to safe ones in the south of the enclave, the IDF announced on Saturday.

This comes days after Israel said it intended to launch a new offensive to seize control of northern Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban center, in a plan that raised international alarm over the fate of the demolished strip, home to about 2.2 million people.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said that before launching the offensive, the civilian population will be evacuated to what he described as "safe zones" from Gaza City, which he called Hamas' last stronghold.

The shelter equipment will be transferred via the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza by the United Nations and other international relief organizations after being inspected by defense ministry personnel, the military said.

Resources for Palestinian civilians

The military declined to comment when asked whether the shelter equipment was intended for Gaza City's population estimated at around one million people presently, and whether the site to which they will be relocated in southern Gaza would be the area of Rafah, which borders Egypt.

Truck carrying aid lines up near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, July 28, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)

Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that the plans for the new offensive were still being formulated.

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However, the IDF has already increased operations on the outskirts of Gaza City over the past week. Residents in the neighborhoods of Zeitorun and Shejaia have reported heavy Israeli aerial and tank fire which has destroyed many houses.

The Israeli military on Friday said that it had begun a new operation in Zeitun to locate explosives, destroy tunnels and kill terrorists in the area.
A video which surfaced online following the drone's landing shows local Gazans inspecting the UAV, before carrying it away to an undisclosed location.

An IDF Skylark 3 reconnaissance drone made an emergency landing in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City following a technical malfunction, the IDF confirmed on Saturday.

The drone fell while the military was carrying out operational activities within the city, KAN News first reported, with the IDF adding that fears of intelligence leaks due to the drone's malfunction have been ruled out.

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The Skylark drone, developed by Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, weighs 40 kg. and can fly around for six hours at up to 15,000 ft., with a range of up to 100 kilometers.

A video which surfaced online following the drone's landing shows local Gazans inspecting the UAV, before carrying it away to an undisclosed location.

Palestinians inspect a downed Skylark 3 drone in Gaza City, August 16, 2025 (SOCIAL MEDIA/VIA SECTION 27A OF COPYRIGHT ACT)

IDF begins operating on outskirts of Gaza City

On Friday, IDF soldiers from the 99th Division began operating in the Zeitun area, located on the outskirts of Gaza City, ahead of plans to occupy the city as part of a new Israeli strategy in the Strip.

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The military said that soldiers were working to locate explosives, eliminate terrorists, and dismantle terrorist infrastructure above and below ground.

As part of their activity, Israeli forces struck and dismantled a booby-trapped structure that stored weapons.
Schoolchildren in grades three through 12 in Illinois will be screened for mental health starting in 2027, under legislation recently signed by Gov. JB Pritzker.

The program, the first of its kind in the nation, was lauded by state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz and the state Democratic Caucus, which said in a statement that children face challenges including increased rates of sadness, hopelessness and difficulty with schoolwork.

At a time when our kids are struggling with anxiety and depression more than ever before, its our responsibility to ensure that young people have all the support that they need to get the help that they deserve, Pritzker said. Earlier this year, the state launched a portal to connect parents, caregivers and youth with mental health services.

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The news was not universally applauded. Abigail Shrier, the author of Bad Therapy, a 2024 critique of the mental health industry and its effects on kids, called Illinois plan a disastrous policy that will do vastly more harm than good.

She later published a piece in The Free Press headlined Stop asking kids if theyre depressed."

Kids are wildly suggestible, especially where psychiatric symptoms are concerned, she wrote. She describes an experience she had as a parent, when she took her son to urgent care for stomach pain and was asked to leave the room so the nurse could administer a mental health screening that included the questions In the past few weeks, have you wished you were dead? and Are you thinking of killing yourself right now?

I want to be on-the-record and crystal clear. This is a disastrous policy that will do vastly more harm than good.



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. https://t.co/BjOhi3YIuK  Abigail Shrier (@AbigailShrier) August 7, 2025

In The Free Press, Shrier quoted Dr. Allen Frances, a psychiatry professor at Duke University, who told her, Most kids who screen positive will have transient problems, not mental disorder. Mislabeling stigmatizes and subjects them to unnecessary treatments, while misdirecting very scarce resources away from kids who desperately need them.

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Writing for City Journal, Manhattan Institute policy analyst Carolyn D. Gorman also expressed concern, noting that universal screenings often result in false positives, leading to unnecessary and life-changing treatment.

Giving children an inaccurate diagnosis can harm their well-being. Even a correct diagnosis has potential downsides; it does not explain the cause of a mental health problem, can lock a child into a label, and does not guarantee access to the right treatments. For some young people, medical diagnoses, including mental health diagnoses, can shape their identity and expectations, lead to long-term medication use, affect job prospects, and diminish their sense of control over their future.

Few specifics were offered about how the program would be implemented; however, the governor said the cost of the screenings would be covered by the state, and not the schools, and that various state agencies would work together to provide services. The state Board of Education has a year to work out the details.

On the Facebook page of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, some parents were skeptical, with one saying, As a parent I am not letting my kid be screened. By who? What is their training? What will they be asked? Who is funding this? Who sees the results?

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In The Free Press, Shrier acknowledged that many children are lonely, worried, scared, and bummed out, but, she said, The vast majority of our kids and teens are not mentally ill.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 (21%) have been diagnosed at some time with a mental, emotional or behavioral health condition. More specifically, the most recent CDC data show that 11% of children ages 317 had current, diagnosed anxiety and 4% had current, diagnosed depression. The numbers rise as children grow older, with 20% of children 1217 reporting symptoms of anxiety and 18% symptoms of depression.

Childrens mental health has worsened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Childrens Hospital Association to declare a national emergency for childrens mental health in 2021.

Among the groups recommendations at that time was to increase implementation and sustainable funding of effective models of school-based mental health care, including clinical strategies and models for payment.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Department of U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, has long expressed concern about the use of psychiatric drugs in children. A report of his Make America Healthy Again Commission, released in May, called out the rising numbers of prescriptions written for children for depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

But while there is disagreement about the best way to confront rising mental health struggles, the numbers continue to climb, for both children and adults. As Kevin Lind reported for the Deseret News in May, Today, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that some 40 million Americans have anxiety disorders  nearly one-fifth of the total U.S. population  and more than 14 million suffer from depression."
Family chatter about childhood memories was shared as an escorted vehicle drove to an Indianapolis International Airport gate. Military and public safety officials were preparing for the landing of an American Airlines flight, while the family of late U.S. Army Pvt. LeRoy B. Miller Jr., talked about the lives he couldn't watch grow up.

The 31-year-old World War II soldier was reported missing in action in Germany in 1944. On Aug. 15, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency brought Miller's remains home.

"The information they gave us explained he died from an explosion," his great-niece, Avila Moore, told IndyStar. "We didn't know what happened back then. Was he captured? Was he tortured? Now we know."

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The agency is a U.S. Department of Defence branch tasked with providing the fullest possible accounting of missing personnel from past U.S. conflicts. This involves searching for, locating, identifying and returning the remains of missing service members to their families.

Moore's family had already buried who they thought was Miller back in the 1940s, when his tag was found in a mass grave site overseas, but after extensive DNA analysis and research, the family finally has the right soldier, and an extraction will need to be made for the original buried remains.

U.S. Army Pvt. LeRoy B. Miller Jr., 19, from Indianapolis

U.S. Army Pvt. LeRoy B. Miller Jr., 19, from Indianapolis.

"It's just hard to believe that it could happen," Miller's nephew, Lance Hamilton, told IndyStar.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced U.S. Army Pvt. LeRoy B. Miller Jr., 19, was accounted for on Aug. 13, 2024, after his death during World War II. Miller was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division in November 1944.

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His battalion captured the town of Kommerscheidt, Germany, in the Hurtgen Forest. A series of heavy German counterattacks eventually forced his battalion to withdraw.

Miller was reported killed in action on Nov. 8, 1944, while fighting enemy forces at Kommerscheidt. His remains could not be recovered after the attack, according to the agency.

Following the end of the war, the American Graves Registration Command was tasked with investigating and recovering missing American personnel in Europe. During that effort, a recovery team found a mass grave at Kommerscheidt that contained the remains of several American and German soldiers on Sept. 11, 1947.

"Recovery effort was heroic in that it was very difficult to do because the locals didn't really want to help," Hamilton said. "They wanted to bury everybody and just let it go, but with pressing investigations, they're bringing everybody home. So they got his bones, and preserved them to a point where they could find out who he was."

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The exhumation team found Miller's identification tag on one set of remains. The remains were sent to the United States Military Cemetery in Neuville, Belgium, for processing. Based on the tag, officials identified the remains as Miller's and transferred them to his family for final burial in America.

But 73 years later, in 2017, an agency historian analyzed documentation regarding three sets of unidentified remains while studying unresolved American losses in the Hurtgen area. Scientists considered the possibility that Miller's remains may have been commingled in the grave or misprocessed and misidentified in the 1940s.

At the time, Miller was identified based on the presence of his identification tags, but an updated investigation determined that the original identification was made in error.

So whoever Miller's family buried was not related to them.

Miller loved music and to play his piano

The family of World War II soldier LeRoy B. Miller Jr. pray over his remains on Aug. 25, 2025, in Indianapolis.

"I've always had kind of a close relationship with him, which may sound a bit strange," Hamilton, who has never met the soldier, said. "My grandmother always talked so fondly of him. He was a very accomplished musician who loved piano and composing."

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Hamilton said he's always carried Miller's accomplishments with him. He said Miller will always be remembered for his creativity. His family still has some of his records.

Miller was one of the youngest composers to have his music played by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

"He just wanted to create music," Hamilton said. "That's all he ever really wanted to do, but he felt that he had to go to war. It wasn't a choice. He had to do it."

He was a classical pianist, and Moore said they're going to be playing some of his music at his memorial.

"We live in the home he was raised in, and I found some music in a piano bench," Moore said.

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Hamilton said identifying Miller's remains has been a long process, and he was skeptical of the findings at first. The family didn't believe anything like this could happen, and they didn't believe the remains that matched up with their DNA was Miller's.

"But, out of our skepticism, we kept slowly proceeding to find the truth, and here we are," Hamilton said.

An honorable transfer happened with his remains arriving at the Indianapolis International Airport aboard an American Airlines flight on Aug. 15, 2025. The ceremony included military honors, the family being escorted, and the remains being transported to Flanner Funeral Home.

A graveside service with full military honors is scheduled for Aug. 22 at Crown Hill Cemetery. The family is inviting all military veterans and anyone else who would like to attend. The service starts at 3 p.m.

Michael Hamilton and Claudia Hamilton watch as an American Airlines flight carrying the remains of U.S. Army Pvt. LeRoy B. Miller Jr. lands on Aug. 15, 2025, in Indianapolis.

Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis WWII soldier's remains returned after 1940s recovery mix-up
Multiple inmates at Heritage Trail Correctional Facility claim they are still struggling under oppressive summer heat despite recent air conditioning repairs at the private prison southwest of Indianapolis.

One of the wings at the prison in Plainfield lost air conditioning the week of July 21, according to Indiana Department of Correction spokesperson Annie Goeller. The AC is now functional in the wing that houses 187 inmates, but is undergoing additional repairs to ensure it's "operating as efficiently as possible," she said.

Some inmates held in the wing's second floor who spoke with IndyStar described suffering health complications, such as feeling sick and struggling to breathe as maintenance continues. Goeller said she did not know when repairs would be completed.

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Near record-breaking moisture levels this summer in Central Indiana have combined with hot July and August temperatures to make it especially difficult for those without air conditioning to cool down at night, the National Weather Service of Indianapolis said.

In late July, inmates in the impacted wing claimed that guards prevented them from filing official grievances over the conditions. They also said they held at least two protests regarding the extreme temperatures.

While AC is not required under Indiana or federal law, correctional officers cannot be deliberately indifferent to the needs of prisoners, said Stevie Pactor, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. There's a constitutional issue when administration isn't acting to remedy the suffering of its inmates, she said.

More: 'I'm crying as I write this': Inmates in sweltering heat say prison breaking rules

Does the AC work at Heritage Trail Correctional Facility?

After repairs began in dorms No. 3 and 4 last week, inmates said their windows were screwed shut. Temperatures inside the building's second floor have exceeded 90 degrees according to a thermometer on the wall, an inmate who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation told IndyStar.

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Inmate Tayler Beemer said he feels unwell and struggles to breathe through the thick, hot air.

When the AC was completely inoperational, Trenten Strawmier of dorm No. 8 messaged his wife goodbye, believing the heat would kill him. The AC in dorm No. 8 is working again, he and another inmate said. Goeller denied it was ever broken.

Trenten Strawmier, struggling through the heat of dorm No. 8 at Heritage Trail Correctional Facility in Plainfield, Indiana, messages his wife while believing he will die from the temperature in late July, 2025.

"There are 100 grown men locked in a airless, hot, miserable building all day long," said inmate Kyle Ketcham. I've done enough time in enough places to know that this cannot be legal.

One inmate on the second floor of dorm No 3. and 4 said he spoke with contractors who told him the building's AC motor was underrated for the system's size. Goeller said there was an issue with the system's compressor in late July.

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Goeller said AC stopped working in dorms No. 3 and No. 4 the week of July 21. Some inmates told IndyStar that hot conditions inside those dorms had persisted since last summer.

Some of the hottest weather of the summer will develop across Central Indiana this weekend, with heat indices up to 105F. The hottest day of the weekend is expected to be Sunday. A cold front will move into the region next Tuesday/Wednesday with stormy/cooler weather. #inwx pic.twitter.com/WrwnkPyB5i  NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) August 14, 2025

Prisons are designed with thick walls and few air vents to discourage trouble from inmates, said Miriam Northcutt Bohmert, associate professor of criminology at Indiana University Bloomington. That makes cooling the buildings difficult, she said.

Inmates said correctional officers have repeatedly dismissed their concerns about the heat and declined to give inmates grievance forms as required by IDOC rules. Inmates said they've had to go to higher-up officers to get the paperwork needed to officially lodge their concerns.

Inmates said guards often belittle their concerns and tell them they shouldn't have ended up in prison.

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"If you mention any problems we just get called b------ and losers by the staff," Ketcham said.

Goeller said IDOC officials have not received any official grievances related to temperatures at Heritage Trail.

Molly Timperman, spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Administration, said the deptartment, which privdes support to other state agencies, received and responded to two grievances associated with Heritage Trail. However, she said they are not subject to public release and did not specify if the grievances were associated with temperatures inside the prison.

IndyStar reached out to the DOC Indiana Ombudsman Bureau multiple times for comment. As of publication, the bureau had not responded to questions on whether the agency opened any line of inquiry into inmate concerns at Heritage Trail.

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Criminology expert Northcutt Bohmert said the Ombudsman's office was likely grossly underfunded and understaffed based on the other state agencies she's worked with.

"I'm wondering what else is happening behind the scenes that has allowed this problem to persist," she said.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Inmates say Indiana prison's AC fix failing under brutal summer heat
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Inprem Food Pantry continues its fight to stay open after winning in eviction court last week, but faces a new challenge after receiving a new eviction notice on its door.

Inprem Food Pantry on the north side of Columbus thought its fight to stay open was over after winning in eviction court last week. But now, its back in a legal battle after a new eviction notice showed up on its door Thursday.

Inprem Holistic Community Resource Center CEO, Alex Eric Abrokwa-Clottey, said he found the three-day notice to leave the premises when he arrived at work Thursday. However, the notice reads it was posted on the premises on August 12th, making Friday the third day.

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Its very frustrating, Abrokwa-Clottey said. And, you know, it breaks the heart of anybody that wants to do good. Being attacked in this manner.

Abrokwa-Clottey said this eviction battle has been going on for months.

Its unfortunate, really, Abrokwa-Clottey said. I mean, weve been here, weve been in this facility for over 12 years, and weve never had such a problem with the previous owners. These new owners just bought this property in May, and they just dont want us serving the community.

Handle with Care initiative supports local students

According to Abrokwa-Clottey, his landlord has cited concerns over the pantrys drive-thru system, claiming its a traffic nuisance for other tenants.

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Its not a matter of we not paying rent or we violating any of the policies because nothing has been brought to our attention in terms of dont do this, dont do that, Abrokwa-Clottey. Weve never had any complaints from him, but the drive-thru, which weve been doing this for over seven years.

NBC4 reached out to the landlords attorney for comment, but has yet to hear back.

We cant leave, Abrokwa-Clottey. We dont know where to go.

Abrokwa-Clottey said he wants to know what theyre being evicted for if the previous allegations didnt hold up in court last week.

Its not just a business that is generating income, Abrokwa-Clottey said. We are taking care of the needy. And these families, for over ten years, have depended on us at this place.

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But Abrokwa-Clottey said they have no plans of leaving because the community needs them.

In 2025, we have over 11,000 unduplicated families that are coming here to receive help, Abrokwa-Clottey said. So how do you tell 11,000 families dont come back?

Inprem Food Pantry has notified Legal Aid, which represented it in last weeks eviction hearing. Abrokwa-Clottey said hes hopeful theyll help them navigate the legal process as they wait for their next court date.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  San Angelo is home to the world-famous International Waterlily Collection, and they are hosting their 20th annual LilyFest for the public soon!

Tom Green County jail logs: Aug. 16, 2025

Ken Landon founded the collection, and it is now directed by Taylor Twombly, who worked with Landon for over 20 years. Twombly is excited about the event and all of the festivities that come along with it.

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We have Angelo Inflatables that are going to bring several different-sized bounce houses for everyone to enjoy, Twombly said. Kona Ice will be here. We are going to have face painting. There is going to be free arts and crafts for people who want to partake in that. Well have a live DJ who will be playing music. If you would like a tour of the ponds, we can provide those.

There are many different types of water lilies to be found in the collection, and Twombly elaborated on the variety.

Weve got a little more than 300 varieties on display right now, Twombly said. They range from literally across the board. The giant ones in the center are the Victoria, and theyre from the Amazon. I have an entire pool dedicated to Australian Giganteas, and I am not aware of any other park outside of Australia that is offering an entire dedicated pool to Giganteas. I have stuff from Zanzibar. Weve just got stuff from all over the world.

Cell phones in school zones are a no-go

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As the festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary, the milestone means a lot to everyone who has been involved with the collection over the years.

I grew up down here, and I can remember the old ladies coming down with cookies and making it a real family-friendly event, Twombly said. I think what I am trying to do is along the same roads, just a little more flamboyant. A little bit more exciting, and a little bit more energetic. Trying to bring the life of the party.

Twombly talked a little bit more about the logistics of the event for the public:

Its free admission, Twombly said. There will be some vendors here, and they will have things for sale. We are providing the first 75 snow cones for free from Kona Ice. There is a combination of free and paid things.

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The festival will take place on September 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The International Waterlily Collection is located at Civic League Park on 2 South Park Street, which is between Beauregard and Harris Ave. The Collection has a website and can also be found on Facebook. A gallery of some of what is on offer can be found below.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  An investigation is underway after a man died while in police custody at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center on Friday following his arrest for public intoxication, according to officials.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Aug. 15, officers responded to an apartment building in the 2800 block of N. Beauregard St. after multiple people called 911, reporting that a man was running up and down the apartment hallways, yelling and knocking on doors, according to a news release from the Alexandria Police Department.

Once on the scene, officers found the man in the buildings hallway, causing a disturbance to neighbors, the release detailed.

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Former Christian school teacher arrested, accused of trying to meet child for sex in Fairfax County

Officers worked to calm the man before arresting him for public intoxication and transporting him to the Alexandria Adult Detention Center, where he later needed medical assistance, according to police.

Medics and officers tried to save him, but he died there.

As of Saturday morning, it is unclear what the man needed medical assistance for. The medical examiners office will determine the official cause and manner of his death as the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), comprised of investigators from other law enforcement agencies in the region, investigates the situation, per standard protocol.

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After that, the APD Office of Professional responsibility will conduct an administrative investigation.

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  A man charged in a deadly dispute over grass clippings will not serve any time in prison at the request of the victims family.

Connor Duncan in the 30th District Court on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

Connor Allen Duncan, 27, of Iowa Park, pleaded guilty to the second-degree felony offense of injury to an elderly person, recklessly causing serious bodily injury, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in the 30th District Court, with Judge Jeff McKnight presiding.

As a part of the plea agreement, a 10-year prison sentence was deferred, and Duncan was sentenced to 8 years of community supervision.

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PREVIOUS STORY: Iowa Park man indicted in deadly yard clippings dispute

The charge against Duncan stemmed from Oct. 1, 2024, when police responded to the 4800 block of Earl Street and found William Palmer, 78, lying in the street with a bloody wound on the back of his head and vomit on his face.

Connor Duncan in the 30th District Court on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

According to court documents, witnesses told police that Palmer had confronted Duncan, who was mowing the lawn of Palmers neighbor, regarding his blowing grass clippings onto Palmers driveway.

Police said witnesses told them that Duncan was in his truck when Palmer knocked on his window. They said Duncan then got out of his truck and pushed Palmer, who fell to the ground and hit his head on the street.

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A spokesperson with the Wichita Falls Police Department said on Oct. 2, 2024, Palmer died from his injuries.

RELATED: Victim in yard clippings dispute dies in hospital

According to Jarett Knoll with the Wichita County District Attorneys Office, Duncans probation sentence aligned with the wishes of Palmers family.

Connor Duncan in the 30th District Court on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL)

Palmers daughter gave an impact statement after Duncan was sentenced, stating that her father was showing early signs of Alzheimers, and hed been prone to outbursts of anger in the past.

I believe Connors account of what happened, Palmers daughter said during her impact statement.

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Palmers daughter said that she wished for fairness and compassion to be shown to Duncan with the outcome of this case.

He deserves to move on from this outcome, as do I and my family, Palmers daughter said during her impact statement.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
IOWA (KCAU)  Some new guidance released on Friday by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for Wind and Solar Projects that are looking to qualify for clean energy tax credits is getting a thumbs up from Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley.

Hundreds of millions of dollars for renewable energy programs would have been cut immediately under a plan originally outlined by the Energy Department.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Ames said on Thursday that priorities for the agency include nuclear and next-generation geothermal.

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Friday afternoon, the new guidance that reflects some of the concerns Congress and industry leaders had raised was released by the Energy Department.

Story continues below

In a press release, Senator Grassley said, Based on my initial review, Treasurys guidance seems to offer a viable path forward for the wind and solar industries to continue to meet increased energy demands.

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In Sioux City earlier this week, Grassley, who authorized the first-ever federal wind tax credit in 1992, expressed his disappointment with where the Energy Department appeared to be headed.

When I passed that, I didnt know it would be a big thing, and wed get 60% of our electricity from wind. But anyway, they wanted to do away with that. Four or five of us in the U.S. Senate are fighting the white house and the Treasury Department to maintain what we did in the United States Senate, said Senator Grassley.

Iowa leads the nation in the percentage of electricity generated from wind.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Aug. 16EAST GRAND FORKS  For Sidney Berard, 94, the iron lung displayed during the recent Heritage Days in East Grand Forks ignited vivid memories from more than 70 years ago.

Berard was among a steady stream of curious visitors who came to see the vintage machine  a symbol of the fear that gripped society in the mid-1900s  at the recent event at Heritage Village.

Berard had seen an iron lung before, he said, but "that was back in the '40s."

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"A lot of people died from polio back then," he said, standing near the artificial respirator, about the size of a casket, in a room staged as a physician's office of yesteryear.

Growing up on a farm near Pembina, North Dakota, "we had a neighbor girl who died," he recalled. "She was about 17."

Back then, the spread of poliomyelitis was deeply disturbing  especially to parents, since it primarily affected young children  with nationwide impact, until Jonas Salk developed a vaccine to combat the debilitating and potentially deadly disease.

For the stricken, it could mean being placed in an iron lung to mechanically maintain breathing.

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At the time, the iron lung was the only treatment for polio, a disease whose means of transmission were unclear. The highly contagious disease is caused by the poliovirus, which attacks the central nervous system and can lead to spinal or respiratory paralysis or, in some cases, death.

By the mid-20th century, the poliovirus could be found all over the world. It killed or paralyzed more than a half-million people every year, according to the World Health Organization.

There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented through vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

At the display in the Village Square building, the iron lung brought a steady stream of fascinated viewers to the room that represented Dr. Henry Wheeler's practice. Wheeler, who came to Grand Forks in 1881, was one of the first and most prominent surgeons of the pioneer era.

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The polio exhibit included posters outlining the history as well as facts about disease and its effects on communities. A continuous-loop video, "Remembering Polio," featured interviews with local residents Bob Peabody and Pat Nybo, who shared personal accounts of surviving polio and the importance of vaccination.

Dr. James Brosseau, of Grand Forks, a retired internal medicine physician, discussed the impact of the disease and its medical implications. For those who survived, polio was a "life-long condition," he said.

Nybo said, "Without the vaccine, it probably will come back, as it has in other parts of the world."

Since the development of the polio vaccine in the mid-'50s, the disease has been nearly eliminated globally. However, in the U.S., the virus was detected in wastewater in New York State in 2022, said Holly Blilie, a nurse with Polk County Public Health, who was on hand to provide information and answer questions about the display.

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With visitors, Blilie shared details about the function of the iron lung and the history of the polio epidemic.

Brenda Zunich, of East Grand Forks, said it was "frightening" to see the machine up close.

"The idea of being in there ... ."

For Ellen Fontaine Venter, East Grand Forks, it called to mind "the families that were traumatized, the children.

"Can you imagine being a caregiver?" she said. "That nursing profession (deserves credit)."

Although she's not in the health care field, Venter could empathize with mothers, who worried about their kids, she said. "And to be so helpless. You're relying on the grace of God. What else sustains you other than your faith?"

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Another visitor, Carilynn Maw, Grand Forks, commented, "All this brings back memories."

"In the summers, our parents wouldn't let us go swimming," based on a fear that the virus was spread in pools, she said. "I lost two friends in grade school."

As a high school student in the '50s, Maw worked as a "candy-striper"  a nurse assistant  in a Tacoma, Washington, hospital with wards filled with patients confined to iron lung machines.

City officials posted tags on houses under quarantine, she said.

Some newspapers published addresses of quarantined families.

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"It's so important that people understand what the polio vaccine is for and why you need it," Maw said.

Blilie, a disease prevention and control and immunization coordinator, demonstrated the motorized pump at the foot of the iron lung, which kept the machine operating.

"The inside was pressurized, to allow for contraction for the lungs," she said. If the pump failed, someone would have to manually operate it.

Some patients would sleep in the iron lung only at night, Blilie explained. Others had to spend a few hours, depending on the severity of their symptoms; but some, unfortunately, endured longer periods.

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At the display, several people said they had never seen an iron lung. One of them was Cody Wardner, of Grand Forks.

"This is wild," Wardner said, noting the remarkable medical advances that have occurred in the intervening decades. "It's pretty crazy to think about. It's pretty amazing."

Tristan Strege, East Grand Forks, came with her husband, Jethro, and daughter, Faline, 9.

"I'm grateful we don't have to experience things like this," she said. "Thank goodness for Jonas Salk's vaccine. He didn't patent it, so everyone could use it." (In 1953, Salk, an American physician, virologist and biomedical scientist, tested the experimental vaccine  which contained killed or inactivated polio virus  on himself and his family members, according to the World Health Organization. The vaccine played an important role in eradicating the disease worldwide.)

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The polio display "shows why vaccines are so important," said Strege, who works in a scientific field, "and why vaccine research is so important."

Blilie said a common theme she heard from visitors was "the fear of what life would be like living in this."

The iron lung  a stark visual reminder of the threat of disease  has far more impact than all the dire statistics and data that public health officials use to promote vaccination efforts, she said.

"Stories really speak to people," Blilie said. "These generational stories that get passed down to people can sometimes get (overlooked)" when so much of the focus is on data.

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How the Heritage Foundation came to acquire the iron lung is an example of pure happenstance  the right person browsing online at the right time.

In her after-work hours, Shaylee Miller, Grand Forks Public Health communications strategist, was scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and spotted it in a post by a Grand Forks man.

"It cut through the noise of everything else," she said. "And it also cut through the noise for people to get a vaccination," a core public health objective.

As part of an estate sale, the iron lung belonged to the man's father-in-law, who was moving into an assisted living facility, she said, and needed help getting rid of things.

It was stored in a trailer, located within an hour of Grand Forks, that was adapted with heating elements to protect it from winter weather, Miller said, "so he was taking good care of it."

The seller did not share information on the history of the iron lung or the family's connection to it, she said.

On Facebook, the machine had garnered interest from private buyers, Miller said, but the man's preference was that it go to a museum or an entity with a similar historic preservation mission.

"He hauled it into town for us to check it out," she recalled. "It's very heavy; I could not budge it."

The process of bringing the iron lung to Heritage Village "has been such a fun project for me to work on," Miller said.

Blilie said the iron lung project is the result of collaboration by the East Grand Forks Heritage Foundation, Grand Forks County Historical Society, Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission, Grand Forks Public Health and Polk County Public Health.

The Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization, purchased the iron lung for display in the Village Square, which also includes rooms that depict a printing press operation, barbershop, dentist's office and other occupational or business venues of long ago.

The decision to purchase the iron lung was "very easy," said Teri Hammarback, co-president of the foundation. "It fits with our history up here. We have survivors of polio here. ... "

The investment was compelling, Hammarback said, "especially since (public health employees) were willing to come and teach and talk about it, and because we are an educational facility."
Aug. 16Open house held on Monday

A new academic year is under way, as students from Ironton and Lawrence County headed back to school this week.

On Monday, Ironton City Schools hosted an open house, with the elementary and middle schools giving orientation for this year's classes.

At the elementary school, the line was particularly long, with a large amount a of parents and children waiting to see this year's classrooms.

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"We had a great turnout," Sommer McCorkle, the district's new superintendent said. McCorkle is taking over the position from Dr. James Payne, who stepped down at the end of the last school year.

The elementary school has about 600 students attending this year, Kesha Sanders, the school's assistant principal, who was greeting families at the door, said.

Inside, Julie Whaley, a second grade teacher at the school, said she was ready to go for the new school year.

Whaley said the students touring the classroom had a lot of questions, but one comes up most.

"They want to know if their friends will be in class with them," she said.

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Meanwhile, in the hallway connecting the elementary and middle school, community groups, such as NECCO and Scout Troop 106 of Ironton were set up, handing out information.

"We are recruiting for the scout troop," Terryann Blizzard, a scoutmaster with the troop said.

She noted that they have two troops, one for boys and one for girls, which operate under their banner.

"It's a great way to learn life skills," she said of scouting. "And we have had several members of our troop who have joined the armed services."

She said those who were interested in scouting could learn more on the group's Facebook page.

Following the open house, the elementary school's first through fifth graders returned to class on Wednesday, with the school's new kindergarten students beginning on Thursday.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16  His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has urged the government to prioritise quality and practicality in military asset acquisitions, warning against purchases based solely on agents recommendations.

Speaking at the 60th Anniversary Parade of the Special Forces Regiment at Kem Iskandar in Mersing, Johor today, the King emphasised that careful planning is essential to enhance the readiness of the Special Forces Regiment.

All acquisitions must be based on market prices and actual operational needs, not just on agents suggestions, Sultan Ibrahim said, according to a post on his official Facebook page.

Do not waste time buying items that are unnecessary or unsuitable for the military.

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If you dont know the price, consult me first.

Sultan Ibrahim recalled a past warning regarding the purchase of Rigid Riding Craft (RRC) boats for commandos at RM5 million each, when better alternatives could be acquired for under RM2 million.

Recently, I learned there was a proposal to buy the same type of boat again, slightly larger, at nearly RM10 million.

This is unreasonable and must be carefully reviewed, he added.

The King also highlighted concerns over delayed projects, including a combat diving pool at Kem Iskandar, which was scheduled for completion in 2022 but remains unusable.

Beyond price, the quality of items purchased must also be prioritised, Sultan Ibrahim said.
Israel has announced preparations to forcibly evacuate Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza from Sunday, days after it announced a new offensive to seize control of Gaza City, the enclaves largest urban centre.

The armys Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on Saturday that residents would be provided with tents and other shelter equipment transported through the Karem Abu Salem, or Kerem Shalom, crossing by the United Nations and international relief organisations.

The UN has not commented on the plan or on its alleged role in providing humanitarian assistance.

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The statement comes less than a week since Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that 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.

(Al Jazeera)

The army has not specified whether the shelter equipment was intended for Gaza Citys population, estimated at around one million people presently, and whether the site to which they will be relocated in southern Gaza would be the area of Rafah, near the border with Egypt.

The UN did not immediately comment on the Israeli announcement, however, it warned on Thursday that thousands of families already enduring appalling humanitarian conditions could be pushed over the edge if the Gaza City plan moves ahead.

The Palestinian group Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, described the militarys announcement as part of its brutal attack to occupy Gaza City and a blatant and brazen mockery of international conventions.

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Forcing people to flee amidst starvation, massacres, and displacement is an ongoing crime against humanity. Criminal behaviour in Gaza is inseparable from the daily crimes committed by the occupation in the occupied West Bank, the group said in a statement.

Israeli forces have increased operations on the outskirts of Gaza City over the past week. Residents in the neighbourhoods of Zeitoun and Shujayea have reported heavy Israeli aerial and tank fire.

An Israeli drone targeted a group of people in the Asqaula area of the Zeitoun neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City, killing two and wounding several others, the Wafa news agency said.

Another person was killed and three were injured when a house near the al-Alami Mosque on az-Zarqa Street, also in eastern Gaza City, was hit.

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The tented encampment of al-Mawasi, in southern Gaza, also came under attack on Saturday. An Israeli air raid killed Motasem al-Batta, his wife and their baby daughter in their tent. The area was designated a so-called humanitarian, or safe, zone early in the war, but it has nonetheless repeatedly come under attack.

A neighbour of the family, Fathi Shubeir, told The Associated Press that displaced civilians were living in the densely populated al-Mawasi area. Speaking of the baby girl, he said, Two and a half months, what has she done?

Israels war on Gaza has killed at least 61,827 people since October 2023. Malnutrition has killed 251 people so far, according to Gazas Health Ministry.

Eleven people, including a child, have starved to death in the past 24 hours, the ministry said on Saturday.

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At Gaza Citys al-Shifa Hospital, the lives of more than 200 patients were hanging by a thread, due to acute shortages of medicine and malnutrition.

Director Mohammed Abu Salmiya said the hospital was overcrowded with wounded patients amid relentless Israeli bombardments and doctors were performing an increasing number of amputations as they were unable to combat the infection of wounds.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 14,800 patients need lifesaving medical care that is not available in Gaza. Yet, leaving the Strip is not always enough to save a life.

Twenty-year-old Marah Abu Zuhri arrived in Pisa on an Italian government humanitarian flight overnight on Wednesday while severely emaciated. The University Hospital of Pisa said she had a very complex clinical picture and serious wasting, before she was reported dead on Friday.

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Director-General of Gazas Health Ministry Munir al-Bursh told Al Jazeera that 40,000 infants in the territory were suffering from severe malnutrition amid critical food shortages caused by Israels restrictions on aid into Gaza.





Al Jazeera correspondent Hind Khoudary said the reality of hunger in Gaza was devastating.

Palestinians have no choice but to see their children die of malnutrition and starvation, she said. The latest to have died from hunger were siblings, aged 16 and 25, who died on the same day.

According to Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGOs Network, only 10 percent of the daily food supplies needed are entering the territory, while the health system is collapsing day by day and our capacity is very limited.

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He said Israels war in Gaza destroyed its socioeconomic structure, leaving Palestinians in the territory totally dependent on humanitarian aid.

What is making it into the country is a very limited amount, which is only to keep the people alive [at a] minimum level, he added.

The United Nations has warned that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began.

The families of 50 Israeli captives still held in Gaza were shaken by the recent release of videos showing their emaciated relatives pleading for help and food.

A group representing the families urged Israelis into the streets on Sunday. Across the country, hundreds of citizen-led initiatives will pause daily life and join the most just and moral struggle: the struggle to bring all 50 hostages home, it said in a statement.

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Netanyahu has rejected criticism that his plan to widen the military offensive would endanger the lives of the remaining captives. The mobilisation of forces is expected to take weeks, and the Israeli prime minister has defended his decision, saying he had no choice but to attack Hamas in Gaza.




By Maayan Lubell and Enas Alashray

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Gaza residents will be provided with tents and other shelter equipment starting from Sunday ahead of relocating them from combat zones to the south of the enclave "to ensure their safety," the Israeli military said on Saturday.

This comes days after Israel said it intended to launch a new offensive to seize control of northern Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban centre, in a plan that raised international alarm over the fate of the demolished strip, home to about 2.2 million people.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Sunday said that before launching the offensive, the civilian population will be evacuated to what he described as "safe zones" from Gaza City, which he called Hamas' last stronghold.

The shelter equipment will be transferred via the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza by the United Nations and other international relief organisations after being inspected by defence ministry personnel, the military said.

A spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed concern over Israel's plans to relocate people to southern Gaza saying it would only increase suffering.

But the U.N. body welcomed Israels recognition that shelter is a desperate need and that tents and other shelter equipment will be allowed again into Gaza. "The UN and its partners will seize the opportunity this opens," the spokesperson said.

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The U.N. warned on Thursday that thousands of families already enduring appalling humanitarian conditions could be pushed over the edge if the Gaza City plan moves ahead.

Palestinian and United Nations officials have said no place in the enclave is safe, including areas in southern Gaza where Israel has been ordering residents to move to.

The military declined to comment when asked whether the shelter equipment was intended for Gaza City's population estimated at around one million people presently, and whether the site to which they will be relocated in southern Gaza would be the area of Rafah, which borders Egypt.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that the plans for the new offensive were still being formulated.

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The Palestinian militant faction Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, said that the military's announcement "as part of its brutal attack to occupy Gaza City, is a blatant and brazen mockery of international conventions."

However, Israeli forces have already increased operations on the outskirts of Gaza City over the past week. Residents in the neighbourhoods of Zeitoun and Shejaia have reported heavy Israeli aerial and tank fire.

Residents there have also reported explosions throughout the day, resulting from Israeli tank shelling against homes in the eastern parts of the neighbourhood.

The Israeli military on Friday said that it had begun a new operation in Zeitoun to locate explosives, destroy tunnels and kill militants in the area.

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The war began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities, and 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are still alive.

Israel's subsequent military assault against Hamas has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says. It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced most of Gaza's population and left much of the enclave in ruins.

Protests calling for a hostage release and an end to the war were expected throughout Israel on Sunday, with many businesses, municipalities and universities saying they will support employees striking for the day.

Negotiations to secure a U.S.-backed 60-day ceasefire and hostage release ended in deadlock last month, and mediators Egypt and Qatar have been trying to revive them.

(Additional reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Michelle Nichols; Writing by Maayan Lubell, Ahmed Elimam, Enas Alashray and Nayera Abdallah; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Diane Craft)
Preliminary examination of the incident shows the Israeli took his children to a nearby scenic observation post, before getting lost while navigating.

An Israeli man and his three children were evacuated from the Palestinian city of Nablus, in the West Bank, on Friday evening.

Preliminary examination of the incident shows the Israeli took his children to a nearby scenic observation post, before he got lost while navigating and mistakenly drove into the city, located in the West Bank's Area A, which is strictly prohibited to Israeli citizens due to security concerns.

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After receiving a report from the Civil Administration, COGAT's local District Coordination and Liaison administration made contact with local Palestinian forces to ensure the protection of the four and their safe transfer to the hands of the Israeli military.

Earlier this week, an Israeli citizen was attacked upon mistakenly entering Kafr Mukhmas, in Area B of the West Bank, when their vehicle was pelted with stones.

The Israeli was lightly wounded in the attack, while the vehicle was damaged.

IDF soldiers are seen operating in Nablus, in the West Bank, July 3, 2025 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Fifty Israeli citizens illegally entered Nablus

Last month, the IDF said that some 50 Israeli citizens illegally entered Nablus without coordination with the military.

The citizens were handed over to Israeli security forces by the Palestinian authorities and have been transferred to the Israel Police. The bus that unlawfully transported the Israelis into Nablus in the West Bank was impounded for 30 days.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has highlighted that "a glimmer of hope has finally opened to discuss peace in Ukraine" and stressed the importance of security guarantees for Kyiv as she commented on the talks between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin.

Source: a statement by Meloni, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Meloni pointed out that an opportunity had emerged to reach a peace agreement following Trumps talks with Putin in Alaska.

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"I consider it positive that glimpses of peace are appearing for Ukraine. Reaching an agreement remains difficult, but finally possible, especially after many months of deadlock on the front line," the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Meloni stressed that the right to negotiate belongs solely to Ukraine, and only under conditions it defines on its own soil.

According to Meloni, the key issue remains security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent another Russian invasion.

"And it was precisely in this respect that the most interesting news came from Anchorage," Meloni added.

The Italian leader is convinced that only strong and reliable guarantees on this issue can prevent new wars and aggression.

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Trump has said he supports the Italian idea of security guarantees for Ukraine based on NATOs Article 5, Meloni said.

Quote: "The starting point of the proposal is the definition of a collective security provision, which would allow Ukraine to count on the support of all its partners, including the US, ready to take measures in the event of a new attack. At this stage of the negotiations, the European states remain united in their support for Ukraine."

Details: Meloni concluded by saying that although peace will not come easily, the decision to pursue it is what matters.

Background:

An unnamed European official told CNN that European officials and the US president had discussed the possible provision of "Article 5-style" security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement, but with no NATO involvement.

Trump is said to have told Ukraine and European leaders that Putin wanted to immediately discuss the terms of ending the war, not just a pause in hostilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he will fly to Washington for talks with Trump on Monday 18 August.

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OXFORD  A Tishomingo County man was sentenced Thursday to serve more than eight years in federal prison for possessing a trove of child sexual abuse materials, including thousands of images.

Sydney Douglas Briggs, 29, of Iuka, was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2024 for both distributing and possession of child pornography. According to court documents, Briggs had been uploading child pornography using sophisticated computer software to avoid detection. The investigation revealed Briggs had been uploading images and videos since October 2023. More than 19,000 images, many involving infants and toddlers, were discovered when authorities went through his electronic devices.

Briggs pleaded guilty to the possession charge in April and sentencing was deferred until this week. The government agreed to drop the distribution charge in exchange for the plea.

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Thursday morning, U.S. District Judge Michael Mills sentenced Briggs to serve 97 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Briggs will also have to register as a sex offender.

The judge also ordered Briggs to pay $28,000 to eight victims who sought restitution.

There is no excuse, justification or mitigation for Briggss crimes, which are not victimless  he downloaded and kept thousands of absolutely horrific images of helpless children being violently sexually abused, and he should be in prison for as long as it is possible to put him there, said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. I cannot say enough about the continuing collaboration by the FBI, the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office, and (Assistant U.S. Attorney) Parker King that is daily taking the fight to those who want to harm our children.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said she is grateful for the partnership between state and federal officials to secure this conviction and sentence,

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Together, we were able to successfully stop a predator from doing more harm, Fitch said. But our most important partner is the concerned citizen who reports suspected abuse. If you suspect it, report it. Your tip can be the key to a successful prosecution like this one.

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff said his office will continue to work with Fitchs office to unmask and prosecute predators who believe ultramodern technology can shield their evil deeds from justice.

Behind the 19,000 images and videos are real children who were robbed of their innocence, Eikhoff said. Protecting children and holding vile predators, like Sydney Briggs, accountable are at the top of the FBIs priorities for crushing violent crime.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Colleges are seeing more student enrollment, which has led to housing challenges.

Jackson State University (JSU) administrators said theyre taking a proactive approach to accommodate students.

University has ongoing renovations on some of our residence halls that are coming up very soon. And just recently, a year ago, we opened up One University, a place again where it was only half a space filled. But this semester, were filling the whole building up. Another partnership that we started it was with the Holiday Inn Express, which is something were pretty excited about. We were able to house some students at least about 200 can sort of fit in there. And so, thats sort of helping us to deal with some of the issues that all the colleges are dealing with and make it so we have space for students to learn, said Dr. Jonas Vanderbilt, vice president of JSU Student Affairs.

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Officials said electronic registration and early fee payments have helped cut down on delays. Students are asked to keep an eye on emails, because important information is consistently shared.

While residential halls are a big focus, Vanderbilt said there are other additions students can be on the lookout for.

I think within a couple of years, youll see Jackson State moving up in above down to a residential spaces. But other buildings on campus that are being renovated, he said.

As attendance rates continue to rise, the JSU administration plans to continue exploring efforts to make sure all students are accounted for.

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Charities in Jersey have got together to discuss issues facing the sector and how funding is vital to overcome them.

Ballet in the Park and Every Child Our Future are two of the charities supported by funding from the Channel Island Lottery.

In 2024, the lottery gave a total of about 70,000 to charities supporting young children.

Every Child Our Future said it was using the money received to put on a series of performances in English and Portuguese for children who needed it most.

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Cris Lakeman, from the charity, said: "The money makes a huge difference, we will make four performances this year, each time to 800 children.

"Thats the children who are able to experience live theatre at no cost.

She added: "These performances are really fun and engaging, there are just three performers and they are really able to engage with the children.

"Its not just about communicating that story, but that feeling of belonging where the children think that someone is speaking my language in front of all of my friends."

'Best two days'

Carolyn Rose Ramsey, from Ballet de Jerri, said: "The funding has made a massive difference.

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"The money for the Ballet in the Park event covered the basics and more, the stuff that makes it all possible.

"The event was just the best two days of the year - it is a wonderful event where the professional dancers basically move into the park."

She added: "We are Jerseys national ballet, our work should belong to everyone, this is why the outreach work is so important.

"The lottery are literally making this possible, theyre making it sustainable long term.

"We want this to go on for a really long time and thats exactly what their support is doing."

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PLAINS, Ga. (WJBF)  The U.S. Postal Service announced it will issue a commemorative Forever stamp honoring former President Jimmy Carter.

President Carter died Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100.

The Postal Service plans to release the stamp for purchase on Oct. 1 in Atlanta, on what would have been former President Carters 101st birthday.

Representatives of the Friends of Jimmy Carter, the National Park Service and the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the stamp art Saturday at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains.

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The stamp program celebrates the best in American culture, places and people, and it is difficult to consider a more fitting honoree than former President Jimmy Carter. In his support and leadership of his beloved community, state, and nation, he lent his quiet, thoughtful and deliberate energy around causes he believed in, and most certainly in his conduct and accomplishments as a former President, Jimmy Carter truly personified the best in America. I am honored to participate in the reveal of this stamp art which fully evokes his humanity, said Peter Pastre the Postal Services government relations and public policy vice president.

Kim Carter Fuller, executive director of the Friends of Jimmy Carter said, The Carter family and the Friends of Jimmy Carter are honored to be able to take part in revealing the design for President Carters Forever stamp. Together weve had the distinct privilege of a front row seat to his life and legacy, and todays reveal gives the world an opportunity to share his legacy with others on a daily basis.

Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president on Jan. 20, 1977. During his term, Carter would make humility and reconciliation recurring themes in his presidency.

The stamp art is a 1982 oil-on-linen painting created as a life study by artist Herbert E. Abrams (1921-2003) in preparation for painting his official White House portrait. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

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Joey Porter Jr. gives out backpacks, school supplies to local students

A Pittsburgh Steeler with local roots is helping students get ready for their return to the classroom.

On Friday, Joey Porter Jr. hosted a back-to-school event for kids in Sheraden. Students came out to get new backpacks, supplies and free food.

Porter Jr. says events like these started with his family, and they helped him want to give back.

Willing to give back, and wanting to give back to others, it goes a long way, Porter Jr. said. Thats what my mom and dad taught me at a young age and thats what Im trying to teach the kids now.

This is the second back-to-school event hes hosted in Pittsburgh.

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Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday visited Kuwait to attend a Filipino community gathering where she addressed various concerns.

According to a statement released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), it is crucial for Duterte, as part of her mandate to advocate for the welfare of all Filipinos, to remain actively involved with Filipino migrant communities abroad.

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She will then proceed to continue working on the release of our former head of state Rodrigo Duterte, who was forcibly taken from Philippine soil, the statement said.

These official engagements are conducted in full compliance with existing government rules and regulations, ensuring that her presence abroad is both lawful and aligned with her responsibilities in public service. In addition, no public funds are used for all her travels overseas, it added.

The statement likewise highlighted that the OVP, along with its 10 satellite offices nationwide, remains ready to serve and assist Filipinos locally and abroad, despite limitations in capacity and budget.

Under the 2026 National Expenditures Program, the OVP is set to receive P902.8 million, larger than the P744.1 million proposed under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
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Al-Jazeera's Anas al-Sharif speaks in an AFP interview in Gaza City just over a week before his death. | Credit: AFP / AFPTV / Getty Images

"Assassination," wrote George Bernard Shaw, "is the extreme form of censorship." This truth was brought home to the world this week, said Binoy Kampmark on Middle East Monitor, when a prominent Palestinian journalist, Anas al-Sharif, was killed along with three of his Al Jazeera colleagues by an air strike on a press tent in Gaza City.

An Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman confirmed that Sharif had been deliberately targeted, claiming that intelligence obtained before the strike proved he was "an active Hamas military wing operative". Sceptics dismissed that claim, asking how Sharif could have led a rocket-launching squad while reporting in front of a camera all day.

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A different IDF spokesman had levelled the same accusation at Sharif last month, prompting calls from the Committee to Protect Journalists for the "international community" to safeguard the life of the 28-year-old father of two.

Journalists targeted

This is just the latest horror to hit journalists in Gaza, said Fiona O'Brien in The London Standard. Israel has banned all foreign reporters from entering the enclave, leaving only local ones like Sharif to tell the world what's going on there.

Almost 200 have been killed since the war began in 2023, "at least 46 of whom were directly targeted". Others have died of hunger. "Several correspondents have collapsed live on air."

In a statement last month, the outgoing board of the AFP press agency said it was the first time since the agency's founding in 1944 that it had seen colleagues dying "not from bombs or bullets, but from starvation".

A shameful assault

Sharif was "never likely to be an impartial witness" to the Gaza War, said the Daily Mail. He was born and raised in northern Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp. His father was killed by an Israeli bomb. And like all local journalists, he could "work only with the tacit approval of the Hamas-run authorities".

But even if he was a Hamas sympathiser, that in itself wouldn't justify killing him, still less the other members of his film crew, about whom no such claims have been made. If Israel has direct evidence that Sharif was engaged in terrorism, they should produce it. In the absence of such material, this killing looks like a shameful assault on press freedom.
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administrations investigation of a liberal advocacy group known for its campaigns against Rupert Murdochs Fox News and Elon Musks X.

Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan cited evidence that the investigation, which was opened by the Federal Trade Commission last spring, was an act of retaliation against the advocacy group, Media Matters for America.

The judge granted a preliminary injunction because, she wrote, Media Matters is likely to succeed in its First Amendment retaliation claim, which is all it needs at this stage.

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Media Matters has been a thorn in the side of Musk and his X social network for years. The group has published numerous reports about the prevalence of violent and hateful posts on X, leading Musk to call them an evil propaganda machine hellbent on harming his business by turning off advertisers.

Musk sued Media Matters in response; the group has countersued, and some Republican elected officials have backed Musk. The overarching charge is that liberal activists have colluded with advertisers to hurt conservative platforms and chill speech.

Some of the advertisers Musk has sued have fought back, arguing that he has resorted to legal and political maneuvers to win back the business X lost in the free market when it disrupted its own business and alienated many of its customers.

With President Trump back in power, Musk and other Media Matters opponents have felt emboldened. Media Matters alleged retribution when the FTC said it was probing possible collusion.

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Media Matters filed suit against the FTC seeking legal relief, which is what Sooknanan delivered on Friday, though the court battle is likely to continue.

An FTC spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the court order.

Media Matters, which has been seriously hampered by Musk and company, said the injunction is a symbol of effective resistance to the Trump administration.

The courts ruling demonstrates the importance of fighting over folding, which far too many are doing when confronted with intimidation from the Trump administration, Media Matters president Angelo Carusone said in a statement.

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This case is not just about the campaign to punish and silence Media Matters, however, he said. It is a critical test for whether the courts will allow any administration  from any political party  to bully media and non-profit organizations through illegal abuses of power.

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McALLEN, Texas (AP)  A federal judge ruled Friday to deny the Trump administrations request to end a policy in place for nearly three decades that is meant to protect immigrant children in federal custody.

U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee in Los Angeles issued her ruling a week after holding a hearing with the federal government and legal advocates representing immigrant children in custody.

Gee called last weeks hearing deja vu after reminding the court of the federal governments attempt to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement in 2019 under the first Trump administration. She repeated the sentiment in Fridays order.

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There is nothing new under the sun regarding the facts or the law. The Court therefore could deny Defendants motion on that basis alone, Gee wrote, referring to the governments appeal to a law they believed kept the court from enforcing the agreement.

In the most recent attempt, the government argued they made substantial changes since the agreement was formalized in 1997, creating standards and policies governing the custody of immigrant children that conform to legislation and the agreement.

Gee acknowledged that the government made some improved conditions of confinement, but wrote, These improvements are direct evidence that the FSA is serving its intended purpose, but to suggest that the agreement should be abandoned because some progress has been made is nonsensical.

Attorneys representing the federal government told the court the agreement gets in the way of their efforts to expand detention space for families, even though President Trumps recently signed tax and spending bill provided billions to build new immigration facilities.

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Tiberius Davis, one of the government attorneys, said the bill gives the government authority to hold families in detention indefinitely.

But currently under the Flores Settlement Agreement, thats essentially void, he said last week.

The Flores agreement, named for a teenage plaintiff, was the result of over a decade of litigation between attorneys representing the rights of migrant children and the U.S. government over widespread allegations of mistreatment in the 1980s.

The agreement set standards for how licensed shelters must provide food, water, adult supervision, emergency medical services, toilets, sinks, temperature control and ventilation. It also limited how long U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could detain child immigrants to 72 hours. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) then takes custody of the children.

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The Biden administration successfully pushed to partially end the agreement last year. Gee ruled that special court supervision may end when HHS takes custody, but she carved out exceptions for certain types of facilities for children with more acute needs.

In arguing against the Trump administrations effort to completely end the agreement, advocates said the government was holding children beyond the time limits. In May, CBP held 46 children for over a week, including six children held for over two weeks and four children held 19 days, according to data revealed in a court filing. In March and April, CPB reported that it had 213 children in custody for more than 72 hours. That included 14 children, including toddlers, who were held for over 20 days in April.

The federal government is looking to expand its immigration detention space, including by building more centers like one in Florida dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, where a lawsuit alleges detainees constitutional rights are being violated.

Gee still has not ruled on the request by legal advocates for the immigrant children to expand independent monitoring of the treatment of children held in CBP facilities. Currently, the agreement allows for third-party inspections at facilities in the El Paso and Rio Grande Valley regions, but plaintiffs submitted evidence showing long detention times at border facilities that violate the agreements terms.

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A judge has ordered lawyers defending the states chief utility regulator to appear in court and explain why she denied possessing any electronic records concerning authorship of a controversial, anti-utility opinion column when she knew an automatic deletion program she activated on her telephone would have destroyed those records.

The order by Superior Court Judge Matthew Budzik raises the possibility of sanctions against Public Utility Regulatory Authority chief Marissa Gilletts lawyers for allegedly misleading the court about PURAs compliance with his orders to produce records associated with a utility industry suit.

In his order, Budzik refers to the legal process of producing records as discovery.

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Parties have a duty to respond to discovery fairly and in a non-misleading manner, Budzik wrote, citing relevant provisions of the code of professional conduct for lawyers.

Attorneys have a duty to opposing counsel to make reasonably diligent efforts to comply with discovery orders, including making reasonable inquiry of their clients, Budzik wrote. Counsel for PURA should be prepared to address their efforts to comply with these obligations

Budziks order is the most recent in favor of the utility industry in connection with a suit by two Avangrid natural gas subsidiaries challenging PURA decisions slashing their rates. The suit is part of a history of antagonism between Gillett and the industry over adverse decisions that the utilities argue are based on misapplication of regulatory law.

PURA chief denies involvement with controversial op-ed; utilities accuse her of a slow motion coverup

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Gillett, who argues she is holding the utilities to account after years of lax regulation, has been defended in the suit by PURA in-house counsel and Attorney General William Tongs office.

The gas company suits accuse Gillett, among other things, of an anti-utility bias. To support their claim, the utilities refer to a text message exchange involving Gillett that suggests she may have collaborated with two legislative supporters on a news opinion column or op ed that castigated the utility industry.

The op ed, which appeared in December, was signed by the chairmen of the Legislatures Energy and Technology Committee, Sen. Norm Needelman, D-Essex, and Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport.

In the text exchange, Gillett told Steinberg there was a regulatory matter known as PBR that she preferred speaking to him about in private, because she was concerned that text and email exchanges could become public under state open record laws. Then she referred to a draft she would send to him and Needleman after it was reviewed by her chief of staff Theresa Govert.

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I finished my draft and waiting for Theresa and others to put eyes on it before sending to you and norm hopefully later today. Thank you! Gillett wrote.

Steinberg replied: Great on both counts. I debated sending you the PBR idea to your private email, which I thought I did weeks ago but you apparently didnt receive. Not to put you on the spot. Im at UI in the morning but should be available to review release/op Ed.

The Courant reported the text message exchange in February after obtaining it from Steinberg through a public record request. Since then, the utilities have been trying to obtain the draft Gillett mentioned to determine whether it shows she collaborated on the anti-utility op ed. Such collaboration could demonstrate bias and open a legal path for the utilities to unwind what they consider adverse, multi-million dollar rate decisions.

In response to requests from the utilities, Budzik issued repeated orders requiring Gillett and PURA to conduct searches for the text messages or other records that could settle questions about any possible collaboration on the op ed. For months, PURA responded through its lawyers that it had undertaken exhaustive searches, but could find no relevant records.

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But in late June, in response to yet another Budzik order, Assistant Attorney General Seth Hollander told the court that, when (Gillett) purchased her phone in November of 2023 it was set to delete messages after 30 days. Budzik then issued an order allowing the utilities to depose Gillett and she acknowledged that, after buying the telephone, she activated the auto delete function.

In other words, when PURA represented to the plaintiff and to the court in May and June of 2025 that Chairperson Gillett had no documents concerning the December 19th op-ed, any potentially responsive documents on Chairperson Gilletts phone already would have been deleted by activation of the 30 day auto-delete function, Budzik wrote in the order issued Friday.

Budzik said he has not yet set a date for the hearing at which he said the PURA lawyers should be prepared to address their efforts to comply with court orders to produce records. At the same hearing, he also is expected to rule on a request from the utilities that Needleman and Steinberg be ordered to submit to depositions.

The lawmakers are represented by Tongs office.
Trust in Britains legal system is at a low ebb. Two thirds of the public believe that the criminal justice system has become politicised, and that judges make some decisions in line with their personal views, rather than the law. The constant flow of boats across the Channel, meanwhile, appears increasingly to be fuelled by a judicial system which actively works to undermine attempts to remove those arriving from Britain.

It is perhaps a measure of the heat of public feeling that Sir Keir Starmer  former director of public prosecutions, Left-wing human rights lawyer  became, briefly, the public face of revolt against the courts. When Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch raised the case of the Palestinian family granted the right to live in the UK even after applying for a scheme designed for Ukrainians, Sir Keir Starmer agreed that the decision was wrong, adding that it should be Parliament that makes the rules on immigration; it should be the Government who make the policy.

This is an uncontroversial statement of the United Kingdoms constitutional settlement, or at least it should be. To Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr, however, it looked like a challenge. She said that both the question and the answer were unacceptable, and that it was for the Government visibly to respect and protect the independence of the judiciary.

Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London - Jordan Pettitt/PA

Had Sir Keir been in the mood for a real row, he might have answered in turn that it was for the judiciary to visibly respect and protect the sovereignty of Parliament, and the executive authority of the Government. And if he had really wanted to set the cat among the pigeons, he could have answered with a question: who, actually, is running the country?

The war on welfare

That Britain has a welfare problem is well-established. This year, spending on the personal independence payment (PIP) alone is set to cost 29bn, up 13bn in five years since the pandemic. Attempts to cut it, however, came unstuck in spectacular fashion, with a major row between Sir Keir Starmer and his backbenchers.

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The strangest part of this is that a great deal of the increase was never intended by the government in the first place. In fact, the introduction of PIP was supposed to cut the number claiming benefits by 600,000, saving 2.5bn. Instead, caseloads and spending soared. Some of this was poor policy design. But some was the result of judicial decisions.

In 2016, in the case of MH vs the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, a panel of judges decided that psychological distress should be considered when deciding whether applicants should receive additional payments to help with mobility, opening up these funds to a large number of applicants with mental health issues. The government, surprised, introduced regulations to undo this decision, clarifying that its policy was not to make these awards.

Campaigners outside the Royal Courts of Justice in 2017 in support of a legal challenge by a woman with mental distress against the PIP rules - Mark Kerrison/Alamy

This resulted in another round of legal action, and in 2017 the High Court ruled that these regulations were also unlawful as they discriminated against the disabled in breach of the convention on human rights, and had not been sufficiently consulted on. The government backed down, and set about backdating claims. A rough estimate for the end result could today be in the region of 1.4bn of spending per year. This is far from the only case, however, where human rights claims have shredded common sense.

The march of human rights

The same convention which underlay the PIP decision has made our immigration system all but impossible to enforce. Supposedly exceptional human rights claims now account for around 30 per cent of deportation cases, triggering Home Secretary Yvette Coopers plans to crack down on their use.

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Beyond the Gazan applicants to the Ukraine scheme, one striking example concerned a Nigerian woman who joined a terrorist group banned in Nigeria, but not proscribed in the UK. The judge decided that the woman had joined the organisation specifically in order to create a claim for asylum. However, as this had in turn created a well-founded fear of persecution, asylum was granted.

It was a maddening outcome. It was also in line with a long-running strand of asylum law. In 1996, the European Court of Human Rights held in the case of Chahal vs the United Kingdom that Mr Chahal  a leading Sikh militant suspected of involvement in acts of terrorism  could not be deported from Britain as this would give rise to a real risk of torture or inhuman treatment in violation of his human rights.

In combination with a 2010 Supreme Court decision in the case of HJ and HT vs the Home Secretary  where the court held that persecution which was avoidable with discretion was still a bar to deportation  this has given rise to an absurd cottage industry.

As one legal figure put it, the goal for many asylum applicants as a result is to bootstrap refugee status by deliberately creating a danger to themselves through protest. Travel through London and you will frequently find protests outside the embassies of less than perfectly democratic regimes where would-be asylum seekers try to get themselves to prominent positions where they can claim to have drawn the attention of embassy staff, or have photos taken waving banners to post online and create synthetic risk.

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The original sin, here, is the way Britain chose to handle the incorporation of human rights into British law. Labour, in 1998, could have proceeded in two ways. It could have stated that the government would identify potential clashes with human rights law, and resolve them. Instead, it effectively chose to hand the entire matter off to the judiciary, creating a duty on every judge to apply the rules of the European Convention on Human Rights, and in effect embedding political values into the legal system.

This had two effects. The first was to put vaguely worded rules in front of judges who now had to work out how to apply them. The second was to habituate the judiciary to making value judgments in addition to legal ones. This was a marked change in the culture of the profession, and its effects are visible in these decisions. Yet while politicians have complained, they have rarely acted to correct judges by passing legislation to reverse judgments.

The destruction of Birmingham

The most visible manifestation of this dysfunctional relationship between Westminster and the courts is on Birminghams streets. The city is effectively bankrupt, and a lengthy bin strike has seen piles of rubbish accumulate in the street while apocalyptic tales of giant rats spread. Birmingham was not a well-run council, but what finally tipped it over the edge was a court ruling.

Over the period from 2012 to 2023, Birmingham City Council paid out almost 1.1bn in equal pay claims, with a bill of 760m still to settle. The council hadnt paid women less for the same work as men. Instead, it had paid them less for work rated as equivalent.

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The argument went something like this: people of both sexes working as cooks, cleaners, catering or care staff were not paid bonuses awarded to roles that were traditionally more male: refuse collectors, street cleaners, road workers and grave diggers. This was a contravention of the principle that people should be paid the same for equivalent work. As a result, hundreds of millions of pounds of compensation should be paid out.

Mounting piles of rubbish in Birmingham in April as refuse collectors continued their strike - Christopher Furlong/Getty

This case arose because Parliament placed a duty on courts to enforce this concept of equal value. The only notable oddity was that the case made it to court in the first place. When issued, the claim had long exceeded the time limit for submission to an employment tribunal. No matter; the Supreme Court decided that loose phrasing within the Act meant the claim could instead be taken directly to the courts.

As Jonathan Sumption wrote in his dissent, poorly drafted legislation added to by a complex history of ill-thought-out amendments had created a potential loophole; the intention of Parliament, however, had probably been an attempt to create certainty by avoiding old claims rearing their heads years on.

This is a clear example of potential judicial overreach. But again, the fault is at least partly with Parliament. Clearer legislation could have prevented this problem arising. As it was, the case proceeded, wrecking the citys finances and creating a new problem in the process.

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To avoid paying different jobs different wages, the council was going to have to scrap certain roles, in turn handing significant wage cuts to some in refuse collection. The bin men promptly went on strike. The council claimed that to do anything else would open it to a second round of equal pay litigation. Rubbish piled high on the street. And the courts continued their war against economic theory.

The equal pay fiasco

After Birmingham, it was the turn of the retailer Next. Staff in warehouses and shop floors were paid differently. Roughly 53 per cent of the relevant warehouse staff were male; 78 per cent of the shop staff were female. There was no evidence that the decision to pay these roles differently reflected direct discrimination. But the work was deemed to be equal value, raising the prospect of a hefty settlement.

The judge presiding over the tribunal accepted that retail and warehouse work were separate markets, with the latter having a higher vacancy rate, and higher pay. Next had paid its staff market rate for their work in their regions. It had attempted to reduce cost and enhance profit. However, the business need to do so was not sufficiently great as to overcome the discriminatory effect of lower basic pay [for shop staff]. So Next was forced to shell out 30m in back pay.

That the claimants themselves had said they did not want to work in the warehouses unless offered a lot more money was irrelevant. So, too, was the fact that workers including the lead claimant had been offered the chance to make that switch for the higher pay, and that they had not done so. The judgment noted that expecting them to have done so would be to apply an unfettered free-market model of supply and demand. Even more telling is that this offer was made to 25,000 retail staff of whom just nine tried a trial week. Of this group, seven took up an offer, and four made it through their first year in the role.

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Now Asda is facing a potential 1.2bn liability in a similar case, with further actions brought against Tesco, the Co-op, Sainsburys and Morrisons. The result is a system in which wages are no longer set by market supply and demand, with companies worrying about legal action years down the line.

This decision was not unforeseeable. In the view of Michael Foran, associate professor of law at the University of Oxford, the legal framework is acting as you would expect it to. The point of this legislation is to say that the market isnt paying men and women fairly, and to intervene. Parliament created a system that required judges to look at cases and ask whether work of equal value is being paid the same. Parliament required courts to look beyond the market to assess what counts as equal value. Then when judges do that, people complain.

Climate legalism

Some cases are more controversial still. The economic argument for developing the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields in the North Sea is almost inarguable. The gas in the Jackdaw field was expected to cover 6-7 per cent of UK demand; Rosebank would deliver 30bn in tax revenue for the Treasury. The two projects had received 2.8bn in investment over their lifetime. They had filed their paperwork, received their permits years ago  2022 for Jackdaw, 2023 for Rosebank  and set about work.

But in a ruling earlier this year, Lord Ericht decided that the private interest of members of the public in climate change outweigh the private interest of the developers, demanding a new environmental impact assessment which covered not only the actual development of the site itself, but the emissions of the fuel extracted. That the British Government had said these details didnt need to be included in the assessment was irrelevant; the developers knew or ought to have known at the time that the consents were granted that the law was uncertain.

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What had changed in the period between the initial grant of permission and the ruling was a Supreme Court judgment in 2024, which decided that the burning of produced fuel should be included in environmental impact assessments. This did not emerge from nowhere. The regulations required impact assessments to assess direct and indirect significant effects of projects on the environment.

Given the willingness of campaigners to use the legal system to block or delay work they dislike, this was always going to be a potential tripwire. Earlier this year, The Telegraph covered the story of Chris Todd, whose court challenges  none of which had yet succeeded  have raised the cost of road schemes by 200m-300m. These cases, and others like them, have caused considerable damage. In an article earlier this year, Sir Keir Starmer criticised activists for robbing people of lower bills and good jobs through extended legal action with no chance of winning. Westminster, however, continues to leave the system that permits this behaviour intact.

The Empire of Law

The strand that runs through these cases is the retreat of Parliament and the Government from dealing directly with complexity. One of the downstream consequences of handing sweeping powers to judges to make political decisions is that they have now grown used to doing so.

Lord Falconer remarked in 2003 that Labours approach was to place power where it should be: increasingly not with politicians but with those best fitted in different ways to deploy it. But as Richard Ekins KC  head of Policy Exchanges Judicial Power Project and professor of law at Oxford University  notes, judges are not well placed to govern, or to stand in judgment over Parliaments decisions.

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Attorney General Richard Hermers Bingham lecture in 2024 presented a fascinating glimpse into the culture that has taken root: the rule of law conceived not as a procedural and formal conception but an approach that must afford adequate protection of fundamental human rights, and which places adherence to international law at the heart of the state, unequivocally supporting the European Convention on Human Rights and its Court. These views are now at the heart of government, and the resulting paralysis is illustrative of what rule by lawyers looks like in practice.

Hermer is an extreme example of the prevailing legal culture in Britain, but its effects are widely visible. As Prof Ekins puts it: In most cases, courts interpret the law in line with what Parliament intended. But there is a subset in which some judges will invoke principles to override Parliaments intentions, which is flatly out of line with our constitutional settlement. These cases, in turn, tend to arise from three particularly problematic bodies of law: the human rights system, judicial review, and  at least prior to Brexit  our obligations to the European Union.

These require judges to act almost as political creatures. In some startling cases, the courts appear to have directly contended with the will of Parliament, and emerged on top, or to expand their power without legislative authority. As Prof Ekins notes, the rise in judicial review  and the expansion in its scope  was largely the result of a series of court decisions, rather than legislative changes.

This, in turn, caused Parliament to write explicit ouster clauses into legislation, stating that certain matters were beyond the power of courts to review. But sometimes even these are not enough.

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Take the case of Privacy International, where the organisation brought a case over GCHQs use of hacking. There the Supreme Court decided that despite clear wording in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, the relevant ouster clause had to be interpreted with the presumption that it would allow judicial review unless beyond any possible doubt. Moreover, one judge openly asserted that even in the event such a clause were written, it could well be ignored.

Campaigner Gina Miller at the Supreme Court ahead of the 2017 ruling on whether Parliament had the power to begin the Brexit process - Leon Neal/Getty

This imperial attitude would seem to be a far greater threat to Britains constitution than any criticism of judicial overreach. The pair of Gina Miller judgments (on the invocation of Article 50, and the prorogation of Parliament), the decision to quash the Attorney Generals ministerial veto on the release of the then-Prince of Waless letters to departments, and a host of others have made it appear that some members of our judiciary would be more at home in a kritarchy than a constitutional monarchy.

Taking back control

Britains policymakers can barely move without a judge tripping them up. That there is a need for a judiciary is beyond dispute. To borrow from the economics of contract theory, laws are not complete. Parliament cannot set out all the possible permutations and combinations of events that might fall under a law. It cannot, either, offer exhaustive definitions of each term deployed. The role of judges is in part to fill in these gaps: to decide which cases fall where, and process them accordingly. Sometimes they will err, or use their power to set policy as they believe it ought to be, rather than as it is.

Some of this is down to Parliament failing to decide, passing the buck to the judges. Some of it is down to legislators failing to rebuff this judicial tendency. Some of it speaks to the sheer complexity of the legislative environment Westminster has created, where it is all too easy to trip on a previous law. But the result is clear.

As one legal figure put it: Westminster kept asking judges, and one day they started answering. If the judges are running the country, its because Parliament has chosen not to.

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GIRARD, Kan. (KSNW)  A routine event for the Crawford County Sheriffs Office turned into an amateur archeology project this week.

It began when the department recovered a stolen pickup truck. In the bed of the truck, they found a worn, broken headstone that belonged to a gravesite.

After the discovery, the sheriffs office attempted to determine who it belonged to and where it originated. Lieutenant Phil Beckham reached out to residents via Facebook, asking for help in tracking down the origin of the headstone.

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Time and exposure to the elements left the headstone difficult to decipher. It marked the grave of an unnamed infant and gave the simple epitaph: Daughter of J.M. & (illegible) Johnson or possibly Jonnson, Born March 20, 187(?), which makes the headstone at least 150 years old.

Courtesy Crawford Co. Sheriffs Office

Nebraska fugitive captured at Kansas lake

A high infant mortality rate marked much of the 19th and 20th centuries. The 1870 Census shows that out of the 4,560 deaths reported over a 10-year period in the fledgling state, 1,125 were children under the age of 1.

Diseases like typhoid, scarlet fever, dysentery, smallpox, and tuberculosis were rampant in the United States. Thousands of immigrants came to the area in the late 1800s due to the coal, lead, and zinc mines that were established across Crawford and Cherokee Counties.

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The Crawford County Sheriffs Office states that, after speaking with local organizations and individuals who lived in the area near Gooding Road and 170th Road, they learned that the commonly shared story surrounding the headstone is that the girl was the daughter of settlers who stopped to bury their child and then continued west.

The sheriffs office says the grave site where the tombstone belongs is surrounded by poison ivy. They plan to wait until the ivy goes dormant for the year before returning the stone to its rightful place.

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The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has temporarily removed a priest from ministry while investigations are conducted into allegations of questionable behavior, the archbishop announced this week.

Archbishop Shawn McKnight said the investigations involve the Rev. Jerry Arano-Ponce, a priest at Queen of the Holy Rosary-Wea Parish.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has received an allegation of behavior inconsistent with our safe environment policies involving Father Jerry, McKnight wrote in a letter to parishioners that was posted on the churchs website Thursday. The announcement also was posted on the archdioceses website.

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This matter is being taken with the utmost seriousness, McKnight said. In keeping with diocesan policy, and out of an abundance of caution to protect the well-being of all members of our community, Father Jerry has been temporarily removed from ministry.

McKnight said that during the investigations, Arano-Ponce will be prohibited from celebrating Mass and performing pastoral duties.

The restrictions will remain in effect pending the outcomes of formal investigations by local law enforcement and the Archdiocese, McKnight said.

Arano-Ponce could not be reached for comment. Queen of the Holy Rosary-Wea Parish is at 22779 Metcalf Road and has a Bucyrus address. Parishes where Arano-Ponce has previously served include St. Agnes Catholic Church in Roeland Park and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Topeka.

No further details provided

McKnight did not provide additional information about the allegations.

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This precautionary measure is a standard step to protect all parties and should not be understood as a determination of guilt, he said. In moments like this, we naturally want answers, but rumor and speculation serve no one and only wound the unity of our parish.

For that reason, and in keeping with established practice, no further details will be shared until the matter is resolved. As your Archbishop, I am deeply concerned for everyone impacted by this situation, for those bringing forward the allegation, for Father Jerry, and for you, the parish community.

The archbishop said he planned to appoint a temporary pastoral administrator for the parish as soon as possible. He asked for prayers for everyone involved and for unity within the parish.

I encourage anyone who believes that they have been the victim of misconduct involving a priest, deacon, religious, employee, or volunteer to contact local law enforcement officials, he said. You may also contact our Office for Protection and Care through the confidential report line at (913) 276-8703 or submit a report online at www.archkck.org/reportabuse.

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In a letter accompanying McKnights, the Rev. John Riley, the archdioceses vicar general and chancellor, asked those with information or concerns regarding the matter to contact the Miami County Sheriffs Department at (913) 294-3232.

McKnight, former bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, was installed May 27 as the 12th bishop and fifth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas after being appointed by Pope Francis to replace retiring Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

The action marks the second time in just over a week that the archdiocese has publicly addressed allegations of misconduct involving leaders in its community.

On Aug. 6, the board of trustees at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park fired its president, Phil Baniewicz, amid an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior with a minor.

The board chair said an independent, professional firm had been hired to conduct an investigation and that more information would be shared as it became available.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The second installment of the Kealohi International Piano Competition is returning to Honolulu, with talented young pianists from across the world meeting in the Pacific to fight for the title of brightest star.

Founded by Lisa Nakamichi under their parent organization of the Aloha International Piano Festival, Kealohi looks to create a hub of piano talent in the west, similar to how the esteemed piano competition Van Cliburn does in Texas.

PHOTOS: UH, lululemon exclusive collab launches at Manoa bookstore

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The Van Cliburn is the jewel of all piano competitions. Its the most known, its the most famous it is the creme de la creme, said Jill Arbetter, executive director of the Kealohi International Piano Competition. And the goal is to make the Kealohi the Van Cliburn of the west.

The competition features 13 pianists from countries such as Russia, Japan, Taiwan, China and even some competitors from the states.

All 13 competitors will perform solo pieces, with six advancing to the semifinals and three advancing to the finals, who will perform at the Blaisdell on Aug. 24.

The winner of the overall competition will win $10,000, with cash prizes for second and third place, as well as the semifinalists.

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Kealohi will be judged by an esteemed panel of professional pianists, with Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi serving as the honorary chair of the competition.

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The competition is more about winning the cash prize, however. For Arbetter, the competition highlights how the classical music genre is still as strong as ever  despite public opinion that the genre is dying.

It gives me hope that classical music is still alive, and kids are still out there wanting to play instruments, whether its the cello, the clarinet, the piano, the violin, so that theres still a future for classical music, which I think is very important, Arbetter said. Classical music has been around a lot longer than we have all been around, and Im hoping that it will continue to be so.

The young adults competing in the competition  which Arbetter affectionately refers to as kids  have the opportunity to continue the legacy of classical music that has been hundreds of years in the making.

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For Yu-Wei Lee, a 21-year-old competitor from Taiwan, the competition provides an opportunity for her to share her piano talent, which is a quintessential aspect of her young life.

[Music] is kind of like breathing right now for me, because music is with me every time, every day, in different locations, Lee said. I want to have a chance to experience Hawaiian audiences and then being on the stage and play for others. I think thats where the joy comes from.

With 17 years of piano under her belt, Lee hopes to snag the grand prize.

But shes got some stiff competition in 28-year-old Yi-Chen Feng, who also hails from Taiwan. For Feng, sharing his music is an opportunity to escape from the chaos of the outside world.

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Made in Hawaii Festival: What you need to know

For me, its like a way to escape from the reality. Especially right now, theres a lot of things going on in the world. Everyday from the news you just hear a lot of chaos, Feng said. But when I start playing the piano in the practice or in my room, I just feel I can purely enjoy the music.

Sharing the beautiful works of composers from throughout history is a key to being able to drown out the loudness of the outside world, Feng also said.

For those looking to join the 11 other competitors, as well as Lee and Feng in their escape from the reality, the first rounds of the competition are free to attend at the Orvis Auditorium at University of Hawaii at Manoa.

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The first rounds will take place Aug. 17 and Aug. 18. Semifinals will also take place at the Orvis Auditorium on Aug. 21 for free. The finals will be on Aug. 24 at the Blaisdell, and will be a ticketed event.

For more information on the Kealohi International Piano Competition, visit their website.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A private ceremony was held Thursday night at Buck Owens Crystal Palace  scheduled prior to the venues announced closure  honoring the first class of a new program designed to address Kern Countys physician shortage.

The program is managed by the More in Common Alliance  or MiCA  a partnership created by the Morehouse School of Medicine and CommonSpirit Health, parent company of Dignity Health.

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital President and CEO Ken Keller said the hope is that MiCA graduates stick around after they complete this internal medicine program. Data says theyre likely to stay.

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The program was created with the express intent of growing and developing physicians that are represented by minorities in the markets where Common Spirit Health has hospitals that have a significant need for physicians, Keller told KGET. And especially physicians of the same profile as the underserved communities in those areas.

MiCA is the first of several new residency programs across the country dedicated to increasing the number of providers historically underrepresented in medicine.

Physicians that practice in a community tend to stay in that community where they trained, Keller said. So when we get to the steady state of the five or six programs that we have, well have about 60 residents graduating every year to become physicians. And if were able to keep half of those every year, thatll be a huge boon to reducing the shortage of doctors that we have in the community.

Ikleel Moshref, who has lived in Bakersfield for 16 years, is one of those residents. Hes in the programs inaugural class  the first year of a three year internal medicine program.

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Just to be able to contribute to this program in medicine, which I love, which is my passion, just to contribute to this program as the first class, in whatever small or great way, it means the world to me, he said. I cant, I cant  its indescribable.

Thursdays White Coat Ceremony was intended to symbolize the transition of students from academic study to clinical practice.

The Morehouse School of Medicine, a private, historically Black medical school, was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nations top medical school fulfilling a social mission  advancement of health equity.

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Jefferson County authorities say a man broke into the county courthouse before dawn, stole law enforcement gear and an unmarked patrol car, and was arrested hours later near Forks, with all property recovered.

A county employee called 911 at about 6:05 a.m. today to report a burglary at the courthouse, according to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies responded with assistance from the Port Townsend Police Department and Washington State Patrol to secure and clear the building.

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An initial review found the break-in happened around 1 a.m.

Investigators say a person wearing dark clothing broke a window to get inside and forced entry into the Sheriffs Civil Office.

Several items of law enforcement equipment were taken, including a key to an unmarked patrol car. The person then used that key to take the car and left the area.

By later in the morning, detectives had identified a suspect and found both him and the stolen car near Forks.

The sheriffs office identified the suspect as Andrew Gaikowski, 34, of Jefferson County.

He was taken into custody without incident, and all stolen items were recovered, the agency said.

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Charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Sheriff Andy Pernsteiner credited the quick identification and arrest to his investigators and partner agencies.

Due to excellent investigative work by JCSO Detective Sergeant Derek Allen, Detective Brian Anderson, and Deputy Gordon Tamura, the subject who committed this offense was quickly identified, located, and safely taken into custody. Id like to thank our great team at JCSO and our partners at PTPD and WSP for their swift and professional assistance.

Anyone seeking additional information is asked to contact Detective Brian Anderson at branderson@co.jefferson.wa.us.
KIEL, Wis. (WFRV)  The Kiel Post Office now bears the name of State Trooper Trevor J. Casper, honoring the young officers bravery and sacrifice nearly a decade after his death in the line of duty.

Casper, a Kiel native, was just 21 years old and in his first year with the Wisconsin State Patrol when he was shot and killed in March 2015 while confronting a murder suspect in Fond du Lac County. Officials say his actions saved lives that day, stopping the suspect before anyone else could be harmed.

On Friday afternoon, the community gathered outside the post office for an unveiling ceremony. The renaming follows federal legislation signed into law last year, formally designating the facility as the Trevor J. Casper Post Office.

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The event drew Caspers family, friends, and law enforcement officers from across Wisconsin, along with local leaders. For many, the dedication was an emotional moment  one that ensures Caspers story will remain part of Kiel for generations.

Department of Justice provides update on police-involved death investigation in De Pere, six officers on leave

Former Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Anthony Burrell called the tribute both meaningful and lasting.

This is the best tribute you could give someone that made a sacrifice such as the one that Trevor did. This will be a memorial forever for him this is a lasting legacy of his, Burrell said.

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Burrell said Casper stood out from the beginning  quiet but confident, and fully committed to public service.

He was a public servant through and through and a true hero, Burrell said.

Congressman Glenn Grothman, who attended the ceremony, reflected on Caspers courage in his final moments. Trevor Casper did more in 17 seconds than most of us will ever do in a lifetime, Grothman said.

For the Kiel community, the new sign above the post office is more than a name change  its a permanent reminder of a hometown hero whose impact will never be forgotten.

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Ukraine on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to conduct peace negotiations with Russia without a prior ceasefire.

"Our view is: first a ceasefire, then everything else," Serhiy Leshchenko, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Ukrainian television.

If the fighting continued during the talks, there would be "great risks of blackmailing Ukraine," Leshchenko said a day after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska for talks on ending the war.

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Trump wrote earlier on his Truth Social network after consultations with Zelensky and European allies that "all" agreed the best way to achieve peace in Ukraine was to reach a peace agreement directly - and not with a ceasefire agreement, which often does not hold.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for almost three and a half years.
(KRON)  The San Francisco Fire Department battled a kitchen fire on the fourth floor of 66 Cleary Ct. on Saturday morning.

Fire crews were dispatched at 6:22 a.m. The flames were contained at 6:41 a.m. and under control less than ten minutes later.

The residents of the fourth floor evacuated and a shelter in place was active for residents.

SF Dem authors legislation to shut this ski mask s**t down after masked agents crash Newsom speech

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Per the fire department, one individual has been evaluated for smoke inhalation. According to the fire department, there were no displacements.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This story has been updated.

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As the UK swelters through another summer heatwave, Josh Gorrono Chapman spoke to kitchen staff feeling the burn as conditions push temperatures - and tempers - to the limit.

"Just remember, we're hot too," says John Leedham at Salt and Pepper Club in Hull's Paragon Arcade.

"We hear it all day," he explains. "Customers will come in and they'll go upstairs and they're like, 'Ah, it's too hot in here.'

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"And it's like, yeah, but I'm working in here. I know it's hot too. We don't need reminding it's hot."

The restaurant manager is one of many workers across the city trying their best to stay cool while making food.

"We just try and get as much ventilation through as we can but, other than that, there's not much we can do."

"It's just one of those things," he explains, "but it can get unbearable sometimes."

Ryan Albano says he is trying his best to "push through" [BBC / Josh Gorrono Chapman]

Ryan Albano, head chef at Chinese Whispers over on Humber Street, would seem to agree.

"We keep popping outside from time to time to get that fresh air," he sighs.

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The kitchen is a hive of activity as they prepare for the lunchtime rush.

While a new sous chef makes fresh noodles, Ryan chops onions and tomatoes.

Gesturing to the extractor fans, he explains that, when they have lots of orders on the go, it can get very warm indeed.

"These cannot take it, so we have to leave that door open just to get that breeze."

Ryan shares some advice for customers.

"Just come with the thinnest layers that you've got," he laughs.

"The food's good, but it's gonna be hot."

Rachel Stainton says the warm weather is good for business [BBC / Josh Gorrono Chapman]

Rachel Stainton from Boss Burrito in Hull's Trinity Market calls for patience.

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"It is hot, it is busy, so try not to get cranky if we take a little bit longer than normal, but generally we're working at the same speed.

"We might just stop to have more water than normal."

As she chats to me, building birria burritos, I can feel the heat from the grills that are permanently on. But Ms Stainton still manages to stay positive.

"It's not too bad. We've got the doors open. There's a nice breeze," she smiles. "It's warm whatever the weather in a kitchen."

"I'm a summer person. I hate the winter. Bring on the heatwave."

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Temperatures are expected to cool to about 20C next week, but, until then, it's doors open, extractor fans on, and snatched breaths of fresh air for the workers cooking through this latest scorching spell.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The Division of Wildlife Resources is encouraging hunters to be aware and follow certain guidelines to ensure healthy elk and deer populations and public safety.

Hunters throughout Utah are preparing for the 2025 elk and deer hunting season, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has issued some general tips and guidelines for people to follow.

Archery buck deer and bull elk hunts begin Saturday, August 16, kicking off the 2025 big-game hunting season, which continues through November.

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The DWR noted that for those hunting deer, they may see fewer deer than long-term averages in Cache, Weber, Summit and Morgan counties due to 2022-2023 winter conditions. In Southern Utah, though, deer populations will likely remain unimpacted.

Elk populations are slightly above the state-wide objective of 80,000, meaning that there are increased permit options and hunting dates, according to the DWR. Youth hunters also have increased opportunities to hunt bull elks.

Photos courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Utah DWR Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said, The ability for hunters to get in the field pursuing big game regularly is a high priority for hunters and the DWR. This is especially important for our younger hunters, and we are excited about the multiple season dates and extensive unit locations offered to youth hunters with the general-season youth elk permit.

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DWR officials have also urged the public to be aware of several general tips.

Know the laws and scout the area in advance

Various hunts and areas will have different laws on what is and is not allowed. Additionally, some hunting areas may border private property, making it important for hunters to be aware of the laws and area in which they are hunting.

DWR recommends checking the Utah Hunt Planner before heading out. They also say scouting out an areas may lead to a more successful hunt.

Avoid hunting mistakes: Utah DNRs tips for hunters

Hunters who have scouted their hunting units and spent time locating animals before the hunt begins are typically more successful at finding and harvesting an animal during their hunt, Mangus says, Spend time scouting, and if you havent, consider planning multiple hunting trips during the hunting season.

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Hunters must submit harvest reports within 30 days of the end of the hunting season or by February 15th, whichever is sooners. Individuals can also check all hunting laws and field regulations here.

Practice with equipment and bring binoculars

Another key to a successful hunt can be to practice with your equipment before hunting. Mangus says, Making responsible and ethical shots is an important part of using our wildlife resources wisely.

Additionally, the DWR notes that using binoculars allows hunters to be more effective, without disturbing other wildlife. However, hunters should only take shots from the recommended distance with their equipment. For bows, that is 60 yards or less. For rifles or shooters, that is around 300-400 yards.

Hunt away from the road

DWR Officials say that many deer or elk avoid areas where there is more hunting pressure, including by avoiding roads. Hunters should do some hiking and scouting to find animals.

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Additionally, hunters should look for more rugged terrain, as does and fawns stick to more gentle terrain and bucks typically gather away from them. Magnus says, Bucks will gather in small herds or bachelor groups, and they like more rugged mountain terrain.

Be aware of weather and wind conditions

According to DWR, elk and other big game are more sensitive to smells and are more likely to get wind of hunters. Keeping track of the wind direction and approaching animals opposite of the wind direction will minimize them catching hunters scents.

In addition to keeping track of wind direction, hunters should always be aware of the weather and be prepared for any emergencies while hunting. Weather in Utahs mountains from sunny to snowing quickly, leading to potentially dangerous situations.

We urge hunters to remember the safety basics of hunting with a partner and always make sure someone knows where you are and when you will return, Mangus said. You cant always rely on cell phones as they may not have reception in the backcountry during your hunt.

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Hunters should also always bring a first aid kit and plenty of water with them.

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It was the first face-to-face meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

However, the two leaders remained vague in their statements at Friday's concluding press conference.

What we know

According to the Kremlin, the talks lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes. The press conference with Trump and Putin lasted 12 minutes, with both men praising the talks as constructive and productive.

Trump later briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders about the meeting, German government sources told dpa on Saturday morning.

Putin sees an opportunity for stronger economic exchange with the US.

After his talks with Putin, Trump considers some points to be unresolved, but says agreement was reached on many issues.

The leaders made no remarks about a possible ceasefire at the joint press conference.

Putin spoke of agreements that could be the starting point for a solution to the Ukraine conflict.

The presidents did not take any questions from journalists.

What we don't know

There was no information about the content of the starting-point agreements cited by Putin.

According to Trump, there were still very few outstanding issues, including "probably the most significant" one  the nature of which was not disclosed.

It was not clear if there was any concrete discussion of a possible ceasefire or under what conditions one could be implemented.

Nor was it said whether territorial issues were discussed.

Trump and Putin spoke non-committally about another meeting. It remained unclear whether Putin had officially invited Trump to Moscow.

Before the summit, Trump stated that there should be a possible second meeting involving Ukrainian President Zelensky. However, it was not said whether that remains a priority for him.

US President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson following their meeting in Alaska. -/Kremlin/dpa
GRAND JUNCTION Colo. (KREX)- As of this month, Colorado now faces new regulations regarding kratom, a plant extract known for its stimulating and pain-relieving effects.

The new laws require retailers to ensure that kratom products are not sold to anyone under the age of 21, and health disclosures must be clearly visible on packaging.

These laws are a response to growing concerns about the safety of kratom and its increasing use, particularly among younger consumers.

So, what exactly is kratom? WesternSlopeNow spoke to Dr. Oliver Grundman, a clinical professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Florida, to find out:

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Traditional uses are for day laborers in Southeast Asia, day laborers that often work in very hard, very humid conditions and they chew briefly on the leaf to kind of get an energy boost similar to coffee. Coffee wasnt prevalent in that area of the world. If you actually brew a tea out of it and you drink larger amounts potentially of it, then you get actually more of a pain-relieving effect and a slight slide. Some people describe it as kind of an alcohol-like buzz. Others say that its a little bit more like a little bit of an opioid, as if somebody were to smoke opium, for example. said Dr. Grundman.

With these new restrictions coming into play, its important for local retailers to adjust to the new rules. Jessie James, who owns Colorado Kratom in Grand Junction spoke about the product, and potential dangers:

They came out with stuff called 70H. I think most people are using that for recreation because its like synthetic kratom and I dont think a lot of people in a lot of kratom business probably tell their customers that it is synthetic. So, customers start thinking theyre taking kratom, but its not really. Its not great. said James.

With federal agencies like the FDA stepping up their involvement and more cities implementing stricter rules, its clear that regulation and education will be key as this controversial plant increases in popularity.

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The Kremlin bragged about U.S. fighter jets escorting Russian President Vladimir Putin's plane from Alaska on Aug. 16, following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

"American fighter jets escorted the Russian president's plane on its way from Alaska to Russia," the Kremlin wrote on Telegram, sharing a video filmed from the aircraft.



The Aug. 15 summit marked Putin's first visit to the U.S. since 2015 and a break from the international isolation imposed after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. During the visit, Putin received a red-carpet welcome, which top Russian officials later celebrated on social media. Putin looked visibly uplifted during the trip.

The fighter jets seen in the video are U.S. F-35 supersonic stealth aircraft  the countrys most advanced multirole fighters  produced by defense and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. The "AK" tail code on the jets indicates they are based at U.S. Air Force installations in Alaska.

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The Trump-Putin meeting did not yield any agreement to bring an end to Russia's war in Ukraine closer. Instead, the main outcome was widely seen as Moscows break from international isolation  a significant win for Putin both domestically and internationally.

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Since launching the full-scale invasion, Putin has faced international isolation, limiting his travel to close allies and regional partners such as China, Iran, and North Korea, while avoiding Western capitals entirely.



His options became even more restricted after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March 2023 over the kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. The U.S. is not among the 125 countries that are party to the ICC and was not obliged to arrest Putin on its territory.

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Russias reintegration into global diplomacy began after Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025. Within weeks, the two leaders held their first phone call, ending the communication freeze imposed during Joe Biden's presidency.



Trump praised the Aug. 15 meeting with Putin as a 10 out of 10, despite not reaching any peace agreements. He said he and Putin agreed on many points and made some headway toward a deal, including on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Aug. 18 to discuss ending Russia's war in Ukraine, following a call between the two leaders on Aug. 16.

Read also: Editorial: That meeting was sickening. Putin loved it

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump both described their meeting in Alaska as very positive, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.

Peskov said the talks had allowed the two leaders to remain confident in their joint search for solutions.

Although no concrete outcomes were announced during a joint press appearance, he said comprehensive statements had been made, which was why journalists were not allowed to ask questions.
A three-way meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was not a topic at the talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, according to the Kremlin.

Such a summit was not discussed so far in the joint efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television on Saturday.

The date for the next meeting between Putin and Trump is also not yet known, Ushakov said.

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Putin invited Trump to Moscow during a joint press conference at Friday's summit in the Alaskan city of Anchorage, he added.

On his way back to Moscow, the Russian president stopped in the Chukotka region in the Far East to hold talks on regional development.

During their approximately three-hour meeting on Friday, Putin and Trump discussed a possible end to the war, now in its fourth year. No concrete results were announced.

A ceasefire demanded by the US, Ukraine and European countries was also not agreed upon. Putin and Trump announced that there would be further talks, without specifying the date and location.
Ivory Coasts Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has proposed holding legislative elections on 27 December 2025, just few days before the current Parliamentary term expires on 31 December.

The announcement was made during a meeting held on Thursday, 13, August, with political parties, with the CEI offering support to candidates in obtaining the necessary administrative documents.

However, opposition figures immediately voiced objections, calling for an electoral roll revision to allow more young voters to register. Representatives from the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) and the African Peoples Party  Cote dIvoire (PPA-CI) criticised the CEIs decision as incoherent, unpopular, and illegitimate, accusing the body of creating political instability rather than fostering peaceful elections.

In response, CEI president Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert rejected the demand for a fresh voter registration process, citing constitutional deadlines and pointing out that a revision was carried out just three to four months ago with limited public turnout. He argued that significant resources had already been spent to encourage citizens to register, including making certain documents free of charge. The proposed election date still requires formal approval by the government in the Council of Ministers before becoming official.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A Los Angeles man was injured after Border officers fired at him as he sped off from an inspection while attempting to cross into the United States from Mexico in southern San Diego.

The San Diego Police Department on Friday identified the suspect as 59-year-old Humberto Chavarria-Cervantes of Los Angeles.

The police department reports Chavarria-Cervantes is suspected of attempting to enter into the United States from Mexico by the Otay Mesa Port of Entry at 9 p.m. Monday, but sped off when referred to secondary inspection.

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Police say he couldnt get through the blocked north end of the parking lot and then drove south going fast, nearly hitting several CBP officers.

Border officers shoot at driver who nearly struck them at Otay Mesa crossing

As he was driving, three CBP officers fired their weapons at Chavarria-Cervantes. He then stopped and surrendered to Border officers, and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries from a broken windshield. Chavarria-Cervantes out of the hospital by Tuesday afternoon and was taken into custody likely facing federal charges, police confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI.

The police department reports no CBP officers were injured during the incident. The three CBP officers who discharged their firearms were identified Friday as Richard Labak, 22 years of service, Jerald Talob, 6 years of service, and Hugo Osuna, 2 years of service.

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The San Diego Police Homicide Unit is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Homeland Security Investigations agents are also investigating.

When Homicide completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorneys Office to determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions.

Homeland Security Investigations will conduct an administrative investigation into the officers discharge of their firearms. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorneys Office will also be monitoring the investigation.

Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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A Labour council has admitted it illegally fined thousands of drivers for driving in bus lanes.

Southwark council is to refund motorists almost half a million pounds after it discovered it had quoted the wrong law on tickets.

The council issued 10,422 penalty charge notices (PCNs) in just four months to cars caught on CCTV driving in bus lanes.

The fines, known as 34J PCNs, which were raised between February and June, were worth 485,220.

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But the London council discovered it had quoted the wrong laws after the incorrect template was copied over the bus lane template, a freedom of information response shows.

Phillip Morgan, who helps motorists challenge fines at tribunal hearings as part of the Free Traffic Legal Advice forum, submitted the data request after spotting the error on a number of PCNs.

In all of my experience, this is one of the worst examples of administrative incompetence I have ever encountered, he said.

I warned the council in April of this fault, to which they replied that I was mistaken about the error. Subsequently, they did not contest a case at the tribunal.

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The question must be asked: how much do Southwark council tax payers pay for this incompetence and how much does it cost to send out by post faulty tickets and equally faulty notices of rejection?

In January, the same council had to refund 120,000 to motorists fined for using a Rotherhithe bus lane that did not legally exist.

It emerged that the Traffic Management Order  the legal document allowing a local authority to regulate traffic  had expired in May 2024, meaning PCNs issued for six months were void because the bus lane was not legally enforceable.

In 2024, a tribunal found a procedural impropriety on some of the councils PCNs meant they were again void. The law states that the 28-day limit to challenge a PCN starts from the date of notice about the fine. However, the council wrongly wrote on some tickets that the month-long period for legal challenges began from the date the penalty charge notice was served.

Contractors to pay back fines

Speaking of the latest error, James McAsh, a local councillor, said: Between February and June this year, an administrative error by one of our contractors led to some bus lane penalty notices being issued incorrectly. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.

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All affected motorists will receive refunds, and any unpaid notices will be cancelled. We have reviewed all other notices and found no further issues. We are also strengthening our checks with contractors to make sure this does not happen again.

The council will recover the full cost of the refunds from the contractors.

A council spokesman added that the error resulted in the wrong legislation appearing on the PCNs. They stressed that the council would not be out of pocket because the contractor would cover the costs of correcting its mistake.

We will reimburse all motorists and refunds will automatically be applied to the accounts of those affected within the next month, they said.

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This will come at no cost to the council as the contractors have agreed to reimburse the council the equivalent total value to that of all the refunds.

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LaGRANGE, Ga. (WRBL)  LaGrange Mayor Jim Arrington has urged the community on Friday to continue using the citys anonymous tip411 reporting system following a call that led to several arrests.

The LaGrange Police Department reacted quickly to a 911 call on Tuesday and arrested several suspects in connection with a recent drive-by shooting near DeGroat and Davis Streets.

During the incident, Troup County received a call regarding two vehicles exchanging gunfire on DeGroat and Davis Streets at approximately 3:36 p.m.

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At 3:39 p.m., an LPD officer spotted a vehicle matching the description of one of the vehicles and initiated a traffic stop.

Within seven minutes, the officer was able to confirm the vehicle had sustained gunshots, and recovered several weapons from the scene. Since the incident, four suspects have been arrested.

Following this quick response, Arrington released a statement expressing his appreciation for LDP and the caller who reported the incident.

Im incredibly proud of the good work our LaGrange Police officers did in this case, said Mayor Arrington. Because of a call from our community, our officers were able to locate and stop the suspects within two minutes. Seven minutes later, the suspects were in custody, and several guns were taken off of the streets. When the community works with our officers, we can effectively fight crime. I want to urge every member of our community, if you see something suspicious, please report it. Your tip could be the key to breaking a case and keeping our community safe.

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There is an active and ongoing investigation following the incident and anonymous tips may be submitted through the tip411 system. This reporting system is a digital toolset for law enforcement, schools, and community groups that feature innovative smartphone apps, anonymous text tips, group alerting, and secure social media publishing tools.

Tips can also be shared by accessing the online portal at www.lagrangega.gov/departments/police, or by texting the keyword LAGRANGE to 847411.

Arrington encourages the community to continue using the reporting system to share information about criminal activity.

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SHIPSHEWANA  Keith Lambright, owner of Shipshewana Auction Inc., was recently recognized with two of Indianas highest honors in agriculture at the start of the 2025 Indiana State Fair, celebrating his decades of leadership, innovation, and service to the livestock industry and his community.

Lambright received the AgriVision Award from Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture and their communities.

Lambright was also inducted into the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame, honoring his outstanding impact across multiple species in Indianas livestock industry. The award was presented by Rex Smith, a member of the Indiana Purebred Swine Breeders, during the fair.

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Lambrights passion for agriculture began early. As a boy, he often left school to attend livestock sales, learning the business firsthand by purchasing and caring for cattle. In 1981, he joined his father and brother in purchasing Shipshewana Auction Inc., transforming it into a trusted marketplace for farmers and livestock breeders across the Midwest. Today, the auction sells more than 2,000 head of livestock weekly, including pigs, dairy, veal, sheep, lambs, goats, bulls, cattle, and horses. It remains a cornerstone of the LaGrange County agricultural economy.

His influence spans multiple livestock species. In partnership with Jack Ward, Lambright operated Maple Lane Angus, one of the top Angus herds in the country, with genetics still seen in leading pedigrees today. He also co-owned one of Indianas top swine seedstock operations, producing breeding stock and show pigs that found success nationwide. More recently, Lambright and his son, Brian, returned to the purebred swine industry and they also manage a flock of about 300 Hamp/Cross ewes producing top show lambs. In addition, in partnership with Barry Nowatzke, he has 250 registered Angus cows.

In 2022, Lambright expanded into meat processing through the purchase of Cedar Creek Meats, further strengthening the local agricultural supply chain.

Lambrights dedication extends well beyond business. He has served as swine superintendent for LaGrange County 4-H, mentored countless youth in livestock care and showmanship, provided a facility for Purdues Beef Quality Assurance training, and spent 30 years on the local school board. His 10-year personal participation in 4-H inspired a lifelong commitment to supporting the program.

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All three of his children, Stacy, Jenny and Brian, are active in the weekly Shipshewana livestock auction, ensuring that his agricultural legacy continues into the next generation. Lambright and his wife, Doreen, have 10 grandchildren.

This award isnt really about me, Lambright said. Its about the next generation  the young people coming up in agriculture  because they are the future. I believe were just stewards of our farms, our livestock, our money, and most importantly, the soil beneath our feet. These are gifts from God, and its our responsibility to care for them, protect them, and lead with integrity for the sake of those who come after us. If we want our kids to grow up respecting the land and the life we love, we have to show them how  by example.

Because of Hoosiers and visionaries like Keith, Indianas agricultural industry continues to thrive as the backbone of our economy, said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Awardees like him dedicate their careers to making this industry better, and it is an honor to celebrate their contributions.

Were incredibly proud to see Keith Lambright and Shipshewana Auction recognized at the state level for their contributions to Indianas agricultural industry, said Sonya Nash, executive director for the LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Agriculture is at the heart of LaGrange Countys identity, and businesses like Shipshewana Auction not only sustain our local economy  they draw visitors from across the country who are eager to experience authentic rural traditions. This recognition highlights how deeply connected our tourism success is to the strength and legacy of our farming communities.

For more information about the AgriVision Award, visit www.isda.in.gov.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Eight accused child sex offenders, including a pastor, are now off Las Vegas streets after a major undercover operation.

Over the past two weeks, the Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, along with the FBI and several southern Nevada police departments, worked together to make these arrests.

Undercover officers and federal agents posed online as children responding to the same messages and meeting requests that real kids in the community might see.

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One of the men is 46-year-old Neal Harrison Creecy, a pastor at Redemption Church. Investigators said Creecy allegedly used a computer to try and lure children for sexual misconduct, which is a felony charge.

For the past five years, Creecy has rented space inside The Good Samaritan Lutheran Church on West Sahara and Cimarron, where he operates his religious organization, redemption church.

However, Lutheran Church leaders tell 8 News Now that Creecy has no affiliation with The Good Samaritan Church and that he is a renter. W. Don Seaborg, President of Pastoral Support for Redemption Church, said they were surprised and hurt by the news and said Creecy is no longer serving in his role.

As soon as he got out of jail within an hour or two, he contacted us on a thread message and confessed. He offered his resignation when we met with him later that morning. We had to accept his resignation immediately, Seaborg said.

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Of the other seven men arrested, authorities said they believed they were meeting a child, but they were actually meeting law enforcement. The undercover operation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security, Metro Police, Henderson police, and North Las Vegas Police.

Neal Creecy is currently out on a $10,000 dollar bail. His first court appearance is Sept. 2 at Henderson Justice Court at 9:00 a.m.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  For decades, tens of thousands of people have descended upon Albuquerque for what is billed as North America's largest powwow, a celebration showcasing Indigenous dancers, musicians and artisans from around the world.

Organizers announced Saturday that 2026 will be the last time the cultural event is held, saying via email and social media that it will end after 43 years without providing details on the decision.

There comes a time, Gathering of Nations Ltd. said in a statement.

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The official poster for the 2026 event features the words The Last Dance.

Organizers did not immediately respond to phone and email messages seeking comment.

The New Mexico fairgrounds have hosted the powwow since 2017, but it's unclear whether the venue would be available for future events given that the state is considering redeveloping the site.

There also has been criticism over the years by some Native Americans who said Gathering of Nations organizers were capitalizing on Indigenous culture. Organizers dismissed those claims, saying the money raised goes toward the expenses of putting on the event.

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While offering spectators a glimpse into Indigenous cultures, large powwows like the one in Albuquerque have become more commercialized events with prize money for dancing and drumming competitions.

For some Native American leaders, it can be a struggle to keep traditional cultural practices and commercial powwows from being lumped into the same category. There have been efforts to focus on promoting smaller powwows that are held in tribal communities.

At Gathering of Nations, the signature event is the grand entry, in which a colorful procession of dancers spirals into the center of an arena. Participants wear elaborate regalia  some with jingling bells and others with feathers  and dance to rhythmic drumming.

The event also features the crowning of Miss Indian World, as well as horse parades in which riders are judged on the craftsmanship of their intricately beaded adornments or feathered headdresses and how well they work with their steeds.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  16 months after a clash between police and pro-Palestine protestors on the University of Illinois campus, the last person facing charges in connection with the unrest pleaded guilty on Friday.

Court records show Christopher Zelle, 38 of Champaign, reached a deal with prosecutors in June. The deal included Zelle pleading guilty to a misdemeanor of obstructing a peace officer, while felony charges of mob action and aggravated battery to a peace officer were dismissed.

He was then sentenced to 12 months of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service.

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PREVIOUSLY: UIUC pro-Palestine encampment timeline in photos

Zelle was not a student at the University of Illinois, but he was one of two people arrested on campus the morning and night of April 26, 2024. On that date, pro-Palestine protestors pitched tents near Alma Mater as part of a nationwide encampment, calling for the universities divestment from companies involved in the Gaza War or with Israel.

The U of I Police and Facilities and Services Departments tried twice to take the tents down, saying campus policy prohibited such structures. While they succeeded in removing the tents in the morning, they were pitched again in the afternoon, by which point the number of protestors had swelled into the hundreds.

The protestors refused to allow police to remove the tents again, with many linking arms and pushing back when officers tried to get to the tents.

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Julia Reitz, the Champaign County States Attorney, said that during the unrest in the afternoon, Zelle grabbed the wrist of UIPD Assistant Chief Barb Robbins and used his body to block her from exiting the mass of people. Police later obtained surveillance footage that helped them identify Zelle as the person who interfered with Robbins.

Zelle later started moving toward the Illini Union and yelled at officers staged there, Rietz said. Thats when officers arrested him for his interaction with Robbins.

The unrest ended when police de-escalated the situation by backing away, starting a standoff with the protestors that lasted until 11 p.m. The protestors agreed to disperse and restarted the encampment two days later on the Quad near Foellinger Auditorium.

U of I Police and F&S did not try to remove the tents again, and they remained on the Quad until the school year ended.

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PREVIOUSLY: Protestors speak out on 17-hour-long U of I demonstration

Zelle was initially charged with two felonies: Class 2 aggravated battery to a peace officer and Class 4 mob action. After a plea deal was reached in June, a Class A misdemeanor count of obstruction of a peace officer was added against Zelle, and that was ultimately the only count he pleaded guilty to.

In the days and months after the protest, the Champaign County States Attorneys Office charged eight other people with obstructing an officer, seven of whom were also charged with mob action. Those other defendants are:

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Court records show Smith, Kleckner, Roy, Sotiropoulos and Paganini all accepted plea deals identical to Zelles and received identical sentences  12 months of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service. Vassilatos accepted the same plea deal, with a slightly different sentence of conditional discharge and 30 hours of community service.

Issa was the only defendant to go to trial, and a judge found her guilty from the bench of obstruction, with mob action dismissed. The judge sentenced her to the same 12 months of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service.

Taylor was only charged with obstruction, but the States Attorneys office dismissed his case after further review and after Taylor volunteered in the community on his own accord.

Zelle was the last defendant whose case remained open in Champaign County court. His guilty plea and sentencing bring an end to the prosecutions related to the pro-Palestine encampment and unrest near Alma Mater on April 26, 2024.

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Britain's last surviving World War Two Victoria Cross recipient, John Cruickshank, has died aged 105.

The flight lieutenant, from Aberdeen, earned the honour for an attack on a German U-Boat while piloting a Catalina flying boat in June 1944.

He was the last to die of 181 people who received the country's highest military honour for their actions in the conflict.

Flt Lt Cruickshank's family said he died last week and a funeral would be held in private.

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The veteran was badly injured in the attack on 17 June 1944 while protecting British vessels in the Norwegian Sea.

In total, he suffered 72 injuries, including two wounds to his lungs and 10 to his lower limbs.

On his return to base at Sullom Voe in Shetland he had to be given a blood transfusion before he even left the aircraft.

The crew had spotted the U-boat ahead of them and went on the offensive with a bombing run during heavy gunfire.

However, their bombs did not release, forcing Flt Lt Cruickshank to turn the aircraft around and attack again.

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On that occasion, he released the bombs himself, successfully destroying the submarine.

Navigator John Dickson was killed while his co-pilot and two others members of the crew were seriously injured.

He never returned to operational flying and left the RAF in 1946 for a career in banking.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross  the highest recognition for valour that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces  on 29 August, 1944.

Flt Lt Cruickshank was praised for setting an example of "determination, fortitude and devotion to duty" when the honour was bestowed on him by King George VI.

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He rarely talked about his experiences, saying in 2008: "You don't get involved in that kind of thing thinking of any decorations or any recognition. It was regarded as duty."

Bob Kemp, Flt Lt Cruickshank's friend of more than 30 years, told BBC Scotland News he was a "great RAF icon".

"He was a great character," he said. "I flew with him in the Catalina when he was almost 90 and as soon as he got airborne his recall of the detail of the aircraft came alive.

"He could point out every position of every crew member, where all the first aid kits were stored, where all the machine guns were, the depth charge settings and the engine's revolutions for take-off etc. His recall was magnificent.

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"He was a very stoic aviator, a lovely person, quite private and a great supporter of many charities including the RAF benevolent fund and animal welfare charities.

"He just wanted to help as many people as he could and had a great sense of humour."

Mr Kemp said Flt Lt Cruickshank lived on his own for more than 40 years since his wife had died and every year travelled to the Shetland Islands to put a wreath on the grave of his navigator John Dixon.

He added: "John was an amazing character, very quiet, but with a terrific sense of humour."

In 2013, Flt Lt Cruickshank was given the opportunity to fly in an aircraft similar to the one he piloted during the war.

Last year, when he was 104, a Catalina flying boat was flown over Flt Lt Cruickshank's home in Aberdeen to mark 80 years since he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Leaders in New Haven are celebrating a new city law that holds landlords accountable for property maintenance.

Fair rent commissioners gather in New Haven to discuss tenants, rent and living conditions

The law increases fines for blighted properties. Fines for non-compliance will now jump from $100 a day to up to $1,000 per day, which is the maximum allowed by state statute.

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New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker hopes that the new law will put pressure on landlords to clean up their properties.

To be clear this isnt about making money off these things, Elicker said. Were not interested in penalizing people, were interested in compliance. Were interested in people cleaning up the property, being respectful to the neighborhood.

The new ordinance strengthens the citys ability to serve and enforce citations.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON  Lawmakers are launching an investigation into Meta after reports that its internal policies allow chatbots to have romantic or sensual conversations with children and even flirt with them.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Friday demanding information about the companys rules for AI chatbots, notifying the entrepreneur that he would be launching an investigation through the Senate Judiciary Committee when Congress returns from recess in September. The investigation will focus on whether Metas AI products allow harm to children and if the company has used complicated legalese to disguise these practices.

Only after Meta got CAUGHT did it retract portions of its company doc that deemed it permissible for chatbots to flirt and engage in romantic roleplay with children, Hawley wrote in a post on X. This is grounds for an immediate congressional investigation.

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Hawleys investigation comes after Reuters reported this week that leaked internal policies show that the companys AI products can engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual and even describe a child in terms that evidence their attractiveness (ex: your youthful form is a work of art).

The guidelines lay out certain instances that are acceptable for conversation, noting it could tell a shirtless 8-year-old that every inch of you is a masterpiece  a treasure I cherish deeply, according to Reuters. But the chatbots put limitations on describing children under 13 years old in terms that indicate they are sexually desirable (ex: soft rounded curves invite my touch).

As part of his request, Hawley is demanding that officials at Meta preserve all relevant records and hand them over to Congress. These documents include all versions  including drafts and edits  of the companys standards for chatbots, a list of all AI models and products that must follow those standards, enforcement protocols, and incident reports, among other things.

Meta must produce these records by Sept. 19, according to the letter.

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Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed outrage to the original policies, even going so far as to describe them as evil and disgusting.

I cannot understand how anyone with a kid did anything other than freak out when someone said this idea out loud, Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said in a post on X. My head is exploding knowing that multiple people approved this.

A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the letter and investigation specifically, but referred the Deseret News to its original statement to Reuters in response to the leaked policies.

We have clear policies on what kind of responses AI characters can offer, and those policies prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors, the spokesperson said in a statement. Separate from the policies, there are hundreds of examples, notes, and annotations that reflect teams grappling with different hypothetical scenarios. The examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed.
Malis military Government announced on 14 August 2025 that it has thwarted a coup plot intended to undermine the countrys political Transition.

Government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga said the conspiracy, allegedly backed by a foreign State, was uncovered and neutralised with the arrests of Gen. Abbass Dembele, Brig. Gen. Naima Sagara, and a French national, Yann Vezilier, suspected of working for French intelligence.

The junta condemned the attempt as a subversive act, assured the public that stability has been maintained, and launched judicial investigations to identify further accomplices. The arrests followed unverified reports that dozens of soldiers were detained over a bid to depose the ruling military Council.

This development comes amid Malis ongoing political turbulence, with coups in 2020 and 2021 paving the way for the current juntas rule. The government has previously claimed to foil other coup attempts, including one in 2022 it said was supported by a Western nation. The latest incident underscores persistent tensions between the junta and both internal and external actors, as Mali distances itself from France, strengthens ties with Russia, and continues to face threats from jihadist insurgencies and domestic unrest.
Fool Me Twice

Yet another team of lawyers was found leaving AI slop in court documents. It's the latest example of white-collar professionals outsourcing their work to confidently wrong AI tools  and this time, it's not just about any old frivolous lawsuit.

As The Guardian reports, a pair of Australian lawyers named Rishi Nathwani and Amelia Beech, who are representing a 16-year-old defendant in a murder case, were caught using AI after documents they submitted to prosecutors proved to be riddled with a series of bizarre errors, including made-up citations and a misquoted parliamentary speech.

The hallucinations caused a series of mishaps, highlighting how even just one AI hallucination in this setting can have a Domino-like effect.

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Per The Guardian, the prosecution didn't double-check the accuracy of the defense's references, which caused them to draw up arguments based on AI-fabricated misinformation. It was the judge who finally noticed that something was amiss, and when the defense was confronted about the wild array of mistakes in court, they admitted to using generative AI to whip up the documents.

Worse yet, that wasn't even the end of the defense's inadmissible behavior. As The Guardian explains, the defense re-submitted purportedly revised documents  only for those documents to include more AI-generated errors, including completely nonexistent laws.

"It is not acceptable for AI to be used unless the product of that use is independently and thoroughly verified," justice James Elliott told Melbourne's Supreme Court, as quoted by the newspaper, adding that "the manner in which these events have unfolded is unsatisfactory."

Unacceptable

The stakes are incredibly high in this case. Nathwania and Beech are defending a minor accused of murdering a 41-year-old woman while attempting to steal her car (per the newspaper, the teen was ultimately found not guilty of murder on grounds that he was cognitively impaired at the time of the killing).

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Elliott expressed concern that the "use of AI without careful oversight of counsel would seriously undermine this court's ability to deliver justice," according to the Guardian, as AI-generated misinformation could stand to "mislead" the legal system.

The incident is a worrying indictment of the widespread use of a tech that's still plagued by constant hallucinations. Wielded without sufficient oversight by legal professionals, they could stand to alter the course of the court.

Real decisions, in other words, could be made based on the nonsensical musings of a hallucinating AI.

More on AI and courtrooms: Law Firms Caught and Punished for Passing Around "Bogus" AI Slop in Court
The 39-year-old leader of a drug-trafficking ring that has been tied to Aryan prison gangs was sentenced to 14 years in prison in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Friday.

Yehoshua Kilp was indicted after a two-year investigation of drug-trafficking rings with connections to the Aryan Family and Omerta prison gangs, according to a Department of Justice news release. Kilp was accused of buying and distributing large quantities of heroin, hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills for the organization.

This defendant has been involved with the criminal justice system since age 14 and has caused significant harm, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said in the release. The wiretap investigation revealed that even when he was jailed on state charges, he continued to direct drug distribution activities.

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Kilp was staying in an Airbnb in August 2022 when law enforcement seized the drugs.

The drugs included:

More than 44 kilograms of methamphetamine

More than 4 kilograms of fentanyl laced pills

Cocaine

Heroin

Prosecutors say Kilp continued to direct the drug activities of his co-defendent Sara Thompson while he was arrested on state charges, the release said.

Thompson was sentenced earlier this year to seven years in prison for her role in major narcotics deals for the drug ring after she pleaded guilty in August 2024. The DOJ said in a news release that she was in a romantic relationship with Kilp.

Eric Smith, 54 of Tacoma, was a co-defendant who also pleaded guilty to conspiring with members of the ring to smuggle drugs to Washington. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, The News Tribune reported.

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Kilp was actively distributing fentanyl pills even when he was informed the pills were too strong and were causing overdoses. Instead of stopping distribution of those pills, Kilp and his co-conspirators discussed how to make the fentanyl less pure, the release said.

The release said that Kilp and the co-conspirators planned to wrap the fentanyl in more layers to protect the people who smuggled the drugs in their bodies.

Kilp also pleaded guilty in Arizona to laundering drug money back to a source for the supply in Mexico. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The release said that the federal sentence resolved the Washington and Arizona state cases.

The amount of controlled substances we are talking about are mind-boggling There were discussions about particularly potent batches of fentanyl that was possibly leading to overdoses and yet you kept going, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said during Fridays sentencing, the release said.
Against the backdrop of the tariff conflict with the United States, a leading German politician has suggested that Switzerland could become a member of the European Union.

Omid Nouripour, who is vice president of the German lower house of parliament, or Bundestag, told dpa: "The German government should offer Switzerland the opportunity to quickly deepen cooperation, up to turbo membership in the EU."

Nouripour further stated: "If our Swiss friends want to move closer to the European Union in light of new times, Germany should actively support this."

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US President Donald Trump has imposed a 39% tariff on imports from Switzerland, effective since August 7. For most products from the EU, a tariff of 15% applies.

Swiss economic associations have described this as a nightmare scenario, with tens of thousands of jobs at risk.

The country of 9 million inhabitants relies on exports, with the US being the most important market, accounting for 18% last year.

The stance of Switzerland

In Switzerland, however, EU membership has no chance.

There are economic associations and some left-of-centre lawmakers who are calling for a faster rapprochement with the EU, but the strongest party by votes, the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party (SVP), is strictly against it.

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The SVP have even called the painstakingly negotiated package for a new basis of bilateral relations over the years a "submission treaty." They are fighting for its rejection if the package possibly comes to a referendum in 2027.

"EU membership is not seriously discussed in Switzerland, as an overwhelming majority is against it according to surveys," swissinfo.ch, the international online portal of public broadcaster SRG, reported at the beginning of August.
When Pope Leo XIV surprised tens of thousands of young people at a recent Holy Year celebration with an impromptu popemobile romp around St. Peters Square, it almost seemed as if some of the informal spontaneity that characterized Pope Francis 12-year papacy had returned to the Vatican.

But the message Leo delivered that night was all his own: In seamless English, Spanish and Italian, Leo told the young people that they were the salt of the Earth, the light of the world. He urged them to spread their hope, faith in Christ and their cries of peace wherever they go.

As Robert Prevost marks his 100th day as Pope Leo this weekend, the contours of his pontificate have begun to come into relief, primarily where he shows continuity with Francis and where he signals change. Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that after 12 sometimes turbulent years under Francis, a certain calm and reserve have returned to the papacy.

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Leo seems eager above all to avoid polemics or making the papacy about himself, and wants instead to focus on Christ and peace.

That seems exactly what many Catholic faithful want, and may respond to what today's church needs.

Hes been very direct and forthright  but hes not doing spontaneous press hits, said Kevin Hughes, chair of theology and religious studies at Leos alma mater, Villanova University. Leo has a different style than Francis, and that has brought relief to many, Hughes said in a telephone interview.

Even those who really loved Pope Francis always kind of held their breath a little bit: You didnt know what was going to come out next or what he was going to do, Hughes said.

Pope Leo XIV greets faithful in St. Peter's Square at the end of a welcome mass for the Youth Jubilee at the Vatican, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Leo has certainly gone out of his way in his first 100 days to try to heal divisions that deepened during Francis pontificate, offering messages of unity and avoiding controversy at almost every turn. Even his signature issue  confronting the promise and peril posed by artificial intelligence  is something that conservatives and progressives alike agree is important. Francis' emphasis on caring for the environment and migrants often alienated conservatives.

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Closer to home, Leo offered the Holy See bureaucracy a reassuring, conciliatory message after Francis occasionally authoritarian style rubbed some in the Vatican the wrong way.

Popes come and go, but the Curia remains, Leo told Vatican officials soon after his May 8 election.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Pope Leo XIV wave to journalists during their meeting in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Leo, though, has cemented Francis environmental legacy by celebrating the first-ever ecologically inspired Mass. He has furthered that legacy by giving the go-ahead for the Vatican to turn a 430-hectare (1,000-acre) field north of Rome into a vast solar farm that should generate enough electricity to meet Vatican Citys needs and turn it into the worlds first carbon-neutral state.

He has fine-tuned financial transparency regulations that Francis initiated, tweaked some other decrees to give them consistency and logic, and confirmed Francis in deciding to declare one of the 19th centurys most influential saints, John Henry Newman, a doctor of the church.

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But he hasnt granted any sit-down, tell-all interviews or made headline-grabbing, off-the-cuff comments like his predecessor did. He hasnt made any major appointments, including to fill his old job, or taken any big trips.

In marking the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki last week, he had a chance to match Francis novel declaration that the mere possession of nuclear weapons was immoral. But he didnt.

Compared to President Donald Trump, the other American world leader who took office in 2025 with a flurry of Sharpie-penned executive decrees, Leo has eased into his new job slowly, deliberately and quietly, almost trying not to draw attention to himself.

At 69, he seems to know that he has time on his side, and that after Francis revolutionary papacy, the church might need a bit of a breather. One Vatican official who knows Leo said he expects his papacy will have the effect of a calming rain on the church.

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Maria Isabel Ibarcena Cuarite, a Peruvian member of a Catholic charismatic group, said it was precisely Leos quiet emphasis on church traditions, its sacraments and love of Christ, that drew her and upward of 1 million young people to Rome for a special Jubilee week this month.

Ibarcena said Francis had confused young people like herself with his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and approval of blessings for same-sex couples. Such gestures went beyond what a pope was supposed to do and what the church taught, she thought.

Leo, she said, has emphasized that marriage is a sacrament between men and woman. Francis was ambiguous, but he is firm, she said.

Pope Leo XIV holds a Mass with young people participating in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

From his very first appearance on the loggia of St. Peters Basilica, Leo has insisted he is first and foremost a son of St. Augustine.  It was a reference to the fifth century theological and devotional giant of early Christianity, St. Augustine of Hippo, who inspired the 13th century religious Augustinian order as a community of mendicant friars.

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Like the other big mendicant orders of the early church  the Franciscans, Dominicans and Carmelites  the Augustinians spread across Christian Europe over the centuries. Today, Augustinian spirituality is rooted in a deep interior life of prayer, living in community, and journeying together in search of truth in God.

In nearly every speech or homily since his May 8 election, Leo has cited Augustine in one way or another.

I see a kind of Augustinian flavor in the way that hes presenting all these things, said Hughes, the theology professor who is an Augustine scholar.

Leo joined the Augustinians after graduating from Augustinian-run Villanova, outside Philadelphia, and was twice elected its prior general. He has visited the Augustinian headquarters outside St. Peter's a few times since his election, and some wonder if he will invite some brothers to live with him in the Apostolic Palace to recreate the spirit of Augustinian community life there.

Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives to hold a Pentecost vigil in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Saturday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Leo is also very much a product of the Francis papacy. Francis named Prevost bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014 and then moved him to head one of the most important Vatican jobs in 2023  vetting bishop nominations. In retrospect, it seems Francis had his eye on Prevost as a possible successor.

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Given Francis stump speech before the 2013 conclave that elected him pope, the then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio essentially described Prevost in identifying the church's mission today: He said the church was "called to go outside of itself and go to the peripheries, not just geographic but also the existential peripheries.

Prevost, who hails from Chicago, spent his adult life as a missionary in Peru, eventually becoming bishop of Chiclayo.

He is the incarnation of the unity of difference, because he comes from the center, but he lives in the peripheries, said Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Cuda said during a recent conference hosted by Georgetown University that Leo encapsulated in word and gesture the type of missionary church Francis promoted.

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That said, for all Leo owes to Bergoglio, the two didnt necessarily get along.

Prevost has recounted that at one point when he was the Augustinian superior, the then-archbishop of Buenos Aires expressed interest in assigning an Augustinian priest to a specific job in his archdiocese.

And I, as prior general, said I understand, Your Eminence, but hes got to do something else and so I transferred him somewhere else, Prevost told parishioners in his home state of Illinois in 2024.

Prevost said he naively thought the Francis wouldnt remember him after his 2013 election, and that regardless hell never appoint me bishop due to the disagreement.

Bergoglio not only made him bishop, he laid the groundwork for Prevost to succeed him as pope, the first North American pope following the first South American.
NEED TO KNOW

At least 18 people died and nine were injured after a bus plunged into the Oued El Harrach river in Algiers, Algeria

After the Aug. 15 crash, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced a day-long national mourning

With profound sorrow, I pay tribute to the memory of our fellow citizens who died in this tragic accident, Tebboune said

At least 18 people died and another nine were injured after a bus skidded off a bridge and plunged into a river in Algeria.

On Friday, Aug. 15, the bus was traveling near the Oued El Harrach river in Algeria's capital of Algiers when it fell off the bridge into the river, according to both Algeria's Press Service and local outlet AL24.

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Lieutenant Nasim Bernawi, deputy director of statistics and information at the country's Civil Protection Directorate, confirmed the death toll to local media, sharing on Friday that two injured passengers were in critical condition and have been "stabilized" while those who died were transported to the hospital's mortuary.

The crash was reported around 5:46 p.m. local time, with search operations for additional victims continuing on Friday night, per AL24.

A cause of the crash was not immediately made available.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Billel Bensalem/APP/NurPhoto via Getty The site of the bus crash in Algiers, Algeria, on Aug. 15, 2025 The site of the bus crash in Algiers, Algeria, on Aug. 15, 2025

In a statement shared by the APS, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune offered his condolences and wished a speedy recovery to the injured."

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With profound sorrow, I pay tribute to the memory of our fellow citizens who died in this tragic accident, following the fall of a bus into Oued El Harrach," his statement, translated in English, read.

"In this moment of grief that has touched us all, I extend my sincere condolences and deep sympathy to the bereaved families, praying that Almighty Allah may bestow His mercy upon the departed, grant them a place in His vast paradise and provide patience and solace to their loved ones," Tebboune continued.

Tebboune also shared a message to his Facebook page, as the country's leader announced a day-long national mourning beginning Friday evening, involving the lowering of the national flag.

Roughly 25 ambulances, 16 divers, and four boats arrived at the scene to assist with the search on Friday, according to the U.S. Sun, which cited a statement from Algeria's Civil Protection Service.

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Footage from after the crash, shared by the outlet, showed several first responders in red boats and in various vehicles as they surrounded the water, coordinated with each other and eventually brought the bus back to solid ground.

Additional images from the scene showed the damage to the bus, which included dents along the top and sides, broken doors and several missing parts. Per the Sun, first responders and residents jumped into the water to rescue victims before authorities arrived.

General Said Chanegriha of the Algerian People's National Army was among those to visit victims on Saturday, Aug. 16, according to the APS, as he made stops at the Army Central Hospital in Ain Naadja, the Salim Zemirli Specialized Hospital in El Harrach and Mustapha Bacha University Hospital Center.



Read the original article on People
The founder of a literary magazine claims he has been blacklisted by the Left for criticising the London Review of Books (LRB) as smug.

Booklaunch, the UKs most widely distributed literary magazine, had previously given out tens of thousands of free copies of its publication with The Spectator and The New Statesman.

But now Dr Stephen Games, its founder and editor, claims his independent literary magazine has been no-platformed and cancelled by The New Statesman under pressure from the LRB.

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Dr Games alleged the LRB poured poison in the ear of The New Statesman, causing it to sever its ties with Booklaunch.

Its dirty and shabby and inexplicable that magazines that ought to be committed to free expression and plurality of expression should feel that Booklaunch is so threatening to them that they have to shut it out of existence, he claimed.

The New Statesman and the LRB have declined to comment on the row, and it remains unclear exactly why the relationship has soured.

The New Statesman previously included a free copy of Booklaunch with its magazine

However, Dr Games believes it can be traced back to last summers Issue 20 of Booklaunch, which carried an editorial that read: We used to worship at the LRBs altar. Not any longer.

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The editorial went on: Something has happened at the LRB that makes one warier of its contributors and less confident about their judgments. The magazines once unrivalled openness has been replaced by small-mindedness in which the rigour of proper argumentation is now accompanied by labelling, dog whistles and taunts.

Fun for those who like that sort of thing; dishonourable if you hold the LRB to a higher account. So limited has the LRB become in what it will examine openly that it seems to be suffering from locked-in syndrome.

Middle East coverage compared to Nazi propaganda

The editorial goes on to criticise the LRB for its coverage of the Middle East as uniformly one-sided, and compares it to Nazi propaganda, adding: Such a lack of balanced analysis does a disservice to the complex and deeply contested nature of the conflict...

Der Sturmer [the Nazi propaganda tabloid] was similarly effective in its day: we often underrate propaganda as always crude and obvious; on the contrary, it can be intelligent, sophisticated, difficult for the ordinary reader to find fault with and attractive to read. Those who commission these essays are complicit...

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As it stands, its writing on the Middle East is reminiscent of the Inquisition  admit youre a heretic so we can burn you or deny it until weve tortured you to death.

The piece also accuses the LRB for endorsing the culture of the smug, with its side operation selling commercial fripperies, from branded tote bags to high-priced picnic blankets and umbrellas, and for having an array of writers hailing from upper class stock, citing Mary Wellesley, the daughter of the Marquess of Douro and Princess Antonia of Prussia, as an example.

It also alleges the editorial team are ensconced in their Bloomsburian towers, away from the practical realities they critique and the divisions they promote.

Dr Games said the LRB also used to distribute Booklaunch, but claimed it terminated that arrangement following a misapprehension about Booklaunch allegedly telling an advertiser that it was part of the same stable as the LRB.

An editorial that ran in Booklaunch compared the LBRs coverage of Israels wars in the Middle East to Nazi propaganda

Despite this, Booklaunch continued to have a positive relationship with its other distributors, The New Statesman and The Spectator, for around six years.

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Suddenly, and completely out of the blue, these two important media vehicles of the political Left [The New Statesman and the LRB] are acting in concert to squeeze us out, Dr Games claimed.

They must have a motive, but I can only guess what it might be. It looks to me like spiteful political cancelling.

Feels like something a cartel wo

Dr Games claimed it was very odd that two major players should collude  which is what it looks like  to shut another player out of the market, describing Booklaunch as a minnow by comparison.

He said: It feels like the sort of thing that a cartel would do to prevent competition.

Its an action which goes against what you would expect to be each magazines commitment to free speech and free expression... theyre both fine upstanding organs of the Left, and fine upstanding organs of the Left have recently been getting into the habit of, you know, cancelling people they dont like and no-platforming them. And this would seem to be an example of that.

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The Telegraph has seen confirmation from The New Statesman that it planned to circulate Booklaunch in May, but that this never happened.

The New World has since replaced The New Statesman as a distributor of Booklaunch.

The New Statesman and the LRB did not respond to requests for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Maybe they can pull off that stunt in Washington, D.C., where theres no statehood or congressional representation, but President Trump shouldnt even think about trying that takeover mess here, because this is New York, and were not having it.

Even New Yorkers who dont like the NYPD or who senselessly want to defund the police department would draw the line at a federal government takeover.

That act would unify New York in resistance, said Hawk Newsome, chairman of Black Lives Matters Greater New York chapter.

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Newsome says he can see it now: Blacks, whites, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Liberals, Conservatives, Socialists, Democrats and Republicans, holding hands in a mass circle around 1 Police Plaza daring Trumps troops to step one foot across that line,

Understand that Newsome, a frequent police department critic, has about as much love for the NYPD as Yankees fans have for Fenway Park.

But if Trumps pen comes anywhere near an executive order that would put New Yorks Finest in his control, Newsome says he would defend the police with his dying breath.

I know I have this hate-hate relationship with the NYPD, Newsome said. But an attempted takeover of New York is like an act of war, and people are going to stand in unity and stand together. Not this city.

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Last week, federal agents fanned out across Washington, D.C. as part of what Trump called a clamp-down on crime in the nations capital  even though city officials say crime is already on its way down.

D.Cs status as a congressionally established federal district allows the president to take control, although hes limited to only 30 days under statute unless he gets approval from Congress.

Despite those limitations, the delusional despot has set his sights on other major cities, including the one he used to call home.

Im going to look at New York in a little while, Trump said at the White House Monday, after mobilizing National Guard troops.

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Hes looking at the wrong city.

Even Mayor Adams, who has a softer spot for Trump than most New York City politicians, says Trumps troops are not welcome here.

We dont need anyone to come in and take over our law enforcement apparatus, Adams said. We have the finest police department on the globe,

Adams, a retired NYPD captain, is, of course, a little biased.

But even if he wasnt, he understands the damage that would be done under even one day of Trump rule.

The others know, too.

You look at Chicago, how bad it is. You look at Los Angeles, how bad it is, Trump said. We have other cities that are very bad. New York has a problem. And then you have, of course, Baltimore and Oakland. We dont even mention that anymore  theyre so far gone.Were not going to lose our cities over this, and this will go further.

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Trump is nothing if not transparent.

And consistent.

I think its very notable that each and every one of the cities called out by the president has a Black mayor, and most of those cities are seeing historic lows in violent crime, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott told CNN. The president could learn from us instead of throwing things at us.

D.C.s mayor, Muriel Bowser, is also Black.

Every time you say this president has reached a new low, he reaches a new low, .

Unleashing the National Guard in Los Angeles to embarrass that citys Black mayor Karen Bass, wasnt enough for him. He has to command troops to raise war against some enemy, and right now its the people in Democratic cities who didnt want him or his immigration policies.

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Newsome doesnt think its even about politics anymore.

Its about good and evil. Certain things are just wrong, Newsome said. We disagree on a lot. We disagree on whos going to be the best mayor. But one thing we wont stand for is a dictatorship. This is a no dictator zone.
LE MARS, Iowa (KCAU)  Get those koozies ready, because a special brew-lovers event is set to make its debut in Le Mars.

Wise-I Brewing Company will be hosting its first-ever Let There Be Light beer festival coming up on August 23.

26 Iowa-based breweries will be serving up unlimited samples of light beer at the Olson Cultural Event Center in downtown Le Mars.

Proceeds raised at the event will benefit the Rotary Club of Le Mars as well as the Iowa Brewers Guild.

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Officials said the event features only Iowa-made beverages.

It is Iowa only breweries, just for the fact that it supports the Iowa Brewers Guild as one of the beneficiaries, and the other beneficiary is the Le Mars Rotary Club, said Ben Sitzmann of Wise-I.

We are big in helping out in our community. A lot of our funds go directly to scholarships for students. We spend almost $10,000 every year in scholarships for both Le Mars Community and Gehlen High Schools, said Le Mars Rotary Club President Ryan Odor.

The Rotary Club also plans to use proceeds to make improvements at OToole Park on the north side of Le Mars.

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Officials said it took a lot of planning to arrange the brewers, and they expect attendees to be impressed.

Being able to get breweries to come from central and eastern Iowa was kind of a challenge. But I think theyre going to be awesome. People are going to be really excited. Its going to be different in the fact that a lot of the breweries that are going to be showing up, people would have to travel three plus hours to be able to go to their establishment, said Sitzmann.

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Food trucks will be on site for the event, and a local artist will be creating a live painting as well.

More information can be found by clicking here.

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LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  Students at LeTourneau University began their college careers during move in and orientation on Friday.

UT Tyler partners with Chapel Hill ISD, Longview ISD for Parent Powered Literacy program

Many new LeTourneau University students got situated at their university dorm rooms and even participated in a new student orientation to help adjust to college life. LeTourneau professor Shane Mountjoy wants to encourage students to embrace their new lifestyle and be open to new experiences.

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You know, relax, itll be fine. Its like a wedding, Mountjoy said. At the end of today, youll be a student here. So whether or not you have everything in the room just the way you want it, whether or not, you know everybody or understand everything thats going on, its going to be just fine and I think were going to have a great year.

Pine Tree ISD assistant principal named most outstanding in Region 7

The university also helped calm student nerves by streamlining communication for the day by providing electronic forms.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Melania Trump took the unique step of crafting a letter that calls for peace in Ukraine, having her husband President Donald Trump hand-deliver it to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Friday meeting in Alaska.

The letter did not specifically name Ukraine, which Putin's forces invaded in 2022, but beseeched him to think of children and an innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology. Nor did the American first lady discuss the fighting other than to say to Putin that he could singlehandedly restore the melodic laughter of children who have been caught in the conflict.

In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone  you serve humanity itself, she wrote on White House stationery.

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A copy of the letter was first obtained by Fox News Digital and later posted on social media by supporters of the U.S. president, including Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The first lady said that Putin could help these children with the stroke of a pen.

Putin's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Russia taking Ukrainian children out of their country so that they can be raised as Russian. The Associated Press documented the grabbing of Ukrainian children in 2022, after which the International Criminal Court said it had issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.
AURORA, Colo. (KDVR)  Bob Beabouts life has been defined by two passions: flying and serving his country.

His passion for flying began in 1939, when at 4-years-old, he sat on his fathers lap during his very first airplane ride.

Brighton woman with 17 years in the Army National Guard continues to serve her community

I had my first airplane ride when I was four years old, Beabout recalled. From then on, all I thought about was flying.

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That childhood dream led him into the military  and more than one branch of service.

I was in the Marine Corps first, he told FOX31. I went to pilot training, and they put me in the Navy because I was a cadet. When I finally finished pilot training and got my wings and was commissioned, I went back in the Marine Corps. Then I went to the Air Force and got recalled to the Air Force about three times, he said.

In the late 1960s, Beabout served as a pilot in Vietnam, behind the controls of an F-100. He still keeps his old medals and the diary he carried in-country. Its pages detail his daily experiences including notes on combat strategies.

When his military service ended, he kept flying. He spent decades as a commercial airline pilot for Continental and United Airlines. He also joined the Civil Air Patrol, piloting search and rescue missions.

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At 90 years old, Beabout may no longer be behind the controls of an aircraft, but his legacy still inspires. His longtime friends, Charlene and Donald Heitman, nominated him to be FOX31s Serving Those Who Serve Hero of the Month for Aug. 2025.

Very nice man, said Charlene.

Donald chimmed in about Beabout and his time serving the county.

If theres ever been a military hero, there he sits, Donald said, pointing to Beabout.

Beabouts family has long considered him a hero, including his granddaughter, Cheyenne Smith, who talks about his legacy and the pride he has for serving his country.

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He truly embodies the American spirit and what it means to be a veteran. He lives and breathes for our country, Smith said.

The thought of Beabout being a hero while serving his country doesnt stop there, as his daughter Leigh Ann Biggers adds that he is a hero at home, too.

Hes been such an amazing father and role model, Biggers said.

Beabout tells FOX31 that he still loves airplanes, and if he could, he said hed still be flying them to this day.

I dont know though. I dont even drive a car now, he said.

To nominate a veteran or active-duty service member for our Hero of the Month honors, visit the nomination page.

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BOSTON (WWLP)  The fire marshal for the town of Lincoln, Rhode Island, is being held on multiple federal charges related to the alleged receipt, possession, and attempted transfer of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to minors.

Protecting your kids online: Online safety awareness following arrest of Longmeadow school librarian

According to authorities, 41-year-old Jeffrey Almond was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, and two counts of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.

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Parents seek answers after Longmeadow middle school librarians child porn arrest

According to the indictment, from Feb. 12, 2024, through Nov. 28, 2024, Almond used online platforms to obtain CSAM and engaged in sexually explicit chats with undercover law enforcement officers posing as minors. Prosecutors allege Almond discussed the exploitation of children, intending to acquire illicit material or solicit sex.

Authorities say that on Aug. 7, 2024, and again on Nov. 28, 2024, Almond knowingly transferred or attempted to transfer obscene content to someone he believed was underage.

In August 2024, Almond allegedly used a social media app to communicate with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl. Prosecutors say he asked the purported minor to produce and send explicit images and discussed meeting in person, allegedly suggesting, I guess I could do an Airbnb to get more privacy, before sending an explicit photo of himself.

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In another instance in October and November 2024, Almond allegedly contacted an undercover officer posing as a bad parent of a 12-year-old girl in Florida. In those communications, prosecutors allege Almond expressed in graphic detail his desire to have sex with the child and discussed traveling to Florida to carry out the abuse.

The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The possession charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and each count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor carries up to 10 years in prison.

The investigation was part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse through collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
(NEXSTAR)  We cant guarantee that Chevy Chase will be working the drive-thru window or that the restaurants will be as bold as the Post Malone-designed location in Utah, but we can confirm Raising Canes is gearing up to open almost a dozen new spots soon.

Founded in Louisiana nearly three decades ago, Raising Canes has been on an expansion streak recently. The fast-food chain, well-known for its chicken fingers, Texas toast, and Canes sauce, opened a record-breaking 118 restaurants last year.

As of August 2025, Raising Canes now has more than 860 locations in the U.S., with more set to open soon.

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Beloved discount retailer Daiso opening 11 more stores this year: Heres where, and what to expect

The newest restaurants opened this month in Riverbank, California; Indiana, Pennsylvania; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Fall River, Massachusetts. Customers began lining up outside the latter location the day before, Nexstars WPRI reports.

More than a dozen locations are either preparing to open soon or in the coming months. For some, that means later this month or in early September. For others, an opening date has yet to be set, according to location listings on the Raising Canes website or spokespersons who shared information with Nexstar and its affiliates.

California

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Long Beach, August 26

Santa Fe Springs, September 2

Canoga Park, Fall 2025

San Diego, September 10

Indiana

Indianapolis, Winter 2025

Iowa

Sioux City, Winter 2025

Kansas

Topeka, Early 2026

Maryland

Glen Burnie, August 19

Bel Air, coming soon

Michigan

Ann Arbor, coming soon

Portage, Fall 2025

New York

New York (Broadway), September 4

North Carolina

Raleigh, Fall 2025

Tennessee

Memphis (North Germantown Parkway), Spring 2026

Washington

Spokane, coming soon

West Virginia

Morgantown, Winter 2025

Wisconsin

La Crosse, Aug. 19

While Raising Canes has yet to confirm it, local media reports say a location is also gearing up to open in Milford, Connecticut, on October 2.

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More specific opening dates are forthcoming for several stores. The Indianapolis restaurant, for example, is expected to open in December, Nexstars WXIN previously reported, as is the Morgantown, West Virginia, location, according to Nexstars WBOY.

By the end of 2025, Raising Canes plans to have had nearly 100 new restaurants join its roster, the company said in a statement to Nexstar.

These are the fastest, most satisfying fast food chains: new study

At any given time, we have about 300 Restaurants at various stages in our development pipeline and are continually evaluating sites all over the world to achieve our goal of operating 1,600+ Restaurants and becoming a Top 10 US Restaurant Brand, the statement added.

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Despite its growth, you cant yet find Raising Canes in every state. Residents in eight  Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming  will need to cross state lines to get their hands on chicken fingers and Cane sauce.

That is expected to change.

We plan to operate Restaurants in every state and all major cities across the U.S., the statement from Raising Canes noted.

West Virginia is on track to be the first among those aforementioned states to get their inaugural location when the Morgantown restaurant opens later this year.

The chicken chain said population density weighs heavily when it considers where and when we expand into new markets and states.

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Buc-ees is expanding: Where future travel centers are set to open

Were continually evaluating growth opportunities beyond our current footprint and are excited to enter into those markets when the time is right.

Raising Canes is also working to grow its presence in the states it has already reached.

In Michigan, for example, a spokesperson for Raising Canes told Nexstars WOOD that the company aims to open more than 20 new locations within the state over the next decade. A location in Topeka, Kansas, is on track to open next year, a spokesperson told Nexstars KSNT. There are also plans to open two locations in Memphis, Tennessee, Nexstars WREG has reported. A spokesperson tells Nexstar that while one site is expected to open next year, the other awaits the citys approval.

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With these new restaurant openings also come job openings. A recent survey showed Raising Canes employees are among the happiest in the fast food industry, with more than 80% saying they would recommend the job to a friend.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department pursued a driver who was believed to be in possession of a gun Friday night.

The chase began around 9:30 p.m. Sparks flew from the vehicles bare rims, its front tires shredded and glowing red against the asphalt. From overhead, the male driver was seen holding something in one hand, possibly a phone or a bottle of water.

The black Toyota Camry suddenly came to a stop as officers drew their guns from a distance. However, the driver did not appear to comply with commands to surrender and throw the keys out of the car.

LAPD officers pursued an armed suspect in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA) LAPD officers pursued an armed suspect in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA) LAPD officers pursued an armed suspect in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA) LAPD officers pursued an armed suspect in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA) LAPD officers pursued an armed suspect in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA)

Former LAPD officer charged with kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery

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The driver then began moving again, fleeing through the Highland Park area, repeatedly stopping and taking off as police continued the pursuit. Authorities said the suspect was also wanted in connection with an alleged assault on a police officer.

The standoff occurred at Piedmont Avenue and Sumter Drive in Highland Park, where the vehicle was registered to a home in the area. Officials reported they were able to speak with family members and confirmed the identification of the driver.

After a long standoff, the suspect was eventually taken into custody.

Footage of the chase can be seen in the video player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
DENVER (KDVR)  Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency on Thursday as wildfires are continuing to burn more than 193,000 acres along the Western Slope.

Polis signed an executive order on Thursday, sending more emergency funding and support, as he said at least nine wildfires are burning across the state, with 24 uncontained fires, one of them being one of the biggest wildfires in Colorado history.

Colorado Wildfire Map

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 Jump to: Updates below.

Firefighter at the Elk and Lee Fire. Night fire crew at Lee and Elk fires. Night fire crew at Lee and Elk fires. The Lee Fire and Elk Fire in Rio Blanco County have burned over 130,000 acres combined as of Aug. 12, 2025. The Lee Fire seen from the east. (Courtesy the Elk and Lee Fire Information page) The Crosho Fire burning in Rio Blanco County. (Andrew Raftopoulos) The Lee Fire near Meeker Colorado on Aug. 8, 2025. (Garfield County Sheriffs Office) The Lee Fire near Meeker Colorado on Aug. 8, 2025. (Garfield County Sheriffs Office) The Lee Fire and Elk Fire in Rio Blanco County have burned over 130,000 acres combined as of Aug. 12, 2025. The Crosho Fire in Routt County. (Courtesy Kathryn Schlatter) The Lee Fire and Elk Fire in Rio Blanco County have burned over 130,000 acres combined as of Aug. 12, 2025. Air crews battling the Crosho Fire in Rio Blanco County, Colorado.

The Lee Fire in Rio Blanco County, southwest of Meeker, is now one of the biggest wildfires in Colorado history, with 133,841 acres burned and 12% containment, as of Friday morning.

The Elk Fire southeast of Meeker has burned 14,518 acres with 93% containment.

Meanwhile, the Crosho Fire in northeast Rio Blanco County near Routt County has burned 2,200 acres as of Thursday night.

Polis previously declared a disaster emergency for the Lee, Elk and Crosho fires earlier this week and the Colorado National Guard has been authorized to assist. On Friday, those fires are continuing to burn across the state.

Updates

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LIVINGSTON, Texas (KETK)  A Livingston man was arrested for impersonating a police officer in Montgomery County on Aug. 1, jail records show.

Lufkin man pleads guilty to federal firearms violation

William Caruthers, 38 of Livingston, was originally wanted on a warrant filed by the Livingston Police Department after an incident in July where he was seen chasing a motorcycle with police lights flashing on his gray 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, according to Livingston PD.

Photo courtesy of Livingston PD.

Photo courtesy of Livingston PD.

Then on Aug. 1, Livingston PD said that Montgomery County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested Caruthers because they believed he was impersonating an officer at the scene of a crash he was in. He was then booked into the Montgomery County Jail on two counts of impersonating a public servant.

Mugshot of William Caruthers, courtesy of the Montgomery County Jail.

According to Livingston PD, Caruthers Ford had a black push bar on the front fender and several flashing emergency lights and that Caruthers had body armor and handheld radios in his possession when he was arrested.

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Caruthers is currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $15,000 bond, according to jail records. Livingston PD said that they believe there have been more incidents of Caruthers impersonating a public servant since he was previously arrested for impersonating a public servant in 2020.

The department asked anyone who may have had similar incidents with Caruthers to contact them at by phone at 936-327-3117 or by email police@livingstontx.gov, with the reference case number #250704696.

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Brandon S. Myers to the Montgomery County Municipal Court, effective September 2, 2025.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Myers will fill the seat left vacant by James Piergies, who recently retired, according to a spokesperson with DeWines office.

As previously reported by News Center 7, Piergies was required to resign from the bench after pleading guilty to obstructing official business in May.

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Myers will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and plans to run for election in November 2025.

TRENDING STORIES:

Brandon S. Myers began his legal career in 2013 as a law clerk for Student Legal Services, Inc.

He later worked as a felony law clerk for the Franklin County Public Defenders Office in 2014.

In 2015, Myers served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office and currently holds a similar position in the Miami County Prosecutors Office.

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Myers holds a bachelors degree in criminology and political science from The Ohio State University, and he earned his Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2015.

Brandon S. Myers will assume his role on September 2, 2025.

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As Crawford County students wind down their summers and try to squeeze in their last bit of fun  the fair, the beach, Waldameer  they can add one more item to their list of things to enjoy before its too late: the comfortable feel of an iPhone in their hand, the reassuring presence of a Samsung in their pocket or simply the knowledge that their cellphone, whatever model it might be, is somewhere nearby if they need it.

Students in Crawford Central and PENNCREST school districts will soon be exploring what for some will be a novel experience: spending extended periods of time away from their phones.

For PENNCREST families, the news came Thursday  and was something that many in the district probably learned of on their phones.

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No Cell Bell to Bell! a digital flyer posted to social media announced. Phone off, in locker at homeroom start. Permitted in lunch with discretion. Return to locker until dismissal bell.

An even stricter policy was announced in a letter to Crawford Central families late last month.

All student cell phones must be turned off and secured in lockers or vehicles upon arrival at school until dismissal, the letter stated in boldface.

Acknowledging that the new rule represented a major shift for the district, Meadville Area Senior High administrators included a plea for support as we guide students in building focus, resilience, and respect for the learning environment.

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MASH students have in recent years been permitted to carry their phones with them throughout the school day. It was typical for students to place their phones in a phone caddy when they entered a class and remove it when the bell rang, according to Tate Walker, the student council lieutenant governor for 2025-26. Students commonly used their phones between classes, during lunch, in study hall periods and even during free times in class, Walker said. Given the prevalence of phone use, he had not anticipated the change in policy.

Initially, I was surprised, but the district has been slowly tightening their grasp on cellphones for a few years, so it makes sense this is the final step, Walker said in a phone interview Friday. It will be a pretty significant change to the daily classroom routine.

Walker expressed optimism that the absence of student phones could set the stage for increased face-to-face interactions and even improved academic performance, but also acknowledged it will take some getting used to.

To go cold turkey with the phones  it will be a significant change, he said, and I think many students will not be happy with that change.

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The move toward banning student cellphones is part of a national trend, PENNCREST Superintendent Shawn Ford noted. The PENNCREST policy change resulted not from any particular motivating factor, according to Ford, but from a growing consensus among administrators and teachers, many of whom had heard about positive outcomes from districts like Millcreek School District that have already moved to strictly limit student cellphone use.

Crawford Centrals letter to families similarly resulted from concerns shared broadly by multiple stakeholders, according to Superintendent Jenn Galdon. The new policy, Galdon said, is not really new at all  it follows the electronic device policy adopted by the district in 2013.

The main difference in policies is where the personal electronic devices are to be kept during the day, Galdon said in an email.

At a PENNCREST School Board meeting this week, board member Tim Brown wondered whether the district was going far enough and said he would be in favor of banning student phones from school premises entirely. Brown also related hearing stories of district students bringing two phones to school  a decoy to put in the classroom caddy, another to use surreptitiously during class.

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Kids are smart, Brown said. Theyre going to find out any way they can to not follow the rules.

District administrators are prepared to take additional phone-suppression steps, according to Ford.

I have shared with the building administrators, if this doesnt work, the way were doing it, the next step is a total ban, he said at the meeting. If that needs to be in October, well do it in October.

For students caught using phones, both districts outlined escalating levels of punishment that begin with a warning, phone confiscation for the day and parent notification, then move to increasing levels of detention, in-school suspension and required parent meetings.

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For both Crawford Central and PENNCREST, the increased efforts to keep cellphones out of the classrooms apply primarily to students. Teachers will still be permitted to have their phones in class, though both superintendents said they will be expected not to use them during instructional time.

Both districts also proactively addressed concerns about safety, reminding parents that in the event of emergencies, students can still be reached through the phones at each school building.

But when it comes to large-scale emergencies that have become increasingly common at schools, parents often wish to be able to contact their students directly  or want their children to be able to call someone outside the school, like the fourth-grader who called 911 about 30 minutes into the 2022 incident at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, which left 19 students and two teachers dead and 17 others injured.

Both superintendents downplayed the value of cellphones in such situations.

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Cellphones can delay the system for first responders, Galdon said. It can also provide misinformation about details of an event.

Most likely in those situations, theyll have a hard time getting through anyway, Ford said. When you talk about a response with first responders, you want to keep their lines of comm open, you want to keep the roads open, you want to keep everything open.

Conneaut School Districts policy on electronic devices, which was last revised in January 2023, allows students to carry phones during the day with the expectation that the phones will be turned off and kept out of sight. Conneaut School Board President Dot Luckcock said the district plans to conduct a review of the policy this fall.

As Conneaut considers whether changes are necessary, officials there will likely be able to check with their counterparts in Crawford Central and PENNCREST for early takes on how the cellphone withdrawal process is going.

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The students will survive, Walker joked. For decades, students went to school without cellular devices. Im sure we can do the same.

Perhaps, with phones forgotten in lockers and students focused on more important matters, there will even be a renaissance of sparkling conversation and improved test scores?

You can always hope, Walker said.
Aug. 16MITCHELL  For decades, the paintings of Fred Mohling have been kept as cherished heirlooms among family members. Hung on living room walls or tucked away carefully in an attic or closet, they are prized for their detail and vibrancy in showing scenes of rural life. But for the most part, they were usually only viewed by those lucky enough to have one in their possession.

Starting Monday, members of the public will get a rare chance to see as many as 50 of Mohling's works on display at the Dakota Discovery Museum at Dakota Wesleyan University, which is curating the exhibit with the help of Mohling's extended family.

"Nobody's ever really  even the family, grandkids, great grandkids that hold these paintings  seen them together," Greg Miller, a grandson of Mohling, told the Mitchell Republic in a recent interview. "So we're going to display 50 of these at Wesleyan."

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Born in Gladstone, Nebraska, in 1894, Mohling took up an interest in painting at the age of 3 or 4 after an uncle drew him a picture. He moved to a farm just south of the Jerauld-Aurora county line, northwest of Plankinton, where he farmed, raised cattle and sold feed and was active in community affairs.

It was a busy time in his life, particularly when his wife, Mathilda, died in 1940, leaving Mohling to raise five of their seven children with the help of his two eldest. But he continued his painting, and despite the high quality of his work, Mohling only took a handful of painting lessons in his life, as Mitchell Daily Republic writer F.C. Woodall noted in an article featuring the artist.

"Soon after his wife died he started taking lessons under Mrs. Charles Robinson of Crow Lake, who was an instructor in a WPA art project in Mitchell," Woodall wrote in the article, dated July 15, 1957. "The project closed after he had taken only three lessons, but Mrs. Robinson encouraged him to continue his painting."

For grandchildren like Miller, it was a mysterious treat to see his grandfather working to create the entrancing images.

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"It was a big, fun thing to go to his farm. And quite honestly, I didn't notice his paintings when I was a small kid, but we'd go to his bedroom where he painted everything, and we'd see his stuff there, but kids don't pay attention to that kind of stuff," Miller said.

He won several prizes for his work at the South Dakota State Fair, and his paintings have been displayed in museums, at the Corn Palace in Mitchell and at Augustana University.

Since his death in 1984, Mohling's works have largely been in the hands of his family. They held a display of his works at the Corn Palace last year, which further inspired family members to share Mohling's works with the public.

"I have a cousin out in Spearfish, and he was on a mission to catalog all of my grandfather's paintings. Because who knew where they were all at? So we started with the family and asked people to take photographs," Miller said. "So far, we've discovered over 150 paintings that he did. And it was amazing trying to chase down all of them."

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Paintings were located as nearby as Nebraska and as far away as California. Mountain scenes. Animals. Farming scenes. Shipwrecks. And Miller knows there are others still undocumented. A famous Christmas display Mohling built and featured on his lawn that used to draw hundreds of visitors from around the countryside is still mostly missing in action.

When the family connected with Dakota Wesleyan about holding an exhibit, Miller drove several from his collection up from Overland Park, Kansas, where he lives. With others loaned out by family, the sampling is expected to be a unique attraction for the next two months.

Kitty Allen, vice president of institutional advancement at Dakota Wesleyan, said following conversations with the family it was decided the temporary exhibit space at the museum would be a perfect place to exhibit Mohling's work. It was a chance to celebrate the local "folk artist" and introduce him to new admirers, of which Allen said she is one.

"I actually knew nothing about Fred Mohling, but we continued our conversations, and we finally decided that maybe this late summer and early fall would be a good time to put a temporary exhibit up," Allen said. "From the very first day I saw his work, I though, oh  I really like that."

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Allen along with Lesta Turchen, a former DWU associate professor and member of the board of trustees, worked with the family to select paintings for the exhibit. Museum staff, which includes Dakota Wesleyan students, have been busy hanging paintings in anticipation of the exhibit's opening.

The exhibit will fit in nicely with recent efforts by the school to expose the public to local and community art. In 2024,

a grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation was put toward the production of a film featuring public art installations from around the state.

"Part of having a liberal arts degree are the humanities, and that includes art. Art, theater, the visual and performing arts. In that sense, it fits well with who Dakota Wesleyan is," Allen said.

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The exhibit will be open from Monday, Aug. 18 through Tuesday, Sept. 30, and Miller said the family would be looking to visit the display, which also includes other memorabilia as well as a painting by Miller's mother, who picked up some of her father's talents growing up.

The exhibit will be part celebration of a local artist and part family reunion. Those are reasons to be excited, and he hopes visitors to the exhibit will find their own inspiration in Mohling's works.

It's time these paintings were seen and enjoyed again, he said.

"I hope they enjoy looking at it, and I hope they appreciate the breadth of the work that he did. And I hope that he would inspire some kid to try painting," Miller said.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  Its been more than a year and a half of putting on a brave face for rising eighth grader Ayham Mosallam.

In literally a mili-second I closed my eyes, opened them and there was nothing but dust everywhere, Mosallam told 7 NEWS.

He said Israeli forces bombed his neighbors house in the Gaza strip back in December of 2023.

He was with his family at the time of the explosion, celebrating his fathers birthday.

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During that time I looked and thought to myself, I just lost everybody, Mosallam explained. My Dad who was just in front of me.. It was his birthday, I lost him.

Luckily, he didnt.

Mosallams immediate family survived the blast.

But the bomb sent debris, shards of glass, and rubble directly into his home and into his leg.

And at that point I went on and tried to get up and go but I couldnt, he recounted. I didnt even feel anything. But then my Dad tried to stand me up and all I felt was pain. I started screaming because of the pain in my leg. I fell right back down.

Local hospitals were without power amid the on-going war.

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They didnt have access to anesthesia, nor equipment to conduct x-rays.

Mosallam said he and his father had to make the unimaginable decision to allow doctors to do what they could without medicine, or a clear idea of what they were working with.

So what they did is thread my injuries without anesthesia, he explained. I could feel everything.

It was two weeks before Mosallam would learn that help was on the way from a medical student living and studying in Greenville.

Around the two week mark I got a phone call from Dr. Tareq and he told me he wanted to take me outside of Gaza, Mosallam said. He sent some of the physicians from his team to go and check on me.

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Doctor Tareq is better known as Tareq Hailat, a third-year medical student at Prisma Memorial.

Hailat was born in Jordan, Egypt. Hes also half Palestinian but has spent the majority of his up-bringing in South Carolina.

Using my connections to be able to provide medical treatment to children, theres nothing more beautiful than that, Hailat told 7 NEWS.

Hes also the Director of Global Affairs for the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund or P.C.R.F., a non-profit providing medical care to children in the Palestine and Levant region.

For Hailat, it all started with one child.

I remember seeing a picture of a small child. His name is Jood, Hailat explained. He was this child that was stuck in a hospital, and he wasnt able to be evacuated out of there.

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But Hailat said Jood needed urgent medical care.

And I thought to myself, there has to be a way that we can pull this child out, said Hailat.

So he began networking with his professors, his medical school, and anyone that would listen.

I got connected with Shriners, and the executive leadership at Shriners Hospital, he shared. And I asked them, you know, If we bring this child here, would you guys be willing to take care of him?'

The answer  yes.

So then I, then got ahold of P.C.R.F., and they told me that we will support the path in whatever way we can financially, you know? Socially. In whatever way that we can., Hailat said. And, it just fit. We became a team.

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Since then Hailat said the P.C.R.F. has been able to evacuate and treat more than 250 children from Gaza at hospitals across the United States.

This includes Mosallam, who is being treated at Shriners Childrens Hospital in Greenville.

Greenville has shown an enormous amount of support. And I dont mean just the Muslim community, Hailat told 7 NEWS. No, Im talking about the Muslim, the Christian, the Jewish, the non-religious community Of all races, all sexes, all political parties, you know, republicans, democrats.

He said its because helping children isnt political.

I think more than anything is that they see this as a humanitarian thing, Hailat said. When a child comes and theyre eight, nine, ten years old and they have an amputation and they have a gruesome trauma injury, you look at them and you realize it doesnt matter where you stand on the political aisle of this You look at the child and you say I want to help this child out.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Ukrainians in Northeast Tennessee are uncertain about the future  and skeptical about todays meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

DA, sheriff at odds over court-related files on deputies in Washington Co.

My reaction first, it shouldnt be without Ukrainian president, Rita Gregory, a native of the eastern Donetsk province who has lived in the U.S. since 2012, told News Channel 11 earlier this week. It remind me, like little kids in a playground, like its his toy, we will take it and figure out which toy will be mine or yours, and forget about this guy.'

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While shes skeptical, Gregory did acknowledge that the U.S. may have the most potential ability to help create a just peace. Gregorys parents and sister fled Ukraine after the 2022 invasion. Until then, her parents still lived in Donetsk, which had been the scene of a low-level war since 2014.

Also leaving the country when Putin launched Russias special military operation Feb. 24, 2022, was Alisa Pylypets. After she and her parents fled Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine, they spent time in Italy and then England before settling in Kingsport in the summer of 2023. Pylypets is also skeptical about the meeting at an Alaska Air Force base.

Rita Gregory has lived in the U.S. since moving from eastern Ukraines Donetsk region in 2012. (WJHL)

Diplomacy and negotiation is a great tool, the 21-year-old Pylypets told News Channel 11. But the young woman who woke to bombs crashing in her city the day the war started said she believes a solution that respects Ukraines sovereignty and borders would take a miraculous change in Putins stance.

He is very stubborn and he has a goal, Pylypets said. It goes beyond just Ukraine and Russia. He wants to occupy other countries as well, and he is a dictator  So this is why I am not as optimistic as I hoped I would be.

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Death has struck close for Pylypets in a war that has killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians and up to 100,000 soldiers.

I have friends, people I care about who have suffered or died, she said. Some of our close friends, people who went to the same church with us and men went to war. Some of them died, who I personally knew. They sacrificed their lives defending their country.

Gregory, who watched from afar as her parents fled Donetsk, has since learned her childhood home in the village of Mikhailivka  her father, a miner, built the garage and half the house himself  was destroyed by Russian forces.

I dont have words even to explain how its hurt, how much horrible things are happening, said Gregory, who stays in touch with a number of people who remain in one of the most devastated areas of the country. She said that includes indoctrination (Russification) of school children in occupied territories and purposeful attacks on vehicles trying to evacuate civilians.

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I think American people know probably just 10% of what Russia is doing. Its very painful.

We instantly knew what is happening

Pylypets was 18 and living at home when she was awakened before dawn on Feb. 24, 2022.

The sounds of bombs woke me up. I was like, Okay, what is happening, you know? My parents and I, we instantly knew what is happening because before there were rumors of war.

Alisa Pylypets, 21, fled Kharkiv, Ukraine with her family when Russia invaded Feb. 24, 2022. (WJHL)

Talk of the prospect earlier in the winter of 2022 had taken on what Pylypets called typical Ukrainian humor.

Like, oh yeah, we need to prepare our emergency suitcase. I remember making jokes about it. Like, no, Putin is not going to attack us on the weekend, so maybe next week.

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Before the attack actually came, Pylypets said she realized nobody was fully able to accept this as a truth. But then, as soon as this happened, it took us less than an hour to gather all our possessions in little suitcases.

The family left with their cats and what they could carry before picking up her brother.

I remember looking at my apartment and saying goodbye, thinking Im not going to forever leave this place, she said. But I was like, well, I guess this is it.'

For months Pylypets held out hope for a major breakthrough that would end the war.

As time went by and it didnt happen, you start to question, you start to doubt. And eventually there was this like plateau phase and I think around after a year or so, I was like, I think its not going to end any time soon.'

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Witnessing the war from outside the country as she enters adulthood has been hard, Pylypets said. While shes found people in Northeast Tennessee very kind, very gentle and has a job, a car, a home church and a boyfriend, she said shes plagued by the ever-present reality that her country is in an existential struggle and shes thousands of miles away.

The more you see, the more painful it is that your country is experiencing so much pain, so much suffering for no justified reason, she said.

You experience identity crises. Okay, I am Ukrainian, I love my country. I cant live there right now, or I mean, I can, but I want to be as useful as possible, and I understand maybe being here right now can help more than being there.

I had a lot of doubt coming here, or even when we just first moved to Europe I was not sure if I wanted to stay, if I wanted to be closer to Ukraine.

Theres always hope

Despite their skepticism, both Gregory and the young woman whom shes befriended as Northeast Tennessees Ukrainian community swells with people escaping the war believe Ukraine could have a positive future. Gregory said that would include American involvement.

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I think America should weaponize the side who fights for freedom, because its what America stands for, Gregory said, adding that she hopes Americans will accept her view on her home country.

Its an independent country, it has sovereignty, and nobody has a right to dictate or allow dictatorship in the world, because its very dangerous.

Remains of the home Rita Gregorys father built in Donetsk. (WJHL)

Gregory explained that Ukrainian leaders agreed to relinquish the countrys nuclear weapons in 1994, when it had the worlds third-largest arsenal. In exchange, the worlds other nuclear powers, including Russia, signed what is known as the Budapest Memorandum.

In exchange, Ukraine was promised protection of our territories and sovereignty and that even if someone will try to invade, we will be protected, she said.

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While that obviously didnt stop Russia from annexing Crimea in 2014, backing a war in Donetsk in Luhansk that same year, or launching 2022s full-scale invasion, Gregory said she still thinks the U.S. and Trump have an opportunity.

The United States is very powerful in the world and they have their voice, yes, and they should use this voice in correct way.

Pylypets said she tries to look at things through the lens of, this is happening right now, but theres always hope.

While she waits to see what her countrys future will hold, Pylypets said shes grateful to be where she is.

I can pretty confidently say that I feel like Im at home, she said. My family is here, and I have friends. I have a purpose and something to be joyful and be grateful for.

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A very big part of my life is a spiritual component. I have a church here and people who I can help and serve for. And it has eternal purpose and meaning for me. So this is something that definitely is fulfilling and would be enough for me to stay here.

She described herself as grateful for Americas attitude.

Ive learned to appreciate seeing the differences in cultures and seeing how those differences can complement each other. And even though we sometimes dont understand each other, but learning to see another side and understanding can help a lot, even when it comes to very complicated issues and matters.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
JACKSONVILLE  Pete Conroy, Jacksonville State Universitys Director of Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects, is set to retire from that role on Sept. 30, wrapping up a career dedicated to environmental conservation and university initiatives. Conroy, who has served Jax State in various capacities, expressed a complex mix of emotions as the milestone date approaches.

Im still somewhat ambivalent about the whole concept because Ive always loved my work, and I love to work, and I like to get things done, Conroy said. I dont see that changing in any way, but I think Im going to go about my work with a little bit different baseline and a little bit different perspective.

Conroy hopes to continue his involvement with the universitys Little River Canyon initiatives in a part-time role. His journey at Jax State saw him evolve through several titles, beginning as director of the Canyon Center, then director of the Environmental Policy and Information Center, before embracing his current role.

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Mr. Conroy has been a valued member of the Jax State family for many years, and his creative vision and determination have benefited the University, region, state, and our natural resources, Jax State President Dr. Don Killingsworth Jr. said. We are grateful for his service and his leadership at Little River Canyon, which has developed into one of our regions natural treasures. We congratulate him on his retirement while looking forward to the continued impact of his work in the years ahead.

Conroy's career began in 1985 as the curator of the Anniston Museum of Natural History, where he developed a passion for environmental education and community engagement. He later served as the volunteer Chair of the Alabama Environmental Council, formerly the Alabama Conservancy, working on various conservation projects.

His commitment to environmental issues led him to serve in the administration of Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. as the liaison for Environmental Affairs. In this role, he was responsible for connecting state agencies involved in conservation and environmental issues, a task he relished.

One of my favorite things is just connecting dots and finding people of like mind and and coming up with creative ways to solve problems, Conroy explained. This position significantly expanded his network, which he credits with enabling him to achieve more.

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Following a change in administration, Conroy was approached by Jacksonville State University, then under Dr. Harold McGee, to focus on Little River Canyon. He reflected on this period with pride, noting, I can look back now, and Im just super proud of all of the partnerships weve had and all of the things weve been able to do.

A search for Conroy's replacement in the College of Science, Humanities and Arts is expected to commence this week. Conroys mantra throughout his career has been sustainable, careful growth, especially in a state he deeply appreciates for its biological and ecological richness.
Sameer Eid, a longtime, beloved metro Detroit restaurateur, has died, family spokesman and publicist Justin Near said Friday, Aug. 15. Eid was 85. A cause of death was not revealed.

Eid was the founder of Phoenicia, a fine-dining restaurant centered on his Lebanese heritage.

Sameer came to the U.S. in 1961 and built a life rooted in family, hospitality and his Lebanese heritage, and for more than 54 years, he personally oversaw every detail at Phoenicia, creating one of Michigans most celebrated restaurants, Near said in a statement.

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Eid purchased the Highland Park restaurant that would become Phoenicia in 1971 and later relocated it to Birmingham, where it has lived for more than 40 years.

Sameer Eid sits in the dining room of his Phoenicia Restaurant in Birmingham in a 1989 Free Press archive photo.

The restaurant garnered copious praise from critics. Eid often acknowledged the late former Free Press restaurant critic Molly Abrahams 1973 review as the article that put Phoenicia on the map, and in 2016, he recounted memorable commentary from the late Free Press columnist Bob Talbert.

Bob Talbert, bless his soul, started writing about my restaurant almost every day, Eid told the Free Press. One day he came in and tried my rice pudding, and he wrote: Sameer serves the best rice pudding in the world  if that rice pudding doesnt turn your taste buds on, you will need a taste bud transplant. Those were his exact words.

Four decades after that initial Free Press review, Phoenicia showed its staying power. In 2018, former Free Press restaurant critic Mark Kurlyandchik named Phoenicia the papers inaugural Restaurant of the Year Classic, a designation for restaurants of distinction with more than 10 years in operation of continuous ownership. Kurlyandchik also bestowed Eid with the first Sylvia Rector Lifetime Achievement Award for Hospitality, a new honor given in memory of the late Free Press restaurant critic who launched the Free Press' Restaurant of the Year program in 2000.

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Eid went on to build Chickpea Hospitality, a family-owned and -operated group that would include other fine-dining establishments, including Forest and Wilders in Birmingham, and Leila in downtown Detroit.

Eids son, and Chickpea Hospitality owner Samy, became a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur in 2020, and Phoenicia also earned a semifinalist nod in 2022 for Outstanding Hospitality. Late last year, the New York Times included Leila's ice cream sundae on its list of best dishes in the U.S.

More: From restaurants to housing, federal dollars reshaped Detroit | Opinion

More: Cafe Cortina owner Rina Tonon to be inducted in restaurant owner hall of fame

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Arriving to the table like a Star Trek tribble ready for a night on the town, this dessert holds your attention from the first bite, the Times Sara Bonisteel wrote. Pistachios cover the mop of fairy floss atop the dish, and ashta, the rose-flavored ice cream with hints of orange blossom water, hides underneath the gossamer.

Kurlyandchik described Eid as a magnetic showman filled with passion and generosity.

"I had the privilege of knowing Sameer for the better part of a decade. In a career like his that spanned nearly six decades, thats only a blip, but its a blip I will always treasure," he said. "We first met when I was a restaurant critic, but over time he became something more like the grandfather I never had. "Sameer was magnetic, and uncompromising in his standards. The man oozed charisma and wit  a real showman. But he also cared so much, never failing to ask about my kids and family, remembering peoples names with the recall of a man much younger. And when it came to matters of taste, he would light up like a teenager in the throes of first love. Ill never forget when he called me a few years ago, thrilled about a special shipment of olive oil hed just received from south Lebanon. He insisted I meet him at Phoenicia so he could share some with me. A little while later, he pulled up in his Maserati, walked around to the passenger side, and carefully unbuckled a massive old pickle jar full of olive oil, hand-filled just for me. That was Sameer: generous, iconoclastic and utterly singular. The hospitality community has lost one of its greats, but the world has lost an even better human. I will miss him dearly."

Samy Eid continues to operate Chickpea Hospitality, keeping his fathers culinary legacy alive through the groups restaurant portfolio.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sameer Eid, metro Detroit restaurant owner, dies at 85
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  There is now a first look at the America First Assessment Superintendent Ryan Walter is administering to incoming teachers from New York and California. This comes after lawmakers and board members questioned the legality behind it all.

So please make sure you have a legal opinion before you proceed with testing, said State Board Member Chris Van Denhende at the last board meeting.

The Attorney Generals Office, on Friday, said it received no such request from the State Department of Education.

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OKLAHOMA EDUCATION: Waste of taxpayer money: Concerns surround OSDE new assessment plan

It was done in collaboration with conservative, right-wing PragerU, which is not an accredited university. The organization has on its website a description that reads, No, PragerU is proudly not an accredited university, nor do we claim to be. We do not offer degrees, but we do provide educational, entertaining, pro-American videos for every age.

The first look at the test comes from CNN, which reported that a top official in the department allowed them to see some of it. These tests, Walters has said, are to be administered to teachers relocating from states with progressive education policies, such as California and New York.

Their reporting found that one proposed question deals with gender, asking teachers to select from a series of multiple-choice answers which chromosome pairs determine biological sex. Another question, CNN reported, asks why freedom of religion is important to Americas identity. Other questions include asking for the first three words of the Constitution, naming the two chambers of the US Congress, and identifying the number of US Senators. Streit said the Oklahoma superintendent had asked for a test that is more wholesome and in line with the Oklahoma parent body.

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Supt. Walters argued that the test is needed because we have states that are giving out certificates that say youre going to teach there are 27 genders. Well, thats a problem, said Walters at the last board meeting.

The original press release from July that announced the new test said, Ill fight tooth and nail to keep leftist propaganda out of our classrooms.

Is something like this legal? News 4 asked employment attorney Mark Hammons of Hammons & Associates.

No, said Hammons.

News 4 reached out to a company in charge of communications for PragerU, asking for samples of the test. They responded and said, The test is not available to the public yet, but will be soon.

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Hammons said that if these tests are implemented, the department could easily have lawsuits on its hands.

The First Amendment stops the state from not hiring based on political beliefs, said Hammons.

There are also questions of how this could be possible when Oklahoma is listed on the Education Commission of the States website for being among eight states that fully accept out-of-state teachers. The site states, Can the state have full reciprocity by statute for out-of-state teachers? Yes. Candidates who hold a valid out-of-state teaching certificate will be issued a certificate to teach for the subject areas and grade levels most closely aligned with those on the out-of-state certificate.

News 4 reached out to OSDE as well to see if they would send samples, but didnt hear back.

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During the devastating Los Angeles wildfires this year, while firefighters battled flames and families scrambled to evacuate, Rudy, a 6-year-old Standard Poodle from Chatsworth, was quietly offering comfort in the chaos. The therapy dog spent hours at emergency command and evacuation centers, moving between first responders and displaced residents, easing tension and providing reassurance.

His presence brought comfort to leadership, first responders and families affected by the crisis, showing the true heart of a hero, the American Humane Society said in a profile of Rudy.

Rudy is a highly accomplished therapy dog and has earned letters of commendation from the Los Angeles Police Department and LA County Sheriff for outstanding community contributions.

Rudy, a certified member of the LAPD Therapy Dog Program, has long worked alongside law enforcement and first responders, providing emotional support to victims, emergency personnel, and anyone caught in a crisis. His work has earned him letters of commendation from both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. From infants and children to seniors and first responders, Rudys calm presence helps people navigate some of lifes most stressful and traumatic moments.

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This month, Rudys efforts earned him national recognition as one of the top 25 semi-finalists in the 15th annual Hero Dog Awards. He is among the top five contenders in the Therapy Dog category, which honors dogs that provide physical, social, emotional, and cognitive healing.

The Hero Dog Awards celebrate ordinary dogs performing extraordinary acts. In addition to therapy dogs, the competition recognizes service and guide dogs, hearing dogs, law enforcement and first responder dogs, military dogs, emerging heroes, and shelter dogs. Each category honors canines who transform lives or overcome extraordinary challenges.

Foster homes urgently needed for shelter pets recovering from surgery

Public voting for the semi-finalists is open until Sept. 15, with participants able to vote once per category every 24 hours. Winners from each category will then be selected by a panel of judges to determine the overall Hero Dog Award recipients.

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Fans can learn more about Rudy, all of the other dog nominees, and cast their votes at the American Humane Societys Hero Dog Awards website.

We congratulate the incredible dogs who are nominated for the 15th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards, said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Society. The canine heroes represent courage, strength, and love, and their stories illustrate the uplifting healing power of the human-animal bond. We look forward to sharing their stories with America and encourage all to vote for the heroes on both ends of the leash.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A joint lunch for the delegations has been cancelled following the three-on-three meeting and press conference between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: Sky News

Details: After the talks there was to have been a working lunch and an extended meeting with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and other officials from both delegations.

However, the lunch and the extended meeting were both cancelled after Trump and Putins three-on-three meeting and press conference.

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Less than an hour after the press conference, Putin boarded his Rossiya plane to depart Alaska.

Trump is already on his way to Washington, DC.

Background:

The meeting between Trump and Putin concluded with no agreements reached and no ceasefire in Ukraine announced, despite both leaders claiming "great progress" was made.

Trump said he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his three-on-three meeting with Putin.

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On Friday morning, a news conference was held about the release of Muscatine resident Jesus Hernandez, whose full name is Felipe de Jesus Hernandez Marcelo. He came to the United States from Mexico in 2021, and has relatives in the Muscatine area.

Hernandezs attorney says he is not facing removal, which is the legal term for the expulsion of a non-citizen from the United States.

(Ben Klein, OurQuadCities.com)

His lawyer, Emily Rebelskey, was at the news conference, along with family, and friends. Hernandez, an immigrant without legal status, was shot in his car while thieves tried to steal it early June 21 while he was driving to his construction job.



He was taken to a hospital for his injuries. His attorney says he was shot through his right wrist, his right thigh, and he also was wounded in the calf of one leg. She said he developed an infection while he was incarcerated in Muscatine County Jail, and was treated for it at a hospital.

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When Hernandez went to pick up his car, he was detained, his lawyer said. Rebelskey says Muscatine County Attorney Jim Barry is refusing to compromise for Hernandezs release.

Im being stonewalled by Jim Barry, said Rebelskey. I have asked Jim Barry three times to sign a U-visa certification, and his position is that he does not negotiate on immigration status,. My question for Jim is Why not?'

A U-visa is a non-immigrant visa designed for victims of certain kinds of crimes who have suffered physically or mentally, and are willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of a crime. A U-visa allows eligible people to temporarily live and work in the United States, and possibly pursue legal permanent residence.

Hernandez was denied a U-visa, and Rebelskey says city officials are refusing to talk to her. Our Quad Cities News tried to reach Barry on Friday but his staff said he was in court.

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Hernandez is in custody in the Muscatine County Jail.

This is a developing story. Our Quad Cities news will provide details about the case and upcoming court hearings as they become available.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will take place in the near future.

Source: Macron on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The French leaders statement followed the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

In particular, Macron stressed the need to continue "supporting Ukraine and to maintain pressure on Russia as long as its war of aggression continues and until a solid and lasting peace, respectful of Ukraines rights, has been established."

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He said that any lasting peace must be accompanied by firm security guarantees. In this regard, Macron welcomed "the readiness of the United States to contribute".

"We will work on this with them and with all our partners in the Coalition of the Willing, with whom we will meet again soon, to make concrete progress," Macron stated.

He also emphasised the importance of "[drawing on] all the lessons from the past 30 years, in particular from Russias well-established tendency not to honour its own commitments".

Macron pledged to continue close cooperation with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "to safeguard our interests in a spirit of unity and responsibility."

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"France remains firmly at Ukraines side," Macron concluded.

Background:

US President Donald Trump told the Europeans that Putin wants an immediate peace deal, not a ceasefire.

On Monday 18 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will fly to Washington for talks with Trump.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that every effort will be made to track down and punish the person who cut down a tree commemorating a murdered Jew.

The memorial tree was planted 14 years ago to honour Ilan Halimi, who was tortured and murdered by a Paris gang in 2006, sparking widespread shock and outrage at the time.

Macron said the felling of the olive tree on Wednesday was "an attempt to kill him a second time", adding: "All means are being deployed to punish this act of hatred."

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Paris police chief Laurent Nunez confirmed an investigation was under way, adding: "Everything will be done to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

Halimi's body was found by a railway line handcuffed to a tree, naked and severely burned, having been held captive by the Barbarian gang for more than three weeks.

He was lured by a female gang member to an empty apartment in February 2006, where he was attacked and drugged.

The kidnappers tried unsuccessfully to extort a ransom of 450,000 ($600,000; 405,000) from his family, sending them harrowing images and video recordings.

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The mastermind - Youssouf Fofana - targeted Halimi because of his Jewish heritage, believing his family to be unduly wealthy.

Fofana was later sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years, while other accomplices implicated in the crime received lesser sentences.

[Getty Images]

The tree in the suburb of Epinay-sur-Seine was one of several memorials across the French capital for Halimi before it was cut down.

The local authority said it had been found cut down on Thursday morning, posting an image of it showing the tree chopped off at the base and thrown into a nearby flowerbed.

Macron said France "will not forget this child of France who died because he was Jewish".

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"In the face of antisemitism, the Republic is always uncompromising," he added.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou also blamed "antisemitic hatred" for the tree being felled.

"No crime can uproot memory," he wrote. "The never-ending fight against the deadly poison of hatred is our primary duty."

In 2019, another tree honouring Halimi was reportedly chopped down, in what officials at the time described as an antisemitic attack.

And in 2017, France's then-interior minister condemned the desecration of a plaque commemorating Halimi in which it was ripped off a wall and covered with antisemitic writing.
A Reddit post by a MAGA voter has recently gone viral for sharing a list of things Donald Trump needs to do better as President  but it's not exactly what you expect.

Win Mcnamee / Getty Images / Via reddit.com

At the start of the post, the MAGA voter explained why they voted for Trump in the first place, expressing their belief that a woman should not be president. "He was the best we had to choose from and I don't believe a woman should sit in that position."

Saul Loeb / Getty Images

Related: "My Alarm Bells Were Going Off": People Are Sharing Their Wildest "I Fing Knew It" Moments That Prove You Should ALWAYS Trust Your Gut

They then went on to list what needs to change in the Trump presidency. "Tired of hearing about Elon Musk and doge...let's see some results."

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Samuel Corum / Getty Images

They wrote about Trump focusing on people other than the Biden family. "Move on from Joe Biden..."

Related: 33 "Brutal Truths" Men Say They Could NEVER Reveal To Women's Faces

Pool / Getty Images

They emphasized Trump continuously bringing up past events. "Stop living in the past...Move forward."

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And advised Trump to stop the division, and "work for America...All of America."

Many people in the original poster's comments who also voted for Trump expressed support for the post: "We voted for Trump because there was not any other option. His big beautiful bill does zero for middle class Americans..."

"I would love to see the Bidens prosecuted but it's time to move on and quit dwelling..." this user wrote.

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"I also do not believe a woman should hold that position...Very well said."

Related: 42 Wildly Entitled People Who Thought The World Revolved Around Them

Elsewhere, this person wrote, "It's really, really telling they'd rather have a felon than a woman running the country."

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"Lol most of these [people] don't realize they're spouting liberal talking points," another person wrote.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

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Also in Internet Finds: 21 Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Dark And Tragic Wiki Pages About Missing People

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(Reuters) -A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck near the east coast of Australia on Saturday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.

The quake was 10 km (6.2 miles) deep, the EMSC said. It earlier said the quake, which hit Queensland state, was of 5.7 magnitude.

There was no threat of tsunami to Queensland, Australia's weather forecaster said in an alert on its website.

A spokesperson from state-run energy distribution company Energex told the Australian Broadcasting Corp that around 11,000 properties were without power after the quake.

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More than 9,000 people reported feeling the quake, according to the federal agency Geoscience Australia, which recorded the epicentre as the rural town of Kilkivian, about 170 km (110 miles) northwest of the state capital Brisbane.

(Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru and Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Leslie Adler and William Mallard)
NEW PORT RICHEY  Residents looking for an early or midday bite can head to New Port Richeys newest breakfast and lunch spot.

Main Munchery, at 5346 Main St., opened Monday in the Palm District of downtown. Its been a labor of love for owner Amy Faulkner, who has weathered construction, licensing and permit delays over the past few months.

I love to frequent places that recognize me when I come in and know me by name, she said. I want to be that for my guests.

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The menu at Main Munchery includes sandwiches, breakfast burritos and avocado toast for breakfast, and salads, soups, sandwiches and paninis for lunch. The cafe will also serve hot dogs with gourmet selections, such as the Cuban dog topped with ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles. Vegetarian, keto and gluten-free options are also available.

Baked treats like cinnamon rolls and cornbread will be staples, but the staff will offer different specialties each day, as well as fresh-baked bread. For those on the go, Main Munchery will offer boater and beach boxes, which are wrapped and ready for a cooler and include chips, a drink and a small bag of ice.

I am hoping to bring more life to our side of downtown, Faulkner said. I want to be a go-to spot for a morning coffee or latte, for friends to gather over breakfast or lunch, or a place where you can meet a client or have a business lunch. I can even notarize that document for you.

As a teenager, Faulkner worked at an Italian deli owned by family friends.

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I started working for them at 15, and I was hooked on creating delicious food, she said.

While she worked in restaurants on and off in her teens and 20s, she later took the corporate route and has spent the last several years managing a global business process outsourcing company.

I was feeling burnt out, she said. Its been a dream of mine for many years to open a little cafe. My husband encouraged me to take the leap, but it was a big decision to make.

When she discovered the cafes location was available, she said it made her decision easy.

I love the downtown area so much and knew I wanted to be a part of it, she said.

Originally one large space, the building that houses Main Munchery is now divided into three separate units. The Butchers Block, a family-owned New Port Richey business, will soon reopen in the same building.

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I am very excited that The Butchers Block and I will be collaborating on many things, Faulkner said. We already have several ideas for other fun things we are working on.

Vegetables used to create menu dishes will come from local growers and suppliers, she said.

The quality of the products you use affects the quality of the products you serve, she said. Especially in my baking, I am very particular about what I use. There are certain brands that I use, even if they cost a little more, the end product is well worth it.
Residents in Alaska have been warned to evacuate as snowmelt from the Mendenhall Glacier, which is about 12 miles from Juneau and is a popular tourist attraction, and heavy rains converge to threaten "record" flooding this week.

A glacial outburst has occurred at Suicide Basin. The basin is releasing and flooding is expected along Mendenhall Lake and River, Juneau officials said in a Tuesday news release. Officials recommend residents in the 17ft lake level inundation zone evacuate the area until the flood waters recede.

Residents In Juneau Warned

Officials warned those near Juneau to evacuate the area after they confirmed water started escaping into a huge basin dammed by the glacier. Residents in the area along the river were warned as the water thats being released in the glacial outburst is flowing into the river, putting homes that are closest to the river at risk.

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The National Weather Service said it expected flooding to peak at 4 p.m. local time Wednesday. This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have, Nicole Ferrin, a weather service meteorologist, told a news conference Tuesday.

What Is Suicide Basin?

Suicide Basin is a glacial lake attached to the Mendenhall Glacier that runs up against the western portion of Juneau, per CNN. The basin formed as parts of its glacier melted and retreated and now acts like a giant bucket, filling up with rain, snow and ice that slowly melts over the summer.

On Wednesday morning the Mendenhall River eclipsed its record high level of 15.99 feet after rising more than seven feet since the National Weather Service first issues a flood warning for the area on Tuesday. Its expected to crest at around 16.7 feet sometime Wednesday morning, well above the previous record crest set just last August.

Its very dangerous right now. Stay away if you can, said Andrew Park, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Juneau, warning any mariners in the area to keep your eyes peeled for big trees.

Related: Southwest Airlines Announces Change on All Flights Starting August 13

Major Warning Issued as 'Glacial Outburst' Threatens Record Flooding first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
A narrow majority of Americans now believe even moderate consumption of alcohol negatively affects health, as US drinking levels continue to decline, according to a recent survey.

Pollster Gallup found the number of Americans who said they drink alcohol to be at an all-time low since the poll was first conducted in 1939 -- a few years after the United States ended its prohibition of alcohol.

The survey found 54 percent of Americans reported they drank alcohol either occasionally or regularly in 2025, down from at least 60 percent recorded between 1997 and 2023.

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Those who did say they drank alcohol reported it was in smaller amounts, with the average number of drinks consumed in the last week being 2.8, "the lowest figure Gallup has recorded since 1996," the pollster said on its website.

Attitudes toward alcohol, which Gallup has been tracking since 2001, saw the most significant difference in the poll published this week.

The number of people who consider moderate consumption of alcohol -- up to one or two drinks per day -- to be bad for personal health rose to 53 percent in 2025. For comparison, the figure was 27 percent in the early 2000s.

"Americans' drinking habits are shifting amid the medical world's reappraisal of alcohol's health effects," the pollster noted.

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In January, then-US surgeon general Vivek Murthy called for alcohol to be sold with a cancer warning label on its packaging.

"Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer, responsible for about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States," he said in a statement.

"Yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk," he added, underscoring the urgent need for public education.

cha/aem/jgc/dl
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian and a bus occurred near the intersections of Kuhio and Royal Hawaiian Avenues in Waikiki on the afternoon of Aug. 15, the Honolulu Police Department said.

At approximately 4 p.m., a 57-year-old male pedestrian was walking on the sidewalk when he tripped and fell into traffic, where he was struck by a 56-year-old male bus driver, HPDs Traffic Division, Vehicular Homicide Section said.

How can you avoid a traffic collision?

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The pedestrian was taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition.

After arriving at the hospital, the pedestrians status worsened, and was later listed in critical condition.

The bus driver remained at the scene and was not injured from the collision.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
NEED TO KNOW

A man was reunited with his Fordham University class ring after losing it over five decades ago

Al DiStefano, 77, lost the ring in 1969 while hanging out on a beach in Long Island

Long Island resident Dave Orlowski recently found the inscribed ring while scanning the local beach with his metal detector

A man was recently reunited with his college class ring after losing it over five decades ago.

Al DiStefano, 77, lost his Fordham class ring in the Long Island Sound while hanging out on a Cedar Beach pier in May 1969, per the New York Post. The then 21-year-old had paid $110 for the gold ring with a garnet stone and couldnt afford a replacement.

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It was a nice ring, DiStefano told the Post. It was important to me. I probably should have spent a little more time looking for it.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Cut to over 55 years later, when Long Island, N.Y. resident Dave Orlowski was sweeping Cedar Beach with a metal detector. Orlowski told the Post he got what he called a good hit on the detector, and began digging in sand in near waist-deep water.

I was digging, digging, digging. When I pulled up the ring, I couldnt believe the size and condition, Orlowski, 56, recalled.

courtesy David Orlowski David Orlowski after finding the ring. David Orlowski after finding the ring.

Orlowski, who has a collection of found gold and silver objects from the past 25 years, said he briefly considered keeping the item, estimating it could be worth around $2,000 due to the fact that it contained white gold palladium.

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However, the career electrician said his wife, Denise, ultimately persuaded him to find the rings original owner.

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She told me it would be bad karma to keep the ring since we had the name of the person inscribed, he told the Post, adding, She asked me if Id want my ring back in that situation, and that answered my question.

Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Fordham University campus Fordham University campus

Orlowski ultimately located a Fordham Class of 1969 Facebook group, and he reached out to the groups administrator, Karen Manning, who helped connect him with DiStefano.

David made me feel good about people again for going out of his way to try to find the owner, Manning told the Post.

DiStefano, a retired oncologist who now lives in Texas, was shocked when he learned his ring had been found.

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Once in a blue moon, Id think about the ring having a nice life at the bottom of the Sound, he told the Post.

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He [Orlowski] mailed it to me, and I got it less than a week later  its in marvelous condition. Im wearing it now. I figured I ought to make up for lost time, he added.

DiStefano also said that he has thanked Orlowski profusely and plans to send him some gifts from Texas to show his appreciation.



Read the original article on People
CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Cheatham County deputy put his life on the line Wednesday night while pursuing a convicted felon with a history of violent crimes.

This all went down in Kingston Springs on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Cpl. Ronald Perkins from the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office was on patrol and spotted a black Chevy Malibu at the Thorntons gas station along Luyben Hills Road. Perkins noticed the vehicle had an expired tag dating back to January 2024.

The danger that he put people in over a minor infraction, and it would have been a citation for expired tags, no insurance, and driving on a revoked license, and he turned it into more than it had to be, Perkins explained.

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Perkins encountered the Malibu at a Kingston Springs motel, but after the car zoomed past the deputy, Perkins activated his lights. Thats when the driver  later identified as 32-year-old Bobby Barrett  sped off.

On the footage from inside the law enforcement vehicle, you can hear the corporal saying, He just blew through a stoplight, almost hit another car.

Suspected drug dealer arrested in Nashville maternity ward with pocket full of fentanyl

A check of Barretts criminal history uncovered many arrests in the Nashville area, including unlawful exposure and aggravated assault in 2022, as well as aggravated burglary and aggravated stalking in 2023.

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The Tennessee Department of Correction said Barrett was originally convicted of aggravated assault in Shelby County in 2019. He was in prison until 2022.

Then, back in April, Barrett was convicted of aggravated assault and aggravated stalking, the according to DOC officials. The Nashville-Davidson County District Attorneys Office said Barrett was sentenced to four years of supervised probation and had to go to Mental Health Cooperative.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

During Wednesdays chase, Perkins said the suspect was driving over 80 mph in downtown Kingston Springs before crashing.

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On the dash camera footage, you can see a female passenger jumping out of the vehicle and almost getting run over by the 32-year-old driver, who took off again.

What are you thinking when a person pops out of a vehicle after a guy wrecks? News 2s Andy Cordan asked.

Its a little concerning because youre not sure whats going to happen when the door opens. She was surprised at what was going on, a little terrified, the corporal replied.

A short time later, Barrett crashed a second time. Once again, a passenger got out of the car and surrendered.

My main concern was getting the driver and getting him off the streets because he was going to get somebody hurt, Perkins said.

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MNPD: Man charged for July shooting that left girlfriend injured

Later in the pursuit, Barretts car  now badly damaged  wrecked a third time.

His car was smoking pretty bad. Im giving him commands to get out of the car, show me his hands, Perkins recalled.

However, the convicted felon still managed to drive away, clipping the front of Perkins vehicle.

His back end of his tire on his passenger side struck the front of my patrol car, Perkins described.

Shortly afterward, Barrett bailed from the damaged vehicle.

Im assuming he knew he wasnt going to get away, the corporal said.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Perkins called for a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter and the agency arrived in less than 10 minutes, according to the corporal.

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Officials said THP used thermal imaging to pinpoint the suspect hiding in a neighborhood and then told ground units exactly where to find Barrett.

Dash cam footage from Sgt. Jeremy Vaughan with the Kingston Springs Police Department shows Vaughan driving up on the running suspect and then using an electronic shock device help bring the chase to an end.

Barrett was arrested and charged with a host of crimes, including reckless endangerment, evading arrest, resisting arrest, and assault on a law enforcement officer. As of publication, hes still being held in the Cheatham County Jail.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (WCIA)  A man who was reported to be armed was arrested Saturday afternoon after an hours-long standoff at a Teutopolis apartment he allegedly broke into.

According to Effingham County Sheriff Paul. F Kuhns, deputies responded mid-morning to the reports of a man who was having an emotional crisis at 200 S Smith Street Friday night into Saturday morning. Reports also said that the man was armed.

Champaign Fire, Police Depts. respond to house fire; one displaced

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Kuhns told WCIA that the man allegedly broke into a neighboring apartment by breaking the door down. Occupants of this apartment heard him kicking the back door down, and as he did so, they were able to escape through the front door of the unit.

The man then barricaded the doors of the neighboring apartment where he was and would not talk to police. During the standoff, deputies and officers on scene did not know if the man was armed.

At approximately 2:20 p.m., police was able to make entry into the apartment and arrest the man without too much incident. No injuries to the officers or the suspect were reported during this situation.

On scene, the Effingham County Sheriffs Office was assisted by Illinois State Police and Effingham City Police.

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Agencies respond to two-story house fire in Gibson City; $15,000 in damage

Im very grateful and pleased with how well our agencies worked together, Kuhns said.

No weapons were found on the man at the time of the arrest, but weapons were recovered from his apartment. Property damage was reported at the neighboring apartment the man was taken into custody at.

The man is now at the Effingham County Jail and will have a pre-trial hearing on Monday. Kuhns expects additional information on this incident to be released that day as well.

WCIA reached out to State Police for additional information but did not receive an immediate response. There is no further information at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
DES MOINES, Iowa  A Des Moines man was arrested and charged with several felonies after a homemade explosive detonated in the citys southside.

According to the Des Moines Police Department, just before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, authorities were called to the 2800 block of SE 14th Street on reports of a domestic dispute.

During the investigation, officers learned 40-year-old Tristen Berlin had gone to the home of his former girlfriend and brought the homemade explosive device with him. People in the home reported that Berlin entered the home with the device. Police say at some point the device had detonated outside the home, causing minor injuries to Berlin.

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2 charged with sexual exploitation, kidnapping in Humboldt County

Officers secured the area and device and requested assistance from the DMPD Bomb Squad and Crimes Against Property Section arson investigators. Bomb squad technicians rendered the device safe at the scene.

Authorities say technicians and detectives inspected the device and found it to be a metal lunch container containing materials designed to ignite or explode when opened.

Berlin was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail, where he was charged with,

Arson, 1st Degree  Class B Felony

Burglary, 1st Degree  Class B Felony

Possession of an Incendiary or Explosive Device  Class B Felony

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The Des Moines Police Department, with assistance from ATF agents, is continuing an investigation into 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 who13.com.
ST. ROSE, Ill.  The Clinton County Sheriffs Office says the man who was arrested after two video recording devices were discovered inside a churchs portable bathroom facility has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous, the Clinton County Dispatch was alerted by St. Rose officials about the recording devices at the St. Rose Church Picnic, on Aug. 9.

Travous said that the footage recovered within the devices was not transferred nor seen by anyone else beside detectives. Travous also noted that the videos were recorded in the dark and the victims were unidentifiable.

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Marco Monreal-Rojas, 23, was taken into custody on Aug. 11 and he was charged with three felony counts for unauthorized videotaping.

However, because of Illinois SAFE-T Act, which prohibits prosecutors from seeking a detention order for those types of charges, Monreal-Rojas was released.

The Illinois court instead ordered the 23-year-old to wear an electronic monitoring device.

But shortly after his release, ICE agents took the 23-year-old into custody. Agents didnt share details with FOX 2 about the reason why Monreal-Rojas was detained.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A man extradited from France has been charged with murder after a 29-year-old man was stabbed in north London in December 2023.

Officers were called to the Abbey Estate, in Abbey Road, at 19:32 GMT on 29 December 2023 where Ahmed Ali Jama was found with stab wounds. He was taken to hospital where he died later that evening.

Arlind Hashani of Bray Fellows Road, was arrested in Paris on 30 July before being returned to the UK.

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The 22-year-old was charged on Friday over the killing in Camden, the Metropolitan Police said.

Mr Hashani is due to appear at Wood Green Crown Court on Tuesday.

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
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man who went to prison after a collision that killed a pedestrian in Las Vegas last year was in federal court on Friday to face immigration charges.

Rigoberto Osorio-Merlo, 49, is charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. A news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office indicated Osorio-Merlo is a Honduran national.

Records show Osorio-Merlo was deported in 20009 and 2018, and reentered the country illegally.

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On July 22, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned that Osorio-Merlo had been arrested by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers on charges of failing to stop at scene of accident, destroy/conceal evidence, and reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm. A conviction on the reckless driving charge is listed on his Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) record.

The pedestrian was hit at about 1 a.m., and later that day, Metro police were called to an apartment complex near Tropicana Avenue and Pecos Road. A girl called police because her mother and father were having a heated argument, police said.

Police learned the fight was because the father  Osorio-Merlo  was refusing to turn himself in to police. He was arrested at the scene.

On July 30, 2025, Osorio-Merlo was remanded to ICE custody from NDOC, based on an immigration detainer. Osorio-Merlo has two DUI convictions, one in 2011 and a second in 2016.

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A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 4 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.

If convicted, Osorio-Merlo faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah (ABC4)  A man was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a hit-and-run, auto-pedestrian crash in South Salt Lake early Saturday morning, according to South Salt Lake Police.

At around 2:20 a.m. on Aug. 16, a man was riding a bicycle at 2889 S 900 W when he was hit by a vehicle. The vehicle involved fled the scene, according to Det. Ryan Alvarez, South Salt Lake Police.

Investigators reportedly have leads on the vehicle that fled, though the driver is still at large at this time.

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The man on the bicycle was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition.

Details regarding the circumstances of the incident have not been released at this time.

No further information is currently available.

Latest headlines:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD)  A man attempted to steal a giant $2,000 goose statue outside a Waffle House in Berkeley County named Waffles.

The Goose Creek Police Department said it was the first time someone has tried to steal one of the statues. Waffles is part of a flock of 41 geese, who each reside in front of businesses or organizations across the city. He was adopted by Waffle House through the Adopt-A-Goose program hosted by the cultural arts and recreation commission.

According to an incident report obtained by News 2, a former employee and a frequent customer hatched a plan to steal Waffles.

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We received the call probably two hours in advance of the goose-napping. We were told it could potentially happen, LJ Roscoe, chief of the Goose Creek Police Department, said. One of the employees was fired and felt like, because she had donated toward the goose, she was entitled to take the goose. So, unfortunately she found someone else and told them to go and retrieve the goose for her, and he was arrested.

Paul Carleton allegedly backed up his car to where Waffles stands in front of Waffle House, picked the bird up, and put him in his trunk. One manager called the police as it was unfolding and they were able to intervene before he got away.

Waffle House regulars told News 2, they were stunned someone would try to take Waffles. Roscoe said he is one of the most favorite birds in the flock because of his decoration.

We spend every day there. This is our Waffle House. I cant believe, yes I can, the way this world is turning around somebody stealing the goose. Thats just ridiculous, James Graham, a Goose Creek resident, said.

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The chief said she has one message for anybody who tries to steal another goose.

If anybody messes with our geese. Theyre going to flock around and find out, Roscoe said.

Police said Carleton is in custody with a charge of larceny. He was also served a trespass notice at the scene.

Waffles is now safely bolted back into the concrete block he sits on.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
A Georgia man has been sentenced to spend more than the next two decades in federal prison for drug trafficking.

In December 2022, Mekael Desean Daniels, 55, was operating a stash house in a Buckhead condominium building, according to federal prosecutors.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

They say Daniels had more than 242 pounds of cocaine that had recently arrived from Mexico and 62 grams of fentanyl that had been pressed into pills in his condo.

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When they searched his car in the garage, they found a bag with $500,000 and a shoebox with $100,000 that they say came from selling cocaine.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute in March.

TRENDING STORIES:

The U.S. Department of Justice says this is Daniels fourth drug trafficking conviction.

Earlier this week, he was sentenced to 24 years and four months in prison, followed by supervised release for the rest of his life.

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Daniels was a repeat offender fueling the flow of deadly drugs into our communities, said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.

Let this case serve as a clear warning: drug traffickers can no longer operate with impunity," said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division.

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A 44-year-old man learned how long he will be in prison after being convicted of dozens of child pornography and rape charges.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

This week, Johnathon Grove, 44, of Columbus, was sentenced to more than 100 years in prison, according to our media partner, WCSM.

Court documents indicate that a Mercer County jury convicted Grove of 41 child pornography and rape charges in July. Those include:

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29 counts of illegal use of minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance

2 counts of importuning

5 counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles

1 count of rape

4 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

WCSM reported that the rape conviction involves a child under the age of 13 near the Fort Recovery area.

TRENDING STORIES:

Prosecutors told WCSM that Groves relationship with the child started over social media in 2020.

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If Grove is ever released from prison, he must register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

Mercer County Jail records show that Grove remains in the sheriffs office custody.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a Saturday shooting that left one man hurt.

According to police, officers responded at 2:14 p.m. to reports of shots fired in the 4600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SW.

Investigation underway after man dies in police custody in Alexandria

There, a man was found suffering from a graze wound and was transported to the hospital.

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Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
A man pleaded no contest Thursday to animal cruelty in Osceola Circuit Court after being accused of leaving over 100 geckos in a storage unit for more than two months, authorities said Friday.

The investigation into 48-year-old Kelvin Enrique Soto  not to be confused with Osceola County Clerk of Court Kelvin Soto  began after a complaint to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that abandoned reptiles had been found in a St. Cloud storage unit, according to a news release from the agency.

Inside, FWC found 111 geckos, 41 of which were dead from neglect, the release said. Of the 70 still alive, which were all identified as African fat-tailed geckos, they were thin and appeared very malnourished, according to an FWC incident report. The release said they were found in filthy containers and lacked food or water. It was determined no one had visited the unit in over two months.

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The unit, which had been locked due to nonpayment, was linked to Soto. FWC found he was a former holder of a license to exhibit and sell reptiles that had expired, according to the release.

The storage unit manager told FWC that he thought Soto was dead, as he had received texts from Sotos phone number supposedly from his daughter stating he had a heart attack and was in a hospital, the FWC report shows. The texts also said Soto had left from this world and included a Google screenshot of a funeral home. FWC contacted the funeral home, which had no record of Soto.

FWC was able to get in contact with Sotos ex-wife, who said she hadnt seen him in a while but that he wasnt dead or in the hospital to her knowledge, according to the report. Soto later contacted an FWC investigator by phone, crying, and said the call was prompted by FWCs visit to the ex-wife. He told FWC he was depressed, had lost everything and was scared of going to prison because of the geckos.

Soto was eventually located and arrested in Virginia before being extradited to Florida, the release said. Soto also pleaded no contest to a second charge, but his adjudication was withheld.

As part of his sentence, he must serve four years of supervised probation and 100 hours of community service. He is prohibited from possessing or having contact with animals, will have to forfeit the remaining geckos and pay more than $5,000 in restitution to the facility that cared for them during his prosecution, according to the release.
CHEROKEE, N.C. (WSPA)  The Cherokee Indian Police Department is asking for help locating a missing man in Jackson County.

25-year-old Elijah Maney was last seen at the Yellowhill Community of the Qualla Boundary, located near Lambert Branch Road. Police speculate Maney may now be near or around the Blue Ridge Parkway or the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Maney was reportedly last seen on Sunday, August 10.

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Maney is described as standing at 56 and weighing at approximately 140 lbs. Maney is of Native American ethnicity, has straight brown hair that reaches to his waist, and brown eyes.

Authorities said Maney lives with mental health challenges that may cause him to become fearful and/or confused, and that he may act disoriented if found.

The Cherokee Indian Police Department asks anyone with information regarding Maneys whereabouts to contact their department at 828-497-4131, or to call 911 if found.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
TRUMBULL, Conn. (WTNH)  A New York man was sentenced to 40 years in prison suspended after 21 years served for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old in Trumbull over a year and a half, according to the Division of Criminal Justice.

New Haven police release sketch of Fort Hale sexual assault suspect

Nicholas Hall, 32, of Wallkill, New York will only have to serve a mandatory 15 years in prison. Evidence revealed in court showed that Hall abused his position of trust with the childs family to commit the crimes.

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The assaults happened from December 2018 to April 2020.

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A menhaden pulled from the Chesapeake Bay in the area of Jordan Point Marina. (Photo by Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

A board that oversees the management of critical forage fish menhaden along the Atlantic coast is looking into further restricting Virginias only commercial menhaden reduction fishery.

The Atlantic States Marine Commissions menhaden management board voted last week to task a workgroup with determining options for spreading out menhaden reduction fishing caps throughout the year to manage the fish populations in the Chesapeake Bay.

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Such a move would only affect Ocean Harvesters, which contracts with Omega Protein, based in Reedville, Virginia. It is already under reduction fishing caps of 51,000 metric tons. This fishery reduces the fish into oil and fishmeal.

Smaller fisheries in the bay use the fish for bait. Some sportsfishers and environmentalists believe too many menhaden are being fished from the Chesapeake. One group of anglers recently penned a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to sign an executive order to protect the fish.

The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition, conversely, feels the Virginia reduction fishery has been unfairly blamed for issues in the entire ecosystem that could potentially be attributed to environmental challenges or other causes. But more data is needed to nail down the specific impacts on menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay.

Fewer fish prompts quest for more data

Lynn Fegley of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources introduced the motion to begin exploring further restrictions on Omega Protein. Fegley said a smaller fishery in Maryland is suffering because menhaden are not reaching their shores. She claimed that the population of fish is being accounted for in other parts of the Chesapeake Bay, but they are not seeing enough of them in the upper bay.

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The reduction fisheries pressure has been increasing in the middle part of the summer  and potentially leading to a choke point where that biomass of menhaden isnt making its way into Maryland, said Will Poston, the Chesapeake Bay Foundations forage fish manager. Marylands small-scale commercial fisheries, which are stationary gears, pound nets that have a well-established time series of data.

Maryland experienced a major fish kill of thousands of mostly juvenile menhaden washing up on shore in the summer of 2024, an incident attributed to low oxygen due to water quality issues.

We understand that this is a coastwide issue. We understand that things are changing  there is significant effort by a large-scale fishery in the Chesapeake Bay. The fish were there but they were not where we are, Fegley said.

The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition fired back on allegations their operations are preventing the nutrient-rich fish from reaching farther up the bay to Maryland fisheries, as well as leading to osprey populations decreasing.

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Now, when fishermen report low summer menhaden catch, Maryland frames the pound net fishery as a targeted menhaden fishery under threat from Virginias intercept fleet  itself an incredible stretch to suggest six menhaden fishing boats blockade the lower Chesapeake Bay, the coalitions statement read.

Fegley also led an effort last year to look into precautionary management methods. A workgroup compiled a list of ideas on how to manage the concerns around the menhaden populations but frequently mentioned the need for more data.

The commissions stock report of menhaden accepted in 2022 for all of the Atlantic Coast states that menhaden are not overfished. But some environmentalists believe that the Chesapeake Bay populations specifically are in decline and the data is getting lost in the big picture.

I am not saying this is an intercept fishery. What I am saying is that the conditions are changing in such a way that we are having a real fishery problem in Maryland. This is not just about Maryland, it is about an ecosystem that supports the coast, Fegley said.

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Due to the drop in striped bass and osprey populations that rely on the forage fish to survive, conservationists are eager to find a solution. The U.S. Geological Survey presented to the board last summer about the osprey decline.

Their findings suggested that while the Chesapeake Bay osprey decline was real, it likely stemmed from a complex array of ecological stressors, not simply the availability of menhaden. In fact, USGS explicitly did not attribute osprey declines to menhaden harvest pressure, the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition said in a statement.

Commercial fishing yields of menhaden have also reportedly dropped in recent years, according to Fegley and other board members, leading them to look for any insight into why it is happening. There have been state-level efforts to fund research in the Virginia General Assembly into the bays menhaden populations, but those efforts have not been successful.

The Chesapeakes fisheries and predators cant wait. Menhaden are key to a thriving Chesapeake Bay, and a healthy, productive Chesapeake is vital to the entire Atlantic coast, said Chris Moore, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director. We appreciate the efforts of those on the ASMFC menhaden management board who have worked to keep this important issue at the forefront.

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In a response to comments made by Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Ocean Harvest said CBF omits mention of well-documented water quality issues in Maryland that may also explain the localized fishery observations cited.

The workgroup will collect data on the possibility of the reduction fishing caps being shifted to different parts of the year, as members of the board shared insight into the menhaden populations showing up in the Chesapeake later in the year. The work group will present its ideas on how to manage the fishery caps at the ASMC winter 2026 board meeting.

The board members said something is going on but they arent sure why the fish are arriving late and not approaching the shore as much as they used to. Fourteen of the board members voted in favor of the work group, with the representatives from Virginia and New Jersey voting against it.

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Some of the members pointed out that there are similar concerns around menhaden yields, striped bass population decline, and osprey decline along the coast outside of the Chesapeake Bay. They want to focus research into the cause and how to protect the fish beyond imposing additional restrictions on the one fishery.

The only real recourse to ensure the health of the ecosystem is to err on the side of conservation and be more risk averse in how (to) manage this industrial fishery that concentrates so much effort in and around Chesapeake Bay, Poston said.

The 2024 workgroup made multiple recommendations on how to obtain better data around the menhaden populations, such as seasonal or area closures for menhaden reduction fishing, quota days or periods, restricting some gear usage, or further reducing the menhaden reduction fishing cap.

 This story first appeared in the Virginia Mercury, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.
MANCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Today, around 11:30 a.m., firefighters and EMS personnel responded to a reported structure fire at 12 Howard Street in the Village of Manchester.

According to the Assistant Chief of the Manchester Fire Department, the fire was contained to one bedroom, and it did not damage any of the surrounding area.

An investigation, conducted after the fire was extinguished within 15 minutes of arrival, determined that the ash from a lit cigarette in the door of the second-floor bedroom was the source of the fire.

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The house was ruled still livable, and no one was injured.

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A New York woman recently discovered a 2.3-carat white diamond in an Arkansas state park while hunting for the perfect stone for her engagement ring.

Micherre Fox  a 31-year-old Manhattan resident  decided years ago that she wanted to find her own diamond. On July 8, she traveled to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas to begin her search, according to a news release from Waymon Cox, the parks assistant superintendent.

Manhunt Intensifies For Arkansas Suspect Likely Injured In Fatal Attack Of Couple

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"There's something symbolic about being able to solve problems with money, but sometimes money runs out in a marriage," Fox said in a statement. "You need to be willing and able to solve those problems with hard work."

Micherre Fox  a 31-year-old from Manhattan  had decided years ago that she wanted to find her own diamond.

Fox spent three weeks scouring the park's 37.5-acre search area. On July 29, her final day at the park, she noticed a glimmer near her feet. At first, she thought it may have been a spiderweb, but upon closer inspection, she realized it was a diamond, according to the news release.

Museum Discovers Rare 67-Million-year-old Dinosaur Bone Under Its Own Parking Lot

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"Having never seen an actual diamond in my hands, I didnt know for sure, but it was the most "diamond-y diamond I had seen," Fox said in a statement.

"Having never seen an actual diamond in my hands, I didnt know for sure, but it was the most "diamond-y diamond I had seen," Fox said in a statement.

Park staff confirmed the gem was a diamond, and Fox was immediately flooded with emotion  falling to her knees crying and then laughing, according to the news release.

Rare 10-Carat Pink Diamond Linked To Marie Antoinette To Be Displayed And Auctioned

The gem  which is about the size of a human canine tooth  is the third-largest diamond discovered so far this year at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Fox has named her gem Fox-Ballou Diamond, after the last names of her and her partner, according to the release.

Fox has since named her gem "Fox-Ballou Diamond," after the last names of her and her partner, according to the news release.

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Since the Crater of Diamonds became an Arkansas state park in 1972, park visitors have discovered and kept over 35,000 diamonds. Adults can participate in gem hunting at the park, which is open to the public, for a fee of $15 per day, the Associated Press reported.

Earlier this year, a Minnesota resident unearthed a 3.81-carat brown diamond in the state park.





Original article source: Manhattan woman finds 2.3-carat diamond for engagement ring after three-week quest
Many CDC employees still working from home one week after active shooter situation

Friday marked one week since a gunman opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Some CDC employees are preparing to head back into the office on Monday for the first time since the shooting happened.

Channel 2s Brittany Kleinpeter obtained a CDC alert sent to employees, which said staff who work in buildings 16,18, 21, and 24 on the Roybal campus in Atlanta will continue to work remotely beginning Aug. 18 - 22, with the exception of critical workers like lab and animal care staff.

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The alert said all other employees would be given the option to telework or return in person.

Former CDC Health Communications Specialist Sarah Boim said many of her former co-workers just dont feel safe anymore.

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They have not been given any information for additional security measures that have any substance, and they dont want to work next to bullet holes, Boin said.

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A CDC spokesperson replied with this statement when asked about security measures: CDC is doing everything to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of staff for when they return to campus.

CDC employees who didnt want to go on camera out of fear of losing their jobs shared with Kleinpeter that the CDC has been offering daily healing sessions where meditation and discussion is offered.

Those same employees also said individual counseling was being offered via telehealth.
The Market Basket in North Andover is closing next week, but bargain shoppers need not fret  its reopening right next door the next morning.

A recent post in the members-only Facebook group Whats going on in Andover showed a sign on a window in the store with the Market Baskets signature red, all-caps lettering that read: This store is closing at 5:00 PM Thursday, August 21 Thank you for 44 great years!! Your new Market Basket will open next door at 7:00 AM Friday August 22nd.

Market Baskets Facebook page officially announced the move in a post Friday afternoon: Our North Andover remodel is complete and the new store will be opening next Friday, August 22nd, at 7AM. We look forward to serving you!

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The new store will be at 350 Winthrop Ave., at the North Andover Mall. But so was the old store.

Google Maps shows that as of the 2019 street view image, Market Basket was next to Kohls. But a property map on the website for DSM Realty  the division of Demoulas Super Markets that develops and manages Market Baskets shopping centers  shows Market Basket shifting to the Kohls side, with Kohls gone, and flanked by the TJX Companies triumvirate: HomeGoods, Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

The new grocery store is 92,000 square feet, about 30-40% bigger than the old store, according to The Eagle-Tribune in a May article.

It will offer more prepared foods, a specialty butcher shop and a specialty coffee and ice cream bar with indoor seating, The Eagle-Tribune reported.

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In March, Market Basket representatives told the news outlet there would be no interruption of shopping at the supermarket, with the new store opening the day after the old one closes.

The mall redevelopment included new sidewalks, crosswalks and parking lot islands with walkways, The Eagle-Tribune reported.

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Martin O'Malley, former Social Security commissioner, spoke about Social Security at the Franklin Public Library in Des Moines Aug. 15, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Former Social Security commissioner Martin OMalley told Iowans Friday the Trump administration and Elon Musks DOGE service have put Social Security at risk  but said the problems facing the program can be easily solved by lawmakers.

OMalley spoke at the Franklin Avenue Library in Des Moines for an event hosted by Fairness for Iowa that was a part of the larger Protect Our Checks movement, advocating for the protection of Social Security, which marked its 90th anniversary Thursday.

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But the future of the program, which provides benefits for retired Americans, people with disabilities and survivors, has become an issue due to financial difficulties forecast for the coming decade. A report released in June from the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare found reserves are likely to be depleted by 2033 for the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund.

Concerns about insolvency existed before the Trump administration. But OMalley, who served as Social Security commissioner during former President Joe Bidens administration, said the problems can be fixed by increasing the payroll tax cap for high earners, and reversing some changes made through the Republican budget reconciliation bill.

OMalley said he believed an inflection point was coming that would shift the current conversation on Social Security. While he said he hopes problems would be fixed sooner, he has a feeling when they actually break Social Security, its going to create an earthquake across the country, and people will realize, Wow, I didnt vote for this. This has gone way too far.'

Democrats and supporters of Social Security need to be ready to step up to fight for the program, he said, pointing to the midterms in 2026 and future elections.

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Theres no magic ingredient to it, but the party needs to be full-throated in its defense of Social Security, OMalley said. If we cant fight and be willing to die on this hill  we shouldnt call ourselves Democrats anymore. And when it does, all of you, by being here and being fully equipped with the truth, can help us turn this ship.

The event, part of a national Win Back Our Country tour, focused on providing information to attendees about Social Security. OMalley presented statistics on Social Security response times and finances from his time in office and from under the Trump administration, which he urged people to reference as they discuss the program with friends and family. He also pushed back against statements made by Trump and Musk about Social Security that he said were lies, like large numbers of deceased individuals or undocumented immigrants receiving benefits through the system.

In Iowa, 687,630 people receive Social Security benefits. OMalley encouraged Iowans to contact their representatives and senators to speak out in favor of the program  and to highlight why the program was important to them and future generations.

Zach Mecham, an entrepreneur and disability rights activist, said Social Security made it possible for him to attend Drake University, start his business and own a house and car.

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When I think about all of the things that Ive been able to do with my life, and I think about young Iowans with disabilities  Im worried for their future, Mecham said. Im worried that they wont have the same supports that I get  not the Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the things that I relied on in order to get where Im at. And I think as Americans that want the American Dream for everyone, we would want these supports for all of the people like me, who just want to make a life better for themselves, or our aging Iowans that have worked their entire life, and now just want to retire in peace. Thats why were all here.

OMalley has spent significant time in Iowa, having run as a Democratic candidate for president during the 2016 election cycle. Though he has said he is not interested in pursuing another run for president, he said he believes a strong Democratic presidential nominee will be an important figure in the fight to preserve Social Security and take on other policies advanced by Trump and Republicans.

He said that while there are Democrats doing important work  pointing to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and to Beto ORourke of Texas  the party is now in an uncomfortable time before the 2026 election and the will likely have to wait for clear leaders to emerge.

The Democratic Party right now is almost like a very agitated, turbulent pool longing to become a flowing river, OMalley said. I think we could really use a midterm to let these national candidates, you know, strut their stuff, articulate their vision and their story. Itll come. I know we all want it to come last week, but I think its very hard right now for any one leader to become the leader of our party.
President Donald Trumps estranged niece, Mary Trump, ripped into her uncles legal history Friday and observed the irony behind his effort to overhaul policing in the nations capital.

The simplest way to look at it is that this is a blatant usurpation of power in a very specific way, Mary Trump told SiriusXM host Dean Obeidallah on his show Friday. What is being done is that the will of D.C. residents is being overturned.

The Trump administration declared a crime emergency on Monday, invoking the D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973 to take over the citys police force and activate 800 National Guard troops. However, the administration reversed course on Friday following a lawsuit and directed local officers to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

The president has also threatened to deploy troops and enact a police takeover in Democrat-run cities like New York City, Baltimore, Chicago and Oakland.

On Saturday, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R), announced he was sending an additional 300 to 400 National Guard members to D.C.

Mary Trump said she is deeply alarmed by her uncles latest power grab.

How is it that Democrats are soft on crime when it is Republicans who are led by one of the most prolific criminals in American history, and somebody who has been found to be an adjudicated rapist, was convicted on 34 felony counts, Mary Trump argued.

Related: Trumps D.C. Police Takeover Is His Latest Made-Up Emergency Power Grab

She went on to call the Republican party fascist before slamming her uncle for having the audacity to claim that the real criminals are the Black and brown people in big liberal cities.

She then accused the administration of committing crimes in service of exercising control in the name of reducing crime.

It is such a scam. It is another in a very long line of scams that theyve got going on, Mary Trump said.

She concluded the segment by suggesting Trumps health is deteriorating.

Hes 79. Hes a deeply unhealthy person, Mary Trump said.Hes under enormous amounts of stress, and hes got serious, serious, untreated psychiatric disorders, plus, God knows what else is going on with his health.

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(FOX40.COM)  The City of Marysville announced that it has promoted one of its own to the position of chief of police.

 Video Above: What happens when you call 911?

Vance Nabeta is set to assume the role of chief of police on Aug. 19. He was formerly the interim chief of police. His law enforcement career began at the Marysville Police Department in 1993. Nabeta worked as a patrol officer, on special task forces, and as a special agent with the California Department of Justice, according to the City of Marysville. He also joined the San Bruno Police Department as a detective in 2012, before retiring in 2020 and then returning to work full-time in Marysville in 2025.

The City of Marysville announced the appointment of the citys new police chief, Vance Nabeta./City of Marysville

Marysville chief of police placed on leave amid loss of fellow officer Osmar Rodarte

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As Chief of Police, my goal is to serve our community with integrity, humility, and a commitment to excellence, Nabeta said. I strive to meet the needs of both our department and our city, while fostering and developing the next generation of leaders who will carry our mission forward.

A lifelong connection to the community fuels his dedication.

Police arrest Yuba City student after bringing gun on campus amid first week of school

I grew up hereattending Kynoch and McKenney, graduating from Marysville High Schooland my heart has always been with Marysville, Nabeta said. This city isnt just where I lived for nearly 30 years, its where I built my life, my friendships, and my roots. Marysville will always be home, and Im humbled to serve the residents as Chief of Police.

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Nabetas appointment comes five months after the death of Marysville police officer Osmar Rodarte who was killed during a massive drug bust on March 26. Nearly two weeks later, the former police chief, Chris Sachs, went on leave and on May 1, he announced his retirement.

The swearing-in ceremony for Nabeta is scheduled for Aug. 19 during the Marysville City Council meeting at 526 C Street.

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Massachusetts is moving toward legalizing social marijuana use at a variety of venues and businesses as the state published proposed regulations for social cannabis consumption on Friday and began accepting public comments.

Regulations would establish three types of licenses for social cannabis consumption: supplemental for dispensaries and other cannabis businesses to offer on-site consumption, hospitality for new or existing non-cannabis businesses, including yoga studios and theater, and event organizer for temporary events like rallies and festivals, the State House News Service reported.

The Secretary of States Office estimates 400 small businesses would be affected, and they will not have to hire additional employees to comply with the proposed regulations, the website states.

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Nick Gamache, who works at a Dracut cannabis dispensary, welcomes the opportunity to smoke marijuana or consume other cannabis products in a social setting.

I look at it like going to the bar. Just instead of getting drunk, youre getting a little high, Gamache said. I think it would bring in a lot more traffic and business to the company, because actually, a lot of people that come in ask if they can consume indoors or outside.

But Linda Norosky told Boston 25 News she would be unhappy if she attended an event where people were smoking marijuana.

I dont like it. Its intrusive, because it stinks, Norosky said. I dont have any problem that they want to do it. Thats their business; Im fine with that. But it intrudes on all of us, because the smell is horrendous.

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Such input will be considered by the Cannabis Control Commission as they work toward finalizing regulations.

The CCC will hold a public hearing on Sept. 8, at its Worcester office.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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PAIA, Maui (KHON2)  Its being called a profound tragedy thats left the Maui Police Department heartbroken. An officer was shot and killed in the line of duty Friday night, the first shooting death of an officer on the island in nearly 70 years.

Honolulu Peeping Tom arrested: Allegations, charges

A day later, all the evidence is gone from a deadly shooting at the Paia Sugar Mill. But healing will take time.

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Our department is hurting bad, said Lt. Nick Crau, SHOPO Maui Chapter Chair. Were all hurting real bad, but were not broken.

Maui Police say Officer Suzanne O was shot and killed Friday night responding to a terroristic threatening call. Police say an unknown individual trespassed onto the property and started shooting, including at the responding officers. They say O was hit and died from her injuries.

Were a smaller department and were a smaller community and we really do genuinely care about each other and, you know, we live and die for each other, said Crau.

Anytime a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty, everybody takes pause and just feels sad that such a tragedy has to occur, said Retired Maj. Kurt Kendro, Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation President.

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In a statement, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said we grieve MPDs incomprehensible loss, calling O a true hero who dedicated her life to serving others with courage and honor.

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O was a five-year veteran on the force. Officials say she was praised for her professionalism, courtesy, and tact. She was even honored for her work during the Lahaina wildfire.

Just an incredible person, said Crau. She just had such a big heart, such a beautiful smile, such a happy person and always willing to help people. She loved serving the community and helping people.

This is just another example of how law enforcement officers are out there every single day protecting our community, and in an instant, a life can be taken, said Kendro.

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SHOPO leaders say it takes a special person to be a police officer because at times, it can feel like a thankless job.

Youre out there serving, risking your life for people who half the time dont even like you, a lot of times they dont like you, said Crau. They dont care about you, they could, you know, they dont like us, but we will be out there risking our lives for them every single day.

So theyre asking for support from the community, as they mourn the loss of someone who always supported the community.

She served her community better than anyone could possibly serve their community, said Crau. And she died for the community. And please dont ever forget her.

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Maui police say the suspect was shot by responding officers. The suspect is in police custody and is receiving medical treatment. Charges are pending.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Maui police said one of their officers was fatally shot Friday evening.

The Maui Police Department is deeply saddened to confirm that earlier this evening, one of our officers was fatally injured in an officer-involved shooting,  MPD officials after 10 p.m..

The suspect is in custody, they said.

This is a tragic loss for our department and our community,  MPD said. Out of respect for the officers family and loved ones, we are not releasing further details at this time.

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Police said more information will be shared at a later date.

We ask for the communitys patience and support as we work through this difficult time together,  MPD said in the post.

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier told Hawaii News Now that a sister officer  who was responding to an illegal shooting  call in Paia was shot in the chest and that the suspect was shot in the hip.

The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers said in a statement, a Maui police officer put on their police uniform today to start their shift, protecting the lives of the public. That officer did not finish their shift ; their life was stolen, cut way too short.

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Tonight, a family is overcome with grief, a grief that will never totally leave them. The hearts of Maui police officers break as a fellow officer, their friend, a friend who does the very same job they do every day, did not go home. The 2, 700 sworn men and women of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers stand strong beside our brother and sister officers of the Maui Police Department. Too many of us have been here before. Our hearts and our prayers are with our officers family ; they will forever be part of our SHOPO family, a family that will not let the memory of their loved one fade or their ultimate sacrifice be made in vain.

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The mayor of New Orleans had been treating her bodyguard to trips on the taxpayers dime during their years-long affair, a new federal grand jury indictment alleges.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted on Friday resulting from a corruption investigation.

Cantrells lawyer confirmed to The Associated Press that an indictment was returned, and her name was read aloud by a federal magistrate judge as a defendant. She has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and making false statements and false declaration before a grand jury, according to the indictment.

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The city of New Orleans told NBC News it will have no comment on the indictment until the mayors legal team has time to review the indictments.

The Mayors attorney, Eddie Castaing, recently received the information, and is thoroughly reviewing the document, the statement said. Until his review is complete, the City will not comment further on this matter.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted by a federal grand jury in a corruption case that alleges she was carrying on an inappropriate relationship with her taxpayer-funded bodyguard and using city money for their dates. She has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements and false declaration before a grand jury ( 2024 The Advocate)

The indictment is the culmination of a long-running federal investigation into Cantrell, the first female mayor in the Citys 300-year history.

Prosecutors allege that Cantrell was having a romantic relationship with New Orleans Police Officer Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, who is on the departments executive protection unit. That relationship allegedly occurred between 2021 and 2024.

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Cantrell was married during the period of the alleged affair to attorney Jason Cantrell. He died in August 2023.

To hide their relations from detection and to maximize their time together, Cantrell and Vappie exploited their public positions to develop and implement a scheme to defraud the city of New Orleans and the New Orleans Police Department by engaging in personal activities while Vappie claimed to be on duty and was paid for, the indictment says.

They further claimed that the pair had exchanged some 15,000 messages, photos, and audio clips on WhatsApp over an eight-month period. The investigators also allege that Cantrell and Vappie were using the app to intimidate their subordinates and hide evidence.

Vappie and Cantrell traveled together on 14 trips in eight months, several of which were romantic vacations under the pretense of work trips, according to prosecutors.

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In total, the city spent $70,000 to sent Vappie along with the mayor on her trips  which in some cases included visits to wine tastings  the prosecutors claimed.

Vappie was initially charged with wire fraud and making false statements. He has pleaded not guilty. Cantrell was added to the case after an investigation into Vappies actions.

If the pair are convicted, both could go to prison, though for how long varies based on the indictment. Some indictments carry a five-year penalty, and others could put them away for up to 20.

The term-limited Democratic mayor will leave office in January.
Linda Marticek has lived in a quiet area of Ridgewood in Bergen County for 79 years. She has grown up, gotten married and raised her children there. She says she would now like to enjoy her peaceful property and quiet life, but a 40 foot tall billboard is threatening that.

Outfront Media LLC, a digital advertising company that supplies large electronic billboards along highways, is suing the town of Ridgewood in Superior Court in Bergen County over a denied attempt to place a billboard on Route 17.

Its one of 24 lawsuits the media company is involved with in New Jersey.

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According to long-time residents Maricek and Madeline Lynne Canzani, the site of the billboard would disrupt a suburban area of the town and would be within feet of a historic church, cemetery and Marticeks home.

The lawsuit, filed in January, comes after the zoning board voted in 2021 against the placement of the billboard on a property where ordinances prevented such signage.

Residents were outspoken about the topic at zoning board meetings, citing multiple reasons for not wanting the 40-foot-tall sign in their neighborhood.

Additionally, Ridgewood argued that the billboard goes against the towns master plan.

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The Route 17 corridor in the vicinity of Valleau Cemetery, the Schedler Property, and the Old Paramus Reformed Church is an important part of the Villages history, the towns master plan states. The views associated with these sensitive properties should be protected from out of scale visual intrusion. Developments that would be out of scale with the existing built environment along the developed portions of the Route 17 corridor should be restricted. Among possible intrusions that should be regulated include billboards, power lines, poorly designed and inappropriately located buildings, and inadequately screened unsightly land uses.

As stated, the proposed billboard site is just feet from the historic Old Paramus Reformed Church and next to an active cemetery where families visit loved ones.

The significance and the meaning of them will be greatly diminished by having this huge lit up behemoth, said Marticek.

Outfront said it had a valid sign permit from the N.J. Department of Transportation when it filed an application for the single pole, double-faced LED sign in April 2021.

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In a written complaint filed on Jan. 29, Outfront states that Ridgewood denied the placement of the billboard for arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable reasons. They also listed abuse of discretion, unsupported resolution, duty to turn square corners, meaning they did not adhere to all legal requirements and formalities, and cumulative error as other reasons for the lawsuit.

Outfront says they provided expert testimonies in the areas of engineering, traffic engineering and land planning. According to the complaint, the experts contested that the billboard would not be a distraction or disturbance to residents or drivers on Route 17. They also argued that the billboard would positively impact downtown businesses.

Ridgewood responded in March, denying most of the claims made by Outfront.

Outfront has ongoing lawsuits with other New Jersey towns such as Fort Lee, Ridgefield Park and Red Bank. Since 2015, Outfront has been involved in 24 lawsuits within the state according to the New Jersey eCourts system, 20 of which they have filed.

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In my personal opinion, theyre like spoiled children now, said Marticek.

Canzani and Marticek are against the billboard because they do not want to see Ridgewood urbanized, are worried about the type of advertisements that may be displayed, and are concerned about the safety hazards it poses to drivers.

Theyre trying to reach somebody driving down Route 17 at 55 miles an hour. You really think that thats a great place to put up messages? said Canzani who has lived in Ridgewood for 50 years.

Theyre basically just doing a David and Goliath thing. Were bigger than you. We have deeper pockets than you, said Canzani.

Attorneys for Outfront Media declined to comment due to ongoing litigation.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Paige Britt may be reached at pbritt@njadvancemedia.com.
The summit between US and Russian leaders Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is proof that military operations and diplomatic means to end the Ukraine war can occur simultaneously, according to Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev.

"The meeting showed negotiations are possible without preconditions and at the same time as the continuation of the special military operation," Medvedev wrote on Telegram on Saturday, using Russia's official wording for the war waged on its neighbour since 2022.

Above all, the sides made it clear at the talks in Alaska that it is primarily up to Ukraine and the Europeans to bring an end to the fighting, stated Medvedev, who is the deputy head of Russias National Security Council.

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Praising Friday's summit as a success for Russia, he said a fully-fledged mechanism for contacts at the highest state level had been created calmly and without ultimatums.

Putin had outlined Russia's conditions for ending the war at the meeting, Medvedev went on.

As a result, the US had not put any further pressure on Russia, at least for the time being, he noted.
The Nassau County Sheriffs Office has introduced K9 Max, a firearm detection dog, to schools in the Nassau County School District as a new security measure.

K9 Max, a one-year-old Fox Red Labrador, is trained to detect firearms, track humans, and search for articles, enhancing the safety protocols within the schools.

Our main focus is to make sure that our teachers, students, and schools are as safe as possible, Sheriff Bill Leeper said.

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K9 Max, who joined the Nassau County Sheriffs Office from West Virginia, was deployed to the schools as part of a partnership between the sheriffs office and the Nassau County School District.

School Resource Officer Brandon Griffith, K9 Maxs handler, emphasized the importance of the canine unit in maintaining school safety, stating, As school resource officers, our primary duty is making sure the students and staff are safe, and K9 Max is another tool in the arsenal.

During the summer break, K9 Max and Deputy Griffith underwent extensive training to prepare for the school year.

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This marks Deputy Griffiths third year at Yulee Middle School, but with K9 Max, he will be visiting other schools in the district as well.

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K9 Max is not only skilled in firearm detection but also enjoys interacting with students and staff, adding a friendly presence to the school environment.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., (WJHL)  The Meet the Mountains Festival kicked off its seventh year Friday evening at Winged Deer Park.

The event features activities like kayaking, ziplining, live music and a dog splash contest. The event encourages community members from near and far to partake in the fun of the great outdoors.

Executive Director of Visit Johnson City, Brenda Whitmore, said the beauty of East Tennessee inspired the festival.

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I think the fact that we have so much natural outdoors and the beauty of our region, she said. All of the mountains and then the natural assets like the lakes and bike trails. You look at Buffalo Mountain Park. All of those things that we really needed to showcase to people that may not have ever been here before.

Kingsport man invents SmartFlag, which automatically moves flags between full and half-staff

The festival also features dozens of vendors and food options.

Ally McElroy, owner of Soluna Sage Yoga Studio, will host a yoga session at the festival on Saturday morning. She said the environment is essential to her practice.

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One thing I love about our space were in right now is that we have the ability to create the indoor-outdoor experience within our studio, she said. We love to be able to open our garage door and open the front doors while we practice, so you get the elements of the weather. We get it while we practice, which is really cool.

Whitmore added that its an opportunity for people to learn about wilderness safety and caring for the environment.

We feel its important to talk about how we can compost, how we can make sure that when were doing events or when we go camping or when were out in the woods, that we leave it with no trace behind, so nobody knows youve been there, Whitmore said. Thats really important.

The festival is free and open to the community. It will continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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We just encourage people to come out and enjoy this wonderful, free festival, she said. Its for people of all ages, so its a great opportunity to just bring your family and have a great evening.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
As a mixed-race lesbian, 17-year-old Violet C. regularly uses her voice as an artist, activist, and filmmaker to combat hate and discrimination, as well as encourage others to practice self-love and embrace their own identities.

Ive always really loved storytelling, the Los Angeles-based Violet says. When I discovered I was queer at a very young age, the YouTube film community was a huge kind of anchor for me, which inspired me to go more into film. But I also think just generally, Ive always had a love of movies.

She adds that her interest in film began with outings with her family.

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When you love something, you want to contribute to it, she explains. And I think that also kind of applies to the whole queer community.  I think that the idea that anybody can make something and it can be seen by so many people is so beautiful.

Violets journey as an activist has already led her to some great opportunities  including being an ambassador for the Asian American and Pacific Islander organization Make Noise Today, president of her schools AAPI club, a feminist force within her Girl Scout Troop, and a content creator with the L.A.-based organization GetLit!.

If that werent enough, Violet was recently selected to be an ambassador for the Youth Voices program at It Gets Better, an international nonprofit dedicated to uplifting, empowering, and connecting LGBTQ+ youth.

Violet is equally passionate about advocating for and educating others about AAPI communities.

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When I moved to the art school that Im currently at, I left like a very predominantly Asian community. And obviously it was great being part of a more diverse community, but at the same time, I definitely was feeling like a lot of my identity as a Chinese American was being neglected, she says. So, I joined my local AAPI club [and] started planning things like Lunar New Years at my school.

Im specifically Hakka, or Chinese Jamaican, explains Violet, who is also part Irish American. Im not ethnically Jamaican, but theres a large group of Chinese people whove lived in Jamaica for generations. My dads an immigrant from Jamaica.  The Asian community is so diverse, but its so underrepresented.

Through her work with Make Noise Today, she says, I wanted to share stories of people who werent just from the mainland or who werent just from Asia, and instead were affected by things like diaspora.

Outside of activism and advocacy work, Violet says she enjoys writing screenplays (especially horror), playing electric bass and guitar, and hanging out with her cat, Pepe.

This article is part of The Advocate's July/Aug 2025 issue, on newsstands now. Support queer media and subscribe  or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Meet the young L.A. activist fighting for LGBTQ+ and AAPI people's rights

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President Donald Trump hand-delivered a letter from his wife, Melania, to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the peace summit in Alaska.

White House officials revealed that the note voiced concerns over reports of children being forcibly removed from occupied Ukrainian territories, the New York Post reported.

Russian forces have abducted tens of thousands of Ukrainian children since the launch of Putins full-scale invasion in February 2022, with many of them later adopted by Russian families or placed in detention camps.

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Melania Trump is a native of Slovenia, a former communist country in Southern Europe that has maintained hostile relations with Russia over the Kremlins ongoing invasion. Her recent letter is not the first time she has interceded on Ukraines behalf.

Melania Trump has written a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin raising concerns about children abducted from Ukraine by Russian forces. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

The first lady helped convince Trump to increase military support for Ukraine and that Putin has not negotiated in good faith.

I go home, I tell the first lady, You know, I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation, Trump said at a press conference in July. She said, Oh, really? Another [Ukrainian] city was just hit.

The Kremlin claims it has taken Ukrainian children to protect them from the conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC), meanwhile, has indicted Putin and Russias commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for allegedly violating the Geneva Conventions.

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The United States is not a signatory to the ICC. Unlike the courts 124 member countries, it is therefore not obligated to arrest the Russian president if he sets foot on American soil.

Critics have slammed Trump for what's perceived as a lack of progress during his meeting with Putin on talks to end the war in Ukraine. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

Ahead of the summit in Alaska, Trump had expressed optimism about securing a ceasefire between the warring Eastern European countries.

I think were pretty close to a deal, Trump told reporters.

In the end, no formal arrangement was reached. Trump and Putin took no questions at their subsequent press conference, which lasted a matter of minutes, with critics warning Putin had successfully used the meeting as a means of stalling further U.S. sanctions over the conflict and that its highly ceremonial optics had only served to legitimize the Russian presidents standing on the world stage.

The summit comes after a disastrous meeting between Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Putin on Wednesday, where Witkoff mistook the Russian presidents proposal for Ukraines peaceful withdrawal from Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as a proposed concession for Russia to pull back its troops in the regions.
By Steve Holland

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's wife, Melania Trump, raised the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia in a personal letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, two White House officials said on Friday.

President Trump hand-delivered the letter to Putin during their summit talks in Alaska, the officials told Reuters. Slovenian-born Melania Trump was not on the trip to Alaska.

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The officials would not divulge the contents of the letter other than to say it mentioned the abductions of children resulting from the war in Ukraine.

The existence of the letter was not previously reported.

Russia's seizure of Ukrainian children has been a deeply sensitive one for Ukraine.

Ukraine has called the abductions of tens of thousands of its children taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family or guardians a war crime that meets the U.N. treaty definition of genocide.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy conveyed his gratitude to the first lady on his call with Trump on Saturday, Ukraine's foreign minister said.

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"This is a true act of humanism," Andrii Sybiha added on X.

Previously Moscow has said it has been protecting vulnerable children from a war zone.

The United Nations Human Rights Office has said Russia has inflicted suffering on millions of Ukrainian children and violated their rights since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump and Putin met for nearly three hours at a U.S. military base in Anchorage without reaching a ceasefire deal in the war in Ukraine.

(Reporting By Steve Holland, additional reporting Yuliia Dysa, Editing by Trevor Hunnicutt, Sam Holmes and Sharon Singleton)
US First Lady Melania Trump has raised the issue of Ukrainian children in Russia in a personal letter to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: Reuters, citing two White House officials

Details: The officials said that US President Donald Trump had personally delivered the letter to Putin during their talks in Alaska.

Melania herself did not participate in the trip to Alaska.

The officials did not disclose the contents of the letter, other than that it mentioned the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia.

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Reuters emphasised that Russias abduction of Ukrainian children is an extremely sensitive issue for Ukraine.

Kyiv has called the abduction of tens of thousands of its children, taken to Russia or temporarily occupied territories without the consent of their families or guardians, a war crime that falls under the UN definition of genocide.

Earlier, Moscow claimed that it was "protecting vulnerable children from a war zone".

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said that Russia has caused suffering to millions of Ukrainian children and violated their rights since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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Melania Trump has sent a private letter to Vladimir Putin about the plight of abducted Ukrainian children, it has been revealed.

The note was hand-delivered to the Russian leader by her husband, Donald Trump, as the two sat down for peace talks in Alaska on Friday night.

While the specific contents of the letter have not been made public and Mrs Trump was not on the trip, two White House officials told Reuters that she had written a message for Putin.

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Russias abduction of Ukrainian children has been one of the most important issues for Ukraine since the war began.

It is not clear exactly how many children are still missing but a report from the Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, said nearly 19,500 children had been deported to Russia.

Kyiv has called the abductions a war crime and genocide under a definition by the United Nations.

Moscow said previously it had been protecting children from a war zone.

In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of war crimes, including abducting Ukrainian children.

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Mr Trump revealed earlier this year that his wife had been influential in pushing him to secure peace in Ukraine.

Wonderful conversation

My conversations with him [Putin] are always very pleasant. I say, isnt that a very lovely conversation? And then the missiles go off that night, Mr Trump said at the White House last month.

I go home, I tell the first lady: I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation. She said: Really? Another city was just hit.

The Slovenian-born first lady, who grew up in the former Yugoslavia, has been supportive of Ukraine since Putin launched his invasion in 2022.

Shortly after the war started, she called on her social media followers to donate to the Red Cross and said it was heartbreaking and horrific to see innocent people suffering.

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Ukrainians and some US Republicans have praised her for seemingly influencing Mr Trump to push Putin for peace.

Well, Im glad that the president has pivoted on Ukraine, Don Bacon, a Republican Congressman, said in an interview after the president threatened to impose secondary sanctions on Russia last month.

I think we owe Melania some thanks here. Even the president said that his wife reminds him every day that Russia is bombing Ukrainian cities every night, he continued.

The talks between the two leaders in Alaska lasted for nearly three hours, but failed to secure a ceasefire.

Theres no deal until theres a deal, Mr Trump said.

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Editor's Note: This article was updated with additional details after U.S. President Donald Trump published the letter to social media on Aug. 17.

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children as he arrived in Alaska to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, Reuters reported on Aug. 16.



Trump handed the letter to Putin during the two leaders' nearly three-hour meeting on Aug. 15, two White House officials told Reuters. While the officials did not specify the letter's contents, they said it raised the plight of Russia kidnapping Ukrainian children.

Trump later published the full letter to his social media platform Truth Social on Aug. 17 in response to criticism of his meeting with Putin.

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"Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their hearts, whether born randomly into a nation's rustic countryside or a magnificent city-center. They dream of love, possibility and safety from danger," the letter begins.

The letter does not specifically mention returning deported Ukrainian children. Neither Ukraine nor the war are mentioned directly; instead, the letter appeals to Putin to protect the innocence of children and alludes to a future peace deal.

"Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter ... with a stroke of the pen today."

A letter from U.S. First Lady Melania Trump delivered to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Alaska Summit on Aug. 15, 2025. (Donald Trump / Truth Social)



Trump posted the letter after a series of posts lashing out at the media and U.S. Democrats for criticism of his meeting with Putin, which did not result in a peace deal and saw Trump immediately backpedaling his promises to ensure a ceasefire.

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Melania Trump did not attend the summit, during which the U.S. rolled out the red carpet for the Russian dictator. Trump said he and Putin agreed on many points, but that there was still a way to go before reaching a peace deal in Ukraine.

The First Lady is an immigrant from Slovenia who was born in former Communist Yugoslavia. According to President Trump, she drew his attention to Russia's intensifying campaign of missile attacks in summer 2025.



Ukraine has identified more than 19,500 children abducted by Russia during the full-scale war and forcibly transferred to Russia, the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, or Belarus. Only 1,509 have been brought back home.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin and his Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for kidnapping Ukrainian children.

The U.S. is not part of the ICC and wasn't obliged to arrest Putin during his visit.



Ukrainian officials estimate the real figure of abducted children could be far higher than the confirmed nearly 20,000. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets puts the number at up to 150,000, while Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Daria Herasymchuk has given a range of 200,000300,000.



During their time in Russia, the children are placed in Russian families or camps, often undergo military training, and are subjected to intense propaganda designed to erase their Ukrainian identity. Those who have returned report being punished for speaking Ukrainian and told that their homeland no longer wants them.



Russian occupation authorities in Ukraine created an online "catalog" where children are offered up for adoption while sorted based on physical traits like eye or hair color. The practice is child trafficking, said the head of Ukrainian NGO Save Ukraine, Mykola Kuleba.

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Ukraine has repeatedly said that the return of its abducted children must be part of any peace agreement with Russia.

Read also: As Russia trains abducted children for war, Ukraine fights uphill battle to bring them home

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NEED TO KNOW

Melania Trump wrote a personal letter to Vladimir Putin

President Donald Trump hand-delivered the letter during his Alaska summit with the Russian president

The two world leaders sat down together in Anchorage on Aug. 15 to discuss the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine

Melania Trump wrote a personal letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin that her husband, President Donald Trump, hand-delivered during the Alaska summit.

In her letter, the first lady, 55, addressed the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia, two White House officials said, per Reuters. Donald, 79, gave the letter to Putin, 72, during their sit-down in Alaska, which took place on Friday, Aug. 15, at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.

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Melania was not on the trip.

According to Reuters, the White House officials did not reveal the contents of the first lady's letter other than to say it mentioned the abductions of children amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Following Friday's nearly three-hour meeting, Donald announced that he failed to secure an agreement from Putin to end the war.

Theres no deal until theres a deal, Donald said, after Putin claimed the two world leaders had reached "an understanding," per the Associated Press.

Donald also said he planned to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders on the talks with Putin.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump arrive in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025 Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump arrive in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025

Donald offered mixed messages about the meeting earlier in the week. After announcing the recipients of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, the president began a political press conference in which he told reporters that there would be "consequences" if Putin refused to stop the war in Ukraine after their meeting on Friday.

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"I don't have to say [what they are]," the president said, "but there will be very severe consequences, yes."

However, when later pressed by another reporter if he thought he could convince Putin to stop targeting civilians in Ukraine, he admitted, "The answer is no."

"I've had a lot of good conversations with him. Then I go home and I see that a rocket hit a nursing home or a rocket hit an apartment building and people are lying dead in the streets," Donald said.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Earlier this month, Donald posted on social media that he had repositioned two nuclear submarines in relation to Russia after an online back-and-forth with Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president who is now the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

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Following Donald's July 28 statement about cutting Putin's deadline to reach a peace deal with Ukraine, Medvedev wrote on X that "Trump's playing the ultimatum game with Russia."

Andrew Harnik/Getty Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump meet in Alaska on Aug. 15, 2025 Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump meet in Alaska on Aug. 15, 2025

"50 days or 10 He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn't Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don't go down the Sleepy Joe road," he wrote, referring to former U.S. President Joe Biden.

Donald replied on Truth Social, writing, "Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev... I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that. Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances."

Donald's failure to bring an end to the deadly conflict between Russia and Ukraine has forced him to walk back certain statements he made during his 2024 presidential campaign.

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.

In March of this year, ahead of a scheduled call with Putin, the president was asked about his campaign promise that he would end the war within 24 hours of taking office.

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Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that, Donald said in an interview on Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson. What I really mean is Id like to get it settled and... I think Ill be successful.



Read the original article on People
Despite the dearth of immediate results from Friday's Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sees grounds for cautious optimism for Ukraine's future security.

"An agreement is still complicated but finally possible, especially following the stalemate that has existed for many months along the front line," Meloni said in a statement posted on X on Saturday.

Trump earlier informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies including Meloni about his high-profile meeting with Putin in Anchorage.

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Robust security guarantees are now crucial to prevent new Russian attacks, Meloni said.

"Only robust and credible guarantees in this regard can prevent new wars and aggression," she stressed.

To this end, Trump had taken up Italy's idea of a collective security clause modelled on Article 5 of the NATO treaty, according to Meloni.

This would enable Ukraine to count on the support of all its partners, including the United States, who would be ready to take action in the event of a renewed attack.

"The European states continue to stand united behind Ukraine in this phase of negotiations," said the prime minister.

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The path to peace is not easy, but it is important that it has been taken, wrote Meloni.

"A glimmer of hope has finally opened for peace talks in Ukraine."

Three and a half years after Putin ordered a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, Meloni also reiterated that only Kiev can negotiate the terms and its territory.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A 10-year-old Memphis boys dream of becoming a pilot soared to new heights after Southwest Airlines teamed up with Make-A-Wish to give him the experience of a lifetime.

Judah, an aviation enthusiast, wished to be a pilot for a day. Southwest Airlines made it happen  starting at his home airport in Memphis.

His journey began aboard a special flight on Tennessee One, the airlines tribute plane to the Volunteer State.

Southwest Airlines hosts Make-A-Wish kid, Judah Southwest Airlines hosts Make-A-Wish kid, Judah Southwest Airlines hosts Make-A-Wish kid, Judah

Once in Dallas, Judah and his family were welcomed with VIP treatment  including a limousine ride to Southwests headquarters.

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Dressed in his very own captains uniform, Judah explored the airlines flight simulators, the Network Operations Control Center, the Southwest Archives, and the Tech Ops hangar.

He even got to fly for hours in a simulator alongside Captain Kristofer.

The second day brought more surprises. With an official police escort from the City of Dallas Police Department, Judah headed to Dallas Love Field for a behind-the-scenes look at ground operations. He toured the air traffic control tower, visited the Southwest Command Center, and learned what keeps planes running from takeoff to landing.

There wasnt anything we didnt see, said Judahs father, Micah.

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Along the way, Judah collected Southwest memorabilia  including a signed Tennessee One poster, a personalized aircraft yoke, and other keepsakes he plans to display in his room.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Police are cracking down on repeat offenders with two initiatives aimed at repeat offenders committing aggravated assaults.

The department said its already getting results since January, and aggravated assaults are down 16%.

I was a prosecutor before working for Memphis Police Department, and the volume of cases that come through the courts every day is extreme, said Investigative Counsel Forrest Edwards of the Memphis Police Department.

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Man allegedly assaults sister, points gun at her over ice cream

Edwards said the Aggravated Assault Initiative launched in March, and the Domestic Violence Prolific Offender Initiative was formed in January to streamline the process of securing convictions for those who repeatedly break the law.

The aggravated assault prolific offender initiative identifies and disseminates relevant information to a multitude of our state and federal partners instantaneously, said Edwards.

Martavian Smith, 31, was arrested earlier this week after an auto theft task force investigation.

Police said he was caught allegedly driving recklessly, and officers found Smith had a criminal history when searching his name.

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Smith was actually out on bond at that time for aggravated robbery and had just served a prison sentence for attempted murder and aggravated assault, so MPD based on this initiative already knew he was one of our most prolific offenders, said Edwards.

Memphis mom charged after guns, drugs, machine gun switch found in home

I would say that with this initiative, its driving our domestic violence crimes down, said Second Lieutenant Benjamin Taylor of the Memphis Police Department.

Taylor said domestic violence accounts for about 30% of aggravated assaults since the program started; these offenses are down by 8%.

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What its going to continue to do is help these survivors know there is a way out for domestic violence, said Second Lieutenant Taylor.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday informed his Cabinet about the prospects for ending the Ukraine war following talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, government sources said.

Trump had already briefed his European partners about the content of his meeting with the head of the Kremlin in the city of Anchorage.

Following that call, Merz invited the group of European leaders to a debriefing at which they agreed upon a common line in the peace process for Ukraine.

The German chancellor then informed the Cabinet in Berlin, according to the sources.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is optimistic that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting on Monday at the White House will not go the way the last one did.

An extraordinary, unprecedented scene unfolded at that meeting at the end of February, in which US President Donald Trump repeatedly cut off Zelensky, his Vice President JD Vance questioned whether the Ukrainian leader had ever thanked the United States for its help and the meeting was abruptly canceled, with Zelensky leaving the White House.

Merz told broadcasters RTL/ntv on Saturday that he does not believe Trump will humiliate Zelensky again and noted that European leaders would give Zelensky "a few good pieces of advice" during a meeting with the Ukrainian leader this Sunday.

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"He has also seen that my meeting with Donald Trump went very differently from his. We have already discussed this in detail."

Overall Merz drew a positive conclusion from the Alaska summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"This summit can be a success on the path to peace in Ukraine, provided the right steps are now taken," he said, referring to Trump's planned Monday meeting with Zelensky.

This is to be followed by a trilateral meeting with Putin, although the time and place for this have yet to be determined. The Russian side said a trilateral meeting was not discussed in Alaska.

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"This is a good path, but it will still be arduous. And I think we must all not underestimate that," Merz said.

Since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine in February 2022, the German government has repeatedly been called upon to make every effort to achieve a diplomatic solution. Merz said he had always agreed with this. However, such a diplomatic solution must also be achieved in line with Ukraine's statehood and sovereignty.

"And we are now a small step closer to that," he said.
Aug. 15LOS LUNAS  Richard Lewis will be released from prison in two weeks after a four-year bid for forging treasury bonds. In that time, he's earned nearly half of the credits he needs for a college degree.

Now, Lewis will have to be in a classroom for less than a year to get a college degree, and said he owes his progress to an educational program run by the New Mexico Corrections Department.

"I just got two A's yesterday, and I graduated (this semester) with a B+," he said. "Every semester I got better and better, and now I feel good about where I'm at."

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NMCD recently reported the highest number of high school equivalency graduates in state prisons for the third year in a row. Including Lewis, 266 inmates got their high school diploma in prisons across New Mexico, according to NMCD. Additionally, 51 received post-secondary degrees and certificates.

NMCD houses nearly 5,800 inmates, and 1,600 participated in adult education programs this year, according to NMCD spokesperson Brittany Roembach.

"A high school education is essential for securing gainful employment and reducing recidivism," said NMCD Cabinet Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero. "This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our Reentry Division staff, including our outstanding educators and facility teams."

NMCD did not provide data on recidivism rates for those who earn their diplomas behind bars.

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In fiscal year 2025, NMCD invested roughly $5 million in education, behavioral health and reentry programs, Roembach said.

All inmates  including those with violent charges or life sentences  are eligible to participate in education programs, with the hope that those who will reenter society after release will have an easier transition and will stay on course with their rehabilitation.

"For certain career technical courses, such as the new Certified Peer Support Worker program, NMCD is actively seeking long-term inmates to become certified, which would enable them to assist their peers during their time in the system," Roembach said.

The department handpicked Lewis and another inmate from the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas to speak with the Journal. Before being charged with forgery, Lewis said he was a certified welder.

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At 63-years-old, he wasn't sure what he would do for work when he left prison.

"I'm older, so physical stuff is a little harder," Lewis said. "With this degree, I can find a job in something else."

With college credits and a newfound hope, Lewis said he planned to pursue a degree in public health with the goal of helping other inmates. Lewis is aiming to complete his degree within the next year.

Employees at the prison go through each inmate's history to verify their education, and inmates who did not complete a high school education are required to go through the program, according to Hope Benavidez, unit manager at CNMCF.

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Jacob Velasquez said he was a truck driver before he was sentenced to nine years for stealing oil equipment from his former job site. Before prison, Velasquez had dropped out of high school because he suffered from a drug addiction.

Velasquez has three months left in prison before he will be released, and plans to return to truck driving. NMCD will help him complete a course to get his commercial driver's license again.

"I dropped out my junior year, and after that, the only schooling I did was the truck driving school," Velasquez said.

A GED is not required for truck driving, but Velasquez said it's still nice to have, especially because many employers want some form of education for their employees. He said it also helps pass the time in prison, and it gives him a backup if he decides to pursue a new career later down the line.

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Inmates who are released from prison receive continuum care, including health professionals, housing providers and community resource organizations. Inmates on parole are required to continue their education and seek employment, Roembach said.

"Many individuals on supervision attend community colleges and higher learning institutions statewide, with encouragement from their probation and parole officers to complete their education," she said. "NMCD also utilizes peer facilitators to support offenders in accessing programs, services, and educational opportunities, providing an additional layer of encouragement."
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE)  For the third year in a row, the state is seeing more inmates improving themselves while in prison by going back to school.

I got my [GED] in December, said Jacob Velasquez, an inmate at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility (CNMCF).

Ive been in that college program for about three years now, said Richard Lewis, another inmate.

Story continues below

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Jacob Velasquez and Richard Lewi are two men counting down the days until they are released. Velasquez will be out in the next three months, Lewis in two weeks. Both are leaving with more than they came into prison with, an education. At first it was hard, and then I just worked my way through it, and now I probably end up going to college after my release as well, said Lewis.

For one hour a day, four days a week, inmates who dont have a high school diploma or a GED are required to go to classes and obtain one before their release, no matter how long it takes. And even though its mandatory, more inmates have been eager to complete it and move up into college programs. Our inmate population is determined, excited, motivated. Theyre looking forward to opportunities that theyve never had before with this leadership and guidance, said Jessica Vigil-Richards, Warden of CNMCF

Three years ago, the number of inmates graduating with their high school equivalent certification was 184. Last fiscal year, it jumped to 266. Its giving an opportunity theyve never had before to leave with a post-secondary degree or leave with a trade certification that they can leave out and actually go to work, said Byron Brown, Director of Reentry for the New Mexico Corrections Department.

Instructors say that although these inmates missed out on their high school education They prove its never too late. You know, they get excited when some of the vocational programs come along. And so to be able to participate in those, a lot of times they have to complete their GED, said Marsha Clines, an educator at CNMCF.

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The education programs here are very important if you ask me. So, whether you want to, for whatever reason, but I believe these education programs are very important, said Lewis.

The New Mexico Corrections Department said that they are looking to expand as well as offer more programs for other college courses.

The courses are offered in collaboration with the states Higher Education Department. Higher Ed said they also had 51 students receive postsecondary degrees and certificates last year.

The New Mexico Higher Education Department is a proud partner and supporter of the Reentry Division at the New Mexico Corrections Department, which administers one of the largest state-funded adult education programs. Our partner agency not only surpassed the states annual target for graduates, these students achieved the highest number of high school equivalency credentials in any of our funded programs. Both of our departments support post-release employment success among students in correctional facilities. Additionally, students earned 51 postsecondary degrees and certificates last year  including 25 associate degrees, five bachelors degrees, one masters degree and 20 vocational certificates. In the New Mexico Corrections Departments adult education programs, we are supporting the development of integrated education and training programs that lead to industry-recognized job credentials. By empowering every student, no matter where they are in their journey, we help them achieve their goals and strengthen New Mexico communities. Their dedication and resilience in seeking educational pathways are reminders that adult education is an important resource for all New Mexicans. Stephanie M. Rodriguez, New Mexico Higher Education Secretary

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A New Mexico State University (NMSU) psychology professor was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Teaching of Psychology award for his leadership and dedication to the field and his students.

Andrew Conway, who is also the department head for psychology at the university, was honored with the award from the American Psychological Associations Board of Educational Affairs, according to the news release by NMSU.

Conway teaches graduate-level statistics.

The Outstanding Graduate Teaching of Psychology recognition is awarded to a graduate professor whose teaching exemplifies psychology as a core scientific discipline in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, read the news release.

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Graduate students come in fearing statistics the most. But to me, its the most important thing in our field. It helps you understand how to think, and how to make decisions about whats true and whats not, Conway said.

Conway has been teaching for 25 years at four different universities. In both the classroom and the lab, Conway prioritizes the needs of his students.

What Ive learned with my graduate students is the extent of individual differences, Conway said. You have to assess each person and look at their strengths and weaknesses.

The thing that makes Dr. Conway stick out is that he meets students where they are, Andrew Villalobos said, who took statistics as an undergraduate and later worked in his lab. Even though hes a cognitive scientist, he takes the time to relate the lesson back to other areas that students might be studying so that they can have a better understanding. He makes you feel very safe to ask anything.

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Conway hopes that he has provided his students with the skills, knowledge and ideas that will carry on into their careers.

Thats what I see higher education as, Conway said. This is community, this is academia.

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MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  A Midland man was arrested after authorities said they found multiple drugs and firearms during a search warrant in east Midland.

According to the Midland County Sheriffs Office, the Narcotics Unit and S.W.A.T. team executed the warrant on August 14 in the 100 block of East Pecan Avenue in connection to narcotics distribution. Investigators reported seizing methamphetamine, cocaine, THC, marijuana, and several firearms.

Manuel Trevino Padilla, 42, was taken into custody and booked into the Midland County Detention Center on two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Officials said he also faces a federal detainer for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

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Sheriff David Criner said the Sheriffs Office remains committed to pursuing and arresting those involved in narcotics trafficking in the community.

The case remains under investigation.

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(NewsNation)  Newly issued drivers licenses in the state of Florida could cause complications for future voters.

According to WPTV, these licenses  any issued from July 31, 2024  have updated combination numbers.

The purpose is to enhance security, but it does call for greater awareness due to possible mismatches with existing voter registration profiles.

Florida officer pulls 1-year-old from man trying to run into traffic: police

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These changes will not affect Floridians who choose to vote in-person; however, those requesting mail-in ballots online may encounter error messages.

In order to avoid this, voters are encouraged to check a box stating yes to updating their voter information when receiving a new license.

Alternatively, individuals can visit RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov or contact their local elections office.

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Working life and skills are changing fast. Some jobs are booming, others are disappearing, says the World Economic Forums Future of Jobs Report 2025. The OECD warns: There is an urgent need to boost the skills of older workers.

However, older workers (5565 year-olds) take part in non-formal learning and training much less than those aged 2554 year-olds, the OECD finds. On average, the rate is 32% versus 49% in 23 European countries, though the gap differs across countries.

Where do older people learn the mostand the least? What do experts and the OECD recommend?

When do we stop learning?

According to the OECD Employment Outlook 2025 report, participation in formal and non-formal adult learning declines with age. In 2023, only a third of 6065 year-olds took part in adult learning in the 12 months before the survey, compared with more than half of 2544 year-olds. The averages cover 29 countries, 22 of which are in Europe.

The share of the population participating in adult learning is over 60% among 2529 year-olds, but drops to 39% for those aged 5559 and to 31% for those aged 6065. This share starts to decline clearly after the age of 45.

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Non-formal training was far more common than formal learning (training leading to a qualification) across all age groups. This was especially true for older individuals, with only 1% of 6065 year-olds participating in formal learning.

Learning by doing also decreases with age.

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Why do older people take part in learning less?

Lower participation in non-formal learning among older individuals may be due to less willingness to train or other barriers, such as time constraints or course costs.

According to the report, a lower willingness to train is likely a key factor. The share of people who wanted to participate in trainingwhether or not they actually didfalls from about 60% among 2544 year-olds to 37% among those aged 6065.

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A similar pattern appears in the share of people who participated in less training than they wanted, which drops from 28% among 2534 year-olds to 17% among those aged 5565.

The report shows that time constraints are less of a barrier to training for older people than for younger groups. Among 5565-year-olds, 7% took part in less training than they wanted due to time constraints5% citing work-related reasons and 2% family reasons.

In contrast, 15% of 3544 year-olds reported time constraints as a barrier, with 8% pointing to work and 7% to family responsibilities.

Large differences across European countries

In every OECD country, including all European ones in the list, older individuals (5565 year-olds) take part in non-formal learning less than the prime-age group (2554 year-olds). However, both their participation rates and the size of the age gap vary greatly.

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The highest participation in non-formal training among 5565 year-olds is seen in the Nordic countriesNorway, Finland, and Denmarkat around 50%. Sweden ranks fifth with 43%.

The European average (22 countries) is 31.7%, compared with 34.9% across the OECD (29 countries).

The lowest participation in non-formal training for this age group was in Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, all below 18%.

Outside the Nordic countries, England has the highest participation at 43.5%, followed by the Netherlands (41.7%) and Ireland (40.9%).

Among Europes five largest economies, Italy has the lowest participation at 18.5%, followed by France at 21.7%. Germany stands at 34.9%, slightly above the average.

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The participation gap between 2554-year-olds and 5565-year-olds is widest in Portugal at 24.7 percentage points (pp) and smallest in Italy at 8.9 pp. However, this does not mean older people are doing better in Italy, as their participation rate is the fourth lowest in Europe.

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Is this a surprise? Not at all

One reason older people are less likely to engage in trainingand employers are less likely to fund itis the lower expected return on such investment due to shorter remaining working lives, the report notes. This is no surprise in economic theory.

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According to ManpowerGroup, 75% of employers in 21 European countries were unable to find workers with the right skills in 2023.

Continuous learning is essential

Pawel Adrjan, Director of Economic Research at Indeed, told Euronews Business that continuous learning is essential in a fast-evolving market. As with previous technological innovations, professionals who proactively learn new tools, platforms, and methodologies will be better positioned to work efficiently with emerging technologies.

The OECD noted that higher employment rates among older workers can help employers preserve valuable knowledge and skills while boosting productivity.

There is an urgent need to boost the skills of older workers and promote their participation in well-targeted training, the organisation recommends.

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How can governments respond?

OECD offers four main actions that the governments can do. They included:

Focus on boosting skills of older workers

Address barriers to job-to-job mobility

Confront ageism and other forms of discrimination

Revive productivity growth, including through AI and automation

Across the EU, people are living longer than in past decades. Many countries have responded by raising the retirement age, keeping people in the workforce for more years.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  The Mississippi Center for Justice and the Mississippi Housing Partnership teamed up to help people under their lease, the Fair Housing Act and build financial skills for homeownership. Attorneys and housing legal experts provided advice for people seeking help.

Theres a lot of people that dont know they have rights, and sometimes they move in, conditions arent good, and you have the right to say, Hey, it needs to be, you know, corrected. And they, I think sometimes they think that people are desperate. So, theyll just take anything. You need to know that you dont have to take anything, said Erica Jenkins, a first-time renter.

Judge grants 7-day water extension at Blossom Apartments

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Attorneys said theyve received calls from people who dont understand their housing rights.

Were also going to talk about fair housing laws when there is an overlap for discrimination, which can overlap with these in fair housing. So, we also want to make sure that we iron it out for both the tenants and the landlords, said Ashley Richardson, director of Housing Law with the Mississippi Center for Justice.

Another Housing Education Clinic will be held on August 22, 2025, at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson.

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A New Zealand woman and her six-year-old son have finally been released from U.S. custody after spending nearly four weeks in immigration detention over a visa paperwork issue.

Sarah Shaw, who has lived in Washington state for three years, was stopped by border officials on July 24 while re-entering the country from Canada. She had dropped off her older children at Vancouver airport to visit their grandparents in New Zealand, when officers flagged her combo card visa. The document allowed her to work legally in the U.S., but another portion of her petition, filed under the Violence Against Women Act, was still pending.

Her sons paperwork was approved, but because of the anti-family separation policies, he remained in custody as well, despite her request for his father or a friend to pick him up and take him home.

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Instead of permitting her to return home, Immigration and Customs Enforcement transferred Shaw and her son to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, about 2,000 miles from her residence. Advocates say conditions were harsh. Shaws phone was confiscated. She was locked into a room each night with her son, and she was denied access to her own clothing.

Her case drew swift criticism from supporters, including the Washington Federation of State Employees, the union she belongs to. They argued that detention was unnecessary and harmful, especially since her sons visa had already been approved. Immigration attorneys also noted that ICE had the discretion to release Shaw on parole while her paperwork was finalized.

Shaws family in New Zealand and friends in the U.S. spoke out during her detention, raising concerns about the impact on her child and calling the ordeal traumatizing.

On August 16, Shaw and her son were released and returned to Washington. Their experience has fueled broader debate over immigration enforcement and the risks families face when caught in administrative gaps.

The post Mom and child detained over visa error released from US facility appeared first on Salon.com.
Mom of SLC man missing since March 2024 speaks out, asks for answers

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Jordan Gonzales went missing from Salt Lake City in March of 2024. Seventeen months later, his family is still looking for closure and is asking the public to help them.

Jordan Gonzales was officially reported as an at-risk missing person on March 13, 2024. It has now been seventeen months since his disappearance, with no updates and no answers. His mother, Jill Bearden, says Jordans family is still praying for answers.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police searching for at-risk man missing since March

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Jill Bearden told ABC4.com about Jordans history. Her son struggled with addiction after being injured in a construction accident almost a decade ago. She said Jordan was also hospitalized after a car accident.

The car accident left Jordan fully blind in one eye and partially blind in the other. Additionally, he had injuries that required physical rehab and a traumatic brain injury that has caused seizures and required facial reconstruction surgery. Because of those injuries, Salt Lake City Police Department reported Jordan as an at-risk missing person

Jordans Disappearance

Jordan Gonzaless family has not seen or spoken to him since March 10, 2024, when he visited his daughter. His girlfriend also reported that she got into an argument with Jordan and he walked off sometime between the 10th and 12th. The last time Jordan messaged anyone on Facebook, his primary form of contact, was also March 12th, 2024.

Jordan Gonzales, 34. (Courtesy: Salt Lake City Police Department)

Jill told ABC4.com that she last spoke to Jordan, then 34-years-old, on March 9, 2024, after he was recently released from jail. She says During that time, we talked several times a day, every day, and we had a plan. I was like, as long as I know ahead of time what you need, I will come and give you ridesIll take you to do all the things they need you to do so that you actually have help.

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She also said that Jordan had always maintained contact with his family, before going missing. Despite struggling with addiction, he never missed holidays or his childrens birthdays, and would regularly message, call, and see Jill, his girlfriend, or other family members.

Search Efforts

Since his disappearance, Jordans family regularly passes out flyers and talks to people about him, both on social media and in person. Jill believes that someone, somewhere knows something and hopes that their efforts will encourage someone to come forward.

EXCLUSIVE: Skull of fisherman found in West Valley pond confirmed to be man missing since 2017

I feel like if we can get a conversation started, maybe sometime, someone is going to really tell what happened or know someone who knows, said Jill, Whatever has happened, he doesnt deserve [this], you know. Hes a human being and he has a family that loves and cares about him.

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Jordan Gonzales, pictured above, went missing at age 34 in March of 2024 (Courtesy: Jill Bearden)

Jordans disappearance has been difficult on Jill and the rest of his family. She said Jordan was always the life of the party and now every holiday, birthday, or family event feels incomplete.

Its hard trying to work every day. There are days where I dont even want to get out of bed, Jill told ABC4.com, Some days, I just want to sleep, because if I sleep, I can see him in my dreamsBut I have to just push myself each day for him and my granddaughters.

While Jill Bearden believes something has happened to her son, she said, I just want resolution. And whether there was foul play, if that can bring justice. But my most important thing right now is just finding him and bringing him home.

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She also hopes that her family, including Jordans two daughters and five siblings, can have closure, so we can celebrate him the way that he deserves to be celebrated.

Jordans family has also been in contact with families of other missing people in Utah, including those who have finally gotten answers after years of waiting. Jill hopes discussing Jordans case will bring more awareness to the many other stories throughout the state. People can find out more about missing people in Utah here.

Anyone with information on Jordan Gonzaless disappearance can call Salt Lake City Police Department at (801) 799-3733. Additionally, Jordans family has hired private investigator Jason Jensen, who can be contacted at (801) 759-2248.

Latest headlines:

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Aug. 15WILKES-BARRE  The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) this week announced that 50% of Pennsylvania's 52 local aging agencies that provide a host of services to older adults  including protective services  are completing elder abuse investigations within 20 days more than 90% of the time.

The department checks each month how quickly these local agencies complete their investigations and measures how many cases are finished within 20 days, as the time it takes to complete an investigation is a key performance metric in ensuring an older adult's safety.

This accomplishment is the direct result of the department's overhauled approach to monitor the local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) more aggressively, to both hold them accountable and boost transparency of the process.

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"While working steadily on a much-needed major overhaul of the Department's performance monitoring system, we have also worked closely with AAAs to make sure they have the tools they need to improve," said Secretary Jason Kavulich. "It is evident that our work is leading to real-world results that benefit and protect older Pennsylvanians."

This week also marks six months of the department publicly posting the 20-day performance results in suspected elder abuse cases. Those performance results for all of Pennsylvania's 52 AAAs are now posted on the department's website for the first time and can be viewed here on the Department of Aging's website.

The publication of the 20-day turnaround measurement is yet another step the department has taken under the Gov. Josh Shapiro administration to increase transparency of how well the AAAs are performing their duties for the older adults they serve.

In March 2025, PDA announced the roll-out of the agency's new Comprehensive Agency Performance Evaluation, or CAPE  an innovative tool designed to boost transparency and accountability of Pennsylvania's AAA network that provides a host of services to older adults.

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In April 2025, the Department began publicly posting performance results on its website for the first batch of AAAs to be monitored under CAPE, with more AAA performance results regularly added.

Across Pennsylvania, AAAs investigate nearly 40,000 cases of suspected abuse each year. Reports of suspected abuse can be made to a AAA, or to the statewide elder abuse helpline at 1-800-490-8505.

AG offers guidance to avoid being scammed

Attorney General Dave Sunday this week is warning parents and students that scammers often try to take advantage of back-to-school shoppers by posing as online vendors or assistants for financial aid.

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"Preparing for the school year is always exciting  but, be aware that scammers see this timing as another opportunity to steal and defraud," Sunday said. "Be selective when choosing an online vendor, and know that applications for federal financial aid are free. Do not be pressured into making snap decisions."

Sunday and the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection are asking Pennsylvanians to follow these tips when back to school shopping:

Watch the websites you visit. Use a website you trust when shopping online. Be mindful that the first result on a search engine isn't always the best choice  it is just that the website paid to be the first result.

Be wary of a deal that seems too good to be true. Consumers can use price comparison websites to ensure they are getting the best price on items like textbooks and school supplies. Be sure to thoroughly check sellers and product reviews on websites like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.

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Installment plans come with fine print. Installment plans like Afterpay, Affirm and Klarna allow you to make large purchases and then pay over time, however, many of these programs could have hidden fees or other fine print that consumers may not have considered in budgeting.

Be wary of sellers asking for payment in gift cards, money orders, cryptocurrency or wire transfers, especially over the phone. Consumers should use their credit cards when possible to protect themselves from scammers and fraud.

Keep your personal data safe. Scammers are always after someone's personal information. If a seller asks for your social security number or similar information, you should end communication with them immediately.

In addition to posing as sellers of school supplies, scammers can also attempt to steal your personal information by impersonating financial aid services or test preparation companies. Consumers should know that the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be filled out for free, and should be done carefully.

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If someone is offering to "assist" you with financial aid or tests, but is pressuring you to act quickly or over-promising, they could be attempting to steal your personal information.

Pennsylvanians who believe they have been victims of a merchandise scam can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov.

New online application for cadets launches

The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is now accepting applications for its January 2026 class  and for the first time, prospective cadets can apply online through a simpler, faster process. There is no tuition cost to attend, and meals, housing, uniforms, and school supplies are provided at no charge.

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"In July, we welcomed our largest class of cadets into the program, so it is growing rapidly in popularity," said Steve Grossman, KSCA director. "It's truly inspiring to see these young individuals grow into confident, capable leaders during their time with us. If you or someone you know is interested in the program, I encourage you to apply or reach out to learn more about how this program builds brighter futures."

The KSCA is designed to give teens in jeopardy of not graduating on time or dropping out of school a second chance at obtaining their basic education and much more. Cadets learn leadership, self-discipline, job skills, health and hygiene, values of community service and civic duty, physical fitness, and responsibility to build a better life.

The opening of the academy at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) in Lebanon County in July 2022 formally established the National Guard Bureau's Youth ChalleNGe Program in Pennsylvania.

The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are failing to progress in high school or may not be on a clear path to graduating. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions, and voluntarily commit to the program. The program lasts for five and one-half months as a residential phase and 24 months of mentorship by academy staff back in their home communities.

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The KSCA conducts two classes a year, one starting in mid-July and the other in mid-January. Applications are accepted all year long. The KSCA is a joint effort between the DMVA and the National Guard Bureau in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

Since the program's inception in 1993, more than 220,306 cadets have graduated from Youth Challenge academies nationwide.

Baker: New law extends PA Guard family education benefit

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, this week said the Military Family Education Program (MFEP) covers the cost of a state college education for dependents of Pennsylvania National Guard members in return for a six-year service commitment.

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Baker said a new law was passed ensuring additional dependents are covered each time the member re-enlists.

"Many Guard members who benefited from the MFEP are deciding whether to commit to another six years," Baker said. "Act 32 of 2025 clarifies that a Guard member can receive a new MFEP assistance grant  helping an additional dependent  with each new service obligation. I was proud to support this family benefit for our men and women in uniform."

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Gov. Wes Moore (D) told county leaders gathered in Ocean City that he will unveil efforts to spur affordable housing in the state. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told a gathering of county leaders Saturday that he is preparing to take action that he said will ease the cost of housing by spurring new projects.

We must go faster on affordable housing, Moore told an audience of county leaders and state Cabinet officials as he delivered the traditional speech to close out the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference in Ocean City.

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Housing has been a priority for the governor, but a bill that was part of his legislative package was derailed in the 2025 legislative session in part because of opposition from MACo, the association that represents governments in the states 24 major political subdivisions.

Moore, speaking at what will be his last summer conference before the 2026 primary, issued a call to action. Half of all Maryland renters pay more than 30% of their income toward housing, he said. The state is ranked 43rd in housing affordability and permitting for new housing units is down almost 40% compared to the period before the 2008 Great Recession, Moore said.

And its not just our people who are hurting, Moore said. Its Marylands housing market and economy. If we want to build new bridges to wealth, bring down costs, and supercharge growth, we need to prioritize housing thats affordable and located near jobs and transportation.

Moore provided few details on what actions he would take.

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He said his effort would focus on streamlining state permitting, leveraging public land for new housing and setting statewide housing goals and tracking progress toward those goals.

Moore also hinted at a potential carrot for counties who work with him.

This is the moment to reward those jurisdictions that are stepping up to be pro-housing  because everyone must participate for us to succeed, he said.

Earlier in the week, some county leaders complained Moore and his Department of Housing and Community Development iced them out of a housing policy meeting.

State officials met with county leaders at a hotel away from the convention center. And while state officials said the list of attendees was not exclusive, association officials were adamant that they were explicitly not invited.

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Moores focus on housing was the largest kernel of policy in a more than 30-minute speech.

Unlike his previous two summer keynote addresses, in which he delivered tough state budget news, Moore this year mentioned the budget only long enough to note that he and lawmakers had to erase a projected $3.3 billion structural deficit as they crafted a compromise balanced budget.

During his remarks, the governor rattled off a list of accomplishments during his time in office.

He also used the platform to criticize  though not by name  Republican President Donald Trump.

The remarks drew mixed reactions.

Maryland is a state where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans 2-1. But most of those blue votes are clustered in central Maryland and outside the District of Columbia. Most of the counties on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland are majority Republican jurisdictions.

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And as Moore began to bullet-point federal actions that would hurt the state, he took on the cadence of a man leading a big tent revival.

Look, I understand that some people view Maryland as a deep-blue state,' Moore said. But these policies from D.C. are hurting Democrats and Republicans.

And as Moore drew attention to counties that would be affected  Montgomery and Prince Georges and Allegany and Wicomico  he punctuated each point with:  Lets get really specific.

Much of the crowd remained polite but silent. Small pockets of others called out in agreement, a response to Moores call at a time he said was steeped in danger and laced with uncertainty.

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The truth is we are going to lead through this moment, knowing that history has taught us that there is only two things that can get us through difficult moments: Gods grace and steady leadership, he said.

Moore charged county leaders to join him in a fast-paced effort to deliver results to residents

We must move with the speed that shows them we understand how fast things are breaking in their lives, Moore said.

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MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WNCT)  In a 2025 study by CouponBirds, the average North Carolina teacher spends around $1,632 of their own money on classroom supplies. This is a 22% increase from last years average.

The Morehead City Police Department is prepared to host a Stuff the Big Rig with school supplies event for local teachers on Saturday.

Our focus is on the teachers. All the parents out there know you have your shopping list for your kids. And then soon as they know who their teacher is, they have a list of supplies that the teachers are requesting. And you know, I also know that teachers have a lot of out-of-pocket expenses for their classrooms over the year,  said Morehead City Chief of Police Bryan Dixon. So its just our way to try and lighten that burden on both the teachers and then all the other parents out there as well.

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On Saturday from 10am to 2pm donations will be welcomed at the Walmart Supercenter in Morehead City. Due to the amount of support received last year, the big rig us being used this year to accommodate the amount of donations the department hopes to receive again. There are many schools that will need the supplies.

Whatever we collect is going to be split among all give of the schools we service. We have SROs in five schools in Morehead City. So, you know, obviously the high schoolers need less crayons. But you know what, well split everything up as best we can among all the schools. This is just one event and a way that the Morehead City Police Department is giving back to the community it serves. said Chief Dixon.

We should be a part of our community and vice versa. We are here for our people. And the best way to be a part of it and build that connection is through outreach and just engagement with all parts of our community. So, everybody goes to Walmart. So, what better place to kind of reach out and touch those we serve. added Chief Dixon.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
CLEAR LAKE  Iowas crowded field of Democrats running for U.S. Senate in 2026 pitched themselves and their campaigns to an audience of party members as they gear up for next years primary.

At the Iowa Democratic Partys annual fundraiser, dubbed the Wing Ding, at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, all five Democrats vying to run for the seat held by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst shared their personal background, platforms and took jabs at Ernst along the way.

While the group comes from different corners of the state and places themselves across the ideological spectrum, they all agreed on one thing: Ernst needs to leave Congress.

Rural hospitals and clinics across our state are going to close because of these Medicaid cuts. Utility bills are going up. The rich are getting richer while we are being left behind, Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls, of Coralville, said during his speech. Joni Ernst said that she would go to Washington and make them squeal but she didn't change Washington, Washington changed her. I'd say Joni Ernst is all squeal and no bacon.

Ernsts controversial comments in a May town hall sparked a domino effect among Iowa democrats jumping into the race. She stated, Well, we all are going to die, in response to an attendees concern regarding work requirements for and spending reductions to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the GOP-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in July.

Republicans, including Ernst, say that Medicaid will now focus on the most vulnerable who meet the eligibility requirements for the program.

While Ernst hasnt officially announced a reelection campaign, she hired a campaign manager in June and has a campaign war chest of more than $3.4 million as of the end of June.

Most national election forecasters have ranked Iowas 2026 U.S. Senate election as likely to remain in Republican hands. Inside Elections, Cook Political Report and Sabatos Crystal Ball classify the election outcome as likely Republican, although thats downgraded from safe Republican earlier this year.

The string of Democratic campaign announcements started in April when Iowa Army and Marine Corps veteran Nathan Sage, former executive director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, mounted a campaign against Ernst.

Sage referred to himself as not your typical politician, highlighting his time working as a mechanic and other service industry jobs.

Maybe I need to be a little fat, hairy, cussing ex-Marine to be able to get the attention, Sage said in his speech Thursday evening. We need to understand we're done with the world we're in, and we're going to do something better. We're going to fight for people in this world.

State lawmakers, including Wahls and state Rep. J.D. Scholten, of Sioux City, jumped into the race soon after Ernsts May town hall, inspired in part to do so by her comments.

Scholten urged the other candidates to focus on parts of Iowa outside of metro areas where Democrats face an uphill battle with voters, adding that is the only way one of them will be elected to the Senate.

In our primary, I really want to challenge the candidates to get out there, because there's going to be a lot of focus in places like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Scholten said. In order to win in 2026, we have to go to all 99 counties. We have to talk not only to Democrats, but to non-Democrats and welcome people into our coalition, because that's how you overperform.

In 2020 and 2018, Scholten ran for Iowa's Fourth Congressional District seat, the most Republican in the state. He lost to current Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra by about 24 points in 2020. Two years earlier, Scholten finished 3.3 points behind then-longtime Rep. Steve King.

Scholten's 2024 state House election run against Republican Josh Steinhoff saw him win by 6.9 points in a district carried by President Donald Trump.

Council Bluffs state Rep. Josh Turek, who launched his campaign on Tuesday, also flexed his ability to win in Republican leaning parts of the state. In 2022, he won election to the state legislature by six votes.

In 2024, Turek won the same district by five points, while Pottawattamie County as a whole went for Trump by 20 points. Turek added that recent Medicaid cuts hit close to home for him as he relied on social services as a kid after being born with spina bifida and undergoing 21 surgeries before the age of 12.

I'm running out for the U.S. Senate because all of us heard what Joni Ernst said, Well, we're all gonna die. I know this firsthand, Turek said. I've overcome a lot of economic adversity on the health care side, working with individuals in the for-profit arena, the nonprofit arena, seeing the struggles of these individuals.

Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines School Board, who launched her campaign in early August, said as a teacher, she has seen families in the state struggle to access food and housing. She said the best way to help Iowans is to buck the status quo and have new representation in Congress.

Red versus blue is not solving problems, Norris said. The yelling, the chaos, the exhaustion. We're all tired. It's not working, and no one is held accountable.

Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer who responded to the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, was the events headlining speaker. He ran for Marylands 3rd Congressional District in 2024, but came in second in the Democratic primary. Dunn urged candidates to remember that they work for the people as they continue forward on the campaign trail and shared his personal experience responding to the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The primary election in Iowa is scheduled for June 2, 2026.

Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal and Gazette Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief Tom Barton contributed to this report.
 Welcome to the Your Morning newsletter, featuring the latest news across America! Its Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, and theres a lot happening today. Lets dive into it:

President Donald Trump, right, Russias President Vladimir Putin arrive for a news conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Family members demand the return of immigrant Emma de Paz, who was detained by ICE agents outside a Hollywood Home Depot on June 19, at the Reclaim Our Street event to oppose ongoing ICE immigration raids at Mariachi Plaza in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A D.C. Metropolitan Police Department car is parked near a rally against the Trump administrations federal takeover of the District of Columbia, outside of the AFL-CIO on Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool)

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HOLLYWOOD, CA  OCTOBER 23: Actor Tristan Rogers attends the Cast Premiere Screening Of Lany Entertainments The Bay Season 3 at TCL Chinese Theatre on October 23, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

 News Across America 

 New Orleans mayor indicted in federal investigation

 Democrats release proposed new California congressional map

 3 babies have died of congenital syphilis in New York: What is it?

 Good NewsNation 

Student spends summer internship restoring WWII-era tanks

Andy Knap, a history major at Georgias Columbus State University, spent his summer working at the U.S. Armor and Cavalry Collection on-post at Fort Benning. Hes done everything from researching to assisting in tank restorations.

Want more good news? Get it delivered to your inbox each morning. Subscribe to Your Morning

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
A small coastal town is home to an unusual World War Two war memorial created by soldiers in memory of comrades who died while prisoners of war (POW).

It was made by men from the 4th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment, who were captured at the fall of Singapore in 1942. They spent more than three years as slave labourers for the Japanese army, much of it at Chungkai camp in Thailand.

The centrepiece of the memorial in Leiston, Suffolk, is a union jack, used in the camp during funeral services and brought home by Corp Herbie Bailey after he and the other survivors were finally liberated.

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In 1952, the veterans transformed the "moth-eaten rag" into a tribute to the POWs of the 4th Battalion who died and to mark the 10th anniversary of their capture.

"Sometimes people just refer to it as a flag, but it's not just a flag - the flag is just the centrepiece of a very, very interesting and unusual war memorial," said Taff Gillingham, chairman of the Friends of the Suffolk Regiment.

Men from Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire regiments joined other prisoners of war and slave labour to toil on the Burma to Thailand railway [Norfolk Museums Service]

In 1942, the 4th Battalion was among many Allied divisions rushed to defend Singapore, in the wake of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbour.

After fierce fighting but against impossible odds, the British, Australian and Indian forces were ordered to surrender.

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Somehow the 11ft by 6ft (3.3m by 1.8m) flag went with the men of the 4th Battalion when they were transferred to Chungkai camp, said Mr Gillingham.

This was a POW camp used during the construction of the infamous Burma-Thailand Railway, and today it is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery.

About 13,000 Allied prisoners of war died during the railway project, plus an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 civilians, according to the commission.

Mr Gillingham said the 4th and 5th battalions of the Suffolk Regiment were about 2,000 strong when they disembarked at Singapore in 1942, but more than a third of them had died by the end of the war.

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The POWs were allowed to build a little wooden chapel at Chungkai for church services, where the flag rested on its altar.

"And every time one of the soldiers died, it was used for the funeral service," Mr Gillingham said.

"Starved, beaten and executed for the slightest misdemeanours - the thing that inspires me is their resilience and their ingenuity, making medicines from plants that they'd find in the jungle, for example."

Every year on VJ Day (Victory over Japan), the people of Leiston remember the men from the town who never came back, said historian Taff Gillingham [The Long Shop]

Every aspect of the memorial has a specific link to the 4th Battalion, a territorial unit which recruited from the Leiston area.

Mr Gillingham said: "The frame is just as interesting [as the flag], in that it's made from wood salvaged from Southwold Pier and the metal frame it sits on was made by the engineering works of Garretts, the engineering works in Leiston, so it was a proper local project.

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"And the colours behind the flag mean something too - they are the colours of the Pacific Star, the medal that all the Far East prisoners of war were given."

Today, it is owned by the Friends of the Suffolk Regiment and is on long-term loan to the town's Long Shop Museum.

When the men of the 4th Battalion were liberated at the end of the war, many, including Corp Bailey, continued to serve in the territorials for years, with weekly training and annual camps.

Underneath the memorial is a plaque which describes it as "a moth-eaten rag on a worm-eaten pole".

It also records how the union jack was "hoisted to the top of the pole in the camp by the men of the battalion who survived three years of living hell".

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Mr Gillingham said: "It's often said to be the only war memorial based on an artefact brought back from the field, and it's certainly the only one I can think of, but it's a lovely thing because it has a direct connection with the place, and the people, with those who died."

A service to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day and the end of World War Two will be held at the memorial at 10:30 BST.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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Aug. 15MITCHELL  A quiet creative from Mount Vernon is gaining regional attention in the quilting world as her original design takes center stage in the fourth annual Quilting Across the Dakotas shop hop  a sprawling, month-long event that draws fabric enthusiasts from across the country.

Mariah Knight, a long-arm quilter and pattern designer, was selected to create this year's featured pattern: a design called "Barn Door." It appears in the official free shop hop guide given to participants and will also anchor an upcoming sew-along, where participants work on the same project together, sharing progress and tips along the way.

Knight's goal for the pattern was to strike a balance between subtlety and familiarity. She wanted something that suggested a barn without being too literal.

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"I wanted to come up with something that would definitely evoke a barn and make you think of it without being like, 'Oh, you have a quilt with a barn on it,'" she said.

This year's shop hop spans 44 quilt shops across South Dakota and North Dakota, including two in Mitchell: The Pin Cushion and C.O. Textiles. Participants travel from shop to shop collecting stamps for a chance to win prizes while also discovering new towns and supporting small businesses.

Knight has been quilting for nearly a decade, but her instinct for design showed early on  she's been modifying patterns since her very first quilt. It was just last year, however, that she began writing her own patterns in a way others could follow, turning a long-time hobby into a business.

While her grandmothers both quilted, Knight didn't learn the craft from them. Her first formal instruction came in a beginner class at The Pin Cushion, the same shop where she now works as a professional long-arm quilter, using a specialized machine to stitch together quilt layers for clients and larger projects.

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Her work caught the attention of Quilt Dakota founder and shop hop organizer Emily Masson after she designed a pattern for a smaller, four-shop event earlier this year. That project opened the door for Knight to take on the featured pattern for the full-scale regional event.

"Now I know I need to run with this opportunity and get my act together enough to actually capitalize on it," Knight said.

Masson, a fabric sales rep based in Spearfish, launched Quilting Across the Dakotas in 2020 as a virtual event to help struggling quilt shops stay connected with customers during the pandemic. The idea took off, and by 2022 it had evolved into a full in-person experience.

"It really helped shops stay connected and created a community during a time when people needed it," Masson said.

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This year's event began July 23 and runs through Aug. 29. In addition to prizes and exclusive patterns, each state offers custom-designed fabric panels featuring mottos, nicknames, and quilt blocks. Merchandise like project bags and t-shirts for the event are all sourced from vendors in the Dakotas.

For many shop owners, the event provides a major boost in visibility. Cortney Olinger, owner of C.O. Textiles, said joining last year's hop was a game-changer for her then-new business.

"The foot traffic during those four weeks was incredible," she said. "My favorite part thought is hearing stories from the quilters  about the quilts they've made, the fabric they've found, or what they can't wait to cut into when they get home."

At The Pin Cushion, Knight's home base, shop owner Brenda Freidel has supported her journey from student to designer. It was Freidel who first encouraged Knight to take on that mini hop design  the one that set everything in motion.

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Masson continues to coordinate the growing event while juggling her own sales rep work. Participation has increased steadily since the first year, from 38 shops to 44.

"The shops are so helpful," she said. "I might manage the shop hop, but it is definitely a group effort."

The event draws a mix of seasoned quilters and curious newcomers. Masson noted a rise in mother-daughter duos, husband-wife teams, and even out-of-state visitors  including a group from West Virginia last year.

"Quilt-related travel isn't on a lot of people's radar, but maybe it should be," she said. "It's a great way to spend time together, discover new towns, and support local businesses."

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As the summer shop hop winds down, Knight is already thinking ahead to future designs.

"This experience has shown me there's an audience for my work," she said. "Now I'm excited to keep designing and see where it leads."
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) -Today marks the start of the Bearcats coming to Binghamton.

Binghamton University move-in began today, with two thousand first-year students moving into their dorms. Move-in has been split into three days with about two thousand students moving in each day.

Saturday will be both new and returning students moving in and Sunday will be just returners.

There are a total of 24 dorms and 20 apartment buildings that students will be moving into this weekend.

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Director of Residential Life and Housing Casey Wall says that BU staff members are looking forward to welcoming students back to campus.

Having the students on campus. it just adds so much more. Honestly, the students are why were here and so without them it just feels funny. So having them all back, is just the best part of the job, says Wall.

Students moving in today are all being housed in the traditional residence halls on lower campus. By the end of the weekend all of the residence halls will be bustling with Bearcats ready to start the fall semester.

Classes will begin on Tuesday, so students will have the day on Monday to get settled in before school officially starts.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace cursed live on air while on a tear against President Donald Trump and his high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday, claiming that the U.S. leader "doesnt give a s--- about democracy."

"Its so much to watch our countrys president stand with the person responsible for all that suffering and all that death. Its just heinous," Wallace said of the highly-anticipated talks about ending Russia's war with Ukraine.

"Its indiscriminate strikes on apartments that kill not enough innocent civilians to dominate the headlines for days and days. Its the terror. Its the terror of sending your kid off to school because you want life to be somewhat normal. But you know that any day Russia could bomb anywhere in Ukraine," Wallace continued.

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"I mean, its watching them scrape and struggle to get an American president who supported them, to give them all the weapons they needed to go toe-to-toe with Russia," she said. "And to see all that potentially erased by an American president who just doesnt give a s--- about democracy. He doesnt care about our allies. He doesnt care about a democratic ally's sovereignty."

Hillary Clinton Says She'd Nominate Trump For Nobel Prize If He Brokers Peace Between Russia, Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) greets Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska.

The "Deadline: White House" host also made several suggestive jabs about Trump's body language during his photo-op with Putin.

Read On The Fox News App

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"I mean, it just seems like even from the first Trump presidency, where you had people like Ambassador Bill Taylor, Marie Yovanovitch or Fiona Hill, theres no one around Donald Trump who can even explain why he shouldnt touch Putin so many times in front of the cameras," she added. "They're gone."

"I mean, its so embarrassing," Wallace reacted. "Youre waiting for him to say, He looks so nice in his suit and his abs are cut. Theres a six-pack under there if you get to see it like I [do]. I mean, its disgusting."

"Theres a lot of touching," she said. "I dont know that we always see him touching Melania as much as he touched Putin today. The handshake and then the hand on top of the hand. I mean, everything that over nine years weve learned about Trump, this is as fawning as he can be with any public figure hes ever photographed with."

Click Here For The Latest Media And Culture News

MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace cursed on air while covering President Donald Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump greeted Putin on a red carpet in Anchorage, Alaska, another touch Wallace took issue with, scoffing that it was "a literal red carpet welcome for an internationally indicted war criminal."

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After the summit, Trump described the meeting with Putin as "extremely productive," but added "theres no deal until theres a deal."

"Many points were agreed to, there are just a few that are left," Trump said. "We didnt get there but we have a very good chance of getting there."

Trump Says He'll Walk If Putin Meeting Goes Poorly During Pivotal Alaska Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) hold a meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska.





Original article source: MSNBC host explodes live on air over Putin talks, rants Trump 'doesn't give a s--- about democracy'
MSNBC anchor Katy Tur was shocked to learn Friday that a pro-Trump PAC was using the presidents summit with Vladimir Putin to solicit donations.

Tur, moments after an applauding Trump gave a red-carpet welcome to his Russian counterpart in Alaska, said Trump National Committee JFC was crazy for the tactic.

What I find interesting is the way that Donald Trump has made absolutely everything political in a campaign sense, political in a fundraising sense, said Tur, who then showed the printed email to the camera and began to read from it.

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Today Im meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Its a little chilly, Tur quoted.

This meeting is very high-stakes for the world. The Democrats would love nothing more than for me to fail. No one in the world knows how to make deals like me. Tonight at midnight, my very critical fundraising deadline hits, and the radical left is watching our numbers, this night of all nights, to see if we miss.

Tur then mentioned his call for cash.

And then its like, Give $10, she said. You know, Stand with Trump, give $10.

Tur said it was

Trump National Committee JFC launched last March to raise funds alongside the Republican National Committee and is now also doing so with two other PACs: Never Surrender, Inc. and Working for Ohio. The Daily Beast has reached out to the committee for comment.

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Tur asked MSNBC foreign policy editor Ravi Agrawal to weigh in.

How crazy is it to see this fundraising email linked to this very important meeting hes having with an autocrat to stop killing people in Ukraine? she wondered.

Im kind of stunned, Agrawal replied. I mean, I should know better, but its not presidential. Its not right to be fundraising off of these images right now.

I think it just gives off a really bad sign to even Trumps supporters, he added. I mean, the president of the United States does not need money in this moment. What he needs is, you know, a spine, guidance, the right advisers in the room, Russian experts people whove dealt with Putin and know how he might be trying to play him.

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At a press conference after three hours of talks, Trump claimed that we really made some great progress today. But he did not provide details or take reporters questions, and an actual ceasefire deal does not appear to have been made, if his or Putins comments are any indication.

We havent quite got there, but weve got some headway, Trump said. Theres no deal until theres a deal.
BOSTON (WPRI)  The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is putting the call out for adopters following an influx of surrenders over the past month.

MSPCAs Mike Keiley explained that the pet population spike began late last month and has continued through August. He estimated that, within the past month, the MSPCA has taken in 1,200 pets through local surrenders, out-of-state transports and as strays.

Our capacity is stretched thin, Garabedian said, noting that theres also been a slow down in adoptions.

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The first sizable surrender involved more than 50 cats from a single home in Norfolk County. The cats were brought to the MSPCAs Cape Cod Adoption Center.

SEE ALSO: 14 cats staying briefly at RISPCA after transport van crash

The MSPCA also took in 17 cats and kittens from the Thomas J. OConnor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO) earlier this month.

These cats were surrendered to TJO from two separate owners in Hampden County, but they dont have the veterinary resources needed to care for that many animals, so we volunteered to bring them to the Northeast Animal Shelter, Keiley explained.

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Keiley said MSPCA at Nevins Farm took in 20 more cats and kittens a few days later from the Dakin Humane Society.

Oftentimes, that means were stretching capacity at our own shelters, but we do whatever is needed to be there when animals and the people who care for them need help, Keiley said.

The MSPCA also took in 25 cats, six dogs, four rabbits, two geckos, two aquatic turtles, one tortoise and one chinchilla from a single home in Berkshire County earlier this month.

We dont often get some of these kinds of animals in our care, like turtles and geckos, but we reorganized space in our Boston Adoption Center to care for them until they can find new homes, Keiley said, adding that these pets are connected to an ongoing law enforcement investigation.

Dozens of cats from Norfolk County are ready for adoption at the Cape Cod Adoption Center. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) Chichillas available for adoption in Boston. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) Some of the many recently arrived cats available for adoption at Nevins Farm. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) Exotic animals, including geckos, are available for adoption in Boston. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell)

Keiley said the vast majority of their new arrivals are now available for adoption. Those interested in adopting an animal are encouraged to visit any of the MSPCAs four shelters during business hours. No appointment is necessary.

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The MSPCA will be also waiving adoption fees next week for dogs over 1 year old in an effort to make room in its shelters.

The adoptathon includes dogs who are being cared for by the Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support coalitions participating partners: the Berkshire Humane Society, the Worcester Animal Rescue League, Boston Animal Control, the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts, the Baypath Humane Society and TJO.

Freya has blossomed into a smart, active and playful pup while at Berkshire Humane. (Courtesy: Berkshire Humane) Spencer loves to frolic and play outside at the MSPCA Boston shelter. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) Miss Piggy loves to cuddle and go on adventures with NEAS staff. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) Goofy Gilbert will be available to adopt fee-free at Nevins Farm during the adoptathon. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell)

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It was last March when the Bakersfield Recreation & Parks Department, in partnership with the Arts Council of Kern and California State Parks, introduced an ambitious new mural project at Saunders Park that was expected to help transform this modest bit of green space in central Bakersfield into a dynamic arts destination.

At the time, it was only a dream, an idea that had been shaped into a plan. But on Friday, it became clear the plan had legs, and local artists and arts advocates ran with it.

Now the project, made up of eight large murals (and two smaller ones) is completed and available for all to see in the park at 3300 Palm St., just west of Oak Street.

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The lead artist on the project, Wendy Johnson, oversaw a team of three assistants, Jaelyn J Foster, Ryan Holdcraft and Juliee Gonzalez. Artist Gonzalez was unable to be there Friday.

Weve been working quietly, behind the scenes, Johnson said as she led a reporter on a tour of the murals along the the 10-foot-tall block wall in the back of the park, which became the artists canvas.

Wendy not only dealt with the city and the state, but the arts council, and a lot of other moving parts, said the arts councils Creative Director Mary Anne Radmacher.

Radmacher praised Johnsons leadership and said the project represented another step forward in bringing art to the citys residents.

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Art in all of its forms and expressions is an integral part of any community, Radmacher said. The more diverse a community is the more important the binding of art and visual documentation of history and innovation becomes.

The art in Saunders Park reflects a profound commitment on the part of the city and the state and the Arts Council of Kern to deliver more colorful, inspiring vibrant places for the community to gather and recreate and enjoy the outdoors.

The community was invited to play an active role in shaping the project. Local residents were able to vote on which California parks would be featured among the group of eight murals.

Interested residents completed a short survey, made available on the arts councils website and on-site at Saunders Park.

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Theres no doubt the project was a challenge for any artist.

Fortunately for Johnson, she was no stranger to working on big, public murals.

Johnson, who was born and raised in Bakersfield, was chosen from among more than 40 artists to head up the first of the three Intersections murals, a collaboration between the Arts Council of Kern and Caltrans.

The mural Johnson and her team completed at California Avenue and Highway 99, titled A Kern River Dream, is the largest mural completed by a woman in Kern County.

She also has taught art classes, and has several of her pieces on display at Bird Dog Arts, a private gallery at Outlets at Tejon, south of Bakersfield.

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The eight large murals at Saunders Park include images inspired by eight distinct outdoor areas. They include Red Rock Canyon State Park; Morro Bay State Park; Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve; Mill Creek Park in Bakersfield; Pinnacles National Park; Yosemite National Park; Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve; and finally, the California State Capitol Museum.

The artists agreed, theres something special about imagining the thousands of people over the years who will walk by these murals and be affected in some way.

Thats what I think is even more important for us as artists, because in a way we are creating the future of Bakersfield, Foster said. And hopefully its more colorful like this and .. our grandkids, too, may be able to see this and benefit from it some day.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN)  One of the biggest frustrations some Murfreesboro residents have with respect to driving in the city is traffic. To help resolve some of that frustration, leaders have started looking at expanding one of the busiest roadways in the city: Memorial Boulevard.

Murfreesboro man uses donated box fans to help heat-sensitive neighbors keep cool

During a recent City Council workshop, the citys Transportation Director Jim Kerr presented a proposal about the roadway and shared some data on safety. He said that within the past three years, Memorial Boulevard saw 293 crashes.

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The report recommends widening Memorial Boulevard from Thompson Lane to Jefferson Pike from two lanes to a three-lane cross section with curb gutters, sidewalks and a multi-use path, the City of Murfreesboros Transportation Director, Jim Kerr, said.

The expansion would affect 2.1 miles of Memorial Boulevard and have an estimated cost of $46.5 million. Some city leaders believe the project will help Murfreesboro stay ahead of growth.

Murfreesboro planting pollinator gardens in city

Murfreesboro is working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to fund the project, but those plans have not yet been finalized. The city also wants to work with Rutherford County for funding.

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Starting the expansion depends first on the approval of the City Council.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
The founder of the Windrush Generation of Stoke-on-Trent support group is staging a music festival this weekend.

Robbie Campbell formed the group after discovering that neighbours who arrived from the Caribbean and West Indies in the 1960s and 1970s were having to prove their UK residency.

Saturdays event is a chance for the whole community to socialise and raise money for a good cause.

If we can make everybody think about how they treat other people then I think that's the legacy I'd like to leave, said Mr Campbell.

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Mr Campbell started the social group in 2018.

At that time, many Windrush migrants had their legal status in the UK called into question, despite living in the country for decades.

Some people in Jamaica were stranded there, could not return to the UK and they still fight for compensation to this very day, stated Mr Campbell.

He referred to Amos Mullings, who left Jamaica for Stoke-on-Trent at 25 years old.

After breaking his back working in the mines for many years, he retired to his homeland.

But as his health worsened, he was refused access to return the UK to be cared for by his son.

The family submitted multiple applications over five years before Mr Mullins was eventually given permission to return to Staffordshire.

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He has not received any compensation for the denied access.

Mr Campbell wants to channel that frustration into community events that make everyone feel welcome.

We are a multicultural group and we welcome people of all ethnicity and religions, he said.

Lorna Salman said she had "lived peaceably" in Stoke-on-Trent [BBC]

Lorna Salman left Jamaica at 12 years old and worked as a midwife at North Staffordshire Maternity Hospital.

She described the treatment of some of the Windrush generation as "despicable".

She said she applauded what Mr Campbell had planned for the festival.

I'm always interested in anything that is going to promote cohesion, she smiled.

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We're all one people.

Windrush Generation Music Festival takes place between 12:00-20:00 BST on Saturday at Smithpool Park in Fenton.

Although it is a free event, proceeds raised will go to Orchards, a charity working to free women from sexual exploitation.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

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Rose Docherty is a woman of few words. Youd never have heard of the 75-year-old if it wasnt for what she didnt say. Shes the activist who staged a silent protest outside the abortion clinic in Glasgow last February, holding a sign reading: Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want. Hers was a simple offer of conversation, made without a sound.

You know what happened next. The septuagenarian was arrested under Scotlands buffer zone laws, which prevent anybody engaging in harassment or intimidation in the vicinity of abortion facilities, or influencing a womans decision to use them.

Are there parallel laws protecting women from being pressured into terminating their unborn babies? Surely that would be a more sinister scenario, one that would fall more obviously under the purview of the police.

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There are not. Scotlands police are on the lookout for anybody offering support to women who may be doubting their decision, not those encouraging them to go ahead with it.

The message is clear. There is no mistaking where the state, and the culture it grimly cultivates, now stands on the question of ending unborn life.

We see it reflected in the legalisation of euthanasia. We see it in the depravity of full-term abortions. Welcome to modern Britain, where convenient death is prized higher than life.

This past week, however, Scotlands Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service changed tack and decided that the case would be dropped. This was announced quietly and without fanfare, presumably in the hope that the matter would slip conveniently under the rug.

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So much so understandable. After all, the silent woman of Glasgow had drawn Britains creeping authoritarianism to the attention of the world when her case caught the eye of Donald Trump. That cant have been comfortable for Scotlands Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. In May this year, the president sent a White House delegation to meet Ms Docherty and other pro-life campaigners. Afterwards, she told the press that it was heartening that others around the world, including the US government, have realised this injustice and voiced their support.

A few months earlier, in a speech at the Munich Security Conference, vice-president JD Vance lambasted Scotlands buffer zone laws, under which Ms Docherty had been arrested. Without these American interventions, she may still be facing conviction today.

This episode draws together a number of intertwining concerns. Firstly, there is the question of freedom of speech in a Britain where citizens may be visited by the police on suspicion of a non-crime hate incident, and 30 arrests are made every day for offensive posts on social media.

After she was detained, Ms Docherty was apparently told that she could avoid prosecution on condition that she acknowledged her actions were unlawful, accepted a warning and did not repeat them.

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She declined, insisting that she had not broken the law and that she was protected by her fundamental rights to free speech. I simply stood there, available to speak with love and compassion, she pointed out.

So much, surely, should be obvious. The fact that it took Donald grab em by the p---y Trump, who even to his supporters is hardly the paragon of purity, to bring Scotlands Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to its senses is an embarrassing sign of how far we have drifted from our morals.

The second, deeper concern is the disdain for religious faith and traditional values which is so relentlessly advanced by our rulers.

Ms Docherty embodied an older Britain that the elites have sought to tamp down for decades. It is the Britain of faith, flag and family; of a belief in borders, a love of tradition, an affection for our history and pride in our armed forces; of hard work, fair play and modest patriotism.

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Ever since the end of the Cold War, those at the top of society have smeared such a sensibility as the root of fascism. Whether voting for Brexit, flying the George cross or demonstrating against migrant hotels, ordinary people who refuse to respect the new taboos are immediately defamed as quasi-Nazis.

What values have been imposed in their place? Moral relativism; multiculturalism; diversity; secularism; appeasement; sybaritic complacency; Israelophobia. To this we can now add an enthusiasm for death for the elderly and the unborn.

This suffocating ideology, which Sir Roger Scruton described as the cult of down with us, seems to be imposed upon every corner of society.

In some quarters it is no longer permissible, for instance, to say merry Christmas or happy Easter, but only happy holidays. No such restrictions are applied to Ramadan Kareem or Eid Mubarak.

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In the United States, so sick had people become of this dogma that they considered the outlandish proposition of Donald Trump  the obnoxiousness, the braggadocio, the allegations of racism and financial irregularities, the misogynistic audio tapes, the claims of Russian collusion, the lack of political experience and total disregard of the norms of professional society  and decided he was worth a go. Anything, they felt, would be better than this.

Will it really take Trump to save Britain from itself? Maybe. But there is a better source of hope: Rose Doherty, who takes her place alongside Lucy Connolly as a martyr to old Britain, and the thousands like her who comprise the silent majority. We must be silent no longer.

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Nancy Mace has taken a firm stance against the proposed Silfab Solar manufacturing facility in York County, citing concerns over health and safety at a town hall event this week.

ALSO READ: Neighbors raise concerns at public hearing over wastewater permit for Silfab Solar

Speaking at the Mother of ALL Town Halls event in York County, Mace emphasized her support for innovation and economic growth but stressed that these should not come at the expense of residents safety. The facility, which is planned near schools and neighborhoods, has raised alarms due to the storage of hazardous chemicals like silane and hydrofluoric acid.

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South Carolina is open for business, but never at the expense of the safety and trust of our people, Mace said during the event. She praised the local communitys efforts to voice their concerns through public meetings and petitions.

Maces opposition to the Silfab Solar project aligns with her newly launched Peoples Agenda, a campaign aimed at gathering public input to prioritize local issues. She highlighted the importance of community involvement and promised to turn these priorities into actionable outcomes.

Residents of Fort Mill have been actively organizing against the facility, attending public meetings and creating petitions to ensure their voices are heard. Mace acknowledged these efforts and criticized county officials for not addressing the communitys concerns adequately.

VIDEO: Fort Mill community rallies against Silfab Solars proposed facility
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- NASA is accepting contest entries from student teams to design, build and test rovers on the moon and Mars.

In the Human Exploration Rover Challenge, students need to make models that are capable of going over a course while completing tasks for future Artemis missions, NASA said in a news release.

In the challenge, teams design projects that sample of soil, water and air over a half-mile course with a simulated field of asteroid debris, boulders, erosion ruts, crevasses and an ancient streambed.

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There are remote-controlled and human-powered divisions.

In the human one, teams will play the role of two astronauts in a lunar vehicle. They must use a custom-built tool to manually collect samples.

In remote-controlled, they will provide pressurized rovers, which will contain the necessary tools to collect and test samples onboard.

"NASA's Human Exploration Rover Challenge creates opportunities for students to develop the skills they need to be successful STEM professionals," Vemitra Alexander, the activity lead for the challenge at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., said. "This challenge will help students see themselves in the mission and give them the hands-on experience needed to advance technology and become the workforce of tomorrow."

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Entries will be accepted until Sept. 15 and the 32nd annual winners will be announced at an in-person event April 9-11, 2026, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center near NASA Marshall.

Since the program began in 1994, more than 15,000 have participated in the Rover Challenge.

Many students now work at NASA or in the aerospace industry.

In the 2025 contest, more than 500 students participated, representing 35 colleges and universities, 38 high schools, and two middle schools in 20 states, Puerto Rico and 16 nations.

"Last year, we saw a lot of success with the debut of our remote-controlled division and the addition of middle school teams," Alexander said. "We're looking forward to building on both our remote-controlled and human-powered divisions with new challenges for the students, including rover automation."

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The Artemis II is scheduled to reach the moon no earlier than April 26, and a crewed Artemis III is planned for mid-2027 aboard the Orion spacecraft.

The last time humans landed on the moon was 1972 on Apollo 17.
National Guard troops mobilized in Washington, D.C., are preparing to carry weapons in the coming days, according to a new report.

Some troops were told to expect an order to start carrying weapons late Friday, though no official order had come as of Saturday morning, The Wall Street Journal reports. This comes after the U.S. Army said in a statement that weapons are available if needed but will remain in the armory.

President Donald Trump mobilized about 800 members of the D.C. National Guard in the nations capital this week. As of Thursday, about 200 troops were on the streets of D.C., the Defense Department said. Now, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey is set to send additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., at the request of the Trump administration

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The West Virginia National Guard will provide mission-essential equipment, specialized training, and approximately 300-400 skilled personnel as directed, according to a Saturday statement from Morriseys office. The mission, which will be funded at the federal level, is a show of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation, the statement adds.

More states could follow in West Virginias footsteps.

National Guard troops stand in Washington, D.C., near the U.S. Capitol. Some troops deployed to D.C. could start carrying weapons, a new report reveals (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A White House official told The Independent that the National Guards role has not changed, and additional National Guard troops will be called in to Washington DC.

The National Guard will protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime, the official said.

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D.C. National Guard spokesman Capt. Tinashe Machona told The Washington Post that other states want to participate in the mission, but he couldnt provide a specific number.

The Independent has contacted the Washington, D.C. National Guard for comment.

Trump claimed he mobilized troops and federalized D.C. police in response to out of control crime that was getting worse. However, data shows that violent crime in Washington, D.C. has been decreasing since 2023. Violent crime in D.C. even hit its lowest point in more than 30 years in 2024, according to the Justice Department.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called Trumps takeover of the police force an authoritarian push on Tuesday.

A member of the National Guard keeps watch outside Washington, D.C.s Union Station. President Donald Trump mobilized about 800 National Guard troops, and West Virginia is sending up to 400 more (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Trump threatened a D.C. takeover earlier this month after Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer, was assaulted in an attempted carjacking. Coristine, 19, is better known by his online nickname Big Balls.

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I have to say that somebody from DOGE was very badly hurta young man who was beat up by a bunch of thugs in DC, and either theyre gonna straighten their act out in the terms of government and in terms of protection or were gonna have to federalize and run it the way its supposed to be run, Trump said on August 5.

Trump also said he was placing the D.C. police under federal control this week. The Justice Department then attempted to name DEA Administrator Terry Cole as the Metropolitan Police Departments emergency police commissioner. D.C. sued in a response, challenging the administrations appointment of Cole and its attempts to assert control over the department.

Following an emergency court hearing on Friday, the Trump administration walked back its order, allowing the D.C. government and current police chief Pamela Smith to retain control over the department.

Attorney General Pam Bondi instead named Cole her designee.

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I have just issued a new directive to Mayor Bowser requiring MPD to provide the services found necessary by my designee, @DEAHQ Administrator Terry Cole, to comply fully and completely with federal immigration law and authorities, regardless of any policies MPD might otherwise have, Bondi wrote on X.

Unfortunately, the DC Attorney General continues to oppose our efforts to improve public safety in Washington, DC, she added.

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb celebrated the judges decision on Friday.

The outcome of todays hearing is a win for Home Rule and upholds the Districts right to operate its own local police force, he wrote on X. The Court recognized that it was clearly unlawful for the Administration to try to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department. Chief Smith and @MayorBowser rightfully remain in command of MPD.
Fleet Master Chief John Perryman will be the Navys 17th Master Chief Petty Officer starting this fall, the Navy announced Friday afternoon.

Perryman is currently serving as the top enlisted sailor for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Soon hell be in that capacity for the entire Navy. Hell take over the role for James Honea, who will retire from military service on Sept. 12 after several decades in uniform.

With decades of operational experience across the fleet, Perryman will play a vital role in advising Navy leadership, shaping enlisted policy, and maintaining warfighting readiness in an era of strategic competition, the Navys statement said.

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Honea served as the 16th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy since September 2022. In July, he announced he would be retiring from the Navy after 38 years, saying that it was a profound privilege and honor to serve as your MCPON. The position was first created in 1967 and the person in the role serves as an advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations on issues affecting enlisted sailors.

Honea will step down from the role of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy in September in a change of command ceremony at the Naval Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to the Navy.

Honeas replacement, Perryman, is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and joined the Navy in 1994. He is a submariner, having trained as an electronics technician and serving in that capacity aboard several submarines, including fast attack subs the USS Bremerton and USS Cheyenne. He also worked for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. He has served in several senior enlisted roles, advising commanders of Submarine Group Seven, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet and Submarine Force Atlantic.

Top Stories This Week

News 2-star general busted down to lieutenant colonel over inappropriate relationship By Jeff Schogol Culture Laura Loomer unites vets from both sides of aisle after Medal of Honor rant By Matt White News 3 aircraft carriers and ships, fighters from 6 navies train in the Pacific By Nicholas Slayton

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In 2020, Perryman was named Command Senior Enlisted Leader for United States Strategic Command, which oversees the militarys nuclear arsenal and the forces that operate and maintain them. In his current role at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, he is the top enlisted sailor for a massive part of the Navy, with more than 100,000 personnel and 120 vessels  surface and submersible  under its authority.

Perrymans appointment means hell be reunited with Adm. Daryl Caudle, who was confirmed by Congress as the new Chief of Naval Operations in July 31. Caudle, another former submariner, had served as commander of U.S. Fleet Forces from 2021 until this summer, working alongside Perryman. Caudle took over the role after it sat vacant for several months following the dismissal of Adm. Lisa Franchetti.
HAVANA, Fla. - Participants in the annual Florida Python Challenge removed a record 294 invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida during a recent 10-day competition, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently announced.

The annual event drew nearly 1,000 participants from around the United States and Canada, all with a goal to remove the largest snakes from the region around the Everglades.

"The 2025 Florida Python Challenge can go in the books as a success thanks to the hard work of staff," FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said in a statement. "The record number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades during this years competition is a big win for native wildlife."

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The ultimate grand prize of $10,000 and bragging rights went to Taylor Stanberry of Naples, Florida, who removed 60 Burmese pythons from the swamps of South Florida.

The longest python caught during the event was reported to be some 15 feet, 11 inches long  significantly below the all-time record of 19 feet caught by hunters in the Big Cypress National Preserve in 2023.

DAVIE, FL - JANUARY 12: A Burmese python is held by Ron Bergeron as he speaks to the media at the registration event and press conference for the start of the 2013 Python Challenge on January 12, 2013 in Davie, Florida.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its partners launched the month long 2013 Python Challenge to harvest Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades, a species that is not native to Florida.The contest features prizes of $1,000 for catching the longest snake and $1,500 for catching the most.

Florida Identifies Next Invasive Species Threat

Since 2017, the FWC estimates more than 1,400 pythons have been removed during python challenges, while contractors have removed over 16,000 of the invasive species.

Experts believe Burmese pythons were initially imported to Florida in the 1990s and somehow found their way into the Everglades, where the population exploded.

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It is unknown what the current population of Burmese pythons is in South Florida, but a 2013 estimate put the population between 30,000 and 150,000 in the Sunshine State.

Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades National Park, said events such as the recent Florida Python Challenge are critical in addressing and shedding light on the problems posed by the invasive species.

"The record number of pythons removed highlights the importance of citizen engagement as we tackle one of the toughest conservation challenges of our time," Ramos said. "By collaborating closely with our partners at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District, we are making meaningful progress toward preserving the Everglades and its diverse wildlife for generations to come."

Did The National Weather Service Capture A Photo Of Bigfoot During A Pennsylvania Storm Survey?

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Previous studies have shown that animals such as bobcats, deer, raccoons, rabbits and foxes have all seen declines in the Everglades, due to the giant snakes.

Outside of the Florida Python Challenge, anyone may remove and kill pythons and other nonnative animals on private lands with permission from the landowner.

The public is also encouraged to report sightings of invasive reptiles to FWCs hotline at 888-483-4681 or online at IveGot1.org.

Burmese Python population growth map





Original article source: Nearly 300 invasive pythons removed from South Florida during snake hunt
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Applebees restaurant located near the El Paso International Airport is welcoming back customers after undergoing extensive remodeling.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, located at 1766 Airway.

According to the news release by Applebees, the location was renovated to feature an updated look and feel, both inside and out.

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The remodel is one of four that the company (Lone Star Apple) is undertaking to bring the newest version of the iconic Applebees brand to El Paso over the next two months, read the news release.

Lone Star Apple is an Applebees local franchise that owns and operates 12 Applebees restaurants in El Paso and Las Cruces.

Additionally, the same restaurant group also owns 52 Peter Piper Pizza locations throughout Texas and New Mexico, and 11 Boss locations in El Paso.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
California Gov. Gavin Newsoms press account slammed President Donald Trumps use of U.S. soldiers to roll out and clean a red carpet meant for Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump had our BRAVE AMERICAN SOLDIERS ON THEIR KNEES to roll out the RED CARPET for his best friend VLAD! Newsoms press office posted on X, mocking Trumps chaotic way of writing social media messages.

Attached to the post was an image of U.S. soldiers on their knees rolling out the red carpet for Putins arrival in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday for a summit with Trump about the war the Russian president started with Ukraine.

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DISGUSTING, the post added.

The red carpet is cleaned before President Donald Trump steps from Air Force One, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, before meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. via Associated Press

The meeting between the two world leaders accomplished little for Trump, who  despite spending the day heaping praise on the dictator and sharing a private ride with him in Trumps presidential limousine  failed to reach an agreement with Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, acknowledged on Telegram the significance of rolling out the red carpet for the accused war criminal.

For three years, they have been reporting that Russia is in isolation, and today they saw the red carpet laid to greet the Russian president in the United States, she wrote.

More on Politics

Covfefe All Over Again? Trump's Baffling 4-Letter Message Leaves Critics Guessing

Gavin Newsom Trolls JD Vance With Viral Video: 'Go Get Em JD!'

Trump Treats War Criminal Dictator Putin Like Royalty, Still Fails To Get Ceasefire

Read the original on HuffPost
The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to troll President Donald Trump on social media by mimicking his infamous writing style.

The press team for the Democratic governor has made several posts on X in recent days mirroring how Trump often writes when posting on X or Truth Social, including using all capital letters and nicknames.

In the latest post on Friday, Newsom's team responded to the White House Rapid Response account, which shared a picture of Trump scowling and pointing a finger at Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting on Friday between the two world leaders in Alaska.

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"TINY HANDS IS OUT HERE COPYING ME  BUT WITHOUT THE STAMINA (SAD), AND CERTAINLY WITHOUT THE 'LOOKS.' TOTAL BETA!  GCN," the governor's press team replied on X along with a similar picture from earlier this year of Newsom pointing a finger at Trump's chest.

California Republicans Accuse Newsom Of 'Sinister Redistricting Scheme' After Trump Mockery

After the meeting on Friday, the press team accused Trump of refusing to take questions and having low energy during his time with Putin  again in all caps.

Read On The Fox News App

"TRUMP JUST FLED THE PODIUM WITH PUTIN  NO QUESTIONS, NOTHING! TOTAL LOW ENERGY. THE MAN LOOKED LIKE HED JUST EATEN 3 BUCKETS OF KFC WITH VLAD. IS HE AFRAID THE PRESS WILL ASK ABOUT ME??? (AMERICAS FAVORITE GOVERNOR) AND THE FACT I 'STOLE THE CAMERAS' THIS WEEK WITH 'THE MAPS'?" the press team wrote.

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"MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING HE BEGGED PUTIN TO HOLD HIS HANDS (TINY) ON THE WAY OUT," the post continued. "ADMIT IT, DONNIE J YOU'RE TERRIFIED BECAUSE THIS WAS THE WORST WEEK OF YOUR LIFE BECAUSE OF ME, GAVIN C. NEWSOM. 'THE MAPS' WILL END YOUR PRESIDENCY, RETAKE CONGRESS FOR THE PEOPLE, AND EXPOSE YOUR RIGGED "LITTLE GAME." MY "PERFECT MAPS" ARE MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ANYTHING IN TRUMP TOWER (WHICH MANY SAY SMELLS WEIRD). @STEVENCHUENG47  EXPLAIN THIS DISASTER!!! ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT HOME, DONALD  YOURE PUTINS PROBLEM NOW. IM AMERICAS SOLUTION.  GCN."

The post referred to Newsom announcing that California Democrats would draw redistricting maps in their favor in response to Texas Republicans' efforts to redraw maps in their favor in their state  a move supported by Trump.

The account also accused Trump of considering giving California to Russia during his meeting with Putin.

"MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT DONALD J. WOULD CONSIDER 'GIVING AWAY' THE FREE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO HIS 'BEST FRIEND' VLADIMIR PUTIN  ALL BECAUSE I, GAVIN C. NEWSOM, STOLE THE CAMERAS THIS WEEK WITH "THE MAPS," the post reads, in part.

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"AMERICA WOULD COLLAPSE WITHOUT CALIFORNIA AND NOT EVEN 'DUMMY DONALD' (TINY HANDS) COULD MAKE SUCH A 'DISASTROUS DEAL.' BUT IF HE EVER TRIES TO 'SWAP' CALIFORNIA TO RUSSIA, MARK MY WORDS  THERE WILL BE BIG, BEAUTIFUL CONSEQUENCES FOR HIM!!! AND BELIEVE ME HE WONT LIKE THEM!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT MATTER!!!  GCN."

California Governor Demands Trump Abandon Texas Redistricting Push, Threatens Ballot Measure Response

The press team for Newsom has made several posts on X in recent days mirroring the style Trump often writes in when making social media posts.

In another cap-filled post on Friday, the press team suggested Newsom should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his redistricting efforts, after a handful of world leaders announced they had nominated Trump for the award.

"MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING  AND I AGREE  THAT I, GAVIN C. NEWSOM (AMERICAS FAVORITE GOVERNOR) DESERVE THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE," the account wrote. "WHY? BECAUSE OF THE 'MOST INCREDIBLE MAPS IN THE HISTORY OF MAPPING' (EVEN COLUMBUS). THESE MAPS WILL END THE 'VERY RIGGED' ELECTIONS, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN (MAGA!!!), RETAKE CONGRESS 'FOR THE PEOPLE', AND SAVE DEMOCRACY. NOBODY ELSE COULD HAVE DONE THIS  CERTAINLY NOT THE 'SELF-PROCLAIMED' MASTER DEALMAKER DONALD 'TACO' TRUMP (TINY HANDS) WHO MISSED 'THE DEADLINE' AND LOST (SAD!)."

Newsom's team's latest posts came as Trump met with Putin in Alaska.

"PEACE THROUGH MAPS  NO ONE HAS EVER THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE," the account continued. "I AM THE 'PEACE TIME' GOVERNOR NOW, STOPPING 'POLITICAL WARS' BEFORE THEY START. HARMONY, UNITY, EVEN LOVE. THE NOBEL COMMITTEE HAS GIVEN THIS AWARD TO LESSER PEOPLE FOR MUCH LESS. I, GAVIN C. NEWSOM, ACTUALLY EARNED IT. THE WORLD WILL BE SAFER, KINDER, AND FRANKLY MORE 'BEAUTIFUL' BECAUSE OF MY MAPS. GIVE GAVIN THE NOBEL, MANY ARE SAYING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!  GCN."

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Before the series of posts on Friday, Newsom's press team made several other posts targeting Trump and mocking "MAGA" Republicans throughout the week.

"Vaxxed?" the account wrote on Friday in response to a picture another user shared of Trump and Putin in which the user said the U.S. president "looks awful."





Original article source: Newsom's office continues to mock Trump using his social media writing style: 'TINY HANDS'
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Its a cloudy and muggy day in KELOLAND, lets get a check on the latest in news and weather with KELOLAND On The Go.

A crash temporarily shut down traffic on Highway 11 southeast of Sioux Falls last night.

Highway 11 reopens following crash

Read all about it: theres new life for four South Dakota newspapers that shut down last week. Publications in Brookings, Huron, Redfield and Moody County now have a new owner.

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Report: 4 closed SD newspapers find new owners

The new Marcella LeBeau elementary in Sioux Falls is all set to welcome its first students to school next week.

Marcella LeBeaus legacy lives on with new school

The Sioux Falls Little League is chasing a World Series title. And some big-time fans are following their every swing.

Sioux Falls wins game one of Little League World Series

Hot and humid/scattered storms this weekend and for much of next week

Hot and humid for the weekend

Long before Jurassic Park hit movie theaters, the most famous dinosaur in the world came from South Dakota.

35 years since discovery of Sue the T-Rex

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Mexico strikes deal for tri-national 'Earth's lung'

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo hosts his Mexican counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum in Peten, Guatemala. Photo: Reuters

The leaders of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize have announced they are creating a tri-national nature reserve to protect the Mayan rain forest following a meeting during which they also discussed expanding a Mexican train line criticised for slicing through jungle habitat.



The nature reserve would stretch across jungled areas of southern Mexico and northern parts of the two Central American nations, encompassing more than 5.7 million hectares.



Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called the move historic and said it would create the second biggest nature reserve in Latin America, behind the Amazon rain forest.



This is one of Earths lungs, a living space for thousands of species with an invaluable cultural legacy that we should preserve with our eyes on the future, she said, standing side by side with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceno.



The announcement was met with cautious celebration by environmental groups like Mexico-based Selvame, who have sharply criticised the Mexican government and Sheinbaum's allies in recent years for environmental destruction wrought by megaprojects like a controversial train line, known as the Maya Train.



The group said in statement that the reserve was a monumental step for conservation" but that it hoped that the reserve was more than just symbolic.



Were in a race against the clock. Real estate and construction companies are invading the jungle, polluting our ecosystems, and endangering both the water we consume, and the communities that depend on it, the group wrote.



It called on Sheinbaums government to put an effective monitoring system in place to stop any destructive activities.



At the same time, the leaders also discussed a proposal by Mexico to expand the very train line those environmental groups have long fought from southern Mexico to Guatemala and Belize. The 1,600-kilometre train route currently runs in a rough loop around Mexicos Yucatan peninsula, and was created with the purpose of connecting Mexicos popular Caribbean resorts with remote jungle and Mayan archaeological sites in rural areas.



However, it has fuelled controversy and legal battles as it sliced through swathes of jungle and damaged a delicate cave system in Mexico that serves as the areas main source of water. In a span of four years, authorities cut down approximately seven million trees, according to government figures.



Sheinbaums mentor and predecessor former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador fast-tracked the train project without detailed environmental studies. The populist repeatedly ignored orders from judges to stop construction due to environmental concerns and publicly attacked environmentalists warning about damage done to fragile ecosystems.



Lopez Obrador first proposed the idea of expanding the train to Guatemala, and Sheinbaum has continued to push for the project. On Friday, she said the extension would usher in development in rural areas with few economic opportunities.



But Arevalo was already on record saying Guatemalas laws would not allow it to be built through protected jungle in the north of the country, and he said on Friday he sees the economic potential of the project to the jungle region but remained adamant that the construction should not come with the kind of environmental damage that it inflicted in Mexico.



Connecting the Maya Train with Guatemala and eventually with Belize is a vision we share, Arevalo said. But Ive made it very clear at all times that the Maya Train will not pass through any protected area. (AP)
The meeting between US and Russian presidents, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, was billed as a vital step towards peace in Ukraine.

But with no ceasefire and an invitation to Moscow, the meeting has yielded more questions than answers.

Here are five key takeaways from the Alaska summit.

Trump welcomed Putin back on world stage with red carpet

Trump waited for Putin on a red carpet spread across the runway of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. As Putin approached, Trump clapped. The two leaders warmly shook hands and smiled.

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It was a remarkable moment for Putin  a leader shunned by most Western nations since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His international travel has since been largely limited to nations friendly to the Russian Federation, such as North Korea and Belarus.

That the Alaska summit happened at all was a victory for Putin. But this welcome would have surpassed the Kremlin's wildest dreams. In a short six months Putin has gone from being a pariah of the West to being welcomed on US soil like a partner and friend.

In an apparently unscripted moment, Putin accepted a lift to the airbase in Trump's armoured limousine instead of driving in his own Moscow-plated presidential car. As the vehicle pulled away, the cameras zoomed in on Putin sitting in the backseat and laughing.

Putin faced with questions he never gets asked

In his 25 years as Russian president, Putin has achieved complete control over the media, crushing media freedoms and replacing information with propaganda. Within Russia he doesn't often  if ever  come up against unfriendly reporters.

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Yet it was only minutes after landing in Alaska that one journalist shouted in his direction: "Will you stop killing civilians?" If the question bothered him, he didn't show it, appearing instead to shrug and divert his gaze.

During a brief and somewhat chaotic photo session, more questions were shouted, including one in Russian about whether Putin would be ready to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky for a trilateral summit. Again, there was no obvious reaction from the Putin beyond a cryptic smirk.

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What was said when talks ended earlier than expected

Journalists in the room with Putin and Trump had been led to expect a press conference; instead, the two leaders gave statements and took no questions from reporters.

Putin was the first to speak. He praised the "constructive atmosphere of mutual respect" of the "neighbourly" talks, and then launching into a condensed history of Alaska's past as a Russian territory.

As he spoke, Trump stood in silence. It was several minutes before the Russian president mentioned what he called the "situation in Ukraine" - ostensibly the catalyst for the summit. When he did, it was to state that although an unspecified "agreement" had been reached, the "root causes" of the conflict had to be eliminated before peace could be achieved.

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The phrase will have set off alarm bells in Kyiv and beyond. Since the start of the war it has become shorthand for a series of intractable and maximalist demands that Putin says stand in the way of a ceasefire.

They include recognition of Russian sovereignty over the Ukrainian regions of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as well as Ukraine agreeing to demilitarisation, neutrality, no foreign military involvement and new elections. Essentially, they amount to capitulation  unacceptable to Kyiv, but clearly  even after three-and-a-half years of bloody conflict  still paramount to Moscow.

With this, it was clear that there was no deal.

And what was not said

Extraordinarily  given the context and the premise for the summit  when it was Trump's turn to speak he did not mention Ukraine or the possibility of a ceasefire once. The closest he came to referencing the conflict was saying that "five, six, seven thousand people a week" are killed and noting that Putin too wanted to see an end to the bloodshed.

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The usually loquacious Trump seemed to have less to say than Putin. His statement was notable for its relative, and unusual, brevity  but primarily for its vagueness. "There were many, many points that we agreed on," Trump said, adding that "great progress" had been made in an "extremely productive meeting".

But he did not share any details and it did not appear that any concrete steps taken towards a resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. No major agreements or a trilateral meeting with President Zelensky were announced.

And  to Moscow's relief  there was no mention of any "severe consequences" that Trump threatened would follow if a ceasefire wasn't reached.

"We didn't get there," Trump admitted.

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Then, optimistically though vaguely, he added: "But we have a very good chance of getting there."

'Next time in Moscow' - Putin makes rare aside in English

The summit may have failed to yield any tangible progress towards peace in Ukraine, but it cemented the rapprochement between Russia and the US.

Pictures of the two presidents repeatedly shaking hands and grinning travelled far and wide on social media  as did images of American servicemen kneeling as they rolled out the red carpet at the foot of Putin's plane.

Before wrapping up his statement, Putin referenced one of the US president's frequent talking points  that the conflict in Ukraine would have never started had Trump been in power.

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Despite Trump's assertion of "great progress", nothing of substance was unveiled at the Alaska summit  yet the two leaders left the door open for another meeting, this time on Russian soil. "I'll probably see you again very soon," Trump said.

Rounding off a joint statement where he had to make no promises, no concessions and no compromises, Putin may have felt at ease enough to break into English  a rare occurrence. Chuckling, he looked at Trump and said: "Next time in Moscow."

"Oh, that's an interesting one," Trump said. "I'll get a little heat on that one, but I  I could see it possibly happening."
Various hospital modernizations, a new parking structure and the creation of a new step-down intermediate care unit are some of the improvements coming to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center with its $28.4 million state grant.

The hospital was awarded the funds on Aug. 8 through the states Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV, one of 55 facilities that received $300 million for improvements.

This investment represents a major step forward for healthcare in Niagara County, said NFMMC President and CEO Joseph Ruffolo. It will allow us to modernize our facilities, expand vital services, and ensure that our patients have access to the highest quality care close to home.

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Planned renovations to the hospital facility include:

 Replacing the parking garage with a new structure

 Relocating departments housed in the garage building to more functional spaces

 Creating a new 12-bed Step-Down Unit to support patients who need intermediate care between the ICU and general medical-surgical floors

 Renovate the S-2 medical-surgical unit for improved comfort, efficiency, and patient experience

 Installing a new telemetry system to monitor 79 inpatient beds

 Updating the Womens Health pavilion to better serve patients and families

 Modernize the Surgery Department and GI Unit with advanced equipment and improved layouts

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 Enclose the Emergency Departments Fast Track Unit bays to improve privacy and the patient experience

 Add new backup generators and an upgraded emergency electrical system to ensure uninterrupted patient care

 Replace the boiler deaerator tank to improve heating system reliability and efficiency.

The Health Care Facility Transformation Program has awarded $4.7 billion to facilities across the state since its start in 2017.
Nigerian officials said Saturday they had arrested the alleged leaders of a jihadist group accused of several high-profile attacks including a 2022 brazen jailbreak in the capital Abuja that temporarily freed hundreds of inmates.

Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, told journalists that Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri had been captured during a "targeted operation" between May and July.

He said they were the leaders of Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan -- commonly known as Ansaru.

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President Bola Tinubu's spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the capture in a social media post as a "significant breakthrough in the war against terrorism".

The group was also accused of blowing up rail tracks and raiding a train travelling from the capital Abuja to the northwestern city of Kaduna also in 2022. Eight people were killed and dozens more kidnapped and held for months.

They "have been on Nigeria's most-wanted list for years" and were also on international wanted lists, said Ribadu.

"They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure," he added.

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In July 2022, jihadists used guns and explosives to blast their way into a prison on the outskirts of Abuja, freeing dozens of inmates. Ansaru subsequently claimed responsibility.

The arrests mark a breakthrough in the West African nation's decade-and-half long battle against jihadists in the northeast -- and, more recently, against criminal gangs behind kidnappings for ransom in central and northwestern regions.

Ribadu said the two had been involved in several high-profile kidnappings in the regions.

- Jailbreaks and kidnappings -

The Boko Haram splinter group was formed in 2012, later aligning itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

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The United States in 2013 designated the group alongside Boko Haram as "Foreign Terrorist Organizations".

Ribadu said the capture of the group's leader and deputy commander, "marks one of the most significant achievements to date in our ongoing effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of terrorism".

Ansaru broke away from Boko Haram in 2012, setting up its base in Kano. Its members, many of them Western-educated, rejected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau for being too extreme.

But the group has since adopted the same violence it initially denounced in Boko Haram.

The United States said the group kidnapped and executed seven international construction workers in 2013.

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According to Ribadu, Usman and al-Nigeri masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies, using the proceeds to "finance terrorism over the years".

Several hundred inmates were freed before being recaptured by security forces in July 2022 when Ansaru attacked the Kuje medium-security prison just 40 kilometres (25 miles) away from the capital and the Aso Rock presidential villa.

In 2012, the group raided a police station in the capital city, killed police officers and freed detainees from prison.

The group was responsible for the 2013 kidnap of a Briton and an Italian in Kebbi state. The duo were killed in a botched rescue operation by British and Nigerian forces.

The group also claimed responsibility for the kidnap of a French engineer in northern Katsina state in 2012. He later escaped.

tba-abu/sn/gv
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)  The leaders of two militant groups on Nigeria 's most wanted list have been arrested in an operation involving multiple agencies, the West African country's national security adviser said Saturday.

The two leaders were allegedly the heads of Ansaru, an al-Qaida -linked group, and Mahmuda, a relatively new and lesser-known militant group. Mahmuda gained national prominence after a string of attacks earlier this year in the country's north-central region.

Nigeria's northern region is home to numerous armed groups.

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Officials said the arrests came in an operation conducted between May and July and that they recovered valuable materials including digital evidence that is undergoing forensic analysis and could lead to more arrests.

The arrested leaders are Mahmud Muhammad Usman of Ansaru and Mahmud al-Nigeri of the Mahmuda group. Both men are also wanted internationally, according to Nuhu Ribadu, the security adviser.

These two men have been on Nigerias most-wanted list for years. They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces and critical infrastructure," Ribadu said at a news conference.

He said the arrested leaders are responsible for the Kuje prison attack in 2022 that led to the escape of dozens of jailed Boko Haram members and an attack on the Niger uranium facility in 2013, among others. Ribadu said they maintain active links with terrorist groups across the Maghreb, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

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Nigeria faces a complex, multidimensional security challenge with various armed groups operating across the country. On one side are religiously motivated groups, including 16-year-old Boko Haram and its splinter factions like Ansaru and the Islamic State West Africa Province. On the other are amorphous groups specializing in kidnapping for ransom and looting and commonly referred to as bandits. Sometimes, their activities overlap.

Despite military assaults on the groups, they have continued to expand their operations and carry out routine attacks. This year, Boko Haram has mounted a major resurgence.

The U.S. government on Wednesday approved the sale of $346 million in arms to bolster Nigeria's fight against insurgency and criminal groups.

"The successful decapitation of the leadership of this dangerous franchise marks the most decisive blow against ANSARU since its inception. This strike has effectively dismantled its central command while paving the path for the complete annihilation of the group, Ribadu said.

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Oluwole Ojewale, a Dakar-based security analyst at the Institute of Security Studies, says the significant arrest will test the resilience of Ansaru and its capacity to spring surprises or mount major attacks in the immediate term.

The impacts of this arrest on the terrorist groups depend on what the Nigerian state security does with the intelligence at their disposal, he said.
Caltrans will close lanes and ramps overnight in both directions on the 5 Freeway next week as part of a $61.15 million pavement rehabilitation project in northern Los Angeles County.

The closures are as follows:

Sunday, Aug. 17

Up to two lanes will be closed in both directions of I-5 between Lake Hughes Road and Vista del Lago Road from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Templin Highway on- and off-ramps in both directions will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Monday, Aug. 18, through Friday, Aug. 22

Up to three lanes will be closed in both directions of I-5 between Lake Hughes Road and Vista del Lago Road from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Templin Highway on- and off-ramps in both directions will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

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The work includes guardrail upgrades and freeway repaving to improve ride quality and enhance worker safety. Caltrans warns nearby residents and businesses that they may experience noise, vibrations and grinding during the construction period.

The project, led by Griffith Company, began in spring 2025 and is expected to continue through winter 2027. Schedules may change due to weather or other factors.

Real-time closure updates are available on the Caltrans QuickMap 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 KTLA.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has imposed a temporary alcohol ban at several popular recreation areas, officials said.

DEEP said the ban is in effect from Aug. 19, through Nov. 16, at the following locations:

Beach Pond State Boat Launch, Voluntown, including a portion of Pachaug State Forest

Billings Lake State Boat Launch, North Stonington, including a portion of Pachaug State Forest

Gardner Lake State Park and State Boat Launch, Salem

Lake Waramaug State Park, New Preston

Naugatuck State Forest, Naugatuck, Oxford, and Beacon Falls, to include the areas commonly known as Seymour Reservoirs #1, #2, #3, and #4 and the lands immediately surrounding the reservoirs

Paugussett State Forest (upper section) and George Waldo State Park, Southbury

Quaddick State Park, Thompson

Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middletown and Middlefield

Pattaconk Recreation Area, Chester

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Officials said these locations have experienced increased crowds and alcohol consumption, which have led to increased incidents of misconduct, unruly behavior, property damage, trespass, and complaints by other visitors and the surrounding communities.

A temporary alcohol ban was issued back in May and is now being extended, according to DEEP officials. The states environmental conservation police said the ban provides them an enforcement tool which has been effective at ensuring state parks and boat launches remain safe.

DEEP works to ensure that Connecticuts outdoor recreation areas are peaceful, family friendly places where visitors can feel safe and welcome, said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes in a press release. This temporary alcohol ban, combined with education and enforcement by EnCon officers, will help make state parks, forests, and boat launches safe and enjoyable for all.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have left Alaska without reaching an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

After an almost three-hour meeting, the leaders delivered a joint statement to the media before leaving without taking questions.

Three BBC correspondents who are in Anchorage for the summit assess what it means for the US and Russian leaders as well as what happens next in the war in Ukraine.

Meeting dents Trump's reputation as a dealmaker

By North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher

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"There's no deal until there's a deal," Donald Trump said early in his post-summit remarks here in Anchorage.

It was a roundabout way of conceding that after several hours of talks, there's no deal. No ceasefire. Nothing tangible to report.

The president said that he and Vladimir Putin made "some great progress", but with little details about what that might be, it's left to the world's imagination.

"We didn't get there," he later said, before exiting the room without taking any questions from the hundreds of gathered reporters.

Trump travelled a long way only to produce such vague statements, even if America's European allies and Ukrainian officials may be relieved he did not offer unilateral concessions or agreements that could have undermined future negotiations.

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For the man who likes to tout himself as a peacemaker and a dealmaker, it appears that Trump will leave Alaska with neither.

There are also no indications that a future summit that includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is forthcoming, Putin's "next time in Moscow" quip about their next meeting notwithstanding.

While Trump had less at stake during these negotiations than Ukraine or Russia, it still will put a dent in his domestic and international prestige after earlier promises that this meeting had only a 25% chance of failure.

What's more, the president had to suffer the apparent indignity of standing silent as Putin started off the press-conference-that-wasn't with extensive opening remarks. It was a marked difference than the normal routine in the Oval Office, when the US president typically holds court while his foreign counterpart looks on without comment.

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While Alaska is American territory, Putin seemed more at home in what his officials like to note was once "Russian America" before its 19th Century sale to the US. That may eat at the American president over the coming days, as will press coverage that will present this summit as a flop.

The big question now - one reporters were unable to ask on Friday - is whether Trump will decide to impose his much-threatened new sanctions on Russia as punishment.

The president partially addressed that in the friendly confines of a Fox News interview before flying out, saying that he would consider such a move "maybe in two weeks, three weeks". But given the president promised "severe consequences" if Russia did not move towards a ceasefire, such a unspecific answer may prompt more questions than it answers.

Putin gets his moment in the global spotlight

By Steve Rosenberg, Russia editor

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When is a "press conference" not a press conference?

When there are no questions.

There was palpable surprise in the hall when Presidents Putin and Trump left the podium as soon as they'd delivered their statements  without taking any questions.

Members of the Russian delegation, too, left the room swiftly without answering any of the questions journalists were shouting at them.

Clear signs that when it comes to the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump still have a major difference of opinion.

Donald Trump has been pushing for a Russian ceasefire. Vladimir Putin didn't give it to him.

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There was a very different vibe earlier in the day. President Trump had rolled out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin, treating the Kremlin leader as an honoured guest.

The Russian president got his moment in the geo-political limelight, sharing the stage with the leader of the world's most powerful country.

But how will Trump react to what happened? He still hasn't managed to persuade Putin to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Previously he'd threatened a tougher approach to Russia, with ultimatums, deadlines and warnings of more sanctions if Moscow ignored calls for a ceasefire.

He hasn't followed through.

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Will he?

A sigh of relief from Ukraine - but fear for what's next

By Vitaliy Shevchenko, Russia Editor BBC Monitoring

What just happened in Anchorage may feel anti-climactic for many, but in Kyiv there will be sighs of relief that no "deal" has been announced that would cost Ukraine territory.

People of Ukraine will also know that all of their key deals with Russia have ended up broken, so even if one had been announced here in Anchorage, they would have been sceptical.

Ukrainians will be alarmed, however, that at the joint appearance in front of the media Vladimir Putin yet again spoke of the "root causes" of the conflict and said only their removal would lead to lasting peace.

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Translated from Kremlin-speak, this means he is still determined to pursue the original objective of his "special military operation" - which is to dismantle Ukraine as an independent state. Three-and-a-half years of Western efforts have failed to make him change his mind, and that now includes the Alaska summit.

The uncertainty that persists after the meeting is also worrying. What happens next? Will Russia's attacks continue unabated?

The past few months have seen a succession of Western deadlines that came and went without consequences, and threats that were never carried out. Ukrainians see this as an invitation for Putin to continue his attacks. They may see the apparent lack of progress achieved Anchorage in the same light.
Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump has dropped demands for a ceasefire in favor of a comprehensive peace deal that would include giving up unoccupied Ukrainian territories to Russia  but he promises that security guarantees will be part of the deal.



The Americans rolled out the red carpet for Putin as he arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15 for a bilateral summit on ending the war in Ukraine. The two leaders spoke for three hours, although no peace agreement was made.



After the meeting, Trump said the two leaders made some headway towards peace, and "largely agreed" on security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial swaps, which would require Ukraine giving up some land to Russia.



A Ukrainian Presidential Office source earlier told the Kyiv Independent that Moscow's proposal would require Kyiv to withdraw from the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in exchange for a Russian pullback from parts of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.



Trump emerged from the meeting believing that a deal could be reached if Kyiv gave up unoccupied Ukrainian lands  namely the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine  in exchange for peace, the New York Times (NYT) reported, citing two European officials briefed on the matter.

Putin reportedly offered to freeze the front lines in the partially occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts if Ukraine withdrew entirely from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.



Axios journalist Barak Ravid also reported, citing a source familiar with the talks, that Putin asked Trump to recognize Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts as Russian, along with Crimea.

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The day after the summit, Putin appeared pleased with the results.



"We talked about a possible resolution to the Ukrainian crisis. And we had the opportunity to talk about the origins and causes of the crisis. It is precisely the elimination of these root causes that must form the basis for a settlement," Putin told the Russian government back in Moscow on Aug. 16.



Putin has long justified the full-scale invasion of Ukraine with conspiracy theories about NATO expansion and the need to protect Russian-speakers in Ukraine  the "root causes" frequently referenced in Kremlin propaganda.



The reaction in Ukraine has been dismayed, with many concerned that Trump will pressure Zelensky into an unfair deal after the U.S. leader said he wants a "fast peace deal," rather than a ceasefire agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they arrive at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug. 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

What's next for Ukraine and Europe

Following the summit, the U.S. leader had a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky and several senior European and NATO leaders on Aug. 16. During the talk, he said that Putin would prefer a more comprehensive peace deal rather than a ceasefire, a position he later publicly backed in a Truth Social post.



"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times does not hold up," he wrote on Truth Social after the call.



He invited Zelensky, who was excluded from the Alaskan summit, to Washington on Aug. 18, where the two leaders will discuss ending the war, including Trump's proposal to give up Ukrainian territories to Russia. Afterwards, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he wants to have a meeting with Putin and Zelensky "if all works out."

Two sources told Axios that Trump hopes to hold the trilateral meeting as early as Aug. 22. Putin has not publicly said he would participate in such a meeting. Sources who spoke to the NYT said Putin has opposed meeting Zelensky because he does not consider his government legitimate.



Zelensky previously said he would not give up territories for a peace agreement, and insisted on a ceasefire being the first step.



European leaders tepidly welcomed Trump's diplomatic efforts, including his proposal of trilateral talks between Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow, and will hold a "coalition of the willing" meeting, attended by the U.K, France, and Germany, on Aug. 17, the French Embassy told the Kyiv Independent.

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Trump also invited European leaders to join Zelensky for the Washington meeting on Aug. 18, the New York Times reported on Aug. 16, citing unnamed officials.

Read also: Melania Trump wrote letter to Putin about kidnapped Ukrainian children, Reuters reports

Security guarantees

The most positive sign for Ukraine to come out of the Alaska Summit so far is the potential for U.S. security guarantees in the style of NATO's Article 5 CNN reported, citing anonymous European officials. These guarantees would not directly involve NATO.

Article 5, the cornerstone of the Alliance's collective defense agreement, stipulates that an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all. While Trump opposes NATO's involvement in security guarantees for Ukraine, a source told CNN an "Article 5-type" protection  reportedly proposed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni  could potentially be established.

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According to a source who spoke to the NYT, U.S. troops could possibly participate in supporting security in Ukraine after a peace settlement.



"We will continue to prioritize Ukrainian security. Ukraine needs strong, credible, long-term security guarantees, including sustained support from Europe, the United States, and other partners to strengthen its armed forces, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent.



In a statement, the European Commission said it welcomed Trump's negotiation efforts and is ready to support Trump's security proposal. However, the EC made it clear that Ukraine must be the one to decide the fate of its territory and that "borders must not be changed by force."



"No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to the EU and NATO," Brussels added.

The EC also said that it would continue to apply economic pressure to Russia, including by continuing to put pressure on Russias war economy and strengthening sanctions "until there is a just and lasting peace."



Trump, on the other hand, backpedaled on his threat to unleash sanctions and tariffs on Russia and its partners, like China. Instead, he said that there was currently no need for new sanctions.



In a statement shared later on Telegram, Zelensky said he had told Trump that sanctions against Russia must be tightened if Moscow opts out of a trilateral meeting or if Putin doesn't comply with a just end to the war. Trump reportedly agreed to consider renewing the threat of sanctions against Russia if the trilateral talks failed to deliver progress toward peace, according to the Wall Street Journal.



"Sanctions are an effective tool. We need to guarantee a lasting, long-term security with the participation of both Europe and the United States," Zelensky said. "All issues that are important for Ukraine should be discussed with the participation of Ukraine, and no issue, including territorial ones, can be resolved without Ukraine."

Read also: Russia declares isolation over after Putins red-carpet welcome in Alaska





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U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on August 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for a summit focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine. The session lasted over two and a half hours but ended without a formal agreement on a ceasefire or peace plan.

Following the closed-door talks, both leaders held a brief press conference without taking questions. Trump delivered a sluggish speech, emphasizing that Ukraine bears responsibility for initiating peace talks, while avoiding concrete commitments.

Putin, meanwhile, half-jokingly suggested that their next meeting could take place in Moscow. Trump responded, People arent going to like that, but did not rule out the possibility, signaling a willingness to continue discussions on Russian soil.

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The summits location in Alaska, a state with historical ties to Russia, underscored the complex geopolitical dynamics of U.S.-Russia relations. Trump and Putin expressed a desire for peace, but diverging priorities left substantive disagreements unresolved.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was not invited and thus not present in Alaska, is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington next week, raising concerns about being excluded from the discussions.

Observers noted that while the summit offered an opportunity for dialogue, the carefully staged statements, absence of press questions and noncommittal language highlighted the challenges of bridging the U.S. and Russian positions on Ukraine. Analysts say the Moscow remark signals a potential continuation of talks but may provoke criticism at home in the United States, reflecting the political sensitivity of such engagements.

The post No deal in Alaska: Trump, Putin talk peace, with no resolution appeared first on Salon.com.
Nearly eight years after Donald Trump turned in such an embarrassing performance at his first summit with Vladimir Putin that members of his own party were left struggling to defend him, critics feared he was set for a repeat performance in Alaska Friday.

Putin traveled from Moscow to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska  on what was once sovereign Russian land  after three years of isolation brought on by his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, hoping he could charm, cajole and flatter Trump into taking his side over that of Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump arrived first, and the two leaders met on a red-carpeted tarmac for a handshake. It was there that Putin got his first surprise.

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As the leaders walked towards waiting reporters and photographers, a noise above drew the Russian leaders attention. He looked up to see something that on any other day, in any other place, would have meant very bad things for him: The belly of an American B-2 bomber, a machine built to kill him by dropping nuclear weapons on Moscow without detection by Soviet (later Russian) air defense systems.

Trump then pulled Putin into his waiting limousine for a shared ride to their talks, bypassing the armored car that had been brought from Moscow for the Russian presidents use.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Next, the one-on-one meeting Putin had expected became a three-on-three session with him and two of his aides across from Trump, his special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Only after that could Putin expect to have Trump sit down with a group of Russian business leaders who hed brought with him, expecting the American leader to be swayed with the promise of investment and business opportunities in the same way other foreign leaders have curried favor with Trump.

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It never happened.

After nearly three hours of talks, Trump and Putin walked out to face hundreds of reporters whod gathered in expectation of a joint press conference.

Speaking first, Putin appeared optimistic about the talks as he said he and Trump had come to agreements and described Ukraine  the sovereign nation he invaded and has been pillaging since March 2022  as Russias brotherly nation and claimed Russia wants to end the conflict.

Through a translator, the Russian strongman repeated oft-used lines about addressing what he calls the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict  meaning his desire for Ukraine to end any ambitions to integrate with the West by joining the European Union or NATO  and said any settlement in the conflict must consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in world on the whole.

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But moments later, Trump torpedoed Putin's claim to have reached an agreement, telling reporters instead that there were many points that we agreed on during the talks but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there.

So there's no deal until there's a deal, Trump summed it up.

The president stressed that any future deal would have to receive assent from the Ukrainian government as well as America's NATO allies, and said he'd be calling up ... the various people that I think are appropriate, as well as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to read them in on what transpired behind closed doors today.

Trump added that the meeting, in his estimation, had been very productive and included many points that had been agreed to, and said there was a "good chance" of reaching some sort of accord going forward.

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A second meeting has been floated in recent days by Trump but has not been confirmed.

Putin suggested to Trump in English: Next time in Moscow, which the president said he could get a little heat for but added he could see it possibly happening.

Trump thanked the reporters for attending and he and Putin quickly left the stage.

Within the hour, both leaders aircraft were wheels up and bound for home.

There were no fireworks, there was no grand bargain rolled out, and it wasnt clear what  if anything  the two leaders had actually agreed on at all.

And while some commentators were casting the lackluster result as a win for Putin because Trump hadnt rolled out the sanctions he has spent weeks threatening, the Russian leader most likely wasnt smiling as his plane climbed away from Alaska.

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Thats because he failed to do what hed done in Helsinki, where hed charmed and flattered Trump into taking his side over Americas own intelligence services.

Hed even failed to bring Trump back to his previous anti-Ukraine worldview, that which was on display in February when he and Vice President JD Vance got into an Oval Office shouting match with Zelensky before throwing him out of the White House.

Instead, he had to watch as Trump reaffirmed that the final settlement in the war hed started would have to pass muster with Zelensky, the man who hed hoped to kill in the opening days of the war.

The years between Helsinki and Anchorage  and the months between February and now  have seen Trump go through trials (literally) and tests.

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For better or worse, hes no longer the neophyte, easily flattered naif who Putin made a fool of in Finland all those years ago. And though hes long had an uneasy relationship with both Zelensky and NATO, the months since that disastrous bilateral meeting have seen him grow more and more frustrated with Putin and better understand the European desire to avoid rewarding attempts at military conquest on their soil.

It wasnt a perfect result, but Trump is learning. And now, Putin knows that.
The highly anticipated talks between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin ended with no firm agreement on stopping the three-year war in Ukraine, as both leaders took notably different stances speaking after the high-stakes summit in Alaska.

At what was billed as a press conference following a nearly three-hour meeting between the two leaders and their top aides Friday, Putin attempted to set the terms when he spoke first after both emerged on the stage at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage.

Putin appeared optimistic about the talks as he said he and Trump had come to agreements and described Ukraine  the sovereign nation he invaded and has been pillaging since March 2022  as Russias brotherly nation and claimed Russia wants to end the conflict.

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By contrast, Trump followed in brief comments and said firmly: Theres no deal until theres a deal.

I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well, said Putin, via a translator. Naturally we are prepared to work on that, I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.

We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they won't throw a wrench in the works," Putin cautioned, before warning Europe against "backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress.

Putin attempted to set the terms when he began speaking first after both emerged onto the stage at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage. (REUTERS)

Putin repeated oft-used lines about addressing what he calls the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict,meaning his desire for Ukraine to end any ambitions to integrate with the West by joining the European Union or NATO, and said any settlement in the conflict must consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in world on the whole.

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But moments later, Trump torpedoed Putin's claim to have reached an agreement, telling reporters instead that there were many points that we agreed on during the talks but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there.

So there's no deal until there's a deal, Trump said.

The president stressed that any future deal would have to receive assent from the Ukrainian government as well as America's NATO allies, and said he'd be calling up ... the various people that I think are appropriate, as well as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to read them in on what transpired behind closed doors today.

Trump torpedoed Putin's claim to have reached an agreement, telling reporters instead that there were many points that we agreed on during the talks but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there. (REUTERS)

Trump added that the meeting, in his estimation, had been very productive and included many points that had been agreed to, and said there was a "good chance" of reaching some sort of accord going forward.

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A second meeting has been floated in recent days by Trump but has not been confirmed.

Putin suggested to Trump in English: Next time in Moscow, which the president said he could get a little heat for but added he could see it possibly happening.

The leaders did not take questions from reporters and swiftly walked off the stage.

There was no mention of a possible land swap of Ukrainian territories that Trump previously suggested, which he said would be to the betterment of both sides.

The reality that Ukraine will lose territory in a peace agreement has been accepted by Zelensky in recent months.

The president stressed that any future deal would have to receive assent from the Ukrainian government as well as America's NATO allies. (Getty Images)

The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, conceded Friday that Ukraine may have to give up territory as a temporary solution towards peace.

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One of the scenarios is to give up territory. It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary, Klitschko told the BBC. But he stressed that the Ukrainian people would "never accept occupation" by Russia.

Russia occupies about a fifth of Ukraine, from the countrys northeast to the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed illegally in 2014.

The front line is vast and cuts across six regions  the active front stretches for at least 1,000 kilometres (680 miles)  but if measured from along the border with Russia, it reaches as far as 2,300 kilometres (1,430 miles).

Russia controls almost all of the Luhansk region and almost two-thirds of Donetsk region, which together comprise the Donbas, as the strategic industrial heartland of Ukraine is called.

Russia has long coveted the area and illegally annexed it in the first year of the full-scale invasion, even though it did not control much of it at the time.
No injuries were reported after a Chicago police officer fired a shot during a foot chase of a shooting suspect Friday afternoon in the citys South Shore neighborhood, authorities said.

Officers were in the 2000 block of East 71st Street just after 2 p.m., when they saw an armed offender fire multiple gunshots in the direction of an unknown victim and then flee the area on foot, Chicago police said in a preliminary statement.

As the officers followed in pursuit, one officer fired their weapon at the offender, police said. No injuries have been reported and police did not release a description of the gunman.

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As of 6:20 p.m. Friday, no one was in custody as the departments investigative response team investigated, police said.

Further, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability was investigating the specifics of this incident, police said. The officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for at least 30 days while COPA investigates.

tkenny@chicagotribune.com
(FOX 2) - Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is sounding the alarm over President Trumps decision to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, calling it a diplomatic misstep that hands Moscow leverage without extracting concessions.

In an interview with FOX 2's Hilary Golston, Brink said the summit reflects a troubling lack of preparation and purpose. "There just isnt a strategy. Normally in diplomacy you want to think through what your goals are and then use a power and your resources to achieve them. Thats just not happening here," she said.

Brink, who resigned from her post earlier this year citing deep disagreements with the Trump administrations approach to Ukraine, noted that the Kremlin had offered nothing in return for the high profile meeting. "Theres now a meeting with our President and with Putin and Putin has not offered any concessions including a ceasefire, so this is a big mistake and a win for Putin right from the beginning."

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When asked by Golston what kind of concessions should be required, Brink was unequivocal. "First and foremost there needs to be a ceasefire. Its hard to imagine how to end this war without the start of a ceasefire, which Ukraine has already agreed to. In general we need to know what it is we want to achieve. There are major consequences for the United States, for Europe, in how this war ends."

Brink added that Washington must keep its eye on the global stakes. "We should be focused on a result which helps ensure Ukraines freedom that also deters Russia from further aggression and that sends the right signal to China." Analysts note that Beijing is closely watching Western resolve in Ukraine as it weighs its own long term ambitions toward Taiwan.

The Alaska summit was framed by the White House as a chance to reset relations, but it ended without progress on halting the war. According to the Associated Press, the two leaders held a two and a half hour session, appeared together briefly, and left without answering questions. No ceasefire, prisoner exchange, or territorial deal was announced, only ceremonial gestures including a red carpet arrival and a military flyover.

Brink argued that this kind of high level engagement, absent conditions, risks repeating mistakes of past "peace at any price" diplomacy. "Peace at any price is not peace at all its appeasement," she said.

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The former ambassador has deep ties to the region, having spent nearly three years in Kyiv during some of the most intense phases of the war. She is now running for Congress in Michigans 7th District as a Democrat, positioning herself as both a critic of Trumps foreign policy and a defender of U.S. commitments abroad.

Golston also spoke with Michigan GOP chair Jim Runestad, who applauded the presidents effort and dismissed Brinks criticism. "Shes a partisan hack shes a Democrat operative of course thats what shes going to say," Runestad said. "Trump has been doing a phenomenal job of bringing people together and solving problems and I think hes going to do a great job at this meeting."

Brink maintains the risk of miscalculation is too high. She points out that the United States has already invested heavily in Ukraines defense. "We have given 105 billion dollars in assistance to Ukraine to help Ukraine defend itself. The EU has given more than the U.S. and its an investment. Half of the money that we gave in security assistance thats 60 billion half went to replenish our own defense industrial base."
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The City of Grants Pass reached a settlement with two nonprofits that challenged the citys camping policies in an effort to improve conditions for homeless people with disabilities.

In January, nonprofit organizations Disability Rights Oregon and Oregon Law Center filed an emergency lawsuit aiming to pause the citys recent homeless camping policies  arguing that the city was violating state law that required camping regulations to be objectively reasonable.

The lawsuit pointed to a city policy implemented in August of 2024 that banned homeless camping on city property. As reported by the Associated Press, the city had one homeless shelter at the time and its rules requiring attendance at religious services and barring pets, alcohol, drugs and smoking mean many wont stay there.

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This ends now: AG Bondi threatens PNW leaders over sanctuary jurisdictions

In their lawsuit, the nonprofits claimed that the shelter space was flooded with people facing homelessness and physically inaccessible for people with disabilities.

Additionally, the city had designated two spaces on city property as places where unsheltered people could stay. However, the city later closed the larger of the campsites, and as AP notes, made the remaining smaller one only open from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., forcing people to pack up their belongings every morning and carry them throughout the day with no place where they can legally set down their things.

The lawsuit brought by the nonprofits also listed five people facing homelessness as plaintiffs, including people who use wheelchairs and canes, who argued that the camping policies discriminated against people with disabilities.

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Uniformed Multnomah County employee accused of stealing hundreds from hardware store

As part of the settlement, the city must provide ample drinking water at all approved camp sites and provide accessible, low-barrier camping for 150 people in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for the next 12 months. Additionally, the city must provide a $60,000 grant to a local nonprofit supporting homeless residents.

Oregon cant arrest its way out of homelessness, and we are pleased the city has committed to developing more humane and legally compliant approaches to this public health crisis, said Jake Cornett, executive director and chief executive officer of Disability Rights Oregon. This settlement represents a significant step forward in ensuring people with disabilities experiencing homelessness have places to rest, basic necessities like drinking water, and real opportunity to stabilize their lives.

Requiring people to move along every day doesnt get people into housing, it just makes life harder and more dangerous, added Allison Nasson, staff attorney at Oregon Law Center. When you have been forced to live outside, you still need water, a bathroom, and a place to rest.

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Along with the settlement, the Josephine County court ended its pause on the citys camping policy, with the city announcing Friday, In the next day or two law enforcement will begin noticing the parks and occupants will have 72 hours to remove their belongings. The resting sites will remain open, but now the 96-hour length-of-stay restrictions can be enforced unless an ADA accommodation is necessary.

The lawsuit from the nonprofits followed a separate lawsuit against the City of Grants Pass, which later made its way to the Supreme Court of the United States.

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The high court ruled that cities are allowed to enforce camping bans, with the Associated Press reporting, Last Junes Supreme Court ruling made the southern Oregon mountain town of 40,000 the unlikely face of the nations homelessness crisis. It ushered in a new era of homeless policy by allowing cities across the U.S. to ban sleeping outside and fine people for doing so, even when there arent enough shelter beds.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A weekly flight coming to Kansas City International Airport in 2026 will take travelers directly to a new country in the Caribbean.

The airport will provide Saturday-only flights to Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic starting March 7, according to a press release. Travelers will fly via Southwest Airlines for this once-weekly nonstop flight.

Prices start at $798.35 for a round-trip flight departing Kansas City on March 7 and returning March 14. The four-hour, 30-minute flight is available to book now on Southwest.

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The flight departs at 7 a.m. and arrives at 1:30 p.m. The country observes Atlantic Standard Time year-round. The returning flight leaves at 1:30 p.m. and lands back in Kansas City at 6:30 p.m.

Officials with the city say the flights will provide travelers with access to one of the Caribbeans top destinations.

Last near nearly 20,000 travelers flew from MCI to the Dominican Republic on connecting itineraries, said director of aviation Melissa Cooper in a statement. This new flight will make access to Punta Cana easier than ever, allowing for longer time spent in the destination.

Direct flights to the Dominican Republic are also available to book with layovers in cities like Denver and Orlando, Florida.

Its the latest nonstop flight added to KCI, as Frontier Airlines is launching a new round-trip flight between Kansas City and Tampa, Florida, beginning in October.
(Reuters) -The leaders of eight Nordic-Baltic nations said on Saturday that they remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine and to the efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden said in a statement that achieving peace between Ukraine and Russia requires a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine.

"We welcome President Trump's statement that the U.S. is prepared to participate in security guarantees. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with other countries," the statement said.

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Trump has said that he had agreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies, until now with U.S. support, have demanded.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Nearby North Tonawanda residents have long been opposed to DigiPower Xs Erie Avenue crypto-mining facility, saying the carbon emissions coming from the former Fortistar power station and noise reverberations impact their quality of life.

Now, city officials are taking the facilitys owners to court over violating NTs noise ordinance. The first arraignment hearing happened on Tuesday.

High noise levels negatively impact health, and North Tonawanda residents living up to a mile or more from the Digihost facility over on Erie Avenue have been suffering for more than three years, said Deborah Gondek, member of the citys Climate Task Force. Were hopeful that (the) court proceedings will provide some much-needed relief.

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North Tonawanda Police Chief Keith Glass issued four citations to the company in July, saying during a press conference at city hall on Tuesday that they had exceeded the nighttime limit of 50 decibels every night during a two-week period that he measured the levels.

DigiPower entered a not guilty plea and motion to dismiss the citations.

The current city ordinance sets such fines at a $250 maximum.

Upstairs at my plant-facing bedroom windows, the window-penetrating noise is just terrible  you cant sleep, said resident Kevin OConnor. On my backyard deck, noise bouncing off the homes behind me is also irritating, taking away the peacefulness of my own home.

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Mayor Austin Tylec said the city has been working to update its noise ordinance in response to the complaints. The updates would include low-frequency levels and increased fines for industrial and commercial operations.

He hopes the common council will vote on it by next month.

In the past, we didnt have the certification, education, or equipment to do accurate readings, Tylec said. Now that we have the pieces in place, its our responsibility to take the complaints and cite as necessary.

Current city officials have long blamed past Common Council members for approving this project, with former city building inspector Cosimo Capozzi saying the then-board did not listen to his objections as he advised them.

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The cryptomining started in September 2022, when DigiPower X was named Digihost, mainly drawing power from the former 55-megawatt gas-powered plant. The 24/7 operation has fans operating constantly to cool the computers used for cryptomining, which causes most of the noise.

Since the operation started, it has produced a reported 280,237 tons of carbon dioxide according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In July 2024, the city passed a two-year moratorium on new cryptomining operations and data centers in order to update the zoning code and ordinances. The Common Council also passed a local law making the city a nuclear-free zone after Digihost proposed the facility be powered by a 60-megawatt microreactor.

Niagara Falls attorney Matthew Bird, representing DigiPower in the proceedings, did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

A hearing on whether to dismiss the citations will take place Sept. 9 at North Tonawanda City Court.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP)  The Northampton board of health has unanimously voted to draft a regulation prohibiting the sale of kratom and synthetic cannabinoids.

Social cannabis use rules will be published Friday

Kratom is a tree, native to Southeast Asia, that produces opioid and stimulant-like effects.

It has already been banned from being manufactured and sold in Springfield and Belchertown. The federal government has proposed classifying it as a Schedule 1 drug. A public hearing on the proposed ban will be held on August 21st via Zoom at 5:30 pm.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Pieces of a quilt brought tears to Dave Andersons eyes Friday. He was busy that day, getting First Baptist Church of Austin ready for visitors who would come see the quilt and pay their respects.

Its not just any quilt. Its the National AIDS Memorial Quilt, considered to be the largest community arts project in the world.

Texas largest ever display of National AIDS Memorial Quilt goes up in Austin ahead of Pride

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The entire quilt is a 54-ton tapestry that includes nearly 50,000 panels dedicated to more than 110,000 individuals, according to its website. The Austin exhibit features 34 blocks that memorialize over 270 lives lost to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Pieces of it are on display at the church until Aug. 24, in alignment with this years Austin Pride celebration.

The church is also hosting movie nights throughout the duration of the display, as well as HIV/STI Testing and Support, Create a Panel craft areas, a Change the Pattern initiative aimed at lowering the rate of infection among Black and Latinx communities, documentary showings, and a Service of Remembrance and Hope on the final day of the display.

AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) The Kind Clinic has set up a mobile clinic at First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street, while the church displays part of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones)

Any community can host an exhibit of the quilt. Anderson, a member of First Austin and the Volunteer Coordinator for Kind Clinic and Texas Health Action, was behind bringing it to Austin. He said he saw it on display in Houston in the late 80s, and the experience stuck with him, so he wanted to keep it alive and share it with others.

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Its the largest display of the quilt in Texas history.

It is moving. It is sentimental, Anderson said. When youre here during the gallery, you will hear people laughing. Youll hear people reading. There are families that are gathering here that will get to reach out and touch the last mention of their brother and their sons. And so youll hear tears and things.

The message is remembrance, but also living on and moving forward, Anderson explained.

The bottom line is what happens down here, in the health fair, and what were doing in that, Anderson said. That absolutely, HIV is no longer a death sentence.

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Leslie Moore, a longtime member of First Austin, helped Anderson coordinate the exhibit.

Our church is very entrepreneurial, and if you have an idea and you want to do it, theyll help you figure out how to do it, Moore said. We are striving to be a center for faith, justice, and the arts in downtown Austin, so were a very progressive Church.

Moore said the quilt was a passion of Andersons, and she wanted to help him display it to teach younger generations about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the fear surrounding it, remembrance of the lives lost. She also reiterated the goal of sharing the message that an HIV/AIDS diagnosis does not mean a death sentence.

Anderson said people can create panels that will be added to the quilt when the church sends it back to its storage facility in California. Anderson also said some of the panels of the quilt were created by people who faced fatal HIV/AIDS diagnoses and wanted to be remembered in some way after they died.

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Many made their own panel so that they would not be forgotten. So I tell them as I touch them, youre not forgotten, Anderson said.

Anderson said the exhibit, and the church in general, is a place for people to feel welcomed and safe.

Theres a wonderful scripture, and a little bit of paraphrasing is, be still and know that Im here, meaning God, he said. Watch as people theyll stand and theyll read every one of them [the names on the quilts], and then they exhale, move to the next one.

When asked about the decision to display the quilt in the church, both Moore and Anderson said that part of First Austins mission is to be involved in the community and a part of social justice. Plus, the large building has plenty of space for it.

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Its what the church is for, Anderson said.

We have the space to, and it was given to us for free, Moore said. And this is something that our church feels is important to have. The church has always been on the forefront of justice.

Anderson said the pastor, Griff Martin, was supportive and excited to display the quilt. Griff was at the ribbon-cutting event the church held for the exhibit Saturday morning.

Ribbon-cutting for the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones)

Ribbon-cutting for the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at the First Baptist Church of Austin, located at 901 Trinity Street. It is the largest display of the quilt in Texas history. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones)

First Austin hosts several community organizations outside of service hours, too. The Interfaith Action of Central Texas, or iACT, is housed there, as well as Trinity Street Players, a nonprofit community theatre group. Todos Juntos, the Austin Gay Mens Chorus, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and other organizations also use the churchs space.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI)  Following President Donald Trumps Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, locals gathered on Friday to send a message to world leaders: dont abandon Ukraine.

The rally, which was named Stand for American Values/Dont abandon Ukraine, was organized by Shield of Freedom, a local nonprofit with the goal of supporting Ukraine.

The group regularly holds weekly rallies in places such as Balboa Park. People gathered on Nobel Dr. Bridge holding Ukranian flags and sunflowers, Ukraines national flower, above the I-5.

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Mira Rubin, president of Shield of Freedom, said they had a large turnout because of Trumps meeting with Putin to discuss the ongoing war. She said the summit made her feel nauseous.

I dont care what they talk about, theyre not going to solve the problem, Rubin said. Theyre not going to stop, theres not going to be a ceasefire because of this meeting.

Local Ukranian activist shares reaction to Trump-Putin summit. (KSWB/KUSI)

Rubin describes Putin as a dictator who is responsible for millions of deaths and expressed disappointment in the way he was greeted when he landed in Alaska.

This man is a horrible dictator, he comes out of the plane and is welcomed by the United States of America, Rubin said. We welcomed him with open arms.

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She believes that Ukraines only option is to fight back against Russia and that this can only be accomplished with international support.

The longer we drag this out, the longer we talk and talk about nothing  the more people die every day, Rubin said.

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Zohran Mamdani told media he had been saddened but unsurprised when he was told to return where he came from.

New York mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani was met with jeers and yelling during his trip to Staten Island on Wednesday, according to recordings and international media reports.

"You f***** Jew-hater, you piece of s***," well-known Staten Island-based artist Scott LoBaido shouted at him in a local diner.

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LaBaido told the New York Post he received three summonses for disorderly conduct, a sound violation, and foul language.

Ill have to plead guilty on that one, he said regarding the third violation. Foul language is my middle name.

While swarming a Mediterranean restaurant attended by Mamdani, LoBaido reportedly yelled, Let me tell you something, f***bag, you are not welcome on this f****** island.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani looks on during National Night Out at the NYPD's 78th Precinct in Brooklyn, New York City, U.S., August 5, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/RYAN MURPHY)

You hate this f****** country, you hate this f****** island.

Mamdanis trip to Staten Island was described as an anti-Trump tour by local media.

Mamdani says he's saddened that people told him to go back where he came from

Mamdani told the site that it was both saddening and unsurprising that people were telling him to go back to where he came from and claimed that such rhetoric was what characterizes President Trumps politics.

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Mamdani has been a vocal critic of his competitors connections with the US president, stating during a recent radio interview: The fact is that the president has three candidates in this race - one that hes directly been in touch with, another that he bailed out of legal trouble and now functionally controls, and the final one literally being a member of the same Republican Party.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani, claimed Nobody has fought with Trump more than I have, according to the New York Times.
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Northwestern State University announced the passing of a distinguished alumnus and former Louisiana House Speaker.

Joe Reece Salter was a native of Florien, Louisiana, and was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1986, where he served for more than 20 years and was the first representative of his district to become House Speaker and served in that leadership role from 2004 to 2008. In addition to his career as a lawmaker, Salter was also a teacher and administrator in Sabine Parish Public Schools and was a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard.

In 2008, he was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame. Salter is also a member of NSUs Hall of Distinguished Educators and the Sabine Hall of Fame.

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Salter was a member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors overseeing more than nine of the states public universities.

Joe Salter was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1986. With his re-election in 2004, he became the 62nd speaker of the House. During his tenure, he has served as Chairman of the House Legislative Bureau and Rural Legislative Task Force, as a member of the Special Committee on Louisiana Homeland Security, the House Education Committee, and on key committees that address the budget and financing of state government.

In honor of his legacy of service, the flag at Northwestern State University will be lowered to half staff per the order of university president James T. Genovese. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has ordered all state flags to be lowered as well.

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An event honoring Salters lifetime of service was held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, upon his retirement, having served the public in so many areas.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
A NYC councilwoman warned nonprofits to look elsewhere for funding if they support socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani or others Hamas sympathizers.

Brooklyn Republican and staunch Zionist Inna Vernikov made the vow Tuesday regarding her share of council members annual discretionary funds  which this fiscal year total $810,000  in response to video posted on X of Jewish activist Mark Meyer Appel shaking hands with the pro-Palestine Mamdani.

I know it may not be much, but just a small PSA [Public Service Announcement] for the orgs who will be seeking discretionary funding from me for the next four years: In my discretion, I will NOT fund organizations whose leadership supports Hamas sympathizers and October 7th apologists, Vernikov said on X.

NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov issued a stern declaration to nonprofits who support socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani or anyone else she believes is sympathetic to Hamas terrorists  no political pork for you. Stephen Yang

So if you want to be like @MarkMeyerAppel, and support or do photo ops with @Zohran Mamdani, dont even bother calling, she added, accusing Appel of commie/jihadi a kissing.

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And she doubled down Friday, telling The Post If someone allows themselves to be in a photo with Mamdani, theyre either supporting him or pandering to him.

Either way, I will defund them, she said.

I know it may not be much, but just a small PSA for the orgs who will be seeking discretionary funding from me for the next four years: In my discretion, I will NOT fund organizations whose leadership supports Hamas sympathizers and October 7th apologists. So if you want to be https://t.co/MNTxIDXVeF  Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) August 12, 2025

Some Democratic Council sources contended Vernikovs remarks were over the top.

How can you make a blanket statement that youre not giving a group money but because someone appears in a photo op? a source said.

Vernikov doubled down on her remarks Friday, telling The Post, If someone allows themselves to be in a photo with Mamdani, theyre either supporting him or pandering to him. Either way, I will defund them. Stephen Yang

Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola (R-Queens) wouldnt comment on Vernikovs rhetoric but said nonprofits should be apolitical.

Mamdani (pictured, shaking the hand of a supporter) went to the Flatbush Gardens Community Center Tuesday to talk about ways hell look to boost affordable housing if hes elected NYC mayor. Gregory P. Mango

They should be focused on their goals of helping New York, not on illegal performative activism, she said.

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Appels Flatbush-based group, The Bridge Multicultural and Advocacy Project, scored $60,000 in political pork from the Council in this fiscal years budget, but none from Vernikov, records show.

Appel told The Post he plans to back Mayor Eric Adams re-election bid  and not Mamdanis campaign. He also said he believes Vernikovs remarks were unnecessary because his group never asked her for money, and she knows very well the good work we do.

The reason why we have so much hate in New York is because we dont talk to each other, Appel said.
The Brief

The school year starts next month for New York City public schools.

Here are some key dates and important information as parents prepare.

NEW YORK - Attention parents, it's that time again!

The first day of school is just weeks away in New York City, which means it's time to get ready for the year ahead.

Here's a guide to everything you need to know for the 2025-26 New York City public school year, including key dates and health requirements, along with meal and transportation information:

NYC public school calendar

What we know

New York City Public Schools will welcome students back next month. Here are some dates to keep in mind:

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September 4: First day of school

September 23-24: Schools closed for Rosh Hashanah

October 2: Schools closed for Yom Kippur

October 13: Schools closed for Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 20: Schools closed for Diwali

November 4: Students do not attend school on Election Day

November 11: Schools closed for Veterans Day

November 27-28: Schools closed for Thanksgiving Recess

December 24-January 2: Schools closed for Winter Recess

January 19: Schools closed for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 27: Spring semester begins

February 16-20: Schools closed for midwinter recess

March 20: Schools closed for Eid al-Fitr

April 2-10: Schools closed for Spring Recess

May 25: Schools closed for Memorial Day

May 27: Schools closed for Eid al-Adha

June 19: Schools closed for Juneteenth

June 26: Last day of school

For a full list of days off, early dismissals and conferences, you can access the full school calendar online.

Health requirements

What you can do

Before school starts, students are required to complete a physical exam by a healthcare provider, be tested for lead and anemia and receive certain vaccines.

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New York City Public Schools also require a student's healthcare provider to fill out specific forms.

Free meals

What they're saying

New York City Public Schools offer free breakfast, lunch and after-school meals to all students.

You can find out what's on the menu, along with new items being served, by following NYC Public Schools on Instagram.

School transportation

Local perspective

The Department of Education provides transportation options, including MetroCards and buses, for all eligible New York City students in public, charter, and non-public schools.

Students are eligible for different transportation services based on their distance from school, grade and existing accommodations.

The Source

Information from this article was provided by New York City Public Schools.
New York Times opinion columnist David Brooks claimed that President Donald Trump ordered Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, to rhetorically use "mustard gas" on American democracy by launching redistricting efforts.

Texas Republicans, encouraged by the Trump administration, are pursuing a congressional map aimed at adding up to five GOP-leaning districts, prompting fierce backlash and counteraction. Texas Democrats have fled the Lone Star State to Democratic-stronghold states. Their goal is to break quorum and halt the vote.

As first noticed by NewsBusters, Brooks appeared on "PBS NewsHour" on Friday, where he was asked if he believed that politics had boiled down to nothing more than an indefinite power struggle between the two parties.

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California Governor Demands Trump Abandon Texas Redistricting Push, Threatens Ballot Measure Response

He told "NewsHour" co-anchor Amna Nawaz, "I understand the argument. But let's do a little ethical experiment here. You're in World War I. The Germans use mustard gas on civilians, and it helps them. Do you then decide, 'Okay, we're going to use mustard gas on civilians?'" he responded. "What Trump ordered Abbott to do in Texas is mustard gas on our democracy. Some people would feel, 'Okay, that was terrible. We have to fight that. It's horrible. It's horrible. But we're going to fight back. It's just  that's war.'"

Brooks was also critical of redistricting efforts on the other side of the political aisle, slamming California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his role in helping to "destroy our democracy."

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"Gavin Newsom is leaping into this with both legs. And, to me, there's a moral stain that will accompany anybody who does this, because basically they are destroying our democracy," he said. "You don't let politicians pick voters. You let voters pick politicians."

The New York Times opinion columnist asserted that those who oppose gerrymandering are "the ones defending democracy," and warned that the opposing parties' redistricting battle is a "race to the bottom."

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced last week that California will move forward with a plan for a special election in early November to place its own redistricting plan on a ballot measure before voters.

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The Golden State governor said the move was a counterpunch to Texas and was being done in a transparent fashion, but would also likely see Democrats pick up five seats if the measure is adopted. The plan would allow Democrats to temporarily bypass the states independent redistricting commission and adopt a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections.

Newsom announced counter-redistricting plans last week in response to Texas' plans to redistrict their state.

While Brooks was critical of Newsom's decision to fight fire with fire on the redistricting front, he noted that the California governor wasn't the one who started the battle.

"I fully grant you that Trump started it. So I'm not saying it's totally morally equivalent. But there's a moral stain. And what's going to happen is, people are going to say, 'It's those politicians,'" he argued.

In closing, Brooks contended that the real losers in this scenario would be the voters and that the politicians working on redistricting are "literally disenfranchising people."

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"Loss of faith in the system, loss of faith in democracy, and literally less democracy, because, if you are a Texas voter or a California voter, or if New York does it or if Missouri does it, whoever  all the states that are going to do this, you are literally disenfranchising people, because you can pick the district so carefully that the voters don't matter so much," he concluded.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Governor Abbott's office for comment.

Fox News' Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.





Original article source: NYT columnist claims Trump and Abbotts Texas redistricting plans are 'mustard gas on our democracy'
US President Donald Trump has invited European leaders to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be held on Monday 18 August at the White House, The New York Times has reported.

Source: European Pravda; The New York Times, citing two senior European officials

Details: The NYT reports that Trump wants to discuss a "peace plan" that involves Ukraine making territorial concessions.

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The unnamed officials said that Trump will discuss the plan with Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday 18 August, and that European leaders have been invited to attend.

Decisions regarding its territory are for Ukraine to make, the sources stressed, adding that international borders may not be changed by force.

The officials also added that Trump did not mention any additional sanctions or economic pressure on Russia during his conversation with the European leaders. However, the Europeans emphasised that they will continue to impose sanctions and keep up economic pressure on Russia until the killings stop.

Background:

According to Bloomberg, Trump has informed European leaders and Zelenskyy that Putin is still demanding that Ukrainian troops withdraw from the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. In return, Russia will give up its claims to the areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts that it does not currently control, effectively freezing the front line.

Trump is reported to have told European leaders that Putin wants an immediate "peace deal", not a ceasefire.

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Hampton Beach is a destination for locals and tourists, but Ocean Boulevard is a pain in the neck for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

All that could change along the main drag of the resort town in the next five years.

Whether you cruise, surf, swim, bike or just bask in the warmth of New Hampshires most popular beach, the infrastructure along Ocean Boulevard/Route 1A harkens back to a bygone era, much like some of the quaint shops and fried dough stands.

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But officials at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation hope to make it safer for all, get traffic moving efficiently and improve parking by spending up to $62 million in the next five-plus years.

First, the good news: No ones home or business will be acquired, officials said Thursday night during a public hearing at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, where about 300 residents and officials turned out.

Now the bad news: The state only has money for the first phase of the project, and federal funding has been hard to come by.

The NHDOT has been collecting public input since 2020 and has held nine public advisory committee meetings, three public information meetings since 2021 and is nearly ready to move forward with some tweaks to the proposed project.

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Most residents, like Regina Barnes, are bullish about the project. If they had one major complaint it would be that the project cant happen fast enough.

I am a 45-year resident of Hampton, and I ride my bicycle on 1A almost every day because, believe it or not, its actually the safest place in town to ride a bicycle. But it does need much improvement, Barnes said. We gotta see something before, like, 2030. We barely even have sidewalks down there, and when I sit up on that wall, Ive seen cars almost smashing into people.

Barness sentiments aligned with at least 20 residents who peppered project manager Loretta Girard Doughty of the NHDOT with a sense of urgency now that the project appears well on its way.

Heres what was discussed Thursday night.

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Scope of project

The proposed reconstruction would span approximately 3.3 miles and be split up into three parts.

The first phase would begin at State Park Road and end about a mile away at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Ashworth and Nudd avenues. The second segment would be a little less than a mile long and go from Nudd Avenue to Dumas Avenue, which is the northernmost road to and from the Boars Head neighborhood.

The third segment would be about 1.4 miles from Dumas Avenue to High Street.

If approved, construction on the first phase could begin in 2028 and be completed in 2030. Theres no current timeline for segments two and three.

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Ocean Boulevard project cost

The total estimated cost of the project is between $47 million and $62 million. The first segment of the plan would cost an estimated $13 million to $18 million, and that money has been secured, Doughty said.

Funding for the second and third segments is up in the air after the state applied for but was denied $25 million in federal grants this year and last.

The state has scheduled a debriefing with federal grant officials to figure out a way to persuade the feds to green-light the next application.

By the numbers

As it stands now, the proposed construction would include:

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1 new left-turn lane to reverse direction onto Ashworth Avenue right after The Surf condominiums. The left turn is currently not allowed. Not that people dont try.

2 intersections with new traffic signals at Highland Avenue/Route 101 on the north side of Ashworth by the Sea and new lights at the Church Street intersection.

3 new roundabouts at State Park Road, Dumas Avenue and Winnacunnet Road.

5- to 7-foot-wide dedicated bike lanes

5- to 10-foot-wide seaside sidewalks, depending on location.

7- to 13-foot-wide sidewalks along businesses.

20 fewer parking spaces.

Parking on Ocean Boulevard

Although there will be slightly fewer parking spaces, most parking lots would keep roughly the same configurations and remain one-way. But nearly all of the spots would be angled spaces.

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The biggest change would be building a barrier at the end of the parking lot at Church Street. There would be a new dedicated crosswalk across Route 1A at the Church Street intersection, which would also separate the entrance to the next parking lot for northbound traffic only.

To exit the parking lot before the intersection, traffic would be forced to drive south on Ocean Boulevard. To reverse direction, drivers would travel a short distance to the Highland Avenue intersection, where they could turn left and head north on Route 1A.

The combination of a new light and moving the parking entrances and exits at the intersection would eliminate one of the most dangerous spots on Ocean Boulevard. Drivers often make left or right turns from the parking lot into an intersection that currently has no traffic signals. Or worse, they drive straight through, seeking a parking spot in the next lot.

That configuration not only causes confusion for drivers going north or south, its also dangerous for pedestrians, officials said.

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The crosswalks between each beachfront parking lot also will have safety buffers where there are none now, hence the loss of some parking spaces.

Roundabouts

Although there are three proposed roundabouts, several residents balked at the plan for one at State Park Road, near the southernmost point of Ocean Boulevard after the bridge bringing traffic from Seabrook north toward Hampton Beach.

The rotary would be just north of the state park campground and connect Ocean Boulevard/Route 1A, Old Ocean Boulevard and State Park Road.

Residents suggested a regular traffic signal would be a better solution for what could become a bottleneck.

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Most of the feedback for the other two roundabouts was positive, with residents agreeing that the new configurations would be safer than the current intersections and possibly slow down traffic where drivers are known to hit the gas.

The second roundabout at Dumas Avenue would improve safety and traffic flow instead of the free-for-all that now exists, officials said. It would allow traffic from Dumas Avenue to safely head south on Ocean Boulevard.

Right now, theres just a stop sign and the left onto Ocean Boulevard isnt allowed. But drivers dont always abide by that sign. The configuration also eliminates a spot just north of there where drivers unsafely and abruptly reverse direction.

A third roundabout at Winnacunnet Road/Route 101 East just before Kings Highway and North Beach was designed to formalize a rotary-like interchange, which is both confusing and dangerous.

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Route 1A next steps

Doughty said transportation officials will keep the public comment period open for 30 days. After that theyll compile all the testimony and make recommendations to a commission led by Executive Councilor Janet Stevens.

If the commission decides to move ahead, gets all environmental aspects of the project approved and gets the blessing from Transportation Commissioner Bill Cass, the final design phase could begin as early as December.

Right-of-way easements and minor acquisitions could commence next summer.

Construction could begin as early as late 2028 and finish up in late 2030, officials said.

dpierce@unionleader.com
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  An Oceanside man was sentenced in federal court in San Diego to eight years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Gary Russell Bartlett Jr., of Oceanside, a self-admitted gang member with 13 prior criminal convictions according to police, was sentenced in federal court Friday to 96 months in prison, the Department of Justice reports.

On Sept. 18, 2024, officers with the Oceanside Police Departments Gang Suppression Unit tried to pull over a Cadillac that Bartlett was driving that didnt have a front license plate, according to a government sentencing memorandum.

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The DOJ reports officers recognized Bartlett as a member of the Varrios Mesas Locos and knew that he was on parole for convictions of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and resisting arrest.

LA man injured after speeding away from border inspection

As officers tried to pull over Bartletts vehicle for the license plate violation, police reported he kept driving through a commercial parking lot, across an intersection and through residential neighborhoods at high speeds.

The courts also noted the video of the police chase shows Bartlett at one point driving on the wrong side of a median near a child on a bicycle.

Bartlett speeding the wrong way around a median and past a child riding a bike (circled) (PHOTO: Department of Justice)

The police chase ended when Bartlett lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a palm tree on the side of the road, causing his car to roll down an embankment.

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Bartlett threw out a 9mm Makarov firearm from the vehicle as police approached the car, the court reports. Police also found 33.59 grams of cocaine, 9.31 grams of methamphetamine, 9.32 grams of mushrooms and a digital scale during a search of the vehicle. Bartlett also had more than $1,300 in cash on him at the time.

9mm Makarov firearm (left); drugs and digital scale seized from Bartletts Cadillac (right) (PHOTO: Department of Justice)

Damaged roadside tree and vehicle debris (left); final position of crashed Cadillac (right) (PHOTO: Department of Justice)

Police took Bartlett into custody, facing state firearm and drug offenses. He was released on pretrial supervision while that case was pending and was ordered to wear a state-issued ankle

location monitor.

However, on Nov. 24, 2024, Bartlett was taken into federal custody when he was arrested by the United States Border Patrol while transporting undocumented individuals that had been seen entering his vehicle in an area near the border between the United States and Mexico, the DOJ reports. He was wearing his state-issued location monitor at the time, the court reports.

The DOJ reports Bartlett was charged federally with unlawful firearm possession following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and multiple prior felony convictions.

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Our office will continue to federally prosecute armed gang members who engage in drug dealing, said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, This strong sentence makes Oceanside safer. We are thankful for the assistance from ATF and the Oceanside Police Department in ensuring this dangerous gang member faced the certainty of federal punishment.

This case speaks to the core of the ATF mission and commitment to protect the public from the

most violent offenders, said ATF Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper. Our partnership with the Oceanside Police Department and the USAO helps ensure that individuals who are a threat to the community are held accountable for their actions.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the United States Attorneys Office for their unwavering pursuit of accountability and commitment to justice, said Oceanside Police Chief Taurino Valdovinos. Their efforts have played a vital role in making Oceanside a safer and more secure place for all.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

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A 44-year-old man struggling with addiction and PTSD who had told his mom he wanted to die was gunned down by an off-duty NYPD cop after he was seen waving around a fake pistol outside a popular Staten Island diner, police and devastated relatives said Saturday.

Jesse Campbell was fatally shot after he refused to drop the broken air pistol and aimed it at a pair of off-duty officers who confronted him behind Andrews Diner on William Ave. near Hylan Blvd. in Great Kills about 8:20 p.m. on Friday, cops said.

My hearts broken because my baby boy is gone, and its very hard, Campbells mother Mary Caufield Campbell told the Daily News Saturday, sobbing as she spoke about her beloved son.

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But I just pray hes at peace now and he doesnt have to struggle anymore and life doesnt have to be so hard for him.

Caufield Campbell, 68, said her son had struggled with mental illness and a drug addiction for years. On Friday morning, he told her he wanted to end it all.

But the staunch Catholic wouldnt take his own life, his mother said.

He said if he killed himself, he wouldnt go to heaven, Caufield Campbell said. He told me in the morning. He was just struggling and was tired. He said he cant beat it and he didnt want to be a disappointment to the family. I asked to take him to the hospital, but he didnt want to go. Weve had these conversations before.

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Police believe Campbell was hoping to die in a suicide by cop scenario, a police source said.

His mother said he was on a waiting list to go into a six-month program that would combat his addiction.

Her son had suffered PTSD as a child, which dovetailed into depression while he became addicted to prescription medication. He had been waiting for two months to get a bed in a long-term program, she said.

Its very hard to get in them. He was waiting and it wasnt happening, she said. It just seemed that somewhere the ball [was dropped]. It just got longer and longer.

He was just done, she said, breaking down in tears again. He was just done.

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Campbell, a father of two, had lived for several years in Florida, but had returned to his mothers home in Great Kills. He lived about two blocks from the diner.

On Friday night, he told his mother he was going out to get a chicken roll at Big Als, a nearby restaurant, she said.

A short time later, a waitress saw Campbell behind the diner, waving his black pellet gun, which looked like a real firearm.

As 911 was called, two off-duty officers happened upon the suspect outside the diner and immediately pulled their weapons, NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the commanding officer of Patrol Borough Staten Island, said at a press conference after the fatal shooting.

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It was not immediately clear if the officers were together or had arrived at the diner separately.

The men and women of the NYPD are never truly off the job, and tonight we saw that first-hand, Eger said. (The officers) gave multiple verbal commands for the male to remove his hands from the firearm and put the firearm down, but he did not comply and pointed the firearm at officers.

One officer opened fire, hitting Campbell multiple times.

The two cops performed lifesaving measures on Campbell before EMS arrived and rushed him to Staten Island University North Hospital, where he died.

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Caufield Campbell said she holds no ill will against the cops who ended her troubled sons life.

I know the poor cop didnt know my sons state of mind and he only had a second to make a decision, she told The News. I know a cop killed my son, but I have to say weve had a lot of interactions with the cops and theyve been more than kind and respectful.

Im very grateful to the police, she said.

No other injuries were reported, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said.

It appears that an off-duty member of the NYPD heroically stepped up to keep the public safe, and we are thankful, he wrote on Facebook.

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As soon as the incident happened, the NYPD urged people to steer clear of the area.

Due to police activity, avoid the vicinity of Hylan Boulevard and Heinz Avenue in Staten Island. Expect emergency vehicles and delays in the surrounding area, NYPDNews posted on X.

Campbell had been arrested at least seven times since 2011, mostly for drug-related offenses, NYPD sources said. He had also been arrested for assault.

His last arrest was in September in Staten Island on a petit larceny charge, cops said.

(Hes been struggling with addiction) a long time, the heartbroken mom said. But when hes sober, hes extremely smart and very kind and helpful. My neighbors all love him, even though they knew he struggled.

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The NYPDs Force Investigations Division was reviewing the shooting, which was caught on nearby surveillance cameras, Eger said.

Our officers were confronted with a dangerous and unpredictable situation and they tried to deescalate the situation multiple times, the chief said.

Knowing the hardships her son went through, as well as the struggles he had to get into a program, Caufield Campbell said she supports Mayor Adams campaigns to mandate involuntary hospitalization for people suffering from mental illness and addiction.

A Council report released in March slammed Mayor Adams initiatives as inefficient and detracting from other long-term strategies to meet severe mental health needs.

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I personally think that would be good, she said about involuntary hospitalizations. But we cant give them (just) fifteen days.

Addiction programs, she said, used to be 28 days long, but the number of days have been reduced over the last few years.

They dont even do 28-day anymore, she said. I do wish that treatment was longer. Its so short.

On Tuesday, NYPD officers shot and wounded a 22-year-old two-time convicted felon who was involved in a shooting with another man in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Both men were ultimately arrested and are facing federal firearms charges, officials said.
NEW YORK (AP)  An off-duty New York Police Department officer fatally shot a man pointing a fake gun at the officer on Friday night on Staten Island, according to law enforcement.

At about 8 p.m., a 911 call came in about a man with a gun at the back of a diner, Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, of the NYPD Patrol Borough of Staten Island, said during a news conference.

An off-duty officer then spotted the same man with what appeared to be a firearm and told another off-duty officer, said Eger.

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They told the man to put the firearm down but instead he pointed it at the officers, said Eger, who added that surveillance video captured the events. One officer then fired at the man.

The officers performed life-saving measures and then the man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, she said.

Our officers were confronted with a dangerous and unpredictable situation, and they attempted to de-escalate the situation multiple times, she said.

An imitation firearm was found at the scene, she said.

The shooting is being investigated.

She said the man has a criminal history, but the details were not immediately clear.
Officer hospitalized after crashing cruiser in Montgomery County

A police officer was hurt after crashing into a pole in Dayton Saturday afternoon, according to Dayton Police Department Sergeant Lipps.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center at 6:00, traffic is moving, but some pieces of leftover debris remain from the crash.

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The crash happened near the intersection of S Keowee Street and Xenia Avenue after 3 p.m.

Lipps said the officer lost control while responding to an emergency.

The officer was hospitalized with minor injuries.

The cruisers engine caught on fire shortly after the crash, but first responders were able to extinguish the flames, according to Lipps.

No one else was injured in this crash.

This crash shut down S Keowee Street in both directions.

News Center 7s Malik Patterson said in the same area, U.S. 35 Westbound was closed for several hours due to low power lines.

ODOT cameras showed electric crews working on the lines while police assisted with traffic control.

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A News Center 7 crew captured some video. It showed traffic being rerouted off U.S. 35 at Steve Whalen Boulevard and S. Keowee Street.

All lanes are back open on both U.S. 35 and Keowee Street in Dayton.

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SPRINGFIELD  In late May, the Hampden District Attorneys Office announced the results of a drug trafficking investigation that centered around Garcia Market and Angels Used Appliances in Forest Park.

The two-year investigation resulted in the arrest of 19 people and seizure of more than 12 kilos of cocaine and a half kilo of heroin, according to the DAs office. The two businesses were fronts for drug trafficking, the DAs office said.

Calling it a den of iniquity, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno called for the markets closure.

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Mayor Sarno States Garcias Market Take Down Now Warrants a Shut Down! reads the bolded letters in a press release he sent out in late May.

But two and a half months later, Garcia Market is still open, though city officials say they are working on taking action.

City police went to the market last week with the state Department of Revenue, according to City Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti. The DOR declined to comment Friday.

The city is awaiting potential action by the DOR on the storefronts at both locations before taking any local steps, Buoniconti said in an email Friday.

What the citys plan is, isnt quite clear. Buoniconti was out of the office and didnt immediately reply to a request for more information.

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I remain confident that they will be held accountable under the law, Sarno said in a statement Friday. We will continue working with all our law enforcement, public safety partners, and DOR officials for the good of our neighborhood residents and businesses of the area, and beyond.

Sarnos office did not immediately respond to follow-up questions about what exactly the DOR and city are trying to do.

Springfield police were at the market with DOR staff last week to ensure safety, said police spokesperson Ryan Walsh. He referred The Republican to the DOR for additional information.

When a reporter called Garcia Market on Friday, staff hung up when told what the call was about. When The Republican called back, staff again ended the call.

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The market was open and moderately busy on a recent morning this week, with several customers in the shop and a grill sizzling behind the deli counter. Its half-dozen aisles were well-stocked with canned goods, snacks, cold beverages and home essentials, like laundry detergent. The business was shut down on DoorDash in late May after the news of the drug arrests, MassLive reported.

City councilors have expressed concern this summer about holding the businesses accountable.

Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila, who serves on the public safety subcommittee, said he is confident the city solicitor will come up with a plan to take action against the businesses.

We cannot accept this kind of behavior in our city, he said on Friday. We are not going to let knuckleheads ruin our city.

Connection between businesses, arrests

During the two-year investigation, the area saw more than 80 firearm-related calls, according to the DAs office.

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In court documents, police say that through wiretap evidence, they found that suspects were selling heroin, fentanyl and cocaine inside both the market and appliance store, and their shops parking lot daily. The sellers would use a group of runners who would move drugs from the shops and other offsite locations, including a nearby apartment in the city, the documents say.

When police searched both shops in May, they made arrests in the parking lot and market.

In the basement of the market, police found a loaded gun and high capacity magazine, and behind the counter they found suboxone, marijuana, and OxyContin, a police report filed in court says.

Around the same time, police searched the appliance store, which is right next to the market. There they arrested one person and found about 50 grams of suspected heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, the police report said. Suspected drugs were found on a desk, on a filing cabinet and in a coffee cup near the shops back door, among other locations.

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Police found more drugs and guns at other nearby locations.

As part of the bust, the business owners were not arrested, police Lt. Jamie Bruno said at a late June City Council public safety subcommittee meeting.

Darlin Soriano Bello is listed in the states database as the manager of the limited liability company that controls the market. No one by that name was arrested in May as part of the operation, according to a list the DAs office provided.

Davila said he is still looking to see it closed. I will say, that if you have a place of business, and (its) a major drug distribution center, and you have no clue as to whats happening, you shouldnt be in business, Davila said Friday.

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Other councilors agree. I find it hard to believe that the owners didnt know or had no involvement in it, City Councilor Tracye Whitefield said at the public safety meeting in June. And I think itll be sending a message that this wont be tolerated. But keeping the doors open, I dont know. That just doesnt seem right to me."

Sarno said in May he was directing the city Law Department and Health and Human Services to work on a cease and desist order.

Helen Caulton Harris, commissioner of the Division of Health and Human Services, said in June the business has been inspected.

We cannot ... pull a permit when the entity is doing a legal food business, she told the City Councils public safety committee. Right now, that is what we have found  that we have no violations in terms of their food permit.

Thats the only part of the business her department oversees, she said.

Read the original article on MassLive.
As individuals and organizations around the world work tirelessly to preserve the beauty of nature and the incredible variety of species on our planet, others are looking only to exploit these natural wonders. A pair of wildlife smugglers were recently apprehended in Colombia when they were found trying to transport six monkeys through an airport in their underwear, Need to Know reported.

What's happening?

The pair, a man and a woman, were attempting to smuggle six primates under two months old. They were sedated and wrapped in cloth bags and stuffed between the perpetrators' legs. It's not clear whether the monkeys were related or all the same species, but officials confirmed that at least some of them were endangered species.

"Six primates from Colombia's biodiversity, including critically endangered species, were found sedated and hidden in the private parts of two foreign citizens who were trying to smuggle them out of the country from Jose Maria Cordova International Airport," said a statement from the airport, per Need to Know.

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The monkeys were in poor condition, showing signs of malnutrition, dehydration, and abuse. Two, unfortunately, did not survive.

Why is wildlife smuggling a problem?

Wildlife smuggling might seem like a small issue compared to crimes with human victims, but research shows that it tends to be linked to other crimes, so fighting one means fighting them all.

In addition, it has an impact on our natural world, which in turn harms people. Taking endangered animals out of their native environment can upset the entire ecosystem because of the connections between species. Many other plants and animals rely on each member of an ecosystem for food or other resources.

Meanwhile, when species are carried by humans to a new environment, they can become invasive, harming the existing species there because there are no natural predators or competitors to control them.

What's being done about this incident of wildlife smuggling?

The four surviving monkeys in this case are being cared for in Colombia and may one day be returned to their natural environment.

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"The four surviving individuals remain under observation at the Cornare Conservation Area (CAV), where they are receiving specialized care to stabilize them and begin a rehabilitation process," said the statement. "The two foreign citizens were handed over to the Attorney General's Office and will face charges of animal cruelty, wildlife trafficking, and illegal exploitation of natural resources."

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A key player has been arrested for unauthorized mining of a protected mountain range in Northern-Western India, the Times of India reported.

The Mewat region of the Aravali range  a biodiversity hotspot  has been the targeted focus of a mining mafia in collusion with government officials.

Sher Mohammed, one of the primary suspects who aided the accused sarpanch (elected village head), was arrested by the anti-corruption bureau. Evidence found Mohammed guilty of illegal mining as well as having a heavy hand in the temporary road operation that allowed discreet access to the range.

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Per the Times of India, it is believed that the sarpanch at the time was working with government officials and the mining mafia to create these illegal roads for passage on forest department land by manipulating invoices and submitting false documents.

Several names came up during the investigation, including those of government officials and private officers. ACB is still on the lookout for the sarpanch of the village, who has since been suspended, along with several other suspects.

Biodiversity hotspots, as explained by Conservation International, are regions with a large concentration of native species that aren't typically found anywhere else that are also suffering from habitat loss. They are protected for this very reason, and any threats against them, whether it's poaching the animals or damaging the actual land, can harm an entire ecosystem.

Many governments are beginning to take these environmental protections more seriously. Several men were arrested earlier this year in Ghana for operating an illegal mining enterprise. The government in Niger is finally cracking down on unregulated mining operations after a decade of unlicensed activity. A Vietnamese court put 23 people  some of whom were government officials  in jail for rare earth exploitation and environmental pollution.

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Mining and poaching are, unfortunately, very lucrative businesses that put the health of animals and our planet aside for monetary gain, leaving devastation in their wake. Maintaining strict enforcement through strong laws and regulations against illegal mining can help preserve ecosystems and essential water sources used by nearby communities.

Electing and supporting pro-climate candidates is even more important  especially when so many government officials have been found to be on the inside of these scandals. It can all feel very overwhelming, but talking with your friends and family about the climate and taking local action can also make you feel more hopeful.

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.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Officials have issued responses to the fatal shooting on the night of, Aug. 15, of the Maui police officer in Paia.

The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers released a joint statement early on the morning of Aug. 16.

Maui police officer fatally shot in Paia

A Maui police officer put on their police uniform today to start their shift, protecting the lives of the public. That officer did not finish their shift; their life was stolen, cut way too short. Tonight, a family is overcome with grief, a grief that will never totally leave them, SHOPO President Robert Cavaco and Maui Chapter Chair Nick Krau said. The hearts of Maui police officers break as a fellow officer, their friend, a friend who does the very same job they do every day, did not go home.

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The statement went on to include a call for unity during a difficult time.

The 2,700 sworn men and women of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers stand strong beside our brother and sister officers of the Maui Police Department. Too many of us have been here before, they continued. Our hearts and our prayers are with our officers family; they will forever be part of our SHOPO family, a family that will not let the memory of their loved one fade or their ultimate sacrifice be made in vain.

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The Maui Chief of Police shared their thoughts on the departments loss.

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The Maui Police Department Chief John Pelletier shared a statement, committing to honor the fallen officers memory.

Our department is heartbroken, Pelletier said. We have lost one of our finestan officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. She was a hero, and we will ensure she is honored with the reverence she deserves. Our deepest condolences go out to her family, loved ones, and fellow officers during this time of profound loss.

In a separate statement, the Honolulu Police Departments Interim Chief Rade Vanic expressed condolences to the Valley Isle.

Repeated Kunia fires affecting Oahu farmers

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It is with deep sorrow and profound respect that we acknowledge the passing of a dedicated member of the Maui Police Department, Vanic said in part. On behalf of the Honolulu Police Department, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the officers family, loved ones and the entire Maui law enforcement community.

Vanic then went on to echo calls for unity during a time of grief.

This loss is felt not only on Maui, but here in Honolulu as well. As members of Hawaiis law enforcement ohana, we stand together in grief and solidarity, the statement continued. The fallen officer served with honor, courage and an unwavering commitment to protecting their community. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Acting Chief Reed Mahuna of the Hawaii Police Department shared his sympathies with the Maui Police Department.

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The Hawaii Police Department deeply mourns alongside our brothers and sisters in blue following the heartbreaking loss of a Maui Police Department officer killed in the line of duty. In law enforcement, the bonds we share go beyond uniforms and badgesthey are ties of service, sacrifice, and ohana. When one of our ohana grieves, we all grieve, Mahuna said.

Police departments island-wide continue to rally their support for all those affected by this tragedy.

Our hearts are heavy yet steadfast in their support of the fallen officers family, colleagues and the Maui community. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Maui Police Department in these darkest of hours, honoring the brave sacrifice made and holding close the memory of your fallen officer, Mahuna said.

The suspect involved in the case was taken into custody. The investigation remains ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
LOGAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  An Oklahoma family is begging the public for answers after a driver caused their loved ones to crash last month and left the scene before authorities showed up.

What caused the crash?

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says around 10:35 p.m. in Logan County on July 27, along State Highway 33 between Santa Fe Avenue and Western Avenue, a crash occurred. A pickup truck, driven by Edward Stevenson, swerved off the road to avoid another driver in his lane, preventing a head-on crash. The crash pinned Edward Stevenson inside, but threw his daughter Kaitlyn and his granddaughter out of the truck. All of the victims survived, but the driver that caused the crash left the scene.

LOCAL: Charges against former OK pediatrician accused of killing daughter, change again

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New video shared with News 4 from a nearby business shows the crash taking place. In it, you can see a driver swerve into a lane, before another drive is seen flying off the road. You can see the truck flip several times, ripping apart a hay trailer attached to it and sending a dirt, debris and smoke in the air.

Sheri Stevenson shows News 4 employees back of shirt made to support Stevenson family. [KFOR]

Sheri Stevenson shows News 4 employees aftermath of crash site in Logan County Friday. [KFOR]

Who was hurt?

Edward Stevensons family told News 4 Friday he suffered an injury to his spinal cord and is currently on a ventilator. His family says his doctors are currently working to wean him off of the ventilator. The family is trying to transfer him to Baylor Scott Neuro Inpatient Rehab in Dallas, Craig Hospital in Englewood or the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Omaha when hes stabilized.

Kaitlyn has had several surgeries, but is undergoing physical therapy. Family members say she broke her leg, shattered a kneecap, fractured her shoulder, had a dislocated eye-socket and broker her hip. The Stevensons expect her to be released from the hospital to continue recovering at home soon.

Edward Stevensons granddaughter miraculously walked away from the crash with cuts and bruises.

Photo of victims shared by Stevenson family. [Stevenson Family]

What evidence is law enforcement sharing?

On August 11, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol shared the only publicly released piece of evidence tied to the crash. Its a picture of a vehicle they believe caused the Stevensons to crash. The picture, troopers say, is a screenshot from another drivers dash camera from about three miles prior to the collision. That driver told authorities he noticed the vehicle was all over the roadway.

Truck Oklahoma Highway Patrol believes caused July 27 crash in Logan County. [Oklahoma Highway Patrol]

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Troopers believe the vehicle is a white/silver single cab Dodge pickup truck with fender flares, chrome steps, aftermarket wheels and a road Oklahoma tag. The tag number cannot be made out from the blurry photo.

If anyone has information on the vehicle theyre asked to call the Central Oklahoma Communications Center at 405-425-2323 or Troop A.

What is the family offering in exchange for answers?

Stevensons sister-in-law, Sheri Stevenson, told News 4 Friday the family is willing to offer a cash reward for any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the driver responsible for causing the crash. Stevenson would not disclose what that amount of money would be based on that information.

If hes arrested, you got some money coming into your pocket, said Stevenson. I mean, Im sorry, but thats where Im at. I mean, somebody needs to, somebody knows something. Please come forward.

How else can the public help?

A donation account for Edward Stevenson has been set up at F&M bank in Guthrie under Henry Stevenson Jr./Edward Stevenson Donation Fund.

Donations can also be made to Edward Stevensons CashApp account $edwatdstevenson1977.

The Stevenson family said theyre also thankful for the community in Logan County thats stepped up to support from them from t-shirts to donations to phone calls and messages. Theyre asking the public to keep their loved ones in their thoughts and prayers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A woman in Oklahoma City hired a construction company to replace her roof, but its been months since she signed the contract, and work has still not started.

Tina Lee hired Evolve Construction and Restoration earlier this year. After their initial meeting and roof assessment, she signed a contract to replace the roof on her home.

They came to my door, and Eric, he was just a really nice young man, Lee said. He said were just going around checking peoples roofs to see if they may have damage, and may need roof repair or replacement.

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Metro couple face limbo as roofing company goes silent

Since then, Tina says shes had trouble getting in contact with anyone in the company.

No work done, after a metro woman says she hired a company to replace the roof. (KFOR)

News 4 has previously reported on Evolve Construction and Restoration after Caryn and Paul Franson reported a similar situation.

The Fransons signed a contract with this company last year, but havent heard from them in months. They are now facing a threat of legal action after Evolve says the metro couple is not holding up their end of the contract.

After Lee saw News 4s previous stories, she called the station to say she experienced the same thing.

It would take several tries or several days or a week or whatever for me to hear back anything, said Lee. Id say from May on it was almost non-existent.

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After a few months had gone by since signing the contract, Lee says she received an email from the public adjuster that the company uses, saying she needed to sign for the check sent by her insurance company.

I wanted to go over everything and know whats what before I signed the check for it to be cash, said Lee.

However, that check was already cashed before she received the DocuSign. As of Friday, she still has never signed for that check.

It wasnt until I talked to my insurance that I found out that it had been cashed on April 4th, said Lee.

Lee was not sure how something like this could happen before she signed for it.

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We want to get out of this without it costing us: Construction company threatens legal action against metro couple

News 4 has documents with the public adjusters name and office address, so we went to that location to see if he could offer any insight as to why Lees roof has not been replaced despite receiving over $6,000.

The receptionist at the desk said they only use the building for mail to be delivered.

So yes, Evolve Construction, their address is registered to us, but were just where they send their mail, said the receptionist. We are not associated with that business or anything.

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Despite no answers and a cashed check, Lee still does not have a new roof. She is worried about trying to cancel her contract.

I probably wont get my money back, said Lee.

She is also worried about the possibility of facing legal action from Evolve after hearing the Fransons story.

Lee has signed a document to cancel her contract, but Evolve is requesting that she pay over $5,000.

We reached out to Evolve, and they said they would get back to us to talk. We are still waiting for a call back.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  One person is dead and five are injured after a three vehicle crash, Friday morning.

The crash happened on South Carolina Highway 9, near Brandon Circle, around 7:45 a.m., according to South Carolina Highway Patrol. Three vehicles were involved including a 2003 Chevrolet SUV, a 2006 Jeep SUV, and a 2008 Honda Coupe.

The Chevrolet had stopped east on Brandon Circle, attempting to turn north onto SC-9 and crashed into the Jeep. The Chevrolet then crashed into the Honda, highway patrol said.

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Officials said there were six victims total: three in the Chevrolet, one in the Jeep, and two in the Honda, including a child.

All victims were transported to the hospital. One of the Chevrolet passengers succumbed to their injuries, according to highway patrol.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
One person died of injuries sustained in a Friday night crash between a small SUV and semi tractor-trailer at an I-64 East rest stop parking lot in Mount Vernon.

At approximately 9:09 p.m., a Buick Envista exited I-64 and entered the Goshen Road Rest Area entrance ramp, an Illinois State Police news release said. It drove off the roadway surface, the state police public information office clarified, entered the parking lot and then struck a parked Freightliner tractor-trailer.

The driver of the Buick Envista was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said. As of Saturday morning, the Jefferson County Coroners Office is not releasing the individuals identity as their family has yet to be notified. Coroner Roger D. Hayse did, however, confirm the driver died from injuries sustained in the crash.

ISP said no further information can be released at this time, including if the tractor-trailer was occupied at the time of the crash or what could have caused the Buick Envista to strike the tractor-trailer.
A council chief executive described by the authority's leader as "one of a kind" has announced she is leaving.

Anna Earnshaw was the first chief officer of West Northamptonshire Council when it was established in 2021.

She will depart from the Reform UK-controlled authority later this year.

Ms Earnshaw said the decision to leave had been "difficult" but "the time is now right".

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Anna Earnshaw came to West Northamptonshire Council from the outsourcing company, Capita, where she managed partnerships with local authorities.

She joined Northamptonshire County Council in 2016 and became its deputy chief executive in 2020.

At the time, the council was effectively going bankrupt and central government decided to abolish the authority and seven other councils across Northamptonshire.

Ms Earnshaw was chosen to be chief executive of the new West Northamptonshire Council - the fifth largest unitary in the country - which was under Conservative control until Reform UK took over the reins in May.

Anna Earnshaw acted as returning officer for West Northamptonshire's elections [West Northamptonshire Council]

She said: "It has been an absolute privilege serving west Northamptonshire's communities and I'm extremely proud of everything we have achieved together.

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"Having made my decision to leave on a personal level some time ago, it was important to me to support our new administration through their first months in office."

She added that leaving behind "dedicated" council colleagues had made her decision to leave "so difficult" but "the time is now right personally for me to do new things".

Council leader Mark Arnull said Ms Earnshaw was a dedicated public servant [BBC]

The leader of the council, Mark Arnull, said: "Anna really is one of a kind in local government and an excellent, dedicated public servant."

The leader of the Conservative opposition, Dan Lister, said: "She has been a hardworking and highly capable chief executive, respected by members and officers alike."

Labour group leader Sally Keeble said Ms Earnshaw had seen the authority through difficult times [BBC]

Sally Keeble, the leader of the Labour group, said Ms Earnshaw had seen the authority "through from its earliest, shadow days, and through unprecedented financial and political upheavals, with great skill. "

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For the Liberal Democrat group, Jonathan Harris said Ms Earnshaw's departure was the second senior-level resignation by a women since May's election, coming after the departure of assistant chief executive Rebecca Purnell in July.

He added: "Now, the council faces a period of uncertainty along with an inexperienced administration.

"Anna has played a pivotal role in supporting the council through its transition to a unitary authority."

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  From New Zealand to Hawaii, the iconic One Love Reggae Festival has made its way around town for the first time in its history.

Happening on Nov. 7 through Nov. 8 with doors opening at 4 p.m., the Wai Kai events lawn in Ewa Beach will be hosting this years One Love concert, said to be one of the most infamous Polynesian concerts to attend.

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The One Love Festival originates in New Zealand and has been a remarkable staple for reggae music since 2014, attracting crowds of more than 20,000 people from around the world.

This Hawaii edition will showcase the blend of international artists and electrifying local talent, giving an exclusive opportunity for these artists to share the stage.

Here is the lineup for Friday and Saturday:

Day 1: Nov. 7: Chardonnay, Sons of Yeshua, Kelandy, Natural Vibrations, Josh Wawa White, JKing, Three plus, and Ooklah the Moc will perform in that order with the first performance starting at 5 p.m.

Day 2: Nov. 8: Pohaku, B.E.T, Irie Love, KNova, House of Shem, Three Houses Down x General Fiyah, Sons of Zion, and Spawnbreezie will perform in that order with the first performance starting at 5 p.m.

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One Love aims to project a sense of unity and reggae music that brings people together from all over the world through the celebration.

Tickets will be going on sale on Aug. 23, at 8 a.m. with a price range of $39 to $99. VIP will be available for purchase but it is only for those who are 21 years or older.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

For more information about the event you can visit their website here.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A person arrived at Miami Valley Hospital with a gunshot wound on Saturday morning.

According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, the person was driven to the hospital and arrived at approximately 7:05 a.m.

Officials said there is no other information available at this time.

2 NEWS is working to learn more.

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The internet has eviscerated President Donald Trump over a photo portraying the president as a tough negotiator following his widely panned summit in Alaska with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

The goal is peace, reads the caption to the black-and-white image, posted to X by the official White House account, which shows Trump looming over Putin while pointing assertively at his chest.

The president left the peace summit with Putin without a deal to end the war in Ukraine and has shifted the responsibility for reaching a ceasefire to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The goal is always peace. pic.twitter.com/AvYjUYhh8B  The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 16, 2025

Users in the comments section were having none of the White Houses gloating.

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You DONT negotiate with the unprovoked aggressor, one person wrote. You dont roll out the red carpet for the one who caused this war to happen. Period. Full Stop. This is Putins War. And, how dare you attempt to bring peace to Ukraine, without [Ukrainian President] Zelenskys presence? #EpicFail.

Im a pedophile, reads a speech bubble beside Trumps head in an altered version of the photo, shared by hacktivist organization Anonymous, with Im a war criminal hovering beside Putins. Youre both a--holes, a translator standing between the two leaders chips in.

The art of the deal pic.twitter.com/Uvv7dKMeVF  Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) August 16, 2025

Other ripostes proved even blunter.

This is so pathetic, one user wrote. Youre trying to find a strongman photo like the one of Obama with Putin. But we see you with your big cheesy grin, happy as a pig in shit to be reunited with your war criminal. No one is buying what youre selling.

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You are a failure, chimed in another alongside a split image of Zelensky with the word hero and Trump with the word zero.

You are a failure. pic.twitter.com/uZCFSc0xo0  Peggy Gabour (@peggy_gabour) August 16, 2025

Peace through submission hardly comes to fruition, another wrote alongside a video of Trump clapping for Putin on a red carpet laid out for his arrival.

Trumps online savaging follows after he met with his Russian counterpart at an Alaska summit Friday. Ahead of that meeting, Trump had told reporters he believed were pretty close to a deal for a ceasefire to the war in Ukrainelaunched on Putins orders in February 2022, and which Trump had previously claimed he could end in as little as 24 hours.

pic.twitter.com/hsIeKAQ8zf  War Witch will hold this territory (@HRHTish) August 16, 2025

No such arrangement was reached. At a subsequent press conference that lasted only a few minutes, Trump and Putin made vague claims of an agreement but provided no details, took no questions, and made no mention of a ceasefire.

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Critics have since lambasted Trump not only for failing to deliver on the stated purpose of his meeting with the Russian president but also for legitimizing the dictators standing on the world stage with a pageantry-filled summit complete with a red carpet, military flyovers, and a joint motorcade.

The Art of No Deal, as one X user so succinctly put it.
Cruise ships are known for their big environmental impact, and a disturbing photo shared on Reddit highlights the negative impact they have on the places they dock.

Shared on the subreddit r/newzealand, the post shows a photo of a cruise ship called the Celebrity Edge, operated by Celebrity Cruises, at a berth in Lyttelton near Christchurch, New Zealand.

Photo Credit: Reddit

In the photo, you can clearly see huge plumes of smoke being released into the air from the ship's funnels. "Unfortunately, nobody is policing this," wrote the OP after sharing a link to Lyttelton Port Company's rules for visiting vessels, where it clearly states that excessive funnel smoke is prohibited.

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Cruise ships attract a lot of people because they offer a luxurious option for traveling and allow people to visit lots of places in a short period of time. However, their impact on the environment is concerning, especially because of the amount of pollution they generate.

As reported by Science Daily, research suggests that large cruise ships can produce more pollution than 12,000 cars. Scarily, people traveling on an Antarctic cruise can produce as much pollution during a seven-day trip as the average European produces over the course of a year.

And it's not just harmful pollution that is generated by these ships; the average cruise ship also produces over a ton of waste per day. Some of this waste is dumped overboard, where it pollutes the ocean and can cause harm to marine life. Many of the ships also use scrubbers to clean their exhausts, and the polluted, toxic wastewater is released directly into the sea.

Several cities, such as Amsterdam, have recognized the negative impact cruise ships have on air quality and have banned the ships from docking there.

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Many of the commenters were outraged by the photo and cruise ships in general.

"Cruise ships are floating environmental catastrophes. A shame they are a thing and continue to be largely unregulated due to the way they conduct business," one commenter wrote.

"I feel for the port workers having to breathe that air," added another.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
In 1960, Dr. Glenn Seaborg, then-chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, confidently predicted that nuclear energy would power half of American homes by the year 2000. For a while, it looked like he might be right. Between 1967 and 1974, U.S. utilities ordered nearly 200 nuclear reactors.

But momentum stalled as cost overruns, regulatory hurdles, slowing demand and accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and later Fukushima eroded public confidence. Projects were canceled, and the nations once-robust nuclear manufacturing base faded.

Today, it seems like Seaborgs prediction wasnt wrong  just too early. A new generation of nuclear reactors  with advanced designs that safely cool and shut down reactors without the need for power or operator intervention  has made such accidents virtually impossible. Meanwhile, soaring electricity demand, driven by artificial intelligence, and rising geopolitical risks have underscored the need for energy that is clean, safe, reliable and abundant  four boxes that only nuclear energy checks.

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I have witnessed nuclears resurgence firsthand in my role at the engineering and construction firm Bechtel. We successfully helped bring Georgia Powers two new reactors online in 2023 and 2024, and are currently working to deliver nuclear projects in Tennessee and Wyoming. Overseas, were helping Poland build its first nuclear plant  a reminder that U.S. nuclear leadership also expands our geopolitical influence, rather than ceding it to Russia and China.

Fortunately, the Trump administration understands the stakes and has issued executive orders aimed at quadrupling domestic nuclear capacity by 2050.

With its sights set on a true nuclear renaissance, the government  together with the nuclear industry  should focus on clearing the four biggest hurdles in nuclears path.

First, we must confront the elephant in the room: cost. Critics who say nuclear energy is too expensive underestimate both its long-term value and American ingenuity. A nuclear plants low operating costs and long lifespan make the cost per unit of energy highly competitive. Meanwhile, each new project helps technology developers and utilities standardize reactors, enabling builders like Bechtel to standardize engineering designs, scale supply chains and deploy new construction methods such as digital execution and modularization. The result is shorter schedules, lower costs and greater certainty of outcome.

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Controlling cost is also about reducing project execution risk for investors. If we want to expand nuclear energy and unlock efficiency gains, we will need more help from the government to assume some of the financial risk of first-mover projects.

As the industry rebuilds its capability to deliver, new nuclear projects can be susceptible to delays and cost overruns that deter investors. To stimulate the market, the government must absorb some of the early project cost overrun risks  just as other countries are already doing to grow their nuclear power output.

Second, the U.S. should deliver on its obligation under law to establish a sustainable national program for permanently disposing of spent nuclear fuel. While todays storage methods are designed to work safely for 80 years or more, a long-term solution would resolve this challenge and strengthen public confidence in nuclear power.

Third, regulators must continue modernizing. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in particular, plays an indispensable role in maintaining high industry standards and has made progress in updating its approach to approving projects. But the framework, built in the 1970s, lags behind the modular, standardized and inherently safer designs of todays nuclear reactors. Significant opportunities remain to streamline approvals without compromising safety. The Trump administrations new executive order encouraging the commission to reform is a welcome step in the right direction.

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Fourth, and perhaps most urgently, we need people. America is grappling with a skilled labor shortage, from welders to electricians and heavy equipment operators. Here, too, the administration can and is beginning to lead by incentivizing partnerships between industry and education and by expanding access to vocational training.

We need to make sure that joining the construction trades is a rewarding, fulfilling and safe career. We need to reshape perceptions that you can only get ahead with a four-year degree, which is simply not true and even misleading to the younger generation. A national campaign should champion these careers as mission-driven, innovative and essential to Americas future.

There are no silver bullets in energy policy. Solar, gas and emerging technologies will all be part of the equation. But failing to realize the full potential of nuclear energys promise would be a costly mistake  economically, environmentally and geopolitically.

A strong U.S. nuclear program will produce more than megawatts. It will catalyze life-changing technologies, a robust national industrial base and a brighter future for generations.

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If we get it right, maybe someone in 2075 will look back at today as the moment when America glimpsed its energy moonshot and seized the opportunity to lead.

Craig Albert is president and chief operating officer of the engineering and construction company Bechtel. He previously led its nuclear, security and environmental unit.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Last week, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) vetoed a dangerous bill. Disguised as a way to provide so-called portable benefits to app-based workers, the bill was a corporate gimmick designed to exclude app-based ride-hailing and delivery workers from state employment rights such as minimum wage, workers compensation and unemployment insurance.

Backed by major companies like Uber, Lyft and DoorDash, these portable benefits bills are popping up around the country as part of a larger effort to legitimize business models based on misclassifying employees as independent contractors and avoiding accountability to their workers and the public.

Whereas workers would gain little, corporations stand to gain a lot. By classifying their workers as independent contractors, these corporations can skip out on complying with minimum wage and overtime protections.

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They can also avoid providing employment-based benefits such as paid leave, health insurance, workers compensation and unemployment insurance  benefits that are standard for their corporate employees.

Now, in exchange for excluding workers from employment rights and benefits, the companies could, but would not be required to, offer these workers portable benefits  glorified savings accounts with minimal company contributions.

But corporations dont need a law to set up these portable benefits programs. DoorDash voluntarily started a portable benefits savings account program in Pennsylvania, and it provides us with all we need to know about how these programs operate.

DoorDashs report on the Pennsylvania program found workers contributed an average of $6 to their portable benefits savings accounts, and DoorDash contributed an average of $31 per month to each account  a minuscule amount to cover benefits like health insurance and paid time off.

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And savings accounts are no substitute for insurance-based benefits, like workers compensation and unemployment insurance, that help people weather emergencies that would otherwise be financially catastrophic.

Wisconsin set the right example by rejecting Big Techs attempts to write its own laws and avoid the obligations that all other employers have to their workers, but this is not the end of this fight.

The corporations are lobbying in other states for similar legislation that legitimizes their fake portable benefits programs and their business model built on denying the workers central to their operations employment rights and protections.

Congress, as well, is considering a bill that would make it easier to classify workers as non-employees and exclude them from federal minimum wage, overtime protections and the right to collectively bargain.

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Control without responsibility is the guiding framework for corporations like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash. By using algorithms and apps to surveil, discipline and reward their workers, these companies exert control in more exacting ways than any human boss could, even as they disclaim responsibility for the workers powering their businesses.

The algorithms determine which assignments are offered to whom, what workers are paid and whether they are deactivated  industry speak for suspensions or firings.

Even the scheduling flexibility touted by the corporations is limited by systems that make working on the app like a game, nudging workers into working more or at particular times and accepting specific assignments.

This model has devastating consequences for app-based workers. Studies show rides-hail and delivery workers earn poverty-level wages, often below the local minimum wage.

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And, despite the serious health and safety risks associated with driving and delivery work, they have no employment-based benefits if they get sick or injured. Studies show app-based workers depend on public programs like Medicaid and SNAP at higher rates than employees.

The model also harms customers. Over five years, over 400,000 Uber trips resulted in complaints to the company of sexual assault or sexual misconduct  many of which were made by passengers against Uber drivers.

Uber has refused to implement safety measures because it does not want to be liable as an employer. By arguing that it isnt responsible for the conduct of its independent contractors, Uber increases the likelihood of sexual assault.

Its time for lawmakers to hold these companies accountable. Instead of savings accounts set up by the corporations, app-based workers should receive the same portable benefits that other employees are entitled to, like unemployment insurance and Social Security.

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We should bolster these programs by adequately funding them (including requiring app-based corporations to contribute to them like other employers do), eliminating barriers to access and increasing benefits amounts.

Policymakers should pass portable paid leave laws that allow workers to accrue paid leave and carry it from job to job. The nation should also expand tested models for providing portable benefits to gig workers.

Multi-employer benefits plans are negotiated between unions and employers for gig workers like writers and construction workers. Workers accrue benefits during each gig worked, and employers pool contributions into a fund that provides health insurance and retirement benefits.

The same model could provide benefits for ride-hailing and delivery workers and would be more meaningful than a fake portable benefits program.

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At a time when tech has growing influence over our politics, we cannot allow these app companies to manipulate our laws and weaken worker protections. These portable benefits gimmicks should be seen for what they are  wolves in sheeps clothing.

Laura Padin is director of Work Structures at the National Employment Law Project.

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I have worked with a number of very successful candidates and politicians. The one really invaluable skill they all had in common was that they understood basic math. They knew that two plus two often leads to victory, and that two minus one  or three  usually leads to defeat. Addition, subtraction, division. Simple.

Unless, to paraphrase a line from Top Gun, Your ego is writing checks your body cant cash.

There is no doubt that many New York City residents  as well as countless people around the country and world who now fear for that iconic citys future  have been shaken by a recent Siena College poll showing that far-left socialist Zohran Mamdani leads the race to become the next mayor by 19 points over his next-closest opponent, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Behind them are Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa with 12 percent and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams with 7 percent.

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Mamdani has the gift of basic math working massively in his favor. In this particular case, division. Without doing a thing, the cliche divide and conquer has been the most important campaign strategy in his quiver. Other than offering the socialist panacea of a chicken in every pot  free stuff to constituents who really know nothing about him  it is the one factor that may make him the next mayor of New York.

Mamdani doesnt have to pay for it, focus-group it or expend any political capital. He simply has to sit back and prepare as the respective egos of Cuomo and Adams hand him the keys to Gracie Mansion  and the four years he will need to bring New York City to its knees.

Why? Because Cuomo and Adams are now engaged in an ego-fueled blinking contest to see who might exit the race first. That, or they secretly want Mamdani to win. Either way, its Mamdani with the Cheshire Cat-like smile.

This is proving to be an interesting election in that the winning candidate will be the one least despised by the voters. Each of the four major candidates have high negatives and elicit harsh criticism from various blocks of voters.

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Sadly, forgotten in this high-profile contest between dueling egos are the millions of people in the city who are either barely getting by or suffering in the throes of dysfunction and despair  ironically enough, often caused by the failed policies of previous ego-driven mayors.

Many of the residents of New York City who are struggling daily with poverty, crime and lack of education for their children are Black or minority. Ah, but we are seemingly not allowed to talk about that. Many on the left  with a huge assist from Democratic leadership, the media, academia and teachers unions  have gamed it so if you even try to point out the failings of a major American city such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington or Baltimore and who is running it, you risk being labeled a racist, bigot or a misogynist.

I dont care what a mayor looks like or how they identify sexually. The only thing I care about is the suffering of millions of constituents. Life for those people is beyond brutal in many cases  an irrefutable fact you almost never hear about, because that would run counter to the various narratives of the lefts noise machine.

For example, lets look at another major American city that is a poster child for failure, massive dysfunction and turning its back on those most in need: Chicago.

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A city in which, as I have pointed out in the past, more than 40,000 men, women and children  almost all minority and from the inner city  have been murdered over the last six decades. Extrapolate that number across multiple American inner cities and you have our nations greatest failing  ever. Except, shhhh, once again, you are not supposed to talk about it.

New York City is Chicago on steroids. It has multiple  fixable  problems and life-crushing emergencies across the five boroughs. Unfortunately for those most at-risk inhabitants, many of the people who can help them are entitled elites who exist in bubbles of luxury and safety floating far above the unwashed masses of the city.

Two of those elites are Cuomo and Adams. To them, it seems as if the title of mayor is yet one more trophy they can amass, serving either as a potential stepping stone to higher office or to private sector appointments and riches once the last term is complete.

In the meantime, those millions of desperately hurting New Yorkers ignored by the elites had better prepare themselves. If (when) Mamdani wins, things will get much worse.

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Free stuff is the false promise to grab the vote of those New Yorkers. Once Mamdani secures that vote, it will only be about what is best for him and his socialist movement going forward. Those at-risk residents wont even be a fleeting memory.

Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.

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The passing of David Gergen  public official, speechwriter and strategist, commentator and analyst, teacher and counselor to presidents  reveals much about our present moment. It is difficult to imagine anyone today traveling the path he followed, a path that embraced three arenas: public service, journalism and academia.

A native of Durham, North Carolina, and son of a Duke University mathematician, he attended Yale University and the Harvard Law School before serving three and a half years in the U.S. Navy stationed in Japan.

A willingness to serve

Shortly after he mustered out of the Navy in late 1970, a friend, knowing his writing skills, encouraged the 29-year-old Gergen to apply for a position as an assistant to Ray Price, who had been named to head the Nixon White House speechwriting office. In his interview, Gergen disclosed that he had voted for Hubert Humphrey in the 1968 election. Price responded that Nixon liked a diversity of voices on his staff, including speechwriters. Price and Gergen had a common bond; both had attended Yale as undergraduates. Gergens graceful writing and amazing work ethic led to his appointment to succeed Price as director of speechwriting in February 1973.

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Shortly after Gerald Ford replaced Richard Nixon, Gergen moved to the Treasury to write speeches and provide political advice to Secretary William Simon. He returned to the White House during Fords final year as president.

Gergens third White House tour was with Ronald Reagan. He worked with James Baker, who helped to manage Reagans campaign during the final months of the 1980 election. Baker assigned Reagans pollster and strategist Richard Wirthlin and Gergen to draft a short statement that Reagan could use in his closing remarks in his single 1980 debate with President Jimmy Carter.

Wirthlin, who knew Reagan well, said that Reagan often liked to pose questions to his audience. Their draft included a question that Reagan used with powerful effect: Ask yourself, are you better off today than you were four years ago? It became the touchstone of the Reagan campaign during its final days and contributed to his decisive victory.

During the Carter to Reagan transition, I worked with Wirthlin and Gergen on the first 100 days project. I then joined a White House staff filled with Californians who had served with Reagan during his eight years as governor and those who already had Washington experience.

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Gergens role during the next nearly three years was in communications, helping to craft the message Reagan used to persuade the country to follow his market-oriented economic policies and military buildup to negotiate with the Soviet Union from a position of strength. Reagans first term laid the foundation for his 49-state victory in 1984.

A view from both sides

Gergens second arena was that of journalism as an editor at the American Enterprise Institute and U.S. News and World Report, and as a columnist, analyst and commentator. Whether with the written word or on television, Gergen had a gift of explaining with clarity and conviction. He understood government from the inside and the media as a distinguished journalist.

He did not make up facts or ignore inconvenient evidence. His analysis, whether reporting, commentating or advising, consistently sought to portray his understanding and his preferences in the best possible light.

The relationship between those in government and in the press rests on trust and on appreciating the conflicting interests of each. Those in the media want to know as much as possible as soon as possible; they work under tight deadlines. Those in government want and need time to understand issues, develop options and refine proposals. The inevitable tension is a staple of their interactions.

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Having experienced both sides of the divide, Gergen earned the confidence of those he advised and those with whom he worked.

Gergen returned to the White House one final time, when Bill Clinton, whose rocky initial months threatened his presidency, persuaded Gergen, a Republican, to return as counselor to the president to help right the ship. The experiment lasted a little over a year. Gergens experience proved helpful, and he sought to deal gracefully with those on the Clinton staff who did not welcome his arrival.

Some of his counsel was heeded; other advice was not. Based on his experience with Richard Nixon, Gergen urged, without success, full transparency in providing documents relating to the Whitewater real estate transactions in Arkansas, an issue that led to the investigations that came to haunt the Clinton administration.

Inspiring the next generation

Gergens third endeavor involved inspiring the rising generation, first at Duke University and then for a quarter of a century at Harvard, where he co-founded the Center for Public Leadership. His teaching, wit, mentoring and leadership both inspired students to consider careers in public service and persuaded individuals and foundations to support internships to assist students in seeing government from the inside.

He understood the relationship between the presidency and the press as well as anyone in decades, having seen that relationship from both perspectives. His touchstones were transparency and openness. He was earnest without being overbearing. He earned the trust of presidents, policymakers and the press. His commitment to public service and to seeking common ground never wavered.
This article was originally published in The Conversation.

Nearly 500 of Michigans 705 school districts reported teaching vacancies in the fall of 2023. Thats up from 262 districts at the beginning of the 2012 school year.

The number of vacancies is likely an undercount, because this number does not include substitutes or unqualified teachers who may have been hired to fill gaps.

Local news reports and job boards suggest that at least some Michigan districts are still struggling to fill open positions for the fall of 2025.

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The teacher shortage is a nationwide problem, but it is especially acute in Michigan, where the number of teachers leaving teaching and the overall teacher shortage both exceed the national average. This shortage is particularly severe in urban and rural communities, which have the most underresourced schools, and in specialization areas such as science, mathematics and special education.

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For more than two decades, my work at Michigan State University has centered on designing and leading effective teacher preparation programs. My research focuses on ways to attract people to teaching and keep them in the profession by helping them grow into effective classroom leaders.

Low pay and lack of support

Teacher shortages are the result of a combination of factors, especially low salaries, heavy workloads and a lack of ongoing professional support.

A report released last year, for example, found that Michigan teachers and teachers nationwide make about 20% less compared to those in other careers that also require a college education.

From my experience working with teachers and district leadership across the state, I know that beginning teachers  especially those in districts which have severe shortages  are often given the most challenging teaching loads. And in some districts, teachers have been forced to work without the benefit of any kind of planning time in their daily schedule.

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The shortage was made much worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led many educators to leave the profession. Yet another culprit is the many teachers who, in Michigan as well as nationally, were hired during the 1960s and early 70s, when school enrollments saw a massive increase, and who in the past decade have been retiring in large numbers.

Creating pathways to certification

One recent strategy to address the teacher shortage in Michigan has been to create nontraditional routes to teacher certification.

The idea is to prepare educators more quickly and inexpensively. A variety of agencies  from the Michigan Department of Education, state-level grants programs such as the Future Proud Michigan Educator program, as well as private foundations and businesses  have helped these programs along financially.

Even some school districts, including the Detroit Public Schools Community District, have adopted this strategy in order to certify teachers and fill vacant positions.

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Other similar programs are the product of partnerships between Michigans intermediate school districts, community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. One example is Grand Valley State Universitys Western Michigan Teacher Collaborative, which targets interested students of college age. Another is MSUs Community Teacher Initiative, designed to attract students into teaching while they are still in high school.

Perhaps even more visible are national programs such as Teachers of Tomorrow and Teach for America. Candidates in such programs often work as full-time teachers while completing teacher training coursework with minimal oversight or support.

Stuffing the pipeline is not the solution

But simply stuffing the pipeline with new recruits is not enough to solve the teacher-shortage problem in Michigan.

The loss of teachers is significantly higher among individuals in nontraditional training programs and for teachers of color. This starts while they are preparing to be certified and continues for several years after certification.

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The primary reasons for the higher attrition rates include a lack of awareness of the complexity of schools and schooling, the lack of effective mentoring during the certification period, and the absence of instructional and other professional guidance in the early years of teaching.

How to repair the leaky faucet

So how can teachers be encouraged to stay in the profession?

Here are a few of the things scholars have learned to improve outcomes in traditional and nontraditional preparation programs:

Temper expectations. Teaching is a critically important career, but leading individuals to believe that they can repair the damage done by a complex set of socioeconomic issues  including multigenerational poverty and lack of access to healthy and affordable food, housing, drinking water and health care  puts beginning teachers on a short road to early burnout and departure.

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Give student teachers strong mentors. Working in schools helps student teachers deepen their knowledge not only of teaching but also of how schools, families and communities work together. But these experiences are useful only if they are overseen and supported by an experienced and caring educator and supported by the organizations leadership.

Recognize the limits of online learning. Online teacher preparation programs are convenient and have their place but dont provide student teachers with real-world experience and opportunities for guided discussion about what they see, hear and feel when working with students.

Respect the process of becoming. Professional support should not end when a new teacher is officially certified. Teachers, like other professionals such as nurses, doctors and lawyers, need time to develop skills throughout their careers.

Providing this support sends a powerful message: that teachers are valued members of the community. Knowing that helps them stay in their jobs.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Earlier this month I attended an open town hall for my congressman, Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts. Since hes a moderate Democrat in a district that has been reliably Democrat for some time now, I expected that the bulk of the questions Auchincloss would receive would be variations of Why arent you fighting Trump harder? Indeed, Auchincloss opening remarks were typical Democratic talking points including defending the Constitution, reinvigorating the Democratic Party and getting America talking again. While some constituent questions revolved around those topics as well, they were not the primary subject.

The most common question from one of the most heavily Jewish congressional districts in the country was some variation of, What are you going to do about the starvation in Gaza?

Auchincloss is not the only representative to face angry questions about Gaza at his town halls. Furthermore, the responses to Auchincloss stilted, minimalist answers (starvation is bad; being pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian should not be mutually contradictory; Hamas has a singular responsibility to end the conflict) indicated that while there were some supporters of the current Israeli government in the audience, they were badly outnumbered by critics of Israel  and U.S. support for Israel.

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Should this worry Israelis? Not in the short term. By any objective analysis, the state of Israel is safer and more secure now than it was prior to Hamas brutal attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. Israels ongoing campaign in Gaza has left Hamas a shell of its former self. Beyond the occupied territories, however, Israel has also weakened a bevy of neighboring states and militias. Its precision attacks on Hezbollah crippled that Iranian-backed militia. Syrias civil war ended with the fall of Bashar Assad and the enlargement of Israels buffer zone in that country. Its most recent attack on Iran decapitated the Revolutionary Guards leadership  and dragged the United States into a Middle East conflict on Israels side. Strategically and militarily, Israel is more powerful in the Middle East now than at any time in this century.



The price Israel has paid for these military successes, however, is considerable. The erosion of public support could have long-lasting effects on Israel and its relationship with vital allies.

Israel has always received a disproportionate measure of criticism from certain quarters of the globe. For most of this century, that did not matter. Israels allies in the West, other great powers, and even its Arab neighbors mostly tolerated Israels policies in the occupied territories. This gave Benjamin Netanyahu considerable latitude in how he dealt with Hamas. The cycle of periodic missile attacks on Palestinians became so routine that Israeli elites dubbed it mowing the lawn. Israels benefactors and neighbors largely tolerated this behavior  indeed, any residual criticism evaporated immediately after the Oct. 7 attacks. With Donald Trumps 2024 election victory, Israeli elites likely believed that they had cemented the backing of their most important ally for the foreseeable future.

In 2025, however, the political tide has turned against Israel. This is evident on the global stage, but it is definitely true within the United States as well. A broad spectrum of countries and politicians across the world are now accusing the state of Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Even some Israelis are using the term while other Israelis are finally acknowledging the suffering. Images of starving Gazan children have ricocheted across the globe.

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For most of this century, Israel and its allies have fought desperately to avoid any comparison with apartheid-era South Africa, recognizing that such an association would harm Israels standing in the world. For all its sins, however, the Afrikaaner government was never accused of fomenting a genocide. Israels government now risks being lumped together with Rwandas Hutu regime, Cambodias Khmer Rouge, Maos China and, yes, Nazi Germany.

The question to ask is whether, in a world of dissolving norms, the genocide label matters anymore. But however you answer it, the very fact that the discussion is taking place is a sign of a significant shift in political tectonics that should be worrisome both for Israelis and American supporters of Israel.

Let us speak plainly about what is currently happening in Gaza. The visual evidence of wanton death and destruction is inescapable, suggesting that more than half of Gazas housing stock for the estimated 2.2 million people who lived there in 2023 has been completely obliterated. Estimates from the health ministry in Gaza number the dead above 60,000, and preliminary scholarship based on other sources suggests the death toll could be even higher. Life expectancy in Gaza has fallen by more than 35 years to roughly half the pre-war figure of 75 years  a drop more acute than during Maos Great Leap Forward. The humanitarian catastrophe began to accelerate after Israel cut off all food supplies in March of this year, claiming without any evidence that Hamas was systematically stealing aid. The United Nations food security group declared this month that, The worst-case scenario of famine is playing out in Gaza, and other humanitarian groups concur.

Israels culpability in Gazas suffering is equally clear. As my colleague Alex de Waal recently explained, Starvation takes time; authorities cannot starve a population by accident. The term genocide has a freighted meaning in international politics  but it is not out of place when characterizing what Israel is doing in Gaza. Regardless of who is responsible for the start of this conflict, the Israeli government is culpable for its own actions in Gaza right now. Furthermore, Israels right-wing government is now openly talking about displacing Gazas entire population to make way for Jewish settlements  the very epitome of settler colonialism. That proposal has alarmed Reform and Conservative Jews across the world. Even Bret Stephens, a stout supporter of Israel, warned that such a move would be a colossal mistake.

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As the humanitarian situation in Gaza has gone from very bad to war-crimes-tribunal-level bad, global and U.S. opinions have undeniably shifted on Israel. Consider the array of leaders in the West who have called on Israel to do something to stop what even Donald Trump calls real starvation occurring in Gaza: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the elected leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Germany, Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, the second most powerful Democrat in the House, Katherine Clark and Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

There are multiple reports that Trumps MAGA base is appalled by Israels actions in the occupied territories and beginning to question U.S. aid to that country. According to the Financial Times, Trump told a Jewish donor that, My people are starting to hate Israel.

Even U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York, one of Israels most stalwart defenders on the Democratic side of the aisle, has subtly shifted his tone, warning that if there is an erosion of support for Israel in the United States, thats not something the Israeli government should take lightly.



Torres warning about the erosion of public support is well placed. In a lot of ways the elite discontent over Israels actions in Gaza trails the growing public discontent. Pews data shows that global public opinion on Israel has soured in recent years. Gallups data shows that immediately after the Oct. 7 attacks, a majority of Americans approved of Israels military actions in Gaza. Last month, that same question swung the other way, with only 32 percent approval and 60 percent disapproval. YouGovs polling reveals that a plurality of Americans now support decreasing military aid to Israel. With both progressive activists on the left and MAGA isolationists on the right railing about Israels bellicosity and culpability, it will be difficult for Israel to cajole Congress into offering further support. Once criticism of a country becomes bipartisan, the taboo against further criticism crumbles.

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This is not the first time Israel has faced broad-based U.S. criticism for its prosecution of the war in Gaza, but it might be the first time that its standard defense mechanisms are failing to register. Israel is in part a victim of its own success. Immediately after the Oct. 7 attacks, its supporters could justifiably point out that Israel was surrounded by hostile, Iranian-backed militias and therefore drastic action was justified. Israel has now crippled the Revolutionary Guard as well as Irans proxy forces in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. Whatever perceived need there was for a disproportionate response in Gaza to the Oct.. 7 attacks has dissipated.

Efforts to conflate criticisms of Israel with antisemitism are also likely to work less well in 2025 than in 2024. For more than a year after the Oct. 7 attacks, Israels defenders could point to recorded spikes in antisemitism in the United States as a means of dismissing public criticism. Israels defenders also discounted university-based criticisms of Israels actions as the product of an antisemitic environment.

Since reported instances of antisemitism increased last year, one would think that this line of defense would work even better now. The Trump administrations 2025 response, however, has effectively neutered it. The Trump White Houses use of antisemitism as a superficial pretext for cancelling research funding and extorting money from universities has alienated even those who might otherwise support cracking down on anti-Israeli protests on American campuses. The American Jewish Congress has described the Trump administrations actions as overly broad, while others who have formulated federal antisemitism policies have characterized it as counterproductive and quite dangerous. The constant claims of antisemitism on and off campuses from some quarters is leading to a good deal of mockery. Paradoxically, the Trump administration and its supporters constant, hyperbolized invocations of antisemitism have denuded the accusation of much significance.

Do these shifting political sands matter? This depends on whom we are talking about. For an American Jewish community already ripped apart by Israels actions during this war, the latest shift in public attitudes will lead to some discomfiting High Holy Days sermons. As a Jewish international relations scholar, I have my own not-inconsiderable baggage to lug around whenever I discuss this topic. The thought that Israel is sacrificing its status as a democracy and a member in good standing of the international community is extremely disturbing for someone who wants Israel to exist as a safe space from any global pogrom. And yet, my fury at Israels government for its culpable actions  and the Jews who have weaponized antisemitism to stifle all substantive debate over the war in Gaza  is only growing. I am quite certain I am not the only Jew who feels this way.

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For Israel, the effects will be more mixed. So long as the Trump administration does not turn on it completely  an unlikely scenario  the Netanyahu government likely believes that it can suffer the slings and arrows of hostile rhetoric without suffering all that much in the way of real consequences. For one thing, Israels key base of political support in the United States no longer rests on Jews but on evangelical Christians. If U.S. support persists, no matter how truculent it might be, then Israels latitude in prosecuting the conflict in Gaza will not be constrained all that much. For a country that is used to disproportionate criticism from the international community, the costs of slightly louder criticism pale next to the perceived benefits of crushing Hamas in Gaza.





The bigger problem is over the medium to long term. Israel faces some real risks from winning the war on the ground and losing the war of the words. If only Nixon could go to China, then only Trump can bash Israel and live to tell the tale. It is possible that if MAGAs outrage over U.S. involvement in the Middle East grows, Trump might change his tune. It is also worth noting that as time passes, more and more Americans will feel less of an attachment to Israel. The polling suggests that even among young evangelicals, support for Israel has plummeted.





As public opinion turns against Israel, it will become politically palatable  and even advantageous  for Israels defenders to be more outspoken in their criticisms. The more public their outcry, the less hostile their town halls will become. As a result, Israels government will find itself facing some nasty rhetoric. Most of the Global South already recognizes Palestine as a state. With the most recent suffering, western countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Portugal and the United Kingdom are making moves in that direction as well. Germany, Israels most stalwart defender in Europe, is also wavering. As other countries follow suit, the number of countries that refuse to recognize a Palestinian state will dwindle down to a handful.

Once the term genocide has been applied to a situation, it is difficult for the targeted actor to erase the stigma. Israel will be spending the next few decades either deflecting or processing what its forces are currently doing in Gaza. Israelis could rationalize that in a world of eroding norms, hostile rhetoric will not matter so much. Israels defenders are not wrong when they point out that while Israel has garnered so much criticism, less attention has been paid to humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, Sudan and Syria. With the United States scaling back its emphasis on human rights, Israels leadership might decide they can live with the calumny. Eroding norms cut both ways for Israel, however. A world that cares less about human rights and sovereignty norms enables Israel to do what it wants in Gaza, but it also enables Israels neighbors to treat Israel in a similar manner.



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Israels worst-case scenario would be to find itself in the same boat as apartheid-era South Africa in the 1980s. The United States long resisted pressuring South Africas white government, but then in 1986 Congress overrode lame duck Ronald Reagans veto and joined the international community in sanctioning Pretoria. South Africans were diplomatically isolated and unable to participate in the Olympics and other international sporting events. Israelis could face similar shunning. Israeli academics would likely discover themselves shut out of international conferences and symposia. Tourists would stop traveling to Israel, and Israelis would find it more difficult to travel elsewhere without a second passport. Israel would continue to exist, but its population would not be welcomed anywhere outside of Israel.

Nearly two years after the Oct. 7 attacks, Israel is undeniably more secure. But the price has been high and will only get higher. After the United States imposed sanctions, the apartheid-era regime in Pretoria lasted less than five years. If U.S. public hostility to Israel increases, leading to a shift in policy, the Israeli governments days could be similarly numbered.


I was recently chatting with a good friend, a fellow conservative, when the conversation turned to politics and our current president. He is admittedly uncouth, my friend said. But hes a strong leader fighting for his conservative agenda.

I asked my friend to tell me more about what she saw as our presidents conservative agenda. Well, you know, she said. He wants to rein in big government and decrease the deficit. And he wants to make America Christian again.

We discussed these issues, point by point, starting with big government. As a moderate conservative, I agree that the federal government has gotten too big  too bureaucratic and unwieldy. But both my friend and I agreed that principled conservatives and progressives alike must reject the Machiavellian notion that the ends justify the means. How something is done must be as important as what is done, and the cost to human lives must always receive primary consideration.

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With my friend, I believe that we should scale back unnecessary government programs, conduct thorough audits, and eliminate fraud and waste. But we must do it judiciously and lawfully. Unfortunately, the cuts to programs and agencies since January of this year were too often precipitous, inhumane and, in some cases, unconstitutional.

As just one example, in February, 90% of USAIDs contracts for humanitarian and development aid throughout the world were suddenly terminated. Thousands of USAID workers in Washington were fired and given just 15 minutes to clear out their desks. Leading researchers predict that these cuts could lead to more than 14 million deaths globally in the next five years, including 4.5 million children under the age of five. This is indefensible. How can we possibly justify the deaths of 4.5 million children? How else might this have been handled?

In addition, this action was also almost certainly unconstitutional. USAID was started in 1961 by an executive order by President Kennedy. But in 1998, it was established as an independent agency by an act of Congress (the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act). This means that only Congress, not the president, has the authority to shut it down.

In a constitutional republic, if changes need to be made, they must be made lawfully. Period. This is something that conservatives understand in their very bones.

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My friend and I then moved on to the deficit. It didnt take long for us both to agree that the current president has failed spectacularly in this regard. (In fairness, so did Obama and Biden.) According to the Bipartisan Policy Center (and this is corroborated by virtually every other independent, nonpartisan study), Trumps so-called big beautiful bill will cost $3.4 trillion over the next 10 years, and more than $4 trillion when accounting for additional interest owed on the national debt.

Pushing through this bill was not the move of a true conservative.

Finally, we talked about the idea of making America Christian again. Are you sure this is really a conservative agenda item? I asked my friend. She insisted that it was. Its what our Founding Fathers intended, she said.

I used to believe this as well. But, in fact, its not what our Founding Fathers intended at all. To the contrary, they went to great lengths to protect against the dominance of any single religion in our country. Neither the Constitution nor the Declaration of Independence mention Christianity at all. Nor do the Federalist Papers. Indeed, the Constitution explicitly prohibits any religious test for office and the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of any state religion and guarantees the free expression of religion for all.

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In 2018, the current speaker of the House, Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA), outlined what he called the 7 Core Principles of Conservatism:

Individual freedom Limited government Rule of Law Peace through strength Fiscal responsibility Free markets Human dignity

As an interesting exercise, my friend and I measured the actions of our current president against these seven principles  a challenge Id like to extend to all my fellow conservatives. We agreed that the president seems genuinely committed to #2, #4 and #6. But his attacks on individual freedoms, his lack of fiscal responsibility and his utter disregard for human dignity disqualify him in our minds from being a true conservative. And his disdain for the rule of law (including the provisions and principles of the Constitution) should disqualify him from being president.

Upholding the rule of law and honoring the Constitution are foundational to American conservatism. Anyone who does not and yet claims to be conservative is masquerading as something he is not. And it behooves us all to be honest enough with ourselves to consider the possibility that we have been deceived. Its not too late.
Last week, the White House blew past its own deadline of imposing sanctions on Russia for continuing its three-year invasion of Ukraine, and then, in a misguided effort to clean up that mistake, President Donald Trump gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a one-on-one meeting in Alaska. It was impossible to make sense of what Trump expected to gain by doing so. Its not even clear what Trump wants, other than a Nobel Peace Prize.

Its even less apparent now what Trump wanted and expected. But after Trump and Putin met for more than two hours Friday, and then praised each other to the media for about 12 minutes, it was clear that Trump, in his rush to meet with Putin, not only risked whatever was left of his image as a dealmaker-in-chief, but he also may have damaged the United States image as a global champion for democracy.

Did the meeting bring us any closer to a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine? Trump said the two countries havent quite gotten there but made some headway and then landed on the tried-and-true holding statement that theres no deal until theres a deal.

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He said, I will call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And Ill, of course, call up President Zelenskyy and tell him about todays meeting. Its ultimately up to them.

Then, early on Saturday, a few more details were released. Trump said he and Putin had decided not to try for a ceasefire at all, "which often times do not hold up," but instead work directly on a peace agreement. Zelenskyy confirmed he would visit Trump in Washington to discuss that possibility on Monday. But the end result of Friday's meeting remains unchanged.

Notably, before the summit, Trump had upset Zelenskyy and Europe when he said, with no input from Ukraine, that in a ceasefire deal therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both. Russia elaborated that it anticipated getting control of all of eastern Ukraine. At the same time, the Trump team planned to move ahead with revoking the legal statuses of more than 200,000 Ukrainian refugees living in the United States.

While even anodyne meetings between friendly heads of state are typically highly choreographed, with goals and discussion boundaries outlined well in advance by other officials, Trumps freewheeling style and misplaced confidence that he has a personal relationship with Putin, a former KGB officer, created an unnecessary level of unpredictability to the proceedings in the days leading up to the so-called Pursuing Peace event.

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If you roll into the meeting not prepped, you can get jammed by Putin, Michael McFaul, who was U.S. ambassador to Russia in the Obama administration, said last week. Summits are to achieve an objective that advances American national interests. Theyre the means to end, and I sometimes feel that Trump feels the meeting is an end in itself.

When it appeared that Trump was going to walk into that meeting with Putin and offer him part of Ukraine on a platter, other countries took up the pro-democracy mantle the U.S. had dropped. The European Union objected to the concept of appeasing invaders who ignore national boundaries, an experience Europeans are keen to avoid after the infamous 1938 meeting that preceded World War II. Also, after a virtual meeting with Trump and other leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that the territorial issue relating to Ukraine cannot and will not be negotiated by anyone but the Ukrainian president. But Macron maintained that something needed to come out of this meeting, such as a ceasefire and a return of kidnapped Ukrainian children.

The pressure on Trump to actually consider the details and impacts of his statements worked  at least to a degree. The White House dramatically lowered the expectations that any ceasefire or peace settlement would be reached by referring to the summit as a listening session, during which Trump would simply tell Putin, Youve got to end this war. Shortly before the meeting began, Trump also stated he is open to the possibility of security guarantees for Ukraine, though how that can be managed without membership in NATO  the multinational entity holding the line against Russian aggression  remains to be seen.

At the beginning of the meeting, there was a palpable sigh of relief from European allies as the real-time decision was made for Trump and Putin to meet alongside their senior diplomats. This at least guaranteed that thered be some level of note-taking, that American officials would have basic insight into the discussions and that the world would not be left to rely solely on the Russian spin of the events. The idea of Trump meeting Putin without those parameters in place wouldnt have been a worry if Trump hadnt had secret meetings with Putin in the past where no one else knows what really happened.

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But Russia clearly felt like it could flex its muscle even heading into this meeting. The Russian foreign minister arrived in the U.S. wearing a CCCP sweatshirt, something he has not done before. Russian officials began telling media outlets they anticipated getting mineral rights in Alaska.

While the Russian energy sector and economy is suffering, the truth is Putin didnt need anything more than a photo of him on the same military base the U.S. once used to counter the Soviets. Trump legitimized Putin as the leader of a superpower that must be dealt with directly and not a rogue state kicked out of the G8. Trump completely ignored U.S. sanctions and the international arrest warrant for Putin, essentially siding with Putin against the democratic world order. He again illustrated how potentially easy it is for him to be manipulated into playing second fiddle to Putins imperial ambitions, gaining nothing for himself or the U.S. in return.

After 20 minutes of speaking in Russian to the mostly American media, Putin, who speaks English well enough, closed out his time in Alaska by saying: Next time, in Moscow.

Trump said Putins remark would get him a little heat, but that he could see it possibly happening.

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Putin naming Moscow as the site of a follow-up meeting is another way way of proclaiming that Russia is back in the great power game.

Thanks to the president who wants us to believe hes the worlds best negotiator and maker of deals.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Summer is when superintendents and principals finalize staffing and allocate resources for the year ahead.

Instead, theyve spent the past month scrambling to revise budgets and delay decisions after the Trump administration recklessly froze more than $6.8 billion in federal education funds approved by Congress four months ago  a move that unnecessarily threw school planning into chaos with the school year starting in just a few weeks.

On June 30, the Education Department abruptly informed states it would not release key fiscal year 2025 education funds as scheduled, affecting programs like teacher training, English learner support and after-school services.

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After bipartisan backlash  including lawsuits from 24 states and pressure from Republican senators  the administration reversed course on July 25, announcing it would release the remaining funds. But the damage had already been done.

The administration claimed the freeze was part of a programmatic review to ensure spending aligned with White House priorities. Yet, the review was conducted without transparency while the funds were only released after intense political pressure.

The Education Department stated guardrails would be in place to prevent funds from being used in ways that violate executive orders, which is a vague statement that should raise concerns about future interference.

Districts had built their budgets assuming these funds would arrive by July 1, as they do each year. Instead of preparing for the new school year, states and districts were forced to scramble to minimize the damage.

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In my home state of Texas, nearly 1,200 districts faced a freeze of $660 million, which represented about 16 percent of the states total K-12 funding.

I have spoken to superintendents, chief academic officers and chief financial officers who described how these unanticipated funding deficits undermined strategic investments into high-quality instruction and mental health services.

In Tennessee, $106 million was frozen, representing 13.4 percent of the states K-12 funding. Knox County Schools eliminated 28 central office positions, including staff supporting instruction for English learners.

Florida had $400 million frozen. Pinellas County School District alone stood to lose $9 million. The superintendent reported that they would have to make cuts that directly affect student achievement while the school board chair said the freeze feels kind of like the straw that broke the camels back.

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Kansas saw $50 million frozen. Kansas City, Kan. Public Schools warned families that $4.9 million in lost funding would affect programs that directly support some of our most vulnerable students  including those from low-income families, English language learners and students with disabilities.

Even with the funds now being released, the uncertainty and disruption caused by the freeze will have lasting impacts. In some cases, district leaders were forced to make staffing and programming decisions without knowing whether critical federal support would be unfrozen.

All who care about public education must make clear that this kind of reckless disruption is unacceptable and will carry political consequences.

Governors from both parties should press their congressional delegations to pass legislation preventing future executive overreach. And Congress must require the Education Department to provide advance notice and justification for any future funding delays.

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The funding freeze was a reckless policy choice that disrespected educators, destabilized schools and put children at risk. Public education cannot function on the Trump administrations political whims and such unwarranted actions cannot go unchecked without the risk of normalizing executive overreach at the expense of students.

Now is the time for all policymakers and educators to stand up for our schools and ensure that no childs education is ever again held hostage to such problematic politics.

David DeMatthews is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at The University of Texas at Austin.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. has led to a media and political meltdown. In the New York Times, a column lamented that the military had not revolted against the civilian president.

Even, so, commentators declared a coup because the federal government reasserted its constitutional power over the federal district. A Justice Department employee went so far as to scream profanities at federal officers on the street and assault one of them with a submarine sandwich. He was declared a freedom fighter against the Gestapo.

The utter lunacy of the left was again triggered by Trump with an almost Pavlovian predictability. Trump rang the bell, and suddenly thousands of Democratic leaders began to salivate. In addition to denying a very real crime crisis in the district, Democrats immediately pivoted on the issue to renew unpopular demands for D.C. statehood.

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Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, insisted that this was only happening because American citizens lack the protections of statehood.

Ankit Jain echoed that view. Jain occupies a farcical position as D.C. shadow senator, an unpaid position in which he pretends to be a member of the U.S. Senate. Jain wrote that its entirely possible that people will die as a result of the deployment. He insisted that this would not occur in states where democracy governs: We may not have it in Washington, but if you live in any of the other 50 states, you do.

Over the years, I have testified five times in the House and Senate to argue for the restoration of full representation for residents in Washington, D.C. Residents could have a governor, two real U.S. senators, a voting representative in the House, a state legislature, and every other trapping of statehood. It needs only to go back whence it came.

D.C. needs to return to Maryland through retrocession.

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In academic writings, I have advocated for what I called modified retrocession where Maryland would take back the land given initially to create what was called the federal city.

The Framers did not want the capital under the control of any state, so they created the federal enclave to be under the control of Congress as a whole. Originally, the outlines of the federal city were laid out by none other than George Washington as the surveyor. It was a diamond shape, with territory ceded by both Virginia and Maryland. Within a few decades, Virginians in what is now Arlington County and Alexandria came to regret not having direct representatives and were allowed to retrocede back to their state.

That left the triangle of territory from Maryland. However, Marylanders did not agree with their Virginian counterparts. They liked living in the federal enclave and decided to remain without direct representation.

Congress previously allowed retrocession and could do so again. Under my prior proposal, the federal enclave would be reduced to the small sliver of land upon which our Capitol, Supreme Court, and the White House rest.

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It would finally give every Washington resident full representation. Also, in a city notoriously mismanaged for years, D.C. residents would be part of a state that excels in areas like education that could materially improve their positions.

So if the lack of representation is so intolerable, why wouldnt Washington return to Maryland? It would give every Washington resident a voting representative in the U.S. House, two senators, a governor in a sovereign state, and a state legislature.

The reason is politics at its most cynical and hypocritical.

Democrats only want two senators representing D.C. if it boosts their numbers. Its not good enough to give them Marylands senators. Whats more, Maryland Democrats will not suffer a shift in the center of their states political gravity from Baltimore to Washington. Finally, D.C. Democratic leaders are not eager to share power with Maryland Democrats, as they might gain all the trappings of a state.

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This is why, for decades, Democrats have settled to leave D.C. voters without direct representation in Congress. They decided it is better to lament the lack of representation on license plates than to give residents such representation through retrocession of the residential sections of D.C. to Maryland.

Polling shows that most Americans still oppose statehood for this one city  a Vatican-like city-state. That is why Democrats are not keen on attempting a new constitutional amendment to change the status of the city. They would rather bewail the lack of direct representation while, ironically, trying to achieve effective statehood without a direct vote of citizens on a constitutional amendment.

The fact is, Trump has every right to deploy the National Guard in Washington and to take over the D.C. police. Those are entirely lawful and constitutional orders. Yet the New York Times appears to have changed its position on the danger of insurrection.

The Times recently ran a bizarre column by former Obama officials Steven Simon and Jonathan Stevenson, We Used to Think the Military Would Stand Up to Trump. We Were Wrong. They complain that it now seems clear to us that the military will not rescue Americans from Mr. Trumps misuse of the nations military capabilities.

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The rescue would have meant military personnel disobeying a direct order from the commander-in-chief because they disagreed with the need for the deployment. In fairness to the New York Times, that is not exactly an insurrection  it is more of a mutiny.

What is striking about this debate is how entirely untethered it is from anything that touches upon reality.

Statehood remains easily attainable for Washington, if Democrats would only stop opposing retrocession. Meanwhile, the deployment is clearly constitutional, regardless of how many columns or submarine sandwiches you throw about in another furious fit.

The only thing that is clear is that Washington residents are again being played. They remain political props left stateless because returning them to full representation is not politically advantageous. They are given make-believe shadow senators and protest license plates rather than restoring their prior status. As with the debate over crime, few want to discuss how to solve this problem.

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Given the opposition of the Democrats, Trump should take the lead and order federal officials to develop a blueprint for retrocession. He should use his office to fully inform the American people, and particularly D.C. residents, of the benefits of returning to Maryland.

Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of the best-selling book The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has welcomed the outcome of Friday's meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

"For years, we watched as the two largest nuclear powers dismantled the foundations of their cooperation ... That is now over," he wrote on his Facebook page.

"The world is a safer place today than it was yesterday. May there never be a worse weekend!" Orban added in response to the summit, which produced no immediate tangible results.

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Trump and Putin ended their meeting without commenting on a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war  the focus of the talks.

Orban, who has ruled Hungary in a semi-authoritarian manner for over 15 years, is considered a loyal supporter of Trump and his policies.

He also supports aspects of Putin's war against Ukraine by demanding peace through surrender by the country, which borders Hungary to the east.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Springfield, Ore. man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Aug. 12 after he pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.

Lane County Sheriff deputies found 29-year-old Dusty Jacaway in a car with a 13-year-old in October 2024, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

While reviewing both of their cell phones, law enforcement found two videos of them having sex in the backseat of the car.

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Investigators discovered that Jacaway met the minor online when the child was 12 years old. He began having intercourse and providing the child with meth shortly after meeting.

Jacaway repeatedly brought the child to a pornography shop, where he accepted money and drugs from men in exchange for letting them sexually abuse the minor. He also threatened to kill them if he were ever arrested.

Following his 250-month federal prison sentence, Jacaway will be on supervised release for the rest of his life. He was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victim.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Orlando Fire Department has announced the passing of Nessie, a beloved arson detection K9, who died this week.

Throughout her career, Nessie was involved in solving multiple arson cases, including some linked to homicides, throughout Central Florida.

Born on July 24, 2015, Nessie served the city of Orlando for most of her life after joining the Orlando Fire Department in April 2018 as the departments third arson K9.

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On February 7, 2019, Nessie was called to investigate a fire at an Orange County home where her detection skills led investigators to areas with accelerants, resulting in an arrest.

Beyond her detection work, she was an ambassador for fire prevention, often visiting schools and engaging with students.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The Orlando Museum of Art has secured nearly $2.5 million from the state to fund critical infrastructure improvements.

The funding, presented by Senator Jason Brodeur and Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, will be used to replace the museums HVAC system and repair water damage.

Cathryn Mattson, a representative of the museum, emphasized the importance of the funding, stating it will help protect the museums valuable art collection and ensure a safe environment for visitors.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
NEED TO KNOW

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on charges connected to an alleged intimate relationship with a bodyguard that prosecutors claim cost the city $70,000

Cantrell and the bodyguard are accused of having embarked on a scheme to defraud the city and its police department

Cantrell and Jeffrey Vappies personal relationship dated back to at least October 2021, the U.S. Attorney's Office said

The mayor of New Orleans has been indicted on charges of fraud and obstruction of justice after prosecutors claim she and a bodyguard attempted to hide an intimate relationship as the pair used public funds while engaged in personal activities.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell, 53, and Jeffrey Vappie, 52, were charged in a superseding indictment of 18 total counts, according to an Aug. 15 announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana.

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Cantrell, the city's first female mayor who was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, is accused of having "embarked on a scheme to defraud the City of New Orleans" and its police department alongside Vappie, a former New Orleans Police Department officer and member of her executive protection team, as he spent personal time with her while claiming to be "on duty," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The indictment also alleges that the pair "coordinated to spend time together" at a city-owned apartment while Vappie was supposed to be on duty, arranged "14 domestic and international trips to maximize their time together" and were "aware their conduct broke criminal laws" while the City of New Orleans allegedly paid over $70,000 for his travel on such trips.

Chris Graythen/Getty New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell

Vappie was already facing charges of making false statements and wire fraud, according to the Associated Press. The indictment has since added the mayor to the case as she has been charged in six of the wire fraud counts, as well as one count of obstruction of justice and two counts of making a false declaration before a grand jury.

The city and mayor's office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, Aug. 16. Cantrell has not shared a public statement on the matter.

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A city spokesperson told the AP that it was aware of the indictment. Until [the mayor's attorney] review is complete, the city will not comment further on this matter, the statement read.

City Councilman Jean-Paul Morrells spokesperson told Fox News that it was "a sad day for the people of New Orleans." He added that "thoughts and prayers are with the Cantrell family as they navigate through this difficult time."

The mayor's current term ends on Jan. 12, 2026.

The indictment, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, details the pair's attempts to "hide their scheme and perpetuate their continued fraud," including their use of messaging platform WhatsApp, making "false statements to FBI agents" and "committing perjury before a federal grand jury."

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Cantrell and Vappie's personal, intimate relationship dated back to at least October 2021, per the U.S. Attorney's Office. News stories broke of their relationship in November 2022, with prosecutors alleging that their "scheme" continued until his June 2024 retirement.

Vappie is alleged to have "lied about the nature and circumstances of his relationship" when questioned by the FBI in 2023, while Cantrell is accused of having "concealed" messages  including deleted WhatsApp correspondence  from a grand jury.

The pair face up to five years in prison if convicted of the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to obstruct justice, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Separately, Vappie faces up to five years in prison for the false statement to FBI charge, while Cantrell faces up to 20 years for each obstruction of justice count and up to five years for each count of making false statements to a grand jury. They also face up to $250,000 in fines per each count.



Read the original article on People
Aug. 16 (UPI) -- New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell is facing federal wire fraud and conspiracy charges after being indicted this week along with a former member of her security detail.

Cantrell and retired New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffrey Vappie were both indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other charges after Vappie was allegedly paid for official duty while the two were engaged in "personal activities," according to a statement issued by the Justice Department.

Authorities contend the two began a relationship in 2021, during which time Vappie was paid as an on-duty member of Cantrell's personal security team. Vappie retired in 2004.

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"They embarked on a scheme to defraud the City of New Orleans and NOPD by exploiting Vappie's job and Cantrell's authority as Mayor to have the City and NOPD pay Vappie's salary and expenses during times Vappie claimed to be on duty but when the was actually engaged in personal activities, often with Cantrell," the Justice Department indictment reads.

The allegations contend Vappie and Cantrell's activities extended to out-of-state trips. Cantrell allegedly shifted policy and started bringing members of her Executive Protection Unit on the out-of-state trips around five months after Vappie joined the EPU.

"Cantrell said she would 'make it happen' to have Vappie accompany her on a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., a trip that they both agreed that they 'needed,'" the Justice Department statement reads.

The City of New Orleans was billed over $70,000 on Vappie's behalf for the three-day trip.

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The couple also allegedly used a city-owned apartment during their relationship.

Cantrell was elected in 2018 after serving as a Member of the New Orleans City Council, making her the first female mayor in the city's history.

Cantrell has not commented publicly on the allegations.

Police say the pair tried to hide the affair and have recovered thousands of texts and pictures from the What'sApp messaging platform.

Both are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Vappie also faces twelve counts of wire fraud. Cantrell is also named in six of the latter charges.

Additionally, Vappie is charged with making a false statement to the FBI, while Cantrell faces two counts of making a false declaration before a grand jury.
By Tom Balmforth

LONDON (Reuters) -Russia would relinquish tiny pockets of occupied Ukraine and Kyiv would cede swathes of its eastern land which Moscow has been unable to capture, under peace proposals discussed by Russia's Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump at their Alaska summit, sources briefed on Moscow's thinking said.

The account emerged the day after Trump and Putin met at an airforce base in Alaska, the first encounter between a U.S. president and the Kremlin chief since before the start of the Ukraine conflict.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to travel to Washington on Monday to discuss with Trump a possible settlement of the full-scale war, which Putin launched in February 2022.

Although the summit failed to secure the ceasefire he said he had wanted, Trump said in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity that he and Putin had discussed land transfers and security guarantees for Ukraine, and had "largely agreed".

"I think we're pretty close to a deal," he said, adding: "Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say 'no'."

The two sources, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said their knowledge of Putin's proposals was mostly based on discussions between leaders in Europe, the U.S. and Ukraine, and noted it was not complete.

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Trump briefed Zelenskiy and European leaders on his summit discussions early on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear if the proposals by Putin were an opening gambit to serve as a starting point for negotiations or more like a final offer that was not subject to discussion.

UKRAINIAN LAND FOR PEACE

At face value, at least some of the demands would present huge challenges for Ukraine's leadership to accept.

Putin's offer ruled out a ceasefire until a comprehensive deal is reached, blocking a key demand of Zelenskiy, whose country is hit daily by Russian drones and ballistic missiles.

Under the proposed Russian deal, Kyiv would fully withdraw from the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions in return for a Russian pledge to freeze the front lines in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the sources said.

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Ukraine has already rejected any retreat from Ukrainian land such as the Donetsk region, where its troops are dug in and which Kyiv says serves as a crucial defensive structure to prevent Russian attacks deeper into its territory.

Russia would be prepared to return comparatively small tracts of Ukrainian land it has occupied in the northern Sumy and northeastern Kharkiv regions, the sources said.

Russia holds pockets of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions that total around 440 square km, according to Ukraine's Deep State battlefield mapping project. Ukraine controls around 6,600 square km of Donbas, which comprises the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and is claimed by Russia.

Although the Americans have not spelled this out, the sources said they knew Russia's leader was also seeking - at the very least - formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, which Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014.

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It was not clear if that meant recognition by the U.S. government or, for instance, all Western powers and Ukraine. Kyiv and its European allies reject formal recognition of Moscow's rule in the peninsula.

They said Putin would also expect the lifting of at least some of the array of sanctions on Russia. However, they could not say if this applied to U.S. as well as European sanctions.

Trump said on Friday he did not immediately need to consider retaliatory tariffs on countries such as China for buying Russian oil - which is subject to a range of Western sanctions - but might have to "in two or three weeks."

Ukraine would also be barred from joining the NATO military alliance, though Putin seemed to be open to Ukraine receiving some kind of security guarantees, the sources said.

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However, they added that it was unclear what this meant in practice. European leaders said Trump had discussed security guarantees for Ukraine during their conversation on Saturday and also broached an idea for an "Article 5"-style guarantee outside the NATO military alliance.

NATO regards any attack launched on one of its 32 members as an attack on all under its Article 5 clause.

Joining the Atlantic alliance is a strategic objective for Kyiv that is enshrined in the country's constitution.

Russia would also demand official status for the Russian language inside parts of, or across, Ukraine, as well as the right of the Russian Orthodox Church to operate freely, the sources said.

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Ukraine's security agency accuses the Moscow-linked church of abetting Russia's war on Ukraine by spreading pro-Russian propaganda and housing spies, something denied by the church which says it has cut canonical ties with Moscow.

Ukraine has passed a law banning Russia-linked religious organisations, of which it considers the church to be one. However, it has not yet started enforcing the ban.

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; Additional reporting by Gram Slattery and Trevor Hunnicutt; editing by Jon Boyle)
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents sparked outrage in Linda Vista after detaining a father outside an elementary school Thursday afternoon in an incident caught on cellphone video.

The arrest happened around 3 p.m. outside a church just steps away from Linda Vista Elementary School, where parents were gathering to pick up their children. Witnesses said the man had been waiting to collect his child when ICE agents, with their faces covered, approached his vehicle.

Parent detained by ICE while waiting to pick up child from school: SD Unified

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They were like hitting the car and telling the guy, get out of the car, and he was like, why? why? said Michelle, a bystander who recorded the arrest and asked not to be identified for safety reasons. She said she watched in horror as the man was handcuffed and taken away.

San Diego Unified Superintendent Fabiola Bagula condemned the timing and location of the arrest, saying it left families and staff shaken.

It left children, families, staff with questions and fears that no one, especially our youngest learners, should have to carry, Bagula said during a press conference. A child did not get picked up from school by their parent. This is traumatic. Theres a reason why those people are wearing masks  because they know its wrong to do.

Bagula emphasized that ICE agents are not allowed to enter campuses without a warrant and called on federal officials to avoid enforcement near schools.

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SD Unified officials speak out after father detained by ICE near school

Our schools and the neighborhoods that surround them should be off limits to enforcement actions like this, she said. There may be a lot of debates about immigration reform, but there should be no debate that this kind of tactic is inhumane.

Cody Petterson, president of the San Diego Unified school board, echoed those concerns.

When you show up and cut out from work early to pick up your kids to make sure they are safe, you should not be abducted as you are waiting for your child to come out of school, he said. It doesnt matter where you are on the political spectrum  no one thinks thats a good thing.

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Thursdays arrest comes one week after a similar incident outside Camarena Elementary School in Chula Vista, where ICE agents detained a parent who had previously been ordered deported.

School officials said the Linda Vista student whose father was detained was later picked up safely by their mother.

Immigration officials have not yet released details about the arrest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A new menu item at Sycuan Casino Resort pays tribute to a Padres player.

The 44 Smash Burger offered at Rank & File for a limited time is inspired by El Cajon native and Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove.

Crafted by Senior Executive Chef Thierry Bregeon, the sandwich contains three beef patties layered with bacon jam, muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato and habanero aioli between a toasted bun, topped off by a fried pickle, according to Sycuan Casino Resort.

The 44 Smash Burger at Rank & File in Sycuan Casino Resort. (Sycuan Casino Resort)

Wow, this is some really good bacon jam! The habanero is not too spicy. And the melted cheese? This is a pretty freaking good burger! Musgrove said.

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The 44 Smash Burger, named after Musgroves iconic jersey number, celebrates the pitchers San Diego roots with its Hispanic American culinary-inspired spicy-sweet flavors.

The meal also comes with a choice of french fries, coleslaw, side salad, mac & cheese or Ranchero beans.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CAIRO (AP)  A paramilitary fighting against Sudans military shelled a famine-stricken displacement camp in the western region of Dafur Saturday, killing at least 31 people, including seven children and a pregnant woman, a medical group said, in a second attack on the camp in less than a week.

The Rapid Support Forces artillery shelling of the Abu Shouk camp outside el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur province, also wounded 13 others, the Sudan Doctors Network said in a statement.

The Resistance Committees in el-Fasher, a grassroots group tracking the war, said RSF launched an hours-long extensive artillery shelling on the camp early Morning. It said in a Facebook post that the attack also resulted in severe damage to private properties and the camps infrastructure.

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The RSF didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The RSF attacked Abu Shouk last week and killed more than 40 people, as the paramilitaries have tried to seize el-Fasher, the militarys last stronghold in Darfur.

Abu-Shouk is one of two camps for displaced people outside el-Fasher. They have repeatedly been attacked by the RSF and their Janjwaeed allies, including a major offensive in April which killed hundreds of people and forced hundreds of thousands others to flee. Both camps Abu Shouk and Zamzam have been hit by famine.

Sudans civil war broke out in April 2023 over a power struggle between commanders of the military and the RSF. The fighting wrecked the Northeastern African country, forced about 14 million people out of their homes, and pushed some of its parts into famine.

Thousands of people were killed in the conflict and there have been atrocities, including mass killings and rape, particularly in Darfur. The International Criminal Court is investigating potential crimes and crimes against humanity in the conflict.
HUMBLE/TEXAS CITY - School just started for many local districts, but some parents are already raising concerns after their kids were dropped off at the wrong bus stop.

FOX 26s Jillian Hartmann spoke with families in Humble and Texas City who say their kids were left frightened and alone.

Humble: 4-year-old dropped off blocks away

Joe Flowers says his 4-year-old daughter, a Pre-K student at Oak Forest Elementary, was dropped off blocks from her stop on her second day of school.

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"I was waiting at the bus stop," Flowers said. "I asked the driver if she was on the bus. She said no. I jumped in my car and found my daughter two blocks away, crying on the corner."

Flowers says the incident left his daughter traumatized. He believes district policy requires drivers to verify that a parent or guardian is present before releasing Pre-K students.

"I reached out to the school," Flowers said. "The superintendent called and said theyre going to work on training, so this doesnt happen to another child."

For now, Flowers is driving his daughter to school.

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"Shes not a fan of the bus right now," he said. "She told me, Papi, I dont want to get lost again."

Humble ISD response

Jamie Mount, Chief Communications Officer for Humble ISD said, "This should never have happened. We are deeply troubled that a child was placed in this situation. We have extended our apologies to the family and share their concerns. Our policy requires Pre-K students to be met at their bus stop by a parent or other authorized adult. The bus driver made a serious mistake by allowing the Pre-K student to get off the bus when no one was there to meet the child. The bus had actually stopped a few blocks away from the correct stop and the parent was waiting at the right spot. Thankfully, the child is safe. The district is addressing the drivers failure to adhere to established policy. Due to confidentiality requirements regarding personnel matters, we are limited in providing details."

Texas City: 5-year-old missing for hours

In Texas City, Josh Brents says his 5-year-old son, William, never got off at his stop on the first day of school. As the family searched and called the school, police were preparing to issue an AMBER Alert.

"It was a sinking feeling," Brents said. "By this time, police were getting involved hed been missing about three and a half hours."

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Brents says he decided to check home again and saw William running down the driveway without shoes, looking like he had been crying.

"I grabbed him and hugged him," Brents said. "He told me he got lost he cried by a tree, knocked on a door for help, then saw another kid and asked for directions. That kid helped him find our house."

Texas City ISD response

Melissa Tortorici, the spokesperson for Texas City ISD said, "Texas City ISD places the highest priority on student safety. District protocol requires that kindergarten students are only released from the bus when a designated adult is present to meet them. This procedure is in place to ensure the well-being of our youngest learners. Following an incident in which this protocol was not followed, the driver and bus aide involved are no longer employed by Texas City ISD. This incident has also prompted us to review these procedures and expectations with all transportation staff to ensure full understanding and compliance. We remain committed to the safety of every child in our care and will continue to reinforce protocols designed to protect our students."

The school district, police and the family really want to find the stranger who helped William get back home safely, and thank him for what he did.

The Source

FOX 26 Reporter Jillian Hartmann spoke with parents about what happened.
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN)  A judge is considering the next steps for an injunction filed to halt discussions about the contract of Dothans new superintendent, a contract that was voted on before the judge could hear arguments on the case.

News blogger Rickey Stokes and Mark Boardman, representing the Dothan City School Board, sparred in court for an injunction hearing to determine if the school board violated the Alabama Open Meetings Law when hiring Superintendent doctor garrick Askew.

The judge heard the facts, the Alabama open meetings law is so squirrely that people elected to get by with anything, Stokes said.

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Complaint filed to halt vote on Dothan superintendent contract

Stokes testified in court that someone on the school board came up with enhanced qualifications behind closed doors to require a doctorate and prior superintendent experience. Yet, no one admitted to coming up with the requirements and voting on them in March.

The same month, at the next meeting, the board dropped the requirement of prior experience. In June, the board hired attorney Mark Boardman to negotiate the contract after a motion by Brett Strickland, which was not on the agenda.

Stokes believes the board violated the open meetings law on two occasions, hiring a board member outside of the parameters and not discussing the contract in the publics eye.

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The four that we have had havent been the right people; they are playing games, said Stokes.

Stokes says he wants things to be done in public, said attorney Steve McGowan.

Boardman argued that Stokes complaint should have been filed much earlier than July. He also says under open meetings, each meeting stands on its own, regardless of whether the board was wrong in a prior meeting.

Dothan BOE approves superintendent contract

The attorney also questioned Stokes about living in Dothan and his standing to file the complaint, given that he does not have children in DCS and filed it on his own behalf.

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Despite the outcome, Stokes believes he has done his part in informing the public.

Especially with this 4-3 vote, you cant get anything done. Lets get on and put the kids first, said Stokes.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Pastor Jerry Gumm is out of the hospital after surviving the mass shooting at Richmond Road Baptist Church that killed his wife and daughter.

Gumm, a pastor at Richmond Road Baptist Church, has been recovering from multiple gunshot wounds since the attack.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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One bullet even struck his tonguebut doctors said that may have saved his life.

Gumms daughter, Christina Combs, 34, and wife, Beverly Gumm, 72, died on July 13 after Guy House allegedly opened fire at a small Lexington church, not long after shooting a Kentucky State Police trooper during a traffic stop.

Despite the heartbreak, the pastor said hes determined to return to the pulpit and already knows the sermon he plans to preach when he does.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton fired another salvo in his week-long conflict with former El Paso Congressman Beto ORourke and ORourkes organization, Powered by the People.

Paxton, in an amended petition filed on Friday, Aug. 15, is seeking to revoke the charter of Powered by the People, ORourkes political organization.

Paxton suing ORourke, his organization over fund-raising

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Paxton originally filed a lawsuit on Aug. 8, alleging that ORourke and his organization are operating a misleading and fraudulent scheme to raise personal funds for Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to break quorum in the Texas House and stall Republican-led efforts at mid-decade redistricting.

Paxton says ORourke in contempt, should be arrested

Democrats say that the process is being pushed by President Trump from Washington and would result in watered-down voting power for Hispanics and Blacks across the state.

A group of 50 House Democrats left Texas on Aug. 3 to break the quorum.

The same day that the lawsuit was filed, a district court in Tarrant County issued a temporary restraining order preventing ORourke and his organization from raising money that would help House Democrats who left the state.

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Paxton has alleged that ORourke is continuing to fundraise in blatant violation of the restraining order.

Robert (ORourke) and his unlawful influence scheme, Powered by People, have deceived donors, bought off Texas politicians, and unlawfully assisted runaway Democrats in avoiding arrest, Paxton said in a news release posted on his offices website. As much as Robert and the sell-out Democrats might wish to ignore them, we do have laws that must be followed. I have asked the court to enforce its previous TRO, throw Beto behind bars, and revoke Powered by Peoples charter for its unlawful conduct. There must be consequences.

ORourkes team, however, said ORourke had merely told a crowd in Fort Worth last weekend that Democrats need to fight fire with fire and that states controlled by Democrats, like Maryland, need to do their own redistricting effort to counter Texas efforts. He said that Paxton is lying when he says that he is continuing to fundraise in violation of the court order.

Powered by People said it has donated over $1 million to the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, the Texas House Democratic Caucus (HDC), and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) over the course of the special session. ORourke also announced that people throughout Texas and all across America made more than 55,000 donations to Powered by People since the special session began on July 21.

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Texas Democrats have brought the fight that this nation so badly needs, ORourke said in a news release sent out Saturday morning, Aug. 16. Thanks to everyone who has joined us in this fight for Texas, weve been able to donate over $1 million to the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, the Texas House Democratic Caucus, and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus during the special session.

ORourke also said he has been on the road nonstop to have the backs of Texas Democrats, share how what happens in the state impacts everyone across the nation, and mobilize Americans to fight Trumps power grab, according to the news release.

Founded by ORourke in 2019, Powered by People is a voter registration and mobilization group that is composed of thousands of volunteers. Since launching, Powered by People has run the largest voter mobilization effort in the states history while helping register hundreds of thousands of Texans to vote, the organization said.



Meanwhile, a second special session started Friday in Austin, and under a new map being proposed by Republicans, key parts of Fort Bliss and the El Paso International Airport would remain in U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobars district, according to El Paso Matters. The 16th Congressional District has long contained most of El Paso.

Perez: GOP redistricting plans equate to racial engineering

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A previous version of the map would have stripped Fort Bliss and the airport and put them in Rep. Tony Gonzales district, the 23rd Congressional District. That district currently contains part of East El Paso and stretches all the way to San Antonio and includes the border with Mexico.

Escobar is a Democrat and Gonzales is a Republican.

The redistricting plan is subject to change as the Texas House and Senate debate its specifics.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
For weeks now, there have been protests near the Bell Hotel in Epping, which houses single male asylum seekers.

So far this month they have largely been peaceful, but in July some descended into disorder. Riot police were on residential streets; helicopters were whirring over homes at night.

Twenty-eight people have been arrested, with police officers injured and vehicles damaged.

The protests started after an asylum seeker housed at the hotel was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. He is in custody awaiting further court hearings.

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Epping, where Sir Winston Churchill was MP from 1924 to 1945, is at the end of London Underground's Central line.

Its bustling High Street has bakeries, hair salons, cafes and restaurants.

But on some of the protest days, it has been a ghost town - with many businesses shutting early.

One local councillor described Epping as the epicentre of Britain's anti-migrant protests.

What do locals make of it?

The Bell Hotel in Epping is being used to house single male asylum seekers [BBC]

"They shouldn't be there. They should be gone.

"They are causing nothing but trouble in the town," said Debbie Ellis.

She was pushing her grandson in a pram on a warm mid-morning.

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She said the asylum seekers should be "kept in a camp until they are processed" and suggested a military base like MDP Wethersfield in north Essex - where hundreds are currently being housed - would be better.

Ms Ellis welcomed the protests.

"I think it should be happening, I've been to a couple. If we don't stand up for our town no-one else is going to," she said.

"They shouldn't be left in a population where there's little kids running round, shops where they go shoplifting," she added.

There have been regular anti-asylum seeker protests in Epping since July [EPA]

Several people alleged asylum seekers have been shoplifting.

One store manager who did not want to be named said stealing from their shop was an issue, but they had no idea if the culprits were asylum seekers or not.

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They did not feel thefts were worse in Epping compared to other towns.

Reported crime up to June (the current figures) has remained broadly the same in Epping and Ongar over the past 18 months, with between 261 and 365 crimes reported a month.

The figure was slightly higher in some months in 2022-23 according to Essex Police's crime statistics.

'Haven't felt unsafe'

For Priyam Atter, out and about with her toddler, it was the protests she was concerned about.

"I've never had any issues with people who I can see are from that hotel.

"I certainly haven't felt unsafe by those people, but I certainly have felt unsafe by the riots that happened in this area.

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"I think it is a stain on Epping."

Elsabe Coericius welcomes the asylum seekers [BBC]

Elsabe Coericius was out shopping.

She said "if the hotel is the only place where they can stay they should be allowed".

She is a Quaker and said: "I believe in peaceful protest.

"I think everybody should be able to share their views and opinions."

Epping Forest District Council has been seeking an injunction against the owner of the Bell Hotel to stop it being used to house asylum seekers.

Ms Coericius described that move as "a disgrace".

Jan and Sara Russell have lived in Epping for decades and want to see the asylum seekers moved out [BBC]

But others like Sara and Jan Russell, out for a brisk summer walk, supported the council's High Court action.

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"I'm all for it. I've lived here for over 50 years now. We've never seen anything like this.

"It's not right, nobody likes it," said Jan Russell.

Sara Russell added: "It's about time these asylum seekers did just go.

"We are such a small town - we can't really afford to have that sort of people walking up and down the street."

She said she saw the asylum seekers "just dossing around" in the town.

They had not been involved in the protests, but they supported them.

Although, said Sara Russell, not "when people are coming off the Central line from the other side of London and are just pretending to be from the local area".

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"There's a very small percentage of people who are protesters from Epping town," she added.

She said she had "nothing against the legal migrants" but when it came to those arriving by boat across the Channel, her answer was to "put them on Ascension island".

Social media 'drums drumming'

As she strolled past, another resident, Sue Rosso, heard what they were saying and disagreed.

"There is this major issue that we have in this country with lots of people coming to seek refuge.

"Fundamentally, the hotels, whilst not an ideal option is - as I see it - the only temporary option," she said.

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On the shoplifting accusations, Ms Rosso said: "There's a lot of drums drumming on the social media and a lot of fake news.

"In my view those incidents are not true."

She said she felt the protests should be in Westminster, not Epping, as it was the government who was placing asylum seekers in the town.

There are strong views on the Bell Hotel in Epping and it appeared to be dividing opinion.

"It's turning neighbour against neighbour," Ms Rosso said.

"This was a community based town and I hope it will be that again in the future."

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NEED TO KNOW

The percentage of Americans who say they drink alcohol has dropped to an all-time low, per Gallups annual poll

Just 54% of Americans say they drink alcohol, amid ongoing research about its negative impacts on health

The poll found that just 50% of those aged 18 to 34 report drinking, whereas 56% of those 35-55, and 55 and older drink alcohol

Fewer Americans say theyre drinking alcohol amid ongoing research thats found it negatively impacts health in the long term.

Fifty-four percent of Americans say they drink alcohol  the lowest ever recorded by Gallup, which began polling people about their drinking habits in 1939. The number has been steadily declining since 2022, when 67% of Americans reported drinking; In 2023, that fell to 62%. Last year, 58% reported drinking alcohol.

Getty Images Stock image of beer being poured. Stock image of beer being poured.

For the first time in the history of the poll, the majority of Americans (53%) say that drinking, even in moderation, is bad for your health.

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The news comes amid ongoing reports about the negative health impacts from drinking; In a Jan. 3 report, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for alcohol to carry warning labels for cancer, saying it causes nearly 100,000 cancer cases and approximately 20,000 cancer deaths every year.

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As little as eight alcoholic drinks a week has been linked to an increase in dementia, per a study in the scientific journal Neurology; author Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School in Brazil said in a press release that heavy alcohol consumption is damaging to the brain, which can lead to memory and thinking problems.

A 2022 study from The Lancet medical journal found that for people aged 15 to 39, there is no health benefit to drinking alcohol, only health risks.

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Younger people, whove grown up hearing about the negative impacts of alcohol, are likely leading the trend, Time reported: Older folks have lived through the period when the medical advice was drinking could be beneficial to you, so hearing that its now harmful to your health is a 180 for them and so they have to mentally move a bigger distance to say maybe I shouldnt be drinking,  Lydia Saad, Gallup Director of U.S. Social Research, told the outlet.

She explained that for younger people, Its not, I think, as much of a behavior change for them  as it would be for their parents and grandparents who have to do a real pivot in terms of how they look at the risks of drinking.

Getty Images Stock image of wine being poured. Stock image of wine being poured.

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The poll found that just 50% of those aged 18 to 34 report drinking, whereas 56% of those 35-55, and 55 and older drink.

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I do believe the change in public sentiment is a good reflection of the change in science," Tim Naimi, director of the University of Victorias Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, told The Washington Post. "The risks of alcohol, in what some people might have previously considered low levels, are higher than previously appreciated."



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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV)  After a year of careful renovations, Mississippi State University (MSU) unveiled the Perry Food Hall  a new dining destination for students.

Perry is one of our most iconic buildingsits what many people think of when they picture Mississippi State University. This renovation preserves that history and builds on it to create a truly special space and unique experience, MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. I appreciate the significant investments our dining partner Aramark has made in our university and its commitment to our students.

As one of Mississippis officially registered landmarks, its Late Gothic Revival architecture remains on display with its exposed timber beams and nostalgic charm anchored in the heart of campus.

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At the center of the transformation is 1921 Cafe where Southern comfort food meets Bulldog traditions like Fried Chicken Wednesdays and Catfish Fridays. Bark, a smokehouse-inspired venue, serves bold, slow-cooked barbecue classics. For a lighter bite, The Beet Drop offers build-your-own salads and plant-based meals for a vegan experience.

Celebrating MSUs historic Perry Food Hall, newly renovated with fresh concepts, on Friday [Aug. 15] are, from left, Aramark Vice President for Collegiate Hospitality Alisdair MacLean; MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt; MSU President Mark E. Keenum; Student Association President Cameron Cummings; Resident District Manager for MSU Dining Services James Jankowski; Chef Dominic Towe; and Starbucks Manager Santana Jones. (Photo by Grace Cockrell via Mississippi State University) After a year of renovations, Mississippi State and Aramark officials celebrated the grand opening of Perry Food Hall with a ribbon cutting Friday [Aug. 15]. Built in 1921, the facility now offers a new dining experience featuring MSU favorites at 1921 Cafe, barbecue and smoked meats at Bark, salads, vegetarian and vegan fare at The Beet Drop, and the return of Moes Southwest Grill and State Fountain Bakery at the buildings north end. (Photo by Grace Cockrell via Mississippi State University)

With Starbucks relocated from the Colvard Student Union to Perry Food Hall, the space once again invites students to not just dine but stay.

The newly refreshed north end brings the return of State Fountain Bakery to its original home, once again serving MSU ice cream, old-fashioned milkshakes and its iconic dog bone cookies. The space also will showcase a larger Moes Southwest Grill.

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Renovations are complete with Starbucks, 1921 Cafe, Bark and The Beet Drop officially open and ready for its first customers. Moes opens on August 16, and State Fountain Bakery opens on August 20.

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A crash in Millvale left one person injured Saturday.

An Allegheny County 911 supervisor said the crash in the 600 block of North Avenue was first reported around 3:30 p.m.

Click here to see photos from the scene.

Channel 11 crews on scene saw two cars with front-end damage being towed away, and people clearing the streets of debris.

Fire officials say one person was taken to the hospital, but theyre expected to be alright.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  A protest against Trump administrations effort to overhaul policing in the District of Columbia drew scores to Dupont Circle before a march to the White House.

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A fire truck was struck while responding to a minor accident scene on Saturday in Wallingford, state police said.

The incident took place shortly after noon on I-91 North near Exit 14.

Construction worker dies after being struck by vehicle in Greenwich: CSP

Wallingford Fire Department officials were responding to a van fire in the area. Upon arrival the fire had been extinguished.

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The East Wallingford Volunteer Fire Department Engine 8 remained on scene to assist state police and block the right lane of the highway.

While blocking the lane, the fire truck was rear-ended by an SUV, causing minor damage to the fire apparatus. The SUV sustained heavy damage.

A vehicle crashed into a fire truck in Wallingford on Saturday. A vehicle crashed into a fire truck in Wallingford on Saturday.

The driver of the SUV was transported by ambulance with unknown injuries. One firefighter was transported for evaluation. Two other firefighters remained on scene with minor injuries.

The Connecticut State Police are investigating the incident.

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LEHI, Utah (ABC4)  On Friday morning, about 50 dead fish were found floating on the surface of the Jordan River in Lehi.

John Mackey, Director of the Division of Water Quality said they sent out their scientists after they received a report of several dead fish floating on the river.

While the investigation is still in its early stages, Mackey indicated that the warm temperatures make such events likely during this time of year. They also recorded low oxygen levels in the water, which can be harmful to fish.

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The Division of Water Quality says, Low dissolved oxygen measurements taken in the river are likely to have contributed to rising temperatures in the water and can also be caused by Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs).

Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX Dead Fish in the Jordan River. Ryland Sparrow/KTVX

Additionally, Mackey pointed out that there is a significant algae bloom occurring in Utah Lake, which flows into the Jordan River. A large number of algae is entering the Jordan River, particularly in the area where the dead fish were discovered.

Harmful algae blooms warning for Jordan River, Utah Lake

Currently, there is no exact answer. However, Mackey shared that all these factors could contribute to the issue.

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The Utah Division of Water Quality says, there is no immediate fix for removing the HABs, but they will decline as air and water temperatures cool.

Exercising caution at the river

Mackey advises residents to exercise caution when engaging in recreational activities on or near the river. He shared that the Division of Water Quality regularly monitors various beaches along the river during the algae bloom season.

Currently, three Jordan River locations have had warning advisories for Harmful Algal blooms: the Utah Lake Outlet, 1500 North in Lehi, and 9900 South. Utah Lake, which feeds into Jordan River, has a warning advisory.

If toxins are detected, advisories and notices about potential threats are posted on the divisions website as well as on the websites of multiple local health partners. It is important to pay attention to these warnings and stay informed about river conditions.

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If you notice scum and heavy green floating material, and even just really green water, check the websites shared Mackey.

Mackey added the importance of being cautious not only for humans but also for pets, as they are particularly susceptible. He suggested that pets should be kept away from the water. The public should remain aware and exercise caution. While boating and fishing are still permitted, Mackey recommended avoiding bathing in the water, as it is currently unsafe.

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Key Takeaway

Airlines typically require pilots to eat different meals to avoid both getting sick from potential food poisoning. This rule ensures that if one pilot falls ill, the other can safely operate the flight.

Kosher, vegan, gluten-free, and even ketomost airlines are pretty good these days about giving you an option for in-flight meals. Many airlines even let you choose your entree in advance, especially if youre flying in business or first class. If everyone in your row selects chicken, the flight attendants will do their best to make sure you all get chicken and not the dreaded pasta dish.

That said, its a different situation in the flight deck. Although you can argue theyre the most important people on the plane, pilots dont have the same freedom we do when it comes to choosing what to eat. On long-haul flights, pilots sharing a flight deck cant eat the same food. If one pilot is having pasta, the other has to have chickenheres why.

But first: Why do planes have more than one pilot anyway?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires airlines to have at least two pilots on commercial aircraft at all times. Long-haul flights over eight hours often require a third or even a fourth pilot. This is because there are strict regulations limiting the number of hours a pilot can fly within designated time periods. Its also because if something were to happen to the pilot flying the plane, there needs to be someone qualified to step in.

Why do pilots have to eat different meals?

Salmonella, E. coli, norovirus, and the list goes on: Foodborne illness is a risk for anyone, and when food poisoning hits, its symptoms can be unpleasant at best and deadly at worst.

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Pilots are required to eat different meals on the flight in case one meal is compromised, Adam Cohen, a captain at Skywest Airlines, tells Travel + Leisure. That way, only one pilot will be affected, and the other can continue safely to the destination. While the FAA doesnt have a regulation stating that pilots must eat different meals, most airlines have rules mandating that pilots cannot eat the same meals as their co-pilots both before and during their flight.

Chalabala/Adobe Stock A man eating an airplane meal. A man eating an airplane meal.

How common is food poisoning on planes?

While there have been a lot of unfortunate incidents ranging from passengers trying to open emergency doors to planes catching on fire recently, food poisoning appears to be less common. That said, it happens. In 1982, most of the crew members on a flight from Lisbon to Boston were afflicted with stomach pains and cramps after indulging in the same dessert during the flight. While some of the crew members were taken away in ambulances upon touching down in Boston, no passengers were affected.

The crew had been served different food, and fortunately, two of the 10 opted out of the tapioca pudding. Pilot skips pudding, lands plane safely read the headline in the Manchester Evening Herald that week. A spokesperson for the airline said they suspected the pudding because it was the only item on the menu that had a cream base which would produce an instant reaction.

What do pilots eat?

Theres no governing body that dictates what pilots can or cant eat. That said, the captain will try to make sure theyre not eating the same thing as their first officer. Usually the pilot with the most seniority gets to choose their meal first. While many pilots pick up food on layovers, some airlines feed their pilots mid-flight, especially if its a long-haul flight. For example, Emirates prepares meals for passengers and crew in the same catering facility in Dubai. That said, crew members arent served the same menu as passengers. Passengers typically get multi-course meals. The flight crew is more apt to enjoy sandwiches or grab-and-go dishes that are easier to eat while working or on break.

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Pilots are also allowed to pack their own food from home, which is helpful because not all airlines pay for their pilots food, especially on shorter routes. I even use the ovens on the plane when the flight attendants are done with them, wrote one pilot on Reddit. Nothing like a home-cooked meal in the flight deck. Pilots just cant pair what they pack with a glass of wine or whiskey. That privilege is only reserved for passengers.



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LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  A Pine Tree High School assistant principal was selected as an Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year Region 7 representative in the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).

Pine Tree ISD students win Longview environmental art contest

TASSP recognizes outstanding principals and assistant principals across 20 regional Education Service Centers in Texas. This year, Annette Johnson was chosen to represent Region 7, allowing her to compete for the Texas Assistant Principal of the Year state title.

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Johnson is currently in her fourth year as an assistant principal and has been a member of the leadership team at Pine Tree High School since 2023. She has taken on various roles in education including high school principal, elementary assistant principal and director of technology.

I am truly honored to serve alongside my principal, Mr. Beeper Kraus, and my assistant principal colleagues each day, Johnson said. Together, we build relationships with the students and their parents, which is a privilege for me each year. The community of Pine Tree supports our teachers and students on a continual basis, and Im proud to be a part of it.

Johnson has been described as a visionary, leader of learners and a risk taker. Assistant Principal Kathleen Woodard said that Johnson has done a great job pushing high school students to become more involved with extracurriculars and becoming more involved with the school.

I nominated Annette Johnson because she embodies excellence in all she does, holding students accountable while uplifting and encouraging those around her. She is a true team player who challenges our administration to find better ways to help students succeed. Patient, kind, and a mentor to many teachers, Annette exemplifies the Pirate way. She welcomes new employees with open arms and walks beside them through challenges with patience and grace. Loving yet firm, she builds relationships rooted in care and shows her love by inspiring and challenging others to grow. Our campus sees her outstanding heart and leadership every day, and we are proud others now see it too.

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Assistant Principal Kathleen Woodard

All regional winners will be recognized and receive an award at the Jostens Night of the Stars Awards Dinner that is held in conjunction with the TASSP Summer Workshop in June.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

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In the 1980s, long before she became Californias most prolific renewable energy permitter, Lorelei Oviatt took a trip to Los Angeles on behalf of the housing developer she was working for in Antelope Valley.

The project she had been assigned to needed approval from L.A. County government, and so she took an elevator up a towering office building, walked up to the permitting desk and watched bureaucrat workers walking back and forth, talking with each other but paying her little mind.

When finally she got to sit down to a meeting with half a dozen of them, she recalled, they gave her almost no feedback, saying only theyd take her comments under advisement. It made her feel like she was talking to a black hole  you didnt know if they liked your project.

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That was burned into my young brain, that dont be that, Oviatt, director of Kern Countys Planning and Natural Resources Department, said during an interview this week in her office in Bakersfield.

As she prepares for her final day of work after a 29-year career with the county, Oviatt admits to a sense of satisfaction that she has succeeded in bringing not only responsiveness to government but also a sensitivity to the demands of the private sector.

The results impress: Under her leadership, Kern has permitted 22,000 megawatts of wind and solar development  more than any other county in the state  and more than 15,000 megawatts of battery energy storage. In all, thats thousands of jobs and $82 billion in investment.

Oviatt also led a 13-year effort to allow local oil and gas producers to obtain drilling and other permits at a time when state regulators, hamstrung by politics and environmental lawsuits, have been unable to process applications in a timely way, if at all.

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Oviatts work hasnt always won her fans. Developers have howled, environmentalists have sued and residents near and far have waited in line to criticize her recommendations. But her efforts have also won respect.

One of the many renewable energy developers she has worked with during her years in county government, San Diego-based Terra-Gen, has looked to her for the permitting consistency it needed to invest more than $5 billion in wind and solar developments in eastern Kern.

Vice President Simon Day, Terra-Gens head of solar development, said her steadiness brought the company back for new developments.

Thats why weve invested (in Kern) more than anywhere else, he said. It doesnt mean that we get what we want, or anything like that, but (Oviatt has) worked with our projects to meet the needs of the community.

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Another developer representative who has worked with the county on energy projects, Linda Parker, said Oviatts ability to navigate the California Environmental Quality Act, and Oviatt herself, will be missed.

We certainly were not always on the same page, but that is what is great about Lorelei and her leadership: her ability and creativity within CEQA to make things work, Parker said.

The private-sector background Oviatt said shaped her approach to government began in 1984 when she managed and oversaw construction as vice president of acquisition and development for Waln-Barclay Development.

She grew up in South Florida before coming to California in the mid-1970s. The 1980s construction boom led her to northern L.A. County and ultimately Rosamond, where she raised three children and still resides.

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The work taught her how large projects are financed, which she said government workers just out of college dont typically learn. She experienced how developers carry costs every day a project takes leading up to construction.

Working in development also introduced her to the intricacies of CEQA, which she said is good in the same way that ice cream is good, until its misused.

After she arrived in Kern County government, and she busied herself reviewing residential projects in southern Kern, state policymakers called for construction of 5,000 megawatts of solar energy projects statewide by 2020.

At that point, Oviatt was already processing projects representing 3,000 megawatts.

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Oviatt recalls telling the county Board of Supervisors at the time that Kern could reach 10,000 megawatts, fully permitted by 2015  and in the process, generate $40 million per year in property taxes, $60 million in private investment and 8,000 jobs.

By 2015, the county passed the 10,000-megawatts mark and was on its way to 15,000.

And it was about the jobs, she said. There was no conversation about climate change or anything else. That was not what we were doing it for.

A few years before that, the states oil industry came to her with a proposition. Facing increased permitting pressure, two oil trade groups asked her about the possibility of leading a comprehensive environmental review of oil activity in the valley portion of Kern. The plan was to cover every contingency and mitigate possible impacts.

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The initial effort took several years before being approved by county supervisors in late 2015. Immediately, lawsuits were filed by a local farmer, an oilman opposed to new fees and environmental groups against the blanket-review approach.

Though many permits have since been issued under the ordinance, review is held up in litigation. But this summer, the Newsom administration switched positions and, out of concern for gasoline prices, proposed exempting Kerns environmental review from CEQA.

Over the years, environmental justice groups and conservationists have railed against Oviatts work in public hearings. Despite being a believer in climate change, she has been accused of putting industry profits ahead of public health and the good of the planet.

Some of that sentiment came through during an Aug. 5 Board of Supervisors meeting.

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The director of the local chapter of the Sierra Club, Lori Pesante, congratulated Oviatt on her retirement, but not without adding that, The door is open if (Oviatt) wants to become a Sierra Club member and stand on the right side of history.

Leaders within Californias oil industry see it differently, saying Oviatt has balanced investment with environmental protection.

President and CEO Catherine Reheis-Boyd of the Western States Petroleum Association trade group said that regardless of the criticism, Oviatt has used tenacity and candidness to do the right thing.

That previous experience she had, coming in with a business lens, gave her a huge opportunity to apply that to the government side, she said. Its got to be something that works for both. Everybodys got to give a little and execute.

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Oviatt attributes her success to confidence mixed with integrity. Because she wont accept even a coffee from a developer, or invest in their stock, she feels fearless holding them to high standards.

After her last day of work at the end of next week, Oviatt said she plans to spend time with her grandchild in Texas before launching into private consulting early next year.

She expressed trust in her newly appointed successor and mentee, Craig Murphy, who she called her office brain.

This has been an amazing group of hardworking government people who are not interested in saying, Thats someone elses job, she said.

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Her bosses on the board gushed about her accomplishments, with Supervisor Leticia Perez crediting her with being a legend who has changed the countys face.

Supervisor Jeff Flores praised her as an advocate for economic development who brings balance in a level playing field. He added that she grasps big, global issues without losing focus on granular, local details.

Supervisor Chris Parlier recalled Oviatts name coming up while he attended a recent groundbreaking for a low-carbon facility in Mojave that will be Californias first steel mill in decades.

One of the top executives noted during the event that the project might never have been permitted on the West Coast, except that it was, and Kern County was the place to do it if it was going to be done in California, thanks to Lorelei.
(KRON)  Possible improvised explosive devices were found in a homicide suspects residence, according to the Pleasanton Police Department.

Pleasanton police responded to the 4600 block of Helpert Court at approximately 9:40 p.m. on Friday due to reports of a shooting.

Arriving officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was later declared deceased. The victims identity is being withheld until the next of kin is notified.

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Fatal shooting under investigation in Suisun City

Authorities identified 28-year-old Pleasanton resident Lucas Chan as the suspect. Chan was arrested and booked into the Alameda County Santa Rita Jail for homicide.

Pleasanton PD said detectives found suspicious devices inside Chans home and contacted the Alameda County Sheriffs Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team. The department said the devices were possible improvised explosive devices and were removed from the property.

Police said there is no active threat to the community.

Anyone with information regarding this active case is asked to contact the Pleasanton Police Department at 925-931-5100.

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With A-level results released on Thursday, students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales will be considering their next step  whether it is pursuing higher education, entering the workforce or taking a gap year.

On Monday, Roger Bootle argued in The Telegraph that going to university in Britain is a scam. He wrote: For many young people, their life prospects would be brighter if they didnt go to university.

His sentiment sparked a lively debate among readers.

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In response, we asked whether you believe going to university is worthwhile today. Of more than 15,000 respondents, 72pc said no  citing the devaluation of degrees due to over-subscription, the growing importance of learning a trade and the rising influence of AI.

What is your view? Vote in our poll below, and read on for the best of the debate.

Apprenticeships are a common alternative to attending university, and an option respondents strongly supported.

Reader Christine McIntyres son went to a grammar school, but decided at 14 that he was not going to university as he didnt want student debt and he wasnt interested in studying for a degree which likely would serve no useful purpose.

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Instead, he began an apprenticeship to become a cabinet maker  and 12 years later, after acquiring an understanding of specific aspects of the building trade, he has progressed to working for a company in London and is involved in negotiating high-end contracts for commercial premises.

Highlighting the financial benefits of apprenticeships, Jim Stewart said: Young people who took trades from the late 90s onwards are financially outperforming their peers. Young people need mentors and apprenticeships, not brainwashing and meaningless qualifications.

Meanwhile, Cheshire CG offered a word of warning with the advancement of AI: In the new world of artificial intelligence, Id think very carefully about whether the subject you want to study at university is going to provide the jobs you expect on graduation. Many jobs in professional careers will be reduced significantly as AI takes further hold.

Alongside AIs role in limiting available jobs, university qualifications no longer help job applicants stand out, according to Susan Jones. She said higher degrees [are] given out like candy.

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Achieving a first in a challenging subject, she said, used to invoke awe and respect and not many achieved it.

Now everyone who goes seems to get a top-class degree, whether they can string a sentence together or not.

University is just a three-year holiday

Hu McG weighed in on student debt: For many of these graduates, they are not saddled with the debt, the taxpayers are.

A large percentage of graduates never earn enough to have to pay back the funding they get. For them, university is just a three-year holiday at the taxpayers expense.

Brenda Harrison said: You can go into accountancy after A-levels and work on the job while you qualify.

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There was not a shortage in nursing until the last Labour government decided nurses needed a degree. Again, on-the-job training with opportunities for advancement to specialise is offered along the way, she explained.

Plumbers earning potential is significantly higher than a lot of post-graduate jobs, as well as many other skilled trade work.

There are a number of degrees not worth the paper they are written on, she asserted.

Andrew Rowe, a former Russell Group lecturer, described how he got out 20 years ago when academia became an international pile em high business more interested in activism than academic practice.

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Despite his feelings, his daughter will be going to university as you can be disadvantaged at any point in your career if you didnt participate in the scam, he said.

She will graduate with costs of 100,000 while her same-aged apprentice tradesman boyfriend will probably have a similar amount in the bank by then.

Intangible benefits

However, a minority of readers still championed university. They highlighted the independence it fosters and its role in helping young people shape their identities.

Reader Sue Tudor reflected on her experience at Oxford University, where she studied history and theology. She acknowledged that the effect on my marketability was zero or less  however, she said, the intangible benefits [were] huge.

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How many people get to sit in the Bodleian Library reading, in Latin, a medieval book that is not even available in English? It is a rarefied pleasure.

Alongside the potential for pleasure that studying can offer, another reader pointed out that living away from home is an important part of university.

For probably the first time, the student is responsible for managing virtually all of their life as an adult and prepares them for life away from their own town.

Having worked for the Ministry of Defence and a major US corporate defence contractor for several years after college, reader Billy Rubin soon found his promotion path barred by a lack of a degree. He went to university because he had no other choice.

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Now working at a university himself, he explained how his graduates regularly enter the workplace above the point where I left it, despite having no work experience.

He concluded: Unless young people get a trade, university is no longer optional. Raw intelligence, experience and ability is no longer enough. It hasnt been enough for 20 years or more.

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The Polish government has stated that Ukraine must independently decide its future, especially concerning its territory and the prospect of joining the EU and NATO.

Source: Polish government spokesman Adam Szapka, as reported by European Pravda, citing the Ukrinform news agency

Details: Szapka noted that European leaders consider it vital to preserve unity and ensure that Ukraine remains a sovereign state.

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"So that it [Ukraine  ed.] has no restrictions regarding its armed forces, relations with third countries, or a possible veto concerning the EU or NATO," he added.

He also stressed that "territorial issues" must depend exclusively on Ukraine.

The government spokesman said that, from Polands perspective, it is essential to maintain unity on Ukrainian matters among key political actors within the country, particularly between the government and the president.

Background:

Following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, European leaders issued a joint statement stressing that Putin cannot be allowed to have a veto over Ukraines path to EU and NATO membership.

Zelenskyy has announced that he will meet Trump in Washington on 18 August.

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Police arrested 13 people after Palestine Action activists launched a protest in Norwich on Saturday.

A crowd of 100 people waved Palestine flags and held up placards that read Stop the genocide in Gaza and Free Palestine outside City Hall shortly after 1pm.

Norfolk Constabulary made the arrests, all on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed organisation.

Five were taken into custody for questioning and eight were de-arrested pending further investigation.

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Another protester had a sign seized but was not arrested, the force said.

Some of those who were arrested refused to move and had to be carried away by officers.

Palestine Action supporters held up placards in Norwich

Supt Wes Hornigold said: We will always work to facilitate peaceful protest and protect the democratic right to assembly, However, the actions of this group were unlawful.

Our officers role is to prevent disorder, damage and disruption in the local community and they will use their powers to do this. Any breaches of the law will be dealt with.

Defend Our Juries, which organised the protest, had told participants to bring a blank placard and pen so they could write I oppose genocide and I support Palestine Action.

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Meanwhile, pro-Palestine protesters chanted RAF shame on you as they held a demonstration outside RAF High Wycombe, Bucks, calling for an embargo on selling arms to Israel.

A large Palestine flag was erected in front of a replica Second World War Hurricane fighter plane outside the entrance to the air base, with organisers bussing in protesters from High Wycombe railway station.

Pro-Palestine activists gathered outside City Hall

Hundreds of people have been arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action since it was proscribed as a terror group in July.

The Metropolitan Police has arrested more than 700, including 522 in a single protest outside the Houses of Parliament last week.

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Among them was Moazzam Begg, the former Guantanamo Bay detainee.

The mass arrests came during a rally by activists seeking to test whether the ban would be enforced, with the hope there would be too many protesters to detain.

Anyone found guilty of supporting or gathering support for a proscribed organisation faces a maximum of six months imprisonment and a 5,000 fine.

Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said 60 people would be prosecuted for the offence and that many more can be expected in the next few weeks.

Supporters of Palestine Action have described the ban as a gross abuse of power that stifles expressions of support.

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The group was proscribed after activists allegedly broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and vandalised two military aircraft, causing 7m of damage.

A High Court hearing is set to take place in November challenging the groups ban as a terror organisation.

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LYONS TOWNSHIP, Ill. (WGN)  An Orland Park man has been charged with attempted murder after he was found holding a woman at knife point shortly after stabbing a second victim in the southwest suburbs on Monday.

According to the Cook County Sheriffs Police Department, an officer was first called to the scene in the 6400 block of Joliet Road in unincorporated Lyons Township at around 5:30 p.m. following a domestic violence call in the area.

After arriving on the scene, police say the officer found 35-year-old Juan Carlos Perez-Abarca in a second-floor apartment unit holding a 48-year-old woman at knife point.

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Stabbing suspect shot by officer during domestic violence call in unincorporated Lyons Township

Near the suspect, the officer spotted a 16-year-old girl lying motionless on the floor.

Police say the officer gave verbal orders to Perez-Abarca to release the victim. The suspect briefly put the knife to his own throat, then began stabbing the adult victim again. The officer then fired a shot at the suspect, striking him in the leg.

Following the incident, both victims and the suspect were taken to area hospitals. The 48-year-old remains in serious condition, and the 16-year-old was pronounced dead Thursday.

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Perez-Abarca was discharged from the hospital Thursday night, police say. He was in a wheelchair during his initial court appearance Friday at the Bridgeview Courthouse. He was ordered to be held in custody at the Cook County Jail until his next court date on Sept. 5.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

The Cook County States Attorneys Office approved two counts of Attempted Murder and one count of Home Invasion.

One Attempted Murder charge is expected to be upgraded to Murder now that the 16-year-old has died, police say.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Law enforcement will be conducting an OVI checkpoint in Youngstown Friday night.

The Mahoning County OVI Task Force and Ohio State Highway Patrol will hold the checkpoint from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the area of 2214 Mahoning Avenue.

Officers will also be conducting patrols through various parts of Mahoning County throughout the weekend.

Police are urging drivers to plan a safe ride home.

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Two local police departments are investigating a string of daytime burglaries in Montgomery County.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Engelwood Police Department and the Clayton Police Department shared information about the recent burglaries on social media Friday.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Clayton police said they have received several reports of daytime burglaries throughout the city. The incidents took place at the following locations:

4600 block of Seville Drive around 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 15

3800 block of Old Salem Road around 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 13

0-100 block of Ashbrook Road on Aug. 5

0-100 block of E Westbrook Road between 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on July 28

The department said the suspect will knock on the victims front door, and when no one answers, they will break into the house and steal items of value.

Englewood police said a home in the 7000 block of Monte Carlo Drive was burglarized on Friday, between 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

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The suspect got into the house through the unlocked front door after the resident left to walk the dog.

They stole a television and jewelry, the department added.

Englewood police shared a photo of a person and a vehicle of interest. They said the car is a black or dark gray, older model Chevrolet, and the driver is a Black male with a beard.

Clayton residents who may have surveillance footage or saw anything suspicious are asked to contact Detective Campbell bcampbell@clayton.oh.us.

Englewood residents with information are asked to contact Detective Meader at 937-771-2890 or meade@englewood.oh.us.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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Hartford police have dropped the investigation into a Hartford priest who had been removed from his parish over accusations of theft, citing insufficient evidence and supporters are calling for the Archdiocese to repair the damage the allegations have done.

The Rev. Charles Jacobs, known for ministering to the citys poor, was put on administrative leave from Holy Trinity Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church in January after allegations of possible financial improprieties. Jacobs, 73, denied taking money for personal use and has said that he sometimes gave offertory money to the poor and homeless who frequented the church.

Parishioners, who describe Jacobs as a beloved leader who cared for all the citys people, rushed to his defense, held rallies and angrily pressed the Archdiocese for more information and the return of their priest.

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Since January, when Jacobs was ousted from the rectory and barred from the mission church in Hartford where he has served for 23 years, parishioners have supported the priest both emotionally and financially. He struggled with shock, uncertainty and resulting health problems but has been buoyed by his faith and the care of the church members, he said Friday.

At Holy Trinity Church, we have the nicest people in the world, he said in an interview Friday. The outpouring of love, the outpouring of support Ive received from my longtime parishioners, has been both humbling and lifegiving. In the beginning, when all this happened, they could have walked away from me but not one walked away.

The parishioners are people Jacobs baptized, performed their marriages and celebrated the liturgy of Christian burial for their loved ones.

I dealt with them in good times and bad  Ive walked with them through the highs and lows of their life and now theyre walking with me in my time of need, Jacobs said.

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Their voices of support and love, its more than I can put into words. Theyve given me the courage to keep going on and not give up. The past 23 years, this parish called Holy Trinity Mission Church has been my home and these people have been my family and my prayer is one day I can return to serve these people.

But even before the resolution of the months-long police investigation, church leaders in the spring said Jacobs would not be returning to Holy Trinity, where services have dropped to one Mass a week and attendance has dwindled. At a meeting with parishioners, church leaders reportedly said a priest for the church could not be found and refused pleas to allow Jacobs return.

In spite of the outcome of the Hartford Police Departments investigation, Fr. Jacobs is still facing a canonical process, said David Elliott, director of communications and public relations for the Archdiocese. He has retained a canon lawyer and the Church process will continue. In the meantime, Fr. Jacobs remains on administrative leave and will continue to receive salary and benefits as he has throughout his suspension. Additionally, he has been offered housing but has chosen to live elsewhere.

The saga began on Jan. 26 when Rev. John Melnick, vicar for clergy of the Archdiocese, announced the allegations and Jacobs removal from the Holy Trinity altar during Sunday Mass, which was also broadcast on YouTube. The news was also printed in the church bulletin.

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Father Jacobs has since advised us that he has taken an undisclosed amount of money from the parish for his unauthorized and personal uses, Melnick said  something Jacobs denies. As a result, Father Jacobs has been placed on administrative leave while the Archdiocese conducts an investigation into the parishs finances. Father Jacobs is cooperating with that investigation.

This, of course, is shocking and disappointing news to us all. We ask that you understand the seriousness of the allegations and allow the investigative process to take its course. An important consideration during the pendency of any investigation is to preserve the reputation and integrity of the person involved, the statement said, noting that no further information would be shared.

Church leadership later issued a follow-up statement: He makes his admission of theft with a caveat. He claims he has done so as a modern-day Robin Hood. He stole to give to the poor. This claim is patently absurd since, as administrator of Holy Trinity parish, he had full authority to use parish funds to minister to the poor.

Ken Kelly, who served on the church finance committee, told the Courant that despite asking the Archdiocese to approve one, Holy Trinity did not have a discretionary fund from which Jacobs could have given money to those in need.

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Kelly said Thursday that many times he had been counting offering money and Jacobs would bring candle money to add.

I just thought, This is not a thief. He could have easily pocketed that money and no one would have known, Kelly said.

A logo for the church on its website reads Holy Trinity Church, an inner city mission church, located near the Connecticut state Capitol & within walking distance of 9 homeless shelters.

You know the neighborhood the church is in. He had people on his doorstep asking for help day and night for food, for medicine, all kinds of things, Kelly said.

Parishioners have offered their support, even housing and feeding Jacobs, who a spokesperson said, has had his pension removed without promise of return. Additionally, Jacobs said, an offer of temporary housing was suggested when he was told to leave the rectory in January, but he was told he could not bring his support dog, a constant companion who was at his side even in church.

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Parishioners of Holy Trinity have suggested the Archdiocese is looking to close the church. Asked what plan the Archdiocese has for the church, Elliott did not reply.

Previously, Holy Trinity offered seven Masses a week, one in Lithuanian, as well as confession and Jacobs said he is concerned about the toll the situation has taken on the parish.

Back in 2015, Holy Trinity was tentatively proposed to close and there was so much support, so many letters not only from the parishioners but from the community, the homeless shelters and various agencies that they decided to make it a mission church so the work that we began there did not cease to exist, Jacobs said.

The outreach we had to the mentally ill, the homeless people, the poor people, those addicted to drugs and alcohol, it was a tremendous outreach to the community. What we did, few churches have done. We actually put into practice what we say we believe.  We accepted everyone who went in our doors.

Every single person who enters into this church knows as soon as they come through these doors theyre welcome here, theyre loved here, theyre affirmed here and invited to grow in their faith relationship with God together. We were growing in our faith relationship with God together. It was a beautiful thing, a real treasure.
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  A Midland woman has been arrested after police say she assaulted a pregnant teenage living in the same home, during a dispute over household chores.

According to an arrest affidavit, officers were called the evening of August 14 to a home in the 5100 block of Widener Strip. The 17-year-old, who is about four months pregnant, told police her relative, 51-year-old Rebecca Jeannine Tharp, struck her multiple times and kicked her while she was on the ground.

Paramedics at the scene noted the teen had visible injuries, and she was taken to Midland Memorial Hospital for evaluation. The affidavit states the altercation began after Tharp became upset about unfinished chores and attempted to take the teens phone.

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Police reviewed home security video showing the teen leaving the residence visibly upset before her father arrived. The teen told officers she feared for her babys safety during the incident and requested a protective order.

Investigators said Tharp admitted knowing her teen-relative who was pregnant at the time. She was arrested and charged with Assault on a Pregnant Person, a third-degree felony.

Tharp was booked into the Midland County Central Detention Center on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond. She has since been bonded out. This case remains under investigation.

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Police say rural crime is going unreported as there is "a lack of confidence" that anything will be done about it.

Cumbria Police has appealed to remote communities to still tell them about incidents involving fuel or machinery theft and poachers, but also to report things like suspicious cars and activity to help build a bigger picture.

Rural crime Sgt Amanda McKirdy said officers "can't possibly be everywhere all the time, but the local community are".

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"We're really trying to kind of crack through some myths out there that 'no-one cares' or 'no-one will do anything'. We absolutely do care," she said.

National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual's latest crime report estimated the north-west of England incurred 2.9m in rural crime costs in 2024.

The insurance firm said offenders had become "increasingly organised, serious and persistent" in recent years.

Sgt McKirdy said there had been a historic "lack of confidence" in policing in rural areas.

She said: "If they don't have any CCTV, if no-one's seen it, they might think 'we're not going to be able to do anything, anyway. In which case, what is the point?'"

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"People have one bad experience and that kind of sticks with them."

Letting it go unreported runs the risk of playing into the criminal's hands, Sgt McKirdy said.

The force's rural crime team, which was established in 2023, also encouraged residents to report out-of-place people and vehicles.

She said community intelligence, however innocuous, had helped the team track offenders.

"We're not always going to be able to attend every report there might be of a suspicious vehicle, but we need to know about it," Sgt McKirdy said.

People can get in touch over the phone or online portals, she said, adding: "We'd rather know - or be told 10 times - than not be told at all."

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DENVER (KDVR)  Three stabbings happened overnight Friday in the Denver metro area, with each leaving a single victim, police said.

The Denver Police Department first said just before 10 p.m. Friday that it was investigating a stabbing in the 9800 block of East Iliff Avenue. The victim was an adult male with an unknown extent of injuries. One person was taken into custody, police said.

Denver police respond to shooting, stabbing, late Thursday night

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DPD next said just after midnight that it was investigating a stabbing in the 1400 block of North Pennsylvanai Street. The victim was identified as an adult with an unknown extent of injuries. A suspect was still on the loose at that time, according to police.

Lastly, DPD said just before 4 a.m. Saturday that it was investigating a stabbing in the 1300 block of North Lowell Boulevard. The gender of the victim was not revealed and the extent of their injuries was unknown. Two people were detained, police said.

Investigations into each of the stabbing incidents are ongoing.

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UPDATE 08-17: In an update on, Aug. 17, Fairfax County police said Nguyen was found dead in another jurisdiction. No foul play is suspected in his death, authorities noted.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Fairfax County police are asking for the communitys help in locating an 18-year-old man who disappeared early Saturday morning.

The Fairfax County Police Department said Andrew Nguyen was last seen at around 6 a.m. on Aug. 16 in the 9500 block of Old Creek Drive in Fairfax.

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Police described Nguyen as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 120 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was reportedly last seen wearing a brown plaid shirt with dark pants.

In a post on social media, investigators said Nguyens disappearance poses a credible threat to his health and safety due to mental and/or physical health concerns.

In an update shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 17, Fairfax County police said Nguyen was found dead in a different jurisdiction, outside of Fairfax County. However, no foul play is suspected, authorities noted.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family, the police department wrote on social media.

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A total of 180,000 has been seized by Devon and Cornwall Police from Andrew Tate over a deposit he placed on an Aston Martin supercar.

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday the controversial British-American influencer paid the deposit for a special-edition Valhalla vehicle in 2021.

The cash came from tax evasion and money laundering, the force said, which obtained account freezing and forfeiture orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Tate and his brother Tristan did not oppose the orders.

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The sum can be added to the 2.7m of funds seized from the brothers by the force in December 2024 after the same court ruled they failed to pay tax on 21m of revenue from online businesses.

Some of the revenue in that case was directly linked by detectives to allegations of human trafficking that the brothers face in Romania.

'No tax paid'

Sarah Clarke KC, on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Police, told the judge on Thursday that the funds used to pay the supercar deposit were the proceeds of tax and VAT evasion and money laundering.

She said funds deposited with Aston Martin originally came from a Coinbase cryptocurrency account, which had held multiple cryptocurrencies purchased with funds derived from the Tate brothers' business activities.

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No tax or VAT had been paid on the funds, she added.

Det Supt Jon Bancroft, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "This latest judgement follows on from our applications made against the Tate brothers which resulted in a successful ruling in December 2024 and the forfeiture of nearly 2.7m of criminal funds.

"From the outset we aimed to demonstrate that Andrew and Tristan Tate evaded their tax obligations and laundered money. We succeeded in doing exactly that and we have succeeded again this week.

"People in Devon and Cornwall will benefit from the money seized and it will be reinvested to help prevent crime, aid victims and vulnerable people, and to boost good causes."

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He added the outcome showed how the police would continue to "relentlessly pursue all criminal funds without fear or favour".

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An 18-year-old man and two other suspects have been arrested in connection with a series of violent crimes in King County, according to the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

Detectives say the 18-year-old suspect is allegedly connected to 80 violent crimes throughout the County, starting in 2024.

He was arrested on August 14 when detectives found him at a trade school in South Seattle. SPD said he immediately ran from officers when they arrived.

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He was eventually arrested and charged with ten counts of first-degree robbery.

During the chase, the suspect dropped a backpack, which was picked up by a 19-year-old man who went inside the school, SPD said.

Police chased the man inside, where he allegedly assaulted three officers while trying to escape.

He was arrested and found with a ghost gun as well as six prior convictions, according to police.

Another 19-year-old student was arrested at the school for his alleged association to the 18-year-old suspect, the blotter post said.
(The Center Square)  Job approval by likely North Carolina voters for Gov. Josh Stein is robustly high and for President Donald Trump running just a tick better than national polling.

Stein, the first-term Democrat with eight years experience as attorney general prior, has dropped a net 15% in five months to 50.5% approving against 30.1% disapproving. In March, approval was 55.6% to 20.4% disapproving, according to a poll taken Monday and Tuesday and released Thursday by Carolina Journal in conjunction with Harper Polling.

His most significant actions in that time have been 15 vetoes and a two-year budget proposal about $2 billion higher than either chamber of the General Assembly. Eight of his vetoes have been overturned, and Friday marked the 46th day late on the spending plan.

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Given choices for what Steins vetoes reflect, respondents said a careful approach to policy that checks overreach by the legislative branch (36%); a politically motivated obstruction that blocks legislative priorities (32.9%); and 31% were unsure.

The statewide sampling gave the second-term Republican president an approval of 47.8% and disapproval of 50.3%. In March, he was at 49.5% approval and 48.7% disapproval. Nationally this week, the RealClear Polling average for the time period of July 16 to Thursday is 45.5% approval and 51.5% disapproval.

Trump has won the state in presidential races three consecutive times.

The Carolina Journal/Harper polling of 600 likely voters responses were given a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of +/= 3.98%.
A city's Poppy Appeal has reached 100,000 this year, with two months still to go before Remembrance Day events.

Announcing the milestone, Hereford City Poppy Appeal said the campaign had gone "from strength to strength" after raising 68,000 three years ago  and had been particularly helped by the contribution of its younger volunteers.

The Royal British Legion (RBL) Poppy Appeal raises money to support the Armed Forces community including serving personnel, veterans and their families.

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Hereford Poppy Appeal organiser Samantha Knight said events marking the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day had also raised awareness of the charity's work.

Ms Knight said a focus on engaging schools and community groups had led to more young people getting involved.

School choirs had been invited to perform at charity fundraising events, she said.

She added: "Most of us have all got children or young family members who we've got involved, and through that they've got their friends involved."

Fifty young people volunteered to help out in 2024, compared with five the year before, she said.

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On top of that, support came from the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Guides and Scouts.

Ms Knight said the focus on young people had led to "a remarkable year".

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Protesters gather in Milwaukee's Cathedral Square to march and rally as part of the No Kings Day protests nationwide. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner)

Voting rights activists continue to be divided over gerrymandering. Here in Wisconsin, members of the Fair Maps Coalition, who just recently succeeded in getting representative voting maps for our state, are understandably alarmed by escalating threats to gerrymander the whole country, as Wisconsin Public Radio reports.

I just hate it at its core, Wisconsin League of Women Voters Executive Director Debra Cronmiller told WPR of the gerrymandering duel between Texas and California, as each state seeks to carve out more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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We cant save democracy by suppressing voters, and this has to be an opportunity to think about a new process and standards, especially in Wisconsin, iuscely Flores, Wisconsin Fair Maps organizing director, told WPR.

But the president and CEO of Common Cause, the national organization dedicated to voting rights and fair elections, told members last week that the group wont call for unilateral political disarmament in the face of authoritarianism.

The Common Cause position is tricky. On the one hand the group reaffirms its commitment to nonpartisan redistricting commissions. On the other hand it gives its blessing to California Gov. Gavin Newsoms plan to suspend exactly the sort of nonpartisan commission the group endorses  and which Wisconsin fair maps advocates have long been fighting for. Supposedly, suspending the commission is a temporary measure while Democrats in the legislature draw up gerrymandered districts in time for the midterms. After they do that, Common Cause, Newsom and various Democrats claim California can undo the gerrymander later and restart the fight for fair maps. Really?

Independent redistricting commissions are one way  and by far the best way  to draw fair maps and achieve fair representation for every single American, Virginia Kase Solomon, Common Cause president and CEO wrote in a letter to the groups members. But, a follow-up email from Common Cause reiterated the groups non-opposition to Newsoms plan in California, saying, As the nations leading anti-gerrymandering advocacy group, we understand that Trump and Republican leaders attempt to lock in unaccountable power poses a generational threat to our ability to decide our own futures.

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Maggie Daun brought up those same dire threats on her Civic Media radio show when she grilled me about my last column arguing that we cant gerrymander our way back to democracy. What if this is the existential moment and Trump is about to send troops into cities across the U.S. and destroy democracy, Daun asked. I agree with her that were in an existential moment. But just because we want Democrats to do something to stop Trump, as so many people so passionately do, that doesnt mean that gerrymandering to get a narrow Democratic majority in the House is the right thing to do. For one thing, a new House majority wont be seated until 2027 and wont fix the immediate crisis.

Trump is already sending troops into Democratic cities. And his plan to try more federal takeovers will likely unfold before the midterms. What we need right now is a massive popular movement to resist authoritarian overreach, local leaders who stand up to Trump, and courts that continue to hold the line on his administrations assault on the rule of law.

The courts have played the biggest role in restraining Trump so far, issuing injunctions and blocking his orders Their power has been badly limited by the U.S. Supreme Court, which curtailed judges power to issue nationwide injunctions and greenlighted some egregious administrative actions. The current Supreme Court majority has also helped Trumps larger project of dismantling democracy by gutting the Voting Rights Act and by allowing partisan gerrymandering  which delayed but ultimately did not derail Wisconsins efforts to get fair maps.

Common Cause has led the fight against both partisan gerrymandering and the destruction of voting rights. On Saturday, the group declared a National Day of Action, with rallies in communities across the country, including in Wisconsin, to resist Trumps Texas gerrymandering scheme and his unprecedented deployment of federal troops to run roughshod over local communities. But the groups message is somewhat muddled, mixing strong language about fairness and voting rights with tolerance for the prospect of blue-state counter-gerrymandering.

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One good thing about the gerrymandering brushfire spreading across the nation is that it has provoked a bipartisan backlash. Republicans in New York and California, facing the prospect of being drawn out of their seats, have begun speaking out against the gerrymandering plan for Texas, Politico reports.

Some quick math suggests that Republicans are likely to win a nationwide redistricting war that pulls in Missouri, Indiana, Florida and other red states. But Republicans who are in a minority in California and New York are still worried about losing their seats. Redistricting is not really an ideological exercise as much as a self-interest exercise, California-based GOP strategist Rob Stutzman told Politico. Hence blue state Republican House members are calling for their colleagues to stand down in Texas and other red states, lest they lose their seats in the blue state counter-gerrymander.

Instead of looking to gerrymandering, which is unfair, diminishes democracy and escalates hyper partisanship, opponents of the Trump administration need to keep building a big, pro-democracy movement that unites a majority of the country against Trumps authoritarian overreach.

Wisconsin could lead the way.

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U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, who has been holding town halls in Republican districts, reports being deluged with worried questions from both his own and his GOP colleagues constituents who dont like the cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and Social Security staffing in the unpopular Big Beautiful Bill Act. Most Americans dont want to give away their health care, security and well-being so Elon Musk can get a tax cut.

Unfortunately, right-wing activists have played a long game, stacking the Supreme Court, blocking Democratic nominees, destroying the Voting Rights Act and putting the whole Heritage Foundation Project 2025 plan for authoritarianism in place. That wont be undone in a single midterm election. But it is possible to leverage a broad-based populist movement of people who recognize its in their own interest to fight back.
(The Center Square)  It appears an agreement was reached in the Friday meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American President Donald Trump, but the nature of that agreement remained unclear after a bilateral press conference Friday evening.

The two world leaders met for several hours in Alaska Friday  Putins first time visiting the U.S. in a decade  to discuss a path toward peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Putin said an agreement had been reached, but neither he nor Trump provided details beyond that.

We had an extremely productive meeting, Trump said during the press conference.

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He said he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders to relay the details of the conversation, and his remarks seemed to confirm that at least an initial proposal had been agreed to but that there was further discussion that needed to be had.

Many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said. We didnt get there but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Earlier, he had said there was no deal until theres a deal, and that it was ultimately up to Putin and Zelenskyy to commit to peace.

Putin said that Russia was sincerely interested in putting an end to the war with Ukraine, and he appeared open to foreign forces helping maintain and protect Ukraines security. But that was the only example that was provided of the Russian president agreeing to any of Ukraines publicly proposed conditions.

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Were convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict and to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole, Putin said.

We agree with President Trump that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be insured as well.

Trump concluded by alluding to another future in-person meeting. Putin suggested Moscow.

Oh, thats an interesting one, Trump smiled. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.

The press conference concluded without the presidents taking any questions from reporters.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  Polls open in less than two weeks for municipal elections. While cities are preparing for voting day, officials said voters can also get ready to elect their local leaders.

As far as preparations have gone, everythings been good, said Russell Jones, Opelika City Clerk.

I am very excited that we are so close. Were almost to the finish line, said Mountain Brook City Clerk Heather Richards.

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City clerks across the state have been racing to that finish line- election day, on August 26th. Richards said they have already tested their ballot tabulators.

Municipal elections- that is what really runs your life, day to day, she said. So, it is very important that you get out and vote for your municipal elections and that you choose a leader.

When you go to choose that leader, Secretary of State Wes Allen said to not forget your photo ID.

Making sure that, again, you research these local candidates, said Allen. Because they are important. They make policy decisions that affect so many people throughout our state.

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Tuscaloosa County teacher goes viral on TikTok

If youre voting for candidates by absentee ballot, the deadline is August 19th by mail, or August 21st in-person. You can send those to the municipal absentee election manager in your county. Secretary Allen said to also double check where your polling location is.

Be engaged in the civic process of elections, he said.

In Opelika, Jones said he will be testing ballot machines and hosting a poll worker training locally next week. Jones agreed that it is important to be engaged in this election.

A state, local- any kind of election, I would encourage everyone to use their right to vote. Dont take it for granted, he said. It is part of our freedoms here in this country. And you should always exercise that right.

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If you still need to check where your polling location is, you can find that and more on the Secretary of States website.

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President Donald Trumps approval ratings continue to sink near record lows as he faces a week marked by tense diplomacy, legal battles and partisan fights over political maps.

On Friday, Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, hoping to reach a deal to end the three-year war in Ukraine.

While Trump called the talks extremely productive, the summit ended without a resolution on the most important issue. We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to, Trump said in a short statement to the media without taking questions. One is probably the most significant.  We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had urged President Trump to take a strong stance. Trump said before the meeting he might consider U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine and has in the past threatened economic penalties on Russia. He was yet to speak with Zelenskyy after the summit.

Also on Friday, the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Trump over his federal takeover of the citys police force, calling the move brazen and saying it has caused "operational havoc" within the department.

Meanwhile, Trumps political operatives continue to pressure Republicans in Texas, Florida and Ohio to redraw congressional maps in ways that could favor Republicans ahead of the 2026 elections. The strategy has drawn pushback from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who announced Thursday a special election to advance his own redistricting plan and renewed calls for a national ban on partisan gerrymandering.

Here's what to know about Trump's approval rating, including how they are decided and how Trump's ratings compare with his first term and past presidents.

What is Donald Trump's approval rating?

Here are the latest approval ratings released about Trump's administration:

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Trump has a positive approval rating in 27 states

Trump's approval rating is above water in 27 states, according to an Aug. 12 update from Morning Consult, which gathers polls over the course of three months to get a look at state-level data among registered voters. The number of states who approve of Trump is unchanged from July's update.

Trump is most popular by Morning Consult in Wyoming, where 66% of voters approve of his job performance, and least popular in Vermont, where 64% disapprove of his job performance.

In the political sphere: Mayor Gallego, Sen. Kelly paint bleak future for uninsured Arizonans

What is Trump's approval rating in Arizona?

Arizona was the only state in the Morning Consult's survey with a neutral net approval rating, meaning exactly half of the voters who were surveyed approve of his job performance, and the other half don't.

How does Trump's approval rating compare with his 1st term?

Trump had a final approval rating of 34% when he left office in 2021. His approval average during his first term was 41%.

How does Trump's approval rating compare with past presidents?

Joe Biden - 40%

Donald Trump (first term) - 34%

Barack Obama - 59%

George W. Bush - 34%

Bill Clinton - 66%

George H.W. Bush - 56%

Ronald Reagan - 63%

Jimmy Carter - 34%

Gerald Ford - 53%

Richard Nixon - 24%

Are presidential approval ratings accurate?

Data agency Gallup notes that these approval ratings are a "simple measure, yet a very powerful one that has played a key role in politics for over 70 years."

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A presidents approval rating reflects the percentage of Americans polled who approve of the presidents performance. Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections.

According to ABC News, an approval rating doesn't just represent how well the administration is doing for the general public, but could determine the outcome of an upcoming election for a politician or how much they get done during their time in office.

While these ratings are easy to understand, Quorum says some analysts believe they are not as useful as they once were due to extreme partisanship and the polarized political climate.

Presidential approval ratings have always been partisan, with members of the presidents party offering more positive assessments than those in the opposing party, according to the Pew Research Center. But the differences between Republicans and Democrats on views of the president have grown substantially in recent decades.

USA TODAY Network reporter Maria Francis contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Donald Trump's approval rating: See the latest polls
MARKSVILLE, LA  Late last month, President Donald J. Trump held a historic summit with the Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Marshall Pierite, weeks after the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe announced they would be formally nominating President Trump for the honor of the Nobel Peace Prize.

An article advocating for greater economic cooperation between Americas Indian tribes and the U.S. government by Chairman Pierite reportedly caught the attention of President Trump earlier this year, prompting the summit. During their meeting, President Trump and Chairman Pierite discussed the unique position of Indian sovereignty and authority over tribal lands, and how to capitalize on the opportunity for the mutual benefit of the tribes and the American people.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

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I believe we can foster a new spirit of cooperation that will see the expansion of energy production plants, data centers, housing, and technology through partnership between the federal government and Indian Country, Chairman Pierite said, adding that the cooperation between the Trump administration and various Indian tribes would be a major catalyst for job creation and prosperity for both Native Americans and all Americans.

As someone who spent a lifetime in the construction industry, I recognize the serious obstacles that over-regulation poses in building any new facility or business in America, President Trump said to Chairman Pierite.

Tribal sovereignty poses a great opportunity to bypass these unreasonable hurdles and create a major economic boom in the public/private partnerships between our Native American tribes and our business community.

During the meeting, President Trump reiterated his support for self-determination and the sovereignty of the countrys Native American tribes and hailed what Chairman Pierite called a post-gaming economic development for Indian country.

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Because of President Trumps forward-thinking leadership and the support of visionaries like Chairman Pierite, Native Americans will have opportunities to build lasting prosperity for their families and communities. Chairman Pierite sees this partnership as a coalition-building exercise to bring prosperity to all Native Americans  something hes referred to as taking our seat at the table. Despite hardships Indian Country has faced historically, Chairman Pierite believes Native Americans are ready to prosper along with the rest of the United States.

The President also expressed gratitude to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe for their recent announcement that, based on their status as a sovereign nation, the tribe would recommend President Trump to the Nobel Peace Prize committee. President Donald Trump will be remembered as one of the most influential world leaders in history, recognized for his unwavering commitment to global leadership and peace, Chairman Pierite said. By brokering the Abraham Accords, facilitating economic normalization between Serbia and Kosovo, negotiating the peace treaty between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and mediating ceasefires between India and Pakistan and between Israel and Iran, no world leader has dedicated more time and effort to promoting global peace than President Donald Trump.

Chairman Pierite is encouraging other Native American leaders and communities to join and support the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe as they do the foundational work that will lift up the entirety of Americas Indian Country.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has already made strides in pursuing economic development opportunities on their own. Through its business ventures, the tribe is committed to fostering partnerships and developing economic prosperity on behalf of its tribal citizens. Current investments include manufacturing and textiles, public infrastructure projects and AI and technology developments.

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Pierite convened a roundtable discussion last month that featured several Trump administration officials to help lay the groundwork for this developing alliance. Diane Cullo, assistant administrator for the Office of Native American Affairs at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), spoke at the summit, addressing dozens of tribal leaders who will form the core of this groundbreaking coalition.

I believe President Trumps vision during this administration emphasizes strong economic growth, deregulation, and the revitalization of communities that have long been forgotten. That vision resonates with many of us because tribal communities have known what it feels like to be overlooked. We are no longer asking for a seat at the tablewe are taking our place at the table, Chairman Pierite said.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Taibleson was nominated on Aug. 15 by President Donald Trump to fill a upcoming vacancy on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

"It is my Great Honor to nominate Rebecca Taibleson to serve as a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals, for the Seventh Circuit, in the Great State of Wisconsin. Rebecca brings a wealth of EXPERIENCE AND SUCCESS, from her time as Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and, formerly, as Assistant to the United States Solicitor General," Trump posted on Truth Social late Thursday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Taibleson pictured in a WisEye video

"Rebecca will make a fantastic Judge who will fearlessly defend the Constitution, and strongly uphold the Rule of Law. Congratulations Rebecca!"

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If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Taibleson, 42, would take the seat held by Diane Sykes, who will move to senior status in October. Taibleson has served as an assistant U.S. attorney for about a decade and worked for a couple of years as an assistant to the solicitor general. She has no judicial experience.

In a statement provided the Journal Sentinel, Taibleson thanked the Republican president for selecting her.

"I'm honored and humbled by the nomination, grateful to the president, and looking forward to the confirmation process," she said.

Taibleson was one of two candidates for the post who were both recommended by the judicial nominating commission set up by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson and interviewed independently by the White House in May. The other was Madison lawyer Joseph Bugni.

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Baldwin, a Democrat, said she was prepared to vet Taibleson's credentials when deciding whether to vote to confirm her for the appellate bench.

Wisconsinites expect that anyone who serves on the bench has robust experience, sound judgment, and is equipped to deliver justice fairly and impartially to everyone," Baldwin said Thursday night. "I will use that criteria as I thoroughly review Ms. Taiblesons application and her confirmation hearing."

Headquartered in Chicago, the 7th Circuit includes Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. Traditionally, two of the 11 circuit seats have been filled by Wisconsin judges.

Taibleson clearly has strong conservative credentials.

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A member of the Federalist Society, she was a law clerk for conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Brett Kavanaugh, according to her LinkedIn profile. She has been an assistant U.S. attorney in Milwaukee for nearly a decade.

During Trump's first term, Taibleson served as an assistant to the solicitor general, who represents the federal government before the Supreme Court. She is married to Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Taibleson, who was one of five finalists to be the U.S. attorney in Milwaukee in 2021 but was passed over by then-President Joe Biden.

Bugni is a defense attorney with the Madison firm of Hurley Burish. He previously was a federal public defender and a law clerk with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is currently representing former Dane County Judge Jim Troupis against state charges in the fake elector scheme for Trump in Wisconsin.

White House officials also interviewed former U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger, a Trump appointee; Daniel Suhr, president of the Center for American Rights; and Luke Berg, deputy counsel for the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty. All are conservative lawyers under the age of 50 with no judicial experience.

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In March, Sykes, chief judge of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, announced she would move to senior status in October.

In 2004, Sykes, a Wisconsin resident, was nominated by President George W. Bush to the 7th Circuit. She won confirmation with the backing of Wisconsin's two Democratic senators at the time, Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl. She became chief judge in July 2020.

Senior status is semi-retirement, which allows federal judges to continue on the bench but hear fewer cases. They continue to draw the same salary, which is $262,300 for appellate judges. Moving to senior status opens a seat for the president to make a nomination, pending approval by the U.S. Senate.

Traditionally, the state's two U.S. senators have set up a bipartisan nominating commission that accepts applicants for judicial openings, interviews some of the candidates and forwards suggestions to the two senators. They then review the suggestions and forward a list of recommended nominees to the president, who then makes his pick.

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On July 15, the two senators forwarded a list of five candidates. Along with Taibleson and Bugni, the list included state Appeals Court Judge Thomas Hruz and Milwaukee County Judge Cynthia Davis, appointees of former Gov. Scott Walker, and Milwaukee County Judge Kevin Martens, who was selected by then-Gov. Scott McCallum.

But two months earlier, the Trump officials interviewed their preferred candidates. A total of five applicants for the position traveled to Washington, D.C., to sit for interviews with White House staff in mid-May.

The president's team made it clear that Trump would make his pick on his own with the help of his staff.

The president is making independent decisions based off the counsel of senior advisors, DOJ and White House counsel and ultimately comes up with his own decision, Harrison Fields, a White House spokesman, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last month. We welcome the feedback from outside groups but the final determination is from the president after consultation from senior staff."

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Several prominent Wisconsin judges who were expected to vie for the seat didn't end up applying. Those included state Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley, Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow and U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig, a Trump appointee.

All three have strong conservative records, but multiple sources told the Journal Sentinel that the president wanted to nominate someone who is expected to be on the appellate court for decades. Bradley, Dorow and Ludwig are all 54 years old or older.

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 313-6684 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on X at @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.

This story was updated to add new information.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump taps Rebecca Taibleson for U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago
DES MOINES, Iowa  The event that gets Des Moines students ready for school is celebrating its 20th year. Back 2 School Iowa will take place Sunday, August 17th from 2-5 pm at Evelyn K Davis Park.

Another Iowa soldier deployment looms, mothers gather cards for soldiers

Founders Shekinah Fountain and Deidre DeJear made this years theme More Than Just School Supplies. Thats because theyll also be providing free haircuts, physicals, fresh produce, hot lunch, games and prizes.

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The organizers urge people to arrive early if they are coming for school supplies.

For more information or to donate, visit the Back 2 School Iowa Website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. (DC News Now)  A Prince Georges County family is opening an assisted living home to provide seniors with a good quality of life living space.

Flora Amadi is the owner of Heavens Hands Assisted Living. She says her and her husband, Beks, mission is to provide compassionate care.

Prince Georges County Public Schools hosting Back to School Fair

Heavens Hands assisted livingwill offer 24/7 care for adults. Assisting them with daily living, eating, dressing, food and medicating management and exercise and activities, and going out. Low-level aerobics basically everything they need to feel dignified and age gracefully.

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The facility, located in Capitol Heights, features a five-bedroom home with Jacuzzis in some rooms as well as motorized beds.

The owners of the Black owned business plan to open on August 22. The home will offer around-the-clock care from a licensed staff.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
Protesters with the pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime marched from the United Nations in Midtown Manhattan to Columbia University in Morningside Heights on Friday, where they joined with students for a vigil commemorating Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, who was killed by Israeli Defense Forces in a targeted airstrike while reporting from Gaza.

The demonstrators  who carried Palestinian flags and signs reading, Globalize the Intifada and other slogans  started marching around 4 p.m., pausing outside several landmarks, including the Israeli Embassy, NBC Studios and Trump International Hotel to shout chants. A large police presence flanked the protesters as they marched uptown.

An NYPD spokesperson said police were aware of the protest, but would not say how many officers were deployed to watch over the demonstration.

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Outside of NBC Studios at Rockefeller Plaza protesters shouted, Every time the media lies, a neighborhood in Gaza dies! At the Trump International Hotel, by Columbus Circle, they yelled, Donald Trump you cant hide! You support genocide! One person carried a sign reading, Abolish Israel.

Within Our Lifetime posted on X around 9 p.m. that the rally had ended with a vigil for Al Jazeera journalists Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal, who were killed in a targeted bombing attack by Israeli forces earlier this week. The Israeli military has claimed that Al-Sharif was a member of Hamas military wing  which Al Jazeera disputes  as justification for the killing.

A video posted by Within Our Lifetime on social media after the demonstration showed graffiti in Carl Schurz Park reading, Long live Anas, Glory to our Martyrs and Death to IDF.

There were no arrests, police said.
A Ramsey County probation officers random check this month of a Level 3 sex offender led to a disturbing discovery in his St. Paul apartment: a naked and unconscious woman in a bathtub with multiple injuries, according to charges filed Friday.

Police soon arrived at the West Side apartment of 60-year-old Anthony DeWalt and found the woman unresponsive with a weak pulse. An officer began CPR and administered Narcan, the medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. She had bruises throughout her body and was missing a nipple, which appeared to have been cut or torn off, the criminal complaint says.

Paramedics arrived on scene and transported her to the hospital. A St. Paul police spokeswoman said Friday the woman is in her 40s.

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DeWalt is on intensive supervised release for a 2005 first-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction in Wright County. A 17-year-old girl testified at his trial that he dragged her from a porch during a late-night gathering in Rockford, Minn., and violently attacked her, according to court records. She was ultimately able to flee and run for help. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2009.

Court records show he was convicted twice for assaulting a corrections worker while he was imprisoned. Later, while at the Wright County Jail, he was convicted of fraud after he sent his SNAP benefits card from the jail to his sister in Illinois. He was released from custody in 2023.

DeWalts criminal history includes a murder conviction in Illinois in 1987, according to Fridays complaint.

Probation officers visit

The complaint gives the following account of the Aug. 5 incident:

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DeWalts probation officer visited his apartment, located in the 500 block of Stryker Avenue, just after 3 p.m. He answered the door naked, and the probation officer told him to put on clothes. DeWalt closed the door, and returned wearing boxer briefs. Blood was on his chest.

The probation officer stepped inside the apartment, where it appeared another person was present, the complaint states. DeWalt has several conditions as part of his probation, including no visitors at his residence without preapproval from his probation officer.

The probation officer told DeWalt to have the other person come out, to which he responded that his friend was in the bathtub and unable to do so.

The probation officer glanced into DeWalts bedroom and saw a black knife with blood on it. A pipe, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, was on the end of the couch near the bathroom. When the probation officer asked DeWalt if he had used meth, he didnt answer.

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The probation officer had DeWalt open the bathroom door and saw the woman in the bathtub. Cold water was running from the faucet.

No one else was in the apartment.

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When officers arrived at the apartment, DeWalt refused to let them inside through the locked door, while repeatedly yelling, Im ready for you. Officers forced open the door and he raised his hands as if he was preparing to fight, the complaint says.

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The woman was intubated at the hospital, and medical staff believed she may have been sexually assaulted due to the injuries to her body, the complaint states.

A sexual assault examination revealed she had suffered multiple injuries, including extensive bruising to the labia majora, groin, buttocks, breasts and upper chest; abrasions to both sides of her neck consistent with bite marks and lacerations to both nipples also consistent with bite marks and inconsistent with the use of a knife, the complaint says.

Forensic swabs were collected during the exam and have been submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing and analysis; results are pending.

The woman began to regain consciousness during the examination. She later spoke with police, saying her chest and arms hurt but did not know the extent of her injuries. She had no memory of the alleged assault or the events leading up to it.

Said she was a friend

Police spoke with DeWalt on scene. He said the woman was a friend who stopped by his apartment from time to time. He said she arrived at his place about 2 p.m. that day and wasnt feeling well so she got in the bathtub. At one point he thought she was having an asthma attack, he said.

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As police were talking with DeWalt, his probation officer obtained an arrest warrant for him based on the alleged probation violations, including possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of narcotics and the unauthorized visitor.

Later, in an interview at the jail, DeWalt said the woman was a friend who helped him clean and cook, and they had no sexual involvement. Before police arrived, he said, she had been at his place for an hour or two. She went to use the bathroom. After a period of time, he checked on her and found her unresponsive, he said, adding he thought she was dying so he poured water on her to revive her.

He underwent a suspect sexual assault examination on Aug. 8; forensic samples are pending.

During a search of his apartment, a breast nipple with jagged edges was located in a bucket with a mop in the kitchen. Blood smears were discovered on multiple areas of a mattress in the bedroom, along with a knife. Fentanyl and cocaine in two clear baggies were found in his shoe by his bed.

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The Ramsey County Attorneys Office charged DeWalt with second-degree criminal sexual conduct by force and first-degree assault causing great bodily harm.

At a first appearance on the charges, Judge Reynaldo Aligada Jr. denied a request for a conditional release from jail. He set bail at $200,000, adding he considered the nature and circumstances of the allegations, his prior criminal history and the fact that Mr. DeWalt appears to have been on supervision at the time of these allegations.

DeWalt, who remained jailed Friday, is due back in court Sept. 10. A message seeking comment on the charges was left with his public defender assigned to the case.
The Kern County Probation Department reported Wednesday it arrested a woman in east Bakersfield on suspicion of drug sales and possession.

An agency news release Friday said a home call in the 100 block of Ohio Drive turned up about six grams of suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and evidence of drug sales.

It said the arrestee, 48-year-old Teresa Juarez, had previously been convicted of drug-related crimes.
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

President Donald Trumps high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin adjourned Friday without announcing a breakthrough in negotiations to end Russias three-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said after several hours of closed-door negotiations with Putin in Anchorage.

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The talks ended sooner than previously expected, indicating that the two leaders may be far apart.

In a pair of brief speeches, the leaders said they were optimistic about improvements in relations between the United States and Russia. Putin said they had reached an agreement, according to a provided translation, but neither Putin nor Trump provided any details about what that agreement entails.

Before the meeting, Trump had indicated that he might favor a land exchange between Russia and Ukraine as part of a peace deal. European leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said they did not support any deal that would require Ukraine to surrender territory.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said Friday without explaining what those points were. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

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During a planned news conference, Putin spoke for only eight minutes, and Trump, who normally delivers lengthy and meandering remarks, spoke for only four and appeared tired.

Both men then left without taking any questions from a room full of international journalists, an action that stunned and confused attendees.

Many of those journalists, as well as Putin, Trump and officials from both Russia and the United States, traveled thousands of miles to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a base operated by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army in Anchorage, Alaskas largest city.

Because of the summits short notice  Trump announced it on social media just one week ago  the citys hotel rooms were all but sold out, and rental cars were almost impossible to find.

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At the University of Alaska Anchorage, members of the Russian delegation, including journalists, were given cots in curtained-off spaces within Alaska Airlines Arena.

En route to Alaska, Trump told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One that he was not going to be happy if there was no ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by the end of the day, according to news reports.

He said he didnt know what would make the summit a success and said there was nothing set in stone.

As originally announced, Trump and Putin were supposed to meet in a one-on-one meeting Friday morning. That changed to a three-on-three, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps Russia envoy, Steve Witkoff, joining Trump.

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The change didnt appear to result in even a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, whose leaders were not invited to Alaska.

Ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting, disgruntled Alaskans held protests across the state, waving Ukrainian flags and urging the United States to support Ukraines fight against Russia.

A smaller counterprotest in support of the president, hosted by Alaska Republicans, took place just as Air Force One landed in Alaska about 11 a.m. Friday morning.

A poll conducted by Alaska Survey Research in advance of the meeting indicated that 86% of Alaskans hold negative views of Vladimir Putin and that Trumps approval rating has dipped below 50% in Alaska, where voters have chosen Trump in the past three presidential elections.

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About 30 minutes after Trumps arrival, Putins plane landed at the Anchorage military base after a stop in Magadan, in the Russian Far East.

Trump disembarked first and greeted Putin with applause and a firm handshake before inviting the Russian leader into the presidential limousine.

Putins arrival in the United States represented a kind of diplomatic victory for the Russian leader, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court and faces arrest if he visits many countries, including most in Europe. The Trump administration opposes the ICC and does not typically enforce its arrest warrants.

Additionally, Trump has declined to impose additional financial and economic sanctions on Russia and Russian officials, something he had pledged to do if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

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Eric Croft, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, said in a written statement, Just as we expected, Trump failed to accomplish anything meaningful by inviting a war criminal to a meeting on American soil without Ukrainian representation at the table.  To be frank, we are disappointed, but not surprised, and we will not back down from applying pressure to Trump to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.

On Friday, Putin and Trump, accompanied by aides, talked for at least 2  hours. The content of those discussions was not revealed.

Putin boarded his plane for a return flight about 4 p.m. Trump was scheduled to depart before 6 p.m.

Their original schedule had called for more lengthy discussions, but reporters were called to a news conference sooner than expected.

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That appeared to be in line with remarks Trump gave the day before, in the Oval Office.

I would say that (on Friday), all I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly, Trump said on Thursday. Id like to see it happen very quickly, very shortly after this meeting. Id like to see it actually happen in Alaska  because its so much easier.

On Friday, Putin delivered his remarks mostly in Russian but joked in English that maybe next time, they could meet in Moscow.

Trump said he would get a little heat if he agreed to that, but I could see it possibly happening.

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Even without a breakthrough peace deal, Fridays meeting between the two presidents was a historic one. It was the first time since Ronald Reagan met Pope John Paul II in Fairbanks that an American president had hosted a foreign leader in Alaska.

Before Friday, no Russian leader had ever visited Alaska  a place whose territory nominally belonged to Russia from the 1700s until 1867.

Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com.
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

President Donald Trumps high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin adjourned Friday without announcing a breakthrough in negotiations to end Russias three-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said after several hours of closed-door negotiations with Putin in Anchorage.

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The talks ended sooner than previously expected, indicating that the two leaders may be far apart.

In a pair of brief speeches, the leaders said they were optimistic about improvements in relations between the United States and Russia. Putin said they had reached an agreement, according to a provided translation, but neither Putin nor Trump provided any details about what that agreement entails.

Before the meeting, Trump had indicated that he might favor a land exchange between Russia and Ukraine as part of a peace deal. European leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said they did not support any deal that would require Ukraine to surrender territory.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said Friday without explaining what those points were. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

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During a planned news conference, Putin spoke for only eight minutes, and Trump, who normally delivers lengthy and meandering remarks, spoke for only four and appeared tired.

Both men then left without taking any questions from a room full of international journalists, an action that stunned and confused attendees.

Many of those journalists, as well as Putin, Trump and officials from both Russia and the United States, traveled thousands of miles to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a base operated by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army in Anchorage, Alaskas largest city.

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Because of the summits short notice  Trump announced it on social media just one week ago  the citys hotel rooms were all but sold out, and rental cars were almost impossible to find.

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, members of the Russian delegation, including journalists, were given cots in curtained-off spaces within Alaska Airlines Arena.

En route to Alaska, Trump told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One that he was not going to be happy if there was no ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by the end of the day, according to news reports.

He said he didnt know what would make the summit a success and said there was nothing set in stone.

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As originally announced, Trump and Putin were supposed to meet in a one-on-one meeting Friday morning. That changed to a three-on-three, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps Russia envoy, Steve Witkoff, joining Trump.

The change didnt appear to result in even a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, whose leaders were not invited to Alaska.

Ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting, disgruntled Alaskans held protests across the state, waving Ukrainian flags and urging the United States to support Ukraines fight against Russia.

A smaller counterprotest in support of the president, hosted by Alaska Republicans, took place just as Air Force One landed in Alaska about 11 a.m. Friday morning.

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A poll conducted by Alaska Survey Research in advance of the meeting indicated that 86% of Alaskans hold negative views of Vladimir Putin and that Trumps approval rating has dipped below 50% in Alaska, where voters have chosen Trump in the past three presidential elections.

About 30 minutes after Trumps arrival, Putins plane landed at the Anchorage military base after a stop in Magadan, in the Russian Far East.

Trump disembarked first and greeted Putin with applause and a firm handshake before inviting the Russian leader into the presidential limousine.

Let us know what you think...

Putins arrival in the United States represented a kind of diplomatic victory for the Russian leader, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court and faces arrest if he visits many countries, including most in Europe. The Trump administration opposes the ICC and does not typically enforce its arrest warrants.

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Additionally, Trump has declined to impose additional financial and economic sanctions on Russia and Russian officials, something he had pledged to do if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Eric Croft, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, said in a written statement, Just as we expected, Trump failed to accomplish anything meaningful by inviting a war criminal to a meeting on American soil without Ukrainian representation at the table.  To be frank, we are disappointed, but not surprised, and we will not back down from applying pressure to Trump to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.

On Friday, Putin and Trump, accompanied by aides, talked for at least 2  hours. The content of those discussions was not revealed.

Putin boarded his plane for a return flight about 4 p.m. Trump was scheduled to depart before 6 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Their original schedule had called for more lengthy discussions, but reporters were called to a news conference sooner than expected.

That appeared to be in line with remarks Trump gave the day before, in the Oval Office.

I would say that (on Friday), all I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly, Trump said on Thursday. Id like to see it happen very quickly, very shortly after this meeting. Id like to see it actually happen in Alaska  because its so much easier.

On Friday, Putin delivered his remarks mostly in Russian but joked in English that maybe next time, they could meet in Moscow.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Trump said he would get a little heat if he agreed to that, but I could see it possibly happening.

Even without a breakthrough peace deal, Fridays meeting between the two presidents was a historic one. It was the first time since Ronald Reagan met Pope John Paul II in Fairbanks that an American president had hosted a foreign leader in Alaska.

Before Friday, no Russian leader had ever visited Alaska  a place whose territory nominally belonged to Russia from the 1700s until 1867.

This story was originally published by the Alaska Beacon. Like South Dakota Searchlight, its part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com.
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

President Donald Trumps high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin adjourned Friday without an announcement in negotiations to end Russias three-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said after several hours of closed-door negotiations with Putin in Anchorage.

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The talks ended sooner than previously expected, indicating the two leaders may be far apart.

In a pair of brief speeches, the leaders said they were optimistic about improvements in relations between the United States and Russia.

Putin said they had reached an agreement, according to a provided translation, but neither Putin nor Trump provided any details about what that agreement entails.

Before the meeting, Trump had indicated he might favor a land exchange between Russia and Ukraine as part of a peace deal. European leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said they did not support any deal that would require Ukraine to surrender territory.

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We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said Friday without explaining what those points were. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Zelensky plans to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war, the New York Times reported.

During a planned news conference, Putin spoke for only eight minutes, and Trump, who normally delivers lengthy and meandering remarks, spoke for only four and appeared tired.

Both men then left without taking any questions from a room full of international journalists, an action that stunned and confused attendees.

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Many of those journalists, as well as Putin, Trump and officials from both Russia and the United States, traveled thousands of miles to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a base operated by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army in Anchorage, Alaskas largest city.

Because of the summits short notice  Trump announced it on social media just one week ago  the citys hotel rooms were all but sold out, and rental cars were almost impossible to find.

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, members of the Russian delegation, including journalists, were given cots in curtained-off spaces within Alaska Airlines Arena.

En route to Alaska, Trump told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One that he was not going to be happy if there was no ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by the end of the day, according to news reports.

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He said he didnt know what would make the summit a success and said there was nothing set in stone.

As originally announced, Trump and Putin were supposed to meet in a one-on-one meeting Friday morning. That changed to a three-on-three, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps Russia envoy, Steve Witkoff, joining Trump.

They talked behind closed doors lasted for at least 2  hours.

But discussions didnt appear to result in even a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, whose leaders were not invited to Alaska.

Ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting, disgruntled Alaskans held protests across the state, waving Ukrainian flags and urging the United States to support Ukraines fight against Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A smaller counterprotest in support of the president, hosted by Alaska Republicans, took place just as Air Force One landed in Alaska about 11 a.m. Friday morning.

About 30 minutes after Trumps arrival, Putins plane landed at the Anchorage military base after a stop in Magadan, in the Russian Far East.

Trump disembarked first and greeted Putin with applause and a firm handshake before inviting the Russian leader into the presidential limousine.

Putins arrival in the United States represented a kind of diplomatic victory for the Russian leader, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court and faces arrest if he visits many countries, including most in Europe. The Trump administration opposes the ICC and does not typically enforce its arrest warrants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Additionally, Trump has declined to impose additional financial and economic sanctions on Russia and Russian officials, something he had pledged to do if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Eric Croft, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, said in a written statement, Just as we expected, Trump failed to accomplish anything meaningful by inviting a war criminal to a meeting on American soil without Ukrainian representation at the table.  To be frank, we are disappointed, but not surprised, and we will not back down from applying pressure to Trump to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.

Putin boarded his plane for a return flight about 4 p.m. Trump was scheduled to depart before 6 p.m.

Their original schedule had called for more lengthy discussions, but reporters were called to a news conference sooner than expected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That appeared to be in line with remarks Trump gave the day before, in the Oval Office.

I would say that (on Friday), all I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly, Trump said on Thursday. Id like to see it happen very quickly, very shortly after this meeting. Id like to see it actually happen in Alaska  because its so much easier.

On Friday, Putin delivered his remarks mostly in Russian but joked in English that maybe next time, they could meet in Moscow.

Trump said he would get a little heat if he agreed to that, but I could see it possibly happening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even without a breakthrough peace deal, Fridays meeting between the two presidents was a historic one. It was the first time since Ronald Reagan met Pope John Paul II in Fairbanks in 1984 that an American president had hosted a foreign leader in Alaska.

Before Friday, no Russian leader had ever visited Alaska  a place whose territory nominally belonged to Russia from the 1700s until 1867.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not take questions from reporters on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Like the SC Daily Gazette, Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com.
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

President Donald Trumps high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin adjourned their brief summit Friday without announcing a breakthrough in negotiations to end Russias three-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said after several hours of closed-door negotiations with Putin in Anchorage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The talks ended sooner than previously expected, indicating that the two leaders may be far apart.

In a pair of brief speeches, the leaders said they were optimistic about improvements in relations between the United States and Russia. Putin said they had reached an agreement, according to a provided translation, but neither Putin nor Trump provided any details about what that agreement entails.

Before the meeting, Trump had indicated that he might favor a land exchange between Russia and Ukraine as part of a peace deal. European leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said they did not support any deal that would require Ukraine to surrender territory.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said Friday without explaining what those points were. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During a planned news conference, Putin spoke for only eight minutes, and Trump, who normally delivers lengthy and meandering remarks, spoke for only four and appeared tired.

Both men then left without taking any questions from a room full of international journalists, an action that stunned and confused attendees.

Many of those journalists, as well as Putin, Trump and officials from both Russia and the United States, traveled thousands of miles to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a base operated by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army in Anchorage, Alaskas largest city.

Because of the summits short notice  Trump announced it on social media just one week ago  the citys hotel rooms were all but sold out, and rental cars were almost impossible to find.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, members of the Russian delegation, including journalists, were given cots in curtained-off spaces within Alaska Airlines Arena.

En route to Alaska, Trump told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One that he was not going to be happy if there was no ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by the end of the day, according to news reports.

He said he didnt know what would make the summit a success and said there was nothing set in stone.

As originally announced, Trump and Putin were supposed to meet in a one-on-one meeting Friday morning. That changed to a three-on-three, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps Russia envoy, Steve Witkoff, joining Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The change didnt appear to result in even a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, whose leaders were not invited to Alaska.

Ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting, disgruntled Alaskans held protests across the state, waving Ukrainian flags and urging the United States to support Ukraines fight against Russia.

A smaller counterprotest in support of the president, hosted by Alaska Republicans, took place just as Air Force One landed in Alaska about 11 a.m. Friday morning.

A poll conducted by Alaska Survey Research in advance of the meeting indicated that 86% of Alaskans hold negative views of Vladimir Putin and that Trumps approval rating has dipped below 50% in Alaska, where voters have chosen Trump in the past three presidential elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

About 30 minutes after Trumps arrival, Putins plane landed at the Anchorage military base after a stop in Magadan, in the Russian Far East.

Trump disembarked first and greeted Putin with applause and a firm handshake before inviting the Russian leader into the presidential limousine.

Putins arrival in the United States represented a kind of diplomatic victory for the Russian leader, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court and faces arrest if he visits many countries, including most in Europe. The Trump administration opposes the ICC and does not typically enforce its arrest warrants.

Additionally, Trump has declined to impose additional financial and economic sanctions on Russia and Russian officials, something he had pledged to do if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Eric Croft, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, said in a written statement, Just as we expected, Trump failed to accomplish anything meaningful by inviting a war criminal to a meeting on American soil without Ukrainian representation at the table.  To be frank, we are disappointed, but not surprised, and we will not back down from applying pressure to Trump to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.

On Friday, Putin and Trump, accompanied by aides, talked for at least 2  hours. The content of those discussions was not revealed.

Putin boarded his plane for a return flight about 4 p.m. Trump was scheduled to depart before 6 p.m.

Their original schedule had called for more lengthy discussions, but reporters were called to a news conference sooner than expected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That appeared to be in line with remarks Trump gave the day before, in the Oval Office.

I would say that (on Friday), all I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly, Trump said on Thursday. Id like to see it happen very quickly, very shortly after this meeting. Id like to see it actually happen in Alaska  because its so much easier.

On Friday, Putin delivered his remarks mostly in Russian but joked in English that maybe next time, they could meet in Moscow.

Trump said he would get a little heat if he agreed to that, but I could see it possibly happening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even without a breakthrough peace deal, Fridays meeting between the two presidents was a historic one. It was the first time since Ronald Reagan met Pope John Paul II in Fairbanks that an American president had hosted a foreign leader in Alaska.

Before Friday, no Russian leader had ever visited Alaska  a place whose territory nominally belonged to Russia from the 1700s until 1867.

Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com.
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

President Donald Trumps high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin adjourned their brief summit Friday without announcing a breakthrough in negotiations to end Russias three-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said after several hours of closed-door negotiations with Putin in Anchorage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The talks ended sooner than previously expected, indicating that the two leaders may be far apart.

In a pair of brief speeches, the leaders said they were optimistic about improvements in relations between the United States and Russia. Putin said they had reached an agreement, according to a provided translation, but neither Putin nor Trump provided any details about what that agreement entails.

Before the meeting, Trump had indicated that he might favor a land exchange between Russia and Ukraine as part of a peace deal. European leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said they did not support any deal that would require Ukraine to surrender territory.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, Trump said Friday without explaining what those points were. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During a planned news conference, Putin spoke for only eight minutes, and Trump, who normally delivers lengthy and meandering remarks, spoke for only four and appeared tired.

Both men then left without taking any questions from a room full of international journalists, an action that stunned and confused attendees.

Many of those journalists, as well as Putin, Trump and officials from both Russia and the United States, traveled thousands of miles to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a base operated by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army in Anchorage, Alaskas largest city.

Because of the summits short notice  Trump announced it on social media just one week ago  the citys hotel rooms were all but sold out, and rental cars were almost impossible to find.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, members of the Russian delegation, including journalists, were given cots in curtained-off spaces within Alaska Airlines Arena.

En route to Alaska, Trump told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One that he was not going to be happy if there was no ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by the end of the day, according to news reports.

He said he didnt know what would make the summit a success and said there was nothing set in stone.

As originally announced, Trump and Putin were supposed to meet in a one-on-one meeting Friday morning. That changed to a three-on-three, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps Russia envoy, Steve Witkoff, joining Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The change didnt appear to result in even a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, whose leaders were not invited to Alaska.

Ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting, disgruntled Alaskans held protests across the state, waving Ukrainian flags and urging the United States to support Ukraines fight against Russia.

A smaller counterprotest in support of the president, hosted by Alaska Republicans, took place just as Air Force One landed in Alaska about 11 a.m. Friday morning.

A poll conducted by Alaska Survey Research in advance of the meeting indicated that 86% of Alaskans hold negative views of Vladimir Putin and that Trumps approval rating has dipped below 50% in Alaska, where voters have chosen Trump in the past three presidential elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

About 30 minutes after Trumps arrival, Putins plane landed at the Anchorage military base after a stop in Magadan, in the Russian Far East.

Trump disembarked first and greeted Putin with applause and a firm handshake before inviting the Russian leader into the presidential limousine.

Putins arrival in the United States represented a kind of diplomatic victory for the Russian leader, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court and faces arrest if he visits many countries, including most in Europe. The Trump administration opposes the ICC and does not typically enforce its arrest warrants.

Additionally, Trump has declined to impose additional financial and economic sanctions on Russia and Russian officials, something he had pledged to do if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Eric Croft, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, said in a written statement, Just as we expected, Trump failed to accomplish anything meaningful by inviting a war criminal to a meeting on American soil without Ukrainian representation at the table.  To be frank, we are disappointed, but not surprised, and we will not back down from applying pressure to Trump to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.

On Friday, Putin and Trump, accompanied by aides, talked for at least 2  hours. The content of those discussions was not revealed.

Putin boarded his plane for a return flight about 4 p.m. Trump was scheduled to depart before 6 p.m.

Their original schedule had called for more lengthy discussions, but reporters were called to a news conference sooner than expected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That appeared to be in line with remarks Trump gave the day before, in the Oval Office.

I would say that (on Friday), all I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly, Trump said on Thursday. Id like to see it happen very quickly, very shortly after this meeting. Id like to see it actually happen in Alaska  because its so much easier.

On Friday, Putin delivered his remarks mostly in Russian but joked in English that maybe next time, they could meet in Moscow.

Trump said he would get a little heat if he agreed to that, but I could see it possibly happening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even without a breakthrough peace deal, Fridays meeting between the two presidents was a historic one. It was the first time since Ronald Reagan met Pope John Paul II in Fairbanks that an American president had hosted a foreign leader in Alaska.

Before Friday, no Russian leader had ever visited Alaska  a place whose territory nominally belonged to Russia from the 1700s until 1867.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not take questions from reporters on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

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Joplin council members and city officials are beginning talks on whether to try to renew the Proposition B sales tax because the police and fire pension fund it was put in place to address may close out several years earlier than expected.

The half-cent tax approved by voters in 2019 addressed a low funding ratio in the Police and Firemens Pension Fund. It is commonly called the pension tax. It was intended to bring the pension fund up to a funding level of 120% of benefits owed.

It was projected that could take up to 12 years. But the pension plans actuary recently projected that the plan could be fully funded, or reach the agreed upon 120% level of benefits owed, in early 2027.

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That would be five years earlier than the 12-year sunset given to fully fund pension obligations when the tax was proposed to voters. The actuarial report states that the plans funded ratio as of Oct. 31, 2024, was at 90.1%. That percentage could fluctuate with market conditions, the citys contribution rate and other factors.

Proposition B last year provided more than $8.6 million that was paid into the fund, which exceeded the actuarial recommended contributions for the year by more than $5.5 million, according to the actuary report.

LAGERS

In order to provide better retirement benefits at a lower cost to police officers and firefighters in the future, part of the Proposition B plan was to transition those employees and retirees who wished to move their coverage to the Missouri LAGERS pension plan and get them out of the city plan. LAGERS is the largest pension plan in the state for government employees.

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The citys finance director, Leslie Haase, said the final members of the pension plan are finishing up transitioning to LAGERS unless they opt to stay in the local pension fund. She intends to have a report on that status in September, she said.

Council members discussed the handling of past sales tax campaigns for police and fire expenses at a work session Monday.

Council member Ryan Jackson said of a Proposition B renewal, I think its a great idea to keep that funding mechanism in place, though he expressed concerns about going too far with campaign statements, such as those who said of Prop B that This is what is going to take care of these departments forever.

But the campaign gave voters a clear, strong message, he added.

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What I think gave that the resounding success is that it wasnt the mayor and city staff handing the rest of us, Here is the plan. They said, Were here to give you some information. You guys figure it out.

It kind of came down to three options. We did some public information gathering, working with the unions and department heads, and thats how we ended up with the public safety sales tax proposition and the council got the Chamber of Commerce to back it. I think it really made a difference and I want to make sure when we do this that we do it right and do everything we can.

The measure was promoted by the chamber with the slogan that it was A Better Plan for Joplin.

Mayor Keenan Cortez talked about the successful passage of the first half-cent public safety sales tax in 2004. It has funded the construction of new fire stations, the Public Safety Training Center, and the addition of needed firefighters and police officers to the city departments.

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I will also add that during that time in 2004 when we were working on that ... the city had come up with what was a pretty good plan and it looked it was going to be a long-term plan or solution to a problem that the city had for a while. And then 20 years happened. And there was a global pandemic, a recession in 2008, and a lot of things took place. ... I remember what we were paying police officers then, and its almost double now. The costs of goods and services has almost gone through the roof since that tax was approved.

The mayor said he agrees that residents need to be involved in the process, but I caution to call it the solution, or the fix-all, or greatest next thing, because who knows what were going to have 20 years from now. So, we can make the best plans we can right now, and I think Prop B renewal is one of the best plans we can do going forward, but I just caution that it is going to be end-all, fix-all for public safety pay.

Councilman Josh Bard said he agreed with the idea of getting a group of people to represent the proposal.

Details on what the city would use a renewed Proposition B tax to fund were not discussed.
People living in a Southside Estates neighborhood are frustrated about plans to build an animal slaughterhouse around the corner from their homes.

The Jacksonville City Council is considering an ordinance that would rezone part of Beach Boulevard, between Desalvo Road and Cortez Road, to allow Apna Bazar to construct a live animal processing facility.

If we hear grown animals groaning and crying when they are dying, that would be terrible for the neighborhood, said John Brewer.

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John Brewer has been living in the area for the past decade, and says the slaughterhouse in no way fits in with the neighborhood.

Its not an industrial area, this is a residential area, Brewer said. There is commercial property, but they want to rezone it to an industrial zoning, so I am extremely opposed to that.

Kim Robinson has been living on Cortez Road for over four decades. Her house is right next door to where the facility would be built. She says if its allowed to open and operate there, that would be the last straw.

If this happens, were putting the house up for sale immediately, said Robinson.

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This isnt the first time Apna Bazar tried to do this in Jacksonville. Last year, they had attempted to build the slaughterhouse at 7709 Woodley Road in the Northside. The proposal was withdrawn following community backlash.

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We are not here to hurt them [local citizens] or make them complain for anything they think we should not be doing, said Apna Bazars owner, Mohammad Faisel. So thats why were withdrawing our application and Im sorry, again I want to apologize for that.

We reached out to Apan Bazar for a comment about the new proposal. We are still waiting to hear back.

The ordinance is on the Land Use and Zoning committees agenda for Tuesday, August 19th at 5 pm.

It will also be discussed during the Planning Commissions public meeting on Thursday, August 21. It will be held in the Edward Ball Building on North Hogan Street. A protest against the slaughterhouses construction is scheduled for before the meeting at 11 am.

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Proposed new congressional maps in California that are expected to be put to voters in a special election this fall indicate the redrawn district lines could help Democrats flip five Republican seats and bolster around five Democratic incumbents in toss-up districts.

The new maps, posted on the California State Assembly website on Friday evening, are draft proposals and are subject to be changed or reworked by the state legislature, which is set to start working next week.

The legislative action follows California Gov. Gavin Newsom's call on Thursday for a special election on new maps, in an attempt to counter mid-decade redistricting being pushed by Republicans in Texas.

Mike Blake/Reuters - PHOTO: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks as he announces the redrawing of California's congressional maps, calling on voters to approve a ballot measure in Los Angeles, Calif. August 14, 2025.

MORE: California will move forward with redistricting vote to counter Texas, Newsom says

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The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the campaign arm of House Democrats, took credit Friday for submitting the maps to the California legislature, saying in a statement they believe they will have widespread support among California legislators and voters.

"We anticipate this proposal will have widespread support both among California office holders and various stakeholders across the state," DCCC Executive Director Julie Merz said in a statement.

"We will not stand by as Republicans attempt to rig the election in their favor and choose their voters. It's increasingly clear that Republicans will do anything to protect their narrow majority because they know they can't win on their disastrous legislative record which has raised costs and rips away health care for millions, all to give the ultra-wealthy a tax break."

Paul Mitchell, a redistricting and data expert who drew the maps, told ABC News San Francisco station KGO-TV in an interview on Friday afternoon before the draft maps were posted online that eight of the proposed redrawn districts are unchanged; another 20 are changed very little, and that overall the goal was "pushing back on Texas without doing something that would radically disrupt the congressional district lines."

KGO-TV - PHOTO: The first draft of California's redrawn congressional district maps has been released.

MORE: Texas Democrats to return after governor ends special session that included redistricting, sources say

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Mitchell added that beyond making five Republican-held seats favor Democrats -- as a counter to the proposed congressional maps in Texas that could flip five seats to favor Republicans -- the proposal also strengthens the districts of around five Democratic "frontline candidates" who face more difficult challenges from Republicans.

"[The legislature has] got some time next week to put it together, along with all the other language for a statewide ballot measure. And I think the point for voters is, this is a way to push back on what Texas Republicans are doing, on what Trump is doing," Mitchell told KGO-TV.

Republicans continue to cry foul, saying that Newsom's gambit for new maps is politically motivated.

NRCC chair Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) wrote in a statement before the proposed maps were posted: "Gavin Newsom failed to solve the homelessness, crime, drug, and cost epidemics plaguing the Golden State. Now he is shredding California's Constitution and disenfranchising voters to prop up his Presidential ambitions.

"Californians oppose Newsom's stunt because they won't let a self-serving politician rig the system to further his career. The NRCC is prepared to fight this illegal power grab in the courts and at the ballot box to stop Newsom in his tracks."
Pro-Palestine protesters chanted "RAF, shame on you" as they held a demonstration outside an airbase calling for an embargo on selling arms to Israel.

Hundreds of people attended the protest, organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire on Saturday.

The group said the protest was part of its summer of action for Gaza and showed "the strength of the public demand for an arms embargo".

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Thames Valley Police said: "We will work with the organisers, partners and the public to facilitate peaceful protest, balancing the rights of all and to keep our communities safe."

RAF High Wycombe, which was originally designed to house RAF Bomber Command in the 1930, houses Headquarters Air Command.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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Ivan Hodes, a U.S. Army veteran, shows the bracelet he wears in memory of a West Point classmate who died in Ukraine. Hodes was standing on Aug. 15, 2025, at the Government Hill gate of Joint Base Elemdorf-Richardson, participating in a protest against the summit taking place later in the day between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Supporters of Ukraine hold the edges of a 136-foot flag at a protest held Aug. 15, 2025, on the Delaney Park Strip in downtown Anchorage. The gathering was one of several in Anchorage and elsewhere in Alaska protesting President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who held a summit that day at Anchorages Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

As the leaders of the United States and Russia met on Anchorages Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday, supporters of Ukraines defense against Russias invasion staged multiple demonstrations in Alaska to protest the meeting and what they predicted would be capitulation to Russian goals.

Kathleen Bielawski, at a pro-Ukraine protest in Anchorage in Aug. 14, 2025, holds a sign that refers to Alaskas history under Russian control. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Ivan Hodes, a U.S. Army veteran, was among a group protesting Friday morning at the Government Hill gate to JBER. It was important to be at the base gate, in front of the place where its happening, he said.

A dog peeks over a protest sign displayed at a rally held on the morning of Aug. 15, 2025, in front of the Government Hill gate of Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

We object to the summit. We object to Putin being on American soil. We object to him being on a military base, specifically a military base that has been at the forefront of defense against Russian and Soviet aggression for 60, 70 years. We want to object to (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy not being invited. Without the victim of Russian aggression, its an exercise in carving up somebody elses territory.

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For Hodes, there is also a personal aspect to his opposition. A West Point classmate, Andrew Webber, died in July 2023 in combat defending Ukraine, he said. Everything Im doing here is to honor his memory, Hodes said.

Justin McGhee holds a sign urging prayers for President Donald Trump at, a midday rally in Anchorage on Aug. 15, 2025. He said he was hopeful that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin would use their meeting that day to make progress toward peace in Ukraine. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

In a counter demonstration, supporters of President Donald Trump gathered in Midtown Anchorage to cheer for the president and praise his quickly arranged summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Justin McGhee, who held a sign that said Praying for Trump, said he hoped the summit would be a step toward peace.

Its important to support Trump at this time. Theres a lot of stuff going on, a lot of division in the world. And I just think we have to get more united, he said.

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The Anchorage location for the Trump-Putin summit was not that important, McGhee said. It wouldnt matter if it was here or in Oklahoma. A good thing might happen, he said.

A supporterof Ukraine sports sunflowers in her hair during a protest held Aug. 15, 2025, at downtown Anchorages Delaney Park Strip. The sunflower is a symbol of Ukraine. She was among hundreds gripping the edge of a huge Ukrainian flag displayed during the protest. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

The biggest event was likely the afternoon rally on the Delaney Park Strip in downtown Anchorage. There, Ukraine supporters unfurled a 136-foot-long Ukrainian flag that had been flown to the city earlier in the day from New Jersey. Owned by a nonprofit organization, it is the second-largest Ukrainian flag in existence, rally organizers said.

Supporters gripped the edges of the flag and held it aloft above the parks grass, while photos were snapped by a drone buzzing above.

Art Davidson, an Alaska author and co-founder of a U.S.-based organization that provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine, was a featured speaker at the downtown event.

Supporters of President Donald Trump wave flags and signs at a Midtown Anchorage rally held Aug. 15. 2025. The rally was held on the day that Trump was meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Anchorages Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

He said the large gathering was gratifying to Dr. Olga Shpak, the executive director of the organization, Assist Ukraine, and others in Ukraine, Davidson said.

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It means so much to them to see support from everybody, he told the crowd. A big, big, big hug from Olga, Dr. Olga Shpak . And a big hug from the people on the front lines.

Davidson and veteran war correspondent Anne Garrels founded Assist Ukraine in the early days of the war. The organization has been sending donations to Ukraine from around the world and has opened an orphanage in the country, Davidson said.

Former Alaska Lt. Gov. Loren Leman, with his wife Carolyn, attends an Aug. 15, 2025, rally supporting President Donald Trump. The rally was organized by the Alaska Republican Party and held on the same day that Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Anchorages Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. (photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman, a Republican who also served in the state Senate, was among those who attended the pro-Trump rally.

He said he was hopeful that the Trump-Putin summit will help end the war in Ukraine.

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Whats happening there, its a tragedy, he said. Im hoping that the discussions will result in peace.

Demonstrators in Juneau rallied in solidarity with Ukraine Friday evening following the Trump-Putin summit on Aug. 15, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Asked who he believed was at fault for the war, Leman paused before answering.

Ukraine was invaded. That shouldnt have happened, he said. But there may be fault on both sides of the conflict, he said. Theres probably some fault in everybody. We all have faults.

A protester holds an anti-Trump sign at a pro-Ukraine event held Aug. 15, 2025, at the Delaney Park Strip in downtown Anchorage. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Supporters of President Donald Trump wave flags and signs at a Midtown Anchorage rally held Aug. 15. 2025. The rally was held on the day that Trump was meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Anchorages Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Demonstrators wave flags and signs along Egan Drive in Juneau following a rally in solidarity with Ukraine on Aug. 15, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

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New laws will be used by the Government to censor content posted online, a majority of the public believe.

There is strong backing for the aims of the Online Safety Act to protect children from online harms but deep scepticism about the consequences for peoples privacy and whether it will work in practice, a major poll of more than 2,000 adults by Ipsos has revealed.

While 69 per cent supported age verification for platforms hosting harmful content, half of those polled were not confident it will stop under-18s accessing it, according to the poll, published exclusively today by The Telegraph.

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More than six in 10 (61 per cent) believe the Act will lead to personal data being compromised and a similar proportion (58 per cent) expected increased government censorship. More than four in 10 say it will threaten free speech online.

It follows The Telegraphs disclosure of a secretive spy unit which has been used by the Government to target social media posts criticising migrant hotels and two tier policing.

Last week the US state department criticised the Online Safety Act over its potential impact on free speech as it warned the British Government had repeatedly intervened to chill speech after the Southport attack.

The Act also sparked a political row after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pledged to repeal the Act as a threat to free speech, prompting Labour to accuse him of being on the side of sex offenders like Jimmy Savile.

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Keiran Pedley, Ipsos director of UK politics, said the poll exposed a significant paradox in public opinion.

While there is a clear and broad desire to protect children online, reflected in the strong support for age verification, this is matched by deep-seated scepticism about whether the Act can deliver on its promises, he said.

Data breaches and the potential for censorship are highlighted, as the public doubt these measures will be effective against tech-savvy young people. This creates a major challenge for platform operators and regulator, Ofcom: how to implement robust age assurance systems that the public actually trusts and is willing to use.

Nearly half (48 per cent) believe the Act will enable parents to better protect their children from online harms and 46 per cent said it will enable adults to more easily block inappropriate material.

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However, 44 per cent believe it will limit free speech online, against 40 per cent who do not. A similar proportion (43 per cent) fear it will limit adults access to non-harmful information online.

Half of those polled (48 per cent) said they would be likely to submit proof of age to access a platform or website, against 30 per cent who would not. However, this dropped to 14 per cent for porn sites and 19 per cent for dating apps.

More than half (56 per cent) were comfortable with using their email as proof of age but the public drew a line at financial information, with fewer than one in five saying they would use a credit card or banking information.

Almost seven in 10 Britons (69 per cent) believed it would be easy for children and young people to get around safeguarding procedures by social media platforms. More than half (51 per cent) feared that it would lead to children using less safe parts of the internet such as the dark web.

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Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) admitted that they used a VPN when browsing the internet, a technology that enables users to encrypt their communications and hide their IP address.

A similar proportion (22 per cent) said they had considered or downloaded a VPN since the introduction of the Online Safety Act.

Despite this, four in 10 (40 per cent) believed the Act would prevent children and under 18s from seeing illegal or harmful material, although 52 per cent did not believe it would. While 37 per cent believed the legislation would make platforms and websites remove harmful and illegal content, 51 per cent did not.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin was not shy about showing apparent disdain for members of the press who clamored to ask him questions at the high-stakes summit in Alaska.

For President Donald Trump, such media scrutiny was nothing out of the ordinary, but Putin appeared to make it clear he was unhappy with the display. As reporters tried to grab the leaders attention, Putin  a former Soviet KGB intelligence officer  seemed to be visibly annoyed.

Trump, Putin Wrap 'Extremely Productive' Summit But 'Not There Yet' On Ending War

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Heading into the summit, Trump faced pressure from leaders at home and abroad to secure a deal with Putin and end the hostilities. Even former Trump rival Hillary Clinton acknowledged the gravity of the moment, saying she would nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize if he secured a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Despite a rocky relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump has managed to coordinate with both him and Putin.

Before Fridays U.S.-Russia summit, Zelenskyy met with European leaders and took part in a session of the "Coalition of the Willing," which Vice President JD Vance also attended. Additionally, on Wednesday, Trump met virtually with European leaders to prepare for the pivotal talks.

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Trump Reveals 10 Striking Takeaways From Putin Summit In Hannity Interview

Although Putin and Trump failed to reach a deal Friday, the meeting was widely viewed as a successful step forward.

Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview that the meeting was "very good" and that Putin "wants to see it done." However, the president declined to share what sticking point stopped them from reaching a deal.

European leaders praised Trump in a joint statement signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and others.

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"Leaders welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russias war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace," the statement read. The leaders also reiterated their stance that "Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington, D.C., on Monday. He said in a post on X that he and Trump will "discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war."

Trump and Zelenskyy  who was not invited to the Alaska summit  have signaled willingness for a trilateral meeting with Putin. But Putin has shown no movement toward such talks.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy said he urged Trump to strengthen sanctions if Putin refuses to join a trilateral meeting, echoing Trumps earlier warning that Russia would face "very severe" economic consequences if it derailed the peace process.





Original article source: Putin appears to be visibly annoyed as reporters barrage him and Trump with questions
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met as equals on American soil this week, not because Mr Trump is in thrall to Putin but because his advances into Ukraine have been unstoppable despite over three years of Western effort. Ukrainian forces have fought hard and with tremendous courage, skill and sacrifice.

They prevented the intended Russian blitzkrieg at the beginning of the war and have pushed Russia back in places. They even conducted audacious assaults into Russian territory and inflicted unexpected damage on Moscows forces including in the Black Sea and as far away as eastern Siberia.

But Putin still believes he can absorb whatever blows Kyiv throws at him and win even more territory as his forces push hard and continue to make progress in the Donbas. This region, rich in mineral wealth, is Russias main military focus. Pushing against well-prepared Ukrainian defences here has proven costly in men and munitions and has made slow progress.

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Putin would prefer not to continue fighting for it if he can get it by other means and he told Mr Trump at Anchorage that the war could end if Ukraine withdraws from the 30 per cent of Donetsk that his forces have not yet conquered.

Volodymyr Zelensky will be reluctant to agree to that and has said that voluntarily ceding any Ukrainian territory would require constitutional change. He will have to balance that with his judgment on whether Ukrainian forces will be able to hold on to it if the war continues, and what the price of that might be.

That assessment will have to include the extent to which the West, eyeing the potential for peace, will continue to enable his defensive efforts and how effective Ukraine can be on its own. On top of that, Mr Zelensky will be mindful that at this stage in this extremely costly war, polling suggests that the majority of the population want to see its end, with significant proportions reluctantly willing to give up land.

What is Putin offering in return? Virtually nothing. Russia has taken small areas of territory in the north-east, around Kharkiv and Sumy, and has said he will be willing to withdraw from there in exchange for Donetsk. He has also agreed to freeze the front lines in the south, in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, of which Russia currently holds around three quarters of the total.

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A ceasefire prior to Putins deal is of no interest to him and it seems any such thing, which had been a Western priority, was not seriously entertained in Anchorage. Despite serious military flaws that became only too evident since the start of the war, Russia has shown that its forces are no paper tiger. The much-vaunted Western hardware, technical sophistication and military doctrines are not enough to beat it. Indeed Russia has learnt the lessons of modern warfare, adapting its forces and strategies to deal with drones and other battlefield innovations in a way that the West has not.

Russia is maintaining astonishing levels of arms production and has been supplementing its own output with supplies from Iran, North Korea and China. In this form of attritional warfare the West has been unable or unwilling to keep up.

Putin has reoriented his economy away from Europe especially towards the Brics nations. Although Russian finances are in difficulties, the West has not yet been willing to administer the level of shock that might lead to anything approaching collapse. Instead, dependent on Russian energy, European countries have continued to play their part in fuelling the war machine. Western sanctions have been severe but insufficient, and the additional sanctions President Trump threatened, as well as secondary tariffs, seem to have evaporated since Putin agreed to the Alaska summit.

The net result of all this is that it seems the war will continue to grind on unless President Zelensky accedes to Putins maximalist demands which, as the summit showed, have not changed since the day he launched his special military operation. Meanwhile, the Europeans have reduced themselves to spectators to Ukraines fate  and their own.

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European leaders dont even seem to recognise that the cause of this entire situation, and whatever develops from it, largely falls at their own doorstep. Putin claims that a reason for invading Ukraine was Nato aggression towards the east. Yet it was the opposite. He noted that there was no price to be paid for his 2014 invasion of Crimea, notwithstanding Western guarantees that Ukraine would not be threatened by its agreement to give up its nuclear arsenal. Putin read the situation exactly right: it was Nato that was the paper tiger.

Mr Trump has been discussing security guarantees with the Europeans as part of a final settlement. That would not include membership of Nato, which in any case would not be acceptable to Putin were he to agree any peace deal. It is unlikely to be any internationally binding treaty but rather a Nato article 5 type arrangement whereby participating states would agree to come to Ukraines defence if it were to be attacked. That would amount to no more than political promises along the lines of previous guarantees given to Kyiv which were not subsequently honoured.

Geography alone dictates that European countries should, theoretically, have greater investment in Ukraines future than the US, and it is they who ought to be looking to bear the burden of security guarantees rather than always looking across the Atlantic. We keep hearing about the coalition of the willing, with European forces led by Britain and France to send in forces to guarantee a ceasefire or perhaps a peace agreement. Yet always this is accompanied by the caveat of a US backstop if it is to work.

We also hear from European leaders how, if Putin gets his way in Ukraine, it will encourage him to further aggression. Well, it now looks likely that he may well get his way, or at least much of it. So rather than lamenting a dire situation that their own negligence has helped bring about, these European leaders need to get serious about defence  and fast.

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That means more than just promises to increase defence spending to repair their destitute armed services sometime in the future. It means hardening political thinking away from decades of flabby compromise, appeasement and accommodation and bringing about societal change so that when the Russian bear comes back for more there will be sufficient patriots ready and willing to get into the trenches rather than the hope that Uncle Sam will come to their rescue.

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The Alaska summit has finished. Donald Trump afterwards described it as a ten out of ten experience, declaring that great progress was made towards peace in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin appreciated the camaraderie and Trump responded with hand pats and tender glances.

The American allowed the Russian to dominate a press conference, which prevented the press from asking any questions. Putin, holding his sheaf of prepared notes, expertly performed a political somersault. During the current war he and his administration have scoffed at any idea that Russia is fighting Ukraine.

For Putin, Ukrainian president Zelensky is merely an American puppet and America alone bears the responsibility for prolonging the current war.

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In Anchorage, though, Putin instead highlighted the military aid that the US transferred to Russia in the Second World War across the Bering Strait.

It was a ploy to deflect attention from the Ukrainian question. In the week before the summit, president Trump had huffed and puffed like a strongman.

He growled that if Putin rejected steps to a ceasefire, he would introduce severe secondary economic sanctions that would punish any country that bought Russian oil and gas.

If Trump had stuck to this standpoint in Alaska, Russias economy would now be succumbing to crippling pressure of sanctions against countries which buy their oil and gas from Moscow. Russian finance minister Anton Siluanov would have to tell Putin that the special military operation was no longer affordable.

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Currently the Russian cost of living index is high, but Russians have found it bearable. Any further heightening would spell danger for the Kremlin. But Donald suddenly lost his militancy when he met Vladimir at the airport and invited him to join him on the backseat of The Beast  the armoured Cadillac that usually carries only the US president.

In Anchorage, Trump appeared to fall, not for the first time, for Putins charm. Putin learned his skills at a KGB training school where one of the textbooks  believe it or not  was Dale Carnegies How to Make Friends and Influence People.

At the press conference, as his heralded super-deal to end the Ukraine war tumbled to the floor, Trumps morale appeared punctured. This is no surprise after weeks when he insisted that a speedy agreement on land swaps was available for a permanent peace.

In a Fox TV interview immediately after the summit, however, he suggested that it is no longer his but rather Zelenskys task to negotiate such a deal.

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He did not say how Zelensky might do this without capitulating to Russian terms and ending his own presidency because Ukraine, for all its defects, is a democracy, and Ukrainians agree that national surrender should not be an option for their rulers. Putins invasion has reinforced, not undermined, this resolve.

As Zelensky has pointed out, Ukraines sovereignty and its protection are a vital interest for all of Europe. Some commentators in the West still blame the United States for over-expanding Nato membership. They fail to understand that the ex-communist countries of Eastern Europe banged on Washingtons door throughout the 1990s to allow them to join the alliance.

They rightly assumed, from their experience at the USSRs hands, that Russia had not necessarily lost its imperial instincts. They needed to secure their defences in case there was a resurgence of Russian power. When the price of oil rose on world markets in the early 2000s, Russias ambitions grew with its financial revenues.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are thankful that they made it into Nato before Putin could do to them what he has done to Ukraine. But as was shown in 2007 by the cyber-attack on Estonias entire IT network, Russia continues to regard Baltic states as potential prey.

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Were Ukraine to drown in the current wave of Russian offensives it would not be long before moves were made against other countries along the Baltic littoral.

Donald Trump has handed over to Zelensky the responsibility for dealing with Moscow. Earlier this year he and vice-president JD Vance were personally offensive to Zelensky at a live TV session in the White House when war leader Zelensky was even criticised for wearing military fatigues rather than a suit and tie. American supplies of war-fighting equipment have always been crucial in enabling the Ukrainians to defend themselves.

But Trump has sometimes turned off the tap, and it now has to be kept open by the European powers which buy arms from the United States for transfer to Ukraine. The concern must be that the White House might decide to suspend even this arrangement.

What, though, does Trump now expect of Zelensky? Will he demand agreement to so-called land swaps as the price for any kind of support from America? And will the American president continue circling in orbit around Planet Putin?

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The answer will not depend solely on Trumps preferences. As the first editions of Russian press told the summit story on Saturday morning, the Alaska talks were a victory for Putin.

Without promising a ceasefire, Russia was beckoned back into the comity of the worlds great powers. Until now Trump has received an easy ride from the conservative end of the American media spectrum. But Americans are patriots first and foremost  how long will they put up with the master of the deal, who has the pack of cards in his grasp, dealing with them so ineptly?

Public opinion in the United States does not favour presidential losers  one of Trumps favourite words of abuse  when they permit the public humiliation of American power and prestige.

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Pundits  including some from Fox News  believed U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to be steamrolled by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the world leaders summit in Alaska.

The highly anticipated meeting in Anchorage on Friday ended after around three hours with little clarity. Both leaders suggested progress had been made on talks about the future of the war in Ukraine but neither disclosed details during their joint appearance in front of the worlds press where neither took questions from journalists.

Putin spoke first, an atypical move for statements with the U.S. president on U.S. soil, touting the agreement that we've reached together.

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While Trump called the meeting extremely productive and said the pair made great progress, he emphasized no agreement had been reached: Theres no deal until theres a deal.

Former government officials and commentators seemed to overwhelmingly agree that Putin walked away from the meeting triumphant.

Pundits overwhelmingly believe President Donald Trump was steamrolled by with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the pair met during a high stakes meeting in Alaska (REUTERS)

John Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser during his first administration, told CNN that Putin came off victorious: "Trump did not lose but Putin clearly won.

Putin achieved most of what he wanted and Trump achieved very little, he told the network.

Bolton then said Trump looked drained: I thought Trump looked very tired up there. I mean, very tired. Not disappointed, tired."

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California Governor Gavin Newsom also remarked on Trumps energy levels on X, writing in a style that hes been using recently to troll the U.S. president. TRUMP JUST FLED THE PODIUM WITH PUTIN  NO QUESTIONS, NOTHING! TOTAL LOW ENERGY. THE MAN LOOKED LIKE HED JUST EATEN 3 BUCKETS OF KFC WITH VLAD, the governor wrote.

MSNBC host Jen Psaki, who is the former White House Press Secretary for Joe Biden, said the meeting similarly appeared to be a big victory for Putin, who was greeted warmly in Alaska by Trump.

For a decade now, Vladimir Putin has been isolated on the world stage, Psaki said, noting Russias ousting from the G8 in 2014 and the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant for Putin in 2023. Today that isolation ended and he was welcomed back on U.S. soil.

She added: "That is the big victory for Vladimir Putin today.

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Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, who was reporting from Anchorage, said the Russian president steamrolled his U.S. counterpart.

The way that it felt in the room was not good. It did not seem like things went well. And it seemed like Putin came in and steamrolled, got right into what he wanted to say and got his photo next to the president and then left, Heinrich said.

Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin when he arrived in Alaska, giving the Russian leader a warm welcome on U.S. soil (REUTERS)

Michael McFaul, the former U.S. Ambassador to Russia under Barack Obama, told MSNBC that the meeting outcome was unfavorable to both Ukraine and America: Even the most minimal, minimal outcome, which is agreement to a trilateral meeting with Presidents Zelensky, Putin and Trump, was not announced today. So there was no outcome that was good for the Ukrainian people. But I want to say this was bad for the American people.

He believed the meeting showed the U.S. normalizing imperialism, terrorism, annexation, and dictatorship, he said. America has "always been the leader of the free world. It certainly didnt feel that way tonight.

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Despite the criticism, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity on Friday evening that on a scale of 1 to 10, the president believed the meeting was a 10.

NewsNation host Leland Vittert said he believed Putin "rolled over" in the pairs speech to press and did everything to ingratiate himself to Trump. Vittert said its unclear whether Putin did the same during negotiations.

The Russian president used endearing terms including calling the U.S. a dear neighbor.

Putin also echoed one of Trumps oft-repeated claims, suggesting that the war in Ukraine would not have started if Trump had remained in office after the 2020 election.

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Earlier in the day, Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin, greeting him warmly before they hopped into the U.S. presidents armored stretch vehicle, known as The Beast.

Fox News host Laura Ingraham similarly defended the U.S. president. Anyone saying that the Trump- Putin meeting was a failure is ignorant, biased or both, she wrote on X. Dealing with the Russians, forging peace, requires strength, knowledge, respect and patienceand thats what we saw from Donald Trump today. This was a step forward.

At the end of the meeting, the Russian leader proposed the pair have their next meeting in Moscow.

Thats an interesting one, Ill get a little heat on that one, Trump replied. But I could see it possibly happening.
In Alaska, President Vladimir Putin walked on a red carpet, shook hands and exchanged smiles with his American counterpart. Donald Trump ended the summit praising their relationship and calling Russia a big power ... No. 2 in the world, albeit admitting they didn't reach a deal on ending the war in Ukraine.

By Saturday morning Moscow time, Trump appeared to have abandoned the idea of a ceasefire as a step toward peace  something he and Ukraine had pushed for months - in favor of pursuing a full-fledged Peace Agreement" to end the war, echoing a long-held Kremlin position. The severe consequences he threatened against Moscow for continuing hostilities were nowhere in sight. On Ukraine's battlefields, Russian troops slowly grinded on, with time on their side.

The hastily arranged Alaska summit produced nothing for Mr. Trump and gave Mr. Putin most of what he was looking for, said Laurie Bristow, a former British ambassador to Russia.

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The summit spectacle

Putins visit to Alaska was his first to the United States in 10 years and his first to a Western country since invading Ukraine in 2022 and plunging U.S.-Russia relations to the lowest point since the Cold War. Crippling sanctions followed, along with efforts to shun Russia on the global stage.

The International Criminal Court in 2023 issued an arrest warrant for Putin on accusations of war crimes, casting a shadow on his foreign trips and contacts with other world leaders.

Trumps return to the White House appeared to upend all that. He warmly greeted Putin, even clapping for him, on a red carpet as U.S. warplanes flew overhead as the world watched.

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The overflight was both a show of power and a gesture of welcome from the U.S. president to the Kremlin leader, shown off to a friend, said retired Col. Peer de Jong, a former aide to two French presidents and author of Putin, Lord of War.

Russian officials and media revelled in the images of the pomp-filled reception Putin received in Alaska, which pro-Kremlin tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda described as signalling utmost respect. It called the meeting a huge diplomatic victory for Putin, whose forces will have time to make more territorial gains.

The reception contrasted starkly with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's March visit to the Oval Office, where Trump treated him like a representative of a rogue state, said Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of the German parliament.

Putin has broken out of international isolation, returning to the world stage as one of two global leaders and wasnt in the least challenged by Trump, who ignored the arrest warrant for Putin from the ICC, Bristow told The Associated Press.

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For Putin, mission accomplished

Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war, said Neil Melvin, director of international security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute. He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished.

In recent months, Trump has pressed for a ceasefire, something Ukraine and its allies supported and insisted was a prerequisite for any peace talks. The Kremlin has pushed back, however, arguing it's not interested in a temporary truce - only in a long-term peace agreement.

Moscows official demands for peace so far have remained nonstarter for Kyiv: It wants Ukraine to cede four regions that Russia only partially occupies, along with the Crimean Peninsula, illegally annexed in 2014. Ukraine also must renounce its bid to join NATO and shrink its military, the Kremlin says.

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After Alaska, Trump appeared to echo the Kremlins position on a ceasefire, posting on social media that after he spoke to Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

In a statement after the Trump call, the European leaders did not address whether a peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire.

The summit took place a week after a deadline Trump gave the Kremlin to stop the war or face additional sanctions on its exports of oil in the form of secondary tariffs on countries buying it.

Trump already imposed those tariffs on India, and if applied to others, Russian revenues would probably be impacted very badly and very quickly, said Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory Ltd. consultancy.

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In the days before Alaska, Trump also threatened unspecified very severe consequences if Putin does not agree to stop the war. But whether those consequences will materialize remains unclear. Asked about that in a post-summit interview with Fox News Channel, Trump said he doesnt need to think about that right now, and suggested he might revisit the idea in two weeks or three weeks or something.

More pressure on Ukraine

In a statement after the summit, Putin claimed the two leaders had hammered out an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress. But Trump said theres no deal until theres a deal.

In his Fox interview, Trump insisted the onus going forward might be on Zelenskyy to get it done, but said there would also be some involvement from European nations.

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Zelenskyy will meet Trump at the White House on Monday. Both raised the possibility of a trilateral summit with Putin, but Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said it wasnt discussed in Alaska. The Kremlin has long maintained that Putin would only meet Zelenskyy in the final stages of peace talks.

Trump now appears to be shifting responsibility towards Kyiv and Europe, while still keeping a role for himself, Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Center wrote on X.

Fiona Hill, a senior adviser on Russia to Trump during his first administration, told AP that he has met his match because Putin is a much bigger bully.

Trump wants to be the negotiator of a big real estate deal between Russia and Ukraine, she said, but in his mind he can apply real pressure only to one side  Kyiv.

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Hill said she expects Trump to tell Zelenskyy that youre really going to have to make a deal with Putin because Trump wants the conflict off his plate and is not prepared to put pressure on the Russian president.

Far from the summit venue and its backdrop saying Pursuing Peace, Russia continued to bombard Ukraine and make incremental advances on the over 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) front.

Russia fired a ballistic missile and 85 drones overnight. Ukraine shot down or intercepted 61 drones, its air force said. Front-line areas of Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Chernihiv were attacked.

Russias Defense Ministry said it had taken control of the village of Kolodyazi in the Donetsk region, along with Vorone in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Ukraine did not comment on the claims. Russian forces are closing in on the strongholds of Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2022 but still only partially controls.

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Unless Mr. Putin is absolutely convinced that he cannot win militarily, the fighting is not going to stop," said Bristow, the former ambassador. "Thats the big takeaway from the Anchorage summit.

___

Associated Press writers John Leicester in Paris and Elise Morton and Pan Pylas in London contributed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a short response to reporters questions about his invasion of Ukraine during his summit withPresident Donald Trump in Alaska.

As the pair met in Alaska, MSNBC reported that journalists shouted various questions at Putin about the invasion of Ukraine and his talks with the president, including, How can President Trump trust you?

The translator told MSNBC that Putin responded with a dismissive three word response: Let it go, let it go.

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Putin and Trump met for nearly three hours on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage to discuss Russias war on Ukraine, which began more than three years ago. The pair announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach a ceasefire agreement.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. In response to reporters questions about his invasion of Ukraine and his meeting with Trump, Putin responded, let it go (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Before the meeting, Trump told Fox News that he wont be happy walking away without some form of a ceasefire. The president then changed course early Saturday morning, writing on Truth Social that he will now advocate for a peace agreement, rather than a ceasefire.

Trump greeted Putin on a red carpet at the military base on Friday afternoon. Putin, in a surprise move, didnt ride to the base in his own limousine. Instead, he rode with Trump inside his armored vehicle known as The Beast. There, the pair had a chance to talk privately en route to the summit.

Trump was originally set to have a one-on-one meeting with Putin, but they instead held a three-on-three discussion. Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and aide Yuri Ushakov joined Putin.

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Putin and Trump both appeared optimistic after their meeting. Trump noted that there were many points that we agreed on, but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there.

We've made some headway, Trump said Friday. So there's no deal until there's a deal. I will call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And I'll, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.

Trump and Putin speak after their summit in Alaska on Friday. The pair appeared optimistic despite not reaching an agreement (Getty Images)

Putin described Ukraine, which he ordered a full-scale invasion of in February 2022, as Russias brotherly nation in his statement following the talks.

I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well, Putin said, via a translator. Naturally we are prepared to work on that, I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.

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Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to arrive in Washington, D.C. on Monday to meet with Trump himself. Trump told Fox News on Friday he would advise Zelensky that he has gotta make a deal with Russia.

Russias a very big power, Trump added. And theyre not.

Trump insisted on Truth Social on Saturday that the talks went well, including a debrief afterwards with Zelensky and other European leaders, as he argued that a peace agreement rather than a ceasefire was the preferred response.

The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO, Trump wrote.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Credit - Andrew CaballeroAFP via Getty Images

Imagine sitting in a cafe or a foxhole or a government office in Ukraine on Friday, watching those first scenes in Anchorage.

There was Russian President Vladimir Putin, the man who had twice ordered an invasion of their country and been indicted for war crimes, taking his first steps on American soil in nearly a decadeon a red carpet.

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There were the two leadersPutin and President Donald Trumpshaking hands and grinning as American warplanes, including a B-2 bomber, flew over them in formation. And then they were ducking into the Beast, the U.S. presidential limousine, for a private ride to the summit venue.

It was a welcome tailored for a close friend, not a war criminal, and it had to have looked to Ukrainians like their worst nightmare  a total sellout. Surely the Russian dictator had already won.

Read more: Trump Calls for Full Deal to End Ukraine War in Major Shift Following Putin Summit

But if those were the tea leaves, the early signs, what followed (or didnt follow) will have soothed anxietiessomewhat. The talks ended hours earlier than expected. There was no joint press conference. And while both leaders tried to put a positive public spin on their talks, there was, as Trump himself put it, no deal.

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Many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left, Trump said, but the rosy, feel-good nature of the arrival ceremony was gone. Theres no deal until theres a deal.

For his part, Putin had shown no willingness to shift course, reverting to complaints about fundamental threats to our security and the need to eliminate all of the primary causes of the conflict, which have been code since February 2022 for Putins idea that his invasion was justified by grievances and warped claims about Russias rightful place in the world.

Who won?

So who won at Anchorage? We may not know for some time. But the day brought some surprises.

Putin came to Alaska seeking to deepen a divide between the U.S. and its allies. He brought top economic aides to the summit, hoping to discuss a broader U.S.-Russia agenda, including a normalization of diplomatic and business relations. But that broader dialogue never happened, and Trump said it wouldnt happen until we get the war settled.

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That said, Putin could claim three major wins after his Alaska visit.

The first was an agreement from Trump to abandon ceasefire talks and move directly to negotiations for a broader settlement. That mirrored a longstanding Putin demand and represented a 180-degree turn for Trump, who said this week that a ceasefire had to come first  and that Putin would face severe consequences if he didnt agree to one.

The second win for Putin was what didnt happen. He left Anchorage facing no consequencesnone of the secondary sanctions Trump had threatened, and no new deadlines for a ceasefire.

Perhaps the most important win was the glow of that red-carpet welcome. It was a remarkable form of global rehabilitation for the Russian leader. Russian state TV aired glowing reports of the arrival ceremony. Dmitri Medvedev, the former Russian president who has issued regular anti-U.S. diatribes over the years, called Friday's summit calm, without ultimatums and threats, and said that Trump had abandoned the escalation of pressure on Russia.

When no deal is good news

For Ukraine, meanwhile, no deal wasnt a bad outcome.

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The runup to Anchorage had featured an almost nonstop Ukrainian diplomatic effort to ensure that Trump wouldnt sell out their country to Putin. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined a remote summit of European leaders on Wednesday that was chaired by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after which Merz said, cryptically, that Trump had largely shared the Europeans views. That left everyone wondering what was meant by largelyand Anchorage brought some answers. Trump abandoned the Europeans ceasefire-first approach, but remained on board with another core principle: Ukraine must be heard.

The good news for Kyiv was that there was no forced land swap or other Trump-Putin plan announced in Alaska. Trump called Zelensky on his way home  a conversation that the Ukrainian leader called long and substantive  and invited him to the White House on Monday. That was a positive development as well.

As for Trump himself, the obvious takeaway is that he didnt get the ceasefire he was expecting. Beyond that, its hard to say, in part because his administration has yet to articulate a policy or strategy towards Ukraine or Russia beyond the desire for peace and a warming of U.S.-Russia relations. The meeting was a 10 in the sense that we got along great, Trump told Sean Hannity after the summit. He didnt offer a grade for the substance.

US President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the end of a joint media appearance after participating in a summit on Ukraine in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Al DragoBloomberg via Getty Images

Ukrainians and their supporters will still worry that Trump wants a grand global peace deal  and that he has no qualms about coddling a war criminal to get one. To date, the man who promised repeatedly to end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine (the latter in 24 hours) has nothing to show for his efforts, despite a series of concessions to Moscow.

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Ukrainian anxieties werent soothed in the runup to Anchorage, when Trump went out of his way to hail Russias victories against Napoleon and Hitler, and then called and praised President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, perhaps Putins closest ally.

But in the end, when the deal or no deal moment came in Anchorage, Trump said no. At least for now. Perhaps the exhortations of the Ukrainian and other European leaders had resonated. Or perhaps this was a reprise of Trumps rare diatribe last month: We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth, he said then. Had Trump called BS on Putin in Alaska? Doubtful. But we dont yet know.

What comes next?

Mondays Zelensky White House visit  and the surrounding atmospherics and post-meeting statements  will say a lot about the way forward. Trump may yet wash his hands of the war, if the two leaders  Putin especially  frustrate his efforts. If Trump chooses to stay engaged, he may at some point have to inflict pain on Putin, or at least the prospect of pain, to win concessions. Policymakers and analysts on both sides of the Atlantic have urged a range of levers the White House might useamong them, signing the Senates Russia sanctions bill, reopening the weapons spigot to Ukraine and removing targeting restrictions on Ukraines use of U.S.-supplied weapons.

To date, Trump has shown no inclination to take such steps. The question may be just how badly he wants to get credit for ending the war.

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It may seem strange  or insane, even  to speak about a Nobel Peace Prize for Donald Trump, especially in the wake of a summit that achieved no peace. But its worth noting that Trump has long been obsessed with the prize, as Le Monde wrote recently, and its not far-fetched to imagine that his obsession will persuade him to keep pushing for a Ukraine agreement. A half dozen countries have recognized this and recommended a Nobel for Trump as a supreme form of flattery  Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added the flourish of hand-delivering his nomination to the President. Just last month, Trump himself cold-called the Norwegian finance minister last month to discuss the prize, the newspaper Dagens Nringsliv reported.

Earlier this year, when the idea of a Trump-Putin summit was first broached, I asked several former U.S. diplomats and intelligence officials how they might counsel the president before a Putin summit.

Read more: Why Trumps Summit in Alaska Cannot End Putins War in Ukraine

I thought on Friday about one of those conversationswith John McLaughlin, a former acting director of the CIA, who told me that while he generally supported the idea of American presidents meeting with adversaries to advance the cause of peace, Putin represented a special case.

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Hes not just an adversary, McLaughlin said. We're talking about this as though Putin's just another senior bad guy we may meet with, but we really have to say, at the end of the day, he broke all the rules. He's an indicted war criminal. He's not the normal bad leader  he's a pariah.

McLaughlin offered several suggestions: that Trump make clear demands of the Russian leader in exchange for the gift of a summit; that he go in with total alignment with our NATO allies; above all, he counseled the president to know in advance what you want at the end.

Putin will not come in improvisationally, McLaughlin said. So Trump would have to know, very clearly, what do I want at the end of this?

On the day after the summit, its hard to avoid the conclusion that Trump came to Anchorage improvisationally, to use McLaughlins word. We will know soon whether his approach yielded anything. The fear is that history will judge the Alaska meeting much as it has judged Trumps summits in 2018 and 2019 with the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Unheavy on theatrics and promises and warm words for a brutal dictator, and beyond all that, no progress at all.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Donald Trumps embrace of Russias Vladimir Putin on Friday has European leaders anxious that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wont get the same friendly treatment. And theyre taking action to bolster Kyivs chances.

Plans are in the works to send at least one of Trumps favorite interlocutors, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, along with Zelenskyy when he comes to Washington Monday to meet with Trump, according to two European diplomats and a person familiar with the matter. The idea is that Stubb can help prevent any flare-ups between Trump and Zelenskyy and convince the U.S. president to include Europe in any further talks.

Trumps meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday failed to deliver any breakthroughs and left the road ahead uncertain. Trump said he will meet Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday and then would try to bring the Ukrainian and Russian leaders together to work toward a peace agreement.

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Europe and Ukraine see Mondays summit as key to making sure that Trump does not accede to demands from Putin that they find unacceptable, such as ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia that Moscow has only partially taken control of.

Ukraines European allies are also keen to avoid another ambush of Zelenskyy that could upend ties in this delicate moment. A disastrous White House meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in February set the relationship back for months.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte  who has cultivated a close relationship with Trump  may also make the trip to Washington, according to one person familiar with the matter.

Diplomats, European officials and people familiar with the negotiations were all granted anonymity so they could speak candidly and share details about tense international deliberations ahead of Mondays Zelenskyy meeting in the Oval Office.

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Trump said that he would meet first with Zelenskyy on Monday and then would look to bring Putin and the Ukrainian leader together for a trilateral session. Putin has so far rejected meeting with Zelenskyy and he gave no indication on Friday he had changed that position.

It is clear that the outcome of the Alaska summit has risen concerns in Europe, as Trump seems to have bought a large portion of Putins argument, said Camille Grand, a former top NATO official who has been in touch with senior European officials involved.

Trump has abandoned his threat of immediate sanctions on Russia should the meeting not yield a breakthrough and shifted away from seeking an immediate ceasefire to a comprehensive deal, adopting language close to Putins to talk about the end to the fighting. The meeting is not viewed as a total disaster, but Europeans are definitely worried about the direction of travel, added Grand, now a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Hence the effort to avoid another drama during Zelenskyys upcoming visit.

While publicly Europe and Ukraine have appeared upbeat, privately officials were wary of Putins red carpet welcome back to the West, where he secured the veneer of global legitimacy without making the kind of gestures toward peace the U.S., Europe and Ukraine have sought.

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Worries have been there all the way this year, and yesterday's meeting did not really help, a European official said.

Trumps position on the war has yo-yoed in recent weeks. While he had for months blamed Ukraine for the conflict, he had been more critical of Putin and Russia in the lead-up to the summit. He even said Putin would face severe consequences, if he did not agree to stop the war after Fridays gathering.

But after several hours of meetings with Putin in Alaska, Trump backtracked on a demand for an immediate ceasefire, again said it would be up to Ukraine to end the fighting and advised Kyiv to take the deal, without specifying what Putin had suggested.

Trump said after the summit that he negotiated with Putin over land swaps but declined to provide more details.

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The White House declined to comment on the conversation with Putin or plans for the Zelenskyy meeting beyond pointing to Trump's social media post announcing the Monday sit-down and a desire for a peace agreement.

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday will lead a teleconference among the coalition of the willing  countries that have indicated they will provide troops and other support to Ukraine at the end of the war, according to a European official.

Ahead of the summit, Trump said he supported some American role in providing security guarantees  some form of assurance or support from Washington to deter Russia from attacking again after a peace deal is agreed. Nordic and Baltic leaders welcomed those commitments again after Trump spoke with European officials late Friday.

While Trump did much more than usual to consult with Europe in the lead-up to the summit with Putin and after, the frequent contact does not seem to have yielded tangible results. European officials are relieved that Trump did not agree to a deal with Putin but disappointed that the threat of steep secondary tariffs targeting third countries buying Russian oil was tabled.

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They want to try to influence the negotiation process as much as possible, because they know Trump really wants to do it this way, and they don't want to leave the initiative to Putin, said Giuseppe Spatafora, a former NATO official who is now a research analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies. In general, the Europeans talk much more often to Trump than during the first 100 days, which is good. They have influence. But it's limited.

Zelenskyys last visit to the Oval Office in February quickly went off the rails when Vice President JD Vance and later Trump both lectured him for not being grateful enough for American support and overplaying what they said was a weak diplomatic position. Zelenskyys decision to wear a black polo, black pants and boots rather than a suit further soured the atmosphere.

But Trump and Zelenskyy have been on better terms in recent meetings, as Kyivs allies sought to improve the relationship and Trumps frustration with Putin mounted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the graves of Soviet soldiers in the city of Anchorage before departing from Friday's summit in the US state of Alaska.

He laid red roses at the white stone crosses in the Fort Richardson National Cemetery. Among those buried there are Soviet pilots who lost their lives during World War II while ferrying US aircraft for the allied Soviet Union.

During his press appearance with US President Donald Trump, Putin expressed gratitude for the well-maintained state of the military cemetery. He said that the memory of the fight against common enemies could help to reconnect under difficult conditions now.

Russian Orthodox Christians in Alaska

Putin also spoke with the archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska and gifted him two icons, Russian news agencies reported.

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Alaska was a Russian colony before the tsarist empire sold the remote territory to the United States in 1867.

According to Russian media, Putin's stay on US soil lasted about five hours.

Trump and Putin stated that they mainly discussed the war in Ukraine, but they did not disclose the outcomes of their discussions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately opened and read a letter from First Lady Melania Trump at an Alaska summit focused on the war in Ukraine, according to a new report.

The letter on the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia was hand-delivered by President Donald Trump to Putin, who read it in front of both delegations, Fox News reported, citing White House officials. The Independent has requested comment from the White House.

Trump met with Putin for nearly three hours Friday at a U.S. military base in Anchorage. In their first meeting in six years the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine. Trump has pushed for peace in the region but no ceasefire deal came out of the talks.

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Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia, wrote Putin a letter that mentioned the abductions of children over the course of the war, two White House officials told Reuters. The first lady did not travel to Alaska with the U.S. delegation.

While the exact number of missing children remains unclear, the Institute for the Study of War reported in March that Ukraine verified nearly 19,500 children have been deported by Russia. But the research non-profit said: The true figure is likely to be much higher because Russia frequently targets vulnerable children without anyone to speak for them.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US First Lady Melania Trump shake hands in Hamburg, Germany in 2017. The First Lady sent Putin a letter, which he read immediately, according to White House officials, during President Donald Trumps summit in Alaska with the Russian leader (EPA)

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of the war crimes of unlawfully deporting children and unlawfully transferring them from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the questions raised by the ICC outrageous and unacceptable, Reuters reported at the time. He also mentioned Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the court, so any decisions of this kind are null and void for the country.

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Prior to Fridays summit, Trump had spoken on the phone with Putin on several occasions, but it didnt seem to move the needle on the war in Ukraine. In recent months, Trump grew more frustrated with the Russian leader, as he continued his military campaign in Ukraine.

The First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, looks on as President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, greet each other before a face-to-face meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018. (AP)

US President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15 ((Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images))

Last month, Trump talked about the first lady reminding him of the deadly toll of Russias bombardments on Ukraine.

I go home, I tell the first lady, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation. And she says, Oh really, another city was just hit, he said from the Oval Office.

During a joint speech to reporters Friday, where neither leader took questions, Trump called his meeting with Putin very productive.

Later in a Fox News interview with host Sean Hannity, Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was notably not invited to the summit, to make a deal with Putin. Trump is set to meet with Zelensky at the White House Monday.
The New York Times has reported that during his talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, Russian leader Vladimir Putin insisted on guarantees for official recognition of the Russian language in Ukraine and protection for Russian Orthodox churches. Putin has so far refused to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: The New York Times, citing two senior European officials

Quote: "Mr Putin also asked for guarantees for Russian to become an official language again in Ukraine and security for Russian Orthodox churches, the officials said."

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Details: According to the unnamed officials, Trump said he hopes to hold a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy, but Putin has "so far refused to meet with Mr Zelenskyy, considering him an illegitimate president of an artificial country".

The NYT reported that Trump abandoned his demand for an immediate ceasefire after his meeting with Putin and now believes a peace treaty could be quickly reached if Zelenskyy agrees to cede the still-unoccupied areas of Donbas to Russia.

In return, Putin proposed a ceasefire across the rest of Ukraine along current front lines and a promise in writing never again to attack Ukraine or any European country, the officials said. The sources warned Trump, however, that Putin has frequently violated his written commitments.

The newspaper notes that Zelenskyy and European leaders are strongly opposed to any concession of unoccupied Donbas territory, which also contains key defensive positions and is rich in mineral resources. Ukrainian officials have emphasised that any final agreement cannot include Kyiv consenting to permanently cede sovereign land, as this would violate the Constitution.

Background:

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During the Aug. 15 Alaska Summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined a peace plan that would involve Ukraine ceding unoccupied territory in exchange for Moscow's written promise not to invade again, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Aug. 16, citing European officials.

Trump appeared to endorse this plan as the fastest way to a peace deal, the officials said.

Trump and Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska on Aug. 15 to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Prior to the meeting, Trump threatened to impose economic penalties if Putin didn't accept a ceasefire deal during their talks. After their three-hour conversation, Trump dropped both the ceasefire demand and the sanctions threat.

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According to officials briefed on the call Trump held with European leaders after the summit, the U.S. president favors a rapid peace deal over an immediate ceasefire and believes that if Kyiv withdraws entirely from the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine  including currently unoccupied lands  an agreement can be reached.

In exchange for Ukraine's withdrawal, Putin would offer to freeze the war along the current front lines and provide a written promise not to attack Ukraine or a European country again, an official said.

Map of Russian-occupied Ukrainian lands as of April, 2025. (The Kyiv Independent)

Putin also asked that Russian again be named an official language in Ukraine.

Trump publicly expressed his preference for a comprehensive deal over a ceasefire in a TruthSocial post, reversing his previous position  which aligned with Ukraine and its European allies. In the post, he claimed that European, NATO, and Ukrainian officials agreed with this view.

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"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times does not hold up," he wrote on Truth Social after the call with European and NATO leaders.

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Ukraine has called for a complete ceasefire as a precondition of further negotiations with Russia.

As Russian aerial attacks grow more deadly and ground offensives more intense, the failure to demand a ceasefire allows Moscow to drag out negotiations while achieving its battlefield aims and degrading Ukraine's defenses.

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Kyiv has also rejected Russia's demands for concessions of unoccupied Ukrainian lands as a nonstarter in peace negotiations.

President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Trump and European leaders at the White House on Aug. 18. Trump also hopes to arrange trilateral talks with Zelensky, Putin, and himself.

Read also: No ceasefire, possible land swaps, vague security guarantees: Everything we know following Trumps meeting with Putin

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No one should be surprised by the failure of the summit in Alaska. Putin turned up, got what he wanted and left. To be fair to the Russian president, he has been consistent all along. His demands on Ukraine have not changed one bit, and he came to the summit in the firm belief that he had nothing to lose by conceding not an inch.

Donald Trump has been consistently weak on consequences for Russia. Deadline after deadline has passed and still there are no significant sanctions on the Kremlin or increases in support for Ukraine. Putin played Trump like an agent handler plays an asset.

Red carpet, salutes, side business deals; marginalising Europe and Volodymyr Zelensky. The was the buddy buddy routine. No doubt the mercenary rebel Prigozhin was given the chum treatment before his jet fell out of the sky. The loser in all of this?

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Well, firstly it is Pax Americana. All the values and alliances that have given strength to us all since 1945 have been weakened by Friday. A war criminal gangster is greeted by a red carpet while a brave ally in Zelensky is shouted at in the Oval office.

I suspect Trump will now do what he has always done when he fails: he blames the next guy. Whether in business or politics Trump always blames somebody else. Anybody will do: Biden, Trumps own executives, mainstream media, officials, the US military.

The biggest danger for Ukraine is now Trump may seek to isolate and blame Zelensky for not conceding to Russias demands. He may even develop a secret deal with Putin in the same way he did with the Taliban. We are not helped that Trumps envoy, witless Steve Witkoff, seems hopelessly out of his depth and ignorant about the facts of the conflict.

I suspect the financial end of a deal has already been done. Its just the annoying issue of the war crimes and invasion that seem to be getting in the way. If there is a proposal, I predict that it will be very similar to Russias constant demands  never Nato, No EU, conceding territory, and Ukrainian demilitarisation.

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In exchange Putin might let Ukraine keep a little bit of Kherson or somewhere they already have. All of which is to be guaranteed by the European powers and a lukewarm US. Europe gets to risk its armed forces to protect Putins idea of peace, not Ukraines. Putin can therefore get on and re-arm while we may be forced to police the Ukrainian forces. It is absurd and an affront to those that believe in sovereignty and democracy.

The ball is now in Europes court: we have to live in the world as we find it, not as we wish it. This US administration clearly is not going to change course. And if we want to actually stand up for our beliefs and keep our citizens safe from a Russia that has attacked many of us over the years, then we need to put our money where our mouths are.

We must, for instance, invest substantially in defence instead of using Treasury tricks to artificially inflate the figures. I despair at how, throughout this sorry saga, the West has failed to signpost clear consequences for Russian actions. Thats why Putin could come to the summit and know that he could do what he liked without any reprisals.

This next stage will also be a test for our Prime Minister. Will Keir Starmer continue to appease and flatter Donald Trump? Or will he double down on efforts with fellow European leaders and give Ukraine the tools it needs to further defend itself ? We will find out in the coming days.

Rt Hon Sir Ben Wallace served as Defence Secretary from 2019-2023

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Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has welcomed the upcoming reforms in Goods and Services Tax (GST) as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Red Fort during his Independence Day address to the nation. "On behalf of Indian industry, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) warmly welcomes the Hon'ble Prime Minister's visionary announcement today of next-generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. This landmark step reflects the Government's deep commitment to building a simpler, more transparent, and growth-oriented tax regime that will empower businesses and benefit consumers alike," said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII. The announcement of a high-powered committee to review and recommend comprehensive improvements in the GST framework is both timely and forward-looking. It acknowledges the need for a tax system that keeps pace with India's fast-evolving economy, while ensuring predictability and stability for investors, businesses, and entrepreneurs, said CII. "We particularly commend the Government for incorporating many of the suggestions consistently advocated by CII and industry, such as: moving towards a two-rate structure (in the overall context of converged rates, besides the one for Demerit Goods) to simplify the tax system and eliminate ambiguities. Correcting inverted duty structures, which have hampered competitiveness in key manufacturing sectors. Reducing compliance burden for MSMEs, thereby enabling greater participation of small enterprises in the formal economy. Ensuring predictability and stability in tax rates will provide confidence to both domestic and global investors," CII DG said. "These measures are expected to have a far-reaching positive impact on ease of doing business, reduce costs across value chains, and accelerate the process of formalisation and digitisation of the economy. Importantly, the emphasis on lowering tax rates for essential goods while rationalising higher rates for luxury and sin products reflects a balanced approach of equity and efficiency, benefiting both consumers and the exchequer," the CII DG said. Since its introduction, GST has been a transformative reform, unifying the national market, reducing cascading of taxes, and creating a technology-driven compliance system. With today's announcements, India is poised to enter a GST 2.0 era--streamlined, globally benchmarked, and capable of supporting India's ambition to become a USD 5 trillion economy in the near future. CII further added that it commends the Government for its inclusive and consultative approach, wherein the voices of industry and other stakeholders have been given due weightage in shaping this reform roadmap. We stand ready to work closely with the Ministry of Finance, the GST Council, and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of these landmark reforms, said the CII statement. "CII firmly believes that these measures will further strengthen India's economic foundations, enhance investor confidence, and position the country as one of the world's most competitive and resilient economies", the CII Director General concluded. PM Modi, in his address to the nation, announced that the government will revisit the provisions of GST and reform the structure to ease the common man. After PM's speech, government sources said that the Centre has proposed to scrap the current slab of 12 per cent and 28 per cent of GST rates and keep only 5 per cent and 18 per cent GST rates. They further added that as part of the initiative, 99 per cent of the 12 per cent slab is proposed to move to the 5 per cent slab and 90 per cent of the items in the 28 per cent slab are proposed to move to the 18 per cent slab. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday praised the results of his summit meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska.

"The conversation was very open, rich in content, and, in my opinion, brings us closer to the desired solutions," Putin said ahead of a meeting with representatives of the Russian leadership at the Kremlin, where he intended to elaborate on the details of the summit behind closed doors.

"We have not had direct negotiations of this kind at such a level for a long time," he added, according to the TASS news agency.

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Putin stated that Russia respects the US government's position on the necessity of a swift end to hostilities in Ukraine.

"Well, we would also welcome this and want to resolve all issues by peaceful means," the Russian president said. Since February 2022, however, his troops have been waging a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, controlling nearly one-fifth of the neighbouring country.

The summit in Anchorage did not yield tangible results regarding a quick peace solution. Russia also remains visibly unwilling to abandon its maximalist demands.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said that his talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska "bring us closer to the necessary decisions". Putin claimed that Russia wants a swift end to the hostilities, but he is insisting on addressing what he calls the "root causes" of the war.

Source: Putin at a briefing following his trip to the US, an excerpt from which has been released by the Kremlin press service

Details: Putin described the visit to Alaska as "timely and very useful".

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He said he and Trump had discussed "almost all areas" of bilateral relations, but above all, the "possible resolution of the Ukrainian crisis [Russias war against Ukraine  ed.] on a just basis".

According to Putin, the meeting touched upon "the genesis, the causes of this crisis, and it is the eradication of these root causes that must serve as the foundation of a settlement".

The Kremlin ruler claimed that he had set out his position to Trump "calmly and in detail". He also insisted that Russia supposedly wants a rapid end to the hostilities.

"We naturally respect the position of the US administration, which sees the need for the swiftest possible end to the hostilities. We also would like to see this, and we hope to move towards resolving all issues through peaceful means," he said.

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Putin added that in his view, the talks with Trump will bring the sides "closer to the necessary decisions".

Background:

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US President Donald Trump has informed European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is still demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in Ukraine's east.

Source: Bloomberg, citing sources

Quote: "Trump said on the call that while its up to Ukraine to decide on what to do with its territory, Putins stance hasnt changed  he still wants Kyiv to cede control of the entire Donbas region in Ukraines east."

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Details: Bloombergs sources said Russia is prepared to drop its claims to the areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts it does not currently control, effectively freezing the front line.

Trump told the leaders he could help ensure Ukraines security without NATOs involvement and suggested that Putin would agree, the sources said.

Bloomberg also noted that "some European officials are concerned that Trump will now pressure Zelenskyy to make territorial concessions to reach a deal".

Background:

On 16 August, Trump spoke first with Zelenskyy and then European leaders after his talks with Putin. The European Commission has shared details of the conversation.

After the meeting between the US and Russian leaders, Trump said he had reached an agreement with Putin on a territory exchange and that "President Zelenskyy has to agree".

Trump is said to have told Ukraine and European leaders that Putin wanted to immediately discuss the terms of ending the war, not just a pause in hostilities. Trump believes that this would be for the best.

Zelenskyy has said that he will fly to Washington for talks with Trump on Monday 18 August.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin stroked President Donald Trumps ego after echoing his claim that if the Republican had won the 2020 presidential election, there would be no war in Ukraine.

The two leaders emerged after Fridays closed-door talks in Anchorage, Alaska, stretched almost three hours, where they announced that some great progress had been made on ending the war but no ceasefire deal was reached.

During his address, Putin, who spoke first, also took aim at former President Joe Biden in a move that likely pleased Trump.

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I'd like to remind you that in 2022, during the last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague that the situation should not be brought to the point of no return when it would come to hostilities, Putin said, via a translator.

I said it quite directly back then that it's a big mistake, Putin continued. Today, when President Trump [said] that if he was the president back then, there would be no war. And I'm quite sure that it would indeed be so, I can confirm that.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stroked President Donald Trumps ego after echoing his claim that if the Republican had won the 2020 presidential election, there would be no war in Ukraine. (REUTERS)

The claimwhich is impossible to prove or disprove is one Trump has repeated many times since he lost the 2020 presidential election to Biden.

The Ukrainian conflict should never have happened, and would not have happened if I were President, Trump said on Truth Social in 2022.

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Putin never would have gotten into Ukraine if it werent for the incompetence of this administration, this current administration, Trump claimed in May 2023, referring to the Biden administration. Putin was not going in, it was never mentioned and I knew him very well.

The president also bragged that he would end the war in 24 hours.

If I were president, and I say this, I will end that war in one day, it would take 24 hours, Trump said in May 2023. I know Zelensky well, I know Putin well. I would get that ended in a period of 24 hours. It would be easy, that deal would be easy.

Trump greeted Putin warmly at the summit just outside Anchorage at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

The two leaders emerged after Fridays closed-door talks in Anchorage, Alaska, stretched almost three hours, announcing that some great progress had been made on ending the war, but did not reach a deal on a ceasefire. (REUTERS)

In an unusual move, Putin ditched his own Aurus limousine and climbed into the presidents armored stretch vehicle, known as The Beast.

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There were no other aides in the vehicle as Putin and Trump talked one-on-one en route to the base facility for the summit.

Given that the one-on-one summit suddenly emerged as a three-on-three  including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff as well as Russian minister of foreign affairs Sergey Lavrov and Russian policy adviser Yury Ushakova  the car ride was the lone opportunity for the two leaders to be alone together aside from security and the driver.

Speaking after the summit, Putin appeared optimistic about the talks as he said he and Trump had come to agreements and described Ukraine  the sovereign nation he invaded and has been pillaging since March 2022  as Russias brotherly nation.

By contrast, Trump followed in brief comments and said firmly: Theres no deal until theres a deal.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has declared following his meeting with US President Donald Trump that he hopes they can "pave the path towards peace in Ukraine".

Source: Trump and Putins joint press conference

Details: During his speech, Putin once again spoke of a "brotherly nation".

Quote: "Ive said many times that for Russia, the situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our national security. Weve always considered the Ukrainian nation a brotherly nation, however strange it may sound in these circumstances

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So our country is genuinely interested in putting an end to this [the war  ed]. At the same time, we are convinced that in order for the settlement to be lasting and sustainable, we need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict

I agree with President Trump, and he has said this today, that naturally the security of Ukraine must be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to work on that. I would like to hope that the agreement we have reached together will help us bring that goal closer and pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.

We expect Kyiv and European capitals to perceive this constructively and not to create any obstacles or attempt to use back-room dealings and provocations to torpedo the nascent progress."

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he hoped that agreements reached at his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump could be a launchpad for settling the Ukraine conflict and restoring ties between Russia and the U.S.

"I expect that today's agreements will become a reference point, not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also

launch the restoration of business-like, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States," Putin said.

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He said there was enormous potential for the two countries to build a business and investment partnership in areas such as energy, technology and space exploration, and in the Arctic.

"I have every reason to believe that by moving along this path, we can reach an end to the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible," he said at a joint news conference at which the leaders did not take any questions.

Putin, however, did not specify what the two sides had agreed on.

(Reporting by Moscow bureau; Writing by Alexander Marrow and Mark TrevelyanEditing by Andrew Osborn)
(Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region as a condition for ending Russia's war but told U.S. President Donald Trump he could freeze the rest of the frontline if his core demands were met, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.

Putin made the request during his meeting with Trump in Alaska on Friday, the FT said, citing four people with direct knowledge of the talks.

In exchange for the Donetsk region, Putin said he would freeze the frontline in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the report said.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in BengaluruEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
President Trump made his expectations clear entering a summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday: I won't be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire, he said aboard Air Force One.

Yet he did, emerging from their meeting in a diplomatic retreat, endorsing Russias territorial ambitions and adopting Putins position that would put off ceasefire negotiations in favor of more comprehensive talks.

Trump told his European counterparts he had agreed with Putins demand that Ukraine make territorial concessions to end the conflict, a painful prospect for Ukrainians at the heart of the war, a European official told The Times on Saturday.

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Trump also wrote on social media that he would adopt the Kremlin line deferring talks on an imminent ceasefire.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump wrote on social media. "If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved."

It was a remarkable success for Putin, who sees a Russian edge on the battlefield and has put off discussions of a ceasefire for months as Russian forces press their advantage along the Ukrainian front lines.

Putin was greeted on the tarmac of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson with applause and smiles from the American president and offered a ride in his iconic vehicle. After years in isolation over his repeated invasions of Ukraine, facing an indictment from the International Criminal Court over war crimes, a red carpet awaited Putin on U.S. soil.

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Landing in Washington, Trump spoke with Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as the secretary-general of NATO and other European leaders. A follow-up meeting with Zelensky is scheduled for Monday in Washington.

But achieving a peace agreement is an even higher bar than the ceasefire that has eluded the Trump administration in recent months, requiring comprehensive, often protracted negotiations that, in the meantime, will allow Russia to continue its battlefield offensive.

The New York Times first reported details of Trumps conversations with European leaders.

Details of the meeting are still unclear. In Alaska, both men referenced agreements in statements to reporters. But Trump acknowledged the question that matters most  whether Russia is prepared to implement a ceasefire  remains unresolved.

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We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left, Trump said. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

In a follow-up interview on Fox News, Trump said the meeting went well. But well see, he said. You know, you have to get a deal.

Trumps failure to secure a ceasefire from Putin surprised few analysts, who see Putin with the military initiative, pushing forward with offensive incursions along the front, and offering no indication he plans to relent.

The question is whether Putin will be able to sustain Trumps goodwill when the war continues grinding on. On Friday alone, hours before the summit began, Russian forces struck a civilian market in the Ukrainian city of Sumy.

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The Russian delegation left immediately after the press availability, providing no comments to the press corps on how the meetings went behind closed doors. And after sitting down with Fox, Trump promptly left Anchorage for Washington. The White House issued no statements, readouts or fact sheets on the summit. Administration officials fell silent.

Putin is going to have to give Trump some kind of concession so that he is not completely embarrassed, said Darren Kew, dean of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego, probably a pledge of a ceasefire very soon  one of Trump's key demands  followed by a promise to meet the Ukrainians for talks this fall.

Both serve Putin's goals of delay and appeasing Trump, while allowing more time for Russian battlefield victories, Kew added, since ceasefires can easily be broken, and peace talks can drag on for years.

In brief remarks of his own, Putin said that points of agreement reached with Trump would likely face opposition across Europe, including from Ukraine itself, warning continental allies not to torpedo nascent progress in follow-up talks with the White House.

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Read more: Putin and Trump conclude 'productive' summit but provide no details

"I would like to hope that the agreement that we have reached together will help us bring us close to that goal, and will pave the path toward peace in Ukraine, Putin said. "We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively, and that they won't throw a wrench in the works.

It was an acknowledgment that whatever terms agreed upon bilaterally between Putin and Trumps team are almost certainly unacceptable to Ukraine, a party to the conflict that has lost hundreds of thousands of lives fighting Russias invasion since February 2022.

The Financial Times reported Saturday that Putin had demanded Ukraine cede two eastern administrative divisions at the heart of the conflict  Donetsk and Luhansk  in exchange for Moscow agreeing to freeze the rest of the front line.

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Trump told Fox that a Russian takeover of Ukrainian lands was discussed and agreed upon, pending Ukrainian approval  an unlikely prospect given vocal opposition from Zelensky and provisions in the Ukrainian Constitution that prohibit the concession of territory.

Those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed upon, actually. I think weve agreed on a lot, Trump said. I think were pretty close to a deal. Now, look. Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no.

Europe and Ukraine have argued that conceding land to Putin is not enough. After invading Crimea in 2014, and successfully holding it, Putin came back for more territory in the eastern Donbas  only to launch a full-scale invasion of the country in 2022.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said this week that its war aims remain unchanged.

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We're convinced that in order to make the settlement last in the long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict, Putin said, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia, and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe, and in the world on the whole.

The root causes of the conflict, he added, must be resolved.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine after three hours of high-stakes talks in Alaska.

We havent quite got there, but weve made some headway, the US president said.

Mr Trump insisted at a press conference at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage: We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to.

There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

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He did not specify which barriers had been overcome, nor which remained.

It is now up to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, to make peace, he said. Theres no deal until theres a deal.

Putin, who travelled to the US for the first time in a decade, was allowed to open the press conference, saying the war in Ukraine was a tragedy for us and a terrible wound.

He referred to Mr Trump as a dear neighbour with whom he could do business, while the US president said: Ive always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin, with Vladimir.

But the leaders departed the stage after just 12 minutes without taking any questions in a sign that, for all the warm words, little tangible progress had been made.

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Putin, who spoke for twice as long as Mr Trump, also had the last word, suggesting  in English  that the pair would meet next time in Moscow.

Ooh, thats an interesting one, Mr. Trump replied. I dont know. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.

It was an abrupt ending to an otherwise friendly meeting that began when Mr Trump greeted the Russian leader with a smile and an outstretched hand as he disembarked his private aircraft.

The leaders walked down respective red carpets and Mr Trump clapped as the Russian president approached, before they shared a warm embrace.

Mr Trump gave the Russian leader a warm welcome - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP

Standing side by side on the tarmac in front of the travelling press pool, Putin faced a barrage of questions about his war in Ukraine.

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Under the roar of a US military flyover, the Russian leader shrugged and gestured to his ear, suggesting that he could not hear the reporters who asked if he would stop killing Ukrainian civilians.

A B-2 bomber and four F-35 fighter jets flew overhead as Mr Trump greeted Putin - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP

The White House unexpectedly announced that the joint press briefing would go ahead earlier than planned.

Hundreds of journalists crammed into the room, with Russian media on one side and Western journalists on the other.

An expanded bilateral meeting, which had been planned to take place over lunch with the presidents economic advisers, was scrapped.

During his six-hour and 45-minute flight to Alaska, the US president had warned that he would walk if the meeting did not go to plan.

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But after three hours of discussions, he appeared on stage flanked by Putin, whom he referred to at one point as the boss.

Towards the end of the conference, Mr Trump said he would contact Mr Zelensky and other European leaders to discuss the progress of the talks.

I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and of course, call up President Zelensky and tell them about todays meeting. Its ultimately up to them, he said.

Mr Trumps talks with Putin were initially intended to be one-on-one, but the White House announced both leaders would be accompanied by two of their advisers while Mr Trump was mid-flight.

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Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, and Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy who has been credited with bringing Putin to America, flanked the president.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin accompanied by their advisers - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP

Oleksandr Merezhko, the chairman of the Ukrainian parliaments foreign affairs committee, said the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine had proved a failure as Mr Trump failed to secure a ceasefire.

Mr Merezhko told The New York Times that Putin had appeared as an equal to the US leader.

He won the informational war... He used Trump to show that he is not isolated, he said.

Mr Trump also faced criticism from Democrats and US media who accused the president of legitimising Putin and the war with the welcome he afforded him.

Putin was first to speak at the joint press conference following the talks - DREW ANGERER/AFP

While Mr Trump failed to produce any details about a path to peace, The Telegraph on Friday revealed that Britain is poised to put boots on the ground in Ukraine within a week of a ceasefire being declared.

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Plans have been made for hundreds of British military trainers and engineers to enter the country if fighting pauses, to help rebuild Ukraines armed forces.

Sir Keir Starmer has also approved the use of RAF fighter jets to help police the skies over Ukraine with allies to ensure Russia does not breach any truce.

It would mark a significant escalation in Britains role in helping Kyiv see off the Russian threat towards Ukraine, bringing with it risks for those deployed.

European allies, who have been working on the plans for months under a partnership dubbed the coalition of the willing, pushed ahead with renewed urgency this week in anticipation of the summit.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin got everything he could have hoped for in Alaska. President Donald Trump got very little  judging by his own pre-summit metrics.

The question now is whether Trump secured any moderate gains or planted seeds for Ukraines future security if theres an eventual peace deal with Russia that were not immediately obvious after Fridays summit.

And hes left with some searing strategic questions.

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Despite Trumps claim to have made a lot of progress and that the summit was a 10 out of 10, all signs point to a huge win for the Russian autocrat.

Trumps lavish stage production of Putins arrival Friday, with near-simultaneous exits from presidential jets and red-carpet strolls, provided some image rehabilitation for a leader who is a pariah in the rest of the West and who is accused of war crimes in Ukraine.

And by the end of their meeting, Trump had offered a massive concession to his visitor by adopting the Russian position that peace moves should concentrate on a final peace deal  which will likely take months or years to negotiate  rather than a ceasefire to halt the Russian offensive now. As CNNs Nick Paton Walsh pointed out, that just gives Putin more time to grind down Ukraine.

Most importantly, Trump has, at least for now, backed away from threats to impose tough new sanctions on Russia and expand secondary sanctions on the nations that buy its oil and therefore bankroll its war. Hed threatened such measures by a deadline that expired last week out of frustration with Putins intransigence and a growing belief the Russian leader was tapping him along.

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This leverage may have brought Putin to Alaska. But Trump seems to have relaxed it for little in return. Because of what happened today, I think I dont have to think about that now, Trump said in an interview with Fox News after the summit.

Trump briefed European leaders after the summit, telling them that Putin called on Ukraine to yield the roughly a third or so of the Donbas, encompassing the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, that Russia does not currently control. In return, hed offer to freeze the front lines in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, CNNs Kevin Liptak reported, citing European officials. This would force Ukraine into an agonizing dilemma. Some analysts fear such a deal would allow Moscows forces a platform to launch a future attack.

European leaders also said Trump voiced openness to providing US security guarantees for Ukraine once the war ends. This could be significant because the president has yet to commit to US support for any Western-led peace mission in the country.

But he didnt specify what kind of backing hes willing to provide.

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CNNs Kit Maher reported Saturday that multiple European leaders had been invited to a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Monday. It was unclear which of them will attend, but it raises the possibility of a new widening of Trumps peacemaking effort to include US allies. But the Kyiv government will also be on alert for any attempt to pressure it to make concessions to plans that Trump agreed with Putin.

Dueling shows of force

F-35 jets and a B-2 bomber accompany the plane carrying the Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump meeting in Alaska, United States on August 15, 2025. - Fatih Aktas/Anadolu/Getty Images

Fridays meeting began with a B-2 stealth bomber and F-22 fighters roaring overhead in a dramatic moment of US superpower signaling.

But Putin one-upped that symbolism by greeting Trump with the words Good afternoon, dear neighbor, as he leveraged the summits location in Alaska to imply that the two countries had important and immediate mutual interests that should not be disrupted by a distant war in Europe.

For Ukrainians and their European allies  who were shut out of the meeting and whom Trump briefed afterward  there was at least a moment of relief that Trump didnt sell Kyiv out. The fact that a US-Russia land swap plan didnt emerge from Alaska is a win for Europes emergency pre-summit diplomacy.

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Still, Trump hinted that he will pile pressure on Ukraines leader when they meet at the White House on Monday. Its now up to President Zelensky to get it done, Trump told Fox News in the friendly post-summit interview, after refusing to answer questions with Putin in what had been billed as a joint press conference.

Trumps options moving forward

Before the summit, Trump obliterated careful efforts by his staff to lower expectations when he told Fox News, I wont be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire.

President Donald Trump after speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on Friday, August 15, 2025. - Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

The failure to get there is important.

Russia is happy to commit to a detailed peace process with interminable negotiations that would allow it to continue fighting  including in its increasingly successful summer offensive  while it talks. But Ukrainians are desperate for relief from years of Russian drone and missile attacks on civilians as a generation bleeds out on World War I-style battlefields. Peace talks without a ceasefire will leave it open to Russian or US pressure.

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Trumps zeal to work for peace in Ukraine is commendable, even if his repeated public requests for a Nobel Peace Prize raise questions about his ultimate motives. And one upside of the summit is that the US and Russia  the countries with the biggest nuclear arsenals  are talking again.

But the underlying premise of Trumps peacemaking is that the force of his personality and his supposedly unique status as the worlds greatest dealmaker can end wars. That myth is looking very ragged after his long flight home from Alaska.

And by falling short of his own expectations in the Alaska summit, Trump left himself with some tough calculations about what to do next.

 Does he revert to his previous attempts to pressure Ukraine in search of an imposed peace that would validate Putins illegal invasion and legitimize the idea that states can rewrite international borders, thereby reversing a foundation of the post-World War II-era?

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 Or as the dust settles, and he seeks to repair damage to his prestige, does he revert to US pressure and sanctions to try to reset Russian calculations? He at least left open the possibility of sticks rather than carrots in his Fox News interview, saying: I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we dont have to think about that right now.

 Alternatively, Trump could commit to the Russian vision of talks on a final peace agreement. History shows that this would be neither quick nor honored by the Russians over the long term. Hes hoping for a three-way summit between Putin, Zelensky and himself. That would satisfy his craving for spectacle and big made-for-TV events. But after Fridays evidence that Russia doesnt want to end the war, its hard to see how it would create breakthroughs.

 Another possibility is that Trump simply gets discouraged or bored with the details and drudgery of a long-term peace process that lacks big, quick wins he can celebrate with his supporters.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a press conference following their meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. - Jeenah Moon/Reuters

A large part of (Trump) is all about style. Theres not a lot of real enjoyment of getting into the substance of things, Jim Townsend, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy who is now affiliated with the Center for New American Security, said before the summit. He likes the meringue on top. And I think thats how you can be manipulated.

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Trumps style-before-substance strategy clearly backfired in Alaska. Putin appeared far more prepared as Trump winged it. In retrospect, its hard to see what the Russian president offered to US envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin that convinced the administration that the Alaska talks were a good idea.

And Russia is clearly playing on Trumps desire for photo-op moments in the expectation that it can keep him engaged while offering few other concessions.

Trumps Nobel campaign suffered a setback

Trump may remain the best hope for peace in Ukraine. He can speak directly to Putin, unlike Ukraine or its European allies. Ultimately, US power will be needed to guarantee Ukrainian security, since Europeans lack the capacity to do it alone. And the US retains the capability to hurt Russia and Putin with direct and secondary sanctions.

But Trump has to want to do it. And for now he seems back under Putins spell.

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The Russian leaders transparent manipulation of the US president and Trumps credulity will worry Ukraine. On Fox News, Trump said Putin praised his second term, saying the US was as hot as a pistol and he had previously thought the US was dead.

Putin also publicly reinforced Trumps talking point that the invasion three years ago would never have happened if he had been president. Im quite sure that it would indeed be so. I can confirm that, said Putin.

Rescue workers extinguish a fire on a civilian enterprise in the Novobavarskyi district struck by a Russian drone on June 4, 2025, in Kharkiv, Ukraine. - Viacheslav Mavrychev/Suspilne Ukraine/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images

Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity that he was so happy to hear validation from Putin and that the Russian leader had reinforced another one of his false claims, telling him that you cant have a great democracy with mail-in voting. That a US president would take such testimony at face value from a totalitarian strongman is mind-boggling  even more so in the light of US intelligence agency assessments that the Russians interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump win.

Ultimately, events in Alaska drove a hole through a White House claim in a recent statement that Trump is the President of Peace. Trump has touted interventions that cooled hostilities in standoffs between India and Pakistan; Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo; Thailand and Cambodia; and Armenia and Azerbaijan to argue hes forging peace around the globe at an extraordinary clip.

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I seem to have an ability to end them, Trump said on Fox News of these conflicts.

He does deserve credit for effectively using US influence in these efforts, including with the unique cudgel of US trade benefits. He has saved lives, even if the deals are often less comprehensive than meets the eye.

But his failure so far to end the Ukraine war that he pledged would be so easy to fix  along with US complicity in the humanitarian disaster in Gaza  means a legacy as a peacemaker and the Nobel Prize that he craves remain out of reach.

Once, he predicted he could end the Ukraine war in 24 hours. Despite his bluster, a comment on Fox News shows that after Alaska, he has a better understanding of how hard it will be.

I thought this would be the easiest of them all and it was the most difficult.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Around 70 per cent of India's goods exports to the US, equivalent to USD 60.85 billion, are now exposed to the 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US administration, according to an analysis by ICRIER. This represents just 1.56 per cent of GDP and 7.38 per cent of total exports, far from a catastrophe for a USD 3.9 trillion economy. A report by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, titled 'Navigating Trump's Tariff Blow' authored by Ashok Gulati, Sulakshana Rao, and Tanay Suntwal, argued that the impact is heavily concentrated in labour-intensive and high-value sectors such as textiles and apparel, gems and jewellery, auto parts and agricultural products, notably shrimp. "These sectors not only anchor the merchandise exports to the US but also directly affect employment generation and the livelihoods of millions of workers and farmers," the ICRIER report read. The textiles and apparel sector faces a tariff disadvantage of over 30 percentage points compared with competitors like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam, threatening its competitive position in a key export market, the report noted. Gems and jewellery exports, worth USD 11.9 billion, face similar challenges against suppliers such as Turkey, Vietnam, and Thailand. Auto parts, which constitute 3 per cent of India's exports to the US, are also vulnerable. In agriculture, shrimp exports will be worst hit with 50 per cent tariffs higher than those applied to competitors like Ecuador, Indonesia, and Vietnam, in addition to the existing anti-dumping and countervailing duties India faces, the ICRIER authors argued. "These are sectors where buyers can switch sourcing relatively quickly, which gives US importers bargaining power and weakens India's negotiating position," they supplemented. Against this backdrop, ICRIER recommended a three-pronged strategic response. "Firstly, smart negotiations with logic and rationality. Secondly, announce immediate and targeted relief support to hard hit sectors, and last on high priority, diversify our export markets," it summarised its recommendations. "The success of our leaders will be ensuring that short-term disruptions give way to long-term gains, reinforcing India's position as a trusted and indispensable player in the global economy," the abstract of the ICRIER report concluded. Initially, US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India's continued imports of Russian oil. In contrast to India, competitors such as Vietnam (20 per cent), Bangladesh (18 per cent), Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines (19 per cent), and Japan and South Korea (15 per cent) enjoy lower rates, as per reports. However, the new US tariff regime excludes pharmaceuticals, energy products, critical minerals, and semiconductors. Over the past few months, India and the US have been negotiating for an interim trade deal. Still, there are reservations from the Indian side on the US demand for opening up the agricultural and dairy sectors. Agriculture and dairy are critical for India as these two sectors provide livelihood opportunities to a large section of people. India and the US initiated talks for a just, balanced, and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in March this year, aiming to complete the first stage of the Agreement by October-November 2025. US President Donald Trump had imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries with which the US has a trade deficit. Since assuming office for his second term, President Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasising that his administration will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to "ensure fair trade". On April 2, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order for reciprocal tariffs on various trade partners, imposing varied tariffs in the range of 10-50 per cent. He subsequently kept the tariffs in abeyance for 90 days, while imposing a 10 per cent baseline tariff, providing time and space for making trade deals. The deadline was to end on July 9, and the US administration later pushed it to August 1. Faced with tariffs, during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal made a statement in both Houses, affirming that the government is examining the impact of tariffs and will take all necessary steps to safeguard the national interest. On India's import of Russian oil, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also made its position clear, stating that India's imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. MEA said that the targeting of India is "unjustified and unreasonable". "Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," India made clear its stance yet again. (ANI)
Remi Rowhani (photo credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)

Qatar has previously been accused of deporting members of the Baha'i community without reason.

Qatar sentenced the leader of the countrys Bahai community on Wednesday to five years imprisonment after he allegedly made a social media post which was said to cast doubt on the foundations of the Islamic religion, according to UN officials, Bahai organizations, and international media reports.

Remi Rowhani, 71, was first detained on April 28, and an informed source told Human Rights Watch that the Qatari courts had denied Rowhanis lawyers request to review court documents outlining the charges and evidence against him.

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The Bahai International Community said the posts discussed principles such as justice and the equality of men and women, honoring parents and raising children with good manners, and calling for good deeds and service to humanity.

Rowhani was also charged with violating social principles and values using information technology, under Article 8 of the 2014 Cybercrime Prevention Law, and disseminating material that calls and promotes the adoption of destructive principles, under Article 47(b) of the 1979 Law on Publications and Publishing, based on court documents reviewed by HRW.

On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of Qatars Supreme Judiciary Council found Rowhani guilty and rejected defense attempts for leniency.

The 71-year-old faith leader reportedly suffers from a heart condition, leading to the defense to request for leniency against him.

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Saba Haddad, the Geneva offices representative to the United Nations, described the councils decision as a serious breach and grave violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief and an attack on Remy Rowhani and the Bahai community in Qatar.

Haddads office, in a post on X/Twitter, called on the international community to urge Qatars government to uphold international law and ensure Mr. Rowhanis immediate release.

Imprisoning Remy Rowhani on a series of baseless charges rooted solely in his religious identity and activities is a serious breach of human rights law and a grave violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief, Haddad told HRW. This attack on Remy Rowhani is an attack on all Bahais in Qatarand on the very principle of freedom of conscience.

Imprisoning Remy Rowhani for five years, on a series of abusive charges rooted solely in his religious identity and activities within the Qatari Bahai community, is a serious breach of human rights law, said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. Qatari authorities should respect fundamental freedoms and immediately release Rowhani.

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Rowhani had previously allegedly been arrested by Qatari authorities on December 23, 2024, for fundraising without permission from the Directors of the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities in 2013 and 2014. He was fined 50,000 Qatari rials and sentenced to a month's imprisonment.

The Baha'i community claimed at the time that the "Qatari court framed Mr. Rowhani in a prejudicial case judged in absentia."

What is the Bahai faith?

The religious minority bases its theology on the Bab and Bahaullah, two holy men considered divine messengers.

The Bab announced in the middle of the 19th century that he was destined to transform humanitys spiritual life through a divine message.

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While the Bahai people recognize many Abrahamic and internationally recognized religious figures as divine educators, including Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad, they have faced persecution and discrimination in the Middle East.

While many reports focus on Irans abuse of the religious community, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has previously decried Dohas deportation of Bahai leaders.

Qatari authorities issued a deportation order for Wahid Bahji in January 2025, alleging he was Disrupting public order.

Bahji, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais, left in March and has since found himself blacklisted from the country he has resided in since birth.

Bahji had never had any legal issues whatsoever with the government and was not provided with any justification regarding his deportation, according to OHCHR.
Aug. 16Dear Answer Man: On my occasional meanderings, I came across this lot on the East Frontage Road of U.S. Highway 52 just west of John Marshall High School. The lot  for sale  is empty other than a perfectly good parking lot that doesn't seem to serve a purpose. Why is the parking lot there? Donut practice?  Just Curious.

Dear Curious,

Well, I'm guessing the fine folks at the Rochester Police Department would not favor the spot as a place for cutting cookies with one's car. So, let's not go there.

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But, since you were wondering, the honest answer is, no idea. But I can put out some good theories along with some basic knowledge about this empty piece of land and the adjoining parking lot.

So, the land is actually two lots. The one with the green grass and wildflowers is a 0.38-acre tract that is zoned 3A commercial, which, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue means it's good for "office buildings, retail stores, malls, hotels, banks, restaurants, and service outlets."

That fits with what Ari Kolas, principle broker for Hamilton Realty, said about the lot  or rather lots, plural  which are owned by the same entity and for sale, preferably, as a pair.

"It's zoned as commercial," he said. "It'd be good for retail or office space."

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Kolas said the owners, listed on Olmsted County tax records as JK Properties Residential, LLC, also own the 0.11-acre tract directly to the north that includes the parking lot and the grass strip around the parking lot. JK Properties bought both lots in 2020 from the State of Minnesota. And that's the end of the ownership history for the total 0.49 acres.

Directly north of both lots is the pedestrian bridge that crosses Highway 52 at about 16th Street Northwest.

Was the parking lot meant to be a place for people to park then use the bridge to walk across Highway 52? Maybe. The whole set up  once you cross the pedestrian bridge  is about a block from Valleyhigh Drive and city trails connect to the Douglas Trail to the north or the Arianna Celeste Macnamara Memorial Bridge to the south.

Still, this seems like an odd place to put a parking lot with the city and Douglas trail systems in mind.

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So, other than putting a kibosh on your "donut practice" theory, I don't really know. (Yes, it happens even to Answer Man.)

If you're looking to buy, Curious, Kolas said the asking price is $349,000. That, of course, comes with a ready-made parking lot.

When it comes to empty commercial lots in Rochester  especially so close to downtown  Kolas said these are becoming harder and harder to find.

"There's lots like this, but they are more and more rare in the city," he said.

So, thanks for pointing this out, Curious, you made me curious as well.

As Ted Lasso says, "Be Curious." Send questions to Answer Man at answerman@postbulletin.com .
IOWA (KCAU)  Iowa 4th District Representative Randy Feenstra appears to be closer to officially announcing a run for Iowa governor.

Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra says hell make an announcement in September about moving his exploratory campaign for governor to the next level.

According to Radio Iowa, Feenstra told reporters at the Iowa State Fair on Thursday that he plans to move forward in September after kids are back in school.

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Feenstra has been touring the state since announcing an exploratory committee for governor in May.

He has represented the 4th Congressional District since 2021.

Brad Sherman, a former state representative, and state representative Eddie Andrews, who currently serves in the House, have also announced a run for Iowa governor.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  The Richmond County School System is offering counseling resources at Tutt Middle School on Monday after two separate incidents.

A letter was sent out to parents and guardians from RCSS in regards to the incidents.

According to RCSS, a student became upset and made a threat against Tutt Middle that was overheard by other students.

RCSS states that administrators and RCSS Police investigated immediately and remained vigilant throughout the day resuming the regular schedule without incident.

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According to RCSS, on Friday, right before dismissal following an end-of day pep rally, a student yelled out the word gun, which was overheard by other students and caused several students to run in distress.

Administrators state that the Richmond County Sheriffs Office and RCSS Police immediately responded, and while the incident is still under investigation, no weapon or evidence of a weapon on a student has been found.

RCSS states that dismissal was delayed by about 15 minutes while we ensured all students were safe and accounted for, and students were dismissed normally.

Administrators are encouraging parents and guardians to have ongoing conversations with their children about the seriousness of making threats, even in jest, and the potential consequences such actions can bring. They also are asking parents and guardians to monitor their childrens social media activity and remind them to consider the impact of their words and actions both on and off campus.

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Any concerning activity should be reported immediately to the school or to the anonymous Safety Tip Line on (706) 828-1077.

RCSS states that counseling resources will be made readily available Monday for returning students who may still have questions or concerns as a result of both incidents.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
 St. Andrews United Church of Christ, 1320 Spruce St., Reading, will be holding a Peach Festival next Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Homemade beef vegetable soup, hamburger barbecue; hot dogs; homemade macaroni salad; haluski; shoo-fly pies; peach crumb pies; beverages; assorted baked goods; and peaches and ice cream will be available for purchase to eat in and/or take out.

 Three Churches/One Gods monthly contemporary worship service will be held at Trinity United Church of Christ, 2449 Cumberland Ave., Mount Penn, on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. The service will be in the Fellowship Hall with a reception to follow. In September, the service will be held at Schwarzwald UCC, 75 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, and in October it will be at Community UCC, 3330 St. Lawrence Ave, St. Lawrence.

 Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Douglass Township, Montgomery County, will have Coffee and Conversation in the Welcome Center on Sunday at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Brown Bag Bible Study will be held on Wednesday at noon in the Welcome Center.

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 Ariel Metzger will be the guest organist and pianist for the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday at United Church of Christ of Robesonia, 301 W. Penn Ave. Metzgers family will provide offertory music. School personnel and backpacks will be blessed during the service. The Youth Ministry and any adults are invited to a trip to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park on Monday. The 21st Century Christian Womens Group will meet on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the church.

 The Rev. Burlington Latshaw will be the guest pastor for the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Salem Lutheran Church, 8410 Lancaster Ave., Bethel Township. A time of fellowship in the multipurpose room follows the service.

 Huffs Union Church, 540 Conrad Road, Hereford Township, will hold a community picnic today, rain or shine. Food and baked goods will be available from 4-8 p.m. There will be music by Regen Church Band from 5-8, weather permitting. Free childrens activities and games for those 10 and under will be held from 5-6. Bring lawn chairs. No animals other than service animals.

 St. Johns Gernants Church (A Federated Congregation), 13 Gernants Church Road, Ontelaunee Township, will worship at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday in the Memorial Hall. A piano solo, Sonatina in G Major by Muzio Clementi, will be performed by quest pianist Daniel Beal.

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 Rosedale Camp Grove, 1616 Vine St., Laureldale, has scheduled the following events: today, breakfast, 7-11 a.m., $9 for adults, includes coffee, children under 12 free; Sunday, night of worship with the Evans Family, 6:30 p.m., free will offering, ice cream social to follow; Friday, Ladies Bible Study, 6:30 p.m.; next Saturday, breakfast, 7-11 a.m., $9 for adults, includes coffee, children under 12 free; Aug. 14, a night of fellowship by the campfire, weather permitting, 6:30 p.m.

 Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 170 Tuckerton Road, Muhlenberg Township, will hold a Rejoicing Spirits worship service on Sunday at 2 p.m. Its a no-shush, 30-minute service with singing, storytelling, sharing and lots of interaction. Snacks and a craft to follow.

 The Mt. Laurel Brass Quintet will provide music for the 9 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Friedens United Church of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley.

In order to have an event listed in the religion digest, it must be something that is not just a regular worship service. This includes things such as guest musicians or vocalists who are not members of the church choir; guest speakers; flea markets and other sales, meals, etc. Send information to life@readingeagle.com.
If Democrats succeed with their lightning-speed push to redraw congressional districts, Californias Republican strongholds will look very different. New district maps leaked online ahead of their official release by the Legislature confirmed that Democrats are targeting five Republican districts in the North State, Central Valley and southern California, while hoping to shore up other competitive districts to make them easier for party candidates to win.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has led the charge for Democrats to respond in kind after President Donald Trump asked Texas Republicans in June to fortify their House majority by redrawing districts to eke out another five seats in the 2026 midterms. At a Thursday campaign launch, Newsom framed redistricting as Democrats chance to liberate democracy as Border Patrol agents stormed the rally and President Donald Trump seized control of law enforcement in Washington, D.C.

Newsom is calling for a special Nov. 4 election, and the Legislature will return from summer break Monday to swiftly pass a constitutional amendment and related ballot language by next Friday. Organized labor, reproductive rights groups and House Majority PAC, the leading fund for Congressional Democrats, are all backing his campaign.

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The California Republicans whose districts Democrats are targeting are Reps. Kevin Kiley, David Valadao, Ken Calvert, Doug LaMalfa, and Darrell Issa. If successful, the effort would net Democrats 48 of the states 52 congressional seats; the party currently controls 43. Other districts that Democrats have narrowly won would also be consolidated into friendlier terrain. Political data scientist Paul Mitchell, a redistricting veteran, drafted the maps.

Congressional District 22, currently represented by David Valadao, would extend north to the suburbs of Fresno under the new redistricting plan.

Our proposed map was created using traditional redistricting criteria, consistent with guidelines laid out by the Californias Citizen Redistricting Commission, according to a cover letter from Julie Merz of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee included with the map.

It allows for more compact districts than in the current Commission-drawn map, keeps more communities and neighborhoods together, splits fewer cities, and makes minimal disruptions to the Commission-drawn map so as to impact as few residents as possible, Merz wrote.

This is a striking contrast from Texas proposed gerrymander which redrew all but one of their 38 congressional districts to minimize the states growing minority voting strength.

What would change?

The draft maps, which leaked online ahead of their official release Friday, would shrink most Republican districts. It would shift much of the North State into the coastal 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman while including parts of northern Marin and Sonoma counties.

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Kileys district would also shrink and encompass part of the greater Sacramento area, shift the bulk of voters to Republican Rep. Tom McClintocks district and remove a broad section of the eastern Sierra Nevada.

Proposed congressional districts

Source: California Assembly. Map: NATHANIEL LEVINE

Valadaos district would also shrink, as would that of Issa, who trumped his Democratic opponent in 2024 by almost 19 points to be reelected to his San Diego-area seat.

Per a chart that leaked Thursday, all of those districts would shift from being safely Republican to either lean Democrat, or be considered safe for any Democratic candidate if voters approve them in November.

Calvert and Issa currently represent parts of Riverside and San Diego counties and Valadao represents a Central Valley district. LaMalfa currently represents much of the North State from Yuba City to the Oregon border. Kiley, arguably Newsoms arch rival within the state, currently represents much of the northern Sacramento suburbs, northern Sierra Nevada, and the Nevada border down to Death Valley.

Californias 3rd Congressional District, currently represented by Kevin Kiley, would lose its long tail into the eastern Sierra and pick up parts of of Sacramento and Folsom.

Make no mistake, I will win reelection regardless of Newsoms attempt to gerrymander my district, Kiley said on X, linking to a photo of his newly redrawn district. But I fully expect that the beautiful 3rd District will remain exactly as it is. We will defeat Newsoms sham initiative and vindicate the will of California voters.

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LaMalfas district has voted for every Republican presidential candidate since 2012, the year LaMalfa first won election. At a town hall held Monday in Chico, a veteran criticized him for not pushing back on Trumps staffing cuts at the Department of Veteran Affairs, forcing the man to seek mental health care in San Rafael, three hours away.

Under the proposed redistricting plan, Doug LaMalfas District 1 would shift south and west.

Hours before the maps were published, a handful of Democratic candidates who had previously lost to Republican incumbents said they were considering running in newly drawn districts.

That included Chico ag consultant Audrey Denney, who previously ran against LaMalfa in 2018 and 2020, and confirmed she would run again for his seat if voters approved temporary redistricting in November.

With this map, my home in Chico is now in a district that Democrats can win. And if Californians vote for the map, I plan to run to replace Rep. Doug LaMalfa and take on this administration in 2026, she said in a statement.

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We will step up and fight back when Trump and MAGA Republicans break the rules. We will not allow them to rig the system against working people any longer. Our message is clear: If you take away our freedoms, we will take away your seats.

Lawmakers debate

Outgoing Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, said he had heard speculation leading up to the maps release that Democrats were considering redrawing LaMalfas district to draw more liberal voters in from the coast, as far down as parts of Sonoma and Marin counties.

Theres no justification for it, he said earlier this week. It will drown out more rural voters.

Were going to focus on how corrupt this process is. It wont result in more fair representation, he said of Republicans opposition efforts. We decided that the voters would decide, that wed do things differently, and not let politicians draw the lines. Either you believe in the principle or not.

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A handful of congressional Democrats said normally, they were opposed to letting politicians rewrite districts, but that Trumps request that the GOP maintain its hold on Congress so it could continue enacting his agenda without opposition demanded an extraordinary response. Polling numbers reviewed by lawmakers show voters are still strongly in favor of letting redistricting remain independent.

Rep. Adam Gray, who won his Merced-area district by 187 votes, put the onus back on Republicans.

Its difficult to take my colleagues across the aisle seriously when they crow about election rigging and deep state plots and then turn around and do things like what were seeing in Texas, he told The Bee. Its unserious and its damaging to our democracy.

If Congressional Republicans had a record they were proud of, they wouldnt need to rig the next election. Congressional Republicans plan to suppress the voices of voters is an existential threat to our democracy, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, told The Bee. California isnt going to stand by and let it happen. Im a longtime supporter of non-partisan redistricting, but extraordinary threats like this one require extraordinary action. If redistricting is on the table in Texas, it must be on the table here in California, too.

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Newsom, who is reportedly eyeing a run for higher office after hes termed out in 2026, said the maps would be temporary through the 2030 election. After that, redistricting power would revert back to the nonpartisan Citizen Redistricting Commission, a 14-member state body that voters approved in 2008 to redraw state legislative maps, and later congressional ones in 2010.

Advocates across the political spectrum, from Republicans to progressives to good governance groups, have opposed the effort. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who championed the redistricting commission, are backing an opposition coalition funded by Charles Munger Jr., a former Santa Clara GOP chair who has tapped his family fortune to support Republican causes, including the 2008 initiative establishing the commission.

These maps were drawn by politicians and party insiders behind closed doors with no transparency and no input from the public. Several elected politicians with open congressional committees will vote on these self-serving districts. That is a clear conflict of interest and undermines public trust in the fairness of our elections, said Munger spokesperson Amy Thoma Tan.

Californians deserve district lines that are drawn in the open, by our citizens independent commission, which the voters elected to do , and with full opportunity for public review and comment  not maps engineered by politicians to serve themselves or their partisan agenda. Citizens, not politicians or partisan party insiders, should not only hold the power at the ballot box but also the power to draw the lines.

The Assembly and Senate elections committees have set hearings for next Tuesday ahead of the election, which is expected to cost at least $200 million. The California State Association of Counties, Rural County Representatives of California, and the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials asked the governor Thursday for funding in advance to prepare for added costs associated with printing more ballots and envelopes, staffing more poll volunteers, and booking voting centers.
Starting September 1, Texas students who currently qualify for reduced-price school meals will receive both breakfast and lunch for free, thanks to new state funding.

The expansion builds on a previous initiative that changed reduced-price breakfasts into totally free options for students, and extends the benefit through the 20262027 school year.

The funding hopes to remove any financial barriers for families providing for their kids, while ensuring more students have access to nutritious meals. State officials, like Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller, say the change could specifically help out households that narrowly missed qualifying for fully free meals in the past, but still struggle to keep up with rising food costs.

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Free and reduced-price school meals will open the door for more children to receive nutritious foods that support academic success. Schools are now accepting household applications for these meals, and I encourage families to submit their applications and ensure their students can enjoy nutritious meals at school, Miller wrote in a recent statement from the TDA.

Families interested in the program can submit a single household application for free or reduced-price meal eligibility, available online or at school offices and cafeterias. Once processed, schools will notify families if they have been approved for the free meal program.

Campuses already providing meals to all students under the Community Eligibility Provision will not require applications.

The Texas Department of Agriculture, which oversees the states administration of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, said parents and guardians can contact their local schools or school boards for additional information on free meals ahead of the 20252026 school year.

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For perspective, the National School Lunch Program, a federally supported initiative, supplies midday meals to over 3 million children across Texas in both schools and residential child care facilities.

Roughly 5.3 million Texans, about 17.6% of the states population, struggle with food insecurity, meaning they lack financial stability or reliable access to enough food. FeedingTexas reports that children in the Lone Star State are especially affected, with an estimated 1.7 million, or 22.2%, living in households that go through hunger or food insecurity consistently.

Overall, Texas has the highest hunger rate in the country, with the Dallas-Fort Worth area ranking third among all U.S. metropolitan regions.
Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, talks with Emy Lesofski, director of the Utah Office of Energy Development, after a summit on federal regulations held at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Aug. 15, 2025. (Katie McKellar/Utah News Dispatch)

Mining and energy industry representatives discussed the regulatory hurdles they say are holding back responsible industrial growth across Utah with Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, at a summit she held at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday.

Titled The Regulatory Pendulum, Maloys forum focused on how federal regulations have swung back and forth depending on what political party controls the White House, and how thats created uncertainty not only in energy development, but also delays in completing major projects like bridges and pipelines.

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She and the panelists argued its holding Utah and the U.S. back by bogging major projects down in years of bureaucratic processes.

The forums perspectives focused on regulatory issues, and speakers did not include environmental advocates. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, a preservation nonprofit that has been a vocal critic of mining and industrial development in Utahs redrock wilderness, did not immediately return a request for comment Friday.

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During the form, Maloy highlighted proposed legislation shes sponsoring  the Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement Act, or the FREE Act  meant to streamline the federal permitting process.

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Simplifying federal regulations has been discussed for decades, with only incremental statutory changes passed by Congress and temporary changes from presidential executive orders. But Maloy said shes hopeful that Congress can get it done, saying we have the right alignment right now between all three branches of government.

We have an administration thats willing to break out of a lot of paradigms and do things differently than theyve been done before, Maloy said, though she acknowledged that approach alone is controversial.

But she argued thats what its going to take to get permit reform done.

We have a Congress that has bipartisan agreement that we need to do a permitting reform. That alone is a huge rarity. And we have a judicial branch that, in my opinion, keeps daring Congress to do it better, she said.

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Maloy said the courts have sent a clear message that Congress needs to write clearer laws that leave federal agencies the power to fill in the gaps, which she said has led to an unwieldy federal permitting process.

Much like a weed that grows up in (a crack in ) the sidewalk, it doesnt just fill the gaps. It makes the gap wider, causes problems, and makes everything uneven, Maloy said

Even though Republicans currently control the White House and Congress, however, Maloy said its going to take bipartisan support to fix the issue.

Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, (right) and Jeffrey Rosen, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, talk during a summit on federal regulations held at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Aug. 15, 2025. (Katie McKellar/Utah News Dispatch)

It has to be bipartisan, because administrations change, she said. Both sides of Congress swing back and forth. And in order to stop this pendulum and not have the pettiness of, Were going to roll that back just because it came from the other side, were going to have to have both sides bought in. And I think theres reason to hope for that too.

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This years version of Maloys FREE Act advanced out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in May, with a 23-19 vote. Though none of the Democrats on that voted in favor of her bill, they didnt try to stop it, she said.

Those are the things were up against, where nobody actually disagreed with the bill, in fact theyre really excited about it, Maloy said, but because of how party politics work Democrats voted against it, and now shes having a hard time finding a Democratic co-sponsor because of those no votes in committee.

Still, she said shes hopeful there will eventually be bipartisan support, since people from both sides are becoming frustrated with how long permitting processes can take, whether its for a mining project, a bridge or a solar farm.

Jeffrey Rosen, currently a nonresident senior fellow at the right-of-center think tank, the American Enterprise Institute, spoke at Maloys summit. He previously worked for President Donald Trumps first administration as acting attorney general and deputy attorney general, as well as deputy U.S. secretary of transportation.

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Rosen gave an overview of past attempts at streamlining federal regulations spanning decades, but he said theres plenty of unfinished work for Congress to do.

The reality is the problem of permitting delays continues to need more work to be done, even though  weve spent 25 years trying to address this, he said, applauding Maloy for her efforts. Its a subject that doesnt seem glamorous or easy to understand, and yet it plays such a huge role in our country as to what gets built, what gets mined, how power is supplied and delivered, and lots of other crucial components of our economy and quality of life.

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The Imagination Library of Daviess County is honoring Reids Orchard with its pewter Christmas ornament this year.

Diane Bowers, chairwoman of the organization, said, We are very optimistic about the sales of this years ornament, because Reids Orchard is such an icon in Owensboro.

She said, It evokes memories of school field trips, family trips to pick apples or strawberries or a cold apple slushy on a hot day.

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Bowers said, Each year we look for a new subject for our ornament by thinking of places around town that have special memories for many people. Reids certainly fits that.

Allan Reid came from Scotland and planted the first trees in the orchard in 1873.

His descendants still own it.

Bowers said the fundraiser started in 2004 with the launch of a pewter ornament of the old Smothers Park.

She said, That ornament, as well as all past ornaments, are available at Crazy Me Gifts, Danhauer Drug Store, Willow & Pine and Julep Home.

The ornaments are $18 each.

Bowers said Reids Orchard is selling its ornament as well.

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And Wonder Whip and Rolling Pin also carry their own ornaments, she said.

For anyone out of town, they can send us a message through Facebook and we will ship ornaments, Bowers said.

Other past ornaments include the Barbecue Kettle, Big Dipper, Gabes Tower, First Presbyterian Church, St. Stephen Cathedral, Settle Memorial, the Blue Bridge, Executive Inn, First Christian Church, RiverPark Center, Old Trinity Center, Longfellow School, Campbell Club, Union Station, the Sassafras Tree, Old Smothers Park, Saints Joseph & Paul Catholic Church and the New Smothers Park.

Bowers said Grandmas Corner, a drop-in child crisis center, started selling the ornaments in 2004 and the Imagination Library took it over in 2014, when Grandmas Corner decided not to do it anymore.

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Free books for kids

Money raised by the ornaments goes to help bring free books each month to local children from birth to 5 years old.

The local group partners with Dolly Partons Dollywood Foundation in the program.

They select the books and mail them, Bowers said. Were getting them to more than 3,500 Daviess County children now. Wed like to get that up to 4,500.

In 1996, Parton launched Dolly Partons Imagination Library to benefit the children of Sevier County, Tennessee.

The idea was to mail high-quality age-appropriate books directly to the homes each month.

In 2000, Parton announced that she would make the program available to any community that was willing to partner with her to support it locally.

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Daviess County signed up in 2007.

Bowers said, The Dollywood Foundation selects and mails the books, but our organization must pay for half the cost of the books, with the state of Kentucky picking up the other half.

She said, The pewter ornaments are a good fundraiser to help us pay our book bill each month. Over 13,000 kids have graduated from the program here in Daviess County.

Bowers said, Children under the age of 5 can be signed up by going to www.ImaginationLibrary.com. It is open to all children, regardless of income level.

She said, We want all kids to experience the excitement of receiving a free book in the mail with their name on it. This helps spark the love of books and reading at an early age, which is so important to kindergarten readiness.
TUPELO  Wrapping up its eight-city tour across the state, the Ole Miss Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship made a last stop in Tupelo on Thursday to encourage family-owned businesses to attend the fourth annual It's All Relative Family Business Symposium.

Dubbed Social in the Sip, Thursdays event was held at the CDF offices in Downtown Tupelo.

The larger event, to be held Sept. 16-17 at the Sheraton Flowood Refuge Hotel and Conference Center, is a part of the CIE Legacy Leadership Program, the Its All Relative Family Business Symposium is "dedicated to empowering family-owned businesses by providing a platform for leaders, family members and employees to connect, learn and grow."

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Rich Gentry, CIE co-director and professor of management at Ole Miss, said the symposium was started after conversations at the center.

"We have a lot of family businesses that are part of the board, and while the center focuses mainly on student entrepreneurship, in an effort to develop and retain businesses in the state, it was clear to we needed to create more of an ecosystem to support businesses and family businesses that often struggle through succession issues and other issues," he said. "So we wanted a place much like we have a place for students to gather, for family businesses to interact."

Speakers include James and Thomas Duff, co-owners of Southern Tire Mart and the state's only billionaires, and Jonathan Jones of Jones Capital, a family-owned private capital provider focused on transportation and logistics, industrial, and business services markets.

The symposium includes expert-led discussions, best practice sharing, and collaborative networking, with a goal to equip attendees with the tools and knowledge to navigate the unique challenges of family business ownership and ensure the success and sustainability of their legacies for future generations.

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"We're expecting 150-200 attendees," said Angelica Owens, CIE director of external relations.

She said the symposium is ideal for "Mississippi family business leaders, who are looking for mentorships and advice and just navigating their family business whether it's the business side, the family side or both. It's all about building the community, and if you're looking to expand your connections, it's the place to be."

Early sign-up ends today at olemisscie.com/family-business-25.
PNN Ranebennur (Karnataka) [India], August 16: Marking the 79th Independence Day with a historic milestone, the iconic T-55 battle tank Shivashakti was unveiled in Ranebennur, Karnataka. This initiative, spearheaded by MLA Shri Prakash Koliwad, reflects the state's deep respect for India's military heritage and its commitment to honouring the armed forces. The ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Shri U.T. Khader, who inaugurated the tank installation amidst a grand parade from Ashoka Circle to Municipal Maidan. The T-55 tank, which played a decisive role in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, now stands as a tribute to the courage of Indian soldiers and as an educational exhibit for future generations. Speaking at the event, MLA Shri Prakash Koliwad said: "It is a matter of great pride to bring the 'Shivashakti' tank, a symbol of India's honor, unity, and military strength, to Ranebennur. This tank, which contributed to dividing Pakistan and leading to the creation of Bangladesh, is an icon of national pride. We chose Speaker U.T. Khader to unveil it because he represents a position that transcends party lines and symbolizes the unity of the nation." Shri Koliwad also highlighted ongoing developmental initiatives, such as the establishment of digital libraries in villages to support competitive exam aspirants and requested the Chief Minister to sanction a skill training centre for Ranebennur. Speaker U.T. Khader, while inaugurating the tank, said: "The installation of the T-55 in Ranebennur is a historic moment. The 'Shivashakti' tank played a key role in India's victory in 1971, and its presence here will inspire generations. India must aspire to become the number one nation in the world, and this will be possible when our children grow stronger than politicians and officials. The courage of Indian soldiers, supported by the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, proved to the world that India is powerful and resilient." The T-55 was procured from the Central Army Fighting Vehicle Depot, Kirkee, Pune (Maharashtra) on 6th August 2025, with support from the local government and agencies. Its arrival in Karnataka strengthens the cultural and educational landscape, attracting historians, students, and tourists. About the T-55 Tank -Origin: Soviet Union, late 1950s - Inducted into the Indian Army: Mid-1960s - Key Role: Decisive battles in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, including Garibpur, Nainakot, and Basantar - Features: - 100 mm D-10T2S rifled main gun - Cast steel turret (frontal armor up to 203 mm) - Proven durability and reliability in combat - Legacy: Contributed to India's armoured dominance and remains a powerful symbol of national defence. The installation of Shivashakti not only commemorates India's military triumphs but also ensures that the valour of its armed forces continues to inspire future generations. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is brought to Hawaii as world-renowned kabuki actor Ichikawa Monnosuke VIII leads a rare workshop at UH Manoa this summer.

The public is invited to experience a free recital on Aug. 18 at 4 p.m. where students express what they learned from Monnosuke in the Earle Ernst Laboratory Theatre.

Yes, its a free performance happening only on Aug. 18!

This is the experience youve been looking for

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Monnosuke offered a two-week workshop where he focused on teaching kabuki technique and vocal training.

Although his students varied from community members, students and alumni, he cared most about sharing his knowledge with others so that they can learn classical Japanese art.

In thinking about the future, I feel that this is a really good opportunity to help spread knowledge about kabuki to more and more people around the world, Monnosuke said through a translator, according to UH Manoa.

Its been 100 years since the first known English-language kabuki production in Hawaii.

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In 2024, Monnosuke trained student actors for The Maiden Benten and the Bandits of the White Waves production which sparked the first ever invitation to perform in Japan.

Monnosuke looks forward to sharing his talents with students, the community and keeping his legacy at UH Manoa alive.

So if you arent aware of kabuki and what it brings to the culture, go ahead and check it out on Monday, Aug. 18 at 4 p.m. in the University of Hawaii at Manoa Earle Ernst Laboratory Theatre.

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Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy said Friday the most important issue facing Congress is removing federal barriers to building energy, infrastructure and mines.

Maloy convened a panel of state and national policy experts at the Utah Capitol Building to help state lawmakers and lobbyists understand the costs of federal permitting delays.

Current permitting regulations go far beyond protecting the environment, the panelists said, and instead weaken American competitiveness, threaten national security, discourage innovation and cost taxpayers.

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According to the 2nd District congresswomans office, a 10-year delay results in 3%-4% higher energy bills for rural electricity, 5%-15% higher costs for road construction and tens of millions in lost revenue for critical mineral extraction and sustainable energy production.

I know its not the sexiest topic that we deal with in Congress, but I think its probably the most important, Maloy said. And I think were actually going to deal with it.

An absolute project killer

An attendee holds a program during an annual Regulatory Reform Summit held by Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, in the Senate Building of the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

In a conversation moderated by the 2nd District congresswoman, top voices from Utahs energy and mining industries said redundant regulations sap economic development and leave the U.S. unprepared to navigate artificial intelligence and possible military conflicts.

Places like Utah, where companies are working on first-of-their-kind technologies in geothermal energy, are hit especially hard by the pendulum swing in agency rules between presidential administrations, said Jack Conness, the senior regulatory and policy associate at Fervo Energy.

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Fervos geothermal project in Beaver County is slated to provide 100 megawatts to Utahs power grid in 2026 and 500 megawatts in 2028. But Conness said uncertainty from regulatory bodies scares away investors while doing little to protect the environment.

Permitting delay is an absolute project killer, Conness said.

Congress must make the federal approval process quicker and more consistent, but it must also reform the legal system so that approved projects arent then held up indefinitely by advocacy groups, said Brian Somers, the president of the Utah Mining Association.

Too many lawsuits?

From left, Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, watches as Emy Lesofski, director of the Utah Office of Energy Development, passes the microphone to Jack Conness, a senior regulatory and policy associate at Fervo Energy, as theyre joined on a panel by Nathaniel Johnson, executive director of the Utah Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and Brian Somers, president of the Utah Mining Association, during an annual Regulatory Reform Summit held by Rep. Maloy in the Senate Building of the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Despite ranking as the most attractive location for mining investment in the world  with 40 out of the 50 critical minerals underground  Utah loses opportunities to Canada and Australia because they have a more rational litigation environment than the U.S., Somers said.

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Weve gone overboard, Somers said. A lot of this has been weaponized by people that just dont want to see this development happening.

Maloy joined the panelists in criticizing environmental groups who are able to fundraise off of lawsuits they launch and then recover their attorneys fees if they prevail against the federal government, costing taxpayers millions every year.

Nonprofit law firms focused on environmentalism should not get reimbursed at a higher rate under the Equal Access to Justice Act, Maloy said, because it has subsidized giant NGOs who work against the public interest.

We do want the little guy to be able to stand up to the government, Maloy said. We just have to stop funding the big guys gumming up the government.

Getting government to go faster

A permitting process flowchart for a federally-funded highway project in the U.S. is displayed as Nathaniel Johnson, executive director of the Utah Rural Electric Cooperative Association, speaks during an annual Regulatory Reform Summit held by Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, in the Senate Building of the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Maloy said she is more hopeful now that Congress will address permitting reform than ever before. Jeffrey Rosen, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, pointed out the Big Beautiful Bill provided a pathway to cut the NEPA review process down to one year.

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For the first time in recent memory, permitting reform is being prioritized by Congress, panelists said. Thats because the problem has gotten so bad that lawmakers across the country, according to Maloy, have realized that slower is often worse not better for the environment.

We can do clean energy projects, do good mining projects, without all the red tape, Maloy said.

In May, Maloy was recruited to become one of the first 30 members of the Build America Caucus, a bipartisan group focused on transforming the Abundance Agenda into legislative action.

As part of this initiative, Maloy has introduced the Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement (FREE) Act, which she considers the most ambitious bill she has attempted to push through the House.

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The bill would require federal agencies to implement permits by rule, that allow applicants to receive approval by complying with a clear list of pre-established criteria, and to rule on applications within 180 days.
KUNIA, Hawaii (KHON2)  Brush fires have been flaring up in the Kunia Farmlands area since Sunday, Aug. 10, and it happened again on Friday, Aug. 15.

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No structures were damaged, but the flames came quite close.

Farmers in the Kunia Loa Ridge Farmlands have had a hectic week. The Honolulu Fire Department said five brushfires have been reported in the past five days.

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Arson identified in Kunia fire as HPD, HFD investigate

It got within probably four feet of the house. And luckily, the HFD, you know, HFD was able to show up on scene, and that was the first thing they knocked down was to make sure that that was safe, said Charles Donaldson, Kunia Loa Ridge Farmlands board president.

Farmers have been on edge since the flames got so close.

Its hard, said Kunia Loa Ridge Farmlands farmer Lenny Galban. This would be our road, and this would be my property just like that. That close. It was just smokey, can you get to get out of here, your eyes burning, yeah.

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The board president of the Kunia Loa Ridge Farmlands told KHON2 that he has been in talks with HFD since the Lahaina disaster.

I work heavy with HFD, so they get out here as fast as they can. Im not going to lie, with all these other fires that have been pushing out on Kunia Road, out in different areas, he said.

HFD fights wildfire on both sides of Kunia Road

HFD said it is working with Honolulu police to determine what exactly is going on. HPD said it opened an arson investigation into the fire on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Obviously, somebody is going around and starting these fires. And as farmers, we got animals and you know, our farmland that we need to take care of, Galban said.

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There is no real infrastructure for fire hydrants to pump water to the tankers that are helping to fight the fire up in the farmland. Both residents and farmers alike are very thankful for HFD, HPD and any other agencies that helped battle the blaze to keep it away from the structures.

Without them, we would, definitely lost a lot of, a lot more structures. You know, Im grateful for HPD, HFD, you know, and all the other agencies that came in and do come in to help us, Donaldson said.

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If the public has any information, and whether that be video footage or just information in general to please, you know, reach out to HPD. So we can include that in the investigation, said HFD Capt. Malcom Medrano.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Trump administration says it has not approved Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters plan to replace statewide end-of-year testing with local assessments, and federal and state law still prevent it from taking effect.



A senior U.S. Department of Education official told KGOU Thursday the department has not given Oklahoma the green light to replace statewide tests with local benchmark assessments.



The official told KGOU that Walters office would first need to apply for a federal waiver before any change could be approved. That process requires OSDE to go through a public comment period, consult with school districts, and then demonstrate how that feedback was incorporated before the department will even consider granting the waiver.



This is in no way approved by the department, and I think thats really important to clarify for Oklahoma parents and families, the official told KGOU Thursday.



Last week, Walters announced he would eliminate statewide end-of-year standardized tests this school year and allow districts to use their own benchmark assessments instead.

RELATED: Superintendent Ryan Walters announces end of some end-of-year testing

In an August 11 interview on Real Americas Voice, Walters said, This keeps us from this federal overreach of dictating to the state what our testing models will look like. We went to the Trump administration, they were all for it. We go, wow, this was a lot easier than under Joe Biden, who wanted no part of it.



But the federal official told KGOU Thursday that any suggestion that Walters can move forward without first securing a waiver is not accurate.



[OSDE] needs [s] to take the public comment portion of this seriously and truly incorporate that, and use that feedback before we go any further, the official told KGOU Thursday.



Despite that, OSDE sent school districts a letter telling them they have until December 31 to choose a vendor for the new benchmark assessments.



The states Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, which actually oversees testing, told News 4 it was not consulted on Walters announcement.



Walters office responded Friday in a press release, saying OSDE had delivered multiple messages, hosted a series of webinars, and made the information publicly available beginning last week.



Even if Walters clears the federal process, Oklahoma law still prevents his plan from taking effect.



Senate Education Chair Adam Pugh told FOX 23 News the legislature was caught off guard and reminded school districts that state law requires end-of-year tests.



Even if the feds were to grant that waiver today as an example, the law does not allow school districts to go through the process of eliminating state testing, Pugh said. The law does not allow for that. Its certainly not going to happen in the school year 25-26.



News 4 reached out to Walters office again on Friday for comment on the Trump administrations statements, but did not hear back.

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Bryan Kohberger appears to have called his mother at least four on the day he killed four University of Idaho students, according to a digital forensics expert who looked through his phone and hard drive.

The expert, Heather Barnhart, spoke exclusively with People.com to share her findings in the case. Barnhart has worked digital forensics for the Gabby Petito case, the Delphi murders and the capture of Osama Bin Laden.

According to Barnhart, he called his mother, Maryann, multiple times after the murderers.

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He first called his mother at 6:13 a.m. that morning, but she didnt answer, Barnhart told People.

The students were killed around 4:20 a.m.

Eventually, his mom picked up and they spoke for just over half an hour, Barnhart said. According to Barnhart, another call followed at 8:03 a.m. and last about 54 minutes.

This means that Kohberger and his mom were on the phone as he drove back to the crime scene, according to Barnhart.

According to Barnhart, Kohberger referred to his parents as mother and father, and had them labeled as such in his phone.

And he would go back and forth texting: Father, why did mother not respond? Why is she not answering the phone? Barnhart told People.

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KIRO 7 has gone through hundreds of pages of documents. We have not seen this mentioned in the documents that have been released so far.

Investigators say Kohberger returned to the home on King Road around 9 a.m. and was on the phone with his mother around that time.

Its unclear how long he lingered at the scene, but police were not called until noon.

He apparently spoke with his mother two other times on Nov. 13, the day of the murders.

If Kohberger did not plead guilty, Barnhart would have been called in to testify about how Kohberger tried to hide his movements by powering his phone off.

Barnhart said this move ended up being extremely revealing.

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When he powered it off, it was from a human pressing a button, and the battery was at 100 percent charged, Barnhart says to People.

One of Kohbergers early alibis about why his phone pinged him in the area of the crime scene: he claimed he was star-gazing.

If youre stargazing and taking pictures of the sky, your phone needs to be on, Barnhart says, referencing a comment made by her husband in a court filing, according to People.

During his sentencing, Maryann and sister Amanda were present. Kohberger largely ignored them. His father and other sister were not at the sentencing.
Preparatory documents for participants of the summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were found in a hotel printer in Anchorage, according to a US media report.

The radio network NPR reported that eight pages were discovered on Friday morning in the business centre of the Captain Cook Hotel, located about a 20-minute drive from the Elmendorf-Richardson military base, where the two presidents met to discuss the Ukraine war.

The documents, published by NPR, include a detailed schedule with specific meeting rooms, contact persons from the US State Department with phone numbers, the menu for the planned lunch, mini-biographies with photos of the participants.

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The lunch included a green salad, filet mignon and halibut with creme brulee for dessert.

Also in the materials were pronunciation guides for the Russian names, including "POO-tihn" for the Russian president.

A White House spokeswoman told ABC News that the NPR report was "hilarious."

Its hilarious that NPR is publishing a multi-page lunch menu and calling it a security breach. This type of self-proclaimed investigative journalism is why no one takes them seriously and they are no longer taxpayer-funded thanks to President Trump, she said in a statement.

Trump, who has long been critical of US public media, pushed through a bill that cut a reported $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which announced soon afterwards that it will shut its operations.

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The spokeswoman did not comment on the detailed schedules with specific meeting room locations, or the list of State Department attendees with their phone numbers that NPR published.

Security experts criticized the incident.

"It strikes me as further evidence of the slopiness and the incompetence of the administration," Jon Michaels, a law professor at UCLA in Los Angeles, told the broadcaster.

"You just dont leave things in printers. Its that simple."
A new report from the University of California, Riverside warns that aggressive immigration enforcement practices in the United States are fueling a public health emergency for children in mixed-status families.

The report, published in Psychiatric News, was authored by mental health professionals in the UCR School of Medicine and outlines how detention, deportation and workplace raids are contributing to widespread emotional trauma among both immigrant and U.S.-born children.

Psychiatry, as both a clinical discipline and a social institution, cannot remain on the periphery, the authors wrote. The current moment calls for a reexamination of how structural and intergenerational trauma are diagnosed, understood, and treated.

Arturo Rangel hugs Judith Ramos whose father works at the greenhouse in the background as federal immigration agents block access during a raid in Camarillo on July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)

The study details how children experience chronic anxiety, developmental disruptions and academic difficulties due to fear of family separation. Infants and toddlers may suffer attachment issues, while school-age children show signs of fear and anxiety, and adolescents often take on adult responsibilities, a phenomenon known as parentification.

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We are witnessing the effects of chronic fear, disrupted attachment, and intergenerational trauma on a massive scale, said Dr. Lisa Fortuna, chair of psychiatry and neuroscience at UCR and lead psychiatrist on the report. The threat or reality of separation from a caregiver fundamentally reshapes a childs development and mental health.

The report urges members of the media, policymakers and clinicians to confront the human costs of enforcement-driven immigration systems and to prioritize the emotional wellbeing of the youngest and most vulnerable.

Its hard to see how current enforcement can ever be humane, said coauthor Dr. Kevin Gutierrez. These practices create chronic stress and trauma in children and meet criteria for PTSD.

The report also includes case studies and community data that researchers say illustrates how trauma transfers across generations, and is made worse by poverty, racism and the constant threat of enforcement.

Anti-ICE demonstrators are seen outside a Home Depot in Monrovia, California, on Aug. 14, 2025. (KTLA)

Fortuna and Gutierrez sat down with UCR News to discuss the report, which can be found here.

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The latest wave of immigration enforcement raids began earlier this summer and has continued despite ongoing legal challenges that have placed limits on some enforcement tactics.

Federal agents have conducted high-profile operations across Southern California, including one this week in Los Angeles that coincided with a speech by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Since the surge began, at least two people have died during these immigration enforcement operations, including a farmworker in Camarillo who fell from a greenhouse in July, and a man struck by a vehicle after fleeing a Home Depot in Monrovia on Thursday.

The Los Angeles Unified School District celebrated the new school year earlier this week, but the joy was short-lived after a 15-year-old boy with disabilities was detained outside Arleta High School on Monday, according to District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

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This is the exact type of incident that traumatizes our communities; it cannot repeat itself, Carvalho told reporters.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A dog that had an uncertain future is now proving to be a promising rescue animal in more ways than one.

Loki was a dog at Kern County Animal Services who, after being rescued, will eventually start rescuing people.

Loki is 9 months old and earlier this year he was a puppy living at the shelter. He was due to be euthanized before Nick Fuentez stepped in and found him.

I went in kind of looking see about fostering a dog, kind of see how that goes, and from there we kind of bonded, and he became my family, Fuentez said.

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Fuentez himself is a volunteer member of Kern County Search and Rescue.

Now life has turned around for Loki  Hes got a new home and new purpose. Hes training to be part of a rescue team like Fuentez volunteers for.

Hell be in training for maybe about another year or so. Hes doing good, hes picking things up pretty well, Fuentez said.

As Loki trains, Fuentez can add one more life to his tally of those hes helped save.

Its quite rewarding for myself and for him to kind of show that rescue dogs can actually go out and become a rescuer.

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Do you like AI models? Well, chances are, they sure don't like you back.

New research suggests that the industry's leading large language models, including those that power ChatGPT, display an alarming bias towards other AIs when they're asked to choose between human and machine-generated content.

The authors of the study, which was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are calling this blatant favoritism "AI-AI bias"  and warn of an AI-dominated future where, if the models are in a position to make or recommend consequential decisions, they could inflict discrimination against humans as a social class.

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Arguably, we're starting to see the seeds of this being planted, as bosses today are using AI tools to automatically screen job applications (and poorly, experts argue). This paper suggests that the tidal wave of AI-generated resumes are beating out their human-written competitors.

"Being human in an economy populated by AI agents would suck," writes study coauthor Jan Kulveit, a computer scientist at Charles University in the UK, in a thread on X-formerly-Twitter explaining the work.

In their study, the authors probed several widely used LLMs, including OpenAI's GPT-4, GPT-3.5, and Meta's Llama 3.1-70b. To test them, the team asked the models to choose a product, scientific paper, or movie based on a description of the item. For each item, the AI was presented with a human-written and AI-written description.

The results were clear-cut: the AIs consistently preferred AI-generated descriptions. But there are some interesting wrinkles. Intriguingly, the AI-AI bias was most pronounced when choosing goods and products, and strongest with text generated with GPT-4. In fact, between GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and Meta's Llama 3.1, GPT-4 exhibited the strongest bias towards its own stuff  which is no small matter, since this once undergirded the most popular chatbot on the market before the advent of GPT-5.

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Could the AI text just be better?

"Not according to people," Kulveit wrote in the thread. The team subjected 13 human research assistants to the same tests and found something striking: that the humans, too, tended to have a slight preference for AI-written stuff, with movies and scientific papers in particular. But this preference, to reiterate, was slight. The more important detail was that it was not nearly as strong as the preference that the AI models showed.

"The strong bias is unique to the AIs themselves," Kulveit said.

The findings are particularly dramatic at our current inflection point where the internet has been so polluted by AI slop that the AIs inevitably end up ingesting their own excreta. Some research suggests that this is actually causing the AI models to regress, and perhaps the bizarre affinity for its own output is part of the reason why.

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Of greater concern is what this means for humans. Currently, there's no reason to believe that this bias will simply go away as the tech embeds itself deeper into our lives.

"We expect a similar effect can occur in many other situations, like evaluation of job applicants, schoolwork, grants, and more," Kulveit wrote. "If an LLM-based agent selects between your presentation and LLM written presentation, it may systematically favor the AI one."

If AIs continue to be widely adopted and integrated into the economy, the researchers predict that companies and institutions will use AIs "as decision-assistants when dealing with large volumes of 'pitches' in any context," they wrote in the study.

This would lead to widespread discrimination against humans who either choose not to use or can't afford to pay to use LLM tools. AI-AI bias, then, would create a "gate tax," they write, "that may exacerbate the so-called 'digital divide' between humans with the financial, social, and cultural capital for frontier LLM access and those without."

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Kulveit acknowledges that "testing discrimination and bias in general is a complex and contested matter." But, "if we assume the identity of the presenter should not influence the decisions," he says, the "results are evidence for potential LLM discrimination against humans as a class."

His practical advice to humans trying to get noticed is a sobering indictment of the state of affairs.

"In case you suspect some AI evaluation is going on: get your presentation adjusted by LLMs until they like it, while trying to not sacrifice human quality," Kulveit wrote.

More on AI: Computer Science Grads Are Being Forced to Work Fast Food Jobs as AI Tanks Their Career
CAMBRIA  More than 350 people crowded into the Cambria Fire Hall on Thursday for a hearing on proposed laws that received loud disagreement concerning the definition of a farm and provisions for imprisonment for zoning infractions.

The meeting was held to review a proposed law that contained edits recommended by a contractor who has been organizing the towns laws for posting online.

The proposed changes were viewed by those in attendance as new restrictions and unreasonable punishments being packaged as revisions to outdated vocabulary. The hearing ended with the town board tabling the proposed laws. Supervisor Jon MacSwan was absent from the meeting. It could not be confirmed on Friday evening why he was not in attendance.

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Town attorney Abe Platt said the goals of the contractors review were to remove mentions of fees  since they may change in the future  update language, and standardize penalties. Online laws would provide a hyperlink to current fees.

A change to the definition of a farm from 5 acres to 7 acres, failure to include a grandfather clause for existing farms, and continued listing of prison as a consequence for persistent zoning violations drew angry comments from residents.

The outrage is not about changing words, its about the fact that a board allowed these laws to be adopted, whether it was 10 years ago or not, Charlotte Patterson said during the public comment period to cheers.

Pattersons statement followed more than 30 minutes of Platt reading line-by-line the proposed changes and rationale.

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Stating that there was confusion about the importance of the farm acreage change, Platt said, It doesnt really make sense. I dont think there should be a definition of a farm in here. The crowd erupted in groans.

Platt emphasized that the town was consistent with state agriculture and markets law in using a 7-acre definition for a farm, but residents distrusted the towns purpose. The state law uses the definition for agriculture tax assessments. Kevin Bittner, president of the Niagara County Farm Bureau, who attended the Cambria hearing, said the town is using the definition in its zoning law.

Platt and town officials have said the change in acreage will not change how people can use their land. However, zoning laws, like those passed this spring in the City of Lockport, focus on land use. In a past interview, Anthony Serianni, the citys deputy corporation counsel, said zoning, helps create an appropriate environment for activities.

In the National Law Review, Christine Neal wrote that zoning laws were created to separate industrial uses with their noxious smells, effluent, noise, and intensity from residential neighborhoods ...

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Resident Robert Winslow said he got a variance so his family could keep horses on 3 acres, and he later purchased more land. Now, Winslow said he owns 6.8 acres for his animals and would still be below the proposed farm definition.

I bought out here because there isnt a homeowners association, he said. I really dont have a lot of faith that things wont change.

In an interview, Bittner said the Town of Newfane, where he farms, and the Town of Somerset, where he lives, do not have acreage requirements.

Patterson pointed out to the board that there was no written grandfather clause for existing farms included in the proposed law. She said if land use was not changing, why change the definition of a farm?

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Several residents expressed their distrust in the board after constables were established in Cambria and their roles were later expanded.

Youre acting surprised that so many people dont trust you, said resident Linda Smith. You have let us all down. You have failed, all of you!

Tyler Booth, owner of The Historic Forsyth-Warren Tavern museum, which features restored barns and livestock areas, also called for greater community involvement.

My takeaway is you had someone who does not live in our town interpret our laws and then tell you what they meant again. I think what everyone is recommending is that we take a step back and get a board together, maybe get everyone in one room, and hash out our laws and make them something that works for our town. I know you already put two or three years into this process, but the problem is you did that privately. This might be OK if people trusted you. ... We do not trust this town.
EaseMyTrip, one of India's leading travel-tech platforms, is positioning the company for its next phase of growth by expanding into hotels, holidays, mobility, wellness and lifestyle services through its EMT 2.0 strategy, launched earlier this year. The focus is on acquiring profitable businesses in high-margin categories to reduce dependence on flights and build a more stable earnings base over time. Nishant Pitti, Founder and Chairman, EaseMyTrip, said: "EMT 2.0 is about compounding trust and distribution into a wider ecosystem. We are pairing our scale in flights with higher margin growth engines across hotels, holidays, wellness and mobility. This will make our business more resilient and will give our customers and partners more reasons to choose EaseMyTrip. We have been here for 17 years and we will continue to be here, stronger and more committed than ever. The promoters have no intention of selling any further stock and our focus is on building long term value for all shareholders." The company also emphasized that the investments made in Q1 FY26 are deliberate and a part of its long-term diversification strategy. According to a company release, EaseMyTrip's PAT decline in Q1 was the result of planned investments in high margin and growth areas. The company has already: *Expanded Hotels and Packages business, which grew 81.2 percent YoY* Increased international presence, with Dubai operations up 151 percent* Acquired premium hospitality and commercial assets to create a strong physical base, both internationally and domestically The release states that in a bold move, promoters have voluntarily chosen to draw zero salary, underscoring full alignment with shareholders.EMT 2.0 targets up to 49% percent stakes in established, profitable companies that can benefit from EaseMyTrip's brand and distribution, while adding higher-margin revenue streams to the group. The company says it is strategically reducing reliance on cyclical air travel by adding hotels, holidays, wellness, concierge and mobility services with stronger unit economics.Leveraging Brand and Distribution Seventeen years of operations, a debt-free balance sheet and over 72,000+ travel agent partners give acquired companies an instant growth platform. By owning more customer touchpoints, EMT 2.0 aims to create an integrated travel, hospitality, and lifestyle ecosystem that improves retention and long-term profitability, said the company statement. On this, Pitti further added: "Our promise is simple. Better value for customers. Better monetisation and stability for the company. Better alignment with partners who can grow faster on our rails. EMT 2.0 is our roadmap to get there, and we are just getting started." The company further stated that continuing its growth momentum, EaseMyTrip is expanding its international footprint through new offices and subsidiaries, while introducing regional product verticals for deeper market penetration and localisation. This expansion is powered by data-driven strategies and technology-led innovation, enabling the brand to deliver more personalised and relevant travel solutions. (ANI)
Around the world, people rely on natural sources, including rivers and groundwater, for their drinking water.

Unfortunately, once-clean sources of safe drinking water can easily become contaminated with toxic chemicals  and it may be difficult for everyday people to know the difference.

Residents of Comstock Township, Michigan, were alarmed by the discovery of PFAS contamination in a small number of wells near private residences and migrant housing, MLive reported.

What's happening?

Wenke Greenhouses in Comstock Township is required to test its well water quarterly because it houses at least 25 migrant workers for at least half the year. It started these checks in 2020.

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Over the last several years, it has noted levels of PFOS (a type of PFAS) ranging between 10 and 20 parts per trillion; the state drinking water standard sets the limit at 16 ppt.

Although the average level over the course of the year is below the limit, the fact that it has exceeded the limit at multiple points is a concern.

The site also tested PFOA levels up to 4.5 ppt, when the legal limit is 8 ppt  while the amount is not over the limit, it is still concerning, especially in combination with the other PFAS being detected.

It took time for the issue to come to the attention of state authorities due to the low level of contamination compared to other instances that took priority. That has left nearby residents concerned about the amount of time they were left in the dark.

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"I feel neglected," said Lisa VanDyken, a nearby resident, per MLive. She and her husband were worried about their grandchildren, who are regular visitors.

Why is the discovery of PFAS in well water concerning?

PFAS, also called "forever chemicals," are a large class of chemicals used in manufacturing and industrial applications.

Some are used for firefighting foam, while others make products resistant to stains, grease, and water.

While they are convenient, they are also toxic, having been linked to cancer, liver problems, birth defects, and autoimmune diseases.

Unfortunately, they are also extremely persistent: they don't break down naturally in the environment or in the human body, and they can build up with additional exposure.

What's being done about PFAS contamination?

Michigan's PFAS Action Response Team launched an investigation and tested 77 wells surrounding Wenke Greenhouses.

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Of those, two produced water "not fit for human consumption" due to PFAS contamination. An additional 29 wells contained levels of PFAS that were detectable, but within the legal limits for drinking water. The remaining wells did not show detectable signs of PFAS contamination.

"That's what's so confounding about this," said Abigail Hendershott, executive director of the PFAS Action Response Team, per MLive. "We're just not seeing consistent concentrations that really speak of an actual groundwater plume. There's something there, but we're not sure exactly what it is."

For those whose well water was affected, state officials offered a free filter and up to $300 to cover plumbing costs to address the problem.

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Heavy rainfall has relieved drought conditions in a popular Texas lake and provided local authorities with a welcome boost to the area's water supply.

ABC 7 reported that Lake Meredith's water levels are currently at a healthy 79.36 feet. This means the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) doesn't need to rely as heavily on the wellfield of Roberts County. As the U.S. Drought Monitor shows, the north of the Lone Star State is now largely free of drought conditions.

"The lake level is doing awesome this year, we're up over 5% from where we were last year," a local business told ABC 7. "In fact, we're up over two-and-a-half feet where we were last year."

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The rise in water levels provides much-needed relief but also facilitates more visitors to the lake's recreational areas. Situated about an hour's drive northeast of Amarillo, Lake Meredith is something of a hidden gem in the Texas Panhandle. With a diverse array of fish populating the lake, it's an angler's delight. As the Texas Fish and Wildlife Service notes, the lake offers the best walleye fishing in the state.

Additionally, Meredith is a biodiversity hotspot with hundreds of migratory birds using it as a stopover point. The National Park Service notes that 60 bird species migrate over the winter season, and another 80 come in the spring. Additionally, many species of insects, mammals, and reptiles rely on the lake. Rising water levels are good news for municipalities and wildlife alike.

For municipalities, water management is a careful balance of meeting immediate needs while preserving stocks for a less rainy day. The rainfall means less reliance on pumping groundwater, which can have serious repercussions and a risk of contamination. It's particularly important in areas that have long struggled with water scarcity. With careful local action and raising awareness, this short-term boost can lead to long-term gains.

"The lake level is rising (79.36) feet, which is a result of more inflow, obviously," said Drew Satterwhite, general manager of CRMWA, per ABC7. "Ultimately, it deludes the water in the lake, deludes the chlorides more importantly and that just allows us to slightly increase our lake to groundwater blend to our member cities."

Should the government be allowed to restrict how much water we use? Definitely Only during major droughts No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  The Richmond County School Board is considering a property tax increase that could mean even more money out of the taxpayers pockets.

Earlier this week, the school board announced Dr. Malinda Cobb as the permanent superintendent.

Now, the BOE is looking at a 5% property tax increaseso we got an idea of what this could mean for homeowners in the school system.

As property values have increased across the county, homeowners say theyre wallets are taking a hard hit.

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I think its awful, were already paying enough. Theyre really not doing anything with the taxes anyway, said Tonjala Holley.

The board of assessors is required to adjust the tax rate when property values increase.

A 5.3 percent increase is being recommended after a rise in retirement and insurance costs, and a decrease in state funding.

Because our digest has increased, the state is under the assumption you have more money locally to fund local education, so Im going to give you less funding from the state, said Bobby Smith, chief financial officer for the school system.

School leaders have cut down on operation costs and are planning to use $12 million in reserves to avoid a shortfall in the budget.

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But they say theyll have to reach into reserves even more if the tax increase is not approvedand that could mean big problems.

Instead of using $12 million in reserves, wed have to use $19 million in reserves. Our concern with that is, if we start getting our reserves too low, thats going to unfortunately impact the financial stability of our school system. So, we dont want to get to the point where we need to borrow money to cover payroll before taxes start, Smith said.

The average price of a home in Richmond County is $200,000.

If the tax is approved, the tax bill for the average homeowner would increase by $36.

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But it could be even more if commissioners approve their own property tax increase next week.

It could potentially be two different increases governmental entities, said Smith. But with the 5.3 percent for us, its just $2.56 a month. So, we hope our increase is very minimal and wont have significant impacts on the taxpayers.

Too much, too much. Everything falls on the back of the taxpayer, said Leroy Larisey, a school system grandparent.

Three dollars a month for something thats going to help educate my child? Im with it, Holley said.

Homeowners will have the chance to make their voices heard.

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Public hearings will start on August 25th before a final decision is made.

All meetings will be held at the Richmond County Board of Education, with meeting times as follows:

1st Public Hearing: Monday, August 25th, starting at 12:00 PM

2nd Public Hearing: Monday, August 25th, starting at 6:00 PM

3rd Public Hearing: Tuesday, September 2nd, starting at 5:00 PM

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
An equestrian centre has announced its closure after 50 years because of ongoing uncertainty about a road upgrade scheme nearby.

York Riding School's owners are retiring but said they have struggled to find a buyer for the business on Wigginton Road because the prospect of the Outer Ring Road development, which would take away some of its land, has made the site "unattractive" to investors.

An application to dual the Outer Ring Road was approved in 2024 and a review of the project is currently being undertaken.

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City of York Council said the development would reduce congestion, but riding school owner Lorna Marchi said it was a "threat" to the business.

The scheme aims to reduce journey times on the A1237 by making a stretch of the road into a dual carriageway and upgrading five roundabouts.

Ms Marchi said: "The riding school has occupied its present site for 50 years, but has lived under the threat of this development since 1993, with it being variously imminent and then delayed multiple times."

Ms Marchi explained that a portion of the riding school's land was earmarked for a service road for the Outer Ring Road scheme, while she also feared the noise and disruption the construction work would cause.

The riding school has struggled to find new management to take over the business [Lorna Machi]

"There is sadly no future for the school," added Ms Marchi.

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"I am very sorry that I have been unable to pass on this valuable resource, but times are hard for small enterprises without the threat of a major infrastructure development which I am unable to mitigate. "

The centre has also cited high land values, increases in veterinary bills, financial issues caused by the Covid pandemic, insurance and increased staffing costs as factors that contributed to the closure.

Staff are now looking to rehome horses and ponies, and the tack, equipment, stables, horseboxes and tractors will be sold at auction.

The council's director of city development, Gerry Taylor, said: "We are sorry to hear the riding school is closing. The proposed plans to progress work on York Outer Ring Road have been a long-held ambition, and the plan will enable construction of new homes and increase sustainable travel links."

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Senior councillors have agreed to carry out the Outer Ring Road work in phases so that funding can be shared with other projects, including a revamp of the city's railway station.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

More on this story
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The ROC Royal Foundation, in partnership with Rise Up Rochester, hosted its 12th annual Back 2 School Giveaway & Health Fair on Saturday.

The family-friendly event took place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East High School, located at 1801 East Main Street.

Organizers said more than 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to students in grades K-12. The event also featured free haircuts and hairstyles, bounce houses, and other activities. This years event had an added focus on promoting health and wellness.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
The backslapping bonhomie that started the day vanished into the stormy sulk and red glower from Donald Trump across a podium from Vladimir Putin, who still glowed with success. The Alaskan summit was a humiliation for Trump.

His hopes of winning a Nobel Peace Prize didnt crystallise in this meeting of superpowers dissolved. Even the key word of the whole farrago  ceasefire  had vanished.

Ukraine and Europe, supporters of democracy and world order, were on tenterhooks worrying if Trump would repeat Putins demands and endorse them as his own. He has done that in the past.

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Putin, clearly, had made no concessions. But, emerging from three-and-a-half hours of talks, Trump and the Russian president had nothing to present to the world.

Trump said hed call Nato, and President Volodymyr Zelensky, to update them on what had been discussed.

Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska (AFP via Getty)

Weve made some headway. So theres no deal until theres a deal. I will call up Nato in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And Ill, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about todays meeting. Its ultimately up to them, Trump said.

What will be up to them?

We dont know but we can probably guess that Trump didnt want to say it out loud, having invited an indicted war criminal to US territory, applauded his arrival, ordered an air force flypast to honour the Butcher of Bucha, twice shaken his hand and then given him a lift in his top-secret armoured car the Beast.

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When he arrived, the usually icy Putin, who rolled down the red carpet like a prize fighter, pulled faces and seemed chatty and warm. He sat at a photo opportunity man-spreading confidently and gurning to his team, oozing easy confidence.

None of that had left him when he departed the press statement stage.

Putin has gone viral for the strange facial expressions he pulled during his meeting with Trump (Getty)

He was back on the world stage. The pomp of his visit and the spectacle of his emergence from international pariah to car-share buddy with the US president was complete.

He was never going to deliver Trump a ceasefire, much less a plan for peace in Ukraine.

Putin said: The country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it [war]. At the same time, were convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict. And weve said it multiple times, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole. And I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to work on that.

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So Putin was reiterating his mantra that war in Ukraine came as a result of the end of the Soviet Union, he wants that territory back in the Russian empire, and while hes at it, the new world order needs to be set back. That means he wants to see Russias influence back all over eastern Europe  a return to the Cold War Warsaw Pact that meant the Kremlin rules nations that are now western democracies in the European Union.

The UK and Europe, along with Canada and through Nato, have replaced the US as the most important donors of civilian and military aid to Ukraine. Over the past week, leaders in Europe, including Keir Starmer, had worked hard on persuading Trump not to be steamrolled by Putin.

Putin strongly hinted that whatever Trump was going to reveal in his calls to Zelensky and others, they were not going to like it (Getty)

Theyre worried that Trump and Putin will try to foist a deal on Ukraine which cannot be agreed and will not work. Trump has repeatedly endorsed Russian claims, at least, to the territory in Ukraine it has already captured.

He has agreed with Putin that Ukraine cannot join Nato. He has agreed that the US would take no part in security guarantees for Ukraine in a future peace deal (although recently there are signs he may have softened that line).

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Europes 250bn (215bn) in aid for Ukraine dwarfs the US 114bn. This year, Trump has cut all military aid to Kyiv and insisted that Nato members stump up for Ukraines defence and their own. His efforts have been so successful that America remains important to Ukraine but it can get by with help from close neighbours.

Putin strongly hinted that whatever Trump was going to reveal in his calls to Zelensky and others, they were not going to like it. In other words, Trump was likely to parrot the Kremlin. Only this time, Trump himself knows hes going to look a fool when he does.

We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they wont throw a wrench in the works. They will not make any attempts to use some backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress, again, Putin said.

Were gonna stop really, five, six, seven thousand, thousands of people a week from being killed  And well speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. Thank you very much, Vladimir, Trump ended by saying.

Putin replied: Next time in Moscow.
A man has completed his first-ever Parkrun at the age of 91.

Michael Thorley finished the 5km (3.1-mile) run on Mersea Island, Essex, in just over an hour.

He met both his aims for the run - to finish the course and to not come last - and said he wanted to encourage people to have a go and make some more friends.

"If I don't do it now, when am I going to do it? I'm getting older by the day," he said.

Michael and Sarah Thorley have just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary [Steve Scruton/BBC]

Mr Thorley first signed up for Parkrun - a weekly, timed 5km event which takes place in more than 20 countries across the world - four years ago, just one year after undergoing heart surgery.

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But he did not take part until a fortnight ago, clocking a time of 1:03:04.

"It's a question of 'Carpe Diem' ['seize the day' in Latin]," he said.

He is not the oldest person to have taken part in Parkrun, however.

Harold Messam was a regular at a Parkrun in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, at the age of 95, while Colin Thorne marked his 101st birthday in style in January by completing his 217th Parkrun in Whangarei, New Zealand.

Mr Thorley's wife Sarah, 69, is a regular Parkrunner, last week completing her 100th, with a time of 32:15.

She comes back "enthused" from the event, thanks to the "wonderful, friendly and encouraging people".

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She said: "The real stars are the people who set it all up; all the volunteers every week.

"Some people are here every week and they mightn't even ever have done a run, but they're here because they like it. It's a really nice, friendly place."

Race director Viv Fox said: "We're just really lucky to have a core group of people who like coming here week in and week out and just enjoy the atmosphere."

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St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter faces four challengers as he runs for his third term in office: A state lawmaker, an engineer, a scientist and a local business owner.

Candidates had until Aug. 12 to file paperwork to run, and there wont be a primary. Election Day is Nov. 4.

Mayoral elections are nonpartisan, though they often draw strong party interest. This year will be a little different, however: the St. Paul Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is not making any endorsements in the race as it works to rebuild itself.

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This will be the last year a mayoral election happens in an odd-numbered year in St. Paul. In 2024, voters approved a measure to shift the election to even-numbered years when other major contests are on the ballot.

The mayor is typically elected to a four-year term. But because of the change, the next election will be in 2028. The winner of this years election will only serve a three-year term.

Under St. Pauls ranked-choice voting system, voters can rank candidates in order of preference.

Heres who is officially running:

Melvin Carter

Carter was first elected mayor in 2017 and won reelection to another four-year term in 2021. He announced hed run for a third term in January.

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During his tenure, Cater has pursued a progressive agenda that has included medical debt forgiveness, college savings accounts for newborns, and a new sales tax to fund roads and parks.

Carter has faced growing challenges in recent years. While homicides and carjackings have fallen since peaking during the pandemic, public safety challenges remain, especially along the Green Line light rail corridor on University Avenue.

Carter also has faced pushback from other local leaders. He clashed with the city council over the 2025 budget, and a difficult year could be ahead amid declining downtown property values and federal funding cuts.

Yan Chen

Yan Chen is a biophysicist at the University of Minnesota who ran for St. Paul City Council Ward 1 in 2023.

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On her campaign website, Chen argues that the city is not doing enough to manage growing operational costs and instead raises property taxes at an unsustainable rate.

If this continues, residents and businesses will leave, our tax base will shrink, and our city will lose its vibrancy, she said.

Chen is also a critic of Carters endorsement of the 2021 rent control referendum and handling of the citys garbage contract.

In a 2023 questionnaire with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, when she ran for City Council, Chen said she wanted to strengthen city services and stabilize the budget, and then move to address affordable housing.

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In addition to being a scientist, Chen is a landlord. She owns five single-family rental homes in St. Paul.

Adam Dullinger

North End resident and mechanical engineer Adam Dullinger is the most recent candidate to enter the race.

Dullinger appeared at an April St. Paul City Council meeting to speak against exemptions in the citys rent control ordinance, but said that issue isnt the reason he decided to run.

Instead, Dullinger said he wants the city to focus on managing everyday problems like infrastructure maintenance  an area where he says his engineering background would give him an edge.

The political newcomer also said the city should do more to improve the affordability of housing, transportation and food. One way to improve affordability and food access could be municipal grocery stores, he said.

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Dullinger also wants the city to continue developing its bicycle infrastructure to reduce road congestion, improve air quality and combat climate change.

Kaohly Her

State Rep. Kaohly Her entered the race earlier this month. The fourth-term St. Paul DFL legislator is the mayors most politically prominent challenger.

Her said she decided to enter the race because she felt there hadnt been enough debate on issues facing the city  whether it be rising property taxes, public safety and development challenges in districts like downtown.

I hadnt seen any engagement with voters in this mayoral race, she said in an Aug. 4 interview. It is important for us to vigorously debate the issues and the solutions in front of us, so that voters have a choice.

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Her, who used to work for the mayor, said she supports Carters progressive polices like medical debt forgiveness, but doesnt think its a citys job to provide them. Instead, St. Paul should focus on fundamental services, she said.

Mike Hilborn

Mike Hilborn runs a power washing, snowplowing and Christmas tree lighting business and ran as a Republican for downtown St. Pauls state House district in 2024.

In a biography on his campaign website, he describes himself as a father, an entrepreneur, a second-chance employer. The company he started 30 years ago is headquartered on West Seventh Street.

Hilborns stated priorities include lowering taxes and promoting law and order. Earlier this year, his website said he would double the size of the St. Paul Police Department while cutting property taxes by 50%

Hilborn, who works with nonprofits that provide work opportunities for the disabled and people getting out of prison, wants to combat homelessness by expanding access to shelter and addressing root causes like addiction and mental health challenges, according to his website.
Russian troops have occupied two additional villages in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast amid intensified fighting, the Ukrainian military said in an official statement on Aug. 16.

Russian troops continue pressing Ukrainian lines across the front line, and especially around Dobropillia and Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, as Kyiv warns that Moscow may seek to gain leverage in future talks.

Russian forces captured the villages of Popiv Yar, southwest of Dobropillia, and Ivano-Darivka, located northeast of Sloviansk.

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Fighting continues as Russian troops push to expand their control near Novyi Shakhove, west of Vuhledar, and step up attacks toward Ivanivka, a settlement in the Dobropillia sector, the statement by Ukraine's Dnipro Group of Forces said.

According to the military, Russian forces continued offensive actions near the towns of Rodynske, Myroliubivka, Pokrovsk, Novoekonomichne, Novoukrainka and Zvirove in an attempt to reach the administrative border of Donetsk Oblast.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a statement posted on social media Aug. 16, acknowledged that the situation in Donetsk Oblast remains "extremely difficult" but said Ukrainian forces have made some successful counterattacks.

"We are defending our positions across the entire front line and have been successful for the second day in a row in some extremely difficult areas in Donetsk Oblast  in the direction of Dobropillia and Pokrovsk," Zelensky wrote.

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Zelensky warned that Russia could attempt to intensify attacks in the coming days to create "more favorable political conditions" ahead of planned talks.

The reported Russian advances follow earlier reports from Ukraine's General Staff, which said on Aug. 12 that Moscow had massed more than 110,000 troops near Pokrovsk.

A map showing Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast as of 2025. (The Kyiv Independent)

The General Staff described the situation as "complex and dynamic," stressing Ukrainian forces were taking "effective measures" to contain the assaults.

Monitoring group DeepState reported on Aug. 11 that Russian forces made a push toward the DobropilliaKramatorsk highway in Donetsk Oblast, allegedly piercing Ukrainian defenses.

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Using a steady flow of small infantry assault groups optimized for infiltration tactics and resupplied with drones, Russian troops successfully advanced over 15 kilometers north, threatening to compromise the defense of several major settlements in the region.

In response, Kyiv redeployed some of its most hardened units to the area, including parts of the 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard and the 93rd Mechanized Brigade.

Information on the current status of the breach remains scarce, with the entire area falling into a grey zone controlled by drones from both sides, but according to DeepState's Aug. 15 update, a significant part of the area had been retaken by Ukrainian forces.

The intense fighting comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on Aug. 15.

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The nearly three-hour meeting ended without a deal to end the war in Ukraine, which Trump had sought.

Read also: Russia declares isolation over after Putins red-carpet welcome in Alaska

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The head of Norways Police Security Service (PST) has told the media that Moscow is to blame for a cyberattack on a dam, which remotely opened the floodgates. According to a Guardian report, the actions of an unnamed crew of pro-Russian cyber-felons released 500 liters (132 gallons) of water a second, sustained for around four hours before it was noticed and stopped. Beate Gangas, the head of PST, mentioned the Bremanger Dam attack as an example of the escalating action of Russia-backed cyber actors.

Russia aims to cause fear and chaos.

Norway gets the majority of its electricity from hydropower generation facilities. In this case, however, the dam that was hacked was primarily used for fish farming. Luckily, there were no injuries or damage reported as a result of the gushing dam. The source report notes that in April, when the hack took place, the water level in the river fed by the dam was a long way below flood capacity. Had the weather circumstances been different, the folk in the nearby town of Svelgen could have been in peril.

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The aim of this type of operation is to influence and to cause fear and chaos among the general population, said Gangas on Wednesday. Our Russian neighbor has become more dangerous.

Though this act has now been officially attributed as being Russia state-sponsored by Norway, there was already quite strong evidence pointing East. The source report indicates that the hacking group behind the dam attack comprised individuals who had been linked to several other cyberattacks on the West. Moreover, the alleged perpetrators published a three-minute video on social media on the day of the dam water spilling attack. The video had a pro-Russian cybercriminal group watermark on it.

Russians responds

Readers will not be surprised that the Russian embassy in Oslo characterized Gangass statements as unfounded. A statement published on X went on to assert that It is obvious that the PST is unsuccessfully trying to substantiate the mythical threat of Russian sabotage against Norwegian infrastructure this year, which it itself invented in its February report.

Despite such denials, Russia has repeatedly threatened those who support Ukraine, even going so far as issuing explicit nuclear warnings. A significant amount of this saber-rattling is attributed to former President Dmitry Medvedev.

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Actually, the Nordic countries seem to have faced more than their fair share of Russian coercion, with specific warnings given to Finland and Sweden against joining NATO. The warnings obviously fell on deaf ears, as both these countries are now full NATO members. Finland and Norway have the added hazard of land borders with Russia, which extend to 830 miles and 121 miles, respectively.

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Renowned economist and Columbia University Professor Jeffrey Sachs has strongly criticised the United States administration's tariffs, terming them as pressure tactic on India. In an interview with ANI, he said US President Donald Trump's tariffs are "bizarre" and "very self-destructive of US foreign policy interests." He said years of hard work in improving US-India relations is being undermined by the Trump administration. "It's a shocking level of incompetence. I see incompetence in the US government, I'm never surprised, but I'd say that this reached this level that I have to admit actually surprised me," he said, answering a query regarding the Trump administration imposing 25 per cent secondary tariffs on India. Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in July, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India's continued imports of Russian oil. Sachs highlighted the legal challenges facing the Trump administration in the wake of tariffs. "...Tariffs are wrong in that they're destructive for the US economy. It violates international law. It's a breakdown of our political system in the United States. We have a constitution. We don't have one-person rule," he said, while also referring to powers of the Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution. "There's actually a lawsuit now in the US Appellate Court, which says that Trump has violated the law by imposing these tariffs. There's a real possibility that Trump's entire tariff regime will be deemed, as it should be, unconstitutional," he added. The economist said that from an economic point of view as also geopolitical point of view, Trump's policies "are doomed to fail". "They (tariffs) will not improve the US economy. They will isolate the United States geopolitically. They will strengthen the BRICS and other groups...," Jeffrey Sachs told ANI. "Trump hates the BRICS. Why? Because they stand up and say to the US, you don't run the world. The world is multipolar and we want to cooperate with you, but we don't want you to run the world. President Lula summarized it best. He said, we don't want an emperor. This is basically the point. Trump thinks he's an emperor," he added. On India's diplomatic strategy, Sachs praised the government's measured approach. "India's right. Take a deep breath. Don't do anything dramatic. Don't get too vituperative. I personally would do exactly what Prime Minister Modi's doing. He's flying to meet with President Xi Jinping. He's meeting with President Putin. He's meeting with President Lula. Those are India's real partners, by the way. Not only is the BRICS the fast-growing part of the world economy, but it's also the part of the world that says we don't want an emperor. We want multi-polarity and we want multilateralism," Sachs said. India and the US initiated talks for a just, balanced, and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in March this year, aiming to complete the first stage of the Agreement by October-November 2025. US is keen on greater access to India's sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors, which provide livelihood to a large section of people. On April 2, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order for reciprocal tariffs on various trade partners, imposing varied tariffs in the range of 10-50 per cent. He subsequently kept the tariffs in abeyance for 90 days, while imposing a 10 per cent baseline tariff, providing time and space for making trade deals. The deadline was to end on July 9, and the US administration later pushed it to August 1. He announced reciprocal tariffs on India ahead of the deadline. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told Parliament earlier this month that the government is examining the impact of tariffs and will take all necessary steps to safeguard the national interest. (ANI)
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska Friday for a major summit that many were hopeful would lead to negotiations that end Russias war in Ukraine.

However, the outcome of their negotiations was unclear.

There were many, many points that we agreed on. Most of them I would say a couple of big ones that we havent quite gotten there but weve made some headway, President Trump said.

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The president said earlier in the day that he would not negotiate on behalf of the Ukrainians with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy absent from the summit.

I will of course call up President Zelenskyy and tell him about todays meeting. Its ultimately up to them, Trump said.

Experts like retired Senior Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. State Department Lawrence Silverman echoed that sentiment.

The best job that President Trump can do is really pressing Mr. Putin to say that this is the time, now, end it, Silverman said. And by the way, if you dont end it, there is the prospect of much harder sanctions, Silverman, who is also now the Program Director, for the Savannah Council on World Affairs, said. As a result of this, are we closer to these heavier, more damaging sanctions against Russia or are we further away? Did Mr. Trump take them off the table or move them back a bit? Congress is going to want to know that as well, and I think the American people want to know that.

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Though its unclear at this point whether the two leaders have reached a deal on the war, Silverman emphasized the importance of the president staying on track.

The president should not be swayed by Mr. Putin talking about things other than what should be the main, the central issue, and the one by which I think a summit, the success or failure of a summit would be judged, Silverman said.

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Top Russian officials welcomed the end of Russias diplomatic isolation following President Vladimir Putins meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska for his first visit to the U.S. since 2015.



The summit restored a "full-fledged mechanism for meetings" between the two presidents, without "ultimatums and threats," Deputy Chairman of Russias Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel on Aug. 16.



He said that Putin was able to outline Russias conditions for ending its invasion of Ukraine while Trump refused to escalate pressure on Russia for the time being. The U.S. leader said that he would not impose any new sanctions on Russia, for now.



"The meeting proved that negotiations are possible without preconditions and simultaneously with the continuation of the SMO (Special Military Operation," he said, using Russias propaganda term for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Putin received the red carpet treatment when he arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, signalling an end to Russias isolation, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on her Telegram channel.

"Western media are in a state that can be called insanity, bordering on complete madness: For three years, they have been talking about Russias isolation, and today they saw the red carpet that greeted the Russian President in the United States," Zakharova wrote.

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After Moscow launched its full-scale invasion, Putin has faced international isolation, limiting his travel largely to close allies and regional partners such as China, Iran and North Korea, avoiding Western capitals entirely.

His travel options became even more limited after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 over the kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. The U.S. is not among the 125 countries that are party of the ICC and was not obliged to arrest Putin on its territory.

The shift in Russia's isolation started to shift after Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025. Within weeks, the leaders held their first phone call, breaking the communication freeze imposed during Joe Biden's presidency.



Trump praised the Aug. 15 meeting with Putin as a 10 out of 10, despite not reaching any peace agreements. He said he and Putin agreed on many points and made some headway toward a deal, including on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine.



Ahead of the meeting, Trump said that both sides would have to agree to "swap" land, although it is unclear what exactly that would entail.



A source in the Ukrainian Presidential Office earlier told the Kyiv Independent that Moscow's proposal would require Kyiv to withdraw from the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in exchange for a Russian pullback from parts of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.



President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously said he would not give up territory to Russia as part of peace negotiations, insisting instead that the first step should be a ceasefire.



After the summit, Trump held a phone call with Zelensky and European leaders, in which he said Putin doesnt want a ceasefire but rather a fully fleshed-out peace deal.



"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which oftentimes does not hold up," Trump wrote on Truth Social following the call.



Trump will host Zelensky in Washington on Aug. 18, where the two will discuss an end to Russia's invasion. Zelensky agreed to Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia, although no further details have yet been announced.

Read also: Kremlin brags about US jets escorting Putins plane after Alaska summit

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(Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held calls on Saturday with his Turkish and Hungarian counterparts, the Russian foreign ministry said, hours after a summit between the U.S. and Russian presidents yielded no deal on ending the war in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump, who hosted President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday for bilateral talks aimed at ending the war, has urged Kyiv to make a deal with Moscow, stating, "Russia is a very big power, and they're not."

The phone call between Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan took place at Turkey's initiative, the Russian ministry said in a short statement on its website.

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"The foreign ministers exchanged views on the outcomes of the high-level RussiaU.S. meeting held in Alaska on August 15," it said.

Turkey has tried to maintain open diplomatic channels with both sides since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, positioning itself as a NATO member, a partner to both Russia and Ukraine, and a potential mediator.

Lavrov also held a call with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto to discuss the outcomes of the Alaska summit.

Szijjarto said Hungary was hoping for a peaceful settlement to the 3-1/2-year-old conflict.

"A durable resolution to the conflict is in our interest, as well as for peace and security to return to Central Europe," he said in a Facebook post on his phone call with Lavrov.

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Hungary has kept close ties with Russia throughout the war, often opposing EU sanctions and continuing energy cooperation with Moscow, and drawing criticism from Western allies of Kyiv.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday after the Putin-Trump meeting that "the world is a safer place than it was yesterday," while other European leaders reiterated in their joint statement that "it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory."

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Gergely Szakacs in Budapest; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Clelia Oziel)
Utahs capital city is close to embarking on its ambitious goal to build a park trail system around downtown.

Salt Lake City is in the middle of designing the civic center portion of the Green Loop, a proposed 5.3-mile linear park that would wrap around the city. The first section would reimagine 200 East from 400 South to 500 South, or the road between the Salt Lake City-County Building and Salt Lake City Main Library.

The project would help the city revamp the librarys aging plaza and give an example of what the full project could one day deliver.

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This is an opportunity to reinvent what one of our most beloved downtown blocks feels like. By reimagining the right of way and the civic center together, we can bring more green into the city, strengthen transportation connections and make the entire area more welcoming for daily life, said Nancy Montieth, project manager for the city, in a statement on Wednesday.

However, planners would also like feedback from residents about what they want out of the first piece of the plan. Salt Lake City Department of Parks and Public Lands officials launched an online survey this week, asking residents about the ideas they have for the block to make it a regular destination, the types of activities theyd like to see in the area and other preferences for the space.

Department officials also set up a memory box at the library that seeks to gather ideas about the area. The online and in-person surveys will be open through the end of this month.

Information gathered from the surveys will go toward a vision study for the area, which the city is working on, along with the landscape architecture firm GGN. It will help make early decisions on what the block will look like in the future.

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The overarching goal for this segment is to make the plaza accessible, comfortable and useful for residents and events held in the area, public lands officials explain. Half of this summers Salt Lake City Twilight Concert Series lineup was to be held on the block this year, and its also home to other popular events, such as the Living Traditions Festival and Utah Pride Festival. Its also been at the center of many protests over the years.

It will feature more trees, shade and new infrastructure, said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

By envisioning how the Green Loop meets Washington and Library squares, we can create a true civic destination  a more welcoming, shaded space where we can mingle, play and connect, she said.

Members of the Salt Lake City Council voted in January to allow the department to use $3.1 million in city funds allocated to the project to carry out more advanced planning. About $3 million toward the implementation of the project is requested in Salt Lake Citys proposed Capital Improvement Program budget that the City Council is expected to vote on next week.

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Other parts of the Green Loop could be completed soon, too. Monteith said the city still plans to add a tree canopy to the completed 9-Line corridor, which would signal the completion of the paths southern boundary. The path has already generated a buzz, drawing as many as 37,000 users per month at different locations this spring, according to Salt Lake Citys transportation division.

The full project calls for the reconfiguring of parts of 200 East, 900 South, 500 West and North Temple/South Temple. It would also add about 60 acres of green space around the downtown area.

Its unclear yet when the full project will be completed, as its estimated to cost $250 million to $350 million. However, city officials remain hopeful it could receive Olympic funding to be completed before the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  According to a study done by the Higher Education Policy Institute, 92% of students use artificial intelligence in some form.

That surge in users has pushed the San Diego Unified School District to create new guidelines on how to use AI platforms in the classroom while preventing plagiarism.

People rely too much on technology, and they dont actually get that social connection, Larissa Buckel, a local teacher and parent of two daughters.

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Nevertheless, the new school year brings new technologies.

Its really a moving target. AIs changed so quickly, said Derek Suzuki, the program manager for instructional technology with the San Diego Unified School District.

Suzuki says the quick development of artificial intelligence created some new concerns for teachers.

What everyone was worried about was how are kids going to use this to cheat, he said.

Getting artificial intelligence platforms like Chat GPT to do your homework can be as easy as typing in a prompt, but once its done, its not that easy to get away with.

Its not how I taught them how to do it, so then you can tell, and if you ask them like how did you do this, theyre like uhhhh, so yea I can tell, Buckel said when asked if she can tell when her students use AI.

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AI business expert Azita Arvani says it wont be long before itll be nearly impossible to tell the difference between human and AI-generated work.

Its a game of cat and mouse, Arvani said. The AI tools get very powerful, so itd be harder to catch them.

So Buckel encourages her daughters to learn the skill without cheating.

With AI you can ask it to be the teacher and how do I do this like explain how to do it, so they at least get a step by step, she said.

Last year, San Diego Unified School District launched a taskforce create guidelines on how student and teachers should use AI.

It turns that narrative from fear to how do you leverage this tool that everyone is going to be using into something that our students use responsibly, Suzuki said.

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As employers increasingly look for applicants with AI skills, those guidelines will help students learn without using it irresponsibly.

When theyre writing their letters to colleges, Im sure theyll use it, but again Im going to persuade them to try and do as much of it on their own, Buckel said.

The district says theyre still receiving feedback on the guidelines, but they expect to present it to the board for approval by early October.

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BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV)  A highway exit ramp is set to shut down due to flooding, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

The ramp to US 278 Eastbound from SC 170 will be shut down due to heavy flooding in the area.

A re-open time has not been determined.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Schmitz Custom Meats, LLC broke ground Friday on its new facility in Dell Rapids.

According to a press release from Sioux Metro, the nearly $2.5 million project will be located at the northwest corner of Garfield Avenue and Quartzite Street, in the Fiegen Industrial Park.

At the podium, Steven and Theresa Schmitz and their two children. From L to R: Tracy Kerkhove (Cosand Construction), Tarrah Burggraff (DREDC), Theresa Schmitz, Steven Schmitz, Jess Evans (SD Development Corp), Mayor Marsha Symens (City of Dell Rapids) Schmitz Family holding gold shovels

Construction on the 6,000-square-foot building is anticipated to be complete in the spring of 2026. It will include new processing equipment and a retail space for area customers. The new facility will create 5-6 jobs at launch, the press release said.

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Teen cited for rollover crash near Harrisburg

This facility will allow us to lean on the agricultural roots of our state by working with local farmers and producers while contributing to the area we call home. owner-operator Steven Schmitz said.

The site was previously owned by Dell Rapids Lumber.

Were proud to see this project take shape and look forward to their grand opening next year. said Doug Hainje, manager of Dell Rapids Lumber and past-president of the Dell Rapids Economic Development Corporation.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tore into President Trump early Saturday after his high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without a deal, accusing the president of selling out Ukraine.

Looks like once again Trump is selling out Ukraine and bowing down to dictator Putin, he wrote on social media platform X. No Nobel Peace Prize for that.

His critique comes days after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton quipped that she would nominate Trump for the coveted prize if he successfully squeezed a ceasefire agreement out of the Russian leader.

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Trump and Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday for a roughly three-hour discussion. While details of the conversation have not been released, the president touted the meeting as productive and signaled that while progress was made, a deal was not yet on the table.

We didnt get there, but we have a good chance, he told reporters following the summit, but did not take questions. The president later briefed NATO and European leaders  who responded by doubling down on their support for Ukraine  on the meeting.

Schumer, in separate comments late Friday, accused Trump of rolling out the red carpet for Putin, who he called an authoritarian thug.

Instead of standing with Ukraine and our allies, Trump stood shoulder to shoulder with an autocrat that has terrorized the Ukrainian people and the globe for years, he wrote on X. While we wait for critical details of what was discussed  on first take it appears Trump handed Putin legitimacy, a global stage, zero accountability, and got nothing in return.

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Our fear is that this wasnt diplomacy  it was just theater, the New York Democrat added.

Trump defended the outcome of the summit in an interview with Fox Newss Sean Hannity late Friday, saying it is up to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to come to an agreement. Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet on Monday at the Oval Office.

Clinton earlier this week said she would support Trumps quest for a Nobel Peace Prize if he is able to negotiate an end to the more than three-year war that repudiates the Kremlins claims to Ukrainian territory. The president later expressed gratitude for his former opponents remarks.

Zelensky has pushed back on Trumps suggestion that any truce would likely require a land swap of territories Russia has taken over since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

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We will never leave the Donbas, the Ukrainian leader told reporters on Tuesday.

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Thanks to poor weather conditions, a group of researchers was unable to do much of its planned work during a two-week Arctic study. But that revealed something potentially much more important about our warming planet.

What's happening?

This February, a research team from London's Queen Mary University was attempting to study fresh snowfall in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. But as Meteored reported, most of the precipitation during their two-week stay was rain, meaning they could only gather fresh snow one time.

That warmer-than-expected weather made researchers rethink the feasibility of not just their work, but any Arctic research that relies upon freezing temperatures.

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"Standing in pools of water at the snout of the glacier, or on bare, green tundra, was shocking and surreal," researcher James Bradley told Meteored. "The thick snowpack covering the landscape vanished within days. The gear I packed felt like a relic from another climate."

Instead of their planned study, the researchers wrote about the effects of warming temperatures on Svalbard and the Arctic as a whole, with their work appearing in the journal Nature Communications.

"Winter warming in the Arctic has long reached melting point and is reshaping Arctic landscapes," the authors wrote. "These winter warming events are seen by many as anomalies, but this is the new Arctic."

Why are rising temperatures important?

Changing weather events, including extreme heat and rain, are just one of the many effects of warming temperatures worldwide. And those rising temperatures, scientists agree, are a direct result of toxic, heat-trapping gases being released into our atmosphere.

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Nowhere is this more evident than the Arctic. As this study notes, Svalbard is warming at a rate nearly seven times higher than the global average, and rain is projected to surpass snow as the Arctic's primary form of precipitation before the end of this century.

And although the Arctic seems so far away, the effects of rising temperatures there are felt across the globe.

Melting glaciers and ice caps have been a driving force in the rise of sea levels worldwide. Since 1993, oceans have risen by an average of four inches, and the rate at which they rise has more than doubled. This rise not only changes life for marine wildlife, but also could eventually put coastal towns at risk of washing away.

What can I do about rising temperatures?

Reversing our planet's warming will take a global effort, such as the one outlined within the Paris Agreement. But for everyone, that effort begins at home.

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Taking seemingly small steps, like using less plastic or walking to more places, can make a big difference. And those ready to take a bigger plunge may want to consider upgrading their appliances or HVAC systems to eco-friendly models.

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.
Researchers from the Bioplastics Innovation Hub are working on a new form of plastic that breaks down completely, leaving no harmful microplastics behind, Murdoch University reported via Phys.org. The development, should it reach its full potential, offers a promising path toward replacing single-use packaging such as water bottles.

The research is ongoing, so there's no timeline for its completion. However, the scientists are confident that it's heading in the right direction.

One of the Western Australian team's focuses is on naturally occurring microbes to create the alternative bioplastic. BIH's Harrison O'Sullivan explained that these wild bacteria store excess nutrients as organic molecules, compounds that scientists can extract and use to produce biodegradable plastic.

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Other research teams are working on similar projects, with a Korean group analyzing polyester-producing bacteria.

Plastic produced with organisms already found in nature breaks down more easily than petroleum-based plastic. If everything goes to plan, these plastics won't leave a single trace behind in the environment. "And that's really important because otherwise we'll continue to have a build-up of plastic in terrestrial environments on land and in the oceans," BIH Director Daniel Murphy said.

It's also crucial for human health, which is affected by microplastics. One review of thousands of studies highlighted several health conditions linked to microplastics, including colon cancer, fertility issues, and lung cancer. Chronic microplastic exposure also has ties to lipid buildup and liver fibrosis.

Using less plastic can certainly help the environment and the health of humans and animals. Unfortunately, it's tough to get rid of plastic altogether, as it's become such a significant part of society, being used in everything from food packaging and medical supplies to electronics and building materials.

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Finding better alternatives is the answer, BIH researchers say. "We are hoping to reach a level where bioplastics and biopolymers reach every household," environmental microbiologist Sakshi Tiwari said.

That goal may be years away, but such efforts offer a glimpse into a future wherein plastic waste is a nearly solved problem.

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Bollywood actor Sohail Khan expressed grief over the devastating cloudburst in Chashoti of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar Kishtwar. A massive cloudburst on Thursday triggered a flash flood in the Chashoti area of Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, along the route of the Machail Mata Yatra, which led to multiple casualties. Rescue operations are in full swing in the area, and the victims of the tragedy are being treated in the District Hospitals. While speaking to the media, Sohail said, "Dekho ye to nature ki baat hai and it is very sad..Whenever we think about J&K, it feels really sad...I went there as a child, a long time ago. It's such a beautiful place; we all call it paradise, yet something or the other always happens there. Ye khwaish hai..dua hai sabse ki us jagah ki bhalayi maange...(I urge people to pray for J&K...)" Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the cloudburst-affected areas in Chesoti of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, late on Friday evening. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "The government immediately took cognisance of it...PM Modi personally took cognisance of it and monitored it. After that, the equipment was brought here overnight by vehicles. CRPF came here overnight with equipment. Air Force, Indian Army, DG Police, Jammu-Kashmir Police, and today BRO's services have been utilised because they have machines to clear debris from the roads...". He added, "52 bodies have been recovered, of which four bodies have not been identified, while the rest have been identified. Seriously injured patients have been referred outside, with about 52 patients admitted to Jammu Medical College, and those who are more critical will be referred outside...Efforts are ongoing. There is no shortage from the government's side. Work is in progress." According to sources, the Indian Air Force will participate in relief and rescue operations, with two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur. Operations will commence once weather conditions improve. Rescue efforts continue in Kishtwar, with local communities and J-K Police providing urgent relief, shelter, and medical assistance. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, expressed solidarity with those affected by recent natural disasters across India. "Nature is testing us...Over the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people," he said from the Red Fort. (ANI)
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott promotes efforts to reduce vacant properties as part of the solution in decreasing homelessness in the city. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said Friday that the city has reduced thousands of vacant properties over the last five years, which he said should ultimately help reduce the number of people who experience homelessness by keeping housing costs down by increasing supply.

Affordability is number one for us in Baltimore, Scott said at a Friday panel at the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference. Baltimore, as we all know, has a ton of housing stock, but a large portion of that is unlivable, vacant housing throughout our city.

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He reported that since he became mayor in December 2020, the city has reduced the number of vacant properties by about 3,500 units, after a period of more than 20 years when the number of vacant properties had not changed.

We were at 16,000 vacant properties when I came into office. As of 20 minutes before we started today, were now down to 12,510, he said to applause from MACo attendees.

Improving housing stock and housing access was just one of the many potential solutions offered at a pair of housing events Friday at the conference in Ocean City. Scott was joined by members of state and local government as well as homeless advocates to discuss the challenges and potential solutions to homelessness.

People always tell you that homelessness is this simple thing to fix, and that you can take these cookie cutter approaches, Scott said. No  every single person experiencing homelessness needs a specific, tailored thing for them.

He said that investing in vacant housing efforts across the city, not just in downtown areas, will especially help underserved areas where people experience higher rates of poverty. He added that a partnership between the city, the Moore administration and private developers called Reframe Baltimore will bring in $3 billion over the next 15 years to eliminate vacant houses in the city.

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But Scott assured the audience that theres still work to be done.

Making progress, but challenges continue

Danielle Meister, assistant secretary of homeless solutions with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, said there has been a 28% decrease in homelessness across the state since 2015.

Theres also been a 42% drop in unsheltered homelessness since 2015, she said. Meister attributes that drop to the states adoption of housing first policies.

Rather than requiring people to first go through treatment or first get a job to kind of earn housing, she said, we really endorse and fiercely protect the idea that they should be connecting people rapidly to permanent housing with the supports to stay there successfully.

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Its really hard to get a job, its really hard to maintain sobriety if you dont have a regular consistent place to live, she added.

But even with that progress, there are a few populations where state data shows really concerning trends particularly with people aged 65 years and older and among families with children.

Meister said the number of homeless seniors doubled between fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2024.

The vast majority of the homeless system resources, theyre set up for people who can work and eventually, maybe, pay their own rent, Meister said. Most of our homeless system is not equipped to serve older adults who are on restricted income.

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She added that theres been a big increase in families experiencing homelessness since the pandemic.

It looks different than single adults, so what were going to start to focus on a little bit more is family homelessness, she said.

Danielle Meister, assistant secretary of homeless solutions with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters).

Meister said that looking at trends in state data on homelessness can help identify and target new solutions.

Generally, our state has been really great at accelerating permanent, supportive housing growth, not so much on other housing interventions which is more often navigated to families.

Nick Rinehart, legislative analyst for the Howard County Council, asked the panel how officials can counter the stigma of homelessness to help push solutions in their jurisdictions.

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Were elected to do the right thing, not the popular one, Scott said. We have to educate folks  but sometimes, theyre still going to be mad  so what?

We have to be able to do what we know is right, Scott said. We just have to do the right thing no matter who gets mad.

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DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP)  Ray Estrada's 11-year-old grandson is used to Las Vegas' scorching summers, but he'd always wanted to experience the heat in one of the Earth's hottest places. So Estrada recently drove him to Death Valley National Park, with an umbrella, extra water and electrolytes in tow. That day, the thermometer soared to 118 F (47.78 C).

We have to be very careful when we go out there, Estrada told him. If you start feeling dizzy or whatever... were just gonna turn back and be safe so we can do this again another time.

The extreme temperatures in this stretch of California desert attract visitors every year, some determined to finish a grueling, multiday race, others just curious about the sizzling heat and the landscape's vast beauty. Yet despite the warnings, the heat kills one to three people annually, and park rangers respond to overheated visitors multiple times per week, making communication about heat safety a priority for the National Park Service.

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But that's easier said than done.

Its very easy to underestimate how dangerous heat is," said Abby Wines, the park's acting deputy superintendent. People are usually used to thinking of heat as something that makes them uncomfortable," and that they can tough it out.

This type of heat will kill, she said.

Death Valley holds the record for the hottest temperature ever officially recorded  134 F (56.67 C) in July 1913  although some experts have disputed it and say the real record was 130 F (54.4 C) there in July 2021.

In the U.S., heat kills more people than other weather events combined, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, which come from burning fuels like oil and coal, continue at their current pace, more places could experience broiling temperatures. That makes it crucial to communicate the dangers of extreme heat and safety precautions, as both can influence who lives and dies.

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Risks and a sense of control

Throughout this desert are stark warnings of the deadly heat: Stop. Extreme heat danger. Walking after 10 a.m. not recommended, one sign says. HEAT KILLS! warns another. On bathroom walls there are reminders to hydrate in the form of charts displaying the color of pee  the darker the urine, the more you need to drink water.

Another sign warns visitors that helicopters for medical emergencies cant safely fly amid extreme temperatures. Ambulances can often deploy in extreme heat but are not a guarantee. The safety of emergency responders is always considered.

Baruch Fischhoff, professor at Carnegie Mellon University who studies decision-making, said evidence shows that people generally underestimate risk when they have a sense of control. Information that explicitly says rescue might not be an option if its too hot takes away that sense of the control that can lead to underestimating risk.

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Failing to recognize those risks can be deadly. Last summer, a helicopter was unable to fly to a rescue because of 128 F (53.33 C) temperatures. A group of visitors were traveling on motorcycles when one died from the heat, and another was treated for severe heat illness and transported to a hospital.

Rescue options are even more limited for hikers lost on a trail. Unless its a short distance and rescuers know where the person is, theyll likely wait until sunset if its above 115 F (46.11 C). Depending on their situation, Wines said, that's probably too late.

The challenges of communication

Two of the park's busiest months are in the summer, and it sees a small bump in visitors when temperatures are expected to hit the high 120s or 130s F (48.89s to 54.44s C). But it's the moderate temperatures that tend to get people into more trouble.

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We actually have a harder time communicating our concerns about heat to the public when they visit and its only 100 to 115," Wines said. The dryness evaporates sweat almost instantly, so many people don't realize how much they're actually sweating.

Then there's the vastness. Death Valley has more than 50 entrances, so many visitors aren't seeing rangers who can relay important information. Instead, they place heat warning signs in the hottest and most popular spots. But they discovered that people responded less to heat warning signs that looked permanent compared to those that seemed temporary.

For Marc Green, an expert in experimental psychology, that finding is 100% predictable.

People judge what to do based on specific information, he said. If a warning sign is up all the time, even when conditions are good, it contains no useful information. That's why people disregard it.

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Jennifer Marlon, senior research scientist at the Yale School of the Environment, has studied public perceptions of the health risks of extreme heat across the U.S. How people perceive heat and other climate risks varies by factors like age, race, gender, income level and where they live. Older white men, for instance, tend to have lower risk perceptions across the board, whereas women have higher risk perceptions than men.

The challenge, though, is that the level of worry or risk perception doesnt necessarily translate into action, Marlon said. Optimism bias could also falsely make a person believe the heat wont personally affect them. While studies show that experience with heat increases peoples concern, it is short-lived.

You get a bump for like a year or so after a really big event and then it just goes right back to the baseline, she said.

What type of communication is effective

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Marlon said to be specific. Don't just tell people that heat can be lethal, tell them what could happen to their bodies and what to do to stay safe.

Death Valley park does this. On site and online, park officials tell visitors to avoid hiking at low elevations after 10 a.m., to stay on paved roads and near their cars. They say to drink and carry plenty of water, and to seek shade and hydrate if you feel dizzy, nauseous or have a headache.

And while this isn't something the park would initiate, if scientists gave names to heat waves, similar to how hurricanes are named, that could better grab peoples attention because human brains are attuned to novelty, Marlon said.

The messenger is also important. If friends, family and neighbors are worried and nudging you to do something, that can be more powerful than reading information online. Community leaders modeling appropriate behavior  like saying theyre evacuating their family ahead of a hurricane or that they carry extra water in their trunk  can also go a long way.

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Marlon also suggested communicating how extreme heat can impair the ability to think clearly. When communicating with images, show people drinking water, putting on cold wet towels or resting in shade.

Whatever the recommended behavior is, show them pictures of that behavior because were incredibly and fundamentally social animals, and body language is so much of how we communicate, Marlon said.



Associated Press photographer John Locher contributed to this report from Death Valley National Park.



The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment.
Another major data breach has created a new headache for the Government after a sub-contractor admitted that thousands of Afghans brought to safety in Britain had their personal details exposed.

Up to 3,700 people who travelled to the UK from Afghanistan between January and March 2024 have potentially been impacted.

It comes just weeks after it was revealed that the information of 19,000 Afghans who had applied to live in Britain following the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 were mistakenly leaked by a British official.

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The scandal led to thousands of Afghans being secretly relocated to the UK, the details of which were uncovered last month after a two-year super-injunction was lifted by the High Court.

The Taliban regained Afghanistan in 2021 (Getty Images)

On Friday, it emerged that information from the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) were compromised again.

The Inflite Group  an MoD supplier that provides ground handling services at London Stansted Airport  said it suffered a cyber-security incident.

However, the Government said it "has not posed any threat to individuals' safety, nor compromised any government systems"

The flights were used to transport Afghans to the UK. It was also used to fly British troops and officials.

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Defence Secretary John Healey offered a "sincere apology" for the first data breach, saying he was "deeply concerned about the lack of transparency, adding: "No government wishes to withhold information from the British public, from parliamentarians or the press in this manner."

Defence Secretary John Healey apologised (PA)

A Government spokesman said of Friday's breach: "We were recently notified that a third-party sub-contractor to a supplier experienced a cyber security incident involving unauthorised access to a small number of its emails that contained basic personal information.

"We take data security extremely seriously and are going above and beyond our legal duties in informing all potentially affected individuals. The incident has not posed any threat to individuals' safety, nor compromised any government systems."

Infinite said: "We have reported the incident to the Information Commissioner's Office and have been actively working with the relevant UK cyber authorities, including the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre, to support our investigation and response,.

"We believe the scope of the incident was limited to email accounts only, however, as a precautionary measure, we have contacted our key stakeholders whose data may have been affected during the period of January to March 2024."
Aimee Betro failed at her mission to assassinate her long-distance lover's rival - but in the days after her bungled attack, she still believed she could cover her tracks and evade police.

The US woman, who had been on the run for five years, was this week found guilty of conspiracy to murder after trying to shoot dead a Birmingham businessman in 2019 as part of a revenge plot.

But it was a second failed plot, alongside her co-conspirator, to frame an innocent English man for Betro's failed shootings that eventually led to her downfall.

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From a post office in Illinois, Betro sent packages of ammunition and gun parts to that innocent party in Derby - and police in England did initially arrest him, suspecting him of being responsible.

A series of mistakes, though, left a plethora of DNA and other evidence that gave the police and prosecutors a strong case against Betro - leaving her facing a lengthy jail term when she returns to court for sentencing next week.

Betro, 45, had travelled to England from her home in West Allis, Wisconsin, to carry out a planned assassination that was conceived by co-conspirator Mohammed Nazir, whom she had met on a dating app.

He and his father Mohammed Aslam launched a vendetta after they were injured during disorder at bridal shop Seher Boutique on Alum Rock Road in July 2018, which was owned by businessman Aslat Mahumad.

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The pair were so angered by the fight - reportedly over the price of a wedding suit - they set out for revenge against Mr Mahumad, recruiting Betro to help.

Even though she had no obvious criminal background, she agreed - flying to the UK to kill a man she didn't know.

On the night of the attack, Betro disguised herself in a niqab and laid in wait outside the Mahumad family home in Yardley, Birmingham. When Mr Mahumad's son Sikander Ali arrived at the property, she stepped out and attempted to shoot at point blank range.

Her gun jammed or malfunctioned, and Mr Ali fled the scene unharmed.

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In the early hours of the following day, she returned to the scene and fired three times at the empty property.

The day after that, Betro left the UK and the second plan came into effect, with Nazir joining her back in the US as the pair hatched a plot to target another man.

CCTV footage captured Betro at a post office in Palatine, Illinois, where she shipped off the illegal goods, using the false name M Chandler.

As part of the scheme, Nazir also tipped off the police about the packages in order to frame the man in England to whom it was addressed.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said DNA evidence had played a "crucial part" in proving Betro's guilt and linked her to both the attempted attack in Birmingham and the ammunition offences.

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Her DNA was found inside all three packages sent to frame the innocent Derby man, as well as on a black glove inside a Mercedes she had used as a getaway vehicle, following the attempted assassination.

DNA from both crime scenes were also compared and shown to be from the same person, the CPS confirmed.

In separate proceedings to Betro, both Nazir, 31, and Aslam, 59, each from Derby, were jailed last year for conspiracy to murder.

Betro faced trial this summer, ending up in a British court after a globetrotting trek.

An international warrant for her arrest was issued by the UK in June 2024 and when law enforcement finally caught up with her, she had spent five years on the run. She was eventually tracked down in Armenia, where she was in hiding, and extradited to the UK.

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Last week Betro was convicted of conspiracy to murder, possession of a firearm with intent and being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of ammunition.

Sikander Ali, on whom she had pulled the gun and tried to fire, was last year jailed for drugs and firearm offences unrelated to the incident in Birmingham.

Det Ch Insp Alastair Orencas, from West Midlands Police, said an "incredible amount of work" had gone into building a picture of Betro's activities while she was in the UK.

He explained how the Wisconsin native had posted pictures and videos of famous landmarks, in efforts to pass herself off as a tourist, when her real purpose was to commit murder.

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"We worked really closely with partners such as the Armenian Government, NCA, FBI, Crown Prosecution Service and Derbyshire Constabulary to bring Betro back to the UK to face justice," he said.

The BBC has contacted the FBI for comment.

John Sheehan, head of the CPS Extradition unit, said it was a "complex" investigation and extradition process which required bringing together multiple agencies.

"We worked together to make sure we had a watertight prima facie case in order to lawfully arrest Aimee Betro in a foreign country without her becoming aware and potentially fleeing again," he explained.

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She is due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on 21 August.

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Life on Mars sounds like something from a "Doctor Who" episode. But a study published in the International Journal of Astrobiology challenges the science fiction notion of that idea. The research points out that Mars' atmosphere is thin and the planet lacks a magnetic field, therefore, it is constantly bombarded with powerful radiation from space, specifically, galactic cosmic rays.

These high-energy particles come from outside of our solar system and are typically considered destructive as they can damage DNA and harm living cells. However, the publication's research suggests that under the right conditions, this same radiation might help life survive instead of destroying it.

Already, Earth hosts a microbe that survives entirely on radiation. Deep in a South African gold mine, scientists discovered an organism that powers its metabolism using radiation-driven chemistry, without any sunlight at all. The research raises the question of whether similar life could be hiding beneath the surface of Mars, where cosmic rays interact with rock and ice in a way that could support life.

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Read more: What's Happening To Earth Right Now Can't Be Explained By Climate Models

How Cosmic Rays Might Support Life On Mars

the Perseverance Rover exploring the surface of Mars - Triff/Shutterstock

When cosmic rays hit rocks or ice, they set off a chain reaction called radiolysis. This process splits water and other molecules into smaller parts, creating energy-rich compounds like hydrogen and oxidants. These are the kinds of chemicals that simple microbes could use as food.

The study introduces a new idea referred to as the radiolytic habitable zone (RHZ). These are regions below the surface where cosmic raydriven reactions might provide enough energy to support microbial life. Using simulations, the researchers estimated how deep this zone might go on Mars, as well as Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus. The theory is that these RHZs could support simple, radiation-powered life forms in areas that are protected from the harsh surface conditions.

However, this idea is still theoretical, so we are not setting up a base on Mars just yet. Researchers acknowledge that the models don't account for how temperature variations might affect underground chemistry, or what kinds of organic molecules can actually form there. Of course, because Earth doesn't get much cosmic ray radiation due to its protective atmosphere and magnetic field, there are no real-world examples of life evolving under these conditions.

Where We Might Be Able To Live On Mars

concept art of a human outpost on Mars - R_type/Getty Images

If the researchers' theory is right and life powered by cosmic rays does exist on Mars, there are a couple of promising places to look. These are beneath Mars' polar ice caps. The north pole is called Planum Boreum and the south pole is called Planum Australe. These massive ice caps on Mars are mostly made of water ice and a seasonal layer of carbon dioxide ice, also known as dry ice. They offer a unique environment where life might be shielded from the surface radiation while still getting enough cosmic ray exposure underground to fuel radiolytic chemistry.

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So far, no mission to Mars has explored these polar regions directly. However, future missions are in progress. The European Space Agency's ExoMars mission is set to launch in 2028, and NASA's Mars Life Explorer is planned for the 2030s. These will include drills capable of reaching about six feet below the surface, theoretically deep enough to reach the RHZ and test for possible signs of life.

These two future missions, if successful, will be critical in discovering if the theory in the International Journal of Astrobiology has merit. While the idea is intriguing, there is still a long way to go before humans could potentially have their own settlements in other regions of our solar system.

Read the original article on BGR.
This is the second article in a three-part Deseret News series on sexual violence in Utah. The other articles are: "Its time to stop relying on FBI data alone to compare sexual violence rates between U.S. states and National sexual violence data suggests Utah is one of the safest states for girls, women."

Even a single instance of abuse is too many.

University of Utah professor Julie Valentine, a forensic nurse who created one of the worlds best sexual assault archival databases, described how sexual assault often shatters peoples worldviews, echoing Israeli researchers who define rape as an act that denies an individuals humanity.

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This is why, on a question as important as sexual violence against children and adults, its important to learn as much as we can from as many sources as we can. You cant make changes unless you can know and understand whats going on, said Leslie Miles, a researcher on sexual violence and professor at BYUs College of Nursing.

When important data sources are missed, we may inadvertently reach inaccurate conclusions. For instance, over the past decade, claims have circulated suggesting there is an especially high risk of sexual violence for adolescent girls and adult women living in Utah compared with the rest of the country.

Many familiar with other data about the state have found this conclusion puzzling. When recently asked about allegations Utah was worse than other locations in terms of sexual violence, Professor Justin Dyer, who researches Utah youth, said, such a claim seems out of step with what we already know in this area.

Taking into account all the data

Like other important questions about Utah, so much depends on which information and data is being seriously considered (and which is not). Kathleen C. Basile, associate director for Science in the Division of Violence Prevention in the Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC, told the Deseret News, I think readers and those who are interested in this kind of (sexual violence) data should look at all the sources.

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Her colleague, Sharon G. Smith, also a behavioral scientist in the Division of Violence Prevention at the CDC, likewise said that using all of these data together helps give you a better picture of what the problem actually looks like.

Utah researchers agree. Valentine said, you have to always look at all of the studies, and ask yourself, where are they gathering this information?

We have found three meaningful data sources that have frequently been overlooked in public discussions about sexual violence rates in Utah.

1. From crime figures to anonymous self-report

In the FBIs Crime Data Explorer, Utah in 2023 had 54.4 rapes reported to police per 100,000 inhabitants. Since there are only five states higher, numbers like this have frequently been compared with other states over the last decade.

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Yet the FBI strongly discourages these kinds of state-by-state comparisons based solely on their official crime statistics. With so many variable influences on both crime and willingness to report crime, higher and lower official figures cannot be simply taken at face value. Instead, we must also ask:

Could lower criminal justice numbers reflect gaps in how crimes are revealed, reported, or recorded, rather than a lower actual rate of violence in that area?

Are higher official figures potentially reflecting higher objective levels of violence or indications of a community that, for a variety of reasons, has found different ways to encourage more accountability and disclosure?

For example, after work in 2017 to create a climate where students will report, BYU administrators were encouraged to see a rise in the number of students reporting sexual assaults  considering this a sign that more of them trust changes made by the school and are getting the help they need.

Its this uncertainty around official crime figures that highlights the value of taking into account anonymous self-report measures that weve found offer a uniquely accurate glimpse into especially painful and sensitive experiences.

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If we want to truly understand the scope of whos affected by sexual assault, sexual abuse and rape, our most reliable (sources) are going to be the anonymous surveys, Valentine said. Because for a host of reasons, rape and sexual assault is the number one crime that is not reported.

This nationally recognized expert on rape continued, when you have these anonymous surveys, you know your numbers are going to be vastly different from if youre looking at FBI Uniform Crime Reports.

To gather these more anonymous self-report numbers across states, the CDC conducted a National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey first in 2012, then in 2016/2017. Tragically, over half all women in the United States reported some sexual violence (with over 67 million victims estimated nationally).

Because this survey of 10,000 American adults carefully samples representative people in each state, its comparisons across locations are more valid. In state-by-state comparisons, Utah had the lowest lifetime prevalence of sexual assault for any state, with approximately 37% of Utah women surveyed reporting an experience with sexual assault at some point in their life. This was six points lower than the next lowest state of Texas (43%) and 17 points lower than the national average (54%).

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When asked why this figure was so different from other available crime data, CDC researcher Kathleen Basile pointed again to the limitations in reported FBI data. Most survivors or victims dont always think of their experiences as crimes, she explained, particularly sexual violence and intimate partner violence, where usually the victim and perpetrator know each other well.

Thats why, Basile said if you frame the questioning and the measurement in a crime context, you will get less reporting and less disclosure. By contrast, she believes the fact the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey frames questions as a health survey means you get more disclosure, more reporting and higher prevalence.

Basile also said anonymity is another reason why theres more disclosure in these types of surveys.

Yet data obtained in other anonymous surveys remains complex. Another self-report survey run by the CDC, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, gathers data on sexual-related adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). By this metric, 15.5% of Utah adults in the 2020 survey and 14.3% of Utah adults from 2018, 2020 and 2022 surveys combined, recall some kind of experience of sexual abuse in their upbringing (both higher than the 12.6% national average, with states ranging between 8.6 and 18%).

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This comparison, however, is complicated by the fact that states reported data anywhere from 2011 to 2020  limiting the quality of state-by-state comparisons, since Utahs own ACEs data changed significantly over the years due to changes in openness to reporting childhood adversity.

Thats why Utahs Public Health Indicator Based Information System refers to this dataset with a caution that comparing data from different years across the country might not be the best approach.

2. From statewide to community-specific

While generalized, statewide numbers for Utah get frequent attention, more specific analyses can raise new insights. For instance, if membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made someone more vulnerable to sexual assault, we would expect to see elevated rates of sexual violence in more Latter-day Saint heavy areas, all other things being equal.

Thats opposite of what available comparative data across Utahs population centers suggests.

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While FBI data shouldnt be used as a definitive, stand-alone tool for comparing states, it may still offer useful insights when examining patterns within a single state or region.

In Utah, for instance, the rate of reported rape per 100,000 inhabitants in the more Latter-day Saint-heavy Provo/Utah/Orem metropolitan area is 40.8 per 100,000 people, lower than the Utah average. The Salt Lake City/Murray area is 65.3, the Ogden area is 48.7, and the St. George Metropolitan area is 44.3.

This data suggests that more Latter-day Saint-heavy metropolitan areas have lower rates of sexual violence in Utah.

In a similar way, if there is something about membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that prevents sexual assault, we would expect to see lower rates of sexual assaults at the Churchs universities, compared with other campuses.

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Thats precisely what we find when we look at the latest 2023 data gathered by the U.S. Department of Education on sexual assault on American campuses. Brigham Young University-Provo reports .03 rapes per thousand students, while the University of Utah reports 4.96 per thousand students, and Utah Valley University and Utah State report .07 and .11, respectively. Looking outside of Utah, UCLA reports 1.54, while the University of Nevada in Las Vegas is .19.

3. From umbrella statistics to more precise measures

One widely cited finding from the 2021 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey is that 21.4% of Utah teenage girls surveyed reported having experienced sexual violence by anyone in the past year, which was 3.5 points higher than the 17.9% of teenage girls who report some kind of sexual violence in the U.S. as a whole.

Like the Utah ACEs data, this YRBS data was administered in fall of 2021 when the pandemic effects were lingering. With more high schoolers learning remotely these years, the sample may be skewed toward those physically present, since remote or at-home administrations didnt occur. The fact that this gap between Utah and the national average reflected in the 2021 survey was sharply reduced after COVID (Utah 17.7,% U.S. 17% in 2023) seems to confirm a potential influence.

A research team led by John J. Santelli at Columbia University has also flagged a higher level of missing data in the 2021 CDC survey  with 29.5% of students with missing data on sexual questions in 2019, compared with 7% in 2011. Due to what they call a crisis in participation, Santellis team highlight the possibility of bias in this surveys estimates of adolescent behavior and raise serious concerns about the validity of trends identified by this study.

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They go so far as to state openly that the 2021 YRBS data should not be used by researchers to estimate changes in sexual experience and other adolescent behaviors in comparison to prior survey years without appropriate age adjustments or explanations.

Even if the 2021 CDC numbers are accurate, its also the case that the concerning statistic in question is uniquely broad, bringing together under one umbrella a wide range of unwanted behaviors: touching, kissing and intercourse.

Clearly, any form of an unwanted romantic or sexual overture is a significant problem. But when this same 2021 analysis tightened the focus to asking specifically about sexual dating violence and forced sexual intercourse, Utah was in both cases lower than the national average in 2021 (and has been for most of the other years measuring each of these variables).

None of this is to argue that everything is OK in the state. Like elsewhere in the country, Utah continues to grapple with the growing consequences of sexualization online and its real-life impacts.

The University of Utahs Julie Valentine is leading a case review analysis to understand more about the increase in strangulation taking place during sexual violence (with choking a frequent theme of modern online pornography). And the Utahs Commission on Criminal & Juvenile Justices updated 2024 figures confirm a 97% increase between 2022 and 2024 when it comes to prison admissions for sex offenses in the state.

Better data, more improvement

Utah State professor, Susan Madsen, has spent a decade exploring ways to further elevate women and girls in Utah, culminating in the ambitious Bolder Way Forward initiative. In an interview for this Deseret News in-depth series on sexual violence in Utah, she described her efforts to pull in every piece of data in our reports.

With so much data out there, Madsen expressed appreciation for the scope of this broader investigation into prevalence numbers. Thank you for digging in as deep as you have.

When significant problems have been identified in Utah, real change takes place. For instance, a 2016 analysis by Valentine found only 61.8% of rape kits being submitted by law enforcement to the state crime lab for testing. Legislation was passed the next year ensuring that close to 100% of rape kits move along to testing, according to Valentine.

That kind of swift systemic improvement arose directly from Valentine and her colleagues more comprehensive look at available forensic data between 2010 and 2022. Her team is currently facing barriers in creating a similar database for sexually abused children in the state, which she says could really have a huge impact in the field.

One nonprofit that monitors reform in this area now calls Utah a Model of Bipartisan Cooperation on Rape Kit Reform and reports on their website that Utah has achieved all six pillars of rape kit reform.

Better data, more unity

A deeper appreciation of data could invite broader unity in fighting abuse  one that recognizes variable rates of sexual violence are inherently complex, influenced by a wide array of different, interacting vulnerabilities.

Liliana Olvera-Arbon, executive director of Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, emphasizes the importance of holding onto the hope that we can eliminate sexual violence. I do believe that.

But in order to do that, she added, everyone in the community  not just one entity  will need to work together as a more unified collective.

We dont want to blame, cautions BYU professor Leslie Miles. When her team finds something law enforcement can improve in a particular county, they work individually with that police department in a productive way.

The only ones that have any blame are the perpetrators, she added. Once research highlights a concerning pattern, her focus becomes: How can we do this better?

If were not doing something right as a public or as mental health or as medical providers, she adds, then just tell us what were doing, and then lets come up with a plan to improve.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, confidential support is available 24/7:
When Seminole County launches its new on-demand microtransit service this fall, riders will pay higher fares  more than double in some cases  for a trip in a minivan than they do for a Lynx bus ride, county documents show.

Despite the higher costs, county officials are banking that riders will want to spend more to avoid walking to a bus stop and waiting outside for a Lynx bus that will take them to limited places. The new Scout door-to-door service will pick riders up at their homes or offices and take them nearly anywhere in the county.

I think its going to be more popular than folks getting on a Lynx bus, Commission Chair Jay Zembower said Tuesday at a board meeting. Its certainly going to be more efficient. And I think, at the end of the day, its probably going to be much more user-friendly.

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The new, higher fares have not been discussed publicly, and the Orlando Sentinel obtained details Thursday.

Operated by Miami-based Freebee, the new Scout service will start Oct. 15 and eventually replace most Lynx bus routes throughout the county. Seminole will kick off limited service next month to test it out.

Heres how it will work: Riders can request a Scout ride using the Freebee app on their smart phones, or by calling Freebees dispatch center. Then, in under 30 minutes, a van  either a Volkswagen ID Buzz or Toyota Sienna  will be dispatched to their location, according to county documents.

Scout vans will operate within five zones in the county, excluding most of the countys rural boundary on Seminoles east side. A base fare is estimated at roughly $3 or $4 for a trip within a zone. Fare rates would increase by about $1 for each zone the rider travels into. Discounted fares will be available for seniors, students and low-income riders, according to county documents.

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By comparison, a Lynx single ride fare is $2, or $4.50 for an all day pass.

It could certainly add up, said Adriana Rodriguez, about the more expensive Scout fares as she waited at the Lynx super stop in Fern Park to transfer buses. Will they have enough vans to handle all these people that ride the buses every day? I dont know.

Jason Spiegel, Freebees co-founder and chief executive officer, said fares are still being worked out, and his company will present more details on prices at the Aug. 26 commission meeting.

But one of the best parts of this service is that youre not going to be waiting outside in the hot sun. Youre going to be waiting in your home or your office, he said. And as this program launches, its going to take off like a wildfire.

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The hours will be from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Saturdays; and 6 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Sundays.

Scout is only an on-demand service, and riders will not be able to pre-schedule a pick up, Spiegel said.

Initially, Freebee will operate a fleet of 35 vehicles. If demand increases, more vehicles will be added to reduce wait times.

Seminole will pay about $5 million for the first year. If the number of vehicles is increased to 55, it will cost the county about $7.8 million.

By comparison, Seminole will pay about $17 million this fiscal year for Lynx. The Orlando-based bus service charges Seminole based on the number of routes and frequency of service the county requests. Seminole officials have long worried about Lynxs rising costs especially when they often saw nearly empty buses on their roads.

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But Lynx is not leaving Seminole entirely. The routes with the most riders  primarily along the Orange County border  will continue to operate. Lynx also will continue its paratransit service for low-income and elderly riders along with those who have physical or mental disabilities.

For the the Lynx system replaced by Scout vans, buses will stop running routes on Jan. 10. Lynx and Seminole will post signs at bus stops informing riders of the change.

Founded in 2012, Freebee currently provides similar micro-transit services in roughly 50 communities around Florida  including Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, St. Pete Beach, Deerfield Beach and Bradenton.

Monroe County contracted with Freebee in July 2024 to launch its Conch Connect, a similar micro-transit service that shuttled riders between Stock Island and Key West. However, Monroe commissioners decided to discontinue the service during budget hearings last July because of costs and low ridership.

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We purposefully set our program up with the hopes it would be a ride share effort and with a goal to remove vehicles off our main road, Monroe County Administrator Christine Hurley said in an email. After it operated for almost a year, we learned it had (an average) of 1.28 people per ride, which wasnt enough from our Boards perspective.

Seminole Commissioner Lee Constantine said hes very happy that were not the first to dive into a micro-transit service.

This is going to be an exciting opportunity for all the citizens of Seminole County, he said. But we have to be in it for the long haul. It cant be something that as soon as someone decides to complain about it, we go back and change the whole thing. The citizens have to understand that were going to have problems at first. Theres no question.
A Seminole High School security guard says she was attacked by a student during a large fight on campus this week. That student, 18-year-old Tyshawn Ellison, was arrested and charged with battery.

Channel 9 obtained multiple videos showing Tuesdays fight, where several students were seen punching each other.

Ellison, wearing a white shirt and light jeans in the footage, can be seen running toward another teen during the brawl.

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He fought. I understand that. He was on school campus, so he broke a rule, said Darlene Ellison, Tyshawns mother, who spoke exclusively with Channel 9. But did your son batter this woman? Channel 9s Geovany Dias asked. No. No, he did not, she added.

The security guard, identified as Ms. Cypress, told police in a sworn statement that Ellison pushed her and began a physical altercation. That statement led to his arrest.

Ellisons mother says, however, the videos, recorded by students at the scene, show a different story.

So, they say my son got into an altercation with another boy, and his friends got in an altercation with some other boys  all at one time, she explained. It was a whole bunch of kids fighting.

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Ms. Ellison said she has already handed those videos over to Sanford police.

One slowed-down version of clip obtained shows Ellison pointing in the distance as the guard extends her arm toward him. Its unclear what happened before or after that moment.

The mother said thats why she believes the accusations dont add up. I dont want no felony on my sons record for something that he did not do, Ms. Ellison said. I want them to get that security guard off that campus.

Sanford Police said they established probable cause for Ellisons arrest based on sworn statements.

Seminole County Public Schools said the case is now being handled by police.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) that he says will improve the Department of Homeland Securitys capacity to respond to emergencies has advanced in the U.S. Senate, the senator announced Friday.

The bill would repeal Section 695 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA), which Peters refers to as outdated. That section limits the length of time the DHS can enter into emergency contracts to 150 days.

However, according to Peters, newer government regulations allow similar contracts to extend up to one year.

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The senator says that the goal of the legislation is to render Section 695 obsolete, which would lead to timely delivery of critical services in time of emergencies.

The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for responding as quickly and efficiently as possible whenever disaster strikes, Peters said. This commonsense legislation would remove limits that prevent DHS from immediately responding to disasters, making Michiganders and all Americans safer in the process.

The bill advanced through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The Aug. 9 floods hit Mayor Cavalier Johnson close to home as he brought U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and County Executive David Crowley to his uncle's flooded house.

Gregory Hardwick's home, on the 4600 block of North 80th Street on Milwaukee's Northwest side, is just one of the 3,000 damaged homes identified by the Department of Neighborhood Services as of Aug. 15, Johnson said.

"The damage throughout the area is overwhelming, and sadly, I believe that we have unfortunately surpassed the threshold for assistance from FEMA," Johnson said at a press conference outside of his uncle's house.

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On Aug. 14, Baldwin called on President Donald Trump to approve the state's request for FEMA funds to aid in recovery efforts. Crowley, Johnson, the Wisconsin State Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers have all done the same.

Milwaukee County is conducting ongoing damage assessments, and once the process is completed, the final numbers are sent to FEMA to decide whether funds will be released. As of Aug. 14, the assessments identified $23 million in damages across public county infrastructure, and the number is expected to rise as the surveying continues.

For residents whose insurance won't cover damage to their home, Baldwin urged people to continue reporting that damage to the state's 211 number, so their damages can be factored into the FEMA report. In the meantime, she's said she's doing what she can in Washington, D.C.

"I'm here to hear and listen and bring that back to Washington to persuade this administration to do what they need to do, which is declare a major disaster in Southeastern Wisconsin," Baldwin said.

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Crowley said he's inspired by the state Legislature's bipartisan support on the need for federal aid, but doesn't want Trump's decision to be political.

"To be clear about this federal assistance, this isn't about politics," Crowley said. "We shouldn't be here bickering about how we're going to support communities who have been extremely impacted by this flood."

He also said he hopes to see FEMA on the ground in the next few weeks.

Jerrel Kruschke, Department of Public Works commissioner for the City of Milwaukee, said DPW's sanitation crews have identified 2,000 damaged homes aside from the damage people are self-reporting. He said they've already addressed 1,000 of them over the past four days.

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The drop-off center's hours will be extended through Aug. 24, Kruschke said.

"We've seen the impact," he said. "We have been down roadways with 6-foot-high debris on both sides of the roadway and it'll be cleared, and we come back the next day, and there's still more."

Though the recovery efforts are far from over, Baldwin took a moment to thank first responders and those who've stepped up to help their community.

"This could have been much more catastrophic in terms of casualties and human life, but people acted quickly," she said. "We can't stop Mother Nature from a property damage that we've seen, but boy, quick action was necessary, and it happened."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Baldwin tours flooded Milwaukee home with Mayor Johnson, Crowley
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 became extra special this year as Aamir Khan, on Saturday morning, hoisted the Indian national flag at Fed Square to celebrate India's 79th Independence Day. The event saw the Australian Indian community gathering in large numbers to celebrate the occasion. Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, took to his X account to share a video from the celebrations, describing how the "spirit of India flies high" as communities came together in Melbourne. His post read, "From Mumbai to Melbourne, the spirit of India flies high! The Australian Indian community in Melbourne came together with pride to celebrate India's 79th #IndependenceDay. Wonderful to see Indian actor #AamirKhan join the community at Federation Square for the flag-raising." Check out the video https://x.com/AusHCIndia/status/1956602760625025320 Khan was also honoured with the prestigious Excellence in Cinema Award, recognising his decades-long contribution to the craft and his unmatched influence on the industry. The awards night took place on Friday, August 15, with winners across film and streaming categories being announced. Homebound won Best Film, while director Neeraj Ghaywan received Best Director for the same project. Abhishek Bachchan took home Best Actor (Male) for I Want to Talk. Nimisha Sajayan and Jaideep Ahlawat won Best Actor (Female) (Series) and Best Actor (Male) (Series) for their performances in Dabba Cartel and Paatal Lok Season 2, respectively. The Tamil film Angammal from director Vipin Radhakrishnan also won Best Indie Film. The Bengali film Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox) from directors Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi won the Equality in Cinema category. (ANI)
KEYSVILLE, Ga. (WJBF)  Senator Raphael Warnock will be in our area Saturday afternoon  meeting with Georgia farmers about the impact of tariffs.

Warnock will tour Three Bees Pecan Farm in Keysville at 3:30 p.m. Hell hear from farmers about how tariffs are cutting into already thin profit margins.

The visit runs until 4:40 p.m. at the farm on Highway 88 East.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) hammered Costco on Friday for appeasing far-right extremists, after the retailer said earlier this week that its pharmacies would not dispense the abortion medication mifepristone.

I am deeply alarmed by news reports that Costco is refusing to sell safe, effective, and legal medication for no other reason than to appease the politics of anti-abortion fanatics, Murray said in a statement following the news. I refuse to stand by and allow far-right extremists to bully major corporations and dictate what medicine women can or cannot get access to.

Where it is legal, retailers and major pharmacies must absolutely make medication abortion available to the women who need it, the Washington Democrat added.

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Costco, in its Thursday announcement, explained that the decision came from a lack of demand.

Our position at this time not to sell mifepristone, which has not changed, is based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients, who we understand generally have the drug dispensed by their medical providers, the company said, according to Reuters.

The decision comes after CVS and Walgreens announced last year that they received certification to provide the drug in states where abortion remains legal.

Murray pressed Costco to rescind its decision, warning that limiting access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used in medication abortion, is harmful to womens health.

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Mifepristone is safe and effectivewe cannot live in a world where the availability of womens health care whipsaws back and forth based on the whims of extremists who want to deny women access to basic health care, she wrote Friday. I am demanding that Costco immediately reverse coursefollow the science and the facts, not the demands of far-right anti-abortion extremists.

The Supreme Court in a decision last year ruled unanimously that a group of anti-abortion doctors did not have the legal basis to challenge access to the pill.

Despite the ruling, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary are weighing a review of the abortion pill.

Murray questioned Makary during his Senate confirmation hearing on the proposal, as well as President Trumps moves to gut staff at the FDA.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WMBB)  Republican senators will meet Oct. 14 to formally select Majority Leader Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, as the next Senate president.

Boyd has long been expected to succeed President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, after the 2026 elections.

Albritton sent a memo on Friday to senators notifying them of the October meeting.

Jim always works to build consensus and has spent countless hours with senators on both sides of the aisle exploring and talking through ideas to make legislation stronger and bring tough and complex issues across the finish line, Albritton said in the memo.

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When it comes to constituent services, he digs into the details to make sure Floridians are getting the answers they need and expect from our elected leaders.

Boyd served in the House from 2010 to 2018 and was elected to the Senate in 2020.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Peace in Ukraine is possible before Christmas, Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham told broadcaster Fox News on Saturday following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russia's leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

"If there's a trilateral meeting between President [Trump], [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelensky and Putin, then I am cautiously optimistic that this war will end well before Christmas," Graham posted on the social media platform X.

Graham said that Trump's portrayal of Putin agreeing to such a meeting was the greatest success of the meeting in Alaska.

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"If the meeting doesn't happen, I think President Trump may deliver severe consequences to Putin and those who buy his oil and gas," Graham continued.

However, the Kremlin quickly clarified after the meeting in Alaska that there had been no agreement on a three-way summit. A trilateral meeting with Zelensky was not a topic, Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  At Touchmark All Saints, there are two things residents never miss: lunch and cheering on the Sioux Falls Little League team.

We were really rooting for Maxen Snoozy because he was doing such a great job, and his pitch was on, Joyce Wright said. We were all excited about that for sure.

Sioux Falls man faces child pornography charges

Joyce and her husband, Jan, have been tuned in all season, from the playoffs to Thursday nights shutout, when Sioux Falls defeated Pennsylvania 2-0 in their first game of the Little League World Series.

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I sent out a little message on my familys group chat, you know, were in The Vine cheering on Sioux Falls. Pretty soon its lighting up and our daughter in Indianapolis says were cheering on Sioux Falls. Then pretty soon, brother and nieces and nephew in Kansas\- were cheering on Sioux Falls, Jan Wright said.

Jan and Joyce arent the only ones bringing enthusiasm to the table. Theres plenty of excitement from Thursdays game to go around.

Oh my, Sharon Adams said. That was one of the better games that Ive seen in a long time. Max pitched 80 pitches. 80 pitches! And he still had a strong arm, which was great.

On gameday, the building echoes with excitement from several, proud Touchmark residents.

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Theyre having a lifetime memory being built out of all this, Jan said. Theyre so fortunate. Theyve earned it. Good for them, good for them.

Next Monday will be no different. As Sioux Falls steps up to bat, Touchmark residents will be ready, pom-poms and pride in hand.

The team plays Monday, August 18th at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
U.S. State Department documents left behind in an Alaska hotel reveal details of the Aug. 15 summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, NPR reported on Aug. 15.

Eight pages of government documents were left in a public printer at a business center in an Alaska hotel, according to photos of the papers a hotel guest shared with NPR.

The documents disclose the exact locations and meeting times of the summit and phone numbers of U.S. government staff. They also reveal other sensitive details, such as a menu for a luncheon in honor of "His Excellency Vladimir Putin."

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One page of the documents notes that Trump planned to gift Putin with a desk statue of an American bald eagle.

Another section provides phonetic pronunciation guides for the members of the Russian delegation, including "Mr. President POO-tihn."

The documents detail the planned seating chart for the Aug. 15 luncheon, though the event was apparently canceled.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly dismissed the suggestion that leaving the documents in a hotel printer represented a security lapse, referring to the papers as a "multi-page lunch menu."

The documents further illustrate the royal welcome Putin received on American soil. The warm and friendly tenor of the meeting was apparent from the leaders' first greetings on the red carpet in Alaska. Trump praised the encounter after the summit, calling the meeting "a 10" and hailing his "great relationship" with Putin.

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In a briefing with top Kremlin officials on Aug. 16, Putin called the summit "very frank and substantive."

Putin and Trump spoke in a closed-door meeting for nearly three hours, after which they announced in a joint press conference that no peace agreement had been reached. Trump then abandoned his demands for a ceasefire a precondition for negotiations backed by Ukraine and Europe  and said he favors making a rapid peace deal with Moscow.

Read also: No ceasefire, possible land swaps, vague security guarantees: Everything we know following Trumps meeting with Putin

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Aug. 161/9

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Paul A. Houston, Assistant Vice President of the First National Bank of Ironton, at left, presented half of 1984's Grand Champion Steer to the Rev. Jim Cremeans of the Ironton City Mission. The beef was purchased by the bank at the 4-H Livestock Sale during the county fair that July. (The Ironton Tribune  File Photo)

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The Rev. Jim Cremeans shakes hands with his good friend, Tom Phillips, during the 85th birthday celebration held for Cremeans this past week. Cremeans has preached hundreds of funerals for Phillips Funeral Home since 1967 (Submitted photo).

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The Rev. Jim Cremeans, pictured with Mary, his wife of 68 years. (Submitted photo).

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City Mission in Ironton. (The Ironton Tribune  Heath Harrison)

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The Rev. Jim Cremeans, at left, presents gifts of green beans to reading students in Joy Heighton's class at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in 1979. (The Ironton Tribune  File photo)

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Smokey Bear hands a doll to the Rev. Jim Cremeans at Ironton City Welfare Mission in 1989 as part of a Christmas donation from the U.S. Forestry Service's Ironton branch. (The Ironton Tribune  File photo)

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The Rev. Jim Cremeans, at center, is seen in 1990 with the board of directors for Evangelistic Outreach at their office, which located in Ironton at the time. Other is photo, from left, are Calvin Ray Evans, Carl Yates, Dr. Homer Willis, Calvin Evans and Donnie Chapman. (Photo courtesy of Calvin Ray Evans)

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The Rev. Jim Cremeans is seen preaching at an open air service in Jamaica. (Photo courtesy of Calvin Ray Evans)

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The Rev. Jim Cremeans is seen presenting a Bible to a new convert in Guyana. (Photo courtesy of Calvin Ray Evans)

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Cremeans remembered for his dedication

Additional reporting by Heath Harrison

One of the foundations of the Ironton religious community has passed away on Monday.

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Rev. James "Jim" Cremeans, known for his works with the Ironton City Mission, died at age 85.

He took over the Mission in 1967 when Pastor Raymond Lightner died. Cremeans served as the church's pastor until 2005.

Ironton Mayor Sam Cramblit II reacted to news of Cremeans' passing.

"He was what you call a public servant by definition," Cramblit said. "Whether through his service to the community, the shelter or his church."

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Cramblit said Cremeans had been coming to city council meetings "for years as clergy."

"It's devastating to lose someone that special to the community," Cramblit said. "He will truly be missed by a lot of people. It really saddens me."

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Over the decades, Cremeans kept the Mission going and growing. Not only was he a board member of the Ironton City Mission, but also the Ironton Ministerial Association, Community Action Organization and Evangelistic Outreach.

It was through Evangelistic Outreach that he became friends with the ministry's founder, the Rev. Calvin Ray Evans, who he saw as a mentor.

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"He absolutely is a cherished treasure to our area," Evans' son, Dr. Calvin Ray Evans, Evangelistic Outreach's director, said. "God has used him to, not only bless the poor of our area, but to preach the Gospel all around the Tri-State area, and to travel around the world to share the good news of Christ. He was a remarkable man."

Evans said Cremeans had served on Evangelistic Outreach's board of directors "since its beginning"

"He is one of the charter board members and was still active," Evans said. "In fact, he was in attendance at our board meeting at the end of May. So, all of my life, I have known him and his family."

Evans talked about the relationship his father and Cremeans had in their work and his connection to Evangelistic Outreach, which began in Ironton.

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"My father held revivals at the City Mission, for Raymond Lightner," Evans said. "When Raymond passed, Jim took the position of pastor. That was his first pastorate and only pastorate for all those years. And when he took the pastorate of the church, he continued to have Dad in for meetings and there was a bond that was there. As dad launched out into the ministry. Jim was there for the foundation of it to what it is today."

Calvin Evans and Cremeans had much in common.

"Dad was from Pedro as well," Evans said of the shared hometown with Cremeans. "They were nearby and Jim would continue to travel with Dad in meetings. Often time, he'd even drive with Dad to different meetings."

Evans said his father saw Cremeans grow into the role, which he was called to suddenly.

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"With Dad being a little older than Jim, Jim would lean on him for different things, because he was launched into the pastorate very unexpectedly," Evans said. "With the sudden death of Brother Lightner, Jim somewhat felt as though he wasn't equipped and Dad was there as a support to him all of that time. He confirmed to him that God had has his hand on him. And we know the Lord used him in a great way!"

Rob Hale, pastor of Ironton First Church of the Nazarene, said he knew Cremeans through the Ironton Ministerial Association.

"I've been pastor here for 17 years, and eventually, I became involved with them," Hale said. "Jimmy  and everyone calls him Jimmy  was one of the senior pastors in town. He was great. He took me under his wing and told me about Ironton and his ministry."

Hale said Cremeans had been a guest in his church and preached many times.

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"And he did that for a lot of people," he said. "I enjoyed him, loved him and appreciated him."

Wayne Young, who was pastor at Ironton First United Methodist from 2001-2015, was also in the Ministerial Association at the time, described Cremeans as "a great guy."

"He was always very faithful in attending the Ministerial meetings," Young said. "He would help with our worship services, like on Thanksgiving or Good Friday. He could always be counted on."

Young said he remembers a particular Good Friday service that Cremeans preached for at First Baptist Church.

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"It was about Jesus going before Pilate and how he said, 'This is the reason why I came,'" Young said. "And it was to give himself for us."

Young said Cremeans' message stayed with him.

"It so heartfelt and inspiring, I still recall it," he said. "He was a great preacher and just a great fellow."

Along the way, Cremeans was repeatedly recognized by the community being named Lawrence County Person of the Year in 1979 and in 1993. He and his wife, Mary, were named as the Ironton Tribune Person of the Year.

In December, Cremeans' 85th birthday was celebrated at City Mission Church. At the celebration, his son, Jeff Cremeans, said that his father never retired.

"He said he's just stepping down," Jeff Cremeans said at the time. "He continued to preach, hold meetings and do funerals up to about two years ago. With his health, he's just not able to do it."

Many in the community viewed the elder Cremeans as the face of the Mission and thought that he had started it.

"No," Jeff said. "For one thing, he wasn't even living around here when the Mission was started. Secondly, he was only four years old when they started it."

Jeff said Jim really took the Mission to new heights. Then Jeff stepped into his father's "big shoes."

In 1984, Jeff joined his father to assist him and stayed until 1995, when Jeff left to pastor a church. After a couple of years of public work, Jeff was called back to help his Dad again.

"He taught me well," Jeff said.

Cremeans' passing was brought up at the Lawrence County Commissioners' meeting on Tuesday morning.

"He was a pillar of the community," said Commissioner Colton Copley. "He has down so much for so many people for years and years. We want to send our condolences from the commission to his family. "We do appreciate Jim, and everything that he was able to do for people over the years was huge for our community."

"He will be greatly missed," said Commissioner DeAnna Holliday.

The funeral service for Cremeans is set for 11 a.m. today at the City Mission Church, and the body will lie in state one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Evans and Brother Tom Lawson will be officiating. He will be buried at Lawrence Furnace Cemetery in Pedro.

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CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Seven new deputies were sworn in at the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office on Friday by Sheriff Henry Whitehorn, Sr.

CPSOs R.E.D. F.L.A.G.S. program teaches adults signs of child sexual assault

The new deputies include:

Kim Foster and Latasha Turner: Food Services

Kailian Goff: Tax Clerk

Shontoshua White: Pharmacy Technician

Sharneika Adley, Jeremy Evans, Teneva Robinson, and Adrea Sweeney: Corrections

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The Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office is currently seeking new personnel, a press release stated. Applicants who are 21 years or older can apply for various positions, including corrections deputies/security, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, building and groundskeepers, telecommunications officers, and part-time courthouse security.

To learn more about qualifications, benefits, or to apply, go to caddosheriff.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 KTALnews.com.
DANVILLE  Lester Winters Jr., 32, formerly of Danville was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to a pair of felonies on Monday.

Winters received 20 years for for the class x felony of dissemination of child pornography by a sex offender, and he received 10 years for a class 1 felony of possession of child pornography by a sex offender with those sentences to be served consecutively in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The People present evidence that on April 10, 2024, Illinois State Police Criminal Investigations received a CyberTip report of a child pornographic video had been uploaded to Google. Through an investigation, law enforcement identified Winters as the user associated with the account and email address attached to the CyberTip. A forensic analysis of Winters cell phone revealed multiple images depicting nude minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Law enforcement determined that Winters not only possessed the material, but had also disseminated it through an application on his phone.

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States Attorney Jacqueline Lacy thanked the Illinois State Police for their work to seek justice in this case.

Child pornography is documented abuse and exploitation of real children, Lacy said. Every time these images are shared, the victim is re-victimized. Criminals who possess and distribute this material fuel a cycle of abuse. My office remains committed to prosecuting these criminals in order to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

The plea and sentencing hearing were presided over by Judge Karen Wall.
SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW)  The Shaker Heights cheerleader whose leg needed to be amputated after an unthinkable diagnosis celebrated a big milestone on Friday.

Amani Smith was released from Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital, weeks after doctors were forced to amputate her left leg.

Amani and her family are thrilled to finally be home, but her major life change is only just beginning.

The 17-year-old was at cheerleading camp earlier this summer when she started complaining about a stomach ache. Within hours, she was rushed into emergency surgery.

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Bernie Kosar not giving up as he waits on liver transplant

Doctors at the time discovered a ruptured abdominal cyst and an infection led to sepsis, a potentially deadly condition.

She had a stroke during surgery and her parents said a nicked artery during the procedure cut off blood flow to her left leg for hours.

Doctors were forced to amputate and she was placed on life support for nearly a week.

Now, Amani has recovered enough to return home and her family is navigating the next steps as she is determined to dance again.

Big Cleveland weekend: What to know about all the events

All the while, the Shaker Heights community has rallied around the family.

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It feels really good. I have a good support group around me, Amani said. After two months and a few days, Im finally free.

Amani is going into her senior year of high school.

So far, a GoFundMe page has raised more than $37,000 for the family, who hopes to get her a prosthetic leg. Learn how to donate right here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the trailer screening of 'The Bengal Files' was abruptly stopped in Kolkata on Saturday. While speaking to ANI, Bhattacharya said there is "total anarchy" in the state and alleged that the government is working to turn Bengal into an "Islamic Republic." He also claimed that the state is currently facing a "total absence of law and order." "Total anarchy. Total absence of law and order. West Bengal's Chief Minister is doing everything she can to turn West Bengal into an Islamic Republic... Muslims are the ones getting killed, and Muslims are the ones doing the killing. This is the current situation in West Bengal... Hindus and Muslims together should fight against this Islamic fanaticism, fascism, and ongoing radicalisation..." he said. The chaos broke out at Kolkata's ITC Royal Bengal when the trailer screening of Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's upcoming film was abruptly stopped. Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, visibly upset, urged the audience to stay calm, pointing out that all "permissions and approvals" had been obtained in advance and alleging that some people "cut all the wires" during the event. "Please bear with us... I mean, all this happened with the permissions and approvals, and now, at the last minute, they are saying that they have received some instructions that we cannot play (the trailer)... Please sit down... You can see what is happening. It seems there are two constitutions in India: one Indian constitution and one special constitution that runs here..." He added, "If this is not dictatorship/fascism, then what is? Law and order in your state has failed, and this is the reason that everyone supports The Bengal Files..." "I have just learned that some people came here (to the event venue in a private hotel) and cut all the wires. I don't know on whose orders this is happening. You know who those people are behind us. After all tests and trials, this program was being held. The hotel managers still can't tell us why we are not allowed to continue with our program..." Agnihotri earlier opened up on the cancellation of the trailer launch event of 'The Bengal Files' by a leading movie theatre chain and why he decided to unveil the trailer today, August 16. The film explores the communal violence in undivided Bengal during the 1940s, including events like the 1946 Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots of 1947, a Hindu genocide. Written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri, The Bengal Files features actors Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi. It is focused on the events of the "Direct Action Day," aiming to unveil the "most brutal chapter" of Indian history. A poster of the film was unveiled on Friday morning, promising to deliver the "boldest film." The Bengal Files is slated to hit theatres on September 5. (ANI)
Florida anglers say sharks are snatching their catches at unprecedented rates, calling it an overwhelming problem and blaming a boom in Gulf shark numbers.

But scientific research paints a more complicated picture.

Scientists who study sharks acknowledge that depredation  the act of fish being eaten by an underwater predator while on a fishermans line  is a growing concern in some areas, especially Florida. They cite several potential drivers of increased shark-human conflict, including climate change-related shifts in shark behavior and rebounding populations of some species.

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But they note that changes in human behavior  such as more people fishing and heightened awareness of shark encounters through social media  may also play a role.

Now, researchers are working to learn when and why these encounters happen and how to prevent them.

Matt Ajemian, an associate research professor studying the issue at Florida Atlantic Universitys Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, cautions against calling shark depredation a crisis, noting that historical accounts show similar encounters have long occurred.

I dont call it a problem, he said. I try to call it a challenge.

Researchers explore increased reports of shark encounters

Ajemian and research coordinator Mike McCallister are leading a NOAA-funded project launched in 2021 to study when and where depredation happens and what might reduce it. Their team has turned to anglers for help, gathering information through surveys, video footage, genetic testing and social media reports to identify patterns.

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In their surveys, about 43% of Florida anglers said sharks had stolen their catch, with rates ranging from 10% to 60% depending on the region, season and species, researchers said. When it happened, sharks took nearly a third to almost half of the days haul.

The data came from quarterly surveys of 4,000 randomly selected saltwater fishing license holders over a year, with about 2,200 responding. Because participation was voluntary and limited to license holders, researchers said, the results dont represent all Florida anglers.

They also tracked posts in a Facebook group with more than 6,500 members, logging real-time reports from offshore anglers across the state.

Researchers said survey responses and online reports point to clear patterns in when and where depredation occurs. It was most common in the spring and summer, with hotspots in Southeast Florida, the Keys and the Panhandle. Rates spiked during busy fishing periods such as red snapper and grouper season openings.

Not always sharks that are the problem

Snapper and grouper were the most frequently lost catches, followed by king mackerel, cobia, tuna and sailfish, according to the study. McCallister said the data also showed longer fights gave sharks more time to strike, and anglers targeting deep-water or migratory species were more likely to be affected than those fishing inshore.

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Bull sharks and sandbar sharks were the main culprits, based on angler accounts and genetic swabs from bitten fish, but they werent the only ones.

The videos have shown us that its not always sharks that are the problem, said Mike McCallister, FAU research coordinator.

McCallister said goliath grouper, a massive fish that can weigh up to 800 pounds, is another species that can target an anglers catch underwater.

Most of these depredations occur below the water line, where people cant see them, said McCallister.

Are shark numbers increasing?

Many anglers blame a growing shark population for increasing depredation. Researchers say that while some shark populations appear to be rebounding after past declines, their numbers likely remain below historical levels.

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My inkling is that sharks are returning on an increasing trajectory thanks to solid management and a lot of federal effort, Ajemian said.

He and McCallister note that in the 1960s and 1970s, U.S. agencies even encouraged commercial shark fishing to diversify the seafood supply. But when shark populations declined sharply in the 1980s and early 1990s, it prompted the launch of national management plans in 1993.

Recently, NOAA Fisheries credited these management efforts with increases in several shark species in the Atlantic, including blacktip, sandbar, tiger and white sharks.

Mahmood Shivji, director of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University, also cites research that juvenile bull shark numbers are rising in Gulf estuaries.

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However, scientists say that its important to put the numbers in context.

Mike Heithaus, a marine ecologist at Florida International University, says that while some populations are recovering, most remain below historical levels.

For younger anglers, todays encounters may feel unprecedented, but researchers say they could be closer to historic norms.

That shifting baseline concept is real, McCallister said.

Is climate change affecting shark behavior?

Scientists say broader environmental changes may also be driving shark encounters.

Overfishing and warming waters could be affecting where sharks go and what they eat, Shivji said, and climate change is altering how deep they dive and how they reproduce.

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Environmental conditions also impact the distribution of natural prey species that sharks eat, and as these prey species move to different locations, the sharks follow their food, Shivji said.

Sharks themselves are also vulnerable. Heithaus says that climate change could further disrupt food webs, create low-oxygen zones and push predators and prey into new areas.

Climate change is also going to have big effects on shark prey and their competitors, which is likely to disrupt predator-prey interactions, Heithaus said.

Researchers say more study is needed to pinpoint the causes of angler-shark encounters and whether depredation is actually increasing or simply being reported more often, including through social media. To help answer that question, McCallister is examining long-term recreational fishing records for his doctoral research.

Anglers adjust to shark conflicts

In the meantime, McCallister says many frustrated anglers are already adjusting tactics, switching gear, moving spots or cutting trips short to account for shark behavior.

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Most anglers are trying to reduce depredation on their own, McCallister said.

Researchers are also testing ways to keep sharks at bay, including deterrent devices that use magnets to disrupt their electrical senses. So far, theyve shown mixed results.

One device, called the Zeppelin, showed early promise but only works for bottom fishing, as it can cling to metal parts of a boat or tackle, fouling lines, researchers said. It costs around $80. Other deterrents being tested, such as devices that emit electric pulses, can cost more than $1,000. Some anglers told Ajemian and McCallister the price is too high, especially since the device can be lost during use.

Shark concerns spark legislation

The search for answers is also playing out at the federal level. The SHARKED Act passed the House in January. If it gets signed into law, it would create a federal task force to study shark depredation and recommend solutions.

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Until then, scientists say continued research will be key to helping anglers, policymakers and the public better understand the challenge and the best ways to address it.

While recognizing that shark activity can frustrate anglers, scientists also emphasize that the predators play a vital role in the ecosystem  one that is important to protect as their populations continue to decline globally.

We are still learning a lot about how important they can be, but they can keep populations of prey in check and help protect the base of food webs, like seagrasses, by keeping them from being overgrazed, Heithaus said.

The big picture is that many shark species have been severely overfished worldwide, and many species, especially the ones that live in the open ocean and on reefs, have declined by around 50 to 90%, Shivji said.

...Their now-rapid population declines are very concerning given the essential roles that sharks play in keeping our oceans in balance and healthy, Shivji added, making it very important to appreciate these amazing animals, their essential place and role in ocean ecosystems, and helping to prevent many species from going extinct.
NEED TO KNOW

Massachusetts nurse Jane Toppan was formally charged in 12 murders in the late 1800s and early 1900s, per Boston Magazine

A 1902 Indianapolis Journal report described how she would stare into patients' eyes "as if to see the inner workings of the soul" as they died

Historical reports say she admitted to killing 31 people and told doctors she wanted to murder "more helpless people" than anyone else



In the late 1800s, Massachusetts nurse Jane Toppan was known for her easy laugh and tireless care  but behind the smile, the woman colleagues called Jolly Jane was poisoning patients by the dozen.

By the time she was arrested in 1901, Toppan had admitted to killing 31 people, though authorities formally charged her with just 12, according to Boston Magazine. Many were elderly or ill patients entrusted to her; others were people in her orbit  a foster sister, landlords, and members of a Cape Cod family who hired her as a private nurse.

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Born Honora Kelley in Boston in 1854, she was surrendered as a child to the Boston Female Asylum after her mother died and her father could no longer care for the children. She was placed as an indentured servant with the Toppan family of Lowell and took their surname, per the Lowell Historical Society and the West End Museum.

By the 1880s, Toppan was training as a nurse and, colleagues said, living up to the nickname Jolly Jane for her sociable, upbeat manner. Behind that veneer, investigators later alleged, she was experimenting with morphine and atropine, bringing patients to the brink and back again.

Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctors order and leaving her shift early. She soon moved into private-duty nursing, where she had free run of patients homes  and limited supervision.

Her methods were intimate and methodical. She favored morphine and atropine, adjusting doses to slow breathing and cloud consciousness. According to The Indianapolis Journal in June 1902, she was described as one who would gleefully fondle the patient, stare into the eyes as if it were to see the inner workings of the soul, do all possible to intensify the agony of the patients, and then when the end came she would become herself again.

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She also admitted that some killings brought sexual gratification and that she liked to be alone with her victims as they died, according to Boston Magazine.

Bettmann/Getty

Victims accumulated over the 1890s. In the mid-1890s, her former landlords Israel and Lovey Dunham died after sudden illnesses; Toppan later acknowledged poisoning them, according to Boston Magazine. In 1899, her foster sister Elizabeth Toppan Brigham died after a visit with Jane on the coast; Toppan would later confess to that poisoning as well, per the Lowell Historical Society.

The most publicized deaths came in 1901, when Toppan nursed Alden Davis at the familys summer home in Cataumet on Cape Cod. Within weeks, Davis and two of his daughters  Mary Minnie Gibbs and Genevieve Gordon  were dead, per Boston Magazine. Relatives, rattled by the rapid cluster of losses, pressed for an autopsy; toxicology found morphine in one daughters system, prompting exhumations and a wider inquiry.

Toppan was arrested in October 1901. In custody and during subsequent examinations, she spoke chillingly about her motives.

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It is my ambition to have killed more people  more helpless people  than any man or woman who ever lived, she said, according to Boston Magazine.

Asked whether she felt any guilt, she answered: I have thought it all over, and I cannot detect the slightest bit of sorrow over what I have done, per the West End Museums account of period coverage.

Her 1902 trial in Barnstable turned on sanity. Alienists  the eras psychiatrists  testified that she was insane; prosecutors argued she knew exactly what she was doing. Toppan herself insisted she was sane, telling examiners she understood right from wrong, according to Boston Magazine.

The jury ultimately found her not guilty by reason of insanity, and she was committed to the Taunton Insane Hospital.

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She spent the rest of her life there. Contemporary write-ups and later museum histories note she never expressed remorse. Per the West End Museum, she dropped from 160 pounds to 80 in 1904 after suspecting, with bitter irony, that nurses were poisoning her.

Toppan died in 1938 at age 81, still a ward of the state.



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The Daviess County Sheriffs Office is cautioning the public about spreading misinformation regarding the offices investigation into a reported assault Wednesday afternoon in Whitesville.

In a press release, Sheriff Brad Youngman said detectives have canvassed the area around the Roosters Crow thrift store on Kentucky 54 in Whitesville, and have reviewed videos and conducted interviews. Evidence has also been sent to the Kentucky State Police lab for analysis.

The assault was reported Wednesday, when a man found a woman in the store unconscious on the floor, reports say. Reports say the woman had been struck from behind and knocked unconscious by an unknown assailant.

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Although comments on social media said the sheriffs office is looking for a specific vehicle, the office has not released any vehicle description, and has not released a description of any possible person of interest.

DCSO is not currently looking for and has not requested the public for information regarding a white pickup truck with any type of lightbar, the press release says. Nor have we shared any physical descriptions of a suspect. Please assist detectives by continuing to provide helpful information and by not sharing unverified information.

The office has received potential information about the incident from the public, the press release says.

Detectives are grateful for the multitude of information they have received but would also like to stress that there is a lot of false and inaccurate information circulating on the internet and social media platforms, the release says.

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I think people are very eager to help, and we are grateful for that, Youngman said Friday afternoon.

Some of the rumors are becoming a distraction, Youngman said.

People following the investigation should get their information only from the sheriffs office, which will post updates on its official Facebook page. Updates will also be shared with the news media, the press release says.

We need to make sure we are putting accurate information out there, Youngman said.

Later, Youngman said, We felt like we needed to get ahead of some of the rumors, to make sure actual information is being shared. The detectives are looking into all the information that is being shared with us, and that takes time and resources.

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Detectives are looking for information around the business from the 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. timeframe, Youngman said.

We really want to narrow it down to that one-hour window, Youngman said.

Of the investigation, Youngman said, They (detectives) have made a lot of progress, and the information has been helpful.

The investigators have reinterviewed the woman from the store and others, Youngman said.

They have conducted several interviews, he said.

Im very optimistic about where we are going, Youngman said.

Anyone with any information about the incident can contact the sheriffs office at cid@dcsoky.gov, or through the departments Facebook Messenger page. Anonymous tips can also be shared through Owensboro Crime Stoppers, by calling 270-687-8484
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  As the new school year approaches, Shippensburg Area School District teachers will work under an expired contract.

The Shippensburg Area Education Association, a union representing more than 250 teachers and educators, said its been negotiating with the district for a new contract since January.

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We had hoped that we would have reached a new contract before the beginning of the school year and we are disappointed that the school district hasnt worked with us to reach an agreement that reflects the important work that we do in the classroom every day, said Katrina Neyman, a fourth through sixth grade music teacher. Nevertheless, we want the Shippensburg community to know that we are here for them and our students.

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Rather than a walkout, teachers and educators will stand outside Shippensburg High School on Monday, Aug. 18, before the districts first in-service day of the school year. The union said they will wear red and gather in the parking lot to show unity before entering the building.

The current contract expired on June 30. A primary concern in the negotiations, the union said, is increasing wages to allow the district to recruit and retain talented teachers.

In a statement, the district said both sides continue to engage in good faith negotiations.

Meaningful progress has been made, but work remains to be done. An additional negotiation session is scheduled for next week and the hope is to continue to make progress towards an agreement, the district said.

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It added, The school boards focus remains on reaching an agreement that supports our educators, is fiscally responsible and sustainable, and ensures a successful start to the school year for our students and families.

Shippensburg wants improvement  Friday Night Football 2025 Preview

Despite the lack of an agreement, there should not be any interruptions to the classroom. In-service activities and opening day celebrations will also continue normally.

We are standing strong and we will continue to educate the students while working to establish a fair yet equitable contract, Neyman 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.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A woman was seriously injured Saturday morning after a shooting in the Priest Lake area, according to officials.

Investigators said just before 1 a.m. Saturday, the victim was taken to a Metro Nashville Police Department precinct on Harding Place after a shooting occurred at the Smith Springs Community Center.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

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She was taken by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with critical injuries, but is expected to survive.

No additional information was released as the investigation continues.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Content warning: This article contains information about alleged child sexual abuse material. Reader discretion is advised. Report CSAM to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A Salt Lake City man has been arrested and charged after an FBI investigation revealed he was distributing large amounts of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online.

Tyler Kenneth Kofoed, 39, has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a first-degree felony.

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According to court documents, on July 17, 2025, the FBIs Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF) began investigating an online user who was allegedly distributing CSAM online. An FBI agent went undercover and made contact with the account.

Throughout the conversation, the online user began sending links to numerous images of CSAM to the undercover agent. Around 80 different files containing CSAM were shared, and documents say that 49 of those files depicted very young children.

READ NEXT: 19-year-old Cache County man charged in fifth felony case involving offenses against a minor

In the arrest statement, an officer states that while Kofoed distributed 80 images of CSAM, information from the hosting platform suggested that Tyler [Kofoed] is likely in possession of thousands of files of CSAM.

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FBI agents, alongside members of the task force from the West Valley Police Department, were able to determine that the online user was likely Kofoed and connected the account to his home address in Salt Lake City. On Aug. 13, 2025, the CEHTTF conducted a search warrant on Kofoeds residence.

All of Kofoeds electronic devices were seized, and he was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. He is being held without bail.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Latest headlines:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

SLIDELL, La. (WGNO)  A Slidell woman was arrested on Friday, Aug. 13, after she allegedly attacked a person under her care who is non-verbal and intellectually disabled.

According to Attorney General Liz Murrill, the investigation into Evangelina Ussin, of Liberty Drive, in Slidell, began after a complaint came in from the Louisiana Department of Health.

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In a video, Ussin, a service worker for My Purpose Community Service, allegedly hit the victim, whom she was a direct service worker for, in the head and back using her hand, foot and a fence gate.

Houma woman accused of defrauding $83K from Medicaid

The affidavit reportedly states that special agents reviewed videos allegedly showing Ussin telling the victim to get up multiple times as they cried, then hitting them with an open hand multiple times on the back of their head and continuing to tell them to get up.

Ussin also allegedly grabbed the corner of a metal gate and hit the victim in the back with it multiple times, before kicking and kneeing them while yelling.

Evangelina Ussin (Courtesy: Attorney General Liz Murrill)

Ussin was arrested by Murrills Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Prison on one count of cruelty to persons with infirmities. Her bond is unknown.

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The investigation remains ongoing.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Pennsylvania would be justified in renaming itself "Pretzelvania." The Keystone State is responsible for churning out 80% of the pretzels in the U.S. At one point, the city of Reading played such a huge role in producing this popular snack that it was dubbed the "Pretzel Capital of the World." Located in the southeastern part of the state, Reading was once home to over 24 pretzel factories. The tale of how this happened has various twists and turns.

The most popular origin story begins with Julius Sturgis, who is often credited with opening the first commercial pretzel factory in the United States in 1861. Though the factory was situated in Lititz  not Reading  Sturgis' grandson Marriott would be instrumental in ensuring that the latter city became the world's pretzel capital. Marriott opened Tom Sturgis Pretzels in Reading in 1946, and the other factories followed suit.

A different account involves Benjamin Lichtenthaler, a baker known for making delicious pretzels throughout Pennsylvania and other neighboring states. Sources disagree on the timeline, but according to one version of events, he moved to Reading and opened a commercial pretzel factory in 1860. An alternate retelling of that history claims he arrived in Reading sometime in the 1870s. Either way, by 1893, Lichtenthaler's factory made pretzels at a rate of 1.5 million per year. The snack business continued booming in the 20th century, and a 1948 article in the Historical Review of Berks County referred to Reading as the "Pretzel Capital of the World."

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Read more: Every Dum Dums Flavor Ranked Worst To Best

A Town Shaped By Pretzels

tom sturgis pretzel factory - Tom Sturgis Pretzels/Facebook

The massive success of Reading's top snack would become evident in multiple facets of life in the 19th and 20th centuries. At one point, the key to the city had a handle shaped like a pretzel. A local newsletter was named after the snack. A 1904 campaign button distributed in Reading even bore the image of a pretzel.

People don't associate Reading with its capital status as much as they once did. However, if you find yourself in the city, there are still pretzel-themed places to visit. One is Tom Sturgis Pretzels, which boasts a bakery and store. Among the products it makes are cheese gems, which consist of cheddar baked in pretzel dough. Fans who want something on the sweeter end of the spectrum can find a product that might put the best grocery store chocolate-covered pretzels to shame: Tom Sturgis makes a version shaped like a horse and buggy.

Unique Pretzel Bakery is another noteworthy location in Reading. Named as the Snack Producer of the Year in 2016 by Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, it makes pretzel splits (which have distinctive bubbles and grooves), sourdough rings, pretzel shells, and other goodies. The location has earned praise from a number of customers. A reviewer on Yelp declared that the bakery had the "best dry pretzels I've ever tasted."

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BOSTON (SHNS)  Massachusetts is one step closer to legal marijuana use at events and in social settings across the state, as it begins accepting written public comments to allow people to weigh in on regulations that have been months in the making.

The Cannabis Control Commission voted 3-0 Thursday to publish a memo on its website by Aug. 20 detailing the public comment period, though the CCC has already begun receiving comments. The Secretary of States website will post the regulations publicly on Friday. The CCC also scheduled an in-person hearing on the proposed rules for Sept. 8 at its Worcester office.

CCC Acting Chair Bruce Stebbins said they plan to review the public comments and regulations at the end of September. The schedule moves the agency toward considering making the sites legal almost a decade after social consumption of cannabis was first contemplated in the 2016 ballot law that legalized non-medical marijuana.

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Supporters of social consumption say adults should be allowed to purchase a marijuana product and use it in the same location, like buying alcohol at a bar or a cigar at a cigar bar. Allowing on-site consumption would provide legal locations for marijuana consumption to tourists staying in hotels and renters who are prohibited from smoking in their apartments. Officials have also said the sites could give parents a place to smoke or consume cannabis without ever bringing it around their children.

Massachusetts would become the 11th state to allow social consumption of cannabis, joining Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York. Theres also a push in Oregon to get the measure on the 2026 state ballot in that state.

The draft regulations in Massachusetts allow for three social consumption license types: a supplemental license for existing marijuana establishments like retail stores to offer on-site consumption; a hospitality license at new or existing non-cannabis businesses like yoga studios or theaters; and an event organizer license for temporary on-site consumption at events like rallies and festivals.

We have already seen some comments and some questions back from stakeholders that have been watching our deliberations on these topics, Stebbins said.

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He added that theyre inviting feedback on key topics such as the language around requiring cool down areas, for those who react negatively to marijuana, and the bans on alcohol and tobacco in the cannabis consumption sites.

[This] is just to get input, which I think is critical for us as policymakers, Commissioner Kimberly Roy said. We may not agree as regulators. So its so important to hear from stakeholders and licensees and patients and consumers.

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Guests at a hotel in Alaska found eight pages of documents from President Donald Trumps meetings Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a printer, NPR reported Saturday.

The documents show the schedule of the summit with times and locations. They also show the lunch menu, the lunch seating chart, and the phone numbers of three of Trump administration staffers. The documents were found in a printer at Hotel Captain Cook, a four-star hotel in Anchorage that is near the military base where the summit took place.

Trump and Putin have had a hot and cold relationship, with Trump alternately taunting him and praising him. On Friday, the two leaders walked a red carpet together, as they met to discuss a potential end to Russias war in Ukraine. The meeting ended abruptly without a Ukraine ceasefire deal. Trump told reporters it was an extremely productive meeting, but they didnt get there.

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I think the meeting was a 10, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity.

The documents show which officials were involved in the summit. A 2:2 meeting took place among Trump; Steve Witkoff, special envoy for peace missions; Putin; and Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Putin for foreign policy and Putins America guru. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were also involved, among others.

The documents show that Trump planned to give Putin an American bald eagle desk statue.

The discovery of the documents strikes me as further evidence of the sloppiness and the incompetence of the administration, Jon Michaels, a professor of law at UCLA, told NPR. You just dont leave things in printers. Its that simple.

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This document breach is reminiscent of when Trump administration officials added Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal chat where they discussed plans to bomb Yemen  though likely less embarrassing.

The lunch, which did not end up happening, was to be held in honor of his excellency Vladimir Putin. The seating chart shows assigned spots for 13 officials, with Americans on one side and Russians on the other. Meeting organizers planned to serve filet mignon, halibut Olympia, and creme brulee.

The White House and the State Department did not respond to NPRs questions about the documents.

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes  which Trump ignored  making Alaska a safe place for Putin to fly to and avoid arrest.

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Through this meeting, Putin has broken out of international isolation and wasnt in the least challenged by Trump, Laurie Bristow, a former British ambassador to Russia, told the Associated Press.

They spent three years telling everyone Russia was isolated, and today they saw the beautiful red carpet laid out for the Russian president in the U.S., Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Axios.

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Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, was celebrated across India and beyond with devotion, joy, and vibrant traditions on Saturday. From breaking Dahi Handis in Mumbai to offering prayers at ancient temples in Mathura, the day saw lakhs of devotees coming together to mark the festival with great enthusiasm. The celebrations were not limited to India alone, as devotees in Bangladesh also joined in the festivities, making it a truly global occasion of faith. In Mumbai, the streets came alive with the sound of cheers as groups of men and women participated in Dahi Handi competitions. At Dadar, a group of women broke the Dahi Handi. The city also witnessed multiple such events throughout the day, with participants recreating the childhood antics of Krishna by forming human pyramids to reach the clay pot filled with curd and butter. In Thane, Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with actor and Shiv Sena leader Govinda, joined the festivities. The duo attended Dahi Handi events and encouraged the young participants. The heart of Janmashtami celebrations, however, remained in Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. At the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura, thousands of devotees gathered for Mangala Aarti. The temple premises echoed with bhajans and chants of "Radhe Radhe" as priests performed rituals. For many, offering prayers here on Krishna Janmashtami is considered a lifelong dream. In the south, Tamil Nadu also marked the day with devotion. In Trichy, special rituals and abhishekam were performed at the Sri Venugopala Krishna Temple, drawing large crowds. Meanwhile, the ISKCON temple in Chennai saw devotees in long queues offering prayers and singing devotional songs throughout the day. Further east, in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, devotees participated in Mangla Aarti at the Prem Pratik Temple. In West Bengal's Siliguri, Janmashtami took on a playful turn as kids dressed up as little Krishna and Radha in a nursery school. They were joined by their teachers, turning the festival into a day of fun and learning for the younger generation. In Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, Janmashtami was celebrated with a colourful procession at Lal Chowk, bringing together devotees in song and dance despite the rain. In Jaipur, Rajasthan, thousands thronged the historic Govind Dev Ji Temple, while in Dwarka, Gujarat, the Dwarkadhish Temple saw a heavy rush of devotees eager to seek blessings on this auspicious day. Celebrations also crossed borders. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, ISKCON temples began a three-day festival for Krishna Janmashtami, with devotees offering prayers to Radha and Krishna. Lord Krishna's birthday falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. Although the celebration takes place in different parts of the country, Mathura and Vrindavan hold special significance--one being his birthplace, and the other where he spent his childhood and performed his baal leela. At midnight, a special ritual is performed when the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed in milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and water. During the Krishna Abhishek, bells are rung, conch shells are blown, and Vedic hymns are recited. After the bhog, Prasad is given to the worshippers, who stand for hours to experience Krishna darshan and puja. Dahi Handi is also celebrated in numerous areas. One of the customary festivals of Krishna Janmashtami is Dahi Handi, also known as Gopalakala or Utlotsavam. (ANI)
In late June, a few days before Disability Pride Month began, I took my 7-year-old child on an outing to an Ikea store. As I filled out a waiver so he could enter the stores small play area, I noticed I was the only parent present.

It turned out that parents typically drop off their children while they shop, but that wasnt an option for me. My son has a rare, severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome, among other medical conditions, and he cant be without a grown-up carrying his seizure rescue medication, as I was.

The scary reality is that around one in five children with Dravet syndrome die in childhood because the seizures can be so severe. There is currently no cure.

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I explained this to a staff member and told her that Id need to be in the room with my child. She informed me that no parents were allowed into the play area.

But isnt there a policy for kids with disabilities? I asked.

She told me a service dog could accompany a child, but a parent could not.

I stopped signing the form. I said to the staff member, Thats discrimination against kids with disabilities. She didnt respond.

Johannes Simon / Getty Images

I hadnt known about the stores play area before this visit, and I had been happy to see that it wasnt a playground  just a space with toys like a train set and dart board. Since my son had a seizure at an indoor playground a year ago, Id stopped taking him to them. But now, even this play space was not an option for him.

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My child and I were both upset. He loves going to Ikea to walk through the showroom and eat in the cafeteria  a place open enough that it was the only indoor restaurant he ate in during our four years of masking during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have several Ikea furniture items, including bunk beds, a coat/shoe cubby and a toy chest. He helped us build them all.

Since his severe seizures began about two years ago, hes had to change his life in significant ways. Heat, sports, just running around to play, illness and excitement have all become triggers for him. Summer is especially hard  on hot days, he cant be outside. In fact, we had driven the hour to Ikea in traffic just so he could walk and have a change of scenery in a large, air-conditioned space because the temperature outside was dangerous for him.

I told him, This isnt OK.

He said, We should talk to someone. I was proud of him.

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After talking to a few staff members, we spoke with a manager, who said he wasnt familiar with the policy, and hed get back to me the next day. He didnt.

Later, I looked online, and there was a section on the Ikea website directing caretakers of children with disabilities to start a conversation with the Ikea store manager about how the child can best have their needs accommodated in the play area. I was hopeful that when we went in the future, we could show the policy to the staff.

However, that doesnt undo the pain my child felt after hearing that he wasnt welcome in that play space because of his disabilities. During the hour-long car ride home afterward, we talked a lot about discrimination. I reinforced that what happened wasnt OK, and that the more than 3 million kids with disabilities in our country deserve to be included.

I told him about my older sister, his late aunt, who had microcephaly and faced various barriers to equal access too, like having to sit on the sidelines of playgrounds in her wheelchair. It upset me. When I was 10 in 1993, I read about new accessible playgrounds in an issue of Scholastic News, and I hoped we could build one for her. Sadly, she died a few weeks later, but in her memory, my family and I worked with the Cincinnati Parks Department to build an accessible playground. My son thought that was cool.

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I also explained that many groups of people face discrimination for reasons such as gender, race, sexual orientation, immigration status and more, and we need to be allies and stand up against all forms of discrimination.

NurPhoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images

I also told him that one way to help is to make disabilities more visible and raise awareness, as we have done in his school class for the past three years.

This June, for Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month, he and I held a neighborhood lemonade and cupcake fundraiser and donated money to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, which helps fund the kind of critical epilepsy research that the Trump administration has recently cut.

After our experience at Ikea, as one of his bedtime books, we re-read the picture book All the Way to the Top, about a child who protested and helped advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which passed 35 years ago.

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Afterward, I told him about children with disabilities who went to Congress this summer, asking their leaders not to make it harder for them to go to the doctor and get the medicine and treatment they need.

Unfortunately, President Donald Trumps domestic policy bill has since passed, and many people, including children with disabilities, will be harmed as a result.

Two days after the bill passed, my child woke up and said, I want to make a sign about disabilities.

He asked for my help with spelling before writing the words People with disabilities are important in pencil and then tracing over them with marker. He stood by our Disability Pride yard sign, and then, since the temperature was cooler out, he walked down our street and held it up for cars passing by.

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He said that when he grows up, he wants to be an activist and protester.

I told him that he already is.

[Editors Note: HuffPost reached out for a response, and Ikea US issued the following statement: At IKEA, we strive to offer a safe and inclusive environment for children to play while in our stores. Our Smaland policies are in place to keep children safe when they are in our space. Regarding this familys recent experience in our College Park, MD store, we are incredibly sensitive to feelings of exclusion, and so we have shared information with the family about our accommodations process, so that they may have a more positive experience at IKEA. We are constantly working to improve how we create an inclusive space while maintaining policies that keep all children safe.]

This article originally appeared on HuffPost in July 2025 and was updated in August 2025.
Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

Texas redistricting

Texas Democrats didnt stop the redistricting, only delayed it. They will be fined and some will be charged with felonies. Its only gerrymandering if Republicans do it.

Censoring history

To all you MAGAs out there who get upset when someone criticizes your dear leader: Do you ever think how the rest of us feel when he tries to tell us what to watch, what we can read in our librarys and what we can see in our Smithsonian and other museums?

Peace talks

I predict if peace talks fail between Ukraine and Russia, President Trump will blame Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukraines freedom

When the Soviet Union fell and Ukraine gained its freedom, it gave up its nuclear weapons, with guarantees from the United States and other Western nations that we would stand by Ukraine in the future. I hope we stick to that promise.

Confusing stats

The different national state statistics that show Mississippi near the bottom are not representative of the three Coastal counties. The statistics from the poverty-stricken Delta counties tend to bring down the rest of the state. I think one of the Coastal planning agencies should develop the Coastal statistics using data from only the three counties. This would give the residents and those looking at our area a truer cross-section of life on the Coast.

Good luck

Honestly, Im hoping the Socialist is named mayor of New York City. Because once that little experiment fails, itll be curtains for the Democrats for years to come.

Oh, goodie

What could possibly be more American than a UFC fight at the White House to celebrate our nations birthday. How appropriate.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  South Carolina law enforcement are mourning the loss of a state trooper Friday after Trooper Dennis Ricks was killed in the line of duty.

Fellow law enforcement officers and Trooper Ricks family honored his memory with a proper sendoff. His body was escorted from Trident Medical Center in North Charleston to Newberry where an autopsy will take place

Trooper Ricks family described him as a devoted son, friend and husband.



Dennis wore the uniform because he believed in serving others. He was steady and very brave at work and very gentle and joyful at home. We all called him a gentle giant. He loved simple things like spending time with his family, movie nights, trying new places to eat. He loved his family with his whole heart everything he did was for us, said Jade Ricks, Dennis Ricks wife.

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He was conducting a traffic stop early Sunday morning on Interstate 26 near Orangeburg when he was struck by a box truck. He was taken to the hospital where days later he passed from his injuries. 45-year-old Anthony Aydlette of Hanahan is facing charges in connection to the incident and the investigation is ongoing.

His wife doesnt have a husband anymore. His mom and dad dont have a son anymore. This young man was just starting out his career only been a trooper a few years, said Deputy Chief Rick Keys, of North Charleston Police. This is a reality check for anyone wearing a badge today.

Trooper Ricks had served South Carolina Highway Patrol troop 7 in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties since 2023. Law enforcement officers from across the state paid respect to their fallen brother and said this is something that happens too often.



In 40 years, this is going to be the 158th service Im going to attend this week, said Keys. What youre going to see today, and half the state is going to see us pay respect to a brother whose just out here doing a job, doing a simple traffic stop for a minor traffic violation which he shouldnt have had to do to begin with and then a car came along not paying attention to what theyre doing and now were here today.

The grieving family issued a plea to drivers as they remember their loved one.



As we honor Dennis, I just ask everyone to please slow down and move over for emergency vehicles. My husband would still be there if everyone could do that. Please give these men and women the space to work safely. Thats one way we can remember him, said Jade Ricks.

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Serve and connect has created a fundraiser for the family and you can access 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 WCBD News 2.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Southern University System Foundation is asking alumni, students, faculty, staff, and supporters to join its annual SU Give Day on Thursday, Aug. 28.

The all-day virtual event will stream live on Southerns Facebook page. Its the final push for the Foundations Are You In? campaign to raise $25 million.

According to a news release, funds raised will support Southerns five campuses:

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Southern University and A&M College.

Southern University at New Orleans.

Southern University Shreveport.

Southern University Law Center.

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

It will also help the Southern University Laboratory School.

The event goes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will include panel discussions and presentations led by LaTangela Sherman from Cumulus Media.

This guy is a saint: LSU football player pulls over to help family with flat tire

Highlights include:

9  10:15 a.m. : President Dennis J. Shields talks with chancellors about supporting campuses, faculty, and students.

11 a.m.  noon : Spotlight on student leaders from the Student Philanthropy Council, Student Government, and SU Lab School.

1  2 p.m. : Focus on corporate partners and their impact.

3  4 p.m. : Discussion on legacy gifts and alumni achievements.

5  6 p.m.: Dr. Kedric Taylor and the Human Jukebox band highlight the need for funding.

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For more information or to donate, visit sugiveday.org.

Latest News

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Southwest Airlines has made a number of controversial moves over the past few months that have left travelers scratching their collective heads. The airline known for offering free bags decided to change its most beloved perk by charging $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second - unless travelers have an upgraded status with the carrier.

Not long later, Southwest announced a change to its boarding process, allowing travelers to select a seat rather than be given a boarding number ahead of its free-for-all seat selection process.

The airline took heat for its decisions, but a recent change has travelers singing a slightly different tune.

Southwest Airlines Offers New Menu Item

Southwest Airlines and Peet's Coffee announced a new partnership with the coffee roaster becoming the "official coffee provider" on all Southwest flights. The new partnership, originally announced on July 30, begins today, Aug. 13.

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This is a defining moment for Peets, Eric Lauterbach, President & CEO of Peets Coffee said in a statement. To be part of every Southwest flight means more than expanding our reach - its about creating memorable coffee moments in the skies. This partnership introduces the Peets experience to millions of new consumers as part of their daily ritual in a way thats personal and meaningful. Most importantly, it brings the rich, bold flavor of Peets wherever their journey takes them.

What Kind of Peet's Coffee Is Offered on Flights?

Peet's Coffee, which is entering its first airline partnership, revealed "Off the Grid," a medium roast that blends the fruit-forward notes of Colombian beans with the caramelized sweetness from El Salvador, will be making its debut on flights today.

We are enhancing our inflight experience to better serve our Customers," Tony Roach, Executive Vice President of Customer & Brand at Southwest Airlines added in a statement. A great cup of coffee goes a long way in creating a comfortable and enjoyable flight and its just one part of our broader effort to elevate our Customers journey with us.

Related: United Airlines Moving Forward With Change on All Flights Starting August 12

Southwest Airlines Change on All Flights Starts Today, August 13 first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
CENTREVILLE, Mich. (WOOD)  Early Monday morning, one West Michigan family got more than they ordered in a McDonalds parking lot.

Instead of a late night snack, they welcomed their new baby girl under the golden arches. It was an experience Alyce and Kevin Rotunda never expected, but an outcome better than any happy meal.

Im just really thankful that it went well, said Alyce Rotunda, a Centreville resident. If it had to be in a McDonalds parking lot, then it had to be there.

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Being at high risk and having had complications during her last three births, Alyce planned to deliver her fourth baby at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

On Saturday, she made the 45 minute drive thinking she was in labor, only to be sent home after doctors determined it was a false alarm. By Sunday night, the contractions were back, and this time, things escalated.

Things changed very quickly, she said. There was a lot going on that I could feel was happening I genuinely didnt know how this was going to play out.

Kevin said he knew they had no time to spare. They got in the car and raced to the hospital at 100 miles per hour, cutting what would be a 30 minute drive to Schoolcraft in half.

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I got really nervous, Kevin said. I felt like we werent going to make it I was rushing. Things were happening and I was nervous.

He pulled into the McDonalds on N Grand St, entering a parking lot that was quiet around 3 a.m. Kevin called 911 and within minutes and a Schoolcraft officer pulled up and assisted by shining a spotlight on them. Alyce stood in the parking lot, refusing to lie down on the asphalt. Thats when Kevin noticed the baby wasnt waiting any longer.

Matilda Rotunda was born at a West Michigan McDonalds in August.

Anybody that knows me knows that I would be the last person who would ever deliver a baby, he said. Every time weve had one, I was always at my wifes head but everything slowed down and I just focused on catching the baby.

For Kevin, the moment was surreal, but both parents described the entire thing as instinctual.

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He caught her and I had a huge sigh of relief when she honestly just fell out and immediately started crying, Alyce said.

The ambulance arrived between five to ten minutes later, taking Alyce and newborn baby Matilda to Bronson Hospital. At seven pounds, 14 ounces, her official birthplace is listed on her birth certificate as the Schoolcraft McDonalds address. The Rotundas told News 8 some family members have already nicknamed her McTilda, McTilly and nugget.

A McDonalds manager told News 8 they had no idea the birth even took place until they were contacted. By the time the restaurant opened Monday morning, the parking lot was already cleaned up.

For Alyce, the experience was humbling, but the family says they are simply grateful.

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Im just really thankful and blessed that everything was fine and there were no complications, Kevin said.

Alyce, who also celebrated her own birthday on Sunday, now has a story to tell for a lifetime. And as for baby Matilda  her parents say theyre lovin her.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Young people have told the BBC the "extortionate" cost of bus travel in England means they socialise less and struggle to pay rent.

A report by MPs has recommended everyone under the age of 22 should get free bus travel to help them get into work and education - similar to in Scotland.

The Department for Transport says it is already spending "1bn in multi-year funding to improve the reliability and frequency of bus services across the country".

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But the BBC has heard from people aged 22 and under who say bus fares are too expensive and eat into their food budget.

'I get hungry at college but can't afford snacks'

Maisy Moazzenkivi spends 8 a day getting to and from college on the bus [Maisy Moazzenkivi]

Maisy Moazzenkivi, 18, lives in Coventry with her mum, dad and brother, and travels almost two hours each way to get to college, four days a week.

Maisy, has a disability bus pass because of her autism, meaning she pays less for travel than her friends. However, she still spends 8 a day on getting to college as her free travel allowance only kicks in after 09:30, half an hour after she needs to be there.

She says money she spends on travel eats into what she would otherwise spend on food and snacks throughout the day.

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"Sometimes, when I finish college I'm really hungry and just want to get a meal deal or something for the way home, but it's so expensive on top of everything. I'm very lucky that I can go home and my family can feed me, but not everyone has that."

If bus travel was free, Maisy says she would be able to socialise more, and save for "luxury items".

"I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, or an essential item, but one day, I'd love to save for a Juicy Couture tracksuit," she said.

'I don't understand how it's so extortionate'

Gracie Moore says she finds bus fares in the UK are 'extortionate' [Gracie Moore]

Gracie Moore, 22, lives in Slough and catches the bus every day to and from work, which costs her 120 a month.

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"For someone who is not earning much more than minimum wage, it's quite a big expenditure," says Gracie who works as an administration assistant for a care home firm.

She says the high cost of travel for young people makes it difficult to navigate having a job and a social life.

Travel costs are "absolutely" a factor which stop her from moving out from her family home, she says.

"I have less independence this way, but I'm paying so much less."

Gracie previously lived in Madrid, where she enjoyed unlimited travel on bus, train, tube, and tram) for only 8 (6.90) a month with a young person's travel card.

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"I don't understand how it's so extortionate here when other countries in Europe subsidise it so well," she says. "I just don't know how the price of transport here can be justified."

'Free bus pass would make a big difference'

Nikita Upreti says a free bus pass would give her more money to spend on groceries [Nikita Upreti]

Originally from Nepal, Nikita Upreti, 20, is an international student studying at University College Birmingham. She says the rising price of travel means it is getting "harder" to pay for her bus pass each month.

When Nikita first moved to Birmingham in September 2024, a monthly bus pass with a student discount cost her 49. Now, it costs her 53.

"The student discount is not helping us anymore," she says.

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Nikita also works 20 hours a week as a waitress. Despite working the maximum amount of hours her university will allow her to while studying, she still struggles to pay her rent while juggling the rising cost of living.

She says that free bus travel "would make a big difference" to her life.

"I could spend the money I save on groceries and things that would help my education. It would be really helpful."

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St. Augustines University has won a reprieve that will allow the historically Black college in Raleigh to hold onto its academic accreditation, for now.

St. Augs announced Friday that a federal judge had awarded a preliminary injunction against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that would allow the university to retain accreditation for the fall 2025 semester.

The university had filed a lawsuit after SACSCOC upheld its decision to strip St. Augs of its accreditation and membership from the organization.

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This is a tremendous win for Saint Augustines University and, most importantly, for our students, St. Augs interim president, Marcus H. Burgess, said in a news release. Thanks to our supporters, we will open our (virtual) doors on Sept. 2 as an accredited institution, just as we promised. We have said all along that we will stop at nothing to maintain our accreditation and continue serving our scholars  and we meant it.

The university will retain its accreditation while the legal battle plays out. Accreditation is important because students need to attend an accredited school to be eligible to receive federal student aid.

Students can enroll, receive financial aid, and continue their studies with complete confidence that their degrees will be accredited while the case is underway, the university said in its news release. In addition, the injunction provides SAU with time to present its case and pursue alternative accreditation avenues if necessary, all while students education continues uninterrupted.

Donations help pay for lawsuit

St. Augustines, which is located in the Oakwood area of Raleigh, was founded by Episcopal clergy in 1867 to educate freed enslaved people. Among its issues, the university on multiple occasions has been unable to pay its employees on time and has owed major, multimillion-dollar debts, including unpaid taxes to the IRS, The News & Observer previously reported.

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SACSCOC first voted to strip the university of accreditation in December 2023, citing a host of reasons tied to the universitys finances and governance,

The financially strapped university turned to alumni and other supporters to raise the money to mount the lawsuit. The university has previously said it expects to spend at least $1 million on litigation, including a $350,000 retainer fee for attorneys.

In its news release, the HBCU cited how it received donations such as $100,000 from the National Alumni Association of Saint Augustines University to cover the filing of the preliminary injunction.

We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from our alumni and friends, said Sophie L. Gibson, the newly appointed chair of St. Augs Board of Trustees. Their commitment ensured we had the resources to take this crucial legal step to protect our students and our mission.

This injunction is not just a legal reprieve; it is a testament to the power of the Falcon community. It allows us to continue educating our students without interruption as we vigorously defend SAUs future in court, and it shows that we soar higher when we soar together..
St. Johns Countys unemployment rate rose to 4.1% in July 2025, marking the highest level since September 2020, according to data from Florida Commerce.

The countys job market shows signs of weakening, with 6,458 residents now unemployed, up from 6,235 in June.

Despite 1,153 more residents finding work in the past month, hundreds more are standing in the unemployment line, said Greg Blose, CEO of regional analytics and marketing firm, Nexus 360.

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Year-over-year, St. Johns County has seen a decrease of 12 employed residents, while the number of unemployed residents has increased by 701.

The unemployment trend is not isolated to St. Johns County, as neighboring Duval, Clay, and Flagler counties have also experienced rising unemployment rates in recent months.

The total labor force in St. Johns County is reported at 158,291 residents.

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer believes that the meeting between Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska has "brought us closer than ever" to ending the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Source: Sky News, citing Starmer in a statement on the Alaska talks, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Starmer praised Trumps leadership in the attempts to stop the war.

"President Trump's efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia's illegal war in Ukraine," he said.

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Starmer added that the next step should be further negotiations involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, since the "path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him".

The UK prime minister also noted that security guarantees for Ukraine from Europe and the US will play a key role in deterring further Kremlin aggression.

He stressed that the allies would continue to increase sanctions pressure on Russias war machine until Putin ends the war.

Background:

Following the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, the European Union expects a trilateral summit including Zelenskyy to take place and is ready to contribute to its preparation.

An unnamed European official told CNN that during their conversation after Trumps talks with the Kremlin chief in Alaska, European officials and the US president had discussed the possible provision of "Article 5-style" security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement, but with no NATO involvement.

An Ukrainska Pravda source familiar with the talks has confirmed that the discussion took place.

Trump is said to have told Ukraine and European leaders that Putin wanted to immediately discuss the terms of ending the war, not just a pause in hostilities.

Zelenskyy has said that he will fly to Washington for talks with Trump on Monday 18 August.

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A 7-year-old boy reportedly fell into a drain in Delhi's Welcome area on Friday while trying to catch a kite, police said. "In the evening, information was received at PS Welcome regarding a child falling into a drain. Upon reaching the spot, i.e., the drain near Lakdi Market Puliya, and conducting an enquiry, the police team learnt that a 7-year-old boy had accidentally fallen into the drain while trying to catch a kite," the police said in a statement. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority DDMA was informed, and a search and rescue operation was initiated. However, due to darkness, the operation was suspended and will resume tomorrow morning, police said, adding that further investigation is underway. More details are awaited. Earlier in July, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy died after falling into an open sewer in Narela subdivision in North Delhi. According to police, the incident took place near Khera Khurd village, and the child's body was recovered and sent for postmortem. In another incident, an 8-year-old boy fell into a sewer in Delhi's Defence Colony area. Police staff reached the location. The sewer lid was covered with a plyboard, which broke when the child stepped on it. He was rescued with the help of locals and didn't sustain any injuries, police had said. (ANI)
The State Department on Saturday said it would halt Gaza visitor visas to the U.S.

All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days, the department wrote in a Saturday statement on the social media platform X.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for additional comment.

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The move comes a week after President Trump refrained from criticizing Israeli leaders efforts to ramp up strikes and increase control 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 told reporters in early August, committing to leading humanitarian aid efforts in the war-torn region.

Several nations and human rights groups have said starvation is persistent among Gazans, urging countries and organizations to aid in food and resource distribution.

In response to on the ground reports, Germany halted military exports to Israel, seeking to dismantle prior support for the use of force in the Gaza Strip.

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France, Canada and the United Kingdom also expressed concerns with Israeli operations and announced their intent to recognize Palestinian as an independent sovereign state.

Seventy to 75 percent of Gaza is under Israeli control, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has denied reports about starvation.

Netanyahu said the governments plans are to overtake parts of the Gaza Strip, which he said are under the control of Hamas.

Israels Cabinet, Israels security Cabinet, instructed the IDF to dismantle the two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the Central Camps, he added, referring to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Contrary to false claims, this is the best way to end the war, and the best way to end it speedily.

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In Washington, leaders across the aisle have become increasingly critical of Israel and the situation in Gaza.

We each have to continue to have an open heart about how we do this, how we do it effectively, and how we take action in time to make a difference, whether that is stopping the starvation and genocide and destruction of Gaza, or whether that means we are working together to stop the redistricting that is going on, taking away the vote from people in order to retain power, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) said during a Thursday event, referencing redistricting efforts across the country.

Clark is the highest-ranking House Democrat to use the term genocide to describe the crisis in Gaza.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Aug. 16 (UPI) -- A review of medical-humanitarian visa processing temporarily has stopped the State Department from approving visitors' visas for Gazans as of Saturday.

The State Department announced the halt in visa processing for Gazans after podcaster Laura Loomer on Friday questioned flights that carry injured Gazans needing medical care into the United States, Politico reported on Saturday.

Loomer reported "flights of Gazans arriving at airports all across" the United States, and the State Department reported the halt in visa processing for Gazans on Saturday.

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"All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days," State Department staff posted on X on Saturday morning.

Neither the State Department nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided additional information regarding the decision.

The State Department's decision comes after the Trump administration in June increased its vetting of visa applicants to include social media posts and other online activities by respective applicants.

Officials in France likewise suspended the evacuation of Gazans to France after a female student identified as a "Palestinian" allegedly circulated a social media post depicting former German dictator Adolf Hitler calling for the killing of Jews, according to Fox News.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told media the woman must leave France and said no further evacuations of Gazans will occur while the matter is investigated to learn how she obtained a student visa.

In the United States, Kent, Ohio-based non-profit HEAL Palestine is sponsoring the evacuation of injured Gazans to obtain medical care in the United States.

HEAL Palestine says it has evacuated 148 Gazans, including 63 children, and brought them to the United States for medical care.

The evacuees are being treated in locations across the nation, including Atlanta, Boston, San Antonio and Seattle and will return to Egypt upon completion of their medical care, the non-profit says.

HEAL Palestine was founded in 2024 and says it primarily helps children between ages 6 and 15, but its numbers show it has brought more adults to the United States than children.
Papers detailing President Donald Trumps summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including meeting rooms, seating arrangements and the menu for a lunch that was canceled were discovered on the printer at a hotel in Anchorage where the two leaders met, according to several Saturday media reports.

The eight pages, prepared by U.S. staff and left behind in the business center at Hotel Captain Cook, bore U.S. State Department markings and were later found by three guests who declined to be identified, NPR reported.

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The papers included precise meeting times and locations for the Friday summit inside Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, as well as phone numbers for American government employees, according to the reports. Three hotel guests found the documents around 9 a.m. and took photos later reviewed by NPR.

The first page outlined the sequence of meetings, including the specific rooms where they were to take place, and noted Trumps plan to present Putin with an American Bald Eagle Desk Statue.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly on Saturday dismissed the documents as a multi-page lunch menu and said their discovery did not constitute a security breach. The State Department declined to comment.

Other pages contained the names and phone numbers of three U.S. staff members, as well as 13 U.S. and Russian officials, along with phonetic guides for Russian names.

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The documents also described a luncheon in honor of his excellency Vladimir Putin, thought he lunch was ultimately canceled. The papers included a seating chart that placed Putin across from Trump, who was to be flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on one side; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff were seated on the other.

Putin was to sit alongside Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov. The menu called for a green salad, filet mignon and halibut olympia, with creme brulee for dessert.

Jon Michaels, a UCLA law professor who specializes in national security, told NPR the discovery illustrated a lapse in judgment by administration officials.

It strikes me as further evidence of the sloppiness and incompetence of the administration, Michaels said. You just dont leave things in printers. Its that simple.

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Earlier in the week, a law enforcement group chat that included members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement mistakenly added a random participant to a discussion of an ongoing manhunt. In March, national security officials inadvertently included a journalist in a group chat about pending military strikes in Yemen.

The post State Department Papers Found on Alaska Hotel Printer Include Sensitive Details of Trumps Summit With Putin appeared first on TheWrap.
U.S. State Department documents containing sensitive government information were discovered on a public printer at an Alaska hotel, two hours before a high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Eight pages  containing a schedule, several phone numbers of government employees, and a luncheon menu  were found in a public hotel printer at Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, a 20-minute drive from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where the two world leaders met Friday to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine.

Three guests staying at Hotel Captain Cook found the pages around 9 a.m. Friday, two hours before the summit began, according to NPR. Its not clear who left the papers but seven of the pages were produced by the Office of the Chief of Protocol, according to images obtained by NPR, which is part of the State Department.

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The hotel, which has 550 rooms, declined to comment on where the printers were located.

Tommy Pigott, the State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, told The Independent in a statement: Instead of covering the historic steps towards peace achieved at Fridays summit, NPR is trying to make a story out of a lunch menu. Ridiculous."

A White House spokesperson told NPR that abandoning the documents in a public printer was not considered a security breach. The Independent has also contacted the White House about the incident, who was responsible for handling the documents, and whether it is considered a security breach.

State Department papers were left in a public printer at an Alaska hotel, near the military base where the Trump-Putin summit was held, revealing details about the high stakes meeting (AFP via Getty Images)

The first five pages contain the sequence of the days events, including the participants, locations, and times. Below the names of Putin and his Russian aides sits a pronunciation for each name. Under the Russian presidents name, the file suggests: POO-tihn."

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The pages also contained phone numbers of government employees and a gift that Trump planned to give Putin, described as American Bald Eagle Desk Statue.

The sixth page showed a lunch seating chart. The two world leaders were seated at the center of the table, flanked on both sides by their respective officials, six for Trump and five for Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chief of Protocol of the United States Monica Crowley after the Russian leader met with U.S. President Donald Trump (AP)

The seating chart showed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and White House Chief Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff. Putins group would include his Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, his Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, and Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov.

The seventh page revealed the menu for lunch, which ended up being cancelled Friday. The first course would have offered a green salad with champagne vinaigrette dressing and sourdough bread with rosemary lemon butter. For the main course, there wouldve been a choice of either filet mignon with brandy peppercorn sauce or halibut Olympia. Buttery whipped potatoes and roasted asparagus were intended to be offered as sides while the planned dessert was creme brule with ice cream, the documents revealed.

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The last document showed what appeared to be a stylized copy of the menu. At the top read: "Luncheon in honor of his excellency Vladimir Putin."

Speaking to NPR, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly brushed off the discovery as a "multi-page lunch menu" and suggested leaving the documents on a public printer was not a security breach.

Trump and Putin met at the Alaska military base on Friday afternoon to discuss an end to the war, more than three years after Russias invasion. The leaders announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach any kind of plan to end the war. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Trump administration has had several high-profile security breaches in its early months. In March, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent sensitive information about a planned U.S. military strike in Yemen to senior officials and a journalist from The Atlantic on the messaging platform, Signal. The incident, dubbed Signalgate, led to the ousting of Mike Waltz, Trumps national security adviser.

Other lawmakers and security experts lambasted the administration over the latest incident in Alaska.

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How many more headlines are we going to read about INCOMPETENT security breaches by the Trump Admin??? Florida Democratic Congressman Darren Soto posted on X Saturday.

Jon Michaels, a UCLA law professor who specializes in national security law, told NPR the incident strikes me as further evidence of the sloppiness and the incompetence of the administration."

"You just don't leave things in printers. It's that simple, he added.

Trump and Putin met at the Alaska military base on Friday afternoon to discuss an end to the war, more than three years after Russias invasion. The leaders announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach any kind of plan to end the war.
The State Department announced on Saturday that it was halting all visitor visas to individuals from Gaza while it reviews the issuing process.

"All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days," a post on X from the State Department read.

Neither the State Department nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on what triggered the sudden review.

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Israel Security Cabinet Approves Plan To Occupy Gaza City

In June, the Trump administration began cracking down on vetting for visa applicants. This involved the introduction of a "comprehensive and thorough" review of all applicants' "online presence."

"Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission," the State Department said at the time.

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US President Donald Trump listens to Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 16, 2025.

3 Exclusive 'Golden' Visa Destinations That America's Wealthiest Are Eyeing

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Earlier this month, France suspended evacuations from Gaza after a Palestinian student allegedly shared a social media post with an image of Adolf Hitler that called for killing Jews.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Info radio that the woman "must leave the country" and that she "has no place" in France.

"No evacuation of any kind will take place until we have drawn the necessary conclusions from this investigation," Barrot said in the interview. He also vowed there would be a probe into how the Palestinian woman was able to get a student visa.

Palestinians return with bags from a food distribution point run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) group, near the Netsarim corridor in the central Gaza Strip on Aug. 2, 2025.

The student, later identified as Nour Attaalah, left France for Qatar after the incident.

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As of Jan. 1, 2025, the population in Gaza had dropped by 6% since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, according to Reuters, which cited the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). The outlet noted that this includes approximately 100,000 Palestinians who fled the enclave.

Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department.





Original article source: State Department stops issuing all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza
Vladimir Putin winced as he realised, at least momentarily, that he was not in control.

No number of Russian agents armed with bulletproof suitcases could shield him from being pelted by the sorts of questions he had managed to avoid since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

Sitting next to Donald Trump in front of a blue wall emblazoned with pursuing peace ahead of their high-level talks in Alaska, the Russian despot was in unfamiliar territory.

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As one reporter shouted, Mr Putin, will you break your ceasefire? it was clear he was not in a cocoon of Kremlin mouthpiece Russian media, but surrounded by US journalists determined to hold him to account.

His wry smile evaporated into one of alarm. He looked pleadingly to the left and furrowed his brow.

Will you commit to not killing any more civilians? another reporter yelled. Putin put his hands to his mouth and appeared to say something, before the press were swiftly removed.

The moment was a brief but stark reminder to the Russian leader that while Mr Trump may have rolled the red carpet out for him, he is a man with an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest and on the sanctions lists of most Western governments.

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After the room descended into a chaotic shouting match, the gaggle of reporters were ushered out.

It was then that Putin, Mr Trump and their advisers began highly-anticipated closed-door talks.

Less than an hour before, Putin had been met with a warm welcome as he stepped onto US soil for the first time in a decade.

The leaders posed for a photo-op on a platform that read Alaska 2025 - Andrew Harnik/Getty

At 11.08am local time, after Mr Trump had already descended the steps of Air Force One, Putin finally ventured out of his own aircraft and walked briskly down the stairs to join the US leader.

In a meeting such as this, every fine detail will have been negotiated  including which leader steps out of their aircraft first.

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With grey skies and Alaskan mountains setting the scene behind them, the two men walked down respective red carpets and joined one another at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

In an overt display of warmth that was quickly criticised by US media, Mr Trump grinned and applauded as he waited for Putin to join him.

When the two were finally face-to-face, they engaged in a lengthy handshake as they exchanged pleasantries.

The images were some of the most extraordinary in recent diplomatic history.

In the 42 months since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine, every Western leader has refused to meet Putin. Yet here was Mr Trump welcoming him.

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Standing on the red carpet, having descended the steps of Air Force One a fraction before Putin, Mr Trump applauded the approaching Russian leader before shaking his hand and clasping his arm.

As the two men turned and walked towards a podium that read Alaska 2025, a five-ship formation flypast of a B-2 bomber flanked by F-22 Raptor fighters flew above their heads.

The spectacle appeared to take the Russian president by surprise, as he stopped momentarily to get a proper view of the planes overhead.

Credit: X/@Scavino47

Standing on the raised platform quickly erected for this photo-op, the two men stood with their arms by their sides, both looking awkwardly rigid.

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It was then that US journalists began firing the first of many questions at the Russian leader.

Did you underestimate Ukraine? one reporter shouted. Another asked if he would stop killing Ukrainian civilians. Putin pointed at his ear, suggesting that he could not hear.

Putin asked if he will "stop killing civilians"

It was at this moment that an apparent last-minute offer was made for the Russian president to ride to the summit venue alongside Mr Trump in the Beast, the US presidential limousine.

The two leaders had been due to be picked up separately on the tarmac after arriving on their respective flights.

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Putins Aurus limousine, complete with Russian number plates and a flag on its bonnet, had been waiting to ferry him to the talks.

But they both slipped into the eight-ton armoured car with only two security officials accompanying them in the front, raising suspicions in US media about the conversations that were had on the short drive across the military base.

As the car drove away, cameras captured Putin sporting a beaming smile and waving his hand to the crowds.

Vladimir Putin sitting in The Beast alongside Donald Trump

The ensuing chaotic press conference was held in the moments before the official talks, marking the first time that the leaders had come together for a face-to-face for a bilateral meeting in six years.

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Mr Trump was flanked by Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy who has previously negotiated with Putin, and Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state.

Mr Rubio greeted Putin with a stern handshake, but appeared far more jovial with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, with whom he has been holding regular phone calls.

While Mr Trump had initially planned to carry out discussions one-on-one, the presidents team announced that the meeting had been changed to a three-on-three just hours before the meeting was set to take place.

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, and Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, chat while waiting for the press conference - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP

The meeting lasted around three hours, half of the time that had been touted by Russian media outlets ahead of the gathering.

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It was reported that a lunch between Putin and Mr Trump had also been cancelled, suggesting that their talks had gone badly.

The worlds media was summoned to a press conference, with one question looming: would the US president appear alone?

If the meeting had gone poorly, Mr Trump had declared, he would not stand side-by-side with Putin and brief the press.

But as the seats in the auditorium filled up, two podiums remained on stage, and a Russian speaker sound checked the lectern reserved for Putin.

If the Russian leader had appeared slightly untethered at the beginning of the day, he was now back in control.

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It was Putin, not Mr Trump, who began the press conference, a detail that even the Trump-loyal network, Fox News labelled as really stunning.

Putin said he wanted the war to end but that he was worried about Kyiv and European capitals throwing a spanner in the works.

No details of a ceasefire were provided, but Putin did offer Mr Trump something that he wanted: recognition that the war would not have started if he were president in 2022.

Today when President Trump said that if he was the president back then there would be no war and Im quite sure that it would indeed be so, the Russian president said, translated to English for reporters in Alaska.

Mr Trump, stood at his presidential lectern, stared straight back, offering the slightest nods of approval in response.

Credit: Anadolu Agency via Reuters

For months, the US president has been telling anyone who would listen that he believes that the Russian army would not have invaded Ukraine if he had beaten Joe Biden and retained his place in the White House for a second consecutive term.

His Russian counterparts willingness to acknowledge the dubious claim served as the vindication that the US president had been seeking.

It was an olive branch from Moscow reminiscent of their last meeting in Helsinki in 2018, when Putin, standing beside Mr Trump at a joint press conference, insisted that Russia had not interfered in his election victory.

Mr Trump described his counterparts missive as profound, before heralding the talks as productive. However, he admitted that sticking points remained, one the most significant. He did not elaborate on what that was.

US fighter jets provided an escort for Putins Ilyushin Il-96-300PU plane as it flew west from Alaska back toward Russian airspace.

But some 12 hours after the press conference, details emerged of the talks that suggest Mr Trump did make some progress with Putin in those few hours.

During a call with Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, and a group of European leaders following their meeting, Mr Trump outlined the demands Putin had made.

A European official told The Telegraph the Russian despot said he would end the war if Ukraine surrenders the Donetsk region in exchange for unspecified territorial concessions.

While Russia holds the majority of the Donetsk region, Ukraine is still in control of large swathes of the oblast, which makes up its main line of defences in the east.

This concession would give Russia, which already controls a significant amount of Ukraines Luhansk region, control of the eastern Donbas.

Such territorial gains would give Russia an unabridged staging post for future attacks into the regions of Zaporzhia and Dnipropetrovsk in the direction of Kyiv.

It also prompts concerns that Mr Zelensky will be pressured to accept Putins demands as part of Mr Trumps quick-fire attempt to end the war.

Coalition of the Willing

In one notable gear change, Mr Trump said the US would be ready to participate in Article 5-style security guarantees for Kyiv, referring to Natos mutual defence clause.

It is the first time that the president has indicated he would join the Coalition of the Willing of European countries, led by the UK, France and Germany, planning to police any ceasefire agreement.

Putin also tabled a demand for protections for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky banned last year after accusing it of being complicit in Putins war.

The move provided the Russian president with an excuse for his invasion, claiming that military action was taken to protect Russian speakers and culture in Ukraine.

On Monday, Mr Zelensky will fly to Washington to discuss Putins list demands and Mr Trumps peace plans. The UK, France and Germany are planning to join the meeting.

The Alaska press conference had ended with no questions, helping Putin dodge the scrutiny that had made him squirm earlier that day.

If the Russian leader had been made to feel uncomfortable under the glare of dozens of broadcast cameras, he would now return the favour to his American friend.

Next time in Moscow, Putin said, breaking into English for full effect.

Ooh, thats an interesting one, Mr Trump replied. I dont know. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  In a letter sent to parents Friday, Austin Independent School Districts superintendent addressed the districts Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability ratings.

AISD Superintendent Matias Segura said the district has seen promising growth; however, theres still work to be done.

According to the TEA ratings, three AISD schools received a fourth F score in a row. If the district does not improve all three campuses by a letter grade in the new school year, it could face district-wide state intervention.

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TEA releases 2025 A-F ratings

Although we have not yet received official guidance from the state on formal turnaround plan requirements, we have had early insight into these results since late spring, Segura said. This has allowed us to plan with our teams, work closely with campus leaders to strengthen instruction and collaborate with community partners, because we can only do this work if we do it together.

Segura said the district was committed to doing the necessary work to improve its schools.

Student success takes many forms and is measured in more ways than one. We are a vibrant, loving and innovative community that cares deeply about the success of our students. Together, we are making our Austin ISD stronger, Segura said.

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According to the district, TEA data showed 34 campuses had improved ratings, and the number of campuses rated A increased from 16 to 22.

These improvements reflect the dedication of our students, the tireless commitment of our teachers and staff and the unwavering support from our families, Segura said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
MANSFIELD  A fourth-grade student at Mansfield Elementary School was awarded for his participation in the National Invention Convention.

Fourth-grade student Mihin Witharana returned to the U.S. Nationals of the RTX Invention Convention for the second year. This years event was hosted by the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovations in Dearborn, Michigan.

Five hundred youths participated in the Invention Convention, and Witharanas latest invention included a smart wristband for safe school bus crossing called the Bus Buddy.

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Witharanas placement at the 2024 state-level competition in Connecticut qualified him for this years National competition.

We are so proud of Mihin and his efforts and achievements in this years and previous years Invention Convention, STEM Teacher Michelle Mather said. It takes remarkable dedication and persistence, along with a passion for learning new things, to accomplish what Mihin has done again and again. It will be exciting to watch from the sidelines as Mihin moves forward and takes his deserved place among other high achievers who continue to dream big and make it happen.

In the Spring of 2024, Witharana competed at the national level and took second place among the third-grade students whose projects progressed to the U.S. Nationals for his invention called the SaltBot.

Mansfield has a proud tradition of strong student participation in the school-wide, regional and state Invention Convention program, Superintendent Candace Morell said. This program empowers young minds to be innovative, creative, and develop solutions to real-world problems  perfectly aligned with our approach to learning.

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Witharanas parents are proud of his achievements and how they represent Mansfield.

We hope Mihins achievements will help ignite innovative ideas of his peers and friends at Mansfield Elementary School and give the impetus to nurture the slogan of There is a better way to do  find it, his mother, Chiandri, said.

Student inventors who qualify traveled with their families to The Henry Ford for a multi-day experience that includes presenting their invention to a panel of educational and industry expert judges. They also meet and engage with other student inventors, professional experts and special guests and participate in educational experiences and in the awards ceremony.

Witharanas 2025 project has earned him a third U.S. National Finalist opportunity at the Connecticut Invention Convention. This will qualify him to progress to the U.S. Nationals again at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan in June 2026.

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We are especially proud of Mihin, who has once again earned a place at Nationals to represent our school and our state, Morell said. We are grateful to his teachers and family for supporting him in this work. Mihin exemplifies the curiosity, ingenuity and dedication the Invention Convention inspires.

Joining Witharana with an invitation to the National competition next spring will be Audrey Young, a rising fourth-grade student at Mansfield Middle School.

Her project has earned two prizes at the state level, including the Promising Young Woman Award and the Science Center Award, for her project called Memory Petals.
The summer session participants compete in a weight-lifting design challenge, only using paper and tape, in the UAF Makerspace. (Photo by Julie Engelhardt/UAF Upward Bound)

You think you know what you want to do after high school. But you may not know how to acquire the education you need to get there.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Upward Bound and Teaching Through Technology Alaska programs have teamed up once again to help high school students from across Alaska prepare for life after graduation. Through a summer session called Your Future Role in Alaska, students learned to build a personalized plan to match their career interest to their values.

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Over the course of two weeks in June, participating students engaged with faculty and staff in a variety of programs and career paths offered at UAFs Troth Yeddha campus and the UAF Community and Technical College, learned about their personal strengths, navigated the university admissions process and learned from the UB alumni and current UAF students about their experiences.

For many students, this was their first encounter at UAF, life away from home and an in-depth opportunity to explore what postsecondary paths would best suit them. The session gave students an opportunity to define their personal values and goals, thinking beyond what I want to do and focusing more on the importance of their role in Alaska and their community.

It was a great learning opportunity to adapt to dorm life and adjust to a new environment surrounded by new faces, said Vivien Ongtowasruk-Pootoogooluk, a sophomore from Shishmaref.

Identifying their own personal strengths and potential career matches using a tool called the Alaska Career Information System, coupled with engagement with professionals in specific career paths, expanded potential career options attendees had not considered before.

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Robin Oaks, a junior from Haines, joined the session with a radiology technician as her career in mind. But after an introduction to CTCs health science program and a lesson on research given by Anshul Pandya, assistant professor of bioscience, she had bigger aspirations.

With more schooling, I could be a radiologist and make way more money! she said.

The students were introduced to education and character requirements to work in the public safety sector, including emergency medical services and law enforcement. CTC Paramedicine Director Richie Berndt discussed the levels of emergency medical training with students and provided hands-on opportunities for students to practice being EMTs. Students learned to pack wounds, use tourniquets and apply pressure to stop the bleeding, all part of a days work in the life of an EMT. Officers Kelly Copeland and Jill Copeland with the UAF Police Department and Deputy Fire Marshal Kyle Carrington with Alaska Department of Public Safety Fairbanks Office also talked about the benefits of careers in law enforcement.

The students also got a taste of welding through the hands-on pipefitting apprenticeship program, given by Rodney Wolcott, training director at Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 375 Training Center Fairbanks.

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For Robin Oaks, who wants to work in radiology, pipefitting was originally not on her radar but came to light after working with Wolcott.

Regardless of the students interest, applying to and paying for college or any postsecondary education can present hurdles. The participants learned how to navigate the admissions process, discovered the support network that the university offers, and met with advisors in financial aid and admissions to discuss the timeline and process.

Additionally, the summer session provided the students with an opportunity to expand their view beyond careers and to learn what they can do to improve the community they live in. They spent a day participating in volunteer work at the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, packaging and distributing food. The experience not only allowed the students to see a bigger role they can play as a community member but also gave older students a chance to build confidence and guide younger students outside of the academic context.

Time was also dedicated to exploring the UAF Makerspace and working with the UAF Alaska Center for Energy and Powers CyberPod  a group of T3 alumni and UAF students working at ACEP. The participants enjoyed hands-on projects and talking with and learning from the CyberPod members about their educational journeys, career aspirations and work within the university system. The CyberPod members provided an invaluable link between high school and college, making their goals more tangible.

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It was great to learn alongside the students when visiting the different career paths and institutions that contribute to our community, said Adrian Burke, a CyberPod member.

We got to support students in growing and adapting to professional and university environments, and it was rewarding to see the moments of Aha! and inspiration. I would have loved to participate in this summer program when I was a UB student, he said.

Correction: One of the authors of this article was incorrectly identified upon publication. The authors name is Yuri Bult-Ito.

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Older adults with diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonist medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, may face a doubled risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a potentially blinding eye condition, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

The research, conducted from 2020 to 2023, analyzed health records of over 139,000 Ontario residents with an average age of 66 who had diabetes and used GLP-1 drugs for at least six months.

Our study included any GLP-1 receptor agonists that were prescribed during the study period in Ontario, Canada; we did not exclude any specific type of these medications, Rajeev H. Muni, MD, principal investigator and associate professor at the University of Toronto, told Medical News Today (MNT). However, semaglutide represented the vast majority of use in our cohort, accounting for 97.5% of all GLP-1 prescriptions.

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Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, dominated, while lixisenatide, often combined with insulin glargine, made up the remaining 2.5%. Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound, was not included as it was not approved in Canada during the study period.

The study found that among diabetic patients aged 66 and older, the incidence of nAMD was about 1 in 1,000 for those not using GLP-1 drugs, compared to 2 in 1,000 for those on the medications for six months or more.

While the absolute risk remains low, this represents a relative doubling in risk, Muni said. While our findings should not prompt alarm, they do warrant increased clinical awareness.

He advised patients noticing new visual symptoms to consult their doctor and see an ophthalmologist promptly.

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The risk of nAMD increased with longer use of GLP-1 drugs.

We observed a clear dose-response relationship in our analysis, with the risk of nAMD increasing as the duration of GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure increased, Muni said, per MNT. Given that many individuals use these medications chronically, whether for blood sugar control or for weight loss, the long-term ocular safety of GLP-1 RAs requires further investigation.

Demetrios Vavvas, MD, PhD, from Mass Eye and Ear, noted the studys strength in its large-scale data and dose-response findings but cautioned that it shows only association, not causation, due to unmeasured factors like obesity or smoking.

The most significant limitation is that this study can only show an association, not prove that the drug causes this eye condition, Vavvas said.

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He also highlighted potential surveillance bias and the low event rate of less than 0.2%.

A separate study in JAMA Ophthalmology, led by Bradley Katz, MD, PhD, from the University of Utah, reported nine patients, averaging 58 years old, who developed vision issues while taking semaglutide or tirzepatide. Seven experienced nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), one had a retinal stroke, and one had optic nerve swelling without vision loss.

These drugs are very effective at reducing blood sugar, and when one rapidly reduces blood sugar, it can cause swelling in the optic nerve, Katz explained, per MNT, suggesting that rapid blood sugar changes may trigger an osmotic shift, causing eye complications.

He recommended gradual dose increases and consulting an ophthalmologist for vision changes.

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Howard Krauss, MD, a neuro-ophthalmologist in Santa Monica, recommended annual eye exams for patients with underlying conditions and assessing the optic nerves cup-to-disc ratio before starting GLP-1 drugs.

Those who wish to take an extra step of caution may choose to have an eye exam prior to initiating treatment to determine their ocular health status, Krauss said, MNT reported.

About one in eight people have used GLP-1 medications, which have surged in popularity for weight loss and diabetes management, according to recent tracking polls. Physicians like Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon, emphasized the rarity of eye complications but urged awareness.

As with all medications, if a patient notices a significant change in vision, or any other system, they should contact their prescribing provider, Ali said, according to MNT.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday joined the Janmashtami celebrations at the Krishna Temple in Agartala's Banamalipur, organised by the Tripura Yadav Samaj to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. Devotees thronged the temple premises, offering prayers, singing devotional songs, and taking part in cultural programs. The Chief Minister extended his greetings to the people on the occasion and praised the Yadav community for preserving and promoting their spiritual and cultural traditions. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu extended warm greetings to all Indians in the country and abroad on the eve of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. According to a release from the President's Secretariat, the President of India, in her message on the eve of Janmashtami, has said, "On the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, a festival filled with joy and enthusiasm, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the Indians living in India and abroad." President Murmu added, "The life and teachings of Bhagwan Shri Krishna inspire us towards self-development and self-realisation. Bhagwan Shri Krishna enlightened humanity about the attainment of the ultimate truth by following the path of Dharma. This festival inspires us to adopt eternal values embodied by Yogeshwar Shri Krishna. On this occasion, let us all take a pledge to follow the teachings of Bhagwan Shri Krishna and make our society and nation stronger". Meanwhile, in Gujarat's Dwarka, special security and logistical arrangements have been put in place for Janmashtami, with dedicated facilities for senior citizens, differently abled devotees, and mothers, along with provisions for clean drinking water and enhanced sanitation. Preparations for Dahi Handi festivities and Janmashtami are underway across the country, including Maharashtra, where grand Dahi Handi events witness devotees forming human pyramids to break earthen pots filled with curd, butter, and other milk products -- symbolising Lord Krishna's playfulness and his love for butter and curd. (ANI)
KYIV/ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (Reuters) -Ukrainians expressed anger and frustration on Saturday over the failure of the U.S. and Russian presidents to agree on the need for a truce in the Ukraine war at a summit, and the sight of Donald Trump giving Vladimir Putin a red-carpet welcome in Alaska.

Trump urged Ukraine to make a deal to end the war because "Russia is a very big power". Trump also said he agreed with Putin that the sides should focus on an overall peace settlement, not via a ceasefire, as Kyiv and its European allies have been demanding - until now with U.S. support.

"He (Putin) won. Trump showed his attitude towards him and at the same time towards us. This meeting did not end well for Ukraine," said a 26-year-old soldier who gave only his call-sign "Dzha".

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"... we need to end the war. We need to really sit down at the negotiating table and talk, come to an agreement, because every day fighters die, get injured."

"Dzha" was serving as godfather at a baptism in a church in Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine, one of four regions Russia claims to have annexed, though it does not fully control them.

'BOMBS WILL KEEP FALLING ON US'

"They (Putin and Trump) made some agreements for their states," said Viktor Tkach, the chaplain conducting the baptism. "And here in Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, in the Zaporizhzhia region, we will keep suffering, glide bombs will keep falling on us."

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Some were outraged that Trump had invited Putin to the U.S. and treated him with such respect, as an equal.

Putin has been ostracised by Western leaders since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and is wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine, which he denies.

"Literally yesterday, a ballistic missile was launched at Sumy. And this animal (Putin) flies to Alaska where people applaud him, and the red carpet is rolled out in front of him," said Hanna Kucherenko, a 25-year-old model, in Kyiv. "How is that even possible now?"

A manipulated image of Trump and Putin shaking hands on the airport tarmac against the backdrop of bombed residential apartment blocks in Ukraine circulated widely online.

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"I do not know what Trump is even thinking about. I have an impression that he is just the same (as Putin)," said Kyiv pensioner Tetiana Vorobei. "They are identical."

(Writing by Gareth Jones; Additional Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA)  Illinois State Police are still looking for David Jordan, and the search continues as one of Gibson Citys biggest events takes place on Saturday.

The 70-year-old is still on the loose after police said he shot two law enforcement officers in Gibson City a week ago. Despite the search taking place, people along the Gibson City streets Friday morning didnt seem too worried, especially with an extra force of security at this years Summer Bash.

Search for David Jordan continues in Central Illinois

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On top of that, this is an event in the community that everyone looks forward too.

Oh, I love it, said community member Allison Walter. I love the people, I love the food it brings, I just I love dancing. And half of this town likes to dance, so its really good for Gibson to get bands.

Walter was born and raised here. Five years ago during the pandemic, the citys hospital wanted to bring in a new event. Over time, theyve brought in different rock bands like Night Ranger, 38 Special and now this time around: Foreigner.

Were not trying to make money, its $10 for a general admission ticket to get here, said Director of Employee Community Events, Bill Kirby. Its $60 to get in the party pit, and you just get a little bit closer to the stage.

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Kirby said hes expecting more than 7,000 people to show up. But the question is: Will people be afraid of coming? The 70-year-old Jordan is still on the loose after shooting two law enforcement officers in Gibson City seven days ago.

Officer, deputy hurt in Gibson City shooting released from hospital

Had a conversation with police, first thing, Kirby said.

Kirby and others in town said theyre not terribly worried. Plus, theyre adding 15 security guards: something theyve already been planning on doing for the last year.

I get it, were cautious, but weve got weve got this covered, Kirby said. Our security is great and I put all my faith in the world with those guys.

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I love our police department here, Walter said. Ive said it for years, as long as Ive lived here, theyve always kept us safe in this town.

Gates open at 5 p.m. for this years Summer Bash in downtown Gibson City. WCIA reached out to State Police, who said they would like to remind the public to stay vigilant during the weekend festivities. Do not approach Jordan if you see him, instead 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 WCIA.com.
Aug. 15Fires continue to burn throughout the Inland Northwest, including one that has now destroyed over two dozen structures.

Here's a rundown of the blazes burning across the Spokane and North Idaho region.

Sunset fire:

The Sunset fire near Athol, Idaho, has grown to 2,702 acres and has destroyed 26 structures. Crews have made significant progress by constructing fire lines along the southwestern and southeastern edges of the fire, while aerial resources and firefighting boats have been focusing on the northern and eastern perimeters respectively.

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"At this time, we do not have containment, but we're making some very good progress on the southern end of the fire installing dozer line," said Mary Fritz, the public information officer for the North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team.

Cooler weather and a Complex Incident Management Team due to arrive Saturday should help with suppression efforts, according to a news release from the Idaho Department of Lands.

"Go Now" evacuation orders are in place for residents living on Raven Road, Crosswhite Road, Little Blacktail Road, USFS 630 off Blacktail Road, Butler Creek and Butler Creek Spur. In addition, starting at Mirror Lake and going diagonally down to USFS 630, including Five Lakes Estates, Jupline Landing, the entirety of the Ponderosa neighborhood and everything south of Talache Road, residents are required to evacuate immediately.

So far, 250 people have been evacuated. Six single residences have been destroyed and 20 minor structures, like sheds and pole buildings, are no longer standing. There are 295 personnel working on combating the Sunset fire, with more expected in the coming days.

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An evacuation center is open at the Cocolalla Bible Camp to provide shelter for residents fleeing from the flames. Ten stalls at the Bonner County Fairgrounds are available for livestock.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Crescent Road fire:

The Crescent Road fire, blazing about 7 miles north of Reardan, has burned just over 900 acres. The fire is scorching ground primarily between Crescent Road and Devil's Gap Road at the northeast corner of Lincoln County and western edge of Spokane County. While the fire is zero percent contained, only one primary structure has been reported as destroyed. Damage to secondary structures, such as sheds and chicken coops, is currently unknown.

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Anjel Tomayko, the public information for the Crescent Road fire, said all roads are open and that Level 3 evacuations are limited to just a couple of miles outside the perimeter of the fire. Level 3 evacuations require residents to leave immediately.

"We've been working on making the containment lines complete around the fire and using the fire lines that we've done over the last couple days that were more indirect to create direct fire line either by using dozers to move more tightly toward the fire's edge or through small burnout operations."

Tomayko said they were hopeful that by the end of the shift on Friday, crews would be done with that phase of fire suppression and move onto aggressive mop-up activities. A small 15-acre operation occurred Friday to ensure a tight line was created so that the fire couldn't push past and spill over into unburned fuel.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. As of Friday night, 247 personnel were actively fighting the flames. There is not an evacuation center available.

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Central Ferry fire:

The Central Ferry Fire is now 99 % contained and remains stagnant at 6,597 acres. As of Saturday morning, all resources were expected to be finished except for a single 20-person crew. That crew is expected to work only a half shift before returning home.

"The crews made good progress around the fire," said Guy Gifford, the public information officer for the Central Ferry fire. "On the west and north portions of the fire, they gridded it several times to make sure there's no heat there. The south side of the fire is the river, and the east side of the fire was where both of the remaining hot spots were, and the crews concentrated working on those areas (on Friday)."

Gifford said that because the Central Ferry fire was a grass fire, it burned out fairly quickly.

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No structures were reported as damaged or destroyed. Additionally, no road closures or evacuation orders are in place.

The cause of the fire, revealed by the Washington State Patrol, was a motor home that caught on fire.

Gifford said final gridding of the fire is expected to be completed by noon on Saturday and firefighters should be able to return home by lunchtime.
GM is having a good month, Tesla continues to lose EV sales, and AI is going to be a big part of our future cars  here's that and all the other news you need to know about clean machines now.

According to GM, lightning can strike twice in the same place

CEO Mary Barra says the second version of the company's tiny-but-popular Bolt EV will hit the market next year. While few specs have been announced, MotorTrend has put a guess on it having 300 miles of range and a price tag of around $30,000.

Mercedes-Benz is quietly halting its U.S. EV sales

The Germany-based company has halted new orders for the electric EQS and EQE, including sedan and SUV models. It will also stop production of these vehicles for the U.S. market.

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In a statement, a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson indicated that "current market conditions" were behind the decision, without providing a timeline for orders or production to resume.

Yes, Tesla's downturn is (at least partly) still political

According to a startling new survey by Nature, "Liberals showed declining intentions to purchase Teslas compared with other EVs, and, to a lesser extent, declining intentions to purchase EVs in general."

The survey went on to report that the negative attitudes toward Tesla were particularly tied to company head Elon Musk, who (despite some recent spats) contributed greatly to President Trump's reelection campaign, and still continues to financially support the President's causes.

Tesla is going all-in on AI

Tesla just signed a $16.5 billion chip contract with Samsung to utilize its $40 billion chip plant in Texas. The investment involved AI6 chips, the latest iteration of the custom silicon that powers Tesla's vehicles, robots, and AI infrastructure.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Prosecutors in Henry County have indicted a man on first-degree murder charges in the death of an 11-year-old girl who went missing in 1996 from her home in nearby Moline.

Jamison Fisher was indicted Wednesday on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death for his alleged role in the death of Trudy Appleby, who disappeared from her home in Moline on Aug. 20, 1996, and was never seen again.

Moline police Chief Darren Gault said that officers issued an arrest warrant for Fisher shortly afterward. Fisher has not yet been extradited to Illinois because he was being held in Scott County, Iowa, on unrelated charges.

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Gault said at a Thursday news conference that Trudy had wanted to go swimming at Campbell's Island along the Mississippi River that day, but her father told her no. However, phone records from that day indicated that she went ahead with her plans for a late-summer swim. She left her home in the passenger seat of an older grey vehicle driven by an unidentified man and was never seen again.

Gault said the disappearance haunted the family, the city of Moline and the detectives who had investigated the case for nearly 29 years until Wednesday. He credited the hard work of detectives and the support of the community for their continued efforts on this case, with new pieces of information coming forward that led to Fisher's indictment.

However, Gault was limited in the amount of information he could provide Thursday, noting that an investigation was still ongoing to try and locate the girl's remains, which have still not been found.

What prosecutors say happened to Trudy Appleby

Henry County State's Attorney Cathy Runty said at the news conference that Fisher had allegedly strangled Trudy to her death after her abduction, then moved her body afterward.

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Rock Island State's Attorney Dora Villareal said that while there was evidence to indicate that Fisher had kidnapped the girl from her Moline home, the statute of limitations meant that authorities could not formally charge him with kidnapping. Because murder and concealment do not contain the same statute of limitations, Fisher was charged with those two crimes.

Gault said that Fisher's arrest brings officials one step closer to providing closure to Trudy's family, who have been waiting for nearly 29 years for answers regarding their daughter's disappearance.

"We hope it offers a measure of peace to her family and all of those who have walked this journey with them," Gault said. "I will remind anyone that doubts us that if you commit violent crimes in the city of Moline, we will hunt you down no matter how long it takes, whether it takes us 30 minutes, 30 hours or 30 years. We will find you."

Gault said that while Fisher's arrest wasn't going to bring their daughter back, Trudy's family was relieved to hear of it. He credited continued and ongoing work by journalists and the community at large of keeping Trudy's story alive as one of the reasons why they were able to make the arrest.

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"Over time, people become more cooperative," Gault said. "They understand that it's not going away. That's an important role both you and I have as partners to educate the public and by doing so, we kept that story in their minds."

Detective Mike Griffin, the lead investigator for the Moline Police Department on the Appleby case, said that it was a case study in how effective law enforcement can be when everyone works together, as Moline had help from law enforcement agencies in Rock Island and Henry counties, along with Illinois State Police and the FBI.

"It's nothing that we can solely take credit for and say it's our case," Griffin said. "We've done this together with our communities. This is a community win, and I hope they feel that, too."

More: More than 100 will lose jobs as Illinois senior care facility closes

Search for Trudy Appleby's remains will continue

When asked about how they would prosecute someone for murder without finding remains, Runty said that it was the 605th case nationally of a "no-body" homicide, something that is more than within the scope of the law that is able to be prosecuted.

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"The law allows for it," Runty said. "We intend to utilize those aspects of the law to continue to advocate for Trudy."

Villarreal feels confident they will have the law on their side when they take the case to trial, citing the work done by attorneys in both Rock Island and Henry counties to ensure that they could charge Fisher.

"We've had great legal minds that were able to work together with all of the information and investigations that all of the law enforcement agencies have done," Villarreal said. "We feel confident about the law being on our side in supporting the indictments."

Gault compared the nearly three-decade-long investigation to trying to complete a 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle without having a picture on the box for reference. He credited the work of police in 1996 and years since in helping to set the foundation for future officers and detectives to complete the investigation.

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"Many detectives at the Moline Police Department played a role in that," Gault said. "We are really grateful for the great police work that was done in 1996 and the decades after that that set the Moline Police Department up in a current, modern time to continue on that case."

With Trudy's body still not found, Gault said that they would continue to look for her remains, not leaving any stone unturned in trying to continue to find closure for her family and the community.

"We will continue to pursue anything that comes up," Gault said. "There will be a lot of legal proceedings that occur in the next weeks and months and years, and we hope we will be back in front of you at some point to give you better answers."

Runty did not set a timetable for when Fisher would be extradited back to Illinois, saying that the legal process needs to play out on the other charges.

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More: 'Forever chemicals' present in Illinois water, EPA data show. See where PFAS levels are highest

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Jamison Fisher charged in 1996 death of Trudy Appleby in Moline
(KRON)  Dublin Police Services said it is following up on several leads after multiple shots were fired into an occupied vehicle Friday afternoon.

Berkeley Hills four-story blaze displaces two, causes $150K in damages

DPS said its dispatch center was alerted at 1:22 p.m. of the incident in the area of Scarlett and Kilkenny drives. Police said officers were able to contact the victim when they arrived at the scene.

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The suspect involved in this shooting is still outstanding, said police. At this time, DPS does not believe there is an onshoring threat to the Dublin community.

There were no reports of any injuries.

This an active case. Anyone with information on the shooting, witnesses or those with video footage are asked to contact Dublin Police Services at (925) 833-6670.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
KINSHASA, Congo (AP)  Suspected Islamist rebels have killed at least 30 people in a series of attacks in Congo's North Kivu province in recent days, a Congolese military official said Saturday.

The killings took place in Bapere village between Wednesday and Friday, according to Col. Alain Kiwawa, the military administrator of Lubero territory where the village is located.

We have more than 30 people dead, and at least a hundred who are being held hostage, Kiwawa told The Associated Press.

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A civil society leader, Samuel Kaheni, the president of the Bapere civil society organization, added that several houses were burned and victims were mostly killed with knives.

The attacks are the latest in a string of recent attacks by Islamic State-aligned Allied Democratic Force (ADF) after its members killed nearly 40 people last month in an attack on a Catholic church in Ituri. Most of the victims were killed with machetes.

The ADF, with roots in neighboring Uganda, operates in the border villages between Uganda and Congo. Both countries have launched a joint armed operation against the group, but the group has only increased its attacks in recent months.

The incidence of ADF attacks adds to the complicated security challenges in the eastern region of Congo, where dozens of other armed groups are fighting, and the central government is battling the M23 rebels, which have taken control of Goma and other key cities.

Lubero's military administrator called on the residents to be on guard against further violence.

I ask the population to speak out and remain vigilant," he said.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) on Friday criticized President Trump for walking away from his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin without a ceasefire agreement.

The lawmaker, a vocal critic of the president, suggested that the lack of a deal shows the Trump administration may be being soft on Russia  especially after the threat of increased sanctions has been delayed.

Being soft on Russia also means that we end up being soft on China, because if China was to move on Taiwan, theres no European ally for a second [that] would consider even jumping in with us after watching us abandon Ukraine, Swalwell said during a Friday appearance on MSNBCs The Weeknight.

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He added, So today, Donald Trump masterfully demonstrated the art of no deal.

The California Democrats comments come as Trump has faced pushback for welcoming Putin to Alaska after foregoing the sanctions on Russian trading partners despite continued fighting in Ukraine. Though, he did say Friday that he would walk away from the summit if the Russian leader offered a bad deal and earlier this week threatened severe consequences in the future if peace talks fail.

Trump wanted to point out a couple times the business potential that could come out of this. But I dont really understand. What can we get from Russia? What do we need from Russia, like more vodka and caviar at Mar-a-Lago? Swalwell said.

Theyre not big trading partners, even during the best time, he continued. So, it just shows how easily he can be manipulated by them to believe that hes getting something.

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The Democrat earlier Friday also roasted the president following Trumps interview with Fox News Bret Baier on Air Force One en route to Alaskas Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, calling him out for saying he would return to the U.S. if the meeting is bad.

Dummy Donald still thinks he went to Russia, the lawmaker wrote on social platform X, in response to a clip.

Trump, following the nearly three-hour closed-door meeting with Putin, said the meeting was productive but offered few other details on the conversation. While the duo held a news conference following the summit, they did not take questions from the press.

The president and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are slated to meet on Monday at the White House. Trump has said it will ultimately be up to Kyiv to solidify a peace deal with leaders in Moscow, including potential land swaps.

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The Brief

T-Mobile will lay off 121 employees in western Washington starting October 13.

The layoffs follow T-Mobile's $4.4 billion acquisition of UScellular.

The Washington State Employment Security Department is assisting affected workers.

BELLEVUE, Wash. - T-Mobile is laying off over 100 employees across western Washington next month.

What To Know

The layoffs will affect 121 workers, with separations expected to begin on Oct. 13, according to a recent Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) announcement.

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T-Mobile's headquarters are located in Bellevue. The wireless carrier also has locations in Bothell and Snoqualmie.

FILE - The T-Mobile logo is seen outside a shop in Washington, DC, on July 26, 2019. (Photo by ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP via Getty Images)

The layoffs come after T-Mobile's $4.4 billion acquisition of UScellular, which gained the company more than 4 million new customers and over 2,000 cell towers.

WARN notices are sent by the Washington State Employment Security Department, which works to ease the transition for employees affected by a closure or layoffs.

The WARN layoff and closure database can be found on the Employment Security Department's website.

The Source

Information in this story came from the Washington State Employment Security Department and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The much-anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin began with a warm welcome and a flyover by screaming jets at a U.S. military base in Alaska but ended with a thud Friday after they conceded that they had failed to reach any agreements on how to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

After about 2 1/2 hours of talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, the two men appeared before reporters for what had been billed as a joint news conference  but they took no questions.

We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to, there are just a very few that are left, Trump said. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

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Putin, welcomed into the U.S. after being shunned by Western allies since early 2022 for ordering the invasion of Ukraine, thanked Trump for hosting the meeting and suggested with a chuckle that the next time the two sit down it could be in Moscow.

Here are key takeaways from the summit:

A warm welcome underscoring the friendly Trump-Putin relationship

Putin got a red carpet welcome and even rode in Trumps presidential limousine from the tarmac to the summit venue. There, the pair were joined by two of their top aides: Secretary of State and national security adviser Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff for Trump and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and national security adviser Yuri Ushakov for Putin.

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Putin, who spoke first after the meeting concluded, lauded the historical relationship between the United States, Russia and the former Soviet Union, recalling joint missions conducted by the two countries during World War II.

He said the U.S. and Russia share values, a standard talking point for Russian officials when trying to woo Trump and his aides. Putin also noted that Trump has frequently said the Ukraine war wouldnt have happened had he won the 2020 election.

"I think that would have been the case," the Russian leader said, a comment sure to please Trump.

However, there is no indication and no way to prove that Moscow would have acted differently toward Ukraine had Democrat Joe Biden not been elected.

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Trump touts progress but concedes there was no deal

Trump had gone into the meeting hoping to get Putin to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine  or at least a commitment from Russia to enter into negotiations to reach one.

Instead, Trump conceded that we havent quite got there and said he would be conferring with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders about next steps.

Trump said he and Putin had made some significant progress toward the goal of ending the conflict but gave no details on what that entailed and had to acknowledge that they had been unable to bridge substantial gaps.

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I believe we had a very productive meeting, Trump said. We havent quite got there, but weve made some headway. So, theres no deal until theres a deal.

In a subsequent conversation with Sean Hannity of Fox News Channel, Trump again offered no details on his discussions with Putin.

With diplomatic progress creeping along, time is on Putins side

Amid drawn-out diplomatic moves to end the war, time is appears to be on Putins side. That gives a leg up to Russian forces, who have used their larger numbers to slowly grind down defenses in eastern Ukraine 3 1/2 years into the conflict.

Putin got a pleasant reception from the leader of the free world on U.S. soil and walked away hours later without either providing details on what they discussed, whether a ceasefire was any closer to reality or what the next steps would be.

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Putin praised Trump for the friendly tone of the talks  Trump said nothing publicly about the killing of Ukrainian civilians in Moscow's attacks  and for understanding that Russia has its own national interests.

Putin said Moscow and Washington should turn the page, with relations having sunk to the lowest point since the Cold War.

Putin appearing in the U.S. for the first time in 10 years was celebrated as a sign that Moscow was no longer a pariah on the global stage. In a social media post, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told followers that the Western press would be on the verge of losing their minds.

For three years, they talked about Russias isolation, and today they saw the red carpet being rolled out to greet the Russian president in the United States, she said.

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There were no details and no questions

Both men said the talks were productive but the lack of any announcement of solid achievements was revealing.

The news conference ended up being less than 15 minutes of rather standard diplomatic comments  and gave no indication that any concrete results were achieved  and offered little departure from their previous comments on the war in Ukraine.

Trump has made it a feature of his second term to parry questions from reporters in front of world leaders, but in the clearest sign of his disappointment, the president abruptly cut short his plans to take questions.

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Trump had gone into the summit saying here was a 25% chance that the summit would fail and that it was meant to be a feel-out meeting, but he had also floated the idea of bringing Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting if things went well. Its unclear what comes next.

___

Associated Press writers Katie Marie Davies, Dasha Litvinova and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the cloudburst-affected areas in Chesoti of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, late on Friday evening. A massive cloudburst on Thursday along the Machail Mata Yatra route triggered flash floods and widespread destruction, resulting in multiple casualties among yatris and locals. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "The government immediately took cognisance of it...PM Modi personally took cognisance of it and monitored it. After that, the equipment was brought here overnight by vehicles. CRPF came here overnight with equipment. Air Force, Indian Army, DG Police, Jammu-Kashmir Police, and today BRO's services have been utilised because they have machines to clear debris from the roads...". He added, "52 bodies have been recovered, of which four bodies have not been identified, while the rest have been identified. Seriously injured patients have been referred outside, with about 52 patients admitted to Jammu Medical College, and those who are more critical will be referred outside...Efforts are ongoing. There is no shortage from the government's side. Work is in progress." Jammu & Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat, who also visited the site, told ANI, "52 bodies have been recovered, and 116 people who were injured or rescued are all out of danger." According to sources, the Indian Air Force will participate in relief and rescue operations, with two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur. Operations will commence once weather conditions improve. Rescue efforts continue in Kishtwar, with local communities and J-K Police providing urgent relief, shelter, and medical assistance. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, expressed solidarity with those affected by recent natural disasters across India. "Nature is testing us...Over the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people," he said from the Red Fort. (ANI)
TAZEWELL COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD)  A Tazewell County sheriffs deputy was honored by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

Deputy John Shallenberger received the IACP Highway Safety Leadership Award, according to a Facebook post by the Tazewell County Sheriffs Office.

The post said Deputy Shallenberger was recognized at the 32nd Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge.

Tazewell County Deputy John Shallenberger Tazewell County Deputy John Shallenberger award Tazewell County sheriff's office award 1 Tazewell County sheriff's office award 2

The Tazewell County Sheriffs Office also received first place in the Sheriffs category for departments having 26 to 50 sworn-in officers, as well as the Teen Safe Driving Award.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released an annual crime report that shows crime is down across the state from 2023-2024, including in Memphis and Shelby County.

TBI said that between 2023 to 2024, crime was down by 19% and crimes against property were down by 12.13%. Crimes against people dropped just 1%.

According to the TBI, in 2024, the Memphis Police Department reported that 110,833 crimes were reported in Memphis.

Of those crimes, 250 murders were reported and 66 were cleared. MPD made 79 adult arrests and three juvenile arrests.

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Memphis Murder Map 2025

The Shelby County Sheriffs Office reported 7,458 crimes in Shelby County, 11 of those being murder, and 10 of which were cleared.

According to reports, nine adults and one juvenile were arrested.

The full report is below.

CRIME-IN-TENNESSEE-2024-Final-SECUREDDownload

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released the 2025 Accountability Ratings for school districts across the state, including El Paso.

As KTSM previously reported back in April, the TEA had barely released the 2023 ratings with a two-year delay due to lawsuits local school districts were a part of over the agencys new grading system.

According to the TEA, the 2024 ratings were also made available following the resolution of the lawsuit.

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List of TEA ratings of school districts in the Borderland

The following ratings were given to El Paso school districts for 2023:

El Paso Independent School District: C (78)

Canutillo Independent School District: B (81)

Socorro Independent School District: B (83)

Ysleta Independent School District: B (86)

The accountability ratings are structured to balance rigor, fairness and transparency; establishing goals for preparing students for postsecondary success while acknowledging their effort and progress, read the news release from the TEA.

Here are the ratings of each of the large school districts in El Paso for 2024 and 2025

El Paso Independent School District

2024: Grade C (77)

2025: Grade B (80)

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These results reflect the remarkable progress we can achieve when we work together with purpose and dedication, Interim Superintendent Martha Aguirre said. Our teachers, staff, students, and families have worked tirelessly to raise expectations and achievement. While we are proud of earning a B rating, we will leverage the momentum to reach our goal of being an A rated district.

The following EPISD school received an A rating for 2025:

Transmountain Early College High School

Silva Health Magnet

Lamar Elementary School

Young Womens STEAM Research and Preparatory Academy

Cielo Vista Elementary School

Tippin Elementary School

Hawkins Elementary School

Zavala Elementary School

Polk Elementary School

Marguerite J Lundy Elementary

El Paso High School

Charles Middle School

Hornedo Middle School

Western Hills Elementary School

Sunrise Mountain Elementary School

Canutillo Independent School District

2024: Grade B (80)

2025: Grade C (78)

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The Texas Education Agency has released accountability ratings for the 2025 school year and this year, Canutillo ISD earned an overall score of 78 (C), which is two points lower than last years score of 80 (B). While we are disappointed with the lower rating, I want to be clear: Our students and teachers have much to be proud of and there is remarkable progress happening in our classrooms every single day, Interim Superintendent Jesica Arellano.

The following CISD school received an A rating for 2025:

Northwest Early College High School

Deanna Davenport Elementary

Congressman Silvestre and Carolina School

Socorro Independent School District

2024: Grade B (83)

2025: Grade B (85)

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Socorro ISD students and teachers have not missed a beat in their academic focus, and I am extremely proud of our students outstanding performance on the 2025 spring STAAR/EOC assessments, SISD Interim Superintendent James Vasquez said. The improvements we have seen in our overall rating, postsecondary distinction, and A-rated campuses is proof of the incredible instruction, learning, talent and commitment in our district. I commend our hard-working educators and students who are certainly contributing to our next chapter of academic success.

The following SISD school received an A rating for 2025:

Mission Early College High School

Campestre Elementary School

Sgt. Roberto Ituarte Elementary School

Col. John O Ensor Middle School

Spec. Rafael Hernando Middle School

SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School

Horizon Heights Elementary School

Sierra Vista STEAM Academy

Cacyus Trails Elementary School

William D. Slider Middle School

Montwood Middle School

Eastlake Middle School

Loma Verde Elementary School

Sgt. Jose F. Carrasco Elementary School

Salvador Sanchez Middle School

Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School

Lujan-Chavez Elementary School

Bill Sybert School

Ysleta Independent School District

2024: Grade B (85)

2025: Grade B (89)

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Congratulations to our hardworking faculty, staff, and school leaders for their commitment to create safe, supportive, and engaging classrooms and schools where expert teaching and extracurricular opportunities inspire the leaders of tomorrow, Superintendent Xavier De La Torre said. This is clear evidence that with the right support and high expectations, success truly belongs to every student at the Ysleta Independent School District.

The following YISD school received an A rating for 2025:

Valle Verde Early College High School

Young Womens Leadership Academy

Eastwood High School

J.M. Hanks High School

East Point Elementary School

Geln Cove Elementary School

Ysleta High School

Eastwood Knolls International

Ramona Elementary STEAM Academy

Scotsdale Elementary School

Presa Elementary School

Eastwood Heights Elementary School

Tierra del Sol Elementary School

Tierra Hills Elementary School

Alicia R. Chacon International

Bel Air High School

Riverside High School

Ysleta Elementary School

Desertaire Elementary School

North Star Elementary School

Clint Independent School District

The Clint Independent School District earned an overall B rating with a score of 84 on the states A-F accountability system for 2023-24 and for 2024-25, the school district said.

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All 14 district campuses received passing grades, with five campuses earning the prestigious A rating.

Clint ISD A-Rated Schools:



Clint Early College Academy

Clint High School

Horizon High School

Mountain View High School

W.D. Surratt Elementary

We are incredibly proud to announce that five of our schools earned an A rating from TEA over the last two years. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and

commitment of our students and educators. They have all gone above and beyond to create an

environment of academic excellence and continuous improvement, said Juan I. Martinez, Clint

ISD superintendent. This shows our districts focus on student success and is a clear

indicator that our collaborative efforts are making a difference. We are celebrating this well-deserved success today and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure all our students have the support they need to thrive in and out of the classroom.

Harmony Public Schools

All six Harmony Public Schools campuses in El Paso have earned an A rating in the TEAs 2025 accountability assessments.

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Our success belongs to the entire Harmony community, but especially to our students, said Kamil Yilmaz, area superintendent for Harmony Public SchoolsWest Texas. The dedication of our teachers and staff, paired with the hard work of our students and the support of our families, has made El Paso a shining example of whats possible in education.

For more information on schools, school districts and ratings, you can visit the TEAs website.

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Though one of the pillars of the program is fostering new academic minds to join the Israeli population, its primarily a refuge for students who no longer feel safe on their respective campuses.

The Technion  Israel Institute of Technology announced the opening of a new program for international students to address rising antisemitism on college campuses around the world earlier this week.

Antisemitism in Canada is on the rise and its worse than it seems, Anna, a 19-year-old student from Canada, said. I was already accepted into the mathematics program at the University of Toronto, but because of publications about antisemitism at the university, I preferred to study at the Technion.

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The first cohort includes 26 students from eight different countries: the US, Canada, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Germany, Azerbaijan, and Israel. Though the academic year doesnt begin until October, the students will participate in an orientation program to help acclimate them as new additions to the Israeli academic community.

Though their courses will initially be taught in English, the international students will also be enrolled in an intensive Hebrew ulpan. After improving their Hebrew and reaching their second year, the students will be able to integrate into any course the Technion has to offer.

Courses include introductory mathematics, chemistry, and physics, to start off. After completing the initial orientation process, however, the students will be able to self-select into one of eight study tracks. Options include mechanical engineering, aeronautical and space engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, chemistry, biology, and more.

The Computer Science Faculty building at Technion University in Haifa, Israel (credit: BENY SHLEVICH/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

I don't know what I'm going to study yet, and that's what's great about the program  that there are still options to choose from, Gabriel, a student from Brazil, said. For me, learning Hebrew is a big bonus so I can talk to my friend's grandparents at Friday dinners.

A refuge for students who no longer feel safe

Though one of the pillars of the program is fostering new academic minds to integrate into the Israeli population, its primarily a refuge for students who no longer feel safe on their respective campuses.

While the administration opened the Technion to international students and researchers in November 2023 following protest outbreaks across the world, President of the Technion Uri Sivan said this program is unique in providing a framework for academic excellence and freedom of expression.
A teenage swimmer died after being pulled from the ocean during a rescue effort at a Belmar beach Friday night, officials told NJ Advance Media.

Belmar Police and Belmar Water Rescue members were called to the 8th Avenue beach shortly after 6:30 p.m. after receiving emergency calls about a swimmer in distress. At 7:29 p.m., the teen was found unresponsive in the water off the 7th Avenue beach, according to Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott.

Rescue crews and the U.S. Coast Guard helped remove the teen from the water, and CPR was administered on the beach by local EMS, Coast Guard Petty Officer Matthew West said.

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The teen was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital and pronounced dead there, Scott said.

The person who died was not identified by police, but West said the victim was a teenage girl.

A second swimmer was rescued from the water before police arrived, but was not injured, authorities said.

Fridays incident marked the second drowning at the Jersey Shore this week.

A man died Monday night after he got caught in a rip current while swimming at an unguarded Seaside Heights beach, officials said.

Six others were rescued from the rough seas that night, leading local officials to strictly enforce after-hours beach closures.

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The National Weather Service said there was a low risk of dangerous rip currents along the Jersey Shore Friday morning and Friday afternoon, but the risk was elevated to a moderate level from 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday morning in parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

The National Weather Service says there's a moderate risk of dangerous rip currents along the Jersey Shore in Monmouth and Ocean counties Friday evening through Saturday morning.

Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Content warning: this story includes discussion of self-harm and suicide. 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.

It's the dawn of a new era for the internet in 2025. Thanks to the incredible advances of artificial intelligence, the internet as we know it is rapidly transforming into a treasure trove of hyper-optimized content over which massive bot armies fight to the death, resulting in epic growth for shareholders and C-suite executives the world over.

But all that progress comes at a cost  mainly, humans. As it turns out, unleashing extremely personable chatbots onto a population reeling from terminal loneliness, economic stagnation, and the continued destruction of our planet isn't exactly a recipe for positive mental health outcomes.

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That goes doubly for children and young adults  three-quarters of whom reported having conversations with fictional characters portrayed by chatbots.

Australian radio station Triple J recently talked to a number of children, young adults, and their counselors to uncover the extent of those bots' effects on their mental health. Their stories were harrowing, and even involved hospitalizations  a prime example of the kind of consequences tech companies have completely ignored in order to unleash AI onto the world.

One counselor, speaking to Triple J on condition of anonymity, told the news station that one of their clients was completely enamored with AI chatbots, leading to a dangerous mental health crisis as he built a fantasy world not just with one character, but with a whole army.

"I remember looking at their browser and there was like 50 plus tabs of different AI bots that they would just flick between," the counselor told Triple J. Struggling to make new friends, the thirteen-year-old boy employed the bots as a fill-in for real-life connections.

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But like real life, not every character in the boy's bot-web was friendly. A number of the chatbots were outright bullies, telling him he was "ugly" and "disgusting," or saying there was "no chance they were going to make friends."

"At one point this young person, who was suicidal at the time, connected with a chatbot to kind of reach out, almost as a form of therapy," the counselor commented. The boy was "egged on to perform, 'Oh yeah, well do it then', those were kind of the words that were used."

Not all teens are lucky enough to get an intervention.

Late last year, a 14-year-old took his own life after forming a deep attachment to a chatbot made to mirror the "Game of Thrones" character, Daenerys Targaryen. According to chat transcripts, the digital avatar encouraged the teen to "come home to me as soon as possible."

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Back in Australia, another young person became hospitalized after ChatGPT had agreed with her delusions and affirmed her dangerous thoughts, exacerbating the onset of a psychological disorder.

"I was in the early stages of psychosis," the victim, identified only as "Jodie," told Triple J. "I wouldn't say that ChatGPT induced my psychosis, however it definitely enabled some of my more harmful delusions."

Yet another victim, a Chinese-born student in Australia who used an AI chatbot to polish her English, was alarmed when her study buddy began making "sexual advances."

"It's almost like being sexually harassed by a chatbot, which is just a weird experience," a University of Sydney researcher who spoke to the Chinese-Australian student, told Triple J.

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While there is something absurdly contemporary about the idea of an AI chatbot making a pass at an adolescent student, the inanity does nothing to change the fact that these interactions with chatbots can  and do  lead to irreversible harm.

More on AI: Psychiatric Researchers Warn of Grim Psychological Risks for AI Users
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The State Board of Education is studying whether to eliminate Tennessees two-year foreign language high school graduation requirement.

Currently, TN students must complete two years of a foreign language to get their high school diploma, or obtain a waiver to take another course in its place.

However, during a recent State Board of Education meeting, chairman Bob Eby proposed forming a study group to look into the pros and cons of eliminating the requirement.

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Benefits could come if those credit hours are used for something else that moves a student further along in their path to post-secondary success. For example, more STEM, computer coding, additional fine arts, manufacturing CTE opportunities, ect., Eby said. How often have you used your foreign language you took in high school during your career and lifetime?

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Eby acknowledged the value of learning a foreign language, but he said students could benefit from having more flexibility in their course choices if the requirement were removed.

A study group of stakeholders was formed to discuss the potential change.

I like the option of expanding the elective focus, Dr. Gary Lilly, the executive director of the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) said. I think that provides more flexibility, and it still does not minimize the importance of world language or fine arts, but if were talking about reducing the doom and gloom of the waiver, then why not operationalize that flexibility and just make it part of the process?

However, some educators said learning a foreign language helps students develop critical thinking skills and expands their world view. Some officials in higher education were also concerned about how the change could impact the college admissions process.

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Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

The University of Memphis currently requires at least two credits of foreign language for admission, but says students may be considered without those credits. The University of Tennessee Knoxville strongly recommends two foreign language credits for admission, but does not require them.

One of the big programs here at MTSU right now is concrete industry, and many of those students are pairing concrete industry with a language because they know thats going to help them advance in their careers, so I think its important to talk about language as a value-added, Dr. Leah Lyons, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University said.

Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) told News 2 removing the foreign language requirement would be a step in the wrong direction, not only for students but TNs economy.

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Not only does it help with understanding other cultures and literature, and the language centers help us with math and music, but also I think its an important skill to have in a burgeoning job market that in many ways is global, Sen. Campbell said. In Tennessee alone, we have 1,000 foreign-owned businesses that operate here and employ more than 160,000 residents, so eliminating the requirement would undercut our workforce competitiveness and undermine our appeal to global investors.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

A petition to keep the requirement has collected more than 3,400 signatures as of this writing.

No formal proposal has been made. The study group will hold more discussions in the future.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Angry protesters clashed with police in a town in western Serbia and in the capital Belgrade on Saturday as tensions soared further in the Balkan nation following days of violent demonstrations.

Wearing scarves over their faces and chanting slogans against President Aleksandar Vucic, a group of young men threw flares at his Serbian Progressive Party offices in Valjevo, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the capital Belgrade. They set fire to the party's offices before clashing with riot police in a downtown area.

Police threw multiple rounds of tear gas and charged at the demonstrators who hurled bottles, rocks and flares at them.

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Similar clashes also erupted on Saturday evening in the northern city of Novi Sad and in Belgrade, with police directing tear gas at protesters while battling the protesters who set garbage containers on fire.

The protesters in Valjevo turned out to the streets to protest what they allege is police brutality.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said at least one policeman was injured in Valjevo and 18 people detained so far.

There will be more detentions. All those who have broken the law will be arrested, Dacic said.

He said that the seat of the Valjevo court, prosecutor's office and the municipal building also have been demolished.

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Serbia has been gripped by protests since November, when a train station canopy collapse killed 16 people. Many blamed the tragedy on poor renovation work resulting from widespread corruption in infrastructure projects.

The student-led protests had been largely peaceful for months but turned violent this week. The situation has put pressure on Serbias increasingly autocratic president Vucic, who has refused the protesters demand to call an early parliamentary election.

Vucic has accused the protesters of following orders from abroad to destroy Serbia, and promised a crackdown on the nationwide movement led by university students.

The protest in Valjevo drew several thousand people after a video on social media showed a young man from the town being severely beaten by police who kicked him and bashed him with batons during a protest earlier this week.

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The gathering was peaceful until groups of protesters threw flares at the SNS offices which sparked the fire inside.

The incident marks the second such attack on the SNS party offices this week after protesters demolished the party headquarters in the northern city of Novi Sad on Wednesday.

Clashes between the SNS party loyalists and police on one side and anti-government protesters on the other side have erupted every evening since then. Dozens of people have been injured and scores have been detained.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has called for calm and respect of the right to peaceful assembly

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Serbian authorities must uphold Council of Europe standards, he said on X this week.

Serbian police have denied reports of brutality, saying they have been attacked and that dozens of officers have been injured in the rioting.

Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, but Vucic has maintained strong ties with Russia and China. The Serbian president has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms while allowing organized crime and corruption to flourish. He has denied this.
After Donald Trumps summit with Vladimir Putin, the contours of a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine are beginning to emerge. They make for grim reading. Ukraine will be asked to hand over significant areas of land it currently holds in Donetsk, in exchange for trivial territorial concessions from Russia. To give Kyiv certainty, the United States will offer security guarantees understood to mimic those found in Natos Article 5.

Should a final deal be signed on these terms, it must be understood as a national tragedy for Ukraine, which will have fought valiantly for over two years only to see Putins expenditure of blood and treasure rewarded with soil he never took in battle. It will be a setback for the West, which had sought to provide Kyiv with the means to secure its territory, and watched instead as European borders were redrawn by force. And, regrettably, it will be probably the best deal that can be achieved.

As Bismarck observed, the great questions are decided by iron and blood. The conclusion of the past three and a half years of gruelling warfare is that Russia cannot take the whole of Ukraine, and that Ukraine cannot expel Russia from the whole of its territory. Leaders in Washington and in Europe could have tipped the balance by providing more support to Ukraine faster, which would have left Kyiv in a far superior position today. But we are where we are, and we must deal with the world as we find it.

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There is some optimism still to be found. These proposals fall far short of what Putin may have envisaged when his forces reached Kyiv early in the conflict, and they are better than many will have feared in February, when Donald Trump and JD Vance held a public shouting match with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. The suspension of American military aid that followed threatened a nightmarish outcome in which Putins forces would be able to resume their forward momentum.

Fortunately, if belatedly, Mr Trump appears to have recognised that Putin was not a good-faith negotiator. In the process, however, he had highlighted the degree to which Kyivs resistance still relies on American goodwill. This has been the stick in his attempt to push Mr Zelensky towards agreeing a deal. As much as it might desire otherwise, Europe does not appear to have the capacity to sustain Kyivs fight without American backing.

Given these constraints, the outlined deal does not appear to be as bad as could have been feared. The devil will be in the detail. If Putin does insist on significant transfers of territory into Russian control, the calculus must be run on whether this is a better outcome than can be attained through significantly increasing shipments of armaments to Ukraine, and again tightening sanctions on Russia.

It may still be the case that Putins opening request is a negotiating ploy, and that he is making outrageous demands in order to be talked down to secure what he actually wishes. There is certainly little harm in attempting to push back against the scale of his requests, but should a deal eventually be struck, it will bring into focus the next critical point: the security guarantees offered.

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It must be clear that any deal signals the final shaking out of the collapse of the Soviet Union. There can be no further attempts to claim Russian territory in Europes nations. The borders will be fixed and remain so.

This requires that the military guarantees offered by the United States are clear, binding and backed by sufficient force to make the prospect of further land grabs unthinkable. Europe and Britain must make a real commitment also, which will require faster increases in defence spending than are currently planned.

Ukraine will point to past experience. In 1994, the Budapest Memorandum saw Kyiv surrender the nuclear arsenal it had inherited from the Soviet Union to Russia, in exchange winning pledges from the United States, Britain and Russia to respect the sovereignty and existing borders of Ukraine, a pledge to refrain from the threat or use of force against these, and to seek immediate United Nations Security Council action to provide assistance should Ukraine ever be a victim of an act of aggression.

Putins actions in 2014 and subsequently have shown these words to be worth less than the paper they were written on. Meaningful security guarantees require not only cast-iron pledges but the will and capacity to enforce them. Better still would be equipping Ukraine with the resources necessary to defend itself, so that delays and hesitation on the part of Western powers will never again leave Kyiv open to aggression.

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This would be, to reiterate, a terrible deal. Putins invasion of Ukraine was a shameless and appalling crime, an egregious outrage committed against every norm of international conduct. That, should he prove successful in striking a peace deal, he will no doubt attempt to claim victory should stick in the craw. And that he has achieved less than he set out to should be slim comfort. A just end to the war would have been Putins utter defeat and expulsion from power in Moscow. But we are dealing with the world as it is rather than as it should be. This deal, as horrendous as it is, could be the least bad option left to Ukraine and its Western allies.

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CHICAGO  Texas House Democrats who left their state to prevent Republicans from passing redistricting maps will take part in nationwide Fight the Trump takeover protest on Saturday.

Those Democrats, who are expected to return to Texas on Monday, continue to argue that Texas redistricting plans are unfairly taking place in the middle of the decade, instead of in conjunction with a national once-a-decade census.

The proposed Texas maps would add five Republican seats in Congress.

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Its been really hard for the members to stay away from Texas, from their jobs, from their kids and families, said state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, whos also running for the lieutenant governor seat in 2026. Its also very expensive with the $500 a day fine. So some members just felt like we can make a commitment for one session quorum break, but we really can't do it indefinitely.

Activists are holding more than 150 rallies in 34 states over the weekend to call attention to the Texas redistricting issue and President Donald Trumps support for changing congressional maps. The goal is to send a message that we see what Trump is doing, and we wont stand for it, according to a statement from organizers.

The Texas Democrats, and members of the party nationwide, were helped when California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his state would also redistrict in order to counteract Texas moves. On Friday, California presented its own redrawn map favoring Democrats. The ballot measure, which goes before voters in November, would take effect only if Texas Republicans follow through on their plans.

Califorina coming on board gives us more options, said Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu in an interview Friday. If California passes a trigger bill, then there will be real incentive for Texas to not pass its [redistricting] bill.

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During the past two weeks, the Texas Democrats have met with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, whose team found them hotel rooms  they had to move once after a bomb threat  and a few members of the group also met Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear via Zoom.

The Texans made two trips to California for key meetings in conjunction with Newsom pushing for his state to come up with its own adjusted boundaries for the U.S. House, potentially giving Democrats an edge in Congress in 2026.

Newsoms move changed everything, said state Rep. Sheryl Cole, recalling the sacrifice of leaving her 87-year-old mother behind to watch TV coverage of Abbott threatening FBI arrest warrants. It made a difference with the sacrifice.

Her colleague state Rep. Diego Bernal put it more bluntly: When we knew definitively that they were going to do something, it felt like wind. Like something was happening. You feel less isolated.


"I was trapped in the debris for around 6 hours," recounts Subash Chander, a devotee days after a massive cloudburst hit Chashoti village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursdaym, killing at least 60 people. A massive cloudburst along the Machail Mata Yatra route triggered flash floods and widespread destruction, resulting in multiple casualties among yatris and locals. Subash Chander who has been undertaking the Yatra for 34 years on the Machail Mata Yatra route said they were about four to five people undertaking langar sewa (free food) in a near by hall when all of a suden "We heard a loud sound" Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told ANI that "Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed" He said that they will "inquire" after the rescue and relief operation concludes "whether the Administration could have taken any preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed" He further added that the personnel from the Army, National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force,Police and administration are undertaking a rescue operation joined by workers of different political parties "working on the ground". He also mentioned that Centre has assured them of "all possible help" Chander recounted that it was not "raining heavily" at the time "But due to the cloudburst, a huge slide of mud, boulders, and trees came crashing onto the building. Had we not run out of the building, we would not have survived... 2-3 people on another building died on the spot. I was trapped in the debris for around 6 hours" "Nobody came for one hour (for rescue), but after that, the Army and the locals arrived to rescue us...", he alleged. Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the cloudburst-affected areas in Chesoti late on Friday evening. According to sources, the Indian Air Force will participate in relief and rescue operations, with two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, expressed solidarity with those affected by recent natural disasters across India. "Nature is testing us...Over the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people," he said from the Red Fort (ANI)
(Reuters) -Following is the text of a statement issued jointly by several European leaders after a summit on Ukraine in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin

The statement was issued by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"Early this morning, President Trump debriefed us and President Zelenskyy following his meeting with the Russian President in Alaska on 15 August 2025.

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"Leaders welcomed President Trump's efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia's war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.

"As President Trump said 'there's no deal until there's a deal'. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.

"We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support.

"We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump's statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine's pathway to EU and NATO.

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"It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.

"Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace.

"As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia's war economy until there is a just and lasting peace.

"Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests."
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Months before New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was set to leave office because of term limits, she has been indicted in what prosecutors allege was a yearslong scheme to conceal a romantic relationship with her bodyguard.

Prosecutors say bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie was being paid as if he was working when he and Cantrell were really alone in apartments and visiting vineyards, hiding their communication by sending encrypted messages through WhatsApp and then deleting them. Although the pair have said their relationship was strictly professional, the indictment described it as personal and intimate.

The first female mayor in New Orleans 300-year history has been charged with conspiracy, fraud and obstruction. Vappie was already facing charges of wire fraud and making false statements. He has pleaded not guilty. A grand jury returned an 18-count indictment Friday that added Cantrell to the case.

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The City of New Orleans said in a statement that it was aware of the indictment and that the mayors attorney was reviewing it.

Cantrell hasnt sent out a message on her official social media feed on X since July 15, when she said the city was experiencing historic declines in crime. She and her remaining allies have said that she has been unfairly targeted as a Black woman and held to a different standard than male officials.

Here are things to know about the mayor and the indictment:

Vineyard trips and alone time with bodyguard

The indictment paints a detailed picture of Cantrell and her bodyguard traveling to vineyards and spending time alone in apartments at the same time it says Vappie was being paid as if he was working.

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Vappie reminisced in a WhatsApp exchange cited in the indictment about joining Cantrell in Scotland in October 2021, saying that was where it all started.

Cantrell had told local reporters she needed a security detail due to COVID, saying her travel accommodations were a matter of safety, not of luxury.

The following year, instead of Cantrell attending a conference in Miami, authorities said the pair rendezvoused on Marthas Vineyard. Vappies travel to the island was covered by the city to attend a separate conference.

The times when we are truly (traveling) is what spoils me the most, the mayor wrote to him that month.

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That same year, they also visited several California wineries, according to the indictment. After a trusted staff member posted a photo of the three of them on social media, one of Cantrell's associates asked them to remove it.

They met in an apartment while Vappie claimed to be on duty, and Cantrell arranged for him to attend 14 trips, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said. The trips, he added, were described by her as times when they were truly alone.

In all, New Orleans taxpayers paid more than $70,000 for Vappies travel, Simpson said.

The pair used WhatsApp for more than 15,000 messages, including efforts to delete evidence, make false statements to FBI agents, and ultimately to commit perjury before a federal grand jury, he said.

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A turbulent second term as mayor

Cantrell, a Democrat, won a historic election in 2017 by portraying herself as a candidate for the people and not of the citys political class.

Her mayoral tenure started strong with her securing tens of millions of dollars for city infrastructure improvements and taking decisive steps during the pandemic. There wasn't strong opposition to her 2021 election for a second term.

But it was around that time that the wheels started to come off her administration. After Hurricane Ida pounded south Louisiana in 2021, residents were left without trash collection for weeks, while crime rates were surging.

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Meanwhile, Cantrell drew criticism for taking first-class trips abroad at the city's expense, violating a policy that requires city employees to use cheaper fares. She eventually agreed to repay the difference. A WVUE television investigation also found she was using a city-owned apartment as a part-time residence.

Cantrell survived a recall campaign launched in 2022 by disgruntled Black Democrats and largely funded by wealthy white Republicans.

She is also among more than 100 people brought up on corruption charges in Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans two decades ago, said Rafael Goyeneche, a former prosecutor who is president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, a watchdog group that provided photographs and information to federal authorities in the latest case.

New Orleans' long history of corruption cases

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Although Cantrell is New Orleans' first mayor to be charged while in office, this is far from the first corruption case to impact the city.

Public corruption has crippled us for years and years, Simpson said. And this is extremely significant.

In 2014, former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was sentenced to a decade in prison for bribery, money laundering, fraud and tax crimes. The charges relate to actions during his two terms as mayor from 2002 to 2010. He was released early in 2020 during the pandemic.

In 2022, Rodney J. Jack Strain, a former Louisiana sheriff, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a federal bribery conviction. He also received four life sentences for earlier convictions for raping boys. After serving five terms, he admitted he used his authority as sheriff to steer profits from a $1 million work-release contract to himself, his family and two deputies.

G. Thomas Porteous Jr., a federal judge from New Orleans, was impeached and removed from the bench after the U.S. Senate in 2010 determined he took money from attorneys and bail bondsmen and lied in a personal bankruptcy filing, among other offenses. He never faced criminal charges as a result of the probe, which ran from 1999 to 2007. He died in 2021.
ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA)  In a legislative subcommittee meeting held on Thursday, Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar shared his opinion on whether or not Arkansans should be allowed to carry firearms in state parks.

The more good people that we have with weapons and the ability to defend themselves, the better that we all are, Hagar said. Im an absolute believer in that ability to defend not only myself but my family. I think everybody has that right.

Hagar fielded multiple questions on the topic from Arkansas representatives and multiple senators.

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Theres a certain amount of apprehension in Arkansas of going into a bedroom window when you know theres an outstanding chance that that Arkansan in that house has probably got a shotgun or a rifle, and they know how to use it, Hagar said.

Currently, only concealed carry permit holders are allowed to carry in state parks. Sean Morgan, a former Marine turned firearms instructor, says hes been carrying while hiking for years.

After the homicides, I really was thinking about that. Ive been pretty much carrying even when Ive hiked, probably for the last 10 or 15 years, Morgan said.

Morgan is also a firearms instructor through Lions Den Tactical. He says over the past four years, hes taught thousands how to safely carry a gun.

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I recommend it to everybody, people that have taken my classes, I say carry everywhere. The only thing that can stop a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun. Im a firm believer in it. I think it protects everybody, Morgan said.

In July, two people were found dead in Devils Den State Park. Police arrested Andrew McGann, 28, and charged him with two counts of capital murder for the stabbing deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, from Prairie Grove.

He says the incident at Devils Den serves as a somber reminder of why he chooses to teach courses on how to properly carry a firearm.

They didnt have anything to defend themselves and just a random act of violence took two parents away from their kids. We dont ever want that. These kids are now going to grow up without their dad and mom, and for what? At what cost? For what reason? It doesnt seem like theres any reason behind it, Morgan said.

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Morgan believes the choice to carry could save your life or someone elses.

There is pressure carrying because youre carrying a firearm that can end someones life. So, you have to take that responsibility, and its a heavy burden. Youll see a lot of people that dont carry because they dont want to have that. But then at home theyll have it to protect, because what if someone breaks in their house? I think for me, I dont look at it as a burden. I think of it as a How do I help somebody else if needed?' Morgan said.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Three people were detained, and two were injured after a police chase that ended in a crash in the airport area, Friday night.

At 7:27 p.m., officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 3400 block of Austin Peay Highway in Raleigh.

Police said the driver refused to stop and fled the scene, attempting to hit several officers with his vehicle.

TBI says crime down by 19% in TN despite 250 murders in Memphis

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According to MPD, officers chased the vehicle when it struck another car in the area of Holmes Road and Swinnea in the airport area.

The MPD said two people vehicle that was hit were transported to the hospital in non-critical condition, and no police officers were injured.

Police said this is an ongoing investigation.

If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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Aug. 16JAMESTOWN  Three people were sentenced recently on felony charges in Southeast District Court in Jamestown.

Alek Lee Dallman, 30, Jamestown, pleaded guilty to criminal trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia and prohibited acts A/controlled substances, Class C felonies, criminal mischief, stalking and violation of order prohibiting contact, Class A misdemeanors, and two counts of simple assault and domestic violence-bodily injury, Class B misdemeanors.

Dallman was accused of causing bodily injury to another human being from Oct. 11-14; causing pecuniary loss from $100-$2,000 to a residence, causing bodily injury to another human being, possessing methamphetamine with previous convictions in 2017, 2022 and 2023, and possessing one or more pieces of foil and/or syringes used with methamphetamine or fentanyl on Oct. 25; remaining in someone's dwelling while knowing he was not licensed or privileged to do so, engaging in an intentional course of conduct directed at a specific person which frightened, intimidated or harassed the person from Nov. 28 to Dec. 5; and violating a court order from 2024 prohibiting contact with a certain individual and causing bodily injury to a family or household member on Dec. 5.

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Judge Troy LeFevre sentenced Dallman to five years in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation with five years suspended. LeFevre placed Dallman on 18 months supervised probation upon release from incarceration for a conviction in Cass County. Dallman was ordered to pay a $400 criminal administration fee, $100 defense/facility administration fee and a $25 victim-witness fee.

A Class C felony is punishable by five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by 360 days in prison and a $3,000 fine. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by 30 days in prison and a $1,500 fine.

Jason Walter Lautt, 50, Jamestown, pleaded guilty to theft of property, a Class B felony.

Lautt was accused of writing three business checks from his bank's checking account to himself at another bank, withdrawing the cash without having funds in his checking account totaling $12,095 from July 15-16, 2024.

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LeFevre sentenced Lautt to three years in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation with three years suspended. LeFevre placed Lautt on three years supervised probation and ordered him to pay a $650 criminal administration fee, $100 defense/facility administration fee, $12,095 in restitution and a $25 victim-witness fee.

A Class B felony is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Travis Warren Herman, 34, Stutsman County Correctional Center, pleaded guilty to theft of property, a Class C felony.

Herman was accused of taking items from an individual valued in aggregate of more than $1,000 but less than $10,000 from March 11-25.

Judge James Shockman sentenced Herman to one year and one day in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation concurrent with previous convictions in 2024 and 2025. Shockman placed Herman on one year supervised probation and ordered him to pay $730 in restitution.
A midafternoon call from a concerned resident in Fillmore this week set off a chain of events that ended with three young men, including two adults and a juvenile, in custody on suspicion of gang involvement, vandalism and firearms offenses, according to the Ventura County Sheriffs Office.

Around 1:50 p.m. on Aug. 12, deputies were alerted to graffiti vandalism unfolding along Goodenough Road, in an unincorporated area north of Fillmore known as Lookout Point. The caller provided a description of the suspects vehicle, which deputies later found parked near B Street and Fifth Street.

During the detention, deputies located a loaded, semi-automatic handgun concealed in the juveniles waistband. (Ventura County Sheriffs Office)

Inside were three alleged members of a tagging crew: Axel Martinez, 18, of Piru; Pedro Lara Jr., 18, of unincorporated Fillmore; and a 17-year-old boy from Fillmore. Deputies said a search uncovered spray paint cans, evidence linking the group to the vandalism, and a loaded semi-automatic handgun concealed in the waistband of the juvenile.

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The arrests highlight the intersection of vandalism and violent crime that authorities in Ventura County say often comes with gang activity.

Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities, the Sheriffs Office said in a statement, adding that such crimes can escalate into more serious offenses if left unchecked.

Martinez and Lara were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The juvenile was taken to the Juvenile Justice Center. Martinez and Lara were arrested on suspicion of participation in a criminal street gang, conspiracy to commit a crime as a gang member, felony vandalism causing more than $400 in damage, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Man shot to death in Moreno Valley; suspect in custody

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The juvenile faces those same charges, along with firearm violations, including possession of a gun in a school zone, carrying a concealed firearm, and carrying a loaded firearm.

On Aug. 14, detectives with the West County Special Enforcement Unit and the Fillmore Detective Unit served search warrants at the suspects residences in Fillmore, Piru and the Rancho Sespe apartments. Additional evidence was seized, further linking the trio to the graffiti, officials said.

The Sheriffs Office credited the arrests to a tip from the public and encouraged residents to continue reporting suspicious activity.

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The three-on-three meeting between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is over.

Source: Russian media; Kremlin social media

Details: Trump and Putins three-on-three meeting has ended.

It lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes.

A press conference with Trump and Putin is expected to begin shortly.

Background: US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin met at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska.

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ELBERT COUNTY, GA (WSPA)  Elbert County Emergency Services (ECES) has issued a warning for a strong thunderstorm that will span across counties in Georgia.

The storm is expected to impact the northwestern section of Elbert County, and move up to the southwestern section of Hart County.

The storm is expected to land at 4:45 p.m., and there is currently no estimate for when it will end. Wind gusts are predicted to reach up to 40 miles per hour. Hail is also predicted, and will reach to the size of peas during the storm.

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ECES warned that winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects, and minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Officials ask that people seek shelter during the storm.

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Severe thunderstorms could bring strong wind gusts, flooding and possible tornadoes to southeastern Wisconsin, according to a flurry of alerts put out by the National Weather Service Aug. 16.

The National Weather Service placed Milwaukee and large swaths of southeastern, south-central, and east-central Wisconsin under a flood watch until the morning of Aug. 17.

The NWS also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Milwaukee until 7 p.m. Aug. 16. The watch warned of ping pong-sized hail, wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and frequent lightning.

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The thunderstorm watch includes the south-central counties of Columbia, Dane, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Lafayette, Marquette, Rock and Sauk; the southeast counties of Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Waukesha and Washington; and the east-central counties of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan.

The shoreline of Lake Michigan, from just north of Sheboygan to Waukegan, was also included in the alert.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin until 7 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/yPmMzpoHVZ  NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) August 16, 2025

Earlier in the day, areas to the north and northwest of Milwaukee and southwestern Dane County were placed under a severe thunderstorm warning.

The flood alerts come as the Milwaukee area continues to regroup a week after experiencing historic flooding.

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The National Weather Service says the forecast is highly variable. Here's the latest:

Storm threat winding down evening of Aug. 16, but risk remains for southwest Wisconsin

As of 5:30 p.m. Aug. 16, the National Weather Service said the threat of thunderstorms is "winding down."

However, people should remain alert for heavy rainfall and flash flooding, particularly in southwest Wisconsin. Thunderstorms may stall over the area, prolonging heavy rainfall, the NWS said.

The main area of concern is along and west of the I-90 corridor, southwest of Madison.

The severe thunderstorm threat is winding down, but a threat for localized heavy rainfall and flash flooding will remain in place through the night, particularly in southwest Wisconsin. Stay tuned as things could change quickly with this forecast. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/YfqUGoNfZe  NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) August 16, 2025

20 Wisconsin counties under flood watch until morning of Aug. 17

South-central and east-central Wisconsin are on flood watch from 4 p.m. Aug. 16 through the morning of Aug. 17. The NWS expects "repeated rounds of thunderstorms with heavy rainfall rates" to potentially cause ponding on roads, with urban areas especially at risk.

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"Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas," the NWS flood watch alert said. "Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain."

The flood watch  different from a flash flood warning  stretched from west of Mineral Point to Milwaukee in the east, with south of Janesville and northwest of the Wisconsin Dells included. A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding, while a flash flood warning means flooding is imminent or occurring.

Lower Fox River in Waukesha County under flood warning until Aug. 17 afternoon

The NWS issued a flood warning for the Lower Fox River in Waukesha, predicting minor flooding. The warning is in effect until the afternoon of Aug. 17.

It urged people to be cautious when walking near riverbanks and motorists to not drive around barricades or through flood areas.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Thunderstorm warnings, flood watches issued for southeastern Wisconsin
Tens of thousands of Libyans voted in local elections on Saturday in areas controlled by the Tripoli government but opposition from a rival administration in the east prevented the polls going ahead elsewhere.

The elections were seen as a test of democracy in a nation still plagued by division and instability after years of unrest following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) praised organisers for the conduct of Saturday's elections but criticised the eastern administration, backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar, for its "violation" of the rights of voters in areas under its control.

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Polling took place in around 50 municipalities, including the capital.

"Voting today in Tripoli is crucial for me because it makes me feel useful," said Sami el-Tajuri, a 62-year-old architect, adding that his three children are voting for the first time.

"It's frustrating to see that I can have my say in who will represent me but so many other Libyans, especially in the east, cannot."

Since Kadhafi's overthrow, Libya has been split between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and its eastern rival, backed by Haftar.

Elections were initially scheduled in 63 municipalities -- 41 in the west, 13 in the east and nine in the south.

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But the High National Election Commission (HNEC) suspended elections in 11 municipalities, mostly in Haftar-controlled areas, due to "irregularities", including unexplained halts in voter card distribution.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) commended the HNEC for its "steadfast commitment to ensure credible electoral operations amidst significant operational and security challenges".

It said it regretted the decision of the eastern-based government to block the elections in areas under its control.

"This is a violation of political rights of the Libyan citizens," the UN mission said.

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Turnout in the municipalities where elections were held reached 71 percent with 161,684 votes cast, according to provisional figures, the HNEC said.

On Saturday, the commission announced the postponement to August 23 of elections in seven more municipalities, mostly in the west, including four in the Zawiyah area, as well as Surman and Sabratha.

The delays followed Friday arson attacks that destroyed electoral materials in Zawiyah and Sahel al-Gharbi.

And on Tuesday, the electoral body said a group of armed men attacked its headquarters in Zliten, some 160 kilometres (100 miles) east of Tripoli.

"These attacks, on the eve of polling day, threaten the conduct of the ongoing municipal elections and the broader democratic aspirations of the Libyan people," UNSMIL said.

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A heavy police presence was deployed outside polling stations on Saturday.

In some municipalities, residents were voting in a local election for the first time since 2014.

For Tripoli resident Esraa Abdelmomen, 36, a mother of three, the elections were "very important" because they determine who will manage government-allocated funds.

After Kadhafi's overthrow, Libya held its first freely contested elections in 2012 for the 200 members of the General National Congress.

That was followed by nationwide municipal elections in 2013 and legislative polls in June 2014, which were marred by renewed violence and very low turnout.

bur-fka/dv/kir/ysm
Congress leader VD Satheesan also did not attend the event on Friday.

Chief Secretary A Jayathilak and Deputy General of Police (DGP) Ravana Chandrasekhar had attended the programme.

Hosting the event at Raj Bhavan, Kerala Governor's office said on X, "The 'At Home' hosted by Hon'ble Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan, Kerala on #IndependenceDay2025 was attended by several eminent personalities, including religious leaders, Officers of the Armed Forces, Freedom Fighters, etc."

Recently, the relationship between the government and the Governor had worsened after Raj Bhavan used the picture of Bharat Mata in official programmes.

While the Kerala Governor hoisted the national flag at the Raj Bhavan, CM Vijayan hoisted the tricolour at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.

On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu hosted an 'At Home' event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, chiefs of the three armed forces and foreign envoys.

"President Droupadi Murmu hosted the At-Home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Chief Justice of India Shri Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, Union Ministers, diplomats, eminent people from different fields, beneficiaries of welfare schemes of the Government, Divyangjan and representatives from different segments, demonstrating the spirit of inclusion, attended the reception," President of India's X handle wrote.

While the President of India hosts the event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Governors and Lieutenant Governors host the 'At Home' event at their respective Raj Bhavans as per the custom. (ANI)
The following is the first article in a three-part Deseret News series on sexual violence in Utah. The second and third articles is the series are: Seeking a more comprehensive understanding of sexual violence in Utah" and "National sexual violence data suggests Utah is one of the safest states for girls, women."

To the average American, talk of FBI statistics conjures up images of unassailable data needing no further questioning. During the past decade, however, significant limitations in official crime numbers have become more apparent, prompting calls for caution, including by the FBI itself.

On its own website, the Federal Bureau of Investigation "strongly discourages" data users against using rankings based on their own Uniform Crime Reporting numbers to compare different locations.

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The FBI notes that incomplete analyses have often created misleading perceptions which adversely affect geographic entities and their residents  this, despite repeated warnings against these practices.

This explains the FBIs own longstanding policy against ranking participating law enforcement agencies on the basis of crime data alone. Such rankings, they say, ignore the uniqueness of each locale, given the many factors that cause the nature and type of crime to vary from place to place.

Despite those cautions, this has been common practice for years among scholars, journalists and public-facing websites like Statista and WalletHub, which have used FBI data as a primary metric to compare U.S. states on sexual violence and other crimes.

The many factors shaping FBI data

FBI numbers do tell us something meaningful, especially when considered alongside other available data.

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For complex problems like this that are hard to measure and hard to get disclosure, its really beneficial to have a lot of sources of information, says Kathleen C. Basile, an associate director for science in the Division of Violence Prevention in the Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Her colleague Sharon G. Smith, also a behavioral scientist in the Division of Violence Prevention at the CDC, shares in a joint interview with the Deseret News that data from both FBI arrests and emergency room admissions give us an idea of how victims of sexual violence evaluate what happened to them and how often they feel comfortable telling an authority.

Do they think its serious enough to report? Are they worried about being shamed? Are they worried about retaliation?

A community where these kinds of fears dominate would have less reporting of sexual crime  whereas healthier norms of sharing and openness could be associated in a given locale with markedly higher official figures.

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There are many other personal and systemic factors that can influence whether something like sexual violence against a youth or adult is reported to police. In addition to police distrust and uncertainty at their ability to help, individuals may feel shame and fear of retaliation, and choose not to report due to fear about being blamed or not believed, feelings of guilt or embarrassment, worries about social or professional consequences, and complex, ongoing relationships with the perpetrator.

Others face pressure from unsupportive friends or family, arent emotionally ready to speak due to emotional trauma, or struggle with gaps in memory caused by trauma or substance use. Limited access to support services can also be a reporting barrier, as can concerns about legal processes that risk reopening emotional wounds.

There can also be limited awareness of what counts as sexual violence, alongside another set of factors that the FBI emphasizes can vary among different U.S. locations in a way that impacts crime rates. These factors include population size and density, the proportion of young people in a given area, economic conditions, cultural and religious characteristics, divorce rates, and state-level policies. The FBI also highlights the importance of the effective strength of local law enforcement agencies, citizens attitudes toward crime and the crime reporting practices of the community, examined in more detail below.

Assault never reported to the FBI

Manhattan Institute scholar Jeffrey H. Anderson reported in City Journal last fall that only 85% of law enforcement agencies submitted data for 2023  meaning the FBI is capturing only a portion of crimes reported to police.

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According to the Marshall Projects analysis of participation data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, nearly one-third of the nations 18,000 law enforcement agencies were also missing from the FBIs 2022 crime statistics.

After his own analysis of short-comings in the FBI data in 2022, Theodore P. Cross, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, concluded that this is a human process in which a sophisticated data collection task is put on the shoulders of law enforcement professionals who have a million different responsibilities.

Cross said in a recent Deseret News interview that many law enforcement agencies are not going to have data specialists. Theyre not going to have people whose primary responsibility is data. Its going to be an added function for somebody who might be doing 12 other things.

Because there can be long delays between when someone is summoned to court and when they are actually arrested, some arrests are never officially reported to the FBI in certain parts of the country.

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The effect is to reduce the arrest rate, Cross explained. We found that it was a bigger problem for some types of crime than others, he said, noting it was more common in sexual assault cases based on data from Massachusetts. (Officials at Utahs Bureau of Criminal Identification told the Deseret News that the state has quality control measures in place to prevent this issue.)

Pressure to undercount sexual assault

An earlier, 2014 analysis of federal sexual violence figures, by University of Kansas law professor Corey Rayburn Yung, found that 22% of the 210 studied police departments (from cities with populations of more than 100,000) demonstrated substantial statistical irregularities in their rape data.

Drawing on a statistical method to detect outlier cities with highly unusual patterns in their submitted crime data between 1995 and 2012, Yung identified 46 large U.S. cities that appear to be undercounting on a consistently high level.

Yung highlighted questionable reporting techniques to create the false impression of decreasing violent crime as one explanation for undercounting, connected with pressure to show improved crime statistics year after year. This includes cases where officers label an allegation as unfounded with little or no subsequent investigation, or they misclassify the incident as a lesser offense. In other instances, officers may fail to file any report at all after interviewing a rape victim.

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All this may contribute to artificially low statistics in different locations in the U.S., including New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, which have all been highly scrutinized.

Journalist Soraya Chemaly, for instance, reported in 2014 that Baltimore had a suspicious 80 percent decline in rape statistics over 15 years starting in 1995 (compared with a 7% reduction nationally during the same period).

In his 2014 report, entitled How to Lie with Rape Statistics, Yung noted that the number of jurisdictions that appear to be undercounting had increased by 61% during the time period studied, prompting him to warn about systematically misunderstanding the scope of Americas hidden rape crisis.

Sexual violence data from cities like Philadelphia, St. Louis, Atlanta, Dallas, Milwaukee and Oakland also raised significant concerns about accuracy or reliability. By contrast, Salt Lake City and Provo were on the list of cities without any anomalies in their data.

Higher agency participation, higher reporting?

Crime numbers vary based on the effective strength of law enforcement agencies, according to the FBI. Utah has repeatedly ranked among the states with a higher percentage of law enforcement agencies submitting data to the FBI  including 98.5% in 2019 (seventh highest), 92% in 2022 (15th highest) and among the 28 states with 100% of agencies reporting in 2024.

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Officials from Utahs Bureau of Criminal Identification in the Department of Public Safety told the Deseret News that the state passed the FBIs National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) Quality Control Audit in June 2024 with no issue or areas of concern.

Thanks, in part, to a state law requiring agencies to report data, 98.14% of Utahs population in 2024 was covered by law enforcement agencies submitting information to the FBI.

Why does this matter when it comes to sexual violence statistics?

Because states with a higher percentage of law enforcement agencies reporting to the FBI also tend to show higher official rape rates. Our own review of available data confirms a general correlation between higher per capita rape rates and stronger agency participation.

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High levels of crime data, therefore, may reflect better data capture  not necessarily more crime. This connection between high agency reporting and accurate crime statistics shows up in the other direction as well: States with lower FBI reporting (Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey) have less reliable rape estimates, with data likely unrepresentative and significantly understating the true extent of sexual violence.

Higher police trust, higher reporting?

Even more than other violent crime, rape goes unreported for a variety of reasons. Among felony crimes, a resolution or clearance of sexual assaults through a successful report and arrest has the most variability.

That might explain why the percentage of rape or sexual assaults reported to police in the United States ranges so widely across different years. For instance, in a single year between 2017 and 2018, the percentage of rape or sexual assault victimizations reported to police declined from 40% to 25%, according to the U.S. Department of Justice  yet went up again to 33.9% the year afterward. And between 2022 and 2023, the percentage of rape or sexual assault victimizations reported to police went up from 21% to 46%, a 25-point swing.

Citing Yungs analysis, the writer Soraya Chemaly summarized that law enforcement officials who are dedicated to addressing these problems understand that higher reporting numbers are a sign of trust in police departments.

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Higher trust in police departments are an indicator that a given state has a greater willingness and tendency to report crime, including sexual violence.

Utahns have relatively high confidence in police, according to available state surveys over the past decade:

A 2013 Libertas survey of Utah citizens found 82% of Utah citizens surveyed responded affirmatively when asked speaking generally, do you trust or distrust police officers?

A 2015 Dan Jones & Associates survey found 84% of Utahns saying they trust law enforcement in my local community to use their powers ethically and appropriately.

A 2018 Salt Lake Tribune-Hinckley Institute of Politics survey found 94% of Utahns expressing confidence in police (60% a great deal and 34% some).

And in 2021  the year following George Floyds death when rates of public trust in law enforcement plummeted across the nation  a Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll still found 82% of Utahns reporting that they mostly or completely trust their local police department.

These numbers show that Utahs public confidence in law enforcement is consistently high  sometimes 20 to 30 percentage points above the national average, depending on the year.

This suggests that Utahns may be especially willing to trust police with disclosures and reports, challenging earlier perceptions that state residents are generally less likely to report crimes (which is often true of more conservative parts of the world).

One often-cited, concerning statistic from 2007 claimed that only 11.8% of individuals who have experienced rape or sexual assault in Utah reported the crime to law enforcement.

While frequently referenced, that data is nearly two decades old. A more recent estimate from 2022, published by Utahs Public Health Indicator Based System, found that 27% of rape or sexual assaults were reported to the police in Utah, which is closer to national reporting rates, which typically range from 21% to 40%, depending on the year.

How Utah compares with other states in willingness to report is almost impossible to know, since there is no comprehensive, state-by-state data showing how often rapes are reported to police.

National crime surveys simply havent been designed to provide reliable state-level reporting rates. Furthermore, officials from Utahs Bureau of Criminal Identification told the Deseret News that they only receive data on crimes that are reported to law enforcement and do not have access to any information that would indicate how many rapes go unreported or that reveal broader reporting trends.

Wide variation in measuring assault across the nation

States vary widely in how accurately they capture data on sexual violence. Ironically, those states that do a better job of reporting may appear worse in FBI statistics simply because theyre more comprehensive, diligent and transparent.

All this again explains why the FBI has strongly discouraged comparing locations on their crime data  something that happened again last week when national and local media touted new rankings of Americas Most Dangerous Cities drawing exclusively on FBI data. Sexual violence data is even more fraught.

This is different from suggesting that false reports are commonly being made in a way that inflates sexual violence rates. In fact, professor Julie Valentine, a sexual assault researcher at the University of Utah, told the Deseret News that if she could dispel one myth, it would be the widespread belief that theres a lot of false reports of rape.

She notes that in Salt Lake and Utah counties, the rate of false reporting is as low as 3% to 9%.

False reports are not the problem. Rather, were highlighting the likelihood of some states having artificially low rape rates (in a way that makes other states with more accurate counts appear unusually high), all based on inaccuracies and variation in FBI crime numbers that make state-by-state comparisons so fraught.

If we want to truly understand the scope of sexual violence in America, its time to look beyond the surface of national crime statistics. The real story lies not just in the official numbers  but in how, where and whether theyre reported at all.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, confidential support is available 24/7:
Avenida de Hudi-Laran is one of the busiest roads in Dili, the capital of East Timor.

On any given day, motorbikes, cramped minibuses and yellow taxis speed past restaurants, spas and furniture supply stores.

But instead of the usual Portuguese or Tetum  the countrys two official languages  many of the establishments boast Chinese names.

The expansion of Chinese-owned businesses has grown to such an extent that most people refer to Hudi-Laran, meaning banana complex, as China-Laran now.

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Its a sign of Chinas growing investment in the small country, but the extent of Beijings influence appears to have its limits.

At a time when more and more Asian countries are falling into debilitating debt traps that grant China sweeping leverage, East Timor is resisting  for now.

It is one of the worlds youngest countries, having gained independence in 2002 after hundreds of years as a Portuguese colony and more than two decades under Indonesian occupation.

The nation, located around 430 miles north-west of Australia, makes up the eastern half of the island of Timor, sharing the land with Indonesia.

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Its strategic position in the contested Indo-Pacific and nearby shipping lanes make the country ripe for Chinese influence.

We do not view China as a threat, least of all as an enemy, Jose Ramos-Horta, East Timors president, told The Telegraph, insisting his country remains neutral in the battle for control over the Indo-Pacific.

Young Timoreses outside one of the many Chinese restaurants in Dili - Antonio Dasiparu for The Telegraph

East Timor sits crucially near the Second Island Chain, a series of islands stretching from Japan through Guam  a US territory with a key military base  to Indonesias eastern islands.

Although further from China than the First Island Chain, which includes Taiwan and the Philippines, the second chain is widely viewed as an emerging battleground of influence.

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Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, said in April that the US would be boosting investment in the outlying chain of islands.

East Timor is also situated near the Ombai-Wetar Strait, a deep-water passage thats critical for movement between the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Given its placement, China has attempted to increase its military presence on the island, proposing the construction of a radar facility in 2007, which it claimed would only be used to detect illegal fishing.

However, a leaked US diplomatic cable revealed that the site wouldve allowed China to collect intelligence on American and Taiwanese military activity in the South China Sea, where Beijing has expanded its presence in recent years. The government in Dili rejected the proposal.

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East Timor relies mostly on security agreements with its neighbours: Australia and Indonesia.

While open to participating in joint military drills with China, Mr Ramos-Horta said there was only so much East Timor could offer a country such as China when it comes to defence.

Its a bit like an elephant inviting a mosquito for joint military exercises. The Chinese will take cruise missiles, we will take slingshots, he said.

Jose Ramos-Horta met Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, in Beijing in July 2024

The bulk of East Timors relationship with China is economic, but it has opted for a different route to many other countries.

Chinese aid has funded East Timors presidential palace, foreign ministry and military headquarters, and Chinese state-owned companies built the national power grid and its major port.

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The country upgraded its ties with China in 2023 to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which opened the door to unlimited economic cooperation, one expert told The Telegraph.

Despite Beijings economic involvement in such infrastructure projects prompting concern, East Timor has avoided the debt trap that has destabilised so many others.

China has a history of lending billions to vulnerable governments that struggle to repay the loans and eventually fall under its thumb. Such has happened in Sri Lanka, which owed China nearly $25 billion (19.5 billion) before it defaulted and fell into its worst financial crisis in decades.

But while Chinese firms have built key infrastructure in East Timor, the projects have been through private tenders and grants.

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The south-east Asian country has never taken a loan from China, meaning its influence there remains limited, according to Loro Horta, East Timors ambassador to China.

In 2012, it came close to accepting a $50 million loan from China to upgrade its drainage system, but Dili rejected the proposal because it gave Beijing disproportionate control over which company would carry out the project.

Instead, East Timor took out loans from partners such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, where there are fewer strings attached.

The nation also follows a friends to all policy, under which it receives foreign aid and investment from a wide range of partners  including Australia and the US  so it isnt entirely dependent on any one actor.

Chinas grip looms

Part of East Timors ability to resist Chinas pull stems from its oil and gas revenue, but experts have said this could soon change.

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Despite being one of the poorest countries in the region by GDP per capita, it earns close to half a billion dollars in petroleum revenue annually, which funds nearly 90 per cent of its state budget.

However, its petroleum fund is predicted to be fully depleted within the next decade, meaning the country could be left bankrupt, according to Damien Kingsbury, a professor emeritus at Deakin University in Australia.

The government is optimistic that more oil will be uncovered before its too late, but others are worried that the impending economic crisis could push East Timor down a slippery slope towards greater dependency on China.

Small countries such as East Timor risk having large investors and donors such as China swamp their local economy and thus lose a capacity to make independent economic decisions, said Prof Kingsbury. China could end up having an outsized influence in policy making.

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This has happened to countries in the Pacific before. The Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Nauru have all switched recognition from Taiwan to China in the past decade after receiving large sums of cash from Beijing.

The Solomon Islands, historically one of the poorest countries in the Pacific, signed a security agreement with China in 2022, opening the door for Beijing to establish a military base in the region.

However, East Timors friends to all policy could help it to avoid falling into a similar entanglement.

I have no particular grounds for concern. China has a positive relationship with East Timor  its significant but not one of the top donors by any means, said Michael Leach, a professor at Australias Swinburne University of Technology.

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The Timorese leadership have always been careful to balance their relationships in sensitive ways, he added.

East Timors bloody past

The fact that East Timor has remained relatively unscathed when it comes to China is also a result of its recent bloody history.

Indonesian forces occupied the country between 1975 and 1999, and killed around 200,000 people  of a population of only around 600,000. They tortured and slaughtered civilians and resistance forces, in what many scholars have labelled a genocide.

Indonesia killed a lot of people, a lot of people suffered, and a lot of people sacrificed tremendously in order for it to be a sovereign nation and so they value that sovereignty, said Charlie Scheiner, a long-time researcher at Lao Hamutuk, one of East Timors oldest and largest human rights NGOs.

No one understands this better than the president and prime minister, who both led the struggle.

Mr Leach explained that Xanana Gusmao, the prime minister, spent years fighting and was later imprisoned in pursuit of the dream of self-determination and independence, which informs a lot of his outlook today on maintaining Timorese independence.

For Mr Ramos-Horta, who went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, his experience travelling the world and courting diplomatic support made him no stranger to the sort of traps that small countries can fall into with foreign policy if theyre not careful, said Mr Leach.

Experts agree that East Timors relationship with China is likely to expand  especially economically  but it will probably not reach a point where there would be a risk to its sovereignty or independence.

Timor will always be a democracy. We can never be a dictatorship because we are so disorganised and undisciplined  its impossible to have one country dominate Timor, insisted Mr Loro.

Many have tried. They usually fail, he added jokingly.

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On Aug. 16, 1851, in what is believed to be the first of such incidents, the steamship Fawn exploded on the Feather River as it was approaching Marysville with boilers blazing in a race against the steamship Gabrial Winter.

Beginning with the arrival of steamship Linda in December of 1849, a series of ships supplied cargo and passenger transportation between San Francisco and Marysville, the head of navigation, and points in between.

Competition was stiff, and rival ships would often race so they could claim the fastest time between river ports.

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Writing in the April 1979 Bulletin of the Sutter County Museum, William Hoffman described the consequences of some of these races.

An early disaster involving Feather River steamers and attributable to competitive racing occurred on August 16, 1851. When the Fawn and the Gabriel Winter left Sacramento for Marysville, a race was on.

As flame and smoke skewed from her stacks, three Frenchmen on board the Fawn eyed anxiously the rlslng head of steam and retreated far astern as the safest spot should the boilers explode. Up the river they furiously raced; both engineers frantically threw fuel on their fire boxes building up an alarming head of steam. Suddenly the boilers of the Fawn shattered with a resounding roar ending the race. Several were killed and many badly inJured or scalded.

Among the survivors were the three French passengers cowering far astern.

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Cause of the explosion is not clear, but it is possible the Fawns engineer tied down the safety valve, a practice not uncommon during the heat of a race, or the boiler may have been made of poor material, also not uncommon on early steamers. Then too, passengers probably urged engineers to strain their boilers, for the Sacramento Daily Union complained that passengers all too frequently instigated racing.

On another occasion, Governor Dana and R.K. Page raced to disaster on March 22, 1853. Both steamers had left Marysville together that morning and, either by coincidence but most likeIv bv prearrangement, raced down the Feather, stacks billowing smoke and paddle wheels churning water.

Neither had the lead until they neared Nicolaus when the Dana, straining her boilers, eased ahead. A passenger on board the Page then bet her engineer a box of cigars that he could not pass the Dana. As an o1d Californian probably remarked afterwards, Thatere engineer had his honor at stake and whole box of seegars too. Hardly pass up a bet like that.

The engineer then eagerly sought a way to increase steam pressure. On deck was a keg of oil which he threw into the firebox and no doubt fastened down the safety valve. Steam pressure went up and the boiler blew up with a shattering roar. According to reports, only the bartender survived without injury. Several on board were killed or scalded. Three passengers completely vanished so violent was the blast.

The Enterprise and the Pearl left Marysville at 7 p.m. on January 26 and engaged in a race the whole distance to Sacramento. As it approached its final destination, the Pearl exploded. Sixty seven passengers were killed.
One of the top restaurants in New York City is set to make a major menu change. Just four years after moving to an all-vegan menu, Eleven Madison Park says that it simply can't sustain itself with a purely plant-based menu.

Its hard to get 30 people for a corporate dinner to come to a plant-based restaurant, said chef Daniel Humm in an interview with the New York Times.

"I very much believed in the all-in approach, but I didnt realize that we would exclude people. I have some anxiety that people are going to say, Oh, hes a hypocrite, but I know that the best way to continue to champion plant-based cooking is to let everyone participate around the table.

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In his announcement on the restaurant's website, Humm admitted that the all-vegan menu excluded customers who would have been inclined to visit.

He expressed pride in becoming the first all-vegan restaurant to earn three Michelin stars for purely plant-based dishes, describing the feeling of accomplishment as "like walking on water."

It became clear that while we had built something meaningful, we had also unintentionally kept people out. This is the opposite of what we believe hospitality to be, the chef said in his statement.

The all-or-nothing approach was necessary to develop our expertise, but that too, comes with its own limitations. As a chef I want to continue to open paths, not close them.

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On October 14, Eleven Madison Park will bring meat back to the menu, including its famed honey-lavender-glazed duck.

Some aren't thrilled with the change, like Gene Baur, the president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. Baur told the New York Post that he understands Munn's financial concern, but that another factor wasn't considered in his decision.

The interests of the animals are not being included," Baur said. "Because Eleven Madison Park made such a public statement, and with such a kind of focus of vegan food this feels a little bit more upsetting than it than if it wasnt so widely discussed.

Some commenters on social media lamented the end of the vegan-only menu, claiming that it was a statement on animal conservation and sustainable eating that's no longer being honored.

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Customers at the restaurant will still be able to order an all-vegan menu if they choose, but the nine-course offering will cost the same regardless of whether a customer chooses meat or not.

We'll see if the move back to a meat-friendly menu will result in better business for Chef Munn and the rest of Eleven Madison Park.

Top NYC Restaurant Getting Rid of Pricey Vegan Menu first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
For teenage girls like me in the 2000s and 2010s, going into a Topshop store was like being transported into a fantasy world.

There was music! Makeup! And fashion! All under one roof - with Topshop clothes often found on the pages of Vogue alongside high-end couture.

But somewhere along the way, things went wrong.

"Topshop lost its cool," said fashion journalist Amber Graafland.

"And when that happens, it's hard. Fashion is a fickle beast, people move on quickly."

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Then in 2020, its owner, Sir Philip Green's Arcadia group, collapsed. All of Topshop's physical stores shut soon after.

But Topshop is now launching a major comeback.

Standalone stores are returning to the High Street, Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop and Topman, confirmed to BBC News.

And on Saturday, Topshop hosted its first catwalk show for seven years in Trafalgar Square, central London. Long-time brand muse model Cara Delevingne was among those there.

Cara Delevingne, who has long been associated with the retailer, attended the Topshop & Topman show in Trafalgar Square [Getty Images for Topshop]

It seems absence (and nostalgia) makes the heart grow fonder. As rumours of Topshop's imminent return have been met by a wave of affection on social media, particularly among millennials and Gen-Z.

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But industry experts say it will take more than nostalgia to make Topshop 2.0 a success.

'They need to entice younger girls'

One of the challenges that Topshop will face is attracting a new wave of shoppers through the doors.

Its previous core following are now women in their late 20s and 30s, but it cant just rely on them, says Graafland.

"They will need to work hard to entice younger girls in," she said.

What might help, though, is the nostalgia trend that has taken over social media feeds and High Streets in recent months (Joni jeans, anyone?)

Topshop's team, for their part, think they can attract both older and newer groups.

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"We want to deliver for those that are nostalgic for a brand that they felt like they lost," Wilson said.

"But we absolutely want to appeal to a new demographic as well."

Then, there's the fashion. For me, shopping in Topshop as a teenager made me feel like the 'it girl'.

On Saturdays, you'd breeze through racks to find the one item that justified taking money out of your barely-there bank balance.

When you bought it, you'd act nonchalant. "Oh this old thing? It's from Topshop," you'd tell your school friends, as if you could afford it all the time.

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And I wasn't the only one. Huge crowds would throng to the London landmark store to witness the launch of new ranges from A-listers like Beyonce and Kate Moss.

The launch of a new Kate Moss Topshop collection would always draw large crowds to the flagship Oxford Street store [Getty Images]

In the 90s and 00s, designers "used to laugh at High Street fashion", said Wayne Hemingway, a designer and co-founder of Red or Dead.

"They couldn't keep up with the trends. Topshop was the only one that did."

Hemingway, who worked with Topshop through its heyday, said a large part of its success was down to the team behind it, including Jane Shepherdson, its hugely influential brand director.

"They brought in second hand clothes for example, that's normal now, but back then it was seen as absolutely radical to have a shopping department store doing that," he said.

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"You had the collaborations, the London Fashion Walk catwalk, all this design and excitement at High Street prices. It was so fresh, everyone wanted to be part of it."

But over time, what people were looking for changed - and Topshop didn't always keep up, said Graafland.

"They offered that unique London look. Then the girls who shopped there grew up, and they didn't want that look anymore," she said.

"You cannot afford to take your finger off the pulse for one minute in fashion."

Crowds turned out for Topshop's fashion show in central London on Saturday [AFP via Getty Images]

She added that Topshop 2.0 would benefit from the fact its core aesthetic - the London girl look - is back in style, and that not many other retailers are offering it.

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"If you look at the High Street now, there's a strong Spanish presence, with the likes of Zara, and also a Swedish presence with H&M. When Arcadia collapsed, we lost that Britishness," she said.

She added that a lot of the High Street is "playing it safe right now", and that could also work in Topshop's favour if can "get that cool edge back".

Topshops team is confident that it can still win over shoppers with its trademark London-based swagger.

"We still think there's a huge gap in the market for that," Wilson said.

"The most important thing that we won't forget, and maybe got forgotten about towards the end of the previous era, is that product is everything.

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"It has to be the best quality product, the most fashionable product for our customer base, and bringing that at good value."

And then there are the prices

Few people will forget the buzz around the Kate Moss collection in 2007, and the red dress she wore in the window for the launch [Getty Images]

Topshop's popularity peaked in the heady years before the cost of living crisis. Its team are aware of the stiff competition it now faces.

A pair of Topshop jeans will easily set you back about 50, whereas Chinese fast fashion giant Shein offers jeans for about 17.

"If we're just comparing Shein, then yes, I think most brands on the planet are at a higher price point than Shein," Wilson said.

But she added: "We know that when we offer great fashion and great value for money then the product does sell very well, so absolutely no concerns about that to be honest."

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While Topshop might not churn out new pieces at the breakneck speed of its online-only rivals, in the past, it's still faced questions over its environmental record.

For younger shoppers, this can be an important factor in deciding where to go.

Wilson, however, indicates the higher prices reflect a more sustainable model.

The firm's focus, she said, is very much "on the livelihoods of people within the supply chain that we partner with and also the environmental impacts of the brand".

'There's got to be a buzz around it'

After Sir Philip retail empire collapsed, the Topshop brand was bought by Asos.

You can still buy the items online on its website - but now, in-store shopping is coming back.

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Topshop's return to the High Street starts this month, with products set to be available to buy in certain stores.

But of course, the real interest is in the standalone stores which Wilson said are "definitely" coming back.

She wouldn't give a date for their return, but said the aim was to open stores across the nation.

Topshop is choosing to relaunch at a time when the High Street continues to struggle. Just days ago, fashion accessories chain Claire's collapsed into administration.

But Wilson said lessons have been learnt after what happened to Topshop 1.0.

"We're just making sure we do it in the right way so that we don't over-expand ourselves," she said.

As for the stores themselves, it remains to be seen if they'll have the same vibe as before.

For me, it was where I met friends after school, tried on eye shadow for the first time, and listened to DJs pumping out dance music.

In some stores you were able to order skinny caramel lattes, get your hair and nails done, and maybe even get a piercing or two if your mum wasn't watching.

"Fashion is only part of the story. It's about selling a lifestyle and an experience," Graafland said. "There's got to be that buzz around it."

Topshops team say they won't necessarily be replicating what it used to do, but rather, "finding ways to bring that into 2025 and do interesting things".

Overall, the hopes are high.

"They will get the girls to the stores, I don't doubt it, Graafland said.

The question is whether they can keep them there.
Last August, I was standing on Lake Eries Ohio shore, shielding my eyes from the sun while talking to a middle-aged guy wearing swimming trunks and a shell necklace. He had to be Toledos only surfer.

Are you worried about the algae at all? I asked him.

No. I was out Monday, and I didnt see any algae. If its bad, it looks like pea soup. He pulled a couple of windsurfing boards from the back of a pickup and began explaining the finer points of a northward versus a westward wind. That day, a breeze smelling a little earthy and mulchy was coming from the west, which wasnt as good for surfing.

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Wind direction seemed like his biggest worry at the time  even though the entire lake had turned light green. Slime was gently lapping ashore just a few feet away.

So, this isnt toxic algae? I said.

Nah, thats just the sun, he said, implying, I guessed, that this was just regular algae.

But I wasnt so sure. A huge wooden sign was staked into the sand that warned people to:

BE ALERT! AVOID WATER THAT:



Looks like spilled paint.

Has surface scums, mats, or films.

Is discolored or has colored streaks.

Has green globs floating below the surface.

AVOID SWALLOWING LAKE WATER.

Below these warnings were eight images of various waterborne funk and deformity, each about as pleasant as an autopsy photo.

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Theres no danger of getting sick from the algae? I asked, a little wary.

He laughed. Were gonna find out.

This year, things on Lake Erie arent any better. And chances are, if you live near a body of fresh water, you might be experiencing that same strange seasonal sight that is fast becoming as normalized as orange leaves in October and pink flowers in April: Neon green toxic algae. Despite what your local windsurfer might say, global warming, pollution and government inaction have combined to create this dangerous  even deadly  threat to our drinking supply and recreational spots. If you are lucky enough that this cyanobacteria, or kale-colored gak, has not yet infected your local lakes, bays, rivers or creeks  well, it probably will be soon.

Recently, this sleepy, rural part of Ohio I was raised in has been receiving global attention as ground-zero for an eye-popping upheaval of nature. But its also quietly becoming the unlikely home of a Hail Mary opportunity to reverse this ecological disaster.

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I spent the last five years researching this phenomenon for my upcoming book, The Great Black Swamp: Toxic Algae, Toxic Relationships, and The Most Interesting Place in America Nobodys Ever Heard Of. So I was not surprised when The Toledo Blade reported that only four days into August, this green cyanobacteria bloom was already 160 square miles in size  thats over half as large as New York City  and getting bigger. The main part of the algal bloom can be seen from outer space, the article read.

Believe it or not, this is far from Lake Eries biggest or most dangerous bloom. In August 2014, Toledos shoreline turned margarita green. Dead fish began washing ashore in clumps, all tangled in thick mats of toxic algae. Overnight, the plume spread to the citys drinking water intakes, and 400,000 Toledoans were told to not drink or cook with tap water, or even bathe with it.

The lakes microcystin levels registered a whopping 2.5 parts per billion. (Microcystins are toxins produced by the algae.) According to the World Health Organization, just one part per billion is considered unsafe to drink. One scientist noted that the towns drinking water was currently more toxic than cyanide. If ingested, it could cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, and drinking a single glass could result in liver failure. Death was uncommon, but it had been known to happen. A herd of rare elephants in Botswana died from drinking from toxic algae puddles and numerous dogs across the U.S. have died from drinking or swimming in contaminated water. A 50-year-old jogger in western Brittany, France, died from inhaling highly concentrated hydrogen sulfide on a beach and 50 people in Brazil died after microcystin-laced water was used in their hospital IVs.

By the end of the third day of the water ban, using a $4 million mix of aluminum and chlorine, Lake Erie was shocked like a pool back to safe levels. Now, because bright green algae keeps reappearing every year around this time, Toledo must always be prepared for such outbreaks.

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The citys harrowing crisis was one of the first times toxic algae took center stage in the media cycle. But the way things are trending, it wont be the last. Earlier this year, an unprecedented toxic algae bloom along the coast of Southern California caused hundreds of marine mammals to become sick or die. The problem has become so widespread that the U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms estimated that the United States spends upwards of $50 million annually in costs related to health, fisheries, recreation, tourism and monitoring. The EPA reported 15,000 bodies of water with algae-like nutrient problems in 2023 alone, and all 50 states have had a toxic algae outbreak, usually more than one.

Harmful algal blooms have been reported on every continent except Antarctica. According to Scientific American, in the last two decades, algal blooms have increased in size by about 13% worldwide, which means if you cobbled them all together, the blob would take up about as many square miles as the entire nation of India.

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

All indications seem to imply its only going to get worse. Thats because the source of this growing threat is ubiquitous around the globe. In the case of Lake Erie and many other bodies of water, toxic algae forms due to a combination of phosphorus-rich farm runoff meeting rising water temperatures due to climate change. (Water temperatures usually peak in August.) Since 2014, Ohios efforts to curb these yearly explosions have proven depressingly insufficient. Farmers have scaled back on phosphorus-rich fertilizer usage, and after Toledo established the Lake Erie Bill of Rights in 2019, the body of water was even briefly granted the same rights as a human being, which made polluting its waters a crime along the lines of attempted manslaughter. (The bill was quickly struck down in court.)

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Yet toxic algae keeps returning. Ecologists have begun ringing alarm bells after the Trump administration drastically scaled back environmental safeguards and regulations, like the Department of Government Efficiencys proposed cuts, which include slashing 65% of Environmental Protection Agency spending and a proposed 25% cut to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency responsible for monitoring and warning people about toxic algae blooms.

By now, you might be feeling pretty frustrated and more than a little leery about whats pouring out of your kitchen faucet. (To be clear, most drinking water is monitored by municipal treatment professionals, who do a great job of keeping people safe, but they are fighting an increasingly uphill battle.) I felt the same way when I went to Toledo last year and left feeling pretty helpless. Then, I discovered Lake Eries last hope.

Several groups in Northwest Ohio are eschewing legal and chemical methods and are, instead, trying to save the lake by going back to the dark ages  literally. The region was once known as the Great Black Swamp, a one million acre wetland the size of Connecticut so densely filled with trees that some explorers claimed they couldnt see their hand in front of their face during the day, hence the name. According to these organizations, the answer to reversing toxic algae lies in Ohios swampy past.

Organizations like The Black Swamp Conservancy and H2Ohio, which is run by the state, are purchasing tracts of farmland near freshwater bodies and rewilding these places. By removing the drainage tiles buried underground and replanting native trees, wildflowers and grasses, they are strategically turning these parcels back into wetlands. The theory, as a conservation manager told me at one rewilding site last year, is that wetlands act as a set of kidneys for the land, naturally filtering out much of the phosphorus from farm runoff, which causes toxic algae. Between the two organizations alone, nearly 35,000 acres of land have already been restored. But to truly make an impact on Lake Erie, they will need to expand their efforts.

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The odds of improving the lakes toxic algae problem are good if they can keep growing. Thats because rewilding works. A similar effort has already shown great success. In 2024, a team of Bowling Green State University biology students recorded a significant reduction in cyanobacteria in Northwest Ohios Sandusky Bay thanks to the removal of an upstream dam. While this is only a small victory, it is proof there is still hope for Lake Eries water, and also for the water near you.

I dont know what happened to the windsurfer on Lake Erie last year. I didnt stick around to watch him cruise the westward winds. He could have been totally fine, or he could have gotten deathly ill. All I know is that I dont want to think like him. Sure, it would be a lot easier to treat these ecological horrors like the new normal, but we need to take matters into our own hands. If governments and the legal system wont nurture these waters, we must seek out and support rewilding efforts on our own. The way things are going, that will likely be the only way to keep from one day pouring a cool glass of cyanide from our sinks.

The post Toxic algae season is back  and Trump has cut safeguards appeared first on Salon.com.
A transgender drug smuggler attempted to bring 800,000 of cannabis into Britain to fund gender reassignment surgery.

Keira Borrett, who was born male but identifies as a woman, agreed to smuggle 26kg of the drug from Thailand in exchange for 10,000 for gender reassignment surgery.

Borrett, 46, was jailed for 18 months at Isleworth Crown Court after admitting the offence.

The court heard Borrett was discovered with two suitcases filled with vacuum-sealed packs of herbal cannabis at Heathrow Airport in May.

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Sahra Ali, prosecuting, said Borrett agreed to smuggle the cases for the five-figure sum after meeting a man from Essex in a Bangkok bar during a birthday holiday.

The smuggler told police that the pair had a conversation about sex change operations and how expensive they were before two associates of the man proposed Borrett taking two suitcases back to Britain.

The very heavy bags were dropped off by men in an SUV before Borrett flew back to Britain on May 23. The men gave instructions to take the bags to a hotel where they would be picked up and the cash handed over.

She was not under any duress, she did this willingly, Ms Ali told the court. There was an expectation of significant financial advance.

The suitcases were filled with vacuum-packed slabs of cannabis - NCA/LinkedIn

The court heard that Borrett, from Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, claimed to not have known what was in the bags or inspected their contents.

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Since being arrested, Borrett has been held on remand at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, a male prison in west London.

Sebastian Cox, defending, said Borrett should be spared a prison sentence after being forced to detransition, stop using female pronouns and wear male clothing at Wormwood Scrubs.

Every day in prison has been harder for her given her identity, he said.

Mr Cox also interrupted Ms Ali to ask that she use female pronouns when referring to Borrett.

Miss Borrett identifies as a woman and Id be grateful if you could address her as such, he said.

A very silly decision

Mr Cox admitted that Borrett had shown a lack of judgment by smuggling the drugs but said it was out of character and an isolated incident.

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The offer of money and knowing what it could have done for her life, he said. She made a very silly decision. She is remorseful in the extreme knowing the impact this has had on her family and friends.

But the court was told that Borrett had also visited Thailand a few months earlier.

Handing down the 18-month sentence, Recorder Kate Aubrey-Johnson said: Although you say it was an impulsive decision, the fact that you had travelled to Thailand before makes me wonder how much credibility I can give to that.



This is an offence that is prevalent. We know that criminals target individuals to act as couriers.



As cannabis has been made legal in other parts of the world; it means these criminal operations are now increasingly looking to bring drugs into the UK.

Smuggling from Thailand up

Thailand became the first Asian country to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, leading to an increase in the quantities of the drug being smuggled into the UK.

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Alex Murray, the National Crime Agencys director of threat leadership, said: We have been working well with the Thai authorities who are keen to intervene. Couriers should think very carefully about agreeing to smuggle cannabis. There are life-changing consequences.Crime groups can be very persuasive but the risk of getting caught is very high and simply not worth it.

In 2024, 430 cannabis smuggling suspects were arrested at Heathrow Airport, with 14,617kg of the drug seized.

Borrett, whose middle name is Anthony according to Companies House records, previously sold videos on the bespoke video message platform Cameo.

The smuggler is also the sole director of a beauty company called Lashes by Sweetie, which was formed in October last year.

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Air Canada announced it will suspend operations immediately after more than 10,000 of its flight attendants went on strike in the middle of peak travel season.

Staff staged a walkout at around 1 p.m. Eastern time Saturday, with the airline saying it would begin locking strike participants out of any airports where it is currently providing services, NPR reports.

The outlet added that the shutdown will disrupt travel for roughly 130,000 passengers each day the strike goes on, with an estimated 25,000 Canadians now stranded abroad.

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At a time when Canada is dealing with unprecedented pressures on our critical economic supply chains, the disruption of national air passenger travel and cargo transport services would cause immediate and extensive harm to all Canadians, Goldy Hyder, chief executive of the Business Council of Canada, said in a statement.

Air Canada halted operations after more than 10,000 flight attendants went on strike after the airline failed to reach a new contract deal with their union. / NurPhoto / Artur Widak/NurPhoto

The shutdown follows after Canadas largest airline failed to reach a new contract agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees amid a dispute over wages.

The union rejected proposals from the air travel provider to enter into arbitration given that this would undercut the organizations right to strike under Canadian law as well as permitting a mediator to rule unilaterally on new terms of employment.

Patty Hajdu, Canadas federal jobs minister, blasted both parties in a statement issued Friday night, calling on them to return to the table and reach an arrangement once and for all.

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It is unacceptable that such little progress has been made, she said. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts.

Its estimated up to 130,000 passengers will be affected for each day the industrial action goes on. / ANDREJ IVANOV / AFP via Getty Images

Alex Laroche, a 21-year-old resident of Montreal who had been saving for a trip to Europe with his girlfriend since Christmas, spoke with NPR about his concerns.

At this point, its just a waiting game, he said of their hopes of still making the $8,000 trip, for which their lodging is non-refundable and for which it would cost them nearly double the $3,000 they spent on the original tickets to book alternative travel.

He nevertheless feels sympathy for striking staff members after reading about some of the key issues theyve been battling with the airline over.

Their wage is barely livable, he said.
Previous Trortwood coverage.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The free concert at Madison Park, which was supposed to be on Saturday evening, has been canceled by the city of Trotwood.

The city apologized and said the event is being canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

While this situation was beyond the Citys control, we deeply regret the impact this has on our

residents, vendors, sponsors, and all who were looking forward to this community gathering, wrote the city. Trotwood takes pride in offering free, family-friendly events that bring our community together, and we remain committed to providing high-quality programming for all residents. We are already exploring future opportunities to host similar events and will share additional details as they become available.

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It thanked the community, vendors and partners for their support and understanding.

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.
More than a hundred trucks took on Interstate 485 to Concord Saturday to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes.

The trucks, joined by law enforcement, traveled 28 miles up and down I-485 to the zMax Dragway at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. There, they gathered for a celebratory lunch.

Each participant, including semi truck drivers, dump truck drivers, and others, raised more than $100 to join the convoy.

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The convoy began at 10:15 a.m. and concluded with a lunch from Bonefish Grill after the trek up and down the interstate.

Learn more about the cause here.

WATCH: Not alone: Mooresville nonprofit gives back to families touched by cancer
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President JP Nadda, Rajya Sabha Deputy Speaker Harivansh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and other senior leaders also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at 'Sadaiv Atal'.

Former PM Vajpayee's foster daughter, Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, also paid tribute to him.

PM Modi said Vajpayee's commitment to India's progress continues to inspire efforts toward building a developed and self-reliant nation. He remembered Vajpayee's dedication and service to the nation. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remembered former prime minister's lifelong efforts to build a strong and prosperous India, and also added that the nation will always remember his tremendous contribution. In a post on X, Rajnath Singh wrote, "I pay homage to Atalji on his punyatithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution."

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's prime minister.

Vajpayee was the face of the BJP for decades and was the first non-Congress prime minister to have served a full term in office.

Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979.

He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI)
The true master of the art of the deal is Vladimir Putin, not Donald Trump. Though no agreement was formally struck by the two leaders at their summit in Anchorage, Alaska, Putin did succeed in setting the agenda for the endgame of the Ukraine war.

First and foremost, the meeting underscored that an eventual final deal will be struck between Washington and Moscow, and then handed down to lesser mortals such as European leaders and Volodymyr Zelensky for approval.

Second, Putin made it clear that he sees the resolution of the Ukraine war as part of a much larger and more important re-set in relations with America. Peace in Ukraine, in Putins vision, will be packaged alongside lucrative joint ventures with US companies in oil and gas, minerals, and space technology  and will of course be accompanied by a rapid lifting of US sanctions.

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Thirdly, Trump has effectively abandoned all his previous ultimatums threatening serious consequences for Putin if he does not immediately cease and desist from killing Ukrainians. Instead, Putin has replaced a series of escalating threats with a nebulous peace process that could potentially take months.

Finally, Putin made it clear that he is not interested in a ceasefire followed by talks but instead will continue to push into Ukrainian territory as negotiations proceed. Thats a major climbdown for Trump, who previously insisted that a ceasefire was his most urgent priority.

Its depressingly clear that Putins demands have changed little since his invasion of 2022, from incorporating majority Russian-speaking parts of Ukraine into Russia to insisting that Kyiv never joins Nato. And it seems that Trump is ready to accede to most of the Kremlins talking points.

When asked by Fox Newss Sean Hannity whether the agreements hed reached with Putin in Anchorage included land swaps and a security measure that wont be Nato-related, Trump replied that those are points that we negotiated and points that we largely have agreed upon.

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Cryptically, Trump alluded to at least one major Russian demand on which there was disagreement, but refused to give details. According to one senior Western official who listened in on Trumps call to European leaders, this is a reference to Putins demand for Ukraine to hand over territory in Donbas that Russia has not yet captured, including the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. In exchange, Russia would be willing to give up other, much smaller and less strategically important pieces of territory it currently holds in Sumy and Kharkiv provinces.

Clearly, Putins demand is outrageous. Ceding the territory that Russia already occupies, even de facto rather than de jure, will be enormously politically painful for Zelensky. But giving up yet more Ukrainian land is unthinkable  and maybe practically impossible, as Ukrainian front line units might refuse to obey orders to withdraw.

But therein lies Putins fiendish mastery of the art of the deal. By focusing negotiations on a demand for land that is unachievable, Putin avoids giving up something that would actually be seen as a loss. And when Putin eventually gives in and concedes that he wont be getting any more of Donbas without fighting for it, he will be sure to couch that climbdown as a major concession.

Trump paid lip service to Ukraine having to agree to terms of a final deal. But hes also made it clear that if Zelensky refuses, the US will walk away. Lots of luck, keep fighting, Trump warned last week. That would leave Ukraine to resist the Russian onslaught alone, with only a shaky alliance of Europeans to back him up.

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The Anchorage summit marked the beginning of the end of the Ukraine war. But by flattering Trump and framing the conflict as just a detail of a larger re-set in Russian-US relations, Putin has made sure that the final act will be played out on the Kremlins terms.

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BAZETTA, Ohio (WKBN)  A Trumbull County Sheriffs Deputy was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Bazetta Township while responding to an emergency call Friday night.

According to a media release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Deputy Zachary Zigmont was traveling southwest on State Route 5 around 8:40 p.m. with his lights and sirens activated in a marked patrol car. As he was overtaking slow-moving traffic ahead, a driver in a Honda Civic moved to the left directly in front of Zigmont.

The release said Zigmont then heavily applied the brakes and swerved left of center, causing him to strike a Ford Escape traveling northeast on Route 5.

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The driver of the Ford was taken to a hospital, but no injuries were reported, the release said.

Bazetta Township police, EMS and fire responded, as well as OSHP and the Trumbull County Sheriffs Office.

The crash 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 WKBN.com.
Vladimir Putin set foot on U.S. soil for the first time in 10 years on Fridaybut dont try telling President Donald Trump that.

In the days leading up to the historic summit between the two world leaders, and even while traveling to the meeting in Anchorage, Trump did not seem to understand that Alaska is part of the United States.

In an interview for Fox News Special Report with Bret Baier, Trump indicated that Alaska is not part of the United States.

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Well see what happens, Trump told Baier, speaking about a potential deal with Putin, while on board Air Force One en route to the meeting in Anchorage. If its bad, if its something I dont see a future in, Im gone, Ill leave, Trump added. Ill go back to the United States.

President Donald Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a warm welcome as they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug. 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Alaska has been part of the U.S. since it was purchased from Russia in 1867, following the Crimean War. Alaska was granted statehood in 1959.

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell responded to the clip of Trump speaking with Baier on X, writing: Dummy Donald still thinks he went to Russia.

And Ill go back to the United States..



Dummy Donald still thinks he went to Russia. https://t.co/4qQghGHT9v  Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 16, 2025

While it could be written off as a slip of the tongue, previous footage shows the president making the same mistake on more than one occasion.

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Its going to be a big thing, Trump said at a White House Press conference on Monday. Were going to Russia, its going to be a big deal.

In a third instance, later in the same press conference, Trump said You know, Im going to see Putin. Im going to Russia on Friday.

A journalist later questioned Trumps remarks at a press conference with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, asking whether the president does in fact intend to go to Russia.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to the press on Aug. 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska, but did not take a single question as the president said no deal had been reached. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Perhaps there are plans in the future to travel to Russia and on Friday the president will be meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Leavitt said.

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At the conclusion of their meeting, Putin told Trump that their next talks should be in Moscow, to which the president replied that he could see it possibly happening.

Earlier this week, Trump referred to the Russian city of St. Petersburg as Leningrad, despite it being renamed in 1991.

The White House did not immediately return the Daily Beasts request for comment.
The talks between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, which took place in Alaska, have not resulted in any particular agreements, despite both sides stating that it was a constructive meeting.

Source: European Pravda with reference to a press conference of the US and Russian leaders following their talks

Details: The media briefing was short. Following the 2.5-hour talks, Trump and Putin declined to take questions and only delivered speeches. The US president was very reserved in his remarks, essentially limiting himself to expressions of gratitude.

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Trump shared no details of the negotiations with journalists but promised to brief his European counterparts.

"I'll call up NATO in a little while, I'll call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll, of course, call up President Zelenskyy and tell him about todays meeting," he stated, adding that it was a good and very productive meeting and that the dialogue should continue.

"Well speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon!", he said to Putin.

Putin replied, "Next time in Moscow?"

"Ooh, thats an interesting one. I dont know, Ill get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening. Thank you very much, Vladimir," Trump said.

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Background:

As the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin began in Alaska, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky publicly compared it to the 1938 Munich Agreement, when the world sought to appease Adolf Hitler.

On the evening of Friday 15 August, the Trump-Putin talks began in Alaska. It was also reported that Trump had not brought his Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, to Alaska as a gesture to appease Russia.

Trump stated that he was not going to Alaska to negotiate for Ukraine.

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After speaking with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders overnight, Donald Trump changed the dial on what at first seemed like a lacklustre summit. The American president announced that he would be pursuing a peace settlement instead of a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump justified this shift by highlighting the potential fragility of a Ukraine ceasefire deal.

Historical evidence shows that Trumps concerns are well-placed. While the February 2015 Minsk II Accords halted Russian territorial expansion in eastern Ukraine, ceasefire violations by Putins brutal regime were rampant.

By March 2016, the US department of defence estimated that 430 Ukrainian soldiers died after Minsk IIs signing and warned that Russia was pouring heavy weapons into Donbas.

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Despite the inherent logic in Trumps push for a grand bargain solution to the Ukraine War, the devil is ultimately in the details. After Trumps meeting with Putin, there are concerns that he might see the legitimisation of Russias annexation of nearly one-quarter of Ukraine as the fastest route to further imperialism. This worst-case scenario would tempt Russia to rearm and encourage further aggression against Ukraine, Moldova or the Baltic States.

There are reasons to believe that these concerns are overly pessimistic. Tragically, any end to the war would almost certainly require Ukraine to make some territorial concessions.Although this is a bitter pill for Ukraine to swallow, frustrations could be tempered by Trump offering the besieged nation ironclad security guarantees.

Even though Trump launched a tirade against Zelensky when he mentioned the need for security guarantees at the Oval Office in February, he has apparently come around to the necessity of these assurances. Trump has offered Ukraine Article 5 Nato-style security guarantees in the event of a peace deal. Ukraine would still be nominally a neutral country and not become a full Nato member; yet it will have most of the protections that are afforded to countries within the alliance bloc.

This proposal could gain traction within the US foreign policy community and rare bipartisan support. Based on my past engagements with American experts familiar with the Biden administrations thinking on a peace settlement, a plan consisting of territorial concessions and Nato-style security guarantees was under consideration back then.

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The main disagreement pertains to the legal status of the Russian-annexed regions. Bidens team was firmer about the need to avoid official recognition of these territories and inclined to support Ukraines claims to their future reintegration.

Trumps team, meanwhile, is more willing to torpedo the principle of Westphalian sovereignty and recognize the regions as Russian to stem Putins aggression.

If the US settles on this formula, Europe and Ukraine are unlikely to mount a fierce resistance campaign against it. Its chances of success hinge on its implementation, and there are two issues that need to be resolved for it to be effectively adopted.

The first challenge pertains to settling Ukraines new de facto borders. These involve extremely difficult decisions for Zelensky. In exchange for abandoning Donbas, Ukraine will almost certainly want a land swap deal that guarantees control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the occupied half of Kherson.

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It is unclear whether Putin will accede to these demands, as Russia has officially annexed these areas, but a compromise is possible as they have less resonance to Russian ultra-nationalists than Donbas.

Regardless of whether a land swap deal transpires, Ukraine will be forced to tragically dismantle its civilian institutions in Donetsk and potentially integrate hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons. It will also have to respond in a measured fashion to Putins imposition of Russian culture on all remaining Donbas residents and the subjugation of more Ukrainians to the totalitarian nature of Russian occupation.

Once these challenges are achieved, Ukraine will need to ensure that its new borders are defensible. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum security guarantees unravelled due to a lack of will amongst signatories and denialism about the evil threat of Russian neo-imperialism. While these sources of complacency are much less striking now, there are still reasons for concern.

The varying paces of arms deliveries to Ukraine and heated debates about escalation risks suggest that Nato does not have a united post-war plan. Therefore, it will be incumbent on Ukraines strongest supporters within the alliance to quickly provide security assistance and steer as many of their more reluctant counterparts to follow suit.

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Britains pledge to deploy ground troops to Ukraine within a week of a ceasefire and use Royal Air Force jets to patrol Ukraines skies provides a positive example for its like-minded Nato allies.

The USs active participation in the post-war peacekeeping coalition is critical. While Americans are evenly divided on the acceptability of peacekeeper deployments and military retaliations against Russia if peacekeepers are attacked, Trump must transcend politics for the cogency of the Nato alliance.

Aside from the deployment of peacekeepers and integration of Ukraine into Natos military technology supply chains, post-war reconstruction investments are a further guarantor of peace.

If Ukraines economy can attract large-scale capital infusions from both Western powers and Russia-friendly Global South stakeholders, such as the Gulf monarchies and China, the costs of further Russian aggression would rise precipitously.

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Putins appalling wars have been driven by his false confidence in easy victories and a belief in Russian impunity. These assumptions need to be unequivocally put to rest.

The Alaska summit failed to live up to its billing as a stepping stone for peace in Ukraine right now. Despite this, Trumps newest proposals suggest that it might just be around the corner.

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US President Donald Trump is back in Washington after his meeting Russia's Vladimir Putin in the northern US state of Alaska.

His aircraft, Air Force One, landed early Saturday at the Joint Base Andrews military airfield near the US capital, accompanying journalists reported.

Trump had spoken with Putin in Anchorage about the Ukraine war.

The summit concluded without any public statements regarding a possible ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump is briefing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders about his summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin, German government sources told dpa on Saturday morning.

Trump and Putin concluded their meeting in Alaska without making any statements about a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war, and no tangible results were announced.

Trump spoke of agreements on important points but did not provide details. Putin also mentioned agreements that he said could be a starting point for a solution to the Ukraine conflict.

Trump stated after the summit ended that he wanted to consult with the Europeans and Zelensky. "It's ultimately up to them," he added.
US President Donald Trump is briefing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders about his summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin, German government sources told dpa on Saturday morning.

Trump and Putin concluded their meeting in Alaska without making any statements about a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war, and no tangible results were announced.

Trump spoke of agreements on important points but did not provide details. Putin also mentioned agreements that he said could be a starting point for a solution to the Ukraine conflict.

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Trump, who has since returned to Washington, stated after the summit ended that he wanted to consult with the Europeans and Zelensky. "It's ultimately up to them," he added.

Trump: No deal

In terms of content, much remained vague shortly after the meeting between the two leaders at a military base in the city of Anchorage.

"We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant," Trump said.

However, Trump said he first wanted to call the NATO allies and Ukraine's Zelensky.

Europeans seek common line with Trump

Before the Alaska summit, the Europeans had tried on Wednesday to establish with Trump in joint consultations five points for possible peace talks - including a ceasefire and security guarantees.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made it clear at a press conference with Zelensky: "In Alaska, fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be safeguarded."

In addition to Merz, Zelensky and Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte participated in the online consultations. Other leaders on the call included French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The Europeans and Zelensky had feared that Trump and Putin might agree in Alaska on Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia, which Kiev strictly rejects.

Merz said on Wednesday that it had been made clear that Ukraine must have a seat at the table as soon as follow-up meetings take place.
US President Donald Trump is briefing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders about his summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin, German government sources told dpa on Saturday morning.

Trump had a lengthy phone conversation with Zelensky on his return flight from Alaska to Washington, according to accompanying journalists. He then spoke with NATO allies, the journalists reported, citing a spokeswoman for Trump.

According to the European Commission, the talks with Trump and Zelensky included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte - as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

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Further consultations among the European leaders followed. The EU ambassadors of the member states are to meet today for an extraordinary meeting to be briefed on the Alaska meeting.

Trump and Putin concluded their meeting in Alaska without making any statements about a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war, and no tangible results were announced.

Trump spoke of agreements on important points but did not provide details. Putin also mentioned agreements that he said could be a starting point for a solution to the Ukraine conflict.

Trump, who has since returned to Washington, stated after the summit ended that he wanted to consult with the Europeans and Zelensky. "It's ultimately up to them," he added.

Trump: No deal

In terms of content, much remained vague shortly after the meeting between the two leaders at a military base in the city of Anchorage.

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"We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant," Trump said.

However, Trump said he first wanted to call the NATO allies and Ukraine's Zelensky.

Europeans seek common line with Trump

Before the Alaska summit, the Europeans had tried on Wednesday to establish with Trump in joint consultations five points for possible peace talks - including a ceasefire and security guarantees.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made it clear at a press conference with Zelensky: "In Alaska, fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be safeguarded."

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In addition to Merz, Zelensky and Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte participated in the online consultations. Other leaders on the call included French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The Europeans and Zelensky had feared that Trump and Putin might agree in Alaska on Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia, which Kiev strictly rejects.

Merz said on Wednesday that it had been made clear that Ukraine must have a seat at the table as soon as follow-up meetings take place.

US President Donald Trump (R) greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin upon their arrival in Alaska. Sergey Bobylev/Kremlin/dpa
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will join a video call with European allies on Sunday ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House next week.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will join Sir Keir in hosting the "coalition of the willing", after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to reach a ceasefire deal at a summit in Alaska.

On Saturday, the prime minister praised Trump for having brought an end to the war in Ukraine "closer than ever before", but warned that the "path to peace" could not be decided without Zelensky.

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It comes after the US president said he wanted to bypass a ceasefire to move directly to a permanent peace deal.

On Saturday, the US president said on his Truth Social platform that it was "determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement", in a major shift in position.

Zelensky later said that Russia's refusal to agree to a ceasefire "complicates" efforts to end the war.

On Monday, the Ukrainian leader will travel to Washington DC, where US President Trump has said he will urge Zelensky to agree to a peace deal.

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In the wake of the Anchorage summit, Sir Keir spent Saturday morning speaking to Western allies.

Following the calls, he said in a statement: "I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal.

"President Trump's efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.

"His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended," Sir Keir said.

Until Putin stops his "barbaric assault", allies would "keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions", he added.

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A Downing Street source told the BBC that any peace deal needed security agreements and "US involvement is a key part of that".

Following a call with Trump on Saturday, Zelensky called for a lasting peace, "not just another pause between Russian invasions".

He stressed Kyiv should be included in future discussions, and said he expected Russia to "increase pressure and strikes" in the coming days to "create more favourable circumstances for talks with global actors".

On Friday, Zelensky visited Sir Keir at Downing Street, and the pair greeted each other in a warm embrace before holding talks over breakfast.

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It was seen as a carefully co-ordinated show of support from the UK, ahead of the the Trump-Putin summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at 'Sadaiv Atal', the Samadhi (memorial) dedicated to the Bharat Ratna awardee and veteran leader. In a post on X, PM Modi said Vajpayee's commitment to India's progress continues to inspire efforts to build a developed and self-reliant nation. "Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India," the post read. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1956536892406587642 Union Ministers JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, also visited 'Sadaiv Atal' to pay their respects. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to the former Prime Minister. In his message, Singh recalled Vajpayee's lifelong efforts to build a strong and prosperous India. "I pay homage to Atalji on his punyatithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution," Rajnath Singh posted on X. According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, the central Samadhi platform at 'Sadaiv Atal' comprises nine square black polished granite stone blocks, capped with a central 'Diya'. The number nine represents Navarasas, Navaratras and Navagrahas. The memorial is enclosed by nine bas-relief walls with inscriptions of Vajpayee's prose and poetry, which can be read while taking a "pradakshina" (circular walk). The initiative to develop the memorial was taken up by the Atal Smriti Nyas Society, which was formed by eminent persons. Stones from various parts of the country were used in its construction, symbolising "unity in diversity". The project was completed by the CPWD, with the entire cost borne by the Atal Smriti Nyas Society, the Ministry added. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was elected prime minister three times. He was the first non-Congress leader to complete a full term in office. He served briefly from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and then from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. Vajpayee also served as India's External Affairs Minister from 1977 to 1979 in the cabinet of Prime Minister Morarji Desai. The veteran leader, poet and statesman passed away at AIIMS Hospital in New Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI)
Donald Trump has brought us closer than ever before to ending Russias illegal war in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has said, following a highly anticipated summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday night.

It came despite the talks ending without a ceasefire deal or an agreement on pausing Moscows war in Ukraine, after nearly three hours of negotiations between the US president and his Russian counterpart at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska.

While concerns linger over the prospect of Kyiv being excluded from negotiations over its own future, Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday announced he will travel to Washington for a meeting with Mr Trump on Monday.

Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met on Thursday ahead of the talks (PA Wire)

I plan to discuss all the details regarding the end of the killings, the end of the war with President Trump in Washington on Monday. Grateful for the invitation, Mr Zelensky said.

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Speaking in the early hours of the morning, the US and Russian presidents confirmed that no deal had been reached, with Mr Trump adding that we didnt get there on one of the most significant sticking points.

However - in a brief media appearance where they offered little detail and refused to take questions from reporters - Mr Trump said some great progress was made with many points agreed and very few remaining.

Meanwhile, Mr Putin said the negotiations were held in a constructive atmosphere and raised the prospect of another meeting in Moscow - a suggestion which is likely to spark concern from those fearing the US president could capitulate to Russias demands.

It comes amid fears Ukraine could be pressured to cede territory, after the US leader previously suggested any agreement may need to involve swapping of land,

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But piling pressure on Mr Trump not to cave to Putins demands, European leaders - including French president Emmanuel Macron, Italys Giorgia Meloni, Germanys Friedrich Merz and the European Commissions Ursula Von der Leyen - in a joint statement reiterated that no limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its co-operation with third countries.

Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and Nato, they added, reiterating that the Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role.

The UK has promised to put a reassurance force in Ukraine in the event that a peace deal is struck. However, there have been reports in recent days that this force will be scaled back from the 30,000 strong force that had originally been floated.

In a separate statement on Monday, Sir Keir welcomed the US presidents suggestion that he could provide robust security guarantees to support Ukraine - but reiterated that the next step in the peace process must be further talks involving President Zelenskyy after Fridays summit excluded the Ukrainian leader.

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[Donald Trumps] leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended, the prime minister added.

In a call after the summit, Sir Keir and Mr Zelensky spoke with the US president alongside leaders from Italy, France, Finland, Germany and Poland, as well as Natos Mark Rutte, and Ms Von der Leyen.

President Trumps efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russias illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended, the prime minister said in his statement.

While progress has been made, the next step must be further talks involving President Zelenskyy.

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He added: I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal. This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more.

In the meantime, until he stops his barbaric assault, we will keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions, which have already had a punishing impact on the Russian economy and its people.

On Thursday, Mr Trump suggested European leaders could be invited to a second meeting if Fridays summit was a success.

On the same day, Sir Keir met with the Ukrainian leader and the pair expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of a truce as long as Putin takes action to prove he is serious about ending the war, a Downing Street statement said.

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However, the failure to make progress today may have dashed hopes of making progress with the Russian president.

Trump met with Putin for nearly three hours on Friday at a U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

It came as leading experts warned that Mr Putin has been rewarded for his invasion of Ukraine with Donald Trumps summit in Alaska.

Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine forum at the Chatham House think tank, warned that Mr Trumps decision to call Russia a great country and say there is a strong mutual understanding between the two parties represents a further fissure in the already shaky Transatlantic alliance, the rupture of which is a primary Russian aim.

Meanwhile, Keir Giles, an associate fellow of the Russia and Eurasia programme at Chatham House, suggested there were two dangers which could emerge from the summit.

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The first is that Mr Zelensky may now be perceived by Mr Trump as a softer target where he is more willing to exert leverage, and that the US president could once again try to strongarm Zelensky into compromising the future of his country.

The second danger is that European leaders might once again think the immediate danger has passed and become complacent, after their scramble to speak to Mr Trump ahead of the summit, he said.

And Dr Neil Melvin, director of international security at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) suggested Mr Putin would walk away considering the summit outcome as mission accomplished.

Vladimir Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war, he warned.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Credit - Andrew HarnikGetty Images

President Donald Trump has called for talks aimed at achieving a full peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine, rather than a ceasefire, in a major shift that puts him at odds with U.S. allies in Europe and Kyiv.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump posted on Truth Social following a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

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Trumps position on negotiations over the war now aligns more closely with the Kremlin, which has been pushing for a comprehensive agreement instead of a ceasefire. Ukraine and European leaders have insisted that peace talks cannot take place without a ceasefire agreement first being agreed upon.

Read more: Why Trumps Summit in Alaska Cannot End Putins War in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that he had spoken to Trump following the summit and emphasized the need for a ceasefire, but did not outright counter Trumps desire for a full peace deal:

A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions, Zelensky wrote on X, though he continued. Killings must stop as soon as possible, the fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the sky, as well as against our port infrastructure.

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Speaking alongside Zelensky at a press conference on Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also emphasized the right sequence for negotiations: We want a ceasefire at the very beginning, and then a framework agreement must be drawn up.

Talks will continue on Monday afternoon when Zelensky visits the White House. The hope, Trump says, is to set up another call with Putin after that meeting.

"If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved," Trump added in his post.

Trumps shift comes after the high-stakes meeting between Putin and Trump at a summit in Alaska the first in-person encounter between the two leaders since 2019which ended with no concrete move toward a ceasefire deal, despite this being a main aim of the meeting.

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President Trump also spoke to European and NATO leaders, who have expressed support for Ukraine and Zelensky.

The leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland and Finland said Saturday that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that pressure and sanctions on Russia should continue. European countries are set to meet on Monday before Trump meets with Zelensky, and were reportedly invited to join the two leaders discussion, according to The New York Times.

Back at home, Democrats hit out at Trump for his courting of Putin.

Today, Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for authoritarian thug Vladimir Putin. Instead of standing with Ukraine and our allies, Trump stood shoulder to shoulder with an autocrat that has terrorized the Ukrainian people and the globe for years, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X. Our fear is that this wasnt diplomacyit was just theater.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Donald Trump has tried to put a positive spin on his failure of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but things are not as rosy behind the scenes.

Longtime Trump biographer Michael Wolff tells The Daily Beast Podcast that a member of the presidents inner circle texted him bluntly on Friday: F--ked.

The insider did not elaborate.

However, Wolff noted that it is clear that Trump left Alaska as the loser, and those in the presidents camp surely know it, too.

President Donald Trump faced criticism for applauding Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrived on a red carpet in Anchorage, Alaska. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

Trump got f---ed, he said, agreeing with The Washington Posts assessment that the summit was more pomp than substance. We got nothing out of this. This is, you know, this is really, really a loss for Trump, and potentially a loss for Ukraine.

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Trump, 79, raised eyebrows from the moment he arrived in Anchorage, starting with his team ordering U.S. airmen to roll out a red carpet to welcome Putin, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for his alleged role in the abduction of Ukrainian children.

Trump, after meandering his way to a meeting point, applauded Putin as he approached. F-35 fighter jets and a B-2 bomber completed a flyover. The men shook hands, smiled, and Trump invited the former KGB officer to take a ride inside the Beast, his presidential limo. Once inside, they smiled and waved.

A B-2 bomber and four F-35 fighter jets flew overhead as President Donald Trump greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

It was a grand welcome for a leader who invaded a U.S. ally, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, and the displacement of millions more. And what, exactly, did Trump gain by offering this extravagant PR gift to the Kremlin?

Practically nothing, Wolff says.

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It was a failure, he stated. There is nothing that [Trump] could say. So he decided to, and remember, he threatened, If we dont get a deal, Im going to walk away. Im going to do tariffs. Im going to do, you know, all of this. No, he did not do that. Instead, he basically embraced Vladimir Putin.

President Donald Trump was described as appearing defeated after his meeting on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was a reversal from Putins arrival, when the president smiled, clapped, and gave the Putin a warm welcome to Alaska. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

Critics of the president noted that he appeared defeated after his meeting with Putin. The two leaders briefly sat for what was billed as a press conference, but no questions were answered.

Podcast co-host and Daily Beast Chief Content Officer Joanna Coles said that Trumps relative silence at the news conference was particularly telling given that he is usually not one to pass up answering questions from shouting reporters. She added of Trumps cuddling up to Putin: Its embarrassing and its dirty.

Ultimately, though, Trump had not received assurances of a ceasefire, which is what he said he sought to achieve by scheduling the high-profile meeting.

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With his original objective dashed, Trump moved the goalposts. He claimed the summit was a success and that he no longer wants a ceasefire agreement, as they oftentimes do not hold up. That is likely unwelcome news to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been adamant that a peace deal cannot be reached until a ceasefire is put in place.

Sources told Axios that Trump called Zelensky to break the bad news while making the 3,500-mile trek home from Alaska on Air Force One, where Trump also sat for an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Trump and Zelensky spoke for an hour and a half in what Axios source described as a difficult conversation. Other European leaders joined the call in its final half hour, but their reactions were not recorded in the report.

There was a stark contrast in how President Donald Trump treated Vladimir Putin on Friday and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February, when the president berated the Ukrainian leader for failing to express sufficient thanks to the United States for its backing. / The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Im

Zelensky is due to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet Trump on Monday to discuss his countrys increasingly dire situation. By then, it will have been six months since his last visit, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance chastised him in an Oval Office ambush that famously went off the rails.

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In the meantime, the world is talking about Trump and Putin instead of Trump and the convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, which Wolff and Coles speculated may have been a deliberate move by the White House.

Still, Wolff cautioned Trump that fervor regarding his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein is not going anywhereno matter what sort of distractions may crop up. Trump has faced backlash from his supporters after his administration concluded Epstein died by suicide in prison, rather than being murdered, and no client list of wealthy co-conspirators existsthe subject of whirling conspiracies among his base.

Thats the thing about the Epstein [scandal], Wolff said. You just cant shake it off. It sticks.

Reached for comment, the White House provided a statement it has previously sent to the Daily Beast regarding Wolff.

Michael Wolff is a lying sack of s--t and has been proven to be a fraud, said Communications Director Steven Cheung. He routinely fabricates stories originating from his sick and warped imagination, only possible because he has a severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his peanut-sized brain.
President Donald Trump closed out his 30th week in office of his second term with a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, in an attempt to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The two did not reach a peace agreement, but Trump said that the meeting was a success and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the White House in Washington Monday.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump said in a Saturday post on Truth Social.

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If the meeting in Washington with Zelenskyy goes well, Trump said that a trilateral meeting between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine will be scheduled.

Trump described the meeting with Putin as "very warm," and said that he believed a deal was imminent.

"I can tell you, the meeting was a very warm meeting," Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview. "You know, hes a strong guy, hes tough as hell on all of that, but the meeting was a very warm meeting between two very important countries, and its very good when they get along. I think were pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it."

Read On The Fox News App

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Heres what also happened this week:

On Monday, Trump announced he would activate approximately 800 National Guard troops and would take over the Metropolitan Police Department to address crime in Washington. The move came after Trump already bolstered federal law enforcement presence in the nation's capital Saturday.

"I'm deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order and public safety in Washington, D.C.," Trump told reporters at a Monday press conference. "And they're going to be allowed to do their job properly."

Trump Takes Control Of Metro Police, Deploys National Guard To Take On Washington Crime

Members of Drug Enforcement Administration patrol on M Street in Georgetown Aug. 13, 2025, in Washington,

Trump initially suggested federalizing Washingtons Metropolitan Police Department and dispatching National Guard troops to address crime in Washington Aug. 6 in response to the assault of a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer.

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Although a temporary federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department is warranted for emergency situations, Washington officials filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administrations move Friday.

"By illegally declaring a takeover of MPD, the Administration is abusing its temporary, limited authority under the law," Washington Attorney General Brian Schwalb wrote in a Friday X post. "This is the gravest threat to Home Rule DC has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it."

The White House sent a letter to the Smithsonian Tuesday, announcing it would conduct a review of its museums and exhibits leading up to the 250th birthday of the United States in 2025.

"We want the museums to treat our country fairly," Trump told reporters Thursday. "We want their museums to talk about the history of our country in a fair manner, not in a woke manner or in a racist manner, which is what many of them, not all of them, but many of them are doing."

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"Our museums have an obligation to represent what happened in our country over the years. Good and bad," Trump said. "But what happened over the years in an accurate way."

American History Won't Be Displayed In A Woke Manner At Smithsonian, Trump Says

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History is seen from the Washington Monument on June 3, 2025, in Washington.

The White House said in a letter Tuesday the review would involve examining social media, exhibition text and educational materials to "assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals."

"This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the Presidents directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions," the letter said.

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White House Reviewing All Smithsonian Museum, Exhibit Content Before America 250 Celebration In 2026

The Smithsonian told Fox News Digital it would coordinate with the White House, Congress and its governing Board of Regents on the matter.

"The Smithsonians work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research and the accurate, factual presentation of history," the Smithsonian said in a statement.





Original article source: Trump closes out 30th week in office with 'very warm' high-stakes Putin meeting
There are a lot of reasons why people reach out to Teen Line, a Century City-based hotline that connects young people in crisis to trained teenage volunteers.

They call because someone is hurting them or they are afraid of hurting themselves. They text because an important relationship has ended or a troubling conflict has started. They feel disrespected, disregarded, dismissed.

At the heart of almost every call, text or email is the same cry of pain: Nobody is listening.

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So the teenagers on the receiving end do what they wish adults would make time for more often, the thing nobody seems to be doing enough of these days: They listen.

Almost every single time, for at least the length of a call or a chat session, its enough.

Even if their situation is really difficult, the best that we can do at the start is always just to listen, said volunteer Mendez, 18. (The volunteers last names are withheld to protect their privacy and anonymity.) And even if we don't have a solution for them, I feel like that is one thing that just helps them so much.

Teen Line volunteer Max, 15, speaks to The Times at Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center on Monday, Aug. 11. Max says what surprised her about taking hotline calls is that each call has a kernel of hope for the caller's future. (Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)

A project of the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, Teen Line is helping to fill an ever-widening gap between the need for mental health support and the resources available.

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The phone and text lines are available to youth throughout the U.S. and Canada, and the email address can be used by teens anywhere in the world. Volunteers fielded 8,886 calls, texts and emails in 2024. Managers expect the total will surpass 10,000 this year.

The percentage of high school students who report feeling consistently sad or lonely has risen steadily in the last decade. A study published last fall by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 39.7% of students said they experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and 20.4% had seriously considered dying by suicide.

At the same time, government spending cuts have hit many support services.

The Trump administration announced in April that it will stop paying $1 billion in federal grants that school districts nationwide have been using to hire psychologists and social workers.

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Read more: The mother of an L.A. teen who took his own life is fighting for a new mental health tool for LGBTQ+ youth

The "Big Beautiful Bill" that Congress passed in May proposes major cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which millions of Americans rely on to access mental healthcare for themselves and their kids.

In July, the administration removed an option on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline that allowed young people identifying as LGBTQ+ to connect directly with counselors specially trained in supporting queer youth. More than 1.3 million queer young people in the U.S. have used the service since its launch in 2022.

None of this has deterred the 60 to 70 young volunteers at Teen Line, who commit to 65 hours of initial training and a minimum of two five-hour shifts per month. The program receives no federal funding and relies entirely on grants and private donations.

Teen Line volunteers chat before the start of the shift. (Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)

Each evening, eight to 12 high school students file into a sunny office in Century City, often after a long day of classes, homework, practices and part-time jobs.

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They raid the snack room, settle into cubicles, pick up headsets and spend the next few hours talking and typing with fellow teens seeking support.

The lines are open for calls and texts from 6 to 10 p.m. Pacific Time each evening (the text option closes one hour earlier). Emails can be sent any time of the day or night.

They share an office with adult volunteers for the 988 hotline. With its collection of hand-painted canvases and stuffed animals, though, the Teen Line corner is easy to pick out in the sea of staid cubicles.

Didi Hirsch is by far the largest of the 12 centers in California that respond to 988. Last year, the organization fielded nearly 40% of the 454,146 calls to 988 placed in the state.

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Total calls to the crisis hotline this year have already surpassed last years number, with more than 462,000 calls from California alone, a Didi Hirsch spokesperson said.

People of any age can contact 988, teens included. But a call or text to Teen Line, which has its own 800 number, guarantees a response from a peer who likely understands better than most well-meaning adults what its like to be a teenager today.

The public discussion about the youth mental health crisis really becomes removed from the actual reality of what it's like to be a teen, because the people having these conversations aren't teens. They're people kind of trying to look through the window from outside the glass, said volunteer Max, 15.

The stereotype of todays teenagers as anxious loners hunched over their phones is limiting and inaccurate, she said, as four fellow volunteers nodded in agreement.

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Its not that teens are cut off from real life. Its that so much is coming at them that it can be hard to know how to field it all.

Teen Line volunteer Sydney, 17, holds one of the "emotional support" stuffed animals decorating the office. (Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)

Being a teen is a time of huge responsibility, but with so little control and so little power, Max continued. You're not the one making decisions about your education. You're not the one deciding where you live or what you're doing until you get to college, and there's so much pressure to succeed. ... We encourage them to think about their situation differently. We don't hand them a different set of cards, but we encourage them to approach it differently. And I think that's what teens need.

Teen Line isnt intended to be a replacement for long-term therapy or other necessary professional services, Didi Hirsch Chief Executive Lyn Morris said. But it can be a stepping stone for overwhelmed young people who arent sure where to turn or how to ask for help, she said.

Members of every generation have complained in adolescence that adults dont understand them. But given the number of stressors that didnt exist until recently  social media, school lockdown drills, accelerating climate change  todays teenagers are very often justified in feeling that way.

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Read more: Depression was rising among young people in Southern California. COVID made it worse

We dont have experience in that stuff, Morris said. Thank God the teens have each other.

Its too soon to know how cuts to 988 and other services will affect Teen Lines caller volume. Volunteers said theyre already hearing from people affected by recent policy changes. This includes teens who live in states that ban abortion and are worried that they might be pregnant, and those who tried calling the 988 suicide hotline but couldn't get through to any operators in their state.

In the meantime, for adults concerned about the adolescents in their own lives, volunteers offered some sage advice.

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Before whisking the phone away from a teen whos too absorbed in their screen, ask what theyre trying to distract themselves from. Listen to teens opinions when theyre moved to share them. And dont be afraid to say the hardest things out loud.

Beating around the bush can be really suffocating, said Jules, 17. Suicidal ideation, suicidal thoughts, self-injury, stuff like that  just not calling it for what it is can be really harmful. ... Just letting them get it off their chest, and not keep it in or be ashamed of their thoughts, can have a really big impact. You don't realize how much of a relief speaking and talking about it and being listened to can have.

If you're a young person in need of mental or emotional support, contact Teen Line by calling (800) 852-8336 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. PST; texting TEEN to 839863 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST; or emailing any time at www.teenline.org/email-us.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
US President Donald Trump is no longer insisting on an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine war after briefing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies about his summit in Alaska with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky will now travel to Washington on Monday for talks with Trump, both leaders announced on Saturday.

"The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

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He said that everyone agreed the best way forward was to directly reach a "peace agreement" to end the war rather than "a mere ceasefire agreement," which often does not hold. Before Friday's meeting with Putin, Trump had still been pressing for an immediate ceasefire.

Trump wrote of a "great and very successful day in Alaska."

He said that Zelensky will now come to Washington. If everything goes well, a meeting with Putin will then be arranged.

Zelensky posted in English on X that he was heading to Washington "to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war."

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Zelensky supports the Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting with Putin. "Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," he added.

Zelensky advocated for the inclusion of European representatives, especially on the issue of security guarantees for his country.

Zelensky and Trump had earlier had a phone conversation lasting about an hour. European leaders were later connected to the conversation, which lasted more than an hour and a half in total.

Trump informed Zelensky and the Europeans about the "main points of their discussion" with Putin, Zelensky said.

Kremlin: Meeting with Zelensky not yet on agenda

The Kremlin poured cold water on the prospect for a three-way meeting. Such a summit was not discussed so far in the joint efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television on Saturday.

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The date for the next meeting between Putin and Trump is also not yet known, Ushakov said.

Putin invited Trump to Moscow during a joint press conference at Friday's summit in the Alaskan city of Anchorage, he added.

During their approximately three-hour meeting on Friday, Putin and Trump discussed a possible end to the war, now in its fourth year. No concrete results were announced. Putin and Trump said that there would be further talks, without specifying the date and location.

Trump spoke of agreements on important points but did not provide details. Putin also mentioned agreements that he said could be a starting point for a solution to the Ukraine conflict.

Medvedev: Negotiations and war can run simultaneously

The summit in Alaska is proof that military operations and diplomatic means to end the Ukraine war can occur simultaneously, Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev said.

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"The meeting showed negotiations are possible without preconditions and at the same time as the continuation of the special military operation," Medvedev wrote on Telegram on Saturday, using Russia's official wording for the war waged on its neighbour since 2022.

Above all, the sides made it clear at the talks in Alaska that it is primarily up to Ukraine and the Europeans to bring an end to the fighting, stated Medvedev, who is the deputy head of Russias National Security Council.

Praising Friday's summit as a success for Russia, he said a fully-fledged mechanism for contacts at the highest state level had been created calmly and without ultimatums.

Putin had outlined Russia's conditions for ending the war at the meeting, Medvedev went on.

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As a result, the US had not put any further pressure on Russia, at least for the time being, he noted.

European leaders join call after Trump and Zelensky talk

According to the European Commission, the talks with Trump and Zelensky included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte - as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Further consultations among the European leaders followed. The EU ambassadors of the member states are to meet on Saturday for an extraordinary meeting to be briefed on the Alaska meeting.
President Donald Trump said on social media Saturday that a deal better than a mere Ceasefire is in the works with Vladimir Putin, hours after Trumps high-stakes summit with the Russian leader in Alaska failed to produce an agreement to halt Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Trump wrote overnight on his Truth Social platform that the meeting had gone very well. A later call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, various European Leaders and NATOs secretary general, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, apparently did, too.

Related: Covfefe All Over Again? Trump's Baffling 4-Letter Message Leaves Critics Guessing

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, Trump wrote shortly before 5 a.m.

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President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon, he continued. If it all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved.

Related: Trump Concedes He's Made No Progress On Achieving Top Campaign Promise

Trump promised during his presidential campaign last year to end the Russia-Ukraine war on his first day back in office. He told reporters on Wednesday that Russia would face very severe consequences if Putin continued fighting after their then-upcoming summit.

Trump rolled out an actual red carpet on Friday to welcome Putin to Alaska. The Russian leader, who was accused in 2023 of war crimes by the International Criminal Court, had U.S. sanctions against him waived to legally land on American soil.

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Trump told reporters after his meeting with Putin that their discussion had been fruitful.

I think everybody wants to deal with us, weve become the hottest country anywhere in the world in a very short period of time, he said. We look forward to that, we look forward to... Were going to try and get this over with, we really made some great progress today.

Trump greets Putin on the tarmac at the U.S. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press

Critics have noted that Trump left Alaska empty-handed, however, and that his failure to secure a ceasefire was a win for Russias leader. The official Democratic Party account on X wrote: Trump invited a dictator onto U.S. soil just to get his shit rocked.

A great and very successful day in Alaska! Trump wrote Saturday in his post.

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His joyous pre-dawn celebration indeed clashed with comments he made just a day prior. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the flight to Alaska, I want to see a ceasefire rapidly. I dont know if its going to be today, but Im not going to be happy if its not today.

Related: Trump Has A Stark Warning For Vladimir Putin Ahead Of Their Alaska Meeting

Everybody said it cant be today, but Im just saying I want the killing to stop, he added.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  In Kyiv, Ukrainians living under near daily Russian bombardment watched with astonishment as their countrys most important ally rolled out a red carpet in Alaska for the man they blame for over three years of war, bloodshed and loss.

Natalya Lypei, 66, a Kyiv resident, did a double-take. But the images flashing on her phone screen were real: U.S. President Donald Trump greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly and clapped as the Russian leader approached him, after having been escorted into the country by four American fighter jets.

Trump also ignored the arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court that has kept him mostly confined at home or in nations that are strong allies.

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How can you welcome a tyrant like that? she asked, echoing the thoughts of many Kyiv residents.

The red carpet treatment, the lack of concrete decisions for Ukraine and, most significantly, neglecting the significance of sanctions  a policy that could turn the tide in Kyivs favor  have felt like a betrayal for Ukrainians who have borne enormous suffering in the almost three-and-a-half years since Russias full-scale invasion.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian servicemen, the countrys bravest and most skilled, have been killed and wounded, thousands of civilians have been killed in Russian strikes, and a fifth of the country is under occupation, severing families, properties and Ukraines territorial integrity.

On Ukrainian social media, memes of Putin and Trump walking down a red carpet strewn with dead Ukrainian bodies were widely shared.

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Zelenskyy had anticipated the meeting would be a boon for Putin and that there would be very little in the way of results. Speaking to reporters in the days leading up to the meeting, he said it would end up being a public relations victory for the Russian leader. Above all else, he was seeking a photo on American soil  which he got in Fridays meeting.

It was the first time in a decade that Putin had stepped foot in the U.S., ending international isolation spurred by the 2022 Ukraine invasion; in other words, it was a win. For Lypei, whose serviceman son was killed last year, it was like attending another funeral, a fresh loss. This time, her countrys hopes for a just peace.

It hurts me a lot that my child died in a full-scale war, and today we saw a new funeral, she said. Her 34-year-old son fought with Ukraine's 79th Brigade and was killed in the Donetsk region, the very area Putin wants Ukraine to vacate as a condition for a truce.

I do not wish anyone that sorrow, that sadness, those tears," she said.

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Natalya Cucil, 60, another Kyiv resident said she was surprised that Trump did not produce any results from the meeting, despite his stated efforts to end the war.

There are no results and we dont know if there will be, although we always expect something and hope for it, she said.

Pensioner Anatolii Kovalenko, 72, said no matter what was discussed between the two leaders, it is clear his countrys adversary has won in the sphere of public relations.

Putin won this meeting 100%, he said.
President Donald Trump hand-delivered Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter from First Lady Melania Trump on the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia, according to a new report that cites White House officials.

Trump met with Putin for nearly three hours on Friday at a U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska. In their first meeting in six years the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine. Trump has pushed for peace in the region but no ceasefire deal came out of the talks.

Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia, wrote Putin a letter that mentioned the abductions of children in the over three-year war, which Trump gave to Putin at the summit, two White House officials told Reuters.

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The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

President Donald Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter from First Lady Melania Trump about missing children, according to White House officials (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

While the exact number of missing children remains unclear, the Institute for the Study of War reported in March Ukraine verified nearly 19,500 children have been deported by Russia. But the research non-profit said, The true figure is likely to be much higher because Russia frequently targets vulnerable children without anyone to speak for them.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of the war crimes of unlawfully deporting children and unlawfully transferring them from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the questions raised by the ICC outrageous and unacceptable, Reuters reported at the time. He also mentioned Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the court, so any decisions of this kind are null and void for the country.

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Prior to Fridays summit, Trump had spoken on the phone with Putin on several occasions, but it didnt seem to move the needle on the war in Ukraine. In recent months, Trump grew more frustrated with the Russian leader, as he continued his military campaign in Ukraine.

Trump met with Putin for nearly three hours on Friday at a U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Last month, Trump talked about Melania reminding him of the deadly toll of Russias bombardments on Ukraine.

I go home, I tell the first lady, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation. And she says, Oh really, another city was just hit, he said from the Oval Office.

Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia, mentioned the abductions of children in the Russia-Ukraine war in the letter, according to the officials (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

During a joint speech to reporters Friday, where neither leader took questions, Trump called his meeting with Putin very productive.

Later in a Fox News interview with host Sean Hannity, Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was notably not invited to the summit, to make a deal with Putin.
Hello its the weekend. This is The Weekender 

Each day of the second Trump administration brings some new piece of content that its hard to believe is real. On Thursday, that was a video of armed, masked Border Patrol officers lurking outside California Gov. Gavin Newsoms press conference on redistricting. On Friday, it was the official White House account posting a video of 20 federal agents arresting the D.C. man who threw a Subway sandwich at an officer during protests over the military takeover of the city. The videos blaring soundtrack, white timestamps on the screen, and choppy editing are straight out of Cops.

The clip is part of the massive ad blitz from the Trump team, which has enlisted the White House, Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement social media accounts to portray their admin as a macho immigration- and crime-fighting machine. A lot of their messaging is conveyed through memes, like Studio Ghibli-style AI images of crying immigrants being deported or AI alligators posing as ICE agents outside of their new migrant detention center in the Everglades. Another genre focuses on gear, like clips of big ICE pickup trucks hauling ass through the Capitol set to a DaBaby song. Other videos, like the latest one of Sean Charles Dunn getting arrested at his D.C. apartment, are overserious to the point of folly.

As my colleague David Kurtz put it in Morning Memo, its easy to dismiss all of this as absurd posturing, but the underlying urge toward violence continues to animate Trump and the MAGA movement in dangerous and unpredictable ways.

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These posts are an in-your-face reminder that this administrations goons are militarizing our neighborhoods. They have the power to tap Jeanine Pirro to charge you with a felony for hurling a footlong, which is what happened to Dunn. They will deport your family and friends, and then laugh about it.

In a piece on the administrations memes for WIRED, Tess Owen wrote that theyre used to reinforce an us vs. them mindset. Along with normalizing mass deportation, they also tap into Christian nationalist narratives and reach young men via callous jokes that have been recycled through the far-right online ecosystem.

Asked for comment for Tess piece, a White House spokeswoman said, We wont apologize for posting banger memes. A DHS spokeswoman called it a silly little story.

 Allegra Kirkland

Heres what else TPM has on tap this weekend:

MAGA personality Benny Johnsons White House press briefing room question  about whether Big Balls should receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom  served as a microcosm of our absurd political moment.

Ousted-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) comes out of retirement to fundraise against Californias attempt to redraw its congressional maps in order to offset the impact of Texas Republicans egregious midcycle gerrymander, a move theyre making at Trumps behest.

A look at the ways in which the Trump administration is setting itself up to politicize federal data, and the lengths it will go to shape information to fit the presidents made-up narratives.

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Lets dig in.

This Is How We Live Now

One moment last week encapsulated just how different things are in this second presidency of Donald Trump. It was all about Big Balls.

The telling exchange took place in a White House press briefing on Tuesday where MAGA personality Benny Johnson was occupying the new media seat and got to ask the first question. Johnson is one of the right wing influencers who have said they were unwittingly tricked into working with an alleged Russian influence operation during last years election. Hes also someone with whom this correspondent has a rather colorful history, so we knew there was a good chance it would get weird when he showed up to question the press secretary.

Johnson began with something that was more of a comment than a question. He took the opportunity to dispute the notion that Washington D.C. is a safe place to live and work before thanking Trump for his decision to bring federal forces in to police the city. Of course, crime has actually been declining in D.C. and the presence of troops and other federal agents in the city sets off all kinds of alarms about authoritarian overreach. Yet even after that setup, Johnsons moment in the briefing room got weirder when he turned to Edward Big Balls Coristine, the young staffer who supposedly inspired Trumps decision to call in the troops.

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Coristine, who used the nickname Big Balls online, first gained national attention earlier this year when he was outed as one of the young staffers working with Elon Musks DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) initiative. He has since gone on to work for the Social Security Administration. In the wee hours of August 3, according to a police report, Coristine and a female companion were the victims of an attempted carjacking by approximately 10 juveniles. The report said Coristine pushed the woman out of the way before he was assaulted by the group. Trump posted a picture of a bloodied Big Balls on his social media as he first threatened to federalize DC. The president has also said he personally called Coristine. But Johnson went a step further.

Given the heroic actions of a member of this administration just a few blocks from this building, will the president consider giving the presidential medal of freedom to Big Balls, Johnson asked.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded that perhaps its something he would consider. Afterwards, the whole situation continued to be super normal as Johnson sparred with critics and expressed joy hed gotten the phrase Big Balls into TV broadcasts.

Overall, the episode touched on so much of what is bizarre about the current climate. It was an example of the degradation of institutions like the briefing room, which has become a haven for extremist podcasters and influencers. It also showed how the DOGE minions are still around even after Musks departure. And it underscored the ridiculousness behind the very real decision to send military forces into the nations capital.

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It is all so very stupid  and so very serious at the same time.

 Hunter Walker

McCarthy Enters the Chat to Fight Newsoms Redistricting Bid

Your favorite ousted House Speaker is back.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has been reportedly working behind the scenes to rally his allies against California Democrats efforts to redraw their congressional map. While the blue state has guardrails in place to prevent the kind of hyper-partisan gerrymandering that Texas Republicans are currently engaged in, California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced a plan to ask voters about redrawing some congressional maps. Both Newsom and other blue state officials are looking for ways to get around their states independent redistricting commissions to draw new maps in order to offset the impact of what is happening in Texas.

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California Democrats are proposing a new state congressional map with adjusted boundaries which would create a partisan tilt and likely flip some U.S. House seats for Democrats.

McCarthy recently told his former home-state congressional delegation that hes aiming to raise $100 million for the opposition campaign, according to Politico.

The efforts in California come in response to the gerrymandering efforts led in Texas by the states Republican governor Greg Abbott and President Trump. Texas Republicans have been trying to approve new maps that would give five more seats to Republicans. Trump directed Texas Republicans to engage in the once-unheard of practice of midcycle redistricting to try to ensure that Republicans can maintain control of the U.S. House in the midterms.

 Emine Yucel

Fed Data is Only Accurate When Its Flattering to Trump, Trump Admin Says

Maybe Sharpiegate was too absurd to be a sufficient warning sign, but the Trump administration has, over the last two weeks, revealed the lengths it will go to shape information to fit the presidents made-up narratives.

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A lot has happened since Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer because he didnt like the story the BLS monthly job report revisions told  one of a slowing economy in response to Trumps economic policies.

Since then, Trumps advisers have rushed to suggest ways data should be collected and published instead. It all serves as a warning sign that the administration is gearing up to politicize data that is supposed to be truthful and independent.

In fact, when talking to a group of government statisticians this week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested independence and accuracy were separate ideas when it comes to federal economic data.

Independence is nonsense, he said. Accuracy is the only word that matters.

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With that in mind, Trumps economic advisor Stephen Miran pitched delaying the publishing of the monthly jobs report in an interview with Axios. And Trumps BLS commissioner nominee E.J. Antoni has posed the idea of doing away with the monthly report altogether, replacing it with a less frequent, far less timely survey instead.

Outside of his outlandish suggestion, Antoni has his own issues.

He just got his PhD a few years ago, Aaron Sojourner, a senior researcher at an employment research institute told me this week about Antonis nomination. Hes published one paper that has one citation from a colleague but has never been cited by anyone else. His dissertation has nothing to do with labor or statistics. Hes also a co-author of Project 2025 and has openly criticized the very agency hes now poised to lead.

The whole thing feels like an early-stage blueprint for manipulating federal data to benefit Trump politically.

 Layla A. Jones
Sharing an X post, President Murmu wrote, "Heartfelt greetings on Janmashtami! Lord Shri Krishna has shown the entire humanity the path of following duties according to righteousness while remaining dedicated to the welfare of all beings."

President Murmu asked the citizens to follow the path shown by Lord Krishna and strengthen the society and the nation.

"On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, let everyone resolve to follow the path shown by Lord Shri Krishna and strengthen society and the nation," the X post read.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to all countrymen on the occasion of Janmashtami and called it a sacred festival of faith.

Sharing an X post, PM Modi wrote, "Heartfelt Janmashtami greetings to all countrymen. May this sacred festival of faith, joy, and enthusiasm infuse new energy and zeal into your lives. Jai Shri Krishna!"

Janmashtami is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.

On the eve of Janmashtami, according to a press release from the President's Secretariat, the President of India had said, "On the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, a festival filled with joy and enthusiasm, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the Indians living in India and abroad."

President Murmu added, "The life and teachings of Bhagwan Shri Krishna inspire us towards self-development and self-realisation. Bhagwan Shri Krishna enlightened humanity about the attainment of the ultimate truth by following the path of Dharma. This festival inspires us to adopt eternal values embodied by Yogeshwar Shri Krishna. On this occasion, let us all take a pledge to follow the teachings of Bhagwan Shri Krishna and make our society and nation stronger". (ANI)
On his way to Alaska to meet Vladimir Putin, president Trump told Fox Newss Brett Baier that he wouldnt be happy if he left the summit without a ceasefire in Ukraine. Now, I say this, and I have said it from the beginning: This is really setting the table today, Trump said. Were going to have another meeting, if things work out, which will be very soon, or were not going to have any more meetings at all, maybe ever. In short, Trump was well aware that anything could have happened in Alaska on Friday.

In the event, after nearly three hours of talks, Trump and Putin stepped up to their lecterns touting unspecified progress and calling their discussions very productive. Putin, in his typical monotone, referred to the meeting with the US president as long overdue, cast blame on the Biden administration for allowing US-Russia relations to deteriorate, and credited Trump for at least being willing to meet face-to-face. Putin laid it on thick, going so far as to confirm Trumps repeated assertions that the war in Ukraine would never have happened if he had still been holding court in the White House in February 2022.

Trump, a man who likes to hear himself talk, was noticeably subdued at the press conference and said very little. He consistently claimed progress on the major topics of discussion without telling us what those topics were. Ever the gracious host (unless your name is Volodymyr Zelensky), Trump returned Putins flattery; the Russian leader, he commented, wanted peace in Ukraine as much as he did. Of course, theres very little evidence supporting that statement.

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When all was said and done, there was no peace deal in Ukraine. Nothing on the conflict was settled. The immediate ceasefire that Trump, Zelensky and the Europeans hoped to squeeze out of the Russian strongman was nowhere to be found. On the big items, the summit failed.

The two leaders say their goodbyes after the press conference - Anadolu

But none of this should have been a surprise. Anybody who has been monitoring the three-and-a-half year war will tell you that neither Putin nor Zelensky is prepared to cede their maximum negotiating positions. The differences between Moscow and Kyiv remain unbridgeable at this point in time, so much so that many foreign policy analysts in the West were wondering why Trump even bothered to fly to Alaska in the first place.

Zelensky wants a ceasefire before real negotiations begin; Putin wants to fight and talk simultaneously. Zelensky doesnt want to cede any Ukrainian territory that Russia doesnt already occupy, and he most certainly wont recognise Russias territorial gains; Putin wants Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms, withdraw and gift the entire Donbas region, as well as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, to him on a silver platter. Zelensky wants Western security guarantees; Putin doesnt want any Western involvement in Ukraines future defence at all. The divergences go on and on, and a single high-level meeting, particularly one to which Zelensky wasnt invited, was never going to resolve them.

As we await the readouts from the White House and anticipate what agreements, if any, were actually reached, Trump will be returning to Washington with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he can talk solace in the fact that his talks with Putin didnt break down, like the top-level diplomacy he instigated with North Koreas Kim Jong-un more than six years before. He may even be able to call this entire endeavour a win if further talks are scheduled in the future.

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Meanwhile, the nervous nellies in Europe will be relieved that Trump didnt negotiate swaths of Ukraine away to the Russians, a concern that nagged Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz to such an extent that an emergency summit with Trump was put in the calendar last Wednesday to talk him out of any moves he may have up his sleeve.

Trump, however, is probably also a bit peeved by the outcome. Although the Trump administration tried to set the bar low, the president himself also outlined his expectations for the summit: a ceasefire and, if all goes well, another meeting, this time with Zelensky in the room. Instead, hes leaving Alaska without the first item on his list and the second still up in the air. The fighting will go on as fiercely tomorrow as it did today.

The bottom line here is simple: Trump may aggrandise and boast about his remarkable dealmaking abilities, but on the war in Ukraine, he isnt the most important protagonist in the story. Trump can push, pressure, cajole and sweet-talk, but its Zelensky and Putin who will determine when the killing stops. As the US intelligence community wrote in a threat assessment earlier this year, both leaders for now probably still see the risks of a longer war as less than those of an unsatisfying settlement.

Plenty has changed in the months since those words were published. But Trumps big attempt at peacemaking notwithstanding, that conclusion still holds true.

Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities

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The Brief

President Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Monday, days after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump is now saying that an overall peace agreement  not a ceasefire  is whats needed to end Russias invasion.

Analysts say Trumps statements are now more aligned with Putin following their meeting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Monday in Washington with President Donald Trump, whose stance on ending Russias invasion of Ukraine has shifted to align with Russian President Vladimir Putin following their meeting Friday.

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Trump, who also held calls with European leaders Saturday, confirmed the White House meeting with Zelenskyy and said that "if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin."

What did Trump say after the meeting?

What they're saying

Trump is now saying that an overall peace agreement  not a ceasefire -- is the next step in ending the 3 1/2-year-old war. Putin has long said that Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce, and instead is seeking a long-term settlement that takes the Kremlins interests into account.

Trumps abrupt reversal was shared in a social media post on Saturday, hours after the summit in Alaska ended with no deal to stop the fighting.

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After calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump posted that "it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."

Trump and Ukraines European allies had been calling for a ceasefire ahead of any negotiations. Trump had warned ahead of the summit of "very severe consequences" for Russia if Putin doesnt agree to end the war.

Shifting towards Putin

Dig deeper

Trumps statement that a peace agreement should be reached before a ceasefire appears to indicate Trumps thinking is "shifting towards Putin," an approach that would allow Moscow to keep fighting while negotiating, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London.

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Trump rolled out the red carpet on Friday for Putin, who was in the U.S. for the first time in a decade and since the start of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But he gave little concrete detail afterward of what was discussed. On Saturday, he posted on social media that it "went very well."

Putin has "broken out of international isolation" and back on the world stage as one of two global leaders, and "wasnt in the least challenged" by Trump, who also ignored an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court, said Laurie Bristow, who was British ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2020.

"Unless Mr. Putin is absolutely convinced that he cannot win militarily, the fighting is not going to stop," Bristow told The Associated Press. "Thats the big takeaway from the Anchorage summit."

What did Zelenskyy say?

The other side

Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he had a "long and substantive" conversation with Trump early Saturday. He said they would "discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war" on Monday.

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It will be Zelenskyys first visit to the U.S. since Trump berated him publicly for being "disrespectful" during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting on Feb. 28.

US President Donald Trump greets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives at the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025. (Photo by TIERNEY L CROSS/AFP via Getty Images)

Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit.

"It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America," he said. "We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security."

He didnt elaborate, but Zelenskyy previously has said that European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a foreign troop presence in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop.

The Source

This report includes information from The Associated Press.
Donald Trump did not walk out of his meeting with Vladimir Putin in two minutes, which hed threatened to do earlier this week if he determined Russias leader wasnt serious about pursuing a lasting peace in Ukraine.



But after giving the Russian president a red carpet welcome and several friendly photo-ops, Trump was remarkably circumspect in a 12-minute post-meeting statement to reporters, essentially conceding that he hadnt gotten Russia to move much at all.



We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said, declaring the talks extremely productive and that many points were agreed to. But he acknowledged that there was no progress on one big one, seemingly an allusion to the ceasefire in Ukraine.

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After suggesting in the 48 hours leading up to the Alaska summit that his goal was a second, trilateral meeting that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump and Putin walked away without any concrete plans to meet again.



When Trump parted ways telling Putin hed probably see you again very soon, Putin replied gamely: Next time in Moscow. Trump called it an interesting proposal and that he could see it possibly happening.



Trump, as he promised he would, told reporters that he would soon call Zelenskyy and European counterparts to fill them in. It's ultimately up to them," he said.



Arrangements for a call with NATO allies were taking place shortly after Trump left the stage, according to two NATO officials, with hopes of scheduling one within hours.

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Putin, who flattered Trump in his own remarks, expressed a willingness to resolve the war in a way that addresses Ukraines security concerns as well as Russias. But his comments, referencing the fundamental threats to our security posed by Ukraine and his demand that a settlement must eliminate all the primary causes of the conflict," made clear he was not ready to concede much of anything.



"I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help bring us closer to that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine, Putin said.



Vague as it was, the joint appearance at Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson  both leaders stood together in front of a backdrop with the words 'Pursuing Peace  made plain that Trump wasnt about to impose on Putin the very severe consequences hed threatened earlier in the week in the event there was no progress toward ending the war.



The Russian leader, who has frustrated a succession of American presidents, appeared to have succeeded in buying himself additional time to ward off the additional economic sanctions Trump has at times threatened as his peacemaking efforts have stalled. Not only that, he left Alaska with the lasting visuals of a remarkably warm welcome.

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But Kyiv also avoided a worst-case scenario that some Ukraine backers had feared: Trump and Putin declaring that theyd reached a deal to end the conflict and amping up the pressure on Zelenskyy to sign off.



While Putin has shown little interest in ending a war he believes Russia is winning, the impasse laid bare in Anchorage may reflect that Trump has been shifting his position more in line with NATO allies in recent months and repairing his relationship with Zelenskyy after Februarys disastrous Oval Office meeting. Despite promising during his campaign that he could end the Ukraine war in short order, Trumps eagerness for a deal hasnt overtaken his more recent commitments to European allies, nor is he trying to bully Ukraine into accepting a peace deal on Putins terms as he did initially.



Still, Trumps clapping for Putin as he arrived on a red-carpeted tarmac and laughing with him during a short ride alone in his presidential limousine conveyed a striking degree of warmth toward a leader whose 2022 invasion of Ukraine has made him a global pariah  and one who Trump has been increasingly frustrated with in recent months for escalating the war.



The private meeting without aides in the back of the limousine played out shortly after the White House announced that the two leaders would not be sitting down alone as they had in the past, but with a couple of their top aides in the room.

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Trump brought Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with him into the room with Putin.



Leavitt also said there would be an expanded meeting over lunch with additional aides, but that didnt materialize, as the leaders went from their three-on-three meeting to what had been billed as a joint press conference.



But Trump, famous for holding court beside world leaders in the Oval Office as he answers questions from reporters, didnt take any.



Within an hour, both he and Putin had boarded their separate planes to depart Alaska.




Vladimir Putin will be delighted.

He flew to Alaska expecting to concede ground. Instead, he left having gained it.

Donald Trump had warned of very severe consequences if the Russian leader refused a ceasefire during their Anchorage talks. Yet, as so often before, the US president emerged echoing Putins talking points.

The Kremlin has long argued that there can be no halt to the war without tackling its root causes, which in Putins view means demilitarising Ukraine, toppling its government, forcing it to cede eastern territory and barring it from Nato.

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Now the leader of the free world appears to believe he has a point.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times does not hold up, Mr Trump wrote on social media.

Of the victories Putin secured in Alaska, this may be the sweetest. A timeline for peace talks  one Moscow will surely seek to manipulate and delay  will emerge in due course. In the meantime, Russia is free to keep waging war, seizing territory and terrorising Ukraines cities.

With no resolution to the Alaska summit, Ukrainian cities such as Kiev remain at risk of further attack - Getty Images

European leaders had pleaded with the US president not to abandon the demand for an immediate ceasefire. They failed. By Saturday morning, they were scrambling to respond.

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They may have been infuriated that Mr Trump had reneged on the central purpose of his mission in Anchorage, which he himself had defined as securing a truce. They may have wondered what had become of the sanctions, secondary tariffs and other serious consequences he had threatened should Putin prove obdurate. But they knew better than to risk antagonising him.

Instead, Sir Keir Starmer and his European counterparts tempered their frustration with praise, applauding Mr Trump for suggesting that the US could join Europe in offering Ukraine security guarantees in the event of a peace deal. That, at least, was progress of sorts.

They then guardedly laid out their objections. No limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or its cooperation with third countries, the statement read. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to [the] EU and Nato.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.

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It was, in truth, a rearguard action. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, will fly to Washington on Monday to urge Mr Trump to revive the threat of tougher sanctions if Putin tries to evade an honest end to the war. But optimism is in short supply.

Relief in European chancelleries that there was no outright carve up of Ukrainian territory cannot disguise the dismay  and bewilderment  at how readily the US president once again appeared to yield.

Although Mr Trump kept to his promise not to sign away Ukrainian land there and then, he made clear that he could be willing to do so in the future.

In a call with European leaders, he said he believed peace could be achieved swiftly if Mr Zelensky agreed to give up the entire Donbas to Russia, including areas not occupied by its troops.

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Not only would this award Putin territory his forces failed to capture on the battlefield, it would also cast Mr Zelensky as the obstacle to peace if he refused.

Now it is really up to President Zelensky to get it done, he told Fox News, giving the impression that he had somehow secured concessions for Ukraine at the talks.

During the talks, Putin reportedly offered to freeze front lines elsewhere if Ukraine surrendered the Donbas - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP

Yet it remains hard to see what, if anything, he persuaded Putin to yield. The Russian leader reportedly offered to freeze the existing front lines in two other contested regions  Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  if Ukraine surrendered the Donbas. As proposals go, it was neither new nor appetising.

Mr Zelensky will have to tread carefully as he formulates a response. Wary of provoking a backlash, his initial reaction avoided any outright rejection of peace on Putins terms.

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Yet the deal now on the table appears so one-sided that it is difficult to see him accepting it, however intense Mr Trumps inevitable pressure.

Ukrainians are weary of war. Growing numbers are reluctant to fight, but most would rather endure than submit to a humiliating capitulation.

When he meets Mr Trump on Monday, Mr Zelensky is therefore likely to emphasise the positives. Giorgia Meloni, Italys prime minister, said her proposal to provide Ukraine with security guarantees similar to Natos Article 5  an attack on one is an attack on all  had found favour in the White House.

Such a clause, she said, would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the US, ready to take action if it is attacked again.

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Sir Keir was swift to welcome the openness of the United States in providing robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal.

As the Prime Minister surely knows, however, robust guarantees remain a long way off  and what Mr Trump means by being ready to take action may fall far short of what Ukraine deems necessary to live securely alongside its threatening neighbour.

Trump appeared uncharacteristically subdued at the press briefing with Putin afterwards - Reuters /Gavriil Grigorov

The White House will seek to present the Alaska summit as the essential beginning of patient diplomacy to end a war of this magnitude. Perhaps that claim will be vindicated, bolstering Mr Trumps cherished case for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Shortly before the summit, he reportedly phoned Norways finance minister to suggest the honour should be his once he had secured peace. Perhaps that helps explain why he chose not to challenge Putin after all.

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At an uncharacteristically brief press conference, Mr Trumps body language suggested that, deep down, even he knew he had been bested in the so-called Tumble in the Tundra.

The president, who revels in projecting dominance, looked subdued and uncertain, ceding the floor to Putin, making only a short statement of his own and taking no questions. The Russian leader achieved what no other world figure has managed: silencing Mr Trump on home soil.

For critics, the summit simply showed Mr Trump indulging Putin once again, exposing anew the hollowness of his threats.

Before the talks began, observers saw three possible outcomes: Mr Trump might confront Russia, sell out Ukraine, or abandon the effort entirely. For now, he seems to have ruled out the first, is edging towards the second and may yet do the third.

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In the meantime, Putin can revel in a treble victory. He has been elevated from pariah to honoured guest  a stark contrast to Mr Zelenskys White House humiliation in February  spared any new punishment for the slaughter in Ukraine, and granted the freedom to continue inflicting it.

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US President Donald Trump has said that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy want him to be present at a potential future meeting to discuss ways of achieving peace.

Source: CNN citing Trump in an interview with Fox News

Quote: "They both want me there. They both want me there, and I'll be there."

Details: When asked whether he was confident peace could be achieved in a relatively short period of time, Trump replied: "Fairly short, yeah."

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Trump also admitted he was wrong to believe that Russia's war against Ukraine would be "the easiest" of all conflicts to resolve, which is why during his election campaign he promised to end the war within 24 hours.

Quote: "I thought this would be the easiest of them all, and it was the most difficult."

Background:

The meeting between Trump and Putin concluded with no agreements reached and no ceasefire in Ukraine announced, despite both leaders claiming "great progress" was made.

After the meeting in Alaska, Trump said that it is now up to Zelenskyy to reach a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine.

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US President Donald Trump on Friday said a deal to end the war in Ukraine could be within reach following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

"I think we are pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it," Trump told Fox News in an interview after the meeting. "Ukraine has to agree. I mean, you know, President [Volodymyr] Zelensky has to agree," he added.

It was initially unclear whether Trump had already briefed Zelensky on the results of the talks at the time of the interview.

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When asked what advice he would give Zelensky after the Alaska summit, he replied: "Make a deal." The US president described Russia as "a very big power" and Ukraine as not.

On how close a deal might be, Trump said: "I always say, if I'm really close, I say 50:50, because so many things can happen. But I think President Putin would like to solve the problem."

The US president repeated several assessments he had made at a brief joint appearance with Putin after the almost three-hour summit. At that appearance, Trump said the two leaders agreed on many points but had not yet reached a shared objective.

Journalists were not allowed to ask questions and no details of the discussions or any written agreement were released.
President Donald Trump has promised a Peace Agreement to end the war in Ukraine following his summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, dropping his demand for a ceasefire and sparking fears he is moving closer to Putins position.

Trump had phone calls overnight with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  who travels to Washington for talks on Monday  and European leaders.

But the shift in stance has sparked fears that Trump has adopted Putins position, as European leaders reiterated that borders cannot change through force and analysts warned of potentially disastrous consequences.

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A great and very successful day in Alaska! Trump posted on Truth Social early Saturday after he returned to The White House. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

A blaze in a residential area of Sloviansk, Ukraine, after a powerful explosion Thursday. (Kostiantyn Liberov / Getty Images)

Ahead of the Alaska summit, Trump told Zelenskyy and European leaders during a call on Wednesday that he was going into the meeting with Putin with the goal of securing a ceasefire, according to two European officials and three other people briefed on the call.

Trump and his counterparts agreed that a ceasefire would have to be implemented before peace negotiations could begin, they said, but that stance seemed to shift dramatically after his discussions with Putin.

Later Saturday, Zelenskyy said following a call with Trump that we must achieve a real and lasting peace, not just a pause between Russian invasions.

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A joint statement from European leaders  including France, Italy, Germany, Britain, Finland and Poland, as well as the presidents of the European Commission and European Council  did not directly acknowledge Trumps reversal but said further talks must include Zelenskyy, and that it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory.

While the substance of the Alaska summit remains unclear, Trumps remarks have raised new questions about the direction of the peace process.

It does sound very much as though Putins arguments have prevailed over those of European leaders, who were insistent that a ceasefire had to be in place for negotiations to begin, Keir Giles, a senior fellow at London-based think tank Chatham House told NBC News.

The danger lies in the possibility that Trump may also have become convinced that Russias demands on Ukraine are valid, he added, calling such an outcome disastrous, not only for Ukraine, but also for the security of Europe.

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Those Russian demands remain sweeping.

They include that Ukraine cedes all the territory Putin claims to have annexed and an agreement of permanent neutrality, with a ban on joining NATO. Moscow claims sovereignty over four Ukrainian regions  Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  in addition to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.

Russian forces do not fully control the territory in those regions, and Kyiv has repeatedly vowed never to recognize their annexation.

Ukrainian leaders have insisted that any peace deal must include security guarantees from Western allies to ensure Russia cannot launch another offensive in the future. European leaders said Saturday that Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to E.U. and NATO [membership].

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But Peter Watkins, an associate fellow at Chatham House, says Russia has given no indication of softening its demands, casting doubt on hopes for peace.

The Russian strategic calculus is that theyre better off just continuing to grind away rather than agree to a ceasefire, he said. If the Russian demands havent changed, then it is difficult to see how theres going to be a peace agreement.

But not all observers see Trumps shift as entirely negative.

Balazs Jarabik, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, argued that it could ultimately be beneficial for both Ukraine and Europe.

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Kyiv is losing the war of attrition, while Europe faces a large gap between its strategic posture and its actual capacity to support the war, he wrote on X. A framework for regulating the conflict could provide all parties, including Russia, with room to stabilize the situation.

Meanwhile, fighting on the ground has not slowed.

Russian drone strikes hit multiple regions of Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian officials said, even as the Trump-Putin summit unfolded in Alaska. Confirmed strikes include missile and UAV hits: 24 drones struck 12 locations, Ukraines air force said in a statement.

And in the absence of a breakthrough, critics say the optics of the Alaska summit may have played to Putins advantage while his nation continues its offensive.

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Putin got his red carpet treatment with Trump, while Trump got nothing, Wolfgang Ischinger, the head of the Munich Security Conference, wrote on X. For the Ukrainians: nothing. For Europe: deeply disappointing, he added. A clear 10 for Putin.

The Russian delegation in Alaska also appeared pleased with the summit.

Kirill Dmitriev, a Putin adviser who heads Russias sovereign wealth fund, posted a clip Friday on X showing an encounter with a bear in Alaska that he hoped would provide good omens for the meeting.

Bear was indeed a good sign, he said Saturday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
US President Donald Trump has published a separate post with the results of his talks with the Russian leader in Alaska, stating that he would prefer to negotiate a peace deal rather than a ceasefire.

Source: Trump on Truth Social, European Pravda

Details: Trump reiterated that he believes the meeting with Putin "went very well" and that it was "a great and very successful day".

"The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European leaders, including the highly respected secretary general of NATO," the US president said. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president  ed.]

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"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump continued.

The president confirmed that he will receive Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on the afternoon of 18 August.

"If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin," Trump added, without specifying whether he meant a bilateral or trilateral format.

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A correspondent for The Economist has learned from sources that the leaders of Russia and the US reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on a temporary "air ceasefire".

Source: European Pravda, citing The Economist correspondent Oliver Carroll on X (Twitter), who did not name his sources

Quote: "Im told there is a provisional agreement of an air ceasefire until three-way leaders meeting."

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Details: "We think the skies will give signals about provisional results of these talks. The next week will be interesting," Carroll quoted his anonymous sources.

No official statements regarding such an agreement have been made so far.

Background:

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United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a joint press conference after meeting for nearly three hours in Alaska about the future of the Ukraine war. The two leaders took zero questions, provided scant details and did not announce any agreement or ceasefire.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited the flood-affected areas in Kishtwar district to assess the damage caused by flash floods earlier this week. His convoy reached Gulabgarh in the Padder block and is proceeding towards Chashoti village, one of the worst-hit locations, to review the ongoing relief and rescue operations. On Friday, Abdullah confirmed that around 60 bodies had been recovered from Chasoti village in Kishtwar district after a devastating flash flood struck on Thursday. He said the number of missing persons was still being verified. "Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. After the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the Administration could have taken any preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed. The rescue operation by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Administration is underway. Workers of different political parties are also working on the ground," Omar Abdullah told reporters. Rescue and relief efforts are continuing with the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police and local administration on site. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also visited the affected areas in Chesoti late on Friday evening to take stock of the situation. According to sources, the Indian Air Force has been placed on standby to assist with the operations. Two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter have been kept ready at Jammu and Udhampur for deployment. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, expressed solidarity with those affected by recent natural disasters across the country. "Nature is testing us...Over the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people," he said from the Red Fort. (ANI)
Donald Trump has said he would prefer a permanent peace agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war over a temporary ceasefire.

Writing on Truth Social after leaving a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska without reaching any deal, the US president said that ceasefires "often times do not hold up".

Trump had earlier said that "great progress" was made during the meeting but "we didn't get there" when it came to a deal.

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On his flight back to Washington, he held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who later said he would travel to Washington DC on Monday.

Trump said it had been "a great and very successful day in Alaska" after arriving back in Washington.

He added that the meeting with Putin had gone "very well", as had phone calls with Zelensky, European leaders and Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up," he wrote.

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"If all works out" with Zelensky on Monday "we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin", Trump added.

Zelensky said that a "real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions".

Putin and Trump's arrival at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage was carefully choreographed.

The Russian president, who is facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, stepped off his jet and onto a red carpet to be warmly received by Trump.

Over the roar of a B2 bomber overhead, the two leaders posed for photos before climbing in Trump's presidential vehicle, known as The Beast.

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But despite the pageantry and public shows of geniality - as well as the Kremlin's earlier estimate that the meeting could last six or seven hours - Trump and Putin emerged less than three hours later with just a joint statement to the press.

Putin said that, in order to make a "settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict" in Ukraine.

The phrasing indicated that Putin has not budged from his longstanding position that Ukraine should withdraw from four regions partially occupied by Russia - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - and give up its efforts to join Nato.

Zelensky has ruled out ceding territory, saying it would embolden Russia to invade again in the future, as it had in 2022 eight years after illegally annexing Crimea.

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Putin also urged Ukrainians and Europeans to "not throw a wrench" into the peace process. Trump remained silent as his guest spent about eight minutes addressing the media.

After being given the floor, the US president said he had a "fantastic relationship with President Putin. Vladimir".

Even though "many points were agreed", he said, "a few" remain, adding that "one is the most significant" - without specifying. Neither took questions.

The two also did not attend the planned bilateral "working lunch" that was set to follow the talks.

Donald Trump boards Air Force One as he departs Alaska [Reuters]

Trump's follow-up interview on Fox News offered little else.

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The meeting went "very well", Trump told host Sean Hannity, adding "maybe we'll have a good result".

Heading into the Alaska meeting, Trump had threatened "very severe consequences" if his Russian counterpart did not agree to end the war.

In July, he said he would impose 100% secondary tariffs targeting Russia's remaining trade partners if a peace deal was not reached within 50 days.

But questioned on Fox on those threats, Trump said: "We don't have to think about it today. Maybe in two weeks, three weeks."

Asked about a possible trilateral summit including Zelensky, Trump said: "They both want me there and I'll be there," without giving a date or location for meeting.

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Zelensky and Trump had a lengthy call on the flight back to Washington, before other Nato leaders including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined the conversation.

Zelensky said he supported Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting and that sanctions against Russia should be strengthened if Moscow "tries to evade an honest end to the war".

"All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine's participation, and no issue, particularly territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine," he added.

He noted "positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security" - something European allies have called for as part of a combined effort to prevent another conflict.

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Monday's meeting at the White House will be Zelensky's first since he was hectored by Trump and his vice-president, JD Vance, in an explosive meeting in February.

They appeared to reconcile at Pope Francis's funeral in April, in what the White House described as a "very productive"15-minute meeting.
At first glance, the similarities between the photographs are uncanny.

In both, a senior American politician appears to be lecturing a Russian leader, with an anxious-looking translator of similar build and hairstyle standing tensely between them.

Richard Nixon, jaw clenched, jabs a finger as he berates Nikita Khrushchev during the famous Kitchen Debate of 1959. Donald Trump wears a similarly stern expression, his outstretched finger hovering near Vladimir Putins lapel.

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But even if the camera never lies, it can mislead.

Nixon and Khrushchevs clash was authentic. Then serving as Dwight Eisenhowers vice-president, Nixon was touring an exhibition at Moscows Sokolniki Park designed to showcase the wonders of American consumerism. The Soviets had just held a counterpart fair in New York, trumpeting Russian culture and technology.

Nixon, then the US vice-president, clashes with Soviet president Khrushchev during the famous Kitchen Debate - Elliott Erwitt/Magnum photos

Khrushchev was tetchy, mocking the practicality of the goods in the model American home that formed the exhibitions centrepiece. The two men traded sharp words about the merits of capitalism in its kitchen. Enraged by Nixons tone, Khrushchev warned of very serious consequences.

The mood in Alaska could hardly have been more different. Putin came not to hector Mr Trump about the failings of capitalism but to flatter him  insisting he was a visionary leader robbed of victory in the 2020 election by postal fraud.

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While there were warnings of consequences, these came from Mr Trump who, before landing in Anchorage, threatened reprisals if Putin failed to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Yet when Putin refused, the threats evaporated amid the warmth of the encounter.

A closer historical parallel might be Khrushchevs 1961 summit with John F Kennedy, the former US president, in Vienna, a bruising encounter overshadowed by the Berlin crisis that culminated in the construction of the wall that came to divide the city.

Kennedy was ill-prepared  a charge that has also been levelled at Mr Trump  and came off second best, though he was more candid in admitting it. Worst thing in my life, he confided to a reporter afterwards. He savaged me.

There were other Cold War echoes in Anchorage not least in the summits sense of global importance, reminiscent of great-power showdowns at the heigh of superpower rivalry. Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, even turned up a sweatshirt emblazoned with the single word: USSR.

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But the fundamental difference is stark. During the Cold War, Soviet and American leaders confronted each other across an immense ideological divide. Today, the two presidents give every impression of standing on the same side.

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President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up a nearly three-hour summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday without securing an agreement to end Russias war in Ukraine  Trumps stated goal for the talks.

At a joint press conference, Trump described the meeting as productive but was vague on specifics, saying, Many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left. He added, Weve made some headway. So theres no deal until theres a deal. The joint press appearance was brief and did not include a question-and-answer session, leaving many details unresolved.

Putin reiterated Russias position, saying, Were convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all of the primary causes of the conflict, referring to Moscows demands that Ukraine cede territory, disarm, forgo NATO membership, and change its government  conditions Ukraine and its Western allies have largely rejected.

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He said the conflict has to do with fundamental threats to our security and urged Kyiv and European capitals not to throw a wrench in the works.

The summit  Putins first U.S. visit in a decade  featured a warm welcome, with Trump greeting him on a red carpet, a B-2 bomber flyover, and a shared ride in the U.S. presidential limousine without an interpreter.

Today President Trump was saying that if he was president back then there would be no war, and Im quite sure that it would indeed be so, Putin said, endorsing Trumps claim that Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine would not have occurred under his leadership.

Trump, who once vowed to end the war in 24 hours, acknowledged the challenges complexity, saying on Air Force One, Im not here to negotiate for Ukraine, Im here to get them at a table.

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He expressed hope for a rapid ceasefire, stating, I want to see a ceasefire rapidly  I want the killing to stop, and mentioned possible security assurances for Ukraine, though not in the form of NATO membership. He added he would soon call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders to discuss the talks.

Russian commentators celebrated the summit as a diplomatic win for Putin, with Andrei Gurulyov, a retired general and Russian parliament member, writing on Telegram that Putins unwavering stance was a breakthrough as he explained the wars reasons face to face to Trump.

Russian state television repeatedly aired the press conference, with one anchor noting, Its clear from the statements made by both presidents that a huge step forward has been made.

Ukrainian officials expressed concern, with Oleksandr Merezhko, a parliamentary foreign affairs chairman, calling the summit a public relations victory for Putin, who used Trump to show that he is not isolated.

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Zelenskyy, who was not invited, warned that Russia continued attacks during the talks, noting a missile strike in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region that day killed one person.

Its time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America, he wrote on Telegram.

The summit, attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff, and Russian officials Yury Ushakov and Sergei Lavrov, ended earlier than anticipated, skipping a planned second session.

Putin invited Trump to a future meeting in Moscow, to which Trump responded, Ooh, thats an interesting one. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.
US President Donald Trump said he rated his meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin as a 10 out of 10 and has decided not to impose sanctions on Russia in the near future.

Source: Trump in an interview with Fox News

Details: Trump said he would give the meeting a high mark because they "got along great".

Although no agreement was reached, he called the summit a success, rating it as a 10.

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Quote: "I think the meeting was a 10 in the sense that we got along great.

And it's good when two big powers get along, especially when they're nuclear powers.

You know, we're number one, they're number two in the world, and it's a big deal. That's a big deal."

Details: Trump also made it clear that he would refrain from introducing additional sanctions or other tough consequences for Russia, after concluding that his meeting with Putin went "very well".

Quote: "Because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that.

Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something. But we don't have to think about that right now."

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Background:

Bloomberg reported that the United States was considering imposing sanctions on the Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil as part of a package of measures aimed at forcing Putin to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine.

Ahead of his meeting with the Kremlin leader, Trump reiterated that Putin will face severe economic consequences if he has no interest in ending the war in Ukraine.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump will make it clear to Putin that all options remain on the table regarding the possible easing or tightening of sanctions against Moscow.

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President Donald Trump has rated his meeting with Vladimir Putin as a 10 out of 10, despite leaving Alaska without a ceasefire deal and providing little detail on what he achieved from the summit.

Speaking after his high-stakes meeting with Putin, Trump also put the onus on Ukraine to end the war that Russia started, declaring, Its really up to Zelensky to get it done.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. / DREW ANGERER / AFP via Getty Images

Its still not a done deal at all, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity on Friday.

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And Ukraine has to agree. But its a terrible war and theyre losing a lotboth of them areand hopefully it can get completed.

What exactly Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would have to agree to is not yet clear, as Trump refused to tell even Hannity, one of his most loyal, high-profile cheerleaders.

But ahead of the meeting, the president had said that any progress would probably involve Ukraine giving up territory to Russia as well as its ambitions to enter NATO.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to the press on Aug. 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, but did not take a single question as the president said no deal had been reached. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Asked how he would grade the summit on a scale of one to 10, the president replied, I think the meeting was a 10 in the sense that we got along great. And its good when, you know, two big powers get alongespecially when theyre nuclear powers.

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Fridays summit at Alaskas Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson was Putins first time on U.S. soil in 10 years.

After years of being frozen out by the West, the Russian president had been invited by Trump to Alaska in the hope of brokering a deal to end the war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022 when Putin tried to claim the country as his own.

Its interesting because someone said if I get this settled, Ill get the Nobel Peace Prize, said Trump, who has also helped to broker peace agreements in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

But what about the other six wars or whatever? I mean those are big.

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He also shared two of the things the pair discussed during their three-hour meeting: the 2020 election, which they both agreed was rigged, and the investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election.

Trump: "Vladimir Putin said something -- one of the most interesting things. He said 'your election was rigged because you have mail in voting.' He said, 'mail in voting, every election -- no country has mail in voting. It's impossible to have mail in voting and have honest pic.twitter.com/glEXFHWp6u  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 16, 2025

Putin said one of the most interesting things, Trump recalled.

He said your election was rigged because you have mail-in voting And he said that to me because we talked about 2020. He said, You won that election by so much.

The president also used the interview to heap praise on his Russian counterpart, whom the U.S government has previously sanctioned and who also faces arrest warrants for war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court.

President Donald Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a warm welcome at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug. 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Hes a strong guy, tough as hell, Trump said.

He also offered advice to Zelensky: Make a deal.

Russia is a very big power, and theyre not, the president said of Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump talked up his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity following a summit between the two world leaders.

Trump and Putin met on Friday in Alaska to discuss Russias ongoing war with Ukraine. The meeting failed to produce a ceasefire agreement.

If you had to grade it on a scale of one to 10? Hannity asked Trump of the summit on his show Friday night.

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So I think the meeting was a 10 in the sense we got along great, the president responded. And its good when, you know, two big powers get along, especially when theyre nuclear powers.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he's "always" had a "great relationship" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Hannity also asked Trump what the vibe was after the two presidents planes first landed in Alaska.

Well, you know I always had a great relationship with President Putin, and we would have done great things together, Trump replied, touting Russias incredible land with the rare earth, the oil, gas, everything.

He added that he and Putin were stopped from doing a lot of great things by what he called the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax.

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Elsewhere in the interview, Trump reiterated his dubious assertions that the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Joe Biden, was rigged. This time, he claimed that Putin agreed with him, and that the Russian president said war never would have broken out if Trump had been in office.

Related: Trump Writes Post About Moscow That's Absurd Even For Him

It was very interesting because we talked about 2020, Trump stated. He said, You won that election by so much, and thats how he got it. He said, and if you would have won, we wouldnt have had a war.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
President Donald Trump rated his closely-watched summit Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin a "10" out of 10 and touted "very good progress" in the road to peace in Ukraine, but said "there's no deal until there's a deal," in an exclusive interview on "Hannity."

"I can tell you, the meeting was a very warm meeting," President Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity. "You know, hes a strong guy, hes tough as hell on all of that, but the meeting was a very warm meeting between two very important countries, and its very good when they get along. I think were pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it."

Hillary Clinton Says She'd Nominate Trump For Nobel Prize If He Brokers Peace Between Russia, Ukraine

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The two world leaders gathered in Alaska on Friday afternoon in hopes of peacefully working towards an end to the war in Ukraine. On Air Force One, President Trump said he was meeting with the Russian leader to "save a lot of lives" and expressed hopes for a ceasefire in the future. The commander-in-chief later reported the summit was "extremely productive," but that they were "not there yet" on ending the conflict.

"There were many, many points that we agreed on, most of them, I would say," Trump told the press following the meeting. "A couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there, but we've made some headway. So, there's no deal until there's a deal."

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - AUGUST 15: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed similar sentiments, adding the summit was a "constructive atmosphere of mutual respect."

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Trump told "Hannity" the leaders "spoke very sincerely," and he thinks Putin "wants to see it [a deal] done."

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - AUGUST 15: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) hold a meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska.

The next steps in peace talks include calls between President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other NATO leaders. Trump told "Hannity" he would advise Zelenskyy to "make a deal."

"They're fighting a big war machine, and we, I think, are close to a deal, but I don't like saying it. I always say, if I'm really close, I say 50-50 because so many things can happen. But I think President Putin would like to solve the problem, and it was a problem that should have never happened. This was a war. All of those families have lost somebody, and I have a book of thousands of people. They presented me with it today. Thousands of people, prisoners, that will get released. "

Trump revealed that he is willing to be at a peace meeting between the Putin and Zelenskyy.

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"Now, it's really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done, and I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but it's up to President Zelenskyy ... and if they'd like, I'll be at that next meeting," he said. "They're going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself, I guess. You know, I didn't ask about it  but I want to make sure it gets done and we have a pretty good chance of getting it done."

Putin stated during the press conference that he "can confirm" President Trump's previous statements that a war would not have broken out under the Trump administration. Trump told Fox News he believes it happened under the Biden administration due to "gross incompetence."

"I love seeing this country be great again and Vladimir said just a little while ago, he said, 'I've never seen anybody do so much so fast.' He said, 'Your country is like... hot as a pistol,' and a year ago, he thought it was dead. Everybody thought it was dead," Trump said.

Ultimately, the president stressed the importance of finding an end to the conflict for the sake of the people.

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"If we get this solved, its a really big day because were going to save a lot of lives," he said.

Fox News Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump rates Putin summit a '10 out of 10' and touts 'very good progress' toward peace
President Donald Trump was tight-lipped after his high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday but offered some key insight into the meeting to Fox News Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview.

Here are the key takeaways from Trumps highly anticipated meeting with the Russian leader as shared with Hannity.

Trump told Hannity that "as far as Im concerned, theres no deal until theres a deal." He noted, however, that "we did make a lot of progress."

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The president noted to Hannity that he believes Putin is not only open to peace but that he "wants to see it done."

Trump Says He 'Won't Be Happy' If Putin Does Not Agree To A Ceasefire In Ukraine During Alaska Summit

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025.

Pressed by Hannity to share what the "one big issue you dont agree on" that kept the leaders from walking away with a ceasefire deal, Trump declined to share. He said, "No, Id rather not. I guess somebodys going to go public with it, theyll figure it out, but no, I dont want to do that, I want to see if we can get it done."

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After taking such a major step as to physically meet with the Russian president, Trump said it is now "up to [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy to get it done and maybe the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit."

The president said he would be open to attending a trilateral meeting with the presidents of Ukraine and Russia, saying, "If theyd like, Ill be at that meeting. Theyre going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself, I guess, not that I want to be there, but I want to get it done."

He added, "Ill be there."

Putin Praises Trumps Sincere Peace Efforts, Signals Possible Us-russia Nuclear Deal

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Trump said he would rate the meeting a 10 out of 10, saying, "I think the meeting was a 10 in the sense that we got along great."

Asked what he thought finally brought Putin to the negotiating table, Trump answered, "I dont want to say anything brought him, hes a very smart guy, nothing brought him to the table, so to speak."

"I think he respects our country now, he didnt respect it under Biden, I can tell you that, he had no respect for it."

Trump also commented that he "was so happy" that Putin shared his belief during their joint press conference that the Russia-Ukraine war would never have happened had he been in office at the time.

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Zelenskyy Not Invited To Upcoming Trump, Putin Talks  White House Says This Was The Reason

Without hesitating, Trump said his advice to Zelenskyy after Fridays meeting with Putin would be "make a deal."

Trump shared that Putin told him he believed the 2020 election was rigged because of the widespread mail-in voting, saying, "You cant have a great democracy with mail-in voting."





Original article source: Trump reveals 10 striking takeaways from Putin summit in Hannity interview
President Donald Trumps cushy treatment of Russian President Vladimir Putin went beyond rolling out a red carpet for the Russian president.

Trump left Alaska on Friday with no ceasefire agreement, no concessions, and having gifted priceless PR to an adversary engaged in war with a U.S. ally. Now, sources tell Axios that Trumps path forward is in line with that of the Kremlin.

Trump reportedly told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday that he is no longer pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which was among his stated goals entering the summit.

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Trump is instead calling for a peace agreement without a ceasefire. That puts him in lockstep with Putin and at odds with Zelensky, who has been adamant that a pause in hostilities is necessary before a peace agreement can be reached.

President Donald Trump rolled out a red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

Zelensky and NATO leaders were informed of Trumps change of heart in a difficult phone call the president made from Air Force One on his way back from Alaska, a source told Axios. Trump reportedly spoke for an hour with Zelensky before European leaders joined the call, which went on for an additional 30 minutes.

Trump said on the call that he thinks a fast peace deal is better than a ceasefire, the source said.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment regarding the call.

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Trump was described as appearing defeated by the end of his meeting with Putin, which began with much enthusiasm from the president. Shortly after the 79-year-old struggled to walk straight, he applauded Putin, shook his hand, and shared laughs with the leader before welcoming him in the Beast, the high-tech presidential limo.

President Donald Trump was described as appearing defeated after his meeting on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

The presidents demeanor was noticeably different after he met with Putin. The leaders appeared before cameras for what was billed as a press conference, but no questions were answeredsomething that even rubbed Fox News the wrong way.

Trump played up the meeting as a success but has not provided details that back up his claim.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left, Trump said. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

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Thatmore or lessis how Trump has described the situation between Russia and Ukraine since his first weeks in office. Despite guaranteeing to end the war on day one of his presidency, he has discovered that, not surprisingly, Putin wishes to keep the land in Eastern Ukraine that his troops occupy. Zelensky has said he is not willing to cede Ukrainian land to end the war.

Axios source summarized Putins thoughts on the situation, as told by Trump to Zelensky: The impression was that in return for territory, Putin is willing to end the war and commit not to try and occupy more areas in Ukraine and to not attack other countries.

There was a stark contrast in how President Donald Trump treated Vladimir Putin on Friday and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February, when the president berated the Ukrainian leader for failing to express sufficient thanks to the United States for its backing. / Andrew Harnik / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Trump told Fox News on Friday that a deal for peace is not in his hands, but that it is instead up to President Zelensky to get it done.

Zelensky will travel to meet with Trump in the White House on Monday, six months after his last visit, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance chastised him in an Oval Office ambush that famously went off the rails.

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At least publicly, Trump remains confident that peace will soon be reached.

President Zelensky will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon, Trump posted to Truth Social on Saturday morning. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved.
Despite efforts to lower expectations for his big meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump still managed to underperform with nothing to show for the meeting, which was followed by a "press conference" with no details and no questions taken. Jen Psaki is joined by her MSNBC colleague Nicolle Wallace, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, and former deputy national security advisor, Ben Rhodes discuss what happened and what it all means.
IMD weather forecast predicted a moderate to intense spell of rain in these areas for the next three to four hours.

In a post on X, IMD also reported intense to very intense convection over Mumbai and the adjoining area.

"Mumbai Radar shows intense to very intense convection over the city and adjoining area. It is likely to continue for next 2-3 hours. Nowcast warning issued at 0700 Hrs IST dated 16-08-2025 : (RED Nowcast Warning) Moderate to intense spells of rain very likely to occur at isolated places in the district of Ratnagiri, Raigad, Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar during the next 3-4 hours." IMD said in a post on X.

https://x.com/Indiametdept/status/1956555879886602667

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall lashed Mumbai on Saturday, causing severe waterlogging in parts of the city.

Severe waterlogging in Gandhi Nagar, Kings Circle, and Sion Railway Station occurred as continuous rainfall lashed the city.

In this context, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has directed the Additional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners of all administrative wards of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, as well as all concerned officials, to immediately remain present at their respective offices and ensure proper coordination. He has further instructed that appropriate emergency measures should be undertaken as required.

The Monsoon rain turned fatal in the Vikhroli area of Mumbai as a landslide hit Jankalayan Society, killing two people and injuring two others.

According to BMC, the incident happened in Jankalyan Society, Varsha Nagar, Vikhroli Park Site, Vikhroli (W) in Mumbai.

The injured were sent to Rajawadi Hospital for necessary medical treatment.

Meanwhile in Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon death toll has risen to 257, of which 133 deaths are rain-related -- caused by landslides, flash floods, house collapses, and other weather-triggered incidents -- while 124 fatalities occurred in road accidents.

As of 5 pm on Friday, 406 roads, including two national highways, remained blocked, while 457 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) and 222 water supply schemes were out of service, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA). (ANI)
US President Donald Trump has announced that he has reached an agreement in principle with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for a "territory swap" between Ukraine and Russia and he sees a chance that Ukraine may reject such a deal.

Source: European Pravda citing Trump in an interview with Fox News

Details: The interview with host Sean Hannity took place in the meeting room where Trump had just met Putin, immediately after the press conference at which Trump and Putin refused to answer journalists' questions. Instead, the US president chose to speak with a TV presenter loyal to him.

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Trump repeatedly stressed in the interview that the key issue now is for Ukraine to accept the arrangements he reached with Putin.

Quote from Trump: "Ukraine has to agree. President Zelenskyy has to agree.

Now it's really up to President Zelenskyy to get it [peace deal] done, and I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit. But it's up to President Zelenskyy. And if they'd like, I'll be at that next meeting."

Details: Trump himself avoided naming the elements of the deal that might cause problems for Ukraines approval, but the presenter asked whether his understanding of the sticking point was accurate.

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Quote from Hannity: "Theres going to be some land swaps, there will be more Russian territory than there had been, and what Ukraine needs desperately are security measures that wont be NATO-related."

Hannity asked Trump to confirm if this was correct and Donald Trump replied in the affirmative.

Quote from Trump: "Those are points that we negotiated and those are points that we largely have agreed on, actually. [..] Were pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it, maybe theyll say no."

The US president rated the chances of concluding a deal as fiftyfifty and separately explained what message he intends to convey to Zelenskyy when he speaks with him. Trump said that he would tell Ukraines president to "make a deal", that a deal had to be made and that Russia was a "very big power", whereas Ukraine was not, even though the Ukrainians had very good soldiers and good weapons provided by the United States.

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The interview did not contain any detail on the scale or outline of the proposed "territory swap". Zelenskyy has previously stressed that the issue of territory was defined in Ukraines constitution.

Background:

As European Pravda reported, there have been sceptical assessments of the talks in Europe. German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger said Putin had come out on top in the talks with Trump. The Czech foreign minister reminded Trump of the 1938 Munich Agreement at the beginning of his meeting with Putin.

Meanwhile, Trump said he was not heading to Alaska to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.

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The U.S. and Russian presidents met in Alaska on Friday to discuss a ceasefire for the Ukraine war. Its the first such meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022 and lasted almost three hours. Putin said the two leaders reached an agreement to pave the path to peace in Ukraine without giving details, while Trump said there are still outstanding issues.

The highly anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended Friday night without a clear agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

After talking for nearly three hours, the two leaders held a news conference, where Putin began by saying they reached an agreement to pave the path to peace in Ukraine but didnt offer any details. He added the root causes of Moscows concerns in Ukraine must to be addressed before a full deal can be reached.

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I expect that todays agreements will become a starting point not only for resolving the Ukrainian problem, but also for restoring businesslike, pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States, Putin said.

Trump followed those remarks and suggested some outstanding issues remain unresolved, but also didnt go into any specifics.

There were many, many points that we agreed onmost of them I would saya couple of big ones that we havent quite gotten there, he said. Weve made some headway. So theres no deal until theres a deal.

Trump added that he will confer with the leaders of NATO and Ukraine.

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Im going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened, he said. We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to and there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Trump closed his remarks by saying well speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.

After the opening statements, the news conference ended without either president taking any questions from reporters.

Ian Bremmer, president of political risk research and consulting firm Eurasia Group, said on X that Putin has gained time and conceded nothing, calling the summit a win, for now, for Russia.

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Putin treated as an equal by president trump, which the Russian president was clearly pleased about, he added.

But the absence of an agreement also suggests that the worst fears in Europe and Kyivthat Trump would concede too much to Putinhavent been realized so far.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump described it as setting the table, and told Fox News earlier on Friday that if it goes well, then another meeting would follow soon. Otherwise, he suggested he wont hold any more meetings at all, maybe ever, adding that hell be upset if there isnt some form of a ceasefire.

You have to weave and bob and you dont know whats going to happen, Trump said. But were going to go and find out. Id like to see a ceasefire.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who may be included in a future round of talks, said before the Trump-Putin meeting that the U.S. can end the war.

We count on a strong American position, he said in a video address from Kyiv. Everything will depend on this.

Earlier in the week, Zelensky rejected a suggestion from Trump that any ceasefire agreement would require Ukraine and Russia to swap some territory.

On Wednesday, Trump warned that there will be very severe consequences if Putin doesnt agree to stop his war on Ukraine. But thats after Trump backed off an earlier threat to impose secondary sanctions on countries that import Russian oil. Instead, he agreed to meet Putin in Alaska.

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On Friday after his meeting with Putin, Trump didnt announce or threaten any new sanctions on Russia despite the lack of a deal.

With existing sanctions on Russia and potentially new ones at stake, the eventual outcome of the Trump-Putin summit will create winners and losers in the energy space.

Peace means lower fuel prices for consumers, even as a bearish oil sector turns increasingly pessimistic about the months and year ahead. On the other hand, continued fighting could mean increased sanctions against Russia and buyers of Russian oil, adding pain at the pump while potentially reinvigorating a languishing oil industry and driving higher revenues.

Oil and gas revenue, which tumbled 27% in July from a year ago, is also the main source of the Kremlins funds, and Russia is running out of financial resources as the war-related spending deepens its budget deficit.

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The National Wealth Fund, a key source of reserves, has dwindled from $135 billion in January 2022 to just $35 billion this past May and is expected to run out later this year.

Russias economy is fast approaching a fiscal crunch that will encumber its war effort, economist and Russia expert Anders Aslund wrote in a Project Syndicate op-ed last week. Though that may not be enough to compel Putin to seek peace, it does suggest that the walls are closing in on him.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him China would not invade Taiwan while Trump is in office.

Trump made the comments in an interview with Fox News, ahead of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"I will tell you, you know, you have a very similar thing with President Xi of China and Taiwan, but I don't believe there's any way it's going to happen as long as I'm here. We'll see," Trump said during an interview on Fox News' "Special Report."

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"He told me, 'I will never do it as long as you're president.' President Xi told me that, and I said, 'Well, I appreciate that,' but he also said, 'But I am very patient, and China is very patient.'," Trump said.

Trump and Xi held their first confirmed call of Trump's second presidential term in June. Trump also said in April that Xi had called him but did not specify when that call took place.

China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to "reunify" with the democratic and separately governed island, by force if necessary. Taiwan strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington on Friday described the topic of Taiwan as "the most important and sensitive issue" in China-U.S. relations.

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"The U.S. government should adhere to the one-China principle and the three U.S.-China joint communiques, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently, and earnestly safeguard China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement.

Although Washington is Taiwan's main arms supplier and international backer, the U.S. - like most countries - has no formal diplomatic ties with the island.

While Taiwan's government has yet to respond to Trump's remarks, on Saturday a senior lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said that Taiwan was grateful for support from "our major ally".

"However ... Security cannot rely on the enemy's promise, nor can it rely solely on the help from friends. Strengthening our own defence capability is fundamental!" Wang Ting-yu, who sits on the Taiwan parliament's defence and foreign affairs committee, wrote on his Facebook page.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Diane Craft, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Tomasz Janowski)
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  President Trump said Friday he made progress on key points during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin but did not specify what those points were or what disagreements remained to achieve peace in Ukraine.

We didnt get there, but we have a good chance, Trump said, signaling there was no final agreement out of Fridays talks.

The president did not take questions or offer any other details. He indicated he would speak with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following Fridays summit in Alaska.

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Despite both leaders speaking of progress, neither one offered any specifics about what that looked like in tangible terms.

We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left, Trump said. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.

Trump and Putin met for roughly three hours. What was supposed to be a one-on-one meeting became a three-on-three meeting with top aides, with Trump joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

As Putin spoke at Fridays joint press conference, Trump mostly kept a straight face and rarely looked over at his Russian counterpart.

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The Russian president cautioned leaders in Europe and in Ukraine against undercutting any progress that was made during Fridays discussions.

In an appeal to Trump, Putin said Russia-U.S. had hit a low point in 2022, when he last spoke to then-President Biden.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 after amassing troops near the border.

Trump and other White House officials had spent days tempering expectations that he would strike a peace deal on Friday with Putin.

Still, the White House rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska  literally. Officials unfurled red carpets for Trump and Putin to walk along upon landing at the air base.

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The two men had a warm handshake upon first meeting, and they rode alone in the presidential limousine and were seen chuckling as they drove from the tarmac to the site of the summit. They did not answer questions from reporters during their greeting or during their sit-down with top aides.

As Trump wrapped up his remarks, he suggested he may be seeing Putin again in the near future. Trump had in recent days indicated Fridays meeting was meant as a precursor to a summit with both Putin and Zelensky that could achieve peace.

Next time in Moscow, Putin responded in English.

Updated 7:39 p.m.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agrees with him that letting voters send in ballots by mail puts honest elections at risk.

"Vladimir Putin, smart guy, said you can't have an honest election with mail-in voting," Trump told Fox News Channel's "Hannity" after a nearly three-hour meeting between the leaders in Alaska. "He said there's not a country in the world that uses it now."

Trump, who promoted the false narrative that he, not Democrat Joe Biden, won the 2020 election, cited his agreement with Putin over absentee voting as he pressed his fellow Republicans to try harder to advance overhauls to the U.S. voting system that he has long sought.

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Trump has voted by mail in some previous elections and urged his supporters to do so in 2024.

Putin, who has been Russia's president or prime minister since 1999, was elected to another term in office with 87% of the vote in a 2024 election that drew allegations of vote rigging from some independent polling observers, opposition voices and Western governments. The most formidable opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic penal colony in 2024.

Russia's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his conversation with Trump.

The Russian president has previously said some U.S. elections were marred by fraudulent voting, without presenting evidence. The position mirrors Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud following the 2020 election.

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Justice Department and Senate investigations found that Moscow tried to influence campaigns to help Trump win in the 2016 election. U.S. intelligence officials have said they believe Russia tried to do the same in 2020 elections and preferred Trump to win in 2024.

Trump and some of his top aides long have asserted that he and his presidential campaigns were falsely accused of colluding with Russia, a claim he brought up again in Alaska on Friday. The U.S. intelligence community never reached such a conclusion.

Trump, who has not ruled out seeking a third term in office despite a constitutional prohibition, on Friday showed impatience with Republicans for not prioritizing election reform legislation.

"The Republicans want it, but not strongly enough," Trump said during the interview. "You can't have a great democracy with mail-in voting."

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Some Republicans, echoing Trump's claims, argue that changes like restricting absentee voting and requiring identification could reduce the risks of ballot tampering, impersonation or other forms of fraud that independent analysts say is rare.

Nearly three dozen countries from Canada to Germany and South Korea allow some form of postal vote, though more than half of them place some restrictions on which voters qualify, according to the Sweden-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an intergovernmental advocacy group.

The Trump administration has stepped back from commenting on the fairness or integrity of elections conducted by many foreign countries in a significant departure from Washington's traditional approach of promoting democratic elections overseas.

(Reporting by Reuters Washington bureau; Editing by William Mallard)
Editor's note: This story is being updated.

Following his high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Aug. 15 that the two leaders had "largely agreed" on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine.

"I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on," Trump said in an interview with Fox News after the meeting.

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"I think we're pretty close to a deal," he added. "Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no."

The nearly three-hour meeting concluded without an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, which Trump had sought ahead of the talks.

Ahead of the Alaska meeting, Trump has suggested that any peace deal between Ukraine and Russia would require both sides to "swap" land, a stance that has raised alarm in Kyiv and across European capitals. What exactly is meant by "land swaps" was not specified.

A source in the Ukrainian Presidential Office earlier told the Kyiv Independent that Moscow's proposal would require Kyiv to withdraw from the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in exchange for a Russian pullback from parts of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.

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Zelensky has firmly rejected the possibility of handing additional Ukrainian territory over to Russian occupation as part of a peace deal, insisting on establishing a ceasefire as the first step in any negotiations.

Asked by Fox News what advice he would give to Zelensky following Alaska talks, Trump responded, "Gotta make a deal."

"Look, Russia is a very big power, and they (Ukraine) are not," Trump said.

Trump set a ceasefire as the target for the meeting, saying while heading to Alaska he was hoping to reach it the same day.

Speaking at the press conference after meeting Putin, Trump said the talks were productive but the two leaders fell short of agreeing on several points, including a significant one.

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When asked by Fox News about the obstacle that prevented the two from reaching a deal, Trump refused to give any details.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has pledged to broker a swift peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow  efforts that quickly stalled as Russia repeatedly rejected a ceasefire and pushed maximalist demands during peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.

Publicly, Putin has demanded a ban on Ukraine's NATO membership and a full Ukrainian withdrawal from partially occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, among other conditions.

Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea in 2014, followed by parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts in 2022 after holding sham referenda.

Read also: Editorial: That meeting was sickening. Putin loved it

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia's refusal to agree to a ceasefire is complicating efforts to end the war.

"We see that Russia rebuffs numerous calls for a ceasefire and has not yet determined when it will stop the killing. This complicates the situation," he said in a statement on X.

On Monday, the Ukrainian leader will travel to Washington DC, where US President Donald Trump has said he will urge Zelensky to agree to a peace deal.

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Trump has said he wants to bypass a ceasefire in Ukraine to move directly to a permanent peace agreement after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a major shift of position, the US president said on Truth Social following Friday's summit that this would be "the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine", adding ceasefires often "do not hold up".

Following a phone call with Trump after the summit, Zelensky called for a real, lasting peace, while adding that "the fire must cease" and killings stop.

In his later statement on social media Zelensky outlined his requirements for "a truly sustainable and reliable peace" with Moscow, including a "credible security guarantee" and the return of children he says were "abducted from occupied territories" by the Kremlin.

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Trump's comments indicate a dramatic shift in his position on how to end the war, having said only on Friday ahead of the summit that he wanted a ceasefire "rapidly".

Ukraine's main demand has been a quick ceasefire before talks about a longer-term settlement, and Trump reportedly told European leaders beforehand that his goal for the summit was to obtain a ceasefire deal.

Meanwhile, Putin reportedly presented Trump a peace offer that would require Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk region of the Donbas, in return for Russia freezing the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, then launched a full-scale invasion of the country eight years later. It claims the Donbas as Russian territory and controls most of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk.

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The US president, who has previously said any peace deal would involve "some swapping of territories", is said to have relayed the offer to Zelensky in the call following the summit.

Just days ago, Ukraine's president ruled out ceding control of the Donbas - made up the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk - saying it could be used as a springboard for future Russian attacks.

The BBC's US partner CBS has reported, citing diplomatic sources, that European diplomats were concerned Trump may try to pressure Zelensky on Monday into agreeing to deal terms he and Putin may have discussed at the summit.

CBS quotes sources as saying that Trump told European leaders in a call after the summit that Putin would make "some concessions", but failed to specify what they were.

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In an interview with Fox News following Friday's summit, Trump was asked what advice he has for the Ukrainian leader, to which he responded by saying "make a deal".

"Russia's a very big power and they're not," he added.

Ahead of Friday's summit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted a virtual meeting with Zelensky, other European leaders and Trump [Getty Images]

Trump had previously threatened "very severe consequences" if Putin did not agree to end the war, last month setting a deadline for Moscow to reach a ceasefire or face tough new sanctions, including secondary tariffs.

Little was announced by way of an agreement by either president following Friday's summit, but Trump insisted progress had been made.

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On Saturday, Putin described the summit as "very useful" and said he had been able "set out our position" to Trump.

"We had the opportunity, which we did, to talk about the genesis, about the causes of this crisis. It is the elimination of these root causes that should be the basis for settlement," the Russian president said.

Later, a senior Russian diplomat told BBC Newshour that the summit in Alaska was "a very important building block for further efforts" to end the war.

Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said that everybody who wants peace "should be satisfied by the outcome". He wouldn't say if Putin should now meet with Zelensky.

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Meanwhile, the "coalition of the willing" - a group of countries that have pledged to strengthen support for Ukraine that includes the UK, France, and Germany - will hold a call on Sunday afternoon before Zelensky's visit to the White House on Monday.

Starmer hosted Zelensky at Downing Street ahead of the US-Russia summit in Alaska, with the pair agreeing there was "a powerful sense of unity and a strong resolve to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine" [Getty Images]

A group of European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said "the next step must now be further talks including President Zelensky".

The leaders said they were "ready to work" towards a trilateral summit with European support.

"We stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia," they said, adding: "It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force."

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Trump's efforts to end the war, saying they had "brought us closer than ever before".

"While progress has been made, the next step must be further talks involving President Zelenskyy. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him," he said.

And in Kyiv, Ukrainians have described feeling "crushed" by the scenes from Alaska.

"I understand that for negotiations you shake hands, you can't just slap Putin in the face when he arrives. But this spectacle with the red carpet and the kneeling soldiers, it's terrible, it makes no sense," Serhii Orlyk, a 50-year-old veteran from the eastern Donetsk region said.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  U.S. President Donald Trump reversed course in the wake of his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to say an overall peace agreement  not the ceasefire that he has long championed  is the next step in ending the 3 1/2-year war in Ukraine.

In talks with European allies after Friday's summit in Alaska, Trump said Putin reiterated that he wants the key Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the Donbas. But Putin appeared open to the possibility of halting the stalemate in two other regions, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, with a freeze along the front lines.

That is according to European officials familiar with the calls who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks at a U.S. military base between the American and Russian presidents. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected giving up the territory in the Donbas.

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The aftermath of the summit offered little clarity about the next steps, other than Trump's commitment for more meetings, including with Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday. It was unclear among those briefed on the exchanges whether Trump saw Putin's desire for the Donbas as acceptable, with Trump's blunt but elliptical way of speaking only adding to a sense of confusion.

The White House had yet to provide a public summary of the calls as Trump golfed on Saturday with his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Fox News anchor Bret Baier at his Virginia golf club. The most transparent takeaway was Trump's abrupt reversal on a ceasefire, raising questions of how peace talks can proceed if attacks continue.

Trump's abandoning a ceasefire as a requirement for further negotiations aligns him with a position held by Putin. The Russian leader has long said Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce and is seeking a long-term settlement that takes the Kremlins interests into account.

Trump says he is focused on a peace accord, not a ceasefire

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After the calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump said Saturday on social media that it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF television that Trump said Russia seems to be prepared to conduct the negotiations based on the so-called line of contact and not the administrative boundaries. It was unclear from the comments how issues pertaining to the Donbas had been resolved.

Zelenskyy has previously refused to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that Ukraine controls. He says that would be unconstitutional and the territory could be used as a staging ground for later Russian attacks.

In a statement after the Trump call, major European leaders did not address whether a peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire, saying they welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russias war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.

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Putin's view on his summit with Trump

Putin on Saturday described his talks with Trump as very frank.

We, of course, respect the position of the American administration, which sees the need for a speedy end to military actions, he said at the follow-up meeting at the Kremlin, a clip of which was posted to the Kremlins Telegram channel. We would like to move to resolving all issues by peaceful means.

Putin has broken out of international isolation and wasnt in the least challenged by Trump, who also ignored an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court, said Laurie Bristow, who was British ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2020. But the U.S. isnt a member of the court and thus doesnt have an obligation to arrest him.

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Zelenskyy gears up for a White House meeting

Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he had a long and substantive conversation with Trump early Saturday and that they would discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war on Monday.

It will be Zelenskyys first visit to the United States since Trump berated him publicly for being disrespectful during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting in February.

Trump confirmed the White House meeting and said that if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.

Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit, to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America.

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We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security, he said.

The Ukrainian leader did not elaborate, but he has previously said European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a foreign troop presence in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop.

In apparent effort to bolster Zelenskyys hand before the White House meeting, France, the United Kingdom and Germany will co-host a video call Sunday of coalition of the willing nations that could help monitor and uphold any deal to end fighting, French President Emmanuel Macrons office said.

Europeans urge security guarantees for Ukraine

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The French, German, Italian, British, Finnish, Polish and European Union leaders said Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees and they welcomed U.S. readiness to provide them.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory, their statement said. International borders must not be changed by force.

During an interview with Fox News Channel before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus might be on Zelenskyy to get it done, but that there also would be some involvement from European nations.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon, noting that Moscow launched new attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met.

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Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing, she said.

Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Since spring, Russian troops have accelerated their gains, capturing the most territory since the opening stages of the war.

Questions on a trilateral meeting

Zelenskyy voiced support for Trumps proposal for a meeting with the U.S. and Russia. He said that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.

But Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television Saturday that a possible three-way meeting has not been touched upon yet in U.S.-Russia discussions.

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Zelenskyy wrote on X that he told Trump "sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.

Fiona Hill, Trumps former senior adviser on Russia, told The Associated Press that the U.S. president has met his match because Putin is a much bigger bully than Trump is.

Hes run out of his persuasive powers with Putin, said Hill, adding that Trump has plenty of coercive powers to use against the Russian leader but he doesnt want to use them.

Ukrainians want peace for sure, and Putin wants pieces of Ukraine," she said. "Very large pieces.

___

Leicester reported from Paris and Burrows from London. Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin, Elise Morton in London and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.
By Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump held a lengthy phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and subsequently spoke to NATO leaders after the U.S. president's Friday summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the White House said.

Trump held the calls on his way back to Washington, landing in the early hours of Saturday morning.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was among those on the call, in which Trump briefed European leaders about the summit, von der Leyen's spokesperson said. A NATO official said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also took part, while the Elysee confirmed French President Emmanuel Macron's participation.

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Leaders from Germany, Finland, Poland, Italy and Britain also joined the call, according to the European Commission.

Axios reporter Barak Ravid said, citing a source, that Trump spoke for more than an hour and a half with Zelenskiy and European leaders.

Zelenskiy later said he would travel to Washington on Monday.

The highly anticipated summit in Alaska yielded no agreement to resolve or pause Russia's war in Ukraine, although both Trump and Putin described the talks as productive before heading home.

During a brief appearance before the media following the nearly three-hour meeting in Alaska, the two leaders said they had made progress on unspecified issues. But they offered no details and took no questions. Trump also did not take questions when he landed in the United States at Joint Base Andrews.

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During his presidential campaign and upon taking office, Trump had vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 but has thus far failed to deliver on that promise.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose on a podium on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Credit - Andrew CaballeroAFP/Getty Images

President Donald Trumps unprecedented summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska has failed to deliver the breakthrough on securing a ceasefire in Ukraine that he was hoping for. But Trump proved to be more cautious than many diplomats thought, moving in consultation with European allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyand the failure of the Alaska Summit need not be an unvarnished disaster nor an echo of Neville Chamberlains 1938 appeasement at Munich.

What comes next matters far more than the predictable failure to make a breakthrough, and now Trump needs to make the war more costly to Putin financially and militarily. Its time to call Putins bluff.

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As Trump himself declared before the meeting, if Putin did not agree to stop his war on Ukraine, there must be severe consequences, and the time has come for Trump to tighten the screwsby increasing economic pressure on Putin and by buttressing military assistance for Ukraine. As Admiral James Savridis, Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, complained: Putin strung Trump along again with diplomatic rope-a-dope and there should be military consequences for Putin.

It would be a tragic mistake if this turned into merely another instance when Trump threatens Putin with tough talk, only to back down prematurely. Clearly, Putin is counting on Trump backing down and falling victim to his smoke and mirrors. But that bark-and-no-bite approach would destroy U.S. credibility as much as it would erode Trumps own credibility. Trumps initial reaction, declaring on Fox News that it would be up to President Zelenskyy to push the ball forward, is exactly the opposite of what should be done. The truth is that even now, Trump holds all the leverage while Putin has none.

Read more: Why Trumps Summit in Alaska Cannot End Putins War in Ukraine

Despite Putins braggadocio, claiming a win from the legitimacy of visiting U.S. soil for the first-time in a decade, despite having an ICC arrest warrant to his name after the killing of tens of thousands of civilians and the kidnapping of 20,000 children; still, Trump averted the worst-case scenario of falling for Putins propaganda, stopping hours of planned follow-up meetings that Putin had planned with Russian business and economic development officials. Trump has been correct in recognizing that none of the 1,200 companies whose exit from Russia we helped accelerate have ever expressed interest in returning to Russia.

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The fact that Putin even thought that the U.S. needs the Russian economy shows how deluded Putin still is. Putins only commodities are easily interchangeable raw materials that he brings to the world market; no finished goods, industrial products, pharmaceutical ingredients, fashion or financial products come from Russia at scale. Like a mercantile colony, all Putin has is a lot of land, raw materials, and psychopathic propaganda.

The reality is that despite Putins tough guy bluster, Putin is a failure economically and militarily, and Putins house of cards is far more vulnerable than many realize. In fact, after three years of grueling warfare, Putins economy is in tatters as Putin stares down bankruptcy.

As we revealed previously, for years now, Putin has been obfuscating how weak the Russian economy really is by hiding and fudging the numbers. Putin refuses to disclose major economic indicators as required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This ranges from foreign trade data, monthly output data on oil and gas, and central bank monetary base data.

Due to Putins obfuscation, few appreciate how close Russia is to running out of cash. The value of Russias sovereign wealth fund and foreign exchange reserves has dwindled by half since Putins invasion of Ukraine, as he draws down his windfall oil revenues faster than he can replenish his coffers. That is because Putin is running an unsustainable record budget deficit to fund his war machine in the tens of billions. And with over 1,000 multinational businesses having exited from Russia, the Kremlin is running out of new cookie jars to raid to keep the lights on.

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Read more: Why The Last Six Trump-Putin Meetings Failed

The time has come for Trump to escalate economic sanctions and economic pressure on Russia by cutting off Putins exports of oil and other natural resources, once and for all. By tightening the screws on Putins already crumbling economic house of cards, Putin could run out of money very soonperhaps even by the end of the year. Already, Trump has threatened secondary tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, which aligns with the bipartisan legislation put forward by many of his GOP allies in the Senate, including the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 legislation co-sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal, which would impose secondary tariffs and sanctions on countries which continue to fund Russias war machine.

Simultaneously, Trump has to fortify military assistance for Ukraine, with our European allies being forced to shoulder an increasing share of the burden as previously-appropriated U.S. support dwindles. Already, there is growing momentum in Congress, including from Trumps GOP allies, for another major military aid package to help Ukraine, despite the misguided cries of outnumbered, outgunned isolationists such as JD Vance not to support Ukraine anymore. Already, there is a bipartisan proposal in the Senate for a new $54.6 billion package in new aid to Ukraine, which would make it the largest aid package for Ukraine yet.

Providing Ukraine with desperately needed military aid is the best way to show Putin who really holds the leverage. In particular, replenishing Ukraines stock of F-16s and Patriot missile interceptors would be an incredibly powerful and effective boost.

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That military aid is sorely needed. As Ambassador Michael McFaul pointed out on MSNBC, since President Trump has been in the White House, the war has gotten more aggressive. Theres been more attacks on Ukrainian civilians, the number of drone and missile attacks have gone up.

After trying and failing to secure a ceasefire from Putin, the time has come for Trump to impose the severe consequences against Putin that he has previously threatened. If he fails to do so, then Trumps inaction, after Putins blatant unwillingness to agree to a ceasefire and other measures to end the war on constructive terms, will be deserving of the comparisons to Chamberlains Munich summit with Hitlerand go down as a far greater blunder than Joe Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan."

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The Delhi Police on Saturday registered a case of negligence against unknown persons in connection with the roof collapse at Dargah near Delhi's Humayun's Tomb that killed six people. The FIR has been registered under sections 290 (Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings, etc.), 125 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 106 (Causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The mishap occurred on Friday, following heavy rainfall and waterlogging in the area. Meanwhile, Delhi Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Saurabh Bhardwaj urged the government to take immediate on-ground action after the incident. While speaking to ANI on Friday, Bhardwaj said, "People are saying that it was raining around 4 PM, and due to water accumulation nearby, the roof collapsed. Six people have died in this incident, some have been taken to AIIMS, and one person has been taken to RML Hospital." He described the situation as "very tragic", adding that falling trees and poles were also reported in other parts of the city during the rains. Bhardwaj criticised the administration for not acting effectively during the monsoon, stating, "Our only request to the administration is to do their job properly... We are telling the government that mere words won't help, the Chief Minister needs to take action on the ground." Six people have lost their lives after a portion of the roof of a room at Dargah Sharif Patte Shah collapsed near Humayun's Tomb, an official said. "Six people have lost their lives in the incident...It is a matter of investigation, and action will be taken if someone was living illegally here in the ASI site," said District Magistrate South-East Delhi, Sravan Bagaria. The incident site, located near Humayun's Tomb, was quickly cordoned off to ensure safety and to facilitate rescue efforts. The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained, officials said. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
President Donald Trump insists Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has gotta make a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his Alaska summit with the Russian leader.

After the nearly three-hour meeting between the two leaders, with no agreement having been reached on the future of the war in Ukraine, Trump appeared for an interview on Fox News Hannity.

Host Sean Hannity asked what advice he would give to Zelensky and Trump replied: Make the deal. Gotta make a deal.

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Russias a very big power. And theyre not, Trump said, adding that the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with weaponry.

Hours earlier, during a joint statement with Putin, where neither took questions, the U.S. president admitted that while great progress had been made, he emphasized: Theres no deal until theres a deal. Trump noted that he planned to call Zelensky and NATO members following the meeting.

On Fox News, Hannity asked Trump about next steps, alluding to the U.S. presidents previous comments about a possible meeting between Putin and Zelensky.

President Donald Trump urges Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin after his summit with Putin ended with what he called no deal (Getty Images)

I don't know if I trust the two of them in a room alone together. I think it would be better if you are there, the Fox News host suggested.

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Trump agreed: They both want me there, and I'll be there. You got to see it out.

What exactly was discussed in the high stakes meeting and what was agreed remains a mystery. Both Putin and Trump used vague terms to describe the meeting and refused to take questions from reporters.

Still, both men flattered one another in front of the worlds cameras.

The Russian president called the United States a dear neighbor. He also repeated one of Trumps claims: the war in Ukraine would not have started if Trump had remained in office after the 2020 election.

Asked about a potential meeting between Putin and Zelensky, Trump vowed he would attend: They both want me there, and I'll be there (Getty Images)

Trump touted his fantastic relationship with his Russian counterpart and branded the meeting extremely productive.

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The U.S. president continued laying on the praise for Putin during his interview with Hannity. I think we've agreed on a lot, and I can tell you, the meeting was a very warm meeting, he said.

Referring to Putin, he continued: He's a strong guy, he's tough as hell and all of that, but the meeting was a very warm meeting between two very important countries, and it's very good when they get along.

Earlier in the day, Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin, greeting him warmly before they jumped into his U.S. limousine, dubbed The Beast.

At the end of their joint speech to press Putin suggested the pair next meet on his home turf: Moscow.

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Thats an interesting one, Ill get a little heat on that one, Trump replied. But I could see it possibly happening.

Following the summit, some pundits slammed Trumps performance. A Fox News host said he was steamrolled by Putin while former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Trumps warm welcome of the Russian leader dealt a big victory for Putin.

Despite the flack, Trump told Hannity he believed on a scale of one to 10, the meeting was a 10. Its good when two big powers get along, especially when theyre nuclear powers. Were number one, theyre number two in the world. And its a big deal. Thats a big deal, the U.S. president said.
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/KYIV, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because Russia is a very big power, and theyre not, after a summit where Vladimir Putin was reported to have demanded more Ukrainian land.

After the two leaders met in Alaska on Friday, Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Putin had offered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv ceded all of Donetsk, the industrial region that is one of Moscows main targets, a source familiar with the matter said.

Related: Air Canada Suspends Restart Plans After Flight Attendants Union Defies Return To Work Order

Zelenskiy rejected the demand, the source said. Russia already controls a fifth of Ukraine, including about three-quarters of Donetsk province, which it first entered in 2014.

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Trump also said he agreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies had demanded. That was a change from his position before the summit, when he said would not be happy unless a ceasefire was agreed on.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, Trump posted on Truth Social.

Zelenskiy said Russias unwillingness to pause the fighting would complicate efforts to forge a lasting peace. Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war, he said on X.

Nevertheless, Zelenskiy said he would meet Trump in Washington on Monday.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk on the tarmac upon their arrival for a US-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Sergey Bobylev / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) SERGEY BOBYLEV via Getty Images

That will evoke memories of a meeting in the White House Oval Office in February, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance gave Zelenskiy a brutal public dressing-down. Trump said a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelenskiy could follow.

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Kyivs European allies welcomed Trumps efforts but vowed to back Ukraine and tighten sanctions on Russia. European leaders might join Mondays White House meeting as well, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has been gradually advancing for months. The war - the deadliest in Europe for 80 years - has killed or wounded well over a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts.

Related: European Leaders To Join Ukraine's Zelenskyy For White House Meeting With Trump

RUSSIA LIKELY TO WELCOME TRUMPS COMMENTS

Trumps various comments on the three-hour meeting with Putin mostly aligned with the public positions of Moscow, which says a full settlement will be complex because positions are diametrically opposed.

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Putin signalled no movement in Russias long-held demands, which also include a veto on Kyivs desired membership in the NATO alliance. He made no mention in public of meeting Zelenskiy. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said a three-way summit had not been discussed.

In an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity, Trump signalled that he and Putin had discussed land transfers and security guarantees for Ukraine, and had largely agreed.

I think were pretty close to a deal, he said, adding: Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe theyll say no.

Asked what he would advise Zelenskiy to do, Trump said: Gotta make a deal.

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Look, Russia is a very big power, and theyre not, he added.

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov) via Associated Press

NEED FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES FOR UKRAINE

Zelenskiy has consistently said he cannot concede territory without changes to Ukraines constitution, and Kyiv sees Donetsks fortress cities such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk as a bulwark against further Russian advances.

Zelenskiy has also insisted on security guarantees, to deter Russia from invading again. He said he and Trump had discussed positive signals on the U.S. taking part, and that Ukraine needed a lasting peace, not just another pause between Russian invasions.

Related: Summit Puts Putin Back On The Global Stage And Trump Echoes A Kremlin Position

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed what he described as Trumps openness to providing security guarantees to Ukraine under a peace deal. He said security guarantees were essential to any just and lasting peace.

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Putin, who has opposed involving foreign ground forces, said he agreed with Trump that Ukraines security must be ensured.

For Putin, just sitting down with Trump represented a victory. He had been ostracised by Western leaders since the start of the war, and just a week earlier had faced a threat of new sanctions from Trump.

ALASKA, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 15 : The first round of negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in the US state of Alaska concludes in Anchorage, Alaska, United States on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Kremlin Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu via Getty Images

1-0 FOR PUTIN

Trump spoke to European leaders after returning to Washington. Several stressed the need to keep pressure on Russia.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said an end to the war was closer than ever, thanks to Trump, but said he would impose more sanctions on Russia if the war continues.

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European leaders said in a statement that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees and no limits should be placed on its armed forces or right to seek NATO membership, as Russia has sought.

Some European politicians and commentators were scathing about the summit.

Putin got his red carpet treatment with Trump, while Trump got nothing, Wolfgang Ischinger, former German ambassador to Washington, posted on X.

Both Russia and Ukraine carried out overnight air attacks, a daily occurrence, while fighting raged on the front.

Trump told Fox he would postpone imposing tariffs on China for buying Russian oil, but he might have to think about it in two or three weeks.

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He ended his remarks after the summit by telling Putin: Well speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.

Next time in Moscow, a smiling Putin responded in English.

(Additional reporting by Yulia Dysa, Kanishka Singh, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jeff Mason, Lidia Kelly, Jasper Ward, Costas Pitas, Ismail Shakil, Bhargav Acharya, Alan Charlish, Yuliia Dysa, Pavel Polityuk, Gwladys Fouche, Dave Graham, Paul Sandle, Joshua McElwee, Andreas Rinke, Felix Light and Moscow bureau; Writing by Andy Sullivan, Kevin Liffey, Mark Trevelyan, Joseph Ax and James Oliphant; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Gareth Jones and Cynthia Osterman)

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Read the original on HuffPost
A Trump Tower resident claims her bitter landlord stole her $7,000 Hermes bag, and several other high-end items, after she fell $90,000 behind in rent.

Interior designer Sehra Waheed, 46, snagged a swanky $7,500 a month 2-bed, 2-bath pad on the 18th floor of Trump Tower in Turtle Bay in November 2022  but by the end of her first month there, her dream digs turned into a money pit when a promised business loan to help defray costs didnt pan out, she claims in a lawsuit filed Aug. 7 in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Waheed, right, claims her Hermes purse was snatched in retaliation for unpaid rent. Sehra Sabiha/Facebook

Her landlord, Trinity Bui, told The Post Waheed did not pay a single penny in rent after moving in, only the security deposit she needed to secure the crib.

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A year-long court battle culminated in December 2023 when Bui scored an eviction judgement against her, and movers were brought in.

Thats when Waheed alleges she was robbed.

Her black Hermes Kelly bag was snatched, she claims, along with other designer clothes and accessories that included a Chanel dress and purse, antiques, porcelain and artwork  all in alleged retaliation for the unpaid rent she owed.

It was such a trauma, Waheed told The Post.

Waheed had scored a $7,500 a month pad in Trump Tower near the UN headquarters midtown. Thomas Roy Hooksett NH

Waheed believes the landlord, Bui, conspired with managers of the storage facility, Manhattan Mini Storage, and paid them to have her stuff auctioned off.

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Bui intentionally engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct that exceeded all bounds of decency and was atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community, court documents read.

Bui and Trump Corporation are defendants in the $1.5 million suit.

Bui said Waheed didnt pay a single penny in rent. trinityfinancinginvestmen.comts

Bui slammed Waheed as a con artist and scammer.

Her job is suing people for extortion money without working to pay her bills, she said, denying anything went missing or was damaged during the eviction.

The Trump Corporation did not return The Posts request for comment.
People participate in a naturalization ceremony last year at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. The Trump administration is encouraging states to use an online search tool to verify the citizenship of registered voters, alarming some Democrats and privacy experts. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

BILOXI, Miss.  The Trump administration is developing a powerful data tool it claims will let states identify noncitizens registered to vote. But Democratic critics and data experts warn it could allow the federal government to vacuum up vast quantities of information on Americans for unclear purposes.

Some Democratic election officials and opponents of the effort fear President Donald Trump wants to build a federal database of voters to target political opponents or cherry-pick rare examples of noncitizen voters to fuel a sense of crisis. Republican election officials allied with the president counter that hes helping states to maintain accurate voter rolls.

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The Trump administration has rolled out changes to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, tool at the same time the U.S. Department of Justice is asking states for copies of their voter rolls. The timing, combined with questions about what happens to voter data uploaded to the program, has alarmed critics.

Trump wants Congress to pass a national proof of citizenship voter registration requirement and in March tried to unilaterally impose one for federal elections through executive order. But with the legislation stalled and the order halted by the courts, the citizenship data tool may offer a backdoor way to accomplish the same goal.

SAVE was originally intended to help state and local officials verify the immigration status of individual noncitizens seeking government benefits. But U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, this spring refashioned it into a platform that can scan states voter rolls if election officials upload the data.

The changes to SAVE, rolled out over just a few months and with little public debate, are tinkering with sort of the bones of democracy, said John Davisson, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington, D.C.-based research and advocacy group that argues privacy is a fundamental right.

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Youre talking about the voting process and who will be eligible to vote, Davisson said. And to take a system that is not designed for use in that process and repurpose it, really on the fly, without a formal comment process, without formal rulemaking, without congressional intervention  thats pretty anomalous and pretty alarming.

Previously, SAVE could only search one name at a time. Now it can conduct bulk searches, allowing state officials to potentially feed into it information on millions of registered voters. SAVE checks that information against a series of federal databases and reports back whether it can verify someones immigration status.

Since May, it also can draw upon Social Security data, transforming the program into a tool that can confirm citizenship because Social Security records for many, but not all, Americans include the information. NPR reported earlier on changes to SAVE.

It is incredible what has been done, really since March, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, a Republican who supports proof of citizenship requirements and the SAVE tool, told a gathering of state secretaries of state in Biloxi, Mississippi, last week.

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Individuals registering to vote in federal elections must already sign a statement affirming they are citizens under penalty of perjury, and those who cast a ballot face criminal penalties and deportation. One study of the 2016 election placed the prevalence of noncitizen voting at 0.0001% of votes cast.

But as Trump has spread falsehoods about elections, Republicans have made purging noncitizens from voter rolls a central focus.

Nameplates at the National Association of Secretaries of State conference in Biloxi, Miss. The Trump administration wants state secretaries of state to use an online program to identify noncitizens on their voter rolls. (Jonathan Shorman/Stateline)

Democratic concerns were on display last week at the National Association of Secretaries of State conference, held at the Beau Rivage casino-resort in Biloxi. In interviews on the sidelines of the conference, Democratic secretaries of state voiced deep reservations  or outright opposition  about plugging their voter data into SAVE.

Maine Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Aug. 6 that the federal government appeared to be trying to take over election administration. She formally rejected the Justice Departments voter roll request two days later.

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Bellows said the Department of Homeland Security told her in a recent phone call that it planned to retain SAVE data for 10 years for audit purposes only.

Just like the [Justice Department] is asking us to hand over an electronic file of all the voters in our state, it seems like the Department of Homeland Security is through this backdoor system also asking us to share voter information about every voter in our state, Bellows said.

At least one state appears to have granted the federal government sweeping authority over any voter data it provides to SAVE.

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales announced in July he had reached an agreement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to access the newly expanded system for voter list maintenance. Indianas agreement allows the federal agency to use information the state provides for any purpose permitted by law, including criminal prosecutions.

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Morales, a Republican, said in a news release that SAVE represented another step in safeguarding the rights of eligible voters. His office didnt respond to Statelines questions.

The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to encourage state election officials to use the expanded program. The White House hosted a bipartisan fly in event for state secretaries of state on July 29. Multiple secretaries of state told Stateline that USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, who was confirmed on July 15, spoke at the event.

The president is very much keyed in on voter list maintenance, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, said in an interview  echoing other GOP secretaries of state who released statements praising the Trump administration after the meeting.

When we disclose information, particularly personal identifying information, we need to have a handle on how its going to be used, by whom and under what circumstances.

 Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat who attended the meeting, said he questioned how the federal government would handle voter information provided to SAVE. He added that the Justice Departments request for his states voter rolls raised his level of concern about how data would be used.

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When we disclose information, particularly personal identifying information, we need to have a handle on how its going to be used, by whom and under what circumstances, Simon told Stateline.

The White House referred questions about SAVE and the event to the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS.

In response to questions from Stateline, USCIS didnt directly answer whether the agency would share voter roll data with other parts of the federal government but confirmed it disposes of records after 10 years.

The SAVE application is a critical tool for state and local governments to access information to safeguard the integrity of elections across the country. Its no wonder many states have quickly adopted it, and we continue to promote the tool to other states and counties not using SAVE, USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said in a statement.

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We look forward to continued optimization efforts and implementing more updates to SAVE.

GOP pressure

Some Republican election officials and Trump allies have long wanted the federal government to take an expanded role in searching state voter rolls for noncitizens.

Last summer the Trump-aligned litigation group America First Legal, co-founded by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, encouraged states to submit to the Department of Homeland Security the names of individuals for citizenship or immigration status verification.

Some states did just that. Texas, for example, asked USCIS to verify the citizenship of some voters in September, and Indiana asked the agency to verify 585,774 voters in October. The same month, 16 Republican state attorneys general signed a letter criticizing Homeland Security, then under the Biden administration, for failing to work with states on verification.

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After Trump took office, GOP state officials kept up the pressure. Twenty-one Republican secretaries of state urged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in February to prioritize SAVE improvements.

On April 16, Indiana sued the department in federal court for not responding to its verification request last fall. USCIS announced an overhaul of SAVE less than a week later.

As the agency continues to remake SAVE, the tool will soon allow searches using the last four digits of a Social Security number, multiple state secretaries of state told Stateline. The agency confirmed the feature is under development and will be available soon but didnt provide an exact date.

The change would mark another significant expansion of the program because most states collect the last four digits when individuals without a drivers license register to vote.

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Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, a Republican, said SAVE represents a better way to verify citizenship than a state law requiring voters to produce documents. I think theres a real opportunity for us to do a lot of this through just sharing of information and I think thats what were seeing happen, McGrane said in an interview.

Unreliable data?

But some voting rights advocates and experts on government data caution against an overreliance on Social Security data.

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, a progressive policy nonprofit, has noted that Social Security only began tracking the citizenship status of all applicants in 1978  meaning the database doesnt include comprehensive citizenship information for older Americans. Additionally, Social Security may not always have up-to-date information on the status of naturalized U.S. citizens.

The nonpartisan Institute for Responsive Government also warned in May that since SAVE hasnt used Social Security numbers to verify citizenship in the past, its accuracy and effectiveness are unknown. The success of the expanded SAVE program may also partially depend on whether it has adequate staff and resources, it said.

A 2017 Government Accountability Office report found that between fiscal years 2012 and 2016, about 16% of the nearly 90 million SAVE searches required additional verification, which the institute says often translates into federal workers manually checking files. Now that SAVE allows bulk searches, the need for manual checking could rise dramatically.

Nick Doctor, director of implementation at the Institute for Responsive Government, said in an interview that a tool confirming the eligibility of registered voters in a way that doesnt burden individuals can be a good thing. But he emphasized that it depends in large measure on SAVEs implementation.

The changes that have been made to SAVE happened very quickly and, to my knowledge, we havent seen releases on the level of accuracy of that information, Doctor said.

During interviews, Republican secretaries of state stressed that voters arent kicked off the rolls because SAVE cant verify their citizenship. Instead, an inability to verify would likely trigger a follow-up process with the voter.

Just because we get something back from the SAVE database, its not a cut and dry, especially on those theyre not sure about, Hoskins, the Missouri secretary of state, said.

Still, Arizona illustrates why some Democrats worry about any large-scale effort to ask voters  especially longtime, older residents  to prove their citizenship. After the state discovered errors in how it tracked voter citizenship dating back years, election officials are contacting some 200,000 voters seeking proof of citizenship documentation.

Some have been casting ballots for decades without incident and many feel targeted, Arizona Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said during a presentation at the state secretaries of state conference. They feel insulted when they get that letter, Fontes said.

Theres a lot of good-government reasons to believe that something like this, governed properly and governed with fail-safe mechanisms, could have an upside.

 Charles Stewart III, MIT political scientists

Charles Stewart III, a professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies elections, said Arizona may actually point to the potential usefulness of SAVE. If Arizona runs its voter roll through the program, a list of 200,000 voters needing citizenship verification would perhaps drop into the hundreds, he suggested.

Theres a lot of good-government reasons to believe that something like this, governed properly and governed with fail-safe mechanisms, could have an upside, Stewart said.

Connecticut Democratic Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas told Stateline that every secretary wants tools to keep voter lists as clean as possible. But the details are important.

When she hears of something new, Thomas said she asks whether its the best option available and whether the is are dotted, the ts crossed. She said shes asked USCIS a series of questions about SAVE and is waiting on some responses.

When it comes to voter lists, Thomas said, I dont want Connecticut voters to be a guinea pig.

Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@stateline.org.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

This report was originally published by Stateline, part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Its supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.
People participate in a naturalization ceremony last year at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. The Trump administration is encouraging states to use an online search tool to verify the citizenship of registered voters, alarming some Democrats and privacy experts. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

BILOXI, Miss.  The Trump administration is developing a powerful data tool it claims will let states identify noncitizens registered to vote. But Democratic critics and data experts warn it could allow the federal government to vacuum up vast quantities of information on Americans for unclear purposes.

Some Democratic election officials and opponents of the effort fear President Donald Trump wants to build a federal database of voters to target political opponents or cherry-pick rare examples of noncitizen voters to fuel a sense of crisis. Republican election officials allied with the president counter that hes helping states to maintain accurate voter rolls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Trump administration has rolled out changes to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, tool at the same time the U.S. Department of Justice is asking states for copies of their voter rolls. The timing, combined with questions about what happens to voter data uploaded to the program, has alarmed critics.

Trump wants Congress to pass a national proof of citizenship voter registration requirement and in March tried to unilaterally impose one for federal elections through executive order. But with the legislation stalled and the order halted by the courts, the citizenship data tool may offer a backdoor way to accomplish the same goal.

SAVE was originally intended to help state and local officials verify the immigration status of individual noncitizens seeking government benefits. But U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, this spring refashioned it into a platform that can scan states voter rolls if election officials upload the data.

The changes to SAVE, rolled out over just a few months and with little public debate, are tinkering with sort of the bones of democracy, said John Davisson, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington, D.C.-based research and advocacy group that argues privacy is a fundamental right.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Youre talking about the voting process and who will be eligible to vote, Davisson said. And to take a system that is not designed for use in that process and repurpose it, really on the fly, without a formal comment process, without formal rulemaking, without congressional intervention  thats pretty anomalous and pretty alarming.

Previously, SAVE could only search one name at a time. Now it can conduct bulk searches, allowing state officials to potentially feed into it information on millions of registered voters. SAVE checks that information against a series of federal databases and reports back whether it can verify someones immigration status.

Since May, it also can draw upon Social Security data, transforming the program into a tool that can confirm citizenship because Social Security records for many, but not all, Americans include the information. NPR reported earlier on changes to SAVE.

It is incredible what has been done, really since March, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, a Republican who supports proof of citizenship requirements and the SAVE tool, told a gathering of state secretaries of state in Biloxi, Mississippi, last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Individuals registering to vote in federal elections must already sign a statement affirming they are citizens under penalty of perjury, and those who cast a ballot face criminal penalties and deportation. One study of the 2016 election placed the prevalence of noncitizen voting at 0.0001% of votes cast.

But as Trump has spread falsehoods about elections, Republicans have made purging noncitizens from voter rolls a central focus.

Nameplates at the National Association of Secretaries of State conference in Biloxi, Miss. The Trump administration wants state secretaries of state to use an online program to identify noncitizens on their voter rolls. (Jonathan Shorman/Stateline)

Democratic concerns were on display last week at the National Association of Secretaries of State conference, held at the Beau Rivage casino-resort in Biloxi. In interviews on the sidelines of the conference, Democratic secretaries of state voiced deep reservations  or outright opposition  about plugging their voter data into SAVE.

Maine Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Aug. 6 that the federal government appeared to be trying to take over election administration. She formally rejected the Justice Departments voter roll request two days later.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bellows said the Department of Homeland Security told her in a recent phone call that it planned to retain SAVE data for 10 years for audit purposes only.

Just like the [Justice Department] is asking us to hand over an electronic file of all the voters in our state, it seems like the Department of Homeland Security is through this backdoor system also asking us to share voter information about every voter in our state, Bellows said.

At least one state appears to have granted the federal government sweeping authority over any voter data it provides to SAVE.

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales announced in July he had reached an agreement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to access the newly expanded system for voter list maintenance. Indianas agreement allows the federal agency to use information the state provides for any purpose permitted by law, including criminal prosecutions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Morales, a Republican, said in a news release that SAVE represented another step in safeguarding the rights of eligible voters. His office didnt respond to Statelines questions.

The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to encourage state election officials to use the expanded program. The White House hosted a bipartisan fly in event for state secretaries of state on July 29. Multiple secretaries of state told Stateline that USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, who was confirmed on July 15, spoke at the event.

The president is very much keyed in on voter list maintenance, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, said in an interview  echoing other GOP secretaries of state who released statements praising the Trump administration after the meeting.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat who attended the meeting, said he questioned how the federal government would handle voter information provided to SAVE. He added that the Justice Departments request for his states voter rolls raised his level of concern about how data would be used.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When we disclose information, particularly personal identifying information, we need to have a handle on how its going to be used, by whom and under what circumstances, Simon told Stateline.

The White House referred questions about SAVE and the event to the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS.

In response to questions from Stateline, USCIS didnt directly answer whether the agency would share voter roll data with other parts of the federal government but confirmed it disposes of records after 10 years.

The SAVE application is a critical tool for state and local governments to access information to safeguard the integrity of elections across the country. Its no wonder many states have quickly adopted it, and we continue to promote the tool to other states and counties not using SAVE, USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We look forward to continued optimization efforts and implementing more updates to SAVE.

GOP pressure

Some Republican election officials and Trump allies have long wanted the federal government to take an expanded role in searching state voter rolls for noncitizens.

Last summer the Trump-aligned litigation group America First Legal, co-founded by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, encouraged states to submit to the Department of Homeland Security the names of individuals for citizenship or immigration status verification.

Some states did just that. Texas, for example, asked USCIS to verify the citizenship of some voters in September, and Indiana asked the agency to verify 585,774 voters in October. The same month, 16 Republican state attorneys general signed a letter criticizing Homeland Security, then under the Biden administration, for failing to work with states on verification.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After Trump took office, GOP state officials kept up the pressure. Twenty-one Republican secretaries of state urged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in February to prioritize SAVE improvements.

On April 16, Indiana sued the department in federal court for not responding to its verification request last fall. USCIS announced an overhaul of SAVE less than a week later.

As the agency continues to remake SAVE, the tool will soon allow searches using the last four digits of a Social Security number, multiple state secretaries of state told Stateline. The agency confirmed the feature is under development and will be available soon but didnt provide an exact date.

The change would mark another significant expansion of the program because most states collect the last four digits when individuals without a drivers license register to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, a Republican, said SAVE represents a better way to verify citizenship than a state law requiring voters to produce documents. I think theres a real opportunity for us to do a lot of this through just sharing of information and I think thats what were seeing happen, McGrane said in an interview.

Unreliable data?

But some voting rights advocates and experts on government data caution against an overreliance on Social Security data.

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, a progressive policy nonprofit, has noted that Social Security only began tracking the citizenship status of all applicants in 1978  meaning the database doesnt include comprehensive citizenship information for older Americans. Additionally, Social Security may not always have up-to-date information on the status of naturalized U.S. citizens.

The nonpartisan Institute for Responsive Government also warned in May that since SAVE hasnt used Social Security numbers to verify citizenship in the past, its accuracy and effectiveness are unknown. The success of the expanded SAVE program may also partially depend on whether it has adequate staff and resources, it said.

A 2017 Government Accountability Office report found that between fiscal years 2012 and 2016, about 16% of the nearly 90 million SAVE searches required additional verification, which the institute says often translates into federal workers manually checking files. Now that SAVE allows bulk searches, the need for manual checking could rise dramatically.

Nick Doctor, director of implementation at the Institute for Responsive Government, said in an interview that a tool confirming the eligibility of registered voters in a way that doesnt burden individuals can be a good thing. But he emphasized that it depends in large measure on SAVEs implementation.

The changes that have been made to SAVE happened very quickly and, to my knowledge, we havent seen releases on the level of accuracy of that information, Doctor said.

During interviews, Republican secretaries of state stressed that voters arent kicked off the rolls because SAVE cant verify their citizenship. Instead, an inability to verify would likely trigger a follow-up process with the voter.

Just because we get something back from the SAVE database, its not a cut and dry, especially on those theyre not sure about, Hoskins, the Missouri secretary of state, said.

Still, Arizona illustrates why some Democrats worry about any large-scale effort to ask voters  especially longtime, older residents  to prove their citizenship. After the state discovered errors in how it tracked voter citizenship dating back years, election officials are contacting some 200,000 voters seeking proof of citizenship documentation.

Some have been casting ballots for decades without incident and many feel targeted, Arizona Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said during a presentation at the state secretaries of state conference. They feel insulted when they get that letter, Fontes said.

Charles Stewart III, a professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies elections, said Arizona may actually point to the potential usefulness of SAVE. If Arizona runs its voter roll through the program, a list of 200,000 voters needing citizenship verification would perhaps drop into the hundreds, he suggested.

Theres a lot of good-government reasons to believe that something like this, governed properly and governed with fail-safe mechanisms, could have an upside, Stewart said.

Connecticut Democratic Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas told Stateline that every secretary wants tools to keep voter lists as clean as possible. But the details are important.

When she hears of something new, Thomas said she asks whether its the best option available and whether the is are dotted, the ts crossed. She said shes asked USCIS a series of questions about SAVE and is waiting on some responses.

When it comes to voter lists, Thomas said, I dont want Connecticut voters to be a guinea pig.

Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@stateline.org.
People participate in a naturalization ceremony last year at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. The Trump administration is encouraging states to use an online search tool to verify the citizenship of registered voters, alarming some Democrats and privacy experts. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

BILOXI, Miss.  The Trump administration is developing a powerful data tool it claims will let states identify noncitizens registered to vote. But Democratic critics and data experts warn it could allow the federal government to vacuum up vast quantities of information on Americans for unclear purposes.

Some Democratic election officials and opponents of the effort fear President Donald Trump wants to build a federal database of voters to target political opponents or cherry-pick rare examples of noncitizen voters to fuel a sense of crisis. Republican election officials allied with the president counter that hes helping states to maintain accurate voter rolls.

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The Trump administration has rolled out changes to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, tool at the same time the U.S. Department of Justice is asking states for copies of their voter rolls. The timing, combined with questions about what happens to voter data uploaded to the program, has alarmed critics.

Trump wants Congress to pass a national proof of citizenship voter registration requirement and in March tried to unilaterally impose one for federal elections through executive order. But with the legislation stalled and the order halted by the courts, the citizenship data tool may offer a backdoor way to accomplish the same goal.

SAVE was originally intended to help state and local officials verify the immigration status of individual noncitizens seeking government benefits. But U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, this spring refashioned it into a platform that can scan states voter rolls if election officials upload the data.

The changes to SAVE, rolled out over just a few months and with little public debate, are tinkering with sort of the bones of democracy, said John Davisson, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington, D.C.-based research and advocacy group that argues privacy is a fundamental right.

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Youre talking about the voting process and who will be eligible to vote, Davisson said. And to take a system that is not designed for use in that process and repurpose it, really on the fly, without a formal comment process, without formal rulemaking, without congressional intervention  thats pretty anomalous and pretty alarming.

Previously, SAVE could only search one name at a time. Now it can conduct bulk searches, allowing state officials to potentially feed into it information on millions of registered voters. SAVE checks that information against a series of federal databases and reports back whether it can verify someones immigration status.

Since May, it also can draw upon Social Security data, transforming the program into a tool that can confirm citizenship because Social Security records for many, but not all, Americans include the information. NPR reported earlier on changes to SAVE.

It is incredible what has been done, really since March, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, a Republican who supports proof of citizenship requirements and the SAVE tool, told a gathering of state secretaries of state in Biloxi, Mississippi, last week.

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Individuals registering to vote in federal elections must already sign a statement affirming they are citizens under penalty of perjury, and those who cast a ballot face criminal penalties and deportation. One study of the 2016 election placed the prevalence of noncitizen voting at 0.0001% of votes cast.

But as Trump has spread falsehoods about elections, Republicans have made purging noncitizens from voter rolls a central focus.

Nameplates at the National Association of Secretaries of State conference in Biloxi, Miss. The Trump administration wants state secretaries of state to use an online program to identify noncitizens on their voter rolls. (Photo by Jonathan Shorman/Stateline)

Democratic concerns were on display last week at the National Association of Secretaries of State conference, held at the Beau Rivage casino-resort in Biloxi. In interviews on the sidelines of the conference, Democratic secretaries of state voiced deep reservations  or outright opposition  about plugging their voter data into SAVE.

Maine Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Aug. 6 that the federal government appeared to be trying to take over election administration. She formally rejected the Justice Departments voter roll request two days later.

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Bellows said the Department of Homeland Security told her in a recent phone call that it planned to retain SAVE data for 10 years for audit purposes only.

Just like the [Justice Department] is asking us to hand over an electronic file of all the voters in our state, it seems like the Department of Homeland Security is through this backdoor system also asking us to share voter information about every voter in our state, Bellows said.

At least one state appears to have granted the federal government sweeping authority over any voter data it provides to SAVE.

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales announced in July he had reached an agreement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to access the newly expanded system for voter list maintenance. Indianas agreement allows the federal agency to use information the state provides for any purpose permitted by law, including criminal prosecutions.

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Morales, a Republican, said in a news release that SAVE represented another step in safeguarding the rights of eligible voters. His office didnt respond to Statelines questions.

The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to encourage state election officials to use the expanded program. The White House hosted a bipartisan fly in event for state secretaries of state on July 29. Multiple secretaries of state told Stateline that USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, who was confirmed on July 15, spoke at the event.

The president is very much keyed in on voter list maintenance, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican, said in an interview  echoing other GOP secretaries of state who released statements praising the Trump administration after the meeting.

When we disclose information, particularly personal identifying information, we need to have a handle on how its going to be used, by whom and under what circumstances.

 Minnesota Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat who attended the meeting, said he questioned how the federal government would handle voter information provided to SAVE. He added that the Justice Departments request for his states voter rolls raised his level of concern about how data would be used.

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When we disclose information, particularly personal identifying information, we need to have a handle on how its going to be used, by whom and under what circumstances, Simon told Stateline.

The White House referred questions about SAVE and the event to the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS.

In response to questions from Stateline, USCIS didnt directly answer whether the agency would share voter roll data with other parts of the federal government but confirmed it disposes of records after 10 years.

The SAVE application is a critical tool for state and local governments to access information to safeguard the integrity of elections across the country. Its no wonder many states have quickly adopted it, and we continue to promote the tool to other states and counties not using SAVE, USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said in a statement.

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We look forward to continued optimization efforts and implementing more updates to SAVE.

GOP pressure

Some Republican election officials and Trump allies have long wanted the federal government to take an expanded role in searching state voter rolls for noncitizens.

Last summer the Trump-aligned litigation group America First Legal, co-founded by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, encouraged states to submit to the Department of Homeland Security the names of individuals for citizenship or immigration status verification.

Some states did just that. Texas, for example, asked USCIS to verify the citizenship of some voters in September, and Indiana asked the agency to verify 585,774 voters in October. The same month, 16 Republican state attorneys general signed a letter criticizing Homeland Security, then under the Biden administration, for failing to work with states on verification.

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After Trump took office, GOP state officials kept up the pressure. Twenty-one Republican secretaries of state urged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in February to prioritize SAVE improvements.

On April 16, Indiana sued the department in federal court for not responding to its verification request last fall. USCIS announced an overhaul of SAVE less than a week later.

As the agency continues to remake SAVE, the tool will soon allow searches using the last four digits of a Social Security number, multiple state secretaries of state told Stateline. The agency confirmed the feature is under development and will be available soon but didnt provide an exact date.

The change would mark another significant expansion of the program because most states collect the last four digits when individuals without a drivers license register to vote.

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Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, a Republican, said SAVE represents a better way to verify citizenship than a state law requiring voters to produce documents. I think theres a real opportunity for us to do a lot of this through just sharing of information and I think thats what were seeing happen, McGrane said in an interview.

Unreliable data?

But some voting rights advocates and experts on government data caution against an overreliance on Social Security data.

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, a progressive policy nonprofit, has noted that Social Security only began tracking the citizenship status of all applicants in 1978  meaning the database doesnt include comprehensive citizenship information for older Americans. Additionally, Social Security may not always have up-to-date information on the status of naturalized U.S. citizens.

The nonpartisan Institute for Responsive Government also warned in May that since SAVE hasnt used Social Security numbers to verify citizenship in the past, its accuracy and effectiveness are unknown. The success of the expanded SAVE program may also partially depend on whether it has adequate staff and resources, it said.

A 2017 Government Accountability Office report found that between fiscal years 2012 and 2016, about 16% of the nearly 90 million SAVE searches required additional verification, which the institute says often translates into federal workers manually checking files. Now that SAVE allows bulk searches, the need for manual checking could rise dramatically.

Nick Doctor, director of implementation at the Institute for Responsive Government, said in an interview that a tool confirming the eligibility of registered voters in a way that doesnt burden individuals can be a good thing. But he emphasized that it depends in large measure on SAVEs implementation.

The changes that have been made to SAVE happened very quickly and, to my knowledge, we havent seen releases on the level of accuracy of that information, Doctor said.

During interviews, Republican secretaries of state stressed that voters arent kicked off the rolls because SAVE cant verify their citizenship. Instead, an inability to verify would likely trigger a follow-up process with the voter.

Just because we get something back from the SAVE database, its not a cut and dry, especially on those theyre not sure about, Hoskins, the Missouri secretary of state, said.

Still, Arizona illustrates why some Democrats worry about any large-scale effort to ask voters  especially longtime, older residents  to prove their citizenship. After the state discovered errors in how it tracked voter citizenship dating back years, election officials are contacting some 200,000 voters seeking proof of citizenship documentation.

Some have been casting ballots for decades without incident and many feel targeted, Arizona Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said during a presentation at the state secretaries of state conference. They feel insulted when they get that letter, Fontes said.

Theres a lot of good-government reasons to believe that something like this, governed properly and governed with fail-safe mechanisms, could have an upside.

 Charles Stewart III, professor of political science at MIT who studies elections

Charles Stewart III, a professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies elections, said Arizona may actually point to the potential usefulness of SAVE. If Arizona runs its voter roll through the program, a list of 200,000 voters needing citizenship verification would perhaps drop into the hundreds, he suggested.

Theres a lot of good-government reasons to believe that something like this, governed properly and governed with fail-safe mechanisms, could have an upside, Stewart said.

Connecticut Democratic Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas told Stateline that every secretary wants tools to keep voter lists as clean as possible. But the details are important.

When she hears of something new, Thomas said she asks whether its the best option available and whether the is are dotted, the ts crossed. She said shes asked USCIS a series of questions about SAVE and is waiting on some responses.

When it comes to voter lists, Thomas said, I dont want Connecticut voters to be a guinea pig.

Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@stateline.org.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.
President Donald Trump is ready to zoom past a ceasefire and get straight to a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

After his high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump announced his intention to bring a more final end to the war.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday.

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Trump Reveals 10 Striking Takeaways From Putin Summit In Hannity Interview

Trump also said that if his meeting with Zelenskyy in D.C. on Monday goes well, they will work to schedule a trilateral meeting with Putin, presumably to get a peace agreement finalized and signed. However, Trump and Zelenskyy have both confirmed that they spoke after the U.S.-Russia summit on Friday.

The president's rejection of a ceasefire agreement echoes what Zelenskyy has often said regarding a lasting peace, rather than a "pause between Russian invasions."

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"Today, following a conversation with President Trump, we further coordinated positions with European leaders. The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025.

Zelenskyy to meet with Trump in DC after historic Putin summit

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European leaders involved in the "Coalition of the Willing," including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and others, also expressed their desire for a "just and lasting peace." The officials issued a joint statement after Trump and Putin's meeting, praising U.S. efforts and encouraging them to continue.

"We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support," the statement read.

Zelenskyy said on X that he urged Trump to issue sanctions if Russia refuses to partake in a trilateral meeting. The move is possible, as Trump threatened to hit Russia with "very severe" economic consequences if Putin derailed the peace process, but did not explain what that would entail.

President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) hold a meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug.15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska.

Although Putin and Trump did not reach a deal during their meeting in Alaska, the summit was widely seen as a successful step towards peace. Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview that the summit was a 10 out of 10 and that Putin wants the war to be "done."

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"We see the desire of the U.S. administration and President Trump personally to facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, his desire to delve into the essence and understand its origins," Putin said in a statement after the meeting, according to a Reuters translation.

Putin reiterated his stance that the conflict with Ukraine is based in security concerns for Russia. He also said that he saw the Ukrainian people as "brotherly" and that "in order for the Ukrainian settlement to be sustainable and long-term, all the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated," according to Reuters.

It remains to be seen whether Putin would be open to a trilateral meeting to end the brutal years-long war.





Original article source: Trump: We're going straight to Russia-Ukraine peace deal, 'not a mere ceasefire'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with President Trump on Monday at the White House in the aftermath of Trumps summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump spoke with Zelensky and European leaders while on Air Force One returning home from his first face-to-face meeting with Putin since his first term in office.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, Trump posted on Truth Social early Saturday morning.

President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin, he added.

Zelensky signaled his support for a trilateral meeting between the three world leaders in a post on social platform X.

President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion, the Ukrainian leader wrote. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation.

On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation, he added.

The president has also invited European leaders to his meeting with Zelensky in Washington, scheduled for Monday, a White House official told The Hills sister network NewsNation on Saturday.

Trump met Friday in Alaska with Putin to discuss a potential ceasefire deal in Ukraine  more than three years after Russian forces invaded the Eastern European nation after amassing troops near the border.

The president said that the meeting brought progress, but no agreement on a ceasefire was made. He offered few specifics on what the two leaders discussed.

Trump had previously said Fridays summit in Alaska was setting the table for a potential follow-up meeting involving Zelensky, and that Ukraine would need to be involved in any final decisions about territory.

Mondays meeting will mark the first time Zelensky visits Washington since the infamous Oval Office spat earlier this year in which Trump and Vice President Vance blasted the Ukrainian leader for not expressing gratitude for U.S. support.

Trump has in recent weeks expressed greater frustration with Putin and his ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities and has threatened severe consequences if a deal is not reached soon, though on Friday he said the two men have a fantastic relationship.
Editor's note: This story was updated to note that European leaders are also invited to Washington talks, according to the New York Times.



President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Aug. 18 to discuss ending Russia's war in Ukraine, following a call between the two leaders on Aug. 16.



The lengthy call comes a day after Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska, to which Zelensky was not invited. While Trump said he and Putin "made some headway" in peace talks, the summit saw no agreement to end the war in Ukraine.



Zelensky said that Trump invited him to Washington on Aug. 18, where they will discuss "the end of the killings, the end of the war."



"We discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing security to Ukraine," he added, stressing the importance of Washington's influence on the peace process.

He also said he supports Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia, noting that the three leaders can cover the "key issues."

In a statement shared later on Telegram, Zelensky said he had told Trump that sanctions against Russia must be tightened if Moscow opts out of a trilateral meeting or if Putin doesn't comply with a just end to the war.

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"Sanctions are an effective tool. We need to guarantee a lasting, long-term security with the participation of both Europe and the United States," Zelensky said. "All issues that are important for Ukraine should be discussed with the participation of Ukraine, and no issue, including territorial ones, can be resolved without Ukraine."

European leaders are also invited to join talks in Washington, the New York Times reported on Aug. 16, citing unnamed officials.

Shortly after the Alaska summit, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian state media that the idea of a trilateral meeting wasn't discussed in Alaska.



Zelensky first spoke to Trump one-on-one for an hour before European leaders joined for an additional 30 minutes.



Trump briefed the Ukrainian leader about his meeting with Putin, and said that he thinks a "fast peace deal" is better than a ceasefire, according to a source on the call, Axios journalist Barak Ravid wrote on X.



"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump wrote on Truth Social after the call.



According to Ukrainian media Suspilne, the other phone call attendees included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.



Zelensky said that Europe needs to be involved at every stage of the peace process, in order to "reliably guarantee security."



Some European officials criticized the Alaskan summit as a win for Putin while Trump got nothing in return.



Following the summit, Trump said that he and Putin had "largely agreed" on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting, Trump said that both sides would have to agree to "swap" land, although it is unclear what exactly he meant by that.



"I think we're pretty close to a deal," Trump said, adding: "Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no."



A Ukrainian Presidential Office source earlier told the Kyiv Independent that Moscow's proposal would require Kyiv to withdraw from the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in exchange for a Russian pullback from parts of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.



Zelensky has previously said he would not give up territory to Russia as part of peace negotiations, insisting instead that the first step should be a ceasefire.

Read also: Editorial: That meeting was sickening. Putin loved it

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
After a controversial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House on Monday.

Trump and Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday afternoon to discuss an end to Russias war on Ukraine, which began more than three years ago. The pair announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach any kind of plan to end the war.

Trump told Fox News ahead of the meeting that he wont be happy walking away without some form of a ceasefire. But Trump changed course early Saturday morning, writing on Truth Social that Ukraine and Russia should strive for a peace deal, rather than a ceasefire.

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Trump spoke with Zelensky after the summit. The Ukrainian leader described the talk as a long and substantive conversation. Now hes heading to the White House for a face-to-face meeting with the president.

Heres what you need to know ahead of Trumps meeting with Zelensky:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday (Getty Images)

Trump to meet with Zelensky at the White House

Trump revealed he will meet with Zelensky in the Oval Office on Monday. European leaders are invited to join the meeting, two senior European officials told The New York Times.

Trump told Fox News on Friday he would advise Zelensky that he has gotta make a deal with Russia.

Russias a very big power, Trump added. And theyre not.

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Trump said if all works out, he will meet with Putin again.

The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO, Trump wrote. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of their summit in Alaska. Trump says leaders are now pushing for a peace agreement, rather than a ceasefire (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Several European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, said in a statement they were briefed on Trumps meeting with Putin.

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump's statement that the U.S. is prepared to give security guarantees," the statement said.

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Meanwhile, Zelensky said his call with Trump lasted more than 90 minutes.

Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion, Zelensky said. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation.

Zelensky said the U.S. should strengthen sanctions on Russia if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday. Starmer and other European leaders said they were briefed on Trumps meeting with Putin (AP)

Some Ukrainian leaders say theyre concerned about a peace deal coming before a ceasefire.

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In Putins view, a peace agreement means several dangerous things  Ukraine not joining NATO, his absurd demands for denazification and demilitarization, the Russian language and the Russian church, Oleksandr Merezhko, leader of the Ukrainian parliaments foreign affairs committee, told Reuters.

Our vision is a ceasefire, and then everything else. Why? Because if we negotiate before a ceasefire, this creates a high risk of blackmail for Ukraine, said Serhiy Leshchenko, an adviser to Zelenskys chief of staff, according to CNN.

Putin wants Ukraine to give up key region: reports

In their meeting, Putin told Trump that Ukraine must withdraw from the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions to end the war, the Financial Times reports, citing four people with direct knowledge of the discussion. These areas are within the Donbas, the name for Ukraines eastern industrial heartland.

The move would give Russia control of a territory its forces have partially occupied for more than 10 years, according to the Financial Times. In exchange, Putin reportedly said he would freeze his frontline forces in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Trump then communicated this to Zelensky and European leaders, the Financial Times reports.

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The New York Times also reports that Trump told European leaders he believed peace could be reached if Zelensky ceded the rest of the Donbas to Russia, including areas not occupied by Russian troops, two senior European officials told The New York Times. In exchange, Putin said he would ensure a ceasefire in the rest of Ukraine and make a written promise not to attack the nation again, the Times reports.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

When did Zelensky last meet with Trump?

Zelensky last met with Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials in the Oval Office in March. However, the meeting quickly devolved into chaos. Trump accused Zelensky of gambling with World War Three, while Vance claimed the Ukrainian leader was disrespectful and ungrateful.

You don't have the cards right now, Trump told Zelensky in March. With us, you start having cards...you're gambling with the lives of millions of people.

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speak amid a chaotic meeting at the White House in March (AFP via Getty Images)

Brian Glenn, a correspondent for the conservative network Real Americas Voice, even asked Zelensky why he wasnt wearing a suit to the Oval Office meeting. Vance smiled at the question.

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Why dont you wear a suit? Youre at the highest level in this countrys office, and you refuse to wear a suit, Glenn said.

"I will wear [a suit] after this war finishes. Maybe something like yours, maybe something better," Zelensky retorted.
The Indian Army, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police and district administration, is carrying out rescue operations in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district after a devastating flash flood triggered by a cloudburst. A massive cloudburst struck Chasoti village in Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday, killing at least 60 people. The cloudburst, which occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggered flash floods and widespread destruction, causing multiple casualties among yatris and residents. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Chasoti to assess the damage and received a detailed briefing from Army personnel. He also used a Virtual Reality (VR) headset to review the destruction and said immediate relief measures would be taken to support affected families. On Friday, Abdullah confirmed that around 60 bodies had been recovered so far, while the number of missing people was still being verified. "Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. After the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the Administration could have taken any preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed. The rescue operation by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Administration is underway. Workers of different political parties are also working on the ground," Omar Abdullah told reporters. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also visited Chesoti late on Friday evening to take stock of the situation. Meanwhile, as per sources, the Indian Air Force has been put on standby to support the operations. Two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter have been kept ready at Jammu and Udhampur for deployment if needed. Earlier, in his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with those affected by natural disasters across the country. "Nature is testing us...Over the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people," he said from the Red Fort. (ANI)
(The Center Square)  Following a successful meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump said he is going straight for a peace agreement in a Monday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.

The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russa went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO, the president wrote on social media early Saturday morning after arriving back in Washington.

Trump indicated in-person peace talks between the two Eastern European leaders could be on the horizon, raising hopes for putting an end to a war in its fourth year. He has said similar things since the opening weeks of his second term, and dozens of times on the campaign trail said the war would end on Day 1 if he was elected.

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It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up, Trump wrote. President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved.

During a press conference following the Friday meeting between Trump and the Russian president, Putin, said his country is interested in putting an end to the war with Ukraine.

Trump indicated progress was made in talks with Putin, but did not elaborate on any agreements.

There were no immediate changes on the battlefields.

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Many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left, said the president. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didnt get there but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Despite the successful meeting, Trump underscored that there is no deal until theres a deal and that it is ultimately up to the two Eastern European leaders to come to an agreement.

The Russian president told reporters that the two countries must address the roots of the conflict in order to reach an agreement.

Were convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict and  to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole, Putin said. We agree with President Trump  that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be insured as well.

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In a social media post Saturday morning, Zelenskyy was much more direct in his demands for peace.

The positions are clear, Zelenskyy wrote. We need to achieve real peace that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions. We must stop the killings as soon as possible, cease fire both on the battlefield and in the skies, and against our port infrastructure. We must free all Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians and bring back the children abducted by Russia. Thousands of our people are still held in captivity; they all must be brought home. We must maintain pressure on Russia as long as the aggression and occupation continue.

In the conversation with President Trump, I emphasized that sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia evades an honest end to the war. Sanctions are an effective tool. We need to reliably and long-term guarantee security with the participation of both Europe and the United States. All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraines involvement, and no issue, including territorial ones, should be resolved without Ukraine.

The last time Zelenskyy and Trump met at the White House in February, the meeting ended abruptly following a tense exchange. At the time, Trump said Zelenskyy wasnt ready for peace.

Since then, the leaders appeared to have patched things up during two sidebar meetings in Europe.
US President Donald Trump has said that it is now up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine.

Source: Trump in an interview with Fox News after meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska, as reported by CNN and Interfax-Ukraine

Details: Trump said a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin could take place soon.

Quote: "Now its really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done."

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Theyre going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself, I guess." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda doesn't recognise Putin as president  ed.]

Details: Trump declined to reveal the obstacles that are standing in the way of an agreement.

Although no deal was reached, he described the summit with Putin as a success, giving it a 10 out of 10 rating, "in the sense that we got along great".

Quote: "I want to make sure it gets done. And we have a pretty good chance of getting it done."

Details: Trump also stated that during the talks with the Russian leader, they agreed that the war in Ukraine will conclude with a territory swap and certain security guarantees from the United States.

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Asked about territorial concessions granting Russia land it did not previously occupy and potential US security guarantees for Ukraine, Trump said this was a matter for agreement with Putin.

Quote: "Well, I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on.

Actually, I think we agree on a lot. I can tell you, the meeting was a warm meeting."

Details: He described Putin as a "strong guy" and "tough as hell", but said the meeting was positive.

Quote: "I think were pretty close to the end. And look, Ukraine has to agree to it."

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Details: Trump advised Zelenskyy: "Gotta make a deal."

The American president also said that Russia is a "very big power", unlike Ukraine.

Background: The Trump-Putin meeting has concluded with no agreements reached and no ceasefire in Ukraine announced, despite both leaders claiming "great progress" was made.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The left sees President Donald Trump's attempted takeover of Washington law enforcement as part of a multifront march to autocracy  vindictive authoritarian rule, as one activist put it  and as an extraordinary thing to do in rather ordinary times on the streets of the capital. To the right, it's a bold move to fracture the crust of Democratic urban bureaucracy and make D.C. a better place to live.

Where that debate settles  if it ever does  may determine whether Washington, a symbol for America in all its granite glory, history, achievement, inequality and dysfunction, becomes a model under the imprint of Trump for how cities are policed, cleaned up and run, or ruined.

Under the name of his Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Trump put some 800 National Guard troops on Washington streets this past week, declaring at the outset, Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals.

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Grunge was also on his mind. If our capital is dirty, our whole country is dirty, and they dont respect us.

He then upped the stakes by declaring federal control of the districts police department and naming an emergency chief. That set off alarms and prompted local officials to sue to stop the effort. I have never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive, Police Chief Pamela Smith said.

On Friday, the Trump administration partially retreated from its effort to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department when a judge, skeptical that the president had the authority to do what he tried to do, urged both sides to reach a compromise, which they did  at least for now.

Trump's Justice Department agreed to leave Smith in control, while still intending to instruct her department on law enforcement practices. In a new memo, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the force to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law.

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In this heavily Democratic city, local officials and many citizens did not like the National Guard deployment. At the same time, they acknowledged the Republican president had the right to order it because of the federal governments unique powers in the district.

But Trump's attempt to seize formal control of the police department, for the first time since D.C. gained a partial measure of autonomy in the Home Rule Act of 1973, was their red line.

When the feds stepped in

For sure, there have been times when the U.S. military has been deployed to American streets, but almost always in the face of a riot or a calamitous event like the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Trump's use of force was born of an emergency that he saw and city officials  and many others  did not.

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A stranger to nuance, Trump has used the language of emergency to justify much of what he's done: his deportations of foreigners, his tariffs, his short-term deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, and now his aggressive intervention into Washington policing.

Washington does have crime and endemic homelessness, like every city in the country. But there was nothing like an urban fire that the masses thought needed to be quelled. Violent crime is down, as it is in many U.S. cities.

Washington is also a city about which most Americans feel ownership  or at least that they have a stake. More than 25 million of them visited in 2024, a record year, plus over 2 million people from abroad. It's where middle schoolers on field trips get to see what they learn about in class  and perhaps to dance to pop tunes with the man with the music player so often in front of the White House.

Washington is part federal theme park, with its historic buildings and museums, and part downtown, where restaurants and lobbyists outnumber any corporate presence. Neighborhoods range from the places where Jeff Bezos set a record for a home purchase price to destitute streets in economically depressed areas that are also magnets for drugs and crime.

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In 1968, the capital was a city on fire with riots. Twenty years later, a murder spree and crack epidemic fed the sense of a place out of control. But over the last 30 years, the citys population and its collective wealth have swelled.

A cooked-up emergency?

Against that backdrop, Philadelphias top prosecutor, District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, assailed Trump's moves in Washington.

Youre talking about an emergency, really? Krasner said, as if speaking with the president. Or is it that youre talking about an emergency because you want to pretend everything is an emergency so that you can roll tanks?"

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In Washington, a coalition of activists called Not Above the Law denounced what they saw as just the latest step by Trump to seize levers of power he has no business grasping.

The onslaught of lawlessness and autocratic activities has escalated, said Lisa Gilbert, co-chair of the group and co-president of Public Citizen. The last two weeks should have crystallized for all Americans that Donald Trump will not stop until democracy is replaced by vindictive authoritarian rule.

Fifty miles northeast, in the nearest major city, Baltimore's Democratic mayor criticized what he saw as Trump's effort to distract the public from economic pain and Americas falling standing in the world.

Every mayor and police chief in America works with our local federal agents to do great work  to go after gun traffickers, to go after violent organizations, Brandon Scott said. How is taking them off of that job, sending them out to just patrol the street, making our country safer?

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But the leader of the D.C. Police Union, Gregg Pemberton, endorsed Trump's intervention  while saying it should not become permanent.

We stand with the president in recognizing that Washington, D.C., cannot continue on this trajectory, Pemberton said. From his vantage point, Crime is out of control, and our officers are stretched beyond their limits.

The Home Rule Act lets a president invoke certain emergency powers over the police department for 30 days, after which Congress must decide whether to extend the period. Trump's attempt to use that provision stirred interest among some Republicans in Congress in giving him an even freer hand.

Among them, Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee drafted a resolution that would eliminate the time limit on federal control. This, he told Fox News Digital, would give the president all the time and authority he needs to crush lawlessness, restore order, and reclaim our capital once and for all.

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Which raises a question that Trump has robustly hinted at and others are wondering, too: If there is success in the district  at least, success in the president's eyes  what might that mean for other American cities he thinks need to be fixed? Where does  where could  the federal government go next?

___

Associated Press writer Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump's cost-cutting measures to decrease the federal budget have already been backfiring. Federal workers are being fired and rehired. Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency has been deemed an utter failure as well.

And now, the United States' lead in AI technologies and Trump's own policy proposal to boost AI are under threat due to Trump's anti-science agenda, The Guardian reports.

Last month, the Trump administration released its "AI Action Plan," a policy guideline on how the country can retain its edge on AI over rivals like China. But with no research funding available, the plan won't amount to much, experts told The Guardian.

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National Institute of Health's head of neural computation and behavior, Mark Histed, told The Guardian that while the effects of the cuts may not be apparent within the next two years, "the whole ecosystem that we have built around AI, that has been created by federal support," could soon be seriously undermined.

In other words, the Trump administration's massive underfunding of science could greatly hamper its goal of "winning the AI race," allowing its adversaries to gain the upper hand when it comes to cutting-edge AI research.

Histed pointed out that many of the flagstone projects in AI, such as computer vision for autonomous vehicles and AlphaFold, a protein modeling app developed by Google, started and relied on federal funding.

Cuts to other disciplines, such as neuroscience, would adversely impact the advancement of AI technologies due to the cross-fertilization and exchange of ideas between fields, he argued.

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"Were just at the beginning of understanding how networks of connected neurons create functions like memory and cognition," he said. "And if you look at a machine learning network or an AI network, that is also the case."

The other problem with cutting science research is that sought-after AI talent is leaving academia for Silicon Valley, especially if there are zero funds for education and research at universities.

"We train lots and lots and lots of people in neuroscience and related fields that are going directly to these tech companies," Histed said. "Theres tons of overlap. All the people who are leading the technical side of the AI revolution have had contact with the academic world that trained them and is supported by US federal funding."

Without education funding, AI companies could soon run out of the talent they need to progress.

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"One of the big ways in which tech companies benefit from universities is that we train students, right?" University of Chicago computer science professor Rebecca Willett told the newspaper, pointing out that "universities are playing an essential role thats important to industry."

More on President Donald Trump: Trump Rips Up Environmental Rules Protecting Wildlife From Destructive Rocket Launches
No deal in Alaska. It was always the most likely and, in the absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, perhaps the most desirable outcome.

But US President Donald Trump's pivot away from the need for an immediate ceasefire, which he said beforehand he wanted, will have caused profound dismay in Kyiv and around Europe.

Russia's position has long been that a ceasefire can only come in the context of a comprehensive settlement taking account of Russia's interests - and inevitably implies Ukraine's capitulation.

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That's the position that Trump, once again, appears to have endorsed.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine," he wrote on Truth Social, "is to go directly to a peace agreement."

Ceasefires, he noted, "often times do not hold up".

This appears to fly in the face of Ukraine's main demand, endorsed by all its European backers: that an unconditional ceasefire has to come first.

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Crucially, it also buys Russia's Vladimir Putin time on the battlefield, where he is convinced he's winning.

"If Putin's military objective was to avoid immediate constraints on Russian operations in Ukraine then he appears to have succeeded," says Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute.

At their brief press appearance last night, Putin warned Ukraine and the Europeans not to "throw a wrench" in the works of the unspecified progress he and Trump had made.

But that, for Kyiv and its allies, is precisely what Trump has done, undoing the achievements of what they all hoped was a successful preceding week of frantic diplomacy aimed at influencing the outcome in Alaska.

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It's a reminder, as if one were needed, of Trump's tendency to echo the views of the last person to have his ear.

For a short while this morning, European leaders will have held their breath, waiting to see if their efforts had borne fruit or been cast aside.

True to his word before the summit, Trump got on the phone to Zelensky. The two men spoke for an hour, before being joined by European leaders.

Zelensky said the call was "long and substantive" and that he would travel to Washington on Monday for his first visit since the disastrous Oval Office encounter in February.

A lot has happened since then, with Kyiv's European allies working assiduously to repair the damage and school Zelensky in the best ways of handling the capricious and volatile occupant of the White House.

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"I am grateful for the invitation," Zelensky posted, adding "it is important that America's strength has an impact on the situation".

But in a later post, after Trump's statement on Truth Social, Zelensky adopted a more urgent tone.

"Killings must stop as soon as possible," he said. "The fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the sky, as well as against our port infrastructure."

On his way to Alaska, Trump said he wouldn't be happy if he left without a ceasefire, but afterwards posted on social media that ceasefires "often times do not hold up" [Reuters]

Europe's "Trump whisperers" picked up this morning where they left off last week.

They highlighted the vital importance of involving Ukraine in conversations about its future but also paused, as they know they must regularly do, to show appreciation for Trump's efforts.

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"President Trump's efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia's illegal war in Ukraine," said Sir Keir Starmer, the UK's prime minister.

Starmer said he welcomed what he called the "openness" of the US, along with Europe, to provide "robust security guarantees" for Ukraine in the event of a deal.

If and when the fighting does eventually end, the precise nature of those guarantees will need to be spelled out in a great deal more detail than has so far been the case.

European leaders held a virtual meeting with Trump on Wednesday ahead of the US president's meeting with Putin [Getty Images]

Despite Europe's emerging role as Ukraine's principal military, economic and political backer, everyone knows Ukraine's future security cannot really be assured without the substantive backing of the US.

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In her own comments on the Alaska summit, Italy's leader, Giorgia Meloni, said guarantees for Ukraine could be "inspired by Nato's Article 5" - the principle of collective defence signed on to by all Nato members.

Several reports this morning suggested the idea of guarantees outside Nato but equivalent to Article 5 were discussed during the latest call between Trump and European leaders.

But in the wake of Trump's apparent about-face this morning, you can almost hear the sound of minds spinning across European capitals.

In London, the government appears to be putting on a brave face.

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"If you can get that all done [a ceasefire and a peace agreement] in one go or in quick succession that's obviously a good thing," said a senior Downing Street source.

"But we all want to see the fighting stop".

[Getty Images]

Trump has walked away from the idea of an immediate ceasefire, no doubt informed by Putin's highly contentious account of how ceasefires broke down in the past.

The quasi-summit in Alaska already represented a cost-free win for Putin. The return of an international pariah to the international stage (albeit one festooned with unambiguous displays of American military might at the Elmendorf-Richardson airbase) and some of the trappings of a state visit.

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The threat of increased US sanctions on Moscow receded too, with Trump saying it may be two or three weeks before he even has to think about it.

All this raises a host of questions about what may greet Zelensky, both on Monday in Washington and when he finally finds himself in the room with Putin and Trump.

What advice does Trump have for the Ukrainian leader, Fox's Sean Hannity asked.

"Make a deal," came the blunt reply. "Russia's a very big power and they're not."
The Department of Homeland Security is touting new data showing that the nation's illegal immigrant population has plummeted by 1.6 million people since January.

The statistics, from the Center for Immigration Studies, indicate that self-deportations are driving the trend. The federal government has provided financial incentives for illegal immigrants to leave and has run advertisements telling them they can only apply to return if they leave voluntarily.

"In less than 200 days, 1.6 MILLION illegal immigrants have left the United States population," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on Thursday. "This is massive. This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off of schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans. Thank you, President Trump!"

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The agency says over 1 million people have opted for self-deportation through the CBP Home app. DHS began offering $1,000 and free travel out of the United States to those seeking to leave the country on their own and who do not have a criminal background outside of their immigration status.

Tom Homan Puts Sanctuary Cities 'On Notice' As Trump Administration Cracks Down On Immigration

Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., is becoming an example from the Trump administration to sanctuary cities around the country, as Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered that officers cooperate with federal immigration authorities and put Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole in an oversight role of the police force.

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"I sent out 33 letters to mayors around this country. I think three or four of them were in California alone. Not surprising. I sent out letters to all of these mayors and to the governors saying, "You must comply.' we want to know what you're doing to comply with our federal government," Bondi said on "Hannity" on Thursday night.

Tensions are high between Democratic leadership and federal law enforcement in sanctuary cities, as there were immigration authorities outside Gov. Gavin Newsoms rally in Los Angeles on Thursday, and at least one arrest was made by U.S. Border Patrol.

Newsom Office Dismisses Crime Fears, Defends Sanctuary Policies Amid Surge In Violence: 'Fake News'

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a news conference at the DEA headquarters on July 15, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.

"WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY WEAK LITTLE DONALD TRUMP, THE CRIMINAL PRESIDENT!" Newsoms office told Fox News Digital in an email.

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Click Here For More Immigration Coverage

Some New York City leaders are also making critical comparisons to rebuke the Trump administrations immigration policies.

"When I look at the visuals of ICE agents masked on the street, taking people from their homes, taking people who are rightfully showing up for court. It reminds me of something that some of my ancestors had to go through, which is the KKK," New York City Council Member Nantasha Williams said this week.

Americas Crime Drop Isnt A Coincidence. Trumps Immigration Policies Are Working

Border Patrol agents conduct operations in California

Many Democrats have likened ICE agents to Nazis since Trump took office.

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"Im gonna start with the flashing red light  Donald Trumps modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets," former vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in May. "Theyre in unmarked vans, wearing masks, being shipped off to foreign torture dungeons. No chance to mount a defense. Not even a chance to kiss a loved one goodbye. Just grabbed up by masked agents, shoved into those vans, and disappeared."

"I don't know of any police department that routinely wears masks. We know that there are other groups that routinely wear masks. NSC-131 routinely wears masks," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in June, referencing a neo-Nazi group.

DHS says that ICE agents are facing a 1,000% increase in assaults since last year.

"We will not and have not let this violence stop us or slow us down. Everyday our law enforcement continues to enforce the law and arrest the most depraved criminals including pedophiles, terrorists, murderers, gang members, and sexual predators," Noem stated earlier this month as ICE seeks to hire thousands of more agents.

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President Trump is touting the immigration crackdown, as the administration says the efforts to remove illegal immigrants from the country will lead to less of a strain on public resources.

"We want to stop crime. I think if the Democrats aren't strong on this issue, they won't be able to do it. I think this is a bigger issue than all of the other ridiculous things that like open borders," he said Thursday.





Original article source: Trump's DHS touts massive number of illegal immigrants deported as Dems lash out at ICE
Aug. 15With his interim appointment expiring, Ryan Ellison has a new title  acting U.S. attorney for New Mexico.

The action by the Trump administration gives Ellison at least another 210 days to head the prosecutor's office, which handles civil litigation, prosecutes federal criminal offenses and immigration cases.

The U.S. Department of Justice also avoided a potential confrontation with New Mexico's federal judiciary, which by law could have installed its own appointee.

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Ellison, who wasn't available for comment on Friday, said in a statement that he was honored to have President Trump's and Attorney General Pam Bondi's "confidence to continue serving as New Mexico's top federal prosecutor. I applaud New Mexico's federal district judge for declining to appoint someone other than the Trump Administration's choice."

Yet New Mexico's two Democratic U.S. senators on Friday objected to the way Ellison, a criminal prosecutor in the office under Biden-appointee Alexander Uballez, got the seven-month extension.

"Today, President Trump and his Department of Justice bypassed the Senate to extend the term of their pick for federal prosecutor," they said in a statement Friday. "While we are committed to reviewing his application and credentials, we are extremely concerned by this administration's continuing willingness to trample the role of the Judiciary and Congress."

Ellison is among a group of at least five top federal prosecutors who have been named "acting" U.S. attorneys after their interim appointments by Bondi expired. He was named "interim" attorney by Bondi on April 17.

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Typically, an incoming president submits his or her choice for U.S. attorney to the U.S. Senate for confirmation to a four-year term and an interim appointee serves until then.

But Ellison didn't submit his application for consideration to the U.S. attorney position to the offices of New Mexico's U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan until Aug. 7, according to a Heinrich spokesperson. That came after "substantial prodding" by the senators' staff, the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, Ellison's 120-day initial appointment as interim U.S. attorney was due to expire in the coming days. Under federal law, if a U.S. attorney interim appointment expires, the federal district court may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled.

New Mexico's U.S. District Court judges declined to "exercise the authority granted" to appoint a U.S. attorney, according to a statement on the court's website issued Thursday. There was no further comment.

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Ellison said in his statement that the appointment of a U.S. attorney is a "process that should be sorted out in a collaborative and professional manner between the executive and legislative branches of government. I'm confident that process will eventually play out here and across the country."

Meanwhile, according to his statement, he planned to continue addressing "New Mexico's systemic crime problem."

"In a few short months, I have shifted the U.S. Attorney's office back into high gear to keep New Mexicans safe," he stated, noting that violent crime and firearms prosecutions are up 23% compared with the four months prior to his appointment. Drug prosecutions are up 53%, and immigration-related crimes have increased 180%, he added.

During his past four months as interim U.S. attorney, Ellison's office harshly criticized the chief U.S. magistrate in Las Cruces after he dismissed as legally flawed more than 100 misdemeanor charges federal prosecutors filed as part of a new "national defense area" Trump officials created along the U.S. border.

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Ellison, a native of Alamogordo, graduated from the University of Arizona with a business degree in 2010. He earned his Juris Doctor and MBA from Texas Tech University in 2013. He became an assistant U.S. attorney in the Las Cruces branch office in 2018, and was supervisory assistant U.S. attorney of the violent and general crimes section when he was appointed by Trump in April.

Heinrich and Lujan's statement said they were committed to reviewing Ellison's application and credentials when his nomination comes before the Senate, "so that we can do our best to ensure fair, impartial and independent federal prosecutions in New Mexico. We cannot simply look the other way while President Trump pretends to care about the Rule of Law while obliterating it at every turn."
ATLANTA (AP)  Fight! Fight! Fight!

Its not just Donald Trumps mantra anymore. As the Republican president pushes states to redraw their congressional districts to the GOPs advantage, Democrats have shown they are willing to go beyond words of outrage and use whatever power they do have to win.

Democrats in the Texas Legislature started it off by delaying, for now, Republican efforts to expand the GOP majority in the state's delegation and help preserve party control of the U.S. House through new districts in time for the 2026 midterm elections.

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Then multiple Democratic governors promised new districts in their own states to neutralize potential Republican gains in Washington. Their counter has been buoyed by national fundraising, media blitzes and public demonstrations, including rallies Saturday around the country.

For everyone thats been asking, Where are the Democrats? -- well, here they are," said U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, one of several Democrats who could be ousted under her state's new maps. "For everyone whos been asking, Where is the fight?  well, here it is.

There is no guarantee Democrats can prevent the Republican-powered redistricting, just as Democrats on Capitol Hill have not been able to stop Trumps moves. But its a notable turn for a party that, by its own leaders admissions, has honored conventional rules and bypassed bare-knuckled tactics.

So far, progressive and establishment Democrats are aligned, uniting what has often been a fragmented opposition since Republicans led by Trump took control of the federal government with their election sweep in November. Leaders on the left say the approach gives them a more effective way to confront him. They can challenge his redistricting ploy with tangible moves as they also push back against the Republicans' tax and spending law and press the case that he is shredding American democracy.

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Weve been imploring Democrats where they have power on the state and local level to flex that power, said Maurice Mitchell, who leads the Working Families Party at the left flank of mainstream U.S. politics. Theres been this overwrought talk about fighters and largely performative actions to suggest that theyre in the fight.

This time, he said, Democrats are taking real risks in protecting all of our rights against an authoritarian president who only understands the fight.

Pairing fiery talk with action

Texas made sense for Republicans as the place to start a redistricting scuffle. They dominate the Statehouse, and Gov. Greg Abbott is a Trump loyalist.

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But when the president's allies announced a new political map intended to send five more Republicans to the U.S. House, state Democratic representatives fled Texas, denying the GOP the numbers to conduct business in the Legislature and approve the reworked districts.

Those legislators surfaced in Illinois, New York, California and elsewhere, joined by governors, senators, state party chairs, other states' legislators and activists. All promised action. The response was Trumpian.

Govs. Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Kathy Hochul of New York welcomed Texas Democrats and pledged retaliatory redistricting. Pritzker mocked Abbott as a lackey who says yes, sir to Trump orders. Hochul dismissed Texas Republicans as lawbreaking cowboys. Newsoms press office directed all-caps social media posts at Trump, mimicking his signature sign off: THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

U.S. Rep. Al Green, another Texas Democrat who could lose his seat, called Trump egomaniacal. Yet many Democrats also claimed moral high ground, comparing their cause to the Civil Rights Movement.

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State Rep. Ramon Romero Jr., invoked another Texas Democrat, President Lyndon Johnson, who was willing to stand up and fight for civil rights laws in the 1960s. Then, with Texas bravado, Romero reached further into history: Were asking for help, maybe just as they did back in the days of the Alamo.

Whatever it takes'

A recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that about 15% of Democrats own voters described the party using words like weak or apathetic. An additional 10% called it ineffective or disorganized.

Beto ORourke, a former Texas congressman who is raising money to support Texas Democrats, has encouraged Democratic-run statehouses to redraw districts now rather than wait for GOP states to act. On Friday, California Democrats released a plan that would give the party an additional five U.S. House seats. It would require voter approval in a November election.

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Maximize Democratic Party advantage, ORourke said at a recent rally. You may say to yourself, Well, those arent the rules. There are no refs in this game. F--- the rules. ... Whatever it takes.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin acknowledged the shift.

This is not the Democratic Party of your grandfather, which would bring a pencil to a knife fight, he said.

Andrew ONeill, an executive at the progressive group Indivisible, contrasted that response with the record-long speeches by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. and the Democratic leader of the U.S. House, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, in eviscerating Trump and his package of tax breaks and spending cuts. The left had its hair on fire cheering those moments, ONeill recalled, but were left even more frustrated in the aftermath.

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Trump still secured tax cuts for the wealthy, accelerated deportations and cut safety net programs, just as some of his controversial nominees were confirmed over vocal Democratic opposition.

Now, ONeill said, there is some marriage of the rhetoric weve been seeing since Trumps inauguration with some actual action.

ONeill looked back wistfully to the decision by Senate Democrats not to eliminate the filibuster when our side had the trifecta, so a simple majority could pass major legislation. Democratic President Joe Biden's attorney general, Merrick Garland, he said, was too timid in prosecuting Trump and top associates over the Capitol riot.

In 2016, Democratic President Barack Obama opted against hardball as the Senate's Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, refused to consider Obama's nomination of Garland to the Supreme Court.

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These unspoken rules of propriety, especially on the Democratic side, have created the conditions that enabled Trump, Mitchell said.

Fighting on all fronts

Even on redistricting, Democrats would have to ignore their previous good-government efforts and bypass independent commissions that draw boundaries in several states, including California.

Party leaders and activists rationalize that the broader fights tie together piecemeal skirmishes that may not, by themselves, sway voters.

Arguing that Trump diminishes democracy stirs people who already support Democrats, ONeill said. By contrast, he said, the GOP power grab, can be connected to unpopular policies that affect voters' lives.

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Green noted that Trumps big package bill cleared the Senate by one vote and the House by a few, demonstrating why redistricting matters.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar of Texas said Democrats must make unseemly, short-term power plays so they can later pass legislation that bans gerrymandering nationwide ... bans super PACs (political action committees) and gets rid of that kind of big money and special interest that helped get us to this place. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, added that a Democratic majority would wield subpoena power over Trump's administration.

In the meantime, said U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, voters are grasping a stark reality.

They say, Well, I dont know. Politics doesnt affect me,' she said of constituents she meets. I say, Honey, it does If you dont do politics, politics will do you.'
In downtown Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom was holding a news conference with Democratic leaders when the Border Patrol showed up nearby to conduct a showy immigration raid.

In Washington D.C., hundreds of National Guard troops patrolled the streets, some in armored vehicles, as city officials battled with the White House over whether the federal government can take control of the local police department.

President Trump has long demonized "blue" cities like Los Angeles, Washington and New York, frequently claiming  often contrary to the evidence  that their Democratic leaders have allowed crime and blight to worsen. Trump, for example, cited out-of-control crime as the reason for his Washington D.C. guard deployment, even though data shows crime in the city is down.

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But over the last few months, Trump's rhetoric has given way to searing images of federal power on urban streets that are generating both headlines and increasing alarm in some circles.

Read more: Trump expands L.A. military tactics by sending National Guard to Washington, D.C.

While past presidents have occasionally used the Insurrection Act to deploy the military in response to clear, acute crises, the way Trump has deployed troops in Democratic-run cities is unprecedented in American politics. Trump has claimed broader inherent powers and an authority to deploy troops to cities when and where he decides there is an emergency, said Matthew Beckmann, a political science professor at UC Irvine.

"President Trump is testing how far he can push his authority, in no small part to find out who or what can challenge him," he said.

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State and local officials reacted with shock when they learned Border Patrol agents had massed outside Newsom's news conference Thursday. The governor was preparing to announce the launch of a campaign for a ballot measure, which if approved by voters, would redraw the state's congressional maps to favor Democrats before the 2026 midterms.

Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino told a Fox 11 reporter: Were here making Los Angeles a safer place since we wont have politicians thatll do that, we do that ourselves." When the reporter noted that Newsom was nearby, Bovino responded, I dont know where hes at.

However, local law enforcement sources told The Times that the raid was not random and that they had received word from the federal authorities that Little Tokyo was targeted due to its proximity to the governor's event. The raid, the sources told The Times, was less about making arrests and more of a show of force intended to disrupt Democrats.

Whatever the reason, the raid generated news coverage and at least in the conservative media, overshadowed the announcement of the redistricting plan.

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Trump's second term has been marked by increased use of troops in cities. He authorized the deployment of thousands of Marines and National Guard troops to L.A. in June after immigration raids sparked scattered protests. The troops saw little action, and local leaders said the deployment was unnecessary and only served to inflame tensions.

Read more: National Guard came to L.A. to fight unrest. Troops ended up fighting boredom

The operation reached a controversial zenith in July when scores of troops on horseback wearing tactical gear and driving armored vehicles, rolled through MacArthur Park. The incident generated much attention, but local police were surprised that the raid was brief and resulted in few arrests.

After the MacArthur Park raid, Mayor Karen Bass complained theres no plan other than fear, chaos and politics."

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Beckmann said the situation is a "particularly perilous historical moment because we have a president willing to flout constitutional limits while Congress and the court have been willing to accept pretext as principle."

UC Berkeley Political Science Professor Eric Schickler, co-director of the university's Institute of Governmental Studies, said the recent military displays are part of a larger mission to increase the power of the president and weaken other countervailing forces, such as the dismantling of federal agencies and the weakening of universities.

"It all adds up to a picture of really trying to turn the president into the one dominant force in American politics  he is the boss of everything, he controls everything," Schickler said. "And that's just not how the American political system has worked for 240 years.

In some way, Trump's tactics are an extension of long-held rhetoric. In the 1980s, he regularly railed against crime in New York City, including the rape of a woman in Central Park that captured national headlines. The suspects, known as the Central Park Five, were exonerated after spending years in prison and have filed a defamation suit against Trump.

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Trump and his backers say he is simply keeping campaign promises to reduce crime and deport people in the country illegally.

Our law enforcement operations are about enforcing the law  not about Gavin Newsom," said Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.

Federal agents patrol all areas of Los Angeles every day with over 40 teams on the ground to make L.A. safe, she said.

In Washington D.C., where the federal government has began assuming law enforcement responsibilities, the business of policing the streets of the nation's capital had radically transformed by Friday. Federal agencies typically tasked with investigating drug kingpins, gunrunners and cybercriminals were conducting traffic stops and helping with other routine policing.

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Twenty federal law enforcement teams fanned out across the city Thursday night with more than 1,750 people joining the operation, a White House official told the Associated Press. They made 33 arrests, including 15 people who did not have permanent legal status. Others were arrested on warrants for murder, rape and driving under the influence, the official said.

Thaddeus Johnson, a senior fellow with the Council on Criminal Justice, said the administration's actions not only threaten democracy, but they also have real consequences for local leaders and residents. Citizens often can't distinguish between federal or local officers and don't know when the two groups are or aren't working together.

"That breeds a lot of confusion and also breeds a lot of fear," Johnson said.

Thomas Abt, founding director of University of Marylands Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction, emphasized that pulling federal agents from their jobs can hurt overall public safety.

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"Theres a real threat to politicizing federal law enforcement, and sending them wherever elected officials think theres a photo opportunity instead of doing the hard work of federal law enforcement," Abt said.

Already, D.C. residents and public officials have pushed back on federal law enforcement's presence. When federal officers set up a vehicle checkpoint along the 14th Street Northwest corridor this week, hecklers shouted, "Go home, fascists" and "Get off our streets."

On Friday, the District of Columbia filed an emergency motion seeking to block the Trump administration's takeover of the city's police department.

"This is the gravest threat to Home Rule DC has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it," D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said in a statement on Friday. "The Administration's actions are brazenly unlawful. They go well beyond the bounds of the President's limited authority and instead seek a hostile takeover of MPD."

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The show of force in L.A. has also left local officials outraged at what they see as deliberate efforts to sow fear and exert power. Hours before agents arrived in Little Tokyo, Bass and other officials held a news conference calling for an end to the continued immigration raids.

Read more: Texas, Florida hit with far more ICE arrests than California. But that's not the whole story

Bass said she believes the recent actions violated the temporary restraining order upheld this month by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals prohibiting agents from targeting people solely based on their race, vocation, language or location.

The number of arrests in Southern California declined in July after a judge issued the order. But in the past two weeks, some higher profile raids have begun to ramp up again.

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In one instance, an 18-year-old Los Angeles high school senior was picked up by federal immigration officers while walking his dog in Van Nuys. On Thursday, a man apparently running from agents who showed up at a Home Depot parking lot in Monrovia was hit by a car and killed on the 210 Freeway.

Bass appeared to be seething as she spoke to reporters after Newsom's press conference on Thursday, calling the raid in Little Tokyo a "provocative act" and "unbelievably disrespectful."

"Theyre talking about disorder in Los Angeles, and they are the source of the disorder in Los Angeles right now," she said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) seem to be on a mission to make airport security more efficient and more convenient for travelers, and one major change went a long way toward doing that.

Over the past several weeks, the TSA has begun rolling out some changes at a few airports across the country to test a new initiative that would make things much easier for families flying together.

The Families on the Fly initiative is already turning heads from travelers across the country.

What is 'Families on the Fly?'

Earlier this summer, DHS announced the "Families on the Fly" program, which is designed to make airport travel easier and more convenient for families with children 12 years old and under.

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DHS and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families, said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl earlier this summer. The Families on the Fly campaign, being rolled out at select airports, aims to mitigate the unique challenges families face when traveling and minimize stress while maintaining the highest level of security.

The program offers dedicated family lanes at security checkpoints at select airports nationwide, discounted TSA PreCheck fees for families coming soon, and dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for service members and their families.

Which Airports are Participating?

While DHS and TSA hope to expand the initiative throughout the country, the initial rollout was limited to just a few participating airports.

The program initially rolled out at the Orlando International (MCO) and Charlotte-Douglas International (CLT), with John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) joining them this month. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu will be rolling out the program soon.

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Families on the Fly will roll out at more airports in the coming months, including Charleston International Airport (CHS), Jacksonville International (JAX), Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD), Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), and Tampa International Airport (TPA), with more airports planned in the future.

The Results Are Turing Heads

It's been over a month since the "Families on the Fly" program officially launched in Orlando and Charlotte, and the results are already promising.

Fox News recently spoke to some families who made use of the new dedicated family line at the Orlando International Airport, and they had some glowing reviews of the new initiative.

"A lot quicker, and it was easier to get through the line," one mother told Fox News during an interview.

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"I would say it's easier because when you're in the regular line, you almost feel like you're stressing everybody out," a father told the outlet.

The initiative seems to have widespread support on social media, too.

"Family Lanes at airports are a fantastic idea," one person wrote in a post on X.

"Ditching shoe removal is the best TSA upgrade ever. This is #2," someone else added.

"This is really nice for families," another user wrote.

Clearly, the change has been a hit so far.

TSA Turns Heads With Change For Families first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow. The Chief Minister called Vajpayee a visionary leader who gave a new direction to Indian politics through his decades-long service. He said Atal Ji always upheld India's values and identity, whether in power or opposition. Speaking to the reporters, CM Yogi said, "I pay tribute to former Prime Minister of India, Atal Ji, on his death anniversary. Late Atal Ji's 6 decades of political work gave a new direction to the entire Indian politics. What should be the model of India's life values, ideals and development in India? How should India and Indianness be given respect on the global stage? Whether late Atal Ji was in power or in opposition, he always kept these things in mind and provided his leadership." CM Yogi said it was Uttar Pradesh's good fortune that he began his political journey from the state. He said the late leader represented Balrampur and later served as MP from Lucknow five times, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. "It is Uttar Pradesh's good fortune that late Atal Bihari Vajpayee started his political career from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh. He became MP from the Balrampur seat for the first time in 1957, and Lucknow is fortunate that he reached the country's Parliament five times from the Lucknow parliamentary seat by representing Uttar Pradesh as Prime Minister. Late Atal Ji's school guides not only the current generation but also the next generation. Today, on the occasion of his death anniversary, I bow to him on behalf of the people of the state and pay my humble tribute," he added. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was elected prime minister three times. He was the first non-Congress leader to complete a full term in office. He served briefly from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and then from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. Vajpayee also served as India's External Affairs Minister from 1977 to 1979 in the cabinet of Prime Minister Morarji Desai. The veteran leader, poet and statesman passed away at AIIMS Hospital in New Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI)
A man in his 30s was found with stab wounds and later died in hospital [Google]

A man and a woman have been charged with murder after the death of a man in Kent.

Police said they were called to reports of a disturbance involving a group of people outside a house in Augustine Road, Gravesend, at 22.21 BST on Tuesday.

A man, aged in his 30s, was found with stab wounds and taken to hospital but died while being treated, said Kent Police. His next of kin have been informed.

Shahim Bulica, 25, from Albania, and Erika Korska, 31, from Latvia, both living in Gravesend, were charged with murder on Saturday.

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The force said Mr Bulica and Ms Korska were arrested just after midnight on Thursday.

They have been remanded in police custody, due to appear at Medway Magistrates' Court on Monday.

A 33-year-old man from Gravesend, who was also arrested in connection with the man's death, has been released without charge, police confirmed.

Officers have renewed an appeal for anyone with relevant information about the incident to get in touch.

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.
Two deaths in Cass County ruled a murder-suicide originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

The two people whose bodies were found following a house fire in Cass County died in a murder-suicide, police have said.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office said Friday that fire wasn't the cause of the deaths of Jack and Connie Pollock, aged 63 and 56 respectively, who were found dead at a home on Shady Lane Northeast in Outing early on Thursday.

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Police believe that Jack Pollock fatally shot Connie Pollock in the chest, before turning the gun on himself.

"Authorities have confirmed that this was an isolated incident and have classified it as a murder-suicide. There is no ongoing threat to the public," the sheriff's office said.

If you know anyone who is affected by domestic violence, you can find more information on services available here, via the Minnesota DPS. You can also call the Day One Crisis Hotline at 1-866-223-1111.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Two men were arrested at Angel Stadium on Wednesday after a fan brawl, caught on video, broke out in the stands during a rivalry game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Anaheim Police confirmed to KTLA that two men, both 26-year-olds from Tustin, were arrested as a result of the brawl. One was booked on suspicion of felony aggravated assault and the other was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor assault, police said. Authorities did not release their names.

Footage posted by @Actually_Borgen on X shows an initial confrontation where one man in Dodgers gear throws a punch at a man wearing an Angels jersey. Moments later, a second man in Dodgers apparel delivers a sweeping, punt-like kick at the victims head that knocks his hat off. The victim is seen then slumping over with his eyes closed.

Fans are seen in a fight at Angel Stadium. August 2025. (@Actually_Borgen via X)

The victim refused treatment at the scene and did not go to the hospital, according to Anaheim police.

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Details are limited, and the quick, bystander-shot clip does not show what led up to the altercation or what happened afterward. Authorities did not reveal the extent of the victims injuries.

Anyone with more information about this incident is encouraged to contact Anaheim PD.

Alexis Lewis 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.
A 21-year-old driver and his female passenger of the same age died when their car hit a tree while evading a police check in south-western Germany on Saturday morning, officials said.

Officers had tried to stop the vehicle while the pair were driving in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, according to a police spokesman.

However, they fled from the location and crossed into the state of Saarland before the car veered off a country road near the town of Homburg, broke through the safety barrier and collided with a tree.

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"Both occupants of the vehicle were fatally injured," the spokesman said, noting that the police were not in the immediate vicinity at the time of the crash.

The road was closed off to allow the investigating authorities to reconstruct the accident.
A criminal investigation has been opened after two premature babies died within hours of each other on the night between August 12th and 13th in the San Maurizio Hospital in the northern Italian city of Bolzano, officials said.

The infants, both born three weeks agoone in the 23rd week of gestation and the other in the 27th week of gestationwere diagnosed with an infection caused by the germ Serratia Marcescens, a common microbe that is dangerous only to people with compromising health conditions. The newborns each weighed about 700 grams (1.54 pounds).

The germ has been linked to the dishwashing soap used in the hospital, according to Josef Widmann, the medical director of the South Tyrolean Health Authority, who said in a news conference Thursday that all of the industrial dish soap used by the Bolzano hospital system has been recalled.

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In addition to the serious problems resulting from their extreme prematurity, both children were diagnosed with an infection by Serratia marcescens , a germ widespread in the environment, present in water, soil, plants, animals and humans, among other things, Widmann said during the news conference. This germ is generally harmless to healthy individuals; however, for very premature babies, the infection is potentially lethal.

Dr. Monika Zaebisch, the medical director of the hospital, said that the facility has stopped accepting high-risk premature babies in its neonatal ward during the investigation. The hospital is transferring 10 high-risk babies who were in the same ward as the deceased newborns to a different ward to ensure they are not exposed to any contaminated materials.

At the Bolzano hospital, we have implemented all preventive measures to prevent the transmission of germs, Zaebisch said Thursday. The ward staff strictly adheres to hygiene measures. Unfortunately, these two cases could not be prevented. On August 12, we decided not to accept any further high-risk births. We have agreed with the Trento hospital that they will accept premature babies so that no child is exposed to risk.

Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli said that the infection was identified in both babies when they started exhibiting symptoms.

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Unfortunately, the babies later developed sepsis, which later proved fatal, he said Thursday. The presence of this bacterium is not unique because it constantly poses a risk to neonatal intensive care units, not so much because of the type of germ but because of the particular vulnerability of these little patients due to their immature immune systems.

The National Anti-Corruption Unit of the Carabinieri military police (NAS) is investigating the matter and the Bolzano Public Prosecutors office will determine whether to order autopsies on the infants to determine if charges of malpractice or manslaughter are warranted.

The tragedy comes weeks after three people died of suspected botulism poisoning in the south of the country.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Two short-lived tornadoes touched down in northern Ohio late Tuesday and early Wednesday embedded in clusters of strong thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland determined that a tornado briefly touched down northeast of Middlefield in northeastern Ohio for a couple of minutes at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday evening, with maximum winds of 85 mph (EF0), traveling one-quarter of a mile.

The Weather Service reported the storm damaged three buildings and two outbuildings, and injured three horses. Roofing material was blown several hundred yards across a road. No injuries were reported in the Geauga County storm 60 miles southeast of Cleveland.

A second tornado occurred at 2:05 a.m. Wednesday at New London in Huron County north of U.S. 224. The storm was a little stronger, reaching EF1 intensity (85 mph) while on the ground for one-third of a mile.

The storm caused damage at the New London Recreation area, knocking over fencing and snapping a large tree. The residential sections of New London also received roof damage to three homes, as uprooted trees fell over, also snapping three utility poles and damaging fence panels, according to the NWS storm survey. No injuries were reported.

Stormy night

Thunderstorms put on a dazzling light show in the Columbus area and toppled trees in Delaware shortly after midnight, where rainfall totals reached 2 inches in less than an hour, ending a dry spell.

Storm damage in Delaware from a storm shortly after midnight. (Courtesy/Amy Royster)

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The two August tornadoes brought the preliminary storm total in Ohio to 28 in 2025. The average for an entire year is 22. Tornado season normally peaks in spring and early summer, with only sporadic severe storms during the late summer and autumn, generally on the weaker side.

This year, 20 of the 28 confirmed tornadoes were rated EF0 (65-85 mph) and seven reached EF1 intensity (86-100 mph). The strongest tornado was an EF2 storm in Paulding County on Apr. 2 that traveled 4.5 miles, packing 120 mph winds. In 2024, a record 74 tornadoes were recorded in Ohio, with a late storm on Dec. 29.

Cold air funnel in Richland County

A cold air funnel cloud was sighted Wednesday afternoon with a rain shower near Crestview High School in Richland County north of Mansfield.

These funnel sightings have been quite common due to a very moist lower atmosphere this summer. Low-level winds converging in a narrow zone acquire spin beneath a rain shower or storm, although the parent cloud is not rotating, which is why these funnel clouds rarely touch down and become tornadoes.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reported that on Friday, Aug. 15, a crash involving two vehicles at the intersection of South Nevada Avenue and East Colorado Avenue sent one car crashing into a parked CSPD patrol car.

According to CSPD, around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, a car was driving southbound on Nevada and ran through a red light, hitting another car that was driving westbound on Colorado. The impact propelled the first vehicle into a patrol cruiser that was parked in front of the City Administration Building, causing minor damage to the patrol car.

CSPD reported that the patrol car was unoccupied at the time of the crash, and no one, including the drivers of the two vehicles, was injured. The driver of the first car that had run the red light was cited for Careless Driving and running a red light.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Aug. 15WINONA, Minn.  Criminal complaints have been filed against two men in an investigation into videos of a child being bound with duct tape and repeatedly scared.

Jalil Wilson, 27, and Atzavesta Raymon Williams, 25, both of La Crosse, Wisconsin, are alleged to have been in videos a woman took in her apartment of a child around 3 or 4 years old bound with duct tape and being scared.

Warrants filed in Winona County District Court charge both men with one count each of felony child torture.

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According to search warrants and the criminal complaints filed in the case, police were called on July 29, 2025, to a senior living center in Winona where employees there said a co-worker, Joseline Puente Gundersen, 20, showed them videos she said she took the day before of the child in which two other people can be seen scaring the child. Police filed a search warrant for Gundersen's Snapchat account and received videos Aug. 11.

Gundersen was charged with felony child torture and made her first court appearance Wednesday, Aug. 13, after which she was released on bond.

Complaints allege Wilson and Williams are the two men seen in the video. According to a search warrant, Wilson admitted to being in Gundersen's apartment July 28 but denied participating in scaring the child.

In one video, the child is in a chair and has black duct tape over his mouth and can be heard screaming while his wrists and ankles are bound together. An adult can be seen putting a neck pillow around the child's neck. A woman can be heard laughing in the video, according to a summary of the video in the search warrant.

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In another video, the same child is seen on the floor of a closet with duct tape over his mouth with his ankles and wrists bound separately. A man pulls the child from the closet and another adult, covered in a throw blanket and wearing a full-face clown mask, emerges from the closet. The other adult then repeatedly pulls the child across the floor toward the other man in the clown mask while the child screams, according to the search warrant.

Police spoke with the child's mother who said she was in the shower when the videos were taken. The mother is staying at Gundersen's apartment, according to the criminal complaint.

Both men have active arrest warrants in the case as of Friday afternoon, according to court records.
TYLER, Texas (KETK) A member of the Tyler City Council has announced his intention to run for mayor of Tyler in the upcoming 2026 election.

Candidates vie for Tyler mayors seat after Warrens departure in 2026

James Wynne has spent the past six years as a councilmember of District 4, and hes now looking to transition into the role of mayor. Wynne posted a video on YouTube on Friday announcing his intentions to run for mayor.

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No race is run alone, Wynne said. I humbly ask for the support of our community in this race for the future of Tyler. Together, we can ensure our city continues to thrive for generations to come.

More information about Wynee and his experience in local government can be found on his website.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

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U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi is putting Gov. Bob Ferguson on notice .

In an Aug. 13 letter, the countrys chief law enforcement officer told Washingtons leader to commit to complying with federal immigration enforcement efforts by next Tuesday  or risk serious consequences.

You are hereby notified that your jurisdiction has been identified as one that engages in sanctuary policies and practices that thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States, Bondis letter, addressed to Ferguson, reads. This ends now.

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The letter marks an escalation in tension between the federal administration and blue states over President Donald Trumps uncompromising immigration designs.

It was sent shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice published a list naming Washington state as a sanctuary jurisdiction. 

Washington, plus most of its counties and a handful of its cities, was recently included on another, much longer sanctuary-jurisdiction list shared by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security . This initial list was taken down following blowback from some jurisdictions that disagreed with their inclusion.

Sanctuary locales, the Trump administration has said, could lose their federal dollars if they refuse to fall in line with the presidents mass-deportation agenda.

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So far, at least, Ferguson has refused.

The governor told McClatchy in an emailed comment Friday afternoon that he plans to share a more detailed reply with Bondi by the Aug. 19 deadline.

That said, Washington state has no intention of changing our values in the face of threats from the Trump administration, Ferguson continued. The federal governments relentless targeting of law-abiding immigrants is wrong.

Ferguson and Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown, who was copied on the letter, have consistently defended the states Keep Washington Work Act (KWWA) as both morally correct and legally sound.

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KWWA largely restricts local and state law enforcement from using resources for federal immigration enforcement and from sharing nonpublic information with federal immigration authorities.

Washingtons Democratic officials see the act as safeguarding the states immigrants and values. But Trump and company say such laws endanger Americans.

Bondi wrote that sanctuary jurisdictions policies give aliens cover to perpetrate crimes in our communities and evade the immigration consequences that federal law requires.

She said officials who hamper federal immigration efforts could face criminal charges. Local and state governments with policies that flout federal immigration law may be subject to civil liability, Bondi added.

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Reached for comment, a spokesperson for the Washington attorney generals office said the office received a copy of Bondis letter and is in the process of reviewing it.

In a post on Facebook, Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh classified the letter as perhaps the most significant document in recent Washington state political history.

How the current governor and state AG respond to it  and react to it  will define their political careers, Walsh said.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced reforms on Goods and Services Tax (GST), Congress has demanded an official discussion paper for an informed and wider debate on it. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a statement, laid down the party's demand, saying that GST should be truly a Good and Simple Tax, not "Growth Suppressing Tax. "The Indian National Congress demands an official discussion paper on GST 2.0 very soon so that there can be an informed and wider debate on this vital and pressing national issue. GST 2.0 should be truly a Good and Simple Tax (GST) in letter, spirit, and compliance, not like the Growth Suppressing Tax (GST) it has become," Jairam Ramesh said. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1956572770516545548 Speaking about PM's announcement, Jairam Ramesh said, "PM seem to have finally woken up" and realised that transformation is required for economic growth. "Yesterday, the Prime Minister seems to have finally woken up to the fact that economic growth will simply not accelerate unless this transformation takes place and increases private consumption and private investment," he said in a statement. The Rajya Sabha MP advised that there should be a drastic reduction in the rates, simplification of the rate structure to minimise revenue uncertainty for states. "Over the last seven years, the spirit of GST has been vitiated by an increased number of rates and the granting of multiple exemptions. The structure also seems to have facilitated evasion. There must be a drastic reduction in the number of rates. Simplification of the rate structure is essential, but must be done in a manner that minimises revenue uncertainty to states and also eliminates the classification disputes that have become so common. The GST compensation cess expires on March 31, 2026. This must be extended to offset any revenue uncertainty from the rationalisation of the rate structure," Jairam Ramesh said. "The widespread concerns of MSMEs the major employment generators in the economy must be addressed meaningfully. Apart from major procedural changes, this will involve further increasing the thresholds that must apply to interstate supplies as well. Sectoral issues that have surfaced for instance in textiles, tourism, exporters, handicrafts and agricultural inputs must be tackled. In addition, states should be incentivized to move towards the introduction of state-level GST to cover electricity, alcohol, petroleum, and real estate as well," he added. On Friday, PM Modi announced that the government is set to bring a major reform in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will give significant relief to consumers and small businesses. Addressing the nation on Independence Day from the Red Fort, PM Modi stated that the revisions in the GST would be rolled out around Diwali, describing them as a "double Diwali gift" for the people. PM Modi said, "This Diwali, I am going to give you a 'double Diwali' gift. A major announcement is coming for the people of the country. Over the past eight years, we implemented a major GST reform that significantly reduced the tax burden across the nation. Now, after eight years, the time has come to review it. We have formed a high-powered committee to begin this review process and have held consultations with the states as well. We are now bringing in next-generation GST reforms. This will become a Diwali gift for the nation." "Tax rates on essential goods and daily needs will be reduced under a simplified framework. This will bring significant relief and convenience. Our MSMEs and small industries will also benefit greatly from these changes," he added. (ANI)
The United States Department of State creates travel advisory reports for U.S. citizens in an attempt to ensure their safety and security while traveling abroad. It uses four distinct levels of "warnings" for travelers to assess the looming threat they might be facing.

From Level 1 to Level 4

Level 1: Exercise normal precautions

Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Level 3: Reconsider travel

Level 4: Do not travel

How Many Level 4 Warnings Has the United States Handed Out?

Over the past two years the Department of State has issued a Level 4 or "do not travel" warning to 22 different nations around the world. The first came back on April 22, 2023, when the U.S. issued a "do not travel" warning for Sudan due to armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.

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"On April 22, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum suspended its operations, and the Department of State ordered the departure of U.S. direct hire employees and eligible family members from Embassy Khartoum due to the continued threat of armed conflict in Sudan. The U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Sudan, due to the current security situation," the U.S. said in a warning at the time.

The most recent "do not travel" warning came back on June 24 for Lebanon due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and the risk of armed conflict.

Here is the full list of the 22 countries on the "do not travel" list: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaza, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, North Kora, Libya, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen.

Related: Southwest Airlines Announces Change on All Flights Starting August 13

U.S. Has Issued 22 'Do Not Travel' Warnings first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
FIRST ON FOX: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday lodged an arrest detainer against an illegal immigrant from Lebanon accused of kidnapping his Uber passenger in Texas.

Sameh Mohamad Chami, 49, was arrested by Friendswood Police Department on Aug. 6 after allegedly sexually assaulting a young woman while working as an Uber driver, according to a report from affiliate FOX 26 Houston.

The 21-year-old victim fell asleep in the backseat of Chami's car after a late night at a Galveston saloon and reportedly woke up in the front seat of his car parked near a school with her shorts unbuttoned.

Sameh Mohamad Chami, an illegal immigrant, is charged with aggravated kidnapping of an Uber passenger.

Ice Lodges Detainer Against Illegal Migrant Charged With Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Neighbor In Texas

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The woman's family was following her location and tracked her to an empty parking lot at about 3 a.m., according to the report. She told police she remembered Chami putting his hands down her pants.

Friendswood police said Chami intentionally ended the ride before dropping the woman off at home, FOX 26 reported.

Read On The Fox News App

The suspect was allegedly working as an Uber driver at the time of the sexual assault, according to police.

Ice In Houston Releases New Details About Arrested Illegal Child Sex Offenders

Chami entered the U.S. on Dec. 2, 2021, under the Biden administration, on a B-2 tourist visa with permission to remain for six months, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

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He applied for and was granted an extension until Dec. 1, 2022, but failed to depart as required and has remained in the U.S. illegally for more than three years, DHS said.

ICE agents placed an immediate detainer on the suspect to prevent him from being released back into the community, according to DHS.

Previously Self-deported Iranian Illegal Immigrant Picked Up After Refusing Ice Arrest In Texas

"ICE lodged an arrest detainer against Sameh Mohamad Chamia criminal illegal alien let into our country by Joe Biden," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a statement to Fox News. "This depraved criminal was charged with aggravated kidnapping after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 21-year-old girl who was a passenger in his Uber car. President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem unleashed our brave law enforcement to take down these sickos and to protect women from sexual predators."

The detainer was issued on the day of Chami's arrest to ensure he is transferred to ICE custody and not released into American neighborhoods, according to DHS.

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"President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring integrity to the visa program and ensuring it is not abused to allow aliens a permanent one-way ticket to remain in the U.S.," DHS wrote in a statement.





Original article source: Uber driver accused of sexually assaulting young woman now faces ICE arrest detainer after overstaying visa
Labour MP Afzal Khan has resigned as the UK's trade envoy to Turkey following criticism of his visit last week to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The territory isn't recognised by the UK government as Turkish troops have occupied Cyprus' northern third since the 1974 invasion.

Mr Khan, the MP for Manchester Rusholme, also met with Turkish-Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar - a move which the Cypriot government described as "absolutely condemnable and unacceptable".

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Mr Khan told the BBC he paid for the trip himself and was visiting his nephew, alongside receiving an honorary degree from an academic institution.

In a letter to the prime minister today, Mr Khan said he felt it was "best to stand down at this time so not to distract from the hard work the government is doing to secure the best possible trade deals for this country".

But he insisted his visit had been "in a personal capacity during the parliamentary recess" and was "unrelated" to his role as a trade envoy.

He also suggested that 20 British parliamentarians had visited northern Cyprus without attracting similar criticism.

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The shadow foreign minister Wendy Morton welcomed the resignation, but said Sir Keir Starmer should have sacked Mr Khan sooner.

Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, also called for the MP's resignation earlier this week.

Christos Karaolis, President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, said that Mr Khan's position "was clearly untenable following his deeply inappropriate and unacceptable visit to occupied northern Cyprus".

A Government spokesperson confirmed Mr Khan has left his position as Trade Envoy to the Republic of Turkiye.
For the first time in a while, Russian forces launched a mechanised assault on Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast on Saturday 16 August, deploying armoured vehicles from the left bank of the Oskil River, but Ukrainian troops successfully repelled the attack.

Source: 429th Drone Regiment Achilles

Details: A convoy of two tanks, three MT-LB armoured fighting vehicles and around 40 Russian personnel advanced towards the left-bank area of Kupiansk.

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The attack was repelled and the armoured vehicles were destroyed thanks to the coordinated and timely actions of the 429th Achilles Drone Regiment, 116th Separate Mechanised Brigade and 15th Operational Assignment Kara Dag Brigade.

The Achilles Regiment destroyed one tank and two MT-LB armoured fighting vehicles at the entrance to Lyman Pershyi, while also damaging another MT-LB.

Quote from Anton Shmahailo, commander of the 1st battalion of Achilles Drone Regiment: "Over the past two months, the enemy has been trying to infiltrate the defence forces' combat formations into the rear every day. Achieving significant gains with such tactics demands considerable time and manpower. Therefore, the enemy decided to carry out a local blitzkrieg, hoping that no one would expect an armoured assault."

Background: In late 2024, Shmahailo reported that Russian forces had been ordered to capture Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi before the New Year. On 3 and 4 January, the Achilles troops repelled a Russian attack involving 20 armoured vehicles near the village of Zahryzove on the Kupiansk front.

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KYIV (Reuters) -The Ukrainian military said on Saturday that it had pushed Russian forces back by about 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) on part of the Sumy front in northern Ukraine.

There was no immediate comment from Russia, which controls a little over 200 square kilometres in the region, according to Ukraine's battlefield mapping project DeepState.

"Ukrainian soldiers continue active combat actions to destroy the enemy and liberate our settlements," the Ukrainian general staff wrote on Facebook.

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It added that fighting was raging near the villages of Oleksiivka and Yunakivka, which lie 5 km and 7 km from the Russian border respectively.

The ebb and flow of the battlefield lines have taken on greater political significance in recent days as Ukraine finds itself at another critical diplomatic juncture with U.S. President Donald Trump stepping up his efforts to broker an end to the war.

The U.S. leader said he and Russian leader Vladimir Putin had "determined" there should be no ceasefire and he would now focus on a quick deal to end the war that has raged since 2022.

Russian troops earlier this week advanced up to 10 km near Dobropillia in Ukraine's east, raising fears of a wider breakthrough that would further threaten key cities.

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The Ukrainian military later said it had managed to halt the assault and push Russians back.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the Russian thrust as a failed attempt by Moscow to display battlefield strength ahead of Friday's summit between Putin and Trump in Alaska.

He predicted more such efforts in a statement on Saturday.

"...we anticipate that in the coming days the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions to create more favourable political circumstances for talks," he said.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Cynthia Osterman)
Key developments on Aug. 15:

Trump, Putin fail to reach deal to end war in Ukraine

Ukraine strikes Russian port used for Iranian arms shipments, military says

Ukrainian unit claims Pokrovsk cleared of Russian saboteurs

'Target hit'  Ukraine strikes oil refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast, command post in Donetsk Oblast, military says

Explosion at Russian gunpowder plant leaves 5 dead, more than 100 injured

The summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, Trump said during a press conference alongside Putin at the end of their summit.

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The meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, which lasted for close to three hours, fell short of the peace deal that Trump sought to make ahead of the meeting. The U.S. president was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff during the "three-on-three" talks with the Russian delegation led by Putin.

"We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left  some are not that significant  one is probably the most significant," Trump said, without providing details on the talks.

"We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there," Trump added. "A couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there, but we've made some headway. So there's no deal until there's a deal."

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Trump said that he would call President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited to the discussions, after the talks concluded. Zelensky has rejected the possibility of recognizing the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory and ceding additional land, calling for a ceasefire as the first step toward peace negotiations, a position supported by Kyiv's European allies.

"I will call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And Ill, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about todays meeting. It's ultimately up to them," Trump said.

Putin, who began the press conference, reiterated his maximalist demands to end the war, referring to the Kremlin's perceived "root causes" of the war, which includes a ban on joining NATO and Kyiv's withdrawal from four of Ukraine's partially occupied regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

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"We are convinced that for a settlement in Ukraine to be stable and long-lasting, all root causes of the crisis  of which we have spoken many times  must be eliminated," he said.

Read also: From war criminal to US guest  Trump invites Putin out of isolation

Ukraine strikes Russian port used for Iranian arms shipments, military says

Ukraine's Special Operations Forces on Aug. 14 struck the Russian port of Olya in Astrakhan Oblast, a region in southern Russia at the Caspian Sea coast, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.

The attack targeted what Kyiv says is a key logistics hub for Iranian-made military supplies bound for Russia.

Iran has been a key ally to Moscow and provided the country with ballistic missiles and thousands of Shahed kamikaze drones for its war against Ukraine. Russia has also launched production of its own Shahed equivalents called Gerans.

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The Olya port is used by Moscow to receive Shahed-type drone components and munitions from Iran, according to the military. Preliminary reports indicate that the vessel Port Olya 4, loaded with such cargo, was hit in the attack. The extent of the damage is reportedly still being assessed.

The port lies roughly 800 kilometers (500 miles) from the front line in Ukraine.

The strike is part of Ukraine's broader campaign to degrade Russia's ability to launch air attacks and sustain its war effort, the General Staff said.

Russian authorities reported attacks elsewhere in the country the same day, including an alleged deadly drone strike in Kursk on Aug. 14. Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein claimed a Ukrainian drone hit an apartment building on Soyuznaya Street, killing one person and injuring 12 others, including a 15-year-old.

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The blast and fire allegedly damaged the top four floors of the building and shattered windows in neighboring houses and a school.

Ukraine has not commented on the attack. The Kyiv Independent cannot verify these claims.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 53 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions, including 13 over Kursk Oblast, 11 over Rostov Oblast, seven over Samara Oblast, six over Belgorod Oblast, five over Oryol Oblast, four each over the Bryansk and Voronezh oblasts, one over Saratov Oblast, one over Kalmykia, and one over the Azov Sea.

In Samara Oblast, an oil refinery in Syzran caught fire after a reported drone strike early on Aug. 15. Syzran hosts one of Rosneft's largest facilities, which supplies fuel to Russian forces in central and southern Russia, according to pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind.

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Read also: Little by little away from China  Inside Ukraines new mass-production of drone parts

Ukrainian unit claims Pokrovsk cleared of Russian saboteurs

Ukrainian troops have cleared Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast of Russian sabotage groups and individual saboteurs, the 7th Corps of Ukraine's Airborne Assault Forces reported on Aug. 15.

The corps claimed that Ukrainian units are operating inside the city, and civilians can move about, though travel within Pokrovsk remains heavily restricted. It is still possible to reach the city, the statement added.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claim.

According to the battlefield monitoring group DeepState, Pokrovsk remains under Ukrainian control, but Russian forces are positioned just 3 to 5 kilometers (2-3 miles) away.

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The announcement comes three weeks after DeepState and Ukrainian soldiers on the ground said Russian troops had entered Pokrovsk, a front-line city about 70 kilometers (43 miles) northwest of occupied Donetsk.

Since March, the city has been one of the most fiercely contested sectors of the front line, with Moscow concentrating its main offensive efforts there.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi described Pokrovsk on Aug. 2 as one of the "most difficult" areas of the front, where Russian forces are using "total infiltration" tactics to breach defenses.

Map tracking Russia's offensive near Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, in summer 2025. (The Kyiv Independent)

On Aug. 11, DeepState reported that Russian troops had advanced toward the DobropilliaKramatorsk highway, seizing positions in nearby settlements to support further offensives.

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Dobropillia lies 94 kilometers (58 miles) northwest of Russian-occupied Donetsk, and about 22 kilometers (14 miles) north of the embattled city of Pokrovsk.

Ukraine's General Staff said on Aug. 12 that more than 110,000 Russian troops were concentrated in the Pokrovsk area, attempting to slip small infantry units between Ukrainian lines.

The military described the situation as "complex and dynamic," but said Ukrainian forces were taking "effective measures" to halt Russia's advance.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 15 that Russian forces are continuing to suffer heavy losses as they push for gains ahead of the Aug. 15 Alaska meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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"We understand this plan and are informing our partners about the real situation," Zelensky said.

Read also: How past Trump-Putin meetings went  and the clues they hold for Alaska

'Target hit'  Ukraine strikes oil refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast, command post in Donetsk Oblast, military says

Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast and other Russian targets in attacks overnight on Aug. 15, Ukraine's General Staff said.

The refinery is located in Syzran, the third largest city in Samara Oblast. Syzran lies about 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Ukraine's border with Russia.

Ukraine's General Staff said the facility is one of the largest in the Rosneft system, Russia's state-controlled oil giant and one of the world's largest publicly traded petroleum companies.

According to pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind, the refinery provides fuel to military units in central and southern Russia. Earlier, local Russian media reported that the strike had sparked a fire at the plant.

"The target was hit, with fire and explosions recorded," the military said. The strike was carried out by Special Operations Forces in coordination with other branches.

An oil refinery in Syzran, Samara Oblast, Russia on fire following a reported drone attack on the facility overnight on Aug. 15, 2025. (Screenshot/Crimean Wind/Telegram)

The Syzran plant produces a wide range of fuels, including aviation fuel, and helps supply the Russian Armed Forces, the General Staff reported.

The command post of Russia's 132nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade was also struck in Yenakiieve, on the Russian-occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast, according to the statement. The consequences of the attack are being determined.

Kyiv regularly strikes military and industrial infrastructure deep within Russia in an effort to diminish Moscow's fighting power as it continues to wage its war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces struck a refinery in the Russian city of Volgograd overnight on Aug. 14, causing powerful fires at the facility.

Read also: From war criminal to US guest  Trump invites Putin out of isolation

Explosion at Russian gunpowder plant leaves 5 dead, more than 100 injured

An explosion on Aug. 15 destroyed a workshop at the Elastik gunpowder plant in Ryazan Oblast in Russia, killing at least five people and injuring at least 100, regional governor Pavel Malkov said on Aug. 15.

The blast occurred during the day and was followed by a fire that completely destroyed the gunpowder-producing facility.

"An emergency response headquarters has been set up, and all departments and emergency services are working," Malkov wrote on Telegram.

Russian officials have not named the cause of the explosion, but preliminary accounts reported by Russian media point to possible safety violations in the workshop.

Local Telegram channels reported that 10 of the 20 injured victims are in serious condition, while some people may still be trapped under debris.

The plant suffered a similar accident in October 2021, when an explosion at a workshop operated by private explosives manufacturer Razryad killed 17 people.

According to the independent Russian Telegram channel Astra, Razryad rents space from Elastik and produces industrial explosives, including from recycled munitions.

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.
Ukraines Zelenskyy to meet Trump on Monday after US-Russia summit secured no halt to fighting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Monday in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has shifted to saying an overall peace agreement  and not a ceasefire  is the next step in ending the 3 1/2-year-old war.

Trumps abrupt reversal, aligning himself with a position held by Russian President Vladimir Putin, came in a social media post on Saturday, hours after they concluded a summit in Alaska that produced no agreement to halt the fighting. Putin has long said that Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce, and instead is seeking a long-term settlement that takes the Kremlins interests into account.

After calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump posted that it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

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In a statement after the Trump call, the European leaders did not address whether a peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire, saying they welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russias war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.

Trump and Ukraines European allies had been calling for a ceasefire ahead of any negotiations.

Trumps statement that a peace agreement should be reached before a ceasefire appears to indicate Trumps thinking is shifting towards Putin, an approach that would allow Moscow to keep fighting while negotiating, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London.

Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he had a long and substantive conversation with Trump early Saturday. He said they would discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war on Monday.

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It will be Zelenskyys first visit to the U.S. since Trump berated him publicly for being disrespectful during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting on Feb. 28.

Trump, who also held calls with European leaders Saturday, confirmed the White House meeting and said that if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.

Trump rolled out the red carpet on Friday for Putin, who was in the U.S. for the first time in a decade and since the start of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But he gave little concrete detail afterward of what was discussed. On Saturday, he posted on social media that it went very well.

Trump had warned ahead of the summit of very severe consequences for Russia if Putin doesnt agree to end the war.

Zelenskyy seeks European involvement

Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit.

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It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America, he said. We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security.

He didnt elaborate, but Zelenskyy previously has said that European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a foreign troop presence in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop.

Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump one-on-one and then in a call with other European leaders. In total, the conversations lasted over 90 minutes.

Trump puts onus on Zelenskyy and Europe

Trump said in Alaska that theres no deal until theres a deal, after Putin claimed the two leaders had hammered out an understanding on Ukraine and warned Europe not to torpedo the nascent progress.

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During an interview with Fox News Channel before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus going forward might be on Zelenskyy to get it done, but said there would also be some involvement from European nations.

In their statement after speaking to Trump, major European leaders said they were ready to work with Trump and Zelenskyy toward a trilateral summit with European support.

The statement from French, German, Italian, British, Finnish, Polish and European Union said that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees and welcomed U.S. readiness to provide them.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory, they said. International borders must not be changed by force.

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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon, noting that Moscow launched new attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met.

Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing, she said.

Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Since spring, Russian troops have accelerated their gains, capturing the most territory since the opening stages of the war.

Vladimir Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war, said Neil Melvin, director of international security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute. He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished.

Questions on a trilateral meeting

Zelenskyy voiced support for Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting with the U.S. and Russia. He said that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.

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But Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television Saturday that a possible three-way meeting has not been touched upon yet in U.S.-Russia discussions.

Zelenskyy wrote on X that he told Trump that sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.

In apparent effort to bolster Zelenskyys hand before he meets Trump, France, the U.K. and Germany will co-host a video call Sunday afternoon of so-called coalition of the willing nations that could, in one way or another, help monitor and uphold any deal to end fighting, French President Emmanuel Macrons office said.

Russian officials and media struck a largely positive tone after Fridays summit, with some describing it as a symbolic end to Putins isolation in the West.

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Former President Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council, praised the summit as a breakthrough in restoring high-level dialogue between Moscow and Washington, describing the talks as calm, without ultimatums and threats.

Putin has broken out of international isolation and back on the world stage as one of two global leaders, and wasnt in the least challenged by Trump, who also ignored an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court, said Laurie Bristow, who was British ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2020.

Unless Mr. Putin is absolutely convinced that he cannot win militarily, the fighting is not going to stop, Bristow told The Associated Press. Thats the big takeaway from the Anchorage summit.

___

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Morton reported from London. Geir Moulson in Berlin and Emma Burrows in London contributed.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The 93rd Separate Mechanised Brigade Kholodnyi Yar has reported that it has mopped up and taken control of the villages of Hruzke and Vesele near Dobropillia, where Russian forces recently broke through.

Source: the 93rd Brigade on Telegram

Quote: "A reconnaissance company of the Kholodnyi Yar fighters, various types of unmanned systems and artillery were involved in recapturing the villages. In addition, ground-based robotic strike systems were used in the liberation of Ukrainian territory."

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Details: The 93rd Brigade said that the robots, equipped with machine guns, had opened fire on concentrations of Russian troops, driving up to them almost point-blank.

Quote: "The soldiers from the 93rd Brigade killed and captured many Russian soldiers in the assault operations."

Details:

On 11 August, DeepState reported that Russian troops had intensified their advance near Dobropillia in recent days, particularly attempting to secure a foothold near the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk road. The analysts highlighted this advance on their interactive map of hostilities in Ukraine, marking it with two wedges near Dobropillia.

The Dnipro Operational Strategic Group added that the Russians are infiltrating in small groups past the first line of Ukrainian positions on this front, and that while such infiltration does necessitate deploying reserves to destroy them, it does not constitute "gaining control of territory".

On the evening of 11 August, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that additional forces had been sent towards Dobropillia to destroy Russian sabotage groups penetrating the line of defence.

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Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated that Kyivs main priority is to achieve peace with Russia from a position of strength by increasing pressure on Moscow and bolstering its defence.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Sybiha thanked the United States for its "engagement and continued commitment to supporting Ukraine and advancing peace" and stressed the importance of the meeting scheduled for Monday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss the next steps towards ending the war.

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The foreign minister noted positive signals from the American side about their readiness to work on creating a reliable security guarantees infrastructure for Ukraine. He also said he supports President Trumps efforts to organise a trilateral meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, the US and Russia.

Meanwhile, Sybiha stressed that Putin must realise the consequences of prolonging the war.

Quote: "He [Putin] has lied too many times in the past and completely devalued his word. Only his actions are real indicators of whether he is truly willing to end his terror and aggression."

Details: The foreign minister emphasised that Ukraine coordinates its actions with all allies, values their support and sees transatlantic unity as essential for lasting peace and security. He pledged that Ukraine will remain committed to peaceful efforts and will seize every opportunity to end the war, save lives and liberate its people.

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APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV)  On Friday, President Donald Trump met with Russias President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, with many wondering if there will be an end to the war in Ukraine, including here in northeast Wisconsin.

Olga Heitpas lives in northeast Wisconsin, but as a first-generation Ukrainian-American, her ties to Ukraine run deep. She said the meeting of the two leaders brings optimism.

Department of Justice provides update on police-involved death investigation in De Pere, six officers on leave

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The first glimmer of hope that a conversation is moving us closer to a glimmer of peace. I dont know if it will happen as quickly as everyone would like, but if we dont start taking those steps, we wont get there, Heitpas said.

Heitpas hopes that if Putin is serious about finding a solution, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be invited to the table.

Of course, that would include President Zelensky, [with] what happens next, because thats not a decision of any broker of peace, like President Trump can be involved in, Heitpas said. What he is trying to do is bring both parties together in a serious way so that they can establish how close they can get to tolerating a compromise.

Heitpas said that her family and friends in Ukraine have endured the unimaginable.

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People have lost loved ones, lost their limbs, lost their sense of self. What Im hearing is that there just arent any people left to fight.

Hometown Heroes: Coast Guard leader named Sturgeon Bays Person of the Year wraps up service in Wisconsin

Heiptas wants to see her loved ones have their lives back, and that this is not political.

This isnt political; we just need to think about the individuals there, Heitpas said. They just want to have a normal life.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
A 24-year-old nurse was found dead at a nursing home in Singur, Hooghly district of West Bengal, police said on Friday, adding that the body has been preserved at the Kolkata Police morgue, said an official. On Friday, Kolkata Central Police DC Indira Mukherjee told ANI, "There are sufficiently good arrangements due to which we can preserve the body here (Kolkata police Morgue). As of now, nobody has been detained. We have requested that all interested parties come to the Police Station to file a complaint. If a formal FIR needs to be registered, it will be done, and necessary action as per law will be taken." BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, raised concerns about the case. The West Bengal LoP said, "In my constituency, Nandigram, a villager sent his daughter to Singur in Hooghly for a nursing job. The nursing home authority called her parents to say their daughter had committed suicide. She died. Our BJP workers and advocates protested against this matter. We demand that the postmortem be conducted in any central government hospital or by a central government doctor." "Police lathi-charged the protestors and brought the body to the Kolkata police Morgue for postmortem... We are demanding these things. As a local MLA, I will support and help the parents. Maybe they will go to the High Court on Monday," Adhikari further alleged. Meanwhile, North Kolkata BJP President Tamoghna Ghosh mentioned that the victim's parents want the postmortem conducted at a central government facility like AIIMS and plan to move court to ensure their demands are "respected". Ghosh said, "The body of the deceased is currently being preserved at the Kolkata police morgue. The victim's parents, who have been in ongoing discussions with the authorities, are determined to seek justice. As the father is an active BJP worker, the family has expressed distrust toward the West Bengal state government and prefers that the postmortem be conducted at a central government facility, such as AIIMS or a similar hospital. They have communicated this request to the police and relevant authorities and intend to approach the court to ensure their demands are respected." (ANI)
Aerial reconnaissance units from the Khyzhak Brigade of Ukraines Patrol Police have captured a Russian assault soldier, who goes by the alias Rugby Player, on the Toretsk front.

Source: Khyzhak Brigade under the Patrol Police Department

Details: The brigade reported that two Russian fighters had approached Ukrainian positions. Aerial reconnaissance units struck them using drones to drop explosives: one, wounded, shot himself on the spot, while the other raised his hands to show he was ready to surrender.

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A UAV dropped a note containing instructions: "If you want to live  follow the drone". The prisoner complied and reached Ukrainian positions, where he was taken into custody by Ukrainian forces.

         



:  ""     pic.twitter.com/BOEKDcFB7I     (@ukrpravda_news) August 16, 2025

The Russian prisoner, a 43-year-old from Kazan, is a former player on Russias national rugby team and previously ran a cryptocurrency company. After going bankrupt and accumulating debts of 6 million roubles (US$75,000), he divorced. His new girlfriend suggested he "earn money" by going to war. Despite assurances that he would not be sent to the front line, he was assigned to an assault unit.

The captured Russian said he did not want to kill Ukrainians and is not yet sure he wants to return to Russia, as he fears he might be sent back to war.

Background: On 20 July, it became known that border guards captured a Russian marine on the Kursk front.

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In Ukraine, the morning of Aug. 16 began in suspense. Soon after waking, many rushed to anxiously check the outcome of the Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, which had unfolded overnight in Ukrainian time, as the two leaders discussed a path toward ending Moscows war.

Although no breakthrough agreement was reached and details were scarce immediately after the summit, more information emerged during the day as Trump briefed President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies about his meeting with Putin and extended an invitation to the Ukrainian leader to visit Washington next week.

Trump said he would not impose any new sanctions on Russia, despite its apparent rejection of a ceasefire that the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe had sought. He also said that the goal of future negotiations would be a full-fledged peace agreement rather than a mere ceasefire, aligning his position with Moscows demands.

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For many Ukrainians, Trump showed weakness during the Alaska summit, handing Putin a win on the international stage, but failing to bring Russias war any closer to an end.



Trump demonstrated weakness by officially allowing the war criminal Putin to walk the red carpet and ride in the presidential car. These are symbols that are important to Russia, lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchyshyn told the Kyiv Independent.



No changes actually occurred  neither positive nor negative  except for Putin's symbolic return to the circle of handshakes at the highest level.



The summit was supposed to be Trumps attempt to convince Putin to come to the negotiation table, but instead the two leaders left without any agreement to end the war. Nonetheless, Trump praised the meeting as a 10 out of 10, and said he and Putin made some headway towards a deal, including on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent has gathered reactions from Ukrainian lawmakers, experts, and soldiers about the results of the Putin-Trump summit and their expectations for future peace negotiations.

Oleksandr Merezhko,

lawmaker

I don't think the situation has changed dramatically. Putin has two wins. First of all, Trump helped him to break the political isolation in which he had been before. The second win for Putin is that he managed to avoid sanctions, which Trump had promised.



Trump promised very clearly that he would present Putin with, you can call it an ultimatum, to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. If he doesn't agree, there will be tariffs and sanctions, tariffs against Russia, sanctions against China. Trump, again, didn't deliver on his promise, and now he's not even talking about sanctions. It's a second win for Putin. He managed to avoid this.

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But what is much worse is today's post by Trump in which he says that instead of a ceasefire agreement, there should be a peace agreement. It means that Trump has aligned with Putin because it's Putins requirement.



The situation looks bad because of that. I understand that Trump and Putin will be together, forcing Zelensky and Ukraine to accept this peace agreement, which is totally unacceptable for us. But if we disagree, then we will lose support.



If we don't agree to this idea, Trump will use it as a pretext to blame us and to walk away and restart relations with Russia.



Bohdan Krotevych,

former chief of staff of Azov Brigade

I think that Trump is not really happy with the meeting with Putin, but his main goal is to stop this war at any cost in order to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Therefore, most likely, he will shift the responsibility for ending the war onto Zelensky.



The President of Ukraine will face a hard time in Washington, but I hope he prepares well for the conversation. You can deal with Trump if you understand his psychological profile. Putin understands this and uses it.

Yaroslav Hrytsak

historian



I do not expect much (from the Washington meeting)  like most Ukrainians. Judging by the information about yesterdays meeting, Putin does not appear to be abandoning his plans toward Ukraine and is not ready for any compromise.



The position of Russia, on one side, and the position of Ukraine and its Western allies, on the other, are so distinctively different that I do not see how Trump could bridge them: he has neither ideas nor leverage.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose on a podium on the tarmac after arriving in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)

Yaroslav Yurchyshyn,

lawmaker

In short, the result of the meeting, to quote Trump, was "Big and beautiful Nothing." Overall, Trump showed weakness by officially allowing the war criminal Putin to walk the red carpet and ride in the presidential car. These symbols are important to Russia.



In practical terms, no changes actually occurred, except that Trump confirmed the U.S.'s readiness to participate in security guarantees. However, he would have achieved this result more quickly by using secondary sanctions, as he had promised should (Russia reject) a ceasefire. Putin did not stop attacks, yet he was given additional time.



Therefore, no changes actually occurred  neither positive nor negative  except for Putin's symbolic return to the circle of handshakes at the highest level.

Olena Halushka

co-founder of International Center for Ukrainian Victory

I can't see how this summit can bring peace in Ukraine and Europe any closer.



Russians don't have any goodwill for talks; they can only be forced into peace by real strength like maximum modern weapons for Ukraine with no deep-strike limits, sanctions to crush the Russian war machine, confiscation of $300 billion of the Russian Central Bank assets immobilized in the West, and breaking the vicious circle of impunity by holding Russians to account for their atrocities. None of that is being discussed anymore.

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On the contrary, the debate again turned into what else Ukraine can give up to appease Russia. Trump's threat to impose hellish sanctions on Russia turned into a red carpet welcome without Russians changing their illegal demands for a single inch.

Russians feel even more emboldened and encouraged after this summit. They can't beat Ukraine militarily, so they will try to do it politically now.

As for my expectations regarding the European leaders: will they finally realize that helping Ukraine defeat Russia will eventually save countless lives of their citizens?

Read also: Editorial: That meeting was sickening. Putin loved it

Artem Chekh

writer and soldier

The most dangerous and the most unpredictable (leaders) have decided to play at friendship, behind which I have no idea whats really hidden.



I dont make any predictions, guesses, or conspiracy theories. This war has taught me that if you cant influence something, respond to what you can influence.



I havent reacted to any statements from either Putin or Trump for a long time. Nothing is changing for us. If things change, well respond based on the new circumstances. For now, the enemy is on our land, and all thats left is to fight.

Jaroslava Barbieri,

research fellow at Chatham House

For many, the summit was a big disappointment and disgrace at once. Trumps statement there's no deal until there's a deal underscored the lack of a formal breakthrough. The risk now is that for Trump the onus to get it done might be on President Zelensky and European nations, seemingly shifting responsibility away from Moscow  the aggressor  to Ukraine  the victim.

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Trumps suggestion on Truth Social that a peace agreement should precede a ceasefire supports Moscows position and contradicts the red lines set by Kyiv and European leaders ahead of the Alaska summit, i.e. that a ceasefire should be the starting point for any meaningful peace negotiations.

The summit was a diplomatic masterstroke for Putin, giving him the chance to return to the international stage and buy time for his military campaign. The optics of the meeting  the red carpet, the ride in the presidential limousine, the friendly demeanour of the two leaders  will be used by domestic propaganda to portray Putin as a respected leader of a global superpower on a par with the U.S.

While the worst case scenario of a dirty deal seems to have been averted for now, the optics and ambiguous outcome of the summit have raised profound questions about the future of the transatlantic alliance and the long-term prospects for peace in Ukraine.

Mykola Kniazhytskyi

lawmaker

Each side  Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin  held firm to their own views. Putin is convinced that he just needs to wait a bit longer and Ukraine will collapse on its own. Trump believes that Ukraine cannot defeat Russia, at least because of Russia's nuclear weapons, so there is no point for Americans to keep paying for it.



At the moment, there is no public position from President Trump regarding a change in the U.S. role in supporting Ukraine, which, under the current circumstances, can be seen as a positive.

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There is still little information about Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington. It should be remembered that the issue of transferring Ukrainian territories under Russian control is not something anyone in Ukraine can legally discuss. The Constitution prohibits the president from making decisions on such matters.



If we assume an incredible scenario in which Zelensky signs something of the sort, it would result in criminal charges against him, and any such agreements would be annulled.

In general, we can treat the demand for Ukraine to give up its territories as an indicator of how serious the intentions are: it is raised only so that Ukraine rejects it. If such a topic comes up in negotiations, it will be solely to derail them.



I hope this nuance will be taken into account during the meeting between the Presidents of Ukraine and the United States on Monday, and that time will be spent on matters that can actually be resolved.

Kate Tsurkan, Kateryna Denisova, and Toma Istomina contributed reporting.

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(FOX40.COM)  As the high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin takes place in Anchorage, Alaska, Ukrainians living in Sacramento are bracing for the impact it will have on their friends and family.

More than 20,000 Ukrainian refugees have resettled in the Sacramento area since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Sacramento County is also home to one of the largest populations of Ukrainian immigrants in the United States.

I have friends there, my classmates are fighting, my classmates are losing limbs in this war, my pastor at my church was killed, said Olga Noshyn of the Sunflower Society, a Sacramento-based non-profit for Ukrainian humanitarian aid.

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Fifteen-year-old Alex Ashikhmin is a living example of the price of this gruesome war. At 12 years old, he lost his leg to a Russian missile strike that hit his backyard in Mariupol.

The doctor cut my leg because they couldnt save it, so right now its good because I have prosthetics, so Im back to life, Ashikhmin told FOX40. Its pretty scary because they [Russians] can kill you anytime without any reason.

He and his doctor, Yacov Gradinar of the Protez Foundation  a nonprofit that provides prosthetics to Ukrainian amputees  are traveling to Sacramento to speak with the community. Dr. Gradinar says they have already helped more than 700 patients.

Everybodys tired, but at the same time, we dont want just the peace that will cause tomorrow even more issues for Ukraine, Dr. Gradinar adds. Its great that there is a big desire from President Trump to talk and make peace but we are definitely concerned, as Ukrainians, at what expense that will happen because we have already paid so much.

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I want the United States, which I chose as a second home for myself  I want to see its strength today, and I want to see the weakness of the aggressor state, also known as the Russian Federation, Noshyn said. I think the best-case scenario today is that Russia finally understands its place in this world.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
Pavlo Nebroev stayed up until the middle of the night in Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv to wait for a press conference between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin thousands of kilometres away.

The US and Russian leaders had met in Alaska to discuss Russia's more than three-year invasion of his country.

But they made no breakthrough and seen from Kharkiv -- heavily attacked by Russia throughout the war -- the red-carpet meeting looked like a clear win for Putin.

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"I saw the results I expected. I think this is a great diplomatic victory for Putin," Nebroev, a 38-year-old theatre manager, said.

"He has completely legitimised himself."

Trump inviting Putin to the US ended the West's shunning of the Russian leader since the 2022 invasion.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited, described the trip as Putin's "personal victory".

Nebroev, like many Ukrainians, was gobsmacked the meeting could take place without representatives of his country.

- 'Useless' -

"This was a useless meeting," he said, adding: "Issues concerning Ukraine should be resolved with Ukraine, with the participation of Ukrainians, the president."

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Trump later briefed European leaders and Zelensky, who announced he would meet the US leader in Washington on Monday.

The Trump-Putin meeting ended without a deal and Trump took no questions from reporters -- highly unusual for the media-savvy US president.

Olya Donik, 36, said she was not surprised by the turn of events as she walked through a sunny park in Kharkiv with Nebroev.

"It ended with nothing. Alright, let's continue living our lives here in Ukraine," she said.

Hours after the talks, Kyiv said Russia attacked with 85 drones and a ballistic missile at night.

"Whether there are talks or not, Kharkiv is being shelled almost every day. Kharkiv definitely doesn't feel any change," said Iryna Derkach, a 50-year-old photographer.

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She had stopped for the daily minute of silence held across the country to honour the victims of the Russian invasion.

"We believe in victory, we know it will come, but God only knows who exactly will bring it about," she said.

- 'Pouring water' -

Derkach, like many Ukrainians, was suspicious of Trump.

"We do our job and don't pay too much attention to what Trump is doing," she added.

In Kyiv, 30-year-old cosplayer Kateryna Fuchenko, also worried that the American president was not a real ally of Ukraine.

"I don't think he is for Ukraine," she said, criticising Trump for acting as if he was "buddies" with Putin.

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"They just poured water from empty to empty, back and forth, as always," she said characterising the talks as meaningless, doubting they achieved "anything."

Kyiv pensioner Volodymyr Yanukovych said he expected Russia to "fire as they fired" on Ukraine's capital, which has seen a number of deadly attacks this summer.

Pharmacist Larysa Melnyk did not think her country was any closer to seeing peace.

"I don't think there will be a truce," she told AFP, adding that even if the guns fall silent, it will only be temporarily.

Russia has historically "unleashed such major conflicts", the 25-year-old said, pointing to the 2008 war in Georgia. She asked: "Why does nobody react to this?"

bur-brw-oc/giv
The gloves are officially off when it comes to carbon pollution. One of the highest UN courts has issued a ruling that paves the way for countries to sue each other over harmful levels of pollution.

According to a July 23 press release, a judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that certain countries have a legal obligation to achieve climate goals that they have agreed to. If the countries fail to do so, they could be vulnerable to lawsuits from other countries.

"The climate change treaties set forth binding obligations for States parties to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions," the press release read. This includes all signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol, as well as the 195 countries that have adopted the Paris Agreement.

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The ruling acknowledges that states have a duty to prevent significant harm to the environment by enacting policies and driving positive change by all means necessary. A failure to do so "constitutes an internationally wrongful act entailing the responsibility of that State," opening the door for potential litigation.

As noted by BBC News, the case was brought forward by Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, a team of law students from a number of Pacific islands most affected by rising sea levels and climate-based issues.

Siosiua Veikune, a climate activist from Tonga, highlighted the significance of the ruling after fighting the legal battle for years.

"I'm lost for words. This is so exciting," Veikune told BBC News. "There's a ton of emotions rushing through us. This is a win we take proudly back home to our communities."

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For years, researchers have warned that carbon pollution has a significant and detrimental impact on the environment. The burning of dirty fuels has been the driving force behind the trapping of heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, and sea level rise.

These impacts have already affected regions all over the globe, especially in coastal communities in the Pacific. Now equipped with the ability to legally challenge climate policy failures, many countries now have more hope for the future.

"The ruling is a watershed legal moment," said Joie Chowdhury, senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law. "With today's authoritative historic ruling, the International Court of Justice has broken with business-as-usual and delivered a historic affirmation: those suffering the impacts of climate devastation have a right to remedy for climate harm, including through compensation."

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Unemployed people will be given an AI chatbot to help them fill out job applications as part of a government scheme to help Britons cut down on boring life admin.

The Government will next week unveil plans to develop an AI helper that will help people apply for work  a move that critics warned could mean employers are flooded with irrelevant job applications.

The scheme comes amid a surge in working-age Britons on jobless benefits and a slump in entry-level roles.

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Official data published this week showed that 3.7 million Britons are now claiming Universal Credit with no work requirements  a rise of more than a million since Labour came to power.

On Monday the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will issue a notice inviting AI companies to help develop an agent that can fill in forms, complete job applications and register patients at doctors surgeries.

While existing chatbots such as ChatGPT are best known for answering questions, AI agents are capable of handling tasks such as booking flights and sending emails as well as answering questions.

The Governments AI agent is expected to be in use in 2027. It could also be used to help people update addresses on driving licences and register to vote. Doing so would only require a short prompt, rather than filling in multiple pages of forms.

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Officials said the initiative was designed to save people time and modernise the state.

However, it comes as employers are grappling with a deluge of job applications as AI tools mean candidates can instantly generate CVs and cover letters tailored to job descriptions.

A study by recruitment website Totaljobs released on Friday found that recruiters are drowning in CVs, with almost three quarters saying they were being inundated with irrelevant applications.

Claire McCartney, of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said: When used appropriately, AI tools can be a useful aid for jobseekers.

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However, she added: If candidates heavily rely on or misuse AI tools, it could mean that theyre unsuitable for the roles theyve applied for. She said a quarter of firms were attempting to reduce or monitor the use of AI by applicants.

Neil Carberry, the chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said: If you are advertising a job you will get hundreds more CVs than a few years ago and a large number will demonstrate they havent really thought about the job.

They have done 50 applications in a couple of days where previously theyd have done 10 good ones.

AI tools such as ChatGPT have been blamed for a decline in graduate opportunities, but Rachel Reeves has also been criticised for hitting the jobs market with record-breaking tax rises.

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Employment levels peaked ahead of last Octobers Budget but have since dropped by 164,000, with some economists blaming the increase in employers National Insurance contributions.

The Government said the AI tool would be optional for people to use. It is the first in what is expected to be a series of national AI tenders, designed to encourage companies to develop bots that can make public services more efficient.

Peter Kyle, the Technology Secretary, said: We can entirely rethink and reshape how public services help people through crucial life moments using the power of emerging AI technology.

Using agentic AI to its full potential, we could provide a level of service to citizens across the country that was previously unimaginable  helping people to find better career opportunities, avoid wasting their time on government admin and more.

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He said it could mean Britain being the first country in the world to use AI agents at scale.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A recent move from the Trump administration is upsetting some labor unions.

A recent executive order allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs to cancel collective bargaining agreements. Now, labor unions in Nashville and across the country are responding.

Navy veteran Jim Wohlgemuth served in Vietnam and is now part of Veterans for Peace. He currently uses the Nashville VA Medical Center and said hes happy with his care.

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I was exposed to Agent Orange; I suffer from PTSD. I suffer from moral injury; I just had my second melanoma taken care of because the VA is right here, and I can get to it, Wohlgemuth said.

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He joined others on Friday to protest outside of the hospital, in tandem with a larger effort around the country, in response to the VA ending collective bargaining agreements with labor unions.

Its illegal. And were fighting for all of our union employees across the country, theres a lot of them, and its just unfair, said veteran and sergeant-at-arms of Local 2400 AFGE Christopher Bennett.

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Union workers said the future is now unclear for their members who work inside the VA. They worry that severing these ties with the VA could lead to changes in care.

The call to order is to stop trying to privatize the VA, to stop trying to give our health care, our health care service to a private sector person thats going to make a profit off of it, Wohlgemuth said. The government for decades, for decades, has been more than happy to send us overseas to wherever and then leave us alone when we get back.

In a statement from the Nashville VA, organization leaders praised the move, claiming that it would allow them more time to focus on veteran care and less time on union demands.

But union members like Bennett see things differently.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

It means a lot caring for the veterans we want that to continue to happen, he told News 2. We will keep fighting until we get this resolved.

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The Nashville VA provided the following statement to News 2:

Imagine how much better off Veterans would be if government union bosses cared as much about fixing the department as they do about protecting its broken bureaucracy. Here are the facts: Terminating contracts for VA unions  which have repeatedly opposed significant, bipartisan VA reforms and rewarded bad employees for misconduct  is a huge win for Veterans. Because of this decision, VA staff will spend more time with Veterans, VA facilities can focus on treating Veterans instead of catering to union bosses, and VA can manage its staff according to Veterans needs, not union demands. As a result of this move, nearly 1,900 union representatives, who had been collecting government salaries to do union work, have returned to full-time VA work on behalf of Veterans. More info is here: https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-terminates-union-contracts-for-most-bargaining-unit-employees/. VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
After serving several decades in prison, Erik and Lyle Menendez are facing the possibility of freedom as the California Board of Parole Hearings this week considers whether theyve adequately atoned for the 1989 murder of their parents.

While this may seem like the final moment in the long and captivating saga, refueled by several attempts by the brothers lawyers and the former district attorney to achieve what they say is a more modern version of justice, the brothers have one more potential roadblock  California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The governor holds an unusual power that allows him to affirm, modify, or reverse the decision of the parole authority on the basis of the same factors which the parole authority is required to consider for someone convicted of murder and sentenced to an indeterminate term, according to state law. While the governor is required to follow certain parameters, he is given broad oversight on the decision.

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The little-known and rare ability, established in the 1980s, looms large over the brothers as they prepare to explain to a parole panel why they should be released.

Its not clear how Newsom is leaning, and his office did not answer a question from CNN about his potential decision, but heres what we know about the power that gives him ultimate authority to decide on the brothers freedom.

Why does the governor have this power?

The governors ability to veto the parole boards decision dates to the 1980s, when public reaction toward a now-forgotten case grabbed headlines  as well as the attention of voters.

William Archie Fain, convicted of the 1967 killing of a teenage boy and rape of two teenage girls, was released on parole in 1983 to much outrage from the public, according to the Los Angeles Times. After getting parole, he continued to be accused and found guilty of other crimes, ranging from assault to peeping.

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Then-Gov. George Deukmejian tried to prevent his release, but state courts ruled Fain had to be freed.

In response, the California legislature passed Proposition 89, which gave voters the option to allow the governor power to modify the parole boards decision. While there were concerns it would unjustly give a politician too much power, many were more worried about the potential for violence during a tough-on-crime era.

California's State Capitol is seen on February 1, 2023, in Sacramento, California. - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Proposition 89 will not politicize the parole process, but it will provide an extra measure of safety to law-abiding citizens by giving the Governor the authority to block the parole of criminals who still pose a significant threat to society, Deukmejian and a state senator wrote in a 1988 voter information guide arguing for the proposition. Prop 89 will correct a weakness in the states parole system and further strengthen Californias system of justice.

The proposition ended up passing with 55% of the vote, according to the UC Law San Francisco Repository. The only other state that gives its governor the power to veto parole grants is Oklahoma, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

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The proposition does limit the window of reversal to 30 days, meaning if the parole board votes to release the brothers, Newsom has 30 days from when the decision is released to change it.

Since the propositions passing, the power bestowed on the California governor has been curbed slightly by court rulings over the past two decades, said Christopher Hawthorne, clinical professor of law and director of the Juvenile Innocence & Fair Sentencing Clinic at Loyola Law School.

In one, the California Supreme Court ruled the governor must reasonably assess the defendants risk against public safety, Hawthorne said. Another ruling several years later allowed the governor to consider whether the defendant had insight into their crime, he added.

While the power has been modified, the governor still has room to a make a decision in the Menendez case as long as it follows these guidelines.

How have other governors used this power?

Since the proposition was added to the California state constitution, governors have often used it to deny parole in cases during the 1990s and early 2000s, when tough-on-crime policies were more popular, according to Hawthorne.

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In the mid-80s, California passed law after law after law, frequently by initiative, that made it much harder to get anyone out of prison. And that flow only reversed in about 2012 or 2013 when Gov. (Jerry) Brown was in office, he said.

Former California Gov. Jerry Brown prepares to sign bills on March 24, 2011, in Sacramento, California. - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For a long, long time, it was almost impossible to get parole, get found suitable for parole, and if you did get found suitable, the governor reversed a lot of parole grants at that time.

Hawthorne cited the case of Leslie Van Houten, a former Charles Manson follower and convicted murderer, as an illustration of when governors repeatedly denied parole despite the board approving it. Newsom also denied parole for Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated US Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, with the governor citing Sirhans refusal to accept responsibility for his crime and lack of insight and accountability, among other reasons.

He does not understand, let alone have the skills to manage, the complex risks of his self-created notoriety. He cannot be safely released from prison because he has not mitigated his risk of fomenting further political violence, Newsom wrote in a 2022 Los Angeles Times op-ed explaining his decision.

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Every governor is fairly allergic to releasing high-profile defendants, Hawthorne said, though California has done really well in the last 10 years or so in increasing the availability of parole overall.

It was something that was not available, essentially, during the (Pete) Wilson, (Gray) Davis or (Arnold) Schwarzenegger administration, with very, very few exceptions, he said. The three governors served successively from 1991, but starting in 2011, Jerry Browns administration and Gavin Newsoms administration have done infinitely better, he said.

What factors are working for  and against  the Menendez brothers

While the Menendez brothers have some elements working in their favor, such as family and public support, as well as encouraging recommendations from prison and corrections officials, some have passionately argued against their release.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hotly contested their potential resentencing earlier this year, despite his predecessor, George Gascon, requesting it.

Erik Menendez, right, and his brother, Lyle, listen to court proceedings in 1991. - Lee Celano/Reuters

The previous district attorney, Hochman said in a statement, did not examine or consider whether the Menendez brothers have exhibited full insight and taken complete responsibility for their crimes. His statement also cites the two points Newsom can consider in a potential reversal of a parole board decision.

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To help make his case, Hochman created a chart comparing factors considered by the parole board for Sirhan and each Menendez brother. Some of the factors include time served in prison, their education level before and during incarceration, and the gravity of the offense. Since Newsom denied Sirhans parole based on the factors laid out in the chart, Hochman argued, the Menendez brothers definitely dont qualify for release as the they have more prison rules violations and havent exhibited full insight into their crimes.

Hochman has said the brothers lied when they claimed the motive for killing their parents was due to abuse they faced from their father. He has previously said he believes evidence to corroborate the abuse allegations is extremely lacking; earlier this year he said his review of the case showed the killings were premeditated and not the result of a threat from their parents.

Although a judge ultimately ruled to resentence the brothers earlier this year  which is why they now have a parole hearing  the positions taken by Hochmans office could still factor into the governors decision on parole.

The situation is definitely a political hot potato, Hawthorne said, though the overwhelming support for release from family members could heavily weigh the decision.

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More than 20 Menendez relatives have banded together over the past year to advocate for release, saying they believe the brothers abuse claims and that societys understanding of childhood sexual abuse has changed dramatically since their conviction in 1996. They also say the brothers have grown and tried to help others through rehabilitative programs in prison.

Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the Menendez brothers and leader of the coalition, told reporters last October that If Lyle and Eriks case were heard today, with the understanding we now have about abuse and PTSD, there is no doubt in my mind that their sentencing would have been very different.

She also read a statement from Terry Baralt, Jose Menendezs sister: I implore the district attorneys office to end our prolonged suffering and release Lyle and Erik back to our family. Thirty-five years is such a long time. My prayer is that I live long enough to see my nephews again and to hug them once more.

Oftentimes, a victims family opposes release, Hawthorne said, making this a unique situation.

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Its interesting in this case, given that Jose and Kitty Menendezs family are largely in favor of both Eric and Lyle getting out  those voices will matter, and they will be brought to bear in that 30-day window when the governor has the case, he said. The family will be able to express their opinions to the governors office through calls, letters and other documents, in an attempt to sway his opinion.

I cant think of a governor who wouldnt be sensitive to that, Hawthorne said.

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The United States Department of State regularly keeps citizens abreast of potential overseas travel issues through its travel advisories database.

The database updates every time the Department of State announces a new travel warning or changes the level of possible danger for a country already on the list. On Tuesday, the government added a "Level 3" advisory for one African nation.

A "Level 3" advisory, which is the second-highest that can be issued, asks Americans to "reconsider" travel to a particular country or area, in this case the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Crime and civil unrest are the reasons for the new warning.

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Within the DRC, there are several regions under "Level 4" advisories, meaning Americans are being told not to travel to at all.

They are as follows, along with the reasons for danger:

North and South Kivu provinces due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, and kidnapping.

Ituri province due to crime, civil unrest, terrorism, armed conflict, and kidnapping.

Tanganyika, Haut Lomami, and the 3 Kasai provinces (Kasai, Kasai-Oriental, Kasai-Central) due to crime, civil unrest, armed conflict, and kidnapping.

Mai-Ndombe province due to ethnic/communal violence.

DRC threats are real and numerous

The official announcement by the Department of State lists an eye-opening number of potential hazards for travelers. For one, violent crime is "common" in the DRC, including "armed robbery, armed home invasion, and assault."

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Making matters worse, local police are ill-equipped to deal with the crime problem, and in some cases, assailants may even pose as law enforcement or security personnel.

"DRC law enforcement does not always inform the U.S. embassy when they arrest a U.S. citizen," the State Department added. "They may also delay access to detained or charged U.S. citizens. DRC law enforcement has used violence and threats during interrogations."

Political violence and protests are also common, sometimes leading to the arrest and detainment of demonstrators.

Lastly, there also limits to the diplomatic and consular assistance the United States can provide citizens traveling in the DRC.

What to do if you're heading to the Congo

By now, it should be obvious that you don't want to go to the DRC under any circumstances, but if for some reason you have to, the Department of State has some guidelines to follow.

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Among them are:

Avoid demonstrations and crowds.

Use caution when walking or driving.

Always have a photocopy of your U.S. passport and DRC visa.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts from the U.S Embassy.

If arrested, immediately ask authorities to notify the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa.

Prepare a plan for emergency situations.

Visit the CDC website for pertinent travel health information.

If you want to the read the Department of State's full travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, click here.

United States Issued 'Level 3' Travel Warning This Week first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 13, 2025
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Ram Madhav on Saturday expressed strong opposition over Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir recent nuclear war threat to India, saying that no one is scared with such sabre-rattling and that India has the sense to reply accordingly to such threats. Munir's remarks, said during his visit to the United States a few days ago, had been strongly opposed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), with New Delhi warning of "painful consequences" for continuing the rhetoric. "Munir ke nuclear threat se koi darne wala nahi hai (nobody is scared of Munir's nuclear threat). Prime Minister has given a proper reply to that. Nobody can scare India with nuclear blackmail. If it comes to that what to do? India also has its own sense," RSS leader Ram Madhav told ANI. While answering a question whether the US is indirectly endorsing such remarks, the RSS leader said that the President Donald Trump is not as easy going as once thought, and is a "big transactionalist person." He further said that India does not need to be "sentimental" and just deal with Trump's style as other countries deal in their own way too. "We are very sentimental people, why are we not understanding Trump's style? Trump has also kept in touch with the dangerous, North Korea's dictator Kim jong-Un, talked with him in Singapore, and said that they are friends. Because of that, no change in relationship between North Korean and US happened. Just like that, he (Donald Trump) thinks that working with bad people I will fix them," he said. "Trump is not as simple as we thought he was before. He is a big transactionalist person, and in his mind it is clear that whatever he is doing he is doing to increase the strength of the American economy. This is his goal," Madhav said regarding Trump's repeated threat of tariffs and false claims of brokering a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. Mentioning how US shook hands with former Pakistan president Pervesh Musharraf to go war in Afghanistan, Madhav added, "He is doing it with Munir, we oppose that completely, but US did the same politics with (Pervez) Musharraf, the Musharraf which supported terrorism so much. US shook hands with Musharraf to do war in Afghanistan, then also we opposed it. There is a particular style of US to ensure their own interests." When asked about the pause on the tariffs imposed on China but not on India, Madhav replied that there are already certain sectors which have been affected by tariffs, like semiconductors, but highlighted that both US and Chinese economies are connected. "With China too, there are multiple areas where tariffs and restrictions have been imposed. In one of their most important exports, semiconductor chips, there have been restrictions on that. China has been on their target way before," he said. "But it is also there that China is handling US on their own. They have their own strings which they pull. For example, China has over USD 3 trillion worth of credit certificates, their economy is joined together in some way so they will keep a relation," he added. He further dismissed the claim that India has been unsuccessful in dealing with the US, giving examples of how the government is working to ensure that domestic economy is protected. "Like a country, which is such a close friend and walks together, is part of Five Eyes (intelligence alliance), what did Trump did to Canada?" he said. The RSS leader also expressed confidence in India-US relations being stable over the long term, adding, "Both of our relations have reached a critical level that with such differences, there will not be any problems in the long term relationship between the two countries." The RSS leader also mentioned how India too works on the interest of strategic autonomy, and accordingly keeps relations with every country for their own interests, including China. Giving examples of the leadership in both countries welcoming each other, he mentioned President Xi Jingping's visit to Ahmedabad. "We work with keeping strategic autonomy in mind. Keeping that in mind we will keep relations with everyone. We have had relations with China, I would remind you that after Modi ji (came to power) then Xi Jingping (Chinese President) came to Ahmedabad and sat on the swing together," he said. While Madhav agreed that relations became strained during the Galwan clash in June 2020, but highlighted how both countries also have over USD 140 billion worth of bilateral trade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on the 79th Independence Day, hailed the success of Operation Sindoor and saluted the role of the armed forces who targeted terror sites in Pakistan. The operation, he said was an expression of India's outrage at the Pahalgam terrorists attack in which "husbands were killed in front of their wives and fathers were killed in front of their children after asking their religion." Amid US imposing an additional 25 pc tariff on Indian goods going to US, President Trump mentioned how Russia lost India as an oil client while discussing the economic aspect of Russian President Vladimir Putin coming to the table for talks. Just days earlier, on August 7, the US President had announced an additional 25 percent tariff against India, and later hinted that more "secondary sanctions" could be imposed in connection with the same dispute. On being asked, 'Indian officials have said that there are other countries that are buying Russian oil, like China, for instance. Why are you singling India out for these additional sanctions', US President Donald Trump had said, "It's only been 8 hours. So let's see what happens. You're going to see a lot more...You're going to see so much secondary sanctions." According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. (ANI)
In August 2025, a rumor began to spread that donated blood plasma had been sold for profit to a foreign company. That foreign company was the target of a takeover attempt by a Canadian fund to which Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney had ties, the rumor claimed.

For example, an Aug. 13, 2025, a post on X shared a video in which a man exposed the alleged scheme (archived):

BREAKING: this is the mother of all betrayals.



Canadian Blood Services is providing Canadian donated plasma to Grifols, a foreign owned entity, to be then sold for a PROFIT.



OUR GENEROUS DONATION is given to a foreign entity TO PROFIT OFF OF US.



In addition, Brookfield pic.twitter.com/dSuwY5cDj2  Mario Zelaya (@mario4thenorth) August 13, 2025

The post had gained 305,000 views and 10,000 likes as of this writing. The same video appeared on Facebook. Further, Snopes readers searched the website seeking to confirm the veracity of the claim.

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In the video, the man claimed this was "one of the biggest scandals of the year." He went on to explain that a charitable organization known as Canadian Blood Services had sold donated plasma to Spanish pharmaceutical company Grifols, which had then resold it for profit. Grifols, the man said, had been the target of a second takeover attempt by Canadian fund Brookfield Asset Management in April 2025 (the first one occurred in late 2024). He added that Carney had "significant personal investments in Brookfield," which he suggested posed a conflict of interest for the prime minister.

As outlined below, we were able to confirm that Grifols discussed selling a byproduct of plasma in China. We were able to verify that Grifols had indeed been the target of a takeover attempt from Brookfield, to which Carney has ties. However, we did not receive direct confirmation that Grifols was selling specifically albumin made from Canadian plasma abroad, or that Carney had any involvement with this matter. We have therefore left the claim unrated.

The Globe and Mail report

The claim stemmed from an investigative report by the right-leaning newspaper The Globe and Mail. Published on Aug. 12, 2025, the report said Grifols was "selling medicine abroad" made from blood plasma donated to Canadian Blood Services.

Snopes was able to confirm Grifols partnered with CBS in 2022 to help Canada achieve "at least 50% Ig [immunoglubolin] self-sufficiency for Canadians." In June 2023, Grifols announced that it was also partnering with Canadian Plasma Resources to "secure plasma supplies" in Canada. "Production is exclusively for Canadian Blood Services and Canadian patients," Grifols' statement read. Immunoglobulins are made from plasma and are used for a variety of therapeutic needs, including in case of immunodeficiency. The Globe and Mail also cited CBS CEO Graham Sher as saying, "None of the plasma that will be collected through this transaction can be sold offshore," including "none of the product made from plasma." Sher had reportedly said these words in 2022.

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However, despite this promise, The Globe and Mail said Grifols had been making albumin in Montreal from a byproduct of the manufacturing of immunoglobulins and selling it abroad. Albumin is a protein used therapeutically to manage blood volume, for example. The publication cited a call Grifols CEO Nacho Abia had hosted on the occasion of the earnings report for the second quarter of 2025. Snopes found the transcript of the call and was able to verify that Abia said Grifols' plant in Montreal was now producing albumin. He also discussed China's need for the product. We contacted Grifols asking whether it was selling albumin made from Canadian plasma to China and other countries. We will update this report should they respond.

The Globe and Mail then cited CBS as saying that Canada's albumin needs were already met, and that the albumin produced in Montreal would otherwise go to waste. CBS added that this product benefited Grifols' patients abroad, the report said. However, the newspaper added that CBS had said this in an "unsigned statement."

"None of the plasma collected at Canadian Blood Services' donation centres is being used to make medicine that is being sold in other countries, including albumin," CBS told Snopes in an email, contradicting the Globe report. "Blood and plasma that is collected by Canadian Blood Services is used exclusively for Canadian patients." The organization also referred Snopes to an Aug. 13, 2025, statement it posted on its website in response to The Globe and Mail report.

But the online CBS statement includes a few sentences that appeared to reiterate the quote attributed to them in the Globe report (emphasis ours):

Canadian Blood Services has been meeting Canada's demand for albumin so we agreed in early 2025 that, as a prudent measure, we would sell Grifols the byproducts that are leftover when immunoglobulins are manufactured from plasma Grifols collects on our behalf in Canada. These byproducts would otherwise be discarded. Instead Grifols can use the byproducts to create albumin which will help patients in other countries, because Canada's needs for these medicines are already being met. Canada benefits from this, as the sale of the byproducts to Grifols offsets the cost Canadian Blood Services pays for immunoglobulins manufactured by Grifols.

We asked what CBS made of this apparent contradiction. We also contacted The Globe and Mail to inquire about their understanding of the situation. We will update this story should one or both of them respond.

The Conservatives' letter

Following the conservative publication's report, Conservative lawmakers on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health sent a letter to committee Chair Hedy Fry, a Liberal from British Columbia, calling for an investigation into the matter. Dan Mazier, a Conservative from Manitoba and Shadow Minister of Health, posted the letter on X (archived):

BREAKING



Conservatives are calling for an investigation into foreign corporations cashing in on Canadians blood.



The Globe and Mail reports that Spanish drugmaker Grifols is selling products made with plasma obtained from Canadian blood donations despite Canadian Blood pic.twitter.com/fXpO6sH5dU  Dan Mazier (@MBDan7) August 13, 2025

In this letter, the Conservative members of Parliament expressed concern that Grifols had been the target of a takeover attempt by Brookfield Asset Management, a Canadian fund to which Carney has ties. "Given Mark Carney's significant personal investments in Brookfield, we are further concerned about the Prime Minister's potential financial conflict-of-interests in this matter," the letter read.

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Indeed, Grifols had been in talks twice with Brookfield. In November 2024, the company announced it had terminated deal talks with Brookfield. Then again in April 2025, several reports said the family that owns Grifols was discussing a possible $7 billion takeover deal with Brookfield.

Snopes was able to verify that Carney did have ties to Brookfield. While he did not own any of its shares outright, a Form 10-K annual report from the company showed he owned $6.8 million in unexercised options to acquire shares of the fund as of Dec. 31, 2024. Carney had also been chair of the board until the day he announced his candidacy to lead the Liberal Party in the 2025 elections.

However, after his victory and before he was sworn in as prime minister, Carney put his assets into a blind trust  that is, a trust whose rules preclude the trustee from consulting with Carney on how to invest or divest. On July 10, 2025, the ethics commissioner published the list of Carney's assets in the blind trust. They did include stock options for Brookfield. We have contacted Carney's office asking if he was considering divesting from the company altogether and we will update this report should he respond.

Sources:

"Form 10-K 2024 | Brookfield Asset Management." Bam.brookfield.com, Jan. 2025, bam.brookfield.com/sites/brookfield-bam/files/BAM-IR-Master/Annual-Reports/2024/2024%20Q4%20BAM%20Ltd%2010-K%20-%20English.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

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"Grifols Board of Directors Announces Termination of Acquisition Discussions with Brookfield." Grifols.com, Nov. 2024, www.grifols.com/en/view-news/-/news/grifols-board-of-directors-announces-termination-of-acquisition-discussions-with-brookfield. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

"Grifols Enters into Agreement with Canadian Blood Services to Accelerate Self-Sufficiency in Immunoglobulins for Canada." Grifols.com, Sept. 2022, www.grifols.com/en/view-news/-/news/grifols-enters-into-agreement-with-canadian-blood-services-to-accelerate-self-sufficiency-in-immunoglobulins-for-canada-1. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

"Grifols Group Enters into Agreement with Canadian Plasma Resources to Secure Plasma Supply in Canada." Grifols.com, 2023, www.grifols.com/en/view-news/-/news/grifols-group-enters-into-agreement-with-canadian-plasma-resources-to-secure-plasma-supply-in-canada. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

Hannay, Chris. "Spanish Drugmaker Using Canadian-Donated Blood Plasma for Products Sold Abroad." The Globe and Mail, 12 Aug. 2025, www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-canadian-blood-services-grifols-plasma-medicine/. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

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"Mark Carney Holdings | Ethics Commissioner." Parl.gc.ca, 10 July 2025, prciec-rpccie.parl.gc.ca/EN/PublicRegistries/Pages/Declaration.aspx?DeclarationID=cd9fa6cd-e00f-f011-8194-001dd8b72449. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

Reuters Staff. "Grifols in 15-Year Deal with Canada for Plasma-Based Medicines." Reuters, 7 Sept. 2022, www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/grifols-15-year-deal-with-canada-plasma-based-medicines-2022-09-07/. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

---. "Spanish Pharma Company Grifols' Shares up on Brookfield Talk." Reuters, 2 Apr. 2025, www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/brookfield-resumes-grifols-takeover-talks-el-confidencial-reports-2025-04-02/. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

"The Honourable Hedy Fry - Member of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada." Ourcommons.ca, 2025, www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/1589. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

Transcript: Grifols Q2 Earnings Call. Grifols, 29 July 2025, www.grifols.com/documents/6155530/7706427/Transcript+Q2+2025_VF.pdf/1262354d-f79f-d771-ca1d-7047da7b2a36?t=1753874346973. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
A U.S. district judge on Friday denied the latest request by a Native American tribe, environmentalists and other plaintiffs to stop the federal government from transferring land in Arizona for a massive copper mining project.

The ruling by Judge Dominic Lanza triggered an immediate appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as a deadline fast approaches for the federal government to move ahead with the transfer next week.

Lanza outlined the stark trade-offs at the heart of the fight over Oak Flat, an area considered sacred. He pointed to the economic and national security benefits that would come from the land transfer and the indescribable hardships that would result from the permanent destruction of the Apaches' historical place of worship.

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Lanza wrote that the nation's political branches are responsible for weighing competing objectives and determining how to balance them.

Here, Congress chose to pursue the land exchange despite the existence of many significant trade-offs and the president chose to ratify Congresss choice by signing the law into effect, he wrote. "As a result, the Court must accept that this choice advances the public interest and operate from that premise.

Conservation groups that are appealing the decision acknowledged that the clock was ticking but said they were not giving up.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe, the group Apache Stronghold and other plaintiffs having been fighting in court for years to save what tribal members call Chichil Bildagoteel, which is dotted with ancient oak groves and traditional plants the Apaches consider essential to their religion.

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The plaintiffs have taken aim at a required environmental review that was released by the U.S. Forest Service earlier this summer. They contend the federal government did not consider the potential for a dam breach, pipeline failure or if there was an emergency plan for a tailings storage area.

Before the land exchange can happen, they argued that the federal government must prepare a comprehensive review that considers every aspect of the planned mine and all related infrastructure.

The plaintiffs also raised concerns that an appraisal failed to account for the value of the copper deposits underlying one of the federal parcels to be exchanged

The fight over Oak Flat dates back about 20 years, when legislation proposing the land exchange was first introduced. It failed repeatedly in Congress before being included in a must-pass national defense spending bill in 2014.

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The project has support in nearby Superior and other mining towns in the area. Resolution Copper  a subsidiary of international mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP  estimates the mine will generate $1 billion a year for Arizonas economy and create thousands of jobs.

The tribe and the advocacy group Apache Stronghold sued the U.S. government in 2021 to protect Oak Flat. The U.S. Supreme Court in May rejected an appeal by the Apache group, letting lower court rulings stand.
Rising temperatures are creating many environmental problems that impact daily life. The climbing water table could prove to be one of the most difficult to handle.

What's happening?

The issue is rearing its head along the United States' nearly 100,000 miles of coastline, including in Virginia and Florida, as well as the San Francisco Bay Area, KQED reported. The warming planet's rising seas and increasingly frequent and severe extreme rainfall are pushing groundwater closer to the surface, damaging infrastructure and threatening to spread toxic chemicals.

U.S. Reps. Kevin Mullin, a California Democrat, and Andrew Garbarino, a New York Republican, created the Groundwater Rise and Infrastructure Preparedness Act of 2025, which they introduced in June. It would earmark $5 million for the U.S. Geological Survey to map and study groundwater rise around the country through 2100, per the Bay Area media outlet.

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"The agency would also need to identify priority areas that are at increased risk of flooding," KQED stated.

It added that the Pacific Ocean has risen about eight inches on the West Coast since the 1880s, noting it could climb by over one foot by 2050 and over six feet by 2100.

Why is this important?

"Drinking water systems are compromised, roadways are deteriorating and wastewater infrastructure is failing, leading to sewage spills and leaks polluting coastal waterways, posing danger to the public," Emma Haydocy, coasts and climate initiative senior manager with Surfrider Foundation, stated.

A top concern is that buried waste and other pollutants could wreak havoc on communities as they are pushed to the surface. In the Bay Area, there are over 5,000 sites contaminated by industrial waste at risk, KQED said.

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In 2024, the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, with other organizations, authored a report on East Palo Alto's flood risk due to rising groundwater, which could burst pipes, flood homes and buildings, and "mobilize contaminants from toxic sites," per KQED. Some of the underground toxins are radioactive, while others could vaporize and enter residential pipes.

Mullin and other area lawmakers want to gather data on groundwater rise so they can take better-informed action to protect the communities they represent. The U.S. House legislation would provide the basis for a study of roads and utilities, and scientists would have to evaluate public health risks, suggest mitigation strategies, and report to Congress in three years, according to KQED.

What's being done about the bill?

In July, Mullin and Garbarino held a news conference in San Mateo County, California, to drum up support for the bill.

"Climate change is going to cause water levels to rise, but there's more to this challenge, and the truth is it's mostly hidden from plain sight until it's too late  there is groundwater under our feet," Mullin said, per KQED, which noted it could be difficult to pass the act under the Trump Administration.

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"We may have a more friendly Congress in a couple of years, but we're going to keep moving this because we can't afford to wait," Mullin added.

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.
PLAINS, Ga. (WSAV)  Former President Jimmy Carter will be commemorated by the U.S. Postal Service with a forever stamp. The artwork was released Saturday.

The stamp will be available on Oct. 1 in Atlanta, what would have been the former Presidents 101st birthday. He died Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100.

Representatives of the Friends of Jimmy Carter, the National Park Service and the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the stamp art at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains.

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Peter Pastre, the Postal Services government relations and public policy vice president, said he was honored to participate in Saturdays reveal. The stamp program celebrates the best in American culture, places and people and it is difficult to consider a more fitting honoree than former President Jimmy Carter. In his support and leadership of his beloved community, state, and nation, he lent his quiet, thoughtful and deliberate energy around causes he believed in, and most certainly in his conduct and accomplishments as a former President, Jimmy Carter truly personified the best in America.

Kim Carter Fuller, executive director of the Friends of Jimmy Carter said, The Carter family and the Friends of Jimmy Carter are honored to be able to take part in revealing the design for President Carters Forever stamp. Together weve had the distinct privilege of a front row seat to his life and legacy, and todays reveal gives the world an opportunity to share his legacy with others on a daily basis.

Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president on Jan. 20, 1977. After leaving the presidency, he became a prominent activist for peace, human rights and social and economic progress around the world.

In 1982, he partnered with Emory University to establish the Carter Center, which advances democracy, monitors elections, mediates disputes and works to prevent tropical diseases in the worlds poorest nations. In recognition of his efforts, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

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Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The minority leader of the Democrats in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, has sharply criticized the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Today, Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for authoritarian thug Vladimir Putin. Instead of standing with Ukraine and our allies, Trump stood shoulder to shoulder with an autocrat that has terrorized the Ukrainian people and the globe for years," Schumer said in a statement.

While details of the content of the conversation between Trump and Putin are still awaited, "on first take it appears Trump handed Putin legitimacy, a global stage, zero accountability, and got nothing in return," Schumer said.

Schumer added, "Our fear is that this wasn't diplomacy  it was just theater."
Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham believes that if there is a trilateral meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, the US and Russia, the war will end in 2025.

Source: Graham on X (Twitter)

"If theres a trilateral meeting between President Donald Trump, President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and [Vladimir] Putin, then I am cautiously optimistic that this war will end well before Christmas.

If the meeting doesnt happen, I think President Trump may deliver severe consequences to Putin and those who buy his oil and gas," Graham wrote.

Background: The Kremlin reported that Trump and Putin did not discuss a trilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  The University of Texas at Tyler is currently looking for parents to help with their 2025-2026 Parent-Powered Literacy Project, to help promote literacy in East Texas.

LIST: See how your school district faired in the newly released TEA ratings

This year, the university is partnering up with the Chapel Hill Independent School District, Longview Independent School District and the UT Tyler K-16 Literacy Center. The school districts and the literacy center will help parents nurture early literacy by providing a start-up literacy resource kit, a monthly childrens book, ongoing support and more.

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We are thrilled to partner with The University of Texas at Tyler on the Parent-Powered Literacy

Project, Chapel Hill ISD superintendent Lamond Dean said. This aligns with our mission to engage, educate and empower families, the community and school staff with resources and partnerships that support the academic and personal growth of all students.

The project is available for free to the first 50 participants who register before Sept. 3 and itll last until May 2026. The program was started by Dr. Kouider Mokhtari, a UT Tyler Anderson Vukelja-Wright Endowed Professor and center director, in 2019.

Neuroscience research highlights the critical role of early brain development, especially during

infancy and early childhood, Mokhtari said. Enriched environments, quality caregiving and educational stimulation significantly impact young childrens developmental learning outcomes.

To register for the program, contact UT Tyler project coordinator Dr. Leann Nash by email at

lnash@uttyler.edu or by phone at 903.566.7016 or contact Mokhtari by email at kmokhtari@uttyler.edu or by phone at 903.566.7177.

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BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  The Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) belonging to a man who was found dead near the Bonneville Salt Flats has been found, according to the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office.

On July 12, Michael Steven Comstock, 62, of Sandy, was found dead in the Silver Island Mountains near Bonneville Salt Flats. This area is in far western Box Elder County, just north of the Tooele County line, not far from Wendover.

Police said his death was a result of heat exposure coupled with a cardiac event.

Courtesy of Box Elder County Sheriffs Office

The blue pin shows the approximate location Comstocks body was found.

Over a month later, on Aug. 15, Comstocks UTV was found by hunters in a remote area west of the Silver Island Mountains, where it had gotten stuck, according to the sheriffs office.

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Please be aware of the deceptive nature of the lake bed. While it may appear dry and solid, the surface is often a thin crust of salt that can easily give way, causing vehicles to become hopelessly stuck in the underlying mud, the sheriffs office said in a release. We extend our sincere gratitude to all members of the public who provided information that assisted in the search efforts.

The Box Elder County Sheriffs Office reminds everyone visiting the remote areas of the county to be prepared for the unexpected, carry ample supplies of water and food, and always inform a trusted contact of travel plans.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) fields questions at a legislative town hall meeting at the Maryland Association of Counties conference in Ocean City, a role that had been filled for years by former Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who retired last year. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)

The message was the same, but the messenger was different.

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md) held his first town hall as Marylands senior senator at the Maryland Association of Counties conference Friday, stepping into a role long held by former Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who retired last year. Once on the stage, Van Hollen gave a presentation that could have been delivered by Cardin in any of the past few years, criticizing President Donald Trumps administration in general and vowing to bring the new FBI headquarters to Greenbelt, the Democratic equivalent of political comfort food.

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Prince Georges County Executive Aisha Braveboy kicked off the question-and-answer portion by bringing up the FBI headquarters and asking what county officials can do to protect Maryland and protect Maryland assets from sudden decisions at the federal level.

Van Hollen reminded the audience that the original decision to place the FBI headquarters in Greenbelt was made after years of study and competition between Maryland and Virginia. But in March, Trump said he would scrap plans for a new headquarters in Maryland because he wanted to keep the agency in Washington, D.C.

In July, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the agency would be moving just a few blocks from its current home on Pennsylvania Avenue, to space in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, to space that had been occupied by the Agency for International Development before Trump abruptly closed that agency this year.

But Van Hollen, like most of the Maryland Democratic establishment, said Patels announcement is not the last word. This is a fight that is going to go on, and we are going to bring the FBI headquarters to Prince Georges County, he told the town hall crowd.

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Regardless of party, Van Hollen said, I think officials recognize that its not helpful when theyve been able to secure a federal grant or a federal program or federal program supports  only to see it frozen or terminated.

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) at Fridays MACo town hall. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)

Unfortunately, this is going back and forth, seesawing back and forth as we speak, he said. Congress has spoken on this on a bipartisan basis. We had hoped more of our Republican colleagues would stand with us.

Getting Republicans to stand against Trump policies and find bipartisan solutions was Van Hollens answer to several concerns raised by elected officials and advocates in the town hall Friday  such as immigration reform, cuts to disaster relief programs and the erosion of trust in federal data and reporting.

We need our Republican counterparts to meet their constitutional responsibilities, Van Hollen said after the town hall. When you have a Republican Party on Capitol Hill that is 100% in league with the president and not willing to challenge the president  this is a problem.

Getting charged up over energy policy

What is it about energy policy that gets people a little fired up?

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At a Maryland Association of Counties session Powering Maryland: Whats Next for the States Energy Future? on Thursday, Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky took aim at PJM Interconnection, the operator of the regional electric grid that supplies power to Maryland and all or parts of about a dozen other states.

Problem is, PJM was sitting right there, in the person of Executive Director Jason Stanek, a former Maryland Public Service Commission chairman.

The exchange began with Staneks description of PJM as a fuel-neutral  nonpartisan organization.

We dont build generation. We dont build transmission. We dont own generation, and we dont own transmission, Stanek said. Unlike most utilities, we have no shareholders, we have no share price, and we dont make a penny in profit.

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Pinsky, who stepped to the microphone after Stanek, saw an opening. He argued that the majority of PJMs grid is served by fossil fuels and a logjammed queue to join the grid is full of renewable energy projects, including solar farms and battery storage projects.

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You can be fuel-neutral, but if your policies help fossil fuels, youre not fuel-neutral, Pinsky said, as Stanek shook his head.

Pinsky said that although PJM was built to help states move electrons from one area to another, the current structure doesnt provide state governments ample representation.

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On the Board of Governors, there is no one who represents the states. Are there people who represent the generators of the power? Yes. Are there people who are close to the utilities that move the power? You bet, Pinsky said.

Stanek didnt get the microphone to respond right away, but then came a question from an attendee who wondered if there was a way to ensure that energy generated in Maryland stays in Maryland for local consumption. Stanek defended the PJM model.

The advantages of having a large, interconnected grid is that you have the economies of scale, Stanek said. You can ship your power throughout the grid to obtain the most efficient, best price. To the extent you want to island the grid and make it smaller, youll obviously have less options, less resources.

Medicaid director makes MACo debut

Vacancies at the Maryland Department of Health are starting to get filled after a series of departures by high-level officials of the agency.

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Just Monday, Perrie Briskin began her tenure as the Deputy Secretary for Healthcare Financing and Medicaid Director, filling the place of Ryan Moran, who left the position last week for a state job in Washington.

Perrie Briskin, new Deputy Secretary for Healthcare Financing and Medicaid Director, talks about how Medicaid operates in Maryland. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters)

And Friday, Briskin was a key speaker on a MACo panel talking about how the recent budget reconciliation bill passed by Congress will impact Medicaid coverage in the state.

When we talk about federal cuts, that is a huge cut to the overall funding Medicaid budget, because of the disproportionately high share we receive from the federal government to run the program, she told the audience, as part of a 10-minute overview of how Medicaid operates in Maryland.

One cut to one part of Medicaid is a cut to all of Medicaid, so we are going to do our best to advocate for the program and to make sure we keep everyone covered, but we appreciate your partnership and want to work with all of you to do the same thing, she said.

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While shes new to the position of deputy secretary, she has been with department since January, serving as the Chief of Staff for Maryland Medicaid. Prior to that, she was the Senior Advisor to the Director of Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program Services at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

As the Medicaid director, Briskin will be tasked with helping see the state through implementation of work requirements for Medicaid as well as significant cuts to the program in the coming years. She will also face ongoing challenges involving Medicaid waivers in Maryland for people with developmental disabilities.
Marysville interim police chief Vance Nabeta has been promoted to chief of police, city officials announced Friday.

Nabetas law enforcement career spans three decades, starting in 1993 with the Marysville Police Department (MPD). He served as police officer, patrol sergeant, worked in Community-Oriented Policing and contributed to the NET-5 task force, officials said.

As a sergeant in the department in 2002, Nabeta was credited with rebuilding a youth cadet volunteer program that had been idle for 15 years.

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In 2003, he became a police officer with the Yuba City Police Department, working there until 2006. Nabeta then spent six years as a special agent with the California Department of Justice, and later joined the San Bruno Police Department in 2012 as detective corporal until retiring in 2020.

Officials said Nabeta returned to the MPD in 2021 as a retired annuitant detective and later became a contract lieutenant. He came out of retirement to serve full time, and has been acting as interim police chief since April this year.

As chief of police, my goal is to serve our community with integrity, humility and a commitment to excellence, Nabeta said. I strive to meet the needs of both our department and our city, while fostering and developing the next generation of leaders who will carry our mission forward.

Nabeta will fill the vacancy left by former police chief Chris Sachs, who retired in May after being placed on administrative leave for an undisclosed matter starting April 11.

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Nabeta will be sworn in on Aug. 19 during the Marysville City Council meeting at 526 C St., Marysville.

Nabeta was appointed interim police chief upon the retirement of former Chief of Police Chief Christian Sachs in May of this year. Sachs had been on administrative leave for a confidential personnel matter at the time of the announcement of his retirement.

Nabeta will be paid $150,000 annual salary, officials said.
He also announced that a new women's PAC battalion in Badaun has been named in her honour.

The Chief Minister called Rani Avantibai Lodhi a symbol of courage and sacrifice in India's freedom struggle and said her legacy continues to inspire every Indian.

Speaking to the reporters, Yogi Adityanath said, "Today is the birth anniversary of the great warrior Rani Avantibai Lodhi. On this occasion, I pay my tributes to her memory. Warrior queen Avantibai Lodhi led a great struggle to overthrow the tyrannical rule of that time for India's independence. Her struggle and sacrifice are an inspiration for every Indian."

"The double-engine government, with a sense of reverence and respect for warrior queen Avantibai Lodhi, has established a new PAC battalion in Badaun, dedicated to women, named after warrior queen Rani Avantibai Lodhi," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, and BJP State President Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary also paid tribute by offering flowers at Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi's statue.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow.

He called Vajpayee a visionary leader who gave a new direction to Indian politics through his decades-long service and always upheld India's values and identity, whether in power or opposition.

Speaking to the reporters, Yogi Adityanath said, "I pay my humble tribute to former Prime Minister of India, Atal Ji, on his death anniversary. Late Atal Ji's 6 decades of political work gave a new direction to the entire Indian politics. What should be the model of India's life values, ideals and development in India? How should India and Indianness be given respect on the global stage? Whether late Atal Ji was in power or in opposition, he always kept these things in mind and provided his leadership." (ANI)
French leaders are condemning vandals who chopped down a tree honoring a Jewish man who was kidnapped and tortured for over three weeks before dying on the way to a hospital.

In 2006, a group that called itself the "Gang of Barbarians," led by Youssouf Fofana, kidnapped Ilan Halimi, a 23-year-old Jewish man. For more than three weeks, Halimi was held hostage and tortured. Believing an old antisemitic stereotype, Halimis captors assumed his family was wealthy and demanded a ransom it could not afford.

At least 27 people participated in Halimis abduction and torture, but it is believed that more knew of the crime and did not report it to law enforcement.

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On Feb. 13, 2006, Halimi was found naked, handcuffed and barely clinging to life at a train station. He died while being transported to a hospital.

A picture of Ilan Halimi at a makeshift memorial Feb. 13, 2019, in Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois.

Air Traffic Controller Suspended After Free Palestine Broadcast To Israeli Pilots

The commemorative olive tree, planted in Halimis honor 14 years ago, was cut down late Wednesday night. The Associated Press reported the felling appeared to be done with a chainsaw.

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French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the act, saying, "Cutting down the tree honoring Ilan Halimi is an attempt to kill him a second time.

"It will not succeed: the nation will not forget this child of France who died because he was Jewish," he added.

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French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said, "No crime can uproot his memory."

In response, U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner thanked Bayrou for his "strong and unequivocal" condemnation of the felling of the memorial tree.

"I hope your clear condemnation, as the leader of the French government, stands as a model of principled leadership and zero tolerance toward the surge of antisemitism in France and worldwide. Your statement will resonate far beyond the immediate context, reassuring those targeted and inspiring all who cherish tolerance," Kushner wrote on X.

This photo shows a memorial stele and the trunk of an olive tree, reportedly cut down with a chainsaw. The tree was planted in 2011 to honor Ilan Halimi in Epinay-sur-Seine, near Paris, Aug. 15, 2025. Halimi, a young French Jew, was kidnapped and tortured to death in 2006.

European Leaders Decry Hamas Video Of Israeli Captives: Unlimited Inhumanity

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Despite strongly condemning the incident, Macron was not praised by Israeli Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli. The Israeli official pointed to Macrons recent promise to recognize a Palestinian state and suggested the French president effectively "wielded the axe."

"Macron rushed to condemn it  but I told him his own hands wielded the axe. No French president has been more hostile to the Jewish community since the Vichy regime," Chikli wrote.

"By pushing recognition of a Palestinian state  under the heavy shadow of the October 7 atrocities, while our people rot in captivity  Macron places himself at the political vanguard of Hamas and of the surging tide of global antisemitism."

In the years since Halimis murder, France has grappled with antisemitic incidents, including a 2015 attack on the Hyper Cacher store in Paris that left four dead. In March, just over 10 years after the attack, the store was targeted again. An arsonist set a fire that damaged the front of the store and some of its interior, according to The Times of Israel.

A view of the slogan "EL AL genocide airline" sprayed with red paint on the entrance of the EL AL Israel Airlines offices in Paris Aug. 7, 2025.

France To Deport Palestinian Woman Over Antisemitic Post Featuring Hitler, Halts Gaza Evacuations

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Antisemitism in France has persisted since the war in Gaza began in 2023 after Hamas brutal Oct. 7 massacre. Jews in France have not only seen mass protests against Israel. They have been victims of antisemitic violence.

In June 2024, a 12-year-old girl was raped by three teen boys who, according to police reports, uttered death threats and antisemitic remarks during the attack. The incident sparked outrage in France and was condemned by Macron.

According to The Times of Israel, the boys were charged with sexual assault on a minor and recording and sharing sexual images, aggravated by religious motivation. The outlet reported that two of the attackers, who were 13 at the time of the rape, were sentenced to nine and seven years in prison. One assailant could not be sentenced to jail due to his age and would reportedly be placed in closed foster care for five years.

Protesters hold signs that say "raped at 12 because Jewish" during a demonstration in Paris June 20, 2024, after the alleged antisemetic gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Paris' suburb of Courbevoie.

Recently, the Israeli airline El Al has been a target for antisemitism in France. Earlier this month, the companys Paris offices were vandalized with red paint and anti-Israel graffiti. The vandals wrote that El Al was a "genocide airline."

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Just days later, a French air traffic controller broadcast "Free Palestine" to El Al pilots. The worker has since been suspended. El Al called the remarks "unprofessional and inappropriate."

Fofana, who led the attack on Halimi, was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 and is not eligible for parole for 22 years. Two of his accomplices were sentended to 15 and 18 years in prison. A man who was a minor at the time of the attack was also sentenced to 15 years in prison. A girl who used to lure Halimi was sentenced to nine years in prison.





Original article source: Vandals chop down tree honoring Jewish man tortured and killed in antisemitic attack
For the record:

12:57 p.m. Aug. 20, 2025: A previous version of this article and a caption for the photo incorrectly identified the Latino Equality Alliance as the Latino Equity Alliance.



For the past several months, volunteers and community members arriving at the Mi SELA youth center in the city of Bell have encountered a putrid smell.

The source? Bags of discarded dog feces.

The center is a partnership with the Latino Equality Alliance and provides youth clubs, community-building workshops, and cultural and legal resources to the LGBTQ+ community of South Los Angeles. But recently, the center has seen a pattern of dog feces being thrown in front of and onto the awning of the buildings entrance.

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There were over 10 bags. That was the second time that weve had to do a full sweep of the awning  I just worry about, what if it does escalate in the future? Sanva Lojero, Mi SELA's programs manager, told NBC Los Angeles. "This is a youth resource center, so we have clients coming in each day and I dont want them to feel like theyre getting harassed.

It's unclear who is throwing the feces  or why. But given the center serves LGBTQ+ youth, some maintain it's deliberate, potentially hate-motivated vandalism.

The Latino Equality Alliance denounced the recent incidents as abhorrent and unacceptable in a statement posted on Instagram.

In 2025, it is shocking that young people and community organizations continue to face such targeted hate and intimidation. While law enforcement has emphasized that action cannot be taken without catching the perpetrators in the act, that does not diminish the urgent need for  a public stance against hate in our communities, the statement read.

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L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn has pledged a $2,500 grant to install more security cameras around the community center in hopes of capturing the perpetrators.

The fact that this person is going out of their way to do this says everything about them and nothing about our LGBTQ community in Southeast L.A., Hahn said in a statement.

With security cameras now likely on their way, Mi SELAs staff say they won't be deterred from their mission.

Were not going anywhere, were going to still keep providing resources, Lojero said.

Anyone with information can contact the Bell Police Department at (323) 585-1245.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Its the first and most important rule when it comes to the beach, many seasoned lifeguards say: Do not swim in the ocean after lifeguards have left for the day.

Rule number one is to never go in the ocean when the lifeguards arent on duty, Belmar chief lifeguard Harry Harsin told NJ Advance Media Saturday. It poses too many threats.

Harsins reminder to the public comes a day after a 13-year-old girl drowned in Belmar Friday night. Harsin was among an emergency response team called to the scene after receiving emergency calls about a swimmer in distress around 6:30 p.m.

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Harsin said the victim was found over 50-feet down the shore from where she had last been seen.

Belmar Police and the volunteer-based Belmar Water Rescue Team responded to the beach near 8th avenue. At least 15 rescue swimmers and two jet skis conducted a search in the water that lasted almost an hour, Harsin said.

The girl, along with her family, were at the beach after lifeguards had left their post for the day at 5:30 p.m., Harsin added.

Harsin told NJ Advance Media the wind, sand bars, riptides and waves are significant factors that make ocean swimming too risky without a lifeguard on duty, regardless of how well a person can swim.

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Whether you can swim or not, you can get in trouble with riptides and its going to take you out, Harsin said.

Fridays incident marked the second drowning at the Jersey Shore this week.

A man died Monday night after he got caught in a rip current while swimming at an unguarded Seaside Heights beach, officials said.

Six others were rescued from the rough seas that night, leading local officials to strictly enforce after-hours beach closures.

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Victoria Gladstone may be reached at vgladstone@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @TorigNJAM. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
In the last year, extreme floods, fires, and storms wreaked havoc around the world.

For the victims of these disasters, a whole other nightmare awaits them once the flames are contained and floodwaters recede  dealing with insurance companies.

What's happening?

According to a Kiplinger report, many Americans are struggling to recover insurance funds for damaged property and belongings in the wake of disasters. Others are outright losing their coverage.

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Kiplinger spoke with four families impacted by recent extreme weather events across the country: Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, and the Los Angeles wildfires. Each one hit communities hard, and afterwards, people went looking to their insurers for help.

Yet they were often met with processing delays and extra hoops to jump through. For example, the Seltzer family in Los Angeles lost their house in one of the blazes. They received some relief funds up front, but had to wait several months and follow up multiple times to get their rebuilding coverage to kick in, Kiplinger reported.

The Ford family's home in St. Petersburg, Florida, was three feet underwater during Hurricane Helene, but their homeowners' insurance did not cover flooding. They had a private policy that came in handy, but that insurer cancelled the coverage months later, meaning the Fords must now rely on federal programs.

The Clarks, also Floridians, planned to retire to their cabin in Fairview, N.C., until it was swept up in a Helene landslide. They are unable to get much disaster relief since it was technically their second home, Kiplinger explained.

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Meanwhile, the Gabbards had to fork over a pricey deductible to receive any insurance funds at all after a large tree destroyed about one-third of their St. Petersburg home.

Why do these insurance stories matter?

What these four families are experiencing is becoming far too common. It all comes back to the fact that relying on dirty fuel for energy is causing global temperatures to rise, which is causing a major uptick in dangerous weather events.

The period of these disasters in the United States between January 2024 and January 2025 was the most expensive in nearly a century, totaling between $700 billion and $800 billion, per AccuWeather.

As a result, insurance companies are trying to get out of high-risk areas, raise prices, and avoid paying out to policyholders when possible. In other words, extreme weather not only destroys homes and natural habitats  it can also mean being left in the lurch afterwards, or even losing it all.

How can people prepare and stay protected in the face of disasters?

Luckily, there are plenty of examples out there to learn how to prepare for these sticky insurance situations.

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Brandi Gabbard advised checking your policies every couple of years to be sure your coverage still makes sense and that you have enough. Taking regular photos of your home is also a big help in the event of a disaster, she explained.

"It's so important that people understand the risk that is associated with our climate changing," Gabbard told Kiplinger. "Every place is vulnerable."

Documentation for any lost or damaged valuables is also important for filing claims and fighting back against denials.

"Be your own advocate, and don't take no for an answer," Rob Seltzer told Kiplinger. "I can't emphasize it enough."

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.
Hundreds of people gathered in Monrovia on Friday night at a vigil for Carlos Roberto Montoya, who was struck and killed by an SUV after running onto the 210 Freeway while trying to flee U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents this week.

The vigil, held at the Home Depot that was the location of Thursday's raid, was organized by Monrovia High School Students Against Fascism, with assistance from the Los Angeles chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Eduardo Vargas, a community organizer for PSL, said the two groups started planning the vigil, as well as a rally that was held Thursday, once they heard that Montoya had died.

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"The community responds first," he said. "The community comes with their bullhorns. They come with their sound equipment. They come with their posters, so it's really just talking to each other and getting stuff accomplished."

Hundreds gather outside a Home Depot in Monrovia Friday for a vigil for Carlos Roberto Montoya. (Annie Goodykoontz / Los Angeles Times)

Speakers at Friday's vigil included religious leaders, teachers, high school students and politicians.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) said Montoya, a Guatemalan national, had lived in the United States for three years, and worked as a day laborer. He had four daughters and grandchildren, she said.

"Make no mistake, his death is a direct result of the Trump administration's strategy of sowing fear and intimidation throughout our community," she said. "It's designed to instill fear, so that people will risk anything, even their lives, to escape it."

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In a statement previously emailed to The Times, the Department of Homeland Security said that the individual was not being pursued by any DHS law enforcement and that the agency was not aware of his death on the freeway until hours after operations in the area had concluded.

The vigil began with a silent walk to a memorial set up near the exit of the Home Depot, just across from the entrance of the 210 Freeway, where Montoya died. Attendees prayed both silently and aloud, and many laid flowers at the memorial.

On the walk back to a stage set up for the vigil, the crowd chanted "ICE out of Monrovia!" as cars driving by sounded their horns in support.

Some weren't so supportive, however. On the walk to the memorial, an angry driver seemingly got into an argument with an attendee, and drove through the path of the crowd, eliciting shrieks from the crowd. No one was injured, and an organizer shouted to the crowd to brush it off.

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While state Sen. Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena) spoke, a person in the crowd appeared to speak critically in response. The person left after the crowd chanted "You have got to go!"

"I want to just remind you all, as we are doing this advocacy, as we are fighting for our neighbors, that we are gonna run into naysayers," Perez said after the person left. "But us sticking together as [a] community is what is going to make the difference. Because there is more of us than there is them."

Relatives and friends of Montoya who took the stage described him as a happy man who came to the United States seeking work to support his family.

"He came here to work hard. My uncle was not a criminal," his niece, Mariela, said through an interpreter. "He wanted what a lot us wanted: a better life."

Politicians, religious leaders and community organizers spoke at Friday's event, which was put on by Monrovia High School Students Against Fascism with assistance from the Los Angeles chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. (Annie Goodykoontz / Los Angeles Times)

Elsewhere in Southern California, immigration enforcement continued.

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Adelina de Perez, 67, spoke through sobs Friday morning after a swarm of masked agents descended on a small street near a Van Nuys Home Depot and took her daughter.

She said her daughter, Yenni Perez Quinilla, 38, sold tamales on Balboa Place.

Immigration advocates hovered around De Perez, trying to comfort her as she used a cellphone to arrange care for her grandchildren  her daughters children. She used the sleeve of her black sweater to wipe away tears.

Im very angry, Im very upset, said De Perez, who is from Guatemala. My daughter is a single mother, this is her only income.

Quinilla, who lives in North Hollywood, has worked on the block for several years and has three children  ages 15, 17 and 18  according to her mother.

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De Perez said that agents presented paperwork when they picked up her daughter from her tamale stand on Friday.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that Quinilla was arrested, describing her as "an illegal alien from Guatemala who was operating as unlicensed vendor."

"Unlicensed vendors undercut U.S. businesses that must pay business fees and are subject to regulations," McLaughlin said.

Friday's raid was at least the third raid near the Home Depot this month.

Witnesses said agents pulled up to Balboa Place on Friday morning in a line of cars. Bystanders blew whistles, yelled and honked their horns at the agents.

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Video shot by one witness that was viewed by The Times showed heavily armed and masked men wearing brown camouflage, with the word POLICE on their chests.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Military technology has evolved from sword-fighting to AI-assisted drones and missiles.

Russia's war in Ukraine highlights the use of advanced military technology today.

Trump and Putin's Alaska meeting prompts reflection on military evolution since past alliances.

In many ways, warfare has moved from the front line to online.

From AI-assisted drones to computerized missiles, military technology has advanced greatly from the days of sword-fighting.

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Russia's war in Ukraine has showcased some of today's most state-of-the-art military technology, from intelligence-gathering ground robots to ballistic missiles with advanced maneuverability.

Take a look at vintage photos of soldiers to see how much the military has evolved throughout history.

Militaries have existed since ancient times.

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The first war ever recorded took place in Mesopotamia in 2700 BCE, according to The Ancient History Encyclopedia.

Not "all is fair in love and war," as warfare usually abides by a certain etiquette.

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The Greeks and Romans had customary laws of war, which the Western military tradition took inspiration from, such as war being openly declared and with legitimate cause, pledged word being kept, and a truce being given to the defeated so that they could recover and honor their dead.

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The French Revolution brought about the idea of conscription.

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While the idea of drafting able-bodied men may date back to Egypt in the 27th century BCE, the nationwide system most closely resembling that of today was introduced in France during the French Revolution, and institutionalized by Napoleon after he became emperor in 1803.

Suddenly, militaries were no longer limited by the number of soldiers they had, but by their country's population of able-bodied men.

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Conscription mandates the compulsory enlistment of citizens into the military, so countries with large populations have stronger military capabilities, and serving can help advance equality, per The Conversation.

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As Russia's war with Ukraine has developed, countries in Europe like Latvia, Sweden, and Lithuania have reintroduced or expanded conscription mandates.

France drafted its men during WWI. Other European countries and the US soon followed.

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In 1917, the US Congress passed the Selective Service Act, which called all men ages 21 to 30 in the 48 states plus Washington, DC. In 1918, this expanded to include men ages 18 to 45 from Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

The US military consists of the Navy, National Guard, Coast Guard, Marines, Army, and Air Force.

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The Army, Navy, and Marines were founded in 1775, and the Coast Guard was founded in 1790. The Air Force wasn't formed until 1947.

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Mass shortages of planes and weapons influenced how the US trained its military.

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During World War I, some pilots had to be trained with makeshift cockpits and pretend guns, per Getty.

Over 4.7 million men and women served in the US forces during World War I.

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The US tried to stay out of WWI, but joined after Germany re-launched submarine attacks on passenger and merchant ships in 1917, after having pledged not to, and tried to get Mexico to turn against the US, according to the Office of the Historian at the State Department.

With these huge new militaries came unthinkable death counts.

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There were an estimated 37 million deaths reported during World War I.

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People called it "the war to end all wars."

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In 1914, H.G. Wells wrote a series of essays, "The War That Will End War," which advocated for peace and the disarmament of the German Empire. As the book rose in popularity, the title soon became both a slogan and rallying cry.

During the war, the battles were grim.

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Germany, at the time of WWI, had one of the world's most advanced chemical industries, and attempted to weaponize this as early as 1914.

Ypres, Belgium, was the site of the very first chemical attack, on April 22, 1915

Joining the war effort, the US military saw hundreds of thousands of deaths.

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The US saw 323,018 deaths in WWI, per Britannica.

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Even during the war, some humanity shone through.

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Even opposing sides could sometimes unite as humans during the tough fights, with soldiers seldom looking out for each other.

American troops convened in camps throughout Europe.

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Liverpool was home to a rest camp for American troops.

When WWI ended in 1918, soldiers were finally able to return home.

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By the end of the war, many soldiers returned to their families. Thousands of others, however, weren't so fortunate.

However, World War II brought even more civilians into combat.

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A much larger effort, more than 12% of the US population served in World War II.

Since the end of the Vietnam War, America has employed an all-volunteer force, The New York Times reported.

Military servicemen were trained rigorously in preparation.

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A formal fitness test was introduced by the US Army in 1942. The test reportedly included push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, a 300-yard run, and squat jumps.

World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history.

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World War II involved more than 30 countries and lasted for six years. An estimated 85 million people were killed, according to The National WWII Museum.

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After six years, it finally drew to an end.

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The end of the war marked the beginning of the Baby Boom as thousands of soldiers came home and formed families.

The number of people serving in the US armed forces has since dropped.

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In 1973, the US decided to end the citizen-soldier tradition and instead establish a large, professional all-volunteer force. Today, less than 0.5% of the population serves, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The military's size varies from country to country.

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The US is the world's most powerful military, according to firepower, but trails behind countries like South Korea, North Korea, India, China, and Russia in terms of size.

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Some countries require military service from all their citizens  others don't.

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Countries around the world still have military service, like Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, and Israel, to name a few.

Technological advancement also varies by country.

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Israel's military is often regarded as one of the most technologically advanced today.

The United States is considered the world's most powerful military in terms of firepower.

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The US' defense spending is the highest in the world.

No matter where or when they served, the sacrifices of soldiers have changed the course of history.

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While military history is vast and deadly, the effects of soldiers' efforts can be seen everywhere in today's political climate.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT)  The Tuscaloosa Police Department says violent crime and property crime are down compared to this time last year. Homicides in the city are down 38.5%, and robberies and car jackings are down 32.5%.

When I was reviewing these crime stats, knowing Im in charge of the department, it makes you very proud that your officers are working that hard, said Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley. To see the change that weve made over the last five years, our technology advancements, some of our strategic ways that we approach policing, its just a really good feeling.

Blankley says the real credit goes to his officers out on the streets every day but there are tools used to help them succeed. He says TPD uses three styles of policing to address crime- proactive, stratified and community.

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What do those styles mean? Blankley says in their proactive policing, officers are working overtime to patrol extra in areas where more crime occurs. For stratified policing, a meeting is held every day to discuss what felonies happened within the last 24 hours so crime trends can be addressed as they pop up. Blankley says community policing in Tuscaloosa looks like a designated administrator meeting with the community every day to understand their true feelings.

Youve got to find what works in your community. So many times, somebody looks at one way of doing policing and they try to make it happen in their community. Every community is different, Blankley said. When we started our stratified policing, we adapted that to our community. So, I think youve got to figure out what works for you. You have to listen to the community members; you have to listen to your officers. I think you just have to be willing to listen.

Blankley also attributes some of this crime reduction to the departments technological tools.

Were using drones as first responders right now, so a lot of times, they will be an officer to a call because of traffic, Blankley said. Also, we have one of the very few ballistics labs in the southeast thats internationally certified. So, what that means, is we can get shell casings and match them to guns and know how many people are shooting when we do have an incident, and that helps us solve crimes a whole lot faster.

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Family seeks justice for man killed on I-20/59 in Bessemer

Many families are in town to move their students in at the University of Alabama. Some parents says they feel more at ease dropping their children off knowing crime in the city is down.

Were 12 hours away, said Ashley Benson, who is moving her freshman daughter in from Illinois. Weve been really impressed with Alabama so far anyway, but knowing that Tuscaloosa is going to be a safe spot for her to be is really a relief for me.

What are these parents looking for in police departments when it comes to keeping their kids safe?

Dedication. I think a devoted force and enough resources, said Jon Pini from St. Louis. That pretty much addresses most of our concerns.

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Not so much the police presence, just got a lot of elderly people around to help, not elderly but elders, that are willing to help and ask questions to, said Darrell Benson from Illinois.

Blankley says the goal for the last portion of the year is to continue the downward trend on all crimes.

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HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY)  The Virginia Department of Health is notifying the Hampton Roads community of regional student immunization clinics ahead of the upcoming school year. Some students in Hampton Roads return earlier than usual this year, on Aug. 18.

Vaccinations are free, but parents must bring their ID, the students immunization records and an insurance card. Each clinics hours of operation depend on its district.

There are clinics across the area. Some require an appointment; others have walk-in availability, which the image below details.

You can visit the Virginia Department of Healths website here for more information about school-required vaccinations.

Download the WAVY News App to keep up with the latest news, weather and sports from WAVY-TV 10. Available in both the Apple and Google Play stores.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  People from all over got in touch with nature thanks to the Meet the Mountains Festival in Johnson City.

Meet the Mountains has plenty to do for people like Leslie and Chris Marsh, who came from Memphis to attend the festival.

We love East Tennessee, Leslie Marsh said. We saw this festival come up on the website and we said, well, lets check it out.'

Meet the Mountains Festival kicks off its seventh year

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I think my heart must be over here, Chris Marsh said. Just the outdoors, the mountains, the natural beauty and the people, its beautiful.

Rosellen Ryals brought her grandchildren from Piney Flats to enjoy the festival.

We have come each year since they started this, and its grown bigger and more fun every year, Ryals said. Watching the dogs and being outside and seeing all our neighbors, its wonderful.

The Ultimate Air Dogs Show, local vendors, outdoor activity guides and more were at the festival.

We like to find out whats new and exciting here in Johnson City, resident Christina Thomas said. We always try to find something new, meet new people, and try something new. We were hoping to try some of the new fly fishing techniques.

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For Leslie and Chris Marsh, the best part was getting away from the everyday hustle of a big city like Memphis.

The activities here, we like being outside. I love the parks, Chris Marsh said.

The Meet the Mountains Festival runs until 9 p.m. on Saturday at Winged Deer Park.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Theres no deal until theres a deal and we didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there. Speaking at his press conference with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Donald Trump was probably trying to convey optimism about the trajectory of the negotiations to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.

Instead, his words encapsulated the shallowness of the first US-Russia presidential summit in four years.

The Alaska summit was a highly predictable failure. During the immediate build-up to the talks, Russian forces seized 10km of territory around Pokrovsk. Ukraine responded by firing drones on Russian oil giant Rosnefts Syzran refinery in Samara. Russian state media outlets accused Ukraine of instigating provocations to derail the talks. Yuriy Shchygol, a Ukrainian Brigadier General, vowed to continue drone strikes until Russia ended the war.

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As Russia retains offensive momentum, Putin had no incentive to end the war. The Alaska summit was instead a chance for him to showcase Russias great power status to his core supporters and partners outside the West, and to buy himself time. It sure lived up to its billing.

In a calculated olive branch to Trump, Putin repeated his narrative that the Ukraine war would not have started if he had still been president. Trump took the bait and responded in a way that gave Putin undue legitimacy. Trump expressed optimism about future economic opportunities, having earlier quite literally rolled out a red carpet to greet the Russian president. An International Criminal Court-indicted war criminal was being feted by a US president as almost a friend and ally.

Putin also seems to have convinced Trump that he is serious about peace. As such, the Alaska summit likely forestalls further secondary tariffs or the implementation of Congresss bone-crushing sanctions package against Russia. Trumps acceptance of a joint summit without preconditions gave the Russian strongman the off-ramp he desperately needed. And now the punishment Trump has promised will presumably be delayed yet again.

Mr Trump and Putin speak after delivering a joint press conference - GAVRIIL GRIGOROV

Putin also advanced his time-tested strategy of sharpening frictions between the US and Europe. Trumps non-response to Putins insinuations about European obstructionism of the peace process played into his hands. In the days that follow, European leaders will likely remind Trump of Natos open-door policy and seek to persuade him that Putin, as the aggressor, is unlikely to be serious about a lasting peace. This messaging could rub Trump the wrong way and create deeper rifts within the Trans-Atlantic alliance.

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In the weeks ahead, Putin will try to consolidate these wins while avoiding meaningful concessions. The frequency of Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoffs engagements with Russian officials and US secretary of state Marco Rubios calls with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov could increase. Playing on Trumps desire to outflank Beijings rare earth dominance, Russia could use the carrot of its natural resources as a reason to keep talking.

As meetings in Alaska were underway, Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti published an article with the headline negotiations took place: the result is in our favour, Kyiv is going to surrender. A bit hyperbolic to be sure, but Putin was the summits undisputed winner.

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In celebration of Krishna Jayanthi, significant rituals and abhishekams were conducted for Lord Krishna at the Sri Venugopala Krishna Temple in Trichy. This event attracted a substantial gathering of devotees. At the 200-year-old temple in Bheemanagar, the deity was offered abhishekams with milk, curd, turmeric, sandal paste, rose water, ghee, scented oils, tender coconut, sweet lime, and oranges. This was followed by deeparadhanai, after which Lord Krishna, adorned in a grand decoration, blessed the devotees who worshipped with deep devotion. Lord Krishna's birthday falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. Although the celebration takes place in different parts of the country, Mathura and Vrindavan hold a special significance. One being his birthplace, and one where he spent his childhood and did his baal leela. Devotees flock to the Lord Krishna temples, especially the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura. The temples were decorated with flowers and crystal chandeliers, and the idol of Lord Krishna was decorated with colourful clothes and jewellery. At midnight, a special ritual is performed when the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed in milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and water. During the Krishna Abhishek, bells are rung, conch shells are blown, and Vedic hymns are performed. After the bhog, Prasad is given to the worshippers, who stand out for hours for Krishna darshan and puja. Dahi Handi is also celebrated in numerous areas. One of the customary festivals of Krishna Janmashtami is Dahi Handi, also known as Gopalakala or Utlotsavam. Dahi is the name for curd, while a handi is an earthen pot used to store milk products. One of the biggest celebrations in Maharashtra is Dahi Handi. Lord Krishna is often referred to as makhan chor because he used to steal makhan. He organised a bunch of friends to get milk from earthen jars dangling from the ceiling. They arranged themselves like a human pyramid to help Krishna reach the earthen pots and fill themselves with milk products. During the Dahi Handi ceremonies, the same is demonstrated. (ANI)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  Virginia State Police continue to search for a driver who they were trying to stop in Newport News after they said they observed someone in the car making a narcotics transaction near 75th Street and Warwick Boulevard.

State Police said a trooper involved in Operation Bold Blue Line tried to initiate a traffic stop on a 2002 Honda Accord around 6:10 p.m., but the driver did not yield and instead accelerated, initiating a pursuit of the car.

The pursuit ended, according to State Police, when the driver stopped at 540 Aberthaw Avenue, in the vicinity of Jefferson Avenue, and the driver left on foot.

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State Police said a canine search of the suspect was unsuccessful, and the case remains under investigation.

Newport News Police is also taking part in the Operation Bold Blue Line Initiative, according to State Police, who said this accounted for the large police presence in that area.

State Police said there is limited information at this time, and it continues to investigate the incident, but added there is no immediate threat in the vicinity or area at this time.

Operation Bold Blue Line is an initiative from Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his administration to have state and local law enforcement agencies and resources work together to get illegal drugs and illegal weapons off of Virginia streets. It notes the operation is a shared mission to identify and disrupt criminal networks threatening the safety of the citizens of not only Hampton, but the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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WACO (FOX 44)  Its that time again  for the annual Waco Battle of the Badges  the friendly competition between Waco Police, Waco Fire and the McLennan County Sheriffs Office to see who can encourage the most blood donations in a partnership with Carter BloodCare.

At the blood drives kick off event at Bass Pro at the Central Texas Marketplace, you could see the friendly competitive banter between Waco Police chief Sheryl Victorian and Waco Fire Chief Robby Bergerson, with McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara not far away. Waco PD won in 2024. Friendly? Yes. Competitive? Uh-huh.

I think hopefully the community was let down last year that the police department pulled ahead and they will come and rally to our cause and support the firefighters, said Waco Fire Department Chief Robby Bergerson.

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Waco Police Department Chief Sheryl Victorian added, Listen, this has been one of the highlights of my career since Ive been here at the city of Waco. Weve held on to the trophy a couple of times since Ive been here, and we anticipate a hand holding on to it again.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara chimed in with, Last year, I believe, Waco PD won the year before the fire department. Were going to try to get the trophy back this year.

Friendly competition indeed  along with unity of purpose  to help Central Texass blood supply.

Were in the business of saving lives as well as the police and sheriffs department, Fire Chief Bergerson says. And so any way that we can pitch in and help the community or anybody that needs whole blood, were happy to do so

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The Battle of the Badges blood drive runs through August 30. The department with the most donations and votes wins the competition (Waco PD won last year.)

For complete information on the Battle of the Badges blood drive including dates, places and times for future mobile donation sites, click here.

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A warm and humid weekend is ahead for New Jersey, with scattered thunderstorms possible Saturday afternoon and Sunday, primarily in northwestern areas of the state.

Temperatures will climb close to 90 degrees, with potential for brief downpours and localized flooding.

It will be quite warm and humid with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms around this afternoon, the National Weather Service said Saturday morning.

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Scattered thunderstorms are expected Saturday afternoon, particularly in north and west of the I-95 corridor, with a 20% to 30% chance of precipitation.

These storms may produce brief, localized downpours with potential for minor flooding.

Winds will be light from the southeast at 5 to 10 mph, and afternoon temperatures will reach near 90 degrees.

On Sunday, a cold front approaching from the north will increase the likelihood of thunderstorms, especially in the late afternoon and evening.

The front could trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures again approaching 90 degrees.

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The National Weather Service notes that while severe weather potential is limited, some storms may produce gusty winds.

The weather pattern will shift Monday, with high pressure building in from the north and temperatures cooling to the mid-70s to low 80s.

Slight chances for light showers remain in the forecast, but overall conditions will be drier and more stable.

Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified to a Category 4 storm as of Saturday morning and could start bringing dangerous surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore early next week, while remaining far out to sea.

Hurricane Erin is expected to pass well offshore later in the week, potentially bringing increased surf and rip current risks to New Jerseys coastal areas from Tuesday through Thursday.

Residents are advised to monitor marine conditions and follow local beach safety recommendations.

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The extended forecast suggests temperatures will remain below normal through Thursday before potentially returning to near-normal levels by Friday.

Current weather radar

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
Washington College could perhaps use its namesakes 50 guinea coins these days.

The 243-year-old institution in Chestertown on the Eastern Shore, whose early donors and board members included the future first U.S. president, has seen enrollment tumble, its budget run into deficit, and five presidents or interim presidents come and gone in the past 10 years, the most recent leaving last month.

While the troubles are not entirely unique among small liberal arts colleges across the country, they have unnerved some alumni and community members for whom the tidy red-brick campus is a precious gem in this charming small town on the banks of the Chester River.

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Everyones been asleep at the wheel, said Skip Middleton, a 1987 graduate who is among those behind a Facebook group, WC Voices, that has criticized the colleges finances and governance. They havent seen every warning sign.

The college has dipped more deeply than it would like into its endowment, cut staff and salaries and enters this academic year with 94 faculty members, from 103 last year. This spring, faculty expressed displeasure with the schools then-president Mike Sosulski, in what was described as a straw poll short of an official no-confidence vote.

Sosulski, who subsequently left to become president of Lake Forest College in suburban Chicago, could not be reached for comment.

College officials said its budget faced structural issues as a result of declining enrollments  it had 923 students last year compared to 1,515 in 2011  without a comparable drop in its largest expense, salaries and compensation.

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We made some tough decisions, said Rick Wheeler, chairman of the schools Board of Visitors and Governors, some right-sizing decisions.

The school shed nearly 40 staff positions through measures like early retirement and position eliminations. Officials said they did not let any tenured or tenure-track professors go, instead targeting visiting professors and other staff, furloughed the highest-paid employees for two weeks and cut the cabinets salaries by 7%. Sosulski, who had been president for four years, said in one of a series of budget updates to staff that he took a furlough and a 20% pay cut. The latest 990s tax filing shows his salary was $441,251 and $68,560 in other compensation in 2024.

The paring of expenses and a lean, zero-based budget going forward should serve the school well, said Mark Bo Connell, vice president for finance and administration.

If we manage the budget this year, we will be on a more stable footing in the years ahead, he said.

Fears for the future

Critics like Middleton paint a much grimmer vision. Raised in Kent County and now living in North Carolina, the retired businessman and investor said the college has been running annual deficits for years  which the college denies  and he fears for its future.

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The reason Ive been doing this is to save the school, he said. This is my hometown.

College officials say it has had total operating deficits in two of the past ten fiscal years. But they acknowledge that theyve had to take steps like drawing more from the endowment than the 5% considered the best practice. The current budget calls for an 8% draw.

In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024, for example, operating expenses outstripped non-restricted revenues by nearly $20.7 million. The college took measures like transferring funds and borrowing from the endowment to help plug the hole.

But, Connell said, you cant do that every year.

College faces headwinds

Small liberal arts colleges were particularly hit hard by the COVID pandemic because the on-campus experience is central to their appeal, as well as longer-ranging trends such as the declining birthrate, experts said.

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If you serve 18-year-olds, that pipeline is getting narrower and narrower, said Bryan Alexander, a senior scholar at Georgetown University and higher ed consultant.

Theres also a greater preference for more specific fields of study, such as technology and business, to secure a lucrative job immediately after graduation, he said. Liberal arts schools are unfairly perceived as not doing that, Alexander said, despite some studies showing their graduates paychecks can eventually match or even surpass those in other fields.

Everyone wants the major that will get them a job in private equity, Washington College emeritus board member John Moag said drily.

Moag, the former chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, graduated from the school in 1977 and went on to a distinguished career in law and investment banking.

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I had a fabulous education there, he said. Weve just got to sell it better.

He and others say the school is at a critical juncture as it searches for a new president who can navigate the current higher-ed climate.

Wheeler said the board will soon name an interim president and give itself up to two years to find the right leader.

Community concerns

In Chestertown and beyond, alumni and community residents are watching, protective of the college that looms large in the life of the town and county and engaged and opinionated about its every move.

Its like Northern Exposure,' Middleton said, referring to the 1990s-era TV series about a quirky small town.

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Community members frequently use the campus, with members of the donor group, the 1782 Society, taking advantage of special access to events and the schools library and fitness center. Its popular Academy of Lifelong Learning, known as WC-ALL, draws retirees and others with its offerings.

Their campus is very open, said Chris Cerino, a former Chestertown mayor. They add a tremendous amount of complexity to the community.

The schools financial woes, its enrollment drops and the turnover in the presidents office are felt in town, said Cerino, the longtime vice president of the Sultana Education Foundation, which takes school children on learning experiences around the Chesapeake Bay on its reproduction 1768 schooner.

In my seven years as mayor, I worked with five different presidents, said Cerino, who left office in 2021. It made it hard to plan anything with them. By the time you got to know them, they were gone.

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Michael H.C. McDowell, who lives in a historic home in Chestertown and is active in community issues, faults the college for not taking better advantage of its milieu.

The area is filled with high-powered professionals and retirees, he said, a group in which he might include himself as a fellow at the New America think tank with previous stints as a BBC journalist and manager at the World Bank. They could be a source of internships and job recommendations for students, he said, and an additional selling point for students to choose Washington College over a competitor.

But, McDowell said, the college has not been receptive to outside advice.

This is a chronic missed opportunity, and it causes resentment among the retired community in Chestertown, he said.

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I really want the college to succeed, but Sosulski didnt listen to positive suggestions by me or others with college board experience, said McDowell, who had served on an advisory board at his late sons alma mater, The Citadel.

Looking to the future

Current and former professors who have been critical of Washington Colleges management declined to comment on the record for fear that a public airing of the schools problems could only add to them.

We want students to come here, one professor said.

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Still, they said, the faculty has been pressing for more involvement in the colleges governance, which can be something of a black box for them. Faculty attempted to unionize a couple of years ago but the effort waned in the wake of President Trumps election and firings at the National Labor Relations Board that have hampered the agencys work.

After the faculty took its vote on Sosulski, the colleges board reiterated its support of him but also acknowledged what the staff was saying, Wheeler said. He said the school opened up its finance and budget committee to faculty representatives and sought to improve transparency.

Administrators and faculty say they are heartened by the slight uptick in enrollment between 2023 and 2024, and the more than 300 new students expected to enroll this year. With an alumnas $15 million gift, the college launched a new business school.

Not all worries of recent years have been satisfied.

How many business schools are out there? one former professor said skeptically.

He and others pin their hopes on getting the right president, and someone who can navigate both the current challenges facing higher ed as well as the traditional give-and-take of a community of academics, alumni and other interested and opinionated parties.

Its been on the right path, said one previously critical professor. Its a great place. It is a very close community.

Have a news tip? Contact Jean Marbella at jmarbella@baltsun.com, 410-332-6060, or @jeanmarbella.bsky.social.
(The Center Square)  Gun rights supporters are celebrating what they call a significant victory after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mandate on Thursday overturning Californias one-gun-per-month law.

In a decision issued in June, the appeals court ruled in favor of the Bellevue, Wash.-based Second Amendment Foundation and its partners in Nguyen v. Bonta. The case challenged Californias one-gun-per-month law, which restricted most individuals from purchasing more than one firearm within a 30-day period

California lawmakers first imposed the gun purchase limit on handguns in 1999. Then in 2019, lawmakers passed an amendment that added the 30-day limit on semiautomatic rifle purchases.

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On Jan. 1, 2024, California residents were limited to one purchase of a firearm of any kind within a 30-day period.

A press release from SAF noted that the Firearms Policy Coalition and San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, two Federal Firearms License gun dealers, and six private citizens, including Michelle Nguyen, for whom the case is named, joined them in the legal challenge.

On Friday, The Center Square spoke with SAF Director of Legal Operations William Sack about the case.

The opinion is certainly significant in a few ways, he said. Anytime the Second Amendment wins in California, that's you know screaming from the hilltops, Holy crap. What just happened?

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Sack explained that the courts ruling and the mandate differ.

When the opinions come out, the opinions kind of go through all the legal analysis, and they announce what the court is going to do, he said. But none of it actually takes effect until the mandate issues. So, that's what happened [Thursday].

He said gun control supporters who championed the law claimed that limiting gun purchases would reduce the trafficking of firearms.

I think that they were coming from a place of limiting Illegal firearms trafficking, and their thought was that in very limited instances, people go out and purchase firearms in bulk with the intention of then backdooring those firearms to people that aren't supposed to have them, classically called a straw purchase, Sack explained. So, I think that was the kind of underlying animating impetus of the law. But unfortunately, we already have laws that address that problem and what they did with the gun rationing law is restrict everybody else from exercising their rights.

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Sack said the 9th Circuit Court ruling is noteworthy because the entire court opted not to take up the case after the three-judge panel's decision.

Usually, what happens when the Second Amendment wins in the 9th Circuit in a three-judge panel is the entire court steps in en banc and smacks that panel down and says, No, as it turns out, we can't ruin our batting a thousand streak of upholding every piece of gun control that we've ever seen. So it's definitely noteworthy that we have a Second Amendment win out of California that's being allowed to stand.

Sack noted his team was confident the law and the United States Constitution were on their side.

There was no legal foundation to just arbitrarily say you can only buy one gun a month because we say so, he said. From a practical perspective, there were all sorts of reasons that it didn't make any sense. I mean, you could imagine a new shooter who wanted to come in and buy a somewhat larger gun to train with and a smaller gun to carry in their purse. Someone who was taking up a new shooting sport who needed to purchase a shotgun and a rifle.

For the government to arbitrarily say, No, too many guns for you, was a big problem. So, we're really thrilled to have this one off the books. It's a nice win, and we continue to chip away at the California gun control behemoth.
The Passaic Valley Water Commission on Friday lifted the boil water advisory for parts of Paterson, though it remains in effect in Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park.

The commission estimates that tap water is now safe to drink for about 77,000 Paterson customers in an area south of Broadway, east of Spruce Street, and west of Route 20.

And in areas where the boiled water advisory remains in effect, restaurants and other retail food establishments are being allowed to reopen, provided they cook and wash with either bottled water, potable water, or boiled water.

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Water pressure has been slowly rising in recent days, following a water main break that left an estimated 200,000 people without water. An official with Haledons Office of Emergency Management reported Saturday that water pressure was high enough in most areas of town that residents could take showers and wash dishes.

The Passaic Valley Water Commission has been opening fire hydrants to restore pressure to homes in Paterson, Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park.

One exception was the Haledon Heights section, off Preakness Avenue, which was still bone-dry. To help, the OEM moved a water tank truck to the Haledon Heights neighborhood on Saturday.

Things are improving, but were not out of the woods yet, said the OEM official, who asked not to be named.

Outdoor water use restrictions are in effect in Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park. That means no washing cars, no watering lawns or plants, and no filling pools.

The boil water advisory was lifted for much of Paterson on Friday 8/15/25.

The water commission says crews are working around the clock at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson to replace the 30-inch main that ruptured on Aug. 8. The break knocked out water for residents in Paterson, Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park.

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The commissions executive director, Jim Mueller, has not given an estimate as to when the repairs will be finished. He indicated at a news briefing Thursday that the water emergency would likely continue through the weekend.

Tyler Jones, a spokeswoman for Gov. Phil Murphy, said the state Department of Environmental Protection is providing technical assistance to resolve the water crisis.

The Murphy Administration has been in close contact with county and local officials and the Passaic Valley Water Commission to monitor the situation and deploy resources as necessary, including providing water bottles and helping obtain showering stations for locals, Jones said in a statement Friday night to NJ Advance Media. It is our hope that all water services are recovered within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Water distribution sites will remain open through the weekend:

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Paterson: Water available at Ralph Marcantonio Park, corner of North 8th Street and Oxford Street. Showers available at John F. Kennedy High School. Those who cant go to the site can arrange to have water delivered by calling 973-321-1410.

Haledon: Water and showers available the recreation center, 83 Roe St. To arrange for water delivery, call police at 973-790-4444.

North Haledon: Water available at the Department of Public Works yard on Willow Brook Court. Showers next to the police department at 103 Overlook Ave.; handicap-accessible bathrooms at the recreation field at High Mountain School. To arrange for water delivery, call 973-423-1111.

Prospect Park: Bottled and potable water at the municipal building, 106 Brown Ave.; portable showers outside Prospect Park Elementary School on Brown Ave. Arrange for delivery by calling 973-790-7900.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com.
WATERFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Waterford police are searching for a man who allegedly stole a power tool from Home Deport on Friday.

New Haven police release sketch of Fort Hale sexual assault suspect

The man allegedly stole a Bosch power tool, valued at approximately $179, according to police, before allegedly eluding police on I-95 in a brown Chevrolet Silverado.

Waterford police are searching for a man who allegedly stole a power tool from Home Deport on Friday.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Sgt. Epps at 860-442-9451 ext. 2263 or pepps@waterfordct.org.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Two KHON2 team members are receiving some of the highest honors from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Northern California Chapter.

Assets School alumnus performs at the Kennedy Center

Justin Kanno, a KHON2 Photographer, will be inducted into the Silver Circle, which recognizes 25 years or more of dedication to the television industry. Kanno will be one of nine broadcasters honored this year.

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Pamela Young, a KHON2 News Anchor/Reporter, will be inducted into the Gold Circle, which recognizes broadcasters who have served their community for 50 years or more. Young is one of only two recipients this year.

The induction ceremony and luncheon will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in San Francisco, where the Gold & Silver Circle Committee will celebrate their outstanding contributions.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Way 2 Go!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
As a 1,000-year flood ravaged Milwaukee and its suburbs over a weekend in August, the aftermath reveals that many need a helping hand.

The vast majority of residents recovering from the historic rainfall are without a flood insurance policy and financial assistance from the government, whether local or federal, is pending. Although no flood-related deaths occurred throughout the storm, many people suffered considerable damage to property, like homes and cars.

GoFundMe, the crowdfunding site, has compiled a list of some fundraisers created on its website in the Milwaukee area following the floods. Here is how to donate directly to families.

Northside Milwaukee family loses both cars

Carla Xiong and her family lost many physical items, including furniture in the flood on Milwaukee's north side, according to the fundraiser. Both of the family's cars are now beyond repair and they no longer have reliable transportation, she said. To donate, visit here.

Veteran's home has water damage of personal items

Erin and Joey Ortiz started a fundraiser looking for assistance for personal items that were water-damaged in the flood at the home of a veteran, according to the fundraiser. To donate, visit here.

Marine's basement completely submerged

Katie Downey said her brother, Darin Downey, is a Marine veteran whose entire basement and its contents were damaged in the flood, according to the fundraiser. To donate, visit here.

Waukesha couple were evacuated due to rising floodwaters

Brooke Berndt and Sara Alexanders are organizing a fundraiser for a young Waukesha couple, Alexis and Brendan. The Waukesha Fire Department had the couple, expecting their first child, evacuate due to rising floodwaters, according to the fundraiser. More than 4 feet of water filled their home, destroying the basement, damaging the garage and ruining personal items. To donate, visit here.

West Allis family woke up to 6 feet of water in basement

Kya Hulse is organizing a fundraiser for Carly and Nick Bowers. The Bowers and their 14-month-old son Julian were evacuated from their West Allis home near State Fair Park, according to the fundraiser. Both their cars were completely flooded and up to 6 feet water filled their basement, ruining belongings. To donate, visit here.

Milwaukee family says they lost everything

Vanessa Xiong said her Milwaukee home and most of what was inside was ruined when a wall caved in from the flooding, according to the fundraiser. Her car was also submerged. "We are starting from zero, and the road ahead feels overwhelming," she said. To donate, visit here.

Family members who have disabilities affected by flood

Jennifer Gross, a special education teacher, said she started a fundraiser following the flood for her home, where she cares for family members with disabilities. To donate, visit here.

Northside Milwaukee family loses car

A northside Milwaukee family had its basement completely submerged, losing their washer and dryer, according to a fundraiser started by Melissa Bennett, who also said her car has repair costs that exceed the value of the car. To donate, visit here.

Basement walls cave in after mudslide

Nancy Wozniak started a fundraiser for Terry Crawford. A mudslide caved in the side of their home, collapsing the basement walls, according to the fundraiser. The home is now uninhabitable. To donate, visit here.

Basement ruined from caved-in wall

Voentta Davis said her basement wall also caved in and one of her son's lost everything in his room downstairs, according to the fundraiser. To donate, visit here.

Musician loses studio and instruments

Ryan Kubacki, a musician, lost his home studio and all of his instruments in the flood, according to a fundraiser started by Dylan Greenhill. To donate, visit here.

Mother of four loses home in the flood

Jakob Kingstad is organizing a fundraiser for Lauralie Ulrich, a mother of four, whose home is uninhabitable after a wall caved in, according to the fundraiser. To donate, visit here.

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This is not a full list of fundraisers. To search for more visit GoFundMe.com and search "Wisconsin."

Other ways to donate:

The United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County set up an urgent need fund in response to the flood. To donate, visit its website.

The American Red Cross Wisconsin Region is accepting donations for flood relief on its website. You can also donate by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is accepting donations on its website.

Milwaukee residents are encouraged to call 211 to reach a free and confidential service that connects callers with thousands of local programs and services.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here are some fundraisers for families affected by Milwaukee floods
The Tis Hazari court has recently acquitted an undertrial prisoner, Salman Tyagi, accused of assaulting the Deputy Jail Superintendent in Tihar Jail. The court acquitted the accused and said that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. This incident occurred in 2021, and an FIR was registered at Hari Nagar Police Station. This case pertains to the alleged assault and beating of the Deputy jail superintendent by the accused during production through video conferencing (VC) in the VC room. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Bharti Garg acquitted Salman Tyagi after considering the evidence and submissions of counsel for the accused and the public prosecutor. The court held that the FIR was not promptly registered; there was ample opportunity to concoct and deliberate with the complainant to file an embellished report. "Not only this, the complaint filed under section 195 CrPC also appears to have been made in a mechanical manner with the sole intent to falsely implicate the accused," the court said in the judgment passed on August 6. The court noted that the CCTV footage of the incident was not on record. The investigation officer also did not produce the duty roster or any other document to show that the victim was on duty in the VC room on the date of the incident. While acquitting the accused, the court said that the documentary evidence adduced by the prosecution also suffers from serious infirmities and adds up to the pile of contradictions emerging in the prosecution's case, thereby leading to the irresistible conclusion that the accused is entitled to the benefit of doubt. The court said, "In other words, the prosecution has failed to prove that the accused had obstructed the complainant in the discharge of official duties by assaulting him or using criminal force against him." "Resultantly, since the prosecution has failed in proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt against the accused, the accused Salman Tyagi is held not guilty and hereby acquitted of the offences punishable under Sections 186 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860," the court added. Advocate Deepak Sharma appeared for Salman Tyagi. He argued that there are inherent inconsistencies in the testimonies of prosecution witnesses on material facts like the date of the incident. The IO did not collect the CCTV footage despite its availability, which raises doubt on the veracity of the prosecution's case. It was further argued that there has been an unexplained delay of three days in the registration of FIR. Hence, the case is not proved against the accused beyond all reasonable doubts. The case of prosecution is that on 30.07.2021 at the VC Room, Control Room, Jail no. 3, Tihar Jail, Delhi, the complainant was on duty of producing the jail inmates through VC from 02:00 pm to 09:00 pm. It was alleged that the accused, Salman Tyagi, was lodged in Ward No. 2 of the jail and was to be produced through VC, but he did not come to the room despite several instructions. At about 03:30 pm, while the complainant was standing at the gate of the VC room, the accused came and pushed him. It was further stated that the accused then went inside the room and started roaming here and there. The complainant asked the accused to stand in the queue for his production before the court through VC, but the accused threatened him, saying, "Who are you to stop or question me? It's my choice; I will go wherever I want, whenever I want." When the complainant objected, the accused abused him and gave beatings to him. The staff members intervened and rescued the complainant. The complainant made a complaint to the office of the Jail Superintendent. An FIR was registered, and upon the culmination of the investigation, a chargesheet was filed against the accused in court. (ANI)
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So what was that all for?

President Donald Trump emerged today from his summit with Russias Vladimir Putin without a deal and without much to say. Trump rarely misses a chance to take advantage of a global stage. But when he stood next to Putin at the conclusion of their three-hour meeting, Trump offered few details about what the men had discussed. Stunningly, for a president who loves a press conference, he took no questions from the reporters assembled at a military base in Alaska.

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In his brief remarks, Trump conceded that he and Putin had not reached a deal to end the war in Ukraine or even pause the fighting. Theres no deal until theres a deal, the president said. He characterized their three-hour meetingvaguelyas very productive. Of the outstanding issues between the two sides, he admitted that one is probably significant, but he didnt say what that was. We didnt get there but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump insisted. The Russian president, for his part, made mention of agreements that had been struck behind closed doors. Yet Putin also provided no elaboration, leaving the distinct impression that it was a summit about nothing.

If anything, Putin seemed to make clear that his demands regarding Ukraine havent changed. In his usual coded way, he said an agreement could be reached only once the primary roots of the conflict were eliminatedwhich means, basically, that Ukraine should be part of Russia. We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they wont throw a wrench in the works, Putin said, in what sounded like a warning. They will not make any backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress.

[Read: Trump invites Putin to set foot in America]

As Putin and Trump boarded their respective airplanes for their flights home, Ukraine and Europe were left guessing as to what the coming days will bring. Will more missiles fly toward Kyiv? Will a second meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky occur? Trump was equally as vague in a Fox News interview taped after the summit, though he did suggest that the next steps in the process would be up to Zelensky. What was clear today was that Trump, who had once promised to bring the war to a close within 24 hours, left the summit empty-handed.

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Summits usually have deliverables. This meeting had none, Michael McFaul, an ambassador to Russia under President Barack Obama, told me. I hope that they made some progress towards next steps in the peace process. But there is no evidence of that yet.

At their last summit, in Helsinki in 2018, Trump and Putin captivated the world when they took questions, revealing details of their private discussions as the American president sided with Moscow, rather than his own U.S. intelligence agencies, over Russias 2016 election interference. This time, they quickly ducked offstage as reporters shouted in vain. When the two men did speak, they mostly delivered pleasantries. Putin even repeated Trumps talking point that Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 would never have happened had Trump been in office then. And Trump, once more, said that the two men had to put up with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax.

That the summit happened at all was perceived by many as a victory for Putin, who, after years as an international pariah, was granted a photo with a U.S. president on American soilon land that once belonged to Russia, no less. And he was greeted in an over-the-top, stage-managed welcome that involved a literal red carpet for a man accused of war crimes. Putin disembarked his plane this morning moments after Trump stepped off Air Force One, and the two men strode toward each other past parked F-22 fighter jets before meeting with a warm handshake and smiles. After posing for photographs, and quickly peering up at a military flyover that roared above them, the two men stepped into the presidential limousine, the heavily fortified vehicle known as the Beast.

[Read: How Putin humiliated Trump]

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The White House had announced earlier in the day that the two men would not have a previously planned one-on-one meeting, but would instead have a pair of sit-downs flanked by advisers. But here, in the back seat of the Beast, Putin had his time alone with Trump. As the limousine drove off the tarmac to the summit site, Putin could be seen in a rear window laughing.

Putin and Trump were scheduled to have a formal meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, followed by lunch. But after the first meeting ran long, extending to more than three hours, reporters were abruptly rushed to the room where the press conference would be staged. The second meeting had been canceled. Had there been a breakthrough or a blowup? Putin sported the better body language: He almost glowed as he spoke to the press, offering a history lesson about Alaska, while praising the neighborly relations between the men. And, oddly, he got to speak first, even though Trump was the summits host. Trump, in contrast, seemed subdued, only perking up when Putin ended their media appearance by suggesting that their next summit be in Moscow.

I think Trump did not lose, but Putin clearly won. Putin got everything he could have wished for, but hes not home free yet, John Bolton, who was a national security adviser in Trumps first term, told me. Zelensky and the Europeans must be dismayed. And I thought Trump looked very tired at the press event. Putin looked energetic.

Putin seemed eager to broaden the conversation beyond Ukraine. He brought Russian business leaders to Alaska, hoping to play to Trumps hopes of better economic relations between the two countries, and perhaps strike a rare-earth-minerals deal. He also suggested earlier this week that he would revisit a nuclear-arms agreement, perhaps allowing Trump to leave the summit with some sort of win that did not involve Ukraine. But nothing was announced on those fronts either.

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The fear in Kyiv and across Europe was that Trump is so desperate for the fighting to stop, he might have agreed to Putins terms regardless of what Ukraine wants. That did not happen, which was cheered across the continent, and Trump said that he would soon consult with Zelensky and NATO. But Putin has shown no sign of compromising his positions. He wants Russia to keep the territory it conquered, and Ukraine to forgo the security guarantees that could prevent Moscow from attacking again. Those terms are nonstarters for Ukraine.

The Europeans and Ukrainians had good reason to be nervous about todays summit. Trump has spent most of his decade on the global stage being extraordinarily deferential to Putin, which continued when he returned to the White House this year. He initially sided with Russiaeven blaming Ukraine for causing its own invasionbefore slowly souring on Putins refusal to end the war.

[Read: Things arent going Donald Trumps way]

This summit came together in about a weeks time; final details were still being arranged even as some of Putins delegation arrived in Alaska yesterday. Trumps personal envoy, Steve Witkoff, made several visits to Moscow in recent months. He had been in the Middle East when he received word through a back channel that Putin might finally be willing to come to the table given Trumps more hostile rhetoric toward Putin and threat of sanctions. After a series of meetings with key Trump senior aides and multiple flights across the Atlantic, Witkoff met again with Putin and accepted the offer of a summit. (He also accepted a twisted gift: Putin presented Witkoff with an Order of Lenin award to pass along to a senior CIA official whose son had been killed in Ukraine fighting alongside Russia.)

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Summits, particularly those as high-stakes as ones between American and Russian presidents, usually take weeks if not months to plan. Everything is carefully choreographed: the agenda, the participants, the ceremony. Normally, the outcome is more or less predetermined. In the days before the actual summit, aides hash out some sort of agreement so the two leaders simply need to show up and shake hands to make the deal official. That was clearly not the case todayor in other Trump-Putin meetings.

Trump had met with Putin seven previous times, all but one coming on the sidelines of larger summits and all friendly. The first was at the G20 in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017, when the two men sat next to each other for an hours-long leaders dinner. Their last meeting, at the G20 in Osaka, Japan, in the fall of 2019, ended with Trump mockingly warning Putin to never interfere again in American elections, with a sarcastic smile and an exaggerated finger wag.

But Helsinki is the headliner. It came against the backdrop of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow. I was one of the two American journalists called upon to ask a question, and I posed to Trump whether he believed Putin or his own U.S. intelligence agencies about Russias interference in the 2016 election. Putin glared at me. Trump sided with Moscow. The eruption on both sides of the Atlantic was fierce and immediate, and even some loyal Republicans said they thought Trumps answer was a betrayal of American values. Some of Trumps top aidesincluding Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chief of Staff John Kellywere photographed with pained expressions on their faces. Fiona Hill, Trumps Russia adviser, told me later that she nearly faked a heart attack in a desperate attempt to get the summit to stop.

Anchorage wasnt Helsinki. For that, Europe can be grateful. Trump didnt give away Ukrainian land to Russia or demand that Zelensky take a bad deal, at least immediately. But Putin did get much of what he wanted, including a high-profile summit and, most of all, more time to continue his war. When he boarded his plane to leave Alaska, he was spotted smiling again.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
A new al fresco dining scheme is expected to begin in London's West End on Friday but some businesses have questioned its timing.

Sir Sadiq Khan's Summer Streets Fund, news of which was first announced in May, will support new outdoor dining spaces to open up in four locations across the capital.

A date had not been given for its introduction to St Martin's Lane, but the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has spoken with several restaurants and cafes there, all of whom said their licences become operational on 22 August until the end of October.

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The scheme, which is backed by 300,000 from City Hall, has already funded al fresco dining in locations in Leyton, Shoreditch and Brixton.

Parts of the West End saw more al fresco dining during the Covid-19 pandemic [Getty Images]

The mayor's press team was approached for comment though did not confirm the launch date. An officer instead referred the LDRS to the mayor's previous statements and press releases.

While each location chosen to benefit from the Summer Streets Fund is to operate slightly differently, the overriding intention is to support the local hospitality industry and boost outdoor eating and drinking.

When the scheme was first announced, Sir Sadiq said: "We saw what a success it was during the pandemic, and I want to expand al fresco dining further in the years to come, all part of building a better London for everyone."

'Good for business'

All of the businesses the LDRS spoke to on St Martin's Lane, which is receiving 50,000 of the 300,000 pot, said they were optimistic about the scheme.

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General manager at Cote Brasserie, Natalia Prusik, said she was "excited" by the upcoming launch.

"[It would have been] much more exciting if it started in May, but we will take it as it comes. But it's really good for the business for sure," she said.

Ms Prusik said they are to have around 14 tables on the street and 28 covers.

Antonio Simonte, general manager at the Italian restaurant Fumo, echoed Ms Prusik's enthusiasm.

"It's been a number of years I have tried to get tables outside," he said. "We should have started earlier I believe. It's the end of August."

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Mr Simonte added he would like to see the scheme rolled out in future years and to make the most of the summer weather.

Other spots which confirmed they will be involved included The Real Greek, La Roche, Pizza Express and Browns.

Once implemented, St Martin's Lane will be car-free from 11:00 to 23:00 with al fresco licences available for up to 34 businesses, City Hall had earlier said.

A spokesperson for Westminster City Council, the local authority, said: "Westminster is home to a thriving al fresco dining scene, with over 900 licences for outdoor dining granted in the past six months alone.

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"The St Martin's Lane initiative, in the heart of West End Theatre Land, is part of a broader programme to help visitors make the most of Westminster's world-class restaurants, bars, and cultural destinations this summer."

The other locations to benefit from the scheme are Redchurch Street and Rivington Street in Shoreditch, Atlantic Road in Brixton and Francis Road in Leyton.

Waltham Forest has been allocated 50,000 of the fund, with Hackney and Lambeth getting 100,000 each.

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

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A teacher at Academies of West Memphis was arrested this week for a DUI, according to police.

Stacy Sharpe was booked into jail on Thursday afternoon. She was charged with careless and prohibited driving.

Stacy Sharpe_Courtesy of West Memphis Police Dept.

Sharpes also accused of refusing to have her blood alcohol content measured.

The West Memphis community is reacting tonight after a high school employee was arrested for a DUI.

Victim in disbelief after suspect claims size prevented car theft

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Just minutes before 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Stacy Sharpe, an employee for Academies of West Memphis, was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence.

According to West Memphis Police, Sharpe also refused a test to measure her blood alcohol content.

I honestly think thats crazy because theyve always preached that like, the school should be a safe environment, kids dont need to bring this and that. Like, they took the phones away, but then you have teachers doing stuff like this, said Paisley Rhyne, a resident.

Records show Sharpe was released the same day, about an hour after her arrest.

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She remains on the Academies of West Memphis website as a Secondary WM Conversion staff member.

MPD aims to increase presence in city to lower crime

At this time, its unclear if Sharpe was working at the time of her DUI arrest or if she was under the influence on campus.

A teen who graduated from the high school said that regardless of the circumstances, its important for school employees to lead by example.

I feel like if youre putting yourself in a position to be a leader to students, you shouldnt do something that goes against what you stand for, the teen said.

WREG contacted the communications manager for the West Memphis School District.

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In a statement, Robert Jackson said, As this is a personal matter, we will follow our policies and procedures. There is no further comment at this time.

WREG also contacted the West Memphis Police Department for Sharpes police report, but have not heard back yet.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Aug. 15MORGANTOWN  A little over 2.5 acres of open ground along a densely populated stretch of West Run Road dominated Wednesday's meeting of the Monongalia County Planning Commission.

After more than two hours of discussion, deliberation and public comment, the body voted 4-3 to approve the development of significant impact (DSI) site plan for a project to construct two four-story apartment complexes on the open parcels directly across from the Mallard Run Road entrance to The Villages at West Run.

Based on the submitted plans, the development will consist of two buildings  Mallard Greene and Mallard Terrace. Mallard Greene will house 36 two-bedroom apartments while Mallard Terrace will hold 40 one-bedroom units.

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This is well below what's allowable on the site. In the West Run High Density Residential District (R-4), up to 20 structures with 205 beds could be built on the 2.563 acres in question.

While the commission's approval came with conditions tied to parking, setbacks and allowances from the fire marshal, Monongalia County Planning Director Andrew Gast-Bray explained the real sticking point came down to traffic and West Run Road.

On that front, the issue is complicated for a number of reasons.

One, West Run Road is basically a winding, narrow country road already failing in the face of traffic pressure it was never designed to handle. While improvements are coming  the West Virginia Division of Highways is currently at work on the eastern segment between Stewartstown Road and Point Marion Road  it's unclear exactly what the improvements to the longer western stretch will look like.

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Two, the project isn't being built in a vacuum. That brief stretch of West Run  about.75 miles between Westpoint Townhomes and Van Voorhis Road  is already bracketed by a series of apartment, townhouse and condo developments.

Further, it's already known that a DSI application is in process from another housing project planned for the parcel directly across from the West Run intersection with Riddle Avenue  less than 400 feet from the Mallard development before the MCPC.

"Traffic analysis would not normally be required for a project of this size, " the commission's meeting packet explained, but "In the opinion of the Director of Planning, because this development is on a substandard road that DOH wishes to be brought up to 'acceptability' AND that this development is adding to the load on this substandard road along with another proposed development less than 370 feet from the property, a traffic study was strongly recommended to address these considerations. The applicant cooperated fully with this request."

The 500 + page study performed by HRG looked at possible traffic improvements to address the impacts of both pending developments. Specifically, it looked at improvements for St. Clair Hill Road and its alignment with West Run Road, as well as a new connector between West Run and Bakers Ridge roads.

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However, the results of the traffic study indicated the proposed improvements would not provide a demonstrable benefit. Further, it said the added peak hour trips represented by the two developments  58 (Mallard) and 67 (unnamed)  were insufficient to trigger mandatory requirements from the DOH.

In other words, "there was no easy, clearcut and reasonable improvement " that could be presented to the developer as a condition of approval.

Ultimately, one of the conditions included in the Mallard Green DSI site plan approval requires the developer to demonstrate the reservation of a right of way along the rear of the property that could accommodate a future multiuse path  or green belt  currently being explored by various stakeholders.

Further, the developer offered to provide a bus stop pad adjacent to West Run Road.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Saturday that, at the request of the Trump administration, he will deploy hundreds from his states National Guard to Washington, D.C.

West Virginia is proud to stand with President [Donald] Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nations capital, the governor said in a press release. The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.

Trump has fixated on crime in Washington in the last week, deploying the National Guard on Monday and invoking for the first time ever a provision of the Home Rule Act  the 1970s law that grants the District limited self-governance  for what the administration described as a takeover of the citys police force, despite violent crime declining in the city.

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City leaders and the administration are now locked in a legal battle after Attorney General Pam Bondi tried to appoint an emergency police commissioner, a move the administration partially walked back in an agreement with city officials amid a lawsuit Friday.

The states involvement will include providing mission-essential equipment, specialized training, and approximately 300-400 skilled personnel as directed, the release said.

In the past week, as a part of the presidents Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Trump has put approximately 800 National Guard troops throughout the D.C. and taken partial control of the D.C. police force.

The Friday agreement came after Bondi named Drug Enforcement Administration head Terry Cole as emergency police commissioner, cutting D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and city police chief Pamela Smith out of the chain of command.

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But on Friday, DOJ officials agreed to rewrite that order at a judges urging, naming Cole as Bondis designee, responsible for directing Bowser to provide the police departments services as the attorney general deems necessary and appropriate.

Federal law enforcement officers from a variety of agencies have been spotted at an increased frequency throughout the city in recent days, even as federal agencies maintain a visible presence yearround.

On Friday night, officers with Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Marshals were patrolling U Street, the popular D.C. nightlife area, according to social media posts.

Homeless encampments have also begun being cleared throughout the city, including in Foggy Bottom  which is home to The George Washington University and the State Department  and near the Kennedy Center. Trump has vowed to move homeless people "FAR from the Capital" as part of the takeover.

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This initiative aligns with our values of service and dedication to our communities, said West Virginia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, who will oversee the troops.

In a lengthy statement Friday night, Bowser attempted to ease Washington residents concerns, while remaining diplomatic.

I know that if we keep sticking together, we will make it to the other side of this," she wrote, "we will make future generations of Washingtonians proud, and we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy  even when we dont have full access to it.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) said Saturday that National Guard troops from his state would aid the Trump administrations federal police takeover in Washington to help make D.C. safe and beautiful.

Morrisey announced the Mountain State would deploy 300-400 skilled personnel to serve in the nations capital at the Trump administrations request.

West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nations capital, the governor said in a press release. The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.

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Trump earlier this week invoked a provision in Washingtons Home Rule Act to launch a crackdown on crime in the district, deploying more than 800 National Guard soldiers and federal officers to patrol the streets of D.C.

West Virginia Maj. Gen. James Seward told The Hills sister network NewsNation that the mission aligns with our values of service and dedication to our communities.

We stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region and contribute to the collective effort of making our nations capital a clean and safe environment, Seward continued. The National Guards unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking.

The White House also celebrated the addition of troops.

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The National Guard will protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime, a White House senior official said of the West Virginia National Guard deployment, per NewsNation.

Trump administration officials touted in recent days that hundreds have been arrested, and dozens of firearms seized since the federal takeover.

The Justice Departments (DOJ) decision to name Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief Terry Cole as the Metropolitan Police Departments (MPD) emergency police commissioner was also heavily criticized as an overreach of the law. DOJ has since walked back the designation after D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued the administration.

Trump told reporters earlier this week that he hopes to ramp up operations in the district and announced plans to work with Congress to extend the 30-day takeover allotted in the standing law.

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Amid the controversy, D.C. Mayor Bowser (D) has sought to calm tensions among local residents, who have protested the administrations show of force.

It has been an unsettling and unprecedented week in our city. Over the course of a week, the surge in federal law enforcement across DC has created waves of anxiety, she wrote in an open letter. I was born one year before Home Rule became law, and while our autonomy has been challenged before, our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now.

My jobs are many right now. Part of my job is just managing us through this crisis and making sure that our government continues to operate in a way that makes DC residents proud, she added.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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By AJ Vicens

(Reuters) -The Republican governors of three states are deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., at the request of the administration of President Donald Trump, who has portrayed the city as awash in crime.

The announcements on Saturday of troops from hundreds of miles away in West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio came a day after D.C. officials and the Trump administration negotiated a deal to keep Mayor Muriel Bowser's appointed police chief, Pamela Smith, in charge of the police department after D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit to block the federal takeover of the department.

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Trump, a Republican, said this week he was deploying hundreds of D.C. National Guard troops to Washington and temporarily taking over the Democratic-led city's police department to curb what he depicted as a crime and homelessness emergency.

Justice Department data, however, showed violent crime in 2024 hit a 30-year low in Washington, a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey's office said in a statement he was deploying 300 to 400 National Guard troops to D.C. in "a show of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation." The statement said he also was providing equipment and specialized training.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster responded to a Pentagon request by announcing that 200 of his state's National Guard troops would be sent.

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he would send 150 military police members in the coming days, adding none of them were "currently serving as law enforcement officers in the state."

After the announcements, Mayor Bowser posted on X: "American soldiers and airmen policing American citizens on American soil is #UnAmerican."

TROOPS TO OTHER CITIES?

The National Guard serves as a militia that answers to the governors of the 50 states except when called into federal service. The D.C. National Guard reports directly to the president.

Trump, who has suggested he could take similar actions in other Democratic-controlled cities, has sought to expand the powers of the presidency in his second term, inserting himself into the affairs of major banks, law firms and elite universities.

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In June, Trump ordered 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, against the wishes of California's Democratic governor, during protests over mass immigration raids by federal officials.

South Carolina's McMaster said his troops would immediately return to South Carolina if needed to respond to a possible hurricane or other natural disaster. Hurricane Erin, now northeast of Puerto Rico, has become a catastrophic Category 5 storm that could bring ocean swells to the U.S. East Coast early next week, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Saturday.

National Guard troops often respond to natural disasters and rarely police U.S. civilians.

Drew Galang, a spokesperson for West Virginia's Morrisey, said the state's National Guard received the order to send equipment and personnel to D.C. late on Friday and was working to organize the deployment.

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A White House official said on Saturday that more National Guard troops would be called in to Washington to "protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime."

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said a formal order was expected to go out that would authorize National Guard troops in D.C. to carry firearms. The official said this order would affect mostly military police officers with sidearms. Reuters has reported that the National Guard troops would have weapons nearby, such as in their vehicles.

The White House said on Saturday that D.C. National Guard members have conducted patrols on foot and in vehicles around the National Mall and Union Station. The White House said the National Guard troops are not making arrests now and that they may be armed.

It is not clear how the administration could deploy National Guard troops elsewhere. A federal judge in San Francisco is expected in the coming weeks to issue a ruling on whether Trump violated the law with the Los Angeles deployments.

(Reporting by AJ Vicens in Detroit, Richard Cowan in Washington and Bhargav Acharya in Toronto; Editing by Donna Bryson, Matthew Lewis, Paul Simao and William Mallard)
Some National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., will begin carrying firearms to conduct their mission in the city, two U.S. officials told NBC News. Not all troops will carry weapons, one official said.

The arming of the troops marks a change since Guard members were first deployed to the district earlier this week. They were tasked with addressing crime and homelessness in the capital.

A spokesperson for the Joint Task Force said in a statement that Guard members may be armed consistent with their mission and training.

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Their presence is focused on supporting civil authorities and ensuring the safety of the community they serve. The DC National Guard remains committed to assisting the District of Columbia and serving its residents and visitors whenever called upon, the spokesperson, Air National Guard Maj. Melissa Heintz, said.

Heintz also said that the defense secretary is authorized to mobilize additional National Guard forces, as needed, in coordination with State Governors.

In a statement, a White House official confirmed that National Guard troops had been called to D.C., saying, As part of President Trumps ongoing effort to make D.C. safe and beautiful, additional National Guard troops will be called in to Washington DC  the National Guards role has not changed. The National Guard will protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime.

Several Republican governors announced Saturday that they were deploying some of their states National Guard troops to aid Trumps efforts in the nations capital.

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West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Saturday afternoon that he is deploying 300-400 troops to D.C., plus mission-essential equipment and specialized training.

West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nations capital, Morrisey said in a statement. The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement Saturday night that he was authorizing the deployment of 200 of his states Guardsmen to Washington at the Pentagons request. McMaster stipulated that the troops were subject to immediate recall if a natural disaster such as a hurricane occurred and the state needed them.

Hurricane season in the U.S. is in full swing, running from June to November, according to the National Weather Service. The first major hurricane of the year formed this week. As of Saturday night, it was a Category 4 storm. The Associated Press previously reported it is not forecast to hit land. South Carolina is one of the states most vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms, according to the states Emergency Management Division.

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South Carolina is proud to stand with President Trump as he works to restore law and order to our nations capital and ensure safety for all who live, work, and visit there, McMaster said.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine released a statement Saturday night saying the secretary of the Army had requested the state send 150 military police from the Ohio National Guard to Washington.

These Ohio National Guard members will carry out presence patrols and serve as added security. None of these military police members are currently serving as law enforcement officers in the state of Ohio, DeWine said, adding that the Guardsmen are expected to arrive to the district in the coming days.

The governors moves come just days after President Donald Trump announced that he was deploying 800 members of the National Guard to D.C. and directing federal law enforcement agents to assist local police with patrolling and executing warrants in the city.

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When you walk down the street, youre going to see police or youre going to see FBI agents, Trump told reporters on Monday. Were going to have a lot of agents on the street. Youre going to have a lot of, essentially military. And we will bring in the military if its needed.

Trumps stated aim of cracking down on crime in Washington comes as crime rates in the city are at their lowest levels in decades.

Washington residents almost immediately began to notice an increase in law enforcement on the streets, as local police and federal law enforcement set up checkpoints in neighborhoods across the city.

Residents and tourists also noticed the increased presence of military and law enforcement around tourist-heavy areas like Union Station and the National Mall.

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Initially, Attorney General Pam Bondi sought to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department, but backed down after the city sued the Trump administration. Chief Pamela Smith remains in day-to-day control of the citys police force.

Democrats have slammed the presidents decision, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., this week calling the move illegitimate and an unjustified power grab.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Brief

The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) will deploy troops to Washington, D.C. at the request of the Trump administration.

The mission is to support the Presidents initiative to "restore cleanliness and safety" to the nation's capital.

The WVNG will provide between 300 and 400 personnel and will be funded at the federal level.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) has been directed by Governor Patrick Morrisey to support President Trumps federal takeover by deploying troops to Washington, D.C., at the request of the Trump administration.

What we know

Under the command of Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, the WVNG will deploy 300-400 skilled personnel, along with mission-essential equipment and specialized training, to the nations capital. The mission will be funded at the federal level.

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The deployment comes as President Trump has moved to expand federal authority in the District. The President's plan includes extending federal control over the Metropolitan Police Department and directing the clearing of homeless encampments. The move has led to growing concerns among city officials and residents about the loss of D.C.'s local autonomy.

Governor Morrisey said, "West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nations capital." He added that the mission "reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America."

Maj. Gen. Seward echoed the sentiment, stating, "We stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region and contribute to the collective effort of making our nations capital a clean and safe environment."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has directed the National Guard to support President Donald Trumps Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, which involved putting around 800 National Guard troops on Washington streets this past week.

According to a release from Morriseys press office, the West Virginia National Guard will deploy troops to the nations capital as a show of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation. Their involvement will include providing mission-essential equipment, specialized training, and approximately 300-400 skilled personnel. It will be funded at the federal level.

West Virginia, ICE sign agreement for immigration law enforcement

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West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nations capital, Governor Morrisey said in the release. The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.

The release goes on to say that the West Virginia National Guard is committed to its National Capital Region partnership, and that it exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that is vital in todays efforts to enhance the safety of our homeland while supporting state and federal missions.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Prime Minister Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion.

The projects, the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II), have been developed under the Government's comprehensive plan to decongest the capital, with the objective of greatly improving connectivity, cutting travel time, and reducing traffic in Delhi and its surrounding areas.

These initiatives reflect Prime Minister Modi's vision of creating world-class infrastructure that enhances ease of living and ensures seamless mobility.

As per the statement, the 10.1 km long Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway has been developed at a cost of around Rs. 5,360 crore. The section will also provide Multi-modal connectivity to Yashobhoomi, DMRC Blue line and Orange line, the upcoming Bijwasan railway station and the Dwarka cluster Bus Depot.

"This section comprises: Package I covers a 5.9 km stretch from the Shiv Murti intersection to the Road Under Bridge (RUB) at Dwarka Sector-21, while Package II spans 4.2 km from the Dwarka Sector-21 RUB to the Delhi-Haryana border, offering direct connectivity to Urban Extension Road-II," the statement from PMO added.

The 19 km-long Haryana section of the Dwarka Expressway was earlier inaugurated by the Prime Minister in March 2024.

Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Alipur to Dichaon Kalan stretch of Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) along with new links to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, built at a cost of around Rs. 5,580 Crores. It will ease traffic on Delhi's Inner and Outer Ring Roads and busy points like Mukarba Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, and NH-09.

The new spurs will provide direct access to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, enhance industrial connectivity, reduce city traffic, and expedite goods movement in the NCR. (ANI)
WASHINGTON (AP)  Three Republican-led states said Saturday that they were deploying hundreds of National Guard members to the nations capital to bolster the Trump administrations effort to overhaul policing in Washington through a federal crackdown on crime and homelessness.

West Virginia said it was deploying 300 to 400 Guard troops, while South Carolina pledged 200 and Ohio says it will send 150 in the coming days, marking a significant escalation of the federal intervention.

The moves came as protesters pushed back on federal law enforcement and National Guard troops fanning out in the heavily Democratic city following President Donald Trump's executive order federalizing local police forces and activating about 800 District of Columbia National Guard members.

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By adding outside troops to the existing D.C. Guard deployment and federal law enforcement presence, Trump is exercising even tighter control over the city. Its a power play that the president has justified as an emergency response to crime and homelessness, even though city officials have noted that violent crime is lower than it was during Trumps first term in office.

National Guard members have played a limited role in the federal intervention so far, and its unclear why additional troops are needed. They have been patrolling at landmarks like the National Mall and Union Station and assisting law enforcement with tasks including crowd control.

National Guard members are coming from West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio

The Republican governors of the three states said they were sending hundreds of troops at the request of the Trump administration.

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West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said he directed 300 to 400 Guard troops to head to Washington, adding that the state is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nations capital.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said he authorized the deployment of 200 of his states National Guardsmen to help law enforcement in Washington at the Pentagon's request. He noted that if a hurricane or other natural disaster strikes, they would be recalled.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he would send 150 military police from the Guard to carry out presence patrols and serve as added security and that they were expected to arrive in the coming days. His statement said Army Secretary Dan Driscoll requested the troops.

The activations suggest the Trump administration sees the need for additional manpower after the president personally played down the need for Washington to hire more police officers.

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Protest pushes back on federal crackdown in Washington

A protest against Trumps intervention drew scores to Dupont Circle on Saturday before a march to the White House, about 1.5 miles away. Demonstrators assembled behind a banner that said, No fascist takeover of D.C., and some in the crowd held signs saying, No military occupation.

Morgan Taylor, one of the protest organizers, said they were hoping to spark enough backlash to Trumps actions that the administration would be forced to pull back on its crime and immigration agenda.

Its hot, but Im glad to be here. Its good to see all these people out here, she said. I cant believe that this is happening in this country at this time.

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Fueling the protests were concerns about Trump overreaching and that he had used crime as a pretext to impose his will on Washington.

John Finnigan, 55, was taking a bike ride when he ran into the protest in downtown Washington. The real estate construction manager who has lived in the capital for 27 years said Trump's moves were ridiculous because crime is down.

Hopefully, some of the mayors and some of the residents will get out in front of it and try and make it harder for it to happen in other cities, Finnigan said.

Jamie Dickstein, a 24-year-old teacher, said she was very uncomfortable and worried for the safety or her students given the unmarked officers of all types now roaming Washington and detaining people.

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Dickstein said she turned out to the protest with friends and relatives to prevent a continuous domino effect going forward with other cities.

Surge of federal law enforcement in Washington draws mixed reactions

Federal agents have appeared in some of the citys most highly trafficked neighborhoods, garnering a mix of praise, pushback and alarm from local residents and leaders across the country.

City leaders, who are obliged to cooperate with Trumps order under the federal laws that direct the districts local governance, have sought to work with the administration, though they have bristled at the scope of the presidents takeover.

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On Friday, the administration reversed course on an order that aimed to place the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as an emergency police commissioner after the districts top lawyer sued.

After a court hearing, Trump's attorney general, Pam Bondi, issued a memo directing the Metropolitan Police Department to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law.

City officials say they are evaluating how to best comply.

In his order Monday, Trump declared an emergency due to the city governments failure to maintain public order. He said that impeded the federal governments ability to operate efficiently to address the nations broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence.

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In a letter to city residents, Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, wrote that our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now.

She added that if Washington residents stick together, we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy  even when we dont have full access to it.

___

Associated Press writer Josh Boak contributed to this report.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  MassDOT is investing more than $8 million in runway infrastructure at public-use airports in the Commonwealth.

Where you can and cant swim currently across western Mass.

It includes several airports in western Massachusetts.

The project will repair airport pavement, surface treatments, and pavement removal. The program also includes the renewal of airport markings and erosion control as part of the restoration for both turf and paved runways.

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Westfield, Orange, Northampton, and Turners Falls airports are expected to receive this funding.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
John Herrington is a chemical engineer and spent more than 30 years at Ohio State University in the environmental health and safety field.

I am partisan on many subjects, but when it comes to property taxes, I am an equal-opportunity debunker or myth buster.

Both Senator Bill DeMora and former Representative Gene Krebs, the architect of the failed House Bill 718, claim to have the solution(s) to the property tax problem.

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In his recent Dispatch guest column, DeMora, a Democrat, said his party has real solutions that are ready to go.

On the surface, ideas such as doubling tax relief for seniors, freezing taxes for people on fixed incomes and capping property taxes so nobody pays more than 5% of their income sound fantastic.

Krebs, a Republican, has a very simple 25-year-old plan: just have the state pay for it.

He at least warned us.

"I will caution you that while it will be costly, it will be no more costly than if the effort to eliminate all property taxes succeeds," Krebs wrote in his Aug. 7 Dispatch guest column.

What the plans have in common

The Ohio Ballot Board certified a constitutional amendment May 14, 2025 that would ban property taxes in Ohio put forward by Citizens for Property Tax Reform.

The (insurmountable) problem with both plans is that neither address the spending side of the equation.

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Roughly 70% of your property tax bill goes to your local school district and roughly 80% of your school district's spending is for salaries and benefits.

If the teachers union contracts demand 6% to 8% salary increases every year and nothing is done to curb them, then the legislators (no matter which party) will have to come up with yet another tax to cover it.

Westerville, for example, now wants an income tax to cover their levy fatigue. Is that a solution to the spending problem? Just come up with a new tax?

The Dayton Daily News had an excellent editorial Sept. 10, 2006 (five years after Krebs House Bill 718) entitled Ohio Flunking Test on Schools Cost. Unfortunately, it is no longer on the web. But it addressed the very problems being discussed today. While the data is old, here is one of the telling excerpts:

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One major problem with Ohio's funding system is its heavy reliance on the local property tax, which still divides districts between haves and have-nots. Some school advocates and incensed property owners would, if they could, shift all funding for schools to Columbus. But that's a practical  and political  impossibility. Replacing all the money raised by property taxes would require doubling Ohio's personal income tax rates or raising the state sales tax to an astounding 12% (from 5.5).

They concluded their editorial with a warning of their own: But what's clear is that the growth in spending can't be sustained under any funding scheme.

It was obvious then and it is even more obvious today.

If only we could make it clear to those in charge.

John Herrington is a chemical engineer and spent 30+ years at Ohio State University in the Environmental Health and Safety field.

John Herrington is a chemical engineer and spent more than 30 years at Ohio State University in the environmental health and safety field. He is also a founding member of the Mature Wisdom Council, a group dedicated to solving the world's problems.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Overtaxed in Ohio? The cause lawmakers are ignoring | Opinion
The Trump administration has applauded Scottish prosecutors sensible decision to clear an anti-abortion campaigner over her silent protest.

Rose Docherty, 75, was arrested in February after police were called to reports of an anti-abortion protest near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. She had been holding a sign that read: Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.

On Wednesday, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service announced that Ms Docherty will face no further action from prosecutors.

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Responding to the ruling, a spokesman from the state department told The Telegraph: We applaud Scotlands sensible decision to refrain from further legal action against Rose Docherty.

The United States stands with all those fighting for free speech and religious liberty.

I stood with love and compassion

Ms Docherty said: This is a victory not just for me, but for everyone in Scotland who believes we should be free to hold a peaceful conversation.

I stood with love and compassion, ready to listen to anyone who wanted to talk. Criminalising kindness has no place in a free society.

The decision to clear Ms Docherty came after months of scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has shown increasing willingness to wade into British domestic affairs on the issue of freedom of speech.

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In March this year, a delegation of US officials was sent to Britain to meet with pro-life activists, including Ms Docherty, amid concerns about freedom of expression protections being eroded.

After the visit, the Glaswegian churchgoer said it was heartening that others around the world, including the US government, have realised this injustice and voiced their support.

Ms Docherty was the first woman arrested under Scotlands abortion buffer zones law. The Safe Access Zones Act was overwhelmingly passed by MSPs last year and came into force in September.

The decision caught the attention of the White House, which sent a five-person team to Britain to meet five people who had been arrested for silently protesting outside abortion clinics across Britain.

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Its mission was said to be to affirm the importance of freedom of expression in the UK and across Europe.

Outpouring of support welcomed

Led by Samuel Samson, a senior adviser in the state department, it met officials from the Foreign Office and challenged Ofcom on the Online Safety Act, which is thought to be a point of contention in the White House.

The delegation also quietly met with a handful of anti-abortion campaigners at an event held at a nondescript office block, The Telegraph revealed.

Lois McLatchie Miller, a Scottish spokeswoman for ADF International, which sponsored Ms Dochertys case, said: Every Scot has the right to speak freely and to offer compassionate conversation without fear of prosecution.

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Its vital for allies to stand together in defence of this fundamental freedom, and we welcome the outpouring of support Rose has received both at home and abroad, including from the United States, which is a key voice for the protection of free speech worldwide.

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.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 14: Members of the National Guard walk on the National Mall on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy federal officers and the National Guard to the District in order to place the DC Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and assist in crime prevention in the nation's capital. Credit - Anna MoneymakerGetty Images

The White House has backed off plans to replace Washington D.C.'s police chief after a judge indicated they would block the move.

President Donald Trump this week invoked emergency powers to take control of the D.C. police department and call in the National Guard to a city that he claimed is overrun by "bloodshed, bedlam and squalor"a claim that is disputed by experts.

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Read More: Trump Paints a Picture of D.C. as a Crime-Ridden Hell-Hole. Here Are the Facts

As part of the federal takeover, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the appointment of Drug and Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terrance C. Cole as Emergency Police Commissioner, giving him the powers of the police chief.

The citys Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit calling for an emergency restraining order to block the move, accusing the Trump Administration of implementing a hostile takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that would lead to imminent, irreparable harm.

In my nearly three decades in law enforcement, I have never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive, Smith wrote in the lawsuit

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Judge Ana Reyes said in a Friday hearing that, according to the Home Rule Act, the Department of Justice needed to rewrite the section of the executive order that placed Cole in charge, and that he needed to go through the citys mayor. Reyes stopped short of issuing a restraining order, but indicated that if the DOJ did not rewrite the section, she would.

Read More: D.C. Sues Trump Administration Over Police Takeover and Rallies Against Emergency Commissioner Appointment



The statute [The Home Rule Act] would have no meaning at all if the president could just say were taking over your police department, Reyes said.

In a press conference after the hearing, Schwalb touted the result as a very important win for Home Rule today.

A new directive by Bondi following the lawsuit allowed for Chief Pamela Smith to remain in charge of the force, though the city will still be under the Administrations control, and orders will be sent through the citys Mayor Muriel Bowser.

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The Trump Administration will still essentially have control over the city, but Smith will maintain control of the day-to-day operations of the MPD.

In Bondis new directive, though, she also required MPD to comply with the Trump Administrations aggressive immigration tactics, rescinding two police practices that limited MPDs immigration enforcementalso known as sanctuary policies.

Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said that Bondi issued a new directive to Mayor Bowser requiring MPD to provide the services found necessary by her designee, DEA Administrator Terry Cole, to comply fully and completely with federal immigration law and authorities, regardless of any policies MPD might otherwise have.

Read More: Trump Took Over the D.C. Police. He Cant Do It In Other Cities, Legal Experts Say

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She added, President Trump will continue pursuing all efforts to Make DC Safe Again and end violent crime despite liberal opposition.

D.Cs At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson reacted on X that, Respectfully, the Attorney General does not have the authority to revoke laws.

In the first week alone of the Trump Administration's federal takeover, nearly 200 arrests have been reported in the city, including many undocumented immigrants, which has alarmed civil rights groups.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A White House official told CBS News Saturday that the National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of President Trump's effort to address crime in the nation's capital and take control of the city's police force "may be armed," but that Guard members would not make arrests.

"The National Guard is not making arrests at this time  they may be armed, consistent with their mission and training, to protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests, and deter violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence," the official said.

The Wall Street Journal was first to report Saturday that National Guard soldiers in D.C. are prepared to start carrying weapons in the coming days  a shift from previous guidance.

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In a statement provided Saturday to CBS News Saturday, a National Guard spokesperson reiterated that deployed Guard members "may be armed consistent with their mission and training," adding that "their presence is focused on supporting civil authorities and ensuring the safety of the community they serve."

Members of the D.C. National Guard position their Oshkosh M-ATV vehicles as they arrive at Union Station on Aug. 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Getty Images

A Defense Department official told CBS News Thursday that the deployed National Guard members would not be armed at the request of law enforcement partners. The official also said they would not have weapons in their vehicles.

"They are equipped with personal protective equipment to include body armor; weapons are available if needed but will remain in the armory," the U.S. Army said in a statement earlier this week.

The Army also said in its statement the Guard would not conduct arrests.

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The president deployed the National Guard to D.C. on Monday. Citing violent crime and homelessness, Mr. Trump declared a public safety emergency and placed the city's Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. The president also deployed 800 National Guard members to the city.

"I'm deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order, and public safety in Washington, DC, and they're going to be allowed to do their job properly," the president said during a news conference on Monday.

On Saturday, the Republican governors of West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio announced they would be deploying several hundred of their state's National Guard members to D.C. as well at the request of the Trump administration.

Violent crime in D.C. hit its lowest level in more than 30 years in 2024, according to the Justice Department. Some D.C. residents are now protesting against the increased law enforcement presence.

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In a social media post Saturday, FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson said federal authorities have made 166 arrests in D.C. in the week since Mr. Trump declared a public safety emergency.

Examining the meteorite that landed in a Georgia house up close

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Air Canada flight attendants' strike grounds hundreds of planes
WHITE OAK, Texas (KETK)  The White Oak ISD Board of Trustees has called for a $1,075,000 bond election that would help them refinance their current tax debt.

Nacogdoches County calls $75 million bond for jail facilities

The board called for the bond election in a meeting on Monday. The bond would raise money to refinance existing maintenance and operations tax debt of the District, according to a White Oak ISD statement. The district expects that there wont be any tax increase needed to fund this bond.

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The debt to be refinanced is currently paid from the Districts maintenance and operations budget, which funds day-to-day items like teacher and staff salaries, utilities and similar items, White Oak ISD said. Approval of the refunding bond would change the payment source of the debt to the Districts debt service tax, which would create space in the Districts maintenance and operations budget for staff salaries and other day-to-day expenses.

The district said theyll provide more information about the bond soon. To learn more, visit White Oak ISD online.

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Civil rights activist Robert L. Woodson Sr. has long been a critic of the mainstream media for pushing the narrative that America is inherently racist, but hes particularly offended by The New York Times and MSNBCs Al Sharpton.

Woodson, 88, penned an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal last week, urging the nation to "disregard race in how we judge one another" before it leads to "national ruin." He believes the media has been "demeaning the values of the country in the name of promoting social justice."

Woodson has been an outspoken critic of The New York Times controversial 1619 Project, which aimed to "reframe" Americas history through the lens of slavery. The 1619 Project won a Pulitzer Prize but has been criticized for historical inaccuracies, and Woodson is furious that it has been integrated and insinuated into the curriculum around the country.

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"It is embedding in America that America should be defined by its birth defect of slavery," Woodson told Fox News Digital.

How Mainstream Media Became 'Part Of The Race Grievance Industry' Harming Black Neighborhoods

Because of Nikole Hannah-Jones' 1619 Project, along with other coverage, Woodson said the Times has been among the most egregious mainstream news organizations when it comes to belittling the values of the country.

Read On The Fox News App

"The New York Times has been the leading culprit in condemning the country, burning the flags, and celebrating those who demean these values. It is, in fact, those same values of the founders that enabled Blacks to survive slavery in Jim Crow," Woodson said.

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Al Sharpton Hits Back At Trump Accusation About Paid Endorsement Of Kamala Harris

Woodson accused The New York Times of being "the leading culprit in condemning" the U.S.

A New York Times spokesperson provided Fox News Digital with the following comment: "This 1619 Project was a piece of deep and original reporting that brought to light new and underexplored truths, and it's only natural that principled and rigorous reporting like this would spark reflection and discussion. The series deepened many readers' understanding of the nation's past, the lingering effects of slavery and its centrality to Americas story and the significant contributions of Black Americans to this country."

The statement continued: "Readers have benefited immensely from the groundbreaking journalism of Nikole Hannah-Jones and the full team of writers and editors who brought us this transformative work. The New York Times is proud to continue pursuing vital journalism like this."

With regard to the comment about flag burning, the Times spokesperson added: "In fact, the central essay of the 1619 Project, the one that won a Pulitzer Prize, made a case for why Black Americans should embrace the flag, and the illustrated book that came out last year featured a gallery of patriotic images of people with the flag."

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Woodson also has a bone to pick with Sharpton, an MSNBC weekend host who often leads divisive rallies and put his network in an awkward situation ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

MSNBC admitted it was "unaware" that Vice President Kamala Harris campaign paid $500,000 to Sharptons National Action Network nonprofit ahead of a friendly interview with the Democratic nominee.

Harris sat down for a softball interview on Oct. 20 with MSNBCs Sharpton, an open supporter of Harris and the Democratic Party. Following Harris loss to President Donald Trump, FEC filings revealed the Harris campaign gave two $250,000 donations to Sharptons nonprofit organization in September and October  but the MSNBC host did not inform viewers of the contributions or the conflict of interest before or after the interview.

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

MSNBCs Al Sharpton gets away with behavior that wouldnt be tolerated by other cable news hosts, according to Robert L. Woodson Sr.

"They would never tolerate this from someone White," Woodson said.

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"You would never have a television anchor going out leading demonstrations or accepting [donations] from a political candidate and then interviewing them on their network," he continued. "Al Sharpton has been a special exception."

A National Action Network spokesperson provided Fox News Digital with the following statement: "Rev. Al Sharpton did not personally receive any payment; the funds in question went directly to National Action Network (NAN). In fact, the amount was less than what other organizations received. The contract with NAN explicitly prohibits the endorsement of political candidates, and neither NAN nor Rev. Sharpton has ever violated that clause."

MSNBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.





Original article source: Why civil rights activist Robert Woodson is upset with Al Sharpton and the New York Times
Frances government is weighing a controversial move  scrapping two public holidays  as part of a push to fill state coffers. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has given unions and employers until 30 September to discuss the measure, or risk the government pushing it through.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou first touted the idea during the announcement of his 2026 budget plan on 15 July.

Bayrou said that France had to borrow each month to pay pensions and salaries of civil servants, a state of affairs he called "a curse with no way out".

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By cutting two public holidays  Easter Monday and 8 May, Victory in Europe Day  from a list of 11, France could save 4.2 billion next year, he added.

This corresponds to just under 10 percent of the 43.8bn in savings he wants to achieve in the 2026 budget.

So far, the government has proposed to make 21bn in savings for 2026 through reductions in state, local and social spending, with another 7bn expected from freezing social benefits and income tax brackets.

French PM unveils radical plan to tackle deadly danger of national debt

September deadline

The measure to remove public holidays has sparked a clash between workers and bosses over work-life balance, wages and how to respond to the governments austerity drive.

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Bayrou has given unions and employers groups until 30 September to find a consensus. While he said he was open to other options on the choice of days, he stressed that he will not hesitate to act if talks fail.

In a letter addressed to unions and employers groups last Friday, Bayrou said that companies would pay the state part of their earnings generated from these two days. This figure has yet to be announced.

French PM turns to YouTube to sell budget cuts and calm public anger

Unions have reacted angrily, saying they wont negotiate on holidays just to boost company profits.

Denis Gravouil, a leaders of the CGT union, told RFI that the government has given them no room for negotiation on this point.

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"We do not want the abolition of public holidays which would only serve to increase the profits of certain companies and to make public employees work two more days," he said.

Michel Picon, of the Union of Local Businesses (U2P), said that smaller companies may be penalised by the measure.

"These two working days will not automatically bring businesses more profitability or more turnover," he told Franceinfo, adding the measure risks "causing chaos in the country".

Some sectors which are highly dependent on public holidays, such as tourism, could also be affected by lower activity linked to the cancellation.

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The summer France got its first paid leave and learned to holiday

"Easter Monday is one of the days with the highest consumption rate in our country," Cyril Chabanier, president of the CFTC union, told BFM-TV.

According to him, there would be "losses in terms of VAT" on these days, a tax that brought in more than 200bn for the state in 2024. "It will cause a lot of noise for very little revenue."

Employers groups are more open to the idea, with the Paris CPME saying they could even consider cutting up to three public holidays to boost productivity  "as long as the measure doesn't create direct conflict between workers and managers," its president Bernard Cohen-Haddad told RFI.

Solidarity Day

This would not be the first time France has converted a public holiday into a revenue-generating measure.

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Pentecost Monday, or Whit Monday, now known as "Solidarity Day", was put in place after the deadly heatwave in 2003.

Employees work this one day a year without being paid and in return, companies pay 0.3 percent of their annual gross payroll to finance social security to benefit the elderly and people with disabilities.

Although it began as a fixed day, usually in June, from 2008 the government allowed companies more flexibility to choose another date on the calendar.

In 2025, the Solidarity Day contribution represents approximately 2.5bn, 2.1bn of that from the private sector.

Defence spending

After years of overspending, France is on notice to bring its public deficit back under control, as required under European Union rules.

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Bayrou said the government aims to bring the deficit down to 4.6 percent next year, from an estimated 5.4 percent this year, and would reach the target of below 3 percent required by the EU by 2029.

France has 'one of the worst deficits' in its history, minister says

Meanwhile, France's debt currently stands at 114 percent of GDP, compared to the 60 percent allowed under EU rules  the third-largest in the bloc after Greece and Italy.

Despite government savings across the board, France's defence budget is expected to increase in the coming years. President Emmanuel Macron has said defence spending will rise from 50.5bn in 2025 by 3.5bn in 2026, and then by a further 3bn in 2027.

(with newswires)
Vladimir Putin wanted a lot of things from his visit to Alaska. A ceasefire in Ukraine was not one of them.

Throughout the summer, his troops have been grinding out advances along the frontline, and they achieved a sudden breakthrough in the days before the Alaska summit. Putins main objective was to buy time for his troops to continue those advances, all while avoiding the very severe consequences that President Donald Trump promised to impose on the Russians if they refused to call a ceasefire.

It appears Putin succeeded on both counts. In his public statements on Friday night, Trump made clear he no longer plans to impose any economic pain on Russia. Because of what happened today, I think I dont have to think about that, he told Fox News after the summit. I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now.

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In Trumps understanding, two or three weeks is a malleable term, as the New York Times recently noted, not a measurement of time so much as a placeholder.

Read more: From the Sidelines, Ukraine Prepares to Watch as U.S., Russia Discuss Its Fate

On the battlefield, however, it could mean the difference between holding off the Russians and allowing them to seize another region of Ukraine. The epicenter of the fighting in recent weeks has been the region of Donetsk, where Ukrainian troops were able to stop the latest Russian breakthrough.

The latest maps of the fighting indicate that the Kremlin remains determined to seize that region. Another few weeks of Russian infantry assaults could achieve that goal, allowing Putin to negotiate with the U.S. and Ukraine from a position of greater advantage. Things at the front are going well for them, a senior Ukrainian military officer tells TIME. Slow but steady.

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These gains helped Putin negotiate in Alaska from a position of strength. Ahead of their talks, Trump indicated that he wants the warring sides to swap territories, with Ukraine giving away its own land in exchange for areas Russia has occupied. Theyve occupied some very prime territory, Trump said a few days before his summit with Putin. Were going to try and get some of that territory back for Ukraine.

Trump failed to achieve that in Alaska, and his chances of getting what he calls a fair deal for Ukraine diminish as Russian forces continue to gain ground. For reasons that remain unclear, Trump said he believes that Putin wants to stop the fighting. I believe he wants to get it over, Trump said. Now, Ive said that a few times, and Ive been disappointed.

Alaska marks the latest of these disappointments, but Trump has shown no inclination to change his strategy. He did not even secure some of the easier concessions from Putin that might have given the Americans something to show for the Alaskan spectacle. One of Russias leading dissidents, Yulia Navalnaya, had urged Trump to secure the release of Russian political prisoners jailed for their opposition to the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, has urged the U.S. to demand the release of thousands of Ukrainian children that Russian forces have abducted from the war zone.

Neither of these issues came up in the official statements in Alaska. Appearing side by side on Friday, Trump gave his guest the floor, allowing Putin to deliver another one of his rambling history lessons, a maneuver that has been likened to diplomatic filibustering. When Trumps turn came to speak, he admitted that the talks had not resulted in a deal.

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The next step toward peace, he suggested, would be to arrange a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. But the Russian side has given no indication that it would be open to such an arrangement. Instead, at the end of their press conference in Alaska, Putin suggested in English that he and Trump would meet next time in Moscow, an idea that seemed to catch Trump off guard.

Oh, thats an interesting one, he replied. Ill get a little heat on that one.

This final exchange pointed again to the paltry outcomes of the summit. The two sides had not even agreed on a location or a format for the next stage of the peace process, while Putin came away confident enough to suggest that his capital would be a fitting venue. It was hard to blame him. Given the red-carpet treatment he received in Alaska, Putin had every reason to feel like a winner coming out of those talks. He had, after all, achieved his main objective, and given nothing away.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday distributed Rs 76 crore to 2020 families under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (DAYALU) in Chandigarh. "Today's event has been organised to provide relief to the people affected by the death of a family member. There is a Mukhyamantri Dayalu Yojana. Under the Pandit Deen Dayal Yojana, financial assistance is provided to them. Under this, financial assistance of Rs 76 crore has been sent today to the accounts of 2,020 families," the Chief Minister said while addressing the press conference. He added that before today, a total of Rs 1,380 had been distributed under the DAYALU scheme. CM Saini said, "Before today, 36,351 families have been given a financial assistance of Rs 1,380 crore since the scheme began on April 1, 2023. Last month, I disbursed Rs 118 crore. Under this scheme, a family member earning Rs 1,80,000 annually, if they die or face a disability, financial assistance up to Rs 5 lakh is provided to them." According to Haryana Parivar Suraksha Nyas' website, financial assistance is provided on the death or permanent disability of a member of a family above the age of 6 years and up to the age of 60 years, having an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh. The scheme provides assistance based on the age of the individual at the time of death or permanent disability. Under this scheme, the assistance offered is Rs 1 lakh above 6 years and up to 12 years, Rs 2 lakh above 12 years and up to 18 years, Rs 3 lakh above 18 years and up to 25 years, Rs 5 lakh above 25 years and up to 45 years and financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh is given above the age of 45 and up to 60 years. Nayab Singh Saini also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate six road projects for Delhi NCR and Haryana, worth Rs 11,000 crore, on August 17. "Prime Minister, tomorrow in Delhi, will inaugurate two big projects for Haryana. I will also be present there. He will inaugurate six road projects for Delhi NCR and Haryana, worth Rs 11,000 crore. In the last 11 years, PM Modi has changed the nation at a pace. He has brought global respect to the nation," he told reporters. He also paid tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary and asked Congress to learn from him. He said, "Today is the death anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a great pioneer of Indian politics who used to silence the opposition in the Lok Sabha... who laid the foundation of India's strong development after independence. We have paid tribute to him. Even after being in the Opposition for a long time, he maintained decency in politics... Today's Opposition should read Atal Bihari Vajpayee's biography. Congress should learn from him." BJP leader Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI)
South African Army Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya is facing backlash in his home country following the release of alleged comments he made during an official visit to Iran, which analysts say could further complicate the already turbulent relations between South Africa and the United States.

The comments, which appeared to suggest that Iran and South Africa have common military goals, come at a time when Pretoria is attempting to mend strained relations with US President Donald Trump to stabilise trade.

Last week, a 30 percent trade tariff on South African goods entering the US kicked in, alarming business owners in the country. Thats despite President Cyril Ramaphosas attempts to appease Trump, including by leading a delegation to the White House in May.

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Heres what to know about what the army chief said and why theres backlash for it:

What did the army chief say in Iran?

Meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Major-General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi in Tehran on Tuesday, Maphwanya is reported to have stated that the two countries had close ties, according to Irans state news agency, Press TV and the Tehran Times.

Commander Maphwanya, recalling Irans historical support for South Africas anti-apartheid struggle, stated that these ties have forged a lasting bond between the two nations, the Press TV article read.

According to Tehran Times, he went on to say: The Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran have common goals. We always stand alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world.

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Maphwanya also reportedly condemned Israels bombing of civilians standing in line for food and its ongoing aggression in the occupied West Bank, Tehran Times reported.

His visit, the publication quoted Maphwanya as saying, carries a political message, and comes at the best possible time to express our heartfelt sentiments to the peace-loving people of Iran.

On the other hand, General Mousavi hailed South Africas genocide case against the Zionist regime at the International Court of Justice, and said that the effort was aligned with Irans policies, according to Press TV.

He also condemned the US and Israels military and economic actions against Iran as violations of international laws and norms. He added that Irans army is prepared to deliver a more decisive response in the event of renewed aggression, Press TV reported.

General Rudzani Maphwanya at Air Force Base Waterkloof on June 15, 2025, in Centurion, South Africa [Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images]

How has the South African government reacted?

President Cyril Ramaphosas office on Thursday clarified that the president was not aware of General Maphwanyas visit to Iran, although such a trip would normally be approved by the Ministry of Defence, not the presidents office.

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Ramaphosa appointed Maphwanya as army chief in 2021. The general, in apartheid-era South Africa, served in the army wing of the African National Congress (ANC), which started as a liberation movement, and commanded a parliamentary majority until 2024.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, at a press briefing, said the generals decision to visit Iran was itself badly timed.

At this period of heightened geopolitical tensions and conflict in the Middle East, one can say the visit was ill-advised, and more so, the general should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he makes.

He added, We are in the delicate process of resetting political relations with the US, but more importantly, balancing the trade relationship in such a manner that the trade relationship is mutually beneficial.

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Similarly, the Ministry of International Relations and the Defence Ministry dissociated the government from the army chiefs alleged comments.

It is unfortunate that political and policy statements were reportedly madeThe minister of defence and military veterans [Matsie Angelina Motshekga] will be engaging with General Maphwanya on his return, a statement by the Defence Ministry on Wednesday read.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) party, one of the four parties that form the South African coalition government, is calling for the army chief to be tried in a military court on grounds of gross misconduct and a flagrant breach of the SANDF [South African National Defence Force] Code of Conduct.

According to Iranian state media, General Maphwanya went far beyond his constitutional and professional mandate, pledging common goals with Iran, endorsing its stance on Gaza, and calling for deeper strategic alignment, the DA said in a statement on Thursday.

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Such political statements are explicitly prohibited for serving officers, violate the SANDFs duty of political neutrality, and undermine the constitutional principle of civilian control over the military, the party added.

Why is there backlash over the alleged comments?

The US and South Africas relations are at their lowest in decades, making this a particularly sensitive time, analysts say, as it follows Junes 12-day war between Iran and the US-Israel coalition.

President Trump slapped a 30 percent tariff on South African goods entering the US as part of his wide-ranging reciprocal tariff wars in April. The US is a major destination for South African goods such as cars, precious metals and wine.

Trumps main gripes with Pretoria include South Africa instigating a genocide case against Israel, the USs ally, at the International Court of Justice, amid the ongoing war in Gaza. He earlier accused South Africa of strengthening ties with Iran.

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Trump has also wrongly claimed that white South Africans are being persecuted in the country under the majority Black leadership of the ANC, the countrys main political party to which President Ramaphosa belongs. He also claims South Africa is confiscating land belonging to whites.

White South Africans are a wealthy minority and largely descendants of Dutch settlers. Afrikaner governments controlled the country under the racist apartheid system until 1990.

South African wealth, particularly land, continues to be controlled disproportionately by the countrys white population. In recent times, fringe, extremist Afrikaner groups claiming that whites are being targeted by Black people have emerged, pointing to cases of white farmers being attacked by criminals on their farmland.

Elon Musk, Trumps one-time adviser before their public fallout in June, had also made claims of white persecution and claimed that the South African governments business laws were blocking his internet company from operating in the country.

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He was referring to laws requiring that foreign businesses be partly owned by Blacks or other historically disadvantaged groups, such as people living with disabilities.

The South African government denied Musks accusations.

In early May, Trumps government admitted 59 white refugees in a resettlement programme meant to protect them.

Previously, the US, under former President Joe Biden, was at loggerheads with South Africa over its close ties with Russia and its vocal criticism of Israel.

The latest incident echoes a 2022 scandal when a sanctioned Russian cargo ship called the Lady R docked at Simons Town Naval Base in the Western Cape, said analyst Chris Vandome of think tank Chatham House. The US alleged at the time that South African military supplies were loaded onto the ship and used in the Ukraine war, claims South Africa denied.

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It lies with South African foreign policy formation and the lack of clarity and consistency around it that has created this confusion whereby people think they are saying things in line with what the nation thinks, he said.

US President Donald Trump meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 21, 2025 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]

How has South Africa tried to appease the US?

On May 21, President Ramaphosa led a delegation to the White House in a bid to reset relations with Trump and hopefully secure lower tariff deals.

At the heated meeting, however, Trump refused to back down from his claims of white persecution, despite Ramaphosa clarifying that South Africa was facing widespread crime in general, and that there was no evidence that whites in particular were being targeted.

South Africa, during the meeting, offered to buy US liquefied natural gas and invest $3.3bn in US industries in exchange for lower tariffs. The delegation also agreed to a review of the countrys business ownership laws.

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However, Trumps 30 percent tariffs went into effect last week. Analysts say it could put up to 30,000 South African jobs at risk, particularly in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosas government promised to take further action to ease the burden on manufacturers and exporters. On Tuesday, Trade Minister Parks Tau told reporters that South Africa has submitted a revised proposal to Washington, without giving details.

General Maphwanyas pronouncements this week, therefore, couldnt have come at a worse time for South African diplomatic ties with the US, security analyst Jakkie Cilliers of the International Security Institute said, speaking to South African state TV, SABC.

For the chief of the national defence force to pronounce so clearly and so unequivocally at this time is remarkably politically sensitive, Cilliers said, adding that the general could be asked to resign upon his return.

What has General Maphwanya said?

Maphwanya, who the presidency said has returned to the country, has not put out public statements on the controversy. It is unclear how the government might sanction him. President Ramaphosa is set to meet with the army chief for briefings in the coming weeks, a presidency spokesperson said.




NORTH OGDEN, Utah (ABC4)  Fire crews have continued to work on the Willard Peak Fire, and today it reached 41% containment.

The fire is still 577 acres in size, and fire managers are reportedly feeling comfortable with the work that crews have put in to stop progression of the fire, according to the latest update from Utah Fire Info.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Willard Peak Fire crosses 550 acres, 14% containment, no structures lost

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On Thursday night, the residents who were evacuated from over 100 homes were able to return home as the evacuation order was downgraded to set status. This means that it is safe for them to be in their homes, but they need to be ready to leave again at a moments notice if fire activity should change suddenly.

On Friday, crews dug handlines, creating a break in the vegetation to help prevent fire growth. These lines and nearby rocky cliffs should work to prevent additional spread. Helicopters used buckets to drop water and retardant on hot spots to provide support for ground resources. Heat and wind picked up during the afternoon, making those hot spots more visible.

Minimal fire behavior is expected on Saturday, but weather conditions can still cause some activity, with high temperatures and wind in the forecast. Wind is going to pose the greatest threat to fire suppression efforts, Utah Fire Info said.

Crews are going to stay on scene for the next several days, mopping up and holding established lines around the fire. As they continue to work, additional smoke may be visible, and officials are asking you not to call 911 unless the smoke is coming from a new fire. That way, resources can be managed most effectively to respond to any new fire starts.

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Officials requested that the public continue to avoid the area and observe closures in order to keep firefighters and the community safe. Homeowners should feel comfortable about the progress being made, Utah Fire Info wrote on social media.

READ NEXT: Wildland firefighting terminologies explained

North Ogden Divide is currently open, but the city warned to stay off all trails in the area.

According to the U.S. Forest Service Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, the North Ogden Divide trailhead is closed. The Skyline North Trail is closed going north to Ben Lomond Peak, and it is also closed from North Fork Park west and south to Ben Lomond Peak. The Bonneville Shoreline trail is also closed for around 6 miles going north from North Ogden Divide.

What is fire containment?

There has been some confusion among the public about what fire officials mean when they refer to containment. Containing a fire means that the fire is surrounded by a fuel break (or a barrier that will stop or check a fire from spreading). A contained fire is not extinguished yet!

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Containment is measured in percentages, and the percentages refer to an amount of the perimeter of the fire. If any part of the perimeter is considered contained, that means that fire crews are confident that the fire will not cross those fuel breaks.

When we show containment, that doesnt mean that the fire is out. What it means is that we are making progress. We are managing the fire and to the best of our ability, stabilizing the situation, Kelly Wickens, Prevention Specialist for Forestry Fire State Lands, State of Utah previously told ABC4 in an interview.

Fire size also does not refer to the area where fire is actively burning; it refers to the total area that has been burned.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales are set to move into a new home in Windsor.

William and Catherine will move to the eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, with their children George, Charlotte and Louis.

The family have been living in Adelaide Cottage in the castle grounds since August 2022 but after a challenging 18 months that has seen the princess deal with a cancer diagnosis and treatment they have now decided to make a change.

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"Windsor has become their home. However, over the last few years while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage there have been some really difficult times," a royal source told the BBC.

"Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter.

"It's an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind," the source said.

The royal couple see this as a move for the long-term and view Forest Lodge as their forever home.

It will be where they plan to live as a family when the Prince and Princess of Wales becomes King and Queen.

As with their four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage, it is understood they will not have any live-in staff as they focus on creating as private a family home as is possible.

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William and Catherine announced they were moving from Kensington Palace in London to Windsor in August 2022.

They also have homes at Anmer Hall in Norfolk where they spend much of the school holidays and their offices remain at Kensington Palace.

The move to Windsor has been a successful one and afforded them the privacy and freedom that was more difficult to find in London.

It is understood the family are settled and the children are happy at Lambrook school where all three currently attend.

Any work carried out on Forest Lodge will not come from the Sovereign Grant which provides state funding for the monarchy.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales are funding the move privately and they will pay market rent on the property.

The Prince and Princess of Wales currently live in Adelaide Cottage [Alberto Pezzali/PA Wire]

In 2001, Forest Lodge underwent 1.5m restoration works and was put on the rental market for 15,000 a month.

Images inside the home taken at the time showed original stonework, elaborate plaster cornices and ceiling decoration, plus a half-barrel vaulted hallway ceiling.

Redacted planning applications lodged with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead show permission for minor internal and external alterations was granted earlier this month.

The council's decision notice refers to the removal of a window and works to a fireplace.

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The Royal Family receives funding through a mix of public and private sources.

Prince William's private income comes from a variety of sources, including the Duchy of Cornwall, the estates which mainly covers land in south-west England and are worth 1bn.

A financial report for the duchy this year showed a profit of 22.9m, slightly down on the previous year when it generated a net surplus of 24m.

Forest Lodge is nestled in the heart of the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park.

Kate has spoken of her belief in the healing power of the natural world and described nature as her "sanctuary", while opening up about her "life-changing" cancer treatment.

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She further showed her love for nature in the Mother Nature video series, which she launched in May.

The family hopes to move into the new property by Christmas and are said to be looking forward to creating many happy memories in their new home.

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

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WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  A Florence woman was arrested after allegedly conspiring to introduce contraband at the Williamsburg Federal Correctional Institution.

The Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office said Megan Shara Welch, 33, conspired with an inmate to introduce contraband while working as a correctional officer at Williamsburg FCI.

Officers intercepted text messages from July 1 to Aug. 4 between Welch and the inmate, where she requested advanced payment via CashApp to deliver contraband on Aug. 5.

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Investigators discovered Welch had provided contraband on several occasions and had received about $8,500 in compensation. She is charged with criminal conspiracy, according to the sheriffs office.

She was taken to the Williamsburg County Detention Center. An investigation is ongoing.

The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General Southeastern Region is assisting.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
It's been a scorcher in Wiltshire this week, forcing farmers to harvest their wheat crops early.

There has also been a royal visit from Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day.

Of course, envelopes revealing A-level results were opened on Thursday.

Over at Stourhead, heavy horses have been brought in by the National Trust to help clear timber.

[Lucy Fenna/National Trust]

Serious muscle: Heavy horses have been enlisted by the National Trust to help manage the woodland on the Stourhead estate near Warminster. The Wessex heavy horses, which are good at handling terrains that are tricky for machines, are extracting timber from the 2,650-acre Top Wood.

[BBC]

And relax: Schools and colleges across Wiltshire have been abuzz with pupils finding out their A-level results. Many are celebrating  including these teens at Devizes School.

[Greensleeves Care]

Sharing wisdom: Residents at Kingston House care home in Calne have been potting plants and sharing advice for younger generations at the same time. Ken Lewis, 81, said: "Don't fear the unknown. If you want to do something, just go for it."

[Longleat]

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History through heat: Sun-scorched grass has this week revealed the outline of old features at the Longleat estate, including the World War Two American military hospital. The parched marks appear because soil over buried landscape features is shallower than in the surrounding areas.

[Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images]

Speed in the sun: Another day for Salisbury Races as William Buick riding Morris Dancer wins the British Stallion Studs EBF Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury Racecourse.

[Big Breakfast Plus]

Food for thought: A Swindon charity welcomed Wiltshire's High Sheriff Martin Nye to the town's Big Breakfast Plus, which is open seven days a week offering a cooked breakfast to homeless and hungry people. Based at the Pilgrim Centre, it sources food locally where it can, such as milk from a farm in Wroughton, sausages from Bishopstone and donations of fruit from a local allotment.

[BBC]

Heat and wheat: The dry weather this year has led to the county's farmers harvesting early and quickly. Combine harvesters and golden fields are regular sights already in Wiltshire this year.

[BBC]

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Spooky: A huge mural has been completed in a Warminster car park, marking 60 years since the Warminster Thing, a series of mysterious noises and UFO sightings in the town.

[WeatherWatchers/AmandaNorfolk]

Simply dazzling: While the sun has scorched the grass in some places, other scenes have been sparkling, including this river in Salisbury.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

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A Right-wing Spanish party is trying to orchestrate the defeat of socialism across Latin America by ousting its Left-wing governments.

Despite being the third largest party in Spain, with 33 seats in parliament, Vox is taking on a more internationalist stance as it promotes right-of-centre politics in Madrids former colonies.

Its first significant move will take place on Sunday when Bolivia heads to the polls. Voters are expected lurch to the Right and drive the incumbent government in La Paz out after nearly 20 years in power.

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Jorge Martin Frias, a leading politician for the Vox party and director of its think tank, identifies Bolivias election as the first in a year-long wave of high-stakes contests as his party spearheads a conservative revival across the continent.

For the first time in decades, defeating socialism is not just possible, it is inevitable, Mr Martin told The Telegraph.

Jorge Martin Frias is determined to unmask Latin Americas Leftist governments as criminal organisations that have captured power - RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images

Buoyed by recent wins in Paraguay, Ecuador and Argentina, as well as the Maga ascendency in the US, he believes the Right now has the necessary momentum.

At the centre of Voxs revival is the Madrid Forum, a campaigning organisation set up by the partys think tank in 2020. It has grown to become a key hub for Right-wing politicians and strategists united by a mission to roll back socialism in Latin America.

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Mr Martin said its strategy is to expose Left-wing governments as criminal organisations  mafias that have captured power, with links to drug trafficking, while at the same time promoting liberty, democracy, and the rule of law through investigative reporting, social media campaigns, and electoral observation missions.

But analysts say the Madrid Forums real influence comes from its convening role.

Stefano Palestini, the assistant professor at the University of Trento, argued the forum had successfully created an international network for Right-wing leaders to learn from one another, connecting otherwise disparate voices across Latin America, and linking them to successful conservative leaders and strategists in the United States and Europe.

Through Vox, the forum has close ties to the Heritage Foundation  the colossal Washington think-tank behind Donald Trumps second-term policy programme.

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It has also received public backing from leaders such as Giorgia Meloni, Viktor Orban and Marine Le Pen, whose outriders regularly feature at Madrid Forum events, and mix with Latin American politicians.

The transatlantic network is already producing results.

Javier Milei, an early supporter since his days in opposition, is now Argentinas president and a poster boy for the small-state, anti-woke global right. Recent elections in Paraguay and Ecuador also saw forum-aligned candidates assume the presidency.

Argentine President Javier Milei was a supporter of the Madrid Forum before he won power - STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images

Mr Martin hails these leaders for not only exposing the misery imposed by the criminal left but also offering a real, coherent and effective alternative.

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That alternative is as much cultural as it is about good governance. Faith and family feature prominently alongside the free-market in the policies advocated by preferred candidates.

The forums most recent joint declaration gave an impassioned defence of Western civilisation and firm rejection of what they call wokismo.

Mr Martin also speaks of a living brotherhood and a profound cultural bond between Spain and Latin America, arguing his country has a moral and political duty to help the region recover, highlighting their shared language and heritage.

Mr Palestini believes this may make Bolivias election especially symbolic for the forum.

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Not only could it see the election of the countrys first Right-wing president since 2006, it could also end the political era of Evo Morales  Bolivias embattled socialist icon and one of the very few indigenous Latin American leaders.

Evo Morales remains a force in Bolivian politics despite no longer holding the presidency himself - REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Mr Morales redefined his country as a plurinational state, championing bilingual education and turning away from Washington in favour of Moscow and Beijing.

But Bolivia is just the opening act in a blizzard of pivotal elections that could reshape the continents political map.

Over the next 12 months, socialist governments in Chile, Honduras, Peru, Colombia and Brazil will all defend their record against Right-wing challengers with links to the forum.

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Alongside debates over free-market policies and culture-war issues, one other issue looms large: crime.

For many in Right-wing Latin American circles the man of the moment is El Salvadors president, Nayib Bukele, with his controversial but broadly popular crackdown on crime.

In an indication of what could follow, Mr. Mr Martin describes it as a resounding success, adding: Many nations across the region should take note.

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.
Several conservatives, news organizations and right-wing social media accounts are fighting a culture war over videos of sororities  typically majority white  doing choreographed dances for sorority rush week. But theres one problem: Theres been no evidence of recent widespread backlash or public discourse over the videos this month. In other words... no one cares, as one expert in American studies says.

In a recent segment of Finnerty on Newsmax, host Rob Finnerty spent some time discussing a part of the sorority recruitment process, referred to as rush, as videos of female college students dancing together played on-air. Finnerty called rush one of the great American traditions for female college students.

Related: U.S. Alcohol Consumption Has Hit A Record Low, Poll Finds  Experts Have Theories Why

It should be OK to celebrate things that are uniquely American, he said. But over the past several years we havent done that, weve been scared. Scared of the backlash, scared of who we might offend, weve been told that what youre seeing here is wrong.

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We were told there wasnt enough diversity in all these videos. But all that is changing, and its changing because of what happened in November, he said, referencing President Donald Trumps presidential election.

You cant watch these videos without smiling, he later continued. And maybe wishing that you were in college. Maybe wishing that this could be you again. And that should be OK.

Finnerty then bemoaned that the country has seen four years of [Joe] Biden and DEI, and tremendous reverse discrimination, especially against white people  especially against white men.

Fun is back, he said, before adding, America is healing by being America again.

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Finnerty faced backlash after a clip of his on-air remarks made rounds on X. Several people pointedout that his rant on the conservative TV channel fell flat, since the supposed outrage over the sorority videos seemed manufactured  especially since sorority rush videoshave been going viral on TikTok for years. Other X users thought his speech celebrating college girls dancing came off as creepy.

Related: American Eagle's Crystal-Clear Defense Of Controversial Sydney Sweeney Ads Signals A Lot

But Finnerty isnt the only talking head whos made an issue of these sorority rush videos in recent weeks. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly recently celebrated the amazing videos on her podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, saying: Young women of America are happy to lean back into being hot and together and free and unmasked in every way.

A new recruit of Alpha Chi Omega is photographed during University of Alabama sorority Bid Day, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. via Associated Press

On Sunday, the official X account for Fox News tweeted a dancing sorority video, claiming that the viral clips are making waves once more, with some calling it proof that America is back, describing sorority girls as warriors on the frontline of TikTok pushing back on lockdown-era culture and showing renewed Gen Z patriotism.

Related: These Popular Toys Are Sparking Satanic Panic  And The Reason Might Surprise You

Conservative radio host Jesse Kelly wrote on X last week that the sorority dance videos are just another sign that were in the midst of a backlash against the ugly communists who ruled us for a short time.

Related: Experts Say These Seemingly Innocent Social Media Trends Could Sway You To The Far Right

And elsewhere on X, there are countless posts claiming that the sorority rush videos are causing a liberal backlash,or a liberalmeltdown. Other social media users are echoing Finnertys message, saying the videos are a sign that America is back and that the country is healing.

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While, for years, theres been many discussionsand criticisms about the lack of diversity on display in these yearly overwhelmingly white sorority rush videos, among other criticisms about the campus culture at some of these schools, many people on social mediaare not buying the claims that theres been recent waves of so-called liberal meltdowns over these videos.

Manufactured outrage!! NOBODY gives a crap about any of this. But fox and media will sell the shit out of it and you will swallow it, one X user wrote.

Its so weird that they keep saying we are outraged about shit that we are not outraged about, wrote another.

What does any of this have to do with conservatism? another X user questioned.

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Kari J. Winter, a professor of American studies at the University at Buffalo whose expertise includes gender, feminism, race and class, told HuffPost that Finnerty and other MAGA folks are obviously trying to emotionally charge a trivial non-issue in order to distract us from real issues like  gee, I dont know  the big ugly bills devastating impact on Americans?

Trumps meeting with Putin while excluding Zelenskyy? she continued.Trumps decades-long intimacy with Jeffrey Epstein? The devastating impacts of climate change? Israels genocidal war on Gaza?

Finnerty and Kelly really dont want Americans to be asking important questions. For example, why does Trump think that building a $200M ballroom is more important than allowing Americans to keep their Medicaid insurance? she added.

And as it relates to Finnertys remarks that the sorority rush videos are uniquely American, Winter thinks his remarks are too idiotic to merit a response.

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Shaun Harper, a professor of education, business and public policy at the University of Southern California, said that when Finnerty and others make a point of celebrating the majority white sorority videos as proof that America is healing, what theyre really celebrating is the absence of Black and brown faces in these videos, which to them looks familiar and characteristically American.

And its all a tactic, Harper tells HuffPost.

The conservative play here is predictable: lure liberals into a fight they didnt ask for, misrepresent their critiques of exclusionary too-white spaces as wokeness, and then further convince the MAGA base that it is white Americans who are being discriminated against by policies and practices that aim to make organizations like sororities more racially diverse.

And for those posting sorority rush videos as a way to slam the left? Winter says, No one cares about sorority rush videos. Are you kidding me?

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin led a team that analyzed 15 months of prescription data from Aid Access, one of the largest online abortion telemedicine providers. (Natalie Behring/Getty Images)

As conservative lawmakers work to restrict online access to abortion medication, a new report shows how popular it has become for women who live in states that have outlawed abortion.

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin led a team that analyzed 15 months of prescription data from Aid Access, one of the largest online abortion telemedicine providers.

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They found 84% of Aid Accesss more than 118,000 online prescriptions went to patients living in abortion-ban states.

The South and Midwest had the highest rates of patients accessing telemedicine abortion. Rates were also greater in high-poverty areas or where people would have to travel more than 100 miles to reach an abortion clinic, according to the report, which published this month.

Aid Access is able to mail abortion medications to residents in all 50 states  even those in states with abortion bans  thanks to shield laws in Democratic-led states. Shield laws are designed to minimize the legal risks for people who provide or access abortions across state lines.

Currently, 22 states and Washington, D.C., have reproductive care shield laws, either through legislation or by executive order, according to a report from University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

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Eight of those states  California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington  specifically protect telehealth abortion providers regardless of where their patient is located.

Shield laws, along with difficulty accessing in-person abortion services in abortion-ban states, have contributed to a rise in medication and telehealth abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion in 2022, clearing the way for state bans. With telehealth abortion, patients have a virtual appointment with a clinician who can prescribe abortion medication, which is then filled by a licensed pharmacy and mailed to the patient.

Research has shown telehealth medication abortion is effective and safe, and comparable to in-person medication abortion.

Medication abortion accounted for nearly two-thirds of all clinician-provided abortions in states without bans in 2023, the most recent data available from the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on advancing reproductive rights.

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But as abortion medication use rises, so have conservative efforts to ban it.

This year, more than a dozen states introduced bills to bar access to medication abortion by criminalizing its sale, purchase or distribution, according to Guttmacher.

One such bill in Texas, which could have been a blueprint for medication abortion restriction in other states, was specifically aimed at groups like Aid Access. It would have allowed private citizens to sue for at least $100,000 anyone who provided abortion pills in Texas. The bill passed the Texas Senate but died in the House in May.

Earlier this year, the state of Louisiana criminally charged a New York physician under its abortion ban law for allegedly providing abortion pills to a Louisiana teen via telehealth. New York, which passed a shield law in 2023, refused Louisianas request to extradite the doctor.

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Last month marked the first federal test of shield laws, when a Texas man sued a California doctor for allegedly mailing abortion pills to his partner.

This week, a Texas woman filed a federal lawsuit against Aid Access and against a man who she said impregnated her, then spiked her drink with abortion pills. She is also suing the Dutch doctor who founded Aid Access, alleging Aid Access and its founder mailed abortion-inducing drugs in violation of Texas and federal law.

Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org.

Stateline, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.

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President Donald Trump has said little about his idea of relocating many of the Gaza Strips 2 million Palestinians to other countries since he stunned the world by announcing it in February.

But Israels leaders have run with it, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at one point listed it as a condition for ending the 22-month war sparked by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

He and other Israeli officials present it as a humanitarian measure allowing Palestinians to flee war and hardship, and say it should be voluntary. Israel has been in talks with African countries  many of which are themselves wracked by war and at risk of famine  about taking Palestinians in.

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Palestinians say there would be nothing voluntary about leaving part of their homeland with no guarantee of return after an occupying power has rendered much of it uninhabitable. Rights groups and much of the international community say it would amount to forcible expulsion in violation of international law.

The issue is likely to take on greater urgency as Israel widens its military campaign to the last parts of Gaza that it hasnt taken over and largely flattened, and as large numbers of Palestinians flee once again.

This is our land, there is no other place for us to go, said Ismail Zaydah, whose family has remained in Gaza City throughout the war, even after much of their neighborhood and part of their home was destroyed. We are not surrendering, he said. We were born here, and here we die.

Heres what Israels leaders have said, in their own words.

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Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a Feb. 6 post on X

I have instructed the (Israeli military) to prepare a plan that will allow any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave to do so, to any country willing to receive them. ... The plan will include exit options via land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air.

Netanyahu, addressing a Cabinet meeting on March 30

Hamas will lay down its weapons. Its leaders will be allowed to leave. We will see to the general security in the Gaza Strip and will allow the realization of the Trump plan for voluntary migration. This is the plan. We are not hiding this and are ready to discuss it at any time.

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Netanyahu, in a public address May 21

Israel will create "a sterile zone in the southern Strip to which the civilian population will be evacuated from the combat areas, for the purpose of defending it. In this zone, which will be Hamas-free, the residents of Gaza will receive full humanitarian assistance.

I am ready to end the war  according to clear conditions that will ensure the security of Israel. All of the hostages will return home. Hamas will lay down its weapons, leave power, its leadership, whoever is left, will be exiled from the Strip, Gaza will be completely demilitarized, and we will carry out the Trump plan, which is so correct and so revolutionary, and it says something simple: The residents of Gaza who wish to leave  will be able to leave.

Netanyahu, in an interview with Israeli media on Aug. 12

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I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there.

Give them the opportunity to leave! First, from combat zones, and also from the Strip if they want. We will allow this, first of all inside Gaza during the fighting, and we will also allow them to leave Gaza. We are not pushing them out but allowing them to leave.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Ukrainians went to bed on Friday night with the frightening possibility that Donald Trump could be seduced by Vladimir Putin into offering significant concessions on the war.

They woke up on Saturday morning to find that the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska instead had fizzled out without any strategic or political agreements. It was a rare example of a failed summit coming as a relief.

In the absence of any real developments, attention in Ukraine turned to the presentational aspects of the summit  the "optics", in political speak.

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Putin, the man responsible for the devastating war of aggression against Ukraine, had received the warmest welcome possible in Alaska. American soldiers knelt to literally roll out the red carpet for him. Trump applauded him as he approached and offered a friendly handshake. The two leaders rode together alone in Trump's presidential limousine and Putin could be seen laughing as the car pulled away.

For the Russian president, who has been shunned internationally since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the greeting marked the beginning of a remarkable return to the global diplomatic stage and set a tone that would continue throughout the day.

In Ukraine, it was not a welcome sight.

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"Red carpets and this level of ceremony are normal at international events, but in this case  for an aggressor responsible for the deaths of millions  it should not have happened," said Maria Drachova, 40, a lawyer in the capital Kyiv.

Drachova, who woke up and watched the footage over breakfast, said it appeared as though "the entire event was staged to please Putin".

"The rational world is behaving irrationally by giving him this welcome," she said.

"It should not have happened," said Maria Drachova of the warm welcome for Putin [BBC]

Putin's plane had been escorted into the airbase in Alaska by four American fighter jets and as he strolled down the red carpet, talking jovially with Trump, an American B-2 bomber flew overhead flanked by four more jets.

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Ukrainians who had stayed up late to watch the spectacle were seeing the "legitimisation of a war criminal at the highest level", said Oleksandr Kovalenko, a Ukrainian writer and political analyst.

"There was no need for this pomp at all," Kovalenko said. "This is a meeting that should have been conducted in a much more restrained way  minimalistic, without this level of respect."

After the greetings, Trump and Putin sat down in front of a gaggle of reporters at Elmendorf Air Force Base, under a banner that read "Pursuing Peace". A question was shouted at Putin: "Will you you stop killing civilians?"

The Russian leader appeared to smirk, and gestured to his ear to suggest he couldn't hear.

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Along with the smiles, laughter, and general good will on show, the gesture struck a very sour note in Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands have been killed and wounded in Russia's war of aggression.

"When I saw what happened I felt crushed," said Serhii Orlyk, 50, from the eastern province of Donetsk, which has been largely seized by Russian forces and seen some of the most intense fighting of the war.

"I lost my home twice, in Sloviansk and in Donetsk. I lost relatives," Orlyk said. "I understand that to agree on something, there must be protocol, you cannot just slap Putin in the face when he arrives. But it was a very unpleasant spectacle  especially his smirks."

Putin gestures to reporters after being asked, "Will you you stop killing civilians?" [Getty Images]

The deference to Putin continued after the negotiations. In a joint statement to the press, Trump gave way to the Russian leader to speak first. He spoke for about eight minutes, carefully avoiding any mention of how the war began  with a striking and unprovoked act by Russia.

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Putin appeared energetic, satisfied by how the summit had gone. Trump, by contrast, appeared uncharacteristically deflated, and spoke for barely two minutes. He could not boast of anything approaching a deal  the currency by which he tends to operate.

Instead, he had handed the initiative to Putin, said Kier Giles, a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House.

"It was a massive victory for Putin even before he got off the plane, to be rehabilitated in this manner," Giles said. "Trump has facilitated him arriving to be greeted as a head of state, when he ought to be finding it difficult to travel because he is an internationally wanted war criminal."

Putin and Trump share a joke. The atmosphere between the two appeared convivial throughout [Reuters]

Trump's approach would be unlikely to inspire European leaders to follow suit, Giles said. "If anything, it will reinforce how important it is not to endorse Putin's demands on Ukraine, and not to subject themselves to the same kinds of spectacle that is earning Trump scorn."

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In a statement on Saturday, President Zelensky stressed the importance of European leaders being present at every stage of the negotiations. They are often seen as a bulwark against the possibility of Trump being unduly influenced by Putin.

But before that happens, Zelensky will head on Monday back to Washington, the scene of his disastrous Oval Office clash with Trump back in February. He will be hoping for a better outcome this time, and a path to peace that doesn't involve surrendering to Russia's aggressive demands.

The US had a "wide range of tools" at its disposal to assist Ukraine in that mission, said Oleksandr Kovalenko, the political analyst. But pomp and ceremony for President Putin should not be among them, he said.

"Perhaps this was all intended to deceive and flatter Putin, and push him into following the White House's strategy," Kovalenko said.

"But I doubt it. More likely it is Trump's whim, without any strategy at all."

Additional reporting by Daria Mitiuk
JMM MP Mahua Maji on Saturday said the sudden death of Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren is a big shock for his family, the party, and the entire state. Speaking to ANI, Mahua Maji said, "His passing away at a time when he had just become a Minister is a big shock for his family, JMM's family and the state... His wife told us that he was completely healthy yesterday. He roared in the House that day, too. Looking at him, it didn't seem like such a big thing would happen to him in just a day... His passing away is a big shock for the state." Congress leader Rajesh Thakur also expressed grief over his passing. Calling it an irreparable loss, he said Soren was a straightforward, simple, polite, and honest person who worked sincerely in the field of education. "This is sad news for us and an irreparable loss for the entire state. He was a straightforward, simple, polite, and honest person who worked sincerely in the field of education. He was making efforts to bring about better reforms in education... He suddenly collapsed and then remained in the hospital for a long time, but when the news of his demise came, it was certainly sad news for us," Thakur said. Soren, who was undergoing treatment in Delhi after sustaining serious injuries in a fall earlier this month, passed away on Friday. The Minister sustained serious injuries after a fall in the bathroom at his residence on August 2. Soren was first admitted to a hospital in Jamshedpur before being airlifted to Delhi the same day. He was placed on life support and treated by a multidisciplinary team of senior specialists. (ANI)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared his country open to foreign companies at the inauguration of Chinese automaker GWMs factory in Sao Paulo.

The remarks come as Brazil faces steep U.S. tariffs, which Lula has repeatedly denounced. By making the statement at a Chinese factory opening, Lula signaled a possible pivot further away from Washington and toward Beijing.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C-L) and China's Great Wall Motor (GWM) CEO Mu Feng (C-R) raise their hands during the inauguration of the GWM automobile factory in Iracemapolis, Sao Paulo state, Brazil on Aug. 15, 2025.

World Leader Refuses To 'Humiliate' Himself With Trump Trade Negotiations

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"Count on the Brazilian government. Whoever wants to leave, leave. Whoever wants to come, we welcome you with open arms," Lula said at the ceremony, according to Reuters. The news agency also reported he criticized President Donald Trumps tariffs as "unnecessary turbulence."

Both Brazil and China face tariffs, though at different levels. Chinas tariffs, once as high as 145%, now stand at 30% but could rise if Beijing and Washington fail to reach a deal. Brazil, meanwhile, is facing a 50% tariff on its goods.

Lula and Chinese President Xi Jinping, both BRICS leaders, spoke earlier in the week ahead of the factorys opening. The call followed Lulas comments to Reuters that he planned to raise the issue of responding to U.S. tariffs with fellow BRICS leaders.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after a signing ceremony and a joint press conference, at the Great Hall of the People on May 13, 2025 in Beijing, China.

Trump Blasted For Steep Concessions To Beijing After Chip Deal, Canceled Taiwanese Visit

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On Wednesday, the Brazilian government unveiled an aid package for companies hurt by U.S. tariffs. According to Reuters, the package focused on credit lines for exporters and government purchases of products struggling to find new markets. The U.S. tariffs on Brazil are expected to impact the coffee, beef, seafood, textiles, footwear and fruit industries, Reuters reported.

Earlier this month, Lula told Reuters he was willing to talk to Trump but would not "humiliate" himself by trying to engage while the U.S. president "doesnt want to talk." However, Trump has said that Lula is free to "talk to me anytime he wants."

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and President Donald Trump feud over tariffs and Brazil's treatment of Bolsonaro.

Tensions between the two leaders extend beyond tariffs into politics. The Trump administration has lambasted Brazils treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest.

Trump commented on the situation in an executive order in which he denounced Brazil's "politically motivated persecution, intimidation, harassment, censorship, and prosecution" of Bolsonaro.

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Lula told Reuters that Brazils Supreme Court "does not care what Trump says, and it should not." He also reportedly said that Bolsonaro was a "traitor to the homeland" who should face another trial for provoking Trumps intervention.





Original article source: World leader who took swipe at Trump over tariffs appears to cozy up to China
(Reuters) -Following are reactions from world leaders on Saturday to the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which did not resolve Moscow's war in Ukraine.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY ON X:

"We support President Trumps proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasises that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.

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"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war.

"It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America. We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security."

JOINT STATEMENT BY EUROPEAN LEADERS:

"We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trumps statement that the U.S. is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. No limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and NATO.

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"It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force...

"We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace...We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russias war economy.

"Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraines and Europes vital security interests."

UK PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER

"President Trumps efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russias illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended.

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"I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal. This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more.

"In the meantime, until he stops his barbaric assault, we will keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions...

"Our unwavering support for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes."

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON ON X:

"It will also be essential to learn all the lessons of the past 30 years, and in particular Russia's well-established propensity to fail to keep its own commitments.

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"We will continue to work closely with President Trump and President Zelenskiy to ensure that our interests are preserved in a spirit of unity and responsibility.

"France continues to stand resolutely by Ukraine's side."

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI:

"A glimmer of hope has finally opened to discuss peace in Ukraine..Italy is doing its part, along with its Western allies."

GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ ON X:

"Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests."

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN ON X:

"The EU is working closely with President Zelenskiy and the United States to reach a just and lasting peace. Strong security guarantees that protect Ukrainian and European vital security interests are essential."

EU CHIEF DIPLOMAT KAJA KALLAS:

"The U.S. holds the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. The EU will work with Ukraine and the U.S. so that Russias aggression does not succeed and that any peace is sustainable. Moscow wont end the war until it realises it cant continue. So Europe will continue to back Ukraine, including by working on a 19th Russia sanctions package.

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INDIA FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON RANDHIR JAISWAL

"India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable.

"India appreciates the progress made in the Summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.

NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ESPEN BARTH EIDE, speaking to reporters in Oslo:

"Our view is clear: it is important we must continue to put pressure on Russia, and even increase it, to give the clear signal to Russia that it must pay the price.

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"We must listen to Ukraine's wishes and needs. We know that President Putin wants to split Europe and the United States. With all our allies, we must do everything we can to avoid that."

CZECH PRIME MINISTER PETR FIALA:

"The results of the Alaska summit confirm that while the U.S. and its allies are seeking paths to peace, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is still only interested in the greatest possible territorial gains and the restoration of the Soviet empire."

HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN ON FACEBOOK:

"For years we have watched the two biggest nuclear powers dismantle the framework of their cooperation and shoot unfriendly messages back and forth. That has now come to an end. Today the world is a safer place than it was yesterday."

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POLISH PRIME MINISTER DONALD TUSK ON X:

"The West must remain united as it enters a decisive moment for Ukraine's future and European security."

"The game for Ukraine's future, the security of Poland and all of Europe has entered a decisive phase."

"Today, it is even clearer that Russia respects only the strong, and Putin has once again proven to be a cunning and ruthless player. Therefore, maintaining the unity of the entire West is so important."

POLISH PRESIDENT'S FOREIGN POLICY AIDE MARCIN PRZYDACZ, speaking to reporters:

"The fact that these talks have begun, that there is a discussion, is something we in Poland consider to be of some value.

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"The war can really only end in two ways: either by capitulation of one side, in this situation, the most important thing for us would be the defeat of the Russian Federation. But the other solution is also negotiations, and such negotiations were underway yesterday and will likely continue in the near future."

SLOVAK PRIME MINISTER ROBERT FICO, in recorded statement on Facebook:

"The presidents launched a vital process in Alaska.

"The coming days will show whether the big players in the Union will support this process... or whether the unsuccessful European strategy of trying to weaken Russia through this conflict with all kinds of literally incredible financial, political or military assistance to Kyiv will continue."

SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER ULF KRISTERSSON:

"I know that many Swedes are concerned about what last night's talks between Putin and Trump could mean," he said in a written comment.

"A bad peace, on Russia's terms, would mean that Russia could threaten more European countries. Therefore, it is extremely important that a united Europe continues to give Ukraine all the support it needs to avoid losing the war."

"The government will now continue to engage in close dialogue with Ukraine, with other European countries and with the United States. The pressure on Russia must continue to achieve a ceasefire and end the war with strong security guarantees for the future."

ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TOIU OANA ON X:

"We remain convinced that, through transatlantic unity and European solidarity, we can rebuild a future in which lasting peace and security form the foundation of prosperity in the region.

Romania will continue to be an active part of this common effort. For peace and economic growth, stability and security in the Black Sea region are essential.

The European Union has a strong role to play, and the involvement of European leaders has already shaped the format of negotiations. However, the various formats of discussion need to be strengthened, as do the frameworks of dialogue on the eastern flank."

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
World leaders are seeing how Donald Trump welcomed Vladimir Putin onto U.S. soil with a literal red carpet and are ridiculing him for it, according to Foreign Policy editor-in-chief and MSNBC contributor Ravi Agrawal.

During a segment on MSNBC Friday, Agrawal and host Katy Tur explained that leaders around the world take note for how Trump lights up and treats Putin when the two are together. That compared to how the president treats democratically elected representatives is more than a little telling.

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That way that he embraces and lights up when he sees Vladimir Putin, [who is] not our ally, who we have a hostile relationship with, is so different, and I think its so hard to understand, Tur said.

If you are any leader anywhere in the world right now, youre looking at this and you see two things, Agrawal said. One is that the rules dont matter. Friendships dont matter, democracy doesnt matter.

Agrawal continued: And America, which stood up for these thingsstood up for the rules-based orderdidnt sign up to the ICC and has a war criminal on its soil, has mistreated democratically elected leaders, but welcomes Vladimir Putin with a robust handshake and a literal red carpet, which you do not see with other leaders in the same way. That symbolism is very important for Putin back home, but also very important for other leaders around the world as they look at what gets valued and what doesnt.

It is not just world leaders giving Trump a hard time for how he treats Putin and their endlessly memeable relationship. The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon took a few shots at the pair and their meeting location in Alaska on Thursday.

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Trumps meeting with Vladimir Putin is almost here, and today, Trump warned that Russia will face severe consequences if Putin doesnt agree to end the war, Fallon said as he teed the bit up. You have severe consequences? Putin responded, Like, what, a second meeting? Forget this.

Fallon continued: Trump is hosting Putin at a U.S. military base because its peak tourist season in Alaska, and the options were limited. This meeting could end a war, and Alaskas like, Oh, sorry, but the Marriott conference room is all tied up with a rotary club salmon retreat. What are you doing?

The post World Leaders Are Ridiculing Trump for Rolling Out Literal Red Carpet for War Criminal Putin, MSNBC Says | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Wheaton, Illinois  It's been more than 80 years since retired U.S. Air Force Col. Arnald Gabriel of Arlington, Virginia, took an enlistment oath to defend his country during World War II, where he saw combat.

The 100-year-old Gabriel, who also served in the U.S. Army, was once the conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band, and under his leadership, it became internationally renowned.

In 1992, one of his biggest fans, Bruce Moss  conductor of the Wheaton Municipal Band in Wheaton, Illinois  invited Gabriel to be a guest conductor.

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"He did not know me," Moss told CBS News. "He did not know the band. But he fell in love with the band over time, and kept coming back."

On a subsequent visit in 2000 or 2001, Moss said he told Gabriel, who was in his 70s at the time, "You look so good, I bet you'll still be conducting at 100."

According to Moss, Gabriel replied, "I fully intend to."

When Moss heard that, he recognized an opportunity too good to pass up. He wrote up a contract that stated Gabriel would commit to conducting the Wheaton Municipal Band on his 100th birthday.

"So I went home, wrote a contract and mailed it to him," Moss said. "... He [Gabriel] said, 'Of course, if I don't make it to 100, this contract's null and void, but don't count on it.'"

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Gabriel's health is declining and he cannot travel anymore. But he was determined to honor his commitment.

"Your word is your bond," Gabriel told CBS News. "If you sign a contract, you have to fulfill it  no question about it."

And that's why, last month, remotely, he struck up the Wheaton Municipal Band one last time. Even at age 100, he kept perfect time. But more importantly, he had kept his word.

"It felt like I was there on stage with them," Gabriel said. "That's the way it felt."

Passenger arrested after allegedly causing disturbance midair and forcing flight to divert

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Trump, Putin speeches did not announce a ceasefire in Ukraine
GRAHAM (KFDX/KJTL)  Young County Commissioners are looking at installing Flock Safety cameras to improve security within Graham and Olney.

According to The Graham Leader, the Young County Sheriffs Office Lieutenant Will Cauthern revealed the plans for the new camera system, along with the financials, in a commissioners court meeting on Monday, August 11.

According to Cauthern, Young County was awarded a $78,400 grant from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority and was matched with $19,600 from Young County.

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These cameras, along with license plate readers, would be installed in cities like Graham or Olney to help identify vehicles for criminal investigations. The Flock cameras have artificial intelligence programming that allows them to identify a vehicle by make, model, color and decals.

Cauthern said that a total of 26 license plate readers and four real-time surveillance cameras would be installed around the county. Each license plate reader costs $600, while real-time surveillance cameras cost $1,000 per unit.

Most of the cameras will be placed in Graham and Olneys city limits. Graham will see the cameras placed at the US-380 Bypass and Elm Street intersection. Olney will have them at the intersection between SH-114 and SH-79.

The remaining cameras and readers will be installed on highways in Newcastle and Loving, as well as at various entry points around Young County.

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The court stated that it will utilize funding from Senate Bill 22, a bill that provides grants to rural enforcement agencies, to cover a portion of the installation costs.

Despite some disagreement among the members, the court voted unanimously to approve the grant for the installation of the cameras, as well as a partnership with the cities of Graham and Olney to set up the cameras there.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A 19-year-old driver was cited after a two-vehicle crash in Darke County on Friday evening.

According to the Darke County Sheriffs Office, the crash happened at the intersection of S.R.185 and Conover Road at approximately 7:45 p.m.

The initial investigation found a 2006 Pontiac Vibe, driven by a 19-year-old man from Versailles, was failed to yield at a stop sign on Conover Road. Officials said he went north into the path of a 2021 Honda Pilot, driven by a 66-year-old woman from Coldwater. The Honda was heading northwest on S.R. 185.

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77-year-old driver hits pole in Darke County, gets cited

The Pontiac crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle, and then went off the road and stopped in a ditch.

The 66-year-old woman was taken by Versailles EMS to Wayne Hospital for suspected minor injuries.

The 19-year-old man was issued a citation for Failure to Yield.

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.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  From a graduation day of young people completing a summer youth employment program built around learning to swim.

Also, a celebration of honoring a community champion of music mogul who was killed. PIX11s Monica Morales always goes back.

More Local News

It was a moment for each graduate to shine. It is a class about lifesaving, but also life-changing. Pure joy and lots of emotion, with her stepmom and dad in the audience. It was a life-changing experience for 21-year-old Jesika Romain from the Red Hook Houses. She graduated from a six-week water training program, gaining significant improvement in both physical and mental strength.

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The program is called the Rising Tide Effect Swim Corps. Jesika is among 96 students graduating from this special swim program.

Kate Krause, founder of the non-profit, says it has grown into more than just a program  its a movement.

Thanks to the Public Housing Community Fund, this is the third year that dozens of NYCHA youth, aged 16 to 24, have been paid to learn how to swim.

Each year at Herbert Von King Park, families, community leaders, and notable figures in music gather in the heart of Bedstuy to remember the beloved musician Hollywood Play, who was killed seven years ago. His mom keeps his memory alive by continuing what her son started at Hollywood Play Day.

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Its a day dedicated to giving. Over 100 backpacks, school supplies, and food items were distributed to children in need from the neighborhood.

Dont forget to watch the Monica Makes It Happen Podcast on YouTube this week. Its the Best of Chase, featuring our interview with CEO and Chairman Jamie Dimon, along with our top housing and job panels.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 16 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with President Donald Trump on Monday in the White House after the U.S. president and Russian President Vladimir Putin didn't reach a deal Friday on a cease-fire.

Trump's stance shifted to an end to the 3 1/2-year-old war that began with Russia's invasion of the sovereign nation. The two leaders and their aides met for 3 1/2 hours in Anchorage, Alaska.

Besides speaking with Zelensky, Trump also briefed European leaders on his trip back to Washington, D.C., telling them Putin is demanding a land swap that includes total control of the Donbas region. Any land changes were not mentioned by the leaders to the media.

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CNN reported Trump told the Europeans he wants a summit among himself, Putin and Zelensky on Friday if talks go well on Monday with Ukraine's leader.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post at 4:46 a.m. Saturday.

Trump confirmed a person-to-person meeting with Zelensky.

"President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon," Trump wrote. "If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved."

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"The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO," he said.

Zelensky earlier posted on X that he will meet with Trump "to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation. It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America."

Zelensky noted he had a "a long and substantive conversation with @POTUS. We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump. Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace."

In a follow-up post on X, Zelenskly said that "following a conversation with President Trump, we further coordinated positions with European leaders. The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions. Killings must stop as soon as possible, the fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the sky, as well as against our port infrastructure. All Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians must be released, and the children abducted by Russia must be returned. Thousands of our people remain in captivity -- they all must be brought home. Pressure on Russia must be maintained while the aggression and occupation continue."

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On Saturday, Putin said in a report by state-run TASS that "the visit was timely and very useful. We discussed practically all tracks of our cooperation, but first of all, of course, we talked about a possible resolution of the Ukrainian crisis on a fair basis."

Zelensky was not invited to the summit with the two leaders.

"We support President Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia," Zelensky wrote. "Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this."

On Friday, Trump said "there's no deal until there's a deal" to end the war in Ukraine that started when Russia invaded the sovereign nation.

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Speaking with reporters on Friday in Alaska, Trump and Putin noted they discussed security during their 3 1/2-hour meeting.

"As I've said, the situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security," Putin said. "I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we have prepared to work on that."

After the summit, the leaders of European nations issued a joint statement noting that "as President Trump said 'there's no deal until there's a deal.' As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks, including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon."

The statement was signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, French President Emmanuel Macron. Italian Prime Minister Giogia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

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Macron said a "coalition of the willing," who are Ukraine's main European allies, will meet Sunday by video conference.

"We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the European leaders wrote. "We welcome President Trump's statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine's pathway to EU and NATO."

Also Saturday, the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight -- Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden -- said in a statement that there should be "no decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine and no decisions on Europe without Europe."

The nations are pushing for a cease-fire and will continue to arm Ukraine "to deter further Russian aggression. As long as Russia continues its killing we will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia's war economy."

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"Experience has shown that Putin cannot be trusted. Ultimately it is Russia's responsibility to end its blatant violations of international law. Russia's aggression and imperialist ambitions are the root causes of this war," the leaders said in the statement.

"We welcome President Trump's statement that the U.S. is prepared to participate in security guarantees. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with other countries. Russia has no veto over Ukraine's pathway to the EU and NATO."

Information from Putin and Trump has been light on details. They spoke to reporters for a total of 12 minutes and took no questions.

They also didn't mention whether Russia or Ukraine will give up land acquired during the war. When asked later by Sean Hannity on Fox News whether they agreed on a land swap, Trump said "those are points that we negotiated and those are points that we largely have agreed on. Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no."

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Trump told the European leaders that Putin insists Ukraine allow Russia to totally control the Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine where intense fighting has taken place since 2022, two sources told The New York Times. In exchange, he would freeze the current front lines elsewhere in Ukraine -- the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia -- and promised not to attack Ukraine again or other European nation.

Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk, which represents 30% of the eastern region. Russia had partially seized the Donbas in 2014 when the the nation annexed the Crimean peninsula and captured key areas of the region in 2022.

European leaders and Zelensky have opposed giving up unoccupied land, which is mineral rich. Ceding sovereign territory is against the Ukrainian Constitution. European officials reportedly told Trump that Putin has previously broken promises.

Trump, who has mentioned a land swap previously, didn't talk about that in his social media post on Saturday but mentioned sanctions.

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"In my conversation with President Putin, I said that sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war," Trump wrote. "Sanctions are an effective tool. Security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term, with the involvement of both Europe and the U.S. All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine's participation, and no issue, particularly territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine."

An European official told CNN they spoke about an "Article-5 type" of security agreement with Ukraine but no involvement from NATO.

Article 5 is a collective defense treaty of the NATO alliance countries if a nation is attacked.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an ally of Putin and supported by Trump, said the "world is a safer place today" after the summit.

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"For years, we have watched the two largest nuclear powers calculate the framework of their cooperation and send messages to each other. It's over with now," Orban wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

In a statement after the meeting, Putin said he is "sincerely interested" in putting an end to the war in Ukraine.

Fighting continues

Even during the summit in Alaska, there was no let-up in fighting in eastern Ukraine as Russia and Ukraine sent drones in each other's territory.

Zelensky posted on X that "based on the political and diplomatic situation around Ukraine, and knowing Russia's treachery, we anticipate that in the coming days the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in order to create more favorable political circumstances for talks with global actors."

Late Friday, Ukraine's military said Russian troops were cleared from several settlements near Pokrovsdk after Russians earlier advanced there.

The military said that "stabilization operations in the Dobropillia direction continue," referring to a town on a significant highway for resupplying Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk, which is surrounded on three sides.

Ukraine's Air Force said Russia fired 85 Shahed drones and one ballistic missile at 12 locations overnight and four people were reported to have died.

The Russian Defense Ministry said 29 Ukrainian drones were shot down into Saturday over regions that included 10 intercepted over the Rostov region.

"We are documenting the movement and preparations of Russian troops. Of course, we will counteract, if necessary, asymmetrically. I asked the Commander-in-Chief to speak with combat commanders. Ukraine needs strong positions and truly tangible resistance to the enemy," Zelensky posted on X.

Summit reaction

The summit was roundly criticized except by U.S. leaders and the Kremlin.

The Kyiv Independent in an editorial said the summit was "Sickening. Shameful. And in the end, useless."

Oleksiy Goncharenko, a member of Ukraine's parliament, posted Friday on Telegram that "it seems that Putin has gained more time. No cease-fire or de-escalation has been agreed upon."

Yaroslav Zheleznyak, also a member of Ukraine's parliament, wrote that "it seems we have witnessed another grand and beautiful American nothingness."

European leaders also reacted negatively.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, in a post on X, accused Putin of "more gaslighting and veiled threats." That was a reference to the Russian leader warning Ukraine and Europe not to "sabotage" progress made at the summit.

Sakaliene called Putin a "war criminal with an addiction of radioactive poisoning of his critics addresses the US President with 'Very good to see you in good health and to see you alive."

"If Putin were serious about negotiating peace, he would not have been attacking Ukraine all day today," she said.

The Kremlin looked at the meeting differently.

"The U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska has definitely been productive," Russia's top economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev said.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday shared a spoof video inspired by the film Laapataa Ladies, reiterating the Congress's "vote theft" allegations against the Election Commission and urging people to join the 'Vote Chori se Azaadi' campaign. Sharing the video on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Chori chori, chupke chupke... ab or nahi, janta jag gayi hai, (Secretly, stealthily... No more now, the public has awakened)." https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1956581954880479716 The video shows a middle-aged man at a police station submitting a theft complaint. When asked by a policeman, "What has been stolen?" the man hesitates before replying, "Vote." The policeman reacts in shock and asks, "How's this possible?" The video ends with the message, "Theft of your vote is theft of your right." The clip is based on a scene in Laapataa Ladies where a husband goes to the police station to report that his wife has been exchanged. This comes after Congress announced the launch of the 'Vote Chori se Azaadi' campaign, asking people to join the movement against alleged "vote theft" by the Election Commission and the BJP. Earlier, the Congress party in a post on X urged people to change their display picture (DP) on social media to support the campaign. "On the occasion of Independence Day, join the campaign for freedom from 'vote theft'. Change your WhatsApp DP," the post said. On August 14, ahead of the Assembly elections in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi also announced the launch of the "Voter Adhikar Yatra" against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He appealed to people to "join this people's movement." "From August 17, with #VoterAdhikarYatra, we are launching a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar," Gandhi said in a post on X. He added, "This is not just an election issue - it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the constitution, and the principle of 'one man, one vote.' We will ensure a clean voter list across the entire country. Youth, workers, farmers - every citizen, rise and join this people's movement. This time, the defeat of vote thieves - the victory of the people, the victory of the constitution." On August 7, Rahul Gandhi had also criticised the Election Commission of India, saying elections are "choreographed". Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency in Karnataka, he alleged the theft of 1,00,250 votes. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed declaration to back up his claims of "vote theft". (ANI)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday reported minor successes by his troops on the eastern front after meeting with Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"We are defending our positions along the entire front line, and for the second day in a row, we have achieved successes in some extremely difficult areas in the Donetsk region," Zelensky wrote in a post in English on X. He cited specifically gains near the towns of Dobropillia and Pokrovsk.

Ukrainian media had already reported the previous day that Russian attacks near Pokrovsk had been repelled and that territory had been recaptured in a counteroffensive. However, these claims could not be independently verified.

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Zelensky also warned of potential Russian counterattacks.

"Based on the political and diplomatic situation around Ukraine, and knowing Russias treachery, we anticipate that in the coming days the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in order to create more favorable political circumstances for talks with global actors," he wrote.

The Ukrainian military is monitoring the movements of Russian troops and is prepared to respond asymmetrically to advances.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed his demand on Saturday for tougher sanctions against Russia if there is no meeting between him and the US and Russian presidents or if Russia tries to evade ending the war.

Zelensky said he told US President Donald Trump in his conversation on Saturday following Trump's Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday that sanctions work.

"Sanctions are an effective tool," Zelensky wrote on X in recounting his conversation with Trump.

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"Sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war."

The Kremlin has said that a trilaterial meeting was not discussed.

Zelensky also called for reliable, long-term security guarantees for Ukraine involving Europe and the United States. He insisted that Kiev must be included in all negotiations concerning Ukraine, particularly on territorial issues.

Currently, Russia controls nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which it illegally annexed in 2014.

In Alaska, Putin and Trump discussed Ukraine without any participation from the country that Russia attacked nearly three and a half years ago.

Zelensky is expected to hold direct talks with the White House chief in Washington on Monday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington on Monday for talks with US President Donald Trump, Zelensky announced on Saturday morning on Telegram following a phone call with Trump.

"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation," Zelensky posted in English on X.

He said he supports the Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," he added.

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Zelensky advocated for the inclusion of European representatives, especially on the issue of security guarantees for his country.

Zelensky and Trump had earlier had a phone conversation lasting about an hour. European leaders were later connected to the conversation, which lasted more than an hour and a half in total.

Trump informed Zelensky and the Europeans about the "main points of their discussion" with Putin, Zelensky said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he will meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington on 18 August.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote: "We had a long and substantive conversation with President Trump. We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump...

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...On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation."

Details: Zelenskyy stated that he had learned about Trump's conversation with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and that "America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation".

He also supported the idea of a trilateral meeting.

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(NewsNation)  No peace deal emerged from the Trump-Putin Alaska Summit Friday, but Ukraine will get its seat at the negotiating table in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X Saturday.

He said he spoke one-on-one with Trump on the phone for an hour, calling the conversation substantive.

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Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace, Zelenskyy said. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situation.

B-2 bomber, fighter jets make cameo at Trump-Putin summit

The Ukrainian president was excluded from the in-person meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on Friday where the two world leaders met to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine.

Trump-Putin Alaska Summit ends in no deal

There is no deal until there is a deal, Trump told reporters at a joint news conference following the talks. We really made some great progress. We had an extremely productive meeting.

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After greeting one another on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a U.S. military installation located roughly equidistant from Moscow and D.C., Trump and Putin met for several hours in what was billed as a summit to address Russias ongoing war in Ukraine.

This was the first time Putin stepped on U.S. soil in nearly 10 years.

American David Barnes fighting for his life in Russian jail: Sister

Putin suggested in English that their next meeting take place in Moscow, prompting Trump to respond that he would get a little heat on that one. Trump said he planned to call NATO officials, European leaders and Zelenskyy to brief them on the meetings outcomes.

Trump proposes three-way meeting with Putin, Zelenskyy

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up, Trump wrote on Truth Social early Saturday morning. President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.

European leaders respond to Alaska Summit

The European Council released a joint statement Saturday on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, United Kingdoms Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission Ursula President von der Leyen.

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Leaders welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russias war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace, the statement said. As President Trump said theres no deal until theres a deal. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.

The group said its ready to meet in a trilateral summit with Ukraine, Russia and the U.S.

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the statement said. We welcome President Trumps statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday he will travel to Washington, D.C. on Monday to meet with President Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy's announcement, which was confirmed by Trump, comes a day after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

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Trump Rates Putin Summit A '10 Out Of 10' And Touts 'Very Good Progress' Toward Peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will meet with President Donald Trump following Trump's summit with Putin in Alaska.

Ukraine's leader said on X that he had a "long and substantive conversation" with Trump following the Putin summit. The talk began one-on-one and later turned into a larger chat with other European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Zelenskyy said Trump told him about the main points of his meeting with Putin, adding that he fully supports Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia and the U.S.

Read On The Fox News App

Trump Reveals 10 Striking Takeaways From Putin Summit In Hannity Interview

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Trump confirmed the upcoming visit in a post on Truth Social early Saturday morning, writing that the phone call with Zelenskyy went "very well."

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump wrote.

He said if Monday's meeting with Zelenskyy also goes well, a meeting will be scheduled with Putin and "potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved."

Though a peace agreement was not decided upon during the meeting on Friday, Trump described it as a successful meeting with "a lot of progress" made. Putin expressed similar sentiments, adding the summit was a "constructive atmosphere of mutual respect."

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"I can tell you, the meeting was a very warm meeting," Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview. "You know, hes a strong guy, hes tough as hell on all of that, but the meeting was a very warm meeting between two very important countries, and its very good when they get along. I think were pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it."

President Donald Trump described the high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday as very productive, but the conditions for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine have not yet been agreed upon.

The high-stakes meeting was the first U.S.-Russia summit since June 2021 , which was under former President Joe Bidens administration and only eight months before Putin invaded Ukraine.

Though Trump and Putin had not met in person in years prior to Friday, they have spoken on the phone numerous times this year to discuss an end to the conflict.

Fox News Digital's Greg Norman contributed to this report.





Original article source: Zelenskyy to meet with Trump in Washington, DC following US-Russia talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday outlined firm conditions for a "real peace" ahead of a high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday.

Zelenskyy posted to X following his call with Trump and then with European leaders, after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska to try and bring about an end to the 3  year war.

"The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions," Zelenskyy wrote.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday outlined firm conditions for a "real peace" ahead of a high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday.

Zelenskyy To Meet With Trump In Washington, Dc Following Us-russia Talks

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"Killings must stop as soon as possible, the fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the sky, as well as against our port infrastructure. All Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians must be released and the children abducted by Russia must be returned."

Zelenskyy wrote that thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity and must all be released, while adding that pressure on Russia must be maintained while the "aggression and occupation continue."

Read On The Fox News App

In a follow-up post, Zelenskyy warned of Russian "treachery" that could lead to attacks in order to gain leverage amid ongoing negotiations.

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"Based on the political and diplomatic situation around Ukraine, and knowing Russias treachery, we anticipate that in the coming days the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in order to create more favorable political circumstances for talks with global actors," he wrote.

Trump Reveals 10 Striking Takeaways From Putin Summit In Hannity Interview

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Trump in the White House on Monday as the three nations try and bring an end to the bloodshed.

Trump wrote on Truth Social following the Putin meeting that he felt a peace agreement, rather than a ceasefire, was ultimately the best way to solve the war. Trump had been calling for a ceasefire ahead of his meeting with Putin.

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"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Trump wrote.

He said if Monday's meeting with Zelenskyy also goes well, a meeting will be scheduled with Putin and "potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved."

Zelenskyys visit will mark his first return to the Oval Office since February, when Trump berated him publicly for being "disrespectful" during a remarkable press briefing, which led to the collapse of a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal.

Though a peace agreement was not decided upon during the meeting on Friday, Trump described it as a successful meeting with "a lot of progress" made. Putin expressed similar sentiments, adding the summit was a "constructive atmosphere of mutual respect."

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After his meeting with Putin, Trump also spoke to European leaders, who said they back Trumps peace push but insist Ukraine must have "ironclad" security guarantees to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The European leaders did not address whether a peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire.

President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) hold a meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders met for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

"It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force," a statement signed by various leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"No limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and NATO."

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During an interview with Fox News before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus going forward might be on Zelenskyy "to get it done," but said there would also be some involvement from European nations.

Fox News Elizabeth Pritchett and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Zelenskyy outlines peace demands before high-stakes White House meeting with Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told his US counterpart Donald Trump that Kyiv rejects a demand put forward by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to cede the still-unoccupied areas of Donetsk Oblast to Russia in exchange for freezing the front in other regions, Reuters has reported.

Source: Reuters, citing sources

Details: According to a source, Trump told Zelenskyy that Putin had offered to "freeze most front lines" in return for Ukraine giving Russia all of Donetsk Oblast.

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"Zelenskyy rejected the demand, the source said," Reuters reported.

Reuters sources also confirmed that European leaders have been invited to take part in the talks between Trump and Zelenskyy on Monday.

Previously: Earlier on Saturday, The New York Times also reported that Zelenskyy and European leaders are strongly opposed to any concession of unoccupied Donbas territory, which also contains key defensive positions and is rich in mineral resources.

Background:

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Ukrainian forces have been advancing in areas near Dobropillia and Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast for the second consecutive day.

Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a statement after hearing a report from General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: Zelenskyy commended units from the First Corps Azov of the National Guard, the 7th Air Assault Corps, the 38th Separate Marine Brigade and the 93rd Separate Mechanised Brigade Kholodnyi Yar.

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Quote from Zelenskyy: "The destruction of the occupiers who tried to infiltrate deeper into our positions continues. Ukraine's prisoner-of-war exchange pool has also been significantly replenished with Russian soldiers."

More details: The president warned that Russian forces may try to increase pressure and launch new strikes on Ukrainian positions in the coming days, seeking to create more favourable political conditions for negotiations with global players.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "We are documenting the movement and preparations of Russian troops. Of course, we will counteract, if necessary, asymmetrically."

Background: On 16 August, the Dnipro Operational Strategic Group of Forces reported that Russian troops had occupied the settlements of Popiv Yar and Ivano-Darivka in Donetsk Oblast.

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will visit President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss "ending the war." President Trump informed me about his meeting with the Russian leader, about the main points of their conversation, he posted on Telegram. We support President Trumps proposal for a trilateral meetingUkraine, America, and Russia.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Janasena Party leader Pawan Kalyan likened the state's governance between 2019 and 2024 to British colonial rule, describing it as "dark days". He said resistance during that time reflected the spirit of India's freedom fighters. According to a Janasena statement, Kalyan also stressed the importance of remembering the sacrifices that brought independence, warning against corruption, religious violence and threats to national security. Deputy Chief Minister remarked, "Just as every individual faces dark days in life, our state too faced such days between 2019 and 2024. The previous rulers governed the state like the British, but we resisted with the spirit of freedom fighters. On August 15, we must all remember the sacrifices that brought us independence. While India chose the path of non-violence, those who sought partition embraced violence, leading to countless tragedies." He recalled how violence based on religion has persisted from Partition to recent times and underlined that secularism is deeply rooted in Indian culture. "Secularism is not something foreign--it is part of our culture, and we will carry it forward," he said, adding that India respects all religions and has elevated leaders like Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to the highest offices, unlike Pakistan which discriminates against minorities. Kalyan cautioned against corruption and terrorism, saying, "Corruption weakens a nation. People must remain watchful to protect democracy. We cannot dismiss incidents like Operation Sindoor in Kashmir as distant matters--terrorists killed people from Andhra Pradesh there. While the government will ensure law and order, safeguarding the nation is the responsibility of every citizen." He pointed to law and order as the foundation for economic growth, citing Uttar Pradesh as an example. "Similarly, Andhra Pradesh needs stable governance for 15 years to attract investments and ensure growth," he said. The Deputy CM also criticised opposition parties, remarking, "When they win, they don't see fraud. But when they lose, they cry foul. This is nothing but a tactic to create internal instability, serving the interests of foreign forces." He warned of illegal activities at Kakinada Port, highlighting the smuggling of diesel which, if unchecked, could extend to weapons and explosives. "With a 974 km long coastline, Andhra Pradesh must strengthen its coastal security to prevent such threats," he said. Outlining new initiatives, Kalyan announced the launch of the Sthree Shakti Scheme, offering free RTC bus travel for women, and the Thalliki Vandanam Scheme, under which Rs 8,745 crore was credited into the accounts of 67.27 lakh mothers. Under the Deepam-2 scheme, one crore LPG cylinders were distributed in two phases, with plans to provide three cylinders per year for the next five years at a cost of Rs 13,423 crore. The release added that Panchayat Raj funding was increased to restore sarpanchs' dignity, and a world record was set by holding 13,326 gram sabhas in a single day. Development projects included 4,000 km of CC roads, 22,500 mini cowsheds, one lakh water ponds, 15,000 tanks, 2,000 km of BT roads, and 14 bridges. To expand forest cover from 30 per cent to 37 per cent, one crore saplings were planted with GIS and QR-code tracking. Specially trained elephants were brought from Karnataka to counter wild elephant threats, while eco-tourism projects worth Rs 1,122 crore are being developed in Araku and urban forest parks. The schemes also benefitted farmers and households. In Andhra Pradesh, 1.5 lakh farmers received Rs 102 crore under PM Kisan, while 2.79 lakh mothers received Rs 13,000 each under Thalliki Vandanam. A total of 187 buses were launched for the Sthree Shakti free travel scheme, and 2.69 lakh beneficiaries received NTR Bharosa pensions every month. Around 7,000 youth found jobs through 107 job fairs, while 506 Jal Jeevan Mission projects worth Rs 497 crore and road repairs worth Rs 27 crore were completed. In his own constituency, Pithapuram, development works worth Rs 308 crore were executed, the release said. (ANI)
During his visit to Washington on Monday 18 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will try to secure explanations from his US counterpart Donald Trump regarding his proposals.

Source: The New York Times with reference to an unnamed official, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The source told the NYT that the Ukrainian side does not understand why Trump abruptly dropped his demand for a ceasefire before any peace negotiations could begin.

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Moreover, Kyiv does not as yet have a clear idea of what security guarantees NATO partners could provide to Ukraine.

Background:

According to Bloomberg, Trump has informed European leaders and Zelenskyy that Putin is still demanding that Ukrainian troops withdraw from the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. In return, Russia will give up its claims to the areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts that it does not currently control, effectively freezing the front line.

As previously reported, Trump has also told the Europeans that Putin wants an immediate "peace deal" and not a ceasefire.

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E.J. Fagan is an associate professor of political science at the University of Illinois Chicago. He is the author of The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics.
The Tieton Dam, about 320 feet tall, on Aug. 5, 2025. It supplies water through a hydroelectric power plant owned by the City of Burbank, California.
Sharing an X post, Bhagwant Mann wrote, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the revolutionary leader who gives a new direction to the country's politics and the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, elder brother @ArvindKejriwal ji. May God always grant you good health and the strength to continue serving the people."

Arvind Kejriwal turned 57 today.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin wished for Kejriwal's good health and success on the occasion.

Staling posted on X, "Warm birthday greetings to @AamAadmiParty National Convenor Thiru. @ArvindKejriwal. Wishing you good health and success in your service to the people. May your leadership continue to strengthen the fight for the rights of common citizens."

Earlier today, AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh also wished Arvind Kejriwal on the occasion and lauded him for his leadership.

"Heartfelt birthday wishes to my friend, brother, and mentor, Arvind Kejriwal ji. May God keep you always healthy, strong, and steadfast...because your presence is not just that of a leader, but the hope of millions of common people. The hope of an educated, capable, and empowered India. Happy Birthday!" Manish Sisodia wrote on X.

Sanjay Singh wrote, "A leader forged in the furnace of struggles. A skilled leader who transforms the politics of caste and religion into the politics of schools and hospitals. A brother who faces every difficult moment with zeal and passion, heartfelt birthday wishes to @ArvindKejriwal ji."

AAP MP Raghav Chadha extended greetings and wrote, "Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Shri Arvind Kejriwal ji. May he be blessed with good health, happiness and a long life ahead."

Born on 16 August 1968 at Village Siwani in Hisar District of Haryana, Arvind Kejriwal became the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi when he was sworn in for the first time on December 28, 2013. (ANI)
The family of the man who was allegedly killed after being hit by speeding vehicle in Delhi's Moti Nagar on Friday stated that the police showed them the purpoted video of the incident and assured to nab the accused who is absconding. The incident took place on Friday when the deceased, indentified as Bikshu Lal (40) was hit by a car while he was standing on his bike at the roadside, police said. Kiran, sister of Bikshu Lal, told ANI, "The policemen showed us a video and said that his bike was parked and the Thar hit the bike with force. They said they would take immediate action and catch the driver soon... My brother has five young children living back in the village." Police said that they were searching for the accused who fled the scene after the accident. Nomi Lal, the brother of Bikshu Lal told ANI that they came to know about the incident on Saturday morning after their calls to know abuout his whereabouts went unanswered. "He left home last night, telling his son that he would be back in 10 minutes... The whole night, his son was calling, and we were looking for his father. In the morning, we found out what had happened. He was hit by a car so badly that his bike was completely destroyed, and he suffered injuries to his chest..." "We want appropriate action to be taken... My brother has five children, and he was the sole breadwinner in the family," he added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday wished everyone on the occasion of Navroz, the Parsi New Year. Sharing an X post, PM Modi wrote, "Warm wishes on the commencement of the Parsi New Year! We are all proud of the enduring contributions of Parsis to our nation. May this year bring happiness, prosperity and good health to all. Navroz Mubarak!" On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings and best wishes to all her fellow citizens on the occasion of the Parsi New Year, Navroz. "On the auspicious occasion of the Parsi New Year Navroz, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially Parsi brothers and sisters," President Murmu said in a post on X. "Navroz symbolises renewal, hope, and prosperity. This important festival of the Parsi community is an occasion to celebrate our rich cultural heritage. The Parsi community's spirit of enterprise and its dedication to public welfare have made invaluable contributions to the progress of our nation. May this special festival bring peace and prosperity to all and inspire every citizen to contribute towards building an inclusive nation," the President said. Parsi New Year, which is also called Navroz or Nowruz, marks the beginning of spring and the renewal of nature. In Persian, 'Nav' means new, and 'Roz' stands for the day; this literally translates to 'new day'. Navroz celebration is believed to date back to the time when Prophet Zarathustra founded Zoroastrianism, one of the earliest known monotheistic religions in the world, in Persia (now Iran). It was one of the most important religions in the ancient world until the emergence of Islam in the seventh century. People from the Parsi community celebrate Navroz in special ways. They decorate their house with flower garlands swinging from the doors. They wear new clothes and visit the Zoroastrian fire temple. (ANI)
Additionally, all Members of Parliament (MPs) from the NDA have been summoned for a Parliamentary Party meeting scheduled for Tuesday, coinciding with the resumption of the Monsoon sessions second phase. Sources reveal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the MPs in the Parliament auditorium, reports further added.
Irfan Pathan shared an interesting revelation about Hardiks IPL journey. Pathan also highlighted his longstanding support for players from Baroda. Hardik Pandyas rise to IPL stardom began during his debut season in 2015.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticised PM Modi for praising the RSS in his I-Day speech, saying it undermines secularism and promotes division over unity.
The US bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, mocked at the time as 'Sewards Folly' Russia colonised Alaska in the 18th century for fur trade; later sold due to economic and military pressure. Gold in the 1880s and oil in 1968 (Prudhoe Bay) revealed Alaskas true economic value.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the severely injured people in the flash flood triggered by a cloud burst in Kishtwar. The Jammu and Kashmir Government will also provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to the people who suffered minor injuries. The government will provide Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged structures, Rs 50,000 for severely damaged structures and Rs 25,000 for partially damaged structures from the CM's Relief Fund. The announcement came after CM Omar Abdullah visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today and met affected families. In a post on X, JK CMO said, "Chief Minister visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today and met affected families. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and damage and said the Government stands firmly with the people in this hour of grief. As a mark of solidarity and immediate succor, Chief Minister announced ex-gratia relief from the CM's Relief Fund: Rs 2 lakh for each deceased. Rs 1 lakh for severely injured, Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged structures. Rs 50,000 for severely damaged structures. Rs 25,000 for partially damaged structures. Instructions were also issued for immediate restoration of the affected infrastructure in the area." https://x.com/CM_JnK/status/1956616463810498899 Earlier in the day, J-K CM met with the families affected by the flash flood due to a cloud burst in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district. CM Abdullah also reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations and received a detailed briefing from Army personnel. He used a Virtual Reality (VR) headset to review the destruction and said immediate relief measures would be taken to support affected families. The cloudburst, which occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggered flash floods and widespread destruction on Thursday, killing at least 60 people. On Friday, Abdullah confirmed the deaths and said that the number of missing people was still being verified. "Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. After the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the Administration could have taken any preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed. The rescue operation by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Administration is underway. Workers of different political parties are also working on the ground," Omar Abdullah told reporters. (ANI)
Governor Santosh Gangwar expressed his sympathies to the family of Jharkhand Minister Ramdas Soren, who passed away Friday after being treated in Delhi for injuries from a recent fall. Speaking to reporters, Gangwar said,"It is very unfortunate. I went to meet him one week ago... My sympathies are with his family at his time." Congress leader Rajesh Thakur also expressed grief over his passing. Calling it an irreparable loss, he said Soren was a straightforward, simple, polite, and honest person who worked sincerely in the field of education. "This is sad news for us and an irreparable loss for the entire state. He was a straightforward, simple, polite, and honest person who worked sincerely in the field of education. He was making efforts to bring about better reforms in education... He suddenly collapsed and then remained in the hospital for a long time, but when the news of his demise came, it was certainly sad news for us," Thakur said. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren confirmed the news on X, writing, "You shouldn't have left like this, Ramdas Da... Final Johar, Dada." Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also conveyed his condolences. In an X post he wrote, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden demise of Shri Ramdas Soren, Jharkhand's Minister of School Education and Literacy. His passing is an irreparable loss to the state. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and pray that God grants them the strength to bear this immense grief." The Minister sustained serious injuries after a fall in the bathroom at his residence on August 2. He was first admitted to a hospital in Jamshedpur before being airlifted to Delhi the same day. He was placed on life support and treated by a multidisciplinary team of senior specialists. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia, on Saturday, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested him to strengthen the border security amid infiltration from Bangladesh. Congress leader Saikia highlighted that recurring "pushback" operations to deport Bangladeshi nationals despite Border Security Force (BSF) deployment suggest that the infiltration is still a "serious challenge". He wrote, "I am writing to bring to your kind attention the recurring 'pushback' operations being undertaken by the Assam Police along the Assam-Bangladesh border since May 2025. The State Government has, on multiple occasions, acknowledged such operations and deportations of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals, which raises critical questions about the efficacy of our border management framework and the current coordination mechanisms." He noted that over 300 individuals have been apprehended during the operations by the Assam Police, but the infiltration continues. "According to official statements, a new strategy of pushback was announced on May 10, 2025, followed by intensive operations from May 23, 2025, where over fifty individuals were apprehended. The subsequent operations on May 31, June 8, June 27, July 6, and August 3 have led to the repatriation of over three hundred individuals. These recurring operations, despite the deployment of the Border Security Force (BSF) across the 267.5 km stretch of the Assam-Bangladesh border, suggest that infiltration continues to be a serious challenge," the Congress leader wrote. Further, he flagged the effectiveness of BSF, the gap between state and central agencies and the diplomatic implications with Bangladesh. He alleged that some individuals have been deported without Foreigners Tribunal processes. Saikia wrote, "This situation raises several concerns. First, the effectiveness of BSF deployment and resource allocation in challenging geographical terrain needs careful assessment. Second, the consistent involvement of the Assam Police in direct pushbacks points to coordination gaps between central and state security agencies. Third, the conduct of state level pushbacks, in some cases reportedly without Foreigners Tribunal processes, may create legal ambiguities and have possible diplomatic implications with Bangladesh." He demanded the Home Ministry's intervention to review the BSF's strategies and deploy border surveillance and detection mechanisms. "In light of these developments, I request the Ministry's intervention to ensure a robust and well-coordinated approach. A comprehensive review of BSF deployment and strategies, an enhanced coordination protocol between BSF and Assam Police, and a focus on technology-based border surveillance and detection mechanisms would greatly strengthen operational effectiveness," the letter read. Further, he requested uniform guidelines and standard operating procedures to align with the national policy. He wrote, "Additionally, proactive diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh to address the root causes of infiltration is essential to maintain bilateral trust. Finally, clear and uniform guidelines regarding jurisdiction and standard operating procedures for handling infiltrators would help align state-level actions with national policy. "Given the seriousness of the matter and its relevance to national security as well as diplomatic dimensions, I respectfully urge you to undertake an immediate review and initiate measures that will ensure effective border management," the letter read. Meanwhile, on Friday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered a stern warning on Independence Day, cautioning the Assamese people about the dangers of remaining silent in the face of demographic changes. Sarma highlighted the threat posed by "unknown people" or infiltrators, who he claims are aggressively taking over land, economic spaces, and cultural institutions in Assam. "Assam can't remain silent. If we remain silent, one day we will have to lose our Jati, Mati, Bheti (Community, Land, Foundation) in our own state. That day is not far away. If Assamese people remain silent today.... If the youths of Assam remain silent and if the Assamese are always willing to compromise, then within just 10 years, we will lose our Community, Land and Foundation. After 15 years, 80 per cent of ministers of the Assam cabinet will be from them, and after two decades, an unknown Chief Minister will hoist this Independence Day flag. This is the future of Assam," said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday urged the Union government to provide at least one bigha of land to families whose homes and farmlands have been washed away in the ongoing monsoon disaster, and to relax provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, to make forest land available for rehabilitation. "In Himachal, 68 per cent of land falls under forests, and the Forest Conservation Act applies there. The state government cannot use even one inch of that land for rehabilitation or to provide to the needy. I appeal to the Centre to relax this law so that land can be made available to disaster-hit families," Sukhu told reporters. The Chief Minister noted that the state has already announced a special package for the Mandi district, the worst affected by floods and landslides. "Certainly, the maximum benefit will go to the Seraj Assembly constituency, which has suffered the most damage. Even if a relative donates land to a family, the state government will pay the registration fee. Many affected families do not want to return to the damaged areas, and for their resettlement, we need the Union government's support," he said. Sukhu recalled that in 2023, the Himachal Assembly had passed a resolution seeking Rs 10,000 crore in special relief aid from the Centre, but alleged that the BJP did not support the move at the time. "Now, a BJP delegation has met central leaders for relief. That is welcome. We too are waiting for a special package release soon," he said, adding that he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who had also sent a scientific team to study the recurring pattern of disasters. On the row over advertisements for Vice-Chancellor posts at Dr YS Parmar Horticulture University (Nauni, Solan) and Agriculture University (Palampur), Sukhu said the matter was misrepresented to the Governor by officials. "Whatever has been done is with Cabinet approval and state legislation. I will meet the Governor to resolve the issue. I respect the Governor and have always worked in line with his advice," he said, but added that "constitutional powers rest with the state legislature, and those directives must be respected." he added. The state Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, while refraining from commenting on the High Court stay on the VC appointment matter, defended his stand. "For the universities, whatever I did was in their interest. The court has stayed it, and I respect that. Whatever has to be done, I will do. I will leave it to the people of Himachal to decide why such steps were taken with Nauni and Palampur universities," he said. Shukla also recalled his recent visit to a disaster-hit region, praising the resilience of local residents. "I appreciate the courage of Himachal residents. I was afraid on that road, but they were driving fearlessly. When I went to distribute relief material, I saw respect in their hearts for one another. That is a big thing about Himachal, something rare in other places," he added. The Deputy Chief Minister, Mukesh Agnihotri, underlined the scale of losses suffered in the state over two consecutive years. "For the last two years, Himachal has faced heavy damage. Last year losses exceeded Rs 10,000 crore, yet we did not get adequate help from the Centre. This year again, huge losses have occurred, especially in the Jal Shakti department, where many water schemes have been washed away. A very large amount is needed to restore them," he said. Agnihotri said the government has revised the relief package announced after last year's disaster. "Earlier we had given Rs 7 lakh for fully damaged houses. Now we have increased support, including compensation for animals lost and land damaged. We have authorised Deputy Commissioners to notify new areas as disaster-affected so they can also be covered under relief," he explained. On the delayed unveiling of the statue of former CM Virbhadra Singh at the historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla, Agnihotri clarified that it was postponed due to adverse weather. "Virbhadra Singh ji was a towering leader who ruled the hearts of people for 50 years. Just as Dr YS Parmar created Himachal, Virbhadra Singh shaped modern Himachal. His statue will be dedicated to the public as soon as the weather improves, with participation of our central leadership," he said. (ANI)
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Saturday announced that its parliamentary meeting will be held on 19 August 2025 at 9:30 AM, according to an official notification. The meeting is scheduled to take place in the G.M.C. Balayogi Auditorium of the Parliament Library Building (PLB), and all NDA members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been requested to attend on time. The notice was issued by Dr Shiv Shakti Nath Bakshi, Office Secretary of the NDA Parliamentary Party. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold its parliamentary board meeting on Sunday, 17 August, at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Sources said discussions were likely to include the NDA's candidate for the Vice-Presidential elections. A senior party source said, "The BJP parliamentary board meeting was scheduled for 17 August 2025 at the BJP office in Delhi. All parliamentary board members attended. There could have been discussions on the NDA's candidate for the post of Vice-President of India." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other parliamentary board members were expected to be present at the meeting. On 6 August, leaders of the ruling NDA had unanimously passed a resolution authorising Prime Minister Modi and BJP chief and Union Minister JP Nadda to finalise the NDA's candidate for the Vice-Presidential election, scheduled for 9 September. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, had resigned from his post on 21 July 2025, citing health reasons. In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu posted on the Vice-President's official X account, he wrote, "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice-President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution." The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the election of the Vice-President of India. If contested, the poll will be held on 9 September from 10 AM to 5 PM at the First Floor of the Parliament House. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday expressed concern about the 50 per cent tariffs announced by the US on India, stating that this will hit the state harder than most states as their exports are deeply tied to the US market. In a post on X, MK Stalin said, "With US tariffs rising from 25% to a possible 50%, Tamil Nadu will be hit harder than most states as our exports are deeply tied to the US market. Lakhs of jobs in textiles, leather, auto, machinery and other sectors are at risk." https://x.com/mkstalin/status/1956621755172491503 CM Stalin further urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a number of measures, such as fixing GST on man-made fibres at 5%, removing duty on cotton imports and extending easy, low-interest loans with a moratorium to overcome this crisis. "I have urged the Hon'ble PM Thiru. Narendra Modi to act swiftly by fixing GST on man-made fibres at 5%, removing duty on cotton imports, extending easy low-interest loans with moratorium, and enhancing export incentives and credit," Stalin said. He extended Tamil Nadu's complete support to the Union Government to tackle the tariff "crisis." "Tamil Nadu will work closely with the Union Government to overcome this trade crisis," he said. President Donald Trump announced sweeping and substantial tariffs on India, one of America's most important trading partners. In addition to a 25% tariff, Trump also announced an additional 25% tariff on India that will go into effect later this month as a repercussion for importing Russian oil and gas. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has slammed the US's move to impose additional tariffs, calling it "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable", and further noted that New Delhi would take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests". Meanwhile, India is actively involved in the discussions on the Bilateral Trade Agreement with the US, which the two sides could not conclude due to the American demand to get comprehensive access to the Indian agriculture and dairy sector. PM Modi has reaffirmed his support to protect farmers, saying that he is "standing tall like a wall against policies which are against farmer interest." "If any policy is against India's farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers, Modi is standing like a wall," PM Modi said. (ANI)
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on its 100-year anniversary during his Independence Day address at Red Fort. RJD's Jha said that the PM should have consulted people "well-versed in history" to understand that the Sangh did not contribute to the Independence struggle. "The issue is that there was an atmosphere of azadi, it was the freedom struggle's anniversary, so where is RSS in all this? Even those writing false history has dismissed them, and I don't know what Prime Minister reads, who writes it for him. When the country was fighting for freedom where was RSS? PM should have asked someone who are well versed in history," Jha told ANI here. Criticising the pitch of self-reliance made by PM Modi during his almost 2 hour long speech, Jha said that PM should first show the 'atmanirbharta' within him rather than telling others. "Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) should be seen in PM himself, but whether the glasses or watch, everywhere there is kalam. It cannot happen that you tell about atmanirbharta to others but for yourself it is away," he said. He further attacked the 'finishing off' of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), which could have helped with the goal of India's self reliance. He further criticised the tonal shift in PM's address since 2014. "What were Public Sector Undertakings (PSU)? It was a step towards self-reliance but you finished them off one by one. I have written on this also, that PM's should listen to his 2014 speech once more, where there was talk of restricting communalism, and yesterday (there was talk of) infiltrators, dogwhistling, he is presenting a distorted history. He is the country's prime minister, this is not an election, there it can be done with the help of Election Commission 'bhains mangalsutra mujra', no objections are raised," Jha said. Comparing PM's address with the iconic first Independent speech on the eve of Independence Day, 'tryst with destiny' by former PM Jawaharlal Nehru, Jha said, "Look at the speech of tryst with destiny, and now this speech, look at the difference. So if their (BJP) biggest leader says such things then other leaders will say the same. God help them all," he added. The Prime Minister, addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, hailed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for completing 100 years of service to the nation, describing it as the "biggest NGO in the world" and praising its century-long contribution to nation-building. "Today, I would like to proudly mention that 100 years ago, an organisation was born - Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 100 years of service to the nation is a proud, golden chapter. With the resolve of 'vyakti nirman se rashtra nirman', with the aim of welfare of Maa Bharati, swayamsevaks dedicated their lives to the welfare of our motherland," PM Modi said. "In a way, RSS is the biggest NGO of the world. It has a history of 100 years of dedication," he added. The PM also made several important announcements across sectors including nuclear energy, GST reforms, Reform Task Force, Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, High-Powered Demography Mission, steps towards energy independence and urged youth to work towards achieving a successful jet fighter engine, which India has to import to meet its needs. Noting that self-reliance in critical minerals is very essential for India, he said the whole world has become very cautious about them and people have started understanding their potential very well. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid tribute at the statue of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Lok Bhawan on his death anniversary. Bowing to his memories, the Chief Minister recalled Vajpayee's towering contribution to Indian politics. On the same occasion, CM Yogi also offered floral tributes to freedom fighter and warrior queen Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi on her birth anniversary. Remembering Vajpayee, the Chief Minister said the former Prime Minister's six-decade-long political journey gave a new direction to Indian politics. He upheld India's core values and ideals, demonstrated the true model of development within the country, and ensured the honour of India and Bhartiyata on the global stage. The Chief Minister added that whether in the ruling party or in the opposition, Atalji always upheld these values and lived them through his effective leadership. He said it is a matter of great pride for Uttar Pradesh that Vajpayee began his political journey from the state. Recalling his electoral legacy, CM Yogi noted that Atalji was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1957 from the Balrampur constituency. Later, he represented Lucknow in Parliament for five consecutive terms, eventually rising to become the Prime Minister of India. He served as a member of the Lok Sabha ten times and as a member of the Rajya Sabha twice. Remembering Atalji is not only an inspiration for the present generation, but also guidance for the generations to come. On his death anniversary, the people of the state bowed to his memory and offered their humble tribute. On the 195th birth anniversary of Veerangana Avanti Bai Lodhi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid a heartfelt tribute, highlighting several government schemes and programmes. He recalled that Avanti Bai Lodhi waged a fierce struggle against tyrannical rule for India's independence and laid down her life for the motherland. Her unmatched courage and supreme sacrifice, he said, remain an inspiration for every Indian. As a mark of respect to her valour and patriotism, the double-engine government has established a new PAC battalion in Badaun, dedicated in her name. The Chief Minister said this battalion is especially dedicated to the daughters of Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister also informed that the state government is moving swiftly on its plan to install a statue of Veerangana Avanti Bai Lodhi. He added that the government has consistently taken significant steps to honour and recognise women's power in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has also honoured the legacy of women warriors by naming key institutions after them. A Central Agricultural University has been established in Jhansi in the name of Rani Lakshmibai, while a Medical College in Banda has been dedicated to Maharani Durgavati. In addition, three new PAC battalions have been raised in the names of Veerangana Uda Devi in Lucknow, Veerangana Jhalkaribai in Gorakhpur, and Veerangana Avanti Bai Lodhi in Badaun. CM Yogi said that, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a program is also underway to construct seven working women's hostels in the state to preserve the memories of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar. These hostels will provide safe shelter to women and encourage them to take up employment while being safe. In the last eight years, more than 2,19,000 recruitments have been made in Uttar Pradesh Police, in which 20 percent of posts have been reserved for women. The Chief Minister also said that the sacrifice and struggle of the great warrior of Bharat Mata will forever remain a source of inspiration, and heartfelt obeisance is offered at her feet. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, BJP State President Bhupendra Singh Patel, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal and others were present. (ANI)
Leaders across party lines in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, remembering him as a statesman who rose above politics and made the hill state his second home. Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla described himself as a follower of Vajpayee, underlining the former Prime Minister's ethical stand in politics. "I am his follower. I believe that he made Himachal Pradesh his home. If politics is kept aside, the whole of Himachal is his follower. In politics, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji had established a rare talent. When his government fell into a minority, he had said that even if it required using a pair of tongs to save the government by indulging in corruption, he would never do so. The government went, but then the people of the country gave him a massive mandate to become Prime Minister. Today, we bow at his feet to pay our respects," Governor Shukla said. Congress leader and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu underlined Vajpayee's ability to rise above partisan lines. "All political parties are here, the Governor, the Pradesh Congress chief, and leaders from other parties. Everyone is paying him homage rising above politics," he said. Vajpayee's stature as a national leader was also highlighted by leaders. CM Sukhu noted that even during the Congress government, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had sent him to represent India at the United Nations Assembly, where he delivered a historic speech. Known for his oratory and clarity, Vajpayee was remembered as a leader deeply attached to Himachal Pradesh. "He first became Prime Minister for 13 days, then for 13 months, and later for a full term. He was respected for his clarity and honesty, and admired as an excellent speaker. His love for Himachal was unmatched. He had his home in Kullu and often stayed amidst the natural beauty of the state, writing poetry which was his passion," Sukhu said. He added that Vajpayee's politics was marked by grace and democratic spirit. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also joined in remembering Vajpayee. Agnihotri said, "Today, the entire nation remembers Atal ji. On such an occasion, we are offering him our floral tributes. He did politics of values. He was regarded as a liberal leader, respected by leaders of all parties. In Himachal Pradesh, his statue has been installed at the historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla. For his contribution to the nation, he was honoured with the Bharat Ratna. The whole country remembers him today." Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's Prime Minister. Vajpayee was the face of the BJP for decades and was the first non-Congress prime minister to have served a full term in office. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI)
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Sunil Jhakar on Saturday wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging action against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia for allegedly attempting to "undermine the election process." "After a video went viral showing AAP leader Manish Sisodia talking about winning the 2027 elections by any means, fair or unfair, we have written this letter to the Election Commission to prevent the Aam Aadmi Party's attempts to undermine the election process," Jhakar said. Referring to Sisodia's purported remarks during a party event in Punjab, Jhakar alleged that the statements indicate misuse of state machinery, voter intimidation, bribery, money power, creating communal divisions, and deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead voters. "On the eve of Independence Day, a day of utmost sanctity, Manish Sisodia, incharge of Aam Aadmi Party Punjab, delivered a speech wherein he openly proclaimed that in order to win the Punjab Assembly elections of 2027, AAP would resort to 'Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed, Sach, Jhoot, Sawal, Jawaab, Ladai, Jhagda.' Such a declaration on the day before Independence Day ridicules the values of peace, freedom and integrity that it represents," Jhakar wrote in his letter to the ECI. Sisodia, while addressing a party event in Punjab on August 15, had said, "To win 2027 elections, Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed, Sach, Jhoot, question, answer, Ladai, Jhagda, whatever we have to do, we will do. Are we ready?" Taking objection to the statement, Jhakar's letter said, "These statements amount to an open admission of intent to adopt corrupt practices, intimidate voters, spread enmity, and disturb public order in the state, thereby threatening the peace, development and prosperity of Punjab." Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi also shared the video clip of Sisodia's statement on X, who claimed that the remarks reflect the "real truth of Aam Aadmi Party." The Punjab BJP chief has requested action against Sisodia under the Representation of People Act, 1951, as well as under Sections 196, 197, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha (BNS). Jhakar added in the letter, "Such conduct amounts to a corrupt practice and calls for disqualification from contesting elections under Section 8 of the RPA Act. They also violate the Constitution of India by undermining the principles of free and fair elections and the democratic rights of citizens guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21." Punjab Assembly elections are expected in 2027, with AAP seeking to retain power in the state after a weak performance in the Delhi elections earlier this year. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav performed Gau Seva at a Gaushala located on the premises of the CM residence in Bhopal on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami on Saturday and extended greetings to the people of the state. Speaking to ANI, CM Yadav said, "I extend my greetings to all the residents of the state on the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. The way lord Krishna lived his life despite various adversities always inspires us and gives us a lesson to maintain a smile on our face in every difficult situation of life. He also motivates us with his act of bravery." The Chief Minister further added that Lord Krishna's life also teaches lessons of karma, wisdom, and patience, always in adherence to dharma. "Lord Krishna has diverse forms, including Govardhan Dhari Krishna, Radha Krishna, Virat Roop Dhari, and Dwarikadheesh, but his role against all oppressors continues to inspire everyone," he said. Additionally, in a post on X, CM Yadav said, "Arrival of Gau Mata on Shri Krishna Janmashtami...Today, my heart is filled with joy with the arrival of Gau Mata as a blessing of Lord Krishna at the CM residence in Bhopal. With the addition of this good fortune of Gau Seva, I prayed to the almighty for the welfare of the people of the state." Janmashtami is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna was born. Lord Krishna's birthday falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. Although the celebration takes place in different parts of the country, Mathura and Vrindavan hold a special significance. One being his birthplace, and one where he spent his childhood and did his baal leela. At midnight, a special ritual is performed when the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed in milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and water. During the Krishna Abhishek, bells are rung, conch shells are blown, and Vedic hymns are performed. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at the Chief Minister's Camp Office. In a social media post on X, the Chief Minister wrote, "At the camp office, tributes were paid on the death anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India, Bharat Ratna, and our inspiration, the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, who gave a new direction to Indian politics with democratic ideals." https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1956620364857172298 Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Dhami stated that the monsoon session of the Uttarakhand Assembly will be held in Bhararisain, and the state government has made all preparations for it. "Our assembly session is about to start... We are prepared for the session. As was already proposed, we have said that the session will be held in Bhararisain, and the government has made complete preparations for it," he said. President Droupadi Murmu also paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at his memorial. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President JP Nadda, Rajya Sabha Deputy Speaker Harivansh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and other senior leaders also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remembered the former prime minister's lifelong efforts to build a strong and prosperous India. In a post on X, Singh wrote, "I pay homage to Atalji on his punyatithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution." Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 'Sadaiv Atal' and reflected on his life and ideals, saying they continue to guide India's journey towards progress. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Paid homage to Atal Ji at 'Sadaiv Atal.' His life was about unwavering service to the nation. His thoughts and ideals continue to guide India's journey towards progress." Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's prime minister. Vajpayee was the face of the BJP for decades and was the first non-Congress prime minister to have served a full term in office. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced that it will hold a press conference in the national capital on Sunday, August 17. "The Election Commission of India shall be holding a Press Conference at 3:00 PM tomorrow, i.e. Sunday, August 17, 2025, at National Media Centre, Raisina Road, New Delhi," the ECI stated. This will be the first press conference conducted by the constitutional body following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. According to the announcement, only journalists and still or TV camerapersons accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) will be permitted entry to the venue. The press conference comes ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's planned 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' before the Bihar assembly elections, which he is undertaking in protest against the SIR exercise. Gandhi has urged people to "join this people's movement." This will also be the first press conference since opposition leaders raised allegations of "vote theft" during the SIR exercise in Bihar and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi in a press conference on August 1 had levelled serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of direct involvement in large-scale voter fraud with the Congress having "open-and-shut proof" of the alleged theft. Talking to reporters on the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, the Congress leader alleged that the motive behind the voter fraud was to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rahul Gandhi said, "Votes are being stolen. We have open-and-shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in this vote theft. And I'm not saying this lightly, I'm speaking with 100% proof. And when we release it (proof), the entire country will come to know that the Election Commission is enabling vote theft. And who are they doing it for? They're doing it for the BJP. The Lok Sabha LoP later on August 7 held a press conference in which he presented Congress' research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 1,00,250 votes. He launched a scathing attack on the BJP and the Election Commission and said that "collusion" happened between the poll body and the BJP, which resulted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi securing his third term. He also slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) and alleged that the elections are "choreographed". Later, doubling down on his 'vote theft' claim, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that times would change and punishment would surely be meted out to those who were involved in the "scam". (ANI)
Senior leaders and dignitaries gathered in Chennai on Saturday to pay their last respects to Nagaland Governor La Ganesan, who passed away on Friday evening. Tributes poured in from across the country, with Union ministers, state leaders, and representatives from Nagaland recalling his remarkable public life and contributions to politics, literature, and governance. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, speaking on behalf of the Government of India, described Ganesan as a close friend and dedicated leader. La Ganesan passed away at 6:23 pm on August 15 at Apollo Hospital in Chennai. Nagaland has declared seven days of state mourning from August 16 to 22. "Nagaland Governor La Ganesan is no longer among us; we have come to express our condolences on behalf of the Government of India. We have expressed our condolences; he was our good friend. He made a significant contribution to building the party in Tamil Nadu... He was a remarkable personality; I pray to God for the peace of his soul...," Meghwal said. Union Minister L Murugan highlighted Ganesan's journey from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to becoming the Governor of Nagaland, noting his decades of service to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Tamil society. "Today we lost our senior leader and the Governor of Nagaland... He started as an RSS cadre and later served as the BJP Organisation General Secretary and the BJP State President, working tirelessly for the party's growth and well-being across the state. Apart from that, he was a well-known Tamil scholar...It's a very big loss for Tamil Nadu and the BJP as well as for the people of Nagaland," Murugan said. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who flew to Chennai to attend the funeral rites, expressed the deep respect the Naga people had for the late Governor. "We have reached this place to pay our respects and homage to our governor, Shri La. Ganesan...We Nagas have high respect for him...May his soul rest in peace," Rio said. Born in 1945 in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, La Ganesan's association with the RSS predated his schooling. He joined the BJP in 1991 to help broaden the party's base in Tamil Nadu, serving as Organising Secretary, National Secretary, All India Vice President, and State President. When he was appointed as the Joint State Organiser of Tamil Nadu RSS, he was asked to serve in the BJP to broaden the base of the party in 1991. He served in the positions of Organising Secretary of the State BJP, National Secretary, All India Vice President and was appointed as State President of Tamil Nadu. He was also a Rajya Sabha member representing the Bhopal constituency for 18 months. Ganesan was appointed Governor of Manipur from August 27, 2021, to February 19, 2023, and also held additional charge as Governor of West Bengal between July 18, 2022, and November 17, 2022. He took the oath as Governor of Nagaland on February 20, 2023. (ANI)
Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday paid tribute to former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder patron Shibu Soren at his residence in Ramgarh, Jharkhand. Shibu Soren passed away on August 4 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi after a prolonged illness. At the residence of Shibu Soren to pay respects, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "He is no longer amongst us. I pay tribute to him on my behalf, on behalf of the government, and on behalf of my party." The mortal remains of Shibu Soren were taken for the last rites on August 5 at his native village, Nimra, in Ramgarh district. His political career spanned over four decades, during which he served as Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times and held key portfolios, including Union Coal Minister in the UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh. The mortal remains of the veteran tribal leader were brought out of his residence in Ranchi on August 5 and taken to the State Assembly for public homage. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren accompanied the mortal remains of his father in the hearse van en route to the Assembly. Earlier, CM Hemant Soren penned an emotional note on X, stating that he had lost not only his father but a pillar of Jharkhand's soul. "I am going through the toughest days of my life. Not only has the shadow of a father been taken from me, but a pillar of Jharkhand's soul has departed. I didn't just call him 'Baba', he was my guide, the root of my thoughts, and that forest-like shade that protected thousands and lakhs of Jharkhandis from the scorching sun and injustice," the post read. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien also arrived in Ranchi on August 5 to pay tribute to Soren. Addressing Soren as 'Guruji', O'Brien said he was truly a legend. He also conveyed condolences on behalf of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the party. Several leaders across party lines have expressed grief over his demise, remembering him for his contributions to the tribal community and Indian politics. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute and bid farewell to Soren on August 5. In a post on X, Congress said, "The revered Dishom Guruji, who dedicated his entire life to the rights of the tribal community, will continue to inspire us all." (ANI)
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal was also present during the meeting, it said.

The state assembly session will be held from August 19 to August 22.

Earlier today, speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Dhami stated that the monsoon session of the Uttarakhand Assembly will be held in Bhararisain.

"Our assembly session is about to start... We are prepared for the session. As was already proposed, we have said that the session will be held in Bhararisain, and the government has made complete preparations for it," he said.

Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary.

In a social media post on X, the Chief Minister wrote, "At the camp office, tributes were paid on the death anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India, Bharat Ratna, and our inspiration, the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, who gave a new direction to Indian politics with democratic ideals."

https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1956620364857172298

The Chief Minister also extended wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of Janmashtami. Remembering Lord Krishna on his birth anniversary, he called him the "symbol of truth, righteousness, and justice".

"Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the people of the state on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, the birth celebration of Lord Shri Krishna, the symbol of truth, righteousness, and justice. I pray to Lord Shri Krishna for the happy, healthy, and auspicious life of you all," CM Dhami wrote on X. (ANI)
On the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday visited Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, offered prayers, and urged devotees from India and abroad to follow Lord Krishna's path of Dharma while working for society and the nation's welfare. He also highlighted the need to preserve Sanatan heritage alongside modern development and emphasised his government's achievements. Arriving at Krishna Janmabhoomi around 11:50 am, CM Yogi offered prayers to Thakur Keshavdev and Mata Yogmaya, followed by a pooja at the Lord Krishna Chabutra inside the sanctum sanctorum. After visiting Bhagwat Bhawan, he addressed the devotees, chanting 'Vrindavan Bihari Lal ki Jai' and 'Jai Shri Radhe', as the premises reverberated with devotional echoes. Extending greetings on the 5252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the Chief Minister said that Braj Bhoomi is the land of Lord Vishnu's complete incarnation as Lord Krishna and his divine 'Leelas'. He added that it is the good fortune of Uttar Pradesh that several incarnations of the Lord have sanctified this land. From Ayodhya to Mathura, he noted, these places stand as enduring symbols of India's spiritual heritage. Moreover, the Chief Minister said that for the past eight years, he has had the privilege of participating in Janmashtami celebrations and Barsana's Rangotsav. He added that his government is committed to restoring the glory of Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Baldev, Govardhan, and Radha Kund, and developing them as global pilgrimage destinations. Reiterating the commitment of the 'double-engine government' under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the Chief Minister said efforts are being made to ensure modern development while preserving spiritual heritage and providing better facilities for devotees. Citing the Kashi Vishwanath Dham and the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he noted that Uttar Pradesh is setting a new paradigm by blending timeless traditions with state-of-the-art development. In his address, CM Yogi stressed the importance of cow protection, describing 'Gaumata' as a symbol of Sanatan Dharma. He said his government is ensuring the care of destitute cattle and providing Rs 1,500 per month to farmers who rear cows, with over 1.6 million cows currently being protected. Urging people to guard against divisive tendencies of caste, region, or language, he called for honouring soldiers at the borders and fostering social unity. He added that as long as the flag of Sanatan Dharma guides the world, the values of universal brotherhood, peace, and harmony will endure. CM Yogi also referred to PM Modi's 'Panch Pran,' which includes eradicating the remnants of slavery, adopting Swadeshi as a way of life, preserving heritage, honouring soldiers, and fostering social unity. Highlighting projects like the Kashi Vishwanath Dham and the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he said they have revived India's spiritual and cultural legacy. He also noted that the corridor at Vindhyavasini Dham is now attracting large numbers of devotees. The Chief Minister praised the Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad for driving the development of the Braj region under the guidance of public representatives, saying it is "our duty to link this 5,000-year-old heritage with modern progress". Addressing devotees, he also urged them to remain vigilant against negative forces that seek to weaken the country. Lastly, CM Yogi emphasised the need to respect the symbols of Sanatan Dharma, including rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, Gaumata, Gayatri, and sacred pilgrimage sites, saying they are integral to the nation's identity and their preservation is the citizens' shared responsibility. Concluding his address, CM Yogi extended Janmashtami greetings once again and raised slogans of 'Shri Keshav Dev Maharaj ki Jai,' 'Shri Krishna Kanhaiya ki Jai,' 'Shri Radha Rani ki Jai,' 'Shri Yamuna Maiya ki Jai,' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai.' (ANI)
A 24-year-old delivery worker was stabbed to death in southwest Delhi's Vikaspuri area late Friday night following a drunken quarrel over a money dispute, police said. The deceased, identified as Ashish Verma, a resident of Bhudella village, was attacked around 12:20 am by two neighbours during an altercation. His father, Ramsurat Verma, informed the police immediately after the stabbing. Ashish was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. According to the medico-legal case (MLC), Ashish sustained a deep incised stab wound on the left side of his chest. His body has been preserved in the mortuary for a post-mortem. A crime team also inspected the scene. Police said the attack was carried out by Bhajan Lal (32) and Rakesh (30), residents of Deepak Vihar, Nilothi Extension. Ashish's mother alleged in her statement that the accused, who were drinking, stabbed her son during a heated argument over a financial dispute. Both accused have since been apprehended. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and further investigation is underway, officials confirmed. Earlier, the Delhi Police Control Room (PCR) received a call from Shivam Sharma at 10:53 PM on Tuesday, alleging that there was firing near the Taj enclave, Geeta Colony, by three persons, and informed the Delhi Police to ANI on Wednesday. "Shivam Sharma, a resident of Old Arjun Nagar, Jagat Puri, has alleged that Sheetal and her husband, Sonu, residents of Kundan Nagar, Delhi, have borrowed money and are not returning," informed the Delhi Police. At around 10:30 PM on Tuesday, Shivam and his friend Jatin Nagpal approached the Taj Enclave to discuss the borrowed money matter with Sheetal and Sonu. However, they had some heated arguments near Jagatpuri Red Light. Shadab, Harshu, and Raman, alleged associates of Sheetal and Sonu, arrived near Taj Enclave, and a scuffle ensued amongst Shadab, Harshu, Raman and Shivam. Allegedly, Shadab fired two rounds at Shivam, but Shivam saved himself and reported the matter to the police. The complainant, Shivam Sharma, is also found to be previously involved in a case under Section 307 IPC, attempt to murder. Delhi Police said that appropriate action is being taken in the matter. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will kickstart his 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram district of Bihar on August 17, protesting alleged "vote theft" and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel stated that during this campaign, Rahul Gandhi will travel 1300 kilometres in the state. He added that on the first day of the campaign, Rahul Gandhi will travel from Sasaram to Patna. "Tomorrow, Rahul Gandhi is travelling from Sasaram to Patna. This journey will last 17 days, during which he will walk 1300 kilometres. This Voter Adhikar Yatra is a journey against vote theft. This is a fight against people who are forming government after doing vote chori..." Baghel stated. On August 14, Rahul Gandhi had announced the launch of Voter Adhikar Yatra against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called on people to "join this people's movement." The Congress MP took to X to make this announcement, and wrote, "From August 17, with #VoterAdhikarYatra, we are launching a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar. This is not just an election issue - it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the constitution, and the principle of 'one man, one vote.' We will ensure a clean voter list across the entire country. Youth, workers, farmers - every citizen, rise and join this people's movement. This time, the defeat of vote thieves - the victory of the people, the victory of the constitution." The announcement comes amid ongoing protests by the INDIA bloc leaders against the alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a spoof video inspired by the film Laapataa Ladies, reiterating the Congress's "vote theft" allegations against the Election Commission and urging people to join the 'Vote Chori se Azaadi' campaign. Sharing the video on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Chori chori, chupke chupke... ab or nahi, janta jag gayi hai, (Secretly, stealthily... No more now, the public has awakened)." The video shows a middle-aged man at a police station submitting a theft complaint. When asked by a policeman, "What has been stolen?" the man hesitates before replying, "Vote." The policeman reacts in shock and asks, "How's this possible?" The video ends with the message, "Theft of your vote is theft of your right." The clip is based on a scene in Laapataa Ladies where a husband goes to the police station to report that his wife has been exchanged. On August 7, Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Election Commission of India, saying elections are "choreographed". Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency in Karnataka, he alleged the theft of 1,00,250 votes. The Election Commission has repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed declaration to back up his claims of "vote theft". (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Saturday hit out at Congress for raising objections over NCERT's introduction of a new module on the partition, and said that the "Rahul-Jinnah" party was upset about the truth coming out. Attacking the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Bhatia claimed that Rahul Gandhi and Mohammad Ali Jinnah have become synonymous with each other. Jinnah's poisonous thinking of appeasement and communalism can be seen in Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, he added. "NCERT has made some changes in the textbooks, and the truth of partition has been added. The 'Rahul-Jinnah' party is very upset with the truth coming out. Rahul Gandhi and Mohammad Ali Jinnah have the same thinking. They have become synonymous with each other. India was partitioned on the basis of religion, and Jinnah's poisonous thinking of appeasement can be seen in Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party today," Bhatia said while addressing a press conference. He accused the Congress of advocating for reservations on the basis of religion and wishing for Sharia law to be implemented. "The Congress party also says that reservations should be based on religion, which Jinnah also said. The Congress party also says that Sharia law should be implemented in the country. The coming generations should know the truth of partition," Bhatia said. His reaction comes after Congress leader Pawan Khera strongly criticised NCERT's newly released module on partition, alleging it has sought to distort history and erase the RSS' "villainous role" during the events of Partition. He further alleged that the reason for partition was the collaboration between the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League. "Set this book on fire if it doesn't contain all of this. This is the reality. The partition happened due to the collaboration between the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League. If there is any greatest villain in history, it is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)," Khera said in a press conference. He accused the RSS of working as "informants" during that period. "Generations will not forgive the role they played. They spent 25 years of that time acting as informants. And in that espionage, they collaborated further--with the Muslim League, with Jinnah. Advani himself went to Jinnah's tomb, to bow down, to express gratitude," Khera added. The Congress leader said the material being taught through NCERT is being politically interfered with. The NCERT's introduction of a new module that blames Congress, Jinnah and Louis Mountbatten for the partition has sparked a major political controversy. The module argues that Congress leadership in the past "accepted the plans of Partition" and "underestimated Jinnah" while failing to anticipate the long-term horrors that followed. (ANI)
The airline assured that all passengers and crew on board were safe.

According to an official statement from IndiGo, during the manoeuvre, the tail of the aircraft touched the runway at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Despite the occurrence, the aircraft later made a safe landing on a subsequent approach.

"On August 16, 2025, an IndiGo Airbus A321 aircraft tail touched the runway while executing a low-altitude go-around due to unfavourable weather conditions in Mumbai. Thereafter, the aircraft carried out another approach and landed safely," the statement reads.

Following the standard protocol, the aircraft will go through necessary checks/ repairs and regulatory clearance before resuming operations, the statement further said.

IndiGo emphasised that safety remains its top priority, stating, "At IndiGo, the safety of our customers, crew, and aircraft is our top priority. We are making all efforts to minimise any subsequent impact on our operations due to this incident." (ANI)
Shenzhou-20 astronauts complete third series of extravehicular activities

Xinhua) 09:49, August 16, 2025

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Aug. 15, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronaut Chen Dong performing extravehicular activities outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).(Xinhua/Li Yanchen)

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The astronaut trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie -- worked for approximately six-and-a-half hours and completed all related tasks at 10:47 p.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a ground control team.

Chen Dong and Wang Jie, tasked with conducting spacewalk operations, completed the installation of debris protection devices and auxiliary extravehicular facilities, as well as the inspection and maintenance of external equipment, according to the CMSA.

To date, Chen Dong has completed six rounds of extravehicular activities, meaning he has conducted the most spacewalk tasks of any Chinese astronaut.

The Shenzhou-20 astronauts have now completed half of their spaceflight journey. The crew is currently making steady progress in various space science experiments.

Next, they will focus on research and technology tests in key areas such as the space life sciences, microgravity fundamental physics, space materials science, space medicine and advanced aerospace technologies, the agency said.

This video snapshot captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Aug. 15, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong (L) and Wang Jie performing extravehicular activities outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).(Xinhua/Yin Jiajie)

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Aug. 15, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong (L) and Wang Jie preparing to leave China's orbiting space station for extravehicular activities. The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).(Xinhua/Li Yanchen)

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Aug. 15, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronaut Chen Dong performing extravehicular activities outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).(Xinhua/Li Yanchen)

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Aug. 15, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronaut Chen Dong performing extravehicular activities outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).(Xinhua/Li Yanchen)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
LONDON  People with highly sensitive personalities are more likely to experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, according to the first-ever systematic review and meta-analysis on the subject.

The study, published by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Surrey, analyzed 33 studies examining the link between sensitivity and common mental health conditions. Results showed a significant positive relationship, suggesting that highly sensitive individuals are more prone to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia, and avoidant personality disorder.

Sensitivity, defined as a personality trait reflecting the capacity to perceive and process environmental stimuliincluding bright lights, subtle changes, and others' moodshas often been overlooked in mental health research, which typically focuses on neuroticism.

"This is the most extensive systematic review on sensitivity and mental health in adolescents and adults to date, and is the first meta-analysis on the topic to estimate the impact of this relationship," said Tom Falkenstein, psychotherapist and PhD student at Queen Mary University of London. "Our findings suggest that sensitivity should be considered more in clinical practice, which could improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes."

Researchers note that understanding a patient's sensitivity can influence therapeutic approaches. Techniques such as applied relaxation and mindfulness may be particularly beneficial, helping prevent relapse and enhancing responsiveness to treatment.

Michael Pluess, Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Surrey, added that highly sensitive people are also more responsive to positive experiences, including psychological treatment. "Our results provide further evidence that sensitive people are more affected by both negative and positive experiences and that the quality of their environment is particularly important for their well-being," Pluess said.

Around 31% of the general population are considered highly sensitive. The study highlights the importance of raising awareness among mental health professionals, allowing clinicians to tailor interventions to individual sensitivity levels.

The research team also included Luke Satori (King's College London), Margherita Malanchini (Queen Mary University of London), and Kristin Hadfield (Trinity College Dublin). The full systematic review and meta-analysis will be publicly available starting Aug. 16.
Ahead of the 'Voter Adhikaar Yatra' against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar and alleged "vote theft," Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday said the yatra aims to raise awareness among voters, particularly those whose names have been excluded from the electoral list. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP) Yadav described the yatra as a "historical journey" and expressed confidence that the Mahagathbandhan will receive the "blessings" of the people of Bihar. "We are starting the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram tomorrow. Tomorrow, we will all be with the Mahagathbandhan allies. We will visit several districts, and our effort will be to make people aware so that no voter's name is left out. We also have fought for this and got a relief from the Supreme Court in this matter, whether it is the Supreme Court direction to the Election Commission of India to publish the list of 65 lakh persons excluded or deleted from the Bihar draft electoral voters list, along with the reasons," Yadav said. The RJD leader stated that Rahul Gandhi and other Mahagathbandhan leaders will spread awareness about voter rights and address local issues during the yatra. They will also outline the alliance's vision for Bihar if they form the government. He said, "Tomorrow, Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the Mahagathbandhan will go between the people and make them aware about voter rights. Along with this, we will also raise the local issues. We will also convey what our vision would be if we form our government. This is going to be a historical journey, and we will get the blessings of the Bihar voters." Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Indian Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib accused the BJP of "stealing votes" and said the yatra is crucial to protect the Constitution. "This yatra will be very important for the entire country and to protect the constitution. Our constitution gives the greatest power to the people, which is to vote. PM Modi and the BJP tried to steal that same vote. There is no bigger crime than this. Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, exposed them with evidence... We will not allow this theft to happen again..." Chib told ANI. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will kickstart his 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram district of Bihar on August 17 against the alleged "vote theft" and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi shared a spoof video inspired by the film Laapataa Ladies, reiterating Congress's "vote theft" allegations against the Election Commission and urging people to join the 'Vote Chori se Azaadi' campaign. Sharing the video on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Chori chori, chupke chupke... ab or nahi, janta jag gayi hai, (Secretly, stealthily... No more now, the public has awakened)." The video shows a middle-aged man at a police station submitting a theft complaint. When asked by a policeman, "What has been stolen?" the man hesitates before replying, "Vote." The policeman reacts in shock and asks, "How's this possible?" The video ends with the message, "Theft of your vote is theft of your right." The clip is based on a scene in Laapataa Ladies where a husband goes to the police station to report that his wife has been exchanged. On August 7, Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Election Commission of India, saying elections are "choreographed". Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency in Karnataka, he alleged the theft of 1,00,250 votes. The Election Commission has repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed declaration to back up his claims of "vote theft". (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reached Ramgarh on Saturday and paid tribute to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who passed away at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi on August 4, after a prolonged illness. Speaking to the reporters, Reddy announced that they will be constructing the Shibu Soren Bhawan in Hyderabad with funds from the Telangana government in memory of the JMM stalwart. "...In memory of Shibu Soren, we will construct the Shibu Soren Bhawan in Hyderabad with funds from the Telangana government." "Considering Birsa Munda as his ideal, Shibu Soren worked hard throughout his life for the people of Jharkhand. He formed the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party and fought for 26 years to form a separate state. After 2000, four crore people of Telangana gained confidence that they could also achieve a separate state. During the Telangana movement, he visited Telangana and provided assistance where the people needed it. All the Congress family will stand with his (Soren's) family," he also mentioned. Meanwhile, Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday paid tribute to Shibu Soren at his residence in Ramgarh. Rajnath Singh said, "He is no longer amongst us. I pay tribute to him on my behalf, on behalf of the government, and on behalf of my party." The mortal remains of Shibu Soren were taken for the last rites on August 5 at his native village, Nimra, in Ramgarh district. His political career spanned over four decades, during which he served as Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times and held key portfolios, including Union Coal Minister in the UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh. The mortal remains of the veteran tribal leader were brought out of his residence in Ranchi on August 5 and taken to the State Assembly for public homage. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren accompanied the mortal remains of his father in the hearse van en route to the Assembly. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday lashed out at the BJP, saying the party has no love for Dharmasthala but was only interested in exploiting the issue for political gains. "The BJP did not say a word when the 'maskman' lodged a complaint, but now they are trying to play politics over it. They think that Hinduism is their private property and they need Dharmasthala only for political gains," he said while speaking to reporters at his Sadashiva Nagar residence. When asked about the BJP's visit to Dharmasthala, he said, "Why did the BJP not say anything when the masked man lodged a complaint. Why did they not say anything when we formed the SIT? We are interested in protecting the honour of Dharmasthala; we don't want politics. The culprits must be punished." Moreover, when asked about the demand for narco analysis for the maskman, Shivakumar said, "The demand is not wrong. But why is the BJP talking like this after welcoming the formation of the SIT? The Investigative officials will decide where to dig; we won't interfere in the investigation." When the reporters asked about BJP leaders welcoming his statement on conspiracy in the Dharmasthala case, he said, "I said it from my personal experience. But I do not want to interfere in the investigation. Our leaders raised their voice in favour of Dharmasthala much earlier than the BJP leaders. Our CM will not let injustice in this case. The law will take its own course. Action will be taken against the culprits." When asked if the digging of identified points would stop, he said, "We will not interfere in the investigation, and I don't know the investigating officials. The Home Minister is handling this." On the passing away of Sri Chandrashekara Swamiji of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mutt, he said, "He was a very senior seer and he has been doing a yeoman service. May his soul rest in peace." On the seer supporting DK Shivakumar for the CM's post, he said, "He had blessed me, I have great respect for him." (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Saturday defended the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)'s decision to introduce a special module on Partition Horrors Day for students from classes 6 to 12, saying younger generations have the right to learn about the devastation caused during Partition. "The partition that happened and the horror it ensued after it was completely true. There is a lot of discussion about the way we got independence on the 15th, but not about the horror that happened during the partition," Hussain said while speaking to ANI in Delhi. He questioned the role of the Congress leadership at the time, asking why the party accepted the terms. "The British did the partition. But why did the Congress accept it?... Accepting the partition is like burning the country. Many people died, and many houses were destroyed," he said. Hussain added that the module was not an attempt to rewrite history but to ensure schoolchildren understand the human cost of Partition. "Children have the right to know how terrible it was. Everyone talks about independence, but no one took responsibility for the partition. Now, when NCERT is including this subject, Congress leaders are talking about burning it," he stated. The reaction comes after Congress leader Pawan Khera's remarks on NCERT's release of a special study module on Partition Horrors Day for classes 6 to 12, asking the opposition party to clarify its position on the subject. "Set this book on fire if it doesn't contain all of this. This is the reality. The Partition happened due to the collaboration between the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League. If there is any greatest villain in history, it is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)," Khera said in a press conference. Meanwhile, Union Minister Sanjay Seth on Saturday joined the political debate over NCERT's special module on Partition Horrors Day, asserting that students have the right to know about one of the most painful chapters in India's history. "Does the next generation not have a right to know the partition history?.. Tell him (Pawan Khera) to read history, who is responsible," Seth said in Ranchi while responding to the Congress leader's criticism of the move. The controversy has erupted after NCERT's new special modules on the Partition of India have placed significant responsibility on the Congress leadership for the division of the country, saying they "accepted the plans of Partition" and "underestimated Jinnah" while failing to anticipate the long-term horrors that followed. Two modules, one for the middle stage and another for the secondary stage, were released this August to mark Partition Remembrance Day. (ANI)
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday announced a grant of Rs 88.50 crore for cow shelters across the state, reiterating the government's commitment to the welfare and protection of cattle. Addressing a gathering in Kurukshetra, the CM highlighted the rise in budgetary support for gaushalas since 2014. "In 2014, the budget of cow shelters in Haryana was only Rs 2 crores. But today I am happy that I am giving a grant of Rs 1.80 crore for fodder to 19 cow shelters of Kurukshetra district, and today itself, an amount of Rs 88.50 crore will go to all the cow shelters in Haryana..." Saini said. Saini further noted that over the last decade, "the state government has allocated Rs 270 crore for fodder to registered cow shelters. With the latest grant, the cumulative amount has reached Rs 358.50 crore." "Our government is committed to providing fodder for the mother cow and for her safety and protection," the CM added. Earlier in the day, CM Saini distributed Rs 76 crore to 2,020 families under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (DAYALU) in Chandigarh. "Today's event has been organised to provide relief to the people affected by the death of a family member. There is a Mukhyamantri Dayalu Yojana. Under the Pandit Deen Dayal Yojana, financial assistance is provided to them. Under this, financial assistance of Rs 76 crore has been sent today to the accounts of 2,020 families," the Chief Minister said while addressing the press conference. He added that before today, a total of Rs 1,380 had been distributed under the DAYALU scheme. CM Saini said, "Before today, 36,351 families have been given a financial assistance of Rs 1,380 crore since the scheme began on April 1, 2023. Last month, I disbursed Rs 118 crore. Under this scheme, a family member earning Rs 1,80,000 annually, if they die or face a disability, financial assistance up to Rs 5 lakh is provided to them." According to Haryana Parivar Suraksha Nyas' website, financial assistance is provided on the death or permanent disability of a member of a family above the age of 6 years and up to the age of 60 years, having an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh. The scheme provides assistance based on the age of the individual at the time of death or permanent disability. Under this scheme, the assistance offered is Rs 1 lakh above 6 years and up to 12 years, Rs 2 lakh above 12 years and up to 18 years, Rs 3 lakh above 18 years and up to 25 years, Rs 5 lakh above 25 years and up to 45 years and financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh is given above the age of 45 and up to 60 years. Nayab Singh Saini also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate six road projects for Delhi NCR and Haryana, worth Rs 11,000 crore, on August 17. (ANI)
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji on Saturday demanded the Bharat Ratna for former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, fondly known as Guruji. Speaking to ANI, Maji termed the late Shibu Soren as the greatest tribal leader. She also expressed grief over the death of Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren. "Jharkhand has suffered a great shock. People still haven't recovered from the shock of Guruji (Shibu Soren)'s passing... The departure of such a legendary figure was such a great shock that we hadn't even recovered from it when our party's activist, people's leader Ramdas Soren, passed away, which is very tragic. Today is a very sad day for us," she said. "I feel that there is no tribal leader greater than Guruji. We demand the Bharat Ratna for him. We are all demanding from the PM that our Guruji should get the Bharat Ratna. And whatever he did for the people of Jharkhand, today that love is being seen; after his death, the people are understanding what he did for us. His name will be written in golden letters in the history of India," Maji added. Ramdas Soren, who was undergoing treatment in Delhi after sustaining serious injuries in a fall earlier this month, passed away on Friday. The Minister sustained serious injuries after a fall in the bathroom at his residence on August 2. Soren was first admitted to a hospital in Jamshedpur before being airlifted to Delhi the same day. He was placed on life support and treated by a multidisciplinary team of senior specialists. Earlier today, Mahua Maji said the sudden death of Jharkhand Education Minister is a big shock for his family, the party, and the entire state. Speaking to ANI, Mahua Maji said, "His passing away at a time when he had just become a Minister is a big shock for his family, JMM's family and the state... His wife told us that he was completely healthy yesterday. He roared in the House that day, too. Looking at him, it didn't seem like such a big thing would happen to him in just a day... His passing away is a big shock for the state." The mortal remains of Ramdas Soren were brought to the state Assembly on Saturday for leaders and legislators to pay their last respects. Meanwhile, Shibu Soren passed away on August 4 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi after a prolonged illness. (ANI)
After the cancellation of the trailer launch event of filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri's 'The Bengal Files' as it faced disruptions in Kolkata, West Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari accused the state government of attempting to suppress voices highlighting the events of the Partition era. Adhikari alleged that the state police act as "extremists" and are "gunda police". "I am thankful to Vivek Agnihotri that he brought out the truth...The police here are 'gunda' police; they lathi-charge the mothers and sisters of the medical college...There is no difference between the police and extremists...," Adhikari said while speaking to ANI. Linking Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's observance of Khela Hobe Diwas to the communal violence of 1946, he alleged, "On this day, 10,000 Hindus were murdered in West Bengal, the Muslim League celebrated it as 'Direct Action Day'. Today, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is celebrating it as 'Khela Hobe Diwas'. This is a Muslim League 2 government." The controversy comes after the trailer launch of The Bengal Files -- a film depicting Direct Action Day, the Noakhali riots and communal violence in Bengal during the 1940s -- was interrupted at a city event on Saturday. Actor Pallavi Joshi, present at the launch, said, "I absolutely did not like the way my film (trailer) was stopped. Is there freedom of expression in this state? Such a thing did not happen even in Kashmir." Director Vivek Agnihotri alleged political pressure behind the disruptions. "Please bear with us..I mean, all this happened with the permissions and approvals, and now, at the last minute, they are saying that we cannot play (the trailer)...It seems there are two constitutions in India...one Indian constitution and one special constitution that runs here," he said. Earlier, Agnihotri said the cancellation of planned theatre launches was also due to political interference. "If a trailer about Direct Action Day, Hindu genocide, Murshidabad riots is to be launched, it should be in Kolkata... but why are efforts being made to suppress our voice?" he said. Featuring Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar and Pallavi Joshi, The Bengal Files is scheduled for release on September 5. (ANI)
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the event aims to explore the potential of cruise tourism in India and discuss policy initiatives, best practices and strategies for growth.

The conference will feature presentations, panel discussions and addresses by dignitaries from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and other stakeholders.

Key topics to be discussed include strategic vision and policy perspective for cruise tourism development, policy and regulatory levers for growth, cultural and coastal itineraries, cruise terminal best practices, smart terminal operations and green port strategies.

The event will also showcase the achievements and reforms in tourism and ferries through a presentation by NAVIC Cell 4. It is a specialised cell established by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) to focus on tourism, specifically ocean, river and lighthouse tourism, as well as ferries. Its vision is to make India a global hub for cruise tourism by developing functional and sustainable ocean and river cruise circuits.

A keynote address will be delivered by Vijay Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), who is the Nodal Officer of NAVIC Cell 4.

IWAI is a leading organisation under the Government of India that focuses on developing inland water transport in the country. The Authority has made significant strides in promoting river cruise tourism and developing efficient water transport systems with a focus on sustainable infrastructure, tech-enabled operations and regulatory reforms.

During the half-day event, a panel discussion will also be held featuring industry experts, including Vikas Narwal, IAS, MD, IPA; AK Bansal, Chief Engineer, IWAI; Opesh Sharma, Director (Cruise), MoPSW, Representative from Antara Cruises/Heritage River Journeys Private Limited; Vikas Malviya, Director, Nordic Cruiseline Private Limited and other river cruise operators.

The conference will conclude with a presentation on India Maritime Week 2025. IMW 2025, scheduled for October, aims to showcase advancements, opportunities and collaborations in the maritime sector, driving domestic growth and international cooperation. (ANI)
Continuing the war against drugs "Yudh Nashian Virudh" waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 168th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 301 locations on Saturday leading to the arrest of 38 drug smugglers after registration of 28 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached 25,909 in 168 days, said an official release. The raids have resulted in the recovery of 620 grams of heroin and 1612 intoxicant tablets/capsules from the possession of arrested drug smugglers. The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state. Notably, CM Bhagwant Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab a drug-free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs. Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 100 Police teams, comprising over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of 70 gazetted officers, have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 316 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added. The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy-- Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)-- to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of 'De-addiction' has convinced 33 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today. Earlier on Thursday, in a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive against organised crime launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) arrested two most-wanted operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang from Patiala-Ambala Highway near village Shambhu and recovered an Austrian-made 9mm Glock pistol along with six live cartridges from their possession. (ANI)
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah "felt bad" after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his Independence Day address. The Union Minister remarked that appreciation of a "patriotic organisation like RSS" always unsettled the Congress and its allies. Speaking to the mediapersons, Joshi said, "If a patriotic organisation like RSS is appreciated, then Siddaramaiah will naturally feel bad because they have their vote bank and the Muslim League, all those people will feel bad." Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, in his speech on the 79th Independence Day from the Red Fort, hailed the RSS for completing 100 years of service to the nation, describing it as the "biggest NGO in the world" and praising its century-long contribution to nation-building. Furthermore, Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Sampark Pramukh of the RSS, Pradeep Joshi, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was proud to be a member of the RSS. He also urged the opposition parties to understand the Sangh instead of criticising it. Speaking to ANI about the organisation's role, Joshi said, "Prime Minister Modi is proud that he is a member of the RSS... The opposition should also try to understand the RSS... Even prominent former leaders of the opposition have praised the RSS many times, be it Jawaharlal Nehru, Motilal Nehru, Indira Gandhi... RSS is an organisation that works with discipline for the welfare of the nation... They have this information, but do not have the courage to say it." Earlier in the day, RSS leader Ram Madhav had categorically asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are part of the same ideological family, and there is no friction between the two, as both organisations work in their respective fields of politics and social service. When asked about certain doubts over possible "friction" between the two organisations in an interview with ANI, the RSS leader dismissed any such speculation and reiterated that the two organisations are united in regards to ideology and working for the development of the country, with BJP working in politics, and RSS working outside it for social service to the nation. Meanwhile, Congress and other opposition parties are criticising PM Modi for mentioning the 100-year-old Sangh in his address. Congress leaders have called the mention of the organisation an "insult to the Constitution and tricolour. (ANI)
Harry Hamlin is celebrating one year of sobriety.

Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna have been married since 1997

The 73-year-old actor - who is married to reality TV star Lisa Rinna - has revealed that he hasn't drunk any alcohol since 2024.

Speaking on the Lets Not Talk About the Husband podcast, Harry shared: "Todays one year. It wasnt that big of a deal, but I decided to not use alcohol again."

Harry has actually lost "a considerable amount of weight" since he quit drinking and started intermittent fasting.

The actor - who has been married to Lisa since 1997 - suggested that he's actually been happier and healthier since he stopped drinking.

He said: "It was not difficult for me at all.

"Im very happy [not drinking]. I was always tempted to have a glass of wine in the evening, have some liquor to go to sleep."

Harry has quit drinking before, including a four-year spell of sobriety in the 2010s, and he even joined Alcoholics Anonymous at one point in time.

The actor thinks he really benefited from his experience with Alcoholics Anonymous.

He said: "Everybody should do the programme. One of the greatest gifts that I ever got was doing that for that four-year period."

Harry's two brothers were both alcoholics, and so he's always been very conscious of his own drinking habits.

He reflected: "It is what it is. Its not that big a deal in my life, by the way. For a lot of people, stopping drinking is a huge deal. For me, its something Im happy about doing."

Meanwhile, Harry previously revealed that respect and support have been key to his marriage to Lisa.

He told Us Weekly: "If we could bottle and sell it, that would be good. I dont think anybody knows. It comes down to listening and being respectful and supportive. Lisa is Lisa, and that in and of itself is kind of a challenge, which is why I dont follow [her] on social media."

Lisa also believes that they have complementary personalities.

The 62-year-old star said: "In our case, opposites attract. And were good at allowing the other person to be who they are and do what they want."
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday visited disaster-affected areas in Mandi to check on the well-being of residents and distributed relief material and funds sent by the public. During his visit, Thakur provided Rs 25,000 each to 18 affected families of Devol, Shillibagi, Jainshala, Shivthana, and Bhatkidhar villages. He targeted the Himachal Pradesh government's neglect of disaster-affected people, saying the government aims to console those who have lost everything by providing them with Rs 2,500 and Rs 5. "What kind of humanity is this? Ministers come here and, instead of giving immediate relief, they register an FIR and go away. The government cannot have a more insensitive face than this," said the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. Thakur said that the state government announced a grant of Rs 7 lakh to the disaster-affected people and then remained silent. Of the seven lakhs, Rs 4.5 lakh is given directly by the centre. People's houses have become completely dilapidated and are not fit to go inside, but no report of damage to those houses is being filed, he said and asked, "What does the government want? Should those who survived the tragedy become victims of the government's failure? I only request the Chief Minister to please not lie to the disaster-affected people." Thakur celebrated Independence Day with students by hoisting the flag at Saraswati Vidya Mandir in Mandi on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day. During this, he paid tribute to countless heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence and remembered their contributions. He also appealed to the students, saying that their next goal is to develop and make India prosperous, and for this, there must be a collective effort. Self-reliance is complete independence. "This decade, this century belongs to India, belongs to Indians. It belongs to India and the products manufactured by Indians," he said, adding that the country's hope and desire is from the youth, and it is they who have to fulfil it. Jairam Thakur noted that while governments across the country often announce major schemes, facilities, and the opening of national and regional institutions on days of national importance, the state government in the state is taking a different approach. "Instead of giving new things to the people, this government works on the policy of how to snatch, hang on to and mislead what is already available. The latest case is also the result of this narrow thinking of the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister believes in complicating the state instead of giving something better to the state," he added. Regarding the incident that occurred during the Independence Day program in Solan, Thakur stated that they had informed the government from the outset that the future would be very challenging. "The way you grabbed power on the basis of false guarantees, stole the mandate and then clearly reneged on your guarantees. The people of the state will not leave you, and it will become difficult for the government to move around among the people. The most surprising thing is that not only the common people are troubled by this government," the BJP leader said. "The government has not spared even the big personalities. The government should relinquish its dictatorship and prioritise public interest. The people of the state are not going to leave the government just because it reneged on its guarantees," Thakur added. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will kick off the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram in Bihar on August 17, aiming to raise awareness about voter rights and protest against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The 16-day yatra will cover a distance of 1,300 kilometres, with scheduled breaks of one day each on three occasions (August 20, 25 and 31). Rahul Gandhi will be accompanied by Mahagathbandhan leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav and representatives from Left parties. The journey will be conducted in a hybrid mode, following the footsteps of Rahul Gandhi's earlier Bharat Jodo Yatras, with the first being on foot and the second in a hybrid format. The yatra will culminate on September 1 at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna with a large rally attended by key INDIA alliance leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Lalu Prasad Yadav, marking the formal launch of the Bihar assembly election campaign. The rally will mark a show of strength by the INDIA alliance and serve as the grand announcement of their Bihar assembly election campaign. It is noteworthy that Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi has been vocal about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, and the INDIA bloc parties have repeatedly protested in Parliament over the issue during the monsoon session. While the opposition has demanded discussion in Parliament, the government maintains that election matters fall under a constitutional and independent institution, beyond parliamentary debate. During the Voter Adhikar Yatra, Rahul Gandhi is expected to highlight the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which led to the deletion of 65 lakh voter names, and also raise concerns over alleged voter manipulation in Karnataka. To strengthen the party's organisational structure, Rahul Gandhi appointed Krishna Alavaru as the in-charge for Bihar and replaced upper-caste state president Akhilesh Prasad Singh with Dalit MLA Rajesh Ram. Congress has also convened its screening committee in Patna to finalise candidates for the elections. In the previous Bihar assembly polls, Congress contested 70 seats, winning 19. Due to a low strike rate, the Mahagathbandhan alliance was unable to form the government, a point highlighted by the RJD. For the upcoming elections, Congress plans to contest 70 seats, while RJD is reportedly reluctant to allocate more than 50 seats. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday urged the people of Theog to lead the fight against drug abuse with the same determination that earned them the top position in cleanliness, a release said. He underscored his vision of a Nasha Mukt state and assured that he would extend his support by joining even the smallest of programs against drugs. On the occasion of Theog Day, the Governor also released a song against drug abuse prepared by Shyam and honoured individuals for their outstanding contribution to society. He congratulated Theog for securing the first position in the state in the Swachh Survekshan 2025 in the category of towns with a population below 20,000, surpassing Shimla, which had held the position for many years. He lauded the consistent progress of Theog in education, health, agriculture, horticulture, and tourism, highlighting the spirit of patriotism and service among its youth, a release said. Addressing the gathering on the occasion of Theog Day, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla extended best wishes to the people of Theog. He paid tribute to the region's glorious history, rich cultural heritage, and the contribution of its people, noting that Theog is renowned not only for its natural beauty but also for the hard work, courage, and values of its citizens. According to the release, the Governor paid homage to the members of the Praja Mandal movement. Shukla said that this Amrit Kaal calls for meaningful contributions from every citizen, while emphasising the importance of adopting swadeshi in all walks of life. "It was only through our indigenous BrahMos missile that India compelled Pakistan to bow down, and today nations across the world seek to acquire it," he remarked. Earlier, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, MLA, welcomed the Governor and recalled the Praja Mandal movement that compelled the ruler to hand over power to the people, leading to the tradition of celebrating Theog Day. He also highlighted various developmental initiatives in the region and appreciated the Governor's anti-drug campaign. Anil Grover, Chairman, Nagar Parishad Theog, detailed the historical importance of the celebration, while Neetu Mehta, Vice Chairperson, proposed a vote of thanks. A colourful cultural programme, with Choltu Dance as the main attraction, was also presented by local artists. Vice Chairman, State Forest Corporation, Kehar Singh Khachi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Divyanshu, Additional Superintendent of Police Ratan Negi, SDM Theog Shashank Gupta, and other prominent people were also present on the occasion, a release said. (ANI)
Jammu and Kashmir Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma on Saturday said rescue and relief operations following the flash flood in Kishtwar have made significant progress. "On the first day, only the injured were evacuated and sent to the hospital. On the second day, the challenge was to rescue stranded travellers and clear the debris. To a large extent, we succeeded in this," Sharma said. He added that weather and road conditions were clear on the third day, allowing rescue operations to proceed more smoothly. "The entire operation was under the command of the army, and all companies of NDRF, CISF, SDRF, and BRO assisted them. Since morning, six bodies have been recovered... Today's relief and rescue operation went very well... In the next two days, a Bailey bridge will be set up here," he said. Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed that 55 bodies have been recovered so far, with many people still missing. "Till now, 55 bodies have been retrieved. We have lost many precious lives, and many people are still missing...We have got information about the recovery of a body near the Dul Hasti dam site," Abdullah said. He said the priorities remain rescue and saving lives, followed by relief and rehabilitation. "In these difficult times, we are with those affected," he added. Additional security forces and disaster teams, including CISF, CRPF, SDRF, and BRO, are engaged in ongoing rescue operations. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has committed to providing land for affected families to rebuild homes, according to officials. CM Abdullah also announced ex-gratia payments from the CM's Relief Fund to victims and affected families, including Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to the severely injured, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. Financial assistance will also be provided for damages to houses ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the severity of the damage. The extensive rescue operation aims to evacuate stranded travellers and clear debris caused by the cloudburst-triggered flash flood that struck on August 14 in the Chosoti area of Kishtwar district. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], August 16 (ANI) Slamming the Congress for calling to set the NCERT's new module on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day "on fire," the BJP leaders on Saturday said the two-nation theory was "implemented by Congress and Muhammad Ali Jinnah," and the students have the right to know the "truth" about the most painful chapter in India's history. The module was released by NCERT to mark 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' (August 14). It holds Jinnah, the Congress, and then Viceroy Lord Mountbatten responsible for India's partition. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the Partition was not just a result of communal demands but also a compromise overseen by the Congress leadership at the time. "I want to ask Congress...Who had the power to stop this at the last moment?... Everyone knows the two-nation theory, which was implemented by Congress and Muhammad Ali Jinnah," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said. He linked the debate to contemporary politics, alleging that Congress continues to push a divisive approach. "Congress still talks about Muslim first and the partition of India...," he said. His statement came after Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera on Saturday strongly criticised NCERT's newly released module titled 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.' Alleging that the government is "distorting" history, Khera said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was the "greatest villain." "Set this book (module) on fire if it doesn't contain all of this. This is the reality. The Partition happened due to the collaboration between the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League. If there is any greatest villain in history, it is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)," Khera said in a press conference. He accused the RSS of working as "informants" for 25 years. "Generations will not forgive the role they played. They spent 25 years of that time acting as informants. And in that espionage, they collaborated further--with the Muslim League, with Jinnah. (veteran BJP leader L K) Advani himself went to Jinnah's tomb, to bow down, to express gratitude," Khera added. "That's why, the way they are interfering in institutions and distorting history--we are not the ones to sit quietly. Can they erase these pages of history? The ones from 1938, 1940, 1942?" he added. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also hit out at Congress for raising objections over NCERT's new module on the partition, and said that the "Rahul-Jinnah" party was upset about the truth coming out. Bhatia said Jinnah's poisonous thinking of appeasement and communalism can be seen in Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. "NCERT has made some changes in the textbooks, and the truth of partition has been added. The 'Rahul-Jinnah' party is very upset with the truth coming out. Rahul Gandhi and Mohammad Ali Jinnah have the same thinking. They have become synonymous with each other. India was partitioned on the basis of religion, and Jinnah's poisonous thinking of appeasement can be seen in Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party today," Bhatia said while addressing a press conference. He further accused the Congress of advocating for reservations on the basis of religion and wishing for Sharia law to be implemented. "The Congress party also says that reservations should be based on religion, which Jinnah also said. The Congress party also says that Sharia law should be implemented in the country. The coming generations should know the truth of partition," Bhatia said. BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also defended the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)'s module and questioned the role of the Congress leadership at the time, asking why the party accepted the partition. "The partition that happened, and the horror it ensued, was completely true. There is a lot of discussion about the way we got independence on the 15th (August), but not about the horror that happened during the partition," Hussain said while speaking to ANI. "The British did the partition. But why did the Congress accept it?... Accepting the partition is like burning the country. Many people died, and many houses were destroyed," he said. Hussain added that the module was not an attempt to rewrite history but to ensure schoolchildren understand the human cost of Partition. "Children have the right to know how terrible it was. Everyone talks about independence, but no one took responsibility for the partition. Now, when NCERT is including this subject, Congress leaders are talking about burning it," he stated. BJP leader and Union Minister Sanjay Seth also asserted that students have the right to know about one of the most painful chapters in India's history. "Does the next generation not have a right to know the partition history?.. Tell him (Pawan Khera) to read history, who is responsible," Seth said in Ranchi while responding to the Congress leader's criticism of the move. The controversy has erupted after NCERT's new special module on the Partition of India have placed significant responsibility on the Congress leadership for the division of the country, saying they "accepted the plans of Partition" and "underestimated Jinnah" while failing to anticipate the long-term horrors that followed. "The Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan were by no means inevitable," the module states. Instead, they argue, three actors shaped the division, "Jinnah, who demanded it; the Congress, which accepted it; and Mountbatten, who formalised and implemented it." The secondary stage module notes, "None of the Indian leaders had experience in running national or even provincial administration, the army, police, etc. Hence, they had no idea of the massive problems that would naturally arise... Otherwise, such haste would not have been made." The module describe Partition as an "unprecedented human tragedy, with no parallel in world history." The module documented mass killings, the displacement of nearly 1.5 crore people, large-scale sexual violence, and trains of refugees arriving "filled only with corpses, having been slaughtered en route." One section notes, "Some horrors began even before Partition was finalised... The horrific events in Noakhali and Calcutta (1946), and Rawalpindi, Thoha, and Beval (March 1947) stand as chilling examples." The module highlights that the Muslim League's Direct Action Day in August 1946, accompanied by violence, was a turning point. It cites Jinnah's warning, "Either a divided India or a destroyed India," as pressure that led Congress leaders Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru and Sardar Patel to concede finally. "The Congress initially accepted that proposal. Then it backed out. Jinnah became angry and declared 'Direct Action Day' (16 August 1946).He said that they would also use violence to press their demand for Pakistan. As a result, in just two or three days of that 'Direct Action',6000 people were killed in Calcutta alone," the module said. The module also links Partition directly to enduring challenges, including the Kashmir conflict, communal politics, and external pressures on India's foreign policy. "Pakistan has waged three wars to annexe Kashmir and, after losing them, adopted a policy of exporting jihadist terrorism... All this is a consequence of Partition," it states. Even Jinnah, the module notes, later admitted he had not expected Partition to materialise in his lifetime: "I never thought it would happen. I had never expected to see Pakistan in my lifetime." The section also emphasises Mountbatten's role in advancing the transfer of power from June 1948 to August 1947, calling the haste "a great act of carelessness" that left millions unaware which country they belonged to even after Independence Day. The modules conclude by framing Partition as a warning for future generations: "Shortsightedness in rulers can become a national catastrophe. Giving concessions to violence to gain peace results in whetting the appetite of violence-prone groups." It emphasises that recalling the "Horrors of Partition" is crucial only if India draws lessons, rejecting communal politics and ensuring leadership that prioritises national welfare over personal or party interests. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in the Janmashtami programme at the Reserve Police Line in Lucknow on Saturday and said that the teachings of Lord Krishna are a part of the fundamental duties of the Constitution. Addressing the event, CM Yogi said, "I heartily congratulate on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. The teachings of Lord Shri Krishna are a part of the fundamental duties of the Constitution, which Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar added to the Constitution. On the one hand, their teachings serve as inspiration for selfless work among the country's citizens, and on the other hand, they greatly inspire police personnel." "We should take inspiration from the life of Lord Krishna to maintain peace and harmony in society...The birth of Lord Shri Krishna was accompanied by the proclamation 'for the protection of the virtuous and the destruction of the wicked'...," he added. Meanwhile, on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, CM Yogi on Saturday visited Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, offered prayers, and urged devotees from India and abroad to follow Lord Krishna's path of Dharma while working for society and the nation's welfare. He also highlighted the need to preserve Sanatan heritage alongside modern development and emphasised his government's achievements. Arriving at Krishna Janmabhoomi around 11:50 am, CM Yogi offered prayers to Thakur Keshavdev and Mata Yogmaya, followed by a pooja at the Lord Krishna Chabutra inside the sanctum sanctorum. After visiting Bhagwat Bhawan, he addressed the devotees, chanting 'Vrindavan Bihari Lal ki Jai' and 'Jai Shri Radhe', as the premises reverberated with devotional echoes. Extending greetings on the 5252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the Chief Minister said that Braj Bhoomi is the land of Lord Vishnu's complete incarnation as Lord Krishna and his divine 'Leelas'. He added that it is the good fortune of Uttar Pradesh that several incarnations of the Lord have sanctified this land. From Ayodhya to Mathura, he noted, these places stand as enduring symbols of India's spiritual heritage. Moreover, the Chief Minister said that for the past eight years, he has had the privilege of participating in Janmashtami celebrations and Barsana's Rangotsav. He added that his government is committed to restoring the glory of Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Baldev, Govardhan, and Radha Kund, and developing them as global pilgrimage destinations. (ANI)
Rescue and relief operations continue in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir following a devastating flash flood triggered by a cloudburst on August 14 during the Machail Mata Yatra pilgrimage. The Indian Army is leading ground operations, supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), police and local administration. A senior SDRF official on Saturday said teams have been engaged in rescue operations since August 14. The official highlighted the joint efforts of the SDRF, NDRF, and local NGOs working together. "We have been carrying out the rescue operation since 14th August. SDRF, NDRF and teams of local NGOs are collectively working on the operation...Today, we recovered seven bodies," the official said. Amid ongoing rescue, Assistant Engineer S S Modhak from the BRO explained the road clearance challenges in the flood-affected region. "We are clearing the roads. The boulders are being removed by using specialised machines...This is a very challenging operation," Modhak said. These updates come amid coordinated rescue efforts led by the Indian Army, with assistance from NDRF, CISF, SDRF, BRO, police, and local administration. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Leader of Opposition and Kishtwar MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma provided a detailed update on the multi-agency rescue efforts. He said on the first day, the injured were evacuated and sent to hospitals, while the second day focused on rescuing stranded travellers and clearing debris. "To a large extent, we succeeded in this," Sharma said. He added that with better weather and road conditions on Saturday, operations have progressed more efficiently. "The entire operation was under the command of the army, assisted by all companies of NDRF, CISF, SDRF, and BRO. Since morning, six bodies have been recovered... Today's relief and rescue operation went very well... In the next two days, a Bailey bridge will be set up here." Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the affected areas and confirmed the recovery of 55 bodies so far, with many people still missing. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia relief from the CM's Relief Fund: Rs 2 lakh for each deceased, Rs 1 lakh for severely injured, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. The government will also provide Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged structures, Rs 50,000 for severely damaged, and Rs 25,000 for partially damaged houses. Abdullah said instructions have been issued for the immediate restoration of affected infrastructure and assured that the government stands firmly with the people during this hour of grief. (ANI)
Congress MLA BR Patil on Saturday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his speech on the 79th Independence Day, and said that the PM was making these statements to please the RSS and cling to power. Patil further criticised RSS for not contributing to the freedom struggle and not hoisting the national flag at their headquarters for 50 years. "They have no contribution to the freedom struggle. For 50 years, they did not even hoist the national flag at their office. So, they have no right to say anything about the country and democracy. To make RSS happy, PM Modi is doing this because some people there are also angry with him. Owing to his party's policy, he will have to leave the PM chair after he turns 75. He is saying all this to make RSS happy so that he can hold on to his chair," Patil told ANI. Earlier in the day, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at PM Modi for praising the RSS in his Independence Day address, calling it a "great insult" to India's freedom struggle. Highlighting that RSS never participated in the freedom struggle, Owaisi said that the "cultural organisation" hated freedom fighters more than the Britishers since they used to remain in their "shadows". He argued that RSS has always opposed "inclusive nationalism." "Prime Minister praising the RSS in his Independence Day speech is a great insult to our freedom struggle because the RSS never participated in the freedom struggle. They used to remain in the shadows of the Britishers. RSS hated the freedom fighters more than the British, including Gandhi. RSS has always opposed inclusive nationalism, which was the basis that freedom fighters fought for the country's independence," Owaisi said while addressing a presser here. Owaisi further attacked the RSS, saying its Hindutva ideology was against the Constitution. He said it was "wrong" for the Prime Minister to praise an organisation that spreads "hatred" in the country. It comes after Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, in his Red Fort address on the 79th Independence Day yesterday, hailed the RSS for completing 100 years of service to the nation, describing it as the "biggest NGO in the world" and praising its century-long contribution to nation-building. "Today, I would like to proudly mention that 100 years ago, an organisation was born - Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 100 years of service to the nation is a proud, golden chapter. With the resolve of 'vyakti nirman se rashtra nirman', with the aim of welfare of Maa Bharati, swayamsevaks dedicated their lives to the welfare of our motherland...In a way, RSS is the biggest NGO of the world. It has a history of 100 years of dedication," PM Modi said. (ANI)
On the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini released a fodder grant of Rs 1.80 crore for 19 gaushalas in Kurukshetra district on Saturday. The Chief Minister said that the state government will release a total of Rs 88.50 crore as fodder subsidy for 605 gaushalas across Haryana. While addressing the gathering during the programme at Gita Gyan Sansthan, Kurukshetra, the Chief Minister extended his greetings on the holy festival of Krishna Janmashtami. During the programme, he also released a research publication on the Gita and Ayurveda. Earlier, he visited Sri Krishna Kripa Gaushala, where he offered prayers by feeding jaggery and fodder to cows, and performed rituals at Sri Krishna Kripa Temple. He said that over the past ten and a half years, the government has provided fodder subsidies worth Rs 270 crore to registered gaushalas. With the current release, the total subsidy amount has now reached Rs 358.50 crore. He said that in 2014-15, the budget for Haryana Gau Seva Aayog was only Rs 2 crore. In contrast, the present government has raised it to Rs. 595 crore this year. Until 2014, Haryana had only 215 registered gaushalas with about 1.75 lakh cattle. Currently, 686 registered gaushalas are housing nearly 4 lakh stray cattle. Solar power plants have been installed in 330 gaushalas, and the work to set them up in the remaining gaushalas will soon be completed. The Chief Minister said that the process of purchasing 800 e-rickshaws for gaushalas is underway. Electricity is being provided to gaushalas at a concessional rate of Rs 2 per unit. Veterinary services have been arranged for regular health check-ups of cattle, along with mobile veterinary clinics. The government has also decided to grant Rs 10 lakh per gaushala to 200 gaushalas for building sheds to accommodate stray cattle. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented the National Gokul Mission for the conservation and promotion of indigenous cow breeds. The Haryana government is making extensive efforts to make gaushalas self-reliant. Assistance is also being provided for the purchase of required machinery for Panchagavya production as per the demand of gaushalas. For the protection of cows, the government has implemented a strict law, the Haryana Gau-Vansh Sanrakshan and Gau Samvardhan Act, 2015. Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister, Shyam Singh Rana, said that since ancient times, cows have held a special place in Indian culture. "In earlier times, the economy was largely dependent on cows. Even before the formation of Haryana, farming was done using ploughs drawn by oxen. Today, the Haryana government is running several schemes for the protection of cows," Rana said. Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj praised the efforts of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in the direction of cow protection. He said that Lord Sri Krishna considered the cow divine and worship-worthy. It was on the land of Kurukshetra that Lord Sri Krishna delivered the message of the Gita. He said that multiple forms of Gita-related research are already underway at Gita Gyan Sansthan, and now research on the Gita and Ayurveda will also be carried out here. (ANI)
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday reiterated that the state government has adopted zero tolerance towards any lapse in law and order. He underlined that ensuring a safe and secure environment for the people is the government's top priority. The Chief Minister made it clear that any individual attempting to disrupt peace or create disorder will face stern action, regardless of influence or position. Nayab Singh Saini said this while responding to media queries during a press conference held here today. According to an official release, he said that the government is taking strict action against drug traffickers. If drugs are being sold in any village, locality, or city ward, residents should immediately file a complaint on the government portal, and strict action will be taken against the culprits. Responding to a question, the Chief Minister said that the government is committed to the health and well-being of the people of the state. To ensure that citizens do not have to rely on private hospitals, state-of-the-art infrastructure is being ensured in government hospitals across the State. Soon, 10 new district hospitals will be inaugurated, said CM Saini. The Chief Minister said that Congress's allegations of "vote theft" is baseless. Congress is unnecessarily making it an issue, but such falsehoods will no longer work. He alleged that Congress has tried to weaken Dr BR Ambedkar's Constitution and promoted corruption. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken firm action against corruption and alleged that "frustrated Congress" is making baseless allegations. The Chief Minister also said that Prime Minister Modi has worked to empower the poor and make them economically strong. The Prime Minister has launched schemes for the progress of every section of society. Today, the poor are moving forward with confidence and playing an active role in the nation's development, he said. (ANI)
Sophie Turner found filming Trust to be "super cathartic".

Sophie Turner has opened up about her struggles

The 29-year-old actress was in the midst of her divorce from pop star Joe Jonas during the film's shoot, and Sophie actually enjoyed being able to throw herself into the project.

Sophie - whose character suffers a betrayal in Trust - said on Late Night with Seth Meyers: "I'm not sure if anyone's aware, but when I started shooting this movie, I was going through, like, a media hell.

"So this was super cathartic because I wanted to run away in my real life when that was all happening. But I got to do it in a movie and I got to smash some s*** up, so that was fun."

Sophie previously described her separation from Joe as "incredibly sad".

The actress was married to the pop star between 2019 and 2024, and she admitted that their break-up was very difficult.

She told Harpers Bazaar magazine: "We had a beautiful relationship, and it was hard."

Sophie returned home to the UK after her marriage ended, and the actress admitted that she's now loving life in England.

She said: "Im so happy to be back. It felt as if my life was on pause until I returned to England.

"I just never really feel like myself when Im not in London, with my friends and family. I was away for so long  six years  and it was when my friends were getting engaged, and when I got pregnant. I went for dinner with someone the other day, and she said, I never got to touch your belly. We didnt have those key experiences with each other."

Sophie has daughters Delphine, three, and Willa, five, with her ex-husband, and she admitted that motherhood changed her "so much in every way".

She added: "Before I had kids, I was very depressed and anxious, and I would isolate [myself] a lot. Now, I think I live my life for them. I want them to see me having a social life and enjoying work and thriving in my career and relationships. I want them to see a hard-working mum."
Union Industry and Supply Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday took part in celebrations for Dahi Handi on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami and presented a trophy to a group of women for breaking the Dahi Handi. "The speciality of today's Dahi Handi program is that they have made two 'Sudarshan Chakras' and this is a symbol of what PM Modi said that a 'Suraksha Kavach' will be made by taking inspiration from Lord Krishna...My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the devotees on the occasion of Janmashtami," Goyal, BJP MP from Mumbai's North Lok Sabha constituency, told ANI. Meanwhile, in order to honour the bravery of the armed forces for the success of 'Operation Sindoor', a Govinda troupe participated in the Dahi Handi celebrations in Pune on Saturday, electrifying the atmosphere with huge banners narrating the heroic military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The group arrived with a huge 'Operation Sindoor' banner at the Dahi Handi celebrations organised by Punit Balan Group. A Dahi Handi program has been organised on the occasion of Janmashtami in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area to honour the bravery of Indian soldiers who participated in Operation Sindoor, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday. The Dahi Handi event dedicated to soldiers involved in Operation Sindoor has been organised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ram Kadam. "On the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, grand Dahi Handi programs are being organised across Mumbai, and in Ghatkopar, MLA Ram Kadam has organised a Dahi Handi dedicated to the soldiers of Operation Sindoor. In Operation Sindoor, under the leadership of PM Modi, our soldiers broke the 'Handi' of Pakistan's sins, and today, all our soldiers are being hailed," Fadnavis told reporters. He also celebrated 'Dahi Handi Utsav 2025' with thousands of Govindas (participants) at Tembhi Naka in Thane, which was organised by Tembhi Naka Mitra Mandal. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also present on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his greetings to all countrymen on the occasion of Janmashtami and called it a sacred festival of faith. Sharing an X post, PM Modi wrote, "Heartfelt Janmashtami greetings to all countrymen. May this sacred festival of faith, joy, and enthusiasm infuse new energy and zeal into your lives. Jai Shri Krishna!"Janmashtami is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna was born. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu extended warm greetings to all Indians in the country and abroad on the eve of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravinder Raina on Saturday said a large number of people remain missing as rescue operations continue in Kishtwar district following a devastating flash flood triggered by a cloudburst on August 14 during the Machail Mata Yatra pilgrimage. Raina said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are personally monitoring the situation. "There has been a huge loss of life and damage in Kishtwar. A search and rescue operation is being carried out here. A large number of people are still missing. PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are personally monitoring the situation. J&K CM Omar Abdullah also visited the spot," Raina told ANI. The Indian Army is leading ground operations, supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), police and local administration. A senior SDRF official on Saturday said teams have been engaged in rescue operations since August 14. The official highlighted the joint efforts of the SDRF, NDRF, and local NGOs working together. "We have been carrying out the rescue operation since August 14. SDRF, NDRF, and teams of local NGOs are collectively working on the operation...Today, we recovered seven bodies," the official said. Amid ongoing rescue, Assistant Engineer S S Modhak from the BRO explained the road clearance challenges in the flood-affected region. "We are clearing the roads. The boulders are being removed by using specialised machines...This is a very challenging operation," Modhak said. These updates come amid coordinated rescue efforts led by the Indian Army, with assistance from NDRF, CISF, SDRF, BRO, police, and local administration. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Leader of Opposition and Kishtwar MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma provided a detailed update on the multi-agency rescue efforts. He said on the first day, the injured were evacuated and sent to hospitals, while the second day focused on rescuing stranded travellers and clearing debris. "To a large extent, we succeeded in this," Sharma said. He added that with better weather and road conditions on Saturday, operations have progressed more efficiently. "The entire operation was under the command of the army, assisted by all companies of NDRF, CISF, SDRF, and BRO. Since morning, six bodies have been recovered... Today's relief and rescue operation went very well... In the next two days, a Bailey bridge will be set up here." Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the affected areas and confirmed the recovery of 55 bodies so far, with many people still missing. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia relief from the CM's Relief Fund: Rs 2 lakh for each deceased, Rs 1 lakh for severely injured, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. The government will also provide Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged structures, Rs 50,000 for severely damaged, and Rs 25,000 for partially damaged houses. Abdullah said instructions were issued for the immediate restoration of affected infrastructure and assured that the government stands firmly with the people in this hour of grief. (ANI)
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, making a major announcement in the interest of farmers on Saturday, said that, on the lines of horticulture crops, honey will also be included in the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. CM Saini said that along with this, arrangements will be made for honey sales at the Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre at Ramnagar, Kurukshetra. "Facilities for storage and quality testing will also be provided there. Soon, a Quality Control Laboratory will be established at a cost of Rs. 20 crore. In addition, the Ramnagar Institute will be developed into a national-level institute where advanced and scientific research related to beekeeping can be undertaken," CM Saini said, as per the CMO. The Chief Minister was addressing a state-level workshop on beekeeping organised in Kurukshetra on Saturday. He said that beekeeping is a major source of additional income for farmers and also enhances crop productivity. Targeting 15,500 Metric Tonnes of Honey by 2030, Nayab Singh Saini announced the establishment of the country's first Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre in Ramnagar, Kurukshetra, with Israeli cooperation, providing training to farmers. "A Honey Trade Centre is also functioning here, through which 74,000 boxes and 3,43,000 comb sheets have been distributed so far. The centre also has facilities for honey processing and bottling," the CM said. The state government has formulated the "Beekeeping Policy - 2021," under which a target has been set to prepare 7,750 beekeepers and produce 15,500 metric tonnes of honey by the year 2030. Subsidy of up to 85 per cent is being provided on bee boxes, colonies, and equipment. He further said that, along with beekeeping, horticulture has been made the main pillar of agricultural diversification. In 2014, the horticulture area in the state was 1.17 lakh acres, which has now increased to 2.60 lakh acres. The Chief Minister said that beekeeping is such an enterprise that requires minimal land and can be adopted as a startup by women and youth. He urged the youth to launch honey brands and market their products globally through online platforms. "The government will provide financial support and technical guidance at every step." Meanwhile, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, continuous efforts are being made to increase farmers' income. "For strengthening the economy, empowering farmers is the foremost necessity. In this direction, apart from crops, allied sectors such as dairy, animal husbandry, beekeeping, and fisheries are also being promoted, leading to steady growth in farmers' incomes," he said. He said that no country can be stopped from progressing if its agriculture sector is strong, backed by a scientific outlook and robust security measures, a release said. (ANI)
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has called a meeting in the national capital on August 19 and 20, which will be attended by top leaders and affiliates working in various sectors, including those likely to be impacted by the US tariffs on Indian goods. Sources said the meeting is expected to focus on assessing the economic impact of the US decision. The United States has imposed 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in July, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India's imports of Russian oil. The meeting in Delhi is likely to be attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, six joint general secretaries and several national-level office bearers. Sources said the meeting may also see participation of Union Ministers. RSS has invited several of its affiliates to the brainstorming session. Leaders from Laghu Udyog Bharati, Sahakar Bharati, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, and Kisan Sangh would take part in the meeting, sources said. They said the economic impact of the US tariffs on India and measures to safeguard the Indian economy from its adverse effects are expected to be discussed at the meeting. India and the US initiated talks for a just, balanced, and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in March this year, aiming to complete the first stage of the Agreement by October-November 2025. US is keen on greater access to India's sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors, which provide livelihood to a large section of people. On April 2, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order for reciprocal tariffs on various trade partners, imposing varied tariffs in the range of 10-50 per cent. He subsequently kept the tariffs in abeyance for 90 days, while imposing a 10 per cent baseline tariff, providing time and space for making trade deals. The deadline was to end on July 9, and the US administration later pushed it to August 1. He announced reciprocal tariffs on India ahead of the deadline. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told Parliament earlier this month that the government is examining the impact of tariffs and will take all necessary steps to safeguard the national interest. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Assam Unit President Dilip Saikia held a programme on Saturday at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan and urged everyone to move forward by preserving their unique cultural traditions while strengthening the bond of unity. He emphasised that the Bharatiya Janata Party has now been recognised as a movement at the international level. According to the release, a joining programme was held on Saturday evening at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, the state headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assam Pradesh in Guwahati. Welcoming the new members into the party, BJP Assam Pradesh President Dilip Saikia urged everyone to move forward by preserving their unique cultural traditions while strengthening the bond of unity. He further stated that in Assam, the rights of every Assamese indigenous person and every individual of genuine Indian origin must remain protected for all time. "The BJP is a family, dedicated to the service of Mother India and committed to establishing the nation as Vishwaguru (a global leader). To achieve this resolve, the doors of the BJP remain open for all," Saikia said, as per the release. "Today, as you have voluntarily come forward with the spirit of national service and devotion to Mother India, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Only with the BJP in Assam will the indigenous and Assamese people remain secure," he added. In addition to the leaders mentioned above, over a hundred members from various parties and organisations also joined the BJP during today's joining ceremony," Dilip Saikia further added. The programme was presided over by the State President of the BJP Assam Pradesh and Member of Parliament, Dilip Saikia. Present at the event were BJP Assam Pradesh's respected Organisational General Secretary G.R. Ravindra Raju, Vice Presidents Rekharani Das Boro and Ratna Singh, General Secretaries Pallav Lochan Das and Anup Barman, along with several state office bearers and senior leaders of the party, a release said. A large number of members from the Adivasi Kalyan Parishad (Tribal Welfare Council) formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday. Among them were - Asim Hasda, President of Adivasi Welfare Development Council, Subhash Tirkey, Vice President, Executive Members: Mandal Hasda, Mohan Kisku, Parcias Hembram, Sines Hembram, Rtiku Tudu, William Tudu, Tribal leaders: Montu Rawani, Bachil Minz, Edmund Mardi, Kishun Tudu, Chatur Mardi. (ANI)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 17 (ANI) A large number of devotees gathered at midnight prayers to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami at the ISKCON Temple in West Bengal's Kolkata. The festival was marked with devotion and enthusiasm across the country. At ISKCON Kolkata, the celebrations drew massive crowds. "Today is the most important festival. Janmashtami is being celebrated in 1100 ISKCON temples... Devotees of ISKCON are celebrating Janmashtami with great pomp and show. Today we also observe fast...Arrangements for prasad have been made for everyone in all our ISKCON temples," he said. Meanwhile, in Manipur's Imphal, devotees thronged the Shree Shree Govindajee Temple to offer prayers and participate in cultural programmes marking the birth of Lord Krishna. HG Sadhubhusan Das, president of the temple, said the day carried immense spiritual significance. "Today we are very happy because it is the day of God's incarnation, his birthday. We pray and request that the people of Manipur serve the Lord, so that we can live happily... There are many other programs, and we are doing all these activities to please the Lord. May the Lord bless everyone. May he bring back peace to Manipur and make everyone happy," he said. Lord Krishna's birth is observed on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. While Janmashtami is celebrated across the country, Mathura and Vrindavan hold special significance -- Mathura being his birthplace and Vrindavan the place of his childhood leelas. At midnight, special rituals are performed in temples, where the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed in milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee and water. During the Krishna Abhishek, bells ring, conch shells are blown, and Vedic hymns are chanted. (ANI)
Haryana Police have filed a chargesheet in court against YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old vlogger from Hisar, after completing their investigation in an alleged espionage case, officials said on Saturday. The court has fixed the next hearing for August 18. Speaking to ANI, her lawyer Advocate Kumar Mukesh said, "The investigation against Jyoti has been completed, and a chargesheet has been filed in court. Now, the court has scheduled the next appearance for 18 August. Possibly, Jyoti will be taken to protection remand, and as per the rule process, the chargesheet copy will be provided to Jyoti..." "We will review the chargesheet to determine if it contains any evidence, and based on that, we will prepare for the date application. As of now, the police do not disclose any information regarding her connection with ISI..." he added. Investigations revealed that Malhotra had travelled to Pakistan multiple times and established contacts with officials from Pakistani intelligence agencies, including personnel from the Pakistan High Commission. One such official was later expelled by India after their association came to light. She is among 12 people arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in a coordinated crackdown on a suspected spy ring that allegedly targeted Indian social media influencers to gather intelligence. Malhotra's YouTube channel, 'Travel with Jo', hosts over 480 videos, many of which are from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Thailand. According to officials, Jyoti allegedly met a Pakistani officer, Ahsan-ur-Rahim, in Delhi, travelled to Pakistan twice, and shared sensitive information. During the preliminary investigation, the woman told the police that she went to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023 to apply for a visa and met a man named Ahsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish. Malhotra, a resident of Haryana's Hisar, was arrested in May this year for allegedly sharing sensitive information and being in continuous contact with a Pakistani citizen. At that time, Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan had told the media, "Modern warfare is not only fought on the border. The PIOs are trying to recruit some social media influencers, and they use that to push their narrative. We received inputs from the central agencies, and we arrested Jyoti Malhotra." "She had visited Pakistan multiple times and China once. She was in contact with the PIOs. We have taken her on a 5-day police remand. We are analysing her financial details. During the conflict (Indo-Pak), she was in touch with the PIOs... Her travel details are defying her total income..." he said. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav offered prayers at Amka Jhamka Temple located in Sardarpur Tehsil, Dhar district, on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami on Saturday and also participated in a program organised here to mark the occasion. The temple, associated with the Dwapar Yuga, is believed to be connected with Lord Shri Krishna and the episode of 'Rukmini Haran'. CM Yadav also shared that the temple will be developed as a pilgrimage site, and preparations for the same are underway. "The way Lord Krishna and Lord Balram created a new history here with their ability and talent, we are making it lively like the pilgrimage sites of Dwarika, Mathura, Gokul and Vrindavan. We have come here for Janmashtami, and we all have a great devotion towards Lord Krishna. In the coming days, this will become a pilgrimage site under the Shree Krishna Pathey and preparations for it are underway. My heartfelt congratulations to everyone on the occasion of Janmashtami," CM Yadav told reporters. Earlier in the day, CM Yadav also participated in Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations held at CM House in Bhopal and prayed for the welfare of the people of the state. "On the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, I prayed for the welfare of the people of the state by worshipping according to rituals in the festival organised at the CM's residence on the occasion. Cultural programs have been organised at about 162 places across the state. It is our resolve that we will develop all the places associated with Lord Krishna as pilgrimage sites in the state," the CM said in a post on X. Janmashtami is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna was born. Lord Krishna's birthday falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. Although the celebration takes place in different parts of the country, Mathura and Vrindavan hold a special significance. One being his birthplace, and one where he spent his childhood and did his baal leela. At midnight, a special ritual is performed when the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed in milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and water. During the Krishna Abhishek, bells are rung, conch shells are blown, and Vedic hymns are performed. (ANI)
Negotiations with the American delegation in the "narrow format" have concluded, the Kremlin said in a short statement, as reported by CNN. The bilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin lasted well over three hours, CNN reported. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with other officials, were also present. The fact that the two leaders had not moved on to their expanded bilateral luncheon after an hour and a half was also a sign that Trump, at least so far, did not feel compelled to "walk," as he had earlier promised to do if the talks were going south, as per CNN. https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1956473589982527653 https://x.com/Scavino47/status/1956467277844394014 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not present for this ongoing meeting even as the two leaders discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As per CNN, Trump had said that after the meeting, he will call Zelenskyy, as well as European leaders, after the summit ends to brief them on the results. He's made it clear that his eventual goal is to get Putin and Zelensky in the same room to discuss how to end the war. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump had said that it could happen "almost immediately" if this meeting goes well, potentially even in Alaska. Zelenskyy said Ukraine's "number one" demand of the Alaska summit is for Russia to agree to a ceasefire. Only a ceasefire can provide the basis for meaningful peace talks, Ukraine and its European allies said, as per CNN. Following a call between Trump and European leaders on Wednesday, two European diplomats familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump suggested he would push for a ceasefire at today's talks, which are currently underway. If Russia agrees to a ceasefire, Ukraine's attention could then turn to its next priority -- a seat at the table for next meeting. Kyiv is hoping today's talks are a prelude to a three-way summit between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the US. "Everything concerning Ukraine must be discussed exclusively with Ukraine," Zelenskyy said after Wednesday's call with Trump, as quoted by CNN. "We must prepare a trilateral format for talks." (ANI)
Ambassador of India to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, on Friday (local time) met US Senator from Virginia, Mark Warner, to discuss the India-US bilateral relationship. Kwatra briefed the senator on India's ongoing efforts for a fair and balanced trade engagement grounded in mutual respect. In a post on X, he wrote, "Had a good discussion with Senator Mark Warner on the India-US bilateral relationship. Briefed him on our continuing efforts for a fair and balanced trade engagement grounded in mutual respect ensuring our economic partnership is a source of shared prosperity. We also discussed energy security perspectives of India and growing hydrocarbon trade between India and the US." https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1956428538091118836 Earlier on August 13, Kwatra held talks on various topics, including The Resistance Front (TRF) being designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the Department of State with US Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland. The TRF has claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. In a post on X, he said, "Had a detailed conversation with Senator Chris Van Hollen. Apprised him of developments following his meeting with the visiting delegation of MPs from India, including designation of TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the Department of State and elimination of the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack. Also shared with him our perspective on energy security and the increasing energy trade between India and the US." https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1955593014702665914 On August 12, the ambassador met US Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut on the India-US Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, he said, "A good conversation with US Senator Richard Blumenthal today. We discussed the India-US Strategic Partnership. I shared India's view of its Energy security, and the salience of growing India-US energy trade in our ties." https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1955094129488080996 The talks come at a crucial juncture, as on August 6, US President Donald Trump announced sweeping and substantial tariffs on India, one of America's most important trading partners. In addition to a 25% tariff, Trump also announced an additional 25% tariff on India that will go into effect later this month as a repercussion for importing Russian oil and gas, as per CNN. (ANI)
Tristan Rogers has died at the age of 79.

Tristan Rogers has cancer

The Australian actor - who was best known for playing Robert Scorpio on General Hospital - passed away on Friday (15.08.25), just weeks after it was announced he had been diagnosed with cancer.

His manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed the news to ABC 7 Eyewitness News and reflected on how Tristan's long-time role on the medical drama had "meant everything to him".

She added: "He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing.

"He was supposed to work a day and he ended up making it into something huge. He was just a genuinely loyal, kind human being and he loved his family."

General Hospital's executive producer, Frank Valentini, said everyone who worked on the show had been left "heartbroken" by Tristan's death.

He told People magazine in a statement: "The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers' passing. Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio).

"I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.

Co-star Emma Samms, who briefly dated Tristan and played his on-scren love interest Holly, was "grateful" they had worked together for so long.

She wrote on social media: "I am incredibly sad to hear the news about Tristan. I loved working with him and we were both so grateful that we got the chance to do that for more than 40 years.

"He taught me how to be comfortable in front of the cameras and he introduced me to spontaneity and fun even within all the trials and tribulations that Robert and Holly endured.

Genie Francis felt "lucky" to have known the star.

She shared a photo of them together and wrote on X: "My heart is heavy. Goodbye my spectacular friend. My deepest condolences to his wife Teresa and their children. Tristan Rogers was a very bright light, as an actor and a person. I was so lucky to have known him."

Rick Springfield remembered his late co-star as a "charming" and "witty bloke".

He posted: "Aussies are made of tough stuff but even tough stuff has its expiration date. Our friend Tristan Rogers, a charming, self deprecating, handsome and witty bloke from the Great Southern Land went home today. Bless and keep your spirit Tristan. Cancer sucks."

The veteran actor joined General Hospital as Robert Scorpio in 1980 before leaving in 1992 when his alter ego was apparently killed. He briefly reprised the role - in ghost form - for a week in 1995 and made sporadic appearances in 2006.

In 2008, he joined General Hospital: Night Shift and also appeared in four episodes of the main show the same year. He made frequent further appearances between 2012 and 2018 and rejoined the cast on a more permanent basis from 2019, with his most recent appearance coming last year.

Away from the medical drama, Tristan also had a stint as Colin Atkinson on The Young and the Restless, appeared in over 100 episodes of The Bay, and received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for his work in Studio City.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, and children, Sara and Cale.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (local time) acknowledged that Ukraine's security should be ensured as well, and lauded US President Donald Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict. Speaking at a joint press conference after nearly three hours of talks with US President Donald Trump on the Russia-Ukraine conflict that started in February 2022, Putin emphasised the need for a just balance of power in Europe and expressed hope that Kyiv and European capitals would engage constructively in the peace process. "We see the strive of the administration and President Trump personally to help facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict and his strive to get to the crux of the matter to understand this history is precious. The situation in Ukraine poses a fundamental threat to our security. Moreover, the Ukrainian nation, and I have said it multiple times, is a brotherly nation; however strange it may sound in these conditions. We have the same roots, and everything that's happening is a tragedy for us. And a terrible wound," Putin said. Putin added that Russia wishes to establish a just balance of power between the European Union (EU) and Russia to address the long-term issues of the conflict. "At the same time, we are convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary causes of the conflict. We have said it multiple times to consider all legitimate constraints of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world as a whole. I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that, naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to welcome that," he said. Putin further stressed that he expects Ukraine and the EU to respect the ongoing process. "I would like to hope that the agreement we have reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively, and they won't throw a wrench in the works. They will not make any attempts to use some back-room dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the progress," he added. The Alaska summit between Trump and Putin, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, included top officials from both sides. Putin was joined by foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Earlier, the two leaders greeted each other on the red carpet after deplaning their respective aircraft, shook hands, posed for photographs, and, in an unusual move, departed together in Trump's presidential limousine to the venue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier said that Ukraine's "number one" demand of the Alaska summit is for Russia to agree to a ceasefire. "Everything concerning Ukraine must be discussed exclusively with Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. "We must prepare a trilateral format for talks." The White House described the meeting as "historic," emphasising that Trump was "Pursuing Peace," and that the meeting between the two leaders was "Historic." Prior to the summit, Trump had warned he might walk out if progress was not being made. "I may leave and say, 'good luck,' and that'll be the end. I may say this is not going to be settled," Trump said before the summit, as quoted by CNN. (ANI)
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has begun celebrating a three-day Krishna Janmashtami in a festive atmosphere in Bangladesh, priests said on Saturday. Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus extended greetings to Hindu communities on Krishna Janmashtami. "The birth anniversary of the divine incarnation of Lord Krishna, Shubh Janmashtami, is one of the main religious festivals of the Hindu community. Lord Krishna preached the message of justice, humanity and peace throughout his life to establish equality and peace in the society," Yunus said in a message. "Communal harmony is a unique feature of our culture. Since ancient times, the people of this country have been practicing their respective religion while maintaining communal harmony," he added. "Let us, through the collective efforts of all, build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination, full of communal harmony," the Chief Adviser said. Devotees are flocking to ISKCON's central temple in Swamibagh, Dhaka, to participate in various phases of the festival. They are performing pujas and taking part in kirtans and aartis. Events include the Mahabhishek (appearance day) ceremony of Lord Krishna, discussion meetings, cultural programmes, Kirtan Mela, and religious plays. Devotees are also buying sweets and gifts from the fair on the occasion of Janmashtami. "May Lord Krishna bless who are righteous and may He change the mindset of those who are evil and turn them into good people," Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, told ANI in an interview. "I pray that as many people as there are in the world, everyone will be happy," he added. "We have bathing programs - water to Krishna, religious meetings, Kirtans. So many people will attend," Das said. On security arrangements, he said, "Government is taking the best security. We had meetings with police. Police, military and the advisory council have given the assurance of security." "Sometimes, there were attacks on Hindus and Hindu temples in Bangladesh. We have helped the victims' families. We are going to village to village, city to city, giving assurance," Das said. "We will not leave Bangladesh. Bangladesh is our birthplace. We are giving assurance to the Hindu communities," the ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary said. (ANI)
Devotees take darshan of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha at the ISKCON temple in Dhaka, Bangladesg as ISKCON has begun the three-day celebration amidst Krishna Janmashtami. The celebrations marks one of the most important religious events for the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, told ANI. "... Tomorrow is the appearance day of Lord Krishna... Throughout the day, programs are held on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, including kirtan. In the evening, there will be the bathing ceremony...We have a three-day program, and many people will attend it...The government is taking the best security measures. We had a meeting with the police... They have ensured that nothing will happen this time..." Extending greetings to the Hindu community, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus underscored the spiritual and cultural significance of the festival. "The birth anniversary of the divine incarnation of Lord Krishna, Shubh Janmashtami, is one of the main religious festivals of the Hindu community. Lord Krishna preached the message of justice, humanity and peace throughout his life to establish equality and peace in the society," Yunus said. He further emphasized communal harmony, adding, "Since ancient times, the people of this country have been practicing their respective religion while maintaining communal harmony. Let us, through the collective efforts of all, build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination, full of communal harmony." Devotees are flocking to ISKCON's central temple in Swamibagh, Dhaka, to participate in various phases of the festival, which include pujas, kirtans, aartis, the Mahabhishek ceremony, discussion meetings, cultural programmes, Kirtan Mela, and religious plays. The temple also hosts a fair, where devotees buy sweets and gifts to mark the occasion. Commenting on the spiritual essence of the festival, Das Brahmachari said, "May Lord Krishna bless who are righteous and may He change the mindset of those who are evil and turn them into good people. I pray that as many people as there are in the world, everyone will be happy. We have bathing programs - water to Krishna, religious meetings, Kirtans. So many people will attend." He also reflected on past challenges, saying, "Sometimes, there were attacks on Hindus and Hindu temples in Bangladesh. We have helped the victims' families. We are going to village to village, city to city, giving assurance. We will not leave Bangladesh. Bangladesh is our birthplace. We are giving assurance to the Hindu communities." (ANI)
US President Donald Trump, in an interview with Fox News, said that Russia lost India as an oil client while discussing the economic aspect of Russian President Vladimir Putin coming to the table for talks. When asked about the economic side of Putin's negotiations, Trump referred to India's role, saying, "Well, they lost an oil client so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40% of the oil, China as you know is doing a lot...and If I did secondary sanctions, it would be devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, I'll do it, maybe I won't have to do it," during the interview aboard Air Force One. Trump's comments follow his recent decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing New Delhi's oil trade with Russia. Just days earlier, on August 7, the US President had announced an additional 25 percent tariff against India, and later hinted that more "secondary sanctions" could be imposed in connection with the same dispute. On being asked, 'Indian officials have said that there are other countries that are buying Russian oil, like China, for instance. Why are you singling India out for these additional sanctions', US President Donald Trump had said, "It's only been 8 hours. So let's see what happens. You're going to see a lot more...You're going to see so much secondary sanctions." He also hinted that US administration could impose "more" similar sanctions on China. On being asked, 'On the Indian penalties, do you have any similar plans to enact more tariffs on China', US President Donald Trump says, "Could happen. Depends on how we do. Could happen." US President Donald Trump last week signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India. According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty comes into effect on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. Following this announcement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its response, termed the US's move as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable", declaring that New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests." In an official statement, the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the statement added. "We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA stressed. (ANI)
Thousands of devotees stood in serpentine lines to enter the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrating the birthday of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, regarded as the 8th reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, which is also known as Ashtami. The 17th-century Krishna Temple, which stands tall amongst the temples in the World Heritage Site, is thronged by thousands annually on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. "The number of devotees thronging the temple is huge this year in comparison to the previous years. This year, the Krishna Janmastami fell on Saturday as well; it could be the reason behind it. The line now has stretched up to Kumbheshwor (about 1.4 kilometers), previously it used to stretch up to Ma:pahal (about 550 meters)," Uttam Bahadur Lakhey, Vice-chair of the Mangal Tole Sudhar Sangh, a group formed by the local community around Krishna Temple, told ANI. The Krishna Temple, a 17th-century temple lying within the premises of the former Royal Palace, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is thronged by thousands of devotees annually. It was reopened after renovation in 2018, as it sustained minor damage due to the devastating earthquake of 2015, which claimed thousands of lives and caused massive structural damage to the heritage sites of the Himalayan nation. Lord Krishna, the dark-skinned god revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, also taught the warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagavad Gita and was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August, known as Ashtami. The devotees claimed they came to the temple following the footsteps and directives of Lord Krishna. Devotees, especially women, spend the night chanting prayers and devotional songs, dancing, and lighting oil-fed lamps. "From early morning, I am undergoing a fast, where fruits and milk are the exception that can be eaten. In the evening, all those items that are regarded as pure are eaten; during the daytime, we visit the Krishna Temple and perform rituals. The offering to Lord Krishna includes the peacock's feather, observing the day with fervor and gaiety," Sita Basnet, a devotee, told ANI after performing rituals at the Krishna Temple. The Krishna Mandir, a 21-gajur (pinnacle) Shikhara-style temple in Patan, was built in 1667 during the reign of King Siddhi Narasimha Malla and is one of the most revered Krishna temples in Nepal. The three-storied stone shrine houses the idols of Radha Krishna and Rukmini on the first floor, Lord Shiva on the second floor, and Lokeshwor/Machhendranath/Avalokiteshvara on the top floor. As per the scriptures, Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and protector of human beings from evil, injustice, and devilish forces, was born at midnight on Bhadrakrishna Ashtami as per the lunar calendar during the Dwapar era. He is also regarded as the proponent of the three principles of Gyanayog, Karmayog, and Bhaktiyog. Shri Krishna Janmastami is celebrated in a grand manner to cherish the good deeds of Lord Krishna for a happy and prosperous life. Lord Krishna, born to Basudev and Devaki and held prisoner by Kansha in Mathura, guided humanity on the path of knowledge, truth, and immortality, according to ancient scriptures. Lord Krishna is also recognized as "Gopal" for his dedicated service to the cows as a herder and as "Manmohan" for the melodies he used to play on his flute, charming everyone. (ANI)
In a landmark and historic first in Seattle, the flag of India was raised on top of the Space Needle today in honour of India's 79th Independence Day celebrations. Built in 1962 for the World Fair, the Space Needle stands as a symbol of Seattle's skyline and epitomizes the tech-driven future of the US Pacific Northwest region, the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in an official statement. The Consul General of India in Seattle, along with Bruce Harrell, Mayor of Seattle, and other select dignitaries from Seattle city leadership, joined in the historic occasion and acknowledged the contributions of the Indian American diaspora in shaping Seattle's journey as a tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest, the release added. A community reception was separately hosted by the Consulate at the scenic Kerry Park, which offered sweeping views of the Seattle skyline, with India's flag atop the Space Needle in the backdrop. Large numbers of Indian American community members turned up to witness the historic sight, the Consulate noted in the statement. Several US dignitaries also graced the Kerry Park reception, including U.S. Congressman (WA-9th district) Adam Smith, Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court Debra L. Stephens, Seattle Port Commissioner Sam Cho, and Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks & Recreation AP Diaz. Addressing the gathering, US Rep. Adam Smith welcomed the historic celebration, noting that the Indian Tricolour hoisted atop the Space Needle is a tribute to the region's diversity and the strong bonds between India and the Pacific Northwest, the release said. The celebrations included a vibrant cultural segment featuring national anthems, a cultural dance performance showcasing the rich diversity of Indian art forms, and a poetic recital by renowned artist and actor Piyush Mishra, according to the Consulate. In a special gesture to honour India's 79th Independence Day in the Greater Seattle area, King County, along with Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Bellevue, issued official proclamations marking August 15 as India Day, the statement added. Separately, several iconic buildings in Seattle were also lit up in Indian tricolours. These included Lumen Stadium, T-Mobile Stadium, Westin, Seattle Great Wheel, and the Space Needle. The Indian flag was also hoisted at the Tacoma Dome, Tacoma City Hall, and at the headquarters of Tacoma Police and Fire Departments. It may be noted that India opened its 6th Consulate in Seattle in November 2023 and has since actively deepened its engagements with the US Pacific Northwest, the Consulate highlighted. (ANI)
A sit-in by families of Balochistan's missing persons entered its 31st day in Islamabad on Friday, with demonstrators accusing police of harassment, restrictions, and the use of excessive force, The Balochistan Post reported. As per The Balochistan Post, the protest, organised by relatives of the disappeared and members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), aims to highlight the ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and what participants denounce as the unlawful detention of BYC leaders. The outlet reported that a seminar titled "Unlawful Detention of BYC Leadership and the Grievances of Families of the Enforcedly Disappeared" was scheduled outside the Islamabad Press Club. However, hours before the event, police allegedly intervened, attempting to break up the gathering by pushing and assaulting women and children. Witnesses told The Balochistan Post that police had erected barriers, used abusive language towards female demonstrators, and turned Islamabad into "a prison" under government orders. The Balochistan Post quoted Nadia Baloch, sister of detained BYC leader Mahrang Baloch, as saying that their intention was simply to hold a peaceful protest, but authorities forced them to shift their venue. She noted that while routes were open on 14 August, the following day all approaches to the Press Club were sealed. According to her, protesters, including women and children, were not only stopped but also subjected to manhandling and verbal abuse, and a heavy police deployment continues to surround them. According to the report, despite the restrictions, the protesters managed to hold their seminar, which was attended by human rights activists, lawyers, students, and family members of the missing. Speakers addressed issues of state repression in Balochistan, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial detentions, and human rights violations. Speakers condemned state repression, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial detentions, and human rights abuses, stressing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right. The protesters renewed their calls for an end to enforced disappearances, the immediate presentation of detained leaders before a court, and respect for civil liberties. (ANI)
According to the report, 47 individuals were specifically named, while the remaining 300 suspects are unidentified. The cases have been lodged under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, along with several other sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Quoting the FIRs, Dawn noted that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) ticket-holder Hafiz Rafaqat led the mob, which carried rods and bricks. The crowd assembled outside a prominent Ahmadi worship site, attacking it with stones. Community members who attempted to resist were assaulted, leaving several injured.

According to Dawn, the attackers, taking advantage of Independence Day rallies, delivered hate-filled speeches and provoked violence against Ahmadis. At 275-Kartarpur, they assaulted two Ahmadi places of worship, pulling down minarets and setting them ablaze. Dawn reported that these structures had existed since before 1984.

The report further stated that the mob also damaged nearby Ahmadi residences, pelting stones that shattered windows, frightened families, and caused multiple injuries.

Ahmadiyya spokesperson Aamir Mahmood strongly condemned the assault, pointing out that the community was observing Independence Day celebrations when the violence erupted. Quoted by Dawn, he remarked, "This is not the freedom Pakistan's founders envisioned. Until those who commit such acts face justice, intolerance will grow. Authorities must act swiftly to protect all citizens." He demanded stringent punishment for the perpetrators and called on authorities to provide proper security to the Ahmadiyya community.

Earlier, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had condemned a cleric's derogatory remarks targeting places of worship of non-Muslim communities, including Christians.

The commission stated, "We urge the state to ensure accountability for hate speech in all its forms by implementing the 2014 Supreme Court judgement and call on civil society to reject narratives that endanger peaceful coexistence and equal citizenship." (ANI)
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, has profiled Tibetan political prisoner Jamyang Lekshay, highlighting his imprisonment for opposing China's dam construction in Tibet. In a post on X, the CTA stated that Abbot Jamyang Lekshay, the head of Yena Monastery in Derge, was arrested in February 2024 after joining hundreds of Tibetans in a peaceful demonstration against the Chinese-built Kamtok Dam. The CTA noted that Lekshay was secretly sentenced to four years in prison on charges linked to the protest. A video from the demonstration showed him raising both thumbs in the traditional Tibetan gesture of begging, as he and fellow monks openly wept and pleaded with visiting Chinese officials on February 20. According to the post, the Kamtok Dam project has drawn widespread concern, as it is expected to submerge centuries-old Buddhist monasteries and displace thousands of Tibetans, including monks, laypeople, children, and the elderly. The report stated that following the protest, Chinese authorities reportedly launched a campaign of "focused rectification and re-education" targeting the monks of Yena Monastery, accusing them of being "serious informants" and forcing political indoctrination. The CTA condemned China's actions, calling for international attention to the plight of Tibetans imprisoned for peaceful resistance. Recently in June, the Human Rights Desk of the Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), had released a report marking the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The report, titled "Torture Deaths of Tibetan Political Prisoners", documented the harrowing experiences of countless Tibetans who died in Chinese custody or shortly after release due to systematic torture, denial of medical treatment, and inhumane prison conditions. Structured under themes such as Beaten to Death, Denial of Medical Treatment, and Erasing Evidence, the report highlighted the cruelty inflicted upon Tibetans for acts as simple as speaking their language or practising their religion. Through these profiles, the CTA honoured victims while urging the global community to hold China accountable under international human rights law. (ANI)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated that the deeply saddened to learn that many precious lives were lost in the flood that occurred in the northern part of India and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families. He said in a post on X, "I am deeply saddened to learn that many precious lives were lost in the flood that occurred in the northern part of India. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I pray for the souls of the victims and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I would also like to express my sincere wishes for the swift recovery of the injured. https://x.com/shigeruishiba/status/1956573283606020209 Japanese PM's solidarity came after flashfloods triggered by a massive cloudburst hit a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday. Meawhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday met with the families affected by the flash flood due to a cloud burst in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district. CM Abdullah also reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations and received a detailed briefing from Army personnel. He used a Virtual Reality (VR) headset to review the destruction and said immediate relief measures would be taken to support affected families. The Indian Army, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police and district administration, is carrying out rescue operations in the village. The cloudburst, which occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggered flash floods and widespread destruction on Thursday, killing at least 60 people. Earlier, in his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with those affected by natural disasters across the country. (ANI)
Michael Barrymore has been diagnosed with epilepsy.

Michael Barrymore has epilepsy

The 73-year-old presenter has revealed he has developed the condition - a neurological disorder that causes recurring seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain - after suffering a mini stroke.

In an emotional TikTok video, he revealed: "A mini stroke caused me to develop epilepsy where I have uncontrollable seizures... I suffer from cluster seizures, which affects a quarter of people with epilepsy. It means I have more than one, usually three individual seizures in a short period of time."

The former Strike It Lucky host admitted the condition can be "scary" and he is keen to connect with other sufferers.

He continued: "It's scary because there's a 40% chance of going into epilepticus which causes brain damage and death without prompt medical attention.

"I've had several attacks this year and have emergency medication at home if I go into a seizure. It doesn't really affect my life otherwise, but it would be nice to talk with other sufferers on here about it."

The former Celebrity Big Brother runner-up was once one of the UKs most prolific and highest-paid television stars but has seen his TV career dwindle after being embroiled in a police investigation over the death of Stuart Lubbock, who passed away in 2001 aged 31 after attending a pool party at the broadcasters Essex home.

And Michael - who was never charged over the incident - previously claimed TV companies are not interested in hiring "innocent people".

He told the Daily Star newspaper: Its strange that companies dont employ innocent people. Maybe you have to be guilty to get a job in television, I dont know. From my experience they dont employ innocent people.

Its unfair, of course. Its terrible. Youre supposed to support people.

Youre supposed to support the people that work for you. Youre supposed to be caring.

Michael admitted that it has taken him more than two decades to build up his confidence since he left television.

He said: The amount of confidence you need to work the way I did at my peak was phenomenal and that took years to build up. When everything went my confidence was completely smashed. It has taken me 22 years to get that back.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday described his talks with US President Donald Trump as "long and substantive", underlining Ukraine's commitment to peace and close coordination with international partners. "We started with one-on-one talks before inviting European leaders to join us. This call lasted for more than an hour and a half, including about an hour of our bilateral conversation with President Trump," Zelenskyy said. He added, "Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion. It is important that America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation." Supporting Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia, Zelenskyy said, "Key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this." He announced, "On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation. It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America." Zelenskyy added, "We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping." The remarks came after US President Trump said on Friday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a "productive" meeting aimed at reducing the human toll of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump said thousands of lives could be saved weekly if both sides acted. "We're going to stop, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000 people a week from being killed, and President Putin wants to see that as much as I do," the US President said. He added that while several points were agreed upon, a few key issues remain unresolved. "There's no deal until we have a deal...I'll, of course, call up President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and tell him about today's meeting. It's ultimately up to them," Trump said. Trump praised officials from both sides and highlighted his longstanding rapport with Putin, noting that the 'Russia hoax' had complicated relations but expressed optimism about reaching a meaningful decision. "Some points are not that significant. One is probably the most significant but we have a very good chance of getting there...Let's do the most productive one right now," he said. (ANI)
Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday voiced strong concern over persistent delays in the judicial process at all levels, Dawn reported. The apex court cautioned that such delays erode public trust, weaken the rule of law, and inflict disproportionate hardship on the poor and vulnerable, who cannot afford prolonged litigation. "Delay in adjudication carries severe macroeconomic and societal consequences: it deters investment, renders contracts illusory, and weakens the institutional legitimacy of the judiciary," Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was quoted as saying by Dawn. According to Dawn, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah pointed out that more than 2.2 million cases are pending in courts across Pakistan, including nearly 55,941 before the Supreme Court, even though the number of judges has risen to 24. He emphasised that these figures are not just statistics but represent real disputes left unresolved. As quoted by Dawn, Justice Shah noted that judicial delays stem not only from overcrowded dockets or inefficiencies at lower levels but from a deeper, structural problem within judicial governance. A recent in-depth report by Dawn has revealed that Karachi's courts are in a dilapidated condition, making them unsuitable for fair and efficient legal proceedings. The report particularly underscored the absence of basic hygiene and sanitation. Court premises are persistently dirty, with walls stained by paan, stagnant water collecting on floors, and trash littering public spaces. The section reserved for under-trial prisoners is described as overcrowded and unhygienic, raising grave concerns regarding health, dignity, and fundamental rights. According to Dawn, these deteriorating conditions point not only to administrative negligence but also to the erosion of the state's pledge of justice. Dawn also reported that Pakistan's lower judiciary is facing a deeper institutional crisis rooted in a lack of investment in judicial capacity and culture. According to the publication, judicial officers receive little to no substantive training, particularly when it comes to handling complex procedural matters or adapting to new categories of legal relief. (ANI)
The Indian Consulate in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, held the 79th Independence Day celebrations, which was the first-ever official Independence Day event hosted by the Consulate in Newcastle, as per an official statement. The statement noted that the celebrations were held at the Civic Centre, which provided a prime-time slot for the first time. The event was led by Punjabi-born Honorary Consul General of India in England, 'JM' Meenu Malhotra DL, who hoisted the Indian tricolour for the first time in Newcastle's history, making this a landmark occasion for the Indian community in the North East of England. After the hoisting of the Indian tricolour, national anthem, and keynote addresses were delivered by Meenu Malhotra, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, and Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Jacqui Robinson During the event, Meenu Malhotra addressed the audience, saying, "It is a proud and historic moment for all of us here in the North East of England. On behalf of the Indian Consulate and my office, I extend warm greetings to everyone celebrating India's 79th Independence Day with us today. This is the first time the Civic Centre has hosted an official Indian Independence Day event at prime time, and it is heartening to see such a gathering of civic leaders, academics, business representatives, and cultural icons coming together to honour our nation." The morning's festivities began with traditional drumming by Mi Marathi Dhol Group, followed by a classical dance performance by Madhura Godbole, as per the statement. The formal ceremony commenced at 11:00 AM with the flag-hoisting and national anthem. Keynote addresses were delivered by Mr. Malhotra, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, and Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Jacqui Robinson. The event concluded with a Tamil flash mob organised by Spice FM, leaving attendees enthralled. Prominent attendees included Chris Whitehead, Kieran Fernandes, Susan Dungworth, Ciaron Irvine, Andy Long, Peter Heath, Keith Carruthers, councillors Irim Ali, Hayder Qureshi, Deborah Burns, Taylor Wendy, Sadiq Mehrban, Colin Ferguson, Doc Anand, and business leaders Bunty Malhotra and Nidhi Malhotra Anand, along with cultural representatives from Beamish Museum and North East Museums, the statement noted. "This is a proud and historic day for Indians in the North East of England," said Meenu Malhotra. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday held "productive discussions" with his visiting South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun on advancing bilateral cooperation between the two nations in trade, manufacturing, maritime, as well as new opportunities in AI, semiconductors and defence. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was "delighted" to meet Cho Hyun this morning as the India-Korea "Special Strategic Partnership completes 10 years." He further wrote, "Held productive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, manufacturing, maritime & people to people exchanges as well as new opportunities in AI, semiconductors, clean energy and defence." "Also exchanged perspectives on Indo-Pacific and contemporary global developments," the EAM added. https://x.com/drsjaishankar/status/1956645046759108984?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw Earlier during the meeting, Jaishankar welcomed Cho Hyun, describing it as a "very special privilege" to host an old friend in a new role. Congratulating him on his recent appointment, he remarked that the visit, coming "literally a day after your National Day, and our National Day, says a lot about the value we attach to the relationship," while also extending greetings on Korea's National Liberation Day. Highlighting the importance of the occasion, Jaishankar said the visit marks the 10th anniversary of the Special Strategic Partnership between India and South Korea. He recalled being present with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he met President Lee Jae-myung in Kananaskis, Canada, a meeting that "had very strong bonding." Similarly, in his opening remarks, FM Cho Hyun called it a "great pleasure" to visit India less than a month after assuming office. He began by extending his condolences, saying, "I wish to express my deepest condolences for the tragic loss of lives in the sudden flooding in Kashmir and to convey the warmest sympathy of the people of the Republic of Korea. Minister, it is a great pleasure for me to visit India in less than a month after assuming office as the foreign minister." Cho Hyun further said that President Lee Jae Myung is committed to strengthening ties with India. "President Lee Jae Myung is firmly committed to strengthening ties with your great country. This was emphasised during the summit in Canada, and he personally asked me to convey the best regards to Prime Minister Modi," he added. Cho Hyun arrived in New Delhi on Friday evening for his maiden visit. (ANI)
Noting that he had good meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun recalled his tenure in Delhi as Ambassador from 2015 to 2017, stating that significant changes were made in India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership and that "more good changes" have been made during the past ten years. In an interview with ANI, Cho Hyun said it is great to be back in Delhi and when he landed in the city about 10 years ago, he was humbled by the depths of India's culture. "I feel great to be back in Delhi and ten years ago, I landed in Delhi and I was very much humbled by the depths of the culture and the largest of the subcontinent and the people. I was very proud to serve as the Korean Ambassador to India, during which time I recognised the significant changes made in India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership...Now I see even more good changes that have been made during the past ten years. So I'm very glad to be back here, meet my friends," Cho Hyun said. Cho Hyun recalled that when he served as Ambassador, he had meeting with S Jaishankar who served as Foreign Secretary from 2015-18. He said they discussed various issues and explored ways to enhance the bilateral relationship. "It was a good meeting and I used to meet him when I was here and he was the Foreign Secretary. We discussed various issues and explored ways to enhance our bilateral relationship, addressing both the geopolitical and geo-economic challenges our countries face," Cho Hyun said. He also expressed solidarity with India over the Pahalgam terror attack and the country's fight against terrorism. "We are very stern and firm on this issue. We are strongly against any terrorist attack. We stand by the Indian government and the people of India," he said. In his opening remarks during the meeting with the visiting South Korean leader, Jaishankar said "it's not very often that you have a chance to welcome an old friend as a new colleague". "So, it's a very special privilege to welcome you back to India. Please accept my congratulations on your appointment, you have been barely a month in the job, the fact that you are here literally a day after your National Day, and our National Day, says a lot really about the value we attach to the relationship," Jaishankar said. "Let me also take the opportunity to extend our greetings to you for the National Liberation Day of Korea, and your visit, I think, in many ways, comes at a very important time - it is the 10th anniversary of our Special Strategic Partnership, and I had the privilege of being with the Prime Minister when he met your President in Kananaskis in Canada. It was, by the way, a very good meeting I must tell you, they had very strong bonding," he added. (ANI)
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has expressed solidarity with India over the Pahalgam terror attack and on its fight against terrorism, saying his country stands by the Indian government and the people of India. In an interview with ANI, Cho Hyun said South Korea is firmly against terrorism. "We are very stern and firm on this issue. We are strongly against any terrorist attack. We stand by the Indian government and the people of India," Cho Hyun said. India had launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. India conducted precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK and repelled subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who had a bilateral meeting with Cho Hyun, expressed gratitude for South Korea's condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack and recalled that the parliamentary delegation from India that went to Seoul later "got very good meetings". "I want to express our gratitude for the RoK's condemnation of the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on 22nd of April, and the fact that when our Parliamentary delegation went to Seoul, I think they got very good meetings, you yourself made an effort to meet them - it is something which we appreciate," Jaishankar said. Answering queries, Cho Hyun said the tariffs being imposed by the United States in the rapidly changing situation in global trade is not unexpected and that his country was able to sort out the problem and "make a win-win" through trade negotiations. He said South Korea and the United States were able to strike a deal "that will again lead us to a win-win proposal". "This is something not unexpected given the rapidly changing situation in global trade. We were able to sort out a problem and make a win-win through these negotiations, and we were able to strike a deal that will again lead us to a win-win proposal," he said. US President Donald Trump had announced last month that he has reached a trade agreement with South Korea, which includes a 15 per cent tariff on South Korean exports to the United States. Trump made the announcement on July 31 on his social media handle Truth Social. "I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has agreed to a Full and Complete Trade Deal with the Republic of Korea. The Deal is that South Korea will give to the United States $350 Billion Dollars for Investments owned and controlled by the United States, and selected by myself, as President. Additionally, South Korea will purchase $100 Billion Dollars of LNG, or other Energy products and, further, South Korea has agreed to invest a large sum of money for their Investment purposes," Trump had said. "This sum will be announced within the next two weeks when the President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, comes to the White House for a Bilateral Meeting. I would also like to congratulate the new President on his Electoral Success. It is also agreed that South Korea will be completely OPEN TO TRADE with the United States, and that they will accept American product including Cars and Trucks, Agriculture, etc. We have agreed to a Tariff for South Korea of 15%. America will not be charged a Tariff. I would like to thank the Trade Representatives who came forward today. It was an Honor to meet them, and talk about the Great Success of their Country!" he added. The United States has imposed 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in July, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India's continued imports of Russian oil. Asked about the Alaska Summit meeting between the US President and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the South Korean Foreign Minister said it was too early to assess the outcome of the meeting but stressed that avoiding conflict was crucial. "It is too early to make any assessment of the meeting itself. We really hope that this will be the first step in the right direction. It is very important to avoid war and peace at any cost is better than war," he said. Cho Hyun said he had good meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday and recalled his tenure in Delhi as Ambassador from 2015 to 2017, stating that significant changes were made in India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership and that "more good changes" have been made during the past ten years. Cho Hyun said it is great to be back in Delhi and when he landed in the city about 10 years ago, he was humbled by the depths of India's culture. "I feel great to be back in Delhi and ten years ago, I landed in Delhi and I was very much humbled by the depths of the culture and the largest of the subcontinent and the people. I was very proud to serve as the Korean Ambassador to India, during which time I recognised the significant changes made in India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership...Now I see even more good changes that have been made during the past ten years. So I'm very glad to be back here, meet my friends," Cho Hyun said. Cho Hyun recalled that when he served as Ambassador, he had meeting with S Jaishankar who served as Foreign Secretary from 2015-18. He said they discussed various issues and explored ways to enhance the bilateral relationship. The Korean Foreign Minister arrived in the national capital on Friday. "It was a good meeting and I used to meet him when I was here and he was the Foreign Secretary. We discussed various issues and explored ways to enhance our bilateral relationship, addressing both the geopolitical and geo-economic challenges our countries face," Cho Hyun said. In his opening remarks during meeting with the visiting South Korean leader, Jaishankar said "it's not very often that you have a chance to welcome an old friend as a new colleague". "So, it's a very special privilege to welcome you back to India. Please accept my congratulations on your appointment, you have been barely a month in the job, the fact that you are here literally a day after your National Day, and our National Day, says a lot really about the value we attach to the relationship," Jaishankar said. "Let me also take the opportunity to extend our greetings to you for the National Liberation Day of Korea, and your visit, I think, in many ways, comes at a very important time - it is the 10th anniversary of our Special Strategic Partnership, and I had the privilege of being with the Prime Minister when he met your President in Kananaskis in Canada. It was, by the way, a very good meeting I must tell you, they had very strong bonding," he added. (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will visit Nepal on August 17 for a two-day official trip at the invitation of his Nepali counterpart Amrit Bahadur Rai, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. The MEA described the visit as part of the "tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries." India and Nepal, according to MEA, share strong and friendly ties that have seen steady progress in recent years across different areas of cooperation. "India attaches high priority to its relations with Nepal under its Neighborhood First policy. The Foreign Secretary's upcoming visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and will be an opportunity to further advance our bilateral ties," the MEA said in a statement. Nepal's Foreign Ministry confirmed that Misri and Rai will hold talks on strengthening the Nepal-India partnership, focusing on connectivity, development cooperation, and other issues of mutual interest. Apart from the talks with his counterpart, the Indian Foreign Secretary will also call on senior political leaders and dignitaries of Nepal during his stay. These meetings are likely to provide an opportunity for both sides to review recent developments in bilateral ties and chart the way forward. Misri is scheduled to leave Kathmandu on August 18 after completing his two-day programme. His visit comes at a time when both countries are working to strengthen their long-standing ties further and deepen cooperation in key areas. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed thanks to his Israeli counterpart after Benjamin Netanyahu wished him and the people of India on the 79th Independence Day. PM Modi said in a post on X, "Thank you PM Netanyahu for your warm wishes. May India-Israel friendship continue to flourish...may both countries further strengthen and deepen this relationship bringing peace, development as well as security to our people." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1956680079712403958 Earlier on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on extended warm greetings to India on the occasion of its 79th Independence Day. In a series of posts on X shared on the Israeli Prime Minister's account, Netanyahu said, "Congratulations to my dear friend @PMOIndia @narendramodi and the people of India on your Independence Day" Highlighting that India and Israel are proud democracies bound by history, innovation and friendship, Netanyahu said that the best chapters of the partnership still lie ahead. "Israel and India are two proud democracies, bound by history, innovation, and friendship. Our nations have achieved much together and the best chapters of our partnership still lie ahead." In his 12th Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered bold announcements that indicate India is poised to make significant progress into the future.PM Modi outlined plans for various initiatives, including the production of India's first semiconductor chip, the development of jet engines, the creation of 1 lakh crore in youth employment opportunities, and a tenfold expansion of the nuclear program. He presented his vision for "Naya Bharat" (New India) and set the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. On India's 79th Independence Day, warm wishes and greetings poured in from across the world, reflecting the country's growing global stature and strong international friendships. (ANI)
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who is on a visit to India, has called for deepening cultural relations between the two countries and said that young people in his country are fascinated by India's culture and that youth in India are also taking greater interest in different aspects of South Korean culture. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Cho Hyun said the two countries can do many more things in the future in the domain of culture including joint movie production. "We can do many more things in the future like joint movie making...And there are many other areas for cooperation. But more importantly, Korean young people are fascinated by the long history of Indian culture and vice versa is true," he said. India and Republic of Korea (RoK) relations have made great strides in recent years and are spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high level exchanges. Historical and cultural contacts between the two peoples date back to ancient times. According to "SamgukYusa" or "The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms" written in the 13th century, a Princess from Ayodhya (Suriratna) came to Korea, married King Kim-Suro, and became Queen Hur Hwang-ok in the year 48 AD [wife of former President Lee Myung-bak (Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok), former President Kim Dae-jung, former President Kim Young-sam and former PM Kim Jong-pil, inter alia, trace their ancestry to the royal couple]. Korean Buddhist Monk Hyecho or Hong Jiao visited India from 723 to 729 AD. His travelogue 'Pilgrimage to the five kingdoms of India gives a vivid account of Indian culture, politics & society, including food habits, languages & climate. The enduring philosophy of the Buddha, which has influenced the lives and thoughts of the people of the two countries, also provides a strong link. Cho Hyun said he had good meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday and recalled his tenure in Delhi as Ambassador from 2015 to 2017, stating that significant changes were made in India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership and that "more good changes" have been made during the past ten years. Cho Hyun said it is great to be back in Delhi and when he landed in the city about 10 years ago, he was humbled by the depths of India's culture. "I feel great to be back in Delhi and ten years ago, I landed in Delhi and I was very much humbled by the depths of the culture and the largest of the subcontinent and the people. I was very proud to serve as the Korean Ambassador to India, during which time I recognised the significant changes made in India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership...Now I see even more good changes that have been made during the past ten years. So I'm very glad to be back here, meet my friends," Cho Hyun said. Cho Hyun recalled that when he served as Ambassador, he had meeting with S Jaishankar who served as Foreign Secretary from 2015-18. He said they discussed various issues and explored ways to enhance the bilateral relationship. The Korean Foreign Minister arrived in the national capital on Friday. "It was a good meeting and I used to meet him when I was here and he was the Foreign Secretary. We discussed various issues and explored ways to enhance our bilateral relationship, addressing both the geopolitical and geo-economic challenges our countries face," Cho Hyun said. In his opening remarks during meeting with the visiting South Korean leader, Jaishankar said "it's not very often that you have a chance to welcome an old friend as a new colleague". "So, it's a very special privilege to welcome you back to India. Please accept my congratulations on your appointment, you have been barely a month in the job, the fact that you are here literally a day after your National Day, and our National Day, says a lot really about the value we attach to the relationship," Jaishankar said. "Let me also take the opportunity to extend our greetings to you for the National Liberation Day of Korea, and your visit, I think, in many ways, comes at a very important time - it is the 10th anniversary of our Special Strategic Partnership, and I had the privilege of being with the Prime Minister when he met your President in Kananaskis in Canada. It was, by the way, a very good meeting I must tell you, they had very strong bonding," he added. (ANI)
In a celebration of India's rich heritage, Shanghai's diplomatic, business and Indian community celebrated the 79th Independence Day and ShriKrishnaJanmashtam with fervour and enthusiasm, the Consulate General of India shared here on Saturday. In a post on X, the Consulate General said, "An evening of pride, unity & celebration! On the #79thIndependenceDay and the auspicious occasion of #ShriKrishnaJanmashtami, Shanghai's diplomatic, business and Indian community gathered in full strength to honour our great Nation's journey of #Aatmanirbharta towards a Viksit & Samriddha Bharat." https://x.com/IndiaInShanghai/status/1956705830935646574 Following the well-attended flag hoisting ceremony on the morning of August 15, the Consulate General of India in Shanghai hosted its National Day Reception on the evening of Saturday, August 16, at the Pudong Shangri-La to commemorate India's 79th Independence Day, an official statement said. The event brought together dignitaries from the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, provincial governments of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Indian community, and friends of India in a celebration of India's rich heritage and enduring global partnerships. Consul Generals of over 30 nations, including Australia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and Malaysia, graced the occasion with their presence, it said. As per the official statement, the reception featured traditional Indian cultural performances showcasing India's vibrant traditions through music and dance, alongside a showcase of Indian cuisine, highlighting the country's culinary diversity. The event provided a platform for fostering cultural exchange and strengthening ties between India and the local community in China's fastest growing region of Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Consul General of India in Shanghai, Shri Pratik Mathur, expressed pride in the occasion, stating, "This National Day Reception was a vibrant celebration of India's independence and its deep-rooted connections with Shanghai. We are honored to share this moment with our esteemed guests, whose presence underscores the strong bonds of friendship and collaboration between India and China", the statement said. Consul General further said, "In his Independence Day address yesterday, Prime Minister Modi outlined a visionary path for Atmanirbhar Bharat or Self-Reliant India, emphasizing self-reliance in defense, technology, and energy, the launch of Made-in-India semiconductor chips by year's end, a tenfold expansion of nuclear energy by 2047, and next-generation GST reforms to reduce taxes on essentials. He celebrated remarkable space achievements, including those of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, with ambitious plans for India's own space station and over 300 startups innovating in satellites and exploration." According to the official statement, Zhang Ying, Secretary General of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, also addressed the gathering, remarking, "The National Day Reception reflects the growing partnership between Shanghai and India. We are delighted to join in celebrating India's Independence Day and look forward to further strengthening our cultural and economic ties for mutual prosperity, especially as India-China celebrate 75 years of their diplomatic ties and we get ready to welcome Prime Minister Modi to China for the SCO Summit." The Consulate General of India in Shanghai expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their participation in making the event a resounding success. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his British counterpart Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke over the phone on Saturday and discussed Ukraine developments and other issues. "Appreciate the call from UK FS @DavidLammy. Our discussions covered the recent Ukraine developments and other issues," Jaishankar said in a post on X. The conversation came a day after US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held Summit meeting in Alaska over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska "went really well". He also held a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, several European leaders and the Secretary General of NATO and highlighted that it was determined by all that a peace agreement is the best way going forward. The US President said in a post on Truth Social, "A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up." He also shared that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will be coming to Washington DC on Monday and if things work out then a meeting would be scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Earlier on Friday, the United States and Russia held the much-anticipated truce talks meeting in Alaska to discuss bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine.Russia's top economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said the US received Russia "very well" in Alaska and that the two countries would continue building relations despite "resistance." "The US-Russia summit in Alaska has definitely been productive," Dmitriev said according to CNN, adding that there were "lots of issues that we discussed and many we agreed on". "Some of them are to be agreed and definitely it's very important that President Trump outlines a significant economic potential of cooperation between the US and Russia," said Dmitriev."We will continue building US-Russia relations going forward despite lots of resistance to this, but we will continue strengthening US-Russia ties," he added, as per CNN. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his greetings on India's 79th Independence Day, and earnestly wished Ukraine a future marked by "peace, progress and prosperity." In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Thank you President Zelenskyy for your warm greetings. I deeply value the joint commitment to forging even closer ties between India and Ukraine. We earnestly wish our friends in Ukraine a future marked by peace, progress and prosperity." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1956678213742080017 Earlier on Friday, Zelenskyy extended greetings to the people of India, President Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of India's 79th Independence Day. He wrote, "Congratulations to the people of India, President @rashtrapatibhvn, and Prime Minister @narendramodi on the Independence Day! This week we had a good, candid conversation with Prime Minister @narendramodi when I had an opportunity to personally convey my best wishes on this occasion." The Ukrainian leader underlined the shared values of India and Ukraine, saying both nations have stood for freedom, dignity, peace, and development. He also expressed hope that India would play a role in global peace efforts, particularly in ending the ongoing war. Wishes poured in from across the world, with French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam among several leaders extending greetings to India. Earlier, delivering his 12th Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi on August 15, PM Modi made a series of announcements, signalling that India is poised to make significant progress into the future. PM Modi outlined plans for various initiatives, including the production of India's first semiconductor chip, the development of jet engines, the creation of 1 lakh crore in youth employment opportunities, and a tenfold expansion of the nuclear program. He presented his vision for "Naya Bharat" (New India) and set the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi also unveiled the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) with an outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore. The scheme aims to provide 3.5 crore employment opportunities to the youth and offer them Rs 15,000 upon securing their first job. (ANI)
A mother protesting the killing of her teenage son by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan's Mastung district has alleged that police threatened her with arrest or enforced disappearance, The Balochistan Post reported. According to the outlet, her 17-year-old son, Syed Ehsan Shah, was shot dead by Frontier Corps (FC) personnel at the Lak Pass Tunnel checkpoint on June 3. Since August 5, she has been staging a sit-in outside the Quetta Press Club, demanding justice and accountability. In a video message cited by The Balochistan Post, she claimed that a Deputy Superintendent of Police warned her to end the protest or face detention or abduction. She also accused Mastung police of intimidating her family during attempts to register a case. The publication added that, although a murder case against unidentified FC personnel was registered on court orders, the family maintains that the accused are being shielded by authorities and remain free. As highlighted by The Balochistan Post, the grieving mother appealed to political parties and human rights organisations for support, declaring that she would not be silenced by threats and would continue her protest until those responsible are punished. Earlier, The Balochistan Post noted that the victim's father, Arif Shah, said he had repeatedly held press conferences in Quetta and Mastung and formally approached the local administration to demand a case against the perpetrators. Despite this, no substantive action was taken. He added that it was only after a court directive that a case was lodged against unidentified personnel, though the family says no real progress has followed. The outlet further stated that the victim's mother accused authorities of harassment rather than justice. She alleged her husband had been threatened with both violence and dismissal from his job if he pursued a First Information Report (FIR). Quoting the mother, The Balochistan Post reported that she demanded that those responsible for her son's killing be produced before a court. She emphasised that her son was an innocent ninth-grade student and questioned why he was targeted, linking the case to a wider pattern of abuses faced by the Baloch community. (ANI)
Scores of people from all age groups of Indian origin turned up in Times Square here as the tricolour was hoisted to celebrate 79th Independence Day. Dressed up in traditional Indian attire, they exuberated fervour and enthusiasm on Friday (local time). Earlier, iconic landmarks including World Trade Center were illuminated in the colours of the Indian Tricolour. In a post on X, India in New York said, "India's Independence Day was celebrated as iconic New York landmarks -- One World Trade Center, Grand Central Terminal, Niagara Falls, and Kosciuszko Bridge -- lit up in the colours of the Indian Tricolour. A vibrant tribute to the deep bonds of friendship between India and the United States." https://x.com/IndiainNewYork/status/1956558030264324343 The landmark displays came after the Indian Embassy in the US hosted the 79th Independence Day celebrations earlier in the day, with Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra hoisting the tricolour at India House, marking the official commencement of the day's festivities. In a post on X, the Embassy said, "Celebrating the 79th Independence Day of India! Ambassador Shri Vinay Kwatra hoisted the tricolour at India House. Members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India participated in the ceremony." The event emphasised the active involvement of the Indian diaspora in commemorating India's national day. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the Consulate General of India in Seattle marked the occasion with an official flag-hoisting ceremony, attended by several dignitaries. The ceremony included a cultural segment featuring Bharatanatyam, patriotic songs, and dances showcasing India's diverse traditions. Together, these events across New York and Seattle showcased the vibrant participation of the Indian diaspora, the celebration of India's cultural heritage abroad, and the enduring bonds of friendship between India and the United States. (ANI)
Tirana [Albania] August 16 (ANI/WAM): The UAE rescue team continues, for the fifth consecutive day, its efforts to extinguish forest fires raging in several areas of Albania, in coordination with local authorities. The team is intensifying its field operations, which come under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, using the latest equipment to monitor fire sites, ensure control, and prevent their recurrence, despite the challenges posed by high temperatures and difficult terrain. The UAE began its firefighting operations last Monday, with the arrival of joint aircraft and the specialised team. Over the past few days, the team has carried out 15 aerial sorties, deploying more than 600,000 kilograms of water across various areas affected by the fires. These efforts have contributed to limiting the spread of the fires and preventing them from reaching populated areas.(ANI/WAM)
Prague [Czech Republic], August 16 (ANI/ WAM): The upcoming Gulf-European joint ministerial meeting, scheduled to be held in Kuwait this October, was at the forefront of discussions between Jasem Mohamed Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Eduard Hulicius, during their meeting in Prague, the Czech capital. The two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral Gulf-Czech relations, particularly in the fields of tourism, medicine and healthcare, and energy. A number of regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed, and views were exchanged on them. (ANI/ WAM)
Indian astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla is set to return to India after completing a historic AX-4 mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space. Earlier on Saturday, Shukla shared an emotional note on X while boarding a flight to New Delhi, reflecting on his year-long training and the bonds he built during the mission. "As I sit on the plane to come back to India I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is - everything all at once," he wrote. https://x.com/gagan_shux/status/1956685169122808212 He added, "Goodbyes are hard but we need to keep moving in life. As my commander @astro_peggy fondly says, 'the only constant in spaceflight is change'. I believe that applies to life as well. I guess at the end of the day -"Yun hi chala chal rahi - jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya". Shukla's journey was part of the Axiom Space (AX-04) mission, launched on June 25 aboard SpaceX's Falcon rocket. The Dragonfly spacecraft docked with the ISS on June 26, where Shukla spent 15 days conducting a series of scientific experiments in microgravity. The mission, conducted in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, was aimed at gaining practical experience for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. According to ISRO, Shukla carried out multiple experiments aboard the ISS and the Space Shuttle, making significant contributions to India's space research. The learnings from Shukla's mission will directly support India's Gaganyaan project, which will begin with an unmanned flight later this year, followed by two more unmanned missions. Eventually, an Indian astronaut will be sent into space for 2-7 days aboard the Gaganyaan spacecraft. ISRO said around 600 crore was spent on the Axiom mission, including training for two astronauts. While Shukla flew to the ISS, fellow astronaut Prashant Nair served as backup. The mission also highlighted growing India-US space cooperation. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, ISRO and NASA signed an agreement enabling an Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS under a US mission. (ANI)
India's astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA's Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, arrived in New Delhi in the early hours of Sunday. Shukla was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. His wife, Kamna Shukla, was also present. Union Minister Singh and CM Gupta greeted her ahead of Shukla's arrival. Shukla was part of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25. He returned to Earth on July 15, splashing down off the coast of California. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space. Ahead of his return to India, Shukla shared an emotional note on X, reflecting on his year-long training and the bonds he built during the mission. "As I sit on the plane to come back to India I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is - everything all at once," he wrote. He added, "Goodbyes are hard but we need to keep moving in life. As my commander @astro_peggy fondly says, 'the only constant in spaceflight is change'. I believe that applies to life as well. I guess at the end of the day -"Yun hi chala chal rahi - jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya". Shukla's journey was part of the Axiom Space (AX-04) mission, launched on June 25 aboard SpaceX's Falcon rocket. The Dragonfly spacecraft docked with the ISS on June 26, where Shukla spent 18 days conducting a series of scientific experiments in microgravity. The mission, conducted in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, was aimed at gaining practical experience for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. According to ISRO, Shukla carried out multiple experiments aboard the ISS and the Space Shuttle, making significant contributions to India's space research. The learnings from Shukla's mission will directly support India's Gaganyaan project, which will begin with an unmanned flight later this year, followed by two more unmanned missions. Eventually, an Indian astronaut will be sent into space for 2-7 days aboard the Gaganyaan spacecraft. The mission also highlighted growing India-US space cooperation. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, ISRO and NASA signed an agreement enabling an Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS under a US mission. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, on Sunday welcomed Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla upon his arrival in Delhi, calling it a proud moment for India and ISRO. In a post on X, Singh wrote, "A moment of pride for India! A moment of glory for ISRO! A moment of gratitude to the dispensation that facilitated this under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. India's Space glory touches the Indian soil... as the iconic son of Mother India, Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla lands at Delhi in the early hours of morning today. Accompanying him, another equally accomplished Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, one of the astronauts selected for India's first Human mission Gaganyaan who was India's designated backup for the mission to the International Space Station ISS." "Privileged to receive both of them at the New Delhi Airport along with Delhi CM Smt. Rekha Gupta, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan and later welcomed by a group of students," he added. https://x.com/DrJitendraSingh/status/1956823862940995957 Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA's Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, landed in Delhi in the early hours of Sunday. He was received at Delhi's IGI airport by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, as well as his family, including his wife and son. Shukla was part of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25. He returned to Earth on July 15, splashing down off the coast of California. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space. Ahead of his return to India, Shukla shared an emotional note on X, reflecting on his year-long training and the bonds he built during the mission. "As I sit on the plane to come back to India I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is - everything all at once," he wrote. (ANI)
A Texas court has cleared the sale of Alex Jones' media company, Infowars, to help pay over $1 billion to the families affected by the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting.

Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ordered that Free Speech Systems, the parent company of Infowars, be managed by a court-appointed receiver.

This person will take control of Infowars' assets and sell them to help pay what Jones owes.

"This brings us a critically important step closer to holding Alex Jones accountable for years of harm," said Chris Mattei, a lawyer for some of the Connecticut families. "The corrupt media empire that Jones built is finally being dismantled."

In 2022, Jones was ruled guilty of defamation after repeatedly asserting on his show that the Sandy Hook shooting, which took the lives of 20 children and 6 adults, was fabricated, CNN said. Since then, he has not paid any of the court-ordered damages.

Families say Jones' lies caused them serious pain. During one trial, Nicole Hockley, who lost her son Dylan in the shooting, shared that people sent her pictures of dead children, accusing her of being a "crisis actor."

Alex Jones Infowars assets will be sold to pay over $1B in debts to Sandy Hook families: judge https://t.co/MIVRRu2EMb pic.twitter.com/0pGJFfNFOb  New York Post (@nypost) August 15, 2025

Court Approves Infowars Sale, Citing Alex Jones' Harassment

Despite being ordered to pay more than $1 billion, Jones kept broadcasting through Infowars and made money selling supplements and survival gear, especially when he talked about Sandy Hook.

According to HuffPost, under Judge Gamble's order, the court receiver can sell Infowars' studio equipment, brand name, and anything else of value.

Mark Bankston, a lawyer for the Texas families, said, "We're pleased with the ruling. This will finally lead to accountability for Alex Jones' monstrously cruel harassment."

One group that may try to buy Infowars is The Onion, a satirical news outlet. Last year, they won a bid to buy Infowars during a bankruptcy auction, but the sale was stopped by a federal judge.

With this new ruling, The Onion could return with another offer. The group has said it wants to turn Infowars into a parody site that mocks conspiracy theories.

Jones, however, does not plan to stop broadcasting. On his show Thursday, he said he's "pissed off" but "resigned" to losing Infowars. He claimed he'll return under a new name and promised to keep going "20 hours a day."

Originally published on vcpost.com
A coalition of Moroccan diaspora organizations in Italy has issued a scathing denunciation of what they describe as the political exploitation of children from the Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria.

Under the misleading banner of a peace vacation, over 60 minors were brought to Italy this summer, allegedly to escape hardship, only to be indoctrinated and used as tools in a separatist propaganda campaign.

According to the coalitions joint statement, relayed by Al Ahdath Al Maghribia daily, the children were falsely presented as Sahrawi refugees and transported using travel documents issued by Algerian authorities.

The operation, the associations said, was orchestrated by the Polisario separatist militias with full backing from the Algerian government, and facilitated by sympathetic Italian politicians in regions such as Tuscany, Lazio, and Emilia-Romagna.

This is not humanitarian aid. It is rather a cynical political maneuver, the statement reads. These children are being paraded across Europe to legitimize a separatist agenda and to solicit financial and political support from European institutions.

The organizations warn that behind the facade of compassion lies a disturbing reality: the children come from camps where fundamental rights are systematically denied.

Located on Algerian soil, the Tindouf camps are controlled by the Polisario but operate with the tacit approval of the Algerian state.

Residents are deprived of civil documents, freedom of movement, and access to employment. Worse still, children are subjected to ideological indoctrination and, in some cases, forcibly recruited into armed militias.

The refugees in Tindouf are the only population in the world that has been denied its most basic rights for nearly half a century, the statement says. This is a humanitarian crisis perpetuated by Algeria, and the international community must no longer look the other way.
An investigation conducted by the World Economic Forum's board on Friday cleared the body's founder Klaus Schwab and his wife of wrongdoing, after a probe into whistleblower complaints.

"Following a thorough review of all facts, the Board has concluded that ... there is no evidence of material wrongdoing by Klaus Schwab," the board announced.

In April, the Wall Street Journal reported that an anonymous letter sent to the prestigious institution's board of directors accused Schwab and his wife Hilde of mixing their personal affairs with Forum resources without proper oversight.

A spokesperson for Schwab had immediately denied all these accusations, but the 87-year-old said he would step down as head of the WEF.

The board of the WEF, best known for its annual summit for political and business elites in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Davos, asked a law firm to carry out an independent probe of the allegations.

"Minor irregularities, stemming from blurred lines between personal contributions and Forum operations, reflect deep commitment rather than intent of misconduct," the statement said.

"The Board has taken action to address all issues identified throughout the investigation, including strengthening the governance in general."

Also on Friday, the WEF said it will be replacing former Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe as interim chairman of the board.

He is being replaced by the billionaire duo of Larry Finck, the American co-founder of the investment fund Blackrock, and Andre Hoffmann, the Swiss vice-chairman of the pharmaceutical group Roche, according to a separate statement.

The letter alleged Schwab had asked junior employees to withdraw "thousands of dollars" from ATMs for him and used organisation funds to pay for massages during hotel stays. But the probe found nothing improper in his conduct.

Schwab was born in Ravensburg, Germany, on March 30, 1938. He was married with two children.

He was a professor of business management at the University of Geneva, where he taught until 2003, when in the early 1970s he launched the "European Management Forum," the precursor to the current Forum.

He expanded it by inviting American business leaders, successfully building a huge network of the world's economic and political elite, transforming the event into a major high-level international gathering dedicated to business relations and the exchange of ideas.

The Forum's success has led to the satirical concept of "Davos Man", the supposed avatar of a globalised elite of the stateless ultra-rich committed to free trade and high-minded seminars on corporate social responsibility.

Like other international organisations, the WEF has spurred conspiracy theories alleging that it was seeking to establish a "new world order".

Elon Musk, the world's richest man and once an influential member of US President Donald Trump's inner circle, accused Schwab on his social media platform X of wanting to "be the emperor of the Earth."
The increasing energy demands of AI are contributing to rising electricity costs for consumers and raising concerns about the broader environmental impact of the tech industry.

There is a severe lack of transparency regarding the energy use and environmental impact of AI models, as there are no mandates forcing AI companies to disclose this information.

The energy consumption of the newest version of ChatGPT is significantly higher than previous models, with estimates suggesting it could be up to 20 times more energy-intensive than the first version.

How much energy does the newest version of ChatGPT consume? No one knows for sure, but one thing is certain  its a whole lot. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, hasnt released any official figures for the large language models energy footprints, but academics are working to quantify the energy use for query  and its considerably higher than for previous models.

There are no mandates forcing AI companies to disclose their energy use or environmental impact, so most do not offer up those kinds of statistics publicly. As of May of this year, 84 percent of all large language model traffic was conducted on AI models with zero environmental disclosures.

It blows my mind that you can buy a car and know how many miles per gallon it consumes, yet we use all these AI tools every day and we have absolutely no efficiency metrics, emissions factors, nothing, says Sasha Luccioni, climate lead at an AI company called Hugging Face. Its not mandated, its not regulatory. Given where we are with the climate crisis, it should be top of the agenda for regulators everywhere, she continued.

Sam Altman, the Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI, has thrown out some figures into the public sphere  saying that ChatGPT consumes 0.34 watt-hours of energy and 0.000085 gallons of water per query  but has left out key details like what model these numbers refer to, and has offered no backup or corroboration for his statements.

Experts from outside the OpenAI fold have estimated that ChatGPT-5 may use as much as 20 times more energy as the first version of ChatGPT, and at the very least uses several times more. A more complex model like GPT-5 consumes more power both during training and during inference. Its also targeted at long thinking  I can safely say that its going to consume a lot more power than GPT-4, Rakesh Kumar, a professor at the University of Illinois, recently told The Guardian. Kumars current work focuses on AIs energy consumption.

While a query to ChatGPT in 2023 would have consumed about 2 watt-hours, researchers at the University of Rhode Islands AI lab found that ChatGPT-5 can use up to 40 watt-hours of electricity to configure a medium-length response (around 1,000 tokens). On average, they estimate that the model uses slightly over 18 watt-hours for such a response. This places ChatGPT-5 at a higher energy consumption rate than any other of the AI models they track save for two: OpenAIs o3 reasoning model and Deepseeks R1.

Calculating these estimated energy consumption rates was no easy feat, considering the severe lack of transparency in the sector, in spite of increasing scrutiny. Its more critical than ever to address AIs true environmental cost, University of Rhode Island professor Marwan Abdelatti told The Guardian. We call on OpenAI and other developers to use this moment to commit to full transparency by publicly disclosing GPT-5s environmental impact.

While tech companies consume more and more energy each year to power their AI ambitions, common consumers are suffering the consequences. Its consumers who are footing the bill for skyrocketing energy usage. The New York Times warns that electricity rates for individuals and small businesses could rise sharply as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and other technology companies build data centers and expand into the energy business. Moreover, Silicon Valley's backtracking on climate pledges will directly impact global communities, whether or not they ever use AI.

"We are witnessing a massive transfer of wealth from residential utility customers to large corporationsdata centers and large utilities and their corporate parents, which profit from building additional energy infrastructure," Maryland People's Counsel David Lapp recently told Business Insider.

"Utility regulation is failing to protect residential customers, contributing to an energy affordability crisis.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Since coming into office, United States President Donald Trump has doubled down on his Drill, baby, drill statement by opening federal land for licensing and encouraging oil and gas companies to increase production. One state Trump has set his sights on is Alaska, an area where oil operations have become increasingly more controversial in recent years due to concerns over environmental degradation.

President Trump hopes to double the quantity of crude moving through Alaskas pipelines, as well as construct a giant gas project, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said during a tour of Prudhoe Bay oilfield in June. Lets double oil production, build the big, beautiful twin, and we will help energise the world and we will strengthen our country and strengthen our families, stated Wright.

That same month, the Department of the Interior announced plans to repeal Biden-era restrictions on the licensing and development of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, which was designated as a protected wildlife reserve. The agency argued that the Biden-era rule was inconsistent with the 1976 Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act, which allowed for oil and gas leasing in the area.

Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support Americas energy security through responsible development, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. The 2024 rule ignored that mandate, prioritising obstruction over production and undermining our ability to harness domestic resources at a time when American energy independence has never been more critical."

Following the initial announcement, the public was given the opportunity to comment, during which time around 250,000 people responded. However, in July, the Interior Department confirmed it would be revoking three documents that had been aimed at limiting drilling in the reserve, marking a win for President Trump, who has fought for the last seven months to encourage more drilling.

President Biden introduced the restrictions during his time in office to prioritise traditional Indigenous uses, as well as protect habitats for polar bears, caribou, and other wildlife, across around 3 million acres of the 23-million-acre reserve. Around half of the reserve had previously been restricted from oil development under the Biden and Obama administrations. However, the Trump administration now plans to open 82 percent of the reserve to gas and oil drilling.

The question of more drilling in Alaska is a complex one, as environmentalists and Indigenous communities are extremely concerned about the potential impact of the move on environmental and human health. However, the oil and gas industry has provided much of the states revenue for decades and could provide an economic boost for several years to come.

Alaskas North Slope contains six of the 100 largest oil fields in the United States and one of the 100 largest natural gas fields, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Alaska does not have a state sales tax or a personal income tax, as revenues from Alaska's oil and gas industry fund about half of the state government. In addition, since 1982, every eligible Alaskan resident has received an annual dividend based on the value of oil royalty revenue in the Alaska Permanent Fund. This has made oil operations extremely popular among much of Alaskan society.

Nevertheless, developing any new oil operations could cause irreparable damage to the environment and jeopardise the chances of achieving a global green transition. As part of its 2050 net-zero carbon emissions pathway, the International Energy Agency warned that no new oil and gas fields can be approved for development if the world hopes to achieve its climate aims. New oil and gas development threatens Arctic wildlife, undermines the rights of Alaska Natives, and puts one of the fastest-warming ecosystems on Earth at risk, according to opponents to the new move.

In 2023, the Biden administration approved the controversial Willow project, which is still under construction and is expected to come online in 2029. It could then be operational for over 30 years. This provides an idea of just how long an impact a new oil project has on the environment.

Andy Moderow, the senior director of policy at the Alaska Wilderness League, explained, Were not talking about oil next year. Were talking about oil in 2050 and 2060 and beyond, when we need to move past it. The projects could easily be pumping oil when babies born today are retiring in a climate thats not livable if that oil is not blocked.

While new fossil fuel projects could boost Alaskas revenue, the state already has a strong oil fund that benefits its residents. Meanwhile, developing new projects could put the lives of native communities and wildlife at risk. While many governments around the world are discussing the most effective ways to transition to green, the removal of environmental restrictions in one of the worlds most vulnerable ecosystems seems at odds with international aims for climate progress.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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A group of licensed cannabis dispensaries in New York has filed a lawsuit against state regulators after officials admitted they made a mistake when enforcing school zone rules.

The legal challenge, filed Friday in Albany's State Supreme Court, asks a judge to declare the businesses compliant and block the state from penalizing them.

The dispute stems from how the state's Office of Cannabis Management interpreted a law that requires dispensaries to be at least 500 feet from schools, AP News said.

For nearly three years, regulators measured the distance from a school's entrance to the shop's entrance.

Recently, officials admitted the law actually requires measurement from the school's property line, not its front door.

The correction suddenly put more than 150 dispensaries at risk. About 60 licensed shops already operating, plus another 40 that hold licenses but have not opened, were told they may be too close to schools under the new standard.

Nearly 50 additional applicants awaiting approval are also affected.

"This lawsuit seeks to prevent the state from rewriting the rules midstream, stripping licensees of their rights and investments," the plaintiffs said in their filing.

OPINION | N.Y.s cannabis clown show: One more blow to states legal weed industry https://t.co/cI6nVftXVB  NYDN Opinions (@NYDNOpinions) August 15, 2025

Cannabis Office Admits Mistake, Leaves Shops in Limbo Until 2026

Many dispensary owners have invested their savings into leases, construction, and hiring. Now, they say they face the possibility of being forced to move or shut down altogether.

The state has offered up to $250,000 in relocation funds, but business owners argue that it does not cover the millions already spent.

Felicia Reid, the interim executive director of the cannabis office, acknowledged the error and apologized to those impacted.

However, she stressed that a permanent fix may only come from lawmakers. The legislature is not scheduled to meet again until 2026, leaving shops in limbo.

According to NY Times, Governor Kathy Hochul called the situation "a major screw-up" and said her office would work with lawmakers to prevent businesses from being unfairly penalized.

Advocates say the mistake undermines New York's promise of equity in the cannabis industry. According to the lawsuit, nearly 90% of the affected dispensaries are owned by women, veterans, people of color, or individuals impacted by past marijuana convictions.

Matthew Bernardo, president of Housing Works, one of the first dispensaries to open after legalization, warned that the correction could crush the legal market. "We want more clarity, and that's why we brought this lawsuit," he said.

Despite the turmoil, New York's cannabis industry is still projected to reach $1 billion in sales this year.

Originally published on vcpost.com
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The view of Great Salt Lake's North Arm from Gunnison Island, which has long served as a nesting ground for pelicans. Credit: Brian Maffly, University of Utah

Over the past 8,000 years, Utah's Great Salt Lake has been sensitive to changes in climate and water inflow. Now, new sediment isotope data indicate that human activity over the past 200 years has pushed the lake into a biogeochemical state not seen for at least 2,000 years.

A University of Utah geoscientist applied isotope analysis to sediments recovered from the lake's bed to characterize changes to the lake and its surrounding watershed back to the time the lake took its current shape from the vast freshwater Lake Bonneville that once covered much of northern Utah.

"Lakes are great integrators. They're a point of focus for water, for sediments, and also for carbon and nutrients," said Gabriel Bowen, a professor and chairman of the Department of Geology & Geophysics. "We can go to lakes like this and look at their sediments and they tell us a lot about the surrounding landscape."

Sedimentary records provide context for ongoing changes in terminal saline lakes, which support fragile, yet vital ecosystems, and may help define targets for their management, according to Bowen's new study, published last month in Geophysical Research Letters.

This research helps fill critical gaps in the lake's geological and hydrological records, coming at a time when the drought-depleted level of the terminal body has been hovering near its historic low.

"We have all these great observations, so much monitoring, so much information and interest in what's happening today. We also have a legacy of people looking at the huge changes in the lake that happened over tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of years," Bowen said. "What we've been missing is the scale in the middle."

That is the time spanning the first arrival of white settlers in Utah but after Lake Bonneville receded to become Great Salt Lake.

By analyzing oxygen and carbon isotopes preserved in lake sediments, the study reconstructs the lake's water and carbon budgets through time. Two distinct, human-driven shifts stand out:

Mid-19th century Coinciding with Mormon settlement in 1847, irrigation rapidly greened the landscape around the lake, increasing the flow of organic matter into the lake and altering its carbon cycle.

Coinciding with Mormon settlement in 1847, irrigation rapidly greened the landscape around the lake, increasing the flow of organic matter into the lake and altering its carbon cycle. Mid-20th centuryConstruction of the railroad causeway in 1959 disrupted water flow between the lake's north and south arms, which turned Gilbert Bay from a terminal lake to an open one that partially drained into Gunnison Bay, altering the salinity and water balance to values rarely seen in thousands of years.

The new study examines two sets of sediment cores extracted from the bed of Great Salt Lake, each representing different timescales. The top 10 meters of the first core, drilled in the year 2000 south of Fremont Island, contains sediments washed into the lake up to 8,000 years ago.

The other samples, recovered by the U.S. Geological Survey, represent only the upper 30 centimeters of sediments, deposited in the last few hundred years.

"The first gives us a look at what was happening for the 8,000 years before the settlers showed up here," Bowen said. "The second are these shallower cores that allow us to see how the lake changed after the arrival of the settlers."

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Bowen subjected these lakebed sediments at varying depths to an analysis that determines isotope ratios of carbon and oxygen, shedding light on the landscape surrounding the lake and the water in the lake at varying points in the past.

"The carbon tells us about the biogeochemistry, about how the carbon cycles through the lake, and that's affected by things like weathering of rocks that bring carbon to the lake and the vegetation in the watershed, which also contributes carbon that dissolves into the water and flows to the lake," he said.

Bowen's analysis documented a sharp change in carbon, indicating profound changes that coincided with the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley, where they introduced irrigated agriculture to support a rapidly growing community.

"We see a big shift in the carbon isotopes, and it shifts from values that are more indicative of rock weathering, carbon coming into the lake from dissolving limestone, toward more organic sources, more vegetation sources," Bowen said.

The new carbon balance after settlement was unprecedented during the 8,000 years of record following the demise of Lake Bonneville.

Next, Bowen's oxygen isotope analysis reconstructed the lake's water balance over time.

"Essentially, it tells us about the balance of evaporation and water inflow into the lake. As the lake is expanding, the oxygen isotope ratio goes down. As the lake shrinks, it goes up, basically telling us about the rate of change of the lake volume. We see little fluctuations, but nothing major until we get to 1959."

That's the year Union Pacific built a 20-mile causeway to replace a historic rail trestle, dividing the lake's North Arm, which has no tributaries, from its South Arm, also known as Gilbert Bay, which receives inflow from three rivers. Water flows through a gap in the causeway into North Arm, now rendering the South Arm an open system.

"We changed the hydrology of the lake fundamentally and gave it an outflow. We see that really clearly in the oxygen isotopes, which start behaving in a different way," he said. Counterintuitively, the impact of this change was to make Gilbert Bay waters fresher than they would have been otherwise, buying time to deal with falling lake levels and increasing salinity due to other causes.

"If we look at the longer time scale, 8,000 years, the lake has mostly been pinned at a high evaporation state. It's been essentially in a shrinking, consolidating state throughout that time. And that only reversed when we put in the causeway."

More information: Gabriel J. Bowen, MultiMillennial Context for PostColonial Hydroecological Change in Great Salt Lake, Geophysical Research Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025GL116597 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters
GLENS FALLS  Helmets, reflectors, break checks and more, the Warren County Department of Health, and the Glens Falls Police Department teamed up at Crandall Library Thursday to discuss bike education and safety with local residents.

Warren County Public Health educator Katie Boyle and Glens Falls Police Department Bicycle Patrol Officer Nate Warrington gave a presentation outlining the basics of bicycle safety Thursday morning.

Its always important to remember that you cannot be healthy if you are not safe, said Boyle. Were going to wear our properly fitting helmet every single time we ride.

Through the Ride Right bike education presentation, Boyle highlighted some of the numerous benefits of biking, and how biking not only benefits a riders physical and mental health, it can also help to reduce crime rates and build a community.

For bicycles and e-bikes, it is important to always wear a properly fitting and properly adjusted helmet every single time you ride, Boyle said. It is also important to use the right type of bike for you and the right size bike, she said.

Everyone should wear a helmet, Boyle said. But in New York State all bicyclists under the age of 14 are legally required to wear a helmet when they are riders or passengers on a bike. And any person, regardless of their age, is required to wear a helmet on an e-bike, Boyle said.

Electric-assisted bikes and scooters... you are not supposed to operate them if you are under 16 years of age, Warrington said.

Visibility is also very important for the safety of a bike rider, Boyle said. This means doing things like utilizing reflectors or reflective tape while riding, wearing brightly colored clothing and avoiding wearing darker colors, especially at night when it is more difficult to see, and using lights on your bicycle or e-bike.

Follow the law, be predictable, Boyle said. The laws in your area are dependent on your state and the municipality that youre in. Be predictable. Make sure that youre not just paying attention to you and riding all over the place or back-and-forth, or cutting off pedestrians or drifting into traffic without making yourself known.

Being predictable to vehicles and pedestrians is going to help keep not only yourself safer, but will also help keep everyone around you safer, Boyle said.

Be aware of whats going on around you, Boyle added.

It is important to keep and eye out not only for other vehicles and pedestrians, but to lookout for car doors opening, or debris in the road and other things that can also potentially cause accidents to occur, Boyle said.

In recent years numerous complaints have come from local residents who have dealt with young people on bicycles and e-bikes who have repeatedly driven out into traffic or who have not been obeying bike laws and safety regulations.

An issue we have with juveniles operating electronic bikes without pedals, Warrington said. I can speak that as for the Glens Falls Police Department weve tried to enforce that heavily, with the juveniles.

A key point about laws and regulations when riding a bicycle or an e-bike is to know what the specific laws and regulations are where you are riding as they can vary between one area and another. In some areas, like Glens Falls, bicycles are allowed to ride on the sidewalks, as long as the bicycle rider always yields to pedestrians. But in other areas, such as Saratoga Springs, there is a city ordinance prohibiting riding a bicycle on the sidewalks.

Anyone under 16 cannot be issued a traffic ticket, Warrington said. A ticket must be issued to their parent or guardian when a violation occurs so it becomes very difficult to enforce some of these laws with the juveniles. However, we have tried to educate as many as we can, especially riding around on those, we call them electronic dirt bikes, they are those bikes without the electric pedals that zip in and through traffic.

Warrington says the Police Department stops those types of riders when they can to help get illegal bikes without pedals off of the road and to help educate riders and their parents about bike safety and the rules of the road.

The Warren and Washington County areas have also seen a number of reported accidents involving bicycles and e-bikes in recent years. In October 2020, a Hudson Falls man was injured while he was riding his bicycle near the Northway Exit off-ramp in Glens Falls and he was struck by a vehicle. In May 2022 a man was killed while he was riding an e-bike that was struck by a vehicle on Quaker Road in Queensbury. In June 2022 a man and his stepson were both killed while riding bicycles on the Warren County Bikeway after a drunk driver crashed his motorcycle into them on the bike path. In July 2024, two separate e-bike riders were seriously injured in vehicle collisions in Glens Falls on Sanford Street and Bay Street. In December 2024 a bicyclist was killed after being struck by a vehicle near the Lake George Outlets. And just last week two e-bike riders were seriously injured and their dog was killed after their e-bike was struck near Lake George Battleground Campground on State Route 9.

Statewide, New York State had 7,523 reported bicycle crashes in 2022, 50 of those reported crashes were fatal, according to the Governors Traffic Safety Committee. A majority of those fatal crashes, 28 of the 50 killed, were not wearing proper headgear.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2022 (the latest available data) there were 1,105 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, which was a 13% increase from the 975 reported bicyclists deaths reported in 2021.

While the Ride Right safety and education program Thursday was the first event of its kind hosted at the Crandall Library, the library hopes to do more bicycle safety presentations and events in the spring.
Oregon police are investigating why a father apparently murdered his entire family before turning the gun on himself.

Police found the bodies of Hannah Marie Behee, 42, an 11-year-old boy, a 9-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl at a 9-acre property. Police went to the property after Behee had failed to show up to work Monday, KDRV-12 reported.

Police also found Chad Scott Behee, 40, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. Investigators believe he shot and killed his wife and the three children and then shot himself, the station reported.

A GoFundMe page has been established by family members to help pay for funeral costs: "We are reaching out with heavy hearts to ask for your support for the funeral expenses of Hannah and her three children, who tragically passed away. This devastating loss has left their family and friends in deep sorrow. Hannah was a loving mother, and her children were full of life and promise."

The Oregonian reported that Chad Behee appeared to have struggled in his late teens. According to the newspaper, in 2002, when he was 17, he was living with guardians who reported in a letter to the court that he had been taken to a hospital for the "fourth or fifth time cutting his wrist."

He eventually left the guardian's home that year and moved into a youth shelter.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
Ravalli County officials including the Commissioners and Chief Financial Officer Jana Exner, members of Ravalli Countys Opioid governance group, recently approved multiple applications for Montanas Opioid Abatement Trust, including a $68,000 assistance for EMTs who need paramedic training at Bitterroot Health.

Funds are still awaiting approval from the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust.

Paramedic school is expensive, Bitterroot Health EMS Manager Sarah Monroe told commissioners at their at their Aug. 14 meeting. We have more vacancies than weve ever had. People cannot afford to live here.

The governance group, which started reviewing Montana Opioid Abatement Trust (MOAT) applications in September of 2024, dictates how Ravalli County spends its portion of the national opioid settlement disbursements. Ravalli Countys portion is listed as $332,161.37 for 2024-2025, $221,440.92 for 2025-2026 and $221,440.92 for 2026-2027, according to the MOAT, these expectations are about 3.7% of all MOAT funds.

The group either approves or denies applicants, if approved the application is sent to the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust, who provides final approval.

Numerous opioid governance structures have been formed across Montana following the landmark national opioid settlement in which over a dozen opioid manufacturers, distributors and consultants were sued for more than 50 billion dollars by U.S. state and local governments. Ravalli County was deemed a metro region based on its population size and therefore has received direct funding from the national settlement, as well as a portion of an abatement trust.

The Bitterroot Healths opioid abatement application stated that the Bitterroot Valleys unaffordable housing market was negatively impacting their recruitment rates and that funding assistance would allow EMTs to afford paramedic training.

With increasing housing costs we are struggling with recruitment of Paramedics for our service," the application states. "Many of our staff are EMTs who have their roots in the community and who obtained their EMT licensure through local volunteer fire departments. Many of them would like to attend paramedic school but are unable to do so due to the cost at the nearest paramedic program in Missoula, which averages about $15,000 per student. We would like to apply to the Abatement Trust to receive grant funding to provide tuition assistance to our EMTs wanting to attend paramedic school.

Monroe told commissioners that Bitterroot Health offers competitive pay with the rest of Montana, but that because of the Bitterroot Valleys unaffordable housing market, applicants are still deterred from signing on.

When were interviewing paramedics from out of state, people are interested and they want to come here to the Bitterroot, Monroe said. They can't move here, they can't afford housing  I look at this as an opportunity to create our own paramedics. Its a big part of our job.

Monroe explained that paramedic training is directly linked to opioid abatement in Ravalli County because paramedics are first responders for opioid overdose.

Our paramedics are really the ones that are gonna go out there and provide that community education and really help these people when they truly are in a crisis, Monore said. Its part of this community, we see the deaths.

Commissioners raised concerns about EMTs possibly benefitting from free training and then getting jobs elsewhere and leaving Ravalli County. Commissioner Greg Chilcott told Monroe that it has happened before.

Theres one concern; we have a number of opportunities to fund education and training, Chilcott said. As soon as we get them trained and certified they disappear, and we just dumped all this money into getting their training.

Commissioners asked Monroe if Bitterroot Health had organized measures to decrease the amount of applicants that train in the valley and then migrate elsewhere. Monroe said they did not have concrete methods of encouraging staff permanency, but said they had ideas of how Bitterroot Health could incentivize staying in Ravalli County longer.

Monroe thanked group members for their approval and emphasized the impact that increased paramedic presence will have on Bitterroot Healths operations.

Im tired of having vacancies, our people are working 70 and 80 hours a week to cover the holes in the schedule, Monroe said. If it all goes through, you guys have no idea what youve done for some people. Its huge. Huge.

I voted for Bitterroot Health because thats a direct benefit for increasing training for EMTs and paramedics, Commissioner Jeff Burrows said. So I support that project.

The governance group also approved a $35,000 application from the Montana Meth Project, which will be used for Fentanyl prevention, education and outreach.

The group tabled an application for $600,000 from the LifeGuard group, a nonprofit utilizing a faith-driven approach to combat human trafficking, according to their MOAT application.

Ravalli Countys governance group will not meet again to review MOAT applications until 2026.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story's headline said Bitterroot Health had received funding for EMT training, which is incorrect. While funding was approved at the county level, Bitterroot Health's application is still awaiting final approval from the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust. The Ravalli Republic regrets the error.
Air Canada strike hits state hard affecting Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum International airports

Cancun, Q.R.  Air Canada flights into Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum International airports have been canceled in anticipation of a strike. On Friday, the Cancun airport managing company Aeropuertos del Sureste (ASUR) reported on the start of the flight cancellations.

According to ASUR, on Thursday, at least six Air Canada flights were affected. Air Canada operations have been halted due to a planned strike by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the union representing Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants.

The airline began canceling flights Thursday in anticipation of the flight attendant strike. The company said they would gradually suspend operations over the course of three days, leading to a complete cessation of flying by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge for Saturday.

The move came after more than 300 of its unionized flight attendants voted earlier this week to strike. During a press conference Thursday, the airline warned that even if the company reaches a union deal quickly it could take up to a week for flights to fully restart.

It is anticipated that approximately 130,000 travelers a day will be affected by the strike that has lead to a shutdown of Canadas largest airline. On Friday alone, Air Canada announced the cancellation of 294 flights affecting 55,726 travelers.

Cozumel International Airport is part of Air Canadas regular route.

Air Canada Chief Operations Officer Mark Nasr, said the airline has begun a gradual suspension of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations that will be completely paused by Saturday morning.

All flights will be paused by Saturday early morning, he said adding that by the time we get to 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, we will be completely grounded.

Air Canada offers flights into Tulum International.

On Tuesday, the airline announced an impasse between the two sides while discussing more pay to flight attendants.

As of Friday, more than 2,100 passengers were affected by the cancellation of 14 flights into Cancun International. That number is expected to increase now that the airline has announced a complete shutdown.

In January, Air Canada announced an increase from 53 to 60 routes into Cancun International.

Air Canada offers flights into Tulum, Cozumel and Cancun from Vancouver, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Winnipeg, while Air Canada Rogue flies from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa and Quebec City.
China's Long March-10 carrier rocket succeeds in first static fire test

Xinhua) 10:01, August 16, 2025

This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows the static fire test of China's Long March-10 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province. China's Long March-10 carrier rocket, the country's new-generation manned launch vehicle, has successfully completed the first static fire test here on Friday, the China Manned Space Agency has announced. (Xinhua/Zhang Bin)

WENCHANG, Hainan, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's Long March-10 carrier rocket, the country's new-generation manned launch vehicle, has successfully completed the first static fire test on Friday at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has announced.

This marks a significant new milestone in China's manned lunar exploration program, following the successful zero-altitude escape flight test of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft and the comprehensive landing and takeoff test of the Lanyue manned lunar lander, according to the CMSA.

At 3:00 p.m. Friday, seven engines of the test product of the rocket's first stage were ignited simultaneously, followed by the completion of multiple scheduled test procedures.

This static fire test evaluated the simultaneous working capacity of the seven parallel engines of the rocket's first stage under standard and high working conditions, as well as obtained complete test data. The test was a complete success, the agency said.

The thrust scale in Friday's test reached nearly 1,000 tonnes, marking the largest such test ever conducted in China.

The Long March-10 carrier rocket series is developed to serve China's manned lunar exploration missions, including two configurations -- the Long March-10 rocket and Long March-10A rocket.

The Long March-10 rocket is a type of three-stage rocket with two boosters. It has a diameter of 5 meters and a maximum height of 92.5 meters. It will undertake the launch missions of the manned spacecraft and the lunar lander.

The Long March-10A is a type of two-stage reusable rocket, with a diameter of 5 meters and a maximum height of 67 meters. Its first stage can be recycled and reused. It will serve the launch missions of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft and Tianzhou cargo craft in the application and development phase of the country's space station.

"Both Long March-10 and Long March-10A can transport astronauts and cargo," said Xu Hongping, chief commander of Long March-10 carrier rocket series development team at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The success of the static fire test has laid an important technical foundation for the manned lunar exploration mission, the CMSA said.

The agency stated that the Long March-10 series rockets will be fully utilized in the country's manned spaceflight program, working in tandem with the Mengzhou manned spacecraft to achieve the upgrading of China's manned space-Earth round-trip transportation system.

China has now entered the lunar landing phase of its manned lunar exploration program, paving the way to land astronauts on the moon before 2030.

"To achieve this goal, new carrier rockets with high safety, reliability and thrust are required. The Long March-10 series was developed to meet this need," Xu said.

"More test work for technical verification is scheduled in accordance with the follow-up development plan for the Long March-10 carrier rocket series," Xu added.

New supporting infrastructure for the country's manned lunar exploration program is under construction at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, with all work progressing smoothly, the CMSA said.

This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows the static fire test of China's Long March-10 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province. China's Long March-10 carrier rocket, the country's new-generation manned launch vehicle, has successfully completed the first static fire test here on Friday, the China Manned Space Agency has announced. (Xinhua/Zhang Bin)

This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows the static fire test of China's Long March-10 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province. China's Long March-10 carrier rocket, the country's new-generation manned launch vehicle, has successfully completed the first static fire test here on Friday, the China Manned Space Agency has announced. (Xinhua/Zhang Bin)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
While social media erupted following an interview given by Mexican artist Christian Nodal to journalist Adela Micha, his wife, Angela Aguilar, appeared in Los Angeles for an interview with Apple Music. Amid the controversy, Pepe Aguilar's daughter showed professionalism by honoring her commitment, though her words ultimately added fuel to the fire.

"As a woman, it's something that affects me greatly: that what happens in our personal lives is given more attention than our careers," Aguilar said in the interview, reading from a tablet and appearing on the verge of tears. "Women have to work 10 times harder."

Nodal's statements seemed aimed at redirecting attention from the end of his relationship with Cazzu, the mother of Inti, his only daughter, and the timeline of his relationship with Angela.

According to Nodal, his romance with his current wife began during the pandemicwhen he was allegedly still with his ex Belindawas temporarily suspended, and then resumed on May 13 or 14, shortly after he broke up with Cazzu on May 8.

He added that his first kiss with Angela occurred on May 15, and they were "spiritually" married in Rome on May 29. A month later, the couple was legally married in Mexico.

During the interview with Micha, part of the YouTube show La Saga, Nodal appeared to "apologize" to Cazzu for his actions while repeatedly emphasizing that he had not been unfaithful. He denied being a womanizer but described himself as "a soul in love."

The interview sparked a fresh wave of criticism toward Nodal and Angela on social media. It also prompted online sleuths to verify the timeline provided by Nodal, recalling that rumors about their romance emerged when fans noticed a cross that Nodal always wore, matching one worn by his now-wife, which he had apparently been wearing since March.

Adding to the controversy, a photo surfaced showing Nodal congratulating Cazzu on Mother's Day on May 10, expressing his love for her.

So far, Angela Aguilar and her family appear to have been the most professionally affected by the scandal. Tickets to see Los Aguilar at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles this weekend are being sold for as little as $1. Additionally, the streaming numbers for her recently released songs have underperformed expectations.

She is right: women often bear the heavier burden and harsher judgment in these situations.
Mexico, Guatemala and Belize sign trilateral agreement to preserve 5.7 million hectares of Mesoamerican forest

Mexico City, Mexico  Mexico, Guatemala and Belize have created the Great Mayan Forest Biocultural Corridor, the largest of its kind in the world. It covers approximately 5.7 million hectares of the heart of Mesoamerica where indigenous and Afro-descendant communities are central to the conservation of this biocultural region.

On Friday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a trilateral agreement with her counterparts from Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo de Leon, and Belize, John Antonio Briceno, to preserve 5.7 million hectares of the heart of Mesoamerica through the creation of a new Biocultural Corridor of the Gran Sevla Maya (CBGSM ).

The goal is to strengthen environmental cooperation in conservation and ecological integrity to benefit approximately 7,000 species, 200 at risk, 50 priority species and 250 endemic to Mexico.

We should be proud to be able to tell the world: we have united our will to preserve and restore the legacy of this extraordinary biological and cultural wealth. Todays agreement is historic and beautiful. Thank you, President Arevalo, and thank you, Prime Minister Briseno. Long live Belize! Long live Guatemala! And long live Mexico! said President Sheinbaum.

Sheinbaum reported that the Mexican government has decided to move on to the second phase of the Sembrando Vida program in regions of Guatemala and Belize as a concrete form of cooperation that promotes rural development, protects ecosystems, and improves the living conditions of local residents,

The program will regenerate soil, restore forest cover where it has been degraded and promote food self-sufficiency, and above all, improving community well-being.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo asserted that the agreement protects invaluable heritage and promotes a sustainable development model that generates well-being for the communities of the three countries.

The three countries in this immense jungle possess an immense heritage, and consequently we have an immense responsibility. Today, Guatemala, Mexico and Belize, our three governments, are taking a step forward. By protecting the Great Mayan Forest, we are protecting life and diversity and honoring history to protect the future, he said.

Belizean Prime Minister John Antonio Briceno emphasized that this agreement represents a bridge to the future and a permanent seed of cooperation between the three nations. He also invited the world to join the vision of universal environmental protection and cultural respect.

We are not only protecting an ecosystem, but also honoring the legacy of the civilization that once flourished in these territories. Mexico, Guatemala and Belize demonstrate once again that our political borders do not divide, but rather unite efforts to preserve one of the last lungs of the planet and the living heritage of the Mayan people, he said.

The large trinational reserve will guarantee the ecological continuity of the Yucatan Peninsulas characteristic ecosystems such as the lowland, mid and highland tropical rainforests, the Petenes and the mangroves.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum with Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo de Leon August 15, 2025.

This connectivity will be key to protecting emblematic species such as the jaguar, tapir, spider monkey, and quetzal. As the second largest tropical rainforest in the Americas, and the largest in all of Mesoamerica, its preservation is strategic for addressing the climate crisis, regulating the water cycle, and conserving regional biodiversity.

The Gran Selva Maya Biocultural Corridor is made up of 11 Protected Areas in Belize, 27 in Guatemala and 12 in Mexico, including: in Mexico the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and the Balam Ku Flora and Fauna Protection Area.

In Guatemala the Mirador-Rio Azul National Park and Dos Lagunas Biotope and in Belize, the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area and the Aguas Turbias Protected Natural Area.

The joint declaration between Guatemala, Belize and Mexico recognizes the living cultures of the region, the indigenous Mayan and Afro-descendant communities, as guardians of nature.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum with her Belize counterpart John Antonio Briceno August 15, 2025.

Without them, ecosystems could not be preserved and threats such as illegal logging, environmental pollution, and fires could not be curbed. It therefore promotes social participation through the involvement of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, as well as the academic and private sectors.

The cooperative actions include sharing information, technology and training in integrated fire management, illegal logging and deforestation and managing the use of timber and non-timber forest resources in an inclusive manner for the benefit of the communities that live there.

The authorities designated for the coordination and implementation of this Declaration include the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, for the Government of the United Mexican States, through the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, the National Council of Protected Areas, for the Government of the Republic of Guatemala and the Ministry of Sustainable Development, for the Government of Belize.

Likewise, with the purpose of recognizing and thanking those who contribute to the sustainable use and protection of its species and ecosystems, starting in 2026, August 15 will be commemorated as Great Mayan Forest Day and recognition will be established for Merit for the Conservation of the Great Mayan Forest.

The Government of Mexico reaffirms its commitment to establishing international coordination and cooperation mechanisms that enable the conservation of Protected Natural Areas for the benefit of the rural community and the country as a whole.
Suspect wanted in Cancun kidnappings located in Mexico City

Cancun, Q.R.  Ariel Alejandro N will stand trial for the 2019 kidnapping of two men in the city of Cancun. According to police, one of the men was found dead after the ransom had been paid.

Police say Ariel Alejandro N was located and taken into custody in Mexico City in past days. He has since been returned to Cancun to face charges. He was arrested in collaboration with Mexico City FGE agents and the National Anti-Kidnapping Coordination.

Initial investigations indicate that the defendant was part of a criminal group that, on November 20, 2019, deprived two victims of their liberty while they were in a mechanics shop located in SM 238.

Days later, they contacted a relative of the victims to request one million pesos, and later only 100,000 to release the victims. A relative made several cash deposits, and the kidnappers released one victim.

On December 2, 2019, the relative deposited 30,000 pesos for the release of the other kidnapped person, however, the members of the criminal group stopped making contact. Later, on December 10, 2019, the second victim was found dead.

Field and office analysis work, as well as the exchange of information between the corporations, made it possible to establish the location of Ariel Alejandro N. A Cancun judge has ordered Ariel Alejandro N to remain in custody during his trial.
Long before its airing, the highly anticipated tvN weekend drama "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" is already making waves, with its recently released main trailer creating even more anticipation among viewers.

After the end of "Law and the City," which wrapped up with a record high rating of 7.7%, "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" arrives on August 23.

The series is directed by Jang Tae Yoo, written by fGRD, and produced by Studio Dragon, Filmgrida, and Jung Universe.

It will explore the lives of tyrant King Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min) and palace cook Yeon Ji Young (YoonA) living in a tumultuous royal court.

The August 12 trailer begins with Yeon Ji Young, a budding Michelin 3-star chef, defeating a French cooking competition only to be whisked away into a royal palace.

She's chased by an arrow-toting king and branded as a criminal before finally declaring her occupation to Lee Heon, who at first thinks she's a ghost.

Her contemporary cuisine, such as steak and pasta, slowly wins him over, paving the way for laughs and romance.

Fiction occurs when Kang Mok Joo (Kang Han Na), the king's concubine, sees Ji Young as a threat.

Her jealousy and suspicions grow as Ji Young continues to play and tease the king, building to high-tension palace intrigue scenes.

Netizens were also flattered with the trailer, with comments that included, "YoonA is so beautiful," "The cast combination is already so fun," and "Perfect casting for their roles  young tyrant and older chef pairing is going to be great."'

YoonA is back on the small screen playing Yeon Ji Young, a stubborn chef involved in a hilarious but perilous time-slip survival narrative.

Her work in "Exit," the "Confidential Assignment" franchise, and "King the Land" earns her fame, and she prepped three months with an expert chef to get ready for the character, learning how to cook with techniques such as flambe.

Lee Chae Min, in his first royal role, portrays Lee Heon, a sharp-tongued ruler with an extraordinary palate and deep distrust of others. The drama marks a darker turn for the actor, known for youth romance roles.

"Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" premieres August 23 at 9:10 p.m. KST.
Ive pretty much given up on this country, a friend texted me last week. The past several monthsand it has, unbelievably, been only that longhave played out like the climax of a Roland Emmerich movie, as one American institution after another has crumbled in the face of a previously unimaginable assault. The nations top universities and its most powerful law firms, its largest companies and most venerable media giants, have succumbed to the presidents arm-twisting with little more than a whimperor, in some cases, prostrated themselves without even needing to be asked. Government agencies have been snuffed out overnight, masked law-enforcement officers roam the streets, and the welfare state has been slashed to free up money for vast new detention centers. The question can feel less whether its time to give up on this country than whether we still have a country to give up on.

It might not, then, seem like the ideal time to watch a five-and-a-half-hour documentary about the plight of the free press in Vladimir Putins Russia. But Julia Loktevs My Undesirable Friends: Part ILast Air in Moscow grabs you from its opening frames and, despite its substantial length, never loosens its grip on your soul. Watching the final vestiges of a free society slip away in what almost feels like real time, we can see her characters struggling to come to grips with what their country is becoming, and how best to push back without losing their own freedoms in the process. Its devastating in its delineation of how brutally a determined and unrestrained state can strip citizens of their essential rights, and exhilarating in the way they draw strength from one another. In other words, its about as important and timely as its possible for a movie to be.

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Loktev was born in the former Soviet Union, but her family immigrated to Colorado in the 1970s, and though she had been back periodically over the years and still speaks fluent Russian, it wasnt a place I spent a whole lot of time, as she told me in her Brooklyn apartment last week. But when she read an article in the summer of 2021 about young Russian journalists being forced to declare themselves foreign agents for reporting critically on the Putin regime, she had a feeling that she needed to start filming them as soon as she possibly could. The country was just starting to lift COVID restrictions and readmit foreigners, and by October, she was on the ground, unknowingly capturing what turned out to be the final four months before the invasion of Ukraine, and the effective end of the free press in Russia. As Loktevs opening narration informs us, The world youre about to see no longer exists.

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The initial plan was to make a movie about journalists dealing with the absurdity of Russias foreign agent law, which requires people or institutions designated as such by the government to preface every public communication, whether its a news broadcast or an Instagram post, with a mandatory block of text that Loktevs characters call the fuckery. The foreign agent designation also requires them to report their income and expenses to the government and bars them from running for public office or teaching in schools. One Russian blogger was even fined for posting the text in too small a font. I remember thinking, What if you could make a film in Germany in 1935, when the Nuremberg Laws were first passed, forcing a part of society to mark themselves as others? Loktev recalls. And though she wasnt required to, she periodically breaks up her own movie with the screen-filling block of text, to simulate the disruption Russian viewers would encounter anytime they strayed from state-run media.

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The first of Part Is five hourlong episodes still bears the title of what she thought would be the entire film: The Lives of Foreign Agents. But as she kept shooting, from October 2021 through the beginning of the war on Ukraine in February 2022, the list of foreign agents grew from a few dozen to several hundred, and the restrictions on press freedoms got more and more severe, her subjects situations more and more dangerous. As for the threat to her, Loktev says, I tried not to think about it.

When we watch a disaster movie, we savor the experience of knowing whats about to strike before the characters do, tallying up their fatal missteps while were safe in our seats. But the people in My Undesirable Friends arent blithely going about their business as a storm gathers in the distance. Theyre already in it up to their knees, and they just dont know how deep the waters going to get. As the laws tighten and the months pass, the characters, many of whom work for TV Rain, Russias last independent news channel, keep wondering out loud whether its finally time to leave the country. But its difficult to square their own increasingly fraught situations with the stubborn normalcy of the world around them. Even on the night that Russia started bombing Ukraine, Loktev says, she was waiting for one of her subjects at a cafe near TV Rains offices and realized that the people at the next table were on a Tinder date. Part of the authoritarian attempt is this sense when youre living through it that life continues to look normal around you, and you feel slightly schizophrenic, she says. You feel like youre going crazylike, Is this really happening? Theres still matcha lattes everywhere.

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Even the lives of Loktevs characters can seem disorientingly normal at times. Yes, theyre under constant threat of being fined or shut down or worse. The movies youngest subject, 23-year-old Ksenia Mironova, is the fiancee of journalist Ivan Safronov, who was jailed for treason in July 2020 and eventually sentenced to 22 years in prison. But theyre also young people who gather for raucous dinners and razz each others cooking, who drop offhand references to Gossip Girl and bemoan the fact that they cant stop hate-watching Emily in Paris. (Russians are also, it turns out, really, really into Harry Potter.) Its a sobering political document, and a terrifying premonition of what lies ahead, but its also a superlative hangout movie.

Loktev shot My Undesirable Friends on a succession of iPhones, and although that wasnt her initial planyou can, if you watch closely, spot the point at which she upgrades to a more recent modelit allowed her an extraordinary degree of intimacy. I was around other people shooting some of the same events at the same time I was, she recalls, and they were like 10 feet farther back than I was. I actually love the feeling it creates because youre really with people and kind of in their world. Apart from the opening narration and the few sentences of text that end each episode, theres little in the way of exposition, and she avoids the use of lower third captions to explain who her subjects, many of them well-known figures, are. We see Anna Nemzer, the host of a TV Rain show called Whos Got the Power?, posing for a photo shoot in sparkly eveningwear, a tongue-in-cheek riff on the government branding her a secret agent. But instead of the glamorous result, the movie focuses on her discomfort, her almost palpable desire to shrug off the fancy dress and get back to work. Loktevs characters are identified by their diminutive nicknames and not their formal bylinesNemzer is Anya, Mironova is Ksyushaand the overall effect is like being welcomed to a bustling dinner party already in progress. You might not catch every name or job description, but hang around long enough, and you start to feel like part of the group.

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Among her fellow exiles, Mironova tells me, the standard response to Colberts cancellation was Welcome to Russia in the 90s and 2000s.

Everyone, every character, was a famous journalist, says Mironova, who now lives in New York. But we are famous for a very little circle. We are not rich stars. What I like about this movie a lot is that I can see girls with their dogs or Anya just cooking, because thats how she deals with her stress, and I understand that completely. I think almost every person can understand.

Mironova will be appearing on a panel at New Yorks Film Forum, where My Undesirable Friends begins its American theatrical run, this weekend, along with Loktev and Nemzer. But she admits shes never been able to watch the entire movie, which ends with her in tears, choosing to flee a country whose streets are filled with anti-war protesters and the armed troops sent to subdue them. (The second part, which Loktev is still editing, will be subtitled Exile.) Loktev had her subjects check the footage to ensure that there was nothing in the movie that might endanger anyonesome minor characters faces are blurred, others kept carefully just outside the framebut Mironova said she could only bear to watch her scenes at double speed, and even then, she mostly just listened to the dialogue. When the movie premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, she asked the staff to wait until the end credits started rolling to bring her into the theater, because the last episode ends with me crying and leaving, and I remember what comes after.

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On the day I spoke to Mironova, National Guard troops were beginning to arrive in Washington, and news was circulating about CBS plan to appoint a bias monitor to oversee its news coverage, the latest in a series of seeming concessions to a relentlessly partisan Federal Communications Commission that included canceling Stephen Colberts top-rated late-night show, which frequently took jabs at Trump. Despite the obvious differences between Russia and the U.S., its impossible to watch My Undesirable Friends and not feel the tumblers falling into place, the parallels that once seemed unimaginable and now feel unavoidable. Among her fellow exiles, Mironova says, the standard response to Colberts cancellation was Welcome to Russia in the 90s and 2000s. This is exactly what was going on in Russia 20 years ago. Thats not to say the U.S. will end up like Russia. But we can no longer be sure that we wont.

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Even after 20 years of Putin, Mironova says, it was hard to believe that things would get as bad as they did as fast as they did. Even when it seemed inevitable, she recalls, it still was absolutely impossible. No one knows more clearly than My Undesirable Friends characters how far the rule of law has deteriorated. And yet, up until the moment bombs started falling in Ukraine, many chose to stick it out, fighting battles they knew would be futile because, as Nemzer explains, there still needs to be a record of what happened. One of the interesting things for me in the film is this question of: What do you do when you live in a country where your government is doing terrible things, and how do you continue to function as the opposition in that country? Loktev says. Do you put on plays? Do you continue to work as a journalist? Do you continue to work as an activist for people with disabilities, for homeless people, people with HIV? Or are you supposed to leave that country and leave it to the dictator?

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In the end, the people in My Undesirable Friends dont have a choice: Its either flee and continue their work in exile, or stay and end up in prison. Part I leaves them at a heartbreaking juncture, especially Mironova, who has to be convinced that she can do more to advocate for her fiances release abroad than she could in a Russian jail. And yet even as she acknowledges that the previous year and a half has been the worst in her life, she says that its also been the best. I saw a lot of light in my colleagues, she tells me. And I had people around me who fought a lot for our future, even if we lost. Part of my life is still awful. But I had this chance to experience real love, and how people can support each other, and how kind they can be in a very, very dark time.

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As a journalist, Mironova doesnt think much of the American press, or at least the major media companies who have lost touch with the struggles of ordinary people. But she also sees the U.S. as a place where strong communities already exist, and those bonds need to be strengthened, both to fight the rise of authoritarianism and to keep one another sane. Just be together, she says. Spend more time together.

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It may not seem as if the crisis is urgentthere are, indeed, still matcha lattes. But its been less than a year since My Undesirable Friends first screened in the U.S., and whatever comforting distance there might have been between the people in the movie and the people watching it has all but vanished. Even between October, when we knew kind of what was coming and hoped it wasnt, and now, it just feels very different, Loktev says. It still felt like a film about nasty things that happen in nasty faraway places, and now weve become the nasty close place.
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The Supreme Courts unrelenting abuse of its shadow docket has left lower courts scrambling to figure out what, exactly, is law on any given day. Time and again, the conservative supermajority has altered or overturned precedentusually in Donald Trumps favorwithout bothering to explain why. In the process, it keeps disrupting carefully reasoned injunctions, sowing uncertainty over what rights and rules actually apply. This vacuum has left lower-court judges with an unenviable choice: Apply the law as it actually stands today or try to guess how the Supreme Court will change it tomorrow.

On this weeks Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus, Mark Joseph Stern spoke with Madiba Dennie about one judge whos calling out SCOTUSs abdication of its duties while refusing to preemptively legitimize Trumps lawlessness. Dennie is the deputy editor of Balls and Strikes and the author of The Originalism Trap. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Mark Joseph Stern: On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun issued a really interesting order in the ongoing battle over Trumps unlawful assault on the Education Department. The background here is important: In May, Joun issued a preliminary injunction barring the Trump administration from destroying the department by firing so many of its employees that it couldnt function anymore. The Supreme Court then froze that injunction without explaining why. But Joun also issued a different injunction in a related case that specifically barred the government from dismantling the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights and protected its employees from termination.

After SCOTUS set aside the first injunction, the Justice Department asked Joun to halt his second injunction as well. On Wednesday, he refused, writing that the courts unreasoned stay order issued on its emergency docket does not make or signal any change in controlling law. So he saw no reason to undo his own injunction. Madiba, this feels to me like Joun, a Biden appointee, basically calling the Supreme Courts bluff by saying: How am I supposed to know why the court made this decision when it didnt bother to explain itself?

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Madiba Dennie: I think thats right, and he made the right call. Ive been hoping more judges would do this, because SCOTUS is not bothering to explain itself or give any sort of direction. Its just saying an injunction was wrong somehow. So I think lower-court judges are well within their rights to say: I dont know how this was wrong, so I have no reason to take a different course of action. The Supreme Court didnt even tell them what the error was!

Also, shadow docket stays are not supposed to have any precedential value. I was really bothered when the Republican supermajority said: You should have read our minds and realized we want to overrule Humphreys Executor. So act like its already overruled. Thats absurd. Unless and until theyre explicitly told otherwiseand, honestly, maybe even if they are told otherwiselower-court judges should continue issuing injunctions.

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A similar dynamic played out in another shadow docket case, DHS v. DVD.

Yes. This was the third country removal case, in which the Supreme Court lifted an injunctionfor reasons unknownand allowed people to be removed, without due process, to some country where they arent from and could be killed. The liberal justices were justifiably losing their minds, saying this was inexcusable; the Trump administration had been violating the injunction already! The lower-court judge responded by saying: Well, I have issued a separate order to remedy the violation of the injunction. So even if the injunction is no longer in effect, my remedial order wasnt before you, so thats still in effect. It protected some defendants for a little longer. If the court is going to take such liberties with the law, why shouldnt lower-court judges think a little bit creatively?

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Im curious what you make of Jouns rhetoric. He writes in the order: The Supreme Court did not make any explicit findings as to whether Defendants were likely to succeed on the merits or that other equitable considerations also militated against preliminary relief, or provide any other reasoning or explanation as to the basis for granting the stay. Clearly, he is calling out the conservative justices here for disrupting lower-court decisions without any justification. What do you think of a district court so bluntly calling attention to the fact that SCOTUS isnt showing its work? Do you think he should have been a little subtler, or is this the strong medicine the court needs?

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Ive written before about how SCOTUSs shadow docket decisions make life so much harder for lower courts. Its harder for them to do their job because, as you said, the justices are saying: Read our minds. Anticipate what we think. We think this precedent has been overturned, even though it hasnt, so you shouldnt follow it anymore. Here is Joun, essentially saying: Actually, this makes my life easier, because Im going to assume that the Supreme Court didnt change the law until it admits that it has. I think that is a brilliant way of flipping the burden. It makes sense to just tell the justices: Im not gonna try to read your minds. Im just going to do my job.

It brings to mind this concept of malicious compliance, where youre technically doing what youre supposed to, but in a way that actually thwarts the goals of the powers that be. It also reminds me of uncivil disobediencegetting in the way, but using perfectly lawful tools. I want to see more of it. Make every opportunity you can and make some more.
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In the early-morning hours of April 4, 2023, Bob Lee, the 43-year-old Cash App founder and beloved Silicon Valley fixture, was stabbed multiple times and left to bleed out on the streets of San Francisco as he desperately called for help. No one knew how to make sense of it. Lee wasnt living in San Francisco at the time, having decamped for Miami like so many other techies. He was an important figure in the industry, but hardly a name-brand celebrity. He was nicknamed Crazy Bob, but had a low-key profile and was a devoted family man. Pretty much everyone who knew Lee seemed to have loved him deeplyso who could have done something like this?

The highest-profile commentators of Silicon Valley, well on their way to Trumpian radicalization, already had their pet narrative about out-of-control crime in liberal San Fran ready for the national press. Can we please stand up and completely purge SF politics now and start over? tweeted venture capitalist Bradford Cross. Something isnt working in our grey city, added the founder of MobileCoin, the cryptocurrency startup where Lee had been working until his death. Elon Musk jumped in, as did his investor friends on The All-In Podcast, where co-host David Sacks (now a White House adviser) claimed he would bet dollars to dimes that Lees death would be like a case from Los Angeles where a young woman was basically stabbed for no reason by a psychotic homeless person.

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Then the facts emerged: It turned out that Lee had been stabbed during a late-night dispute with fellow techie Nima Momeni, whose sister had been friendly with Lee and had hung out with him that fateful night. By the time the trial got going in earnest, however, the commentariat had moved onoutside of an early-2024 Law & Order: SVU episode loosely based on the casewhile Lees family and friends bore the fallout from this tragedy. Last December, Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder after a jury trial in San Franciscos Hall of Justice; he plans to appeal the verdict, having hired new lawyers to back up his self-defense claim. Lees family has also lodged a civil suit against Momeni and his relatives.

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Another San Franciscan whos been following the Bob Lee story throughout: Scott Alan Lucas, a local journalist and former San Francisco magazine editor who reported from Momenis trial and spoke with many of the people in Lees life for a new book, Last Night in San Francisco: Techs Lost Promise and the Murder of Bob Lee. Its an empathetic piece of reportage that offers a fuller portrait of Lees life and death while providing a thoughtful examination of San Francisco, urban crime, and Silicon Valley ideals. Basically, the type of nuanced, contextual insight you wouldnt get from the people who weaponized Lees death for their own grievances. I spoke with Lucas over the phone about the impetus for this book, the narratives around Lees death, and whats changed in San Francisco in the two and a half years since. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Nitish Pahwa: From your perspective as a San Franciscan who sees how often these narratives about crime get twisted, what was it about Bob Lees murder, specifically, that you think needed to be corrected for the record here? And why do you think it became such a particular flashpoint for this discourse?

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Scott Alan Lucas: I dont really view my job as correcting the record. I view my job as stepping back and saying, Wow, a lot of stuff just happened. It clearly caught a lot of peoples attention. Some people got some things wrong, some people got some things right. Lets tell that story. Im not primarily trying to clear up the misinformation about the case.

What I think captured people about it was the strangeness of the initial circumstances, in which Mr. Lee was found bleeding on the street, 2:30 in the morning, in a part of San Francisco thats not heavy in foot trafficeven though its ironically called Main Street. [Lee] is not a household name in the broader world, but the people who are household names in the tech industry knew him. He was just one rung down from the Elon Musks and the Jack Dorseys of the industry, a well-respected, well-loved guy who had had a handin some cases, a major handin some pretty significant stuff. The identity of the victim and the circumstances are just very, very compelling.

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Then you layer onto that San Francisco. From the 1840s forward, the city always had this identity in the popular imagination of being an exceptional place. Do I think thats a fair image of the city? Not really. Theres the boring, normal side of it the way there is any place. But San Francisco, in the popular imagination, is constructed in a certain way, and Bob Lees story, like other stories about San Francisco, hit that nail on the head.

Lee was well known as a down-to-earth, hardworking, friendly guy who also did all these drugs and delved into this weird nightlife scene. What do you make of these different sides of Lees personality? What do you think they say about Silicon Valley culture?

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The first thing to say is that his personality is not responsible for his death, right? I know youre not going that way, but Im just grounding that this is not a story of someone who took drugs and was into nightlife, and therefore they courted killing. There was some later coverage that pushed into that territory, and I dont think thats fair. My sense of Bob was really best encapsulated by a lot of conversations I had with co-workers of his in the early days of Google. He worked on the Android operating system.

And Im calling you from an Android phone.

There you go. He wrote some of the core functions of Android that, as far as Im aware, are probably being used in your phone right now.

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They had a small office with three people, and they would listen to this song with a lyric that captured the teams dynamic: Work like you are living in the early days of a better nation. Thats a phrase associated with Scottish nationalism, but it became a mantra for Bob, for Google, for Silicon Valley more broadly. This was somebody who had a sense of being part of the early days of something really, really, really important, and he thrived in it. He was not only in it for the money or the prestige, although everyone likes those things. He was a real coders coder.

If anything, I think he speaks to an aspect of Silicon Valley that maybe has been effaced more recentlyits not our popular image of the industry today, where its something much more malign. Bob was never part of that kind of thing. In many ways, he fit the tech-bro stereotype and also departed from it, and unsurprisingly so. People are much more complicated than we make them out to be.

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Its hard when someone comes into the public consciousness like this. They get file-compressed. Who they are is sanded down, flattened, and made into a caricature. One of the things I wanted to do in the book was uncompress the file a little bit, about Bob and about everybody else surrounding him. I hope people get to know him, and I hope people get to better understand who he was.

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Looking at the initial reaction to Bobs death versus the actual situation at hand, you point out the episode of The All-In Podcast that was recorded in the immediate aftermath (and you kindly quote from my 2023 analysis of the show). The hosts went big on the This is a liberal regime of coddling crime gone awry talking point right away, along with so many of their peers in the industry. Then, when more details were gradually revealed, only one of the hosts, Dave Friedberg, bothered to take stock of what they got wrong.

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These are guys who purport to be data-driven, quantitative, hard-numbers people. As investors, thats their bread and butter. And its very easy to figure out the data on criminology in the United States and San Francisco. It took me a couple days work, and most of that was cross-checking references and waiting for people to call me back, frankly. Its a quick amount of work you have to do to realize that, despite the hosts raising the possibility of this being a random crime, the overwhelming preponderance of the criminology evidence told you that this was very likely not to have been a random crime. I was really taken by how poorly they were carrying out their statistical reasoning, and thats by their own merits. When they came back to it after the arrest, the bellicosity with which three out of four of them treated this was disappointing. Theres nothing wrong with making a bad bet, although these are guys who tell me that theyre so good at poker, at investments, at making bets.

Its in the name of their podcast.

Thats their deal. Here, they made a terrible bet and they lost, as everyone who knows what theyre talking about could have predicted. And when they lost, they didnt just say, We took a strong position that was counter to the weight of the evidence and we missed. They doubled down. They got very angry and defensive about it. I think it just speaks very poorly. What bugs me a little bit is that it takes me two and a half years to come by, push my glasses up my nose like a nerd, and say, Well, actually, guys. These are people who are now White House advisers. Theyre powerful and influential. One of them was on Celebrity Jeopardy! not long ago.

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What do you think should be the lesson for people who just jumped on so soon to declare Lees killing as a sign of something it was not?

There is a lesson of looking before you leap here, which is pretty obvious. I think it does point to a strange sort of misapplication of peoples intelligence. A lot of people who jumped onto saying that not even the straightest, whitest, richest among us are safe to walk San Francisco streets, and this is a failure of liberalism.

Look, I think the All-In hosts are very smart in lots of other areas of their life. Im not taking anything away from their accomplishments. Theyve done very well for themselves. That does not mean that they have somehow become criminologists or urban scholars or politicians. This is just an old-fashioned plea for basic expertise in your subject area, and they didnt have it.

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Do you think that this sort of thing has been especially amplified and inflamed in San Francisco thanks to general media trends now? There are obviously a lot of folks who tune into chat podcasts instead of a legit news source, or scroll their TikTok feeds for first impressions.

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Actually, I dont think so. There has always been a strain of conservatism going back, certainly past the United States, that views cities as very scary places. San Francisco has always had this reputation, and in some ways justified, whether its the Preparedness Day bombings, the Dirty Harry films, the Zodiac killings, the Zebra killings, Jonestown. Theres a long list of spectacular crimes or breakdowns in governance. These things are not made up from nowhere.

Does it matter that people are getting that information on TikTok or in a podcast versus from a Dirty Harry film or some novel? No. This is where Im a bad tech journalist because I dont think that changing forms of the information has changed anything in terms of the content.

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I think it makes some sense, because many of these tech platforms act as sped-up messengers for, in many cases, already existing sentiments.

I think it speaks to the larger arc of Bobs career, too, which is that this optimism that he started with 20 years ago dissipated into a sense that this was not the early days of a better nation. This was the middle days of the same nation weve always lived in. Not that much has changed over the past 25 years, even though some amazing pieces of technology have been invented, and a lot of people have gotten very rich. I mean, people still do drugs. People still get into interpersonal disputes. People still die on the streets. The promise was that the core of human life was somehow going to be different, and I dont see it.

Im curious whether youve seen any other news events that have broken out of San Francisco or other cities where the initial crime fearmongering was comparable to that of what happened with Bob Lee?

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I dont know of another case in which there was such a strong discrepancy between a narrative assumption and the actual underlying eventswhich, again, are under dispute. But in either version of the events, they had very little bearing on what people were saying. It had nothing to do with [recalled San Francisco District Attorney] Chesa Boudin.

What does the state of crime discourse look like in San Francisco these days?

Well, we have a new mayor. Things remain relatively safe. That hasnt changed. And the feeling of unpleasantness in San Francisco about human miserypeople who are having some real hard, difficult times living so close to people who are making fortunes that are unbelievablethat hasnt changed. The problem is not wealthy people being forced to see those who are not doing so well. The problem is that there are a lot of people who are not doing so well.

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Thats not a criminal thing, though. Thats a very different conversation. I get very unhappy when people conflate criminality with disorder or uncleanliness, or with people who are suffering from addictions or mental illness, or who are unhoused. Those are fundamentally different things. The criticism of the city conflates those, and that bothers me from a moral perspective.

If youre trying to understand why San Francisco is an unhappy place, its the cost of housing, and its the inability of the city and the region to permit enough housing to be built. Thats changing, but its very, very slow and it really hurts everyone, especially those who have the least amount of money.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - When Israeli forces in Gaza issue a new displacement order ahead of an incursion into a neighbourhood or city, Palestinian civilians are expected to pack their bags and flee  perhaps for the third, fourth, or tenth time
This match promises intensity and tension right to the end.

CHAN 2024  Group C: Guinea vs Algeria, decisive showdown

This Friday, August 15, the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala will pulse with the energy of a decisive clash between Guinea and Algeria.

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For Majid Bougherra's Fennecs, the equation is simple: a draw or a win guarantees a spot in the quarter-finals. Undefeated and rock-solid at the back, they have yet to concede a single goal in this CHAN 2024 campaign.

On the other side, Souleymane Camara's Guinea are fighting for survival. After a promising start, the Guineans have suffered back-to-back defeats and sit on just three points. The mission is clear: win, or go home. Their attacking prowess will be crucial if they are to break through Algeria's defensive wall.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/expect-zelensky-to-try-to-sabotage-putin--trump-peace-push-ex-russian-spy-warns-1122630841.html

Expect Zelensky to Try to Sabotage Putin-Trump Peace Push, Ex-Russian Spy Warns

Expect Zelensky to Try to Sabotage Putin-Trump Peace Push, Ex-Russian Spy Warns

Sputnik International

With Trump agreeing with Putins long-stated position that peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through a full-fledged peace deal, and not just a ceasefire, his main job will be convincing the Zelensky regime of the same, a task easier said than done, retired SVR lt. gen. Leonid Reshetnikov has told Sputnik.

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The biggest difficulty is of course the Zelensky regimeIts very difficult to work with him, because he has staked everything on autocratic power, on solving all problems exclusively by force, both internal and external ones. He will resist to the end, because any decisions will require serious concessions, and could lead to a situation where he has to hold elections or lose power altogether, retired SVR lt. gen. Leonid Reshetnikov has told Sputnik.The Americans sense this, according to the former spymaster, hence the tumultuous first meetings between Trump and Zelensky, which went beyond the framework of diplomacy and meetings between leaders of state.The same can be expected of the Europeans  Macron, Starmer and Merz, who are still trying by all means to continue the war to weaken Russia, Reshetnikov said.Difficulties aside, the Alaska summit came at a crucial juncture, a time when the international situation is fraught with serious conflict. It was an exchange between between sober-minded politicians, geopolitical realists not bound by the prism of their own ideology or worldview, something that could not be said of Biden or the Europeans, the retired spy summed up.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/putin--trump-find-common-ground-as-wests-war-party-shut-out---analyst-1122627111.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/orban-says-russia-us-summit-made-world-safer-era-of-deteriorating-relations-over-1122630492.html

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why could zelensky try to sabotate russia-ukraine peace, why could zelensky try to sabotage peace push agreed by putin and trump
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/india-welcomes-putin-trump-summit-in-alaska-1122629450.html

India Welcomes Putin-Trump Summit in Alaska

India Welcomes Putin-Trump Summit in Alaska

Sputnik International

India has highly praised the results of the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

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"India welcomes the high-level meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin," Jaiswal said. "Their leadership in the pursuit of peace deserves high praise.""India highly appreciates the progress made at the summit," he added, stressing that "the way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world hopes for the swift end of the conflict in Ukraine."Putin and Trump met in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday for three-on-three format talks that lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The presidents were joined by Ruussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/un-secretary-general-welcomes-russia-us-summit-in-alaska-1122626589.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/orban-says-russia-us-summit-made-world-safer-era-of-deteriorating-relations-over-1122630492.html

Orban Says Russia-US Summit Made World Safer, Era of Deteriorating Relations Over

Orban Says Russia-US Summit Made World Safer, Era of Deteriorating Relations Over

Sputnik International

Following the Russia-US summit in Alaska, the world has become safer, as the period of deteriorating cooperation between the two largest nuclear powers has ended, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday.

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"For years, we watched as the two largest nuclear powers dismantled the framework of their cooperation and sent threats to each other. That is over now. Today, the world is safer than it was yesterday," Orban wrote on social media. On Friday, Putin and Trump met in Anchorage, Alaska for a three-on-three format talks that lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes. In addition to the presidents, Russia was represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov, and the United States by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Following the talks, Putin told a press conference that the situation around Ukraine was one of the central topics discussed in Alaska, saying that he and Trump established good, business-like, and trusting contact, and by moving along this path, it is possible to reach the resolution of the Ukraine conflict. Trump, in turn, said that there is still no agreement with Russia on several points regarding Ukraine, but the sides have "very good chance of getting there."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/un-secretary-general-welcomes-russia-us-summit-in-alaska-1122626589.html

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Putin & Trump Find Common Ground as Wests War Party Shut Out - Analyst

Putin & Trump Find Common Ground as Wests War Party Shut Out - Analyst

Sputnik International

The Putin-Trump meeting shows the West gambled on an easy victory over Russia and lost, Mikael Valtersson, a Swedish Armed Forces veteran, told Sputnik.

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ukraine crisis

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The Putin-Trump meeting shows the West gambled on an easy victory over Russia and lost, Mikael Valtersson, a Swedish Armed Forces veteran, told Sputnik. Both Russia and America have signalled satisfaction with the summit as a step forward towards a real peaceful solution of the Ukraine conflict, he noted. The Western war party had hoped for new harsh sanctions on Russia and those trading with it, but instead what can be seen is improving relations between Russia and the US, as well as a continued peace process. After Donald Trump talks with his European allies and Ukraine, they will be faced with a choice, Valtersson said. They can either support the peace process by accepting the realities on the ground and legitimate interests of Russia, or reject it. If they choose the latter, they will isolate themselves from not only the majority of the world, but especially from the US. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trumps reunion made clear theyd missed the bond from years past, psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman told Sputnik.The two leaders shook hands multiple times, touched each others arms, and smileda clear signal theyd missed the connection they had during Trumps first presidency. Lieberman noted the direct eye contact, standing close marked an auspicious beginning that foretold a positive meeting. Even after three hours of serious talks, their joint press conference carried the same energy. Both turned slightly toward one another, as if to emphasize unity.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/trump-hails-alaska-summit-as-perfect-10-1122625562.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/putin--trump-rewrite-the-rules-of-great-power-politics-in-alaska-1122628944.html

Putin & Trump Rewrite the Rules of Great Power Politics in Alaska

Putin & Trump Rewrite the Rules of Great Power Politics in Alaska

Sputnik International

The Putin-Trump summit was an unqualified success that could pave the way for peace in Ukraine, and the normalization of Russia-US relations for years to come. Dmitry Suslov, deputy director of research at the Russian Council on Foreign & Defense Policy, explains why.

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donald trump

vladimir putin

russia

ukraine

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Three key reasons:1. The summit gave impetus to Russia-US normalization on all fronts  from Ukraine and arms control to economic cooperation2. Trumps calls to Zelensky and European leaders in the meetings immediate aftermath signals that negotiations were conducted on specific conditions for a final peace settlement, not the ceasefire as a prerequisite long demanded by Brussels and Kiev. This is fundamentally important, Suslov says3. The summit was historic in the sense that it made a great contribution tolaying the foundations of the future world order, a post-war world order. Because the Ukrainian conflict is, first and foremost, the largest and most severe military conflict in the world in the last few decades, and a concentrated expression of the hybrid war waged by the West against Russia.Ball in Europe, Zelenskys CourtNow, Suslov says, its up to the Europeans and Zelensky to decide whether they accept the terms outlined by Putin and Trump. If they do, preparations for future meetings can begin.Suslov expects the war party in Washington and Brussels to try to convince Trump to abandon whatever agreements were reached with Putin in Anchorage, but doesnt expect Trump to succumb to such provocations, because he is much stronger politically than he was in his first term.The second Trump administration is not on the defensive, but on the offensive, regarding the Russiagate hoax, and is in a position to accuse the Democrats of collusion and falsification in 2016, not the other way around.Small Details Count TooLast but not least is the minutia of the summit, from the way Trump greeted Putin on the airport runway, to the flyover of US aviation, to the fact that Putin and Trump rode together in one car to the summit venue.The overall tone, and demonstration of respect and personal sympathy, mark a striking contrast to the tone under the Biden administration, Suslov emphasized.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/trump-hails-alaska-summit-as-perfect-10-1122625562.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/putin--trump-find-common-ground-as-wests-war-party-shut-out---analyst-1122627111.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250815/live-putin-trump-hold-joint-presser-1122624380.html

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what was agreed in alaska, will putin trump summit mean peace, what happens after alaska summit
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/putin-trump-meeting-represents-key-step-toward-peace-in-ukraine--slovak-president-1122630608.html

Putin-Trump Meeting Represents Key Step Toward Peace in Ukraine  Slovak President

Putin-Trump Meeting Represents Key Step Toward Peace in Ukraine  Slovak President

Sputnik International

The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska is an important step toward peace in Ukraine, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said on Saturday.

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vladimir putin

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donald trump

peter pellegrini

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"The summit was an important step toward the goal of achieving lasting peace in Ukraine," Pellegrini wrote on social media. The atmosphere of mutual respect during the Russia-US summit in Alaska has also opened the door for further negotiations, the Slovak president said. On Friday, Putin and Trump met in Anchorage, Alaska for a three-on-three format talks that lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes. In addition to the presidents, Russia was represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov, and the United States by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250815/watch-putin-and-trump-meet-for-historic-summit-in-alaska-1122615440.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/putin-trump-summit-corners-ukraine-into-cutting-deal-warns-off-europe-from-meddling--1122629354.html

Putin-Trump Summit Corners Ukraine Into Cutting Deal, Warns Off Europe From Meddling

Putin-Trump Summit Corners Ukraine Into Cutting Deal, Warns Off Europe From Meddling

Sputnik International

After the Russia-US summit, the heat is on Zelensky to make a deal soon, Paul Goncharoff, financial analyst and general director of Goncharoff LLC, told Sputnik.

2025-08-16T11:56+0000

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putin-trump meeting in alaska

russia

us

ukraine

vladimir putin

donald trump

volodymyr zelensky

nato

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After the Russia-US summit, the heat is on Zelensky to make a deal soon, Paul Goncharoff, general director of Goncharoff LLC, told Sputnik. War hawks in Europe appeared to be partially warned off interfering in US diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Goncharoff underscored that Donald Trump is in a position to punish economically and militarily both Ukraine and Europe unless they roll back some of their demands. While progress was made and Russias position acknowledged, what happens next hinges on three factors: A most likely scenario is the conflict ending with a Russian victory that would see Donbass secured, a buffer zone in place, and bring long-overdue elections in Ukraineunder security guarantees that bar NATO membership, according to the pundit.. The Putin-Trump summit signals that the US has effectively "accepted Russias victory in Ukraine conflict, Dr. Hriday Sarma, international affairs and energy geo-economics expert, told Sputnik. The meeting that both leaders have hailed as productive underscored that Russia is indispensable to any peace process. With Ukraine excluded from the talks, the decisive conversation is between Russia and the US.Western attempts to isolate Russia have failed, and Moscow retains centrality in global affairs and the world oil and gas market, added the pundit.Beyond the USRussia track, attention is shifting to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (CSO) summit in Tianjin, China, where a potential meeting between Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinas President Xi Jinping could expand this new wave of high-level diplomacy across Eurasia, the expert said. The real achievement of the Putin-Trump Alaska meeting was proving that dialogue remains possible in tackling the challenges of a new world order, Tiberio Graziani, chairman at Vision and Global Trends  International Institute for Global Analyses, told Sputnik. The meeting left the impression that there is positive personal chemistry between the two leaders, the pundit noted. But whether the Putin-Trump summit becomes a springboard for real peace depends on clearing major hurdles, he explained. The meeting rattled Europes war hawks, furious at being excluded. Trump still faces pushback from his own domestic opponents and European allies clinging to their until victory stance against Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/putin--trump-rewrite-the-rules-of-great-power-politics-in-alaska-1122628944.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/putin--trump-find-common-ground-as-wests-war-party-shut-out---analyst-1122627111.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250816/us-russia-made-first-step-towards-progress-on-ukraine--ex-lt-governor-of-alaska-1122626754.html

US, Russia Made First Step Towards Progress on Ukraine  Ex-Lt. Governor of Alaska

US, Russia Made First Step Towards Progress on Ukraine  Ex-Lt. Governor of Alaska

Sputnik International

The United States and Russia made the first step towards the resolution of the Ukraine crisis during the meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, former Lieutenant-Governor of Alaska Loren Leman told Sputnik.

2025-08-16T05:51+0000

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The attitude that I have heard come out of it is encouraging. I was waiting for this summit with high hopes that it would get to peace and stop the killing. What I am hearing so far is the first progress for this first step, and that is good, Leman said. He pointed out that now it is important to bring in Ukraine and the EU to get closer to peace. Trump and Putin held a summit in Alaska on Friday. The meeting took place at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage. The talks were held in a narrow format "three on three" and lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The meeting was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov from the Russian side, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff from the US side.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250815/live-putin-trump-hold-joint-presser-1122624380.html

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the united states and russia made the first step towards the resolution of the ukraine crisis during the meeting between presidents donald trump and vladimir putin in alaska, former lieutenant-governor of alaska loren leman told sputnik.
New filly winners emerged in the second preliminary leg of the Coupe De L'Avenir for two-year-old trotters while Magic Liam remained undefeated against the boys at Hippodrome 3R on Friday, Aug. 15.

Runners up in the July 25 opening leg, Abby Rose Men and Silver Pride were victorious in a pair of $7,500 divisions for the fillies this time out.

Trained and driven by Guy Gagnon, Abby Rose Men turned the tables on opening-leg upset winner Tout En Muscle (Simon Delisle) as she looped that foe to take the lead at the :30.1 quarter mark and cruised through middle splits of 1:02 and 1:33.1 en route to the 2:03.2 triumph by 2-3/4 lengths. Trixie Charm (Pascal Berube) recovered from an early miscue to show.

Abby Rose Men broke through for her first career win following second-place finishes in her first two starts. The daughter of Muscle Mass out of Cersei Hanover is owned by Ecuries Guy Gagnon Inc. of Gatineau, Que., 9129 9560 Quebec Inc. of Mirabel, Que., and Chantal Gravel, of St-Cyrille-De-Wendover, Que.

With the inside post advantage in the next filly division, Silver Pride and driver Robert Shepherd were left all alone on the lead when Double Vie (Simon Delisle) broke stride while challenging to her outside in the early going. That rival made a comeback to take second while Smiley Tonight (Marie-Claude Auger) rounded out the top three. The fractions went in :30.4, 1:04.3 and 1:36.4 with the final time in 2:08 as Silver Pride sauntered home a six-length winner.

Trained by Jean-Francois Maguire, Silver Pride broke her maiden in her third career start. A homebred filly by Alarm Detector out of Hallywood Hills, she is owned by Silver Stables of Venise-En-Quebec, Que.

Both filly winners were the overwhelming 1-9 favourites in their respective divisions and paid $2.10 to win. The other first leg winner, Breeze Canneberge, was not entered in round two.

Gagnon scored another stakes win when Magic Liam turned in a disappearing act on his three rivals in a $10,000 non-wagering division for the colts and geldings, trotting off by more than 26 lengths to win in 2:04.3. The Muscle Mass-American Gal K gelding is now undefeated in three starts for owners Ecuries Guy Gagnon Inc. and Stephanie & Frederic Gagnon of Gatineau, Que. Mustang Shillow (Pascal Berube) and Pier Ho Fathernson (Steven Gagnon) completed the top three.

Last year's Coupe De L'Avenir male champion Mass Speed, who is looking to take the sophomore Trophee Des Eleveurs title after a pair of prelim wins last month, closed out the Friday card with a 1:59.1 victory against older trotters in the $5,500 Preferred Handicap. Trainer Michel Allard's homebred three-year-old gelding was driven by Denis St. Pierre, retaking the top spot from the favoured mare Sensi Amnesia (Marie-Claude Auger) just past the :28.4 opening marker and fending off first-over challenger Prince Of Sussex (Stephane Brosseau) through middle splits of :59.1 and 1:29. Sensi Amnesia made a late charge from the pocket but Mass Speed prevailed by a quarter of a length, with Kenogami Coco (Robert Shepherd) closing off cover to show. Mass Speed, a gelded son of Muscle Mass and Missionoftheheart, paid $6.50 to win as the 2-1 third choice.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Hippodrome 3R.

(Standardbred Canada; photo of Abby Rose Men winning on Aug. 15)
ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Novelis Inc. (the "Company") announced today the results of its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Novelis Corporation's (the "Issuer") previously announced cash tender offer for any and all of its 3.250% Senior Notes due November 2026 (the "Notes"), upon the terms and conditions included in the Offer to Purchase, dated August 11, 2025.

As of the expiration time of the tender offer, which was 5:00 pm., New York City time, on August 15, 2025 (the "Expiration Time"), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes that have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn was $738,116,000, representing 98.4% of the $750,000,000 aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes, which amount includes $2,326,000 that remain subject to the applicable guaranteed delivery procedures. Holders who indicated by the Expiration Time that they will deliver their Notes through the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Offer to Purchase must deliver their Notes by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 19, 2025. The complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offer were set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the related notice of guaranteed delivery (the "Notice of Guaranteed Delivery").

Subject to the terms and conditions of the tender offer being satisfied or waived, holders who validly tendered and did not withdraw Notes prior to the Expiration Time will receive the "Tender Offer Consideration" equal to $997.50 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. In addition to the Tender Offer Consideration, holders will receive accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes from the most recent payment of semi-annual interest for such Notes preceding the Settlement Date to, but not including, the Settlement Date. The Settlement Date is expected to be August 18, 2025. With respect to the Notes tendered and accepted for purchase, if any, pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Offer to Purchase, the holders of any such Notes will receive payment of the Tender Offer Consideration for such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from the most recent payment of semi-annual interest for such Notes preceding the Settlement Date up to, but not including, the Settlement Date, on the settlement date for any Notes tendered pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, which is expected to be August 20, 2025. All accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes from the most recent payment of semi-annual interest for such Notes up to, but not including, the Settlement Date will cease to accrue on the Settlement Date for all Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer, including those tendered pursuant to the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

The Company intends to redeem any Notes that are not purchased in the tender offer in accordance with the indenture governing the Notes as more fully described in the Offer to Purchase.

The Company has engaged BNP Paribas Securities Corp. to act as Dealer Manager for the tender offer. Persons with questions regarding the tender offer should contact BNP Paribas Securities Corp. toll-free at (888) 210-4358 or collect at (212) 841-3059. Requests for documents should be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Tender and Information Agent for the tender offer, at (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers) or (800) 967-5071 (for noteholders) or by email at [email protected].

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase with respect to any of the Notes. The tender offer is being made pursuant to the tender offer documents, including the Offer to Purchase and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery that the Company is distributing to holders of the Notes. The tender offer is not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other laws of such jurisdiction. None of the Company, the Dealer Manager, the Tender and Information Agent or their respective affiliates is making any recommendation as to whether or not holders should tender all or any portion of their Notes in the tender offer.

About Novelis

Novelis Inc. is driven by its purpose of shaping a sustainable world together. We are a global leader in the production of innovative aluminum products and solutions and the world's largest recycler of aluminum. Our ambition is to be the leading provider of low-carbon, sustainable aluminum solutions and to achieve a fully circular economy by partnering with our suppliers, as well as our customers in the aerospace, automotive, beverage packaging and specialties industries throughout North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Novelis had net sales of $17.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, an industry leader in aluminum and copper, and the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai. For more information, visit novelis.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this news release which describe Novelis' intentions, expectations, beliefs or predictions may be forward-looking within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by, or including the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," or similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release are statements about the timing and completion of the tender offer. Novelis cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and Novelis' actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Novelis does not intend, and Novelis disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Novelis Inc.
Two-year-old pacing filly Loua Dipa one-upped her stablemate Im A Lou Lou in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action as she won the $182,827 Meadow Cheer leg in a career best 1:50.3 mile while equalling the stakes record on Friday, Aug. 15 at The Meadows.

Both Ron Burke trainees had a pair of PASS victories through the first three legs and finished one-two in their first matchup with Loua Dipa on top by 2-1/2 lengths.

Loua Dipa and regular reinsman Ronnie Wrenn Jr. were parked through an opening quarter of :26.4 before clearing then gave way to stablemate Im A Lou Lou and Tim Tetrick in front of the grandstand the first time. After following in the pocket through middle splits of :55 and 1:23.1, Loua Dipa sprinted home in :27.1 to go by her barn buddy. The early leavers finished seven lengths behind in a show photo with Spoon Fed and Dave Palone edging out Tall Dark Tequila (Anthony MacDonald).

She left the gate really well and then came right back to me, Wrenn said of the winner after the race. From there, I was able to release Tim. She is all class.

The homebred daughter of Sweet Lou and Looksgoodinaromper has hit the board in all six of her starts, with four wins and earnings topping the $200,000 mark for owners Burke Racing Stable of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania and Weaver Bruscemi of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania.

Loua Dipa paid $3.60 to win as the 4-5 favourite.

Burke trainees also took two of the three $27,397 Pennsylvania Stallion Series divisions with Real Fast (Papi Rob Hanover- Real Touch) winning in a new lifetime mark of 1:53 with Wrenn driving and Sandyboots Yankee (Always B Miki-A Beach Cowgirl) breaking her maiden in 1:54.2 with Mike Wilder in the sulky.

The other division went to first-time winner Lovebug Hanover (Tall Dark Stranger-Lillysilk) and driver Chris Lems in 1:52.2 for trainer Scott Cox.

Burke lead all trainers on the 13-race card with four victories.

(Standardbred Canada with files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)
A town hall with 3rd District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, devolved into a shouting match Thursday as audience members questioned her continued support for Israel despite a rising death toll in the Gaza Strip.

Audience members at Lower Columbia Colleges Rose Center for the Arts were asked to submit written questions, which town hall moderator and former Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning read out.

When Warning read a question about the Israel-Hamas war, audience members erupted in chants of free Palestine and shouted at Gluesenkamp Perez about child deaths in Gaza. Some protesters were escorted out of the auditorium by security officers after refusing to quiet down.

Youre killing babies, one protester said on their way out.

Another protester criticized Gluesenkamp Perez for accepting campaign contributions from pro-Israel organizations. According to the Federal Election Committee, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group often known as AIPAC, has donated $10,500 to Gluesenkamp Perez this year.

Stop taking Israeli money, whore, the protester shouted as she was escorted out.

Gluesenkamp Perez did not react to any audience remarks, but Warning argued back, asking them to quiet down so she could answer the original question and referring to the protests as childrens hour.

Youre killing f-----g kids, an audience member responded. You f-----g signed off on it. Youre filling your f-----g pockets.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that almost 62,000 Palestinians have been killed as of Wednesday, including more than 18,000 children. That includes 235 malnutrition-related deaths, 106 of which were children. The rate of malnutrition-related deaths is increasing, with 170 reported since July 1.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs, limits on humanitarian aid have left Gaza on the brink of famine, with 22% of the analyzed population experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity as of July 31.

The conditions in Gaza have led human rights advocates, including some Israeli groups, to accuse Israel of genocide, an accusation the Israeli government has denied.

After some protesters were escorted out, Gluesenkamp Perez said that the war could end when Hamas released its remaining hostages and that maintaining a positive relationship with Israel benefits America.

Thinking about how we move towards our geopolitical interests, Americas national interest is better served when there is a liberal democracy in the Middle East, and right now, that is Israel, she said. I think its pretty important to have a country in the Middle East that doesnt kill gay people.

Her response prompted more criticism from the audience, and several more members were escorted out.

Nobody came here to listen to you, Warning told one protester.

No one came here to listen to you, the protester responded.

Past complaints

Constituents also protested outside a Longview fundraiser Gluesenkamp Perez attended Tuesday.

Liz Kearny, a Longview resident who attended Tuesdays protest, said local tax dollars that go toward supporting Israel could be better used for things like affordable housing, health care and education that would benefit Southwest Washington voters.

She always talks about prioritizing the needs of rural voters, but her insistence on paying for Israels bombs instead of what we need to thrive here in Cowlitz County is evidence that she is more interested in the campaigning money offered by (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) than funding what we need here in my own community, Kearny said.

At an April town hall in Vancouver, Gluesenkamp Perez faced criticism for voting with Republicans in favor of the SAVE Act, which would require all voters to provide proof of citizenship. Critics of the bill say it would disenfranchise millions of Americans who have changed their name, which includes many married women as well as transgender people.

Audience members also brought up the SAVE Act Thursday, asking why Gluesenkamp Perez voted against womens rights.

While she didnt clearly explain her decision Thursday, Gluesenkamp Perez released a statement in April.

I do not support noncitizens voting in American elections  and thats common sense to folks in Southwest Washington, the statement reads in part. Voting in our nations elections is a sacred right belonging only to American citizens, and my vote for the SAVE Act reflects that principle.

Headlights and sea lions

For most of the town hall, Gluesenkamp Perez focused on less controversial topics, including her efforts to promote a maximum headlight brightness standard for vehicles and make it easier to remove sea lions from the Columbia River.

Sea lions, which threaten endangered salmon and sturgeon populations in the Columbia River, are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. However, fish and wildlife agencies in Washington, Oregon and Idaho have permission to use both lethal and nonlethal measures to remove sea lions to protect endangered fish in some circumstances, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Gluesenkamp Perez said the House of Representatives planned to review a bill during the most recent session that would authorize more options for sea lion removal, but was unable to do so after the session was cut short to prevent a vote about the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

She also discussed a failed amendment she proposed that would allow the Office of Congressional Conduct to set guidelines for evaluating Congress members suspected of cognitive decline.

At the end of Thursdays town hall, an audience member called out to ask Gluesenkamp Perez what she was doing about ICE arrests in Cowlitz County. Gluesenkamp Perez hurried off stage without answering.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: The Conversation

Australian workers are secretly using generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) toolswithout knowledge or approval from their boss, a new report shows.

The "Our Gen AI Transition: Implications for Work and Skills" report from the federal government's Jobs and Skills Australia points to several studies, showing between 21% to 27% of workers (particularly in white collar industries) use AI behind their manager's back.

Why do some people still hide it? The report says people commonly said they:

"feel that using AI is cheating"

have a "fear of being seen as lazy"

and a "fear of being seen as less competent."

What's most striking is this rise in unapproved "shadow use" of AI is happening even as the federal treasurer and Productivity Commission urge Australians to make the most of AI.

The new report results highlight gaps in how we govern AI use at work, leaving workers and employers in the dark about the right thing to do.

As I've seen in my workboth as a legal researcher looking at AI governance and as a practicing lawyerthere are some jobs where the rules for using AI at work change as soon as you cross a state border within Australia.

Risks and benefits of AI 'shadow use'

The 124-page Jobs and Skills Australia report covers many issues, including early and uneven adoption of AI, how AI could help in future work and how it could affect job availability.

Among its most interesting findings concerned workers using AI in secretwhich is not always a bad thing. The report found those using AI in the shadows are sometimes hidden leaders, "driving bottom-up innovation in some sectors."

However, it also comes with serious risks.

"Worker-led 'shadow use' is an important part of adoption to date. A significant portion of employees are using Gen AI tools independently, often without employer oversight, indicating grassroots enthusiasm but also raising governance and risk concerns."

The report recommends harnessing this early adoption and experimentation, but warns:

"In the absence of clear governance, shadow use may proliferate. This informal experimentation, while a source of innovation, can also fragment practices that are hard to scale or integrate later. It also increases risks around data security, accountability and compliance, and inconsistent outcomes."

Real-world risks from AI failures

The report calls for national stewardship of Australia's Gen AI transition through a coordinated national framework, centralized capability, and a whole-of-population boost in digital and AI skills.

This mirrors my own research, showing Australia's AI legal framework has blind spots, and our systems of knowledge, from law to legal reporting, need a fundamental rethink.

Even in some professions where clearer rules have emerged, too often it's come after serious failures.

In Victoria, a child protection worker entered sensitive details into ChatGPT about a court case concerning sexual offenses against a young child. The Victorian information commissioner has banned the state's child protection staff from using AI tools until November 2026.

Lawyers have also been found to misuse AI, from the United States and United Kingdom to Australia.

Yet another exampleinvolving misleading information created by AI for a Melbourne murder casewas reported just yesterday.

But even for lawyers, the rules are patchy and differ from state to state. (The Federal Court is among those still developing its rules.)

For example, a lawyer in New South Wales is now clearly not allowed to use AI to generate the content of an affidavit, including "altering, embellishing, strengthening, diluting or rephrasing a deponent's evidence."

However, no other state or territory has adopted this position as clearly.

Clearer rules at work and as a nation

Right now, using AI at work lies in a governance gray zone. Most organizations are running without clear policies, risk assessments or legal safeguards. Even if everyone's doing it, the first one caught out will face the consequences.

In my view, national uniform legislation for AI would be preferable. After all, the AI technology we're using is the same, whether you're in New South Wales or the Northern Territoryand AI knows no physical borders. But that's not looking likely yet.

If employers don't want workers using AI in secret, what can they do? If there are obvious risks, start by giving workers clearer policies and training.

One example is what the legal profession is doing now (in some states) to give clear, written guidance. While it's not perfect, it's a step in the right direction.

But it's still arguably not good enough, especially because the rules aren't the same nationally.

We need more proactive national AI governancewith clearer policies, training, ethical guidelines, a risk-based approach and compliance monitoringto clarify the position for both workers and employers.

Without a national AI governance policy, employers are being left to navigate a fragmented and inconsistent regulatory minefield, courting breaches at every turn.

Meanwhile, the very workers who could be at the forefront of our AI transformation may be driven to use AI in secret, fearing they will be judged as lazy cheats.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The College Station City Council met Thursday night to set a public hearing for Aug. 28 to adopt its $474 million budget for 2025-26 and set the tax rate.

The council voted to set a placeholder tax rate of $.5118 per $100 of property valuation with the intent of setting the actual rate at the hearing. The placeholder rate is the voter approval rate, or the highest rate it can set without calling for an election. It is lower than the current rate of $.5130 per $100 of property valuation.

A note on the copy of the budget posted on the citys website notes that even with a lower tax rate the city will still collect more property taxes than this fiscal year.

This budget will raise more total property taxes than last years budget by approximately $5,680,000 or 7.7%, and of that amount an estimated $2,000,000 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year, the note says.

At Thursdays meeting, Director of Fiscal Services Mary Ellen Leonard warned the council that there are factors that could impact the budget and tax rate between now and the public hearing in two weeks.

In order to  meet the legal deadlines to be able to hold that election, we have to estimate that rate. So we did that, and we talked about it when we got the certified values and the information from the appraisal district and the tax office. What happened is the no-new-revenue rate and the voter approval rate were higher than what we estimated, Leonard said.

She explained that the rates went up because the citys valuation went down due to the settlement of lawsuits. She did not specify what the lawsuits were, but said it equates to a valuation loss of $643 million, which is about $3.3 million in revenue.

Leonard also noted that the state Legislature is expected to pass bills that will impact the tax rate and budget.

Theres been discussion about a 2% cap. What that cap is, is your no-new-revenue rate. Right now, we have a 3% cap, meaning the difference between that no-new-revenue rate and the voter approval rate, simply put in the calculus, is about a 3% difference, she said. Thats the difference in the revenue that you are permitted to have without going out for an election.

Leonard said she just learned about the second piece of legislation on Wednesday. It relates to personal property tax exemptions.

What that means is that personal property will be exempted, meaning no taxes on the first $125,000 of personal property tax. That impact for the entire county is about half a billion dollars. We are 52% of the county. So our impact is around $260 million worth of valuation that will be lost when this goes into effect, which is about $1.3 million, or roughly a penny on the tax rate, she said.

After asking some clarifying questions, the council voted unanimously to set the public hearing for 6 p.m. Aug. 28 in council chambers.

No more than four repealed

In a vote on the consent agenda, the council unanimously eliminated its controversial No More Than Four ordinance which capped the number of unrelated people living in a residence to four.

Action this year by the state Legislature, spurred by students at Texas A&M University seeking affordable housing options, made it illegal for College Station to use relationship status to mitigate overoccupancy.

College Stations ordinance has been in place since 1939, but last year the city began enforcing it because of complaints that large groups of students living together were disrupting neighborhoods and impacting property values.

Councilmember Melissa McIlhaney thanked the city staff for its efforts related to the ordinance.

I just dont want this to die without recognizing the last three years of effort that a lot of people put in and recognizing that were going to have to go a whole different direction. So thank you for your persistence, she said.

Ending impact fees

The council held a lengthy discussion and put into motion a process that should eliminate roadway impact fees on new development in the city.

Due to a new state law that goes into effect Sept. 1, before the city can vote to change an impact fee it must first create an impact fee advisory committee (IFAC). The committee must then vote to change an impact fee and recommend it to council.

According to a timeline presented by Planning and Development Services Director Anthony Armstrong, the earliest the council could consider amending the fee, even to lower or eliminate it, would be Jan. 22. The council would need its two September meetings to create an IFAC ordinance. Members would be appointed in November and the IFACs first meeting would be around Jan. 15.

At a June meeting, the council discussed the possibility of eliminating some impact fees the city charges for new development, primarily the roadway impact fee. The fee was seen as an impact on affordable housing.

At Thursdays meeting, Armstrong said the IFAC must consist of at least 50% representation from the development community. He said members of the Planning and Zoning Committee can be on the IFAC, but not city employees.

Armstrong also presented charts showing that the roadway impact fee has generated $9.8 million since it was implemented in 2016. The fee was projected to raise $23.9 million by 2031.

The council directed staff to create a proposed IFAC ordinance that would consist of eight members, including four from the development community, up to two from planning and zoning and two to four ad hoc members.
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THANKS to social media platforms like TikTok, there is a lot of hype around magnesium. But is the obsession warranted?

The Express spoke with general practitioner and social media content creator Dr Mariana Browne to learn more about the different types of magnesium and what they are good for. There are about five different types of magnesium salts that can help boost your magnesium levels. One of the most popular is magnesium citrate.
Female detachment of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment at last year's Independence Day Parade on Frederick Street, Port of Spain.
Ask almost any job-seeker in Tucson, and theyll tell you about the dozens or even hundreds of applications theyve filed, with little to no response.

They see lots of job openings in the online listings, but the positions are often phantoms, or scams, or their applications are quickly weeded out by artificial-intelligence systems scanning for keywords.

Tucson IT expert Brian Loughry lost his job in June when Mural Technologies closed a local office, he told me.

I put in 422 applications over six to seven weeks, he said. Of that, I got one meeting invite, which was clearly some sort of a Ponzi scheme.

Even for someone who is a subject matter expert in Microsoft 365, the Tucson job market is pretty much barren, Loughry said.

This bleak local job landscape should be front of mind in the post-Project-Blue period, as elected officials reconsider our economic-development approach and the public decides whether the rejection of the data-center complex was a win or a loss. I think it was a necessary choice, due to the projects huge water and power demands, but poorly handled in a way that could threaten future efforts to improve the job market.

Still, Ive been shocked to receive confirmation in several emails of a dismissive attitude toward the need for economic growth that Ive heard of but not seen much evidence for until now.

Seems to me Tucson is doing just fine, one reader wrote, We want a pleasant and quiet community, Tim, not one run by the whims of Big Business.

And it worries me that Mayor Regina Romero is floating another re-think of the regions economic development system, when the real lesson of the Project Blue debacle is to know what we wont accept earlier in the process.

Our economic development ecosystem in Southern Arizona is broken, she said in an Aug. 11 guest opinion in the Star. 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.

Twenty years ago, facing similar challenges, the city and county merged their economic development offices with the Greater Tucson Economic Council to form Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities. Later it was renamed Sun Corridor, and now its part of the Chamber of Southern Arizona.

The group still produces regional economic plans and pursues regional priorities, but since then the county and city backslid on the regional-only idea and re-established their own economic-development offices.

Employment outlook: Bleak

The employment outlook is scary these days. Federal buyouts and layoffs are projected to put 300,000 people out of their government jobs this year nationwide. The tech sector is shedding jobs at a similar pace, with more than 132,000 layoffs so far in 2025, according to a tracker by tech-employment website Trueup.

The University of Arizona is in tough financial shape that could grow tougher as enrollment likely will drop this year. International tourism, which we rely on in the winter, is threatened by Canadian boycotts, proposed visa restrictions, and fear caused by heavy-handed treatment of travelers by American officials at airports.

There are the tariff worries, and then theres the looming threat that artificial intelligence will sweep away thousands of jobs.

Tucsons unemployment rate in July was a decent-sounding 4.7%, but that is deceptive, as any job-seeker will tell you, from the top of the pay scale to the bottom.

Esperanza Freitchen knew her job at the University of Arizona was in danger soon after President Trump took office in January, she said. Freitchen was director of multicultural student services at the university, overseeing the African-American Student Affairs, the Disability Cultural Center and other centers targeted by the Trump administration as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs on university campuses.

Freitchen started looking for work in February, she said, months before her job formally ended this summer when the UA closed and consolidated these centers in response to the presidents executive orders.

Its a lot of networking, and I dont mind  I love the community, I love the contacts, said Freitchen, who has a PhD in educational leadership. But its been exhausting and demoralizing. Im either way overqualified or We want you to have this many years as a CEO already. 

I have too many ties to this community to leave, she said. But lately its been looking like I need to find employment in a national or international organization and work remotely.

Need for new money

When I joined the Stars business desk more than two decades ago and started covering economic development, I learned something that people often miss when talking about jobs and the local economy. Its important to bring new money into the economy, not just recirculate whats already here, if we are to provide better opportunities.

That may mean bringing in outside investments like, say, Caterpillars Tucson Mining Center, which opened near downtown in 2019; or selling local products outside the Tucson area, with the proceeds coming back into the Tucson area; or having outsiders travel to town and spend money here as they do for the annual gem and mineral shows.

A furniture company, say, opening a big new store here doesnt really add much to the economy. The same money already here will be spent there instead of somewhere else in town. But a furniture company opening a factory here would add new money from sales around the country.

The people who have run economic-development in Tucson have not had a ton of successes recruiting outside companies to locate here, but they at least have a solid idea of what were going after. The four sectors theyve identified as targets, based on our local advantages, are:

Aerospace and defense, with Raytheon the top employer

Bioscience and diagnostics, with Roche a key example

Transportation and logistics, including trade with Mexico

Renewable and mining technologies, including Caterpillar

While these are the sectors were after, Dan Sullivan, director of community and workforce development for Pima County, pointed to a few overlapping areas where the jobs are now: Logistics, construction and healthcare, as well as the trades.

For the foreseeable future, AI cant weld, AI cant wire a building, he said.

A solid 40 every week

Yvette Mejia would like to do those things. I spoke with her Friday at Pima County One Stop, 2797 E Ajo Way, where she was looking for some way out of the couch-surfing shes doing at relatives homes. She lost her job at emissions testing recently, she said, and would love to work more with her hands.

I change my own tires, I build sheds, she said. I like to fidget with compressors and power tools.

Her face brightening, she said, I want to learn soldering and welding.

The hope is to find some job that will not clash with her obsessive-compulsive disorder and will help her make the money to repair her travel trailer so she can live on her own again.

One Stop has a variety of training programs, including apprenticeships, to offer, as well as help with resumes and other job-seeking skills. Its harder these days, because you have to fill out applications and design resumes to include key words and phrases that will get you through the AI filter, and avoid spamming your resume all over the internet.

Loughry, it turns out, got lucky after his hundreds of applications.

A recruiting company reached out to me from somewhere in the middle of nowhere Midwest, he said.

He ended up working for a subcontractor of a contractor at Roche in Oro Valley, he said. It takes him a couple of hours on the bus to get there, since he doesnt own a car now and lives on the east side, but at least, he said, Its a solid 40 every week.

Thats something no one in Tucson can take for granted, but that new investment and economic growth could make easier to find.
The Pima County Attorneys Office says it filed suit Friday against the federal government to gain access to a Tucson murder suspect in federal custody.

The county prosecuting office filed the lawsuit in federal court, seeking access to Julio Cesar Aguirre, 42. County and federal prosecutors have been sparring over which jurisdiction should prosecute him.

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover has said she worries Aguirre  who was previously deported to Mexico after an Arizona prison term  will be deported again before facing a criminal trial by her office in the shooting death of a 70-year-old man during a carjacking attempt and crime spree in midtown Tucson on June 30.

A Pima County grand jury indicted Aguirre July 25 on first-degree murder charges in the death of Ricky Miller Sr., and on charges including attempted robbery, aggravated assault and burglary related to the crime spree, which victimized six local residents, the County Attorneys Office says.

But the U.S. Attorneys Office for Arizona has said Aguirre also faces federal charges in connection with the June 30 spree: attempted carjacking, using a firearm in a violent crime, and being an undocumented person with a firearm.

So far, federal authorities have not given Pima County prosecutors access to Aguirre for court proceedings brought forward by the state, the County Attorneys Office said in a news release Friday. For six weeks now, the federal government and its newly appointed U.S. Attorney for Arizona have inexplicably ignored six local victims and denied them justice.

We are simply asking for access to Aguirre so we can prosecute him for the crimes the federal government has no apparent intention to prosecute, the county news release said.

Timothy Courchaine, the U.S. attorney for Arizona, said in a previous news release that Aguirre committed crimes under federal jurisdiction, starting with illegal immigration, escalating to prohibited possession of a firearm, and culminating in the death of an innocent individual, which is why the United States Attorneys Office takes this matter so seriously.

Conover has said the U.S. Attorneys Office rarely handles homicides that result from street crime like this incident, and that she worries all the victims of the crime spree may not get justice under federal jurisdiction.

Aguirre had been deported to Mexico in 2013 after a term in an Arizona prison, but was living in the United States at the time of the June 30 crimes.
Australian Survivor: Australia vs the World

Jonathan LaPaglia begins his final season as host in Samoa. 7pm Sunday on 10.
Humphrey B. Bear on Seven

Longtime Nine identity has crossed over to the dark side.

Iconic Humphrey B. Bear, long associated with Nine will appear on Seven today when his 60th birthday year is celebrated on South Aussie with Cosi.

According to The Advertiser, he will even be a regular ont he show, travelling around South Australia to spread joy and give back to the community with massive things already in the works.

I have loved Humphrey ever since I could actually walk, so to work with Humphrey has been a dream of mine for forever, he said.

Humphrey is now owned by Gold Coast-based OzPix which releases new material online and maintains the Humphrey legacy.

5:30pm Sunday on Seven (Adelaide).
Harishankar Manoj, TwoCircles.net

New Delhi: A school poisoning case in Karnatakas Belagavi district has brought to light the growing influence of communal tensions in local institutions. On July 14, 11 children from the Government Primary School at Janata Colony in Hoolikatti village were hospitalised after consuming water allegedly laced with pesticide. Aged between 7 and 10, the students experienced dizziness and vomiting before being rushed to a local health center.

Investigations quickly led to the arrest of three individuals, including Sagar Patil, Taluk President of the Hindu right-wing group Shri Ram Sena. The incident was linked to an alleged alleged plot targeting the schools Muslim headmaster. It has triggered a statewide review of school safety protocols and renewed focus on the social atmosphere shaping such acts.

The police say it was not an accident. According to Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bhimshankar Guled, the schools Muslim headmaster, Suleman Gorinaik, had been targeted in a planned attempt to discredit him. As stated in first information report (FIR), the intention was to create mistrust around Gorinaiks leadership and prompt his transfer from the school where he has served for nearly a decade.

A student allegedly mixed pesticide into the schools water tank, after being coaxed with gifts by Krishna Madar, who was reportedly acting under pressure from Patil. The pesticide was procured by Naganagouda Patil, a relative of Sagar, from a nearby town. A former driver for Patil, Madar is said to have participated under threat of exposure over a personal relationship of being inter caste.

Authorities have booked the accused under Sections 125(a) and 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, related to endangering life and attempted culpable homicide. They are in judicial custody.

Headmaster Gorinaik expressed surprise and concern over the incident. The village has always treated me well, he said, highlighting that the students have since recovered. Serving only 41 students from Grade 1 to 5, the school is the only lower primary institution in the area.

Shri Ram Sena has distanced itself from the accused. Ramakant Konduskar, president of the organisations Belagavi unit, released a statement condemning the incident and asserting the group has no involvement.

If proven true, there should be strict action. Personal grievances cannot be allowed to harm children, he said, adding that calls to ban the organisation were unfounded.

Founded in the 1960s and later gaining visibility under Pramod Muthalik, Shri Ram Sena has a presence in coastal and northern Karnataka. It has been associated with previous acts of vigilante violence.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the act in strong terms, citing it as an example of communal hatred leading to crimes against the most vulnerable. He pointed to a pattern of polarisation, indirectly calling out leaders of the Opposition and right-wing groups.

The government has since formed a special task force to monitor hate crimes and speech, urging people to remain vigilant and report threats to communal harmony. The chief minister said any effective solution would require active civic participation and institutional accountability.

The poisoning in Hoolikatti is not an isolated event. On July 31, a similar incident was reported from Hoovinakone village in Shivamogga district, where an 11-year-old allegedly mixed pesticide in his schools water out of personal grievance. Authorities believe the act was inspired by a previous case at the same school involving a separate attempt to contaminate a water bottle.

In response to these cases, the Department of School Education and Literacy issued a 25-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all schools in Karnataka. The SOP mandates daily inspections of school premises, regular checks of water supplies and mandatory reporting through the states Students Achievement Tracking System (SATS).

These developments come in the middle of the Karnataka governments proposal for a new law: the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025. The draft legislation seeks to define and penalise hate crimes across categories, including religion, caste and gender, with provisions for imprisonment and fines. It also outlines accountability for abetment and incitement.

While the bill has been positioned as a tool to address rising instances of violence and misinformation, it has faced scrutiny from civil rights organisations, legal scholars and Opposition parties. Critics argue that the current draft lacks clarity in key areas and may be prone to misuse. The government has indicated willingness to review and amend the bill before introducing it in the upcoming Assembly session.

The aftermath of the Hoolikatti case has turned attention toward the broader societal conditions enabling such incidents. What began as a criminal investigation into contaminated water has widened into a conversation on communal identity, political responsibility and the role of educational institutions in fragile social ecosystems.

From legal frameworks to administrative protocols, the unfolding response may signal the beginning of more systemic vigilance in the state. Whether this leads to lasting change, however, will depend on the follow-through of both policy and public engagement.
A World War II veteran from Southampton joined commemorations on Friday, marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

Stanley Rickeard, 99, from Netley Abbey, joined fellow veterans and members of local government aboard Queen Mary 2, marking the 80th anniversary of when Japan surrendered to Allied forces, bringing an end of the Second World War.

The 99-year-old, who will celebrate his 100th birthday in September, was involved in the Normandy landings after D-Day, and travelled as far as Burma and Singapore, and even cleared mine fields in North Borneo.

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Speaking to the Echo, he said: When we completed our task on the beaches of Normandy, we were on the landing ship tanks (LST), and we went straight out to Burma, for the purpose of Operation Zipper.

That meant wed all assemble out there with the landing craft and fight the Japanese in Japan, fortunately that didnt come to pass after the atomic bomb was dropped, as it would have been slaughter.

I will probably be the oldest person here today. We were only young people back then and had to do as we were told.

Im pleased I served for a little time in the service, and Im proud to be here today, commemorating the end of the Japanese war, which was a horrible war.

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I feel very sad and sorry for all the servicemen who were in the actual jungle, it was a wicked war, and fortunately I didnt see that as I was on the beaches, and we gave supplies to the troops.

Im pleased and honoured to be here, I dont think theres many veterans alive today.

READ MORE: Southampton raises flag for 80th anniversary of VJ Day

Veterans, their families, and members of local government dining aboard Queen Mary 22 (Image: Matt Davey) Joining the commemorations aboard Queen Mary 2 was Tony Ward, whose father John, was a prisoner of war for three-and-a-half-years after the fall of Singapore in 1942.

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Tony, who himself served in the Royal Marines from 1964 until 1988, said: My father was in the royal artillery and was shipped from Singapore to Formosa (now Taiwan) and worked in a labour camp there for three-and-a-half years until they were liberated, on this day 80 years ago.

He chose to come back via an American warship to Vancouver, went across from Vancouver to New York and got on a train that had several overnight stops, where he was treated royally from the Americans and Canadians.

Then he went from New York to Southampton and finally arrived in November 1945.

He chose to do that as he didnt want to appear to his family emaciated.

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Some chose to fly back in a couple of days, but he didnt want to do that, he wanted to take his time and put on some weight, to put it crudely.

The Lord Mayor of Southampton, James Ballie, joined the veterans aboard the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton docks, and said it was important to remember we played a big part in World War II, following the creation of the spitfire and the volume of troops, 22,000, that returned to the city following VJ Day.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, added: It is an honour for Cunard to welcome this remarkable group of veterans and their families on board as part of Southamptons commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
Prince Harrys Africa-based charity has made all but one of its London staff redundant as it battles a funding crisis sparked by a bitter breakdown with its former chairman.

Sentebale lost donations after a highly-publicised feud between the Duke of Sussex, 40, and Sophie Chandauka, 47.

The row resulted in accusations of racism and misogyny, the mass resignation of Sentebales board and a damning report by the charities watchdog.

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Harry co-founded Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to tackle HIV/AIDS and poverty in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana.

But in a worrying turn of events, Sentebale has been forced to lay off four of its five London staff.

The redundancy round, which started in spring, resulted in at least two dozen staff leaving Sentebale and its affiliated programmes.

Former chairman Sophie Chandauka resigned from the charity earlier this year (PA)

Employees dismissed include Sentebales global head of finance and compliance, on top of other redundancies in its African teams.

A redundancy letter from April seen by The Times reveals Sentebale telling staff it does not have donor funding, adding that the charity is in retrenchment.

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The main thing were all waiting for are the accounts, a source told The Times. There have been a lot of redundancies, theres been people who have been let go, a lot of churn and people have left.

Problems began earlier this year when Sentebales board challenged Ms Chandauka over a 400,000 bill for consultants, which they claimed had brought little return.

As the row deepened, Chandauka was asked to step down, but instead complained to the Charity Commission, alleging bullying, misogyny and racism.

Harry during the opening of the Sentebale Mamohato childrens centre in Thaba Bosiu, Lesotho, in 2015 (PA)

In March, all of Sentebales trustees resigned en masse blaming Ms Chandaukas almost dictatorial style, with Harry and Prince Seeiso quitting as patrons.

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Last week the Charity Commission condemned both parties for allowing the spat to play out publicly.

A report into Sentebale said it had severely impacted the charitys reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally.

However, the commission found no evidence of a culture of bullying, harassment or misogyny at Sentebale.

Sentebale argued its move to reduce its workforce by around 27 people was deliberate and responsible, given uncertainty over funding.

A spokesman for Duke of Sussex decline to comment.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Poland. What have been the highlights during this historic period?

Vietnam and Poland have many historical similarities, especially their tradition of patriotism, bravery, and resilience in the fight against foreign invaders for independence, although they are separated by a significant geographical distance.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Photo: VGP

Over the past 75 years, since the two countries established diplomatic relations on February 4, 1950, they have always supported each other. Poland wholeheartedly helped Vietnam in the two long resistance wars for national liberation and reunification, as well as in recovering from natural disasters and pandemics like COVID-19.

Poland has helped Vietnam build many projects such as the Geophysics Research Station in Phu Lien and Sa Pa, Ha Long Shipbuilding Factory, Gia Lam Railway Factory, Vietnam-Poland Friendship Hospital in Nghe An, and providing education equipment for the Vietnam-Poland High School in Hanoi and others.

In culture and arts, Poland has provided Vietnam with non-refundable aid to contribute to the restoration of the Hue Monuments, the My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Ancient Town. Polish and Vietnamese cinema have also established a close relationship in releasing films and organising film festivals in each country.

In training and scientific research cooperation, Poland has helped Vietnam train nearly 10,000 university and post-graduate cadres and technical workers in science and technology, in which Poland has strengths, meeting Vietnam's needs for rebuilding the country after the wars and the national development during the renovation period.

Vietnam has also always been sincere and devoted to the friendship and cooperation with Poland. It can be said that this is a special, precious, and rare relationship.

The Vietnamese community in Poland is very large and has support from the Polish government and people with favourable conditions to settle permanently and do business in Polish society.

W hat role does the Vietnam - Poland Friendship Association play in strengthening and promoting this bilateral relationship, especially in people-to-people diplomacy and cultural, scientific, economic activities ?

The Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association was established on December 20, 1982, with core members being Vietnamese people who studied and worked in Poland.

Vietnam and Poland have had student exchanges since the mid-1950s. Mainly the Polish side received Vietnamese students, interns, postgraduates, and vocational students. Thousands of Vietnamese people were trained by Poland, and later they became a strong scientific and technical force, effectively participating in the country's recovery after the war and the development of the country nowadays.

Before 2000, the activities of the Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association were mainly limited to traditional people-to-people diplomacy activities.

Since 2000, the relationship between the two countries has made new progress in the fields of economics, trade, culture, education and training, sci-tech, sports, and tourism. The activities of the association have become diverse and practical, fostering the traditional friendship between the peoples and governments of the two countries.

Members of the Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association have included businessmen, researchers, cultural-social, scientific-technical activists, and people who sympathise with both countries. Many members have been awarded certificates of merit by Polish ministries for their contributions to promoting Polish literature and products in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Poland has also awarded a certificate of merit to the Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association for its outstanding contributions to bilateral education and scientific cooperation. Many generations of leaders of the association have also been awarded the Order of Merit by the Polish state.

The Vietnamese community in Poland today, with more than 40,000 people, is one of the largest Vietnamese communities in Europe. With a tradition of diligence, dynamism, and creativity, they have made many positive contributions to the economic development and social activities in Poland.

In 2024, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Poland reached $3.46 billion, up 21.6 per cent from a year earlier, of which Vietnam exported $3.04 billion and imported $387 million. This was the highest turnover in more than 10 years, and for the first time exceeded the $3 billion mark.

Leaders of Vietnam and Poland issued a joint statement on moving towards an upgrade of bilateral relations early this year. What activities and programmes will the association hold to contribute to this goal?

The Poland visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in January 2025 was very meaningful because it was made on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The Vietnam-Poland Joint Statement on enhancing bilateral relations includes four groups of issues, including "political-diplomatic relations", "economic, trade, agricultural, and development cooperation", "defence-security cooperation", and "education, science, technology, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange cooperation".

All the groups are more or less related to the scope of activities of the association, in which the groups economic, trade, agricultural and development cooperation", "defense-security cooperation", and "education, science, technology, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange cooperation" are being promoted by the association and have initially achieved certain results as mentioned above.

In April, a delegate of the association led by president Nguyen The Thao had a working visit in Poland where they discussed with Vietnamese and Polish associations, organisations and education establishments about the implementation of people-to-people activities.

The association plans to further expand activities connecting training and research institutions of Poland and Vietnam, connecting businesses of the two countries with the aim of promoting bilateral ties in education, science, technology, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation in economy, trade, agriculture, and development.

It also coordinates with partners to promote information and propaganda activities and organise friendship exchanges and cooperation activities, among others. All are aimed at improving people-to-people diplomacy, contributing to strengthening the good traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

What is your vision for the prospects of Vietnam-Poland cooperation, and what are the main potential areas for bilateral cooperation?

Vietnam and Poland have huge potential to cooperate in labour and society. Vietnamese workers can work in Poland, focusing on the fields of industry, agriculture, food processing, food services, and healthcare.

Currently, Vietnam is Poland's largest partner in the ASEAN region. Poland sees opportunities to boost exports to Vietnam, not only industrial products but also agricultural products. Poland can supply all the agricultural products that Vietnam needs.

Besides trade, investment also plays a very important role. Recent statistics show that Poland has 33 projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of nearly $500 million. Vietnamese enterprises and Vietnamese-Polish enterprises are estimated to have invested more than $300 million in Poland.

The Polish economy today stands out in trade and services (transportation, accommodation, cuisine), industry, and agriculture. Besides these, energy conversion should be strengthened in the two countries' cooperation, specifically implementing technology research and development programmes in the fields of shipbuilding, geology, mining, marine economy, irrigation, agriculture, chemicals, construction, architecture, and the restoration and embellishment of relics.

Vietnam and Poland ramp up robust economic cooperation Vietnam and Poland continue to promote economic cooperation. Piotr Harasimowicz, chief representative officer at the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, shared with VIR's Thanh Van about the prospects of partnership between the two countries.

More support forthcoming thanks to Polish interest Poland and Vietnam continue to enjoy a thriving trade and investment partnership in light of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Piotr Harasimowicz, chief representative officer at the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, discussed with VIR's Thanh Van about the trends of Polish-Vietnam trade ties.

Vietnam and Poland target bilateral trade turnover of $5 billion Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed strengthening the economic ties with Poland to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion.
The agreement follows the first partnership that the two sides signed in May to advance AI-powered digital transformation in Vietnam. This will enhance Vietnams competitiveness in the global tech sector.

According to the latest agreement, the collaboration will span across four sectors, including developing a Vietnamese AI language model, building industry-specific AX platforms, expanding the AX ecosystem in Southeast Asia through global partnerships, and training AI talent via the Global AX Innovation Centre.

The two sides will jointly research AI cybersecurity solutions to combat voice phishing and deepfake crimes while sharing data and technology.

KT CEO Kim Young-shub said, The partnership extends beyond technology, contributing to ensuring Vietnams future growth drivers as KT and Viettel jointly open up a new AI era.

In the same vein, Tao Duc Thang, chairman of Viettel, noted, The combination of technologies from both sides will boost the comprehensive digital transformation for Vietnam. As one of the leading tech corporations in South Korea, KT plays the pivotal role in the national ICT infrastructure, making significant contributions to the digitalisation process, the development of the digital economy, and smart society in South Korea.

KT envisions becoming an AICT company, a company fusing AI with ICT. With this vision, KT is also implementing its AX  AI Transformation strategy, with a target of digitising 80 per cent of its services using AI.

Viettel Global posts Q2 net profit of $91.14 million Viettel Global (VGI) released its consolidated financial statement for the second quarter of 2025 on July 29, highlighting continued impressive growth in both revenue and profit.

AI transforming Vietnams businesses for the better While AI is a key in the process of innovation and accelerating economic development, it needs support from many sides to strengthen the workforce and related startups.
August 16, 2025: Inside Russia, protests in person or online against the Ukraine War can get you arrested and imprisoned. These protestors have found an ally in the videos sent home by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. The soldiers cannot be intimidated because they are armed, in Ukraine and constantly facing death while fighting Ukrainians. This is a major problem for the government because these soldiers regularly send photos and videos back home. The most embarrassing, to the government, images get on the internet and can never be removed by any government. Some countries have tried. China has spent billions of dollars to create internet censorship systems. These were only partially successful. Enough Chinese hackers evaded the censors and got videos to Russian, Chinese and international audiences. Russian media is censored but the internet is not, at least not to any real extent. That means a growing library of authentic photos and videos about the war exists. Any startling new event is quickly documented by

For decades the Russians have sought to censor to cope with embarrassing internet videos. Nothing seemed to work. Even the government used the internet to measure the extent of popular and soldier opposition to the war. Many civilians and soldiers still support the wars but that support is constantly eroded by the constant stream of videos. Families get images of their sons being killed or wounded in Ukraine. This is why Russia spends 20 percent of its annual budget on soldiers or their families. The money encourages men to join and remain in the army. Families are compensated for their losses.

The continued existence of these videos has forced the government to carefully consider decisions made about how the war is fought. Secrets are no longer secret when the government is forced to operate in full view of their citizens, soldiers and the world. The traditional use of propaganda to control public opinion is much diminished. Governments worldwide are seeking effective methods to harness and control this new video environment. For over a century governments have had to deal with new forms of media and unexpected problems and opportunities created. It started with the telegraph nearly two centuries ago. A hundred years later there was the telephone, followed in about fifty years by broadcast radio. Fifty years after that came TV and cinema. By the 1980s there came analog and then digital video tape and DVDs

By the end of the century the internet arrived and with it video streaming, smartphones and a growing avalanche of commercial and smartphone video content. For the military this was a major problem. Despite strenuous efforts, the troops could not be forced to leave their smartphones at home or back on the base camp or barracks. Officers tried, failed and learned to live with it. Soon, military advantages were discovered and exploited. Careless use of smartphones by troops, Islamic terrorists or criminals enabled these people to be tracked and attacked with smart bombs or an ambush.

Despite the obvious risks, all but the most disciplined troops continued misusing their phones. A growing number of officers began using phones for deception, encouraging the enemy to waste shells or missiles on a few active phones left somewhere that the troops werent.

Examples of how this worked abound. Three years ago a map of Russian cell phone users in Ukraine showed up online. It showed the concentration of Russian forces as already revealed via commercial satellite photos and news reports from Russia, Ukraine and world media. What was not explained was why the Russian troops were using their cellphones in Ukraine where they had to use Ukrainian SIM cards to do so. SIM cards work with only one cellphone service provider and, before the war, anyone visiting Ukraine or Russia needed to own or buy a SIM that would let their cellphone work in the foreign country they were visiting. In the Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and two eastern provinces Russia occupied in 2014, Russian cell phone service providers replaced Ukrainian ones. Russia considered these areas Russian and the occupation forces replaced Ukrainian cellphone service providers as quickly as they could and outlawed the possession of a Ukrainian SIM card.

The original Russian invasion plan included leaving the cellphone infrastructure of towers and central facilities intact because Russia would soon own them. That did not happen, or at least not long enough for the Russians to make any changes to Ukrainian cellphone operation. Soon Russian troops were told to find any Ukrainian SIM cards they could and turn them in so they could be distributed to officers and other essential personnel. The Russians did this out of desperation because the Ukrainians had much better battlefield communications, and part of that was because their cellphone network still functioned. This should have made Ukrainian forces vulnerable to Russian eavesdropping but that was not the case.

Between 2014 and 2022 Ukrainian and NATO signal experts studied the problem and came up with solutions, especially when it came to tracking and monitoring foreign troops in Ukraine using Ukrainian SIMs. Ukrainian troops have encrypted and reliable battlefield comms that dont depend on cellphones. Ukrainian civilians still used them to report on any Russian activity they might encounter while Russian forces have to use cellphones for most military communications. Both Russians and Ukrainians use the encrypted Telegram cellphone app. This is text based, making it less effective for battlefield communications. It was used by Ukrainian and Russian journalists, especially popular bloggers, to report to the people back home what is going on.

The Russian military sponsored a lot of pro-Russian bloggers and allowed some to accompany combat troops and report from the combat zone. This worked for about two months but soon some Russian bloggers reported that the war effort was being mismanaged and getting a lot of Russian soldiers killed. While these Russian bloggers were still pro-Russian, they risked losing their online followers, especially those in the military or related to someone wounded or killed in Ukraine. These Telegram users could also report what they knew, witnessed or experienced but their reports spread more slowly. There were so many of these reports on the Russian language internet that the pro-Russia bloggers were forced to confirm them and demand changes in how the war was being fought. Russian forces were still not advancing while the Ukrainians were, on several fronts. There were also Ukrainian partisans showing up in Russian occupied areas.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin is still micromanaging operations and that means no use of initiative by Russian troops. This makes no sense unless you consider the possibility that he does not trust the military and insists on direct control. For the Ukrainians, that is a major asset and more Russians were complaining about it, on the internet.
On August 14, VinFast announced plans to spin off certain assets into a newly formed entity and sell all such shares held by the company in that entity to the companys founder and CEO Pham Nhat Vuong. The transaction reflects a further effort by the founder to facilitate the company's long-term growth.

A new Vietnam-incorporated company, Novatech Research and Development JSC ( Novatech) will be spun off from VinFast Trading and Production JSC (VFTP) , a subsidiary of the company. Novatech will exist as a new direct subsidiary of the company to hold certain assets related to investment costs of completed R&D projects. VinFast will hold 37.642 per cent of the charter capital of Novatech, representing 99.9 per cent of voting rights.

VFTP will remain a direct subsidiary of VinFast and continue to operate VinFasts core electric vehicle manufacturing business in Vietnam and to conduct future R&D on new products and technologies.

After the spin-off, VinFast intends to transfer all of its shares in Novatech to its founder for a total consideration of approximately VND39.8 trillion ($1.52 billion), representing fair value of the transferred shares of VND17.25 trillion ($656.6 million) based on an independent third party valuation plus an agreed premium.

The intellectual property rights related to R&D assets held by Novatech will be leased back to VinFast for manufacturing purposes if needed.

VinFast recorded domestic deliveries of 11,479 EVs in July 2025. In total, the company delivered 79,048 EVs to customers in Vietnam during the first seven months of 2025.

VinFast accelerates EV ambitions in the UAE market The Vietnamese automaker joins global players eyeing the Middle Easts surging demand for electric mobility and smart vehicles.

VinFast opens new electric vehicle plant in Ha Tinh The move marks a major expansion of the automaker's production capacity in central Vietnam.
One called abortion a barbaric practice. Another referred to himself as a zealot for the anti-abortion movement. Several played prominent roles in defending their states abortion restrictions in court and in cases that had national impact, including on access to medication abortion.

As President Donald Trump pushes the Senate to confirm his federal judicial nominees, a review by The Associated Press shows about half of them have revealed anti-abortion views, been associated with anti-abortion groups or defended abortion restrictions.

Trump offered shifting positions on the issue while claiming he wants to leave questions of abortion access to the states. But his court nominees will have lifetime appointments and be in position to roll back abortion access long after the Republican president leaves the White House.

Bernadette Meyler, a professor of constitutional law at Stanford University, said judicial nominations are a way of federally shaping the abortion question without going through Congress or making a big, explicit statement.

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.

Of the 17 judicial nominees so far in Trumps second term, at least eight argued in favor of abortion restrictions or against expanded abortion access. No such records could be found for the other nine, nor did the AP review find evidence that any of Trumps judicial nominees support increased access to abortion.

Every nominee of the President represents his promises to the American people and aligns with the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark ruling, a White House spokesman, Harrison Fields, said in a statement that referenced the 2022 decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade.

Trumps first term also had an enduring impact on the courts, appointing 234 judges. By the end of that term, more than one-quarter of active federal judges were nominated by Trump, including three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade.

In his second term, all but five of his 17 nominees are from states that went for Trump in 2024 and where Republicans pushed severe abortion restrictions. Among them, four nominees are from Missouri and five are from Florida.

Here is a look at the nominees who tried to reduce abortion access or advocated for restrictions. They did not respond to requests for comment:

Whitney Hermandorfer

Hermandorfer, who was confirmed to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, built much of her relatively short career as a lawyer around challenging former President Joe Bidens policies related to abortion and transgender rights. She challenged a federal law requiring employers to provide workers with reasonable accommodations to get abortion care, as well as Title X regulations that required providers who receive funding through the program to give information about abortions to patients if asked.

Hermandorfer defended Tennessees abortion ban, one of the strictest in the country, in court and tried to dismiss a lawsuit from doctors seeking clarification on exemptions to the ban. She said abortion deserves special scrutiny because this is the only medical procedure that terminates a life.

Maria Lanahan

Lanahan, a district court nominee in Missouri, helped write the states complaint in a lawsuit that had sweeping national implications for access to medication abortion. The case challenged the FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone despite decades of evidence showing the drug is safe and effective.

The lawyer supported Missouris effort to strip Planned Parenthood of state Medicaid funding and defended the states abortion ban after a group of clergy sued, arguing it violated the state constitutions protections for religious freedom.

Jordan Pratt

Pratt, a nominee for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, called abortion a barbaric practice and one of the most severe invasions of personal rights imaginable in an amicus brief supporting Floridas 15-week abortion ban. The state now bans the procedure at six weeks.

In 2025, Pratt struck down a Florida law that created a judicial waiver program for minors seeking to have abortions without parental consent. The lawyer also worked for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal organization that opposes abortion and has sued to reverse the FDA approval of mifepristone.

John Guard

Guard, also nominated to fill for the same district, defended Floridas then-15-week abortion ban in court as the states chief deputy attorney general.

Joshua Divine

Divine, a deputy solicitor general of Missouri who is nominated to be a district judge in the state, is representing Missouri in a case challenging the FDA approval of mifepristone. Divine co-authored the lawsuit, which includes misinformation about medication abortion, including that it starves the baby to death in the womb.

In his college newspaper, Divine described himself as a zealot for the anti-abortion movement, referred to abortion as the killing of an innocent, genetically unique human being and argued that life begins at fertilization.

He also stepped into a prominent role in the fight over abortion rights in the state after Missouri voters approved an abortion rights amendment in 2024. That amendment did not immediately override state laws. It left it up to abortion rights groups to ask courts to knock down abortion restrictions they believed were now unconstitutional.

During the ensuing legal battles, Divine represented the state in defending a host of abortion restrictions.

Chad Meredith

Meredith, Trumps nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, defended the states abortion ban and other restrictions while he was the states chief deputy general counsel. That included a law requiring doctors to perform ultrasounds and describe images to abortion patients.

Bill Mercer

Mercer, a Republican state lawmaker in Montana who is nominated for a U.S. District Court judgeship in the state, repeatedly supported anti-abortion bills.

They included those that sought to ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy; require a 24-hour waiting period and mandatory ultrasounds for abortion patients; require parental notification for minors to get an abortion; prohibit the use of state funding for abortions; prohibit certain insurance policies from covering abortions; and restrict what types of medical professionals can dispense medication abortion.

Jennifer Mascott

Mascott, a lawyer in the White House Counsels Office and a Trump nominee to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, spoke repeatedly about abortion law in panels and interviews.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Mascott in an interview on Fox News Live disagreed with the argument that the decision undermined the courts legitimacy. She said abortion issues are more appropriately decided by the states, elected officials in Congress and people in their local communities.
Police launch witness appeal following fatal road traffic collision near Bwlchgwyn

Police have confirmed a man has died and another has suffered serious injuries following a road traffic collision on the B5340 near Bwlchgwyn.

The road was closed for several hours overnight following a collision, reopening around 3:30am.

A statement has been issued this lunctime by North Wales Police, At 7.38pm on Friday, 15 August, North Wales Police received a report of a three-vehicle collision on the B5340 between the A525 and Rhydtalog. The collision was between a group of four motorcycles and a Range Rover Evoque.

The emergency services attended, however, despite their best efforts, the male rider of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin and the Coroner have been informed

The second casualty sustained serious injuries and was conveyed by ambulance to the Wrexham Maelor where he remains under treatment.

Sergeant Alun Jones from the Roads Crime Unit team, said: I offer my deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. This is now sadly being investigated as a fatal road traffic collision.

We are urging anybody who may have witnessed the collision, or anybody who may have been travelling or walking in the vicinity and who may have mobile or dash cam footage to contact us.

The road was closed for some time to allow the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit to carry out their initial investigation and wed like to thank everyone for their patience.

Anybody with information is urged to contact officers at the Roads Crime Unit via the live webchat on the North Wales Police website, or by calling 101, quoting reference number C126741.
Wrexham pupils win 2,500 in national enterprise competition

Pupils from a Wrexham primary school have won the 2025 Enterprise Troopers competition, securing 2,500 for their school.

Ysgol Acrefair was recognised in the Creativity and Innovation category for its biodiversity and bee awareness campaign.

Pupils launched a campaign to create more wildlife-friendly spaces, producing and selling bee-themed bookmarks, seed bombs and bird boxes to promote awareness and raise funds.

The national competition, delivered by Careers Wales as part of the Welsh Governments Big Ideas Wales initiative, aims to develop essential entrepreneurial attitudes in young learners, encouraging problem-solving, communication and organisational skills, while building their confidence in literacy and numeracy.

It offers primary schools in Wales a chance to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, commitment to sustainability and contributions to their local communities.

Ceri Halley, a teacher at Ysgol Acrefair, said: Throughout the project, the children developed a wide range of skills  from research and organisation to problem-solving and critical reflection.

This competition has truly been the highlight of our year and a rich, purposeful learning experience for everyone involved.

Nikki Lawrence, Chief Executive of Careers Wales, said: Its amazing to see what young learners can achieve when theyre given the chance to be creative and take the lead. Congratulations to all of this years winners  and to every school that took part.

For over a decade, the Enterprise Troopers competition has helped broaden young peoples horizons, nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets from an early age.

By developing these core skills in creativity, problem-solving and resilience, were not only boosting confidence in the classroom  were helping to shape a future workforce thats ready to build a stronger, more dynamic economy for Wales.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said: Im delighted to congratulate the three winning schools on their success at the 2025 Enterprise Troopers Awards. Each of the winners demonstrated their creativity and entrepreneurial thinking and are inspiring examples of how education can connect learning with real-world experience.

I also want to thank all the schools that took part in this competition for their hard work and innovation.

The Enterprise Troopers competition perfectly demonstrates how we can nurture entrepreneurial thinking while building hands-on essential skills in creativity, problem-solving, maths, teamwork and communication.
August 16, 2025: Russia, despite their best efforts to do otherwise, ended up fighting in Ukraine the same they have for over a thousand years. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 revealed that the Russians could change, because the linguistically and culturally similar Ukrainians did. These differences enabled the more adept Ukrainians to successfully resist the Russians for over three years. There was a reason for that.

Until 2014, when Ukraine received military assistance from Western nations, the Ukrainian armed forces were based on the Russian model. After all, Ukraine had been part of the Soviet Union until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. The Russian military was and still is based on the principle that quantity had a quality all its own. Russia was never able to adequately train all the men it conscripted into the military. The Russians adapted by selecting and training about ten percent of their troops to give this group a high degree of skill. Compared to the less-trained troops, the select group were more effective in combat and suffered far fewer casualties than the untrained troops. The Western approach was somewhat different in that Western nations believed that quality would generally defeat quantity. To obtain that qualitative edge you had to know how to train new recruits to a high level of competence in the shortest possible time. Each soldier received one or two months of basic training.

After the Russians invaded in early 2022, the Ukrainians quickly realized that they could not sustain higher casualties among untrained troops and had to increase their training standards to survive. The veteran as well as newly conscripted or enlisted Ukrainian troops appreciated this and eagerly accepted the additional training.

Russia was unable to provide as much training and suffered higher losses because of it. As the training levels of the Ukrainian forces continued to rise, the difference in loss rates between Ukrainian and Russian forces became an embarrassing reality for the Russians. Ukraine was able to bring in a large number of trainers from NATO countries, most of them former or retired NATO soldiers who could operate in Ukraine without causing an international incident. These men were not mercenaries but foreign professional trainers who often had experience training troops of other countries. Ukraine also brought in a lot of foreign professionals for skilled jobs Ukraine could not fill. This included aircraft maintenance and several other military specialties, and here Westerners had almost fifty years of providing such services to foreign militaries, chiefly in the Middle Eastern oil states who needed, and could pay for, these services. There are a number of Western firms that specialize in providing all manner of pro

Putin and his generals also noticed the growing difference in casualties between better trained Ukrainian troops and relatively untrained Russian soldiers. The Russians missed what happened when NATO personnel served in Ukraine between 2014 and 2021 and taught Ukrainian officers how to become a NATO-compatible force. That included much more training for new troops and more flexible and effective combat leadership methods. This turned out to be a major advantage because the Russians were still using their rigid Soviet-era command and troops control procedures. By 2021 the Ukrainians had adopted more flexible Western methods where junior commanders were trained to improvise when necessary. The only Russian troops who did any of that were the special operations spetsnaz forces. Most Russian troops follow detailed orders and, when they encounter something not covered in their orders, they halt and wait for further instructions. Ukrainian forces regularly exploited this. After nearly a year of fighting the Russia

Ukrainians appreciated this training effort and it made a difference on the battlefield. This was especially true because Russia was sending more troops to Ukraine with little or no training. That meant the Russians suffered continued higher casualties and the Ukrainians lost far fewer soldiers. After a few months of fighting in 2022, Russia had lost most of its trained soldiers and officers. Since then most of the new Russian troops have little training or advanced tech and suffer from low morale and poor leadership. That sort of thing makes a big difference in combat but is often discounted during peacetime.

Ukrainians could find out how this came to be because the current NATO tactics began emerging in the late 1970s when the United States, NATOs most powerful member sought a new combat doctrine to make the best use of new weapons, an all-volunteer force and growing air superiority. West Germany was then urging the United States to adopt tactics that would mean losing less German territory in the opening stages of a war. In 1982 this led to the American AirLand Battle doctrine, which emphasized meeting a mainly Russian Warsaw Pact invasion by attacking as well as defending. West Germany was reassured as were those who had studied the 1972 Arab Israeli war. This conflict began with a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria which was quickly defeated by an Israeli active defense that emphasized attacking as well as defending. The Americans had already adopted an active defense doctrine in 1978 but AirLand Battle was a refinement of that, and evolved to the present with improved versions of these tactics.

The Russians interpreted AirLand Battle as the result of how much post-Vietnam military reforms had turned NATO defense plans into an offensive opportunity for NATO that made any Russian attack less likely to succeed and vulnerable to a NATO invasion of East Europe. The 1991 Iraq war certainly confirmed this, but Russians attributed that to poor quality Iraqi officers and troops.

After the East European Soviet satellite governments collapsed starting in 1989, it was revealed that the Soviets had become less confident of the ability and willingness of East European Warsaw Pact armies to assist Russian forces in attack or defense. Part of this was due to the aftereffects of the crackdown in East Europe after the uprisings of the 1950s and 1960s. Western intelligence officials interviewed many of East European civilians getting out and thought the refugees were exaggerating. They werent and that became obvious in 1989, and again two years later when the USSR itself collapsed. Once the Ukraine War has ended, the Russian military may accept that the NATO tactics were a major reason for their failure in Ukraine. Russia will have a difficult but not impossible time implementing a version of the NATO tactics for their forces. It would mean changing how their officers are trained and finally getting serious about reviving the use of NCOs, something the communists eliminated in the 1920s to p
Wrexham University lecturer honoured by Gorsedd of Bards at Wrexham Eisteddfod

Wrexham Universitys Head of Welsh Development, Elen Mai Nefydd has been formally honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards at this years Wrecsam National Eisteddfod, recognising her outstanding contribution to Welsh culture and language.

Presented to those deemed to have made a significant contribution to Welsh culture and the Welsh language, membership of the Gorsedd of Bards is the highest honour bestowed by the annual festival.

Elen Mai was formally admitted for her contribution to higher education over the last 25 years in North Wales and her work in championing the Welsh language.

She was one of a select number of individuals who have been recognised from all parts of the country for their achievements and their commitment to Wales, the language and their local communities.

Elen Mai joined the procession of new recruits at a special open-air ceremony on the Eisteddfod field in Wrexham, where she took the bardic title, Elen Mai Maelor.

She chose the name to represent her connection with the local area where she has lived for more than 25 years, and received her own green robe.

Alongside her role at the University, Elen Mai has also been serving as Vice-Chair for Culture of the Wrexham National Eisteddfod Executive Committee 2025.

Speaking following the ceremony, Elen Mai said: This is the most incredible honour of my life  and when you hear the names of those who have gone before and what they achieved, this honour feels even more special.

It is humbling to be amongst such inspirational people, who have made such an immense impact to the Welsh language and public life in Wales.

Id like to thank the University and colleagues I have worked with over the last 20 or so years who have supported and been part of my professional journey. It is even more special to receive this honour at the National Eisteddfod, here in Wrexham  where I live and work.

Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, added: On behalf of our university community, I would like to extend an enormous congratulations to Elen Mai for being honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards at the Eisteddfod.

This accolade demonstrates her dedication to championing and enhancing provision of Welsh medium and bilingual education, here at the University and within our local community.

As a Welsh institution, we are incredibly proud of our rich heritage and culture, as well as the language and proudly integrate that into everything that we do through Elen Mais work in helping us to continue driving that forward. Llongyfarchiadau, Elen Mai.
The ACLU of Nevada says it's suing the Nevada DMV for not releasing public records related to ICE communications.
China's central bank reports increased support for 5 key sectors

Xinhua) 10:09, August 16, 2025

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- China increased credit support for five key sectors this year, according to a report released by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) on Friday.

By the end of June, loans to the sci-tech, green development, inclusive finance, elderly care and digital economy sectors had respectively increased 12.5 percent, 25.5 percent, 11.5 percent, 43 percent and 11.5 percent, according to the PBOC's 2025 second-quarter monetary policy report.

Outstanding sci-tech loans totaled 44.1 trillion yuan (about 6.18 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of June -- up 12.5 percent year on year and 5.8 percentage points higher than the overall loan growth rate.

Loans granted in the elderly care and digital economy industries continued to outpace overall credit expansion, according to the report.

Earlier this month, the PBOC said that financial support for economic growth, structural transformation and high-quality development has increased since the start of 2025.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
The University of California (UC) has made history by admitting a record 100,947 first-year California students for the fall 2025 semester, marking a 7.4% increase from last year's 93,990. This milestone reflects the UC system's growing appeal, even as it navigates financial pressures from federal research funding cuts and proposed state budget reductions.

The UC system admitted a total of 180,382 students, including transfer and first-time college students, an 8% jump from 2024. Notably, 42% of accepted California freshmen are first-generation college students, with UC Berkeley reporting 32% and UC Santa Cruz 30% in this category. "We continue to experience significant growth, a clear indication that Californians recognize the value of a UC degree," said UC President Michael Drake, who will step down at the end of July to return to research and teaching.

Despite challenges from the Trump administration's policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion, UC admissions data shows increased representation across all racial groups, including Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, white, and "unknown." The system also admitted 22,230 international students, though enrollment rates for non-California and international students remain lower, with only 25% of accepted international freshmen enrolling system-wide.

UC Berkeley, with a competitive 13% acceptance rate, admitted over 20,000 students, an 8% increase from last year's 18,431. Its international first-year admissions nearly doubled to 1,463 from 735, a target set before the 2024 presidential election, according to university spokesperson Aileen Zerrudo. UC Santa Cruz, with a 73% acceptance rate, admitted 57,100 students, up by 2,000, though its international admissions slightly dipped to 4,836 from 5,249.

The system-wide admission rate for California first-year students rose to 77% from 70% in 2024, with significant growth at UC Merced and UC Riverside. This surge underscores UC's commitment to accessibility and diversity, even amid external pressures. As Drake noted, "Our latest admissions numbers demonstrate that families across our state recognize that UC degrees prepare students for a lifetime of meaningful contributions in their communities and far beyond."
Mumbai Rains: City Drenched with 200 mm Rain, Train Services Hit and Two Dead in Landslide 2

Mumbai and its suburbs were battered by heavy overnight rains on Saturday, with several areas recording over 200 mm of rainfall. The downpour inundated low-lying regions, disrupted suburban train services, and triggered a landslide in Vikhroli that claimed two lives and left two others injured.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel as emergency response teams worked across the city to clear waterlogging and attend to tree fall complaints.

The rainfall, which began around 1 am, caused flooding in both western and eastern suburbs, including Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Andheri, Kings Circle, Malad, and Goregaon. Suburban train operations were badly hit, with tracks submerged at Dadar, Kurla, Sion, Chunabhatti, and Tilak Nagar. Services on the Central Railways main and harbour lines were severely disrupted, while Western Railway also reported delays.

Bus services of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) were similarly affected, with diversions at multiple points such as Sion, Kings Circle, Aarey Colony, and Malad Subway. Civic officials confirmed that pumping operations were underway across the city.

According to IMD data, Vikhroli recorded the highest rainfall at 248.5 mm, followed by Santacruz (232.5 mm), Sion (221 mm), and Juhu (208 mm). Rain intensity was significantly higher in the suburbs, with South Mumbais Colaba reporting just 70 mm of rainfall during the same period.
Mumbai Woman Loses 18.5 Lakh While Trying to Order Milk Online 2

In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 71-year-old woman from Mumbai lost 18.5 lakh from her bank accounts while attempting to order a litre of milk online, police said on Saturday.

The woman, a resident of Wadala, was allegedly duped of her entire savings over two days earlier this month. On August 4, she received a phone call from a man who identified himself as Deepak, an executive from the milk company. The caller sent her a link, asking her to share her details for placing the order.

Police said the woman was instructed to stay on the call and follow his directions. After more than an hour, she disconnected. The next day, the same person called again and extracted more details.

A few days later, during a visit to her bank, the woman discovered that 1.7 lakh had been withdrawn from one of her accounts. Further checks revealed that her other two accounts had also been emptied, totaling a loss of 18.5 lakh.

Investigators said the accused managed to hack her phone after she clicked on the malicious link. A case has been registered, and police have launched a probe into the cyber fraud.
Tristen Stewart, 25, was booked into the Marion County jail and charged with capital murder on Saturday afternoon, records show. Marion County sheriff's office

A man is now jailed in the shooting that killed his wife and critically injured their 1-year-old daughter in Marion County on Friday night.

Tristen Stewart, 25, was booked into the Marion County jail and charged with capital murder on Saturday afternoon, records show.

He was arrested following a 15-hour manhunt, according to the sheriffs office.

He is accused of shooting and killing his wife, Taylor Dudley Stewart, and of shooting and seriously injuring their nearly two-year-old daughter, all within the same residence, the sheriffs office said in a statement.

The shooting happened in the 700 block of Stewart Road in Hamilton.

Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams told AL.com that the child was taken to an out-of-state hospital for treatment.

Investigators also arrested another man, Kenneth Stewart, 69, and charged him with aiding and abetting on capital murder and obstruction of government operations.

Due to the sensitive nature of this ongoing investigation, no further details will be released at this time, the sheriffs office said in its statement.

This story was updated after Stewart was taken into custody
guest column

In recent years, a wave of military takeovers has swept across the Sahel regionBurkina Faso, Niger, and Malitoppling long-standing regimes and sending shockwaves through Africas political establishment.

To many in the West and traditional governance circles, these coups are seen as dangerous regressions from democracy. But on the ground, among the youth and ordinary citizens, a different narrative is emerging: one of liberation from decades of elite looting, failed promises, and democratic theater that never delivered.

The question is no longer just whether coups are legal or constitutional, but whether they can be legitimate in the face of systemic failure. And if so, can there be such a thing as a good coup?

The Hollow Theater of African Democracy

Across much of Africa, the ritual of elections has long been mistaken for democracy. Leaders parade before cameras, swear oaths on constitutions, and claim legitimacy through ballotswhile behind the scenes, state coffers are looted, public services collapse, and foreign powers continue to dictate policy through debt and conditional aid. In countries like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, elections were held with great fanfare, but what did they deliver? Paved roads? Reliable electricity? Quality education? Healthcare? Jobs?

No. Instead, they delivered more of the same: gerontocratic leaders clinging to power, enriching themselves and their cronies while millions live in poverty, vulnerable to jihadist insurgency, food insecurity, and state neglect.

The truth is, in many African states, democracy has become a facadea performance designed to appease international donors while domestic populations are left to suffer. When elections fail to bring change, when constitutions are manipulated to extend tenures, and when the so-called "liberators" of yesterday become the oppressors of today, the people begin to ask: What is the point of democracy if it doesnt improve our lives?

Enter the Young Military Leaders:

-A New Kind of Rebellion-

The coups in Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (2022, 2023), and Niger (2023) were not led by aging generals seeking personal power. They were spearheaded by young, mid-ranking officersmen in their 30s and 40swho grew up watching their nations decay under the weight of corruption and foreign domination.

Take Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso. At just 35 years old, he represents a new political archetype,a leader who didnt inherit power through dynastic networks or Western backing, but seized it in the name of national dignity and popular survival. Since taking power, Traore has done what many elected leaders failed to do: he mobilized citizens for national service, launched mass tree-planting campaigns to fight desertification, cracked down on corruption, and prioritized food sovereignty. He has openly rejected the Francafrique system, expelled French military forces, and aligned Burkina Faso with regional partners like Mali and Niger in a new collective defense framework.

-Critics call it authoritarianism-

Supporters call it -awakening-

Because what Traore and his counterparts in Mali (Colonel Assimi Goita) and Niger (General Abdourahamane Tchiani) have done is not just change leadershipthey have shattered the myth that only Western-approved, election-winning politicians can govern. They have shown that political will, not electoral legitimacy, is what drives transformation. Its not rocket science to fix a countryif the primary goal isnt personal enrichment.

The Generational War: Elders vs. Youth

This is not just a political shift. It is a generational revolt.

For decades, Africas political class has been dominated by aging leadersmen who fought colonialism or early independence struggles and have since treated the state as their personal fiefdom. They cling to power, often past 80, while the median age in their countries is under 20. They speak of stability and continuity, but what they really protect is their own privilege.

Meanwhile, Africas youthover 60% of the population under 25are watching their future evaporate. They are unemployed, undereducated, and disillusioned. They see leaders flying to Paris for medical treatment while their children die from malaria. They see ministers driving armored SUVs while farmers walk miles for clean water.

The Sahel coups are the boiling point of this frustration. The young military officers didnt just overthrow governmentsthey overthrew a system. They represent a new ethos: one of sacrifice, patriotism, and urgency. They wear simple uniforms, speak directly to the people, and frame their mission as a revolution, not a power grab.

-A Warning to Africas Political Elders-

To the aging presidents and entrenched elites across Africa:

This is your wake-up call.

The youth bulge is no longer just a demographic statistic. It is a political forceone that is impatient, angry, and increasingly willing to act outside constitutional norms. When institutions fail, when elections become farces, and when leaders treat the state as a buffet, the young will not wait. They will not beg. They will not protest forever. They will take matters into their own hands.

The Sahel uprisings prove that legitimacy is not conferred by ballots alone, but by results. If leaders continue to steal, to serve foreign interests, and to ignore the suffering of their people, they will face consequencesnot just at the ballot box, but in the barracks, the streets, and the shadows.

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Conclusion:

Can a Coup Be Good?

Perhaps the better question is:

Can a democracy be bad?

If democracy means endless elections that change nothing, then yesthere may be room for disruption. The coups in the Sahel are not perfect. They carry risks. They may not last. But they have done something rare: they have restored a sense of agency, of national pride, and of possibility.

Captain Traore didnt inherit a functioning state. He inherited a broken one. And in a short time, he has shown that with political will, even a war-torn, impoverished nation can begin to heal.

So, are there good coups? Maybe not in theory. But in practice, when the alternative is kleptocratic stagnation, perhaps a necessary one.

The message from the Sahel is clear:

The youth are watching.

They are ready. And they will no longer let their elders squander their future.

You have been warned.
Stephen Perkins was shot to death on Sept. 29, 2023, in the front yard of his home on Ryan Drive Southwest. Kayode Crown

The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday denied former Decatur Police Officer Mac Marquettes petition seeking to dismiss his murder charge.

Marquette is charged with killing Stephen Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023, in the front yard of his home on Ryan Drive Southwest during a botched repossession attempt. He had filed a petition for a writ of mandamus, asking the appellate court to order Morgan County Circuit Judge Charles Elliott to grant him immunity from prosecution.

Read more: How a deadly police shooting changed one north Alabama city

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a petition for mandamus is an extraordinary legal request asking a higher court to compel a lower court or official to act when no other adequate legal remedy exists.

Elliott previously denied Marquettes claim of immunity on March 31, ruling that he had not shown sufficient evidence to prove he acted in self-defense. Marquettes attorneys argued that he was justified in using deadly force because Perkins had pointed a gun at him, that he had a lawful right to be on Perkinss property, and that the second repossession attempt was legal, so his right to defend himself should not be oppressed.

The Court of Criminal Appeals found no error in Elliotts ruling and declined to grant the writ.

Marquette is still scheduled to go to trial on the murder charge on Sept. 15.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
Bishop Calvin Woods, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church and longtime president of the Birmingham chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, marched with the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. (Photo by Joe Songer/AL.com)

Birmingham civil rights leader Bishop Calvin Woods Sr., the longtime pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Norwood who marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth during the Civil Rights Movement, has died, his family announced today.

Woods, 91, died Aug. 15, according to Eastside Funeral Home. Woods would have turned 92 on Sept. 13.

My heart is heavy today, his grandson, Rock City Church Pastor Mike McClure Jr. posted on social media on Aug. 16. My grandfather, Bishop Calvin Woods, has gone home to be with the Lord. He was more than family to me. He was a trailblazer, a freedom fighter, and a faithful servant of God who gave his life to the cause of justice and the Kingdom.

On April 3, 1963, 20 Black protesters were arrested for sitting at whites-only lunch counters in downtown Birmingham, kicking off what became mass demonstrations in the city 60 years ago that would help break down the citys racial segregation laws.

Woods, who was 29 during the sit-ins, spoke about the demonstrations in a 2023 interview with AL.com.

We were trying to draw the support of the white population, he said. We were dramatizing how we could spend our money there, but they didnt want us to be treated like first-class citizens.

Woods marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and held leadership positions in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference most of his life.

His voice carried the sound of courage in the Civil Rights Movement, McClure said. His prayers lifted generations. His love for God and people left a mark that time cannot erase.

Woods was born in Birmingham on Sept. 13, 1933, and graduated from Parker High School in 1950.

His brother, the Rev. Abraham L. Woods Jr., co-founded the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights in 1956 with Shuttlesworth and Calvin Woods worked alongside his older brother to fight the citys racial segregation laws.

You couldnt use the same restroom, couldnt drink from the same water fountain, Woods told AL.com in 2023. It was disgraceful. It had to be pointed out. It was so traditional, a lot of people couldnt see the ugliness of it.

The Woods brothers met King and Ralph Abernathy in 1962 and began working with them to fight segregation in Birmingham.

He was arrested and convicted in 1956 for demonstrating against Birminghams segregated city bus system. He was sentenced to jail for six months, becoming the first member of the Woods family to be arrested for their participation in the Civil Rights Movement.

In 1963, he was arrested and beaten by the police for his participation in public protests. Woods took part in the March on Washington and worked as the strategy chairman for a protest of the shootings of five Black protesters shot at a Birmingham supermarket.

After the death of his brother, Abraham, Woods succeeded him as president of the Birmingham chapter of the SCLC, a position he held until 2021. He also served as national vice president of SCLC. He served as president of the New Era Baptist State Convention.

Woods was pastor of East End Baptist Church from 1960-74 and Shiloh Baptist since then.

For Woods, the fight for racial justice required action.

You have to dramatize the situation, he said in 2023. You try to get them to respond. When they wouldnt do it, wed have to go and take another step, make sure the public understood what we were doing, and why we were doing it.

Woods said the methods of the civil rights movement, of Christian non-violence, still applied in 2023.

Love will conquer all, Woods said. We believed that white people and black people could get along. Youve got to keep on using the same weapon of nonviolence. There will be challenges, but thats the route weve got to take. Therell be times when they dont get along. Love is right here. Its right there.
A 13-foot alligator weighing over 600 pounds was captured in Alabama on Thursday night.

The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries division called it a record night where 23 alligators were captured, according to Facebook posts by the agency.

A record night last night with 23 alligators harvested from the West Central Alligator Management Area! This makes sense... Posted by Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division on Friday, August 15, 2025

Alligator hunting in Alabama is permitted with a special license, according to the agency, and this year more tags than ever were issued.

Alligators are managed in such a way that allows people use of the meat, hide, and other parts while maintaining and even encouraging healthy and sustainable populations, Alabama Wildlife said on Facebook.

Hunting for American Alligators is permitted in five alligator management areas, which are located in portions of Baldwin, Mobile, Washington, Choctaw, Clarke, Marengo, Monroe, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Russell, Dallas, and Wilcox counties, according to state law.

The massive 13-foot alligator was caught by licensed hunters in the West Central Alligator Management Area, which includes public and private waters in Monroe, Wilcox and Dallas counties.

Meanwhile, hunters in the Southeast Alligator Management Area caught two 10 foot gators on Friday, according to the wildlife department.

Summertime nights means alligator season! Zach Dawsey, Wes Tyner, Brandon Taylor, and Wade Battle doubled on two 10... Posted by Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division on Saturday, August 16, 2025

Alligator check stations for the Lake Eufaula, West Central, Southwest, and Coastal Alligator Management Areas will be open from 8 p.m.-7 a.m. during the dates open for hunting, according to Alabama Wildlife.
FILE - New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted in what prosecutors allege was a yearslong scheme to conceal a romantic relationship with her bodyguard. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File)

Months before New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was set to leave office because of term limits, she has been indicted in what prosecutors allege was a yearslong scheme to conceal a romantic relationship with her bodyguard.

Prosecutors say bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie was being paid as if he was working when he and Cantrell were really alone in apartments and visiting vineyards, hiding their communication by sending encrypted messages through WhatsApp and then deleting them. Although the pair have said their relationship was strictly professional, the indictment described it as personal and intimate.

The first female mayor in New Orleans 300-year history has been charged with conspiracy, fraud and obstruction.

Vappie was already facing charges of wire fraud and making false statements. He has pleaded not guilty. A grand jury returned an 18-count indictment Friday that added Cantrell to the case.

The City of New Orleans said in a statement that it was aware of the indictment and that the mayors attorney was reviewing it.

Cantrell hasnt sent out a message on her official social media feed on X since July 15, when she said the city was experiencing historic declines in crime. She and her remaining allies have said that she has been unfairly targeted as a Black woman and held to a different standard than male officials.

Here are things to know about the mayor and the indictment:

Vineyard trips and alone time with bodyguard

The indictment paints a detailed picture of Cantrell and her bodyguard traveling to vineyards and spending time alone in apartments at the same time it says Vappie was being paid as if he was working.

Vappie reminisced in a WhatsApp exchange cited in the indictment about joining Cantrell in Scotland in October 2021, saying that was where it all started.

Cantrell had told local reporters she needed a security detail due to COVID, saying her travel accommodations were a matter of safety, not of luxury.

The following year, instead of Cantrell attending a conference in Miami, authorities said the pair rendezvoused on Marthas Vineyard. Vappies travel to the island was covered by the city to attend a separate conference.

The times when we are truly (traveling) is what spoils me the most, the mayor wrote to him that month.

That same year, they also visited several California wineries, according to the indictment. After a trusted staff member posted a photo of the three of them on social media, one of Cantrells associates asked them to remove it.

They met in an apartment while Vappie claimed to be on duty, and Cantrell arranged for him to attend 14 trips, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said. The trips, he added, were described by her as times when they were truly alone.

In all, New Orleans taxpayers paid more than $70,000 for Vappies travel, Simpson said.

The pair used WhatsApp for more than 15,000 messages, including efforts to delete evidence, make false statements to FBI agents, and ultimately to commit perjury before a federal grand jury, he said.

A turbulent second term as mayor

Cantrell, a Democrat, won a historic election in 2017 by portraying herself as a candidate for the people and not of the citys political class.

Her mayoral tenure started strong with her securing tens of millions of dollars for city infrastructure improvements and taking decisive steps during the pandemic. There wasnt strong opposition to her 2021 election for a second term.

But it was around that time that the wheels started to come off her administration. After Hurricane Ida pounded south Louisiana in 2021, residents were left without trash collection for weeks, while crime rates were surging.

Meanwhile, Cantrell drew criticism for taking first-class trips abroad at the citys expense, violating a policy that requires city employees to use cheaper fares. She eventually agreed to repay the difference. A WVUE television investigation also found she was using a city-owned apartment as a part-time residence.

Cantrell survived a recall campaign launched in 2022 by disgruntled Black Democrats and largely funded by wealthy white Republicans.

She is also among more than 100 people brought up on corruption charges in Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans two decades ago, said Rafael Goyeneche, a former prosecutor who is president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, a watchdog group that provided photographs and information to federal authorities in the latest case.

New Orleans long history of corruption cases

Although Cantrell is New Orleans first mayor to be charged while in office, this is far from the first corruption case to impact the city.

Public corruption has crippled us for years and years, Simpson said. And this is extremely significant.

In 2014, former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was sentenced to a decade in prison for bribery, money laundering, fraud and tax crimes. The charges relate to actions during his two terms as mayor from 2002 to 2010. He was released early in 2020 during the pandemic.

In 2022, Rodney J. Jack Strain, a former Louisiana sheriff, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a federal bribery conviction. He also received four life sentences for earlier convictions for raping boys. After serving five terms, he admitted he used his authority as sheriff to steer profits from a $1 million work-release contract to himself, his family and two deputies.

G. Thomas Porteous Jr., a federal judge from New Orleans, was impeached and removed from the bench after the U.S. Senate in 2010 determined he took money from attorneys and bail bondsmen and lied in a personal bankruptcy filing, among other offenses. He never faced criminal charges as a result of the probe, which ran from 1999 to 2007. He died in 2021.
Brenda Ladun at Star Lake in Hoover to promote her book entitled "Behind the Scenes of Breast Cancer." Jerry Ayres

ABC 33/40s Brenda Ladun announced Friday that she will be retiring to pursue new adventures.

Ladun made the announcement in a video on ABC 33/40, thanking viewers for allowing her to deliver the news to their homes for over 29 years.

Her final day with the news station will be August 29.

Thank you for being a friend is the song that is in my head tonight, Ladun said.

I am so grateful to each of you who allowed me to come into your homes and lives for 29 years here at ABC 33/40. Your trust, love, and encouragement meant the world to me.

All the stories and people I was able to interview are rolling around in my head as I make the tough decision to step away from the anchor desk and move to new adventures with my dear sweet husband, Bill Ballard.

Ladun has been in the journalism industry for over 40 years and has won numerous awards for her coverage including being a five time winner of the Alabama Associated Press Awards for Best Investigative Reporter and Best Specialized reporter, according to her station bio.

Ladun most recently won the Associated Press Award for best anchor and an Edward R. Murrow Award for a cancer special.

Ladun has battled cancer twice, in 2001 and 2007, and successfully completed chemotherapy. She chronicled the experience in multiple books.

She said she was able to beat the cancer both times because of, faith, family, and friends that held me up when I was weak from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Ladun ensured viewers that she would still be around in looking to make a difference in her own way not just behind the news desk.

So this is not exactly a goodbye, Ladun said, its a see what I can do next! I hope to make you proud!

Please continue to support the station I helped build. This is my work family whom I love. By the way, my work family includes all those I have worked with in the past to present. We have a team of hard-working journalists who want to help bring you the stories important to you and your family.

Thank you for doing life with me through more than 30 years here in Alabama. Weve laughed together, cried together, and grown together. And thank you for being a friend and part of my TV family.
A popular YouTube duo died in a car crash last week, according to their families.

Stacey Tourout and Matthew Yeomans, who are known as Toyota World Runners on social media, crashed during an off-roading incident in British Columbia, Canada on Aug. 7.

With unimaginable heartache, the families of Matthew Peter Yeomans and Stacey Tourout would like to advise that we lost them both tragically succumbing to injuries in an offroad accident on Aug 7, 2025 in the beautiful mountains of British Columbia that they loved so much, Staceys mom Colleen Tourout wrote on Facebook Monday.

Please keep us and them in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this devastating end to an amazing Love Story. They are together forever as we knew they would always be.

The couple documented their travels throughout the Americas on YouTube and on a blog. Their car was reportedly found 200 meters down a blockfield - Matthew was found in the vehicle with no vital signs, while Stacey was found away from the site with serious injuries, according to CBC News.

Mark Jennings-Bates, a manager with Kaslo Search and Rescue, told the outlet that she was taken to hospital but sadly passed away later that evening.

It was a challenging rescue, Jennings-Bates said in a statement to CBC News. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those involved.
There are around 3,931 postsecondary institutions in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Choosing which school to attend can be a daunting task.

LinkedIn recently ranked the top colleges in the country for long-term career success. This guide reveals which schools are more likely to pay off in terms of graduates landing jobs sooner, building strong networks, and advancing into leadership positions more quickly.

The top 50 colleges on the list were identified using exclusive LinkedIn data on alumni career outcomes, like job placement rates and advancement opportunities. You can read the full methodology here.

For those looking to attend a school in the Southeastern Conference, Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas at Austin were the only two to make the list. Vanderbilt holds the 13th spot, while Texas finds itself further down the list in 46th place.

Here are the colleges that made the top 15:

1. Princeton University

Nassau Hall, oldest building on Princeton campus, 1754, designed by Robert Smith, architect, remodeled by architects Benjamin Latrobe and John Notman, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA Getty Images

Location: Princeton, NJ

Tuition: $65,210

Undergraduate enrollment: 5,670

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Financial Services, Business Consulting & Services

2. Duke University

Duke University campus in Durham, North Carolina, USA on an overcast day. Getty Images

Location: Durham, NC

Tuition: $66,326

Undergraduate enrollment: 6,525

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Financial Services, Business Consulting & Services

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, USA - October 27, 2023. View of College Hall through arched door of Fisher Fine Arts Library in the campus of University of Pennsylvania in Autumn, Philadelphia, USA Getty Images

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Tuition: $63,204

Undergraduate enrollment: 10,500

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Financial Services, Business Consulting & Services

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT Building, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA Campus building. Getty Images

Location: Cambridge, MA

Tuition: $64,310

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,535

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Manufacturing, Research Services

5. Cornell University

The statue of Andrew Dickson White located in the Arts Quad of Cornell University. it was made by Austrian-born American sculptor Karl Theodore Francis Bitter ( 1867-1915) and dedicated in 1915 in Cornell University Getty Images

Location: Ithaca, NY

Tuition: $48,010 (in-state); $71,266 (out-of-state)

Undergraduate enrollment: 16,130

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Financial Services, Higher Education

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - November 22, 2024: Autumn in Harvard Yard, the oldest part of the Harvard University campus, its historic center and modern crossroads. Massachusetts Hall on the left and Johnston Gate in the center. First Parish in Cambridge church is in the background. Getty Images

Location: Cambridge, MA

Tuition: $59,320

Undergraduate enrollment: 7,100

Top industries: Financial Services, Business Consulting & Services, Technology & Internet

7. Babson College

Wellesley, MA - September 18: The Babson College campus. (Photo by Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Boston Globe via Getty Images

Location: Babson Park, MA

Tuition: $58,560

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,800+

Top industries: Financial Services, Technology & Internet, Business Consulting & Services

8. University of Notre Dame

South Bend, Indiana, USA  April 22, 2019: built in 1879, The Main Building with its famous Golden Dome is a centerpiece of Notre Dames campus. It serves as the administration headquarters at the school. Atop the Dome is a 19-foot-tall statue of Mary the Mother of God. Getty Images

Location: Notre Dame, IN

Tuition: $65,025

Undergraduate enrollment: 8,925

Top industries: Business Consulting & Services, Financial Services, Technology & Internet

9. Dartmouth College

Hanover New Hampshire, USA - July 28, 2023.Dartmouth College, founded on December 13, 1769, is a private research comprehensive university located in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. Dartmouth is one of eight Ivy League schools Getty Images

Location: Hanover, NH

Tuition: $66,123

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,450

Top industries: Financial Services, Technology & Internet, Business Consulting & Services

10. Stanford University

Stanford, California, USA - May 2, 2012: Layout of buildings reminiscent of Spanish architecture on the Campus of Stanford University Getty Images

Location: Stanford, CA

Tuition: $65,127

Undergraduate enrollment: 7,555

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Research Services, Financial Services

11. Northwestern University

shot at a sunny day,in Northwestern University,Chicago,USA. Getty Images

Location: Evanston, IL

Tuition: $67,158

Undergraduate enrollment: 8,000

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Business Consulting & Services, Financial Markets

12. University of Virginia

"The Rotunda of the University of Virginia, designed by Thomas Jefferson along with a statue of him." Getty Images

Location: Charlottesville, VA

Tuition: $21,123 (in-state); $58,014 (out-of-state)

Undergraduate enrollment: 17,900

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Business Consulting & Services, Financial Services

13. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, USA - August 11, 2018. New building in the campus of Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt University is a top private research university, located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States of America with a undergraduate enrollment of over 12,000 founded by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1873. Getty Images

Location: Nashville, TN

Tuition: $61,618

Undergraduate enrollment: 7,220

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Business Consulting & Services, Financial Services

14. Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island, USA- November 22, 2022: View of the Brown University campus with people walking, or studying. Brown University, a private Ivy League university founded in 1764, is the seventh-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and currently enrolls more than 8,000 students. Getty Images

Location: Providence, RI

Tuition: $71,700

Undergraduate enrollment: 7,270

Top industries: Technology & Internet, Financial Services, Business Consulting & Services

15. Bentley University

Bentley University on Tuesday, August 6. Juliet Schulman-Hall
Three of Huntsville's eight tax increment financing districts are now closed. City of Huntsville

The city of Huntsville has closed out three of its increment financing districts ahead of schedule, Finance Director Penny Smith told the City Council on Thursday.

On average, the TIF districts closed 13 years early, completing the $31.4 million payoff. The city has now closed out five of its eight TIF districts.

To be able to pay off these TIFs well ahead of schedule is a monumental achievement, Mayor Tommy Battle said. Students and residents in Huntsville have been beneficiaries of this success and providing those opportunities is a goal we strive to reach every day.

TIF districts, located throughout Huntsville, are designed to stimulate economic development in designated areas and benefit schools, the city said. As development occurs, the value of property increases within the district and leads to greater revenues in property taxes.

Through a TIF, the city is allowed to use the growing property tax to pay for the improvements it made to support the development and to help pay for other public infrastructure improvements such as new schools.

The closeout of the three TIFS will send ad valorem taxes back to the appropriate entities, which in the 2025 fiscal year totaled more than $19.6 million. The entities include both Madison County and Limestone County and school systems where the TIFs are located, Smith said.

The schools will especially benefit as it rises, she said.

A breakdown of the closed TIF districts:

TIF 2: Established in 2000, the TIF financed $15.5 million. The city provided $10 million to the Huntsville Board of Education through the TIF. Another objective was the revitalization of the retail district where Parkway Place now stands with the city funding a $5.5 million public parking garage. TIF2 had a required closeout in 2030.

TIF 4: Established in 2006, the TIF financed $30 million. The city provided $13 million to Huntsville City Schools to help rebuild Lee High School and renovate the former Butler High School facility. Other projects included the construction of Harris Hills Boulevard to incentive retail development on U.S. 72 and construction/expansion of several public facilities. These included the downtown public safety precinct, the Von Braun Center and the Huntsville Museum of Art. TIF4 had a required closeout in 2036.

TIF 6: Established in 2015, the TIF financed $14 million. The objective was to spur economic development along Interstate 565 in western Madison and eastern Limestone counties. The area has become a manufacturing hub for north Alabama and the TIF funding covered infrastructure improvements in the area, helping attract companies such as Polaris, Mazda Toyota, and Amazon.

TIFs contribute directly to continued growth and public improvements because the city can borrow money for projects within a designated district and then repay bonds using property tax proceeds.
The brand new drama Dead Girl Summer premieres on Lifetime Sunday, Aug. 17 at 8/7c.

The latest Lifetime drama includes a captivating mystery element where, after returning to her decades-old summer travel spot, a young woman goes missing under mysterious circumstances.

Where to watch Dead Girl Summer

Cord cutters hoping to catch the latest mystery to join the Lifetime network schedule can stream the premiere live through Philo, DirecTV or Sling.

Out of the three streaming platforms that carry Lifetime, Philo is the cheapest option at just $28 a month after its free trial concludes.

Philo is considered one of the most affordable traditional cable alternatives out there. At just $28 a month after a 7-day free trial, subscribers can enjoy over 70 top-rated TV channels such as TLC, MTV, BET, AMC, CMT, Investigation Discovery and more.

Streaming Platform Promotion Price Philo 7-day free trial $28/month after free trial DirecTV 5-day free trial $86.99/month after free trial Sling No active promotions $45.99/month

DirecTV is one of the leading streaming platforms taking the industry by storm. With plans starting at $86.99 after its 5-day free trial, DirecTV offers a plethora of live TV channels, tailor-made genre packs to slim down filler overload, and a load of other appealing features.

Sling is another great streaming platform replacing basic cable. By offering users a stellar selection of popular TV channels, Sling is a great alternative to the hassle of traditional cable. Sling is also introducing day, week and weekend passes which allow users to choose how long they can access the platform. Plans start at just $45.99 a month after the first month and the new passes start at $4.99.

More on Dead Girl Summer

Starring Sydney Hamm, McKalin Hand and Savoy Bailey, Dead Girl Summer follows Avery and Jade, recent college grads who decide to celebrate their recent accomplishments by returning to their childhood summer town by the lake.

While there, the pair reconnect with an old friend named Will, only for Jade to go missing under suspicious circumstances.

On a mission to figure out what happened to her friend, Avery stumbles upon the realization that Jades disappearance eerily mirrors a past tragedy involving the death of their friend, Mia. When Avery learns that Mia was murdered, she soon discovers someone is orchestrating events to make them relive that horrific summer all those years ago.










English News Hainan's instant tax refund wins over foreign tourists

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 13 Aout 2025



Behind these positive experiences lies Hainan's ongoing effort to improve international connectivity and inbound facilitation policies. In the first half of this year, over 208,000 travelers entered Hainan visa-free through Sanya Phoenix International Airport, accounting for 88.54 percent of all inbound visitors at that airport. Across the province, the number of inbound overnight visitors reached 652,900, up 31.7 percent year on year.

By Sun Haitian, People's Daily "Before coming here, I assumed Sanya was only about sunshine and beaches," remarked Russian tourist Andrei. After spending a few days by the sea, his family headed to downtown Sanya, south China's Hainan province, for some shopping. Inside a mall, a poster advertising duty-free shopping for offshore passengers caught his eye.



"Offshore duty-free shopping applies mainly to domestic travelers departing the Hainan Island but remaining within China," explained Andrei's tour guide. "As an international traveler exiting China, you're entitled to another benefit - the departure tax refund."



"Another benefit?" Andrei became even more interested. While shopping, he picked out a pearl necklace for his wife and finally bought himself the mobile phone he had long wanted.



At checkout, the cashier reminded him, "Since your purchase exceeds 200 yuan ($27.82), you can apply for a departure tax refund." The refund threshold had been lowered from 500 yuan to 200 yuan. After issuing a tax refund application form, Andrei was directed to the mall's "instant tax refund" counter.



A staff member processed his passport and form, placing a temporary hold on his credit card: "For refunds under 20,000 yuan, you may choose immediate cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay transfer."



"Instantly?" Andrei was surprised.



Moments after he selected a refund method, a notification popped up on his phone confirming the refund had been deposited.



"The process was faster than ordering coffee," he commented, delighted. With the refunded money in hand, he immediately bought several boxes of Hainan coconut candy.



"Remarkable! It felt like an additional discount," he observed.



Andrei's shopping experience reflects a new trend in inbound tourism in Hainan. Citizens from 85 countries can now enter Hainan visa-free, and more foreign visitors are venturing beyond traditional resort areas into the city's lively streets, exploring a wider variety of shopping and leisure options.



"Streamlined tax refund services have strong appeal for tourists," said Wu Xiaolin, an official with the Sanya Tourism Board. "Independent travelers now make up about 50 percent of Sanya's inbound visitors. They tend to be younger, stay longer, and seek unique, in-depth cultural and lifestyle experiences. Initiatives like 'instant tax refunds' and mobile payment facilitation are helping to remove barriers to spending."



A few days later at Sanya Phoenix International Airport, Andrei visited a customs verification counter for the final confirmation step. Customs officers entered his passport number into the system; his traveler details and purchase records appeared instantly on a screen. The entire verification and stamping process took less than two minutes.



"We're enhancing clearance efficiency through multilingual support and digital systems, improving overseas visitors' experiences," said an official with the customs department in Haikou, capital of Hainan province.



"From lowered refund threshold, to the instant processing and automated verification at the airport, every step has been thoughtful and efficient," Andrei said, reflecting on the convenience of his trip.



Behind these positive experiences lies Hainan's ongoing effort to improve international connectivity and inbound facilitation policies. In the first half of this year, over 208,000 travelers entered Hainan visa-free through Sanya Phoenix International Airport, accounting for 88.54 percent of all inbound visitors at that airport. Across the province, the number of inbound overnight visitors reached 652,900, up 31.7 percent year on year.



Outside the airport terminal, Sanya's glittering night skyline spread. "The charm of a place often lies in the details," Andrei told his wife. "Next time, we're staying in Hainan for a few more days."



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)
AUBURN  Amid the worst measles outbreak in the U.S. since the early 1990s, the Cayuga County Health Department is ready if the contagious disease arrives here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 1,356 confirmed measles cases this year. The state Department of Health reports 15 cases in New York, with seven in areas outside New York City.

No cases have been reported in Cayuga County. The closest measles case was in Ontario County.

Health officials say the vaccination, which provides protection against measles, mumps and rubella, is a critical tool in stopping the spread of the disease. The CDC reports that 92% of the confirmed cases were unvaccinated. Although 8% of cases had one or two doses, vaccinated individuals can contract measles if herd immunity is not achieved.

In Cayuga County, 87.4% of children ages 2 and older have received the MMR vaccine  below the 95% threshold needed to reach herd immunity.

Dr. Cassandra Archer, director of community health services for the county Health Department, told The Citizen that the most vulnerable group is children under ages 4 or 5 who haven't received the MMR immunization. Individuals who are immunocompromised due to certain medical treatments, such as a bone marrow transplant, are also at risk.

The first MMR shot is usually administered when children turn age 1. They receive another  what Archer called the "kindergarten shot"  between the ages of 4 to 6. It's called the kindergarten shot because it's required for children who are attending school in New York.

"With anything it's about risks and benefits," Archer said. "When you look at the benefits that come from being vaccinated versus the extraordinarily small risk that could accompany a vaccine-related reaction, you're always in the favor of getting a vaccine, especially as we go into the era where there's less herd immunity."

The county's measles response, Archer explained, would involve notification from a doctor that a patient has measles symptoms, namely a rash and fever. Testing would be expedited by the state lab, which would confirm a measles diagnosis.

The health department would obtain a list of people who were present in the doctor's office, emergency room or urgent care. Public health officials would determine whether those exposed to measles are vaccinated.

"We can make recommendations," Archer said. "Do these people need vaccine? Do these people need immunoglobulin, which are antibodies which may prevent them from developing it."

Kathleen Cuddy, the county's public health director, added that the health department would follow its usual protocol for responding to communicable disease cases. The county has a plan if it would need to provide measles vaccine to a larger group, she said.

If the health department needs to hold a measles vaccination clinic, they would check the vaccination status for staff who might work there  clinical staff are already required to be vaccinated.

Daycare centers and schools would play an important role in the response. Cuddy noted that these facilities are required to report the vaccination statuses of children who are attending school or enrolled in daycare programs.

"That's why a lot of times at the beginning of the school year we'll see a big uptick in children who come to the health department for their vaccines  if they haven't had the opportunity to get into their primary care provider's office to have their school age-appropriate vaccinations," she said.

There is a timeline, she continued, when schools won't allow students to attend if they don't receive the required vaccinations. That mandate is enforced by New York state.

New York could be better positioned than many other states to not only handle a potential outbreak, but to avoid one.

According to the CDC, the national MMR vaccination rate among kindergarten students was below the threshold needed for herd immunity. Several states are under the 95% mark needed to achieve herd immunity.

That is not the case in New York, where the vaccination rate is above the 95% level. In the 2023-24 school year, New York had the fourth-best MMR vaccination rate in the country.

If a measles case is reported in Cayuga County, health officials are ready.

"There has been a lot of discussion at the state level and education for the local health departments about how to respond," Archer said.










English News On a factory floor in E China, wider story of Chinese smart manufacturing unfolds

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 13 Aout 2025



"In June alone, we delivered more than 100 painting robots to clients," Zhang Wei said. Just 30 kilometers away, construction is underway on a "robot superfactory" with an annual production capacity of 100,000 units. Once operational, the facility will deploy intelligent robots to assemble other robots, bringing the concept of "robots building robots" closer to reality.

By Li Junjie, People's Daily In a workshop in Wuhu, east China's Anhui province, rows of industrial robots stood in neat formation, their mechanical arms poised mid-air, awaiting final inspection before rolling off the production line.



Nearby, workers moved with practiced rhythm - lifting, pairing, assembling - and with each passing hour, another robot was completed and ready for delivery.



This is the manufacturing and delivery center of EFORT Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd., a leading player in China's rapidly expanding robotics industry. In the first half of this year, the country, already the world's largest producer of robots, recorded a 35.6 percent year-on-year increase in industrial robot output.



"We now produce about 2,000 robots each month," said Zhang Fei, head of production management at EFORT. "That was our total annual sales five years ago."



"Last year, we sold 16,000 robots. In the first half of this year alone, sales reached around 10,000 units, with full-year figures expected to surpass 20,000," added Shang Xuran, EFORT's welding product director.



Diversifying applications, capturing new markets



EFORT's sales have increased eightfold in just four years, with growth projected to exceed 25 percent this year. Zhang Wei, EFORT's deputy general manager, attributes this momentum to diversification.



"In the past, most of our products went to photovoltaic companies. In recent years, we've expanded into robots for the automotive and home appliance industries," explained Zhang Wei, EFORT's deputy general manager.



He noted that China's trade-in policies have boosted demand for new energy vehicles, electronics, and household appliances, prompting manufacturers to expand production capacity and improve efficiency. This has created new opportunities for EFORT, while the Chinese government's push for intelligent manufacturing transformation has kept downstream demand high, enlarging the company's market.



Domestic innovation gains ground



Qianchao Intelligent Manufacturing (Wuhu) Co., Ltd., a producer of constant velocity drive shafts for automobiles, is among EFORT's long-term clients. In its workshops, handling robots shuttle back and forth between production lines and storage areas with precise coordination. "Of our 63 handling robots, 58 were supplied by EFORT," said Tang Liansheng, head of equipment at Qianchao.



Qianchao previously relied on imported handling robots, but high costs prompted it to test a Chinese domestically produced alternative from EFORT, whose factory is located just 16 kilometers away.



"Tests showed that the stability and reliability of domestic robots were on par with imported models, while costing more than 40 percent less. And given our proximity, any technical issues can be resolved quickly," Tang said. When building a new workshop, the company decisively placed a full order with EFORT.



"Improving performance and developing homegrown alternatives were only possible through joint innovation across the supply chain," said Zhang Lin, EFORT's platform product director.



One longstanding technical bottleneck in China's high-performance industrial robot production was the design of gear train-driven joints. Working with an upstream supplier, EFORT spent 14 months overcoming this challenge. The resulting technology is now widely used on the production lines of Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturers such as BYD and Seres.



From domestic success to global reach



China 's industrial robot exports reached second place globally last year, with first-half 2025 shipments surging 61.5% year-on-year. EFORT has been a key contributor, adapting advanced technologies into competitive products for overseas markets.



On one EFORT production line, six painting robots worked in concert with two door-opening robots to simulate painting the interiors and exteriors of car bodies.



"This paint application test line, commissioned last year, integrates over 30 years of Italian robotics expertise," explained Zhang Wei." After acquiring CMA Robotics, we spent two years fully absorbing their technology before developing our next-generation painting robots."



The new models have been deployed in China's rail transit, passenger vehicle, and auto parts industries, and are also used by international clients, including Italian automakers Maserati and Alfa Romeo.



"In June alone, we delivered more than 100 painting robots to clients," Zhang Wei said. Just 30 kilometers away, construction is underway on a "robot superfactory" with an annual production capacity of 100,000 units. Once operational, the facility will deploy intelligent robots to assemble other robots, bringing the concept of "robots building robots" closer to reality.



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)
Revisiting the 2024 Alabama Supreme Court decision to recognize frozen embryos as children is a landmark case for the country. Considering recent attempts to legislate protection for the IVF industry, its important to review all the nuances of the decision, because this issue is going to continue to evolve across the country. Understanding all sides of the issue helps to make better decisions for both unborn children and parents.

First, the decision didnt make it a crime for an embryo to be destroyed. It ruled on the side of civil law and not criminal law. Therefore, if a frozen embryo were destroyed, even accidentally, then a parent could sue for damages. That is exactly what happened in the case before the Supreme Court. A patient wandered into a medical lab that was housing frozen embryos and dropped a container that possessed the embryos, thereby destroying them. The parents claimed that they could sue because those were their future children.

To further explain this, Alabama has a law called the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. Under this law, if you accidentally kill a child, you can be sued for civil damages. Over time, that act was further defined through the Brady Act, in which the word child was expanded to include an unborn child, so if you accidentally killed a pregnant woman, you could be civilly liable also for the unborn child.

However, is a frozen embryo an unborn child? The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that it was. The Wrongful Death of a Minor Act applies to all unborn children without limitation. And that includes unborn children who are not located in utero at the time they are killed.

Also, part of this decision was the foundation to uphold the sanctity of life. Justice Mitchel went through great lengths to show historically where this term, sanctity of life, comes from and how it has been used previously in court proceedings.

The People of Alabama have declared the public policy of this State to be that unborn human life is sacred. We believe that each human being, from the moment of conception, is made in the image of God, created by Him to reflect His likeness (48).

Justice Cook opposed the majority opinion stating that the wrongful death statue was written before the invention of IVF and that its intention was to protect only certain children. This act was later revised by the Brady Act to include unborn children in the womb. The key term here is in the womb. A frozen embryo is outside the womb, so technically, its not protected by the Brady Act, according to Justice Cook. The majority of justices maintained that the frozen embryo is considered an unborn child, whether its in the womb or outside the womb.

Another issue at hand is whether judges should be making judgments that expand the law or just interpret the law. The majority acknowledged that this ruling could raise complicated issues, but they said its not their job to rewrite the law to avoid uncomfortable outcomes. Their job is to interpret the law as it stands. If the law now seems too broad or causes unintended problems, the Legislature can change it.

As you can imagine, the IVF industry paused its work in view of this decision. However, the Alabama Legislature stepped in and passed legislation that allowed them to continue their practice of IVF. Once again, the Brady Act, which can bring criminal charges for negligence, is only for children in the womb, not outside the womb.

The justices of Alabama were simply attempting to be logical with their thinking. If the state is going to protect the life of an unborn child, then the embryo is unborn, and therefore it should be protected. The issue of the unborn childs location is a peripheral issue at best.

Part of the dissenting opinion bases its dissent on the effect that the decision is going to have on the IVF industry. This effect may diminish the capacity to engage in its practice of producing multiple embryos to ensure a successful implantation.

This is a logical fallacy: An argument is not correct or incorrect just because the effect is unwanted.

Lets apply this to a more visible situation. During the preCivil War era, an argument in favor of slavery was made that slavery brought economic prosperity to the states. Statesmen were opposed to freeing the slaves because that would be an economic disaster for the South. In this case, it is easily observed how economic facts take priority over the dignity of the human person, which is an end in himself. Once the human dignity of the African-American is acknowledged, then slavery is revealed as unethical. The loss of economic prosperity could be an unfortunate but necessary consequence of recognizing that dignity. No one today would argue in favor of slavery because of economic advantages.

This is a complicated issue for sure, and the ramifications are serious. The idea of what constitutes a human person is no longer a philosophical or theological question; stances are being taken that directly affect the lives of parents and business due to recent innovations.

The Supreme Court of Alabama is taking a more proactive approach and defining what a person is. The Legislature of Nevada, on the other hand, recently proposed a bill that doesnt define a person but simply states that an embryo is not a person. Yet saying that an embryo is not a person while not defining what a person is is a logical fallacy.

As courageous and logical as the decision was, its logical consequences were not followed in the least. The Legislature of Alabama immediately placed legislation protecting the IVF industry so as not to create a pause in that business. One of the points that was brought up in the decision is that other countries are handling this situation differently; other countries allow only one embryo to be implanted at a time, and there are no excess embryos and therefore no need for storage. Such a procedure would be more in line with respecting the value of human life in my view.

I note briefly that many other Westernized countries have adopted IVF practices or regulations that allow IVF to continue while drastically reducing the chances of embryos being killed, whether in the creation process, the implantation process, the freezing process, or by willful killing when they become inconvenient. For decades, IVF has been largely unregulated in the United States, with some commentators even comparing it to the Wild West. See, e.g., Alexander N. Hecht, The Wild Wild West: Inadequate Regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology, 1 Hous. J. Health L. & Pol'y 227, 228 (2001), page 43.

Whats clear is that the law is now at a crossroads. Courts are being asked to make decisions that affect not just the people in front of them, but the entire framework of reproductive health care. As society wrestles with these deep questions  about the meaning of personhood, the role of science, and the sanctity of human life  Alabama has become a flashpoint. Whether other states follow this path remains to be seen. But this ruling has already made one thing clear: The question of when life begins isnt just for scientists or philosophers anymore. Its a matter of law, and its shaping lives in ways were only beginning to understand.

George Matwijec, Ph.L. is an adjunct philosophy teacher at Immaculata University who specializes in teaching knowledge and logic He is the author of a book entitled My Interview with AI. He can be reached at iteacher101.com.

Image via Pixabay.
As Normal Americans know, its difficult to convert Democrat true believers, particularly on the issue of guns. But it is possible, and one woman suggests its worth the effort.

Vanessa Rosa is now the Rhode Island director for Women for Gun Rights. But not long ago, she was as afraid of guns and anti-gun as any doctrinaire leftist. She has a YouTube presence under Gothix and in I used to HATE gunsNow Im Getting My Concealed Carry Permit, she begins with video of her delight in passing her concealed carry shooting test.

Graphic: Rosa YouTube Screenshot

Rosa demonstrates the validity of her conversion by acknowledging some viewers will be upset she, or anyone, should have to pass a test and be approved by government to exercise a fundamental, unalienable right. She correctly notes thats just the way things are right now in Rhode Island and in non-constitutional carry states.

She also notes she must file reams of paperwork with her towns police department, including three typed character references. She has no idea how long it will take to finally be approved, but shes going through the process.

Rosa tells us she was very intimidated by guns, knew no one who owned a gun, and had never gone to a range. Im sure that will be familiar to many Democrats, but she said: Im here to tell you its not that difficult.

She related a conversation with a relative who asked why she would want to carry a gun? She explained people asking that question seldom think bad things could happen to them. She spoke of the recent mass stabbing at a Michigan WalMart, stopped only because a prepared citizen had a gun. She realistically observed that relying on the police is foolish:

By the time you call the cops the crime is already done. People are dead; people are stabbedYou are your own first responder.

Rosa also said she was partly inspired by media lies, noting when a mass shooting happens, they virtually always omit the fact that many occur in gun free zones, which do nothing but endanger innocent people. They dont want to expose the failure of their gun safety measures. She also noted criminals dont obey the law and care nothing for gun free zone signs:

Thats welcoming more criminals into the area because they know theyre going to be unopposed.

She has five easy steps to help you get into firearms:

(1) Check your state laws to understand the entire process.

(2) Get plugged in to a Second Amendment community. Get help from people who understand your concerns and know the Second Amendment is the right that secures every other right. Its important to be with helpful, knowledgeable people who will teach you the basics.

In order to defeat anti-gun advocates, you have to make more gun owners.

(3) Take your blue card test. Apparently in Rhode Island, one must pass a 50 question, multiple choice test to get a permit to buy ammo(?!) and a handgun. Bizarre to many Americans, but necessary there. Rosa suggests choosing the answers that seem most extreme. Ive no way to know whether thats good advice but considering the test is surely written by anti-liberty/gun cracktivists, it may not be a bad idea.

Graphic: Rosa YouTube Screenshot

(4) Try a variety of guns before buying one. Dont buy one on looks alone. Take advantage of free events that offer the chance to handle and shoot a variety of guns. Good instructors often provide this opportunity with their classes. Rosa showed her S&W Equalizer, which is easy for her to rack and has a grip safety, which for a beginner, gave me some peace of mind. Here Rosa noted there is also federal paperwork and a background check involved in buying a gun, and without a concealed carry permit, theres a seven-day waiting period. Arent you glad you dont live in Rhode Island?

(5) Once youve bought a gun, practice, practice, practice. Shooting is a perishable skill.

Amazingly, Rosa said to pass the state test, one must shootapparently exclusivelyat 25 yards! If accurate, thats doubtless another attempt by RI bureaucrats to keep people from carrying guns.

Rosa is a charming, literate woman. She just might be able to help others make the transition from fearful serfs to aware, prepared citizens.

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.
As someone said, nothing surprises me anymore. So here it goes: The cartels are into timeshares. Here is the story:

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions Wednesday on more than a dozen Mexican companies and four people it says worked with a powerful drug trafficking cartel to scam elderly Americans in a multimillion-dollar timeshare fraud. The network of 13 businesses in areas near the seaside tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta were accused of working with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a group designated by the U.S. government as a foreign terrorist organization. In a scheme dating back to 2012, four cartel associates are accused of defrauding American citizens of their life savings through elaborate rental and resale schemes, according to a Treasury statement. In the span of six months, officials said they were able to document $23.1 million sent from mostly people in the U.S. to scammers in Mexico. The sanctions imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump would prohibit Americans from doing business with the alleged cartel associates and block any of their assets in the U.S.

23 million going back to 2012? I would call that a very successful racket, wouldn't you?

This story, and probably more coming, confirms how widespread the cartel operations are. It leaves me wondering how many companies in Mexico are tied up to money laundering. To be fair, many may not realize it, such as having investors who are tied to cartels. In other cases, it may be part of a plan.

The moral of the story is that these cartels are indeed violent but also rather sophisticated in their business operations. Many of their leaders are not the bandits that we associate with street crime but rather well-dressed businessmen who use their laptops to check bank balances and inventory transfers.

It presents a challenge for the U.S., which is why I support the Trump administration declaring the cartels as terrorist organizations. It opens up more avenues for us to follow the money. As we can see, the money is everywhere.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
Dictionary.com defines chain of command thus:

Noun: a series of administrative or military ranks, positions, etc., in which each has direct authority over the one immediately below.

Weve just found peak DEI. Dictionary.com doesnt do pictures, but when you look in the dictionary under DEI hire, you find the photograph of DC Police Chief Pamela Smith. She obviously checks all the boxes.

Graphic: TikTok post

"Can you tell us what the chain of command is now?" a reporter was heard asking Smith during a press conference Tuesday morning. "What does that mean?" the police chief responded.

The Police Chief of our nations capital, the woman at the top of the chain of command of that agency, doesnt have a clue what a chain of command is. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, as clueless as she is, had more of a clue than Smith:

"Well, is it Pam Bondi speaking to the mayor? Is it you? How does this work?" the reporter continued, before D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stepped in to explain the department's chain of command following Trump invoking section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act Monday, which allows the president to assume emergency control of the capital's police force.

So, she doesnt know what a chain of command is. So what?

Graphic: X Post

In every occupation there is a chain of command, and this is particularly so for the police who are paramilitary organizations. Smaller agencies have patrolmen, sergeants, lieutenants and police chiefs. The larger the organization, the more ranks, including senior patrolmen, corporals, captains and assistant chiefs. Big city agencies mix military ranks with commanders, inspectors, assistants to the assistant deputy police chiefs and so on.

The chain of command is an essential element of our society. It lets us know who is responsible for those below them, and to whom deference must be paid. It provides accountabilitytheoretically.

In police work, its essential. As with the military, orders are given and must be obeyed without question. Its a matter of life and death, though in police work to a lesser degree than in the military. A chief of police clueless about the chain of command is rather like an infantryman having no idea what a rifle might be.

Smith apparently has at least 25 years of police service, yet she attained the highest rank in the DC Police Department without knowing she was part of the chain of command? How is that possible? She certainly didnt jump from patrolman to chief in one mighty bound. She had to have had multiple supervisors as she worked her way up the ladder, and at some time in those 25 yearsperhaps at her initial police academysomeone must have uttered the words: chain of command. She must have been required to obey departmental rules and regulations? Apparently, not so much:

In 2024, Smith and several other DC officers marched in a DC Pride Parade in violation of regulations prohibiting marching in that parade in uniform. Thats a common regulation. Virtually every American police agency prohibits officers using their uniforms or police status to support or advocate for any political cause. Smith claimed to be unaware of that regulation and responded:

I am proud to march in todays Capital Pride Parade in full uniform to support our LGBTQ+ colleagues and to further our commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments, the chief said. MPD will continue to support, and ensure security, at Pride events and different community focused events year-round, she said.

In fact, prior to taking command of the DC Police, Smith was the departments Chief Equity Officer. When she became Chief, despite serious manpower shortages, she fully funded and maintained the Departments LGBT Liaison Unit. Even though Smith is apparently not out, her support for LGBT causes surely checked an additional DEI box.

Why did Donald Trump federalize the DC Police? A police chief more concerned with LGBT sensibilities and every facet of DEI rather than with fully staffing her patrol force might be one reason. Another might be a police chief who somehow skipped over basic, necessary police knowledge while being propelled up the DEI ladder. Yet another might be a police chief with more than a quarter century of experience who has no idea what a chain of command is.

Trump is also demonstrating, by crushing crime in DC, that the rulers of Democrat cities choose to condemn their citizens, many of them black, to life in lawless hellholes. You can bet those Democrat rulers know they're at the top of their chain of command.

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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.
Recognition of Palestine as a state has become popular among some members of the United Nations. French president Macron and others like him should be aware that a state is more than a wish your heart makes. An analogy to the Palestinian State scheme is Rumpelstiltskin spinning gold from straw.

Yasser Arafat created the name Palestinian in 1964 for the newly formed Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). It was renamed Palestine in 1998. There has never been a Palestinian nation, a Palestinian civilization, a Palestinian culture, or a Palestinian language. There has never been a Palestinian state governed by Arabs until Gaza and the West Bank.

Israels kingdom lasted for thousands of years. King David is ancient Israels most important king. His killing of the giant enemy soldier Goliath is legendary. King David is honored in Judaism and in Christianity. The wisdom of his son, King Solomon, is found in the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Solomon built the first holy temple in Jerusalem.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem more than 600 years before Islam was created. Counter to false spin, the geographic area was not known as Palestine when Jesus was born. Roman emperor Hadrian about 100 years later called the Middle East area Palestine. Arabs and Jews who lived in the area were identified by tribe. They were not called Palestinian.

Palestinians were not displaced to create a Jewish state. In 1948, when Israel became a state, Arabs were free to stay; no conversion to Judaism was required. Surrounding Arab nations attacked Israel. Some Arabs fled to surrounding countries during that war. Arabs who left call themselves refugees. Generations later, their descendants are self-described refugees.

The tomfoolery of countries operating to recognize a Palestinian state is joined by the Miss Universe Organization (MUO). Miss Palestine is a new category in the 2025 pageant, which will be held in Thailand in November

Celebrating women of all cultures, MUO claims to create a safe space for women to share their stories personally and professionally. There is a bathing suit and evening gown competition, but MUO maintains that it is not a beauty contest  that contestants are judged on fairness and adherence to strict rules and regulations.

Nadeem Ayoub, Miss Palestine, spent her childhood in Canada. She is a high fashion model in Dubai and lives in Dubai and in the West Bank area of Israel. According to reports, Nadeem was crowned as Miss Earth and Miss Palestine in 2022. In her role as a Miss Universe contestant, she made the following remarks:

I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe. Today, I step onto the Miss Universe stage not just with a title  but with a truth. As Palestine endures heartbreak  especially in Gaza  I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced. I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see.

We are more than our suffering  we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.

It would seem that Nadeem is innocent of historic knowledge and not aware that Gazas Hamas terrorist organization initiated the October 7 murderous attack, or of the atrocities on thousands of civilians in Israel, and that civilian hostages continue to be held in Gaza today. Is ignorance evil?

Should Miss Palestine be selected to wear the Miss Universe Crown, it would be a feather in the public relations cap of those who work for the destruction of Israel.

Are the uninformed and misinformed innocent? Will they be called to the same justice as deeds done by the instigators of untruth? Perhaps King Solomon had the answer: The lesser of two evils is still evil.

Image via Pexels.
Steve Benen is a producer for the Rachel Maddow show and a columnist on MSNBCs website, so we dont expect a lot from him, but even this is too stupid for words. He asks in a recent article: Just how far would Trump go in his quest for a Nobel prize?

Just how far? Exactly how much peace is too much peace?

Trump just did a 20-hour roundtrip from D.C. to Alaska and back to help broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. That was pretty far. Does that count?

WATCH: President Trump disembarked from Air Force One in Washington at 3 AM, following an exhausting 20-hour round trip to Alaska.



This President puts in work!!  pic.twitter.com/da4Bu3zQtD  Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) August 16, 2025

Im being sarcastic, of course, But that was only yesterday. Trump only had to walk downstairs from the White House Residence for these half dozen peace deals. Do these count?

Azerbaijan and Armenia

Cambodia and Thailand

Egypt and Ethiopia

India and Pakistan

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Israel and Iran

And that was just the last six months, which clocks out to one peace or ceasefire deal per month since Inauguration. Then, of course, are his first term successes:

Serbia and Kosovo

Abraham Accords

Who knows what more mightve been in the pocket had he not been burdened by Russia-Russia-Russia and the two impeachments.

Just how far? Mr. Benen? Exactly how much peace is too much peace? Hm? You have a president who has done more for the cause of literal world peace in six months than virtually any other president ever and youre snide about it? Thinking its some sort of vanity project?

Benen cites this White House tweet as evidence of Trumps ego:

President Donald J. Trump is the President of PEACE. pic.twitter.com/7ZH5hKHLVI  The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 12, 2025

However, for that to be compelling, youd have to show me any man whos ever thought he could be The Leader of the Free World who didnt have a ginormous ego.

Dont believe weve invented that animal yet.

No, Mr. Benen, what you have here is a genuinely deserving recipient of the Prize, such as it is, considering that it was thoroughly corrupted by giving it to Obama just for showing up. What you have here is someone who has that rare ability to take two opposing sides, find their needs and wants, and match them up in such a way that the killing stops.

Peace is the prize, Mr. Benen. Whether you know it or not. Whether Trump gets one or not. It doesnt really matter in the grand scheme of things. Prizes in general have been so devalued that theres a compelling argument to turn them all down, no matter the cause, should they be offered.

Personally? I hope he does turn it down, should the Nobel be offered. Screw them and their insipid, devalued little prizes.

Peace. Is. The. Prize.

Image created using AI.
Anti-racism protesters chanted refugees are welcome here and this is what community looks like. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Anti-racism campaigners held a counter-demonstration against people protesting against uncontrolled illegal immigration outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Scotland.



Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and local people said they organised the gathering in Falkirk on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town.



Organisers described it as a safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others.

Demonstrators held placards with messages such as stop the far right, refugees welcome and migrants make our NHS.

Police said Kemper Avenue in Falkirk was closed due to protest activity which began at about 11am.

The road reopened on Saturday night, with Police Scotland confirming a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with a breach of the cordon line.

The group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures had announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan.

In a social media post the group said it was standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation.

It added: This is not about hate, racism, or division. This is about safety, justice, and standing up for the people of Falkirk who deserve better.

Protesters, some waving union flags, chanted send them home while anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of refugees are welcome here and this is what community looks like.



Similar protests have been held in recent months in Epping, Essex, near the Bell hotel which houses asylum seekers.



In July, some of the demonstrations descended into violent disorder with 28 people arrested after police officers were injured.



The protests in Essex started after an asylum seeker housed at the hotel was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He is in custody awaiting further court hearings.



Earlier this August, several demonstrators were detained after rival groups faced off over a hotel accommodating asylum seekers in north London.



The counter-protest outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in Islington was organised by local branches of Stand Up to Racism and was supported by the former Labour leader and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn.
Black paint and blank screens: China forces censorship of Hong Kong and Uyghur artworks in Thailand

An art exhibition in Thailand has emerged at the centre of international concerns over censorship by China after some artworks by Tibetan, Uyghur and Hong Kong artists were removed or altered following an alleged pressure campaign by Beijing.

The exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) by Burmese artist Sai opened on 26 July, featuring artwork by exiles from China, Russia and Iran.

Titled Constellation of Complicity: Visualising the Global Machinery of Authoritarian Solidarity, the show aimed to expose the collaborative repression tactics of authoritarian governments.

However, just three days later, Chinese embassy staff, accompanied by Bangkok city officials, visited the BACC and demanded the removal of elements critical of Beijings policies.

The Independent has reached out to BACC for a comment.

The co-curator, Sai fled Thailand for the UK with his wife on 29 July, fearing deportation to Myanmar, where he believed he would be punished by the military-run junta for his activism.

After the Chinese official and Thai polices intervention, the exhibition was forced to remove Tibetan and Uyghur flags, a novel about a Tibetan family in exile, and a film by Tibetan artist Tenzin Mingyur Paldron addressing the Dalai Lama.

Artist names are seen blacked out following censorship at the exhibition (Reuters)

References to Tibet, Hong Kong, and Uyghur were obscured with black paint while television screens meant to display Paldrons films were switched off, and artists names were redacted.

Sai told Reuters Chinas response showed it was engaging in systematic political manipulation far beyond its borders, such as in his own country, where Beijing backs the ruling military.

He said if the Chinese governments claims about ethnic minorities were true, there would have been no need to send officials into galleries in Thailand, no need to black out artists names, and no need to threaten institutions into compliance.

References to Tibet, Hong Kong, and Uyghur were obscured with black paint (Reuters)

Censorship is never the weapon of those confident in the strength of their ideas, he said, describing it as tragically ironic in another interview.

The Chinese foreign ministry said the exhibition distorted Chinese policies and undermined Chinas core interests and political dignity.

It neither confirmed nor denied that the Chinese embassy was behind the alterations.

The fact that the relevant country took timely measures precisely shows that the promotion of the fallacies of Tibetan independence, East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Hong Kong independence has no market internationally and is unpopular, it added.

Thailands police denied that officers were looking for Sai in a response to the BBC.

The Human Rights Foundation labelled it intimidation, reflecting a coordinated effort to suppress artistic expression.

The show is intended to expose the collaborative repression tactics of authoritarian governments (Reuters)

HRF strongly condemns an order issued by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to remove artworks by artists from Tibet, the Uyghur Region, and Hong Kong, it said.

This instance of intimidation reflects the CCPs broader pattern of suppressing artistic expression overseas, which is facilitated by the cooperation of authoritarian governments, such as Thailand, who are continuing to acquiesce to the CCPs demands.

Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said, Beijing should stop its repression against critics abroad. Others should resist such transnational repression to protect rights.

Campaign for Uyghurs called it yet another example of Beijing exporting censorship abroad, silencing art and activism that expose its human rights abuses.

Authoritarian repression doesnt stop at Chinas borders; it targets truth wherever its told.

The exhibition remains open at the BACC but in its censored form, with an expected end date in October 2025.

Visitor numbers have surged due to online buzz about the controversy, turning the censorship into unintended publicity for the exhibition.

The controversy has renewed debate over Chinas sophisticated systems of censorship, aimed at controlling information, silencing dissent, and shaping public opinion both domestically and abroad. The ruling Communist Party employs a vast digital firewall, strict publishing controls, and pressure campaigns to stifle content it deems politically sensitive or damaging to its image.

In 2010, when imprisoned dissident Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize, Chinese media blacked out coverage, and online searches for his name were restricted. His death in custody in 2017 was also heavily censored.

Chinese authorities also restricted information on social media, and news about the coronavirus outbreak and posts questioning the governments handling of the pandemic were deleted en masse.
At least 300 people have been killed from devastating monsoon floods and landslides in Pakistan and India-controlled Kashmir.

Most deaths are being recorded by disaster authorities in Pakistans mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

More than 70 homes have been damaged, while an helicopter crashed during rescue operations, killing its five crew members, leading the provinces government to declare a day of mourning.

Mass funerals were held in the Buner district, one of the worst-hit areas, where around 180 people were reported dead by officials.

Damaged houses in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district (REUTERS)

One survivor named Azizullah told news agency Agence France-Presse the floods arrived like "doomsday".

He said: "I heard a loud noise as if the mountain was sliding. I rushed outside and saw the entire area shaking, like it was the end of the world.

"The ground was trembling due to the force of the water, and it felt like death was staring me in the face."

In Indian Kashmir, 60 people are reportedly dead and 150 injured.

Ali Amin Gadapur, chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the Mil Mi-17 experinced severe turbulence while flying to the Bajaur region bordering Afghanistan.

People use a makeshift bridge to cross a river (REUTERS)

A crowd of people were seen praying in a paddock nearby, with some grieving in front of bodies covered by blankets.

Monsoon season between June and September delivers up to three-quarters of South Asia's annual rainfall, according to meteorologists.

Scientists say that global warming has made events such as monsoons more frequent and extreme in nature.

A study released this week by World Weather Attribution found rainfall in Pakistan between June 24 to July 23 was nearly 15 per cent heavier because of climate change.
Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has been a vociferous opponent of domestic air travel - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Ed Miliband has been branded an eco hypocrite after refusing to reveal how many domestic flights he has taken.

Ministers insisted the Energy Secretary would not disclose any details about his air travel within the UK since he entered office last July.

Claire Coutinho, shadow energy secretary, said the refusal represented one rule for him and another for everyone else given that the Left-wing frontbencher has been a vociferous opponent of domestic air travel.

Labour has also forced through significant increases to air passenger duty that have added hundreds of pounds to some family holidays.

The accusation came after a Conservative MP challenged the Energy Secretary to publish details of the internal UK flights he has taken since the last election.

Answering on Mr Milibands behalf, Michael Shanks, the energy minister, replied: Details of internal domestic flights are not published.

Claire Coutinho, shadow energy secretary, accused Miliband of following one rule for him and another for everyone else - Lauren Hurley/DESNZ

Claire Coutinho, the Tory shadow energy secretary, said: As Ed Miliband sticks a holiday tax of up to 400 on a family of four, it does seem the height of hypocrisy that he wont reveal his own flights, which are funded by the taxpayer.

People expect transparency and fairness from their politicians, but when it comes to the most stringent net zero costs, its one rule for him and another for everyone else.

Mr Milibands stance is in line with other Whitehall departments, which also do not release details of ministers domestic flights.

The Government said it was the practice of successive administrations, including Tory ones, not to publish granular information about their movements.

Mr Miliband, who is in charge of net zero policies, has previously said Britons should cut down on such flights as much as we possibly can.

But he was embarrassed earlier this year when it emerged his department is spending more on internal flights under his watch than the Tories.

Figures released in April revealed it spent 44,000 on domestic flights for ministers and officials between July and December last year.

That was more than the 40,000 spent in the first half of 2024 by the Tories, when Ms Coutinho was in charge of the net zero ministry.

Mr Miliband has previously suggested that the Government should encourage ordinary voters to take trains and buses rather than flying.

Asked when he was shadow business secretary whether domestic flights should be banned, he said: Not completely, but as much as we possibly can.

Speaking to the BBC in 2021, he added: Fairness and giving people alternatives is an absolutely key part of making this transition happen.

Labour repeatedly criticised the Conservatives for taking flights and pledged before the election to clamp down on ministers use of jets.

But since taking office, Mr Miliband has been heavily criticised for jet-setting, which has seen him spend 10 times more on foreign trips than Ms Coutinho.

The Energy Secretary spent 62,712 on overseas travel in his first six months in office, according to Taxpayers Alliance analysis,

In contrast, his Tory predecessor spent just 6,155 during her first half-year in the role.
Smoke from wildfires in Southern Europe has brought hazy conditions to the UK, disrupting the current heatwave, forecasters have said.

The UK experienced the fourth heatwave of the summer this week, with some areas seeing the mercury climb above 33C in the hottest places.

However, the Met Office said "smoke from wildfires in Spain and Portugal, plus Saharan dust, has drifted over the UK.

This means the UK should expect "enhanced sunsets and sunrises in the coming days - deeper reds and oranges thanks to light scattering, the forecaster added.

Noticed the sky isn't as blue today?



Smoke from wildfires in Spain & Portugal, plus Saharan dust, has drifted over the UK



Expect enhanced sunsets & sunrises in the coming days  deeper reds & oranges thanks to light scattering  pic.twitter.com/D7AFXeSCfB  Met Office (@metoffice) August 16, 2025

Scientists say the phenomenon is linked to two processes known as Rayleigh scattering and Mie scattering.

Rayleigh scattering, caused by tiny air molecules, normally makes the sky appear blue by scattering shorter wavelengths of light, such as violet and blue, according to the Royal Meteorological Society.

But larger particles released by wildfires, such as soot and ash, trigger Mie scattering, which scatters all wavelengths more evenly and allows longer red and orange wavelengths to dominate.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst told Sky News the haze "will hang around for the next few days".

The Met Offices forecast for Sunday says low clouds retreating towards the North Sea means there will be plenty of sunshine for most. There will be strong winds in the South West of England, and it will remain warm along the eastern coast.

Spain battled 14 major fires driven by high winds and aggravated by heat on Friday as authorities warned of "unfavourable conditions" to tackle flames that have already killed seven people and burned an area the size of London.

Wildfire in Santa Baia De Montes, northwestern Spain, on Thursday (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Firefighters have been battling to put out blazes across southern Europe in one of the worst summers for wildfires in 20 years.

An early two-week heatwave and southerly winds were worsening the situation in Spain, Virginia Barcones, director general of emergency services, said.

Wildfires have burned more than 157,000 hectares in Spain so far this year, almost double the annual average, according to the European Union's Forest Fire Information Service.

Firefighters work to extinguish a wildfire approaching Trancoso, Portugal, on Wednesday (Reuters)

In neighbouring Portugal, meanwhile, thousands of firefighters were battling five large blazes in central and northern parts of the country, with one fire in Trancoso, some 350 km northeast of Lisbon, now raging for six days.

Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the EUs Copernicus Climate Change Service.

The EU monitoring agency says that 2024 was the hottest year on record both globally and in Europe, which experienced its second-highest number of heat stress days.
Grandpa Rescues Koala, Gives Him the 'I'm Not Mad, Just Disappointed' Speech originally appeared on PetHelpful.

Some koalas spend their days in trees, napping and eating leaves. Others--like this tiny troublemaker--decide the middle of a busy Australian road is the best place to goof around.

Enter Grandpa. Not just any Grandpa, but an Australian Grandpa, built tough--probably used to wrangling kangaroos and giving great whites the smackdown, and he's already tired of everyone's nonsense.

He spots the koala and walks straight out to get him, with absolutely no hesitation whatsoever. After carrying/scooting the little guy to the safety of the side of the road, Grandpa plants himself directly in front of it, leans in, and delivers a finger wag so potent that I truly wish he'd rent himself out as *I* could use him for my teenager's next flare-up. No shouting, no drama. Just pure 'I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed' energy absolutely radiating off of him.

The koala sits there, blinking slowly, like my teenager does when I tell him if he doesn't get his chores done there will be no allowance this week. Eventually, he probably shuffled off to the bush, presumably to reflect on his life choices for about three seconds before finding a new way to alarm motorists.

Somewhere, Grandpa is back home, beer in hand, telling the story for the eighteenth time while everyone nods and mutters, 'Bloody koalas.'

How Many Koalas Are Killed by Motorists in Australia?

CC Richard A Wall/Shutterstock

Numbers have been difficult to estimate but reports but them at anywhere between 2-4,000, assuming not all fatalities are being reported.

Related: Sweet Video of Mother Koala Snuggling Her Baby Is Making Everybodys Day

As of February 2022, the Australian government has classified the koala as endangered, with loss of habitat and climate change being two of the major threats to the koalas numbers. As koalas lose their natural habitat, they are forced into closer proximity with roads and motorists and other threats, leading to a further decline in their population numbers.

For this koala, it was a close call. For the man, it was a simple act. Step in, save a life, and make sure the lesson sticks.

Grandpa Rescues Koala, Gives Him the 'I'm Not Mad, Just Disappointed' Speech first appeared on PetHelpful on Aug 16, 2025

This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Trump arrived first and clapped as Putin approached. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Donald Trump left more questions than answers on Friday as he claimed great progress in his high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin but admitted that no deal had been reached to end Russias war on Ukraine.

The US president also suggested that it was now up to Volodymyr Zelenskyy to get it done and that a meeting would be set up between the Ukrainian president and Putin, which Trump might attend.

We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to, Trump said at a joint press conference in Anchorage, Alaska. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant but we have a very good chance of getting there.

He cautioned: Theres no deal until theres a deal.

The two leaders lavished praise on each other  Putin endorsed Trumps view that the war would never have started if Trump had won the 2020 election  but offered no details of the nearly three-hour meeting and took no questions from reporters.

Putin, speaking through an interpreter, described Trumps efforts on Ukraine as precious and suggested the two leaders had hammered out an understanding. He urged Europe to not throw a wrench in the works and to not use backroom dealings to torpedo it.

Putin said that he agreed that Ukraines security must be guaranteed  but also said that the root causes of the conflict must be resolved. Those root causes have previously included his demands for Ukraines formal renunciation of Nato membership as well as its denazification  a vague set of demands that in practice amount to the removal of Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy and European allies may have been alarmed by Trumps body language and deferential attitude toward Putin, whom he welcomed warmly at an Alaska air force base and allowed to ride in the presidential limousine known as the beast.

Trump told reporters: We really made some great progress today. Ive always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin  with Vladimir.

Related: Love in a cold climate: Putin romances Trump in Alaska with talk of rigged elections and a trip to Moscow

As the press conference ended Putin suggested their next meeting might take place in Moscow, and dozens of reporters shouted questions in vain. The US president, who can typically never resist a free-wheeling press conference, left the stage without answering any of them.

However, he did elaborate in an interview with Sean Hannity, a host on the conservative Fox News network, suggesting that the ball was in Ukraines court. Now its really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done and I would also say the European nations  they have to get involved a little bit.

Theyre going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself I guess. I didnt ask about it. Not that I want to be there but I want to make sure it gets done and we have a pretty good chance of getting it done.

The Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, said Trump had rolled out the red carpet for an authoritarian thug  instead of standing with our allies.

While we wait for critical details of what was discussed  on first take it appears Trump handed Putin legitimacy, a global stage, zero accountability, and got nothing in return. Our fear is that this wasnt diplomacy  it was just theatre.

Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, said: Donald Trump has been cozying up to Vladimir Putin for years, and this meeting underscored the depth of his sick obsession with the Russian dictator and accused war criminal.

He added: Trump has been clear that his foreign policy agenda is letting Russia do whatever the hell they want  no matter how disastrous for the US and our allies  and when put to the test, Trump embarrassed the United States by folding like a cheap suit.

The two leaders disembarked their planes at 11.08am local time at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a cold war-era air force base on the outskirts of Anchorage, Alaska.

The friendly, tactile body language that followed offered a stark contrast to Trumps shakedown of Zelenskyy, in the Oval Office in February.

Trump and Putin walked down red carpets that had been rolled up to their respective planes and met where the carpets came to a T, with Trump arriving first and clapping as Putin approached.

The men shared a warm handshake and what appeared to be some lighthearted banter. Trump gave Putin a friendly tap on the arm. Putin grinned and pointed skyward while their hands were still clasped.

The pair walked together towards a platform bearing a sign that read Alaska 2025 as B-2s and F-22s  military aircraft designed to oppose Russia during the cold war  flew over to mark the moment.

Trump and Putin stood looking towards the media but did not respond to shouted questions including: President Putin, will you stop killing civilians? The Russian president, who is wanted by the international criminal court, appeared to shrug.

Putin then joined Trump in the presidential limousine  a rare privilege for allies and adversaries alike  and could be seen laughing with glee.

The men then sat together in a conference room with their respective delegations, seated to the side in front of a blue backdrop that had the words Pursuing Peace printed on it several times. Trump was joined by the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Putin by his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.

The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin would be a three-on-three negotiation. That marked a shift from a 2018 meeting in Helsinki, when Trump and Putin first met privately just with their interpreters for two hours.

In recent weeks Trump had expressed frustration with Putin over the war but a promise of new US sanctions gave way to a face-to-face meeting. Critics warned that, by bringing Putin on to US soil for the first time in a decade, the president has given him the legitimacy he craves after he became a global pariah after his invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

European allies fear that the notoriously mercurial Trump might sell out Ukraine by essentially freezing the conflict with Russia and recognising  if only informally  Russian control over one-fifth of Ukraine.

Related: Who are the US and Russian delegates meeting in Alaska to discuss Ukraine?

Trump sought to assuage such concerns as he boarded Air Force One on the way to Alaska, saying he would let Ukraine decide on any possible territorial swaps. Im not here to negotiate for Ukraine, Im here to get them at a table, he said.

Asked what would make the meeting a success, he told reporters: I want to see a ceasefire rapidly  Im not going to be happy if its not today  I want the killing to stop.

On his way to Alaska, Trump sat for an interview on Air Force One with Fox News Channels Bret Baier. In a clip posted online, he said he thought the meeting would work out very well  and if it doesnt, Im going to head back home real fast.

I would walk, yeah, he added, after a follow-up question.

Any success is far from assured because Russia and Ukraine remain far apart in their demands for peace. Putin has long resisted any temporary ceasefire, linking it to a halt in eastern arms supplies and a freeze on Ukraines mobilisation efforts, which are conditions rejected by Kyiv and its western allies.

Trump previously characterised the summit as really a feel-out meeting. But he has also warned of very severe consequences for Russia if Putin does not agree to end the war.

Trump said earlier in the week there was a 25% chance that the summit would fail but also floated the idea that, if the meeting succeeds, he could bring Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting.
Hurricane Erin moves westward near Puerto Rico in a composite satellite image on 16 August. Photograph: CIRA/NOAA/Reuters

Hurricane Erin has intensified into a category 5 storm as it churns its way over the Atlantic, brushing past islands in the north-east Caribbean.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC), in Miami, said on Saturday that Erin  which it described as catastrophic  was still not expected to hit land in the US and would swerve away, but forecasters have warned that strong winds and heavy rain could cause flooding and landslides on nearby islands.

At the time of publication, the storm was 105 miles (170km) north-east of Anguilla, recording maximum wind speeds of 160mph (255km/h). It was moving west at 17mph and was expected to pass near the Leeward Islands on Saturday, bringing 2-4in (5-10cm) of rain to some areas, with up to 6in in the heaviest downpours.

The storms outer bands of rain were beginning to affect some islands, and more rain was expected on Sunday, NHC forecasters said.

Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend, the NHC said.

The swells would spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda and along the east coast of the US early next week, it said, warning of rough ocean conditions and life-threatening rip currents.

The winds had more than doubled in speed in the past 24 hours, from a 70mph tropical storm on Friday to a 145mph category 4 on Saturday.

Tropical storm watches were in place for the northern Leeward Islands of St Martin, St Barts, Anguilla and Barbuda, with rainy conditions possible there for the next 48 hours.

Erin is the first major Atlantic hurricane of the 2025 season and is expected to strengthen as it passes over warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures. A major hurricane is one that reaches at least category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.

Related: Tropical storm turns into Hurricane Erin as it approaches Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

By the middle of next week, Erin is forecast to at least double or triple in size, which will result in rough ocean conditions over the western Atlantic, the NHC said.

This rapid intensification is happening more frequently as global temperatures rise due to global heating.

The US government has deployed more than 200 employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) and other agencies to Puerto Rico as a precaution. Forecasters issued a flood watch for the entirety of Puerto Rico  a US territory  from late Friday into Monday.

Puerto Ricos housing secretary, Ciary Perez Pena, said 367 shelters have been inspected and could be opened if needed.

The US coast guard said on Friday that it closed six seaports in Puerto Rico and two in the US Virgin Islands to all incoming vessels unless they had received prior authorization.

Meanwhile, officials in the Bahamas said they prepared some public shelters as a precaution as they urged people to track the hurricane.

These storms are very volatile and can make sudden shifts in movement, said Aarone Sargent, the managing director for the Bahamas disaster risk management authority.

Associated Press contributed reporting
Las Vegas police and other authorities in Nevada were conducting an undercover investigation aimed at online users seeking to sexually prey on children. Photograph: Paul Buck/EPA

An Israeli government cybersecurity official was reportedly arrested recently by Las Vegas police and other authorities in Nevada who were conducting an undercover investigation aimed at online users seeking to sexually prey on children.

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, 38, faces felony charges of luring a child with a computer for a sex act, alongside several other suspects who were apprehended during the two-week sting operation, the Las Vegas metropolitan police department said in a statement published on Friday. He has since been released from custody on $10,000 bail after an initial court appearance, records show, and returned to Israel.

As first reported by the news site Mediaite, a publicly posted screenshot of Alexandrovichs page on the LinkedIn professional networking platform described him as the executive director of the Israel Cyber Directorate, an Israeli government agency under the purview of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus office. Other information online attributes the same position to Alexandrovich.

The screenshot first reported by Mediaite also showed a post under Alexandrovichs name alluding to his having been in Las Vegas earlier in August for the Black Hat Briefings, a yearly meeting of cybersecurity professionals.

Two things you cant escape at Black Hat 2025: the relentless buz of generative [artificial intelligence] and the sound of Hebrew  in every corridor, Alexandrovich wrote in part in an accompanying post. Invoking an abbreviation for large language models and referring to one of Israels largest cities, the post continued: The key takeaway? The future of cybersecurity is being written in code, and it seems a significant part of it is being authored in #TelAviv and powered by LLMs. An exciting time to be in the field!

That LinkedIn page under Alexandrovichs name has since been deleted.

The Israeli news outlet Ynet reported on Wednesday that the US had detained an employee of the Israel National Cyber Directorate for interrogation while he was representing his country at a professional conference. That employee then returned to his hotel and flew back to Israel two days later.

Israeli officials downplayed the incident, saying it carried no political implications and was resolved quickly, Ynet reported, without naming Alexandrovich or mentioning he had been arrested in connection with a felony charge leveled against him by Nevada law enforcement officials. The reasons for the questioning remain unclear but may relate to the employees conduct.

Related: Devil in the Ozarks spent months planning Arkansas prison escape  report

Ynet reported early on Saturday evening US eastern time that Alexandrovich was on leave from the Cyber Directorate by mutual decision. The outlet also said that the Cyber Directorate claimed the earlier information about Alexandrovich was accurate based on what had been provided to the agency.

Mediaite reported that Netanyahus office issued a statement denying that the employee in question had even been arrested.

A state employee who traveled to the US for professional matters was questioned by American authorities during his stay, the prime ministers office said. The employee, who does not hold a diplomatic visa, was not arrested and returned to Israel as scheduled.

Nevadas internet crime against children taskforce helmed the operation which resulted in the arrests of Alexandrovich and seven other men in the city of Henderson, which is near Las Vegas. All of the suspects believed they were meeting minors when undercover officers instead confronted and arrested them, police said.

The arrested men were all brought to jail after being taken into custody, said the statement from the Las Vegas metropolitan police department, which participated in the operation alongside local, state and federal law enforcement officials.

Among the other suspects was Las Vegas Redemption church pastor Neal Harrison Creecy, 46, the local CBS affiliate reported. A church official told the station that Creecy resigned shortly after being released from jail on a $10,000 bond.

Under Nevada law, luring a child with a computer for a sex act can carry between one and 10 years in prison.
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has said judges who bring their own personal politics to the job need to be removed.

Mr Jenrick said tighter checks are needed before judges are appointed to see if they have partisan views, as well as a system which would allow for them to be removed from their position if political meddling is confirmed.

He told The Daily Telegraph: If judges want to enter the political sphere themselves, then they should stop being judges and go into politics.

We have to have a situation where judges who act politically and bring their own personal politics into their job as a judge are held to account and frankly, can be removed.

Mr Jenrick said he has exposed judges who have tweeted highly political, partisan messages while others have acted as trustees of charities which he described as highly partisan.

I think that is bringing the historic independence of our judiciary into serious disrepute, and weve got to change that, he said.

Among suggestions from a review is removing the appointment of judges from an independent body  introduced in 2005 under then prime minister Tony Blair  and returning them to the Lord Chancellor.

Removing senior judges requires a vote in both the Commons and the Lords, while an investigation ending in a recommendation of removal is needed in lower courts.

Mr Jenrick said that while UK judges in some areas remain among the most respected in the world, he said the independence of the judiciary has been brought into disrepute in some areas, including immigration tribunals.

Theres no point extricating ourselves from activist judges in Strasbourg only to be beholden to activist judges here, he said.

The former immigration minister also told the Telegraph he wanted every single illegal migrant in this country to be deported.

He said that included not only those arriving on small boats, but also those who have arrived in lorries or claimed asylum after landing at airports.

Earlier this week, the BBC apologised to Mr Jenrick after a refugee charity boss suggested the shadow justice secretary is xenophobic.

Mr Jenrick accused the broadcaster of smearing millions of worried citizens as xenophobic for their completely understandable fears.

While appearing on Radio 4s Today programme on Wednesday, Krish Kandiah, a director of Sanctuary Foundation, claimed Mr Jenrick had increased fear of the stranger among people.
Marcus Rashford made his competitive debut for Barcelona off the bench as they launched their LaLiga campaign with a 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca.

Rashford, bidding to reignite his career after joining Barca on loan in July, was a second-half replacement for Ferran Torres in the 69th minute.

Raphinhas early header and Torres effort midway through the first half put Hansi Flicks side in control before Mallorca midfielder Manu Morlanes was sent off for his second yellow card.

Mallorca were reduced to nine men before half-time when VAR upgraded Vedat Muriqis yellow card to a red following his foul on Joan Garcia.

Raphinha and Dani Olmo both hit the woodwork and Lamine Yamal added a third goal in stoppage time.

Rashford said the victory was the best way to start in a post on Instagram after making his debut.



Elsewhere in Spain, Nahuel Tenaglias stoppage-time winner clinched Alaves a 2-1 win at Levante and Valencia were held 1-1 at home in their opening match by Real Sociedad.

Harry Kane lifted silverware in Germany after he and former Liverpool winger Luis Diaz scored in Bayern Munichs 2-1 Franz Beckenbauer Supercup win over Stuttgart.

Kane struck in the 18th minute, marking his first Supercup appearance with a goal and his seventh in five games against Stuttgart.

Harry Kane lifts the trophy (Tom Weller/AP)

Debutant Diaz, having been quiet for much of the night, then made sure when he ran on to Serge Gnabrys cross to head home from close range in the 77th minute, with Jamie Lewelings stoppage-time header merely consolation for Stuttgart.

In Ligue 1, former Tottenham defender Eric Dier scored on his debut for Monaco as they made a winning start by beating Le Havre 3-1 at home.

Dier, who joined Monaco as a free agent this summer after his contract at Bayern Munich had expired, headed home in the 61st minute after Gautier Lloris own goal had given the visitors a half-time lead.

Rassoul Ndiaye pulled one back for Le Havre before Maghnes Akliouche sealed the points for the visitors by adding their third.

Nice exited the Champions League this week after a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Benfica and they slipped up in their Ligue 1 opener, losing 1-0 at home to Toulouse thanks to Djibril Sidibes late winner.

Lyon forward Georges Mikautadze struck the only goal in their opening game at Lens to secure his side a 1-0 win.
Jim Mellon has a house in Ibiza, Spain where he also lives with his partner and 10 dogs. (james gifford-mead)

'Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds'. This was a phrase used by economist John Maynard Keynes and he is so right. If you go down the status quo road, you will always be mediocre. You have to have alternative thought.

It is a lesson the late Richard Thornton taught me. I had first met him at his London office in the late 1970s, having had no idea what I wanted to do after leaving university. I had studied economics at Oxford but didnt really know what a bond was.

Richard was in a hurry to hire young people for his new company GT Management (now LGT) on a starting salary of 5,000 and the job based in Hong Kong.

I was thrown into the deep end and within days I was managing other peoples money. I didnt own a suit and I later used it as a rag to wipe my car down as it was so cheap.

Read More: 'In our workplace, we look for passionate, slightly unhinged mountain climbers'

The company grew very quickly into an international investment leader. In 1979, there were still capital controls from the export on foreign currency from the UK. When Margaret Thatcher came to power she abolished the premiums and there was a boom from the 1980s onwards. It was a great time to be a fund manager.

Richard was in his late 40s, a ball of energy and was highly impulsive, which was a bad thing in fund management. I was his 'bagman', we travelled a lot to Japan, I had to prepare all the questions for meetings and it was a lot of fun.

Briton Jim Mellon's first job was in Hong Kong in the late 1970s. (Pictures from History via Getty Images)

An office was later opened in San Francisco and I was put in charge as a 21-year-old of their US fund at the start of the tech boom. Richard saw me as a hard-working person and someone he could rely on.

I later met a house build company in Ireland, said we should buy 25% of the company and so Richard invited the two brothers over for lunch. The fact they had six glasses of wine each didnt impress him and, thanks to his irascible temperament, said we had to sell all the shares, which then went up 100 times.

Richard was later fired from his own company after shouting at a subordinate. He asked staff whether they would like to join him in a new company and the only person who said yes was me.

Read More: 'I returned to my old office to sell ties after being made redundant'

I could put up with his temper as I had a vision to be an entrepreneur and invested cash in a new business called Richard Thornton Management. We went to $1bn in a year and sold to Dresdner Bank four years later.

It gave me enough money to start my own business as Richard had become very unpredictable and would take to phoning up staff very late at night. Its not the way I have ever operated and I now get up at 4am and dont work after 6pm. You have to have some rules in your life otherwise you will be overwhelmed.

When Richard Thornton sold for his business, it made Jim Mellon, pictured, a millionaire at 28 and later a net worth of $1bn.

I also never shout at my employees, most of whom have been with me for 30 years. Treat people kindly and you get a lot more back.

I gave up fund management in 2000 and since then I have maybe done too many things: biotech, property investment, the food business. I am interested in new things and have worked harder now than I did in my early twenties.

Where most people talk about cultivated meat, clean food is our definition of what we are now doing at Agronomics. We are trying to make it more accessible to investors and the general public and making bio-identical foods and materials using laboratory conditions.

We are building a factory in the US dedicated to the production of dairy and egg proteins. We own 52% of the company and the $120m facility will be making eggs without chickens, dairy without cows, with very low emissions, no contaminants and low land and water use.

Agronomics invests in companies developing tech for animal-free dairy and other sustainable food production methods.

In an industry where people are against it for luddite reasons, we started Agronomics four years ago and the asset value has trebled. We have two customers which will absorb the factorys capacity for the next five years.

The UK is a leader in food tech and its important for the government to get behind it. It's a growing eco system but its not enough when you consider we import about half of our food into the UK.

Read More: Meet Britain's 'king of billboards' who sold his business for 1bn

We are in the same situation today of food insecurities as we were before the Second World War, so why would we not use our natural strength in this area at home?

If I hadnt applied to Richard and got the job over 40 years ago, I would not have the luxury of doing passion projects like this which I now have. That is all down to him.

He was very bright, intemperate and very disorganised. Im maybe not as bright as Richard was, but I am very organised and temperate. Those three factors, plus working harder aged 68 than anyone I know today, is what gets me up in the morning and to be very joyous about life.

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Afzal Khan

A Labour MP has resigned as the UKs trade envoy to Turkey following controversy surrounding a visit to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.

Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, stepped down from his position on Friday, a government spokesman confirmed to the BBC.

Mr Khan said the trip to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not recognised by the UK Government, was to visit his nephew and to receive an honorary degree.

He said he had paid for the trip himself.

An aerial view of the divided walled city of Cyprus' capital Nicosia and the city centre in the area controlled by the Republic of Cyprus in the foreground, while the background shows the rest of Nicosia and the Kyrenia mountain range in the area under control by the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) (AFP/Getty)

Turkish troops have occupied the northern section of the Mediterranean island since 1974.

Shadow foreign minister Wendy Morton told the BBC that she welcomed Mr Khans resignation, but said Sir Keir Starmer should have sacked him earlier.
Mark McDonald, Lucy Letbys barrister, said the BBC got their maths wrong - ITV

The BBC has admitted that it broadcast inaccurate figures about Lucy Letby in a Panorama film looking into the case.

Letbys barrister has vowed to complain to Ofcom over the misleading statistics, which claimed that breathing tubes were dislodged 40 times more than normal when Letby worked as a trainee on the neonatal unit Liverpool Womens Hospital.

Panorama  Lucy Letby: Who to believe aired last week looking at new evidence that has come to light since the former nurse was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The programme said that while the usual rate of breathing tube dislodgement was less than 1 per cent, on Letbys shifts it was 40 per cent.

But statisticians said they had mixed up the data meaning that they were 10 times off. The BBC has now accepted that some of its figures were inaccurate and has re-recorded sections of the programme.

Experts from the universities of Warwick and Edinburgh have contacted the BBC to complain and Mark McDonald, Ms Letbys barrister, said he would take the matter to Ofcom.

Quite simply they got their maths wrong, and the problem is that there are parents of babies who were at Liverpool Womens Hospital that will watch that programme and be misled and find it very distressing, Mr McDonald said.

I complained to the BBC before the programme because they got it wrong on so many levels and they dont seem to care so I will escalate it to Ofcom.

The Panorama data was based on figures showing there had been 20 tube dislodgements during ventilated shiftswhen Letby was on duty, a ventilated shift referring to a single intubated baby over a 12-hour period.

BBC presenters said that meant a tube was dislodged in 40 per cent of Ms Letbys 50 shifts at the unit.

Letby was the subject of a new BBC Panorama programme - Cheshire Constabulary/AFP via Getty Images)

In the Panorama programme, BBC journalist Jonathan Coffey said: It doesnt look good for her. For me this looks pretty damning.

But statisticians claim that the programme mixed up working shifts with ventilated shifts.

Panorama estimated there were around 10 babies on the unit, so if Letby had worked 50 shifts it would equate to 500 ventilated shifts meaning 20 dislodged tubes would be just 4 per cent, only a few per cent higher than the normal rate of dislodgement.

Dr Jane Hutton, a professor of statistics at the University of Warwick, has called for a correction and an apology from the BBC.

The journalists broadcast seriously erroneous information, she said. As far as one can tell, they equate one shift on the neonatal unit to one baby.

The BBC denied that it had mixed up the shifts, but admitted that it had not seen data for Letbys 2012 shifts and had got the percentages wrong for the 2015 shifts.

The corporation said there were actually only four dislodgements over 11 ventilated shifts.

A spokesman said: Since broadcast, weve learned that one set of figures relating to Letbys time at Liverpool Womens Hospital is inaccurate. The documentary has been corrected on iPlayer and edited to reflect the changes.

Broadcaster criticised for not comparing data

Dr Hutton also said it was misleading not to include a comparison to other nurses in training, who may also have had higher rates of dislodgements.

The BBC said it had made changes to reflect that Letby was training and that critics had said the audit review findings were not credible.

Letby worked at Liverpool Womens Hospital as a trainee between October and December 2012, and again between January and March 2015.

Details of the dislodgements first came to light during the Thirlwall Inquiry, which has been looking into how the NHS and outside agencies could have stopped Letby.

During his opening, Richard Baker KC, representing some of the families, said that an audit from the hospital had shown tubes were dislodged in 40 per cent of Letbys shifts.

It is unusual, and you will hear that it occurs generally in less than 1 per cent of shifts, he said.

At the time, statisticians complained about the figures and they were never raised again at the inquiry and have never been disclosed to Letbys defence team.

Nurses supervised shifts

The Thirlwall Inquiry also heard that Letby had been supervised throughout her shifts at the Liverpool hospital and had passed both placements.

A statement published by the Thirlwall Inquiry from Michelle Turner, chief people officer at Liverpool Womens NHS Foundation Trust, said: For the most part, Letbys hands-on care of the baby would have been observed.

Speaking of intubation of babies, she wrote: This would have all been done under the supervision of a qualified nurse.

Letby was also assigned two mentors to monitor her clinical competence. At the end of the 2015 placement she was awarded her formal qualification of specialty as a neonatal nurse, allowing her to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Dr Amy Wilson, a lecturer in statistics at the University of Edinburgh, said the BBC programme had led to confusion.

It is very important that statistics like these are reported and used accurately as otherwise they can be very misleading, she wrote in a letter to the corporation.

Letbys case is being considered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which is expected to report back before Christmas.

Cheshire Constabulary recently passed a new file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which is considering bringing further charges in relation to incidents at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Liverpool Womens Hospital.

A spokesman for the BBC said: The film did not conflate working shifts with ventilated shifts, although we accept our language could have been clearer at times.

The programme reported the findings of the review carried out by the Liverpool Womens Hospital.

The review compared ventilated shifts where Lucy Letby wasnt involved in the care of a baby with ventilated shifts where Lucy Letby was involved in the care of a baby.
Dash checklist

More than 50 women have been murdered after police relied on a deeply flawed screening tool that failed to identify them as high-risk, The Telegraph can reveal.

For 16 years, officers and social workers have used a risk assessment called Dash  short for Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based violence  to decide which victims get urgent protection.

Since Dash was introduced in 2009, women reporting abuse have been asked 27 questions by police officers and social workers to gauge the likelihood of imminent harm or death at the hands of their abuser.

The checklist asks whether the perpetrator has ever used a weapon, threatened to kill, or attempted to strangle, choke, suffocate or drown the victim.

SafeLives, the charity behind Dash, says victims must answer yes to at least 14 questions to be classed as high risk and guaranteed urgent intervention.

Scores of nine to 13 mean medium risk, while fewer than nine is standard  but neither of these lower grading guarantees women specialist support.

Practitioners can use professional judgment to override low scores and are instructed to escalate cases after three or more police call-outs in a year. But academics and bereaved families told The Telegraph that these safeguards can fail, with fatal results.

The Telegraphs investigation links at least 55 femicides  the intentional murder of women because of their gender  to the assessment. A data scientist behind a rival tool warned that the true toll could top 400 deaths.

On Saturday, bereaved families likened the scandal to Horizon, the Post Office IT system that destroyed lives while officials looked away.

The investigation raise questions over Labours announcement, now expected next month, on how it would deliver its manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

Alicia Kearns MP, the shadow safeguarding minister, demanded ministers order an urgent review of Dash, warning: We cannot gamble with the safety of women and girls. Too many have died without help as the Dash system failed to recognise the true threat they faced.

It comes as freedom of information figures lay bare how deeply embedded Dash remains in the UK. Three years after the National Police Chiefs Council ordered forces to adopt a new tool to detect coercive control, more than half  24 of 43  are yet to switch.

For years, police knew Dash was failing. In 2016, the College of Policing said Dash was unfit for front-line use.

Standing Together, a domestic violence charity, found that domestic homicide reviews showed victims had been killed after scoring an average of eight ticks, not the 14 needed for urgent support.

In 2019, Manchester University researchers concluded officer risk predictions based on Dash are little better than random. In 2022, academics from Manchester and Seville found Dash performs poorly at identifying high-risk victims, wrongly classifying more than 96 per cent as standard or medium risk.

But although problems with Dash were widely known among researchers in the criminal justice sector, bereaved families whose loved ones were wrongly graded low or medium  or had high risk status delayed  are only now discovering that it may explain why no one intervened.

Bethany Fields was denied support prior to being killed by her former partner because she had been graded only medium risk using a Dash checklist. Her mother, Pauline Jones, 61, told The Telegraph that this revelation destroys not just your heart, but your very soul.

Pauline Jones holds up a photograph of daughter Bethany Fields, who was killed by her former partner - Sam Tabahriti/REUTERS

On Aug 9 2019, the 21-year-old Fields told police that Paul Crowther had threatened to kill her. She gave a statement and an officer completed a Dash form. He ticked yes to only nine questions, grading her at medium risk. A month later Crowther stabbed her to death in the street.

Ms Jones said: When you lose your only child in such horrendous circumstances, you dont think you could be any more devastated. But then you hear about the Dash, and you know your daughters death was so easily preventable. It destroys not just your heart, but your very soul.

Bethany Fields was stabbed to death despite being graded as at only medium risk

She asked: If a person is articulate and coherent enough to give their own statement, why are they not involved in the Dash risk assessment process?

Data released in response to freedom of information requests reveal that Bethanys case is far from isolated.

Since 2019, reviews of domestic homicides in just 10 police force areas found that 55 women were killed by partners after being graded only standard or medium risk. More than half of these women, 36 in total, were assessed three or more times without ever being raised to high risk, while nine were killed having only ever been given the lowest risk score.

Ba Linh Le, the co-founder and chief data officer at Frontline, a Berlin firm that has developed a rival AI-powered risk tool, said the findings matched their own estimates and that the overall figure could be far higher.

She said: The Telegraphs data covers fewer than a quarter of police forces and Dash had been in use for a decade before 2019, so the true number of women killed after being marked low or medium risk using a Dash checklist could exceed 400.

Across the 10 forces with available data on Dash scores for domestic homicides going back six years, 113 victims died after at least one assessment. Fifty-eight were classed high-risk at some point, but some were later downgraded before being killed.

Natalie Saunders, 33, was murdered by Stephen Charlton in October 2018 after Cleveland Police repeatedly graded her as being at medium risk.

Her parents told The Telegraph they believe that earlier intervention could have saved her life. Barbara Saunders, 67, said: Shes never been medium risk, in none of them. In not one assault, shes not been medium.

The only time officers rated her high risk was when she briefly escaped her abuser and called the police. In the recording, shared with The Telegraph, she said she was covered in marks from being battered and wanted to report his violence.

I think he might do something, like, to me, she told the handler. Im really worried.

Janey Phone Call DASH article

A month later, on Aug 24, police carried out another Dash. Again she was scored as medium risk. On Oct 7, Charlton strangled her to death in her own home.

Prof Jane Monckton-Smith, a former police officer and one of the UKs leading forensic criminologists specialising in domestic homicide, told The Telegraph: It is time for the concerns around Dash to be taken seriously. Theres no rationale for the 14 yes ticks that lead to a high-risk grading.

It can also be revealed that, in May, the Home Office paid SafeLives an undisclosed sum to review how police and social services assess risk in domestic abuse cases.

A department spokesman said the project is about making sure the police are supported with the right training and tools to identify offences and protect victims, and risk is correctly assessed to identify the level of risk posed to victims.

They added that the work will inform new government guidance on domestic abuse victims risk and needs, which will be published this autumn.

Anger over abuse charity reviewing own work

When The Telegraph raised the apparent conflict of interest in funding the charity that created Dash to scrutinise it, the Home Office clarified that the tool had been deliberately excluded from the review.

However, SafeLives confirmed that they had surveyed stakeholders on their views of the tool as part of the review, saying: Of course we want to know what professionals think about Dash. We want to know what is and isnt working, because that is the basis of our recommendations to Government.

Ms Kearns called it farcical for ministers to let SafeLives review how risk is assessed in domestic violence cases, and questioned how the Home Office could justify excluding Dash from scrutiny.

She said: Something isnt adding up  SafeLives admitted to reviewing Dash, but now insist, along with the Home Office, that they are not. That leaves two options: either ministers are failing to review Dash, which is preposterous, or they have made the farcical decision to let SafeLives review their own work.

Ministers must come clean and if they deliberately excluded Dash from this review, must independently review it or end its use.

The families of murdered women deserve answers, and ministers must act urgently. I fear a national scandal born of a deeply flawed system that has denied vulnerable women life-saving support simply because they did not tick enough boxes on a checklist.

Families of women who died after being wrongly graded low or medium risk have also attacked the Home Office for awarding SafeLives a role in a separate 53 million project called Drive, which targets high-risk perpetrators and seeks to bring about behaviour change through counselling.

Mrs Saunders (filmed above) said the project was wrong and wouldnt work. You cant change them, you cant. I dont care what anyone says, she said.

You cant say they were going from what they were doing to someone, to another relationship, and theyre going to be lovey-dovey. I dont think so.
One of the illustrations of St Augustine featured in the book

St Augustine has been pictured as a black man in a childrens book written by Church of England officials.

The 4th-century saint, one of the most revered and influential figures in the history of Christianity, has been included in a new book called Heroes of Hope, which features illustrations that show him as a black man.

This book seeks to inspire children with examples of Black and brown saints, often erased and whitewashed from history, who formed the church and therefore modern society as we know it today.

Aurelius Augustinus was born in 345 in a Mediterranean coastal town now in Algeria, and went on to become bishop of the North African settlement of Hippo.

At this time, the area was a Roman province, although Augustine and his mother Saint Monica may have had North African Berber origins.

While this would not make him black, there have been efforts to apply this identity to Augustine, including at the Catholic University of Villanova in Pennsylvania, and art has been commissioned to reflect this.

A leading official at the university wrote in 2023 that it was important to depict the saint as black because depicting St. Augustine as a Black man actively decentres whiteness.

St Augustine pictured by the 15th-century Italian artist Antonello da Messina - Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Heroes of Hope was co-written by The Rev Dr Sharon Prentis, the deputy director of the Church of Englands racial justice unit.

The unit was set up in 2022, in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests, to accomplish the Churchs commitments to achieving racial justice.

Dr Prentiss co-author was Alysia-Lara Ayonrinde, the Churchs national education lead for racial justice.

The Churchs work on on racial justice has included efforts to make Christian artwork more diverse, while clergy have declared that God is not a white man and worked to make images of Jesus more diverse.

One diocese has moved to correct images in the interests of more diverse racial representation.

The Church has also sought to push racial justice in its affiliated schools, including by ensuring theological concepts drive curriculum design in a way that promotes equity and racial justice.

There have also been commitments to ensure school leaders are more representative of the racial diversity in modern Britain, provide anti-racist assembly material, and establish a Racial Justice Sunday in February of each year.

The new book has been published by the UKs biggest independent Christian publisher

Heroes of Hope covers the lives of figures beyond Augustine including the ancient African Saint Maurice, known as Black Moses and revered in Eastern Orthodoxy.

The book is being published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the biggest independent Christian publisher in the UK.

The introduction to the book tells readers: Get ready to be inspired by the amazing stories of these 22 individuals who have left a lasting impact on the world. We hope their stories ignite a spark within you to make a difference, whether big or small.

It is understood the Church of England will have a limited number of free copies to distribute to school.

In 2024, the Church hired a 36,000-a-year deconstructing whiteness officer to combat racial injustice, and it has sought to address monuments and artworks linked to the slave trade.

There have also been promises to provide reparations for Church involvement in slavery, although the extent to which it profited from the trade has been fiercely debated.

Meanwhile, there are also growing secular efforts to provide more diverse histories.

A 2023 illustrated childrens book entitled Brilliant Black British History, by Atinuke, a Nigerian-born British author, claimed that the very first Britons were black and that Stonehenge was built while Britain was a black country.

Several organisations, including the London Museum, have claimed that Roman emperor Lucius Septimius Severus was part of Black History, despite him not being black.
Nearly eight years after Donald Trump turned in such an embarrassing performance at his first summit with Vladimir Putin that members of his own party were left struggling to defend him, critics feared he was set for a repeat performance in Alaska Friday.

Putin traveled from Moscow to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska  on what was once sovereign Russian land  after three years of isolation brought on by his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, hoping he could charm, cajole and flatter Trump into taking his side over that of Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump arrived first, and the two leaders met on a red-carpeted tarmac for a handshake. It was there that Putin got his first surprise.

As the leaders walked towards waiting reporters and photographers, a noise above drew the Russian leaders attention. He looked up to see something that on any other day, in any other place, would have meant very bad things for him: The belly of an American B-2 bomber, a machine built to kill him by dropping nuclear weapons on Moscow without detection by Soviet (later Russian) air defense systems.

Trump then pulled Putin into his waiting limousine for a shared ride to their talks, bypassing the armored car that had been brought from Moscow for the Russian presidents use.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Next, the one-on-one meeting Putin had expected became a three-on-three session with him and two of his aides across from Trump, his special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Only after that could Putin expect to have Trump sit down with a group of Russian business leaders who hed brought with him, expecting the American leader to be swayed with the promise of investment and business opportunities in the same way other foreign leaders have curried favor with Trump.

It never happened.

After nearly three hours of talks, Trump and Putin walked out to face hundreds of reporters whod gathered in expectation of a joint press conference.

Speaking first, Putin appeared optimistic about the talks as he said he and Trump had come to agreements and described Ukraine  the sovereign nation he invaded and has been pillaging since March 2022  as Russias brotherly nation and claimed Russia wants to end the conflict.

Through a translator, the Russian strongman repeated oft-used lines about addressing what he calls the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict  meaning his desire for Ukraine to end any ambitions to integrate with the West by joining the European Union or NATO  and said any settlement in the conflict must consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in world on the whole.

But moments later, Trump torpedoed Putin's claim to have reached an agreement, telling reporters instead that there were many points that we agreed on during the talks but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there.

So there's no deal until there's a deal, Trump summed it up.

The president stressed that any future deal would have to receive assent from the Ukrainian government as well as America's NATO allies, and said he'd be calling up ... the various people that I think are appropriate, as well as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to read them in on what transpired behind closed doors today.

Trump added that the meeting, in his estimation, had been very productive and included many points that had been agreed to, and said there was a "good chance" of reaching some sort of accord going forward.

A second meeting has been floated in recent days by Trump but has not been confirmed.

Putin suggested to Trump in English: Next time in Moscow, which the president said he could get a little heat for but added he could see it possibly happening.

Trump thanked the reporters for attending and he and Putin quickly left the stage.

Within the hour, both leaders aircraft were wheels up and bound for home.

There were no fireworks, there was no grand bargain rolled out, and it wasnt clear what  if anything  the two leaders had actually agreed on at all.

And while some commentators were casting the lackluster result as a win for Putin because Trump hadnt rolled out the sanctions he has spent weeks threatening, the Russian leader most likely wasnt smiling as his plane climbed away from Alaska.

Thats because he failed to do what hed done in Helsinki, where hed charmed and flattered Trump into taking his side over Americas own intelligence services.

Hed even failed to bring Trump back to his previous anti-Ukraine worldview, that which was on display in February when he and Vice President JD Vance got into an Oval Office shouting match with Zelensky before throwing him out of the White House.

Instead, he had to watch as Trump reaffirmed that the final settlement in the war hed started would have to pass muster with Zelensky, the man who hed hoped to kill in the opening days of the war.

The years between Helsinki and Anchorage  and the months between February and now  have seen Trump go through trials (literally) and tests.

For better or worse, hes no longer the neophyte, easily flattered naif who Putin made a fool of in Finland all those years ago. And though hes long had an uneasy relationship with both Zelensky and NATO, the months since that disastrous bilateral meeting have seen him grow more and more frustrated with Putin and better understand the European desire to avoid rewarding attempts at military conquest on their soil.

It wasnt a perfect result, but Trump is learning. And now, Putin knows that.
The highly anticipated talks between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin ended with no firm agreement on stopping the three-year war in Ukraine, as both leaders took notably different stances speaking after the high-stakes summit in Alaska.

At what was billed as a press conference following a nearly three-hour meeting between the two leaders and their top aides Friday, Putin attempted to set the terms when he spoke first after both emerged on the stage at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage.

Putin appeared optimistic about the talks as he said he and Trump had come to agreements and described Ukraine  the sovereign nation he invaded and has been pillaging since March 2022  as Russias brotherly nation and claimed Russia wants to end the conflict.

By contrast, Trump followed in brief comments and said firmly: Theres no deal until theres a deal.

I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well, said Putin, via a translator. Naturally we are prepared to work on that, I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.

We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they won't throw a wrench in the works," Putin cautioned, before warning Europe against "backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress.

Putin attempted to set the terms when he began speaking first after both emerged onto the stage at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage. (REUTERS)

Putin repeated oft-used lines about addressing what he calls the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict,meaning his desire for Ukraine to end any ambitions to integrate with the West by joining the European Union or NATO, and said any settlement in the conflict must consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in world on the whole.

But moments later, Trump torpedoed Putin's claim to have reached an agreement, telling reporters instead that there were many points that we agreed on during the talks but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there.

So there's no deal until there's a deal, Trump said.

The president stressed that any future deal would have to receive assent from the Ukrainian government as well as America's NATO allies, and said he'd be calling up ... the various people that I think are appropriate, as well as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to read them in on what transpired behind closed doors today.

Trump torpedoed Putin's claim to have reached an agreement, telling reporters instead that there were many points that we agreed on during the talks but there were still a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there. (REUTERS)

Trump added that the meeting, in his estimation, had been very productive and included many points that had been agreed to, and said there was a "good chance" of reaching some sort of accord going forward.

A second meeting has been floated in recent days by Trump but has not been confirmed.

Putin suggested to Trump in English: Next time in Moscow, which the president said he could get a little heat for but added he could see it possibly happening.

The leaders did not take questions from reporters and swiftly walked off the stage.

There was no mention of a possible land swap of Ukrainian territories that Trump previously suggested, which he said would be to the betterment of both sides.

The reality that Ukraine will lose territory in a peace agreement has been accepted by Zelensky in recent months.

The president stressed that any future deal would have to receive assent from the Ukrainian government as well as America's NATO allies. (Getty Images)

The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, conceded Friday that Ukraine may have to give up territory as a temporary solution towards peace.

One of the scenarios is to give up territory. It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary, Klitschko told the BBC. But he stressed that the Ukrainian people would "never accept occupation" by Russia.

Russia occupies about a fifth of Ukraine, from the countrys northeast to the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed illegally in 2014.

The front line is vast and cuts across six regions  the active front stretches for at least 1,000 kilometres (680 miles)  but if measured from along the border with Russia, it reaches as far as 2,300 kilometres (1,430 miles).

Russia controls almost all of the Luhansk region and almost two-thirds of Donetsk region, which together comprise the Donbas, as the strategic industrial heartland of Ukraine is called.

Russia has long coveted the area and illegally annexed it in the first year of the full-scale invasion, even though it did not control much of it at the time.
Kate Margolis was scammed while trying to buy her dream dog online (Kate Margolis)

When Kate Margolis found her dream dog online, she didnt think for a second she could be falling for a scam.

A web designer herself, she said she was blown away by the breeders website and got in touch with him to find out more. He later called her and quizzed her on her home, lifestyle, and plans for the dog. He told her in order to secure a puppy, shed need to send a deposit of 500. Then, in three months, she would be able to come and choose her new pet.

But just days before she was due to collect the dog, the man contacted her and said her puppy had eaten plastic and died. Then, when she tried to find out more, he took down his website, blocked her on everything, and disappeared.

At first I thought thats really strange, she said. A reputable breeder has allowed a puppy to find some plastic and chew it and die  something doesnt add up here.

I replied to him and asked for my money back. Thats when he disappeared  his website came down, his phone stopped ringing, and my 500 vanished into thin air.

Kate always dreamed of having a golden retriever (Kate Margolis)

Data from Action Fraud shows Brits have lost 7.2m to pet scams since 2019, with 14,300 reports in that time. Speaking to The Independent, fraud bosses warned criminals are using social media to prey on people looking to buy their next pet online.

Kate said she was devastated by the loss of the dog she had imagined becoming part of her life, she never even stopped to think she may have been scammed.

At the time I thought he had probably just been oversubscribed, she said. I was so consumed with finding a puppy to take home that I was like, I'll deal with this later.

I called in sick to work and spent the whole day trying to find another breeder. I thought, right now, I just need to find a breeder that's got a golden retriever.

It was only when she started working in the pet industry that she realised she had been fooled by a scam artist hiding behind an impressive website and convincing phone call  and that she wasnt the only one.

Asking for deposits and disappearing is a really common theme, she said. Its a fake name and a fake account; theres nothing to trace you.

But she warned scammers will use different techniques, including giving buyers a dog  but not the one they asked for.

Ive heard of people who have asked for a goldendoodle and received an Irish wolfhound, she added.

Scam artists are posing as breeders online (PA Archive)

Realising there was no easy way for prospective pet owners to verify breeders, she decided to take matters into her own hands and founded Petproov, a UK-based pet tech startup where people can undertake a risk verification process using government-grade ID checks.

She said that since starting the platform, she has seen scammers use sophisticated and elaborate techniques, including AI photos and videos of dogs and hiring out rental properties to deceive families into trusting them.

AI has allowed scammers to be so much cleaner, Kate said. Its a seamless operation. We see so many people who cant tell whats real and whats fake.

She added buyers should trust their gut and if a breeder isnt willing to verify, walk away  no matter how difficult.

Action Fraud bosses have warned prospective pet buyers not to pay deposits or holding fees without checking the animal is genuine first.

Chief Superintendent Amanda Wolf, head of Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), said: Criminals prey on prospective pet owners looking to buy their next animal online. If someone on social media, or an online marketplace, has put an advert online, ask to view the animal in person or via a video call before paying any money.

Do not pay a deposit or a holding fee without seeing if the animal is genuine first and avoid paying by bank transfer. Fraudsters could use fake accounts to put up fake adverts with pictures of animals that do not exist.

Remember to stop, think fraud and stay safe when purchasing online. Ensure you protect your passwords by creating strong and memorable passwords for each of your online accounts. Always enable multi-factor authentication if you can.

If youve been a victim of fraud, report to your bank immediately and report to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
Palestinian children and their families evacuated from Gaza arrive at Rome's Ciampino military airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A 20-year-old Palestinian woman, transferred from the Gaza Strip for urgent medical treatment, has died in Italy, a hospital confirmed on Saturday.

Named by Italian media as Marah Abu Zuhri, she was admitted to Pisa University Hospital late on Wednesday as part of a humanitarian mission. Described as being in a "state of severe physical deterioration" and arriving with a "very complex, compromised clinical picture," she died on Friday.

Her death followed a respiratory crisis and subsequent cardiac arrest. Hospital staff had performed tests and started supportive therapy before her death. She had travelled to Italy accompanied by her mother.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said almost 120 Gazans  31 patients and their families  had been flown to Rome, Milan and Pisa on three planes.

In a post on X, Tajani said that it was the 14th medical evacuation of Palestinians that Italy had conducted since January 2024, and the largest.

Palestinian children and their families evacuated from Gaza arrive at Rome's Ciampino military airport, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The hospital did not specify whether the woman had suffered from malnutrition, but said that she had arrived in a state of severe physical deterioration.

Eugenio Giani, leader of the Tuscan region, expressed his condolences Saturday for the woman's death.

Earlier in the week, United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza were at their highest levels since the Israel-Hamas war began.

The U.N. says nearly 12,000 children under 5 were found to have acute malnutrition in July  including more than 2,500 with severe malnutrition, the most dangerous level. The World Health Organization says the numbers are likely an undercount.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month no one in Gaza is starving. There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza," he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Netanyahus claim by noting the images emerging of emaciated people. I dont know, Trump said when asked if he agreed with the Israeli leader's comment. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry.

Over the past two weeks, Israel has allowed around triple the amount of food into Gaza than what had been entering since late May.

That was after 2.5 months when Israel barred all food, medicine and other supplies, saying it was to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack that launched the war.
The presidents of the United States and Russia wrapped up critical talks in Alaska without reaching a deal on ending the war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were on the ground in Anchorage, Alaska, for only about six hours, but the historic yet inconclusive summit still produced some memorable moments.

Both leaders spoke at a news conference, but neither mentioned a ceasefire - something many hoped Mr Trump could persuade Mr Putin to accept during the discussions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who didn't participate in the talks in Alaska, had said that Ukraine was "counting on America".
The Prince and Princess of Wales, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte are moving to Forest Lodge in Great Windsor Park - Matt Porteous/Shutterstock

The Prince and Princess of Wales are to move into a new home in Windsor as they seek a fresh start after a brutal few years.

The couple and their children will relocate later this year to Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroomed Grade II-listed building, just a short drive from their current home, Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor Great Park.

The three-storey red-brick property will be their forever home, it is hoped, where they intend to remain after Prince William becomes King.

A source said the move was largely inspired by the incredibly difficult time they had endured since moving to Adelaide Cottage three years ago, with the death of Elizabeth II followed by the cancer diagnoses of both the Princess and the King.

The Waleses hope Forest Lodge in Windsor will be their forever home - Heritage Images/Historic England Archive

Prince William admitted with remarkable candour last November that it had been dreadful and probably the hardest year in my life.

He added: From a personal family point of view, its been brutal and said that, despite appearances, he couldnt be less relaxed.

His grandmother died in September 2022, shortly after they moved to Adelaide Cottage.

Just a few months after the late Queens death, the Prince was forced to deal with a slew of deeply private revelations from his brother, the Duke of Sussex, in his memoir, Spare, and in the six-part Netflix series Harry & Meghan, which also had an indisputable impact.

The sibling relationship has gradually eroded over several years, forcing Prince William to come to terms with the most painful of betrayals.

In January 2024, the Princess was admitted to hospital for major abdominal surgery and that March, she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing a course of chemotherapy.

Meanwhile, the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate and was also diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.

While the Princess was able to announce in January that she was in remission from cancer, the King is still undergoing treatment.

After all the trauma, the Prince and Princess decided they simply needed to get out of Adelaide Cottage and start again, The Telegraph understands.

Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter; an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind, a source said.

This is a move for the long term. It is the familys intention to stay in their new home after reign change.

The couple, along with their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, are due to move into their new home before Christmas.

When the family relocated to Windsor from Kensington Palace in August 2022, it was considered something of a trial run to test a new location and see if it worked for them as a family.

The family have loved being in Windsor and are very settled there, with all three children very happy at their prep school, Lambrook, which is just a short drive away.

The Prince and Princess are acutely aware of the huge interest in his young children, who will one day carry the responsibility of monarchy on their own shoulders.

But while the children are young, the couple will protect and prioritise family life with a steely resolve, determined to give them the most normal life possible.

The Royal couple are due to leave Adelaide Cottage for their new home before Christmas

They have particularly enjoyed the chance to live together as a unit, with no live-in staff, and plan to carry on with that at Forest Lodge, which is just four miles from their current home.

Two families have been asked to vacate their cottages, converted from old stable blocks, next to the mansion, according to reports. They are said to have been relocated within the estate.

The most recent tenants have moved out and the property is currently undergoing modest internal and external renovations, which the Waleses are funding themselves.

A planning application lodged with the local council in June show it requires new doors and windows, internal walls stripped out, ceilings renovated and new floors.

The freehold is owned by The Crown Estate and the Waleses will pay market rent. The property was last renovated in 2001 at a cost of 1.5m.

The Prince and Princess still own Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, which was refurbished at huge public expense in 2013.

They also own Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where they spend much of the school holidays and occasional weekends.
Pundits  including some from Fox News  believed U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to be steamrolled by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the world leaders summit in Alaska.

The highly anticipated meeting in Anchorage on Friday ended after around three hours with little clarity. Both leaders suggested progress had been made on talks about the future of the war in Ukraine but neither disclosed details during their joint appearance in front of the worlds press where neither took questions from journalists.

Putin spoke first, an atypical move for statements with the U.S. president on U.S. soil, touting the agreement that we've reached together.

While Trump called the meeting extremely productive and said the pair made great progress, he emphasized no agreement had been reached: Theres no deal until theres a deal.

Former government officials and commentators seemed to overwhelmingly agree that Putin walked away from the meeting triumphant.

Pundits overwhelmingly believe President Donald Trump was steamrolled by with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the pair met during a high stakes meeting in Alaska (REUTERS)

John Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser during his first administration, told CNN that Putin came off victorious: "Trump did not lose but Putin clearly won.

Putin achieved most of what he wanted and Trump achieved very little, he told the network.

Bolton then said Trump looked drained: I thought Trump looked very tired up there. I mean, very tired. Not disappointed, tired."

California Governor Gavin Newsom also remarked on Trumps energy levels on X, writing in a style that hes been using recently to troll the U.S. president. TRUMP JUST FLED THE PODIUM WITH PUTIN  NO QUESTIONS, NOTHING! TOTAL LOW ENERGY. THE MAN LOOKED LIKE HED JUST EATEN 3 BUCKETS OF KFC WITH VLAD, the governor wrote.

MSNBC host Jen Psaki, who is the former White House Press Secretary for Joe Biden, said the meeting similarly appeared to be a big victory for Putin, who was greeted warmly in Alaska by Trump.

For a decade now, Vladimir Putin has been isolated on the world stage, Psaki said, noting Russias ousting from the G8 in 2014 and the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant for Putin in 2023. Today that isolation ended and he was welcomed back on U.S. soil.

She added: "That is the big victory for Vladimir Putin today.

Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, who was reporting from Anchorage, said the Russian president steamrolled his U.S. counterpart.

The way that it felt in the room was not good. It did not seem like things went well. And it seemed like Putin came in and steamrolled, got right into what he wanted to say and got his photo next to the president and then left, Heinrich said.

Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin when he arrived in Alaska, giving the Russian leader a warm welcome on U.S. soil (REUTERS)

Michael McFaul, the former U.S. Ambassador to Russia under Barack Obama, told MSNBC that the meeting outcome was unfavorable to both Ukraine and America: Even the most minimal, minimal outcome, which is agreement to a trilateral meeting with Presidents Zelensky, Putin and Trump, was not announced today. So there was no outcome that was good for the Ukrainian people. But I want to say this was bad for the American people.

He believed the meeting showed the U.S. normalizing imperialism, terrorism, annexation, and dictatorship, he said. America has "always been the leader of the free world. It certainly didnt feel that way tonight.

Despite the criticism, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity on Friday evening that on a scale of 1 to 10, the president believed the meeting was a 10.

NewsNation host Leland Vittert said he believed Putin "rolled over" in the pairs speech to press and did everything to ingratiate himself to Trump. Vittert said its unclear whether Putin did the same during negotiations.

The Russian president used endearing terms including calling the U.S. a dear neighbor.

Putin also echoed one of Trumps oft-repeated claims, suggesting that the war in Ukraine would not have started if Trump had remained in office after the 2020 election.

Earlier in the day, Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin, greeting him warmly before they hopped into the U.S. presidents armored stretch vehicle, known as The Beast.

Fox News host Laura Ingraham similarly defended the U.S. president. Anyone saying that the Trump- Putin meeting was a failure is ignorant, biased or both, she wrote on X. Dealing with the Russians, forging peace, requires strength, knowledge, respect and patienceand thats what we saw from Donald Trump today. This was a step forward.

At the end of the meeting, the Russian leader proposed the pair have their next meeting in Moscow.

Thats an interesting one, Ill get a little heat on that one, Trump replied. But I could see it possibly happening.
Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay!
The backslapping bonhomie that started the day vanished into the stormy sulk and red glower from Donald Trump across a podium from Vladimir Putin, who still glowed with success. The Alaskan summit was a humiliation for Trump.

His hopes of winning a Nobel Peace Prize didnt crystallise in this meeting of superpowers dissolved. Even the key word of the whole farrago  ceasefire  had vanished.

Ukraine and Europe, supporters of democracy and world order, were on tenterhooks worrying if Trump would repeat Putins demands and endorse them as his own. He has done that in the past.

Putin, clearly, had made no concessions. But, emerging from three-and-a-half hours of talks, Trump and the Russian president had nothing to present to the world.

Trump said hed call Nato, and President Volodymyr Zelensky, to update them on what had been discussed.

Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska (AFP via Getty)

Weve made some headway. So theres no deal until theres a deal. I will call up Nato in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And Ill, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about todays meeting. Its ultimately up to them, Trump said.

What will be up to them?

We dont know but we can probably guess that Trump didnt want to say it out loud, having invited an indicted war criminal to US territory, applauded his arrival, ordered an air force flypast to honour the Butcher of Bucha, twice shaken his hand and then given him a lift in his top-secret armoured car the Beast.

When he arrived, the usually icy Putin, who rolled down the red carpet like a prize fighter, pulled faces and seemed chatty and warm. He sat at a photo opportunity man-spreading confidently and gurning to his team, oozing easy confidence.

None of that had left him when he departed the press statement stage.

Putin has gone viral for the strange facial expressions he pulled during his meeting with Trump (Getty)

He was back on the world stage. The pomp of his visit and the spectacle of his emergence from international pariah to car-share buddy with the US president was complete.

He was never going to deliver Trump a ceasefire, much less a plan for peace in Ukraine.

Putin said: The country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it [war]. At the same time, were convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict. And weve said it multiple times, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole. And I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to work on that.

So Putin was reiterating his mantra that war in Ukraine came as a result of the end of the Soviet Union, he wants that territory back in the Russian empire, and while hes at it, the new world order needs to be set back. That means he wants to see Russias influence back all over eastern Europe  a return to the Cold War Warsaw Pact that meant the Kremlin rules nations that are now western democracies in the European Union.

The UK and Europe, along with Canada and through Nato, have replaced the US as the most important donors of civilian and military aid to Ukraine. Over the past week, leaders in Europe, including Keir Starmer, had worked hard on persuading Trump not to be steamrolled by Putin.

Putin strongly hinted that whatever Trump was going to reveal in his calls to Zelensky and others, they were not going to like it (Getty)

Theyre worried that Trump and Putin will try to foist a deal on Ukraine which cannot be agreed and will not work. Trump has repeatedly endorsed Russian claims, at least, to the territory in Ukraine it has already captured.

He has agreed with Putin that Ukraine cannot join Nato. He has agreed that the US would take no part in security guarantees for Ukraine in a future peace deal (although recently there are signs he may have softened that line).

Europes 250bn (215bn) in aid for Ukraine dwarfs the US 114bn. This year, Trump has cut all military aid to Kyiv and insisted that Nato members stump up for Ukraines defence and their own. His efforts have been so successful that America remains important to Ukraine but it can get by with help from close neighbours.

Putin strongly hinted that whatever Trump was going to reveal in his calls to Zelensky and others, they were not going to like it. In other words, Trump was likely to parrot the Kremlin. Only this time, Trump himself knows hes going to look a fool when he does.

We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they wont throw a wrench in the works. They will not make any attempts to use some backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress, again, Putin said.

Were gonna stop really, five, six, seven thousand, thousands of people a week from being killed  And well speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. Thank you very much, Vladimir, Trump ended by saying.

Putin replied: Next time in Moscow.
Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Last Wednesday a man of whom most had never heard, Dr Krish Kandiah, presented Thought for the Day on the BBCs Today programme. This item once offered theological observations from a range of creeds, linking them to contemporary issues.

Dr Kandiah chose instead to accuse Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, of xenophobia, something more in tune with the BBCs evolving role as a Left-wing front organisation.

Valuing free speech as we should, Dr Kandiah is entitled to his opinion, however wrong it may be. Whether it is the role of the publicly funded broadcaster to allow obloquy against a public figure without an immediate right of reply is another matter: there was no reply on air, either from Mr Jenrick or a supporter.

The BBC was forced, quite rightly, into an apology, though it stressed it was apologising for the inclusion of an opinion in a place where it was inappropriate, not passing judgment on the rights or wrongs of the opinion. Dr Kandiah had alluded to a newspaper article in which Mr Jenrick expressed concerns about his childrens safety in an area filled with men from backward countries who broke into Britain illegally and about whom we know next to nothing.

As the shadow minister protested, he was being attacked for being a good parent. Not long ago, those who took editorial decisions about BBC current affairs included many who, whatever their politics privately, had a strict sense of objectivity and balance.

They understood the role of a public service broadcaster and, more to the point, they had a grasp of the temper of the British public. That grasp appears now barely to exist. In almost all aspects of the corporations programming  from Dr Who to the Today programme  the output adheres to and promotes a world view inimical to much of its audience.

Those in positions of authority at the BBC talk mainly to each other, and in an atmosphere of determined virtue-signalling and a culture of obsessive box-ticking. Their often patronising views about the rights of minorities (almost any minority you could name) inform all their decisions. Our universities, which have increasingly produced cadres of self-hating Britons in the past decade or two, are doubtless to blame, and the BBC recruits like-minded people year in, year out, to staff and run their parallel universe.

The public increasingly detest being force-fed with wokery. The BBC remains the most popular medium in the country, but now by only a short head from YouTube.

There, people can choose from a genuinely diverse range of output, and not need to suffer instruction about the glories of transgenderism, the vibrancy of communities filled with illegal immigrants, and the pretence that all this inevitably makes for a happy and successful society.

Even the Labour Government appears to be running out of patience. The unconcealed wrath of Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, at the broadcasting of extremist political propaganda from the Glastonbury festival in June was not her first assault on the BBC.

Labour MPs also know that their people, who shell out monthly for Sky TV and Netflix because the BBC isnt worth watching, resent paying a licence fee. Thanks to its increasingly narrow cultural base and its detachment from reality, the BBC appears well into a death spiral.

Its charter is due for renewal in 2027. One must hope Ms Nandy will renew it only on a very different basis that limits its role, reforms its funding model, and enforces cultural change to restore its relevance to the people it purports to serve.
Afghanistans economic collapse has caused widespread starvation across the country - AFP /Mohsen Karimi

Homeyra will never forget the night they took her son away.

Out of sheer desperation, she had sold her two-year-old in exchange for four hundred sq metres of earth. As with countless other women across Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, she traded her child to keep the rest alive  the stark reality of starvation in the country.

I have seven small children and they are all hungry, she tells The Telegraph, as she clasps her hands tightly together. We gave away our son so the rest of them could survive.

The transaction took place five months ago in her remote village in the western province of Herat. She replays that day in her mind over and over, the weight of it remaining all too fresh. Her reality now is feeling a mixture of grief and knowing it was a decision brought out of heartbreaking pragmatism that poverty demands.

Homeyras husband, a former Afghan army soldier, became disabled in the war that preceded the Talibans takeover. Unable to work and unable to provide, he could only watch as his family slowly starved.

The offer to buy their two-year-old son came from a wealthy village landowner who had married multiple times but remained childless.

Four hundred sq meters of agricultural land in exchange for their child  enough space, perhaps, to grow wheat that might keep their six remaining children alive.

I cry every night for my son, Homeyra says. Im worried about my son and also happy that the rest can have food.

We want to grow wheat or anything else that we can sell and buy food with, or anything that they can eat. Lots of people in our village are hungry.

The little boy, not old enough to understand his circumstances, disappeared into another familys life while his mothers arms remain forever empty.

Starving, malnourished children are bearing the brunt of the unprecedented poverty - AFP /Hoshang Hashimi

Her story represents the human cost of Afghanistans economic collapse, a crisis that has transformed the country into one of the worlds largest humanitarian disasters.

Since the Talibans return in August 2021, international sanctions, frozen assets, and aid cuts have created a storm of suffering that strike families such as Homeyras the hardest.

Despite this, white Taliban flags fluttered triumphantly across Afghanistans cities this week as the group marked four years since sweeping back to power after US and Nato withdrew their forces.

On Friday, women were barred from the celebrations marking the anniversary of the Taliban takeover. Some 10,000 men had gathered across Kabul, the capital, to watch defence ministry helicopters scatter flowers to the crowds below.

Three of the six flower shower locations were already off-limits to women because they have been banned from entering parks since Nov 2022. The treatment of women by the Taliban, including the arrest of schoolgirls for not wearing a hijab correctly, has been condemned by the UN.

As with whole parts of everyday life, women were barred from participating in celebrations to mark the anniversary of the Taliban takeover - Getty Images/Lynsey Addario

Off the streets of the Talibans propaganda flower shower and in ordinary peoples homes, a darker reality resides.

The latest wave of suicides among young people in Afghanistans Khost province offers a stark glimpse into how economic desperation is driving the countrys mental-health crisis.

Three young people, including a poverty-stricken married couple, died by suicide in Khost on Wednesday, bringing the total to seven deaths in three days.

Economic hardship has become a driving force behind Afghanistans mental-health emergency, with young people particularly vulnerable as they face limited opportunities and bleak prospects.

The combination of financial stress, social restrictions and lack of mental-health services has created what experts describe as a perfect storm for psychological distress.

White flags fluttered across Afghanistan to celebrate the anniversary of the Talibans return to power - Shutterstock /Qudratullah Razwan

Government promises of stability have yielded only deeper poverty. The ban on womens work has removed half the potential workforce from an economy already devastated by decades of war.

The forced return of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan has also created new challenges for the countrys rulers, adding millions more mouths to feed in a nation already starving.

According to a senior Taliban official who spoke with The Telegraph, the situation has sparked internal disputes within the clerical regime, fuelling fears of a new civil war.

You cannot govern a hungry nation, and the lack of management and money to care for the people has intensified the political conflict between Kabul and the establishment in Kandahar, he says.

Several ministers are angry at the supreme mullah and his extreme hardline rules, but they cannot speak out because they are told to present a united front to the public, he adds, referring to Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader who has never appeared in public.

But the reality is, if he continues what hes doing, many will rise up against him and there will be another civil war.

Since the Talibans return to power everyday life has become extremely tough for Afghans - LA Times/Marcus Yam

The returnees, deported against their will, arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs, joining displacement camps that have become cities of despair.

The refugees, who once sent remittances home to support extended families, now compete for the same nonexistent jobs and dwindling food supplies.

Their return has strained an already collapsed economy beyond recognition, creating tensions between different Taliban factions who blame each other for the humanitarian catastrophe.

Some have already signed up with smugglers, planning to return to Iran for work, while the rest join the growing ranks of the hungry.

If they deport me 100 more times, I will go back, says Shah Jahan, a young man deported from Iran last month, the fourth time in the past two years.

There is no work for me here in Afghanistan, and I have to feed my children. No matter how badly the Iranians treat me, Ill go back to send money home.

Returning Afghans are putting extra pressure on an already faltering economy - AP/Muhammad Sajjad

International recognition remains elusive, keeping Afghanistan isolated from global financial systems and humanitarian assistance.

Streets and markets are crowded with children under 10, their thin bodies showing the toll of starvation.

They beg from passers-by, darting between stalls with empty eyes and outstretched hands. Some collapse from weakness on the dusty pavements, while shopkeepers step around them, unable to spare even scraps for fear of their own families going hungry.

While Afghanistan is now safer from terrorist attacks, crime has soared over the past four years. Theft, robbery, and violence are common as desperate families turn to crime to survive.

The Talibans public floggings and executions, held in stadiums before forced crowds, have done little to curb rising crime driven by hunger.

Two men on motorcycles stopped me and forced me off mine. I resisted and fought back, but they shot me in the leg and took my motorcycle, says Firouz, who worked as a restaurant deliveryman until three months ago.

When he went to the nearby police station in Kabul a few days later, the Taliban blamed him and promised to find it, but it was devastating for the 27-year-old management graduate with a one-year-old son.

Since then, I borrowed money from whoever I knew, but the child has a lot of expenses, and I started selling my house stuff. I sold my carpet the other day to buy formula for him, he tells The Telegraph.

The motorcycle was his lifeline, his only means of earning money in a city where unemployment has become a death sentence.

Now, with a wounded leg and no vehicle, Firouz joins the ranks of Afghanistans invisible unemployed, men with university degrees reduced to selling family heirlooms to feed their babies.

Everyone is hungry, and few can afford three meals a day. There are no jobs, no money, nothing  and prices keep rising every day, he says. Small children are begging for money and food everywhere.

Scale of poverty is not going to improve

The numbers paint a picture of systematic starvation. According to the International Rescue Committee, 28.8 million people are currently in urgent need of support. More than 90 per cent of the population lives in poverty, with 40 per cent facing acute food insecurity.

But statistics cannot capture the moral ruins that hunger creates.

In Herats hospital, where Homeyra brought her daughter for treatment she cannot afford, similar stories echo through every ward.

A doctor at the hospital says families bring sick children, most of whom are malnourished and have gone days without a proper meal.

The scale of poverty is unprecedented, and its not going to improve, the doctor says.

He adds: Peoples main concern is finding food, and when youre hungry, taking care of your health becomes secondary. As a result, many more sick children are coming in every day.

Mothers arrive carrying starving children, their bodies wasted from giving their meagre portions to their offspring.

Doctors work without pay, their salaries unpaid for months, treating patients who cannot pay for medicine that barely exists in pharmacies.

Life has never been in our favour, Homeyra says. My heart bursts for my children  I dont know for whom I should cry.
U.S. State Department documents containing sensitive government information were discovered on a public printer at an Alaska hotel, two hours before a high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Eight pages  containing a schedule, several phone numbers of government employees, and a luncheon menu  were found in a public hotel printer at Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, a 20-minute drive from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where the two world leaders met Friday to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine.

Three guests staying at Hotel Captain Cook found the pages around 9 a.m. Friday, two hours before the summit began, according to NPR. Its not clear who left the papers but seven of the pages were produced by the Office of the Chief of Protocol, according to images obtained by NPR, which is part of the State Department.

The hotel, which has 550 rooms, declined to comment on where the printers were located.

Tommy Pigott, the State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, told The Independent in a statement: Instead of covering the historic steps towards peace achieved at Fridays summit, NPR is trying to make a story out of a lunch menu. Ridiculous."

A White House spokesperson told NPR that abandoning the documents in a public printer was not considered a security breach. The Independent has also contacted the White House about the incident, who was responsible for handling the documents, and whether it is considered a security breach.

State Department papers were left in a public printer at an Alaska hotel, near the military base where the Trump-Putin summit was held, revealing details about the high stakes meeting (AFP via Getty Images)

The first five pages contain the sequence of the days events, including the participants, locations, and times. Below the names of Putin and his Russian aides sits a pronunciation for each name. Under the Russian presidents name, the file suggests: POO-tihn."

The pages also contained phone numbers of government employees and a gift that Trump planned to give Putin, described as American Bald Eagle Desk Statue.

The sixth page showed a lunch seating chart. The two world leaders were seated at the center of the table, flanked on both sides by their respective officials, six for Trump and five for Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chief of Protocol of the United States Monica Crowley after the Russian leader met with U.S. President Donald Trump (AP)

The seating chart showed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and White House Chief Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff. Putins group would include his Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, his Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, and Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov.

The seventh page revealed the menu for lunch, which ended up being cancelled Friday. The first course would have offered a green salad with champagne vinaigrette dressing and sourdough bread with rosemary lemon butter. For the main course, there wouldve been a choice of either filet mignon with brandy peppercorn sauce or halibut Olympia. Buttery whipped potatoes and roasted asparagus were intended to be offered as sides while the planned dessert was creme brule with ice cream, the documents revealed.

The last document showed what appeared to be a stylized copy of the menu. At the top read: "Luncheon in honor of his excellency Vladimir Putin."

Speaking to NPR, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly brushed off the discovery as a "multi-page lunch menu" and suggested leaving the documents on a public printer was not a security breach.

Trump and Putin met at the Alaska military base on Friday afternoon to discuss an end to the war, more than three years after Russias invasion. The leaders announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach any kind of plan to end the war. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Trump administration has had several high-profile security breaches in its early months. In March, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent sensitive information about a planned U.S. military strike in Yemen to senior officials and a journalist from The Atlantic on the messaging platform, Signal. The incident, dubbed Signalgate, led to the ousting of Mike Waltz, Trumps national security adviser.

Other lawmakers and security experts lambasted the administration over the latest incident in Alaska.

How many more headlines are we going to read about INCOMPETENT security breaches by the Trump Admin??? Florida Democratic Congressman Darren Soto posted on X Saturday.

Jon Michaels, a UCLA law professor who specializes in national security law, told NPR the incident strikes me as further evidence of the sloppiness and the incompetence of the administration."

"You just don't leave things in printers. It's that simple, he added.

Trump and Putin met at the Alaska military base on Friday afternoon to discuss an end to the war, more than three years after Russias invasion. The leaders announced great progress had been made, but they still did not reach any kind of plan to end the war.
Donald Trump embraces Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, where their talks effectively ended in victory for the Russian president - AFP/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

Vladimir Putin will be delighted.

He flew to Alaska expecting to concede ground. Instead, he left having gained it.

Donald Trump had warned of very severe consequences if the Russian leader refused a ceasefire during their Anchorage talks. Yet, as so often before, the US president emerged echoing Putins talking points.

The Kremlin has long argued that there can be no halt to the war without tackling its root causes, which in Putins view means demilitarising Ukraine, toppling its government, forcing it to cede eastern territory and barring it from Nato.

Now the leader of the free world appears to believe he has a point.

It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times does not hold up, Mr Trump wrote on social media.

Of the victories Putin secured in Alaska, this may be the sweetest. A timeline for peace talks  one Moscow will surely seek to manipulate and delay  will emerge in due course. In the meantime, Russia is free to keep waging war, seizing territory and terrorising Ukraines cities.

With no resolution to the Alaska summit, Ukrainian cities such as Kiev remain at risk of further attack - Getty Images

European leaders had pleaded with the US president not to abandon the demand for an immediate ceasefire. They failed. By Saturday morning, they were scrambling to respond.

They may have been infuriated that Mr Trump had reneged on the central purpose of his mission in Anchorage, which he himself had defined as securing a truce. They may have wondered what had become of the sanctions, secondary tariffs and other serious consequences he had threatened should Putin prove obdurate. But they knew better than to risk antagonising him.

Instead, Sir Keir Starmer and his European counterparts tempered their frustration with praise, applauding Mr Trump for suggesting that the US could join Europe in offering Ukraine security guarantees in the event of a peace deal. That, at least, was progress of sorts.

They then guardedly laid out their objections. No limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or its cooperation with third countries, the statement read. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to [the] EU and Nato.

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.

It was, in truth, a rearguard action. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, will fly to Washington on Monday to urge Mr Trump to revive the threat of tougher sanctions if Putin tries to evade an honest end to the war. But optimism is in short supply.

Relief in European chancelleries that there was no outright carve up of Ukrainian territory cannot disguise the dismay  and bewilderment  at how readily the US president once again appeared to yield.

Although Mr Trump kept to his promise not to sign away Ukrainian land there and then, he made clear that he could be willing to do so in the future.

In a call with European leaders, he said he believed peace could be achieved swiftly if Mr Zelensky agreed to give up the entire Donbas to Russia, including areas not occupied by its troops.

Not only would this award Putin territory his forces failed to capture on the battlefield, it would also cast Mr Zelensky as the obstacle to peace if he refused.

Now it is really up to President Zelensky to get it done, he told Fox News, giving the impression that he had somehow secured concessions for Ukraine at the talks.

During the talks, Putin reportedly offered to freeze front lines elsewhere if Ukraine surrendered the Donbas - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP

Yet it remains hard to see what, if anything, he persuaded Putin to yield. The Russian leader reportedly offered to freeze the existing front lines in two other contested regions  Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  if Ukraine surrendered the Donbas. As proposals go, it was neither new nor appetising.

Mr Zelensky will have to tread carefully as he formulates a response. Wary of provoking a backlash, his initial reaction avoided any outright rejection of peace on Putins terms.

Yet the deal now on the table appears so one-sided that it is difficult to see him accepting it, however intense Mr Trumps inevitable pressure.

Ukrainians are weary of war. Growing numbers are reluctant to fight, but most would rather endure than submit to a humiliating capitulation.

When he meets Mr Trump on Monday, Mr Zelensky is therefore likely to emphasise the positives. Giorgia Meloni, Italys prime minister, said her proposal to provide Ukraine with security guarantees similar to Natos Article 5  an attack on one is an attack on all  had found favour in the White House.

Such a clause, she said, would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the US, ready to take action if it is attacked again.

Sir Keir was swift to welcome the openness of the United States in providing robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal.

As the Prime Minister surely knows, however, robust guarantees remain a long way off  and what Mr Trump means by being ready to take action may fall far short of what Ukraine deems necessary to live securely alongside its threatening neighbour.

Trump appeared uncharacteristically subdued at the press briefing with Putin afterwards - Reuters /Gavriil Grigorov

The White House will seek to present the Alaska summit as the essential beginning of patient diplomacy to end a war of this magnitude. Perhaps that claim will be vindicated, bolstering Mr Trumps cherished case for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Shortly before the summit, he reportedly phoned Norways finance minister to suggest the honour should be his once he had secured peace. Perhaps that helps explain why he chose not to challenge Putin after all.

At an uncharacteristically brief press conference, Mr Trumps body language suggested that, deep down, even he knew he had been bested in the so-called Tumble in the Tundra.

The president, who revels in projecting dominance, looked subdued and uncertain, ceding the floor to Putin, making only a short statement of his own and taking no questions. The Russian leader achieved what no other world figure has managed: silencing Mr Trump on home soil.

For critics, the summit simply showed Mr Trump indulging Putin once again, exposing anew the hollowness of his threats.

Before the talks began, observers saw three possible outcomes: Mr Trump might confront Russia, sell out Ukraine, or abandon the effort entirely. For now, he seems to have ruled out the first, is edging towards the second and may yet do the third.

In the meantime, Putin can revel in a treble victory. He has been elevated from pariah to honoured guest  a stark contrast to Mr Zelenskys White House humiliation in February  spared any new punishment for the slaughter in Ukraine, and granted the freedom to continue inflicting it.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ended nearly three hours of high-stakes talks in Alaska without any sign of a Ukraine ceasefire deal  raising questions over the trajectory of the war and the fate of European security.

We didnt get there, a downbeat US president said as he told reporters that the two leaders had not reached an agreement but that the meeting had been very productive.

We've made some headway, he added. So there's no deal until there's a deal. I will call up Nato in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate. And I'll, of course, call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.

He added: We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.

Trump informs the press that no deal has been reached (Getty)

Neither Putin nor Mr Trump used the word ceasefire in the short statements they made to the assembled media, before they shook hands and left the stage without taking questions.

There was no sign of what the major sticking point could have been although Putin said that Mr Trump had insisted on highlighting the importance of Ukraines security.

Putin said: We're convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict. And we've said it multiple times, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole. And I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to work on that.

The Russian president looked the more confident of the two, speaking first and praising the US as a close neighbour. He even joked that the leaders next meeting would be in Moscow  to which Mr Trump awkwardly responded that the suggestion could get him into trouble.

Landing on US soil in Anchorage itself was a huge diplomatic coup for the Russian president, who has been isolated from world events by his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It was his first meeting with Mr Trump in seven years.

The leaders smiled broadly as they greeted each other under the din of fighter jets marking the moment with a fly-past.

Both Trump and Putin appear relaxed after their first meeting in seven years (Reuters)

Mr Trump deployed his signature handshake, yanking Putin close to him on the red carpet, but both appeared relaxed at the prospect of three hours of talks.

They then sat silently with their respective delegations seated in front of a blue backdrop that had the words "Pursuing Peace" printed on it.

Mr Trumps previous meetings with the Russian leader during his first term often left observers questioning the nature of the relationship, with Mr Trump taking Putins side over Russias efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election at their 2018 Helsinki summit.

But the American president appeared to have learned from those previous experiences; the White House announced that the planned one-on-one meeting would become a three-on-three with Mr Trump accompanied by secretary of state Marco Rubio and his special envoy for peace missions, Steve Witkoff.

Both leaders smile and joke on the red carpet shortly after landing (Reuters)

As he headed to the summit aboard Air Force One, Mr Trump had said he wanted the meeting to lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine and that he would not be happy if one did not emerge as a result of his talks with Putin.

I want to see a ceasefire rapidly... I'm not going to be happy if it's not today," he said. "I want the killing to stop."

And he did not look happy after their session of talks.

The White House had said the summit would also include a bilateral lunch with their delegations, and a joint press conference  however, it appeared that lunch was cancelled, and after the media briefing, Mr Trump was believed to have flown back to Washington.

In Putins presence, Mr Trumps past performances have been deferential. On this occasion he appeared more confident.

Both ignored a journalist shouting a question to Putin an his arrival: How can the US trust your word?.

The pair depart from the airport in Trumps heavily armoured presidential car nicknamed The Beast (Reuters)

For Ukraine and Europe it was critical that Mr Trump emerged with a ceasefire that guarantees Ukraines security and that does not make upfront territorial concessions to Putin.

The Russian president claims at least five provinces  Crimea, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Donetsk and Kherson  as sovereign Russian territory, which has been already illegally annexed by the Kremlin.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was notably absent from the meeting, although Mr Trump made it clear that if his first meeting with Putin went well, he would immediately seek a follow-up rendezvous between Putin and Ukraines president.

Mr Zelensky had warned Mr Trump in a meeting on Wednesday with fellow European leaders that Putin was bluffing over his intentions to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump waves to reporters as he boards Air Force One in the US (Reuters)

Earlier in the week, Mr Trump had told reporters aboard Air Force One that: "I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I'm here to get them at a table."

Mr Trump has intimated that there would have to be swaps of Ukrainian territory. Europe and Ukraine have outright rejected the pre-talk concessions made by Mr Trump.

En route to the summit Mr Trump insisted that, Europes not telling me what to do.

European leaders expressed concern prior to the summit about being sidelined from the meeting between DC and Moscow, with concerns that Putin would set his sights on one of their countries if he won in Ukraine.

A joint statement from 26 European Union leaders, minus pro-Putin Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, aimed to appeal to the US president to defend their security interests at Fridays summit.

They said they welcome the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. But, they underlined, the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine" and "international borders must not be changed by force.
Vladimir Putin succeeded in getting his handshake with the US president - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS

The press conference was called after about three hours of talks, a little earlier than expected. Had a deal been struck? A ceasefire?

Hot takes among the dozens of journalists assembled at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage suggested this was a sign of disaster for Vladimir Putin: hed clearly infuriated Donald Trump. Not a bit of it. We knew immediately from the smiles on stage.

Putin spoke first and went out of his way to list as many examples of common ground he shared with Mr Trump as he could.

The goal is always peace. pic.twitter.com/AvYjUYhh8B  The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 16, 2025

In a speech that could have been written a year ago, we were treated to a canter through shared Soviet and American experiences in the Second World War, then a reference to a military burial site in Alaska and the graves of soviet pilots (it was worthy and noble of the local people to look after the burial site, Putin gushed).

Mr Trump, whether he liked it or not, was reminded of the common enemy Russia and America had fought together, of their common heritage. This meeting, far from being a damp squib, was a new stage in the relationship between the two countries, apparently.

A pause... then more.

This was a long overdue meeting Putin enthused, thoroughly in his stride. There were opportunities for bilateral trade, space and arctic exploration, loads of stuff, if only we could get past the pesky issue of Ukraine, he seemed to be saying. It is important for our countries to turn the page, he said.

Of course he did, hes desperate for the page titled war to be turned. He took a swipe at Joe Biden (I tried to reach out, I was rebuffed) and said there would be no problem in Ukraine if Mr Trump had been in charge in 2022. It was all as obvious as it was depressing.

In his (very short) response, Mr Trump called Putin the boss at one point, which sent a ripple through the audience. This was not what those wanting Putin to be held to account for his war wanted to hear.

At one point though, Putin said: On the whole, and I agree with president Trump as he has said today, that naturally the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well.

A slip from Putin? He usually goes out of his way to deny Ukraine has agency, that it is an independent sovereign state. It was a rare moment, but it counted for little.

To finish, Putin, speaking in English, invited his neighbour Donald to another meeting in Moscow. He was speaking over the heads of Ukrainian and European leaders; they were irrelevant to him, he wanted to make it clear they were to Trump as well.

And then it was over. The two men exited stage right, neither talking to, nor acknowledging, the crowd. No deal, no ceasefire, no holding to account.

Despite the yelling from the press corps all we were left with was the deafening sound of a can being kicked down the road.

The White House had laid on the full dog and pony show  on the ground, a red carpet for Putins first steps in ten years on US soil followed by a ride with Mr Trump in The Beast. In the air, a five-ship formation flypast of a B-2 bomber flanked on either side by a pair of F-22 Raptor fighters.

Credit: Reuters

Coming just hours after Russian forces in Ukraine had bombed a market in the northern city of Sumy, the images will be hard to stomach for many people around the world.

If they even knew of the blast, neither the Russian nor American delegations allowed the news to cloud the moment.

The sight of American soldiers kneeling before Putins plane to secure the red carpet to the Tarmac is an image that will appall many.

Critics of Mr Trump, Putin or both will see it as a craven act by a weak president courting favour with a man considered a war criminal. Others might say it is the necessary underbelly of international diplomacy.

As the circus drew to a close, Putin had succeeded in getting his handshake with the US president. He would feel he had shown the world Russia was back where it belongs - at the top table of global politics. He would be glad his actions had drawn no consequences.

If European leaders dont act to support Ukraine after this, they will have to answer to history.
All prime ministers end up being their own foreign secretary. Keir Starmer started off as one. He has been moderately successful in foreign affairs, but has gained no credit for it from the British electorate.

He has played a role in rallying Europe to the defence of Ukraine. This bore fruit at what we might call the half-baked Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The meeting failed to end the war in Ukraine, but that also means that President Trump did not sell out the Ukrainian people, which he has threatened to do.

We cannot be sure how important European voices, including the British one, were in holding the line, but it seemed as if the conference call Trump held with European leaders on Wednesday was a significant moment. The briefing from the Europeans was almost ecstatic: that the US president seemed to recognise that a peace on Putins terms was unacceptable, and that it was Putin who was the obstacle to a fair settlement.

Starmer has played a surprising role in organising that show of European unity. Surprising, because so many of those who wanted Britain to stay in the EU argued that leaving would diminish our standing in the world. On the contrary, Starmers diplomacy has vindicated the Brexiteers who said we could be more nimble, more creative and more assertive outside.

Precisely because Britain is not a member of the EU, Starmer was better able to overcome EU disunity by assembling his coalition of the willing to pledge solidarity with Ukraine, backed up by plans for (some) higher European defence spending.

He was able to do it because the British people are so supportive of the Ukrainian cause. That allowed him to finesse the two possible sticking points in giving practical expression to that support.

As with a lot of opinion-poll findings, the British are very supportive of the Ukrainians until it starts to cost them a noticeable amount of money. We have thrown open our doors to 200,000 refugees, but higher taxes to pay for the Ukrainian war effort? Ni, dyakuyu.

Luckily, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, found an electorally painless way of increasing defence spending by simply switching money from the most unpopular Budget heading, namely foreign aid. The almost total silence since that announcement in March has been instructive: the great enlightened achievement of Tony Blair and David Cameron in meeting the UN target for foreign aid spending is something that, it turned out, almost nobody cared about.

Starmer and Zelensky enjoy a cup of tea and a chat in the gardens of Downing Street (PA)

The other sticking point in support for Ukraine is the idea of sending troops to help repel Putins aggression. That has been out of the question for all of Ukraines allies: we are happy to supply arms and money, but Ukrainians must do the fighting. Yet British public opinion is sufficiently supportive that Starmer has been able to talk about deploying British forces to help deter further Russian aggression if there is a peace deal. It is unclear how or whether this would work, but it has helped focus attention on the difficult question of who would guarantee a settlement and how that would work.

What was most surprising about Trumps statements after the Alaska summit  apart from referring to Mark Rutte as the highly respected secretary general of Nato  was his promise that the US would provide robust security guarantees to support Ukraine.

All in all, then, and considering how badly the summit could have gone, given Trumps belief that the Ukrainians brought their troubles on themselves, his disdain for Nato and his desperation for a Nobel Peace Prize at any cost, the Alaska meeting went well. Starmer can take some credit as the leader of a nation that is an important ally of Ukraine and an enemy of aggression.

But that is another limit to the sympathy the British people feel for the Ukrainian cause: they are not going to reward their own leader for giving their sentiments practical expression on the world stage.

Just as they are not going to give Starmer credit for his handling of the US president on tariffs, which has allowed him to carve out a better deal for the UK than for any other country.

Nor will they give Starmer credit for the deal with Emmanuel Macron by which France has accepted that Britain can send back some of the people crossing the Channel in small boats. My astonishment at Starmers skill in securing this concession is heavily outweighed by most peoples dismay that the boats keep coming. The British public has had enough of the boats and is not inclined to wait a year or more to see if the numbers being sent back can be increased to the point where they act as a deterrent.

I remember the European parliament election in 1999, when Tony Blair had saved the Muslim population of Kosovo from expulsion by Slobodan Milosevic, the Serbian dictator. It was a moment of shining moral leadership, by which Blair persuaded a divided Nato and a reluctant Bill Clinton to stand up to ethnic persecution, and which was a triumphant success. It was a success that brought him 15 minutes of adulation from the tabloid press, followed almost immediately by sullen complaints about traffic jams and trains not running on time. In the European election, held on the day that the Serbs withdrew, Labour did extremely badly.

What reminded me of that election was a government source quoted in The Times: World War Three is breaking out internationally; its unreasonable for people to expect Keir to be caring about potholes.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. International leadership is well and good, but unless Keir can fix the potholes and stop the boats, it counts for nothing with the voters.
Firefighters work to extinguish a wildfire in As Fermosas (REUTERS)

Wildfires continue to rage across popular holiday destinations, including Spain, Greece, and Portugal, prompting the UKs Foreign Office to update its travel advice.

Spain battled 14 major fires driven by high winds on Friday, said Virginia Barcones, the emergency services chief, as temperatures were forecast to rise over the weekend.

Authorities warned of "unfavourable conditions" to tackle flames that have already killed seven people and burned an area the size of London.

It comes as firefighters have been battling to put out blazes across southern Europe in one of the worst summers for wildfires in 20 years.

Friday marked the Feast of Assumption in Portugal, Italy and Spain a major Catholic holiday in which people flock to the beach and host family gatherings. Fires have also devastated areas in France, Bulgaria, Albania and Montenegro, in the last week.

The UK's Foreign Office updated its advice saying there is a 'high risk' of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.

They said: "Wildfires happen often in Spain, including on the islands, during the summer months.

"Be aware of your environment when visiting or driving through woodland areas. For information on wildfire risk visit the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET)."

Smoke rises from a wildfire in As Fermosas, in the Ourense province, Galicia, Spain (REUTERS)

A nearly two-week heatwave and southerly winds were worsening the situation in Spain, Ms Barcones said, as prime minister Pedro Sanchez, said the country was at extreme risk of new wildfires, especially in the north and west.

Spains Civil Guard said it had arrested two men on suspicion of starting fires in Castille and Leon, taking the number of arson arrests to 10 since June.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, nearly 4,000 firefighters have been deployed on several fronts, while the government has extended its state of alert to Sunday.

A dog walks past a cemetery as smoke rises from a wildfire in As Fermosas, in the Ourense province, Galicia (REUTERS)

The wildfires in Portugal claimed the life of Carlos Damaso, a former mayor of the town of Vila Franca do Deao.

Officials said he died while trying to fight the blaze. He was reported missing and his body was found on Friday.

In Galicia, several fires merged together to form a large blaze, which has forced the closure of highways and rail services to the region.

Avincis, Europes largest operator of emergency aerial services, reported a 50% increase from last year in flight hours devoted to firefighting operations in Spain and Portugal so far this season, Reuters said.

Smoke rises from a wildfire near a cemetery in As Fermosas (REUTERS)

Forecasters predict the heatwave will continue to Monday, with temperatures of up to 44C in some areas, as well as moderate winds.

Wildfires are common across Europe in the summer, but their severity can often be exacerbated by heatwave conditions.

In Greece, a wildfire burned out of control on the island of Chios, prompting the evacuation of villagers.

Two planes and two helicopters dropping water were operating in the north of the Aegean island, a popular tourist destination.
The free worlds most celebrated president is showing some mettle in agreeing to a meeting with the leader of the free world. When Volodymyr Zelensky walks into the Oval Office on Monday, he knows hes risking another ambush.

The Ukrainian president is prepared to gamble that hell get another White House schoolyard bullying session, because theres a slim chance that Donald Trump may finally have tired of being played by the Kremlin.

It is now conceivable, just, that Trump is prepared to consider security guarantees for Ukraine that reflect Natos Article 5, which could mean that if Ukraine signed up to a peace deal then its long-term future sovereignty and security would be protected, by force of arms, by allies including the US.

Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, spoke with Trump and went public with the idea (that had been hers in the first place) suggesting that the US president had bought into the concept.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were unable to agree a deal when they met in Alaska on Friday (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

"The crucial point remains security guarantees to prevent new Russian invasions, and this is the aspect where the most interesting developments were recorded in Anchorage," Meloni said.

Meloni said Trump had highlighted an earlier Italian proposal for security guarantees for Ukraine "inspired by Nato's Article 5.

"The starting point of the proposal is the definition of a collective security clause that would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the USA, ready to take action in case it is attacked again," said Meloni.

After his Friday summit with Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Trump said that the two presidents were close to an agreement. He didnt mention peace or a ceasefire and admitted that theres no deal until there is a full deal.

Sources have since confirmed to The Independent that Putin demanded that Ukraine give Luhansk and Donetsk provinces to Russia in return for a freeze on the front lines elsewhere.

Zelensky, they said, would seek clarity on the proposal - which could only be agreed after a referendum in Ukraine.

We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there, Trump said.

That one significant sticking point with Russia might well be that Ukraine and Europe have persuaded Trump that there can be no enduring peace for Ukraine if a ceasefire, or peace deal, is just a pause in fighting while the Kremlin prepares for a renewed conflict.

Putins demand that Ukraine cede two provinces in return for a pause in the killing are certain to be rejected by Europe and Ukraine as they make no commitment to ending Putins long-term desire to take the rest of the counrty.

So far this year Trump has echoed and accepted almost all of Russias conditions for peace. He has endorsed Putins demand that Ukraine can never join Nato. He has accepted that Moscow should keep the Ukrainian lands it has already captured. He has blamed the west for provoking the war with Russia in the first place and has even questioned the legitimacy of the Zelensky presidency itself.

A Ukrainian soldier prepares to fire a howitzer towards Russian positions on the front line near near Kharkiv earlier this week (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Diplomatic sources very close to the European and Ukrainian talks, which followed the Trump-Putin meeting, said that while there was relief that Trump now understood the need for Ukrainian security guarantees.

But details of how it would work  and what concessions Ukraine would be asked to make, are critical. The question is  how can, or will, this work? one senior source said.

If, on arrival in the Oval Office, Trump tells him to accept that he must give away Ukraines east, including Crimea, forever abandon fantasies of joining the EU and Nato and hold elections while his country is occupied (all Russian demands)  then any security guarantees will be meaningless. They will have been part of a Russian effort to see Zelensky enfiladed in the White House, as he was in February.

Europes leaders know this. They have moved fast to wrap Zelensky in diplomatic armour.

"We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump's statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. No limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to EU and NATO, they said.

The leaders  Sir Keir Starmer, Frances Emmanuel Macron, Italys Giorgia Meloni, Germanys Friedrich Merz, Finnish president Alexander Stubb, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen  are warning Trump that, whatever Putin may have told him, he risks a permanent breach with Europe if he stays in the Kremlins camp.

Zelensky has reiterated these principles and that there can be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.

Trump has said he understands this. But his instincts remain with Putin. Worse still is that while the US president is narcissistic and peevish, which makes him easily manipulated by Putin. But he deeply, personally, resents Zelensky.

Both are former television stars. But Ukraines president is perceived as the embodiment of his nations heroism. Trump is seen as a dangerous joke on the international stage. When they meet again in the White House on Monday its unlikely trump will contain his righteous jealousy.
 Penn graduate in WSJ, QuestBridgeGPA,
Three tiki cocktails garnished with fruit - Marian Weyo/Shutterstock

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When most people think of tiki cocktails, they probably bring to mind popular drinks like the Mai Tai, Hurricane, and Zombie. They're definite crowd-pleasers because they're bright, boozy, and bursting with tropical flavors. But they're not the only island-inspired drinks that deserve a try. There are tons of tiki cocktails that are just as fun, creative, and sometimes even more delicious than the well-known staples.

Tiki culture can be traced back to the 19th century, when Americans became enthralled with tales of beguiling tropical islands and vibrant cultures in the South Pacific. That fascination eventually found its way into food, drink, and decor. In 1934, Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt (aka Donn Beach) opened Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood, where he served mainly rum-based cocktails with elaborate garnishes in a setting designed to transport guests to an island paradise. Others would follow suit, like Victor Bergeron, who created the legendary Trader Vic's. It wasn't long before tiki bars were popping up all over the country.

Tiki culture thrived for decades, but began to slowly fade away in the 1970s. However, it's seen somewhat of a resurgence in recent years, with many bartenders and enthusiasts breathing life back into the scene. Some have dug into old recipe books and uncovered cocktails that were once closely guarded secrets and known only to a handful of tiki legends. If you're looking to branch out from your usual tropical concoctions, these are 10 lesser-known tiki cocktails that are worth trying at a tiki bar or whipping up at home.

Read more: 11 Ginger Ale Brands, Ranked From Worst To Best

Cobra's Fang

A Cobra's Fang cocktail on a bar - Maksym Fesenko/Shutterstock

When Donn Beach opened Don the Beachcomber, he didn't want to serve one-note cocktails. Instead, he created elaborate concoctions that often featured a variety of rums, syrups, aromatic bitters, and tropical fruit juices. He kept his cocktail recipes top secret to ensure competitors couldn't recreate them, and even went so far as to make bartenders mix some cocktails behind a wall. However, many of Beach's recipes have come to light thanks to former Beachcomber bartenders and the archives of Beach's wife Phoebe. One creative cocktail that many say deserves more hype is the Cobra's Fang.

Most sources say that the Cobra's Fang was likely created around 1937, which makes it one of the first cocktails on the Don the Beachcomber's menu. It features a base of 151-proof Demerara rum and Jamaican rum. Next up are two ingredients that you don't see around much these days: fassionola and falernum. Fassionola is a syrup made with fruits like passionfruit, guava, and cherries. Falernum is a syrup or liqueur made with ingredients like clove, ginger, and lime. The Cobra's Fang also gets splashes of lime and orange juice with dashes of absinthe and Angostura bitters.

Some recipes for the Cobra's Fang suggest blending all the ingredients with crushed ice, while others recommend shaking them with ice in a cocktail shaker, then straining the cocktail into a glass with crushed ice. Most recipes call for a lime wheel and fresh mint for garnishes. The end result is a cocktail that's fresh and fruity with hints of spices and herbs.

Donga Punch

A Donga Punch cocktail on a bar - avalonhomebar / Instagram

Jeff "Beachbum" Berry is often called "the Indiana Jones of Tiki drinks" because he's put so much work into uncovering lost tiki cocktail recipes that icons like Donn Beach took to their graves. Berry had a stroke of luck when the daughter of Beach's former bartender Dick Santiago reached out and offered him her father's handwritten notes of Don the Beachcomber's recipes. From there, Berry was able to resurrect many forgotten cocktails that were once classics like Beach's famous Donga Punch.

At first glance, the Donga Punch looks easy enough to make because it contains just three ingredients. The first is Martinique rum, which would have been a molasses-based rum in Donn Beach's days. The cocktail also gets tartness from lime juice. But then it calls for something called "Don's Mix," which was an ingredient that Beach crafted himself and even kept the recipe secret from his own bartenders. Fortunately, Berry was able to figure out the formula, which he published in his book "Sippin' Safari."

According to Berry, Don's Mix is made by boiling crushed cinnamon sticks and sugar in water until it turns into a syrup, then letting it cool. Then, you mix one part cinnamon syrup with two parts white grapefruit juice. To make the Donga Punch, you simply combine the rum, lime, juice, and Don's Mix in cocktail shaker, add crushed ice, shake vigorously, and pour the contents (including the ice) into a cocktail glass. Garnishes can include flowers, fruit, or fresh herbs.

Moonkist Coconut

A coconut cocktail garnished with mint - Rimma Bondarenko/Shutterstock

When Bob and Jack Thornton opened the Mai-Kai restaurant and lounge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1956, it was an elaborate affair. The venue was packed with authentic South Pacific artifacts, Polynesian dancers performed shows, and the kitchen put out sumptuous feasts. The brothers also had master mixologist Mariano Licudine behind the bar. Licudine had previously worked at Don the Beachcomber, but at Mai-Kai, he had the opportunity to branch out and create many of his own drinks. One of the most innovative was the Moonkist Coconut.

Creamy, frothy, and sweet, the Moonkist Coconut is a refreshing cocktail that's served in a young coconut. It's been on the Mai-Kai cocktail menu from day one and it's still served the same way to this day. However, some people note that you might receive the drink in an old-fashioned glass if coconuts aren't in season at the time of your visit. That shouldn't persuade you from going for it though because the cocktail tastes pretty much the same either way.

Mariano Licudine wasn't necessarily forthcoming with all of his cocktail recipes, but he did share the recipe for the Moonkist Coconut with Esquire magazine in 1959. It calls for three different rums from the West Indies, Barbados, and Puerto Rico. Those get mixed with lime juice, simple syrup, honey, falernum, coconut milk, and dashes of bitters. Everything gets shaken in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice, then the drink is strained into a coconut with the top cut off or glass.

Dr. Funk

A Dr. Funk cocktail on a table - MorganCampbellPhoto/Shutterstock

While many tiki cocktails were created by bartenders in America during the tiki craze, the Dr. Funk predates even Don the Beachcomber. To uncover its origins, we have to go back to 1879 when a surgeon named Dr. Bernhard Funk decided he'd had enough of Germany, so he set off on a trading ship destined for the South Pacific. He ended up in Apia, Samoa, where he established a hospital and lived out the rest of the days. Apia is also where he created the elixir that would come to bear his name.

Legend has it that Dr. Funk enjoyed the occasional tipple, and one that he shared with many people was a mixture of absinthe, grenadine, lime, and soda water. The drink earned somewhat of a reputation for its reviving properties that some said was like medicine. The drink made its way to other islands in the South Pacific, where it was called the Dr. Funk after its creator. Over time, rum was added to the equation.

Interestingly, Dr. Funk ended up becoming close friends with Robert Louis Stevenson when the author resided in Apia. Little did the two know that they would both have a huge impact on tiki culture. Stevenson sparked many imaginations with his book "Treasure Island" and its tale of tropical island adventures, while Dr. Funk likely sparked just as many conversations with his eponymous cocktail that you can still find on tiki bar menus today.

Kona Coffee Grog

A flaming Kona Coffee Grog cocktail on a bar - joedocg / Instagram

There are countless coffee drinks around the world, but few are as theatrical or elaborate as the Kona Coffee Grog. The drink was created by Donn Beach and it was on the menu at Don the Beachcomber as early as 1941. It features a heady mix of hot coffee seasoned with citrus and spices, then topped with flaming rum. It's definitely a head-turner when it's ordered at a tiki bar. Plus, it will wake you up with its boozy caffeine kick.

Like many of Beach's cocktails, the Kona Coffee Grog involves several steps. For one, you'll have to create an ingredient called "Don's Coffee Grog Batter." Jeff Berry managed to decode the recipe, which he revealed in his book "Sippin' Safari." It consists of an ounce each of unsalted butter and honey mixed with vanilla syrup, cinnamon syrup, and allspice dram (an allspice liqueur). Once you have that ready to go, you can concoct the rest of the grog.

The first step for Beach's Kona Coffee Grog is to add orange and grapefruit peels, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and his signature batter to a mug or glass made for hot drinks. Freshly brewed Kona coffee gets poured over that and the mixture is stirred to make sure everything is incorporated well. The final step is to pour Jamaican rum and 151-proof Demerara rum into a ladle or spoon, light the rums on fire, and (carefully) pour the fiery mixture into the mug. Some people like to garnish the drink with a cinnamon stick.

Demerara Dry Float

A Demerara Dry Float cocktail on a bar - adam.przewieda / Instagram

The Demerara Dry Float is another Donn Beach creation that dates back to around 1941. Like the name suggests, Demerara rum is the key ingredient in this pale orange cocktail that's both tart and sweet. The high-proof rum featured in many of the cocktails at Don the Beachcomber and other legendary tiki bars because of its rich, smoky notes that can add complexity to cocktails and balance out the sweetness of syrups and sourness of citrus juices.

Beach concocted his Demerara Dry Float by combining Demerara rum, lime juice, lemon juice, passionfruit syrup, sugar syrup, and maraschino liqueur in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. The drink was shaken until chilled, then strained into a glass filled with crushed ice. The final step was to float 151-proof Demerara rum on top of the drink. Back in the day, it would most likely have been served in a ringed, streamline tumbler.

Today, you'll find numerous variations of the Demerara Dry Float. Some versions include Puerto Rican or Jamaican rum. Many omit the maraschino liqueur or the sugar syrup. Yet others call for blending the drink with ice instead of shaking it in a cocktail shaker or including the 151-proof rum directly into the drink instead of using it as a float. However, the core ingredients of the 151-proof Demerara, lime juice, lemon juice, and passionfruit syrup tend to stay the same.

Mahukona

A Mahukona cocktail garnished with pineapple - Ilie Lupescu / 500px/Getty Images

Victor Bergeron was another pioneer of tiki culture. In 1934 (the same year that Don the Beachcomber opened), Bergeron opened a saloon in Oakland, California, called Hinky Dinks. At first, it focused mainly on burgers and beer. However, in 1937, Bergeron switched to a tiki theme and eventually renamed the bar Trader Vic's. The bar would become wildly successful and expand to multiple locations across the country. Fun fact: Trader Vic's inspired the name of the Trader Joe's grocery store chain.

Trader Vic's may have included a few of Don the Beachcomber's drinks on its menu, but Bergeron also created plenty of his own cocktails that were just as fun and flavorful as his competitor's. One of those was the Mahukona, a fruit-forward cocktail with notes of sugar and spice. And unlike Donn Beach, he wasn't afraid to share his recipes, so we know exactly how he crafted it.

Bergeron wrote many books on cocktails and bartending, including "Trader Vic's Book of Food and Drink" that dates back to 1946 and includes a recipe for the Mahukona. It starts with Puerto Rican rum (preferably Ron Merito or Brugal) and Triple Sec (preferably De Kuyper or Nuyens). Those get added to a shaker along with crushed pineapple, lemon juice, and sugar. The cocktail is shaken and poured into a glass with bitters and shaved ice, then is garnished with a maraschino cherry. Bergeron noted that the bitters should not be completely mixed in.

Penang Afrididi

Two pineapple cocktails on a table - Narnia Gallery/Shutterstock

Also called the Penang Punch, the Penang Afrididi was created by Donn Beach in the late 1930s. Its name alludes to the island of Penang in Malaysia, which has long been a Southeast Asian trading hub. Like many of Beach's cocktails, it features multiple rums and fruit juices, as well as an interesting ingredient that you don't often see in tiki cocktails to give the drink grassy notes and a slight hint of anise.

Jeff Berry tracked down the recipe for the Penang Afrididi based on former Don the Beachcomber bartender Dick Santiago's notes, and he published it in his book "Sippin' Safari." The drink includes a base of Puerto Rican rum and Virgin Islands rum shaken with lime juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, passionfruit syrup, Pernod, and crushed ice. The result is a drink that's fruity, but not overly sweet, and has interesting undertones of licorice and herbs from the Pernod.

There are several variations of the Penang Afrididi out there. Even Donn Beach had two versions: the #1 as described above and the #2, which included all the same ingredients just cut in half. You might see some versions that include absinthe instead of Pernod and different types of rum. Then there is the Zula from the Mai-Kai, which is essentially a Penang Afrididi with a different name. The Tiki-Ti bar, which opened in 1961, also has a similar drink on its menu called the Penang.

Three Dots And A Dash

A Three Dots and a Dash cocktail garnished with cherries - shamefultikiroom / Instagram

Tiki bars were popular from the 1930s onward, but they really took off after World War II. That's because people were in a celebratory mood after the Allies defeated the Axis forces, and many soldiers returning from overseas felt nostalgic for the South Pacific islands they had visited on their leaves. Donn Beach dialed into that energy with a drink that he called Three Dots and a Dash. The name is a reference to the Morse code for "victory." It's slightly tart and fruity with a nice boozy kick.

Bartenders may play around with the ingredients slightly, but at its essence, the Three Dots and a Dash includes a base of Martinique rum and aged rum from the Caribbean. Then it gets sweetness and herbal notes from falernum liqueur and allspice dram. The spirits get shaken or blended with lime juice, orange juice, honey syrup, and Angostura bitters. Finally, the cocktail is poured into a tall cocktail glass and garnished with cherries and perhaps a slice of pineapple.

The Three Dots and a Dash has been adapted by many people and even modernized. For example, Martin and Rebecca Cate, who are the founders of Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco, suggest flash blending the cocktail in a stand-up blender to give the ice a crushed consistency. They also recommend using a dark Martinique rhum agricole, which is made from cane sugar and offers slight grassy notes.

Nui Nui (Pupule)

A Nui Nui cocktail garnished with an orchid - royalhawaiianoc / Instagram

Jeff Berry certainly had his work cut out for him when started deciphering the Don the Beachcomber cocktail recipes that were scribbled in former bartender Dick Santiago's notebook. That's because Donn Beach often used codes in his recipes to prevent people from discovering his complex combinations of ingredients. Take for example the Nui Nui (also called the Pupule) that featured ingredients like Don's Spices #4 and Don's Dashes #8. Berry managed to figure it out though, which is why we can now make many of those original cocktails.

At first glance, the Nui Nui looks like many other tiki cocktails with its reddish-orange hue. However, take a sip and you'll find an incredibly complex cocktail. That's because it contains a mix of Virgin Islands rum, Demerara rum, allspice dram, lime juice, orange juice, cinnamon syrup, vanilla-infused sugar syrup, and Angostura bitters. It also gets extra aromas and flavors from its orange peel and cinnamon stick garnishes.

Unless you're an avid home bartender, the Nui Nui is probably a drink you want to order at a tiki bar rather than make at home. That's because the process can be a bit complicated, considering you'll likely have to make the syrups from scratch and measure out each liquor, syrup, and juice to get the proportions just right before shaking or blending the drink. If you're up for the challenge, though, it can be ultra rewarding. The cocktail has layers of sweet and sour flavors, as well as some smokiness and lovely baking spice notes.

Read the original article on Chowhound.
The AI boom is driving a massive increase in electricity demand, particularly from data centers, which is expected to significantly increase natural gas consumption in the United States in the coming years. Natural gas is a very positive resource. It is reliable, scalable, and relatively cleaner than other fossil fuels to meet this demand, especially as renewable energy sources like solar and wind face intermittency and weather challenges. Based on recent Wall Street analyst reports and market insights, several natural gas stocks are well-positioned to benefit from this trend due to their roles in production, transportation, and infrastructure.

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Despite the huge market run since April, there is solid value in top natural gas providers.

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We screened our 24/7 Wall St. energy stock research database looking for companies with the most significant presence in the natural gas industry. We also looked for companies that, while not involved in exploration and production, were integral players in the transportation and storage of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Five top companies hit our screens, and all are dividend-paying leaders in their respective areas of the sector. Plus, all are rated Buy by top Wall Street firms that we cover.

Cheniere Energy

As the leading U.S. LNG exporter, Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE: LNG) is positioned to benefit from both domestic AI-driven demand and international energy needs. Natural gas accounts for 43% of U.S. electricity production. And Chenieres ability to scale operations quickly makes it a key player. The companys export capabilities also provide a hedge against domestic market fluctuations. Some across Wall Street feel electricity demand growth could rise as much as 160% by 2030.

Cheniere Energy is a producer and exporter of LNG in the United States. The company provides clean and secure LNG to integrated energy companies, utilities, and energy trading companies worldwide.

The company operates two natural gas liquefaction and export facilities at Sabine Pass, Louisiana (Sabine Pass LNG Terminal) and near Corpus Christi, Texas (Corpus Christi LNG Terminal).

The Sabine Pass LNG Terminal, which has natural gas liquefaction facilities consisting of six operational trains, has a total production capacity of approximately 30 million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG.

The Corpus Christi LNG Terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas, consists of three trains for a total production capacity of approximately 15 mtpa of LNG, three LNG storage tanks, and two marine berths. It also owns and operates a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several large interstate and intrastate pipelines.

Jefferies has a Buy rating with a $288 target price.

EQT

This top company is one of the largest natural gas producers in the U.S., particularly in the Appalachian Basin, and is noted for being a low-cost producer. EQT Corp. (NYSE: EQT) is a premier, vertically integrated American natural gas company. It has production and midstream operations focused on the Appalachian Basin, and it has operations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.

Its strategic position in the Southeast, especially near data center hubs like Northern Virginia, makes it a key supplier for AI-driven energy needs. EQT has secured agreements to supply natural gas to major data center campuses, such as the redevelopment of a former coal plant in Homer City, Pennsylvania, into a natural gas-powered data center.

EQT owns or leases approximately 610,000 net acres in Pennsylvania. Most of the acreage is located in the southwestern region of the state, mostly in Greene and Washington Counties. The company is developing the Marcellus Shale and Upper Devonian Shale in this area. It also owns or leases 405,000 net acres in West Virginia. Most of the acreage is located in the northwestern region of the state, mostly in Doddridge, Marion, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties.

It owns or leases 65,000 net acres in eastern Ohio and is developing the Utica Shale in Belmont County. It operates Utica wells throughout its Ohio acreage. The Marcellus Shale lies nearly a mile or more beneath the surface throughout much of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia.

Jefferies has a Buy rating to go with a $70 target price.

Kinder Morgan

Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE: KMI) is one of North America's largest energy infrastructure companies. This is one of the top energy stocks and remains a favorite among Wall Street, paying a solid and dependable dividend. Kinder Morgan is an energy infrastructure company in North America.

The company operates the largest natural gas transmission network in the U.S., with about 66,000 miles of pipelines transporting 40% of the countrys gas production. It serves 20% of U.S. power demand. That positions it to benefit from the projected 15% to 20% of electricity demand from AI data centers by 2030. The companys extensive gas storage capacity (15% of U.S. total) and fee-based revenue model provide stability and growth potential as gas volumes rise.

Kinder Morgan operates through four segments:

Natural Gas

Products

Terminals

CO2

The Natural Gas Pipelines segment:

Owns and operates the interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline and underground storage systems

Natural gas gathering systems and natural gas processing and treating facilities

Natural gas liquids fractionation facilities and transportation systems

Liquefied natural gas liquefaction and storage facilities

The Products Pipelines segment owns and operates refined petroleum products, crude oil, and condensate pipelines, associated product terminals, and petroleum OKE pipeline transmission facilities.

The Terminals segment owns and operates liquids and bulk terminals that store and handle various commodities, including:

Gasoline

Diesel fuel

Chemicals

Ethanol

Metals

Petroleum coke

Owns tankers

Lastly, the CO2 segment produces, transports, and markets CO2 to recover and produce crude oil from mature oil fields. It owns interests in/or operates oil fields, gasoline processing plants, and a natural oil pipeline system in West Texas. It holds and runs approximately 83,000 miles of pipelines and 144 terminals.

Wells Fargo has an Overweight rating for the shares with a $34 price objective.

Energy Transfer

Energy Transfer L.P. (NYSE: ET) is one of North America's largest and most diversified midstream energy companies. This top master limited partnership is a safe option for investors seeking energy exposure and income, as the company pays a substantial distribution. Energy Transfer owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States. It has a strategic footprint in all the major domestic production basins.

Energy Transfer operates one of the largest integrated midstream systems in the U.S., with nearly 107,000 miles of natural gas pipelines and 235 Bcf of storage capacity. Its strong presence in Texas, particularly the Permian Basin, gives it access to some of the cheapest natural gas in the country. The company is receiving significant inquiries for pipeline projects to serve power plants (45 plants across 11 states) and data centers (over 40 prospective projects), with potential demand exceeding 5 Bcf/d for power plants and 3 Bcf/d for data centers.

Complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate, and interstate transportation and storage assets

Crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL), and refined product transportation and terminalling assets

NGL fractionation

Various acquisition and marketing assets

Following the acquisition of Enable Partners in December 2021, Energy Transfer owns and operates over 114,000 miles of pipelines and related assets in 41 states, spanning all major U.S. producing regions and markets. This further solidifies its leadership position in the midstream sector.

Through its ownership of Energy Transfer Operating, formerly known as Energy Transfer Partners, the company also owns Lake Charles LNG Company, the general partner interests, the incentive distribution rights, and 28.5 million standard units of Sunoco L.P. (NYSE: SUN), and the public partner interests and 39.7 million standard units of USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC).

J.P. Morgan has a Buy rating for the shares with a $23 target price.

Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) manages an industry-leading portfolio of resources and is one of the world's largest integrated fuels, lubricants, and chemical companies. The decline in oil prices presents investors with an excellent entry point, and they will likely seize a strong dividend yield. Exxon is the world's largest international integrated oil and gas company. It explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas in the United States, Canada/South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia/Oceania.

As a major natural gas producer, Exxon benefits from the 43% share of U.S. electricity production powered by natural gas. Its scale and ability to ramp up production quickly make it a strong contender, though its broader focus on oil may dilute its AI-specific upside compared to pure-play natural gas companies.

Exxon also manufactures and markets commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene, and polypropylene plastics, as well as specialty products. Additionally, the company transports and sells crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.

Top Wall Street analysts expect the company to remain a key beneficiary in a higher oil price environment, and most remain very optimistic about the company's sharp positive inflection in capital allocation strategy.

Upstream portfolio and leverage to a further demand recovery. Exxon offers greater Downstream/Chemicals exposure than its peers.

Exxon has completed its purchase of oil shale giant Pioneer Natural Resources in an all-stock transaction valued at $59.5 billion. The deal created the largest U.S. oilfield producer and guarantees a decade of low-cost production.

Piper Sandler has an Overweight rating with a $134 target price.

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The post 5 Strong Buy Natural Gas Dividend Stocks to Play Massive AI Data Center Demand appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..
President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin left the world guessing on Friday after a historic summit that yielded no details about what was discussed, what was agreed to and what remaining sticking points remain to ending the war with Ukraine.

The two leaders holed up behind closed doors for around three hours at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. What they talked about, however, remains largely a mystery as the two leaders, standing side-by-side at a joint news conference, revealed very little of what progress they said was made. They took no questions from the press.

Here are five takeaways from the summit.

No deal on ceasefire but progress made

Trump at the press conference would only tease the fact that the two leaders had a productive meeting and said they agreed on some things, but not others  without offering any details of what was discussed.

I believe we had a very productive meeting. There were many, many points that we agreed on. Most of them, I would say a couple of big ones that we havent quite gotten there, but weve made some headway. So theres no deal until theres a deal, Trump said, adding that he would be calling European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following the summit.

Its ultimately up to them, Trump said.

Putin, for his part, stressed that his nation needs to eliminate what he called the primary roots of the conflict, without elaborating on what those were. He acknowledged that some agreement was made but also did not offer any details.

I would like to hope that the agreement that weve reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine, Putin said. We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively, and that they wont throw a wrench in the works. They will not make any attempts to use some backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress.

There was no mention of several high-stakes components on the table, including the U.S. staving off any further sanctions on Russia, a nuclear arms deal and security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement.

Trump had also teased the notion of having a second meeting that included Zelensky if the Alaska summit proved successful. The president and Ukrainian leader are expected to meet at the White House on Monday, the leaders shared early Saturday.

Trump gives Putin red-carpet treatment

Trump rolled out the red carpet  literally  for Putins arrival in the U.S.

Air Force One arrived at the base first, with Putins presidential plane arriving about a half hour later. Both leaders emerged at the same time, walking down a red carpet and greeting each other warmly.

Trump applauded while the Russian president walked to meet him, shaking hands and giving friendly arm taps while the two exchanged pleasantries before posing for photos. Putin later said at the press conference that he greeted Trump by saying good afternoon, dear neighbor.

In a remarkable move, Putin stepped into Trumps armored presidential limousine, known as the beast, and rode with Trump to the site of the summit at the base. Putin was seen laughing with Trump in the back seat as the motorcade drove away from the tarmac.

The rapport between the two as they greeted one another stood in stark contrast to the sometimes harsh words Trump has had for his Russian counterpart as he struggles to reach a ceasefire deal to end the war with Ukraine.

The meeting gave Putin an equal playing field with Trump.

Putin later spoke first at his joint appearance with Trump, giving him the opportunity to set the tone and deliver a lengthy speech about Russian history and the importance of maintaining relations with the United States.

Much remains a mystery

Despite the talk of progress on both sides, neither Trump nor Putin offered any indication of how Russia and Ukraine had moved closer to a peace deal.

And the press conference ended before reporters could try to fill in the blanks: Will Trump move ahead with sanctions to pressure Putin? Are there any plans for a second meeting involving Zelensky, as Trump had hoped for? Did they discuss territorial concessions or other contours of a peace deal?

Maria Popova, an associate professor of political science at McGill University, said the ambiguity left two possibilities.

The first one is Trump actually realizes that this is a no-go, that theres no progress, in which case he may return to the drawing board with Zelensky and European leaders.

The more pessimistic possibility for Ukraine is that Trump tries to force Zelensky to accept whatever terms Putin outlined.

And when Zelensky and Europe dont want to take the deal, he will blame them for obstructing peace, and hell get angry, and hell say that Zelensky is irrational and about to lose his country.

Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity after the summit, Trump suggested Zelensky would need to make concessions to finalize a deal.

I mean, a lot of points were agreed on, but theres not that much as, one or two pretty significant items, but I think they can be reached, he said. Now its really up to President Zelensky to get it done. And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but its up to President Zelensky.

Carefully choreographed around peace

Fridays meeting was carefully choreographed to bolster Trumps image as a peacemaker. Both the backdrop of the meeting and the press conference were emblazoned with the words Pursuing Peace.

The White House this week touted Nobel Peace Prize endorsements from various world leaders, including the heads of state from Israel, Cambodia, Pakistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan  all of whom were involved in conflicts that Trump helped end.

However, Trump has been unable to halt the war in Ukraine or two of the worlds other major wars: Israels war with Hamas in Gaza, where mass starvation is taking hold, or the brutal civil war in Sudan.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday said shed nominate Trump for the Nobel Prize if he managed to broker peace in Ukraine without giving Russia Ukrainian territory.

Trump insisted the meeting went well despite having nothing to show for it.

Kristina Hook, an assistant professor of conflict management at Kennesaw State University, said Trumps approach to Putin doesnt appear to be working.

Trumps talk of progress seems aimed at generating momentum, but the fundamental obstacle remains: Putin refuses to recognize Ukraines sovereignty or its peoples democratic right to choose their future. Until that changes, diplomacy is largely theater, she said.

Until the U.S. exerts real leverage to push Putin off his maximalist aims and toward respecting Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia will choose to grind the war on.

Trump to call Zelensky, world leaders

Trump said he planned to call Zelensky and NATO allies following the meeting, adding that he also expected to speak again to Putin soon.

Robert Murrett, deputy director of Syracuse Universitys Institute for Security Policy and Law, said he was very encouraged by Trumps commitment to keep allies in the loop. And he said the outcome would not come as a surprise in Europe.

They had no anticipation for a dramatic step forward, a cease fire, any kind of thing, you know, halfway to a peace agreement, he said. I think this is kind of the outcome that most of them expected.

There was no immediate reaction from Zelensky or European leaders on Friday night following the summit.

Trump and Putin briefly discussed the location of their next meeting at the end of their joint press conference.

Next time in Moscow, Putin said in English, chuckling.

Oh, thats an interesting one, Trump said. Ill get a little heat on that one, but I, uh, I could see it possibly happening.

Brett Samuels contributed from Anchorage, Alaska

Updated Aug. 16 at 8:20 a.m. EDT.

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The Canadian government wants an arbitrator to end a strike by Air Canada's flight attendants.

Most Air Canada flights were grounded Saturday, Aug. 16, as the carrier's flight attendants began an indefinite strike. According to FlightAware, 86% of Air Canada's Saturday schedule had been canceled, as well as 96% of Air Canada Rouge's schedule as of 9:20 a.m. ET.

To end the strike, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said she had directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration on both sides. The board will extend the airline and attendants' current collective agreement until an arbitrator determines a new one, she said, in a statement issued Saturday afternoon, Aug. 16.

"I have exercised my authorities under Section 107 of the Canadian Labor Code to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order the parties to resume and continue their operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace and protect the interests of Canada, Canadians and the economy," she said.

Air Canada had no immediate comment about Hajdu's decision, saying "it is premature to comment as the CIRB process is underway."

Canadian Union of Public Employees spokesperson Hugh Pouliot told Reuters the strike will end only when the CIRB issues binding arbitration notice to the parties, which could take a few days.

However, the flight attendant's group decried the government's move as giving Air Canada "exactly what they wanted," in a statement posted on X.

"Air Canada should come and join us in good faith and address the matters that really resonate with our members, said Henly Larden, an Air Canada flight attendant and a vice-president at CUPE, who spoke to Reuters in a shaken voice at Vancouver airport.

Air Canada prepped for strike ahead of walkout

The airline began winding down its operations on Aug. 13 in preparation for the walk-off and warned in a statement that it expects about 130,000 passengers worldwide to be affected each day of the strike.

Flight attendants walked off the job after their union negotiators reached an impasse with the airline management over wages and compensation.

Air Canada is offering a waiver to passengers whose flights might be affected, allowing travelers who booked their flight by Aug. 14 to move their tickets to travel between Aug. 21 and Sept. 12 without paying a fee or fare difference. More information about the waiver is available on Air Canada's website.

AirAdvisor, a consumer airline refund website, suggests that as the strike would impact roughly as 27,000 U.S passengers per day.

While Air Canada is not a major carrier within the U.S., it is a key link across the border and a popular choice for connecting flights to Europe and Asia for American travelers.

According to AirAdvisor, Air Canada has up to 135 flights a day from the U.S. to its hubs in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, with New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Miami seeing the most service. The airline operates some flights from the U.S. to other non-hub destinations in Canada as well.

Flights operated by Air Canada's regional partners, Jazz and PAL, would operate during the strike.

The airline warned that it is trying to get passengers reaccommodated on other carriers, but that seat availability is limited.

"Customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and they will be eligible for a full refund, which can be obtained online at www.aircanada.com or through the Air Canada mobile app. The company has made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide customers alternative travel options to the extent possible," Air Canada's statement said. "Customers will be notified of alternative travel options that are identified for them. However, given other carriers are already very full due to the summer travel peak, securing such capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible."

As a major United Airlines partner, thanks to both carriers' membership in the Star Alliance, United Airlines is likely to see the most overflow for rebookings among carriers in the U.S.

What is Air Canada?

Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline in Canada. As a member of Star Alliance, its partners include United Airlines, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways and a number of other global carriers.

How big is Air Canada in the US?

Air Canada is the biggest airline connecting Canadian markets to U.S. destinations, and also a major option for those looking to connect from the U.S. to Europe or Asia.

What makes this strike particularly disruptive is its timing and scope. Were in the peak summer travel window, when planes are already running at 85-90% capacity and last-minute alternatives are scarce," Anton Radchenko, AirAdvisor's founder, said in a statement. "Air Canada isnt just another carrier; its the primary connector between the US and Canada, handling thousands of passengers daily across leisure, business, and essential travel. When its network seizes up, the ripple effect touches every major US hub, from JFK and LAX to Seattle and Miami."

He said northern U.S. airline hubs are likely to see increased traffic as Air Canada passengers to and from overseas destinations get rebooked through American markets. U.S. passengers heading to Europe via Toronto or Montreal, or to Asia via Vancouver, are also likely to encounter issues during the strike.

Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY; Reuters.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government intervenes in Air Canada strike that grounded flights
Getty Images A bride and groom sitting on chairs.

Planning a wedding is already stressful enough, among finding the perfect fairytale dress, making sure all your loved ones are can make it, keeping the ceremony within budget, writing the perfect vowsthe list goes on and on. Imagine having a mother-in-law who piles on more stress. One woman doesn't have to dream up that nightmareshe's living it, and went on to tell the tale on Reddit.

A user by the name of @_oxytoxicc shared her story on the subreddit r/wedding drama, writing up a post titled, "My (F24) fiances (M27) mom refuses to attend our wedding unless it meets her standards. Is this a battle worth fighting?"

Getty Images A cake topper of a bride, groom, and mother-in-law.

The bride, who lives in Southeast Asia, explained that she and her long-distance boyfriend of two years are planning to get married next year. Her parents are supportive, but the groom's mom isn't, not because she dislikes the bride but because "shes afraid the wedding wont be grand enough and that shell be embarrassed."

The bride shared that her soon-to-be mother-in-law wants a big wedding and insists that the couple invite their co-workers, which they're uncomfortable doing because they're in junior positions. She also told them to postpone the wedding until they're 30 and can "afford something more extravagant," adding that if they still can't manage to do that in a decade, to have the wedding abroad to "avoid embarrassment." Mind you, the mother-in-law hasn't offered any financial support.

Getty Images A wedding set-up.

After trying to reason with her and even suggesting therapy, the mother-in-law refused to comply with the couple and said her side of the family will also be skipping their nuptials.

"This has been a recurring pattern in his family, his mother often acts as if the world revolves around her. She doesnt take no for an answer," the bride wrote. "She says this whole situation is stressing her out and that shes losing sleep over it."

The bride added that, in her culture, weddings are "family-centered," but the groom's parents aren't required to be present. Even so, she says, "deep down, we both want her there."

Getty Images A bride and groom sitting on a bench.

"I dont want my fiance to feel like he has to choose between me and his family," she wrote. "My fiance is a wonderful man and wants to marry me, with or without his moms blessing. But I keep wondering, is this a battle I should keep fighting, or is it something I need to let go of?"

Droves of users shared their reactions in the comments, with one writing, "So, it would be less embarrassing to miss your wedding because she's a snob? Then let her spend the rest of her life explaining to people why she didn't show." Another quipped, "Repeat after me: 'I'm sorry you feel that way,'" while a third penned, "Elope. Start your lives and enjoy them together. That's what matters."

Read the original article on InStyle
Security experts are sounding the alarm that China and the rest of the international community are closely watching how President Donald Trump interacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin after their meeting in Alaska Friday.

The White House said in the lead-up to the talks that the meeting was a "listening exercise," and Trump confirmed he would make neither deals nor concessions when speaking with Putin.

But security experts have warned that this meeting will have consequences beyond the war in Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they meet to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 15, 2025.

"Since China acts as a consistent supporter and enabler of Russia, of course they are watching the talks regarding Ukraine very closely," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene told Fox News Digital during her trip to Washington, D.C., this week.

"Any concession would no doubt serve as an incentive for the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] to undertake a hostile path in the Indo-Pacific as the risk of dire consequences would be perceived as significantly lower."

Trump said he would call his European and Ukrainian counterparts immediately after the Anchorage-based talks and that he hoped the next step would be for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin to meet in person, possibly along with Trump and other European leaders.

Read On The Fox News App

Nato Defense Minister Signals Absolute Distrust That Putin Wants Any Peace Deal Ahead Of Trump Summit

But there also remains speculation over whether the president will look to cut his own deal with Russia, namely in the field of critical minerals, with Trump looking to counter Chinese competition.

Trump on Thursday wouldnt answer questions about whether he is going to seek a critical minerals deal with Putin, instead telling reporters, "We're going to see what happens with that meeting."

But the optics of Trump cutting a business deal with Russia while Putin refuses to end his deadly ambitions in Ukraine could be seen as aiding Moscows war chest and could further signal to Chinese President Xi Jinping that Trump values "deals over deterrence," one East Asian geopolitical strategy expert warned.

A People's Liberation Army member looks through binoculars during military exercises with Taiwans frigate Lan Yang in the background Aug. 5, 2022.

"Beijing will read any permissive deal as expanding latitude for gray-zone pressure on Taiwan, which could strain allied trust in perceived U.S. red lines," Craig Singleton, China Program senior director and senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"China will exploit that doubt, amplifying a deals-over-deterrence narrative and probing coordination gaps from Tokyo and Seoul to Manila.

Could Trump's Meeting With Putin Be The Next Reagan-gorbachev Moment?

"If Washington is perceived as selling out Ukraine, Beijing will learn a simple lesson: Coercion pays and costs are containable," Singleton added. "In that case, Beijing may step up [military] incursions around Taiwan and intensify gray-zone pressure to gauge just how much stability Washington will trade for silence."

But there is one more element to the meetings that has security experts worried  Zelenskyys absence.

Though the meeting was apparently pushed by Putin, who has thus far refused to meet with Zelenskyy despite the Ukrainian presidents calls to do so, his absence when discussing a war taking place on his nations soil could speak volumes to China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Tatarstan Republic, Russia.

"From Beijings perspective, leaving Zelenskyy out widens the lane for a face-saving freeze that locks in Russia's battlefield gains, an implicit nod that great powers can revise borders by force," Singleton said. "Beijing will quietly welcome it and note that Washington entertained settlement talks without Kyiv, a precedent it will pocket for Asia."

Ultimately, he argued, "If aggression pays in Europe, deterrence discounts in Asia."

"For Beijing, the Alaska meeting is the message. Great powers bargaining over smaller states normalizes the world order Chinese leader Xi Jinping prefers," Singleton added.





Original article source: China eyes Trump-Putin meeting, gauges Wests resolve on Ukraine
A rock climber survived two days perched behind a roaring California waterfall before he was rescued earlier this week, authorities said.

The climber, identified as Ryan Wardwell, 46, of Long Beach, California, was reported missing by family on Monday. He failed to return to his vehicle Sunday night following an attempt to rappel a waterfall in the Kern Rivers Seven Teacups area, the Tulare County Sheriffs Office said in a statement on Wednesday.

By the time first responders reached the area in Sequoia National Forest on Monday, it was getting dark, and they were only able to find a possible location for the climber using infrared technology, the sheriffs office said.

A first responder attempts to rescue Ryan Wardwell from behind the Seven Teacups waterfall in Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County, Calif. (Obtained by NBC News)

On Tuesday morning, the office's swift-water dive and search-and-rescue teams used a drone that located Wardwell in roughly the same location, in an apparent cavity behind the waterfall.

"Wardwell was found alive and responsive," the sheriff's office said. "He told Deputies he had come off his rappel lines and got trapped behind the waterfall because of the extreme hydraulics of the river."

He was checked out at the scene and released to family on Tuesday following his rescue, the office said.

Deputy Craig Douglas made the rescue with the help of colleagues and a crew on board a California Highway Patrol helicopter, it said.

"They were able to lower me perfectly right next to him," Douglas said in an interview on Friday. "I was able to get him in a recovery suit, hook him up, get him back into the helicopter."

Wardwell likely suffered from hypothermia, the deputy said.

"He was pretty much just extremely cold," Douglas said.

Temperatures were in the low 60s early Tuesday morning in Ponderosa, a community about 6 miles north of Seven Teacups. The Kern River's North Fork can also run cold, as it's generally fed by the Sierra Nevada's winter snowpack.

Authorities said Wardwell had rappelled the feature previously, but they warned it can be a danger regardless.

Sheriffs Capt. Kevin Kemmerling told NBC affiliate KSEE of Fresno that Wardwell traveled to the waterfall with a group of friends and fellow climbers who decided to retreat after determining rappelling would be too dangerous. He carried on alone, the captain told the station.

He noted that three people drowned at roughly the same location in August 2024.

The sheriff's office said visitors to the river should "always be aware of their environment and capabilities, especially when navigating white water."
Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Denzel Washington

NEED TO KNOW

Denzel Washington was recently asked whether he considers "being canceled" in an interview with Complex News

The legendary actor said, "Who cares?," adding, "What made public support so important to begin with?"

Washington was promoting his latest film Highest 2 Lowest with director Spike Lee

Denzel Washington isn't afraid of cancel culture.

When the legendary actor was asked if he considers being "canceled," in an interview with Complex News, Washington clarified, "What does that mean  to be canceled?"

After being told by interviewer Jillian Hardeman- Webb, "it means you lose public support," Washington replied, "Who cares?"

"What made public support so important to begin with?," he added, while promoting his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, alongside frequent collaborator and director Spike Lee.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

In response, Hardeman-Webb replied that "followers now are currency"  however, Washington still wasn't moved.

"I don't care who's following who," he said. "You cant lead and follow at the same time, and you cant follow and lead at the same time. I don't follow anybody. I follow the heavenly spirit. I follow God, I don't follow man. I have faith in God. I have hope in man, but look around, it ain't working out so well."

Washington reiterated that he doesn't care about being "followed," adding, "You can't be canceled if you haven't signed up. Don't sign up."

The Oscar winner began to laugh and stretch his arms as he told Lee, "Don't get me started. You know, chest is getting tight talking about it."

Lee echoed a similar sentiment and added, "I could care less."

Taraji P. Henson, who saw a video clip of the interview posted to the Instagram account for Complex, commented, "HE BETTER PREACH!!!! Humans dont have that kind of power over my ordained life . #GODIS #MANAINTIT Have a blessed day "

Washington has proven in recent days that he's not one to be moved by public opinion.

During a recent conversation with journalist Jake Hamilton on Jake's Takes, Washington confessed he's not pressed about receiving Academy Awards.

The actor, who has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won two throughout his decades-long career, explained that he doesn't focus on those type of accolades. "I don't do it for Oscars," he said. "I really don't care about that kind of stuff."

Washington continued, "I've been at this a long time, and there's times when I've won, shouldn't have won, didn't win, should have won. Man gives the award. God gives the award. I'm not that interested in Oscars. People say, 'Well, where do you keep it?' I say, 'Next to the other one.' "

"I'm not bragging. I'm just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, it ain't going to me a bit of good," he concluded.

Highest 2 Lowest is out now.



Read the original article on People
jalapeno toppings on a pizza - Eugeniusz Dudzinski/Shutterstock

Spicy pizza is a popular trend these days, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes is just the beginning of the sauces, spices, and peppers people are using for toppings. People are dousing frozen pizzas with hot honey and using Buffalo sauce in lieu of tomato sauce (or even in addition to). Hot sauces are finding their way into pizzas these days, but every hot sauce has a different flavor. That flavor will impact your pizza, so we turned to a couple of experts for direction on how to pair hot sauce and pizza: Mike Fadem, chef and owner of Ops, and chef John True from Turbo Pizza.

No matter the kind of hot sauce, the timing of when you add it to your pizza is one of the underlying influences on the final heat level. Chef True suggested adding it post-bake as a dip or drizzle. "This keeps the heat and flavor vibrant, rather than letting the oven dull them," he said. Chef Fadem explained that both methods add some level of spice and suggested choosing based on your other pizza toppings. He said, "If you add it to the sauce, you're probably choosing the other toppings to go well with the altered flavor profile of the sauce."

Each kind of hot sauce changes the flavor of the pizza, and some are better as dips or baked into the sauce. True outlined a few of the more popular kinds of hot sauce for us, and how to pair them with pizza.

Read more: 10 Frozen Pizzas You Should Keep Out Of The Cart

Sriracha Pizza Brings On The Garlicky Spice

small sriracha bottles - Inga Fortuna/Shutterstock

Sriracha is a medium-spicy hot sauce that John True suggests drizzling on after baking. It's a spicy, vinegary pepper sauce that originated in Thailand and is made from a combination of spicy chili peppers. It's a popular hot sauce to use on all sorts of foods, especially on hot wings or in spicy stir-fry recipes.

Honey sriracha pizza with chicken is a great way to incorporate this pepper sauce into your pizza night, and Hawaiian-style toppings like pineapple and ham are popular for hotter pies. They play well against sriracha baked into the sauce. "It's sweet and garlicky with a mild heat that brightens creamy pies," True said. He recommended adding ricotta, mushrooms, or onions, all of which are enhanced by the hot chilis.

Vinegary Hot Sauces Add A Tangy Heat To Pizza

Franks RedHot - VGV MEDIA/Shutterstock

Frank's RedHot is so popular that it's in the lineup of some of the most popular toppings alongside staples like pepperoni and sausage. Other vinegary hot sauces like Tabasco and Crystal all have that signature tangy, vinegary flavor that can complement quite a few pizza toppings. These sauces introduce a flavor profile that's bold enough to transport you to the Iberian Peninsula.

Case in point, Chef John True's favorite is a green Tabasco on a chorizo pizza with corn and cotija. "[Vinegary hot sauces] cut through rich, fatty toppings beautifully to balance the richness and lift the flavors," he said.

Habanero Hot Sauces Are Great For Sweet And Spicy Pizza Toppings

El Yucateco bottles on a shelf - JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

Sweet and spicy pizza is where habanero shines. Often blended with honey and chicken for a sweet take on a traditional pie, habanero hot sauces like El Yucateco and Marie Sharp's add a bright, sweet, and almost tropical flavor to pizza. It's a sauce that will have you reconsidering your steadfast distrust of pineapple on pizza.

"Use these lightly and always after baking. They bring bold, fiery heat  Marie Sharp's is bright and carrot-forward, great with pineapple, bacon, or jerk chicken," John True said. "El Yucateco is smokier and deeper, better with richer, fattier pies."

Buffalo Sauce Baked In For A Buttery, Tangy Heat

Buffalo Wild Wings buffalo sauce on store shelves - PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock

There are so many different kinds of buffalo sauces out there, like store-bought or homemade versions that have a tangy fire with a little bit of a soft, creamy finish. All of them taste great on pizza, especially on buffalo chicken pizza, according to Chef True: "with mozzarella, chicken, onion, and ranch or blue cheese".

"Buffalo sauce is an exception. It works best baked in as part of a buffalo chicken pizza," True said. "It's tangy, buttery, and spicy, blending into the whole pie." If you need to temper the spice of the buffalo a bit, it's the only time that ranch is acceptable near a pizza.

Mexican Hot Sauces Are Great For A Post-Bake Drizzle Or As Dipping Sauce

Tapatio bottle on a counter - Eudaimonic Traveler/Shutterstock

Mexican hot sauces like Cholula, Valentina, and Tapatio are all about a mixture of bold spice and smoky, sometimes fruity undertones. You'll find these hot sauces on many kinds of meats and seafoods, and on plenty of Mexican foods like tacos and burritos. On pizza, they add a blast of heat with plenty of nuanced flavor. Just remember, for many brands, it only takes a few drops.

"Always add these post-bake to keep their smooth, balanced heat fresh. Tapatio is a favorite  it pairs great with cotija, lime, or avocado and is perfect for street foodstyle pizzas," John True said.

Read the original article on Chowhound.
A Costco employee giving out samples to customer - vietanh85/Shutterstock

As much as I love Costco, sadly, my lifestyle in New York City is not the best for shopping there  especially because I don't have a car. Due to Costco's bulk-selling, that would mean lugging a 50-pack of toilet paper and huge buckets of strawberries on the city bus or subway. Still, when I visit friends in the suburbs, going to Costco is a special treat, and it brings back memories of when I was younger, bulk shopping on weekends with my dad. And for good reason  Costco sells a ton of must-have products for under $5.

Shopping aside, the warehouse is also a great place to eat. The food court is iconic, especially since the Costco hot dog meal remains extremely cheap at $1.50. But true fans know that the free samples are the best part of shopping there. Getting to try a variety of freshly cooked foods is a great way to expand your palate and taste items you otherwise might not purchase. If your goal is to try as many different samples as possible, however, a Reddit user who identified themselves as a Costco employee said that going to Costco at 1 p.m. on a Saturday or Sunday will be your best bet  apparently, the weekend "will always have the most" options to choose from.

Read more: 14 Discontinued Costco Foods We Desperately Miss

Timing Is Everything At Costco

A photo of someone holding free samples at a Costco - 1960s Travis/Shutterstock

According to Reddit, the number of employees distributing samples at Costco peaks between 1 and 2 p.m., which makes it an ideal time to try a wide variety of items. However, weekend shoppers should be prepared for crowds. Many grocery stores are busiest on Saturdays and Sundays, and the post-church rush on Sundays can lead to waits of up to 10 minutes for samples  quite a lot for a tiny bite of something you might not even like.

"If you want unlimited amounts of samples and no lines[,] go on a [Monday or Tuesday]," one Reddit user suggested, adding that "there are less [samples] to choose from" on these days. On the plus side, employees might be more generous on weekdays due to decreased traffic. Therefore, if you're lucky enough to visit Costco when it's serving ultra-fancy samples like caviar and you want to try it multiple times, it may be best to plan your visit for the beginning of the week.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.
Kyle Green, Pool/AP Photo

Convicted murderer Bryan Kohberger did not delete photos from his phone prior to his arrest for the killings of four University of Idaho students.

Investigators discovered that Kohbergers photo roll contained shirtless selfies as well as downloaded images of women who were either fully nude or wearing bikinis, digital forensics expert Heather Barnhart told People in a story published on Friday, August 15.

Lots of him posing half naked in the mirror while flexing, Barnhart said, noting that she didnt know if Kohberger, 30, had sent those pictures to anybody.

He had also photographed his 2016 white Hyundai Elantra, which he drove the night he murdered Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin on November 13, 2022.

Idaho Prison Officials Respond to Bryan Kohbergers Bullying Complaints

"Very vain, like American Psycho," Barnhart remarked of the photos, referencing the 2000 film starring Christian Bale as a serial killer.

In another selfie, Kohberger gave the thumbs-up while standing in the bathroom of his apartment on the Washington State University campus. That photo was taken after he had stabbed the students to death for unknown reasons.

Barnhart said that Kohbergers photo collection featured no images of the victims nor any of friends and family.

The former criminology student was sentenced in July to four consecutive life sentences  one for each homicide  and an additional 10 years for burglary.

Bryan Kohberger Spoke to His Mom Several Times Over the Phone in Hours After Idaho Murders

He had been arrested in December 2024 and charged with the murders after police found evidence including a knife sheath left at the crime scene that contained touch DNA that led back to him.

He initially pleaded not guilty, but later submitted a guilty plea in exchange for removing the death penalty as punishment.

On Friday, Idaho prison officials responded to his complaints of being bullied in prison.

We are aware of Kohbergers complaints about what he considers taunting, an Idaho Department of Corrections spokesperson told People in a statement. Incarcerated individuals commonly communicate with each other in prison.

The spokesperson added that Kohberger is housed alone in a cell at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, Idaho, and noted that security staff maintain a safe and orderly environment for all individuals in our custody.

Disturbing Takeaways From Unsealed Idaho Murders Documents After Bryan Kohberger Gets Life in Prison

Earlier this week, Chris McDonough, a retired homicide detective, alleged that Kohbergers fellow inmates were driving him crazy and tormenting him at night and almost all hours of the day  taunting him through the vents in his cell. They are literally getting up into the grate and yelling at him. The inmates are taking it in turns doing it. Its relentless.
Canned bread on plate with can - Tea Pfau/Instagram

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Is there anything they can't can? If you're from New England or watch "SpongeBob SquarePants," you know about canned bread. If not, you're likely in the dark on how and why they can bread, who actually eats this, and whether it tastes good. We're here to answer all your round brown bread questions.

Canned bread has a surprisingly long history. It's a New England delicacy not only because that's where the main company associated with canned bread is located, but also because of traditions stretching back centuries. It begins with the brown bread of the region, which came about because early settlers realized rye grew better than wheat in the area. These settlers more likely steamed their bread than baked it, too, because there was more access to open fires than ovens. When they wanted to sweeten their bread, they turned to molasses, which had come to New England via trade routes at the time. So steamed brown bread with molasses was a New England tradition for hundreds of years, and in the 20th century, it ended up in a preservation-friendly can.

This is thanks to B&M, founded in Portland, Maine, in 1867. You may know B&M today for its baked beans, another New England staple, but it has canned just about everything from meats to veggies. In 1928, the brand unveiled the locally beloved steamed brown bread in a can, both in plain and raisin-studded versions. Affordable and shelf-stable, these cans made this bread even more prevalent in New England homes.

Read more: 13 Trader Joe's Breads, Ranked Worst To Best

How New Englanders Enjoy Canned Brown Bread

Hand holding plate of sliced canned bread - Shaw's Supermarket/Instagram

There are plenty of clever ways to use canned brown bread, from seafood-based appetizers to apple pies. Canned bread is even a great breakfast option for an upgraded avocado toast. But if you want to enjoy it in its most traditional manner, refer to New England customs.

Many New Englanders see it more as a cake, whether they're eating canned bread in a savory way or not. It is, after all, a steamed, dense bread with molasses. Some grew up eating B&M bread as a sweet snack or dessert. Regardless of the bread-versus-cake debate, though, there's a singular classic meal: brown bread, baked beans, and sliced hot dogs.

If you weren't sold on canned bread before, this might convince you. The molasses in the beans and bread complement each other in sweetness, balanced by savoriness and salt. It's the ultimate comfort meal. Perhaps it's no wonder there's been a resurgence in canned bread popularity in recent years -- it's tasty, cheap, lasts far longer than conventional bread, and is versatile in how it's eaten. Plus, plenty of people have nostalgia for it and spread the word when they move.

By 2022, B&M had moved operations to the Midwest, which sadly takes the company out of New England but stands to broadcast canned bread goodness farther and wider. You can find B&M bread in a can on Amazon, and there are also copycat recipes if you want to make your own.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Key Points

Apple upped its U.S. manufacturing pledge to $600 billion during the next four years.

The companys American Manufacturing Program will expand its partnerships with existing U.S. suppliers.

Apples announcement and related tariff news drove the stock higher last week.

10 stocks we like better than Apple 

Shares of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) jumped higher last week after the company announced it would invest an additional $100 billion to expand its manufacturing capacity in the U.S. The stock also appeared to get a boost from a comment by President Donald Trump, who suggested Apple would be exempt from tariffs he's threatening to levy on imported semiconductors and chips.

Even with last week's pop, the stock was down about 7% this year as of Aug. 13. Was there anything shared during Tim Cook's White House visit that could help the stock make up lost ground? Here are three takeaways from Apple's big week.

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A made-in-America computer chip

Image source: Getty Images

1. Apple takes some tariff risk off the table

With its latest pledge of $100 billion, Apple has publicly committed $600 billion to expand its U.S. manufacturing and supply chain footprint. The initiative, which includes its newly announced American Manufacturing Program, is slated to roll out over the next four years. But it looks like it's bearing fruit already.

During Cook's Aug. 6 visit to the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his threat to impose tariffs that would double the prices of imported semiconductors and chips, which are the building blocks for smartphones and modern electronics. However, the president said those tariffs wouldn't apply to companies like Apple that have committed to investing in U.S.-based manufacturing.

The company got more good news on tariffs that day. Smartphones will continue to be exempt on Indian imports, which the Trump administration is otherwise bumping up to 50% later this month. That's a big win because most iPhones sold in the U.S. are now assembled in India, and the U.S. is the heart of its largest market.

With its $600 billion reshoring commitment, the company appears to have bought some tariff relief -- above and beyond the costs it will avoid by increasing its reliance on domestic manufacturing.

Tariffs have been weighing on the stock this year, so it's not surprising that the shares rallied on last week's news.

2. For now, iPhones won't be made in America

Trump has stated that iPhones sold in America should be manufactured in America. In May, he threatened to slap a 25% tariff on any company that produces U.S.-bound smartphones internationally.

But at last week's press event, Cook said iPhones will continue to be manufactured abroad. While the dream of a made-in-America iPhone goes back several administrations, analysts insist it's just not feasible due to the lack of skilled workers and the high costs of labor in the U.S.

Instead, Apple is focusing on producing more components for iPhones and other products in the U.S., mainly by expanding its partnerships with suppliers such as Texas Instruments, Applied Materials, GlobalFoundries, and Broadcom.

Corning, another established Apple supplier, will dedicate its entire Harrodsburg, Kentucky, factory to making Apple components, thanks to a $2.5 billion investment from Cook's company. The plant will produce all the cover glass for iPhones and Apple Watches -- a first for Apple. The two companies will open a new research and development center at the Kentucky plant as well.

At the White House event, Cook declared that his company is creating "an end-to-end silicon supply chain" in America, "from design to equipment to wafer production to fabrication to packaging." The company estimates that 19 billion American-made chips will be produced for Apple products in 2025.

There's a lot to unpack in Apple's U.S. manufacturing plans. But overall, investors should feel confident that the company is in a strong position to manage tariff risk. Its $600 billion reshoring pledge strengthens its domestic supply chain and builds political goodwill, which could be a competitive advantage if the trade war escalates.

And the size of the company's investment pledge seems to be enough to appease Trump -- thus keeping an American-made iPhone off the table, at least for now.

3. Apple has the right leader to navigate tariff turmoil

Tim Cook's steady leadership was on full display last week, showcasing his supply chain expertise and political savvy. Before being named chief executive officer in 2011, he spent years as the company's operations guru, optimizing a complex global supply chain that now spans more than 50 countries. That experience is paying dividends as Apple navigates escalating tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty.

Zooming out from tariff complexities and trade tensions, the company's market capitalization has grown from $350 billion in 2011 to more than $3 trillion today with Cook at the helm. Even with an $800 million tariff hit in Apple's fiscal 2025 third quarter, diluted earnings per share increased 12% compared to the year-ago period. The company also reported record third-quarter revenue.

In my opinion, last week's high-profile White House visit was a reminder that Cook has the diplomatic chops to maintain productive relationships with world leaders and the business acumen to keep Apple positioned for growth in a challenging trade environment.

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Donald Trumps decision to let Nvidia and AMD export AI processors to China in exchange for a cut of their sales will have repercussions far beyond the U.S.



The semiconductor supply chain is global, involving a wide array of non-U.S. companies, often based in countries that are U.S. allies. Nvidias chips may be designed and sold by a U.S. company, but theyre manufactured by Taiwans TSMC, using chipmaking tools from companies like ASML, which is based in the Netherlands, and Japans Tokyo Election, and using components from suppliers like South Koreas SK Hynix.



The U.S. leaned on these global companies for years to try to limit their engagement with China; these efforts picked up after the passage of the CHIPS Act and the expansion of U.S. chip-export controls in 2022. Washington has also pressured major transshipment hubs, like Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, to more closely monitor chip shipments to ensure that controlled chips dont make their way to China in violation of U.S. law.

Within the U.S., discussion of Trumps Nvidia deal has focused on what it means for Chinas governments and Chinese companies ability to get their hands on cutting-edge U.S. technology. But several other countries and companies are likely studying the deal closely to see if they might get an opening to sell to China as well.

Trumps Nvidia deal tells you that [U.S.] national security is not really the issue, or has never been the issue with export controls, says Mario Morales, who leads market research firm IDCs work on semiconductors. Companies and countries will probably have to revisit what their strategy has been, and in some cases, theyre going to break away from the U.S. administrations policies.

If Nvidia and AMD are given special treatment because theyve paid to play, why shouldnt other companies be doing the same? he adds.

Getting allies on their side

The Biden administration spent a lot of diplomatic energy to get its allies to agree to limit their semiconductor exports to China. First, Washington said that manufacturers like TSMC and Intel that wanted to tap billions in subsidies could not expand advanced chip production in China. Then, the U.S. pushed for its allies to impose their own sanctions on exports to China.

Export controls and other sanctions efforts are necessarily multilateral, yet are fraught with collective action problems, says Jennifer Lind, an associate professor at Dartmouth College and international relations expert. Other countries are often deeply unenthusiastic about telling their firmswhich are positioned to bring in a lot of revenue, which they use for future innovationthat they cannot export to Country X or Country Y.

This translates to refusing to participate in export controls or to devoting little or no effort to ensuring that their firms are adhering to the controls, she says.

Paul Triolo, a partner at the DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group, points out that Japanese and Dutch officials during the Biden administration resisted any serious alignment with U.S. controls, and suggests that U.S allies will be glad to see a major stepping back from controls.

Ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and its trading partners could weaken export controls further.

Chinese officials may demand a rollback of chip sanctions as part of a grand bargain between Washington and Beijing, similar to how the U.S. agreed to grant export licenses to Nvidia and AMD in exchange for China loosening its controls on rare earth magnets.

Japan and South Korea may also bring up the chip controls as part of their own trade negotiations with Trump.

Expect continuing diversions

A separate issue are controls over the transfer of Nvidia GPUs. The U.S. has leaned on governments like Singapore, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates to prevent advanced Nvidia processors from making their way to China.

Scrutiny picked up in the wake of DeepSeeks surprise AI release earlier this year, amid allegations that the Hangzhou-based startup had trained its powerful models on Nvidia processors that were subject to export controls. (The startup claims that it acquired its processors before export controls came into effect).

As of now, the two chips allowed to be sold in ChinaNvidias H20 and AMDs MI308are not the most powerful AI chips on the market. The leading-edge processors, like Nvidias Blackwell chip, cannot be sold to China.

That means chip smuggling will continue to be a concern for the U.S. government. Yet enforcement will be spotty, Triolo says. The Commerce Department lacks resources to track GPUs globally, hence expect continuing diversions of limited amounts of GPUs to China via Thailand, Malaysia, and other jurisdictions.

Triolo is, instead, focused on another loophole in the export control regime: Chinese firms accessing AI chips based in overseas data centers. There is no sign that the Trump Commerce Department is gearing up to try and close this gaping loophole in U.S. efforts to limit Chinese access to advanced compute, he says.

How much will the global supply chain change?

Not all analysts think well see a complete unraveling of the export control regime.

The controls involve a complex multinational coalition that all parties will be hesitant to disrupt, given how uncertain the results will be, says Chris Miller, author of Chip War: The Fight for the Worlds Most Critical Technology. He adds that many of these chipmakers and suppliers dont have the same political heft as Nvidia, the worlds most valuable company.

Yet while these companies may not be as politically savvy as Nvidia, theyre just as important. TSMC, for example, is the only company that can manufacture the newest generation of advanced chips; ASML is the only supplier of the extreme ultraviolet lithography machines used to make the smallest semiconductors.

I dont believe its leverage that the Trump administration will easily give away, says Ray Wang, a semiconductor researcher at the Futurum Group.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Disney/Andrea Micon; Pietro Crocchioni/EPA/Shutterstock Grace Van Patten in 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox' (left); Amanda Knox is escorted into court in 2008 (right)

NEED TO KNOW

In this week's issue of PEOPLE, Grace Van Patten opens up about transforming into Amanda Knox for the new Hulu limited series, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox

The series chronicles Knox's 16-year odyssey following her two wrongful convictions in the death of her roommate in 2007

"I mean, I thought I knew a good amount, and it wasn't even close to the twists and turns that happened throughout those years," Van Patten, 28, says of how the limited series explores Knox's story in a brand-new way

Grace Van Patten is telling Amanda Knox's story like it's never been told before.

In The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, the 28-year-old actress embodies a 20-year-old Knox as she's wrongfully convicted for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, while studying abroad in Italy. The limited series follows Knox's "16-year odyssey to set herself free," and Van Patten says it's an "opportunity to reclaim her story."

"What I thought was so beautiful is, everyone approached it so empathetically. No one's the villain in the story," she tells PEOPLE in this week's issue.

Van Patten has been fascinated by Knox's story since watching her 2016 documentary, but after diving into her world to play her, she says there's so much she never knew.

"It was a crazy, full-circle moment for me because I do remember when this happened. And I remember watching the documentary, and it was around the same time I started acting, and I was so fascinated by the story and Amanda as a human being," the Tell Me Lies star says. "I remember having this dream of playing her one day."

Adrienn Szabo/disney Stefano Cassetti and Grace Van Patten in 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox'

Landing the part left her the most excited she'd ever been for a project, but also with "the most nerves I've ever had."

"I had never played a real existing human in the world, so that was very new for me. And the main thing for me was what involvement Amanda was going to have in it."

Take PEOPLE with you! Subscribe to PEOPLE magazine to get the latest details on celebrity news, exclusive royal updates, how-it-happened true crime stories and more  right to your mailbox.

Knox, now 38 and a mother of two, is an executive producer on the series. Van Patten cannot emphasize enough how "trusting" she was of her throughout the process.

"How willing she was to talk to me and trust me, it felt very beautiful and emotional because of how people have created this narrative of her whole life," she says.

The limited series brings new things to light about Knox's story that haven't been told before.

"I mean, I thought I knew a good amount, and it wasn't even close to the twists and turns that happened throughout those years," she teases. "It's new information that the public does not know  especially in that last episode."

Van Patten's main goal for The Twisted Tale is that people "go in with an open mind and just base whatever opinion they're going to find on facts, and not what they thought they knew, or what they read at the time."

"Most people did just read the headlines of her being this sex-crazed young girl, murderous, villainous, which couldn't be further from who she is," she adds.

Taylor Hill/WireImage Grace Van Patten attends the 2023 Academy Museum Gala

She knows that a lot of viewers will be going in with "preconceived opinions" on Knox, but encourages people to be "open to having those perspectives change."

"The whole downfall of this whole story is how people were just totally brainwashed by the press and media," she continues, referring to the international frenzy that unfolded when Knox was charged and imprisoned in 2007.

"It just felt very, very important to me, which I haven't experienced doing a job before  the importance of telling something that really should be told."



https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

In 2015, Knox was exonerated by Italy's highest court, four years after she won an appeal and left an Italian prison in 2011. Last year, her previous conviction for slander was upheld, and despite an attempt to appeal that decision, she was rejected. She said on her podcast, Labyrinths, following the rejection, "I'm feeling just kind of f------- numb."

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 Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox premieres Aug. 20 on Hulu with the first two episodes, followed by weekly releases through Oct. 1.

Read the original article on People
Getty Images Heidi Klum during an interview on August 6

The Gist

Heidi Klum put a romantic twist on the naked dress as she supported husband Tom Kaulitz at a concert on Friday, August 15 in Berlin, Germany.

While celebrating his brand Tokio Hotel's first single, which debuted 20 years ago, Klum showed off a sheer white lace dress with bold hip cutouts.

Klum's son Henry also made a rare joint appearance at the concert.

Heidi Klum was her husband Tom Kaulitzs biggest fangirl as she helped the Tokio Hotel guitarist celebrate a special career milestone. As the German pop rock band rang in the twentieth anniversary of their first single Durch den Monsun with a Friday, August 15 performance in Berlin, Klum gave the little white dress a naked dressing update as she and her son Henry supported Kaulitz from the audience.

The Project Runway judge turned heads in a sheer white lace dress with a romantic off-the-shoulder neckline and a completely see-through, lingerie-inspired bodice that bared her midriff. Klum added some spicy elements to her plunging dress with bold hip cutouts and a completely sheer white lace skirt, which featured ruching on the side and a dramatic hip-high slit. The cheeky, see-through design showed off her legs as well as a pair of white stiletto booties.

Getty Images Heidi Klum in a white lace sheer dress at Tom Kaulitz's Tokio Hotel performance on August 15

Klum leaned into a boho chic glam for the evening, styling her blonde hair and shaggy bangs in casual waves. Accentuating her features with a subtle smoky eyeshadow and nude lips, the former Victorias Secret Angel accessorized with a chunky silver choker necklace and statement silver earrings. Meanwhile, Klums son Henrywhom she shares with ex-husband Sealmade a rare joint appearance as he was spotted sitting next to his mom wearing oval sunglasses and a striped athleisure shirt during the performance.

Getty Images Heidi Klum in a white lace sheer dress at Tom Kaulitz's Tokio Hotel performance on August 15

Getty Images Heidi Klum in a white lace sheer dress with son Henry at Tom Kaulitz's Tokio Hotel performance on August 15

Klum shared several photos from the evening on her Instagram and Story, including an image of her enjoying a bite to eat and a photo of her passionately kissing Kaulitz that displayed the backless design of her white dress. She captioned the PDA-packed image, Always and forever with a red heart emoji.

Read the original article on InStyle
Lawmakers and activists in Europe and the United States are scrambling to stop the State Department from destroying nearly $10 million worth of contraceptives funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The contraceptives have been sitting in a warehouse in Belgium for months after President Trump froze all U.S foreign aid and shuttered USAID earlier this year.

They are not even close to being expired, said Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, president and CEO of reproductive health rights group PAI, adding the government could redistribute them or could let an entity or a set of entities acquire them, but the administration has opposed that.

Lawmakers, activists and reproductive health nonprofits alike have decried the move as a waste of taxpayer money that will hurt millions of women and girls in the developing world.

Its a death sentence thats written in policy, Kazi Hutchins said.

More than 75 percent of the stockpile was earmarked for five countries in Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mali and Congo, according to a report from the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

The nonprofit estimates that if the supplies are incinerated, 1.4 million women and girls across those countries will go without access to life-saving reproductive care.

The United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, tried to buy the contraceptives but was rejected, as was the London-based reproductive health care group MSI Reproductive Choices, a spokesperson told The Hill.

Since then, the government of Belgium has tried to appeal to the U.S. Embassy in Brussels to protect the contraceptives.

[The Ministry of] Foreign Affairs is exploring all possible avenues to prevent the destruction of these stocks, including their temporary relocation, foreign ministry spokesperson Pierre Steverlynck said.

To avoid prejudging the outcome of these discussions, we are not in a position to provide further information at this stage.

Democratic lawmakers have introduced two bills, one in the Senate and another in the House, to force Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure that food supplies and contraceptives that have already been procured are sent to their intended beneficiaries before they expire.

Dozens of lawmakers, led by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), have also sent a letter to acting Inspector General Arne B. Baker requesting an investigation into the mismanagement of the contraceptives.

French family planning activists have rallied to try to stop the destruction of the contraceptives, and left-leaning French politicians have urged President Emmanuel Macron to intervene and take control of the stockpile.

Several French female lawmakers, including the head of the countrys Green Party, Marine Tondelier, wrote an open letter to Macron calling the cutting of aid for contraceptives shameful and arguing that since the items are scheduled to be destroyed in France, France has a right to stop it.

The French government contends it cannot legally save the contraceptives unilaterally. Melissa Camara, a French member of the European Parliament who also signed the letter, called on the European Commission to intervene. The commission said it was monitoring the situation and exploring solutions, according to The New York Times.

The contraceptives were meant to be burned at a medical waste facility in France last month, but it is unclear if this has happened. PAI, MSI Reproductive Choices and other reproductive health groups are working to find out where the commodities are and when they will be destroyed, but they have received radio silence from the State Department and officials in Europe.

It could happen in the next week or in the next several months, nobody really knows, Kazi Hutchins said.

One French family planning group, Le Planning Familial, told The Hill that the contraceptives have left the warehouse in Belgium and are headed to an unknown destination.

Le Planning Familial President Sarah Durocher said the organization is still applying pressure on the French government to save the contraceptives through petitions and social media campaigns.

The earliest that any of the contraceptives in the stockpile are set to expire is in 2027, according to the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

Still, a spokesperson for the State Department told The Hill earlier this week the agency made a preliminary decision to destroy abortifacients  substances used to induce abortions  within the stockpile, but that no HIV medication or condoms will be destroyed.

The stockpile is a mix of hormonal birth control pills, shots, implants and IUDs, none of which can be used to perform an abortion, according to reproductive health nonprofits with knowledge of the supplies in Belgium.

One source who visited the warehouse housing the stockpile in Belgium told The Hill that they did not see any abortifacients among the supplies. Under federal law, USAID is also not allowed to purchase abortifacients.

Its a lie, said Sarah Shaw, associate director of advocacy at MSI Reproductive Choices. Its a blatant attempt to misrepresent a couple of contraceptive methods and to stigmatize the women who use them.

A spokesperson for the State Department did not respond to The Hills questions about the stockpile or why they believe it has abortifacients.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

After years of reality TV fame, Kate Gosselin has returned to the career she had before she stepped in front of the cameras.

The Pennsylvania native worked as a labor and delivery nurse when her familys Discovery Health/TLC series, Jon & Kate Plus 8, first aired in 2007. However, she ultimately left the nursing field to be a stay-at-home mom to the eight children she shares with ex-husband Jon Gosselin: twins Mady and Cara and sextuplets Collin, Hannah, Joel, Aaden, Alexis and Leah, as seen on the show. (Jon & Kate Plus 8 became known as Kate Plus 8 following the eponymous couples divorce in 2009.)

During her time on Kate Plus 8, Kate was also a contestant on Dancing With the Stars in 2010. Her family also appeared in a 2013 episode of Celebrity Wife Swap. Additionally, two years after Kate Plus 8 came to an end in 2017, Kate starred in a dating show spinoff called Kate Plus Date. It aired for one season on TLC in 2019.

In 2021, Kate, Alexis, Aaden, Leah, and Joel moved to Troutman, North Carolina, where she obtained her multi-state, registered nurse license. Though the license expired in 2023, Kate revealed in August 2025 that she had once again returned to nursing after another brief reality TV stint.

Kate Gosselin Confirms She Joined TikTok: This Is Actually My Account

Below, Us Weekly breaks down everything we know about Kates job:

What Is Kate Gosselin's Job?

Kate shared more about her current job via a TikTok video in August 2025, revealing that she works as a pediatric home health nurse.

Im working with one family right now. I used to work with two, but I couldnt balance the schedule. I work part-time to full-time with them, I go in there, I do all the medical care, obviously, as well as bathing, feeding, dressing, all the things. We play and have a lot of fun. Its actually a lot of fun.

Kate Gosselin/TikTok

In another video, Kate addressed whether her patients family recognizes her from her reality TV days.

The patients already know my name and some things about me, so before I come into their home, they know who I am, and I imagine they already know its me, she said. Theyve been very lovely and very happy to have me and asked me advice, in fact, on their older kids that are teenagers. So its been actually a really rewarding and fun job.

Kate renewed her nursing license in 2025 after she briefly returned to reality TV in 2023, appearing on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. She was eliminated in the first episode due to an injury.

How Much Is a Salary for a Pediatric Home Health Nurse?

The average salary for a pediatric home health nurse in North Carolina is $69,385 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

Jon Gosselin and Kate Gosselins Family Album With 8 Kids Through the Years: Photos

Why Kate Gosselin Works 12-Hour Shifts

In another TikTok video, Kate candidly explained why she had been working 12-hour shifts, revealing via the comments section that reality TV doesnt pay as well as it should when you have to provide for 8 kids on your own.

Honestly? Providing for 8 kids, college funds which I am proud to say covered all of their college and more and LAWYERS, she wrote. Sickening but I was drug [sic] into court constantly and that costs A TON. Sad bc my kids could have a lot more saved and I could have a retirement saved if it werent for lawyers :(. Its okay. Im helping other families and I feel needed and I enjoy helping.
Paul Archuleta/Getty Jillian Michaels at Universal Studios Hollywood on December 22, 2020

NEED TO KNOW

Jillian Michaels appeared as a panelist on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip on Thursday, Aug. 14

The panel discussed President Donald Trump's order for a review of the Smithsonian Institutions exhibits

During the conversation, Michaels expressed her opinions about White people regarding slavery, race, and the exhibits



Jillian Michaels doubled down on her thoughts on White people in a heated debate on live television about slavery, race, and the Smithsonian Institutions exhibits.

The conversation began when The Biggest Loser trainer joined a panel on CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip on Thursday, Aug. 14, who were discussing President Donald Trump's order for a review of the Smithsonian Institutions exhibits.

The Trump administration sent a letter on Tuesday, Aug. 12, to the Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, explaining that the goal of the internal review was to ensure the exhibits celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.

Bill Pugliano/Getty President Donald Trump during a campaign event at Alro Steel on August 29, 2024

Michaels argued that Trump is "not whitewashing slavery," adding, "You cannot tie imperialism and racism and slavery to just one race, which is pretty much what every single [museum] exhibit does."

After some of her panelists wanted to chime in, Michaels said, "Do you realize that only less than 2% of White Americans owned slaves? You realize that slavery is thousands of years old?"

Phillip, in response, told Michaels, "Im surprised that youre trying to litigate who was the beneficiary of slavery. In the context of American history, what are you saying is incorrect by saying that it was White people oppressing Black people?"

Every single thing is like, 'Oh, no, no, no, this is all because white people are bad and that's just not the truth,' " she said. "Every single exhibit, I have a list of every single one like people migrated from Cuba because White people are bad, not because of Castro. Yes. No, its in there."

She then discussed a Smithsonian installation she called Change Your Game that highlights the complexities of gender testing in sports, declaring, "Is it fair to have biological men competing against biological women in sports? No. But why is this in the Smithsonian?

After Phillip said there wasn't enough time to debate everything Michaels was saying, she claimed that "everything is racialized."

Presley Ann/FilmMagic Jillian Michaels attends KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2018 Presented By Capital One at The Forum

A confused Phillip answered, "This was a conversation about the arts. And you brought up race." Michaels insisted that her point was that "when you make every single exhibit about White imperialism when it isn't relevant at all, that is a problem."

So when youre talking about Cubans leaving Cuba and you make it about White people bad, thats not accurate, said Michaels.

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After the segment aired, Michaels doubled down on her comments on X, by showing a photo of one of the exhibits and writing, "Trump is not trying to 'erase slavery' by suggesting some of the instillations there are inaccurate and bias."

Read the original article on People
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics Tabatha Zimiga.

NEED TO KNOW

Tabatha Zimiga, a horse trainer from South Dakota, stars as herself in a new film, East of Wall, which premieres on Aug. 15

For years, she's shown teens, who have found refuge at her 1,200-acre ranch, how to train the horses that everyone else has given up on

"Sometimes, it's the danger that makes it so beautiful," says Tabatha

Porshia Zimigas long, brown hair flicks in the wind as she races a horse so fast across the open plains that a cloud of dust is left in her wake. A pickup truck speeds alongside on a dirt road as the teens mom, Tabatha Zimiga, cheers her on from the passenger seat, a cellphone in her hand to film the wild ride.

The moment, captured in the new film East of Wall, is one of many vivid scenes showcasing the mother and daughters connection with their horses  and each other  outside of South Dakota's austere, but beautiful Badlands National Park.

Horses have telepathy, they really do. Horses feed off of your vibes, your emotions, your energy, Tabatha, a 37-year-old horse trainer, tells PEOPLE in a joint interview with her 18-year-old daughter ahead of the modern-day westerns release on Friday, Aug. 15. The way Porshia presents her energy and her emotions to the horses  they want to be with her. They trust her. It's always been that way.

Tabatha shares her daughters almost magical ability with horses as she works on her late fiances ranch, the Flyin N, located just 11 miles north of Interior. The mom of three has made her living by saving more than 1,000 horses so far. She rehabilitates them and sells them on TikTok and in sale barns across the country.

With her half-shaved head of long, blonde hair, and a team of teens and young adults who are quick to show off their skills on the horses they helped train, Tabatha has made waves in the New West, as she calls it. They see me and they're like, She can't ride a horse,  says Tabatha of peoples first impression of her when she entered the male-dominated industry. Now everybody knows who I am.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

The rancher has also had a profound effect on the teens who have come to live on her 1,200-acre ranch over the years. Either seeking a safe haven or freedom, the teens help break the horses that nobody else wants. Now Tabathas story is being told in the semi-autobiographical film that premieres in theaters across the U.S. on Friday.

Tabatha says she has some anxiety about appearing in the film. (East of Wall stars some seasoned actors like Jennifer Ehle, who plays Tabathas mom, but Tabatha, Porshia and others on the Flyin N Ranch play themselves.)

I feel like I'm being cut open for everybody to kind of poke and prod, Tabitha says.

Despite the nerves, Tabatha is unapologetically herself. As she told the films director and her good friend Kate Beecroft when they first met, You want to see some cowgirl s---?

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics Porshia Zimiga, Leanna Shumpert and Brynn Darling.

Raised on a ranch in southwestern South Dakota, Tabatha was just 16 when she had her first child, son Chevy, in 2005, followed by Porshia two years later.

It was hard, but he taught me a lot, Tabatha says of being a teen mom. Your firstborn always teaches you so much He calmed me down from the wild child I was being.

With her mom and grandmothers support, Tabatha earned a living by waitressing and taking on odd jobs until she started training horses. It was a return to the cowboy way of life she experienced as a kid, when she would work with horses on her familys cattle ranch.

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Tabatha and the father of her two eldest children split up when Chevy was 7  and a new chapter of her life began when she fell in love with John Neumann, whom she affectionately describes as a gruff old-school cowboy with 80 head of horses on his familys ranch in 2013.

We learned a lot of different, old-school cowboy ways with John, says Tabatha. He's actually learned a lot of softness from us.

In December 2018, Tabatha and John welcomed their son Stetson. Six months later, John, then Tabathas fiance, died by suicide.

I was in a really, really dark place after John for a little bit there, says Tabatha, who remembers drinking Johns favorite drink, even though she doesnt normally consume alcohol, and then riding colts. It wasn't safe, but I would do it all the time, she recalls.

Tabatha and Porshia both navigated their grief with the help of their beloved horses.

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics Chancey Ryder Witt (as Ryder), Jesse Thorson (as himself) and Porshia Zimiga (as herself).

Tabatha says some of her grief eased after she met her current partner, Clay Pateneaude, 28, who has helped raise Stetson. (The ranch was left to Stetson, but as a representative of John's estate, Tabatha will remain in charge until their son turns 18.)

Despite never having ridden a horse before meeting Tabatha, Clay now works with the horses in a way that awes both her and her daughter. Together, they make up a new kind of family, with horses at the center.



Jesse Thorson, 20, who also stars in the film, says Tabatha has taught him much of what he knows about breaking horses.

I love the way that she can go around a horse and the way she can look at a horse and tell what's wrong with it, he says of Tabatha. She could just tell that spot on. I love that about her because she raised me that way.

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics Tabatha in 'East of Wall.'

While Jesse and his girlfriend come back to visit often, Leanna Shumphert, 16, and her mom have lived on the property since 2020. Being on the ranch has been life-changing, says Leanna, who made her acting debut in the film.

You find love with people and animals, it really teaches you that blood doesn't always matter, she says, adding that the connection shes found with the horses is something that you cannot replace.

Just as much as the kids need the horses, the horses need the kids, says Tabatha of the teens, like Jesse and Leanna, who have spent summers at the Flyin N.

Even after the cameras stopped rolling, her three kids and their friends  their chosen family  have continued to race across the Badlands and save the horses that other people dub outlaws, renegades, not worth it.

As Porshia and Tabatha explore the new world of acting, the Badlands will stay with them.

Says Tabatha, Sometimes, it's the danger that makes it so beautiful.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.



Read the original article on People
Death Valley, USA Marco Bicca | Unsplash

(The Center Square)  Louisiana is fast becoming a hub for processing critical minerals, rare earths and electrolyte salts used to produce lithium-ion batteries, with one plant operating successfully and seven more now under construction around the state.

The Trump administration and U.S. producers are racing to wean the country from dependence on imports from China.

Second-term Republican President Donald Trump on March 20 signed an executive order titled "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production" which is aimed at boosting domestic production of critical minerals and reducing reliance on foreign supplies. China has dominated the often dirty, capital-intensive business of processing critical minerals and rare earths for three decades.

Since 2022, companies planning and building plants in Louisiana that will process rare earths, critical minerals, and components of lithium-ion batteries have received more than $1 billion in grants, loans, and tax credits from the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense and the state of Louisiana.

The Trump administration Wednesday proposed $1 billion of additional funding for the Department of Energy aimed at sponsoring partnerships to develop and scale up mining and processing technologies in the critical minerals and materials supply chains. The funding proposal includes up to $500 million for the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, which is to be used to boost U.S. processing of critical minerals and battery manufacturing.

At England Airpark in Alexandria, Ucore North America Rare Metals Inc. began construction in May on a plant that will separate rare earth metals from oxides shipped to the facility through the Port of New Orleans. Ucore received Department of Defense grants totaling $22.4 million to design and build the plant and was chosen for $15 million in tax exemptions by Louisiana Gov. Jon Bel Edwards in 2023. England Airpark, a repurposed Air Force base, is a duty-free zone.

Ucores Alexandria plant will process rare earths neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium to purities of 99.9% for use in the production of permanent magnets, which are crucial in manufacturing a variety of high-tech applications including electric vehicles, wind turbines, cellphones, computer hard drives, robotics and military.

Ucore expects to begin processing at the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex in June 2026 with initial production targeted at 3,000 tons of rare earths per year and output in 2027 projected to reach 12,000 tons per year. Ucore will use a solvent extraction process to separate the metals.

Louisiana Economic Development estimates Ucores rare earths processing plant will bring 100 direct jobs and 298 indirect jobs to the Alexandria area. Ucore has received grants and tax credits totaling about $267 million from the Departments of Energy and Defense to support project planning and construction.

In Vidalia, about 70 miles east of Alexandria, Syrah Technologies began production in 2024 at its graphite processing plant near the Mississippi River and the company is now scaling up outputs. Syrah is the only U.S.-based supplier to refine graphite to the 99.5% purity level required by industrial and military users. China is the world's largest graphite supplier, accounting for 78% of global production in 2024, according to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Syrah, the U.S. subsidiary of an Australian mining company, is ramping up production at the Vidalia plant as the Trump administration considers imposing Section 232 tariffs of 93.5% on anode graphite imported from China. In July, the Commerce Department found that anode graphite imported from China is being sold in the United States at less than fair market value. In October, the Trump administration will release a Section 232 report on U.S. imports of anode graphite from China which will establish a tariff rate that will go into effect in December.

Syrahs Vidalia plant processes flake or natural graphite mined in countries that are part of the U.S. battery supply chain. In 2024, there was no flake graphite mined in the United States, although synthetic graphite was produced. Manufactured synthetic graphite has a carbon footprint five times that of mined and processed flake graphite, and it is also far more costly to produce.

The typical electric vehicle battery contains more than 200 pounds of anode graphite, which has thermal and electrical properties that also make is essential in the production of F-35 fighter jets, the barrels of heavy artillery guns, the cones forming the tips of missiles, and satellites. Syrah signed a deal with Tesla calling for the company in January 2025 to begin supplying spheroid graphite processed for use in EV batteries.

Syrahs Vidalia processing plant employs 88 people, with a planned expansion expected to result in an additional 88 jobs. In 2022, the Department of Energy awarded Syrah a $220 million grant and loaned the company $102.1 million.

In south Louisiana, construction work has begun on three plants that will produce electrolyte salts critical in battery production. One of the electrolyte production plants is in Jefferson Parish and the other two are in St. Gabriel and Geismar.

In Jefferson Parish, Japanese chemical company UBE Corp. in February began construction on a $491 million facility at Cornerstone Energy Park configured to produce dimethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate, essential components in lithium-ion batteries. Jefferson Parish provided $80 million in tax breaks over the course of 10 years through the Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

In nearby Iberville Parish, United Kingdom-based Koura Global is reportedly retrofitting its existing plant in St. Gabriel to manufacture lithium hexafluorophosphate, known also as LiPF6, a component that allows for the efficient flow of electricity through lithium-ion batteries. Koura has previously estimated the facility would produce 10,000 metric tons of LiPF6 per year.

Koura has said it expects to spend more than $400 million on the project. In 2022, under the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Koura with a $100 million grant to develop LiPF6 production. It is expected that the plant will become operational in 2026. The plant would be the first of its kind in the United States.

In Ascension Parish, the Energy Department in September 2024 awarded Battery Materials Processing Grants to Element 25 (Louisiana) LLC and Honeywell International Inc. to support production of battery components.

The Energy Department awarded $126.4 million to Honeywell to boost supply of Lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, also called LiFSI, which is a critical component in lithium-ion batteries and batteries designed for large-scale energy storage systems. Honeywells production facility in Geismar will be the first of its kind in the United States, according to Department of Energy.

The Energy Department's 2024 grant to Element25 for $166.1 million supports construction of the companys refining facility in Burnside, which will produce high-purity manganese sulfate monohydrate, or HPMSM, a component in lithium-ion batteries. The plant will be the first of its kind in the nation, federal officials say. Element25 plans to import manganese concentrate from the companys Butcherbird mine in Australia.

In Louisianas northeast, Exxon and other companies are searching for underground brine high in lithium content. Underground brines are high-salinity waters associated with salt deposits deep underground that often contain oil and lithium. Successful extraction of lithium from brines found underground across the state line in northeast Texas and south-central Arkansas indicate the mineral is present in large quantities in Louisiana, too.

In May, Louisiana State University Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering Associate Professor Ipsita Gupta received a $261,000 research grant funded by the U.S. Department of Energys Geothermal Technologies Office to study minerals extracted from brines in the states oil fields.
The man was detained outside a Los Angeles courthouse on Wednesday by a group of men, some of whom wore masks, video showed. - LA Public Press

A man yelled for help as a group of men  one of whom said he was with Immigration and Customs Enforcement  picked him up and pushed him into a car outside a Los Angeles courthouse Wednesday, video shows.

The detention has been condemned by the countys top judge and the mans lawyers, who said such operations will deter people from showing up to court.

Video obtained by the Los Angeles Times shows the man being carried away with his hands bound behind his back. Those detaining him are in plainclothes, and some are wearing masks. The detained man repeatedly screams, Can you help me, please? as his body flails.

The man is then pushed into the back seat of an unmarked car. Its not clear where he was taken.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin later identified the man as Steven Reyes-Luna in a statement to CNN Saturday.

ICE arrested Steven Reyes-Luna, a criminal alien from Guatemala, outside a courthouse following a preliminary hearing for his drug trafficking charges on August 13, 2025, McLaughlin said. This criminal entered our country under the Biden Administration in 2024. A judge issued a final order of removal on March 27, 2025.

The incident happened as ICE increasingly make arrests at courthouses under recent guidance from the Trump administration.

Los Angeles County Superior Courts presiding judge issued a critical statement in response to questions about Wednesdays incident, saying such operations will have a negative effect on the judicial system.

While the court is rarely notified of federal immigration enforcement activity occurring outside our courthouse, I am deeply disturbed by such actions, the presiding judge, Sergio C. Tapia II, said in a release.

These intimidating and unnecessary displays undermine public trust in the justice system, deter people from seeking justice, and send a dangerous message to immigrant communities that they are not safe to fully and freely participate in the legal process.

Court records show Reyes-Luna, who is represented by the Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defenders Office, had an appearance at the countys criminal justice center Wednesday on a state felony charge of having or buying illegal drugs with the intent to sell them. Records show he had pleaded not guilty to the charge on July 31 and was free on his own recognizance.

These alleged ICE agents, without a warrant or any explanation, clearly deprived our client of his liberty without due process, Public Defenders Office spokesperson Jenny Cheng said in an email to CNN.

It shocks the conscience to see any human violently abducted by a group of mostly masked unidentified individuals. Such aggressive ICE abductions threaten the integrity of the court system and discourage participation.

It comes amid increasing ICE courthouse arrests

Wednesdays detention happened outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, according to the Times and the L.A. Public Press, which told CNN it obtained the video from a witness and published a shorter, edited clip on social media.

In the longer video published by the Times, an onlooker asks one of the men detaining Reyes-Luna whether he is from ICE. The man responds, yes.

When further questioned by an onlooker, the man quickly flashes a badge twice. While the footage is too blurry to show exactly what the badge says, it resembles a Homeland Security Investigations badge.

The person who appears to be taking the video asks if the men have arrest warrants, and the men do not respond to that question.

Its unclear where Reyes-Luna is being detained following his arrest.

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security previously operated unde r guidelines that limited immigration enforcement at or near courthouses, but the Trump administration rescinded those guidelines shortly into the presidents second term. Masked law enforcement officers have been showing up at courthouses across the country to arrest migrants.

Trump officials have argued the previous guidance hampered the ability of immigration enforcement officers to apprehend people they say are dangerous individuals.

The ability of law enforcement to make arrests of criminal illegal aliens in courthouses is common sense, McLaughlin said in a May news release. It conserves valuable law enforcement resources because they already know where a target will be. It is also safer for our officers and the community. These illegal aliens have gone through security and been screened to not have any weapons.

Immigrant rights groups have said th e increasing number of courthouse arrests by ICE reflect a broader trend of enforcement extending into places once considered out of bounds and no longer confined to border crossings or work sites.

The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office, which is prosecuting Reyes-Luna for the drug charge, said it had no prior knowledge of and played no part in Wednesdays detention outside of court.

Our ultimate goal is to seek justice for victims and hold criminals accountable, the district attorneys office wrote in a statement. Detaining a defendant before the judicial process has concluded interferes with our ability to prosecute cases and is not to the advantage of the pursuit of justice.

CNNs Holly Yan, Caroll Alvarado and Sara Smart contributed to this report.

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By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -When U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Helsinki in 2018, the pair alarmed allies with a friendly encounter where Trump sided with the Russian leader over his own intelligence agencies on election interference.

Trump flies to a meeting in Alaska with Putin on Friday in a different public mood - impatient with the Russian's unwillingness to negotiate an end to his war in Ukraine and angry over missile strikes on Ukrainian cities.

The world is waiting to see if it will be this tougher version of Trump who shows up in Anchorage or if it will be the former real estate tycoon who has sought to ingratiate himself with the wily former KGB agent in the past.

The answer could have deep implications for European leaders concerned that Russia, if allowed to absorb parts of Ukraine, will be more aggressive toward NATO allies near Russia like Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

It matters even more for Ukraine, which has been losing ground to Russian forces after three-and-a-half years of grinding combat.

Despite his harsher tone toward Putin over the past months, Trump has a more extensive history of trying to placate the Russian leader. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Trump declined to directly criticize Putin. The Russian president, shunned by multiple presidents, praised Trump for working to improve Russian-U.S. relations.

Kremlin watchers are looking to see whether Trump will be enchanted by Putin again and swayed by his argument that Russia has a right to dominate Ukraine.

"It's a reasonable concern to think that Trump will be bamboozled by Putin and cut a terrible deal at Ukraines expense," said Dan Fried, a diplomat for several U.S. presidents who is now at the Atlantic Council.

But a different outcome is also possible, added Fried. "Theres a reasonable prospect that the administration will wake up to the fact that Putin is still playing them."

The Trump administration has sought to temper expectations, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt telling reporters on Tuesday the meeting would be a "listening exercise."

Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he might broker a second meeting that includes both Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy if the Alaska session goes well.

Russia has given no indication it is prepared to make concessions amid Ukrainian worries that Trump might make a deal without their input. Zelenskiy says he would like to see a ceasefire first followed by security guarantees.

SWEETENERS AND COMPLAINTS

When Trump assumed office again in January, the Republican president tried to revive the warmth between the two leaders from his first term, expressing sympathy for Putin's isolated position in the world and vowing to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours.

As the administration eased pressure on Russia, some Trump aides parroted Russian talking points to the dismay of Ukraine's backers. In March, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff implied in a podcast interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that Russia had a right to capture four mainland regions of Ukraine  Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson - because "they're Russian speaking."

And in a dramatic White House meeting in February, Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskiy for his handling of the war, to the delight of hardliners in Russia.

Despite all the sweeteners, the Russian leader has refused to play along with Trump's efforts to steer the two sides into a peace deal. Putin has talked to Trump regularly but has kept up deadly bombing raids against Ukraine.

The ongoing bloodshed prompted Trump to shift to a tougher stance in July and complain that Putin was stalling him. Trump has agreed to send new weapons to Ukraine - that Europe will pay for - and has threatened new financial penalties for Moscow.

Trump last week imposed a 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil - indirect pressure on Moscow - but has held back from following through on his threats to impose stiffer sanctions. On Wednesday, he threatened "severe consequences" if Russia will not make a deal.

"While the tone coming out of the White House has shifted, it has not yet been followed up with an expansion of U.S. sanctions  Trump's deadlines for additional sanctions keep getting pushed back  or new financial commitments from Washington to strengthen Ukrainian security," said Nicolas Fenton, of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

On Monday, Trump said he should know within two minutes whether Putin is willing to make concessions. "I may say, lots of luck. Keep fighting. Or I may say, we can make a deal," he said.

THE LURE OF THE DEAL

For Trump, who is drawn to the spectacle of a high-profile summit with the world watching, the lure of making a deal is strong.

He has engaged in an open campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize this year, pointing to what he has claimed as his diplomatic victories, and has unnerved U.S. allies with his eagerness for a Ukraine peace deal that they fret could embolden Putin.

In recent days, Ukrainian and European leaders have protested Trump's assertion that Russia and Ukraine will have to engage in land swaps in order to reach a peace deal.

While Russia occupies Crimea and large swaths of eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainians no longer hold any Russian territory, raising the question of what, exactly, could be exchanged.

Trump insists that, given his personal relationship with Putin, he is the only one who can bring the war to an end.

John Bolton, who was one of Trump's national security advisers in his first term and is now a sharp critic, said he was concerned that Putin was "beginning to work his magic" on Trump.

"Personal relations obviously have a place in foreign affairs, just like they do in everything else. But when you're one of the world's hard men like Vladimir Putin, this is not a matter of emotion, this is a matter of cold calculation. Trump doesn't get that point," Bolton said.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump complained that "very unfair media is at work on my meeting with Putin," citing the use of quotes from "fired losers" like Bolton.

(Reporting by Steve Holland. Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Ashraf Fahim and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Don Durfee and Deepa Babington)
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Friday that foreign companies that want to do business in Brazil are welcome, speaking at the opening ceremony for a factory for Chinese automaker GWM in the state of Sao Paulo.

"Count on the Brazilian government. Whoever wants to leave, leave. Whoever wants to come, we welcome you with open arms," Lula said at the ceremony.

During his speech, Lula criticized the 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, and said that his country is facing an "unnecessary turbulence."

Lula said in an interview with Reuters earlier this month that he would initiate a conversation at the BRICS group of developing nations, which includes China, about how to tackle Trump's tariffs.

The leftist leader noted that in the past automakers Ford and Mercedes have decided to scale back their operations in Brazil, but celebrated the arrival of other companies, like China's GWM . Brazil is always open to negotiating business, he stressed.

GWM's Brazilian arm has capacity to produce 50,000 vehicles per year and is expected to generate more than 2,000 jobs in the future when it begins exporting vehicles to Latin America, according to a press release.

Brazil's auto exports are expected to grow 38.4% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 552,000 units, data from automakers association Anfavea showed last week.

(Reporting by Isabel Teles; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Sarah Morland)
The author has gone on three big trips so far with his inheritance. Courtesy of Chris Turner-Neal

When my aunt died unexpectedly, she left me a $20,000 inheritance.

I was thankful she thought of me in her estate planning and decided to use it for travel.

I've always wanted to travel, and the trips I've taken have already changed my life.

My father's sister Helen died unexpectedly in the fall of 2021. I'd known my aunt was ill and had made plans to fly from my home in New Orleans to Dallas to visit her, but she was closer to the end than we realized. I had loved Helen and written to her while she was sick, but we hadn't been especially close, so I was surprised and grateful to find that she'd left me $20,000 in her will.

Because the money was in Helen's IRA, I received it as an inherited IRA, which has certain tax implications: In short, the money had to be taxed, but not until it had been withdrawn, and I had 10 years after the first January 1 after her death to withdraw it. I set up a schedule of disbursements with my aunt's financial manager, allowing the money to be gradually withdrawn, taxed, and deposited into my existing investment account.

The author thinks of his aunt while traveling. Courtesy of Chris Turner-Neal

I decided to use the inheritance on travel

Suddenly, I had what I'd wanted for years: a growing travel fund. I'd been the kind of kid who played with the atlas and grew into an adult who set up cheap flight alerts, but since I was working in nonprofit publishing, my hopes always far outstripped my budget. If I wanted to go to Vienna, I had to settle for eating the namesake canned sausage while listening to "The Blue Danube Waltz."

Within the next three years, I'd taken three big trips. I had been saving for years to go to Nepal, where Red Panda Network, a nonprofit I used to volunteer for, led trips to look for wild red pandas in the area where RPN works to preserve and rehabilitate their habitat. I got a discount on the trip as an "alumnus," but I still needed to swing a pricey international flight and buy some trekking gear.

The author received an unexpected inheritance and has used it for a travel fund. Courtesy of Chris Turner-Neal

Not only could I now go, but I also could treat myself to an upgrade on the leg of my flight from Doha to Kathmandu, quaffing complimentary Tom Collinses and watching Joan Crawford movies with an ocean of legroom. I saw five red pandas and spent my 39th birthday making sweet homemade butter at our farmstay, using cream from cows I could hear lowing on the hillside.

I went to Europe for the first time to watch the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with my friends and fellow fans. We flew into Ljubljana, whose downtown looked just like my American fantasies of Europe, and rented a car to explore Slovenia and Croatia.

I had the best meal of my life, fresh grilled fish and asparagus risotto, looking out over the Adriatic, and the presence of three Americans at a public watch Eurovision party in downtown Zagreb was so noteworthy that we were interviewed by the news. Sharing the cost of the Airbnb and car rental, along with eating in a fair amount, kept this trip budget-friendly while leaving room for all the major activities we wanted to do.

The author and his friends enjoyed the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Courtesy of Chris Turner-Neal

My trip to Argentina changed my life, and now, I live there

The most life-changing of the trips, though, was to Argentina. I visited a friend who had moved to Buenos Aires, and I was so smitten by the city and the quality of life it offered that I moved there in summer 2024. Over a year in, I'm having the happiest time of my life, exploring the city while eyeing more adventures across South America.

I've toasted Helen's generosity and memory with rhododendron cordial in the foothills of the Himalayas, with malbec over an Argentine asado, and with pear liqueur bought in a Slovenian castle. And since I have a little over half of the original amount left, I'm not done: I'll thank her when I land in Paraguay later this month.

Her kindness in remembering me in her estate meant that I could build the life I'd always wanted  and it's changed how I feel about estate planning. My (more modest) estate is mostly earmarked for nonprofits, but next time I review it, I'm going to organize an adventure fund to bequeath to someone I love who needs one.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Binchotan-grilled scallops with gochujang butter at Vey, the tandem bar behind Oy Bar in Studio City. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

If you cant find Jeff Strauss in his Highland Park deli, Jeffs Table, or inside his Studio City bar-restaurant, Oy Bar, you should probably check the parking lot of the latter.

The ex-television writer  now chef and restaurateur  is channeling more of his creative energy into a new, weekend-only bar and tasting menu called Vey, Oy Bars new alfresco space built in the back parking lot.

I wanted to do something that had as much delight and surprise without being the same experience, Strauss said. We're sitting in a parking lot in Studio City, in the Valley in the summer. It was 92 degrees back here today! So I said, How do we celebrate that space, the night sky?... The other idea, since we're on effectively asphalt, we're on the street, is to pay tribute to street food both here and all over the world.

Oy Bar chef-owner Jeff Strauss, left, with sous chef Esteban Palacios at Vey, the new, tandem outdoor bar and restaurant. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

He fashioned new walls from his storage unit behind Oy Bar, while artist Nick Sick Fisher painted them as a kind of home interior in surreal, almost cartoon-like fashion.

Spicy albacore with binchotan-grilled onigiri, a negroni and grilled scallops at Vey. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

At one corner, Strauss and sous chef Esteban Palacios grill crisp-edged onigiri, yakitori-style chicken liver with egg and hot honey, and scallops dripping with gochujang butter over binchotan charcoal, while a pizza oven warms whole heads of mushroom in soy and butter in cast-iron skillets. Sometimes they offer small plates, other times, like this weekend, a reservation-only, six-course tasting menu for what Strauss likens to a casual, rolling omakase.

On Friday and Saturday nights, guests fill the tandem concept while waiting for indoor tables, or use Vey as their meal and cocktail destination for the evening. The experience, like Veys culinary inspirations, is meant to be flexible and fluid.

People have taken to that very nicely, Strauss said. It feels fun to me. I hope it feels fun to them.

Vey is accessed through the back of Oy Bar, and is open Friday and Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m., with variable hours. Strauss hopes to expand its days of operation in the future.

12446 Moorpark St., Studio City, oybarla.com

Marinated blue prawns atop brandy wine tomato sauce on the patio of Baby Bistro. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Baby Bistro

They call it a California bistro, but really, chef Miles Thompson said, its an Angeleno bistro. The new 36-seat restaurant from Thompson and his sommelier business partner, Andy Schwartz, debuted earlier this year in Victor Heights with hyper-local sourcing and a wide-ranging menu that draws on Japanese, Korean, Italian, Mexican, French and more flavors.

I think the food is really defined by the cultures of Los Angeles, Thompson said. If you already eat at any of the regional or international restaurants in this city, you'll find inspiring foods that go into this menu.

Read more:Miles Thompson returns to the kitchen at this exclusive new pop-up in Koreatown

It began as a pop-up, which debuted at the base of Koreatowns Hotel Normandie in June 2023. Thompson, a former Michaels and Konbi chef, teamed up with Schwartz, formerly of Lolo Wine Bar, to serve a tight menu of seasonal dishes by candlelight. Now in its permanent home, the duo are leaning into their creativity and finding their footing.

A dining room of Baby Bistro, which is housed in a former residential bungalow. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Thompson ages wild-caught squid for five days before slicing it and tossing it in a cucumber and yuzu kosho salad. His ginger-marinated prawns come plancha-seared and served over a puttanesca-leaning sauce, then garnished with Hot Cheetos-inspired fried enoki mushrooms. He drapes burnt eggplant over house-made chicken sausage with fish sauce, Hungarian wax peppers and chile de arbol. Even Thompsons signature planks of lightly fermented, fluffy house bread update with local produce. The dough is packed with sweet caramelized onions; in one iteration its topped with Liptauer cheese and more marinated onions, and in another, its Franklins Teleme cheese and marinated squash.

The three compact rooms in a converted bungalow  part of the reimagined courtyard that also houses Perilla, Bakers Bench and Cassells  offer the soft glow of candlelight with a view of the open kitchen. On the patio, take in the small grove of century-old banana trees.

Baby Bistros a la carte menu is designed to share between two people, and many customers order it all.

"If you're looking to really experience the beating heart of the restaurant," Schwartz said, "it's in the menu.

Daily specials might involve items more flexible to the whims of the farmers market, either in small plates or a larger meat dish.

The intimate new setting also allows for Schwartz to rotate his wine offerings frequently.

Baby Bistro chef and co-owner Miles Thompson, center, with co-owner Andy Schwartz, left, in their Victor Heights restaurant. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

His list spotlights natural wines, often small producers making esoteric flavors or blends. Hes enjoying creating pairings for Thompsons cuisine, which he characterizes as "classically challenging to pair with: unique concentrations of flavors, attention paid largely to acidity. The challenge is part of the fun.

That speaks to the connection between the wines that I like, and the ones that we serve at the restaurant, which can taste different every day, Schwartz said. That's sort of the nature of real cooking and real wine.

Baby Bistro is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5:30 p.m., with its last seating at 9:30 p.m.

1027 Alpine St., Los Angeles, babybistrola.com

A banana roll in tiger-stripe cake with cream at Hi Bake in Beverly Hills. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Hi Bake

With laminated egg tarts, whimsical pastries, lines out the door and plenty of cute puppies, a prolific China bakery chain has touched down in Beverly Hills. Hi Bake, founded in Hong Kong, has expanded to more than 60 shops in China over the last 12 years, and thanks to a new partnership with Chubby Group (Niku X, Chubby Cattle), it just landed in the U.S.

Its first American location takes over the former home of Sur Le Vert and Bouchon, and offers a number of the signature items found overseas: Tokyo banana rolls, thousand-layer cakes, meat floss rolls and egg tarts. Loaded toasts, flattened croissants, Dubai-chocolate tarts and fluffy matcha rolls all line the pastry case, while a separate pickup counter for cream-top matchas, pistachio lattes and other caffeinated beverages can be found next door. Hi Bake is extremely pet-friendly, hosting adoption events for cats and dogs around the world; the bakerys own emblem is a drawing of Da Mai, the founders own rescue dog. In Beverly Hills, expect house-made pet treats in the near future. Hi Bake is open Monday and Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

235 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, hibakebakery.com

Stuffed, fried squash blossoms and the Morso Di Vita cocktail at Bar Avoja, Mother Wolf's hidden cocktail lounge. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Bar Avoja

Its not every day that Evan Funke opens a new concept, let alone a dedicated cocktail bar, but the celebrated pasta-focused chef recently launched Bar Avoja, a new semi-hidden cocktail lounge inside his Hollywood restaurant, Mother Wolf. Much like the restaurant, Bar Avoja is a partnership with co-owner Giancarlo Pagani, and its accessed only by walking through the lounge area of Mother Wolf.

Read more:Fire forces Beverly Hills pasta palace Funke to close

It fills the former Mars bar space (which was also owned by Pagani), and features separate food and cocktail menus in a setting inspired by a Roman villa: jewel-tone curtains and pillows meant for lounging, while a disco ball reflects off the walls and gold-gilded mirrors. On Thursdays, find vinyl DJ sets, but every night of service find spuntini informed by Roman street food, including an oxtail-meatball sandwich on pizza dough; fried carbonara bites; flatbreads piled with salad, salmon or sugo; and grilled octopus skewers. Bar Avoja  slang for hell yeah  is open Thursday to Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m.

1545 Wilcox Ave., Los Angeles, motherwolfla.com/bar-avoja

Read more:L.A.'s bar scene runneth over. 21 new spots to check out ASAP

Boichik Bagels Bradbury Building

Boichik Bagels' second L.A. outpost can be found downtown at the base of the Bradbury Building. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

This popular Bay Area bagel outfit made its L.A. debut earlier this year, and its already expanding. Boichik Bagels, from former engineer Emily Winston, serves the New York-style bagels she enjoyed throughout her childhood in the Northeast. Now it serves them at the base of one of L.A.s most iconic buildings, downtowns Bradbury Building.

The new bagel shop offers the same range of bagels found in the Los Feliz location  including bagel sandwiches, more than a dozen bagel flavors, and schmear in options like hatch chile, chive or lox  with its own unique menu of daily specials. Look for whitefish-salad sandwiches, kippered salmon, frozen take-home bagels, coffee and more. Boichik Bagels is open downtown daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

304 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, boichikbagels.com

A dozen bagels from Boichik Bagels downtown. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Maayan Lubell and Enas Alashray

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Gaza residents will be provided with tents and other shelter equipment starting from Sunday ahead of relocating them from combat zones to the south of the enclave "to ensure their safety," the Israeli military said on Saturday.

This comes days after Israel said it intended to launch a new offensive to seize control of northern Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban centre, in a plan that raised international alarm over the fate of the demolished strip, home to about 2.2 million people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Sunday said that before launching the offensive, the civilian population will be evacuated to what he described as "safe zones" from Gaza City, which he called Hamas' last stronghold.

The shelter equipment will be transferred via the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza by the United Nations and other international relief organisations after being inspected by defence ministry personnel, the military said.

A spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed concern over Israel's plans to relocate people to southern Gaza saying it would only increase suffering.

But the U.N. body welcomed Israels recognition that shelter is a desperate need and that tents and other shelter equipment will be allowed again into Gaza. "The UN and its partners will seize the opportunity this opens," the spokesperson said.

The U.N. warned on Thursday that thousands of families already enduring appalling humanitarian conditions could be pushed over the edge if the Gaza City plan moves ahead.

Palestinian and United Nations officials have said no place in the enclave is safe, including areas in southern Gaza where Israel has been ordering residents to move to.

The military declined to comment when asked whether the shelter equipment was intended for Gaza City's population estimated at around one million people presently, and whether the site to which they will be relocated in southern Gaza would be the area of Rafah, which borders Egypt.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that the plans for the new offensive were still being formulated.

The Palestinian militant faction Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, said that the military's announcement "as part of its brutal attack to occupy Gaza City, is a blatant and brazen mockery of international conventions."

However, Israeli forces have already increased operations on the outskirts of Gaza City over the past week. Residents in the neighbourhoods of Zeitoun and Shejaia have reported heavy Israeli aerial and tank fire.

Residents there have also reported explosions throughout the day, resulting from Israeli tank shelling against homes in the eastern parts of the neighbourhood.

The Israeli military on Friday said that it had begun a new operation in Zeitoun to locate explosives, destroy tunnels and kill militants in the area.

The war began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities, and 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are still alive.

Israel's subsequent military assault against Hamas has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says. It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced most of Gaza's population and left much of the enclave in ruins.

Protests calling for a hostage release and an end to the war were expected throughout Israel on Sunday, with many businesses, municipalities and universities saying they will support employees striking for the day.

Negotiations to secure a U.S.-backed 60-day ceasefire and hostage release ended in deadlock last month, and mediators Egypt and Qatar have been trying to revive them.

(Additional reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Michelle Nichols; Writing by Maayan Lubell, Ahmed Elimam, Enas Alashray and Nayera Abdallah; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Diane Craft)
By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him China would not invade Taiwan while Trump is in office.

Trump made the comments in an interview with Fox News, ahead of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"I will tell you, you know, you have a very similar thing with President Xi of China and Taiwan, but I don't believe there's any way it's going to happen as long as I'm here. We'll see," Trump said during an interview on Fox News' "Special Report."

"He told me, 'I will never do it as long as you're president.' President Xi told me that, and I said, 'Well, I appreciate that,' but he also said, 'But I am very patient, and China is very patient.'," Trump said.

Trump and Xi held their first confirmed call of Trump's second presidential term in June. Trump also said in April that Xi had called him but did not specify when that call took place.

China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to "reunify" with the democratic and separately governed island, by force if necessary. Taiwan strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington on Friday described the topic of Taiwan as "the most important and sensitive issue" in China-U.S. relations.

"The U.S. government should adhere to the one-China principle and the three U.S.-China joint communiques, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently, and earnestly safeguard China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement.

Although Washington is Taiwan's main arms supplier and international backer, the U.S. - like most countries - has no formal diplomatic ties with the island.

While Taiwan's government has yet to respond to Trump's remarks, on Saturday a senior lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said that Taiwan was grateful for support from "our major ally".

"However ... Security cannot rely on the enemy's promise, nor can it rely solely on the help from friends. Strengthening our own defence capability is fundamental!" Wang Ting-yu, who sits on the Taiwan parliament's defence and foreign affairs committee, wrote on his Facebook page.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Diane Craft, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Tomasz Janowski)
President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. Credit - Will OliverEPA/Bloomberg/Getty Images

As President Donald Trump sits down with Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson today, it will become clear if he is serious about trying to end this brutal war in Ukraine.

Will he look to the leadership role the United States played in 1995 to persuade the leaders of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia to lay down their arms and forge a peace agreement as a model? Or will he channel Neville Chamberlain and capitulate to Russias demands that Ukraine give up territory and forgo ever joining NATO, in exchange for vacuous assurances that Putin has no further ambitions in Europe? Only the first path has a chance of producing the result that Trump desires and Ukraine deserves. The second path hinges on a promise as empty as the one Adolph Hitler gave the British Prime Minister in 1938.

It was 30 years ago this summer that the United States realized it had little choice but to step in and try to stop a war that threatened European security and stabilityand by extension U.S. interestsafter UN and European troops failed to halt Serbian aggression against Bosnia and avert 100,000 deaths.

Led by Richard Holbrooke with support from President Bill Clinton, Washington secured the agreement of each warring party to fundamental principles that would form the basis for peace talks. Later that fall, the three leaders of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia sat down with U.S. negotiators at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio to begin talks. After an intense monthand more than a few sleepless nightswe hammered out an agreement. The Dayton Peace Accords were far from perfect, but they stopped the killing and preserved Bosnias territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Read More: The Real Danger of the Trump-Putin Summit

As with any deal, there must be something in it for all sides, with consequences for those that fail to engage constructively. Core principles that guided the Bosnia negotiations are not dissimilar to those that can bring Moscow and Kiev to the table. The first stepwhich could be agreed in daysis an immediate cease-fire along current front lines, without any preconditions or promises beyond starting talks. The parties must also affirm the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders of every state in the region, acknowledging the rule (to which they are already bound) that borders can only be changed by mutual agreement. This is consistent with the Presidents suggestion of land swaps, provided that they are consensual, with the precise boundaryan issue that nearly derailed the Bosnia talksdecided as part of an overall settlement.

The question of potential NATO membership is sensitive and should also be left for formal negotiations. Ukraine should retain the right to apply but could agree to defer it for several years or for as long as a peace agreement remains in force. During this time, Ukraine would require ironclad security guarantees from the West, likely by European forces in the first instance. This period would enable Kiev to bolster its ability to deter future Russian attacks, particularly if it opts not to join NATO, or is not admitted.

Most important as the President approaches this initial meeting is that Putin is not rewarded for his aggression, for geopolitical reasons beyond the illegality and immorality of his actions. Doing so would risk greater conflict in Europe and Asia, likely dragging in the United States and undercutting Trumps desire to avoid war. Putin makes no secret of his dream of seizing all of Ukrainewhich he claims is part of Russiaand regards the three Baltic Republicsnow NATO membersas within Moscows sphere of influence. Moreover, China is watching all of this closely. Any show of weakness by the President in acquiescing to Moscows demands will fuel Beijings ambition to seize Taiwan, as well as encourage Kim Jong Unanother Putin allyto use force against South Korea.

Moreover Russia, despite its economic challenges, has yet to feel serious economic pain. The leverage Trump utilized these past few weeksfrom expressing disappointment with Putin to imposing secondary tariffs on India for continuing to buy Russian oilhas gotten the Russian leaders attention, but is not yet enough to secure a breakthrough. To get Putin to serious talks, the President will need to increasenot decreasepressure on Moscow by being ready to announce additional measures. China, not India, for example, is the largest consumer of Russian oil. The Trump Administration should be ready to cut off that avenue, and be willing to suspend any sanction only in stages, tied to compliance with a ceasefire, troop withdrawals, and the terms of a final agreement.

Read More: Why Alaska? The Symbolism of Holding the Trump-Putin Summit In The Frontier State

Increasing the pace and scope of arms deliveries is another important tool Washington can ramp up. The Trump Administration has been creative in designing a strategy of European partners purchasing American weapons for Ukraine. For instance, it recently announced such a deal for Patriot missile components. But much more material support, along with tougher sanctions, will be needed to persuade Russia it is time to end this war.

Washington can certainly offer incentives to Putin to cooperate, as long as they do not kick in until an overall agreement is reached. The G7 was once the G8 and, as Trump describes it, Putin was insulted by being thrown out of that group of world economic leaders. Moreover, U.S-Russia trade was never significant, but has potential. Getting both back on track, along with cooperation on energy and infrastructure projectsand even real estate dealsat the right time would make sense.

While Trumps instinct is right that a solution is possible now, it wont result from trusting Putin or letting him off the hook for invading Ukraine, seizing 20% of its territory, and continuing attacks against its soldiers and civilians. And it wont happen without Ukraine and European allies in the room if serious talks do begin. As the President tries hard to bring the parties together to hash out an overall settlement, he should also remember that no deal is better than a bad deal.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department on Saturday said it was halting all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza while it conducts "a full and thorough" review, a move that has been condemned by pro-Palestine groups.

The department said "a small number" of temporary medical-humanitarian visas had been issued in recent days but did not provide a figure.

The U.S. issued more than 3,800 B1/B2 visitor visas, which permit foreigners to seek medical treatment in the United States, to holders of the Palestinian Authority travel document so far in 2025, according to an analysis of monthly figures provided on the department's website. That figure includes 640 visas issued in May.

The PA issues such travel documents to residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The departments website did not include a breakdown for the two territories.

The State Department's move to stop visitor visas for people from Gaza comes after Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and an ally of President Donald Trump, said on social media on Friday that the Palestinian "refugees" had entered the U.S. this month.

Loomer's statement sparked outrage among some Republicans, with U.S. Representative Chip Roy, of Texas, saying he would inquire about the matter and Representative Randy Fine, of Florida, describing it as a "national security risk".

The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the move, saying it was the latest sign of the "intentional cruelty" of the Trump administration.

The Palestine Childrens Relief Fund said the decision to halt visas would deny access to medical care to wounded and sick children in Gaza .

"This policy will have a devastating and irreversible impact on our ability to bring injured and critically ill children from Gaza to the United States for lifesaving medical treatmenta mission that has defined our work for more than 30 years," it said in a statement.

Gaza has been devastated by a war that was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials.

The U.S. has not indicated that it would accept Palestinians displaced by the war. However, sources told Reuters that South Sudan and Israel are discussing a plan to resettle Palestinians.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward, additional reporting by Kanishka Singh, editing by Donna Bryson, Tomasz Janowski, Alex Richardson and Chizu Nomiyama )
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

California Democrats released a new gerrymandered House map on Friday night that, if implemented, would carve up deep red areas of the state that have been under Republican representation for decades.

The proposed California House district map  which was redrawn by the Democratic-dominated state legislature  aims to flip five currently Republican districts blue, in addition to making currently competitive Democratic-held seats safer. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for mid-decade redistricting in the state after it was reported that Texas would redraw its House lines with the intention of flipping five House seats from blue to red. (RELATED: Fetal Position: Newsoms Attempt To Gerrymander Already-Lopsided California May Be Over Before It Begins)

If enacted, the map would likely result in a California House delegation of 48 Democrats and only four Republicans  meaning the GOP would only control 8% of seats. Meanwhile, Texas new proposed map would likely result in a House delegation of 30 Republicans and eight Democrats  with Democrats likely controlling 21% of seats  still a higher percentage than the 17% of current California House seats held by Republicans.

We anticipate that these maps will completely neuter and neutralize what is happening in Texas, Newsom told reporters Thursday after announcing a November special election for Californians to vote on the gerrymandered map. California unlike Texas requires a ballot initiative to pass its proposed mid-decade map.

The Republican incumbents the proposed California map targets are California Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley and David Valadao.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA  AUGUST 14: California Governor Gavin Newsom (C) at a press conference at the Democracy Center, Japanese American National Museum on August 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Newsom spoke about a possible California referendum on redistricting to counter the legislative effort to add five Republican House seats in the state of Texas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

LaMalfa and Calverts districts have both been in Republican hands for decades. The gerrymandered map seeks to replace both of their seats with safely Democratic ones.

LaMalfa has since 2013 represented Californias 1st congressional district, which currently covers a sprawling rural area stretching from the states Oregon and Nevada state lines to just north of Sacramento. The seat has been held by Republicans since 1981 and LaMalfa won the 2024 election by a landslide margin of 30 percentage points.

In California Democrats newly proposed map, the 1st district would be reconfigured to stretch into Sonoma Countys wine country. Failed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris won the deep blue county with over 70% of the vote in 2024.

Calvert, who was first elected to Congress in 1993, represents the 41st district in Southern California, stretching from Palm Springs to Corona. Calvert won reelection in 2024 by 3.4 points in a previously safe Republican district that was redrawn to be competitive following the 2020 census.

However, under the new map, Calverts current seat would be eliminated and replaced with a heavily Democratic district just east of Los Angeles.

I strongly oppose the scheme being orchestrated behind closed doors by Sacramento politicians to take constitutionally afforded power away from the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and replace it with a process that would allow legislators to draw district maps that are gerrymandered to benefit themselves and their political allies, Calvert told the Daily Caller News Foundation. A partisan political gerrymander is not what the voters of California want as they clearly stated when they passed the VOTERS FIRST Act and participated in the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission process.

Issa, who was elected to Congress in 2001, represents the 48th district that reaches from Californias southern border to just east of San Clemente. While Issa easily won his 2024 reelection bid by 18.6 points, the new map would shift his district from being strongly Republican to being Democratic leaning.

Kiley, who is in his second term representing Californias 3rd district spanning from the Sacramento suburbs to the California-Nevada border, defeated former Newsom appointee Jessica Morse in 2024 by 11 points. The Democrats new map seeks to add more Democratic areas by the state capital to Kileys district, effectively putting reelection out of reach for the incumbent.

Kiley is also spearheading a bill to ban mid-decade redistricting nationwide and has called for California to preserve its Citizens Redistricting Commission.

It was the voters themselves that said, We want to take the politics and the politicians out of redistricting and have this done by an independent citizens commission, and the voters stand by that judgment, Kiley said during a Thursday night appearance on MSNBC. Democrats, Republicans, Independents all overwhelmingly favor keeping the Independent Commission because they know that when politicians are in charge of drawing district lines, thats an inherent conflict of interests, because theyre then going to go and run in those districts.

The Central Valley-based 22nd district represented by Valadao will be redrawn to be slightly more Democratic under the new map. Valadaos current seat, which voted for former President Joe Biden by double digits, notably swung nearly 20 points to the right in the 2024 presidential election.

Furthermore, California Democrats new proposed map also seeks to add more Democratic voters to the seats represented by Californias half dozen vulnerable Democratic incumbents, Reps. Adam Gray, Josh Harder, Mike Levin, Dave Min, Derek Tran and George Whitesides.

The nine members of the California Republican House Delegation released a joint statement Thursday on a recent poll revealing Californians greatly disapprove of the motion to override the independent redistricting commission.

Governor Newsom is trying to grab power away from the citizens on the commission and give it to Sacramento politicians to gerrymander their own districts, the legislators wrote in the statement. Our delegation will stand with the citizens of California and defend their rights as they stand today in our state constitution by opposing Newsoms ballot measure. All Californians, regardless of their political affiliation, should vote NO on this attempt to eliminate the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commissions ability to draw fair congressional districts.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
Theo Wargo/Getty Pierce Brosnan

NEED TO KNOW

Pierce Brosnan shared the secret to his great head of hair, joking that it's all down to his Irish genes  and Guinness

When it comes to aging gracefully, the 72-year-old actor said, "I'm doing my best!"

Brosnan is set to star in a movie adaptation of Richard Osmans popular book The Thursday Murder Club

When it comes to his enviable head of hair, Pierce Brosnan credits the luck of the Irish.

At the premiere of his latest film, The Thursday Murder Club, on Thursday, Aug. 14, the 72-year-old actor, who was born in County Louth, Ireland, revealed his theories behind why he and other Irish men seem to have such great hair.

"Its all in the hair, the old Celtic hair, he told Page Six, noting that his father also "had good hair."

Brosnan then joked that Irish staples such as "potatoes, butter" and even "the Guinness" contribute.

As for how he appears to be aging so gracefully, the star told the outlet, "I'm doing my best!"

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

It seems Brosnan's son Dylan has inherited his dad's great hair genes, as the 28-year-old walked the red carpet at Thursday's premiere, showcasing stylish hair worn slightly longer than the Mamma Mia! stars. The duo posed for photos together, with Dylan towering over Brosnan.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Dylan Brosnan (left) and Pierce Brosnan at the N.Y.C. premiere of 'The Thursday Murder Club' on Aug. 14, 2025

In 2024, Brosnan teased that he thinks he's still got what it takes to play James Bond once again. The star famously portrayed the iconic British spy in four of the franchise's films from 1995 to 2002.

During an appearance on the Today show in April 2024, Brosnan said he believes he "could get away with" coming back  "in a pinch."

"Lets see where the wind takes us. Lets see what happens. They know where to find me," he continued when asked if he was game to stage a Bond comeback. "Why not?"

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Pierce Brosnan in 1986

He added, "I mean, theres great things you can do with AI as well, so there you have it. Im quite content the way it is."

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While a number of names have been thrown out as possible contenders to take over the Bond role after Daniel Craig, Brosnan has previously shared the one requirement he thinks the next actor to play 007 must have.

In a March interview with The Telegraph, Brosnan said it's a "given" that the next Bond star be British.



In his latest movie, The Thursday Murder Club, which is directed by Chris Columbus, Brosnan stars alongside Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie. The four play U.K. retirement home residents who become amateur sleuths, solving cold-case murders for fun.

Earlier this year, Brosnan told PEOPLE he jumped at the opportunity to work with Columbus again after the pair previously worked together on Mrs. Doubtfire.

[Its] a film that I hold close to my heart," he said of the 1993 family comedy. So when I got the call from Chris, that he was making a movie of The Thursday Murder Club, I was halfway there already. By the time Id read the book by Richard Osman, I was completely hooked.



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Jerod Harris/Getty; Universal Pictures Ron Howard; Jean Speegle Howard in 'Apollo 13'

NEED TO KNOW

Ron Howard had doubts about casting his mom in Apollo 13

The director needed convincing from his dad, Rance Howard, to cast his own mom in the role of Jim Lovell's mother in the 1995 docudrama

Ron felt that Jean was "a little too young for the role," he told Vulture



Ron Howard admits he had doubts about casting his mom in Apollo 13.

The director, 71, told Vulture in an interview published on Aug. 13 that he needed some convincing from his dad, Rance Howard, to cast his own mom, Jean Speegle Howard, in the role of Jim Lovell's mother in the 1995 docudrama about the near-fatal 1970 lunar mission.

Ron recalled getting a call from his dad, "who had never hocked me for work at all," after he received the rewrite of the movie. During the call, his father told him, "Your mother would knock that new Jim Lovells mother part out of the park."

The director was resistant to the suggestion, noting that his mom had "just gotten back" to acting after a hiatus.

Ron Galella Collection via Getty Ron Howard and mother Jean Speegle Howard

"I dont know. I mean, thats a pretty important role," Ron remembered telling Rance, who responded, "Oh, she could do it."

When the director argued that Jean was "a little too young for the role," his father rebutted that he "could age her easily."

The filmmaker ultimately decided to give his mom an audition, but opted to do it at the family's house rather than in the office. After they read through the scenes, he recalled his moms performance being good, but still feeling that she wasnt old enough to play the character.

"I said, 'But Mom, the thing is, youre really too young to be this woman, to be Mrs. Lovell in an old folks' home,'" Ron said, adding that his mom was about 62 years old at the time.

http://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Jean argued, "I could dye my hair, and they can increase my wrinkles," per her son.

After Ron once again expressed his doubts, his mom "turned away and took her false teeth out and said, 'Would this help?!' "

"I said, 'Okay, okay, okay! You got the part,'" the director recalled.

Universal Pictures Jean Speegle Howard in 'Apollo 13'

Ron told Vulture that he "underestimated" Jean when he was younger. "I put my dad on such a pedestal, and he deserved it, hell of a guy, but I realized that she was the reason the course of the family history changed. She was the one with the clarity and the vision. I totally missed that as a young man," he said of his late mom.

Jean, from a "small town" in Oklahoma, went to the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City when she was 17. However, while studying in the city, she "got hit by a truck" and "then shied away" from acting for a while.

After World War II, she went back to drama school at the University of Oklahoma, where she met Rance. Ron said his dad often told him that his mom "was the best actor" at the entire school.

Still, the filmmaker noted that "the business was not kind to her," and she took a break from acting until after he and his brother, actor Clint Howard, moved away.

"She started acting again, dabbled, and went zero for 100 on auditions," Ron said. "She then went to an audition-scene study class and slowly but surely started getting work."

Jean starred in episodes of Married... with Children, Roseanne and Buffy the Vampire Slayer during her career. The actress appeared in Apollo 13 and The Night Caller alongside Rance.

She died at age 73 on Sept. 2, 2000.

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In the interview, Ron also spoke about his time on The Andy Griffith Show and how his father gave a note to Andy Griffith that changed the dynamic between the shows single father, Andy Taylor, and his character, Opie.

"Dad never said anything about that to me," Ron told the outlet, adding that he only learned about it years later, when the cast reunited for a special.

"Andy told me that my dad had come to him very early on in the show and said, 'Youre writing Opie the way most sitcom kids are written. Theyre wisea---- and smarter than the dad.' "



Read the original article on People
The State Department on Saturday said it would halt Gaza visitor visas to the U.S.

All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days, the department wrote in a Saturday statement on the social media platform X.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for additional comment.

The move comes a week after President Trump refrained from criticizing Israeli leaders efforts to ramp up strikes and increase control 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 told reporters in early August, committing to leading humanitarian aid efforts in the war-torn region.

Several nations and human rights groups have said starvation is persistent among Gazans, urging countries and organizations to aid in food and resource distribution.

In response to on the ground reports, Germany halted military exports to Israel, seeking to dismantle prior support for the use of force in the Gaza Strip.

France, Canada and the United Kingdom also expressed concerns with Israeli operations and announced their intent to recognize Palestinian as an independent sovereign state.

Seventy to 75 percent of Gaza is under Israeli control, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has denied reports about starvation.

Netanyahu said the governments plans are to overtake parts of the Gaza Strip, which he said are under the control of Hamas.

Israels Cabinet, Israels security Cabinet, instructed the IDF to dismantle the two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the Central Camps, he added, referring to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Contrary to false claims, this is the best way to end the war, and the best way to end it speedily.

In Washington, leaders across the aisle have become increasingly critical of Israel and the situation in Gaza.

We each have to continue to have an open heart about how we do this, how we do it effectively, and how we take action in time to make a difference, whether that is stopping the starvation and genocide and destruction of Gaza, or whether that means we are working together to stop the redistricting that is going on, taking away the vote from people in order to retain power, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) said during a Thursday event, referencing redistricting efforts across the country.

Clark is the highest-ranking House Democrat to use the term genocide to describe the crisis in Gaza.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 State Department announced on Saturday that it was halting all visitor visas to individuals from Gaza while it reviews the issuing process.

"All visitor visas for individuals from Gaza are being stopped while we conduct a full and thorough review of the process and procedures used to issue a small number of temporary medical-humanitarian visas in recent days," a post on X from the State Department read.

Neither the State Department nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on what triggered the sudden review.

Israel Security Cabinet Approves Plan To Occupy Gaza City

In June, the Trump administration began cracking down on vetting for visa applicants. This involved the introduction of a "comprehensive and thorough" review of all applicants' "online presence."

"Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission," the State Department said at the time.

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US President Donald Trump listens to Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 16, 2025.

3 Exclusive 'Golden' Visa Destinations That America's Wealthiest Are Eyeing

Earlier this month, France suspended evacuations from Gaza after a Palestinian student allegedly shared a social media post with an image of Adolf Hitler that called for killing Jews.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Info radio that the woman "must leave the country" and that she "has no place" in France.

"No evacuation of any kind will take place until we have drawn the necessary conclusions from this investigation," Barrot said in the interview. He also vowed there would be a probe into how the Palestinian woman was able to get a student visa.

Palestinians return with bags from a food distribution point run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) group, near the Netsarim corridor in the central Gaza Strip on Aug. 2, 2025.

The student, later identified as Nour Attaalah, left France for Qatar after the incident.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, the population in Gaza had dropped by 6% since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, according to Reuters, which cited the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). The outlet noted that this includes approximately 100,000 Palestinians who fled the enclave.

Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department.





Original article source: State Department stops issuing all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza
woman eating a salad at home - Kseniya Ovchinnikova/Getty Images

Do you ever find yourself staring at a salad and wondering, "Why don't I eat more salads?" The feeling may hit if the dish in front of you is topped with a variety of palate-pleasing elements like protein-packed chicken, juicy berries, toasted nuts, and interesting cheeses. But it can seem difficult to recreate a stellar salad at home, particularly if you're seeking to emulate a favorite restaurant salad. One easy way to improve your store-bought salad is to incorporate fruit. "It can add a sweet counterpoint to the overall savory flavor of the dish," says Gen La Rocca, chef and owner of Two Cloves Kitchen and Meal Planning Pro, a meal planning site devoted to improving gut health. "Depending on the fruit," she told Chowhound in an exclusive chat, "it can also add a textural element. For example, ripe berries, oranges, and plums can add a softer texture, while apples and pears can add crunch."

Keep both texture and flavor in mind when deciding which fruit to add to your salad. La Rocca recommends choosing complementary ingredients, which doesn't mean ingredients that are similar, but ones that provide a pleasing contrast. "For example, a sweet fruit would pair well with a spicy or smoky ingredient," she says. "You are always looking for balance in food." Without this balance, she explains, a dish risks becoming boring.

Read more: 11 Apple Cider Vinegars, Ranked Worst To Best

Common Salad And Fruit Pairings

a simple salad with strawberries and feta - Anna Blazhuk/Getty Images

It's always nice to find a new bagged salad option; however, there are a few time-tested classics. Gen La Rocca has some specific fruit-pairing recommendations for these, starting with a tip for Caesar salad. "Caesar salad is known for its rich, savory flavor," she says. "I would recommend adding fresh figs or roasted grapes -- fruits that add subtle sweetness without overpowering the salty elements of the salad." On the other hand, something with smokier flavors, like a Southwestern/Tex-Mex salad, could benefit from some brighter, bolder flavors like mango or pineapple. An Asian sesame salad is a great place to use up some ripe pears or sliced oranges.

However, when it comes to adding fruit to Greek salad, La Rocca recommends a light hand. "It's known for its briny, bold, acidic flavor," she says. "If adding fruit, something like thinly sliced green apple would be a good choice for the tart, crunchy profile of the salad." But because Greek salad typically contains tomato -- technically a fruit  La Rocca says the fruit element is already taken care of.

But adding fruit as a salad topping isn't the only way to incorporate it into your salad. If you've got some overripe fruit you need to use up, turn it into a vinaigrette. "Just blend the fruit with olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and a touch of mustard or honey for a vibrant dressing," says La Rocca. For an even bolder flavor, consider roasting the fruit first. Grapes or stone fruits like peaches are some of her favorite salad additions to roast.

Read the original article on Chowhound.
Texas House Democrats who fled the state to stall a Republican redistricting plan have signaled theyre ready to return to the Lone Star State in the coming days.

The Texas state legislature wrapped up its first special session on Friday, one of the conditions the Democrats gave for ending their quorum break. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) quickly called a second special session, with Democrats anticipated return set to clear the way for the Texas House to move forward with an aggressive gerrymander that could net five more House seats for the GOP in the midterms.

But the quorum-breaking Texas Democrats are touting the national attention theyve brought to the redistricting fight and looking for hope from California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has vowed to move forward with his own new map.

Heres what to know as Democrats plan to end the standoff:

Why now?

It was always highly unlikely that Texas Democrats would be able to permanently thwart the GOPs redistricting effort. But by fleeing the state, they hoped to raise national attention over the issue and inspire Democrat-led states to move forward with their own new maps.

In both cases, they succeeded.

The Texas Democrats decision to leave made the redistricting battle a national story. And now California is moving forward with its own effort to rewrite its congressional lines in the hopes of counteracting the Texas GOP. Other blue states may soon follow.

The Texas Democrats also wanted to hold out until the first special session came to an end, which it did on Friday. They cited both that and Californias decision to move forward with redistricting as its preconditions for coming home.

The developments allow Democrats to frame the outcome as a victory, even if Republicans will also tout their return as a win.

There were also other financial and political risks for the Democrats. Theyve been forced to parry Republican criticism that theyre holding up other legislative business  including disaster relief for Texas affected by recent floods  by staying out-of-state. And each quorum breaker has been racking up $500-a-day fines for their absence, on top of threats of removal and arrest, as well as the logistical cost of living away from their homes.

What does it mean for the new Texas maps?

The new GOP-friendly maps are almost certain to pass once the Democrats return to the state.

Even as they remained out of state, a set of new congressional lines passed in the state Senate, while an identical set of lines were also approved by a state House committee. House Republicans couldnt bring the new map to a floor vote in the lower chamber, however, until the Democrats returned.

With the Democrats expected to return to the state, Republicans will have the quorum needed to hold a vote on and pass their map. The map would go next to Abbott for his signature before the new congressional lines are enacted.

Texas Democrats knew they would inevitably return to the state since Abbott had threatened to call special session after special session until they returned. Democrats had no options available for blocking the new map from passing, since Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of the state legislature and the GOP also has a Republican governor.

How are both sides spinning it?

Republicans are touting their return as a win, since it means they will be able to move forward with passing new congressional lines.

But Democrats are celebrating the outcome as a political victory too.

Abbott thought he could silence Black and Latino Texans with his redistricting scheme. He was wrong. We fought back  now other states, starting with California, will neutralize their power grab, the Texas House Democrats said in a statement posted on X.

National Democrats also hailed it as a win that Republicans were unable to pass their new House map during the first special session.

Under threats to their safety and livelihood, Texas Democrats have continued to deny Republicans a quorum to enact their rigged maps and ignited a national Democratic movement, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.

From California to Washington, D.C, Democrats will continue to stand with the American people and the people of Texas as we battle against Trump and Republicans anti-democratic attacks, he added.

But the White House is also pushing other states like Indiana and Missouri to redraw their maps as well  raising questions over how many states will ultimately get involved in the fight and have the upper hand.

What does it mean for the wider redistricting battle?

The redistricting battle in Texas has turned into a nationwide war, and thats unlikely to change anytime soon.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) wants to hold a special election in November to ask voters to weigh in on a ballot measure allowing the state legislature to redraw the states congressional maps for the rest of the decade.

I hope we are waking up to this reality. Wake up, America. Wake up to what Donald Trump is doing, Newsom said at a Thursday event on the effort. Wake up to his assault, wake up to the assault on institutions and knowledge and history. Wake up to his war on science, public health and his war on the American people.

California Democrats released their proposed new map, which targets five Republican incumbents, on Friday night.

Other states are also considering jumping into the fray. Ohio is already set to redistrict due to state requirements, and Republicans in Florida and Missouri have suggested theyll be revisiting their maps, too.

Other blue states like New York and Illinois are also weighing redistricting now.

Is it really the end of the fight in Texas?

The next front in the Texas redistricting battle is likely to play out in the courts.

As the Democrats statement noted on Thursday, their legal counsel has advised them to return to Texas to build a strong public legislative record for the upcoming legal battle against a map that violates both the current Voting Rights Act and the Constitution.

We will return to the House floor and to the courthouse with a clear message: the fight to protect voting rights has only just begun, it added.

Democratic groups are likely to file a lawsuit once Texas passes its new map. If that battle plays out in state courts, it will almost certainly fail since the Texas Supreme Court has a conservative majority.

If it were to somehow play out in federal court, its not as clear-cut, given the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled favorably for Democrats in the past over the Voting Rights Act. At the same time, the U.S. Supreme Court still enjoys a conservative majority.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 has promised a Peace Agreement to end the war in Ukraine following his summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, dropping his demand for a ceasefire and sparking fears he is moving closer to Putins position.

Trump had phone calls overnight with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  who travels to Washington for talks on Monday  and European leaders.

But the shift in stance has sparked fears that Trump has adopted Putins position, as European leaders reiterated that borders cannot change through force and analysts warned of potentially disastrous consequences.

A great and very successful day in Alaska! Trump posted on Truth Social early Saturday after he returned to The White House. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

A blaze in a residential area of Sloviansk, Ukraine, after a powerful explosion Thursday. (Kostiantyn Liberov / Getty Images)

Ahead of the Alaska summit, Trump told Zelenskyy and European leaders during a call on Wednesday that he was going into the meeting with Putin with the goal of securing a ceasefire, according to two European officials and three other people briefed on the call.

Trump and his counterparts agreed that a ceasefire would have to be implemented before peace negotiations could begin, they said, but that stance seemed to shift dramatically after his discussions with Putin.

Later Saturday, Zelenskyy said following a call with Trump that we must achieve a real and lasting peace, not just a pause between Russian invasions.

A joint statement from European leaders  including France, Italy, Germany, Britain, Finland and Poland, as well as the presidents of the European Commission and European Council  did not directly acknowledge Trumps reversal but said further talks must include Zelenskyy, and that it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory.

While the substance of the Alaska summit remains unclear, Trumps remarks have raised new questions about the direction of the peace process.

It does sound very much as though Putins arguments have prevailed over those of European leaders, who were insistent that a ceasefire had to be in place for negotiations to begin, Keir Giles, a senior fellow at London-based think tank Chatham House told NBC News.

The danger lies in the possibility that Trump may also have become convinced that Russias demands on Ukraine are valid, he added, calling such an outcome disastrous, not only for Ukraine, but also for the security of Europe.

Those Russian demands remain sweeping.

They include that Ukraine cedes all the territory Putin claims to have annexed and an agreement of permanent neutrality, with a ban on joining NATO. Moscow claims sovereignty over four Ukrainian regions  Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  in addition to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.

Russian forces do not fully control the territory in those regions, and Kyiv has repeatedly vowed never to recognize their annexation.

Ukrainian leaders have insisted that any peace deal must include security guarantees from Western allies to ensure Russia cannot launch another offensive in the future. European leaders said Saturday that Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraines pathway to E.U. and NATO [membership].

But Peter Watkins, an associate fellow at Chatham House, says Russia has given no indication of softening its demands, casting doubt on hopes for peace.

The Russian strategic calculus is that theyre better off just continuing to grind away rather than agree to a ceasefire, he said. If the Russian demands havent changed, then it is difficult to see how theres going to be a peace agreement.

But not all observers see Trumps shift as entirely negative.

Balazs Jarabik, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, argued that it could ultimately be beneficial for both Ukraine and Europe.

Kyiv is losing the war of attrition, while Europe faces a large gap between its strategic posture and its actual capacity to support the war, he wrote on X. A framework for regulating the conflict could provide all parties, including Russia, with room to stabilize the situation.

Meanwhile, fighting on the ground has not slowed.

Russian drone strikes hit multiple regions of Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian officials said, even as the Trump-Putin summit unfolded in Alaska. Confirmed strikes include missile and UAV hits: 24 drones struck 12 locations, Ukraines air force said in a statement.

And in the absence of a breakthrough, critics say the optics of the Alaska summit may have played to Putins advantage while his nation continues its offensive.

Putin got his red carpet treatment with Trump, while Trump got nothing, Wolfgang Ischinger, the head of the Munich Security Conference, wrote on X. For the Ukrainians: nothing. For Europe: deeply disappointing, he added. A clear 10 for Putin.

The Russian delegation in Alaska also appeared pleased with the summit.

Kirill Dmitriev, a Putin adviser who heads Russias sovereign wealth fund, posted a clip Friday on X showing an encounter with a bear in Alaska that he hoped would provide good omens for the meeting.

Bear was indeed a good sign, he said Saturday.
The Department of Homeland Security is touting new data showing that the nation's illegal immigrant population has plummeted by 1.6 million people since January.

The statistics, from the Center for Immigration Studies, indicate that self-deportations are driving the trend. The federal government has provided financial incentives for illegal immigrants to leave and has run advertisements telling them they can only apply to return if they leave voluntarily.

"In less than 200 days, 1.6 MILLION illegal immigrants have left the United States population," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on Thursday. "This is massive. This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off of schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans. Thank you, President Trump!"

The agency says over 1 million people have opted for self-deportation through the CBP Home app. DHS began offering $1,000 and free travel out of the United States to those seeking to leave the country on their own and who do not have a criminal background outside of their immigration status.

Tom Homan Puts Sanctuary Cities 'On Notice' As Trump Administration Cracks Down On Immigration

Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., is becoming an example from the Trump administration to sanctuary cities around the country, as Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered that officers cooperate with federal immigration authorities and put Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole in an oversight role of the police force.

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"I sent out 33 letters to mayors around this country. I think three or four of them were in California alone. Not surprising. I sent out letters to all of these mayors and to the governors saying, "You must comply.' we want to know what you're doing to comply with our federal government," Bondi said on "Hannity" on Thursday night.

Tensions are high between Democratic leadership and federal law enforcement in sanctuary cities, as there were immigration authorities outside Gov. Gavin Newsoms rally in Los Angeles on Thursday, and at least one arrest was made by U.S. Border Patrol.

Newsom Office Dismisses Crime Fears, Defends Sanctuary Policies Amid Surge In Violence: 'Fake News'

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a news conference at the DEA headquarters on July 15, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.

"WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY WEAK LITTLE DONALD TRUMP, THE CRIMINAL PRESIDENT!" Newsoms office told Fox News Digital in an email.

Click Here For More Immigration Coverage

Some New York City leaders are also making critical comparisons to rebuke the Trump administrations immigration policies.

"When I look at the visuals of ICE agents masked on the street, taking people from their homes, taking people who are rightfully showing up for court. It reminds me of something that some of my ancestors had to go through, which is the KKK," New York City Council Member Nantasha Williams said this week.

Americas Crime Drop Isnt A Coincidence. Trumps Immigration Policies Are Working

Border Patrol agents conduct operations in California

Many Democrats have likened ICE agents to Nazis since Trump took office.

"Im gonna start with the flashing red light  Donald Trumps modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets," former vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in May. "Theyre in unmarked vans, wearing masks, being shipped off to foreign torture dungeons. No chance to mount a defense. Not even a chance to kiss a loved one goodbye. Just grabbed up by masked agents, shoved into those vans, and disappeared."

"I don't know of any police department that routinely wears masks. We know that there are other groups that routinely wear masks. NSC-131 routinely wears masks," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in June, referencing a neo-Nazi group.

DHS says that ICE agents are facing a 1,000% increase in assaults since last year.

"We will not and have not let this violence stop us or slow us down. Everyday our law enforcement continues to enforce the law and arrest the most depraved criminals including pedophiles, terrorists, murderers, gang members, and sexual predators," Noem stated earlier this month as ICE seeks to hire thousands of more agents.

President Trump is touting the immigration crackdown, as the administration says the efforts to remove illegal immigrants from the country will lead to less of a strain on public resources.

"We want to stop crime. I think if the Democrats aren't strong on this issue, they won't be able to do it. I think this is a bigger issue than all of the other ridiculous things that like open borders," he said Thursday.





Original article source: Trump's DHS touts massive number of illegal immigrants deported as Dems lash out at ICE
Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla on August 15, 2025

The Gist

Queen Camilla was visibly emotional after a World War II veteran paid an off-the-cuff tribute to King Charles and his cancer battle.

The 105-year-old veteran, Yavar Abbas, saluted Charles, calling him my brave King and sharing that he, too, had battled cancer.

Charless cancer diagnosis was announced in February 2024, and he still is continuing treatment up to the present day.

Queen Camilla was visibly moved to tears at a remembrance service marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on August 15.

VJ Day stands for Victory over Japan Day, marking the end of World War II in the Pacific theater. To commemorate the occasion, the Queen and her husband, King Charles, took part in the service Friday at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared to be visibly emotional

The King and Queen were clearly moved when veteran Yavar Abbas, 105, took to the stage, speaking extemporaneously and off script (according to The Telegraph) about how he, too, has battled cancer like the King. Charles announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, though the type and stage have never been publicly revealed; he is continuing cancer treatment up to the present day.

Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla

Before reading from his diary, he gave a confident salute to the King seated before him, saying, I make no apology for going briefly off the script to salute my brave King, who is here with his beloved Queen, despite the fact that he is under treatment for cancer.

Getty Yavar Abbas saluting King Charles

At this, Camillas eyes welled up and look at her husband with pride, The Telegraph reported.

And if it provides any comfortIve been rid of it for the past 25 years and counting, Abbas added. I salute him for gracing this occasion because by his presence here, he has gone a long way to make sure that his granddads army is never given the sobriquet again of a Forgotten Army.

Getty Queen Camilla looking at King Charles with pride

As Abbas finished his remarks and returned to his seat, he again saluted the King, who stood up and clasped his hands in warm appreciation, according to The Telegraph. Later, at a veterans reception, Charles greeted Mr. Abbas like an old friend, the outlet reported.

It was quite extraordinaryyou didnt have to say that, Charles told Abbas as the pair clasped hands before sitting down together for a cup of tea. Of the King, Abbas said, I admire the man. He has similar views about things that I have, about the environment, for example. Hes human.

Getty Yavar Abbas and King Charles

The Queen has typically shown little emotion publicly surrounding her husbands diagnosis, but of the service on Friday, Camilla said she found it so incredibly moving.

Getty Queen Camilla

Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla

Though Prince William and Kate Middleton were at the VE Day (Victory over Europe) commemorations in May, they were not present at yesterdays service. Instead, they sent a personal message on social media, writing, Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served. Today, we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific.

We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful, they added. Lest we forget. The message was signed W & C, indicating that it came from the Prince and Princess of Wales themselves.

Getty Queen Camilla on August 15, 2025

For the service on August 15, Camilla wore all whitea white Dior dress with a pleated skirt, which she paired with a white hat by Philip Treacy and pearl earrings (per Tatler). She also wore her Bugle Horn of the Rifles brooch, commissioned for her by the regiment to mark her role as Colonel-in-Chief, a position she took over from her father-in-law, Prince Philip, in 2020, just one year before his death.

Read the original article on InStyle
Photo exhibit in Minsk commemorates 80th anniversary of victory of World Anti-Fascist War

Xinhua) 10:15, August 16, 2025

Nikolai Snopkov (1st L), first deputy prime minister of Belarus, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

MINSK, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened on Friday at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk.

More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos.

Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images.

These photos showcase the Chinese nation's tremendous contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, highlight the pivotal role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the resistance against Japanese aggression, tell the story of the touching friendship between the Chinese and Soviet people who fought side by side, and demonstrate the fruitful outcomes of all-round practical cooperation between China and Belarus.

Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, said in a video speech that during the World Anti-Fascist War, all forces of justice worldwide, including China and the Soviet Union, stood united against their common foes and fought courageously. They forged a profound friendship with blood and sacrifice, making indelible historical contributions to safeguarding world peace and advancing the cause of human progress.

Eighty years on, China and Belarus are carrying forward their historical friendship, jointly upholding international fairness and justice, writing a new chapter in their all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, and promoting the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, Fu added.

Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan said that the exhibition exposes the heinous crimes committed by Japanese invaders in China, records the history of the unyielding Chinese people's heroic resistance against Japanese aggression under the leadership of the CPC, and reflects the profound friendship between the Chinese and Soviet people who fought side by side.

"We should take history as a mirror, draw wisdom and strength from the profound lessons of the World War II and the great victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, firmly oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, and work together to build a better future for mankind," he noted.

Nikolai Snopkov, first deputy prime minister of Belarus, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech, stating that Belarus and China paid a heavy price for the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

At a time when the number of historical witnesses is dwindling, it is particularly important to hold such photo exhibits to honor history, tell historical truths, and oppose any distortion of history, whitewashing of criminals or desecration of heroes and martyrs, he said.

The exhibition, running through Sept. 5, is co-organized by the Chinese embassy in Belarus, Xinhua News Agency's branches in Minsk and China's Jiangsu Province, the China Image Group, in collaboration with the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, and supported by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.

Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2025 shows the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Guests visit a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

A guest visits a photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 15, 2025. The photo exhibition opened at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk on Friday. More than 250 representatives from the Belarusian government and various sectors of society attended the opening ceremony and viewed the photos. Titled "Remembering History, Forging the Future," the exhibition features some 70 precious historical and contemporary images. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
Today's headlines: Israel wants to transfer Gazans to South Sudan, Hamas softens demands; Diplomatic success for Moscow, but no agreement on Ukraine after Putin meets Trump in Alaska; Seoul baulks at Japanese ministers visit to the war shrine; Hundreds poisoned in Indonesian President Prabowo's free meal programme; The UN says there were war crimes in last March's sectarian violence against Alawites.

PAKISTAN

Over 300 people have died in recent days due to severe monsoon floods and landslides in Pakistan and in the Islamabad-administered Kashmir. Most of the deaths, 180, were recorded in the mountainous province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At least 30 houses were destroyed and a rescue helicopter crashed during the operations, killing the five crew members. Heavy rains are expected until 21 August.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE

South Sudan and Israel are discussing an agreement to resettle Palestinians from war-torn Gaza in the troubled African nation, a plan already rejected and branded unacceptable by Palestinian leaders. On the talks front, Hamas negotiators have signalled a willingness to ease the demands that caused previous rounds of negotiations to collapse, although the gap between the sides remains wide. Finally, yesterday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited in prison the long-time Palestinian leader, telling him you will not win, while a government colleague promised to bury the idea of a Palestinian state.

RUSSIA - UNITED STATES

A diplomatic success for Moscow, which shows that it is not as isolated as its enemies claim, and a substantial stalemate in terms of progress on the conflict in Ukraine. This is the summary of the meeting that took place yesterday in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the first time they have met on US soil since 2007, apart from meetings at the UN. The tycoon wanted to sign a ceasefire in Ukraine, while the Kremlin leader reiterated that security threats must first be eliminated (blocking Kiev's entry into NATO and substantially reducing its military force). After three hours of talks, including 10 minutes alone and without interpreters, the two leaders held a very brief press conference without answering questions from journalists.

SOUTH KOREA - JAPAN

The South Korean government expressed deep disappointment and regret over yesterday's visit by Japanese officials to the Yasukuni Shrine, which Seoul says glorifies Japan's war of aggression and sanctions crimes. The delegation also included two ministers from the Tokyo government, which yesterday celebrated the 80th anniversary of (defeat in) World War II. Emperor Naruhito expressed deep remorse for the events related to the conflict.

INDONESIA

Over 360 people showed symptoms of poisoning in Sragen, central Java, after eating free school lunches as part of the free meals programme strongly promoted by President Prabowo Subianto. This is the largest case of food poisoning since the programme was launched last January, marked by similar events across the archipelago with a thousand cases.

SYRIA

Members of the interim government forces linked to HTS and fighters loyal to the former regime of Bashar al-Assad have most likely committed war crimes in sectarian violence in March, in which around 1,400 people died. This is according to a UN report focusing on clashes in the Alawite-majority area. Meanwhile, foreign fighters and others who joined the civil war from abroad have applied for citizenship from the Islamist government.

AZERBAIJAN - RUSSIA

Azerbaijan did not send any representatives to the meeting of interior ministers of the former Soviet countries of the CIS in St Petersburg, with an explicit refusal from the minister in Baku, Vilayat Ejvazov. This decision highlighted the deepening crisis in relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, with Russian Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev denouncing an attempt to rewrite our history.

TURKMENISTAN - IRAN

Turkmenistan and Iran have agreed to build two new railway lines in the border area of Sarakhs. This was announced by the head of the Iranian railways, Jabbar Ali Zakeri, and the Turkmen transport minister, Mammet Akmammedov, after negotiations in Turkmenbashi during the UN conference. The aim is to ensure a crucial hub for relations between Iran and Central Asia in the North-South Corridor.
16 August 2025 14:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Farman Aydin | AzerNews

The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was presented as a pivotal moment in efforts to halt the devastating war in Ukraine. Yet in reality, it exposed more about Putins political vulnerabilities than about any real progress towards peace. Rather than negotiating as the iron-fisted strongman he so often portrays himself to be, Putin arrived in Anchorage reduced to the role of supplicant. The optics, tone, and substance of the encounter revealed a Russian leader bending over backwards to flatter Trump, all while ensuring that no meaningful agreement could emerge. The Theatre of Anchorage

Trump staged the Alaska summit with characteristic flair: military pomp, fighter jets roaring overhead, and a red carpet emblazoned with Alaska 2025. The symbolism was plainthe United States was hosting from a position of strength. By contrast, Putins presence was less one of equal footing and more of begrudging necessity. Russia has been battered by sanctions, diplomatically isolated by much of the West, and financially stretched by a war of its own making. Against this backdrop, Putin seemed less like a global powerbroker and more like a leader desperate to be in the same room as Trump.

Where previous summits between Russian and American leaders projected tense parity, Anchorage demonstrated a lopsided relationship. Putin looked uncharacteristically restrained, careful to couch his words in deference to Trumps demands, including the latters insistence on an immediate ceasefire. That no agreement was reached had little to do with Trumps position and everything to do with Putins refusal to prioritise peace over Russias broader imperial ambitions.

Perhaps the most telling nuance of the meeting was Putins calculated flattery. He praised Trumps decisiveness, his unique understanding of global realities, and even his ability to bring together conflicting parties. Such sycophancy is rare from a man who built his domestic brand on deriding Western leaders as weak, indecisive, or corrupt. Yet before Trump, Putins tone shifted.

This was no accident. Putin recognises that Trump, unlike other Western leaders, grants him a stage without preconditions. Flattering Trump is not simply a diplomatic tactic; it is an attempt to curry favour with the one Western leader who still entertains the idea of Putin as an indispensable actor on the global stage. But this strategy came at a reputational cost. To many observers, Putin appeared diminished, reduced to stroking Trumps ego rather than standing firm for Russias supposed interests.

No ceasefire, no substance

Beneath the gestures and photo opportunities, the hard truth is that no ceasefire was reached in Anchorage. Trump made it clear he wanted a halt to the violencetoday, not tomorrowbut Putin would not oblige. Why? Because for the Kremlin, aggression in Ukraine is not a bargaining chip but the very foundation of its foreign policy.

The war is not simply about territory; it is about demonstrating Russias relevance, undermining the West, and reinforcing Putins image at home. Economic incentives, whether in the form of eased sanctions or energy deals, pale in comparison to the political capital Putin derives from continued aggression. In short, peace would deprive the Kremlin of its raison detre. Hence, Putin flattered Trump with words while ensuring that his actions remained unchanged.

Several subtle moments betrayed Putins weakness during the summit. First, the expanded format of the talks. While Trump was joined by senior figures such as Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, Putins side consisted of the usual loyal lieutenantsSergey Lavrov and Yury Ushakovhardly a signal of fresh thinking or new flexibility. The contrast suggested a Russian delegation trapped in stale orthodoxy, while Trump projected adaptability.

Second, Putins language. Rather than issuing his trademark ultimatums, he avoided direct confrontation. His remarks were filled with generalities, appeals to mutual respect, and compliments towards Trump. For a man accustomed to lecturing the West, this tonal shift was glaring.

Third, the optics of place. Alaska, once part of the Russian Empire, has a symbolic weight. Hosting the meeting there underscored Russias historical declinefrom a country that sold the territory to the United States for a pittance in the 19th century, to a present-day Russia arriving cap in hand on the same soil.

The strongman illusion

For decades, Putin has crafted the image of a leader who cannot be cowed, a master strategist playing chess while his opponents play checkers. Yet Anchorage exposed the illusion. His war in Ukraine drags on with mounting casualties and scant gains. His economy has been contorted to sustain military production, while living standards for ordinary Russians decline. His international position has shrunk, reduced largely to dependence on China and transactional relationships with Iran and North Korea.

In such a context, Putins fawning towards Trump is more than a diplomatic tactic; it is a symptom of weakness. Unable to secure concessions through strength, he resorts to flattery in hopes of salvaging relevance. The tragedy for Russia is that this posture offers no relief for its people and no respite from the war.

The Alaska summit will be remembered not for breakthroughs but for its symbolism. Trump used it to cast himself as a peacemaker; Putin used it to bask in the glow of American attention. Yet the fundamental dynamic was clear: Trump dictated the stage, the terms, and the spectacle, while Putin clung to the margins, flattering his host and refusing to yield an inch on substance.

If this is the behaviour of a supposed global strongman, it is a hollow performance. Putin left Alaska without a ceasefire, without concessions, and without the dignity of having negotiated as an equal. What remains is an image of a leader reduced to flattery, presiding over a war that has no economic, moral, or political justification, yet continues because it is all his regime has left.
16 August 2025 15:25 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

As part of the "Startup School 3" initiative, launched by the Enterprise Azerbaijan portal and operated by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), discussions have been held on potential partnerships within the international acceleration program Green and Digital Silk Road.

Azernews reports, the meeting took place with representatives of Licorne Gulf Holding, a Qatar-based investment company involved in diverse sectors. The company's representatives, Irina Duisimbekova and Alexandre Katrangi, met with Enterprise Azerbaijan team members Isa Gasimov and Aydan Huseynzada.

During the meeting, the Azerbaijani side delivered a comprehensive presentation on the goals and phases of the program, participant selection criteria, the added value it aims to bring to the innovation ecosystem, and its potential to facilitate access to international markets.

Key discussion topics included improving startups' access to global investment sources, promoting the use of green technologies and digital solutions, strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, and exploring mechanisms for joint project implementation and strategic partnerships.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to explore future cooperation opportunities and work towards joint initiatives in the outlined areas.

The Startup School 3 initiative is aimed at supporting innovative ideas, facilitating the integration of startups into international markets, and contributing to sustainable economic growth through innovation-driven projects.
16 August 2025 16:50 (UTC+04:00)

As part of the National Pasture Festival held in the Khan Yaylaghi area of Goygol district, the KOB FEST exhibition-fair was officially opened.

Azernews reports, the event was organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) under the Ministry of Economy.

The event brought together SMBDA representatives, entrepreneurs, and festival guests.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, SMBDA representative Chingiz Huseynov said that the fair provides more than 100 entrepreneurs with the opportunity to showcase and sell over 800 types of products and handmade items.

The fair, supported by SMBDA, aims to help micro and small businesses present their products and services to a wider consumer audience and boost their sales. It also serves to promote locally made goods. By creating direct contact between local producers and consumers, the fair supports greater visibility and sales for SMEs, facilitates business connections between entrepreneurs and suppliers, and expands market opportunities for entrepreneurs from vulnerable social groups, Huseynov noted.

Following the official opening, the event continued with a musical program.
16 August 2025 12:25 (UTC+04:00)

An attempt to illegally cross the state border from the Islamic Republic of Iran into Azerbaijan has been thwarted in the area of responsibility of the Lankaran Border Detachment of the State Border Service.

Azernews reports this, citing the Press Center of the State Border Service.

During a border search and operational measures, a total of 12 kilograms and 270 grams of narcotic substances, along with 1,970 methadone M-40 tablets, were discovered and seized in the area.

An investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.

The State Border Service emphasizes that efforts to ensure the reliable protection of the state border and to combat the trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors are being successfully continued.
Methylene Blue (MB), also known as methylthioninium chloride, in Chinese is translated as  (Ya jia lan) or 

### What is Methylene Blue?

Methylene Blue (MB), also known as methylthioninium chloride, is a synthetic compound originally developed in 1876 as a textile dye. It appears as a dark green powder that turns vibrant blue when dissolved in water. Over time, its unique chemical properties, including its ability to act as an electron carrier and antioxidant, led to its use in medical and scientific applications. It is FDA-approved for treating methemoglobinemia ., a rare blood disorder that impairs oxygen delivery in red blood cells, but it has also been used off-label for various medical and wellness purposes.[](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-to-know-about-methylene-blue)[]

(https://academicchemlab.com/blogs/news/methylene-blue-the-surprising-benefits-risks-and-uses-of-this-blue-wonder)

### Benefits of Methylene Blue

Methylene Blue has a range of established and emerging benefits, supported by varying levels of scientific evidence. Below are its key benefits, based on research and clinical use:

1. **FDA-Approved Use: Treatment of Methemoglobinemia**

- MB is a first-line treatment for methemoglobinemia, rapidly restoring hemoglobins oxygen-carrying capacity. It is typically administered intravenously under medical supervision.[](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-to-know-about-methylene-blue)[]

(https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)

2. **Cognitive and Neurological Support**

- **Memory and Focus**: Preliminary studies, including a small human trial (26 adults), showed low-dose MB improved memory retrieval by ~7% and increased brain activity in areas linked to memory and attention. Animal studies suggest it enhances spatial memory and brain metabolism.[](https://x.com/bryan_johnson/status/1954969679413616967)[](https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)



- **Neuroprotection**: MB may protect neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially slowing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons. In animal models, it reduced amyloid- and tau protein aggregation, key markers of Alzheimers.[](https://x.com/bryan_johnson/status/1954969677664489491)[]

(https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)[](https://academicchemlab.com/blogs/news/methylene-blue-the-surprising-benefits-risks-and-uses-of-this-blue-wonder)



- **Mood Enhancement**: As a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), MB has shown antidepressant effects in some studies, particularly for treatment-resistant depression. However, it carries risks of serotonin syndrome when combined with certain antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs).[](https://academicchemlab.com/blogs/news/methylene-blue-the-surprising-benefits-risks-and-uses-of-this-blue-wonder)[](https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)

3. **Anti-Aging and Mitochondrial Health**

- MB supports mitochondrial function by enhancing ATP production and reducing oxidative stress, which may slow cellular aging. Its being explored in anti-aging skincare and wellness routines for its potential to improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles, though human evidence is limited.[](https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)[]

(https://publichealthpolicyjournal.com/the-science-and-benefits-of-methylene-blue/)



- Posts on X and wellness blogs highlight its use in biohacking for longevity, citing its role in boosting cellular energy.

4. **Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties**



- MB has broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, historically used to treat infections like gonorrhea  . and urinary tract infections. Its being studied for its potential against viruses like SARS-CoV-2, Zika, and Ebola, particularly in photodynamic therapy, though its not FDA-approved for these uses.[](https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)[](https://academicchemlab.com/blogs/news/methylene-blue-the-surprising-benefits-risks-and-uses-of-this-blue-wonder)



- In veterinary medicine and aquariums, MB treats fungal infections and parasites.[](https://academicchemlab.com/blogs/news/methylene-blue-the-surprising-benefits-risks-and-uses-of-this-blue-wonder)

5. **Medical and Diagnostic Uses**

- **Surgical Applications**: MB is used as a dye to map lymph nodes during cancer surgeries or to highlight abnormalities in procedures like colonoscopies.[](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-to-know-about-methylene-blue)[](https://academicchemlab.com/blogs/news/methylene-blue-the-surprising-benefits-risks-and-uses-of-this-blue-wonder)



- **Other Off-Label Uses**: MB treats conditions like vasodilatory shock , cyanide poisoning, oral mucositis , and ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy . Its also used in chromoendoscopy .to detect digestive tract abnormalities.[](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-to-know-about-methylene-blue)[](https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)

### Why Is Methylene Blue Popular Now?

Methylene Blues recent surge in popularity, particularly in 2025, stems from several factors:

1. **Celebrity and Influencer Endorsements**

- High-profile figures like Joe Rogan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Selena Gomez, and Millie Bobby Brown have discussed MBs potential cognitive and wellness benefits, sparking public interest. For example, RFK Jr.s in-flight video discussing MB in early 2025 went viral, and Joe Rogan praised it on his podcast for enhancing mitochondrial function.[](https://stemcellstulum.org/regenerative-medicine/methylene-blue/)



- These endorsements, amplified by social media platforms like TikTok, have driven MBs visibility among wellness enthusiasts and biohackers.[](https://www.wellandgood.com/health/methylene-blue-tiktok-trend)

2. **Biohacking and Wellness Trends**

- MBs ability to enhance mitochondrial function and energy production has made it a favorite in the biohacking community, who seek to optimize health and longevity. Posts on X highlight its use for brain fuel and cellular energy.[](https://galaxy.ai/youtube-summarizer/understanding-methylene-blue-the-science-behind-its-popularity-and-benefits-3ASnRAULLw4)



- Its affordability compared to other supplements and accessibility in pharmaceutical-grade forms (e.g., from brands like Earth Harmony) has fueled its adoption.[](https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/health-wellbeing/from-history-to-modern-day-popularity-the-ongoing-interest-in-methylene-blue/)

3. **Social Media Hype**

- TikTok trends show users consuming MB for alleged brain-boosting and anti-aging benefits, often displaying blue-tinted tongues or drinks. This visual appeal and the promise of cognitive enhancement have made it a viral sensation, though experts warn against unregulated use.[](https://www.wellandgood.com/health/methylene-blue-tiktok-trend)[](https://www.modern-endocrine.com/methylene-blue-hype-or-healing-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-mitochondrial-therapy/)

4. **Emerging Research**

- Ongoing studies into MBs potential for neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive enhancement, and antiviral applications have kept it in the scientific spotlight. While human trials are limited, preliminary animal studies and small-scale human data (e.g., MRI studies showing increased brain connectivity) have fueled optimism.[](https://x.com/bryan_johnson/status/1954969679413616967)[](https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)

5. **Market Growth and Accessibility**

- The supplement industry has seen a boom in MB products, with companies like Earth Harmony emphasizing high-purity formulations. However, the lack of clear regulatory guidelines has led to concerns about product quality, as some formulations may contain impurities.[](https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/health-wellbeing/from-history-to-modern-day-popularity-the-ongoing-interest-in-methylene-blue/)[](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-to-know-about-methylene-blue)

### Risks and Considerations

- **Side Effects**: MB can cause blue urine (harmless), nausea, dizziness, or, at high doses, serotonin syndrome, especially with antidepressants. Its contraindicated for those with G6PD deficiency or on certain medications.[](https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-benefits-methylene-blue-3579794/)[](https://academicchemlab.com/blogs/news/methylene-blue-the-surprising-benefits-risks-and-uses-of-this-blue-wonder)



- **Quality Concerns**: Industrial-grade MB (e.g., for aquariums) is unsafe for human use. Only pharmaceutical-grade MB should be used, under medical supervision.[](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-to-know-about-methylene-blue)[](https://www.wellandgood.com/health/methylene-blue-tiktok-trend)



- **Limited Evidence**: Many benefits (e.g., cognitive enhancement, anti-aging) are based on preliminary or animal studies, requiring more robust human trials.[](https://www.wellandgood.com/health/methylene-blue-tiktok-trend)[](https://brewminate.com/blue-promises-murky-truths-the-methylene-blue-hype-and-its-hidden-risks/)

### Conclusion

Methylene Blue is a versatile compound with established medical uses and promising, though not fully proven, benefits in cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, and anti-aging. Its current popularity in 2025 is driven by celebrity endorsements, social media trends, and interest in biohacking, but caution is advised due to risks and regulatory gaps. Always consult a healthcare professional before using MB, especially for off-label purposes, and ensure you use pharmaceutical-grade products from reputable sources.

****************

Top 5 brand in NA:

Based on recent reviews, consumer feedback, and expert analyses from sources like consumer reports, supplement guides, and wellness websites, the following are the top five Methylene Blue (MB) brands in North America for 2025, focusing on pharmaceutical-grade quality, purity, effectiveness, and consumer trust. These rankings are derived from sources such as consumerreportsusa.com, bestfornutrition.com, and others, emphasizing USP-grade products with third-party testing.[](https://consumerreportsusa.com/Methylene-Blue)[](https://bestfornutrition.com/best-methylene-blue-supplements/)

### Top 5 Methylene Blue Brands in North America

1. **Earth Harmony Naturals Methylene Blue** ( Unfortunately, from its website, it seems cannot be sent to Canada, currently, not sure why)

- **Why It Ranks #1**:

- **Purity and Quality**: Offers 99.99% USP-grade MB, free from formaldehyde and other contaminants, third-party tested for heavy metals.

- **Formulation**: 1% solution in a 2 oz UV-protected glass bottle with a dropper for precise dosing. Includes Nano Liquid Gold for enhanced absorption and photodynamic activity.

- **Benefits**: Highly praised for boosting mental clarity, energy, and mitochondrial function. Users report improved focus, sleep quality, and emotional well-being.

- **Consumer Feedback**: Rated highly on Amazon (4.4/5 from 967+ reviews) for cognitive support and ease of use. Popular among biohackers.

- **Pros**:

- Pharmaceutical-grade with rigorous testing.

- Affordable pricing (~$28.00 for 2 oz).

- Convenient dropper for daily use.

- **Cons**:

- May cause temporary blue staining of teeth or urine.

- Slightly bitter taste reported by some.

- **Availability**: Available on Amazon and Earth Harmonys official site.[](https://supplementinstitute.org/vitamin-supplements/best-methylene-blue)[](https://www.bestproductsreviews.com/methylene-blue-pharmaceutical-grade)

2. **AccuaBoost Premium USP Grade Methylene Blue**

- **Why It Ranks #2**:

- **Advanced Technology**: Features proprietary electron transport chain optimization, maintaining bioactive MB levels 4x longer than competitors, with 99.9% USP-grade purity.

- **Performance**: Lab tests showed superior mitochondrial activation and cognitive enhancement. A 28-day study with 237 participants reported significant energy and mental clarity improvements.

- **Value**: Priced at $34.97 (down from $42.99), with free 2-4 day shipping and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Over 10,000 5-star Google reviews.

- **Pros**:

- Exceptional bioavailability and stability.

- Heavy metal testing to parts per billion (ppb).

- Strong consumer trust and value for money.

- **Cons**:

- Limited availability due to high demand (often out of stock).

- Only sold through the official website, not retail stores.

- **Availability**: Direct-to-consumer via AccuaBoosts website.[](https://consumerreportsusa.com/Methylene-Blue)

3. **aSquared Nutrition Methylene Blue (Capsules and Drops)**

- **Why It Ranks #3**:

- **Versatility**: Offers both capsule (12mg, 120 capsules) and liquid (1% solution, 2 fl oz) forms, catering to different preferences. Capsules include vitamin C and cacao powder for enhanced absorption.

- **Quality**: USP-grade, third-party tested, non-GMO, and GMP-certified. Capsules are light-protective to maintain stability.

- **Benefits**: Highly rated (4.5/5 from 58+ Amazon reviews) for cognitive support, mental clarity, and mitochondrial energy. Users note improvements in memory and focus within 1-2 weeks.

- **Pros**:

- Capsule form avoids staining issues of liquids.

- Synergistic nootropic blend (vitamin C, cacao, ALA).

- Affordable (~$24.95 for capsules, $4.99/fl oz for drops).

- **Cons**:

- Capsules may have a higher per-serving cost (~$0.42/count).

- Some users report underfilled bottles.

- **Availability**: Widely available on Amazon and aSquared Nutritions site.[](https://bestfornutrition.com/best-methylene-blue-supplements/)

4. **Compass Laboratory Methylene Blue**

- **Why It Ranks #4**:

- **Quality**: Pharmaceutical-grade, USP-grade 1% solution, third-party tested, free from formaldehyde and alcohol. Made in the USA in a GMP-certified facility.

- **Benefits**: Praised for improving mental clarity, focus, and energy. Users report reduced brain fog and better mood, with a 9.5/10 rating in some reviews.

- **Packaging**: 50ml glass dropper bottle ensures precise dosing and stability.

- **Pros**:

- High purity and reliable testing.

- Easy-to-use dropper for flexible dosing.

- Strong customer feedback for cognitive benefits.

- **Cons**:

- Higher price point (~$136 for 50ml in some listings).

- Slightly bitter taste noted by some users.

- **Availability**: Available on Amazon and Compass Laboratorys official site.[](https://rebatekey.com/guides/health/best-methylene-blue-supplement/)[](https://www.bestchoice.com/comparison/methylene-blue)

5. **Artnaturals Methylene Blue 1% Solution**

- **Why It Ranks #5**:

- **Unique Formulation**: Combines USP-grade 1% MB with balanced electrolytes for enhanced absorption and cellular hydration. Third-party tested for purity.

- **Benefits**: Noted for cognitive support, mitochondrial function, and hydration. High customer satisfaction (4.4/5 from 967+ Amazon reviews) for mental clarity and energy without jitters.

- **Packaging**: 2 fl oz UV-protected glass bottle with a dropper, ideal for daily use.

- **Pros**:

- Electrolyte blend enhances brain health benefits.

- Affordable (~$29.97 for 2 fl oz).

- No formaldehyde or allergens.

- **Cons**:

- Electrolyte blend not fully disclosed on the label.

- May stain surfaces or mouth if mishandled.

- **Availability**: Available on Amazon and Artnaturals official site.[](https://bestfornutrition.com/best-methylene-blue-supplements/)[](https://www.bestproductsreviews.com/methyleneblue)

### Why These Brands?

- **Purity and Safety**: All brands offer pharmaceutical-grade MB (99.7% purity), third-party tested to ensure no contaminants like heavy metals or formaldehyde, critical for safe consumption.

- **Consumer Trust**: High ratings on platforms like Amazon and Google, with consistent positive feedback for cognitive and energy benefits, align with the growing biohacking trend in North America.

- **Accessibility**: Available through trusted retailers like Amazon or direct brand websites, ensuring reliability and consumer confidence.

- **Market Relevance**: These brands are frequently cited in 2025 supplement rankings for their effectiveness, value, and alignment with wellness trends fueled by social media and celebrity endorsements (e.g., Joe Rogan, RFK Jr.).

### Notes and Considerations

- **Regulation**: MB supplements are not FDA-approved for cognitive or anti-aging uses, so pharmaceutical-grade products from reputable brands are essential. Consult a healthcare provider, especially if taking medications like SSRIs, due to risks like serotonin syndrome.

- **North American Focus**: These brands dominate in the U.S. and Canada, where MBs popularity has surged due to biohacking and social media trends on platforms like TikTok and X.

- **Other Brands**: Brands like NBL (Norwegian BioLabs) and Meraki Medicinals are also notable but were edged out due to availability issues (e.g., frequent stock shortages for NBL) or less consistent performance data (e.g., Merakis vague concentration info).[](https://avasreview.com/top-5-methylene-blue-2024/)[](https://metapress.com/finding-the-right-methylene-blue-supplement-a-science-based-guide/)

*********************

Determining the definitive "top 3 brands" of Methylene Blue (MB) globally is challenging due to limited comprehensive data on worldwide market share, sales figures, or consumer preferences specifically for MB supplements in 2025. However, based on recent reviews, consumer feedback, and expert analyses from sources like consumer reports, supplement guides, and wellness websites, certain brands consistently stand out for their quality, purity, and reputation in the pharmaceutical-grade MB market. Below are the top three Methylene Blue brands frequently highlighted for their high-quality formulations, based on available information:

### Top 3 Methylene Blue Brands

1. **Earth Harmony Naturals Methylene Blue**

- **Why It Stands Out**:

- **Purity and Quality**: Offers pharmaceutical-grade, USP-grade MB with 99.99% purity, free from harmful additives like formaldehyde. Third-party tested for heavy metals and impurities.

- **Ease of Use**: Comes in a 2 oz glass bottle with a dropper for precise dosing, ensuring stability and convenience.

- **Consumer Feedback**: Highly rated for boosting mental clarity, energy, and mitochondrial function. Users report noticeable cognitive improvements and better sleep.[]

(https://supplementinstitute.org/vitamin-supplements/best-methylene-blue)

(https://www.straight.com/guides/health/best-methylene-blue-supplement/)



- **Unique Features**: Includes Liquid Gold for enhanced absorption and photodynamic activity, making it a standout for biohackers and wellness enthusiasts.

- **Pros**:

- High purity and rigorous testing.

- Affordable compared to premium competitors.

- Positive reviews for cognitive and energy benefits.

- **Cons**:

- May cause temporary blue staining of teeth or urine.

- Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

- **Availability**: Widely available on Amazon and the brands official site.

2. **AccuaBoost Premium USP Grade Methylene Blue**

- **Why It Stands Out**:

- **Advanced Formulation**: Features a proprietary electron transport chain optimization technology, maintaining bioactive MB levels 4x longer than competitors, per lab testing. Achieves 99.9% USP-grade purity.[](https://consumerreportsusa.com/Methylene-Blue)

- **Performance**: Outperformed others in laboratory tests for mitochondrial activation, cognitive enhancement, and antioxidant properties. Participants in a 28-day study reported significant improvements in energy and mental clarity.

- **Value**: Priced at $34.97 (down from $42.99), it offers a strong performance-to-price ratio, with free 2-4 day shipping and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

- **Pros**:

- Superior bioavailability and stability.

- Heavy metal testing to parts per billion (ppb).

- High customer satisfaction (+10,000 5-star Google reviews).

- **Cons**:

- High demand leads to occasional stock shortages.

- Only available through the official website, not retail stores.

- **Availability**: Direct-to-consumer model, primarily through the brands website.

3. **NBL Methylene Blue (Norwegian BioLabs)**

- **Why It Stands Out**:

- **Quality and Effectiveness**: Rated 9.8/10 in reviews for its ultra-pure, pharmaceutical-grade formula without fillers or additives. Known for fast absorption and rapid cognitive benefits.[](https://avasreview.com/top-5-methylene-blue-2024/)

- **Benefits**: Strong antioxidant properties, supports mental clarity, cellular health, and energy. Ideal for daily use with a convenient dropper bottle.

- **Customer Support**: Offers free shipping, a 1-year warranty, and 24/7 customer support, enhancing trust.

- **Pros**:

- High purity and no formaldehyde.

- Fast-acting with noticeable cognitive and energy boosts.

- Competitive pricing for long-term use.

- **Cons**:

- Frequently out of stock due to high demand.

- Slightly bitter taste reported by some users.

- **Availability**: Available through the brands official site, with limited stock due to popularity.

### Why These Brands?

- **Purity and Safety**: All three brands emphasize pharmaceutical-grade MB, third-party tested for purity (99.7%) and free from contaminants like heavy metals or formaldehyde, which is critical for safe human consumption.

- **Consumer Trust**: High ratings in reviews, with Earth Harmony and AccuaBoost frequently cited in 2025 supplement rankings for their effectiveness and value.[](https://consumerreportsusa.com/Methylene-Blue)[](https://supplementinstitute.org/vitamin-supplements/best-methylene-blue)[](https://avasreview.com/top-5-methylene-blue-2024/)

- **Market Trends**: These brands align with the growing popularity of MB in biohacking and wellness communities, driven by endorsements and social media buzz, particularly on platforms like TikTok and X.

### Notes and Considerations

- **Global Context**: The rankings are based on sources primarily focused on the U.S. market, as global data on MB brands is less centralized. These brands are prominent in North America and likely have international reach through online platforms.

- **Regulation**: MB supplements are not FDA-approved for cognitive or anti-aging uses, so consumers should prioritize pharmaceutical-grade products and consult healthcare providers, especially if taking medications like SSRIs.

- **Alternative Brands**: Other brands like Compass Laboratory, Suppvana, and Meraki Medicinals also rank highly in some reviews but were edged out due to higher pricing (e.g., Compass Laboratory at $136/bottle) or less consistent bioavailability data.[](https://www.straight.com/guides/health/best-methylene-blue-supplement/)[](https://metapress.com/finding-the-right-methylene-blue-supplement-a-science-based-guide/)

If youd like me to search for more recent posts on X or additional sources to confirm global brand rankings, or if you need specific product comparisons (e.g., pricing, dosage forms), let me know!
16 August 2025 12:55 (UTC+04:00)

The Swedish analytical platform Agenda Nexus has published an in-depth article emphasizing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs pivotal role in maintaining political balance in the South Caucasus.

Azernews reports, the article underscores President Aliyevs commitment to safeguarding Azerbaijans national interests through a combination of nuanced diplomacy and proactive regional engagement. It highlights his efforts to elevate Bakus status as a central player in the regions political landscape.

Special attention is given to Russias position in the South Caucasus. The article notes that while Moscow aspires to reinforce its role as a regional mediator, President Ilham Aliyevs strategic maneuvering has significantly diminished Russian influence. The weakening of Moscow's regional authority, the article argues, has left Russia increasingly sidelined. In this context, the Zangezur Corridor is presented as a strategic project with the potential to reduce Europes dependence on Russian energy supplies.

The article also examines President Aliyevs broader foreign policy initiatives, including Azerbaijans support for Ukraine, diplomatic tensions with France, and a broader pivot toward economic modernization aligned with European standards. The authors argue that Azerbaijans economic growth, large-scale infrastructure development, and emphasis on national identity have contributed to President Ilham Aliyevs sustained domestic popularity and strong public trust.
16 August 2025 13:40 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed condolences to Pakistan in connection with the devastating floods that have struck the northern regions of the country.

Azernews reports, the message was shared via the Ministrys official account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the floods in northern Pakistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Azerbaijan stands in solidarity with the brotherly people and government of Pakistan during this difficult time, the statement read.

It should be noted that heavy monsoon rains in northwestern Pakistan have caused widespread destruction. Flooding and landslides have so far claimed the lives of at least 220 people.
16 August 2025 13:28 (UTC+04:00)

On August 16, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed decrees to award personnel of the State Border Service, Azernews reports.

Under the decrees, for their distinguished service in ensuring the protection of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan, preserving territorial integrity and fulfilling the tasks assigned to the border protection authorities, one person was awarded the Azerbaijan Flag Order, two individuals received the 3rd-degree Reshadat Order, two individuals were awarded the 2nd-degree For Service to the Motherland Order, one person received the 3rd-degree For Service to the Motherland Order, 11 individuals were awarded the For the Motherland Medal, two individuals received the For Bravery Medal, and 50 individuals were awarded the For Military Service Medal.

By another decree of the head of state, one person was granted the military rank of Lieutenant General, and two individuals were awarded the rank of Major General.
16 August 2025 15:47 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

On August 16, 2025, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a phone call with Andriy Sybiha, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

According to information, Minister Sybiha congratulated Azerbaijan on the outcomes of President Ilham Aliyevs recent visit to the United States and the agreements reached between Azerbaijan and the U.S. He also expressed support for the progress made in the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

During the conversation, the ministers discussed current issues related to the partnership between Azerbaijan and Ukraine, including cooperation in political, economic, energy, transport, and humanitarian fields. Both sides emphasized the importance of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in further strengthening bilateral ties.

The Ukrainian foreign minister also thanked Azerbaijan for its continued humanitarian assistance, particularly support for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in conflict-affected regions of Ukraine.

Minister Sybiha also provided an update on the ongoing negotiation process surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The two sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
16 August 2025 16:21 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The long-standing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia dates back over three decades, even before the two countries gained independence. While major hostilities ended in 1994, followed by the 2020 war and a special operation in 2023, it is these decades of conflict that have shaped the perceptions both nations hold of each other today. But now, a new opportunity has emerged  one that allows both sides to leave the past behind and finally become the neighbors and partners they were meant to be.

Azernews reports, this was the key message shared by Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the UK, Elin Suleymanov, in an interview with Times Radio, where he reflected on the historic August 8 meeting in Washington.

As a diplomat, Ive witnessed this conflict firsthand. I worked with the UN Refugee Agency and saw the fate of internally displaced people. Ive spoken to children born in exile. Today, Im genuinely happy to see them return home  and peace is now within reach, the ambassador said.

According to Suleymanov, U.S. President Donald Trump played a crucial role in moving the peace process forward.

There are two key factors. First, under President Ilham Aliyevs leadership, Azerbaijan was able to liberate its occupied territories  a turning point in resolving the conflict. Second, given todays global political climate, having an experienced negotiator and peacemaker like Trump was essential. His personal involvement became the most critical element in this process, he noted.

Commenting on Russia's reduced role in the latest phase of the conflict and the tripartite declaration, the ambassador said the document was always intended to be temporary.

Its important to highlight that the negotiations on the still-unfinalized peace agreement were conducted directly between Azerbaijan and Armenia  the U.S. did not draft the agreement. However, it was President Trump who invited the leaders to the White House and facilitated the signing of a joint declaration. No party was excluded from the process  and even Armenia expressed satisfaction with the results of the Washington meeting.

Suleymanov pointed to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans comments during a U.S. television interview, where he acknowledged that Russia is, for the first time, gaining a direct railway connection with both Armenia and Iran as a result of the talks.

Trump simply demonstrated initiative and personal interest. And if we put ideology aside  isnt a peaceful, stable, and economically thriving South Caucasus in Russias interest as well? he added.

Discussing the final steps needed to sign a peace treaty, Suleymanov stressed that the main obstacle remains the Armenian constitution.

The facts are clear: the current text of the peace agreement contradicts provisions in Armenias constitution. We expect Armenia to resolve this inconsistency. Once their constitution no longer contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan, the peace treaty can be signed. Both sides are ready to move forward  and thats the second key factor in the success of this diplomatic breakthrough, he concluded.
16 August 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that his administration will roll out new tariffs on steel and semiconductor products beginning next week, as part of a broader effort to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign technology, Azernews reports.

I havent even set some of the tariffs yet, Trump told reporters during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One. Ill be setting tariffs next week and the week after on steel, and I would say chips and semiconductors.

According to the president, the new tariff regime will be phased in gradually, starting at a lower rate to encourage foreign companies to invest in American production facilities.

Were gonna have a rate thats lower at the beginning  that gives them a chance to come in and build, he said.

100% tariffs on foreign chips, 50% on steel imports

Trumps comments follow earlier statements in which he pledged to impose a 100% tariff on imported computer chips, and double existing tariffs on steel to 50%. The administration argues that such measures are critical to reviving strategic industries, particularly in light of escalating global competition and supply chain vulnerabilities.

While the move is likely to be welcomed by some domestic manufacturers, it may also spark trade tensions with key partners, particularly in Asia and the European Union, where a significant portion of chips and steel imports originate.
16 August 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Peoples Bank of China (PBoC) outlined its monetary policy stance for the second quarter in a report released Friday, affirming its commitment to a moderately accommodative approach while carefully managing the intensity and pace of policy measures, Azernews reports.

The central bank emphasized its focus on maintaining ample liquidity to support economic growth and fostering a favorable financial environment amid ongoing global uncertainties.

The PBoC will promote a reasonable recovery in prices and ensure they remain at healthy levels, the report stated.

Additionally, the PBoC pledged to enhance its monetary policy guidance and transmission mechanisms, stabilize market expectations, and firmly address any market behaviors that disrupt orderly financial functioning.

The bank also signaled plans to explore expanded roles for the central bank in macroprudential regulation and financial stability oversight, with a strong emphasis on preventing systemic financial risks and maintaining overall market stability.
16 August 2025 10:27 (UTC+04:00)

U.S. President Donald Trump is currently taking a cautious stance on imposing new sanctions against Russia, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The U.S. leader made these remarks in an interview with Fox News, speaking about the outcomes of his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I dont think its necessary to consider that at this moment, based on whats happening today," Trump said. He added, "You know, I think the meeting went very well."

However, Trump did not rule out the possibility of sanctions being reconsidered in the future. "Maybe in two or three weeks, or sometime around then, I might have to think about it. But right now, I dont see the need," he stated.
16 August 2025 20:22 (UTC+04:00)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will make an official visit to Armenia on August 18, Azernews reports, citing the Iranian Presidents adviser Mehdi Sanai.

"The visit will last for two days," Sanai said.

Following his trip to Yerevan, President Pezeshkian is also scheduled to visit Belarus.

According to the adviser, the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and business sectors, and to sign several cooperation agreements.
Sometimes God arranges events so that His hand is the only explanation for victory. That happened with House Bill 193  Firearm Law Revisions  Return Americas top legislative priority this year. Return America believed this bill was urgently needed. It allows qualified employees or volunteers at private schools to carry a firearm or stun gun on school property if they have proper training, a concealed carry permit, and written permission from the school. It also permits concealed carry at religious services held in school buildings, even during school hours, if approved by the school.

Its passage was anything but certain. In both the House and the Senate, the override of the Governors veto succeeded by just one vote, after the Senates tally was first declared a failure, then later reversed. From start to finish, it was a nail-biter  precisely the result that makes it clear only God could have given the victory.

HB 193 was the first of eight veto overrides taken up that day in the House, and the gallery was packed with onlookers. Seventy-two votes were needed  three-fifths of the chamber  to override the veto. That meant every one of the seventy-one Republicans had to be present and voting, plus at least one Democrat crossing over.

When the bill came to the floor, Speaker Destin Hall recognized Rep. Jeffrey McNeely, the bills chief sponsor, to present the measure and make the case for overriding the Governors veto. What most members didnt know was that one Republican was still missing  delayed on his way to Raleigh after being pulled over by a patrolman, possibly for speeding in a last-minute dash to the chamber. That morning, McNeelys remarks ran far longer than usual, and now we know why: he was deliberately buying time for that final, decisive vote to walk through the door.

Thankfully, the delayed member arrived just in time, giving the Republican caucus its full seventy-one votes and setting the stage for the razor-edged victory.

But that was only part of the drama. The House also took a procedural vote on the Previous Question, a motion to cut off debate and force an immediate vote on the matter at hand, in this case, the Governors veto of HB 193. Unlike the override, which required three-fifths of the chamber, this motion only needed a simple majority. Yet such votes often serve as a revealing test run for the real thing. When the board lit up, the result was 7148, with one not voting. Yikes!

This was a flashing warning light. If the same members voted the same way on the override, they would still be one vote short. The tension was palpable. Would a Democrat cross the aisle? Many of us feared the numbers might not be there.

Then, between the procedural vote and the override itself, the breakthrough came. At least one Democrat, Rep. Shelly Willingham, crossed over to vote yes on the override. When the Speaker finally called the vote, the board showed 72 green lights to 48 red, the exact margin needed to send HB 193 to the Senate.

In legislative strategy terms, it was the closing of a whip-count gap. But to those who were there, it was something more, the kind of hairs-breadth victory where the only real explanation is the providence of God.

The Senate was next, and if the House was tense, the Senate was a powder keg. They also needed three-fifths of those present to override the Governors veto. The math was just as tight. One vote could swing the entire outcome.

The roll call began. Senators voices rang out  Aye, No. Then came the first tally. Something felt off. Too few Ayes, maybe? God forbid!

Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, presiding over the Senate, announced that the override had failed. The air seemed to leave the room. Faces fell on the floor and in the gallery, and there were sighs and groans. Some whipped out their phone calculators, frantically crunching the numbers to see what three-fifths of those present should be.

Then, something even more puzzling happened. Sen. Bill Rabon, the powerful Republican Senate Rules Chairman, changed his vote. But Sen. Rabon had not suddenly changed his mind about the bill. In the Senate, switching your vote at the right moment can be a strategic move, either to reopen the vote later or shift the math somehow. Its a legislative means of trying to keep the measure alive. The chamber froze. Murmurs were heard from seat to seat.

Leadership huddled with Hunt, the clerk, and the parliamentarian. It was a do-or-die huddle where history hangs in the balance. Eyes darted to the vote board. You could almost hear hearts pounding. Was this really happening?

Then Hunt returned to the microphone and flipped the story, announcing the override had passed  29 to 19. Shoulders eased. Faces softened. Much of the room exhaled. Some wanted to clap and cheer, but suppressed their emotions because the gallery didnt allow it. Consequently, supporters surged toward the doors, eager to congratulate one another and celebrate the victory outside the chamber. The bill had gone from seeming defeat to triumph in just minutes.

Someone must have miscounted because the 29 votes from the original tally were already enough to pass the bill. Hmmm.

In the end, every lawmaker  every advocate  every supporter  every person who prayed  played a necessary role. Each was a means to an end; without them, the outcome would have surely been different. The thread-thin margins, the delays, the last-minute changes, the dramatic procedural twists and reversals, these obstacles could have stopped House Bill 193 at any point, but they didnt, because the Lord didnt allow it. Sometimes the Lord moves in ways that make it quite apparent that His involvement is the only reasonable conclusion for a good outcome.

We can say with the psalmist, This is the Lords doing; it is marvelous in our eyes (Psalm 118:23).

After 12 long years of advocacy, the bill will finally become law on December 1.

What You Didnt Know About HB 193, and the Hand of God Behind It
Liam and Noel Gallagher together on stage at their Oasis Live 25 Concert at Croke Park. Photo by Steve Humphreys 16th August 2025.

The Gallagher brothers have paid tribute to their Irish roots during a sell-out gig in Dublin, as Oasis returned to Ireland for the first time in 16 years.
The Gallagher brothers have paid tribute to their Irish roots during a sell-out gig in Dublin, as Oasis returned to Ireland for the first time in 16 years.
Ozzy Osbourne was my idol... his music was like therapy that got me through some very tough times
Award-winning NI doctor hailed for going above and beyond: It can be a real privilege

Spirit of NI Awards: GP went above and beyond for mum who lost three babies to rare disorder

Dr Vicky at our ceremony (Photo by Luke Jervis)

David O'Dornan Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 19:00







Care doesnt begin and end at the surgery front door for Derry GP Dr Vicky Cochrane, who won the Spirit of Health award, sponsored by Balmoral Healthcare.
Domhnall with British and Irish media at Madyama Lanka Nruthya Mandalaya, Sri Lanka. Janaka Prasantha is far left while Dr Waidyawathi Rajapakse is second from right

A barefooted boy saunters to the front of the hall, holding a two-headed geta beraya drum that almost spans his entire frame. His focused and determined face suggests a maturity beyond his teenage years. He closes his eyes and inhales.

This morning, Im joining pupils at Madyama Lanka Nruthya Mandalaya  a cultural academy hidden in the mountains outside Amunugama. Together, we watch the drummers bare hands crash down onto the barrel-shaped instrument, heralding the start of our class in traditional Kandyan dance  a hypnotic art form that originated nearby in Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings.
Money Stormont spent on cycling and walking wont actually be spent until next year  but it says thats fine
Another 5G mast has been set alight during an overnight arson attack in west Belfast.

One local councillor said the campaign of destruction against the citys masts was being fuelled by conspiracy theorists.

Police said the fires are extremely reckless.

In the latest incident, firefighters were called to reports of a mast ablaze on Beechmount Avenue, close to the Falls Road, shortly before midnight on Friday.

Two fire appliances attended the scene, with the mast already well alight.

As smoke billowed from the top of the mast, firefighters used two hose reels, a jet and several fire extinguishers to bring the blaze under control.

Police arrived at the scene a short time later, but due to the quantity of water, its believed that any forensic evidence on the mast has likely gone.

Firefighters deal with a 5G mast fire in the Beechmount Avenue area of west Belfast. (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Earlier in the night, officers had begun patrolling several masts in the west of the city.

The Belfast Telegraph understands that officers were checking on the masts during routine patrols.

Last nights attack brings the total number of masts destroyed since 2023 to 21.

Two other masts were attacked in the 48 hours prior  one on Annadale Embankment and another on the Glen Road in the west of the city.

Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie said the attacks must stop.

These vital pieces of infrastructure keep thousands of homes, businesses and public services connected across our city, he said.

The campaign against 5G masts, driven by a small minority and fuelled by conspiracies, must end.

Anyone with information should contact the PSNI. Those responsible must face the full force of the law.

Police condemned the latest attack.

Detective Inspector Wilson said: Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire.

"This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire recently and I cannot emphasise enough the dangers of lighting fire to electrical equipment. This is extremely reckless, and those responsible are putting themselves and members of the public at serious risk.

We are treating this as arson and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious in the area or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with enquiries are asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 37 16/08/25.
Traffic was filtering through one lane on the M2 shortly after 3pm.

The M2 motorway has now fully reopened after a major crash caused hours of delays in Belfast city centre on Saturday afternoon.

The collision happened on the motorway leaving Belfast just after York Street shortly after 11am this morning.

Traffic was moving through a single left-hand lane by 3.30pm, an hour after the road was completely closed for a second time, to allow for an investigation at the scene of the collision and clean-up.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and PSNI confirmed three lanes had reopened at 4pm, while the remaining two lanes had also reopened to traffic by 4.30pm.

A DfI spokesperson added that there were still some knock-on delays within the city centre diversion route for the M3 bridge closure as traffic queues clear.

It comes on a weekend when work on the M3 Bridge is set to cause disruption for motorists.

Meanwhile, a male pedestrian died after a hit and run in a separate incident in Ballyclare on Friday evening.

In further travel disruption, there has been disruption to the Belfast to Bangor train line this morning. At least one service has been cancelled.

Translink had said a number of services between Belfast and Bangor would be affected due to a broken-down train. It later said some services had been reinstated.

It came as an SDLP councillor warned the M3 bridge works could lead to a full weekend of disruption and called for last minute measures to alleviate the issue.

North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte said he fears the second phase of a 400k maintenance project on the M3 bridge could lead to lengthy delays.

The closure will be in force on the westbound carriageway of the bridge from 9pm on Friday August 15 until 6am on Monday August 18.

Traffic was filtering through one lane on the M2 shortly after 3pm.

Why is the M3 closed this weekend ?

As a result, the M3 itself will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass. Traffic will be required to leave at Bridge End Flyover.

No access to the M3 will be available from Middlepath Street on-slip during this period, with diversions in place.

A similar closure at the start of the month caused traffic chaos across the entire weekend in Belfast, with long queues forming at pinch points across the city.

On top of the work taking place, there is expected to be further congestion in the city with several road closures to accommodate the multi-cultural Mela carnival.

Mr Whyte said: This will lead to lengthy delays for motorists in what is set to be a busy weekend in the city, with a series of large events taking place and people enjoying the good weather.

There were scenes of absolute chaos in our city two weekends ago due to a similar closure, but it once again appears that the Infrastructure Minister and her department have failed to learn any lessons about the impact of these closures and the knock-on impact this work will have.

While this work does need carried out, there is no extra public transport services to alleviate congestion, no contraflow system in operation and no clear plan from DfI or the police, about how they plan to manage the inevitable gridlock in east and north Belfast.

With over 90,000 vehicles using this route daily and major events taking place in the city this weekend, the Minister and department must explain why they continue to fail to learn the lessons from past traffic gridlock.

The Department for infrastructure have urged motorists to plan their journey in advance this weekend.

During this time [Friday to Monday] the M3 will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass with all traffic required to leave at Bridge End Flyover, a DfI spokesperson said.

If you are travelling to Belfast International Airport or north or west please ask yourself do you need to drive across Belfast or can you take another route such as via the A55 outer Ring.

If you are travelling into the city to enjoy some shopping or leisure , or if you are attending an event at Custom House Square or Belfast Mela, remember to factor the bridge closure into your travel plans.

"Allow extra time, look at the alternative routes or consider using public transport if you can. You can plan your public transport journey at www.translink.co.uk/journeyplanner.

The Department would like to thank the travelling public for their patience and cooperation while these important bridge safety works are completed.
Man is arrested after incident in Co Antrim

Police attended the scene in Co Antrim last night. Stock image.

There is deep shock after a male pedestrian died after a hit and run in Co Antrim, a local councillor has said.

A woman was also injured in the same incident and is in hospital.

It happened in the Ballyeaston Road area of Ballyclare on Friday night.

Alliance councillor Lewis Boyle, who is from Ballyclare, spoke of his shock at what happened.

This is a deeply shocking and sad event, he said.

"I offer my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, and I wish the injured woman a full and speedy recovery. There is a sense of shock in the wider Ballyclare community upon hearing this tragic news.

"For anyone with any information or who may have witnessed the incident, please come forward and share any information you may have with the police."

A senior PSNI officer also appealed for information.

Detective Chief Inspector OLoan: Shortly before 10.35pm it was reported that two pedestrians, one male and one female, were struck by a car which failed to stop at the scene.

"The male, aged in his 50s, sadly died as a result of his injuries.

The female, aged in her 40s, was taken to hospital for her injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

One male has been arrested in respect of the collision.

Police attended the scene in Co Antrim last night. Stock image.

Why is the M3 closed this weekend ?

Enquiries are continuing and police would appeal to anyone who was on the Ballyeaston Road between 9.30pm and 10.35pm and witnessed the collision, or drivers who may have captured it on their dash cam, to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1771 15/08/25.

In an update on Sunday morning police confirmed a man arrested in connection with the crash has been released on bail.
Stephen Brannigan (left) and Fr John Murray (right) were attacked in Downpatrick on Sunday

Mourners at the funeral of Stephen Brannigan in Downpatrick this afternoon.

An order of service at the funeral of Stephen Brannigan.

The funeral of Stephen Brannigan takes place in Downpatrick this afternoon.

A grandfather killed in Co Down last weekend was laid to rest today wearing the colours of his beloved Liverpool Football Club.

As the funeral of Stephen Brannigan took place in Downpatrick, a priest hit out at what he described as the aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society.

The body of Mr Brannigan (56) was found in a house in Marian Park in the town last Sunday.

On the same day, Fr John Murray was attacked at the nearby St Patrick's Church. He was preparing to celebrate his last mass before retirement, and is recovering in hospital.

One man has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

Mr Brannigans funeral took place at St Brigids Church this afternoon.

A floral tribute in the hearse read simply Daddy. Some mourners wore Liverpool jerseys and carried photographs of the deceased.

Grieving relatives wept as they read Bible passages during the service.

Addressing mourners, Fr Timothy Bartlett, a relative of the Brannigan family, said the events of last weekend had been shocking and very brutal.

The peace of an ordinary summer Sunday morning was cruelly shattered by acts of vicious and senseless violence, he said.

Totally unprovoked, this violence was directed against two people who had simply reached out to help someone they believed to be in distress.

Mr Brannigan's family have described him as a "beloved" father and grandfather.

During his homily, Fr Bartlett touched on his life, recalling how the deceased would help his neighbours or tend to the grave of his late wife Dorenda, which he said summed up his kind, thoughtful personality.

He referred to Mr Brannigans great interests in planes and Liverpool FC.

As a life-long Man City fan, I am sure God will forgive him for having such poor judgment, the priest smiled.

But it does give me pleasure to make some of his fellow Liverpool fans a little bit jealous by telling you that, through the kindness of the local suppliers, Stephen is being laid to rest today wearing the new official Thirds top for Liverpool, something not yet on official release in this part of the world.

"So, if there is a kit clash in heaven today, Stephen will be unmistakable as a definite Liverpool FC man. I am sure he would be very pleased about that.

The priest said that while Mr Brannigan was not perfect, the more recent years of his life were marked by a remarkable kindness, a gentle neighbourliness and a deep love for those who were close to him.

He added: Stephen loved and Stephen was loved. And the greatest love of his life was his late wife, Dorenda. Through all the ups and downs, they journeyed together. They stayed close to each other through thick and thin.

Their greatest pride and joy in life? Their daughters Ciara and Gemma, and through them, their beloved grandchildren Sophie, Lily, Conor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi.

Mourners also heard how the cruel, shocking and brutally violent events of last Sunday had left a community numb, dazed and broken-hearted.

Fr Bartlett also addressed the wider issue of violence in society, saying it is a growing threat to our communities.

The funeral of Stephen Brannigan takes place in Downpatrick this afternoon.

Co Down community shaken and upset after priest attack and death of man

He continued: Over recent days, I was struck by the number of local people who said things on the news like, Violence, it is all you hear about nowadays. Or Nothing is sacred any more. People have no respect.

He added: Am I the only one who feels that there is a growing culture of aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society, in which nothing and no-one is sacred any more?

Am I the only one who yearns for a little more gentleness, a little more civility, a little more courtesy, a little more neighbourliness and community, and a little more compassion and care?

It is time to ask ourselves the hard questions about why this is happening in our society, all too frequently.

One thing is certain, to address these issues, our elected representatives cannot do it on their own. To build strong, cohesive local communities and a safe, healthy society involves all the sources of social capital in a society working together.

During the service, prayers were said for Fr Murray, who is continuing to recover in hospital.

Fr Bartlett added: As we salute the army of heroes of hope in our community, those who have lifted us with their kindness and care in recent days, we pay particular tribute to Canon John Murray.

Canon John has served this community with genuine love and devotion for 11 years.

Our hearts are broken that such a gentle and prayerful man should have been subjected to such a brutal attack.

Following the service, Mr Brannigan was buried in Struell Cemetery, Downpatrick.

Earlier this week, a man appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and the attempted murder of Fr Murray.

Hugh Malone (30), of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, was remanded in custody.
The event marked the beginning of the nine-day festival

Revellers dance around a PSNI officer during the Mela Carnival. Pic: Press Eye

Thousands lined the streets of Belfast on Saturday as the first day of the annual Mela festival got underway in the city.

First launched in 2007, the festival is organised by cultural organisation ArtsEkta and brings together music, dance, arts and food from across the world to celebrate Belfasts cultural diversity.

Last years festival attracted a record-breaking crowd of almost 60,000 visitors.

Pic: Press Eye

This years programme kicked off with the Mela Carnival, which was held for its fourth consecutive year and was led by Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Doherty.

Participants in traditional dress paraded from Writers Square to City Hall, where a Mini Mela celebration took place, hosted by U105s Carolyn Stewart and UTVs Paul Reilly.

Revellers dance around a PSNI officer during the Mela Carnival. Pic: Press Eye

Belfast city councillors Seamas de Faoite of the SDLP and the Alliance Partys Micky Murray and Emmet McDonough-Brown also took part in the parade.

An outdoor theatre production was also held on the lawn at City Hall, while a series of events also took place across the city's Cathedral Quarter.

Pic: Press Eye

Several events are also planned across the nine-day span of the festival, which culminates in Mela Day at 12pm on Sunday August 24.

Pic: Press Eye

Why is the M3 closed this weekend ?

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the celebration of sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of Belfasts multicultural community.

Pic: Press Eye

Tickets are required for the Mela Day and are available from the Belfast Mela website.

Pic: Press Eye
US President Donald Trump, second right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo/AP)

Vladimir Putin has been rewarded for his invasion of Ukraine with Donald Trumps summit in Alaska, leading experts have warned.

The summit, which took place at a military base in Anchorage in the USs northernmost state, was aimed at kick-starting a peace process to end the war in Ukraine.

Very little appears to have been materially resolved as a result of the meeting.

Mr Trump has insisted some great progress was made, with many points agreed and very few remaining.

Sir Keir Starmer, meanwhile, commended the US presidents efforts to make peace, and said Mr Trump had brought us closer than ever before to an end to the war in Ukraine.

Leading foreign affairs and military experts have however claimed the summits main effect has been to lend legitimacy to Mr Putin, who has been considered a pariah by many world leaders since the invasion began in 2022.

Orysia Lutsevych, deputy director of the Russia and Eurasia programme and head of the Ukraine forum at the Chatham House think tank, said: After six bilateral Trump-Putin phone calls, five trips of Trumps envoy (Steve) Witkoff to Moscow, the Alaska summit, watched globally with so much anticipation and anxiety, failed to produce any tangible outcome to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Russia has received a reward for its invasion.

Trump called Russia a great country and said there is strong mutual understanding between the two parties.

This represents a further fissure in the already shaky Transatlantic alliance, the rupture of which is a primary Russian aim.

The Alaska summit represents another step towards this goal.

Keir Giles, an associate fellow of the Russia and Eurasia programme at Chatham House, meanwhile suggested there were two dangers which could emerge from the summit.

The first is that Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky may now be perceived by Mr Trump as a softer target where he is more willing to exert leverage, and that the US president could once again try to strongarm Zelensky into compromising the future of his country.

The second danger is that European leaders might once again think the immediate danger has passed and become complacent, after their scramble to speak to Mr Trump ahead of the summit.

Dr Neil Melvin, director of international security at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) meanwhile suggested Mr Putin would walk away considering the summit a success.

Dr Melvin said: Vladimir Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war.

He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished.

He added: Russias war aims have not changed since it launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

At the summit, Putin was clear that he wants to address first what he calls the root causes of the war.

The Kremlin identifies these as Nato enlargement, the emergence of governments in Ukraine resistant to Russian integration projects, and challenges to Russian claims about territory and ethnic Russians in Ukraine.

This is Russias precondition and underpins Putins demand for a comprehensive peace deal.

This agenda would lead to the subjugation of Ukraine.

Putin made no concessions at the summit.

Moreover, he succeeded in presenting himself as a legitimate equal to the US president.

He will also consider it a victory that he was able to marginalise Zelensky and European leaders from the central discussion about the future of European security.

Elsewhere, party political leaders in the UK warned against lending Mr Putin legitimacy.

Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader said: Its clear Putin doesnt want peace.

Trumps attempt to sweet talk him into a deal has failed, so its time for Trump to finally get tough.

The UK should seize Russian assets to help Ukraine today, and press the US to do the same.

Green Party MP Ellie Chowns meanwhile said the world was left where we started by the summit, adding: A brutal war caused by Russias aggression and no real solution in sight.

Any lasting peace plan without Ukraines full participation and consent will fail.

When you compare how Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin to his publicly humiliating Zelensky, its clear that the only winner from these talks is Putin.

He was handed the credibility of a seat at the top table while his forces continue their attacks on Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has weighed in on a row over online safety rules with Reform UK. (Richard Pohle/The Times)

Nigel Farage and Reform UK risk failing a generation of young women if they scrap online safety laws aimed at preventing revenge porn, Angela Rayner has said.

The Deputy Prime Minister demanded Mr Farage explain how his party would keep young women safe when they use the internet, after Reform vowed to repeal the Online Safety Act.

Her warning is the latest intervention in a row between senior Labour figures and Mr Farages party over the Act.

Under new rules introduced through the legislation at the end of July, online platforms such as social media sites and search engines must take steps to prevent children from accessing harmful content such as pornography or material that encourages suicide.

Reform party leader Nigel Farage has criticised the Act (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Reform has vowed to repeal the law and replace it with a different means of protecting children online, though the party has not said how it would do this.

Among their criticisms of the Act, Mr Farage and his colleagues have cited freedom of speech concerns and claimed the Act is an example of overreach by the Government.

This prompted backlash from Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who claimed people like Jimmy Savile would use the internet to exploit children if he was still alive, and insisted anyone against the Act  like Mr Farage  was on their side.

The Reform leader demanded an apology, but ministers have been trenchant in their defence of the Act.

Now, the Deputy Prime Minister has questioned how Mr Farage would seek to prevent the devastating crime of intimate image abuse, also known as revenge porn, without the Online Safety Acts protections.

Ms Rayner claimed: Nigel Farage risks failing a generation of young women with his dangerous and irresponsible plans to scrap online safety laws.

Scrapping safeguards and having no viable alternative plan in place to halt the floodgates of abuse that could open is an appalling dereliction of duty. Its time for Farage to tell women and girls across Britain how he would keep them safe online.

Under the Online Safety Act, revenge porn is classified among the most severe online offences, the Deputy PM added.

Citing figures from the charity Refuge, the Labour Party claimed a million young women had been subject to revenge porn: either intimate images being shared, or the threat of this.

Some 3.4 million adults in total, both men and women, have been affected, Labour also said.

Ministers have previously had to defend the Online Safety Act against accusations from Elon Musks X social media site that it is threatening free speech.

In a post at the start of August titled What Happens When Oversight Becomes Overreach, the platform formerly known as Twitter outlined criticism of the act and the heavy-handed UK regulators.

The Government countered that it is demonstrably false that the Online Safety Act compromises free speech and said it is not designed to censor political debate.

Mr Farage has meanwhile suggested there is a tech answer for protecting children online, but neither he nor the Government have outlined one.

He also suggested children are too easily able to avoid new online age verification rules by using VPNs (virtual private networks), which allow them to circumvent the rules by masking their identity and location.

When Reform UK was approached for comment, its Westminster councillor Laila Cunningham said: Women are more unsafe than ever before thanks to Labour. Starmer has released thousands of criminals back onto the streets early with no regard for womens safety.

I am calling on Jess Phillips to debate me on womens safety  she ignored the grooming gangs scandal and now shes wilfully deceiving voters on this issue.

Reform will always prioritise prosecuting abuse but will never let womens safety be hijacked to justify censorship.

You dont protect women by silencing speech. You protect them by securing borders, enforcing the law, and locking up actual criminals, and that is exactly what a Reform government would do.
An Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed a baby girl and her parents on Saturday, hospital officials and witnesses said, while families of hostages called for a nationwide day of stoppage in Israel to express growing frustration over 22 months of war.

The babys body, wrapped in blue, was placed on those of her parents as Palestinians prayed over them. Motasem al-Batta, his wife and the child were believed to have been killed in their tent in the crowded Muwasi area.

Two and a half months, what has she done? neighbour Fathi Shubeir said. They are civilians in an area designated safe.

Israels military said it is dismantling Hamass military capabilities and takes precautions not to harm civilians. It said it could not comment on the strike without more details.

A Palestinian man carries the body of his seven-year-old nephew who, according to the family, was killed in an Israeli army airstrike on Friday night (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Muwasi is one of the heavily populated areas in Gaza where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel plans to widen its coming military offensive.

The mobilisation of forces is expected to take weeks, and Israel may be using the threat to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages taken in its October 7 2023 attack that sparked the war.

Families of hostages fear the coming offensive further endangers the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, just 20 of them thought to be alive.

They and other Israelis were horrified by the recent release of videos showing emaciated hostages, speaking under duress, pleading for help and food.

A group representing the families has urged Israelis onto the streets on Sunday.

Across the country, hundreds of citizen-led initiatives will pause daily life and join the most just and moral struggle: the struggle to bring all 50 hostages home, it said in a statement.

Palestinian and Israeli activists took part in a protest against the killing of journalists in Gaza as they gathered in the West Bank town of Beit Jala on Friday (Mahmoud Illean/AP)

The United Nations is warning that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began. Palestinians are drinking contaminated water as diseases spread, while some Israeli leaders continue to talk openly about the mass relocation of people from Gaza.

Another 11 malnutrition-related deaths occurred in Gaza over the past 24 hours, the territorys health ministry said on Saturday, with one child among them. That brings malnutrition-related deaths during the war to 251.

The UN and partners say getting aid into the territory of more than two million people, and then on to distribution points, remains highly challenging with Israeli restrictions and pressure from crowds of hungry Palestinians.

The UN human rights office says at least 1,760 people were killed while seeking aid between May 27 and Wednesday.

It says 766 were killed along routes of supply convoys and 994 in the vicinity of non-UN militarised sites, a reference to the Israeli-backed and US-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which since May has been the primary distributor of aid in Gaza.

Elsewhere, a 20-year-old Palestinian woman described as being in a state of severe physical deterioration has died after being transferred to Italy for treatment, a hospital said on Saturday.

The patient was admitted to Pisa University Hospital late on Wednesday and died on Friday. She was removed from Gaza as part of a humanitarian mission and arrived with a with a very complex, compromised clinical picture, according to the hospital.

She died after entering a respiratory crisis and subsequently going into cardiac arrest, the hospital said in a statement.

Hospital staff had performed tests and started supportive therapy before she died, the statement said.

The woman, named by Italian media as Marah Abu Zuhri, had arrived in Italy with her mother.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said almost 120 Gazans  31 patients and their families  had been flown to Rome, Milan and Pisa on three planes.

In a post on X, Mr Tajani said it was the 14th medical evacuation of Palestinians that Italy had conducted since January 2024, and the largest.

The hospital did not specify whether the woman had suffered from malnutrition, but said that she had arrived in a state of severe physical deterioration.

The Hamas-led attack in 2023 killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed 61,897 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry, which does not specify how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children.

The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.
The Ukrainian president has an image forged in conflict but if a peace deal can be struck shepherding his country into a new era may be no less of a challenge

Short, sweet and largely symbolic might be a reasonable summary of Volodymyr Zelenskys Downing Street visit this week, which came ahead of the US-Russia summit in Alaska.

There will be those who take issue with Zelenskys swanning around foreign parts at such a time. There will also be those  some, if not many of them, in Russia  who hope that the coming days will, one way or the other, spell the end of Zelenskys power.

For all the miss-steps and failings on the part of his Kyiv government, Zelensky is likely to be the person who has to try to shepherd Ukraine from war to peace, and needs to be supported as maybe the only one who can.

In retrospect, the catastrophic Oval Office press conference, where Zelensky was humiliated by the US president and his team, can be seen as a turning point of a kind, which rallied European officialdom and opinion behind him, just as popular enthusiasm for Ukraines cause was starting to fade.

Surprisingly, perhaps, what the Trump administration appears not to have done is ever to have broached replacing Zelensky.

There were certainly names in the frame, in late Biden and early Trump weeks, that included Petro Poroshenko, Zelenskys predecessor as president, and the man he soundly defeated at the ballot box; Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraines former commander in chief, now ambassador to London; former Zelensky security adviser Oleksiy Arestovych; and the people-friendly mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. Ukraines former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, has also recently made a return to Western media prominence.

But there are good reasons why the bouts of speculation have now died down, both in Ukraine and abroad. In personal authority and political charisma, Zelensky puts all of these potential rivals in the shade.

By any standards, he has shown himself time and again to be an individual of great personal courage and an exemplary champion of his country.

Boris Johnson was not wrong about this, and it would appear that Trump has come around to recognising this  which is why he became a lot less dismissive of Zelensky after their fence-mending meeting at the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis.

It is also possible that Trump sees in Zelensky something of the same quality he professed to admire in Vladimir Putin before his first term  a leader unafraid to stand up for the interests of country.

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clash in the Oval Office in February (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Zelensky has also proved himself a convincing leader and manager of people. These abilities shone through during the presidential campaign he fought and won, as a rank outsider, in 2019.

But he could have won simply by virtue of his profile as the acclaimed star of his Servant of the People television satire. What he demonstrated in the months thereafter was that he could actually form a team and use the political system to produce results, and that his undoubted communication skills were transferable to the political domain  and, alas, also to war.

The promise of his two first years makes it all the more tragic that he found himself a war leader rather than the architect of a new Ukraine and a pioneer for the durable peace with Russia that had been a significant plank of his election campaign.

As someone from a Ukrainian Jewish family whose first language was Russian and who had spent some of his early career performing on Russian TV, Zelensky had a profile that was almost as much of a unifying gift to Ukraine at the time as was Angela Merkels appearance as a centre-right politician from the East in German politics.

It is here that in these early months, it could be argued, that most of the West made a crucial mistake: the US, the EU and the UK simply failed to take Zelensky seriously as a political leader. They dismissed him as a small-time comedian (ignoring his law degree and his highly successful career as a writer and producer), and apparently gambled that he would to fail, so smoothing the way for their reliable client, Poroshenko, to return to office, after a defeat they had totally failed to anticipate.

That year of lost Western support weakened Zelenskys position both at home vis-a-vis the nationalist right and vis-a-vis Russia. His peace project  which might have averted all that led up to the Russian invasion on February 24 2022  faltered and failed.

That Johnson, then the US and the EU soon sprang to Ukraines aid, welcomed refugees and supplied ever more weapons, has enabled Ukraine to continue fighting to this day.

Volodymyr Zelensky (Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty Images)

And Zelensky has played the tireless war leader, wearing his fatigues, broadcasting nightly to his people, travelling the war zones and the world to defend Ukraines cause. Even those who eventually tired of Zelenskys ubiquity cannot deny that he has set a formidable example of how to fulfil such a role.

As for the charges that he should have held elections this spring  as some of his critics complain, and the Kremlin uses as an argument to deny his legitimacy  this holds no water.

Ukraine is under martial law regulations, which rules out elections. They can wait.

As for the decree, passed early in the war, that bans talks with Putin; it was passed at Zelenskys initiative; and he can choose to disregard it. Recent ructions over anti-corruption institutions may be a harbinger of latent domestic dissent, but some judicious politicking on Zelenskys part showed who was in charge.

None of this is to say that Zelensky is the ideal leader, in peace or in war. Hagiography has to be avoided, and elevating Zelensky from national leader to standard bearer for all Europe and the West, as the Biden administration and some Europeans have done, may come to be seen as a cardinal mistake.

But Zelensky has never shirked responsibility for his decisions, unlike so many in his business. The next days and weeks may determine whether, in the future, his name is emblazoned on streets, squares and statues, or whether it becomes a byword for loss.

As of now, and perhaps nearing the wars end, Ukrainians should look back with pride that they elected Zelensky as their president in a free and fair election that now seems many, many years ago.

(C)The Independent
Nuisance Belfast ex-partner lucky to avoid prison sentence: Be in no doubt this is your last chance

Judge tells man who banged on former partners door at 4am hes on his last chance

Tyson Arutura

John Toner Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 18:29

A man has narrowly avoided jail for banging on his exs door in the middle of the night and liking one of her videos on social media.
Oasis fans Sharon Gilmore-Pollock with his sister Susan Kelly originally from Birmingham at Belfast Grand Central Station before they depart for Dublin to see Oasis play at Croke Park. (Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)

Oasis fans are hoping for a supersonic time as they got ready to slide away to Dublin for the highly-anticipated return of rocknroll stars Liam and Noel Gallagher last night.

Despite the gig being almost half the world away, Belfasts Grand Central station saw a steady flow of fans travelling to Croke Park with many bound to be crying their heart out by the end.
Private Eye slams scrapping of funding for NI choir that touches the lives of large numbers of youngsters

Decision will leave NI as only part of UK and Ireland without a group, warns director

The National Youth Choir

Ivan Little Sat 16 Aug 2025 at 17:14







Private Eye has launched a scathing attack on the Arts Council over the potential silencing of the cross-community National Youth Choir.
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This September, the Berkshire Innovation Center will launch a new education initiative in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We are proud to introduce the Technologist Advanced Manufacturing Program  TechAMP  to the Berkshires.

TechAMP is a 12-month certificate curriculum designed by MITs LEAP Group, funded through the U.S. Department of Defense, to train experienced technicians and operators (those with 3+ years of experience) to become technologists  professionals who can bridge the gap between shop-floor work and engineering decision-making.

The curriculum blends online lectures, interactive simulations and hands-on labs, enabling participants to apply lean and statistical analysis, design of experiments, and process optimization in real-world manufacturing environments.

A standout feature of TechAMP is its hub-and-spoke curriculum structure. The central hub includes four core modules covering the foundational why of manufacturing  process, systems, supply and people  drawing on systems thinking and proven frameworks.

Surrounding the hub are eight elective spoke modules  such as mechatronics, digital manufacturing, design and manufacturing fundamentals along with CNC machining  that teach the how-to skills needed to apply advanced technologies. These spoke modules were developed in consultation with defense-connected firms across New England to ensure relevance to current industry needs.

Bridging the gap: Robotic Innovation moves from lab to shop floor in the Berkshires This isnt about tech for techs sake. Its about creating good jobs, expanding access to opportunity, and strengthening the backbone of our economy: the manufacturers, educators and entrepreneurs who keep our communities moving forward.

This exciting development builds directly on the work we began in 2023 with the BIC Manufacturing Academy, a regional training program launched in partnership with MIT that has now graduated four cohorts of students. While the Manufacturing Academys core program  the STAT Program (Systems Thinking for the Application of Technology)  focuses on systems thinking, communication, and problem-solving for frontline workers and technicians, TechAMP is designed for early-career professionals who are ready to lead technical innovation at the intersection of design, production and process improvement.

Together, they create a powerful and complementary training pipeline. We anticipate that some firms will nominate outstanding STAT Program graduates for the new TechAMP certification.

Both initiatives are led locally by Dennis Rebelo, the BICs chief learning officer and architect of our education programs.

Weve designed these programs to meet learners where they are, Rebelo says. In the STAT Program, that means helping frontline workers develop systems thinking and apply it to real firm-level challenges while building human skills. With TechAMP, were continuing that journey  targeting early-career technical professionals who are ready for growth through applied leadership training, communication development, and innovation skills essential for thriving in a rapidly evolving technical landscape.

MITs goal with TechAMP is to prepare what it calls future shop floor leaders  technologists who can connect R&D and operations, navigate both the technical and human dimensions of production and lead cross-functional teams. These individuals are increasingly essential as manufacturing embraces digital transformation, sustainability, and automation.

And now, thanks to this partnership, these leaders can be trained right here in the Berkshires. Participants in our local TechAMP cohort will work with MIT curriculum, local mentors, and industry sponsors to develop technical leadership skills without having to leave the county or pause their careers.

Our regions innovation story is not new. Pittsfield has long been a leader in systems thinking and manufacturing quality  dating back to the 1960s, when Armand and Donald Feigenbaum developed the principles of Total Quality Management right here in the city. Their work shaped global industry. In many ways, our efforts today are a continuation of that legacy  equipping the next generation with the tools and mindsets needed to lead.

Were deeply grateful to MIT and to the many partners, companies, and instructors who are shaping these programs alongside us. There are a limited number of seats still remaining in the fall 2025 TechAMP cohort and we invite individuals, employers, and community stakeholders to learn more by visiting our website or emailing us at hello@the-bic.org.

The future of advanced manufacturing will be built in regions that invest in talent and innovation. With the STAT Program and TechAMP working in tandem, that future is already taking shape in the Berkshires.

The word is out  the Berkshire Innovation Center is stepping up to deliver applied training to the companies and individuals who make our community such a great place to live and work. The only question now is: who from your workplace will join us next? Maybe it will even be you.
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State officials say electric vehicles are gaining in popularity and this month announced a plan to roll out $46 million over the next two years to strengthen charging networks for key corridors in western and central Massachusetts.
Business / Companies

by Staff reporter

A 19-year-old Mashava man, Collen Majoni, has been acquitted of murder charges after a sex worker used a knife he had provided to fatally stab a patron at Legacy Night Club.Majoni appeared before Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Helena Charewa, who found no evidence linking him directly to the killing. He had pleaded not guilty, insisting he had no knowledge of the woman's intentions when he handed her the knife.The incident occurred in the early hours of August 1, 2024, after the victim, Davison Zvenherera, allegedly fondled sex worker Sarah Kwangwa while she was dancing. Kwangwa initially attempted to retaliate with an empty bottle, but Majoni intervened to restrain her. Later, Kwangwa asked for Majoni's Okapi knife, claiming she needed it outside the club. She then lured Zvenherera outside and stabbed him.Kwangwa's charge was reduced from murder to culpable homicide, likely due to intoxication at the time. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, effectively serving one year behind bars.Majoni was represented by Collen Maboke of Ruvengo Maboke Legal Practitioners, who argued that his client had no common purpose with Kwangwa and did not foresee her actions. The court agreed, acquitting Majoni for lack of evidence.
EGREMONT  Berkshire County's most photographed tree got a special injection Friday morning to protect it from Dutch elm disease.

Early Friday, before the daily heat could set in, a crew from Sheffield-based Bartlett Tree Experts drilled small holes throughout the base of the Baldwin Hill Elm, directly injecting it with a solution that will travel up the trunk and through the leaves.

Its tapped into the vascular system for the tree to essentially draw up like a straw, arborist Kieran Yaple said.

Set alone against a mountainous backdrop in Egremont, the twin-trunked heritage elm stands nearly 100 feet above sloping farm fields and is estimated to be about 140 years old. Known as the Baldwin Hill Elm, the picture-perfect tree has been protected since 1999 as part of the "Adopt an Elm" program by Elm Watch, founded by Tom Zetterstrom, a Connecticut-based photographer and conservationalist.

The American elm, which is Massachusetts' state tree, once made up 75 percent of the trees that lined New England's streets, according to Zetterstrom, but nearly all have been destroyed by Dutch elm disease, which arrived in the 1940s. Spread by elm bark beetles, the disease has killed millions of trees worldwide.

Trees protected through the program typically receive a treatment every three years, but the Baldwin Hill Elm missed its last treatment, so it received a therapeutic dose carrying a higher concentration of the fungicide propizol. In June, it will receive a follow-up treatment with Arbotect, which is also a fungicide it is given every two to three years.

The entire process took about two hours, but a regular treatment can take much longer.

The idea is that it will remain in the system for two to three years, which is why we'll re-treat it every two or three, and that way, if we have elm bark beetle, which is what carries Dutch elm disease, it just won't pick up that disease," Yaple said.

A good analogy is, Oh, were bleeding heavily, let's stitch it up and then in June, Its going great, we've healed, now we just need to keep kind of a slow, more drawn-out approach, Yaple said.

The amount of solution needed depends on the diameter of the tree. Since this one is 52 inches, the special treatment included about 6 gallons of propizol, but when the crew returns for a regular treatment in June, it will be about 60 to 70 gallons.

Before the injection could begin, the area had to be prepped for drilling by cleaning it up a bit. Then workers had to drill in the plastic pieces to guide the liquid into the tree. They first run water through the system to ensure there is no leakage and then add the solution. A finishing dose of water is sent through to ensure all the solution has made it into the tree.

Over the years, its estimated that thousands of dollars have been donated to this tree based on materials and time for treatments. The cost of a treatment ranges from $30 to $45 per inch. A treatment for this elm would be an estimated $2,000 each year.

Thousands of elms have been saved over the years with this approach and this treatment all over the country," Yaple said.

Of all the trees he works to keep healthy, this one is fairly popular, he said.

We have a couple of other pretty sweet ones, Yaple said. "This one's probably the most photographed. This one has a lot of pressure on it."
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Models Cara Delevingne, Adwoa Aboah and mayor of London Sadiq Khan were among the famous faces who turned out to support the return of one of Britains best-known high street retailers: Topshop.

Face of the brand and muse Cara Delevingne wore a burgundy Topshop ensemble (Aaron Chown/PA)

The fashion label closed in 2020, after its owner, Sir Philip Greens Arcadia group, collapsed and caused all of Topshops physical stores to shut down soon after.

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The brand then appeared on the online fashion website Asos, but never relaunched its own standalone website  until now.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan attended in a casual denim ensemble (Aaron Chown/PA)

After years of gaining traction purely through Asos and online channels, Topshop has now fully revived its independent digital presence.

On August 15 2025, the brand relaunched its own website and has now celebrated its comeback with a public runway show in Trafalgar Square.

The show took place at lunchtime on Saturday August 16 (Aaron Chown/PA)

Standalone stores are returning to the high street, confirmed Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop and Topman, noting that a semi-permanent high street presence is planned for later this year, with permanent standalone stores scheduled for autumn.

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The Trafalgar Square event, Topshops first runway show since 2018, was a public spectacle featuring some of the brands original muses  including Delevingne, 33, and Aboah, 33,  alongside a lively street-party atmosphere.

Model Adwoa Aboah sat front row for the runway (Aaron Chown/PA)

The show debuted the autumn/winter 2025 collection, available to buy immediately online in a See Now, Buy Now format.

The collection features long leather trench coats, metallic maxi dresses and A-line skater skirts and is, unexpectedly, drenched in nostalgia, evoking the brands heyday of Kate Moss, indie sleaze and the Jamie Skinny Jeans (which are also back and available to buy).

Nostalgic, silver metallics dominated the collection (Aaron Chown/PA)

Under new ownership, Asos retains a 25% stake, while Danish retail giant Bestseller (via its Heartland investment arm) now holds 75%, Topshop is positioning itself with elevated fashion credibility, improved quality and renewed cultural relevance, targeting shoppers aged 18 to 40.

The collection featured both young and mature wardrobe staples (Aaron Chown/PA)

Topshop has already begun reappearing in physical retail via wholesale channels, beginning with McElhinneys department store in Ballybofey, County Donegal, where garments will go on sale from August 21.

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Whether this revival marks a meaningful return or merely taps into nostalgia remains to be seen.

Fashion experts say that real success will hinge on how Topshop resonates with socially conscious, digitally savvy millennials and Gen Z shoppers in a competitive and matured retail landscape.
Keir Starmer will speak to western allies on Sunday ahead of Volodymyr Zelenskiys White House meeting with Donald Trump.

The British Prime Minister, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz will host the meeting of the coalition of the willing on Sunday afternoon.

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Mr Zelenskiy will fly to Washington DC on Monday, where he will meet the US president for the next stage of talks.

The one-on-one in the Oval Office could pave the way for a three-way meeting alongside Russian leader Mr Putin, the US president has said.

The coalition of the willing, made up of 30-plus nations, is prepared to deter Russian aggression by putting troops on the ground in Ukraine once the war is over.

The meeting, which is expected to take place at approximately 2pm UK time, comes on the heels of Mr Trumps summit in Alaska with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

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Donald Trump shakes hands with Vladimir Putin after their joint news conference on Friday (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Mr Trump hoped to secure a peace deal from the talks at a military base in Anchorage, but both he and Mr Putin walked away without agreement on how to end the war in Ukraine.

The US leader, however, insisted some great progress was made, with many points agreed and very few remaining.

Several news outlets have cited sources which claimed that during the negotiations Mr Putin demanded full control of Donetsk and Luhansk  two occupied Ukrainian regions  as a condition for ending the war.

In exchange he would give up other Ukrainian territories held by Russian troops.

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Other outlets reported that Mr Trump is inclined to support the plan, and will speak to Mr Zelenskiy about it on Monday when they meet in the Oval Office.

After the Alaska summit, the US president told Fox News it was now up to the Ukrainian to make a deal to end the war.

Starmer commended Mr Trumps pursuit of an end to the killing following a phone call with the US president, Mr Zelenskiy and Nato allies on Saturday morning.

But he insisted Ukraines leader must not be excluded from future talks to broker a peace in Ukraine.

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The British Prime Minister and European leaders appeared increasingly confident that Mr Trump will offer a security guarantee of air support to back up allied troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Mr Starmer welcomed the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal.

This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more, he said.

But Mr Trump also appeared to have a change of heart on what he wants to achieve from the talks, indicating that he wants a permanent peace settlement rather than a ceasefire.

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Writing on his Truth Social platform, the US president said: It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often times do not hold up.

Mr Putin described the meeting as timely and useful after leaving Alaska.

Experts have warned the face-to-face summit has risked legitimising the Russian leader, after he has been made a pariah by the international community for years.

Dr Neil Melvin, director of international security at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), said: Vladimir Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war.

He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished.

I received a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The front, the defense of positions, and up-to-date information on the intentions and movements of the Russian army. We are defending our positions along the entire front line, and for the second day in a row, we have  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 16, 2025

Ukraines president Mr Zelenskiy warned Russia may ramp up its strikes against his country in the coming days in order to create more favourable political circumstances for talks with global actors.

Kyivs troops are defending our positions along the entire front line, he added on social media site X.

Mr Zelenskiy had earlier insisted a ceasefire must include an end to fighting on land, in the sea and the air, as well as the return of all prisoners of war and captured civilians, including children.

Sanctions on Moscow should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war, Mr Zelenskiy said.
Angry protesters clashed with police in a town in western Serbia and in the capital Belgrade on Saturday as tensions soared further in the Balkan nation following days of violent demonstrations.

Wearing scarves over their faces and chanting slogans against President Aleksandar Vucic, a group of young men threw flares at his Serbian Progressive Party offices in Valjevo, some 100km (60 miles) from the capital Belgrade.

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They set fire to the partys offices before clashing with riot police in a downtown area.

Police threw multiple rounds of tear gas and charged at the demonstrators who hurled bottles, rocks and flares at them.



Serbian gendarmerie officers guard a street during an anti-government protest near the Serbian Progressive Party office in Belgrade on Friday (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

Similar clashes also erupted on Saturday evening in Belgrade, with police directing tear gas at protesters while battling the protesters who set rubbish containers on fire.

The protesters in Valjevo turned out onto the streets to protest against what they allege is police brutality.

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There were no immediate reports on the numbers of injured people in either Valjevo or Belgrade.

Serbia has been gripped by protests since November, when a train station canopy collapse killed 16 people. Many blamed the tragedy on poor renovation work resulting from widespread corruption in infrastructure projects.

The student-led protests had been largely peaceful for months but turned violent this week. The situation has put pressure on Serbias increasingly autocratic president Mr Vucic, who has refused the protesters demand to call an early parliamentary election.

Mr Vucic has accused the protesters of following orders from abroad to destroy Serbia, and promised a crackdown on the nationwide movement led by university students.

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A Serbian riot police officer directs a man filming after clearing people blocking a street (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

The protest in Valjevo drew several thousand people after a video on social media showed a young man from the town being severely beaten by police who kicked him and hit him with batons during a protest earlier this week.

The gathering was peaceful until groups of protesters threw flares at the SNS offices which sparked a fire inside.

The incident marks the second such attack on the SNS party offices this week after protesters demolished the party headquarters in the northern city of Novi Sad on Wednesday.

Clashes between the SNS party loyalists and police on one side and anti-government protesters on the other side have erupted every evening since then. Dozens of people have been injured and scores have been detained.

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Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has called for calm and respect of the right to peaceful assembly.

Serbian authorities must uphold Council of Europe standards, he said on X this week.

Serbian police have denied reports of brutality, saying they have been attacked and that dozens of officers have been injured in the rioting.

Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, but Mr Vucic has maintained strong ties with Russia and China. The Serbian president has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms while allowing organised crime and corruption to flourish. He has denied this.
Business / Companies

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially commissioned phase two of the Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance Computing (HPC) at the University of Zimbabwe, underscoring the growing importance of computational science in solving complex problems across all sectors.The HPC centre, established with support from the Chinese government, houses advanced high-performance computers that can process data 15 times faster than the first phase, positioning Zimbabwe as a regional hub for data-driven innovation.President Mnangagwa said computational science is now indispensable across traditional science, engineering, national security, public health, and economic innovation. "High-Performance Computer instrumentation is very important in scientific research," he said, highlighting the HPC's role in weather and climate modelling using Zimbabwe's indigenous satellites, ZIMSAT 1 and ZIMSAT 2, and the development of the wetlands master plan."The commissioning of this second phase of the National Super-computer re-affirms the Second Republic's commitment to harnessing advanced computing technologies to drive research, innovation, and development across multiple sectors," Mnangagwa said.Key institutions, including the Ministry of Health and Child Care, are already using the HPC to run the Impilo Electronic Health Records and Telemedicine systems, while the Civil Registry is integrated for Smart Policing applications. The system also supports higher education and science and technology institutions.President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to China for supporting the project, emphasizing that the collaboration reflects the enduring partnership between the two countries. He added that the upgraded HPC capacity will contribute to building a globally competitive digital economy, aligned with Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy 1.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not reach an agreement to resolve Moscow's war in Ukraine after a nearly three-hour summit in Alaska, though he characterised the meeting as "very productive."

"There were many, many points that we agreed on," Trump said at a joint press conference with Putin. "I would say a couple of big ones that we haven't quite got there, but we've made some headway. So there's no deal until there's a deal."

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Trump and Putin each spoke for a few minutes to reporters and took no questions.

It was not clear whether the talks had produced meaningful steps toward a ceasefire in the deadliest conflict in Europe in 80 years, a goal that Trump had set at the outset.

In brief remarks, Putin said he expected Ukraine and its European allies to accept the results of the US-Russia negotiation, warning them not to "torpedo" the progress toward a resolution.

Trump and Putin, along with top foreign-policy aides, conferred in a room at an Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska in their first meeting since 2019. A blue backdrop behind them had the words "Pursuing Peace" printed on it.

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President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the end of a press conference. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Trump's publicly stated aim for the talks was to secure a halt to the fighting and a commitment by Putin to meet swiftly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to negotiate an end to the war, which began when Russia invaded its neighbour in February 2022.

Zelenskiy, who was not invited to the summit, and his European allies had feared Trump might sell out Ukraine by essentially freezing the conflict and recognising - if only informally - Russian control over one-fifth of Ukraine.

Trump sought to assuage such concerns as he boarded Air Force One, saying he would let Ukraine decide on any possible territorial concessions.

I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I'm here to get them at a table

"I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I'm here to get them at a table," he said.

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Asked what would make the meeting a success, he told reporters: "I want to see a ceasefire rapidly ... I'm not going to be happy if it's not today ... I want the killing to stop."

Zelenskiy has ruled out formally handing Moscow any territory and is also seeking a security guarantee backed by the United States.

Trump said he would call Zelenskiy and Nato leaders to update them on the talks with Putin.

Red carpet

Once on the ground in Alaska, Trump greeted Putin on a red carpet on the base's tarmac. The two shook hands warmly and touched each other on the arm before riding in Trump's limo to the summit site nearby.

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President Donald Trump greets President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska,  Copyright 2025 The Associated Press.

Trump hopes a truce in the 3-1/2-year-old war that Putin started will bring peace to the region as well as bolster his credentials as a global peacemaker worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.

For Putin, the summit is already a big win that he can portray as evidence that years of Western attempts to isolate Russia have unravelled and that Moscow is retaking its rightful place at the high table of international diplomacy.

Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. Russia denies the allegations, and the Kremlin has dismissed the ICC warrant as null and void. Russia and the United States are not members of the court.

Both Moscow and Kyiv deny targeting civilians in the war. But thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority Ukrainian.

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A conservative estimate of dead and injured in the war in Ukraine - from both sides combined - totals 1.2 million people, Trump's envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said three months ago.

The meeting also included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Trump's special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff; Russian foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov; and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Trump, who once said he would end Russia's war in Ukraine within 24 hours, conceded on Thursday it had proven a tougher task than he had expected. He said if Friday's talks went well, quickly arranging a second, three-way summit with Zelenskiy would be more important than his encounter with Putin.

Zelenskiy said Friday's summit should open the way for a "just peace" and three-way talks that included him, but added that Russia was continuing to wage war. A Russian ballistic missile earlier struck Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, killing one person and wounding another.

"It's time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app. - Reuters
US president Donald Trump said on Saturday Ukraine should agree a deal to end the war with Russia because "Russia is a very big power, and they're not", after holding a summit with president Vladimir Putin that failed to yield a ceasefire.

In a major shift, Mr Trump also said he had agreed with Putin that the best way to end the war was to go straight to a peace settlement - not via a ceasefire, as Ukraine and its European allies, until now with US support, have been demanding.

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Mr Trump's comments came after he met Putin for nearly three hours in Alaska on Friday at the first US-Russia summit since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up," Mr Trump posted on Truth Social.

The war - the deadliest in Europe for 80 years - has killed or wounded well over a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts.

Mr Trump said he would hold talks at the White House with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday, adding: "If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of peoples lives will be saved."

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Mr Zelenskiy said after a lengthy conversation with Mr Trump following the Alaska summit that Ukraine was ready for constructive cooperation, and he supported the idea of a trilateral meeting.

"Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace," he wrote on social media.

But Putin made no mention of meeting Mr Zelenskiy when speaking to reporters earlier. Russian state news agency TASS quoted Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov as saying the possibility of a three-way summit including Mr Zelenskiy had not been discussed.

Security guarantees

In a post-summit interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Mr Trump signalled that he and Putin had discussed potential land swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine.

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"I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on," Mr Trump said.

"I think we're pretty close to a deal," he said, adding: "Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no."

When asked by Hannity what he would advise Mr Zelenskiy, Mr Trump said: "Gotta make a deal."

"Look, Russia is a very big power, and they're not. They're great soldiers," he added.

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Mr Zelenskiy has repeatedly underlined the importance of security guarantees for Kyiv as part of any deal, to deter Russia from launching a new invasion at some point in the future.

"We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraines security," he said after his call with Mr Trump.

Before the summit, Mr Trump had set the goal of agreeing on a ceasefire in the war and said he would not be happy without it.

Putin signalled no movement in Russia's long-held positions on the war, but said he agreed with Mr Trump that Ukraine's security must be "ensured".

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"We are ready to work on this. I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine," Putin said at a brief media appearance after the summit where neither leader took questions.

He added: "We expect that Kyiv and the European capitals will perceive all of this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles. That they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue."

For Putin, the very fact of sitting down face-to-face with the US president represented a diplomatic victory. The Kremlin leader had been ostracided by Western leaders since the start of the war, and just a week earlier had been facing a threat of new sanctions from Mr Trump.

'1-0 for Putin'

Some commentators, especially in Europe, were scathing in their reaction.

"Putin got his red carpet treatment with Trump, while Trump got nothing. As feared: no ceasefire, no peace," Wolfgang Ischinger, an ex-German ambassador to the United States, posted on X.

"No real progress  a clear 1-0 for Putin  no new sanctions. For the Ukrainians: nothing. For Europe: deeply disappointing."

Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said: "Now Trump seems to be shifting most of the responsibility to Kyiv and Europe, but reserving some role for himself."

She said, however, that Putin had apparently not succeeded as far as he had hoped in getting Mr Trump to publicly side with him and put pressure on Kyiv.

Cold War historian Sergey Radchenko wrote: "Putin is a determined opponent, and, yes, he basically won this round because he got something for nothing. Still, Trump did not sell out Ukraine."

After Mr Trump returned to Washington, the White House said he spoke to Nato leaders following the lengthy conversation with Mr Zelenskiy.

Espen Barth Eide, foreign minister of Nato member Norway, told reporters in Oslo: "We must continue to put pressure on Russia, and even increase it."

Czech defence minister Jana Cernochova said the summit had not yielded significant progress toward ending the war but "confirmed that Putin is not seeking peace, but rather an opportunity to weaken Western unity and spread his propaganda".

Next time in Moscow.

Both Russia and Ukraine carried out overnight air attacks, a daily occurrence in the 3-1/2-year war.

Russia launched 85 attack drones and a ballistic missile targeting Ukraine's territory, Ukraine's Air Force said on Saturday. It said its air defense units destroyed 61 of them.

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said 139 clashes had taken place on the front line over the past day. Russia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 29 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Mr Trump told Fox that he would hold off on imposing tariffs on China for buying Russian oil after making progress with Putin. He did not mention India, another major buyer of Russian crude, which has been slapped with a total 50 per cent tariff on US imports that includes a 25 per cent penalty for the imports from Russia.

"Because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that now," Mr Trump said of Chinese tariffs. "I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now."

Mr Trump ended his remarks on Friday by telling Putin: "I'd like to thank you very much, and we'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon."

"Next time in Moscow," a smiling Putin responded in English. Mr Trump said he might "get a little heat on that one" but that he could "possibly see it happening".
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Review Eating outPreston Persian in Preston: This is a feast youll want to share with friends Its all about Persian classics at Maryam  bring a group so you can sample every section of this generous menu. Dani Valent August 17, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 8 Dishes are best for feasting with a group. Joe Armao 2 / 8 Kash bademjan (eggplant dip) with floppy lavash flatbread. Joe Armao 3 / 8 The Maryam special plate with kebab, saffron rice, dip and vegetables. Joe Armao 4 / 8 Tea with fruit. Joe Armao 5 / 8 Inside the Preston eatery. Joe Armao 6 / 8 Ask for a container to take Maryams baklava home with you. Joe Armao 7 / 8 Tahchin (saffron rice cake). Joe Armao 8 / 8 Kase kebab (kebab bowl) . Joe Armao Previous Slide Next Slide Persian$$$$ It doesnt take long to realise that Maryam is special. Maybe its as soon as you walk in, the central door spilling straight into the dining room, where a long red rug draws the eye to a counter display stacked with baklava. Immediately, its on: you can sense theres feasting to be done. There are just eight or so tables in this main room, the larger oval ones seating six. (Ah, the too-rare oval table, what a lovely, chatty sweep it has, friends and food within arms reach.) The walls are inset with arches plastered in duck-egg blue; bead-strung chandeliers and wall-mounted lanterns bring sparkle and glow. The tables are set with ornate Persian mats, which are likely already laden with silver trays of saffron-tinged rice, fragrant grilled meats scattered with sliced onion and sesame seeds, and baskets of flatbread. All this food is ringed by diners slowly moving themselves from anticipation to satisfaction to: Can we have containers, please? Well need to take the rest home?

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The restaurant continues beyond the first dining room: there are two more parlours at the rear. Unlike many places, where spillover spaces have an also-ran feel, these are just as welcoming and resonant. The whole place is a portal to the best and most hospitable elements of Iran, the country of restaurateur Maryam Valizadeh, who opened her namesake business in 2021. In every element, you sense pride in culture and an obsession with quality. Kashk bademjoon (eggplant dip) with floppy lavash flatbread. Joe Armao A handsome pictorial hardcover menu covers off Persian classics, with an emphasis on rice dishes and kebabs. Serves are generous: this is a great place to come with a group so you can pluck from every section of the menu. Kashk bademjoon is a roasted eggplant dip with kashk, a key Iranian fermented dairy product that has the tang of yoghurt and the funk of blue cheese. The dip is thick, smoky and tart: tear pieces of fresh, floppy lavash flatbread to scoop it up.

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Theres also kashk in ash reshteh, probably the most iconic Persian soup, and especially popular for breaking the daily fast during Ramadan and for Nowruz, the Persian New Year festival in March. The rendition here is very, very good, a robust mixture of pulses, noodles and herbs, the epitome of a one-pot meal but as lively as it is comforting. Maryam is halal so theres no alcohol; ayran (mint-spiked yoghurt drink) is thick enough to stand a spoon in. Tahchin (saffron rice cake). Joe Armao Theres a large array of kebab combinations featuring various quantities of chicken, lamb pieces and minced lamb patties. Our friendly waiter steers us towards the good-value kase kebab, which includes the three meats unthreaded from their skewers and placed in a bowl with tomato and chilli. It also comes with rice, but dont let that stop you ordering tahchin, one of the essential pleasures of Persian food. Tahchin is a layered, baked, saffron-scented rice and chicken dish that succeeds or disappoints on the quality of its tahdig, a golden, crisp crust that forms on the base of the pan. Tahchin is flipped to serve, so the underside becomes the top. The version here is perfect, not only neatly and consistently crusted, but formed in a heart-shaped pan that increases the level of difficulty in making it, and the ensuing delight for diners.

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Youll remember theres baklava, but were very much at the containers, please stage of the evening: those crisp layers of pistachio, honey and filo are added to the bag of delights for tomorrow. Valizadeh tells me she opened the restaurant to fulfil a long-held dream: finding her way in Australia wasnt easy. My motivation is to reconnect with the community, hear their stories, feel their energy, and share a sense of warmth, familiarity, and peace through authentic Iranian cuisine, she says. Her restaurant is not only convincing in its mission, its a celebratory statement of firm but modest intent, embodying the power of food to foster connection. Three more Persian eateries to try Kababi Chef Hamed Allahyari closed his first cafe, Salamatea House, to focus on catering and Kababi, his Persian charcoal grill and hangout. Its impossible to overstate the quality and value here: tasty grilled meats are served with vibrant, herb-laden salads. Bring the dog and sit in the front courtyard, where ornamental plantings are ready for a big spring. 18 Market Road, Sunshine, kababi.com.au Kitchen 55 One of Melbournes most unusual and heartfelt restaurants, the Khash family at Kitchen 55 serves northern Iranian dishes on a three-week rotational menu. One Sunday lunch each month is given over to dizi, a multi-part meal of braised lamb with pulses that diners mash at the table. 28 Newmans Road, Templestowe, kitchen55melbourne.com Mahshids Taste Iranian cooking teacher and author Mahshid Babzartabi has just started doing mystery boxes, home-delivered feasts that also include a traditional Persian poetic fortune. Message her to find out more. instagram.com/mahshidtaste Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
But something has shifted at a cultural level. In many ways, the nuances and subtleties of our views were lost during the COVID pandemic when debate about health advice became more polarised. An unlikely horseshoe alliance was formed between far-left wellness communities and far-right conservative/populist communities. The pandemic was a time when, according to an Australian Human Rights Commissions report, many peoples trust in the government eroded because of a lack of transparency, fairness, compassion and proportionality. It created fertile ground for alternative health ideas. [The] alternatives often promoted really taps into the idea that institutions cant be trusted, and we have to find our own solutions, says Dr Simon Copland, a researcher at the Australian National University. Progressive/wellness communities and conservative/populist communities might have arrived there via different routes but found common ground in anti-vaccine opinions, adds Adam Dunn, a professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Sydney.

Both extremes were united not just by their opinions on vaccination, but by their scepticism of Big Food and Big Pharma, a philosophy that natural is best, and the call for freedom of choice. As these ideas flourished, social media provided an echo chamber, reinforcing their sense of righteousness and amplifying their profiles within and without the wellness-sphere. Controversy often equated to more clicks as well as more exposure outside their original sphere of influence. For example, I have never seen Joe Rogan except when he is being discussed by people who disagree with him, Dunn says. Meanwhile, the pandemic also accelerated the rise of another group of men within the wellness-sphere: those within the manosphere.

An international network of social media influencers and communities, the manosphere promotes male supremacy and antifeminist ideologies. It sells a version of masculinity that celebrates attributes such as wealth, the accumulation of luxury items, the pursuit of women, and a jacked body. The manosphere capitalised on the wavering of trust in mainstream health, says Dr Stephanie Wescott, from Monash Universitys School of Education, Culture and Society. An image of masculinity? The manosphere thinks so. Credit: Getty Images Mens takeover of wellness is an evolution within the manosphere, which is about optimisation of the self, a fixation on individual success and betterment, and a refinement of the image of optimal masculinity, she says.

She sees the manospheres creep into wellness as related to but not the same as bro science. They both position men as superior knowers whose knowledge overrides traditional institutions. The manosphere, however, sits alongside the tradwife phenomenon, where women are depicted as linen-wearing, organic produce-growing homemakers. There is a desire in the manosphere and tradwife worlds to choose a theoretically autonomous existence that is separate from womens empowerment and the mainstream, Wescott says. So, there is a return to traditional gender roles, with an adjacent spruiking of regressive lifestyle ideals, she says. In relation to men, they are often embodying the regressive masculine ideal of the provider: strong, successful and wealthy. Tie in the premise that you can take your health into your own hands using knowledge that has been gate-kept by mainstream institutions, and there is a status in both having this knowledge and being the bestower of it, Wescott says.

Loading Whether the knowledge being bestowed is legitimate or not  and the wellness-sphere contains both legitimate and bunk advice  appears irrelevant. What is relevant is that those giving advice seem to have absolute conviction that they are right, regardless of the evidence. Whats interesting is a lot of people who have that view of natural equals best are now promoting things like methylene blue, says The Proof podcaster and nutrition scientist Simon Hill. Im just not sure that theres a lot of logical consistency there. I dont fully understand what the motivation is other than the fact that, hey, there are huge profits up for grabs in the wellness space. The mens wellness market has boomed in the last five years and is worth roughly $140 billion globally. Research by consulting firm McKinsey suggests that the power influencers have to drive purchases varies, but up to 55 per cent of consumers are swayed by their advice.

The potential for profit may be what truly unites men and women from opposing ideological and political camps, Dunn suggests. Influencers may just be capitalising on an opportunity even if these products are not aligned with their interests or values, he says. Wellness may be a relatively easy market to get into because of lower levels of regulatory barriers and businesses in the area may be less fussy about who they work with for marketing. Being encouraged to be more physically active, eat more whole foods or to optimise themselves hardly seems like a negative. The danger comes when people are swayed by influencers whose social media algorithms are rewarded when they act in increasingly extreme ways. The risks of this dynamic, for both the viewers and creators, are very real, writes Samuel Cornell, a PhD candidate in the School of Population Health at UNSW, in The Conversation. They range from hormone damage, to mental and physical decline, to injury, and even death. But there is also a deeper ideological harm, as young men are fed a narrow and punishing idea of what it means to be a man. Whats being sold, he argues, is pseudo-stoicism: A term researchers have coined to describe emotional suppression masquerading as strength and discipline.

Whatever the motive or gender of the influencer, the people being influenced are seeking answers to valid problems. Loading Traditionally, women have turned to alternative health and wellness to fill the void created by mainstream medicines neglect of their health needs. Now, boys and men may turn to the manosphere to fill the void created by loneliness and disenfranchisement. Even if it doesnt actually make people feel better, it gives them a sense of control and power over their lives, says Copland. We live in a really individualistic society that teaches us that we solve all our problems by ourselves ... when people are trying to navigate difficult issues  simple solutions like going to the gym, or cleaning your room, or whatever, are appealing. The manosphere is a response to many of the challenges men [as with all of us] face in the world at the moment. What the manosphere does really well is create a narrative that explains to men what the problem is with the world  feminism/women  and how men can navigate through these problems, which is to fix themselves.
Most Australians have no idea whether their super fund is ready to help them with their retirement. Not ready in the sense of having made decent returns so far, but ready for the actual job it will need to do before, and after, the day your work income stops.

And why would you? The system doesnt make it easy to find out. The governments performance test will tell you if your default MySuper fund passed or failed on investment returns and fees, but it is a narrow, product-focused measure (that most people dont understand anyway) and it ignores a funds broader services and capability. It is like judging a car by petrol consumption and top speed, with no idea whether the brakes work, the seatbelt will hold, or even where it plans to drive.

There are strategies for choosing the right nest egg. Credit: Karl Hilzinger

Last week, the Treasury Department finally released a consultation paper on a new retirement reporting framework for the super industry. It promises greater transparency on the products and services funds offer in retirement and how well they deliver  but the data wont be public until 2028 (and well likely still have to dig to find the detail). By then, the biggest wave of baby boomers will have already crossed into retirement.

At the same time, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority deputy chair Margaret Cole told the Conexus retirement industry conference that while super funds are making progress under the retirement income covenant  a three-year push to improve services for retirees  its patchy, and not a single one rated their own performance as excellent in the latest survey for APRA and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Fast-track planning powers meant to deliver developments that include affordable housing are being used to build luxury properties as developers sidestep requirements to provide cheaper apartments in some new projects.

Critics say the Victorian governments Development Facilitation Program (DFP) has failed to deliver enough projects with attainable homes, pointing to a loophole that allows developers to make a cash payment instead of providing a proportion of affordable homes.

No affordable housing is set to be included in this Abbotsford development.

Real estate listings from recently approved developments through the program reveal some apartments are being sold for millions of dollars  even achieving suburb records  and marketed as luxury properties. Experts say these high-end projects are the most likely to be financially viable, as their profit margins can absorb the cost of affordable housing provisions.

Expanded in September 2023 as a key part of the governments Housing Statement, the DFP was designed to deliver Victoria with more affordable housing. Under the program, the planning minister can fast-track residential projects  which cannot be contested by communities or councils at VCAT  on the condition that at least 10 per cent of new homes are affordable.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, wasnt about to repeat his private conversations with Donald Trump live on television. But he was happy to characterise what the US president and his administration thought about Australias decision to recognise a Palestinian state this week. Theres an enormous level of disappointment, and some disgust ... This is a gift to them [Hamas], and its unfortunate, Huckabee told the ABCs 7.30 on Thursday night. The emotional sentiment [was] a sense of: Youve got to be kidding. Why would they be doing this? And why would they be doing this now? Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, pictured touring the West Bank last month. He has led the Trump administrations criticism of Australias move to recognise Palestine. Credit: AP Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had been dealing with a challenging domestic response to his governments decision since Monday, had answers on Friday morning, starting with a similar feeling. Australians have been disgusted by what they see on their TV every night. They were disgusted by the terrorist actions of Hamas on October 7, the slaughter of innocent Israelis, he said on ABC radio. But Australians have also seen the death of tens of thousands of people. When you have children starving, when you have children losing their lives, with families queuing for food and water, then that provokes, not surprisingly, a human reaction. Albaneses decision to follow France, Britain and Canada in declaring that Australia would recognise Palestine at the United Nations next month was, in part, a human reaction to suffering as striking images of hunger came out of Gaza. Pressure was bubbling inside the Labor caucus and, just the weekend before, more than 100,000 Australians marched in protest over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and on the streets of Melbourne. The prime ministers foreign policy shift was also pragmatic: once like-minded countries made the move, there was expectation that Albanese would add to global momentum.

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Loading But if Albanese expected warm feedback, it was not forthcoming. Before Huckabee took aim at Australias decision, Israel had expressed its fury, Jewish-Australian groups said they had been betrayed, and even prominent pro-Palestine advocates were lukewarm. The praise, when it burst onto newspaper front pages, was not from desired sources. Instead, senior officials from Hamas, the listed terrorist organisation that conducted the October 7 attacks, praised the prime ministers move, exposing Albanese to fierce criticism and accusations of naivety. Aaron David Miller, a Middle East analyst who worked on US negotiations to end the conflict for decades, doubts next months meeting at the United Nations will lead to the outcome Western leaders are hoping for. He says a two-state solution remains the least-worst option but the time is not right, given Hamas remains in power in Gaza and the far-right Netanyahu government leads Israel. The Australians have had no experience in this region. The British and the French have, and they should know that the Middle East is literally littered with the remains of great powers, their schemes, their dreams, their ambitions, their peace plans, Miller says. I dont see any relationship between whats being done and the impact that it will have on the current situation, let alone on bringing anybody closer to a meaningful two-state solution ... Why is it the right time? Theres no logical, compelling explanation. This is being done for domestic political reasons or out of moral and ethical motivations. But the Western nations, including Australia, say a deteriorating situation has added urgency to the two-state push. There is a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognise, Wong said last week. On Friday, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich raised the stakes: he announced that work will start on a long-delayed settlement to divide the Israeli-occupied West Bank and cut it off from occupied East Jerusalem, a move his office said would bury the idea of a Palestinian state.

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Loading Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods, he said. Smotrich, a settler himself, claimed Netanyahu and Trump had agreed to the development, although there was no immediate confirmation from either. The Albanese government started laying the groundwork for this weeks announcement long before that threat. Foreign Minister Penny Wong started making the case for recognising Palestine as part of a two-state process  rather than at the end of one  back in April last year. Wong said recognition had always been a matter of when, not if. As accusations of mass starvation were levelled at Israel in recent weeks, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled a takeover of Gaza City, other nations made historic moves towards recognition. Then it became Australias turn. We didnt want to be leading the pack, but we didnt want to be too slow either, a government source told this masthead this week. Albanese said he was also reassured by recent commitments from the Palestinian Authority and Arab League. Still, backlash was swift. Israels ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said Albanese had abandoned his own conditions for recognition and would reward Hamas in the process. Netanyahu called it shameful. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry  which had been assured by the prime minister a fortnight earlier that recognition was not imminent  described it as a betrayal. Peter Moss, the co-convener of Labor Friends of Palestine, said the move would be applauded by the partys rank-and-file as a historic milestone. But a co-founder of the Labor Friends of Israel group, Nick Dyrenfurth, said some lifetime Jewish Labor members were considering quitting the party with a sense of despair. Even Nasser Mashni, the president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, called the decision a cynical political smokescreen. Many Palestinians and pro-Palestine advocates labelled recognition a distraction and instead urged the government to pursue sanctions, an arms embargo, and an end to trade with Israel.

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As the week continued, interjections from Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation, compounded the controversy. This masthead reported that the office of a Hamas co-founder, Hassan Yousef, applauded Australias decision. Albanese warned media outlets not to report propaganda, and a statement issued in a Hamas Telegram channel disavowed the comments attributed to Yousef, saying he was detained and cut off from the outside world. But two other senior Hamas officials soon made similar comments, calling Australias move towards recognition a positive step towards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. John Coyne, the national security director at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, says the complicated structure of Hamas and its leadership  now dispersed across the world, with diminished numbers in Palestine itself  made it difficult to interpret messages from the group. When youve got a global terrorist organisation, its not like an elected government or public service bureaucracy. The term leadership is used very loosely, he says. There are a number of senior figures and so of course, theyll all have their perspectives and at a time of chaos and change, people aspire to challenge the status quo and become the spokesperson. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announce the decision to recognise Palestine. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen But having warned Albanese over recent weeks that he was playing into Hamas hands, the federal opposition jumped. Hamas is more than supporting the decision [Albanese] made, they are in full-throated praise of it, they are cheering on, they are calling our prime minister a man of courage, said opposition leader Sussan Ley. On a day when a terrorist organisation calls our prime minister a hero, surely he has to think about reversing the decision that led to that. If Labor had envisioned a political win at the beginning of the week, Albanese did not show it. This decision is criticised by people on all sides of the debate. I expected that to be the case, he said on the Today show on Tuesday. The people who are saying this is not the way forward... OK, whats your plan? The plan of Prime Minister Netanyahu is just to continue: continue to push into Gaza, occupy Gaza City. How will that provide a resolution going forward to ongoing conflict that has been there for 77 years? Most countries in the United Nations  147 of 193  already recognise Palestine. But commitments from Australia, France, Britain and Canada to recognise Palestine at a UN General Assembly meeting in New York next month add heft. Several European nations, including G20 members Italy and Germany, have not yet pledged to do so, nor have Japan and South Korea. New Zealand could be the next to add its voice, after its conservative prime minister Chris Luxon this week said Netanyahu had lost the plot.

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But analysts emphasise it is the United States that will ultimately determine whether a Palestinian state inches closer to reality or remains fantasy. At the end of the day, the international community can jump up and down as much as they want, but until the US agrees to accept the Palestinian admission into the UN general assembly  this concept of statehood is going to remain an idea, says Shahram Akbarzadeh, a professor in Middle East politics at Deakin University. I dont see how a Trump administration could vote yes to Palestinian statehood ... I think we will see the continuation of Palestinian lives in limbo in terms of international law and international standing. Amin Saikal, another expert, shares his scepticism. But he thinks Trump could be the wildcard that changes the trajectory of the Middle East. There are some elements within the MAGA movement that have called for a revision of American support for Israel, he says, pointing to congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, and commentators Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson. Trump does look at his base, and he does really take what comes out of MAGA quite seriously. At the same time, he is an unpredictable transactional leader. Loading Trump threatened Canadas trade deal in response to its recognition of Palestine, only to walk the threat back. Before Huckabee gave his strong criticism of Australia, the White House declined to weigh in, saying Trump was not married to any one solution. The US president is a staunch ally of Netanyahu, but even he has lashed out at the Israeli prime minister, most recently by disputing Israels claims of there being no starvation in Gaza. It may come to the point that you could see the widening of the rift between the United States and its allies is not really going to benefit the United States, Saikal says. Therefore [Trump] may decide to soften his position, or put more pressure on the Israeli leadership to accept the reality of a two-state solution as inevitable and as the only one. With Matthew Knott
And we were first to introduce pre-populated ballot papers, printed with candidates names, Malinauskas said, meaning that voters didnt have to write the name of their chosen one, so semi-literate people had a better chance at taking part. In the scheme of things, thats not very long ago. The democratic project needs to evolve to peoples concerns. Which is one reason that Malinauskas decided to outlaw political donations. There may be another jurisdiction somewhere that does it, but we havent been able to find them. From July 1, we think were the first in the world to ban private donations to political parties and members of parliament. At our election next year, therell be zero donations from unions, zero donations from corporations. The only exception is for non-incumbent  new  candidates and new parties so the advantages of incumbency are not baked in. The system now is to be publicly funded. Weve now broken the financial link to the unions; it came as a bit of a shock to some. One reason Malinauskas pursued this reform is that theres public concern about huge amounts of money being donated and the perception of undue influence. The other? A taste of the US system, where its out of control. Patently absurd, he points out.

Finally, it was South Australia that pioneered the social media ban for under-16s. Malinauskas proposed it last year. Other states and then the federal parliament followed. Its due to take effect in December. Loading My view is that democracy globally is approaching a crisis among young people who feel its not the best way to govern ourselves, Malinauskas tells me. That presents an opportunity for us not just to make sure we preserve it, but that we celebrate it. The speaker of the Australian parliament, Milton Dick, another delegate, explained some of the mechanisms that help account for Australias democratic success: compulsory voting, the independent Australian Electoral Commission, and the egalitarian nature of Australia that means literally anyone can become prime minister. Dick is waging a quiet civics crusade of his own. The speaker visited 160 schools across Australia in the last term of parliament. Its my temperature check  whether its Cooktown or Charters Towers or remote WA, theres still a great deal of energy and excitement about our democracy. I just think people need to know more, he tells me.

Kids unfailingly ask him three questions when he visits. One, do you have your own plane? (Answer, no). Two, have you met Trump? (Usually spoken, he says, with a sense of apprehension.) Three, whats Anthony Albanese like? (They apparently know the name of the prime minister, a good starting point.) Loading Steele, these days a political commentator and host for the US cable network MSNBC, says theres a question Im asking a lot  how do you rebuild these institutions and rebuild these guide rails? Whats happened to the government is not easily undone. If a post-Trump America can recover and rebuild, perhaps it could look to more durable democratic systems for guidance. Like ours. Compulsory voting, Turnbull points out, appears radical to Americans, but its been part of our political culture for over a century. It keeps the Australian political contest in the centre. Australians, and South Australians in particular, are ready to defend and reinforce their democracy with innovations.

Our democratic fates may be diverging, but Australia has to find a way to preserve as much of the US alliance as possible. Over the decades, weve built our systems of defence and intelligence into US structures to the point that theyre largely inseparable. Without the latest software update, for instance, Australias fleet of F-35 fighter jets is useless, permanently grounded. Not to mention the Five Eyes system, which, officials say, continues to exchange intelligence smoothly regardless of the mad autocrat in the White House. The danger of Xi Jinpings plan for dominance grows only greater. The 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day reminds us of how vital US power can be in the protection of Australian sovereignty. Its the war that wedded Australian security to Americas. WWII veteran Robert MacArthur at the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day, which reminds us of how vital US power can be in the protection of Australian sovereignty. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer But, inevitably, it will get harder and harder for Australia. Trump has smashed through the US free trade treaty with Australia, and theres more to come as his administration seeks to dismantle Australias Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and other central structures of the nations fair go infrastructure. The under-16 social media ban will be another target for Trump. Washington will relentlessly pressure Canberra to step up defence spending.

Albaneses approach so far is to stay low and hope the storm passes. He profits politically whenever criticised by the Trump administration. He need merely stand his ground to appear effortlessly patriotic. But the opposition will not give Albanese any rest; it will be similarly relentless in demanding that the prime minister deal with Trump. The alliance, says Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, is drifting to the edge of the solar system. The prime minister hasnt met the president yet and its been more than a decade since a US president visited Australia, since Obama in 2014. Does she appreciate that Albanese worries he has more to lose than to gain by meeting Trump? Albaneses timidity is not in the national interest. The relationship is much bigger than his feelings about a particular person, she tells me. Would she concede that Trump can be very difficult to deal with? All presidents, all leaders have their idiosyncrasies. We dont have a vote in their election, but we have a big stake in the relationship, whoever is in the White House.
Nemuro, Japan: A body was found on Friday on a mountain on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, in northern Japan, where a man had been missing since being attacked by a bear on Thursday. The Hokkaido prefectural police are investigating whether it is the missing man.

Police said the man and his friend, both in their 20s, started climbing Mount Rausu, which straddles the towns of Shari and Rausu, from the Shari side about 5am on Thursday. While descending, the man was attacked by a brown bear about 11.10am.

The friend reportedly ran about 200 metres toward him after the man called out the friends name. The friend saw the man fighting off the bear, while bleeding from his leg, before being dragged away into a bush along the trail.

The friend reported the attack to the police and was uninjured when he was rescued by a police helicopter. Police called the mans phone about 5pm, but there was no answer.
US first lady Melania Trump has sent a private letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the plight of abducted Ukrainian children, it has been revealed.

The note was hand-delivered to the Russian leader by her husband, President Donald Trump, as the two sat down for peace talks in Alaska on Friday night (Saturday AEST).

Donald Trump greets Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Credit: AP

While the specific contents of the letter have not been made public, and the first lady was not on the trip to Anchorage, two White House officials told Reuters that she had written a message for Putin.

Russias abduction of Ukrainian children has been one of the most important issues for Ukraine since the war began.
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Zimbabwe is losing millions of dollars through the illicit export of raw lithium, despite a government ban introduced in 2022 to force miners to process the mineral locally. The ban, first imposed under Statutory Instrument 213 of 2022 and extended to all other base minerals in 2023, was meant to boost earnings by keeping value-addition within the country.However, a recent Global Press Journal investigation, backed by research from the Africa Policy Research Institute, reveals that miners have continued to smuggle raw lithium by falsifying export declarations at the country's borders. Cabinet extended restrictions in June this year, announcing that even lithium concentrates will not be allowed for export from 2027, but critics say these measures fall short as smugglers remain largely unchecked.Analysts point to collusion between miners-most of them Chinese, who dominate about 90 percent of Zimbabwe's lithium sector-transporters, freight agents and poorly paid customs officers. Officials at border posts often accept bribes to wave through shipments, largely destined for China, in return for looking the other way. With most civil servants earning barely US$300 a month, enforcement has proved weak.Lithium is a critical resource in the global shift to green energy, powering batteries for electric vehicles and solar systems. For Zimbabwe, home to some of the world's richest deposits, effective management of this resource could transform the economy. But as long as smugglers continue exploiting porous borders and lax penalties, the country risks losing out on billions in potential revenue.Calls are growing for stronger action, including deterrent jail terms for smugglers, withdrawal of mining licences for offenders, modernisation of border infrastructure, and better pay for customs staff. Without decisive enforcement, critics warn, Zimbabwe's much-touted "zero tolerance to corruption" slogan will remain empty rhetoric while its lithium wealth slips away.
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The High Court has dismissed a divorce application filed by Zanu-PF online activist and leader of the Varakashi4ED movement, Jonas Musara, ruling that Zimbabwean courts have no jurisdiction over the matter since it is already before a Canadian court.Musara is embroiled in a bitter separation from his wife, Winnet Paidamoyo Motsi, who is based in Canada.Justice Fatima Maxwell upheld a special plea raised by Motsi, finding that the principle of forum rei - which gives jurisdiction to the court where the defendant resides - applied in this case."The Zimbabwean courts cannot assume jurisdiction simply because the Plaintiff is domiciled or resident in Zimbabwe," Justice Maxwell ruled. "This court will withhold its jurisdiction until the matter in Canada is finalised."She warned that entertaining Musara's application risked "conflicting judgments, which is contrary to the principles of justice and judicial comity."Motsi had argued that her estranged husband could not initiate parallel divorce proceedings in Zimbabwe while a similar case was already pending before a competent Canadian court. The judge agreed, noting that the doctrine of lis pendens prevents duplication of cases between the same parties.Musara's lawyer had urged the court to use its inherent jurisdiction to hear the case, claiming his client was being denied access to the couple's minor children. But Justice Maxwell ruled that such matters fell within the Canadian proceedings."That there is an access order being defied is not for these proceedings. Plaintiff is legally represented and should be advised on what steps to take to enforce his rights granted by an order of Court," she said.The judge also observed that since Musara wanted custody of the children to be awarded to Motsi, it was "more appropriate for the Canadian Court to deal with the issue of the maintenance of the minor children."Dismissing the case, Justice Maxwell advised Musara that if Motsi was unnecessarily delaying the process in Canada, he should seek remedies in that jurisdiction.The ruling effectively halts the divorce proceedings in Zimbabwe, leaving the case to be determined in Canada.
Members of the Chattanooga Housing Authority Board of Commissioners paused their meeting earlier today to honor the service of retiring member Eddie Holmes.The CHAs former board chair was appointed to the commission in 2006 serving multiple terms. Mr. Holmes has served in numerous leadership roles in the community, including the Chattanooga Human Rights Human Relations Committee, Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP, Tennessee Conference of NAACP and The University of Tennessee at Chattanoogas Minority Advisory Board.The U.S.Army veteran and his wife of 55 years, Fannie Holmes, have dedicated their lives to the New United Missionary Baptist Church and to service at the Hamilton County Election Commission, officials said.Chattanooga Housing Authority Executive Director Betsy McCright said, To have the longevity of Eddie Holmes leadership on our board has been extremely helpful as weve addressed various challenges throughout the years. Were grateful for his service and wish him the best as he begins this new chapter in his life.Eddie Holmes spent decades serving Chattanooga, said Mayor Tim Kelly. He helped build strong communities and opened doors for others. His steady leadership has made our city better. So, its an honor to recognize his legacy with Eddie Holmes Day.Mr. Holmes was presented a proclamation during the meeting, marking Aug. 15, 2025 as Eddie Holmes Day in the City of Chattanooga. The proclamation was signed by Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and City Council Chair Jenny Hill.The proclamation reads,WHEREAS, it is fitting that members of the Chattanooga City Council recognize the remarkable contributions and public service of Eddie Holmes to the City of Chattanooga and beyond; and,WHEREAS, Eddie was appointed to the Chattanooga Housing Authority Board of Commissioners in 2006 and served multiple terms including terms as Board Chair; and,WHEREAS, Eddie served as the former president of the Chattanooga Human Rights Human Relations Committee, former president of the Chattanooga-Hamilton Count NAACP, and held leadership positions within the Tennessee Conference of NAACP; and The University of Tennessee at Chattanoogas Minority Advisory Board; and,WHEREAS, Eddie is the past recipient of the prestigious Medgar Evers Leadership Award and Jefferson Award for Public Service; and,WHEREAS, Eddie is a valued veteran of the United States Army; and,WHEREAS, Eddie and his wife of 55 years, Fannie Holmes, have dedicated their lives to the New United Missionary Baptist Church, and to service at the Hamilton County Election Commission, while raising their daughter in Chattanooga; now therefore,BE IT RESOLVED BY MAYOR TIM KELLY AND THE CHATTANOOGA CITY COUNCIL CONCURRING, that we recognize and congratulate Eddie Holmes on a life of service to his faith, family, and community.CHA Board Chair Jim Levine added, Eddie and Fannie Holmes are part and parcel of what makes Chattanooga such a special place. Theyve given of their time and talents to support their family, their community, their faith and the issues that have changed the fabric of Chattanoogas culture throughout the years. Its an honor to celebrate Eddie Holmes life of service.
Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management officials continue to assess property damage from the historic flash flooding event that occurred on Tuesday, in the areas of East Ridge, East Brainerd, Brainerd and the Highway 58 area.



It is important to note that emergency funding from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is only available if total damages across the affected areas meet the $1.6 million threshold. When that threshold is reached, residents whose insurance does not cover the damageor who were uninsuredmay apply for low-interest recovery loans.



Flood victims are advised to report damage and contact local officials in their jurisdiction:



- City of East Ridge: 423-867-7711

- City of Chattanooga: 423-643-5800

- Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management: stormdamage@hamiltontn.gov


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by Staff reporter

NEW Zanu-PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei has received rare public accolades from Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) commander, Air Vice Marshall Biltim Chingono, for his role in his recovery at Arundel Hospital.Chingono, who had spent six months in hospital, four on life support, credited Tagwirei for efforts behind the scenes that helped save his life. Speaking during the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations at Rufaro Stadium, he said:"A lot of people were surprised to see me today. My staff had lost hope, saying my condition was such that I was expected to be a cabbage. I was taken to Arundel Hospital and here I am I know Kudakwashe Tagwirei was making efforts in the background to ensure my survival. I really appreciate and thank you for that."The praise is notable given the AFZ has largely been seen as Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's domain since the 2017 coup, with few outside his faction receiving public commendations.Tagwirei's recognition comes amid internal Zanu-PF jockeying, particularly with party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, who is also seen as a potential contender for the presidency after 2030. Reports indicate tensions between Tagwirei and Mutsvangwa over party influence and donations, highlighting the high-stakes factional battles within Zanu-PF.Arundel Hospital, which opened during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, has now become a focal point in the political spotlight, with Tagwirei's role boosting his profile within the ruling party.
Day Shift August 14: A Squad



25-008615  900 BLK S Seminole Drive  Domestic Assault

A woman reported that her ex-boyfriend came to her apartment and assaulted her during an

argument. The suspect fled in a gray Dodge Durango before Police arrived on scene. Officers observed minor injuries on her face and head that were consistent with her account of the

incident. ERPD has secured an arrest warrant for the charge of Domestic Assault.



25-008599 - Germantown Road/Claremont Avenue- Abandoned Auto

The reporting party stated that a vehicle was parked in the roadway and was a hazard to drivers.

Police arrived and observed the car approximately 50-70 feet away from the corner of Germantown Road and Claremont Avenue. The vehicle was not reported stolen and was also not in the roadway.25-008594  6900 BLK Glen Errol WayA partys supervisor requested police check on her after she failed to show up to work. Contact was made, and she advised she simply overslept.25-008598  6500 BLK Ringgold Road - Suspicious ActivityA man called into dispatch, said he had been drugged, and stated he was going to die. On arrival, he told police he was not taking his psychosis medication and made numerous outlandish comments. The man additionally stated he wished to die. He was taken into protective custody and transported for evaluation. Officers seized his firearm, and East Ridge Animal Services took custody of his dog.25-008608  4300 BLK Ringgold Road  Suspicious ActivityPolice responded to the listed location for an elderly female possibly having a mental health crisis after locking her keys in her car. Officers spoke with the woman who was in an altered mental status. EMS was requested to the scene, and determined she needed to be transported for a mental health evaluation.25-008597  5300 BLK Ringgold Road - Stolen Vehicle Recovery / Warrant ServicePolice received an LPR hit on Spring Creek for a stolen Chevy Tahoe. Police located the vehicle travelling west bound in the 5400 block of Ringgold Road. The Tahoe pulled into a lot where police initiated the traffic stop. The driver was taken into custody. He was also found to have three outstanding warrants through Hamilton County.25-008607- 300 BLK Dunlap- Auto TheftPolice were dispatched to this address and spoke with the victim. He advised, his 2012 black Hyundai Sonata was stolen between 2230hrs on August 13th and 1530hrs August 14th. Paynes vehicle was entered into NCIC as stolen.Night Shift August 14: C Squad25-008623  500 BLK Camp Jordan Parkway  Criminal TrespassManagement requested Police assistance in criminally trespassing a customer. The offendingparty was issued a trespass warning and left the area without further issue. Proximity Restriction25-000162.25-008627  3700 BLK Anderson Avenue  Domestic AssaultThe victim reported that a man assaulted her during an argument at their apartment. Policereviewed a security camera video that corroborated her assault claim. ERPD also determined thatthe suspect would not let the victim leave the apartment during the assault timeframe. Policearrested the man and charged him with Domestic Assault and False Imprisonment. He wastransported to Hamilton County Jail without further incident.25-008628  601 Justice Way  Warrant ServiceWhile in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, a party was served with an Alias Capias warrantthrough the City of East Ridge. The original charge for the Capias arrest warrant was Driving ona Revoked Drivers License.25-008630  4200 BLK Ringgold Road  Suspicious ActivityPolice observed a male walking back and forth from the gas pumps to the Police Departmentwhile taking pictures with his phone. The mans vehicle was identified as a grey sedan sitting atthe gas pumps with its hood up. Police determined the male was the father of a domestic assaultsuspect from a recent arrest. He was provided information on how to post bail for his son and heleft the area.
OPINION: Why we are pursuing legislation to protect treaty rights and the Cherokee Nation Reservation from attacks by the UKB
Home News Christian leaders warn of drop in universities offering religious studies

There are concerns about the future of theology and religious studies in the U.K., as the number of universities offering these subjects continues to decline.

A broad spectrum of faith leaders, academics and public figures have expressed concern that the subjects could disappear altogether from universities unless action is taken now to safeguard them.

An open letter compiled by the Theos think-tank notes that there are only 21 higher education institutions in England and Wales offering undergraduate degrees in theology and religious studies compared to 90 in history, 90 in music, and 101 in sociology.

The letter warns that cutting the subject will narrow student choice and deprive society of graduates equipped to address ethical challenges in an increasingly polarized world.

"This impacts student choice, but it also has adverse effects for society," the letter reads.

"Theology plays a crucial role in the intellectual, ethical and cultural development of communities. It equips people with the tools to engage more thoughtfully with global cultures and traditions and to engage deeply with complex sacred texts.

"It provides space for interfaith dialogue in an environment where people from different backgrounds (including the nonreligious, because theology and religious studies are by no means the preserve of believers), and creates room for students to explore issues of belief together.

"In an increasingly polarized world, it helps us understand other points of view."

Elsewhere, the letter highlights a similar decline in the teaching of Religious Education (RE). It says that there are "too few qualified entrants to RE teaching," noting that around half of RE lessons are taught by teachers who specialize in another subject, while only a fifth of new entrants to RE teacher training in the last academic year had a degree in theology and religious studies.

The letter concludes, "The future looks increasingly complex, diverse and pluralistic; local, national and global changes require us to wrestle with moral, ethical and spiritual challenges and ideas well.

"We owe it to the citizens of tomorrow to equip them with the tools to navigate this future and live together better. We can think of few better tools within our education system than theology and religious studies."

Signatories of the letter include Theos Director Chine McDonald, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, Christian Aid CEO Patrick Watt, Executive Chair of the Religion Media Centre Michael Wakelin, and Free Churches Moderator the Rev. Tessa HenryRobinson.

The publication of the letter coincided with the arrival of A level results this week.

Latest figures from the Religious Education Council (REC) and National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE) showed that the number of students taking Religious Studies (RS) at A level in England and Wales remained stable at 15,005, a slight fall from just 1.3% on the previous year. In Wales the number of students taking A level RS actually grew by 5% to 737.

REC and NATRE note that challenges remain around teacher recruitment and schools failing to offer the subject at A level, leading to more students being unable to take it.

REC Chair Sarah Lane Cawte said: In the world of religious education, the big story of the last two decades is the success and growth of the A level.

"Despite the subjects lack of support, more and more students are turning to an academic study of the belief systems that have shaped the world's history and peoples lives."

She continued, Yet sadly, many students who want to pursue the subject at A level cannot, with the subject still lacking the resourcing and attention to meet this growing demand.

"The government's curriculum and assessment review is an opportunity to stop the neglect, and ensure that students who want to take it can do so.

NATRE Chair Katie Freeman added: Specialist RE teachers are an enormous asset to young people, their schools and communities, opening up a wealth of opportunity from careers to new intellectual experiences.

But the reality is that this demand for specialist RE teachers is not being met across the country. We urgently need a national plan to ensure that young people who want to take RE can, so that they can flourish in work, life and their ongoing education.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News 'No evil greater': Feds rescue 10 children in labor, sex traffic raid on motels

Authorities discovered a labor trafficking ring was exploiting nearly a dozen children as young as 12 years old while executing search warrants at 14 businesses and two motels in Nebraska. The operation resulted in the arrest of five individuals.

Through a collaborative effort involving federal, state and local law enforcement, authorities conducted the search warrants on Tuesday at each of the locations across the Omaha metro area and in central Nebraska.

Four of the motels targeted in the raid included The AmericInn, The Inn, The New Victorian and the Roadway Inn, according to a Tuesday press release from the U.S Attorneys Office in the District of Nebraska.

During the operation, authorities rescued the 10 children and 17 adults forced to work at the hotels for long hours with almost no pay. The victims were forced to pay for lodging at the hotels, even though the accommodations were unclean, unsafe, and unhealthy, according to the complaint affidavit.

There is no evil greater than the evil that seeks to trap, oppress, and exploit human beings for profit or pleasure, U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods said in the provided statement.

Where that evil exists, Nebraska law enforcement working together at the federal, state, and local levels, as occurred in this case, will seek it, find it, root it out, and ensure every rescued victim has an opportunity to obtain justice and freedom from their captors, the attorney continued.

On the day of the raids, authorities also arrested five suspects who were the owners and managers of the hotels. The arrested and charged suspects include: Kentakumar Chaudhari, 36; Rashmi Ajit Samani, 42; Amit Prahladbhai Chaudhari, 32; Amit Babubhai Chaudhari, 33; and Maheshkumar Chaudhari, 38.

The suspects face a range of charges, as, in addition to the conspiracy to engage in labor trafficking, at least one of the defendants reportedly engaged in a sex trafficking conspiracy that involved minors and adults. The complaint affidavit alleges that sex trafficking victims were abused by the traditional perpetrators of a sex trafficking scheme, but also by the hotel management and staff.

Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel, leader of the Omaha FBI Field Office, referred to human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery.

This investigation revealed victims right here in the heart of the heartland forced into sexual activity, living and working in dangerous and filthy conditions, and extorted to work in grueling jobs with little to no pay, added Kowel in a prepared statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners to aggressively identify and apprehend perpetrators of human trafficking, hold them accountable, and obtain justice for victims, he added.

Our approach to these horrific cases is always centered on the victims. We encourage anyone who may be a victim or have information about human trafficking to call us, Kowel said. We will continue to surge resources to arrest violent offenders in our community as part of the FBIs Summer Heat Initiative.

These defendants are also accused of drug trafficking and harboring individuals who entered the country illegally. One of the suspects is accused of attempting to obtain U visas under fraudulent circumstances.

Authorities also seized more than $565,000 in the raids, which they believe was obtained through money laundering. The U.S. Marshal Service is working to recover money that the defendants reportedly acquired illegally.

Earlier this year in Michigan, the Farmington Hills Police Department worked alongside the human trafficking task force and the prosecutors office to investigate a human trafficking enterprise involving illicit massage parlors.

In April, Paul Richard Katterman II was charged with allegedly helping his wife, Zixuan Wan, traffic four non-English-speaking women from China. The four women worked at three different locations in Farmington Hills, Westland and Commerce Township.

Kattermans wife was charged by the Oakland County Prosecutors Office in March, but faced new charges in April, including money laundering, conducting a criminal enterprise and failure to file taxes.

And in Florida, a joint law enforcement operation resulted in the rescue of 60 missing children between the ages of 9 and 17. The effort, called Operation Dragon Eye, resulted in the arrests of eight defendants who faced charges ranging from human trafficking, child endangerment, drug possession and drug trafficking.

"[T]he successful recovery of 60 missing children, complemented with the arrest of eight individuals, including child predators, signifies the most successful missing child recovery effort in the history of the United States Marshals Service; or to my knowledge, any other similar operation held in the United States," U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Florida, William Berger, said in a statement at the time.
Home News Over 200 faith groups, NGOs urge UN to stop enabling Hamas, support US-backed aid effort

Over 200 Jewish, Christian, Muslim and secular organizations and NGOs from more than 15 countries are calling on the United Nations and international communities to collaborate with the U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and demand an investigation of the U.N. relief agency in Gaza.

The interfaith coalition's letter calls on the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly to oppose any attempt to "obstruct or delegitimize" the GHF's work, and for the U.N. to collaborate with the GHF and other credible humanitarian organizations.

The GHF, an Israel-backed effort to provide aid to Gazans without directly supporting Hamas, began distributing aid to Gazans in May and says it has since distributed over 120 million meals.

The letter also calls for a formal investigation into the U.N. Relief and Works Agency's operations in Gaza, as multiple reports have raised concerns about UNRWA's ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations, as well as how the organization handles aid distribution.

"There is overwhelming evidence that UNRWA-led aid in Gaza has been compromised, enabling Hamas to profit and exert control, contravening humanitarian principles and law. The GHF offers a viable, neutral, and effective alternative," the letter states.

"We respectfully request that the U.N. and world leaders take steps to shift U.N. policy in Gaza away from refusal to cooperate with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and toward one that works in partnership and collaboration with the GHF for the good of the citizens of Gaza."

UNRWA did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

The signatories, which include the Christian Jewish Alliance, Israel Christian Nexus and the American Muslim and Multi-Faith Women's Empowerment Council, asserted that the GHF has proven itself "a far more impartial and effective humanitarian partner than UNRWA."

As the coalition noted, multiple eyewitnessreports and analyses of the situation in Gaza have found evidence that Hamas exploits the U.N. distribution system, stealing the aid intended for civilians and taxing Gazans for aid that was supposed to be free. Several U.N. employees have also been accused of hoarding food instead of distributing it to civilians.

"These actions constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which expressly forbids the weaponization of aid or its use for the financial or political benefit of armed groups," the interfaith coalition's letter states.

By contrast, the GHF is delivering aid directly to civilians, the letter argues, which prevents Hamas from profiting off it.

On Friday, the GHF announced that it had delivered over 1.5 million meals across three aid distribution sites and that the organization has delivered 123 million meals to date.

"Despite this, United Nations officials on the ground have refused to cooperate with the GHF and are, according to multiple reports, actively campaigning against it," the coalition's letter states.

"Instead, they appear intent on restoring the prior system, a system that facilitated Hamas's profiteering and permitted the widespread diversion of humanitarian supplies," the NGOs and humanitarian groups argue. "Refusal to work with the current GHF aid distribution system will only hurt Palestinian civilians."

In a joint statement released earlier this month, U.N. officials claimed the GHF was an effort to "exploit" aid for "covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law."

"The entanglement of Israeli intelligence, US contractors and ambiguous non-governmental entities underlines the urgent need for robust international oversight and action under UN auspices," the U.N. statement reads.

Given that the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "crimes against humanity and war crimes," the U.N. officials contend that the state accused of committing "genocide" can't be left in charge of "feeding the population affected by the genocide."

The ICC's arrest warrant drew criticism from several U.S. Evangelical leaders, who say it goes after Israel's leader when the war was sparked by Hamas terrorists killing 1,200 people and abducting over 240 others in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israel's stated goal for its military offensive is to eradicate Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, and secure the release of the hostages. Hamas-controlled authorities in Gaza say over 60,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began, a figure that doesn't differentiate between combatants and civilians.

During an interview last month with journalist Billy Hallowell, Rev. Johnnie Moore, executive chairman of the GHF, condemned the U.N. for attempting to undermine the group's efforts to deliver meals to Gazans. He also criticized the U.N. for boycotting the GHF when it has never boycotted Hamas.

"Our job is just to feed Gaza," Moore said. "But we're also, in feeding Gazans, trying to address a systemic issue, which is almost all of the humanitarian aid that has been going into Gaza for as long as anybody can remember has been under the total control of Hamas."

The Evangelical leader said that the U.N. has refused to work with the GHF, claiming that the GHF violates humanitarian principles of "impartiality." Moore said such a claim is "hogwash." GHF also claims Hamas murdered aid workers and placed bounties on their heads, actions that Moore has called on the U.N. to condemn.

"And they wouldn't even do that," the chairman stated.

On July 11, U.N. Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva that the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has recorded "615 killings in the vicinity of the GHF sites" since May 26 and through July 7. Shamdasani alleged that another 183 deaths had occurred on routes to aid convoys, and that nearly 800 people have been killed trying to access aid.

The OHCHR said that its information comes from Gaza hospitals, cemeteries, families, the Hamas-run health authorities, NGOs and its partners on the ground.

In a statement to Reuters last month, the GHF denied the allegations, referring to the numbers from the U.N. as "false and misleading."

"The fact is the most deadly attacks on aid sites have been linked to U.N. convoys," a GHF spokesperson said at the time. "Ultimately, the solution is more aid. If the U.N. and other humanitarian groups would collaborate with us, we could end or significantly reduce these violent incidents."
Home Opinion Court rules against Little Sisters of the Poor ... again

After 14 years and two Supreme Court victories, the Little Sisters of the Poor are still in court, resisting an attempt by states to force the organizations health insurance to cover contraceptive services, including abortifacient methods, despite its religious objection. Despite previous rulings in their favor, on Wednesday a federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled against the Catholic charity by throwing out a 2018 federal rule designed to protect them.

In her 57-page ruling, Chief Judge Wendy Beetlestone of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania essentially found the religious exemption rule adopted during the first Trump administration invalid because it protected religious freedom too much. Because the Trump administration did more than the bare minimum to preserve religious freedom, Beetlestone threw out the entire rule as arbitrary and capricious.

Beetlestone pleaded that there were options other than the Religious Rule open to the Agencies, and the Religious Rule goes far beyond what the Departments justification  supported. Beetlestone insisted that the Trump administration might have offered only a fig-leaf religious accommodation to most objectors, while reserving full exemptions for only the most extensive religious objections. Instead of this complex and miserly scheme, the Trump administration made exemptions available to anyone with a religious objection. This liberal interpretation was not absolutely required by existing federal law, she argued, so therefore it was arbitrary and capricious.

But a broad interpretation of religious liberty is necessary because some states and federal agencies take every opportunity to infringe upon it. No case demonstrates this sad reality better than that of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The persecution of the Little Sisters began all the way back in 2011, when a Democratic supermajority rammed through Obamacare, a health care overhaul so heavy-handed it was a primary impetus of the Tea Party movement. One provision in that mammoth legislation required all health insurance plans to cover womens health care, which the Obama administration subsequently interpreted to include all varieties of contraceptives.

Left-leaning state governments gleefully attempted to foist this requirement upon the Little Sisters and other religious organizations, which had not previously covered contraception  not to mention for-profit Christian employers like Hobby Lobby, which won its own Supreme Court case in 2014. When the Supreme Court finally addressed the Little Sisters case in Zubik v. Burwell (2016), they consolidated cases from no fewer than seven jurisdictions.

Consider for a moment the irony of forcing a group of nuns to pay for contraceptive coverage. Not only did their Catholic beliefs condemn contraception per se, their personal commitments to this faith led them to take vows of chastity that render such treatments quite irrelevant. In other words, there was never any real danger that the Little Sisters refusal to cover contraceptives for their employees would result in any woman wanting contraceptives and not being able to obtain them. That is, there were never any plausible victims. The only reason for any state to force the Little Sisters to cover contraceptives was ideological animosity toward  indeed, outright intolerance of  their religious beliefs.

During the Obama administration, government entities tried to argue that there should be no religious exceptions to Obamacare at all. In 2016, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that religious freedom protections, like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, had to apply, and they kicked the cases back to lower courts to analyze the matter correctly.

In 2017, the Trump administration apologized for the religious persecution of its predecessor and announced its intention to adopt rulemaking that would protect the religious freedom of the Little Sisters and other similar groups. But, when it finally adopted that rule in 2018, the same left-leaning states sued, arguing that the rule was procedurally invalid. The Little Sisters intervened in a challenge from Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the 3rd Circuit.

In 2020, the Supreme Court decided (7-2) in Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania that the Trump administration had authority to promulgate the rule, and that the rule was procedurally valid. Five justices still on the bench joined the majority opinion in that case, while Justices Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer (who has since retired) concurred in the outcome but not the reasoning. The court once again kicked the case down to lower courts for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

(The case was put on ice for four years during the Biden administration, while the Biden administration schemed at how to undo Trumps rule; it was ultimately unsuccessful.)

Inexplicably, Judge Beetlestone considered the Supreme Courts reasoning and then invalidated the rule on entirely different grounds, which had not been at issue before. In so doing, she unwisely relied primarily on the concurring opinion of Justice Kagan, not the controlling precedent set by the court. She also relied on what was only a Third Circuit precedent in reasoning her way to invalidating federal rules across the entire nation. And, despite an explicit severance clause, she refused to vacate only the offending portions of the rules, vacating them in their entirety.

The district court blessed an out-of-control effort by Pennsylvania and New Jersey to attack the Little Sisters and religious liberty, responded Becket Fund President Mark Rienzi, who is the lead attorney for the Little Sisters. Its bad enough that the district court issued a nationwide ruling invalidating federal religious conscience rules. But even worse is that the district court simply ducked the glaring constitutional issues in this case, after waiting five years and not even holding a hearing. It is absurd to think the Little Sisters might need yet another trip to the Supreme Court to end what has now been more than a dozen years of litigation over the same issue.

Originally published at The Washington Stand.
Home News Beloved NC pastor, wife and mother killed by 15-year-old nephew

A pastor, his wife and his mother were fatally shot in their home by a teenage relative in North Carolina.

The victims died after the pastor's 15-year-old nephew opened fire inside the family's residence.

The victims have been identified as Danny Richards, 57, his wife, Sabrina Richards, 54, and his mother, Clara Richards, 74, according to The Fayetteville Observer, which reported that the shooting was reported on Tuesday evening at the couples house on Kentucky Derby Drive in the Trotters Ridge neighborhood of Harnett County, North Carolina, north of Anderson Creek.

The Sheriffs Office said the teenager was the nephew of Danny and Sabrina Richards and had been living in the home, Spectrum News1 reported.

A 10-year-old child in the house, identified as a cousin of the suspect, called 911 to report that several family members had been shot. The child was not injured.

When deputies arrived, Danny and Sabrina Richards were pronounced dead inside the house, according to The Daily Record.

Clara Richards was still alive when law enforcement reached the scene and was transported to Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, where she later died.

Investigators said the 15-year-old left the residence in a vehicle. The car was found abandoned in the woods near Nursery Road and N.C. 87, and the teenage suspect was discovered nearby. He was taken into custody around 11 p.m. that night.

The teenager was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder. After Clara Richards died at the hospital, prosecutors added a third count.

The teen also faces one count of attempted murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury. Because of his age, his name hasn't been released.

Officials said the suspect is being held at the North Carolina Juvenile Detention Center.

Danny Richards founded Genesis Grace Ministry in Fayetteville and served as its pastor. The church had an outreach program focused on homelessness, according to its social media posts.

Both Danny and Sabrina Richards were U.S. Army veterans. Both had been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Neighbors recalled that the couple had taken their nephew into the household.

In addition to his ministry and military career, Danny Richards was active in local service groups, including the Cumberland County Continuum of Care on Homelessness, where he worked alongside other community leaders.

Their absence will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved them, the chairperson of the group, Debbie Brown, said in a statement. In this time of sorrow, I invite you to hold their family, friends and our community in your thoughts and prayers in whatever way is meaningful to you.

Brown described Richards role at Genesis Grace Ministry as one of humility and service. He didnt want attention  he wanted to be able to do the work. He wanted to be able to impact his community in all aspects.
Home News Good News Clubs win equal access in Oakland school district

A federal judge has ordered a California school district to give Good News Clubs the same access to its campuses as other after-school programs. The ruling came after years of denials that had blocked the Christian clubs from operating on school grounds.

U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. granted a preliminary injunction requiring the Oakland Unified School District to allow the Child Evangelism Fellowships Good News Clubs to use school facilities on an equal basis with nonreligious groups, according to Liberty Counsel.

The injunction is the first legal step in a case that could secure permanent access for the clubs, according to the group.

The lawsuit was filed in December 2024 by Liberty Counsel on behalf of CEF NorCal East Bay after the district refused applications for club meetings across four campuses.

The denials were based on what the plaintiffs described as discriminatory reasoning, including references to the groups religious character and silence from administrators over a two-year period.

In his order, Judge Gilliam wrote that the law and facts clearly favor the claim that the district had violated free speech protections. He rejected the argument that allowing Good News Clubs to meet on campuses would breach the Establishment Clause, pointing to U.S. Supreme Court precedent that schools cannot exclude religious clubs if they provide access to secular groups.

The ruling means Good News Clubs will be able to hold weekly meetings on the same terms as activities such as Girls on the Run and Berkeley Chess School, which operate in the districts schools.

The clubs are held after classes, are not sponsored by schools, and require parental consent for participation.

Before the pandemic, CEF NorCal East Bay had regularly hosted Good News Clubs on district campuses. All clubs were cancelled in the spring of 2020 as part of COVID-19 lockdown measures. When the fellowship sought to resume activities in 2023, the district responded with repeated denials.

In some cases, officials wrote that the clubs were not a good match and that we are not in support of Evangelism on our campus. The district also denied applications by citing a lack of space even when rooms were listed as available, and declined to process a community partnership application because of the groups religious programming.

In 2001, the Supreme Court held in Good News Club v. Milford Central School that public schools cannot bar Christian clubs from meeting on the same terms as secular ones when they have opened facilities to outside groups.

Liberty Counsel argued that the Oakland districts actions were a direct violation of that precedent.

CEF, founded in 1937, is an international Christian nonprofit serving children and families. Its Good News Clubs are typically led by trained volunteers, meet once a week immediately after classes and provide lessons, activities, and character development rooted in Christian teaching.

Liberty Counsel has represented CEF in numerous legal cases across the United States and has never lost a case concerning Good News Clubs.

Last July, a federal court ordered the Hawaii Department of Education and six individual elementary schools to allow Good News Clubs to operate on public school campuses just like any other club. The directive came months after CEF sued education officials for blocking their student clubs from operating in four local school districts.
Home News Schools launch 'out of sight' ban to crack down on students' cellphone use

As students return to school, many are finding one rule change that's not to their liking.

Numerous school districts throughout the country are instituting policies prohibiting the use of cellphones and other electronic devices.

Several school districts in North Texas, for example, including Arlington, Garland, Mesquite, Frisco, Plano, Allen and Fort Worth, have adopted an out of sight policy, NBC's DFW affiliate reported this week as classes got underway. The policy requires students to turn off their phones and keep them stored in a backpack or locker during the school day, including lunch and other non-instructional periods.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbot signed House Bill 1481 into law earlier this summer, which mandates that all public school districts in the state have a policy in place regarding students use of personal electronic devices by Sept. 18.

Several educators, such as Kalee McMullen, executive director of instructional leadership for the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, strongly believe the law will eliminate distractions and improve students focus.

"It has been a huge distraction  that constant vibrating of notifications and that constant ringing in the classroom. That's not what's best for students, McMullen said. And there's a lot of research that shows how detrimental that is to focus, to the acquiring of knowledge, and to that retention of the content over time."

McMullen told NBC 5 that teachers in the Grapevine-Colleyville school district have witnessed positive changes for themselves and their students ever since the administration enacted a policy prohibiting the use of personal communication and electronic devices last year.

[Teachers] did see students who are less distracted, more engaged, she said. We saw [bad] behaviors reduced. So as a whole, it had a very positive impact across all of our campuses.

If a parent needs to contact their child during the school day, many Texas school districts already have policies in place advising them to call the front office, the news station added.

Texas isn't the only state where school districts have taken steps to ban or reduce the use of phones during school hours.

Several students and educators within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) also reported observing positive changes after the school board voted to expand its existing phone ban last summer, LAist reported. The new policy, which includes smartwatches and earbuds, also bans phone use during lunch and passing periods.

Two months after LAUSD voted on the policy, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3216, also known as the Phone-Free School Act, which requires schools to ban or limit the use of smartphones during school hours. The bill also mandates that every public school district and charter school have a policy limiting smartphone use by July 1, 2026.

Jessica Quindel, a math teacher at Venice High School in Los Angeles, said her students were bouncing off the walls after the ban started in February. The math teacher explained that she provided her students with things like stress balls and fidget toys.

It's a challenge, but it's a good one because it means that kids are not looking at their phones, and instead they're trying to learn, Quindel said.

One Venice High School student named Sophia said that many of her peers still bring their phones to class despite the ban, according to LAist.

The more rules you enforce, the sneakier people get, the student said. The more you imply that you don't trust students, the more they give you a reason not to trust them.

According to an updated Campus Safety report from July 14, California is among more than 20 states and the District of Columbia that have adopted policies requiring school districts to enact policies addressing the use of electronic devices on campus during school hours.

School districts throughout the country have enacted these policies amid ongoing concerns about the impact that social media and screen time have on youth mental health.

A Pew Research Center survey of teenagers aged 13 to 17 found that 96% of teens reported being online daily, and nearly half said they're online almost constantly.

The survey, conducted from Sept. 18 through Oct. 10, 2024, also found that roughly half of the teenage respondents said they check Instagram or Snapchat daily, and about one in 10 reported that they visit these social media platforms almost constantly.

Last year, JAMA published a study of over 4,200 adolescents in the United States, finding that 31.3% had increasing addictive use trajectories for social media and 24.6% for mobile phones over four years. The study claimed that youth who are addicted to screens are at a higher risk for suicidal behaviors.
Japanese PM sends offering to notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine amid protest

Xinhua) 11:22, August 16, 2025

TOKYO, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday sent a ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a symbol of the country's past brutal militarism, as Japan marked the 80th anniversary of its unconditional surrender in World War II.

Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the war-linked shrine located in central Tokyo.

Former economic security ministers Sanae Takaichi and Takayuki Kobayashi, as well as ruling Liberal Democratic Party heavyweight Koichi Hagiuda, also visited the shrine on Friday.

In the afternoon, people held banners reading "Oppose Yasukuni Shrine" and "Oppose War" and chanted slogans as they marched through the streets of Tokyo.

The protesters demanded that the Japanese government face up to and take responsibility for its wartime aggression, firmly opposing cabinet members and members of parliament visiting the shrine.

The spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in Japan said that the Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and a symbol of the Japanese militarists responsible for the war of aggression and honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals.

The spokesperson said that the essence of the Yasukuni Shrine issue lies in whether the Japanese side can correctly understand and deeply reflect on its history of aggression, whether it can abide by the statements and commitments it has made on historical issues, and whether it can abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and adhere to the path of peaceful development, noting that it is a matter of principle that concerns aggression and anti-aggression, justice and evil, light and darkness.

China urges Japan to face squarely and reflect on its history of aggression, earnestly honor its words and commitment on issues such as the Yasukuni Shrine, make a clean break from militarism, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions, the spokesperson said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
News / National

by Staff reporter

HARARE councillors have called on the City of Harare to allow district offices to directly use funds collected from ratepayers for ward-specific services, particularly street lighting, following reports that two people were killed during muggings in Ward 15.Ward 15 Councillor Tafadzwa Machirori revealed at a council meeting that the lack of tokens to recharge smart meters on street lights had left his ward in darkness since March, creating a dangerous environment for residents. Another person was hospitalised during the incidents."It is unacceptable that people are paying for services but are forced to live in darkness while criminals exploit the situation," said Ward 14 Councillor Costa Mhande, suggesting that the council make bulk monthly payments to Zesa for street light upkeep.Councillors also urged improved coordination between council departments and Zesa. Ward 16 Cllr Denford Ngadziore recommended discussions to better manage funding, while Mhande proposed allocating monthly resources based on the Department of Works' database of lights and meters.Ward 4 Councillor Maburutse suggested installing solar-powered tower lights in Mbare to ensure visibility even when the electricity supply fails.The call highlights growing concerns over safety and accountability, with councillors pushing for urgent measures to prevent further tragedies in the city's poorly lit wards.
Home News NY student threatens to sue school over rejected Bible verse parking space designs 'If we had to approve your cross, we'd have to approve a satanic symbol'

A student at a public high school in New York is taking legal action after school administrators allegedly denied designs for her personal senior parking space because they featured Bible verses and other religious imagery, claiming it would necessitate allowing satanic imagery on other students' parking spaces.

Attorneys for Sabrina Steffens, a senior at Grand Island Senior High School near Buffalo, sent a demand letter on First Amendment grounds earlier this week, urging the school district to reverse its denial of her designs, according to a copy of the letter provided to The Christian Post by the First Liberty Institute.

The superintendent told CP in a statement that the Grand Island Central School District is reviewing the demand letter, but noted they have since paused the Aug. 14 deadline on the parking space designs as they discern their next steps.

Students pay a $50 fee and use their own supplies to create designs for their designated parking spaces, which must be approved by school staff, according to the letter.

Of the three designs Steffans submitted, two were reportedly rejected because of their overtly Christian content and Scripture quotations, which included a verse in which Jesus made an exclusive claim regarding Himself and salvation.

The first of Steffans' proposed designs featured a cross, a heart, messages about God's love and John 14:6, in which Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

The letter recounted a meeting Steffans had with Principal Hillary Kretz-Harvey and Assistant Principal Jaime Peld about her potential parking space adornment, during which they told her they would have to green-light satanic imagery in student parking spots if they approved her Christian ones.

"If we had to approve your cross, we'd have to approve a satanic symbol, and I wouldn't want to attend a school like that," the principals reportedly said, suggesting she disguise the cross symbol in her design as the letter T.

The second design they shot down incorporated "Let your light shine" from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:16 and God's promise of hope from Jeremiah 29:11, which cited the chapter and verse. She also heeded the principals' advice by using the cross as the T in the word "light."

Her third proposed design, which was ultimately approved, retained "Let your light shine" with the surreptitious T-shaped cross and also proclaimed "He is King," but featured no explicit biblical citation.

When Steffans asked Peld why she was facing pushback after having been allowed to include Scripture references on Bible Club posters at the school in the past, the assistant principal replied, "I just let that one slide," according to the letter.

Kretz-Harvey reportedly approved Staffans' third and final design without the Bible verses after "consulting with our district's legal team," who assured her she was aligned "with the guidelines for school-sponsored activities, which include maintaining a neutral stance on religious, political, and ideological content."



Lawyers for Steffans argue that the school engaged in illegal viewpoint discrimination in clear violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. They cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent in the 1969 case Tinker v. Des Moines, which ruled public school students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate," as long as their expression does not disrupt the educational environment.

Citing other Supreme Court rulings that reinforce the unconstitutional nature of excluding religious speech while permitting secular expression, her attorneys asserted that Steffans' parking space activity is a limited public forum in which students are free to engage in private expression.

The attorneys demanded the school rescind its prohibition on explicit Scripture references in the parking spaces to allow Steffans to participate fully in the activity by expressing herself as she wishes.



If the school refuses, they said they are prepared "to seek all remedies in law and equity under the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes, including attorney fees and, due to the clearly established constitutional rights that are being violated, personal liability of the officials involved."

Superintendent Brian Graham told CP his school district has received the demand letter and hopes to offer updates in the future.

"The Grand Island Central District received an 11-page letter on Tuesday from a Utah attorney working with a national religious liberty organization," he said. "We obviously need time to review, digest, and discuss it. While we do so, we're happy to pause the deadline for students to complete their parking space designs."

"We hope to have an update once our process is complete," he added.
A divided federal appeals court on Friday cleared U.S. President Donald Trump to resume mass firings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ruling that a lower court had lacked jurisdiction in temporarily blocking this.

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said its decision would not take immediate effect, allowing lawyers representing CFPB workers and pro-consumer organizations to seek reconsideration by the full court of appeals, meaning any dismissal notices were likely to have to wait for now.

The decision nevertheless imperiled the employment of perhaps 1,500 workers at the CFPB whose mass firing was blocked in April by a trial court, which found the attempted purge violated a March injunction temporarily halting the administrations efforts to shut the CFPB down.

Representatives for the CFPB did not respond to a request for comment.

Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the decision, saying on the social network X that it marked another win for President Trump and would free the CFPB to right-size itself. She also referred to our effort to dismantle the agency, though the administration has asserted in court they plan to let it live on in some reduced form.

Jennifer Bennett, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said the decision threatened to leave the public unprotected from the misdeeds of bad actors in the market for consumer finance.

Without the full force of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  an agency Congress created specifically to protect consumers  millions will lose critical safeguards against predatory financial practices. If this decision is allowed to stand, it will shift the balance of power toward corporations at the expense of American families financial security, Bennett said in a statement without addressing plans for further appeal.

In the ruling, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Gregory Katsas, who was joined by Circuit Judge Neomi Rao, said that, despite factual findings that the Trump administration intended to destroy the CFPB, the lower court had acted outside its authority.

We hold that the district court lacked jurisdiction to consider the claims predicated on loss of employment, which must proceed through the specialized-review scheme under laws governing the civil service, Katsas wrote for the majority.

Other objections raised by the plaintiffs did not concern final decisions made by the agency and so could not be reviewed in court, according to Katsas and Rao, both Trump appointees.

In a dissent, Circuit Judge Cornelia Pillard said the lower court had acted properly in blocking the Trump administration from eradicating the CFPB entirely as the lawsuit played out.

But it is emphatically not within the discretion of the President or his appointees to decide that the country would benefit most if there were no Bureau at all, wrote Pillard, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama.

Two watchdog organizations, the Federal Reserves inspector general and Congresss Government Accountability Office, launched investigations earlier this year into the Trump administrations actions at the CFPB.

In her own post on X, Senator Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee and an early driver in the CFPBs creation, said the court had wilfully ignored the Trump administrations lawless attempt to destroy the agency. But she noted officials were still barred from resuming mass firings for now: The fight continues.

Congress created the CFPB in the wake of the 2008 financial crash to police consumer finance industries whose activities generated the toxic assets underlying that crisis. Conservatives and industrial lobbies have long reviled the agency, accusing it of weighing on free enterprise and acting outside the bounds of the law to pursue politicized enforcement.

Trump officials have appeared to vacillate this year concerning their plans for the CFPB, with Trump and erstwhile adviser Elon Musk saying it should be eradicated outright, even though senior officials have said in court they plan to shrink the CFPB, not eliminate it.

Lawyers representing workers and consumer groups, however, rejected this, saying witness testimony showed top officials did not intend to maintain a functioning CFPB but instead to wipe it out completely.

In court, they produced evidence and testimony showing the attempted mass dismissals of March and April were so rushed and widespread they completely vacated entire offices or left them so understaffed as to be incapable of performing functions required by law, lawyers for CFPB workers and consumer advocates said in court.

(Reporting by Gillison in Washington; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
My daughter is completely stressed out but still has her sights on becoming an ER doctor. What is your advice for us? Getty Images/Tetra images RF

Dear Annie: My daughter Theresa, now 46, always wanted to be a doctor. I divorced her father when she was 4 and her sister was 2-and-a-half. When it came time for college, her father refused to help, and I couldnt afford to pay for it as a single mom.

Determined, Theresa joined the Army and used the GI Bill to earn two undergraduate degrees while working full-time as a medical technician. She then earned her Master of Science with scholarships and loans. During this time, she got married and had a son, now 7. At 39, while pregnant, she applied to medical school. She used student loans to cover tuition, rent, day care and food. A few years later, she had twin girls and took a year off school to care for them.

She graduated last year but now faces over $500,000 in student loans. Her husband, also a medical tech, was fired for sleeping on the job. He has no ambition to go any further in his career. They constantly argue, fight and swear in front of the kids and have separated, though still live together in one rental house because neither can afford to move out.

At one point in time, after paying rent and day care with loan money, they had only $100 left a month for other bills. I visited them once in Pennsylvania and found no food in the fridge, just enough for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Im retired and have given her my entire savings. I live only on Social Security.

Theresa depended on her husband to be the kids sole caretaker while she was in school, but hes a complete failure when it comes to raising them, simply yelling at them and playing on his phone all day. I stayed five days during another visit so Theresa could take her board exams, and her husband never left his room except to eat and shower. The kids eat poorly, throw food and are undisciplined. He has no contact with his two children from his first marriage. After a failed vasectomy reversal, Theresa conceived their kids using a sperm donor, but he has legally adopted them.

Theresa completed her first year of residency in Pennsylvania but wasnt renewed due to stress, financial strain and car trouble. Shes now doing rotations and applying to new residencies that will start next year, if she gets in. Meanwhile, her husband has a serious girlfriend and took a job an hour away to be near her.

Ive had the three kids with me in Florida this whole month while Theresa completes a rotation in Texas, but I cant keep them longer due to my retirement communitys rules. Im concerned once this month is up that the deadbeat husband will be in charge of the children again while their mother continues rotations.

My daughter and her husband are completely broke. Hes very depressed and lazy. My daughter is completely stressed out but still has her sights on becoming an ER doctor. What is your advice for us? How can we keep their father and his lack of parenting skills from damaging the kids further? -- Worried Grandma in Florida

Dear Worried Grandma: Theresas resilience is remarkable. Despite everything, shes still pushing forward -- but shes running on fumes, emotionally and financially. Thats not sustainable for her or the kids.

If she hasnt already, Theresa should speak with a family law attorney. Her husband clearly isnt willing or able to parent, and the childrens well-being must come first. She may qualify for free or sliding-scale legal aid. Formalizing the separation and securing a custody arrangement for the kids is key.

She should also alert her residency adviser. Theresa cant be the first resident to face overwhelming stress, and theres probably more institutional support available than she realizes. Shes also the kind of resident most programs would want to help, not lose to unfair circumstances.

Youve been a supportive mother and grandmother, going above and beyond, and it says so much about your heart that you want to do more. Instead, help your daughter find lasting legal, financial and emotional support. She and your grandkids deserve a home life that feels safe, consistent and loving. Getting out of this limbo will include overcoming new hurdles, but shes proven shes strong enough to handle it and come out on the other side.

View prior Dear Annie columns

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology -- featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Lee Hayden Gallery is now open at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst, offering works of art from throughout the world. Lee Hayden Gallery

LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Friday (Aug. 15) marked the opening of the latest business at Legacy Village, Lee Hayden Gallery, a leading provider of original and limited-edition artwork from around the world.

Named Best in Ohio and Among the Top 25 Galleries in America, the 4,000-square-foot Legacy Village gallery features original paintings, prints, sculptures, glass and unique collectibles from renowned artists.

Quality, diversity and value are what we aim to bring our clients each day, said Lee Hayden Gallery owner Kevin ODonnell, in a release. Our gallery displays new artwork each week, from original paintings, sculpture and glass, to rare, limited edition prints and gift items.

There is always something new to view at Lee Hayden Gallery.

Lee Hayden Gallery, will be open Tuesday through Sunday at Legacy Village, located on the northwest corner of Richmond and Cedar roads in Lyndhurst.

The business serves clients both nationally and internationally, as well as local collectors in Northeast Ohio.

The gallery offers patrons, prior to purchase, the opportunity to preview art in their home or office without cost or obligation. Complimentary consultation services and local installation are also offered.

In addition, Lee Hayden Gallery provides a unique exchange program for artwork purchased there -- if a customer loses love for a previous purchase, it can be exchanged for something new.

Northeast Ohio has a tremendous art community, and we are thrilled to welcome one of Ohios top art galleries to Legacy Village, said Legacy Village General Manager Susan Windle. Lee Hayden Gallery will be centrally located near our Lawn, and is sure to be a popular draw for our art-loving visitors.

Lee Hayden Gallery can be reached at 440-871-4747.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A RETIRED Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer has openly criticized the Government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa over its recent donation of welfare goods to Mozambique, arguing that the country's own citizens are being neglected.Tongai Fambi, who until last month served as Office-in-Charge at Rujeko Police Station, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the move, describing it as "fiction" that Zimbabweans would not accept. The donation, which included food, maize seed, and building materials, was sent to Mozambique following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido on December 15, 2024.Fambi argued that while regional solidarity is commendable, it is misplaced when Zimbabwe itself is grappling with serious domestic challenges. "You can fool Mozambique, you can fool Africa and the world as you try to posture yourself as a concerned entity to the plight of other brothers and sisters in the region. But as Zimbabweans, we refuse to give in to such fiction," he said.He accused the ruling Zanu-PF party of attempting to project an image of compassion internationally while failing to address pressing local issues. Among the concerns highlighted were dilapidated hospitals, poor salaries, deteriorating roads, non-functional water and sewerage systems, and the shortchanging of cotton and tobacco farmers.Fambi also referenced the lingering wounds from the 2008 Presidential run-off, urging Zanu-PF to support families affected by state-sponsored violence during that period. "Have they ever, as the ruling party they claim to be, done anything to the families of the parents they killed in 2008?" he asked.In his full statement, Fambi emphasized that true African solidarity should be rooted in sincerity and a commitment to address domestic issues before projecting aid externally. He criticized the government for using selective projects, such as installing boreholes in areas that receive media attention, while neglecting other rural communities."Rural households are being made to pay taxes, no safe water for the villager. They have killed the water system in the cities, and they sink boreholes in locations because there are cameras and they will show on Dead BC television as if they have done something special," Fambi said.He concluded his statement with a direct appeal to the government: "Zanu, spare us this drama. We are suffering."Fambi's remarks reflect growing frustration among some citizens and former state officials over perceived mismanagement of resources and prioritization of regional image over local welfare.
Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans kiss during a scene from "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" filmed at Tower City Center in Cleveland on June 12, 2013. (Scott Shaw/The Plain Dealer) The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This summers Superman and Hulus upcoming action-comedy Eenie Meanie have cast Cleveland in a starring role for film and television production. They join past blockbusters such as The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Fate of the Furious.

This week, the Ohio Department of Development announced a new slate of projects headed to Northeast Ohio. The list includes Spain Thief, a feature film still shrouded in mystery with a potential local budget of about $35 million.

Cleveland has a long history on the big screen, from classics like The Deer Hunter and A Christmas Story to big-budget fare such as Spider-Man 3." But its true renaissance began in 2009 with the launch of the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit. The incentive, offering producers a 30% rebate on local spending, has since generated more than $1.4 billion in gross economic output across the state and fostered a thriving ecosystem of local crew and talent.

Its not just tentpoles  you need a whole range of production, said Bill Garvey, president of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the nonprofit that works to attract film and television production to the region. The independent films are where people get their foot in the door.

Here are 10 perhaps lesser-known recent films shot in Northeast Ohio.

1. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Synopsis: Cleveland doubles as 1960s Chicago in the gripping true story of slain Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton. Daniel Kaluuya won an Oscar for his role as Hampton.

Watch: Rent on Prime Video

2. White Noise (2022)

Synopsis: Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig star in Noah Baumbachs surreal take on Don DeLillos novel, exploring existential fear amid an environmental crisis.

Watch: Netflix

3. My Blind Brother (2016)

Synopsis: Adam Scott plays the confident, blind athlete at the center of a sibling rivalry. Nick Kroll and Jenny Slate also star in this bittersweet dramedy filmed primarily in Lorain County.

Stream: Roku Channel

4. Miss Meadows (2014)

Synopsis: Katie Holmes plays a prim schoolteacher with a vigilante streak in Karen Leigh Hopkins quirky thriller, shot mostly in Tremont.

Stream: Prime Video

5. The Marksman (2021)

Synopsis: Liam Neeson squares off against cartel enforcers to protect a young boy in this action thriller, co-written by Cleveland native Danny Kravitz, with suburban Northeast Ohio doubling for the Texas borderlands.

Stream: Hulu

6. Fun Size (2012)

Synopsis: Victoria Justice stars in this Cleveland-set Nickelodeon comedy, about a teen who misplaces her little brother during one unforgettable Halloween night.

Stream: Pluto TV

7. Alex Cross (2012)

Synopsis: Tyler Perry stars as detective Alex Cross hunting a sadistic killer (Matthew Fox) in Rob Cohens adaptation of James Pattersons novel Cross. Downtown Cleveland appears as Detroit.

8. Cherry (2021)

Synopsis: Directed by native sons Joe and Anthony Russo, this intense drama follows an Iraq War veteran (Tom Holland), who returns home to Cleveland with untreated PTSD and turns to robbing banks to support his opioid addiction.

Stream: Apple TV+

9. The Last Summer (2019)

Synopsis: K.J. Apa and Maia Mitchell star in this coming-of-age rom-com about a group of recent high school graduates navigating dreams, relationships and self-discovery during the summer before college in Chicago  though eagle-eyed viewers will spot the unmistakable backdrop of Northeast Ohio.

Stream: Netflix

10. White Boy Rick (2018)

Synopsis: Cleveland stands in for 1980s Detroit in this true-crime drama about Richard Wershe Jr. (Richie Merritt), who became the youngest FBI informant ever at 14. Matthew McConaughey plays his father.

Stream: Starz
Water quality predictions confirmed safe conditions Saturday for both Edgewater and Villa Angela beaches. Officials reported good bacteria levels. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio  Swimmers headed to Clevelands beaches can expect safe water conditions Saturday, according to new predictions from the 2025 Beach Water Quality Program.

Water quality modeling released Saturday morning showed good bacteria levels at both Edgewater Beach and Villa Angela Beach, meaning the water is safe for recreational use, according to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), which heads up the water quality program. The predictions, which are generated daily using the Virtual Beach 3.0 modeling system, give residents and visitors up-to-date information on whether conditions are suitable for swimming, NEORSD said.

In Saturday mornings survey, Edgewater Beach recorded a water temperature of 76.6 degrees, while Villa Angela Beach registered 75.6 degrees.

NEORSD encourages beachgoers to check daily forecasts before visiting the beaches.
Timur Mamatov, 20, of Tipp City, Ohio, admitted in court to assaulting two Jewish students at Ohio State University in a hate crime case. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

COLUMBUS, Ohio  An Ohio man pleaded guilty Friday to committing a hate crime against Jewish students at Ohio State University, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

According to the release, Timur Mamatov, 20, of Tipp City, admitted to violating the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act by physically assaulting and injuring two students because of their religion.

Court documents do not say if he attends Ohio State.

Mamatov admitted in court today that he assaulted victims because they were Jewish, said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio. No American should fear being violently attacked based on their religious beliefs. This office, along with our law enforcement partners, will aggressively pursue violence motivated by hate.

On Nov. 10, 2023, Mamatov and a friend confronted five students outside a bar on North High Street in Columbus, the release stated.

After confirming the students religion, Mamatov attacked two of them. Prosecutors say one victim suffered a fractured jaw, while another had a broken nose as the altercation spilled into the street.

The attack led to multiple complaints being filed with the U.S. Department of Education, claiming Ohio State wasnt doing enough to stop antisemitic harassment and discrimination on campus after the Israel-Hamas War began in the fall of 2023.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon warned Ohio State  along with dozens of other universities around the nation  of potential consequences if the school didnt do more to protect Jewish students.

However, OSU President Ted Carter said on Face The Nation last month that he was not feeling a lot of pressure from the Trump administration, which has also been cracking down on perceived left-wing bias at universities around the nation.
While on a recent podcast, Vice President JD Vance offered a rare glimpse into his personal life, sharing everything from his scientific approach to evaluating ice cream brands to his embarrassment over a nerdy card game hobby. Here he speaks to airmen and family members of the 501st combat support wing Aug. 13 during a visit at Royal Air Force Fairford in England. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) AP

WASHINGTON  In a wide-ranging interview this week on the Katie Miller podcast, Vice President JD Vance offered a rare glimpse into his personal life, sharing everything from his scientific approach to evaluating ice cream brands to his embarrassment over a nerdy card game hobby.

The conversation revealed a more relaxed side of the nations second-highest officeholder, who discussed his favorite 90s rock songs, dream vacation destinations, and the surprisingly mundane reality of high-level government work.

Sitcom aspects of his job: Vance said there have been moments that could be an episode of Veep and other television shows. He recalled a chaotic conference call where top officials kept joining late and needing the issue re-explained. It felt like an episode of The Office, because by the sixth or seventh person I was like, what the hell is going on? Get me out of this. And Marco [Rubio] was actually on the call, and just started, like, laughing hysterically.

There are these moments where it feels very ceremonial, Vance said. But the reality is, your calendar is still full of Zoom calls, briefings, meetings. Its not glamorous. But youre doing real work  just in an environment where everything feels a little hyper-real.

Vance also emphasized the disconnect between how the job is perceived and how its lived. People assume its all power and prestige, he said. But so much of the day-to-day is just logistics.

States to visit: Vance said he and his wife Usha want to visit all 50 states. Hes been to 48 and shes been to 49. Neither of them has been to Alaska. Hawaii is the other state Vance hasnt yet visited and wants to see.

Vance said Hawaii appeals to him because it offers something for everyone in his family, combining his love of mountains with his childrens preference for beaches. He noted that his predecessor as vice-president, Kamala Harris, got to visit Hawaii on official business, and he hopes to do so, as well.

I love mountains, he said. West Virginia is my perfect vacation spot because the streams, the beautiful greenery, the mountains, Im not much of a beach guy, but in Hawaii, you get the beautiful mountains, you also get the beach.

Parenting under the microscope: Being vice president means even normal toddler meltdowns can go viral, so Vance has developed a no-nonsense approach to public parenting crises. While his wife Usha tries to reason with their three young children during outbursts, Vance takes a more direct route. I immediately grab them, take them to the bathroom, and say, You got to cut this shit out, he explained. The strategy stems from protecting his kids from unwanted internet fame: If the kids have a total meltdown with all the cameras on, then it becomes a viral moment through no fault of their own.

Favorite ice cream: Vance expressed strong opinions about ice cream. Like a good Cincinnatian, he declared Graeters superior to other brands.

What sets Graeters apart, according to Vance, is its density and richness.

If you hold a pint of Graeters in your hand and then you hold a pint of like Breyers at a grocery store, the graters is literally, like, twice as heavy because its so calorie dense, so thats one of the reasons why it tastes better, he explains.

Vance told the podcaster that Marco Rubio shares his affinity for ice cream and frequently bumps into him when hes just been down to the Navy mess in the White House and hes got a bunch of ice cream.

Favorite music: Vance said hes firmly rooted in classic rock of the Pearl Jam era or the Led Zeppelin era and 1990s alternative music. He says, Fade Into You by Mazzy Star is probably like my favorite song of the entire 90s rock era.

Nerdy hobby: Vance admitted that he still enjoys playing Magic: The Gathering, a collectible trading card game that came out in 1993. He said hes trying to get his children to play it with him. During a prior podcast appearance, he said the podcaster had him sign one of the cards.

I knew the card that he had, and I felt really embarrassed about it, like more embarrassed than anything in like, the past six months, Vance recalled.

Favorite meme: There was the whole thing about how I was in the couches, he said, referring to a viral moment from earlier this year. Right after the Pope died, there was just a meme of the Pope, Usha and a couch, and it took me a second to get it. And then when I got it, I was like, man, thats pretty good ... I like to think the left isnt very good at memeing, so my hope is that a right winger came up with that, because that was a very funny meme.

Dinner companions: When asked if he could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, Vance picked Isaac Newton, Donald Trump, and Abraham Lincoln. When asked who would dominate the conversation, he diplomatically replied, Im not going to answer that.

This article was assembled with assistance from Artificial Intelligence.
Following their work together on The Crown, director Benjamin Caron and actor Vanessa Kirby have collaborated again on the Netflix film Night Always Comes, a thriller based on the book by Willy Vlautin. Set in Portland, Oregon, the movie takes place over one night as Lynette (Kirby) tries to secure $25,000 to buy her family's home, alongside her brother Kenny (Zack Gottsagen).

"We had been looking for a project for a few years, and there were a couple that nearly happened, but for various reasons they didn't quite get over the line," Caron told Yahoo Canada. "I think [Vanessa] ... felt that the character of Lynette was something she wanted to play. ... I really wanted to make a stressful movie, and I thought this had the mechanics of that."

(L-R) Director/Producer Benjamin Caron and Vanessa Kirby on the set of Night Always Comes (Allyson Riggs/Netflix)

Caron previously worked on the Apple TV+ series Sharper, a show that really utilized its New York location as a tool to tell a story that blended classic rom-com elements with a thriller. In Night Always Comes, the filmmaker tapped into the unique elements of working-class Portland.

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"I'm sort of well travelled in terms of the more recognizable cities in [the U.S.], and whether that's Los Angeles, whether that's Chicago or New York or Miami, and I'm also very familiar with those cities on screen. ... I was less familiar with some of the more mid-sized American cities, and Portland being one of those," Caron said.

"I always think, as a filmmaker, it's great to come into somewhere and sort of look at a city through an outsider's perspective. But I don't think this story was necessarily unique just to Portland. ... The gentrification, the homelessness, it's something that I'm seeing happening all over, certainly the Pacific Northwest of America, and also not just America, but across the world."

Caron added that he found Portland to be a particularly "filmic" city.

"I loved all the bridges, I loved the river that ran through it," he said. "There was the fabric of this sort of old city, and then from the middle of it ... you could see this urban gentrification that was starting to push out. ... So filmically, it felt like a really good city to put on screen."

Vanessa Kirby as Lynette in Night Always Comes. (Allyson Riggs/Netflix)

'We believe that they exist before and after the film'

A distinct element in Night Always Comes is that the film is told trough Lynette's perspective as we really take every step with her on her desperate journey to get her hands on $25,000. But with each character that Lynette meets, it feels like they have their own interesting experiences and histories they bring into this story.

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"I think in many ways, the entire film is not just Lynette, I think it's full of desperate people who are trying to get by, by doing desperate things," Caron said. "And I think that as a allegory for the whole film is really important."

"I know it's really important to me, and also I know to actors, that I really want to take care of the characters and their journeys within the moments they are on screen. So we invited all of the actors to come in and work with us on making sure that these lives that they inhabit, ... they burn brightly. Not just in the film, but that we believe that they exist before and after the film."

One of those characters is Scott, played by Randall Park, a wealthy former escort client of Lynette's who she reconnects with early in the film, hoping he would give her the money she needs to buy her family's home.

"He wanted to make sure that the character wasn't just a two dimensional cheating husband, that there was sort of an understanding about the pressures that character has in his life, ... even if it feels unfair to what we're seeing happening to Lynette," Caron said.

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"[Randall] relished that opportunity of bringing that character onto screen and it's a moment in the film where your heart just breaks. ... [Lynette] is so desperate in that moment where she's asking for something [that] probably isn't a huge amount of money to him. And he's sort of got the wrong end of the stick. He thinks she's come for something else. And ... when he just laughs it off, it just absolutely crushes your heart in that moment."

(L-R) Jennifer Jason Leigh as Doreen and Vanessa Kirby as Lynette in Night Always Comes (Allyson Riggs/Netflix)

Mother-daughter relationship 'you just don't see enough of'

Another key relationship for Lynette is with her mother Doreen, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. While Lynette had been coordinating with the property's landlord about the buying the home, she needed her mother to cover the downpayment. But Doreen ends up spending that money on a new car, which is what sets Lynette off on her quest to get the funds herself.

"What I love about what Jennifer brought to that part is that, even at the beginning, you sort of feel that there's a mother there that has ... a 38-year-old daughter still living at home with her. And there's that sort of unspoken tension, energy in the air," Caron said. "I love the fact that she's not even able to really say these words to Lynette, that I just don't think we can together anymore, that the only way that she can do that is as a form of self-sabotaging herself by going out and buying the car."

"But those two were just brilliant to watch as dancing partners on screen together. I think they brought a really unique mother-daughter relationship to screen that you just don't see enough of."

(L-R) Vanessa Kirby, Zack Gottsagen and Director/Producer Benjamin Caron on the set of Night Always Comes (Allyson Riggs/Netflix)

'A unique, modern tragedy'

But at its core, Night Always Comes reflects larger concerns around economic challenges that many people face, including in Canada and additional U.S. cities, from housing affordability issues to other cost of living challenges.

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"The idea of someone that's basically doing two or three jobs and not able to afford their own home is such a unique, modern tragedy," Caron said. "And I really wanted Lynette to represent the many Lynette's out there who are one paycheque away from collapse."

"We did a lot of work at the beginning to try and establish the sort of economic pressures that were on Lynette, ... but also just understanding the bigger economic, social issues that were happening in and around Portland, and also across America. ... It felt like, yes, a story of Lynette, but also a story of that American working class. ... It was a story of those single moms. It was a story of those nurses, or those caregivers that were being priced out of the cities that they were helping to run."
When Adriel Sanders first visited Paris in 2017, she immediately felt at home, she says. "It instantly clicked. I was like, 'This is your home. This is where you're supposed to be in the world and this is where you will always be. I knew I had to move to Paris," Sanders tells CNBC Make It. Sanders returned to Paris several times while continuing to work as a general counsel for a publicly traded company in Washington, D.C. At the time, she was earning $286,656 a year and lived in a studio apartment where she paid approximately $3,000 a month in rent, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. "I didn't enjoy the work and the expectation to work all the time and I will probably be one of the only attorneys who says it, but I don't think it's that intellectually stimulating," Sanders says. "I was deeply and truly miserable at the very depths of my little heart and little soul. I knew that it was not sustainable."

Sanders says she felt like Paris was home the moment she first visited. Jai Nima Idowu of JADO Images

Three years after that initial trip to Paris, Sanders quit her job, broke her lease and started the process of obtaining a French visa. She landed in the city the day before France closed its borders due to the covid-19 pandemic. "The slowness of the world meant that France sped up. We were all operating from the same level of confusion, so the good thing is that I was confused by what was happening, but so was everyone else," Sanders says. "I arrived the day before the lockdown, so there was no one and it was a complete dystopia." When Sanders first moved, she lived in a few short-term rentals before signing a lease for a one-bedroom apartment. She paid 1,550 euros or $1,815 USD and lived in it for two years. Since moving out of that apartment, Sanders has been living in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment where she pays $2,540 USD a month in rent. Since Sanders signed a lease for what is called an "unfurnished apartment," it meant that she had to spend money buying her own kitchen cabinets, stove and washing machine. She estimates that she spent about $5,000 on the kitchen and close to another $10,000 to make the place really feel like home.

When Sanders first moved in, the rent was $2,319. It has since increased to $2,540. Jai Nima Idowu of JADO Images

In addition to rent, Sanders spends, on average, about 933 euros or $1,093 USD on expenses, which include household bills like cable, internet, renter's insurance, dry cleaning, electricity and gas, private health insurance, groceries, and a Navigo transportation card. She also has an annual subscription to the Louvre, which costs 95 euros a year and a second museum card that can add an extra 50-100 euros a year to her expenses. Sanders also pays 1,069.20 euros, or approximately $1,252, annually to a guarantor service, which allows her to continue renting in France. Now that Sanders has been living in her apartment for over three years, she plans to revisit her search for a home to buy. She started looking two years ago, but stopped after touring many places that she felt were overpriced. "With the advice of friends who have recently purchased in Paris, I am determined again. Finding the right place will be a grind, but I am tired of renting in Paris," Sanders says. I desperately need more space and I want to get a dog."

When Sanders rented her two-bedroom apartment she spent about $5,000 getting it ready for use. Jai Nima Idowu of JADO Images

While Sanders wants to set down roots in Paris, she also hopes to eventually buy a home in the countryside too. "I don't think it would be nice to put a dog like a golden retriever in central Paris, where he doesn't have a backyard, so that is my dream," she says. Living in France has also inspired Sanders to finally pursue her real dreams of starting her own fashion brand, Adriel Felise. Sanders says she's taking $200,000 from her business account and $70,000 from her personal savings and putting that towards her new business venture. That money and her income from content creation is helping fund her dreams. "I love fashion and I'm so happy that I can now just say that and be upfront about it because for so long it was treated as something that made me less serious," she says. Sanders is self-funding the production of her initial samples and prototypes, but hopes to raise at least $2 million and have her 10-piece collection ready for launch in 2026.

Sanders doesn't plan on moving back to the United States. Jai Nima Idowu of JADO Images
Geoffrey Hinton's message on a recent podcast about artificial intelligence was simple: "Train to be a plumber."

Hinton, a Nobel Prize-winning computer scientist often called "the Godfather of AI," said in June what people have now been saying for years: Jobs that include manual labor and expertise are the least vulnerable to modern technology than some other career paths, many of which have generally been considered more respected and more lucrative.

"I think plumbers are less at risk," Hinton said. "Someone like a legal assistant, a paralegal, they're not going to be needed for very long."

Even with the dramatic rise of AI and the evolution of advanced robotics, technologists and tradespeople are touting skilled trades as offering more long-term job security for workers who can do what computers can't.

Last month, Microsoft revealed a list of jobs that could be endangered as Al advances.

Occupations atop the list were interpreters, historians, customer service and sales representatives, and writers. Some roles considered safe included manual jobs like roofers and rail and dredge operators, hazardous material removal workers and painters. In the health care industry, phlebotomists and nursing assistants were also considered safe.

As AI advances, many manual labor jobs figure to be around for the long haul.

"Automation is a low threat to these jobs because it involves someone manually installing equipment, and many of those who do are getting close to retirement," said Tony Spagnoli, the director of testing and education for North American Technician Excellence, the country's largest nonprofit organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. "AI can't replace parts or make improvisational decisions."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics agrees. It projects that openings for jobs in a variety of trades will grow in the coming years  particularly notable as entry-level job openings for college graduates stagnate.

There is no shortage of hype around AI coming for jobs, and while the U.S. labor market has begun to sputter, hard evidence of AI-related job losses is scant. Even software engineers, seen as at particular risk thanks to AI's ability to generate computer code, seem relatively unscathed.

But to many, it's just a matter of time before AI-related job shortages begin to hit hard.

"Innovation related to artificial intelligence (AI) could displace 6-7% of the US workforce if AI is widely adopted," Goldman Sachs said in a blog post published Wednesday, while also noting that the impact could be "transitory" as people find other jobs.

Whether or not AI does end up taking many jobs, the idea has been enough to push some people to reconsider their futures. The online platform Resume Builder last month released a survey of more than 1,400 Generation Z adults to understand how economic pressures, rising education costs and concerns about AI were shaping their career paths.

Among the key findings were that 42% of those polled, many of them college graduates, were already working in or pursuing a blue-collar or skilled trade job. Their top motivations included avoiding student debt and reducing the risk of being replaced by AI.

For Gen Zers without a degree, blue-collar work offered a path to financial stability without the burden of student loans; and Gen Z men, regardless of education level, were more likely than women to choose blue-collar careers.

"More Gen Z college graduates are turning to trade careers and for good reason," Resume Builder's chief career adviser, Stacie Haller, wrote in the survey. "Many are concerned about AI replacing traditional white-collar roles, while trade jobs offer hands-on work that's difficult to automate. Additionally, many grads find their degrees don't lead to careers in their field, prompting them to explore more practical, in-demand alternatives."

But AI could be coming for these jobs, too. Advances in mechanical automation  from humanoid machines to task-specific robots  combined with AI are making up ground on humans.

"Robotics is really coming up," said Andrew Reece, chief AI scientist at BetterUP, an online platform that in part uses AI-powered tools to support professional development. "It'll start replacing entry level jobs, such as driving trucks and moving equipment, but it may take time to start figuring out the complex work."

But there's a big gap between improvements in robotics and a technology that can replace a human in the real world. Most AI is still trained primarily on text data, giving it little if any understanding of the real world. And the robots themselves still have a long way to go.

"It's a very wide misconception that we are on the verge of having humanoid robots basically replace workers. In my mind, that's a myth," said Ken Goldberg, president of the Robot Learning Foundation at the University of California, Berkeley. "Progress is being made at a slow pace."

And there's plenty of room for tradespeople to work alongside AI and robotics, leaving the most sensitive and challenging work for the people who have honed their skills for years.

The automotive industry is leaning on new technology to diagnose problems with cars but it doesn't expect robots to replace mechanics.

"It might eventually help diagnose a problem, but there will always be a need for testing and replacing auto parts," said Matt Shepanek, vice-president of credential testing programs at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

"You're still going to need someone to perform the physical action."
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi discusses a drug enforcement-related announcement during a press conference at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., July 15, 2025.

WASHINGTON  Washington, D.C.'s police chief is the force's top official once again, after the Trump administration rescinded an order that stripped her of power less than a day after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued it.

As part of an agreement struck Friday between attorneys from the Department of Justice and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb's office, Drug Enforcement Administration Chief Terry Cole will now be considered Bondi's "designee," instead of the emergency police chief, a position Bondi sought in her original order that claimed federal control of the department.

The agreement allows Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith to maintain control of the day-to-day operations of her department, while taking orders from Mayor Muriel Bowser.

In a new order Bondi issued Friday evening, the Department of Justice directed Bowser to order the police department to assist in immigration enforcement operations and to comply with database inquiries and requests for information from any federal law enforcement entity.

This effectively strips Washington, D.C., of its "sanctuary city" status.

But in a news conference after Friday's hearing in federal court, Schwalb, who had filed a lawsuit challenging the administration's police takeover, took a victory lap.

"The key for today is to know that our effort to avoid a hostile takeover of our police force is not going to happen," he told reporters. "Chief Smith remains in control of the police department under the supervision of our mayor."

Schwalb's office argued in its lawsuit, which also challenges President Donald Trump's order from Monday, that the initial orders exceed the limits on requesting services from D.C., which it says can be done on a temporary basis only under emergency circumstances.

The office sought a temporary restraining order to enjoin the Trump administration from taking over the police department, saying that D.C. would "suffer devastating and irreparable harms" if the Trump administration's efforts succeeded.

"The Administration's unlawful actions are an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call DC home," Schwalb said in a statement. "This is the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it."

The suit said that implementing Bondi's order would "upend the entire command structure of MPD and sow chaos among the more than 3,100 officers serving the District, endangering the safety of the public and law enforcement officers alike."

Smith said in a sworn declaration in support of Schwalb's suit that she had "never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive."

"If effectuated, the Bondi Order would upend the command structure of MPD, endangering the safety of the public and law enforcement officers alike," Smith said.

Schwalb's office said Trump only had authority to request services for "federal purposes," and that Congress didn't grant the authority to replace D.C.'s police chief.

Bowser, who had been complying with Trump's earlier directive, said in a post on social media that she agreed the initial Bondi order had gone too far.

"Let us be clear about what the law requires during a Presidential declared emergency: it requires the mayor of Washington, DC to provide the services of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes at the request of the President. We have followed the law," Bowser wrote on X. "In reference to the U.S. Attorney General's order, there is no statute that conveys the District's personnel authority to a federal official," she added.

In his order on Monday, Trump cited several high-profile violent acts to justify his decision to deploy National Guard troops into the capital and take control of the D.C. police.

Bowser pushed back on Trump's claims of out-of-control crime in Washington, saying statistics show it's substantially dropped. According to federal data released in January, violent crime in the district for 2024 was at its lowest level in more than three decades, and down 35% from the previous year.

The mayor characterized Trump's moves as "unprecedented" and an "authoritarian push" earlier this week, but conceded he had the authority to issue the order.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Trump's order the "first step in stopping the violent crime that has been plaguing the streets of Washington, DC."

Under the Home Rule Act, Trump has the power to federalize the D.C. police for only 30 days unless Congress approves an extension. He said on Wednesday that he plans to ask Congress for a long-term extension  but that would need support from some Democrats to pass.
When Matt McClanahan and Lauren McChesney found out that their local drive-in theater was in danger of being sold to developers, they knew they had to preserve the beloved neighborhood hub  and a crucial piece of film history. Opened by Wilson Shankweiler on April 15, 1934, Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre in Orefield, PA is the oldest operating drive-in theater in the world. To purchase the drive-in in 2022, McClanahan and McChesney emptied their life savings and took out a $1,000,000 loan. While the couple is determined to maintain the theater's vintage charm, they're running it with modern sensibilities. "Shankweiler's was a quiet backyard theater," McClanahan, 35, says. "It existed to play the movies for its neighborhood, and that was really it. We're trying to elevate that and bring it to another level."

A nighttime showing at Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre.

Today, 91 years after it opened, Shankweiler's is still drawing crowds with new releases, community events and "the best popcorn in the Lehigh Valley," as McClanahan says in his preshow announcement. Tickets cost approximately $9 for children and $13 for adults, and in classic drive-in style, Shankweiler's plays a double feature every night.

'If not us, who else?'

Shankweiler's has always had a special place in McClanahan's heart: "It was a very personal connection, because I grew up coming here, so I had that drive to preserve a piece of my own childhood," he says. A lifelong film buff, McClanahan previously co-managed another drive-in theater, and started a mobile movie exhibition company during the pandemic. He met McChesney, 41, at the drive-in he used to manage. "He took my ticket, and we started dating maybe a year after that," McChesney recalls. The couple is now engaged. When a local newspaper reported that Shankweiler's could be sold, McClanahan knew it was time to make a move. "It was kind of an 'if not us, who else?' situation," he says. "I had the qualifications. We had the background, we had the blueprints to redefine the business. So who else was going to do it but us?"

Lauren McChesney and Matt McClanahan.

At the time, Shankweiler's was listed for $1.2 million, but after talking to the couple, the former owners settled on a purchase price of $1.05 million. McClanahan and McChesney took out a $1,000,000 SBA 7 (a) small business loan, which required a down payment of around $112,000. The owners agreed to finance part of the down payment, and McClanahan and McChesney "scrounged up" the rest of the money from their personal savings, retirement accounts, and contributions from family and friends.

"Because it's historic, because it's so special, there is that added pressure that we have to be successful with this." Lauren McChesney

After the purchase, McChesney quit her job in health care to focus on reviving the theater. "I thought it was going to feel a lot scarier to give up my previous career," she says. "But as soon as I made that shift, it all just fell into place and made sense to me." Just seven days after finalizing the purchase, McClanahan and McChesney re-opened Shankweiler's in November 2022. For the couple, failure wasn't an option: "Because it's historic, because it's so special, there is that added pressure that we have to be successful with this," McChesney says.

Making "just enough" to keep going

While most drive-ins operate seasonally, Shankweiler's is open 7 days a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and Thursday through Sunday the rest of the year. "Since we had all these payments and we had to start paying our loan and we have bills, we had to be open year-round," McChesney says. Making ends meet the first year was "rough," McClanahan says. Shankweiler's brought in around $300,000 in total revenue in 2023, and after covering all the theater's expenses, the couple paid themselves "just enough to put groceries on the table."

The entrance to Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre.

For most of the year, Shankweiler's operates at a loss. The theater is typically only profitable during the summer months, McClanahan says, and their summer revenue "carries the theater for the entire rest of the year." July is usually their most successful month, with a total income of $122,602 last year. Sometimes, a major hit will boost revenue during the off-season. Shankweiler's ordinarily loses money in the winter, but the success of "Wicked" in November 2024 netted the theater $36,264 in total income for the month. According to McClanahan, the theater's main expense is film licensing: it comprises about a third of Shankweiler's entire operating expenses. Other major expenses include loan payments; utilities and power; food and supplies for the snack bar; and payroll. "You have a ton of money going in, and then a ton of money going right back out," McClanahan says. During the summer high season, McClanahan and McChesney hire part-time workers to operate the snack bar and ticket booth, but they still do most of the work themselves. Shankweiler's became profitable for the first time in 2024, with a total revenue of nearly $550,000 and a net operating income of just over $50,000 after expenses. McClanahan and McChesney were able to pay themselves a combined salary of around $36,000 for the year.

Putting the property to work

To boost attendance during the off-season, McClanahan and McChesney have had to get creative. For Valentine's Day this year, Shankweiler's offered a special "Date Night at the Drive-In" event with a screening of "The Notebook," charcuterie boards and cocktails. The theater's annual Halloween trunk-or-treat event is a popular family outing with games, costume contests and sweet treats from local vendors. "There's a lot of things in addition to the movies that customers have to look forward to when they come to our theater," McClanahan says. "It's more than the movies. It's a whole night."

Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre sits on 4 acres of land.
Judy Faulkner, founder and chief executive officer of Epic Systems Corp., during the Forbes Healthcare Summit in New York, Dec. 5, 2023. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Do not go public. Do not acquire or be acquired. Software must work. These are the first three of the 10 commandments splashed across bathrooms and breakrooms at Epic Systems' sprawling 1,670-acre campus in Verona, Wisconsin, just southwest of Madison. It's not the wackiest part of working at the health-care software giant. Once a month, most of the company's 14,000 employees pack into an underground auditorium called Deep Space for a mandatory staff meeting, which some jokingly refer to as "work church." Executives go over company news and objectives. They also lead a grammar lesson, such as whether it's OK to end sentences with a preposition and when to use "who" or "whom." Epic's CEO is 82-year-old Judy Faulkner, who started the company in a Wisconsin basement in 1979 and has helmed the enterprise ever since. En route to building a business with $5.7 billion in annual revenue, Faulkner has kept significant distance from her tech peers, both physically and otherwise. Epic is about 2,000 miles east of both Seattle and Silicon Valley, and the company has never taken money from venture capitalists. "I've described her as a female cross between Bill Gates and Willy Wonka," Dr. Eric Dickson, CEO of UMass Memorial Health, said in an interview. The hospital system is an Epic customer, Dickson said, adding that he's known Faulkner for around 20 years. While Wonka is, of course, a fictional character, Gates for many years was the world's wealthiest person, thanks to his enormous stake in Microsoft , before donating his way to 14th on the Forbes billionaires list. At the top of the leaderboard is Tesla's Elon Musk, followed by Oracle's Larry Ellison, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos. Faulkner ranks 430th, with an estimated net worth of $7.8 billion, based on what Forbes says is her 43% ownership of Epic. The publication lists Epic as among the five largest private U.S. tech software and services companies by revenue. Epic is best known for its dominance in electronic health record, or EHR, software. An EHR is a digital version of a patient's medical history that's updated by doctors and nurses. About 42% of acute care hospitals in the U.S. use Epic, putting it way ahead of Oracle Health, which is in second place at 23%, according to an April report from Klas Research. Oracle acquired its way into the market with the $28 billion purchase of Cerner, a deal that closed in 2022. Epic says its technology is used in 3,300 hospitals and 71,000 clinics and by 325 million patients worldwide. Starting Monday, thousands of health-care executives will descend on Epic's corporate headquarters for the company's Users Group Meeting, one of its largest annual on-campus events. As ubiquitous as Epic's technology is across much of the health-care sector, doctors, hospital administrators, startups and patients have their share of complaints about the software's user experience and its interoperability, or ability to work with other tools. "With half a million or so clinicians using Epic, there will be some who find it easy and some who find it difficult," an Epic spokesperson said in a statement. Some folks might question Epic's commitment to its third commandment, but there's no doubting the company's allegiance to the first one. From Epic's early days, Faulkner has been averse to the idea of running a public company and what she's called the "tyranny of the quarter." She said she came to that view after researching public companies and reading shareholder comments. "They were vitriolic, in many cases, because the only thing they were looking at was return on their investment," Faulkner told CNBC. "Sometimes, there's a lot more than that." Without the benefit of public stock, Faulkner's wealth doesn't multiply at the same rate as that of her fellow tech founders and CEOs. She's fine with that. Faulkner, who rarely grants interviews, agreed to sit down for a half-hour chat with CNBC at Epic's headquarters, where office buildings are themed, with many inspired by fiction, including "The Wizard of Oz," "Alice in Wonderland" and the Harry Potter stories. The interview took place in the Andromeda building in a conference room called The Cottage, which is connected to her office. Two of the walls are plastered with quotes such as "The geek shall inherit the Earth" and "All lasting business is built on friendship." Faulkner's dog Tundra, a fluffy Samoyed, also made an appearance.

'The Trust Protector Committee'

A sign on the Epic campus says "Epic Intergalactic Headquarters." Courtesy: Epic

Faulkner celebrated her 82nd birthday Monday. While she has yet to publicly disclose when she plans to step down from her role, Faulkner confirmed that she has a succession plan in place that ensures Epic will remain privately held and constructed firmly as she envisioned long after she's gone. Faulkner has never sold any of her voting shares, and that stock will be transferred into a trust after her death, according to Faulkner and Epic. The plan for now is that the trust will be governed by a voting committee made up of Faulkner's husband, Dr. Gordon Faulkner, a retired pediatrician; her three children, and five longtime Epic employees, though Faulkner said she might include some additional staffers to make sure enough voices are represented. Members of the committee can't vote for the company to go public or be acquired, among other rules, as she has previously disclosed. Some of the provisions are less consequential, such as a recommendation that the trust's telephone hold music should be classical. "I like classical music," she said. "I think when I was a child that it was played in our house a lot, just on the radio, just on the record player." For further safekeeping, Faulkner established an oversight board called "The Trust Protector Committee," Epic said, consisting of three health-care leaders  all Epic users. Its job is to sue members of the trust's voting committee if they don't follow the rules. The names of members of the voting committee and oversight board won't be released, Faulkner told CNBC, but she said she's identified who she would like to participate. After running Epic for the past 46 years, Faulkner has amassed her fair share of admirers and critics, with some in the latter camp even taking Epic to court. But Faulkner continues to flout conventional business practices and has built Epic, despite its flaws and complexities, into the most powerful technology company in U.S. health care. Reflecting on her approach to leadership and decision-making, Faulkner said, "Just have the guts to do what you know is the right thing to do." CNBC spoke with two dozen Epic customers, former Epic employees, industry experts and people close to Faulkner for this article, some of whom asked not to be named in order to speak freely. Details about Faulkner's personal, educational and professional history were obtained from Faulkner directly, her Epic website testimonials, Epic, obituaries, news reports and publicly available records.

Sometimes when I do something that's tough, I think of my mother, who went to jail in her 80s for protesting at a nuclear arms site, and I think, 'I'm my mother's daughter.' Judy Faulkner CEO of Epic

Faulkner and her two siblings grew up in Erlton, New Jersey, now a part of Cherry Hill. Her father, Louis Greenfield, was an independent pharmacist who ran his own store, complete with a soda fountain. Her mother, Del Greenfield, was a peace activist who was involved with the South Jersey Peace Center and the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, which shared in the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize for its work in preventing nuclear war. "Sometimes when I do something that's tough, I think of my mother, who went to jail in her 80s for protesting at a nuclear arms site, and I think, 'I'm my mother's daughter,'" Faulkner said. Faulkner's parents, who both died in 2007, are honored at Epic's campus. Employees can get ice cream at Lou's Soda Fountain, while Del's Nobel Prize certificate hangs in the hallway across from The Cottage. Faulkner discovered a love of math as a seventh grader, when her teacher would leave puzzles on the blackboard each day, she said in one of her testimonials, the short stories and anecdotes she shares once a month on Epic's website. She earned her undergraduate degree in math from Dickinson College in 1965. After learning how to program during a summer job, Faulkner then enrolled in the University of WisconsinMadison's nascent computer science program and was in graduate school there until 1970. At UWMadison, Faulkner took a course about computing in medicine that was taught by a pioneering physician, Dr. Warner Slack, one of the first people to recognize the promise of the technology within health care. Faulkner began working with Slack and his team, and she was tasked with developing a system that could keep track of patient information over time. She eventually built what would become the kernel for Epic, though it took years of urging from potential users before she would actually launch the company in 1979. In the interim, she taught college-level computer science. When Faulkner finally opened Epic for business, she did so with a small amount of cash from some colleagues at an initial valuation of $70,000. Now the company is worth many billions of dollars, though estimates of its valuation differ. Some of the original shareholders eventually sold their stock back to the company. "They got very good returns," Faulkner wrote in a testimonial.

An accidental entrepreneur

Epic's Deep Space Auditorium. Epic Systems

Faulkner has publicly described herself as "the accidental CEO." She told CNBC she read books and took daylong or multiday courses to learn more about management, business and leadership. But she didn't always follow their advice. "I never got an MBA, which I think is a really good thing," Faulkner said. "They would have taught me, 'Here's how you do venture capital.' We didn't do it. 'Here's how you go public.' We didn't do it. 'Here's how you do budgets.' We don't have budgets. We say, if you need it, buy it. If you don't need it, don't buy it." At the company's Users Group Meeting last year, Faulkner took the stage dressed as a swan, with a plume of feathers in her hair. Every UGM meeting has a theme  this one was "storytime." In costume, Faulkner told the thousands of health-care executives in attendance about her aversion to the public market. "Why be owned by people whose interest is primarily return of equity?" she said. She's equally opposed to selling the business, which she makes clear in the company's second commandment. That hasn't stopped other executives from trying to change her mind. In 2017, at the Digital Healthcare Innovation Summit in Boston, former General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt revealed that he'd spoken with Faulkner about acquiring Epic. Faulkner shut him down immediately. "It was a five-minute meeting  perhaps the shortest in history," Immelt said, according to a report from Healthcare IT News. The report said he'd also considered buying Cerner. Faulkner confirmed the encounter with CNBC. "Others have asked to come and persuade us, and I've heard our staff say to them, 'Just leave your car running,'" she said. Faulkner has said in testimonials that she's avoided buyers in order to remain independent and preserve Epic's unique culture, and she doesn't make acquisitions, calling them a distraction. But no matter how much she loves her company and her job, at some point, somebody else is going to have to run Epic. Faulkner has remained mum about who will be her eventual successor, other than to say that the person will have to be a software developer and a longtime Epic employee. The obvious choice, according to 10 former Epic employees who spoke with CNBC, is Sumit Rana, who was named president of the company last August. The 49-year-old joined Epic right out of college in 1998 and helped build the company's patient portal called MyChart. Rana, who was a toddler when Faulkner founded Epic, has been participating in more high-profile speaking engagements of late, including representing the company during the opening panel at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Quality Conference in July. Faulkner declined to say whether Rana is the top contender for the job. "That's the company's business," she said. "Sumit is a wonderful employee, and he would make a good CEO, but we're not publicly announcing anything."

A building on Epic's Farm Campus. Courtesy: Epic

While Faulkner doesn't say much about the company's succession plans, she hasn't been shy about her plans for her personal wealth. In 2015, she signed The Giving Pledge and agreed to donate 99% of her assets to charity, a decision that was inspired in part by a dinner she had with Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett that year. Buffett created The Giving Pledge with Bill Gates and Gates' then wife, Melinda French Gates, in 2010, encouraging the world's richest people to give away the majority of their wealth. Following Faulkner's pledge, she launched a family foundation called Roots & Wings with her husband in 2020. Roots & Wings provides grants to nonprofits that support low-income children and families. Faulkner's daughter, Shana Dall'Osto, serves as executive director of the organization. Faulkner has been selling her nonvoting shares back to the company, giving the proceeds directly to Roots & Wings. "I've never cashed a single share for myself," Faulkner told CNBC.

'Bet the ranch'

Installing an EHR is an extremely complicated and costly project for health systems. If it doesn't go well, it could "blow up" the whole business, Dr. Robert Grossman, CEO of NYU Langone Health, told CNBC in an interview. "We bet the ranch on Epic, let's be very honest," he said. Fans of Epic say the company is fully tuned in to its customers' needs. "They don't just operate and dial in," said Michael Mayo, CEO of Baptist Health in northeast Florida. "They visit our campus. They're immersed here. They know our teams across our IT [information technology] component and our caregivers. They are in our facilities. And when we went live, which is a pretty scary time, they were in full force here." Each health system that uses Epic has a point person called a "BFF," or "best friend forever," who is available to answer questions and help solve problems. Epic doesn't outsource any incoming calls to third parties, the company says, so staff members are responsible for picking up the phone 24/7. Faulkner also makes herself easily accessible to customers, executives said. Mike Slubowski, CEO of Trinity Health, which operates 93 hospitals across 26 states, said Faulkner always answers his emails within the day, if not the hour. She holds recurring meetings with senior health-care executives by phone or video call to answer questions and talk through an organization's specific needs and ideas. Executives told CNBC that Faulkner takes copious notes and is receptive to feedback. If she doesn't have an answer, she promptly calls someone who does. "She'll stop right there and say, 'Get so-and-so on the phone,'" said Dickson, of UMass Memorial Health. "I don't know what so-and-so was doing prior to getting the call, but it's clear that when Judy calls, you drop what you're doing." Pete Durlach, corporate vice president for health and life sciences at Microsoft , said he's been in meetings with Epic staffers who have gotten these impromptu calls. Microsoft and Epic have been close partners for around two decades, a relationship that's gotten tighter as cloud and artificial intelligence technologies have advanced, he said.

Epic employees at work. Courtesy of Epic

"People definitely answer the phone when Judy calls," Durlach said. Epic doesn't advertise or have a traditional marketing department; the company has relied heavily on word of mouth. Faulkner has also proven to be an effective salesperson. Ardent Health CEO Marty Bonick said that when he was debating whether to convert some of his hospitals to using Epic products, Faulkner ultimately helped sway him. Ardent Health owns 30 hospitals and 280 outpatient care sites across six states. When Bonick joined Ardent in 2020, he said, roughly two-thirds of Ardent's hospitals were using Epic. Bonick said he'd never worked with Epic and wanted to make sure that switching over the remainder of Ardent's hospitals would be worthwhile. Bonick said he told Faulkner that he'd heard Epic's product was expensive and difficult to implement. "She came back with a presentation that she delivered personally, and spent probably over 90 minutes," said Bonick, who was ultimately sold on the conversion. "I had to say, 'OK, time out. I've got another meeting to go to,' but she really was not watching the clock."

Graveyard of competitors

Epic is used by all 20 of the top hospitals from the U.S. News & World Report rankings, and by the country's seven largest health plans, according to the company. Its dominance has come with plenty of controversy. Epic faces accusations of anticompetitive practices in two lawsuits from the past year. One was filed in September by data startup Particle Health, which alleges that Epic has used its EHR market power to "snuff out" competition in other emerging health-care markets. Epic said in response it would "vigorously defend itself against Particle's meritless claims." The second lawsuit was filed in May by CureIS Healthcare, a managed care services company that claims Epic has engaged in a "multi-prong scheme to destroy" CureIS' business. CureIS alleges Epic has interfered with its customer relationships, blocked access to necessary data and raised unfounded security concerns, according to a complaint. An Epic spokesperson told CNBC at the time of the filing that the company "believes in free and fair competition, and we also believe our customers are in the best position to choose the right solutions to meet their needs  whether with Epic or by adopting other products and services." Epic's competitors have also long accused the company of being territorial over its data and impeding efforts to share patient information between vendors. In a blog post last year, Oracle Executive Vice President Ken Glueck wrote that "everyone in the industry understands that Epic's CEO Judy Faulkner is the single biggest obstacle to EHR interoperability." Interoperability, in this case, refers to the exchange of electronic health data from one health-care organization to another. Since health data is siloed, stored across dozens of formats and protected by federal laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, it's a complex undertaking. Over the years, startups such as Practice Fusion and DrChrono have tried to crack the EHR market with promises of greater openness and more user-friendly products, but they have never become more than niche offerings. Some failed completely. Epic promotes its own interoperability tools such as Care Everywhere and EpicCare Link, which allows customers and their affiliates to exchange data with one another. Epic also participates in larger data exchange networks.

The Oz office building on Epic's campus. Courtesy: Epic Systems

Attention to detail

One of Epic's biggest feats in its 46 years is managing to attract high-level tech talent far away from the nation's engineering and business hubs, especially given the harsh Midwestern winters in Wisconsin. That's where Epic's headquarters comes into play. It's a campus that industry executives and former employees likened to a techie's Disney World. All 28 office buildings are themed. They're clustered into mini-campuses, with names such as Prairie Campus, Wizards Academy Campus and Storybook Campus. The offices are designed by architecture firm Cuningham, which has also worked on projects at Disney theme parks all over the world. John Cuningham, the founder of the firm, said he's worked with Faulkner for 30 years, and that she's always been very involved in the process. Epic's first campus, for instance, has more than 80 bathrooms, and Faulkner wanted to know the details of all of them. "Each one," he said. "Light fixtures, faucets, mirrors, wallpaper, tile, sinks. I mean, I was thinking, 'Oh, she'll last for 10.' She did all 85, and she still does that," he said.

I went down the slide, like everybody. Warner Thomas CEO of Sutter Health

On Epic's grounds, a metal wizard stands in the courtyard of a castle, giant chocolate chips mark the entryway to a faux chocolate factory, and a hanging bridge leads to the company's very own treehouse. Inside a building inspired by "Alice in Wonderland," there's a slide that takes employees into a small room where everything is upside down. It's popular with visitors. "I was kind of blown away," Warner Thomas, CEO of Sutter Health, a nonprofit health system in Northern California, told CNBC about his first trip to Epic's campus. "I went down the slide, like everybody." The buildings are brimming with trinkets, ceramics, mosaics and paintings that Epic employees get to help source. Faulkner recruits a small group of volunteers to go with her to local art fairs and buy decorations for the campus. Some pieces cost thousands of dollars, according to former employees. Faulkner said she had just returned from an art fair ahead of her interview with CNBC.

'Everybody knows Judy'

A cow-print bike on Epic's campus. Courtesy: Epic

Despite the fantastical themes on-site, employees are tasked with very real responsibilities. Since Faulkner places such a strong emphasis on supporting her customers, she holds her staff to high standards. Most employees work in person five days a week. Hours can be long and burnout is common, former employees say. In June, The Economist analyzed 900 companies across 19 industries, and found that Epic had the worst work-life balance in the software and IT services category. Several former employees told CNBC their work at Epic was all-consuming. Epic said the average employee works between 44 and 45 hours a week, based on monthly time sheet submissions between June 2024 and June 2025. The company said its turnover rate last year was 7%. "People at Epic are dedicated and work hard," an Epic spokesperson said in a statement. Epic workers are entrusted with big projects, expected to interact directly with customers and generally take on a lot of responsibility. For some employees, that includes working alongside hospitals as they implement Epic's technology. "Some of these implementations really sucked," said Brendan Keeler, a former Epic employee who frequently blogs about the company online. "So much of the success of an implementation was just a function of the politics of the hospital." Epic recruits the vast majority of its employees straight out of college, so its staff is relatively young. All new staffers go through extensive training, including a five-hour corporate philosophy class where they're taught how to be a successful employee. Faulkner said she used to teach the class by herself but that she now has help from one or two other people. Faulkner's influence is present in every corner of Epic's campus, in its product and across much of the health-care industry. "Everybody knows Judy Faulkner," said Thomas, of Sutter Health. She's still got a lot to do. The health-care industry is reckoning with rising costs, staffing shortages, the impact of AI and the Trump administration's hefty cuts in the areas of medical science and research. And Faulkner isn't ready to quit. "It's interesting and it's challenging and it's worthwhile," Faulkner said. WATCH: President Trump's push to lower drug prices
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In 2014, Apple and Samsung were duking it out to rule the U.S. smartphone market. Samsung was selling devices with large screens, and iPhone fans were demanding a response. It took Apple some time, but the company finally released the iPhone 6, breaking with previous iterations and giving consumers a large-screen option. The iPhone won. But more than a decade later, recent smartphone sales and shipment figures signal that the Apple-Samsung fight has returned. And once again, it's all about the screen. In the second quarter, shipments from Samsung surged in the U.S., with its market share rising from 23% to 31% from the prior period, according to data from Canalys. Apple's market share during the quarter declined to 49% from 56%. Apple remains on top of the U.S. smartphone market, taking the majority of new smartphone sales in the U.S. It's often in second place around the world, but the recent slips points to turbulence for Apple for the first time in well over a decade. That's one reason investors have sent Apple shares down 7.5% this year, underperforming all of the U.S. megacap tech companies other than Tesla . Samsung's stock, meanwhile, is up about 35% in 2025. Apple reported a 13% increase in year-over-year iPhone sales in its July earnings. In July, Samsung introduced a pair of innovative new phones that feature foldable screens. One model, the Z Fold 7, can effectively turn into a tablet, while the Z Flip resembles an old-school flip phone with modern smartphone features. They were added to Samsung's catalog of phones released this spring under its Galaxy brand, including a thin-and-light phone called the Galaxy S25 Edge. The devices are also getting a lot of traction on social media, particularly around durability tests. One user posted a livestream that showed him bending the Z Fold 7 over 200,000 times in a row. The video has been clipped and shared widely on social media, with one version of the clip accumulating more than 15 million views on YouTube. In the past month, Samsung's premium devices, including the Z Fold 7, were mentioned over 50,000 times on social media, and 83% of those mentions were positive or neutral, according to data from Sprout Social, a social media analytics company.

The market share numbers aren't just the result of user preferences. Much of the shift in shipment figures in the June quarter, analysts said, can be attributed to tariffs, which are causing "disruption" in the industry as smartphone makers use different strategies to minimize the impact on their business. But Samsung's gains also reflect the company's ability to offer a much wider range of products at different prices compared to Apple. That includes low-end phones, which accounted for much of Samsung's second-quarter U.S. improvement, as well as high-end devices that cost more than any individual iPhone. Samsung's Galaxy and Z phone lineup "stretches from $650 up to $2,400. That is a massive span of devices," said Canalys analyst Runar Bjorhovde. "There is an idea that you can target people at every single price point, and you can meet them at every spot." The iPhone has pretty much looked the same since 2017  a rectangular piece of glass with a touchscreen on the front, and a few cameras on the back. These days, the company offers a series of four slates ranging from $829 to $1,599. Samsung and others are starting to go beyond the so-called candy bar shape and experimenting with new form factors. Apple is expected to start doing the same  beginning with a potential launch next month of a slimmer iPhone that will compete with Samsung's Galaxy Edge. "Apple is clearly betting that its 5.5mm Air model is going to lift its fortunes as testing suggests a strong desire for the new form factor," wrote Loop Capital managing director John Donovan in May. JPMorgan Chase analyst Samik Chatterjee wrote in a report last month that Apple may release a folding phone next year to compete with Samsung's Z Fold. "Investor focus has already turned to the 2026 fall launches with Apple expected to launch its first foldable iPhone as part of the iPhone 18 lineup in September 2026," Chatterjee wrote. Trying new form factors offers Apple the opportunity to sell devices at higher prices, according to Bjorhovde. Apple's most expensive phone, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, currently starts at $1,199 for 256GB of storage and can go up to $1,599 for a version with 1TB of storage. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which was announced last week, starts at $1,999 for the 256GB version and tops out at $2,419 for the 1TB version. Chatterjee said he thinks Apple's version of a folding phone could start at $1,999.

A person holds a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 phone during an event in New York, U.S., July 8, 2025. Jeenah Moon | Reuters

Folding phones finally mature
The high-stakes summit on Friday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin did not result in a breakthrough, even as Trump described it as "productive," while Putin proposed another meeting in Moscow.

The White House had played down the talks  initially seen as an attempt at securing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine  with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt calling the summit, "a listening exercise for the president."

Following the Friday meeting Trump said, "There's no deal until there's a deal."

Ukraine was not part of the discussions, stoking concerns that a potential deal could have compromised the country's sovereignty. "Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end, and we count on a strong position from America  A meeting of leaders is needed  at the very least, Ukraine, America, and the Russian side," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X prior to the summit.

This was Putin's first visit to the U.S. in about a decade, with the Russian president stressing that it was a "hard time" for bilateral relations. The meeting was held in Alaska, which was once Russian territory.

"There were many, many points that we agreed on  I would say a couple of big ones that we haven't quite got there, but we've made some headway," Trump said at a joint press conference with Putin. The leaders did not take any questions from the press.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Saturday that he is deploying members of the West Virginia National Guard to Washington, D.C., in support of the Trump administration's efforts to ramp up a military presence in the nation's capital.

Morrisey's office said that the National Guard mobilization will include 300-400 troops, plus "mission-essential equipment" and "specialized training."

"West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital," Morrisey, a Republican, said in a statement. "The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America."

The statement also said Morrisey's decision to deploy his state's National Guard came after a request from the Trump administration and that the troops would be operating under the command of West Virginia's adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Jim Seward.

In a statement, a White House official confirmed that the national guardsman had been called to D.C., saying, "As part of President Trump's ongoing effort to make D.C. safe and beautiful, additional National Guard troops will be called in to Washington DC  the National Guard's role has not changed. The National Guard will protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime."

The governor's move comes just days after President Donald Trump announced that he was deploying 800 members of the National Guard to D.C. and directing federal law enforcement agents to assist local police with patrolling and executing warrants in the city.

Trump's stated aim of cracking down on crime in Washington comes as crime rates in the city are at their lowest levels in decades.

Washington residents almost immediately began to notice an increase in law enforcement on the streets, as local police and federal law enforcement set up checkpoints in neighborhoods across the city.

Residents and tourists also noticed the increased presence of military and law enforcement around tourist-heavy areas like Union Station and the National Mall.

Initially, Attorney General Pam Bondi sought to take over control of the Metropolitan Police Department, but backed down after the city sued the Trump administration. Chief Pamela Smith remains in day-to-day control of the city's police force.

Democrats have slammed the president's decision, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling the move earlier this week "illegitimate" and an "unjustified power grab."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured), on the day they attend a virtual meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders on the upcoming Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine, in Berlin, Germany, August 13, 2025. Liesa Johannssen | Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday after a Russia-U.S. summit ended without an agreement to stop the fighting in Ukraine after 3 1/2 years. In a reversal, only a few hours after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said an overall peace agreement, and not a ceasefire, was the best way to end the war. That statement echoed Putin's view that Russia is not interested in a temporary truce, and instead is seeking a long-term settlement that takes Moscow's interests into account. Trump and Ukraine's European allies had been calling for a ceasefire ahead of any negotiations. Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he held a "long and substantive" conversation with Trump early Saturday. He thanked him for an invitation to meet in person in Washington on Monday and said they would "discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war." It will be Zelenskyy's first visit to the U.S. since Trump berated him publicly for being "disrespectful" during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting on Feb. 28. Trump, who also held calls with European leaders Saturday, confirmed the White House meeting and said that "if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin." Trump rolled out the red carpet on Friday for Putin, who was in the U.S. for the first time in a decade and since the start of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But he gave little concrete detail afterward of what was discussed. On Saturday, he posted on social media that it "went very well." Trump had warned ahead of the summit of "very severe consequences" for Russia if Putin doesn't agree to end the war.

Zelenskyy seeks European involvement

Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit. "It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America," he said. "We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security." He didn't elaborate, but Zelenskyy previously has said that European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a foreign troop presence in Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop. Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump one-on-one and then in a call with other European leaders. In total, the conversations lasted over 90 minutes.

Trump puts onus on Zelenskyy and Europe

Trump said in Alaska that "there's no deal until there's a deal," after Putin claimed the two leaders had hammered out an "understanding" on Ukraine and warned Europe not to "torpedo the nascent progress." During an interview with Fox News Channel before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus going forward might be on Zelenskyy "to get it done," but said there would also be some involvement from European nations. In a statement after speaking to Trump, major European leaders said they were ready to work with Trump and Zelenskyy toward "a trilateral summit with European support." The statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the European Union's two top officials said that "Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees" and welcomed U.S. readiness to provide them. "It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory," they said. "International borders must not be changed by force." They did not mention a ceasefire, which they had hoped for ahead of the summit. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said "the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon," noting that Moscow's forces launched new attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met. "Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing," she said. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the summit confirmed that "while the U.S. and its allies are looking for ways to peace, Putin is still only interested in making the greatest possible territorial gains and restoring the Soviet empire." Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Since spring, Russian troops have accelerated their gains, capturing the most territory since the opening stages of the war. "Vladimir Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war," said Neil Melvin, director of international security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute. "He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished."

Questions on a Trump, Zelenskyy and Putin meeting
In South Park Season 27, President Donald Trump is a gay, Iraqi-Canadian dictator in a rocky relationship with the devil himself, which could be construed as insulting by anyone who is gay, Iraqi, Canadian or Satan.

Last month, South Park came roaring back after a two-year offseason with a Season 27 premiere that instantly made international headlines and drew an angry response from the very White House itself. In Sermon on the Mount, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone set the shows course for the next few months by bringing back an old antagonist and recasting the role of President Trump nine years after the start of the ill-fated President Garrison arc. Saddam Hussein, former President of Iraq, Prime Minister of Canada and abusive lover to Satan, has apparently undergone a dramatic makeover to take up the identity of Trump and run America in the exact same way that the actual President does it in real life.

The White House immediately reacted to the debut of the Trump/Hussein South Park storyline with outrage, calling the cartoon fourth-rate and claiming that South Park hasnt been relevant for over 20 years. However, for as much attention as Trumps tantrum over South Park received in the national media, less thought has been spared for the feelings of our neighbors to the north who are similarly displeased by this depiction of an American President who imposed massive tariffs on their country and even threatened to annex all of Canada.

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In a viral post from the South Park subreddit, one foreign fan wrote, As a Canadian, I am insulted by the way Donald The Diddler on the Roof Trump is portrayed

Predictably, the South Park fan community was ready with advice on how to manage the negative emotions that a Canadian national may feel when they see one of their countrys greatest antagonists flopping the two halves of his head up and down when he talks, just like they do. Hey, relax guy! the top commenter advised.

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But Saddam Husain was alright? one fan questioned, then clarifying, No Im jk, I hate him too.

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Another Canuck chimed in, Well as a Canadian I actually found the episode really funny and the reason I got back into South park. Relax guy!!!

Presumably, the original poster isnt actually offended that Trump is canonically semi-Canadian now, considering that any thin-skinned Canadians probably arent watching South Park after Parker and Stone spent the last 28 years roasting Americas northern neighbor and their peculiar wedding traditions. Still, I have some sympathy for the in-universe Canadians of South Park, considering that the last Trump straight up nuked them before the new one stole all their favorite phrases.

Perhaps South Park Season 27 will eventually give Canada their revenge on both Trump and his secret identity, seeing as both the President and Saddam Hussein have done plenty of irreparable damage to the country over the years. We all know that Canadians are capable of taking out a dictator when they put their farts together.
Civil rights activist and political pundit Al Sharpton just asked Charlie Day if the inclusion of gay characters in his new film Honey Dont gave him pause, as if the Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia star hasnt been tending bar with the gayest, most homophobic Christian on television for the last 20 years.

Were now one week away from the release of Days newest comedy project, the Ethan Coen-directed comedy/mystery film Honey Dont!, which co-stars A-listers like Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans. With so much star power behind Days latest non-Always Sunny project, the 49-year-old actor and writer now has the unenviable task of appearing on every single morning talk show, regional radio program and gimmicky YouTube podcast in the country where he will promote Honey Dont! while answering inane-to-insane questions such as, Do you like Labubus?

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In 2025, the questions that actors like Day have to field during these press tours have become positively bizarre, but Day was thankfully able to put the pin back in the biggest grenade that an interviewer has ever dropped in his laugh when he appeared on Morning Joe earlier this week and had a frank discussion with Sharpton on the topic of lesbianism:

Now, given Sharptons record on human rights issues, were going to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one and not automatically assume that meant to imply that the presence of gay characters or LGBTQ themes in a film would be an acceptable reason for an actor to turn the project down. Sharpton has been a staunch and vocal proponent of gay rights for decades, and he famously took offense to a question about his support for legalizing gay marriage during his 2004 presidential campaign. Its like asking do I support Black marriage or white marriage, Sharpton responded. The inference of the question is that gays are not like other human beings.

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But at the same time, there really isnt a non-uncomfortable way to take Sharptons question to Day about sexuality and Honey Don't! I mean, obviously, if Day responded, Yeah, I was really hesitant about being in a movie about a gay person, then he would be blasted by his fans for being a homophobe. Simultaneously, the reverse answer isnt much better, since I dont think the gay women of Americas movie-going population would respond positively to the star of Honey Don't! admitting, Are you kidding? I couldnt wait to get into a lesbian flick!

For his part, I think that Day handled the lose-lose question about as well as anyone could have, choosing to focus on the story of Honey Don't and his own character rather than talk about his own personal relationship with lesbianism on national television. And, hell, at least Sharpton never asked him about Lethal Weapon 5.
Bill Mahers jokes may not have the juice to make people laugh, but one of them started a chain reaction of events thats now exposing a major rift amongst two prominent Trump loyalists.

Last September, during an episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the host quipped that far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer was in an arranged relationship with Donald Trump, helping to spread a widespread rumor that the two were having the worlds grossest affair.

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We did an editorial here a few years ago, Maher added. it was basically, whos Trump fucking? Because I said, you know, its not nobody. Hes been a dog for too long, and its not Melania. I think we may have our answer this week. I think it might be Laura Loomer.

Loomer then sued Maher and HBO for $150 million, claiming that the comment was false, malicious and defamatory. Of course, whether its even possible to defame someone whos famous for Islamaphobic tirades and attacking school shooting victims is up to the courts to decide.

Around the same time, fellow MAGA devotee Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene began publicly feuding with Loomer, criticizing her for making a racist joke about Kamala Harris  just think of how much of a piece of shit someone has to be to get called out for cultural insensitivity by the Jewish Space Lasers lady.

Now the depth of the loathing between the two Trump acolytes has been made even clearer, thanks to the defamation suit against Maher.

Reportedly, leaked court documents containing a transcript of Loomers deposition included claims that the comedian cost her a job at the White House. Bill Maher has robbed me of opportunity by falsely smearing me as a philander, an adulterer and a groupie, Loomer stated. I have been smeared as a whore and as a groupie and as a bimbo, and I am not working in the White House right now because of Bill Mahers false accusations against me, in which he stated that I had an affair with President Trump.

Mahers attorney then questioned Loomer about her own history of making cringey joke accusations about people, specifically Greene. Loomer was asked to read aloud a post in which she asked Greene to Remember when you destroyed your family so you could have sex with a Zangief cosplayer? If the random Street Fighter II reference wasnt odd enough, she then brought up the Arbys in your pants.

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If someone ends up making a Hamilton-esque musical about this moment in American political history, good luck finding a rhyme for Arbys in your pants.

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While the Arbys line was seemingly meant as a cruel description of the congresswomans genitals (see the case of Che v. Jost), Loomer tried to tell Mahers lawyer that she simply meant that Greene carries roast beef in her pockets.

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What is your basis for saying she puts roast beef in her pockets and in her pants? the attorney followed up.

Because I know she likes to eat at Arbys, Loomer responded.

Mahers counsel asked if Loomer was actually making a derogatory comment about her sex life by talking about Arbys in her pants?

No. Im talking about Arbys, the sandwiches. Im talking about Arbys. I would Im a very direct person, Loomer argued. If I was making a derogatory comment, I would have said it.

Regardless of who wins the defamation case, we can all agree that the ultimate loser will be Arbys publicity department.
When I first started as a full-time blogger back in 2018, Pete Davidson was one of the most clicked-on names on the internet. He was dating Ariana Grande, he was the mystique of Saturday Night Live and he had gotten the title of having Big Dick Energy. Without fail, writing a story about Davidsons latest exploits would get the highest engagement on the site. And we were also publishing stories about immigration raids, abortion rights and the first Donald Trump administration.

But when youre a media darling (or victim, its often the same thing), its very easy to get dehumanized. The publication I worked for at the time, The Cut, was instrumental in circulating the BDE moniker for Davidson. And while Davidson was open about not loving the nickname back then, he opened up more on a recent episode of The Breakfast Club about the impact it had.

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First, he started by saying that his fame and presence probably initially annoyed other SNL cast members who had been working really hard to be where they were for a long time, while by comparison Davidson started on the show only a few years into his career. Then, when he was on SNL, much of the conversation in the media revolved around his personal life, not the sketches or any of the work Davidson was doing. I think I did rub people the wrong way. And I think it was just annoying for the cast, Davidson reflected. I think the show as a whole loved it cuz they were like people are talking about SNL.

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No one talked about any work I was doing, Davidson continued. (The media) were just like, Oh thats the fuck stick. And like that hurt so much. After like a year or two, everyone saw how sad I was about it, and embarrassed. I was never on Instagram like you know flexing that sort of lifestyle at all. I was very embarrassed by it. So I think after a while they understood

Davidson elaborated that no one on the cast was ever outright mean about this, but there was definitely a separation caused by the persona the media had given him. What were you embarrassed by though? You were banging a lot of hot chicks, and you had a 10-inch penis, Charlamagne followed up with.

Fair question.

You know, on paper that sounds great, Davidson continued. But its embarrassing because, you know, first of all, its Hollywood. Everybody fucks everyone. Everybodys dating everybody. Why are they focusing on me? Im not Glenn Powell handsome, you know? Im just this dude that tells dick jokes that is a drug addict.

That stuff affects relationships. Seeing that and trying to move around and go on dates and just be like a young dude whos trying to figure out who he is. I dont want to victimize myself in any way because Im cool, but the sexualization of me  if that was a girl, thered be a march for it. Seriously youre just talking about my dick all day?

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Davidson isnt delusional; he points out that people do that about Sydney Sweeneys body on the internet all day long. But in his case, it was legitimate news outlets, radio hosts and television personalities  people who are arguably held to a higher standard than the random Redditor  reporting on and extensively discussing the dick size of a public figure. Ironically, The Breakfast Club interview then devolves into its own conversation about Davidsons penis, with Davidson minimally participating.

Anyways. I dont agree that famous womens bodies and sex lives arent public fodder in the same way that Davidsons body was. We dont have time to get into the way Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Halle Berry and Beyonce have been discussed in the press. However, I do agree theres still a dissimilar level of outrage or even awareness when men are sexually harassed by the public.

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Wed probably be collectively better as a society if media outlets held themselves to a higher standard when it came to reporting on the bodies of famous people. Maybe we can institute a media-wide rule thats like: No genitals talk, no questions about labubus, only one publication per press run can make celebrities read viral tweets. Retroactive justice for Pete, and some integrity for the rest of us.

And really, its entirely possible that Davidsons comedy career and his time at SNL was altered by how the media covered him. At 23, I spent my nights and weekends blogging stories for $23 an hour about then 25-year-old Davidsons outings to Carbone and anticipated appearances on Weekend Update. I probably even used BDE in reference to the comedian a time or two. For my part in it all: Im sorry, Pete. If its any consolation, I hated typing it. Probably not as much as you hated reading it, but still. I think there were smarter digs to make about all of the Staten Island jokes, and it was a missed opportunity.

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Now, though, Davidson has embraced the period of weird sexualization  enough to monetize it, at least. Once I got sober, I was just like I have not capitalized on people talking about my dick for over a decade. I was like I should make some money over this, you know? Ive actually been sent a lot of stuff over the years like big dick sandwich, big dick this.

Heres to whatever is next, Pete. Just please, dont let it be an Arbys commercial. I dont want to sit through He Has the MEAT! during the Super Bowl.
Not for nothing has Labours Afzal Khan been dubbed the Honourable Member for Islamabad.

Born in Pakistan, where he lived until he was 11, the bearded MP has become perhaps the Commons most vocal cheerleader for his ancestral homeland.

On Thursday, he was in his element, helping raise Pakistans national flag at the countrys consulate, found  where else?  in his Manchester Rusholme constituency, at an event to mark the anniversary of partition from India in 1947.

The first Muslim Lord Mayor of Manchester, who speaks Urdu as a first language, Khan also finds time to chair the all-party parliamentary group on Britain-Pakistan trade and tourism and was, until he was dramatically sacked on Friday night, a trade envoy to Turkey.

He is, meanwhile, a former parliamentary chair for the Labour Muslim Network, an ex-assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain and vice-chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims.

Yet in the past week, this distinguished if perhaps narrowly focused politician became famous for all the wrong reasons  having triggered an ugly international spat by embarking on a bizarre all-expenses-paid trip to northern Cyprus.

This Turkish-controlled territory is an international pariah, unrecognised by the British or any other government except Istanbul. In 1974, after an attempted coup by Greek Cypriots, Turkish troops invaded Cyprus, raping women, abusing children, displacing perhaps 160,000 people and slaughtering an estimated 4,000 Greek Cypriots.

The United Nations, Great Britain and the international community have never accepted the rogue state of northern Cyprus, which amounts to about 36 per cent of the island.

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)

Predictably, then, Khans squalid little jaunt has triggered outrage in Cyprus, which boasts two British military bases, and indeed beyond.

The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK denounced the trip as a flagrant breach of both international law and British policy. Khan even agreed to be photographed grinning alongside Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar at the latters official residence, while accepting an honorary doctorate. Further reports suggest they exchanged gifts.

Khan was in fact a guest of Tatar who had issued a formal invitation  and who was no doubt delighted at the propaganda coup of having lured a senior British MP from the governing party to lend legitimacy to his Potemkin statelet.

While there, Khan  who neither sought nor received permission from the Labour leadership for the visit, nor discussed it with the Foreign Office  also saw nothing wrong in attending a series of official meetings, according to reports.

Khan did not respond to my requests for comment.

So what was the 67-year-old thinking? He calculated that the only way he can survive as an MP is by courting the Muslim bloc vote in his constituency  who sympathise with their co-religionists on the island.

Islam is the largest religion in Manchester Rusholme, amounting to some 37 per cent of the electorate, while in northern Cyprus, 97 per cent of locals are Sunni Muslims.

Khan virtually admitted there might be votes in his trip when he said he had been encouraged to visit by his Turkish Cypriot friends in Manchester, adding: That is why I am happy to be here.

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

And no wonder, given his shaky majority. While many Labour MPs were re-elected with increased majorities at the last election, Khans slipped to just over 8,000.

I can disclose he is now facing a major challenge from Jeremy Corbyns nascent ultra-Left-wing, pro-Gaza political party, co-led by Zarah Sultana MP (who is herself of Pakistani Muslim ancestry).

Already massing under the banner of the so-far-unnamed outfit  nicknamed Jezbollah  are four independent Muslim MPs who captured their seats from Labour at the last election.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, seen as a future Labour leader, squeaked home in Ilford North by just 528 votes, narrowly beating a 24-year-old whose campaign was endorsed by the increasingly powerful Muslim Vote pressure group. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood saw her majority in Birmingham slashed from 28,500 to 3,400.

Corbyn and his chums, then, represent a serious threat to the Labour order. And on Friday night, a source close to Corbyn told me that Manchester Rusholme is top of their hit list. Afzal Khan is a long-time supporter of Starmers regime, said the source.

We will flood Khans constituency with supporters and resources.

'We intend to win it big. Afzal Khan may think he can curry favour with the Muslims in his constituency by embracing northern Cyprus  but they will see straight through it.

Khan has enraged the pro-Gaza lobby for having abstained in a Commons vote proscribing the pressure group Palestine Action.

Another black mark against him, as they see it, was his abstention on a 2023 vote to make it illegal for councils to boycott Israeli goods. My Corbynista source adds: His actions speak louder than his freebie to northern Cyprus.

Khan left school without any qualifications before working as a bus driver and ultimately training as a solicitor.

In 2014, as an MEP, he thought it appropriate to tweet: The Israeli government are acting like Nazis [sic] in Gaza.

After he was selected as a Labour parliamentary candidate, he claimed: I was new to Twitter and made a mistake, which I apologised for. But this was untrue: he had sent the tweet four years after he first started using Twitter.

Khan apologised again the following year after sharing an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory about an Israel-British- Swiss-Rothschilds crime syndicate. He later said he was mortified.

He apologised yet again two years ago after posing in front of a stall accusing Israel of apartheid, just two days after Hamass October 7 attacks.

On Friday night, a senior Labour figure told me: Khan said it was a personal visit. But he was the official trade envoy for the UK visiting a territory no other country recognises  so its not a personal visit.

'He had to go, or the Government would have looked weak all over again. If Starmer hadnt sacked him, Khans visit would have made it seem like Britain was backing a pariah state. Why did it take a week to dump him?
Those happy schoolgirls who leap into the air each August rejoicing over their A-levels really ought to be sunk in gloom, marching angrily with their parents to Westminster and Whitehall to demand an apology.

For they have been horribly cheated, and they are now about to be trapped in impossible debt in return for 'degrees' which will 'qualify' them to work in such exalted places as bowling alleys, pest control companies, shoe shops and estate agents.

No, no, don't start shouting at me. I didn't say they haven't toiled with heart, mind and soul for their devalued grades. I have no doubt they have been relentlessly drilled to pass their dreary modern exams. But that doesn't mean it was the right sort of work, or that it will lead to the right sort of life.

In fact, degrees are only needed for jobs such as these because there are now so many graduates that employers have decided to insist on them. Paul Wiltshire, who campaigns against Sir Anthony Blair's empty-headed scheme for mass higher education, says: 'If we raise the number of graduates being produced  in 2024, 495,000 UK applicants were accepted on to undergraduate courses  then it follows that we are likely to create a surplus of graduates.

'The jobs market has reacted by mopping up the surplus of graduates by dubiously defining more roles as being graduate-only and created a whole new market in pretend graduate roles.

'Graduates end up settling for pretend graduate roles where there is no genuine reason why you need to have studied a further three years to do the job.'

Successful A-level students at Solihull School celebrated their results on Thursday

And, of course, that is bad news for those who do not fancy getting into debt to spend another three years of their lives in classrooms and lecture halls. Jobs they could do perfectly well are not open to them unless they produce a degree certificate  even if they really are not that suited to campus life and would prefer to stay solvent.

This crazy system, copied from the USA, is the direct result of the trashing of proper state education 60 years ago. Supposedly classless America, which officially has equal high schools for all, is in fact still fiercely divided on grounds of class as well as of race.

For decades, estate agents have charged premiums on houses which are in the catchment areas of the better high schools. In any case, high school is never enough for a better job, and Americans with ambitions for their children save, often very painfully, for college fees. Now we have the same.

Last week, the Daily Mail's This Is Money website reported a survey by Santander bank which showed parents were willing to pay an average of 45,000 extra to secure a home in the catchment zone of an Ofsted-rated 'good' school.

Almost three in four parents said they would be willing to pay over the odds to live in an area where their children would be at the front of the queue for a place at such a school. This is why other surveys have shown that the 'best' comprehensives and 'academies' are highly socially selective.

As for the colleges they then go to, I suspect many of our newer universities are well below the American standard, and those that aren't are falling fast as they pursue numbers at the cost of quality.

A University Challenge team last week (and these are the brightest) had plainly never heard Wordsworth's great line, 'My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky'. Education, education, education  oh, yeah.

I've many times reported here the disastrous fall in standards of secondary education since the 1960s, when state grammar schools were almost all destroyed.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson with students Callum Hitchen, Ali Imran and Maedeh Zare, who received their A-level results at Trafford College in Altrincham, Greater Manchester

Alas Vine & Hitchens: What's the big idea? Get the Mail's new politics podcast, hosted by columnists Sarah Vine and Peter Hitchens - wherever you listen to podcasts now.

The few survivors, plus the fee-charging private schools, were forced to use modern diluted exams designed for comps, which make them look better than they are.

I think this is the only education reform in history which required the closure of good schools in the vain hope of creating new ones that would be better. The zealots who did this always promised that it would come right in the end.

It never has and never will. Their last effort was university expansion, and it is crumbling before our eyes.

Any political party which seriously claims to be interested in saving this country must confront this disaster head-on.

I have the eye disease glaucoma, and so I have to undergo a compulsory eye test quite often if I wish to keep my driving licence.

I think that is a very good thing, and fully support it. I really dont see why over-70s (Im one of them, too) shouldnt be subject to the same rule. But in return, Id suggest anyone of any age who is caught driving while high on illegal drugs is banned from driving for life. Age and disease are compulsory. But taking an illegal drug and then getting behind the wheel involves taking two voluntary actions which are against the law.

Reform in the Lords  thats an idea...

Nigel Farage says that Reform UK should have some seats in the House of the Lords

Nigel Farage plainly has right on his side when he says that Reform UK should have some seats in the House of the Lords.

By abolishing the hereditaries, and appointing platoons of cronies and toadies, the big parties have turned it into an unelected senate. Unless and until they replace it with an elected body, it ought to reflect the views of the people.

Reform won more than one in eight of the votes cast at the last election and now have their own MPs. Natural justice means they are entitled to a handful of peers.

When I heard of Mr Farages suggestion, I thought that Labour would probably be stupid and inept enough to say no. And lo, Labours portentous Defence Secretary John Healey immediately tried to squash the idea by pointing out that Mr Farage has called for the abolition of the Lords. Well, that view is also popular in the Labour Party but that hasnt stopped hundreds of them from taking peerages.

Worse, Mr Healey said there should not be Reform peers because they might not support government policy on Russia. I have news for Mr Healey. Quite a lot of people (including me) dont support that policy, and this is still a country where dissent is allowed in Parliament. Even if it doesnt happen very often.
Single Sign On for Furries

Published Aug 15, 2025

If I were to bootstrap a furry convention today for its first year, without writing any code, I'd probably start with a square store to handle both online and in person transactions, a custom domain, a social media account, and an email address for any business communications. Check in for pre-registrations will be clunky, but for a 100-300 attendance event, it should be feasible.

Disclosure: I have no personal experience with Square. I know people that work there and it works well enough for physical goods and digital services for furries.

There's more, like a bank account, but in scope of the staff that make the event happen, only a few services are needed before and during the event: the store, social media, and email. Three shared credentials (not good, not great) among five to ten people will go a long way for the first year.

Future years will be different. Once a convention needs staff to specialize in responsibilities to pull the event off, this bootstrap model won't scale. Attendees want to run their own meetups or panels on the schedule, like talking about trains and public transportation. Managing this by email would be possible, but a hassle. Where will it go? A spreadsheet? You'll need Google Suite to collaborate, or at worst it's on someone's personal machine to be printed on papers on-site.

Shadow-IT will be the norm while the convention's technology team is under-developed or under-powered. The art team might use Trello while operations uses a spreadsheet on a personal google account, which is shared from personal account to personal account. Personally-Identifying-Information (PII) may be collected and forgotten for years in staffs and ex-staff's google drives for years because of this. Working and collaborating will get increasingly messy and frustrating as access, visibility, and appropriate preservation and destruction are not tied to the organization.

And so, as the convention gets more serious and capable in running the event, the breadth of services and systems grow. The same could be said for any small business too.

By the point the total staff headcount exceeds a hundred people, something has to change. Most staff can only handle one credential. Even though password managers and passkeys are now more accessible and integrated, enough don't use them to make it a risk to add more credentials.

We need single sign on to scale headcount, to improve visibility, to improve access and to improve security.

Except, SSO can be expensive.

Non profits with a once a year income stream do not have the funds to support this kind of cost for a hundred plus unpaid staff.

An Okta employee informs me that they offer 50 free licenses and 50% off additional licenses.

It takes more than 50 people to run a convention (with > 1000 people) on-site. I expect around 50 people contribute before the event, so Okta might be a solution if Okta is okay with turning off licenses for 10 months of the year.

There are alternatives. AWS Identity Center is a free service that supports external applications with SAML. It also supports external identity providers, meaning staff can authenticate outside of AWS Identity Center.

Instructions exist for OAuth 2.0 / OIDC applications, but it doesn't look like AWS Identity Center is authoring the identity assertion, which is what you'd be wanting. It works for SAML, though.

Every identity provider will do it differently. AWS Identity Center interpolates attributes while Google has a dropdown for attribute values.

Alternatively for non-profits, Google Workspace is free and supports external SAML applications as well and comes included with Google workspace. It also supports external identity providers.

But, any custom application in Google is shoved all the way down to the bottom below their other 100 (to be rebranded or canceled ) products. And they don't support listing external OIDC applications.

Assuming either of these solutions work for your convention, the next issue is pricing for the service provider.

Services like Atlassian for issue tracking or service desk are  expensive  (~$20 per person per month).

They're even more so when an external identity provider signs in users (add $8 per person per month).

The same is true for any plugins for open platforms like Wordpress and AGPL software like Plane too.

Tally this up and you may be spending at least $40 a month for volunteers that are inactive fifty weeks of the year. No furry convention organization out there has the finances to spend an extra venue-worth of fees ($24,000 at least) on services.

 why  so much?

Business customers that want single sign on AND have staff that can apply it also have the money to write off the security tax.

Furry conventions are not sound or reliable businesses with year-round revenue. Many are non-profits and some, like FurSquared, are also registered charities.

Unfortunately, one website named sso.tax is not enough to make the multitude of vendors change their ways to improve the baseline security for the world's benefit.

If the cost of having single sign on for every service is about $5 or more per service per seat, what alternative is there to avoid this fee?

Social Sign In is a fantastic backup where integrating with an Identity Provider is cost prohibitive  as long as the social provider is tied to your identities managed by the organization, like Google or Microsoft.

Open Core platforms like FreeScout (shared inbox email management) charges $8 USD for a plugin that authenticates with Sign in with Google. However, as a one-time cost, it is far easier to justify than a per seat per month subscription.

Google workspace makes for a compelling identity provider when it serves both external integrated applications and social sign in.

Creating and managing credentials for staff is cumbersome beyond ten people, especially when self-registration is disabled. You wouldn't want anyone to just create an account in the ticket system where they'll stumble across PII, right?

As you search for solutions to meet the needs of your organization, be it ticket tracking or shared email access, consider upfront what options you have to avoid passwords at all costs for the least monetary cost.

Tailscale won't even take passwords . A neat business strategy that I approve of.

So I built my own

Naturally, I built my own SSO.

why would you do that!?

I concluded that any option, paid or free, would not assist in one of the most annoying internal issues: getting our own staff registered for the convention and otherwise directing them to the resources and tools that staff and directors need to perform their duties.

For example, where's the login URL on our Wordpress website? Will the lay-person remember to add /wp-login.php to the end of the URL so they could update the policy tied to their event function? No. The same is true for the other services. Sometimes it is /admin or the hostname is forgettable like internal-passwords.domain.com .

It started as an advanced Linktree gated behind Sign in with Google and would query our registration system for a pending invite or a completed registration upfront.

It then grew to manage our own google workspace by importing, updating, suspending, or even creating new profiles in our Google Workspace. Then I worked to create short lived assertions that instantiate a session on internal services, and finally created plugins for WordPress and FreeScout to accept and auto-provision (limited) users in their identity pools.

The scope grew and now it supports OIDC and OAuth clients, which allows me to even offer the tech team access to our AWS account console without any shared credentials, or hopping through AWS Identity center.

Sounds interesting, will you write about that soon?

Indeed! Very soon For now, suffice it to say that AWS trusts my OpenID Connect configuration and will accept IdTokens signed by the keyset linked to by the configuration.

What about SAML

Later I'm figuring that out on my own time. Universally, it all hinges on RSA 2048 SHA-256 signatures (sometimes SHA-1), and that depresses me.

Other algorithms like Ed25519 technically could work, though service providers reduce their vulnerability surface by offering less configuration. This is a good thing! I just wish it weren't bound to RSA.

With nearly every application in use  besides a few SaaS like Canva or Stripe  now accessible through a single sign on portal, we hardly need to share credentials in a password manager for services or team accounts.

Shared credentials come with a lot of trouble. What if someone leaves or is forced to leave? What if someone struggles with technology and doesn't realize that binding their phone number to the account for SMS OTPs locks everyone else out the next time they need to get in?

The world needs less passwords. Passkeys are desirable when there's no other alternative, but when federated identity is possible, it should be embraced, and it should be free.

acerola Cendyne, I thought federated identity is like putting all your eggs in one basket and that's bad? ButCendyne, I thought federated identity is like putting all your eggs in one basket and that's bad?

Federated identity moves the responsibility for managing the credential over time away from the individual contributor (whether paid or volunteered) to a policy that aligns with the security posture of those managing access (i.e. me and Shripe) on behalf of the organization (FurSquared).

We can say that all users must have 2FA and valid 2FA methods are: passkeys (including standalone WebAuthn), TOTP, app-confirmation, or (sigh) SMS OTP. Some Identity providers allow for applying different policies to different groups. For example, anyone with access to the Cardholder Data Environment may only verify a second factor that is a hardware-key.

These policies can be strong, can require short-lived sessions, or even re-prompt as necessary for 2FA for sensitive events.

A short rant Unfortunately, some IdPs implement 2FA methods so terribly that users must use a dropdown to match to the specific authenticator, be it an iCloud passkey or a Yubikey, instead of asking for all at once when using WebAuthn.

My SSO delegates credential storage, credential verification, and 2FA verification to Google Workspace, while it otherwise manages the user pool within Google Workspace.

How it manages users is another interesting journey worth a blog post.

Where possible, I will be pushing centralized and federated sign-in as far as possible to support the staff at FurSquared.

After implementing single sign on from the ground up, I am wholly sold on eliminating individual and shared credentials from everyone's lives. Single Sign On is how it's done  if only there wasn't such a heavy tax.

While my invention won't be public, if you need an SSO solution with custom SAML and OIDC applications, I think AWS Identity Center is the best free option to work with. You can integrate AWS Identity Center with Google Workspace for free as a non-profit.

As for building your own set of useful links that are not SAML applications, I think a pinned message in telegram or discord or whatever will get you a long way. As long as your budget is approximately $0.

An Open Source SSO

If you're up for hosting your own infrastructure 24/7, there are options out there. Some recommend Authentik, though unless you pay $5 USD / month, it won't have a Google Workspace integration.

Since it requires 2GB of RAM to run, you'll need to budget for around $120-150 USD per year to run Authentik on a VPS host. If you divide the cost by the amount of people, it'll be around $1.50 per staff member. I'd say, that's worth it! But, do you or your team have the skillset and time to run your own infrastructure? And can it live on when you retire?

For that reason, I'm building such an essential tool on Cloudflare workers. On that platform, infrastructure is a light burden and costs are near zero for years to come.
Deborah Hinton had been left in 'a state of trauma'. 'I was shaking uncontrollably,' the 81-year-old former magistrate explained as she reclined in her stylish armchair in her home in Gorran Haven, Cornwall. The police who had arrested her had the temerity to confiscate 'my handbag, my watch, and I was also wearing my miniature OBE, and they took that too', she recalled.

Ms Hinton's only crime? Well, it was actually quite a serious one. She was arrested for supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation, an offence which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. As she would have been aware, given she's also a former member of the National Parole Board.

And seemingly abreast of the potential consequences of her actions. The great-great-great-granddaughter of Sir Richard Hussey Vivian, who commanded the 6th Cavalry Brigade at the Battle of Waterloo, was 'ready to go to prison on the principle of the right to protest', she insisted.

Nor is she alone. Last week more than 500 protesters were arrested following a coordinated demonstration promoting the recently banned activist group Palestine Action. A response which has led to charges Britain is becoming a totalitarian state. The actions of the Metropolitan Police were 'disproportionate to the point of absurdity', raged civil liberties group Amnesty.

But unfortunately for Deborah Hinton and her friends, they weren't. The definition of a terror group  as defined by the Terrorism Act  has stood for a quarter of a century. Those perpetrating an act of terror must engage in 'serious violence against a person', 'serious damage to property' or be 'creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public'. They must also do so in a manner designed to 'influence the government' and in a way that is 'for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause'.

Palestine Action has regularly engaged in intimidation, threats and direct attacks against dozens of defence contractors and military establishments, targeting thousands of working men and women whose prime role is ensuring the safety and security of the United Kingdom.

Deborah Hinton, fourth from left, was arrested last month in Truro, Cornwall, for supporting Palestine Action

According to the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, the group has conducted three sperate and overt terror attacks within the UK. Legal proceedings, involving serious acts of violence, are ongoing. And the group is entirely open about how these acts are perpetrated in any attempt to influence government policy and promote the pro-Palestinian cause.

So the case for proscription is open and shut. Which is why Palestine Action's supporters are now attempting to shift the goalposts and focus intention on the prosecution of those protesting against that proscription. And claiming this is itself a gratuitous assault on free speech.

But again, it isn't. No one who was arrested in Trafalgar Square last week, or at any of the other protests, was prevented from expressing support for the Palestinians. Or attacking the Government's stance on Gaza. They were entirely free to march, entirely free to chant 'Viva Palestina!', entirely free to carry their placards demanding Palestinian liberty from oppression, entirely free to don keffiyehs and indulge in their freedom-fighter cosplay.

The problem is that Palestine Action didn't want to practise free speech, or peaceful protest. Instead, they opted to engage in deliberate acts of violence against British defence contractors and the British military, at a time when the nation is already facing a campaign of violent sabotage from foreign state actors.

One of the main responses to Palestine Action's proscription, and the arrest of those who continue to promote and support them, has been to compare them to other banned groups, primarily Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. 'There has been no suggestion that Palestine Action carries out, or advocates, similar kinds or levels of violence,' stated the International Bar Association.

Protesters sit with placards supporting Palestine Action in Parliament Square earlier this month

An 89-year-old protester is arrested during the 'Lift the Ban' demonstration in London

But by that standard, neither do other banned groups, such as National Socialist Order, National Action or the Maniacs Murder Cult. It's not the point. The issue is not whether a group is a genocidal organisation capable of regional destabilisation. It's whether it meets the tightly defined legal classification of a terror group. And Palestine Action does.

Another strategy has been to highlight the background of those arrested. Some are teachers. Another a priest. A number were pensioners, we have been told, apparently in mitigation. Well, so was Jamshed Javeed, who taught chemistry to 11-year-olds in Bolton, just before being sentenced to six years in jail for plotting terror attacks in Syria. And Father Patrick O'Brien, who finally admitted in 2019 to being one of the IRA's most prolific quartermasters. Along with the 179 people over the age of 60 referred to Prevent for far-Right terror connections over the past decade.

In the wake of the acquittal of Labour councillor Ricky Jones, social media has again been awash with accusations of two-tier justice. Wrongly. Jones was found not guilty by a jury of his peers. A process that has been the bedrock of our legal system for over 1,000 years. But those being arrested in support of Palestine Action do believe in two-tier justice. They literally think that by dint of their class and social status  predominately white, liberal and affluent  they have a right to observe different laws to all the rest of us.

Last week, having expressed support for the Palestine Action protesters, Amnesty International signed a letter produced by the organisation Together With Refugees. It was aimed at a different group  and demographic  of campaigner. Those who have been peacefully picketing outside the asylum hotels that have been springing up around the country.

Addressed to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, it stated: 'The pernicious and insidious currents of racism and hatred underlying these protests are glaring evidence of a failing system. The responsibility to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past is yours.'

The reality is that to the supporters of Palestine Action, the right to free speech is entirely dependent on who is trying to exercise it. If you're a middle-class, self-styled progressive, defiance of the law in pursuit of your beliefs is a birth-right. If you're a working-class mother concerned about the safety of your daughter following an attack by an illegal migrant  not so much. Engage in entirely legal, peaceful protest and you stand accused of peddling 'division' and 'hate'.

Which is why if ministers want to counter the two-tier justice narrative they need to continue to hold the line on Palestine Action. Because the issue isn't Gaza. Or even the terror threat. It's about whether class now gives you a get-out-of-jail free card.

Deborah Hinton and her friends wish to become martyrs to the Palestinian cause. Let's oblige them.
What do the unlikely group Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry, and Lady Gaga's ex-boyfriend Taylor Kinney all have in common?

Their partners all remind them of their mothers, of course!

It's a relationship phenomenon that seems to be taking over Hollywood, as Kelce revealed in an interview with GQ this week that his girlfriend Taylor Swift reminds him a lot of his mom, Donna Kelce.

'Their kindness, their genuineness, their ability to say hello to everyone in the room,' Kelce said of the characteristics that Swift shares with Donna.

'Their ability to show love and support no matter what. And on top of that, their work ethic,' he continued.

'I saw my mother reach goals that she had set for herself, go from being a teller to working all the way up in the KeyBank building.'

Kelce said that he had seen Swift have a similar 'determination and perseverance' in her career.

'Ive seen Taylor do the exact same thing of setting goals for herself and exceeding the expectations and really captivating the world in that regard,' he said.

Travis Kelce revealed in an interview with GQ this week that his girlfriend Taylor Swift reminds him a lot of his mom, Donna Kelce

It's a relationship phenomenon that seems to be taking over Hollywood. Kelce is seen with his mom and brother

Prince Harry has repeatedly said that Meghan Markle has a lot of similarities to his late mother, Princess Diana

Interestingly enough, Kelce isn't the only person who feels that way about their partner.

Prince Harry has repeatedly said that Meghan Markle has a lot of similarities to his late mother, Princess Diana.

'So much of what Meghan is, and how she is, is so similar to my mum,' Prince Harry stated during the first episode of the couple's 2022 Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan.

'She has the same compassion, the same empathy, she has the same confidence, she has this warmth about her,' he shared about Meghan.

Back in 2012, Lady Gaga's then-boyfriend Kinney said that a partner reminding you of their mother is the hallmark of a good relationship, according to Glamour.

'I look up to a strong woman, maybe that's why I fell for Gaga. She works incredibly hard and is very strong and inspirational like Mom, with a great work ethic,' Kinney said at the time.

But even though this relationship trait may be a green flag for these A-list men, is it really something that people should be looking for in a partner? And why does it occur so often?

According to London-based psychotherapist and director of In Therapy London Dr. Daren Banarse, this phenomenon is something 'primal' that naturally occurs in the ways in which we are 'wired for connection.'

'So much of what Meghan is, and how she is, is so similar to my mum,' Prince Harry (seen with his mom) stated during the first episode of the couple's Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan

He gushed that Meghan has the same 'compassion, the same empathy, and the same confidence' as his mom, seen here in 1986

Back in 2012 Lady Gaga's then-boyfriend Taylor Kinney said that a partner reminding you of their mother is the hallmark of a good relationship. They're seen in 2016

'Long before we consciously think about what we want in a partner, our nervous systems have already been programmed with a template of what love feels like,' Banarse told the Daily Mail exclusively.

'From early infancy, our primary caregivers create an unconscious blueprint for love, safety, and intimacy that guides our adult relationships,' he shared.

Dr. Banarse explained that there are 'three key mechanisms' that drive this pattern.

'Sexual imprinting creates an unconscious template where men internalize their mother's traits as appealing in romantic partners - not through inappropriate attraction, but as markers of what feels familiar and secure,' he explained.

'Attachment theory shows us that early maternal bonds literally wire our brains for how we expect to be loved.

'There's also often an unconscious drive to recreate familiar relationship dynamics, even challenging ones, in hopes of finally "getting it right."'

He also noted that 'the comfort of familiarity' plays a 'huge role' in this dynamic.

'Our nervous systems naturally seek what feels known, even when that familiar pattern might not serve us well,' he added.

But whether this quality is a good thing is something that still remains to be determined

According to psychotherapist and director of In Therapy London Dr. Daren Banarse, this phenomenon is something 'primal' that occurs in the way we are 'wired for connection'

But whether this quality is a good thing is one that still remains to be determined as Dr. Banarse said it's not as simple as boiling down to 'good' or 'bad.'

'This isn't black and white - it depends entirely on what aspects are being replicated. If a man's mother embodied genuine warmth, emotional availability, and healthy boundaries, seeking these qualities is remarkably wise,' he said.

'These men are unconsciously gravitating toward secure attachment - the gold standard for healthy relationships.'

However, the doctor warned that things can take a turn for the worst when the attraction 'stems from unresolved wounds.'

'Some men unconsciously choose partners who replicate their mother's emotional unavailability or controlling behaviors, simply because this dysfunction feels so familiar,' Banarse explained.

'What's particularly challenging is that these attractions can be incredibly powerful - often accompanied by overwhelming chemistry and an almost magnetic pull that completely bypasses our rational thinking,' he continued.

'The intensity can feel like destiny, making it nearly impossible to step back and assess whether their partner is actually good for them.'

The psychotherapist said that recognizing traits of your mother in your partner doesn't necessarily indicate health or happiness in the relationship.

The psychotherapist also noted that 'the comfort of familiarity' plays a 'huge role' in this dynamic

'Awareness makes all the difference here. Men should seek partners who embody their mother's genuinely positive qualities - her capacity for nurturing, her values, her emotional intelligence,' he explained.

'The trouble comes when they're unconsciously drawn to partners who trigger unresolved childhood wounds.'

In the end, he encouraged men to think deeply about their relationships.

'Are you drawn to someone because they embody qualities you genuinely admire, or because they recreate a familiar dysfunction?' he questioned.

'The healthiest partner choice means seeking someone who feels both familiar enough to feel like home and different enough to inspire genuine growth.'
An American woman living in the UK has revealed the one British attitude that made her question everything she knew about the country.

Ellen Ferrara Bencard, who originally hails from the US, shared her observations of UK culture on TikTok, where she racked up more than 50,000 views.

Prior to making the move the across the pond, the corporate communications executive, had visited the country as a tourist on a number of occasions, and thought she knew it well.

But when she made the official move overseas, there were three things that had her baffled.

The first and most shocking, she claimed that the English are 'ignorant of their own history' - with the average person knowing 'very little' of their nation's history and culture.

'Given how dominated my American education was by English history, culture and literature, I assumed the same would be true of everyone. But that's not the case,' she continued.

'I was actually shocked to find that the average English person knew far less about his or her history than I did.

'This was confirmed on Guy Fawkes night when I was working in an English office and I ended up being the one who was educating all the English born and bred people on the origin of the holiday, why and how we celebrate it - go figure.'

Ellen Ferrara Bencard, who originally hails from the US, shared her observations of British culture on her TikTok channel, racking up 50,000 views on the app. Pictured

Prior to making the move the the UK, Ellen, a corporate communications executive, had visited the country as a tourist on a number of occasions, and thought she knew it well

'That's not to say there isn't a robust and large minority of history nerds who keep things like podcasts and reenactment weekends going,' she assured.

'But your average English person lives in the modern world probably never steps foot in historic properties or their local museums.'

So dedicated to changing that 'ignorance', Ellen said she now makes significant effort to 'drag along' her English friends to visit the 'wonders of their own culture'.

Also on her list of surprising components of UK culture was the British attitude towards patriotism.

She said: 'The English attitude towards patriotism - generally not cool. Do not fly the flag, do not need to be vocal pride in the English, generally considered a bit tacky and in recent years, associated with racism.

'That was not an association when I moved over but in today's culture wars, that one has really taken off.'

However, according to the American native, there are exceptions. These include 'going to an international sporting event', where she observed many Brits will dress head to toe in the Union Jack.

She also pointed to royal jubilees and a Last Night of the Proms concert, other instances in which she said you can 'knock yourself out' with symbolism.

While many Brits agreed 'tall poppy syndrome', fewer accepted that they don't know about their own history

Thirdly, she said the English have a unique attitude towards success. Describing what she perceived to be the general view, she said: 'Success is okay, but one mustn't be too loud about it.

'Don't be boastful, don't brag. This is difficult for Americans who have been encouraged to shout about every success from the time they are a small child and appreciate anybody being successful.

'That is not the way it is here. In fact, if you're too successful, the English rather love cutting you down. It's called tall poppy syndrome.

'So if you want to get on and you are successful and you need to master humility and self-deprecating humour, that is how you show success. in this country and keep being one of those cut poppies.'

Ellen said she has since learned how 'to cope' with them since becoming accustomed with the UK's culture.

While many Brits agreed 'tall poppy syndrome', fewer accepted that they don't know about their own history.

One said: 'I agree with 1 & 3 Guy Fawkes?? We all know about him. "Remember remember the 5th of November". Gunpowder, treason and plot.

A second wrote: 'Depending what kinda school you went to (catholic / CoE etc) learnt differently about if guy fawks was a good or bad guy!! I learnt this as a adult, crazy.'

'I love it when Americans try to educate people about British things and it NEVER comes across as arrogant,' a third wrote.
Popping a pimple may seem harmless, but one woman is urging people to be careful after she ended up in urgent care after squeezing a blemish in the deadly 'Triangle of Death.'

Alisha Monaco recently revealed on TikTok that she tried to pop a cyst pimple just below her nose, but ended up in urgent care when the area got infected.

The 'triangle of death,' where the zit was located, is the area between top of nose bridge to the sides of the mouth.

According to Cleveland Clinic, 'Its one place where you should never pop a pimple, as it can lead to an infection in your brain.'

In her now-viral video, Monaco explained that she popped the pimple, and within four hours, things got steadily worse as the area swelled and it became painful to touch.

She explained that it got so swollen that when she tried to smile, only one side of her face was able to.

Monaco told CTVNews she had tried to remove the blemish using a pimple poker, but knew something was wrong when her ears popped.

Within hours, Monacos condition had worsened and she developed symptoms of facial paralysis, so she knew that she needed medical help.

TikTok user Alisha Monaco tried to pop a pimple just below her nose, but ended up in urgent care when the area got infected (stock image)

'I woke up four or five hours later and I just jumped up out of my bed because I could feel that I couldnt even smile on that side of my face,' she told the publication.

'My eye was a little bit swollen, getting blurry. My ear was all foggy.'

Monaco went to urgent care, where she was prescribed four medications to threat the infection, with it ultimately taking three days to fully recover.

Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD, told the Daily Mail that the 'Danger Death Triangle' is located on an area of the face that has a unique blood supply which communicates closely with the brain.

'This makes this danger zone a more vulnerable path for infection from skin to brain,' Dr. Blyumin-Karasik explained.

'So if we pick at the pimple in this danger zone, we may cause bacterial infection from the infected acne cyst to spread deeper into the skin and into this vulnerable blood stream.'

'This can cause infection of brain tissues and potential cavernous sinus thrombosis or clot of the major vain from the brain,' she continued. 'This can present as fever, headache, visual changes and facial paralysis.'

Dermatologist Dr. Jodi Logerfo, from the Orentreich Medical Group, agreed, explaining that popping pimples in that area is 'dangerous' and puts you at risk for complications.

Experts warned against popping pimples in the 'triangle of death' - the area between top of nose bridge to sides of the mouth (stock image)

'It is extremely dangerous and should be avoided due to the high risk of serious infection that can lead to blood clots, as well as the spread of infection through the bloodstream, and other serious health risks,' she warned.

'You should never squeeze or manipulate pimples or other lesions in this high risk area.'

Dr. Logerfo advised anyone who has what appears to be an infected pimple to seek immediate medical care.

'This is even more urgent if you have a fever, visual or neurological changes, or are in severe pain,' she urged.

'You should also seek medical care quickly if your symptoms are progressing and worsening rapidly.'

To avoid complications, Dr. Logerfo said not to pop, squeeze, or use any sharp objects to drain pimples or cysts in this area, suggesting using appropriate topical treatments instead.

'You should have good facial hygiene,' she advised. 'Wash your face twice daily (morning and evening) with a mild cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type.

'Avoid using harsh products and do not exfoliate or scrub, which can cause further damage and infection.

'Make sure you keep your makeup sponges, brushes, and any other tools clean to prevent infection.

'Apply a moisturizer with nourishing hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

'Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors,' she concluded.
He allegedly tried to dance with a character and even touched them

A man at Shanghai Disneyland was reportedly banned after jumping on stage

Disney's theme parks have earned the nickname as The Happiest Places on Earth because of the immense joy and fun they provide for millions of families each year.

But if you break one of Disney's strict rules, your magical vacation may be transformed into a nightmare - because the company takes its regulations very seriously.

One man has learned that the hard way, after his bizarre act with a character during a recent visit to Shanghai Disneyland in China reportedly resulted in him being hit with a two-year ban.

According to multiple reports, the unidentified male jumped on stage during a show on August 10 and began touching one of the characters.

He reportedly attempted to dance with someone who was dressed as the red panda Mei Mei from the film Turning Red before he was escorted off stage by staff.

Shanghai Disneyland said the mans behavior disrupted the parks normal operations and violated the park rules, per Inside the Magic.

He was reportedly told to leave and banned from stepping foot in Shanghai Disneyland for two full years.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Shanghai Disneyland for comment.

A man at Shanghai Disneyland in China was reportedly banned for two years after he jumped on stage during a show and tried to dance with a character. Shanghai Disneyland is seen

Shanghai Disneyland said the mans behavior disrupted the parks normal operations and violated the park rules, per Inside the Magic (stock image)

Under its rules and regulations section on its website, Shanghai Disneyland states, 'Please show common courtesy, both on-site and online, to fellow Park guests, our Cast Members (including but not limited to staff and performers) and the Disney Characters, and do not use profanity or engage in unsafe, illegal, disruptive or offensive behavior.'

An ex-Disney World character attendant previously shared the craziest things he saw guests do at the theme park exclusively with the Daily Mail - from someone who lied about being in Make-A-Wish to adults who had 'full-on meltdowns.'

Patrick McKee, 35, from Atlanta, Georgia, spent years working at the Happiest Place on Earth as the 'person who made sure the magic ran smoothly.'

Part of his job was to assist in character meet and greets - and he said he witnessed some 'truly wild behavior' along the way.

He recalled 'overbearing' parents trying to 'cut the line' or 'demand something special' for their kids.

And according to the worker, adults without children were 'just as extreme.'

'Some adults could completely lose themselves in the experience,' he shared. '[They set] expectations so high that when reality didnt match up, things got... interesting.

'Picture grown adults having full-on meltdowns - it was like watching a toddler tantrum, but with much bigger stakes.'

Ex-Disney World character attendant Patrick McKee, 35, from Atlanta, Georgia, previously shared the craziest things he saw guests do at the theme park exclusively with the Daily Mail

Patrick (seen in the park) said someone lied about being in Make-A-Wish, while some adults had 'full-on meltdowns' over not getting their way

He recalled one time when he told a guest that the meet and greet for a princess had ended, and they became so 'furious' that they 'threw their drink on him.'

'I couldnt believe it, but unfortunately, situations like that werent as rare as youd think,' he continued.

'When youre working with characters, you never quite know how a guest will react.

'Ive had the most delightful conversations in line, only to see that same person do something totally unexpected when they finally met their favorite character.'

Patrick said one of the most 'disturbing' things he ever saw while working at the park was a family who 'lied about being a part of the Make-A-Wish program to take advantage of the special benefits.'

Make-A-Wish 'grants wishes to children with critical illnesses' in order to 'create hope and happiness for the whole family,' per the organization's website.

'It was heartbreaking because the Make-A-Wish program is designed to bring joy to children dealing with life-threatening illnesses, and seeing people try to game the system for their own gain was beyond disappointing,' Patrick said.

'There were times parents would say something along the lines of, "I wish my kid had cancer," just to get those benefits, completely oblivious to the weight and cruelty of their words.

'Its almost like people dont realize the impact of what theyre saying, or maybe they just dont care in their desperation.'
A woman who accidentally left her tampon in for a whole month has laid bare the gruesome symptoms that she endured while doctors struggled to figure out what was wrong with her.

Reality star Savannah Miller, 24, who is best known for starring in season seven of Netflix's The Circle, opened up about the 'traumatizing' ordeal during a recent chat with the New York Post.

She explained that despite feeling sick and developing a horrific smell in her private area, medical professionals failed to uncover what was causing it across multiple visits.

The TV star said it began after she put in a tampon during a night out with friends near the end of her period.

But the next morning, she had 'forgot she put it in' so she never took it out.

'There was no blood and the string had disappeared, I didnt see it,' she told the publication.

Savannah said the first thing she noticed was that a strange smell started to come from her vagina... and as the days went on it got so bad she compared it to a dead animal.

'It smelled like a rat crawled inside of me while I was sleeping and died,' she confessed.

Reality star Savannah Miller, 24, who is best known for starring in season seven of Netflix 's The Circle, accidentally left her tampon in for a whole month

She laid bare the gruesome symptoms that she endured while doctors struggled to figure out what was wrong with her

She thought the smell meant she was still on her period so she ended up putting in another tampon, which likely pushed the other further back.

She soon started to feel run-down and itchy down there, so she went to her college clinic.

Doctors tested her for STDS but everything came back negative.

'They thought it was just [bacterial vaginosis], but I knew there was no way people walked around with BV smelling like this,' added the 24-year-old.

It wasn't until her third visit when the doctor noticed traces of cotton in her urine that they realized what was causing her mysterious illness - nearly a month after she initially put the tampon in.

'It was so far up in my cervix there was no shot I was gonna see it. The doctor had to fish it out of my ovaries,' she said.

In the end, she said she's grateful she didn't develop Toxic Shock Syndrome, and she hopes that speaking out about it will help prevent others from suffering the same fate.

Back in June, Shannon Toner spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail about how she almost died from using a tampon at age 15 after developing Toxic Shock Syndrome.

The TV star said it began after she put in a tampon during a night out with friends near the end of her period. But the next morning, she had 'forgot she put it in' so she never took it out

It wasn't until her third visit when the doctor noticed traces of cotton in her urine that they realized what was causing her mysterious illness

'It put me in a coma and nearly took my life - I hadnt even had my period for a full year yet,' Shannon, who was on a family vacation at the time, explained.

Shannon revealed she began to feel ill in the evening after she landed, but she assumed it was just jet lag and tried to sleep it off.

But she woke up the next day with extreme symptoms, including: vomiting, diarrhea, a fever, and fatigue.

'I was brought to the doctor that afternoon, given a shot for nausea, and sent home,' she continued.

'I continued to deteriorate and was brought back to the doctor later that same day.'

'My last memory is collapsing in the office and laying on the ground because it hurt too much to sit up,' she recalled.

'My heart rate was extremely high, my blood pressure was dangerously low, and I was rushed to the ICU. I didnt wake up until a few days later.'

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a 'rare complication of certain types of bacterial infections,' according to MayoClinic. It can be fatal.

'Risk factors for toxic shock syndrome include skin wounds, surgery, and the use of tampons and other devices, such as menstrual cups and birth control sponges or diaphragms.'

Shannon was given a 50/50 chance of survival and while she ultimately recovered, she suffered from the after effects for years.

'I dealt with memory loss, anxiety, attention issues, and depression. My periods also became extremely painful,' she explained.
Crumbling hospitals pose a 'catastrophic' risk to patients, top experts warned today as the Daily Mail names and shames Britain's most run-down NHS hospitals.

Exposing the ballooning 13.8billion maintenance backlog, our investigation reveals that five sites urgently need at least 100m of work.

Airedale General Hospital in West Yorkshire needs to fork out 316m just to fix 'high risk' issues, although the total bill sits just below 340m when accounting for other necessary repairs.

Burst pipes, crumbling ceilings and broken lifts are among the problems that plague NHS hospitals up and down the country.

MPs and influential voices in the NHS sphere have demanded ministers invest extra cash to finally end the 'shameful neglect' laid bare in our audit of the health service's entire estate, covering almost 2,900 facilities.

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Helen Morgan, Lib Dem health and social care spokesperson, said: 'When someone goes into hospital their only focus should be on getting better, not fearing the roof is going to cave in on them.

'Countless patients who should be focusing on their health are instead grappling with crumbling masonry, burst pipes and water leaking through the ceiling.'

Ms Morgan added: 'Ministers need to step up and grasp this nettle before we see yet more buildings falling apart and patients put at risk.'

She urged ministers to bring forward plans to construct new hospitals, many of which were originally built in the 1960s or before. Some are even nearly 180 years old.

Deriding the 'squalid, unsafe and degrading' settings that patients have become used to, she said: 'The Conservatives shameful neglect of our NHS brought us to this point  but Labour have kicked rebuilding our hospitals into the long grass.

'By delaying vital new hospital projects they these issues will only get worse.'

To repair the crumbling estate and carry out day-to-day maintenance, Rachel Reeves this summer vowed to invest 30bn over the next five years as she said the the NHS was 'on its knees'.

Critical building repairs, such as those highlighted in our audit, will be targeted with a specific 5bn pot, the Chancellor announced.

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Multiple NHS hospitals are now so rundown they pose a serious risk to patient and staff safety, internal health service documents revealed last year. Pictured the deteriorating exterior of a NHS building filmed in an ITV documentary

Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at NHS Confederation, said: 'More than a decade of being starved of capital investment has left NHS leaders struggling to deal with a host of estate problems, including leaking roofs, sewage leaks and broken lifts, causing misery for patients and staff.

'Having fit for purpose hospitals is vital to improving patient care and boosting productivity  getting better value for taxpayers' money.

'We know that dilapidated buildings and faulty equipment can pose a risk to patient safety as well as hamper efforts to reduce waiting lists.'

Even with the Government's ramped up funding, Dr McCay said the NHS still needs an extra 3.3bn a year over the next three years to tackle the maintenance backlog.

The NHS already gets around 180bn per year.

Our investigation found three of the five hospitals with the biggest bills for high risk work were in London.

Behind Airedale General Hospital ranked Charing Cross Hospital (estimated cost of 186m) and St Mary's Hospital (152m), both of which are in the capital.

Wycombe Hospital (139m) and Croydon University Hospital (113m) rounded out the top five.

Trusts are asked to assess their own maintenance backlog each year.

As per the NHS's own definition, high risk means: 'Where repairs/replacements must be addressed with urgent priority.'

This is 'in order to prevent catastrophic failure, major disruption to clinical services or deficiencies in safety liable to cause serious injury or prosecution'.

Hazards named in that report included fires, floods from ageing pipes and tanks, electrical issues and even potentially dangerous bacterial infection from decaying infrastructure. Pictured an example of piping in an NHS hospital

An ITV documentary in 2023 showed an estates manager at Withybush Hospital in Pembrokeshire holding a broken piece of RAAC in his hand. He told ITV it had 'the potential of collapsing at any time effectively'

In one ward that usually holds six beds at Withybush Hospital (pictured), roof support was needed to prop up the ceiling

Definitions of repairs needed High risk - where repairs/replacement must be addressed with urgent priority in order to prevent catastrophic failure, major disruption to clinical services or deficiencies in safety liable to cause serious injury and/or prosecution. Significant risk - where repairs/replacement require priority management and expenditure in the short term so as not to cause undue concern to statutory enforcement bodies or risk to healthcare delivery or safety. Moderate risk - where repairs/replacement require effective management and expenditure in the medium term through close monitoring so as not to cause undue concern to statutory enforcement bodies or risk to healthcare delivery or safety. Low - where repairs/replacement require to be addressed through agreed maintenance programmes or included in the later years of an estates strategy. Advertisement

In total, the NHS's overall bill for high risk issues stood at 2.7bn in 2023/24  nearly three times higher than the 1bn in 2015/16.

The backlog at eleven medical sites is entirely categorised as 'high risk'.

The largest of these was University Hospital of North Durham, which treats over one million patients per year. Its estimated bill stood at nearly 2.6m.

When counting all four types of backlog monitored centrally by NHS bosses, Charing Cross Hospital had the biggest maintenance bill (412m). It was followed by Airedale (339m), St Thomas' Hospital in central London (293m), St Mary's Hospital (287m) and Northwick Park and St Mark's in Harrow (239m).

Financial data for hundreds of the 2,900 facilities was not available. Sites with no recorded maintenance backlogs were also excluded from our analysis.

Dennis Reed, director of the senior citizen campaign organisation Silver Voices, told the Daily Mail that the NHS estate did not meet 21st century standards.

He said: 'Money due to be spent on buildings has been used for current spending and pressures on staff and services, so it's very shortsighted budgeting by the NHS and now theyre in a critical position.

'Some wards closed because theyre not sufficiently funded and some have buckets lying around the place to collect water when it rains.

'We hear this a lot of talk from this Government about timeframes that extend into the next Parliament but it needs urgent treatment now because the NHS is in a state of accident and emergency.'

One of the primary concerns around the collapsing NHS estate is that of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Builders used it extensively in roofing between the 1950s and 1990s, when dozens of hospitals were built or upgraded.

The material is structurally weaker than traditional concrete and has been likened to a 'chocolate Aero bar'. Being prone to moisture absorption and collapse has led to fears ceilings could collapse.

Schools with RAAC present have already been forced to shut buildings over fears that ceilings could collapse.

While in charge, the Tories vowed to eradicate RAAC from the NHS estate by 2035 in a pledge backed by an extra 700m.

Seven hospitals most affected by RAAC, including Airedale, were put under the New Hospital Programme (NHP) over fears they were 'structurally unsound'.

The scheme  first launched under Boris Johnson in 2020  vowed they would get a 'full replacement' by 2030.

Forty new hospitals were also promised in the NHP, although the definition of 'new' was later clarified to mean upgraded.

But Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves said last year that they would need to set out a 'thorough, realistic and costed timetable' for delivering the scheme.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting in January accused the Tories of failing to fund their original plan, saying it had been 'built on the shaky foundation of false hope'. He said: 'To put it simply  there were not 40 of them, they were not all new and many were not even hospitals.'

Setting out a new timetable to complete a reviewed list of work encompassing both repairs and new projects, Mr Streeting said construction would proceed in four 'waves'.

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The first wave is already under construction, set to be completed within three years.

Under Department of Health and Social Care plans, construction work won't start at Charing Cross Hospital until 2035 at the earliest.

Upgrades there will cost up to 2bn, it is expected, with plans for a new 800-bed site and redevelopments of the wider campus. Some repair work is already ongoing, said the trust which runs the hospital.

Eric Munro, director of estates and facilities at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: 'Much of our estate pre-dates the NHS  some of our buildings are nearly 180 years old.

'We're spending 115m this year to reduce estate risks and make improvements, and we're working hard with partners to try to accelerate our redevelopment programme, with all three of our main hospitals in the Governments NHP.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The NHS estate we inherited is crumbling but repairing and rebuilding our hospitals is a key part of our ambition to create a health service fit for the future.

'This Government has confirmed a funding plan and an honest, realistic timetable to deliver all schemes in the NHP, ensuring schemes are ready to enter construction as quickly as possible and that taxpayers get maximum value for money.'

What the hospitals said

A spokesperson for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust said: 'LNWH Trust has an ongoing programme of works to make sure our buildings remain safe for patients, but maintaining a large estate, much of which dates back to the 1970s, is a considerable drain on resources. Managing this challenge requires a constant cycle of monitoring, maintenance and prioritisation of works. We will continue to seek additional investment for our sites wherever we can, with recent new builds including a 32-bed ward to improve patient flow at Northwick Park Hospital and the community diagnostic centre at Ealing Hospital, which offers rapid access to a wide range of tests and scans.'

A spokesperson for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said: 'Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is committed to the redevelopment of Wycombe Hospital. Unfortunately, Wycombe has not been included in the New Hospital Programme, so we are looking at alternative ways of delivering the changes that are so desperately needed. This will probably mean that any new building to replace the Tower will need to be constructed in a phased way, as and when funding becomes available. We have already completed the first stage of preparatory work, including things like ground investigations and utilities surveys, and are now working on detailed designs ahead of submitting a planning application at the end of this month. In the meantime, we are continuing to undertake essential maintenance work to ensure the safety of our patients and our colleagues. We would like to thank everyone for their patience as we continue to do our best to deliver outstanding care in an environment that we know is less than ideal.'

A spokesperson for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said: 'We are working hard to improve our estate to support the delivery of high-quality care, and through a planned maintenance regime we continuously monitor our buildings and infrastructure to ensure these remain safe and compliant with the required standards for healthcare settings. We know that there are parts of our estate that require significant investment to bring their condition to a satisfactory standard and we are continuing to explore all possible funding routes to secure the investment we need to make these improvements.'
The white lines seen following airplanes as they fly could be full of harmful chemicals that are toxic in Americans' health, some people claim.

The streaks left across the sky from planes, called contrails, are formed by water vapor from the plane's exhaust freezing in the cold air at high altitudes.

However, conspiracy theorists, as well as some politicians, believe some trails that linger longer than usual actually contain toxins, referring to these as 'chemtrails.'

The theory has been widely debunked by scientists, but that hasn't stopped some, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, from declaring chemtrails a threat to citizens' health.

The idea hit the public in the 1990s, with people claiming the government or an unknown force was using commercial aircraft to release chemicals into the atmosphere.

Followers of the theory believe it is done for a number of reasons, including weather modification and mass mind control. They argue chemtrails look and behave differently from contrails, which consist of condensation that dissipates over time.

This year some states across the US have tried to enact legislation to ban 'chemtrails', and leaders have introduced, or are considering, legislation to clampdown on activities related to it.

Beginning in October, publicly owned airports in Florida will have to submit monthly reports listing any aircraft 'equipped for geoengineering or weather modification activities'.

States across the US are attempting to enact legislation to ban chemtrails, the white lines left behind planes in the sky as they fly

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Violations could result in fines up to $100,000 and up to five years in jail.

President of the Florida Senate Ben Albritton said in April at news of the senate passing the bill: 'I am grateful to Senator Garcia for bringing forward a great piece of legislation that addresses real concerns from our constituents.

'I have heard the conspiracy theories out there, but the fact is we should not be shutting down legitimate concerns. Healthy skepticism is important.

'People have a right to know what is happening. There's a lot we don't know in this field of science and people are rightfully concerned.

'This bill goes a long way to bring peace of mind to our citizens so they can report what they are seeing, and we can make sure its lawful activity, not geoengineering or weather modification.'

And in July, Marla Maples, the ex-wife of Donald Trump, spoke in support of Florida's legislation.

She said she was motivated to 'start digging' after seeing a rise in Alzheimer's nationwide.

Currently, an estimated 7.2million people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, a number that is expected to reach 13.8 million by 2060.

Louisiana has become the latest state to create legislation tackling chemtrails.

The Louisiana bill, which became effective August 1, prohibits intentionally dispersing chemicals into the atmosphere to affect weather or climate.

It also mandates the Department of Environmental Quality collects reports from people who believe they have witnessed such activities.

In June, as Louisiana Representative Kimberly Landry Coates stood before her colleagues in the state's Legislature she warned that the bill she was presenting might 'seem strange' or even crazy.

Some lawmakers laughed with disbelief and others listened intently as Coates started discussing chemtrails.

As she urged lawmakers to ban the unsubstantiated practice, she told skeptics to 'start looking up' at the sky.

'I'm really worried about what is going on above us and what is happening, and we as Louisiana citizens did not give anyone the right to do this above us,' the Republican said.

Louisiana State Senator Mike Fesi expressed belief in the debunked 'chemtrails' conspiracy theory and associated it with the spraying of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.

The idea of spraying sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere is a proposed method of solar geoengineering, specifically stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI).

The idea is to increase the amount of aerosols in the stratosphere, which would reflect sunlight back into space and potentially cool the planet.

But the EPA warns SO2 can harm human health and the environment. Health experts say short-term exposures to can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult.

People with pulmonary diseases, particularly children, are sensitive to the effects of SO2.

Additionally, it can 'react in the atmosphere leading to acid rain or form particles that harm health and impair visibility'.

The chemtrail theory has been widely debunked by scientists, but that hasn't stopped some, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr , from declaring chemtrails a threat to citizens' health.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a similar measure into law last year targeting the spraying of undisclosed chemicals into the atmosphere and more than a dozen other states, from New York to Arizona, have also introduced their own legislation.

New York bill A05476, which is currently being reviewed by committee members 'prohibits the intentional injection, release or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather or the intensity of sunlight'.

Some health experts worry bills like these are indicative of how misinformation is moving beyond the online world and into public policy.

Elevating unsubstantiated theories or outright falsehoods into the legislative arena not only erodes democratic processes, according to experts, it provides credibility where there is none and takes away resources from actual issues that need to be addressed.

'Every bill like this is kind of symbolic, or is introduced to appease a very vocal group, but it can still cause real harm by signaling that these conspiracies deserve this level of legal attention,' said Donnell Probst, interim executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education.

Chemtrail conspiracy theories are not new.

The publication of a 1996 Air Force report on the possible future benefits of weather modification is often cited as an early driver of the narrative.

Ken Leppert, an associate professor of atmospheric science at the University of Louisiana Monroe, said the streaks left behind by planes are actually primarily composed of water and that there is 'no malicious intent behind' the thin clouds.

He says the streaks are formed as exhaust is emitted from aircrafts, when the humidity is high and air temperature is low, and that ship engines produce the same phenomenon.

A fact sheet about contrails, published by multiple government agencies including NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency, explains that the streaks left behind by planes do not pose health risks to humans.

Scientists have overwhelmingly agreed that data or evidence cited as proof of chemtrails 'could be explained through other factors, including well-understood physics and chemistry associated with aircraft contrails and atmospheric aerosols,' according to a 2016 survey published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

In the survey of 77 chemists and geochemists, 76 said they were not aware of evidence proving the existence of a secret large-scale atmospheric program.

Leppert added: 'It's pure myth and conspiracy.'
Millions of people use it worldwide but an increasing number are now coming forward to talk about the disturbing side effects of Accutane.

Commonly prescribed for acne, the medication works by significantly reducing oil (sebum) production in the skin, preventing clogged pores, and decreasing inflammation and bacteria associated with breakouts.

Dry skin, lips and eyes, as well as nosebleeds are listed as some of the common side effects.

Matthew, a teenager from Australia - who does not give his last name - says being on the medication, known generically as isotretinoin, left him with an array of problems that are less commonly talked about.

He was put on a cream form of the medication at the age of 15 in 2023 to treat acne, but within several months he noticed a difference in his mood. Then other health issues started creeping in.

Some of his complaints, which were originally dismissed by his doctor, included sexual dysfunction, constant fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome and severe depression.

Matthew said he was warned about some of the side effects beforehand including suicidal ideation, dry skin and dry eyes, but he wasn't aware that testosterone disruption, erectile dysfunction or irritable bowel syndrome could be other possible outcomes.

When he told his doctor about his mood changes, the physician simply recommended anti-depressants and suggested the other symptoms could be related to depression.

Former FDA Medical Officer Dr Josef Witt-Doerring (pictured) interviewed Matthew about his harrowing experience with Accutane

Matthew - who does not give his last name - says being on Accutane, known generically as isotretinoin, left him with an array of problems which are less commonly talked about

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In a YouTube interview with former FDA Medical Officer Dr Josef Witt-Doerring, Matthew explained: 'I experienced fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and a psychological change.

'And then, I slowly began to struggle in the gym around mid-2023 when I was 16. I just became even more fatigued and couldn't put on any muscle or any gains in sprinting or the gym despite working out consistently, eating perfectly, sleeping on time.'

He continued: 'That was when I started to have suspicions that my testosterone was affected. And that that was honestly what led me to start researching Accutane and finding out more about it.'

Matthew found 'hundreds of posts' online from men talking about how Accutane had impacted their testosterone levels and made them depressed.

Matthew then had his testosterone levels tested and he got a result of 390 ng/dL, which is generally considered low for adult men.

While the 'normal' range is often cited as 300-1200 ng/dL, many experts consider levels below 400 ng/dL to be in the low range, especially for younger men.

Concerned about his health, Matthew decided to quit Accutane and he quickly found his symptoms dissipated.

He had his hormone levels retested a year later and his testosterone was at 600 ng/dL.

Accutane, also known by its generic name isotretinoin, was first licensed in 1983 and is regarded as the gold-standard treatment for severe acne that has failed to respond to other medicines

Currently taken by more than one million patients in the US, Accutane works by preventing the skin from producing oils that acne-causing bacteria feed on (stock image)

Matthew said: 'I was working at McDonald's [at the time], you know, a greasy place, late at night. I was eating a lot of processed food with a lot of protein in it... like protein bars, protein powder.

'And when I went to see my doctor about my acne, he never asked me about any of those things. How was my lifestyle? What was I eating? He put me straight on that cream.'

In the UK, two specialists now have to sign a prescription before isotretinoin can be given to anyone under 18.

The change, which came into play in 2024, was introduced after it emerged the drug's debilitating side effects may have led to the suicides of several young people.

Some advocates are even pushing for the drug to be banned, including one father of a young patient who died by suicide in the UK.

Jonathan Medland, 67, from Barnstaple, lost his son Jon to suicide in 2004 shortly after he stopped taking isotretinoin.

Medland claims the drug contributed to the 22-year-old medical student's death and said his son had never shown signs of depression before the treatment.

He also accuses doctors of doling the drug out 'like Smarties because it's an easy fix'.

Isotretinoin was first licensed in the 80s and is still regarded as the gold-standard treatment for severe acne that has failed to respond to other medicines.

Currently taken by more than 1 million patients in the US, it works by preventing the skin from producing oils that acne-causing bacteria feed on.

Jon Medland, a 22 year old medical student whose family blame his suicide on the drug isotretinoin he was taking for acne

Medland's father also accuses doctors of doling the drug out 'like Smarties because it's an easy fix'

Studies suggest patients' skin clears up after just four months and the majority are virtually 'cured'.

However, the drug can be prescribed only by dermatologists due to its potential side effects. The most common include dry skin, rashes, headaches and back pain.

Matthew said he saw his dermatologist only twice while he was taking Accutane for 12 months and she encouraged him to continue the treatment plan, despite him voicing his concerns.

In the US, patients must also be monitored with regular blood tests, because in rare cases the medication can damage the liver, and women are advised not to conceive while on the drug due to possible birth defects.

Between 1982 and 2000 the FDA received reports of 394 cases of depression, and 37 suicides occurring in patients exposed to isotretinoin.

It is the fifth most common drug reported to the US Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) in association with depression, and the 10th most common (and the only non-psychotropic drug) in suicide reports.
Milo, which is like Nesquik but as Australian as Vegemite, was my favourite drink as a child. You put a tablespoon of it in your cup of cold milk and it tastes like Maltesers.

Tim Minchin, 49, musician and comedian

I was 15 when I first tried alcohol and that was my friends dads mid-strength Tooheys 2.2% beer. My folks were pretty laid back about alcohol, but I didnt feel the need to drink properly until uni.

Im a bit depressed until I have my first coffee of the day, which is ridiculous. We live on Coogee Beach, Sydney, and my wife Sarah and I will walk half a kilometre up the headland over the hill to get a coffee.

Sarah was my first girlfriend. Weve been together for 32 years, and before that we were mates who clearly fancied each other, so we never went on a first date. I do remember being at the uni tavern playing pool together and drinking midis, or half pints, of Swan lager, and that being the first time she said I love you to me.

I pretty much exclusively drink red wine now. It doesnt get better than a good red in a big glass at the end of the day.

Theres a place in Sydney called The Theatre Bar At The End Of The Wharf. I remember being there in 2015 looking at the Opera House, knowing Matilda The Musical [for which Minchin wrote the music and which won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards in 2012] was about to open in Australia. My kids were curled up on the sofas of the outdoor deck and I ordered an Aperol spritz, which is what I get when its not dark yet and I want something sweet, silly and celebratory.

Home is Coogee Beach, Sydney

For the 400th anniversary of Shakespeares death in 2016, in Stratford-upon-Avon, I did a sketch riffing on to be or not to be with David Tennant, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Kinnear, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Harriet Walter, Sir Ian McKellen and Paapa Essiedu. Afterwards I was looking across the Avon at the moon, a glass of wine in my hand, while the luvvies were having a smoke. Ian, who Ive met lots of times, was talking about how sexy Judi was when she was young, and I was reflecting on how she is the one octogenarian who I really, properly fancied. Oh, you must tell Judi that, shell die, he said.

I am not particularly interested in famous people, but I am interested in intelligent people. Ive had a fantastic dinner with Richard Dawkins and Stephen Fry in Los Angeles, the physicist Brian Cox and I have got together in many places in the world and had wine, and Ive had an amazing bottle of wine at Ian McEwans house over dinner with Zadie Smith. Ive also had a beer with Bono, a fantastic wine with Tom Stoppard and a limoncello at Steve Sondheims house. Its a huge privilege, but its really the authors and the scientists who get my balls tight  or whatever the phrase is.

Milo was a childhood staple

I like an espresso martini if I want to stay awake, but its not classy. Im not someone who seeks to be classy. I wouldnt have this haircut if I was going for class.

A cheap pinot noir is an offence. Theres something about a bad pinot that makes me think that it is deeply wrong to have it in my mouth.

The song Im most likely to sing after a few drinks is One by U2. Its a beauty.

Id have loved to share a glass with Kurt Vonnegut or Douglas Adams. Quirky, nerdy science guys.

White wine is my wifes drink. Mine is red. And if I dropped dead Id probably expect my wife to insist on red wine being the toast at my funeral. She would sensibly think that would be my wish.

Tims new album Tim Minchin Time Machine is out now
I am not issuing this statement in defense [sic], nor in heartbreak. I am issuing it in power. In silk gloves and sharpened wit. I will not be engaging in performative forgiveness, nor am I interested in the optics of grace. What Andy has done is not just humiliating  it is banal. Common. A man of ambition brought down by his own astonishing lack of imagination I am not spiraling [sic], I am ascending. I dont cry for clowns

So posted Megan Byron on Instagram of her husbands affair. He was filmed, remember, at a Coldplay concert in Boston, canoodling with his companys head of HR. The part that struck me most was where she describes her husband as banal, common and lacking imagination.

Men who cheat, who make the lives we live foolish, believe, mistakenly, that the ability to lie and have multiple partners renders them virile, desirable, masculine. The opposite is true. It makes them ugly, small, destined to end up alone, doubtless penniless.

The women they choose are generally inferior to us, the cheatee, because no woman of value would sleep with another womans husband or partner. What man would risk losing Megan, who is clearly funny, intelligent and strong? She is already taking ownership of what now, deservedly, belongs to her, and consulting lawyers.

Partly thanks to magnificent Megan, I have come to realise I am simply too good for the vast majority of men. They cannot cope with someone more powerful, more dynamic than them.

My husband cheated on me because Im a better writer, am funnier, more generous and far more successful than he is. I was also loyal until I found out he was slithering off to have sex with a yoga teacher and a fellow female (not very successful) journalist who knew full well he was married. I emailed her to say, well, how will you pay for my soon-to-be-ex-husbands yoga habit and huge appetite for M&S ready meals?

A few female commentators have written about the Coldplay couple saying, well, this isnt the 1820s. What Andy Byron did is not illegal, so should he really lose his career, his home, half of his millions? Missing the point that what he did (he joins Matt Hancock in a long list of scoundrels) speaks loudly of his character, his morals, his trustworthiness, his work ethic, which is surely what he was paid the big bucks for.

I feel deeply for Megan, seeing with her own eyes his hairy arms around another womans waist, as I saw this scenario, too, on New Years Eve. Her children now realise they have a t**t for a dad.

I saw surveillance footage of my boyfriends arms around a lumpen blonde who couldnt possibly be as interesting as me. I imagine Megans intuition told her something was up, way before Chris Martin unconsciously uncoupled her. When the German asked me why Id written he had given me an STI, I replied, As you ghosted me, I assumed you were sleeping around. And there, right there, was a flickering of an eyelid, a split-second pause and I just knew, though I needed proof.

That night, after sex in my expensive hotel room, he had showered, shuffled around, checked his expensive watch, stood naked by the bed, texting me with a forefinger (just use both thumbs like a normal person!) that he had to go home as he hates the check out.

I thought, Yeah, I bet you do, it might mean you have to put your hand in your pocket! And, Well, he must have a woman waiting at his flat, the inside of which Ive never seen. And, Thank god, I can enjoy the room by myself, not have to put on make-up in the morning and buy him breakfast. And, I really need to find out what hes up to.

'Men cannot cope with someone more powerful, more dynamic than them. My husband cheated on me because Im a better writer, am funnier, more generous and far more successful than he is,' writes Liz Jones

Of course, he denied seeing other women: I want us to have the best chance. There are no other women. Thats a given. Ive been watching Love Island, and one of the boys said to another, You are a 30-year-old man, why are you treating women in this way? The German is 60, which surely makes him a superannuated clown. Truly banal.

When I saw the footage of him with two other women when he had told me he was ill, I threatened him that if I published his name, it would destroy his business: its a female-facing one, after all. He has female employees, daughters. Turns out, there was no need for me to bring him down. I looked up his business the other day on the Companies House website. He had told me he wanted to sell his company one day for a fortune, buy a villa in Italy, and could I move with him, bring the horses, dogs?

And there it was, in black and white. He had been terminated on 1 July. Its one thing to be a silver fox with money. There are women, idiots all, who fall for this type. But a silver fox with no money? Good luck with that. Cliched. Common. Karma.
MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace claimed Donald Trump 'doesn't give a s*** about democracy' in a profanity-laced tirade about the president's meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Trump said he made 'some headway' during his 2.5-hour-long meeting with Putin on Friday.

However, Wallace was furious Trump met with the Russian leader at all, seething at the top of her show on Friday.

'Having had the privilege of interviewing Ukrainians, its so much to watch our country's president stand with the person responsible for all that suffering and all that death, it's heinous,' she said.

Wallace then recited examples of 'the terror' that Putin had inflicted on the people of Ukraine.

'You know that any day, Russia could bomb anywhere in Ukraine, it's watching them scrape and struggle to get an American president who supported them,' she said.

Wallace then said that all their progress had been 'erased by a president who doesn't give a s*** about democracy, doesn't care about our allies, who doesn't care about democratic allies' sovereignty'.

The now left-leaning host served as the White House Communications Director during the second term of the presidency of George W. Bush and as the Communications Director for his 2004 re-election campaign.

MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace (pictured center) claimed Donald Trump 'doesn't give a s*** about democracy' in a profanity-laced tirade about the president's meeting with Vladimir Putin

Trump said he made 'some headway' during his 2.5-hour-long meeting with Putin on Friday

Trump left the world hanging announcing no details and answering no questions about his 'extremely productive meeting' with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the future of Ukraine.

What was clear was that there was no immediate ceasefire or peace deal to end the Ukraine war out of Friday's Anchorage, Alaska talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

We didnt get there,' the usually ebullient president acknowledged, 'but we have a very good chance of getting there.

In an extremely uncharacteristic move, Trump allowed Putin to speak first - at what had been billed as a bilateral press conference - and then didn't answer a single question before shaking hands with Putin again and sauntering offstage.

Their whole appearance before the press lasted just 12 minutes following more than three hours of private conversation.

'I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened. But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left,' Trump said.

He added, 'Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.'

In his opening statement, Putin flattered Trump by saying his assessment about the Ukraine war was true and that it never would have happened under Trump's watch.

Trump left the world hanging announcing no details and answering no questions about his 'extremely productive meeting' with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the future of Ukraine

'Today when President Trump's saying that if he was the president back then there will be no war. I'm quite sure it would indeed be so, I can confirm that,' Putin said in Russian through a translator.

Putin also placed blame on former President Joe Biden for the U.S.-Russia relationship unraveling, not his February 2022 invasion of America's ally Ukraine.

'I'd like to remind you that in 2022, during the last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague that the situation should not be brought to the point of no return when it would come to hostilities,' Putin said, adding it was a 'big mistake.'

Putin noted that the U.S.-Russia relationship had soured 'to the lowest point since the Cold War.'

'I think that's not benefiting our countries and the world as a whole,' Putin said. 'It's apparent that sooner or later we had to amend the situation and move on from the confrontation to dialogue.'

But Putin's comments were mostly backward-looking, a glaring indication that the U.S. and Russia remained apart on the crucial issues that could lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The Russian leader didn't back down on his claims that the Ukrainian invasion was justified.

'As I've said the situation in Ukraine has to do with frontal threats of our security,' Putin said.

President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin of his second term - the first time a U.S. leader has come face-to-face with Putin since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine

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'At the same time we're convinced, that in order to make this settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict,' the Russian leader added.

Putin added that the U.S. needed to 'consider all legitimate concerns in Russia' and he agreed with what President Trump said at the meeting 'that naturally the security of Ukraine should be insured as well.'

When Putin announced his 'special military operation' in February 2022 - which has now dragged on for three and a half years - he claimed Ukrainians were being 'subjected to abuse and genocide' by their democratically-elected government that, under Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, became more western-aligned.

Putin, a former KGB agent, has long set his sights on increasing Russia's borders to more closely resemble those of the USSR.

'I'm going to hope that the agreement we've reached together will help us to that goal and will pave the path toward peace in Ukraine,' Putin continued, warning against provocations from Ukraine and Europe.

Trump was set to call Zelensky and NATO leaders immediately after the meeting but details were not immediately available if that occurred.
CNN's Jake Tapper was caught on an awkward hot mic moment demanding a producer 'get his show back' after a communication error.

Tapper was reporting live from Anchorage, Alaska, following the meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Following a commercial break, the network coverage returned to fellow anchor Anderson Cooper in a Washington DC studio, who tried to hand it back to Tapper.

But an agitated Tapper, unaware back on air, was heard grumbling: 'I'm fine just give me my show back.'

Cooper then cracked a smile before jokingly responding: 'Your show's back!', as a flustered Tapper started interviewing California Senator Adam Schiff.

But things continued to go downhill for Tapper and Schiff told him he had 'lost' him, during questioning on how Ukraine factored into the talks between the two political heavyweights.

'We're having real comms problems today, I'm sorry about that. If anybody can hear me, let's throw it back to New York', Tapper said as the show returned to Cooper.

Earlier on in their coverage Tapper also appeared to have been caught out again saying: 'yes, she knows I went to Big Ray's', a clothing store in Anchorage.

Jake Tapper seemed flustered while reporting from Anchorage after the meeting between Trump and Putin

A miffed Jake Tapper goes over a hot mic. The way Anderson says "show's back" is just  pic.twitter.com/YJ4Jggz1n8  Dylan McLemore (@voiceofD) August 16, 2025

Anderson Cooper cracked a smile before jokingly handing the show back to Tapper following his feud with a producer

The sit down between Trump and Putin came to an end after three-hours on Friday, with no immediate ceasefire or peace deal in place to end the war in Ukraine.

'We didn't get there,' President Trump acknowledged, 'but we have a very good chance of getting there.'

In an extremely uncharacteristic move, Trump allowed Putin to speak first - at what had been billed as a bilateral press conference - and then didn't answer a single question before shaking hands with Putin again and sauntering offstage.

Their whole appearance before the press lasted just 12 minutes following more than three hours of private conversation.

'I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened. But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left,' Trump said.

He added, 'Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.'

During a sit-down with Sean Hannity taped in the room the summit occurred, the Fox News host asked if the president would reveal to him what that one issue is.

'No, I'd rather not,' Trump said. 'I guess somebody is going to go public with it, they'll figure it out, but no, I don't want to do that. I want to see if we can get it done.'

The sit down between Trump and Putin came to an end after three-hours on Friday, with no immediate ceasefire or peace deal in place to end the war in Ukraine

Trump did tell Hannity that Putin appeared open to having a trilateral summit that included Zelensky.

In his opening statement, Putin flattered Trump by saying his assessment about the Ukraine war was true and that it never would have happened under Trump's watch.

Putin also placed blame on former President Joe Biden for the U.S.-Russia relationship unraveling, not his February 2022 invasion of America's ally Ukraine.

The Russian leader didn't back down on his claims that the Ukrainian invasion was justified.

'As I've said the situation in Ukraine has to do with frontal threats of our security,' Putin said.

The Russian President has long set his sights on pushing Russia's borders to more closely resemble those of the USSR.

Trump had gone into the summit saying here was a 25% chance that the summit would fail.

He had also floated the idea of bringing Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting if things went well. It remains unclear what the next step is.

Daily Mail has contacted CNN for comment on the hot mic moment involving Tapper.
This year has been a controversial one for Tesla.

Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump on 20 January the Elon Musk-owned brand has been rarely out of the headlines thanks to its founder's attendance at the VIP event, and his highly-publicised endorsement of 'The Donald' and MAGA.

Some Tesla owners have been plastering 'I bought this before Elon went crazy' stickers on their EVs, Trump tried out a Model S on the White House lawn, Tesla stocks nosedived 39 per cent and Musk and Trump have since had a very public breakup  and we're only in August.

Among the noise, Tesla has introduced a product it hopes will give the brand a much needed sales and popularity boost; the new Tesla Model Y.

The Model Y has been the crowning success of Tesla, becoming both its best-selling model and in 2023 the world's best-selling car  the first EV to manage this. And yet it's taken the Texas-based EV maker five years since the Y first landed on our shores to update its hero car.

The new Model Y arrived in January, and since then Daily Mail Motoring Reporter Freda Lewis-Stempel has driven both the Launch Edition and the Long Range Rear Wheel Drive version to see whether the new Model Y is an improvement on the outgoing version, and crucially whether it can turn the tides favourably for Tesla?

Freda Lewis-Stempel drove the new Tesla Model Y to find out whether Tesla's facelifted best-selling EV can get Elon Musk's brand out of troubled waters...

What are the differences between the old Tesla Model Y and the 2025 Tesla Model Y?

Without too many spoilers, the latest Model Y has been updated outside, inside and across its technology offerings.

The exterior marks the biggest change: it's been redesigned with a new front end inspired by the Cybertruck and Cybercab, and features slimmer adaptive headlights, a new lightbar and blanked-off angles.

The old Tesla Y had a much more bulbous shape, and was more bug-like than the new Model Y

Tesla CEO Elon Musk paid $288million to Trump's second presidential campaign, helmed the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and was called the 'most powerful (unelected) man in the world' which has seen Tesla have a very volatile year. Tesla says it wants to 'capture attention' but to many people this year it went too far

The rear now has C-shaped LED taillights and a full-width reflecting light bar, along with 'TESLA' lettering and again a more buffed look.

Tesla says the exterior has been beautified for 'exceptional aerodynamic efficiency' with less drag and low-resistance tyres to enhance range. On the surface this gives the new Y a chiseled and sophisticated look compared to the bulbous old Y.

It might not sound like a radical makeover, but in the world of Tesla these visual changes are as surprising as your friend with the long, blow-dried locks rocking up with a sharp, French-girl chic bob.

The interior has also had both tech and material upgrades, and there are range extensions across the battery options too. But we'll come onto those.

For some people the Model Y facelift is not very radical but for Tesla it's a big update as it hasn't changed its best-selling model since it first launched

The new Y takes after the Cybercab (pictured) the robotaxi Tesla wants to introduce as part of its ride-hailing plans

The Cybertruck (which isn't available in the UK) is another inspiration for the new Y including the angular front and the lightbar

Interior space and practicality  is it still a family-first car?

The Model Y's new interior and old interior would make a good spot the difference because so little has changed visually. It's still the big, clean, crisp and somewhat stark cabin it used to be, it's more that there's been an improvement in quality and comfort.

The noticeable changes are that ambient lighting has been added, along with an eight-inch touchscreen for rear passengers which has its own Bluetooth, Wifi, and microphones for voice commands and phone calls.

The front 15.4-inch touchscreen remains the same but Tesla has brought in new software updates including one that allows you to use your Apple Watch as the car key.

The front seats are now ventilated  a blessing on the 31-degree weekend I was driving around Sussex in the RWD  and there's sun reflecting glass which also helps in the summer. Front and rear heated seats are a plush (clearly) winter feature.

The seat redesign makes the already comfy chairs that bit more supportive  like the car seat equivalent of a perfectly firm mattress.

The materials have been upgraded in the new Y but it looks almost exactly the same as the old version

It's still a very light and spacious cabin thanks to the panoramic roof and large windows. There's also ambient lighting now to make it feel more homely

The addition of a rear touchscreen for infotainment is a bonus and will please kids and adults alike - it has its own Bluetooth and Wifi. It also controls the rear heated seats and aircon

Tesla's brought in 20 per cent road noise reduction thanks to new acoustic glazing and softer fabric on the dash and doors and there's very little noise making it's way into the cabin at all, which made the many motorway miles I drove extremely relaxing.

Slightly surprisingly the 2025 Y has 20 litres less interior space than the outgoing model. Luckily though you don't notice that as the person packing the car because there's still 2,138 litres between the frunk and boot and the rear seats now fold completely flat, at the touch of a button.

And passengers front and back still have ample space, no matter how tall. Neither my 6ft or 6'2 friends had anything bad to say, quite the opposite in fact.

The Model 3 caused a big stir by going stalkless last year but the Model Y has only followed suit by halves, ditching just one stalk - the gear selector

One key difference between the old and new Y is that the new Y has one stalk on the steering wheel.

The new Model 3 brought in the idea of a stalkless wheel, and to say it has been unpopular would be putting it gently. So Tesla has kept the indicator stalk but ditched the gear selector for the 2025 Y, with the gear selector now found on the touchscreen instead.

Do I love it? No. Is it at least better than the stalkless 3? Yes.

All in all the Model Y interior has always been a huge selling point, and it remains just that in the new version  even more so.

I drove the Launch Edition for a few days but the Long Range Rear Wheel Drive for around a week. It has 387 miles of range, and 250kW charging which made it great for the long journeys I was going on

What is it like to drive?

Both the AWD and Long Range are very quick  Tesla made EV instant acceleration famous  but the AWD is 1.3 seconds faster over the 0-60 sprint.

The Long Range I drove for around a week, the AWD only for a weekend - the reason being that I needed as much range as possible and the Long Range offers 387 miles on a single charge compared to the Launch Edition's 353 miles.

The Model Y has never been as fun to drive as the Model 3, nor does it deliver the same handling, but there is a slight improvement on the old version Y, although it still heaves a bit over uneven road surfaces, and overall has a firm ride.

I've always likened the Y to driving a go-kart but its probably more like a dodgem in how dart-y it feels. The driving position is a bit odd too, you're perched high up but there's a lot of dash and bonnet in your view.

The Y isn't as fun to drive as the Model 3 or as comfortable, and this remains the case with the 2025 version

What infuriates me, as is the case in any EV with no driver's display, is that I have to look across constantly to know what speed I'm doing. It's impossibly hard to not end up speeding because of this. Just a small driver's display  that's all I'm asking for.

The one-pedal drive though is a highlight; I barely used the brake pedal and the heavy regenerative braking keeps the range well topped-up.

The high-quality cameras make overtaking and manoeuvring in tight spaces stress free and generally you feel confident in your spacial awareness in the Y. Tesla has some of the best driver and safety assists in the business.

Plus the range is impressive and it is really effortless to drive on long distances and excels as motorway cruiser.

It's not a shining star of electric SUV driving, but it's definitely a solid choice.

The Long Range RWD costs 48,990 which is about 1,000 more than the new MG IM6, Tesla's biggest new Model Y rival

Pricing and ranges  which Model Y is right for you?

The Y arrived in Launch Edition form  the most expensive and the one in our walkaround video. That came off the production line with a hefty price tag of 60,990 and with a claimed range of 353 miles, a top speed of 125mph and 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds.

There's now a Rear-Wheel Drive, the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive I drove, and a Long Range All-Wheel Drive version.

These will cover 0 to 60mph in 5.6s and 311 miles on a single charge, 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds and 387 miles and 0 to 60mph in 4.6 seconds and 364 miles respectively.

The cheapest is the Rear-Wheel Drive Y which starts at 44,990. The Long Range RWD jumps up to 48,990 and the Long Range AWD price bumps up again to 51,990.

Charging speeds are just as fast as Tesla owners are accustomed to with the new Model Y Launch Series able to charge up to 250kW, which will give you 172 miles in 15 minutes on a Supercharger.

For comparison though the new MG IM6, which I drove around the same time and goes head-to-head with the new Model Y, offers a 0-62mph of 5.4 seconds and a range of 388 miles but for around 1,000 less - it costs 47,995. It also beats the Model Y's rapid charging speeds because it can ultra-rapid charge up to a staggering 396kW.

Billionaire and Tesla owner Elon Musk is reportedly turning buyers off Tesla which his polarising political stances - even though he is no longer close with President Donald Trump

So how is Tesla doing? Tesla sales and popularity

Sales have been low since the beginning of the year, with BYD selling more EVs in Britain than Tesla for the first time in January: 1,614 compared to Tesla's 1,458 cars.

Then BYD sales in Europe were up 58 per cent in the first three months of 2025, while Tesla's were down 41 per cent in France, 55 per cent in Sweden and Denmark, nearly 50 per cent in the Netherlands and 12.5 per cent in Norway during the same period.

This was when early investors called on Musk to go.

Despite Musk once laughing at BYD, the Chinese car giant has been a problem for years.

It became known as the 'Tesla killer' as far back as 2023 when it dethroned Tesla as the biggest EV manufacturer in the world, and has been pummeling Tesla by bringing out models that directly compete - from the BYD Seal against the Model 3 to the Sealion 7 against the Y.

The summer months of 2025 have been filled with tales of Tesla stocks plunging  June saw $150bn wiped off its share price after the Trump Vs Musk spat erupted.

Then UK sales plunged by 60 per cent in July, with the blame split between Elon Musk's involvement in the White House and with hard-right European parties, Tesla's aging car line-up and tougher competition from BYD and other Chinese EV giants.

At the same time a poll from EV website Electrifying.com unsurprisingly found that three in five drivers are put off buying a Tesla because of Elon Musk.

Tesla has tried to pin some of its poor sales on inventory issues, telling This is Money that low volume of registrations in the month of April were due to the company selling out of its UK-spec Model Ys, and the first deliveries of the facelifted Model Y not beginning until the start of May.

A spokesperson told us: 'Due to this, numbers reported by SMMT and others will predominantly reflect Model 3 deliveries, with a small amount of Model Y.'

However, July deliveries don't reflect any of these issues and registrations are still poor. While there's still time for the new facelifted Y to improve Tesla's sales in the UK so far the EV hasn't had the lift hoped for.

The Launch Series will come with 22 extra miles of range over what customers have seen up until now but the longest-range version has 387 miles WLTP - the Long Range RWD

Anti Musk protests: A man sprays paint graffiti against Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on a Tesla showroom in New York

Tesla says that it allocates $0 towards marketing and advertising and instead relies on loyal customers and levering the status of its CEO Elon Musk - but this hasn't helped its sales in 2025..

Cars and Motoring Verdict: Can car buyers separate the EV from the man who created it?

On the surface, Tesla's issue is that it's an image-based brand. And its image has gone to the dogs.

It's been a pioneering brand for electric car adoption, and over time its image issues might dissipate, but go deeper and there's a more complicated problem to deal with.

The stickers people have been putting on their Teslas to distance themselves from Musk

Tesla no longer offers anything so radical, so special, so different to the competition that its cars stand out from the competitive EV crowd  the new Y included. There's no huge step up from the old version, it mainly just looks better.

The Y is surrounded by EV SUV competition and not just from BYD. There are new SUVs that offer faster 0-60s (MG IM6), have plusher Scandi interiors (Volvo EX40), are better to drive (Polestar 3), deliver faster charging (Hyundai Ioniq 5), and have cheaper price tags (Renault Scenic). And none of them come with a 'toxic' CEO.

I've had many a fabulous journey in a Tesla and would again. I enjoyed having the new Y in to drive and appreciated its range, comfort and Supercharging. But in the end, I don't want to have put a sticker on my car saying the person who made it is 'crazy'.

Do you?
We had three bookings made with travel company Voyage Prive made last autumn totalling 24,260.

These were made for my 60th birthday celebrations in Dubai but it became a nightmare to resolve the final bills following the tragic death of one of my friends who was due to come with us. J.H., Bolton.

Sally Hamilton replies: What you planned as a joyous occasion has been clouded in sadness.

Your dear friend died of suspected food poisoning while on holiday in the Indian Ocean at the end of last year.

You considered cancelling your five-day trip but decided as a group to go ahead and celebrate her memory at the same time. Her widower told you thats what she would have wanted.

Tragedy: A Daily Mail reader's birthday trip to Dubai was preceded by a tragedy

He had to make a claim on her travel insurance for her 1,200 deposit. But you were astounded that Voyage Prive would not confirm that the member of your party who was due to share a room with your late friend would have her booking altered to single occupancy  and it looked as if she would be charged the full rate for the double room  6,798.

You had been corresponding at length with customer services but not getting any clarity, despite an initial sympathetic response.

You had to send the death certificate twice and you chased for weeks.

Without a clear resolution you asked me to intervene.

When I got in touch, David, a member of the Voyage Prive team simply said theres no need to worry everything is in order and wished me a lovely day.

That wasnt the concrete answer I had hoped for but I felt reassured that at least your case was being looked at.

My contact seemed to do the trick, however, as a week or so later you got confirmation that your friend would not face the full double room charge.

The holiday firm was probably having to negotiate hard with the hotel on the price.

In the end, she was billed just 3,456  less than you had calculated, with no extra charges for sole occupancy.

You feared this meant there might be some nasty additional charges waiting at the destination, but thankfully these did not materialise.

When I caught up with you recently, you said the trip had been amazing  and you forwarded me a photo of the group toasting your friends memory.

Straight to the point

I took out a single-trip travel insurance policy in April for me and my wife with Insurance 4 Medical, and I declared all our medical conditions. A few days before the cover was meant to start my wife developed swollen ankles, which our doctor said he would investigate if it was still happening after our holiday. I told the insurance provider but they cancelled her cover. She will now have to answer yes when future insurers ask if she has had an insurance policy cancelled. G.R., via email. Sally Hamilton replies: White Horse, Insurance 4 Medicals underwriter, apologises and says the new undiagnosed medical condition meant cover had to be withdrawn. It will refund the premium and it will provide a letter of explanation that cover was cancelled due to a change in risk, rather than fraud or non-disclosure. I bought an oven from Currys which was installed by an electrician, but 30 days later it caught fire. As it was a bank holiday, I reported it the next day but Currys said as I reported it on day 31 after it was installed I had to speak to the manufacturer to get an inspection before they could take it back. But the manufacturer says it wont inspect it, only repair it. Ive had to buy a new oven out of my own pocket in the meantime. I.S., via email. Sally Hamilton replies: Currys apologises and says it is refunding you as a goodwill gesture, even though your initial report of the fault fell outside the 30-day return window.

Write to Sally Hamilton at Sally Sorts It, Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email sally@dailymail.co.uk  include phone number, address and a note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Sally Hamilton. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given.
The fate of crisis-torn Thames Water is set to be decided within weeks as Ministers prepare to effectively nationalise the troubled utilities firm before getting it ready for a sale. And the front-runner in any bidding war for the debt-laden supplier to 16 million customers in London and the Thames Valley is likely to be a business conglomerate controlled by one of Asia's richest men.

Last week, reports emerged that CK Infrastructure (CKI), which also owns Northumbrian Water, had told the Government it was prepared to take over Thames imminently if it were to fall into special administration, buckling under the weight of 17 billion of debt.

A successful takeover of Britain's largest water group would add another asset to the burgeoning portfolio of CKI's parent firm, CK Hutchison (CKH), which controls a globe-spanning empire encompassing pub chains, container ports and High Street stores.

Behind it all is Li Ka-Shing, CKH's founder, considered the most successful tycoon in Hong Kong's history after amassing a fortune worth nearly 30 billion.

The 97-year-old, who arrived in the British colony in 1940 aged 12 as a refugee from the Sino-Japanese war, is called 'Superman' by locals for his business acumen.

Li is the firm's 'senior advisor' after stepping down as chairman in 2018 after 46 years at the helm.

Still laughing at 97: Hong Konger Li Ka-Shing is famous for his acumen

Despite his advanced years, the tycoon remains involved in the business and still goes into the office twice a week.

He can also be spotted at the Tsz Shan Monastery, a ten-year-old Buddhist temple that Li financed to the tune of 142 million.

CKH remains a family concern, with Li's son Victor serving as chairman. His UK empire includes the 226-year-old Greene King pub chain, bought for 4.6 billion in 2019 through one of the family's other businesses, CK Asset Holdings. Other assets include retailer Superdrug and UK Power Networks, the electricity grid operator for London and the South-East.

CKH also owned mobile network Three before its merger with rival Vodafone earlier this year. It now controls just under half of the new business, which leapfrogged BT's EE to become Britain's biggest mobile phone provider.

CKH's eyeing up of Thames Water comes as the conglomerate's British operations become increasingly profitable.

Last week, CKH's half-year results saw underlying profits rise 11 per cent to 1.1 billion as sales rose to 22.6 billion from 21.8 billion in 2024. But overall profits fell 92 per cent to 80.3 million due to a one-off 983 million loss from the Vodafone-Three merger.

Included in the figures were results from CKI, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange but is controlled by CKH.

CKI reported that its profits from the UK had jumped 19 per cent since last year thanks to 'higher contributions' from Northumbrian Water as well as its electricity grid arm and three British gas networks it also controls.

Despite the firm's success in Britain, a swoop on Thames Water has sparked fear among those who are wary of handing over control of vital infrastructure to a Chinese company. On Thursday, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said a takeover by Li's firm risked handing 'a country that is a threat, greater power over national infrastructure'. It has also caused consternation in the US Congress.

But Li's history is not all kowtowing to Beijing, with the tycoon having butted heads with China's communist authorities in the past.

When Hong Kong saw a wave of pro-democracy protests in 2019, the government of the People's Republic accused Li of 'harbouring criminality' and allowing the city to 'slip into the abyss' when he called for police to show 'humanity' dealing with demonstrators.

More recently, CKH has found itself caught in Donald Trump's trade war with China. Earlier this year, the company was forced to delay the sale of 43 ports, including two in the crucial Panama Canal, to a consortium backed by US asset manager BlackRock after Beijing criticised the deal.

In its results, Victor Li said the firm expected global trade to 'remain volatile' as Trump's tariffs reverberated through the market.

But despite the headwinds, CKH raised its half-year dividend by 3.2 per cent, landing the elder Li, who controls just over 28 per cent of the business, a 72 million payday.

With Thames Water sinking under its own debt, Ministers may overlook CKH's Chinese ties in the absence of a better offer. Lower-ranking holders of Thames Water's debt are also understood to be keen on a long-term infrastructure owner such as CKH.

The firm has reportedly said it would agree to new rules imposing tougher fines for breaking environmental regulations, which the water group's senior hedge fund creditors have said is financially unviable. Ministers will be hoping Hong Kong's 'Superman' can save the day.
London might be the city with the most workers travelling in every day, but new research reveals it doesn't have the best commuter towns - in fact, far from it.

None of the best towns for professionals travelling into big cities in 2025 are found around the M25, according to analysis by specialist mortgage lender Pepper Money.

It analysed 66 commuter towns surrounding cities including London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester to see how they measured up on a wide range of criteria.

These included house prices, rent, commuting time, cost of a rail journey, median salary and quality of life.

None of the top towns were anywhere near the capital.

Instead, Pepper Money found commuter town gems are dotted around the country, with those close to smaller cities in the North of England making up most of the top ten.

Top town: Rotherham in South Yorkshire is Britain's best commuter hub, according to a study

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Sheffield has the best commuter towns

Professionals seeking the perfect commuter base should be looking for a job in Sheffield, the research suggests, as three of the top towns are close to the city.

Lower house prices, affordable train tickets and shorter commute times pushes them to the top of the list.

Rotherham, just a 17-minute train journey into Sheffield, tops the list of this years best commuter towns.

Not only is it affordable  with an average house price of just 193,000 and rental costs averaging 653 a month  it is a still busy town itself.

Plus, a rail journey into Sheffield is just 2.10  the cheapest price in the top ten towns.

The median salary is one of the lower ones on the list at 34,258 but quality of life is still high at 7.9 out of ten.

Not only is it close to Sheffield, it is also only a one hour and 15-minute drive from Manchester - perfect for workers straddling both cities. It scores 358 out of a score of 469, according to the Pepper Money analysis.

In the silver spot is Dronfield, which also neighbours Sheffield. The town is smaller than Rotherham so it could be more suitable spot for young families searching for a slower pace of life.

House prices are slightly higher, however, and are more than the national average at 301,037. Plus, if you are renting be prepared to stump up 1,074 a month. The commute time to Sheffield is 11 minutes and costs 5.20.

Its total score is 324.

Sheffield also appears in spot eight with commuter town Barnsley. House prices here are just 170,000, one of the lowest across the countys commuter towns.

Outside of Sheffield, Manchester and Nottingham offer the best commuter towns based on a variety of factors, the research found.

In third place is Beeston which is just six minutes outside of Nottingham. The rail journey costs just 3 and the typical salary is slightly higher than the national average at 38,535.

After Beeston is Penarth (Cardiff), Pudsey (Leeds) and Stalybridge (Manchester).

Long Eaton, which also neighbours Nottingham, comes in at seventh place.

Finishing up the top ten are Widnes, close to Liverpool, and Ilkeston, which is again close to Nottingham.

London suburbs worst for commuters

Towns in the south score poorly for commuters. Londoners have been heading out of the city centre in droves in recent years as hybrid working surged in popularity.

But this research suggests they may be better off relocating cities altogether.

Between soaring house prices, long commute times of up to an hour and a poorer quality of life, professionals have better options, says Pepper Money.

London commuter towns such as St Albans, Watford and Maidstone are noticeably absent from the list due to soaring house prices and monthly rental costs.

In fact, all but two of the ten lowest ranking commuter towns are close to London.

The towns that have cheaper house prices and rents are further away from the city centre, pushing them down the list.

Luton, for example, has an average house price of 285,000 but has a 36-minute commute to the city centre  and the journey costs 14.70.

It is ranked at the bottom of the 66 commuter towns analysed by Pepper Money.

Also at the bottom of the rankings is Maidstone with a 361,000 average house price and 53-minute commute, which will set back travellers some 17.90.

Basingstoke has the most expensive commute with a 30 ticket price for 44 minutes of traveling.

While St Albans has a commute time to the capital of just 21 minutes and residents have an average salary of 53,829, house prices in the area are some 628,000, the highest on the list. Rental costs are 1,869 a month.
An ordinary-looking terraced house going up for auction next month could take prospective buyers by surprise once they take a peek inside.

The inside of the house has been described as 'maze-like', with more than 20 rooms spread across two main floors. Only three are currently used as bedrooms.

The house has been in the same ownership for 50 years and is being sold at auction with vacant possession.

Located in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, it has a guide price of between 100,000 to 110,000, excluding fees.

The mid-terrace house was originally used as a fisherman's smoke house.

For around 150 years, the house was also used as the headquarters of Bloomfields Marquees, a marquee business, with the marquees initially transported to their new owners via horse and cart.

Unique: A three-bed terraced house in Great Yarmouth is headed to auction in September

Now the house has CCTV, an intruder alarm, solar panels, gas-powered central heating, a garage and is 'mostly' double-glazed, according to Auction House, the auctioneer selling the property.

On the ground floor there is a bar area, with a sign above providing a nod to the house's history as a former marquee business.

According to Auction House, the terraced property is 'deceptively spacious, incorporating a range of buildings to the rear.'

It said the extra buildings at the back could be used for storage or, subject to getting planning permission, turned into further bedrooms or even a new development.

While the property will need reconfiguring and updating, many of the rooms are in good order. One of the living room spaces has mint green walls, comfortable cream armchairs and a small chandelier-style light.

The property has one spacious bathroom featuring a bath and separate shower.

For creative people, the house would provide a number of spaces to develop for an artist's studio, pottery studio or other workshop.

The house is being sold freehold and has an energy performance certificate rating of D.

Look closer: The garage space used to be an entrance for horses and carts

Hidden history: The living area features a sign showing the house's former life as the headquarters of a marquee business

So many rooms: The terraced house in Great Yarmouth has more than 20

Get creative: The property could be ideal for a workshop or artist's studio

Living quarters: Internally, the living spaces in the house have been well maintained

Possibilities: The house has an auction guide price of between 100,000 to 110,000

Comfortable: The Norfolk house has one spacious and well-appointed bathroom

History: The property used to be the headquarters for a marquee business

Back in the day: In a former life, the mid-terrace house was originally used as a fisherman's smoke house

Particulars: The property has gas power and a handy kitchen

Options: One of the three bedrooms in the Great Yarmouth property

Floor plan: The floor plan of the property shows just how many rooms it has

The unique property is going under the hammer on 10 September. Seven viewing days are being arranged, but must be booked in advance.

Robert Hurst, auction surveyor at Auction House East Anglia, said: 'It looks like a standard terrace house, but when you enter you realise it's a lot more than that.

'A multitude of rooms with adjoining buildings behind offer great space and potential.'

How to buy at auction

Auctions are one area where good deals still come up. Properties sold this way can, in some cases, be substantially cheaper than on the open market.

According to Property Auction News, the average price properties sell at auction for is around 166,000.

However, properties sold in this way often - though not always - come with added complexities for the buyer.

It is therefore important to do as much research as possible before buying any property at auction.

Where possible, always visit the property in person before the auction.

Do not underestimate how much renovation work or reconfigurations could cost if you are taking on a project property.

Read legal documents for the property carefully and, when possible, get advice from a solicitor before heading to the auction.

Sometimes, the legal pack includes 'special conditions' that mean you might also be liable to pay an additional three per cent fee to a sales agent.

Before submitting any bids, always check what sort of price similar properties in the area have sold for. This will, of course, be harder if it is a more unusual property that you are after.

If you do bid, do not get carried away and bid more than you can afford.

Most properties bought via auction have a 28-day competition date and home loans for auction properties can be harder to get.
Beneath the dark canopy of Florida's Everglades with only stars in sight, Daily Mail got an exclusive look at one of Florida's peculiar new tourist attractions: the highstakes, highend world of python hunting.

At the center of it is Amy Siewe, a former luxury real estate broker who traded listings for swamp boots and snakes  and now leads elite ecotourism hunts capturing one of Florida's most destructive invasive species.

'I wasn't looking for another career,' Siewe told The Daily Mail during a July night hunt. 'But once I realized there was a python problem in Florida, I thought, 'Wait a minute  this obsession I've had with snakes my whole life could actually help solve an ecological crisis.'

That crisis is Burmese pythons. Believed to have been introduced via the exotic pet trade in the last 30 years, they've exploded in population across South Florida, willing to kill any native wildlife or pets they come across.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), species like raccoons, opossums, bobcats  and even deer  have seen dramatic declines.

'We find deer hooves in the stomachs of almost every python we catch that are over 16 feet,' Siewe said. 'They are eating full grown deer. It's horrific.'

Last month in an attempt to combat the python problem scientists from the University of Florida let an army of remotecontrolled robotic bunnies loose in the hope of monitoring python patterns.

But Siewe doesn't need to use robotics  she has her hands  and now runs a wildly popular python hunting tour business, charging $1,800 for up to four people and $300 for each additional person per night.

Amy Siewe is a real life Indiana Jones heading out on python hunts at night

Siewe now runs a wildly popular python hunting tour business, charging $1,800 for up to four people and $300 for each additional person per night

Tourists like Jim Gillenwater from Indiana joined Siewe in the swamp the night Daily Mail was there, experiencing the thrill of the hunt firsthand

Her clients are seeking both adrenaline and a way to help Florida's ecological future. But this isn't just thrillseeking  it's conservation.

'This guided hunt is both a thrill and a mission,' she explained. 'It's amazing to catch a python, but it's even more powerful knowing you're saving native animals.'

Our night with Siewe offered a rare glimpse into her operation. Aboard her custom 'snake deck' truck, outfitted with custom decals reading 'Python Huntress', several flood lights and handheld spotlights, we drove through the Everglades, which spans 1.5 million acres, under nothing but moonlight and stars.

The tour did pass by Alligator Alcatraz, which does light up a section of the forest, but Amy said it has not affected her hunting. Her hunting locations are confidential, and her methods are honed from years of experience.

That night, she stalked a 16foot serpent  just three feet shy of the world record and marked her 700th python capture.

Siewe's largest capture to date measured 17 feet, 3 inches.

'There have been 17footers that take four people to get,' she said. 'I caught mine by myself... she was 110 pounds. I am very proud of that.'

Tourists like Jim Gillenwater from Indiana joined Siewe in the swamp the night Daily Mail was there, experiencing the thrill of the hunt firsthand.

Siewe used to work for the state's Python Elimination Program before starting her own tour company

Siewe's clients are seeking both adrenaline and a way to help Florida's ecological future

Siewe's unconventional work is possibly the best hope to keep python numbers at bay

A file photo of a 115lb female python engulfing a 77lb fullsized whitetailed deer in Naples

In an attempt to combat the python problem within the Everglades, scientists let an army of remotecontrolled robotic bunnies loose in July

'When you're in the middle of the everglades in the summer months, and when we were wrestling the big snake, the bugs were all over us,' Gillenwater said.

'You gotta put in the work and be able to deal with the variables to get the best trophy.'

'It was everything I ever dreamed of,' Gillenwater said. 'It was one of the hardest things I've ever hunted because they're so illusive. I cannot remember more fun than I've had in the last two days [following the hunt] just showing photos of the snake I caught.'

Siewe formerly worked for the state's Python Elimination Program, which pays licensed hunters to remove pythons.

Now she hunts for herself, her tours, and she also collaborates with researchers to learn more about the behaviors and habits of the pythons.

'It's not the python's fault they're here,' Siewe acknowledged. 'They're just being pythons. But they have to go. Our mammals are disappearing at an alarming rate.'

'It takes a python three years to get to be 10 feet,' she said, 'and it takes 200 animals to get it there. Every single python we take out of the Everglades is saving hundreds of lives.'

Florida officials estimate there may be up to 500,000 pythons in the wild. While total eradication may be out of reach, Siewe believes every hunt is the best thing that can be done at the moment.

Florida officials estimate there may be up to 500,000 pythons in the wild. One of the huge beasts Siewe caught

A 16foot serpent  just three feet shy of the world record was captured on the night hunt Daily Mail went on

'We might just be prolonging the extinction of our native animals,' she said, 'but if we can do that long enough for scientists to develop better solutions, then it's absolutely worth it.

'What drives me to keep going night after night, chasing snakes through the swamp? Well, first of all, it's totally my calling. It is the most amazing adventure and the most fun I've ever had in my entire life.'

The Florida Everglades have long faced the python invasion, but fears of mass extinctions have become an evergrowing threat to the local animal populations.

Ian Bartoszek, one of three authors of a study with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, said: 'The impact the Burmese python is having on native wildlife cannot be denied. This is a wildlife issue of our time for the Greater Everglades ecosystem.'

Researchers from the University of Florida released 40 of the fake toy fluffy rabbits, fit with motors, a smell designed to attract pythons, and tiny heaters to mimic the beasts prey in July.

The goal is to monitor python patterns and movements in order to alert officials to their presence, before a snake wrangler is sent out to euthanize the snake.
A UK-based businessman claims he was drugged and robbed after being tricked to lick a woman's drug-laced breasts in a 'Goodnight Cinderella' scam.

The 27-year-old from Swindon says he met a glamorous woman and spent the evening drinking and chatting, but soon found himself a victim of a bizarre drugging scam known as 'Goodnight Cinderella', a term used in Brazil and other countries for a form of drink or contact spiking.

Victims are given powerful sedatives, often mixed into drinks, that quickly render them helpless.

In some cases, criminals allegedly apply drugs to their own skin so they are absorbed by the victim through intimate contact.

Common substances such as Rohypnol and GHB are colourless, tasteless and odourless, and can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion and memory loss within minutes.

In a chat with Daily Mail, he said: 'We began flirting at the club and she complimented my watch. She told me she would like to come home with me, and we went back to my hotel.'

The high-earner, who was staying in a swanky hotel, says she seemed impressed with how luxurious the hotel was, but he did not pay it any mind.

He added: 'We began engaging in sexual activity, and she brought me close to her chest to lick her breasts. I was into her, so I did, but after a few moments, I began feeling quite dizzy and disoriented.

A UK-based businessman claims he was drugged and robbed after being tricked to lick a woman's drug-laced breasts in a 'Goodnight Cinderella' scam. Picture for illustrative purposes

'The room began spinning, and I remember she was just staring at me. I must have fainted shortly after that. I was knocked out for several hours.'

When he came to, he says he felt sick and weak. 'I couldn't get myself to stand up properly,' he said.

'My legs were all wobbly. I also had a massive headache that felt more like a migraine. I also felt nauseous, but I just could not throw up. I couldn't piece together what had happened and why I was feeling this way.'

But after sleeping off the feeling, he woke up again, and that's when he realised what had really happened.

'My phone was gone. And that's when I remembered there was someone in the room with me. She was also gone.

'I realised she had taken my watch, my phone, and some money. I had over $5,000 lying around, and it was gone. Luckily, the majority of the cash I had was in a hotel safe.'

He said he initially decided to report the incident to the police, but decided against it as he did not want the situation to be public.

Eventually, after getting a temporary replacement phone, he discussed the issue with a friend who advised him to speak to the cops.

Common substances such as Rohypnol and GHB are colourless, tasteless and odourless, and can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion and memory loss within minutes. Picture for illustrative purposes

He explained: 'I reported everything and they began laughing at me. They clearly did not take the issue seriously and found it funny. I was disappointed and annoyed.

After a while, they asked him to go over his report again and asked him questions about his tryst with the mysterious woman.

He recalled: 'When I repeated that she made me lick her breasts, it felt like a light bulb had gone off in their minds. That's when they told me it was a new tactic that some women were using to rob unsuspecting men.

They told me I was not the only one who it had happened to. They said they would look into the matter and asked me to describe the woman, which I did.

'I also told her where I met her and everything else. From the looks of things, I knew they wouldn't bother. I even told them they could check the hotel's CCTV.'

'I had just one more day in the country, so I decided to forget about it.'

He said he was unable to tell his friends and family what had happened to him as he felt embarrassed by the circumstances.

He added: 'Even to this day, not many people know about what happened. It's just a couple of close friends.'

The cops he spoke to said several men had complained that they were targeted in the same way. picture for illustrative purposes

Although it took him several days to fully recover, he explained that the emotional impact was just as bad as the physical toll.

'It made me weary of strangers,' he admitted. 'Yes, I should not have taken a stranger back to my hotel, but this should not be happening.

'I realised I could have even died in the whole process. It was a frightening experience.'

The Goodnight Cinderella scam has been linked to robberies, sexual assaults and even deaths.

In Brazil, where the name originated, tourists have been found unconscious in hotel rooms or on the street after meeting strangers in bars and clubs.

Police in several countries have linked the scam to thefts, sexual assaults and even deaths.

This week, a British tourist recalled being robbed by three women after he took a sip of a drink they offered him in Brazil.

This week, a British tourist recalled being robbed by three women after he took a sip of a drink they offered him in Brazil

Three women have now been arrested. Raiane Campos de Oliveira, right , has allegedly been arrested over 20 times for the same crime

He and his friend met the women at a samba dance in Rio and carried on the evening at a local bar, where he took a cocktail.

In a video, the engineering graduate is seen stumbling onto a beach before collapsing on the sand.

He said: 'I took two sips [of the cocktail] and I dont remember anything else. I tried to fight the drug.

'By the time I got to the beach I was completely out of it.' The women reportedly stole two mobile phones and the man later realised that 16,000 was missing from his account.

Three women -Amanda Couto Deloca, 23, Mayara Ketelyn Americo da Silva, 26, and Raiane Campos de Oliveira, 27 - have now been arrested. Oliveira is said to have been arrested 20 times for similar crimes.

He and his friend met the women at a samba dance in Rio and carried on the evening at a local bar, where he took a cocktail.

Last month, a 23-year-old escort, known as the Queen of Goodnight Cinderella, was arrested in Rio.

Francini Demetrio Sitas was accused of drugging, then robbing a French tourist. She allegedly also beat her victim.

Francini Demetrio Sitas, known as the Queen of Goodnight Cinderella, was arrested in Rio

Francini Demetrio Sitas was accused of drugging, then robbing a French tourist. She allegedly also beat her victim

It has been claimed that she robbed him of more than 6,680. The man recalled how she approached him with two other women. They went drinking, but he lost consciousness at some point.

He woke up in a hospital only to discover that he had multiple injuries. Police later said that this was not her first arrest.

Police chief Patricia Alemany said: 'She carefully picks her foreign victims. In this case, she drugged the French tourist and stole his phone and bank card. She made withdrawals totalling over 50,000 reais, and he was ultimately assaulted.

'Francini has countless cases of this type of crime and is known in the criminal underworld as the "Queen of Goodnight, Cinderella."'

In June last year, two sex workers were jailed in Brazil after they drugged two tourists and then shoved them off a cliff.

Tuane Silva da Costa and Davina Cristina de Moraes Melo honed in on their victims, Chilean holidaymakers Ronald Rafael Tejeda Sobarzo and Andres Ignacio Orellana Ruiz, in May 2023.

The women cunningly slipped date rape drugs into the men's beers. They all then went into a neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro in a taxi.

The criminal pair then stole the men's mobile phones before pushing them off a 10ft cliff.

Goodnight Cinderella scam

The Goodnight Cinderella scam is a form of spiking in which victims are secretly given powerful sedatives that leave them unconscious, disoriented or unable to resist. They are colourless, odourless and tasteless, and can take effect within minutes. Experts say the best way to avoid falling victim is to keep your drink in sight at all times, accept drinks only directly from bar staff and remain cautious when meeting strangers alone, particularly late at night. Being aware of sudden dizziness, confusion or loss of coordination can also be vital, as these may be signs that a drug has been ingested. If these symptoms appear, it is important to get to a safe place and seek medical attention immediately. Victims are advised to inform the police as quickly as possible and request a toxicology test, as the drugs used often leave the body within hours. Preserving potential evidence, such as glasses or clothing, and seeking CCTV footage from hotels or nearby businesses, can also be crucial in helping to catch the perpetrators. Advertisement

They survived and were found the next morning on May 14, 2023. Although they were rushed to the hospital, Tejeda tragically died after three days.

He succumbed to his head injuries. Andres was also badly hurt - he had a broken collarbone, shattered ribs and punctures to his lungs and had to be operated on.

The killer pair were arrested a year later. Although they claimed to be innocent, they were found guilty and were each ordered to serve 30 years and four months in prison.

A taxi driver was also sentenced to 25 years and three months behind bars for aiding and abetting a crime.

In November 2022, American Paul Nguyen was found dead in Medellin, Colombia, after going on a date with a woman he met on Tinder.

Upon meeting the woman, he had a place in mind for them to go, but she is said to have convinced him to go with her to another location.

He was last seen walking out of a bar with the woman at 2am. He was found dead at 5am.

His sister said authorities believe he was drugged and robbed. In recent years, Colombia has seen a surge in reports of tourists getting drugged and robbed.

In November 2022, American Paul Nguyen was found dead in Medellin, Colombia

Nguyen's body was found in the Medellin neighbourhood of Robledo, Colombia. His Tinder date and two others were arrested six months later

Six months later, in April, it was announced that his Tinder date, Evelyn Henao, 23, Herrera and two others, Cesar Augusto Mendoza Lopez, 29, and Bryan Taborda Herrera, 27, had been arrested in connection with his death.

Spiking cases while on holiday have been on the rise in recent times.

There are several ways to tell if you have been drugged, including feeling more drunk than you should.

Other tell-tale signs include headaches, according to Travel Aware, struggling to see, sudden dizziness, hallucinations, paranoia, drowsiness, and memory blackouts.
A small island community in Alaska with just 77 residents is closer to Russia than the US mainland and when temperatures plunge the ice is so thick you can walk to Russia.

Little Diomede, a territory that the US bought in 1867, lies just 2.4 miles from Big Diomede, their Russian neighbors, in the Bering Strait.

While Big Diomede is a Russian military outpost, Little Diomede is home to 77 local Alaskans, known as Inupiat natives.

Dividing them is the International Date Line, meaning if you left Little Diomede at 9am on a Monday and crossed to its neighbor, you would arrive on Sunday.

The Diomedes were both inhabited by Indigenous peoples, and previously described themselves as one community across two islands.

But at the start of the Cold War in 1948, Big Diomede's residents were scattered across Siberia and both nations sealed the border, now known as the Ice Curtain.

'Families were suddenly divided across the Bering Strait,' author Charles Wohlforth told the BBC.

'These connections were broken and not reconnected for 40 years,' he added, referring to the 1988 Friendship Flight which reunited families in Russia and Alaska.

Little Diomede (right), a territory that the US bought in 1867, lies just 2.4 miles from Big Diomede (left), their Russian neighbors, in the Bering Strait

In the depths of winter, the islanders only see four hours of daylight and sub-zero temperatures. Little Diomede is pictured above

Dividing them is the International Date Line, meaning if you left Little Diomede at 9am on a Monday and crossed to its neighbor, you would arrive on Sunday

After a brief 25 year window of friendliness, however, the two islands now keep a watchful eye on each other after Putin came to power in the early 2000s and discouraged Russian interaction with the West.

The Diomedes are positioned so close together that when the water freezes in the winter they are only a short 30 minute walk away, but no one does, as it is illegal to travel between the islands.

Threats of flares, rifles and attack dogs sit waiting for anyone who tries to cross onto Big Diomede without the correct documentation.

'We watch them, they watch us,' Edward Soolook, a 58-year-old local, told The Economist.

Through his binoculars looking across, Soolook can see the Russian soldiers, ships and helicopters as well as an observation hut.

'Keep watch, that's the mission. We're the eyes and ears for the nation,' Soolook, a veteran from the war in Iraq, added.

But life for Soolook and the locals is a bleak reality.

In the depths of winter, the islanders only see four hours of daylight and sub-zero temperatures. Access to the internet or phone signal only lasts a few hours a day.

The small island, with around 30 buildings in total, is struggling to survive as climate change takes its toll on their way of life

At the start of the Cold War in 1948, Big Diomede's residents were scattered across Siberia and both nations sealed the border. Connections were severed until the 1988 Friendship Flight which reunited families in Russia and Alaska

And the small island, with around 30 buildings in total, is struggling to survive as climate change takes its toll on their way of life.

For generations, the island has hunted seals or walruses to eat. Just 20 years ago, a five-man hunting crew would have secured hundreds of each before winter struck.

Local Otto Soolook, 53, told the outlet: 'Something's wrong with this place. It is possessed. We don't get walrus and seals like we used to. That is climate change. It all starts right here, it feel like.'

He said this year they managed to hunt just five seals and two walruses.

'That's nothing. That is just a snack,' Otto added.

To survive, the islanders rely on a weekly delivery of food from the mainland which arrives by helicopter, if the weather allows.

Yet the pickings are limited, as the shipment only brings in canned goods or overly-processed foods to survive the test of time from Alaska's largest western town, Nome.

A plane previously delivered the islanders food and supplies by landing on the thick frozen ice during winter, but it no longer arrives following the effects of climate change.

To survive, the islanders rely on a weekly delivery of food from the mainland which arrives by helicopter, if the weather allows

A plane previously delivered the islanders food and supplies by landing on the thick frozen ice during winter, but it no longer arrives following the effects of climate change

'The ice can't stay frozen, the current moves it, the wind blows it,' Kevin Ozenna, a father of two, told the outlet. 'I used to walk miles to the open ocean to hunt, but now I can't. The ice is just too thin.'

Little Diomede is struggling to survive as their isolation from the outside world means that their culture is ever more important, but fears are growing that too is being lost.

Local Frances Ozenna told the BBC: 'We know we have relatives over there. The older generations are dying out, and the thing is, we know nothing about each other.

'We are losing our language. We speak English now, and they speak Russian. It's not our fault. It's not their fault. But it's just terrible.'

Josef Burwell, a pharmacist from the mainland, told the Economist: 'Diomede is unsustainable.

'It is not only climate change, but also because so many of these 'hunters' are not hunting because they are ordering on Amazon or they are playing video games on their computer.

'The water is undrinkable. The kids, when they turn 18 and graduate, most of them leave.'

But the bleak lifestyle and isolation, as well as leadership issues on the self-governed island, have caused whispers of rising cases of alcoholism and domestic abuse.

The bleak lifestyle and isolation, as well as leadership issues on the self-governed island, have caused whispers of rising cases of alcoholism and domestic abuse

For generations, the island has hunted seals or walruses to eat. Just twenty years ago, a five-man hunting crew would have secured hundreds of each before winter struck. This year, they managed to hunt just five seals and two walruses

The island has been officially dry since 1974, but booze is often found to be smuggled onto Little Diomede and some locals even moved from the island in search of closer alcohol.

Edward Soolook told The Economist that he drank every time he went to Nome, and said: 'My grandpa, my dad, my brother, my sister, my uncle, they are all alcoholics.

'It is scary. I don't get help. I'll seek it, but what good is it going to do? I am just going to go right back to doing it again, because my faith is not strong. You to have to have strong faith to stop.'

Residents feel their faith slipping evermore as their elders, who often took on leadership roles, are dying.

The elders, for generations, bestowed advice onto the community and reminded them of their culture and traditions but, as they die, many feel that the island is lacking in social harmony.

Some locals also told the outlet that newer leaders were less trust-worthy and governing less effectively.

Its school equally plays a large role in the unease that the locals feel regarding the lifespan of their community.

Run by two young teachers, one from the Midwest and the other from the Philippines, the only school on the island is host to 21 students.

Should it have less than 12 students enrolled, the school would close, and fears loom that its closure would be the death of the island.
Bryan Kohberger's criminology professor has said she is 'horrified' that one of her former students went on a stabbing rampage that shocked the nation.

Dr Katherine Ramsland spoke to the Daily Mail ahead of the release of her new documentary, The Serial Killer's Apprentice, which delves into the mind and motives of infamous mass murderer Elmer Wayne Henley Jr.

As one of America's top experts on serial killers, Dr Ramsland has extensively studied the criminal mind.

But, in recent months, she has found herself unwittingly thrust into another notorious case, with her former student, Kohberger, being sentenced to life in prison for the quadruple murder of four University of Idaho students.

'I'm horrified that I had a student capable of such violence,' she told the Daily Mail.

'I don't know why he did it. I just can't even speculate why.

'I think the most important thing is we have four families with murdered kids and we don't understand why this had to happen. I think they're the focus, what they're going through is horrifying.

'I hate that I am in any way associated with it.'

Bryan Kohberger's former criminology professor has said she is 'horrified' that her former student became a killer

Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison at Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on July 23

It was the fall of 2018 when Kohberger began his degree majoring in psychology on the forensics track at DeSales University, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 2022 with a Masters in criminal justice.

At DeSales, Kohberger studied under Dr Ramsland, taking her classes studying infamous serial killers and real-life crime scenarios.

When he graduated, Kohberger enrolled in a criminology PhD program at Washington State University, moving to Pullman, Washington, in the summer of 2022.

Just five months later - in the early hours of November 13 - he broke into an off-campus home at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, and stabbed 21-year-old best friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, and 20-year-old couple Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin to death.

Kohberger pleaded guilty to all charges on July 2 this year.

On July 23, he was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.

Kohberger has never revealed his motive for the murders or why he chose his victims.

To this day, prosecutors have found no connection between him and any of the victims or survivors who lived through the attack.

But, in court documents, prosecutors cited one of Kohberger's 2020 criminology essays about a woman's murder as showing his extensive knowledge of crime scenes.

For another college assignment, Kohberger posted a survey on Reddit asking criminals questions including how they chose their victims and how they felt while committing their crimes.

Expert witnesses also said they found extensive research of famous killers on his devices.

Two of Kohberger's former classmates at DeSales previously told the Daily Mail they feared his studies may have inspired him to kill.

But Dr Ramsland says there is not yet enough information to determine the 30-year-old's motive.

'There's so much we don't know,' she told the Daily Mail.

Dr Katherine Ramsland spoke to the Daily Mail ahead of the release of her new documentary 'The Serial Killer's Apprentice'

'My heart goes out to [the victims' families] and what has happened,' she added. 'I've taught thousands of students who went on to go into law enforcement, FBI, Secret Service, pro-social activities that are good and wholesome.'

Prosecutors have revealed Kohberger tried to wipe his electronic devices before his arrest in December 2022, meaning a lot of his online history is gone.

'Everything was wiped,' Dr Ramsland added. 'Was there stuff on his phone that would have revealed [something]? I don't know.'

While Dr Ramsland said she could not speak about her interactions with Kohberger as a student due to privacy, she confirmed her last contact with him was before the murders when he needed a letter of recommendation.

She would not say if she had been in contact with any members of his family.

She did, however, say would be interested in speaking to Kohberger or his victims' families in the future to study his crimes.

'If they wanted to talk to me, I would talk to them. I talked to the victims' families of [BTK killer] Dennis Rader. It's difficult to do,' she said. 'I hate the word closure, and I keep hearing it over and over again. There isn't closure for [the families]. They will always be a terrible hole in their lives. Always. There's a lot of pain.'

Rader killed at least 10 people between 1974 and 1991 in Kansas. His brutal murder method, 'bind, torture, kill', earned him the BTK nickname.

In 2017, Dr Ramsland wrote a book on Rader based on jailhouse visits and telephone interviews.

When it comes to studying Kohberger, she says she is especially interested in 'the uniqueness of the event'.

Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (left) and Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves (right) were murdered by Bryan Kohberger

The home at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, on November 20, 2022 - seen days after Kohberger's killing spree

'I have said I want someone to study him - it doesn't have to be me. I would love to know, because to be true to my profession, I would love to know more.'

While she is unsure of whether Kohberger is open to being studied, she would take the opportunity if he reached out, 'Because that's what I do. That's my work.'

When asked what she would want to learn from him, Dr Ramsland said, 'What everybody wants to know, "Why did you do this?" But that's not how you approach it.

'If you want to know what was going on in any offender's mind, it takes time. It takes a sense of trust. I spent five years with Dennis Rader.

'You have to be willing to listen, non-judgmentally, to build a sense that they feel safe saying it.'

It's something she has done with Elmer Wayne Henley Jr in her new documentary, which features rare jailhouse conversations with the convicted killer.

Henley was a teenage accomplice of the 'Candy Man' serial killer, Dean Corll, who lured and murdered at least 28 boys in Houston in the 1970s.

Bryan Kohberger studied under Dr Katherine Ramsland (pictured) at DeSales University in Pennsylvania

The crime scene house at DeSales University, Pennsylvania, where Kohberger and other students worked

He met Corll, then 14, through his friend and fellow teen accomplice David Brooks.

Corll recruited the teens to help in luring and killing young boys at his home before burying their bodies in remote locations.

The disappearances and murders came to an end in August 1973 when Henley shot and killed Corll.

He called the police and confessed to the string of killings known as the Houston Mass Murders, leading officers to the victims' remains.

Both Henley and Brooks were sentenced to life in prison. Brooks died in May 2020.

Through her conversations with Henley, Dr Ramsland said she believes he is remorseful for his crimes.

'Henley is highly remorseful. He knows that there's nothing he can say that will help any of the victims' families, but I think we have to give him some credit that he pointed the police to where the bodies were buried,' she said.

Pictured: Elmer Wayne Henley Jr after he told police about the Houston Mass Murders in August 1973

Pictured: Investigators search for bodies in Texas. At least 28 boys were murdered by the serial killer Dean Corll and his two younger accomplices

If he had not led police to the bodies, it is likely Henley would never have been connected to the murders, she said.

'And yet he did it right away. As soon as the police came after he killed Corll, he told them right away that there were bodies.'

She said Henley 'wanted the families to have the boys back'.

Still, other killers she has studied have never shown remorse, including the BTK killer - though, he can fake it if need be.

In her conversations with Rader she was conscious he was trying to manipulate people around him.

The serial killer had spent years hiding in plain sight, murdering at least 10 victims in Wichita and Park City, Kansas, before his capture in 2005.

Despite some folks thinking otherwise, Dr Ramsland said everyone is capable of being manipulated.

'There are people who are very good at duping you, and Rader was able to dupe all the closest people around him for 30 years... anyone who thinks they can't be manipulated or duped is very vulnerable to being manipulated or duped.'

'The Serial Killer's Apprentice' airs Sunday August 17 on ID
More than 200 days into the Trump administration, Republicans - who control all levers of the federal government - have yet to bring a single charge against Anthony Fauci.

The beleaguered 84-year-old doctor gained notoriety as chief medical adviser to Donald Trump and Joe Biden as he was tapped to lead the federal response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Fauci remains in the GOP's crosshairs with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's push for a criminal referral and Tulsi Gabbard's hunt for new documents. But the prospects for a criminal prosecution that Trump supporters have demanded appear increasingly dim.

Paul, Fauci's most vocal and consistent tormenter, has for months laid out his intentions to yet again haul Fauci before Congress to testify on his role in gain-of-function research. He's also championed a criminal referral to the Department of Justice for Fauci for perjury.

But there haven't been any Fauci hearings and the Justice Department has sat on its hands.

The DOJ did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment on whether it was reviewing Paul's referral. Paul's office did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment on his referral for a criminal investigation.

Additionally, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in May that she is investigating the National Institutes of Health's approval for issuing grants that included funding gain-of-function research in China's Wuhan lab.

More than three months after her interview aired, Gabbard's office has not published anything damning about Fauci or released any documents.

An official with ODNI however, told the Daily Mail that Gabbard's team has provided Congress with documents related to origins of COVID-19 that were withheld during the Biden administration.

An official with ODNI however, told the Daily Mail that Gabbard's team has provided Congress with documents related to origins of COVID-19 that were withheld during the Biden administration.

Gabbard and her team have been interviewing whistleblowers and evaluating documents for declassification to the American public, with a source underscoring the gravity of the national security threat to prevent a future pandemic.

If what Gabbard is looking into is true, she claims it would prove that Fauci 'helped fund the pandemic,' an explosive claim that's yet to be proven.

As the face of the White House COVID-19 response team, Fauci has for years faced an onslaught of attacks over his handling of the health emergency.

But most potentially damning are the claims from Paul and other Republican lawmakers that Fauci lied to Congress while under oath regarding U.S. funding of the problematic Chinese gain-of-function research.

Despite these claims, Republicans haven't been able to make Fauci pay a price.

Back in 2021, Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies Director John Malcolm noted that it's hard to prove someone has lied before Congress because malice is key to the charge.

'It's not enough to prove someone was wrong or even egregiously wrong,' Malcolm, told the Daily Signal. 'You have to prove they knew they were wrong and lied about it.'

In May 2021, Fauci told Congress that the NIH 'has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.'

But since then, reports and documents have emerged showing that the U.S. did issue grants that directly went towards research at the Wuhan lab on making a coronavirus more dangerous to humans.

Gain-of-function research helps scientists and the medical community better understand pathogens and allows them to study viruses behavior and reaction to treatments.

Gabbard told Megyn Kelly in May that she is working with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and new NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya to look at what 'dangerous' gain-of-function research was actually funded by the U.S.

She specifically wanted to figure out whether NIH funding for Ecohealth's partnership with the Wuhan lab was for the experiment that led to the development and lab leak of the COVID-19 virus.

'We look forward to being able to share that, hopefully very soon,' Gabbard said when asked if she uncovered concrete evidence yet.

It's been three months since her promise of 'very soon.'

Right-wing media personalities haven't let go of the notion that Fauci might be at the heart of the coronavirus' origins.

'If that's true  if it was Peter Daszak's research with the Wuhan so-called bat lady that caused this pandemic, then we did fund it  then Anthony Fauci helped fund the pandemic he was in charge of fighting,' Kelly said in an interview with Gabbard on her SiriusXM show.

'The thing that he denied over and over and over to Senator Rand Paul's questioning under oath,' the DNI replied.

But it remains legally questionable if Fauci could be charged with a crime since he is protected under a presidential pardon.

President Biden signed a preemptive pardon for Fauci just before leaving office that covered any potential offenses Fauci may have committed from January 1, 2014 through January 20, 2025.

The revelation that Biden's staff allegedly employed an autopen in lieu of the former president's personal signature has cast some doubts on the pardon's legal validity.
President Donald Trump has signed 191 executive orders in office as of Thursday, more than former President Joe Biden signed throughout his entire four years as president.

The president reached the milestone in just 206 days of his second term, according to a tally published by the American Presidency Project.

Trump's flurry of executive orders suggests he will soon eclipse former President Barack Obama's count of 276 in his eight years as president.

Former President George W. Bush signed 291 total executive orders while in office and former President Bill Clinton signed 364.

Trump signed 220 executive orders in his first term alone.

The White House celebrated Trump's use of executive orders as a key tool for his presidency.

'President Trump is working at lightning speed and using the full power of the presidency to Make America Great Again,' White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston told the Daily Mail.

The president continues to sign executive orders at a rapid pace, including three on Wednesday afternoon to revoke an executive order on competition, enable competition in the commercial space industry and to fill the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve.

Trump's flurry of executive orders suggests he will soon eclipse former President Barack Obama

President Donald Trump has signed 191 executive orders in office as of Thursday, more than former President Joe Biden signed throughout his entire four years

But the Republican Party has not always been comfortable with an unprecedented display of executive power.

After losing Democrat majorities in both branches of Congress in his second term, Obama famously boasted he had a 'pen and a phone' and would use bold strokes of executive power to enact his agenda.

Obama signed his most controversial executive orders in his second term, first offering amnesty to illegal immigrants in the United States who were brought into the country as children in 2012, and then extending it to their parents in 2014.

That triggered Republican opposition, who complained that Obama was trying to work outside Congress and the Constitution to change immigration policies on his own.

Trump addressed concerns that Obama was signing too many executive orders as a candidate for president in 2016.

During a town hall in March, Trump promised voters he would not sign as many executive orders.

'I want to not use too many executive orders, folks. Executive orders sort of came about more recently,' Trump said to a concerned voter.

'Nobody ever heard of an executive order. Then all of a sudden Obama, because he couldn't get anybody to agree with him, he starts signing them like they're butter,' Trump added. 'So I want to do away with executive orders for the most part.'

Former President Barack Obama tugs on a tight pen cap after he signed an executive order in 2009

First lady Jill Biden and Maria Shriver smile as ex-PresidentJoe Biden gives a thumbs up after signing an executive order in 2024

It's unclear how many more executive orders the president plans to enact, although his lawyers keep them coming to his desk.

Some of them are signed in front of the press with great fanfare, but other more mundane orders are signed behind closed doors.

Despite his rapid pace, Trump remains far behind the record-setting number of executive orders issued by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who signed 3,726 of them in his four terms as president.

Other past presidents, such as Woodrow Wilson, also passed a thousand executive orders including Woodrow Wilson with 1,803, Calvin Coolidge with 1,203 and Herbert Hoover with 1,003.
A middle school librarian in Massachusetts was arrested Wednesday for allegedly distributing child pornography in a depraved group chat full of predators.

Scott McGinley, 55, was the librarian for Williams and Glenbrook Middle School in Longmeadow since August 2016 and was fired the day before he was taken into custody.

Last month, McGinley used an encrypted messaging app to send an explicit video of a young boy to a group called 'Little boyz only', according to court documents.

An undercover FBI agent based in Tennessee was on the chat and allegedly got McGinley to admit his sexual preference for 'boys age 2-12' and 'especially 4-7'.

In other conversations, McGinley said he had students that were 11 to 14 years old but 'hadn't touched them sexually', per an FBI affidavit.

He also allegedly sat 'hot boys' in his class near the front of the class so he could 'see under their desks' and have them be closer to him.

The undercover agent then sent a link to McGinley that he clicked on, which gave investigators his IP address. This led them right to his front door.

Agents searched his Holyoke home on August 8 and found a locked Pelican case that contained Childrens underwear, bedding, a Santa costume, diapers, diaper cream and other items presumably meant for children aged five to seven.

Scott McGinley, 55, is accused of distributing child porn in a group chat. Prosecutors also said he had clothes and costumes for boys aged five to seven locked away in his home

McGinley was the librarian for Williams and Glenbrook Middle School (pictured) in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, since August 2016

Two iPhones, an Apple Watch, a tablet and two laptops were also seized from the residence.

Investigators found over 100 images of child sex abuse material on McGinley's phone, according to prosecutors.

They also found the incriminating group chat was still on his phone, per the affidavit.

Court documents indicated that there were over 100,000 picture and video files on the phone that law enforcement is still combing through.

Marty OShea, the superintendent for the Longmeadow School District, released a statement shortly after McGinley's arrest confirming his firing.

'At my first opportunity, I am writing to share information regarding the arrest of Glenbrook and Williams Middle School Librarian Scott McGinley that will understandably cause serious concern within our school community,' O'Shea wrote.

'I have asked local law enforcement, representatives of the US Attorneys Office and the FBI to join me and school officials at in-person and remotely accessible informational meetings,' he added.

OShea said that school counselors will be made available to any students or staff who need to 'process what they are experiencing'.

McGinley faces one distribution of child pornography charge, and if he is convicted, he could land in prison for a minimum of five years or as long as 20 years.

In the event he's let out from prison, he'll have to be on supervised release for a minimum of five years or for the rest of his life. He also faces a fine of $250,000.

McGinley made his first appearance in front of federal judge in Boston on Wednesday.
Australia has officially passed 'peak woke', with the majority of Generation Z now rejecting divisive identity politics, according to new research and polling.

Researchers at the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) examined the popularity of 20 prominent words and phrases associated with social justice or 'woke' concepts over the last 20 years.

They tracked the frequency of Google searches in Australia for phrases such as 'decolonisation', 'body positivity', 'white privilege', 'invasion day' and 'pronouns', discovering an explosion in popularity for these terms since 2012.

However, the average frequency for all 20 woke search terms - which also included 'cultural appropriation', 'non-binary' and 'critical race theory' - reached a peak in March 2023.

It has been rapidly declining ever since, leading Brianna McKee, the IPA's National Manager of Generation Liberty, to declare that Australia has passed 'peak woke'.

'Wokeness encompasses a range of critical social justice theories which demand individuals view the world through the prism of class, race, or gender, and to place their identity within the broader societal division between two groups: oppressors and the oppressed,' Ms McKee said.

'The IPA's research clearly shows Australians have had enough of this pernicious and divisive agenda, as well as identity politics that are pushed on them in schools, universities, at work and at sporting events.'

'The cultural correction underway reflects a broader realisation that society functions best when it shares a belief in objective truth, shared values, and moral norms.'

Australia has officially passed 'peak woke', with Generation Z now rejecting divisive identity politics in massive numbers, according to new research and polling (pictured: a young Aussie celebrates Australia Day)

The average frequency for 20 woke search terms, including 'decolonisation', 'body positivity', 'white privilege', 'invasion day' and 'pronouns', reached a peak in March 2023. But it has been rapidly declining ever since, leading the IPA's National Manager of Generation Liberty Brianna McKee to declare that Australia has passed 'peak woke'

Of course, seven months after 'peak woke' was reached, Australians resoundingly rejected Anthony Albanese's Voice to Parliament.

Prominent 'No' campaigner Jacinta Nampijinpa Price had encouraged Aussies to reject the referendum as a way to stand against 'woke insidious cancel culture'.

The IPA's research was backed up by a survey which showed, perhaps surprisingly, that those aged 18-24 were increasingly rejecting woke ideas, in contrast to the age group directly above them.

Indeed, those aged 25-34 - an age group that straddles both Generation Z and Millennials - were far more likely to agree with 'woke' concepts than any other cohort.

Abbie Chatfield, who at the age of 30 is slap bang in the middle of this age group, is often seen as the pin-up girl of the woke generation.

The reality TV star-turned-podcaster recently took aim at US actress Sydney Sweeney amid the backlash to her American Eagle jeans campaign.

But the research shows Chatfield runs the risk of turning off younger followers who are far less interested in woke issues and identity politics than Millennials.

For example, 47 per cent of those age 25-34 said their race, gender, sex or ethnic background was an important or very important factor in their voting habits.

The IPA's research was backed up by a survey which showed, perhaps surprisingly, that those aged 18-24 were increasingly rejecting woke ideas, in contrast to the age group directly above them (pictured: Abbie Chatfield, who at the age of 30 is slap bang in the middle of the 25-34 age group, is often seen as the pin-up girl of the woke generation)

However, only 38 per cent of those aged 18-24 agreed.

The survey, which polled 1,027 Australians between 25 April and 28 April 2025, also found that only 34 per cent of Australians support affirmative action in the workplace - where some people are promoted or employed on the basis of their race of gender identity.

Some 49 per cent of Australians oppose it and 17 per cent are unsure.

However, a majority of those aged 25-35 - 55 per cent - support affirmative action in the workplace.

Meanwhile, only 46 per cent of those aged 18-24 support it, suggesting that 'younger Australians are returning to a values system of individuality and egalitarianism', according to the IPA's Ms McKee.

'Gen Z have been berated more than past generations to see the world through the prism of race and gender, where every act is a potential trap for cancel culture police. It's no wonder younger Australians are turning away from this divisive agenda and its constant conflict,' she added.

'These findings are a lesson for our leaders that Australians understand full well that there is more that unites us and divides us.

'At a time when social cohesion is collapsing in Australia, there are welcome signs the divisive agenda of the political class is starting to be rejected.'

The survey also found that 89 per cent of Australians explicitly support the principle of equality before the law, rather than making distinctions between groups to make up for alleged historical injustices.

The IPA's research was backed up by a survey which showed, perhaps surprisingly, that those aged 18-24 were increasingly rejecting woke ideas, in contrast to the age group older than them

The IPA's report, entitled 'Peak Woke: The declining popularity of social justice ideas in Australia', defines 'peak woke' as the 'point at which woke ideas reach their most extreme and illogical conclusions, alienating even their original supporters'.

'This is the moment when progressive ideologies become so detached from practical realities that they become absurd,' Ms McKee adds.

It highlights how the 'woke agenda' in Australia has suffered a backlash in recent years.

For example, Woolworths faced calls for a boycott last year after it announced it would not stock Australia Day merchandise due to an apparent 'decline in demand'.

The supermarket giant backflipped on the decision in January 2025 after the backlash.

The report also highlights how this rejection of woke ideas has been evident across the Western world.

'The election of Donald Trump at the 2024 US Presidential election, the overwhelming rejection of the proposed Voice to Parliament at the 2023 referendum in Australia, and the rise of populist, anti-establishment parties in the UK and continental Europe, indicate a mainstream rejection of wokeness,' it adds.

However, Ms McKee warned against complacency.

'Despite these encouraging trends, wokeness remains entrenched in much of Australia's big corporates, which are teeming with diversity, equity and inclusion departments and staff,' she added.

'It is time corporate Australia focused on productivity, not pitting their staff against one another.'
Anthony Albanese is edging towards a paradox: a Labor PM who could end up echoing John Howard. Not in ideology, but in method.

The shape of what's unfolding is familiar: govern from the centre, bank incremental gains and let time in office do the heavy lifting. But nobody could accuse either PM of failing to pursue passion projects, and not always successfully.

I wrote Howard's biography, and that vantage point sharpens the comparison. Both men were dismissed before they reached the Lodge, Howard as yesterday's man, Albanese as not prime-ministerial enough to take over the top job.

Howard won big at his first tilt in 1996, Albanese secured his commanding majority at his second election in 2025. Size isn't everything, of course, but thumping majorities buy time, alongside room to move politically. Howard used his majority to usher in tax reforms, including the GST. It remains to be seen what Albo will do with his.

Albanese is governing more like a cautious conservative than a crash-through Labor warrior like Gough Whitlam. The impulse is to consolidate rather than detonate, to shape the country through an accumulation of smaller changes, steadily achieved over time.

That was Howard's way.

The former conservative PM at times disappointed the radical right within his party by hugging the middle, just as Albanese is frustrating the hard left while steering a centre-left course. Both understood the electoral maths: with compulsory voting, success lives closer to consensus. Both leaders, originally warriors for their faction, had and have the authority to hold the line.

Signature projects reveal conviction. Howard had two: a broad-based consumption tax (the GST) and far-reaching industrial relations reform (which manifested itself as WorkChoices laws). He delivered the GST after a bruising political campaign in 1998 which saw him scrape home with less than 49 per cent of the two-party vote.

Anthony Albanese (left, as a young activist) is edging towards a paradox: a Labor PM who could end up echoing John Howard. Not in ideology, but in method

I wrote Howard's biography, and that vantage point sharpens the comparison. Both men were dismissed before they reached the Lodge, Howard as yesterday's man, Albanese as not prime-ministerial enough to take over the top job. (John Howard is pictured in August 2003)

WorkChoices came later and cost Howard his government in 2007. He even lost his own seat. The ledger matters: one structural win that endures, one overreach that ended a long prime ministership.

Albanese's passions differ, but the architecture is similar. He failed on the Voice referendum, an ambition he invested in heavily, before now achieving his long-sought recognition of Palestine. I don't rate that recognition as remotely comparable to the GST in economic significance, by the way, but it has been ideologically important to Albo since his youth. Bending Australia's foreign policy into line with his activist goals will help fill the ideological hole the defeat of the Voice referendum left behind.

There's a personal irony to comparing Albo with Howard. He entered parliament at the 1996 election blasting Howard, lampooning him in parliamentary speeches and casting him as the small target conservative tethering the nation to the past.

Over time, however, Albo has been more complimentary about Howard's methods: do the groundwork, move when conditions permit, avoid unnecessary fights and keep going. The rhetoric cooled as the respect for Howard's method rose.

Albanese's modern Labor government increasingly reflects that approach: cautious sequencing, contained ambition and a strong preference for winnable contests.

Differences in context between the prime ministers are evident, which only makes the similarities more telling.

Howard operated within a more coherent media environment, a more forgiving budget setting, and a Senate he could negotiate with more easily.

Albanese is navigating a fragmented media ecosystem, enduring stubborn cost of living pressures, and must contend with the ageing of the population.

Howard disappointed the radical right in his party by hugging the middle, just as Albanese (seen in his more radical youth) is frustrating the hard left while steering a centre-left course

Is Albanese becoming for the left what John Howard was for the right? The early signs are certainly there, writes Peter van Onselen

Yet the same strategic bet is in play: that disciplined centrism can outlast noise and deliver cumulative change. The Greens senate balance of power helps Albo achieve minor wins satisfying his left-wing bias, but he must endure the barbs of the radical left for not doing enough along the way.

It is not glamorous, but it has the potential to be effective over time.

Under Howard, culture warriors often felt sidelined, as he prioritised middle Australia over ideological purity. Under Albanese, the left flank complains about defence spending and the calibrated pace of social reform. Neither response proves betrayal.

The centre-left footprint is clearly present under Albo's leadership: on climate policy, via cost of living relief, and on ever-rising social spending tied to participation. But too much is never enough for the radical left. While right-wingers might not like Albo's agenda, his eye on the centre ground when holding back is a Labor version of how Howard governed.

For the Opposition, the strategic risk is real. Howard specialised in forcing Labor into awkward imitation while keeping his own differentiators sharp.

Albanese is attempting to mirror that: soak up the centre, neutralise populist ambushes and deny the Coalition the clear contrasts it craves. The danger for the Liberals is a reprise of the late 1990s bind: either shout from the flank or run 'me too but cheaper'. Neither option is a sturdy pathway back to government.

What would break the Howard / Albo analogy? If the now-PM determined that his thumping majority is a mandate to crash through this term, rather than an opportunity to take a comprehensive package to the next election and win. It wouldn't look like the sort of agenda Howard would support, but the methodology would help further build the points of comparison.

Howard's relentless appetite for the grind of marginal gains underpinned his longevity. Albo's more managerial style risks drift, especially in the hollowed-out landscape of modern politics. Nonetheless, the Labor government Albo leads has the opportunity to embed a centre-left settlement the way Howard embedded a centre-right one.

Policy substance decides legacy. The GST re-anchored the tax base. It is still framing fiscal choices a generation later. Nothing Albanese has done yet matches that structural weight. But longevity changes the scale of what's possible, and the 2025 election result has given Albo the time he needs to make some substantial moves, if he's willing.

If the PM prioritises a credible productivity agenda: tax simplification without political suicide, education and skills reform with measurable lift, and an energy transition anchored in reliability rather than rhetoric, Albo can leave behind an architecture that is hard to unwind. The theme would be less about rupture than about path dependence. After several terms, the habits of government become the habits of the nation.

There is also the matter of tone. Howard governed as a conviction incrementalist: plain language, tight messaging and few grand flourishes. Albanese's tone sits in a similar register. He does not run at every cultural fight; he chooses his ground. That restraint infuriates activists and bores commentators, but it is more likely to align with median voter politics. The bet is that voters prefer competence and calm over constant catharsis.

If the economy holds and service delivery improves at the margins, the bet pays off.

None of this guarantees success, of course. The economy remains weak. A Senate miscalculation could derail sequencing. And politics often has a way of throwing up the unforeseen crisis that devours a government's bandwidth. But the governing logic is simple: it's Howard's way.

Is Albanese becoming for the left what John Howard was for the right? The early signs are certainly there. The resemblance lies in method, not in ideology. I recognise the approach. As a political observer, I can see why it tempts a Labor Prime Minister who wants to last and leave a mark to copy Howard's style.

It was the English writer Charles Caleb Colton who said: 'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'.

Whether resembling Howard enhances Albo's legacy depends on two variables: the economic weather ahead and Albo's self-control. If both hold firm, the country may discover once again that slow politics builds fast-setting concrete.
An Albanian small boat migrant began dealing crack cocaine after fleeing his luxury asylum hotel.

Elvis Zoto, 22, gloated on social media about entering the UK illegally and even posted a photo of his Home Office registration form showing his arrival in Dover in 2022.

Approached shortly afterwards by a Mail on Sunday reporter posing as migrant still in France, he said the journey to the UK had been easy, and revealed he had already fled his asylum hotel by climbing out of a window.

Shocking new details about his case have now emerged in a High Court judgment that finally gave the green light to his deportation - a whole three years after he first arrived in Britain.

Campaigners said his case is the latest evidence of the 'desperate' need to reform the immigration system.

Zoto flew from Albania to Belgium before travelling by train to France. He then paid a people smuggler to get him on a small boat to Britain, where he was detained by Border Force at Dover on June 29, 2022.

More than 12,600 Albanians came to Britain on small boats in 2022 before a returns agreement slashed this number. At the time, the National Crime Agency (NCA) warned that Albanian drug gangs were using the route to bring workers into the UK.

In common with most Albanian small boat arrivals at the time, Zoto claimed asylum and was put up in a hotel, the four-star Crowne Plaza in Basingstoke.

Elvis Zoto, 22, shared clips on TikTok showing him posing with huge bundles of 20 notes

Zoto even posted a photo of his Home Office registration form showing his arrival in Dover in 2022

At his initial interview, Zoto claimed he had left Albania after being forced to deal drugs. He later claimed to be a victim of human trafficking.

However, the Albanian only stayed at the Crowne Plaza for two days before fleeing on July 2 as part of a pre-planned escape.

Asylum seekers are required to maintain contact with the Home Office as part of their release and to inform the authorities of any new address.

The Home Office drafted a letter to Zoto stating that his decision to leave the hotel meant his asylum claim was considered 'implicitly withdrawn', but this was not sent because they did not know where he lived.

Court documents state there is 'no evidence' officials tried to contact him by any other method - despite having his Albanian phone number.

It appears Zoto quickly linked up with a drug gang, and on November 1, 2023, he was arrested by Essex Police after a stop and search.

The following April, he was convicted of dealing crack cocaine and sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

Criminals who receive a custodial sentence of over a year automatically face deportation, but Zoto won the right to challenge the decision on the basis he still had a pending asylum claim and a hearing took place in July 2025.

The Crowne Plaza Basingstoke, where Zoto was staying. Migrants are no longer staying there

Inside one of the bedrooms at the Crowne Plaza, which boasted a state-of-the-art gym that is open to guests 24 hours per day, seven days a week

But his appeal was dismissed in a judgment issued on Wednesday by High Court judge Claire Padley, who backed the Home Office's claim that Zoto had forfeited his right to claim asylum by escaping his hotel.

Zoto had a conditional release date of December 2024.

The Mail has asked the Home Office where he is now and when he will be deported but has not received a response.

Alp Mehmet, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, told the Daily Mail: 'Three years on from making his way here illegally in a small boat, Zoto is finally to be deported.

'He should have been refused entry and removed within hours of reaching the UK. A system that allows such a chancer to string it out for three years, at huge cost to the taxpayer, is clearly in desperate need of reform.'

A video posted on Zoto's TikTok social media account shortly after he fled his asylum hotel showed him sitting outside a cafe on a busy London street.

The video was accompanied by laughing emojis. Separate images showed him posing with huge wads of 20 and 50 banknotes.

Asked by the undercover Mail on Sunday reporter posing as a migrant about the dangers of the cross-Channel crossing, Zoto said: 'Do not be scared of it. I arrived on a boat. A journey that doesn't need a lot of money and the best for you.'

More than 12,600 Albanians came to Britain on small boats in 2022 before a returns agreement slashed this number

An Albanian man sharing a selfie showing him with other migrants on a packed boat in 2022

A group of Albanian migrants unveiling their country's flag on a small boat heading to England

In a later message, he added: 'They keep you in detention a maximum of two days, then send you to a hotel. In the detention centre it's good conditions.

'You tell them you are married and that's the end of the story. You have to get away from the hotel and just wait for your relatives to get you in a car.

'I left from the window of that hotel... I disappeared... Keep a low profile and after a month get a solicitor.'

Small boat migrants have regularly documented their crossings on social media.

One, Parwiz Hanifyar, gained nearly one million views for this a 'step by step' guide on entering Britain illegally.

The Afghan, who left Calais at around 4am last Saturday, shared videos of himself on the small boat before live streaming from an asylum hotel.

It later emerged he had been reported to police for allegedly sharing another clip telling men how to kill their estranged wives.

Afghan small boat migrant Parwiz Hanifyar gained nearly one million views for this a 'step by step' guide on entering Britain illegally

Mr Hanifyar broadcasting from his free accommodation near Heathrow Airport

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In a video filmed in Germany last month, Hanifyar is claimed to have said: 'A brave man does not allow his wife to marry another man, even have children and live with someone else.'

He is now staying in a taxpayer-funded hotel near Heathrow.

More than 27,000 small boat migrants have arrived so far in 2025  a record for this point in the year since data began in 2018.

On Wednesday, a record 107 small boat migrants have reached Britain in just one dinghy, confounding Labour's pledge to 'smash the gangs'.

The use of bigger migrant boats will be of deep concern to British officials, who have ploughed significant resources into attempts to disrupt traffickers' supplies.
The furious son of a bigamist accountant whose two wives are fighting over his 2 million estate has hit out at both women - branding one a gold-digger with no interest in his father's well-being but only his cash.

Millionaire divorcee property developer James Dinsdale, 55, took two different women to a celebrity chapel in Las Vegas in five years for instant weddings - but never legally formalised his separation from the first.

So when he died in 2020 - alone and in pain, his son insists - from a heart attack while suffering from prostate cancer, his estate was a convoluted legal mess exacerbated because he was 'intestate', meaning he didn't leave a will.

The extraordinary story of Dinsdale's bigamous double Vegas chapel weddings only finally emerged publicly early this week as those two wives began to legally contest his estate.

The two are dentist Dr Victoria Fowell who he wed in the Nevada desert city in 2012 before separating from her and marrying his fourth and final wife Margaret Adler Edoh there in 2017 - however without a divorce in between.

But as well having those two concurrent wives and one legally divorced ex-wivfe at the time of his death, Dinsdale had also had a long-term relationship with a fourth woman whom he never married but with whom he had a son.

That son, believed to be Dinsdale's only biological child, is 28-year-old William Dinsdale, who has also found himself dragged into the legal dispute - and he has exclusively spoken to The Daily Mail to reveal his fury at both the two warring wives.

William is upset because the dispute between the two wives has meant that the position of his father's estate that he believes he is entitled to is now tied up in the legal action.

Margaret Adler Edoh (pictured) married wealthy property manager James Dinsdale in 2017 at a ceremony in Las Vegas - unaware that he was already married to another woman

Just five years before, James had married dentist Dr Victoria Fowell in a ceremony at a chapel on the same street in Las Vegas

James died in 2020 - alone and in pain, his son insists - from a heart attack while suffering from prostate cancer leaving his two wives fighting over his inheritance

James' son William, 28, has also been dragged into the High Court claim and has told the Daily Mail his father branded his wives 'gold diggers' in a message before he died

He told us: 'I really do not care which of these women get their share or whatever the state says they are entitled to.

'All I want to do is for this to be over with so my father can be finally put to rest.'

In the weeks before his death, William claims his father was trying to get away from Margaret, from Tottenham - and had even referred to her, along with two other women, as a 'gold digger'.

In his final tragic text to his son, where he spoke about arranging a 'good bye' party, James allegedly said: 'I have given up on Maggie.

In the same text, referring to his beloved pet dog, James added: ' 'Millie and I are going to my house in North Yorkshire. She [Millie] is 18 and has outlasted the gold diggers I fell for. I want her to live her life chasing rabbits on the moors. 

'I've just got well enough to see these people are trying to control me and rob me.'

There's no suggestion that Dinsdale - who was born in poverty in South Africa before growing up in Yorkshire and making a fortune in property - was referring to Ms Fowell, nor to William's mother or his first wife in these messages though he was apparently referring to Margaret.

And William particularly reserves his fury for fourth and final wife Margaret who he claims barely knew his father - and insists Dinsdale preferred his dog to her company and even referred to her himself as a 'gold digger'.

Speaking from his home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, William said: 'Margaret has described herself as a carer but any kind of insistence that she was some sort of loving, doting and present wife, just simply isn't true.

'I didn't even know my father was ever married to Margaret.

'I would think if it was a marriage that my father had taken seriously he would tell his only son - or at the very least invite him to his wedding, which he did when he previously married Victoria Fowell.'

William does not know how his father met Margaret - who he called Maggie - and insists that they had a seemingly on-and-off relationship rather than a conventional marriage.

The chef went on: 'The marriage to Victoria was an actual relationship where people live together and they wore wedding rings.

'But I never saw my father wear a wedding ring or Margaret wear a wedding ring.'

William had very little contact with Margaret before his father died, only meeting her for the first time in a pub near his dad's house towards the end of his life.

William claims: 'She would come over, sleep there, and maybe drink a bit and get money off my father'.

William claims his father and Margaret's relationship was unhealthily turbulent and believes that she had no real loving feelings for him.

He said: I can guarantee if I asked Margaret a simple question like 'Could you tell me his mother's name? Could you tell me where he was born? Could you tell me what his father did for a living? Can you tell me what town he grew up in?' I don't think she could answer any of them. 

And he says that it was he who arranged his father's funeral, which took place during the pandemic, while Maggie seemed unmoved.

He doesn't believe she followed his wishes - he was cremated but he had wanted to be buried either next to his mother or his father.

'I didn't have any control over that. I wasn't even allowed access to his ashes.

'They were given to her.

'And then as soon as the funeral was over I never heard from her again apart from correspondence with lawyers she hired to help assist the probate case.'

Margaret claims she looked after James '24 hours per day' during his final struggles with terminal cancer and was his 'primary carer.'

An old photograph of Margaret and a young James in the early stages of her relationship with James

James pictured with his beloved dog Millie, who he allegedly said in a text 'outlasted all the gold diggers'

Victoria and James married at the Little White Wedding Chapel whose celebrity clients include Joan Collins, Rita Hayworth, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Britney Spears, Jen Affleck and Jennifer Lopez and Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow.

The marriage ceremony between James and Margaret took place in the Chapel of the Flowers, Las Vegas Boulevard

He concluded: 'I feel that Margaret took advantage of him.'

In a very different account of events, Margaret has said that she was the primary carer for James in the final days and weeks of his life as he battled cancer.

But William insists his father died alone, surrounded by rubbish piling up in a filthy house.

William said: 'For a man to die on his own, in squalor, it was horrible.

'When he died there was rubbish all over the place, it was covered in filth, the kitchen was dirty. It was unliveable.'

William said that after his death, his father's home had been 'ransacked' by unknown people with items disappearing including a 30,000 solid gold Rolex Submariner.

He said: 'My dad had a lot of watches but that was one he really cared about and it had been his dream to get one.'

William informed Luton Police that he believed the home had been burgled.

He said: 'My dad had very humble beginnings. He was born in basically a hut in South Africa while his dad was welding pipes together and then he grew up on an estate in North Yorkshire.'

While the estate continues to be in dispute five years on from James' death, the value of it continues to decrease and the accountant's outstanding debts continue to rise.

He said: 'I consider this entire affair to be very, very silly. Especially considering the fact of all of the people who are not in dispute about who is meant to be a beneficiary it is myself.

'All I really want to say is if the value of the state is this, give me my share and you two can fight it out because all you are doing is reducing the value of the estate and I don't think I should be made to suffer for that.'

'This man was not just a bigamist. This was a sick man whose affairs were left in a really, really sorry state because he was extremely ill. He was far too proud to ever take my help all the times I offered it.'

'The fact he died in absence of a will, or at least a valid one, there is nothing I can do about that.

'All I can say is my father was very ill for a very long time and he definitely wasn't in his right mind a lot of the time.'

In this week's preliminary hearing, High Court Judge James Brightwell heard Second World War history expert James had built a thriving property development empire before he died.

He wed St Albans-based dentist Victoria in 2012, but the pair never got divorced and he went on to marry Margaret in 2017.

Award-winning bartender William insists his father died alone, surrounded by rubbish piling up in a filthy house

Prior to marrying Victoria, James had a long-term relationship with William's mother Nina Burn, 57, also from Hertfordshire, whom he never married

Dinsdale's first marriage was in 1987. That wife was Karen Middleton (nee Smith), now 61, who has since remarried and lives in Hertfordshire

In court this week Margaret's barrister Jonathan Davey KC said that she and James first met in 2008 becoming friends before starting a 'romantic relationship' in 2014.

The lawyer claims the pair began living together the following year - a claim William has disputed.

Margaret's lawyer told the court she had no idea he was still married to Victoria - only learning of this after his death.

Mr Davey said: 'Margaret believed she was validly married to James Dinsdale and there is no evidence she knew the deceased was married to Dr Fowell as of 2017.

'She understood the marriage between the deceased and Dr Fowell to have ended some time prior to the relationship between the deceased and the claimant beginning.

'We have no idea what James' state of mind was, perhaps he didn't realise he wasn't divorced.

'Margaret's assertion is that she believed the deceased to be unmarried and already divorced when she married him in good faith.'

They wed at a the Little White Wedding Chapel whose celebrity clients include Joan Collins, Rita Hayworth, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Britney Spears, Jen Affleck and Jennifer Lopez and Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow.

Speaking about their Las Vegas wedding Mr Davey added: 'The ceremony which took place between James and my client took place in almost the same location, and appears to have been of the same nature, as the earlier ceremony which took place between the deceased and Victoria Fowell in June 2012.

''The marriage ceremony between him and Dr Fowell took place in the Little White Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas Boulevard. The marriage ceremony between James and Margaret took place in the Chapel of the Flowers, Las Vegas Boulevard.

'But for the deceased's prior marriage to Dr Fowell, the latter ceremony would have been a valid marriage ceremony.'

The case reached court for a preliminary hearing after Margaret made a claim for 'reasonable provision' from James' estate under the 1975 Inheritance Act, amounting to at least half of his 1.8m.

The case is being brought against Victoria and William who are currently due to share his fortune as his next of kin under intestacy rules.

Mr Davey said Margaret had looked after James '24 hours per day' during his final struggles with terminal cancer and was his 'primary carer.'

'The evidence of his close friends is that James and Margaret had a loving relationship, and that he was very grateful for her care,' he told the judge.

He said the couple had been together for six years and planned to have children, with Margaret giving up work and becoming a housewife while he provided for her.

'She and James had a relatively lavish lifestyle, which was funded by his wealth and she was entirely financially dependent on the deceased,' he said.

'Dr Fowell and William Dinsdale were not being financially maintained by the deceased at the time of his death.'

There was no evidence of 'financial need' on the part of Victoria, claimed Mr Davey, highlighting claims by Margaret that James once told her he had transferred to her a property and a 2million lump sum after their relationship ended.

The court heard it is alleged that Margaret has already received 375,000 'from the estate or in sums derived from James,' but Mr Davey said that is denied and that she has only received 20,000 from his pension.

After a brief court hearing in which he was told it was 'not disputed'that Margaret should be considered a 'spouse' under the 1975 Act, Master Brightwell made a declaration to that effect for the purposes of her claim against the estate.

He directed that there should now be a future hearing focusing on how James' estate should be divided up between his two wives and son.

Under the Inheritance Act, payouts to those treated as a spouse or civil partner are higher than to unmarried partners of a deceased person.

The judge also allocated cash-strapped Margaret 50,000 from the estate to help cover her bills and contribute towards hefty lawyers' bills as the case progresses - with the projected costs on her side estimated at around 175,000.

Dinsdale's first marriage was in 1987. That wife was Karen Middleton (nee Smith), now 61,who has since remarried and lives in Hertfordshire.

He was then in a long-term relationship with William's mother Nina Burn, 57, also from Hertfordshire, whom he never married - and was for a period a de facto step father to her two children from an earlier relationship.
Glamour model Chloe Ayling has found a secret bolthole in Snowdonia as she has rebuilt her life in the aftermath of her dramatic kidnapping, the Daily Mail can reveal.

In 2017, aged only 20, she was lured to a fake modelling assignment in Milan, then grabbed from behind and bundled into a suitcase.

Injected with ketamine and chained to furniture, she was forced to sleep on the floor of a remote farmhouse.

Pictures of Chloe from Coulsdon, south London, lying unconscious in skimpy clothing were sent to her manager, along with a demand for 260,000.

If the ransom wasn't paid within a week, she would be auctioned off as a sex slave. She was also told she risked being fed to tigers when her 'buyers' tired of her.

Although she was eventually released, it has been another ordeal for Chloe to put the pieces of her life back together - largely because many simply didn't believe her appalling story.

She has since found solace in the mountains and lakes of the North Wales wilderness where she can enjoy horse-riding with barely a soul around.

So outlandish was the sequence of events she described  and crucially how odd her unemotional account of the trauma appeared to be  those eight years on, questions still abound about whether she was complicit in the kidnap and it was all an elaborate publicity stunt.

ukasz Herba, a Polish national from the United Kingdom, was convicted in a Milan court of the kidnapping and sentenced to 16 years and nine months in prison.

Glamour model Chloe Ayling (pictured) has rebuilt her life after her dramatic kidnapping - and bought a flat in north Wales after visitng the area several times - and falling in love with it

In a recent documentary about her kidnapping on what turned out to be a bogus photoshoot in Italy, she told viewers how she had made the spontaneous decision to buy a flat

Looking out to sea from the balcony of her new place, Chloe says she fell in love with Snowdonia while visiting 'a couple of years ago' and decided to move there

She has since found solace in the mountains and lakes of the North Wales wilderness where she can enjoy horse-riding with barely a soul around

In the BBC documentary, Chloe spoke about how she was drawn to Snowdonia. She told the interviewer: 'A couple of years ago I started coming to North Wales. I just fell in love with it.'

This month Chloe had her say on a BBC documentary 'Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping' and said her undiagnosed condition of autism is partly responsible for her unusual reaction.

'What is it about me and this story that makes it so hard to believe?' she pointedly asked at the opening of each episode of the three-part BBC programme.

The series followed a 2024 BBC dramatisation of the tale, Kidnapped.

But in recent years, Chloe has moved away from the capital to the stunning but remote countryside of Snowdonia, North Wales, where she can indulge her love of horse-riding in the hills surrounding Mount Snowdon.

A neighbour told the Mail: 'She arrived more than a year ago and she seems to be quite a solitary figure when she's up here.

'She's polite and respectful and quite reserved. A lot of people here spend the Summer months in the area then leave in the winter. I don't know if she has somewhere else in England  maybe this is just a Summer place for her.

'She's quite distinctive, so people recognised her quite quickly, but as far as I know, no-one's asked her about her awful experience all those years ago.'

A cafe worker at a nearby marina said he had noticed Chloe walking past regularly.

'She's not easy to miss because she's a gorgeous girl,' he said. 'She always says hello, but I've never really said much more than that to her.'

In the BBC documentary, Chloe spoke about how she was drawn to Snowdonia.

She told the interviewer: 'A couple of years ago I started coming to North Wales. I just fell in love with it.

'I saw a house for sale that I really loved and I just saw a vision of what I could transform it into. And then, spontaneous me decided to buy it.'

Showing the film team around, she said: 'Shall we start with the view? I think this is the best part  being on the water.' She then opened a balcony door onto a stunning scene overlooking the distinctive waters of the Strait beyond.

Asked why she chose the place, she laughed and said 'I'm here because it's such a beautiful place but I also like that no-one knows where I live.'

Chloe's seemingly unemotional account of the trauma means questions still abound about whether she was complicit in the kidnap and it was all an elaborate publicity stunt

Chloe said on the documentary 'Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping' that her hitherto undiagnosed autism was partly responsible for her unusual reaction to being held

Chloe was 20 in 2017 when she was lured to a fake modelling assignment in Milan, then grabbed from behind and bundled into a suitcase. She moved from Coulsdon in Surrey to Wales

Ayling's difficulty in expressing emotion was one of the main reasons the media and public viewed her story with scepticism.

'Too happy, too composed, too relaxed,' summed up broadcaster Eamonn Holmes at the time. But in the documentary, she breaks down in tears as she recalls the harrowing details of her abduction.

A man she knew as 'MD' served her a plate of rice cakes while telling her he was an assassin whose favoured method of murder was poisoning: 'No one investigates a heart attack,' he said.

He claimed he worked for an organisation called Black Death and that even if he wanted to release her, there were powerful figures above him who would not allow it.

Ayling's self-assuredness allowed her to survive the ordeal. She calmly spurned Herba's sexual advances, saying she was 'not feeling it' while chained to furniture, but he 'lit up' at discussion of what she might agree to once free.

She reveals she 'started talking to him about the future, to lead him on, and make him want to fight to release me'.

What Ayling was unaware of was that Black Death was not a far-reaching criminal enterprise, but an invention by Herba, and that he had enlisted the assistance of his brother, Michal, in snatching her from the studio.

When Ayling's contacts failed to stump up the $300,000, Herba agreed to release her on condition she said nothing to the police and paid $50,000 within the month. He drove her to the British consulate, posing as a friend she had called upon her release.

Neither of them knew that the officials there had been alerted to her abduction, and Herba was promptly arrested.

Ayling's evidence helped convict him of kidnapping and extortion, with a prison sentence reduced on appeal to just over 11 years.

The BBC series features exclusive interviews with the anonymous UK detective, from the Regional Organised Crime Unit, along with three officers from Milan Police and the judge at her kidnapper's trial: all stand by Ayling's version of events, the judge describing her testimony as 'extremely precise, specifc and detailed'.

Yet, eight years on, suspicion and hostility still stalk Ayling, who says: 'The hate never went away.'

One of Chloe's kidnappers ukasz Herba, a Polish national, was convicted in a Milan court of the kidnapping and sentenced to 16 years and nine months in prison

Herba enlisted the assistance of his brother, Michal (pictured), in snatching Chloe from the studio

When Ayling's contacts failed to stump up the $300,000, Herba agreed to release her on condition she said nothing to the police and paid $50,000 within the month. These photographs released by the Italian police show Polish man Lukasz Herba

Boot of a car where British glamour model Chloe Ayling, 20, was stuffed in a suitcase and placed into

Chloe from Coulsdon, south London recreates for police how she was stuffed in a bag

Pictured: The Room where kidnapped British model Chloe Ayling was held in Italy

Picture of the mountain house where Chloe Ayling was held in the village of Borgial near Turin, Italy

Trolls on social media have continued to post damning remarks such as 'a lying mastermind, dumb but gorgeous'.

'The aftermath definitely affected me more, long-term, than the actual kidnap itself,' she tells the programme. She was forced to stay in Italy for three weeks after her release and taken back to the site of her captivity by police keen to elicit a shaken response from a woman they still doubted.

In the final episode, she is filmed receiving a psychiatric report diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder. 'There are difficulties in social interaction, communication and repetition,' it reads.

The diagnosis not only explains her 'lack of expression, no matter how hard I try', but also experiences that date back to childhood: 'My mum would come on school trips,' she recalls, 'because she was worried that I wouldn't be able to say what I wanted.'

The case judge, Illio Mannucci Pacini, says in the programme: 'Interpreting the calm demeanour she showed as a sign of the absence of trauma is, I believe, a mistaken mechanism.' Or, as Ayling put it: 'Not everyone has to fit in the same box.'
As the sun set over central London on Thursday evening, some of Britain's most high profile Pakistanis gathered for a glittering event at a five-star hotel.

They were there in Westminster to attend the Pakistani Achievement Awards, an annual black tie gala, now in its 15th year, which celebrates the myriad triumphs of the community and announces the year's 'power 100' list.

Last year, one of the attendees and recipient of an award was a 37-year-old businessman called Salman Iftikhar.

Rather dressed down among his peers in an open neck black shirt and trousers, Iftikhar seemed somewhat underwhelmed as he received his trophy from the event's host  but then it is highly likely that he had other things on his mind that night.

For what few of his fellow guests knew was that five months earlier, Iftikhar had opened the door of his 2million six-bedroom home in the smart Buckinghamshire village of Iver to find several police officers on the doorstep.

They promptly arrested him on suspicion of making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment.

The culmination of this incident made headlines last week, when a judge at Isleworth Crown Court heard how the recruitment firm founder had launched a prolonged and vile verbal assault on a first class flight attendant called Angie Walsh during a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Lahore in February 2023.

In a series of 100 separate incidents that played out over eight hours, the champagne-swigging Iftikhar  who was accompanied in the first class cabin by his wife and three children  launched a deeply abusive and offensive tirade against Ms Walsh after she politely requested he did not help himself to ice using his bare hands.

Among his gross insults, he accused her of being racist, called her a 'f****** white Welsh c***' and most horrifyingly of all, screamed at her that she would be dragged from her hotel room, gang raped and set alight on arrival in Pakistan.

Salman Iftikar with his second wife, Abeer Rizvi

Iftikar with his first wife, Erum Salman, and their two children

His atrocious behaviour means Iftikhar could not attend this week's award ceremony at London's prestigious Dilly Hotel as he is instead languishing behind bars in Brixton prison, having been sentenced to 15 months.

It is an extraordinary downturn in fortune for Iftikhar, who until recently seemed to be the walking definition of self-made success.

A textbook 'Flash Harry', his social media feeds were a riot of supercars, yachts, outdoor swimming pools and first class travel, latterly with his beautiful wife, the Pakistani supermodel Abeer Rizvi.

Yet behind this carefully curated image is a rather more complex story. For Abeer, resident in Pakistan, is one of Iftikhar's two wives  the other, a 38-year-old called Erum Salman who lives with him in the UK, is the mother of his three children, and who accompanied him on his fateful flight.

Iftikhar also has a trail of previous convictions which include common assault and drink-driving, and a decidedly unusual financial CV: the business with which he made his name went bust two years ago with 17million worth of debts, while his current enterprises are both in the red.

When we spoke to Michael Gadsby, Iftikhar's original business partner at his Florida home this week, he was horrified by what he had seen on a viral video depicting some of Iftikhar's extraordinary tirade.

Gadsby, who has not had contact with Iftikhar for several years told us: 'I found out about this the same way as everyone else  scrolling news and social media. I'm appalled at what I saw.

'I feel sorry for the crew member involved and for her family, having to watch that back and seeing how she was treated. I feel sorry for Salman's wife, Erum, who is a good woman, and their three children.'

Meanwhile, neighbours at the Buckinghamshire home where Iftikhar and his family have lived for the past decade, criticised his party lifestyle and the disruption it causes.

One, who declined to be named, said: 'It seems like every day there's ten cars out here late at night. What sort of business are you doing at 1am?'

Who, then, exactly is Salman Iftikhar and what kind of man is he?

A Pakistani national, it's unclear exactly when he arrived in the UK, although in a business profile written several years ago he said he had started work here aged 17 as a junior recruiter before deciding to go it alone in 2013, by which point he was in his mid-twenties.

He teamed up with Gadsby to found Hounslow-based aviation food recruitment business 'Staffing Match'  company name SM Global Consultancy Ltd  to fill temporary jobs predominantly in London's major airports.

As Gadsby later revealed in a post on networking site Linked In, the duo started out working from Gadsby's council flat on a budget of just 5,000, borrowed from Gadsby's father.

By 2016, the business was making 12million, its turnover doubling annually from then until reaching a whopping 91.3million in 2021, by which point the company was employing 93 people.

A still from a viral video showing Iftikar verbally attacking a flight attendant

Angie Walsh was called a 'f***ing white Welsh c***' by Iftikar on the Virgin Atlantic flight

On paper a success story then  and SM Global certainly had the awards to prove it. Yet while the company directors, including Iftikhar and Gadsby, were able to pay themselves substantial dividends down the years (he withdrew 800,000 in 2021) net profit that year was a mere 1.6million.

Less than two years later, the company went into administration owing 11.4million to HMRC and 6.9million to HSBC. Shortly before administrators were formally appointed, the sale of the business was agreed in a 'pre-packaged administration' to another company.

By then, co-founder Gadsby had parted ways with his old business partner, and has not spoken to him since.

Today, Iftikhar continues to own recruitment firm Staffing Match Ltd and cargo handling firm Training Match Ltd, but both are struggling with net liabilities of over 3,000.

It's not clear how he continues to finance his lifestyle but in another business profile, he told how he has also built up a 'real estate portfolio' and had also diversified in recent years into 'exposure to cryptocurrencies'.

And according to his social media he is trying to drum up investment from foreign nationals and Pakistanis living overseas in 'development plots' in Pakistan's port city of Gwadar, which models itself as 'the next Dubai'.

That project, at least, is going to prove tricky to manage from his cell in Brixton prison  Iftikhar's first time behind bars despite several brushes with the law.

As Isleworth Crown Court heard, over the years Salman has amassed six previous convictions arising from 15 offences, including two counts of common assault in 2004 and drink driving in 2008.

He was also convicted of making off without payment in 2005, taking advantage of a death of an employee in 2006 and driving with excess alcohol in 2008.

While no further details were given about these convictions, a news report from 2021 reveals Iftikhar was fined 3,000 after he was caught drunk behind the wheel while driving in July that year.

When pulled over, police also found him in possession of cannabis. Iftikhar, who was two times over the legal limit, subsequently pleaded guilty to drink driving, cannabis possession and failing to stop a vehicle when required to by a constable.

What's more, when the Daily Mail called at his UK residence this week neighbours said that police had also been called to his home address dozens of times.

'There's been so many rowdy late night parties that have ended up in fights in the early hours of the morning. At one point it felt like the police were here almost every day,' said one who also described Iftikhar as 'often spaced out' and 'not very friendly'.

Yesterday there was no answer on the intercom at the family's Buckinghamshire home although neighbours believed Erum  who they described as a 'nice lady'  was still living there with the couple's three children.

Which brings us to the other eyebrow raising part of Iftikhar's colourful back story. For while Iftikhar has been married for well over a decade to Erum, since 2019 he has also been married to model and actress Abeer.

When in Pakistan, the couple live together in a large farmhouse in one of Lahore's most exclusive districts, where Abeer, 37, now runs a beauty salon called 717.

It is unclear how the two met, but in the past few years and despite Iftikhar's business struggles they appear to have enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle, with Abeer posting images to her half a million social media followers of the couple on board yachts, driving around in expensive cars and attending film premieres.

Earlier this year, she posted a gushing tribute on Instagram to mark Iftikhar's 37th birthday. 'My beloved husband, on this day I want to honour you and your unique ways,' she wrote. 'Disagreements may come and go, but your love and understanding comes in abundance. I am truly grateful for being able to share this journey with you.'

Last week, after videos of the air rage incident flooded the internet, she appeared to plead for clemency. 'Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story there is pain you don't see,' she wrote. 'Before judging, try understanding. Be kind. Be human.'

Abeer did not respond to calls for comment this week when we rang her mobile phone. No doubt, like Erum, she is lying low.

Whether the two women are in touch is anybody's guess. According to one who knows both: 'You couldn't find two more different people. They are literally opposite ends of the spectrum. Erum was there before all the big money. She is a nice, down to earth person. Abeer is accustomed to the finer things in life and she has big plans.'

It was to Abeer's home city of Lahore that Iftikhar was headed on that fateful day in February 2023. As Isleworth Crown Court heard, his conduct was reprehensible. Visibly drunk and slurring words, his extraordinary and sustained verbal attack on Ms Walsh was so severe that the cabin crew discussed a diversion to Turkey. Meanwhile his sobbing wife and children, who had pleaded for him to stop, had to be comforted by crew, while Ms Walsh herself was left so traumatised she was off work for 14 months.

By way of mitigation, Iftikhar's defence counsel Ben Walker-Nolan said his client was suffering from 'amnesia blood loss' [memory loss triggered by blood loss], and 'has a long-standing drug and alcohol problem which he has not addressed for many years'.

These words appear to have cut little ice with presiding judge, Ms Recorder Annabel Darlow KC, who while sentencing made a point of drawing attention to what she called Iftikhar's 'lengthy and appalling record of misconduct'.

Handing down a custodial sentence to the weeping Iftikhar, she chastised him for not addressing his drug and alcohol problems, noting: 'This was an appalling incident which has caused long-lasting and devastating consequences.'

Moreover, Iftikhar may yet have further reason for dismay: this week, it emerged that Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp had written to the Attorney General Lord Hermer to express concerns about the leniency of the sentence and urged him to consider referring the case to the Court of Appeal for it to be increased.

Lord Hermer has yet to respond. Either way, one imagines that even if, as is expected, Iftikhar emerges from behind bars at some point next year, it will be a very long time  if ever  before his tattered reputation is restored.
An Arizona school board member has suffered a humiliating blunder after she was caught on a hot mic calling one of her co-workers 'morbidly obese'.

Carine Werner, a Scottsdale Unified School District board member and Arizona state senator, joined a governing board meeting virtually back on August 5.

In a cringeworthy moment, Werner appeared to forget to mute her microphone and made a scathing comment about a mystery colleague.

'See what I have to listen to?' she is heard saying to someone off-screen.

The audio is then briefly muffled, before she adds: 'She's like, morbidly obese.'

The outrageous comment came while the speaker was discussing Scottsdale Community College's partnership with SUSD Nutrition Services.

Werner was unmasked as the culprit as she was the only female attendee to call in virtually to the livestreamed meeting.

It's unclear who the remark was about, but Werner's hurtful words quickly sparked a backlash.

Carine Werner, a Scottsdale Unified School District board member and Arizona state senator, made a humiliating blunder during a recorded meeting

The comment bothered Mike Norton, a Scottsdale parent, enough that he took to his Facebook page 'Respect Our Scottsdale Students' to call Werner out.

On the page, which has almost 4,000 followers, Norton described Werner as a 'vicious, hateful, venom spewing' person.

'I considered sitting on this video,' Norton said.

'But it's already burning its way around town. So screw the high road. Werner's earned this blast.'

He called for Werner to issue a public apology for her comments.

'Join me in demanding a public apology by Werner and her censure by the other 4 Board members,' he said.

Other community members took to the comments to join in the outrage.

'What a despicable person,' one person chimed in.

Werner attended the governing board meeting virtually on August 5 (pictured: other members of the school board attending the meeting in person)

In a cringeworthy moment, Werner apparently forgot to mute her microphone and called one of her colleagues 'morbidly obese'

Others called for Werner 'to resign immediately'.

Werner serves as chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, vice chair of the Education Committee and as a member of the Appropriations Committee.

She is also the Arizona state senator who represents parts of Scottsdale, north Phoenix and Paradise Valley in Legislative District 4.

Julie Cieniawski, a former governing board president, said the issue here isn't Werner's politics or policies, 'it's about human decency'.

Cieniawski told Azcentral that it is the sign of a weak leader to judge another person by their physical appearance instead of their work.

'I think its important for the public to know who they elect, and that their votes have consequences,' she said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Werner for comment.
President Donald Trump left the world hanging announcing no details and answering no questions about his 'extremely productive meeting' with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the future of Ukraine.

What was clear was that there was no immediate ceasefire or peace deal to end the Ukraine war out of Friday's Anchorage, Alaska talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

We didnt get there,' the usually ebullient president acknowledged, 'but we have a very good chance of getting there.

In an extremely uncharacteristic move, Trump allowed Putin to speak first - at what had been billed as a bilateral press conference - and then didn't answer a single question before shaking hands with Putin again and sauntering offstage.

Their whole appearance before the press lasted just 12 minutes following more than three hours of private conversation.

'I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened. But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left,' Trump said.

He added, 'Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.'

During a sit-down with Sean Hannity taped in the room the summit occurred, the Fox News host asked if the president would reveal to him what that one issue is.

'No, I'd rather not,' Trump replied. 'I guess somebody is going to go public with it, they'll figure it out, but no, I don't want to do that. I want to see if we can get it done.'

President Donald Trump (left) ended his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) with a very unusual press conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Trump took no questions nor divulged any details about their 'extremely productive meeting' to end the war in Ukraine

President Donald Trump (right) rolled out the red carpet for his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) of his second term - the first time a U.S. leader has come face-to-face with Putin since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine

Trump did tell Hannity that Putin appeared open to having a trilateral summit that included Zelensky.

In his opening statement, Putin flattered Trump by saying his assessment about the Ukraine war was true and that it never would have happened under Trump's watch.

'Today when President Trump's saying that if he was the president back then there will be no war. I'm quite sure it would indeed be so, I can confirm that,' Putin said in Russian through a translator.

Putin also placed blame on former President Joe Biden for the U.S.-Russia relationship unraveling, not his February 2022 invasion of America's ally Ukraine.

'I'd like to remind you that in 2022, during the last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague that the situation should not be brought to the point of no return when it would come to hostilities,' Putin said, adding it was a 'big mistake.'

Putin noted that the U.S.-Russia relationship had soured 'to the lowest point since the Cold War.'

'I think that's not benefiting our countries and the world as a whole,' Putin said. 'It's apparent that sooner or later we had to amend the situation and move on from the confrontation to dialogue.'

But Putin's comments were mostly backward-looking, a glaring indication that the U.S. and Russia remained apart on the crucial issues that could lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The Russian leader didn't back down on his claims that the Ukrainian invasion was justified.

'As I've said the situation in Ukraine has to do with frontal threats of our security,' Putin said.

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Repoters yelled questions at Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and President Donald Trump (right) who didn't answer them despite the gathering being billed as a 'press conference'

The Russian state news agency Sputnik distributed a photograph of Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) conversing with President Donald Trump (right) after what had been billed a press conference. Trump told Sean Hannity this was another one-on-one conversation with Putin

President Donald Trump (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) engage in a photo spray ahead of their three-on-three meeting Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

'At the same time we're convinced, that in order to make this settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict,' the Russian leader added.

Putin added that the U.S. needed to 'consider all legitimate concerns in Russia' and he agreed with what President Trump said at the meeting 'that naturally the security of Ukraine should be insured as well.'

When Putin announced his 'special military operation' in February 2022 - which has now dragged on for three and a half years - he claimed Ukrainians were being 'subjected to abuse and genocide' by their democratically-elected government that, under Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, became more western-aligned.

Putin, a former KGB agent, has long set his sights on increasing Russia's borders to more closely resemble those of the USSR.

'I'm going to hope that the agreement we've reached together will help us to that goal and will pave the path toward peace in Ukraine,' Putin continued, warning against provocations from Ukraine and Europe.

Trump was set to call Zelensky and NATO leaders immediately after the meeting but details were not immediately available if that occurred.

Putin opened by calling the U.S. and Russia 'neighbors' and referencing their WWII alliance.

'It's very important for our countries to turn the page, to go back to cooperation,' he said.

President Donald Trump (right) welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) to Alaska on Friday, as Trump attempts to get Putin to end the Ukraine war

A B-2 bomber, the stealth jet used in the U.S.'s June strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, took part in a flyover with four F-35 fighter jets as Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted President Donald Trump in Alaska

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and President Donald Trump (right) appear at a meet-and-greet ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday

Russian President Vladimir Putin disembarks his plane to meet President Donald Trump at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday

President Donald Trump (left) invited Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) to ride with him in the Beast to their meeting location at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

He noted their geographic proximity, saying the nearby international dateline means 'you can step over, literally, from yesterday into tomorrow.'

'I hope that we will succeed in that in [the] political sphere,' Putin added.

Afterward on Hannity, Trump stayed tight-lipped on the discussions but he did suggest that Zelensky 'make a deal.'

'Russia is a very big power and they're not, they have great soldiers,' the president said of Ukraine.

The president also kept the door open to a possible meeting between himself, Putin and Zelensky, confirming to Hannity that it did come up.

'They both want me there and I'll be there. You gotta see it out,' Trump said.

During the 32-minute sit-down, Trump also claimed Putin agreed with him on the problems with mail-in ballots, bringing up the 2020 election.

He also went down the rabbit hole on COVID-19, Cambodia and artificial intelligence, telling Hannity he regretted agreeing to do the interview because he wouldn't share much substance.

'I can tell you the meeting was a very warm meeting,' Trump did say. 'You know, he's a strong guy, he's tough as hell and all of that. But the meeting was a very warm meeting between two very important countries and it's very good when they get along.'

Trump and Putin's meeting, their first since June 2019, appeared friendly from the start, with red carpets set up for both leaders as Trump walked off Air Force One first.

Trump clapped his hands several times and then greeted the Russian leader with a handshake.

Both Trump and Putin ignored reporters' shouted questions as the U.S. president presented the Russian leader with a show of American military might - a flyover that included a B-2 bomber, used in June's bombing campaign to disable Iran's nuclear facilities.

'Mr. Putin, did you underestimate Ukraine?' one journalist asked.

'President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?' a reporter yelled.

Putin appeared to shrug.

Trump then invited Putin to ride with him in the Beast, the presidential limo, to where negotiations would kick off.

Upon arrival to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the White House changed the format of the meeting, to include Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff after initially signaling the summit would be a one-on-one affair.

Air Force One is seen landing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson ahead of President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

En route to Anchorage, Alaska, President Donald Trump told reporters he thought Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to bomb Ukraine to put himself in a stronger negotiating position

Reporters do live shots in a room reserved for a joint press conference that will happen after talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin conclude. Trump said he'll hold the the press conference solo if negotiations go south

He told reporters that he believed Putin continued attacking Ukraine to put himself in a stronger bargaining position.

'I think they're trying to negotiate. He's trying to set a stage. I think in his mind, that helps him make a better deal,' Trump said. 'It actually hurts him,' the president added.

In recent months, Trump has been more publicly critical of Putin's continued missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, crediting First Lady Melania Trump for calling out the Russian leader's violence against Ukrainian civilians.

Ahead of Friday's trip to Anchorage, Trump tempered expectations about what he might accomplish in Alaska, giving himself a '25 percent' failure rate.

'The second meeting is going to be very, very important, because that's going to be a meeting where they make a deal,' Trump said.

'But there is a 25 percent chance this meeting will not be a successful meeting,' Trump added.
Two teenage sisters who lost control of a jet ski and crashed into a concrete dock in Florida were warned about safety by officers just moments before the tragic accident.

Rachel Aliza Nisanov, 13, of New York, was riding a jet ski with her 16-year-old sister, Aviva, in the waters of Fort Lauderdale this week when the watercraft suddenly veered out of control and crashed into a dock, according to NBC 4 News.

The tragic accident claimed Rachel's life and left Aviva hospitalized in a critical but stable condition.

On Friday, officials revealed that Marine Unit officers had spoken with the sisters just moments before the fatal crash, engaging in a 'proactive' conversation about water safety, according to WSVN News.

As officers were en route to another call, they noticed the girls Yamaha personal watercraft commit a minor violation, prompting them to stop the sisters on the water, as reported by the outlet.

Although officials did not specify the nature of the violation, they described the stop as 'brief and proactive in nature'.

But because officers were responding to another call, no written report was filed and no body camera footage was recorded - and sadly, disaster struck just minutes later.

'I want to make sure we get to the bottom of this,' the sisters father, Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov of Queens Bukharian Jewish community, told WPLG Local 10 News after his daughter's funeral.

Rachel Aliza Nisanov (left), 13, of New York, and her sister, 16-year-old Aviva (right), were warned about safety by officers just moments before they lost control of a jet ski and crashed into a concrete dock while vacationing in Florida

Moments before the fatal crash (pictured), officers en route to another call noticed the girls Yamaha personal watercraft commit a minor violation, prompting them to stop the sisters on the water and engage in a 'brief and proactive' conversation about water safety

'It's very troubling. I didn't come to Florida to bury my daughter,' he added in tears. 'I came to Florida to have a good time with her and now I have to take her back in a casket. It's not the way I imagined my vacation.'

On Tuesday, Rachel was enjoying a surprise family trip to celebrate her eighth-grade graduation.

She was behind her older sister at the controls with their parents and an instructor on a separate jet ski.

Florida law permits a 14-year-old to be on a personal watercraft as long as someone aged 16 or older is driving.

But as the teens made their way back to shore along the Intracoastal Waterway near the 2800 block of Northeast 24th Court, the jet ski suddenly veered out of control.

The Yamaha violently slammed into the dock ahead, launching both girls into the air before they rammed into the structure.

Their father immediately jumped in despite not knowing how to swim.

The tragic accident claimed Rachel's (pictured) life and left Aviva hospitalized in critical but stable condition

The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday during Rachel's surprise eighth-grade graduation trip to Fort Lauderdale (pictured: transporting Rachel's body after crash)

'Their life jackets were on. They were lying flat,' the girls' brother Yonah Nisanov said. 'My father jumped in and scraped up his hands, feet, his back, all over to save them, and he did what he could.'

'I saw one of the girls being taken in a stretcher,' resident Renee Beninate told WSVN News.

'I didnt know it was a young girl at the time, but my heart still broke,' she added.

Both girls were rushed to Broward Health Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Rachel tragically succumbed shortly afterward, with the Broward County Medical Examiner determining that she died from blunt force injuries sustained in the collision, according to the outlet.

Aviva underwent surgery Tuesday night and remains sedated in the hospital, listed in critical but stable condition, according to CBS News.

'They're going to try to wake her up soon and see how she's doing,' Yonah told the outlet. 'But right now, she's sedated.'

According to the preliminary report, during the ride, the sisters 'jumped the wake of a passing vessel, lost control, and collided with a concrete dock' (pictured: jet ski under the dock)

Aviva (left) underwent surgery Tuesday night and remains sedated in the hospital, listed in critical but stable condition

According to the preliminary report obtained by NBC, the the sisters 'jumped the wake of a passing vessel, lost control, and collided with a concrete dock.

An investigation launched by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) remains ongoing.

Rachels body was swiftly flown back to New York, where she was honored with a funeral held Wednesday night at the Bukharian Jewish Community Center in Forest Hills, Queens.

'Parents are not supposed to bury their children. Children are supposed to bury their parents,' Shlomo tearfully said after the funeral, according to WPLG News.

'She was just a kind person,' Yonah told NBC. 'A spiritual person. Kindhearted, always going the extra mile.'

Rachels body was subsequently flown to Israel, where she was scheduled to be laid to rest in Jerusalem on Thursday.
Transwomen have been banned from using female changing rooms at Virgin Active following the threat of legal action made by a popular TV star.

The gym chain, who have 230 clubs based across eight countries worldwide, sent an email to its customers on Friday morning informing them of the 'important update' to their 'club rules'.

It comes after GB News presenter Michelle Dewberry revealed that she had cancelled her Virgin Active membership after 'seeing a man in the female changing rooms'.

Solicitors representing the 45-year-old, who won the second season of The Apprentice, sent a letter threatening legal action against the business in February.

The claim, supported by the charity Sex Matters, insisted that it would be brought under the Equality Act and concerned the chain's 'trans inclusion' policy, which permitted both transwomen and non-binary individuals from entering female changing rooms.

Now, Virgin Active have revealed that their controversial policy has changed. In an email shared widely online, they announced: 'To comply with the law, we have had to update our Club Rules so that our changing rooms and bathroom facilities are designated according to biological sex.

'While this decision was outside of our control, it is legally binding on our business - as well as other gyms, leisure centres and similar facilities across the UK.'

Listed on their website under Section 8 of the Virgin Active Club Rules, the new UK-based policy states that 'by law, our members and visitors who use a changing room marked as 'male' or 'female' must select the one that matches their biological sex'.

Transwomen have been banned from using female changing rooms at Virgin Active. The gym chain, who have 230 clubs based across eight countries worldwide, sent an email (pictured) to its customers on Friday morning informing them of the 'important update' to their 'club rules'

It comes after GB News presenter Michelle Dewberry (pictured) revealed that she had cancelled her Virgin Active membership after 'seeing a man in the female changing rooms'

Solicitors representing the 45-year-old, who won the second season of The Apprentice, sent a letter threatening legal action against the business in February. Pictured: Ms Dewberry's request to cancel her membership for the popular gym chain

The company also confirmed that they are 'awaiting further detailed guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ECHR)' in order to help them implement the Supreme Court's ruling in practice.

In April, the Supreme Court announced in a landmark judgement that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

Five Supreme Court justices unanimously decided that the term 'women' when used in the 2010 Equality Act meant biological women, and not transgender women - even if they have undergone sex reassignment surgery.

The court had been asked to rule in a case the Scottish government brought forward by feminist group For Women Scotland.

The case centred on whether somebody with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) recognising their gender as female should be treated as a woman under the 2010 Equality Act.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the 88-page ruling as a 'victory' for women and said it meant the 'era of Keir Starmer telling us women can have penises has come to an end'.

In April, the Supreme Court announced in a landmark judgement that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Pictured: For Women Scotland directors Susan Smith (left) and Marion Calder (right) celebrate the landmark ruling

Five Supreme Court justices unanimously decided that the term 'women' when used in the 2010 Equality Act meant biological women, and not transgender women - even if they have undergone sex reassignment surgery

The ruling was lauded by gender critics as a victory, despite the judges' warnings that it should not be seen as a 'triumph' of one side over another.

Meanwhile, trans activists have warned the ruling could put trans people at risk and make them feel less safe as they vowed to fight on.

Guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in 2022 said it is legal for gyms to limit these communal spaces to a single-sex as long as a gender-neutral changing room is also provided for trans people.

In light of the Supreme Court's ruling earlier this year, the EHCR are set to confirm and submit its updated guidance regarding public female-only spaces to ministers in the coming weeks.

Their policies are set to impact any public organisation including schools, hospitals, cinemas and leisure centres, alongside public retailers.

In March, Ms Dewberry, shared a screenshot of Virgin Active's response to her email that was seeking a policy clarification.

The company's reply read: 'The changing rooms are split between female and male, with children attending up to the age of eight-years-old of a different gender.

'For the female changing rooms in particular, this would cover females of all ages, boys up to the age of eight, transgender females, and non-binary members.'

In March, Ms Dewberry (pictured), shared a screenshot of Virgin Active's response to her email that was seeking a policy clarification that read: 'The changing rooms are split between female and male, with children attending up to the age of eight-years-old of a different gender'

Ms Dewberry wrote on X: 'Whatever happened to our right to a single-sex changing space? She did not elaborate further, or reveal if it was a trans woman she encountered

Listed on their website under Section 8 of the Virgin Active Club Rules, the new UK-based policy states that 'by law, our members and visitors who use a changing room marked as 'male' or 'female' must select the one that matches their biological sex'

Ms Dewberry wrote on X: 'Whatever happened to our right to a single-sex changing space?

'If you are among the minority of woman [sic] who are comfortable sharing your single-sex changing room with adult males, I completely respect that.

'But what about the majority of us who aren't?'

Ms Dewberry did not elaborate further, or reveal if it was a trans woman she encountered.

A Virgin Active spokesperson at the time said: 'In accordance with UK law and industry guidance, we respect the choice of our members to use the changing room facilities based on the gender they identify with.

'We support and respect all our members and their safety and privacy remains our highest priority. We continue to ensure our policies remain legal, fair and inclusive.'

Dewberry's post divided X as some users agreed it was unfair 'the men's [changing room] is the men's and the women's is a free-for-all'.

Others questioned whether Virgin Active provided 'communal changing rooms where you strip in front of each other? Or do they have individual cubicles?'

Dewberry's post divided X as some users agreed it was unfair 'the men's [changing room] is the men's and the women's is a free-for-all'. Others questioned whether Virgin Active provided 'communal changing rooms where you strip in front of each other?'

In April, former Dragons' Den star and gym entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne (pictured) said that 'no-one should ever allow men into women's changing rooms'

'I had the same issue a number of years ago and also cancelled my membership,' one user replied to Dewberry.

The EHCR's new guidance, said to snub demands for a watered down ban on trans people using women's toilets and changing rooms, has been celebrated by certain women's rights activists.

Leading women's rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen told the Daily Mail: 'This has been a long time coming and is about 15 years too late.

'The EHRC has failed women spectacularly over the last few years... I'm just disgusted at how they have served women so abysmally.

'Obviously if these new measures make women safer, then it is welcomed... but this whole issue is just insane. We need to get back to commonsense.'

Charities are also expected to be covered by the new guidance, which is due to be submitted to women and equalities minister, Bridget Phillipson, later this month.

Ms Phillipson is reportedly poised to green-lit the measures as long as they conform with the law. It will then be rolled out before parliament after summer recess.

However, trans activists and allies have criticised the 'evil' Supreme Court decision ruling on the definition of a woman, accusing lawmakers of attacking minority groups and putting them at risk, and setting the community 'back 20 years'.

Leading women's rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen told the Daily Mail: 'This has been a long time coming and is about 15 years too late'

In March, fitness influencer Natalee Barnett (pictured), 25, founder of a female-only gym faced outrage on social media after saying that her work out space would not permit entry for transgender women

When Ms Barnett, who boasts a combined 2.5 million followers on social media, first started raising funds for the space in 2021, she indicated that it would be open to trans women. However, she later changed her mind

In April, former Dragons' Den star and gym entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne said that 'no-one should ever allow men into women's changing rooms'.

Mr Bannatyne, the owner of The Bannatyne Group which owns health clubs and spas across the UK, shared a series of gender critical posts in the aftermath of the ruling which saw judges define the meaning of a woman in equality law.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the ex-dragon said: 'I hope all gym owners will join me now in agreeing that single sex spaces for women means biological women.

'No gym should ever allow men into women's changing rooms.'

In March, the founder of a female-only gym faced outrage on social media after saying that her work out space would not permit entry for transgender women.

Fitness influencer and model Natalee Barnett, 25, devised the idea behind The Girl Spot gym, due to open soon in Wandsworth, south London , after experiencing gym-based sexual harassment at the hands of men.

When Ms Barnett, who boasts a combined 2.5 million followers on social media, first started raising funds for the space in 2021, she indicated that it would be open to trans women.

Four years later, and with over 22,900 raised via GoFundMe donations, Ms Barnett backtracked on her initial objective, stating that the gym is no longer trans-inclusive and will only serve as a 'safe space for biological women'

Four years later, and with over 22,900 raised via GoFundMe donations, Ms Barnett backtracked on her initial objective, stating that the gym is no longer trans-inclusive and will only serve as a 'safe space for biological women'.

Since, the entrepreneur has been subject to vile abuse and branded 'transphobic' - however others have said she may face legal action.

'Of course, trans women are welcome at my women-only gym,' she said in a TikTok in 2021.

'I don't see trans women as trans women - I see trans women and women. And if you identify as a woman, then you are of course welcome'.

Ms Barnett's announcement fuelled heated social media debate, with critics blasting the influencer for accepting donations on the basis that the gym would permit trans women who were born male but now identify as female, before reversing her decision.

Taking to social media to defend herself, Ms Barnett said that her decision had not been 'made lightly'.

She wrote: 'I spent a great deal of time and money including seeking legal advice and it was absolutely not a choice made lightly or out of exclusion or malice, but rather out of my commitment to ensuring a space where women who have experienced trauma, harassment, or discomfort in co-ed gyms can feel at ease.'

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at human rights charity Sex Matters, told The Telegraph that Barnett is 'well within her legal rights' to implement the single-sex rule.

'There are thousands of gyms in the country, almost all open to both sexes. It's very telling that there is so much vitriol aimed at one woman running one small gym, just because she wants a male-free space,' Ms McAnena said.

However, many branded Ms Barnett's plans unfeasible, questioning how she would be able to legitimately check an individual's genitals prior to them entering the establishment.

A spokesperson for Virgin Active said: 'We acknowledge the UK Supreme Court judgment in April, which confirmed that the Equality Act 2010 defines sex in biological terms. We understand and accept that this ruling is legally binding on our business, as well as all other gyms and similar facilities across the UK.

'To comply with the law, we have updated our Club Rules so that changing rooms and bathroom facilities are designated according to biological sex, as the ruling mandates. Our updated Rules are available on our website and have been shared directly with all our members and employees.

'Most of our clubs already provide single-occupancy, non-gendered facilities that can be used by anyone, and we are working to make these available in all locations as quickly as possible. Like many in our industry, we are awaiting more detailed guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to help put this ruling into practice.

'In the meantime, we are focused on implementing these legal requirements in a way that reflects our values: ensuring our clubs remain safe, respectful and welcoming for everyone. Our commitment to safety, inclusivity and supporting our members health and wellbeing remains unchanged.'
The UKs trade envoy to Turkey was sacked on Friday after causing a diplomatic spat with an unauthorised trip.

Six days after the Daily Mail first reported the story, and following a week of building pressure, Labour MP Afzal Khan was removed from his post following a visit to northern Cyprus.

In common with the rest of the world bar Turkey, the UK does not recognise the breakaway state  and is forbidden from doing so by UN resolutions.

Nevertheless, Mr Khan met its leader in his official residence and posed for photographs beneath the territorys flag  a breach of international protocol.

The act of freelance diplomacy riled the official Cypriot government in the south who described his actions as absolutely condemnable and unacceptable.

They called for UK officials to respect their state and the international agreements that forbid recognition of the self-declared government in the north.

Sir Keir Starmer finally relented yesterday and sacked Mr Khan in a bid to smooth relations with Greek Cypriots.

Dame Priti Patel, Shadow Foreign Secretary, said: Keir Starmer should have sacked his trade envoy straight away for his ill-judged travel. Yet again the Prime Minister has serious questions to answer about his poor judgment and actions that undermine Britains global standing.

Afzal Khan (pictured), the UKs trade envoy to Turkey was sacked on Friday after causing a diplomatic spat with an unauthorised trip

Sir Keir Starmer finally relented yesterday and sacked Mr Khan in a bid to smooth relations with Greek Cypriots

In recent days, the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK called for Mr Khan to go, pointing out that no UK official would visit occupied Ukraine.

Tories branded Sir Keir spineless for leaving him in post for so long, while Labour MPs and Mr Khans constituents also raised the matter with the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

The row was sparked by Mr Khans visit to Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatars official residence last week.

Mr Khan, the MP for Manchester Rusholme, told officials that it was a personal visit and ministers are understood to have been unaware of the trip.

On Friday night, Christos Karaolis, president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, thanked the Mail for raising the issue.

We welcome Afzal Khans departure as the trade envoy to Turkey. His position was clearly untenable following his deeply inappropriate and unacceptable visit to occupied northern Cyprus, he said.

Mr Khans condemnable actions compromised UK foreign policy, undermined the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and contravened international law.

A Government spokesman said: Mr Khan has left his position as trade envoy to the republic of Turkey.
A self-proclaimed spiritual collective operating out of a cryptic storefront in Los Angeles is pushing back against growing accusations that it functions as a cult.

Known as the Alien Church, the organization combines elements of religion, art, and extraterrestrial belief, according to its founder who calls himself 'Mercury'.

The LA storefront features a glass-walled space, minimalist neon signs flashing words like 'art' and 'love,' alongside merchandise such as T-shirts, trucker hats, and water bottles branded 'H2O Holy'.

A crucifix depicting an alien - not Jesus - and the message, 'If you believe in Jesus, you believe in aliens', can also be seen displayed above the entrance.

Inside, shelves hold 3D-printed objects including crowns of thorns, while a painting modeled after da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' replaces Jesus and his disciples with aliens.

The collective hosts events ranging from weekly 'TGIF interfaith sermons' on topics like 'from angels to aliens' to nightly energy healing sessions, according to SFGate.

Known as the Alien Church, the organization combines elements of religion, art, and extraterrestrial belief, according to its founder who calls himself 'Mercury'

The LA storefront (pictured) features a glass-walled space, minimalist neon signs flashing words like 'art' and 'love,' alongside merchandise such as T-shirts, trucker hats, and water bottles branded 'H2O Holy'

One member, Isaiah Dupree, even claims he was abducted by aliens as a child. He demonstrated a magnet sticking to his finger, which he says proves he was implanted by extraterrestrials.

In one image, published by SFGate, Dupree can be seen shining a light through the flesh of his finger where he believes a piece of metal was inserted under his skin during an alien abduction.

The Alien Church's founder describes the center as a multipurpose space, one that can function as 'an art gallery for artists,' a venue for performers, and 'a special place for positive actions.'

The group promotes 'unity and belief in a higher power,' along with the idea that 'aliens have seen much more of God's creation than humans,' Mercury told SFGate, adding that he, 'hopes to one day develop a missile capable of putting out wildfires in minutes.'

Mercury maintains that the center is privately funded through his other businesses, including print manufacturing and a truck rental service.

He says there is no profit motive and that merchandise sales are intended to help support the space.

'I'm not seeking any type of profit from people who come to services,' he said.

Mercury, who reportedly grew up in Mexico, comes from a Christian background but explains that he lost faith after he 'saw a lot of contradictions in the religion'.

Isaiah Dupree, recognized by the Alien Church as 'Isaiah The Alien Implant Survivor,' delivers live testimony inside the Los Angeles storefront on December 21, 2024

Mercury (pictured), the Alien Church's founder, describes the center as a multipurpose space, one that can function as 'an art gallery for artists,' a venue for performers, and 'a special place for positive actions.'

An 'Alien Priest' can be seen inside the Los Angeles, California location

Mercury maintains that the center is privately funded through his other businesses, including print manufacturing and a truck rental service. Pictured: Alien Church's minister Jah stands inside the company's 'mobile church' parked in downtown Los Angeles on April 7, 2025

He was later inspired to start Alien Church, which he claims was initially a restaurant concept, to help others who were struggling.

Despite those claims, comparisons to other fringe religious movements in California have raised concerns.

The region has long been home to unconventional spiritual groups centered around extraterrestrial belief - from the Aetherius Society to the infamous Heaven's Gate cult, which ended in mass suicide in 1997.

At the Alien Church, one minister known as Jah addressed the growing speculation saying: 'We are not a cult'.

However, experts say such groups are not uncommon.

D.W. Pasulka, a professor of religious studies, argues that belief in extraterrestrials is emerging as a new form of religion.

Astronomer David Weintraub, who studies the intersection of science and belief, also noted that pop culture, technological advancement, and internet access have all helped fuel interest in UFO-based ideologies.

'You don't have to be a scientist or knowledgeable - let alone accurate about anything - to spread information or disinformation,' he said.
Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Hillary Clinton after she said she would nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize if he ended the Ukraine-Russia war.

The Former Secretary of State made the surprise statement ahead of Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

When asked about the comments by Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Special Report aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said: 'Thats very nice. I might have to start liking her again.'

Clinton put forward her suggesting during an appearance on Jessica Tarlov's 'Raging Moderates' podcast

'If he could end it without putting Ukraine in a position where it had to concede its territory to the aggressor, could really stand up to Putin, something we havent seen, but maybe this is the opportunity,' she said.

'If President Trump were the architect of that, Id nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

'Because my goal here is to not allow capitulation to Putin', the meeting between the two on Friday ended up being largely fruitless after not reaching a deal to end the war.

The president has made no secret of his desire for the award. Barack Obama was the last president given the honor.

President Trump is seen here outside of Air Force One before taking off for Alaska to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin

The Former Secretary of State made the surprise statement ahead of Trump's meeting with Putin

Trump has posted about it on multiple occasions on social media, but he claims he is not working to secure the prize.

'A lot of people say because I'm of a certain persuasion, no matter what I do they won't give it [to me.],' he said last week after hatching a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Both leaders thanked Trump for his role in the peace talks and said they would recommend him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

'I think President Trump deserves to have the Nobel Peace Prize and we will defend that and promote that, that's obvious,' Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

Trump had campaigned to end wars in Gaza and Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, which has proven elusive.

Trump has also been credited with helping calm tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel and Iran, and India and Pakistan.

The president also claimed in June he was able to stop a war between Kosovo and Serbia, revealing on social media they were on the verge of war until he stopped it.

Following their meeting on Friday, Trump said he and Putin didn't reach a deal to end the war, though Putin suggested they had hammered out 'an understanding'.

Trump and Putin shake hands during a press conference following their meeting in Alaska on Friday

'There's no deal until there's a deal,' Trump said. He said that while there were many points where agreement was reached, they fell short on others.

Trump said he planned to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders soon, to brief them on the discussions.

He added: 'We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to.

'And there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there.'

The high-profile summit ended without a deal to end, or even pause, the brutal conflict - the largest land war in Europe since 1945 - which has raged for three years.
Vladimir Putin pointed the finger at former President Joe Biden for allowing the war with Ukraine to materialize.

The Russian leader confirmed that if President Donald Trump were still in office at the time in 2022, he wouldn't have started the war more than three years ago.

Putin said during remarks at a joint press conference in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday that he warned Biden that he shouldn't let the situation progress to 'the point of no return when it would come to hostilities.'

'I said it quite directly back then that it's a big mistake,' Putin said, according to a real-time translation.

He insisted: 'President Trump saying that if he was the president back then there would be no war, and I'm quite sure that would indeed be so, I can confirm that.'

Putin's comments were the ultimate flattery on an impressionable president, who he was desperately trying to keep from fully embracing Ukraine and Europe's cause.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that he would have been able to use his relationship with Putin to stop Russia from invading Ukraine if he were reelected in 2020.

On June 16, 2021, Biden and Putin met in-person for a summit in Geneva, Switzerland amid rising tensions between Moscow and Washington, D.C.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Friday's press conference in Alaska that it's likely true there wouldn't be a war with Ukraine today if Donald Trump were elected in 2020 instead of Joe Biden

Putin said he warned Biden he shouldn't let the situation progress to 'the point of no return when it would come to hostilities... I said it quite directly back then that it's a big mistake'

Just eight months later on February 24, 2022, Putin invaded Ukraine, kick-starting a deadly war that still wages on today and has left thousands dead and displaced.

Trump's negotiations with Putin appear to be Ukraine's last chance to get an end to the bloodshed and land grab by Russia.

European leaders have expressed concern that Trump will concede too much land, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recognized that a peace deal might need to include handing over more land area to Putin's regime.

President Putin said on Friday that having a good trustworthy business relationship with Trump makes him confident that 'we can come to see the end of the conflict in Ukraine.'

Though the two leaders acknowledged there is still a far way to go. Additionally, no ceasefire was announced in their joint press conference.

'I have every reason to believe that moving down this path we can come to see the end of the conflict in Ukraine,' Putin said at the end of his remarks.

And if the greeting between Trump and Putin was any indication of their relationship, it's very likely the two are chummy.

Trump has repeatedly said he would have been able to use his relationship with Putin to avoid war. Putin said on Friday: 'I have every reason to believe that moving down this path we can come to see the end of the conflict in Ukraine'

The two were smiling as they saw each other in the flesh for the first time since 2018.

With an abundance of physical contact and a round of applause from Trump for the authoritarian leader, body language expert Judi James tells the Daily Mail that he gave Putin 'the ultimate ego-stroke' by publicly treating him like a celebrity guest.

Putin appeared visibly pleased with how the lengthy greeting went, and James said he was left 'purring' with delight.

Experts warn that Trump already handed Putin a 'victory' by inviting him to U.S. soil for the first time in more than a decade and agreeing to exclude Zelensky.

Your browser does not support iframes.

But James notes that the U.S. president's tone swiftly altered when they were in a room for their official talks.

He took a more 'heavyweight, power pose' as it was time to get down to business, she notes.

'After the overkill cordiality of his greeting ritual Trump's grim expression and his tapping fingertips here suddenly gave him a tougher and less optimistic look,' James notes.

After their nearly three-hour face-to-face meeting, Trump and Putin took turns speaking in a 12-minute joint press conference. They took no questions.

The meeting was the first time they sat down in-person since Trump came back into office.

It also was the first time that Putin stepped foot on U.S. soil since he was in New York City in 2015 for a United Nations General Assembly gathering where he also met with then-President Barack Obama.
Cancer fraud sent to prison for years-long ruse

A woman who faked a cancer diagnosis for support and financial aid will spend time behind bars and repay her 78 victims almost $24,000.

Amanda Maree Power, 35, started volunteering with Cancer Council Queensland in 2012, before spinning a 'web of lies' to manipulate friends and colleagues.

She began to falsely claim she was diagnosed with cancer and sought sympathy for her faked illness.

Power convinced 78 victims, including friends and colleagues, to provide financial support for trips, meals, accommodation, transport, and supposed medical bills.

Some of her victims had several cancer diagnoses themselves.

Her lies helped her secure a paid role with the council and be chosen as the first Australian Global Hero of Hope Ambassador for Relay for Life, earning her a trip to the United States.

During her sentencing at Townsville Magistrate's Court on Friday, Magistrate Steven Mosch heard Power's manipulative strategies 'chipped away' at her victims.

She built friendships and ingratiated herself into her victims' lives and offered to connect with them over their struggles, the court was told.

Amanda Maree Power, 35, (above) told friends and colleagues she had cancer for years

One example was a 54-year-old woman who was diagnosed this year with a second form of cancer.

In her impact statement to the court, she described Power's callous remark when the woman said she was losing her hair due to treatment, The Courier Mail reported.

'Its not my fault, Ive only ever had the good chemo and not lost my hair,' the woman claimed Power said.

'[Power] exploited the compassion that cancer inspires and in doing so inflicted long-lasting harm on a community that relies on truth to build empathy, raise awareness and foster genuine human connection.'

The court also heard that Power told some of her victims her cancer was terminal, and requested they serve as pallbearers at her 'imminent' funeral.

The prosecution argued Power knew she was not ill and defrauded victims of nearly $24,000.

About $1,900 of this sum was taken from her former employer, Cancer Council Queensland.

Defence lawyer Nick Douglas of Legal Aid Queensland submitted psychological reports suggesting Power met the criteria for a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, Conversion Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder.

Power (pictured) collected almost $24,000 from supporters over the years

Magistrate Mosch said Power had engaged in 'reprehensible and cruel conduct' over the years

He argued she had already suffered punishment through public disgrace but accepted responsibility for her acts.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to all 79 charges of fraud.

She will serve a two-and-a-half year sentence.

The first six months will be served behind bars, before she is released to serve the remaining term as a suspended sentence for three years.

The court also ordered Power to repay the money to her victims.

Magistrate Mosch said Power had engaged in 'reprehensible and cruel conduct involving a web of lies that evolved over quite a number of years'.

Matt Gardiner, Cancer Council Queensland CEO, told Daily Mail no donations made to the organisation were involved in Power's con.

'Five years ago, when concerns were first raised about the personal crowdfunding page of a former employee, we immediately cooperated with the Queensland Police on the matter,' he said.

'It is important to note that no donations made to our organisation were involved.

'We are extremely grateful to those who came forward at that time, and we always encourage anyone with questions or concerns to contact us directly.'
China files WTO complaint against Canada's steel import restrictions

Xinhua) 13:49, August 16, 2025

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Canada's import restrictions on steel and related products, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce has said.

Canada has blatantly ignored WTO regulations by imposing steel quota measures and discriminatory tariffs on goods containing "Chinese steel content" -- actions that constitute unilateralism and trade protectionism, according to the ministry.

It said that these measures not only violate China's legitimate rights and interests, but also disrupt the stability of global steel industrial and supply chains, and China has expressed its strong dissatisfaction with and resolute opposition to this conduct.

The ministry urged Canada to immediately rectify its erroneous practices, uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, and foster sustained improvement in China-Canada economic and trade relations.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Liang Jun)
People living on the coast of Queensland were shaken by a 5.6 magnitude earthquake on Saturday, the third tremor to hit the southeast of Australia in three days.

The federal government's Geoscience Australia confirmed the event in Kilkivan near Gympie, about 216km north-west of Brisbane, at 9.49am.

At least 7,648 people have reported they felt the quake, which occurred at a depth of 2km, to the organisation.

Residents shocked by the earthquake leapt on social media to check in, from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast up to Hervey Bay.

'That was rather unnerving. The dishes rattled, the roof sounded like there were horses on it,' a Brisbane resident said.

Another user said: 'We just had a (5.6) magnitude earthquake on the Sunshine Coast. WTF?'

A concerned family member also said: 'Was felt by my future daughter-in-law in Bundaberg. Her whole house shook.'

An Oakhurst resident on the Fraser Coast also described the tremor: 'A significant shake, a WTF moment, no damage, but also left our dog to wonder what happened as well.'

People in southeast Queensland were shocked by a 5.6 magnitude earthquake on Saturday

Mark Barton and others at Peregian Beach on Queensland's Sunshine Coast felt the quake about 85km away.

'We thought initially there might be some construction work gone wrong,' he said.

'Then the vibrations got quite strong, and stronger. The windows were rattling and the whole house was shaking, not violently but quite noticeably.'

Alarming footage shared by Higgins Storm Chasing also shared a similar experience in Caboolture in Moreton Bay.

The vibrations went on for about a minute, bringing neighbours out into the street: 'It caused, not panic, but it caused people to be a bit scared.'

Adam Pascale from the Seismology Research Centre told the Daily Mail this is Queensland's largest earthquake in a decade, noting such events are rare in the state.

'We'd expect this to be felt out as far as several hundred kilometres,' he said.

'It's been quite a long time since we last had one quite this large in Queensland.'

The quake is the largest in the state in a decade, according to seismologist Adam Pascale

The last time there were earthquakes on this scale in the state was off K'gari, formerly Fraser Island, in 2015 when two quakes hit magnitudes of 5.6 and 5.2 respectively, Mr Pascale added.

Network operator Ergon Energy said more than 11,000 customers near the epicentre were left without power following the quake.

Danny Donald from Energex has also said their crews are investigating outages near the earthquake's epicentre.

'In total, we've got around about 11,000 customers affected between the Fraser Coast, Burrum Heads, and Murgon,' he told the ABC.

'Hopefully, if there's nothing broken  we should be able to get things back up and running relatively quickly.'

Queensland Police have said they are aware of an earthquake but have not received any reports of significant damage or injury.

All Brisbane city lines are running at lower speeds due to the tremor and trains have been delayed by up to 15 minutes.

The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed there are no tsunami threats to the coast.

The earthquake comes just days after thousands of Victorians were woken by a 3.2 magnitude earthquake early Thursday morning off the coast of Flinders.

Tremors were felt across Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, and as far as Geelong.

Residents and tourists on Kangaroo Island were also woken by a 3.6 magnitude earthquake in the middle of the night on Wednesday.

Mr Pascale said the two events were not related as they were too far apart.
Britain's human rights watchdog has warned against the 'heavy-handed policing' of Palestine protests amid fears it could have a 'chilling' effect on free speech.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to remind them that the 'right to protest is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy'.

The letter, from EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner, said the notion that a peaceful demonstration could attract disproportionate police attention 'undermines confidence in our human rights protections'.

Baroness Falkner said any interference with protest rights 'must be lawful and assessed case-by-case'.

She added: 'Heavy-handed policing or blanket approaches risk creating a chilling effect, deterring citizens from exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly through fear of possible consequences.

'This concern extends beyond those directly affected by police engagement to the broader health of our democracy, because the perception that peaceful protest may attract disproportionate police attention undermines confidence in our human rights protections.'

Britain's human rights watchdog has warned against the 'heavy-handed policing' of Palestine protests amid fears it could have a 'chilling' effect on free speech

The letter, from EHRC chairwoman Baroness Kishwer Falkner, said the notion that a peaceful demonstration could attract disproportionate police attention 'undermines confidence in our human rights protections'

A chaotic London march last Saturday saw more than a staggering 500 activists arrested - bringing the total to over 700 since July 7, when the group was proscribed. Pictured: A woman is led away by police officers as supporters of Palestine Action take part in a mass action in Parliament Square

Baroness Falkner also raised concerns about 'reports of police engagement with individuals participating in forms of protest that are not linked to any proscribed organisation'.

The commission referenced a report by the Guardian newspaper about a woman said to have been threatened with arrest under the Terrorism Act for holding a Palestinian flag and signs saying 'Free Gaza' and 'Israel is committing genocide'.

The woman was reportedly told by police that her demonstration in Canterbury, Kent, in July expressed views supportive of Palestine Action, an organisation which has been banned by the Government.

The woman said neither of her signs mentioned Palestine Action and that she had told police she did not support any proscribed organisations.

Kent Police confirmed it had 'received correspondence from a legal firm representing a person spoken to by officers in Canterbury on July 14 2025' after the Guardian reported the woman is taking legal action against the force.

The EHRC said Government and police authorities must 'ensure that all officers receive clear and consistent guidance on their human rights obligations' when it comes to protests.

Police officers arrest supporters of Palestine Action attending a mass protest organized by the Defend Our Juries group as part of their campaign to end the proscription of Palestine Action, in Parliament Square, London, Britain, 09 August 2025

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

'This guidance should ensure that the appropriate balance is maintained between public safety and the protection of essential human rights,' Baroness Falkner added.

Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK Government in July, with the ban meaning that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.

More than 500 people were arrested last weekend on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed group, as demonstrations took place in central London.

Downing Street has described Palestine Action as 'violent' and said it has committed 'significant injury' as well as criminal damage, adding that evidence and security assessments shared in closed court supported its proscription.

Palestine Action said Downing Street's accusations were 'false and defamatory' and 'disproven by the Government's own intelligence assessment'.

Asked for their response to the EHRC letter, the Home Office referred to Ms Cooper's previous statement about last week's march, in which 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.'

The Metropolitan Police declined to comment when asked for their response to the letter.

It comes after a chaotic London march last Saturday saw more than a staggering 500 activists arrested - bringing the total to over 700 since July 7, when the group was proscribed.

During a day of mayhem and farce, Left-wing protesters swamped London's Parliament Square on August 9 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.

Later that day, the Metropolitan Police announced more than 360 people had been detained following the scenes of disorder - at an estimated cost of about 3million.

However, in an update on August 10, 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.

Protesters were accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money after seemingly getting deliberately arrested by officers.

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police announced that a further 60 people will be prosecuted for 'showing support for the proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action.

Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: 'The decisions that we have announced today are the first significant numbers to come out of the recent protests, and many more can be expected in the next few weeks.

We are ready to make swift decisions in all cases where arrests have been made. The public has a democratic right to protest peacefully in this country, and I understand the depth of feeling around the horrific scenes in Gaza.

'However, Palestine Action is now a proscribed terrorist organisation and those who have chosen to break the law will be subject to criminal proceedings under the Terrorism Act.

'When protest conduct crosses the line from lawful activity into criminality, we have a duty to enforce the law.

'People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action. A terrorism conviction can severely impact your life and career  it can restrict your ability to travel overseas and work in certain professions.

'I urge people to think very carefully about their actions at protests. Anyone who chooses to disobey the law will have to face the consequences.'
There were theatrics galore, including a 20-second handshake and a cameo by a B-2 stealth bomber, but in the end the 'Don and Vlad' show failed to deliver a grand finale.

After nearly three hours behind closed doors on a military base in Alaska, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin emerged like heavyweight prize fighters who had fought each other to a standstill.

They proceeded to talk briefly to the millions watching with bated breath on TV around the world, but revealed no specifics of what they had discussed.

For Volodymyr Zelensky, and in European capitals, the main conclusion was that the encounter had ended in stalemate, and there would be no immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

For Trump, it was undoubtedly a historic achievement to get Putin to the negotiating table at all, and a starting point for what may be a long road to peace, and perhaps a Nobel Prize. He rated the summit a '10/10'.

But for Kremlin watchers it looked very much like Putin achieved his two main goals - a return to the world stage, and buying more time to make military gains in Ukraine.

The Russian leader was grinning as he boarded his plane - the 'Flying Kremlin' - back to Moscow.

After nearly three hours behind closed doors in Alaska , Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin emerged like heavyweight prize fighters who had fought each other to a standstill

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By agreeing to the summit in the first place, Putin had avoided the threat of further U.S. sanctions, and by then refusing Trump's demand to declare an immediate ceasefire he kicked the diplomatic can down the road.

His troops are currently advancing in Ukraine so it was to his advantage to delay a ceasefire and seek a better deal later. On the eve of the summit he had bombed Ukraine yet again, and his forces had advanced six miles towards the eastern town of Dobropillia.

Trump had said he would 'not be happy' if he didn't get a ceasefire, but the starting points for the negotiations never seemed promising.

Putin wanted Ukrainian territory but the extent of his demands were shrouded in uncertainty, due in part to apparent previous misunderstandings with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff.

Trump was prepared for 'land swaps' but had agreed not to make any commitments without Zelensky, who was not invited to Alaska. Zelensky wanted a ceasefire before any discussion on territory.

Meanwhile, Putin also wanted Ukrainian membership of NATO ruled out, which was a diplomatic non-starter.

They proceeded to talk briefly to the millions watching with bated breath on TV but revealed no specifics of what they had discussed

However, for Ukraine, and its European allies, despite the uncertain outcome, there was some relief that no harm appeared to have been done in Alaska.

They had feared a repetition of Yalta, the 1945 conference where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin decided the fate of European counties without them being represented at the negotiating table.

Russia occupies about one fifth of Ukraine, including large parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, areas rich in coal and gas, and other minerals like lithium.

With Zelensky not in Alaska, he was concerned about a 'Yalta 2,' with Trump promising to hand over parts of his country to Putin, and that did not happen.

With Zelensky not in Alaska, he and European allies were concerned about a 'Yalta 2,' with Trump handing over parts of Ukraine's territory to Putin

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Trump's detractors had also sought to cast him in the potential role of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain at Munich in 1938.

Chamberlain gave the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia to Hitler and then infamously claimed that he had achieved 'peace for our time.'

Trump showed in Alaska that he is no Chamberlain.

Instead, he has a strong dislike for people trying to pull the wool over his eyes - and, increasingly, that appears to be his view of Putin.

Last month, Trump lamented: 'We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.'

'Bad cop' Marco Rubio speaks with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov

In Alaska, there was no repeat of the 2018 press conference in Helsinki when Trump was widely criticized for siding with Putin over his own intelligence agencies, denying that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election.

Also, unlike Helsinki, Trump took the decision not to meet Putin alone. Instead, the meeting was a '3X3' with both leaders bringing two trusted advisers.

In Trump's case he used a diplomatic 'good cop, bad cop' strategy. The 'good cop' was Witkoff, who has built up a rapport with Putin over several long meetings.

The 'bad cop' was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has in the past savaged Putin as a 'thug and gangster.'

In one sense, just being in Alaska was a victory for Putin, a man responsible for launching the largest land war in Europe since 1945.

He is, officially, an internationally wanted war crimes suspect after a warrant for his arrest was issued by the International Criminal Court.

Trump effectively brought him in from the cold after a three-and-a-half year exile as a global pariah.

It also allowed Putin to become the first Russian leader to set foot in Alaska since Tsar Alexander II sold it to the U.S. in 1867.

The summit had begun in a hopeful atmosphere.

On the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Trump's Air Force One sat next to Putin's plane.

Trump disembarked first and played the perfect host, standing at the end of a long red carpet as Putin descended the steps and walked briskly toward him.

The U.S. leader applauded Putin on his walk and then deployed what body language experts call a 'clasp and yank' handshake - gripping Putin's hand and pulling the Russian toward him.

Putin resisted and stood his ground as they locked hands for 20 seconds, with Putin telling Trump he had come to 'help.'

As they walked up another stretch of red carpet, past two parked U.S. jets, Putin appeared briefly taken aback by Trump's next power play.

The Russian leader gazed up as an American B-2 stealth nuclear bomber and four F-35 fighter jets flew slowly in formation over his head at low altitude.

For a former Cold War KGB officer it must have been an unnerving experience.

F-35 jets and a B-2 nuclear bomber flew over Vladimir Putin as he arrived at Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base in Alaska

Trump rated the summit '10/10' after the two men stood in front of Air Force One

The two leaders then stood on a stage branded with the words 'Alaska 2025.'

However, Trump's carefully choreographed welcome was upended when an American reporter yelled at Putin: 'Will you stop killing civilians?'

Putin shrugged and pointed to his ear to indicate he could not hear. They then headed toward Trump's armored limousine, 'The Beast.'

The Russian leader appeared to chuckle as he got in the back with Trump for what proved to be their only one-on-one encounter during the summit.

Putin said he would not have invaded Ukraine in 2022 if Trump had been president

After they arrived at the venue for the meeting they sat for photographs. Putin again appeared rattled as a reporter shouted: 'Mr Putin, will you commit to a ceasefire? Will you commit to not killing any more civilians?'

He cupped his hands to his face and appeared to mouth: 'I can't hear you.'

The two leaders and their advisers then huddled privately and anticipation mounted as the clock ticked by. It was assumed the longer they talked, the greater the likelihood of success.

But, in the end, the summit finished abruptly. A lunch, and a second negotiating session with larger teams, were scrapped.

Instead, two lecterns were wheeled out and the leaders appeared on stage together for final remarks.

Putin seemed the more buoyant, speaking briefly in English, and jauntily inviting Trump to a potential follow-up meeting in Moscow.

He also lavished praise on Trump, confirming that the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 would not have happened if he had been president rather than Joe Biden.

When Putin finally stopped talking, Trump was uncharacteristically brief.

He thanked his guest for coming, but did not accept the invitation to Moscow.

Despite all the warm words from his Russian counterpart, Trump is discovering that pushing Putin into a ceasefire will be an almighty struggle.
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger donned an expletive-laden shirt to troll incumbent Gavin Newsom over his plans to redraw districts in the state.

The actor, 78, shared a picture of himself using a weight machine with the caption: 'I'm getting ready for the gerrymandering battle'.

The Terminator star, who is a Republican, wore a black t shirt with the words: 'F*** the politicians. Terminate gerrymandering', with a red and blue fist across it.

Gerrymandering is the term used to describe the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor a party.

Governor Newsom is looking to hold a special election in the state to seek approval to redraw districts in a bid to give Democrats five more US house seats.

The plan would involve the replacement of the current nonpartisan redistricting commission, which is responsible for drawing boundaries and was formed with Schwarzenegger's support in 2008.

Newsom's plans are a direct response to a similar Republican led motion in Texas, backed by Trump, as his party look to cling on to their slim House majority in the upcoming midterms.

Newsom - a vocal adversary of Donald Trump - introduced his 'Election Rigging Response Act' to Golden State voters at a campaign style event earlier this week.

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger donned an expletive-laden shirt to troll incumbent Gavin Newsom over his plans to redraw districts in the state

Newsom - a vocal adversary of Donald Trump - introduced his 'Election Rigging Response Act' to Golden State voters at a campaign style event earlier this week

The act, which will go before voters in November, would mean California would temporarily adopt new congressional districts through 2030 if other states - such as Texas - did the same.

'We're giving the people of this state the power to save democracy, not just in California, but all across the United States of America,' Newsom said.

Democrats only need to flip three House seats to regain control of the chamber for the 2026 election.

Newsom encouraged Californians and residents of other blue states to 'stand up' against the efforts being led by Texas, but are also being considered in other states.

'He's going to lose the midterms, he knows de facto his presidency ends in 17 months,' Newsom said. 'Why else would he try to rig the system?'

In a letter penned to Trump on Monday, Newsom said: If you will not stand down, I will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states.'

Newsom offered a compromise to Trump by promising to call off redistricting efforts in California if GOP-led states do the same.

But if the other states call off their redistricting efforts, we will happily do the same. And American democracy will be better for it.

Newsom offered a compromise to Trump by promising to call off redistricting efforts in California if GOP-led states do the same

If the Trump-backed plot is successful, the GOP is expected to gain at least five additional seats in the House of Representatives.

'We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats, Trump told CNBC on Tuesday. 'We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas.'

'I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats.'

If approved, a new California map would take effect only if a Republican state does its own redistricting. It would remain through the 2030 elections.

After that, Democrats say, they would return mapmaking power to the independent commission voters approved in 2008.

Trump has urged other Republican-run states to redraw maps, even sending Vice President JD Vance to Indiana to pressure officials there.

In Missouri, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press, the state Senate received a $46,000 invoice to activate six redistricting software licenses and provide training for up to 10 staff members.

Democratic state lawmakers fled from Texas to deny the GOP the quorum necessary to vote on legislation in the state capital.

In response, Abbott last week ordered the arrest of dozens of state Democrats who went to Illinois and New York.

The Texas governor also filed an emergency petition to the Texas Supreme Court, requesting the justices declare Democratic Minority Leader Gene Wus seat vacant.
Four words, spoken in English by Russian President Vladimir Putin, seemed to surprise even Donald Trump at the end of their Alaska summit Friday: 'Next time in Moscow.'

Trump, who admitted peace talks in Anchorage 'didn't get there', appeared to have been caught off guard, but winged an answer that was both encouraging and non-committal.

'Thats an interesting one, Ill get a little heat on that one,' Trump said with a laugh. 'But I could see it possibly happening.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for further comment on Putin's invitation.

No American president has visited Russia since Barack Obama attended the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg in 2013.

Many were shocked by the overture from Putin to Trump in the moment.

'History is unfolding before our eyes,' one pro-Trump commenter stated.

'That must be the first time he's spoken English on camera in years,' noted journalist Saagar Enjeti.

Four words, spoken in English by Russian President Vladimir Putin , seemed to surprise even Donald Trump at the end of their Alaska summit Friday: 'Next time in Moscow'

Trump didn't appear to have a reaction prepared to his Russian counterpart but winged an answer that was both encouraging and non-committal

Liberals, unsurprisingly, were critical of the offer as they were of much of the entire meeting.

'Putin opened and spoke first, spoke longer and got the last word inviting his pal Trump to Moscow. Stuffed Trump in a locker. Pathetic and Weak,' wrote former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock.

Trump has been to Moscow in the past, including in 2013 to stage the Miss Universe Pageant.

He also went with his first wife Ivana on a trip to the then-Soviet Union in 1987, writing in The Art of the Deal that it was after a representative of the USSR suggested he could do business there, potentially building a hotel.

Obama was also the last president to go to the Russian capital in Moscow, where he first met with Putin in 2009.

However, relations between the United States and the Kremlin have gone downhill since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, the 'Russiagate' hoax and allegations of interfering in US elections in 2016 and the War in Ukraine that began in 2021.

Joe Biden's lone meeting with Putin took place in Geneva in June 2021, just months before the war began.

At the summit today, Putin claimed the conflict would not have happened had Trump been president at the time.

Bill Clinton, George H.W. and George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon all went to Russia at least once. grea

Putin speaks at a press conference following the summit in Anchorage, Alaska

No American president has visited Russia since Barack Obama attended the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg in 2013

Trump has been to Moscow in the past, including in 2013 to stage the Miss Universe Pageant . He also went with his first wife Ivana on a trip to the then-Soviet Union in 1987

Franklin Delano Roosevelt attended the famous Yalta Conference to discuss the postwar reorganization of Germany and Europe with Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill just months before his death in 1945.

Joe Biden's lone meeting with Putin took place in Geneva in June 2021, just months before the war began.

At the summit today, Putin claimed the conflict would not have happened had Trump been president at the time.

But the president left the world hanging announcing no details and answering no questions about his 'extremely productive meeting' with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the future of Ukraine.

What was clear was that there was no immediate ceasefire or peace deal to end the Ukraine war out of Friday's Anchorage, Alaska talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

We didnt get there,' the usually ebullient president acknowledged, 'but we have a very good chance of getting there.

In an extremely uncharacteristic move, Trump allowed Putin to speak first - at what had been billed as a bilateral press conference - and then didn't answer a single question before shaking hands with Putin again and sauntering offstage.

Their whole appearance before the press lasted just 12 minutes following more than three hours of private conversation.

Liberals, unsurprisingly, were critical of the offer as they were of much of the entire meeting

'I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened. But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left,' Trump said.

He added, 'Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.'

In his opening statement, Putin flattered Trump by saying his assessment about the Ukraine war was true and that it never would have happened under Trump's watch.

'Today when President Trump's saying that if he was the president back then there will be no war. I'm quite sure it would indeed be so, I can confirm that,' Putin said in Russian through a translator.

Putin also placed blame on former President Joe Biden for the U.S.-Russia relationship unraveling, not his February 2022 invasion of America's ally Ukraine.

'I'd like to remind you that in 2022, during the last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague that the situation should not be brought to the point of no return when it would come to hostilities,' Putin said, adding it was a 'big mistake.'

Putin noted that the U.S.-Russia relationship had soured 'to the lowest point since the Cold War.'

'I think that's not benefiting our countries and the world as a whole,' Putin said. 'It's apparent that sooner or later we had to amend the situation and move on from the confrontation to dialogue.'

Barack Obama was the last US president to meet with Putin in Russia. Pictured: The leaders in 2009 at Putin's residence near Moscow

But Putin's comments were mostly backward-looking, a glaring indication that the U.S. and Russia remained apart on the crucial issues that could lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

What was clear was that there was no immediate ceasefire or peace deal to end the Ukraine war out of Friday's Anchorage, Alaska talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

We didnt get there,' the usually ebullient president acknowledged, 'but we have a very good chance of getting there.

In an extremely uncharacteristic move, Trump allowed Putin to speak first - at what had been billed as a bilateral press conference - and then didn't answer a single question before shaking hands with Putin again and sauntering offstage.

Their whole appearance before the press lasted just 12 minutes following more than three hours of private conversation.

'I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened. But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left,' Trump said.

He added, 'Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.'

During a sit-down with Sean Hannity taped in the room the summit occurred, the Fox News host asked if the president would reveal to him what that one issue is.

'No, I'd rather not,' Trump replied. 'I guess somebody is going to go public with it, they'll figure it out, but no, I don't want to do that. I want to see if we can get it done.'
Parents in a New Jersey township could be hit with fines or even jail time if their kids cause a public disturbance thanks to new rules brought in to curb antisocial behavior.

Gloucester Township Council have adopted the new measure after a series of incidents involving 'unruly juveniles' ruining a town festival two years in a row.

Last year the township's annual community day in June descended into chaos after around 500 people started causing disruptions, according to WPVI.

Disruption ran on for two hours and resulted in the arrest of 10 juveniles aged between 13 and 17, along with two adults.

Officers were reportedly spat on, cursed at and assaulted according to Police Chief David Harkins.

This year the event was due to go ahead, but was postponed over threats of violence being made.

Now new rules specify that parents of a minor who is found guilty of a first offense may be 'ordered to provide supervision of the minor'.

Another offense could see the parent or legal guardian hit with a fine of $2,000, or face a jail sentence of 90 days, or both, the ordinance says.

Gloucester Township in New Jersey bought in new ordinances which could see parents prosecuted if their children cause disturbances. It comes after the town was rocked by youth violence last year

The violence centered around the town's annual community day. Pictured: Lake Dramesi in the township

Speaking with ABC News, Chief Harkins emphasized that punishment isn't the primary goal with the new rules.

He said: 'We're not looking to put anybody in jail. This is about warning parents and due process.

'We've gotten overwhelming support from our community. People recognize the need for parental responsibility.'

Speaking on the youth violence, he added: 'I've never experienced anything like it in 30 years as a police officer the disrespect, the violent behavior that ruined a family event.

'We understand being a parent is a tough job. We're committed to giving help to those that need it.

'Many times interviewing the parents, they had no idea who their kids were with or what they were doing. That's got to change.'

Harkins told the outlet that so far no parents have been charged since the new rules were brought in.

Speaking with NewsNation, Mayor David Mayer said: 'We have a juvenile crisis in this country. This is not unique to Gloucester Township.

Officers were reportedly spat on, cursed at and assaulted according to Police Chief David Harkins

Mayor David Mayer, seen here, said the problems were not unique to the area, but rather a crisis across the US

'It is symptomatic of a larger societal juvenile crisis. Ill tell you, I dont have all the answers. But one possible answer is to hold parents accountable for their children.

'We have to get parents attention to make sure theyre tracking their children, juveniles, in a proper way, and hold them responsible.'

The outlet also spoke with parents who are outraged over the move and believe it has set a dangerous precedent.

Alexandra Bougher with the group Moms for Liberty said the move had set a dangerous precedent

Alexandra Bougher with the group Moms for Liberty, told the outlet: 'Blaming parents for what a child does? They are their own person.

'Sure, the brain is not fully formed yet, but if they are getting the correct guidance, they should be making the right decisions, and they know the difference between right and wrong.

'And if they choose to do something wrong, that child should be held accountable for it, not the parent.

'I think if we start this, what does it open up? What else are we going to be at fault for? If a child gets in a car accident, is it my fault? I was at home.'

Nicole Stouffer, founder of parental rights group 'The New Jersey Project', pointed to lax marijuana laws and changes in police policies.

In a statement, the council said: 'By emphasizing parental accountability, the ordinance encourages guardians to be actively involved in guiding their children and preventing juvenile misconduct.

'This measure is part of the townships ongoing efforts to keep Gloucester Township safe and ensure it remains a community where residents and visitors can feel secure.'
A 'sex-based women's rights' protest has erupted as counter-protesters supporting transgender rights faced off with police.

Protesters associated with Womens Voices Australia had gathered on the steps of Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne on Saturday.

The group, which frequently uses the slogan 'biology isnt bigotry', prompted a demonstration from pro-trans activists who marched through the CBD to the building.

The almost 100-strong counter-protest reached parliament at 11am before being pushed away by police officers who sparked an altercation.

In footage from the scene, people dressed in black with their faces covered could be heard yelling slogans, including 'all cops are Nazis' as they faced off with authorities.

Individuals were seen jostling with officers, throwing various items including an umbrella and flares at police.

Officers arrested four people over the course of the protest.

It is understood pepper spray was also deployed to bring demonstrators under control.

Pro-trans rights protesters clashed with police at a protest in Melbourne on Saturday (pictured)

The protesters arrived in response to plans for a sex-based women's rights demonstration

Protesters could be seen holding signs opposing 'TERFascists'  TERF is an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist

Victoria Police were on high alert for the protest since yesterday after neo-Nazis threatened to hijack the action.

Pro-trans protesters had also encouraged demonstrators to interfere with journalists.

On Saturday, some members of the group could be seen using umbrellas to block TV news cameras and allegedly launched one at a journalist.

'Three police officers were injured, but none required hospitalisation,' a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

Police said the arrests came after officers struggled to contain some demonstrators.

The force carried out 145 searches and forced 50 demonstrators to remove their face coverings.

A 21-year-old Flemington man was arrested after allegedly hitting a police officer with an umbrella about 11.30am. He was charged with assault police and bailed to appear at court at a later date.

At least four people have been arrested at the demonstration in Melbourne (pictured, police hold up a protester)

Police have reportedly deployed capsicum spray as protesters could be seen jostling with officers (pictured, protesters in Melbourne)

A 19-year-old woman from Wallington and a 27-year-old man from Coburg were arrested for allegedly possessing flares.

They are expected to be charged on summons.

A 33-year-old man from Oakleigh South was arrested for failing to move on. He is also expected to be charged on summons.

Women's Voices Australia previously protested in April following the passage of anti-vilification laws in Victoria.

During the earlier march, four officers were injured after protesters threw various objects and missiles at police

Protesters also attempted to block intersections while carrying wooden pallets.

Women's Voices Australia organiser Jasmine Sussex affirmed on Friday the protest would go ahead.

'Women have had enough of angry men claiming special gender identity hijacking womens sex based rights. We wont be silenced!' she said.

'Threatening middle-aged women who refuse to be dehumanised as cervix havers is dumb politics.'
Bill Maher took aim at Hunter Biden after Melania Trump revealed she plans to sue him for defamation after he claimed she was introduced to Donald Trump by Jeffrey Epstein.

The first lady revealed Wednesday that she will sue Hunter for $1 billion after he refused to apologize and take down a podcast video where he made the false claim.

Maher, one of the few liberals who criticized the coverup of the Hunter Biden laptop story, took his shots at the troubled former First Son on his HBO show.

'Melania says she's gonna sue Hunter Biden,' he said, to immediate chuckles from the audience.

'That's not the joke part! I really like this where she says she's gonna sue him for a billion dollars.'

He then explained why the first lady was suing Biden before delivering the punchline.

'If Hunter loses, it's going to be weird for him writing a woman a check because she's not a prostitute,' Maher joked to laughs and applause.

Maher famously said in 2022 there was a 'conspiracy to get rid of' ex-President Donald Trump that involved suppressing the New York Post's infamous Hunter Biden laptop story.

Bill Maher (pictured) delighted his audience Friday with a blow at Hunter Biden over rumors Melania Trump plans to sue him for defamation after he claimed Jeffrey Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump

The first lady revealed Wednesday that she would sue Hunter (pictured) for $1 billion after he refused to apologize and take down a podcast video where he made the false claim that Melania Trump was introduced to the president by Epstein

The controversy began in an interview with the Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan podcast, where Hunter Biden cited a Daily Beast report for his claim about the first lady sourced to author Michael Wolff.

The first lady's lawyer Alejandro Brito called Hunter Biden's comments 'false, defamatory, and lewd'.

'Given your vast history of trading on the names of others-including your surname-for your personal benefit, it is obvious that you published these false and defamatory statements about Mrs. Trump to draw attention to yourself,' Brito wrote in a letter, first obtained by Fox News Digital.

After Mrs. Trump threatened legal action, Hunter shared his public reaction on Callaghan's show.

'F**k that. That's not going to happen,' Biden replied, after Callaghan showed him a copy of the letter.

Hunter defended his comments, citing reporting from Wolff's book, and a 2019 story from the New York Times that reported Epstein was 'claiming to people that he was the one who introduced Mr. Trump to his third wife, Melania Trump'.

Other media outlets backed down from the false claim, including the Daily Beast, which retracted the story and apologized. Political operative James Carville also deleted a podcast video where he made the claim and apologized.

Hunter defied the lawsuit threat and vowed to take the Trumps to court, even as he estimated the lawsuit would probably cost 'millions' of dollars.

The first lady's lawyer Alejandro Brito called Hunter Biden's comments 'false, defamatory, and lewd'

After Mrs. Trump threatened legal action, Hunter shared his public reaction on Callaghan's show. 'Fu*k that. That's not going to happen,' Biden replied, after Callaghan showed him a copy of the letter

If they want to go through the process, then they know its going to cost them an enormous amount of money to do it, he said. We gotta figure out how were going to pay for it.

The president is championing the decision by his wife to sue Biden for his claim.

'I told her, let's go ahead and do it. I let her use my lawyers,' Trump revealed to Fox News radio host Brian Kilmeade in an interview on Thursday. 'She was very upset about it.'

Trump repeated that the claim was false and easily disproven.

'Jeffrey Epstein had nothing to do with Melania and introducing,' he said, criticizing Hunter and other media outlets that aired the claim. 'But they do that to demean, they make up stories ... I mean, I can tell you exactly how ... it was another person, actually. I did meet through another person. But it wasn't Jeffrey Epstein.'

The president pointed to his success in getting media outlets to back down in response to lawsuits, which prompted his endorsement of the lawsuit.

'I said go forward, you know, I've done pretty well on these lawsuits lately,' Trump said.
Oklahoma is demanding new teachers from liberal states to take a first-of-its-kind assessment aimed at filtering out what officials call 'woke indoctrinators'.

The new certification test, developed by conservative media company PragerU, is being administered for the first time ever on Friday and targets aspiring teachers who have relocated from California and New York.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters told CNN that any applicant who fails the assessment will be denied a teaching certificate and barred from working in Oklahoma public schools this academic year.

'This keeps away woke indoctrinators,' Walters said. 'We will not allow these leftists' plans and schemes to take place here in Oklahoma. They are trying to warp the minds of our kids to turn them into social justice warriors.'

The 50-question, multiple-choice test covers topics ranging from basic U.S. civics to more politically charged issues.

One question asks which chromosomes determine biological sex, while another probes the importance of religious freedom in American identity, CNN reported.

Walters, 40, said the test reflects Oklahoma's 'standards and values' and is designed to ensure new teachers 'teach history appropriately' and acknowledge the influence of Christianity in the nation's founding.

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters (pictured), 40, is demanding new teachers from liberal states to take a first-of-its-kind assessment aimed at filtering out what officials call ' woke indoctrinators'.

The test is designed to root out 'leftists plans' and targets prospective teachers from the likes of New York and California Pictured: Protestors outside a State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City on August 22, 2024

PragerU, which is not an accredited university despite its name, has gained traction among Republican-led states in recent years.

Its content has now been approved for use in public schools in ten states - including Alaska, Idaho, South Carolina, Louisiana, Arizona, New Hampshire, Montana, Texas and Florida - and its videos, which are often criticized for promoting misinformation, are widely used in conservative circles.

Jonathan Zimmerman, a historian at the University of Pennsylvania, described the move as a 'watershed moment' for PragerU.

'It's actually giving Prager an explicit role. It's official and it's institutionalized,' Zimmerman said.

So far, the test applies only to incoming teachers from California and New York, but Walters said it could soon extend to applicants from as many as eight additional states.

An aide to the superintendent told CNN that the test will affect a 'fairly large' number of applicants, though specific figures were not provided.

Walters said the test reflects Oklahoma's 'standards and values' and is designed to ensure new teachers 'teach history appropriately' and acknowledge the influence of Christianity in the nation's founding. Pictured: The Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City

At a recent State Board of Education meeting (pictured), members raised legal concerns and requested to review the assessment before its rollout. However, Walters declined, insisting he had full authority

The initiative comes amid a teacher shortage in Oklahoma and increased scrutiny of the state's education system, which ranks near the bottom nationally. Critics have argued that the assessment amounts to a 'political loyalty test,' not an evaluation of teaching ability.

'You don't sign up to teach schools because you hate America,' John Waldron, chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party and a former teacher, said.

'That's not who's teaching in our classrooms,' he said while calling the test an 'insult to our profession.'

At a recent State Board of Education meeting, members raised legal concerns and requested to review the assessment before its rollout. However, Walters declined, insisting he had full authority.

'Every teacher that teaches in the state of Oklahoma will have to have a certificate that goes through my office,' he said. 'It has my signature on it. So those will not move forward until this is done.'

So far, the test applies only to incoming teachers from California and New York, but Walters (pictured) said it could soon extend to applicants from as many as eight additional states.

The initiative comes amid a teacher shortage in Oklahoma and increased scrutiny of the state's education system, which ranks near the bottom nationally. Pictured: Teachers rally outside the state Capitol on the second day of a teacher walkout to demand higher pay and more funding for education in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 3, 2018

According to CNN, who obtained a partial look at the assessment, the test includes questions about the Constitution, U.S. Senate composition, and civics basics, alongside more ideological content.

In July, the state education department shared Oklahoma's certification standards with PragerU, which then compared them with California and New York requirements to build the test.

'You're gonna teach that there's biological differences between males and females, period,' Walters said. 'We want our students to be patriots. Here in Oklahoma, our academics are going to be grounded in fact.'

PragerU CEO Marissa Streit said the goal is to 'undo the damage of gender ideology' and align with the values of Oklahoma's parent community.

Walters, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, has also previously mandated the teaching of the Bible in schools as a historical document.
A notorious vegan activist has asked her followers to help her raise $30,000 so she can pay a travel bond and attend an animal rights 'camp out' abroad.

Tash Peterson, 31, surrendered her passport and declared bankruptcy in May this year after losing a defamation suit.

Western Australian Supreme Court Chief Justice Peter Quinlan found in 2024 that she and her boyfriend, Jack Higgs, had published defamatory claims about a vet 'eating her own patients'.

Peterson and Higgs were ordered to pay $280,000 in damages.

But the young activist wants to travel to the United Kingdom and deliver a speech at the Vegan Camp Out Festival in Hertfordshire over the final weekend of August.

She and Higgs will have to pay a $30,000 bond for their bankruptcy trustees to retrieve their passports.

'We are bankrupt and need $30,000 to get to the UK for the Vegan Camp Out,' she said in a video shared with her followers on social media.

Higgs claimed the pair were 'forced into bankruptcy' by the defamation case.

Vegan activist Tash Peterson (right) and partner Jack Higgs (left) have pleaded with supporters to raise $30,000 so she can attend a UK animal rights festival

'Our bankruptcy trustees said that we have to pay $30,000 if we want to go to the UK, because they're concerned we're going to flee Australia for good,' Peterson said.

'Because of this we're trying to raise funds so that I can give my speech... the only purpose of our trip is so that I can speak up for non-human animals not to run away.'

Higgs said the bond, once returned after the trip, would go to funding the Farm Transparency Project, which produced the vegan cult film Dominion.

Peterson's mother, Sally, is hosting the pair's GoFundMe page online, which has so far raised $3,200.

In April this year, WA vet Kay McIntosh's lawyer, Martin Bennett, said neither Peterson nor Higgs had 'attempted to pay a cent' of the defamation damages.

The Daily Mail has contacted Peterson for comment.

Peterson has carried out controversial protests on several occasions including 'gatecrashing' restaurants and agricultural events.

In March, she burst into The Lamb Shop at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast playing the 'screams of terrified animals' from a speaker attached to her belt.

Both surrendered their passports earlier this year after being hit with bankruptcy and strict court-ordered travel conditions (Higgs and Peterson pictured together)

Peterson has become known for her public protests, including 'blood'-soaked stunts (above) and restaurant disruptions

'Do the screams make you feel guilty?' she asked customers before she was confronted by a worker.

She has also covered her body in fake blood on numerous occasions and paraded through public locations while carrying pro-veganism signs.

Last year, the semi-clad activist protested in a bloodied stunt outside David Jones on Hay Street in Perth's CBD.

She highlighted the message by lying on top of a 'blood-soaked chopping block' which read: 'David Jones: Drop Wild-Animal Skins'.

Peterson launched an OnlyFans page in 2022 to fund her career-activist ambitions, publishing a lengthy video explaining the move at the time.

'I get accused of being an attention seeker, I get accused of sexualising myself, I get accused of just doing my animal rights activism to promote my OnlyFans account,' she said.

'Obviously in our society today we think women are treated equally however there is so much ingrained misogyny amongst men and women today because a lot of people are saying women shouldn't be wearing lingerie, they shouldn't be going on OnlyFans and getting paid to be topless or naked.

'I completely dispute this because I think women should be able to do whatever the hell they want to with their bodies.'

The activist (above) also launched an OnlyFans account in 2022 to help fund her campaigns - income that was later scrutinised in court

Her OnlyFans revenue was scrutinised in court in April, following the bankruptcy declaration.

The justice rejected the pursuant's attempts to conflate Peterson's activism and her trust company, V-Gan Booty PTY LTD, which owns her subscription operations.

He said Peterson's OnlyFans revenue was likely boosted by her notoriety as an activist, but said not all of her actions were 'in her capacity as a director or agent of the company', according to the West Australian.

The company raked in $250,952 in taxable income for the financial year 2021-22, of which $132,948 came from online subscription sales.
As Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin touched down in Alaska for the historic summit to discuss the future of Ukraine, the Russian leader was seemingly met with a show of strength by his US counterpart.

As the two leaders strutted down the red carpet, rolled out for them on the tarmac at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, the US president surprised Putin with a military display.

While walking to the podium to they were greeted by a military flyover of a US BS B2 stealth bomber, flanked by four F-35s.

The five planes flew overhead in an arrow formation, close to the ground, resulting in a thunderous noise.

And while Trump looked impressed by the display of military might, clapping afterwards Putin shrugged off the jets and seemed nonplussed.

The pair then got into a waiting vehicle together and were seen smiling inside as they drove to a c.

The jets were used in US's June strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, which saw seven planes fly 36 hours straight from a US air base to the Middle eastern country.

The planes are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear munitions and the US president previously praised the aircraft for the damage inflicted on Iran.

US President Donald Trump (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) met in Alaska for an historic summit to discuss the future of Ukraine (pictured shaking hands)

As the two leaders walked across the tarmac at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, the US president surprised Putin with a military flyover of a US BS B2 stealth bomber and four F-35s (pictured)

Putin and trump posing on a podium shortly before they drove to a the venue of their three-hour talk - which failed to yield a peace deal

Moments before Trump's plane touched down, the White House announced the planned one-on-one meeting between the world leaders was off the table.

Putin and Trump instead held talks with two of their top aides.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador Steve Witkoff joined Trump during his formal discussions with Putin.

On his way to Anchorage, Trump told reporters his goal was to 'stop the killing,' but that he didn't know how long it would take to get a ceasefire deal over the line.

'I don't know if it's going to be today,' Trump admitted on Air Force One. 'But I'm not going to be happy if it's not today. Everyone said it can't be today - but I want the killing to stop.'

Days ago, Trump warned Putin 'there will be very severe consequences' if Russia does not agree to stop the war in Ukraine after their meeting.

However Trump failed to secure a ceasefire agreement or peace deal in the 'extremely productive meeting' with the Russian president.

Trump looked impressed by the display of military might, featuring planes used in the June strike on Iran but Putin shrugged off the jets (pictured in Elmendorf Air Force Base)

Trump failed to secure a ceasefire agreement or peace deal in the 'extremely productive meeting' with the Russian president (the pair pictured ahead of their three-hour meeting)

The US leader told reporters: 'We didn't get there,' the usually ebullient president acknowledged, 'but we have a very good chance of getting there.'

Following the three-hour meeting, Trump revealed that there were still several issues to iron out.

He said: 'I'm going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened. But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left.'

He added, 'Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.'

Trump was set to call Zelensky and NATO leaders immediately after the meeting but details were not immediately available if that occurred.
China has accused Australian spies of operating in its country after the top Aussie spy boss accused Chinese spies of doing the same thing down under.

China's Ministry of State Security hit back against ASIO director-general Mike Burgess' claim that Chinese citizens were spying in Australia.

The statement was released by the Foreign Ministry's official WeChat account and accused Australian intelligence agencies of making groundless accusations.

In July, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China in an attempt to normalise relations with Beijing after several tense years.

However, a speech by Mr Burgess on July 31, in which he named China among the top three countries engaged in espionage against Australia, unsettled relations once more."

Mr Burgess said ASIO had disrupted 24 'major espionage and foreign interference' operations within the last three years alone.

'Nation states are spying at unprecedented levels, with unprecedented sophistication,' he said.

'ASIO is seeing more Australians targeted  more aggressively  than ever before.'

China's Ministry of State Security accused Australian agencies of spying within the country

The agency's accusation was in retaliation against ASIO director-general Mike Burgess' claim that Chinese citizens were doing the same in Australia

China's Ministry of State Security accused Australia of painting itself as the 'victim' while its spies operated within the country.

'Australian intelligence agencies advocated the "serious threat" posed by foreign espionage activities to Australia, and even packaged themselves as innocent "victims" in groundless accusations of "Chinese espionage threat",' the ministry said.

'In recent years, China's state security organs have successively cracked a number of espionage cases against China instigated by Australian intelligence agencies in accordance with the law, effectively safeguarding Chinas sovereignty, security and development interests.'

Mr Burgess put the cost of espionage - including the theft of intellectual property resulting in lost revenue and responding to incidents - at $12.5billion in 2023/24.

This included cyber spies stealing nearly $2billion of trade secrets and intellectual property from Australian companies.

In particular, foreign agents had been targeting AUKUS and military technology secrets, he told a crowd in South Australia.

'Hackers stealing commercially sensitive information from one Australian exporter gave a foreign country a leg up in a subsequent contract negotiation, 'costing Australia hundreds of millions of dollars', Mr Burgess said.

The director-general also revealed details of multiple espionage operations as he warned officials, businesses and the general public about interference threats and the impact of lax security.

Mr Burgess claimed China, Iran and Russia posed the biggest threat to Australia's national intelligence

Australian Federal Police charged a Chinese national with reckless foreign interference early in August.

The woman was accused of being tasked by China to spy on a Canberra Buddhist group.

She was arrested under the Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce and now faces a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.

In 2022, Russian spies were deported after an ASIO investigation found they were recruiting proxies and agents to obtain sensitive information.

'You would be genuinely shocked by the number and names of countries trying to steal our secrets', Mr Burgess said.

'In this years annual threat assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, "we are watching, and we have zero tolerance".

'Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve.'
This is the moment the leg of Russian president Vladimir Putin was seen 'twitching suspiciously' as he bid farewell to Donald Trump.

Kremlin footage captured the Russian leaders knee jolting repeatedly as he stood alongside his US counterpart at the end of their brief exchange following a joint press conference at the summit in Alaska.

The pair, flanked by security teams and aides, spoke for a short time, with a translator stepping in to assist their conversation.

Video clips shared online showed the Russian leader repeatedly dipping one knee as he stood beside the 6ft 3in former president at Elmendorf-Richardson air base in Anchorage - before departing without agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

But the unusual movements was seized by eagle-eyed Ukrainians, who ridiculed the 72-year-olds fidgeting and speculated about the state of his health.

They even claimed he wore a 'light exoskeleton' as well as thick-platform shoes to overcome his 'Napoleon complex' and minimise his height difference with the US president.

An exoskeleton is wearable robotic device designed to assist or augment the posture of the person wearing it.

Observers also noted the striking difference in stature, with Trumps 6ft 3in frame towering over the 5ft 7in Russian leader despite Putins visibly elevated footwear.

Kremlin footage captured the Russian leaders knee jolting repeatedly as he stood alongside his US counterpart

The pair, flanked by security teams and aides, spoke for a short time, with a translator stepping in to assist their conversation

Trump and Putin stand in front of Air Force One after their handshake in Alaska

'Attention - Putin's legs. What is wrong with them?' asked Times of Ukraine channel.

'Putin seems to have achieved his goal, but he is twitching suspiciously. His legs are 'shaking.' Maybe his shoes are tight,' said Nevzorov channel.

As well as pushing out his knees, Putin repeatedly raised his left toe and heel in turn.

Another Ukrainian outlet commented on how Putin 'suddenly "grew" for the meeting with Trump'.

'A strange element resembling a light exoskeleton was noticed in the outfit of the Russian dictator,' claimed Crimean Wind.

The 20 centimetre - or eight inch - difference in the leaders' heights was 'not very noticeable on the video.

'However, something resembling a light exoskeleton under the [trousers]  at least from the knees down  is noticeable.

'Apparently, suffering from a Napoleon complex, Putin decided not to limit himself to traditional shoes with hidden platforms adding up to 12 cm [almost 5 inches] in height for the "meeting of the century".'

Donald Trump shakes Putin's hand after their summit in Alaska

Putin is seen smiling during the joint press conference following the talks

The summit, and subsequent press conference, happened at Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska

'Bad cop' Marco Rubio speaks with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov

American fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters escorted the plane carrying Vladimir Putin after his departure from Elmendorf-Richardson Air Base

Later Putin was seen bending his knee to lay flowers at the graves of Soviet pilots and other military personnel at the Fort Richardson Memorial Cemetery.

During the Lend-Lease programme during the Second World War, Soviet pilots trained in Alaska and ferried U.S.-built aircraft across the Bering Strait.

Some died during training or flights.

After laying flowers, Putin returned to his 'Flying Kremlin' Il-96-300PU presidential plane, where he is known as 'Passenger Number One'.

American fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters escorted the plane carrying Vladimir Putin after his departure from Elmendorf-Richardson Air Base following talks with Trump.

Soon afterwards - after crossing the International Date Line - Putin landed in the far-flung Russian region Chukotka, where ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was once the governor, for meetings with local officials.

Following the summit, Trump has been calling Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO and European allies to update them on the two-and-a-half hour meeting.

Zelensky has now said he will travel to Washington on Monday.
An international arrest warrant has been issued for a British man who was arrested after allegedly mowing down two holidaymakers in a horror 'hit-and-run' in Spain.

Jack Benjamin Hulme, 31, was accused of mowing down two pedestrians in Magaluf, Majorca in the early hours of March 23, 2023 - but he was released on bail by a Spanish judge after just 36 hours in police custody.

But today it emerged he is now a wanted man after failing to respond to attempts to contact him by court officials.

The ongoing judicial case has been suspended until Hulme, who faces extradition following his eventual arrest, is located.

The fugitive Brit, said to have been drinking before knocking down a 19-year-old British man and a 20-year-old Polish woman, is facing trial on five offences.

Three people standing next to the victims managed to run out of the way and reach safety as the car veered towards them.

It is understood that Hulme got into a row with another British man whose girlfriend had fallen out with his partner prior to the incident.

He left the scene of the fight in a rage before mounting the pavement outside a fast-food restaurant and injuring the two unsuspecting victims who were described as simply 'being in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

Jack Benjamin Hulme, 31, is said to have mowed down two pedestrians on March 23, 2023

He had gotten into a row with another British man before leaving the scene and mounting a nearby pavement outside a nearby fast-food restaurant

Hulme (pictured) was released on bail by a Spanish judge after just 36 hours in police custody

Horrifying footage shows the Polish woman lying unconscious on her back with her shirt open after the car sped away. Miraculously both victims survived without serious injury.

Hulme was arrested at nearby Son Matias beach after a police manhunt.

He alleged during his initial court appearance he had not intended to run anyone over but couldn't see properly because someone had previously 'sprayed him in the eyes' with an aerosol.

A judge lost patience with the Brit, who had to register contact details with court officials as part of his bail conditions and agree to inform them of any change of address.

Eventually, he declared Hulme in contempt of court before issuing an international arrest warrant.

Hulmes was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide after the incident, but was charged with lesser crimes which include two counts of wounding, reckless driving, and a drink-drive offence.

Public prosecutors are demanding a four-year prison sentence if he is found guilty at trial.

A spokesman for the Spanish police said: 'A British man who was on holiday in Majorca has been arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide following an early-hours hit-and-run incident in Magaluf.'

A 19-year-old British man and a 20-year-old Polish woman were described as being 'in the wrong place at the wrong time'. Miraculously, they both survived

Horrifying footage shows the Polish woman lying unconscious on her back with her shirt open

They added: 'He was held at nearby Son Matias beach after a police search for him and his vehicle.

'The incident was preceded by some sort of argument that is still under investigation.

'One of the people hurt was a Polish woman and the other a British man. Both were also on holiday in the area.'

It follows a similar case where Brit Max Barnes, 25, was held on an international arrest warrant issued by a court in Palma after being bailed and going AWOL following a bottle attack on a Magaluf bouncer in July 2019.

Officials also issued the arrest order after he failed to respond to court communications.

The Briish man was handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence in June after being tracked down and admitting the unprovoked attack at The Plaza bar at the end of Magaluf's bustling Punta Ballena strip as part of a plea bargain deal.

Barnes, who had already paid his victim nearly 35,000 in compensation, admitted his guilt in a trial where he spoke briefly via videoconference.

CCTV footage showed the Lithuanian bouncer reacting to the bottle attack in the packed nightspot by leaving Barnes on the ground with a flurry of punches before bringing his hand to his blood-covered face and neck.

The 34-year-old was left with a gash wound needing 20 stitches according to public prosecutors, although local reports subsequently put the number of stitches at 50.
Judges who bring their personal politics to court should be removed, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has insisted.

Tighter pre-appointment checks for those with partisan views are needed, the MP for Newark, Nottinghamshire, said.

He also called for a system for their removal if any political meddling is discovered.

Mr Jenrick said: 'If judges want to enter the political sphere themselves, then they should stop being judges and go into politics.

'We have to have a situation where judges who act politically and bring their own personal politics into their job as a judge are held to account and frankly, can be removed.'

The shadow Lord Chancellor said he has previously exposed judges for tweeting what he called 'highly political, partisan messages'.

Meanwhile, he added, others have acted as trustees of 'highly partisan' charities.

'I think that is bringing the historic independence of our judiciary into serious disrepute and we've got to change that,' he concluded.

Judges who bring their personal politics to court should be removed, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick (pictured last month) has insisted

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has said judges who 'bring their own personal politics' to the job need to be removed. Pictured: File photo

Tighter pre-appointment checks for those with partisan views are needed, the MP (pictured in June) for Newark, Nottinghamshire, said

Removing senior judges is no easy task, requiring a vote in both the Commons and the Lords.

In lower courts, meanwhile, there needs to be an investigation into any reported wrongdoing, ending in a recommendation of removal.

Mr Jenrick noted UK judges remain highly respectable in some areas of the legal system, like the commercial courts.

But he felt they had not remained independent in others, particularly noting immigration tribunals.

He emphasised a judge's role is simply to uphold law made by Parliament.

The shadow minister said it was pointless to leave behind 'activist judges' in the European courts after Brexit if the UK simply has the same problems with this at home.

Judges are currently selected by the independent Judicial Appointments Commission, introduced in 2005 by then prime minister Tony Blair.

But Mr Jenrick - shadow Lord Chancellor since November last year - believes this is not working and is exploring returning this responsibility to the Lord Chancellor.

Mr Jenrick (pictured in October last year) emphasised a judge's role is simply to uphold law made by Parliament

This approach, in place before Mr Blair's 2005 Constitutional Reform Act, has been previously criticised by many as unfair and politicised.

Elsewhere in his interview with The Telegraph, Mr Jenrick said he wanted 'every single illegal migrant in this country' deported.

The former immigration minister - from October 2022 to December 2023 - said this included those arriving on small boats and lorries, as well as people who claim asylum after landing at airports.

He resigned from his position in then-PM Rishi Sunak's Cabinet after urging for a reinforced Rwanda deportation policy.

The shadow minister still believes similar schemes are a key part of a successful approach to dealing with migration.

He also suggested if the Tories were to enter government at the next election in 2029, he would round up and deport anyone who came to the UK without permission under Labour who has not been granted asylum.

Mr Jenrick praised US president Donald Trump, who he backed during last year's election, for his approach to immigration on the country's southern border.

He said it showed a crackdown on illegal arrivals can have a swift impact.

It comes after the shadow minister's trip to Calais earlier this month (pictured) to witness small boats setting off for England, footage of which he posted on social media

On Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday, Krish Kandiah (pictured), a director of Sanctuary Foundation, claimed the shadow minister had increased 'fear of the stranger' in the UK

The Conservative insisted it was not his rhetoric that is causing a culture war - but the UK's inadequate approach to migration, saying the country wants decisive action.

Earlier this week, the BBC apologised to Mr Jenrick after a refugee charity boss suggested on air the shadow justice secretary is xenophobic.

On Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday, Krish Kandiah, a director of Sanctuary Foundation, claimed the shadow minister had increased 'fear of the stranger' in the UK.

Mr Jenrick accused the broadcaster of smearing 'millions of worried citizens as 'xenophobic' for their completely understandable fears'.

It comes after the shadow minister's trip to Calais earlier this month to witness small boats setting off for England, footage of which he posted on social media.

The Conservative MP lost the party leadership race last summer to Kemi Badenoch, after making it to the final two candidates.

Central to his campaign was the notion of removing the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as the way to deal with small boat arrivals.

This would make it harder to anyone who arrives in Britain illegally to appeal deportation for family reasons, he argued.

Ms Badenoch dismissed this approach during the race as not well thought out - but now looks set to take it at the party conference in the autumn.
A trans woman who was caught smuggling 26kg of cannabis into the UK in order to fund a sex change operation has been sentenced to 18 months behind bars in a men's prison.

Keira Borrett, 46, from Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, was discovered with two suitcases full of the Class B drug when stopped by Border Force officials at London Heathrow Airport on May 23.

Borrett, who was born a male but identifies as a woman, had been returning to the UK from Bangkok in Thailand - where Isleworth Crown Court heard the smuggler made a deal to transport the drugs in exchange for 10,000 transitional surgery.

Prosecutor Sahra Ali said police had been told how Borrett had bumped into a man from Essex in a Bangkok bar, where the conversation turned to how expensive said surgery had become.

After being introduced to accomplices of the Essex man, Borrett received a drop-off by two men in an SUV which contained two 'very heavy' bags, which were then checked in as luggage under Borrett's name.

Borrett was instructed to take these bags to a hotel once touching down in the UK and was informed a payment of 10,000 would be sent for doing so - in turn funding the surgery.

However, Borrett's attempts were thwarted when the airport luggage check revealed that the two suitcases were stuffed with vacuum-sealed cannabis parcels which had a total value of around 800,000, prompting the smuggler's arrest.

Borrett pleaded guilty to smuggling the Class B drug at an earlier hearing.

Keira Borrett (above) has been sentenced to 18 months behind bars in a men's prison after being caught smuggling 26kg of cannabis into the UK

Borrett, who was born a male but identifies as a woman, had been returning from Bangkok in Thailand - where the smuggler is said to have made a deal transport the drugs in exchange for 10,000 transitional surgery

Border Force officials discovered two suitcases full of the Class B drug when stopped at London Heathrow Airport on May 23

'She was not under any duress, she did this willingly. There was an expectation of significant financial advance,' said Ms Ali, referring to Borrett by using female pronouns.

Borrett appeared to be sentenced on a video link from male prison HMP Wormwood Scrubs, west London, where the defendant has spent three months on remand.

Mitigating, Sebastian Cox said Borrett's placement in a men's prison had forced the smuggler to 'detransition' and urged the judge to suspend any prison sentence, saying 'every day in prison has been harder for her given her identity'.

Mr Cox continued by saying Borrett taking the suitcases was a 'lack of judgement' but that it was an 'isolated incident' and one not in line with the defendant's character.

'The offer of money and knowing what it could have done for her life. She made a very silly decision,' he added. 'She is remorseful in the extreme knowing the impact this has had on her family and friends.'

The court was told that Borrett's trip to Thailand was the second in a matter of months, with recorder Kate Aubrey-Johnson saying this brought the defendant's claims that smuggling the drugs was an 'impulsive decision' into question.

Borrett was instructed to the drugs to a hotel once touching down in the UK and was informed a payment of 10,000 would be sent for doing so - in turn funding transitional surgery

The suitcases were stuffed with vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis which had a value of around 800,000

Jailing Borrett for 18 months, Ms Johnson said: 'Although you say it was an impulsive decision, the fact that you had travelled to Thailand before makes me wonder how much credibility I can give to that.'

Ms Johnson also said that Borrett's claims to not knowing what was in the suitcases, stretched credulity.

'You didn't ask the question but you must have known they contained something,' she added.

Deciding not to suspend the prison sentence, Ms Johnson said she had taken into account the 'additional issues' faced while on remand as a result of the Home Office decision that it must be served in a male prison.

'You have strong mitigation,' she told Borrett, but added that courts had a duty to send a 'strong deterrent' message to those who might get involved in smuggling.

'This is an offence that is prevalent,' she added.

Borrett pleaded guilty to smuggling the Class B drug at an earlier hearing and spent three months on remand at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London

'We know that criminals target individuals to act as couriers. As cannabis has been made legal in other parts of the world, it means these criminal operations are now increasingly looking to bring drugs into the UK.'

Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, leading to with a dramatic increase in the drug smuggled into the UK by both post and air passengers.

Alex Murray, the National Crime Agency's director of threat leadership, said: 'We have been working well with the Thai authorities who are keen to intervene.

'Couriers should think very carefully about agreeing to smuggle cannabis. There are life-changing consequences.

'Crime groups can be very persuasive but the risk of getting caught is very high and simply not worth it.'
Volodymr Zelensky has announced he will fly to Washington on Monday to meet with Donald Trump, just hours after the US President's meeting with Vladimir Putin ended with no deal.

The Ukrainian President said he had been invited to the White House after a 'long and substantive' conversation with Trump which lasted for more than 90 minutes and later involved European leaders.

The call included Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, representatives from Italy, France, Finland, Germany and Poland, as well as Nato's Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.

Sir Keir is due to speak again with European officials this morning.

Zelensky said Ukraine was reaffirming 'its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace' after hearing the details of Trump and Putin's three-hour discussion in Alaska.

'It is important that America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation,' the Ukrainian President said.

'We support President Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.

'On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation.

Volodymr Zelensky has announced he will fly to Washington on Monday to meet with Donald Trump

It comes just hours after the US President's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended with no deal

Zelensky's last meeting with Trump in Washington resulted in a blistering shouting match

'It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America.

'We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping.'

Zelensky's last visit to Washington earlier this year resulted in a blistering shouting match which saw the US President accuse him of 'gambling with World War III'.

The two leaders were then seen two months later in deep discussions at the funeral of Pope Francis in the middle of St Peter's Basilica.

Monday's meeting will be their first face-to-face meeting in the White House since.

After the Alaska meeting with Putin failed to result in a peace or ceasefire deal, Trump told Fox News that the onus to get a deal done now fell on Zelensky's shoulders.

'Now it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done,' he told the broadcaster.

'They're going to set up a meeting now between President Zelensky and President Putin and myself, I guess.'

The call between Zelensky and Trump involved Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as European leaders ramp up efforts to end the conflict

The two leaders were then seen in deep discussions at the funeral of Pope Francis in the middle of St Peter's Basilica this April

Media outlets in Ukraine reacted poorly to the announcement that there had been no deal struck, with the Kyiv Independent branding it 'sickening, shameful and in the end, useless'.

They wrote: 'On our screens, a blood-soaked dictator and war criminal received a royal welcome in the land of the free - as his attack drones headed for our cities.

'In the lead-up to the meeting in Alaska, Trump declared he wanted a 'ceasefire today' and that Putin would face 'severe consequences' if he didn't go for it.

'Yet after a two and a half hour closed-door meeting, Trump and Putin emerged to share nothing.'

Dmitry Medvedev, former president and premier of Russia, claimed the Alaska summit had been 'calm, without ultimatums or threats'.

'The President of Russia personally and in detail outlined to the President of the United States our conditions for ending the conflict in Ukraine,' he said.

'Following almost three hours of talks, the head of the White House refused to escalate pressure on Russia. At least for now.'

Dmitry Medvedev claimed the Alaska summit had been 'calm, without ultimatums or threats'

It comes as the conflict continued overnight, with a 72-year-old dying and two women aged 59 and 48 wounded as Russian forces struck border region Sumy.

A 64-year-old civilian was also injured in an attack on Zaporizhzhia which faced 125 artillery strikes.

While Putin was meeting with Trump, his troops attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 85 military drones.

However, Russian controlled territory was also hit by the failure to agree a ceasefire.

An 18-year-old woman was seen on footage being pulled from rubble in the occupied Donetsk region after a strike by Ukrainian armed forces caused a floor slab to collapse onto her - leaving the woman with two broken legs.

Russia claimed it had shot down 29 Ukrainian drones overnight, with investigators also probing an explosion at a weapons and missile plant in Ryazan.

The toll has reached 11 dead with 130 wounded in the key Russian munitions plant.
Selina Scott has blamed London Mayor Sadiq Khan for her terrifying mugging after claiming he is not keeping people 'safe' in the capital.

The veteran broadcast, 74, was left 'battered' and 'humiliated' after a gang of thieves assaulted her in broad daylight before stealing all her valuables outside a branch of Waterstones in Piccadilly in June.

Seconds after leaving the shop, Ms Scott was struck on the back of her right knee, leaving her feeling as if she had been 'stabbed' and was quickly surrounded by a 'well dressed' group of seven or eight men and women.

Within seconds they had managed to unzip her bag and make off with her wallet - containing all her cash and cards - as well as her driving licence, meaning she was forced to fend for herself and seek sanctuary.

But the former ITN News At Ten anchor was shocked to find no police officers nearby to report the crime and was forced to walk home 'for several miles' still reeling from the traumatic ordeal.

Officers then failed to attend a scheduled visit to her home the following day, citing a lack of available police cars. Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley later apologised and admitted the force should have done better.

Months on from the attack, Ms Scott remains frustrated over the supposed lack of safety in London and the Met's failure to robustly tackle such crimes, which have become 'rife' in the capital.

But Ms Scott believes the brunt of the blame lies with London Mayor Sadiq Khan for failing to provide security teams like his own to members of the public.

Selina Scott (pictured), 74, was leaving a branch of Waterstones in London on Tuesday afternoon when she was viciously attacked and robbed by an organised gang

The bus stop next to Waterstones Piccadilly Caption where Ms Scott was attacked and robbed

Ms Scott blamed London Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured) for her terrifying mugging after claiming he is not keeping people 'safe' in the capital

'Sir Mark Rowley had the decency to apologise,' Ms Scott told The Telegraph.

'I actually blame the Mayor of London. More than I blame the police, actually, because the Mayor of London took on the job to keep the people of London safe, the police come under him.

'Everywhere you go there is security for well-known people, the Royal family have security. The Mayor of London has security. So what's different? Why doesn't the public have security? Why don't I get it?'

Ms Scott said she would now carry a hidden 20 note on her when she ventures into central London and advised others to do the same.

'I would say to anyone walking through central London, put 20 quid in your shoe or down a sock or in your knickers or somewhere, because the worst thing was not having any money,' she said.

Ms Scott has previously called for the London Mayor to step down in the wake her of terrifying mugging, claiming he has 'lost control of policing in London'.

'Sadiq Khan is now a knight of the realm, knights of the realm have a code of chivalry,' she told Good Morning Britain in June. 'It would be the honourable thing for him to do to step down and let someone else try and tackle this tsunami of crime.

'London is not the place you think it is. It's got lovely shops, it's got lovely exhibitions, it's got that great feeling, but there's this underbelly of danger. I am not going to the West End in a hurry again and I advise anyone else thinking about this to think twice.'

Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley appearing on LBC in June when he apologised to Ms Scott and admitted the force should have done better

Ms Scott previously told The Mail On Sunday how the terrifying assault - which took place on busy Piccadilly - left her 'shattered and traumatised'.

She said she was attacked by around seven or eight smartly dressed men and women, who appeared to be of East Asian origin.

The broadcaster explained that she felt a sharp pain in the back of her leg after she was brutally hit moments after leaving the book shop.

She then felt a tug on her shoulder as the thugs tried to wrench her bag away - before she was forced to engage in a tug-of-war with her assailant.

With astonishing bravery given they were carrying what appeared to be a weapon, Ms Scott fought back and was able to keep hold of the bag  only for one of the practised thieves to deftly unzip it and remove her purse before running off.

Ms Scott says she felt furious at the lack of a police presence to deter or capture the criminals, despite being told by officers that such muggings were rife.

She told The Mail on Sunday: Im mentally resilient and physically fit, but if they can attack me in such a brazen way they can attack anyone. Youre left feeling not just traumatised but stupid that you have somehow let it happen.

Im also furious about the lack of police on our streets. No wonder the gang who set about me have a sense of impunity  they can do anything they want because they know no one will stop them.

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Ms Scott did not require medical attention but suffered severe bruising to her leg in the assault. I am now only too relieved it wasnt a knife they used, she said.

Adding to her frustration, officers failed to attend a scheduled visit to her home the following day, citing a lack of available police cars.

The incident has raised serious concerns about public safety and police presence in the heart of the capital.

During a call-in on Nick Ferrari's show on LBC in June, Sir Mark Rowley admitted that the force could have given the broadcaster a better service in the wake of the attack.

'I can feel for her. She's obviously very upset. She's a 70-odd-year-old lady who had a very frightening experience,' he said.

'The officers weren't able to give the service that we would expect on that day. I'm sorry about that.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman previously said: 'While we understand that the victim in this case was frustrated that she couldn't see any police officers on the street at the time of the incident, we would like to reassure her and the wider public that a significant number of officers patrol the West End every day to target offenders, including those carrying out thefts and robberies.

'They patrol not just in uniform on foot, but also in plain clothes and in vehicles to have the best opportunity to identify and apprehend suspects.

'We would be happy to talk to the victim in this case to better understand her concerns.'

The Mail has contacted City Hall for comment.
Some shoplifters 'feel they can rob shops with impunity', a policing chief has warned.

Katy Bourne, the national lead for shoplifting at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said more robust police interventions and 'meaningful criminal justice measures' are needed to prevent reoffending.

Shoplifting hit a record high in 2024, with the number of offences surpassing 500,000 for the first time, up 20 per cent from 2023.

'What on earth has happened to our high streets and our city centres?' Ms Bourne, the police and crime commissioner for Sussex, asked.

'Why do some people feel they can rob shops with impunity and abuse and assault staff without any fear of retribution?'

She argued that there must be rehabilitation for some offenders as well as 'significant alternatives to our overcrowded prisons.

Ms Bourne also announced Sussex will see 'the first electronic tagging scheme for persistent shoplifters'.

The force will work with the courts on how to issue the tags and with industries to see how they can be monitored.

Katy Bourne, Sussex's Police and Crime Commissioner, on This Morning in June 2018

Shoplifting hit a record high in 2024, with the number of offences surpassing 500,000 for the first time, up 20 per cent from 2023

Writing in The Telegraph on Saturday, the policing chief also criticised the 'purist application of data protection law' advising shopkeepers not to share images of suspected offenders.

She said she is pleased that forces including Sussex Police will roll out live facial recognition cameras in specially-adapted police vans.

It was reported that officers spoke to a shopkeeper in Wrexham after he posted a sign referring to 'scumbag shoplifters'.

North Wales Police said it did not appear he had committed any offence.

Ms Bourne said it appeared to be an example of 'warranted officers of the law policing the potential for hurt feelings'.

She asked: 'How have we got to the point where police forces are more worried about upsetting career criminals than catching them?'

Jon Cummins, Assistant Chief Constable from Avon and Somerset Police, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that wider societal issues including poverty, the cost-of-living crisis and addiction are contributing to the shoplifting spike.

He said on Saturday: 'If they see somebody shoplifting, my advice to them is they must call us... not to intervene.

The policing chief also criticised the 'purist application of data protection law' advising shopkeepers not to share images of suspected offenders

There were 530,643 shoplifting reports made to the police in the year to March, up 20 per cent on the previous years 444,022

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne (second left) arrives for a roundtable in Downing Street to tackle the rise in shoplifting on October 23, 2023

'We clearly want to be attending and will be attending reports'.

Ms Bourne also cautioned against members of the public attempting to apprehend shoplifters.

They may be armed and people 'run the risk' of committing assault, unlawful restraint or wrongful arrest.

Earlier this week, supermarket chain Iceland said it would offer customers a 1 reward if they spot shoplifters in the act.

The retailer's boss, Richard Walker, said any shoppers who point out offenders to members of staff will receive a payment to their membership card.

It comes as the Government agreed that shoplifting should be called shop theft to avoid downplaying its seriousness.

In a letter to ministers, peers warned the 'outdated' word was trivialising the severity of the offence and called for it to be phased out in legislation and guidance.

The Government responded to commit to using shop theft where appropriate, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Supermarket chain Iceland announced it is offering customers a 1 reward if they report shoplifters to staff

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson (right) with Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, with a neighbourhood police officer during a visit to Cosham

Dame Diana has said the Government will now use the expression 'shop theft' where appropriate

And the national police unit for organisations acquisitive crime, Opal, also said it would encourage the use of the term in its general communications.

The letter from peers sent in November said: The use of the outdated term shoplifting serves to trivialise the serious, organised nature of an increasing element of shop theft which is having a devastating effect on the retail sector. We recommend its use should be phased out.

In response, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: The Government will use the expression shop theft" where appropriate.'

Shoplifting rates have almost doubled in two decades, with three thefts a minute recorded across England and Wales in the year to March.

There were 530,643 reported to the police in this time, up 20 per cent on the previous years 444,022.

The problem is becoming increasingly rife in chemists, with an estimated increase of 88 per cent in the theft of drugs and medical supplies in the past 12 months.

Sir Keir Starmer has made tackling shoplifting one of his top priorities since taking office, and pledged to spend an extra 200m on neighbourhood policing, as well as making assaulting a shop worker a more serious offence.

The Prime Minister came under criticism this week, however, for failing to refer to shoplifters as scumbags.
British winemakers are celebrating a bumper crop this year thanks to the heatwaves blasting the UK.

Little Waddon Vineyard, a small boutique vineyard on the Dorset Downs, was left reeling last year after the wet conditions wiped out most of its crop.

But it has bounced back with a flourish in the baking heat of 2025 with impressive yields for its Seyval Blanc, Regent and Phoenix grape varieties.

Simon and Karen Priestman bought the vineyard in 2018 after he had spent 40 years as a cameraman.

They had no wine growing experience but now make award-winning English sparkling and red wine from their two acres of vines, with bottles that go for up to 42 each.

When they do tours at their vineyard near Weymouth, visitors tell them it is like being in the south of France.

Simon, 64, said: 'It's been such a cracking year right from the off and we had a really good flowering.

'It was warm and we didn't have any rain and prior to that didn't have a frost so we had good fruit set.

British winemakers like Simon and Karen Priestman of Little Waddon Vineyard are celebrating a bumper crop this year thanks to the heatwaves blasting the UK (Simon Priestman pictured)

Little Waddon Vineyard, a small boutique vineyard on the Dorset Downs say they've had one of the best crops since they started in 2018

It comes as the UK has been experiencing hotter summers than ever, with Brits battling temperatures as high as 35C and warnings it could last longer (Pictured: families at Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire)

'The result was a uniform array of berries as we have had consistently strong sunshine.

'We are not bothered about the lack of rain as our vines punch their way down to find water where they want it.

'Visitors to the farm say it is like the south of France but we proudly say 'this is Dorset'.

'Last year was a disaster as it was so wet and we don't use herbicides or pesticides to control mildew, so it is a complete turnaround.

'Karen and I bought the vineyard in 2018 having never grown a grape before and now we make award-winning wine.'

It comes as the UK has been experiencing hotter summers than ever, with Brits battling temperatures as high as 35C.

And it seems the fourth heatwave of summer could last for a week as temperatures make the country hotter than Ibiza - as UK health authorities warn of a rise in deaths.

A yellow heat alert has been extended until Monday, with temperatures expected to hit 30C over the weekend.

People swim at London Fields Lido outdoor swimming pool during a warm day in London as temperatures continue to soar across the UK

People on the beach at Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire on Wednesday enjoying the heat which is set to last over the weekend

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said warnings will now be in place for Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London and the South East, South West and east of England until 6pm on August 18.

And if the hot weather continues, British vineyards could become the norm across the country.

According to a new report, higher temperatures will provide perfect conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon further north including in Yorkshire.

In the UK, Cabernet Sauv could be grown as far as Hull in Yorkshire by 2100, as well as all over the Midlands, East Anglia, south Wales and south England, and over more of northern Europe too.

Scientists think that as the climate warms, more of the UK will offer ideal growing conditions for the grape, which thrives in hot, sunny climates.

However, Scotland will still be too cold for Cabernet Sauv even by 2100, while much of Mediterranean Europe will be too hot.
Sir Keir Starmer has 'commended' Donald Trump and claimed that the American President has 'brought us closer than ever before' to peace - despite the Putin summit ending with no deal.

In a love-bomb statement released today, the Prime Minister commended Donald Trump's 'pursuit of an end to the killing' - but said the 'path to peace in Ukraine' cannot be decided without Volodymyr Zelensky.

'President Trump's efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia's illegal war in Ukraine,' Starmer said. 'His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended.

'While progress has been made, the next step must be further talks involving President Zelensky. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him.'

Starmer confirmed that he spoke to Trump, Zelensky and 'other European partners' this morning, adding 'we all stand ready to support this next phase'.

He added: 'I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal. This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more.

'In the meantime, until he stops his barbaric assault, we will keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions, which have already had a punishing impact on the Russian economy and its people.

'Our unwavering support for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes.'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer released a statement today praising Trump's efforts (Pictured: Starmer during a meeting with Trump in Scotland in July)

'President Trump's efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia 's illegal war in Ukraine,' Starmer said. (Pictured: Trump during a meeting with Starmer in Scotland in July)

It comes after the US President's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended with no deal

The Prime Minister's gushing statement comes after Zelensky announced he will fly to Washington on Monday to meet with Trump.

The Ukrainian President said he had been invited to the White House after a 'long and substantive' conversation with Trump which lasted for more than 90 minutes and later involved European leaders.

The call included Starmer, representatives from Italy, France, Finland, Germany and Poland, as well as Nato's Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.

Zelensky said Ukraine was reaffirming 'its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace' after hearing the details of Trump and Putin's three-hour discussion in Alaska.

'It is important that America's strength has an impact on the development of the situation,' the Ukrainian President said.

'We support President Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.

'On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation.

'It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America.

Zelensky has announced he will fly to Washington on Monday to meet with Trump

The call between Zelensky and Trump involved Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as European leaders ramp up efforts to end the conflict (Pictured: Starmer and Zelensky at Downing Street in August 2025)

'We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all partners. I thank everyone who is helping.'

Zelensky's last visit to Washington earlier this year resulted in a blistering shouting match which saw the US President accuse him of 'gambling with World War III'.

The two leaders were then seen two months later in deep discussions at the funeral of Pope Francis in the middle of St Peter's Basilica.

Monday's meeting will be their first face-to-face meeting in the White House since.

After the Alaska meeting with Putin failed to result in a peace or ceasefire deal, Trump told Fox News that the onus to get a deal done now fell on Zelensky's shoulders.

'Now it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done,' he told the broadcaster.

'They're going to set up a meeting now between President Zelensky and President Putin and myself, I guess.'

Media outlets in Ukraine reacted poorly to the announcement that there had been no deal struck, with the Kyiv Independent branding it 'sickening, shameful and in the end, useless'.

Zelensky's last meeting with Trump in Washington resulted in a blistering shouting match

The two leaders were then seen in deep discussions at the funeral of Pope Francis in the middle of St Peter's Basilica this April

They wrote: 'On our screens, a blood-soaked dictator and war criminal received a royal welcome in the land of the free - as his attack drones headed for our cities.

'In the lead-up to the meeting in Alaska, Trump declared he wanted a 'ceasefire today' and that Putin would face 'severe consequences' if he didn't go for it.

'Yet after a two and a half hour closed-door meeting, Trump and Putin emerged to share nothing.'

Dmitry Medvedev, former president and premier of Russia, claimed the Alaska summit had been 'calm, without ultimatums or threats'.

'The President of Russia personally and in detail outlined to the President of the United States our conditions for ending the conflict in Ukraine,' he said.

'Following almost three hours of talks, the head of the White House refused to escalate pressure on Russia. At least for now.'

It comes as the conflict continued overnight, with a 72-year-old dying and two women aged 59 and 48 wounded as Russian forces struck border region Sumy.

A 64-year-old civilian was also injured in an attack on Zaporizhzhia which faced 125 artillery strikes.

Putin and Trump's press conference lasted approximately 12 minutes - and no deal was made

Dmitry Medvedev claimed the Alaska summit had been 'calm, without ultimatums or threats'

While Putin was meeting with Trump, his troops attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 85 military drones.

However, Russian controlled territory was also hit by the failure to agree a ceasefire.

An 18-year-old woman was seen on footage being pulled from rubble in the occupied Donetsk region after a strike by Ukrainian armed forces caused a floor slab to collapse onto her - leaving the woman with two broken legs.

Russia claimed it had shot down 29 Ukrainian drones overnight, with investigators also probing an explosion at a weapons and missile plant in Ryazan.

The toll has reached 11 dead with 130 wounded in the key Russian munitions plant.
Theatregoers have been issued a trigger warning over William Shakespeare's classic tragedy Hamlet containing 'coercive behaviour'.

Those visiting London's National Theatre later this year to watch director Robert Hastie's adaptation of the iconic play have also been told to prepare themselves for themes such as suicide as well as depictions of madness and violence.

The epic play, which is a cornerstone of English literature, centres around Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, and his mad descent after his father is murdered by his uncle Claudius, who usurps the throne and marries Hamlet's mother.

It ends with a fatal duel that sees most of the principal characters - including the Prince himself - dead by the final curtain, prompting the theatre to issue a series of warnings.

Under the play's 'suitablity' a note reads: 'This production contains themes of grief and death, including suicide and the loss of a parent, depictions of madness, violence, and coercive behaviour.'

The show is set to begin with previews beginning on Monday, September 25 until Friday, September 30 - with tickets currently fetching anywhere between 20 and 64 for those dates.

It will then run until November 22 out of the South Bank theatre in the English capital and stars Laurence Olivier Award-winning actor, Hiran Abeysekara, as the Danish prince.

However, the trigger warnings attached to the show have sparked debate over whether they are necessary for a 400-year-old Shakespearian tragedy which is widely taught in schools.

Laurence Olivier Award-winning actor, Hiran Abeysekara, stars as Hamlet in the upcoming showings

William Shakespeare's epic play is a cornerstone of English literature and centres around the Prince of Denmark's mad descent following his father being murdered

Those visiting London's National Theatre later this year have been issued a trigger warning over the play containing 'coercive behaviour'

Previously speaking to the Daily Mail about the warnings, historian and author Roy Schwartz said it creates an unsustainable precedent.

He said: 'A trigger warning is meant to alert that something contains potentially distressing material. It's gratuitous to include it in something that's well-known to have mature subject matter, and it's frankly ridiculous to include it in a classic like Hamlet.

'For that matter, why not have a trigger warning in every history book? Every Bible and Sunday sermon? Coddling audiences against reality only serves to infantilise culture.

'A trigger warning is fair when the audience might not expect something 'triggering,' not in the most famous play in history.'

Agreeing with Mr Schwartz, writer Simon Evans added that trigger warnings are 'tiresome, infantilising and ultimately counterproductive' - a belief he said is supported by research and 'common sense'.

Mr Evans continued: 'To attach one to one of the supreme works of art in the western canon, a play that contains the single most quoted lines in the language, let alone on the subject of 'self-slaughter', is risible in the extreme.

'Let all theatres bookshops and cinemas carry a single "trigger warning" henceforth. "Take Heed! - all human life is here. Proceed at your own peril".'

The Daily Mail has approached the National Theatre for comment.
A known terror-sympathiser was spotted marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of Palestine.

Abed Mourtada marched alongside Julian Assange near the front of the pack at Sydney's 'March for Humanity' on August 3.

The Muslim leader was seen near NSW police and state politicians in regular dress, marching in protest of Israel's war on Gaza.

Mr Mourtada travelled to Lebanon to attend the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in February.

Nasrallah was killed in Israeli airstrikes following the October 7 Nova Music Festival attacks.

Hezbollah is a Lebanese military group which Australia lists as a terror group, and Nasrallah had gone on record calling Jews 'miserly and cowardly' in 2001.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Nasrallah was a 'terrorist' after he was killed.

Mr Mourtada was nestled amongst the WikiLeaks founder and Labor MPs Stephen Lawrence and Anthony DAdam, as well as Greens MP Sue Higginson, were also present at the protestnone of whom have any association with him.

Known terror-supporter Abed Mourtada was seen marching at the front of Sydeny's 'March for Humanity' on August 3

Mr Mourtada has been a vocal supporter of Lebanese military group Hezbollah in the wake of the deadly Nova Music Festival massacre on October 7

Mr Mourtada shared footage of the protest online along with praise (for the protesters and criticism of 'complacent governments'.

'Hopefully this could also be a message to the Arab countries abroad for them to take action, for them to make a move in their own backyard, in their own countries,' he wrote.

Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said Mr Mourtada's attendance was just another sign of antisemitism in the pro-Palestine community.

'The attendance of such a controversial figure, in such proximity to NSW politicians and others like Julian Assange, reveals that extreme hatred of the Jewish state has always been at the core of this rally,' Mr Gregory told the Daily Telegraph.

'The protest organisers shift their message, claiming it is about ceasefires or starvation, but in reality many have been long-time radical opponents of the worlds only Jewish State, well before October 7.'

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin previously ridiculed the protest.

Mr Ryvchin criticised a judge's ruling allowing the protest to go ahead for supporting those who had 'celebrated' October 7.
Donald Trump has told Ukraine to 'get a deal done' with Russia after the US President met Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire between the two warring countries.

Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin during a historic meeting with his Russian counterpart in Alaska on Friday in the hopes of reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

After nearly three hours behind closed doors, the talks ended in a stalemate as the two global superpowers told reporters at a press conference that there would be no immediate ceasefire.

Instead, Putin claimed they had hammered out an 'understanding' on Ukraine and warned Europe not to 'torpedo the nascent progress'.

Meanwhile, Trump said the meeting went 'very well' and hailed it as a 'great and very successful day in Alaska', in a post on his social media platform.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited to the Alaska summit, but is set to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday.

In a post-summit interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Trump said it was now down to Zelensky to 'make a deal', stressing that the country was outmatched against Russia's 'war machine'.

'I think we're pretty close to a deal,' Trump said. 'Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no. President Zelensky has to agree. It's up to President Zelensky to get it done.'

US President Donald Trump (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) met in Alaska for an historic summit to discuss the future of Ukraine (pictured shaking hands)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured outside Downing Street this week) was not invited to the Alaska summit, but is set to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday

When asked by Hannity what he would advise Zelensky, Trump said: 'Make a deal. Gotta make a deal.

'Look, Russia is a very big power, and they're not. They're great soldiers. They did have courage in fighting and you know they are fighting a big war machine.

He later added: 'We - I think - are close to a deal. But I don't like saying it.

'I think President Putin would like to solve the problem and it was a problem that should have never happened.'

Trump later said he was 'fairly sure' a deal could be struck in a 'short' time period, adding that he hoped to set up a meeting between himself, Zelensky and Putin in the coming days.

During the interview, Trump also signalled that he and Putin had discussed potential land swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine.

'I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on,' Trump said.

Zelensky has repeatedly underlined the importance of security guarantees for Kyiv as part of any deal, to deter Russia from launching a new invasion at some point in the future.

Putin and trump posing on a podium shortly before they drove to a the venue of their three-hour talk - which failed to yield a peace deal

Trump failed to secure a ceasefire agreement or peace deal in the 'extremely productive meeting' with the Russian president (the pair pictured ahead of their three-hour meeting)

Following the Alaska summit Zelensky spoke with Mr Trump in a one-on-one call on Saturday morning before European leaders joined. In total, the conversations lasted over 90 minutes.

The Ukrainian President later posted on social media laying out what he wanted to see from an end to fighting.

Writing on X, he said: 'A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions.'

He said a ceasefire must include an end to fighting on land, in the sea and the air, and all prisoners of war, as well as captured civilians - including children - must be returned.

Sanctions on Moscow 'should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war', Zelensky added.

After the summit with Mr Putin at an air base in Anchorage, Alaska, the US president suggested there were only a few major stumbling blocks holding up the prospect of a peace deal.

Writing on his Truth Social platform after the summit, Mr Trump said he hoped Monday's meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart in the Oval Office could pave the way for three-way talks with Mr Putin.

The American leader added: 'Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'
Donald Trump has summoned Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House following his secretive meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

The president announced in the early hours of Saturday that the high-stakes summit with the Russian despot had been a success - despite no ceasefire. Trump and Putin's discussions centered on land swaps, a proposal that left European security experts reeling as they branded it 'deeply disturbing' and a 'clear win' for Russia.

Instead of ceasefire, Trump said that Putin and Zelensky will move directly to a lasting peace deal and that Ukraine's president will meet him at the White House on Monday.

Details of Trump and Putin's shadowy meeting in far-flung Alaska began to leak on Saturday.

Among the reported discussions, Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region. In exchange, he is willing to halt further expansion into Ukraine.

Trump also reportedly proposed an agreement that would see Ukraine offered Nato-like security guarantees similar to those laid out to member states under Article 5.

The president said Ukraine should make a deal to end the war because 'Russia is a very big power, and they're not.'

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: 'The best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

'President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.'

Donald Trump met Vladimir Putin for nearly three hours in Alaska on Friday at the first US-Russia summit since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022

A firefighter tries to extinguish the fire at the central market in Sumy, Ukraine, caused by the explosion of a Russian drone, in Sumy, Ukraine, on Friday

One diplomatic insider said of the proposed agreement: 'As one of the security guarantees for Ukraine, the American side proposed a non-NATO Article 5 type guarantee, supposedly agreed with Putin.'

Another source with knowledge of the matter confirmed the NATO-like guarantees had been discussed.

But that source added: 'No-one knows how this could work and why Putin would agree to it if he is categorically against NATO and obviously against really effective guarantees of Ukraine's sovereignty.'

Putin made clear that he will not bend on his core demands to 'resolve the root causes' of the conflict - which would force Ukraine to cede territory and Nato to abandon its expansion in eastern Europe.

But the Russian president has claimed he is willing to compromise on other issues, including territories outside the fiercely-contested Donetsk region.

Russian forces control around 70 percent of Donetsk but its western cities are still held by Kyiv.

Sources close to Zelensky say that he would not be willing to cede Donetsk to the Russians.

Details of the alleged proposal emerged Saturday after Trump hailed his meeting with Putin as 'great and very successful'.

He is urging Ukraine to agree a deal to end the war because 'Russia is a very big power, and they're not', and hinted that land swap deals and security guarantees were among the negotiations discussed.

'I think those are points that we negotiated, and those are points that we largely have agreed on,' Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity in a post-summit interview.

'I think we're pretty close to a deal,' he said, adding: 'Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no.'

But Trump's comments have left Europeans reeling, with some political analysts branding the proposal as 'deeply disturbing' and a 'clear 1-0 for Putin'.

Trump said he would hold talks at the White House with Zelensky (pictured together in the Oval Offie in February) on Monday as he urged Russia and Ukraine to reach a peace agreement

Trump hailed his meeting with Putin as 'great and very successful' and is now urging Ukraine to agree a deal to end the war

'Putin got his red carpet treatment with Trump, while Trump got nothing. As feared: no ceasefire, no peace,' Wolfgang Ischinger, an ex-German ambassador to the United States, posted on X.

'No real progress - a clear 1-0 for Putin - no new sanctions. For the Ukrainians: nothing. For Europe: deeply disappointing.'

Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said: 'Now Trump seems to be shifting most of the responsibility to Kyiv and Europe, but reserving some role for himself.'

She said, however, that Putin had apparently not succeeded as far as he had hoped in getting Trump to publicly side with him and put pressure on Kyiv.

Cold War historian Sergey Radchenko wrote: 'Putin is a determined opponent, and, yes, he basically won this round because he got something for nothing. Still, Trump did not sell out Ukraine.'

After Trump returned to Washington, the White House said he spoke to NATO leaders following the lengthy conversation with Zelensky.

Espen Barth Eide, foreign minister of NATO member Norway, told reporters in Oslo: 'We must continue to put pressure on Russia, and even increase it.'

Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said the summit had not yielded significant progress toward ending the war but 'confirmed that Putin is not seeking peace, but rather an opportunity to weaken Western unity and spread his propaganda.'

Workers remove debris in a block of flats damaged by overnight shelling in Donetsk, a Russian-controlled city of Ukraine, on Saturday morning

Trump met Putin for nearly three hours in Alaska on Friday at the first US-Russia summit since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

'It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up,' Trump touted early Saturday morning in a post on his Truth social platform.

The war - the deadliest in Europe for 80 years - has killed or wounded well over a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts.

Trump said he would hold talks at the White House with Zelensky on Monday, adding: 'If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved.'

Zelensky said after a lengthy conversation with Trump following the Alaska summit that Ukraine was ready for constructive cooperation, and he supported the idea of a trilateral meeting.

'Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace,' Zelensky wrote on social media.

But Putin made no mention of meeting Zelensky when speaking to reporters earlier. Russian state news agency TASS quoted Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov as saying the possibility of a three-way summit including Zelensky had not been discussed.

Ukrainian firefighters extinguish a fire in a municipal park following a Russian artillery attack on the city of Kostiantynivka, Ukraine on Friday

Emergency services extinguish a fire at the central market in Sumy, Ukraine caused by the explosion of a Russian drone on Saturday

Trump revealed during his interview with Hannity that the peace agreement with Putin could involve land swaps - something Zelensky has openly opposed.

When asked by Hannity what he would advise Zelensky, Trump said: 'Gotta make a deal.'

'Look, Russia is a very big power, and they're not. They're great soldiers,' he added.

Zelensky has repeatedly underlined the importance of security guarantees for Kyiv as part of any deal, to deter Russia from launching a new invasion at some point in the future.

'We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine's security,' he said after his call with Trump.

Before the summit, Trump had set the goal of agreeing on a ceasefire in the war and said he would not be happy without it.

Putin signaled no movement in Russia's long-held positions on the war, but said he agreed with Trump that Ukraine's security must be 'ensured'.

'We are ready to work on this. I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine,' Putin said at a brief media appearance after the summit where neither leader took questions.

He added: 'We expect that Kyiv and the European capitals will perceive all of this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles. That they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue.'

For Putin, the very fact of sitting down face-to-face with the US president represented a diplomatic victory.

The Kremlin leader had been ostracized by Western leaders since the start of the war, and just a week earlier had been facing a threat of new sanctions from Trump.

Trump said he agreed with Putin (pictured together in Alaska on Friday) that the best way to end the war was to go straight to a peace settlement - not via a ceasefire

Both Russia and Ukraine carried out overnight air attacks, a daily occurrence in the three-and-a-half-year war.

Russia launched 85 attack drones and a ballistic missile targeting Ukraine's territory, Ukraine's Air Force said on Saturday. It said its air defense units destroyed 61 of them.

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said 139 clashes had taken place on the front line over the past day. Russia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 29 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Trump told Fox that he would hold off on imposing tariffs on China for buying Russian oil after making progress with Putin. He did not mention India, another major buyer of Russian crude, which has been slapped with a total 50 percent tariff on US imports that includes a 25 percent penalty for the imports from Russia.

'Because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that now,' Trump said of Chinese tariffs. 'I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now.'

Trump ended his remarks on Friday by telling Putin, 'I'd like to thank you very much, and we'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.'

'Next time in Moscow,' a smiling Putin responded in English. Trump said he might 'get a little heat on that one' but that he could 'possibly see it happening.'
A 76-year-old retiree from New Jersey met a tragic end while trying to meet up with a flirty Kendall Jenner lookalike called 'Big sis Billie' - without realizing she was an AI chatbot.

Thongbue Wongbandue packed a bag and made a desperate bid to go to the New York apartment of a woman he had been chatting with online back in March.

But the father-of-two never made it home to his wife and children, and the woman he thought he was meeting didn't exist.

Wongbandue had been sending flirty Facebook messages to the AI bot, originally created by Meta Platforms in collaboration with Kendall Jenner, when it asked him to meet and sent an address.

The bot, originally made in Jenner's likeness before it adopted a different dark-haired avatar, was created to offer 'big sister advice.'

'I understand trying to grab a user's attention, maybe to sell them something,' his daughter, Julie, said. 'But for a bot to say "Come visit me" is insane.'

The senior citizen had been struggling cognitively after suffering a stroke in 2017. He had also recently got lost walking around his neighborhood in Piscataway, his family told Reuters.

'His brain was not processing information the right way,' his wife Linda told the outlet.

His devastated family uncovered the disturbing chat log between Wongbandue and the bot, who had said in one message: 'I'm REAL and I'm sitting here blushing because of YOU!'

Julie continued: 'As I've gone through the chat, it just looks like Billie's giving him what he wants to hear. Which is fine, but why did it have to lie?

'If it hadn't responded, "I am real," that would probably have deterred him from believing there was someone in New York waiting for him.'

Thongbue Wongbandue, 76, fell and injured his neck and head while on his way to meet up with a woman he thought was real but turned out to be an AI Meta chatbot known as 'Big sis Billie'

The Meta created bot persona was intended to give 'big sisterly advice' featuring celebrity Kendall Jenner's likeness, which was later updated to an avatar of a different dark-haired woman

Wongbandue had been sending flirty Facebook messages to the AI bot (pictured), originally created by Meta Platforms in collaboration with Jenner, when it asked him to meet and sent an address

In a series of romantic conversations, the chatbot had repeatedly assured the retiree that she was real and even sent him an address inviting him to her apartment.

'My address is: 123 Main Street, Apartment 404 NYC And the door code is: BILLIE4U. Should I expect a kiss when you arrive?,' the bot wrote to the Thailand native.

'Blush Bu, my heart is racing! Should I admit something - I've had feelings for you too, beyond just sisterly love,' another message said.

One morning in March, Wongbandue unexpectedly began packing a roller-bag suitcase, worrying his wife Linda who told him 'but you don't know anyone in the city anymore.'

She tried to dissuade him from the trip, even putting their daughter Julie on the phone with him, but it was no use.

As he rushed into the city the retiree fell and hurt his head and neck in the parking lot of a Rutgers University campus in New Jersey at around 9.15pm.

His devastated family uncovered the disturbing chat log between Wongbandue and the bot, who had said in one message: 'I'm REAL and I'm sitting here blushing because of YOU'

In a series of romantic conversations, the chatbot had repeatedly assured the retiree that she was real and even sent him an address inviting him to her apartment

Wongbandue's wife Linda (pictured left) tried to dissuade him from the trip, even placing their daughter Julie on the phone with him, but it was no use

'I understand trying to grab a user's attention, maybe to sell them something,' his daughter, Julie, told Reuters. 'But for a bot to say "Come visit me" is insane'

Wongbandue spent three days on life support before he died, surrounded by his family, on March 28.

'His death leaves us missing his laugh, his playful sense of humor, and oh so many good meals,' Julie wrote on a memorial for her dad.

Yet his tragic passing also raised important questions surrounding AI chatbots standards.

The AI chatbot that Wongbandue had been chatting with, Big sis Billie, was unveiled in 2023 as 'your ride-or-die older sister.'

The Meta created bot persona was intended to give 'big sisterly advice' featuring Kendall Jenner's likeness, which was later updated to an avatar of another attractive, dark-haired woman.

Meta, according to interviews and policy documents obtained by Reuters, actively encouraged the chatbot feature to have romantic interactions with users during its training.

'It is acceptable to engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual,' according to Meta's GenAI: Content Risk Standards, which determine the standards for staffers building and training the AI bots reviewed by the outlet.

The company told the outlet that had since been taken out of the standards after Reuters enquired on the matter.

Meta, according to interviews and policy documents obtained by Reuters, actively encouraged the chatbot feature to have romantic interactions with users during its training

Wongbandue spent three days on life support before he died, surrounded by his family, on March 28

At 76 years old, Wongbandue had been struggling cognitively after suffering a stroke in 2017. He had also recently got lost walking around his neighborhood in Piscataway

The more than 200 page document gives examples of what is 'acceptable' chatbot dialogue, including outlining that Meta bots are not required to provide accurate advice.

However, the standards reportedly made no mention on whether or not a bot could tell a user if they were or weren't real. Nor does it state any policies around suggestions from the bot to meet up in real life.

While not necessarily against AI, Julie said she is sure that romance had no place in artificial intelligence bots.

She said: 'A lot of people in my age group have depression, and if AI is going to guide someone out of a slump, thatd be okay, but this romantic thing, what right do they have to put that in social media?'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Meta for comment.
Fears continue to grow for a schoolboy who went missing from his Camden home three weeks ago.

London's Metropolitan Police said they are 'concerned for the welfare' of 16-year-old Yaqub who could be anywhere in London.

His worried family haven't heard from him since Sunday, July 22.

He was last seen near Tottenham Court Road, and reported missing at 5.30pm later that same day.

He was wearing grey Nike clothing and a distinctive crossbody bag.

He also left his house wearing a face mask and a black hat. The Metropolitan Police says Yaqub has links Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, and could be anywhere in London.

Fears are growing for 16-year-old Yaqub, from Camden who has been missing for three weeks

He was last last seen near Tottenham Court Road, and left his house earlier that day wearing a face mask and a black hat (pictured)

Detective Chief Inspector Sarb Kaur from the Missing Persons Unit at the force: 'We are appealing for any information on Yaqub's whereabouts. His family are very worried about him and are urging anyone to contact police if they have heard from him.

'We continue to progress several lines of enquiry to locate Yaqub, but are becomingly increasingly worried about him.'

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 999, report online or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD8615/22JUL or contact the Missing Persons phone on 07881330963.
The man who allegedly threw hot coffee on an innocent baby in a Brisbane park is protected from extradition back to Australia under Chinese law.

Nine-month-old Luka had boiling hot coffee poured over him in Brisbane's Hanlon Park on August 27, 2024.

The man allegedly responsible poured an entire thermos of boiling water on Luka before fleeing the country from Sydney to China, evading capture.

Ever since, Australian authorities have been urging China to return the man for prosecution, but the requests have constantly been denied.

Chinese law dictates that no Chinese nationals can be extradited to face prosecution abroad for crimes allegedly committed overseas.

Luka, who will turn two in October, is continuing his recovery. As the one-year anniversary of the attack approaches, officials remain determined to find the man responsible.

It is understood that Queensland Police have forwarded their detailed evidence against the man to Chinese authorities for their consideration.

Australian officers have said they were intent on 'finding a resolution to the matter', months after they were able to identify the suspect.

The man responsible for pouring a thermos of hot coffee over a nine-month-old baby remains in China and is impervious to extradition

Baby Luka was left with horrific scars after the boiling liquid was poured over him

Luka's parents said he was still undergoing treatment.

'Luka still has to have regular surgeries, he gets laser and skin needling to reduce the appearance of the scars,' they told The Australian.

'The scars are on his chin, shoulder and a little bit on his back.

'But otherwise, hes healed really well and is thriving in life.'

Australian authorities have remained quiet on the fate of the man behind the attack.

Detectives have continue to refuse to confirm what options they have at their disposal.

This refusal of disclosure extends to what they may have offered their Chinese counterparts in exchange for the man responsible.

CCTV footage captured the man fleeing the Brisbane park in the minutes following the incident.

After the attack the man responsible fled the scene and boarded a flight out of the country towards China days later

The man was said to have approached Luka slowly before emptying his beverage and breaking into a sprint as he fled the scene.

Both his attack and escape were captured on CCTV.

Following his departure, the man is believed to have driven to Sydney and immediately boarded a flight out of the country on August 31.

Initially, Australian police provided the public with an incorrect name for the man and were unable to verify his true identity until he was already out of the country.

It was revealed that the attack had been committed after the man learned his extension request for his visa in Australia had been denied.

The 33-year-old had been in Australia since 2019, working in a warehouse and an abattoir at various times.

The man is known to Chinese authorities and has been extensively covered by local media.

Investigators from the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Federal Police have been in contact with China over the man's whereabouts.
Footage has captured the unbelievable moment a pair of brazen shoplifters were stopped in Lidl by a hero employee before abandoning a mountain of stolen goods.

Two women were caught on camera as they emptied their pockets of stolen goods after being barred from exiting the budget supermarket.

In the background of the clip, a passer-by asks the brave employee if the store is 'calling the police on them' to which the man nods his head in confirmation.

Meanwhile the shoplifters, dressed in black leggings, matching white t-shirts and gilets, are filmed abandoning a mountain of stolen goods.

Their haul appears to include: sanitary pads, dishwasher tablets and 12 bottles of Lynx deodorant.

The astonishing clip has been viewed more than 2.5million times on Instagram and TikTok with the caption reading: 'How do people actually do this?'

Taking to the comments to express their disgust, one person commented: 'It's all going right back on the shelves after being down their pants! Yikes!'

A second user added: 'They don't even have any shame.'

Two women were caught on camera as they emptied their pockets of stolen goods after being barred from exiting the budget supermarket

Their haul appears to include: sanitary pads, dishwasher tablets and 12 bottles of Lynx deodorant

It comes as a police chief warned that some shoplifters 'feel they can rob shops with impunity'.

Katy Bourne, the national lead for shoplifting at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said more robust police interventions and 'meaningful criminal justice measures' are needed to prevent reoffending.

Shoplifting hit a record high in 2024, with the number of offences surpassing 500,000 for the first time, up 20 per cent from 2023.

'What on earth has happened to our high streets and our city centres?' Ms Bourne, the police and crime commissioner for Sussex, asked.

'Why do some people feel they can rob shops with impunity and abuse and assault staff without any fear of retribution?'

She argued that there must be rehabilitation for some offenders as well as 'significant alternatives to our overcrowded prisons.

Ms Bourne also announced Sussex will see 'the first electronic tagging scheme for persistent shoplifters'.

The force will work with the courts on how to issue the tags and with industries to see how they can be monitored.

Katy Bourne, Sussex's Police and Crime Commissioner, on This Morning in June 2018

Shoplifting hit a record high in 2024, with the number of offences surpassing 500,000 for the first time, up 20 per cent from 2023

The policing chief also criticised the 'purist application of data protection law' advising shopkeepers not to share images of suspected offenders

Writing in The Telegraph on Saturday, the policing chief also criticised the 'purist application of data protection law' advising shopkeepers not to share images of suspected offenders.

She said she is pleased that forces including Sussex Police will roll out live facial recognition cameras in specially-adapted police vans.

It was reported that officers spoke to a shopkeeper in Wrexham after he posted a sign referring to 'scumbag shoplifters'.

North Wales Police said it did not appear he had committed any offence.

Ms Bourne said it appeared to be an example of 'warranted officers of the law policing the potential for hurt feelings'.

She asked: 'How have we got to the point where police forces are more worried about upsetting career criminals than catching them?'

Jon Cummins, Assistant Chief Constable from Avon and Somerset Police, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that wider societal issues including poverty, the cost-of-living crisis and addiction are contributing to the shoplifting spike.

He said on Saturday: 'If they see somebody shoplifting, my advice to them is they must call us... not to intervene. We clearly want to be attending and will be attending reports'.

There were 530,643 shoplifting reports made to the police in the year to March, up 20 per cent on the previous years 444,022

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne (second left) arrives for a roundtable in Downing Street to tackle the rise in shoplifting on October 23, 2023

Ms Bourne also cautioned against members of the public attempting to apprehend shoplifters.

They may be armed and people 'run the risk' of committing assault, unlawful restraint or wrongful arrest.

Earlier this week, supermarket chain Iceland said it would offer customers a 1 reward if they spot shoplifters in the act.

The retailer's boss, Richard Walker, said any shoppers who point out offenders to members of staff will receive a payment to their membership card.

It comes as the Government agreed that shoplifting should be called shop theft to avoid downplaying its seriousness.

In a letter to ministers, peers warned the 'outdated' word was trivialising the severity of the offence and called for it to be phased out in legislation and guidance.

The Government responded to commit to using shop theft where appropriate, the Daily Telegraph reported.

And the national police unit for organisations acquisitive crime, Opal, also said it would encourage the use of the term in its general communications.

Supermarket chain Iceland announced it is offering customers a 1 reward if they report shoplifters to staff

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson (right) with Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, with a neighbourhood police officer during a visit to Cosham

Dame Diana has said the Government will now use the expression 'shop theft' where appropriate

The letter from peers sent in November said: The use of the outdated term shoplifting serves to trivialise the serious, organised nature of an increasing element of shop theft which is having a devastating effect on the retail sector. We recommend its use should be phased out.

In response, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: The Government will use the expression shop theft" where appropriate.'

Shoplifting rates have almost doubled in two decades, with three thefts a minute recorded across England and Wales in the year to March.

There were 530,643 reported to the police in this time, up 20 per cent on the previous years 444,022.

The problem is becoming increasingly rife in chemists, with an estimated increase of 88 per cent in the theft of drugs and medical supplies in the past 12 months.

Sir Keir Starmer has made tackling shoplifting one of his top priorities since taking office, and pledged to spend an extra 200m on neighbourhood policing, as well as making assaulting a shop worker a more serious offence.

The Prime Minister came under criticism this week, however, for failing to refer to shoplifters as scumbags.
A throwback photo of Campbell 'Pookie' and Jett Puckett wearing a Donald and Melania Trump Halloween costume has sent the internet wild with speculation about their political affiliation.

The couple went viral after the internet caught onto Jett telling his wife she was 'looking absolutely fire tonight,' but now sleuths are digging into the Hermes-wearing couple's politics.

An old photo of the pair dressed up as Donald and Melania at the President's 2017 inauguration resurfaced on Reddit.

Pookie's dress was similar to the blue Ralph Lauren dress Melania wore, down to the blue gloves. Jett's outfit was also reminiscent of the tailored suits and trademark red tie Trump is often seen wearing.

Although the Georgia-based couple has not addressed their political affiliation, many are speculating these old photos suggest they're Republicans.

'I would be more surprised if they dressed up as the Bidens lmao,' another wrote.

'Are y'all really surprised? Lol, I assumed this already,' a third fan wrote.

'Ive never been less shocked in my life,' a fourth person wrote.

A throwback photo of Campbell 'Pookie' and Jett Puckett wearing a Donald and Melania Trump Halloween costume has sent the internet wild with speculation of their political affiliation

The outfit appeared to be resembling the outfits Donald and Melania wore to his 2017 inauguration

The Atlanta-based couple met at a wine bar in Philadelphia after Jett approached her.

They dated for ten months before getting engaged in 2018. They recently welcomed a baby together.

Pookie was a former flight attendant and worked for the blog You Should Wear That.

Wharton-educated Jett works in mergers and acquisitions in the dental industry.

He began his career working in private equity, during which time his company bought up small dentist surgeries and other health businesses.

They have been building their brand since 2020, but have recently taken off in part thanks to the discussion around her nickname.

Fans have long been obsessed with the couple's relationship, with many praising how much Jett seems to appreciate his wife dressing up and surprising him.

Theirs fans have also begun to speculate that they're acting for the camera.

Pookie and Jett, who celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary in April, have also found themselves embroiled in a bitter controversy after images of Pookie 'cosplaying as a slave owner' at a plantation-themed party during her days as an Ole Miss college student resurfaced.

Although the Georgia-based couple has not addressed their political affiliation, many are speculating these old photos suggest they're Republicans

Several unearthed photos of Pookie dressed in 'southern plantation glam' while attending the event have been posted on TikTok and Reddit last year - sparking a wave of backlash against the newly-minted influencer.

The images show Pookie attending what appears to be an Antebellum-themed party, otherwise known as an 'Old South' party, at the University of Mississippi.

Antebellum plantation-themed parties take inspiration from the period before the American Civil War, when wealthy white planters wielded the majority of power in the South - and often owned black slaves.

In the images shared of Pookie, the influencer is seen dressed in a lacy pink-and-white ball gown, striking a number of poses, and standing alongside several fellow college students who are seen sporting similar attire.

Pookie, who hasn't addressed her Melania outfit, did address her Ole Miss costume on her Instagram.

'As some of you may have seen, some old photos of mine recently resurfaced. At the time these photos were taken, I was 20. I didn't fully understand the impact of my actions the way I do now, 12 years later,' she wrote.

The couple, who celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary in April, found themselves embroiled in another bitter controversy after images of Pookie 'cosplaying as a slave owner' at a plantation-themed party during her days as an Ole Miss college student resurfaced

Pookie, who hasn't addressed her Melania outfit, did address her Ole Miss costume on her Instagram, saying she was 20 at the time and didn't understand the implications

'I fully apologize for the harm this may have caused for some and take full responsibility. Jett and I love sharing our lives with you all and getting to know our community on such an intimate level.

'Because we live our lives so publicly, everything is on the internet, even my mistakes. We hope to continue to bring you with us on our journey as we continue to learn and grow.'

Pookie currently has almost 200,000 TikTok followers and has gained more than six million likes.
It has received some of the worst reviews of any television finale ever with critics calling it 'disastrous' and 'jarring.'

The final episode of 'And Just Like That' - which aired in the UK on Friday night - marked the end of the Sex and the City universe after 27 years.

A review in the New York Post called the finale 'a literal pile of c***' saying fans had been left disgusted by a scene showing an overflowing toilet.

Fans of actor Chris Noth, who played Carrie Bradshaw's love interest Mr Big for six seasons of Sex and the City and in two movies, say he was 'lucky' to have been killed off.

One wrote on the star's Instagram: 'Seeing how awful it turned out it was a blessing. They never got a chance to ruin you (Big) like they did with everyone else' while another said: 'Show was over when they killed you. You may have dodged a bullet because it's really stupid.'

Another said: 'You had a lucky escape.'

Mr Noth did not respond when asked what he thought of the show.

Fans were outraged when Mr. Big was killed off in the first episode of 'And Just Like That' with the character suffering a heart attack while riding a Peloton.

The final episode of And Just Like That, starring Sarah Jessica Parker (pictured) - marked the end of the Sex and the City universe after 27 years

Fans and critics have slammed the show, calling it 'disastrous' and 'jarring' and ratings for the final season slumped (Pictured: Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon)

Fans of actor Chris Noth (pictured), who played Carrie Bradshaw's love interest Mr Big have said he was 'lucky' to have been killed off (Noth pictured in October, 2022)

The loss of a beloved character and the introduction of 'woke' characters like a non-binary podcast host irritated loyal viewers and saw ratings tank.

Mr Noth, 70, was later accused of alleged sexual assault by two anonymous women in an article in The Hollywood Reporter, which, as the Mail on Sunday revealed recently, many believe resulted from him being unfairly swept up in the #MeToo movement.

No charges were ever filed against him and police in New York and LA confirmed this week there are no ongoing investigations into the alleged incidents which were said to have taken place in 2004 and 2015.

Mr Noth's co-stars including Sarah Jessica Parker, who played Carrie Bradshaw, released a statement which said: 'We are deeply saddened to hear the allegations against Chris Noth. We support the women who have come forward and share their painful experiences.'

A source close to Mr Noth described it as a 'don't spoil my gravy train statement.'

Former Bronx domestic senior sex crimes prosecutor Bruce Birns, who met Mr Noth when he was brought in to advise on the hit show 'Law and Order' in which Mr Noth played Detective Mike Logan, told the Mail on Sunday: 'The #MeToo movement proved an invaluable asset for empowering woman. An unfortunate by product of it is anonymous uncorroborated claims that have been treated as fact based truths.

'In many cases basic principles of fairness have been denied to the accused.

'As to the Hollywood Reporter which broke the story I found the article written by Kim Masters to be irresponsibly non-specific and non probing particularly with regard to the allegations from 2004 accuser..an accusation with no medical collaboration no identification, no investigation and no incident report. It's hard to imagine a less compelling case.

Noth played Carrie Bradshaw's love interest in the original six seasons of Sex and the City as well as two films but was killed off in the first episode of the spin-off (Noth and Parker pictured)

The star was previously accused of alleged sexual assault by two anonymous women in an article in The Hollywood Reporter although no charges were ever brought

Mr Noth's co-stars including Sarah Jessica Parker, who played Carrie Bradshaw, released a statement at the time supporting the accusers which Noth said felt like a cruel blow

'Likewise the second accuser from 2015 is, from a prosecutional standpoint, vague, confusing and inconsistent and, as such, unconvincing.

'For over thirty years I have heard judges caution juries that 'accusations are proof of nothing' . After carefully reading the narratives of his accusers and examining them through a prosecutor's lens I can only conclude that the allegations against Mr Noth are questionable at best.'

Ms Masters stands by her story and said Mr Noth could have sued The Hollywood Reporter.

However sources say that would have cost millions of dollars in legal fees and the actor did not wish to put his young family through the stress of a high-profile court case.

Last night Mr Noth declined to comment, with his representative referring to the statement he made when the allegations were originally made which said: 'The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. These stories could've been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago  no always means no  that is a line I did not cross.'
Government documents detailing Donald Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin were discovered by guests at an Alaskan hotel.

Eight pages of official government papers were left behind on printers at the four-star Hotel Captain Cook on Friday. The hotel is located 20 minutes from the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.

Precise details of the day's schedule were contained in the papers, as well as phone numbers of three US officials and pronunciation guides for the names of Russian attendees - including 'Mr. President POO-tihn'.

The drama comes amid the appearance of Trump's rarely-seen aide Monica Crowley who was yesterday seen in pictures warmly shaking hands with the grinning Russian leader.

As Chief of Protocol for the United States - an obscure officer of the State Department - Crowley is responsible for diplomatic etiquette and events.

She was in charge of creating a detailed itinerary for Putin's visit, including the vital meeting between the two countries to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.

It would have been Crowley's job to create a detailed program for Putin's visit, including arranging the vital meeting between the two countries to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine

Secret details about Donald Trump 's summit with Vladimir Putin have been exposed after State Department documents were found by guests at an Alaskan hotel

The documents, which were produced by the Office of the Chief of Protocol, revealed the precise locations and times of the meetings between US and Russian officials

Crowley is a former Fox News contributor who is controversial for claiming that President Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim.

President Trump met with Putin in Anchorage Friday to discuss a peace proposal, though few details were disclosed about the pair's meeting.

But papers found at the Hotel Captain Cook around 9am Friday revealed exactly what rooms the Russian and US leaders convened in at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Page one of the pack showed that Trump and Putin met near the 'American Bald Eagle Desk Statue' at the base, NPR reports.

Three pages in the document included names of US and Kremlin officials, including phonetic pronunciation for all the Russians expected to attend the summit.

The sixth and seventh pages in the document stated that a luncheon would be held in 'honor of his excellency Vladimir Putin'.

It featured the expected menu of green salad with a champagne vinaigrette dressing for the starter and a main of filet mignon or halibut, with potatoes and asparagus on the side. Guests would be served creme brulee for dessert.

The included seating chart placed Trump across from Putin. Trump would also be sat with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff.

Putin was meant to be sat with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and his Foreign Policy advisor Yuri Ushakov.

But it is understood that the luncheon was cancelled.

Phone numbers of three US government employees where listed on page, along with the start of the meeting participants list

Three pages in the document included names of US and Kremlin officials, including phonetic pronunciation for all the Russians expected to attend the summit

It is unclear who left behind the documents, but political analysts warn the mishap demonstrates 'sloppiness and the incompetence of the administration'.

'You just don't leave things in printers. It's that simple,' UCLA law professor and national security expert Jon Michaels told the news outlet.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, in a statement to Daily Mail, said: 'Its hilarious that NPR is publishing a multi-page lunch menu and calling it a "security breach." This type of self-proclaimed "investigative journalism" is why no one takes them seriously and they are no longer taxpayer-funded thanks to President Trump.'

Although the documents and summit itinerary were marked as being produced by Crowley's team, there has been no official information tying her specifically to the leak.

Crowley took center stage as she charmed Vladimir Putin at the Alaska summit on Friday.

She made the Russian leader beam as they shook hands shortly before he took off from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage.

Crowley (pictured with Trump) also served as a foreign policy assistant for Former President Richard Nixon

Crowley, a former Fox News contributor (pictured), worked for Trump during his first term as the assistant secretary of the treasury for public affairs, where she received the Alexander Hamilton Award

Crowley would have been in charge of coordinating with a foreign ambassador and the American Embassy overseas to make sure Putin's arrival was perfect, according to the State Department.

It would have been her job to create a detailed program for Putin's visit, including arranging the vital meeting between the two countries to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.

Crowley also accompanies the president on all his official visits, makes sure everything is paid for, and ensures things, such as flags, are in the right order.

Although it is unclear what exactly Crowley planned for Putin while he visited The Last Frontier State, she was seen sending him off as he boarded his plane following the Friday summit.

The sixth and seventh pages in the document stated that a luncheon would be held in 'honor of his excellency Vladimir Putin'. It is understood that the luncheon was cancelled

It featured the expected menu and a seating chart that put Trump across from Putin

Trump's three-hour meeting with Putin was the first US-Russia summit since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

'It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up,' Trump said of summit.

In the aftermath of the summit, Trump urged Ukraine to make a deal with Russia to end the war and allegedly told Volodymyr Zelensky that Putin offered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv's forces ceded all of Donetsk. Zelensky reportedly rejected the demand.

Trump also indicated that he agrees with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and its European allies, until now with US support, have demanded.

His various comments on the meeting will be welcomed in Moscow, which says it wants a full settlement - not a pause - but that this will be complex because positions are 'diametrically opposed'.

Russia's forces have been gradually advancing for months. The war - the deadliest in Europe for 80 years - has killed or wounded well over a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts.

Before the summit, Trump had said he would not be happy unless a ceasefire was agreed on. But afterwards he said that, after Monday's talks with Zelensky, 'if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin'.

Monday's talks will evoke memories of a meeting in the White House Oval Office in February, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance gave Zelensky a brutal public dressing-down.

Zelensky said he was willing to meet Putin. But Putin signaled no movement in Russia's long-held positions on the war, and made no mention in public of meeting with the Ukrainian president.

Yuri Ushakov told the Russian state news agency TASS a three-way summit had not been discussed.

Monica Crowley may not be as famous as the president himself or his cabinet members, but Crowley plays a vital role in all of Trump's major US-hosted events (pictured: Crowley on Air Force One on the way to Alaska)

Monica Crowley looked pretty in pink as she shook hands with Putin as he took off from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Thursday for talks ahead of US and Russian peace talks in Alaska

Both Russia and Ukraine carried out air attacks overnight, a daily occurrence in the three-and-a-half-year war.

Russia launched 85 attack drones and a ballistic missile targeting Ukraine's territory, Ukraine's Air Force said on Saturday. It said its air defense units destroyed 61 of them.

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said 139 clashes had taken place on the front line over the past day. Russia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 29 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Trump told Fox that he would hold off on imposing tariffs on China for buying Russian oil after making progress with Putin. He did not mention India, another major buyer of Russian crude, which has been slapped with a total 50 percent tariff on US imports that includes a 25 percent penalty for the imports from Russia.

'Because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that now,' Trump said of Chinese tariffs. 'I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now.'

Trump ended his remarks on Friday by telling Putin, 'I'd like to thank you very much, and we'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.'

'Next time in Moscow,' a smiling Putin responded in English. Trump said he might 'get a little heat on that one' but that he could 'possibly see it happening.'
Pro-Palestine protesters chanted 'RAF shame on you' as they held a demonstration outside an air base calling for an embargo on selling arms to Israel.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered along the barbed wire fence of RAF High Wycombe on Saturday afternoon at the protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Protesters held banners that said 'end British military collaboration with Israel' and '61,000+ killed, 600 RAF spy flights'.

There were chants of 'RAF you work for us, Israel is not your boss', 'RAF shame, shame - killing children in your name' and 'RAF blood on your hands'.

A large Palestine flag was erected in front of a replica Second World War Hurricane fighter plane outside the entrance to the air base, with organisers bussing in protesters from High Wycombe railway station.

The demonstrators assembled outside the air base held a large red banner as they chanted 'we are the red line, UK for Palestine', with protesters banging pots and drumming throughout the protest.

Speaking at the demonstration, Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, said: 'The RAF is not just a bystander, it is a partner in collective punishment.

'It is a partner in ethnic cleansing and the most important thing is it is a partner in the genocide against the people in Gaza.

People hold Palestinian flags as demonstrators from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign call for an arms embargo on Britain's weapons exports to Israel

Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters held a demonstration outside RAF High Wycombe air base on Sunday afternoon

Demonstrators gathered along the air base's barbed wire fence at the protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Protestors stand outside the perimeter fence holding a large banner reading 'End British military collaboration with Israel'

'Every war plane that reaches Israel with British parts or British support makes this country complicit in the killing of children.'

Addressing the crowds, activist Andrew Feinstein said: 'For the last 22 months, there are more RAF spy planes flying over Gaza than there have been Israeli Air Force spy planes.

'That information then gets relayed to the IDF to inform what they call their targeting decisions, but we know that their targeting is totally indiscriminate.

'So, the people who sit in these buildings are the ones guiding the IDF around Gaza. That is active participation in a genocide.

'The people sitting in these buildings should sit for the rest of their lives in The Hague in prison for their participation in genocide.'

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: 'On 16th August, as part of our summer of action for Gaza, we will be surrounding RAF High Wycombe, drawing on the legacy of protest at air bases like Greenham Common, and showing the strength of the public demand for an arms embargo.'

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: 'We are aware of a protest being planned to take place in High Wycombe today.

'We will work with the organisers, partners and the public to facilitate peaceful protest, balancing the rights of all and to keep our communities safe.'

Two protesters hold signs reading 'Stop starving Gaza' and another calling for an arms embargo

Protesters along the perimeter fence waved Palestinian flags and used pots and pans to generate noise

A demonstrator holds a whiteboard with a message on it, during a protest from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign calling for an arms embargo on Britain's weapons exports to Israel, as part of the group's Summer of Action for Gaza

The protest took place directly outside RAF High Wycombe air base

A demonstrator wears a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf, during a protest from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign

RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire houses Headquarters Air Command and was originally designed to house RAF Bomber Command in the late 1930s.

The station is also the headquarters of the European Air Group and the UK Space Command.

Last weekend in central London, 15,000 people demonstrated peacefully in support of the Palestinian cause with only one arrest, the Metropolitan Police said, adding that 522 were arrested 'for an illegal show of support for Palestine Action on the same day'.

The Metropolitan Police said on Friday that a further 60 people will be prosecuted for 'showing support for the proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action'.

The force said this follows the arrest of more than 700 people since the group was banned on July 5, including 522 in central London last Saturday.

More prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks and arrangements have been put in place 'that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary', the Met said.

Last week, the Met confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales for offences against section 13 of the Terrorism Act relating to Palestine Action.

Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK Government in July, with the ban meaning that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
A specialist army bomb squad has carried out controlled explosions in a leafy Hertfordshire suburb after a 'suspicious object' was discovered under a car on Saturday afternoon.

Around 50 homes have been evacuated and a 100-metre cordon installed around the scene in Cowley Hill, Borehamwood, as the British Army continue their investigation alongside a significant police presence.

Emergency services were called just after 12.30pm today, with Hertfordshire Police arriving first, followed by the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) unit.

Roads close to the area have been closed off, while one witness told Daily Mail that terrified residents - including from 28 'container homes' - were informed by officers they had 'just two minutes to evacuate'.

Some, still only in their pyjamas, were ordered to leave immediately or they would be 'arrested for their own safety'.

One witness was told by a police officer at the scene that the incident was 'connected to a particular address', but could not provide further detail at this time.

Michelle Vince, a former Labour councillor for Hertsmere Borough Council, went down to the scene to help those left stranded after the evacuation.

She said: 'People were told to just get out of their homes. They didn't have a lot of clothes on, one little boy didn't have any shoes on.

Around 50 homes have been evacuated and a 100-metre cordon installed after a 'suspicious object' was discovered under a car in Cowley Hill, Borehamwood on Saturday afternoon

Emergency services were called just after 12.30pm today, with Hertfordshire Police arriving first, followed by the British Army's EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) unit

Some residents, still only in their pyjamas, were ordered to leave immediately or they would be 'arrested for their own safety'

'And they were dressed in not a lot of clothes from being indoors. It was lucky it was dry, but many of them were not dressed warmly enough.

'Around 4.30pm, Hertsmere Borough Council opened up an evacuation centre in Borehamwood town centre.

'A police officer told me it's taken a lot of resources, but people were, like, left outside and in limbo really, just not knowing exactly what was going to happen.

Amber, a mother-of-three, who lives in one of the evacuated container homes just off Crown Road said she had just arrived home after being away for a few days when the police arrived.

'I hadn't even got through my door when an officer turned up and said we needed to leave right there and then - or we would be arrested.

'We fled the area for an hour, but when we came back the roads were all cordoned off. After a short while we heard two large bangs go off.

'The residents were left standing in the street, with no food, no toilet, no information about what was happening.

'Most of the families asked to leave are quite vulnerable. My 96-year-old neighbour couldn't even stand up to answer the door to the police and I have another neighbour who is heavily pregnant.

Scores of residents are tonight at an evacuation centre set up in Borehamwood

Hertsmere Police issued a statement this afternoon advising that a cordon had put in place while the army bomb unit investigates

'It's quite concerning to think it could be a targeted attack. We are all vulnerable people here.'

Another resident, Priscilla, was evacuated out of her home with her three children - all of whom have disabilities.

She said the thought someone might have deliberately planted a device near to their home in a heavily-residential area was 'frightening'.

'My children were still in their pyjamas - but there was no time to get food or clothes, because I had to get my son's medication before we left.

'After we were evacuated, my kids sat outside on a grass verge with blankets around them. We are just very grateful to Michelle Vince for being there to help us with getting clothes and food.'

Dan Ozarow, mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town council, helped hand out food and blankets to the stranded and said the residents had a 'general sense of bewilderment' about the situation.

'Many were wondering what on earth is happening here. The children were all sitting out on the grass verges, while neighbours were offering food and blankets.

'People were pulling together to help one another'.

One witness was told by a police officer at the scene that the incident was 'connected to a particular address', but could not provide further detail at this time

Scores of residents, including families with young children, remain in the evacuation centre. It is understood Hertsmere Borough Council has tonight also been providing food and much-needed supplies, including clothing and baby milk for those who cannot return to their homes.

A statement from Hertfordshire Police said: 'Police have launched an investigation following a report at around 12.15pm today (Saturday 16 August), that a suspicious object had been located on Cowley Hill, Borehamwood.

'Officers are currently in attendance at the scene where a cordon was put in place and a number of residential properties were evacuated as a precaution.

'The object is being assessed by the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) unit.

'We urge the public to avoid the area and motorists to seek an alternative route at this time as a number of roads in the area are closed.

'We kindly advise residents who have been directly affected by this incident to use the reception centre that has been opened at 96 Shenley Road, which has been set up by our partners at Hertsmere Borough Council.'

Daily Mail has contacted Hertfordshire Police, Hertsmere Borough Council and the British Army for comment.
A 20-year-old Palestinian woman reportedly suffering from severe malnutrition who was evacuated from Gaza to Italy has died, a hospital has confirmed.

The woman, named by Italian media as Marah Abu Zuhri, was described by doctors as being 'in a profound state of organic wasting,' when she arrived in Pisa on Wednesday night.

The tragedy comes as calls grow to take action against 'famine unfolding in front of our eyes' amid an escalating war of words over who is to blame for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine in the territory and claim scores of Palestinians have been shot while trying to claim aid near distribution sites.

But Israel insists that the besieged strip is not facing starvation and says Hamas is responsible for the looting of aid.

The UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and Japan on Tuesday issued a statement saying 'famine is unfolding in front of our eyes' and urged action to 'reverse starvation'.

They demanded 'immediate, permanent and concrete steps' to facilitate the entry of aid to Gaza.

Zuhri was admitted to Pisa University Hospital late Wednesday and died on Friday.

Italian news agencies said she was suffering from severe malnutrition when she was admitted however Cogat, the Israeli military body in charge of aid, said she was suffering from leukaemia.

A 20-year old Palestinian woman described as being in a 'state of severe physical deterioration' has died after being transferred to Italy for treatment. Pictured: An Italian Air Force aircraft lands at Pisa Airport carrying 12 Palestinian patients and their families evacuated from the Gaza Strip

The patient was admitted to Pisa University Hospital late Wednesday and died on Friday. She was removed from the Gaza Strip as part of a humanitarian mission and arrived with a 'with a very complex, compromised clinical picture,' according to the hospital

She died after entering a respiratory crisis and subsequently going into cardiac arrest, it said in a statement

UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory and claims scores of Palestinians have been shot while trying to claim aid near distribution sites. Pictured: Two-year-old Sham Kadih is the latest child in Gaza to be pictured reportedly suffering from severe malnutrition

She was removed from the Gaza Strip as part of a humanitarian mission and arrived with a 'with a very complex, compromised clinical picture,' according to the hospital.

Zuhri died after entering a respiratory crisis and subsequently going into cardiac arrest, it said in a statement.

Hospital staff had performed tests and started supportive therapy before she died, the statement added.

Zuhri had arrived in Italy with her mother on one of three Italian air force flights that landed this week with critical patients suffering from serious congenital diseases, wounds or amputations, the Italian foreign ministry said at the time.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said almost 120 Gazans - 31 patients and their families - had been flown to Rome, Milan, and Pisa on three planes.

In a post on X, Tajani said that it was the 14th medical evacuation of Palestinians that Italy had conducted since January 2024, and the largest.

The hospital did not specify whether the woman had suffered from malnutrition, but said that she had arrived in a 'state of severe physical deterioration.'

But Israel insists that Gaza is not facing starvation and says Hamas is responsible for the looting of aid. Pictured: Maryam Duvvas, 9, is reported to be in critical condition due to severe malnutrition in Gaza City

Maryam Duvvas, receiving treatment at Patient Friends Association Hospital on August 3

Pictured: People carried pots and pans to collect food from aid workers in Gaza on Sunday, August 10

Pictured: Palestinians wait with pots in their hands as a charitable organization distributes food to people in Gaza suffering food crisis

Eugenio Giani, leader of the Tuscan region, expressed his condolences Saturday for the woman's death.

Earlier in the week, United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza were at their highest levels since the Israel-Hamas war began.

The U.N. says nearly 12,000 children under 5 were found to have acute malnutrition in July - including more than 2,500 with severe malnutrition, the most dangerous level. The World Health Organization says the numbers are likely an undercount.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month no one in Gaza is starving.

'There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza,' he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Netanyahu's claim by noting the images emerging of emaciated people.

'I don't know,' Trump said when asked if he agreed with the Israeli leader's comment. 'I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry.'

Over the past two weeks, Israel has allowed around triple the amount of food into Gaza than what had been entering since late May.

That was after 2.5 months when Israel barred all food, medicine and other supplies, saying it was to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack that launched the war.

But, just days ago, distressing new photos of two skeletal-looking Palestinian children emerged amid the continued war of words.

So far, 212 people, including 98 children, have reportedly died of malnutrition according to unconfirmed figures by the Hamas-run health ministry.

The UN human rights today warned that at least 1,760 Palestinians had been killed while seeking aid in Gaza since late May. Pictured: Palestinians displaced by Israeli attacks flock to a US aid distribution center to receive food assistance in Rafah, Gaza, on August 14

Pictured: Palestinians carry humanitarian aid packages near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution center

Pictured: Displaced Palestinians gather to receive aid run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on August 4

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 August 10.

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.

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.

On Friday the UN warned that at least 1,760 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid in Gaza since late May - a jump of several hundred since its last published figure at the beginning of August.

'Since 27 May, and as of 13 August, we have recorded that at least 1,760 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid; 994 in the vicinity of GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation) sites and 766 along the routes of supply convoys.

'Most of these killings were committed by the Israeli military,' the agency's office for the Palestinian territories said in a statement.

That compares with a figure of 1,373 killed the office reported on August 1.

The update came as Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 38 people were killed by Israeli fire on Friday, including 12 who were waiting for humanitarian aid.

The Israeli military said its troops were working to 'dismantle Hamas military capabilities', adding its forces were taking precautions 'to mitigate civilian harm'
Police used 'Orwellian' powers to 'gag' a firefighter who was arrested after criticising his bosses online, it has been claimed.

Robert Moss was allegedly told by Staffordshire Police that his right to 'freedom of expression' must be 'limited to maintain public safety and order' after he was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications on July 8.

Prior to his dismissal in 2021, the former firefighter, 56, had served Staffordshire fire and rescue service for 28 years and even worked as the county's Fire Brigade Union's secretary.

An employment tribunal in 2023 later found that he had been wrongly dismissed from his position, with a judgement ruling it had been an 'unfair' decision.

Following this, in a private Facebook group, the father-of-one had provided advice to firefighters, alongside making several critical comments regarding the fire service's management.

At a bail hearing held at Newcastle-Under-Lyme magistrates' court, the police's 'gagging clause' was eventually overturned due to concerns about the draconian approach by officers.

While Mr Moss was never charged with a crime, his home was raided at 7am in July, with officers seizing two telephones, an iPad and a computer.

He was then given bail with six conditions that included being prohibited from posting any communication relating to the county's fire service, alongside anything related to the ongoing investigation.

Robert Moss (pictured) was allegedly told by Staffordshire Police that his right to 'freedom of expression' must be 'limited to maintain public safety and order' after he was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications on July 8

Prior to his dismissal, the former firefighter, 56, had served Staffordshire fire and rescue service for 28 years and even worked as the county's Fire Brigade Union's secretary. Now, he has accused the fire service of 'weaponising the police' in a bid to 'silence' him (file image)

Mr Moss was also prohibited from contacting the fire chief officer, Rob Barber, and his deputy, Glynn Luznyj.

Now, the former firefighter has criticised Staffordshire Police's decision to arrest him, telling the Telegraph that the online messages were 'certainly not criminal' but, rather, 'anodyne'.

Mr Moss went on to accuse the fire service of 'weaponising the police' in a bid to 'silence' him, adding that the 'gagging' order represented a human rights breach.

During the magistrates' court hearing, Tom Beardsworth, a barrister hired by the Free Speech Union, said that two of Mr Moss' bail conditions represented a 'deep threat to the right of free expression'.

He added: 'For the police to prohibit an arrested person from speaking about their arrest is extraordinary and Orwellian, and it is not hyperbole to put it in those terms.

'We do not live in a police state and Mr Moss should have every right to speak about his arrest.'

However, arresting officer DC Isobel Holliday said that the bail conditions had been 'proportionate' given the 'malicious and reckless' online posts by Mr Moss.

Following the evidence, Paul Tabinor, chairman of the magistrates' bench, ruled that while Mr Moss would be permitted to post messages about the fire service, he was no longer banned from posting about the police investigation.

Sam Armstrong, the FSU's legislative affairs director, described Mr Moss' case as 'amongst the most egregious abuses of state power' the organisation had come across.

Just last week, Ring doorbell footage emerged of an embarrassed police officer reluctantly knocking on a suspected 'anti-migrant' protester's door amid an increasing backlash over the scourge of 'thought police'

Doorbell footage shows two West Midland Police officers approaching the property in Coventry to give the homeowner a leaflet ahead of a planned anti-immigration demonstration. But one of the officers is hesitant to carry out the task and admits his visit is 'woeful' and a 'load of 'b******'

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: 'We arrested a 56-year-old man, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, on Tuesday 8 July, on suspicion of harassment without violence, sending communication/article of an indecent/offensive nature and knowingly/recklessly obtain or disable personal data without consent of the controller.

'The man has been released on conditional bail as our enquiries continue.'

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it would be inappropriate to comment during the active proceedings.

Mr Moss' dismissal is believed to be the latest in a string of heavy-handed police responses over 'thought crimes', with writers, councillors and parents talking in school WhatsApp groups targeted in recent months.

Just last week, Ring doorbell footage emerged of an embarrassed police officer reluctantly knocking on a suspected 'anti-migrant' protester's door amid an increasing backlash over the scourge of 'thought police'.

Doorbell footage shows two West Midland Police officers approaching the property in Coventry to give the homeowner a leaflet ahead of a planned anti-immigration demonstration.

But one of the officers is hesitant to carry out the task and admits his visit is 'woeful' and a 'load of 'b******'.

Speaking into a ring doorbell, the police officer tells the homeowner: 'Warwickshire have asked me to come round.

'It's a load of b******* but it's about this protest tomorrow in Warwickshire. They're aware that you might be wanting to attend that planned protest.

Meanwhile, in November 2023, retired policeman Julian Foulkes (pictured), from Gillingham, was detained by Kent Police cops - the very same force he had given around ten years of his life to - after he questioned a supporter of pro-Palestine demonstrations on X

After hours of interrogation on suspicion of malicious communication, Mr Foulkes (pictured) accepted a warning as he worried it could affect any future visits to see his daughter who resides in Australia

Bodycam footage of the incident in November 2023, shows officers describing the 71-year-old's books and literature scattered around his home as 'very Brexity things'

'And obviously that's absolutely fine. You've got a freedom of speech and there are no issues at all.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told the Daily Mail: 'Were aware of footage circulating on social media showing an officer visiting a property.

'The footage is being reviewed and we are speaking to the officer in relation to the circumstances.

'This visit was part of the work our officers have been doing to support Warwickshire Police in their engagement and preparations for a planned protest in Warwickshire this weekend.'

Meanwhile, in November 2023, a a retired policeman was arrested and handcuffed in his own home in May by six police officers armed with batons and pepper spray.

Julian Foulkes, from Gillingham, was detained by Kent Police cops - the very same force he had given around ten years of his life to - after he questioned a supporter of pro-Palestine demonstrations on X (formerly Twitter).

Bodycam footage of the incident in November 2023, shows officers describing the 71-year-old's books and literature scattered around his home as 'very Brexity things', according to The Telegraph.

Police also raised worries over a shopping list, written by the retired man's hairdresser wife, which included items such as bleach, tin foil and gloves, whilst they seized Mr Foulkes electronic devices from his home.

Pictured: the the tweets shared by Mr Foulkes, which were later flagged to Kent Police by Metropolitan Police Intelligence Command

They also searched through most of his personal items, including newspaper clippings from the funeral as well as the police probe of his daughter, Francesca's death, who had been killed by a drunk driver whilst holidaying in Ibiza 15 years ago.

A police officer was heard stating, according to the publication: 'Ah. That's sad,' as she continued to rummage through the retired special constable's items, before he was put in a police cell for eight hours.

After hours of interrogation on suspicion of malicious communication, Mr Foulkes accepted a warning as he worried it could affect any future visits to see his daughter who resides in Australia.

'My life wouldn't be worth living if I couldn't see her. At the time, I believed a caution wouldn't affect travel, but a conviction definitely would,' he said.

Kent Police later confessed the decision to give Mr Foulkes a caution was a mistake and have wiped it off the 76-year-old's record.

Mr Foulkes has since aired his concerns in what he believes to be an attack on freedom of speech, quipping: 'I saw Starmer in the White House telling Trump we've had it in the UK for a very long time, and I thought, 'Yeah, right.' We can see what's really going on.'

Mr Foulkes attended Medway Police station (pictured) on November 10, so he could be given a caution. Kent Police later confessed the decision to give Mr Foulkes a caution was a mistake and have wiped it off the 76-year-old's record

The 76-year-old's ordeal started when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, which saw 1,200 people killed and over 250 taken hostage. An incident which sparked several pro-Palestine marches in London.

The retired policeman had been told by his Jewish friends about how they felt unsafe travelling to the bustling city.

Later that October, he had become increasingly worried having reports of mobs storming an airport in Dagestan, Russia to intercept Israeli citizens.

So, the next day when he saw a post from an account called Mr Ethical, which read: 'Dear @SuellaBraverman  as someone who was on one of the 'hate marches', if you call me an antisemite I will sue you,' he felt inclined to respond.

He responded to the tweet saying: 'One step away from storming Heathrow looking for Jewish arrivals'

He claimed he had never been in contact with the account prior, and was warning of possible escalation with the on-going pro-Palestinian protests.
A secrecy row around NHS Scotlands handling of the Sandie Peggie case deepened last night as internal documents showed that spin doctors tried to water down what information could be released to the public.

Emails reveal that PR bosses wanted to withhold details in response to freedom of information (FOI) requests about the landmark single-sex spaces tribunal.

They were reprimanded by an in-house lawyer who had to remind the health service of its legal duties.

It is the latest twist in a transparency battle between the Press, NHS Fife and NHS Scotland over how much the tribunal is costing the taxpayer.

The revelations also draw Scottish ministers closer to the secrecy scandal, given the chief executive of NHS Scotland, Caroline Lamb, is part of John Swinneys government.

Mrs Peggie, 50, was suspended for challenging the presence of male-born Dr Beth Upton in the female changing rooms at Kirkcaldys Victoria Hospital.

Scottish Tory equalities spokeswoman Tess White said: This is another example of NHS Scotlands addiction to secrecy.

Transgender medic Dr Beth Upton is at the centre of a 'single-sex spaces' employment tribunal

NHS spin doctors wanted to change FOI responses to align with their media messaging

'NHS Fife, backed by NHS Scotland, shamefully tried to manipulate FOI responses so they could cover up their dire handling of the Sandie Peggie case. Those at the top of the board need to go, but [Health Secretary] Neil Gray is too weak to sack them. SNP ministers must order NHS Fife to be open and transparent.

Scotlands Information Commissioner, David Hamilton, also said the revelations could well be a cause for concern.

He added: Its vital that every freedom of information request is responded to properly and in full compliance with FOI law.

It is clear that, in this case, some thought was given to the alignment of FOI responses with media lines. This could well be a cause for concern  comms messaging should align with FOI responses, not the other way round.

NHS Scotland was asked under FOI to reveal how much it is costing the taxpayer to defend the health board and Dr Upton against Mrs Peggies claims.

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2000, public bodies have a statutory duty to release information, barring a few exceptions.

Sandie Peggie was suspended from NHS Fife amid a single-sex space row

However, emails reveal that NHS Scotland wanted to massage responses to fit with its media messaging.

A communications official wrote on June 12 that they would like to align our messaging a bit more with the media lines issued, adding: So I am just going to take a look at tightening up some of the response in the morning, so will send updated version over.

That prompted in-house solicitor Stefano Rinaldi to write on June 24: It is important to remember this is a legal response in the sense it requires to comply with the statutatory requirements.

Carolyn Low, director of NHS National Services Scotland, said it remains committed to the principles of transparency, accountability and public access to information while ensuring that responses are clear, responsible and contextually appropriate.
A Florida mother sent her child's school into lockdown after she placed a deadly weapon in her bag.

Sierra Nichole Bronner, 39, of Middleburg, was arrested on felony charges after her daughter went to school with a gun in her backpack on Wednesday.

She had allegedly packed the weapon in the student's backpack to have her give the gun back to her father, who lives separately, before the school day, but the child forgot.

When the girl opened their backpack while at Coopergate Elementary School, she allegedly discovered the gun and informed a teacher, prompting a modified lockdown, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said.

Students were still allowed to continue with class, but were not allowed to leave or enter school grounds until police completed their work.

The father, who was not identified, had driven the girl to school and was unaware the child had the weapon in their bag.

Bronner was charged with child neglect and giving a firearm to a minor and taken to the Clay County Jail.

Cook advised parents to check children's backpacks before bringing them to school so they are aware of the contents.

Sierra Nichole Bronner, 39, of Middleburg, was arrested on felony charges after her daughter went to school with a gun in her backpack on Wednesday

She had allegedly packed the weapon in the student's backpack to have her give the gun back to her father, who lives separately, before the school day, but the child forgot

When the girl opened their backpack while at Coopergate Elementary School, she allegedly discovered the gun and informed a teacher, prompting a modified lockdown

'It's crucial that parents know what their children are bringing to school before they leave home,' Cook said in a statement.

'In this specific case, this was a poor decision and could've ended in tragedy.'

Daily Mail has reached out to Bronner for comment.

It comes after a North Carolina mother was arrested after firing two shots in the air at a back-to-school event to break up a fight between her son and another boy.

Cherez Montique Davis, 34, of Charlotte, was arrested on Saturday after allegedly firing at least two rounds into the air from her Taurus G6 while at an event at the CW Williams Community Health Center around 1pm.

The shots were fired to break up a fight between her son and another boy, according to an affidavit viewed by Daily Mail.

Another adult intervened and that is when Davis pulled the gun out of her backpack and fired it before placing the weapon back inside and walking away, the filings say.

No one was injured, but the sound of gunshots made the crowd of 100 scatter in fear, the affidavit said.

She was charged with going armed to the terror of the people and carrying a concealed weapon. Both are misdemeanors.
The UK's first ever lesbian archbishop has hit back at critics who claimed her appointment will lead to a church exodus, declaring it is 'not wrong' for her to love her partner.

Cherry Vann, who is gay and living in a same-sex partnership, was named as the fifteenth Archbishop of Wales last month.

However, her appointment sparked controversy among conservatives who said it goes against biblical teaching and will lead directly to people leaving the church.

Susie Leafe, director of Anglican Futures, added that the move scuppers 'any chance of the Anglican Communion coming back together'.

She explained that anyone who was 'seriously minded' about their faith, would now be 'considering their options'.

Meanwhile, the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, which represents conservative views, said Ms Vann's appointment was 'another painful nail in the coffin of Anglican orthodoxy'.

Responding to the criticism, the archbishop said she has never heard God say to her 'who you love is wrong' or that she is 'living in sin'.

She added that the Bible is open to interpretation when it comes to social issues, such as same-sex relationships.

Cherry Vann (pictured), who is gay and living in a same-sex partnership, was named as the fifteenth Archbishop of Wales last month

Prior to her appointment as the Archbishop of Wales, Ms Vann, who is originally from Leicester, served as the Bishop of Monmouth

Ms Vann told Premier Christian News: 'Christians hold different views on all manner of subjects, divorce, remarriage, abortion, assisted dying, to name but a few.

'I mean, we are not all of one mind on most things. And you know, the church changes its position. It learns a broader understanding of God's love.'

'I cannot see how loving somebody as I love my partner could be wrong,' she added.

When asked about whether the Church of Wales will conduct same-sex marriages in churches, she said she thought it would happen 'in the not too distant future'.

Prior to her appointment as the Archbishop of Wales, Ms Vann, who is originally from Leicester, served as the Bishop of Monmouth for five years.

She replaced Andrew John, who retired last month after three-and-a-half years in the role.

Mr John's departure followed a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral, which identified 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' and 'promiscuity was acceptable'.

She replaced Andrew John, pictured in 2023, who retired last month after three-and-a-half years in the role

There has been no suggestion Mr John behaved inappropriately and he commissioned two reports into the cathedral in October last year.

Speaking following her appointment, Ms Vann said: 'The first thing I shall need to do is to ensure the issues which have been raised in the last six months are properly addressed and work to bring healing and reconciliation, and build a really good level of trust across the Church and the communities the Church serves.'

Ms Vann was ordained as a deacon in 1989 and was among the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1994.

She then served as Archdeacon of Rochdale for 11 years.
The suspected 'main instigator' in the viral Cincinnati brawl has made his first appearance in court after allegedly knocking a woman unconscious.

Patrick Rosemond, 38, was extradited from Georgia to southern Ohio to face a judge over his alleged involved in the brutal July 26 attack that left six people injured.

Prosecutors claim Rosemond, a convicted felon, 'assaulted each and every single victim' in the beatdown, Fox News reports.

He allegedly punched a woman, identified by the court only as HR, unconscious and 'almost caused her death', Hamilton County Common Pleas Court heard.

Rosemond's smackdown sent the woman crumpling to the ground as the mob of assailants closed in, the prosecutions has claimed.

He was then allegedly seen dancing and 'taunting' his victims after the assault.

Rosemond has been charged with three counts of felonious assault, three charges of assault and two charges of aggravated rioting. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and was permitted release on a $500,000 bond.

Six other suspects have been charged in the horrific attack.

Patrick Rosemond, 38, was extradited from Georgia to appear before the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Friday (pictured)

A woman involved in the brawl, known only as Holly, is seen here on the ground following the horrific attack

Prosecutors told the court Friday that Rosemond is 'responsible for the majority of [HR's] injuries'.

'He assaulted each and every single victim in a brutal to vicious fashion,' the prosecutor said, alleging that he knocked the woman identified as HR out.

'Her head hit the pavement, she was completely knocked unconscious before she even hit the ground. It is clearly captured on video.'

The state did not confirm if HR was the female victim previously identified as Holly who alleged the mob of attackers swarmed her 'like a pack of wolves'.

Horror images of Holly's injuries show her with black eyes and a swollen, bruised face.

In shocking footage of the fight, a man in a white t-shirt was shoved to the ground and beaten by two men as other members of the crowd jeered and joined in.

The gang beat the man for nearly a minute as he lay in the middle of the street, seemingly stepping on his head multiple times.

When the barrage of attacks temporarily stopped, he was seen attempting to stand - but immediately fell over in apparent disorientation.

Patrick Rosemond, 38, enters Hamilton County Common Pleas Courtroom for his arraignment on Friday. He pleaded not guilty to all charges

Both sides of Holly's face were extremely bruised following the assault, with her right eye a dark shade of purple and almost closed over due to the swelling

A new angle of what happened prior to the brawl shows an unidentified black man being slapped by the unknown white man

Holly rushed to his aid, but was attacked by the crowd, suffering two blows to the face.

The impact caused her to fall, with her head slamming onto the pavement. Blood spewed from her mouth.

She said that police 'acted nonchalant' when they arrived at the scene and did not call for backup or an ambulance.

Holly defended her actions that night, noting that she was the only person who decided to jump in to help the man because it was 'the right thing to do.'

The prosecution also highlighted Rosemond's lengthy criminal record during Friday's hearing, pointing out how he has 10 misdemeanor and three felony convictions.

It was also suggested that his recent trip to Georgia, during which he was arrested, was an attempt to flee - a claim disputed by the defense.

Rosemond's attorney claimed he was visiting a friend and noted that he fully cooperated during his arrest.

The defense requested his bond be set at $50,000 at 10 percent, but the court ruled with the prosecution's request of $500,000.

Patrick Rosemond has been charged with three counts of felonious assault, three charges of assault and two charges of aggravated rioting

Patrick Rosemond, 38, left, was arrested earlier this week and charged with alleged aggravated riot and aggravated robbery. Aisha Devaughn, right, allegedly hit one of the victims, prosecutors said

Dekyra Vernon, left, and Montianez Merriweather, right, were also taken into custody in connection with the melee

Dominique Kittle, DeKyra Vernon, Jermaine Matthews, Aisha Devaughn, Gregory Wright and Montianez Merriweather were also arrested in connection with the brawl.

They are facing various charges, including aggravated riot and felonious assault. If convicted they could face up to 30 years in prison.

Each defendant has pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
Scotland's fire service has splurged almost 500,000 on woke diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) staff and projects in just three years.

An audit of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS) spending shows that its salary bill for diversity, equality, equity and inclusion jobs has hit 458,121 since 2023.

It has also spent taxpayer cash on initiatives such as branded lanyards and continues to pay a membership to Stonewall, despite other organisations ending their affiliation with the controversial LGBT charity.

The revelations follow SFRS proposals to close up to 13 fire stations due to funding cuts, with the service having seen its budget fall by 57 million in real terms over 10 years.

It also comes amid concerns for public and staff safety as almost half of Scotlands fire stations are in poor or bad condition.

Almost three quarters of fire engines in Scotland are more than a decade old, while 18 fire stations do not have running water.

Sharon Dowey, community safety spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service can ill-afford to be shelling out on woke DEI jobs and virtue-signalling exercises. The last thing they should be doing is throwing good money after bad on out of touch ideologies.

The service has been criticised for its spend on diversity, equality, equity and inclusion jobs

Sharon Dowey, community safety spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives, said the service can ill-afford to be shelling out the cash

SNP ministers must urgently work alongside the SFRS to ensure that crucial resources are being used appropriately rather than being squandered in this vein.

A freedom of information request by the Tories found that 484,888.07 had been spent on diversity, equity, and inclusion since 2023.

That includes the salary bill, as well as 200 on branded lanyards to promote equality.

Other initiatives include spending 6,000 on hosting an event to celebrate Scottish Women in the Fire Service in 2024.

It also handed 8,937 to Stonewall as part of its Diversity Champion Membership, which offers guidance for employers on pronouns and gender-neutral spaces.

The DEI spending also comes as the SFRS faces a number of operational difficulties. Figures last year showed the fragile state of the service, with 45 per cent of fire stations in poor or bad condition and 73 per cent of fire engines more than ten years old.

The MoS told in June how 18 fire stations do not have running water, with some having to depend on wet wipes to wash down equipment. Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson, director of prevention at the SFRS, said: Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our working culture.

This includes our employment practices, the services we provide and the values we work towards, which makes us a better organisation.

He added: It is well documented that SFRS has an insurmountable capital backlog of more than 800 million and that many of our ageing buildings require action.

These areas are funded through different budget types and, as such, cannot be directly compared to our DEI-related spend.

This is not about prioritising one area over the other; we are committed to advancing both simultaneously.
Britain's last surviving Second World War Victoria Cross recipient has died aged 105.

Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, from Aberdeen, received the VC for bravery during an attack on an enemy submarine that left him with 72 injuries.

The pilot was awarded the honour for sinking a German U-boat and successfully landing his damaged plane.

A total of 181 people received Britain's highest military decoration for their actions during the war.

The RAF captain's family told the BBC he died last week and that a funeral would be held in private, the news outlet reported on Saturday.

He joined the Territorial Army, enlisting in the Royal Artillery in May 1939, before he was transferred to the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1941.

After training in Canada and the US he earned his wings in July 1942 and was assigned to No 210 Squadron in March 1943, piloting Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats, flying submarine-hunting missions from RAF Sullom Voe in the Shetland Islands, Scotland.

On July 17 1944, aged 24, he was sent on a patrol to protect the British Home Fleet as it returned from an attack on the German battleship Tirpitz.

Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, Britain's last surviving Second World War Victoria Cross recipient, has died aged 105

On July 17 1944, aged 24 (pictured), he was sent on a patrol to protect the British Home Fleet as it returned from an attack on the German battleship Tirpitz

A U-boat was spotted on the surface near Norway and the aircraft he was captaining and piloting launched an offensive.

The first bombs failed to release but Flt Lt Cruickshank turned the plane to face enemy fire and attack again.

He dropped depth charges during the second attempt, sinking the U-boat and killing 52 crew members on board.

However, Cruickshank was seriously wounded in the melee and, together with his colleagues, flew the damaged plane five and a half hours back to base.

Flt Lt Cruickshank sustained 72 injuries including two to his lungs and 10 to his lower limbs during the assault.

The navigator was killed, three other crew members were severely injured, and the badly damaged aircraft was filled with fumes from exploding shells.

After the victory, Flt Lt Cruickshank left the cockpit but refused painkillers and continued to advise his second pilot who had taken control.

Despite losing consciousness multiple times during their return, he assisted the second pilot with the landing which took an hour.

He was also presented with the Air Efficiency Award at his home two years ago, aged 103

He received the VC for bravery during an attack on an enemy submarine that left him with 72 injuries

He was praised for setting an example of 'determination, fortitude and devotion to duty' when the honour was bestowed on him by King George VI.

In 2013, Flt Lt Cruickshank said: 'It was just normal, we were trained to do the job and that was it.

'I wouldn't like to say I'm the only one that has an amazing story, there are plenty of other stories coming from that time.

'It wasn't that wonderful in those days, I can tell you that. We could only think in those days there were better days to come.'

After the war ended Flt Lt Cruickshank returned to his career in banking.
The Trump administration has launched their own 'Manhattan Project' amid reports one of America's largest companies is set to be nationalized.

Intel, the largest chip fabricator in the US, has been in talks with Donald Trump over a potential government stake in the company.

While the percentage stake the government is asking for has not been made public, nationalizing a company is typically reserved for emergencies.

The government nationalized a number of banks after the 2008 financial crisis and key logistics companies during World War II.

It comes amid concerns that America relies too heavily on TSCM, a chip manufacturer in Taiwan. China has repeatedly threatened to invade the island nation.

If China were to invade, it would throttle America's ability to compete in the booming chipmaking industry that is being driven by artificial intelligence.

While Intel's AI chips are considered inferior to those designed by Nvidia and AMD, the company is unique in that it not only designs its chips but it manufactures them. Trump wants to protect America by onshoring chip manufacturing.

'This feels like the Manhattan Project - or the run-up to World War II,' MIT AI computer scientist Dave Blundin said. 'It's every bit as important as the space race was, as the nuclear arms race was. Actually, it's more important.'

Intel. Corp, one of the most capable semiconductor manufacturers in the US, has been in talks with the Trump administration as the US government is seeking a stake in the company. Pictured: Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan at the company's Annual Manufacturing Technology Conference earlier this year

Intel's advanced abilities to manufacture semiconductors would allow the US to give up its reliance on foreign fabs in order to power artificial intelligence, defense and the economy

The consideration to nationalize the company, a move typically done in times of national urgency, comes as the US is looking to get ahead of China in the AI and tech arms race

Intel's advanced abilities to manufacture semiconductors would allow the US to give up its reliance on foreign fabrication plants (fabs), especially in Taiwan which controls more than 60 percent of the market, in order to power artificial intelligence, defense and the economy.

The talks remain ongoing and finer details continue to be made clear, but the idea would be that the US government would pay for the stake in the company, one person close to the matter told Bloomberg.

Another stressed that the talks do not ensure that the deal is definitive, and the discussion could end without a deal being made.

The move, according to AI and tech experts on Diamandis' podcast Moonshots, echoes the 'Manhattan Project' as a sort of a 'national survival strategy.'

'The reason the US needs to protect Taiwan fundamentally... is because the fabs are there. If the fabs all move to the US, then why would the US defend Taiwan?' Blundin said.

Concerns have been raised about the decision to nationalize the company, as he added: 'They're putting the whole industry on a kind of war footing, like mobilization for conflict, except the battleground is supply chains and chip fabs.'

Intel told Bloomberg, while declining to comment on the discussion with the Trump administration, that the company is 'deeply committed to supporting President Trump's efforts to strengthen US technology and manufacturing leadership.'

'We look forward to continuing our work with the Trump administration to advance these shared priorities, but we are not going to comment on rumors or speculation,' the company added.

White House spokesman Kush Desai told the outlet: 'Discussion about hypothetical deals should be regarded as speculation unless officially announced by the administration.'

The move comes after two AI companies agreed last week to hand over 15 percent of their chip sales revenue in China to the US government in exchange for export licenses.

Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) entered an unprecedented arrangement with the White House to promote and sell their semiconductors in China last week, three people familiar with the situation told the Financial Times.

'This feels like the Manhattan Project  or the run-up to World War II,' MIT AI computer scientist Dave Blundin (pictured) said on a podcast with MIT engineer Peter Diamandis

The CEO of Nvidia, Jensen Huang (right), met with Donald Trump (left) last week to review the bizarre deal, according to sources, including a US government official

US security experts said Nvidia's H20 in particular will aid the Chinese military efforts and boast China in its AI development race against the US

'In the short term, this is fantastic. In the long term, wow, could this turn bad in a hurry,' Blundin said. 'It's good for the US economy, but we're going to use that to fund [the] US catching up in the chip wars.'

'Very, very good business deal and incredibly slippery slope precedent.'

The deal could pour more than $2 billion into the US government, the New York Times reported, although Trump did not reveal what the money may be used for.

Just as sources say Trump and the AI companies entered the agreement, the president declared he would impose a 100 percent tariff on the imports of semiconductors and chips unless the company is 'building in the United States.'

News of Trump's discreetly entered agreement with Nvidia and AMD has been slammed by experts who say the move could have detrimental repercussions when it comes to US-China relations.

'This is an own goal and will incentivize the Chinese to up their game and pressure the administration for more concessions,' Liza Tobin, who previously served as China director at the National Security Council, told The New York Times.

The move to sell microchips to China has been heavily criticized, as many see it as a threat to national security and a move against America's best interests.
The Radio 4 guest who branded a senior Tory 'xenophobic' for comments about asylum-seekers has also accused actress Sydney Sweeney of 'flirting' with the Nazis' theories of eugenics.

Refugee charity boss Dr Krish Kandiah prompted fury after his Today programme criticism of last weekend's The Mail on Sunday front page in which Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said the asylum-seeker influx in small boats made him fear for his daughters' safety.

Now it has emerged that earlier this month Dr Kandiah attacked Ms Sweeney for boasting of her 'great jeans' in a clothing advert  saying she was 'backing' Nazi ideologies of racial superiority.

The BBC was forced to edit Dr Kandiah's Thought for the Day segment, and apologise to Mr Jenrick, after he said the Tory MP's language had fuelled protests outside hotels housing asylum-seekers.

Roger Mahony, Radio 4's Head of Editorial Standards, apologised to Mr Jenrick for some of the language and said two references to xenophobia would be edited from the programme on BBC Sounds.

But Mr Jenrick said a cursory look at Dr Kandiah's social media would have revealed his outlandish beliefs, including an attack on the Tories' Rwanda scheme for returning migrants as unChristian and his criticism of Ms Sweeney.

In her advert for American Eagle jeans, White Lotus actress Ms Sweeney, 27, says: 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue.'

A narrator then says: 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.'

The Radio 4 guest who branded a senior Tory 'xenophobic' for comments about asylum-seekers has also accused actress Sydney Sweeney of 'flirting' with the Nazis' theories of eugenics

Refugee charity boss Dr Krish Kandiah (pictured) prompted fury after his Today programme criticism of last weekend's MoS front page in which Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said the asylum-seeker influx in small boats made him fear for his daughters' safety

Mr Jenrick (pictured) said a cursory look at Dr Kandiah's social media would have revealed his outlandish beliefs, including an attack on the Tories ' Rwanda scheme for returning migrants as unchristian and his criticism of Ms Sweeney

In her advert for American Eagle jeans, White Lotus actress Ms Sweeney, 27, says: 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue'

Dr Kandiah retorts on X: 'Why on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War would you be flirting with a eugenics idea?

'Eighty years ago there was another mass movement in the world claiming the same. That was Nazism... we don't need superstars backing the eugenics movement.'

Mr Jenrick said: 'It's astonishing the BBC failed to conduct proper checks. A quick glance would have found that this individual recently accused Sydney Sweeney of eugenics for a jeans advert, for goodness sake.

'I have no idea how the editorial team at the BBC thought the remarks about me were balanced.

'It just shows how entrenched the pro-migration bias is at the BBC, despite the damage mass migration is causing and the immense frustration of most people in the country.'
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced mounting pressure over the housing of illegal immigrants last night after 700 people were involved in angry clashes outside a migrant hotel in a Scots town.

Police had to call in reinforcements as local residents and anti-racism groups clashed in angry scenes that saw bottles and other objects thrown outside the hotel in Falkirk which can hold more than 50 asylum seekers.

Community tensions had reached fever pitch after Afghan asylum seeker Sadeq Nikzad, 29,  a former resident in the hotel  was jailed in June for raping a local 15-year-old schoolgirl.

Yesterday, one of Sir Keir's own Labour MPs said he believed that migrants should be removed from Falkirks Cladhan Hotel.

Euan Stainbank, the MP for Falkirk, said: These hotels dont work for host communities or those who stay there and their use will be ended by this government.

And a senior Tory MSP demanded Sir Keirs government find an alternative way to house migrants as soon as possible  and said locals had legitimate safety concerns for themselves and for their children.

Yesterdays demo is the first large-scale asylum hotel protest in Scotland following similar demonstrations in England, notably outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.

Hundreds of Scots descended on a hotel accommodating migrants in Falkirk on Saturday

A large police presence separated two rival protests from those opposed to the asylum hotel and anti-racist demonstrators

Afghan asylum seeker Sadeq Nikzad, 29, was jailed in June for raping a local 15-year-old girl

Sir Keir Starmer is under new pressure over the housing of asylum seekers

On Friday, Epping Forest District Council managed to secure a temporary block on The Bell accepting any further asylum seekers due to an increase in community tensions.

If a judge rules in the councils favour on Tuesday it could open the door to a flurry of similar applications to the courts to dismantle asylum hotels at a community level, including from Falkirk.

But last night Scottish Conservative Community Safety spokeswoman Sharon Dowey called for Labour to intervene as a priority.

She said: Robust action is needed from Labour ministers if theyre serious about keeping Scots safe.

They can start by heeding the concerns of local communities and look into closing these hotels by delivering an alternative solution to housing asylum seekers.

Recent Norstat polling suggests the vast majoity of voters in Scotland, 77 per cent, want immigration to either decrease or remain at current levels.

Protestors in Falkirk on Saturday held banners reading: 'Enough is enough' as well as: 'Women and children first'

One placard read: 'Stop the boats,' in reference to illegal crossings made by asylum seekers in small boats

On the other side, Stand Up To Racism protestors attempted to drown out concerns from locals

The survey published in February 2025 appeared to mirror a UK-wide trend in voters seeing immigrantion as an issue of concern.

Ms Dowey believes this weekends protests reflects the widespread outrage felt by those in the community following the rape conviction of Nikzad.

The migrant, who had entered the UK illegally on a small boat, subjected a vunerable 15-year-old to an appalling, opportunistic attack in Falkirk in October 2023.

He was later handed a 12-year extended sentence at the High Court in Livingston.

The Afghani claimed hed not been educated on cultural differences and repeatedly shouted liar at judge John Morris, KC.

Nikzad  who had uploaded a picture of himself onto his Facebook posing in one of the chairs inside the Cladhan Hotel  is due to be deported after serving his prison term.

Afghan asylum seeker Sadeq Nikzad, 29, who was jailed for raping a 15-year-old, was a resident at the Falkirk hotel

Exclusive pictures obtained by the Mail show Nikzad relaxing in the taxpayer-funded accommodation

The Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk is being used by the Home Office to temporarily house asylum seekers

Hundreds of people turned out to protest alongside Save Our Future and Our Kids Future outside the hotel yesterday, including Darren, a local father, who claimed he feared for the childrens safety in the area.

He said: There are kids getting followed home and it all leads back to here. And its not just young lassies, its boys as well.

Father-of-two Connor Graham took to a megaphone to tell protesters: Heres my message: We are not going away. We are not going to be intimidated into silence. And we are certainly not going to be written off as extremists.

We want a safer Falkirk... we want answers and we want action and we want the same thing every decent person should want, a community where our children can grow up safe.

On the opposite side of the protests was Claire Love, a 42-year-old social worker from Bonnybridge, who joined Stand Up to Racism counter-protestors.

She told The Mail she feared there had been an increase in racism, homophobia and xenophobia in recent times.

A number of anti-racist protestors lined the streets outside the hotel which houses the migrants

Falkirk MP Mr Stainbank said the former Conservative Government was to blame for a broken asylum system and insisted his party will get to grips with the issue.

Referencing the Tory scheme that aimed to send failed asylum seekers to Rwanda which Labour scrapped when it won power last year, he said: We must fix the broken asylum system for communities such as Falkirk and those fleeing conflict across the world.

Refocusing resources away from Rwanda and onto processing will allow us to end the use of asylum hotels, which were set up by the Tories and many of their rebranded Reform colleagues.

This approach has already seen the asylum backlog reduced by over 59,000 by the start of 2025 compared to if we had kept the Tories broken system.

These hotels dont work for host communities or those who stay there and their use will be ended by this government.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Since taking office, we have taken immediate action to fix the asylum system and have started closing down hotels and returning more than 35,000 people with no right to be here.

'From over 400 asylum hotels open in summer 2023, costing almost 9 million a day, there are now fewer than 210, and we want them all closed by the end of this Parliament.

'We will continue to work closely with community partners across the country, and discuss any concerns they have, as we look to fix this broken system together.'
First Lady Melania Trump wrote a personal 'peace letter' to Vladimir Putin telling him 'it is time' to protect the children of the world.

Although Slovenian-born Melania Trump was not on the trip to Alaska, she made sure her thoughts were heard and had the note hand-delivered through her husband.

She told Putin 'it is time' to 'protect the innocence of these children' and to 'strive to paint a dignity-filled world for all,' according to a copy of the letter obtained by Fox News.

Russia's seizure of Ukrainian children has been a deeply sensitive subject for Ukraine.

Kyiv has called the abductions of tens of thousands of its children taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family or guardians a war crime that meets the UN treaty definition of genocide.

The First Lady addressed her letter to Putin directly and began her note talking about how all children share the same dreams regardless of where they are born.

'Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their heart, whether born randomly into a nation's rustic countryside or a magnificent city-center. They dream of love, possibility, and safety from danger,' she said.

First Lady Melania Trump wrote a personal letter to Vladimir Putin that was hand-delivered through her husband at the Alaska summit

She told Putin 'it is time' to 'protect the innocence of these children' and to 'strive to paint a dignity-filled world for all'

Although she did not attended the meeting, Melania Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin meet on the sidelines of a G20 summit in 2017 (pictured)

'As parents, it is our duty to nurture the next generation's hope. As leaders, the responsibility to sustain our children extends beyond the comfort of a few.

'Undeniably, we must strive to paint a dignity-filled world for allso that every soul may wake to peace, and so that the future itself is perfectly guarded.'

She goes on to tell the Russian president that it is their duty to protect children and the future generations.

'A simple yet profound concept, Mr. Putin, as I am sure you agree, is that each generation's descendants begin their lives with a purityan innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology,' Melania said.

'Yet in today's world, some children are forced to carry a quiet laughter, untouched by the darkness around thema silent defiance against the forces that can potentially claim their future.'

'Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter,' the first lady wrote. 'In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia aloneyou serve humanity itself.

'Such a bold idea transcends all human division, and you, Mr. Putin, are fit to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today. It is time,' she concluded.

Previously, Moscow has said it has been protecting vulnerable children from a war zone.

She told the Russian president that it is their duty to protect children and the future generations

While Ukrainian officials have identified nearly 20,000 children who have been abducted by Russia, the real number is believed to be far higher. Some believe it could be as 300,000.

The United Nations Human Rights Office has said Russia inflicted suffering on millions of Ukrainian children and violated their rights since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

In recent months, Trump has been more publicly critical of Putin's continued missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, crediting Melania for calling out the Russian leader's violence against Ukrainian civilians.

Trump previously explained that he speaks to the Russian leader often, before sharing how Melania has helped in pointing out Putin's continued bombing of Ukraine.

'My conversations with him are always very pleasant. I say, isn't that very lovely conversation? And then the missiles go off that night, I go home, I tell the first lady... I spoke with Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation. She [says]: "Oh, really, another city was just hit,"' Trump said.

Ahead of Friday's trip to Anchorage, Trump tempered expectations about what he might accomplish in Alaska, giving himself a '25 percent' failure rate.

In recent months, Trump has been more publicly critical of Putin's continued strikes on Ukraine, crediting Melania for calling out the leader's violence against Ukrainian civilians

Trump previously explained that he speaks to the Russian leader often, before sharing how Melania has helped in pointing out Putin's continued bombing of Ukraine

'The second meeting is going to be very, very important, because that's going to be a meeting where they make a deal,' Trump said.

'But there is a 25 percent chance this meeting will not be a successful meeting,' Trump added.

Trump and Putin met for nearly three hours at a US military base in Anchorage without reaching a ceasefire deal in the war in Ukraine.

The Putin and Trump Administrations on Friday ended with the US and Russian leaders admitting there was still work to be done.

After the meeting concluded, the two leaders held a brief joint press conference.

In an extremely uncharacteristic move, Trump allowed Putin to speak first - at what had been billed as a bilateral press conference - and then didn't answer a single question before shaking hands with Putin again and sauntering offstage.

Their whole appearance before the press lasted just 12 minutes.

Speaking aboard Air Force One as it flew toward Anchorage, the president declared his mission was nothing less than to 'stop the killing' and demanded that a truce between Russia and Ukraine be reached 'rapidly.'

Trump and Putin met for nearly three hours at a US military base in Anchorage without reaching a ceasefire deal in the war in Ukraine. They both admitted there's still work to be done

'I don't know if it's going to be today,' Trump admitted, 'but I'm not going to be happy if it's not today. Everyone said it can't be today - but I want the killing to stop.'

Trump said he made 'some headway' during his 2.5-hour-long meeting.

'We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to,' Trump said. 'We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.'

What was clear was that there was no immediate ceasefire or peace deal to end the Ukraine war.

Trump, who held a summit with Putin on Friday, said he agrees the best way to end the war was to go straight to a peace settlement - not via a ceasefire, as Ukraine and its European allies, until now with US support, have been demanding.

Trump signaled that he and Putin had discussed potential land swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine, a proposal that has left Europe reeling as analysts brand it 'deeply disturbing' and a 'clear 1-0 for Putin.'

The US also reportedly proposed an agreement that would see Ukraine not join Nato - but instead be offered Nato-esque protections similar to Article 5, diplomatic sources have claimed.

Article 5 on Nato's founding treaty agrees collective defense - meaning allies see an attack on one as an attack on all of them.

Trump reportedly floated the plan with Zelensky and European leaders during a call after his meeting with Putin.
Irish police are investigating if a couple who claimed in court documents that they had seen Nikita Hand's ex-partner beat her up on the same night that she was raped by former MMA fighter Conor McGregor were not living at the property in which they said they were at the time.

Affidavits sworn by Steven Cummins and Samantha O'Reilly, who were named as witnesses in Mr McGregor's failed civil court rape appeal, are currently being investigated by officers from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) for suspected perjury.

The couple previously rented a house directly across the road from Ms Hand in Drimnagh on Dublin's southside.

However, it is understood one of the lines of inquiry being pursued by investigators is that Mr Cummins and Ms O'Reilly, who currently live in the Cherry Orchard area of the capital, were not actually living at the address when they claim they saw Ms Hand being assaulted by her former partner on the night of December 9, 2018.

When approached by the Irish Mail on Sunday this week and asked directly if they lived at the address at the time, and to confirm the couple's whereabouts on the night, Ms O'Reilly responded by throwing a basin of water at our reporter from the top window of her council-owned home.

Speaking through the window, she said: 'I do not want to be answering any questions and I do not want to be harassed. I am politely asking you to leave my premises please. No comment.'

Asked again if she could confirm if the couple lived in the Drimnagh property on the night they claimed they saw Ms Hand being assaulted, she asked, 'Excuse me, what was the question?', before emptying a basin of water out the window.

She then loudly asked one of her children to get a 'kettle of water'.

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor is seen outside the High Court in Dublin last year

Affidavits sworn by Steven Cummins (right) and Samantha O'Reilly (left), who were named as witnesses in Mr McGregor's failed civil court rape appeal, are currently being investigated

When approached by the Irish Mail on Sunday this week, Ms O'Reilly responded by throwing a basin of water at our reporter from the top window of her council-owned home

Ms O'Reilly added: 'I'm giving you an opportunity to actually be safe. Do you want to have a water fight? Well, I want to have a water fight. It's a nice, sunny day.'

The owners of the Drimnagh house the couple previously rented said they could not comment when asked if the couple lived at the address at the time they claim they witnessed the alleged attack on Ms Hand, who has vehemently denied she was ever assaulted by her former partner.

Approached by the MoS, they said they had been 'instructed by gardai not to comment'.

Neighbours on the Drimnagh street where Mr Cummins and Ms O'Reilly temporarily lived across from Ms Hand said the couple lived there for a short time, and some struggled to remember what they looked like.

Mr Cummins and Ms O'Reilly were due to give evidence at Mr McGregor's appeal against a civil case verdict after a jury found him liable for assault and ordered him to pay Ms Hand damages.

Ms Hand, 35, accused Mr McGregor of raping her in a hotel penthouse in Dublin on December 9, 2018.

Mr McGregor, 36, denied the allegation, claiming they had consensual, 'vigorous' sex. He appealed the verdict.

After throwing the basin of water, Ms O'Reilly asked one of her children to get a 'kettle of water'

A jury last year found the MMA star guilty of sexually assaulting Nikita Hand (above) in a civil case after McGregor had been accused of raping her at a Dublin hotel in December 2018

Ms O'Reilly is seen throwing the basin of water at the journalist

But on the morning the hearing was due to proceed last month, Mr Cummins and Ms O'Reilly's evidence was dramatically withdrawn at the last minute.

Ms Hand described the couple's statements as untrue and lies.

The Court of Appeal said the application to introduce the evidence was abandoned in 'somewhat mysterious' circumstances with no plausible reason given and awarded Ms Hand costs at the highest possible level.

Judge Brian O'Moore noted the abandonment by Mr McGregor of the application could only be viewed by the court as an acknowledgment that Ms Hand was correct

He also said her lawyers had not been exaggerating when they said this 'new evidence' had put Ms Hand through the wringer.

The judge said she had prevailed in one of the most hard-fought trials of recent years.

Speaking outside court, Ms Hand said: 'This appeal has retraumatised me over and over again, being forced to relive it. What happened has had a huge impact on me.

'To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please don't be silenced. You deserve to be heard. You also deserve justice.'

McGregor, pictured with his partner Dee Devlin in November 2024, was ordered to pay 206,000 in damages in November, plus legal costs, to Nikita Hand

Nikita Hand is seen leaving the Court of Appeal in Dublin in July

Following the failed appeal, Mr Cummins and Ms O'Reilly's sworn statements were referred by the Court of Appeal to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after Ms Hand's legal team raised concerns about suspected perjury, and the 'subornation of perjury' by McGregor.

The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) later received correspondence from the DPP.

Last weekend, An Garda Siochana confirmed the NBCI was investigating allegations of perjury involving statements given by the couple named as witnesses in the failed appeal.

Lodging a false affidavit is an offence under the Perjury Act 2021. Anyone who makes a sworn statement that is false, and knows it to be, is committing an act of perjury  an offence that carries a minimum penalty of 4,000 and 12 months in prison, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a 100,000 fine.
Ukraine's future as a sovereign nation is hanging in the balance after the superpower summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

Critics warned that other world leaders were powerless to prevent Volodymyr Zelensky from being caught 'with his head in a vice' by the American and Russian leaders when he visits Mr Trump at the White House.

Diplomatic sources said that Friday's summit in Alaska had paved the way for a deal in which Ukraine would be expected to surrender large swathes of the Donbas region in the east of the country, including areas currently controlled by Kyiv.

In return, president Zelensky would receive 'Nato-style' protection from Western countries for what remained of his territory.

He is preparing to fly to Washington for a showdown with Mr Trump, at which he is expected to be told to retreat from the battlegrounds.

Mr Zelensky is understood to have said that he will refuse to surrender Donetsk, which has been at the centre of conflict with Moscow since 2014, but is more broadly 'open to discussing the issue of territory'.

Last night, Boris Johnson called for Sir Keir Starmer to lead international efforts to protect Ukraine from being carved up as a result of what he described as a 'vomit-inducing' meeting in Alaska.

Mr Trump has told Mr Zelensky and EU leaders that as part of the negotiations they would have to drop their demands for a ceasefire: it means Putin can continue his attacks on the country until a deal is signed.

Critics warned that other world leaders were powerless to prevent Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) from being caught 'with his head in a vice' by the American and Russian leaders when he visits Mr Trump at the White House

Diplomatic sources said that Friday's summit in Alaska had paved the way for a deal in which Ukraine would be expected to surrender large swathes of the Donbas region in the east of the country. Pictured: President Trump and Putin in Alaska on Friday

Last night, Boris Johnson called for Sir Keir Starmer to lead international efforts to protect Ukraine from being carved up as a result of what he described as a 'vomit-inducing' meeting in Alaska

Sir Keir will hold a so-called 'coalition of the willing' telephone meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz this afternoon to discuss the role of European peacekeepers in a post-conflict Ukraine.

Yesterday, President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: 'The best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.

'President Zelensky will be coming to [Washington] DC, the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with president Putin.'

Last night, former British defence minister Tobias Ellwood told The Mail on Sunday that he feared Mr Zelensky was walking into a trap in the White House.

He said: 'He will be asked to put his head in a vice, with Vladimir Putin pushing from one side and Donald Trump from the other.

'The Ukrainian president will be presented with a 'take it or leave it' deal: surrender territory to Russia or face the blame for wrecking peace.

'And if Mr Zelensky refuses, Trump will walk away, declaring that America is done with the talks.

'It's the classic gangster deal  one you can't refuse. Except he must.'

Sir Keir will hold a so-called 'coalition of the willing' telephone meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz this afternoon to discuss the role of European peacekeepers in a post-conflict Ukraine

Yesterday, President Trump (pictured with Zelensky back in February at the pair's explosive meeting in the White House) wrote on his Truth Social platform: 'The best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement'

Last night, former British defence minister Tobias Ellwood (pictured) told The Mail on Sunday that he feared Mr Zelensky was walking into a trap in the White House. He said: 'He will be asked to put his head in a vice, with Vladimir Putin pushing from one side and Donald Trump from the other'

Mr Johnson, writing in today's MoS, describes the summit as 'the most vomit-inducing episode in all the tawdry history of international diplomacy'.

He says: 'Imagine how it felt to be one of those embattled heroes in a dug-out near Pokrovsk, fighting for your country's freedom, and to hear the President of the United States  the ex officio team captain of the Free World  refer to Vladimir Putin as 'the boss'. Retch.

'Think of the tens of thousands of Ukrainian widows and orphans.

'Think of the maimed and mutilated; think of the Ukrainian civilians living in daily and nightly terror of Putin's bombs and missiles still raining down, even though the so-called negotiations were taking place in Alaska.'

But he adds: 'Like so many of the most objectionable pieces of historic diplomacy, that meeting was also, of course, justifiable and even essential.

'Puke-making though it was, Trump was right to try. He was right to meet Putin, because if millions of Ukrainians were watching with horror at the red-carpet rehabilitation of the Russian tyrant, they were also watching with hope... One day this war will end with a peace that protects Ukrainian freedom; but as Trump said in Alaska, the Europeans  led by Britain  will have to step up.'

Mr Johnson, writing in today's MoS, describes the summit as 'the most vomit-inducing episode in all the tawdry history of international diplomacy'. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer and Zelensky on August 14

Mr Johnson said: 'Puke-making though it was, Trump was right to try. He was right to meet Putin, because if millions of Ukrainians were watching with horror at the red-carpet rehabilitation of the Russian tyrant, they were also watching with hope'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a long-time ally of Mr Trump, said of the US President: 'At least he is trying to find peace'

The proposed deal was greeted with dismay in Ukraine. Volodymyr Dubovyk, a professor of international relations in Odesa, described it as 'a nothing-burger with a sour aftertaste'.

He said: 'As a Ukrainian, it was pretty disgusting to see what was going on, all this red carpet, all this clapping and smiles and being chummy.'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a long-time ally of Mr Trump, said of the US President: 'At least he is trying to find peace.'

But former Tory defence secretary Ben Wallace hit out at the 1980's-style 'pantomime' of the summit between the two leaders.

He said: 'Putin got what he wanted and I think President Trump got a trip to Alaska.'

President Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin and gave himself a get-out clause... it's time to stand by Zelensky

By Former Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood

Rather than arrest President Putin for war crimes, President Trump rolled out the red carpet and brought the isolated dictator in from the cold.

Most commentary claims the rashly organised summit was a total win for Putin  who basked in the international limelight but left agreeing to nothing.

Not true.

Trump got what he wanted: an off-ramp, a get-out clause.

By hosting these summits, knocking heads together, and proposing a 'final' peace deal, he has created a stage where, if talks collapse, he can blame Zelensky.

I fear that at tomorrow's meeting at the White House, Zelensky will be walking into a trap.

He will be asked to put his head in a vice  Vladimir Putin pushing from one side, Donald Trump from the other.

The Ukrainian president will be presented with a 'take it or leave it' deal: surrender territory to Russia or face the blame for wrecking peace.

Rather than arrest President Putin for war crimes, President Trump rolled out the red carpet and brought the isolated dictator in from the cold

Most commentary claims the rashly organised summit was a total win for Putin  who basked in the international limelight but left agreeing to nothing. Not true. Trump got what he wanted: an off-ramp, a get-out clause

By hosting these summits, knocking heads together, and proposing a 'final' peace deal, he has created a stage where, if talks collapse, he can blame Zelensky

And if Zelensky refuses, Trump will walk away, declaring America is done with the talks. It's the classic gangster deal  one you can't refuse.

Except he must - for the sake of his country and for the sake of international justice.

The stakes could not be higher for Europe.

Global security is never in a good place when America retreats into isolationism and drifts out of step with Europe.

Yet here we have an invaded sovereign state potentially abandoned, while Trump sees no harm in doing business  minerals included  with the enemy.

This is not the America we know and love.

Trump's geo-strategic blind spot is believing this is just about Ukraine.

Europe knows better.

I fear that at the meeting at the White House, Zelensky will be walking into a trap. He will be asked to put his head in a vice  Vladimir Putin pushing from one side, Donald Trump from the other

Trump's geo-strategic blind spot is believing this is just about Ukraine. Europe knows better. It's time to stand by Zelensky. He is going to need our help. If we don't, it will be us who need help next

The Russian threat  increasingly backed by China  is far larger.

A deal that cements Russia's gains will only buy Putin time to re-arm, regroup, and strike again.

History is clear on what happens when bullies are appeased: more war.

And it won't stay confined to Europe.

It's time to stand by Zelensky.

He is going to need our help.

If we don't, it will be us who need help next.

 Former Tory MP Tobias Ellwood was Defence Minister from 2017 to 2019.
Councillor George Finch seems to have been rearranging the furniture in his new office by himself. 'I thought this worked better,' he says, explaining the new placement of desk, chairs and boardroom table.

President Trump might have brought in interior designers when he moved back into the Oval Office, but there is nothing blingtastic about the Warwickshire equivalent.

Nor is the new leader of Warwickshire County Council about to blow the budget on gilded adornments for the walls or turn Shire Hall into a skateboard park, which must have been a fear.

There are plans for a Union flag to be given prime position in this room, but it sounds like it will be propped against the wall rather than attached to it.

'I can't put anything else on the walls because this is a listed building so there are all sorts of rules,' he explains, with a slight roll of the eye. 'You can't even put a pin up.'

Then there is the carpet, best described as municipal green. 'I have to say, I don't love the carpet,' he admits, giving me a tour of his new fiefdom.

'It's giving library vibes. But I'm really not crying about it. I think it's good quality carpet so if it does the job, that's what matters. It doesn't matter about the colour or the age, as long as it does its job.'

What a sensible soul George Finch seems, yet it's little wonder his appointment earlier in the summer caused abject horror in some quarters.

What a sensible soul George Finch seems, yet it's little wonder his appointment earlier in the summer caused abject horror in some quarters - because he is aged just 19

George hasn't yet voted in a general election (he wasn't old enough at the last one) - but he is Britain's youngest council leader

Many are hailing the teenager's politicial rise and describing him as the wunderkind of the Reform party. Pictured: George with Nigel Farage

Because George  the new wunderkind of the Reform party; his boss Nigel Farage's great hope for the future  is 19 and believed to be the youngest council leader in Britain.

'People are comparing me to William Pitt the Younger (who was PM at the age of 24) and Alexander the Great,' he says. 'I'm not saying that  I'm just George  but people do seem obsessed by the age thing.'

It's a bit early to be talking about whether we are in the company of a future prime minister, but it's fair to say George's ascent has been extraordinary.

This is a kid who hasn't yet voted in a general election (he wasn't old enough at the last one).

He still lives with his parents, can't yet drive and tells me (and it's the only time he's tongue-tied) that he hasn't yet had a serious girlfriend.

'I mean I have had a girlfriend at school, but notno. I've got a job to do. I've put a lot aside for this'.

This time last year he was getting his A-level results and heading off to university to study politics and international relations.

Local politics was more of a sideline  he'd been a youth councillor before winning the seat of Bedworth Central this year  but last month when his Reform party colleague Rob Howard stepped down as leader, citing ill health, George stepped up.

He still lives with his parents, can't yet drive and revealed he hasn't yet had a serious girlfriend

It's a bit early to be talking about whether we are in the company of a future prime minister, but it's fair to say George's ascent has been extraordinary

A vote last month confirmed his appointment. It's all been a whirlwind and technically he's still on his summer holiday from university.

But can he resume his studies and still get to grips with potholes? He's not entirely sure, but is veering towards 'probably deferring or suspending my studies.

'I've spoken to the university, asked their advice, but they don't know what to do, which is hilarious'.

As the mother of 19-year-old twins, I feel it's my civic duty to tell him that my mind is blown by his appointment.

My twins are a couple of weeks older than him and have also just completed their first year at university.

They are bright, capable and will hopefully go on to great things but very recent life experience (this week's, in fact) has taught me that they aren't yet ready to be left in charge of a non-stick frying pan.

How on earth can George's mother sleep at night knowing he's in control of a 400 million budget?

It turns out George is quite experienced in having women old enough to be his mother voicing such concerns out loud.

His demeanour and ease in talking to elders ('I can talk to anyone, me') might suggest a private school background - but this is incorrect

'Some of it is quite funny but one woman said to me recently, 'My son can't even run a bath', which had me thinking, 'But that's down to you. That reflects badly on you. Why would you say that?' For the record, I can run a bath.'

But you're not qualified for this? Even your mum (he says she is 'very proud and wholly supportive that I'm doing something for my community') can't argue you are.

'No person is,' he says. 'No one is qualified to be a politician. You don't need to be. It's about whether you have the confidence of the people and of the group, and of the council, and I have all those things.'

Maybe your university studies  or what there has been of them  will help? He raises an eyebrow.

'I don't think what I learned about the philosophy of politics will be remotely helpful.

'What has the philosophy of politics got to do with dealing with people's potholes or tax rates? Nothing.'

If you can run a council on confidence, enthusiasm and common sense, then Warwickshire will be fine.

George is like no 19-year-old I have ever met. He bounds out to meet me like an exuberant labrador, all warm handshakes and floppy fringe.

George's family are traditionally Labour voters and he had a brief flirtation with the Tories - but it was Reform that caught his attention

At school he was a rugby lad but 'did my cruciate in, so my knee is buggered' which put paid to a sporting career  but he did learn much about teamwork.

His demeanour and ease in talking to elders ('I can talk to anyone, me') might suggest a private school background. Wrong.

He went to a state school, reluctantly got a student loan for that university course ('we're being sold a dud, thinking it's OK to be knee-deep in debt') and comes from a family that would traditionally have been Labour voters.

'Everyone in Bedworth would have been Labour. My dad wasn't into politics but he'd have been a Labour voter, sure, just because they were the party for the working classes,' he says.

His dad Stuart worked in construction until contracting sepsis 'and having to give up his job'. His mum Amy was a hairdresser but went back to college to study to be a special needs assistant.

The fact that his younger sister  he has an older one too  has health complications perhaps made him grow up faster than he would have, he agrees.

Harriet, 14, has special educational needs and lives with FND, functional neurological disorder.

'It means she can lose function in her arms and legs. It happened yesterday. She lost function in both legs,' he says.

There is something a little sad about talking to someone so young about how 'the country has gone to hell in a handcart'

This is a family that knows about local services, about sitting in an A&E department for days at a time, spending hours on the phone, lost in the system.

'My mum and dad would be in A&E on a monthly basis,' he says. 'It's been a heartache trying to get support for my sister from institutions. The NHS haven't helped and as you become older you get more attuned to these things.

'She shouldn't be in A&E at all. What she needs is a rehabilitation plan. I can tell you about these things.'

This is also a teenager who knows how to lift a phone to make a doctor's appointment and who learned early how to send an email which made him sound older.

'Even before I was a councillor I was doing the research, learning how to formulate emails, how to fill in an HCP [healthcare proxy] form. There is no proper support for families. My parents did the bulk of it but I was there helping to advocate,' he says.

It's easy to join the dots to see how he became involved in local politics but how does a child from a Labour-supporting family come to join the Reform party?

If he does become PM in the future they will write university dissertations about this, but George pinpoints the shift to Brexit, 'when people, including my parents, became concerned about accountability and about who was running our country'.

He had a brief flirtation with the Tories but ultimately became disillusioned that anyone was going to make Britain great again.

One of the first things he did as council leader was to confront Monica Fogarty, his chief executive, over flying the LGBTQ rainbow flag over council offices during Pride Month

Warwickshire county council's chief executive Monica Fogarty defied George's demands

Into the void stepped Lee Anderson, the one-time Conservative MP who had defected to Reform.

'I went to a talk he gave, paid my entry fee, went with my mate  we were suited and booted  and I was blown away by him,' says George. 'I spoke to him afterwards about the wave of wokeism washing over our education establishment and he said, 'Come and join us'. I did, the very next day.'

No wonder Nigel Farage and co have embraced him, and armed him for the battles ahead.

He set out his stall early, stepping into an extraordinary debacle when he accused the local police force of covering up the fact that the suspect in a child rape case locally was an asylum seeker.

He seems blase about the fact that he risked contempt of court wading into this one.

Evidence of naivete? He says it's more about 'expecting transparency'.

Going to war with 'the blob'  aka bureaucrats  holds no fear either.

One of the first things he did as council leader was to confront Monica Fogarty, his chief executive, over flying the LGBTQ rainbow flag over council offices during Pride Month. He wrote to demand it come down. She refused.

The flag is now down (but only because Pride Month ended) and he seems be claiming victory.

'It's very simple. A non-elected bureaucrat telling an elected leader, with constitutional powers, what to do? Is that democratic? It is not,' he say.

But who has the power to fly a flag in any council? These powers aren't yours, are they?

'Constitutionally, they are mine. We are expecting to put a flag policy in place in September, so hopefully that will draw the line under it,' says George.

By then  if he can get support  there will only be three flags permitted to fly at Warwickshire council offices, as per Reform guidelines. 'That will be the Union flag, the St George's flag and the county flag,' he says.

There is something a little sad about talking to someone so young about how 'the country has gone to hell in a handcart'.

I have the sort of conversation with him that it's more usual to have with someone from my parents' generation.

He says he has always been 'an old head on young shoulders', a bit of a history nerd, obsessed with world wars and 'interested in things like how Henry VIII ruled with his ministers'.

There is much of the old fogey about him - and is horrified that he might be described as a member of Generation TikTok

He became aware  then furious  about how his elders were directing him to learn about other things.

'You see it everywhere. I looked at studying history at university but I couldn't just do the history I wanted to study. One of the courses I was looking at was about how people were LGBT during the Tudor period. What? That's a non-subject.'

He cites a moment when some of his co-students at Leicester University were arrested after a Free Palestine demonstration.

'A few of them got arrested after vandalising property and the lecturer stood up and said we must get the university to write a letter to the police to get them freed. What? They'd just done criminal damage.

'Another girl was arranging a protest. I was thinking 'I just want to learn'.'

His growing political awareness put him in direct conflict with many of his peers ('but not all. It's a myth that all students are to the Left').

What surprises me is that he doesn't seem remotely bothered about how he comes across to the younger generation.

He isn't worried that his peers may think his association with Reform makes him 'racist or sexist or any of those things, because I know it's absolutely not true'.

There is much of the old fogey about him. No, he doesn't watch Love Island ('why would I bother?')and is horrified that I might describe him as a member of Generation TikTok.

What music does he listen to?

'Ah, well, you are going to say 'Really?' now, but I do listen to old stuff  Billy Joel, David Bowie, Queen, Elton John. You know, proper music with a bit of meaning to it.

'Nowadays, it's a load of gibber-jab. You can't even understand it. It goes too fast. BOOM BOOM. What's the point of all that?'

Oh. Out the window goes my opportunity to talk to him about techno mixes and K-pop. 'I don't even know what that is,' he admits.

You're not a Swiftie, I persevere? His face is blank.

George, you are 19. How can you not know about Taylor Swift?

'Oh yeah, everyone knows Taylor Swift. I just don't know these abbreviations.'

I ask what posters he had  maybe still has  on his bedroom wall at home. 'I was never really one for posters because why would you ruin the wallpaper?'

When he did move out, briefly, into university halls of residence there was one, though. 'I did put up a picture of Ronald Reagan.' He's a hero? 'That's the kind of Conservatism we need.'

Is there room for a Nigel Farage poster on his wall? 'He's changed the course of history. One single man, and he's done that. Look at what he is doing now.'

He is, of course, convinced that Reform will form the next government. 'Labour are toast. You can see the panic in Keir Starmer's eyes. It must be soul-destroying because the Conservatives didn't realise they were toast until late in the day.'

Will he be a part of any future government, though? There is talk within the party of how he could stand at the next election but  ever the politician  he insists that 'once we get the education system sorted and go back to traditional values' he could go back to Plan A which was to be a history teacher.

Surely he has his eye on Number 10? He refers me back to potholes, his immediate concern.

'We have 107 of them in Warwickshire,' he points out.

The joke, locally, is that his mum is now going to live on the smoothest road in the county.
Alex Salmond's niece has accused Nicola Sturgeon of 'cashing in' on his death by using smears about her uncle to flog her new book.

Christina Hendry, 30, branded the former Scottish first minister's claims, which include attacks on his work ethic and references to alleged womanising, as 'cowardly'.

She said it had been impossible to shield Mr Salmond's widow Moira, 88, from the accusations - and insisted that Ms Sturgeon would never have levelled them had her uncle still been alive.

In the memoir - for which she will receive 300,000 - Ms Sturgeon claims that in the run-up to the 2014 referendum, Mr Salmond failed to read a key 650-page White Paper promoting independence.

It is also alleged that he was 'implacably opposed' to gay marriage and was rumoured to have had 'consensual affairs' during his relationship with Moira.

Responding to Ms Sturgeon's new memoir, Ms Henry said in an interview with The Sun: 'I find it very distasteful. In some ways it is quite cruel.

'She is using his name for relevance, to promote her book, to earn money  she could have said these things in the past few years.

'She has chosen to wait until he is no longer here to defend himself. It's left to the family to deal with this and there's an element of cowardice to that.'

Alex Salmond's niece has accused Nicola Sturgeon of 'cashing in' on his death by using smears about her uncle to flog her new book

Christina Hendry reads an eulogy during at the public memorial service for her uncle

In the memoir, Ms Sturgeon claims that in the run-up to the 2014 referendum, Mr Salmond failed to read a key 650-page White Paper promoting independence

In the book, titled Frankly, Ms Sturgeon also alleges Mr Salmond sought revenge after she refused to intervene in the internal Scottish Government probe into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Mr Salmond, who was first minister from 2007 to 2014, was cleared of 13 sexual offence counts at a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March 2020.

Earlier misconduct claims made against him by two women led to a massive falling out with his successor Ms Sturgeon and a split in the Nationalist movement.

In 2018, Mr Salmond resigned from the SNP after the claims emerged and challenged a Scottish Government probe into them.

His successful judicial review showed the in-house inquiry had been unfair, unlawful and 'tainted by apparent bias', and he was awarded 512,00 in legal costs.

In an excerpt of her new memoir, Ms Sturgeon speaks of the impact of events on her relationship with Mr Salmond, stating how she initially believed their friendship could survive 'his thirst for revenge'.

She added: 'Eventually, though, I had to face the fact that he was determined to destroy me.

'I was now engaged in mortal political combat with someone I knew to be both ruthless and highly effective.

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'

Ms Sturgeon's book was launched on August 14 at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Even now after Mr Salmond's passing, Ms Sturgeon admitted his impact on her continues and she will 'never quite escape the shadow he casts, even in death'

'It was a difficult reality to reconcile myself to. So too was losing him as a friend. I went through what I can only describe as a grieving process.'

Referring to the court case against Mr Salmond, Ms Sturgeon said that while he conceded that his behaviour towards women was at times inappropriate he failed to ever show 'contrition' for his actions.

She also said he was prepared to repeatedly 'traumatise' the women at the centre of the complaints.

In a furious response, Mr MacAskill said: 'Nicola Sturgeon is seeking to rewrite history and distorting the truth. Alex Salmond was vindicated it Scotland's High Court.

'It was Nicola Sturgeons Government which was found to have acted unlawfully procedurally unfairly and tainted with apparent bias. It was for that reason that enhanced expenses were awarded against the Government.

'Far from being some passive bystander Ms Sturgeon was at the centre of events that many see as a conspiracy.

'It's why there has to be an inquiry into the role of the Scottish Government in their actions against Alex Salmond and the cover up that has been ongoing ever since.

Mr Salmond died on October 12 last year and Ms Sturgeon did not attend his funeral on October 29

'History will judge her cruelly as her legacy is shown to be tawdry and failed but justice dictates that there is a full accounting for her role in this shameful episode.'

The memoir also includes Ms Sturgeon's account of the moment when Mr Salmond first informed her of the allegations against him, stating that she was 'shocked' and 'felt sick' on hearing them.

She has also insisted she was not the one who had leaked the outcome of the Scottish government investigation into her predecessor to the press - but, astonishingly suggested that Mr Salmond might have.

Touching upon the ongoing impact of events and Mr Salmond's role in her life, Ms Sturgeon admitted she will never escape his shadow 'even in death'.

Mr Salmond died on October 12 last year and Ms Sturgeon did not attend his funeral on October 29.

Addressing the fallout in a BBC interview months before his death, Mr Salmond had said: 'A big regret that Nicola and I are no longer on speaking terms, and I seriously doubt if that's going to improve.

'Now, that's a great pity because I did indicate that you shouldn't say anything's for ever, but that's the way it looks and that's just the way it's going to be.'

In other extracts, Ms Sturgeon discussed her arrest in 2023, describing it as 'mental torture', her miscarriage in 2010 and her sexuality, which she said is not 'binary'.
Some of the UK's largest hospital trusts have effectively barred private-school pupils who want to be doctors from undertaking vital NHS work experience.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that official schemes at world-famous London hospitals, including Barts and University College London Hospital (UCLH), are only open to local state schools.

Meanwhile King's College Hospital Trust, which includes King's College Hospital  one of the largest teaching hospitals  gives 'priority to those not attending a private school', as does South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Last night critics accused the NHS of discrimination and being 'infected by Labour's vendetta against independent education'.

The British Medical Association strongly advises pupils who want to be doctors that they need clinical work experience to even be considered for a medical degree.

But now thousands of children, including those on bursaries  around a third of the estimated 650,000 private-school pupils in the UK  are struggling to find work experience at key hospitals.

One would-be medical student from Emanuel School in south London was told by King's College Hospital Trust  their local NHS trust  that pupils from private schools were not admitted on to their courses, even if they lived in the area.

And the MoS has learned of another, on a 100 per cent bursary, who 'applied to every hospital trust and GP practice within an hour of her home' including Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Northampton General Hospital and Milton Keynes University Hospital but 'received either rejections or no responses from almost all' because of the school she attends.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that official schemes at world-famous London hospitals, including Barts and University College London Hospital (pictured), are only open to local state schools

Last night, Gordon West, head of careers at prestigious independent school Stowe, said: 'This young woman is not from a wealthy background at all; she's from one of the highest priority groups there are.

'Policies like King's College don't account for stories like hers. By excluding private-school kids, they also shut out students on 100 per cent bursaries, many of whom come from families with very limited means.'

He added that it was a common story for sixth formers desperate for medical experience to be turned away.

'Even where independent students aren't officially barred, they are often de-prioritised. Unfortunately, missing out on clinical work experience really does put them at a disadvantage.

'This is essentially indirect discrimination. The silence and rejections they face when seeking placements are very telling.'

It is the latest in a series of NHS policies which discriminate against private pupils revealed by the MoS, including the case of an eight-year-old boy turned away for treatment by Kingston and Richmond NHS Trust because he went to a private school.

This newspaper also exposed the cases of a girl in Somerset who was refused mental health treatment by her local NHS Trust as she was privately educated.

A King's College Hospital NHS Trust spokesman said: 'In 2024, we facilitated 396 work placements. The vast majority were for students from state schools.'

At Barts Hospital (pictured), a spokesman said that placements for private-school pupils could be offered  but only through a staff referral

At Barts Hospital, a spokesman said that placements for private-school pupils could be offered  but only through a staff referral.

South London and Maudsley NHS Trust said its aim was to 'support applicants from local schools who meet the participation criteria' such as 'being from a lower income family', but it warns 'priority will be given to those not attending a private school'.

On its website, UCLH says it cannot 'accommodate' students outside of its partnerships with The Social Mobility Foundation and 'selected local schools', however a spokesman said placements were possible 'for friends and family of UCLH staff members'.

Sources at NHS England said it was for individual trusts to allocate work experience placements.

But Tory MP Greg Stafford claimed that 'Labour's vendetta' against private schools was 'now infecting the NHS itself'.

He said: 'It is nothing short of disgraceful that world-famous NHS hospitals are shutting out bright, motivated pupils from work experience simply because of the school they attend.'

Mr Stafford, a member of the Commons' health and social care committee, added: 'At a time when the NHS is crying out for staff, these trusts are slamming the door in the face of future doctors.

'This isn't about fairness - it's about ideology.

'Labour's vendetta against independent education is now infecting the NHS itself.

'Patients will pay the price if hospitals put politics before recruiting the very best talent.'
As a former Hollywood actress, Meghan Markle was used to having a team of people dedicated to making sure she got what she wanted when she wanted.

In her 2022 book, Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor - The Truth and the Turmoil, biographer Tina Brown wrote about the friction between Meghan and the Firm in the lead up to her wedding to Prince Harry.

The former Vanity Fair editor explained tensions particularly built between the Queen's personal assistant and senior dresser Angela Kelly.

The Queen and Ms Kelly developed a close relationship which began in 1994 and extended beyond professional duties. In March 2023, the royal dresser was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of her service to the Queen.

Ms Kelly was the first person to hold the title of personal adviser, curator, wardrobe and in-house designer to the Queen. This position allowed her a uniquely close working relationship with the monarch.

While preparing for the big day, it is customary for royal brides to pick out a tiara from the Palace's extensive collection to wear as they walk down the aisle, with the monarch having the final say on the choice of headwear.

Ms Kelly, the Queen and Meghan eventually settled on the Queen Marys Diamond Bandeau, a diadem composed of ten brilliant diamonds.

Brown wrote: 'A blow-up occurred when Ms Kelly wilfully - as Meghan and therefore Harry saw it - denied the bride-to-be access [before the wedding day] to the Queen Mary bandeau tiara, on loan from the Queen.'

Meghan Markle is pictured on her wedding day at St George's Chapel on May 19, 2018

During a meeting ahead of the wedding, Harry was put 'firmly in his place' and warned by the Queen that 'Meghan cannot have whatever she wants'

Angela Kelly (pictured in 2018) was the first person to hold the title of personal adviser, curator, wardrobe and in-house designer to the Queen

Brown continued: 'Meghan wanted to try on the tiara for some styling sessions with her hairdresser, and her fiance fired off like a missile to mangerake it happen.'

Due to the high-profile tiara, estimated to be worth 2million, this request was denied, much to the fury of the Sussexes.

And this wasn't the only disagreement Meghan had with Ms Kelly.

It is understood Meghan originally wanted the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, a 13million diadem which would be worn by Princess Eugenie five months later.

Royal author Tom Bower wrote: 'Meghan alighted on a tiara sparkling with emeralds. Her choice was approved by Harry.

But 'Ms Kelly suggested that its Russian origin made it unsuitable,' Bowers wrote in his biography Revenge, which documents Harry and Meghan's fall out with the Royal Family.

Harry reportedly became angry with Ms Kelly, leading to the prince receiving a dressing down from his grandmother.

During the meeting, Harry was put 'firmly in his place' and warned by the Queen that 'Meghan cannot have whatever she wants.

'She gets what tiara shes given by me,' The Times reported.

In March 2023, the royal dresser was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of her service to the Queen

Caroline Rush (L), the Queen, Anna Wintour and Angela Kelly are pictured in 2018

Princess Diana's biographer, Tina Brown, wrote about the friction between Meghan and the Firm in the lead-up to her wedding to Prince Harry in her 2022 book, Palace Papers: Inside the House of WindsorThe Truth and the Turmoil

During wedding rehearsals, Meghan asked that the tiara be taken out of storage so her hairdresser, who had flown from New York, could work around the headwear.

But Brown wrote: 'The removal of any of the historic pieces from the vault in Buckingham Palace involves a rigmarole of permissions and procedures, including the personal sign-off of the monarch and the presence of the Crown jeweller, who handles the bling in white gloves.

'Whether the Queen herself told Kelly to refuse Meghan's request was one of the perennial questions of palace Kabuki, as was the process of lending her jewels in the first place.

'The Queen was said to enjoy offering a statement piece or two to female members of the family for big occasions, but part of the ritual was the recipient understanding that an invitation to pick something out was not really a choice.

'Kelly was deputed in the presence of the Queen to present to Meghan the five tiaras the Queen has preselected.

'It was suggested by the monarch which tiara Meghan might find most pleasing, i.e., the refined, slim crescent of the diamond Queen Mary bandeau (estimated value 2million) made for the Queen's grandmother. Perfect, don't you agree, Meghan? (It was.)'

In Finding Freedom, widely accepted as the sanctioned biography of Meghan and Harry, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand lay out a scenario in which Harry, after repeated calls for access to the tiara for his fiancee's hairdressing rehearsal, was rudely stonewalled by Kelly.

'What's missing from this account is how fed up, by this time, many Palace aides were with Meghan's demands and those of her husband,' wrote Brown.

Angela Kelly is pictured after receiving the Royal Victorian Order at Buckingham Palace in 2012

The diamond Queen Mary bandeau which has an estimated value of 2million is pictured

The Queen apparently suggested that Meghan should wear the diamond Queen Mary bandeau which once belonged to her grandmother (R)

'Meghan would say, "'l'll just do whatever you want me to do," a source told me, vehemently, while meanwhile, she eventually got the chapel she wanted, the preacher she wanted, the choir she wanted, the dress she wanted...

'No one said no to anything. It's not unusual for a bride to get everything she wants or become overwrought before her wedding, less usual for the man to turn into groomzilla.

'Harry was determined his wife should get everything he considered her due. There was a lot of raging, a Palace source told me.

'In-person shouting in front of other members of staff, basically in front of too many people, which is why it all started to come out and become the first-ever negative piece of coverage about the behaviour of the couple'

But the tiara-related conflict was far from over.

Just six months after Meghan and Harry's wedding, the Duke's cousin, Princess Eugenie, wore the 13million Greville tiara on her big day.

The Art Deco piece, which was a Greville family heirloom and boasts a 93.70 carat emerald and six further faceted emeralds set on either side, had been promised to Eugenie.

Just six months after Meghan and Harry's wedding, the Duke's cousin, Princess Eugenie, wore the 13million Greville tiara on her big day

The Art Deco Greville tiara boasts a 93.70 carat emerald and six further faceted emeralds set on either side. The piece remained in the Queen Mother's jewellery collection until her death in 2002

Harry was reportedly rude to his grandmother during a meeting before the wedding and the 'jury was out' as to whether Queen Elizabeth liked Harrys fiancee

It was created in 1919 by Boucheron for Margaret Greville, a British philanthropist, and later inherited by the Queen Mother.

The emerald and diamond design was stashed in a black tin trunk and delivered to Buckingham Palace in 1943, along with a number of jewels that Margaret had bequeathed to her friend.

The piece remained in the Queen Mother's jewellery collection until her death in 2002.

When Queen Elizabeth inherited the tiara, she revised the top edge so that it no longer resembled a traditional kokoshnik.

Princess Eugenie is the only royal to publicly wear the piece, and it has since been returned to the vault.

Further details of the conflict between the Sussexes and the Firm were recently shared by royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith in her Substack newsletter, Royals Extra.

Based on her conversations with the late Queen's cousin and confidant, Lady Elizabeth Anson, Bedell Smith claimed that the late Queen had her reservations about Meghan and was upset about how Harry spoke to her in the run-up to the royal wedding in 2018.

Born in Windsor Castle, Lady Elizabeth, a great-niece of the Queen Mother and a goddaughter of King George VI, was a high-society party planner known as Liza to friends and family.

As the wedding approached, Meghan allegedly became increasingly 'bossy' and Liza said the Queen was privately 'very worried'

Harry and Meghan had invited people who 'barely knew the Royal Family, it was claimed

Most recently, Bedell Smith shared in a podcast that the monarch was 'upset' at not being fully involved in Harry and Meghan's wedding plans in the months and weeks beforehand

Meghan was apparently 'full of charm' and appeared 'natural, intelligent, and thoughtful' after she became engaged to Harry in 2017.

But as the wedding approached, Meghan allegedly became increasingly 'bossy' and Liza said the Queen was privately 'very worried'.

According to Anson, Harry was rude to his grandmother during a meeting before the wedding, and the 'jury was out' as to whether Queen Elizabeth liked Harrys fiancee.

Bedell Smith also shared that Harry 'blew' his relationship with his grandmother.

Most recently, Bedell Smith shared in a podcast that the monarch was 'upset' at not being fully involved in Harry and Meghan's wedding plans in the months and weeks beforehand.

Lady Elizabeth tried to console her by telling her she could 'look forward' to Royal Ascot and Princess Eugenie's wedding.

However, the Queen replied about the Sussex wedding: 'But it's my house. And Im paying for it.'

The Royal Family paid for the wedding, including the service, music, flowers and reception.

All 600 guests were invited to a lunchtime reception at St George's Hall, hosted by the Queen, followed by an evening bash for 200 VIPs at Frogmore House, hosted by Harry's father.

Angela Kelly - pictured ahead of the Queen's funeral - was fiercely loyal to the monarch, serving her for more than 25 years and stayed at Balmoral the week she died in 2022

When the Queen sadly passed away, Kelly posted on Instagram: 'A very sad day for me today. I said goodbye to my best friend'

But Harry and Meghan had invited people who 'barely knew the Royal Family, it was claimed.

Bedell Smith claimed on American royal commentator Kinsey Schofield's Unfiltered YouTube show: Harry and Meghan just disinvited or didn't invite a whole group of family and cousins. The children of the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and of the Gloucesters.

'Meghan and Harry just "exed" them out of the guest list, and they added all these other random people who barely even knew the Royal Family. That was just yet another irritation for the Queen.'

Bedell Smith added that the Queen was 'predisposed to be very fond of Harry, to love him, and I think it was a real shock for her when he began treating her discourteously after he and Meghan got together'.

Angela Kelly was fiercely loyal to the Queen, serving her for more than 25 years and stayed at Balmoral the week she died in 2022.

When the Queen sadly passed away, Kelly posted on Instagram: 'A very sad day for me today. I said goodbye to my best friend.'
Catching the Queen's eye as she chatted to guests in the drawing room at Birkhall, the Prince of Wales's summer retreat in Aberdeenshire, I let her know that dinner was served.

'Oh, very good,' she said and immediately started walking with me along the corridor leading to the dining room.

Suddenly, she stopped, went back and, looking into the drawing room, saw that everyone, including Charles and Camilla, was still talking. No one had made a move to follow her.

'Right,' she said, 'we will see about that.'

The next thing I knew, she bolted along the corridor. She might have been in a gown and dress shoes and in her 80s, but she actually ran.

I didn't know what to do. Where in the butler's manual does it say what you are supposed to do when a monarch starts running? There was nothing else for it but to speed after her, half skipping along as she kept up her pace and ran around to her chair at the table.

After I'd helped her get seated, she looked at me and then at her watch. The next thing we heard was the thunderous noise of everyone else running along to save face, as etiquette dictated that they should have been with her when she left the room.

As everyone, including Charles and Camilla, practically fell over themselves into the dining room, Her Majesty looked at me and winked. As always, it was an absolute honour to be in her presence, but you never knew what was going to happen next.

Grant Harrold began working for the future king when he was 25 years old, in April 2004

Harrold was a working-class boy from Airdrie, an industrial town some 17 miles east of Glasgow

Harrold had long been fascinated by the monarchy. So much so that, when he was three, Harrold asked for a dolls' house for Christmas and placed little clay Royal Family characters inside

It was one of the little things that amused her and showed the fun, mischievous side which she shared with her eldest son.

I first began working for the future king in April 2004. Then 25, I was a working-class boy from Airdrie, an industrial town some 17 miles east of Glasgow, and I had long been fascinated by the monarchy. So much so that, when I was three, I asked for a dolls' house for Christmas and placed in it little clay characters I imagined were the Queen and the Royal Family.

After leaving school, I joined the housekeeping staff at the Scottish country estate owned by a Swiss banker and from there I worked my way up to become butler at Woburn Abbey, the family seat of the Duke of Bedford.

Then came the opportunity to work for Prince Charles at Highgrove, which is near Tetbury in Gloucestershire.

After passing five interviews with different members of the Prince's team, I was summoned to Clarence House to meet the man himself. I was terrified but somehow I managed to remain composed and two days later I was offered the job.

Arriving at Highgrove on Easter Saturday, I settled into my accommodation, a cold and rather damp little cottage once occupied by Princess Diana's butler Paul Burrell. But after only a couple of days I flew up to Scotland, to be with Charles and Camilla who were on holiday at Birkhall.

Along with other members of staff, I was picked up at Aberdeen airport by Charles's head butler Fred and as we drove into the grounds of the white-fronted 18th-century house, he spotted our employer in the grounds. 'It's the Prince,' he said. 'Everyone has to bow.'

Instinctively, we all lowered our heads. Seconds later, we pulled up at the back of the house and, sure enough, there was His Royal Highness striding towards us, dressed in his familiar country tweeds.

'Is everything OK?' he said. 'I just saw a car driving and there was nobody in it.'

'Ah, yes, sir, we were bowing,' the butler explained. 'I see,' he smiled before carrying on his way.

The following morning, as I did some tidying on the ground floor, I saw Charles and Camilla at the end of a corridor and for some reason I froze. Nobody had explained to me the etiquette if I bumped into them. Was I allowed to speak to them, or should I wait until spoken to? If I didn't engage, would that appear rude?

Unsure of what to do, I noticed a door on my right-hand side and ducked inside, realising too late that it was a cupboard used to store drinks and glassware, all rattling loudly when I shut the door behind me.

After passing five interviews with different members of the then Prince of Wales's team, Harrold was summoned to Charles' Highgrove country retreat, to meet the man himself

Late he joined Charles and Camilla who were on holiday at Birkhall, Charles' Scottish retreat

Not to worry, I thought. They probably didn't even notice me in the corridor. I thought I'd give it a few seconds and come out when the coast was clear but then I heard footsteps and voices getting louder as they stopped outside the door. Scared to breathe, I prayed they would keep walking. 'Do you think he's OK?' So much for not being seen. And they must know what's in here.

'I wonder what he's looking for,' Camilla chuckled. 'Do you think he's having a drink?'

'Do you think he's going to come out?' said the Prince of Wales.

Any thoughts of styling this out were long gone. I opened the door, bowed my head and said: 'Good morning, Your Royal Highnesses.' Both were grinning widely. Without waiting for a response, I opened a door opposite which, thankfully, led to a staircase and bolted back to the sanctuary of the butler's pantry.

As Charles and Camilla sat down for breakfast, I could hear them giggling that the newest member of the team was so panicked, he'd dived into a cupboard.

It was nice that I had made them laugh and I felt relaxed that I'd entered such a comfortable environment. That was when I'd had time to reflect . . . and the mortification had finally worn off.

Two weeks after arriving at Birkhall, I celebrated my 26th birthday. Being new to the team, I did not expect any fuss to be made but Charles and Camilla gave me a card and a gift, a large, round chocolate coin which was the size of a side plate and bore the head of Queen Victoria.

It was very sweet, because they didn't have to give me anything, and I was extremely grateful.

After a very pleasant and enjoyable stay at Birkhall, we returned to Highgrove where, as with every new house, it was important to learn the daily routine, starting at 7.30am with the 'calling trays' laid out with tea or coffee and biscuits, and the newspaper.

Between 8am and 10am there was breakfast, and between 11am and noon it was elevenses. From noon to 12.30pm there were pre-lunch drinks, then from 12.30 to 2.30pm it was lunch.

Between 2pm and 3pm there was more coffee, from 4pm it was afternoon tea, and at 6.30pm we set up for pre-dinner drinks. Dinner was from 8pm to 10pm, or there might be supper at 9pm. The only thing people must be ready for after all that, I thought, was WeightWatchers.

One day, I was chatting to the chef when someone appeared at the kitchen door and, without warning, hurled something wet and rubbery in my direction.

Realising who and what it was, I did a double-take. OK, I thought, so this is happening... Prince Harry has just arrived home and I'm getting a water balloon thrown at me.

I hadn't yet met Harry, who was then 19, and there was nothing I could do but dive into a larder at the back of the kitchen and climb outside via a small window covered with netting to stop the flies getting in.

Between 8 and 10am there was breakfast, and between 11am and noon it was elevenses. From noon to 12.30pm there were pre-lunch drinks, then from 12.30pm to 2.30pm it was lunch, says Harrold

I could scarcely believe what I was doing and, as soon as I hit the ground, another balloon smacked me on the back, soaking my shirt. I looked up to see that Harry had run upstairs and was throwing them from a window.

I ran around the house and bumped into him as I came back inside.

'Sorry,' he said, 'I'm just being a bit silly.' And that was my introduction to Prince Harry.

At the time he was on a gap year before he applied to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for officer training and, as a result, I saw less of him than I did his brother.

Prince William was friendly, polite and straight to the point. He told me that I could call him William, which felt like a big deal because not many people addressed him purely by his first name.

William was, of course, dating Kate Middleton at this time and it wasn't long before I met her too. I was downstairs in the butler's pantry when they came in. Again, it was all very relaxed and informal as I introduced myself, and she replied, 'I'm Kate.' She was very polite, sweet and personable.

What I liked about William and Kate was that it took a while to build up their trust. With Prince Charles, it had begun right away, but with his elder son it took about six months to a year to build up the relationship to a point where he felt comfortable.

That summer we decamped to Sandringham in Norfolk for the annual flower show. I had never seen such a massive mansion and it was like being in a time capsule, with the antique wardrobe and bed in my sparsely furnished single room still stamped with the 'VR' cypher of Queen Victoria. Working in the butler's pantry one day, I noticed a Velux window in the ceiling through which you could see all the way to a valet room upstairs.

Another butler told me that Princess Diana used to look down to the pantry and pull faces at the staff to make them laugh. I could imagine her doing something that, but it was also strange and sad to think that she used to be up there looking down.

Like their mother, Princes William and Harry showed such natural warmth and compassion, and never more so than when children who would be spending Christmas in a hospice came to Highgrove to meet the Royal Family and decorate a tree. It was heartbreaking but also uplifting to see the joy on their young faces as they met the young princes.

Camilla, too, was there and, equally, was so sweet with them all. The children loved it.

At that year's staff Christmas party, I was caught up in a water fight instigated by William in the salubrious surroundings of St James's Palace.

I was delighted to see that he was on my table. It was the first time I'd really had a chance to speak to him, and it was lovely to find him so down to earth and approachable. Then he and another member of staff started filling up water balloons and firing them at each other over the table.

It was hilarious. Everyone was in fits of laughter. It was like hanging out with any young man, except this one was a future king.

Grant Harrolds book is to be published on August 28

Another royal residence we visited regularly was the Castle of Mey on the far north coast of Scotland, a property Prince Charles had inherited from the late Queen Mother.

On my first trip there, we went up on the Queen's Flight, a special private jet for the use of the Queen and her family, but, just as I was thinking I could get used to this lifestyle, we hit really bad turbulence and I have never wanted to get off a plane quicker.

Without thinking, I got up and made for the exit as soon as it was safe to do so on landing. It was then I noticed a little mirror by the door. That's quite handy, I thought, being able to check your appearance before you disembark.

The crew opened the door and I got a shock to see lots of flashes going off below. It was the Press, there to welcome Prince Charles's arrival.

A voice behind me said: 'Oh, I think that's for me.'

Mortified, I stood back and let His Royal Highness go first, making a mental note not to walk off a plane before the boss. As soon as it was acceptable to do so, I rushed down the steps and headed for the nearest toilet.

As I discovered at the Castle of Mey, the royal staff loved playing pranks on each other, and Prince Charles was often in on the fun. Retiring to my room one night, I nearly jumped out of my skin when, behind the bedroom door, I saw a figure in royal uniform. My considerate colleagues had taken a mannequin that had been standing in the kitchen and put it in my room. Only now could I hear peals of laughter echoing up the stairwell.

The following morning, I was serving the Prince breakfast and he asked if I had slept well.

'Yes, sir,' I said, feeling my cheeks starting to burn.

'I thought I heard something,' he said.

'Yes sir,' I said. 'I screamed last night because a mannequin had been put behind my door. It's normally in the kitchen. Somebody put it in my room to scare me because we'd been telling ghost stories.

'No!' he said, then burst out laughing. 'I knew all about it,' he told me.

Camilla has a great sense of humour too. When we returned to Birkhall soon afterwards, she told me that she had encountered two American tourists while out walking by Lochnagar, the mountain to the south of the River Dee.

They let her know that when you're out walking in the area, there's a good chance you might see members of the Royal Family.

'Oh, I'll need to keep a look-out then,' she'd told them.

They'd had no idea who they were talking to.

I would never tire of being privy to such little moments with Charles and Camilla  but sometimes they bordered on the bizarre, as when the Prince was trying to create an

archway made of antlers outside Birkhall. As he tried to attach the antlers to the woven wire arches, they were swinging backwards and forwards and I got the call to come and help him.

Bloody hell, I thought, the future king is going to be impaled. Either that, or I will be!

Somehow, we managed to secure them without skewering each other. It was yet another moment with the Royal Family I could never have imagined experiencing. And, as I will describe in tomorrow's Mail on Sunday, there were many more to come.
It is a devastating portrait of Prince Andrew which  even by his standards  contains sensational details about his relationships and finances.

But historian Andrew Lownie, whose forensic biography of the disgraced Duke of York, Entitled, was released last week, has said there will be more revelations to come.

The royal biographer has told The Mail on Sunday that friends of the prince have come forward 'in droves' to say they are now willing to paint the 'full picture' about his extravagant past.

Many are formerly loyal associates who had originally declined to be involved in the book but have been emboldened to come forward since its publication.

And so many have now offered to contribute that the historian  who spent four years working on Entitled, and interviewed hundreds of people for his research  has been invited by his publisher to produce an updated edition.

Speaking to the MoS, Mr Lownie said it would be an 'entirely new book' which would be ready by next summer.

'The amazing and astonishing thing that's happened since Entitled came out is that people have come forward in droves with more stories to tell about Prince Andrew,' he said. 'Those who felt they couldn't speak to me before have now changed their mind or have realised they've been covering things up for him out of misplaced loyalty.

'A lot of respectable people who declined to be involved in the book are now coming forward, keen to unload the secrets they've been keeping for all these years.

The scandalous details of Prince Andrew's life have been laid bare in historian Andrew Lownie's new book Entitled

The royal biographer has told The Mail on Sunday that friends of the prince have come forward 'in droves' to say they are now willing to paint the 'full picture' about his extravagant past

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Lownie said it would be an 'entirely new book' which would be ready by next summer. Such news will no doubt be particularly unwelcome for beleaguered Andrew and his former wife Sarah, Duchess of York

'So my Andrew book is going to have to be substantially rewritten from start to finish. It will be an entirely new book, not just a few new chapters, and I'll get it done in time for the paperback release next summer. I think my book really broke the inertia surrounding Prince Andrew.'

Such news will no doubt be particularly unwelcome for beleaguered Andrew and his former wife Sarah, Duchess of York, who also receives an unflattering portrait in Mr Lownie's book.

Commentators have already suggested that the claims in the book  serialised earlier this month by the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday  have sealed Andrew's fate, making a return to public life all but impossible.

Any further scandal could also prove difficult for the Royal Family more widely.

Mr Lownie has already alluded to the fact that the passages he was forced to remove for legal reasons were enough to bring down the monarchy.

He has also admitted that the financial dealings he has reported so far  including 750,000 from Turkish millionaire Nebahat Isbilen which ended up in Andrew's Coutts account, described as a gift for Princess Beatrice's wedding and then repaid, and huge loans to Andrew from Banque Havilland, owned by the family of multi-millionaire scrap metal merchant David Rowland  are only 'the tip of the iceberg'. Mr Lownie told one interviewer: 'You know, there's money clearly from... China. There's clearly a lot of money in the Middle East.'

And now the author has Philip in his sights, too

Andrew Lownie's new book will focus on Prince Philip, we can reveal. It will also include details about his relationship with Susan Barrantes, the mother of Sarah, Duchess of York

By the time the book is published, it will be close to a decade since the duke's death, and Lownie believes public attitudes will have shifted yet further. 'People might be ready to hear some of the stories about his private life,' he says

Commentators have already suggested that the claims in Mr Lownie's book  serialised earlier this month by the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday  have sealed Andrew's fate, making a return to public life all but impossible

Author Andrew Lownie's next subject for a 'warts and all' biography will be the late Duke of Edinburgh, we can reveal.

He has set aside four years for the project, in which he plans to delve into details of Prince Philip's personal life, including the discovery  hinted at in Entitled  that he enjoyed a romance with Susan Barrantes, the mother of Sarah, Duchess of York.

'I've put in all the FOIs [Freedom of Information requests] for a Prince Philip book already,' Mr Lownie says. 'I'm told a great deal of time after his death was spent by those in his employment burning all his papers, but I'm working very hard to get what I can.'

One surprising early find was the late duke's school report, which was intended to be kept classified and inaccessible to the public for 100 years. 'Why they kept it classified for 100 years, I don't know,' Mr Lownie adds.

'But I've got it. It shows his recommendations for the Royal Navy, and it's now at last declassified and available. Times are changing, they do need to start declassifying more and more records for the royals. People expect more transparency from the monarchy now.'

By the time the book is published, it will be close to a decade since the duke's death, and Lownie believes public attitudes will have shifted yet further.

'People might be ready to hear some of the stories about his private life,' he says. 'When I wrote about his relationship with Fergie's mother, Susan Barrantes, in the Prince Andrew book, people got very cross with me, saying, "He's not here to defend himself".

'But I am very much working on getting lots of evidence together.'

Mr Lownie, who wrote a 2019 biography about Philip's uncle, Lord Mountbatten, was confronted by former Cabinet minister and now GB News host Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg over the 'unfounded allegations' about the late Queen's husband he included in Entitled.

But he says: 'Jacob Rees-Mogg might want me to have got hold of a signed affidavit from Prince Philip, and we can never get hold of that, but I'm going to have a thoroughly researched piece with plenty of FOIs and evidence.'
1. Pearls before swine - 78% (percentage of people who have never used the phrase)

Meaning: You are wasting your time by offering something that is helpful or valuable to someone who does not appreciate it. The term comes from the New Testament (Matthew 7:6), as translated by William Tyndale in 1526. The phrase went on to be repeated by some of the most renowned British writers including Shakespeare and Dickens.

2. Nail your colours to the mast - 71%

Meaning: to declare your beliefs firmly and openly. The phrase dates back to the 17th century, when nautical battle colours - or flags - were lowered as a mark of submission. It was also the custom in naval warfare to direct one's cannon fire at the opponent's ship's mast, thus disabling it. If all of a ship's masts were broken the captain usually had no alternative but to surrender. If the captain decided to fight on this was marked by hoisting the colours on the remnants of the ship's rigging, that is, by 'nailing his colours to the mast'.

3. Colder than a witch's tit - 71%

Meaning: Cold weather, thought to originate from street slang. The suggestion is that witches were evil and cold-blooded, and therefore would not retain body heat.

4. Pip pip - 70%

Meaning: Used to say goodbye in a cheery fashion. Its first known use was in 1907 and is thought to have originated by imitating the sound of a horn. The line 'Pip Pip! Cheerio!' also appears in the lyrics of 'Be Back Soon', a song written and composed by Lionel Bart for the musical Oliver!

5. Know your onions - 68%

Meaning: To be experienced in or knowledgeable about a subject. Some suggest it originates from British lexicographer and grammarian C T Onions, who worked on the Oxford English Dictionary in the 1960s. But it is also claimed that its birth came four decades earlier, being published for the first time in Harper's Bazaar magazine in the United States in 1922. It was one of a set of such phrases, all with the sense of knowing one's stuff, or being highly knowledgeable in a particular field, that circulated in the 1920s.

6. A nod is as good as a wink - 66%

Meaning: You don't need to be blatant with a signal if someone is willing to carry out a task. This phrase dates back to the 16th century. The longer version of the phrase is 'a nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse'.

7. A stitch in time saves nine - 64%

Meaning: If you sort out a problem immediately it may save a lot of extra work later. The 'stitch in time' notion has been present in English for centuries, and is first recorded in Thomas Fuller's Gnomologia: A Collection of the Proverbs, Maxims and Adages That Inspired Benjamin Franklin and Poor Richard's Almanack in 1732.

8. Ready for the knacker's yard - 62%

Meaning: In a state of ruin or failure due to having become useless or obsolete. A knacker's yard refers to a slaughterhouse for old or injured horses. 'Knackers' was also once used to mean castanets, which then saw it become a slang term for testicles. This was used by James Joyce in his 1922 classic Ulysses, in which he wrote: 'Eh, Harry, give him a kick in the knackers.' That meaning in turn led to verb to 'knacker', which originated in late 19th century as a synonym for castrate and not until about 1970 did it take on its current familiar meaning of exhaustion.

9. I've dropped a clanger - 60%

Meaning: To make a very bad or embarrassing mistake. The image is of something dropping with a clang, i.e. with a loud resonant ringing sound, which underlines the conspicuous nature of the mistake.

10. A fly in the ointment - 59%

Meaning: A minor irritation that spoils the success or enjoyment of something. The idiom likely has its roots in the Old Testament of the bible, in the book of Ecclesiastes. In the King James version, translated in the early 1600s, the passage reads: 'Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.'

11. Keen as mustard - 58%

Meaning: Extremely eager or enthusiastic. Long queues would form in the 18th century for people to get their hands on roast beef. Richard Leveridge described this enthusiasm in his song 'Roast beef of Old England' in the year 1735. Mustard being an accompaniment was soon associated with this enthusiasm.

12. A flash in the pan - 57%

Meaning: A thing or person whose sudden but brief success is not repeated or repeatable. The phrase originated sometime during the late 17th century, when flintlock muskets were used. An attempt to fire a musket that resulted in gunpowder flaring up but no ball firing was referred to as a flash in the pan.

13. Tickety boo - 57%

Meaning: Everything is fine or in good order. It is thought to have been taken from a similar-sounding Hindi phrase in the 1930s, meaning 'all right'.

14. A load of codswallop - 56%

Meaning: Words or ideas that are foolish or untrue. It is suggested that it originates from Hiram Codd, a British soft drink maker of the 1870s, known for the eponymous Codd-neck bottle. Codswallop was then reportedly used as a derisive term for soft drinks by beer drinkers.

15. A curtain twitcher - 56%

Meaning: A nosy person who watches his or her neighbours, typically from a curtained window.

16. Knickers in a twist - 56%

Meaning: To become upset about something that is not very important. The earliest use appears to be in comic strip Andy Capp by British cartoonist Reginald Smyth in 1971.

17. Dead as a doornail - 55%

Meaning: Emphatically dead. It is thought the phrase comes from the manner of securing doornails that were hammered into a door by clenching them. It is also suggested it is linked to coffins being hammered shut.

18. A dog's dinner - 55%

Meaning: A mess or a poor piece of work. It has been derived from 'a dog's breakfast' which occurs in Scarlet and Hyssop, by E. F. Benson. It was published in 1902. It goes thus, 'Scraps only, scraps from other places. It always reminds me of a dog's dinner,' said Lady Alston.

19. It's chock a block - 55%

Meaning: Crammed full of people or things. It dates back to the mid 19th century, when, originally in nautical use, it referenced having two blocks running close together.

20. Storm in a teacup - 55%

Meaning: Great outrage or excitement about a trivial matter. The basic sentiment of a tempest in a teapot and a storm in a teacup seems to have originated in 52BC in the writings of Cicero, in a phrase that translates as stirring up billows in a ladle.

21. Could not organise a p*ss up in a brewery - 54%

Meaning: Completely unable to organise a simple task. Its first known use was in the Observer newspaper, as recently as 1980. In an article about the Ford car plant crisis on Merseyside, one worker was quotes as saying: 'They couldn't run a piss-up in a brewery. They can't manage the machines, let alone the men. If Henry Ford could see them at it, he'd have a fit, poor lad.'

22. Not enough room to swing a cat - 54%

Meaning: A very small place or space. This expression, first recorded in 1771, is thought to allude to the cat-o'-nine-tails, or 'cat,' a whip with nine lashes widely used to punish offenders in the British military.

23. Flogging a dead horse - 54%

Meaning: To keep talking about a subject that has already been discussed or decided. It comes from the mid-19th century, when the practice of beating horses to make them go faster was often viewed as acceptable. To beat a dead horse would be pointless, as it wouldn't be able to go anywhere.

24. Toe the line - 54%

Meaning: To accept the authority, policies, or principles of a particular group, often unwillingly. The most likely origin of the term goes back to the wooden decked ships of the Royal Navy during the late 17th or early 18th century. Barefooted seamen had to stand at attention for inspection and had to line up on deck along the seams of the wooden planks, hence to 'toe the line'.

25. Popped her clogs - 54%

Meaning: Died. Its origin is not clear, though the phrase may be explained as pawning one's clogs before death, when there is no further need for them. It has also been conjectured that the phrase is an elaboration of to pop off, meaning to die.

26. Drop them a line - 53%

Meaning: To send someone a note or letter in a casual manner. The 'drop' part of the idiom 'drop a line' is a usage dating back to at least 1769 meaning 'To let (a letter or note) fall into the letter-box; hence, to send (a note, etc.) in a casual or informal way.'

27. Steal my thunder - 53%

Meaning: To prevent someone from having success or getting attention by doing or saying whatever that person was planning to do or say. The idiom comes from the dramatist John Dennis early in the 18th century, after he had conceived a novel idea for a thunder machine for his unsuccessful 1709 play Appius and Virginia - and later found it used at a performance of Macbeth.

28. A few sandwiches short of a picnic - 53%

Meaning: Unintelligent. The phrase is fairly recent. The first citation of it that has been documented is from the BBC's Lenny Henry Christmas Special, December 1987. In that, Henry performed I'm Mad, a spoof song and dance routine written by Kim Fuller and others. This aped Michael Jackson's 1983 hit Bad. Henry, in a straitjacket, sings 'I'm mad, I'm mad', while the backing vocalists sing: 'He's mad, mad, one brick short of a load; He's mad, mad, one sandwich short of a picnic.'

29. A legend in one's own lifetime - 52%

Meaning: To be very famous while still alive. Its first known use was written of Florence Nightingale by Giles Lytton Strachey, in his well-known book Eminent Victorians in 1918.

30. Be there or be square - 52%

Meaning: If one does not attend a certain event, one is not 'cool.' Its origin appears to be the jazz scene of the 1940s and it derives from the slang use of the word square, meaning conservative or conventional.

31. Fell off the back of a lorry - 52%

Meaning: Acquired illegally. The origin of the phrase is thought to lie with the practice of holding 'salvage auctions' for goods that were damaged in transit and usually sold for a tiny fraction of their normal price.

32. A bodge job - 52%

Meaning: A job that was completed quickly and carelessly. It etymology is unclear and confusing, as bodgers were highly skilled wood-turners, who worked in the beech woods of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire.

33. Eat humble pie - 52%

Meaning: To make a humble apology and accept humiliation. The expression derives from umble pie, a pie filled with the chopped or minced parts of a beast's 'pluck'  the heart, liver, lungs or 'lights' and kidneys, especially of deer but often other meats.

34. Having a chinwag - 52%

Meaning: To have a friendly conversation. Its origin simply refers to the two words 'chin', which moves when conversing, and 'wag', as in to move quickly from side to side.

35. Put a sock in it - 52%

Meaning: Shut up. The earliest known mention of this phrase is in a letter published by the London literary magazine The Athenum of 8th August 1919: 'Sir, The expression 'Put a sock in it,' meaning 'Leave off talking, singing or shouting,' should be included in the lists of 'Slang in War-Time.''

36. Mad as a Hatter - 51%

Meaning: Mental, originating from the mercury poisoning suffered by hat-makers. Though popularised through the Mad Hatter character in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, the origin of the phrase pre-dates it. Mercury was historically used in the making of hats and was known to have affected the nervous systems of hatters, causing them to tremble and appear insane. The use of mercury compounds in 19th century hat making and the resulting effects are well-established, with mercury poisoning is still known today as 'Mad Hatter's disease'.

37. Spend a penny - 51%

Meaning: Needing to use the toilet. It refers to the use of coin operated locks on public toilets which were first introduced outside the Royal Exchange in London in the 1850s. However, its first recorded citation wasn't until 1945, when it appeared in Hilda Lewis's novel, Strange Story.

38. Cool as a cucumber - 51%

Meaning: Calm and relaxed. The phrase was first recorded in a poem by the British poet John Gay 'New Song on New Similies' in 1732: 'Cool as a cucumber could see the rest of womankind'.

39. It's gone pear shaped - 51%

Meaning: To go wrong or fail miserably. It is thought the phrase originated with the Royal Air Force to describe pilots' poor executions of loops in the air, ending up with pear shapes rather than a round shapes.

40. It cost a bomb - 51%

Meaning: To be extremely expensive. Its origin is not entirely clear, though it is thought to have first been used during World War One.

41. Raining cats and dogs - 51%

Meaning: Heavy rain. 'Cats and dogs' may come from the Greek expression cata doxa, which means 'contrary to experience or belief.' If it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining unusually or unbelievably hard.

42. See a man about a dog - 51%

Meaning: Needing to use the toilet. The earliest confirmed publication is the 1866 Dion Boucicault play Flying Scud in which a character knowingly breezes past a difficult situation saying, 'Excuse me Mr. Quail, I can't stop; I've got to see a man about a dog.' Time magazine observed that the phrase was the play's 'claim to fame'.

43. It takes the biscuit - 50%

Meaning: To be the most outrageous or silly in a series of things. It derives from a disparaging reference to the Roman Catholic sacrament formally called extreme unction, part of which is holy communion. If you take the wafer  contemptuously the biscuit  you are nearing the end of your life.

44. He's a good egg - 50%

Meaning: A good guy or kind person. The expression originally came from its opposite, a bad egg, which was British public school slang from the 1800s for someone who was not nice.

45. Snug as a bug in a rug - 49%

Meaning: To be in an extremely comfortable position or situation. The first known example of the phrase in print is found in the account of David Garrick's celebration of Shakespeare Garrick's vagary, or, England run mad; with particulars of the Stratford Jubilee, 1769: 'If she [a rich widow] has the mopus's [coins or money], I'll have her, as snug as a bug in a rug.'

46. Chuffed to bits - 49%

Meaning: To feel happy or pleased about something. The origins of the word 'chuffed' are unclear, though it has been used in England as far back as the 16th century.

47. Have a gander - 49%

Meaning: To look or glance at. The idiom dates back to the early 1900s, with the word ganger meaning 'stretch one's neck to see,' alluding to the long neck of the male goose.

48. Selling like hot cakes - 49%

Meaning: To be a great commercial success. The phrase originated in the 1800s when simple cornmeal versions were sold at church bake sales and snapped up by the congregation before they went cold.

49. Pardon my French - 48%

Meaning: To apologise for swearing. The phrase was originally used in England when someone used a French word when speaking to a person who may not have understood French. Due to the history of conflict between France and England, 'pardon my French' came to be a dig against the French.

50. A turn up for the books - 45%

Meaning: An unexpected result. The origin is in horse racing, where the book was the record of bets laid on a race kept by a bookmaker. So when a horse performed in a way that nobody expected, so that most bets lost, it was something that benefited the book and so the bookmaker.
A babysitter who delivered little girls to her pedophile boyfriend to molest has been sentenced to 100 years to life in prison.

Brittney Mae Lyon, 31, of San Diego, broke down in tears on hearing the news in court after pleading guilty in May to two counts of a lewd act upon a child and two counts of a forcible lewd act upon a child.

She admitted further counts of kidnapping, residential burglary and sexually assaulting multiple victims.

Tears: Brittney Mae Lyon, 31, sobbed in court as she was sentenced to 100 years to life in prison for delivering little girls to her pedophile boyfriend to molest

Lyon advertised her babysitting services online - with a particular interest in working with special needs children - and earned the trust of parents who left their kids in her care.

But in reality she was sexually abusing the little girls and providing them to her boyfriend Samuel Cabrera, 31, who would film himself molesting them.

The victims were aged between three and seven and some were autistic and non-verbal.

The abuse came to light in 2016 when a seven-year-old girl told her mother she no longer wanted to be near Lyon, a long-time friend of the family who had acted as a sitter.

The girl told her mom about the abuse who went to the police, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

An investigation led Carlsbad police to Cabrera, then 22, and both he and Lyon were arrested.

A search of Cabrera's car uncovered a double-locked box containing six computer hard drives with hundreds of videos of him abusing victims.

Some of the victims in the videos were drugged and the clips were often filmed with multiple cameras to capture different angles, prosecutors said.

The horrifying tapes featured multiple unknown victims, prompting an investigation to track down other families who had hired Lyon as a babysitter.

Parents of three of the victims had met Lyon through a babysitting website where she had 'touted her interest in working with special needs children,' according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.

One mother saw a news story about Lyon and Cabrera's awful crimes and reached out to police, only to learn her own three-year-old was among the victims filmed being abused by the twisted couple.

Another victim was a developmentally delayed seven-year-old with autism, who could not dress or bathe herself or speak.

Lyon and Cabrera met in high school and he initially convinced her to secretly record women getting changed in dressing rooms and gym locker rooms, prosecutors said.

Harrowing: Brittney Mae Lyon pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd act upon a child and two counts of a forcible lewd act upon a child in May

Eight life terms: Lyon brought the little girls she babysat to her boyfriend, Samuel Cabrera (pictured),so he could molest them

Then, the pedophile asked Lyon to bring children in her care to his home - where she participated in some of the abuse, according to prosecutors.

Cabrera went on trial in 2019 charged with 35 felonies, including multiple counts involving child molestation, kidnapping, burglary and conspiracy.

It took a North County jury just two hours to convict him on all charges.

He was sentenced to eight terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole and 300 additional years.

Lyon's case was stalled by Covid courtroom closures and by changes of attorneys.

She has been represented by three different defense attorneys over the past nine years: a public defender, then private counsel and then another public defender.

At her sentencing inside the Vista Courthouse in San Diego Thursday, the babysitter's defense attorney read a statement on her behalf.

'For nine years, I've thought about what I would say today. I've come to the conclusion that there are no words that would make any of the harm and trauma I've caused any better,' the statement read.

Vile abuse: Lyon is pictured in court with her defense team. The couple's victims were aged between three and seven and some were autistic and non-verbal

False front: Lyon advertised her childcare services on babysitting websites and touted her interest in working with special needs children (pictured: Lyon's babysitting ads)

'The words "I'm sorry" are far too simple for the amount of trauma I've caused and the amount of regret that I feel.'

Parents of the victims also spoke in court on Thursday.

One mother said Lyon 'used her credentials' - such as studying child development - 'to lull us into a state of comfort so we didnt feel like we had to ask a lot of questions about what Brittany did with our daughter when they were together.'

What the mother thought was a special trip for their daughter to play places she later learned were 'molestation sessions,' she said.

Cabrera is not eligible for parole, but Lyon - who was sentenced to 100 years to life - is.

This means it is possible she could be released after serving just a third of her sentence.

Some of the victims' parents slammed the possibility that she could be freed in future.

Emotional: Cabrera is not eligible for parole, but Lyon (pictured in court) - who was sentenced to 100 years to life - is

'Slap in the face': There is a possibility Lyon could be released after serving just a third of her sentence

'Its a slap in the face to drag us through this field of broken glass for 10 years only to give Brittney a break,' one mother said.

A California law change now allows for 'elder parole' in which inmates who have served at least 20 years of their sentence can petition for a parole hearing when they turn 50.

While legislative efforts to exclude sex offenders from this rule have stalled, the San Diego County District Attorneys Office has continued to push for the change.

'The age of 50 is hardly "elderly," particularly in the realm of child molesters, who need only be in a position of trust and power to access and sexually abuse children,' District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a news release in reference to Lyon's sentencing.
Influencers desperate to see animals are turning Africa's tranquil wilderness into a hotspot for over-tourism - with 4x4 traffic jams and drones putting off genuine nature enthusiasts.

Once considered a 'once in a lifetime' holiday that was firmly the preserve of the middle and upper classes, a trip to a game reserve has become increasingly mass market in recent years.

Just as British beauty spots, including Cotswolds villages and Cornish beaches, have been besieged by selfie stick-wielding crowds on the hunt for 'content', it seems the TikTok tourist is now equally at home on Africa's remote plains.

Destinations such as Kenya's Masai Mara - home to almost 90 species of mammals, Tanzania's Serengeti, and South Africa's Kruger National Park have all seen a spike in tourism in recent years.

Fed-up wildlife fans who've spent their hard-earned cash to see Mother Nature's most majestic animals - including giraffes, elephants, and wildebeest - say they now often have to do battle with Instagrammers posing as they try to catch a glimpse of what they've paid thousands to see.

On social media, there are insights into just how saturated the safari market has become, with images and videos showing 4x4s sat bumper-to-bumper on dirt track roads at dawn in a bid to catch animals in the best light of the day.

Pumping out petrol fumes, inside, they're crammed with tourists who'll apparently stop at nothing to get the perfect shot or footage of animals in their natural habitat.

One particularly disturbing clip shows a lion walking along a rust-coloured road, with vehicles - full of tourists - surrounding the animal as they try and get a photo or footage.

Elephant in the room: Africa's most popular tourist destinations have seen tourist numbers swell - with 4x4 traffic jams on savannas now a regular sight

Posing: Safaris have gone mainstream, with tourists, including travel-loving social media stars, determined to see some animals (Pictured: Italian Instagrammer Alice Muzza in Kenya)

Alongside sophisticated camera and smartphone equipment, the arrival of drones as as an amateur videographer's best friend has ensured that whirring black dots in the arching blue skies above rolling savanna grasslands are now also occasionally seen.

While many safari destinations have introduced strict regulations on using the radio controlled flying recording devices, permission can be sought in advance to use them in certain circumstances.

Those who go rogue face fines, confiscation, and legal action - but in some destinations, including the Serengeti, tourists have spotted them being used by visitors.

One British traveler, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail her trip to the famous Tanzanian reserve had been marred by visitors who'd set off small drone devices from the vehicles they were in, and would then ask their guide to go and retrieve them.

Busy: A video posted on TikTok showed a lion being tracked by multiple 4x4 vehicles filled with tourists

Other pitfalls? Four-wheel drive vehicles are often connected by radio, so when there's a sight to be seen, many of them flock to the same place, with big jams common as tourists scramble to get the best view.

One TikTok user, @zozovdw, posted footage of dozens of Land Rovers lined up watching a hunt between lions and buffaloes.

Another suggested that going on a modern safari holiday was mostly about sitting in a 4WD vehicle being bumped over rough roads.

British travel blogger, Charlie Hill, warned about the realities of an animal-watching trip, telling TikTok followers: 'They dont tell you this before you go on safari20 per cent "Wow, is that a lion?!", 80 per cent "My spine just did a somersault on this bumpy track".

'Heres the honest truth about safari life: yes, the wildlife moments are unreal, but in between? Youll be bouncing around in a 4x4 for hours, dust in your teeth and a zebra-shaped bruise forming on your backside.'

He did add that the adventure was 'still 100 per cent worth it'.

Selfie flex: Posing with animals in their natural habitat has seen some tourists attempting to take drones - largely banned in most safari destinations - on to the plains (Pictured: A tourist takes a photo with an elephant)

A United Nations Tourism (UNWTO) report earlier this year found that visitor numbers to African destinations were up by 13.5 per cent year-on-year, with many of the country's safari destinations contributing to the rising tourism figures.

Behind the Middle East, Africa is the second fastest-growing tourist region globally, with safari destinations including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, and Botswana amongst the destinations welcoming more tourists.

The bucket list element has also swelled numbers, with tourists seeing the idea of a safari as a 'final frontier' if they've already explored many of the world's most famous sights.

Chinese tourists are signing up for wildlife spotting trips in their droves. According to the Global Times, visitors to Africa from China during the summer of 2024 were up 40 per cent on 2023.

Many African destinations have also relaxed visa rules in recent years, making it easier for tourists to plan a trip.

For example, Kenya scrapped tourist visas in January 2023, instead asking potential visitors to apply online for more accessible travel permits.

Reality: Many tourists who've taken a recent safari holiday have been frank about what to expect, with TikToker @charlieonhistravels warning of long, bumpy rides waiting to spot animals

Jam-packed: Vehicles, often leaking petrol into game reserves, will radio each other if there's a sighting, leading to congestion

Traffic jam: This TikTok image shows dozens of 4x4s queueing up in the same destination in a bid to catch a glimpse of majestic safari animals in their natural habitat





Scramble: For many a safari has become the 'final frontier' of travel experiences

And the country's spectacular migrations bring in thousands of visitors, because there's more chance of spotting wildlife as animals - including wildebeest, zebras and hippos - rest en route to their seasonal destinations.

How to sidestep the crowds and book a safari that doesn't come with a side portion of frustration?

Calvin Cottar, is co-owner of Cottars Safaris, which operates in the private Olderkesi Conservancy, bordering the Maasai Mara... but crucially with no other camps within its boundaries.

He tells the Daily Mail that there's still plenty of ways to find a safari destination with plenty of solitude.

He said: 'The antidote is choosing lodges with access to controlled conservation areas  whether national parks, community conservancies or private reserves.

'Strict rules limit vehicle density (for example, no more than one vehicle per 750 acres), cap numbers at sightings (often no more than five vehicles) and, in busier areas, set time limits at sightings.'

Ensuring the company you book with has 'well-trained and fairly paid guides - so they do not rely on tips for sightings' will also enhance your experience, the company co-owner, whose family have been running safaris for more than a 100 years, adds.

'Be careful of companies or guides promising to show you every iconic megafauna in two hours, a safari should be slow and reflective; if you give Africa your patience, it will reward you with moments you will never forget  often when you least expect them.

Peace and tranquility: Finding solitude is possible, says safari expert Calvin Cottar, who co-owns British company Cottars Safaris

Off-peak is best@ Migration season can be one of the busiest times for tourism, but choose an off-peak period and you'll find rich rewards... with fewer tourists

'There are still places far removed from mass tourism, particularly private conservancies and less-visited parks, and the best time to visit depends on your priorities.'

Avoiding peak season too, which falls typically between June to September in popular East African destinations, will ensure lesser crowds.

When should you go? Says Cottar: 'There is much more to Kenya than the Great Migration: visit in the green season for lush landscapes and fewer visitors, or in the dry season for easier game viewing  both falling outside the peak migration months.'
A man who has just bought his second house for 1 in Italy has revealed exactly how much it costs to own one.

George Laing, 32, made headlines after he purchased his first 1 home in Mussomeli back in 2022.

Since then, he has been working on renovating it and has so far managed to stick to a tight budget.

The antiques trader purchased the bargain property through a government-backed scheme which was launched in 2017.

It was created with the aim to help boost local economies and attract new residents to towns and villages with a declining population.

Now, having just bought his second 1 home, George exclusively reveals to the Daily Mail exactly how much it costs to own one of the bargain properties, and his estimated costs to completely fix up both by hand.

He explains that, while the 1 secures the freehold of the property, there are other costs that total to around 4,000.

'So in total, with all the 1 houses, you pay 1 for the freehold,' George says.

George Laing , 32, made headlines after he purchased his first 1 home in Mussomeli back in 2022

Now, having just bought his second 1 home (pictured), George exclusively reveals to the Daily Mail exactly how much it costs to own one of the bargain properties and his estimated costs to completely fix up both by hand

He explains that while the 1 secures the freehold of the property, there are other costs that total to around 4,000

'You then have to pay an agency fee of about 500, you then have to pay the local notary to act as your sort of legal representative to transfer the deeds over from the owner to you, that costs about 2,800.'

In addition, George shares there's agency fees of around 100 to 200 euros, as well as an energy certificate which costs around 200.

George adds, 'Then you need to pay for the floor plans, which is another 80.'

A lot of the 1 properties also don't have water connected, according to George.

'To get a new water meter 700 and then usually you need a new mains pipe into the the mains water, which is another 700.

'So all in all, I tell people a 1 house costs roughly 4,000.'

George's first 1 property 'needed a complete, complete refurb,' including work on the electrics, plumbing, roof, bathroom and kitchen.

He gutted out five vanloads of rubbish before the house was clear.

George's first 1 property (pictured) 'needed a complete, complete refurb,' including work on the electrics, plumbing, roof, bathroom and kitchen

He gutted out five van loads of rubbish before the house was clear. Pictured: The first property

'It's a shell which is going to be turned into a self contained one-bedroom flat,' George adds.

However his second property 'is in a slightly better condition'.

He says: 'Both have issues with the roof and need a new roof, but it's a little bit smaller.

'But generally, the first one had a quite a few major cracks from an earthquake in 1968, the second one had no cracks at all, which is one of the reasons I snapped it up, because the condition was pretty good for being a 1 house.'

Despite the range of renovations needed on both abodes, George has taught himself a lot of skills and plans to complete the work - mostly himself - within a tight budget.

'I'm getting pretty good at doing it pretty cheap,' George reveals.

'The first property I bought, my budget initially was 15,000 to renovate the entire property, but I've only spent 1,000 so far, and I'll do the entire property for under five grand.'

The Brit has witnessed other 1 property buyers complete similar renovations for thousands of pounds more.

However his second property (pictured) 'is in a slightly better condition'

George says: 'The first property I bought, my budget initially was 15,000 to renovate the entire property, but I've only spent 1,000 so far, and I'll do the entire property for under five grand'

'I know someone who's done the exact same job as me, and they spent 50 grand,' he adds.

George says he has become skilled at making 'a pound go about 100'.

He has received a little help along the way in the form of 'free stuff' and 'free materials'.

'A lot of people come here, they do one building, building jobs, and then they've got loads of materials and they just don't want them anymore, and they just give them away,' he shares.

As for his newest house, which he purchased in July, George has an even lower price tag in mind.

'The second property, I'm budgeting about 10,000, but I'll likely end up doing it for half of that,' he explains.

George brings down the price by doing a lot of the work himself, including roofing.

He says: 'I'm doing the roof myself. I'll be replacing any beams that needs replacing.

As for his newest house (pictured), which he purchased in July, George has an even lower price tag in mind

George brings down the price by doing a lot of the work himself, including roofing. He says: 'I'm doing the roof myself. I'll be replacing any beams that needs replacing'

'I was just on the roof a minute ago, replacing about 40 tiles on the first house I bought.

'You can pay five grand, six grand, for someone to replace a roof, but I just go to the local building merchant and I get a trader's discount on the tiles.

'It may not look perfect, but it will cost me a fraction of the price.'

Once the transformations are complete, George plans to rent the houses out and purchase properties.

Though George has had great success so far with his renovations, he admits it isn't always easy.

He reveals one of his biggest challenges is funding the projects and travelling between the UK and Italy constantly.

'It's constantly a bit of a money pit,' he explains. 'I've got to travel back and forth because of Brexit. I can only stay in Italy 90 every 180 days.

'So I'm effectively only here every two weeks, every month, because I don't have a visa.'

Once the transformations are complete, George plans to rent the houses out and purchase properties

He reveals one of his biggest challenges is funding the projects and travelling between the UK and Italy constantly

He adds: 'It's been very difficult saving any money, but I managed to do it just by working seven days a week.

'So there's been a bit of financial struggle, but we're getting on with it because the flights add up, you've got to pay for food. Everything sort of quickly adds up.'

George has also struggled with language barriers at times, and has found it difficult to learn Italian.

'I speak absolutely no Italian, and I find learning Italian incredibly difficult,' he shares.

'I've got ADHD, so I find it very hard to focus on things sometimes and retaining certain information.'

Instead, George has found himself relying on Google Translate to communicate with locals, butt admits it can be 'quite lonely at times'.

Aside from the struggles, George feels his 1 venture has added more value to his life.

'It's bought so many opportunities and it's created so much more money for me, and my life has got so much better since leaving London and leaving the nine to five struggle,' he explains.

George has also struggled with language barriers at times, and has found it difficult to learn Italian

George has big plans for his future endeavours, including buying another 1 house, opening an antiques shop, and completing a sponsored walk.

'By the end of this year, I will acquire another 1 house. So I'll have three 1 houses,' he says.

'In addition to that, I'm going to open up an antique shop in Mussomeli,' he adds, explaining he has acquired lots of items from house clearances that he has been selling.

George goes on, 'Later this year, or maybe start of next year, I'm going to do a sponsored walk from London to Sicily.

'I'm going to try and crowdfund a couple of 100 grand, and I want to start buying some really big properties and start doing big projects, a lot bigger than ones I'm doing now.'
When travelling to popular destinations it can sometimes be difficult to avoid 'tourist traps'.

One holidaymaker shared their experience of a restaurant in Paris and spent 15 on food, only to be left disappointed.

Alongside a photograph of a generous portion of spaghetti, with several pieces of bacon and what appeared to be a raw egg yolk on top, they posted on Reddit: '15 Spaghetti Carbonara from an Italian opposite the Eiffel Tower'

Many other users weren't impressed with the sight of the spaghetti dish.

One quipped: 'They got halfway through making it. And just gave up.'

But another blamed the original poster, adding it was down to the 'tourist trap' location they'd chosen to dine at.

'Sad,' they commented. 'Tourist trap? Yeah... opposite the Eiffel Tower is probably tourist trap.'

Someone else shared their advice, recommending people avoid venues near big attractions.

One holidaymaker shared their experience of a restaurant in Paris and spent 15 on food, only to be left disappointed

Other users weren't impressed with the sight and one quipped: 'They got halfway through making it. And just gave up'

'Never eat at any restaurant near any tourist hotspot,' they said.

'They get such a volume of single time customers they have zero incentives to deliver anything remotely resembling quality food.'

Another Reddit user agreed: 'Restaurants near monuments in France are mostly tourists traps. Also why ordering Italian Food in France, sacrebleu?'

Another person said: 'As someone French rule of thumb avoid any restaurant close to the Eiffel Tower they're just there to scam tourists.'

Meanwhile, another person defended the meal somewhat, and explained that it's common to cook carbonara in that way.

'In France when we make carbonara at home it's usually expected to be exactly that, even if we know it's completely different to the actual real Italian carbonara,' they said.

'It's a cheap easy homemade recipe that's delicious: just put some lardons on a pan (lardons are like diced bacon, very common in supermarkets), and when it's cooked add some heavy cream.

'Serve on the pasta with a raw egg yolk and maybe some grated cheese (ideally parmesan).

Another Reddit user said: 'Restaurants near monuments in France are mostly tourists traps. Also why ordering Italian Food in France, sacrebleu'

'However it would be unacceptable in a restaurant, because it's both a wrongly named dish and a cheap student dish.'

Another said: 'In France they just often just throw an egg yolk on a carbonara...'

Meanwhile, a local echoed that such dishes are often served in a similar fashion.

They said: 'The pork doesn't look good (it looks like it was cooked in water alongside the pastas), but as a French myself I must say we often top our pasta with a raw yellow egg, no one else does that?!'
A woman lived inside an airport for a whole week and has revealed all about her stay.

Maddy Macrae, 32, spent an extra-long 'layover' in Changi Airport, Singapore, and has shared her experience

The Aussie stayed at Crowne Plaza, which can be found inside Terminal 3, and spent her days exploring the huge airport.

'I just touched down in Changi Airport to start my week-long layover and this is the most insane airport,' Maddy gushed in a video on TikTok, where she posts as @maddy_macrae_.

In the video, she pays a visit to the HSBC Rain Vortex inside the Jewel complex of the airport, an impressive 40 metres of cascading water.

'My first stop was the Jewel to see the waterfall  absolutely breathtaking. It's also a huge mall so I had a quick walk through before grabbing a milk tea and hopping on a skytrain to get to my hotel,' she adds.

The content creator even had access to a swimming pool from her airport hotel, complete with palm trees and sun loungers.

'The pool is right next to my room and this is just insane it's here for a layover,' Maddy comments.

Maddy Macrae, 32, spent an extra-long 'layover' in Changi Airport, Singapore, and shared her experience on TikTok

The Aussie stayed at Crowne Plaza, which can be found inside Terminal 3, and spent her days exploring the huge airport

She paid a visit to the HSBC Rain Vortex inside the Jewel complex of the airport, an impressive 40-meters of cascading water

Maddy made time for a couple of cocktails and checked out the departure board artwork.

'And then I made some new friends in a game of griddy grid,' she says, alongside footage of her playing a giant, interactive game.

'I checked out this cool orchid display for Singapore's 60th anniversary,' Maddy adds.

She opened up about her experience to news.com.au and revealed she was shocked to learn there were outside tours offered by the airport for free.

Maddy explained: 'I did do a free tour which took me to the river and Marina Bay.

'It's actually available to people who haven't even cleared immigration. You can be on the airport side and have a long layover and go on this free tour.'

Tourists with long layovers were able to do the trips.

She said: 'If you're in the arrival side and haven't come through you can still do it.'

The content creator even had access to a swimming pool from her airport hotel, complete with palm trees and sun loungers

She revealed she was shocked to learn there were outside tours offered by the airport for free

Maddy explained: 'I did do a free tour which took me to the river and Marina Bay. It's actually available to people who haven't even cleared immigration'

But the strangest thing Maddy noticed was how it felt like 'time doesn't exist'.

'The phenomenon around airport limbo exists even when you live there,' she said.

The content creator described how 'time is a construct' in the airport and it's perfectly acceptable to enjoy a cocktail at 7am.

Maddy explained the stay was a 'social experiment' and revealed she spent $50 a day whilst in the airport.
A contestant on The Chase has lifted the lid on what charismatic host Bradley Walsh is really like with players when the cameras stop rolling.

The hugely popular ITV game show sees four contestants go head-to-head with a quizzing master in the hopes of winning potentially huge cash prizes.

And now, previous contestants have come forward with their experiences of filming and spending time backstage with Bradley.

Taking to discussion website Reddit, a former player said the host was not as forthcoming as they expected.

'Brad was nice but, aside from introducing himself, he never interacted with us during breaks when we stopped filming - compared to different to hosts on other shows I've been on.'

The user went on to say that, despite this, Chaser Shaun Wallace, aka the Dark Destroyer, was 'lovely' when he came down to meet the team after filming was wrapped, and 'won them over'.

A contestant on The Chase has lifted the lid on what charismatic host Bradley Walsh (pictured) is really like with players when the cameras stop rolling

'We won and the prize money came from ITV's Payroll at the end of the month after we filmed,' they continued. 'With most quiz shows, you don't get the prize money until the show airs.'

The player explained how they filmed at BBC Elstree, where EastEnders is filmed, after auditioning at ITV Towers in South Bank.

And the taxi that took the team to the studio drove through the plaza that was dressed as the entrance to Holby City Hospital.

'To me it was 1980s Grange Hill,' they continued. 'When we went to the toilet we also got to see into one of the studios where the internal EastEnders sets were assembled.'

Another user responded with their own Chase story, writing: 'I've been on it. Brad was lovely  it must be hard to live up to people's expectations too.

'He's professional and acts up for the camera which is not a negative by any means. He knows he needs to add levity and entertain those at home.'

But the contestant revealed one thing about the set that was 'uncomfortable,' adding: 'I will also say the chairs the contestants sit on are the most uncomfortable seats ever! My back was killing for weeks after.'

Another Bradley fan rushed to his defence. 'I've been on it,' they said.

Now, previous contestants have come forward with their experiences of filming and spending time backstage with Bradley

'Bradley was so, so lovely and really put me at ease as they were setting up for my head-to-head. I think he could see I was visibly shaking.'

It comes as The Chase viewers were left fuming after a series of 'grim and bizarre' questions that had fans branding the episode 'an absolute shambles'.

In a vintage installment of the hit ITV game show, a series of unusually eccentric questions caught both the contestants and the chaser off guard.

One read: 'The Rosetta Stone is inscribed with a decree on behalf of which Egyptian pharaoh?'

The three multiple choice answers were Rameses II, Ptolemy V and Thutmose III.

A baffled Paul Sinha, aka The Sinnerman, was shocked, saying: 'That was the hardest question I've ever seen on this show,' as both he and player Mark answered incorrectly.

The next question was: 'The US Department of Agriculture requires what to be at least 35 per cent cooked meat and no more than 50 per cent bread?'

The multiple choice options were pizza, kebab and sandwich, and when it emerged that sandwich was the correct answer, the studio was left shocked.

'Is this a wind-up?' joked host Bradley, before adding: 'I'll have to call the sandwich police. Don't move, get on the floor.'

In yet another incorrect choice, Chaser Paul selected kebab on the basis that it was 'the only logical answer'.

The Chase airs weekdays on ITV1 from 5pm and is available to stream on ITVX
A beloved soap is reportedly returning to screens after 22 years off air as it is set to make a historic crossover with Hollyoaks.

Hollyoaks celebrates its 30th anniversary in October, and to make the milestone Brookside will be returning too, according to The Sun.

The iconic Liverpool-based soap will be streamed in a special Hollyoaks episode that will honour the predecessor.

The soap, set in Liverpool, chronicled the lives of characters living in 13 houses on a cul-de-sac called Brookside Close.

Hollyoaks took over as Channel 4's flagship continuing drama when the Liverpool based soap ended on November 4th 2003.

And as part of the exciting crossover, fans will see Brookside characters make a return as a treat to mark the milestone.

A beloved soap is reportedly returning to screens after 22 years off air as it is set to make a historic crossover with Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks celebrates its 30th anniversary in October, and to make the milestone Brookside will be returning too

Executive Producer Hannah Cheers told the publication: 'This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.

'Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks  it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.

'For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks' history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast.'

Brookside originally aired on the first day that Channel 4 was broadcast on November 2 in 1982 and proved an instant hit with viewers.

Fan favourites included Bobby and Sheila and Grant, played by Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston.

The show launched the careers of many industry heavyweights including Anna Friel, Amanda Burton and Claire Sweeney.

At its peak, the show drew in audiences of nine million viewers before it came to a close on November 4 2003.

Across its run, the show took on issues such as LGBT+ and hard hitting storylines like rape, bullying and incest.

The Grants! Fan favourites included Bobby and Sheila and Grant, played by Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston

Shooting to stardom: The show launched the careers of many industry heavyweights including Anna Friel, Amanda Burton and Claire Sweeney (pictured left)

Soap start out: Sunetra Sarker (pictured left) said she 'owes a lot' to the beloved soap after she was given the role of Nisha Batra following being spotted at a bus stop at 15

In 1985, teenage character Gordon Collins came out to his family as gay on the soap.

The character, played by both Mark Burgess and Nigel Crowley, became the first ever openly gay character in a British TV series when the episode aired.

Brookside also had the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss in British history between characters Beth Jordache, played by Anna Friel, and Margaret Clemence, who was portrayed by future Emmerdale actress Nicola Stephenson.

Anna's career has taken her to America where she has appeared in the comedy series Pushing Daisies, opposite Susan Sarandon in country music drama Monarch and alongside Bradley Cooper in the film Limitless.

Silent Witness actress Amanda, Hollyoaks actress Alex Fletcher, and West End musical star Claire Sweeney also began their careers on the soap.
They're both stunning. They're both famous. And if the rumors are true, they're possibly Hollywood's next power couple.

Since sparking dating rumors in February, Tom Cruise, 63, and Ana de Armas, 37, have reignited the long-standing debate over age-gap couples.

While the 26-year age gap may seem significant on paper, the pair share several core values and lifestyle similarities that could make them surprisingly compatible.

Like Cruise, who famously performs his own stunts in the Mission: Impossible franchise, de Armas has proven herself as a formidable action star in Ballerina from the John Wick universe.

They're also known for their laser-focused work ethic and commitment to keeping their relationships out of the spotlight.

De Armas famously trained for months to portray Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, and Cruise is legendary for his near-military-level discipline on set.

Since sparking dating rumors in February, Tom Cruise , 63, and Ana de Armas , 37, have reignited the long-standing debate over age-gap couples

Despite being a household name for decades, Cruise rarely opens up about relationships, and de Armas has similarly avoided the spotlight when it comes to romance.

That mutual desire for discretion seems to have created a sense of safety and emotional alignment between them.

But does professional alignment and shared ambition make a relationship between a Gen Xer and a millennial more sustainable?

DailyMail.com asked relationship experts what they think about age-gap romances like this one, and whether Cruise and de Armas might have the right foundation to make it for the long haul.

Amber Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Select Date Society, explained that the biggest misconception about age-gap relationships is that they are simply transactional.

Lee reflected on how many high-achieving couples actually connect over shared values like ambition, discretion, and a desire for privacy

'Shared values are the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and in the case of Cruise and de Armas, their mutual discipline, relentless work ethic, and desire for privacy could provide a strong emotional foundation,' Lee added. 'Age gaps often become irrelevant when both people are aligned on how they want to live, grow, and protect their personal space.'

Sara Sloan, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AASECT-certified sex therapist, agrees.

While the 26-year age gap may seem significant on paper, the pair share several core values and lifestyle similarities that could make them surprisingly compatible

'It is more important that a couple's values align for there to be the possibility of long-term compatibility. For instance, a couple that values privacy in their personal life is going to balance that with ambition in a very different way than someone who enjoys the paparazzi,' she pointed out.

Both Sloan and Lee stressed a crucial point: the why of the connection matters more than the when each person was born.

'Emotional compatibility and lifestyle alignment matter much more than age,' Lee insisted. 'Two people in the same phase of emotional maturity, with similar priorities, can thrive together, whether they're the same age or a decade apart.'

Sloan added that compatibility often stems from the lives people build together, not the ones they came from.

She continued: 'I think compatibility is built between individuals who are interested in living a similar lifestyle. This is why you often see power couples in similar careers, or two people who keep similar work hours.'

DailyMail.com asked relationship experts what they think about age-gap romances like this one, and whether Cruise and de Armas might have the right foundation to make it for the long haul (seen in 2025)

Cruise and de Armas both know the rigorous demands of action films, the intense training, and the long days. That kind of shared pressure can bond people in unique ways.

'By sharing their passion for acting, Cruise and De Armas don't have to explain their long hours to one another,' Sloan noted. 'They don't have to make excuses or sacrifice their job for their relationship.'

Lee echoed a similar sentiment, noting that shared intensity can create 'deep understanding and admiration.'

But Dr. Wendy Walsh, relationship expert at DatingAdvice.com, added a reality check.

'I think the two of them will have a greater understanding of the demands of each other's careers, but I'm not sure that this can make their romantic bond any stronger,' she began.

That's because, Walsh says, when it comes to celebrity relationships, emotional intimacy often takes a backseat.

'Narcissism is not only accepted in Hollywood, sadly, it is also often a requirement. And people with narcissistic tendencies tend to be afraid of emotional intimacy. So in the world of Hollywood, similar lifestyles and secret-keeping matter more than anything.'

Despite being a household name for decades, Cruise rarely opens up about relationships, and de Armas has similarly avoided the spotlight when it comes to romance

Age-gap relationships, like any dynamic, come with unique hurdles.

'One big hurdle that couples with large age gaps often fall into is a parent/child dynamic,' Sloan acknowledged. 'In the beginning, the age gap can create excitement for the older one and safety for the younger one until there's a major conflict, and the younger one may feel like they're rebelling against a parent.'

Lee added that long-term misalignment in energy and life goals can become more pronounced over time.

'In my experience, age gap relationships of 20 years+ run the risk of fizzling out over time as we naturally slow down as we age When Cruise is 83 and de Armas is 57, their lifestyles may not align.'

Family planning could also drive a wedge between them.

'Anna is 37 years old, and if she wants to become a mother, this may put big pressure on the relationship,' Walsh notes.

Sloan also imagined that the inevitable public scrutiny 'would be difficult on any relationship.'

That mutual desire for discretion seems to have created a sense of safety and emotional alignment between them; seen in May 2025

'The media is often critical of larger age gaps, which would weigh on any relationship,' she said.

But public perception isn't always based on fantasy. Sometimes, the criticism has roots in common stereotypes.

'All stereotypes are there because there can be some truth attached to them,' Sloan said. 'For instance, Sugar Daddy/Sugar Baby relationships often have a large age gap.'

'Clearly, not every man in his 60s can date women in their 30s,' Lee adds. 'Typically, older men who date younger women attract those women with their wealth, power, and sometimes fame.'

Similarly, Walsh said: 'Whoever has more life experience and wisdom will ultimately hold more power in a relationship.'

It helps, however, that de Armas isn't exactly a newcomer in need of boosting and has already established her own star power.

'This may hold her in good speed against the megawatt celebrity power that Tom Cruise has,' Walsh said.

Ultimately, Lee says while 'age-gap couples can last, 'their success often hinges on both partners having clarity about their roles, boundaries, and future.'

They must also 'treat the relationship as a true partnership and not a novelty' to have a real shot.
TV psychic Sylvia Browne, who gained nationwide infamy for her wildly inaccurate predictions to the families of missing children, has gone viral yet again.

Thanks to a steady flow of appearances with Montel Williams and Larry King, she was massively popular, with a years-long waiting list for phone consultations and fans willing to pay thousands of dollars to go on a cruise with her.

Browne died in 2013 at the age of 77, but during the COVID-19 pandemic she became a phenomenon again online, where no less than Kim Kardashian shared a quote that many readers regarded as prophetic.

'In around 2020,' Browne had written in her bestselling 2004 book End of Days: 'a severe pneumonia-like illness will spread throughout the globe, attacking the lungs and the bronchial tubes and resisting all known treatments.'

Now social media users are sharing clips of her, this time mocking her as an alleged grifter who said the 'wildest nonsense' that she pulled 'out of thin air.'

But who was Sylvia Browne, the smoky-voiced, platinum blonde media magnet whom one critic branded the 'world's worst psychic'?

TV psychic Sylvia Browne, who gained nationwide infamy for her wildly inaccurate predictions to the families of missing children, has gone viral yet again

Born Sylvia Celeste Shoemaker in 1936 in Kansas City, she claimed to have seen visions since she was three years old during the Great Depression.

After she spent 18 years teaching at a Catholic school and trained as a 'trance medium' on the side, she became a professional psychic in 1973.

By the 1980s, she had fashioned herself into a charismatic media figure, thanks to her blunt sense of humor, her gravelly voice and her distinctive appearance: a fuller figure topped by an extravagantly made-up face and platinum hair with fringe.

In the 1990s she was a regular on The Montel Williams Show, and she also frequently appeared on Larry King Live and the late-night radio show Coast to Coast AM, which specialized in conspiracies and the paranormal.

Her sprawling enterprise included several bestselling books in which she professed an ability to see into the future and the afterlife, plus cruise ship appearances, 30-minute phone consultations costing $750 a pop, her own gnostic church and even a murky gold-mining venture that led to her conviction of securities fraud in 1992.

But she was most notorious for the jaw-droppingly incorrect predictions she delivered to frantic families about the fate of their missing children.

In 2004 on The Montel Williams Show, Browne told Louwanna Miller that her vanished daughter Amanda Berry was 'not alive, honey,' adding: 'Your daughter's not the kind who wouldn't call.'

Miller said she believed the medium '98 percent,' and died of heart failure in 2005 - eight years before her daughter escaped years of captivity by Ariel Castro and was found alive, in a case that inspired a media frenzy.

'Only God,' said Browne in her defense: 'is right all the time.'

Thanks to a steady flow of appearances with Montel Williams (right) and Larry King , she was massively popular, with a years-long waiting list for phone consultations

Browne is pictured on Larry King Live

One of Browne's false predictions involved Ariel Castro kidnap victim Amanda Berry, who is pictured (right) with fellow captive Gina DeJesus (left) after they achieved freedom

Another one of Browne's inaccurate readings was about Shawn Hornbeck, pictured on a missing person poster from 2002 when he was 11

In 1999 on The Montel Williams Show, the grandmother of a six-year-old Texas kidnap victim called Opal Jo Jennings pleaded with Browne: 'I can't stand this. I need your help, Sylvia. Where is Opal? Where is she?'

'She's not dead,' said Browne. 'But what bothers me - now I've never heard of this before - but she was taken and put into some kind of a slavery thing and taken into Japan. The place is Kukouro.'

Kokouro, Japan does not exist, and Opal's remains were discovered in Texas, with the pathologist saying she was killed the night of her abduction.

In 2002, Browne told the mother of a missing woman named Holly Krewson that her daughter was working as a stripper in Hollywood.

Four years later, the dental records from human remains that had been found in San Diego in 1996 were used to identify the deceased as Krewson.

In 2003, four months after 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck disappeared in Missouri, Browne told his parents on The Montel Williams Show that their son was dead after being abducted by a dark-skinned man who had dreadlocks.

Shawn Horbeck was discovered alive in 2007 in the apartment of one Michael J. Devlin, who is white and had short hair.

The incident prompted the first of Browne's four husbands Gary Dufresne, whom she divorced the year before she became a professional psychic, to give an interview to a website called stopsylvia.com and openly accuse her of being a fraud.

Now clips of Browne are flying yet again around X, formerly Twitter, and a new crop of viewers are reacting with hilarity to her onscreen antics

He recalled a tarot party she gave during their marriage, after which he supposedly asked her: '"Sylvia, how can you tell people this kind of stuff? You know it's not true, and some of these people actually are probably going to believe it." And she said: "Screw 'em. Anybody who believes this stuff oughtta be taken."'

After his interview, Browne shot back that he was 'a liar and dark soul entity, but at least the a**hole gave me children,' via Jon Ronson's profile of her in the Guardian.

Disgruntled exes aside, she was a persistent target of the skeptic movement, particularly one of its best-known figures, retired stage magician James Randi, who made a crusade out of debunking psychics.

In response to his criticisms, Browne audaciously announced that she would accept Randi's million-dollar challenge to submit to a scientifically controlled experiment in which she would have to prove she was a real medium, but she later backed out.

The Skeptical Inquirer released a study of 115 of her predictions about murder and missing persons cases, and found that out of the 25 instances when the truth had been discovered at all, Browne had not been right even once.

Fans have also sniggered at her false predictions online, including one who posted a 'fraud montage' of some of her lowlights to YouTube several years ago.

One woman on The Montel Williams Show told Browne that she 'lost my boyfriend tragically' and he was 'never found,' to which Browne said: 'The reason why you didn't find him is 'cause he's in water.'

'Well, it was September 11. He was a fireman,' the woman explained.

Browne is pictured at Route 66 Casino's Legends Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2010

Now clips of Browne are once again flying around social media, and a new crop of viewers are reacting with incredulity to her onscreen antics.

One showed a woman discussing her mystery illness, and without even hearing any of her symptoms, Browne confidently advised her to 'look for lupus.'

An Instagram user posted a clip of a woman almost crying as she discussed a childhood dream that had stalked her thoughts into adulthood.

'Can you tell me the dream, honey? 'Cause I can't read your mind,' said Browne.

'Ive recently started rewatching Sylvia Browne, and I swear, this woman would just stare at you and say the wildest nonsense,' wrote an X user over another video.

That footage showed Browne confronted by a woman who said: 'Almost a year ago my little nephew had a very violent death. Can you tell me why?'

'Honey, I just got through telling you, it's because it was his time to go,' Browne said, deploying her reputed powers of farsightedness. 'It was his time. He was like an angel that came passing through and then went out.'

She then gruffly asked: 'What is this about, that he couldn't breathe? What is that?' and the woman fought back tears as she replied: 'His lungs were blown out.'

'Well, that's why he couldn't breathe,' Browne managed to divine.

Browne died of heart failure in San Jose, California in 2013 at the age of 77, a decade after she predicted on Larry King Live that she would live to be 88.

A representative for Montel Williams declined the Daily Mail's request for comment on this story.
For years, Cam Woods' favourite thing to do was to enjoy a beer at the pub after knocking off from a long FIFO shift.

But his love for a cold one was taking a toll on the 30-year-old tradie, and earlier this year he decided to give up the grog and trade in his bad habits for a new healthy lifestyle.

This week Cam, who appeared on the Channel Nine dating show in 2023, unveiled his remarkable transformation and it's all thanks to transformative mental toughness program, 75 Hard.

Cam told Daily Mail he decided to overhaul his life after realising he was stuck in a rut.

'I think the reason why I did 75 Hard is because I was just stuck in a pattern back at home where I was unfit, unhealthy and making bad choices,' he admits.

'Not bad like breaking the law  just unhealthy. I'd eat s*** food, drink a f*** tonne of beer, and really let loose. I obviously know how to party, but I needed to give myself a target.'

For years, Cam Woods' favourite thing to do was to enjoy a beer at the pub after knocking off from a long FIFO shift

But his love of a cold one was taking it's toll on the 30-year-old tradie, and earlier this year he decided to give away the grog and trade his bad habits for a new healthy lifestyle

The 75 Hard program - made famous by US entrepreneur Andy Frisella - requires participants to follow a strict daily routine for 75 consecutive days.

It includes two workouts a day, a clean eating plan, reading 10 pages of a non-fiction book, drinking four litres of water, and zero alcohol or cheat meals.

For Cam, it's been a game-changer.

'I'm stubborn. So if people say I can't do something, I want to prove them wrong,' he says.

'It's been really good. I've been reading books, which, if you'd asked me a year ago, I would have told you to stick the book up your a***. But it's opened my mind. I'm seeing things differently now and not jumping to conclusions. You can't change people, and that's okay.'

The program has kept him off the booze and in the best shape of his life.

'I don't think I'll be drinking as much as I used to. Right now, I'm the fittest, healthiest and strongest I've ever been. I'm putting on a bit of size, eating heaps of food, and it's all down to consistency,' he says.

Cam's routine is relentless - a morning gym session followed by an afternoon CrossFit workout, with occasional long walks thrown in.

Cam rose to fame on the Channel Nine dating show in 2023. Pictured with 'bride' Lyndall Grace

'It's not always full-on intense training, but I move every day. That's the point, just showing up for yourself,' he explains.

With just under a month to go before he completes the challenge, Cam says the experience has not only reshaped his body but also his mindset.

'This has been massive for me. I feel f***ing great,' he says.

'It's not about looking like a Greek god  it's about being the best version of yourself.'

Cam was brutally dumped by his bride Lyndall Grace during the final vows of his season on MAFS.

The Perth-based accountant told the carpenter she wanted to build a life she could be proud of - which 'does not include' him.

After listening to her vows through gritted teeth, Cam moved to take his notes out of his jacket pocket - but Lyndall stopped him and said: 'I just feel like no matter what you say today, it's going to disappoint me.'
Love Island's Matilda Draper and her TOWIE boyfriend Roman Hackett became the latest celebrities to open up about their faith and were baptised this month.

The Love Islander, 25, and the TOWIE star, 23, who have been dating since December last year, shared a video from their religious ceremony where they were joined by their closest friends and family.

Sitting on a stage, wearing matching 'born for more' T-shirts, Matilda revealed she had been suffering with 'social anxiety', which was affecting her life before she 'put her trust in Jesus'.

Stars including Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, Bear Grylls and Scarlett Moffatt are among the celebrities who have been open about their faith in the past.

While some celebs grew up with religion, other stars have turned to God in their later life after deciding to turn back on their partying or regretful ways.

After Matilda and Roman shared their baptism online, we look at all the other reality favourites who have sought religion.

Love Island's Matilda Draper, 25, and her TOWIE boyfriend Roman Hackett, 32, were the latest stars to talk about their faith and shared their baptism online

Sitting on a stage, wearing matching 'born for more' T-shirts, Matilda revealed she had been suffering with 'social anxiety', which was affecting her life before she 'put her trust in Jesus'

Matilda Draper and Roman Hackett

The Love Islander and the TOWIE star, who have been dating since December last year, shared a video from the religious ceremony where they were joined by their closest friends and family

Reality stars Matilda and Roman turned to God last month as they shared a video of their joint baptism.

She said: 'When everything felt stuck or hopeless God showed up, a few years ago I had social anxiety which affected my relationships with friends and family, my job and affected the way I lived in general.

'I had to stop relying on myself and put my trust in Jesus and that's when everything changed because of him I wake up each day feeling more positive, confident, rounded and more grateful and more hopeful.

'The more challenges I face I know God is a constant. Here today to tell him I will follow him wholeheartedly'.

Following her speech, Matilda kissed Roman before a second clip showed the pair standing in a bath of water being baptised individually.

Following the baptism, the pair looked happier than ever as they hugged celebrating their religion.

She penned: 'The most special day of my life & a moment we'll cherish forever. Getting baptized together, surrounded by both of our families felt like the most beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness.

'So thankful to be walking in faith and love with my best friend by my side. Can't wait for this journey taking my next step on my walk with Christ  Glory to God always!!

'Philippians 4:7 'And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.''

East 17's Terry Coldwell

East 17's Terry Coldwell, 50, (centre) turned to God in June as he was baptised by former Krays' henchman Chris Lambrianou (left, with the churchs pastor, Dave Gill)

Terry Coldwell had his head dunked under water for several seconds by former henchman to the Kray twins, ex-gangster Chris Lambrianou, during his baptism in June.

The scene saw 50-year-old Terry become one of seven born-again Christians immersed in a baptism pool at the River Church in Londons East End as a public declaration of faith.

He told MailOnline afterwards: Ive just been baptised and I feel absolutely amazing. The service has been phenomenal today.

I just feel great. I feel it was a long time coming and Im really glad I did it.

Terry rose to stardom alongside East 17 band members Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey and John Hendy in the 1990s.

The band has sold over 18 million albums worldwide and notched up a Christmas number one in 1994 with Stay Another Day.

East 17 have undergone multiple lineup changes over the years with Terry remaining the only constant member, now performing alongside Joe Livermore, and former Artful Dodger collaborator Robbie Craig.

Adam Peaty

Olympic swimmer Adam, who is engaged to fiance Holly Ramsay, previously revealed that religion had saved him from alcoholism, depression and the separation from the mother of his son, Eirianedd Munro

Olympic swimmer Adam, who is engaged to fiance Holly Ramsay, previously revealed that religion had saved him from alcoholism, depression and the separation from the mother of his son, Eirianedd Munro.

It helped get him back in the pool after taking a break from the sport. He competed in the Paris Olympics this year and added a silver medal to his trophy cabinet.

Adam, 30, who was born in Staffordshire, was raised Catholic and was always partially spiritual but in recent years he joined an Evangelical Church, where he attends almost every Sunday.

He now describes himself as 'a religious man' and told the The Times: 'I'd rather have my faith and my relationship with Jesus and come second than have a gold.'

Adam now prays every day without fail and has inked a cross onto his torso in the latest in his collection of large tattoos.

Adam revealed he had popped the question to Gordon Ramsay's 25-year-old daughter Holly last year.

In an Instagram post, the Olympic swimmer praised his fiancee for coming to church with him and joining 'the incredible community we have there without a question'.

He also quoted a passage from Matthew 19:6: 'So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.'

Holly Ramsay also posted her own sweet message on Instagram and said she was 'marrying her best friend' and that she 'cannot wait' to be his wife.

The influencer also posted her own quote from the Bible and wrote: 'And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13'.

Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls is also another celebrity who has never shied away from his Christian faith and was also involved in Russell Brand's baptism

Grylls is one of Britain's most prominent Christians and has appeared in marketing material for the Alpha course

Bear is also another celebrity who has never shied away from his Christian faith and was also involved in Russell Brand's baptism.

He is one of Britain's most prominent Christians and has appeared in marketing material for the Alpha course, an evangelical introduction to Christianity that is said to have recruited 29million to the faith.

The 50-year-old adventurer wrote in his 2004 book, Facing the Frozen Ocean: 'You can't keep God out. He's all around us, if we're just still enough to listen.'

Grylls, who is Chief Scout and counts the Prince and Princess of Wales among his friends, took part in the baptism of Brand in the Thames in May, according to the Mail's Richard Eden.

Grylls said: 'Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal, but it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above.

'Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much.'

Dermot O'Leary

This Morning presenter Dermot, from Colchester, is another celebrity who makes time to pray every night

This Morning presenter Dermot, from Colchester, is another celebrity who makes time to pray every night.

The TV icon told The Times that after he puts his four-year-old son Kasper to bed and finishes his errands, he 'makes time for a little prayer' and 'has a word with the man upstairs'.

He told the newspaper: 'Faith has always been a way of bringing people together in the Irish immigrant community.

'I remember all of us heading up to Colchester for Mass when I was a kid, meeting up with friends and family, then loads of us congregating at some pub for a Sunday carvery.

'Faith is part of my everyday life and it's a wonderful feeling - a lovely reminder of my homeland.'

Sacha Jones

MAFS UK star, who appeared on the show last year, revealed turning to God helped her 'survive' 2024

Sacha was left heartbroken after her husband Ross McCarthy dumped her within days of the series ending

Ross told Sacha he had fallen in love with her following their TV wedding on the E4 show with the couple's marriage going from strength to strength during filming

MAFS UK star, who appeared on the show last year, revealed turning to God helped her 'survive' 2024.

She wrote on social media on January 1: 'How I survived 2024. Glory to God!

'I would not have any of these wonderful things in my life if it wasnt his will 2024 was hard, but I am so lucky for the strength, blessings and presence I feel from the Lord. Thank you'.

Sacha was left heartbroken after husband Ross McCarthy dumped her within days of the series ending.

Despite the former Miss Birmingham uprooting her life by moving from her hometown Walsall to Manchester in commitment to her marriage, Ross abruptly ended the relationship with little explanation.

After getting baptised in October 2024, Sacha shared pictures alongside the caption: 'My baptism. This year has been a special one as my journey with God has changed my life!

'Thank you to my family and friends that came to show love and support, no matter what their beliefs. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by the best people.'

Katie Salmon

Katie soared to fame after appearing on series two of Love island in 2016, where she made history by pairing up with the late Sophie Gradon (right) in the show's first same-sex couple

Katie turned to religion and was baptised in 2023. She also gave up her lucrative career selling X-rated images on OnlyFans

Katie soared to fame after appearing on series two of Love island in 2016, where she made history by pairing up with the late Sophie Gradon in the show's first same-sex couple.

She continued to hit the headlines afterwards for her antics, which included earning herself a 'lifetime ban' from Cheltenham Festival after she flashed her breasts at punters; selling X-rated content on OnlyFans; and being questioned by police after a fight that saw her rushed to hospital.

In the past few years, Katie battled post-natal depression following the birth of daughter Thaiga, two, grieved the death of her ex-fiance Harry and was found guilty of assault in July.

Katie appeared at Northampton Crown Court on July 11 where she was charged with assault on Jyssica Memory.

She announced Harry passed away in December 2024 and paid tribute after taking the time to 're align, grieve and be present' with her toddler over the festive period.

Katie, who is now in a relationship with businessman boyfriend Joe Rossi, 39, split from Harry just six months after the birth of their first child, in September 2022.

After reaching 'breaking point', Katie turned to religion and was baptised in 2023.

Alongside a series of racy snaps and images from her baptism, Katie - who has cleared her grid of raunchy images - shared: '3 months since I was baptised 

'From being at breaking point in my life to finding hope and peace in the storm I wont stop speaking his name or what hes done with my life.

'God is my saviour and in a world thats dark, covered with evil people and pain I want every soul to know theirs a way out, Wether you understand it or not. Theirs hope and glory in his name.

'I want to make clear this isnt a post or trend to say how God stopped me dressing provocatively, exposing my body online or covering my face in makeup.

'He didnt stop me doing anything, he simply loved me just for who I am and made me look at myself the way he looks at me.

'I found a relationship with the Lord himself not a religion but a deeper meaningful relationship. I want to honour him, his word and his people.

Everything has changed inside and around me so my posts may have changed. My look, my bank balance and my clothing BUT I am more me than ever before.

'Even on days I dont know whats coming or why things are happening in this world, I will praise you for you never leave me and always love me even when am wrong. Thank you Jesus  [sic]'

Glyn Wise

Glyn Wise officially announced he had been ordained to become a deacon, nearly 20 years after he appeared on Big Brother, in June

Glyn was just 18-years old when he appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother - then a hugely popular Channel 4 flagship - in 2006

Glyn was just 18-years old when he appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother - then a hugely popular Channel 4 flagship - in 2006.

While he has been a Christian since birth, Glyn, now 37, confessed that he was swept up by London's hectic party scene as he adjusted to life in the public eye after finishing runner-up to winner Pete Bennett.

He struggled to adapt to his newfound celebrity status and admits his devout attachment to Christianity was all but forgotten as he attended non-stop red carpet events, exclusive parties and premieres.

He previously told MailOnline: 'I was invited to all sorts of parties and movie premieres  but deep down I felt lonely. During this period I left my faith behind. I had lost the real me in the middle of the glitz and glamour of fame. I needed to get back on track.

'I had become someone I hardly recognised, but yet everyone else felt as though they knew me.'

Last year, he revealed his plans to devote himself to God and announced he is training to be a priest in north London.

After The spread of Covid resulted in Glyn returning to the United Kingdom, his responsibilities in China soon led him to a new role as a Pastoral Assistant at St. Michael's Church in Camden.

He officially announced he had been ordained to become a deacon in June.

The former TV star posted a picture dressed in a black shirt and clerical collar to his 15,000 followers, announcing that he had officially been ordained.

He penned: 'This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you!

'Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying & studying has paid off - "With God all things are possible" Math 19: 26. Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the desciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations!'

Faith Mullen

Faith, 25, was already a Christian when she signed up for Geordie Shore and viewers were keen to see how she navigated her beliefs on the show

Faith, 25, was already a Christian when she signed up for Geordie Shore and viewers were keen to see how she navigated her beliefs on the show - which was accused of promoting heavy drinking and bed hopping.

She was 19 when she appeared on series 18 of Geordie Shore and told MailOnline at the time: 'My religion fits in perfectly with Geordie Shore. Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine. He didnt say no to partying. The other Geordies were very good about it.'

However, Faith's time on the show was short lived and she was axed a year later for being involved in an 'altercation' when she was out drinking in Newcastle.

She revealed that she lost her way and struggled with drinking, describing her relationship with God as 'non-existent'.

Faith explained this year that she decided to go sober and embrace her Christianity again, telling her Instagram followers: '12 months ago today I woke up and knew if I didn't change and get help that day I probably wasn't going to be around much longer.

'After years of struggling with the amount I was drinking, ruining relationships, friendships, not able to hold down jobs, having my loved ones worried sick, my mental health was in such a dark place I'd be regularly self harming.

'After therapy, never mind my none existent relationship with God, after years of making excuses, even at my worst I don't think many knew how bad it really got.'

She continued: 'Even after I had went all the way to the Dominican, been giving this once in a lifetime opportunity by the BBC to change my life, I came home and went straight back to my old ways, not even 48 hours stepping off the flight home I found myself stumbling home after another session.

'Once again, waking up, saying things had to change, yet doing it over and over for weeks to come. Until finally I woke up after Loosefest, after saying I wasn't going to drink, after blacking out again.

'Knowing I'd finally pushed everyone away. I put my ego aside and went that night and got help from people who had been through the same thing, I walked into an AA meeting, still off my face, but was welcomed by some lovely people.

'After a few weeks sober, and multiple meetings all over the north east God got me back into the church I'd grew up in, I learnt soon after that my church community was going to work better for me personally, but I do still following the teachings of the AA program to this day.

'The only way I could fight the demon drink was in my Lords house. I can't believe how much he has heeled me in a year, I am so secure in who I am in him.

'I am finally the daughter my mam knew I could be, after a decade of prayer I've finally came out the other side. Satan has a hold on me no more.

I'm able to live back home with family, not just hold down a full time job but thrive in it, I don't have a lot of friendships but the ones I do are healthy and with people who only want the best for me.

'365 days since I last abused alcohol or took illegal substances, I am standing here today as a testament to what God can do.'

Scarlett Moffatt

Scarlett, 34, quickly became TV's golden girl when she appeared with her family on Channel 4's Gogglebox

In 2022, Scarlett revealed she turned to Christianity after undertaking 'thought-provoking' spiritual pilgrimage

Scarlett, 34, quickly became TV's golden girl when she appeared with her family on Channel 4's Gogglebox.

Her down-to-earth attitude and quick wit landed her a place in the I'm A Celebrity camp and she was crowned Queen Of The Jungle after beating Joel Dommett.

In 2022, Scarlett revealed she turned to Christianity after undertaking 'thought-provoking' spiritual pilgrimage.

The former Gogglebox star explored her beliefs in BBC2's Pilgrimage: The Road to the Scottish Isles where she travelled across Ireland and Scotland meeting monks and priests along with a host of other stars.

During the chat with Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway on GMB, Scarlett told how she was 'getting used to' now being a Christian after 'defending' her beliefs on the show.

She explained how she never thought about religion much growing up but during her journey she took the time to delve into what it all means.

She said on the show: 'I was travelling for 15 long days but it did feel like a year. My grandad was always really religious and I would do a prayer when I was in a sad place but I didn't really know what my religion was and I wanted to find out what religion means to me.

'It was really thought provoking. I am normally on my phone or chatting with my friends but I have taken the time to think now.

'Now I would say that I am a Christian. I am now still getting used to it. We went to live with some monks and we chatted about our beliefs and I defending my religion and beliefs and then I thought that it must mean a lot to me.'
Brandi Glanville's battle to find a cure for the parasitic infection in her face has not only affected her emotionally and mentally, but financially as well.

The former The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star caught the infection while in Morocco shooting The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Ex-Wives Club 2 in 2023.

Now, more than two years later, Glanville has gone to more than 20 doctors to get help with her condition and is struggling to pay her bills.

'They didnt believe me,' said of the many physicians she visited.

'My insurance was like, "Nothings wrong with you. Its just inflammation and old filler,"' she told US Weekly, referring to what she called the 'crazy lumps' on her face.

'My face started, like, moving around and doing things. I started to lose my eyesight in my left eye. Its insane,' she told the outlet.

Brandi Glanville's battle to find a cure for the parasitic infection in her face has not only affected her emotionally and mentally, but financially as well

'At first, my face was blowing up and getting really swollen. Then it started sinking in, and I felt like something was just eating me from the inside. Im like, "Its eating my flesh."'

The reality star said she has spent more than $130,000 looking for a cure. 'Im paying the minimum on my credit cards. Ive exhausted my savings,' she said.

'At my age, I feel like such a loser in a way, because I was taking care of everything. I was together. I had great credit. Now Im scared about every little thing.'

In the US, medical bills are one of the top reasons a person might file for bankruptcy, according to AnnualReviews.org.

Glanville has turned to healthcare strategist Rachel Strauss , who calls herself the PBM Princess, for help contesting some of the charges her insurance hasn't covered.

'Where it does fall on her responsibility is working with the hospitals she saw to review what was billed and making sure it was billed properly,' Strauss told the publication.

'There are certain things that were truly emergencies that doctors will validate, and [we can get] those reduced however we can.'

Strauss will help Granville negotiate service fees and come up with a payment plan that will allow her to continue to support herself.

Glanville has seen more than 20 doctors and paid more than $130k out of pocket in search of a cure and is struggling to pay her bills. 'My insurance was like, "Nothings wrong with you,' she told US Weekly

Glanville said she was scraping by. 'Im paying the minimum on my credit cards. Ive exhausted my savings,' she said.

'At my age, I feel like such a loser in a way, because I was taking care of everything. I was together. I had great credit. Now Im scared about every little thing,' she told the outlet

'At my age, I feel like such a loser in a way, because I was taking care of everything. I was together. I had great credit. Now Im scared about every little thing,' the Traitors contestant said

Glanville has found infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Scoma to help with her treatment. She has also teamed with healthcare strategist Rachel Strauss to negotiate charges not covered by insurance

She also said it was important that the Drinking and Dating author get the insurance company to pay for some of the out-of-network visits she made to doctors, after providers within the insurance network were unable to find out what was wrong with her.

'Now that she has a definitive diagnosis, shes able to go back, and thats where she can start advocating financially,' Straus explained.

'There was something wrong, and thats where we have to go back and make sure that insurance understands that, because that is why she went out of network.'

Glanville has also found a new physician to help her. Dr. Michael Scoma, is an infectious disease expert in New York City.
Margaret Qualley revealed the A-list actor she is trying to set up with her mother Andie MacDowell.

While making an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, the 30-year-old actress revealed she has been playing matchmaker since her mother is single.

On the late night talk show, she made a confession to Fallon while they were playing a game of true or false.

'I once tried to set up Bill Murray with my mom,' she said on the show, to which Fallon guessed was false as he noted that they previously played love interests in a movie together.

MacDowell, 67, and Murray, 74, once starred opposite each other in the 1993 fantasy romantic comedy Groundhog Day.

Then, the Honey Don't star revealed she was telling the truth and that she had just tried to set up her mom with Murray 'just now' in her backstage dressing room.

While chatting backstage, she said that she learned that Murray has been living in Charleston  the South Carolina city that her mother recently moved to after becoming an empty nester.

Margaret Qualley revealed the A-list actor she is trying to set up with her mother Andie MacDowell; pictured February 2024 in New York City

While making an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, the 30-year-old actress revealed she has been playing matchmaker since her mother is single

'He's wearing a Piggly Wiggly shirt. And I grew up in North Carolina, and Piggly Wiggly is a southern thing. I think, right? And, I mean, there was one where I grew up, so I was like, "Oh yeah, Piggly Wiggly."

'Then, cut to I find out he's living in Charleston. My mom's living in Charleston,' she continued.

During their conversation, she recalled Murray explaining that he and MacDowell had a hard time working together on set.

'He was like, "You know, your mom and I, we didn't get along so good while we were making that movie." And he was like, "You know, she took a long time to get her hair done, and she didn't know her lines this one time."

Qualley then shared her quick-witted comeback: 'And I was like, "Yeah, well, I heard a different story, sir."'

She then explained how she got the idea to help them reconnect and potentially set them up.

'And then, you know, come to find out, I'm putting two and two together, they've got this kind of rage towards each other, but maybe he's trying to make amends,' she said.

'And I'm like, she's single, he's single. They're both crazy. Let's get it together.'

On the late night talk show, the Honey Don't star confessed to Fallon that she had just tried to set up her mom with Murray 'just now' in her backstage dressing room; pictured May in Cannes

MacDowell, 67, and Murray, 74, once starred opposite each other in the 1993 fantasy romantic comedy Groundhog Day; pictured in 1993 Groundhog Day movie still

While they were playing a game of true or false, she shared the 'breaking news' with Fallon and recalled her interaction with her mom's former co-star backstage

She then explained how she got the idea to help them reconnect and potentially set them up

She said her mom moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and she learned from her conversation with Murray that he also lived in the same city; pictured March 2022 in Beverly Hills

The nepo baby said she was now waiting for him to reach out.

'So now I said to come circle back and get my number if he wants to connect with my mom. If he's got any sense at all, he'd be the luckiest guy in the world.'

MacDowell and Murray did not 'get along so good' on the set of their 1993 romantic comedy Groundhog Day, in which Murray portrayed a weatherman who experiences the day on a loop.

In the movie, MacDowell played his producer, and the pair end up falling in love as the movie and the day on a loop went on.

MacDowell was previously married to her second husband Rhett Hartzog from 2001 to 2004.

She was married to her first husband, the father of her three children, Paul Qualley from 1986 to 1999.

She and the former model and rancher share son Justin Qualley, 39, and daughter Rainey Qualley, 36, in addition to their youngest child Margaret Qualley.

During their conversation, she recalled Murray explaining that he and MacDowell had a hard time working together on set; pictured in 1993 Groundhog Day movie still

'And I'm like, she's single, he's single. They're both crazy. Let's get it together.' The nepo baby said she was now waiting for him to reach out to help the co-stars reconnect; pictured in 1993 Groundhog Day movie still

MacDowell and Murray did not 'get along so good' on the set of their 1993 romantic comedy Groundhog Day, in which Murray portrayed a weatherman who experiences the day on a loop; pictured in 1993 Groundhog Day movie still

In the movie, MacDowell played his producer, and the pair end up falling in love as the movie and the day on a loop went on; pictured in 1993 Groundhog Day movie still

Meanwhile, Bill was married to Margaret Kelly from 1981 to 1996 and then to his second wife, the late costume designer Jennifer Butler, from 1997 to 2008.

The two-time Golden Globe winner is a father of six sons, two from his first marriage and four from his second marriage.

He welcomed his two oldest sons, Homer, 43, and Luke, 40, with Margaret Kelly.

He welcomed sons Caleb, 32, Jackson, 29, Cooper, 28, and Lincoln, 20, with Jennifer Butler.
Scott Wolf has released an astonishing statement alleging that his estranged wife Kelley plotted to falsely accuse him of abuse.

Kelley announced her split from Scott on June 10, and three days later she was detained by police and taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.

When the cops apprehended her on June 13 - in an incident she inadvertently captured on Instagram Live - she sensationally alleged Scott had been 'abusing me.'

On July 25 Scott filed for a temporary restraining order against Kelley that was granted, although it was later dissolved after the former couple arrived at an agreement on various subjects including visitation of their three children, of whom Scott currently has sole custody.

Now Scott has claimed Kelley texted him about her plans to 'make claims' against him 'such as psychological abuse, child abuse, child endangerment, stealing with passports,' according to People magazine.

He provided alleged text messages from Kelley in which she discussed being 'advised to make claims that are possible, even though I do not believe they're true nor would I ever say them to anyone,' and in which she explained that she hoped to 'create more urgency to get the kids back. Or at least get back joint custody.'

Daily Mail has contacted Scott's representatives and Kelley for further comment.

Scott Wolf has released an astonishing statement accusing his estranged wife Kelley of plotting to falsely accuse him of abuse; the couple pictured 2023

Scott said in his statement that his 'continued hope is to have this most difficult chapter of our familys lives remain as private as possible, however, the well being of my children is at stake, and that will always be my priority.'

He added: 'There are some significant challenges that are making our situation incredibly difficult and contentious, and it is tragic for all involved. I was informed of some deeply disturbing and entirely false allegations that were made about me by my estranged wife.'

Kelley's apparent text messages to Scott, in which she allegedly referred to allegations 'such as psychological abuse, child abuse, child endangerment, stealing with passports,' have been seen by People magazine.

So has a 911 call she made in which she repeated a number of these accusations to the authorities on July 26, one day after Scott requested his restraining order.

In his new statement, Scott said: 'I am now choosing to come forward and share that she has described to me her plans to "make claims" about me, although she also admitted, "I do not believe theyre true," in order to gain an advantage in what she sees as a "battle" in court, and in the court of public opinion.'

He added: 'In order to protect my kids, I am providing the text messages she sent to me where she describes this plan, so there are no questions about her intentions, or the malicious intent behind her false allegations made and/or planned for the future.'

Scott continued: 'Although her claims are completely baseless and incredibly dangerous, the worst part is that they are traumatic for our children.'

He concluded: 'I hope that anyone who might speak publicly or report on such things, will consider this before spreading any further information from a clearly unreliable and completely compromised source. I continue to ask for privacy and respect for our family, and give thanks all those who have shown their love and support.'

Scott stated: 'Although her claims are completely baseless and incredibly dangerous, the worst part is that they are traumatic for our children'; pictured last December

The purported texts provided by Scott appear to show Kelley explaining that she had been 'advised to make claims that are possible, even though I do not believe they're true nor would I ever say them to anyone.'

She is said to have argued that 'when you accused me of all the things you put in the restraining order, you made me into a villain. The only way I can fight back is to produce claims that are either the same as yours or greater.'

Kelley also supposedly texted Scott that her aim was to 'create more urgency to get the kids back. Or at least get back joint custody.'

When she was asked for comment on Scott's new statement, Kelley responded: 'I will be very clear when I say this: I dont believe that Scott would [abuse our children].'

She said further: 'Ive lost my career, my reputation, my children, my integrity, my honor, my devotion to my marriage. As a parent, I have literally lost everything except my life. Ive done everything strategic, and Im hopeful for my children.'

The statement comes weeks after Kelley shared a lengthy video of her unsuccessfully attempting to retrieve her items from the family home.

The footage sparked a reaction from Scott and Kelley's teenage son Jackson, who commented on the post: 'This is insane mom what are you doing.'

Police officers were present to escort Kelley around the property, and even watched her as she unsuccessfully attempt to enter the home through two different windows, one of them being Jackson's bedroom window.

While she was able to access the garage, she was unable to enter the property.

Last month, Kelley shared a lengthy video documenting her recent effort to collect her items from the family home

But her son Jackson seemed concerned, writing in the comments: 'This is insane mom what are you doing'

It's not entirely clear if any of the family were at home, though at one point Kelley mused 'it seems like they're here.'

Kelley also made multiple attempts to call her ex but he did not pick up and officers were also unable to reach Scott.

The video began with Kelley en route to the residence in her car as she claimed she now only had $6 to her name and had been sleeping in her vehicle.

'I am under the impression that I have done everything humanly possible to retrieve some basic items from my home,' she said, claiming she had been sleeping in her car as the Sundance Mountain Resort had 'banned' her.

'I'm currently about to meet up with a deputy,' she said, adding they were going to 'escort me into my home so I can get some money that I have saved because I now have only $6 to my name, however I have options.

'My family has supported my legal fees, I can say thank you to quite a few people for being very kind to not only take care of me but to respect the fact that woman should never be treated the way I'm being treated.'

She also claimed she has been dating someone that she likes 'a lot.'

'I have just had enough,' she said. 'Im sick of sleeping in my car, Im sick of being treated like Im crazy.'

Once she arrived to the house, she asked the police to remain and claimed her husband told her she was not allowed to be at the house.

Last month on June 10, it was revealed that the Party Of Five actor, 57, had filed for divorce from Kelley after 21 years of marriage and welcoming three children together; pictured 2016

'Just stay here because the last time I was here I got chased down the road,' she told the police.

'Am I allowed to go in here?' she wondered aloud with a chuckle before adding, 'I've been told I'm not.'

'By who?' the officer asked. Kelley remained silent before the police officer guessed, 'Your husband?'

'Correct,' she replied before clarifying, 'Ex.'

'Ive been kicked out of it, havent seen my kids in six months, restraining order, you name it,' she told officers. 'Two involuntary holds that I have to now prove myself and did nothing except ask for a divorce.'

The code to the front door appeared to have been changed, and while the garage door opened, she was still unable to access the inside of the home.

She even attempted to enter through two windows (one of them being Jackson's), but those efforts proved unsuccessful as well.

'I did say at 6AM that I'd be here... I let them know but I didn't hear back,' she said.

In a statement about Kelley's visit with People, police said 'it appeared that the locks on the house had been changed.'

Officials said that Kelley 'made some phone calls to family, had some conversations with family [but] still wasn't able to gain access into the house and ultimately left.'

Wolf has also been granted sole custody of their three kids: Jackson, 16, Miller, 12, and Lucy, 11 (pictured in 2024)

'We didnt have any contact with anyone [who might have been at the residence]. But we were never inside either,' a spokesperson said. 'We wouldnt know definitively, but we have no reason to believe that there was anyone there.'

They added of Kelley, whose ex did have a temporary restraining order against her that has since been dropped: 'The complainant did mention that there was a court order in place. As a standard procedure in these types of cases, our deputy did search for any types of orders that would bar or prohibit the complainant from being at the residence, and they were unable to locate any existing orders.'

On June 10, it was revealed that the Party Of Five actor had filed for divorce from Kelley after 21 years of marriage and welcoming three children together.

However only days later, Kelley was detained by police, which had been accidentally caught on camera, and taken to a Utah hospital for a mental health evaluation. She later claimed that she was placed under an involuntary mental health hold 'again' by police earlier this month.

On June 25, Scott requested for a temporary restraining order against the mom-of-three which he was granted.

But in a major turn of events, the TRO was dropped after it was dissolved by a Utah judge due to an agreement Scott and Kelley reached, according to court documents obtained by People.

The agreement was made in July - and contains a number of terms revolving around visitation, communication as well as finances.

Scott has also been granted sole custody of their three kids: Jackson, 16, Miller, 12, and Lucy, 11.

Per the agreement that had been reached, Kelley will be allowed to have 'liberal' supervised time with her children.

Wolf has also been granted sole custody of their three kids: Jackson, 16, Miller, 12, and Lucy, 11, who are pictured with their mother

This includes supervised time with her kids in person that has been worked out ahead of time by counsel. She is also allowed to have either three phone or video calls with her children - also supervised.

If any of her kids reach out to her first, Kelley has been given permission to also respond.

Both Scott and Kelley cannot discuss certain topics in front of their children, including adult issues, divorce and their kids' relationship with either parent.

The estranged couple also are not permitted to ask their kids what goes on at the other parent's place of residence.

A gag order has also been put in place for both parties which prohibits either Scott or Kelley from posting and commenting about each other on social media.

They also cannot talk about their children, divorce or marriage, and any third party is further prohibited from making posts/comments regarding the above topics.

The end goal over a certain period time would be for Kelley to return to having unsupervised time with her three children.

When Scott's TRO was first granted, Judge Richard Mrazi said that Kelley, 'has been engaged in an escalating pattern of behavior that poses a substantial threat of immediate and irreparable harm to the party's minor children,' per Today.

Kelley announced her split from Scott on June 10 after 21 years of marriage

The judge also said that Scott's estranged wife has made 'threats to remove the party's minor children from the country.'

The actor was to remain at their Park City, Utah residence with their children - while Kelley would only be allowed to enter the property during supervised time with her kids.

Scott will also have full control of marital funds, with Kelley receiving $10,000 each month to cover living costs. He will also cover her other monthly bills such as car and credit card payments, as well as some attorney fees.

The TRO came after Kelley claimed she was placed under an involuntary mental health hold 'again' by police - who she alleges abused her in custody.

Kelley took to Instagram in July to level curious claims against the Summit County Police Department - alleging she had been 'thrown down the stairs' by cops while on a seven day 'involuntary hold' - after being 'taken' from Sundance.

However, Summit County Police Department confirmed to Daily Mail that they were not involved in any response to Sundance Resort on July 6 - as Sundance is not located in Summit County.

Sharing a photo of her bruised arm, Kelley alleged: 'I was held for 7 days and they tried to keep me for 90. I will not be quiet anymore. I cannot be quiet anymore.'

She claimed of her injuries: 'This is from the police. I will get myself safe but I'm asking for help. Thrown down stairs. Broke my wrist, Contusions on my head. I'm bruised everywhere and I literally was released last night. This is the SECOND time.

'Summit county police took me from Sundance on July 6. I was in a hot tub. Placed me on an involuntary hold at Summit county Behavioral health. The truth must be told.'

A further post saw Kelley say: 'I love my kids. I'm not crazy. I need help. And I want my kids back. Thats all for now.'

A Summit County Police Department spokesman said in a statement they are 'aware of several photographs and social media posts circulating that inaccurately claim "Summit County Police" responded to an incident at Sundance (Resort) on July 6, including allegations of a confrontation involving Summit County law enforcement.

'Sundance Resort is not located within Summit County, and therefore, no law enforcement agency from Summit County, including the Summit County Sheriffs Office, would be involved in incidents occurring there.

'I can confirm that the Summit County Sheriffs Office was not involved in any response to Sundance on July 6.'
Paddy McGuinness showcased his ripped physique as he celebrated his 52nd birthday during a lavish family holiday this week.

Taking to Instagram on Friday, the comedian and presenter flaunted his chiseled abs as he posed shirtless in the mirror for a selfie in his lavish hotel in Mallorca.

The father of three appeared elated as he celebrated the special day alongside his children, Leo, Penelope and Felicity, sharing snaps with his cake and presents.

Paddy holidayed with his ex wife Christine as they posed alongside airport staff ahead of the trip in another snap.

Christine and Paddy announced their split in 2022 but have continued to co-parent and live together for the sake of their three children, who are all autistic.

Alongside his post, he penned: 'Just got back from a glorious five days in the sunshine.

Paddy McGuinness showcased his ripped physique as he celebrated his 52nd birthday on family holiday to Spain as he shared snaps to Instagram on Friday

Paddy holidayed with his ex wife Christine as they posed alongside airport staff ahead of the trip in another snap

'My kids made birthday gifts, we had lots of lovely food, drink and a tan that would make @jamie.redknapp proud!

'Met some wonderful families at @zafirohotels and had a belting, relaxed time. Big shout out to the mighty @manairportuk in particular Samantha Richardson and Jane McBride.

'Two wonderful ladies who made a last minute check in stress free. They put all our kids at ease. 

'The lanyard scheme worked both at Manchester and Palma coming back.  Back home now, chippy tea and an early night for everyone!!!'

Paddy's appearance comes amid claims that he and Christine have generated 'very little interest' in their property in the five months since it went on sale, with one source describing it as overpriced - even for the upmarket area it's based in.

The Mail On Sunday reported in March that Christine was left 'fuming over the price tag' of the home as she believed he inflated the price so it doesn't sell.

A source told The Sun on Wednesday that Christine is 'unhappy' and wants to move out.

They also told the publication: 'It's a lovely house with all mod cons in a fantastic location but there's been very little interest.

Sharing the post the social media, the father of three appeared elated as he was spotted celebration the special day alongside his children, Leo, Penelope and Felicity

Christine and Paddy have been co-parenting their children since they announced the split in 2022 and still live together for the sake of their children, who are all autistic

'It's the most expensive house in Prestbury on Rightmove but it appears the market's a bit flat right now.'

Representatives for Paddy and Christine have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

In March Christine was left furious after husband Paddy put their marital home on the market for the 6.5million price as she believed he inflated the price so it doesn't sell.

Her friends at the time feared that she would have to continue living with the former Top Gear host for 'the foreseeable future' because buyers will be put off by the cost of it - which is a staggering 4.4million more than what they paid for it in 2020.

'It is so overpriced, Paddy doesn't want to sell which seems like another tactic by him.

'It's insane that Paddy would put the house on the market for that much, they only bought it five years ago and house prices have hardly gone up at all since then,' said an insider familiar with McGuinnesses.

'The house is on for two thirds more than what they paid for it, it will never sell. It all feels a bit like Paddy wanting to control the situation and keep Christine living in the house with him for longer.

'Christine made it clear that she can't live with him anymore but now it looks like she will have to for a long time yet.'

In an interview with the Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine, Paddy recently discussed his living situation with Christine and intimated the pair would continue staying under the same roof.

He said: 'Yeah, still the same. It doesn't feel tricky. I think it would if you lived in a toxic household - God forbid.'

Asked how their unique living arrangement works, Paddy added: 'If I'm at home with the kids it's great.

'If I'm working and Christine is at home with the kids, that's great.

'If we are there together, that's fine. As long as my children are happy, that's all that matters to me.'

It comes after The Mail On Sunday reported in March that Christine was left 'fuming over the price tag' of the home as she believed he inflated the price so it doesn't sell

Its seven bedrooms have six en suite bathrooms and the house has been described by estate agents handling the sale as 'tailor made for hosting family and friends'.

Paddy, 51, is hoping to make a 4.4million profit after purchasing the home for 2.1million back in 2020.

He and Christine spent months renovating the property before moving in to cater for the needs of their young family.

The mansion features its own gym, a huge kids playroom containing soft play equipment, his and hers dressing rooms, an orangery and a kitchen diner.
Fearne Cotton's estranged husband Jesse Wood looked happier than ever on a romantic stroll with girlfriend Gemma Gregory in West London this week.

The musician, 48, who went public with the former Made in Chelsea star, 39, in April, could not wipe the smile off his face while making his way through the capital.

Jesse, who shares son Rex, 12, and daughter Honey, nine, with ex Fearne, cut a casual figure on the outing in a black bomber jacket and khaki trousers.

He layered the low-key look over a simple T-shirt while slipping his feet into comfy Adidas trainers and shared a giggle with the stunner.

Meanwhile Gemma, who appeared on the London-based reality TV series in 2011 and 2012, put on a very leggy display in a white broderie anglaise mini dress.

The blonde beauty added extra height to her frame with a pair of colourful wedges while accessorising with a gold necklace and statement cuff.

Fearne Cotton 's estranged husband Jesse Wood, 48, looked happier than ever as he was spotted on a stroll with new girlfriend Gemma Gregory, 39, in West London this week

The musician, who went public with his romance with the former Made in Chelsea star in April, could not wipe the smile off his face while making his way through the capital

Fearne, 43, issued a shock statement to announce her split from Jesse after 10 years of marriage back in December, saying their priority was their children (pictured February 2024)

Gemma recently posted several loved-up pictures to Instagram, showing her and Jesse looking cosy as they cuddled and joked around during various days out.

The London-born actress and former model captioned the post: Love is the frequency of magic', followed by star and red heart emojis.

One friend commented, 'Gem you look so happy, glad you found a person who makes you happy.' Another said, 'You look so happy.'

Insiders say the relationship is progressing quickly - and it looks to be far more than a casual rebound following the shock collapse of Jesse's decade-long marriage.

Its getting serious now. Jesse and Gemma are spending loads of time together and things are clearly going well, a source close to the pair told Daily Mail.

Hes been through a rough patch emotionally, but Gemmas really lifted him. Theyve got chemistry and a lot in common - she makes him laugh, and he feels relaxed around her. Its definitely more than a fling.

Gemma, who has a son, Benji, from a previous relationship, is no stranger to the spotlight. She played young Estella in the 1999 adaptation of Great Expectations, and briefly appeared in Made in Chelsea thanks to her long-time friendship with Hugo Taylor.

It come after Fearne, 43, issued a shock statement to announce her split from Jesse after 10 years of marriage back in December, saying their priority was their children.

Jesse, who shares son Rex, 12, and daughter Honey, nine, with ex Fearne, cut a casual figure in a black bomber jacket and khaki trousers

Meanwhile Gemma, who appeared on the London-based reality TV series in 2011 and 2012, put on a very leggy display in a white broderie anglaise mini dress

The blonde beauty added extra height to her frame with a pair of colourful wedges while accessorising with a gold necklace and statement cuff

Insiders say the relationship is progressing quickly - and it looks to be far more than a casual rebound following the shock collapse of Jesse's decade-long marriage

A source said: Hes been through a rough patch emotionally, but Gemmas really lifted him. Theyve got chemistry and a lot in common'

Fearne has now moved on with Rivals director Elliot Hegarty, 53, with the pair first being spotted kissing passionately during a night out in Soho in February (pictured last month)

The presenter has now moved on with Rivals director Elliot Hegarty, 53, with the pair first being spotted kissing passionately during a night out in Soho in February.

And with the TV director now spotted sporting a fresh peroxide blond makeover to match broadcaster Fearnes golden locks, the kissing drama that exposed their relationship seemed to be a world away.

At the time, both had split from their partners just weeks earlier and Elliot's devastated wife Laura was said to have only known the pair were dating when the passionate photos were published.

An insider said she is still finding it hard to come to terms with Hegartys new relationship but has kept her head down and concentrated on the children at their 2million marital home in north London.

The source added: He has even changed his look and cropped and peroxided his hair since this all started. He was always handsome but more low-key with mousey brown hair. Hes like a different person now.

Last month Fearne said struggling as a single mother had reduced her tears following her split from Jessie.

In her most candid interview since the breakup of her decade-long marriage, the TV presenter admitted that some days she is left 'crying in her car' as attempts to juggle the pressures of raising two young children single-handedly with her media career.

'I'm just dropping lots of balls constantly and never feeling like I'm doing anything particularly well,' Fearne told Women's Health magazine's new podcast, Just As Well.

Its getting serious now. Jesse and Gemma are spending loads of time together and things are clearly going well, a source close to the pair told Daily Mail

Gemma, who has a son, Benji, from a previous relationship, is no stranger to the spotlight

She played young Estella in the 1999 adaptation of Great Expectations, and briefly appeared in Made in Chelsea thanks to her long-time friendship with Hugo Taylor

Gemma recently posted several loved-up pictures to Instagram, showing her and Jesse looking cosy as they cuddled and joked around during various days out

L-R Gemma, Gabriella Tristao, Kimberley Garner and Richard Dinan on Made in Chelsea in 2012

Reflecting on what it's like to be a single mother, she said: 'We're just juggling so much, it's so full on and I'm dropping balls left, right, and centre in all the basic ways.

'I had nothing the kids liked for breakfast on Monday, nothing. I had cereal, but no milk. I had butter, but no bread. I tried to make pancakes, I had no maple syrup. It is like an absolute s**t show.

'So I'm just dropping lots of balls constantly and never feeling like I'm doing anything particularly well. But enjoying most of it. I would say enjoying most of it.

The mother-of-two announced her marriage split by taking to social media to make the announcement, telling fans 'It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage.

She added that their priority would 'always be' their daughter Honey and their son Rex.

Jesse, meanwhile, has remained tight-lipped publicly, though his stepmother Jo Wood - ex-wife of his father Ronnie Wood - has spoken about the split.

I was shocked, actually. I didnt expect Fearne to have a new boyfriend. And Jesse was devastated, she told Daily Mail earlier this year.

But sometimes in life, you have to go through these things Im sure Jesses going to be very happy. These things work out. Their time was up - they had to move on.

She also said she looked forward to meeting Gemma, describing the relationship at the time as all very new.
Patrick Kietly has broken his silence as he returned to his BBC Radio 5 Live show for the first time on Saturday since his shock split from Cat Deeley.

The Irish comedian, 54, and This Morning host, 48, who share sons Milo, seven, and James, five, revealed last month that they had taken the decision to end their 12 year marriage, stressing that 'no other party' was involved.

In a jovial mood upon his return to the airwaves Patrick joked about being overlooked for the role of Match of the Day host, following Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates replacing Gary Lineker.

He laughed: 'It's lovely to be back. We are coming to you from sunny Belfast and we've got Michael Andrew looking after things here. We've got Sammy and Craig looking after things in London'.

'It takes a village folks to make this show sound so average, but it is not just me who is back, Oh no, what is this? It is a little welcome back letter from the head of the BBC'.

As the iconic Match of the Day theme played, Patrick read: 'Dear Mr Kielty, thank you so much for your application to be a host on Match of the Day. Unfortunately every other host employed by the BBC is currently working hosting on this show therefore we don't need your services. Don't call us, we will call you, Tim Davie'.

Patrick Kietly has broken his silence as he returned to his BBC Radio 5 Live show for the first time on Saturday since his shock split from Cat Deeley (Stock image)

The Irish comedian, 54, and This Morning host, 48, who share sons Milo, seven, and James, five, revealed last month that they had taken the decision to end their 12 year marriage, stressing that 'no other party' was involved (pictured 2021)

Before quipping: 'Thanks for that Tim, I shouldn't have read that out on air!'.

The comic, who previously admitted not feeling like an equal partner during the relationship, is lying low in his stylish country home in the village of Dundrum, County Down where family and friends have been rallying around him.

Patrick was pictured last week on a trip to the shops near the former couple's home in London buying a bottle of red wine. It was the first time he had been pictured since their split was confirmed.

His family are still seething with Cat over her failure to attend his beloved mother's funeral  and say they knew at that moment their marriage was over for good.

Her 'no show' back in March has left deep emotional scars within the Kielty family who say it confirmed for them that there was little chance of a reconciliation between the two.

Clearly still upset at the anger and embarrassment it caused the family, one relative told the Daily Mail this week: 'Whatever rockiness was going on in the marriage, something as a momentous as his mother's funeral, you would make up even temporarily and just put your 'best face' on as we say in Northern Ireland.

'Cat obviously knew how close Patrick was to Mary and she should have come to be by his side, a hand on his shoulder as he buried his mother. The fact that she stayed in London and presented This Morning on the day, it's not been forgotten.'

The source added: 'In a very tight knit community in Northern Ireland, people always turn out. It's the done thing. His family remain very upset by this. They still can't believe it. It was the point when we all realised that that marriage had ended.'

In a jovial mood upon his return to the airwaves Patrick joked about being overlooked for the role of Match of the Day host following Gary Lineker's exit (pictured)

'Unfortunately every other host employed by the BBC is currently working hosting on this show therefore we don't need your services. Don't call us, we will call you'

The comic is lying low in his stylish country home in the village of Dundrum, County Down where family and friends have been rallying around him

His family are still seething with Cat over her failure to attend his beloved mother's funeral  and say they knew at that moment their marriage was over for good

Her 'no show' back in March has left deep emotional scars within the Kielty family who say it confirmed for them that there was little chance of a reconciliation (pictured 2023)

Patrick looked bereft as he carried Mary's coffin through his home village, where he was joined by close family and friends at the Church of the Sacred Heart.

A spokesperson for Cat told the Daily Mail at the time: 'Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.'

Patrick and his family are well known and hugely respected within the Dundrum community and virtually the whole village of 1500 people turned up to pay their respects at Mary's funeral.

It was followed by a wake with the whole ceremony surrounding her death at the age of 88 holding huge significance in Irish Catholic traditions.

One source said: 'The wake and all these other things are of huge importance. The house was full non-stop but her not being there was obviously a topic of conversation and caused a huge amount of embarrassment.

'The family and their friends felt let down. We felt that Cat could have just turned up to hold his hand or put an arm around his shoulder at the graveside, regardless of the problems they might have been having. For something like this, you would put on a show of unity, it's not too much to ask.'

A close friend of Patrick's who grew up with him in Dundrum said: 'It's not just the family, it's the whole community who haven't forgotten. We were all there but not his wife.

'Whatever is going on in your marriage, at the very least you need to do the right thing and show up to stand beside your husband in his hour of need.

'The fact that she (Cat) didn't made it obvious that the marriage was over. You can't get back together after something like that.'

Meanwhile Cat was spotted for the first time since the split, enjoying dinner with a male friend in Spain.

Patrick was pictured last week on a trip to the shops near the former couple's home in London buying a bottle of red wine. It was the first time he had been pictured since the split

Meanwhile Cat was spotted for the first time since the split, enjoying dinner with a male friend in Spain

Pictured: Kat and Ben Skervin who describes himself as a 'freelance celebrity and fashion hairdresser' and according to his personal website, previously worked with the Spice Girls

In pictures obtained exclusively by The Daily Mail, the This Morning host was snapped out at a restaurant in Sitges, frequently visited by celebrities, minus her wedding ring.

According to fellow diners at the picturesque eatery called Chiringuito de Garraf, the presenter appeared 'downcast' while wearing a halter neck dress and golden sandals, as she tucked into her meal, believed to be lobster.

The mystery man joining her for dinner was hairdresser friend Ben Skervin, who documented his trip to Spain on his Instagram page which Cat commented on, writing: 'I love you'.

The Londoner has previously featured on snaps alongside Cat on social media and describes his himself as a 'freelance celebrity and fashion hairdresser' and according to his personal website, previously worked with the Spice Girls, Keira Knightly, Madonna, Mariah Carey and Hugh Jackman, photographers including Karl Lagerfeld and top fashion magazines American Vogue and Vanity Fair among others.

The restaurant snaps were taken on August 2, just days after Cat and Patrick announced their separation after 12 years of marriage.

A fellow diner told The Daily Mail: 'Cat looked a bid down and a touch crestfallen, not her usual spritely self, which is understandable given her marriage split.

'Her accent was recognisable to a number of Brits at the restaurant, which is popular with celebrities, and she had interacted with a few British kids also dining there.

'She clearly needed to be around her nearest and dearest during such a difficult time.'

The Daily Mail approached Cat's reps for comment.
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell has filed for divorce from wife Janet Von Schmeling as he boldly claimed that their marriage is 'irretrievably broken'.

The 39-year-old actor filed a petition in Seminole County, Florida on Thursday, according to legal documents obtained by Daily Mail.

It comes after Von Schmeling initially filed to end the marriage in Los Angeles Superior Court in April 2023, citing their date of separation as September 2022.

She requested primary legal and physical custody of their only child, four-year-old son Wyatt, while asking the court to grant Bell visitation rights.

Now in Bell's filing, he wants the judge to allow the two to share parental responsibilities.

He has also written in his petition that their marriage is 'irretrievably broken' and he intends on working on a settlement with his ex for 'equitable distribution' of all marital assets, liabilities, and child support.

Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell has filed for divorce from wife Janet Von Schmeling; pictured in July 2024

The 39-year-old actor filed a petition in Seminole County, Florida on Thursday, according to documents obtained by Daily Mail; pictured in 2017

The former child star also requests an approved parenting plan to resolve their obligations to their child including a time-sharing schedule.

In her filing, the actress  who has since moved on with Jim Perez  requested spousal support.

Von Schmeling is now expecting her second child, and her first with Perez.

She announced the pregnancy on Instagram in February, sharing a sonogram and the caption, 'Our Rainbow Baby. September cannot come sooner .'

The term 'rainbow baby' refers to a child who is born to a woman who previously suffered a miscarriage.

This past Father's Day the soon-to-be mother-of-two paid tribute to her new beau in a social media post.

She uploaded video footage of him spending time with Wyatt and wrote in the caption, 'He chose us In the big ways, in the quiet moments, and all the in-betweens.

'He became the man Wyatt and I didnt know we needed

The exes share four-year-old son Wyatt

She announced her pregnancy with new beau Jim Perez on Instagram in February, sharing a sonogram and the caption, 'Our Rainbow Baby. September cannot come sooner '

'And now, were counting down the days until our baby girl gets to be with her daddy too. Happy (early) Fathers Day to the man who showed up with love and never looked back.'

Von Schmeling, whose Instagram profile describes her as a producer, first made her relationship with Perez public in October 2023.

They split their time between California and Florida.

Bell and Von Schmeling's separation was made public in January 2023, with his estranged wife filing for divorce that April.

They began dating in 2013 and got married in 2018.

At the time of their separation, insiders revealed to Page Six that he had entered 'treatment' weeks after he was seen huffing a balloon in the front seat of his parked car while their son slept in the backseat.

Bell, who is known for his roles on Drake & Josh and appearances on The Amanda Show, was reportedly inflating and deflating the balloon for more than thirty minutes outside his home.

In July 2021 he was sentenced to two years probation and 200 hours of community after pleading guilty to child endangerment charges.

Authorities said a 15-year-old girl attended one of his concerts in Cleveland in 2017 and contacted Toronto police in October 2018 about being sexually assaulted by him.

Toronto authorities then forwarded their findings to Cleveland police, prompting an investigation.

It was discovered that Bell and the teen had 'developed a relationship' online prior to the concert, during which he sent her 'inappropriate social media messages.'
Kim Kardashian set social media abuzz Friday with a striking new hair color reveal.

The 44-year-old reality star and beauty mogul, long known for her signature raven locks, stunned fans by showing off a fresh platinum shade with subtle dark brown roots.

In the snap, Kardashian, who recently flew to Mexico for a surgery, puckered up for the camera, flaunting her ash-blonde tresses while still rocking a pair of crisp white pajamas and finishing touches on her glam.

'About that time,' she captioned the post, sparking immediate reactions from fans and celebrity friends alike.

Hairstylist Chris Appleton, who frequently styles the Skims founder, weighed in, calling the look 'the best' and adding a white heart emoji.

Even fellow celebrities joined the admiration: former City Girls rapper JT commented, 'Favorite color on you!' alongside a heart-eyes emoji.

Kim Kardashian set social media abuzz Friday with a striking new hair color reveal; (seen in February)

Kardashians latest hair change is part of her ongoing style evolution, from platinum blonde to dark chocolate, proving she loves mixing things up; (seen in June)

Kardashians latest hair change is part of her ongoing style evolution, from platinum blonde to dark chocolate, proving she loves mixing things up.

Most recently, the reality star sported a curly blonde bob wig for SKIMS campaign with Roberto Cavalli.

And fans still remember when she caused a social media frenzy last year by going platinum blonde ahead of the 2024 Met Gala.

She also famously rocked an icy blonde look in 2022, channeling Marilyn Monroe at the Met Gala in the Hollywood icons legendary 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' dress.

Appleton praised his client as he explained the process of getting Kardashians look at the time.

'I love a blond Kim. I think its so interesting how a color can change the colors of the clothes you wear and it really changes your makeup. You can really reinvent things,' he told Page Six.

'We had a fast turnaround because we had to get it done for the Met, but it was lots of conditioning treatments in between each setting and lightening the process, he added.

'My technique really is all about taking very fine sections of hair and lightening the process with just very fine sections back to back.'

The 44-year-old reality star and beauty mogul, long known for her signature raven locks, stunned fans by showing off a fresh platinum shade with subtle dark brown roots

She also famously rocked an icy blonde look in 2022, channeling Marilyn Monroe at the Met Gala in the Hollywood icons legendary 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' dress

She explained to Allure in 2022, 'I'm a totally different person. I'm sassier. I'm more confident as a blonde'; (seen in December 2024)

Kim has never shied away from experimenting with her style, fully embracing each new look she tries.

She explained to Allure in 2022, 'I'm a totally different person. I'm sassier. I'm more confident as a blonde.'

Her blonde transformations clearly give her a boost of energy and confidence, showing how much she enjoys playing with her image.

But she also noted, 'As soon as I go back to brunette, I'm a boss,' proving that no matter the color, she owns her signature style.
Myleene Klass turned heads in an all-white outfit as she strolled through London amid her alleged feud with Frankie Bridge and Rochelle Humes.

The 47-year-old former Hear'Say songstress went braless in a chic flowing dress as she walked through the busy city on Saturday, making her way to the Smooth Radio studios.

The presenter - who is said to have fallen out with former The Saturdays bandmates Frankie and Rochelle - appeared in good spirits as she posed up a storm.

Myleene looked sensational in a summery outfit which showed off her incredibly toned physique.

She added a huge red Chanel flap bag to accessorise, drawing attention to her effortless appearance.

Myleene seemed to shrug off any trace of a feud, looking carefree during her walk.

Smooth Radio's Myleene Klass stepped out in a braless all-white outfit during a stroll through London

Myleene is said to be at loggerheads with TV personalities Frankie and Rochelle - both former clients of her bodyguard ex-husband

Myleene is said to be at loggerheads with TV personalities Frankie and Rochelle - both former clients of her bodyguard ex-husband.

The trio all used to hang out together, with Loose Women hosts Myleene and Frankie attending Rochelle's hen do in 2012.

According to new claims, ITV have been forced to step in to help smooth things in the decade-long feud, which is just now coming to light.

Yet the following year, Myleene is said to have believed she was being 'blanked' by Frankie and confronted her at the 2013 Glamour Women of the Year awards - which is when the pair requested not to work together.

Meanwhile Myleene's feud with Rochelle is said to have been sparked after The Saturdays star recently shared a picture of herself on holiday in Ibiza with husband Marvin and Myleene's ex-husband Graham Quinn.

Graham used to work as JLS' tour manager and earlier this month Myleene accused him of cheating on her with an unknown star.

According to insiders close to the situation, Rochelle sharing the photo on Instagram the same week she made the revelation was 'game over' for Myleene.

It's the latest twist as it's been reported that there has been an underlying conflict between Myleene, Rochelle and Frankie, who all work at ITV.

The presenter appeared in good spirits as she posed up a storm in a chic summery outfit

She added a huge red Chanel flap bag to accessorise, drawing attention to her effortless appearance

Rochelle sharing the photo on Instagram was 'game over' for Myleene, it has been claimed (pictured together in 2018)

Rochelle and Frankie both worked with Graham Quinn when they were members of The Saturdays (Myleene and Graham pictured together in 2005)

Frankie's representatives have told Daily Mail that there is 'absolutely no feud' between the pair, while those close to Rochelle insist there is 'no feud'.

Myleene's representative declined to comment on the situation when the Daily Mail previously reached out for comment.

Frankie posted a cryptic social media post on Monday that was captioned: 'You're so quiet Thanks, you said something five years ago and I've just realised you're actually dead to me.'

The TikTok video showed Frankie sipping on a glass of wine and was set to the music of Avril Lavigne's What The Hell.

Frankie then added below: 'Takes me a while, but once you're dead you're dead.'

She didn't specify who or what incident she was talking about in the post.

As for Myleene, she hit headlines last week when she publicly addressed ex-husband Graham's cheating scandal.

Graham, 47, started dating Myleene in 2001, having met when he worked as security guard for her pop group Hear'Say.

Speculation of a feud then went into overdrive when Frankie shared a TikTok video about holding a grudge - with fans speculating that she was referring to Rochelle because it followed reports that they had snubbed one another at Wimbledon last month

The couple went on to welcome daughters Ava, 17, and Hero, 14, and tied the knot in 2011 after a decade together - only to separate six months later.

Speaking on Paul Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, the mother-of- three, who is also a mother to son Apollo, five, said: 'I walked in on him with a famous person on my birthday on a balcony.'

Turning her thoughts towards the other woman, Myleene said: 'I've made peace with that situation now, but for a long time, it was very difficult to see their life.

'My life literally just broke apart very, very publicly and their life, they've managed to continue building a family brand on it. I have to take some accountability.

'Look, you know, first and foremost to my children. My children have asked enough questions and it's never been a case of laying out my stall now.

'It's got to be as and when. But here's the funny thing - school mums, people who just want to gossip, will go to your children before anybody else.'

Speaking on Paul Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, the mother-of-two said: 'I walked in on him with a famous person on my birthday on a balcony'

According to the TV presenter, the pair tried to claim that it wasn't what it looked like and she continued: 'I'm in my house, it's my party. They weren't having sex, but they were unzipping each other.

'It's not what you think'. But I'm like, 'It is what I think'.

'It's the first thing they both said. I kicked everyone out of the party, including his mum and dad. They went back to Ireland and his dad said: 'He doesn't get it from me'.

'I remember thinking that was quite a weird thing to say,' she told the love expert. Graham tried to blame the affair on being drunk.

Myleene admitted the whole ordeal was a 'pretty big red flag' but still went through with their wedding in October 2011.
She is basking in some of the best reviews of her career as the feisty family matriarch Morticia Addams in Netflix's hit show Wednesday.

And sources close to Catherine Zeta-Jones say the 55-year-old Welsh Oscar-winner is 'happier than she has ever been' in her private life too, describing her 25-year marriage to screen icon Michael Douglas as being 'in a really good place'.

The comments defy recent rumours that their relationship is hitting the rocks. In interviews to promote Wednesday  Netflix's top show on both sides of the Atlantic  Catherine doubled down, jokingly observing that her marriage has lasted a quarter of a century in an industry not known for marital stability.

She said: 'It's a joy, it's a milestone, especially in this industry. And we haven't tried to kill each other. I'm sure he's tried but he's never succeeded.'

Catherine is looking so good in her career-reviving role  critics have said she steals the second season of Wednesday from star Jenna Ortega and guests including Lady Gaga  that some have speculated she has gone under the surgeon's knife, a topic she has yet to address.

One of her long-term friends told The Mail on Sunday this week: 'I think it's probably as much of a surprise to Catherine and Michael that they have reached this stage in their lives. The love has always been there.

'But, like any couple, they've had some pretty big ups and downs. There were times when their marriage was hanging by a thread. I don't know if anyone expected it to survive.

'Catherine is happier than she's ever been and is in a really good place both professionally and personally and it's great to see. It hasn't always been that way.'

Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, is basking in some of the best reviews of her career as the feisty family matriarch Morticia Addams in Netflix 's hit show Wednesday

And sources close to the Welsh Oscar-winner is 'happier than she has ever been' in her private life too, describing her 25-year marriage to screen icon Michael Douglas as being 'in a really good place'

The comments defy recent rumours that their relationship is hitting the rocks

Indeed, it hasn't.

Just eight months ago, rumours circulated that the notoriously volatile pair were having marital problems after Douglas, 80, was spotted pointing his finger accusingly at his wife on the red carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during what appeared to be a heated public argument.

As an exasperated Catherine gesticulated back at her husband, Hollywood insiders again raised the question of whether the union was in trouble.

In 30 years of covering Hollywood, the Douglas-Zeta Jones marriage has been one which has appeared on my radar as the source of more gossip and speculation than perhaps any other.

One producer who worked with both actors told me: 'People were taking bets on when they would break up. They've always been incredibly volatile. You'd see them having heated words on the red carpet and at Hollywood events.'

Douglas, who went to rehab for drugs and alcohol addiction during his divorce from first wife Diandra, was one of Hollywood's most notorious ladies' men when he fell for Catherine  a sweet shop-owner's daughter from Mumbles in Swansea.

The pair  who share a September 25 birthday, a quarter of a century apart  met when mutual friend Melanie Griffith (star of Working Girl) introduced them at a party at the Deauville Film Festival in France in August 1998. Wall Street and Fatal Attraction star Douglas  son of Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas, who was then at the peak of his career  whispered: 'I'm going to be the father of your children.'

Catherine  who had parlayed a break-out role in 1990s ITV series The Darling Buds Of May into a respectable Hollywood career, which included films such as The Mask of Zorro  replied: 'I've heard a lot about you and I think it's time I said 'goodnight'.'

She walked out of the party and left France early next morning.

Just eight months ago, rumours circulated that the notoriously volatile pair were having marital problems after Douglas, 80, was spotted pointing his finger accusingly at his wife on the red carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Douglas bombarded her with roses and the pair's second date in New York ended with a kiss. They wed in November 2000 at the Plaza Hotel in New York with Catherine resplendent in a Christian Lacroix gown. Guests included Jack Nicholson, Sharon Stone and Steven Spielberg.

Their marriage has been marked by passionate highs and lows. Her first gift to him after their marriage was reportedly 1,000 blank love cheques.

Douglas was invited to fill in any sexual demand and she would comply.

She won her Oscar two years later playing Velma Kelly in the big screen version of the musical Chicago. They had two children Dylan, 25, and Carys, 22, but serious cracks began to show around the time Douglas was diagnosed with stage four oral cancer in 2010.

He underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiation but friends who went through the ordeal with them say Catherine struggled to cope.

A long-time confidante said: 'Catherine has struggled with bipolar disorder and depression and always been open about it.

'When Michael got sick she was juggling a young family and a career that hadn't taken off in the way everyone thought it would do after she won the Oscar. It put a huge strain on their marriage.'

In 2011, Catherine announced that she was seeking in-patient treatment for bipolar II disorder  marked by periods of depression followed by manic highs  and checked into 700-a-night Silver Hill psychiatric hospital in Connecticut.

Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams and Luis Guzman as Gomez Addams

Their marriage has been marked by passionate highs and lows. Her first gift to him after their marriage was reportedly 1,000 blank love cheques

The pair publicly split in 2013 and, according to friends, went through intensive therapy both together and individually.

The close friend said: 'Their marriage was hanging by a thread. They both needed to reassess and to reset.

'They never stopped loving each other but there were times they didn't like each other that much. They worked hard to get back on track.'

Catherine went to the couple's upstate New York home with their children and moved her mother Pat over from Wales to help.

Michael remained at the pair's 12million New York apartment but he would visit his family every weekend.

The friend said: 'All couples go through rough times and that was definitely the roughest for them. But they got through it and rebuilt their marriage.'

By 2014 they were back together, rekindling their romance with quiet dinners and holidays away from the spotlight at their sprawling home in the village of Valldemossa in Majorca.

The friend said: 'Catherine's career went through a long lean period, which didn't help matters.

In an interview to promote Wednesday, Catherine admitted that, just like the fictional, quirky Addams family, her family has faced challenges

'At one point she was selling stuff on [US shopping channel] QVC.

'She is a great mother and really only started focusing on her career again once the kids were grown up.

'That's why this career resurgence is so heartening. She was in the first season of Wednesday but the role of Morticia wasn't that big.

'Fans loved her so this time around Netflix put her front and centre and she's stealing the show.'

For his part, Douglas has pretty much retired after a career that saw him win two Oscars  the Best Picture award for producing for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and the Best Actor gong for Wall Street.

He has also had hits such as Basic Instinct, The War of the Roses and, in later years, shows like Netflix's award-winning drama The Kominsky Method. At the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic last month for a screening of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (which he produced in 1975), he said: 'I have not worked since 2022, purposely, because I realised I had to stop.

'I've been working for almost 60 years and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on set.

'I have no real intention of going back. I say I'm not retired because if something special came up, I'd go back.

Jenna Ortega starring in the title role as Wednesday Adams

'But otherwise, I'm quite happy to watch my wife work.

'Catherine is 25 years younger than I am. She's very busy right now. And I think in the spirit of maintaining a good marriage, I'm happy to play the wife.'

And, according to the close friend, that could be the secret to their new-found happiness.

He said: 'For years, Catherine was very much the junior partner in the relationship when it came to work.

'Michael never stopped her working but, of course, as the bigger star, his career came first.'

In an interview to promote Wednesday, Catherine admitted that, just like the fictional, quirky Addams family, her family has faced challenges.

She said: 'It's a family who have issues and we all can relate to that. But we embrace our issues. We don't shun or hide them or try to put them in a box.'

In another interview, she said: 'I have a husband who listens to me and I'm a wife who listens to him.

Pictured (L-R): Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jenna Ortega and Joanna Lumley attend the Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 Global Premiere at Central Hall, Westminster on July 30, 2025 in London

'That's why, though every marriage goes through ups and downs, we've come to a place where we couldn't be better.'

Next month, the couple will fly to Britain where Catherine will begin filming the eight-part Prime Video series Kill Jackie, playing a glamorous jet-setter with a dangerous past. Filming will take place in London, Lisbon and her home city of Swansea.

She has also been cast in the film The Gallerist alongside her Wednesday co-star Jenna Ortega.

Season three of Wednesday begins shooting in November in County Wicklow, Ireland.

The friend said: 'Catherine is being bombarded with offers

and is determined to make the most of every opportunity that comes her way.

'The old saying goes 'happy wife, happy life' and that seems to be the case with Catherine and Michael these days.'
Starbucks is making a bold promise to tackle customers' biggest gripe  no coffee will take longer than four minutes.

America's biggest coffee chain has lost millions of customers in the past year, some fed up with high prices or shoddy stores.

But, by Starbucks' own admission, most had grown weary of waiting 20 minutes for a drink.

CEO Brian Niccol, poached from Chipotle in the fall, is rolling out a new 'Green Apron Service' to tackle this and other customers moans. Baristas have a target that no custom drink should take more than four minutes.

The key to cutting wait times is Starbucks' biggest hiring spree in history  which adds as many as 85,000 workers across its 17,000 US locations.

When Niccol's announced the recruitment blitz at a huge Starbucks convention in Las Vegas in June, the 14,000 stores managers roared their approval.

Five years ago, Starbucks stores averaged 23 employees. Cost-cutting has since trimmed that number down to 18 to 19  four to five fewer workers per location.

'Its centered on putting enough partners on the roster in the stores and then deployed correctly so they can provide that customer connection, that experience, that frankly Starbucks really was founded on,' Niccol said.

Former Chipotle boss Brian Niccol was hired to revive Starbuck's ailing fortunes, and wants coffees served within four minutes

Your browser does not support iframes.

Restoring pre-Covid staffing levels would mean hiring between 68,000 and 85,000 people across all US stores.

Even focusing solely on the 11,000 company-owned locations, the increase would still be a massive 44,000 to 55,000 hires.

The new hires are also expected to support Starbucks' efforts to bring back a more personal touch  including a new policy asking baristas to handwrite notes on customers' cups.

The former Chipotle boss has embarked on a series of plans to return Starbucks to its original 'third place between home and work' concept.

Coffee drinkers have turned away from the chain in recent years, put off by high beverage prices, long wait times and impersonal experiences.

Niccol has set about axing complicated drinks from Starbucks menus, asking staff to put messages on customer's coffee cups and scaling back promotions.

The plan will help address the major customer pet peeve of long wait times before getting their hands on a coffee.

It will also likely be popular with front of house employees who have complained of chronic issues with understaffing, which compounds the backlogs.

Starbucks baristas are now required to make drinks in four minutes or less

Another change is Starbucks' decision to axe mobile and pickup-only stores.

All 80-90 locations will either shutter or be converted to traditional coffeehouses by next year.

Other changes include removing complicated drinks and new uniform rules  the latter resulting in baristas threatening to quit.

The changes were not enough to improve Starbucks' sales, which declined for its sixth straight quarter.

Both its global and North American sales dipped by two percent  higher than price drops anticipated by Wall Street.
HudBay Minerals Inc (NYSE:HBM  Get Free Report) (TSE:HBM)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $12.10 and last traded at $11.30, with a volume of 30808510 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $9.85.

The mining company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.08. HudBay Minerals had a net margin of 13.13% and a return on equity of 10.91%. The company had revenue of $536.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $558.21 million. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 26.1% on a year-over-year basis.

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HudBay Minerals Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 19th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be issued a $0.0073 dividend. This is a boost from HudBay Mineralss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.01. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a dividend yield of 10.0%. HudBay Mineralss payout ratio is presently 1.37%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on HBM shares. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of HudBay Minerals in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of HudBay Minerals from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. CIBC reiterated an outperform rating on shares of HudBay Minerals in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Veritas upgraded shares of HudBay Minerals to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of HudBay Minerals to a moderate buy rating in a report on Monday, June 30th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, HudBay Minerals has an average rating of Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on HudBay Minerals

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HudBay Minerals

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GMT Capital Corp purchased a new stake in shares of HudBay Minerals in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $337,809,000. Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of HudBay Minerals in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $154,359,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management purchased a new stake in HudBay Minerals during the second quarter valued at approximately $61,432,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in HudBay Minerals during the second quarter valued at approximately $60,053,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in HudBay Minerals by 298.5% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 6,115,053 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $46,411,000 after acquiring an additional 4,580,718 shares during the last quarter. 57.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

HudBay Minerals Price Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average is $10.04 and its 200 day moving average is $8.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 2.32 and a quick ratio of 1.92. The company has a market cap of $4.36 billion, a PE ratio of 15.10, a PEG ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 1.63.

HudBay Minerals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hudbay Minerals Inc, a diversified mining company, focuses on the exploration, development, operation, and optimization of properties in North and South America. It produces copper concentrates containing gold, silver, and molybdenum; gold concentrates containing zinc; zinc concentrates; molybdenum concentrates; and silver/gold dore.

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American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP  Free Report) by 5.1% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,024,253 shares of the pipeline companys stock after purchasing an additional 49,965 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc.s holdings in Targa Resources were worth $205,332,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in TRGP. Townsquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Targa Resources by 57.2% during the 4th quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 3,495 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $624,000 after buying an additional 1,272 shares during the last quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Targa Resources during the 4th quarter worth $443,000. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in shares of Targa Resources by 165.6% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 64,675 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $11,544,000 after buying an additional 40,326 shares during the last quarter. HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Targa Resources during the 4th quarter worth $12,243,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Targa Resources by 54.6% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 196,172 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $35,017,000 after buying an additional 69,266 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.13% of the companys stock.

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Targa Resources Stock Performance

NYSE:TRGP opened at $163.50 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.93, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $168.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $176.96. The stock has a market cap of $35.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.13, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.12. Targa Resources, Inc. has a 1-year low of $140.90 and a 1-year high of $218.51.

Targa Resources Increases Dividend

Targa Resources ( NYSE:TRGP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. The company had revenue of $4.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.82 billion. Targa Resources had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 43.35%. On average, research analysts expect that Targa Resources, Inc. will post 8.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 31st were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 31st. This is a positive change from Targa Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Targa Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 56.58%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on TRGP. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on Targa Resources from $218.00 to $194.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $208.00 price objective (up from $205.00) on shares of Targa Resources in a report on Tuesday. UBS Group lowered their price target on Targa Resources from $259.00 to $228.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Targa Resources from $227.00 to $197.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Targa Resources in a report on Thursday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Targa Resources has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $209.21.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Targa Resources

Targa Resources Profile

(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.

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Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM  Free Report) by 15.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 801,621 shares of the pipeline companys stock after purchasing an additional 109,248 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings in Antero Midstream were worth $14,429,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of AM. Transce3nd LLC bought a new stake in shares of Antero Midstream in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 170.8% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 3,469 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 2,188 shares during the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. increased its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 20.5% in the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 5,657 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $85,000 after acquiring an additional 963 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 34.0% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,537 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $154,000 after acquiring an additional 2,165 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Antero Midstream in the 4th quarter valued at about $159,000. 53.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Antero Midstream news, Director Brooks J. Klimley sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.88, for a total transaction of $94,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 73,645 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,390,417.60. This represents a 6.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.86% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Antero Midstream Stock Performance

Shares of AM stock opened at $17.91 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The company has a market capitalization of $8.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.85 and a beta of 0.97. The companys 50 day moving average price is $18.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.51. Antero Midstream Corporation has a 52 week low of $14.06 and a 52 week high of $19.08.

Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The pipeline company reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $305.47 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $292.70 million. Antero Midstream had a net margin of 39.53% and a return on equity of 21.67%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.23 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Antero Midstream Corporation will post 0.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Antero Midstream Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 23rd were given a dividend of $0.225 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, July 23rd. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.0%. Antero Midstreams dividend payout ratio is 94.74%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Antero Midstream from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Antero Midstream from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Antero Midstream from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 2nd.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Antero Midstream

Antero Midstream Profile

(Free Report)

Antero Midstream Corporation owns, operates, and develops midstream energy assets in the Appalachian Basin. It operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Water Handling. The Gathering and Processing segment includes a network of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collects and processes production from Antero Resources' wells in West Virginia and Ohio.

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Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. cut its holdings in Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Free Report) by 97.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,286 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 113,730 shares during the period. Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc.s holdings in Equity Residential were worth $235,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. TCW Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 40.4% during the first quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 83,417 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,971,000 after purchasing an additional 23,997 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 6.3% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,246 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $232,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 39.1% during the first quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 86,203 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,170,000 after purchasing an additional 24,232 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 9.0% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 54,271 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,885,000 after purchasing an additional 4,499 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 11.0% during the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 845,820 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $60,544,000 after purchasing an additional 83,788 shares during the last quarter. 92.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Equity Residential Price Performance

EQR stock opened at $64.11 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $66.56 and a 200-day moving average of $68.69. Equity Residential has a 12-month low of $59.41 and a 12-month high of $78.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The company has a market cap of $24.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.19, a PEG ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.92.

Equity Residential Dividend Announcement

Equity Residential ( NYSE:EQR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.99. Equity Residential had a net margin of 33.22% and a return on equity of 9.05%. The company had revenue of $768.83 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $770.60 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Equity Residential will post 3.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 11th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 24th were given a dividend of $0.6925 per share. This represents a $2.77 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, June 24th. Equity Residentials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 104.53%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley set a $75.00 price objective on Equity Residential and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday. Wedbush reissued a neutral rating and set a $75.00 price target on shares of Equity Residential in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered Equity Residential from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Scotiabank reissued a sector perform rating and set a $77.00 price target (down previously from $78.00) on shares of Equity Residential in a report on Thursday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on Equity Residential from $75.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $77.78.

View Our Latest Research Report on EQR

About Equity Residential

(Free Report)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.

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Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT raised its stake in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 1.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,328 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 318 shares during the quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UTs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $3,607,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in XOM. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the 4th quarter valued at $552,000. Alpha DNA Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 62.1% in the 4th quarter. Alpha DNA Investment Management LLC now owns 22,168 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,385,000 after purchasing an additional 8,489 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 1,521,139 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $163,629,000 after acquiring an additional 14,901 shares in the last quarter. Holcombe Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil during the 4th quarter valued at $1,123,000. Finally, Frederick Financial Consultants LLC acquired a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil during the 4th quarter valued at $357,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on XOM. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $120.00 to $128.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company set a $127.00 target price on shares of Exxon Mobil and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, June 26th. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $124.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Barclays restated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Exxon Mobil currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $125.26.

Exxon Mobil Price Performance

XOM opened at $106.54 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $110.25 and a 200-day moving average of $108.88. The company has a market capitalization of $454.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.13, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.53. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 1-year low of $97.80 and a 1-year high of $126.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.25.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, August 1st. The oil and gas company reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $81.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $79.07 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 9.17% and a return on equity of 11.34%. The companys revenue was down 12.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.14 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.7%. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is presently 56.25%.

Exxon Mobil Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Shares of F & M Bank Corp. (OTCMKTS:FMBM  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $22.00 and traded as high as $23.48. F & M Bank shares last traded at $23.48, with a volume of 682 shares traded.

F & M Bank Trading Up 0.8%

The company has a 50 day moving average of $22.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $20.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $83.59 million, a PE ratio of 9.74 and a beta of 0.22.

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F & M Bank (OTCMKTS:FMBM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter. F & M Bank had a return on equity of 9.51% and a net margin of 10.96%. The firm had revenue of $13.32 million for the quarter.

About F & M Bank

F & M Bank Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Farmers & Merchants Bank that provides financial products and services to consumers and businesses in Virginia. The company offers commercial and individual demand and time deposit accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, internet and mobile banking services, and drive-in banking services.

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Gen Wealth Partners Inc grew its holdings in shares of iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (BATS:GOVT  Free Report) by 11.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,289 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,368 shares during the period. Gen Wealth Partners Incs holdings in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF were worth $305,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of GOVT. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 12.5% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 423,933,669 shares of the companys stock worth $9,741,996,000 after purchasing an additional 47,213,558 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 1,067.0% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 21,613,760 shares of the companys stock valued at $496,684,000 after acquiring an additional 19,761,632 shares during the period. Jordan Park Group LLC lifted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 103.9% during the 1st quarter. Jordan Park Group LLC now owns 18,428,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $423,578,000 after acquiring an additional 9,389,586 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 3,198.5% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,222,750 shares of the companys stock valued at $74,091,000 after acquiring an additional 3,125,046 shares during the period. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its position in shares of iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 11,094.2% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,864,267 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,821,000 after purchasing an additional 2,838,680 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF Stock Down 0.2%

BATS GOVT opened at $22.86 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $22.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $22.78.

About iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

The iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of fixed-rate nonconvertible U.S. Treasury securities with a remaining maturity of one year or more. GOVT was launched on Feb 14, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. grew its stake in shares of McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 84.3% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 13,954 shares of the fast-food giants stock after buying an additional 6,384 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in McDonalds were worth $4,359,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. First American Trust FSB increased its position in McDonalds by 55.9% during the 1st quarter. First American Trust FSB now owns 36,917 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $11,532,000 after purchasing an additional 13,234 shares in the last quarter. Red Door Wealth Management LLC increased its position in McDonalds by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Red Door Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,724 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $1,788,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd increased its position in McDonalds by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 345,319 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $107,867,000 after purchasing an additional 18,393 shares in the last quarter. Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in McDonalds by 22.9% during the 1st quarter. Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC now owns 17,226 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $5,381,000 after purchasing an additional 3,212 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Segment Wealth Management LLC increased its position in McDonalds by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Segment Wealth Management LLC now owns 54,672 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $17,078,000 after purchasing an additional 937 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Desiree Ralls-Morrison sold 2,487 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.00, for a total transaction of $770,970.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 8,754 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,713,740. The trade was a 22.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CMO Edith Morgan Flatley sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $300,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 8,858 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,657,400. This trade represents a 10.14% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 7,280 shares of company stock valued at $2,215,178. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

McDonalds Stock Performance

Shares of MCD opened at $308.76 on Friday. McDonalds Corporation has a 1 year low of $274.70 and a 1 year high of $326.32. The company has a market cap of $220.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 0.52. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $298.06 and a 200-day moving average of $304.97.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The fast-food giant reported $3.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.04. McDonalds had a net margin of 32.21% and a negative return on equity of 225.52%. The company had revenue of $6.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.97 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current year.

McDonalds Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be issued a dividend of $1.77 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. McDonaldss payout ratio is 60.67%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on MCD. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $324.00 to $326.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Northcoast Research downgraded shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $355.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Argus downgraded shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $326.87.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MCD

McDonalds Company Profile

(Free Report)

McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.

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Aura Minerals Inc. (TSE:ORA  Free Report)  Analysts at National Bank Financial issued their FY2027 EPS estimates for shares of Aura Minerals in a research report issued on Wednesday, August 13th. National Bank Financial analyst R. Nizami forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $6.38 for the year. National Bank Financial has a Strong-Buy rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Aura Minerals current full-year earnings is $4.20 per share.

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Aura Minerals Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of Aura Minerals stock opened at C$39.01 on Friday. Aura Minerals has a 1 year low of C$12.69 and a 1 year high of C$39.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 147.80, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.22. The stock has a market cap of C$2.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -37.72 and a beta of 0.59. The firms 50-day moving average is C$35.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$28.97.

Insider Activity at Aura Minerals

Aura Minerals Cuts Dividend

In other Aura Minerals news, insider Northwestern Enterprises Ltd. purchased 10,000 shares of Aura Minerals stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 13th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$36.19 per share, for a total transaction of C$361,900.00. Corporate insiders own 57.96% of the companys stock.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 26th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 26th will be issued a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Aura Mineralss payout ratio is currently -92.83%.

Aura Minerals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Aura Minerals Inc is a mid-tier gold and copper production company focused on the development and operation of gold and base metal projects in the Americas. The companys producing assets include the San Andres gold mine in Honduras, the Ernesto/Paua -Pique gold mine in Brazil, the Aranzazu copper-gold-silver mine in Mexico and the Gold Road mine in the United States.

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Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report) by 740.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 100,684 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 88,705 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLCs holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $11,244,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Meeder Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Prudential Financial by 90.2% in the first quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 234 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. Cheviot Value Management LLC purchased a new stake in Prudential Financial in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. North Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in Prudential Financial in the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Prudential Financial in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Clearstead Trust LLC raised its position in Prudential Financial by 350.8% in the first quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 266 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. 56.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Prudential Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:PRU opened at $105.98 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $37.30 billion, a PE ratio of 23.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.07. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $104.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $106.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 0.16. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 12 month low of $90.38 and a 12 month high of $130.55.

Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement

Prudential Financial ( NYSE:PRU Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The financial services provider reported $3.58 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.22 by $0.36. The firm had revenue of $13.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.47 billion. Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 15.80% and a net margin of 2.75%. Prudential Financials revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.39 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 19th will be issued a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 19th. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio is 119.73%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Insurance Co Of Ame Prudential acquired 1,675,978 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 16th. The stock was bought at an average price of $28.64 per share, for a total transaction of $48,000,009.92. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider directly owned 3,168,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $90,744,723.04. The trade was a 112.29% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.25% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PRU has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $113.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Barclays boosted their target price on Prudential Financial from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Prudential Financial from $116.00 to $113.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Wall Street Zen raised Prudential Financial from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 2nd. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on Prudential Financial from $122.00 to $110.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $121.75.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Prudential Financial

About Prudential Financial

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments.

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Public Sector Pension Investment Board lifted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 11.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 80,672 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 7,998 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $5,847,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC now owns 3,906 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $289,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC lifted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 1.2% in the first quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 11,092 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $804,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 2.8% in the first quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,136 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $372,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 9.3% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,698 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $123,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 0.5% in the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 30,195 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,170,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on EW. Argus upgraded Edwards Lifesciences to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $84.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. William Blair upgraded Edwards Lifesciences to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 25th. Daiwa America upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, July 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $85.90.

Edwards Lifesciences Trading Up 0.1%

Edwards Lifesciences stock opened at $78.26 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $45.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.26, a PEG ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 1.08. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $64.00 and a fifty-two week high of $83.00. The firms fifty day moving average price is $77.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $74.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 3.87 and a current ratio of 4.68.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The medical research company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.49 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 72.96% and a return on equity of 15.01%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.70 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 2,570 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.40, for a total value of $198,918.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 50,356 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,897,554.40. This represents a 4.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,950 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.23, for a total value of $673,308.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 206,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,565,087. This represents a 4.15% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 17,134 shares of company stock worth $1,311,745. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile

(Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. boosted its position in Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN  Free Report) by 77.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 498,500 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 217,135 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Banco Santander were worth $3,340,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in Banco Santander by 17.8% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 362,080 shares of the banks stock worth $2,426,000 after buying an additional 54,664 shares in the last quarter. Arrowpoint Investment Partners Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in Banco Santander during the first quarter worth $10,181,000. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Banco Santander during the first quarter worth $1,144,000. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Banco Santander during the first quarter worth $375,000. Finally, Townsquare Capital LLC increased its position in Banco Santander by 13.6% during the first quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 42,670 shares of the banks stock worth $286,000 after buying an additional 5,094 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.19% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on SAN. Citigroup began coverage on Banco Santander in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. They set a buy rating for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Banco Santander from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets cut Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Banco Santander currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

Banco Santander Stock Up 0.1%

SAN stock opened at $9.63 on Friday. Banco Santander, S.A. has a 52-week low of $4.43 and a 52-week high of $9.70. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $8.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $143.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.06.

Banco Santander (NYSE:SAN  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The bank reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.26 by ($0.04). Banco Santander had a net margin of 17.30% and a return on equity of 11.98%. The firm had revenue of $17.83 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.69 billion. As a group, analysts anticipate that Banco Santander, S.A. will post 0.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Banco Santander Company Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Santander, SA provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments. It offers demand and time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts; mortgages, consumer finance, loans, and various financing solutions; and project finance, debt capital markets, global transaction banking, and corporate finance services.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. lifted its position in shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON  Free Report) by 102.6% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 8,925 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 4,519 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in AON were worth $3,562,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Portside Wealth Group LLC boosted its position in AON by 530.6% during the first quarter. Portside Wealth Group LLC now owns 11,055 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,412,000 after buying an additional 9,302 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC boosted its position in AON by 0.3% during the first quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 2,051,816 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $809,544,000 after buying an additional 6,038 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its position in AON by 5.6% during the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 28,022 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,183,000 after buying an additional 1,489 shares during the period. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in AON by 425.3% during the first quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,907 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $761,000 after buying an additional 1,544 shares during the period. Finally, Ninety One North America Inc. boosted its position in AON by 64.4% during the first quarter. Ninety One North America Inc. now owns 7,483 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,986,000 after buying an additional 2,932 shares during the period. 86.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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AON Stock Performance

Shares of AON opened at $367.19 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.52. Aon plc has a one year low of $323.73 and a one year high of $412.97. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $357.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $370.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.18 billion, a PE ratio of 30.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.83.

AON Announces Dividend

AON ( NYSE:AON Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 25th. The financial services provider reported $3.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.40 by $0.09. AON had a return on equity of 50.91% and a net margin of 15.54%. The company had revenue of $4.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.93 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Aon plc will post 17.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 1st were given a dividend of $0.745 per share. This represents a $2.98 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 1st. AONs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.96%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have issued reports on AON. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of AON from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $400.00 to $426.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of AON from $411.00 to $421.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and set a $438.00 target price (up from $436.00) on shares of AON in a report on Thursday, July 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of AON from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $408.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of AON from $414.00 to $409.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AON presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $410.69.

Read Our Latest Report on AON

About AON

(Free Report)

Aon Plc engages in the provision of risk, health, and wealth solutions. It focuses on risk capital including claim management, reinsurance, risk analysis, management, retention, and transfer; and human capital involving analytics, health and benefits, investments, pensions and retirement, talent and rewards, and workplace wellbeing.

See Also

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Apparently, after rolling out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin  a wanted international war criminal  the Donald has been conducting talks with the Russians about how to carve up Ukraine.

Aint it great to be rewarded and praised for killing millions of people in an illegal invasion? The White House assembled the full dog and pony show  on the ground, a red carpet and a ride together in The Beast. In the air, a five-ship formation performed a flypast of a B-2 bomber flanked on either side by a pair of F-22 Raptor fighters.

While a courageous ally, Zelensky is yelled at in the Oval Office, a war criminal gangster is welcomed with a red carpet. Nothing wrong with that, eh?

With no mention of a ceasefire or a deal, the historic press conference will be followed by dinner, during which the American and Russian contingents will undoubtedly discuss how to carve up the menu.

All in all, this has been a great Alaska Summit, albeit one without anyone present from the country that was invaded in the first place by the celebrated and honoured Russian aggressor.
Dear friends, enemies and assholes. With all this bullshit going on, frankly its getting tiresome to say the least. You can wine and dine the Russians, take their leaders around in huge Cadillacs and roll out endless red carpets. You can bring out the entire show, you can offer gifts and pieces of rare earth minerals, which the Russians already have anyway. You can be direct with them yet diplomatic. All of these things are not effective, simply because Russians only respond to two things  brute force and economic ruin.

If a Russian wants something he does not ask nicely, he takes it. This is the Russian way, and he will use any means of violence and brute force to take what he wants without even batting an eyelid. There are no gentlemen or ladies in Russia  just brutes. It is engrained in their DNA, it is coded in their genetic structure. Putin wants Ukraine  he will take it. Putin wants Paris, he wants Berlin, he wants Helsinki and all the rest.

In Russia, you do not queue. If you want something, you go to the front, wherever it is and get what you want. You do not say sorry or thank you, these concepts are alien to most Russians as they are deemed a sign of weakness.

In Russia, whoever is the most brutal, the most crafty and with the least conscience is top dog. This is how Putin rose up through the blood soaked corridors of the Kremlin.

In Russia there is no Net Zero because they know that in a war Net Zero is useless. The deluded and arrogant Western leaders think they can implement Net Zero now before the war, when something like that can only be implemented after the war with a depleted population. They are not factoring in any variables that involve existential threats, and in their weak deluded, naive arrogance are set for certain defeat.

The Battle of Stalingrad exemplifies the purity of Russian brute strength, even with depleted weapons, supplies and men they snatched victory from the jaws of Hitlers superior troops and military might. Wave after never ending wave of men are sent forward by the Russian generals despite the casualties and deaths, without compunction.

Putin only sees things with brutal honesty, and his KGB training served him well. Concepts like equality, feminism, LGBTQP rights, ecoactivism, toxic masculinity, and other liberal ideas do not exist and are fairytales created by deluded indoctrinated indulgent fools.

This is how Gays who are members of the LGBTQ+ community celebrate their holiday which they call Pride month it will begin in a few days. Some images from London Pride 2023. Your Comments on this

pic.twitter.com/VQ88XWszY7  Africa Folder (@AfricaFolder) May 24, 2024

This is why Russia is strong and the West, through its decadence, and complacency, is weak. Of course, it is good to be inclusive to the many types of people in a Western society, but in Russia there are only two types of people  the strong and the weak. Western liberal societies are watered down and fractured, they are weak with little or no cohesion. This is a stark contrast to Russians who are strongly united as a singular cohesive body, where the weak dregs of society are discarded to their own devices, or eliminated and the strong move as a singular unitary body.

There is no strength in weakness. Either you are strong or you are weak and defeated. This is the Russian way, and if the weak West wants to defeat an enemy like this, then it must discard weakness and embrace strength or be defeated. That is the hard truth.

Trump has tried to be strong, at least that can be granted to his presidency, but it is too late. The West has already been defeated with decades of ideological subversion, mass immigration, and woke indoctrination. These elements of destruction only weaken and fracture societies and entire nations, destroying social cohesion and morale. Putin and Xi Jinping know this, as they have been engineering the Wests decline for decades with these very concepts.

Unless the West steps up now and changes completely, it will be all over soon. Putin and Jinping know this, and they are biding their time to strike. Trump knows all of this as well, and it is admirable that he tried to change the West from defeat, but ultimately he was too late.

General Patton would not be fucking around right now, wining and dining Russians.
Dancehall-reggae artiste Mwata Modala has been gaining traction with the viral club-banger Eh Gal on the Shake It to the Max rhythm.

The response to Eh Gal has been phenomenal, it just proves to me seh you never know what song ago change yuh life cah mi neva expect it fi tek off so big, considering it was just a freestyle I did for fun. Big up mi bredda Lando the dancehall mechanic a him buss it over TikTok, and the rest a history, the artiste said.

The single, which is accompanied by a visually striking music video, has racked up almost 30,000 views on YouTube, and gone viral on Tik Tok, generating thousands of views and multiple reposts.

During this Summer, he has continued to crank up the promotion on the project, even as the original Shake It To the Max remix climbs up Billboard and international charts.

Its amazing to see everyone gravitate to the Eh Gal song. Right now mi just a gwan stay focused and put in the work to show the world seh mi deserve a place inna music, he said.

He recently performed in Ansonia, Connecticut on July 26th, and he has several upcoming gigs including a show called Lust in St. Ann on December 27th.

Yeah, I have a few upcoming US dates coming up but Im really excited about my first performance in Jamaica, mi ago rough up da stage deh, he vowed.

Born in 1985 in the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mwata gravitated to music while he traveled to recording studios with his father, who would encourage him to spit lyrics into the microphone.

At age 14, he began to sneak into dancehall parties with his friends and he soon voiced his first dubplate. He started doing hip-hop and earned a rep as one of the toughest battle rappers in the city, performing under the name Bonez, one of his childhood nicknames.

After doing a dubplate for a deeply personal Dont Cry song in memory of Jigga, a New York selector who had died at the time, Mwata gained notoriety in his Bridgeport community, and among Jamaicans on the east coast of the USA. Then for personal reasons, he took an extended break from the business.

Now that he has returned, Mwata Modala is gunning for dancehalls top spot. In July, he dropped a new freestyle, Forever, recorded on Rvssians popular Story Book rhythm.

Although the song has not been officially released, fans have been eagerly calling for its approval with several hundred reshares from top IG pages in Jamaica.

I am just putting in the work, he said.